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Australian Pacific sells first coal from its Darbrook mine

Published: 19 Dec 24

ASX-listed Australian Pacific Coal has successfully railed the first coal from its Dartbrook coal mine, New South Wales. “The first sale of commercial quantities of coal from Dartbrook is the most significant milestone successfully achieved by Australian Pacific. With commercial production under way, we now turn our attention to refurbishing the wash plant in early 2025," says chairperson John Robinson.

Rio Tinto appoints new chief people officer

Published: 19 Dec 24

Australia-headquartered Rio Tinto has appointed Georgie Bezette as its new chief people officer, succeeding James Martin, who will retire at the end of this year. Bezette, who joined the organisation in 2008, is currently COO: People, responsible for the transformation of the people function in support of Rio Tinto’s ambitious cultural change journey. She will start in her new role on January 1 and be based in London.

Australia expects export resource earnings to drop 10% in FY2025

Published: 19 Dec 24

Australia expects its resource and energy export earnings to fall by about 10% to A$372-billion ($231.6-billion) in the fiscal year ending June 2025 mostly due to falling iron-ore prices and relatively weak global growth, the government said. The department of industry warned that policy moves by the incoming Donald Trump administration in the US across trade, fossil fuel production and climate change could affect its forecasts, particularly protectionist policies.

Peninsula restarts uranium production at Wyoming mine

Published: 19 Dec 24

Uranium production has restarted at ASX-listed Peninsula Energy's flagship Lance project, in Wyoming, in the US, after a five-year hiatus. The restart of production at Lance as a low-pH in situ recovery operation marks a historic milestone for Peninsula on its journey to become a fully independent producer of uranium yellowcake.

Ramaphosa assents to National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill

Published: 19 Dec 24

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday assented to the National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill, which provides for nuclear safety oversight, ranging from the decontamination of defence facilities to airline pilot safety. The Amendment Bill amends the National Nuclear Regulator Act of 1999 to align it with current international regulatory best practices as determined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Eskom reports R25.5bn loss amid systemic challenges, recovery efforts

Published: 19 Dec 24

State-owned power utility Eskom has reported a R25.5-billion loss before tax for the financial year ending March 31, 2024, following a year marked by operational setbacks, financial strain and systemic inefficiencies. With 329 days of loadshedding and heavy reliance on costly open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) during the 2024 financial year, along with escalating municipal debt, the utility continued to face persistent challenges while working towards recovery.

Saudi Arabia Industry and Mineral Resources vice minister Khalid Al-Mudaifer

Future Minerals Forum looks to bolster international collaboration to tackle industry challenges, opportunities

Published: 19 Dec 24

The fourth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF), to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 14 to 16, is expected to play a key role in expanding and enhancing discussions on sector challenges, and providing practical solutions by bringing together key stakeholders, including governments, international organisations, business federations, investors, sector leaders and investors. This was highlighted by Saudi Arabia Industry and Mineral Resources vice minister Khalid Al-Mudaifer on December 17, speaking during a briefing outlining the FMF’s 2025 programme.

Mozal Aluminium starts rebuilding alumina stocks

Published: 19 Dec 24

Natural resources group South32 expects to rebuild alumina stocks at its Mozal Aluminium smelter, in Mozambique, over the coming days if trucking conditions remain favourable. A national election in the country resulted in violent protests and road blockages in recent weeks; however, South32 reports that the road blockages have largely been cleared in recent days, enabling it to safely transport alumina from port to the smelter.

Afreximbank signs private sector DRC hydropower project agreement

Published: 19 Dec 24

Trade and development finance institution the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a project preparation facility financing agreement for an up to 200 MW private-sector, reservoir-based hydropower project to be located along the Lufira river, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The bank has partnered with independent power producer Kipay Investments, which will develop, design, build, install, commission and operate, as well as manage, the hydroelectric power plant.

South Africa still in ‘foothills of economic recovery’ as fourth-quarter policy uncertainty rises to 65.7

Published: 19 Dec 24

South Africa is "still in the foothills of economic recovery" and, while external influences must still be skillfully navigated, the country's future economic performance will hinge mainly on domestic policy decisions that maintain a macroenvironment that is efficient, stable and consistent for investment and job-rich growth. This is the main message of the North-West University Business School’s Policy Uncertainty Index (PUI) for the fourth quarter, with the PUI unexpectedly rising much further into negative territory to 65.7, compared with 53.5 in the third quarter of the year, said NWU Business School Professor Raymond Parsons.