Gia Costella

Mining consultancy opens Namibian office, a first outside South Africa

Mining consultancy firm VBKom Consulting Engineers (VBKom) will open its first office outside South Africa in Windhoek, Namibia, this month, after operating in Namibia as a registered company for two years. “We have been promising this office to...

Engineering solutions provider focuses on growth of Namibian mining industry

Engineering solutions provider Bearing Man Group (BMG) Namibia says its focus this year is on growing the Namibian mining industry through its integrated solutions. The company has had a presence in the country since 1996 and currently employs...

Environmental group says marine phosphate mining cannot be sustained by Namibia

The Namibian marine environment cannot accommodate a viable fishing industry and the disruptive exercise of marine phosphate mining, says environmental lobby group Swakopmund Matters. “Either one or the other can thrive – not both,” says the...

Namibian industry set for growth – investment adviser

The Namibian mining industry is set to be worth about N$37.8-billion by 2017, says investment and development adviser Africa Practice. An initial study in October showed the industry would be worth about N$40-billion by 2016; the revised figures...

Company awarded JV contract for largest Namibian uranium project

Engineering, procurement and construction management services provider to the mining and minerals industry Tenova Bateman’s sub-Saharan Africa division was awarded a joint venture (JV) contract with engineering consulting and project management...

Mining consultancy looks to increase footprint

Mining consultant VBKom reports that it has entered into two joint ventures (JVs) this year to expand its reach and expertise in the mining industry. “Our approach is to integrate all aspects of the mining business, including technical, social,...

Electricity shortage and high prices threaten smelting industry

Designer and supplier of high-capacity electric submerged-arc smelting furnaces and complete smelting plants Tenova Pyromet MD Chris Oertel tells Mining Weekly that increased electricity prices and a shortage in electricity supply in South Africa...

Consulting engineers need integrated systems – developer

South African consulting engineering firms need to realise the importance of managing project profitability and using the Earned Value Management (EVM) tool, says local system development, implementation and training resource company Akron...

Marikana tragedy has changed industry forever – consultancy

Natural resource and development solutions provider SRK Consulting South Africa chairperson Roger Dixon tells Mining Weekly that the breakdown of the central bargaining system in the South African mining industry has changed the industry and that...

Consultancy faces industry challenges

Consulting engineers in mining are facing many challenges in the market, says internationally recognised consultancy firm SMEC head of Gauteng office David Gertzen. “The challenges include a depressed economic climate, labour issues, high labour...