Employment up in Q2, as jobs stats sampling is reassessed

The number of people employed in the formal, nonagricultural sector of the South African economy increased by about 155 000 people, or 1.8%, from March to an estimated 8.67-million employees in... 

Mining, manufacturing turnover fell in Q2

During the three months ended June 30, the total turnover of all industries in the South African economy, excluding agriculture, financial intermediation, insurance and government institutions,... 

Municipal electricity purchases up 27.8%

Purchases of electricity by municipalities increased by 27.8% quarter-on-quarter for the three months ended June 30, to R15.26-billion, while purchases of water increased by 1.4% over the period,... 

Stakeholders have until Oct 31 to submit comments in LPG enquiry

The Competition Commission has made a call for submissions in terms of its enquiry into the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry, giving stakeholders until October 31 to submit their comments.... 

$3bn in climate adaptation support for developing countries

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has allocated more than $3-billion in financing to support developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change over the next four years. An... 

Q3 civil confidence up despite decline in construction activity

Despite a decline in construction activity, confidence in the civil construction industry, as measured by the First National Bank (FNB) and Bureau for Economic Research (BER) civil confidence... 

R2.1bn allocated to mining town development over MTEF period – Radebe

A total of R2.1-billion has been ring-fenced in the Department of Human Settlements’  medium-term expenditure framework period for housing projects in mining towns, with R290-million of this amount... 

Ferrum Crescent to raise A$2.03m to advance Moonlight BFS

Triple-listed Ferrum Crescent on Thursday announced that it was undertaking a nonrenounceable pro rata rights issue to raise about A$2.03-million. Ferrum noted that the rights issue would be... 

Radio telescope images providing insight into nova explosion gamma rays

Using highly detailed radio-telescope images, scientists have managed to pinpoint the locations where a classical nova stellar explosion emitted gamma rays, revealing a probable mechanism for the... 

Initial financial modelling confirms robust Rukwa mine project economics

JSE- and Aim-listed Kibo Mining on Thursday announced that initial financial modelling at its Rukwa coal mine, in Tanzania, had confirmed robust project economics, with continued surface mining... 

Holcim-Lafarge merger approved pending AfriSam divestment

The Competition Commission has approved an intermediate merger between cement producers Holcim and Lafarge South Africa, on the condition that Holcim divests its shareholding in Lafarge’s... 

Centamin Sukari mine lifts Q3 output 15%

Gold output at dual-listed Centamin’s Sukari mine, in Egypt, increased 15% quarter-on-quarter and 10% year-on-year to 93 624 oz for the three months ended September 30. Centamin stated that the... 

New rooftop solar system to save Woolworths R215 000 a year

Through the installation of a 108 kilowatt-peak solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of retailer Woolworths’ Cape Town head office, the company has over the past three months saved 30 828 kWh... 

ECSA appoints new CEO

The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) on Wednesday announced the appointment of engineering firm Emzansi Engineers chairperson Sipho Madonsela as CEO of the council with immediate effect.... 

Bokoni opencast ops suspended, SAPS deployed amid community violence

The situation in the area surrounding platinum miner Atlatsa Resources’ Bokoni mine, in Limpopo, remained tense on Wednesday afternoon, with police having been deployed to the area, following the... 

SPC opens R70m HDPE pipe manufacturing facility

Pipe manufacturer Southern Pipeline Contractors (SPC) on Wednesday officially opened its new R70-million high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe factory, on the East Rand, diversifying the company’s... 

London Mining share price drops amid funding concerns

Iron-ore explorer London Mining’s share price on the LSE fell 96% in early morning trade as the company updated the market on its financing challenges. The company’s share price fell to a low of... 

Sanral planning huge capital projects, says user-pay principle necessary

In light of South Africa’s need for well-maintained roads to promote the economy, social cohesion and a prosperous society, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has planned... 

PPC partners with provinces to upgrade 82 km road

Cement producer PPC, the Roads Agency Limpopo and the North West and Limpopo provincial governments have entered into a partnership to upgrade an 82 km secondary road between Koedoeskop and... 

Weatherly posts FY loss as lower copper prices impact on profitability

Aim-listed Weatherly International posted a loss of $5.7-million for the financial year ended June 30, compared with a profit of $1.6-million during the prior financial year, as lower copper prices... 

South African economy, business confidence in ‘desperate position’ – Sacci

Business confidence in South Africa remained at an undesirably low level in September, leaving the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) concerned about the lack of urgency in... 

African countries urged to consider innovative infrastructure finance solutions

African countries should consider innovative solutions to finance infrastructure development that would enable the continent to unlock quality growth, the Africa Progress Panel (APP) said on... 

Jobs Fund has allocated R4.96bn to projects since inception – Nene

Since its establishment by government in 2011, the Jobs Fund has allocated R4.96-billion to projects catalysing innovation and investment in activities which directly contributed to sustainable job... 

White Rivers, Harmony Gold enter exploration JV

Mineral explorer and developer White Rivers Exploration (WRE) and gold miner Harmony Gold have entered into a joint venture (JV) to explore and develop potential gold resources at WRE’s Beisa... 

Worldsteel lowers global demand forecast for 2014, 2015

The World Steel Association (worldsteel) on Monday lowered its global steel demand growth forecast to 2% for 2014 and 2015, as the positive momentum seen during the second half of 2013 abated in... 

New R1.2bn furnace boosts Nampak’s glass production capacity by 56%

Glass manufacturer Nampak Glass has increased its manufacturing capacity by 56% through the addition of a new R1.2-billion third furnace at its Germiston-based manufacturing facility. Nampak Glass... 

JSE launches African currency futures

The JSE on Friday launched three new currency futures contracts tracking the exchange rate between the rand and the Zambian kwacha, the Kenyan shilling and the Nigerian naira. These currency... 

Alecto appoints new executive chairperson

Aim-listed West and East Africa-focused mineral exploration company Alecto Minerals on Friday announced the appointment of Mark Wellesley-Wood as nonexecutive chairperson with immediate effect.... 

Mintails CEO resigns

ASX-listed Mintails on Friday announced that its CEO Anthony Ehlers had resigned with effect from October 1. Executive director Bukhosi Ndimande and nonexecutive director Mark Brune would, in the... 

Savannah on track to define Jorc-compliant Jangamo resource by end-2014

Aim-listed Savannah Resources on Thursday said that it was on track to define a potential Joint Ore Reserves Committee- (Jorc-) compliant mineral resource for its 180 km2 Jangamo heavy mineral... 

Old Mutual decreases Lonmin voting rights

Investment group Old Mutual on Thursday decreased its voting rights in platinum miner Lonmin to below 7%. Following the transaction, Old Mutual held 39.37-million, or 6.9%, voting rights in the... 

Q2 domestic cement sales down 5.1%

Domestic cement sales declined by 5.1% year-on-year to 3.04-million tons during the three months ended June 30, cement producer PPC announced on Thursday. The second-quarter sales were, however,... 

Gauteng Transport Month addressing public transport as pillar of economic development

Through its October Transport Month campaign theme of ‘Transport Moving the Economy Forward’ the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport was responding to Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s call for... 

TNPA appoints new Durban port manager

Transnet National Ports Authority on Thursday announced the appointment of Transnet Port Terminals head of strategy Moshe Motlohi as the new Durban port manager. Motlohi, who had previously held... 

Firestone to conclude Botswana asset disposal in 2015, to focus on Liqhobong

Aim-listed Firestone Diamonds plans to conclude its Botswana asset disposal process next year, allowing the company’s management team to focus their attention on the successful completion of the... 

Tulu Kapi cost estimates below global average

Aim-listed Kefi Minerals on Wednesday announced that the total operating costs for its Tulu Kapi gold project, in Ethiopia, had been estimated at $626/oz, with all-in costs being estimated at... 

Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation shortlist announced

The shortlist of innovations in the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation was announced on Wednesday, comprising 12 new innovations from seven African countries. The shortlist announced by the... 

Cement production at Aganang to start this month

Cement production at Sephaku Holdings subsidiary Sephaku Cement’s (SepCem’s) Aganang integrated plant, in the North West, was scheduled to start this month, following the successful start of... 

Village earnings drop as restructuring continues

Gold producer Village Main Reef on Wednesday reported a 34.7% decline in headline earnings a share from continuing operations to 26.12c for the financial year ended June 30. Earnings a share from... 

IFM, Portnex to acquire Australian coking coal retort assets

London-listed International Ferro Metals (IFM), in conjunction with mining and commodities trading company Portnex International, has made an offer to acquire the assets owned by Australia-based...