South African rand hovers around strongest in three years as geopolitical tensions ease

The South African rand was hovering around its strongest against the dollar for three years, as geopolitical tensions and safe-haven demand eased after US President Donald Trump backed down from... 

South African rand steady as Trump backs off tariff and Greenland threats

The South African rand was steady in early trade on Thursday, as geopolitical tensions and safe-haven demand eased after US President Donald Trump backed down from new tariff threats and proposals... 

Goldman Sachs raises 2026-end gold price forecast

Goldman Sachs has raised its end-2026 gold price forecast to $5 400/oz from $4 900/oz earlier, noting private-sector and emerging market central banks' diversification into gold. Spot gold climbed... 

Chile's miners flag risks in dual oversight of mining, economy ministries

Chile's mining industry expressed concerns on Wednesday after President-elect Jose Antonio Kast named one minister to oversee both mining and the economy, warning that the economically critical... 

Santos forecasts higher 2026 production as Barossa, Pikka projects ramp up

Australian oil and gas producer Santos forecast higher 2026 production on Thursday, as it ramps up output at its Barossa liquefied natural gas project and starts producing oil from its Pikka... 

Trump to speed permits for deep-sea mining in international waters

The Trump administration is pressing ahead on Wednesday with an effort to encourage U.S. exploration of the deep sea by accelerating permitting for companies hunting for critical minerals in... 

South African rand firms as markets shrug off mixed local data

The South African rand firmed against the dollar in Wednesday's trading session as the country's markets shrugged off mixed domestic economic signals released by the statistics agency. At 1332 GMT,... 

South Africa's inflation rate edges up in December, as expected

South African inflation rose slightly in December, as expected, but analysts said they still expect the central bank to deliver several interest rate cuts this year as price pressures remain well... 

South African rand firmer ahead of local inflation data

The South African rand edged up in early trade on Wednesday, as traders awaited inflation and retail sales data that will shed light on the country's economic outlook. At 0624 GMT, the rand traded... 

Lynas CEO says government policies are improving rare earths market

Government policies around floor prices for rare earths have improved the function of the market and helped lift prices to sustainable levels, Amanda Lacaze, the CEO of Lynas Rare Earths said on... 

Gates and OpenAI team up for AI health push in African countries

The Gates Foundation and OpenAI are setting up a $50-million partnership to help African countries use artificial intelligence to improve their health systems. The partnership, called Horizon1000,... 

Spot gold crosses $4 800/oz for the first time

Spot gold surged past the psychological milestone of $4 800/oz on Wednesday for the first time, as safe-haven demand kept bullion a favored asset. 

Evolution Mining posts higher gold output, shares hit record high

Australia's Evolution Mining reported a rise in its second-quarter gold production on Wednesday, driven by strong performances across almost all assets, sending its shares to a record high. Shares... 

Lynas Rare Earths' quarterly revenue surges as higher prices offset lower production

Australia's Lynas Rare Earths reported a 43% rise in second-quarter revenue on Wednesday, as higher selling prices eclipsed a production shortfall caused by power disruptions at its ore processing... 

South Africa may hit 3% inflation in 2026, central bank says

South Africa's central bank governor Lesetja Kganyago said on Tuesday that inflation was on course to meet the bank's new target of 3% in 2026 as prices remained stable. With annual inflation for... 

Botswana's diamond stockpile swells as gem price slump persists

Botswana's diamond stockpile is nearly double its target inventory levels amid persistent low prices, leaving the country unable to increase gem production in the short term to lift its economy,... 

Uganda's gold exports surged 76% last year to $5.8bn

Uganda's gold exports leaped 75.8% last year from the previous 12 months, helped by record prices that attracted new dealers into the sector, Uganda's central bank said on Tuesday. Gold has... 

Congo offers manganese, copper‑cobalt and lithium assets to US investors under minerals pact

The Democratic Republic of Congo has sent Washington a shortlist of state-owned assets - including manganese, copper-cobalt, gold and lithium projects - for US investors to consider as part of a... 

South African rand weakens on risk-off mood, traders await mining data

The South African rand was weaker in early trade on Tuesday as forex markets continued to be dominated by "risk-off" sentiment, while domestically focused traders awaited mining data for clues on... 

Origin Energy to extend operations of NSW coal-fired power plant to 2029

Origin Energy said on Tuesday it will extend the operation of all four units of its coal-fired Eraring Power Station to April 2029, to support energy supply in New South Wales state. The 2 880 MW... 

Ghana's mining reforms risk choking investment, says industry body

Ghana’s main mining industry body said on Monday that proposed changes to how the country manages tax and royalty terms risk deterring investment and slowing output. Reuters reported last week that... 

South African rand muted, investors await inflation data

South Africa's rand was subdued on Monday as risk appetite waned amid geopolitical tensions and traders looked ahead to domestic inflation data due this week for clues on the central bank's... 

China 2025 coal output hits record high as cheap supply drives stockpiling, lower imports

China's coal output rose to a record in 2025, statistics bureau data showed on Monday, as lower domestic prices prompted buyers to cut imports and rebuild stockpiles with cheaper local supply,... 

BHP refused permission to appeal UK judgment over 2015 Brazil dam collapse

BHP was on Monday refused permission to appeal against a ruling that it is liable for the 2015 collapse of a dam in southeastern Brazil, in a London lawsuit potentially worth tens of billions of... 

Bolivia pledges to honor energy, lithium deals to reassure investors

Bolivia’s centrist government will respect all existing hydrocarbons and lithium agreements as part of a push to rebuild investor confidence after years of instability, the country’s energy... 

Global stocks take hit from tariff threats; gold gets safety bid

Global stocks slid and the dollar eased against the safe-haven yen and Swiss franc on Monday after US President Donald Trump threatened to slap extra tariffs on goods imported from eight European... 

South African rand slips amid geopolitical tensions, investors await local inflation data

South Africa's rand traded weaker on Monday as risk appetite waned amid geopolitical tensions and as traders looked ahead to domestic inflation data due this week for clues on the central bank's... 

Vale Indonesia says 2026 mining quota won't be enough to meet demand from new smelters

Nickel miner PT Vale Indonesia's mining production quota approved for this year will likely be insufficient to meet demand from the smelters that will come online later this year, the company's... 

Mozambique President cancels Davos trip due to severe floods

Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo has cancelled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos this week due to severe floods that have damaged infrastructure and affected hundreds of thousands of... 

Trump offers to mediate Egypt-Ethiopia dispute on Nile River waters

US President Donald Trump offered on Friday to mediate a dispute over Nile River waters between Egypt and Ethiopia. "I am ready to restart US mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to responsibly... 

Syrah buys more time for Tesla graphite supply deal

Australia's Syrah Resources aid on Monday it agreed with Tesla to extend for the third time a deadline to resolve an alleged breach of their graphite supply agreement. The 2021 agreement to supply... 

China receives first shipment of Simandou iron-ore

China, the world's largest iron-ore consumer, has received its first shipment of iron-ore from the Simandou mine in Guinea in West Africa, in which Beijing has heavily invested to increase supply... 

Last Czech deep coal mine closes as centuries-old industry reaches final day

The last Czech black coal shaft will shut at the end of January, closing the door on more than 250 years of deep mining and bringing to an end an industry that powered the rise of heavy industry in... 

Mali gold output plunges 23% as Barrick halt, tougher rules reshape sector

Mali's industrial gold output fell 22.9% in 2025, hurt by the lengthy suspension of Barrick Mining's operations due to a dispute over tougher mining rules, provisional figures from the West African... 

Iron-ore falls as high prices deter buyers

 Iron-ore futures drifted lower on Friday as high prices and slim margins deterred buying in the biggest consumer China, with the Dalian iron-ore contract reporting a weekly decline for the first... 

South Africa launches inquiry into Iran's participation in BRICS+ naval drills

South Africa's defence ministry has launched a probe into Iran's participation in the BRICS+ naval exercises held near Cape Town this week, after reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa had asked... 

South African rand muted as traders eye local inflation data next week

South Africa's rand was subdued in early trade on Friday as traders awaited an inflation reading due next week for fresh signals on the health of Africa's most industrialised economy and clues on... 

Brazil shuts down Sigma Lithium waste piles over safety concerns

Brazil's Labor Ministry has shut down three waste piles at Sigma Lithium's flagship mine in the state of Minas Gerais, citing a "grave and imminent" risk to workers and the local community,... 

First Quantum backs Panama's plan to allow stockpile processing at shut copper mine

Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals on Thursday welcomed Panama President Jose Raul Mulino's plan, announced early this month, to allow the removal and processing of stockpiled ore at its... 

US lawmakers introduce bill to create $2.5bn critical-minerals stockpile

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers on Thursday introduced a bill to create a $2.5-billion stockpile of critical minerals, a move aimed at stabilizing market prices and encouraging domestic mining...