BME expanding explosives manufacturing capacity to secure supplies to Southern African customers

Explosives supplier BME, a member of specialist chemical services provider Omnia group, is bolstering the ways in which it manages its supply security constraint for its Southern African clients. 

Maintenance of public infrastructure still undervalued in SA

The maintenance of public infrastructure in South Africa is undervalued and the country has not yet planned strategically on how to deal with the maintenance of its asset base. 

Importance of end land use and mine closure planning increases in SA

Significant improvement to mine closure planning has taken place over the last decade in South Africa since the promulgation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), which is... 

Positive electromagnetic survey results pave way for drilling campaign at Tanzania graphite project

Australia-based exploration company Uranex started a drilling programme at its Nachu graphite tenement in south-east Tanzania late last month after successfully completing an electromagnetic (EM)... 

Firm uses concept of emotional ownership to change workplace safety culture

Raintree Safety, a subsidiary of Raintree Solutions, a unique deliverer of change to companies and communities, says it is critically important to bring about change in South Africa’s mining... 

Join supportive industry groups, junior miners urged

Emerging miners should "make it their business" to join a supportive industry group as they will struggle to make ends meet alone in South Africa's tough mining industry. 

Stellar Diamonds advancing Sierra Leone project

Aim-listed diamond mining and exploration company Stellar Diamonds is advancing its 100% owned Tongo Dyke-1 resource at its Tongo kimberlite project, in Sierra Leone, by undertaking drilling,... 

Draft tax law amendment Bill aimed at boosting coal miners’ royalty payments, says lawyer

The recent publication of the draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, 2013 (TLAB) insofar as the proposed amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act, No 28 of 2008 (the Royalty Act)... 

Industry worried about govt’s oil and gas free-carry plan

There has been significant backlash from the oil and gas industry in response to Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu’s statement that government plans to take a 20% free carry interest in all... 

Junior miners need to join supportive industry groups – CoM

Emerging miners should "make it their business" to join a supportive industry group as they will struggle to make ends meet alone in South Africa's tough mining industry. 

Safety training facility to start operations by year-end

Mining contractor and engineering firm Redpath South Africa completed the construction of a Mining Qualifications Authority- (MQA-) accredited training centre in August at its head office in... 

Scoping study on Madagascar coal project produces positive results

Infrastructure and land logistics, mining and port scoping study results released by ASX-listed coal exploration company Lemur Resources for its flagship Imaloto thermal coal project, in South West... 

MRI aiming to fully commission coal briquetting plant this month

Since starting initial coal briquette production last month, AltX-listed Mine Restoration Investments (MRI) says it plans to fully commission its coal briquetting project, in Vryheid,... 

Ghana’s Edikan mine to operate for longer

ASX- and TSX-listed West Africa-focused gold explorer, developer and producer Perseus Mining reports that its revising and optimising the life-of-mine plan (LoMP) at its flagship Edikan gold mine... 

Sufficient uranium reserves in Africa to support nuclear programme

Government insists that a decision on the extent of implementation of a nuclear power programme will be made before the end of the current financial year, which runs until March 31, 2014. The... 

Equipment manufacturer supplies products, expands African footprint

Manufacturer of compact equipment and light equipment Wacker Neuson reports that it has supplied skid steer loaders for general pit maintenance tasks, mini excavators with attachments for various... 

Sufficient uranium reserves in Africa to support nuclear programme

Government insists that a decision on the extent of implementation of a nuclear power programme will be made before the end of the current financial year, which runs until March 31, 2014. The... 

Tenova holds inaugural Southern Africa client symposium in Joburg

Advanced technologies, products and engineering services provider to the global mining, minerals and bulk materials handling industries Tenova Mining & Minerals held its inaugural Southern Africa... 

Miners set sights on West Africa as the next big iron-ore destination

West Africa's significant untapped resources of high-grade iron-ore are attracting significant international attention, which has resulted in a withdrawn interest in Australia’s iron-rich Pilbara... 

Initial resource report for West Africa iron-ore prospect expected this quarter

West-African-focused iron-ore exploration company West African Iron Ore expects to release its initial 43-101 resource report for its flagship Wondima target in the fourth quarter of this year,... 

Coal briquetting plant on track to reach commercial production

AltX-listed Mine Restoration Investments (MRI) plans to fully commission its 5 000 t/m coal briquetting plant, in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, in November. Initial coal briquette production started... 

‘Integrating into one’s business’ will ensure safer mining – Sandvik Mining

Safer production in mining can be achieved by integrating into one’s business and “living” one’s environmental, health and safety (EHS) management policy, says mining equipment and service provider... 

Local firm clinches Moz ultrafine coal processing plant contract

Environmental and process technology firm Enprotec is designing a turnkey 60 t/h ultra-fine coal processing solution for Jindal Africa, the African subsidiary of India-based steelmaker Jindal Steel... 

Dept proposes environmental offsetting to mitigate impacts

The status quo of land rehabilitation in Southern Africa was the theme of nonprofit organisation the Land Rehabilitation Society of Southern Africa's (LaRSSA's) inaugural yearly conference, which... 

Impumelelo takes delivery of belting for coal transport system

The first shipment of 18 1-km-long steel cord conveyor belts, which will be used to construct the coal transportation system for Sasol Mining’s Impumelelo colliery, in Secunda, Mpumalanga, was... 

Coal developer secures $1m for development studies at Botswana project

ASX-listed coal developer Hodges Resources has secured up to $1-million in funds to progress development studies at its flagship 75%-owned Morupule South coal project, to the south of the Morupule... 

Design, engineering of Impala refinery’s emissions abatement plant now 42% complete

The design and engineering of the Boiler Emissions Abatement (BEA) plant project, which was awarded to advanced technologies, products and engineering services provider Tenova Mining & Minerals... 

Grasp of complexities of mining projects key to benefiting from rising commodities demand

The African mining industry, which is full of opportunity, will need to learn how to manage the complexities of establishing mining projects if it is set to reap the benefits of the new demand... 

Anglo settles with ex-miners in long-running silicosis case

The long-running silicosis litigation brought by 23 formers mineworkers against Anglo American South Africa (AASA) was settled last week. 

Close relations will benefit South African, Swedish mining sectors – envoy

While there are differences between the mining industries in South Africa and Sweden, mining forms the backbone of both countries’ economies and, therefore, knowledge-sharing in this field can be... 

Sandvik takes advantage of bauma to unveil plant, equipment on African continent

Tooling, materials technology, mining and construction engineering group Sandvik Construction, a division of Sandvik Group, for the first time in Africa launched its Sandvik CH550 cone crusher,... 

Pilot Crushtec launches seven products at bauma

Crushing and screening equipment supplier Pilot Crushtec launched a fleet of seven new products that are new to South Africa at the inaugural bauma Africa trade fair, which was held from September... 

BME to hold blasting, drilling conference in November

To deal with the shortage of skilled staff in the mining sector and close the skills gap that exists, it has become expected that explosives companies, at the very least, fill the gap with respect... 

Locally made in-line pressure sensor to be 30% cheaper than imported equivalents

Pressure instrumentation specialist Blanes Pressure Solutions’ reports that its soon-to-be-launched South African-manufactured inline pressure sensor is 30% more cost effective than similar... 

DTI official urges increased local mineral value addition

Sub-Saharan Africa, which is described as the new global growth frontier, needs to move away from an economic growth path that relies almost exclusively on resource extraction and export, not only... 

SA, Sweden to bolster mining relations

While there are differences between the mining industries in South Africa and Sweden, mining forms the backbone of both countries’ economies and, therefore, knowledge-sharing in this field can be... 

First SA gold mineworkers' silicosis settlement reached

The long-running silicosis litigation brought by 23 formers mineworkers against Anglo American South Africa (AASA) was settled on Wednesday. London-based human rights law firm Leigh Day partner... 

Kumba aiming to up proportion of women employees to 22% by year-end

Global diversified mining major Anglo American’s business unit Kumba Iron Ore plans to increase the representation of women in its workforce from 18% to 22% by the end of the year. 

Mark McChlery

Position: MD of Itec Main Activity of the Company: Office technology, integrated business systems, electronic document management, videoconferencing and converged communications 

Biometric licensing system being trialled at local gold mine

Electronic safety equipment specialist Booyco Electronics started field trials to validate its pioneering biometric licensing system for underground machine operators at a local gold mine early...