Africa

Bannerman, the developers of Etango Uranium Mine have successfully progressed through the initial test work phase of a membrane study at the Etango Heap Leach Demonstration Plant, the company announced. The study has validated the potential for further capital and operating cost reductions, to be confirmed in the DFS Update. …

British junior miner Gem Diamonds has announced recovery of high quality 202 carat diamond in Lesotho. According to the company the D colour Type IIa diamond from the Letšeng mine in Lesotho is the seventh diamond of over 100 carats to be recovered to date in 2017 from Letšeng. Letseng is the highest …

Debmarine has announced plans to construct the world’s largest custom-built diamond mining vessel. The new vessel projected to cost approximately US$142 million (N$2 billion), is expected to commence operations in 2021. According to De Beers, the ship will work alongside five other mining vessels in the Debmarine Namibia fleet, enhancing …

Montero has confirmed the presence of the soft silver-white metal in central Namibia. “Our first channel sampling programme has confirmed lithium,” Montero Chief Executive Officer Dr Tony Harwood said recently in a statement. The exploration and development company says demand for lithium, which is used in the rechargable batteries of …

Newly Aim-listed Afritin Mining has set focus on becoming ‘The Africa tin champion’ by bringing its flagship Uis tin project to commercial production. Anthony Viljoen, Afritin Mining Chief Executive Officer said the company aims to build an economic pilot plant to achieve commercial production, [and thereafter will] start incremental upscaling …

Electra Mining Africa has called for more dialogue for stakeholders in the mining industry despite economic challenges the sector face. “Although the mining industry is up against tough challenges and general industry remains under tight economic pressure, there is still a need for trade exhibitions and face-to-face interaction with clients,” …

Namibia Rare Earths has signed an agreement with Gecko Namibia to acquire a controlling interest in a portfolio of seven metals properties. The development will see the company expand its focus from heavy rare earths to include cobalt, copper, zinc, lithium, graphite, tantalum, niobium, nickel, and gold. Through the agreement, …

Vedanta Resources sees further upside for zinc prices as it announced a 37.4% rise in half-year profit. The company, which mines zinc in India, South Africa and Namibia, said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization rose to $1.69-billion in the six months ended Sept. 30, marginally below analysts’ estimate …

Thirty-seven former and current mineworkers have tested positive for tuberculosis, this year. Selma Imene-Schutt, Programme Manager of TB in the mining sector at the Development Aid from People to People (Dapp), told The Namibian that 17 000 mineworkers were screened. Imene-Schutt said mineworkers are regarded as being more at risk …

Independent technical consultants – AMEC Foster Wheeler has indicated that Bannerman could save US73million on its capital expenditure for Etango. The project’s first processing optimisation study of the definite feasibility study update, together with extensive confirmatory test-work, maintains Etango’s position at the forefront of the global uranium development pipeline. Etango’s …