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Covid-19

South Africa on track to vaccinate 420 000 people a day by mid-September

By: Marleny Arnoldi 23rd July 2021 Business for South Africa (B4SA) says the 230 000 daily vaccination rate is testament to what business and government can achieve if they work together. B4SA steering committee chairperson Martin Kingston on July 23 presented an update of the private sector’s contribution to the vaccination... →

Biovac/Pfizer vaccine partnership will boost mRNA hub – Nzimande

By: Sane Dhlamini 23rd July 2021 The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande has congratulated the Biovac Institute for its partnership with Pfizer and its German vaccine partner BioNTech which will see the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine being manufactured in South Africa for distribution within... →

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande

Extremely strong demand for platinum bar and coin – WPIC

By: Martin Creamer 22nd July 2021 Extremely strong demand for platinum bar and coin is being seen around the world, particularly in the US, along with growth in demand for platinum exchange traded funds (ETFs), mainly out of North America and Europe, World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) head of research Trevor Raymond said... →

Picture of WPIC research head Trevor Raymond

WPIC Research Head Trevor Raymond interviewed by Mining Weekly's Martin Creamer.

SARB cautions against stained banknotes after unrest

By: Sane Dhlamini 21st July 2021 Following recent looting and acts of lawlessness that caused unrest in the country, the South African Reserve Bank has cautioned the public not to accept stained banknotes, stating that these notes are considered as proceeds of crime. Last week, protests against former President Jacob Zuma’s... →

Basa requests urgent meeting with Patel to save industry on the brink of collapse

By: Donna Slater 21st July 2021 In the wake of the recent civil unrest, which resulted in 161 liquor outlets and distribution centres being looted and damaged in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the beer industry is urgently calling for the alcohol ban to be lifted so that legal businesses can operate. Enabling liquor business to... →

Ramaphosa tells business social and economic relief package being finalised

By: Terence Creamer 20th July 2021 In a meeting with business leaders on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that an “extensive social and economic relief package” would be launched in the coming days to respond to the recent crisis and called for the creation of a “special social contract” to build a more inclusive... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Anglo increasingly focused on future-enabling decarbonising metals, minerals – Cutifani

By: Martin Creamer 20th July 2021 The portfolio and growth investments of diversified mining company Anglo American is increasingly focused future-enabling metals and minerals that are critical to decarbonising energy and transport and to meeting consumers' growing needs, from luxury to everyday life. This was stated by Anglo... →

A picture of Anglo American's CEO, Mark Cutifani.

Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifani

Carbon emissions to reach record levels in 2023 as stimulus spending fails to match net-zero ambition

By: Terence Creamer 20th July 2021 The financial resources allocated by governments globally to clean-energy measures in response to the Covid-19 crisis currently represents only 2% of the $16-trillion in total fiscal support set aside for economic stimulus, the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) new Sustainable Recovery... →

IEA executive director Fatih Birol

Healthcare councils condemn looting, warn of worrying and dangerous consequences

By: Donna Slater 19th July 2021 South Africa’s statutory health regulatory councils, together with the Department of Health (DOH), have condemned the looting and violence last week, especially those acts that targeted healthcare facilities and the medicines supply chain. The councils involved include the South African Health... →

Santam making progress with contingent business interruption claims

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 15th July 2021 Short-term insurer Santam is making progress in handling contingent business interruption (CBI) claims, with payments made to about 60% of policyholders that have submitted claims, the company said in an update on July 15. Since January, it has paid R600-million to policyholders in addition to... →

New initiative launched to raise awareness on key role of power grids in Africa

By: Terence Creamer 15th July 2021 The RES4Africa Foundation, an Italian non-profit organisation that promotes the development of renewable energy on the continent, has launched a Grids4Africa initiative to support the development of the transmission and distribution networks needed to raise levels of renewables deployment and... →

Life in mining-dependent countries significantly improved – ICMM

By: Martin Creamer 14th July 2021 Life in mining-dependent countries has improved significantly in the 23 years leading up to 2018, with strong governance the key to improving socio-economic well-being, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) said on Wednesday. A report that analysed 41 social metrics grouped under... →

A picture of the CEO of the International Coiuncil on Mining and Metals

ICMM CEO Rohitesh Dhawan

Afreximbank and ACBF sign collaboration agreement to build development capacity

By: Donna Slater 13th July 2021 The Africa Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) have signed an agreement to support capacity development initiatives over a period of five years, ending in 2025. The agreement, signed by Afreximbank president Professor Benedict Oramah and ACBF... →

Despite tailwinds, South Africa’s recovery could fade into ‘another lost decade’ without reforms

By: Terence Creamer 12th July 2021 The World Bank expects South Africa to grow by 4% in 2021, supported by the strong global economic recovery from Covid and favourable commodity prices. However, the bank also warns that the medium-term outlook remains uncertain and will depend largely on whether the country is able to implement... →

Image of large mining vehicles at an iron-ore mine

Commodity prices supporting South Africa rebound

Alcohol industry laments sales ban extension

By: Donna Slater 12th July 2021 The South African Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) and National Liquor Traders (NLT) note their disappointment in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to extend the current ban of alcohol sales by another two weeks. In a joint statement, the two organisations suggest that the decision to... →

Saving lives, preventing more business closures a priority – Ramaphosa

By: Thabi Madiba 12th July 2021 President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, government has sought to balance saving lives and preserving livelihoods in an evidence-based manner; however, he acknowledged that restrictions have detrimentally impacted businesses. He stated that, for now,... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Johannesburg’s mayor Makhubo dies after contracting coronavirus

By: Bloomberg 9th July 2021 The mayor of Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub and largest city, has died after contracting the coronavirus. Geoff Makhubo took office in December 2019 after the ruling party wrested control of the city from an opposition coalition. He was hospitalized after becoming infected with... →

B4SA welcomes weekend vaccinations, opening of registrations for 35- to 49-year-olds

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 9th July 2021 Industry organisation Business for South Africa (B4SA) has welcomed the Department of Health’s decision to allow 35- to 49-year-olds to register for their Covid-19 vaccinations from July 15 and to receive their jabs from August 1 onwards. “The only way to fight the third wave, save lives, restart... →

From July 15, 35- to 49-year-olds can register for their Covid-19 vaccinations

Intellectual property environment strengthens despite challenges

By: Donna Slater 7th July 2021 Despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the global intellectual property (IP) environment continued its positive trajectory, biotechnology company CapeBio CEO Daniel Ndima said on July 7. Speaking during a webinar hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research on... →

Settlement of Covid-19-related insurance claims remains problematic, says ICA

By: Donna Slater 6th July 2021 Insurance Claims Africa (ICA) CEO Ryan Woolley says it is clear from new research released on July 6, that the short-term insurance industry (STI) earned record profits during the pandemic. He states that the STI therefore has “no reason” to further delay the settlement of all outstanding... →

Gold heading towards ‘refuge of choice’ status, says incoming AngloGold CEO

By: Martin Creamer 6th July 2021 Gold is poised to be a "refuge of choice" in the years ahead owing to the extent to which money is being printed and world debt is rising, AngloGold Ashanti CEO-designate Alberto Calderon said on Tuesday. Speaking to Mining Weekly in a Microsoft Teams interview ahead of taking office on September... →

AngloGold Ashanti CEO-designate Alberto Calderon interviewed by Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer

Salba requests excise duties deferment to offset liquor prohibition implications

By: Donna Slater 6th July 2021 The South African Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) states that the current 14-day ban of alcohol sales declared by government on June 27 has left it with “no choice” but to request that the South African Revenue Service (Sars) provide extended payment terms on the excise duties currently... →

Alberto Calderon is new AngloGold CEO

By: Martin Creamer 6th July 2021 The board of AngloGold Ashanti on Tuesday announced the appointment of Alberto Calderon as the new CEO of the gold-mining company, effective September 1. Mining Weekly can report that Calderon has more than two decades of executive leadership experience in the global mining sector. →

Alberto Calderon

Yamkela Makupula clinches exciting Rockwell-linked alluvial diamond deal

By: Martin Creamer 5th July 2021 Alluvial diamond mining investor Yamkela Makupula has clinched an alluvial diamond mining transaction which makes her a 30% shareholder in three diamond assets that have a link with the former Rockwell Diamonds. Makupula, who leads the Africa growth strategy of international law firm Diaz, Reus,... →

Picture of Yamkela Makupula, investor in alluvial diamonds.

Yamkela Makupula interviewed by Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer on alluvial diamond transaction. Video: Darlene Creamer.

Govt still remiss in its consultation with private sector on Covid-19 lockdowns, says BLSA

By: Donna Slater 5th July 2021 Despite the improvements in government’s approach to tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdown regulations, Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso says government has still not embraced consultation with the private sector. She points out this has been a case in point with... →

Mining vital to economy, can help guide country's path – President

By: Martin Creamer 5th July 2021 Mining is vital to the South African economy and the opportunities that exist in mining can help guide the country’s path to a more inclusive and equitable economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated on Monday. Writing in his From the Desk of the President column, Ramaphosa placed mineral and... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

J&J Covid shot neutralises Delta variant, company says

By: Bloomberg 2nd July 2021 Johnson & Johnson said that its single-shot coronavirus vaccine neutralises the fast-spreading delta variant and provides durable protection against infection more broadly. The company said in a statement that recipients of its vaccine produced strong neutralising antibodies over the course of at... →

Decision on Sinovac vaccine to be announced soon – SAHPRA

By: Thabi Madiba 1st July 2021 The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela announced that a decision on the Sinovac vaccine will be communicated in the coming days. Last month, SAHPRA revealed that applications had been received for the Sputnik V and Sinovac’s Coronavac vaccines... →

SAHPRA CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela

International institutions aid vaccine-making in Africa through R10bn financing

By: Marleny Arnoldi 1st July 2021 Several international development finance institutions have partnered on a financing package for pharmaceuticals company Aspen Pharmacare to support vaccine production and other treatment therapies on the African continent. The €600-million, about R10-billion, long-term financing package is... →

Aspen's manufacturing site in Gqeberha

Glencore paid governments $5.8bn, working hard to develop local skills

By: Martin Creamer 30th June 2021 As one of the world’s largest natural resource companies, with operations across five continents, Glencore is committed to delivering long-lasting socioeconomic benefits, CFO Steven Kalmin on Wednesday. Speaking on video with the release of Glencore's 2020 Payment to Governments Report, Kalmin... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Glencore CFO Steven Kalmin

Support income for sectors closed by govt under discussion – Thulas Nxesi

By: Thabi Madiba 29th June 2021 Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi announced on Tuesday that the department’s social partners will be engaging at the National Economic Development and Labour Council this week to thrash out a plan for income support for sectors closed by the government – in particular the alcohol... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi

Salba requests data that drove latest alcohol sales ban

By: Donna Slater 29th June 2021 The South African Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) has written to Ministerial Advisory Council (MAC) chairperson Professor Koleka Mlisana, calling for the release of the information that informed the MAC’s recommendation to the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) to reimpose a ban... →

New restrictions putting many jobs at risk, commentators warn

By: Donna Slater 28th June 2021 Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the move to adjusted Alert Level 4 Covid-19 restrictions and the accompanying ban on alcohol sales, the South African Liquor Brandowners Association (Salba) is requesting government to reassess its measures and to focus on its vaccine rollout... →

Covid-19 Loan Guarantee Scheme to close applications as of June 28

By: Simone Liedtke 28th June 2021 The Covid-19 Loan Guarantee Scheme will not be accepting new applications after June 28, though it will remain in operation until July 11 to allow for in-process applications to be finalised. As at June 19, more than R18.3-billion in loans had been approved by banks and taken up by small... →

Govt renews alcohol ban, announces school closures

By: Chanel de Bruyn 27th June 2021 Amid a massive resurgence in Covid-19 infections, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a renewed ban on the sale of alcohol as the the country moves to an adjusted Alert Level 4 lockdown. In an address to the nation, he said the rapid spread of the Delta variant, which has now been detected in... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

B4SA lauds vaccination progress

By: Marleny Arnoldi 25th June 2021 Business for South Africa (B4SA) has welcomed the opening of the Electronic Vaccination Data Systems (EVDS) for people over 50 to register from July 1 and be vaccinated from July 15. B4SA steering committee chairperson Martin Kingston says the organisation is also pleased that the Department of... →

Vaccine registration for people 50 and over opens July 1

By: Sane Dhlamini 25th June 2021 Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane announced on Friday that South Africans aged between 50 and 59 years can register for the Covid-19 vaccine from July 1, with vaccinations for this age group scheduled to begin July 15. South Africa is battling a third wave of the pandemic, with... →

Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane announces that vaccine registration for people aged 50 and over opens July 1 (Camera: Kutlwano Matlala, Editing: Nicholas Boyd)

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