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Monday, September 22, 2008.

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Shannon O'Donnell.

Making headlines today:

South African President Thabo Mbeki said on Sunday he had tendered his resignation as head of state.

The resignation will be effective from a date to be decided by South Africa's Parliament.

On Saturday, South Africa's ruling party announced that it had decided to oust Mbeki before the end of his term next year.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said that Mbeki had "welcomed the news" when he was told. Mbeki said he would accept the decision. He has ruled South Africa since taking over from Nelson Mandela in 1999 and was due to leave office in April, 2009.

World steel production for the 66 countries represented by the International Iron and Steel Institute increased by 2,9% to 112,2-million tons in August. This is compared with 108,1-million tons a year earlier.

The world moving annual total growth rate slowed to 5,5% for August, compared with 5,8% in July. The IISI said that the MAT growth rate had remained at 5,8% for the past four months.

Production in South America increased by 7,4% to 4,4-million tons in August this year, compared with 4,1-million tons in August last year. Brazil's production increased by 6,9% to 3,1-million tons for the month, compared with 2,9-million tons the year before.

Canadian gold-miner NovaGold has started production at its Rock Creek gold mine. This is after it received regulatory approval from the state of Alaska.

The company was required to complete a number of environmental and operational tasks over the next 15, 30 and 90 days to ensure compliance with environmental requirements for the 100 000-ounce a year mine.

NovaGold said it had stockpiled close to 450 000 tons of ore, representing about two months of full throughput. The mine would ramp-up to full throughput in the final quarter of the year.

Also making headlines:

Sanral issues bonds worth R850m to help fund new roads
The State is to appeal a ruling giving the value-added network service the right to self provide
The South Africa and Kenya trade agreement aims to tackle the trade deficit
South African mine death toll rises as two separate accidents claim more lives
The DME delays the official signing of the Xolobeni mining right
And, Canadian miners conclude a $90m gold-sale deal

In political news:

The UN struggles to halt worsening Congo fighting
The financial crisis casts a cloud over a UN poverty meeting
Israel's Peres meets with parties after Prime Minister Olmert quits
And, nearly 13,000 infants in hospital in a Chinese milk fomula scandal

That's a round up of news making headlines today. For more on these and other stories, visit engineeringnews.co.za, miningweekly.com and polity.org.za

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