The Briefing on Mining

“As employers, we cannot accede to all the demands tabled by the unions – they are unaffordable and will severely impact the sustainability of old and marginal mines.” Minerals Council South Africa head of employment relations Motsamai Motlhamme, on the decision to table a conditional wage offer from gold producers to unions in South Africa.

“Once we start finding mini-moons at a greater rate they will be perfect targets for satellite missions. We can launch short and therefore cheaper missions, using them as testbeds for larger space missions and providing an opportunity for the fledgling asteroid mining industry to test their technology.” Robert Jedicke, on the potential for space mining.

“We love clean, beautiful West Virginia coal. We love it. And you know that’s indestructible stuff. In times of war, in times of conflict, you can blow up those windmills… You can blow up those pipelines… You can do a lot of things to those solar panels. But you know what you can’t hurt? Coal.” President Donald Trump, at a campaign rally in Charleston, West Virginia.

“There is nothing clean or affordable about this rule. Coal plants emit more carbon pollution than all other sources. They’re often more expensive than natural gas, solar, or wind energy. And worst of all, they impose severe public health costs on us all.” WWF chief executive Carter Roberts, in response to the Trump administration’s revised clean power plan.