Kenmare achieves record output of titanium minerals in Mozambique

Irish miner Kenmare Resources, which owns and operates the Moma Titianium Minerals Mine in the Nampula province of Mozambique, has reported that it achieved record production of ilmenite, rutile... 

Local light passenger and utility aircraft programme taking off

Wonderboom Airport, in Pretoria (within the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality), is the nest within which a fledgling civilian aircraft manufacturing company is developing. Based in the airport’s... 

IAEA says SA nuclear regulator effective, but warns on control gaps in health

South Africa's National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) is in good shape, but the oversight of radiation safety in the country, which is the responsibility of the Directorate of Radiation Control of the... 

South Africa’s National Nuclear Regulator hosts international nuclear mission

An Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited South Africa from December 5 to December 15. The purpose of the IRRS mission was to... 

Umkhonto missile export programme now in its final stages

South African State-owned defence industrial group Denel announced at the end of last month that extensive testing of the Denel Dynamics Umkhonto (“Spear”, in English) naval surface-to-air missile,... 

Things beginning to look up for Brazilian miner in Mozambique

In a recent presentation to the New York Stock Exchange, Brazilian major mining group Vale reported on progress at its Mozambican operations. These comprise the Moatize coal mine and the Nacala... 

Space agency’s operations directorate marks two milestones

The Space Operations directorate of the South African National Space Agency (Sansa) recently achieved a new high when it successfully supported the simultaneous launch of four satellites. “Four... 

South African commercial aviation sector outperforming economy, index shows

The South African commercial aviation sector “is alive and well and outperforming most other sectors of the economy by a considerable margin” reported the Commercial Aviation Association of... 

Rosatom looks forward to result of South Africa’s nuclear debate

Russian State-owned nuclear group Rosatom has reaffirmed its respect for South Africa’s domestic policy debates and decisions. “We respect South African government processes and decisions,” states... 

Mozambique projects in sights of tax and regulatory authorities at home and abroad

Mozambique’s Tax Authority is monitoring the natural resources sector to ensure it collects the capital gains taxes due to it. This was affirmed by Tax Authority President Amélia Nakhare late last... 

Govt appoints consultants to help decide future course for airlines

A notice (NT008-2016) on the website of National Treasury has confirmed that a joint venture between Bain and Company South Africa and Abacus Advisory has been appointed the “professional service... 

UK to stimulate nuclear research, development and innovation

The United Kingdom has launched a new nuclear innovation programme. This was recently announced in Manchester by the country’s Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy... 

Science council heavily involved in mining research and development

Although the new Mining Precinct (or Mining Hub) initiative has rightly attracted a lot of interest, the mining and minerals research and development (R&D) activities of the Council for Scientific... 

German drive engineering group to expand activities in South Africa

German drive engineering group SEW Eurodrive is planning to expand its assembly capacity in South Africa. The company operates 15 manufacturing plants in Germany, France, Brazil, the US and China,... 

UK Premier seeks to protect globalisation by ensuring it is fairer

British Prime Minister Theresa May has defended globalisation, while warning its downsides must be addressed to ensure continued public support for free markets and free trade around the world. She... 

Science council heavily involved in mining research and development

Although the new Mining Precinct (or Mining Hub) initiative has rightly attracted a lot of interest (see “Mining Weekly” October 7), the mining and minerals research and development (R&D)... 

New South African nanosatellite to participate in international project

A South African nanosatellite will be launched into space from the International Space Station (ISS) during the first quarter of next year, as part of an international research project under the... 

CSIR reassessing funding model as grant uncertainty rises

The Chairperson of the Board of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Thokozani Majozi, has warned that the organisation is going to have to re-look at its funding model. He... 

Science council aims to educate public about its role and that of science

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) acting CEO Dr Molefi Motuku has assured that his organisation will continue to meet the challenges facing it and the country. He was speaking... 

Necsa responsible for new research reactor and fuel cycle

The South African government has decided that the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) will be the owner/operator of the planned new Multi-Purpose Reactor (MPR) and the proposed future... 

Single mine continues to dominate Angolan diamond production

Angolan mining group Sociedade Mineira de Catoca (Catoca) currently produces 75% of the country’s diamonds, highlighted company Chief Financial Officer António Galiano Celestino earlier this month.... 

South African company participating in global Nasa robotics competition

South African company Ryonic Robotics is currently busy developing its entry in the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (Nasa’s) Space Centennial Challenge competition. Ryonic was... 

Test flying in South Africa at a critical crossroads

It is generally, if not universally, accepted, that the height of flying skill is embodied in the test pilot and the apex of air engineering ability in the flight test engineer. Despite huge... 

Miner buys Moz forestry firm to access limestone deposit

London AIM-listed miner Premier African Minerals (Premier) completed its acquisition of a majority stake in private Mozambican company TCT Indústrias Florestais (TCT IF) at the very end of last... 

Jet fighter programmes stimulate South Africa’s aerospace sector

In the 70 years since the South African Air Force (SAAF) first flew a jet fighter, the country has gone from importing complete aircraft with no technology transfer, to developing a highly... 

CSIR considering flight test and research UAV project

One of the projects currently being developed by the Aeronautics Competency of the Defence, Peace, Safety and Security unit of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a Modular... 

Armscor cancels intercontinental jet tender for Air Force

South Africa’s defence acquisition, disposals and research and development agency Armscor has announced that it had cancelled the tender “for the lease of an intercontinental aircraft” for the... 

Lithuania seeking trade partnership with South Africa

The first ever trade mission to South Africa from Lithuania, although small, represented no fewer than six sectors of the latter country’s economy. The just-concluded mission is part of the small... 

South Africa, China seek to promote high-tech cooperation through expo

The First South Africa/China Hi-Tech Exhibition, held recently in Sandton, north of Johannesburg, was intended to promote scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries, their... 

SA nuclear industry unfazed by latest delays in nuclear project

The Nuclear Industries Association of South Africa (Niasa) is not concerned about the latest postponement in the country’s new nuclear power plant (NPP) construction programme. “Although, as an... 

National Nuclear Regulator building itself up to meet future challenges

South Africa’s National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) is busy strengthening the country’s nuclear regulatory framework, in anticipation of the planned construction of a fleet of new nuclear power... 

South Africa reaffirms commitment to air transport liberalisation

South African Deputy Transport Minister Sindisiwe Lydia Chikunga reaffirmed the country’s support for opening Africa’s aviation markets. “South Africa supports the liberalisation of air transport... 

SA’s science policy to be reviewed but global cooperation will remain

South Africa is to review its policy and plans regarding science, technology and innovation. This was stated by Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor at the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of... 

African airlines body believes air traffic liberalisation inevitable

The liberalisation of the African air transport market seems certain to happen, and will benefit those of the continent’s airlines able to take advantage of it. Thus affirmed African Airlines... 

Local munitions company working on export orders, new products

South African grenade, artillery ammunition, rocket propellant and warhead manufacturer Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) hopes to conclude more than one new order before the end of this year. “This... 

National Treasury developing contingency plans for possible Brexit effects on South Africa

The National Treasury is busy discussing the possible impact on the South African economy of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union (EU), known as “Brexit” for short. At the moment, it is... 

South African elected chair of world nuclear agency

The new Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo, has emphasised that “South Africa as a founding member of the IAEA... 

UK enterprise interested in building relationships with SA companies

British science and high-technology company QinetiQ used this year’s recent Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition to investigate the local market. QinetiQ is a technology development,... 

CSIR showcases its ability to support industrial development

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) highlighted its abilities to support the development of the country's industries at a recent event at its complex in Pretoria. "For... 

Lockheed Martin emphasises advantages to South Africa of its C-130J Super Hercules

Large orders from the US government for Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules transport and multimission aircraft are helping the manufacturer keep down the acquisition costs for the aircraft for...