SA’s only zinc refinery closes temporarily
South Africa's only zinc refinery, Zincor owned by Exxaro, temporarily stopped operations after three people were killed and a dozen more hurt in an explosion.
Strategic investors approach Metorex
Metorex says it might bring a strategic investor into the holding company or into its assets as part of a plan to address more than R2bn of debt in the group by December 2009.
Metorex focuses on cutting debt
Metorex, which has sold off a number of assets, is continuing to look for ways to cut debt sharply by December. It posted disappointing full-year results.
Glencore’s Zambia unit to start new copper mine
A unit of Swiss company Glencore International will develop an open pit copper mine in Zambia after authorities approved its proposal for the project.
Rio’s China iron ore talks suspended
Global miner Rio Tinto has ceased iron ore price talks with Chinese customers, but it denied a media report the talks had ended because of the detention of its negotiators.
New Anglo zinc deposits in Southern Africa
Anglo American says it has found a new zinc deposits near its Skorpion mine in Namibia and the Gambsberg deposit in South Africa.
Copper gains around 1%
Copper futures rose 1% on Wednesday, reversing early losses in a choppy trading pattern that is set to continue as investors weigh increasingly positive data against fears the rally is overdone.
Exxaro shuns Corridor Sands
UPDATED - Exxaro urgently needs to find extra feedstock for its KZN titanium smelters but the Corridor Sands heavy sands deposit in Mocambique does not fit the bill.
Copper entering a bull phase
Copper prices will top $6,500/tonne in the fourth quarter of 2009 on the back of increased demand. The outlook for copper is bullish over the next three years.
China saves face with Fortescue iron ore deal
Fortescue Metals broke ranks to forge a slightly cheaper iron ore price with Chinese steel mills in exchange for up to $6 billion in funding, giving Beijing's beleaguered industry group a much-needed face-saving win.