Mining

This solution offers a secure, stable, and high-performance primary connectivity network, crucial for engineering private networks or leveraging cloud-based applications. (Image source: Avanti Communications)

Avanti Communications, a leading multi-orbit provider of fully integrated connectivity services, has highlighted the crucial role satellite technology will play in the forthcoming digitalisation of Africa’s mining sector

The mining industry offers great promise for African nations in the years ahead having already underpinned the economies of many countries for a number of decades. Now, the critical mineral demand boom is enhancing global interest and offering the continent the chance to claim a leading position in the forthcoming energy transition.

In order to grasp this unprecedented opportunity, the sector must keep up with the modern technologies which offer the opportunity to maximise production and efficiency. According to Avanti, digitalisation will be a key facilitator of such innovative solutions and, going further, the use of satellite technology is therefore vital.

Mine Always On

It is with this understanding that Avanti has introduced its ‘Mine Always On’ solution, designed to ensure constant, undisrupted connectivity tailored to the unique demands of the mining industry. It brings about operational efficiencies and provides sustainable, reliable connectivity in remote mining locales.

Gamze Aydin, senior vice president sales and South Africa country manager at Avanti, commented, “Successfully charting this complex terrain heralds a new era of enhanced return on investment, operational efficiency, and sustainable practices in mining.”

Technologies such as this latest introduction by Avanti facilitate real-time communication and data exchange, vital for everything from enhancing safety to ensuring regulatory compliance. Moreover, the company has illustrated how the solution exemplifies its commitment to bolstering the mining sector’s digital transformation journey, focusing on cyber resilience and progress towards Net Zero goals.

“Satellite technology is an undisputed lifeline for mining,” said Aydin. “It will define new standards for improving efficiency, boosting safety, and addressing environmental compliance. It’s a transformative force, bringing vital technological advancements to legacy systems when it’s needed most.”

The completion of the acquisitions remains subject to NGX completing due diligence in relation to the EPLs. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

NGX, a leading African explorer and developer, has entered into earn-in joint venture agreements to acquire two uranium exploration project applications in Namibia in a bid to complement its existing graphite assets in Malawi

The two sites are located within the Damara uranium belt of the country, recognised for being one of the world’s best known uranium districts in the world with a number of uranium projects in operation. The two applications include Rossingburg, located in the main uranium production hub of the belt between the Rossing uranium mine and Etango uranium project, and Tubusis, northeast of Swakopmund in an under-explored region of the belt.

“While NGX has been progressing permitting and processing testwork on our flagship graphite projects in Malawi, we have also been looking for opportunities to expand our clean energy minerals portfolio in Africa, to meet the world’s growing need for carbon free energy,” remarked Matt Syme, NGX executive director. “Our management group includes considerable and very successful experience in uranium exploration, so this is a natural addition to our portfolio. We are very optimistic about the outlook for the uranium market and Namibia remains the premier uranium exploration environment in Africa.”

Namibia’s fertile mining environment has found plenty of suitors this year as a number of companies look to take advantage of the business opportunities it offers. Click here to read how B2Gold has been expanding its efforts at the Otjikoto mine in the country.

The Koné project ranks as one of the highest quality gold projects in Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Council of Ministers of Côte d’Ivoire has awarded the mining permit for the Koné project to Montage Gold Corp in the country

Montage was awarded mining permits covering a total area of 357 sq km for both its Koné and Gbongogo deposits (which are valid for 20 years and 8 years respectively) in addition to several advanced high grade exploration targets, with opportunities to extend as further mine life is added through exploration success. The awarding of mining permits represents the last governmental authorisation required to enable the development and operation of the Koné project with the official decree to be received shortly following today’s Council of Ministers’ meeting.

A unique West African mining opportunity

“We are delighted to be awarded our mining permit which represents a significant milestone in the development of our Koné project and reflects the strong support received from our local stakeholders given our win-win approach focused on local content,” remarked Martino De Ciccio, CEO of Montage. “In addition, we are also pleased to have reached an agreement on land compensation without local communities which further demonstrates the support for the advancement of our project given the significant social and economic benefits that it will unlock for our host communities and government.

“We look forward to rapidly continuing to unlock value for our stakeholders by progressing the Koné project towards an anticipated construction launch by Q1-2025, while continuing to progress our exploration strategy of delineating higher-grade targets that can be slotted into the mine plan from the commencement of the operation.”

Montage has indicated that it is now rapidly advancing exploration at the Koné project with a 30,000-meter drill programme expected to be completed in late July 2024. High grade intercepts have already been received at several targets. A second 60,000-meter drill programme is expected to be launched in late Q3-2024 with the goal of delineating resources at top priority targets, in addition to continuing to drill test other targets.

Over the past 29 years, Barrick has invested more than $10 billion in the Malian economy, with its mines accounting for between 5% and 10% of the country’s gross domestic product annually. (Image source: Barrick)

Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow emphasised the critical importance of ensuring the long-term viability of the Loulo-Gounkoto gold mining complex to sustain Mali's mining industry and its significant economic contribution

Speaking to local media and stakeholders, Bristow highlighted Barrick's substantial investment in Mali, totaling over US$10bn over 29 years, with its mines annually contributing between 5% and 10% to the country’s GDP. He underscored that Barrick had contributed over US$1bn to Mali's economy in the past year alone.

“We continue to work constructively towards a global resolution of our differences and finding common ground on the key issue of sharing the economic benefits of our operations without damaging the future viability of these valuable contributors to the economy,” remarked Bristow.

“It’s worth noting that Barrick developed a highly successful benefit-sharing partnership for our Tanzanian operations which has since also been used as a model for the reopened Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea.”

Bristow cautioned that the current economic and political climate in Mali had caused exploration companies to curtail or suspend their operations in the country which would impact gold production in the long run.

“In contrast, Barrick has been engaging with the National Directorate of Geology and Mines (DNGM) to grow our exploration footprint here, securing our ability to deliver real value to Mali and our stakeholders in the country,” concluded Bristow.