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Petition to promote decent work for women in mining

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Petition to promote decent work for women in mining

Women in Artisanal and Small-scale mining (ASM) have started a petition to promote decent work for women in the mining industry.

Vongai Mbara

In the petition, women raise their concerns over a cocktail of challenges that are hindering the realisation of decent work for women in the mining sector.

“We are deeply concerned that, the challenge of machete gangs is also discouraging and hindering our full participation in the sector. As ASM workers, our experiences within the sector are gendered: cultural beliefs around women, as well as gendered constraints to access and control over resources, concentrate us women in lower-paid and often more hazardous tasks in the sector – which itself may constitute a form of socio-economic violence.”

“We play significant roles as women in mining, but we remain largely invisible in the data on ASM. Case studies show that, we make up significant portions of the ASM workforce and suffer from specific forms of workplace discrimination. Adverse side effects of mercury use, unequal pay for similar work, sexual harassment, and limited access to land or mining titles are some of the ways in which our decent work outcomes are hampered,” read the petition

The women are calling for action that goes in line with Sustainable Goal 8 which seeks to “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.”

“To achieve decent work and reduce poverty both in the immediate and in the longer term, our government and development partners need to tackle the root causes – and not just the negative manifestations – of informality and informatization,” continued the petition.

“Measures to improve the work environment, tackle gendered violence, labour rights, enhance social protection, invest in knowledge and skills of ASM players especially women or provide micro-entrepreneurs with access to credit and other support services are all critical in dealing with the manifestations of informality.”

Furthermore, the women are calling for the formalisation of the sector, saying their participation in ASM will largely contribute to the economy

“We, the women in Artisanal and Small-scale mining (ASM) are operating as informal economy players in a sector which cannot be termed “decent” compared to recognized, protected, secure, formal employment,”

“We are aware of the ability of ASM to offer income, propel economic growth, and create employment despite its high degree of informality. This alone shows its remarkable potential. If properly formalized it can result in more productive while creating decent work opportunities for women who are key actors in the sector.”

Premier targets gold potential within Zulu lithium EPO

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Premier targets gold potential within Zulu lithium EPO

Diversified mining and exploration junior, Premier African Minerals Limited’s exploration within its extended Exclusive Prospecting Order (EPO) is ongoing, with the miner targeting gold potential of the area, the company’s Chief Executive Officer Mr George Roach has said.

By Anerudo Mapuranga

Through Zulu Update, the company statement released yesterday provide an update on progress at Premier’s Zulu Lithium and Tantalum project and the first preliminary grade estimates using a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (“LIBS”) system, Roach highlighted that, Preliminary results from ZDD-52 (RNS 2 September 2021) for 13.39 M continuous mineralized section is 1.37% Li2O average grade across the entire width; highest grade between 54.32 M and 55.32 M is 2.16% and lowest grade between 44.13 M and 45.13  M  is 1%, 15 holes now complete with approximately 2,735 M drilled to date. Two rigs, with a night shift component now operating with one focused on geotechnical requirements for the Feasibility Study (“DFS”) currently underway.

Roach went on to say that the company was looking forward to exploring for gold within its tenets which has historical dumps in the region of the flooded shaft located within the EPO.

“The preliminary results above are the first obtained from use of our LIBS system at site. The results are preliminary and subject to confirmation by independent certified laboratory analysis using industry-accepted analytical methods for Lithium. Use of the LIBS system has only been possible through the fully compliant sample preparation set up at Zulu and is expected to expedite results and provide guidance to our resource development and ongoing drilling program. The LIBS system in use at Zulu has been calibrated using certified reference material and provides a high level of confidence in the results obtained.

“It is particularly pleasing that this intersection is from an area not previously included in our existing resource statement but was forecast as an exploration target. More encouraging and most pleasing is the apparent consistent average grade across what is a wide intersection. Our team at Zulu are heavily engaged in core cutting and sample preparation for the many wide intersections encountered in the completed holes and we are hugely excited to see these results and look forward to consistent reporting and early confirmation from independent laboratories, allowing for potential upgrading of the overall resource tonnage.

“Exploration activity is ongoing over the extended Exclusive Prospecting Order Area (“EPO”) and will now also extend to look at the gold potential in the region of the flooded shaft located within the EPO. Historic dumps at site hold potential to be assessed as much as a proper examination of the existing developments when we are able to dewater the mine.” Roach said.

Premier confident of Zulu’s lithium and tantalum viability

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Premier confident of Zulu’s lithium and tantalum viability

London Stock Exchange-listed mining and exploration junior Premier African Minerals Limited said the exploration work conducted on the Zulu lithium and tantalum project in Bulawayo indicated that both lithium and tantalum recovery may be a viable option.

Anerudo Mapuranga

According to the company’s Chief Executive Statement for Unaudited Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2021, the group is optimistic that the Zulu project is strategic and is planning on further exploration.

“Exploration work conducted on Zulu during prior periods indicated that both lithium and tantalum recovery may be a viable option. The Group views this project as strategic and exploration work will be continued in the future, cash flow permitting,” the statement reads in part.

In July, the company commissioned the second drilling rig is on site. Despite the Covid-19 related lockdowns and travel restrictions in the Southern African Development Community region, Zulu continued to make positive progress in the drilling program that is central to Zulu’s Definitive Feasibility Study (‘DFS’).

In August, Premier confirmed that it remains on track with its plans to prepare Zulu’s DFS in line with previously reported timelines.

On 16 August 2021, Premier published an updated Zulu Scoping Study to reflect the current Spodumene selling prices, together with current costings.

Premier CEO George Roach says surging Covid-19 infections in the Southern African Development Community region is not helping at Zulu, where travel and other restrictions are impacting the drilling programme. “Despite this, the rigs continue to operate and our laboratory equipment is now only awaiting import clearance to Zimbabwe.”

He adds that the drilling is just one component of the DFS.

“In the background, important other work is underway, including that associated with the environment, water management, tailings management, geotechnical assessment, preparation for additional metallurgical studies, logistics route planning and cost estimates.”

Thus far, Premier still expects to complete the study within the anticipated timelines and a variation to that effect will be communicated if necessary.

However, in the light of surging spodumene concentrate prices, Premier has also commissioned a review of the Zulu scoping study, with the intention of both better understanding the overall potential value of Zulu and to assess potentially reversing the current impairment of this project.

Mines Committee planning to hold an all-stakeholder meeting

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Mines Committee planning to hold an all-stakeholder meeting

The Mines Portfolio Parliamentary Committee plans to convene an all-stakeholder meeting to discuss the Mines and Minerals Bill amendments.

By Shantel Chisango

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe, Mines Portfolio Chairman Edmond Mkaratigwa stated that there has been an increasing need for new concerns to be included in the Bill, which is why a stakeholder meeting is crucial.

“We anticipate to hold an all stakeholder conference though, in the process to have any reservations and advancements considered,” said Mkaratigwa.

He went on to clarify that the Committee’s goal is to make sure that fresh ideas are thoroughly reviewed.

“The Committee’s strategy to ensure any new ideas are fully considered and incorporated if possible.”

According to Mkaratigwa, certain parts of the Mines Act are unlikely to be looked into due to the large number of sections that need to be amended.

He further advised the public to wait patiently on the procedures of the amendment of the Mines Act, because currently the Bill is not in the possession of the Committee but of the president’s office hence it is beyond their power to do anything as of now.

The Mines and Mineral Act provide for the control of mining operations in Zimbabwe, the establishment of the Mining Affairs Board and the administration of the Act and for the definition of various rights and duties of persons involved in mining operations or circumstances relating to such operations.

Tesla inks multi-year nickel supply deal with Prony Resources

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Tesla inks multi-year nickel supply deal with Prony Resources

Electric vehicle giant Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has inked a multi-year nickel supply deal with New Caledonia’s Prony Resources, which guarantees the US carmaker about 42,000 tonnes of the metal needed to produce the batteries that power its EVs.

Prony, which bought the loss-making nickel and cobalt operations in the French territory from Vale (NYSE: VALE) earlier this year, said it’s targeting production of 44,000 tonnes of nickel by 2024. That’s about double the expected 2021 output.
The deal was negotiated by Swiss commodity trader Trafigura, one of Prony’s main stakeholders, and it makes Tesla by far the miner’s largest customer, CEO Antonin Beurrier said in a statement.

The South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia, 1,200 km (750 miles) east of Australia, was gripped by riots over the sale process of Vale’s local business in February, with protesters saying a locally led offer had been unfairly overlooked. 

Click here for an interactive nickel price chart

Vale Nouvelle Calédonie (VNC), which was the operator of the troubled Goro nickel-cobalt mine, proved to be a financial burden for Vale since it began operations two years behind schedule in 2010.

Mounting issues, including a $1.6 billion-write down related to the ailing mines, pushed the company to announce in 2019 its intention to exit New Caledonia.

Vale later cut its 2020 nickel production guidance to 200,000 – 210-000 tonnes per year from 240,000 tpy to account for the anticipated loss of VNC’s 60,000-tpy output.

A few weeks later, the miner revealed it had received non-binding offers for VNC, which includes the Goro mine, a processing plant and a port.

Tesla was already associated with Prony as an adviser on product and sustainability standards. The move followed the EV maker’s announcement that it was planning to move into the mining business to secure resources for battery production.

Prony is one of the mounting nickel suppliers Tesla has inked deals with to secure supply of the battery metal. The list includes mining giant BHP (ASX, LON, NYSE: BHP), which is investing heavily in expanding operations to meet expected soaring demand.

Analysts estimate the nickel market could face a shortage as soon as 2023. The metal helps cram more energy into cheaper and smaller battery packs, allowing EVs to charge faster and travel farther between plug-ins.

Tesla boss Elon Musk promised last year a millionaire contract to any company able to provide the company with sustainable nickel.

Prony is 51%-owned by New Caledonia’s provincial authorities and other local interests, while Trafigura has a 19% stake, and the rest is held by a joint venture between Prony Resources management and investment firm Agio Global.

Mining.com

Ragusa’s high gold producing Bubi mine EIA approved

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Ragusa’s high gold producing Bubi mine EIA approved

Australian Stock Exchange listed mining and exploration company, Ragusa Minerals Limited has received Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development approval from Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Agency (EMA), to conduct gold mining and processing operations at Lonely Mine Gold Project in Bubi.

Rudairo Mapuranga

The  100 per cent Ragusa owned mine was one of the top seven producing operations in Zimbabwe during its peak production period (1914-1930), producing ~50,000oz Au per year, with overall life-of-mine gold production recorded as 1,118,383oz with an average recovered grade of 17.50g/t Au (Bartholomew 1990). Operations on the Lonely Mine re-commenced during the 1970s when the Lonely Mine was the single largest gold producer in the region until its closure in the mid-1990s.

According to Ragusa chairperson, Jerko Zuvela the EIA is significant for the development of the Bubi project.

The EIA certificate confirms regulatory approval for the development of gold mining and processing operations at the Project, including the Tiberius prospect, and was issued for a period of two years (with renewal thereafter).

 “This is a significant milestone for the potential development of our Lonely Mine Gold Project. Together with our recently completed maiden diamond drilling campaign at the high-grade Tiberius prospect, where we look forward to receiving the sample analysis results over coming weeks to assist in determining the scale and nature of our project.” Ragusa Chairperson, Jerko Zuvela said.

The EIA approval allows full commercial development of the Project to proceed, as and when determined by the Company, and removes any potential future regulatory delay to develop the project to commercial scale.

The Lonely Mine Gold Project comprises four granted tenements (Mining Claims) covering an area of 44 hectares

  • Lonely Mine A (Registration Number 10632BM)
  • Tiberius 14 (Registration Number 33599)
  • Tiberius 32 (Registration Number 35732)
  • Tiberius 33 (Registration Number 35733)

Zisco urged to use its coke ovens, foundries

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Zisco urged to use its coke ovens, foundries

ZIMBABWE’S defunct steel producer, Zisco, should leverage on its foundries and coke ovens that are still operational to produce mining and farming equipment as a first step towards the firm’s resuscitation, an official has said.

The Redcliff-based steel producing company ceased operations in 2008 due to operational constraints it went through on the back of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Britain and her allies after the country embarked on the successful Land Reform programme in 2000.

In line with the aspirations of the National Development Strategy 1, the Second Republic was seized with efforts to secure a strategic investor to revive operations at Zisco.

Recently, the Zisco board chaired by Engineer Martin Manhuwa announced that they were presently in the process of adjudicating the steel giant’s potential partners with the hope of coming up with the best from the seven potential investors.

In an interview, Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries (ZIF) chief operations officer Mr Dosman Mangisi said: “As ZIF we are solidly behind the revival of Zisco, but the current state of structures at the company is that all are now obsolete.

“All the steel structures including those furnaces are now obsolete. As ZIF we are urging Zisco to consider using their foundries, which are still operational, as a way of breathing life into the company.”

Zisco has received bids from seven potential investors from which one will be successful and takeover the task of reviving the former steel giant.

The company’s board has designed a roadmap that involves modernisation and financial sustainability expected to help in the revival of the company.

Part of the roadmap is the short-term revival strategies targeting resuscitation of subsidiaries and bargaining on low-hanging fruits.

Mr Mangisi said all the obsolete structures at Zisco should be considered as scrap, and using its foundry, the firm should consider manufacturing mining and farming equipment which are on high demand locally.

“Zisco has a full-fledged foundry with all the necessary equipment to be able to manufacture the equipment. Using its foundry, Zisco can then take all the obsolete steel and use it to manufacture biters, bowl mills, water pumps and other equipment required by the mining and farming industry,” he said.

By doing so, the country will cut the import bill while also creating employment before full-throttle steel manufacturing operations begin.

“Currently, the company is employing about 400 workers but if the foundry and the coke ovens are operational, employment can be raised to about 1 500 workers.”

Mr Mangisi said the model, based on value addition and beneficiation, can also see local companies benefiting.

Using its coke ovens, Mr Mangisi said, Zisco can centralise coke manufacturing and become a raw material-manufacturing hub, substituting imports.

The local foundry industry is currently faced with a shortage of scrap metal and has been advocating for the Government to ban exportation of scrap.

Before going to the market, Zisco carried out several studies including technical evaluation, and market study which brought about possible trajectories to be possibly followed.

 

The Chronicle

Power plant to be commissioned before year-end

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Power plant to be commissioned before year-end

The Zimbabwe ZhongXing  Electrical Energy (ZZEE) is set to commission its 50MW thermal power plant in Hwange, Matabeleland North Province before year-end, a Ministry of Mines official has said.

ZZEE is a  subsidiary of the Zimbabwe ZhongZin Coking Company, a joint venture company between Qualisave Mineral Resources of Zimbabwe and Yuxia ZhongXin Coking  Company of China.

“Phase one which will feed 50MW to the national grid is 97% complete and it is going to be commissioned before the end of the year by President Emmerson Mnangagwa,” said the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s inspector of mines and explosives for Matebeleland North, Tapiwa Makuvatsine.

“The phase two we are going to have two by 135MW of power generation and this is going to add 270 megawatts in the total national grid,” Makuvatsine said.

“We have players that are coming to play a pivotal role to support power generation in order to achieve the 2000 MW by 2023 in order to enhance and support the US$12bn  mining sector that we want to achieve.”

He said the power generated will be supplied to the national grid.

Zimbabwe requires about 1800MW daily at peak hours.

But, is currently producing an average of 1400 MW from power stations at Kariba, Hwange, Bulawayo, Munyati and Harare.

To cover for the shortages, the power utility ZESA imports from regional power utilities especially Eskom of South Africa and Hydro Cahora Bassa of Mozambique.

 

 

Business Times

Feasibility study for Arcadia project complete

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Feasibility study for Arcadia project complete

Australia Stock Exchange-listed resources firm Prospect Resources has completed a staged optimised feasibility study for its  Acadia Lithium project near Harare, it has been learnt.

This study was undertaken by leading engineering consulting business, Lycopodium, with assistance from Prospect and selected external contributors.

The study confirmed strong technical and economic viability.

The feasibility study reflects the strong potential of Arcadia to become a compelling long life, large scale, hard rock open pit lithium mine in Zimbabwe.

It also confirmed that the project is among the best in the world for scale and cost of production when compared to existing operations and other prospective projects.

According to the company, a key competitive advantage lies in the quality of the lithium concentrate products, being high in grade and very low in impurities.

“It is very pleasing to have a viable alternative to the direct development pathway, being a progressive modular build to 2.4 Mtpa, now validated by the staged OFS undertaken by Lycopodium,” said Prospect MD Sam Hosack (pictured).

He said the study confirmed Arcadia as one of the “only independent, shovel-ready projects globally without off-take totally locked up”.

“It highlights that Arcadia is one of the world’s premier hard rock lithium assets, with outstanding projected returns under a more conservative development pathway,” Hosack said.

He said the feasibility study detailed “our clear differentiation with a range of potential product markets, and customers versus traditional spodumene projects”.

Even at the smaller initial scale, the Lycopodium results demonstrate a highly competitive forecast operating costs and margins, reflecting prices for technical petalite at a significant premium to traditional chemical-grade spodumene concentrate pricing, Hosack said.

“With strong lithium market conditions, and with renewed interest from potential partners, we are now completing the work on the direct pathway case before funding decisions are made,” he said.

The company noted that the project delivers outstanding returns independent of by-product credits and the lithium price environment and the staged development pathway outlined in the feasibility study presents a lower upfront capital hurdle, with an approach that addresses all technical, commercial and operating risks, and delivers a progressive ramp-up and ability to further optimise the second stage.

Arcadia is located in Mashonaland East Province, approximately 38km east of the Capital, Harare.

 

 

Business Times

Hwange Colliery expedites revival of coke oven battery

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Hwange Colliery expedites revival of coke oven battery

Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL)  has invited bids from prospective contractors to revive its coke oven battery which was decommissioned seven years ago, as part of efforts to boost revenues through beneficiation.

The collapse of HCCL’s coke oven in 2014  resulted in several new players invading the field.

HCCL administrator Dale Sibanda said the production of high-value products such as coking coal was key to its recovery.

“Bidders were invited to tender for the full rebuild of the company’s original coke oven battery which was shut down in mid-2014. The tender is for the rebuild of the by-products plant and ancillary plants and also for the supply of a completely new coke oven battery together with the by-products and ancillary plant,” Sibanda said.

He, however,  did not disclose how much is needed to fully rebuild the plant. HCCL operates three mines,  one underground mine  (the  3Main Underground Mine) and two open cast mines JKL and  Chaba.

In the six months to June 30, 2021, HCCL’s underground mine coal production was 19.41% higher than the prior comparative period due to improved operational funding and credit facility availed by the major original equipment manufacturer, which has been working well.

Total coal mined by opencast operations was 806 404 tonnes, reflecting a 55.59% increase in production from the comparative period in 2020.

“A total of 305, 679 tonnes of coal was delivered to Hwange Power Station during the course of the year, which was 14.03% increase from previous year. Deliveries into the power station were however negatively affected by plant challenges in the power station and limited stockholding space,” Sibanda said.

Sibanda said HCCL is now targeting an output of 200,000 tonnes per month as the company has done more work in stabilising operations.

He said the company is going to achieve the set target as the company’s performance continues to improve and funding support in the form of lines of credit to the business from local banks and regional financiers has been established.

“As a result, the operations are expected to stabilise within the next 6 to 12 months. The immediate target is to consistently produce at least 200 000 tonnes a month’’ HCCL said.

Revenue for HCCL in the six months to June 30, 2021 increased 38% to ZWL$3bn from ZWL$2.2bn in the same period in 2020, largely due to a combination of an increase in high-value coking coal sales and regular product price adjustments in line with market value. Volumes increased 23.7% compared to 2020.

However, HCCL swung into a ZWL$160m loss in the reviewed period from ZWL$1.2bn profit achieved in the prior comparative period.

Total assets shrunk to ZWL$16.3bn from ZWL$16.8bn in 2020.

Sibanda said HCC aims to grow its market share of coking coal sales in neighbouring countries.

He said focus was on increasing production and sales of high-value coking Coal. Coking coal sales increased by 28.6% from 41 053 tonnes in 2020 to 52 793 tonnes in 2021.

The coking coal sales volumes were however limited by washing capacity constraints. The plant was completed and commissioned in April 2021.

In the outlook, the company targets to increase coking coal production and sales which will in turn increase capacity to discharge obligations to creditors as well as create a positive balance sheet in the medium term.

 

 

Business Times

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