Concrete batchers training in the works

The Concrete Institute’s (TCI’s) School of Concrete Technology is planning to offer a special one-day course for concrete batchers and batch plant staff in the second half of 2020. 

Diamond market outlook at even odds

The diamond industry has been dealing with an oversupplied market since upstream production hit a multi-year high in 2017 and as the mid-stream segment delivered inventory in 2018 and 2019. 

Diamonds are forever in times of crisis

Some mined commodities, particularly precious metals, such as gold, have increased in value, owing to the perception that they can be safe-haven assets during times of crisis. 

Diamonds’ upward trend to resume post pandemic

Although diamond prices were gradually recovering from their low during the 2008/09 financial crisis, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the lockdowns in many countries have caused trading to come to... 

Sector ahead of the sustainability curve, challenges remain

With many local diamond mining operations reaching their end of life, the rehabilitation and remediation of such sites – in a closure and liquidation context – has been a particular focus in recent... 

Hard-hit diamond jewellery sector mulls postpandemic recovery strategies

The unforeseen global health crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic has had dire economic repercussions, to which South Africa is not immune. 

Hard-hit diamond jewellery sector mulls postpandemic recovery strategies

The unforeseen global health crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic has had dire economic repercussions, to which South Africa is not immune. 

Pandemic prompts supplier’s tech aspirations

Industrial valves supplier Process and Allied Contracting Equipment (Pace Valves) plans to embrace the technological developments that will be prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa to... 

Supplier launches 450 new products

Electrical switchgear supplier ElectroMechanica (EM) launched the latest edition of its product catalogue this year. A new catalogue is launched on average every two years. 

Sector increasingly adopting digitalisation

Technology provider ABB Southern Africa believes that digitalisation can address the production challenges of the sugar industry. 

Expert enhances skills

Demolition expert Jet Demolition has made a significant investment in developing and retaining an exclusive skills base through the retention of full-time, long-term employees. 

Company supplies products for new Gauteng reservoirs

A variety of products supplied by construction products specialist a.b.e. Construction Chemicals are being used for several new major water reservoir projects currently under construction in Gauteng. 

More to concrete parking lots than meets the eye

Concrete offers several major advantages when building parking areas, says industry body The Concrete Institute (TCI) MD Bryan Perrie. 

Built-environment growth a focus for regulator

The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) has its sights set on accelerating growth in and strengthening its partnerships with the construction sector. 

Pandemic heightens existing construction sector woes

Challenges in the construction sector will continue to prevail if construction sites remain closed, owing to South Africa’s national lockdown, says Association of South African Quantity Surveyors... 

System gaining traction in building conversion projects

Alternative building technology solutions provider SanteQ Liteweight Building Technology’s bespoke Plaswall building technology provides for simple and rapid installation using unsophisticated skills. 

Council accelerates online services amid lockdown

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced home building industry regulator the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) to review its business operations by fast-tracking its online service... 

Pandemic, economic challenges to shape industry direction

Industry trends are likely to take a new direction because of the global Covid-19 pandemic and a severely constrained local economy, says steel and value-added steel products merchandiser and... 

Sector lags behind, requires innovative tech

While other industries have undergone tremendous changes over time, owing to innovation and technology, the construction industry has only made incremental changes, says power tools and hardware... 

Integration vital for construction-project life cycle

There is a need for integration between the engineering design and environmental processes, before the final submission stage of a project, to avoid the possibility of environmental authorisation... 

Construction sector survival requires fresh approach

The survival of the construction industry will depend on the willingness and ability of individuals and organisations to adapt to a new way of working, as well government’s commitment to address... 

Valve maintenance key to mining fire protection

While an optimal fire-protection system is key to any mining operation, the inspection and maintenance of its various parts is of equal importance, says industrial solutions provider Mechanical... 

Company supports essential service providers amid lockdown

Industrial equipment supplier BMG encourages companies operating during South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdown and beyond not to neglect the condition monitoring of process valves. 

Pandemic prompts supplier’s tech aspirations

Industrial valves supplier Process and Allied Contracting Equipment (Pace Valves) plans to embrace the technological developments that will be prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa to... 

Local procurement lags in public, private sectors

A prevailing issue facing the valves sector is the “poor attitude” to local procurement in the public and private sectors, says valves manufacturer RGR Technologies commercial director Ross Hunter. 

Valves maintenance still a challenge

Although demand for valves has increased over the past five years, maintenance costs, efficiency and valve service life are some of the challenges that companies face yearly, says coating... 

Incentives needed to aid local energy tech

While there is an increased focus on local content across several South African industries, government could do more in terms of incentivising local manufacturing, says energy solutions company... 

KwaZulu-Natal vital for bearing distributor growth

Power transmission products distributor Bearings International (BI) has earmarked KwaZulu-Natal as a key growth area for its business going forward. 

Company eyes mining sector growth

Hydraulic hoses and fluid components supplier Hydroscand South Africa (SA) is looking to increase its market share in the mining sector through partnering with initiatives in the local communities... 

Components provider launches new hydraulic electric pumps

Engineering components provider BMG has launched a new range of portable hydraulic electric Enerpac E-pulse pumps, which are critical to all 700 bar and 10 000 psi pound-force operating hydraulic... 

Modernisation to address safety, efficiency of deep-level mines

South Africa has many “cutting-edge mines” and is a global leader in deep-level mining, says mining industry employers’ organisation Minerals Council South Africa CEO Roger Baxter. 

SA mining ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest – Wits Group

The South African mining industry remains a significant world player, as it continues to break new ground, says the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Mine Health and Safety Working Group. 

Precinct reaffirms R&D focus, test mine in the works

The Mandela Mining Precinct, a public–private mining industry collaboration, remains committed to advancing people-centric processes and technologies, in the research and development (R&D)... 

Transformation front and centre of precinct’s modus operandi

Transformation, representation and inclusion are “key imperatives” for public–private mining industry collaboration the Mandela Mining Precinct, says research body The Coaltech Research Association... 

New blood key to Mining 4.0 transition

Although driving youth participation and innovation in the mining industry is crucial, the advent of Industry 4.0 in the mining industry (Mining 4.0) often makes it challenging, as the youth... 

CM12 system combats cable theft

To combat critical power supply cables theft – local information and communications technology solutions company Commercial ICT’s new CM12 cable theft monitoring and alerting system has integrated... 

Junior miner ‘shortage’ concerning

One of the key concerns for end-to-end supply chain management company ITM Katope South Africa (SA) is the “shortage” of junior mining companies in South Africa – with less than 20 listed juniors. 

Mine to benefit from minigrid project

Electricity storage provider Bushveld Energy initiated the development of a minigrid project, at the Vametco mining and processing facility, in March last year. 

Storage key to exploiting renewables’ full potential

Energy storage is a key technology to unlock renewable-energy potential, says full-service renewable-energy provider New Southern Energy (NSE) MD John Deepak. 

Deep-level operations remain viable although concerns linger

Mining industry employers’ organisation Minerals Council South Africa believes that there is still a viable future for deep-level operations in South Africa.