Новости за 05.05.2021

The rise in the gold price has prompted a resurgence of the short-termism which has plagued the market, with some investors focusing on short-term gains rather than sustainable growth, Barrick Gold CE Dr Mark Bristow said on Wednesday, when his New York- and Toronto-listed company paid a quarterly dividend of 9c a share, on net earnings per share of 30c, for the three months March 31. This will be topped up by a three-tranche return of capital distribution totalling $750-million through the course of the year... Читать дальше...

The Minerals Council South Africa is encouraging the uptake of distributed generation (also called self-generation) of power in South Africa, especially considering that South Africa is facing an electricity supply gap. The impact of this is “huge”, Minerals Council CEO Roger Baxter told delegates participating in the virtual Energy & Mines Africa conference.

The commercialisation of university intellectual property (IP) and technology innovation presents considerable opportunities for South Africa and would help engender a positive impact on society and economic growth, independent technology transfer consultant Tom Hockaday has said. He was speaking during a webinar hosted by standalone investment vehicle the SA SME Fund on May 5, during which his book, ‘University Technology Transfer: What It Is and How to Do It’, was also launched.

The chairperson of the South African Independent Power Producer Association (SAIPPA) believes that the quickest and cheapest way to reduce, or eliminate, South Africa’s growth-sapping risk of load-shedding would be for Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe to issue a Ministerial determination catering for private-to-private electricity supply agreements. Through Section 34 of the Energy Regulation Act (ERA), the Minister, in consultation with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa)... Читать дальше...

Gauteng-based startup FibrePoynt is developing an alternative antenna-based high-speed fixed Internet solution for low-income communities. The solution is being funded by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation.

A solar photovoltaic (PV) green skills, enterprise development and sustainability research programme was launched on May 4 with the aim to upskill 900 youth, women and entrepreneurs over the next three years. The programme is aimed at ensuring the participation of the youth, women and entrepreneurs in the green economy.

On Tuesday, the Prime Ministers (PMs) of India and the UK agreed to create a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries. Indian PM Narendra Modi and UK PM Boris Johnson approved the partnership during a virtual bilateral summit. The UK is the first European country with which India has concluded such a partnership. The two leaders also agreed to an overarching framework to direct bilateral cooperation over the next decade. This framework is called the ‘Roadmap 2030 for a Comprehensive... Читать дальше...

Electrical energy solutions provider Senergy energy specialist Wilco de Villiers has encouraged miners to consider the value of implementing hybrid energy systems at their operations, as mines cannot function effectively without reliable energy supply. Speaking during this year’s Energy & Mines Africa conference, De Villiers said mines should expect hybrid power systems to at least maintain the reliability and predictability of the power system, if not improve it.

Occupational technical skills and safety training facility Murray & Roberts Training Academy has made some upgrades that embrace the Industry 4.0 mindset. Darren Parker tells us more.

Madagascar’s farmers stand to build stronger climate resilience, increase productivity and more easily access financial services owing to an agricultural insurance programme announced on May 5 by international financial institution the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the government of Madagascar. The IFC will help Malagasy insurance companies develop targeted insurance products to protect farmers, and especially smallholder farmers, from weather-related risks and other natural disasters... Читать дальше...

Global advisory services group Deloitte has released its twelfth yearly technology trends report, outlining the evolving technology landscape and the industry disruptors for the next 18 to 24 months. This year’s edition of the Deloitte Tech Trends 2021 report showcases nine trends such as technology enabling strategic design, supply chain transformation, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion as business imperatives, rebooting the digital workplace and realising the full benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

Dr Johan van Zyl has stepped down as Toyota Motors Europe president and CEO, and has returned to Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) to serve as executive chairperson. Van Zyl was TSAM president and CEO, as well as Africa region CEO, before his departure to Europe six years ago.

New coronavirus variants have proliferated across southern and eastern Africa, exacerbating the challenge of bringing the pandemic under control, analysis of the genomics data shows. A strain first detected in South Africa late last year is “completely dominating all infection in southern Africa and seems to be entering East Africa,” said Tulio de Oliveira, director of Krisp, a genomics institute in the port city of Durban, which is leading a group that’s evaluating the data. “Another variant is... Читать дальше...

The newly drafted guidelines for the automotive aftermarket sector, set to take effect on July 1, will allow for the increased participation of small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs), and/or black-owned firms in South Africa’s aftersales value chain, says the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDCEC). Commenting on the Competition Commission’s published guidelines pertaining to the servicing and maintenance of vehicles in South Africa, the AIDCEC believes that the initiative... Читать дальше...

A surge in steel consumption as the world emerges from its pandemic-induced slump is set to drive iron-ore to an unprecedented high as the biggest miners struggle to keep up with the frenzied pace of demand. Expectations are building that benchmark prices can get to $200/t -- topping the record $194 hit more than a decade ago -- as Chinese steelmakers ramp up production in defiance of government attempts to rein in output to control the industry’s carbon emissions. That’s tightening an iron-ore market... Читать дальше...

Three Standard Bank asset manager shareholders, together with shareholder activist organisation Just Share, have co-filed a nonbinding advisory shareholder resolution ahead of the bank’s annual general meeting (AGM) on May 27. In the nonbinding advisory resolution, the shareholders – which includes asset manager shareholders Aeon Investment Management, Abax Investments and Visio Fund Management – make a number of recommendations.

South African private sector activity expanded at its strongest rate in nine years in April, as buoyant customer demand pushed new orders higher and business confidence and employment rose, a survey showed on Wednesday. IHS Markit's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 53.7 in April from 50.3 in March, staying above the 50 level that indicates an expansion.

Murray & Roberts (M&R) subsidiary Clough has been awarded a R1.1-billion contract for the engineering, procurement and construction of the Tallawarra B gas turbine power station in New South Wales, Australia. Tallawarra B is a 300 MW expansion of the existing Tallawarra A power station.

International body the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) has launched a data portal to enhance policymakers’ understanding of the wide-ranging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and help them design suitable recovery policies. The portal provides a selection of data on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on trade and development, reflecting the situation as at March 31.

Hydrogen is set to play a key role in achieving carbon-neutral mining, an industry that is being touted as a key enabler of the global hydrogen industry, Engie Impact consultant Jasper Schrijvers said during a virtual presentation at this year’s Energy & Mines Africa conference. During his presentation on May 4, he noted that kickstarting the hydrogen economy within the mining segment “makes a lot of sense” owing to it being an energy-intensive industry that has stated goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 or 2050.

A University of Cape Town professor says if the intellectual property rights of vaccines are lifted, the African continent will still not be able to scale up the production of Covid-19 vaccines. Countries and activists in the Global South have been asking pharmaceutical companies to waive IP rights on the Covid-19 vaccine for more equitable access. Kelly Chibale, a professor of organic chemistry and founder of the integrated drug discovery and development centre H3D, said IP was necessary because it was an enabler of innovation.

Health and safety procedures at Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) have been called into question during the second day of the public inquiry into the 2018 explosion that rocked the plant in Macassar near Somerset West. The inquiry heard staff members had received training every year in the form of tests.

Telecommunications group MTN reported strong first quarter operational and financial results with data and fintech revenue driving service revenue beyond the company’s medium-term guidance. The group’s service revenue increased 17.8% to R42.3-billion during the three months to March.

Eskom Holdings said the South African state utility is unable to agree to certain union demands over wage increases and declined to make an offer on basic salary until labor groups respond. The loss-making electricity provider “cannot afford” proposals such as an improvement in pay inequality, according to a May 4 letter reviewed by Bloomberg. A request by unions to raise worker housing allowance has “no justification” and the required funds aren’t available in any case, the company said.

A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report is warning of a potential supply deficit for some of the ‘critical minerals’ needed to support a global shift in the energy system that is aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as the growing number of country commitments to cutting carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050. Titled ‘The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions’, the report outlines the metals- and minerals-intensity of technologies such as solar photovoltaic, wind... Читать дальше...