MINING NEWS
Zimele empowers 45 entrepreneurs with R1.5m in seed capital
design thinking and artificial intelligence tools. The University of KwaZulu-Natal partnered on the programme, providing quality assurance and academic rigour to ensure alignment with best practice in enterprise development. “This demonstrates what’s possible when we invest in people’s potential and equip them with the right tools to succeed,” says Larisha Naidoo, Vice President: Anglo American Zimele. “These entrepreneurs represent the future of economic participation in the Northern Cape – they’re building sustainable businesses that will create jobs and strengthen their communities for years to come.” n
Anglo American’s Zimele programme and its partner Sigma have awarded
R1.5 million in seed capital to 45 rural entrepreneurs in the
Northern Cape, following a 12-week business development initiative that culminated in pitching sessions. The programme saw 93 businesses from rural communities pitch to a panel of judges, with winners receiving prizes worth between R50 000 and R150 000 to help launch or grow their enterprises. Women make up 56% of the winners, and about 68% are youth, demonstrating the programme’s commitment to inclusive economic development. Participants received training in business model canvas methodology,
Larisha Naidoo, Vice President: Anglo American Zimele.
New partners appointed at SRK
Ivanhoe, Gécamines and Mercuria eye critical minerals supply to the US TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland joined US President Donald Trump for the launch of Project Vault, a $12 billion domestic critical minerals stockpile. Ivanhoe Mines is in advanced discussions with Gécamines, the Democratic Republic of the Congo state-owned mining company, and metals and energy trading firm, Mercuria, to supply the US with critical minerals contained within the concentrate produced by the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper- lead-germanium-gallium mine located in the DRC. Project Vault is a US supply chain security initiative set up to build a reserve of strategic critical minerals. The initiative is set to combine $1.67 billion in private capital with a $10 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank of the United States that will procure and store critical minerals in the US for civilian use. Project Vault was officially launched on 2 February 2026, in Washington DC. n
Principal environmental scientist, Kirsten King.
Principal engineering geologist James Dutchman.
many African countries including South Africa, the DRC, Namibia, Mozambique, Nigeria and Madagascar. Dutchman has almost 15 years of experience in geo-environmental and geotechnical engineering – and engineering geology and tailings expertise – focused on the mining and energy sectors. Based at the company’s Johannesburg office, he has also been extensively involved in tailings management, including the application of digital monitoring and surveillance methods. n
Engineering and scientific consultancy SRK Consulting (South Africa) has promoted principal environmental scientist Kirsten King and principal engineering geologist James Dutchman to partnership positions. Based at the company’s Durban office, King has more than 30 years of experience in areas including environmental management, impact assessments, management programmes, monitoring and auditing. King has conducted her work in the mining, industrial and infrastructure sectors across
6 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | March 2026
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