Editor’s take: In mid-November, the world population clocked in at a staggering 8 billion people – just 12 years after hitting the 7 billion mark – placing further pressure on the earth's natural resources needed to feed, clothe, and progress modern society. India is set to surpass China as the world’s most populous country, rising to 1.515 billion in 2030 from 1.417 billion in 2022, with the USA, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Russia, set to feature in the top ten of the world’s most populous countries just eight years from now. Industry pundits are already forecasting greater demand for minerals and metals, in particular precious metals, industrial metals, and new age minerals. In fact, The World Platinum Investment Council revised its calculation, now forecasting a deficit of 303 koz in 2023 as global platinum demand is expected to increase by 19% (to 7 770 koz) while supply is scheduled to increase by just 2% (to 7 466 koz).
On the cover
2022 – The best year yet for Brelko
Brelko Conveyor Products’ hefty investments in product development over the past decade and in the expansion of its facility in Booysens, south of Johannesburg, have set the equipment manufacturer on a path to success, with the company posting a 15% increase in revenue from 2021. “Although this year has been challenging for most businesses across the globe, 2022 is proving to be one of the best years yet for Brelko; for aside from making headway into new markets, we are expanding product sales in existing markets,” says MD Kenny Padayachee.
Southern Palladium’s Bengwenyama eyes PGM production by 2028
The World Platinum Investment Council’s latest report projects platinum deficits from 2023 deepening to 2026, which bodes well for Australian-listed Southern Palladium, as it aims to bring its flagship Bengwenyama project in the Bushveld Complex into production by 2028.
Minerals Council South Africa advances the agenda of junior miners
The needs of junior and emerging miners often take a back seat to those of mining majors who have greater human and financial resources. More recently, though, the Minerals Council South Africa has placed its foot firmly on the pedal to address concerns faced by this segment of the mining industry, with the industry body amping up financial resource allocation to the junior and emerging miners’ desk and deploying experts to advise on the drafting of a fit-for-purpose policy for the sector, says Minerals Council South Africa’s lead: Junior and Emerging Miners’ Desk, Grant Mitchell.
Jagersfontein tragedy draws attention to increasing TSF failures
The Jagersfontein tragedy that took place in September has shone the spotlight on the increasing rate of tailings dams’ failures and the impact such incidents have on lives, infrastructure and the environment. According to Mariette Liefferink, CEO of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment (FSE), research of all serious tailings failures since 1915 shows that the rate of tailings dam failures since 1915 is increasing with half (33 of 67) of serious tailings dam failures in the last 70 years happening in the 20 years between 1990 and 2009.
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