Mining Weekly

More than 70% of critical minerals needed for the transition to net zero emissions will be at risk from climate disruption by 2050, professional services firm PwC says. The firm's latest report, titled ‘Climate Risks to Nine Key Commodities Report’, shows that the production of copper, cobalt and lithium minerals crucial for the clean energy transition could face significant or higher drought risk by 2050 under a high-emissions scenario. Currently, these critical minerals are only at a 10% risk.

Pending an improved price and cost environment, Glencore said in its first-quarter 2024 production report on Tuesday that its Rustenburg ferrochrome smelter in South Africa’s North West province would remain idled. The London- and Johannesburg-listed diversified mining and marketing company reported 26% lower attributable first quarter ferrochrome production of 297 000 t amid the European benchmark ferrochrome price for the second quarter of this year settled at $1.52/lb, 5.6% up on the first three months of 2024.

Gold Fields long-serving CFO Paul Schmidt, who is also an executive director of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed gold mining company, is to proceed on early retirement, the company stated in a stock exchange announcement on Tuesday. Although his stepdown is effective from April 30, Schmidt will, remain in Gold Fields’ employ until June 30.

Vedanta Resources has approached trading houses as it seeks to raise capital to revive the Konkola copper mining and smelting complex in Zambia. Billionaire Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta has discussed tolling and prepayment facilities with commodity traders, including Mercuria Energy Group, for output from Konkola Copper Mines, according to people familiar with the matter. It’s also examining the sale of a minority stake in KCM as it explores ways to pay off creditors and invest in the mines that entered provisional liquidation in 2019, the people said, asking not to be identified because the talks are private.

As part of its commitment to education, precious metals refiner Rand Refinery has donated R2-million to seven primary and secondary schools in Gauteng. The company says this donation will be allocated towards refurbishments at, and procurement of modern educational tools by, the selected schools.

Gold mining and exploration company Thor Explorations has reported a $24-million year-on-year decrease in revenue from $165.2-million in 2022 to $141.2-million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Thor operates the Segilola gold mine, in Nigeria, and also holds several mineral exploration properties in Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso.

BHP has told Australian investors privately that its $39-billion Anglo American bid is in line with its strategy and that it will be disciplined in its approach, two fund sources said. The world's biggest listed mining group is weighing up its next move after its initial takeover proposal for its smaller competitor was rejected by Anglo last week.

Senior gold producer Endeavour Mining announces that first gold pour at the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX Expansion project, in Senegal, took place on April 18, marking the successful delivery of the BIOX Expansion project on schedule and on budget, with no lost-time injuries. Endeavour points out that the first gold pour at the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX Expansion was achieved only 24 months after construction started, transforming the Sabodala-Massawa Complex into a tier-one mine.

London-listed URA Holdings has started phased production at the Gravelotte emerald mine (GEM) in South Africa. Following the successful commissioning of the processing and sorting plants, phased production at GEM started, as scheduled, before the end of April.

BHP Group’s bid to spin off Anglo America’s South African assets as part of a takeover proposal shows how the economic policies of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) have undermined investor confidence in the country, the main opposition party said. The offer by BHP envisages Anglo offloading majority stakes in Anglo American Platinum, the world’s largest miner of the metal by market value, and Kumba Iron Ore to shareholders. Anglo on Friday rejected the £31.1-billion proposal by BHP because it “significantly undervalues” the company.

BHP Group is considering making an improved offer for Anglo American after its $39-billion initial proposal was rejected by the London-listed miner, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. BHP is in discussions on a revised bid for Anglo American to be made in coming weeks, the source said. The deliberations are ongoing and the group has not yet made a decision on the size and structure of the new proposal, the source added.

The growth in demand for platinum applications in China is extremely high, making detailed access to the China market hugely advantageous. Providing this detailed access from July 8 to 11 will be the far-reaching Shanghai Platinum Week 2024, which is sandwiched between the London Platinum Week in May and the New York Platinum Week in September.

The last time BHP Group took a swing at another major miner, it was Rio Tinto back in 2007. That could have been a blockbuster $150-billion takeover, but with metals prices crashing as the financial crisis took hold and with China signaling its discontent, the plan crumbled. Having confirmed its takeover approach for rival Anglo American on Thursday, executives at the world’s biggest digger will be hoping for a better outcome this time — even with one of the most complex deals the industry has seen in years.

JSE-listed Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats) has initiated a Section 189(3) consultation process at its South African operations, signalling thousands of potential job losses. Implats envisages a reduction of about 3 900 positions, constituting  a 9% reduction in labour across the Impala Rustenburg, Impala Bafokeng and Marula operations. The corporate office aims for a 30% reduction in head office costs.

ining and trading house Glencore will invest in Nigeria's mining sector if the government ensures a stable business climate, the company's CEO said on Thursday during a visit to Nigeria's minister in charge of solid minerals. The visit comes as Nigeria is seeking to woo foreign investors to its undeveloped mining sector.

South Africa-focused coal company MC Mining on Friday announced the resignation of Nhlanhla Nene as director and chairperson of the board. Nene joined the company on April 11, 2022, initially serving as a nonexeuctive director and then as chairperson from April 28, 2022.

JSE-listed Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) has appointed Sayurie Naidoo as CFO and executive director, with effect from May 1. Naidoo, who has been serving as the acting CFO since Craig Miller assumed the role of CEO in October 2023, brings more than 15 years of experience with Anglo American to her new position.

Diversified miner Anglo American has firmly rebuffed a $38.8-billion proposal from mining heavyweight BHP, with chairperson Stuart Chambers dismissing the nonbinding offer as “highly unattractive”. In a statement released on Friday, Chambers labelled the BHP proposal as opportunistic and lacking in appreciation for Anglo’s prospects.

As uranium developer Bannerman Resources progresses with its plans for an initial eight-million-tonne-a-year Etango project, in Namibia, it is casting its gaze towards a broader horizon. The company has started to delve into potential expansion options, aiming for a larger-scale operation in the future. The ASX-listed junior recently completed a scoping study that looks at the long-term optionality afforded by the large-scale Etango resource. Executive chairperson Brandon Munro highlighted the study’s findings, emphasising a “clear pathway” towards achieving a production capacity of 6.7-million-pound-a-year.

When former boss Mark Cutifani left Anglo American in mid-April 2022, things had rarely looked better for the century-old miner. Metals prices soared as the world emerged from lockdowns, the company had recently posted its best-ever annual profit and the popular industry veteran was handing over to a trusted lieutenant. Anglo stock hit a record the same day. Two years later, the company’s reputation is in tatters after a series of missteps sent its value plunging by half. And now industry heavyweight BHP Group is moving in.