THE MINING WRAP

Financial startup Veridicor and Metalex Commodities are rolling out a “stakeholder prosperity bond” in Zambia to formalise artisanal mining and bring small miners into structured supply chains. In practice, the model links financing with guaranteed offtake, giving small-scale operators access to equipment and stable buyers while also improving traceability for larger mining operations.

Huayou Moves on Ghana Lithium Acquisition

Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt is moving to acquire Ghana’s first lithium mine through a $210 million deal. As a result, the transaction gives the company direct access to lithium production linked to electric vehicle supply chains. The project is based on Ghana’s Ewoyaa lithium deposit and forms part of the country’s first commercial lithium development, with development focused on establishing upstream mining and processing capacity. In addition, the deal strengthens Huayou’s position in securing raw materials for battery manufacturing while expanding China’s presence in Africa’s lithium supply chain.

Canex Metals Initiates Gold Basin Takeover

Canex Metals has initiated a takeover bid for Gold Basin Resources, pointing to continued consolidation among junior mining firms. Specifically, the move targets expansion of its exploration portfolio, particularly in gold assets, as smaller players increasingly scale through acquisitions rather than greenfield discovery.

KDG Completes MC Mining Takeover

KDG (Kinetic Development Group) has completed the takeover of MC Mining, securing control of its South African coal assets, including the Makhado coking coal project in Limpopo. Through this acquisition, KDG gains exposure to metallurgical coal used in steel production. The deal followed shareholder approvals and delisting processes, and as a result, ownership has now fully transferred to the Chinese investor.

BlackRock Adjusts Sibanye-Stillwater Position

BlackRock has disclosed a change in its beneficial interest in Sibanye-Stillwater shares. The update was filed with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as part of regulatory disclosure requirements for significant shareholding movements. In this context, the adjustment indicates changes in institutional exposure to platinum group metals and gold assets. Sibanye-Stillwater’s portfolio includes PGM operations in South Africa and the United States, as well as gold assets giving it exposure to both traditional and energy-transition-linked metals.

Policy, Regulation And Operations

DRC Wage Increase Drives Mining Sector Tensions

A minimum wage increase in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is driving labor tensions across the mining sector, with operators facing higher wage bills across copper and cobalt operations, particularly in the Copperbelt. Workers are demanding improved pay and working conditions following the adjustment, while the increase is affecting cost structures at large-scale mines. As a result, employers are reviewing compensation frameworks and operational budgets, with the issue now emerging across multiple mining sites.

Zambia Maintains Open Investment Policy

Zambia has ruled out preferential access for U.S. firms in its critical minerals sector, instead confirming it will maintain a non-exclusive investment approach across copper and cobalt projects. Officials have stated that no country will receive special access or priority rights, and Zambia continues to engage multiple international investors and partners. Importantly, the policy applies to both new and existing mining investments.

Guinea Resolves Bauxite License Dispute

Guinea has reached a settlement with Emirates Global Aluminium over a revoked bauxite license, resolving a dispute linked to mining permit cancellations affecting EGA’s operations. Following this, the agreement allows the company to continue activities under revised terms while also removing regulatory uncertainty around the project. As a result, operations tied to aluminium supply chains stabilise in one of the world’s largest bauxite-producing regions.

Mali Mining Sector Continues Under Security Pressure

Despite ongoing instability, Mali’s mining industry continues operating, with gold production remaining active at major sites, including large-scale operations run by international companies. Firms are maintaining output under tightened security measures, and mining exports continue to generate revenue for the government. Even so, operations have not been suspended despite the prevailing security situation.

IAMGOLD Increases Essakane Output

IAMGOLD has increased gold output at the Essakane mine in Burkina Faso by 18%, driven by higher processing volumes and improved plant performance. Essakane remains one of the country’s largest gold mines, while Burkina Faso has increased its state stake in the operation. At the same time, the production increase follows ongoing operational improvements linked to efficiency upgrades and throughput gains.

Technology, Equipment And Supply

BME Advances AI-Driven Blasting

BME is advancing its XPLOSMART™ platform through a partnership with Strayos, introducing AI-driven 3D blast modeling that allows mines to simulate and optimise blasting outcomes before execution, improving fragmentation while reducing costs and environmental impact.

ABB Deploys Power Control Systems

ABB has deployed high-performance control systems at Manganese Metal Company in South Africa to stabilise power supply, targeting energy reliability and reducing downtime while improving processing consistency in energy-intensive operations.

MMD Expands Into Digital Material Handling

MMD Group has secured global rights to the TraxIQ system from Anglo American, with the technology focused on improving how bulk materials are moved and tracked across mining operations through automation and real-time visibility into processing flows, placing the company beyond traditional equipment supply.

Komatsu Expands Direct Service and Electrification

Komatsu is expanding its presence in South Africa through a direct service model, thereby enabling closer engagement with mining clients. At the same time, the company is advancing battery-powered equipment, with early deployments targeted at coal operations as part of a shift toward lower-emission machinery.

RCT Deploys Remote Shutdown Systems

RCT has secured a contract to supply remote shutdown systems at Glencore’s McArthur River Mine. Through this deployment, operators can safely halt equipment in high-risk situations, which in turn supports improved safety in automated mining environments.

Digital Systems And Processing

Seequent Updates Geological Modelling Software

Seequent has released a major update to its Leapfrog software used for geological modelling. Specifically, the update integrates drilling, geological, and assay data into a single workflow, reducing manual data handling. It processes larger datasets faster, thereby allowing teams to update resource models more frequently. the changes improve orebody interpretation and shorten the time between exploration results and mine planning decisions.

MTC Namibia Deploys LTE Network at Rössing

MTC Namibia has deployed a dedicated LTE network at Rössing Uranium to support real-time communication across the mine. In practice, the network connects equipment, control systems, and operations teams, enabling continuous data exchange. It supports fleet management, remote monitoring, and maintenance tracking while removing reliance on fragmented connectivity. Consequently, the rollout supports stable operations in a large, remote mining environment.

Gravitas Minerals Advances Fine Material Recovery

Gravitas Minerals is advancing its Optima Classifier™ technology to recover fine mineral particles from slurry streams. By using hindered settling separation, the system improves recovery where conventional methods lose fine material. It processes tailings and low-grade feed, allowing operators to extract additional value from existing material streams. This increases recovery rates increase while waste volumes sent to tailings storage decline.

Infrastructure And Industrial Supply

Condra Marks 60 Years in Operation

Condra is marking 60 years in operation, manufacturing lifting equipment used in mine construction, maintenance, and material handling. Its cranes operate across surface and underground mining environments, supporting shaft work, plant installation, and heavy component handling. The company produces equipment in South Africa and supplies multiple African markets.

South32 Engages Eskom on Hillside Power Supply

South32 is in talks with Eskom over power supply for the Hillside aluminium smelter in Richards Bay. This follows the closure of the Mozal smelter in Mozambique, which has shifted regional aluminium production dynamics. Hillside remains one of the largest aluminium smelters in the Southern Hemisphere and depends on long-term electricity agreements, with power pricing and supply stability central to the negotiations that will affect future operations and production levels.

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