
MERAFE Resources is nearing an agreement with the South African government on electricity supply tariffs aimed at saving up to 2.3 million tons a year in ferrochrome output – equal to a third of South Africa’s annual exports in the mineral.
Merafe already benefits from a special tariff with Eskom, the state-owned power utility. Despite this, Merafe shut its Boshoek smelter from 1 May and Wonderkop from 31 May following from 10 other shuttered smelters.
“There’s already a special tariff, but unfortunately that special tariff is not special enough for us to actually be viable in South Africa,” said Japie Fullard, head of operations at the Merafe-Glencore Joint Venture. “So…
Climate Change: The country faces challenges related to climate change, including
rising temperatures and changing weather patterns.

Demolition Queen
Fun South African Fact: South Africa is known as the “Rainbow Nation” thanks to its mix of cultures across the country. The status of being a cultural “melting pot” is evident in the fact that South Africa has a whopping 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, IsiNdebele, Sesotho, Northern Sotho, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga. Most South Africans speak more than one national language. IsiZulu is the most common first language and isiXhosa is second. Fun fact – did you know the people of Wakanda speak isiXhosa in Marvel’s Black Panther movie?
Mantis Queen
Fun South African Fact: The world’s second-largest brewing company is in South Africa.