Energy - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

DRC Seeks Hydropower Partners, Expands UAE Mining Investments

September 23, 2023September 23, 2023 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues its search for partners for the world’s largest hydropower project while anticipating increased mining investments from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in preparation for December elections. Talks regarding the 44-GW Grand Inga project with Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest and his company, Fortescue Future Industries, have stalled. However, President Felix Tshisekedi revealed in New York that there is interest from other potential partners, including the World Bank, Chinese investors, Europeans, and possibly Fortescue. Tshisekedi aims to position the resource-rich country as an attractive destination… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy

ZESCO reintroduces electricity subsidies to benefit 8,300 new connections

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 Constance

Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited, the national electricity provider, has announced a significant move to enhance electricity access for low-income households and small-scale enterprises across Zambia. The company’s Managing Director, Victor Mapani, shared through a statement that they are reintroducing an electricity connection subsidy as part of the Electricity Service Access Project (ESAP). This initiative aims to extend electricity access primarily to rural areas. Under this program, a total of 8,300 new electricity connections will be established, benefiting both households and small-scale enterprises. Out of these, 7,800 connections are earmarked… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Energy

China’s dominance a key factor in renewable energy subsidy wars

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 Constance

One of the primary catalysts for the prevalent global emergence of subsidies within the renewable energy sector stems from the dominance of China, research firm BMI Research operational risk analyst Keaton Fitzpatrick has said. Speaking at a webinar hosted by BMI Research – a Fitch Solutions company – titled ‘Subsidy Wars and The Energy Transition, The Race To Develop Low Carbon Energy Manufacturing’ on August 24, he said China had unequivocally established its preeminence across the global energy supply chain, encompassing vital components of renewable energy, as well as the critical mineral provisions and corresponding market domains. One of the primary catalysts for the prevalent… Read More Here

International Coal Energy Mining safety

Eleven people killed in China coal mine explosion

August 28, 2023August 31, 2023 Constance

A coal mine explosion in China’s Shaanxi province claimed the lives of 11 people. The incident took place last week while a total of 90 miners were present at the shaft, according to the provincial Department of Emergency Management. The site of the blast was the city of Yan’an in northern China, a mountainous region in the Shaanxi province where mining has been a key economic activity. At the time of the explosion, nine people were trapped inside and “found with no vital signs”, state broadcaster China Central Television… Read More Here

International Electricity Energy

South Africa Signs Eight Deals to Revamp Electricity Network with China

August 25, 2023August 26, 2023 Constance

South Africa signed eight agreements with Chinese companies to strengthen its electricity system and address load shedding on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit, currently taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa. The pacts will assist South Africa to expand electricity generation, transmission and distribution networks as well upgrade its nuclear facility, extend the life of coal plants, deploy technologies to reduce emissions and build solar PV manufacturing facilities. The agreements were signed by Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency for Electricity with Chinese entities including State Grid Corporation of China,… Read More Here

Energy Electricity Mining in DRC

DRC’s SNEL and PPC Barnet Agree on a $1.2 Million Electricity Network Extension Project in Kongo Central

August 13, 2023August 13, 2023 arnbethnic

The National Electricity Company (SNEL) and PPC Barnet, a private company operating in the gray cement industry, signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday, July 28, 2023, in Kinshasa. The agreement is worth $1.2 million USD and aims to carry out a project to extend the electric network for supplying power to the villages of Zamba 1st and Malanga Cité, located in the Songololo territory. The official signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding took place at the SNEL headquarters in the Gombe commune in Kinshasa. The National Electricity Company… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Battery Metals Cobalt Copper Energy Partnership

UK and Zambia Forge $3.7bn Clean Energy and Mineral Partnership

August 6, 2023August 6, 2023 Constance

The British Government has agreed a partnership with Zambia covering clean energy and critical mineral supply worth more than $3.7bn (£2.91bn). Under the clean energy and green investment partnership, the UK will aim to generate $3.1bn of private sector investment for the Zambian mining and renewable energy industries. A further $600m of funding will come in the form of UK Government-backed investments. Approximately 70% of Zambia’s export earnings come from mining. In 2022, Zambia was the world’s eighth-largest copper producer, and second in Africa. In the same year, it was also the world’s 13th-largest… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy

Zambia Electricity and Westland Power Sign Power Purchase Agreement

July 21, 2023July 21, 2023 Constance

Zambia electricity supply (ZESCO)ESCO Limited has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ACSG Westland Power Company Limited, which will see the latter invest in solar thermal projects across the country. The agreement was signed on 18 July 2023 at a ceremony held at ZESCO Head Office in Lusaka and officiated by the Minister of Energy, Hon. Eng. Peter Chibwe Kapala. ZESCO Managing Director, Eng. Victor Mapani said Zambia’s electricity supply industry needs to be demonopolized to allow many players on the market contribute towards meeting the current power supply… Read More Here

International Coal Energy

Zimbabwe: Contango Secures 20,000 tpm Coal Offtake Agreement

July 19, 2023July 19, 2023 Constance

Natural resource development company Contango Holdings has signed a new offtake agreement with global commodity marketing firm TransOre International FZE for the sale of coal from the Lubu project in Zimbabwe. Under the terms of the deal, Contango will supply TransOre with 20,000 tons of washed coal per month at US$120/ton, in line with the current processing capacity at the project. Offtake has the potential to be further expanded as the mine’s production capacity increases. Carl Esprey, CEO of Contango, said the contract with TransOre doubles the firm’s existing offtake… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Electricity Energy

Nuru Secures $40 Million Investment to Expand Project Portfolio in the DRC

July 7, 2023July 7, 2023 Constance

Nuru will be able to continue developing its portfolio of projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The electricity access provider based in Goma in the province of North Kivu has closed its Series B financing round with an investment of $40 million. In addition to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Proparco, which announced their investments at the Summit for a New Global Financial Deal in Paris, the deal attracted several other investors. These include the Renewable Energy Performance Platform (REPP), the Global Energy Alliance for People and… Read More Here