Mining company Gold Fields expects to be in a position to decide on the establishment of a wind power project at the South Deep gold mine, west of Johannesburg, in the third quarter of this year. The project is currently undergoing scoping and feasibility and one of the key pieces of work has been around its environmental impact in general and its effect on a bat colony that exists in the nearby area in particular, Gold Fields CEO Mike Fraser said in response to Mining Weekly at this week’s first-quarter results and environmental, social and governance (ESG) presentation. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video.)
JSE undertaking measures to mitigate de-listing, shrinkage
The JSE is undertaking several initiatives to mitigate de-listings and reduced market capitalisation, chairperson Phuthuma Nhleko said during the entity’s AGM on May 7. Speaking to Engineering News prior to the meeting, consultancy and research provider AmaranthCX director Paul Miller posited that the entire public market ecosystem was “withering” and that the JSE’s communication did not reflect the extent of this problem.
Leo Lithium sells Mali project to Ganfeng for $342m
Australia-listed Leo Lithium has announced it is exiting the Goulamina project, in Mali, with the sale of its remaining 40% interest to joint venture (JV) partner Ganfeng.
The Chinese group will pay Leo $342.7-million for the remaining stake in Goulamina.
GoviEx hosts Minister at Madaouela to show its commitment to transparency, collaboration
TSX-V-listed GoviEx Uranium this week hosted a Ministerial delegation at its Madaouela uranium project, in Niger, amid ongoing discussions with government as the project development advances.
Niger Mines Minister Ousmane Abarchi visited the site along with the governor of the Agadez region and local community officials.
Khan project exceeding Madison CEO’s expectations
Uranium exploration and development company Madison Metals CEO Duane Parnham has said the latest findings from the company’s Khan uranium exploration project at Madison West, in the Erongo uranium province of Namibia, have exceeded expectations. “We are on the cusp of something remarkable,” he said on May 7, following a recent visit to the site.
Sierra Rutile to restart Area 1 operations
ASX-listed Sierra Rutile on Tuesday announced the planned to restart of Area 1 mining operations, pending a contract for additional power generation capacity and assuming that a new fiscal regime would be in place.
Earlier this week, the government instructed Sierra Rutile to restart operations at Area 1 by the end of May, claiming that the company had violated the Mines and Minerals Development Act by suspending operations early this year.
Avanti appoints mining veteran Jonah as chair, acquires gold prospect in Botswana
Canada-listed Avanti Gold has appointed Sir Samuel Jonah director and chairperson of the company, at a time when the company explores a stretch of newly acquired prospective terrain in Botswana.
Jonah has made valuable contributions to the mining sector in Africa, including as former president of gold miner AngloGold Ashanti and having served on the boards of companies such as Moto Gold Mines, Vodafone Group, Standard Bank Group, Roscan Gold and Bank of America Corporation’s Global Advisory Council.
Zimbabwe aims to use FDI to develop a competitive economy by 2030
Zimbabwe held an investment conference on May 2 and 3 in South Africa during which its officials explained that the country of 16-million people wants to use local and international investments into key sectors of its economy to further develop the country by 2030. This objective is encapsulated in its National Strategy Vision 2030 and, to attract investors, the country has entered into negotiations to settle compensation claims linked to land seizures from farmers two decades ago, as well as to settle its international debt default to tap into international finance markets.
South Deep gold output well down as Gold Fields implements recovery plan
With first-quarter gold production down 34% at South Deep gold mine, Gold Fields is focusing on setting up the well-endowed long-life Gauteng operation for longevity, quality ounces and sustainable production increases. The challenging quarter of the bulk mechanised mine near Westonaria, west of Johannesburg, which has been built to extract one of the world’s largest gold deposits, is focusing the resolve of the Johannesburg- and New York-listed Gold Fields to increase backfill tipping points, increase long-hole stope drilling and improve ventilation, road conditions and service utilities underground.
South African unions urge Anglo shareholders to reject BHP bid
South Africa’s biggest labour union federation urged local shareholders, including the powerful Public Investment Corporation (PIC), to oppose BHP Group’s bid to buy Anglo American. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), which includes the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) among its members, said a deal wouldn’t be in the national interest. South African shareholders hold about 26% of Anglo, with the PIC owning 8.4%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.