Since the start of 2023, tension between the U.S. and South Africa has rapidly escalated. In February, South Africa welcomed the Russian warship Admiral Gorshkov—with the Kremlin’s pro-war symbol, the letter “Z”, on prominent display. South Africa participated in a joint naval exercise with Russia and China—Mosi II—that took place on the one-year anniversary of the Ukrainian invasion. In response, a group of U.S. policymakers introduced House Resolution 145 opposing S.A.’s hosting of military exercises with Russia and China and called on the Biden administration to “conduct a thorough review of the U.S.-S.A. relationship.”...

Study reveals collapse of electricity, transport and water sectors is crippling long-term growth...

Bearish reaction to financial crisis will have knock-on effects for the sector...

The loss of Agoa would affect just a small share of the total 10% of SA’s exports to the US...

The rush to decarbonise has created unprecedented demand for battery metals. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has estimated that by 2040 demand for lithium will grow by a factor of 40, as it will for cobalt and nickel....

Earlier this month, China announced new export controls on graphite, a material that is used in batteries, fuel cells, and nuclear reactors. The controls were introduced on “national security” grounds and will require special export permits for three grades of graphite. In 2021, China produced 79.1 percent of the world’s natural graphite, despite only having 22 percent of global reserves....

As we enter the most uncertain period in the Middle East in recent times, it’s probable the worst still lies ahead for human security and energy prices...

Reduce the risks companies face, put tax incentives in place and privatise infrastructure...

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White House is committed to advance trade with and invest in SA...

Full implementation of the AfCTA can generate billions of dollars in welfare gains and millions of jobs...

Continent is the new minerals super region and there is an urgent need to develop it economically...

Malaysia has made international headlines by advancing policy that would restrict the export of unprocessed rare earth elements. This news is only the latest data point in a strengthening global trend. Indonesia, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia have advanced similar raw material export bans in recent years. Policymakers need to consider how to position the United States in relation to this pattern....

It has been a rough year for coups and the knock-on effect on minerals has yet to be fully seen...

A real opportunity exists for SA to scale up US investments in manganese production and processing in the country...