The investment arm of the Bafokeng nation switched sides at the last minute to back a bid for its stake in RBPlat from Northam.

While the bidding process is still in an initial phase, authorities expect to have news on the contracts later this year.

Most of the investment will go to its giant Minas Rio iron ore mine, located in the mineral-rich state of Minas Gerais.

The Indonesian arm of the Brazilian mining giant is expecting nickel matte production of 65,000 tonnes in 2022, compared with an annual average of 70,000-75,000 tonnes.

The Ministro Hales mine produced 144,000 tonnes of copper in the first nine months of the year.

Rio and RESOLVE to launch Regeneration, a start-up that will use the re-mining and processing of waste from legacy mine sites to support rehabilitation activities and restore natural environments.

A municipality of around 100,000 people reported 6,866 cancer cases in 2019, up from 1,738 in 2011.