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☆ South Africa has one of the world’s largest manganese reserves. So why does it outsource for processing?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Jackelyn Prager | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —On delivery day at the Manganese Metal Company’s industrial complex in Mbombela, South Africa, truckloads of manganese ore from the Kalahari Basin in the Northern Cape are ushered inside for processing. South Africa has the world’s largest manganese reserves; however, the International Manganese Institute estimates only 2% of the manganese ore produced within the country is locally processed. The Manganese Metal Company says it receives 80,000 tons of ore every year, with plans to build a $25 million commercial processing plant by the end of 2026. With an abundance of manganese reserves, South Africa has potential to become a leader in high purity manganese sulfate production, but d’Harambure says “issues with the electricity sector in South Africa” and “an increase in electricity prices” have made it difficult to produce manganese chemicals and alloys there. Green potentialThese obstacles are not stopping the Manganese Metal Company from trying to capitalize on the EV boom and expand its processing facilities.

Persons: Louis Nel, ” Nel, Aloys d’Harambure, Nel, ” d’Harambure, ”, d’Harambure, D’Harambure, It’s Organizations: CNN, International Manganese Institute, Metal, International Energy Agency, Metal Company, Employees, Manganese Locations: Mbombela, South Africa, Northern, EVs, China, Mexico, Australia, Europe, Africa

☆ China's smog-covered north on highest pollution alert as visibility drops
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Liz Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Northern province Hebei launched an anti-pollution emergency response, listing traffic safety controls for when necessary including suspending flight takeoffs and landings, temporarily closing highways and suspending ferries, China's meteorological bureau said in a notice. Authorities also warned road users to stop in safe parking areas when conditions required and asked people to stay indoors. Beijing said it would implement traffic control measures if the capital activates its highest air pollution warning. Experts said weak cold air currents from the north pole were a key factor behind the unusual weather. Cold air currents are forecast to stream in the north from Thursday night, creating conditions that could weaken and dissipate the haze, the weather forecaster said.

Persons: Liz Lee, Jamie Freed Organizations: Authorities, National Meteorological Center, NMC, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Northern, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Henan province, Shandong, Jiangsu province, China's, Shanghai

☆ Canada news industry body backs Google's concerns about online news law
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Ismail Shakil | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of Google LLC is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in New York City, U.S., January 20, 2023. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOTTAWA, Oct 12 (Reuters) - A Canadian news industry body on Thursday lent support to some of Google's concerns about a new law that aims to make large internet companies share advertising revenue with news publishers in the country. Canada tried addressing tech companies' concerns about the law in draft rules released in September, but Google and Meta Platforms META.O were not convinced. "We are aligned that there should be a firm ceiling, rather than a floor on financial liability," Deegan said in the statement. "We will continue to engage those with questions or concerns, including tech giants," Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said in a statement, adding that Ottawa will be reviewing submissions received during public consultation for the draft rules.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Paul Deegan, Deegan, Pascale St, Onge, Ismail Shakil, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Google, Chelsea, REUTERS, Rights OTTAWA, News Media Canada, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, NMC, Globe, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Canada, Ottawa

☆ Heavy rainstorms to hit southern China after Typhoon Koinu batters Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Workers lift up a turned-over food cart after Typhoon Koinu passed the southern tip of Taiwan, in Kenting, Taiwan October 5, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Heavy rainstorms and strong winds will hit southern China in the next three days as Typhoon Koinu approaches the coast of Guangdong province after killing one and injuring hundreds in Taiwan. Typhoon Koinu, which means "puppy" in Japanese, will bring heavy rain along the coasts of Guangdong and neighbouring Fujian province in the next three days, China's National Meteorological Centre (NMC) said. It also issued a yellow alert for strong winds, the third highest in a four-coloured warning system. The typhoon is expected to weaken into a strong tropical storm from late Friday and grow weaker as it heads west along China's southern coast, it said.

Persons: Koinu, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Typhoon Koinu, Albee Zhang, Ben Blanchard, Michael Perry 私 Organizations: Workers, REUTERS, Rights, National Meteorological Centre, NMC Locations: Taiwan, Kenting, Rights BEIJING, China, Guangdong, Fujian, Shanwei, Beijing, Taipei

☆ Volvo Cars launches EX30 electric SUV with focus on affordability
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The EX30, launched in Milan, is the smallest SUV to date from the Sweden-based manufacturer and follows the unveiling of the larger electric EX90 in November. Volvo Cars' CEO Jim Rowan has said the group didn't need to follow Tesla on EV price cuts as market demand was healthy. "Customers get a premium fully electric SUV for a similar price to combustion engine-powered equivalents," it said. It said that, based on initial data in two markets, the total cost of ownership for the new model was lower than that of any other of its fully electric cars and of most competitors in the electric, small SUV segment. The EX30's entry price is comparable to that of the EV version of Jeep's (STLAM.MI) Avenger small SUV.

Persons: MILAN, Tesla, Jim Rowan, Giulio Piovaccari, Marie, Mark Potter Organizations: NMC, Volvo, Tesla, EV, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Marie Mannes, Thomson Locations: Milan, Italy, Sweden, U.S, Europe, Stockholm

☆ Can the World Make an Electric Car Battery Without China?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Agnes Chang | Keith Bradsher | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

China controls 6% of the world’s nickel 78% of graphite 5% of manganese China controls 6% of the world’s nickel 78% of graphite 5% of manganese Source: CRU Group, U.S.G.S. China makes 73% of NMC cathodes 99% of LFP cathodes China makes 73% of NMC cathodes 99% of LFP cathodes Source: CRU Group Note: Data for “NMC cathodes” category includes NMC, NCA, NMCA; “LFP cathodes” includes LFP, LMFP. China makes 66% of the world’s battery cells 2.8” Cathode Each car has thousands of cells. China makes 54% of the world’s electric cars China makes 54% of the world’s electric cars Source: IEA Note: Data for 2021American investors remain wary about putting money into electric vehicles. Electric car buyers in China get tax rebates, cheaper vehicle registration, preferential parking and access to an extensive charging network.

☆ EY's 'paused' split dragged into $2.7 bln London lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Sam Tobin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, March 20 (Reuters) - EY’s plans to split its auditing and consulting arms have been dragged into a $2.7 billion lawsuit brought in London by the administrators of troubled hospital operator NMC Health PLC over concerns EY would be unable to pay if it loses the case. "NMC will be aware from press coverage … that the potential separation under consideration is paused," the document said. However, EY – which denies any breach of duty to NMC – says it has already agreed to provide relevant information about the potential split to NMC. EY’s lawyer Thomas Plewman also said in court filings that, as the proposed separation has been paused, the application is "premature and unnecessary". Court filings for Monday’s hearing indicate that a trial of NMC’s lawsuit will not begin before October, 2024.

☆ For bear stock pickers, 2023 is full of rich pickings
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Nell Mackenzie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Carson Block, Chief Investment Officer, Muddy Waters Capital LLC., speaks at the Sohn Investment Conference in New York City, U.S. May 4, 2016. Hedge fund Muddy Waters on Wednesday said it was shorting Vivion Investments, suspecting the real estate investment firm's portfolios were overvalued. Since the 2007-2008 global financial crisis, companies have pushed aggressive accounting to its limits, said Muddy Waters CEO Carson Block. People are milking the system," he said, adding that he expects even more aggressive accounting and fraud in 2023. Tighter monetary conditions and less readily available debt means investors will likely scrutinise company cash generation in 2023, Earl said.

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