Sector shows decline despite strong market growth

Although the local chemicals sector has recently been characterised by strong market growth, it has shown a consistently weak performance, with its contribution to total manufacturing output having... 

Imported chemicals hamper growth of sector

The impact of imported chemicals from countries such as China and India, has had a major detrimental impact on the local chemicals sector, says specialty chemicals supplier, Active Chemicals and... 

Valves supplier to launch new products

South African thermoplastic valves supplier Astore Keymak is engaged in research and development activities with its suppliers to launch new FIP industrial valves for chemical applications every... 

Bigger staff complements company’s growth strategy

Multinational specialty chemicals producer Clariant hired 2 142 new employees in 2018 – an increase of 8%, compared with that of the previous year – to support its profitable growth strategy. The... 

Mining Charter III sets tone for juniors’ revival

Following reflection on Mining Charter III, which is seen as a “positive game-changer” and a shift in the local political landscape, discussions at this year’s Junior Indaba will be tailored around... 

Joint development for Madaouela uranium project

Canadian mineral resources company GoviEx and the government of Niger have agreed on a framework to jointly develop GoviEx’s flagship Madaouela uranium project. The project is situated 9 km... 

Capital efficiency approach leverage for junior miners

Project solutions and engineering provider Wood PLC looks forward to participating in positive investment trends in the local junior mining sector, with the company’s capital efficiency approach... 

Junior Indaba sponsor looks forward to engaging juniors

Mining and minerals advisory company Fraser McGill will, for the first time, sponsor the Junior Indaba this year, which will be held at the Country Club Johannesburg, in Auckland Park, from June 4... 

Demand for ICT services from juniors on the rise

As there is a new wave of junior miners being established in Africa, this brings with it a significant demand for information and communications technology (ICT) services. Information technology,... 

Standby power in demand for off-grid juniors

Junior miners create demand for generators and standby power, as they are often off-grid in the project startup phase yet aim to start generating revenue from their mine resource as soon as... 

Menar looking for more opportunities in South African coal mining sector

Mining investment company Menar, as a part of recently formed coal mining investment company Sibambene Coal, a 51% black-owned company, is looking for opportunities in the South African coal sector. 

Eskom unbundling will allow for efficient and effective management

The challenges facing State-owned power utility Eskom can be mitigated through proper, efficient and effective management, which is possible with the company’s unbundling, says Stellenbosch... 

Nuclear is a solution to Eskom’s woes

The success of all the countries that have undertaken large nuclear programmes shows that nuclear energy is a credible solution to State-owned power utility Eskom’s power challenges, says retired... 

Construction of nuclear plants will reinvigorate local manufacturing

One of the main objectives of government is to reinvigorate the local manufacturing sector and one of the ways to achieve that is to forge ahead with the construction of nuclear plants, says... 

Unreliability of coal power stations calls for a nuclear solution

With coal power stations starting to reach the end of their lives, owing to insufficient maintenance, the country’s only option going forward will have to be nuclear energy, says University of the... 

Necsa releases new OSCAR version

State-owned South African Nuclear Energy Corporation’s (Necsa’s) radiation reactor theory department hosted the release of the fifth version of the Overall System for the Calculation of Reactors... 

Solutions provider tailoring its product offering for South African market

Solutions provider Buraaq Mining Services is working towards rebuilding mining equipment and to specifically tailor its product offering for the South African market. 

Precinct establishing platform for all stakeholders

The Mandela Mining Precinct – which industrial cluster Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (MEMSA) is an inherent part of – has been very successful in establishing a platform for all... 

Precinct a catalyst for a mining sunrise

In his inaugural State of the Nation Address in Parliament, in Cape Town, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged all South Africans to view the South African mining industry as a “sunrise industry”.... 

Mandela Mining Precinct enhancing collaboration

The Mandela Mining Precinct, officially launched in September 2018 by the departments of Science and Technology, and Mineral Resources, has been hailed as one of the most defining public–private... 

Youth-focused professional institute reaches 125-year milestone

As the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) celebrates 125 years of existence this year, it will move even further in the direction of uplifting youngsters in the sector. The... 

Software upgrade for Sky Eye Elios drones in the pipeline

Rope-access company Skyriders Access Specialists will partner with a local software company to advance the current software on its Sky Eye Elios drones, as it continues to refine the technology in... 

Renewable energy solves current sector woes

Renewable energy provides solutions for the challenges associated with power generation, as the price of photovoltaics and wind energy technologies have gone down owing to the increase in the... 

Ongoing copper cable theft negatively affects power capacity

Ongoing copper cable theft from companies, such as State-owned power utility Eskom, has devastating effects on the local copper industry, says Copper Development Association Africa (CDAA) executive... 

Partnership ensures reliable power transmission

To ensure reliable power transmission, solar industry supplier Valsa is partnering with solar energy equipment suppliers A+Sun, SAT Control, Jinko Solar, Seraphim, Viasolis and electronics company... 

Access to finance hampers power sector progress

Among the challenges facing the power generation sector is access to finance to upgrade and maintain power infrastructure to extend the life of existing assets in a sustainable way, especially when... 

Plan required for uptake of 4IR in power sector

The power generation and transmission sector has been slow in the uptake of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), says global engineering company Aurecon Group energy unit manager Sibu Mvana.  

Exploration trends likely to improve significantly in West Africa

While mining progress in West Africa will vary from country to country, with one or two discrete discoveries, developments often set significant change into motion, says engineering consulting... 

West African mining rising steadily

Mining activity in West Africa is increasing and this trend is likely to continue. New mines have been established in Mali over the past few years, as well as in countries, such as Liberia, which... 

Mineral-rich West Africa shows much potential

The cheerful mood among operators at the 2019 Investing in African Mining Indaba, coupled with some proactive and innovative governments competing for attention, suggests that the West African... 

AEM system to boost West African exploration

South African airborne geophysics technology provider Spectrem Air plans to reintroduce the application of its airborne electromagnetic (AEM) platform – the SPECTREMPLUS system – to the mineral and... 

AEL to provide green solutions for mines in French West Africa

One of Johannesburg-based supplier and manufacturer of explosives AEL Intelligent Blasting’s core values for this year is going green, with sustainable development also informing its plans to enter... 

Economy impacts negatively on harbour infrastructure and dredging

The economic situation and reduced demand for port facilities have led to a general reduction in investment in harbour infrastructure and dredging, says global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright... 

Enablers to expedite port infrastructure investment

While investment in local ports is increasing, even more investment is required in harbour infrastructure, says global engineering company Aurecon Group capital projects principal Johan de la Rey. 

Growth strategy prompts innovation

Technologies design, production and marketing company Tesmec Group is constantly improving, adapting and evolving its machine concepts. Owing to its pursuit of a “glocal” growth strategy, this... 

Company positive in flat construction market

Despite there being no capital expenditure on projects in the construction sector, construction equipment supplier SANY GM Barry Owen says the company sees good opportunity to grow the SANY brand... 

Bobcat positive ahead of elections

While the fragmentation occurring in the mining and construction industries – where major contracts are being awarded to smaller empowered startups without major track records or even assets – is... 

Construction industry expected to grow over next three years

Despite there being a slowdown in projects for the past few years in the construction industry, power generation equipment developer Himoinsa Southern Africa business development director Matthew... 

Equipment supplier to spread its wings outside South Africa

Industrial equipment supplier Vermeer will attend The Solar Show Africa 2019 which is combined with the 2019 Power and Electricity World Africa (PEWA) conference at the Sandton Convention Centre on... 

PV solar energy the solution to power woes

The energy sector in Africa is under pressure, considering its inability to supply sufficient power for end-users, says photovoltaic (PV) solar industry supplier Valsa Trading MD Svilen Voychev.