Africa Briefs
Eskom: Cuts unlikely despite coal supply fall
South African utility Eskom said yesterday rolling power cuts are unlikely despite coal supply possibly falling below a 20-day requirement at its Hendrina power station.
Investigative news outfit AmaBhungane reported Eskom may be forced into nationwide electricity cuts after a coal mine linked to the Gupta family threatened to halt supply.
Coal supply at Eskom's power stations stood at 74 days' worth in March but had fallen to 25 days' worth at Hendrina by October and may have fallen below a 20-day requirement since.
Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said the company was investigating whether supply at all its 12 power stations complied with regulations requiring at least 20 days' worth. – Nampa/Reuters
South Sudan eyes OPEC membership
South Sudan is exploring the benefits of joining the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries as the African nation aims to more than double crude production within 12 months.
The world's newest country has seen its crude output almost halve in recent years, to about 135 000 barrels per day (bpd) currently, amid security concerns and internal strife.
Within a year, South Sudan should be producing 350 000 bpd of oil, its oil minister has said. At that point, the country could participate in wider OPEC production cuts. – Nampa/Reuters
Zambia wants bigger stake in copper mines
Following the sharp rise in copper prices this year Zambia's state-controlled firm ZCCM Investments Holdings wants to increase its stakes in the country's mines and also expects higher dividend payments, its chief executive said on Wednesday.
ZCCM-IH, which was formerly called Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings, has assets of about US$1 billion with minority stakes held in the local mine operating subsidiaries of foreign miners including Glencore, First Quantum Minerals, Vedanta and Jinchuan Group International Resources.
However, CEO Pius Kasolo would not be drawn on how much money ZCCM-IH would invest in the companies or over what period. – Nampa/Reuters
Kenya to build highway to boost Africa trade
Kenya has signed a US$620 million agreement to build a 530 km highway from its east coast to the centre of the country, part of a campaign to boost its role as a regional trade hub.
A consortium including a unit of South Africa's Group Five and the Development Bank of Southern Africa with work with the state. Work is due to start in mid 2018 and be completed within four years.
Kenya wants to build up a role as a regional trade and transport hub, serving as a link to landlocked countries such as Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. – Nampa/Reuters
South African utility Eskom said yesterday rolling power cuts are unlikely despite coal supply possibly falling below a 20-day requirement at its Hendrina power station.
Investigative news outfit AmaBhungane reported Eskom may be forced into nationwide electricity cuts after a coal mine linked to the Gupta family threatened to halt supply.
Coal supply at Eskom's power stations stood at 74 days' worth in March but had fallen to 25 days' worth at Hendrina by October and may have fallen below a 20-day requirement since.
Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said the company was investigating whether supply at all its 12 power stations complied with regulations requiring at least 20 days' worth. – Nampa/Reuters
South Sudan eyes OPEC membership
South Sudan is exploring the benefits of joining the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries as the African nation aims to more than double crude production within 12 months.
The world's newest country has seen its crude output almost halve in recent years, to about 135 000 barrels per day (bpd) currently, amid security concerns and internal strife.
Within a year, South Sudan should be producing 350 000 bpd of oil, its oil minister has said. At that point, the country could participate in wider OPEC production cuts. – Nampa/Reuters
Zambia wants bigger stake in copper mines
Following the sharp rise in copper prices this year Zambia's state-controlled firm ZCCM Investments Holdings wants to increase its stakes in the country's mines and also expects higher dividend payments, its chief executive said on Wednesday.
ZCCM-IH, which was formerly called Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings, has assets of about US$1 billion with minority stakes held in the local mine operating subsidiaries of foreign miners including Glencore, First Quantum Minerals, Vedanta and Jinchuan Group International Resources.
However, CEO Pius Kasolo would not be drawn on how much money ZCCM-IH would invest in the companies or over what period. – Nampa/Reuters
Kenya to build highway to boost Africa trade
Kenya has signed a US$620 million agreement to build a 530 km highway from its east coast to the centre of the country, part of a campaign to boost its role as a regional trade hub.
A consortium including a unit of South Africa's Group Five and the Development Bank of Southern Africa with work with the state. Work is due to start in mid 2018 and be completed within four years.
Kenya wants to build up a role as a regional trade and transport hub, serving as a link to landlocked countries such as Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. – Nampa/Reuters
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