Darren Parker

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Darren Parker

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

Trade opportunities for emerging countries to remain under a Trump Presidency, economist says

29th October 2024 Economist Dr Larry Hatheway has predicted that Donald Trump will win the upcoming US presidential elections against Kamala Harris, which will probably encourage deglobalisation based on the former president’s staunch US-first policy approach. However, speaking in a webinar on October 29, hosted... →

Sugar industry calls for Godongwana to honour his commitment to reassess sugar tax

28th October 2024 In an open letter, several sugar industry associations have called on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to honour a commitment he made in his 2023 Budget, where he announced that consultations would be initiated with affected and interested parties on adjustments to the Health Promotion Levy... →

Emmerson hits brick wall in ESIA approval process, stopping Khemisset in its tracks

28th October 2024 London-listed potash development company Emmerson has seemingly hit a dead end in the environmental- and social-impact assessment (ESIA) approval process for its flagship Khemisset potash project, in Morocco. After the company received an unfavourable recommendation from the Commission Régionale... →

Sun International’s proposed acquisition of Peermont should be denied, commission recommends

28th October 2024 The Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal prohibit JSE-listed Sun International’s proposed acquisition of Peermont Holdings. The commission said on October 28 that it found that the proposed merger between the two casino owners would likely substantially prevent... →

PPC expecting significantly higher interim earnings per share

28th October 2024 Cement producer PPC has notified shareholders that its earnings per share (EPS) and headline earnings per share (HEPS) are expected to be significantly higher for the six months ended September 30 than for the corresponding period a year ago. In an October 28 statement, PPC says it expects EPS to... →

South Africa not the only country facing challenges – Mavuso

28th October 2024 Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso has noted that many of the challenges faced by the South African economy are shared by other nations. “One of the striking features of the B20 summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, last week, which I attended as part of the business delegation, was that... →

SAWEA opens applications for 2025 Wind Industry Internship Programme

25th October 2024 The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Wind Industry Internship Programme (WIIP). The initiative supports South Africa’s goal of achieving a low-carbon economy and a climate-resilient society through creating jobs, aligning with... →

UP, ARM open virtual conference centre

25th October 2024 The University of Pretoria (UP) and African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) have announced the official opening of the UP-ARM Virtual Conference Centre, aimed at enhancing collaboration between academia and industry. “This innovative centre will empower staff and students to connect and engage virtually... →

ARM CEO Phillip Tobias

Additional small-scale mining licence awarded at Luansobe – Galileo

25th October 2024 Statunga Investments has been awarded an additional small-scale mining licence for the Luansobe copper project, in Zambia, in which Galileo Resources has a 75% interest. This follows the granting of a previously announced small-scale mining licence to Statunga over part of the former Luansobe... →

Atlantic Lithium raises A$10m to advance Ewoyaa

25th October 2024 Lithium exploration and development company Atlantic Lithium has completed an institutional placement to raise A$10-million at a price of A$0.23 a share. Under the placement, a total of about 43.4-million new fully paid ordinary shares of no-par value each in the company will be issued. Proceeds... →

Neo Energy says paperwork for Henkries South acquisition will be completed by month-end

25th October 2024 Uranium developer Neo Energy Metals has said the formal acquisition documentation for its acquisition of the Henkries South uranium project, in the Northern Cape, is progressing as planned and is expected to be completed by the end of the month. On October 14, the company announced that it had... →

South Africa’s emissions to peak in 2024, reach decade low in 2030 – report

25th October 2024 South Africa’s overall emissions will reach their peak this year and will be followed by a downward trend that will culminate in the lowest emissions this decade in 2030, the draft first 'Biennial Transparency Report' (BTR) shows. The BTR, which was published by Forestry, Fisheries and the... →

Greater coordination needed to realise green-hydrogen aspirations

25th October 2024 Despite enthusiasm for the development of a hydrogen economy from the public and private sectors, there remains a significant lack of coordination to effectively implement projects and bring the dream of a green hydrogen economy to life, according to energy technology company Mitochondria Energy... →

COORDINATION NEEDED Although the realisation of a hydrogen economy seems tantalisingly near, a lack of coordination is delaying progress

Greater coordination needed to realise green-hydrogen aspirations

25th October 2024 Despite enthusiasm for the development of a hydrogen economy from the public and private sectors, there remains a significant lack of coordination to effectively implement projects and bring the dream of a green hydrogen economy to life, according to energy technology company Mitochondria Energy... →

COORDINATION NEEDED Although the realisation of a hydrogen economy seems tantalisingly near, a lack of coordination is delaying progress

Afrimat posts 45.4% drop in operating profit after ‘extremely stressful’ first half

24th October 2024 Although mid-tier mining and materials company Afrimat recorded a year-on-year revenue increase of 44.3%, from R2.8-billion to R4.1-billion for the six months ended August 31, its operating profit fell by 45.2%, from R534.1-million to R292.7-million. This followed Afrimat’s efforts to bolster its... →

Afrimat group CEO Andries van Heerden

Local supply chain challenges pose significant threat to localised manufacturing

24th October 2024 If hydrogen technology developer Mitochondria Energy CEO Mashudu Ramano had known beforehand how difficult it would be to find local suppliers for hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyser parts, he would never have entered the hydrogen market at all, he revealed on October 23. Speaking on the second... →

Photo by Mitochondria Energy Company
Mitochondria's fuel cell technology

Govt focused on domestic investments to stimulate manufacturing

23rd October 2024 Government is set to increase investment into key industries that will bolster local manufacturing, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition industrial procurement and development chief director advocate Tebogo Makube has said. Speaking at the 2024 Manufacturing Indaba, in Sandton, on... →

Sidestepping industrialisation to move straight to services is hurting the economy, Cilliers says

22nd October 2024 Skipping industrialisation and transitioning directly to the services sector is one of the key reasons for Africa’s lacklustre economic growth, Institute for Security Studies founder and former executive director Dr Jakkie Cilliers has said. Speaking at the Manufacturing Indaba conference and... →

Manufacturers globally are concerned about market instability

22nd October 2024 Manufacturers are concerned because of the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity in global, regional and local markets, World Manufacturing Foundation (WMF) scientific VP Professor Dr David Romero has said. Speaking at the Manufacturing Indaba conference and exhibition, in Sandton, on... →

Eskom prepaid customers reminded to recode their meters before November 24

21st October 2024 State-owned utility Eskom has urged prepaid electricity customers to recode their meters by November 24, as required by the Standard Transfer Specification Association. After this deadline, meters will no longer accept electricity tokens unless they are updated to Key Revision Number 2. →

Altona confirms iron-ore, copper, gold prospectivity at Zambia project

21st October 2024 Results from a geophysical and geochemical data assessment for London-listed Altona’s new Kabompo South project, in Zambia, performed by Namibia-based geophysical services company Earthmaps Consulting, have concluded there is prospectivity for iron-ore/copper/gold (IOCG) mineralisation. The data... →

Automotive industry the ‘unsung hero’ of the South African economy – Mavuso

21st October 2024 Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso has described the domestic automotive industry as the “unsung hero of the South African economy” after joining the naamsa | The Automotive Business Council’s 2024 South African Auto Week conference, in Cape Town, from October 15 to 18, where... →

BLSA CEO Busi Mavuso

Akobo to secure NKr30m convertible loan

21st October 2024 Scandinavian gold exploration and mining company Akobo Minerals has initiated a process to secure a two-year convertible loan of up to NKr30-million. The loan will offer a 20% yearly interest rate and the opportunity to convert the loan into equity at a 15% discount. →

Political interference undermining South Africa’s coal potential – Prevost

18th October 2024 South Africa has the potential to be the strongest producer, user and exporter of coal on the continent, but political interference prevents this from happening, XMP Consulting senior coal analyst Xavier Prevost has said. “We are actually not fulfilling our role the way we should and the reason... →

Photo by Creamer Media
XMP Consulting senior coal analyst Xavier Prevost

German energy expert says energy transition a mistake

18th October 2024 The energy transition in its current form, as a grid-scale build out of wind and solar with the goal to replace oil, coal, and gas, is probably one of the greatest mistakes that humanity has ever made, German-listed commodity company HMS Bergbau Group shareholder Dr Lars Schernikau said at... →

Menar MD pushes back on request to lower prices

18th October 2024 Coal and manganese mining group Menar MD Vuslat Bayoğlu has pushed back on a request by Energy and Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s special adviser Silas Zimu for domestic coal suppliers to State-owned utility Eskom to lower their prices for the next three years in order for the... →

Menar MD Vuslat Bayoğlu

Domestic coal suppliers asked to lower price asked of Eskom

17th October 2024 Energy and Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s special adviser, Silas Zimu, has implored South African coal producers to temporarily sell coal to State-owned utility Eskom at a reduced price for the next three years to offset the proposed 36.15% electricity price increase for direct... →

Insurance M&A dealmaking up in early 2024 – PwC

16th October 2024 Auditing firm PwC says the first half of this year saw a measured uptick in dealmaking across the insurance industry, both globally and in South Africa However, despite the emergence of a turning rate cycle, macroeconomic weakness and political uncertainty for those still facing uncertain... →

AMSA reports R1bn third-quarter loss amid ‘particularly difficult period’

16th October 2024 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has reported a headline loss of a little more than R1-billion for the third quarter. “The global and local steel market deteriorated further since we released our June interim results. Despite the recent optimism in South Africa, the domestic steel... →

Photo by Creamer Media
AMSA's Vanderbijlpark plant

‘Support and commitment’ not enough to save long steel business, urgent action needed – AMSA

16th October 2024 Government’s support for, and commitment to, addressing the removal of export tax on scrap metal, resetting the price preference system (PPS) mechanism at an appropriate level, implementing trade measures and reducing logistics and energy costs are insufficient and more urgent action is needed to... →

Positive credit rating indicates stable outlook for Northam in South Africa

16th October 2024 Credit rating agency GCR Ratings has reaffirmed Northam Platinum’s national-scale long-term and short-term credit ratings at A+(za) and A1(za), respectively, with the outlook maintained as stable. The A+(za) rating signifies strong credit quality with a low risk of default in South Africa, while... →

Metalkol embarks on Copper Mark assurance process

16th October 2024 Diversified miner Eurasian Resources Group’s (ERG’s) Metalkol operation, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially begun the Copper Mark assurance process, in line with a letter of commitment signed by Metalkol and the Copper Mark on September 12. The Copper Mark is an assurance... →

Koryx raises $9.6m in private placement, extends offer to raise $17m

15th October 2024 TSX-listed Koryx Copper has closed the first tranche of a previously announced non-brokered private placement on October 11, raising about $9.6-million for the sale of about 8.7-million common shares for $1.10 each. The company has now increased the size of the offering to raise combined gross... →

DPWI, ISA launch project preparation bid window to expand infrastructure investment

15th October 2024 The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), together with government agency Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), has opened a novel project preparation bid window to invite submissions from national and provincial government departments, State-owned entities, public entities and... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and Infrastructure South Africa acting head Mameetse Masemola

naamsa announces Accelerator Awards finalists

15th October 2024 Industry body naamsa | The Automotive Business Council has announced the finalists for the upcoming naamsa Accelerator Awards. The winners will be announced at an inaugural event at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, on Friday, October 18. The awards, which are sponsored by WesBank,... →

naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa

Global steel demand to decline by a further 0.9% in 2024 – worldsteel

14th October 2024 The World Steel Association (worldsteel) expects global steel demand to decrease by 0.9% to 1.75-billion tonnes this year. “2024 has been a difficult year for global steel demand as the global manufacturing sector continued to grapple with persistent headwinds such as declining household... →

Caracal confirms receipt of $600 000 in funding

14th October 2024 Gold producer Caracal Gold has confirmed receipt of $600 000 in funding, comprising a $500 000 financing agreement with Koenig Vermoegensverwal announced on October 1 and a $100 000 loan agreement with Caracal CEO Robbie McCrae. "The company has a clear plan for both the corporate and project... →

Oriole encounters several new mineralised intersections at Bibemi

14th October 2024 As part of the fully funded Phase 5 diamond drilling programme currently under way at Aim-listed Oriole Resources’ 82.2%-owned Bibemi orogenic gold project, in Cameroon, the company has encountered several mineralised intersections, including 1.2 m at 25.54 g/t gold, 2 m at 2.76 g/t gold and 1.8... →

Neo Energy to expand its landholding in the Northern Cape

14th October 2024 LSE- and A2X-listed Neo Energy Metals’ South African subsidiary Neo Uranium Resources South Africa (Nursa) has entered into a binding heads of agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Henkries South uranium project from South African uranium exploration company Eagle Uranium. The Henkries... →

Neo Energy CEO Sean Heathcote

LNG terminal enviro-impact assessment out on tender

11th October 2024 State-owned Transnet subsidiary Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), in collaboration with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) and the Industrial Development Corporation, has approached the market for an environmental-impact assessment (EIA), encouraging interested parties to submit proposals... →

Defence industry body CEO calls for PPPs to fund SANDF projects

11th October 2024 The CEO of the South African Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries association, Sandile Ndlovu, has called for the use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to help fund defence projects in South Africa. Speaking at the African Aerospace and Defence trade show and exhibition, held at Air... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Rooivalk helicopter

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