Despite the rapid expansion of renewable-energy generation capacity, the considerable growth of electricity demand in key economies indicates the world’s consumption of coal will stay largely stable this year and next, intergovernmental agency the International Energy Agency (IEA) says. Global coal demand is set to remain broadly unchanged both this year and in 2025 as surging electricity demand in some major economies offsets the impacts of a gradual recovery in hydropower and the rapid expansion of solar and wind energy, the agency’s ‘Coal Mid-year Update’ report shows.
Platinum demand uplifted by global electrolyser developments, world body reports
Platinum-based electrolysis for the production planet-cleaning green hydrogen is gaining worldwide momentum, with the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) projecting on Wednesday that global electrolyser capacity is poised to grow by a cumulative 212 GW. Correspondingly, based on the assumption that platinum-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers will have a 38% share of the electrolyser market in 2030, annual platinum demand from PEM electrolysers alone is expected to rise to 229 000 oz in 2030 from 4 000 oz last year.
Standard Bank backs 500-MW-worth of decentralised electricity projects post reforms
Standard Bank reports that it has provided funding to South African decentralised electricity projects with a combined capacity of more than 500 MW over the past two years, following regulatory changes allowing such projects to proceed without a licence. Operation Vulindela, which oversaw the regulatory reforms, reported that the pipeline of private renewables projects currently stood at 22 500 MW and that efforts were being made to remove the grid-related bottlenecks to unlocking further investment.
Anglo to face investors with wary eye on BHP’s potential return
Anglo American investors will keenly scrutinize CEO Duncan Wanblad on Thursday as he gives an update on the London-based miner’s strategy, just months after fighting off a $49-billion takeover bid from bigger rival BHP Group. Delivering first-half earnings results for the first time after rebuffing the world’s No. 1 miner, Wanblad and his team need to convince investors that the strategy to refocus on copper, iron ore and a fertilizer project is on track.
Panellists have mixed views on sustainability of renewable-energy financing
Independent power producer (IPP) developers are currently generating lower returns on renewable-energy projects at about 11%, making it challenging for banks and institutions to provide finance, said Thebe Investment Corporation power and infrastructure GM Johann Bester. He introduced this problem statement to a panel of experts during the Coal & Energy Transition Industry Day on July 23, adding that some banks are not participating in Bid Window 7 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme because the returns are simply too low.
Production now under way at FQM’s Enterpise nickel mine in Zambia
TSX-listed First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has declared commercial production, as of June 1, at the Enterprise nickel mine, which is 12 km from the company’s Sentinel copper mine in the North-Western province of Zambia. FQM built and commissioned the project, realising commercial operation in a little more than two years.
Minerals Council South Africa supports beneficiation where the economics make sense
Minerals Council South Africa, whose members account for 90% of this country’s annual mineral production by value, supports beneficiation where the economics make sense. “Therefore, we welcome the call for a more conducive policy environment for beneficiation processes,” Minerals Council CEO Mzila Mthenjane stated in a media release to Mining Weekly.
Collaboration, investment pivotal to a successful energy transition
Coal, as a plentiful natural endowment in the country, is poised to remain a pivotal part of the South Africa’s energy mix for the foreseeable future; however, this comes with risks and challenges, and it is imperative that more renewable-energy capacity, new technologies, considerable investment and collaboration are pursued as the country undertakes its energy transition. This was highlighted by Energy Council of South Africa CEO James Mackay, delivering a keynote address during the first day of the Coal & Energy Transition Day event on July 23.
TFR boasts slight improvement but admits much work still to be done
Although there has been a “slight” improvement year-on-year in terms of State-owned Transnet Freight Rail’s (TFR’s) North Corridor performance, the beleaguered rail operator is “not out of the woods yet”, TFR north corridor acting managing executive Theo Johnson has said. “‘Slight improvement’ is a term that I would accept. We’re working on a lot of initiatives [in] the North Corridor, because that’s the biggest corridor in TFR, particularly for the export coal line . . . but we are not out of the woods. We have a long way to go,” he said at the 2024 Coal & Energy Transition Day, in Johannesburg, on July 24.
Peak and Shenghe extend partnership to fund Tanzania REE mine
Australia’s Peak Rare Earths has signed a nonbinding term sheet with Chinese miner Shenghe to support the development and funding of the Ngualla rare earths element (REE) project in Tanzania.
The term sheet contemplates Shenghe acquiring 50% in the entity that holds an effective 84% of the Ngualla project by subscribing for new shares worth A$96-million.