New export cluster aims to improve intra-African trade

South African manufacturing received a boost following the launch of the Engineering and Technology Grouping of Export Councils (ETGEC) at Infrastructure Africa, which took place last month at the... 

SA platinum miners enter recycling market despite ‘mixed’ expectations

Despite the mixed performance and expectations of the recycling industry, local platinum producers Sibanye Resources and Northam Platinum this year entered the platinum-group metals (PGM) recycling... 

Black investor acquires majority stake in precision manufacturing firm

A recent acquisition of 51% of Johannesburg-based precision manufacturing company Bay Engineering by Black Industrialists Group (BIG) for R6.5-million is being held up as an example of... 

Low-skilled labour plan could provide solution to unemployment challenge

Industrial research and development engineering company Greville Wood Developments (GWD) is awaiting funding to recreate a 1986 manufacturing proof study and farming plan, called the Warrenton... 

SA’s export strategy aims to boost capacity for value-added goods, services trade

South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI's) Integrated National Export Strategy (INES) to help improve the global competitiveness of South African exporters and tap the export-led... 

Ghana officials showcase progress on international airport project

The construction of a new terminal at Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport (KIA), in Accra, is expected to transport five-million passengers a year once completed in April next year. The project,... 

Concern raised over lack of support for coal roadmap

Since the release in July 2013 of the South African Coal Roadmap (SACRM), there has been no impetus by government or coal miners to implement any of its recommendations. The SACRM was developed... 

AfriSam sees merger as key to surviving cement glut

Cement manufacturer AfriSam sales and marketing executive Richard Tomes has stressed the need for the cement manufacturing industry to consolidate. On a site visit with members of the media to its... 

Supplier development can help create employment in South Africa

South Africa needs jobs and economic development, but with government coming under increasing pressure to reduce its wage bill and the corporate sector similarly pushing for greater efficiency in a... 

Concern raised over lack of support for coal roadmap

After being released in July 2013, the South African Coal Roadmap (SACRM) has suffered the fate of which it warned industry, effectively ‘falling off a cliff’, with there having been no impetus by... 

Joburg Council Chamber’s innovative design receives recognition

The City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ’s) Council Chamber, which is managed by the CoJ’s property portfolio company Joburg Property Company (JPC), has been awarded the Public Services Development award by... 

Sustainable partnerships needed to ensure Africa’s food security

New approaches and sustainable partnerships are required to ensure food security for Africa’s rapidly urbanising population, says financial services provider Absa senior agricultural economist... 

Thermal imaging cameras, speakers deployed in bid to protect rhino

Swedish security camera manufacturer Axis Communications is showing its commitment to combating the scourge of rhino poaching in South Africa. Axis Communications country manager Roy Alves explains... 

C-Cut Phase 1 project 89% complete, three months ahead of schedule

LSE-listed diamond miner Petra Diamonds’ R4,6-billion C-Cut Phase 1 expansion programme at its Cullinan mine, in Gauteng, is three months ahead of schedule. This is according to Petra Diamonds... 

Extent of African economies’ dependence on commodities ‘frightening’ – Deloitte

Amid hopes that the mining industry has finally reached the bottom of its steady decline since 2008, Africa’s primary industry focused economies may find some respite, however, the focus on natural... 

Industrial gas supplier showcases commitment to craft beer market

Industrial gas supplier Air Products hosted media at Johannesburg-based restaurant and microbrewery Mad Giant in June, where it showcased its support for South Africa’s bourgeoning craft beer... 

Digital transformation may offer remedy to SA’s manufacturing ailments

According to the Deloitte Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Survey for 2016, South Africa is ranked 27, slipping three places since 2013, and is expected to drop even further in the next five to... 

Digital revolution may quicken advance towards ‘mine of the future’

The digital revolution may provide the impetus for the mining industry to innovate at an exponential rate, as new digital technologies and developments converge on mining technologies to realise... 

Technology, digital solutions part of Botswana firm’s microfinance arsenal as it expands across Africa

Botswana-based microfinance company Letshego Holdings, which operates in 11 African countries, aims to use technology and digital solutions to affect economic redress in Africa and provide... 

Small businesses get a leg up at supplier conference

To assist the development and success of small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa, project delivery and engineering consultancy WorleyParsons South Africa held its Supplier... 

SPEED DATING

Project delivery and engineering consultancy WorleyParsons South Africa this month hosted a conference at its offices in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, where entrepreneurs were given 90 seconds to... 

Top trends impacting on mining come under the spotlight

During project delivery and engineering consultancy WorleyParsons’ Supplier Grow Conference earlier this month in Johannesburg advisory firm Deloitte Africa energy and resource leader Andrew Lane... 

LHWP delays threaten water security for 45% of South Africans

The recent appointment of the Matla a Metsi joint venture for the design and construction supervision of the Polihali dam, part of the larger Phase 2 Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) that was... 

Joburg Property Company showcases city’s heritage

In a R60-million renovation project, the former post office on Rissik street is being restored to its former glory as one of Johannesburg’s stand-out heritage sites. During a media tour hosted by... 

Aveng Mining gets health and safety thumbs up

Turnkey mining solutions provider Aveng Mining was awarded a safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) integrated management system (IMS) certification in May this year from multinational... 

Pallinghurst eyeing London listing following Gemfields acquisition

Following Pallinghurst’s restructuring and successful acquisition of emerald miner Gemfields, the JSE-listed diversified miner will now commence with the preparatory work to potentially obtain a... 

Low grades, high power costs key snags to SA chromite sector’s competitiveness

Despite South Africa’s rich chromite endowment, the low chromium oxide (Cr2O3) grades in its orebodies and the high cost of electricity are significant barriers to the country becoming the dominant... 

Inaugural Africa Architecture Awards to take place in September

The inaugural Africa Architecture Awards, the first Pan-African awards programme of its kind and launched by French manufacturing multinational Saint-Gobain, aims to recognise and reward worthy... 

New Samrec, Samval codes address the shortcomings of previous iterations

While the requirements of the updated and improved South African Mineral Resource Code (SAMREC Code) and South African Mineral Valuation Code (SAMVAL Code) are no more onerous that the previous... 

Farmers still face headwinds despite return to growth

Despite the recent positive news from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) indicating that the agriculture sector had increased 22.2% in the first quarter of 2017 and that a record maize harvest is... 

Engineering firm appointed for Umhlanga development

Multidisciplinary engineering firm Arup announced last month that it had been appointed to supply multidisciplinary engineering services to the iconic mixed-use office and retail development Park... 

Smartphone adoption expected to drive investment in Africa

Driven by significant growth in smartphone adoption, Africa is poised to become the skills pool for the world, underpinned by innovation solutions derived from trends, such as the Internet of... 

Low grades, high power costs key snags to SA chromite sector’s competitiveness

Despite South Africa’s rich chromite endowment, the low chromium oxide (Cr2O3) grades found in its orebodies and the high cost of electricity are significant barriers to the country becoming the... 

Pallinghurst seeks London listing following Gemfields acquisition

Following Pallinghurst’s restructuring and successful acquisition of emerald miner Gemfields, the JSE-listed diversified miner will now commence with the preparatory work to potentially obtain a... 

Sibanye appoints Southern Africa executive VP

JSE- and NYSE-listed precious metals miner Sibanye Resources has appointed Robert van Niekerk the company’s executive VP for the Southern Africa region. Van Niekerk joined Sibanye in February 2013... 

Blockchain will have big impact on electricity sector, KPMG asserts

A number of new technology developments are expected to impact the global electricity sector, including virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, Big Data and the Internet of Things... 

Lack of contractual commitments hindering solar-geyser manufacturing growth

The current economic climate and a lack of mid- to long-term contractual agreements from the Department of Energy (DoE) has slowed plant expansion and capacity increases by local solar water heater... 

Nigerian university expansion project receives AfDB loan

The African Development Bank (AfDB) last month signed agreements for a corporate loan to finance the expansion of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. The expansion project... 

New Tshwane light-steel frame building erected at speed

South African light-steel frame (LSF) construction company Futurecon has completed the construction of a R7-million 454 m2 facility, in Tshwane, for optometric service provider Spectacle Warehouse... 

Poor governance, accountability stymieing rehabilitation after mine closure

Delegates at the mining seminar of Sustainability Week, which took place at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, in Pretoria, earlier this month, heard that greater levels of...