Mining Decisions

‘I stayed. I fought. And I’m still here.’ Now a human resources officer at Harmony Gold’s Phakisa Mine near Welkom in the Free State, Gladys Motsumi’s introduction to mining about two decades ago was a trial by fire – almost literally – when she became the first female mine worker to work at a particular mine shaft while it was still being sunk. ‘There were mostly contractors and a few mine employees, and no organised labour to protect workers’ rights.

From the vast coalfields of Tete to the ruby-rich terrains of Cabo Delgado – and the offshore gas riches in the Rovuma Basin – Mozambique’s natural resource wealth forms the backbone of its export economy and holds transformative potential for extensive national development. Coal has been a longstanding pillar of Mozambique’s extractive exports.

It finally happened on Christmas Eve. That day, the global price of gold broke through the US$4 500 mark. By early January it was touching US$4 700 and then days later it went past the ‘magical’ US$5 000 point predicted by many pundits in mid-2025. Last year, gold – the world’s oldest precious metal – staged one of the most dramatic rallies in its modern history. Prices kept rocketing into record territory, breaking through psychological barriers that once seemed distant.

Legislation can make or break a country’s mining industry. A sustainable mining sector requires clear and robust regulations that cover anything from environmental protection, community interests, transformation, and health and safety to national revenue.

Yttrium sounds like a winning word in a cryptic crossword puzzle.

The list of mineral wealth in South Africa’s Northern Cape province is so extensive that the area has great potential to become a leading global supply source for many critical minerals.

Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) has announced a significant strategic partnership with DP World Trade Finance to address the significant working capital challenges of businesses in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The partnership aims to improve access to critical trade finance, particularly for suppliers in DP World’s network across SSA.

‘In order to grow the mining industry in South Africa and the rest of the continent, we need to see a much more aggressive and consistent long-term approach to investment in exploration,’ says Willem Meintjes, executive manager at the Council for Geoscience (CGS), which is the custodian of all geoscientific data and information of South Africa, and has contributed to the development of geological information and mapping programmes in 20 African countries.

‘You are not safe in bonds, you are not safe in stocks, and you are not safe in cash. Which is why I choose gold. It doesn’t bring in income, but it will be around when everything else is in ruins.’ That was the view of US finance journalist Richard Russell, who started his investment advice column Dow Theory Letters in 1958.

Lesotho – a small, landlocked country – is surrounded entirely by South Africa. Known as the Kingdom in the Sky, it is renowned for its mountainous landscapes, rich cultural heritage and historical significance. With a population of approximately 2 million people, the country stands out for its unique geography, being the only independent state in the world entirely above 1 000m in elevation.