Kenya, Tanzania and neighbours discuss joint refinery as Dangote offers to build it

East African countries are discussing plans for a joint oil refinery at Tanzania's port of Tanga modelled on Nigeria's Dangote plant, Kenyan President William Ruto said on Thursday. East Africa... 

Sasol aims for green jet fuel exports to EU

South African petrochemical company Sasol has received certification from a German agency for its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), paving the way for it to start exports to the European Union, a... 

BHP adopts new Chinese iron-ore price index in deal to end dispute, sources say

BHP Group agreed to use an additional Chinese iron ore price index for one of its flagship products as part of a deal with China to end a months-long dispute, three sources with knowledge of the... 

Zambia's Luanshya Copper Mine to restart in August after two-decade halt

Zambia's Luanshya Copper Mine, majority owned by China Nonferrous Mining Corporation (CNMC), is set to resume production in August after spending more than two decades idle, the mines ministry said... 

At least nine people killed in attack at mining site in Pakistan

At least nine people were killed when gunmen attacked National Resources's copper and gold project in Balochistan, Pakistan, on Wednesday, local authorities said. Pakistan's National Resources,... 

Need for hedging could spur new derivatives for niche critical minerals, Traxys CEO says

Derivative contracts for niche critical minerals including rhenium could emerge over time as supply concerns and price volatility push industrial users to seek better hedging tools, said Mark... 

Trump poised to expand refugee programme for white South Africans

President Donald Trump's administration is considering more than doubling an annual refugee limit to bring more white South Africans into the US, according to three people familiar with the matter.... 

South Africa ramps up fuel imports from US as war jolts trade

South Africa is boosting oil-product imports from the US to help replace lost supplies from the Middle East, in another example of how the conflict is reshaping trade and threatening higher costs... 

Hormuz crisis throws spotlight on world's largest 'chokepoint' – the Malacca Strait

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced policymakers in Asia to face questions over the security of other maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Malacca, which is the world's busiest... 

France's Eramet could seek new investors in capital hike; plans Indonesia mine halt

Eramet said on Thursday it could talk to new investors about taking part in a €500-million capital increase that the struggling French mining group is planning for later this year. The nickel,... 

Iron-ore eases as investors weigh rising supply against higher war-induced costs

Iron-ore prices eased on Thursday, as investors weighed prospects of a growing supply of the key steelmaking ingredient against higher costs stemming from the prolonged Iran conflict. The... 

Comex copper stocks hit record high after US arbitrage reopens

Copper inventories on the US Comex exchange have climbed to a record high, data from the bourse showed on Wednesday, as traders take advantage of the renewed price arbitrage to ship metal to the... 

Ghana directs Newmont, AngloGold, Zijin to shift mining ops to local firms by December, sources say

Ghana's mining regulator has given international companies Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti and Chinese-owned Zijin until December 2026 to shift mining operations over to local contractors or face... 

Copper king Chile faces acid supply crunch as China exports dry up

China's exports of sulphuric acid to Chile dwindled to zero in March, Chinese customs data show, leaving the world's top copper producing nation facing a squeeze on supplies of the chemical used to... 

Eskom expects no power cuts over winter months

State utility Eskom said on Wednesday that it expected to implement no power cuts during the southern hemisphere winter months from April to August as its power station fleet had become more... 

South Africa gets more foot-and-mouth vaccine doses as it battles to contain outbreak

South Africa's government said on Wednesday that it had received 2 million doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine from Turkey, as authorities intensify efforts to contain the country's worst... 

Extreme heat threatens global food systems, UN agencies warn

Extreme heat is pushing global agrifood systems to the brink, threatening the livelihoods and health of more than a billion people, according to a new report by the UN's food and weather agencies.... 

Copper to hit $15 000/t within three years - Traxys CEO

Copper prices may not move higher this year, but will probably hit a record $15 000/t within three years, the head of trading firm Traxys said on April 22. "I think we'll see higher copper and... 

South32 lowers full-year manganese guidance by 6%

Diversified miner South32 lowered its full‑year forecast on April 22 for its Australia Manganese unit after wet-season rainfall and Tropical Cyclone Narelle disrupted operations. The company also... 

South African inflation picks up to 3.1% y/y in March, as expected

South Africa's headline consumer inflation edged up as expected last month, but analysts said the increase would be far larger in April when fuel price hikes triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran... 

Goldman Sachs maintains 2026 copper price, surplus forecasts

Goldman Sachs on Tuesday maintained its forecast for the copper price to average $12 650 per metric ton this year and its estimate of a 490,000-ton 2026 surplus for the metal. However, the bank... 

Aluminium faces 'black swan' supply shock, Mercuria says

The global aluminium market is experiencing a "black swan" event as disruptions due to the Middle East war trigger a supply shock that will lead to major shortages this year, according to the top... 

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...