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Fort Rixon Police Investigate Brutal Murder

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Fort Rixon Police Investigate Brutal Murder

Police in Fort Rixon have launched an investigation into the murder that took place on the 29th of July 2023 in the Claremont area. The victim, Lawrence Ngwenya, aged 30, was brutally attacked with machetes by five suspects identified as Kelvin Mpofu, Clayton Dube (28), Sibusiso Dube (25), Mayibongwe Ndlovu (21), and Tinashe.

In a statement on their X page (formerly Twitter), The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the incident took place after a longstanding dispute over mine ownership at the Claremont 26 mine between the victim and the suspects. Breaking into a violent confrontation, the suspects proceeded to unleash a barraging assault upon Ngwenya, resulting in fatal injuries across his body.

“Police in Fort Rixon are investigating a case of murder which occurred on 29/07/23 at Claremont area. The suspects identified as Kelvin Mpofu, Clayton Dube (28), Sibusiso Dube (25), Mayibongwe Ndlovu (21) and Tinashe struck the victim, Lawrence Ngwenya (30) with machetes all over the body. The victim and the suspects had a longstanding mine ownership dispute over Claremont 26 mine,” the statement reads.

How Mine, Hwange, Blanket Proto teams fitness excites judges

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How Mine, Hwange, Blanket Proto teams fitness excites judges

The level of fitness for the Proto teams which participated at the Mine Rescue Association of Zimbabwe Westzone Quarterly training exercise held at Metallon Corporation Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo Mining Company (How Mine) recently excited judges, however, the judges pointed out a lot of areas which needed to be improved by the teams in preparation of the National Rescue competitions to be held later this year.

Rudairo Mapuranga

The WestZone of the Mine Rescue Association of Zimbabwe (MRAZ) comprises of How Mine, Caledonia’s Blanket Mine and Hwange Colliery.

The teams were working on a written instruction that, “A three-man lashing crew was reported to have gone into the mine for an earlier shift at 15L20m Sub level 300N. Information received from the 14-level pump attendant is that there has been a reversal on the ventilation circuit. He noted foul air coming from the main access haulage towards where he was working at the pump station close to the North shaft. He checked that access drive but could not proceed further due to the ambient conditions.

Team Instruction

“You are expected to proceed underground and do the following:

  1. Assess the ambient conditions for 14 level, document and report your findings (Airflow, ground holing, visibility and temperature).
  2. Locate the missing employees and render the necessary help required. Assist the employees out of the mine.
  3. On completion of the task generate a report and submit it to the control official.

Judges from the Zimbabwe School of Mines, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and How Mine ex brigades persons could not hide the fact that the teams’ fitness was good but were also disappointed by the teams’ shortfalls in different areas which need improvement.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe on the sidelines of the competition Proto teams National Coordinator who was also a judge at the training exercise, Jaffrey Sanudi said the teams needed to improve when it comes to map reading.

“The teams performed well in terms of fitness although there is a need for improvement. Key learning points that we noted, for example, we saw the need for improvement in terms of plan reading, in terms of articulation of sequence of events. We also noted that most teams did not pick the critical items they were supposed to identify as instructed,” Sanudi said.

The Zimbabwe School of Mines representative at the Event Mrs Ndiweni said the teams performed well in terms of first aid but needed to improve in other areas.

“The first area of improvement is findings, and updating our documents. Most teams were living out vital information right from the control room to back. There is also an issue of sequential asking of questions. First aid was done well but all the teams. On fitness, the teams were fairly good but we need to improve,” Mrs Ndiweni said.

This article first appeared in the Mining Zimbabwe Magazine issue 66. Download HERE

Mining in Zimbabwe, 5 years later (mining industry recap)

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Mining in Zimbabwe, 5 years later (mining industry recap)

The mining sector in Zimbabwe has demonstrated steady growth since the appointment of Hon Winston Chitando as the Minister of Mines and Mining Development in November 2017 after the fall of the Robert Mugabe administration. Despite some visible challenges and setbacks, the industry’s overall progress has been remarkable.

Rudairo Mapuranga

In 2017, the mining sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product was about 9 per cent, and the figure rose to over 13 per cent in 2022.

The Mining sector achieved more than 100 per cent growth in earnings under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, evidenced by the massive jump in mineral exports to US$5,62 billion realised in 2022 when compared to about US$2,7 billion in 2017.

Official Government figures show the mining industry alone has attracted more than US$6 billion in new projects in the last four years, with a corresponding increase in output, export earnings, and massive job creation impact along the value chain.

The Emmerson Mnangagwa administration has worked tirelessly since taking office to revitalize the country’s mining sector. Despite facing numerous challenges, the government has implemented several commendable initiatives to develop the industry and attract investment. Here are ten things the Mnangagwa administration has done right in Zimbabwe mining and outstanding issues that need urgent reforms:

1) Mining Law Reforms

The government introduced comprehensive reforms in Zimbabwe’s mining laws to attract foreign investors and enhance transparency. The country opened up to doing business by scrapping the indigenisation and economic act which restricted heavily foreign capital in the country. Since the inception of the Mnangagwa administration, various world-class mining projects have been established including the Eureka Gold Mine project and processing plant, the Arcadia lithium project and processing plant, Sabi Star lithium project and processing plant among other projects. However, it should be noted that the sector has failed to reach deadlines for other legislative reforms which include the Mines and Minerals Amendment bill, and the Precious Stones Amendment bill, among others which are aimed at streamlining mining operations and reducing bureaucracy.

2) Investment Policies

The government has created a conducive investment environment by implementing policies that facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI). These policies include guarantees of property rights for investors and the relaxation of indigenization laws, allowing foreigners to hold controlling stakes in mining operations. Mining companies like Zimplats, Unki, Mimosa, and Caledonia have praised the government for allowing them to hold a controlling stake leading them to invest in mining growth and development. Zimplats has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government which will see the company investing US$1.8 billion for its expansion projects with over USD 0.5 billion already invested.

3) Exploration Support and Geological Data Availability

Access to accurate geological data is vital for attracting investment and developing the mining sector. The administration has committed significant resources to promote geological exploration. The government initiated the Geo-Data Information System, which consolidates all geological data to aid mining companies in making informed decisions about resource exploration and development. However, the government has not adequately invested in geological surveys or made the data easily accessible to potential investors.

4) Mining Infrastructure Development

The government has prioritized the development of critical infrastructure to support mining operations. This includes investing in road networks, power generation, railways, and water supply systems to ease transportation and reduce production costs. There is an improved power supply which has put on hold the gruelling power disruptions which have been engulfing the country for the first six months. Through the State of Mining Industry Survey Report of 2022, mining industry captains believe that the sector will grow significantly in 2023 but will be affected by power outages.

5) Engaging Stakeholders

The Mnangagwa administration has supported platforms for regular dialogue with mining industry stakeholders. These engagements have led to effective collaboration between the government, mining companies, communities, and civil society organizations, ensuring that all parties’ concerns are addressed. Examples of such gatherings include the Annual General Conference for the Chamber of Mines, the President and Mines Minister are also a permanent feature at Mine Entra every year. The Minister of Mines and Mining Development has also created a miners’ desk where he receives reports from Miners both large and small weeks through their respective Associations. The Ministry is also consistently in touch with Media Houses via some social media platforms, ensuring mining developments are made public. However, Mining has taken centre stage in Zimbabwe which has led to other voices in the industry advocating having the Mines Minister host regular independent press briefings once every week and answer questions related to the industry.

6) Initiatives for Responsible Mining

The government has introduced measures to promote responsible mining practices and sustainable development. This includes enforcing environmental protection laws, monitoring compliance with safety regulations, and promoting corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to benefit local communities. However, the administration has not provided sufficient support and regulatory frameworks to promote responsible and sustainable artisanal and small-scale mining. This has resulted in informal mining practices, safety hazards, and a lack of fair working conditions for miners, increasing mine accidents.

7) Fostering Public-Private Partnerships

The administration has actively pursued partnerships with both local and international mining companies to accelerate investment in the sector. By partnering with the private sector, the government aims to take advantage of their resources, expertise, and technology to maximize the sector’s potential. The government has successful partnerships with various investors to form Kuvimba Mining House (KMH) which has been renewing some of the country’s biggest Mines which include Shamva Gold Mine and the newly discovered Sandawana Lithium.

8) Simplified Licensing Process

The government has simplified the process of obtaining mining licenses and permits. By reducing red tape and bureaucracy, this initiative has encouraged both local and foreign investors to initiate mining projects promptly, promoting economic growth and job creation. However, the small-scale miners in highly mineralised provinces e.g. Mashwest, Midlands have instructed the Portfolio Committee on Mines to craft a law that mandates the Ministry to ensure titles are out within 90 days.

9) Supporting Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)

The administration recognizes the importance of the ASM sector in Zimbabwe’s mining industry. It has instituted programmes to formalize ASM operations, provide training, access to capital, and support services to empower small-scale miners, contributing to poverty alleviation and economic empowerment. The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), a body representing artisanal and small-scale miners, regularly sits with the Minister of Mines and Mining Development to report on matters of concern in the industry. The ASM has been growing significantly accounting for over 67 per cent of gold deliveries to the country’s sole buyer and exporter Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR). SSMiners have also lamented “exclusion” from key sectors like lithium.

10) Promoting Mineral Value Addition

The government has placed a strong emphasis on value addition and beneficiation of minerals. This involves encouraging mining companies to process minerals locally rather than exporting only raw materials, aiming to increase job opportunities, revenue generation, and industrial development. Recently the country commissioned the biggest hard rock lithium processing plant in Africa at Arcadia lithium mine with plans to establish lithium carbonates processing plant underway. In the Platinum Group of Metals (PMG) sector, plans to set up a smelter are underway. The establishment of Africa’s biggest iron and steel plant is also underway in Manhize where Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco) is establishing a world-class Iron and steel plant.

The Mnangagwa administration’s efforts towards revitalizing Zimbabwe’s mining sector are commendable. There are almost zero complaints from ASM on late gold payments and Large scale mines’ gold can now apply to export their gold.

These initiatives have attracted significant FDI, promoted responsible mining practices, empowered local communities, and enhanced the country’s overall economic development. Despite the challenges ahead, these accomplishments demonstrate the commitment of the government to leverage the mining sector’s potential to uplift the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.

Unyielding Heroes: BMC Proto Team Defies Challenges To Complete Rescue & Recovery Missions

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Unyielding Heroes: BMC Proto Team Defies Challenges To Complete Rescue & Recovery Missions

In recent months, the Bulawayo Mining Company (BMC) Proto team has proven themselves as unwavering heroes, dedicated to public safety through two challenging recovery missions. From navigating dangerous terrains to overcoming water-based rescues, the team’s commitment and resourcefulness have been commendable. In this article, we will delve into the details of these two events and highlight the team’s achievements, as well as the challenges they faced.

The first event, known as the Lumene Falls Recovery Mission, took place on April 3, 2023. The BMC Proto team received a call from ZRP Esigodini for a joint recovery operation at Lumene Falls. The mission required collaboration with the Fairbridge Sub-Aqua team and the BMC How Mine Proto team. The objective was to retrieve the body of a man who tragically slipped and fell from a height of approximately 15 meters into a plunge pool.

Despite numerous challenges, the team’s meticulous planning and execution ensured a successful outcome. Before commencing the operation, they arrived at Lumene Falls and conducted a comprehensive risk assessment. The strong water rapids and heavy currents posed additional difficulties, but the team’s safety precautions and determined efforts paid off. After several hours of careful work, the body of the deceased was successfully recovered by 17:00hrs. The joint operation received praise from local authorities, the deceased’s family, and the surrounding community.

The Carry Mine Recovery Mission took place on April 21, 2023. The BMC Proto team was summoned by ZRP Hillside to undertake a recovery mission at Carry Mine after the collapse of a shaft due to illegal mining activities. One man was trapped under a significant amount of ore, approximately 3 meters deep. The team’s objective was to safely retrieve the deceased.

To ensure a successful operation, the BMC How Mine Proto team received a detailed briefing from the Hillside Officer In Charge and conducted a thorough risk assessment. The unconsolidated ground and subsiding conditions complicated the recovery efforts. However, through meticulous planning and adherence to safety protocols, the team successfully recovered the body by 17:19hrs.

The success of these recovery missions can be attributed to the BMC Proto team’s unwavering dedication, collaboration with various agencies, and meticulous planning. The support from BMC How Mine Management in ensuring the welfare of the team is highly appreciated. Their commitment to public safety and their ability to overcome challenges make them an invaluable asset to the community.

In the face of adversity, the BMC Proto team continues to display professionalism and determination, ensuring that every recovery mission is carried out with the utmost care. Their remarkable efforts serve as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the importance of unity, preparedness, and resilience in the face of challenging circumstances. These unyielding heroes of the BMC Proto team deserve recognition for their bravery and commitment to public safety.

With their dedication, the community can rest assured that they have a reliable and capable team ready to respond to any future challenges that may arise. The BMC Proto team stands as a shining example of heroism and selflessness, and their actions serve as a reminder that in times of difficulty, unity and determination can lead to successful outcomes.

Shamva Mine: Overcoming Challenges to Maintain Consistent Operations

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Shamva Mine: Overcoming Challenges to Maintain Consistent Operations

Shamva Mine is currently operating as an underground mine and employs innovative Sublevel Open Stoping mining methods that are tailored to the geometry of the ore body.

Sublevel Open Stoping is a mining method that is known for its efficiency and safety. The method involves mining the ore body in horizontal slices or levels. The levels are drilled and blasted, and then the broken ore is transported to the surface for processing. The approach is especially suited for the extraction of narrow veins and lodes that can be found in underground deposits.

This was said by Shamva Mine General Manager Engineer Gift Mapakame in a technical interview with Mining Zimbabwe at a recent tour of the gold mine by journalists from various Media houses. Eng Mapakame spoke about the challenges and solutions the gold miner goes through to maintain consistent operations.

“Shamva Mine is currently operated as an underground mine which employs Sublevel Open Stoping mining method applied in Longhole Stoping and Underhand Stoping variants. The variants are utilized to respond to the geometry of the ore body. Underhand Stoping is opted when the ore block requires more selective mining particularly in narrow veins to manage dilution whereas long-hole is opted when the block is more regular, broad and more continuous in mineralization. The latter earns itself to massive ore generation whereas the former limits ore generation into smaller drill & blast cycles,” Mapakame said.

To ensure the safety of personnel and protect the environment, Shamva Mine adheres to ISO 45001, 14001, and 9001 standards according to Makapakame. He said the company’s Safety Health Environment and Quality Management system is designed to achieve zero harm and manage risks effectively. The mine continuously improves its systems by learning from unfortunate incidents, aiming for optimal safety and environmental sustainability.

“Shamva Mine has a Safety Health Environment and Quality Management system that conforms to ISO 45001, 14001 & 9001 standards for Occupational Health, Environmental Management and Quality Management. The objective of the system is to achieve zero harm to personnel, the environment and stakeholder ecosystems. The implementation framework ensures that we are able to identify hazards and risks within our siting of works including those arising as a result of our operations and put controls to eradicate them or manage them to acceptable levels. By so doing, we believe we can tackle all potential risks that can affect our employees and environment. Yes, sometimes we have unfortunate incidents, but our spirit is to draw learning points from these unwanted events and ensure that we continuously improve the systems in place,” continued Mapakame.

Power distribution at Shamva Mine is designed per ZESA requirements and standards. However, the mine is exploring technology options to replace pneumatics as it is considered costly to run Mapakame said. Currently, the mine utilizes pneumatic-powered equipment for drilling and portable emulsion pumps for blasting operations.

“Design of Shamva Mines’ electrical power distribution conforms to ZESA requirements and standards. Shamva Mine utilizes pneumatic-powered equipment for drilling. This is inclusive of Underhand stoping and long-hole stoping as well as underground development.  Subsequent blasting operations are carried out with Underground Bulk Emulsions which is handled using portable emulsion pumps. The mine is currently exploring technology options to replace pneumatics as it appears costly to run,” Mapakame opined.

Water for Shamva Mine is sourced from Mazowe River through an abstraction permit issued by ZINWA. The water is distributed to underground operations, where it is utilized and discharged into a drainage system. The mine has implemented settlers to trap suspended solids, allowing clear water to be pumped out for further treatment and recycling. Excess water is discharged into nearby streams according to relevant permits.

“Shamva Mine utilizes water from Mazowe River on an abstraction permit issued by ZINWA. The mine has a pump station located on the river bank 6km from the mine which feeds reservoirs onsite. The water is distributed into underground operations where it is utilized and discharged into cascading drainage and dewatering system. There are drains on each underground level which collect water and channel it down to settler silos which are established at mid-point depth and at the bottom of the mine. The settlers trap suspended solids allowing clear water to be pumped out of the underground operations. The water is received at the reservoirs on the surface where it is further treated for sediment and recycled back into the underground operation. Excess water particularly in the rainy season is discharged into nearby streams through the relevant discharge permit requirements. The water pumped from Mazowe is thus makeup water required to compensate losses in the closed recycling loop,” Mapakame continued.

Shamva Mine has the potential for mechanization and automation, particularly in steep ore bodies. The mine is exploring the use of battery-powered mobile equipment to improve safety and efficiency, as well as to replace traditional and costly pneumatic-powered equipment.

Adherence to legislation and all applicable requirements is important for Shamva Mine. They have a robust Operational Control Framework in place and undergo rigorous internal and external audits to ensure compliance.

“Compliance to legislation and all applicable requirements constitutes our Licence to operate. At baseline survey, the mine has identified the legislative landscape that governs its operations and thus all our activities are structured in an Operational Control Framework which adapts to the legislative requirements as a pre-requisite to help dictate the resource requirements and methodologies applicable.  To ensure adherence, we have a rigorous audit protocol administered internally and externally to assist in identifying gaps in compliance and subsequently closing them out,” Mapakame said.

Despite these efforts, Shamva Mine faces challenges that affect its ability to maintain consistent and predictive operations. One of the major concerns is the availability of power and potential load shedding, which disrupts operations. While the mine has a diesel-powered backup facility, it is not sufficient to sustain the entire operation and is costly to run due to high diesel consumption. Additionally, the pricing model for local supplies creates difficulties in controlling operating costs due to the perceived foreign exchange rate impact.

In conclusion, Shamva Mine strives to overcome challenges and maintain consistent operations while prioritizing safety, environmental sustainability, and compliance with regulations. The mine aims to improve efficiency through mechanization and automation and continues to adapt to the evolving operational landscape.

AMMZ conducts a technical visit at BNC

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AMMZ conducts a technical visit at BNC

The Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ) on the 7th of July 2023 conducted a technical visit at Bindura Nickel Corporation (BNC) in Mashonaland Central where different stakeholders within the mining industry including mine Managers, service providers and students graced the event.

Rudairo Mapuranga

Discussions at the Event were centred on the concerns of service providers and production performance at the Kuvimba Mining House (KMH) owned Nickel producer.

While the visit was an insight to service providers due to exposing situations and challenges in the sector and for them to find opportunities in those challenges, the participation of students at the technical visit was a takeaway for many mine Managers.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe on the sidelines of the technical visit AMMZ Vice President Engineer Abel Makura said the participation of students at these events was encouraging as this would empower the students to carry the mining industry to a greater height in future when they become decision makers.

“This technical visit was different because we had an opportunity to see students taking part for the second time. The students are the leaders of tomorrow, these visits will expose them to real industry challenges and how they can come up with solutions way before they become captains of the industry. As an Association, we would be happy if we have students more often on these visits,” Engineer Makura said.

During technical discussions at the event, service providers lamented the situation where mining companies take pride in late payments resulting in the service providers more often suffering losses since prices would be pegged mostly in RTGS which of late has been losing value due to inflation.

Suppliers also raised concerns centred on late payments.

“We have seen that as an industry we are disadvantaging Suppliers at the same time disadvantaging the industry because some of the services we would need might end up becoming expensive. We will find ways to make sure that the challenges facing service providers have been dealt with,” AMMZ Vice President said.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe a student from the Midlands State University (MSU) Tawanda Talent Muchena who took part in the technical visit encouraged other students to find time to be part of the visits.

“My advice goes to the rest of the students who are in the mining departments or mining-related programs. AMMZ Technical visits are events where you get to network and rub shoulders with industrial captains, Miners, metallurgists, and geologists, amongst other professions. This is a platform where people get to share ideas, knowledge and synergies. In addition, the AMMZ Technical visits are events where students can get a better understanding of how mining is carried out and be able to differentiate or rather correlate the academic concepts of mining cycles and real word mining cycles hence the need to attend AMMZ Technical visits amongst others,” Muchena said.

He said he had managed to learn a host of ideas including the mining methods used at BNC.

“The AMMZ BNC visit was a well profound and fruitful event. Personally, I learnt a significant number of things notably, the mining method used which is sublevel caving.

“Sublevel caving is an underground mining method in which the ore body is undermined, causing it to cave or collapse under its own weight. This creates a series of interconnected caves or voids, through which the ore can be recovered. The remaining rock is left in place for stability.

“At BNC the ore is mined from top to bottom, the makes it easy to utilise the ore pass. Gravity acts as a force that forces the ore to descent to lower levels, at around level 37 the Electric LOCOs then carry the ore to the crusher where the ore is crushed to the required size before it is transported to the last level where it awaits for hoisting to the stockpile for processing.

“Lastly the issue of ore grade was of interest as the mine now utilises the low-grade high volume method, unlike in the past few years where they used the high-grade low volume method. The shift from high-grade low volume to low-grade high volume has been a result of depletion of High-Grade Deposits amongst other reasons,” he said.

Presenting at the Event BNC Geology Superintendent Renious Tirivabaya who is also ZINIRE President said production performance has been negatively impacted by a decline in the footprint of the high-grade massive resource which necessitated a rapid transition in the mining model from a low-volume, high-grade strategy to a low-grade, high-volume strategy.

“In terms of strategy, we are shifting our strategy from high-grade to low-grade high-volume strategy. On the foot of the main ore body that where your massive is, the in terms of depression of the massive it’s not a physical depression that is visible to the naked eye but if you look at the size of the massive in terms of pursing it, the way we were doing it it’s no longer viable. Previously we would develop a level, and mine it for 3-4 months, now when you develop that short stripe massive you develop for 3 months and stay there for 1 month so it was no longer viable for us hence the need to change the strategy,” Tirivabaya said.

This article first appeared in the Mining Zimbabwe Magazine issue 66. Download HERE

Zimbabwe gold buying prices 27 July 2023

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Zimbabwe gold buying prices 27 July 2023

Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) official gold buying prices Thursday 27 July 2023. See the Zimbabwe gold buying prices today.

SG 90% AND ABOVE US$59.74/g
SG ABOVE 85% BUT BELOW 90% US$59.10/g
SG ABOVE 80% BUT BELOW 85% US$58.47/g
SG ABOVE 75% BUT BELOW 80% US$57.84/g
SAMPLE BELOW 10g BUT ABOVE 5g US$56.89/g
FIRE ASSAY CASH US$60.05/g

NB: Fire Assay cash price is for gold above 100gs, no sample is deducted.
For the Fire Assay Transfer price, a sample of not more than 10g is deducted
A 2% royalty is charged on all deposits (small-scale miners)
A 5% royalty is set for Primary Producers

Cash available. Fidelity Gold Refinery prices will be changing daily about world market prices.

Anglo American Platinum appoints Craig Miller as CEO

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Anglo American Platinum appoints Craig Miller as CEO

PRESS RELEASE – Anglo American plc notes the announcement by Anglo American Platinum Limited released today to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The text of the announcement is copied below:

The Board of Anglo American Platinum Limited announces the appointment of Craig Miller as CEO, with effect from 1 October 2023, following Natascha Viljoen’s decision in February to take up the COO role at Newmont Corporation.

Norman Mbazima, Chairman of Anglo American Platinum, said: “I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to Craig Miller in his new role. Throughout the past four years, Craig has been an invaluable member of the leadership team and our Board, leading strategy development and execution and driving successful cost and value optimisation across the business. In his new position, Craig will continue to prioritise safe, stable and capable operations while fostering our high-performance culture, all aimed at delivering sustainable ounces and industry-leading returns through the cycle.”

Craig is currently the finance director of Anglo American Platinum, a role he has held since 2019. With over 23 years of mining industry experience, he is a seasoned senior executive who has worked in South Africa, Brazil, and the UK, with expertise spanning Anglo-American’s PGMs, base metals and bulk commodities businesses.

Added Mbazima: “I also want to thank Natascha for her outstanding contribution to Anglo-American Platinum. Under her leadership, the business achieved new safety milestones, made substantial investments in asset integrity and mine development, and successfully navigated the unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic. Moreover, her strategic approach has ensured that the company is well-positioned to unlock further stakeholder value for many decades to come.”

Said Craig Miller: “I am really excited to take on my new role at Anglo American Platinum and look forward to building upon our well-established strategic priorities, which have helped us adapt and thrive through the challenges of the last few years. Against the backdrop of macro-economic uncertainties, including high inflation and lower metal prices, we must remain agile, adapting to market realities while focusing on efficiency and prudent resource management. We have the foundations in place for safe and sustainable operations and continued value delivery, and will continue investing in our growth projects in a disciplined manner.

“Safety will remain our utmost priority, and we will continue to cultivate a diverse, inclusive and high-performance culture, underpinned by our values. Optimising our operations, forging strong partnerships, and seizing opportunities to create additional value for our stakeholders – with the collective support of every Anglo-American Platinum colleague – will be fundamental to our success,” Miller said.

Said Natascha Viljoen: “It has been an incredible honour to lead this exceptional business and its remarkable team. Craig has been an integral member of our leadership team, and will carry forward the important work we have done to put the building blocks in place for long-term success. Our focus on creating physically and psychologically safe workplaces have seen us achieve new safety milestones, improve operational efficiencies, receive international recognition for our environmental, social and governance (ESG) work, and deliver superior returns to shareholders and society at large. I want to thank every colleague and partner for their hard work, dedication, and unwavering support during this leadership transition.”

The recruitment process for Craig’s successor is underway.

Prior to joining Anglo American Platinum in 2019, Craig held numerous roles across Anglo American, including Group financial controller, chief financial officer of the iron ore business in Brazil and coal business in South Africa, and head of the Group CEO’s office. Craig began his career as a trainee accountant at Deloitte in Johannesburg and joined Anglo-American in London as a finance manager in May 2000.

Kuvimba Uncovers Huge Lithium Reserves, Aims for 200M Tonnes

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Kuvimba Uncovers Huge Lithium Reserves, Aims for 200M Tonnes

Exploration at Sandawana, a mining lease owned by Kuvimba Mining House (KMH), is underway with the objective of determining the total lithium resource and associated minerals such as Tantalite, niobium, emeralds, and beryllium.

Kelvin Sungiso

Speaking about the project at the sideline of the Sandawana mine visit, the General Manager Godwin Gambiza said the exploration program is being conducted in four distinct phases. The first phase, which is nearly concluded, has resulted in the estimation of a lithium oxide resource of 29 million tonnes, with an estimated average grade of 1.42%.

“Exploration at Sandawana is taking place on a 38,8 square kilometre lease owned by Kuvimba Mining House. The exercise is aimed at finding the total lithium resource and associated minerals like Tantalite, niobium, emeralds, and beryllium. The programme is divided into four phases. The first is almost complete and a resource of 29  million tones at an estimated grade of 1.42%  of lithium oxide has been estimated.  This consists of 20 million tonnes of Measured Resource, 2 million tons of Indicated Resource and 7 million tonnes of Inferred Resource,” Gambiza said.

Following the successful completion of the first phase, a second phase has been planned to target an additional 30 million tonnes of lithium oxide. This phase is scheduled to commence in August of 2023.

“A second phase targeting 30 million tonnes of lithium oxide has been planned and will commence end of August 2023. At the end of all phases, it is expected that the mine will achieve 200 million tonnes of Resource,” he said.

Upon the completion of all four phases, it is predicted that the mine will achieve a total resource of 200 million tonnes. These findings highlight the significant potential of Sandawana as a valuable source of lithium and other associated minerals.

The estimation of a lithium oxide resource of 29 million tonnes in the initial phase showcases the substantial reserves present within the mining lease. Lithium, in particular, is a highly sought-after mineral due to its indispensable role in the production of rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and portable electronic devices. The increasing demand for lithium underscores the importance of conducting comprehensive exploration programs to identify and assess potential lithium-rich deposits.

It is worth noting that the measured, indicated, and inferred resource categories provide essential information about the level of confidence in the presence and quality of the identified mineral resources. Measured resources represent the highest level of confidence as they are determined with extensive sampling and high-quality data. Indicated resources demonstrate a reasonable level of confidence, while inferred resources rely on limited data and have a lower level of confidence.

Court forces Chinese Miner to Vacate Villages

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Court forces Chinese Miner to Vacate Villages

In a significant victory for local villagers in Mutoko, a Magistrates Court has ruled that Chinese miner Labenmon Investments must vacate four villages after it was discovered that the company had started operations without adhering to proper protocols.

The decision came after the villagers, led by headman Mbudzi, sought legal assistance from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) to halt Labenmon’s granite prospecting activities. The Chinese firm had claimed ownership of 150 hectares of land in the area.

ZLHR issued a statement declaring, “Chinese miners have been ordered off the villagers’ land by the magistrate at Mutoko Magistrate Court. ZLHR successfully proved that the miners had not followed due process. They did not obtain a valid environment impact assessment certificate.”

According to the statement, Labenmon had failed to conduct the necessary consultations with affected stakeholders, as required by law. The company’s disregard for proper procedures raised concerns among villagers, who subsequently sought legal intervention.

This ruling serves as a reminder that all companies, regardless of nationality, must respect local laws and regulations when conducting business operations. The decision also highlights the importance of acquiring the appropriate environmental impact assessment certificate before commencing any activities that could potentially have significant consequences for the local ecosystem.

The victory for the villagers is seen as a triumph for their rights to their land and environment. It also serves as a reminder to multinational corporations that they must be transparent and inclusive in their dealings with local communities.

This decision will likely encourage local communities to stand up for their rights and seek legal assistance when faced with similar situations.

As the principle of holding corporations accountable gains momentum globally, it is crucial to ensure that local communities are protected and that proper channels for legal recourse are made available to them.

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