Coal and iron ore production surged while gold declined.

Namdeb, which unsuccessfully explored a variety of options to extend the life of its Elizabeth Bay Mine beyond 2019, ceased operations in September 2018.

As wage negotiations with some South African platinum producers reach deadlock, one labor union welcomed a new rule for any strike to require backing from workers in a secret ballot.

The permission covers diamond-bearing gravels at the Marsfontein mine, which is next to the company's own Thorny River project.

The Bushveld Complex in South Africa hosts most of the global platinum-group element, chromium, and vanadium resources.

Zimbabwe expects to produce 4.1 million carats of diamonds this year, up from 2.8 carats in 2018.

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) demanded in June a monthly basic wage hike of about 48%.

Demand for cobalt, lithium, nickel and copper could rise sixfold if electric cars reach 8% of road traffic by the mid-2020s, delivering huge dividends for producing countries like the DRC.