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China's May coal imports rise 11% on lower domestic output

Published: 07 Jun 24

China's imports of coal rose 11% in May from a year earlier, customs data and Reuters records showed on Friday, as lower domestic output this year led to increased shipments of international coal. Coal imports by the world's biggest consumer of the fuel were 43.82-million metric tons in May, the customs data showed. That compared with 39.58-million tons in May 2023, according to Reuters records.

EAPASA appoints Musetsho, Hex as chairperson, vice chairperson

Published: 07 Jun 24

As part of a change in its leadership structure, underscoring its commitment to inclusivity, representation and effective governance, the board of the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) has appointed Professor Khangwelo Desmond Musetsho chairperson and Jacqui Hex vice-chairperson. During a general meeting held on May 10, the nomination and appointment of board members was conducted in accordance with the organisation’s constitutional provisions, says EAPASA.

GoviEx receives radiological certificate for Madaouela project

Published: 07 Jun 24

TSX-V-listed GoviEx Uranium has received its radiological certificate for the Madaouela uranium project from the Nigerien government. The radiological certificate is a regulatory requirement prior to starting mining operations and confirms the completion of radiological baseline studies.

Circular Energy partners with Hirsch's Homestores to promote responsible appliance disposal

Published: 07 Jun 24

Not-for-profit Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) Circular Energy has partnered with independently owned appliance and electronics outlet Hirsch’s Homestores, to assist customers in ethically disposing of their end-of-use appliances. Circular Energy says this partnership underscores the critical role it plays in ensuring effective waste management and environmental stewardship.

Indonesia to grant coal mine asset to Islamic group Nahdlatul Ulama

Published: 07 Jun 24

Indonesia is set to award a coal mining concession to the country's largest Islamic group, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), next week to provide it with a source of income, a Cabinet minister said on Friday. The government issued a regulation last week allowing religious organisations to manage mining assets, which critics have said were a sign of pork barrelling and a reward to religious groups for their long political support.

Hudbay and unions sign agreement for Copper World mine project

Published: 07 Jun 24

TSX- and NYSE-listed Hudbay Minerals, in collaboration with several labour unions, has announced the signing of a letter of intent to enter into a project labour agreement (PLA) for the construction of the Copper World mine, in Arizona. The agreement involves the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers Local 627; the Laborers International Union of North America Local 1184; and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 1912.

Sibanye-Stillwater changes covenant flexibility of its credit facilities

Published: 07 Jun 24

JSE- and NYSE-listed Sibanye-Stillwater has announced that the lenders of its revolving credit facilities (RCFs), which include a $1-billion and a R5.5-billion RCF, as well as its Silicosis Guarantee Facility, have agreed to uplift the leverage covenant limits for all the facilities, which the company says further improves the flexibility of the facilities and the balance sheet. This follows proactive engagement by the company with its lenders, consistent with its publicly stated intent to ensure it is able to maintain sufficient financial flexibility and optionality, as required, through a possible extended period of low commodity prices, Sibanye avers.

Nevada Copper urgently seeks funding

Published: 07 Jun 24

Vancouver-based Nevada Copper said on Thursday that it urgently needed funding to maintain operations and complete the commissioning and ramp-up of its Pumpkin Hollow underground mine in Yerington, Nevada. The company has been in discussions with key stakeholders and other parties to secure funding or enter into a change of control transaction. However, Nevada Copper said it had not received a binding offer for such a transaction, nor any sufficient ordinary course funding to continue operations.

South Africa pioneered hydrogen haul truck.

World Hydrogen alerted to benefit of South Africa’s zero-emission hydrogen haul truck

Published: 07 Jun 24

One hydrogen haul truck eliminates the deleterious carbon emissions of the equivalent of 700 cars, First Mode global hydrogen sourcing director James Betts highlighted during this week’s World Hydrogen Australia webinar, where he spoke of the need for the hydrogen haul trucks to be conceived as bringing about a holistic decarbonisation of many aspects of mine sites rather than being viewed in isolation. “Just to give you a bit of context, these mine sites have many haul trucks running through them, so there's a huge amount of potential diesel saving.

Quality, design key to taking fibre to underserved markets

Published: 07 Jun 24

Underserved, low income and rural areas are the next frontier for fibre network operators; however to ensure high quality fibre connectivity is viable for these regions, quality components and clever design will be key. “The market has been quiet for the past six months, with slow growth in major metropolitans, where FTTX has been adopted by most of the middle and high-income market. We expect growth to pick up as operators roll out to smaller towns, rural areas and lower income communities,” said specialist end-to-end fibre solutions provider Dartcom fibre connectivity and management solutions product manager and fibre expert George Martin.