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The Star
05-05-2025
- The Star
Feature: How China-aided project is breathing new life into Tanzania's Ngorongoro Lengai Geopark
by Xinhua writer Hua Hongli DAR ES SALAAM, May 5 (Xinhua) -- At the rim of Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater, mist still clings to the plains as herds of wildebeest and zebra roam below. From a newly built lookout platform, visitors from around the world now take in the sweeping view alongside signage in Swahili, English, and Chinese, a subtle but powerful sign of transformation. The Ngorongoro Lengai UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Global Geopark, once on the verge of losing its UNESCO status, is experiencing a revival through China's first foreign-aid geological park project. The project was launched in June 2023 after the park received a yellow card warning from UNESCO in 2022. Problems centered on poor visitor infrastructure and inadequate scientific content. The effort combines scientific support and upgraded infrastructure to restore the park's global standing while boosting conservation, education, and tourism. China responded by providing both technical assistance, through the Tianjin Center, China Geological Survey, and physical infrastructure, handled by the China Railway 25th Bureau Group. "It was a new experience for everyone," said Xu Jiangbo, technical lead of the physical infrastructure project on site. "We had to work closely with our Tanzanian partners to solve logistical challenges, deal with the rainy season, and make every step count." Much of the work has been completed, Xu noted, adding that a museum, designed as the landmark building of the geopark, is set to open in June this year, and digital displays, immersive storytelling, and scientific exhibits will introduce visitors to the evolution of the East African Rift Valley, the historical eruptive activity of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, and the Laetoli footprints. The technical aid will be completed by November, featuring a geological heritage survey, museum exhibition design, and training of local staff. Simon Moses, a 48-year-old local masonry technician, led a construction crew at the museum site. "I've learned so many new techniques. My Chinese supervisor explains everything clearly," he said. Pride shone on his face as Moses gestured to the museum, which blends African tribal motifs with design inspirations from China's Temple of Heaven and Fujian Tulou residential architecture. The building also incorporates green technologies such as solar panels. Further down the slope, Elisante Hando, a 31-year-old technician assistant, was installing lights in the museum. "I joined eight months ago and didn't know I would learn so much," he said. "Now, I know how to use new tools and techniques. I feel prepared for what comes after this project." His words reflected a larger benefit -- capacity building for local youth. "This project is not just about building things; it's about building people," Elisante said. Neema Mollel, 52, a hotel owner and former tour guide, saw more profound significance in the project. As a member of the Maasai community, she was grateful for how the project is preserving local heritage. "Our traditions are tied to this land. Now tourists will not only see animals, but understand our stories," she said, adding that with better signage, roads, and visitor centers, tourists are staying longer, creating more business for local hotels and shops. Kitoi Mbise, a geography teacher from Arusha, called the project a game-changer for education. "This park brings my classroom to life. When I teach about volcanoes or sustainable tourism, I can now point to a real place where it's happening." Mbise said he will use the park to explain conservation, show how tourism can lift economies, and introduce students to fields like environmental science and digital mapping. For Anna Keller, a 65-year-old German tourist, the changes are noticeable. "The facilities are clean, the signage is clear, and the culture is presented with respect. It makes the experience richer, not just more convenient," she said while touring the area with her husband. Sun Kai, deputy director of the Southern Africa Geoscience Cooperation Center of the Tianjin Center, China Geological Survey, expressed his belief that the project is more than just aid. "It is a contribution of Chinese expertise to the global protection of geological heritage. And it shows what meaningful cooperation can look like," he said. As the peak travel season approaches, Ngorongoro Lengai Geopark is more prepared than ever. Its spectacular volcanoes, ancient footprints, and wandering wildlife now share the spotlight with new stories, stories of partnership, learning, and respect.
Korea Herald
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
LG Energy Solution to set up battery recycling JV in Europe for 1st time
French facility to begin operation by 2027 with annual capacity to process over 20,000 tons of used batteries LG Energy Solution said Tuesday it is poised to establish a joint venture for electric vehicle battery recycling in France with Derichebourg, a local environmental services company, marking South Korea's first recycling joint venture in Europe. The new recycling plant, set to be built in the Val d'Oise region of northern France, will start construction next year and become fully operational by 2027. Its annual capacity to process used batteries is expected to be more than 20,000 metric tons. The facility will engage in preprocessing activities that safely disassemble and crush end-of-life batteries and scrap -- by-products from cathode material production or defective batteries from battery manufacturing processes -- into 'black mass.' This intermediate product will be further processed to obtain key metals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, which are set to be used to manufacture cathode materials and supplied to LG Energy Solution's global production sites. The joint venture plans to secure scrap from LG Energy Solution's EV battery cell manufacturing plant in Wroclaw, Poland, and used batteries collected by DBG from France and neighboring areas. While the additional construction project for its post-processing plant manufacturing black mass is currently pending, an LG Energy Solution official noted that the new facility's location will be determined by various factors, including the availability of large-scale industrial sites, workforce requirements and investment costs. This is different from its preprocessing facility in France, which prioritized proximity to secure end-of-life batteries, as their transportation cost is higher compared to black mass, which is easier to transport. One of the key reasons the battery giant is building a recycling plant in France is to secure a stable supply chain for critical battery raw materials, which are often challenged by price and supply volatility due to geopolitical risks, including China's dominance in minerals. According to the China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Natural Resources, China has 16.5 percent of the world's known lithium reserves as of January this year, ranking as the second-largest country that controls the critical materials after Chile. Industry insiders suggest that the second Donald Trump administration's ongoing power game with China has also led to the recycling push, with the US tariffs on Chinese lithium battery materials exceeding 80 percent. In addition, LG Energy Solution looks to preemptively respond to the EU's intensified regulations, which require recycling rates for battery raw materials in Europe to be 16 percent for cobalt, 6 percent for lithium and 6 percent for nickel by 2031. By 2036, these rates will increase to 26 percent for cobalt, 12 percent for lithium and 15 percent for nickel. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, France captured 15 percent of Europe's total EV sales in 2024, indicating a rapid increase in end-of-life battery resources. Derichebourg, a leading player in France's metal recycling market, possesses over 200 facilities that collect used batteries across the country. 'We will continue to demonstrate exceptional customer value in the battery recycling industry by capitalizing on our innovative technology and production capabilities,' stated Kang Chang-beom, chief strategy officer of LG Energy Solution.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hundreds feared killed after powerful earthquake hits Myanmar, Thailand
March 28 (UPI) -- At least one person was killed after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday causing widespread damage across the region reaching into neighboring Thailand and southwestern China. The BBC reported emergency workers searching for victims among destroyed buildings in the central city of Mandalay, close to the epicenter, believed the death toll would be in the hundreds at the least. The main tremor, which occurred at around 12:20 local time, struck close to the Irrawaddy River in Sagaing Region, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, just west of Mandalay, a city of more than 1.7 million, followed 11 minutes later by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock 20 miles away to the south in Mandalay Region. Two further 4.6 shocks were recorded minutes apart an hour later. All the quakes were along the Sagaing Fault, a major 750-mile north-south fault that runs virtually the entire length of Myanmar. The country's military government declared an "emergency situation" covering large areas of central Myanmar including Mandalay and Naypyidaw, the city the junta re-designated as the capital to replace the British colonial-era capital, Yangon. The state of emergency was also in place in the Sagaing, Bago and Magway regions and eastern Shan state, scene of fierce fighting between ethnic Shan rebels and the junta after it ignited a civil war in 2021 by overthrowing the country's democratically elected National Unity Government in a military coup. The BBC reported roads buckled in Naypyidaw, and footage circulating online showed chaotic scenes at Mandalay Airport while authorities in Bangkok declared the Thai capital a disaster zone after a 30-story building under construction collapsed killing at least one person and trapping scores of workers. The office of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in a post on X that airports, hospitals, and transport had been placed on standby and security forces mobilized with police officers evacuating people from unsafe buildings, aiding victims, and managing traffic. "Citizens are urged to avoid high-rises," the office said. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt ordered the immediate establishment of an earthquake response command center. The quake also rocked China's Yunan Province with the China Geological Survey, the country's counterpart to the USGS in Beijing, saying the main shock registered at a higher magnitude of 7.9, according to its instruments. The quake in Myanmar comes at a time when the country is very poorly placed to deal with a disaster, mired as it already is mired in deep crisis due to ongoing civil war that has forced huge numbers of people to flee their homes and left more than three million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The agency said in an update issued Friday that the number of people in need would rise to just short of 20 million in 2025, out of a population of 57 million, due to worsening humanitarian conditions amid an escalation in the fighting, particularly in the northwest of the country, and increasing repression by the military government. OCHA warned that with its 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan to help 5.5 million people just 4.9% funded, humanitarian organizations were struggling to continue to deliver lifesaving assistance. It said increased funding and sustained access were urgently needed to reach those most in need.
