South Africa's Eskom applied to the energy regulator for approval of an interim electricity tariff, offering an 87 cents/kWh preferential rate for Samancor Chrome and the Glencore-Merafe Chrome joint venture. This is a temporary measure aimed at maintaining smelter operations, while parties continue to negotiate a longer-term solution with the goal of further reducing the tariff to 62 cents/kWh. The utility also requested the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to extend the "take-or-pay" obligation exemption for the two enterprises by another 12 months. The exemption pertains to obligations under pricing agreements negotiated with Eskom that took effect in 2024. These agreements stipulate that ferrochrome producers must meet at least 70% of their contracted electricity consumption; however, due to the industry's loss of competitiveness and multiple smelter shutdowns, this condition can no longer be fulfilled. In August last year, Samancor Chrome and the Glencore-Merafe Chrome JV cited operational difficulties arising from these clauses, prompting the regulator to approve a six-month exemption, which is set to expire at the end of January. Eskom's distribution unit head, Gugulethu Dumakude, acknowledged that the interim tariff of 87 cents/kWh is still not enough to restore ferrochrome producers to the production levels envisaged in the pricing agreements, but it would help them slightly increase electricity consumption from current levels. She added that this interim tariff, combined with the "take-or-pay" exemption, would also provide Eskom and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy with buffer space to finalise a more sustainable electricity pricing solution with the ferrochrome industry. Neels Best, President of the South African Ferroalloy Producers Association, confirmed that the industry needs a tariff of 62 cents/kWh to resume production and avoid the Section 189 retrenchment processes already initiated by several ferroalloy enterprises, including those outside the ferrochrome sector. Therefore, he also argued that the final negotiated solution should not be limited to the ferrochrome industry but should extend to manganese, silicon, and vanadium smelters—all of which are facing operational difficulties due to "escalating electricity prices." Best pointed out that only 4 of South Africa's 48 electric furnace ferrochrome smelters are currently operating; likewise, only 4 of the 19 smelters in other ferroalloy sectors remain in production. He stated, "Today, electricity costs account for 40% to 60% of total production costs in the ferroalloy industry. To sustain the sector, it is crucial to establish an internationally competitive electricity tariff." He also warned that without an electricity pricing policy that supports local mineral beneficiation, South Africa faces widespread deindustrialization and job losses. Theo Morkel, Managing Director of South Africa's Transalloys, further corroborated this view, sharing cost comparison data showing that even under the company's pricing agreement with Eskom, the electricity cost for producing SiMn is as high as $634/mt, far exceeding the international benchmark—where power costs for SiMn production range from as low as $147/mt to a maximum of $338/mt. Thus, Morkel said that while he supports immediately implementing the interim tariff relief for Samancor Chrome and the Glencore-Merafe Chrome JV, the rest of South Africa's ferroalloy industry equally urgently requires similar relief measures, as these sectors also face plant closures and job losses. Tengo Tengela, Trade and Industry Coordinator of the South African Federation of Trade Unions, also expressed support for the electricity tariff relief application, warning that if smelters are forced to shut down, around 300,000 direct and indirect jobs would be at risk. However, he called on the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to approve the application on the condition that the relevant enterprises suspend further retrenchment actions. The South African National Energy Regulator has not yet announced a decision timetable for this application, but Eskom has stated that the relevant approval must be issued by the end of February at the latest.

As the world places increasing emphasis on the sustainable use of resources and environmental protection, the status of the secondary metal market within the global metal industry has become increasingly prominent.

Against the backdrop of an evolving global economic landscape and ongoing industrial development, the lead-zinc industry, as a vital foundational sector, is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. On one hand, the rise of the new energy industry has brought about new market demands for the lead-zinc sector, such as the continuous application of lead-acid batteries in the ESS sector and the innovative use of zinc in new materials. On the other hand, environmental protection pressure is increasing, prompting the industry to accelerate its transformation and upgrading, exploring more green and sustainable production methods. Meanwhile, with the end of the pandemic, the resumption of overseas smelters and the impact of various countries' policies on mineral resource protection, tariff adjustments, and trade barriers are affecting the import and export landscape of lead and zinc, forcing companies to reassess their market strategies and expand diversified supply and sales channels. At this critical juncture, the 2025SMM (20th) International Lead-Zinc Conference and Industry Expo comes into being. This summit will bring together leading enterprises, experts, scholars, government officials, and professionals from the domestic and overseas lead-zinc industries to discuss hot topics in industry development, share the latest technological achievements and management experiences, and build a high-end, professional, and practical exchange platform for promoting the sustainable development of the lead-zinc industry. At this conference, CCIC Guangxi Co., Ltd. will attend in full force, joining peers from the upstream and downstream of the lead-zinc industry to engage in in-depth discussions on the pain points and difficulties in industry development, jointly explore business opportunities for win-win cooperation, and discuss ways to promote high-quality industry development. Click registration form to register now, grasp the trends in the lead-zinc industry, and lead the future of the industry. See you in Nanjing. China Certification & Inspection (Group) Co., Ltd. (CCIC), approved by the State Council and managed by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, is a central state-owned enterprise. It is an independent third-party comprehensive quality service provider focusing on "inspection, testing, certification, standards, and metrology," established in 1980. CCIC is an A-class member of the TIC Council Board, the National Certification Body (NCB) for the IECEE-CB system in China, and a member institution of IQNet in China. Its business scope covers the three major sectors of agriculture, industry, and services, involving all aspects of the national economy and people's livelihood, providing "one-stop" solutions and comprehensive quality services to over 400,000 domestic and overseas clients. CCIC Minerals provides inspection, testing, technical, and consulting services for mineral and metal commodities to global clients, covering all areas from exploration, trade, customs clearance, production processing, to industrial applications of mineral products. Throughout the entire business chain, we adhere to laws, regulations, and industry standards, maintaining strict quality standards and providing professional and efficient services through effective communication. We specialize in the inspection of black ores, ferroalloys, non-ferrous metals, steel products, and industrial minerals, offering round-the-clock inspection coordination and reporting services. Contact Information CCIC Guangxi Co., Ltd. (Southwest Regional Headquarters) Contact: Cai Geng 18707803278 CCIC Guangdong Co., Ltd. (South China Regional Headquarters) Contact: Xu Zeqi 13430248078 Scan the QR code to register now 2025SMM (20th) Lead-Zinc Conference and Industry Expo

[Strong Momentum! Fengzhen City's Industrial Enterprises Strive for a Strong Start in the First Quarter] The machines roar continuously, workers shuttle through workshops, and products flow steadily... Recently, the production workshops of major industrial enterprises in Fengzhen City have been bustling with activity. The production and order volumes of many industrial enterprises have been steadily increasing, with some enterprises even operating new production lines, striving for a strong start in the first quarter...

[Public Notice on the Acceptance of the Environmental Impact Assessment Document for the Construction Project of the High-Carbon Ferrochrome Powder Remelting and Casting Production Line by Inner Mongolia Wangyuan Industrial Co., Ltd.] According to the relevant provisions of the approval procedures for environmental impact assessments of construction projects, on January 3, 2025, our bureau accepted the environmental impact assessment document for the construction project of the high-carbon ferrochrome powder remelting and casting production line by Inner Mongolia Wangyuan Industrial Co., Ltd. The acceptance status is hereby made public, and the public notice period for the report is 10 working days starting from January 3, 2025...

At the 2023 SMM 12th Metal Industry Annual Conference-SMM Metal Mining Forum co-sponsored by SMM, Chongqing Jiangjin District People's Government, and Shanghai Futures Exchange, Yu Hongnan, deputy general manager of PSEI Group, introduced the development of the four major international mining companies, China’s overseas joint venture iron ore projects and the advantages of Australian bauxite.