MINING AND TECH TAKE CENTER STAGE: US-Saudi Arabia $600 Billion Deal
The United States and Saudi Arabia have formalised an agreement to collaborate on mining and mineral resources, forming a key component of a sweeping economic and strategic partnership valued at a staggering $600 billion. This extensive package, announced during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the Kingdom, also encompasses landmark deals in defense and cutting-edge…
MACOZOMA: Exxaro -Ntsimbi Deal returns Jupiter shares to local ownership
South African coal producer Exxaro Resources announced a binding agreement to acquire a portfolio of high-quality manganese assets for a total unadjusted purchase price of R11.67 billion (approximately $637 million). This acquisition marks a major step in Exxaro’s diversification strategy, expanding its commodity base into minerals crucial for the energy transition. The deal encompasses…
EXECUTIVE SHUFFLE: Daley Joins South32 as CEO
Daley Steps into South32 CEO Role, Succeeding Kerr After Anglo American Exit Global mining and metals company South32 (JSE: S32) has announced the appointment of Matthew Daley as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), coinciding with a leadership transition at his former employer, Anglo American. Daley will succeed Graham Kerr, who will step down from…
SOUTH AFRICA RACES AGAINST “GAS CLIFF” as Energy Infrastructure Investments Intensify
South Africa is intensifying its efforts to overhaul its energy infrastructure amidst growing concerns over an impending “gas cliff” that threatens significant economic disruption and job losses. Recent government announcements highlight a two-pronged strategy focusing on boosting gas-to-power (GtP) capacity and expanding liquid fuel import and storage facilities. However, these initiatives are unfolding against the…
LOST IN FRAGMENTATION: SOUTH AFRICA’S ICT SECTOR NEEDS A NEW PATH
Despite its successful political transition, South Africa’s digital journey is marked by stagnation, a contradiction highlighted by Gugu Lourie’s recent Techfinancials report. The article highlights SITA’s operational challenges and the growing trend of frustrated government departments bypassing the state’s shared IT procurement framework in favour of direct sourcing from private IT services, often from suppliers…
BLACKROCK’S U-TURN ON CLIMATE: A Lifeline for South Africa’s Coal Sector?
The world’s biggest asset manager announced last week Thursday it will leave the $60-trillion 0Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAMI), the latest Wall Street firm to depart an environmentally focused investor group under pressure from Republican politicians and, chiefly, from the return of Donald Trump to the White House. BlackRock, which manages some $11.5 trillion,…
ARCELORMITTAL’S LOOMING DOWNFALL: A Catalyst for Change in South Africa’s Steel Industry?
The new year has begun on a bleak note for employees of ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa), as the steel major announced its decision to wind down its long steel business on the first Monday of 2025. This move threatens the livelihoods of approximately 3,500 direct and indirect jobs across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, with many…
South Africa Unveils $27 Billion Electric Vehicle Incentive Plan
In a landmark move towards sustainable transportation, South Africa has officially enacted a 150% tax incentive for the production of electric and hydrogen vehicles. Signed into law on January 3, 2025, the legislation is expected to unlock approximately $27 billion in investments, significantly boosting the country’s nascent electric vehicle (EV) industry. The ambitious initiative aims…
DECLINE IN GLOBAL BATTERY PRICES Set to Boost SA’s EV Market in 2025
A global decline in lithium battery pack prices, as recently announced by BloombergNEF, could make electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable in emerging markets like South Africa. Despite struggling to attract investment from battery mega factories, South Africa is poised for a significant shift towards clean mobility. With over 13 million internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles…
SYRAH SHARES PLUNGE 30% AFTER FORCE MAJEURE at Balama Graphite Mine in Mozambique
Australia’s Syrah Resources saw its stock plummet by approximately 30% on Thursday after the company declared a force majeure at its Balama graphite mine due to escalating civil unrest in Mozambique following contested election results. Syrah Resources stands out as the largest graphite producer outside of China, offering one of the few non-Chinese sources of…
