Research Channel | Advanced Search - Research Channel Africa

Back NEWS

Technology emphasised as way to increase sustainable mining – Chamber

Published: 24 May 24

The Southern African - German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAGCC) highlights that the development of many countries in Southern Africa is linked to the mining sector. The organisation asserts that the sector has a greater role to play to support demand recovery, which has declined because of global supply chain disruptions. Amid current geopolitical developments, the trend towards environmental consciousness is gaining traction and is visible across the mining sector in Southern Africa.

An image of the Mothae mine, which uses TOMRA sorters

Manufacturer highlights XRT sorting technology’s impact

Published: 24 May 24

Mining sorting equipment manufacturer TOMRA Mining highlights that its XRT technology, powered by TOMRA Insight, has delivered significant results at the Mothae Diamonds operation, in Lesotho. Global diamond producer Lucapa Diamonds owns 70% of Mothae Diamonds, a mine located in the Maluti mountains of Lesotho, a region known to produce large, high-value diamonds that command the second-highest dollar per carat for kimberlite diamonds worldwide.

The image depicts the DC Furnace AFC supplied to Elemental

DC furnaces aid autocatalyst recovery

Published: 24 May 24

The recycling of used automotive catalytic converters (autocatalysts) has become economically and environmentally important in the wake of autocatalysts becoming one of the most significant consumers of platinum group metals (PGM) for their manufacture, according to alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) furnaces designer and fabricator Allied Furnace Consultants (AFC) founder and director Tertius Pieters. He notes that the recovery of PGMs from autocatalysts is a new and evolving process in terms of historical metals recycling, globally.

An image of clearing rocks at the K.Hill site

Funds drawn to progress manganese project

Published: 24 May 24

Battery metals developer Giyani Metals, on April 24, acknowledged receipt of R110-million ($5.7-million) as part of its first drawing down of funds from its convertible loan facilities granted by the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC). Giyani’s IDC loan facility totals $16-million (R308.76-million).

The above image depicts trainees of the Dickinson Group training programme that will enhance the local talent pool, assisting create a skilled local workforce that can reduce dependency on external expertise and enhance productivity

Furnaces group expands training initiative

Published: 24 May 24

Global refractory and industrial solutions provider Dickinson Group of Companies (DGC) Africa aims to mitigate challenges – such as limitations in infrastructure, resource constraints and workforce migration facing Francophone and sub-Saharan African countries – by expanding artisanal skills development, some of which is related to its furnace services. DGC Africa’s deep-rooted expertise in the mining, metals smelting and mineral processing sectors provides a strong foundation for the training programme designed in collaboration with artisan training and development provider UXi Artisan Development.

An aerial image of the Jwaneng openpit mine

Diamond miner progresses move to underground

Published: 24 May 24

Ahead of its fifty-fifth anniversary, Botswana-based diamond miner Debswana Diamond Company is undertaking an expansion project at its flagship Jwaneng mine, in the south-central part of Botswana, to extend its life-of-mine and generate new value for shareholders, says Debswana deputy MD Koolatotse Koolatotse. The Jwaneng Underground Project aims to develop a safe and viable underground mine to sustain production of diamonds beyond open pit operations.

An image of the Masama Coal Mine at sunset

Operations resume at coal mine

Published: 24 May 24

Coal mining and trading company Minergy Coal has resumed production at its Masama coal mine, in the Mmamabula West coalfield of southern Botswana, after successfully entering a mining contract with a new end-to-end services mining contractor, Meropa Resources – a consortium of four Botswana companies – following an unplanned shutdown in early 2023. Having started production in 2018, Minergy Coal encountered various challenges at Masama. Less than a year into its operation, the mine was affected by Covid-19-related challenges, crippling initial efforts to raise more capital as intended in the business case. The setbacks were further compounded by a general retreat of capital from the coal sector, says Minergy Coal CEO Matthews Bagopi.

The above image depicts the fourth generation Outotec Kaldo L furnace is able to achieve smelting, reducing and converting in a single vessel

Flexible furnace system launched

Published: 24 May 24

Finnish industrial machinery company Metso has launched the compact fourth generation, heavy-duty Outotec Kaldo L Furnace, which is ideally suited for the melting, reducing and converting of various primary and secondary raw materials such as concentrates, copper scrap, anode slimes and e-waste. The top blown rotary converter (TBRC) Kaldo L furnace features smooth movement with improved process control for flexible processing and the optimal recovery of metals.

Committed to strategic growth goals amid industry challenges

Published: 24 May 24

Despite encountering various challenges – including commodity price volatility closely linked to global economic conditions and supply chain dynamics – metallurgy and process engineering company Multotec Botswana remains committed to pursuing strategic growth and expanding its reach in the country. Multotec Botswana is committed to complying with relevant legislation in Botswana, including the Economic Inclusion Act, which came into operation in 2022. Further, it fully supports the Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme aimed at creating an enabling business environment and promoting citizen participation in the development of the country’s economy, says GM James Phagane.

Vaal Water Lettuce invasion signifies need to weed out water pollution

Published: 24 May 24

The Vaal Barrage is now home to an invasive plant species that has had significant negative economic and environmental consequences for the region, and its rapid spread will not slow down without intervention. This has left the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Rand Water and local communities, besides others, scrambling to get the species under control and mitigate the damage it is causing.