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... 

US military says it will start blockade of all ships going to and from Iran on Monday

US Central Command (Centcom) said it will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10:00 ET (14:00 GMT), after President Donald Trump... 

Peru orders new review of Southern Copper's stalled Tia Maria project, cancels okay

Peru's government has revoked its authorization for Southern Copper's Tia Maria copper project and sent it back to authorities for review, the mining ministry said on Friday, creating a new... 

Trains through Angola's Lobito critical mineral corridor suspended by floods

A railway through Angola's Lobito corridor - a vital source of critical minerals like copper and cobalt - was forced to suspend operations on Sunday after nearby rivers burst their banks, causing... 

Kemcore plans Africa-based mining chemical plants in bid to cut imports

Africa‑based mining chemicals importer Kemcore is planning to build its own processing plants in Botswana and Angola, aiming for reduced exposure to geopolitical risk attached to imports from China... 

South African rand steady with US-Iran talks in focus

The South African rand was steady on Friday, with its future direction likely to be determined by the outcome of weekend talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad. At 1310 GMT the rand traded at... 

Australia delays publishing of resources, energy outlook for the first time

Australia's quarterly resources and energy outlook has been delayed for the first time owing to "extreme volatility" caused by the US-Israel war against Iran, which is rendering forecasts out of... 

South African rand slips in early trade; US-Iran talks in focus

The South African rand was marginally weaker in early trade on Friday, with its future direction likely to be determined by the outcome of weekend talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad. At... 

Australia's Whitehaven secures $600m loan

Australia's Whitehaven Coal said on Friday it had secured $600-million in new bank financing to repay part of its existing $1.1-billion acquisition loan tied to its purchase of BHP's Queensland...