insert_link Africa Apple Denies Using Conflict Minerals And Cuts Supply Ties with Congo Apple has strongly refuted claims of using conflict minerals in its products, announcing earlier this year that it directed suppliers to cease sourcing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The company cited escalating conflict in the region as the reason for its decision, according to a statement to Reuters. todayDecember 18, 2024 3
insert_link Africa Uganda and the DRC conflict: the interests driving Kampala’s involvement By Kristof Titeca, University of Antwerp The ambiguous and often tumultuous relations between Uganda and neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have made headlines in recent months. In a July 2024 report, the UN Group of Experts on the DRC stated that Ugandan army and intelligence officials were providing active support to the M23 rebel group. The group, which is active in eastern DRC, was first defeated in […] todayAugust 20, 2024 31
insert_link World Vladimir Putin’s gold strategy explains why sanctions against Russia have failed By Robert Huish, Dalhousie University There are more than 16,000 sanctions imposed against Russia. Yet the Russian economy and war machine grew by 3.6 per cent in 2023 and is projected to grow another 2.6 per cent in 2024. Nearly six per cent of Russia’s gross domestic product goes towards military spending. At a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scrambling to acquire arms, funds and […] todayMarch 19, 2024 10
insert_link Business / Economics IJG Ghost Biz – 22 February 2024 In this episode David talks to The Ghost about NEPI Rockcastle, Telkom, Barloworld, and gold companies DRDGOLD and Pan African Resources. https://iono.fm/e/1408318 todayFebruary 23, 2024 12
insert_link Africa Will Kenya’s strategic mining reforms catalyse a sector renaissance? By Bonface Orucho, via bird story agency Kenya's mining and extractives sector is flourishing, reaping the rewards of recent reforms that promise to increase sector revenues as the country positions itself for economic gains from the burgeoning industry. From legal and legislative reforms to seamless mapping and surveying of available resources, the East African country is showing increased interest in tapping into new revenue-generating opportunities in the sector. […] todayJanuary 30, 2024 9
insert_link Business / Economics Ripples of 2023: FBS’s insight on the 2024 global financial outlook With 2023 coming to an end, leading global broker FBS looks back at the significant economic events and delves into the perspective of the financial landscape in 2024. FBS financial market analysts point out that next year, financial markets will stand at the cusp of transformation under the influence of the US economy, global and local military conflicts, and the sprawl of AI. As FBS experts further stress, the cautious stance […] todayDecember 19, 2023 5
insert_link Africa Illegal gold mining in the firing line By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Countries across the continent are moving to quash illegal gold mining, using a variety of methods including formalising the sector, applying more stringent legal processes and even resorting to military intervention, with a Ghanaian court recently sentencing a Chinese national to prison for illegal gold mining, “The court in the capital, Accra, sentenced Aisha Huang to four and a half years imprisonment and a […] todayDecember 13, 2023 20
insert_link Africa Mali signs Russia deal to build gold refinery Russia is deepening bilateral and economic ties with Mali as Western influence in the West African nation declines. Mali has signed a deal with Russia to build a gold refinery in the capital Bamako to improve the nation's economy. Our Correspondent, Nabil Ahmed Rufai reports. todayNovember 24, 2023 9