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  • Rising platinum price unlikely to dampen demand, World Platinum points out
    This audio is brought to you by Astec Industries, a Global Leader in manufacturing equipment for infrastructure, including asphalt production, construction, and material processing, driving innovation and sustainability. The rising platinum price is unlikely to dampen demand or stimulate additional supply, meaning that forecast market shortfalls are here to stay, says the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC). 'Inelastic' is a term used by economists to describe a situation where a change in price has a relatively small impact on the quantity demanded of a good or service. In other words, consumers will continue to purchase roughly the same amount even if the price increases or decreases. In contrast, an elastic relationship means that changes in price will result in a significant increase or decrease in the supply or demand of a good or service. Platinum prices have recently reached a ten-year high, exceeding $1 420/oz as of June 26. This follows a prolonged period when platinum's price was stuck at a range which varied from around $900/oz to $1 100/oz. Yet, because the relationship between the price of platinum and its supply or demand is largely price inelastic, the platinum price rally is unlikely to dampen demand or stimulate mining companies to produce additional metal, meaning that, in the platinum market, supply will continue to lag demand, resulting in a structural deficit, WPIC states. To put this in context, the platinum market is expected to record its third successive shortfall this year, at 966 000 oz. This follows a deficit of 992 000 oz in 2024 and a deficit of 896 000 oz in 2023. Moreover, looking at the WPIC two-to-five-year forecast through to 2029, deficits are forecast to occur every year. ROBUST DEMAND Consecutive supply deficits are expected to see above ground stocks run out by 2029. Meanwhile, platinum supply remains challenged, both in terms of primary mining and secondary recycling supply. At the same time, the demand outlook is robust. Demand for hybrid vehicles and slower-than-expected battery electric vehicle adoption is supportive of platinum automotive demand, while strong demand growth in investment and jewellery is being experienced in China. Data supports the view that both platinum supply and platinum demand are largely price inelastic in the medium term. One chart displayed by WPIC illustrates that historical movements in the platinum price did not trigger an immediate change in supply or demand, with responses often lagging by several years. On the supply side, platinum's inelasticity is structural, the chart shows. A second chart highlights that even sharp price signals take years to translate into new supply, with most mines requiring eight to nine years to reach full production capacity. Moreover, investment decisions need to consider platinum's price potential as well as the price potential of the overall platinum group metals basket plus base-metal by-products. Demand is also unlikely to fall in the short term, despite the price rally making platinum more expensive for industrial end-users. Across the automotive, jewellery and industrial sectors, platinum consumption has historically shown limited volatility in relation to short-term price movements. Between 2003 and 2008, for instance, automotive demand rose by over 25% even as prices climbed from around $600/oz to $2 000/oz, only falling after the global financial crisis precipitated a broader widespread commodity downturn. Industrial demand has shown some delayed inverse relationship with price, but volumes tend to adjust over multiple years. Jewellery is structurally more elastic, yet platinum's relatively more attractive affordability versus gold is now emerging as a counterforce. The gold-to-platinum price ratio reached 3.5x in May 2025, its highest level since 2015, prompting some Chinese fabricators to switch to platinum, the WPIC release, covered by Mining Weekly, shows.
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  • Hazardous, illegal mine openings shut, rehabilitation sharpened, Parliament hears
    This audio is brought to you by Astec Industries, a Global Leader in manufacturing equipment for infrastructure, including asphalt production, construction, and material processing, driving innovation and sustainability. South Africa's derelict and ownerless mine rehabilitation programme has gone beyond rehabilitation to include the closure of hazardous old shaft openings as well as apertures created by illegal mining activities, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Deputy Minister Phumzile Mgcina outlined to Parliament during this week's budget vote 2025. "Given the additional funding of R180-million for the derelict and ownerless mine rehabilitation programme during the previous financial year, I can report to you that Mintek has successfully rehabilitated at least four asbestos mines in Limpopo and Northern Cape and closed a total of 280 mine openings," Mgcina reported. For the current 2025/26 financial year, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Department (MPRD) has been allocated R2.86-billion, of which R1.16-billion, or 40.55%, would be transferred to public entities, municipalities, and other implementing institutions to enable them to fulfil their constitutional mandates, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe told Parliament. Adding to the operational funding for the entities was, Mantashe outlined, an allocation for specific projects including R134.7-million for the rehabilitation of derelict and ownerless mines implemented by Mintek, R22.4-million for the Mine Rehabilitation Research Project implemented by the Council for Geoscience (CGS), and R32.3-million allocated to the CGS for the Mine Water Ingress Project. In cognisance of the dangers associated with derelict and ownerless mines, Mintek, the Deputy Minister pointed out, had made significant strides in addressing this pressing issue. "These efforts have not only led to improvements in environmental and health outcomes but have also provided a positive economic impact. On average, each rehabilitation site has created 60 job opportunities for local community members, contributing to local economic growth. "If we are to address the legacy of derelict and ownerless mines across the country and contribute to a safer and healthier environment, much more work remains to be done, hence we welcome the additional funding for this programme during the current financial year," Mgcina commented during her budget vote speech covered by Mining Weekly. In partnership with the Mining Qualifications Authority, Mintek had, the Deputy Minister revealed, made progress in supporting aspirant artisanal and small-scale miners by empowering them with the expertise required to participate in the mining industry through the skills training programme. "By the end of the previous financial year, at least 300 learners across the country have been equipped with valuable skills for a career in mining. "This initiative exemplifies our commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth, gender equality, and social empowerment in the mining sector," Mgcina reported. This follows the enactment of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Policy in 2022. CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE The characterisation of geological sites for the permanent storage of CO2 had also been made by CGS on a pilot site in Mpumalanga, where the Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilisation project had, Mgcina said, outlined the preliminary findings on suitability to store carbon in a safe manner. Further research on the capture and utilisation aspects of carbon would continue, as well as how this could relate to the establishment of carbon trading markets. To realise this ambition, a collective approach by government and business would will be required, the Deputy Minister added. DIAMOND TURNAROUND Parliament was told that the challenges faced by South Africa's diamond sector threatened its contribution to inclusive economic growth. These included the competition from lab-grown diamonds, economic and geopolitical risks,...
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  • BHP moves into greener shipping amid cleaner transport ventures intensifying globally
    This audio is brought to you by Astec Industries, a Global Leader in manufacturing equipment for infrastructure, including asphalt production, construction, and material processing, driving innovation and sustainability. In fewer than three years, Major Johannesburg Stock Exchange-secondary listed mining giant BHP will in be shipping ore from Australia to Asia in a greener manner amid intensification of transportation greening across the world. Living up to its stated purpose of helping to build a better world, the Melbourne-headquartered BHP, founded as Broken Hill Proprietary as long ago as 1885, has signed contracts with the Shanghai-headquartered COSCO Shipping Bulk colossus for the initial charter of two green ammonia dual-fuelled Newcastlemax bulk carriers, which will transport iron-ore from Western Australia to Northeast Asia from 2028. Interestingly, this green ammonia initiative is emerging at a time when South Africa's own $5.8-billion Hive Hydrogen Coega Green Ammonia Project at Nelson Mandela Bay, in the Eastern Cape, is working hard to give the lead in low-cost ammonia output from Nelson Mandela Bay, in the Eastern Cape. Globally, greening strides are continuing, even in the US, where the Senate's passing of its version of the One Big Beautiful Bill has extended the clean hydrogen tax credits, which had the US-based Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association declaring the outcome as "a significant win for our sector". Simultaneously, Canada's Ballard has announced the signing of a new supply agreement with California rail operator Sierra Northern Railway for the supply this year of 1.5 MW of green hydrogen fuel cell engines. Also, French multinational rolling stock manufacturer Alstom, which has strong South African ties, has opened its Delta hydrogen fuel cell megafactory in Aix-en-Provence, accelerating Europe's zero-emission mobility future and scaling up hydrogen infrastructure. DHL Freight, along with BMW, last month put two trucks into real operation as part of the green hydrogen-based H2Haul project. Funded by the EU's Clean Hydrogen Partnership, the H2Haul project is testing and researching hydrogen trucks with fuel cell drivetrains under realistic conditions. The project is intended to pave the way for the commercialisation of fuel cell trucks in Europe. On June 18, Toyota Motor Europe and VDL Groep announced a collaboration to integrate Toyota's fuel cell system into heavy-duty trucks. Following the first demonstration truck, Toyota has now deployed four more vehicles on its logistics routes across Belgium (Diest), France (Lille), Germany (Cologne), and the Netherlands (Rotterdam and Weesp). MINERALS SHIPPING When run on lower or low to zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions green ammonia, ships are capable of reducing GHG emissions by up to 95% on a per-voyage basis compared with a conventionally fuelled voyage. The BHP-COSCO advance towards a decarbonised shipping future is poised to strengthen the demand for lower or low to zero GHG emissions marine fuels, which is important in the effort to scale up production of alternative fuels. As one of the world's largest dry bulk charterers, BHP sees this as an opportunity to help establish a pathway for green ammonia to be a marine fuel for a globally significant industry where emissions can be difficult to abate. "Our tender process for the design and charter of ammonia dual-fuelled bulk carriers has brought together shipowners, fuel suppliers, engine-makers, and regulatory bodies from around the world," BHP VP maritime and supply chain excellence Emma Roberts stated in a release to Mining Weekly. The deal boosts the transition to net zero led by the 'Australia-China Green Shipping Corridor' aspiration. "Ammonia is one of the most promising marine fuels with zero-carbon potential. These vessels will stand at the forefront of technological and environmental advancement," said COSCO shipping VP Ji Lin. "Looking ahead, COSCO Shipping will continue to work closel...
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  • Well-endowed South Africa has huge opportunity 'right now' to grow mining sector
    Well-endowed South Africa has huge opportunity 'right now' to grow mining sector This audio is brought to you by Astec Industries, a Global Leader in manufacturing equipment for infrastructure, including asphalt production, construction, and material processing, driving innovation and sustainability. South Africa has a huge opportunity "right now" to grow its mining sector so that mining is able to provide prosperity for the entire nation, Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane emphasised to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Minerals on Tuesday, July 1. Delivering a State of Mining in South Africa presentation to the committee chaired by Mika Mahlaule, Mthenjane was also quick to add, however, that to generate that nation-wide prosperity "we do need to acknowledge our current weaknesses", which he outlined as including limited exploration investment, rising electricity costs that increase operational expenses, dependence on Eskom's coal-fired power that presents ESG risk, inefficient transport that lowers competitiveness, slow licensing processes that deter investment, and a lack of advanced mining technology skills owing to the migration of expertise. "The South African mining industry remains a key pillar of South Africa's economy. Whilst it has experienced a recession as a result of issues related to electricity and logistics, we're seeing a very, very positive collaboration within business itself, and more importantly, at a national level. "The efforts of Operation Vulindlela and more recently Operation Vulindlela 2.0 are beginning to show results where electricity and logistics are concerned, and I think we're also going to begin to see some very positive crime and corruption results. "Our mining industry is one that has been operating for more than 100 years, and this is one of the key strengths that we need to leverage today and going into the future. "We need to act with speed and it's something that should bring us all together in what I'd like to think is politics and profit for the benefit of our people in South Africa and the region," Mthenjane pointed out. SOUTH AFRICA'S STRENGTHS South Africa strengths, he said, centred on being a leading global producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), manganese, and chromium, plus having significant remaining gold reserves that could be pursued using technology. South Africa's hosting 80% of global PGM reserves, exportation of large volumes of manganese and production of chromium at global scale were supported, he outlined, by high-grade ores contributing to competitive on-mine costs and efficient processing capabilities, including those of a value-adding kind Bad maintenance drawbacks must be overcome to enable road, rail, and port infrastructure already in place to improve export competitiveness. He also pointed to the plus points of South Africa's active patent development, strong extraction and processing skillsets, and the emerging adoption of advanced extraction and processing technologies across different minerals. SOUTH AFRICA'S OPPORTUNITIES Mthenjane highlighted the opportunity to leverage off global demand for copper, chromium, manganese, and PGM, which is being driven by renewable energy, electric vehicles and battery storage. "Expansion into clean-energy metals can drive sector growth and attract investment," he pointed out, "and downstream beneficiation and value-addition strategies can increase profit margins and export value." South Africa also had the advantage of being able to leverage by-products to diversify revenue streams and enhance the economic viability of mining operations and junior mining companies were already pointing to growth potential in underexplored areas. Re-establishing abandoned mines and expanding existing operations present the opportunity to increase critical mineral output. "Improved resource custodianship can increase the reserve size and extend life of mine duration. Investing in solar and wind energy can reduce operat...
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  • Newly named Cementation Africa excited about setting business on new growth path
    This audio is brought to you by Astec Industries, a Global Leader in manufacturing equipment for infrastructure, including asphalt production, construction, and material processing, driving innovation and sustainability. The newly named Cementation Africa is excited about setting the rebranded business on a new growth path. As part of preparations to operate outside of the Murray & Roberts Group, the new "own entity" has begun its rebranding and renaming process. "We're extremely excited to continue under the Cementation brand. It's been a brand that we've been operating under prior to the merger with Murray & Roberts about 21 years ago. "So, it's almost going back to our roots and we'll be utilising the same branding as our sister companies in the Americas and Canada, so that there's consistency in branding and naming conventions. "We have our focus on Africa, hence the name Cementation Africa," Cementation Africa MD Japie du Plessis outlined Engineering News & Mining Weekly in an interview. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video.) The rebranded Cementation Africa will continue to provide the same services to its clients. It will continue to do shaft sinking, decline sinking, contract mining, and bulk excavations, with raise drilling and underground mining services continuing as specialities. Its own in-house mine engineering design office will continue to offer design services to enable mammoth underground construction work and its world-class training academy in Carletonville will continue as one of its big contract mining differentiators. Engineering News & Mining Weekly: Why has the name of your company been changed from Murray & Roberts Cementation to Cementation Africa? Du Plessis: I think you're aware that the Murray & Roberts Group, and more specifically Murray & Roberts Limited, is currently in business rescue, and as part of the business rescue process, a consortium of investors led by the Differential Capital investment company, has bought out the mining businesses, both the mining business in South Africa, which is the business I'm leading, as well as the American business, the Canadian business, and they're buying that out of the Murray & Roberts Group. As part of our preparations to operate outside of the Murray & Roberts Group, as our own entity, we've started the rebranding and renaming process of our business. What are the implications of this rebranding for yourselves and for the greater mining community? For us, it's an opportunity for a new start. We've had two very challenging years that have passed, and for us it's almost a reset button that we can hit and we can steer the business in a new direction with the support of our new shareholder and without corporate drag and unsupportive shareholders. We're excited to embark on this new journey. Our new shareholders trust the management team. They believe in this business. It's a good business and we're looking forward to setting this business onto a new path of growth. Give us insight into the specialised underground mine design and construction services that you offer. We do all our own design and fabrication for our temporary services on all projects where we execute. We also do permanent infrastructure designs for our clients, ranging from headgear to shaft infrastructure designs. We design pump stations, loading stations, bulkheads, underground substations. If you can think of any, any requirement for underground mining, we can design and build it. We really do everything from feasibility all the way through to detailed design, fabrication, and then our project teams execute. Over the past two decades, a large number of mine shafts have been sunk by yourselves. What is distinctive about Cementation Africa's shaft-sinking know-how? We've really done a lot of shafts, about 15 000 m of shafts over the last two decades. It's something that we're extremely proud of, and I think what's distinctive is that we know how to sink shafts safely. We have, over m...
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