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28 October 2025
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Oct 28, 2025Africa Mining Market
South Africa’s Harmony Gold has completed the US$1.01 billion acquisition of Australia-based MAC Copper Limited. The deal gives the Randfontein-based miner ownership of the CSA copper mine, officially making it a copper producer.
While Harmony Gold has traditionally focused on gold, the company began diversifying into copper several years ago. This strategy was initially supported by the Wafi-Golpu project in Papua New Guinea and the Eva project in Australia, both still under development. The acquisition of the producing CSA mine, however, gives Harmony Gold immediate copper output.
According to MAC Copper’s website, the CSA mine produces about 40,000 tons of copper a year. Harmony Gold said it will integrate the mine’s operations into its broader production plan over the next three months, adding CSA’s output to its current fiscal-year forecasts.
The move reflects a broader trend among gold producers diversifying into copper, a key metal for the global energy transition. The same shift can be seen at Newmont Corp, the world’s largest gold producer, and Barrick Gold of Canada, which operates the Lumwana mine in Zambia.
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Namibia’S Energy Sector To Add Us$3 Billion To Gdp And…Namibia’s emerging energy mix – spanning oil, gas, renewables and green hydrogen – is poised to transform the national economy by the end of the decade, with the combined potential to add more than US$3 billion in annual GDP and create tens of thousands of jobs.
At the Namibia Public-Private Forum held in Windhoek from 23 to 24 October 2025, Dr Grant Muller of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Association and Eduardo Rodriguez of the Namibia Petroleum Operators Association co-chaired the Energy, Oil, Gas and Green Hydrogen Working Group, outlining a consolidated strategy to align the sectors with the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and the Swapo Manifesto Implementation Plan.
The working group described the four sectors as complementary and interdependent, forming the backbone of Namibia’s industrial transformation. The approach positions green hydrogen, hydrocarbons, renewables, and nuclear energy as mutually reinforcing pillars that, together, can unlock Namibia’s long-term energy security, fiscal stability, and export competitiveness.
According to projections tabled at the forum, the combined industries could lift national GDP by between 6.8% and 25% depending on the scale of investment and production achieved by 2030.
Muller said the transformation “requires no direct government equity or funding, only a stable and predictable policy environment.”
The group emphasised that precise, enabling regulation was the key to unlocking multi-billion-dollar private investments and accelerating industrialisation under NDP6.
Namibia’s green hydrogen and ammonia projects are projected to produce 2.2 million tonnes of green ammonia and 2 million tonnes of direct reduced iron (DRI) per year by 2030, surpassing the initial targets of 1.3 million tonnes.
Once commercialised, the sector could inject about US$2 billion annually into GDP and create more than 30,000 direct jobs, with an estimated multiplier effect of two to three times across supporting industries.
The working group said green hydrogen has now moved from feasibility to the financing phase, but lengthy approval processes and fragmented institutional oversight constrain the sector’s growth.
It recommended the establishment of a single inter-ministerial governance framework to coordinate permitting for land, servitudes, environmental clearances and access to export infrastructure.
The group also called for the government to designate flagship hydrogen projects as nationally strategic and to assign a responsible entity with the authority to fast-track approvals and coordination.
On financing, developers are requesting the enactment of sector-specific legislation to provide investors with protection and legal certainty for large-scale project finance. A globally competitive fiscal regime, benchmarked against hydrogen-producing countries such as Mauritania and Saudi Arabia, was also proposed to improve Namibia’s position in the global market.
In the offshore Orange Basin, Namibia’s oil and gas prospects have gained international attention following discoveries by TotalEnergies, Shell and Galp Energia. The working group said these discoveries could propel Namibia into the ranks of oil-producing nations within the decade if development is accelerated and licensing delays are resolved.
The group projects that by 2030, Namibia could have three final investment decisions (FIDs) and at least one floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) in operation. This initial phase could contribute 6.8% GDP growth, equivalent to US$1 billion annually, and create about 12,000 jobs.
In a high-development scenario of four FPSOs, production could reach 150,000 barrels per day – about 55 million barrels per year – generating approximately US$3.3 billion in GDP contribution and supporting more than 45,000 direct and indirect jobs.
To maintain investor confidence, the working group recommended a phased, flexible implementation of the National Upstream Local Content Policy, with differentiated requirements for the exploration, appraisal, development, and production stages.
It also called for the regular awarding of new exploration licences, noting that none had been issued since 2022. The group urged the Ministry of Mines and Energy to finalise outstanding offers from previous bid rounds and to institute at least one annual licensing round to sustain investor momentum.
To reduce duplication and enhance efficiency, operators are proposing a system to facilitate the trading and sharing of seismic and well information among licensed companies, thereby accelerating prospect appraisal and shortening exploration timelines.
The group further proposed that Namibia ratify the ICSID and New York Conventions, which provide international arbitration mechanisms to safeguard investor rights and to introduce rebalancing mechanisms in petroleum contracts. These would allow contract terms to be adjusted fairly in the event of material changes, such as tax reforms, regulatory shifts, or force majeure events.
Namibia’s renewable energy programme, supported under NDP6, targets installing 400 MW of renewable capacity by 2030, up from the currently installed 367 MW. Solar and biomass remain the main focus areas, with projections suggesting that local photovoltaic manufacturing alone could contribute N$37 billion to GDP by 2050.
However, the group identified significant infrastructure constraints and minimal transmission capacity for electricity exports.
It called for urgent bilateral engagement with South Africa, Zambia and Botswana to explore grid interconnection and expansion opportunities, including greater utilisation of the Zambezi interconnector and flexibility to allow renewable producers access to the HVDC transmission line.
To encourage private-sector participation in energy infrastructure, the working group recommended legislative amendments that would allow private companies to invest directly in grid expansion and transmission projects.
Regarding the Modified Single Buyer (MSB) market model, the group requested that embedded-generation projects operating under take-or-pay agreements be exempted from complex scheduling and balancing rules, which they say discourage investment.
It further proposed allowing Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs) and Local Authorities (LAs) to enter short-term power purchase agreements – up to 3 years – if they can secure power at a price below NamPower’s current tariff levels, enabling cost reductions for end users.
If implemented as planned, the energy, oil, gas and hydrogen portfolio could collectively generate more than 75,000 direct jobs by 2030, with indirect employment effects exceeding 200,000.
The combined GDP contribution is projected to rise to between US$2 billion and US$3.3 billion per annum, depending on the scale of oil output and hydrogen exports.
Renewables are expected to add about 800 direct jobs, while the hydrogen and hydrocarbons sectors will account for the bulk of employment growth through industrialisation and infrastructure development.
The plan aligns with NDP6 economic targets, including achieving 7% annual GDP growth, expanding industrial exports, and supporting the Swapo Manifesto goal of transforming energy into the country’s number-one economic enabler.
The working group underscored that policy coordination, legislative certainty, and efficient institutional capacity remain the main prerequisites for success.
It is recommended that the government establish an Inter-Ministerial Energy Coordination Mechanism, with representation from the Ministries of Mines and Energy, Environment, Finance, and Industrialisation, as well as NamPower, NamWater, and NamPort.
The mechanism would ensure faster project approval, harmonised regulation, and alignment of infrastructure investments with NDP6 priorities.
As part of the following steps, the group proposed that all pending Energy and Petroleum policy instruments be finalised within six months, and that Namibia position its strategic projects as regional models for energy transition partnerships.
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28 October 20256 min readNamibia’S Energy Sector To Add Us$3 Billion To Gdp And…
Africa Mining Market
28 October 2025
mining
Harmony Gold Acquires Mac Copper For Us$1.01 BillionSouth Africa’s Harmony Gold has completed the US$1.01 billion acquisition of Australia-based MAC Copper Limited. The deal gives the Randfontein-based miner ownership of the CSA copper mine, officially making it a copper producer.
While Harmony Gold has traditionally focused on gold, the company began diversifying into copper several years ago. This strategy was initially supported by the Wafi-Golpu project in Papua New Guinea and the Eva project in Australia, both still under development. The acquisition of the producing CSA mine, however, gives Harmony Gold immediate copper output.
According to MAC Copper’s website, the CSA mine produces about 40,000 tons of copper a year. Harmony Gold said it will integrate the mine’s operations into its broader production plan over the next three months, adding CSA’s output to its current fiscal-year forecasts.
The move reflects a broader trend among gold producers diversifying into copper, a key metal for the global energy transition. The same shift can be seen at Newmont Corp, the world’s largest gold producer, and Barrick Gold of Canada, which operates the Lumwana mine in Zambia.
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28 October 20252 min readHarmony Gold Acquires Mac Copper For Us$1.01 Billion
Africa Mining Market
28 October 2025
mining
Nigeria Targets Us$410 Billion For Clean Energy By 2060Nigeria plans to raise about US$410 billion by 2060 to overhaul its power system and expand clean energy sources, Vice President Kashim Shettima said during the opening of the Nigerian Renewable Energy Innovation Forum 2025. The target is to reach an installed power capacity of 277 gigawatts (GW), up sharply from the current operational capacity of 13-15 GW.
The ambitious plan comes as public finances remain under pressure. The projected 2025 federal budget of roughly US$36 billion includes an estimated US$8.5 billion deficit, representing nearly a quarter of government spending. Nigeria’s public debt stood at nearly US$97 billion in the Q1 of 2025, according to the Debt Management Office.
The government is seeking to balance its energy goals with fiscal discipline through financial reforms and private investment. In August 2025, it approved a US$2.6 billion refinancing plan to clear debts owed to 27 power producers between 2015 and 2023.
Meanwhile, electricity subsidies have been reduced by 35% after a targeted tariff hike, easing pressure on the national treasury. Local reports indicate that more than US$400 million has already been committed to domestic production of solar panels, batteries, and electricity meters.
The World Bank estimates that only 61% of Nigerians had access to electricity in 2023. With a population growing by 2.5% to 3% annually, Nigeria could add 130 million people by 2050. Rapid population growth and industrial expansion are driving up demand. The International Finance Corporation projects that electricity consumption could double by 2030.
A 2023 study in Energy Research & Social Science found that the power sector loses about US$1.9 billion annually, more than the federal health budget, due to technical inefficiencies, unpaid bills, and high grid costs, which threaten the system’s long-term viability.
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23 October 20252 min readNigeria Targets Us$410 Billion For Clean Energy By 2060
Africa Mining Market
23 October 2025
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Consultation Opens For $2 Billion Green Aluminium Production CreditThe Federal Government has opened consultation on a proposed $2 billion green aluminium production credit (GAPC) scheme to accelerate the decarbonisation of production.
The credit will provide local smelters with the “confidence to invest” in renewable energy sources to back Australian-made facilities to ensure the country secures a lasting competitive advantage in the global clean energy economy.
The GAPC is part of the government’s Future Made in Australia iniative, which is designed to support industries essential to the nation’s net-zero ambitions.
Under the proposal, aluminium smelters will receive production credits for each tonne of ‘green aluminium’ produced using renewable energy, with $2 billion allocated to the scheme until 2036.
Under the scheme, facilities will be eligible for support for every tonne of “clean, reliable, Australian-made aluminium” they make over a period of up to 10 years or to 2044, whichever is sooner.
“Australia’s aluminium smelters have long been the backbone of our manufacturing sector,” Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres said in a statement.
“Demand for aluminium, because of its wide range of uses including for the infrastructure necessary for the energy transition – both at home and with our trading partners – is set to grow strongly in the decades ahead,” he added.
Aluminium production contributes three to four per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions – with the federal government looking to cut this to support 2035 emissions reduction targets.
Consultation on the design of the production credit will close on October 30, 2025. For more information and to contribute to the consultation, visit consult.industry.gov.au.
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21 October 20252 min readConsultation Opens For $2 Billion Green Aluminium Production Credit
Australian Mining
21 October 2025
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Sonatrach Signs Us$5.4 Billion Oil And Gas Deal With Midad…Algeria’s state-owned energy company Sonatrach said it signed a contract worth around US$5.4 billion with Saudi Arabia’s Midad Energy for oil and gas exploration and development in Algeria’s Illizi Basin.
The production-sharing contract spans 30 years with an option to extend for an additional 10 years and includes a seven-year exploration period.
Midad Energy North Africa will fully fund the investment, including US$288 million allocated to exploration. The Illizi South perimeter lies about 100 km (62 miles) south of the Algerian town of In Amenas, near the Libyan border.
Overall production by the end of the contractual period is estimated to reach around 993 million barrels of oil equivalent, including 125 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
Sonatrach is Algeria’s largest oil and gas producer and has been actively seeking foreign partnerships to boost output and modernise infrastructure.
The company has previously signed deals with international partners, including a recent US$850 million contract with China’s Sinopec for hydrocarbon development and exploration.
Earlier this month, Algeria’s energy minister said the country plans to invest US$60 billion in its energy sector over the next five years, with a focus on upstream exploration and production.
The North African nation, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, aims to strengthen its role as a key supplier of energy to international markets while meeting domestic demand and making a transition to more sustainable sources.
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15 October 20252 min readSonatrach Signs Us$5.4 Billion Oil And Gas Deal With Midad…
Africa Mining Market
15 October 2025
mining
Sonatrach Signs Us$5.4 Billion Oil And Gas Deal With Midad EnergyAlgeria’s state-owned energy company Sonatrach said it signed a contract worth around US$5.4 billion with Saudi Arabia’s Midad Energy for oil and gas exploration and development in Algeria’s Illizi Basin.
The production-sharing contract spans 30 years with an option to extend for an additional 10 years and includes a seven-year exploration period.
Midad Energy North Africa will fully fund the investment, including US$288 million allocated to exploration. The Illizi South perimeter lies about 100 km (62 miles) south of the Algerian town of In Amenas, near the Libyan border.
Overall production by the end of the contractual period is estimated to reach around 993 million barrels of oil equivalent, including 125 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
Sonatrach is Algeria’s largest oil and gas producer and has been actively seeking foreign partnerships to boost output and modernise infrastructure.
The company has previously signed deals with international partners, including a recent US$850 million contract with China’s Sinopec for hydrocarbon development and exploration.
Earlier this month, Algeria’s energy minister said the country plans to invest US$60 billion in its energy sector over the next five years, with a focus on upstream exploration and production.
The North African nation, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, aims to strengthen its role as a key supplier of energy to international markets while meeting domestic demand and making a transition to more sustainable sources.
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15 October 20252 min readSonatrach Signs Us$5.4 Billion Oil And Gas Deal With Midad Energy
Africa Mining Market
15 October 2025
mining
Develop Doubles Sulphur Springs Free Cash Flow To $1.5 BillionDevelop Global has doubled its projected free cash flow for its Sulphur Springs zinc-copper project in Western Australia’s Pilbara to $1.5 billion after releasing its definitive feasibility study, showing strong returns driven by higher metal prices and a larger mine plan.
The definitive feasibility study (DFS) puts Sulphur Springs back on track for a final investment decision and construction, with all major project approvals granted.
Develop’s updated DFS pre-tax net present value at 8 per cent (NPV8) rose to $921 million, a 76 per cent increase from the 2023 DFS. Its pre-tax internal rate of return stepped up to 59 per cent in 2025 with a roughly three-year payback, followed by the $1.5b free cash flow.
Develop managing director Bill Beament said that the outstanding results from the DFS confirmed that Sulphur Springs is a significant mine “by any measure” and can generate “outstanding financial returns” and value for the company and its shareholders.
“The case for accelerating Sulphur Springs is clear and compelling; we have a unique opportunity which we intend to maximise by building the underground decline and associated infrastructure at the start of the project,” he said.
Beament added this would happen before the beginning of production mining, significantly de-risking the project and maximising the overall mining opportunity at Sulphur Springs.
The project will be developed as an underground operation, which Develop said would allow for flexibility in the mine plan and scheduling sequence.
The company will be using a bottom-up long-hole stoping sequence with cemented paste fill, with nameplate throughput increasing to 1.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), up from 1.25Mtpa, enabling a two-year ramp-up and five years at a steady state within an approximately eight-year mine life.
Beament said Develop is planning on leveraging the project’s significant untapped geological upside, and they are confident in its potential to deliver substantial mine life growth.
“Develop now has two projects in Sulphur Springs and our Woodlawn Copper-Zinc mine in NSW, which give us substantial exposure to what is set to be one of the great investment themes of a generation,” he said.
“Our people and our assets make Develop a perfectly positioned company for our times.”
Sulphur Springs holds an unchanged ore reserve of 8.8 metric tonnes (Mt) at 1.1 per cent copper and 5.4 per cent zinc; zinc and copper concentrate grades are targeted at roughly 50 per cent Zn and 21 per cent Cu respectively.
Upfront capital costs for Develop are $329 million, with $289 million for plant and infrastructure and $40 million for pre-production; with costs estimated at +/- 15 per cent for Q4 in the 2025 calendar year.
Life of mine (LOM) onsite operating costs are at an average of $114 per tonne once processed, with the forecasted LOM revenue sitting at $3.42 billion, with the average annual pre-tax cash flow of approximately $252 million.
Meanwhile, there is no offtake agreement for the copper metal over the LOM and only a residual zinc offtake beginning after year five of production, therefore leaving offtake capacity available.
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11 October 20253 min readDevelop Doubles Sulphur Springs Free Cash Flow To $1.5 Billion
Australian Mining
11 October 2025
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Dr Congo Mining Firms Underreported Us$16.8 Billion In RevenueMining companies operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo underreported US$16.8 billion in revenue between 2018 and 2023, a state audit found, potentially reducing funds for the government and local communities.
Under Congo’s 2018 mining code, firms must contribute 0.3% of annual revenue to community development funds that typically support schools, clinics and water systems.
Congo, a top cobalt and copper producer, both critical for battery production, is among the world’s poorest countries.
The discrepancy resulted in US$50.4 million in lost contributions to development funds, the report said.
CMOC’s TFM, Glencore’s Kamoto Copper, Ivanhoe’s Kamoa-Kakula mine, SICOMINES, Eurasian Resources Group’s Metakol and Ruashi Mining collectively underreported US$10 billion, it said.
Number two cobalt exporter Glencore said its subsidiary Kamoto Copper had fully met its obligations under the mining code, adding that the discrepancy reflected competing interpretations of when the law took effect.
It added that its 0.3% community levy was calculated on half-year revenues and validated by auditors and the local development agency.
“Practically, 70% of the companies did not respect this regulation, and it’s an enormous loss of earnings for the Congolese state,” said attorney general Jean Chris Mubanga Musuyu in response to questions about the report’s findings.
The Court of Auditors recommended that the government suspend non-compliant firms and pursue prosecutions, mandate revenue audits and enforce stricter oversight.
Average annual income in Congo, which also has vast reserves of lithium, uranium and other minerals, is about US$580 per person.
Conflict with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the mineral-rich east has killed thousands this year and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Civil society groups pushed for the 0.3% levy to channel funds directly to mining communities, bypassing central bureaucracy, to drive local development.
“The idea was to see how we can turn mining into a tool for uplift, not just extraction,” said Emmanuel Umpula Nkumba of Lubumbashi-based nonprofit AFREWATCH.
“If this is well managed, it will improve lives on the ground.”
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09 October 20252 min readDr Congo Mining Firms Underreported Us$16.8 Billion In Revenue
Africa Mining Market
09 October 2025
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Dr Congo Mining Firms Underreported Us$16.8 Billion In…Mining companies operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo underreported US$16.8 billion in revenue between 2018 and 2023, a state audit found, potentially reducing funds for the government and local communities.
Under Congo’s 2018 mining code, firms must contribute 0.3% of annual revenue to community development funds that typically support schools, clinics and water systems.
Congo, a top cobalt and copper producer, both critical for battery production, is among the world’s poorest countries.
The discrepancy resulted in US$50.4 million in lost contributions to development funds, the report said.
CMOC’s TFM, Glencore’s Kamoto Copper, Ivanhoe’s Kamoa-Kakula mine, SICOMINES, Eurasian Resources Group’s Metakol and Ruashi Mining collectively underreported US$10 billion, it said.
Number two cobalt exporter Glencore said its subsidiary Kamoto Copper had fully met its obligations under the mining code, adding that the discrepancy reflected competing interpretations of when the law took effect.
It added that its 0.3% community levy was calculated on half-year revenues and validated by auditors and the local development agency.
“Practically, 70% of the companies did not respect this regulation, and it’s an enormous loss of earnings for the Congolese state,” said attorney general Jean Chris Mubanga Musuyu in response to questions about the report’s findings.
The Court of Auditors recommended that the government suspend non-compliant firms and pursue prosecutions, mandate revenue audits and enforce stricter oversight.
Average annual income in Congo, which also has vast reserves of lithium, uranium and other minerals, is about US$580 per person.
Conflict with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the mineral-rich east has killed thousands this year and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Civil society groups pushed for the 0.3% levy to channel funds directly to mining communities, bypassing central bureaucracy, to drive local development.
“The idea was to see how we can turn mining into a tool for uplift, not just extraction,” said Emmanuel Umpula Nkumba of Lubumbashi-based nonprofit AFREWATCH.
“If this is well managed, it will improve lives on the ground.”
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09 October 20252 min readDr Congo Mining Firms Underreported Us$16.8 Billion In…
Africa Mining Market
09 October 2025
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Predictive Discovery And Robex To Merge In Us$1.5 Billion DealAustralian miner Predictive Discovery and Canadian miner Robex Resources announced that they will merge in a deal valuing the combined group at A$2.35 billion (US$1.5 billion). The transaction will establish one of the largest gold producers in Guinea, with planned annual output exceeding 400,000 ounces by 2029.
Robex currently operates the Nampala gold mine in Mali and is building the Kiniero mine in Guinea, due to start production by end-2025. Kiniero is expected to produce an average of 139,000 ounces of gold annually over nine years.
Predictive has discovered the Bankan gold deposit in Guinea, estimated to deliver about 250,000 ounces per year for more than 12 years. A final investment decision for Bankan is planned for the second quarter of 2026.
Predictive CEO Andrew Pardey said the merger combines two of West Africa’s most advanced gold projects and leverages the management teams’ experience to create a company that could make Guinea one of Africa’s top five gold producers. He will step into the role of non-executive chairman, while Robex CEO Matthew Wilcox will lead the merged entity.
Predictive will acquire all Robex shares through a court-approved plan of arrangement in Quebec. Robex shareholders will exchange their stock for Predictive shares, ending up with 49% of the new entity, while Predictive shareholders will hold 51%.
The merger is expected to close in December 2025 or early 2026, pending regulatory approvals and a two-thirds majority vote from Robex shareholders at an extraordinary meeting. Predictive shareholder approval is not required.
Both companies retain termination rights and must pay A$37 million (US$24 million) in case of withdrawal.
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07 October 20252 min readPredictive Discovery And Robex To Merge In Us$1.5 Billion Deal
Africa Mining Market
07 October 2025
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Gold Fields’ $3.7 Billion Gold Road Acquisition Takes EffectGold Road Resources is set to be acquired by its joint venture partner Gold Fields, with a scheme of arrangement having taken legal effect on September 26.
The scheme allows for the South Africa-based Gold Fields to take on 100 per cent of Gold Road shares through its subsidiary Gruyere Holdings. The scheme was approved by the Supreme Court of WA and became legally in effect when those court orders were lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Gold Road shares were suspended from trading shortly after.
Current shareholders will receive a special dividend before the transfer takes place. The Gold Road board has agreed to distribute $0.43 per share to the full share register as it stands at the close of business on September 30.
This special dividend is part of the consideration laid out in the scheme. This will include a total fixed cash component of $2.52 per share, and a further variable cash consideration of $0.98 per share.
This was calculated on September 26 based on the value of Gold Road’s shareholding in Northern Star Resources immediately prior to the scheme taking effect.
Full implementation of the scheme consideration, and transfer of Gold Road shares to Gold Fields, will take place on October 14.
Gold Fields is a 50-50 joint venture partner with Gold Road on the Gruyere gold mine in Western Australia. The acquisition, first proposed in May this year, gives Gold Fields full ownership of the mine, which is expected to produce 325,000 to 355,000 ounces of gold in 2025.
The deal was approved in May by Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), with the Federal Government clearing Gold Fields to proceed with its $3.7 billion acquisition of Gold Road Resources.
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30 September 20252 min readGold Fields’ $3.7 Billion Gold Road Acquisition Takes Effect
Australian Mining
30 September 2025
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Boldyn Networks And Nokia Power The Future Of Mining At Callio Pyhäjärvi With Private 5G NetworkFormerly a fully operational copper mine for over 60 years, Callio now offers a real-world mining environment where technology companies can test and validate their equipment.
Underground mines pose some of the most extreme challenges for connectivity. Their depth, complex tunnel networks, harsh environmental conditions, and the constant movement of people and machinery make stable communication difficult. Boldyn’s private 5G solution is designed to scale and adapt to the most demanding environments.
Using Nokia’s Modular Private Wireless (MPW), it provides seamless, high-performance connectivity across multiple underground levels and a vast tunnel network that stretches several kilometres and reaches depths of up to 1.5 kilometres. With high bandwidth and ultra-low latency, the network supports advanced mining applications, enabling safer, smarter, and more efficient operations.
Henrik Kiviniemi, Managing Director, Callio Pyhäjärvi said: “At Callio, we’re redefining what’s possible in mining. With the right technology, operations can be fully managed from the surface, making mining not only smarter, but significantly safer.
"Our mission is to transform this unique 1.5 km-deep site into a world-class testbed where the next generation of automation and safety solutions can be developed and validated. In mining, connectivity is critical. Our private 5G network delivers real-time data and ultra-low latency, ensuring every person and asset is visible and protected. Downtime is expensive. Manual processes are risky. With private 5G, we’re solving both.”
Jaakko Kuukka, Country Manager Nordics, Boldyn Networks said: “We have designed and deployed a seamless private 5G network, based on Nokia technology at the Callio site. The network delivers seamless connectivity and full coverage across multiple underground mining levels. It’s the backbone of Callio’s vision for a fully automated test mine, supporting everything from tele-remote vehicles to real-time control of underground machinery.
"We’re enabling mining companies to test and develop next-generation solutions against a reliable network in realistic conditions, without disrupting live operations.”
Next-generation technology is already being tested at the facility, including:
Automation and tele-remote vehicles: The network enables the remote operation of autonomous vehicles and machinery from the surface, reducing the need for personnel to work in hazardous underground conditions.
This shift improves worker safety and increases productivity by minimising downtime and maximising equipment utilisation. It also supports the development and testing of next-generation mining technologies in realistic, controlled environments.
“World-leading mining technology manufacturer Normet is also testing autonomous vehicles at Callio.“The technical challenges of mining are increasing as companies go deeper. The safest and most efficient path forward is removing people from those environments and enabling remote operation. A fully automated future could see 90% of underground workers operating from the surface – but that requires dedicated 5G networks.
Open Wi-Fi and shared networks just don’t work reliably underground. You get latency issues, performance drops - so having a private network built for these processes is a must.” said Normet’s VP of Equipment Offering & New Technology, Mark Ryan
Voice communications: The private 5G network replaces outdated walkie-talkie systems with reliable, always-on mobile connectivity. Workers can now communicate clearly and instantly across all mine levels, even in the most remote areas and from above ground. This significantly improves safety, coordination, and response times in critical situations.
Real-time visualisation and positioning: Powered by private 5G networks, software company Cybercube is testing its integrated 3D mapping, real-time positioning, and operational control. It creates a digital twin of the mine, allowing teams to monitor the location of personnel, vehicles, and equipment in real time. This unified view enhances situational awareness, safety, and operational efficiency – especially in environments where GPS is unavailable. Evacuation alerts can be dispatched, while keeping track of users and providing instant routes to safety zones.
“With our software platform, we can visualise and control everything in real time – from people and vehicles to equipment and sensors. It’s a huge leap in safety and operational awareness. Being able to test this in real conditions on a dedicated network has been transformational in the development of our solution.” said Aki Ruotsalainen, Director and Partner at Cybercube Oy.
“Mining is one of the toughest environments on earth for connectivity, and private 5G is proving to be a game-changer. Together with Boldyn Networks, we are enabling Callio to demonstrate how secure, reliable, and high-performance networks can transform underground operations – making them safer, more sustainable, and more efficient. This deployment underscores Nokia’s leadership in delivering industrial-grade private wireless networks that power the future of critical industries.” said Michael Aspinall, Head of Enterprise Campus Edge sales in Europe at Nokia.
Global Mining Review
mining
25 September 20254 min readBoldyn Networks And Nokia Power The Future Of Mining At Callio Pyhäjärvi With Private 5G Network
Global Mining Review
25 September 2025
mining