The rise of green energy technologies – solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and large-scale batteries – is necessary for a low-carbon future; however, the transition from a fossil fuel base to a renewable-energy system depends on materials and, particularly, metals, to manufacture and maintain energy conversion technologies. This is expected to lead to significant growth in demand for a wide range of minerals and metals, such as cobalt, copper and lithium, which could further unlock Africa’s potential mineral development as the world progresses towards a carbon-neutral future. While the demand for minerals and metals provides economic opportunities for resource-rich developing countries and private-sector entities, major challenges will arise and need to be managed responsibly and sustainably as the climate-driven clean energy transition unfolds.

Creamer Media’s Real Economy Year Book has been divided into separate reports under the banner Real Economy Insight, and investigates key developments in the automotive, construction, electricity, road and rail, steel, water, manufacturing, pumps, coal, gold, iron-ore and platinum sectors. This six-page brief is a synopsis of key developments in the pumps sector over the past 12 months. It provides an overview of the global pumps market, how the advent of the Industrial Internet of Things is affecting the sector and how after-market service is assisting companies in differentiating themselves in the industry.

Creamer Media’s Real Economy Year Book has been divided into separate reports under the banner Real Economy Insight, and investigates key developments in the automotive, construction, electricity, road and rail, steel, water, manufacturing, pumps, coal, gold, iron-ore and platinum sectors. This eight-page brief is a synopsis of key developments in the gold sector over the past 12 months. It provides an overview of the global and South African gold markets, including power shortages and divestment in South Africa, as well as the outlook for the sector.

Creamer Media’s Real Economy Year Book has been divided into separate reports under the banner Real Economy Insight, and investigates key developments in the automotive, construction, electricity, road and rail, steel, water, manufacturing, pumps, coal, gold, iron-ore and platinum sectors. This eight-page brief is a synopsis of key developments in the iron-ore sector over the past 12 months, including details of the global and South African iron-ore markets, with a particular focus on supply and demand, iron-ore producers and their projects, as well as the outlook for the sector.

Creamer Media’s Real Economy Year Book has been divided into separate reports under the banner Real Economy Insight, and investigates key developments in the automotive, construction, electricity, road and rail, steel, water, manufacturing, pumps, coal, gold, iron-ore and platinum sectors. This five-page brief is a synopsis of key developments in the platinum sector over the past 12 months in South Africa, including the country’s major producers and mergers, as well as the outlook for the sector.

Creamer Media’s Real Economy Year Book has been divided into separate reports under the banner Real Economy Insight, and investigates key developments in the automotive, construction, electricity, road and rail, steel, water, manufacturing, pumps, coal, gold, iron-ore and platinum sectors. This six-page brief is a synopsis of key developments in the coal sector over the past 12 months. It provides an overview of the global and South African coal markets, corporate activity in the sector and the role of coal in South Africa’s electricity generation.

It has been a difficult time to be a South African over the past few years and doubly so if you happen to be a South African businessperson. ​​​​​​​ Social cohesion has weakened, government has underperformed across all three spheres, unemployment and poverty remain at extreme levels, crime and violence are constant threats, the nation’s finances have become increasingly fragile, business confidence has all but flatlined and load-shedding has remained a real and present danger. What has worried business people the most, however, has been the poor performance of the economy, which, at best, has put a squeeze on profits and, at worst, resulted in confidence sapping business failures. This weakness was epitomised by South Africa’s alarming 3.2% economic contraction in the first quarter of this year and is also reflected in this year’s edition of the Real Economy Yearbook. Nevertheless, there are a few weak signals that reforms are under way, which, if strengthened, could improve the outlook materially and lift the mood.

It is no secret that South Africa’s construction sector is in an extremely perilous state. The decline in workflow and the squeeze on margins have left large and small construction companies struggling for survival. Some of the country’s biggest firms have applied for business rescue while others have sold or are planning to sell their South African general construction divisions to focus on global niche markets, such as mining, or infrastructure opportunities abroad. This unsupportive environment has been made all the more hostile, as several construction sites have become targets for criminality and violence. These difficulties are partially reflected in this Projects in Progress supplement, with very few new projects being featured. Amid the gloom, however, there are a few behind-the-scenes developments that, if successful, could offer hope.

The decision by number one iron-ore miner Vale, of Brazil, to halt 40‑million tonnes of production – equivalent to about one-tenth of its output – so that it can decommission tailings dams similar to the one that failed in January 2019, killing an estimated 300 people, will have major implications for the world’s iron-ore mining and steelmaking industries in the near term. Creamer Media’s Iron-Ore 2019 report provides an overview of the global iron-ore market currently, with particular emphasis on supply and demand, as well as trade and pricing. It also provides information on South Africa’s iron-ore market and its major producers, as well as an overview of the major global iron-ore producing companies and other significant producers.

Africa’s potential is immeasurable. While Africa initially gained a reputation for its gold and diamond resources, the African mining industry is now also being recognised for its copper, graphite, lithium, platinum group metals and potash resources. However, the continent is faced with a ‘resource curse’ – a term referring to an enduring theme of mining in Africa – the paradox of plenty, and how to manage it. This edition of Creamer Media’s Africa Mining Projects in Progress highlights some of the prospective projects on the continent that have been announced in some of these sectors, focusing on recent preliminary economic assessments, scoping, prefeasibility and definitive/bankable feasibility studies, as well as some of the projects that are already under way.