Editor’s take: BRICS and mo, ta!
What a time to be alive – front row seats as geopolitical tensions reshape the world economy. In all this mayhem, the BRICS alliance has done the unthinkable – introduced an alternative currency to the dollar – for more than five decades, the world has been forced to rely on the dollar as a reserve currency, but not for much longer. At the end of October last year, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) launched the Unit, a gold-backed prototype released on a pilot programme. The Unit aims to reduce dollar reliance through a basket of gold and member currencies for trade settlement. The recent pilot marks a tangible early stage move towards an alternative financial system within the expanded BRICS+bloc.
Driving smart mines – MTN leads the way
African multinational telecommunications giant MTN is redefining the future of mining through its next-generation 5G private networks—providing the foundation for mines to transition into fully connected, intelligent operations.
Mining is one of MTN Business’s five key growth sectors, and the company continues to accelerate the rollout of private network coverage across Africa.
Speaking to Modern Mining, Farah Abdulahi, General Manager: Large Enterprise at MTN Business, explains the company’s vision: “As a technology leader, MTN plays a pivotal role in bringing cutting-edge solutions, including 5G private networks, to Africa’s mining industry—a critical economic sector poised to unlock enormous value through digitisation.”
The hand that rocks the gold cradle
How often does a leader come along whose policies are so divisive that they cause global market mayhem, forcing nations to reconsider alliances and allegiances? Here we are in 2025, with the Trump effect wreaking havoc and creating market uncertainty – good news for gold though, a safe-haven investment, which has outpaced all other stocks. By the end of 2025, gold was trading at a record high of just under $4 300 per ounce. The gold bull run is set to continue into 2026 with the precious metal set to reach new highs, says John Reade, World Gold Council Market Strategist for Asia and Europe.
Resolute targets 500 000 gold ozpa from 2028
Since formally assuming leadership in February 2025, CEO Chris Eger has launched a multi-pronged growth strategy that positions Resolute Mining to boost annual output from 300 000 oz to a targeted 500 000 oz from 2028. The Africa-focused gold miner’s growth strategy centres on advancing the Doropo project in Côte d’Ivoire, where it is updating the definitive feasibility study, accelerating exploration across its portfolio, and securing replacement tonnes for its existing producing operations.
IonicRE: ready to grow REE capacity for the western world
Rare earth elements (REEs) are taking front and centre stage as some nations lock in policies to secure the subset of critical minerals used to advance technologies associated with the modern world, while others are using them to leverage better deals in trade wars with the US. So, what does this mean for producers of these critical commodities and technology specialists in the field? For insight into the importance of rare earths and their influence on the global landscape, Modern Mining caught up with Tim Harrison, Managing Director of Ionic Rare Earths.
Junior mining – opportunities for growth?
The push to revive demand for natural diamonds coupled with the global need for critical and strategic minerals offers opportunities for growth in the junior mining sector. Modern Mining recently spoke to Errol Smart, Vice President of the South African Diamond Producers Organisation (SADPO), about opportunities unfolding in the junior and emerging mining space.
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