The MiningWrap BriefNo. 23
Report exposes Mpumalanga's coal mine closure crisis
The week in African mining — 21 May 2026.
1CoalReport exposes Mpumalanga's coal mine closure crisisA Centre for Environmental Rights report launched in Johannesburg finds South Africa has at least 400 abandoned coal mines and that Mpumalanga has properly closed none of them.
2PolicyBurkina Faso creates 'Siniyan-Sigui' sovereign mining fundBurkina Faso's government has created a sovereign mining fund, Siniyan-Sigui, to channel surplus mineral revenue into industrial and infrastructure investment.
3PGMTharisa secures fiscal stability deal with Zimbabwe for $545m Karo projectTharisa reached agreement with Zimbabwe's government on fiscal stability terms for its $545m Karo Platinum project, including a 15% corporate tax rate and the right to remit dollars to service project debt.
4M&APan African Resources agrees A$311m deal for Australia's Emmerson ResourcesPan African Resources is buying ASX-listed Emmerson Resources for about A$311m to gain full ownership of the Tennant Creek mineral field in Australia's Northern Territory, with the deal expected to close in July 2026.
5MarketsPlatinum's 2025 deficit revised to a record 1.1 million ouncesThe World Platinum Investment Council's Q1 2026 report showed the 2025 platinum deficit revised up to a record 1.1 million ounces, with a further 240,000-ounce shortfall forecast for 2026.