Modern Mining February 2023

MINING News

Anglo American loads first LNG dual-fuelled vessel in chartered fleet

while the new technology also eliminates the release of unburnt methane. The Ubuntu fleet is a key component of Anglo American’s ambition to achieve car bon-neutrality for its controlled ocean freight by 2040 – with an interim target to reduce emissions from these activities by 30% by 2030 – all part of Anglo American’s wider ambition to halve Scope 3 emissions by 2040. Nolitha Fakude, group director of Anglo American for South Africa, said: “The metals and minerals we provide play an important role in helping key industries decarbonise. Transporting them in a sustainable way is a key part of this effort and the introduction of the Ubuntu fleet – named for the Zulu word meaning ‘humanity to others’ – helps us accelerate our transition to sustainable ocean freight.” Anglo American has established a com prehensive framework of initiatives for the decarbonisation of its maritime activities, including energy saving devices fitted to existing vessels, the use of voyage optimi sation software, and a focus on exploring, trialling, and adopting alternative, sustain able fuel options – such as LNG, sustainable biofuel, green methanol and ammonia, and – further down the line – hydrogen. 

Diversified miner, Anglo American, has announced that its newly launched LNG dual-fuelled Capesize+ vessel, the Ubuntu Harmony, loaded its first cargo of iron ore from its Kumba operations in South Africa. The vessel is the first of ten LNG dual-fuelled new-build ships that Anglo

American will introduce to its chartered fleet during 2023 and 2024, delivering an estimated 35% reduction in CO 2 emissions compared to ships fuelled by conventional marine oil fuel. The use of LNG will lead to a significant reduction of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from vessel exhausts,

Ubuntu Harmony has loaded its first cargo of iron ore from its Kumba operations.

Barrick’s Tanzanian assets deliver record production

Gold miner, Barrick Gold’s two gold mines in Tanzania, North Mara and Bulyanhulu, boosted their combined out put to 547 000 ounces in 2022, achieving another step towards their potential Tier One 2 status in the group’s asset portfolio as a combined complex. At the same time, exploration is continuing to deliver oppor tunities to grow the mineral reserves net of depletion at both mines, the company said. North Mara’s transition to owner-mining is successfully ramping up its ongoing open pit expansion with improved efficiencies and costs, while technological advances in the underground operation are increas ing productivity. The restart of mining at the Gena pit is on track. At Bulyanhulu, the focus is on ramping up the development of its declines to access the new Deep West mineral reserves and defining further exploration potential in Reef 2. Barrick’s chief executive Mark Bristow said, “Last year North Mara was officially

the generation of foreign currency”. Since the take-over in 2019, Barrick has pumped $2.4 billion into the Tanzanian economy. Last year it paid $303 million in taxes, royalties, levies, dividends, and shareholder loan repayments and $476 million to local suppliers. 

recognised as Tanzania’s largest taxpayer and Bulyanhulu was awarded the Best Compliant Employer prize by the National Social Security Fund. North Mara and Bulyanhulu also received the first and second runner-up recognition awards, respectively, for the Export of Minerals and

Barrick Gold’s North Mara and Bulyanhulu boosted output in 2022.

6  MODERN MINING  February 2023