IOL Logo
Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Latest News & Developments

mining

AngloGold Ashanti and Gold Fields halt joint venture discussions for Ghana gold mines

AngloGold Ashanti and Gold Fields have paused their joint venture discussions for Ghana's gold mines, a move that could reshape the future of mining in Africa

Business
Mthobisi Nozulela|Published

SANParks rejects Kropz's phosphate mining application within West Coast National Park

SANParks has denied Kropz's application to mine phosphate within the West Coast National Park, citing legal prohibitions and environmental concerns, while Kropz argues for job creation and sustainable development.

Cape Argus News
Genevieve Serra|Published

Tshwane partners with Canyon Coal to train young articulated dump truck operators

Canyon Coal's Khanye Colliery, in partnership with the City of Tshwane, has successfully trained 32 young people as articulated dump truck operators, with many securing permanent jobs, highlighting the importance of community-driven skills development.

News
Rapula Moatshe|Published

Five illegal miners arrested in Ekurhuleni crackdown, mining equipment seized

Five undocumented foreign nationals were arrested in Germiston, Duduza, and KwaThema during an EMPD operation targeting illegal mining in Ekurhuleni. Officers also seized equipment including Phendukas and gas cylinders.

Saturday Star News
Staff Reporter|Published

Blood gold bonanza: Inside South Africa’s shadow mining empire where crime, corruption, and desperation strike it rich

The rise of illegal mining in the country has raised human rights concerns and questions about who ultimately benefits.

News South Africa
RT News|Published

Former Anglo American suiter, BHP, expects to benefit from Trump-induced global turmoil

BHP is set to benefit from market volatility with record copper and iron ore production, despite global tariff challenges.

Business
Nicola Mawson|Published

Clothing sales helps beat the February retail sales blues

Retail sales, overall, contribute 20% to the economy, with the wholesale and retail sectors, specifically, being estimated to be the fourth-largest contributors to the country's GDP.

Business Jobs
Nicola Mawson|Published

Once an economic mainstay, mining output slumps dramatically in February

South Africa's mining output, once a cornerstone of the economy, has seen a staggering 9. 6% year-on-year decline in February.

Business
Nicola Mawson|Published

Hawks seize R16 million excavators and other mining equipment, arrest illegal miners

Three alleged illegal miners have been arrested in Limpopo, with the Hawks seizing R16 million worth of mining equipment in a significant crackdown.

News Crime and Courts
Jonisayi Maromo|Published

Macua accuses SAPS and NPA of corporate bias ahead of national inquiry

Macua has made submissions to the South African Human Rights Commission ahead of the national inquiry into illegal mining.

News South Africa
Manyane Manyane|Published

US tariffs pose new challenges for South Africa’s mining industry, warns Minerals Council

The Minerals Council South Africa warns that new US tariffs could negatively impact global economic growth and mineral demand, despite key exports like PGMs and gold being exempt. While the gold price remains robust and a weaker rand may boost export competitiveness, concerns remain about broader economic consequences.

Business Report
Siphelele Dludla|Published

Two undocumented miners sentenced to six months in jail or R3,000 fine

Two men sentenced for illegal mining and immigration violations in Limpopo, raising concerns about the ongoing issue of illegal mining in South Africa.

News Crime and Courts
Jonisayi Maromo|Published

Turnover gains in construction, manufacturing, and mining sectors amid economic challenges

Discover how South Africa's construction, manufacturing, and mining sectors are thriving with significant turnover growth, even as GDP growth lags and job losses persist.

Business
Nicola Mawson|Published

SA mining industry pushes for zero harm as fatalities reach record low

The South African mining industry achieved a historic low of 42 fatalities in 2024, marking a 24% decrease from the previous year. However, despite this progress towards Zero Harm, the Minerals Council warns that falls of ground remain the greatest risk, with seven fatalities already recorded in early 2025. Industry leaders are implementing action plans and innovative safety measures to address this persistent challenge.

Business Report
Siphelele Dludla|Published

Hawks raid palatial houses in Joburg, seizing over R730,000 in gold and cash

In a significant crackdown, the Hawks arrested Rex Solomon Mlambo, 69, and seized over R730,000 in cash and gold nuggets during a meticulous operation in Gauteng.

News Crime and Courts
Jonisayi Maromo|Published

Decades of Poison: Zambia’s Toxic Toll and Mining's Unpaid Debt

In Zambia's Kabwe region, up to 200,000 people face devastating health consequences from decades of lead pollution, with 95% of local children showing elevated blood lead levels.

Opinion
Banthati Sekwala|Published

Operation Vala Umgodi | Police arrest undocumented foreigners and seize illegal mining equipment

Operation Vala Umgodi leads to significant arrests of undocumented foreign nationals involved in illegal mining, showcasing the ongoing efforts to combat crime in the North West.

News Crime and Courts
Robin-Lee Francke|Published

Gauteng plot, worth R740,000, forfeited to the State after being used for illegal gold processing

The Hawks raided a property in Walkerville, Gauteng, and found seven individuals, five of them identified as Zimbabwean nationals, processing gold-bearing material.

News Crime and Courts
Jonisayi Maromo|Published

Market cheers Thungela Resources's robust 2024 results despite coal market challenges

Thungela Resources exceeds production expectations in 2024, with CEO July Ndlovu highlighting a significant turnaround in South African output and a positive market response to strong financial results.

Business Report Companies
Philippa Larkin|Published

South Africa grapples with declining mining and manufacturing outputs as economic challenges intensify

South Africa's economic challenges deepen as both mining and manufacturing sectors record significant declines in January 2025, with mining production falling 2. 7% and manufacturing dropping 3. 3% year-on-year. Infrastructure constraints and global trade tensions continue to impact the country's productive sectors.

Business Report
Siphelele Dludla|Published

Orion Minerals reports interim loss while advancing key copper projects

Orion Minerals reports a 15. 4% increase in losses to A$6. 52m for H1 2024, while making significant progress on its Northern Cape copper and zinc projects. The company remains on track for first production in 2026, with major developments at both Prieska and Okiep operations.

Business Report Economy
Philippa Larkin|Published

Mining department says it has not turned a blind eye to gemstone dispute

The Department of Minerals and Energy has rejected accusations from PP Gemstones regarding alleged illegal mining activities at Black Rock mine.

News South Africa
Siyabonga Sithole|Published

Battle over Billion-rand sugilite mining rights intensifies

Tension escalates in Kuruman as PP Gemstones has accused industry giant Assmang of illegal operations.

News Crime and Courts
Siyabonga Sithole|Published

Poetic Licence: What separates a mining magnate from a zama zama

We are told that illegal mining is the crime of the desperate—the work of faceless shadows, scurrying underground like ghosts with headlamps. But the true ghosts, the ones who haunt South Africa’s stolen wealth, sit in polished boardrooms, cloaked in legality, their plunder protected by paperwork and power.

Saturday Star News
Rabbie Serumula|Published

Silicosis payments to miners and their families reach R2bn under Tshiamiso Trust

"Six major South African mining companies celebrate as occupational lung disease compensation payments through the Tshiamiso Trust exceed R2 billion, marking a pivotal moment in addressing historical health injustices in the mining sector

Business Report
Siphelele Dludla|Published