South Africa says it will sign long-term coal supply contracts by next year

South32 said in February it had agreed to sell the business in New South Wales state for $1.65 billion.

Stories of reinvented coal mining regions, regenerated communities and rebuilt ecosystems are told in a new book published this month.

Simandou, one of the world’s most significant iron ore developments, is set to challenge the Pilbara’s dominance soon.  

The decision will hit artisanal miners of metals such as gold and tin hard, as they are the region's dominant producers.