Theresa Smith

Copper prices surpassed $12,000 per tonne for the first time in December 2025 Copper plates produced in mineral processing plant. Source: williamluquec©123rf

Demand for lithium for battery storage grew by 60% in 2025, while the output from Africa expanded by 44%. Electric car lithium battery pack and power connections. Source: wklzzz©123rf

Conflict in the Middle East has influenced costs across the mining sector and manganese producers especially are feeling the pinch Image: Equipment at a Platinum Palladium Mine in Johannesburg. Source: sunshineseeds©123rf

Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo also will sit out Monday night's game against the Nuggets due to a sprained knee.

Where Eskom generation dominated the mid 2010s, 2026 will become known as the year that private procurement really took off Image: Built under REIPPPP Bid Window 1, the 100MW Sere Wind Farm is Eskom's first large-scale renewable energy project, commissioned in 2015. Source: Eskom

When a business loses access to electricity, its operations stop. This leads to lost income, making it harder to pay for electricity in the future. Even after power is restored, the cycle repeats. The solution lies in adopting new technology MediClinic Milnerton's solar PV car park at night. Source: Facebook/Mediclinic Milnerton.

Progress on reaching universal energy access in Africa is slowing down Image: Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira and Thika MP Alice Ng'ang'a visit 89-year-old Hannah Njambi Ndung'u, who has access to electricity for the first time in her home. Source: AlexKWachira/X

Progress on reaching universal energy access in Africa is slowing down and the last mile of electrification needs a rethink

Annual uranium demand will increase as the world builds more NPPs, but like the other necessary rare earth elements demanded by nuclear reactors, the necessary critical minerals are concentrated in a handful of spaces The Langer Heinrich Mine in Namibia is a Tier 1 uranium mine located 85km northeast of the Walvis Bay deepwater harbour. Source: Paladin Energy

While uranium requirements increase as nuclear plants are built, improving fuel utilisation and reactor performance may reduce uranium demand