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PGM PRODUCERS: Northam Platinum: Riding out the storm

Companies worldwide have been scrambling for cash against a desperately uncertain future, and platinum group metal miner Northam Platinum this week managed to switch R1.9bn of bond notes under its R10bn bond programme, effectively helping it raise cash and conserve money that would otherwise have been paid out. CEO Paul Dunne described the swap as "a very positive outcome". We asked him why.

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PGM PROJECTS: No worse place for a mine

Sulfide-ore mining for copper, nickel and other metals in the United States has a flawless environmental record—meaning that a perfect 14-of-14 operating mines (representing 89 percent of U.S. copper production) were found to have released toxic contaminants via accidental releases such as pipeline failures, tailings dam spills, water treatment failures and seepage into groundwater supply.

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FUEL CELLS: Bosch calls on EU to 'boldly embrace' fuel cell vehicles to meet climate goals

  • Date: 14-05-20
  • Category: FUEL CELLS
  • Source: Auto News

FRANKFURT -- Robert Bosch has called on the European Union to encourage a switch to a hydrogen-based economy to meet the bloc's climate commitments. Without fuel cells that use compressed hydrogen to generate electricity or synthetic "eFuels" that require the gas as a building block, the EU risks missing its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, according to Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner.

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AUTO SALES: German car incentives face public opposition, survey says

  • Date: 13-05-20
  • Category: AUTO SALES
  • Source: Auto News

The prospect of Germany offering incentives to boost new-car sales dimmed after a new poll found that most people oppose the idea. The survey was conducted on May 4-5, just as Volkswagen Group, Daimler and BMW Group were meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel's government to campaign for a 4,000 euro state subsidy on the purchase of a new car.

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AUTO PRODUCTION: VW slows Wolfsburg output amid tepid European demand

FRANKFURT -- Volkswagen Group will reduce output at its factory in Wolfsburg on four days this month as consumer demand for new cars remains weak in Europe.

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PGM PRODUCERS: Anglo American Platinum’s Amandelbult Training Complex VR Stope

With the price of platinum at around $31,000/kg and even rhodium at about $10 000/oz, there is a lot of pressure on production crews in underground PGM mines to minimise dilution & maximise ore production. A poor blast means a shallow advance, uneven faces, over- and underbreaks and even falling rock. All of which takes time to clean and make safe. It could lead to a missed blast during the next shift cycle, at a production loss of nearly $20,000. And the target can be well over panels to be bla

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MINING: Bigger is better: on board the world’s largest electric mining vehicle

  • Date: 12-05-20
  • Category: MINING
  • Source: Mining Technology

Anglo American has doubled down on its commitment to sustainable mining by announcing plans for the world’s largest electric mining vehicle. The 290-ton machine dwarfs the current record holder for a sustainable mining vehicle, the 45-ton eDumper, and could set a new benchmark for environmentally-friendly heavy machinery. We find out more about this innovation.

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SOUTH AFRICA: NUM North East region is unhappy with Mogalakwena mine management for keeping its first COVID-19 case secret

  • Date: 12-05-20
  • Category: SOUTH AFRICA
  • Source: Market Screener

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in North East Region is highly disturbed and extremely shocked to learn that one of the mines to register the first case of COVID 19 during the first period of Lockdown was Mogalakwena Mine which is situated next to Mokopane Town in Limpopo. Mogalakwena Mine is owned by Anglo American.

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