New insights into the processes of continental evolution and movement during the early stages of complex life on Earth have been revealed by the examination of ancient, superdeep diamonds that were excavated from mines in Brazil and Western Africa. An international team of experts examined these diamonds, which are believed to have originated on the [...]

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) launched, in Rome, in Italy, on Wednesday, their flagship Atoms4Food initiative. This will increase the use of nuclear technologies to strengthen global food security. The IAEA and FAO have worked together for nearly 60 years to develop and use nuclear [...]

As the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) works to create a multibillion-rand water infrastructure fund and R18-billion green hydrogen investment fund, the development finance institution (DFI) has reiterated its commitment to realising projects in what are deems as critical sectors in the region. The DFI has been prioritising its investments in energy, information and [...]

South Africa’s Cabinet will consider a proposal on whether to include the Netherlands and Denmark in its landmark $8.5 billion climate-finance pact with some of the world’s richest nations. Expanding the so-called Just Energy Transition Partnership could give momentum to the implementation of an agreement that’s been bogged down by delays and opposition from South [...]

One of the biggest positive developments over the last 12 months has been the “convergence of ideas on what we need to do to resolve the energy crisis”, says Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) director-general (DG) Jacob Mbele. “We come from a period where people were pushing for certain technologies, but there is [...]

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has called on the private sector to “please and come talk to us” if they have any ideas on extending the life of South Africa’s fleet of coal-fired power stations. “There are many that have been earmarked for decommissioning because they are near the end of their life, [...]

The UK will make R20-million in funding available to help identify the most bankable opportunities for African countries to attract investment into the processing of critical minerals. Boston Consulting Group will be carrying out the study, which should be completed by year-end.

A court case over whether to allow Shell to explore for oil and gas off South Africa's pristine Wild Coast has been delayed until next year, a lawyer for environmentalists said on Wednesday. Shell wants to overturn a decision by the Makanda High Court last September that prevented it from exploring in the environmentally sensitive [...]

African countries were determined to use the opportunity provided by the world’s need for the metals and minerals essential for the clean energy systems of the future to develop their economies through local beneficiation and the creation of value-adding industries. This was clearly signalled by Ministers of Mining from African countries, participating in a panel [...]

A controversial $4-billion crude oil pipeline to link Uganda and Tanzania has overcome a key hurdle that delayed a final decision, according to Standard Bank Group. Negotiations can now conclude after Tanzania settled a disagreement with some Chinese funders on a separate matter, according to Kenny Fihla, the chief executive officer for the lender’s commercial [...]

Stellenbosch University (SU) has partnered with mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) to establish the ARM Geometallurgy Research Chair.  The objective of the position is to advance knowledge and build capacity in geometallurgy, “thereby enhancing the resilience and environmental sensitivity of the local minerals industry”, says the university in a statement.

Dysfunctional municipalities, an overabundance of bureaucratic red tape and deferred payments from the public sector are serving to undermine the ability of entrepreneurial ventures to flourish, industry body the Small Business Institute (SBI) CEO John Dludlu has said. Without an environment to support small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), South Africa has little hope of developing a [...]