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…
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…
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…
A groundbreaking study by Meridian Economics reveals that battery energy storage can be a game-changer for South African businesses, unlocking significant cost savings and a more sustainable energy future. This report, published on the first week of December 2024, highlights the financial viability of investing in behind-the-meter batteries, emphasising their potential to reduce energy costs…
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
