Новости за 11.09.2020

Launched on September 10 during the Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect virtual event, machining manufacturer Stanfra Trading showcased its new fully South African 100 mm quarter-turn ball valve. Stanfra Trading CEO Francois Marais states that this type of valve is the first to be produced in South Africa, using 100% South African-sourced materials and designed for local applications where other imported quarter-turn ball valves have failed.

Canadian mining firm Ivanhoe Mines is in the process of updating its figures for an updated bankable feasibility study (BFS) and phased development plan for the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for its South African Platreef operation. The updated BFS and PEA should be published within the next month, Ivanhoe president Marna Cloete said during an investor-focused webinar on September 10.

TSX-V-listed Deep-South Resources has advised that its recently announced nonbrokered private placement is oversubscribed and that the company will therefore increase the offering to $2-million, up from $1-million. The company will proceed with a first closing on September 16.

The value of diamond miner De Beers' rough diamond sales, which includes global sightholder sales and auctions for the sixth and seventh sales cycles of this year, amounted to $116-million and $320-million, respectively. CEO Bruce Cleaver says diamond markets showed some continued improvement throughout August and into September as Covid-19 restrictions continued to ease in various locations.

Publically traded mining company First Majestic has announced that it will raise C$78-million through a bought deal finance investment by Canadian investor Eric Sprott. The bought deal finance includes five-million common shares at C$15.60 a share. The proceeds would be used to develop and, or improve the company's existing mines and to add to the company's working capital.

Mining major Rio Tinto has announced the resignation of CEO Jean-Sebastian Jacques, iron-ore CEO Chris Salisbury and group executive of corporate relations Simone Niven, following the Juukan Forge rock shelters debacle. The resignations come after the August publication of the Board Review of Cultural Heritage Management, undertaken in response to the destruction of the rockshelters in May this year. The company has announced that Jacques will remain in the role as group CEO until the end of March next year... Читать дальше...

The compounded knock-on effects of the Covid-19 lockdown have had a considerably negative effect on South African pumps companies, says industry body Pump Cluster chairperson Howard Jones. One of the largest markets for pumps is the mining sector, which has made a sputtering restart after the initial lockdown in late March. Although the mines started up again fairly early, it has taken some time for operations to stabilise across the sector.

Component and technical services provider BMG notes that its SF series range of Steimel lubricant and feed gear pumps is used primarily on oil lube systems in mines, steel works, power stations and general industry. “SF heavy duty pumps are particularly suitable for transporting [chemically compatible] media with minimal lubricity, that does not contain solids,” says BMG pumps national product manager Joe Pinheiro, adding that the pumps offer pulsation-free pumping delivery, and are designed to pump any grade of lube oil... Читать дальше...

At a time when mines have come under even more pressure to maintain profitability and sustainability, original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) Weir Minerals Africa has put operational cost reduction and added value at the forefront of its research and development (R&D) strategy and product offering.

Portable air and power rental company Rand-Air, a subsidiary of industrial equipment manufacturer Atlas Copco, has introduced the Weda range of dewatering pumps to its suite of rental options to meet demand from the market. This comes after the range of pumps was added as a purchase-only option in 2014. “The rationale behind this decision is that the rental option preserves capital for the customer,” Rand-Air business development manager Henry Fourie explains, adding that rental is a particularly... Читать дальше...

Industrial pump manufacturer Verder Pumps South Africa has launched the Verderflex iDura – a new range of pumps – during the 2020 Electra Mining Connect week online event, hosted from 7 to 11 September. The iDura pump range is a plug-and-play version of the existing Dura hose pump range and includes a single- or three-phase IP66 outdoor-rated inverter as well as integral hose burst detection technology.

Engine manufacturer Cummins is strategically targeting the dewatering pumps market in Africa and the Middle East using a two-pronged approach by working with original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users. “We see a lot of opportunity in the pumps sector, with much room for growth. Pumps, as a market segment, is that in which we aim to increase market share,” Cummins Africa and Middle East engine sales specialist Rhea Harripersadh tells Mining Weekly.

The mobility of trailer-mounted pumps has earned them a reputation for versatility and efficiency, according to pump-leasing agent Integrated Pump Rental. The company claims that its range of Sykes pumps in mobile configuration has encountered “enthusiastic” take-up in various markets, from large opencast mines to construction sites.

As copper is a major component in electric vehicles (EVs), the expected boom in the EVs market should significantly increase copper demand, with EV copper consumption expected to increase by 1.7-million tonnes by 2027, according to a report commissioned by the International Copper Association. Demand for copper is expected to remain high, which is a big incentive for mining companies, says Zambia Chamber of Mines deputy CEO Talent Ng’andwe.

Despite the Zambian government’s programme to diversify the economy – into such sectors as tourism and agriculture – the mining and natural resources sector, particularly the copper mines, remain the most substantial potential contributor to growth and development in Zambia, says law firm Beech Veltman CEO Warren Beech. However, he highlights that the primary concerns for investors in Zambia are the complexities surrounding mining law, constrained infrastructure, as well as unreliable electricity supply.

Amid the challenges facing the Zambian mining industry, partially because of Covid-19, government has committed to waiving penalties and interest on the late payment of taxes, explains advisory firm KPMG Zambia tax partner Michael Phiri. The Central Bank has also set aside about R9-million, which can be accessed by companies in distressed, including those in the mining sector, “another welcome measure that could benefit the gemstone sector, in particular”, he adds.