Joburg Indaba 2026: South African mining moves beyond constraints to shape its next era
South African mining is beginning to define itself by its possibilities rather than its constraints. Having spent much of the past decade navigating power shortages, policy uncertainty and constrained growth,…
Greta Garbo is back – starring in SKF’s initiative to overcome friction
More than a century after her first campaign promoting SKF, one of the most iconic figures of our time is once again the face of the company. Using artificial intelligence…
Why the factory isn’t where South Africa wins in the mining tyre value chain
Giant mining tyres are made in a handful of plants worldwide. That is not a South African failure – and it points to where a mining economy should actually be…
New heights in sight as Zambia targets new phase of mining growth
Zambia is positioning itself for a major expansion of its mining industry, underpinned by an ambitious copper production target supported by regulatory reform, renewed exploration and a broader strategy to…
Back-to-back annual declines expose South Africa’s mining production challenge
After five consecutive months of year-on-year growth, South African mining production contracted in May 2026 and declined again in June. The latest data from Statistics South Africa shows that output…
Groundwater monitoring should warn us before the damage is done
A mine can have years of groundwater data, a network of monitoring boreholes and water quality records, yet still face the basic question of whether that network could detect a…
BME advances mine safety through practical operator training
Recognising that technology alone cannot deliver safer, more productive underground mining operations, BME, an Omnia Holdings company, has developed its Portable Training Unit to bridge the gap between theoretical learning…
Understanding compressor types, cost, performance and after-sales support
An air compressor is often one of the most important pieces of equipment in an industrial plant. It takes atmospheric air, compresses it and supplies it at the pressure required…
Mine closure should build a bridge to what comes next
Mine closure has changed considerably over the past few decades. Environmental obligations have strengthened, financial provision has become more formalised, and the social consequences of a mine closing receive far…
WMI seminar challenges mining to move from legacy to leadership
Learning from South African mining’s past consequences, and progressing toward a more sustainable and inclusive industry, will be the focus of the Wits Mining Institute (WMI) 2026 seminar. With the…
How due diligence underpins credible mineral asset valuation
With fierce competition globally for investment capital, independent due diligence is essential for the credible and accurate valuation of mineral assets – even when not formally required by stock exchanges…
Africa Gas & LNG Summit 2026 to bring investment and local value into focus in Maputo
The Africa Gas & LNG Summit (AfGLNG) will take place in Maputo from 11 to 13 November 2026, bringing together government leaders, energy executives, investors and industry experts to examine…
The information a mining community uses most rarely comes from the mine
A panicked WhatsApp voice note can cross a mining town before anyone at the actual mine’s head office has confirmed whether it’s true. By the time a mine issues an…
A decade of uptime: Experience the severe-duty workhorses powering mining
Mining machines such as rock crushers, pumps and conveyors require powerful motors. But producing high starting and peak torque is not enough for ongoing performance. Heavy-duty industrial motors may have…
The invisible load: WMI redefines workplace safety for women in mining
Building on its inaugural May 2026 dialogue, the Wits Mining Institute (WMI) recently convened leaders from academia, government, labour and industry for its second Beyond the Fence event, sponsored by…
What lies beneath can change groundwater risk in modern mining
Groundwater is difficult to see, yet easy to simplify. In water-scarce mining regions, however, it can be one of the most sensitive parts of the environmental system. Mining operations, neighbouring…
Royal Tyres and Ascenso join forces to reshape mining tyre solutions across southern Africa
Royal Tyres, the Durban-based South African tyre business with 87 years in the southern African market, has entered a strategic partnership with Ascenso, the India-headquartered global tyre manufacturer, which will…
BME opens the door to electronic initiation for all
The mining sector’s gradual shift from non-electric to electronic initiation systems in blasting has received a welcome boost as BME releases its new VIPERTRON® Electronic Initiation System. Ralf Hennecke, managing…
Mining recovery goes beyond repair
A fire deep underground burned for days. Mechanical methods were used to deprive the fire of oxygen, but extinguishing it was only the beginning of the recovery. Production was disrupted…
Mining’s critical controls are not the problem – execution is
As Parliament considers amendments intended to strengthen managerial responsibility, employer accountability, enforcement and penalties under the Mine Health and Safety Act, Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) warns that tougher rules must…
Helping mines get results from water improvements
South African mines operate under constrained conditions. With a notable slowdown in new discoveries since the 1990s, they have become experts at working with dispersed and mixed-grade deposits. They continue…
ISUZU expands mining offering with new D-MAX Mining package
Mining operations across Africa are in remote, harsh and unforgiving environments – conditions demanding vehicles that can handle the tough terrain, long working hours and the African heat. Isuzu Motors…
Cutting-edge matting and flooring for various environments
GOLDPACK (Pty) Ltd supplies an entire range of cutting-edge matting and flooring for various environments. This includes Heronrib Non-Slip Matting and Vynagrip Matting. Heronrib Non-Slip Matting Hard-wearing, non-porous and slip-resistant,…
BME reimagines mining by turning data into value
BME, an Omnia Holdings company, is reimagining blasting by harnessing the vast amounts of operational data generated across the mining supply chain to support better decisions and create measurable business…
Avoid running it until it explodes: Why long-term performance needs smart pumps
A pump’s price tag is only a small piece of total cost of ownership. Operating costs significantly exceed the initial purchase price, with energy and maintenance representing the largest TCO…
Fire safety in mining starts with the right equipment for the right environment
Fire is a material operational and safety risk across South Africa’s mining sector. The country’s latest mandatory fire prevention guideline recorded 584 reported mine-fire incidents between 2019 and 2023, with…
Pioneering Black female engineer calls on heavy industry to champion women in STEM
Recognised as the first Black female engineer to graduate from a South African university and South Africa’s first female CEO of a major consulting engineering firm, Malani Padayachee-Saman is leveraging…
Tyre handling is a safety issue, not just a maintenance task
In busy mining environments, tyre handling is far more than a maintenance activity – it is a critical safety function. Manual tyre handling introduces unnecessary risks, extends equipment downtime and…
The water plan is right – it’s missing a preventative layer
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Water Action Plan (NWAP) is a serious attempt at a problem that has been getting worse for a decade. I don’t write that to score a…
More lifespan for reliable equipment: Reverse-engineering legacy industrial gearbox parts
It’s the reply no equipment manager wants to receive. Noticing that parts for their industrial gearboxes, like gear drives and tooth wheels, are running very low, they reach out to…
South African waste treatment company turns hazardous effluent into reusable water
Gauteng-based Upward Spiral Water Treatment 1471 is showing how hazardous liquid effluent streams can be converted into reusable water while supporting environmental protection, by providing a landfill avoidance solution to…
Shifting mine water from a removal problem to a resource stream
Mining is incredibly water-intensive, a dependency that collides with constrained supply and rising costs. Almost two-thirds of mines face serious water-related risks, according to the International Council on Mining and…
Inspeq launches real-time AI assistance for faster inspections and instant reports
Krank has introduced a new capability to its Inspeq platform designed to bring inspection reporting into the inspection itself. The new AI-Assisted Inspections feature enables inspectors to dictate observations as they work, with artificial intelligence…
Always on: Powering mining’s digital infrastructure with generators
Mines are heavy power consumers. While that primarily stems from heavy industrial machinery and equipment across vast sites, a growing portion relates to the digital side of mining. Supporting automation,…
Glencore Coal hands over new fire station to strengthen emergency response in Kwa-Guqa
Glencore Coal, in partnership with the eMalahleni Local Municipality, has officially handed over a new, fully equipped fire station in Ferrobank, Kwa-Guqa – marking an important milestone in strengthening emergency…
NOGC 2026 concludes with focus on turning discovery into dividend
The 4th Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOGC) 2026 concluded in Windhoek with a clear message: Namibia’s petroleum opportunity must translate into jobs, skills, businesses, investment and long-term…
How to get the best results from water equipment rentals for mines
An excessively wet season. A major pump breakdown. An unexpected pocket of groundwater. Mines plan for water management and outfit their sites appropriately. But water conditions can vary significantly over…
How health risks have changed for men in modern mining
Automation and real-time monitoring have transformed modern mining, delivering significant gains in safety and operational efficiency. As the industry continues to evolve, so too do the health needs of the…
Operational excellence: The strategic imperative shaping the future of mining
The mining industry is navigating one of the most complex operating environments in recent history. Volatile commodity markets, rising input costs, energy uncertainty, regulatory pressures and evolving stakeholder expectations are…
The future of mining is wearable: Turning workforce visibility into operational excellence
For decades, mining executives have wrestled with what many believed was an unavoidable trade-off: produce more or protect more. The narrative was simple. Increased safety requirements, stricter regulations and more…
The future of mining operations will be decided in the control room
Across southern Africa, the mining industry is investing billions in automation, artificial intelligence, remote operations and integrated control technologies. The sector’s next competitive advantage, however, may not come from the…
Avoiding critical infrastructure delays: Solutions for mining camp readiness and productivity
In the high-stakes arena of African mining, infrastructure bottlenecks – particularly delays in workforce accommodation, sanitation, water or power systems – frequently trigger substantial hidden costs. These include lost production…
Stator winding installation of two massive gearless mill drive motors in northern Zambia
Marthinusen & Coutts (M&C), a division of ACTOM (Pty) Ltd, successfully installed the stator winding for two gearless mill drive motors in northern Zambia. The installation was completed in record…
Celebrating women who shape Africa’s environmental future
Earlier this year, more than 60 professionals from across the SRK Consulting global network gathered in Sandton at the Contaminated Land Environmental Rehabilitation (CLER) Workshop to exchange specialist knowledge on…
Women in mining: Bringing a different perspective to address complex client needs at BME
Over more than 20 years in mining, I have learnt that succeeding in this industry is not about becoming ‘one of the boys’. It is about bringing your own female…
Water stewardship and integrated mining solutions for Namibia’s next phase of growth
Namibia’s mining industry continues to attract investment across uranium, gold, copper and other critical minerals, positioning the sector for another period of growth. As mining operations expand, however, success will…
From ‘black box’ to ‘blue box’ in tailings storage facility water management
In many mine-wide water balances, the tailings storage facility (TSF) still appears as a single line item: a convenient ‘black box’ where water goes in, something comes out and the…
CHIETA invests R4m with Wits to build South Africa’s green hydrogen workforce
The Chemical Industries Sector Education & Training Authority (CHIETA) is investing more than R4 million into doctoral and postdoctoral research in green hydrogen through a partnership with the African Energy…
NOGC 2026 to connect Namibia’s energy ambitions with local opportunity
The Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOGC) will return to Windhoek from 18–20 August 2026 with an expanded programme focused on the partnerships, investment and capabilities needed to…
The cost of small delays: How micro-variances shape open-pit mine performance
If you look at an open-pit mine as a business, you quickly see how much has to work together at the same time. Excavators, trucks, haul roads, dispatchers, maintenance teams,…
How real-time tyre data is cutting costs in African mines
Mining operations across Africa are under increasing pressure to do more with less. Rising input costs, constrained capital investment, ageing fleets and increasing ESG (environmental, social & governance) expectations are…
Paratus Botswana and Eutelsat redefine how mining connects in southern Africa
Paratus Botswana and Eutelsat showcased resilient, integrated connectivity solutions for mining during the Future of Mining Summit 2026, as southern Africa’s mining sector continues to embrace digital transformation. Paratus Botswana…
SA and the Netherlands sign landmark MoU: Turning geology into opportunity for all
The Council for Geoscience (CGS) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dutch Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO – Geological Survey of the Netherlands), formalising the…
Solar Group expands its African footprint through strategic investments and enhanced regional capability
Solar Group, the parent company of Solar Mining Services South Africa, continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in industrial explosives and blasting solutions through strategic investments across…
BME advances safer blasting in hot and reactive ground conditions
Hot holes and reactive ground conditions are becoming an increasingly significant challenge for mining operations, with the potential to compromise safety, disrupt production and undermine blast performance. “While these conditions…
Uganda’s first refinery has the potential to build a lasting energy ecosystem
With Uganda announcing that its estimate of recoverable oil and gas resources has increased to 1.65 billion barrels, the country is one step closer commencing commercial production. It is an…
South Africa’s last manganese smelter has gone dark
South Africa’s last remaining manganese smelter, Transalloys, has fully stopped ferroalloys production on 1 July, with no indication of when operations may resume. CEO Konstantin Sadovnik says the company had…
Rosh Pinah Zinc commissions SAG mill – a critical component of RP2.0
Rosh Pinah Zinc (RPZ) and Appian Capital Advisory Limited (the investment adviser to long-term value-focused private capital funds) have announced the commissioning of a new semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill. Replacing…
BME drives the development of connected AI-powered mining operations
In the fast-evolving mining industry, BME – a member of the Omnia Group – is transforming traditional blasting from a rock-breaking activity into a sophisticated, data-driven enabler of safer, more…
Pirtek Africa: Growing with the continent
Africa is not short of opportunity; however, it is short of reliability. Across mining operations, agricultural holdings, construction sites, manufacturing plants, forestry concessions and more, one of the greatest threats…
The cost of optimising in silos: Why mining needs a whole-of-value-chain perspective
Mining has become exceptionally effective at driving efficiencies within individual functions. Procurement teams negotiate harder. Operations pursue productivity improvements. Processing plants optimise recoveries. Smelters focus on throughput and stability. The…
Resilient reagent supply chains drive metallurgical performance
As global volatility reshapes supply networks across industries, the mining sector is being forced to rethink how it secures the inputs that underpin operational stability. Chemical reagents, performance and process…
Stabilising flotation through vendor management: Driving localised mining excellence in the DRC
As the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) advances its ambitions around industrialisation, value addition and energy resilience, discussions taking place at DRC Mining Week 2026 are highlighting the close…
Wits Dialogue highlights the link between community wellbeing and mine safety
The Wits Mining Institute recently hosted a thought-provoking breakfast dialogue titled. “Beyond the Fence: How Community Environments Shape Health and Safety Performance in Mining”, sponsored by South32. The event brought…
Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026 expands programme to drive inclusive growth, local participation and industry collaboration
The 4th edition of the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOGC) takes place in Windhoek from 18–20 August 2026, with an expanded programme focused on collaboration, local opportunity…
Young entrepreneurs drive mining revival with official opening of Asure Mining in Mpumalanga
Asure Resources (co-founder Emmanuel Ngulube pictured) will officially open Asure Colliery in Kriel, Mpumalanga on 17 June 2026, marking the restart of a strategically significant coal asset and the return…
WSP in Africa positions integrated mining capability for West Africa’s next phase of growth
West Africa’s mining sector is becoming more complex as governments, regulators, mining companies and investors place greater emphasis on responsible mining, local participation, environmental performance, resilient infrastructure and long-term asset…
Exploration investment and data accessibility to unlock SA’s next generation of mineral discoveries
The Council for Geoscience (CGS), South Africa’s national custodian of geoscientific data, last week showcased how world-class geoscience is helping reduce exploration risk, attract investment and support the growth of…
The Council for Geoscience reinforces its drilling capacity
In March 2026, the Council for Geoscience (CGS) expanded its strategic scientific asset base through the acquisition of a diamond core drill rig named “Green Mamba”, which symbolises strength, accuracy…
VEGA to showcase cutting-edge measurement technology at Electra Mining Africa 2026
Electra Mining Africa is one of the most significant dates on the industrial calendar, and this September, VEGA will be bringing its world-class measurement technology to the Johannesburg Expo Centre,…
‘Plan for confidentiality from outset’ in southern Africa mining disputes
Arbitration is often promoted as an attractive way to resolve both domestic and cross-border disputes, offering a degree of confidentiality that is particularly advantageous in cases involving sensitive, technical or…
Why energy security is the conversation mining can no longer avoid
For Africa’s mining sector, energy security is no longer a background concern. It is a frontline investment consideration. Rising costs, infrastructure constraints and growing pressure from global capital markets have…
Tharisa Minerals drives connected mining in an African first, with adaptive wireless solution from Datacentrix
Tharisa Minerals, an integrated resource group critical to the energy transition and decarbonisation of economies, has successfully transformed its South African open-pit mining operation into a highly connected, data-driven environment.…
Bushtec unifies brand to deliver advanced lifecycle camps for the global mining sector
Bushtec, a pioneering force in tented camps and solutions, has announced a significant brand evolution, unifying its 55-year heritage as Canvas and Tent and a consortium of specialised brands under…
Mining sector turns to private renewables as CBAM and tariff pressures redefine competitiveness
As the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) enters its permanent phase and global buyers tighten emissions disclosure requirements, South African mining operations are accelerating the integration of privately…
Transporting mining commodities in an era of market volatility
As global uncertainty and local challenges reshape commodity markets, maintaining consistent and reliable logistics has become a defining factor for mining companies navigating this increasingly volatile environment. According to Standard…
Environmental, closure risk are key aspects of mining due diligence
The viability of mining projects can increasingly be compromised by unforeseen challenges to their environmental and social sustainability – highlighting the role of due diligence from the earliest stages of…
Probe IMT and Optix enhance mine fleet safety across southern Africa
Probe IMT, a leading provider of productivity and safety solutions for mining, and Optix, a global expert in fleet safety and management, partner to bring innovative safety technologies to mining…
Precision blasting powers safer, smarter, lower cost mining in Africa
In Africa’s demanding mining landscape, BME, an Omnia Holdings company, provides projects with a powerful technological edge through its advanced AXXIS™ Titanium electronic initiation system (EIS). Nishen Hariparsad, general manager…
Cutting-edge matting and flooring for various environments
GOLDPACK (Pty) Ltd supplies an entire range of cutting-edge matting and flooring for various environments. This includes Heronrib Non-Slip Matting and Vynagrip Matting. Heronrib Non-Slip Matting Hard-wearing, non-porous and slip-resistant,…
Entrepreneurship in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) brings profound change and is characterised by increasing interconnection of products, services, processes and organisational value chains. Today’s organisations increasingly depend on internal value…
Safety training in mining evolves to embrace critical thinking
The mining sector’s significant progress in health and safety – with fatalities declining from 200 to 41 over the two decades from 2005 to 2025 – has been supported by…
BHP initiates mineral exploration workshop sessions in Africa
BHP is conducting the first in a series of workshops to promote and support greater intelligence and collaboration in minerals exploration in key mining jurisdictions in sub-Saharan Africa. The first…
Cleaner water, cleaner mining: The tech transforming wastewater treatment
Modern wastewater treatment relies on continuous monitoring of water levels, flow rates and chemical composition. Without accurate data, treatment plants risk accidental discharges, equipment failures and regulatory non-compliance. VEGA’s instrumentation…
New mining rehabilitation guarantee launched for Africa
As Africa’s mining landscape shifts toward stricter environmental stewardship and more rigorous mine closure obligations, a new partnership is reshaping how the continent approaches financial assurance. Credeq Africa, an authorised…
Simone Botha: Shaping the next era of mining leadership
When Simone Botha was named one of the Minerals Council South Africa’s 10 Women in Mining Education & Development Heroes for 2025, those who work alongside her at Anglo American’s…
Data-driven planning and partnerships shape the future of mining skills
Against a backdrop of intensifying global competition, rapid technological advancement and mounting pressure to deliver a just energy transition, prominent role-players in South Africa’s mining sector gathered for focused deliberation…
Geoscience and skills drive the future of mining
At the recent 2026 Mining Skills Lekgotla held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Mosa Mabuza, CEO of the Council for Geoscience, highlighted the central role of geoscience and skills development…
Successful stator winding installation of gearless mill drive motors in Zambia
Marthinusen & Coutts (M&C), a division of ACTOM (Pty) Ltd, successfully installed the stator winding for two gearless mill drive (GMD) motors in northern Zambia. The installation was completed in…
Premier of the North West on mining, collaboration and catalytic growth
Lazarus Mokgosi, Premier of the North West Province, believes South Africa’s long-term success rests on socio-economic unity and purposeful collaboration. For him, meaningful development requires alignment between government, private sector…
Integrated water approach sets a benchmark for responsible mining
As South Africa grapples with a national water crisis marked by Day Zero warnings in all regions and ageing infrastructure nationwide, a new model for resource resilience is emerging from…
Building a responsive skills system for a changing mining landscape
At the recent Mining Skills Lekgotla that took place at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) marked its 30-year milestone with a celebration that was as much…
Strengthening mining value chains to maximise Africa’s mineral resources
With global investment in Africa’s mining sector having dipped in recent years, industry players, governments and communities must work together to restore investor confidence in a region with massive mineral…
MQA: Celebrating 30 years of transforming mining skills in SA
The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) commemorated its 30th anniversary at Gallagher Estate in Midrand last week, underscoring three decades of advancing skills development in South Africa’s mining and minerals sector.…
Mining Indaba 2026 reflected renewed global confidence, but reform will determine momentum
Mining Indaba 2026 unfolded against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, competition over critical minerals, and persistent questions about regulatory certainty in South Africa. Yet, the data reflects stronger confidence than…
Fragmented supplier models are the continent’s hidden mining risk
Mining in Africa is tough, says Warwick Bouwer, CEO of Jachris. Here he discusses the less visible risks that challenge uptime, safety and operational certainty across the continent’s mine sites.…
With better co-ordination, Africa could be an architect of the net-zero economy
A clear message rang through the halls of the Cape Town International Convention Centre at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba: Africa’s mining sector holds enormous, untapped opportunity –…
Beyond the pit: Why mining partnerships are being redefined
The 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba carried a familiar public narrative: policy reform, geopolitical positioning and capital mobilisation under the banner of “Stronger Together”. Yet, beyond keynote remarks and…
Under the hard hat is a human
Look under every hard hat in South Africa’s mines, and you will find a person. Someone with hopes, struggles and a family counting on them to come home safely each…
Insurance as a strategic lever for mining resilience in 2026 and beyond
South Africa’s mining sector is operating under sustained pressure as a result of the sector’s challenges including ageing assets, unreliable power supply, constrained logistics and regulatory uncertainty. What used to…