Conflict in Middle East could cost Africa 0.2 percentage points in economic growth in 2026

A joint policy document presented by continental body the African Union (AU) Commission, multilateral development finance organisation the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), regional... 

Tougher stance against substandard imports needed

South Africa’s cable industry has the capacity and expertise to support grid optimisation, but only if it is protected against substandard imports that are undermining the safety and performance of... 

Innovation, reform key to stabilising system

The adoption of smart grid technologies is crucial for the future of South Africa’s power grid and its efficiency. Intelligence is key and smart grids are an enabler of intelligence, highlights... 

Transmission bottleneck demands urgent national focus

South Africa’s electricity reform momentum risks stalling unless transmission infrastructure is urgently expanded, with grid capacity, rather than generation investment, now the primary constraint... 

Microgrids emerge as fastest route to energy access

Decentralised microgrids are proving critical to accelerating electrification, easing energy constraints and improving resilience across South Africa, highlights South African National Energy... 

Flexibility key to grid’s future

South Africa’s power grid is entering a high-risk phase as the rapid rise of rooftop solar and renewable energy is starting to outpace the system’s original design capacity. The  transition to... 

Middle East conflict drives renewed interest in shale exploration in some countries

Amid conflict in the Middle East, a new research paper from energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) has highlighted the importance of elevating strategic energy security priorities as countries... 

Heraeus, Sibanye-Stillwater partner on palladium-based glass fibre tech

Precious metals and technology company Heraeus Precious Metals and mining and metals processing group Sibanye-Stillwater have partnered on a joint research and development project aimed at... 

Lions Bay Resources submits revised offers for Vantage Goldfield assets

Critical and precious metals project developer and investor Metals One reports that Lions Bay Resources (LBR), in which it holds a 30% stake, has submitted revised offers to acquire selected... 

Akobo Minerals scales back Segele operations amid diesel supply constraints

Gold producer Akobo Minerals will temporarily scale back operations at its Segele mine, in Ethiopia, owing to a constrained diesel supply linked to disruptions in global fuel logistics. The company... 

ABB awarded contract to deliver grinding tech for Harmony’s Eva copper project

Technology company ABB has been awarded a contract to deliver gearless mill drive (GMD) and ring-geared mill drive (RMD) technology for gold mining and exploration company Harmony Gold Mining... 

Platinum jewellery gains share amid record gold prices – PGI

With gold prices remaining elevated, platinum continues to offer a premium yet accessible alternative for value-conscious and luxury jewellery buyers, Platinum Guild International (PGI) CEO Tim... 

Eight new businesses launched as investment momentum builds in the Northern Cape

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF), in partnership with the Northern Cape provincial government, has launched and showcased eight black-owned enterprises as part of the Northern Cape Investment... 

Ariana Resources appoints new chairperson

Aim- and ASX-listed Ariana Resources has appointed Michael Atkins nonexecutive chairperson, effective immediately. Current chairperson Michael de Villiers will step down from his role and take on... 

Andrada reports positive initial tungsten test results at Brandberg West

Namibia-focused Andrada Mining has reported positive tungsten, copper and tin test results at the Brandberg West project, demonstrating a strong grade uplift, high metal recoveries and significant... 

Sky Robots showcases integrated drone security model for mines, other high-value assets

Integrated aerial security company Sky Robots is positioning integrated drone systems as a core layer of operational security for mines and other high-value assets. The company, on April 10, held a... 

Kholo Capital, Tensai back Isambane Mining management buyout

Fund management company Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I (Kholo Capital) and privately held advisory firm Tensai Private Equity have provided R275-million in mezzanine debt funding to support... 

Interdisciplinary framework needed

Incorporating the practical realities of engineering and infrastructure projects into classroom learning resources can meaningfully augment the engineering and technical skills pipeline, and... 

Investment in training to improve infrastructure delivery

Engineering consultancy Lubisi Consulting Engineers is strengthening its digital engineering capabilities through targeted investments in three-dimensional (3D) modelling and building information... 

Study to upgrade rural roads completed

Access to reliable roads remains a critical challenge for many rural communities in South Africa, particularly in the Eastern Cape. Addressing this need, multidisciplinary consultancy AVX Engineers... 

Early involvement vital to fix infrastructure – association

Consulting engineers, as key experts, are best positioned to unlock faster, better-quality infrastructure in the water, energy and transport sectors. There is a need for deeper and longer... 

Growing risks as oceans economy faces pressure, fragmentation

Global body UN Trade and Development (Unctad) says the “virtual closure” of the Strait of Hormuz, in the Middle East, is disrupting a critical share of global oil and gas flows, while trade is... 

Integrating design, contract mining to fast-track projects

Integrated project delivery, which spans in-house engineering, shaft sinking and contract mining, is gaining traction as mine owners seek faster, lower-risk routes – from the concept phase to... 

Sector poised to enter defining period – miner

The contract mining sector in Southern Africa is entering a “defining period” and, as commodity markets stabilise and capital discipline tightens across major mining companies, preference towards... 

Africa’s energy utilities reach crossroads

Surging electricity demand, ageing infrastructure, and tightening climate commitments are converging into a high-stakes test for utilities, particularly in Africa, and the only viable response is... 

Decarbonisation central to energy transition

As African countries respond to global pressure to transition to renewable energy while also addressing urgent development and energy needs, the focus should not be on moving away from coal, but... 

Grid stability, commitments key to just transition

South Africa’s energy transition is on the right track, but structural grid constraints, slow climate finance deployment and the socioeconomic realities of the coal regions threaten to hinder... 

Africa can leapfrog legacy systems for cleaner, smarter power – manufacturer

Africa has the potential to bypass a century of centralised, carbon-heavy power systems and move straight to a digital, distributed and low-carbon grid, but only if project execution matches... 

Opportunity knocks in Africa’s energy transition

Africa’s energy transition presents a significant opportunity to expand electricity access, stimulate industrial growth and attract private capital, provided that investment frameworks, grid... 

Technology central to overcoming mining’s growth constraints

Given the increasing depths and complexity of orebodies, high and volatile energy costs, logistics bottlenecks and growing demand for safer and sustainable operations, the adoption of digital... 

Technology central to overcoming mining’s growth constraints

Given the increasing depths and complexity of orebodies, high and volatile energy costs, logistics bottlenecks and growing demand for safer and sustainable operations, the adoption of digital... 

Tech offering fully aligned with province’s demands

The Western Cape economy, anchored in agriculture, food and beverage processing, manufacturing and logistics, continues to drive demand for flexible and energy efficient industrial technologies,... 

Hotel performance drives investment appeal

Strong operating performance, global destination appeal and a constrained development pipeline continue to underpin hotel and accommodation investment in the Western Cape, despite broader economic... 

Senegal project integral to growth pipeline – miner

In developing West Africa as a primary growth engine, targeting a consolidated yearly output of 500 000 gold equivalent ounces, the Diamba Sud gold project, in eastern Senegal, is expected to play... 

Despite constraints, sector improving 

As Southern Africa sees a renewed interest in gold investment, further progress is required to unlock sustained growth across Zimbabwe’s gold sector, where mining remains a cornerstone of the... 

Exploration key value driver for miner

Exploration represents one of the most important drivers of value for multinational gold producer Endeavour Mining, having added over 20-million ounces to its portfolio at the significantly low... 

Responsible sourcing integral for African supply chains – association

Responsibly sourced African gold is critical to maintaining trust in the global bullion market. Ensuring that African gold enters regulated and transparent supply chains supports market integrity... 

Gold price surge supports brownfield prospects

The sustained upward trend in the gold price continues to positively impact brownfield gold operations, with elevated gold prices potentially even justifying the reopening of sites previously... 

Astute capital deployment required for projects

Rising input costs, chronic power constraints and elevated regulatory risk are pushing gold miners to become “far more selective” in how and where capital is deployed, highlights consulting firm... 

Competitive regulation key amid renewables disruption

Amid the technological ‘tsunami’ in renewable power technologies under way, African energy regulators need to have rules that are market friendly and that encourage competition, highlights...