South Africa plans exchange control revamp to attract billions in investment

South Africa has proposed a sweeping overhaul of its decades-old rules governing money flows, including tightening its control on crypto assets, seeking to bolster its position as a financial hub... 

AFC targets end-2027 financial close for Lobito's Zambia railway

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) will launch its debt and equity fund-raising push for a new rail line in Zambia in the third quarter of this year, a senior official said on Friday, seeking... 

Middle East war could cause 120 bcm of LNG supply loss from 2026 to 2030 - IEA

The Middle East conflict could result in the loss of around 120-billion cubic metres (bcm) of cumulative liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply between 2026 and 2030, or 15% of expected global supply,... 

South African rand steady as investors track stalled US-Iran talks, await local month-end data

The South African rand was steady in early trade on Friday, as stalled peace negotiations between the US and Iran dampened hopes for an immediate easing of Middle East tensions, while domestically... 

Australian lithium miner PLS says energy security concerns driving demand growth

ASX-listed Pilbara Minerals (PLS) is seeing deepening and broadening demand for lithium, partly driven by energy security concerns, CEO Dale Henderson said on April 24 as the Australian miner... 

Freeport delays recovery of flagship Indonesian mine; shares down more than 8%

Freeport-McMoRan, the world's largest publicly traded copper producer, said on Thursday it expects a slower-than-anticipated recovery at its flagship Grasberg mine in Indonesia after a fatal flood... 

Global refined copper market to swing to surplus in 2026, group says

The global refined copper market is expected to shift to a surplus of 96 000 metric tons in 2026, reversing a previously forecast deficit of 150 000 tons, due to slower demand growth and increased... 

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...