BRICS and mo, ta! W hat a time to be alive – front row seats as geopolitical tensions reshape the world economy. In all this mayhem, the BRICS alliance has done the oz compared to the lower levels a year prior (around $30-40/oz range). Platinum group metal (PGM) prices are also rising rapidly due to a combination of multi-year supply deficits, severe production
unthinkable – introduced an alternative currency to the dollar – for more than five decades, the world has been forced to rely on the dollar as a reserve currency, but not for much longer. At the end of October last year, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) launched the Unit, a gold-backed prototype released on a pilot programme. The Unit aims to reduce dollar reliance through a basket of gold and member currencies for trade settlement. The recent pilot marks a tangible early stage move towards an alternative financial system within the expanded BRICS+bloc. Unlike the dollar, a fiat currency, backed only by government decree and public trust,
constraints in SA, and a resurgence in industrial and investment demand. Trump’s aggressive and bullying stance continues to anger nations, forcing increased investment in military and defense. Armed with a military budget of roughly $901 billion for defence (close to a trillion dollars), the US aims to address intensified global security challenges and modernise weapons systems and to be well positioned to compete with China and Russia in military might. Obviously, such an excessive budget is not aimed at world peace but rather at instigating wars – Venezuela, Iran and the play for Greenland.
Good news for mining as this means increased demand for critical minerals, including
which allows the US government to print dollars on demand, the Unit, a digital trade currency for direct settlements,
rare earth elements, tungsten, titanium,
consists of a mix of 40% physical gold and 60% national currencies. The Unit is designed for cross- border trade and investment among
The drama playing o ut on the global stage is better than any movie script, with leaders delivering performances worthy of Golden Globe awards. US President Donald Trump is the catalyst stirring global tensions, upheaval and market uncertainty.
cobalt, lithium, gallium, germanium, and graphite, all essential for high-tech systems,
armour, electronics, and energy storage. NATO also listed aluminium, beryllium, manganese, and platinum, as crucial for advanced weaponry, defence and national
BRICS+ countries, not as a physical currency for public, daily use. Full implementation is a long- term goal – significant adoption is unlikely before 2030. Global drama driving demand for precious metals The drama playing out on the global stage is better than any movie script, with leaders delivering performances worthy of Golden Globe awards. US President Donald Trump is the catalyst stirring global tensions, upheaval and market uncertainty. This action thriller crime drama is the impetus sending the price of gold and silver skyrocketing – by mid-January gold breached the $4600 /oz mark with silver sending shivers across markets as it soars to become the belle of the ball. Silver prices have seen a massive surge over the past year with significant gains, potentially over 100%, from early 2025 to January 2026, driven by strong demand as a safe-haven asset amid global economic shifts, reaching record highs of around $84.30/
Nelendhre Moodley.
security. Africa possesses roughly 30% of the world's total mineral reserves, including global shares of PGMs, cobalt, manganese, diamonds and gold, and remains well-placed to reap financial rewards associated with soaring metal prices. BRICS nations also dominate in critical materials like rare earths (China), platinum (SA), manganese (SA, China, Brazil), and coal (SA, China, Russia). In this issue This edition provides insight into the outlook for key commodities - gold (pg 20), PGMs (pg 22), coal (pg 24) and copper (pg 26). We also report on some of the latest developments in the gold space - Resolute (pg 28), Qala (pg 31), Newcore (pg 32) and Ankh (pg 34) as well as critical metals (Ionic pg 38) and junior mining (pg 36). Check out our cover story, MTN, which is leading the way in driving smart mines (pg 12).
Editor: Nelendhre Moodley e-mail: mining@crown.co.za Advertising Manager: Rynette Joubert
e-mail: rynettej@crown.co.za Design & Layout: Ano Shumba Publisher: Karen Grant
Deputy Publisher: Wilhelm du Plessis Circulation: Brenda Grossmann and Shaun Smith Published monthly by: Crown Publications (Pty) Ltd P O Box 140, Bedfordview, 2008 Tel: (+27 11) 622-4770 Fax: (+27 11) 615-6108 e-mail: mining@crown.co.za www.modernminingmagazine.co.za
Printed by: Tandym Print
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher.
Average circulation Jan-Mar 2024: 10 696
2 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | February 2026
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