Omnia turns on the first phase of its 10 MW solar farm in Sasolburg

Omnia turns on the first phase of its 10 MW solar farm in Sasolburg: JSE-listed chemicals company Omnia on January 27 unveiled the 5 MW Phase 1 solar power plant at its Sasolburg operations, in the Free State, followed immediately by a sod-turning ceremony to mark the start of construction on an additional 5 MW power plant.  This second phase of the solar power plant, which will bring the total capacity up to 10 MW, will be completed by September, Omnia manufacturing MD Francois Visagie said at the event.

Pronounced platinum production plummet­ predicted by independent consultant

Pronounced platinum production plummet­ predicted by independent consultant: Global mine supply of platinum will fall by 500 000 oz to a million ounces as South Africa’s power shortage lowers production from 2023 to 2027, independent precious metals consultant Dr David Davis calculates in a summary report on platinum group metals (PGMs) production and Eskom. Davis, who has been associated with the South African mining industry and mining investment industry for the past 45 years, also expects Russian PGMs supply to decline by 5% to 10%.

Underground mining at Anglo Platinum’s Mogalakwena targeted to start end 2024

Underground mining at Anglo Platinum’s Mogalakwena targeted to start end 2024: The first potential underground mining at Anglo American Platinum’s opencast Mogalakwena platinum group metals (PGM) mine in Limpopo is targeted to start towards the end of 2024 and build up slowly to a full underground unit by the end of the decade. “We’re nearing the end of phase one of the decline development, which will start to give us the access to the underground drilling,” Anglo Platinum CEO Natascha Viljoen disclosed in response to Mining Weekly during an investor day media call.

Gold demand to continue benefitting from high inflation in 2023

Gold demand to continue benefitting from high inflation in 2023: The interplay between inflation and central bank intervention will be key in determining the outlook for gold in 2023, says World Gold Council (WGC) in its latest ‘Gold Outlook’ report. The council says that, with the global economy having been hit by various shocks over the past year, central banks have stepped up their aggressive fight against inflation.

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Implats issues RFI for renewable energy to be wheeled to its South African sites

Implats issues RFI for renewable energy to be wheeled to its South African sites: Platinum group metals miner Impala Platinum (Implats) has issued a request for information (RFI) to buy an unspecified volume of electricity, through wheeling from renewable energy sources, for its South African operations. Implats, whose electricity consumption accounts for 74% of its total energy consumption and almost 10% of its operating costs, has ambitions to secure 30% of the electricity for its new projects from renewable sources by 2030.

Sparkling Venetia underground diamond project heading for first production in 2023

Sparkling Venetia underground diamond project heading for first production in 2023: A visit by Mining Weekly to the Venetia Underground Project (VUP) on November 14 provided far-reaching insight into this major diamond development that is scheduled to achieve occupational readiness and first production next year. “Hopefully, the first part of the year, all going well. We had a setback recently with some of our visa approval processes, which has caused some challenges, but we’ll overcome them,' VUP project director Allan Rodel assured.

Green hydrogen truck trials going well – Anglo

Green hydrogen truck trials going well – Anglo: The 500 t world-first haulage truck powered by green hydrogen last week underwent fully loaded trialling that included tipping into the crusher at Anglo American Platinum's Mogalakwena platinum group metals mine in Limpopo. “The trials all went well,” Anglo American group technical director Tony O’Neill told this week’s second 2022 sustainability performance presentation, covered by Mining Weekly.

China becoming fuel cell electric vehicle leader, World Platinum research indicates

China becoming fuel cell electric vehicle leader, World Platinum research indicates: In what is a major plus for platinum demand and consequently South Africa’s local mining economy, China is poised to become a leading market for platinum-using fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), which provide the zero-emission mobility that the world so desperately needs to combat rampant climate change. In addition, China’s plans to boost climate friendly green hydrogen generation are also supportive of FCEV penetration.

Hydrogen gaining traction globally

Hydrogen gaining traction globally: Notable progress is being made in the global hydrogen industry of late, owing to several conducive factors coming into play at the same time and this presents opportunities for different sectors to capitalise on. This was noted by global pure-play sustainability consultancy ERM partner Dr David Hart, during a discussion on hydrogen and fuel cells, hosted by finance institution Nedbank on October 14.

AngloGold targets 30% emissions reduction by 2030

AngloGold targets 30% emissions reduction by 2030: Gold mining company AngloGold Ashanti on Wednesday released a carbon emissions reduction target that aims to achieve a 30% absolute reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 through a combination of renewable energy projects, fleet electrification and lower-emission power sources. The Johannesburg- and New York-listed company, which has reduced its absolute GHG emissions by more than two-thirds since 2007, is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

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