One of Anglo Platinum's operations in the Rustenburg area

The Chamber of Mines of South Africa will meet with unions early next month to discuss proposed wage demands for 2013, senior employment relations executive Elize Strydom has confirmed.

The prospect of fresh strikes in South Africa's already embattled mining sector resurfaced over the weekend after representatives of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said the union would seek pay rises of up to 60% from gold and coal producers.

Zimbabwean Chamber of Mines president Alex Mhembere

The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, which represents companies including platinum giant Impala Platinum Holdings Limited, has rejected a proposal for the state to control mineral production and prices.

The Kanyemba area in Zimbabwe, where the government is alleged to have struck up an unconfirmed deal with a Chinese firm to mine uranium

The government of Zimbabwe is facing criticism for a number of what is being referred to as ‘secretive mining deals being made without any consultation with communities and other stakeholders.

Glencore/Xstrata copper mining operations in the DRC.

Glencore Xstrata plc, the biggest exporter of coal for power stations, says its first-quarter copper production has risen 18% as a result of gains at its mines in Africa.