Aquarius Platinum is to buy the mineral rights to the southern part of Northam Platinum’s Booysendal project for R1.2 billion, it has been announced.

The mineral rights comprise several farms underlain by the UG2 and Merensky reef horizons, collectively called Booysendal South. Aquarius, which will acquire the platinum group metals and associated base metals mineral rights, said that after geological losses, the rights would increase its current resource base by approximately 24 per cent.

Abingdon, Virginia-based Alpha Natural Resources has reported a tripling of net profits to a total of $49.8 million for the first quarter of this year, up from $14 million for the same period a year ago.

Total revenues in the first quarter were $1.1 billion compared to $922.0 million in the same period of 2010. Coal revenues totalled $987.0 million—up 19 percent from $831.3 million a year ago.

London-based Kalahari Minerals has said it remains confident that its relations with Namibia’s government and its investment in the country will continue, despite proposed changes that could see all mining and mineral exploration permits issued to the state-owned mining company, Epangelo.

The proposed changes, outlined by Namibian Mines and Energy minister Isak Katali, are being considered to ensure Namibian citizens receive more benefit from the country’s mineral wealth. Namibia is the world’s fourth-largest producer of uranium.

Caterpillar has reported all time quarterly record profits for Q1 2011, driven by the continuing improvement in global demand for its products and its focus on cost management.

First-quarter revenues of $12.949 billion were up 57 percent from $8.238 billion in the first quarter of 2010. Profit was a record $1.225 billion in the quarter, an increase of 426 percent from $233 million in the first quarter of 2010.

Zinkgruvan, the southernmost base metal mine in Sweden, celebrated the end of 2010 with a double whammy: the completion of two vital projects.

Dorian Wrigley, COO of mining investment company Village Main Reef, talks to Jayne Flannery about the importance of innovation versus tradition in the company’s strategic approach to its asset portfolio.

Thirty years on, futurologists’ predictions about working in a paperless office are far from reality; but as Jeff Daniels learns, it’s not for the want of trying.

Swaziland is a peaceful but poor country, battling against great problems—but there are some bright spots, as Jeff Daniel discovers.

Swaziland is one of those African countries you never hear about, largely because since being dragged into the Boer War between South Africa and Britain 100 years ago, the country has existed peacefully under its odd mix of democratic monarchy.

Coal has a much bigger role to play in South Africa’s future than simply meeting the country’s energy requirements. Selim Kaymak, executive director of Sumo Coal, talks to Jayne Flannery.

Coal is fundamental to the South African economy. It is the main energy source for domestic use and a rapidly growing export revenue stream in response to demand from energy hungry nations like India and China, as well as South Africa’s neighbours in the region.

Rajhi Steel Industries turns out more than one million tons of steel products each year; but the round figure keeps cropping up, as commercial vice president Abdul Aziz Al-Hudaib explains.