Exploratory fracking needed to determine commercial prospects of shale gas

Government’s inter-Ministerial hydraulic fracturing (fracking) monitoring committee is still working on fine-tuning regulations for a draft report on the governing of fracking in the Karoo basin,... 

Network security firm’s upgrade incorporates next-gen firewall features

High-performance network security solutions provider Fortinet has taken the next step in next-generation enterprise firewalls, with the addition of new features to its FortiOS 5 operating system,... 

Look beyond mining explosives, chemicals companies urged

African chemical companies need to diversify beyond the manufacture of mining explosives if they want to secure their position in the African and global chemicals market, says growth consulting... 

Uncertainty around commercial prospects of shale gas in the Karoo predicates necessity for exploratory fracking

Government’s inter-Ministerial hydraulic fracturing (fracking) monitoring committee is still working on fine- tuning regulations for a draft report on the governing of fracking in the Karoo basin,... 

SA firm set to complete prefabricated units for Moz camp in October

Prefabricated modular unit manufacturer and erector Kwikspace Modular Buildings is expected to complete a 730-person camp in Mozambique’s Nacala-a-Velha district, in Nampula province, by October,... 

Mining community action group pickets outside Mining Lekgotla

A community action group gathered outside the Sandton Convention Centre on Tuesday to picket for the rights of mining-affected communities in South Africa, as day one of the second annual Mining... 

CSIR unit concludes passive energy efficiency study, moves to continue research

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR’s) Build Environment unit has signed its second memorandum of understanding with chemicals giant BASF to continue researching passive... 

DistribuTech to make African debut as part of co-located event

Internationally renowned power transmission and distribution event DistribuTech, which has been providing a comprehensive overview of the global power distribution sector for more than 20 years,... 

Lonmin focused on improving employee relations, adding value to community in aftermath of Marikana tragedy

While the Farlam Commission of Inquiry continues to investigate the massacre that took place at Rustenburg-based Lonmin’s Marikana mine one year ago – amid pockets of unrest and slow progress – the... 

Unionist upbeat on future of SA’s mining sector

Unlike most mining industry commentators, trade union Uasa mining division manager Franz Stehring has described South Africa’s mining industry as a “sunrise industry” with significant potential,... 

Deep-water drilling set to reach unprecedented levels – Wood Mackenzie

Deepwater drilling activity and spend will significantly increase in global markets over the next decade, owing to increased demand for substantial volumes of oil and gas, according to a new study... 

M&R Cementation reaches 700 m milestone on Zambia shaft project

Mining contracting company Murray & Roberts Cementation Zambia has reached the 700 m mark in its endeavour to sink and equip a synclinorium shaft for integrated copper and cobalt producer Mopani... 

Babcock power generation unit receives integrated certification

The Africa branch of engineering support services provider Babcock has been awarded an integrated management systems certification by independent auditing and certification body authority DQS South... 

'Severe lack of economic literacy' will lead to further strike action, says economist

South Africa needs to tackle the “woeful and complete lack of economic literacy” among its working population, including mineworkers, says veteran labour economist Andrew Levy. “Until workers... 

Lawyer argues mines’ profits don’t show full picture as costs are passed on to workers, communities and the environment

While securing employment and encouraging foreign direct investment in the mining industry are necessary to balance the protection of labourers and maintaining an economy, more is needed to enhance... 

Strong African demand for mobile brickmaking machines

Concrete brick, block and paving machinery supplier Pan Mixers South Africa (PMSA) has recognised an increased demand for mobile machines in Africa, which help overcome logistical challenges... 

Bridging innovation, commercialisation gap key to reviving manufacturing

The local manufacturing sector’s contribution to South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) has dropped by 33% in the last decade. This could partly be attributed to the gap between innovation in... 

Infrastructure software solutions firm homes in on African prospects

As part of its 2013 growth strategy, global infrastructure software solutions provider Bentley Systems is focusing on Africa and on expanding its footprint across the continent to offer those... 

AngloGold Ashanti invests R1.9-million in host, labour-sending communities

Inspired to make a difference on Mandela Day 2013, gold mining major AngloGold Ashanti spent R1.9-million on uplifting the company’s host and labour-sending communities to honour the life and... 

SA moving to secure its share of world aquaculture growth

South Africa’s aquaculture industry, though still in its infancy, has been identified by government as a key priority sector because of its potential to supplement dwindling wild-caught fish stocks... 

Transport group says latest acquisition ‘operating well’

Logistics solutions provider Barloworld Transport Solutions’ (BWTS’) latest acquisition, Manline Mega, has operated well in its first month of trading, during which four new trucks and four 85 t... 

Several ambiguities not addressed in MPRDA Amendment Bill, says lawyer

Following the promulgation of certain provisions of the 2008 Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Act (MPRDA) and Cabinet’s approval of the draft MPRDA Amendment Bill, industry is... 

Sarens launches 750-t-capacity hydraulic crane

Heavy-lifting solutions multinational Sarens, of Belgium, has officially launched a new 750-t hydraulic crane, manufactured by Germany-based construction machinery manufacturer Liebherr. As the... 

Copper miner adds value to waste timber removed for mining operations

Local wood preservative chemical manufacturer Dolphin Bay Chemicals has installed a treatment plant at First Quantum Minerals’ Sentinel copper deposit in Solwezi, Zambia, assisting the base metals... 

Construction of R400-million Orange Farm Mall under way

Construction on the new R400-million Eyethu Orange Farm Mall has started, with the development poised to act as a major catalyst for the greater Sebokeng area, south of Johannesburg. The mall is... 

Former Anglo boss calls for ‘courageous and bold action’ for SA to be competitive

The current state of the local mining industry should not be allowed to undermine South Africa’s global competitiveness, says former Anglo American South Africa CEO Kuseni Dlamini. Nonetheless, the... 

Mining equipment, technology and services one of Australia’s largest export sectors

The Australian Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (Mets) sector contributes 6.4% to the Australian economy and is one of Australia’s largest export sectors, according to a study conducted by... 

Concerns that gas could undermine renewable-energy development

Increasing the role of gas may be one answer to a low-carbon economy, but it could also undermine support for renewable energy, said Mac Consulting principal consultant Dave Collins at a business... 

London hosts Africa-focused mining conference

About 400 international delegates attended the Mining on Top: Africa conference in Westminster, London, last week, which was organised by business-intelligence supplier IntierraRMG, in partnership... 

New Randburg lab to help BASF better support minerals-sector customers

Germany-based chemicals giant BASF has established a mining solutions technical centre at local mineral research and development organisation Mintek’s Randburg premises, in Gauteng, to help BASF... 

Fears of ‘unavoidable chaos’ cloud upcoming wage talks

Chances are slim that this year’s bargaining season will run smoothly for the local mining industry, says strategy firm Virtual Consulting Inter-national global mining strategist Gideon Malherbe,... 

Construction management course aims to arm practitioners with delivery tools

An intensive four-week leadership programme for prospective leaders from the civil engineering sector and related industries, held yearly at Stellenbosch University, is currently under way. The... 

Fears of ‘unavoidable chaos’ cloud upcoming wage talks

Chances are slim that this year’s bargaining season will run smoothly for the local mining industry, says strategy firm Virtual Consulting International global mining strategist Gideon Malherbe,... 

Joburg mulling ways to bolster food security, reduce waste

Almost half of the food produced worldwide end up on landfill sites, with South Africa contributing more than 9.4-million tons to this global epidemic, said United Nations Environmental Programme... 

Finnish group to launch energy-absorbing rock bolt in SA

Underground mining and tunnelling services and solutions provider Normet will introduce a new energy-absorbing rock bolt onto the South African market this year to provide additional support in... 

SA fire-suppression solutions provider opens first African franchise

Africa’s largest fire-suppression solutions company, Fire and Security Techniques (FST), will expand its intracontinental footprint as it establishes its first franchise, in Tanzania, this month.... 

Infrastructure seen as key to Africa’s further growth and transformation

Hosted by JSE-listed cement major PPC, industry stakeholders and members of the media came together last month to recognise Africa Day 2013 and to discuss infrastructure development on the... 

Mining major installing software to consolidate data, make better informed decisions

With the assistance of global infrastructure software solutions provider Bentley Systems, a global diversified mining major with operations in South Africa has embarked on a project that will be a... 

Firm delivers SA’s first wet high-intensity magnetic separation plant for iron-ore

Project management company DRA Mineral Projects has delivered South Africa’s first wet, high-intensity magnetic separation (Whims) beneficiation plant for iron-ore. 

Turkish steel exporters explore SA business prospects

To explore potential areas of cooperation and new business prospects between the steel sectors of South Africa and Turkey, high-level delegates from the Turkish Steel Exporters’ Association (CIB),...