Glencore said in a statement that about 80 people had protested on the national road in the town of Luilu.

While the producers will be conscious that AMCU led the country’s longest ever platinum mining strike in 2014, none can meet its demand for a pay increase of as much as 48% without undermining their businesses.

Update increases Ity’s measured and Indicated resources by 11%.

After a supply glut sent cobalt prices plummeting about 70% from the peak, many of the country’s artisanal miners are now switching focus to copper instead.

The 54 carat intense fancy yellow, sawable diamond will be sold in September.

Improved results add pressure on majority shareholder, Barrick Gold, to revise its low-ball takeover offer ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

The asset in Senegal could fetch a value of about $500 million.