Crown Publications

Editor’s take:Wusiheite – a potential gamechanger for germanium exploration Did you know that each year roughly 90 to 110 new mineral species are officially identified and approved worldwide? The total count of recognised valid minerals stands above 6 100, and the International Mineralogical Association through its CNMNC commission oversees these validations.

ON THE COVER:  Fire remains a significant operational and safety risk across South Africa’s mining sector. The country’s latest mandatory fire-prevention guideline recorded 584 reported mine-fire incidents between 2019 and 2023, with mobile machinery, conveyor belts, electrical infrastructure, hot work and spontaneous combustion among the identified causes.

R50 million investment to strengthen community safety and policing services in the Pine Ridge, Klarinet and Siyanqoba communities The Seriti Power Community Trust has marked the sod-turning of the new Klarinet Police Station, a significant milestone in its support for community safety and sustainable infrastructure in its host communities.

The support of Valterra Platinum to the University of Pretoria’s rock engineering research is enabling the Department of Mining Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Informa on Technology to strengthen its reputation as an international leader in this field and as a trusted partner in advancing knowledge that serves society.

Project preparation - once a stumbling block in the way of critical infrastructure development - has been significantly improved in South Africa, paving the way for the faster implementation of Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs). This is according to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was addressing the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA), hosted by Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) in Cape Town.

The board of directors (the board) of PPC has announced that Matias Cardarelli, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of PPC, has agreed to extend his contract of employment until 31 March 2030. Matias began his tenure as CEO of PPC in December 2023. In the last two and half years, the company has achieved significant progress in its Awaken the Giant strategy. Since Matias’ appointment, PPC has been fundamentally repositioned.

Phase Three of the government-business partnership was launched 20 August 2026. Speaking at the launch President Cyril Ramaphosa said the success of the partnership will ultimately be measured by whether economic growth translates into jobs, rising incomes and improved living conditions for South Africans. Phase Three of the government-business partnership aims to achieve 3% growth – the threshold to increasing levels of employment.

Electra Mining Africa will take place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from 7 to 11 September 2026, bringing together industry suppliers, decision makers, contractors, professionals and technology providers from across the continent to explore new technologies, compare equipment, meet new suppliers and discover solutions that drive safer, smarter and more efficient mining and industrial operations. Charl Marais, Local Division Manager for ABB South Africa’s Process Automation - Process Industries.

Details The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) reports that it registered 124 renewable energy generation facilities during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. Although there are more solar PV facilities newly registered, the wind energy facilities account for the greater share of new generation capacity. The newly registered solar and wind energy facilities together have a total capacity of 804 MW and represent an investment value estimated at R20.18 billion.

BMG will launch the new Danfoss iC7-Automation Variable Speed Drive (VSD) enclosed range at Electra Mining Africa 2026, marking the local introduction of a drive platform designed by Danfoss specifically to be intelligent, versatile, future-ready and reliable. BMG will launch the new Danfoss iC7-Automation VSD enclosed range at Electra Mining Africa 2026. “BMG and Danfoss Drives have over a decade of working in close collaboration since signing a strategic alliance agreement in 2015.