Gas-to-power essential for SA’s future energy mix – Siemens

With a fall in gas prices and a stagnant economy, gas-fired power plants may not be as attractive an option as they were a few years ago, but they will still form a vital part of South Africa’s... 

Cape Town’s water crisis calls for drastic steps

Despite dramatically reducing water consumption, the City of Cape Town is still in a severe situation, with dam levels dropping by the day. “We are well beyond the point that Gauteng was at when it... 

Building African brands key to continent’s transformation

Africans need to be proud of their brands and local companies and do everything they can to boost the image and reputation of these brands, says Brand Leadership Group founder and chairperson Thebe... 

African countries look to mini grids to light up rural areas

African countries are increasingly looking towards minigrids to provide people living in remote areas access to electricity. Government officials from Ghana, Uganda and Nigeria have told delegates... 

World Bank cautions African utilities against mounting debt

A survey undertaken by the World Bank has shown that less than half of the utilities in sub-Saharan Africa are able to cover their operating expenditures and that several countries lose in excess... 

Certainty needed to drive energy projects in Africa

Private sector players have called on African governments to be reliable and predictable in their energy policies and programmes. "Investors want to know that the rules won’t change in the middle... 

Africa most costly region for developing infrastructure, survey shows

A benchmarking survey has shown that developing infrastructure projects in Africa is more difficult and costly than in any other developing country region.  The Benchmark for Investing in African... 

Calls to work together to strengthen infrastructure delivery

Consulting engineering firms have been encouraged to form intra and inter-regional partnerships to work on infrastructure projects across the African continent. Kofi Asare-Yeboah, the chairperson... 

Water shortages sound a warning to city planners

The extremely worrying water shortage in Cape Town is an indication that climate change is an issue that can simply not be ignored by engineers and city planners, Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille... 

No corruption in nuclear negotiations, Eskom chief nuclear officer assures

Eskom’s chief nuclear officer David Nicholls is still firmly committed to the principle that nuclear is the way to go for a sustainable energy future and says he knows of no corruption in... 

Absence of Eskom CEO rattles opening of African Utility Week

Despite great anticipation ahead of his address, reinstated Eskom CEO Brian Molefe did not open the annual African Utility Week, in Cape Town, as planned. The CEO was scheduled to be the keynote... 

BlueNova launches production facility as lithium battery bug bites in South Africa

Energy storage solutions company Blue Nova has launched a new production facility in Somerset West, near Cape Town, to keep up with rising demand for lithium-iron-yttrium-phosphate (LiFeYPO4)... 

Expect more oil price volatility over the coming months

A continuing massive stock overhang could contribute to more volatility in the oil price over the coming months, says energy and commodities company Vitol global analyst Simon Warren. He told... 

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....