ANIMATION: Top 20 gold producing countries – 2020

The WDC believes that initiatives such as the peace process in the Central African Republic boost fairness in the artisanal mining sector.

The deal also will be voted on by Newmont shareholders next Thursday. If approved, the deal is expected to close by June.

A mix of political populism, higher commodity prices and the expectation electrification will spur demand for raw materials has led governments to change the rules for miners operating in their countries.

Next step is obtaining necessary regulatory approvals to start bulk sampling at the South African project, which is expected during the second quarter of the year.

The diamond producer has inked deals with New Azilian and Equigold, following the delivery and de-risking of the Lesotho-based mine, which began commercial production in December.

Congo collected $1.57 billion of revenue from mining companies last year, almost double the previous year, mostly in profit tax and royalties.

The company said Felix Tshisekedi had confirmed his intention of working with miners to keep growing the Central African nation’s gold sector.

In the he latest issue of propaganda newsletter Al-Naba, ISIS took responsibility for the abduction and murder of Halifax, Nova Scotia-based Kirk Woodman.

The Ugandan government is making another attempt to reopen a defunct copper mine estimated to contain 4 million tonnes of ore.