Botswana’s mineral sector is expected to experience slower growth in 2024 compared to the previous year, primarily due to a decline in diamond production. On July 13, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised Botswana’s growth forecast for 2024 from 3.6% to 1%, as reported by Mines.cd. This decline is anticipated to lead to a budget deficit increase from 3.45% to 6%, attributed to reduced revenue from mineral resources. In response to these challenges, the IMF
Russia and Congo-Brazzaville have signed a landmark agreement to cooperate in hydropower and peaceful nuclear energy, announced Russian nuclear company Rosatom. This agreement is part of Rosatom’s broader strategy to expand its nuclear activities across Africa. During a business visit to Congo, Nikolay Spassky, Rosatom’s Deputy General Director and Head of the International Activities Department, met with Emile Ousso, the Minister of Energy and Hydraulics, to finalize the agreements. The deal includes memoranda of understanding
Egypt plans to significantly enhance its oil production capacity through a substantial investment. The government has announced a $1.2 billion investment aimed at increasing its oil output. Currently, Egypt is one of Africa’s largest oil producers with a capacity of approximately 559,000 barrels per day. The investment, slated for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, will fund the drilling of 110 exploratory wells. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to invest $7.2 billion in drilling
Anglo American (LON: AAL) announced last week that it is considering additional cuts to diamond production due to ongoing market challenges, complicating its plans to sell its De Beers unit as part of a significant business overhaul. The restructuring plan was announced in May following the successful rebuttal of a $49 billion takeover approach from BHP (ASX: BHP), the world’s largest miner. The plan includes the sale or divestment of its 85% stake in De
Mauritius-based Chappal Energies has recently acquired TotalEnergies’ minority share in a significant onshore oil joint venture in Nigeria. This transaction includes ownership interests in 15 licenses, primarily oil-producing, with a combined output of 14,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2023. The decision to divest was driven by costly repairs stemming from challenges in Nigeria’s oil sector, prompting TotalEnergies to streamline its operations. TotalEnergies had previously signaled its intent to sell its 10% stake
De Beers is expanding its flexibility for this month’s sight as the miner responds to the market downturn by limiting supply rather than lowering prices. The company informed clients last week that sightholders could remove certain goods from their allocations of rough diamonds and request larger buybacks than usual. The July sight, beginning next Monday, occurs amid rising inventories and falling prices in the polished diamond sector, particularly in India. De Beers’ customers expect the
The Council of Ministers of Côte d’Ivoire has awarded a mining permit for the Koné project to Montage Gold Corp, marking a significant step forward for the company in the region. Montage received mining permits covering a total area of 357 sq km for both its Koné and Gbongogo deposits, valid for 20 years and 8 years respectively. These permits include several advanced high-grade exploration targets, offering opportunities to extend the mine’s life through successful
Egypt plans to drill 110 exploratory gas and oil wells, investing $1.2 billion during the 2024–2025 fiscal year, according to Minister Karim Badawi. In a meeting with a parliamentary committee reviewing the new government’s program, Badawi stated that by 2030, Egypt aims to have drilled a total of 586 exploratory wells for gas and oil, with a cumulative investment of $7.2 billion. Regarding exploration activities, the minister explained that there are currently 145 active commitment
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) has successfully started operating a new pipeline from the North Hamada oil field to the Mellitah oil port. In a statement on Thursday, the NOC detailed that oil production from the North Hamada field has begun flowing to the Mellitah port via the 250-kilometer (El Feel-Mellitah) pipeline. The corporation reported that crude oil pumping has been consistent and secure, starting from the main storage tanks and reaching the receiving point
Aliko Dangote has announced plans to list the fertilizer and petrochemical divisions of the Dangote Refinery on the stock exchange in the first quarter of 2025. The President of Dangote Group shared this during a media briefing at the Dangote Refinery. This decision aims to expand the conglomerate’s investor base and unlock additional value for shareholders. “Given the nature of our businesses—both the refinery and the fertilizer—we are targeting the end of this year, but
