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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... 


PREPARING FOR WORSE: It’s important to state upfront that, while extremely depressing, preparing for loadshedding beyond the current eight stages is a responsible thing to do. Any intensification of rotational power cuts beyond Stage 8, possibly to as high as Stage 16, would have devastating consequences for the economy and society. Nevertheless, it is still important that the system operator is equipped for the worst-case scenario, so as to avoid a total blackout, which could leave a city such as Johannesburg (pictured) and the country as a whole without electricity for weeks. Photograph: Bloomberg
PREPARING FOR WORSE
10th March 2023 By: Creamer Media Reporter

It’s important to state upfront that, while extremely depressing, preparing for loadshedding beyond the current eight stages is a responsible thing to do. Any intensification of rotational power... 


DARK BUT INTERESTING: The spectre of ongoing loadshedding hung over Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana when he delivered his 2023 Budget speech in the Cape Town City Hall earlier this month. Indeed he described the lack of reliable electricity supply as the biggest economic constraint. He also used the speech to announce a massive debt-relief package for Eskom, with terms and conditions that could fundamentally alter the future of the electricity supply industry. Eskom has not only been disallowed from investing in new generation capacity, but it is likely that some of its coal plants could also be concessioned off.
DARK BUT INTERESTING
3rd March 2023

The spectre of ongoing loadshedding hung over Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana when he delivered his 2023 Budget speech in the Cape Town City Hall earlier this month. Indeed he described the lack... 


DEVASTATING: The 7.8 earthquake that struck southern and central Türkiye, as well as northern and western Syria on February 6 is one of the worst disasters this century. The death toll had risen to over 40000 a week after the catastrophic event, while millions have been displaced and their homes destroyed. The human toll is unthinkable and the economic damage huge. The international humanitarian response has been encouraging, but more aid and support will be needed if the countries are to fully recover and heal. Photograph: Bloomberg
DEVASTATING
24th February 2023

The 7.8 earthquake that struck southern and central Türkiye, as well as northern and western Syria on February 6 is one of the worst disasters this century. The death toll had risen to over 40 000... 


SOLAR TO SASOLBURG: Chemicals producer Omnia has switched on the first 5 MW phase of its proposed 10 MW solar photovoltaic plant at its operations in Sasolburg, an industrial town initially built to turn coal into fuels and chemicals. In conjunction with co-generation plants that use excess steam generated at its nitric acid plant, the new R150-million Phase 1 solar plant, comprising 11000 bi-facial solar panels, will supplement between 25% and 35% of Omnia’s energy demand in Sasolburg. Phase 2 of the plant, set to be completed by September, will add another 5 MW with 11000 panels on 6.5 ha of land next to the Phase 1 plant. Photograph: Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
SOLAR TO SASOLBURG
17th February 2023

Chemicals producer Omnia has switched on the first 5 MW phase of its proposed 10 MW solar photovoltaic plant at its operations in Sasolburg, an industrial town initially built to turn coal into... 


FINAL DELIVERY: Boeing has officially delivered its last 747, bringing to a close more than a half century of production. The final freighter version of the aircraft was handed over to Atlas Air Worldwide at a ceremony held at the Everett factory, in the US state of Washington. The event was attended by thousands of people, including some of those Boeing employees who designed and built the first jumbo jet in 1967 and which became known as the ‘Queen of the Skies’. The factory went on to produce 1 574 airplanes over the life of the 747 programme. Photograph: Boeing
FINAL DELIVERY
10th February 2023

Boeing has officially delivered its last 747, bringing to a close more than a half century of production. The final freighter version of the aircraft was handed over to Atlas Air Worldwide at a... 


There is no quick fix to South Africa’s electricity crisis, with Eskom confirming last month that, despite its plant recovery efforts and various other interventions, citizens should brace themselves for at least two more years of loadshedding. Amid the gloom, some large cities are taking action, however, with the City of Cape Town moving to buy power from companies and households with rooftop systems. Many other cities and municipalities, including Johannesburg (pictured), are developing their own solutions to mitigate ongoing power cuts and the devastating economic and social impacts thereof.
LOCAL POWER
3rd February 2023 By: Terence Creamer

There is no quick fix to South Africa’s electricity crisis, with Eskom confirming last month that, despite its plant recovery efforts and various other interventions, citizens should brace... 


CRITICAL ENGAGEMENT: Top US and Chinese economic officials, led by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Vice Premier Liu He, held a face-to-face meeting in Zurich last month, where they pledged to improve communication as a way to avoid more serious confrontation. “We’re certainly seeing more engagement between the US and China,” the International Monetary Fund’s Gita Gopinath told Bloomberg Television at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “These meetings are critical. These are the two largest economies in the world. It’s important for the rest of the world that they work closely together.” Photograph: Bloomberg
CRITICAL ENGAGEMENT
27th January 2023

Top US and Chinese economic officials, led by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Vice Premier Liu He, held a face-to-face meeting in Zurich last month, where they pledged to improve communication... 


While wind projects with a combined capacity of 3200 MW have been frozen out as a result of insufficient grid capacity in South Africa, the Australian federal and New South Wales governments have announced that they will spend $5.2-billion on new electricity transmission to support more renewable power. Bloomberg reports that Australia is undergoing one of the fastest transitions to a renewable-dominated grid in the world, with most of its coal-fired plants set to close by the middle of next decade. The story has a familiar ring, yet South Africa is showing far less urgency when it comes to adding the grid capacity needed to unlock its transition. Photograph: Bloomberg
GRIDLOCKED
20th January 2023

While wind projects with a combined capacity of 3 200 MW have been frozen out as a result of insufficient grid capacity in South Africa, the Australian federal and New South Wales governments have... 


SOLAR PROGRESS: Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe is pictured here signing agreements on December 8 for a further 13 solar photovoltaic projects procured under the much-delayed fifth bid window of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. This raises to 19 wind and solar projects that are now likely to proceed on the basis of the round, which was the first to proceed following a seven-year procurement disruption. The 19 projects have a combined investment value of R34.3-billion and will collectively add 1 759 MW of renewables capacity to the national grid once constructed.
SOLAR PROGRESS
16th December 2022

SOLAR PROGRESS: Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe is pictured here signing agreements on December 8 for a further 13 solar photovoltaic projects procured under the much-delayed... 


CLIMATE RISKS: A Climate Vulnerability Assessment by Australia’s five largest banks show that climate change may pose future financial challenges for both banks and their borrowers. The study, released by Australia’s banking regulator, shows that lenders would be more vulnerable to economic downturns in the coming decades, but that the impact could be absorbed. Flooding is the most expensive but also the most predictable and preventable form of natural disaster, Insurance Council of Australia CEO Andrew Hall said after the release of the study. Resiliency and mitigation might be better strategies than government-funded reinsurance schemes, he argued. Photograph: Bloomberg
CLIMATE RISKS
9th December 2022

A Climate Vulnerability Assessment by Australia’s five largest banks show that climate change may pose future financial challenges for both banks and their borrowers. The study, released by... 


EXPANDED OFFERING: Tiger Brands’ investment in its beverages manufacturing facility, in Roodekop, Germiston, has resulted in fully automated and semi-automated production lines and various new product offerings. The company is targeting a doubling in the consumption of its beverages, which includes some of South Africa’s most-loved brands such as Oros, Energade, Hall’s, Brooke’s and Rose’s. Some of its latest offerings include Energade Zero, Rose’s carbonated mixers and an energy drink called Boost. Photograph: Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
EXPANDED OFFERING
2nd December 2022

Tiger Brands’ investment in its beverages manufacturing facility, in Roodekop, Germiston, has resulted in fully automated and semi-automated production lines and various new product offerings. The... 


South Africa is not alone in seeking to raise funding for its transition from coal to renewables. Indonesia’s State wealth fund signed an agreement this month to help fund the early retirement of a 660 MW coal plant in West Java, the first deal to be made under a newly-set up energy transition fund. Bloomberg reports that Southeast Asia’s largest economy is seeking to raise billions of dollars under the fund to help reduce its dependence on coal, which makes up more than half its national power capacity. Photograph: Bloomberg
EARLY RETIREMENT
25th November 2022

South Africa is not alone in seeking to raise funding for its transition from coal to renewables. Indonesia’s State wealth fund signed an agreement this month to help fund the early retirement of a... 


AT RISK: University of Pretoria macroecologist Dr Luis Pertierra, who took this photograph, has co-authored, with Prof Steven Chown of Monash University, a paper outlining policy proposals to protect the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Published in the leading Science journal, the paper warns that allowing fishing to continue in its current form in the Southern Ocean is increasingly unsustainable. The Southern Ocean, which contains about 10% of the world’s sea water, disproportionately absorbs carbon dioxide and heat produced elsewhere, thus, buffering the rest of the world from the impacts of climate change. The ocean’s food web also supports iconic animals such as these Adélie penguins, which are a near-threatened species found only along the Antarctic coast.
AT RISK
18th November 2022

University of Pretoria macroecologist Dr Luis Pertierra, who took this photograph, has co-authored, with Prof Steven Chown of Monash University, a paper outlining policy proposals to protect the... 


CHIP RATIONING: Toyota Motor Corporation warned earlier this month that the shortage of semiconductors and auto parts, as well as supply-chain disruptions, continued to bedevil the industry. Underscoring the chip shortages, which stem from Covid-related lockdowns, Toyota said it will temporarily give new car buyers only one smart key instead of two as it seeks to ration semiconductors. Photograph: Bloomberg
CHIP RATIONING
11th November 2022

Toyota Motor Corporation warned earlier this month that the shortage of semiconductors and auto parts, as well as supply-chain disruptions, continued to bedevil the industry. Underscoring the chip... 


HEAVY METAL: Newly manufactured mainline railway sections are stockpiled at the end of the production line of ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA’s) newly acquired ArcelorMittal Rail and Structures facility. Located at the former Highveld Structural Mill in eMalahleni, the facility produces rail line products for sale to mining companies and the export market. The acquisition is set to provide AMSA the ability to produce heavy-gauge mainline rail products to high-quality standards and to facilitate extended opportunities to address the critical railway infrastructure programmes in Africa. Photograph: Creamer Media Chief Photographer Donna Slater
HEAVY METAL
4th November 2022

Newly manufactured mainline railway sections are stockpiled at the end of the production line of ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA’s) newly acquired ArcelorMittal Rail and Structures facility 


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Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD
Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment (PTY) LTD

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Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East

Weir Minerals Europe, Middle East and Africa is a global supplier of excellent minerals solutions, including pumps, valves, hydrocyclones,...

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WearCheck

Leading condition monitoring specialists, WearCheck, help boost machinery lifespan and reduce catastrophic component failure through the scientific...

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SABAT

From batteries for boats and jet skis, to batteries for cars and quad bikes, SABAT Batteries has positioned itself as the lifestyle battery of...

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