Petra Diamonds’ rough prices have started to rebound, initial results from its latest tender indicated. The first part of the trading session brought in $58.7 million from the sale of 462,794 carats, at an average price of $127 per carat, Petra said last week. Prices were 20% higher on a like-for-like basis — comparing similar categories of diamonds — than at the fiscal year’s second tender, which ended in October. Prices of rough under 2
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
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.
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
Mozambique’s National Investment Bank (BNI) on Monday December 2nd signed in Dubai an agreement with AMEA Power from the United Arab Emirates valued at 150 million US dollars. The agreement is aimed at developing a photovoltaic solar power plant with an estimated annual capacity of between 125 and 200 MWp (megawatt peak). The agreement was signed during the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi launched on Saturday 2nd December, in Dubai, the Energy Transition Strategy for 2023-2030, an initiative intended to place the country at the forefront of climate innovation, as well as making it an attractive investment destination. The launch took place during a panel at the United Nations Climate Change Summit, COP 28. “The Strategy’s mission is to leverage Mozambique’s abundant renewable and natural resources to accelerate the implementation of a low-carbon development
Procurement of equipment that will be used in the construction of Zimbabwe’s second petroleum pipeline project valued at over US$1 billion is on course, the deal maker of the lucrative project told the Zimbabwe Independent. Over the past 13 years, the implementation of the strategic project, which is expected to put Zimbabwe into the region’s petroleum hub, hung in the balance as the government worked on modalities to tie up the deal with a suitable
