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The mining industry has the potential to grow if there is more investment in exploration projects. (Michele Spatari/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Eleven dead in lift malfunction at Impala Platinum mine

Seventy-five workers were injured and transferred to local hospitals for treatment

why-it-doesnt-make-sense-that-all-informal-mining-is-deemed-illegal. Image: Supplied

Criminal syndicates, as well as individuals, part of illegal gold mining on the West Rand

Castigating, rather than encouraging, business leaders when they advocate for harsh interventions sets us all back

Scant progress: A view of the Marikana smelter from Nkaneng. (Paul Botes/M&G)

Lest we forget: Marikana’s fallen

We must remember the 44 people killed and 78 injured in main part to prevent such actions being repeated

Joseph Mathunjwa has vowed to continue lead the union’s 60 000 members in the platinum sector to the “kingdom of heaven” at their respective mines. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Kingdom of heaven’ is 47% increase for platinum miners

Amcu mulls widespread industrial action

Residents of Sekhiming say the nearby platinum mine is causing air pollution, which affects their health, and breakages in their homes from blasting. (Lucas Ledwaba/Mukurukuru Media)

Mine shakes homes and dreams

Residents say the world’s largest open-cast platinum mine on their doorstep is killing them; mine management disagrees

Stats SA noted in its GDP release that there was increased production reported for platinum group metals, which have experienced a massive uptick in demand amid the commodity cycle. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Nersa increase places 90 000 mining jobs at risk

Initially, when Eskom made its tariff application, it was estimated it would cause 150 000 job losses while hastening the demise of the gold sector

A Sibanye buyout of Lonmin could save thousands of jobs. But the mineral resources department may throw the book at Sibanye over this year’s high fatality rate. (Sandile Ndlovu/Gallo Images/Sowetan)

Sibanye deaths cloud Lonmin deal

There would be major ramifications if the threats over the mine’s recent safety record scupper the takeover

According to the Mine Health and Safety Act, inspectors can check on a mining operation at any time. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Mine’s safety record fatality-free for five years — until February

Besides Sibanye’s internal investigations, it has held two safety summits and has formed a task team to tackle the causes of the fatalities

On the eve of the DA’s federal congress being held in Tshwane

​Weaker than expected mining results may drag GDP down

The mining sector recorded strong year-on-year growth in 2017, however its weak momentum may wear on South Africa’s GDP

Web archives open up the truth about Marikana

Web archives open up the truth about Marikana

New web archives give the public access to the full range of evidence from the Farlam commission.

​Commodities back from the dead

​Commodities back from the dead

Finally, analysts are prepared to vouch that the worst is over but some warnings persist.

Siwinile Ndabeni

Marikana’s literary afterlives

Excavating lesser-known stories of miners and unionists in the platinum belt not only sheds light on Marikana but also humanises the tragedy.

Union spat turns deadly in Northam as two people were killed in as many days

But the story behind their deaths goes back years – and the potential for further conflict is still very much palpable.

Limpopo’s Aubrey Langa fights to keep Ivanplats project out of town

The Mokopane shopkeeper has laid at least 7 environmental and anti-corruption charges against the platinum mine and the state to halt the project.

Eskom is going to be put under pressure when the platinum miners return to work.

Behind community protests in the platinum belt

Who is responsible for the backlash? A research paper unravels the nexus of land ownership, traditional authority and mining elite interests.

The platinum mine will create 10 000 jobs in the area.

No mining in our backyard, villagers say

Limpopo locals are standing their ground in their fight to halt a new platinum mine that Platreef wants to establish on their land.

NUM general secretary Frans Baleni.

NUM: Platinum workers dissatisfied with wage agreement

Noting a decline of members in Amcu, NUM’s Frans Baleni says some workers are not happy with the wage agreement that ended the platinum strike.

Northam expansion bets on a rise in platinum prices

The platinum miner seeks to up its production in expectation of a deficit on platinum supply from 2018 onward.

Ngoako Ramatlhodi is apparently relinquishing his platinum shares.

Mining minister’s platinum shares: A R20m ‘conflict of interest’

Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi held shares in a platinum firm while mediating in the recent mineworkers’ strike.

Platinum miners during a wage increase strike on January 23 2014 in Marikana.

Solidarity urges Amcu to accept wage offer

The trade union says Amcu’s latest counter proposal on behalf of mineworkers borders on negotiating in bad faith and "defeating the ends of justice".