Новости за 12.04.2024

Metals analyst Dr David Davis, who passed away this week at the age of 77, was closely associated with the platinum group metals (PGMs), gold and uranium mining investment industry for well over 40 years. Known for his relentless pursuit of data pertaining to global supply and demand specifics, Davis earlier this year calculated, in a 25-page review for Auctus Metal Portfolios of Singapore, that overwhelming demand and declining South African mining supply were on the horizon for platinum in particular.

South Africa will seek to secure a legally binding global plastics pollution and marine litter treaty in negotiations at upcoming global meetings by balancing competing demands, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy told the media on April 12. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment will participate in the fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) meeting to be held in Ottawa, Canada, from April 23 to 29, as well as at a subsequent meeting to be held in early December.

South Africa’s green hydrogen economy faces complexities and challenges, both upstream and downstream, and this requires technological disruption and commitment beyond the current value chain. This was how EPCM Global Engineering CEO Tumi Kgomo summarised the 'Overcoming challenges of developing a robust infrastructure for hydrogen production, transportation and storage' session, during the 2024 Hydrogen Economy Discussion event, held in Johannesburg this week.

Food processing company Tiger Brands has unveiled a new peanut butter manufacturing facility for its Black Cat brand in Chamdor, Krugersdorp. Having moved from another facility in Randfontein, the company has invested R300-million in the new facility that offers more space, increased peanut processing capability and the opportunity for research and development to improve its products.

In this article, EY Africa strategy and transactions leader Quintin Hobbs writes about the growth in green hydrogen demand and the related growth in electrolyser demand. It is now clear that green hydrogen will play a pivotal role in the global energy transition, especially in hard-to-decarbonise heavy industry sectors that include chemical manufacturing, steelmaking, cement and transport.

The growth of the photovoltaic (PV or solar) sector worldwide has resulted in a current manufacturing overcapacity, which has driven down the prices of PV modules by almost 50%, solar PV installation company Solarworld MD Gregor Küpper pointed out on Friday. He was addressing a media conference in Cape Town. Consequently, he cautioned against trying to create solar PV module manufacturing capability in South Africa. “I believe that it would be very difficult for South Africa to compete with China,” he said.

The City of Cape Town (CoCT) says the yearly review of its Supply Chain Management Policy proposes additional measures to reduce the risk of extortion impacting city projects. The proposed Supply Chain Management Policy Amendments are out for public comment until May 10.

Suzuki Auto South Africa (Suzuki SA) has broken through the 50 000-units-a-year sales barrier for the first time in its history. The year in question is the company’s financial year, running from April, 2023, to March, 2024.

South Africa’s State-owned power utility Eskom said it’s in talks with government ministries over private and foreign options to fund a R390-billion expansion of its transmission network as more renewable generation comes online. Eskom supplies more than 80% of electricity to the continent’s most industrialised nation and has failed to meet demand, resulting in blackouts that have crippled the economy. The utility also owns, manages and maintains the transmission system and plans to build 14 218 kilometers of power lines over the next decade... Читать дальше...

Retail company Woolworths has launched a Farming for the Future campaign, with the aim of encouraging farmers to implement regenerative farming practices. By partnering with farmers who adopt restorative practices, Woolworths seeks to amplify its impact and foster a community of agricultural innovators, committed to stewarding the land for future generations, says Woolworths chief food technology and sustainability officer Latiefa Behardien.

Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the halt in loadshedding over recent weeks; what South Africans should expect for the higher-demand winter period; and the longer-term outlook for South Africa's electricity sector.

The provisional report for the Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI) is expected to be published in October, the Competition Commission announced following the conclusion of the nearly month-long public hearings. The Competition Commission held the hybrid public hearings from March 4 to March 27 to obtain input from stakeholders, including media associations, academics, print and broadcast media, community media, digital platforms, ad brokers and advertising technology (AdTech) service providers... Читать дальше...

The refurbishment of the Rooiwal wastewater treatment works and the upgrade of the Klipdrift water treatment works in Hammanskraal is well underway, with Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu committing to ensure the success of the projects. The Rooiwal wastewater treatment works is being refurbished to enable its performance at optimum capacity, while the Klipdrift water treatment works is being upgraded from 42 to 92 mega litres per day

A video round up of this week’s magazine, highlighting our cover story, features and Business Leader.

The complexity of the water sector in South Africa, along with the numerous and seemingly insurmountable challenges faced, demands a series of integrated interventions – and people are at the centre of these solutions. South Africa’s long-known water woes are the result of several factors, exacerbated by the fact that it is a water-scarce country sensitive to climate change impacts.