African refiners commit to producing cleaner fuels

Although Africa’s oil refining industry will need significant investments to adapt to the move by industry and the automotive sector to cleaner fuels, companies say they are committed to the... 

Africa’s first multidisciplinary design school opens in Cape Town

Africa’s first multidisciplinary design school has been formally launched at the University of Cape Town (UCT). The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design Thinking, commonly known as the d-school, aims... 

Climate impacts must be considered ahead of granting power station permits

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of environmental justice organisation, Earthlife Africa (ELA), on the basis that the climate change impacts of the proposed Thabametsi coal-fired... 

R1.3bn Atlantis fabrics manufacturing facility to create 200 jobs

A R1.3-billion fabrics manufacturing facility is to be built in Atlantis, in the Western Cape, creating 200 jobs. Czech company, PEGAS Nonwovens, will build the plant and will train Atlantis... 

Embrace automation to stay ahead – Omron

South African companies will increasingly need to embrace automation and rapidly expanding technologies to maintain their global competitiveness, says Omron Electronics Country GM Victor Marques.... 

High Court rules in favour of Earthlife Africa in South Africa’s first climate change case

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of environmental justice organisation, Earthlife Africa (ELA), on the basis that the climate change impacts of the proposed Thabametsi coal-fired... 

Judgment reserved in South Africa’s first climate change court case

The outcome of South Africa’s first climate change court case could set an important precedent. Judgment has been reserved, following compelling arguments in the Pretoria High Court by lawyers for... 

Germany, South Africa discuss prospect of fuel cell buses

South African specialists and government officials have met with their German counterparts to discuss a pilot project to introduce hydrogen fuel cell buses in two cities in South Africa. Germany... 

Germany shares its renewable-energy lessons

Germany is on an all-out campaign to decarbonise its energy system, with plans to slice carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 80% to 90% by 2050. It has identified hydrogen as an essential part of... 

Concerns about illicit funding flows dog mining companies in Africa

A World Bank report has raised concerns about tax compliance by mining companies in Africa, tax loopholes and the illicit flow of funds in a range of African countries. The report, ‘Transfer... 

Signs of hope for the platinum industry

Following a few tough years, experts believe the platinum sector’s future looks bright, with a strong case for investing in the precious metal. World Platinum Investment Council CEO Paul Wilson... 

Improving efficiencies the name of the game for AngloGold

AngloGold Ashanti says its focus remains improving margins across the business, despite lower grades at some of its operations, as well as currency headwinds. “We are committed to improving... 

A fillip for iron-ore, but is it sustainable?

The past year has been a volatile but positive one for iron-ore, with higher prices helped by a burst of demand from China. Panelists at the Investing in African Mining Indaba, being held in Cape... 

Isondo excited about prospects for a viable fuel-cell manufacturing industry

Isondo Precious Metals is rolling out its fuel-cell strategy and is planning to establish a fuel-cell component manufacturing plant in South Africa. Isondo CEO Vinay Somera on Wednesday said he and... 

Exxaro CEO calls for nation to rethink BEE ownership, warns not to repeat past mistakes

A new way of looking at black economic empowerment (BEE) ownership is needed to avoid the “pain and frustration” that has been experienced in the past, suggests Exxaro CEO Mxolisi Mgojo. “As... 

Gold continues to be safe haven in these uncertain times

Experts believe the buying of gold for investment purposes is set to increase, as currencies decline. Uncertainty over decisions made by US President Donald Trump may also see investors heading for... 

Unctad calls for fair and transparent mining deals

A call has been made for fair, transparent disclosure around extractives in Africa and clear and open rules of engagement between governments and mining companies. United Nations Conference on... 

Investment company offers tips on avoiding bull market mistakes

Take a measured view of the exploration business and be aware of the risks of investing in small mines, advises investment company Sprott US Holdings president and CEO Rick Rule. Rule, who has... 

Chamber calls for workable, practical Mining Charter

The Chamber of Mines (CoM) has cautiously welcomed the address by Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane to the Investing in African Mining Indaba, in Cape Town. However, it has various... 

Inquiry into Lily mine accident to start within a few days

An inquiry into an accident at the Lily gold mine, in Barberton, Mpumalanga, a year ago, will start within the next few days. This follows the wrapping up of an investigation by the Department of... 

DMR to focus on supporting junior miners; MPRDA to be finalised by June

Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane has welcomed signs of a new “spring” in the mining industry, noting the recovery in commodities prices, and has signalled that he will intensify support... 

Cutifani encourages mining sector to focus on constructive dialogue

Anglo American CE Mark Cutifani has advocated a new future for mining, through innovation, a sharper focus on resilience and, in South Africa in particular, a recognition that “capital has no... 

Cape Town plant to convert municipal solid waste to energy

The first large-scale waste-to-energy plant in Africa will be opened in Athlone in Cape Town, on Wednesday, with the aim of converting municipal solid waste into energy. The state-of-the-art... 

Solar PV industry criticises DoE for IRP base case assumptions

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (Sapvia) has criticised the Department of Energy (DoE) for “grossly incorrect pricing assumptions” for solar PV in its updated Integrated... 

NGOs express concern about Eskom’s nuclear conflict of interest

Several organisations attending public hearings in Cape Town have expressed concern about conflict of interest in Eskom’s involvement in the nuclear new build programme.  “Nuclear will not easily... 

Political concealment alleged as report on state of PetroSA is withheld

A controversial forensic audit report into embattled State entity PetroSA, which was to have been disclosed to the media and public during the course of a meeting of Parliament’s Portfolio... 

Investment in wind cascading to communities

Africa’s leading wind energy event, Windaba, wrapped up in Cape Town earlier this month, with organisers confident of the event’s role in transitioning South Africa to a cleaner energy future.... 

Kumi Naidoo appeals for accelerated effort to lower carbon emissions

Former Greenpeace executive director Kumi Naidoo has called for major changes in a bid to deal with “irreversible, runaway and catastrophic” climate change. He told delegates at the annual Windaba,... 

Study makes economic case for renewables-first energy mix in SA

A study by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has revealed that South Africa could radically cut its energy costs if it aims for a 70% renewable-energy share by 2040. CSIR... 

Global wind energy industry soaring – GWEC head

China is still leading the charge in the wind energy industry, outpacing by far the US, Germany, India and Spain. Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) secretary-general Steve Sawyer, said the last two... 

Sawea considers legal options to get Eskom to sign PPAs

The South African Wind Energy Association (Sawea) is considering legal options in a bid to get Eskom CEO Brian Molefe to sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) for round four of the Renewable Energy... 

Central Energy Fund grilled on controversial fuel stock sale

The management and board of the Central Energy Fund (CEF) have been grilled by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Energy, particularly on its controversial sale of 10-million barrels of crude oil... 

Investors rattled by recent political developments

Recent political developments in South Africa have made investors very jittery and the outlook for the economy is still fragile, according to an Absa/Bureau for Economic Research (BER)... 

South Africa could be in for a downgrade, economist warns

The Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) was lukewarm, with very little new information on what government is doing to tackle the serious fiscal risks facing State-owned enterprises (SoEs),... 

Rolls-Royce upgrades Cape engine facility to supply rail programme

Rolls-Royce has officially opened a redesigned and upgraded facility in Cape Town, where 232 MTU engines destined for rail will be assembled, tested, painted and commissioned. The engines, which... 

Manuel says South Africa lagging in its commitment to protect the environment

The South African government needs to step up to the plate on some key environmental concerns, says former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel. Speaking at the launch of the World Wide Fund for... 

Parliament turns away PetroSA, DoE officials

Parliament turned away PetroSA board members as well as Department of Energy (DoE) officials after they failed to submit a forensic report into the R14.5-billion loss incurred by the State-owned... 

SA commission signs MoUs with Russia, Kenya

South Africa's Competition Commission has signed separate memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Russia and Kenya to work together on issues of common ground. The commission will work with Russia,... 

Government signals crackdown on cartels

Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel is adamant about cracking down on cartels that he says are pushing people deeper into poverty and raising prices of food and other goods. He told the... 

Gas prices to remain relatively low and stable, expert avers

The price of natural gas in the US is expected to stay relatively low and stable, says Norton Rose Fulbright partner for global consultants John Mauel. He told delegates at the South Africa: Gas...