Research Channel | Advanced Search - Research Channel Africa

Back NEWS

Anyone can now invest in as little as R10 worth of gold

Published: 03 Jul 24

Gold-backed neobank Troygold, supported by payments platform Precium, has launched its subscription gold offering in South Africa, enabling investors to buy and own fractional amounts of real 1 oz gold Krugerrands, which are securely stored in Johannesburg vaults with London Bullion Market Association-approved custodian Brink’s ensuring security and authenticity. Buying gold in small increments will make gold investment more accessible and affordable to all, with the minimum investment being as little as R10. Investors can even set up daily, weekly or monthly contributions to put savings on autopilot.

Congo sells its own copper from joint ventures for first time

Published: 03 Jul 24

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC's) State miner has started selling its share of copper from joint-venture projects for the first time as the country seeks greater control over a metal key to the energy transition. Gecamines holds minority stakes in large mines run by firms such as China’s CMOC Group and Glencore. Until now, the joint ventures themselves have sold all the production. But the State company is taking a more active role in marketing its portion — totaling hundreds of thousands of tons a year – according to people familiar with the matter.

Grain SA highlights crucial points of focus for new agriculture, land reform Ministers

Published: 03 Jul 24

Industry body Grain SA says it eagerly anticipates depoliticised government service delivery following the election of new political leaders and Cabinet members. Grain SA expects the Government of National Unity, with its focus on inclusivity through economic growth, will support the different departments to achieve goals as captured within various well-developed plans.

Half of turbines for Koruson 1 wind farms delivered to site

Published: 03 Jul 24

About half of the 237 turbine blades and other components required for the Koruson 1 cluster of wind farms, being built on the border of the Eastern and Northern Cape provinces, have been delivered to site. The Koruson 1 cluster comprises the Phezukomoya, San Kraal and Coleskop wind farms and is being developed as part of Round 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.

Illegal Implats strike comes to a peaceful close

Published: 03 Jul 24

An illegal work stoppage at the North Shaft of Impala Bafokeng’s Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine (BRPM), in the North West province, has ended without incident, parent company Impala Platinum (Implats) has told Mining Weekly. In the main, the illegal strike action, which began on June 27, involved members of the contractor workforce demanding permanent positions, the company explained. However, Implats was concerned that the strike action would harm jobs more than help them

A truck transporting coal, with a power station in the background

South Africa seeks to renegotiate coal pact tied to $2.6bn

Published: 03 Jul 24

South Africa is seeking to alter the terms of a landmark agreement under which it promised to cut its reliance on coal in exchange for access to financing. The government of President Cyril Ramaphosa is pushing to renegotiate a deal with Climate Investment Funds (CIF), a group tied to the World Bank, so that it won’t be required to close three coal-fired power plants in the coming years. The plants, owned and operated by Eskom Holdings, are among the country’s biggest polluters, according to government advisers.

Aguia identifies big capex saving at Brazil project

Published: 03 Jul 24

Phosphate mining company Aguia has identified substantial capital expenditure (capex) savings at the Tres Estrada project, in Brazil, by opting to use a pre-existing treatment plant. The company, which is listed on the ASX, is in negotiations for a lease or purchase agreement on an existing plant and expects to finalise terms this month.

South Africa business activity falls in June, S&P PMI shows

Published: 03 Jul 24

South African private sector activity fell in June as output and new orders slipped on uncertainty over the outcome of an election held in May, a survey showed on Wednesday. The S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 49.2 in June from 50.4 in May. A reading below 50 indicates contraction.

Decision to impose duties on PV modules met with mixture of surprise and support

Published: 03 Jul 24

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) has expressed surprise at government’s decision to introduce a 10% import duty and rebate on “photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panels” in the absence of consultations with domestic consumers. The trade measure has also been implemented ahead of the formal launch of the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM), which is meant to guide the industrialisation of renewable-energy value chains. The launch of SAREM is believed to be imminent, with some of the contents of the plan having already been reported in the media.

The Gonneville project is situated on farmland, about 70 km from Perth.

Chalice and Mitsubishi explore collaboration on Australian PGE, nickel project

Published: 03 Jul 24

Australian company Chalice Mining will collaborate with Japanese major Mitsubishi on the Gonneville platinum group element (PGE)/nickel/copper/cobalt project, in Western Australia. In terms of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), Chalice and Mitsubishi will explore the possibility of a potential binding partnership following the completion of a prefeasibility study (PFS) next year.