Editor’s take: With so many things not working in this country (power, water, networks, etc), it is good to know that the mining sector continues to keep the cogs of the economy ticking over.
According to PwC’s newly launched SA Mine 2022 report, the mining sector delivered a sterling performance, exceeding expectations on most fronts with distributions to shareholders more than doubling to R190bn, while capital expenditure grew by 36% and taxes paid increased by 14%.
Growing demand for commodities in the sector saw record rand prices for the platinum group metals basket, iron ore, and coal, while most other South African commodity prices remained at relatively high rand levels. PwC’ Sizwe Masondo explained that after dropping by 11% in 2020 due to the adverse impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, local mining production increased by 12% in 2021. However, mining activity experienced several challenges in the first half of 2022, resulting in mining output falling by 7% y-o-y in the first six months of the year.”
On the cover
Axis House targets precious metals profitability
October 2022 heralds a milestone for reagent specialist Axis House, which celebrates 21 years in business having grown from a four-person small business to one with 120 mavens and in-country specialists across a geographical footprint spanning Africa, Australia, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Coupled with its milestone celebration, the company is gearing to launch a suite of products for the platinum group metals (PGM), gold and industrial metals markets, MD Justine Stubbs-Hult and technical manager Bernard Oostendorp tell Modern Mining.
Shanta Gold eyes 250 000 oz producer status in the next five years
East-African gold miner Shanta Gold, which presently produces 75 000 oz pa from its flagship New Luika Gold Mine in Southwestern Tanzania, is eyeing further precious ounces from its Singida gold mine currently under construction and its exploration asset, West Kenya project, in the next five years, says CEO Eric Zurrin. Shanta Gold acquired the high-grade West Kenya Project in Kenya, in 2020.
MRTA uses technology to enhance safety
Research into the development of smart eyewear that will allow for virtual on-the-job training paves the way for Murray & Roberts Training Academy (MRTA), a division of Murray & Roberts Cementation, to offer cost-effective training and skills development on a mass level.
“Using smart eyewear, we will be able to see, communicate, correct and develop people as and when they perform their tasks,” engineering company Murray & Roberts Cementation education, development and training executive Tony Pretorius tells Modern Mining in an exclusive interview.
Digital mine provides the competitive edge
The South African mining industry has long been perceived as one that is slow to change, however, PwC’s advisory technical consulting senior manager, Ian Mackay, and Africa energy, utilities and resources leader, Andries Rossouw, advise that this is not the case. Rather, the country consists of many top-notch digital mines that compete head-to-head with some of the best mines in the world.
Click to download and read this issue in PDF format.
