REE: Global Demand for Rare Earth Elements Powers Sustainability and Fuels Innovation
If you are outside the world of mining or scientific research, you have probably heard little about rare earth elements (REEs). That’s because these elements are scattered underground, difficult to extract, and not typically covered in your high school chemistry class. Despite their low abundance in the earth’s crust, REEs are concentrated in many devices […]
Geometallurgy brings insight to exploration
Article published in Mining Weekly and Engineering News p60. Geometallurgy, a technique that improves accuracy in mining and the extraction of minerals and which starts during the exploration phase, is becoming one of the most important tools in mine planning, optimising and increasing net present value (NPV) for projects, says geological services company Minrom director […]
How Strategic Investment is Shaping Global Mining – A Look at China and Beyond
Cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo powers your electric vehicle battery. Rare‑earth magnets from Inner Mongolia spin the offshore wind turbines that feed Europe’s clean‑energy grid. Gallium and germanium, refined almost exclusively in China, sit inside your phone’s semiconductors. In less than two decades, China has emerged as a major player in critical […]
Northern Cape Manganese Mine
Minrom Consulting was contracted by a manganese mine in the Northern Cape to scope, plan and execute a Mine Works Programme. Geologically, the project is situated within the Maremane Dome which is mainly comprised of dolomitic units of the Campbellrand Subgroup. The western edge of the Maremane Dome is overlain by the Gamagara quartzites and […]
Tanganyika Gold Project
The Tanganyika Gold Project tackles a vein-hosted gold deposit near Lake Tanganyika in south-eastern Africa. After gold was discovered in the 1940s, preliminary exploration was undertaken which continued through the 1950s. Historical mining operations on some prospective areas reported phenomenal gold grades. In recent times, local artisanal mining has been the dominant activity in the […]
Pioneering Profitability: Minrom’s Geometallurgical Revolution in African Mining
Article published in Why Africa Digital Magazine In the dynamic and often unpredictable landscape of mineral resource development, informed decision-making is paramount. For Minrom Consulting, a South African based international geological consultancy, this translates to a pursuit of geological excellence and leveraging the critical yet underestimated value of geometallurgical modelling. By integrating detailed ore characterisation […]
Artist Bio: Jonel Scholtz
Jonel Scholtz’s artistic journey is as vibrant and multifaceted as her paintings. With a background in chemistry and biochemistry, studied at the University of Johannesburg, Jonel’s approach to art is both scientific and soulful. Her artistic endeavours began in high school under the guidance of American-born artist Louise Goudemond, and since then, her work has resonated across galleries and exhibitions worldwide.
Artwork: Cherry’s Rock & Roll
In the vast landscapes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a moment of irony and inspiration was captured by one of our geologists searching for lithium and tantalum in the discard dumps scattering the landscape of Manono, DRC. This was no ordinary sight and a profound connection with a young lady miner sparked this captivating artwork, “Cherry’s Rock & Roll.”
Artist Bio: Michelle Oosthuizen
Michelle Oosthuizen is a talented artist whose work is deeply influenced by the human experience and the world around her. Michelle is particularly moved by the stories of children who face adversity and hardship. Her paintings often explore themes of resilience, determination, and the indomitable human spirit.
The inspiration for “The Boy of Manica” came from a photograph taken by a friend who works daily within the harsh realities of the African mining industry. The image of a young boy working in a gold mine, with a look of determination and courage in his eyes, deeply touched Michelle. She wanted to portray his resilience and dignity in the face of such injustice and hardship.
Artwork: The Boy Of Manica (Sold)
The Boy of Manica – A Delicate Balance of Survival and Hope
In the remote landscapes of the Manica Highlands in Mozambique, an 8-year-old boy’s life intertwines with the pursuit of gold. This painting, inspired by a photograph taken in 2010 by one of our geologists, unveils a poignant moment taking place 20 metres underground. The boy, small enough to crawl into spaces where adults cannot, sifts through the earth with a pipe providing air from a distance above.
This image is a glimpse into a complex reality playing off around the mine. It is a world where the boy’s agility becomes both a blessing and a burden, allowing him to provide for his family in a way that few others can.
