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CARBON REPORTING: China’s Environment Ministry has told factories releasing the equivalent of more than 26 000 t/y of carbon dioxide to verify their 2022 data by December. Bloomberg reports that the Ministry is centralising a reporting process that was previously handled locally to help exporters meet the requirements of the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which began data collection this month and formally launches in 2026. The aluminium, cement and steel industries covered in the first phase of the CBAM will need to complete their data verification by September from 2024.
CARBON REPORTING
27th October 2023

China’s environment ministry has told factories releasing the equivalent of more than 26 000 t/y of carbon dioxide to verify their 2022 data by December. Bloomberg reports that the ministry is... 




PUBLIC GOOD: The Public Investment Corporation says it will increase its investment in renewable energy, with chief investment officer Kabelo Rikhotso revealing that its current exposure already stands at R16.5-billion. The State-owned fund manager, which oversees about R2.6-trillion rand in assets, has renewable investments that have contributed more than 2 000 MW to the grid through solar photovoltaic, concentrated solar power and wind technology. Photograph: Bloomberg
PUBLIC GOOD
20th October 2023

The Public Investment Corporation says it will increase its investment in renewable energy, with chief investment officer Kabelo Rikhotso revealing that its current exposure already stands at... 


HYDROGEN SHOWCASE: Sasol, Toyota South Africa Motors and Air Products South Africa unveiled a proof-of-concept second-generation Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle earlier this month. The vehicle is being used to showcase the potential for domestic green hydrogen as a zero-emission transport alternative. Pictured here is Air Products South Africa’s Lutendo Mammburu, an electrical engineerwho is also currently responsible for the group’s refuelling technology. Photograph: Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater.
HYDROGEN SHOWCASE
13th October 2023

Sasol, Toyota South Africa Motors and Air Products South Africa unveiled a proof-of-concept second-generation Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle earlier this month. The vehicle is being used... 


REFORM VS RENEWAL: As South Africa prepares to host a forum on the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) in November, concern that the country could be disqualified from the preferential trade arrangement seems to have ebbed somewhat. However, given the diplomatic tensions and America’s extreme political divisions, renewal remains uncertain. What is clear is that America wants to make changes to the scheme, with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai arguing that the world is “really different” from when Agoa was enacted in 2000. “We’re on a timeline - you’ve got to reform, you’ve got to update while the world is changing,” Tai said at an event in Washington last month. Photograph: Bloomberg
REFORM VS RENEWAL
6th October 2023

As South Africa prepares to host a forum on the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) in November, concern that the country could be disqualified from the preferential trade arrangement seems to... 


THROUGH THE HAZE: While the aviation industry has promised to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, harsher weather conditions are already forcing a rethink of critical infrastructure in airports, such as this Arizona airport pictured during a recent protracted heat wave. Bloomberg reports that airports around the world are relocating sensitive electrical equipment to rooftops to protect it from flooding, reinforcing runways to handle extreme temperature swings and revving up air conditioning as climate change complicates operations. Photograph: Bloomberg
THROUGH THE HAZE
29th September 2023

While the aviation industry has promised to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, harsher weather conditions are already forcing a rethink of critical infrastructure in airports, such as this... 


HIGHER GRADE: The Mbombela-based Manganese Metal Company’s manganese refinery, built in 1974 to beneficiate manganese minerals mined in South Africa’s Hotazel’s region, produces two high-grade (99.9% pure), selenium-free manganese products, including flakes (seen here) and powder. Manganese is a key mineral used in lithium-ion batteries, steel, specialty alloys and even aluminium beverage cans, among others. The refinery – the only one of its kind outside of China which produces the highest-quality of refined manganese globally – is eyeing significant expansion, with intentions to add a brownfields 5000 t/y plant to the existing28000 t/y electrolytic manganese metal plant, which will target demand stemming from the expanding global battery electric vehicle market. Photograph: Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
HIGHER GRADE
22nd September 2023

The Mbombela-based Manganese Metal Company’s manganese refinery, built in 1974 to beneficiate manganese minerals mined in South Africa’s Hotazel’s region, produces two high-grade (99.9% pure),... 


GIVE & TAKE
GIVE & TAKE
15th September 2023

South Africa will provide fiscal support to the automotive industry to help it transition to electric vehicles, Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo confirmed earlier this month. But given the... 


NO CREDIT: Several major carbon traders are finding that offsets they bought may now be valueless, Bloomberg reports. A carbon credit is a paper security representing one ton of carbon dioxide reduced or removed from the atmosphere, generated by projects like wind farms or planting trees and preventing deforestation, such as is the case with the Gabon forests pictured. Recently Trafigura Group, which is the world’s largest trader of carbon-removal credits, suspended a consignment as it awaited the results of a probe into the forestry project behind the units. It’s reportedly the latest in a string of cases in which traders handling carbon credits are having to treat such assets as stranded. Photograph: Bloomberg
NO CREDIT
8th September 2023

Several major carbon traders are finding that offsets they bought may now be valueless, Bloomberg reports. A carbon credit is a paper security representing one ton of carbon dioxide reduced or... 


SUNRISE INDUSTRY: A study commissioned by the Localisation Support Fund has found that there is local manufacturing capability for powerline components to meet current low levels of demand. However, to avoid an overreliance on imported products when this demand increases in line with Eskom’s grid roll-out plan, local manufacturers require support and workload certainty. Once established, the potential of supplying products to neighbouring countries and the rest of Africa could become a viable expansion strategy. Photograph: Bloomberg
SUNRISE INDUSTRY
1st September 2023

A study commissioned by the Localisation Support Fund has found that there is local manufacturing capability for powerline components to meet current low levels of demand. However, to avoid an... 


TRADE TURMOIL: The world’s biggest exporter, China, recently reported its biggest contraction in overseas shipments since the Covid-related slump of February 2020, while Germany, the world’s third-largest exporter, has also seen its exports fall. The impact on growth is uncertain and uneven, but a Bloomberg report suggests that until the global manufacturing cycle works off a build-up of inventories, export-orientated economies could pose a drag on economic prospects.
TRADE TURMOIL
25th August 2023 By: Bloomberg

The world’s biggest exporter, China, recently reported its biggest contraction in overseas shipments since the Covid-related slump of February 2020, while Germany, the world’s third-largest... 


CRIME & CONGESTION: The collapse of South Africa’s freight rail service has resulted in serious traffic congestion in Komatipoort, a town on South Africa’s border with Mozambique. Every day about 1000 trucks carrying coal and other commodities are picking up the slack left by declining volumes on key rail corridors. Bloomberg reports that there are fears that this number could rise to 3 000 trucks a day by the end of 2024 unless there is a drastic turnaround in the performance of rail. Photograph: Bloomberg
CRIME & CONGESTION
18th August 2023

The collapse of South Africa’s freight rail service has resulted in serious traffic congestion in Komatipoort, a town on South Africa’s border with Mozambique. Every day about 1 000 trucks carrying... 


SHALLOW WATERS: Companies reliant on the Rhine River, Europe’s most important trade route, are rushing to adapt as water regularly recedes to levels that impede shipping. Bloomberg reports that water levels this latest European summer fell to the point where ships could carry only about half of their normal capacity. Companies are also increasingly having to resort to costly workarounds, while freight operators have started overhauling fleets with barges able to navigate shallow water.
SHALLOW WATERS
11th August 2023

Companies reliant on the Rhine River, Europe’s most important trade route, are rushing to adapt as water regularly recedes to levels that impede shipping. Bloomberg reports that water levels this... 


GRID IN FOCUS: Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says South Africa will prioritise the expansion of its grid over the next decade and reports that work is under way on 25 projects at existing substations that could potentially unlock grid capacity for about 13 GW of much-needed generation in the near- to medium-term. He has also stressed that South Africa can ill-afford to “kick the can down the road” in the area of grid investment as it did in the early 2000s with generation. Photograph: Bloomberg
GRID IN FOCUS
4th August 2023

Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says South Africa will prioritise the expansion of its grid over the next decade and reports that work is under way on 25 projects at existing... 


FOOD-PRICE EMERGENCY: Nigeria’s annual inflation rate climbed to a fresh 18-year high in June. This, after President Bola Tinubu scrapped fuel subsidies and allowed the currency to weaken before declaring a state of emergency to control the cost of staple foods, Bloomberg reports. Prices increased 22.79% in the year through June from 22.4% the previous month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The upswing was fuelled by a 25.3% increase in food prices. Photograph: Bloomberg
FOOD-PRICE EMERGENCY
28th July 2023

Nigeria’s annual inflation rate climbed to a fresh 18-year high in June. This, after President Bola Tinubu scrapped fuel subsidies and allowed the currency to weaken before declaring a state of... 


BEES AT WORK: JSE-listed Emira Property Fund has installed 16 beehives at eight of its properties in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal as part of an initiative designed to assist in addressing a decline of global bee populations. The first hives were installed in August 2020 at the Knightsbridge office park, in Bryanston and Hyde Park Lane, in Sandton. The hives are located away from areas of heavy foot traffic, are clearly sign-posted, and beekeeping activities take place at night.  Emira reports that the bees have produced 85 kg of honey to date from five hive sites, with the first honey harvests shared with staff and some service providers.
BEES AT WORK
21st July 2023

JSE-listed Emira Property Fund has installed 16 beehives at eight of its properties in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal as part of an initiative designed to assist in addressing a decline of global bee... 


SILVER LINING: Changes to solar panel technology are accelerating demand for silver, which is used in a paste form to provide a conductive layer on the front and the back of silicon solar cells. Bloomberg reports that more efficient versions of cells use a lot more of the metal, which is set to boost already-increasing consumption. Solar is still a fairly small part of overall silver demand, but it’s growing. It’s forecast to make up 14% of consumption this year, up from around 5% in 2014, according to a report from The Silver Institute. Much of the growth is coming from China, which is on track to install more panels this year than the entire total in the US.
SILVER LINING
14th July 2023

Changes to solar panel technology are accelerating demand for silver, which is used in a paste form to provide a conductive layer on the front and the back of silicon solar cells. Bloomberg reports... 


COAL BOTTLENECK: Exxaro Resources has warned that coal shipments by State-owned freight logistics group Transnet in 2023 have dropped to an annualised rate of only 46.5-million tons. The figure represents a fall from the 50.4-million tons of coal transported to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal for export in 2022, already the lowest volume recorded in three decades. Exxaro attributed the slump to locomotive availability, train derailments, and instances of cable theft and vandalism. Photograph: Bloomberg
COAL BOTTLENECK
7th July 2023

Exxaro Resources has warned that coal shipments by State-owned freight logistics group Transnet in 2023 have dropped to an annualised rate of only 46.5-million tons. The figure represents a fall... 


HAZE ALERT: While South African scientists are urging government and business to increase their preparedness for the pending El Niño, there are warnings of a high risk of haze in some Asian countries. Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia could face the most severe haze in at least five years, with the Singapore Institute of International Affairs having assigned a rating of “red” in its Haze Outlook 2023. In South Africa, meanwhile, previous droughts in the summer rainfall regions of the country, and seasons with a high frequency of heat waves days, are associated with previous El Niño events. Photograph: Bloomberg
HAZE ALERT
30th June 2023

While South African scientists are urging government and business to increase their preparedness for the pending El Niño, there are warnings of a high risk of haze in some Asian countries.... 


OFFICIAL COLLAPSE: Sudan’s official gold industry, the country’s largest revenue earner, has collapsed after a deadly conflict broke out in the country in April. Sudan officially exported 34.5 t of gold worth over $2-billion last year. Mubarak Ardol, general-director of the Sudanese Mineral Resources Limited, has confirmed that official exports have ground to a halt, while processing equipment has been damaged, and the headquarters of several gold companies looted. However, both the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces have also been accused of smuggling large amounts of illicit gold out of the country. Photograph: Bloomberg
OFFICIAL COLLAPSE
23rd June 2023

Sudan’s official gold industry, the country’s largest revenue earner, has collapsed after a deadly conflict broke out in the country in April. Sudan officially exported 34.5 t of gold worth over... 


PROFIT TAKE-OFF: The International Air Transport Association is forecasting that global airlines will earn a collective $9.8-billion in profit this year, which is double its previous estimate published in December. In a speech this month, director-general Willie Walsh indicated that the increase was attributable to a post-pandemic surge in flying in North America and Europe, driving up ticket prices. However, he also warned that margins remained “wafer thin”. Photograph: Bloomberg
PROFIT TAKE-OFF
16th June 2023

The International Air Transport Association is forecasting that global airlines will earn a collective $9.8-billion in profit this year, which is double its previous estimate published in December.... 


OIL TO WIND: Denmark will take stakes of 20% in new offshore wind projects, copying a successful setup used for oil licences in the previous decades. Bloomberg reports that the model will cover 6 GW of tenders planned around the Nordic country, which has a target to become carbon neutral in 2045. Expanding its fleet of offshore wind farms is vital to achieving the goal. Photograph: Bloomberg
OIL TO WIND
9th June 2023

Denmark will take stakes of 20% in new offshore wind projects, copying a successful setup used for oil licences in the previous decades. Bloomberg reports that the model will cover 6 GW of tenders... 


DIAMOND HUB: Diamond group De Beers officially opened its new South Africanrough diamond sorting, valuation and sales facility on May 19. Located in Kempton Park, the Sightholder Sales South Africa facilitycomprises two floors and houses sightholder offices, hand and machine sorting areas, a training academy and a diamond cleaning plant. In January, De Beers announced plans to relocate its sightholder sales activities in South Africa from Kimberley, where it has been operating since 1974, to Gauteng. Photograph: Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
DIAMOND HUB
2nd June 2023

Diamond group De Beers officially opened its new South African rough diamond sorting, valuation and sales facility on May 19. Located in Kempton Park, the Sightholder Sales South Africa facility... 


EXTENSION RISK: Extending the lifespan of South Africa’s coal-fired power plants is unlikely to attract investment, Standard Chartered warned earlier this month. CEO Kweku Bedu-Addo was quoted by Business Day as saying that investors want to avoid being trapped in stranded assets given the global shift away from fossil fuels. The move would also make it difficult to use sovereign bond sales to fund additional investment in Eskom, given that some arrangements can include so-called use-of-proceeds clauses. Photograph: Bloomberg
EXTENSION RISK
26th May 2023

Extending the lifespan of South Africa’s coal-fired power plants is unlikely to attract investment, Standard Chartered warned earlier this month. CEO Kweku Bedu-Addo was quoted by Business Day as... 


HYDROGEN SUPERPOWER: Australia is allocating $1.4-billion to support renewable hydrogen projects. The funding, Bloomberg reports, will provide revenue support to private developers, with the aim of having two or three hydrogen projects up and running by 2030. As with South Africa, Australia has the land, as well as the wind and solar resources that are so key to producing green hydrogen. And as is also the case with South Africa, the country faces stiff competition in the race to position itself as a hydrogen superpower. Photograph: Bloomberg
HYDROGEN SUPERPOWER
19th May 2023

Australia is allocating $1.4-billion to support renewable hydrogen projects. The funding, Bloomberg reports, will provide revenue support to private developers, with the aim of having two or three... 


COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION: Construction of the Msikaba Bridge project, which is valued at R1.72-billion, is now firmly under way after being disrupted by the Covid-19 lockdowns. The 580-m span, 195-m high, cable-stay bridge is anticipated to be completed at the end of February 2025, and will be the longest cable-stay bridge in Africa. The bridge is being built near Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape, over the Msikaba gorge.The bridge forms part of the R20-billion South African National Roads Agency’s N2 Wild Coast project.
COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION
12th May 2023

Construction of the Msikaba Bridge project, which is valued at R1.72-billion, is now firmly under way after being disrupted by the Covid-19 lockdowns. The 580-m span, 195-m high, cable-stay bridge... 


COLD WAR LEVELS: Global military spending rose to a record last year, with the invasion of Ukraine having an immediate impact on military spending decisions. Overall, defence expenditure increased by 3.7% in real terms to reach $2.24-trillion, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported. Military expenditure in Europe saw its steepest year-on-year increase in at least 30 years, while the three largest spenders in 2022 were the US, China and Russia, which accounted for 56% of the world total. Photograph: Bloomberg
COLD WAR LEVELS
5th May 2023 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Global military spending rose to a record last year, with the invasion of Ukraine having an immediate impact on military spending decisions. Overall, defence expenditure increased by 3.7% in real... 


FIGHTING ERUPTS: The deadly conflict that erupted in Sudan this month came amid a protracted power struggle that has simmered since the toppling of Omar al-Bashir four years ago, as well as the derailing of an internationally-backed framework deal to launch a civilian transition. With the conflict affecting the capital of Khartoum there were immediate fears that fighting between the armed forces against the Rapid Support Forces could again see Sudan falling into civil war. Photograph: Reuters
FIGHTING ERUPTS
28th April 2023

The deadly conflict that erupted in Sudan this month came amid a protracted power struggle that has simmered since the toppling of Omar al-Bashir four years ago, as well as the derailing of an... 


COAL CRUNCH
COAL CRUNCH
21st April 2023

While South Africa’s Electricity Minister was mooting what would be an extremely costly and disruptive plan to extend the life of South Africa’s failing coal stations, the world’s richest... 


DOWN TO THE WIRES: With the Draft Electricity Amendment Bill now officially poised to make its way through the Parliamentary process, conditions are finally being prepared for a redesign of the country’s failing electricity supply industry. Although the reforms are, in the opinion of some, relatively modest they are nevertheless still an important step toward establishing a competitive market. In the end, it’s going to come down to the wires, and ensuring these are not only in place but also that they are operated independently from the rest of Eskom. Photograph: Bloomberg
DOWN TO THE WIRES
14th April 2023

With the Draft Electricity Amendment Bill now officially poised to make its way through the Parliamentary process, conditions are finally being prepared for a redesign of the country’s failing... 


DIPLOMATIC RIVALS: US Vice President Kamala Harris promised that America would increase investment in Africa as the US administration moved more assertively to counter China’s growing influence across the continent. In December, the US committed $55-billion to Africa over the next three years. And Reuters reports that Harris used her week-long tour of Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia last month to discuss America’s concerns over China's engagement in technology and economic issues in Africa.
DIPLOMATIC RIVALS
7th April 2023

US Vice President Kamala Harris promised that America would increase investment in Africa as the US administration moved more assertively to counter China’s growing influence across the continent.... 


CALL FOR BAN REVIEW
CALL FOR BAN REVIEW
31st March 2023

Zimbabwe’s ban on lithium ore exports has resulted in stockpiles of the key battery metal building up in the southern African country, Bloomberg reports. Purportedly introduced to encourage local... 


LAGGING BEHIND: While South Africa continues to dilly-dally in putting in the policies and infrastructure required for its mining sector to conduct the exploration needed to ensure it can supply the minerals needed for the energy transition, others are pushing ahead. China’s efforts to ramp up lithium extraction, for instance, could see it accounting for nearly a third of the world’s supply by the middle of the decade, according to UBS. The race to secure transition minerals is playing out at the highest levels, with nations including the US prioritising access to the materials necessary for making batteries as the world turns away from fossil fuels. Photograph: Bloomberg
LAGGING BEHIND
24th March 2023

While South Africa continues to dilly-dally in putting in the policies and infrastructure required for its mining sector to conduct the exploration needed to ensure it can supply the minerals... 


Minister of Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has promised swift action to tackle loadshedding following his appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa on March 6. Seen here being sworn in by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Ramokgopa has indicated that he plans to spend much of the next few weeks in boots, a hard hat and overalls as he engages directly with Eskom power stations managers to find ways to improve the dismal performance of the coal fleet. He has refrained from providing a deadline for ending loadshedding but has indicated that his main aim is to find ways to add 10000 MW to the energy starved grid. Photograph: The Presidency
ACTION PLEDGE
17th March 2023

Minister of Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has promised swift action to tackle loadshedding following his appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa on March 6. Seen here being sworn in by... 


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