Africa Mining Indaba: Dam safety, Zambia taxes, Ford on cobalt

The World Steel Association is cutting its forecasts for global use of the commodity by 1.8% this year, as China - the world’s biggest consumer of steel- has slowed down its growth.

Last year, Africa was the region that witnessed the strongest growth in gold-mining operations. In an exclusive interview with The Gold Report, Nana Sangmuah, managing director of research with Toronto-based Clarus Securities, expects that trend to continue and suggests some immediate smart investments in Ghana, Mali, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Fourteen months after being halted by the South African departments of water and environment, Coal of Africa's Vele mine has begun shipping its first coal.

The United Nations' Security Council on Thursday extended the sanctions imposed on Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) for another year, including exports of rough diamonds.

Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives by mining companies operating in emerging markets in South America, Africa and Asia have become a crucial part of doing business as “above-ground risks are quickly gaining equal footing to traditional geological and engineering considerations for mining projects.”

Humanitarian funds raised by Randgold Resources chief executive Mark Bristow's trans-African motorcycle safari in 2010 have been used to make a food donation to people in the north of Mali, which has been afflicted by an uprising by Touareg rebels.

Niger's uranium workers have downed tools over a dispute with Areva, the French nuclear power giant that owns the Imouraren mine.

Apart from Russian reserves no longer distorting the market, South Africa's dwindling supply is bound to boost prices further.

Liberian ex-president, Charles Taylor, was convicted today of war crimes for arming Sierra Leone's rebels in return for blood diamonds during the 1991-2002 civil war by a United Nations-backed court.