Editor’s take: Miners making big moves
What a great time to be opening a new gold mine. The precious metal is blazing and breaking price barriers to trade at all-time highs. Australian miner, West Wits Mining, which plans to open South Africa’s first new underground gold mine in 15 years, has initiated pre-production works, engaged a mining contractor and is moving key equipment to site. The company will begin output next year at its Qala Shallows project, located on the western edge of Johannesburg. The $90 million project is projected to produce about 70 000 ounces of gold annually.
The favourable price environment creates a compelling economic case for projects that might have been marginal under lower gold price scenarios, such as the Qala Shallows project. Record-breaking prices provide exceptional margins for producers. In August, gold traded around $3 380 /oz.
Local massive mining centre of excellence for the EMEA region
Ukwazi established a local underground massive mining Centre of Excellence in 2025, bringing together world-class expertise to guide mining companies through this complex transformation. The experts in the CoE understand the financial, operational, and regulatory implications of this decision and can provide the technical foundation as basis for informed decision-making. Through comprehensive feasibility studies, risk assessments, and operational planning, the CoE helps clients understand not just whether underground mining is viable, but how to optimise their approach for maximum value creation.
Jewellery: The sparkle driving the platinum supply and demand conversation
The platinum market is experiencing a powerful revival, with prices soaring to an 11-year high in June 2025. While traditional industrial uses such as automotive catalysts, electronics, manufacturing equipment, and medical applications continue to drive the market, according to Platinum Guild International (PGI), a marketing organisation, platinum jewellery sales are contributing to this upward momentum.
Lotus Resources delivers first product from Kayelekera and eyes new growth opportunities
With first production of yellowcake from its Kayelekera uranium project in Malawi under its belt, ASX-listed Lotus Resources is now focused on achieving steady state production in the coming months while also focusing on taking its Letlhakane uranium project, in Botswana, up the value curve, Lotus Managing Director Greg Bittar tells Modern Mining. The company is targeting steady state production of 2.4 million pounds of U3O8 per year from 2026 onwards for the next seven years.
Thor Explorations: Driving transformation in West African mining
Africa’s mining landscape is undergoing a dynamic transformation, shaped by rising global demand for critical minerals, increased investment, and improved regulatory frameworks. However, while the continent continues to attract international interest for its vast untapped mineral wealth, it also grapples with structural and socioeconomic challenges surrounding infrastructure, regulatory uncertainty, and governance.
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