Wind farm begins delivering on community upliftment commitments

The Kouga Wind Farm at Oyster Bay in the Eastern Cape has spent about R1-million on corporate social investment (CSI) during its construction phase, with local communities benefiting from... 

Quality to be key focus of upcoming health expo

With the fifth yearly Africa Health Exhibition and Congress set to take place next month at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Council for Health Service Accreditation Southern Africa CEO... 

DMR wants South Africa to be global mine health and safety leader

Mineral Resources Deputy Minister Godfrey Oliphant said last week that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) was ensuring that the South African mining industry was a global leader in mine... 

Review your business models, oil and gas companies urged

African oil and gas companies should consider re-examining their business assumptions and invest for long-term sustainability owing to the rising energy prices, says facilities management services... 

Illegal mining costing South Africa R2bn a year

There is a strong link between legally and illegally mined gold as the two come to convergence between level three and level five of the commodity value chain, says African Centre for Migration &... 

Energy alternatives can ensure consistent output amid power disruptions

The need for corporate South Africa to move collectively towards alternative energy sources has been heightened by the recent disruption at Medupi power station, says Energy Partners energy... 

Dobsonville housing project set for completion in June 2016

The Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) is building 502 rental housing units, valued at R200-million, in Dobsonville, Soweto, which are scheduled for completion in June 2016. 

Small-scale mining has key role in community upliftment, job creation and poverty alleviation

There is a need for policy to be revised to cater for small-scale mining in South Africa as the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) identifies it as a sector that contributes to economic growth,... 

Mine health and safety a priority for DMR – Oliphant

Mineral Resources Deputy Minister Godfrey Oliphant said on Monday that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) was ensuring that the South African mining industry was a global leader in mine... 

Africa-focused mining conference to be held in London in June

Global mining and research company SNL Metals and Mining and business events organizing company AME Trade Limited will be hosting the Mining on Top: Africa – London Summit, scheduled to take place... 

R126m sanitation programme launched for rural E Cape schools

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) is currently rolling out a R126-million sanitation upgrade project at five rural schools in the Eastern Cape on behalf of the Eastern Cape Department of... 

Master builders body sets aside resources for apprentices

The Master Builders Association of the Western Cape (MBAWC) has provided about R519 000 in bursaries to 21 young people employed by MBAWC members as apprentices who have completed their first year... 

DEA rejects final EIA report, requests more information for KiPower

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has rejected the final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the proposed construction of the 600 MW coal-fired independent power producer... 

Shift in SA mindset needed to promote the buying of local goods

The South African government’s New Growth Path (NGP) initiative aims to encourage economic growth and fosters the creation of jobs through the procurement of locally manufactured goods and... 

Partnership assisting with SME development

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been identified as a conduit to stimulate economic growth and help solve the unemployment problems in South Africa and it is crucial that the mindset... 

Shift in SA mindset needed to promote the buying of local goods

One key component of the South African government’s current economic policy relates to encouraging economic growth and fostering job creation through promoting the procurement of locally produced... 

DEA requests additional info on proposed KiPower IPP

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has requested additional information to the final environmental-impact assessment (EIA) report submitted to it for the proposed construction of the 600... 

Sustainability Week to take place in Pretoria in June

Sustainability company Alive2Green will be hosting this year’s Sustainability Week at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research from June 23 to 28, which is themed ‘Get ready to put ideas... 

New crane division launched to extend group’s transport offering

Industrial brand management company Barloworld’s transport department has extended its range of specialised transport solutions following the launch of Barloworld Cranes last week in Sandton. 

Critical maintenance for Tsitsikamma suspension bridge completed

The maintenance work on the Tsitsikamma suspension bridge has been completed and it is officially open to visitors again. Following its closure on January 12 this year, the bridge underwent two... 

MSA thriving on manufacturing high-quality products in current tough environment

At its seventy-fifth anniversary celebration earlier this month, health and safety products manufacturer MSA Africa noted that it would continue to benefit from increased mining activity when the... 

17% of US coal production at risk of idling, closure

About 17% of US coal production is at risk of idling or closure owing to mines’ cash costs and sustaining capital expenditure exceeding current market pricing this year, says consulting firm Wood... 

Still no word on mooted State-owned miner

It has been almost a year since Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi indicated in his 2014 Budget Vote speech that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) would submit the State-owned... 

Frans Pienaar

Main Activity of the Company: Construction in sub-Saharan Africa Date and Place of Birth: October 8, 1964, Middelburg, Cape 

Stainless steel association plans to release 2015 guide end of March

At the end of this month, the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) will release its 2015 Buyer’s Guide, which it believes will be its most comprehensive buyer’s guide yet. 

Green building tool can help reduce operating costs at existing buildings

The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) plans to have piloted 100 properties through its existing building performance (EBP) tool by the end of April. 

Still no word on mooted State-owned miner almost a year after govt revealed plans to table enabling legislation in Parliament

It has been almost a year since Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi indicated in his 2014 Budget Speech that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) will submit the State-owned mining... 

SA junior in partnership to reopen Ghana diamond mine

South Africa-based junior miner Limoz Resources announced last week that it will be reopening the old Akwatia diamond mine in Ghana mid-year. 

Pipes association calls for submission of sample HDPE pipes for quality testing

As the requirements of reliability and the extended life span of plastic pipes across industry are increasing, the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers’ Association (Sappma) is inviting... 

Bank claims catalytic role in boosting SA’s affordable-housing stock

A division of a leading South African bank says its funding of new affordable-housing projects is acting as a catalyst to address the prevailing housing backlog, the closing of which is also viewed... 

Coal pooling and sharing offers efficient power generation opportunities

The adoption of a Pool-and-Share concept by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and coal miners could lead to a more efficient generation of electricity in Southern Africa, says consulting firm... 

Circular models a worthwhile alternative to traditional linear economy – Redisa

Creating circular economies is an alternative to a traditional linear economy that could assist government in boosting economic growth and in creating much needed jobs in line with the National... 

Louis Berger gets $7.6m Mozambique roads contract

Consulting firm Louis Berger Group was last month commissioned by the Sub-Saharan Regional Pipeline Corporation (SSRPC) to provide $7.6-million worth of consultancy services and rehabilitation of... 

AEL employee receives ‘best paper’ award at explosives conference

Explosives manufacturer and supplier AEL Mining Services electronics field technician Ashlin Pillay was awarded the Paper of the Year Award last month at the yearly conference of the International... 

Going green can create jobs for South Africa’s citizens

Besides its mandate to mitigate pollution and harm to the environment, the emerging trend of going green also provides an opportunity for the creation of small businesses in South Africa, says... 

Swazi construction firm eyes South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa expansion prospects

Swaziland-based construction company Inyatsi Construction Group believes that aggressively entering the South African construction and infrastructure sector will enable the company to expand... 

Price slump seen prompting review of African oil and gas explorers’ expenditure plans

Oil and gas explorers in Africa will be looking at their budgets and deciding where to allocate their limited capital spend, given the substantial decline in the oil price, as low oil prices could... 

Cost reduction, efficiency important for mines as oil price takes nosedive

The recent unexpected drop in oil prices will result in mining companies experiencing slow growth and increased pressures in sustaining productivity, says fleet management software and services... 

DTI to help local SMMEs showcase their products in Germany

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced at a breakfast presentation that it would aid South African small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) through its export marketing and... 

Daylight saving could mitigate disruption caused by load-shedding – NWU professor

Experts have suggested that government deploy an independent task team that will consider alternative energy-saving methods, such as switching to daylight saving in South Africa, to mitigate the...