IEA wants mandate broadened to include critical minerals to avert new Russia-like vulnerabilities

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has called for an expansion of the organisation’s mandate and membership to enable it to support the global transition to a “clean and secure” energy future and to ensure that the world’s climate goals do not become “another victim of Russia’s aggression”. Addressing a gathering of energy Ministers in Paris against the backdrop of ongoing market turmoil precipitated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, IEA executive director Fatih Birol said the organisation needed to adapt to a fast-changing energy environment.
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Half of Chernobyl nuclear facility staff relieved after some 600 hours at their workplaces

It has been confirmed that half of the duty staff at the Chornobyl (better known by the Russian version of its name, Chernobyl) nuclear site in Ukraine were successfully rotated off-duty on Sunday. The Chornobyl site is currently occupied by invading Russian forces. Chornobyl was seized by the Russians on February 24 and the shift then on duty were unable to be relieved and had remained at their stations ever since. On Sunday, 50 staff, plus nine National Guards (Ukraine’s paramilitary police force) – one of them a cancer patient – and a member of the National Emergency Service were allowed to leave the site. They were replaced by 46 Chornobyl staff who volunteered to relieve them.
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AfDB’s Adesina starts South Africa visit

African Development Bank (AfDB) Group president Dr Akinwumi Adesina has started a three-day official visit to South Africa. He will meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as various other government and industry leaders, to discuss important global and regional concerns, the AfDB’s development agenda and South Africa’s potential for increased trade and investment with the rest of Africa.
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Tronox signs PPA for 200 MW of solar power for its South African operations

NYSE-listed titanium dioxide pigment manufacturer Tronox Holdings has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement with independent power producer SOLA Group to provide 200 MW of solar power to Tronox’s mines and smelters in South Africa. The renewable energy project is expected to be implemented by the fourth quarter of 2023.
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