Новости за 21.10.2020

Diversified South African-based resources group Exxaro Resources says a local community member was killed in a shooting incident near its Grootegeluk mine on October 20. "The deceased was part of a community protest that entered the private property owned by Exxaro near its Grootegeluk mine operations, which protestors set fire to a part of the veld and a conveyor belt leading out of the mine.

Coal is integral to South Africa, economically and socially, and will continue to play a pivotal role for many years to come; therefore, technology and innovation in the industry should be pursued to mitigate carbon emissions as part of the country’s just energy transition journey. This was indicated by speakers during the Minerals Council South Africa’s ‘Advancing the just transition: coal technology and innovation’ webinar, held on October 21 − the day on which the council was also observing Global Ethics Day.

The Aggregate & Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa (Aspasa) has introduced a new set of policies for members to uphold, which relate to all aspects of surface mining operations. Aspasa director Nico Pienaar says the code documents good, ethical behaviour and says that, while most member companies adhere to these anyway, it gives the association recourse in the event of unethical behaviour being reported.

About $383-million of the outstanding $383.8-million in outstanding bonds have been converted by bondholders of JSE- and NYSE-listed Sibanye-Stillwater’s wholly owned subsidiary Sibanye Gold, which in September exercised its option to redeem all outstanding bonds. Sibanye Gold had exercised its option in respect of its $450-million 1.875% convertible bonds, due 2023, to redeem all outstanding bonds at their principal amount, together with accrued but unpaid interest up to but excluding the optional redemption date.

JSE-listed diversified miner Anglo American South Africa has noted a class action lawsuit filed against it by Mbuyisa Moleele Attorneys and Leigh Day in the Gauteng High Court, related to lead poisoning claims stemming from the Kabwe mine, in Zambia. The lawyers filed the lawsuit on behalf of a class estimated to comprise more than 100 000 individuals in the Kabwe district of Zambia. The claimants believe they have been exposed to lead contamination.

JSE-listed investment company Unicorn Capital Partners (UCP) has advised that its subsidiary, Nkomati Anthracite, has entered into business rescue. Daniel Terblanche has been appointed as the business rescue practitioner.

Mexico’s largest gold producer Fresnillo has lowered its 2020 guidance for gold, citing Covid-related work restrictions at its openpit mines, but the company kept its silver production outlook unchanged. The London-listed miner explained on Wednesday that it had to reduce the number of mine operators at Herradura, owing to Covid-19 preventative measures to protect the vulnerable personnel and lower-than-expected ore grades at the Dynamic Leaching plant, together with restricted access to deeper areas at the Noche Bueana mine. Читать дальше...

London-listed Atalaya Mining on Wednesday announced the acquisition of a polymetallic project about 28 km from its Proyecto Riotinto mine, in Spain. Atalaya will pay €1.4-million cash for the Masa Valverde project, located in Huelva.

Base metals producer New Century Resources has reported another solid quarter of production from its namesake zinc mine, in Queensland. During the three months to September, New Century produced 33 633 t of zinc metal, which was down 2% on the previous quarter’s 34 363 t, with the company telling shareholders on Wednesday that production growth during the quarter had been hampered by mechanical issues in the ball mill circuit and a planned major maintenance shutdown.

London-listed Petra Diamonds has launched a special tender process for its Letlapa Tala Collection, which comprises five blue diamonds of significant colour, clarity, size and heritage. The diamonds were recovered from the company’s Cullinan mine, in Gauteng.

Chilean miner Antofagasta on Wednesday reported a 4.6% drop in third-quarter output on the previous quarter and said annual output was likely to be at the lower end of its 2020 guidance. Antofagasta produced 169 600 tonnes of copper during the third quarter down from the 177 700 tonnes in the previous three months, mainly due to major maintenance work at its flagship Los Pelambres mine and lower grades at its Antucoya operations. The London-listed miner said it expected 2020 production to be at... Читать дальше...

Demand for thermal coal in the US will remain in secular decline in the 2020s, regardless of the outcome of the Presidential elections early next month, driven by a combination of factors, including persistently low natural gas prices and increasing emphasis on renewably energy. However, thermal coal producers would see an accelerated decline in demand under policies proposed by Democratic candidate Joseph Biden, Moody’s Investor Service said on Tuesday. With “greening the economy” at the centre of growth for the Democratic platform... Читать дальше...

Metals miner Aeris Resources has reported a slight decline in copper production for the September quarter, compared with the June quarter, while first gold production was added to the company’s profile from the Cracow mine. Copper production in the three months to September reached 6 044 t, at an all-in sustaining cost of A$3.33/lb, compared with the 6 672 t produced in the June quarter, at an all-in sustaining cost of A$3.23/lb.

The federal government has launched its second edition of the Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus, showcasing the country’s significant capability in critical minerals in a bid to attract investment. The Prospectus identifies new significant commercial opportunities in hundreds of critical minerals and rare earth elements projects across Australia.