Africa-focused mining conference to be held in London in June

Global mining and research company SNL Metals and Mining and business events organizing company AME Trade Limited will be hosting the Mining on Top: Africa – London Summit, scheduled to take place... 

R126m sanitation programme launched for rural E Cape schools

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) is currently rolling out a R126-million sanitation upgrade project at five rural schools in the Eastern Cape on behalf of the Eastern Cape Department of... 

Master builders body sets aside resources for apprentices

The Master Builders Association of the Western Cape (MBAWC) has provided about R519 000 in bursaries to 21 young people employed by MBAWC members as apprentices who have completed their first year... 

DEA rejects final EIA report, requests more information for KiPower

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has rejected the final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the proposed construction of the 600 MW coal-fired independent power producer... 

Shift in SA mindset needed to promote the buying of local goods

The South African government’s New Growth Path (NGP) initiative aims to encourage economic growth and fosters the creation of jobs through the procurement of locally manufactured goods and... 

Partnership assisting with SME development

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been identified as a conduit to stimulate economic growth and help solve the unemployment problems in South Africa and it is crucial that the mindset... 

DEA requests additional info on proposed KiPower IPP

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has requested additional information to the final environmental-impact assessment (EIA) report submitted to it for the proposed construction of the 600... 

Sustainability Week to take place in Pretoria in June

Sustainability company Alive2Green will be hosting this year’s Sustainability Week at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research from June 23 to 28, which is themed ‘Get ready to put ideas... 

Critical maintenance for Tsitsikamma suspension bridge completed

The maintenance work on the Tsitsikamma suspension bridge has been completed and it is officially open to visitors again. Following its closure on January 12 this year, the bridge underwent two... 

MSA thriving on manufacturing high-quality products in current tough environment

At its seventy-fifth anniversary celebration earlier this month, health and safety products manufacturer MSA Africa noted that it would continue to benefit from increased mining activity when the... 

17% of US coal production at risk of idling, closure

About 17% of US coal production is at risk of idling or closure owing to mines’ cash costs and sustaining capital expenditure exceeding current market pricing this year, says consulting firm Wood... 

Still no word on mooted State-owned miner

It has been almost a year since Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi indicated in his 2014 Budget Vote speech that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) would submit the State-owned... 

Frans Pienaar

Main Activity of the Company: Construction in sub-Saharan Africa Date and Place of Birth: October 8, 1964, Middelburg, Cape 

Stainless steel association plans to release 2015 guide end of March

At the end of this month, the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) will release its 2015 Buyer’s Guide, which it believes will be its most comprehensive buyer’s guide yet. 

Green building tool can help reduce operating costs at existing buildings

The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) plans to have piloted 100 properties through its existing building performance (EBP) tool by the end of April. 

Still no word on mooted State-owned miner almost a year after govt revealed plans to table enabling legislation in Parliament

It has been almost a year since Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi indicated in his 2014 Budget Speech that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) will submit the State-owned mining... 

SA junior in partnership to reopen Ghana diamond mine

South Africa-based junior miner Limoz Resources announced last week that it will be reopening the old Akwatia diamond mine in Ghana mid-year. 

Pipes association calls for submission of sample HDPE pipes for quality testing

As the requirements of reliability and the extended life span of plastic pipes across industry are increasing, the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers’ Association (Sappma) is inviting... 

Bank claims catalytic role in boosting SA’s affordable-housing stock

A division of a leading South African bank says its funding of new affordable-housing projects is acting as a catalyst to address the prevailing housing backlog, the closing of which is also viewed... 

Coal pooling and sharing offers efficient power generation opportunities

The adoption of a Pool-and-Share concept by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and coal miners could lead to a more efficient generation of electricity in Southern Africa, says consulting firm... 

Circular models a worthwhile alternative to traditional linear economy – Redisa

Creating circular economies is an alternative to a traditional linear economy that could assist government in boosting economic growth and in creating much needed jobs in line with the National... 

Louis Berger gets $7.6m Mozambique roads contract

Consulting firm Louis Berger Group was last month commissioned by the Sub-Saharan Regional Pipeline Corporation (SSRPC) to provide $7.6-million worth of consultancy services and rehabilitation of... 

AEL employee receives ‘best paper’ award at explosives conference

Explosives manufacturer and supplier AEL Mining Services electronics field technician Ashlin Pillay was awarded the Paper of the Year Award last month at the yearly conference of the International... 

Going green can create jobs for South Africa’s citizens

Besides its mandate to mitigate pollution and harm to the environment, the emerging trend of going green also provides an opportunity for the creation of small businesses in South Africa, says... 

Swazi construction firm eyes South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa expansion prospects

Swaziland-based construction company Inyatsi Construction Group believes that aggressively entering the South African construction and infrastructure sector will enable the company to expand... 

Price slump seen prompting review of African oil and gas explorers’ expenditure plans

Oil and gas explorers in Africa will be looking at their budgets and deciding where to allocate their limited capital spend, given the substantial decline in the oil price, as low oil prices could... 

Cost reduction, efficiency important for mines as oil price takes nosedive

The recent unexpected drop in oil prices will result in mining companies experiencing slow growth and increased pressures in sustaining productivity, says fleet management software and services... 

DTI to help local SMMEs showcase their products in Germany

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced at a breakfast presentation that it would aid South African small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) through its export marketing and... 

Daylight saving could mitigate disruption caused by load-shedding – NWU professor

Experts have suggested that government deploy an independent task team that will consider alternative energy-saving methods, such as switching to daylight saving in South Africa, to mitigate the... 

Wireless communication can help mines achieve zero harm

In support of South Africa’s Mining Health and Safety Council’s quest for zero harm, telecommunications equipment company Huawei Technologies believes that the use of wireless communications... 

Transition from artisanal mining in Central Africa vital – UJ professor

There is a real need to improve the knowledge and skills base of the mining sector in Central Africa through the transition from artisanal mining to small-scale mining, which will also mitigate... 

Redisa claims tyre waste management plan is working

The Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa) – gazetted at the end of 2012 by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to mitigate the impact of tyre waste on the... 

Study outlines ways to decouple growth from environmental degradation

Following the launch of the State of Green Technologies in South Africa study last month in Johannesburg, the Academy of Science of South Africa (Assaf) says the study aims to increase the... 

Asset impairments, non-GAAP measures among trends affecting financial reporting in mining sector

With the change in commodity prices affecting the mining sector globally, financial reporting on operations has become significant for companies as this has an impact on how mining companies... 

SRK unpacks Nema regulations for mining clients

Global mining consultancy firm SRK Consulting hosted a workshop for its mining clients which aimed to assist them in unpacking the new National Environmental Management Act (Nema): Environmental... 

Africa’s first nano computer tomography scanner opens the way for 3D analysis of ores

Stellenbosch University’s (SU’s) Central Analytical Facilities department launched the first and only nano computer tomography (CT) scanner in Africa in September last year, with the technology... 

Sasol’s new corporate office to be completed next year

Integrated energy and chemical company Sasol is building its new corporate office in Sandton that is designed to replicate the company’s logo and is scheduled for completion in 2016. 

With launch of Africa’s first nano computer tomography scanner, SA university opens the way for 3D analysis of ores

Stellenbosch University’s (SU’s) Central Analytical Facilities department launched the first and only Nano computer tomography (CT) Scanner in Africa in September last year, with the technology... 

Government declares 2015 the year of special economic zones delivery

Out of South Africa’s ten designated special economic zones (SEZs), three are on the verge of implementation and, before the end of this year, one of them will be completed and implemented, says... 

Nairobi road improvement project under way

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta officially launched the commencement of the construction of the Nairobi Outer Ring Road Improvement Project, which is jointly financed by the African Development...