Editor’s comment Publisher Elizabeth Shorten Associate publisher Ferdie Pieterse Editor Laura Cornish Head of design Frédérick Danton Senior designer Hayley Mendelow Senior sub-editor Claire Nozaic Sub-editor Patience Gumbo Marketing & online manager Martin Hiller Production manager Antois-Leigh Botma
WHAT MAKES A PRESTIGIOUS PROJECT?
It’s the little, or not so little, things that count
Production coordinator Jacqueline Modise Financial manager Andrew Lobban Administration Tonya Hebenton Distribution manager Nomsa Masina Distribution coordinator Asha Pursotham
Having decided to devote this issue to covering prestigious mining projects in Africa, I had to ask myself – what makes a project prestigious?
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Scale, volume and grade – the bigger the mine and the higher the grade, the more impressive the project… right? I am quite certain that these criteria are what most people would look at, it makes obvious sense. I, however, have delved a little deeper and made my evaluation for the projects covered in this issue based on a number of additional factors. The word ‘prestigious’ means many things. To me, it means excelling or pushing forward in the face of adversity; it means aspiring to achieve the unachievable and adapting your business strategy with flexibility and ease to meet the evolving needs of an evolving market. So as you will see, every story I chose to write and share with you is one of inspiration, sheer determination and, in most cases, includes the will to achieve an African first – often in the face of some kind of adversity. Octea Mining, perhaps still better known as Koidu Holdings, has developed the first large-scale, commercial diamond mine in Sierra Leone. Despite the logistical and infrastructure challenges associated with working in this remote country, the company recently announced its exclusive agreement with world-renowned jeweller Tiffany & Co. That’s an African first for sure! Montero Mining & Exploration is aspiring to be the first rare earth elements miner in Africa – from 2013 onwards. And despite its junior status, the company has every intention of building a full-scale rare earths refinery, which I hope will be in South Africa, adding another ‘first’ on this company’s achievement list. Paladin Energy’s Langer Heinrich uranium mine is another project achieving accolade upon accolade. It has just completed a Phase 3 expansion and is already looking to optimise its larger plant or embark on a fourth expansion, which could effectively double its current uranium production. No other uranium mine I know of keeps growing with such rapid speed. Resource Generation, an Australian-listed coal junior, is looking to be the first junior and second
company in the world to achieve coal production from the Waterberg. Despite the numerous challenges associated with this untapped coalfield, this is one junior who is taking difficulties in its stride and, if you ask me, will be successful regardless. Finally, Stellar Diamonds, which I am not ashamed to admit a soft spot for, is a company with vast amounts of promise. I have followed this company over the years and while it still has a long path to journey on still before reaching production, I have no doubt that its enduring commitment to ‘doing things properly’ will ensure its diamond success in Guinea and Sierra Leone (not to mention the longterm projections for the diamond market). So what makes a prestigious project? These mining companies are really showing their muscle and proving that working in Africa and achieving prestige is attainable!
Come check out our stand at Electra If our prestigious projects don’t keep you occupied, our Snowden pages (12 to 15) certainly will. In honour of Inside Mining’s stand at Electra, this four-page showcase will give you further insight to what you can expect at our stand. I look forward to networking and catching up with everyone over the Electra week. I have no doubt it will be a great success, so see you there. Laura Cornish
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Inside Mining 09/2012
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