Botswana plans to reduce spending on new vehicles and travel for government officials and may delay some capital projects due to a slump in diamond revenues, according to Finance Minister Peggy Serame. “We have to seriously reduce the pace of spending, and we are looking at areas such as procurement of vehicles, computers, workshops, and travel that is funded by the government,” Serame told lawmakers on Monday. In the first quarter of the fiscal year
ASX-listed Minbos Resources announced on Monday that the Angolan Sovereign Wealth Fund (Fundo Soberano de Angola, FSDEA) has approved a $10-million strategic investment in the company. This investment will support the construction of the Cabinda Phosphate Fertiliser Project (CPFP). FSDEA provided Minbos with written approval, detailing a $10-million investment at a price of either A$0.08 per share or the volume-weighted average price of Minbos shares for the ten days preceding the execution of the final
The Egyptian government has announced plans to develop two new hydroelectric projects as part of its broader strategy to transition to cleaner energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. These projects are expected to generate up to 2,000 MW of electricity. Unlike the Jabal Ataqa project, which utilizes treated sewage water, these new initiatives will draw water from the Nile River. The Jabal Ataqa project, launched in collaboration with the Chinese company Sinohydro in
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has announced that Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train facility, is poised to challenge Europe’s oil industry, particularly impacting the Northwest Europe (NWE) gasoil sector. In its June 2024 Oil Market Report, OPEC highlighted Dangote Refinery as a top supplier of diesel and aviation fuel. The report suggests that the refinery’s increased production could disrupt Europe’s oil and gas markets, a development experts believe will benefit the
The diamond sector in Angola anticipates recovering a deficit of nearly 1.4 million carats in the second half of the year, aiming to meet the annual production target of 14.6 million carats by year-end. Miguel Vemba, Director of Endiama’s Mining Operations and Holdings Management, shared these insights during the Semiannual Diamond Production Balance Workshop held from July 7-8 in Lunda-Norte. In the first half of 2024, Angola produced approximately five million carats of diamonds, generating
Angola ranks among the countries with the lowest electricity prices globally, following Ethiopia, Sudan, and Libya in Africa, according to global statistics. As of December 2023, Angolan households paid an average of 11.83 kwanzas, equivalent to $0.013 per kWh. This contrasts sharply with the global average price of $0.157 per kWh (13.7 kwanzas). Despite significant investments in the energy sector and notable advances in some provinces, the country has yet to achieve desired outcomes due
The Benguela Railway (CFB) has announced plans to resume regular train services between October and November 2024, addressing current limitations on seating capacity caused by technical issues. In a statement issued to Jornal de Angola, CFB apologized for the disruptions affecting daily rail transport for users in the provinces of Huambo, Moxico, Bié, and Lundas Norte and Sul. The reduction in seating has significantly impacted communities along the railway line connecting Benguela province to Luau
Sociedade Mineira do Luele in Lunda-Norte achieved a production milestone of 1.8 million carats in the first half of this year, securing the administration’s confidence and maintaining over 1,800 jobs. The president of the company’s Board of Directors, Rómulo Mucase, shared this information in Dundo, noting that the production figures represent 94% of the projected 1.9 million carats for the period. He emphasized that this achievement is particularly impressive given the mine’s short operational history,
The National Diamond Company of Angola (Endiama) is implementing measures to stabilize the financial situation of the Lunhinga and Luminas mining companies in Lunda-Norte, both of which are facing significant challenges due to market pressures and high operating costs. Laureano Paulo, Endiama’s Executive Administrator for Mining Operations, Participation Management, Audit, and Quality Control, shared this information during a press briefing on Wednesday, following the Diamond Production Balance Workshop for the first half of the year.
TotalEnergies SE has renewed its contract with Northern Ocean Ltd. for the continued deployment of the Deepsea Mira rig in West Africa. The contract’s firm term has been extended until October 2024, covering one well, with an option for an additional well. TotalEnergies SE began a multi-well drilling program offshore Namibia, following the Venus light oil discovery in Block 2913B (PEL 56) and subsequent exploration of the Venus accumulation into Block 2912 (PEL 91). The
