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Risks linked to South Africa’s more ambitious decarbonisation pledge not yet ‘adequately addressed’

By: Terence Creamer 23rd September 2021 Minerals Council South Africa has signalled its support for South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy, but is concerned that the immediate risks associated with the country’s more ambitious decarbonisation targets are not being adequately addressed. CEO Roger Baxter told participants to a... →

Image from Daylin Paul’s photographic book, titled ‘Broken Land’, a visual narrative of the environmental and social impacts of coal in Mpumalanga

An image from Daylin Paul’s black and white photographic book, titled ‘Broken Land’, which offers a visual narrative of the environmental and social impacts of coal in Mpumalanga

Steel federation warns Numsa's strike could top 2014's action that cost SA's economy R6bn

By: News24Wire 23rd September 2021 South Africa's steel and engineering sector body says the decision by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) to down tools indefinitely in October could lead to a situation that's worse than's 2014 four-week strike that cost the economy R6-billion. Numsa secretary general... →

President urges communities to support N2 toll road project

By: Yvonne Silaule 23rd September 2021 President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged communities to support the development of the N2 Wild Coast toll road (N2WCTR) project, which includes two mega bridges, stating that stoppages are counterproductive and not only costs contractors, but the entire country. “The very purpose they [infrastructure... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

ArcelorMittal South Africa responds to Itac’s termination of safeguard probe

23rd September 2021 Earlier this month, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) recommended that an investigation be terminated into the imposition of safeguard duties on certain steel sections manufactured at the Highveld Structural Mill. The application was lodged in June 2020 by... →

Photo by Creamer Media
The Highveld Structural Steel Mill

Grindrod sells remaining stake in Grindrod Shipping for R368m

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd September 2021 Freight transportation arrangement company Grindrod on Thursday announced that it had sold its remaining shareholding in Grindrod Shipping for $24.8-million (R368.2-million). The sale shares amount to about 9.6% of Grindrod Shipping’s total issued share capital. →

Reserve Bank keeps rates on hold, revises growth higher

By: News24Wire 23rd September 2021 The South African Reserve Bank has kept the repo rate unchanged at 3.5%, in line with economists' expectations. During a media briefing on Thursday, Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said that all members of the Monetary Policy Committee were in favour of keeping the repo rate on hold.... →

Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago

SAA returns to the skies

By: Reuters 23rd September 2021 Jubilant South African Airways (SAA) staff at the country's biggest airport broke into song and dance on Thursday as the airline took to the skies for the first time in around a year. State-owned SAA's longstanding financial woes were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and it halted all... →

How Exxaro is advancing from coal into global renewable energy

By: Martin Creamer 23rd September 2021 It is important to note that the renewable energy focus of coal company Exxaro is not a new focus but a re-focus on a strategy that has been in evidence for more than ten years, says Exxaro Energy MD Roland Tatnall. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange company’s strategy just unveiled has been the... →

It is important to note that the renewable energy focus of coal company Exxaro is not a new focus but a re-focus on a strategy that has been in evidence for more than ten years.

Cybersecurity becoming part of industrial practices as digital applications and risks multiply

By: Schalk Burger 23rd September 2021 As industrial facilities and systems become increasingly connected to capitalise on digital capabilities, countering cybersecurity risks is becoming part of industrial best practices and digital technologies are being subjected to the same rigorous safety and security standards as other... →

More ambitious climate target step in right direction, but more work is needed – CER

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd September 2021 The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has commended Cabinet’s decision to approve a reduced target range for greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions in South Africa, noting that it is “a marked improvement” from the previous target range proposed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the... →

Sustainable infrastructure efforts must be enhanced

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 23rd September 2021 There has been some progress in sustainability in the cement and broader infrastructure industry, with several innovations by companies and countries, but more should be done, says consultant Tony Hadley. Speaking on day two of the Sustainability Summit on September 22, during the Sustainable... →

Panel discusses ‘sustainable food’ in Africa

By: Marleny Arnoldi 23rd September 2021 Africa’s food systems are at cross-roads, faced with the pressure of producing more for a growing population, while also tackling increasing levels of malnutrition. Taking place a few days before the United Nations Food Systems Summit as part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable... →

Experts unpack hindrances to food security in Africa

Sustainable ocean economy must be pursued, speakers emphasise

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 23rd September 2021 There are a myriad of challenges facing the ocean economy, but these are not insurmountable, and can be mitigated and managed to ensure sustainable oceans. This is according to speakers on the second day of the Sustainability Summit on September 22, during the Oceans Economy panel discussion. →

Competition Commission approves Altron’s Lawtrust acquisition

By: Mariaan Webb 23rd September 2021 JSE-listed Altron said the Competition Commission has approved its acquisition of digital signature services company Lawtrust, which will create the largest digital and information security services provider in Africa. The R245-million deal will see Lawtrust being integrated into Altron, which... →

WEF launches digital toolbox to decarbonise and boost cities' sustainability

By: Schalk Burger 23rd September 2021 The World Economic Forum (WEF) has launched a digital toolbox with more than 200 leading practices and case studies to boost sustainability and reduce emissions of cities. Cities have a crucial role to play in the race to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The platform focuses on solutions that... →

Airbus announces flight demonstrator project for new technology wing

By: Rebecca Campbell 23rd September 2021 Europe-based global major aerospace group Airbus announced on Wednesday that it had initiated a project to flight test what it described as an “extra-performing wing”. The platform for these tests will be a modified Cessna Citation VII business jet, which will be used to integrate and fly... →

Artist’s impression of the Citation VII fitted with the extra-performing wing

Salga appoints two deputy presidents

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd September 2021 The South African Local Government Association (Salga) has appointed two deputy presidents to share the responsibility of leading the organisation towards the upcoming local government elections and the elective Salga national conference. Following a vacancy created by the departure of former... →

Boeing forecasts continued strong Chinese commercial aviation growth

By: Rebecca Campbell 23rd September 2021 US aerospace giant Boeing has forecast that Chinese airlines will have to acquire 8 700 new aircraft between now and 2040. These purchases would have a total value of $1.47-trillion. This prediction formed part of the manufacturer’s latest Commercial Market Outlook (CMO). The 2021 CMO reflected... →

China bailing on overseas coal should be a boon for renewables

By: Bloomberg 23rd September 2021 If China puts the same financial heft behind green energy in emerging nations as it has in developing fossil fuels projects overseas, it’ll be a step change for global investment in renewables. President Xi Jinping told the United Nations General Assembly this week that China will accelerate... →

Magazine round up | 24 September 2021

24th September 2021 A video round up of this week’s magazine, highlighting our cover story, features and Business Leader. →

Magazine round up | 24 September 2021

Sasol's revised decarbonisation commitments

23rd September 2021 Sasol has announced revised and accelerated decarbonisation commitments. Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer unpacks the significance of the 2030 target and the group’s promise to be net-zero by 2050. →

Sasol's revised decarbonisation commitments

Iata praises Ethiopia for its support for air travel but calls on it to release blocked funds

By: Rebecca Campbell 22nd September 2021 The global representative body of the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (Iata), has praised Ethiopia for its support for air transport throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and urged it to continue this. This would, the association pointed out, enable the northeast African... →

Naacam announces MBA scholarship in remembrance of Dr Johan van Zyl

By: Creamer Media Reporter 22nd September 2021 The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam) has announced it will provide a full manufacturing- focused MBA scholarship at the Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies (TWIMS) for its intake in 2022. The one-off scholarship will be awarded in... →

Left to right: Mbusiswa Ngcobo, Justin Barnes, Andrew Kirby, Renai Moothilal, Ugo Frigerio

N2/N3 major road upgrades to ease traffic congestion – Sanral

By: Schalk Burger 22nd September 2021 The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has advised motorists to expected traffic delays during the construction or road upgrades on the N3 and N2, urging motorists to allow for additional time when travelling on these roads. The major road upgrades are under way on the N3... →

Court rules race-based tourism fund criteria unlawful

By: Bloomberg 22nd September 2021 South Africa’s appeals court ruled the Department of Tourism’s focus on only black businesses for payouts to help the industry overcome the coronavirus pandemic is unlawful. The Bloemfontein-based court said the Minister of Tourism committed an error and is not legally obliged to allocate funds... →

AIIM says six more solar PV projects reach commercial operation

By: Schalk Burger 22nd September 2021 Six more solar photovoltaic (PV) projects situated in the Northern Cape and North West provinces have reached commercial operation, infrastructure equity investment management company African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) reported on Wednesday. These projects include the 50 MW De... →

Maritime industry says decarbonisation urgent, achievable

By: Donna Slater 22nd September 2021 More than 150 maritime logistics roleplayers, representing the entire maritime value chain, including shipping, cargo, energy, finance, ports and infrastructure, have said that the full decarbonisation of international shipping is urgent and achievable. Ships transport about 80% of global trade... →

Chip uncertainty causing PGMs price uncertainty – chief investment officer

By: Martin Creamer 22nd September 2021 The general feeling is that chip capacity will slowly start coming back in the next few months, but only to return the auto industry back to where it was pre-Covid, and not to the post-Covid surge, which resulted in platinum group metals (PGMs) prices going through the roof. If the global auto... →

Integral Asset Management Chief Investment Officer Bruce Williamson interviewed by Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer.

Exxaro, Cennergi developing 70 MW solar project in Lephalale

By: Simone Liedtke 22nd September 2021 Diversified miner Exxaro Resources’ renewable energy subsidiary, Cennergi, will develop the 70 MW Lephalale solar project to supply the Grootegeluk coal mine, near Lephalale, Limpopo. The group announced on Wednesday that Exxaro Coal and Cennergi had concluded a term sheet, setting out material... →

Exxaro's Tshikondeni Microgrid

Sasol triples 2030 decarbonisation target, makes net-zero by 2050 pledge

By: Terence Creamer 22nd September 2021 Chemicals and energy group Sasol has announced a material acceleration of its decarbonisation plans, confirming that it will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% by 2030 rather than by the much-criticised 10% level to which it initially committed. CEO Fleetwood Grobler has also pledged... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Sasol CEO Fleetwood Grobler

Importance of sustainable energy underlined

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 22nd September 2021 In dealing with its current energy crisis, South Africa must ensure that it shores up reliable short- and long-term supply options that adhere to sustainable energy objectives. This was indicated by speakers on the first day of the 11th yearly Sustainability Summit on September 21, during the... →

Airlink starts South Africa-Uganda route

By: Rebecca Campbell 22nd September 2021 South African private sector airline Airlink announced on Tuesday that it starting a new intra-African service, between Johannesburg and Entebbe, in Uganda. The airline had originally planned to inaugurate this service earlier this year, but had had to postpone it when both countries had... →

Coalition puts pressure on govt to cancel plans for new coal-fired power

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 22nd September 2021 Environmental and climate justice groups have called on Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe and regulatory authority the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to abandon plans to develop 1 500 MW of new coal-fired electricity. “The development of new coal-fired power is... →

Porsche, Siemens join world-first project to produce e-fuel in Chile

By: Irma Venter 22nd September 2021 German sports-car manufacturer Porsche and Siemens Energy have joined forces with a number of international companies to build an industrial plant for the production of nearly carbon dioxide-neutral fuel (e-fuel) in Punta Arenas, Chile. A pilot plant is initially being built north of Punta... →

The project site in Chile

UN chief warns world is facing 'dead end' over climate, Covid

By: Bloomberg 22nd September 2021 United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the world is hurtling toward ecological destruction, sounding a bleak opening tone to the annual UN General Assembly meeting in New York. Speaking a day after convening world leaders to ratchet up climate commitments, Guterres said Tuesday... →

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

China to stop building new coal-fired power projects abroad

By: Bloomberg 22nd September 2021 China plans to stop building new coal-fired power plants abroad, President Xi Jinping said at a virtual United Nations General Assembly meeting on Tuesday. The announcement came a year after Xi surprised world leaders by pledging to make China carbon-neutral by 2060 after reaching peak emissions... →

President Xi Jinping addressing a virtual United Nations General Assembly meeting on Tuesday.

Nedbank expands its Avo app to include end-to-end digital vehicle shopping

By: Irma Venter 22nd September 2021 Nedbank is promising prospective car buyers a “complete end-to-end digital vehicle shopping experience, saving them vast amounts of time and energy, through the new Avo virtual vehicle-mall feature”. “While there are already quite a few websites and aggregators where people can browse vehicles,... →

Image of someone using the Nedbank Avo app

Northam’s Booysendal complex progresses with expansion plans

22nd September 2021 Platinum group metals miner Northam is expanding its ore handling systems to cater for increased volumes coming from its north, central and currently-under-construction south mines, at its Booysendal complex. →

Northam’s Booysendal complex progresses with expansion plans

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