THE BEST OF THE GPS E-NEWSLETTER
Each month Sassda rounds up a selection of global and local market intelligence articles that are sent to our members in an easy-to-read package of content. They’re designed to highlight pockets of potential growth in demand for stainless steel. Here are some of the best articles from the last few issues...
No charges for environmental crimes - NPA won’t prosecute Karpowership case
The Director of Public Prosecutions in Pretoria has declined to bring charges against the environmental consultants who helped Karpowership SA bypass environmental regulations. A case was opened in May 2021 by the Environmental Management Inspectorate (aka Green Scorpions) which investigates environmental crimes. It relates to Karpowership’s 2020 attempt to bypass the complex process of obtaining environmental permits.
At the time, the country was in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic and Karpowership’s environmental consultants claimed that this “emergency” was a good reason to grant Karpowership an exemption under Section 30A of the National Environmental Management Act (Nema)…
Inept African ports miss chance as Red Sea attacks reroute ships
Africa’s inefficient and ageing ports are hampering the continent’s chances of capitalising on a surge in ship traffic that’s avoiding attacks by Houthi rebels through the Red Sea, logistics experts said. The number of vessels sailing around the southern tip of Africa is up 85% from the first half of December 2023, when the Iran-backed, Yemen-based terrorists intensified their attacks on ships, according to Clarksons Research. Some of the biggest beneficiaries are ports in South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Namibia, all of which have seen volumes rise…
Gardens of Stainless Steel
Located outside the Chinese city of Nanjing, the Jiangsu Garden Expo recreates famous classical gardens from across Jiangsu province. The 3.5 km park is an outstanding example of regeneratinga degraded environment into a living museum furnished with hotels, restaurants, and entertainment. Stainless steel features prominently throughout the Expo…
Transnet’s plan to attract rail investment misses the mark
Transnet’s draft ‘Network Statement’, which is intended to ready the logistics provider for private investment, has received a lukewarm reception from the transport sector. Off-the-record discussions are more frosty, in part because Transnet appears intent on retaining its monopolistic control of rail and setting tariffs that could lump miners with a 65% increase in rail transport costs, according to some estimates…
Canyon Coal to develop new R1.4 billion mine in Mpumalanga
Canyon Coal is constructing a new coal mine in Hendrina, Mpumalanga. Production is expected to start in the second half of 2023, with the first phase of the Gugulethu project on track to be completed in eight to ten months and expected to produce 1.2 million tons a year. Formerly known as De Wittekrans, Gugulethu is a greenfield project located south- east of Hendrina that Canyon bought out of business rescue. Phase 1 of the project holds an economically mineable reserve of 14.3 million tons of run-of-mine (RoM) coal. It comprises three pits, one of which has been specifically designed to gain access to the underground reserve as part of Phase 2…
Improved infrastructure can help SA escape low growth
Infrastructure challenges in South Africa are mounting in what is turning out to be a perfect storm of power cuts, water shortages and potholes that are all too common. The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) highlighted these challenges in its 2022 State of Infrastructure report that revealed that South Africa is at risk of becoming a “failed state”. The report assessed 32 different infrastructure segments and found only 15 to be “satisfactory” or above (graded C or above), with the remaining segments falling into being at risk of failing’ (D) or ‘unfit for purpose’ (E). South Africa’s overall infrastructure rating was a D, indicating that infrastructure is not coping with normal demand and is poorly maintained…
Koeberg nuclear fuel supplies in trouble after US-South Africa pact ends
South African power utility Eskom is examining how the suspension of a pact that enables it to import nuclear fuel components from the US, will affect its sole atomic plant. The Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy between the US and South Africa expired on December 4. That resulted in Westinghouse Electric losing its license from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to export fuel-assembly components to Eskom’s Koeberg plant near Cape Town. “Eskom is exploring the implications of the withdrawal of the US NRC approval for Westinghouse and what is needed to enable them to continue supplying fuel,” the utility said in a reply to questions…
Looming industrial gas crisis, government called upon to make haste
Against the backdrop of a looming supply crisis, Industrial Gas Users Association of Southern Africa Executive Officer Jaco Human reported that the South African gas sector employs 70 000 people and contributes significantly to the manufacturing sector to the extent of about R500-Billion a year. Speaking during a Moneyweb podcast, he reported there are no feasible or discernible alternatives for energy to run these plants at this particular point in time…
SA steel industry needs level playing field says Amsa’s Kobus Verster
Writing in IOL.co.za, ArcelorMittal South Africa CEO Kobus Verster says the South African steel industry needs a level playing field through the establishment of a conducive operating
environment and a level ecosystem to allow it not only to survive but to flourish. He stated; “As we enter another election season, there is much discussion about ‘saving’ the local steel industry. ‘Saving it’ is, however, a misguided narrative, and one that needs addressing”...