As coal chokes Johannesburg, South African scientists launch pollution warning app

Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand have designed South Africa's first app to warn residents of pollution levels, as Johannesburg suffers a spike in coal emissions in recent weeks,... 

BHP eyes large-scale copper exploration in Zambia, mines ministry says

Global miner BHP is keen to pursue large-scale copper exploration in Zambia, the country's mines ministry said on Monday, highlighting growing international interest in the central African nation's... 

Ethiopian Airlines buying six more Boeing 787-9 airplanes

Africa's largest carrier Ethiopian Airlines on Monday said it is buying six additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets as it looks to expand its long-haul flights across Africa and to the US, Europe... 

South African rand flat as traders eye business confidence index, central bank policy report

The South African rand was flat in early trade on Tuesday as investors tracked geopolitical developments and awaited the release of a domestic business confidence survey and a central bank monetary... 

Rio Tinto flags possible supply chain risks, posts higher Q1 iron-ore sales

Miner Rio Tinto warned on April 21 of limited visibility on the effects of the Middle East war on its supply chains in the second half of the 2026 financial year, but stronger production from its... 

Uganda's central bank starts domestic gold purchase programme

KAMPALA – Uganda's central bank said on Tuesday it had begun purchasing gold from domestic producers under a programme announced two years ago to incorporate bullion as part of the country's... 

Zambia's copper smelters plan extended shutdowns, squeezing output and chemical supplies

Two of Zambia’s largest copper smelters and sulphuric acid producers will shut for extended maintenance later this year, two industry sources said, further squeezing copper output and supplies of... 

USA Rare Earth to acquire Brazilian rare earths miner Serra Verde for $2.8bn

LONDON - USA Rare Earth will acquire Brazilian rare earths miner Serra Verde for $2.8-billion in cash and shares, the two companies said on Monday. The US company will pay $300-million in cash and... 

Oil falls by 11% after Iran's foreign minister declares Strait of Hormuz open

Oil prices plunged by about 11% on Friday, extending earlier losses, after Iran's foreign minister said that passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz was open for the... 

Genetic trouble detected in isolated African elephant populations

he largest genomic study of African elephants to date has found that both species - savanna and forest elephants - remain in generally good genetic health despite long-term numerical declines,... 

Vale books best first-quarter iron-ore sales in eight years

Brazilian miner Vale reported on April 16 its highest iron ore sales for a first quarter since 2018, while also announcing the suspension of pellet operations in Oman amid the war in the Middle... 

Two South Africa unions accept Eskom 7% wage offer, third union rejects it

Two of South Africa's major labour unions have accepted state power utility Eskom's 7% wage increase offer, while a third has rejected it and declared a deadlock, demanding a higher raise, union... 

Lufthansa grounds planes, Nigerian carriers threaten to stop flying as Iran war strains show

Governments and airlines are sounding increasingly urgent alarms about diminishing jet fuel supplies and soaring prices due to the Iran war, as Lufthansa grounded planes, Nigerian carriers... 

Malema sentenced to 5 year prison term in firearm case

South African opposition leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in jail on Thursday for firing a rifle in the air at a rally, a judgement that could bar the prominent campaigner from... 

Congo creates strategic cobalt reserve to influence supply and prices, regulator says

Democratic Republic of Congo has established a strategic reserve for cobalt and other critical minerals, the national minerals regulator said on Thursday, strengthening its ability to stockpile... 

Aluminium market headed for 'unprecedented crisis' warns WoodMac

The Iran war is triggering an unprecedented crisis in the global aluminium market with potentially devastating knock-on effects across sectors as diverse as construction, packaging, transport and... 

India-Zambia talks on critical minerals stall over mining rights, sources say

India's talks with Zambia over critical minerals mining have stalled amid a lack of assurances from Lusaka on mining rights, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. India last year... 

South African rand firms as Middle East peace hopes lift sentiment

The South African rand strengthened in early Thursday trade, supported by a weaker US dollar and rising investor optimism that the war in the Middle East may be nearing an end. At 0611 GMT, the... 

Ivanhoe holds 'captive audience' on Congo sulphuric acid market, CEO says

Ivanhoe Mines has a "captive audience" for its sulphuric acid in the Democratic Republic of Congo, its CEO said on Wednesday, as prices for the chemical soar on limited supplies due to the Iran... 

Uganda appoints Citibank to mobilise funds for €2.7bn railway project

Uganda said on Thursday it had appointed Citibank to mobilise financing needed to fund the country's planned €2.7-billion ($3.19-billion) Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project. In a post on the X... 

Malema back in court as prosecutors seek 15-year prison sentence

South African opposition politician Julius Malema was back in court on Wednesday, as prosecutors pushed for him to be given the maximum 15-year prison sentence for firing a rifle in the air at a... 

Botswana has not requested stake in Lobito refinery, Angola's Sonaref says

State-owned oil firm Sonangol's refinery division Sonaref has not received any formal communication from Botswana signalling its desire to acquire a stake in Angola's new $6.6 billion Lobito... 

Ramaphosa appoints Roelf Meyer as next ambassador to US

President Cyril Ramaphosa has chosen Roelf Meyer, a former chief government negotiator during talks to end white minority rule in the 1990s, to be his country's next ambassador to the United... 

IMF cuts growth outlook, warns of potential global recession if Iran war worsens

 The International Monetary Fund cut its growth outlook on Tuesday due to Iran war-driven energy price spikes and supply disruptions and warned that the global economy would teeter on the brink of... 

South Africa wins record investment pledges, but delivery gap persists

South Africa's latest investment conference secured record commitments, but official data show that less than half of past pledges have materialised and turned into economic activity. The sixth... 

China's Yahua Industrial Group gets lithium export quota from Zimbabwe

China's Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group said on Tuesday it had secured a six-month export quota for lithium concentrates from Zimbabwe, two months after Africa's top lithium producer suspended... 

Yancoal Australia inks $2.4bn deal to acquire Kestrel coking coal mine

Yancoal Australia said on Tuesday it has entered a deal to acquire an 80% stake in the Kestrel coking coal mine in Queensland for up to $2.4-billion - a move that strengthens its position as one of... 

South African rand firms as weaker dollar and softer oil ease pressure

The South African rand edged up in early Tuesday trade on a weaker dollar as oil prices dipped back below $100 a barrel and on signs of potential US-Iran dialogue, easing concerns about supply... 

China imports more iron-ore, coal in Q1, but less copper

As a key driver of various commodity market trends and pricing, China’s imports of iron-ore, copper and coal for March and the first quarter of the year varied. According to customs data cited by... 

Iran war allows Australia to revive green iron ambitions

The conflict in the Middle East has cracked open the door for Australia to speed up the development of a handful of green iron projects as part of efforts to cut emissions from producing steel.... 

IMF, World Bank, IEA urge countries to stop hoarding energy supplies, imposing export controls

The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency on Monday urged countries to avoid hoarding energy supplies and imposing export controls that could worsen what they... 

South Africa agrees new climate loan, critical minerals cooperation on Germany visit

Germany has agreed to give South Africa a new €200-million ($234-million) concessional climate loan, and the two countries will deepen cooperation in other areas like critical minerals, South... 

Botswana signs energy and mineral exploration deals with Oman

Botswana's President has clinched multiple agreements with Oman, including on mineral exploration, oil storage infrastructure and renewable power, during a visit to the Gulf nation designed to... 

Congo copper, cobalt miners cut chemical use as Iran war disrupts supplies, sources say

Congo's leading copper and cobalt producers have had some orders for key leaching chemicals cancelled or withdrawn by suppliers this month, forcing miners to cut usage and consider output... 

US-backed KoBold launches $50m lithium exploration drive in Congo

Mineral explorer KoBold Metals, backed by billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has launched a lithium exploration campaign in Democratic Republic of Congo, committing more than $50-million by... 

New DA leader Hill-Lewis to address 'trust deficit' with Black voters

South Africa's newly elected Democratic Alliance party leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, said on Monday he will focus on addressing a "trust deficit" among Black voters as he seeks to grow the DA into... 

Venezuela hopes to lure back international miners, but it's a risky business

Venezuela's effort to attract foreign investors to develop its gold, iron and bauxite seams has enthusiastic backing from the Trump administration but faces big challenges, including armed groups... 

Chilean copper miner Codelco, contractors fined after deadly mine collapse

Chilean State copper miner Codelco was fined by labor authorities after last year's deadly collapse at its El Teniente mine, while three contractors whose workers were killed or injured were... 

World Bank chief sounds alarm about looming jobs crisis even after war ends

The Middle East war will dominate global finance officials' talks this week in Washington, but World Bank President Ajay Banga is sounding the alarm about a bigger, looming crisis: a huge gap in... 

South African rand weakens as US-Iran blockade threat drives oil above $100

South Africa's rand weakened on Monday as investors reacted to a US-Iran standoff that threatened oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing crude prices back above $100 a barrel and lifting...