Shaping the world T he Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 has been awarded to Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado for promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful
its resources, it plans to take control of more foreign-owned mines. Burkina Faso’s resource production centres around its substantial gold reserves and its significant quantities of copper, zinc, manganese, and phosphate. The country is a major gold producer on the continent, ranking as Africa’s fourth-largest. Meanwhile, Mali’s 2023 Mining Code increased state ownership by mandating a minimum 35% stake for Malian entities in new projects, up from the previous 20%. While some major gold producers have agreed to the new terms, challenges remain, particularly with established firms like Barrick Gold, which is in a dispute with the government over the regulatory changes. In a recent turn of events, Barrick CEO, Mark Bristow announced his immediate departure, with the company appointing chief operating officer, Mark Hill, as interim CE. Mali’s economy relies heavily on the export of natural resources, particularly gold, its primary
transition from dictatorship to democracy. Venezuela has evolved from a democratic country to an authoritarian state that is now suffering a humanitarian and economic crisis. According to the Nobel Prize organisation, Machado has been steadfast in her support for a peaceful transition to democracy. “Maria Corina Machado has shown that the tools of democracy are also the tools of peace. She embodies the hope of a different future, one where the fundamental rights of citizens are protected, and their voices are heard. In this future, people will finally be free to live in peace.” As of 2024, a total of 105 Nobel Prizes has been awarded, but
this figure is for the Nobel Peace Prize specifically,
export and a significant source of government
with 142 laureates (111 individuals and 31 organizations) recognised between 1901 and 2024. As of late 2023, the
revenue. Other key resources include iron ore, uranium, manganese, and lithium. In this edition Tom Price, MD Research Analyst, Resources at Panmure Liberum, shares insight into “Iron Ore’s wintery
The favourable price environment creates a compelling economic case for projects that might have been marginal under lower gold price scenarios, such as the Qala Shallows project.
Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to at least 10 individuals from Africa who are primarily associated with the continent. The recipients include prominent figures such as
Nelendhre Moodley.
outlook” (pg 10), with the World Platinum Investment Council providing an upbeat view of the platinum market and confirming a third consecutive annual deficit of the precious metal (pg 12). William Lamb, CEO of Lucara Diamond, offers insight into progress on its Karowe Diamond Mine underground development as well as an outlook for diamonds (pg 14). Investment company, Oscillate, has announced developments in its pathway to obtain 100% ownership of Kalahari Copper’s Namibian Copper Project (pg 17) with Ivanhoe Mines sharing an update on its Kamoa-Kakula 2026 and 2027 production guidance (pg 19). Also of interest is SANY Heavy Truck electric vehicle growth strategy and its game-changing battery swapping technology (pg 20). In our cover story, Moolman Group, which celebrates 75 years in business, shares its strong vision for the future (pg 8).
Editor: Nelendhre Moodley e-mail: mining@crown.co.za Advertising Manager: Rynette Joubert e-mail: rynettej@crown.co.za Design & Layout: Ano Shumba Managing Director: Karen Grant 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
Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, and Wangari Maathai, who were recognised for their efforts in areas like civil rights, anti- apartheid, and environmentalism. Interestingly, there have been 11 Nobel Laureates born in South Africa across various categories, including Nadine Gordimer (Literature, 1991), J.M. Coetzee (Literature, 2003) and Michael Levitt (Chemistry, 2013. Africa This edition of Modern Mining carries a regional focus featuring West Africa, a region rich in resources, which is making waves on the mining front. Like the government of Mali, Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traore is leading the charge for reforms aimed at regaining control of the country’s mining resources, long dominated by foreign multinationals. As the West African nation seeks a bigger share of revenue from
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