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Look out for PyroFuZA. Those eight letters have the potential to make best use of South Africa's natural resources and restore South Africa's value-adding power, which, in turn, can help to foot the bill for the innovative rebuilding of this country's economy.

PyroFuZA spells out that it's possible for South Africa to put its own distinctive correct measures in place that will enable this country to, once again, become a strong player within the value-add ecosystem, amid different measures being applied at different stages of advancement so that long-term momentum is assured. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video.)

Pointed out is that, even now, South Africa is not totally bereft of momentum, and will not have to restart from scratch, but needs to a stand-together approach, a same-direction aim, and a new-foundation-laying agenda.

While PyroFuZA acknowledges that "the needle has to be threaded very carefully", the eight letters also come with the conviction that both internal and external win-win synergies can be turned to positive account if conscientiously sought.

Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly spoke to Dr Johan Zietsman and mining luminary Bernard Swanepoel following the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy's Pyrometallurgy International Conference 2026, which shone a bright spotlight on the future of the South Africa's pyrometallurgical industry, which spans the worlds of iron and steel, ferroalloys, platinum group metals and base metals.

Mining Weekly: The conference opened with something quite unusual — a full-day workshop called PyroFuZA, bringing together CEOs, government officials, and senior industry figures behind closed doors. What was the purpose of that day, and why was it necessary?

Zietsman: Thanks for the opportunity to chat about this, which I think is essential to our country and our economy, We are blessed with minerals of great value in the ground, and it has been the platform for building our economy for the previous 100 years. But in the last 30 or so years, that has all been in decline, and there are geopolitical issues at play. There are local issues at play. It's by no means a simple matter, but it's a fact that this industry and the value addition of these minerals that we have can pay the bills for rebuilding our economy again to be leading in Africa and in some respects leading in the world.

I think we owe it to the future generations to do this and not just accept the direction in which our industry is going, and that's why we invited industry leaders, government participation. In my view, one company cannot solve this on their own. As other countries operate in national unity in some respects, we need to do something similar in South Africa. This industry specifically is fragmented. There is no unified effort to build the common infrastructure that we need, and that's a great opportunity. The decline that we are seeing does not need to continue. It's a choice, and rebuilding the industry is also a choice, but it's a choice that we have to make together.

South Africa has lost more than two-million tonnes of smelting capacity since 2014. At least 30 of 59 chrome furnaces are on care-and-maintenance or closed. Last year South Africa exported 24-million tonnes of chrome ore while producing less than one-million tonnes of ferrochrome, against nearly five-million tonnes of installed capacity. How did this happen?

It's a structural decline. If we consider the major ferrochrome producers in the world, it's South Africa, Kazakhstan, and China. Our energy cost is basically double that of our competitors, and we have not sustainably renewed our energy generation capacity, which means that we have come to a point where it's basically impos...

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation.

ASX- and Aim-listed uranium developer Aura Energy is nearing a final investment decision (FID) on the Tiris project, in Mauritania, underpinned by a robust processing flowsheet, positive indicative economics and a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) that strengthens the funding pathway.

The group expects to make an announcement on the Tiris project by year-end, following a bankable feasibility study (BFS) that is due in September.

Tiris would be Mauritania's first uranium mine and its first new mine in 20 years.

Aura signed an MoU with a major international nuclear power company covering potential investment, offtake and technical collaboration. The collaboration would support a pathway to a substantial, well-capitalised funding partner for Tiris, without derogating from other funding options.

Aura's funding pathway for Tiris spans multiple complementary sources, including a potential cornerstone strategic equity investment from a strategic investor such as the MoU counterparty; senior project debt with the US International Development Finance Corporation together with new equity and quasi equity such as royalties; and a non-binding, fully funded proposal from a major US investment fund.

While early-stage analysis on the project indicates positive economic outcomes for a two-million-pound-a-year triuranium octoxide operation, the BFS is considering the economics for an expansion to a 3.5-million-pound plant.

Chairperson Phil Mitchell says it is a defining moment for Tiris, with the settled processing flowsheet having locked in a validated technical foundation for the project. The flowsheet is built entirely on commercially proven technologies and has been validated across the full range of Tiris ore types.

"With technical uncertainty having been cleared, Tiris has a clear run to a FID," Mitchell affirms.

The flowsheet pairs pre-leach centrifuge separation with post-leach polymer dewatering and horizontal vacuum belt filtration, which Mitchell explains is an efficient and cost-effective combination that is ready for deployment.

The polymer-based dewatering system, called ATA, is owned by ASX-listed Clean TeQ Water, which has also been awarded a design and construct contract for a full -scale ATA plant processing 750 000 t/y of tailings.

Soweto Cluster gold study on way as Pan African hits gold production top spot

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation.

The Soweto Cluster definitive feasibility study (DFS) is on track for completion this month, Pan African Resources reported on Monday, June 1 in an operational update ahead of its financial year ending June 30 to highlight its 40% increase in annual gold production to 275 000 oz.

The option to construct a new 600 000-t-a-month tailings processing facility next to the London- and Johannesburg-listed company's thriving Mogale Tailings Retreatment (MTR) surface gold operations west of Johannesburg, is the focus of the Soweto Cluster DFS.

Envisaged is a standalone operation producing 30 000 oz to 35 000 oz a year for 15 years.

Pan African, headed by CEO Cobus Loots, has achieved improved safety statistics as it continues to concentrate on safety initiatives amid MTR contributing to a 14% higher half-year gold output of 147 000 oz, along with excellent production performances from the Elikhulu Tailings Retreatment Plant as well as the Evander and Barberton underground operations, which offset slower-than-anticipated ramp-up of production from Tennant Mines, the company's acquisition in Australia.

Initiatives to expand annual gold output to 300 000 oz and beyond are under way.

On the cost front, all-in sustaining cost (AISC) guidance of $1 870/oz is expected against a background of record operating cash flow generation, projected cash of $220-million, and domestic medium-term notes of $49.7-million being the only outstanding debt.

AISC estimates allow for above inflation increases for reagents, electricity and other key inputs at a time when the company has never been in a stronger financial position, atop major growth investments and dividends to shareholders.

Further production increases are expected in later years, primarily driven by production growth from Tennant and MTR, where environmental approvals and processing of water use licence applications for the Soweto Cluster are in progress. The required pipeline servitudes from the Soweto Cluster tailings storage facilities to the Mogale plant site are being concluded and the study for the expansion of the Mogale plant to include a separate circuit for the treatment of hard rock ore from local surface material is being finalised. The treatment of the hard rock ore could potentially further increase the Mogale complex's production by 20 000 oz to 30 000 oz a year.

"The strong operational performance from our South African portfolio offset the slower-than-anticipated production ramp-up from Tennant. In the next financial year, we expect a much-improved performance from Tennant, with a full year of mining from the high-grade White Devil deposit, and a clear pathway to growing Australian gold production to 100 000 oz/y in the next three years. In addition, we anticipate increasing gold production from MTR in the next years, with the Soweto Cluster DFS now nearing completion," Loots stated in a release to Mining Weekly.

"Despite inflationary pressures, costs remain well managed. We're in a fortunate position in South Africa, with stable grid power to all our operations, and an accelerating renewable energy portfolio being rolled out to maintain this supply and reduce the impact of Eskom cost increases.

"In Australia, while diesel price increases have had an impact on production costs, sufficient storage facilities are now in place to minimise risks associated with potential fuel supply shortages. We are also investing in a large renewable energy solution for Tennant Mines, which will include battery storage, to reduce future operating costs.

"The conclusion of the Emmerson transaction will see Pan African consolidate the Tennant Creek goldfield, and we look forward to welcom...

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation.

Global metals miner Rio Tinto has successfully commissioned its $1.5-billion AP60 smelter expansion at the Complexe Arvida operation, in Québec, marking a major milestone for the deployment of low-carbon aluminium smelting technology.

The startup, which began in March, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 with all 96 new pots operating. This will increase the plant's production capacity by about 160 000 t/y of primary aluminium for a total of 220 000 t/y produced with the AP60 technology.

The AP60 expansion, together with the planned aluminium recycling centre at Arvida, will more than offset the loss of production associated with the closure of Rio Tinto's older Arvida potrooms, which is expected to be completed in June.

The expansion will directly support 100 permanent high-quality jobs locally and help consolidate positions across the supply chain. During its peak construction period, more than 1 500 jobs were created and the project generated more than $1-billion in economic benefits for the province of Québec through spending with contractors and suppliers.

Representing the next chapter of Rio Tinto's century-long history in Québec, it strengthens its ability to supply customers in North America with low-carbon, high-quality aluminium for transportation, construction, electrical applications and consumer goods.

Developed by Rio Tinto's research and development teams, the AP60 technology is among the most efficient and lowest carbon technology currently available, at commercial scale.

When combined with the hydropower used at Rio Tinto's operations in Canada, it generates one-sixth of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per tonne of aluminium, when compared with the industry average, and half the emissions of the technology currently used at the adjacent older Arvida smelter. It will deliver significant improvements, including an expected reduction of up to 90% in fine particulate matter.

The AP60 expansion supports the transition to carbon-free aluminium electrolysis technology being developed by ELYSIS in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Québec, a partnership that includes Rio Tinto.

Supported by the government of Canada, through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a demonstration plant is being built in Québec in partnership with government, through Investissement Québec, to advance this breakthrough technology, which eliminates all direct GHG emissions from aluminium smelting and produces oxygen as a by-product.

Rio Tinto aluminium and lithium CE Jérôme Pécresse says for 100 years, Québec has been at the heart of the aluminium industry, and, with AP60, Rio Tinto is now strongly positioned for decades to come with one of the most advanced smelting technologies operating at commercial scale. "This milestone brings into production the first major primary aluminium project in the West in more than a decade and demonstrates Rio Tinto's ability to deliver world-class, low-carbon technologies," he explains.

He adds that the newly expanded AP60 smelter reinforces the company's competitiveness and offerings for customers in North America, while increasing the efficiency of the operations in Québec. The new plant will mitigate 290 000 t/y of carbon emissions compared to the old Arvida smelter.

The AP60 technology generates about 1.6 t of CO2 equivalent per tonne of aluminium produced, compared to approximately 3.2 t of CO2 equivalent per tonne of aluminium for the Arvida smelter's current technology – compared with the industry average of 10.9 t of CO2 equivalent per tonne of aluminium produced.

Together with the construction of the ELYSIS demonstration plant in Québec, using the first licence of this breakthrough technology, Rio Tinto is demonstrating its value as a secure, innovative and reliable ...

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation.

He was born in Roodepoort but never imagined that one day he would be mining gold in Roodepoort, now the site of Qala Shallows, the first new underground gold mine to be built in South Africa in 15 years.

He was convinced all the gold had been mined out. But that was the furthest thing from the truth.

The thousands of tons of gold ore that he is extracting are being turned into gold bar that is being sold at a time of high gold price, which is helping to fund ongoing development.

He is Sam Molefi, the CEO of Modi Mining, the contracting company that is mining the gold at Qala Shallows, ASX-listed West Wits Mining's Roodepoort operation, which is located a mere 15 km from Johannesburg, the City of Gold.

Molefi and his co-entrepreneur wife, Motlapele Molefi, head a business that could well be putting many more people to work in the not-too-distant future. (Also watch the attached Creamer Media video.)

"For me, contributing in a meaningful way to the livelihoods of our communities, our neighbours, is a key achievement and something that I never thought could happen," Molefi confided in his interview with Mining Weekly.

"We've already created 193 jobs, and we're ramping up to about 1 000, and more people will be sourced from the local communities. Every time I look at my birth certificate and see the word Roodepoort, it excites me."

He was raised in Dobsonville, Soweto, and used to catch a taxi from Dobsonville to Wits Technikon, where he began his mining studies.

"For me it's a blessing, and I thank God," said Molefi, who looks forward to the creation of local job opportunities for local communities.

"Every now and then, when I'm back home and can see that there is a lot of unemployment and disparities in our communities, I think this mine will come in handy to alleviate some of that."

Modi Mining's corporate social investment programme targets enterprise development and the company is already engaged in business relationships with local suppliers.

"Since we last spoke in 2022, we've been able to establish the mine. The infrastructure you see on surface and underground was installed by us."

A milestone was its ability to achieve an early supply of 10 000 t of gold ore used for West Wits' first gold pour in March.

"We're now building up to steady state mining, and a key milestone has been the safe installation of water, power and air reticulation services," Molefi reported.

Last week, when level two was intercepted, historic tons plus some reserve ore was unlocked. "The highlight of this phase was when the tons were delivered to the plant, processed, and out there, gold bars were being poured and delivered."

The completion of the 1 West Decline into this area of historic 2 Level unmined stopes transitioned the project from development ore into higher-grade production areas with established underground infrastructure already in place.

The 1 West Decline forms part of a planned optimisation of the original mine plan and is specifically designed to accelerate payback, improve capital efficiency and further strengthen the overall project business case.

Mining Weekly: What are tasks that must still be carried out by Modi on this contract?

We still need to advance the main decline to greater depth. We have advanced from level one to level two, which needs to be made safe. The team is already doing the assessments there to see how much of the backlog tons are lying in there and how many of the unmined blocks are available. Further to that, we continue developing down, because we need to go to three level, four level, and we need to scope and scale the mine, because we need to reach the steady state of about 50 000 t a month. The ramp-up to that will come with developing and advancing the declines and ens...