
Climate Investment Funds Approve $2.6 Billion Coal-Exit Plan for South Africa
A World Bank -linked climate fund has backed South African plans to cut its reliance on coal, unlocking up to $2.6 billion in financing and giving the nation's energy transition an unexpected boost.
The approval of the updated plan by the Climate Investment Funds, which was stalled after South Africa last year asked to delay the closure of three coal-fired power plants to ease an energy crisis, will see the CIF disburse $500 million to the country.
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News24
36 minutes ago
- News24
Five harsh financial truths for young people leaving home
Being honest with young people about the difficulty of doing it on their own is important. There is often little guidance on what to expect. Ask any adult what it was like entering the working world or moving into their own place, and they will tell you that leaving the nest was a big financial wake-up call for them. Not only was life vastly more expensive when no longer cushioned by the comfort and safety of one's parents, but they were also forced to face the realities of adulthood such as bills, rent, groceries – and what they really cost. Nine times out of ten they will also tell you that they wished someone had been honest with them about what to expect. 'Leaving school or university and joining the workforce marks an exciting but often uncertain new chapter, says Ruhan van Zuydam, a wealth management specialist at Consult by Momentum. 'Many young people step into adulthood with big dreams, yet little guidance on what to expect or how to build and protect their financial dreams. It's important that young people understand the harsh realities of adulthood so that they can kick off their financial futures on the right note. Ruhan van Zuydam Living is more expensive than you think The jump from student life to adulting often comes with a price shock. Rent, groceries, transport, Wi-Fi and unexpected expenses pile up fast. 'Taking responsibility for your expenses can be overwhelming, says Van Zuydam, 'but it's also a motivator to start budgeting, planning, creating a rainy-day fund and taking ownership of your financial future.' No one is going to advocate for you to get that career opportunity or promotion In school or university, someone may have guided or recognised your potential. In the real world, success isn't handed out – it's earned. You need to speak up, ask for feedback, build networks and actively position yourself for growth. Financial independence and opportunity do not come to those who wait, but rather to those who seek them. The earlier you get on the books, the easier your life will be Building a credit and insurance record early sets the stage for future financial ease. A solid credit history helps with everything from renting a flat to qualifying for a home loan, while some forms of insurance – such as life insurance – are often cheaper when you're younger, as you're seen as lower risk. 'Start small and let time work in your favour.' Be warned: living on credit will cost you Credit isn't free money – it's a future obligation. Living beyond your means on credit cards or loans can quickly spiral into unmanageable debt. 'Avoid unnecessary debt and prioritise needs over wants, Van Zuydam advises. 'If you must borrow, do so with a plan to repay in full – and as quickly as possible.' Most South Africans won't have enough saved to retire comfortably Don't be one of them. 'Retirement may feel like a distant concern, but starting early is key,' adds Van Zuydam. 'Thanks to compound interest, even small amounts saved from your first paycheck can grow into a substantial nest egg. 'Wealth creation doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, discipline and commitment – the earlier you start, the better.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
How much gold is there in the world?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Gold is a heavy metal and one of Earth's rarer elements, formed in space when neutron stars collide. But just how rare is gold on Earth, and how much of it is there in the world now? To answer these questions, it is easiest to start with the amount of gold that humans have mined to date. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that throughout history, humans have extracted about 206,000 tons (187,000 metric tons) of gold from rocks and rivers, with much of the gold mined and produced today used to make jewelry. This estimate is significantly smaller than the one given by the World Gold Council, which states that 238,391 tons (216,265 metric tons) of gold has been mined to date — an amount that would fit in a cube measuring approximately 72 feet (22 meters) on each side. About 45% of this gold has been used to craft jewelry, 22% is kept in collections as gold bars and coins, and 17% is stored in central banks, the council notes. Humans have mined a sizable proportion of the gold that can be economically extracted from Earth's crust, but there are still reserves left. In the most recent USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries report for gold, the agency found that there are roughly 70,550 tons (64,000 metric tons) of gold still sitting in economically viable deposits worldwide. The countries with the largest untapped gold reserves are Russia, Australia and South Africa, the report indicated, but China extracted and brought more gold to market than any other country in 2024. Experts distinguish between reserves, or the portions of an ore deposit that can be economically extracted, and resources, which are ore deposits that researchers and companies have less geological knowledge about and confidence in. According to the World Gold Council, which pulls its data from the research consultancy Metals Focus, global gold reserves amount to 60,370 tons (54,770 metric tons), while gold resources are estimated to weigh about 145,626 tons (132,110 metric tons). Related: Why is gold so soft? Taken together, the USGS and World Gold Council estimates suggest there are between 277,000 and 299,000 tons (251,000 to 271,000 metric tons) of gold in human objects and known crustal deposits. But there is much uncertainty in that number. What's more, most of the gold on Earth is not in concentrated deposits or circulating above ground. Tiny flecks and nuggets of gold that aren't worth extracting occur throughout the crust, and such particles are especially widespread in seawater and igneous rocks, according to the University of California, Berkeley. The concentration of gold in Earth's crust is about 4 parts per billion, or 0.004 grams per metric ton, so all the particles in the crust put together likely weigh around 441 million tons (400 million metric tons), according to The Royal Mint. If that sounds like a lot of gold, it's still only a fraction of what the planet actually holds, according to experts. The amount of gold in Earth's crust is dwarfed by the amount locked away in the planet's core, which geologists say holds 99% of the world's gold — enough to coat the planet in a layer 1.6 feet (0.5 m) thick. When Earth formed, most of the gold that was available sank into the planet's core due to its density, Chris Voisey, an ore deposit geologist and research fellow at Monash University in Australia, told Live Science in an email. "Consider that 99.5% of the Earth's mass formed when things were molten and could differentiate based on density (so, gold would sink to the core)," Voisey said. The remaining 0.5% landed later on the planet during the "Late Heavy Bombardment," a period between 4.1 billion and 3.8 billion years ago when Earth was violently pummeled by meteorites. That 0.5% holds the gold that geologists and resource explorers find in rocks and concentrated as ore deposits today, Voisey said. RELATED STORIES —World's largest atom smasher turned lead into gold — and then destroyed it in an instant —Oldest gold in the universe may finally have an explanation: 'It's answering one of the questions of the century' —World's thinnest gold leaf, dubbed 'goldene,' is just 1 atom thick The gold in this tiny fraction of Earth's mass did not sink into the core because the planet had already formed a solid crust when it reached the planet, Voisey said. "A lot of Earth's precious metals that form ore deposits is believed to be sourced from this event, since it isn't locked in the iron-nickel core," he said. Since the Late Heavy Bombardment, the amount of gold on Earth has not changed much with inputs from space. Deliveries of gold via meteorites are "more or less negligible," Voisey said, and gold that is already on Earth "is simply shuffled around by geological processes which can form ore deposits." Given that so much of Earth's gold is in the core and that concentrations are so variable in the crust, Voisey said he "seriously doubts" that researchers could ever accurately measure all the gold on the planet. It would also be "impossible" to determine exactly how much gold humans haven't discovered yet, he said.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU) Reports Net Income Rise to US$443 Million in Q1 2025 Earnings
AngloGold Ashanti experienced significant board changes with the resignation of Rhidwaan Gasant, a shift that coincided with its 58% price increase last quarter. Contributing to this upward trajectory, the company announced robust Q1 2025 earnings, with net income rising to $443 million from $58 million, driven by strong gold production. Furthermore, the new dividend policy introduced a significant cash commitment, potentially attracting investor interest. Despite a flat market over the past week, these company-specific developments likely bolstered AngloGold's share performance distinct from broader trends. We've discovered 2 weaknesses for AngloGold Ashanti that you should be aware of before investing here. Trump's oil boom is here — pipelines are primed to profit. Discover the 22 US stocks riding the wave. The recent board changes at AngloGold Ashanti, along with a substantial 58% share price rise last quarter, underscore the company's momentum amid significant operational shifts. The shift in leadership coincides with robust Q1 earnings of US$443 million, reflecting strong gold production and suggesting potential positive impacts on future revenue trajectories. The restructuring of the board and introduction of a new dividend policy may attract further investor interest, potentially boosting AngloGold's capital inflow and market standing. Over the past three years, AngloGold Ashanti's total return to shareholders, encompassing both share price appreciation and dividends, soared by 240%. This long-term performance provides context to its recent gains and highlights the company's growth strides. However, this rise exceeds both the broader market and industry benchmarks over the past year, demonstrating a competitive edge. Notably, the US Metals and Mining industry returned 11.2% over the same period. The ongoing integration of Centamin and focus on operational efficiencies are expected to fuel revenue and earnings growth. However, the company's share price of US$44.07 trades slightly above the consensus analyst price target of US$43.0, reflecting a minor 2.5% premium. This could suggest that the market has already priced in some optimistic growth expectations. As AngloGold leverages these internal changes, the alignment of these forecasts with actual performance remains crucial for sustaining investor confidence. Click to explore a detailed breakdown of our findings in AngloGold Ashanti's financial health report. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NYSE:AU. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data