Water attorney unpacks water-use right considerations for the agriculture sector

In a webinar hosted by Agriculture South Africa’s (Agri SA’s) Natural Resource Centre of Excellence, agriculture-water attorney and professional valuer Adriaan Groenewald unpacked some of the... 

Eskom implements load reduction in seven provinces, but loadshedding remains suspended

With continued cold winter weather, increasing electricity theft and the indiscriminate use of electricity, the issue of network overloading has resurfaced in seven of South Africa’s provinces,... 

Ramokgopa warns of distribution challenges, plans more renewables rounds

Despite Eskom having made progress on improving the country’s energy availability factor (EAF), lowering the unplanned capacity loss factor (UCLF) and achieving 100 consecutive days without... 

Commission decides not to escalate Johnson & Johnson case to the Tribunal

The Competition Commission has decided not to prosecute a complaint of alleged anticompetitive conduct that was initiated against pharmaceuticals group Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen... 

Niger govt takes back Madaouela mining right from GoviEx

The government of Niger has issued TSX-V-listed GoviEx Uranium with a letter, stating that it no longer has rights over the perimeter of the Madaouela mining permit. GoviEx operated the project and... 

Emmerson submits optimised ESIA for approval, advances patents and crop trials

Morocco-focused Emmerson has submitted an updated environmental- and social-impact assessment (ESIA) incorporating optimisation from the Khemisset Multimineral Process (KMP) that the company has... 

Coega secures approval for first-ever public sector limited recourse capital transaction

In support of special economic zone (SEZ) operator Coega Development Corporation’s ambitious renewable energy programme, the National Treasury has approved a limited recourse capital transaction –... 

Katoro appoints Cullen interim CEO

Aim-listed Katoro Gold has appointed Patrick Cullen as interim CEO, to guide development of the Haneti nickel and gold project, in Tanzania. He succeeds Louis Coetzee who stepped down from the... 

Minerals Council welcomes small input cost decrease for the mining sector in May

Industry body the Minerals Council South Africa says mining input costs rose by 6.6% year-on-year in May, marking a 0.6 percentage point decrease compared with April. The decrease is a positive... 

Petra Diamonds concludes last sales cycle for FY24, generates higher revenue

London-listed Petra Diamonds has generated $38-million of revenue in its seventh tender cycle for the year, having sold 337 064 ct. This brings revenue for the 2024 financial year to... 

Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award recognises vital HIV research of Stellenbosch immunologist

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) has awarded its prestigious Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award to Stellenbosch University immunologist Professor Clive Gray. Each year the award recognises... 

Rio Tinto increases shareholding in emerging graphite miner Sovereign to 19.7%

Diversified mining group Rio Tinto will increase its shareholding in ASX- and Aim-listed Sovereign Metals to 19.76%. Rio exercised just under 35-million share options to acquire the same number... 

Grain SA highlights crucial points of focus for new agriculture, land reform Ministers

Industry body Grain SA says it eagerly anticipates depoliticised government service delivery following the election of new political leaders and Cabinet members. Grain SA expects the Government... 

Nersa plans to appeal High Court ruling in AfriForum ‘unlawful’ tariff increase case

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) plans to appeal a court order issued by the Pretoria High Court in a case brought forward by nonprofit civil rights organisation AfriForum.... 

RFA concerned about lack of transport experience with new Ministers at DoT

While industry bodies such as Agri SA and the Minerals Council South Africa have welcomed the Ministerial appointments or reappointments to the departments that concern them, the Road Freight... 

Treasury says South Africa is making progress with measures to exit greylisting

The National Treasury says it is satisfied with the outcomes of intergovernmental body the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF’s) plenary meeting outcomes, despite South Africa not being likely to... 

Gem Diamonds recovers 123 ct diamond from Letšeng

London-listed Gem Diamonds has recovered a 123.20 ct Type II white diamond from the Letšeng mine, in Lesotho. This marks the eighth diamond greater than 100 ct in size that the company has... 

Minerals Council reiterates mining industry priorities as it welcomed Mantashe’s reappointment

Industry body the Minerals Council South Africa has welcomed the reappointment of Gwede Mantashe as Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister, with this Ministry having been separated from that of... 

Orion to undertake placement, share purchase plan

ASX-listed Orion Minerals has secured firm commitments for a placement of new ordinary shares to sophisticated and professional investors to raise A$7.7-million, or R92.3-million. About... 

Agriculture sector upbeat about Steenhuisen’s appointment as Minister

Industry body Agri SA has welcomed Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen’s appointment as the new Agriculture Minister, as well as Mzwanele Nyhontso’s appointment as Land Reform and Rural... 

Rainbow signs royalty, equity agreement with Ecora, raising $10m for Phalaborwa studies

London-listed Rainbow Rare Earths has signed a share placing and royalty agreement with fellow-listed Ecora Resources, raising $10-million for Rainbow to proceed with studies at the Phalaborwa rare... 

MC Mining signs R20m loan agreement with shareholder

Coal miner MC Mining has entered into a R20-million, or $1.1-million, loan facility with South Africa-based private company Dendocept for working capital purposes. Dendocept has a 6.8% shareholding... 

Marula starts shipping manganese from Larisoro mine to Mombasa port

London- and South Africa-listed battery metals miner Marula Mining has successfully started manganese ore shipping from the Larisoro manganese mine, in Kenya. Marula is transporting about 1 000 t... 

Nersa approves tariff increases for new financial year, City Power unpacks higher charges

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has approved the tariff applications of 178 licenced electricity distributors, including municipal and private distributors, for the 2024/25... 

SolarSaver showcases innovations of its latest solar installation in Melrose Arch precinct

Energy company SolarSaver has successfully completed a solar installation at the Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch and the African Pride Hotel, both of which are based in the Melrose Arch precinct in... 

Hive Hydrogen to boost Gqeberha economy

Energy company Hive Hydrogen’s incoming R105-billion green ammonia plant in the Coega Industrial Development Zone, in Gqeberha, will create major opportunities for green industrial development and... 

Experts unpack the evolution of ESG across the mining value chain

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) has evolved to being driven by external factors such as shareholder activism and investor confidence, rather than regulatory frameworks, finds a panel... 

South African govt, stakeholders seek further WTO support in citrus industry's battle with the EU

The South African government and industry organisations have requested that two panels be established at a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to... 

Citrus Academy launches targeted skills training programme

Nonprofit training organisation the Citrus Academy has introduced a new Citrus SuperPower programme with which it aims to develop the skills and knowledge of supervisors, open new growth and... 

Eskom reports arrest of copper cable thief at Matla

State-owned power utility Eskom has apprehended a suspected copper cable thief at the Matla power station after security officers discovered the individual during routine search duties. The... 

Cape Town nears completion of prepaid meter upgrade ahead of deadline

The City of Cape Town is nearing the successful completion of an electricity meter upgrade programme across the city ahead of the December deadline, when the current prepaid electricity metering... 

Massmart funds seafood sampling research at Wits

Retail group Massmart will sponsor Honours level postgraduate research in the University of Witwatersrand’s (Wits’) Department of Molecular and Cell Biology aimed at improving the technique used to... 

SA Canegrowers implores new Tongaat owners to pay outstanding levies

Following the Competition Commission recommendation that the Competition Commission approve Vision consortium’s proposed takeover of embattled sugar producer Tongaat Hulett, industry body SA... 

WEF highlights AI, cooling solutions, genomics, carbon capture as top emerging technologies

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has identified the ten technologies with the greatest potential to make a positive impact in the world in the next three to five years. The WEF unpacks these... 

Kodal confirms lithium extension into Boumou prospect on Bougouni licence

Aim-listed lithium developer Kodal Minerals has confirmed further mineralised extensions on the Boumou prospect, within the Bougouni lithium project, in Mali. The company has determined that... 

Hyprop expects higher full-year tenant revenue in South Africa, Eastern Europe

Shopping centre-focused real estate investment trust Hyprop Investments continues to make progress on key priorities having been set for the 2024 financial year ending June 30, including... 

Mavuso says incoming Ministers must have integrity, competency

Re-elected President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promise to build a government that is “capable and honest” will depend on new Ministers being able to put party politics aside and focus on getting the job... 

RCL expects 75% y/y growth in headline earnings

JSE-listed consumer goods group RCL Foods expects to report a 75% year-on-year increase in headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the financial year ending June 30, supported by higher earnings in... 

El Niño dries up South Africa’s agricultural business confidence for the second quarter

The Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and Industrial Development Corporation’s Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) reached a 15-year low of 38 points in the second quarter of... 

ICMM suggests tax reforms to drive greater investment to meet demand for metals and minerals

Mining organisation ICMM says its members paid corporate income tax (CIT) and royalties of $54.2-billion last year, employed 561 800 people and paid $39-billion in wages. About $187-billion was...