How will the state use Sishen’s ore?
The government sees 6.25m tonnes of iron ore/year from Sishen as an asset to benefit SA’s steel industry, but how they want to use this resource is far from clear.
Hunting the golden eggs’ goose
Resource nationalism is a growing problem, and not restricted to developing economies.
Jobs summit underscores contradictions
It remains to be seen whether anything good can come from discussions between a compromised government and a divided business community.
Biggest aftershock reserved for energy
It’s now possible to view the Japanese and European coal markets as growth areas again, with the imports of fossil fuels into Japan to be above normal levels in the near future.
Baleni calls for wage talks restraint
General secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers Frans Baleni has sketched a sober picture of what workers should expect from oncoming wage negotiations.
Shabangu conquers, but troubles brew at home
Mines Minister Susan Shabangu is selling SA mining’s future abroad with refreshing honesty - but there’s no escaping the reality of a vexed transformation struggle back home.
Cue cards for Shabangu’s high noon
Mines Minister Susan Shabangu heads into meetings with North American investors this week keen to hear what she has to say about risk in South African mining. So what should she tell them?
Paying taxes, and then some
One can easily see how vexed a debate on carbon tax - mooted in the budget speech - may become.
Anglo cautious despite comeback year
Anglo American posted an excellent performance in its comeback year, but its slightly disappointing dividend just highlights why BHP Billiton is the gorilla in the jungle.
What to make of Shabangu?
The jury is out over whether Mines Minister Susan Shabangu will be able to instil much-needed confidence in South Africa’s regulatory system.