Anglo American will slash De Beers’ budgets in response to the diamond-market downturn, the parent company said last week. “At De Beers, we are taking a different approach as the business has performed very well operationally. What’s gone against us is the market,” Anglo CEO Duncan Wanblad said at the group’s annual investor update. “Demand and prices for diamonds have fallen as global GDP [gross domestic product] growth has fallen.” The current downturn is likely
South African specialist investment manager, STANLIB, launched its STANLIB Khanyisa Energy Transition Fund last week at COP28 to mobilize crucial capital from long-term investors for South Africa’s energy transition and broader expansion across the continent. The Fund will target energy transition assets including renewable energy, decentralized energy, natural gas as a transition fuel, critical minerals, green hydrogen infrastructure and hybrid and electric vehicles. Led by Johan Marnewick, Head of STANLIB’s Credit Alternatives, it will play
International design and engineering firm, Dar Al-Handasah, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sun Africa, a utility-scale renewable project developer and off-grid solution provider, on December 6 at COP28. Under the terms of the MoU, Dar Al-Handasah will offer comprehensive technical support, including design, project management and construction supervision, for Sun Africa’s projects. The collaboration will initially span projects in Angola and Nigeria, with potential expansion across Africa, the Middle East and other
Libya has set an ambitious target to source up to 20% of its electricity from renewable energy resources by 2035 through a strategy that has gained the support of global partners. Established last October and announced earlier this month, the strategy is considered a strategic economic move by the government, as it serves to not only raise access to electricity but also alleviate fiscal stress. Currently, energy subsidies account for 30% of government spending annually.
The Gas Reception and Distribution Unit (URDG) of the Falcão project’s Phase 2, located in Zaire province’s municipality of Soyo, is set to be inaugurated on December 14th by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil, and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo. URDG’s primary objective is to receive and process natural gas from the Angola LNG plant, catering to various end users such as power generation, fertilizer factories, and petrochemicals. Moreover, this facility aims to expand the industrial
Azule Energy, an Angolan company, has recently become a signatory to the Global Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC), aligning with efforts aimed at advancing climate action within the oil sector. The OGDC Charter was unveiled during COP28, the International Climate Summit, held in the United Arab Emirates from November 30th to December 12th. With over 50 companies on board, representing 40% of global oil production, this initiative has seen National Oil Companies (NOC) comprising
The Government recently concluded an auction, gathering $18.2 million from the sale of eight diamonds. Attended by 25 companies from key diamond markets worldwide, the event saw special productions from various mining companies like Lulo, Somiluana, Chitotolo, and Uari. Originally set to tender 20 stones, the auction featured only 12, with Sociedade Mineira do Uari withdrawing eight stones from the bid. These diamonds, totaling 646.52 carats, were evaluated during sessions at Sodiam’s Luanda facilities. Eventually,
Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) has announced plans to increase oil production by 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2024, up from current levels of approximately 1.2 million bpd. The increase aligns with the country’s efforts to produce two million bpd in the next two to five years. The NOC announced that it is on track to meet this target, with two bidding rounds on the cards for next year. NOC Chairman, Farhat Bengdara,
India, home to 90% of the world’s diamond cutting and polishing industry, and De Beers, the top global rough diamonds producer by value, are seeking clarity and flexibility from G7 countries in implementing a ban on imports of Russian gems. The Group of Seven countries on Wednesday announced a direct ban on Russian diamonds starting January 1 followed by phased-in restrictions on indirect imports of Russian gems from around March 1. Russia is the world’s
Group of Seven nations have agreed to ban Russian diamond imports from the start of next year in the latest move to curb Russia’s ability to fund its invasion of Ukraine. While the G-7 and its European allies have been trying to find additional ways to squeeze Russia’s economy to constrain its ability to fund its war in Ukraine, diamonds have remained a stumbling block. Earlier attempts to sanction Russian gems in Europe had met resistance from
