Studies point to favourable outlook for vanadium redox flow battery

There is favourable demand for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), particularly in the utility and offgrid, as well as minigrid, markets, with demand to peak from 2025 to 2030. This is according... 

Servest acquires stake in ICT services company

International facilities management provider Servest has partnered with investment company Bottega InvestCo in the acquisition of integrated information and communications technology (ICT) services... 

Study urges South Africa to find energy storage niche

With energy storage considered to be the “new wave” in the energy sector and increasingly becoming a reality, South Africa needs to prepare itself if it wishes to take advantage of the energy... 

Despite high upfront costs, technology investments yield long-term savings – BMI

With metals and mining companies increasingly investing in technology that will help reduce their carbon footprints, owing to the global drive to lower carbon emissions, meaningful efforts to... 

Caterpillar inaugurates new Joburg parts distribution centre

Caterpillar has officially inaugurated its new parts distribution facility, near Johannesburg, Gauteng. The 60 000 m2 facility consolidated two smaller parts distribution sites – Linbro Park and... 

Poultry industry challenges, drought negatively impact on RCL Foods’ FY17 profit

The widely reported challenges facing the local poultry industry and the performance of JSE-listed RCL Foods’ chicken business unit decimated the company’s profits in the financial year ended June... 

Water department proposes up to 14.6% increase in raw water tariffs for 2018/19

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has proposed water tariffs for the 2018/19 financial year, with a proposed increase of up to 14.6% throughout the spectrum of raw water users. The DWS... 

SKA Africa partner countries to collaborate on radio astronomy

Following the conclusion of the fourth Ministerial meeting of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Africa partner countries in Accra, Ghana, on Thursday, members of the nine countries, represented by... 

AfDB’s sustainable energy fund to support PV project in Lesotho

The African Development Bank- (AfDB-) managed Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (Sefa) has approved a $695 500 grant to NEO I SPV, a subsidiary of independent power producer OnePower Lesotho, to... 

Ghana procurement agency appoints SA-linked supply chain specialist

The University of South Africa (Unisa) Graduate School of Business Leadership’s (SBL’s) first-ever professor extraordinaire for supply and value chain management in Africa Professor Douglas Boateng... 

Gamsberg project to retore Vedanta’s zinc output to 300 000 t/y from mid-2018

Diversified miner Vedanta Resources subsidiary Zinc International has committed more than 80% of the $400-million capital expenditure (capex) for the first phase of the Gamsberg zinc project, in... 

Mining contractor activity progressing at Moz gold project

The mining contractor activity at Aim-listed Xtract Resources’ Manica concession area, in Mozambique, is progressing “favourably”, with initial mining of the alluvial gold deposits expected to... 

Despite high upfront costs, technology investments reap long-term savings – BMI

With metals and mining companies increasingly investing in technology that will help reduce their carbon footprints, owing to the global drive to lower carbon emissions, meaningful efforts to... 

South32 sees upswing in South African, Mozambique aluminium production

Diversified miner South32 reported solid performances across its aluminium supply chain for the financial year ended June 30, with record production from Mozal Aluminium, in Mozambique, and... 

Still much uncertainty as LPG stakeholders grapple with market inquiry findings

In the findings and recommendations of the first-ever market inquiry into the local liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry, the Competition Commission urges public and private organisations to... 

Wind body aims to use mentoring scheme to support gender transformation

The South African Wind Energy Association (Sawea) has launched a programme to connect leading women in the energy sector with senior students at South African universities and young professionals... 

Still much uncertainty as LPG stakeholders grapple with market inquiry findings

In the findings and recommendations of the first-ever market inquiry into the local liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry, the Competition Commission urges public and private organisations to... 

Lonmin outlines measures to remain sustainable amid adverse economic conditions

Despite “pleasing” third-quarter production results, which showed an improved mining performance, reduced unit costs and increased net cash in July, platinum mining major Lonmin remains concerned... 

Women still not participating ‘extensively’ in mining sector – IFC

Although mining companies are moving in the right direction with regard to women’s participation, women are still not participating extensively, meaning that effectively 50% of the population... 

Study urges South Africa to find energy-storage niche

With energy storage considered to be the “new wave” in the energy sector and increasingly becoming a reality, South Africa needs to prepare itself if it wishes to take advantage of the energy... 

Mining contractors progressing work at Xtract’s Mozambique gold project, alluvial mining to start soon

The mining contractor activity at Aim-listed Xtract Resources’ Manica concession area, in Mozambique, is progressing “favourably”, with initial mining of the alluvial gold deposits expected to... 

Bushveld Energy, IDC studies indicate favourable vanadium battery, electrolyte demand

There is favourable demand for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), particularly in the utility and offgrid, as well as minigrid markets, with demand to peak in 2025 to 2030. This is according to... 

AfDB’s sustainable energy fund to support first utility-scale solar PV project in Lesotho

The African Development Bank- (AfDB-) managed Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (Sefa) has approved a $695 500 grant to NEO I SPV, a subsidiary of independent power producer OnePower Lesotho, to... 

Unisa SBL professor appointed Ghana PPA chairperson, to aid in supply chain management

The University of South Africa (Unisa) Graduate School of Business Leadership’s (SBL’s) first-ever professor extraordinaire for supply and value chain management in Africa Professor Douglas Boateng... 

Vedanta commits majority of Gamsberg capex, progresses waste stripping

Diversified miner Vedanta Resources’ Zinc International subsidiary has committed more than 80% of the $400-million capital expenditure for the first phase of the Gamsberg zinc project, in the... 

Survey identifies protecting market share as one of top priorities for South African organisations

Protecting market share, strengthening customer relationships and driving efficiencies are key priorities for South African organisations, according to survey findings presented at the Experian... 

BMG to distribute Eaton’s conveyor solutions across sub-Saharan Africa

Power management solutions provider Eaton has signed a distribution partnership agreement with technical solutions provider and engineering consumables and components distributor Bearing Man Group... 

Fund invests into African rail operator

The Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund 2 (PAIDF2) has concluded an investment into Sheltam Mauritius, which is the parent company of the South African locomotive and rail operator Sheltam... 

Gamsberg zinc project on course for first production in mid-2018

Diversified miner Vedanta Resources' Gamsberg zinc project, in the Northern Cape, remains on track for first production in mid-2018. Prestart activities and waste stripping at the project have... 

40% BEE stake mulled for Venetia mine employee transporters

Diamond miner De Beers has announced the launch of a major empowerment deal regarding the transportation of employees to and from its operations at the Venetia diamond mine, in Limpopo. In a... 

Aurecon appoints MD for Infrastructure, subject matter expertise to contribute to global portfolio

Global engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Aurecon has appointed Ben Stapleton as MD of Infrastructure. “The appointment reflects Aurecon’s commitment to providing user-focused, innovative... 

Lonmin to sell excess processing capacity, implement other measures to ensure sustainability

Despite “pleasing” third-quarter production results, which showed an improved mining performance, reduced unit costs and increased net cash in July, platinum mining major Lonmin remains concerned... 

Zwane expresses concern over proposed mining retrenchments

The South African government is concerned about the various retrenchment announcements issued by mining companies in recent weeks, says Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane. “We continue to... 

Richmont’s Island Gold drives strong quarterly gold production, performance

Small-scale gold producer Richmont Mines has reported a strong operating and financial performance for the second quarter ending June 30, driven by solid results from its flagship Island Gold mine,... 

Women representation increases from ‘extreme minority’ to 13%-plus of SA’s mining workforce

The local mining industry has made significant strides in executing trans- formation and promoting gender diversity in terms of women representation, with the number of women having increased from... 

New approaches key to surmounting water infrastructure challenges

Infrastructure modernisation, consumer education and data analytics will be key tools to overcome the challenges posed by ageing water infrastructure.  This is according to engineering, procurement... 

Legal and policy certainty required if gas economy is to be realised

Key factors that will influence the establishment of a gas economy in South Africa include the passing of the amended Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and greater clarity... 

Women representation increases from ‘extreme minority’ to 13%-plus of SA’s mining workforce

The local mining industry has made significant strides in executing transformation and promoting gender diversity in terms of women representation, with the number of women having increased from an... 

Nokeng breaks ground at Gauteng’s new R1.7bn fluorspar mine

Nokeng Fluorspar Mine has broken ground at the site of its R1.7-billion fluorspar mine, near Rust de Winter, in Gauteng.  This is the first new fluorspar mine to be built in Gauteng in 12 years,... 

Moves to fast-track regulation could ignite energy efficiency sector

As businesses move to become more self-reliant and decrease their exposure to electricity price volatility, government is also moving ahead with policy support for energy efficiency initiatives in...