Category: Commodities
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The Role of Middlemen in South African Mining: Bridging Opportunity or Blocking Equity?
South Africa’s mining sector is one of the most powerful engines of the economy. With rich deposits of gold, platinum, coal, manganese, chrome, and more, mining contributes significantly to GDP, exports, and employment. But behind every successful mining deal or mineral shipment, there is often a middleman—a broker, agent, or intermediary who facilitates the transaction…
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What Happens When You Export Maize to Zimbabwe
Maize is one of the most traded agricultural commodities in Southern Africa. As a staple food, it plays a central role in food security, especially in countries like Zimbabwe that occasionally face droughts, production shortfalls, or economic constraints. If you’re a South African producer, transporter, or trader, you may have wondered: What actually happens when…
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The Impact of Automation on Labor in the Mining Industry
As global demand for minerals and metals continues to grow, the mining industry is turning to automation to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve safety. From autonomous trucks to robotic drilling systems, mining operations are evolving rapidly through digital technologies. But this transformation is not without consequences, especially for the labor force that has long…
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Strategies for Minimising the Environmental Impact of Mining Waste
Mining is essential to modern life. From the smartphones in our pockets to the buildings we live in, nearly everything we use contains materials extracted from the earth. However, the extraction process generates vast amounts of mining waste, including rock, tailings, slurry, and contaminated water, that can severely impact ecosystems, water quality, and human health…
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How the Internet of Things (IoT) is Improving Mine Safety
Mining has long been one of the most dangerous industries in the world, with risks ranging from cave-ins and gas leaks to equipment failure and human error. As the demand for minerals increases and mines grow deeper and more complex, ensuring worker safety has become a top priority. Enter the Internet of Things (IoT), a…
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The Role of Local Communities in South Africa’s Mining Projects
Mining remains an important pillar of South Africa’s economy, contributing significantly to employment, export earnings, and infrastructure development. However, the true sustainability and success of mining projects are increasingly tied not only to geological resources, but to the support, inclusion, and well-being of local communities. Local communities, particularly those living near mining sites, play a…
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What does Glencore Mine in South Africa
Glencore, one of the top mining companies with a diversified natural resource range, maintains a great presence in South Africa’s mining industry. The company’s operations encompass the extraction and marketing of various essential commodities, contributing substantially to both the national economy and global supply chains. Key Commodities Mined by Glencore in South Africa 1. Coal…
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South Africa’s Water Use Licensing for Mining: What You Need to Know
Water is one of the most important resources in South Africa not to mention the world, especially in the context of mining—a sector that depends heavily on water for extraction, processing, dust suppression, and site rehabilitation. To manage the competing demands on this scarce resource, the government regulates water use through a system of Water…
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How South African Mining Companies Are Tackling Illegal Mining Issues
Illegal mining, commonly referred to as “zama zama” activity in South Africa, has become one of the most pressing challenges facing the mining industry today. Followed by unregulated operations, safety risks, and environmental damage, illegal mining undermines legal operations and threatens the sustainability of the entire sector. In response, South African mining companies are taking…
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The Challenges of Exporting South African Commodities to China
South Africa is one of the king pins in the global commodity market, with rich reserves of minerals like gold, platinum, coal, and iron ore. One of its most significant trading partners is China, which is also the world’s largest importer of raw materials. While this trade relationship has grown over the years, exporting South…
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