"So now finally, we're on the map," says Philip Balhoa about Lüderitz, a town in southern Namibia, where harsh desert meets pale ocean.

The port town has previously benefited from diamonds and fishing booms, but now struggles with high rates of unemployment and aging infrastructure.

A proposed green hydrogen project is set to be "the third revolution of Lüderitz," says Mr Balhoa, a member of the town council.

He hopes that the project will train and employ local people, or "Buchters" as they affectionately call themselves - bringing down the town's 55% unemployment rate.

"For a town that's really been struggling economically over the past 10 or 15, maybe longer, years, this is something that people are really very excited about," he says.

The project will be based near the town in the Tsau //Khaeb National Park, and ultimately produce around 300,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.

In simple terms, the renewable energy from the sun and wind will be used to separate hydrogen molecules from desalinated water.

Those hydrogen molecules in their pure form or in derivative green ammonia can make up a variety of products, including sustainable fuels.

The preferred bidder, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, is set to start production in 2026 and will have the rights to the project for 40 years, once the necessary feasibility processes are concluded.

The firm says the four years of construction are likely to create 15,000 direct jobs and 3,000 more during full operations - and that 90% of them will be filled by locals.

Hydrogen projects are part of President Hage Geingob's plan to transform Namibia

Mr James Mnyupe is the Namibian government's presidential economic advisor and hydrogen commissioner. He explains that Lüderitz's location is ideal, because of the extensive solar and wind resources and the proximity to the ocean, both as a water source and a port.

Mr Mnyupe says this is all part of a plan for change in Namibia by President Hage Geingob. "The president was very keen to craft an economic recovery plan that is responsive, globally relevant, and systemic in nature."

This forms part of a much bigger development fuelled by green hydrogen that the government hopes to find funding for, expanding into agriculture, logistics and energy. Mr Mnyupe speaks of green hydrogen trains and pipelines to trade with neighbouring countries.

There are hopes of creating renewable electricity, both for export and as an alternative to imported coal power from South Africa.

"The idea is to turn Namibia into not just a green hydrogen hub, but into a synthetic fuels industry powerhouse," he says.

The impact is set to be international, with agreements already signed with Germany, Belgium and Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

This comes with some funding agreements, but Namibia is looking at more options, such as green or sustainable bonds, towards the roughly $9.4bn (£7.1bn) needed for the initial project.

To put the size of the investment into perspective - Namibia's entire GDP in 2020 was just $10.7bn.

"People could start taking us seriously as a trading partner, and not a net recipient of development assistance," says Mr Mnyupe. "For the ordinary Namibian, this means hope."

Mr Balhoa expects that the planned influx of people and business will strengthen infrastructure in Lüderitz, like roads and hospitals, and that the project will attract more investment from the central government into the area.

But the optimism comes with matching concerns. Mr Balhoa says previous large projects have not invested back into the community as hoped. The are worries that the small town will not be able to meet the increased infrastructure demands - with accessible housing already being a big challenge.

"I do believe it's going to be a game changer, not just for Namibia, but for the African continent," says Kennedy Chege, a researcher and PhD candidate at the Mineral Law in Africa research chair, University of Cape Town.

But he warns that the main challenges is financing: "Trying to develop renewable energy plans normally requires so much funding, and the government itself is not able to actually provide that funding through its budget. So it requires mobilizing funding from both the public sector and the private sectors."

Mr Chege says Namibia's international partnerships are a positive sign.

Another challenge is the amount of water that is required to produce hydrogen. Doing this through desalination, as Namibia plans to, can be expensive - as are the electrolysis processes used later in the hydrogen-making process.

Mr Chege says concerns about the viability of the project and creating the kind of infrastructure needed are valid, but he is hopeful given Namibia's comparative advantages.

While several countries in Africa, like South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria are developing green hydrogen plans, Namibia is the more advanced. "But in terms of implementation, there hasn't been much progress in that regard, throughout Africa."

While there is much to be done, Namibia is pushing ahead - so much so, that the government might announce a call for proposals for a second green hydrogen project as early as January 2022.

The action program of the government of Mongolia includes an objective to develop new thermal power sources and infrastructure to meet the increasing heat demands of aimag capitals. To achieve the objective, the Ministry of Energy is implementing the MON-14 project funded by a soft loan from the Republic of Korea to build thermal power plants in the capitals of 10 aimags.

The construction works have commenced in the capitals of seven aimags namely Bayankhongor, Gobi-Altai, Gobisumber, Zavkhan, Uvurkhangai, Sukhbaatar and Khentii and the sides signed the project agreement on December 27. The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Energy N.Tavinbekh, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Mongolia Lee Yeo Hong other officials.

The general contractor, Byucksan Engineering, is building the thermal power stations, pipelines, and heat transmission facilities in the aimag capitals in 26 and a half months.

Preparations are underway to begin the construction of thermal power plants in the remaining capitals of the three aimags, namely Arkhangai, Dundgobi, and Tuv, in 2022 and complete the construction in two years.

Indian conglomerate Adani Group said it’s ready to begin the first coal exports from the controversial Carmichael mine in Australia’s Galilee Basin, more than a decade after the group took over the project.

“The first shipment of high-quality coal from the Carmichael mine is being assembled at the North Queensland export terminal in Bowen,” the group run by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani said in a statement.

SIGN UP FOR THE ENERGY DIGEST

The group said it has secured the market for the 10 million tons per annum of coal that will be produced at the Carmichael mine.

The project, proposed in 2010, has become a global emblem for opposition to fossil fuels. It has been impeded by legal challenges and a sustained campaign by climate activists, which has gained strength amid a global retreat from coal. Lenders have backed away from the mine, forcing the company to self-finance it and reduce the size to a sixth of its potential.

One of the biggest markets Adani is counting on is India, where the dirtiest fossil fuel is expected to dominate the energy mix for several years. Coal currently accounts for nearly 70% of India’s power generation, although the country is aiming to gradually reduce that dependence as it builds more renewable energy capacity.

(By Rajesh Kumar Singh)

The Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry has held the Best Entrepreneurs of the Year ceremony.

Seven companies have been selected as the Best of the Year. These are:

Best geological and exploration entity: 'Erdenet Mining Corporation’ (EMC)

Best technology introducer: ‘Orica Mongolia’ LLC,

Best rehabilitator: ‘Uuls Zaamar’ LLC,

Best supplier: ‘Mera’ LLC,

Best designer: ‘Royal Range’ LLC,

Best subcontractor: ‘Mongol Mining and Exploration’ LLC,

Best transparent company: local-owned ‘Tavan Tolgoi JSC’

During the award handover ceremony, Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry G.Yondon thanked the miners, who carried the heavy burden of the country in the difficult situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, and emphasized that the 100th anniversary of mining industry will fall next year. He also highlighted that the Government of Mongolia is seeking to further improve the investment environment, having open, liberal policy in the mining industry within the framework of the large-scale policy documents and Constitutional amendments.

Zijin Mining on Monday said it had started production at its Qulong copper mine in Tibet, one of the largest in top metals consumer China, adding a new source of supply to the market for next year.

Zijin, a well-known copper and gold producer that is buying Argentina-focused lithium miner Neo Lithium, took control of the Qulong mine around 18 months ago when it bought a 50.1% stake in operator Tibet Julong Copper Co and swiftly resumed construction at the project.

SIGN UP FOR THE COPPER DIGEST

Julong Copper is expected to produce 120,000-130,000 tonnes of copper in 2022, including volumes from Phase 1 of Qulong and the Zhibula mine, which is also in Tibet, Zijin said in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

“After Phase 1 reaches the designated production capacity, the annual copper production volume will be approximately 160,000 tonnes,” it added.

The tightness in the copper concentrate market seen in recent years is expected to ease in 2022 as more mine production comes on stream. Annual treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) agreed by miners and smelters have risen for the first time since 2015.

Zijin said Julong Copper had applied to merge the mining rights for the Qulong mine and the adjacent Rongmucuola mine, arguing they belong to the same copper ore body. Following the merger, the mine will be renamed as Julong and Phases 2 and 3 will be pursued, it added.

“If the project obtains the approvals of the relevant governmental authorities, a final mining and processing scale of approximately 200 million tonnes of ores per year can be reached, and it will become the copper mine with the largest mining and processing scale in the world,” Zijin said.

(By Tom Daly; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

Ethiopian Airlines will return troubled jet to service after 2019 crash killed 157 people.

Ethiopian Airlines announced on Monday it plans to resume flying Boeing 737 MAX planes in its fleet in February 2022, saying it was satisfied with their safety.

“Safety is our topmost priority… and it guides every decision we make and all actions we take,” the company’s chairman, Tewolde Gebremariam, said in a statement. “We have taken enough time to monitor the design modification work and the more than 20 months of rigorous rectification process... our pilots, engineers, aircraft technicians, cabin crew are confident on the safety of the fleet,” he added.

Boeing’s best-selling, single-aisle 737 MAX airplane was grounded worldwide after two separate crashes just six months apart, which killed 346 people.

In 2019, Ethiopian Airlines flight 302, a Boeing 737 MAX bound for Kenya, crashed six minutes after takeoff from the capital, Addis Ababa, killing all 157 passengers and crew. It was the second 737 MAX disaster in six months, after a Lion Air plane in Indonesia crashed in October 2018, killing 189 people.

Investigators identified faults in the sensors and new flight control software that had not been explained to pilots.

The plane returned to service in late 2020, with airlines across the globe taking deliveries of the aircraft.

Mongolia confirmed 157 new daily cases of coronavirus, the Ministry of Health said on Dec 28.

93 of them were reported in Ulaanbaatar, 62 in the regions of the country, and 2 were imported.

The total number of cases increased to 389 857.

1 person died from the coronavirus in a day.

The death toll from COVID-19 in Mongolia increased to 1 983.

The Third National Stakeholder Forum on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) was held on 25 November 2021 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia under the theme “Digital Literacy and Inclusion as a Booster for Infodemic Immunity”. The forum was jointly organized by the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO and the Press Institute of Mongolia as part of Mongolia’s national celebration for UNESCO Global MIL Week 2021.

Mr. Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia, Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office, Mr. Sambuu Boldsaikhan, Secretary-General of the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, and Ms. Munkhmandakh, Executive Director of the Press Institute of Mongolia delivered opening remarks. More than 60 stakeholders, including representatives from the Mongolian Government, non-governmental organizations, and civil society organizations attended the event and discussed how media and information literacy can contribute to addressing disinformation and hate speeches especially in and after a state of emergency, and bridging the digital divide for inclusiveness especially for women, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

Mongolia has identified digital literacy and inclusion of left behind groups as national priorities, as outlined in its Digital Nation Strategy. With support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), UNESCO has been supporting Mongolia in this endeavour by equipping policy makers, media regulatory and self-regulatory professionals with advanced knowledge of MIL policy and best practices, and improving capacities to respectively adapt and apply MIL curricula and policy in Mongolia.

Prof. Khan in his opening remarks pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic is the first pandemic in history in which technology and social media are being used on a massive scale and on various levels to keep people safe and informed, but at the same time, “the technology we rely on is enabling and amplifying an infodemic that continues to undermine effective responses and jeopardizes informed decision-making”. Therefore, the importance of media and information literacy, particularly digital literacy for all, is more critical than ever. “Sustained and coordinated efforts are needed among all stakeholders.” He stressed.

The second edition of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Curriculum Think critically, Click Wisely: Media and Information Literate Citizens, which is an updated version of the first edition released in 2011, were officially introduced at the forum, followed by a discussion on terms and definitions for localization to create a shared understanding and buy-ins at all levels.

The discussions during the forum were centered around four major aspects, including access to education during COVID-19 and capacity building for the education sector in the state of emergency, opportunities and challenges in transitioning to the “Digital Nation” and addressing the digital divide, building MIL knowledge and skills to prevent and protect against disinformation and hate speeches, and responsibility of media in social development and importance of ethical and professional conduct for the media sector.

Discussion results have been generated into recommendations, including developing a comprehensive national policy and strategy for MIL education, promoting the new UNESCO MIL Curriculum and organizing training for teachers, improving knowledge and understanding of MIL among journalists and media workers, among others. The recommendations will be delivered to the Mongolian Government for further consideration towards a national MIL policy.

Under the theme “Media and Information Literacy for the Public Good”, the UNESCO Global MIL Week 2021 highlights the needs and importance for each individual to be equipped with MIL competencies to understand, contribute to, and benefit from information and communication opportunities, and at the same time, advance the public good.

Through capacity-building resources, such as curricula development, policy guidelines and articulation, and assessment framework, UNESCO supports the development of MIL competencies among all people. Free and open online courses are available for self-paced learning about MIL. Through media and information technologies, UNESCO facilitates networking and research through the Global Alliance for Partnerships on MIL (GAPMIL) and MIL University Network.

NHK has learned that laboratory tests in Japan show that two coronavirus vaccine shots are far less effective against the Omicron variant than the Delta variant.

A team led by Kitasato University Professor Katayama Kazuhiko measured levels of neutralizing antibodies in cultured cells taken from blood samples of 12 fully vaccinated people.

Neutralizing antibodies work as protection against a virus.

Six of the people had received two shots of the Pfizer vaccine and the rest were inoculated with the Moderna vaccine.

Levels of antibodies in the samples taken from people who got the second Pfizer shot three months ago were down 72 percent on average from the levels against Delta.

Levels in the samples from those who got the second Moderna shot three months ago were down 82 percent on average.

Professor Katayama says the findings in the lab experiment do not mean that vaccines are totally ineffective against Omicron.

He calls for fully vaccinated people to continue basic anti-infection measures.

Studies conducted overseas have also suggested that existing vaccines are far less effective against Omicron.

On December 24, Prime Minister of Mongolia L.Oyun-Erdene took part in the 7th National Forum of Cooperatives that was organized in the framework of the 100th anniversary of the development of cooperatives in Mongolia.

The first cooperative in Mongolia was established with 116 members under the name ‘People’s Mutual Aid Cooperative’ while today a total of 4468 cooperatives with 234,633 members, incorporating MNT 49.6 billion, are making significant contribution to the social and economic development in Mongolia.

Congratulating to the cooperatives that have played a special role in the country’s economic development on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the development of cooperatives in Mongolia, L.Oyun-Erdene announced that “New Cooperative” campaign will be launched by the Government of Mongolia nationwide in 2022, enriching cooperatives with new content for modern development.