Research finds mining not the only contributor to seismic events

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Historical research by the Council for Geoscience (CGS) has placed almost beyond doubt that it is the gold mining sector that is solely responsible for causing... 

Entries open for Aveng Trident Steel Awards

Entries are open for the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction’s (Saisc’s) Aveng Trident Steel Awards 2017 and Cadex Systems South Africa Photo Competition. Saisc CEO Paolo Trinchero... 

German-backed initiative to help increase use of solar energy in industrial processes

The South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) and the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAGCCI) announced last month that they had teamed up for the... 

Newly installed system helps KZN factory recover 1.63 Mℓ of process water

A 500 000 ℓ rainwater harvesting system was handed over to global healthcare company BSN Medical’s Pinetown factory, in KwaZulu-Natal, in January, helping the company to reduce its environmental... 

Grindrod FY16 loss widens on depressed H1 market conditions, impairments

Shipping and logistics group Grindrod’s attributable loss widened to R1.9-billion for the 2016 financial year, from a loss of R1.43-billion in 2015, as a result of depressed market conditions in... 

African land disputes arise primarily as a result of forced removals – research

Research released earlier this month by UK-based consultancy TMP Systems, and the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) found that 63% of disputes related to private-sector land and natural... 

New cleaning solution launched into Southern African markets

Goscor Cleaning Equipment (GCE) launched its latest cleaning equipment solution – the GM1ze zero-emission refuse picker from German environment-friendly cleaning equipment manufacturer Green... 

South African gold production remained flat in 2016 – WGC

Despite generous mineral reserves and high-grade orebodies, South Africa’s gold mining industry continues to see the sparkle it once held as the best gold producer in the world, dimming, having... 

Pockets of resilience, but SA’s manufacturing outlook remains fragile

South Africa’s manufacturing sector, which has been struggling to shed the ‘deindustrialisation’ mantle for the past three decades, despite vocal support for the sector from government, is unlikely... 

Pockets of resilience, but SA’s manufacturing outlook remains fragile

South Africa’s manufacturing sector is expected to grow by 0.5% this year and by 1.2% in 2018, according to data from economic analysis and forecast provider FocusEconomics. Financial institution... 

New black-owned compressed-air company launched

The South African compressed-air industry has celebrated its first 100% black-owned company following the launch of Enza Air, a division of industrial holdings company Asani Group, in Johannesburg... 

Industry still ‘plagued by issues of noncompliance with Mining Charter’ – MIT

Ahead of the release of the Mineworkers Investment Trust’s (MIT’s) 2016 financial results later this month, Mining Weekly spoke to MIT COO Simphiwe Nanise earlier this month to review some of its... 

Northern Cape youths receive financial aid for tertiary education

Twenty-six youths from the Emthanjeni municipality, in the Northern Cape, were awarded full tertiary bursaries last month by solar energy project developer Solar Capital and its subsidiary Solar... 

Metals, engineering sector to grow 1.4% this year, but risks remain

South Africa’s metals and engineering sector is expected to grow for the first time in more than three years this year – with growth estimated at 1.4% – amid rising commodity prices and an improved... 

Containerised laboratory for Mpumalanga colliery

Coal analysis firm Umzamo Analytical Services (UAS) opened a containerised analysis laboratory last month at junior coal miner ACC Coal’s Overlooked colliery in Bethal, Mpumalanga, to provide... 

Gold demand reaches four-year high of 4 309 t

Global gold demand rose 2% in 2016 to reach 4 309 t, the highest level since 2013, according to the World Gold Council’s (WGC’s) latest ‘Gold Demand Trends’ report, which was launched earlier this... 

Milestone for Two Rivers as PGM production surpasses 400 000 oz/y

Mpumalanga-based Two Rivers, a joint venture between diversified miner African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and platinum producer Impala Platinum (Implats), reached an important milestone last year,... 

Gold demand reached four-year high in 2016

Global gold demand rose 2% in 2016 to reach 4 309 t, the highest level in four years, according to the World Gold Council’s (WGC’s) latest ‘Gold Demand Trends’ report, which was launched earlier... 

Ventilation groups team up in new African collaboration

Germany-based TLT-Turbo, and local industrial fans and ventilation companies MechCaL and TLT ACTOM, will team up to produce and distribute a full range of ventilation products for the mining,... 

PPC says R1.7bn kiln revamp to improve enviro compliance, market position

JSE-listed cement producer PPC last month invited media to a tour of its Slurry operation, in the North West, and the construction site of the R1.7-billion Slurry Kiln (SK) 9 project, which is... 

Milestone for Two Rivers as PGM production surpasses 400 000 oz/y

Mpumalanga-based Two Rivers, a joint venture between diversified miner African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and platinum producer Impala Platinum (Implats), reached an important milestone last year,... 

Global uranium production expected to reach 76 493 t in 2020

Global uranium mine production is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%, reaching 76 493 t in 2020, according to a report by research and consulting firm GlobalData. ‘Global... 

Metals, engineering sector to grow for the first time in over three years in 2017, but risks remain

South Africa’s metals and engineering sector is expected to grow for the first time in over three years this year – by 1.4% – amid rising commodity prices and an improved economic outlook both... 

Aeroderivative gas turbines seen offering stable accompaniment to renewables

Aeroderivative gas turbine technology could provide an economical and efficient alternative to wind, solar and tidal power generation, particularly as these technologies depend on unpredictable... 

Innovative powder based solution limits water evaporation

The opening of water conservation solutions provider WaterSavr South Africa (SA) in November last year has seen the introduction of an important technology to the local fight to conserve water,... 

Fluor clinches engineering contract for Eritrean potash project

Global engineering and construction company Fluor announced earlier this month that it had secured a front-end engineering, design and optimisation contract from ASX-listed potash producer Danakali... 

Africa’s mineral exploration budget 24% lower y/y in 2016

Although Africa accounted for 13%, or $916-million, of the global mineral exploration budget in 2016, research from Standard & Poor’s (S&P’s) Global Market Intelligence has revealed that that was... 

Tooling capabilities open up new prospects for SA auto-parts firm

Cable management solutions provider HellermannTyton South Africa’s 2014 acquisition of PVS Engineering has significantly improved the company’s tooling manufacturing capabilities and placed the... 

New Joburg council chamber design draws on lekgotla theme

The new R340-million Johannesburg Council Chamber building, with several unique features, was showcased to the media last month by the Joburg Property Company (JPC). JPC property development senior... 

Wits, Chinese university in partnership to boost research

The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT) established the Joint International Research Laboratory of China–Africa Mining Geospatial... 

Northern Cape wind farms receive main transformers

The Northern Cape-based Khobab and Loeriesfontein wind farms announced last month that they had received their main transformer, which were transported by road from Johannesburg. The 160 MVA... 

Engineering solutions provider showcases manufacturing capabilities

Engineering solutions provider Ansys earlier this month hosted investors and media on a tour of its technology investment business unit Parsec’s manufacturing facility, in Irene, Gauteng. Ansys CEO... 

Mintek demonstrates new tailings treatment process

State-owned research organisation Mintek earlier this month demonstrated its Retreatment Flowsheet for Au and Uranium Tailings, or Reflaut, tailings treatment process at gold miner Gold Fields’... 

Work on Booysendal South Central access decline to start in April

Platinum producer Northam Platinum earlier this month awarded JSE-listed Murray & Roberts Cementation the Phase 1 contract for the Mpumalanga-based Booysendal South Central complex, a new mine that... 

New Johannesburg Council Chamber to allow for greater public participation in governance

The new R340-million Johannesburg Council Chamber building, which is expected to be complete in March next year, will boast dedicated seats for the public and media. Joburg Property Company (JPC)... 

Chinese firm hits Eastplats with civil claim

China-based precious metals mining services provider Hebei Zhongheng Tianda Platinum (HZT) has filed a notice of civil claim against dual-listed Eastern Platinum (Eastplats) and several of its... 

Desalination helps South32’s KZN aluminium smelter beat water woes

To ensure sustainable operations in drought-stricken Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, diversified miner South32 has invested R74-million in a seawater desalination plant that uses membrane technology... 

New engine oil promises significant cost savings

Global petroleum company Shell’s latest heavy-duty diesel engine oil, Rimula R4L, coupled with its customer value proposition (CVP), aims to improve cost efficiency at mining operations amid the... 

Innovative wastewater treatment system launched in W Cape

Water solutions provider Maskam Water launched the Clarus Fusion sewage treatment system, which substitutes treated water with recycled water for sanitation, industrial or irrigation use, in... 

Technology group calls on innovators to enter industrial drive competition

International power and automation technology group ABB announced last month that innovation platform The IdeaHub is recruiting hardware and software innovators worldwide. These innovators are...