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Epiroc acquires South African rock drilling parts maker Weco

Published: 03 May 24

Swedish equipment manufacturer Epiroc has successfully acquired Weco, a South African manufacturer of precision-engineered rock drilling parts. Weco has been operating in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, for more than 40 years, serving mainly underground mining customers in the Southern Africa region.

TFR ramps up coal trains to 28 a week

Published: 03 May 24

State-owned Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has embarked on a ramp up of GF-class coal trains from 21 a week to 28 a week, supported by an injection of locomotives. This is part of Transnet’s recovery plan initiatives, and a commitment made to the City of uMhlathuze leadership and other stakeholders during the Stakeholder Collaboration on Truck Congestion Solutions meeting held in the Port of Richards Bay, in KwaZulu-Natal, on November 21 last year.

O3 terminates option to acquire Aurbel mill

Published: 03 May 24

Exploration and development company O3 Mining has terminated its option with Eldorado Gold to acquire the Aurbel mill, which is located about 10 km from its Alpha property in Quebec. In 2022, O3 Mining was granted an option to acquire the mill, tailings and associated permits for C$5-million and annual maintenance costs of C$87 500 a year to maintain the mill during the option term.

Anglo American boosts London's FTSE 100 to near record high

Published: 03 May 24

Britain's FTSE 100 opened near record highs on Friday, boosted by Anglo American after Reuters reported Glencore is exploring an approach for the miner, while Diageo advanced after naming a new chief financial officer. The blue-chip FTSE 100 was up 0.3% by 0709 GMT, a whisker away from a record high, and is set for a second straight week of gains.

Zimbabwe's sole nickel mine placed under administration

Published: 03 May 24

Zimbabwe's only operating nickel mine was on Thursday placed under administration, according to a government notice, seven months after halting production due to equipment failure and low prices. Zimbabwe's government owns 70% of Bindura Nickel Corporation's Trojan Nickel Mine which employs about 1 100 people according to Bindura's latest annual report.

Treasury Metals combines with Blackwolf

Published: 03 May 24

Canadian companies Treasury Metals and Blackwolf Copper and Gold have announced a merger to advance the Goliath Gold Complex (GGC) project in Ontario towards production with a strengthened leadership, balance sheet and capital markets team. Mining and capital markets executive Frank Giustra is the largest shareholder of Blackwolf and is expected to be the biggest shareholder of the combined company.

Canadian junior kicks off exploration programme in Bougainville

Published: 03 May 24

Island Passage Development Canada Limited (IPDC) has announced the initiation of a large-scale mineral exploration programme on Bougainville island, marking the first major exploration effort since the signing of the 2001 Peace Accord between Papua New Guinea and Bougainville. The programme, spearheaded by IPDC's Papua New Guinea subsidiary, Island Passage Development Limited (IPD), is conducted in collaboration with Isina Resource Holdings Limited (IRHL), a customary landowner company.

Greatland eyes full ownership of Havieron amid Newmont's potential divestment

Published: 03 May 24

London-listed Greatland Gold is contemplating reclaiming full ownership of the Havieron gold/copper project in Western Australia, should Newmont divest of its 70% stake, says MD Shaun Day. The US-based gold major in February announced that it was considering selling its interests in Havieron and Telfer, which were inherited through its acquisition of Newcrest last year.

Copper miner Austral placed in receivership

Published: 03 May 24

Copper miner Austral Resources has been placed in receivership. Creditor Wingate has appointed Jason Tracy, Grant Sparks and Sean Holmes as joint and several receivers and managers. “The business will continue to trade while the receivers and managers undertake an assessment of the financial position and determine the future of the business and its assets,” Deloitte said in a statement.

US power-plant rules threaten grid reliability, Peabody CEO says

Published: 03 May 24

Peabody Energy, the biggest US coal producer, is warning that federal regulations to curb emissions from power plants pose a threat to the grid at a time when electricity demand is poised to surge. The Environmental Protection Agency announced regulations last month that will force coal-fired power plants to capture nearly all of their carbon dioxide emissions — or close — by 2039. The policies are a critical part of President Joe Biden’s efforts to fight climate change, but they come just as the boom for artificial intelligence and data centers is set to send power demand higher.