'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),... 

SA continues to rank lowly on emerging market investment log

Last month saw South Africa at the bottom of the foreign direct investment (FDI) log for the third consecutive month, as fund managers polled by Bank of America Merrill Lynch continue to point to... 

Plans afoot to increase the role of gas in SA’s energy mix

As an abundant global resource, natural gas is poised to take centre stage in the world’s total energy mix by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), with more than 200 years of... 

Local vinyls body joins global alliance to promote PVC medical applications

The Southern African Vinyls Association (Sava) was officially welcomed this month as a member of the newly formed PVCMedAlliance, a Brussels-based international polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry... 

Academy accredited to offer instrumentation, rigging training

Level 1 broad-based black economic-empowerment training academy the Artisan Training Institute (ATI), formerly the Ikhaya Fundisa Techniskills Academy, can now offer training in instrumentation and... 

Pharmaceuticals group launches initiative to fight fire risk in informal settlements

Local pharmaceutical company Cipla Medpro’s corporate social investment (CSI) arm, the Cipla Foundation, has launched an initiative aimed at mitigating the growing shack fire crisis plaguing... 

Franchises prove resilient amid global economic turmoil

Local franchise companies are proving to be more resilient than other business sectors in South Africa, says the Franchise Association of South Africa (Fasa), which hosted the 2013 International... 

Power transmission partners renew cooperation agreement

French electricity major Alstom Grid and local electrical equipment manufacturer Actom have renewed their technologies cooperation agreement for the next two years, having officiated their... 

Asbestos Relief Trust pays out R250m to 3 600 claimants in ten years

Workmen’s compensation fund the Asbestos Relief Trust (ART) will mark its tenth year of existence in July, having provided compensatory relief to mineworkers suffering from asbestos-related... 

Mining industry set to benefit from Foundational Learning Competence programme

Adult basic education and training (Abet) specialist Media Works has launched its Foundational Learning Competence (FLC) programme that will benefit the country’s dominant mining industry and its... 

Forestry group moves ahead plan to integrate Sabie site, extract more value

Forestry and forest products group York Timbers is hoping to break ground early next year on its R1.5-billion site integration project at its Sabie facilities, in Mpumalanga, once it receives a... 

Manganese, iron-ore junior awards beneficiation plant contract

Manganese and iron-ore junior Diro Resources has contracted bulk materials handling solutions provider ELB Engineering Services to design, supply and construct a 200-t/h dense-medium separation... 

Acquisition consolidates steel plant specialist’s leading market position

Having finalised its takeover of Luxembourg-based pyro- and hydrometallurgical engineering company Paul Wurth, steel plant construction specialist SMS Siemag, a division of SMS Holding, is now the... 

SA company acquires world’s largest mobile crane as part of big capex push

Mobile crane hire company Johnson Crane Hire (JCH) has entered the last leg of a R1-billion expansion programme, which it expects to complete by December 14. The company plans to spend R450-million...