Darren Parker

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Darren Parker

Darren Parker is a Creamer Media Senior Contributing Editor Online for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Testwork on Kayisa graphite yields encouraging results

21st November 2024 ASX-, Aim-, and OTCQX-listed Sovereign Metals has reported encouraging initial results from traditional market downstream testwork conducted by independent consultancy ProGraphite, in Germany. The tests have confirmed that graphite concentrate from Sovereign’s Kasiya rutile/graphite project, in... →

Segele mine inaugurated in Ethiopia

21st November 2024 Euronext- and Frankfurt-listed Akobo Minerals, alongside the Ethiopian government, has announced the official inauguration of the Segele mine, in the Gambella region. Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed joined the ceremony on November 20, which included a gold pour as a symbolic act. The gold pour yielded... →

EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism needs to be challenged, Tau says

20th November 2024 Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has said that measures such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism introduced by the EU need to be challenged by developing economies at the level of the World Trade Organisation, as they are likely to have a negative impact on South Africa’s... →

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau

Protectionism not the answer to South Africa’s economic problems, CDE says

20th November 2024 Think tank the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has called for an overhaul of industrial policy to move it away from protectionism and towards a focus on maximising exports. The organisation on November 20 said a new approach to master plans, tariff-setting and competition policy was... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
CDE executive director Ann Bernstein

Namibia has best roads in sub-Saharan Africa, with South Africa scoring on par with Rwanda, Mauritius

20th November 2024 According to the ‘Global Competitiveness Index’ compiled by the World Economic Forum and hosted on the World Bank's Prosperity Data360 platform, Namibia ranks highest in sub-Saharan Africa for road quality, achieving a score of 5.31 out of seven on a scale used to evaluate infrastructure.... →

Russian war machine funded by illicit gold trading, WGC report states

18th November 2024 Russian State-funded private military company (PMC) Wagner Group is one of the greatest beneficiaries of illicit gold trading, a new report published by the World Gold Council (WGC) shows. According to the report, penned by former UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, estimates suggest the PMC... →

Bushveld suspends trading after failing to secure funds

18th November 2024 Vanadium producer Bushveld Minerals has suspended the trading of its shares on the Aim market of the LSE after it failed to secure additional funds to address its liquidity position. The company said on November 18 that its discussions with various stakeholders to secure funding had not yielded... →

Vemetco

Iron-ore prices to remain at about $100/t in 2025, BMI says

18th November 2024 Market research firm BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, has maintained its 2025 iron-ore price forecast at an average of $100/t, expecting continued downward pressure owing to weak demand stemming from a subdued outlook for mainland China amid its sluggish property sector. In a market commentary... →

Rand Water appoints Centre for Biological Control to assist with biocontrol on the Vaal river barrage

15th November 2024 The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has designated Rand Water as the implementing agent for managing invasive alien plants on the Vaal River Barrage Reservoir (VRBR). These plants include pontederia crassipes (water hyacinth) and pistia stratiotes (water lettuce). Rand Water has... →

Lobito Atlantic Railways takes delivery of 275 new container wagons

15th November 2024 The first batch of 275 new container wagons bought from Galison Manufacturing in South Africa has arrived in Lobito, Angola, to reinforce the transport capacity of the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR). The strategic investment into new wagons is part of the LAR's expansion and modernisation plan... →

JSE censures, bans, fines Thabi Leoka

15th November 2024 The JSE has decided to impose a public censure on Thabi Leoka, the former independent nonexecutive director of listed companies Remgro, Netcare and Anglo American Platinum, along with a fine of R500 000, for failing to provide proof of a qualification she had previously claimed to have obtained.... →

Photo by New Development Bank
Thabi Leoka

Rio Tinto invests $16m in anti-deforestation project in Madagascar

15th November 2024 Diversified miner Rio Tinto has committed $16-million to the Makira Natural Park’s Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+) project, in northern Madagascar, through a new partnership with nonprofit organisation the Wildlife Conservation Society... →

Level crossing incidents not only cost lives but also the economy, TFR CEO says

14th November 2024 Railway safety incidents, such as pedestrian and vehicle collisions at level crossings, are not only tragic but are severely undermining South Africa’s rail recovery plans, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) CEO Russell Baatjies said on November 14. “We’ve had 36 level crossing incidents just this year,... →

National Treasury publishes Phase 2 carbon tax discussion paper for public comment

13th November 2024 National Treasury has published a carbon tax discussion paper for public comment, outlining Phase 2 of the carbon tax. Government announced its intention to do this in the 2024 Budget presented in February. →

Dipula records 4% increase in property portfolio value for 2024

13th November 2024 JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Dipula Income Fund’s property portfolio has increased by 4% in value to R10.2-billion in the financial year ended August 31, contributing to a 5% rise in net asset value. Dipula has a portfolio of 165 retail, office, industrial and residential rental... →

Dipula CEO Izak Petersen

WSP’s digital-first approach played key role in building manganese rail infrastructure for South32

12th November 2024 Multidisciplinary professional firm WSP has completed a comprehensive upgrade of diversified miner South32’s manganese rail infrastructure in the Northern Cape. The project was carried out by WPS’s Project Raptor team, which forms part of the company’s Transport and Infrastructure (T&I) division. →

Production ramp-up leads Mantengu to report big increase in interim revenue, profits

12th November 2024 JSE-listed Mantengu Mining has reported a R102.8-million year-on-year increase in revenue from R13.1-million for the six months ended August 2023 to R115.9-million for the equivalent period this year. Half-year gross profits also increased significantly year-on-year to R53-million for the six... →

Lotus completes its drilling programme at Letlhakane

12th November 2024 ASX- and OTCQX-listed Lotus Resources has completed its infill and exploration drilling programmes at the Letlhakane uranium project, in Botswana. The company reported on November 12 that it had drilled 21 holes at Letlhakane. →

Mbe exploration indicates wider zones of mineralisation

12th November 2024 Aim-listed Oriole Resources has reported that full channel sampling results from Phase 2 infill trenching at the MB01 prospect at its 80%-owned Mbe gold project, in Cameroon’s Adamawa region, covering the MB01-N and MB01-S targets, have returned further wide zones of mineralisation. Mining... →

Harmony reports flat production but improved cash flow from higher grades

11th November 2024 JSE- and NYSE-listed Harmony Gold has reported relatively flat year-on-year gold production but announced significant improvements in operational cash flow owing to enhanced recovery grades. In its quarterly update for the three months to September 30, Harmony recorded a minor decrease of 1% in... →

Harmony Gold's Mponeng mine

‘No crisis looming’ as independent technical assessment set to resolve billing dispute between Eskom, City Power

11th November 2024 Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramakgopa has confirmed that an independent technical assessment of the R6.1-billion billing dispute between State-owned utility Eskom and the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ’s) wholly-owned electricity utility City Power will be carried out over the... →

The lights will remain on in Johannesburg over Christmas

JET Funding Platform to close first application window on Dec 15

8th November 2024 The Just Energy Transition (JET) Funding Platform, launched on October 25, will close its first window for applications on December 15, according to JET Funding Platform analyst Mohlokoa Ngoasheng. This new matchmaking platform, managed by the JET project management office within the Presidency,... →

Tetra Pak on track to achieve a 40% recycling rate for its products by 2030

8th November 2024 Food processing and packaging company Tetra Pak Southern Africa aims to achieve a 40% nationwide recycling rate for its liquid board packaging (LBP) products by 2030, a goal that Tetra Pak sustainability manager Masale Manoko believes might be surpassed. “Currently, as it is, we're sitting at... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Tetra Pak packaging about to be recycled

Parsons concerned Trump’s victory will result in volatility, uncertainty in emerging economies

6th November 2024 While the decisive American election mandate, which has seen Donald Trump being all but confirmed as President elect in the US, has strengthened political certainty within that country, it has heightened market volatility and uncertainty elsewhere, including among emerging economies, North West... →

President elect Donald Trump

TNPA issues RfI for tugboat clean fuels pilot project

6th November 2024 State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has published a request for information (RfI) for a strategic pilot project to use green and cleaner fuels for its selected diesel-operated tugboat fleet. The project would be in line with parent company Transnet’s commitment to bolster South... →

Funding in place for Lotus to restart Kayelekera production

6th November 2024 The successful placement of A$130-million, along with A$25-million cash on hand at the end of September, as well as an imminent share purchase plan (SPP), have ensured that ASX- and OTCQX-listed Lotus Resources is fully funded to restart production at the Kayelekera uranium project, in Malawi, in... →

Crushing and grinding plant at Kayelekera

Minerals Council notes easing of mining input cost increases in September

5th November 2024 The Minerals Council South Africa’s index for mining input costs showed continued easing in September, with a year-on-year increase of 3.6%, down from 5.2% in August. This downward trend is accompanied by a significant moderation in Statistics South Africa’s producer price index (PPI) for... →

Pan African acquires remaining stake in Australian gold miner TCMG

5th November 2024 Mid-tier gold producer Pan African Resources has acquired the remaining 92% of Tennant Consolidated Mining Group (TCMG) in Australia. The company disclosed on November 5 that the acquisition was completed through a share agreement, with TCMG now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pan African. →

Pan African Resources CEO Cobus Loots

Akobo issues NKr25.3m unsecured convertible loan

5th November 2024 Scandinavia-based gold developer Akobo Minerals, which owns and operates the Segele gold mine, in Ethiopia, has issued an unsecured convertible loan totalling NKr25.3-million with contributions from both new and existing investors, acting as lenders. Akobo itself is the borrower of this loan. The... →

Sibanye-Stillwater reports 9% y/y growth in adjusted earnings for third quarter

5th November 2024 Diversified miner Sibanye-Stillwater has announced a 9% year-on-year increase in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) to $184-million for the third quarter ended September 30. In an operational update for the third quarter, published on November 5, CEO... →

Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman

RMB, REdimension Capital, GBCSA release ESG proptech report

4th November 2024 Financial institution Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has, in partnership with REdimension Capital and the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), released an environmental, social and governance (ESG) property technology (proptech) report. The report, titled ‘Building the Future’, explores the... →

Trip at Kriel power station’s Unit 6 will not lead to loadshedding, Eskom assures

4th November 2024 State-owned utility Eskom has assured the country that the tripping of Unit 6 at the Kriel power station, in Mpumalanga, on November 3, would not impact the current generation capacity or lead to loadshedding. The unit tripped following the loss of hydraulic oil to the turbine valves. A... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Kriel Power Station

AECI to sell Much Asphalt for R1.1bn

4th November 2024 JSE-listed AECI has announced the signing of a share purchase agreement with a consortium involving Old Mutual Private Equity (OMPE) and Sphere Investments to sell its entire ownership stake in wholly-owned subsidiary Much Asphalt for an estimated R1.1-billion. The deal will be financed through a... →

Field activities completed at Altona’s Monte Muambe

4th November 2024 LSE-listed Altona has completed all field activities relating to a scoping study on short-term fluorspar mining at Monte Muambe, in Mozambique. The results of the study are expected to be available in the first quarter of next year. In addition to completing all field activities, the company said... →

Aura appoints Mauritania country manager

4th November 2024 ASX- and Aim-listed Aura Energy has announced the appointment of Mohamed El Moctar Mohamed El Hacene to the newly established role of country manager Mauritania. Hacene is a qualified Mauritanian national with experience in mining and international affairs. He previously served as Mauritania's... →

Sino Africa Gases established in Newcastle

1st November 2024 The new food-grade liquid CO2 manufacturing plant of Sino Africa Gases is now officially established. The plant, located in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, was funded by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic). →

Sino Africa Gases co-founder Sibusiso Sibisi

Kodal, Mali govt enter MoU to finalise Bougouni transfer

1st November 2024 Mineral exploration and development company Kodal Minerals has announced that Kodal Mining UK (KMUK), a company owned 51% by Hainan and 49% by Kodal, and the Malian government have entered into a binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) to finalise the transfer of the Bougouni lithium project... →

Hummingbird to receive second tranche of $20m loan

1st November 2024 Aim-listed gold producer Hummingbird Resources is expecting to receive the second tranche of a $20-million loan facility from lender CIG in the next few days. On September 27, Hummingbird announced the total loan facility from CIG, made up of a new $20-million loan to be provided in tranches,... →

Dynapac launches 15 t CA50 Rhino soil compaction machine in South Africa

1st November 2024 Original-equipment manufacturer Dynapac has launched its 15 t CA50 Rhino soil compaction machine in South Africa. The CA50 is part of the broader Rhino range of compaction machines from Dynapac available globally. Dynapac, which celebrates its ninetieth anniversary this year, is part of the Fayat... →

Glencore remains on track to meet its full-year production guidance

30th October 2024 Glencore’s full-year production guidance for 2024 has remained unchanged across all commodities, the company revealed at the release of a third-quarter production report on October 30. “[This] reflects the additional steelmaking coal volumes that have contributed to our portfolio since closing... →

Glencore CEO Gary Nagle

Clean energy technology market to rival crude oil market value by 2035

30th October 2024 Based on the current policy environment, the global market for clean energy technologies is set to rise from $700-billion in 2023 to more than $2-trillion by 2035, close to the value of the current global crude oil market, a new International Energy Association (IEA) report shows. The latest... →

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