The Stripped Down Edition Editors Note: In lieu of the upcoming London Indaba, my wife Tracey and I have been traveling. As a result, this article was prepped and ready to go in advance, a feat I am not often capable of. Scheduled to post tomorrow morning in South African time, I could not in […]
Editor’s Note by Bernard Swanepoel In mining and refining, we often talk about tonnes, grades, risk curves, and forecasts. But what we don’t talk about enough is this: the people. The humans underneath the hardhats, behind the legal frameworks, and behind the pressure to deliver results. This edition of ZBS is different. Not just because […]
My Reflections After chairing yet another edition of the Junior Indaba, I’m reminded why this gathering has become one of the most important fixtures on the mining calendar, and not just for junior miners. For two days, we create a space where the industry stops, listens, and speaks truthfully. No spin. No sugarcoating. Just real, […]
There’s a photo doing the rounds this week of our President, Cyril Ramaphosa, standing beside U.S. President Donald Trump. The handshake is firm. The smiles are diplomatic. The flags behind them flutter with all the right symbolism. A “critical meeting,” the headlines call it. Others have used words like “historic,” “strategic,” and even “dangerous.” I […]
When A Leader Misses An Opportunity We have all been there, I know that I certainly have: that moment when the stars align, the opportunity presents itself, it’s the right time and place for the leader to lead. And yet, when you speak, you realize that you missed a significant opportunity! This is unashamedly how […]
Progress Starts with the Truth Welcome back to Zero Bull Sh*t, where I tell it like it is. Well, at least the way I think it is! No spin. No Padding. Just hard facts, honest opinions, and a clear-eyed look at the state of mining, metals, and markets. This week, we promised to get real […]
“My Name is Thulani Skosana …” “I’ve studied, certified, qualified—and I’m still unemployed.” Not quite the comment you expect on an article about ESG! South Africa, what the heck is wrong with us?! This isn’t just one comment, it’s a warning signal. South Africa has thousands like Thulani, certified blasting certificate holders (miners) with LLBs […]
Welcome to the second edition of ZBS. This is your straight-talking take on mining, strategy, and what really matters in shaping the future of South Africa’s resource sector. In this edition, we unpack three of the most pressing issues gripping the industry right now, through a lens that doesn’t shy away from the messiness of […]
The tipping point – chatting about the future whilst falling off the cliff… My optimistic expectations for the PGM market, captured in ZBS Edition #1, proved well founded and supported by almost all the PGM experts that spoke at the PGM Day on 3 April 2025. But as is often the case, some trigger events, […]
I truly believe that progress starts with the truth- fact-based, unfiltered, unapologetic, and backed by real-world experience. That’s exactly what ‘Zero Bull Sh*t’ is here to deliver! This newsletter isn’t about corporate fluff or polished PR spin; it’s about keeping you informed, calling things as they are, and sharing real insights that matter. But first, […]
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