Strikes cripple 40% of SA gold production

I am saddened by news that some 40% of my native South Africa's gold production capacity has been derailed due to ongoing illegal strikes at Gold Fields and AngloGold Ashanti's operations. Here's one report (9/27):

Johannesburg - Strike contagion was unleashed on South Africa’s gold industry last night following confirmation that workers had downed tools at the remainder of AngloGold Ashanti’s South African mines. 

The upshot is that combined with the illegal strike activities at Gold Fields [JSE:GFI], nearly 40% of South Africa’s productive gold capacity was down – a development that an analyst said was “catastrophic” for the industry and was sure to catalyse downsizing in the industry. 

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They called her 'Speed Angel'

If I was leaning toward taking up blogging before, I fell all the way in after this new blog Coloradoers showcased someone I admire and have been trying to promote.

Savannah Ivanitski

That would be Savannah Ivanitski (formerly Rickli), who at 16 was the youngest racer ever to participate in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. She's now 19, married--to a fellow race car driver--and still very much in racing. That's while going to college, working for a living, etc. 

We appreciate her so much that Murphy Mining & Exploration, LLC is one of her racing sponsors. Here's a picture of her 1991 Audi Coupe Quattro that she and husband Val built themselves--with the Murphy Mining sponsor logo front and center.

And here's where you can read the whole story: http://coloradoers.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/savannah-ivanitski-colorado-speed-angel/

A funny thing happened on the way to the gold mine

Here's a funny tale of how I decided to begin a blog:

Like everybody else, I was captivated by the recent 2012 Olympic gold rush. Not just the excitement of America's wonderful athletes winning 104 medals, including 46 gold, and my native South Africa taking home six medals, including three gold.

It's also the fact that I'm in the business of gold and silver mining. And I view with growing excitement the additional opportunities afforded by the rising value of precious metals, which makes new ventures that might not have been possible even a year ago now economically feasible.

And then along came Coloradoers, a new blog 'showcasing accomplished Coloradans.' Two weeks ago it showcased Colorado's own Missy Franklin, who won more gold than any other swimmer. And then it showcased Murphy Mining & Exploration, LLC, linking up to some of our video at the Providence Mine in Cripple Creek to provide readers with "a virtual gold mine tour." 

It was then that I began to think this blogging might be something worth a try. There's a bit more to the story, too, but I'll save that for next time.

Meanwhile, check out our little splash in the blogosphere here.