Green hydrogen must be produced efficiently to minimise the costs of production and demand for renewables.
* Conversion of electricity to hydrogen currently creates an energy loss of roughly 30% but there are technologies available today to reduce this loss.
* Efficient converters can increase the overall efficiency of green hydrogen production by roughly 1% – enough to power London for almost four years.

A new Danfoss Impact paper reveals that with hydrogen production set to consume more than half of today’s electricity demand by 2050, energy efficiency in its production is paramount. Decisive steps must be taken to scale its production for use in the hard to abate sectors, without putting an unmanageable strain on renewable energy production or
financial resources.

Danfoss calls for a nuanced approach to green hydrogen, because it will play a critical role in the transition away from fossil fuels. However more focus needs to be put on how we use and produce green hydrogen in the most efficient way, lowering cost and the demand for renewables.

Crucially, hydrogen production should be recognised as a limited resource that must be strategically allocated to sectors that are otherwise challenging to decarbonise such as heavy industry and long-distance transport.

_”The potential of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier is immense,”_ stated Mika Kulju, President, Danfoss Power Electronics and Drives. _”But it must be produced efficiently to minimise costs, and we need to deploy it judiciously. To maximise its impact, which is paramount, green hydrogen should be channelled into sectors where alternatives to fossil
fuels are limited, ensuring the greatest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”___

With green hydrogen production requiring immense amounts of electricity, energy efficiency in its production is vital to its sustainability. While current green hydrogen conversion processes incur an energy loss of approximately 30%, existing technology can minimise this loss. For instance, efficient converters converting alternating current (AC) to
direct current (DC) for electrolysers can increase overall production efficiency by roughly 1%. Though seemingly small, a saving of 1% of the electricity demand in 2050 for hydrogen is enough to power London for almost four years.

Hydrogen holds significant promise in many countries’ climate strategies, with substantial funding programmes underway globally. However, rapid action is necessary. To realise the goals set by the Paris Agreement, global electrolysis capacity must reach more than 550
GW by 2030. Green hydrogen production can grow massively by 2030, but cost challenges are hampering deployment.

In fact, hydrogen-dedicated renewable energy capacity is expected to grow by 45 GW between 2022 and 2028 [1], some 35% lower than forecast a year ago due to slow progress on real-world implementation, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its latest Renewables report.

_“Hydrogen is no silver bullet, but we need to speed up cost-efficient, green hydrogen production because there is no doubt that hydrogen will play a crucial part in the green transition,”_ stated Mika Kulju.

Recovering excess heat from electrolysis is another vital energy efficiency measure. Hydrogen production creates incredible amounts of excess heat. In the EU alone, about 114 TWh can be recovered already by 2030, enough to cover Germany’s current domestic heating more than two times.

Mika Kulju added: _“The potential of recovering excess heat from electrolysis is so enormous that it would be a severe policy mistake not to consider it when planning future energy infrastructure. That’s also why it’s so critical to set the right regulatory and economic framework for an efficient large-scale rollout of hydrogen.”_

The new Danfoss Impact paper, _“Green hydrogen: A critical balancing act”_, presents a balanced approach to hydrogen where efficiency and affordability play a key role.

Key takeaways:

* By 2050, hydrogen production will require more than half of today’s total electricity demand.
* Green hydrogen should be considered a limited resource and prioritised for sectors that are otherwise hard to decarbonise.
* Hydrogen currently remains concentrated in traditional applications, but a rapid upscaling in hard to abate sectors like heavy industry and long-distance transport is necessary.
* Green hydrogen must be produced efficiently by minimising the cost, energy loss, and energy demand of its production.
* Conversion of electricity to hydrogen currently creates an energy loss of roughly 30% but there are technologies available today to reduce this loss.

Transnet is currently under significant scrutiny due to the recent Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) which ranked South Africa’s ports among the lowest of 405 evaluated worldwide. The challenges faced by the country’s ports have been further exacerbated by inclement weather conditions, impacting their operational efficiency. The latest Cargo Movement Update (CMU), prepared by Business Unity South Africa and the South African Association of Freight Forwarders, highlighted a significant week-on-week decline in container handling capacity, dropping from 8,244 to 5,737 containers daily. This 30.3% decrease in throughput capacity is attributed primarily to extreme weather conditions and equipment breakdowns, which have severely disrupted port operations.

The Port of Durban, one of the major ports in South Africa, experienced closures to incoming traffic due to adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the Eastern Cape ports faced operational challenges due to strong winds and vessel ranging, further impacting the overall efficiency of port operations. These disruptions come at a time when the global sea freight industry is grappling with intensified capacity shortages. The container shipping market has been particularly affected, with notable issues such as Maersk ceasing operations of a trans-Pacific service just eight weeks after its commencement, and nearly 50% of westbound Asia-Europe sailings failing to meet their scheduled departure times due to ongoing port congestion in Southeast Asian hubs.

Amid these capacity challenges, global freight rates have continued to rise for the ninth consecutive week, with a 13% increase recorded last week. Since the end of March, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index has seen a 76% increase, with no signs of decline in the near future. The containership charter market also remains strong, with rates increasing by 10% last week, further compounding the challenges faced by the global supply chain sector.

In response to these manifold challenges, public sector ocean freight executives in South Africa and beyond have criticized the World Bank’s latest CPPI. Locally, a logistics principal who requested anonymity suggested that the CPPI does not provide a fair comparison, as it lumps together ports with vastly different sizes and service-related dynamics. This critique raises questions about the validity and accuracy of the World Bank’s data metrics, especially given the institution’s disclaimer that it cannot guarantee the accuracy of its research.

The criticism highlights a broader issue within the global port performance assessment framework. The varying conditions and operational contexts of different ports make it difficult to create a standardized measure that accurately reflects the performance and efficiency of each port. This disparity is evident in the case of South African ports, which are facing unique challenges that are not necessarily comparable to those faced by ports in other regions.

The current situation underscores the need for more nuanced and context-specific evaluations of port performance. While the CPPI provides a useful benchmark, it should be complemented with other assessments that take into account the specific conditions and challenges faced by individual ports. This approach would provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of port performance, helping to identify areas for improvement and inform targeted interventions.

The current CPPI ranking has highlighted the serious difficulties that South African ports confront, which are made worse by bad weather and equipment failures. Complicating matters further are the wider problems plaguing the global maritime freight business, such as declining capacity and growing freight rates? The necessity for more complex evaluations that take into account the distinctive circumstances of various ports is brought up by criticisms of the CPPI’s methodology. To guarantee effective and reliable port operations, addressing these issues would call for a coordinated effort from all supply chain sector players.

DP World is pleased to announce that its Market Access Consumer business, Deep Catch Group, has opened a world-class cold storage facility, Lusaka Commercial Cold Store (LCCS), in Lusaka, Zambia. The LCCS is a groundbreaking project that is set to revolutionise the cold storage industry in Zambia and provide cold storage solutions to local clients, principals and customers.

The facility is the first of its kind in the country and will offer state-of-the-art cold storage facilities to meet the needs of local meat, poultry, and fish producers, as well as the thriving hospitality and retail sectors.

Deep Catch, a diversified and vertically integrated business engaged in the wholesale, distribution, and cold storage of perishable foods, has a proven track record of providing strategic cold storage solutions in South Africa and Namibia, and is now extending this solution to Zambia.

Mohammed Akoojee, CEO & MD: sub-Saharan Africa at DP World, said: “This is a significant milestone for DP World in Southern Africa. The LCCS is set to transform the cold storage environment in Zambia by enhancing the availability and quality of locally produced and imported perishable products. Given its strategic location, advanced infrastructure and commitment to excellence, the LCCS will undoubtedly play a vital role in driving economic growth and the seamless flow of goods in Zambia.”

The LCCS is built to accommodate Zambia’s unique climate and boasts various dedicated areas, including a bulk freezer section, a chiller store, a dry goods storage area, and a processing zone for food handling. The facility will also incorporate a receiving and dispatch area, complete with efficient mobile and static pallet handling systems. Once fully operational, the LCCS will have the capacity to accommodate up to 5,500 pallets distributed across the freezer, chiller and dry storage sections. This expansive capacity ensures that businesses relying on cold storage solutions can effectively manage their inventory and meet the demands of their respective industries and customers.

Bruce Denyer, Head of Market Access Consumer: sub-Saharan Africa at DP World, said: “The development of the LCCS is in line with Deep Catch’s expansion strategy to establish a strong cold chain footprint in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region. The LCCS will play a pivotal role in facilitating the efficient importation of affordable protein products, while simultaneously supporting local food producers in reaching their markets. This world-class facility will adhere to the highest industry standards and provide exceptional logistics support to our customers.”

By providing integrated end-to-end logistics, and leveraging our global footprint and unrivalled infrastructure, DP World is reimagining the global supply chain. We are building better ways to bring goods to more people, by making the flow of trade smarter, faster, and more sustainable, ensuring we can all thrive in ways we never thought possible. By improving the efficiency of moving local goods across the globe, DP World is actively contributing to regional economic growth and changing what’s possible for Africa and her people.

The Kasumbalesa border post, a vital gateway for cross-border trade between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been experiencing significant challenges. As a key logistics provider across Sub-Saharan Africa, Alistair Group is committed to transparency and proactive problem-solving.

Alistair Group recognises the importance of efficient logistics in fostering economic growth and regional integration. The challenges at Kasumbalesa, which include congestion, delays, and infrastructure limitations, have a profound impact on trade flow and economic activities in the region. In response, Alistair Group has implemented several strategic measures:

Enhanced Coordination: We have intensified our coordination with local authorities, customs officials, and other stakeholders to streamline border processes and reduce delays.

Technology Integration: Leveraging advanced logistics and tracking technologies, we are improving the transparency and efficiency of our operations, ensuring timely and reliable deliveries.

Infrastructure Investment: Alistair Group is investing in infrastructure upgrades and maintenance at key points along our routes to enhance the overall logistics network.

Capacity Building: We are committed to training and empowering our workforce, ensuring they are equipped to handle the complexities of cross-border logistics.

Redirection: We have redirected a substantial amount of cargo through alternative borders, leveraging lower congestion to optimise our operations.

Integrated Pump Technology, a leading provider of pump solutions to the mining industry, will use Electra Mining Africa to highlight its recent appointment as an official Godwin distributor as well as its position as a pump supplier of choice in Africa.

Already recognised as the sub-Saharan distributor for the world class Grindex submersible pumps, the company has now expanded its portfolio to include the highly sought-after Godwin diesel-driven dewatering pump range.

Jordan Marsh, Managing Director of Integrated Pump Technology, emphasises the company’s goal of becoming a leading single-source provider of pump solutions. “The addition of a solid range of diesel-driven pump solutions allows us to cater to a much wider spectrum of applications,”says Marsh. “Godwin recognised our team’s extensive experience with both electrical and diesel-driven pumps, making us the ideal partner to expand their footprint in Africa.”

Distributor network

Integrated Pump Technology’s strategic distributor network ensures extensive reach and high levels of support in major mining areas across South Africa, as well as Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia and the DRC. The company’s strong presence on the Copperbelt underscores its capability to support both large and small mining operations with its expanded range of pump solutions.

Cost effective and agile rental solutions for dewatering will take centre stage at IPR’s (Integrated Pump Rental) exhibition stand at Electra Mining Africa this year, as well as its quality range of slurry and sludge pumping equipment.

“Showcasing our growing range of rental pump dewatering options, we will also be celebrating our partnerships with world leading pump OEMs Atlas Copco and Toyo,” says Lee Vine, Managing Director at IPR. “The past year has seen us grow our formal collaboration with Atlas Copco and the great results are there for all to see.”

Featuring strongly at IPR’s stand will be the range of Atlas Copco diesel self-priming pumps and submersible units, says Vine, which the local market has embraced for its quality and performance. Also on show will be the range of Toyo heavy duty slurry pumps, and IPR’s in-house designed SlurrySucker dredging unit.

“There has never been a better time for mines, industry and other sectors to rent their pumping solutions from IPR,” he explains. “Pump rental allows companies to conserve their capital, and avoid high interest rates when borrowing for equipment purchases. Other key advantages are that customers incur no overhead costs with rental, and can rely on us to keep everything running smoothly.”

The global market for quartz has been growing steadily and this trend is set to continue, demanding increasingly high purity levels.

This demand comes from different industries, which have varying requirements, so that the most precise mineral sorting is needed. This can be achieved with sensor- based color and laser sorting technologies – applied individually or in combination – as Jens Michael Bergmann, Global Segment Manager Industrial Minerals and Carolina Vargas Area Sales Manager Europe, India and Rest of the World at TOMRA Mining explain.

A growing demand for markets with different requirements

The quartz market is forecast to continue to grow at an annual rate of around 4% in the next 5 years driven by a variety of factors. Quartz serves different industries which have a variety of uses for the mineral – and hence varying requirements. One of the main sectors is that of engineered stone for use in the production of kitchen countertops, for example. High-quality white quartz is in very high demand for this application for its extreme resistance to acids, stains and damage, as well as its appealing look. It is also seen as an environmentally sustainable choice because of its abundance in nature and the fact that it can be engineered with minimal waste.

The other key market for quartz is the metallurgical industry, as it is the best source for silicon metal and polysilicon, the semiconductor at the heart of electronics, which is also used for other products, such as photovoltaic cells. The applications in the energy sector, as the world moves toward more sustainable sources such as solar and wind, are driving an increase in the demand for high-purity quartz which is an essential component in solar panels.

A resources sector attempting to traverse the challenging landscape from exploration to production is increasingly faced with mining data every bit as critical as the minerals being targeted.

Amid geopolitical tensions, rising ESG demands and the gap between price forecasts and market reality, the ability to make the right decision at the right time is paramount. With a fundamental need for resource companies to replace diminishing reserves – and new discoveries likely to be under cover, at depth and more complex in structure – the industry faces challenges on multiple fronts.

Global consultants Deloitte, in its Tracking the Trends 2024 report, said the mining and metals industry finds itself at the centre of a complex matrix of challenges and opportunities, expectations, and demands.

Capturing, analysing, and acting on data are themes running through its 10 trends of 2024. Similarly, consultants EY in its 2024 assessment of risks and opportunities said business leaders anticipated a surge of investment in data and technology, driven by demand across the business for digital solutions to reduce costs and improve productivity, safety and ESG outcomes.

Nigeria has recently taken a significant step in its ongoing efforts to reform the mining sector by inaugurating 350 new operatives into its mining marshals. This move underscores the federal government’s dedication to combating illegal mining and improving the operational effectiveness of the mining sector.

With the addition of these 350 new operatives, the total number of mining marshals deployed nationwide now stands at 2,570. The inauguration ceremony took place at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) headquarters during a Passing Out Parade. Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mary Ogbe.

Dr. Alake commended the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Ministry of Interior. He specifically acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the NSCDC in addressing the challenges posed by illegal mining activities.

Reforming the mining sector

Dr. Alake highlighted the achievements of the mining marshals. He noted that their efforts have notably reduced illegal mineral haulage and the activities of unlicensed operators across the country. The initiative to strengthen the mining marshals began with the inauguration of the first batch of 2,220 operatives. Since then, significant progress has been made, including the arrest of over 200 illegal mining suspects, with 133 prosecutions currently in progress. Additionally, confiscated illegally mined minerals have been forfeited to the federal government.

In bulk materials handling applications, the uncontrolled discharge from conventional chutes can lead to increased maintenance and replacement costs, as well as decreased productivity.

Recognising these challenges, companies around the world, both large and small, have adopted Weba Chute Systems, a choice which represents a shift towards greater efficiency and less downtime. Mark Baller, CEO of Weba Chute Systems, explains that there is a growing consensus across the globe that incorporating custom-engineered transfer chutes is paramount.

“There are still some that overlook the significance of transfer points that are engineered for specific application requirements, ranking them below screens, crushers or feeders in the process hierarchy. Baller points out a critical misconception that undermines operational efficiency: the notion that initial savings from inexpensive inferior chutes outweigh long term costs.” This approach is flawed, “he argues,” “as it inevitably leads to higher operational expenditure due to frequent maintenance, and in some cases unscheduled downtime.”

Highlighting the benefits of custom-designed solutions, Baller notes, “Proper initial design significantly lowers maintenance needs, improves material transfer, extends conveyor belt lifespan and boosts throughput. Moreover, our chutes are engineered to minimise environmental impact, reducing airborne dust and enhancing workplace health and safety.”