Modern Mining January 2024

MINING News

South Africa is facing three key challenges: energy shortages, water scarcity, and lack of skills in digitalisation. A new collabora tion between African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) aims to develop the high-level skills required to address these issues. Dr Patrice Motsepe, ARM sponsors R20 million into research at Wits University founder and Executive Chairman of African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), a Wits University alumnus and recipient of an honorary doctorate degree, said: “ARM is proud to partner with Wits University which is a globally respected academic institution. Partnering with South African institutions of higher learning is paramount in our pur suit of knowledge, innovation, skills, and

sustainable development. Public-private partnerships are crucial in addressing the socio-economic and environmental chal lenges confronting our communities and country. ARM works with several top uni versities across South Africa, supporting young people from undergraduate to post graduate studies, helping them to realise their dreams. Some of these students come from communities neighbouring our mining operations. We also contribute to the devel opment and upliftment of poor rural and urban communities in South Africa by edu cating students from these communities.” The ARM Postgraduate Fellowship Programme at Wits University aims to develop and sharpen a critical mass of skills in South Africa through supporting a new cohort of postdoctoral fellows who will specialise in Water Resource Management and Digitalisation, and work towards a Just Energy Transition. ARM will sponsor a R20 million endowment, which will be invested into perpetuity. The investment return on the endowment will be used to support research in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. 

ARM sponsors R20 million into research at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Walkabout Resources on cusp of Lindi Jumbo plant completion

Graphite mine developer, Walkabout Resources non-executive chairman Mike Elliot, says 2024 is shaping up to be a transformative year for Lindi Jumbo and Walkabout Resources. “We are on the cusp of plant comple tion, commissioning and production ramp-up. Our customers are impressed by the quality of our product and eager to integrate regular reliable supply of prod uct into their supply chains. We now must deliver on those expectations.” He noted that the Chinese graphite export permit ting system had come into effect. “Since it was announced in October, Wogen has received an increasing number of enquiries from non-Chinese market participants look ing for short and long-term secure supply of graphite concentrate. 100% of Lindi Jumbo production is currently unpriced, which puts it in the enviable position of being able to capture any price premiums emerging in the market. Sales orders being prepared for end customers often start with fully priced pilot orders to check that product quality matches tested samples. From there, regu

Construction on the Lindi Jumbo project is nearing completion.

lar shipments are expected to be made. We expect our timing of production to be ideal

to capture improved pricing as predicted by market analysts.” 

6  MODERN MINING  January 2024