Environmental Organizations Challenge Authorization for Oil Drilling on South African Coast

Environmental organizations, The Green Connection (TGC) and Natural Justice, have taken legal action against the environmental authorization granted to TotalEnergies Exploration and Production South Africa (Teepsa) for exploratory drilling in Blocks 5, 6, and 7 along the Cape Town and Cape Agulhas coast. The application, filed in the High Court, targets several respondents including Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, the director-general of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), and Forestry, Fisheries,

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WAPCo Restores Gas Delivery After Tema Facility Shutdown

The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) has successfully resumed gas delivery at Tema’s Regulating and Metering Station following a temporary shutdown due to a system glitch. According to a press statement released on Saturday, March 23, the Tema facility experienced a complete shutdown around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, resulting in electricity disruptions in areas such as Tema, Lapaz, Weija, Mallam, Kasoa Barrier, and others. After working diligently throughout the night, engineers managed to

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Uganda Oil Firm Sells Fuel Post-Kenya Split

UNOC initiates petroleum product sales to oil marketing companies in Uganda and Tanzania. This is part of a broader strategy to test the waters before UNOC embarks on a direct importation agreement with the global oil titan, Vitol Bahrain. This manoeuvre signals a new era in East Africa’s energy dynamics, especially following a cooling of relations between Uganda and Kenya over fuel supply mechanisms. For years, Uganda’s fuel supply chain was heavily dependent on Kenyan

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Intana Energy Reports Progress in Namibia’s Orange Basin Exploration

Intana Energy provides updates on the ongoing exploration campaign in Namibia’s Orange Basin, specifically on Blocks 2813A and 2814B, governed by Petroleum Exploration Licence 83 (PEL 83). Galp Energia’s subsidiary operates PEL 83, with Sintana holding an indirect 49% interest in Custos Energy, a 10% working interest owner in the license, alongside NAMCOR, Namibia’s National Petroleum Company, which also holds a 10% working interest. Chairman and CEO of Custos, Knowledge Katti, emphasizes the significance of

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Egypt’s EGAS Expands Presence with Saudi Subsidiary

Egypt’s state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) has taken a significant step in expanding its international footprint by establishing a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia. Named Modern Gas Saudi Arabia, the newly formed company, with an initial capital of $530,000, marks EGAS’s entry into the Saudi market, with an 80% ownership stake. This strategic move, announced by Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum on March 17, is part of EGAS’s broader strategy to attract foreign investment and

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Gem Diamonds’ Fiscal Year 2023 Profit Plummets Amid Market Challenges

Gem Diamonds reported a significant decline in profit for the full fiscal year of 2023, with earnings from its Letšeng deposit in Lesotho dropping to $1.6 million compared to $20.2 million in 2022. CEO Clifford Elphick attributed the decline to various global challenges, including economic uncertainties, conflicts, and a subdued diamond market. The company’s revenue fell by 26% to $140.3 million, primarily due to lower rough diamond prices resulting from the market downturn. Sales volume

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De Beers’ February Rough Sales Show Signs of Recovery

De Beers reported a total of $430 million in proceeds from its second rough-sales cycle of the year, showing a 13% decline compared to the same period in 2023. However, this figure marks a 15% increase from its first sight of the year and a significant improvement from the final sight of 2023. Although below average for this time of year, the recent sales indicate a recovery, especially driven by increased demand in the diamond-jewelry

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Firestone Diamonds Recovers 215-Carat Rough from Liqhobong Mine

Firestone Diamonds announced the recovery of a 215-carat rough diamond from its Liqhobong mine in Lesotho, marking the largest high-quality stone found at the deposit to date. The company intends to offer the diamond through a competitive bidding tender, following viewings in Antwerp and Dubai. Firestone holds a 75% stake in Liqhobong, with the remaining 25% owned by the Lesotho government. After experiencing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Firestone resumed operations in October 2022.

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Botswana Diamonds Reports Positive Developments in 2023

Botswana Diamonds’ Chairperson, John Teeling, has highlighted several positive developments achieved by the company in 2023. These include the discovery of a high-grade anomaly similar in size to the KX36 kimberlite pipe, progress on Thorny River mining permits in South Africa, and renewed interest in the Ghaghoo diamond mine in Botswana. Despite a depressed diamond market in 2023, Teeling remains optimistic about the long-term outlook for mined diamonds. He acknowledges the growing market for lab-grown

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Botswana Expresses Concern Over G7 Diamond Sanctions

Botswana officials have voiced apprehension over the Group of Seven’s (G7) planned restrictions on Russian diamonds, warning of potential negative impacts on the country’s diamond trade and economic progress. Lefoko Moagi, Botswana’s minister of mineral resources, green technology, and energy security, emphasized that the proposed requirement to channel all diamonds through Antwerp for verification poses logistical challenges and could hinder Botswana’s beneficiation efforts. The government is advocating for verification processes to occur in producer countries

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