BC Magnesium Project Faces Opposition Despite Approval, Threatens Tourism and Health

Africa supplied an estimated 2,133 tonnes of mined tantalum in 2025, about 85% of the global total. The DRC, Rwanda and Nigeria dominated output, though mine-level reporting remains uneven. Coltan concentrate, contained metal and future oxide targets measure different things. Projects in Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire could diversify supply, but funding, processing, site access and traceability will determine when they produce.

Tharisa and Valterra Platinum are collaborating to explore opportunities for fine chrome recovery and beneficiation at Valterra’s operations, using Tharisa’s proprietary Vulcan X technology. According to Tharisa’s announcement on 15 October, the pilot plant has been completed and testing is underway. The collaboration aims to improve the recovery of fine chromite from processing streams and unlock additional value from material that may otherwise be difficult to recover economically.​ The initiative forms part of a broader commercial partnership between the two companies. Under a separate multi-year agreement effective 1 January 2027, Valterra will purchase 50% of the platinum group metal concentrate produced at Tharisa Mine, replacing Sibanye-Stillwater as the offtake partner for that portion, while Northam Platinum will continue purchasing the remaining 50%. No commercial chrome recovery volume or production start date has yet been announced for the Valterra collaboration.

Tharisa Minerals received its first wheeled renewable electricity from Etana Energy in September 2026, with the initial wind-energy supply expected to cover approximately 10% of the Tharisa Mine’s current monthly electricity demand. The electricity is generated by an early wind-energy tranche in Mpumalanga and delivered through the grid, marking the start of supply under the company’s renewable energy programme. Under a long-term power purchase agreement signed in July 2024, Etana Energy is forecast to supply approximately 70% of Tharisa Minerals’ current electricity demand from its broader generation portfolio. Wheeled solar supply is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027, followed by additional wind energy later in the year. The arrangement is intended to reduce electricity costs and Scope 2 emissions, supporting Tharisa’s target of cutting carbon emissions by 30% by 2030.