Australia's Perenti secures R12bn mining contract in Burkina Faso
Australia's Perenti said on Monday it will provide underground mining services at London-listed Endeavour Mining's Mana complex in the West African country of Burkina Faso under a A$1.1-billion (R12.76bn) contract.
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The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Nuclear energy and power plays: Vladimir Putin taps into West Africa
Vladimir Putin last week approved a nuclear deal with Mali and Burkina Faso through the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom). The agreement covers the construction of research reactors and nuclear power plants to supply the civilian population's energy needs. This follows March 2025 talks and an October 2024 memorandum signed between Rosatom and Burkina Faso. The agreement is a significant shift in West African energy alliances and reflects Russia's overall geopolitical strategy. Mali and Burkina Faso, both run by military juntas, have kept their distance from Western institutions since 2021. In January 2024, the two countries, along with Niger, announced their intention to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Furthermore, in January 2025, the formal exit took place. These three countries currently make up the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Only 21% of Burkina Faso's population has access to electricity, unlike Vladimir Putin's Russia, which boasts a nearly 100% rate. The nuclear deal, led by Rosatom, is part of a larger effort to address the country's ongoing energy shortages. These nations aim to reduce their reliance on imported oil and biofuels, which currently account for the majority of their energy mix. Rosatom, under Vladimir Putin's authority, will oversee the nuclear fuel cycle and infrastructure development in both Mali and Burkina Faso. To increase its footprint in Africa, the company has signed deals with Rwanda and Nigeria in addition to a $30 billion project (approximately R541.5 billion) in Egypt. Rosatom's engagement in Burkina Faso builds on previous mining collaborations, such as a gold mining licence awarded to Russia's Nordgold in April 2025. To ensure sustainability and safety, experts warn that nuclear infrastructure requires significant regulatory oversight and long-term investment. A deeper strategic realignment in West Africa is reflected in the nuclear deal between Vladimir Putin and the Alliance of the Sahel States (Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso). The Royal United Services Institute's (RUSI) senior research fellow, Dr. Dariya Dolzikova, has expressed 'serious concerns'. Her concern is about Russia's nuclear safety record, especially in light of its military occupation of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility. According to her analysis, Russia controls documented safety violations. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not publicly commented on the agreement. Timelines and funding information are not made public. On 19 June 2025, Russia and Burkina Faso signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025). Moreover, the agreement creates a legal framework for nuclear cooperation. The deal covers isotope production, infrastructure development, nuclear safety regulation, and training for Burkina Faso's nuclear industry. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
West Africa wants deals with Trump but US entry bans a barrier, says Nigerian minister
West African nations want to strike deals with the US over energy and rare earth minerals, but the Trump administration's looming expansion of travel bans risks derailing those efforts, Nigeria's foreign minister Yussuf Tuggar said on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump this month implemented full or partial travel bans for foreign nationals from a dozen countries as part of his immigration crackdown. A possible broadening of the restrictions to an additional 36 countries would include nearly all of West Africa. "This would be most unfortunate if it comes to pass, because we are a region of opportunities ready to do deals," said Tuggar, who currently chairs regional bloc Ecowas 's council of foreign ministers. President Trump has upended longstanding trade relations since returning to the White House, using erratic tariff threats and aggressive tactics in a bid to secure better deals from trading partners. As part of an agreement with Beijing, for example, Trump said China will supply the US with magnets and rare-earth minerals critical to the auto and battery industries in exchange for Chinese students' continued access to US universities.
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Grindrod announces departure of CEO Xolani Mbambo at end of 2025
JSE-listed Grindrod has announced that its Group Chief Executive Officer, Xolani Mbambo, will step down on December 31, 2025. Mbambo has been with the company for 12 years and is leaving following what the group described as " a period of strong growth, including key concessions in Mozambique and South Africa and the successful repositioning of the business as a leading logistics platform in sub-Saharan Africa". During his tenure at Grindrod Mbambo expanded its port operations, securing new concessions in the Port of Maputo and Matola, and a 25-year deal for container handling at the Port of Richards Bay.
