The MiningWrap BriefNo. 19
Implats on track to meet full-year targets after steady March output
The week in African mining — 23 April 2026.
1PGMImplats on track to meet full-year targets after steady March outputImplats reported steady March-quarter output that kept it on track for full-year PGM production guidance of 3.4 million to 3.6 million ounces, with sales volumes up 9%.
2Manganese & ChromeMerafe ferrochrome output collapses 95% as idled smelters biteFerrochrome production from the Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture fell 95% year on year in the first quarter of 2026 to 13,000 tonnes, as the Boshoek and Wonderkop smelters remained idled over electricity costs.
3GoldBurkina Faso decree lifts state's Kiaka stake to 40%Burkina Faso has published a decree allowing state miner SOPAMIB to buy another 25% of the Kiaka gold mine for CFA70bn, about A$175m, taking the government's stake to 40% just as the mine reaches full output.
4CopperExtended Mopani and Chambishi smelter outages set to tighten Zambia's acid supplyTwo of Zambia's largest copper smelters, Mopani and Chambishi, face extended maintenance outages in 2026, threatening copper output and sulphuric acid supply already strained by the Iran war.
5PGMValterra normalises Mogalakwena output as Amandelbult recovers from floodsValterra Platinum's first-quarter 2026 production rose 7% year-on-year to 743,500 oz, with Amandelbult up 43% as it recovered from 2025 flooding, while the average basket price hit a five-year high.