Formal mining-industry fatalities at record low, TB and silicosis also declining

Mining fatalities in South Africa’s formal mining industry totalled 42 people last year, down from 55 people in 2023, 49 people in 2022, and 74 people in 2021. Speaking at a media briefing at the... 

Cartrack launches wireless tag that can operate in low, no cellular reception areas

Cartrack has launched a wireless tag for the tracking of physical assets used in commercial operations. The company, a Karooooo subsidiary, says the Cartrack-Tag provides enhanced visibility in... 

Eight takeaways from an in-flux 2024 new-vehicle market

It may have been 60 years ago, but Bob Dylan’s 1964 hit perhaps best describes conditions in last year’s automotive market – The Times They Are A-Changin’ 2024 was the year in which the dominance... 

Cape Town adopts treated effluent irrigation, offers industry low price to take up supply

The City of Cape Town is commissioning treated effluent irrigation connections at a number of city recreation and parks facilities in a move it says will likely save between 2.5-million and... 

Coal, uranium regarded as critical minerals in South Africa – Mantashe

South Africa’s definition of critical minerals is not limited to minerals used in the green economy and includes coal and uranium, says Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe.... 

Copper demand, prices likely to boom, despite uncertain macroeconomics

When looking ahead to 2050, the global economy is probably going to need about 80% to 90% more copper than what is being produced today – which adds up to between 50-million and 60-million tons a... 

Naamsa revises 2024 vehicle exports up by 82 500 units following verification

Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council has issued a significant correction to South Africa’s 2024 new-vehicle export data “following a comprehensive data verification exercise” which showed that... 

Developing a new mine in SA ‘simply not competitive or attractive’, says Minerals Council CEO

When considering the development of new mines and the flurry of exploration in Africa and around the world, the South African mining sector is “simply not competitive or attractive”, says Minerals... 

Govt should not bully miners into beneficiation, IDC must step up – Swanepoel

Beneficiation is not the responsibility of mining companies, says Manganese Metal Company (MMC) executive chairperson Bernard Swanepoel. “Speaking as the last standing manganese beneficiation... 

Energy debate likely to shift from availability to affordability – Cape Town mayor

With power utility Eskom breaching 300 days without loadshedding, the national energy debate is likely to shift from availability to affordability, says Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.... 

2025 Car of the Year finalists announced

The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced the 17 finalists in the Car of the Year (COTY) competition. They are, in alphabetical order: 

UAE group, GoMetro partner on EV fleet

Admiral Mobility UAE and South African mobility management platform provider GoMetro have formed a joint venture (JV) to help commercial fleet operators transition to electric fleets in the United... 

Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront hopes to break ground on R20bn project later this year

The V&A Waterfront hopes to break ground later this year on a proposed R20-billion development to be rolled out in phases over the next 15 to 20 years. The new development and its funding have... 

Coal, uranium both critical minerals in SA – Mantashe

South Africa’s definition of critical minerals is not limited to those minerals used in the green economy and includes coal and uranium, says Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede... 

Developing a new mine in SA ‘simply not competitive or attractive’– Minerals Council CEO

When considering the development of new mines and the flurry of exploration in Africa and around the world, the South African mining sector is “simply not competitive or attractive”, says Minerals... 

Govt should not bully miners into beneficiation; IDC must step up – Swanepoel

Beneficiation is not the responsibility of mining companies, says Manganese Metal Company (MMC) executive chairperson Bernard Swanepoel. “Speaking as the last standing manganese beneficiation... 

Formal mining industry fatalities at record low; TB, silicosis also declining

Mining fatalities in South Africa’s formal mining industry totalled 42 people last year, down from 55 people in 2023, 49 people in 2022, and 74 people in 2021. Speaking at a media briefing at the... 

Copper demand, prices likely to boom, despite uncertain macroeconomics

When looking ahead to 2050, the global economy is probably going to need about 80% to 90% more copper than what is being produced today – which adds up to between 50-million and 60-million tons a... 

South African-made Hilux bakkies take top two spots at Dakar 2025

It was a big start to the year for Toyota as its locally designed and built Hilux racing bakkies secured first and second place at Dakar 2025. Yazeed Al Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk – team Overdrive... 

Port of Maputo sees 1% dip in volumes in 2024

Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) handled a total volume of 30.9-million tons last year – 1% less than in 2023. MPDC’s direct operations moved 14.2-million tons, an increase of 14% from the... 

Norway new-car market now 89% electric

Just short of 89% of the new cars sold in Norway last year were battery electric vehicles (BEVs), according to statistics released by the Norwegian Road Federation. In 2023, the BEV share reached... 

PPC, Sinoma sign MoA for R3bn low-carbon replacement plant

Cement group PPC has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with cement equipment and engineering company Sinoma Overseas Development Company for the construction of a new R3-billion low-carbon... 

MBA North warns construction firms against flouting immigration laws

Master Builders Association North (MBA North) has warned construction firms that  deliberately flouting immigration laws and occupational health and safety regulations could result in fines,... 

China’s MG makes SA debut

MG has returned to the South African market after exiting the country in 2016. The former British brand belongs to Shanghai giant SAIC Motor, which acquired it in 2007. 

Dealer body ‘cautiously optimistic’ about 2025

National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) chairperson Brandon Cohen says he is “cautiously optimistic” about new-vehicle sales in 2025. This follows a 3% decline in the total market last... 

Picup to start rolling out electric vehicles this year

Picup Technologies has started providing electric mobility solutions to its driver network, all of whom are independent contractors, for deliveries within a five-kilometre radius in selected urban... 

Toyota sales decline by 10% as economy, Chinese newcomers bite

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) saw its new-vehicle sales slip by 9.8% in 2024 compared with 2023 – this in an overall market that was down 3%. The local arm of the Japanese manufacturer,... 

Cape Town moves ahead with plans to take over PRASA service

The City of Cape Town (CoCT) says it will have business plans in place by the middle of this year to take over the management of passenger rail services in the metro. This follows the city... 

SA–Norway project says tax tweaks can accelerate South Africa’s EV market

A bilateral country project involving the Electric Mission in South Africa and the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association has engaged the South African government, including the National Treasury... 

New-vehicle sales down 3% in 2024, exports plummet by 22.8%

New-vehicle sales in the domestic market declined by 3% in 2024, to 515 712 units, compared with 2023. This follows 0.5% growth in 2023, a 13.9% increase in 2022, and a 22.2% jump in 2021. 

150% investment allowance to boost EV production a good start, but more is needed – Mabasa

Legislation signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in late December introduces a 150% investment allowance for any capital investment made to enable the production of electric and hydrogen... 

New-vehicle market on the mend, while exports continue to plummet

New-vehicle sales in November continued the positive momentum seen in October,  increasing by 8.1%, to 48 585 units, compared with the same month last year. naamsa | The Automotive Business Council... 

Charge opens its first off-grid EV charging station

Charge (formerly Zero Carbon Charge) has cut the ribbon on its first off-grid, public electric vehicle (EV) charging service station in Wolmaransstad, in the North West. The station will form part... 

R900m film set to be built in Cape Town

The City of Cape Town has announced the approval of a lease agreement for part of a city-owned property in Paardevlei, Somerset West, which will see the construction of a R900-million film set by... 

Tap-and-go payment technology installed at toll gates on N3, N4 highways

FNB and Visa have completed the roll-out of tap-and-go payment technology across select toll gates ahead of the December holidays. Motorists at select toll plazas along the N3, TRAC N4 and... 

Macpherson wants frank debate on the 30% local procurement rule being abused by construction mafia

The country must have a frank discussion about the 30% local procurement rule, which has been abused by the so-called construction mafia, says Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean... 

World’s largest car-carrier calls at Durban and PE ports, vessel super-sizing to continue

The Höegh Aurora, the world’s newly crowned largest car carrier, in November called at both the Durban and Port Elizabeth ports as she makes her way around the world. The Aurora started operations... 

Kariega plant solar array expanded to over 12 000 panels

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWA) has added a further 3 MW of solar power to its local grid, bringing the total output of renewable energy to 5.9 MW. This is enough energy to power at least 2 000... 

Public Works to blacklist ‘criminal’ contractors as delayed projects soar to R3-billion

Out of the 206 infrastructure projects overseen by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) this financial year, 164 are experiencing delays, says Public Works and Infrastructure... 

Volkswagen rolls out electric tractors in Rwanda

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWA) has announced the start of operations of a modern farming pilot project in Gashora, Rwanda, that will see the roll-out of specially developed VW-badged electric...