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OIL

Oil pares gains on China commods market probe talk

Updated 1 hour 11 minutes ago

By: Reuters

Published: 9th September 2010, 08:28

Oil pared gains on Thursday to stay below $75 as Chinese commodity futures tumbled in a widespread sell-off. Market participants said the slide in China was linked to a government investigation of speculative funds in the Shanghai rubber market, which precipitated a decline across the board from zinc to soyoil to cotton. Full Article

CORPORATE STRATEGY

Aveng's new renewables unit may participate in project funding

South African construction major Aveng has established a new renewable energy unit within its Engineering & Projects Company (E+PC) and has invested... Full Article

CONSTRUCTION

Aveng expects 2011 to be difficult, but has 'healthy' R31bn backlog

Construction group Aveng reported an eight per cent fall in headline earnings to R1,9-billion, from R2,1-billion, for the year ended June 30, 2010, in a... Full Article

NATURAL GAS

Sasol sees shale gas output by 2030 if gas proven

Petrochemicals group Sasol does not expect any large-scale output of shale gas in South Africa before the latter part of the next decade, but the resource... Full Article

MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing output expands 7,5%, but growth moderating

South Africa’s manufacturing output increased by 7,5% year-on-year in July, with analysts saying that the recovery in the manufacturing sector seemed to be... Full Article

CONSTRUCTION

Building confidence bounces back, but remains low

First National Bank (FNB) said on Wednesday that building activity continued to contract during 2010 and that it expected confidence in the sector to... Full Article

ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe seeks SA credit, overdraft facility – Biti

Zimbabwe is seeking R3,25-billion in an overdraft and credit facility from South Africa, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said on Wednesday, as the country... Full Article

PAPER & PULP

Mondi sells 25,1% in Hadera venture

Paper and packaging group Mondi will sell 25,1% of its interest in Israeli-based Mondi Hadera Paper to its joint-venture partner Hadera Paper Ltd for... Full Article

PRIVATE POWER

Eskom gets set to open bidding process for 1 025 MW of renewables

The single buyer office (SBO) within State-owned power utility Eskom expects to initiate a selection process in October or November for the 1 025 MW of... Full Article

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Ceramic Industries’ profit up, despite decline in new build projects

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Gas industry urged to participate in upcoming IRP consultation process

Eskom to tap global bond markets

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Real Economy Report

Videoclips

Aveng CEO Roger...

08 Sep 10

Aveng's new renewables unit may participate in project funding

South African construction major Aveng has established a new renewable energy unit within its Engineering & Projects Company (E+PC) and has invested R20-million to position the business for the private-power workflow that is expected to emerge later this year, or during the first half of 2011. The company will also consider facilitative finance prospects in the power sector on a case-by-case basis.

The new...

03 Sep 10

R1,77bn first-phase upgrade of Sandton City on schedule

The new 1,77-billion-rand first phase of the Sandton City Shopping Centre extension is beginning to change the city skyline.

Alstom Power...

02 Sep 10

Alstom confirms bid intention for Eskom's R10bn wind, solar projects

The global head of French energy-equipment supplier Alstom Power has confirmed the multinational company's intention to bid for Eskom's two utility-scale renewable energy projects, which are expected to cost a combined R10-billion to develop. Earlier in the year, Eskom received $260-million (nearly R2-billion) worth of International Bank for Reconstruction and Development funding for the 100-MW Sere wind farm and a 100-MW Upington concentrating solar power (CSP) as part of a larger $3,75-billion World Bank loan.

South Africa's...

31 Aug 10

Strong science and technology sector ‘a necessity, not a luxury'

Research and development (R&D) in the fields of science and technology should form an integral part in tackling some of South Africa's core developmental challenges, said Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor on Tuesday. Speaking at the Council for Science and Industrial Research biennial conference, the Minister said that South Africa had shown a gradual decrease in industrialisation trends as well as a reduction in investment in the R&D space in recent years.

South African...

30 Aug 10

SA and India could reach $10bn trade target early

Trade numbers between India and South Africa were on the rise, with bilateral trade reaching $2,75-billion in the first quarter of this financial year, spurring hopes that the $10-billion trade target could be reached before the set date of 2012, said India Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma on Monday. He added that even though bilateral trade did take a dip in 2009, reaching around $7-billion, all indications were that if trade continued on its current trend for the next three quarters, the $10-billion target could be reached as soon as March 2011.

Company Profiles

Video of the Week

poden_09062010

09 Jun 10

Weekly podcast – June 9, 2010

The global steel industry has returned to a solid growth footing in 2010; the RMB/BER Business Confidence index fell by seven points to a level of 36 in the second quarter; and Exxaro plans to develop clean energy power projects with a total capacity of 350 MW.

poden_02062010

02 Jun 10

Weekly podcast – June 2, 2010

The new east-to-north directional flyover at the Gillooly's interchange is opened to traffic; Eskom's discussions with Anglo American regarding a price agreement for the Skorpion zinc mine are "progressing well"; and the CrossPolo becomes the second model of the refreshed Polo series to be introduced locally.

poden_26052010

26 May 10

Weekly podcast – May 26, 2010

Gautrain announces costs to use the Gautrain first-phase service; Eskom is granted an urgent court interdict to prevent union members from striking from May 26 onwards; and transport workers call for possible sympathy stoppages.

poden_19052010

19 May 10

Weekly podcast – May 19, 2010

SA transport unions reach a proposed wage deal with Transnet; South Africa could sell its stake in ArcelorMittal's South Arica unit if competition authorities find the company raised steel prices without good reason; and 300 000 jobs could be created in South Africa's renewable energy sector over the next ten years.

Engineering News...

04 May 10

Kumba considers terminating supply to ArcelorMittal SA, as iron-ore dispute heats up

South African iron-ore miner Kumba Iron Ore (KIO) on Tuesday effectively moved its ongoing dispute with ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) from the realm of a pure dispute over pricing, into one that could now also affect supply, indicating to Engineering News Online that it could as "a last resort" terminate supply to Africa's largest steel producer. In a note to shareholders, the JSE-listed miner said that, unless there was urgent resolution on an interim pricing and payment mechanism, the basis upon which it would continue to supply iron-ore the steel producer could be affected.

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Magazine

As SA cities weigh their 2020 Olympic options, scepticism abounds

In the aftermath of hosting a successful R30-billion FIFA World Cup, some South Africa cities are said to be fired up to bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, which could require investments of more than R40-billion. Full Article