Modern Mining April 2024
Editor’s take: As the country gears up for the 2024 South African general election with both new and existing parties looking to contest the local elections, the mining sector too is fighting its own battle amid declining platinum prices, which see miners in the PGM space scaling back and restructuring to stay afloat while coal producers desperately seek new avenues to export their coal. Sibanye-Stillwater’s CEO Neal Froneman says that the slump in PGM prices is forcing South African mining companies to restructure and cut jobs with Northam CEO Paul Dunne explaining that the palladium price has been impacted by a downturn in global demand for internal combustion-engine automobiles driven by the current depressed global economic climate and high interest rates, with rhodium being impacted by substitution for platinum in the fibreglass industry, leading to a lower price.
On the cover
Shell innovates – targets being a supplier of choice
Coupled with the drive to achieve efficiency, productivity and profitability, miners must meet their social responsibility and decarbonisation agenda as outlined by the Paris Agreement, which is why technologically advanced products and solutions from suppliers to the mining industry are key to helping mines achieve their stated ambitions, says Elitza Terzova: Global Mining Manager at Shell Lubricant Solutions.
Is Argentina the answer to the ‘green revolution’ lithium supply problem?
In an era where technological innovation intersects an urgent push for environmental sustainability, lithium has emerged as a critical element. The widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries has been transformative, releasing our electronic devices from the constraints of power cords and facilitating mobility and convenience. Beyond the realm of consumer electronics, these batteries are pivotal for the decarbonisation of the global energy infrastructure, aligning with the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage solutions.
AECI prepares for the next hundred years
Accompanying explosives manufacturer, AECI’s celebration of being listed on the JSE for a century, is its eye to the future as the company targets growth in key mining jurisdictions globally and becoming a leading explosives and mining chemicals company world-wide, says Group CEO Holger Riemensperger.
Africa – world’s largest regional gold producer
Africa is the world’s largest regional gold producer, accounting for some 27% of global gold production in 2022. However, as a global consumer of the precious metal, how does the world’s second-largest continent rank? For insight to this question, Modern Mining spoke to John Reade, senior market strategist at the World Gold Council.
Slurry, dewatering expert IPR buildgs one-stop capability
As mines demand higher reliability, efficiency and sustainability from all aspects of their operations, pump and dredging specialist IPR has been growing to meet the changing needs. Modern Mining spoke to IPR Managing Director Lee Vine and Sales Manager Steve du Toit about how they have become a one-stop solutions provider representing key global pump brands.
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