Africa's biggest mobile operator MTN is exploring partnerships with low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite providers to bring internet connection to rural and remote customers in particular, Group CEO Ralph Mupita said on Monday. Satellite-internet has become an alternative connectivity solution across Africa with the popularity of providers such as Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Narend Singh has launched the 2023/24 National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Report (NECER), which highlights improvements in proactive compliance monitoring. The launch occurred at the tenth National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Lekgotla, being held this week at the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage Site, in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Japan Institute for Overseas Investment (JOI), aimed at scaling up investment flows into Africa. The AFC is focused on financing the development of core infrastructure (that is, power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport and telecommunications) projects across the continent. The JOI is an initiative of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The AFC already has a strong partnership with the JBIC. The new MoU, with the JOI, is aimed at boosting projects that will transform Africa’s energy sector by accelerating the energy transition and strengthening economic sustainability.

Progress is being made on the maintenance and repair of the Lesotho Highlands water tunnel, which was shut down more than a month ago to undertake the critical work that will ensure longevity of the infrastructure. Since the total shutdown on October 1, for a duration of six months, the tunnel, which transfers a contracted 780-million cubic metres of water a year into South Africa, has been emptied of water and general inspections were conducted – essential activities that were required before repair works started on November 1.

Multinational miner Sibanye-Stillwater’s South African operations received six industry health and safety awards at the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) MineSafe 2024 conference this month. The awards recognise safety achievements by the group’s platinum group metals (PGM) and gold operations during the year.

President Cyril Ramaphosa described the Stilfontein mine as a “crime scene”, on Monday, as he called for a peaceful resolution to the standoff at the disused mine shaft, where illegal miners are holed up. The South African Police Service and government departments have been trying, for over a month, to surface the illegal miners from the abandoned North West gold mine. While more than 1 000 miners have since surfaced and been arrested, it is believed that there are still hundreds of illegal miners in the shaft. Police had closed off the mine’s entrances and stopped supplies of water and food to the miners. However, the Pretoria High Court has since ruled that the shaft be unblocked by police to allow for food and water to reach the miners. One body has been retrieved from the mine. Ramaphosa said this operation formed part of government’s nationwide Operation Vala Umgodi crackdown to curb illegal mining activities in the country, which he said cost the economy billions in lost export income, royalties and taxes. “We need to be clear that the activities of these miners are illegal. They pose a risk to our economy, communities and personal safety. The Stilfontein mine is a crime scene where the offence of illegal mining is being committed. It is standard police practice everywhere to secure a crime scene and to block off escape routes that enable criminals to evade arrest. In doing so, the police must take great care to ensure that lives are not put at risk and that the rights of all people are respected,” he said. Miners who surface from the mine shaft are medically assessed and detained if found to be in good health. Others are transported to the hospital under police guard.

JSE-listed integrated poultry producer Astral Foods has managed to swing from an operating loss of R621-million in the 2023 financial year to an operating profit of R1.1-billion for the financial year ended September 30, on the back of its recovery strategy to deal with the slump induced by Avian influenza and loadshedding. “The successful execution of our ‘re-set, re-focus and re-start’ campaign during the year under review resulted in the group increasing operating profit by 281% year-on-year and returning to profitability after the worst year in Astral’s history,” comments outgoing CEO Chris Schutte.

Market research firm BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, has maintained its 2025 iron-ore price forecast at an average of $100/t, expecting continued downward pressure owing to weak demand stemming from a subdued outlook for mainland China amid its sluggish property sector. In a market commentary published on November 18, BMI notes that iron-ore (62% iron content) prices at Qingdao port are currently hovering below $100/t at about $95.7/t as of November 8, with the year-to-date average in 2024 thus far being $105/t.

ASX-listed Bannerman Energy has appointed Bruce McFadzean as a nonexecutive director, effective November 18. McFadzean is a mining engineer with over 40 years of mining and process experience across a range of commodities and geographies.

The upgrade of South Africa’s rating by S&P Global to a positive ratings outlook is largely positive for the country, but employment figures from Gauteng are a source of concern, business organisation Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busiswe Mavuso writes in her weekly newsletter. She expresses hope that the upgrade is the first of several steps toward regaining the country’s investment-grade credit rating that was lost at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.