The recent departure of Floyd Shivambu, a key figure in the establishment and policy narrative of the EFF, has ignited a flurry of analysis. Regrettably, most of the analysis glossed over the nuanced dimensions of his political perspective. Rather than delving deeper, some observers have opted to draw parallels between Shivambu and party president Julius…
The global manganese market is set to experience significant growth, driven by China’s reviving construction sector and supply disruptions following Tropical Cyclone Megan’s damage to South32’s GEMCO mine in Australia. Modor Intelligence reports that the global manganese market is expected to reach US$29.83 billion by 2028, up from US$24.45 billion in 2021. This is a…
South Africa’s mining industry is increasingly diversifying from an era that was associated with gold mining to an industry with a diverse range of mineral resources such as platinum group metals (PGMs), coal, gold, copper, manganese, vanadium, and other natural resources that are considered critical for the just transition. Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s Minister of Mines, delivered these remarks at the…
Navigating sluggish demand In the first half of 2023, South African auto manufacturers reported modest sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), with only 800 units sold nationwide. Volvo and BMW/Mini led the sales charts, with 374 and 283 units sold, respectively. Despite having over 12 million vehicles on the road, South Africa’s electric vehicle fleet…
At the inaugural African Critical Minerals Summit held in Sandton exactly a year ago on September 8th, South Africa’s Minerals Minister Gwede Mantashe candidly acknowledged that the country lacks a coherent policy approach for Critical Minerals (CRMs). As delegates listened intently, it became clear that this absence of a defined CRM strategy is more than…
Tesla’s Gigafactory prepares for Lithium global crunch
Surge in lithium demand forces Zimbabwe to act.
Value addition opportunities arising from the abundance of natural resources and discovery of strategic minerals like lithium, oil and gas presents an opportunity for economic transformation and inclusive growth. While the country is already tapping into these resources, there is scope for optimising benefits through investments in exploration, extraction and value addition, especially through the…
South Africa’s massive winds and solar resources are expected to provide the tailwinds of the much-hyped green hydrogen strategy. As the Just energy transition gains momentum in South Africa to alleviate the energy crisis and Government taps into new energy sources, the discussion has accelerated from whether the country has the capacity to generate new…
Global experts meeting during a panel session at the 27th global climate summit (COP27) in Egypt have endorsed a new climate finance roadmap to mobilize $1 trillion in annual external finance required by emerging markets and developing countries—excluding China. According to the report, the world needs a breakthrough and a new roadmap on climate finance…
