Liesl Peyper
As seen in:
Moneyweb,
Flipboard,
City Press,
News24,
News24 Business,
TimesLIVE,
AllAfrica,
The Citizen (South Africa),
Mail & Guardian,
Business Day,
Netwerk24
and
Senior Financial Journalist at Moneyweb
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Liesl Peyper
Motsepes, Saccos head to court over Assmang control
A legal battle has broken out between the Motsepe and Sacco mining dynasties over the management and operational control of their joint venture, Assmang Premium Premium access Independent thinking, reserved for subscribers. This article is exclusively for subscribers. Already have an account? Sign in. New to Financial Mail? Create an account to get started. Read the original article: https://fm.co.za/news-and-fox/2026-10-13-motsepes-saccos-head-to-court-over-assmang-control2/
Motsepes, Saccos head to court over Assmang control
TWO of South Africa’s prominent mining families are facing off in a legal battle over the management of Assmang – the iron ore and manganese business jointly owned by African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and Assore. The dispute pits the Sacco family, which controls Assore, against the Motsepes, the controlling shareholders in ARM.
Iron ore growth rides on Transnet rail rebuild, says Kumba
TRANSNET has stepped up work to restore capacity on South Africa’s iron ore export line as miners push for faster improvements to a corridor that has hampered production and investment in the Northern Cape. The 861km Sishen-Saldanha line is undergoing an R8.9bn restoration programme running to 2030, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said during a visit to the corridor on Monday. About R2.2bn is being spent on restorative maintenance in the current financial year.
Tharisa lifts Q4 production, keeps Karo on track
THARISA ended its 2026 financial year with higher fourth-quarter platinum group metal and chrome production, while keeping its Karo project in Zimbabwe on track for first ore late next year. The JSE- and London-listed miner produced 41,000 ounces of PGMs in the three months to end-September, up 3.5% from the previous quarter, while chrome concentrate production rose 5.8% to 416,700 tons. For the full year, PGM production rose 11% to 153,700oz, while chrome output was 1.56 million tons.
Power holds key to Vedanta’s $1.5bn Gamsberg smelter
VEDANTA Zinc International’s ambition to build a $1.5bn zinc smelter at Gamsberg hinges on securing an electricity price that will make the project commercially viable. CEO Vijay Kumar told Miningmx in an interview on Monday that the company had yet to take a final investment decision on the smelter, although design work was under way. It forms part of a broader plan to double Gamsberg’s zinc production to one million tons a year.
Caledonia cuts gold output target at Zim’s Blanket
CALEDONIA Mining has cut its full-year production target and raised expected costs at its Blanket gold mine in Zimbabwe after operational problems hit third-quarter production. The London- and New York-traded gold miner produced 17,030 oz in the September quarter, down 11% from 19,106 oz a year earlier. Nine-month production fell to 49,158 oz from 58,846 oz. Caledonia’s shares fell about 5.6% in early London trade on Friday.
Govt and SA mining "almost as one" over MPRD amendments
IS the often frosty relationship between South Africa’s government and mining industry beginning to thaw? There were unusually strong signs at this week’s Joburg Indaba that years of mistrust and confrontation are being replaced by a more cooperative relationship, with the Minerals Council South Africa and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) appearing to find more common ground on regulation and investment.
Sibanye-Stillwater eyes robotics for ultra-deep gold
SIBANYE-Stillwater is testing whether advances in robotics and artificial intelligence could make it possible to safely mine gold below 3,000 metres, potentially unlocking substantial resources in the Witwatersrand Basin. CEO Richard Stewart told the Joburg Indaba in Johannesburg on Wednesday that mining safely at greater depth is the key challenge to accessing more of South Africa’s gold endowment.
Petra Diamonds may put mines up for sale as walls close in
Petra Diamonds: Cullinan mine PETRA Diamonds has launched a strategic review that could result in asset sales following “consultation with certain key stakeholders including its first and second lien creditors”. The review brings Cullinan, near Pretoria in Gauteng, into play and comes amid crushing net debt which stood at $322m at the end of June, up from $298m three months earlier.
Gemfields takes $125m hit at Montepuez ruby mine
GEMFIELDS expects to report a $73.5m loss for the six months to June after taking a $125.2m impairment against its Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique, where it recovered fewer high-quality rubies than expected. The company also increased an impairment taken in its 2025 financial year from $35m to $65m after identifying a further $30m adjustment. It did not explain what caused the adjustment, saying only that more detail would be given with its interim results on September 30.
Rainbow targets US listing as SA project shifts to 2029
RAINBOW Rare Earths confirmed on Monday that first production from its Phalaborwa rare earths project in Limpopo in South Africa is expected in early 2029, while a proposed US listing could take place during 2027. The company plans to publish a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for Phalaborwa in the current quarter, followed by a definitive feasibility study (DFS) in the first half of next year.
West African to pay out half of profits, but warns of unrest
Richard Hyde, CEO, West African Resources WEST African Resources (WAF) expects full-year profit to come in at more than twice its first-half figure, with the gold miner set to pay its maiden dividend. Speaking at the Mining Forum Americas in Colorado in the US, CEO Richard Hyde said WAF would aim to pay another dividend before the end of June next year. The company reported a A$437m profit for the six months to June and declared a A$0.20-a-share dividend, worth about A$240m.
Loucas Pouroulis bows out after 15-year stint at Tharisa
Loucas Pouroulis, Chairman Emeritus, Tharisa THARISA founder Loucas Pouroulis is stepping down from the board after more than 15 years as chair, handing the role to lead independent director Carol Bell. Pouroulis, who has chaired Tharisa since October 2010, will become Founding Chairman Emeritus from October 1. He will remain available to advise the board and management on strategy, stakeholder relationships and long-term growth projects.
Miners warn Transnet delays are curbing output, investment
SOUTH African iron ore and manganese producers have warned that continuing rail constraints are forcing mines to operate below capacity and threatening future investment, despite progress in stabilising Transnet’s performance. Maryke Burger, CEO of ARM Ferrous, African Rainbow Minerals’ iron ore and manganese business, said the group’s iron ore and manganese operations had both been “severely affected” by capacity constraints and inefficiencies in the rail and port system.
SA mining’s price boom fails to deliver production growth
SOUTH Africa’s mining industry is struggling to turn its commodity-price windfall into higher production, with output still below pre-Covid levels despite much stronger profits and cash flows. Mining production rose just 2% in the year to end-June and stayed at about 5% below 2019 levels, according to PwC’s SA Mine 2026 report. Revenue among the mining companies analysed by PwC jumped 38% to R786bn, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 74% to R214bn.
Rainbow targets US listing as SA project shifts to 2029
CEO of Rainbow Rare Earths George Bennett speaks at the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2025, in Cape Town. REUTERS/Shelley Christians RAINBOW Rare Earths confirmed on Monday that first production from its Phalaborwa rare earths project in Limpopo in South Africa is expected in early 2029, while a proposed US listing could take place during 2027.
Petra subsidiary faces winding-up over £5.7m tax bill
PETRA Diamonds is facing a winding-up petition from UK tax authorities against one of its subsidiaries over an unpaid corporation tax bill of about £5.65m. His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs has filed the petition against Petra Diamonds UK Treasury (PDUK Treasury), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary. The petition has been advertised in the London Gazette and is due to be heard in court on October 14. Petra said PDUK Treasury is a non-operating company and does not own or operate any of its mines.
Petra Diamonds puts mines up for sale as walls close in
Petra Diamonds: Cullinan mine PETRA Diamonds has launched a strategic review that could lead to asset sales as it looks for ways to meet its short-term cash needs. The review brings Cullinan, near Pretoria in Gauteng, into play. Finsch, near Lime Acres in the Northern Cape, is being closed after business rescue practitioners concluded there was no way to save the operation. Petra did not name Cullinan or any other specific asset that could be sold.
Petra Diamonds may put mines up for sale as walls close in
Petra Diamonds: Cullinan mine PETRA Diamonds has launched a strategic review that could result in asset sales following “consultation with certain key stakeholders including its first and second lien creditors”. The review brings Cullinan, near Pretoria in Gauteng, into play and comes amid crushing net debt which stood at $322m at the end of June, up from $298m three months earlier.
Kodal clears Bougouni debt after first six months of production
KODAL Minerals’ Bougouni lithium project generated enough cash in its first full six months of commercial production to clear its project debt, helped by a sharp recovery in lithium prices and strong margins at the Mali operation. The Bougouni operation repaid an initial $13m to holding company Kodal Mining UK (KMUK) during the six months to June. Further payments after the period took the total to $33m, allowing KMUK to repay its Hainan Mining loan in full and terminate the facility.
Gemfields’ Montepuez ruby mine unable to pay group fees
GEMFIELDS’ Montepuez Ruby Mine (MRM) in Mozambique is currently unable to pay management and auction fees to the group, as weak ruby grades continue to weigh on the operation despite a sharp increase in processing capacity. “In short, no,” said Gemfields interim CEO David Lovett on Wednesday when asked during the group’s interim results presentation if MRM could pay its way. Gemfields nevertheless expects MRM to meet its debt repayments.
Loucas Pouroulis bows out after 15-year stint at Tharisa
Loucas Pouroulis, Chairman Emeritus, Tharisa THARISA founder Loucas Pouroulis is stepping down from the board after more than 15 years as chair, handing the role to lead independent director Carol Bell. Pouroulis, who has chaired Tharisa since October 2010, will become Founding Chairman Emeritus from October 1. He will remain available to advise the board and management on strategy, stakeholder relationships and long-term growth projects.
West African to pay out half of profits, but warns of unrest
Richard Hyde, CEO, West African Resources WEST African Resources (WAF) expects full-year profit to come in at more than twice its first-half figure, with the gold miner set to pay its maiden dividend. Speaking at the Mining Forum Americas in Colorado in the US, CEO Richard Hyde said WAF would aim to pay another dividend before the end of June next year. The company reported a A$437m profit for the six months to June and declared a A$0.20-a-share dividend, worth about A$240m.
Gemfields takes $125m hit at Montepuez ruby mine
Rubies lie exposed at the bottom of a mine pit at Gemfields Montepuez mine GEMFIELDS expects to report a $73.5m loss for the six months to June after taking a $125.2m impairment against its Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique, where it recovered fewer high-quality rubies than expected. The company also increased an impairment taken in its 2025 financial year from $35m to $65m after identifying a further $30m adjustment.
Gemfields takes $125m hit at Montepuez ruby mine
Rubies lie exposed at the bottom of a mine pit at Gemfields Montepuez mine GEMFIELDS expects to report a $73.5m loss for the six months to June after taking a $125.2m impairment against its Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique, where it recovered fewer high-quality rubies than expected. The company also increased an impairment taken in its 2025 financial year from $35m to $65m after identifying a further $30m adjustment.
Glencore joins US critical minerals reserve in $500m EXIM deal
THE US government has selected Glencore to help it build a strategic reserve of critical minerals in a development that deepens the Swiss miner’s relationship with Washington. The US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) has committed $500m to the partnership, under which Glencore will source, buy and deliver critical minerals for VaultCo, a public-private initiative aimed at securing supplies for American industry.
Discovery targets mining with 24-hour renewables plan
DISCOVERY Green has signed several mining companies to a renewable power offering that targets 90% of their electricity needs. A mix of wind, solar and batteries can help meet the round-the-clock power needs of mining operations, the company says. Dan Ginsberg, head of actuarial and R&D at Discovery Green, said the company had signed “quite a range of mining clients”, although it could not disclose the full number because some contracts remained confidential.
Fresh capital, old problems for Zimbabwe mining
ARE investors still too wary of Zimbabwe’s mining sector? Two international miners – Caledonia Mining and Tharisa – think so, and both are committing significant capital to projects in the country. But their experience also indicates that operating successfully in Zimbabwe still depends on the company involved, what it mines and the arrangements it has in place to manage foreign exchange, regulation and government relations.
Caledonia closes in on funding for $600m Bilboes project
Mark Learmonth, CEO, Caledonia Mining CALEDONIA Mining said it was close to securing further funding for its Bilboes gold project in Zimbabwe, with a $150m interim bank facility due to close as early as October. The company plans to spend just under $600m on the project when interest and working capital are included.
Sylvania Platinum resets Thaba JV chrome outlook
Jaco Prinsloo, CEO Sylvania Platinum at the G20 Critical Minerals Stakeholder Engagement at Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel on July 29, 2025 in Sandton, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi) SYLVANIA Platinum has cut the long-term chrome production forecast for its Thaba Joint Venture after finding lower ore grades than expected.
Jubilee Metals eyes sale of Tjate Platinum project
Leon Coetzer, CEO, Jubilee Metals Group JUBILEEĀ Metals is considering selling its long-held Tjate platinum group metal (PGM) project after receiving expressions of interest in the South African asset, and as it puts its focus entirely on copper production in Zambia. The AIM- and JSE AltX-listed company retained Tjate when it sold its South African chrome and PGM operations earlier this year.
Jubilee Metals eyes sale of Tjate Platinum project
Leon Coetzer, CEO, Jubilee Metals Group JUBILEEĀ Metals is considering selling its long-held Tjate platinum group metal (PGM) project after receiving expressions of interest in the South African asset, and as it puts its focus entirely on copper production in Zambia. The AIM- and JSE AltX-listed company retained Tjate when it sold its South African chrome and PGM operations earlier this year.
Tharisa seals $300m Karo Platinum funding
(Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images) THARISA has secured the $300m bond needed to complete its Karo Platinum project in Zimbabwe, removing uncertainty over how it would fund the remaining cost of the $545m mine. The five-year senior secured bond carries an annual coupon of 11% and was priced at 98% of its face value. Most of the proceeds will be used to complete Karo, where first ore to the mill is expected in the fourth quarter of 2027.
Gold rally lifts West African Resources’ royalty bill
Richard Hyde, CEO, West African Resources WEST African Resources (WAF) is facing a heavier government and regulatory burden in Burkina Faso, where it operates the Sanbrado and Kiaka gold mines. The Australian-listed miner paid A$181.5m in royalties to the Burkina Faso government in the first half of 2026. It also set aside A$21m for unsettled regulatory assessments and reported a A$7m increase in VAT owed by the state.
Transnet targets leap in coal exports despite cash squeeze
Michelle Phillips, Group CEO of Transnet, addresses the crowd at the Joburg Indaba, a mining and resource conference, in Johannesburg, South Africa, October 2, 2024. REUTERS/Ihsaan Haffejee TRANSNET has targeted 65 million tons (Mt) in delivered coal exports after another year of rail volume growth, but debt and weak cash generation have put a brake on its ambition.
Recovery at Gold Fields masked by permitting woes
Mike Fraser, CEO, Gold Fields IS Gold Fields being unfairly penalised for its struggles with regulators? Yes, in the view of analysts who say the firm’s lagging share price performance is at odds with its improving cash flow generation. Gold Fields is embroiled in two ‘non-mining’ issues. One is the uncertainty attached to the renewal of the mining licence of Tarkwa, a mine in Ghana that accounts for about a fifth of total production.
Platinum deficit beckons in second half as ETF selling eases
THE platinum market is expected to swing back into deficit in the second half of 2026 as heavy exchange-traded fund (ETF) selling eases, after investment outflows helped drive a first-half surplus. Platinum recorded a 244,000 ounce surplus in the second quarter of this year, taking the first-half surplus to 548,000 oz, said the World Platinum Investment Council’s (WPIC’s) latest Platinum Quarterly report.
Platinum deficit beckons in second half as ETF selling eases
Platinum ingots. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg via Getty Images) THE platinum market is expected to swing back into deficit in the second half of 2026 as heavy exchange-traded fund (ETF) selling eases, after investment outflows helped drive a first-half surplus. Platinum recorded a 244,000 ounce surplus in the second quarter of this year, taking the first-half surplus to 548,000 oz, said the World Platinum Investment Council’s (WPIC’s) latest Platinum Quarterly report.
ARM leaves door open to bigger stake in Surge Copper
Patrice Motsepe, African Rainbow Minerals AFRICAN Rainbow Minerals (ARM) says it may in time raise its 19.9% holding in Canada’s Surge Copper after the Berg project beat the group’s early expectations. ARM COO Jacques van der Bijl said the group could look at ways to lift its stake beyond 20%, although this was unlikely soon. ARM’s platinum projects, including the R15.2bn build of Bokoni, will take priority.
ARM leans on PGMs as coal, iron ore disappoint
Patrice Motsepe, executive chairman, African Rainbow Minerals AFRICAN Rainbow Minerals (ARM) benefited from a sharp recovery in its platinum business in its 2026 financial year, helping offset a swing into losses at coal and a steep decline in iron ore earnings. Headline earnings increased 19% to R3.2bn for the year to end-June, from R2.7bn previously.
ARM leans on PGMs as coal, iron ore disappoint
Platinum ingots. Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg via Getty Images. AFRICAN Rainbow Minerals (ARM) benefited from a sharp recovery in its platinum business in its 2026 financial year, helping offset a swing into losses at coal and a steep decline in iron ore earnings. Headline earnings increased 19% to R3.2bn for the year to end-June, from R2.7bn previously.
Implats takes shine to bite-sized Waterberg JV
Nico Muller, CEO, Impala Platinum IMPALA Platinum (Implats) has turned more positive on the long-delayed Waterberg JV project as plans for a smaller mine improve its chances of getting off the ground. Implats owns just under 15% of the Waterberg JV, led by Toronto-listed Platinum Group Metals (PTM). The project has struggled to get off the ground despite being touted as one of the world’s lowest-cost potential large-scale PGM mines, with a projected 45-year life.
Sibanye-Stillwater warns US mine may close if workers oppose plan
SIBANYE-Stillwater CEO Richard Stewart warned on Wednesday his company would have no option but to shut the 284,000 ounce a year Stillwater mine if a strike launched by employees prevented the company from implementing a new wage agreement. In wage negotiations currently underway covering employees at the Stillwater East mine, employees are being asked to accept a team-based incentive system rather than the individual miner approach of the past 20 years.
Sibanye-Stillwater to build 5.5bn copper mine in Tasmania
Richard Stewart, CEO of Sibanye Stillwater. Photographer: Leon Sadiki/Bloomberg via Getty Images SIBANYE-Stillwater has approved the development of its Burnstone gold project in South Africa and the Mt Lyell copper-gold project in Tasmania as it uses stronger cash generation to invest in its existing project pipeline. Burnstone will produce about 130,000 ounces of gold a year at steady state and has an estimated 25-year mine life.
Sibanye-Stillwater to build R5.5bn copper mine in Tasmania
Molten copper is cast into copper anodes. Photographer: Graham Hughes/Bloomberg via Getty Images SIBANYE-Stillwater today approved a R5.5bn copper-gold Mt Lyell project in Australia’s island state Tasmania producing up to 26,000 tons a year of the in-demand red metal.
West Wits keeps 200,000 oz plan alive despite study blip
WEST Wits Mining is pressing ahead with plans to increase gold production from its Witwatersrand Basin Project to 200,000 ounces a year despite being unable to publish a scoping study on the expansion. Shares in the Australian-listed company fell 14.9% last week (August 27) after it halted its Project 200 study following discussions with the Australian Securities Exchange. West Wits shares closed at A$0.41 today, down 15.5% in a week.
AI, robots and shrinking supply drive Northam’s PGM growth plans
Northam Platinum CEO, Paul Dunne Northam Platinum is betting that new uses for platinum group metals in artificial intelligence, data storage, electronics and robotics will add to demand at a time when South African mine supply is falling. CEO Paul Dunne said during the miner’s annual results presentation on Friday that the company remained positive on platinum as well as rhodium, iridium and ruthenium, as new industrial applications emerge alongside established demand from the automotive sector.
Higher PGM prices drive Northam earnings and record payout
Paul Dunne, CEO Northam Platinum NORTHAM Platinum reported a sharp rise in annual profit after higher platinum group metal prices lifted revenue and cash generation, allowing the miner to declare a record final dividend of R10 a share, up from R2 a share last year. Together with the R7 interim dividend, Northam’s total dividend for the year amounts to R17 a share. The board also increased its minimum annual dividend payout to 40% of headline earnings from 25%.
Northam posts record payout after sharp earnings rise
Paul Dunne, CEO Northam Platinum NORTHAM Platinum reported a sharp rise in annual profit after higher platinum group metal prices lifted revenue and cash generation, allowing the miner to declare a record final dividend of R10 a share, up from R2 a share last year. Together with the R7 interim dividend, Northam’s total dividend for the year amounts to R17 a share. The board also increased its minimum annual dividend payout to 40% of headline earnings from 25%.
Harmony Gold sticks with gold hedging strategy after R10bn hit
Beyers Nel, CEO, Harmony Gold. Photographer: Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg via Getty Images HARMONY Gold says its hedging strategy continues to make sense after analysts questioned the approach following a nearly R10bn realised loss on its gold hedge book. The issue was raised during an analyst call on Thursday, against the backdrop of higher gold prices and the significant difference between spot prices and some of the prices at which Harmony previously hedged production.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Liesl
Contact Liesl, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack