Latest news with #Namib
Miami Herald
11-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Vibrant fish found in pond as it dried up and 3 other new species discoveries
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses. Learn more about some recent new species discoveries: 'Rainbow' creature with yellow eyes found in temporary pond. It's a new species In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, scientists discovered a new species of killifish named Nothobranchius iridescens, or the rainbow seasonal killifish, in a temporary pond. This medium-sized fish, with males displaying vibrant rainbow colors and large yellow eyes, was found in ephemeral pools on floodplains. | Published July 2 | Read More | 'Large' creature seen running 'rapidly' on rocks in Angola. It's a new species In the coastal regions of southwestern Angola, researchers identified a new species of gecko called Rhoptropus megocellus, or the large-spotted Namib day gecko. These geckos, found on large granitic boulders, are notable for their large size and distinctive spotted patterns. | Published July 3 | Read More | 'Large'-eyed creature with 'gem'-like pattern found in pond. It's a new species A new species of fish, Lacustricola gemma, or the gem lampeye fish, was discovered in a shrinking pond in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This small fish is recognized by its iridescent scales and large silver eyes, resembling tiny gems. | Published July 7 | Read More | Trawlers catch deep-sea creature with regrown tail off India. It's a new species In the Arabian Sea off the coast of India, a new species of eel named Facciolella smithi, or Smith's witch eel, was discovered by commercial trawlers. These deep-sea dwellers are characterized by their elongated bodies and regrown tails. | Published July 1 | Read More | 'Large' camouflaged creature found on Angola rocks. It's a 'cryptic' new species In the savannas of southwestern Angola, researchers found a new species of gecko known as Rhoptropus crypticus, or the cryptic Namib day gecko. These 'large,' camouflaged lizards were discovered among boulders in a restricted area. | Published July 4 | Read More |
Miami Herald
09-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Miniature' creature seen running ‘quickly' on Angola plain. It's a new species
On a gravel plain of southwestern Africa, a 'miniature' creature moved 'quickly' along the loose stones searching for a hiding place. Something about it caught the attention of nearby scientists — and for good reason. It turned out to be a new species. A team of researchers spent seven years doing 'extensive' wildlife surveys of 'the less explored coastal regions of southern Angola,' according to a study published June 27 in the peer-reviewed journal Ecology and Evolution. Their fieldwork focused on a group of 'unique' but 'poorly understood' lizards known as Namib day geckos. During some of their searches, researchers found several unfamiliar-looking patterned geckos, the study said. They took a closer look at the animals, analyzed their DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Rhoptropus minimus, or the miniature Namib day gecko. Miniature Namib day geckos are considered 'small-sized,' reaching about 3 inches in length, the study said. Researchers said they named the new species after the Latin word for ''smallest' or 'very small'' because of its size. A photo shows the tannish-gray coloring of the new species. Its pattern is a mixture of 'soft orange-rust' markings and black and cream blotches. Its belly is 'whitish to cream' with 'darker' fingertips and toes. Miniature Namib day geckos are 'primarily associated with gravel and sand plains' and were found 'in more open areas, where (they move) quickly between small rocks and loose flakes on the ground, using them for shelter,' the study said. Much about the lifestyle and behavior of the new species remains unknown. So far, the new species has only been found in 'the coastal regions of Namibe Province,' a region of southwestern Angola that borders Namibia, the study said. Angola also borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo and Zambia. The new species was identified by its scale pattern, coloring, size and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 8% genetic divergence from related species. The research team included Javier Lobón-Rovira, Matthew Heinicke, Aaron Bauer, Werner Conradie and Pedro Vaz Pinto. The team also discovered two more new species: the large-spotted Namib day gecko and the cryptic Namib day gecko.
Miami Herald
04-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Large' camouflaged creature found on Angola rocks. It's a ‘cryptic' new species
In a savanna of southwestern Africa, a 'large' creature climbed along some boulders. Its remote home and camouflaged coloring helped it go largely unnoticed — until it caught the attention of visiting scientists. It turned out to be a new species. A team of researchers spent several years doing 'extensive' wildlife surveys 'in some of the less explored coastal regions of southern Angola,' according to a study published June 27 in the peer-reviewed journal Ecology and Evolution. Some of their searches focused on a 'poorly understood' group of lizards known as Namib day geckos. Between 2020 and 2025, researchers found a dozen 'large' camouflaged geckos that didn't look like any known species, the study said. Intrigued, scientists took a closer look at the lizards, analyzed their DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Rhoptropus crypticus, or the cryptic Namib day gecko. Cryptic Namib day geckos are considered 'large sized,' reaching just under 4 inches in length, the study said. They have 'elongated' fingers and toes. Photos show the tan-gray coloring of the new species. Its back has orange and gray markings with a scattering of darker brown blotches. Researchers named the new species after the Latin word for ''hidden' or 'concealed'' because of its 'cryptic or camouflaged nature.' Cryptic Namib day geckos are rock-dwelling lizards 'found moving among vertical surfaces of large boulders in the spiny arid savanna,' the study said. Much about their lifestyle and behavior remains unknown. Researchers suspect the new species lives in 'high isolation' because its preferred habitat is 'quite rare in the area.' So far, cryptic Namib day geckos have been found in a 'very restricted area' of Namibe Province, a coastal region of southwestern Angola that borders Namibia. Angola also borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo and Zambia. The new species was identified by its size, scale pattern, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 16% genetic divergence from other related geckos. The research team included Javier Lobón-Rovira, Matthew Heinicke, Aaron Bauer, Werner Conradie and Pedro Vaz Pinto. The team also discovered two more new species: the large-spotted Namib day gecko and the miniature Namib day gecko.
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Large' creature seen running ‘rapidly' on rocks in Angola. It's a new species
In a remote region of southwestern Africa, a 'large' patterned creature perched on some rocks until something spooked it. It ran 'rapidly to escape' but couldn't avoid the attention of nearby scientists — and for good reason. It turned out to be a new species. A team of researchers spent eight years doing 'extensive' surveys of 'the less explored coastal regions' of southwestern Angola in search of reptiles, according to a study published June 27 in the peer-reviewed journal Ecology and Evolution. The surveys focused on a 'still poorly understood' group of lizards known as Namib day geckos. Sure enough, between 2017 and 2025, researchers found roughly a dozen 'large' and unfamiliar-looking geckos, the study said. They took a closer look at the animals, analyzed their DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Rhoptropus megocellus, or the large-spotted Namib day gecko. Large-spotted Namib day geckos are considered 'large sized,' reaching about 3.5 inches in length, the study said. They have 'raised' scales around their nostrils forming an 'inflated nostril rim' and 'elongated' fingers and toes. Photos show the tan-brown geckos and their spotted pattern. Some of the blotches 'on the neck may be in contact, giving a collar-like appearance,' the study said. Researchers said they named the new species after the ancient Greek word for 'large' and a Latin word meaning 'eye spot' because of its 'distinctive large' markings. Large-spotted Namib day geckos are 'strictly rock-dwelling, always found on large, flattened granitic boulders, where (they) can run rapidly to escape,' the study said. The geckos were 'frequently found hiding under' rock flakes. So far, large-spotted Namib day geckos have been found at several sites in Namibe Province, a coastal region of southwestern Angola that borders Namibia. Angola also borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo and Zambia. The new species was identified by its size, scale pattern, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 13% genetic divergence from other related geckos. The research team included Javier Lobón-Rovira, Matthew Heinicke, Aaron Bauer, Werner Conradie and Pedro Vaz Pinto. The team also discovered two more new species: the cryptic Namib day gecko and the miniature Namib day gecko.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Namib Minerals and Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VI Announce Closing of Business Combination
- Namib Expected to Trade Under Ticker 'NAMM' on Nasdaq on or About Friday, June 6, 2025, becoming the largest African company to go public through SPAC - - Transaction strengthens Namib Minerals' position as a leading gold and green minerals company in sub-Saharan Africa - New York, New York, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Namib Minerals ('Namib'), Greenstone Corporation ('Greenstone'), a subsidiary of Namib and an established African gold producer with an attractive portfolio of mining and exploration assets in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo ('DRC'), and Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VI ('HCVI') (OTC: HCVI, HCVIU, HCVIW), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced the completion of their business combination (the 'Business Combination'). The Business Combination was approved by HCVI stockholders at a special meeting held on May 6, 2025. Namib's ordinary shares and warrants are expected to commence trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbols 'NAMM' and 'NAMMW,' respectively, on or about June 6, 2025. Ibrahima Tall, Chief Executive Officer of Namib said, 'Today is an important milestone in Namib Minerals' journey. Becoming a publicly listed company positions us to accelerate development across our portfolio and deepen our role in the future of African mining. We are excited to continue the momentum as we advance our mining platform, create lasting value for our stakeholders, and shape Africa's future with gold and green minerals, marking a new era of resource discovery.' Namib's historical track record of owning and operating gold mines spans over two decades, and its strategic footprint consists of one producing gold mine and two historically producing gold mines that Namib is currently positioning to restart operations. Namib's How Mine is an established, high-grade, underground gold mine with a strong track record of operations having produced an aggregate of approximately 1.82Moz of gold from 1941 through December 31, 2024. How Mine also has a history of consistently operating within budget with one of the lowest production cost profiles amongst its publicly reporting peers. Namib's other principal assets, Mazowe Mine and Redwing Mine, are historically producing gold mines with significant mineral resources. These assets provide Namib with an identified pathway to operate as a multi-asset gold producer in Africa, as preparatory work is currently underway to restart operations at both mines. In the DRC, an established mining jurisdiction for these metals, Namib has an interest in 13 exploration permits, which includes six initial drilling holes with identified copper and cobalt potential. Daniel J. Hennessy, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of HCVI said, 'We are excited to see this merger successfully realized and congratulate Namib on this milestone. As a public company, Namib is well-positioned to further expand its mining assets and explore strategic investments to complete its growth plans and create significant and sustained value for all stakeholders.' Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC, is serving as exclusive financial advisor and lead capital markets advisor, Greenberg Traurig, LLP is serving as U.S. legal advisor, Appleby (Cayman) Ltd. is serving as Cayman Islands' legal advisor, and Alliance Advisors Investor Relations is serving as investor relations advisor to Namib. Jett Capital Advisors, LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor, and Sidley Austin LLP is serving as legal advisor to HCVI. About Namib Minerals Namib is a gold producer, developer and explorer with operations focused in Zimbabwe. Namib and its subsidiaries (including Greenstone) are a significant player in Zimbabwe's mining industry, driving sustainable growth and innovation across the sector. Currently the Namib group operates an underground mine in Zimbabwe, with additional exploration assets in Zimbabwe and the DRC. Namib operates using conventional mining, as well as modern processes and is seeking alternative areas of growth. For additional information, please visit About Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VI Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VI is a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). HCVI was formed by Daniel J. Hennessy for the purpose of acquiring, and introducing to the public markets, a strong and competitive company operating in the industrial sector. For additional information, please visit Forward-Looking Statements All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding HCVI's, Greenstone's, or Namib Minerals' future financial position, results of operations, business strategy, and plans and objectives of their respective management teams for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are also forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as 'estimate,' 'plan,' 'project,' 'forecast,' 'intend,' 'expect,' 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'seek,' 'strategy,' 'future,' 'opportunity,' 'may,' 'target,' 'should,' 'will,' 'would,' 'will be,' 'will continue,' 'will likely result,' 'preliminary,' or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, HCVI's, Greenstone's, Namib Minerals' or their respective management teams' expectations concerning the outlook for their or Namib Minerals' business, productivity, plans, and goals for future operational improvements, growth and capital investments, operational and cost performance, future market conditions, economic performance and developments in the capital and credit markets, expected future financial performance, the restart of Greenstone's Mazowe mine and Redwing mine and related expansion plans, capital expenditure plans and timeline, the development and goals of the prospective exploration licenses in the DRC, mineral reserve and resource estimates, production and other operating results, productivity improvements, expected additional funding, growth prospects and outlook of Namib Minerals' operations, individually or in the aggregate, including the achievement of project milestones, commencement and completion of commercial operations of certain of Greenstone' exploration and production projects, as well as any information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of Namib Minerals. Forward-looking statements also include statements regarding the expected benefits of the Business Combination. The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the respective management teams of Greenstone and HCVI, as applicable, and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstance and their potential effects and speak only as of the date of such statement. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (i) market risks, including the price of gold; (ii) the effect of the announcement or consummation of the Business Combination on Greenstone's business relationships, performance, and business generally; (iii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Greenstone, Namib Minerals or HCVI related to the Business Combination; (iv) the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; (v) the inability to maintain the listing of Namib Minerals' securities on Nasdaq; (vi) the inability to remediate the identified material weaknesses in Greenstone's internal control over financial reporting, which, if not corrected, could adversely affect the reliability of Greenstone's and Namib Minerals' financial reporting; (vii) the risk that the price of Namib Minerals' securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including changes in the highly competitive industries in which Namib Minerals plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws, regulations, technologies, natural disasters or health epidemics/pandemics, national security tensions, and macro-economic and social environments affecting its business, and changes in the combined capital structure; (viii) the inability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, identify and realize additional opportunities, and manage growth and expanding operations; (ix) the risk that Greenstone may not be able to successfully develop its assets, including expanding the How mine, restarting and expanding its other mines in Zimbabwe or developing its exploration permits in the DRC; (x) the risk that Namib Minerals will be unable to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (xi) political and social risks of operating in Zimbabwe and the DRC; (xii) the operational hazards and risks that Greenstone faces; and (xiii) potential volatile and sporadic trading of Namib's securities. The foregoing list is not exhaustive, and there may be additional risks that neither HCVI nor Greenstone presently know or that HCVI and Greenstone currently believe are immaterial. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors, any other factors discussed in this press release and the other risks and uncertainties described in the registration statement on Form F-4 (together with all amendments thereto, the 'Registration Statement') initially filed on December 6, 2024, and the definitive proxy statement / prospectus contained therein, in each case, under the heading 'Risk Factors,' and other documents of HCVI or Namib filed, or to be filed, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC'). Namib, Greenstone and HCVI caution you against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect current beliefs and are based on information currently available as of the date a forward-looking statement is made. Forward-looking statements set forth in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. None of Greenstone, HCVI, or Namib undertakes any obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs. In the event that any forward-looking statement is updated, no inference should be made that Greenstone, HCVI, or Namib will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statements. Any corrections or revisions and other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, including discussions of significant risk factors, may appear, from subsequent events and developments, in HCVI's or Namib's public filings with the SEC, which are or will be (as appropriate) accessible at and which you are advised to review carefully. Contacts: Greenstone Corporation/Namib Minerals: info@ Investor Relations: Caroline Sawamoto NamibIR@
