CTC sees increase in surface explosives

Mpumalanga-based training college Colliery Training College (CTC) has noted an increase in enrolments for surface explosives courses, while the number of enrolments for courses pertaining to... 

Graphex positive common ground to be found

Australian mineral exploration and development company Graphex Mining submitted a 200-page document to the Tanzanian Ministry of Minerals earlier this month. The submission contains recommendations... 

Shanta looking to positive future in Tanzania

Amid recent changes to Tanzanian mining legislation that has emphasised localisation, Guernsey-based East Africa gold producer Shanta Gold remains optimistic about its future mining prospects in... 

Record-high margins for aluminium sales

Johannesburg-based precision water-cutting and -profiling company AquaJet Profiles noted record-high aluminium sales profit margins earlier this year, owing to the sanctions placed on Russian... 

Company diversifies aluminium offering

Aluminium composite cladding / material (ACP or ACM) is widely used on building facades internationally, and although very much in its infancy in South Africa, it is slowly gaining traction. It is... 

Increased demand for accredited inspection services

Over the past three years, there has been a significant increase in demand for accreditation in inspection programmes services, such as those provided by conformity assessment bodies (CABs), across... 

Investment affected by environmental impact compliance

South African oil refineries need to be aware of their impact on the environment to comply with changing legislation and to further investment opportunities, states Norton Rose Fulbright insurance... 

S African refineries pulled in two

Local oil refineries will find it difficult to adjust to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) new sulphur cap of 0.5% by 2020 for residual marine fuels, and the Clean Fuels Two... 

Mintek showcases developed water rehabilitation technologies

South African research and development company, Mintek, showcased the Savmin, NICMembrane, biological sulphate reduction and MetRIX technologies on 14 to 16 March. They use different methods to... 

Backup power to ensure safety, continuous production

There has been increased interest in the generator sets of Himoinsa Southern Africa, a subsidiary of Spain-based power solutions provider Himoinsa. This is a good sign from the mines, as it... 

Rising oil prices fuelling renewables

The key drivers of an increased uptake of renewable and alternative energy sources by mines in Africa are an increasing oil price and the steadily decreasing price of renewable technologies, claims... 

Alternative energy, efficiency augment fossil fuels

Alternative energy resources, such as natural gas, solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, biomass and energy storage, will play an increasingly important role in Africa’s energy future and particularly for... 

Software platform boosts operator performance

Durban-based global supplier of surface and underground mining simulators ThoroughTec Simulation developed the CYBERMINE WX platform that monitors operator performance and provides targeted... 

Laboratory to expand services, product range

Sandton-based chemical reagents supplier and distributor, Axis House, plans to considerably expand its metallurgical laboratory in the Western Cape, as well as its laboratory services and product... 

Miner looks to meet Southern Africa’s zinc deficit

While the zinc industry is poised to have a structural deficit until 2022, diversified miner Vedanta Resources' Vedanta Zinc International (VZI) is well positioned to meet the needs of South... 

South African farmers face tough road to recovery

Local orchards and vineyards could take between five and seven years to fully recover from the recent drought, provided there is average or above-average rainfall for three consecutive years, says... 

W Cape focusing on creating certainty in agriculture sector

The Western Cape provincial government is focusing on creating certainty for the agriculture industry by trying to ensure that farmers can continue farming and save jobs by requesting an increase... 

Irrigation system reduces water use in orchards by 70%

Louirrigate’s micro drip irrigation system, Tree Hog, can reduce farmers’ water use by up to 70% in orchards, and save up to 70% of energy costs, claims Tree Hog designer and Louirrigate owner... 

South Africa has significant potential for biopharming, bio economy

Judging by the number of patent applications filed for biopharming inventions by local universities, research councils and science councils, there is significant potential for South Africa to... 

App monitors spread of FAW in Africa

The Fall Armyworm Monitoring and Early Warning System (FAMEWS) application (app) can save 300-million people in Africa from food insecurity and prevent significant economic losses in maize of up to... 

AECOM focused on funding STEM education for women

This year, integrated infrastructure delivery firm AECOM’s Educational Trust received more that 4 000 applications for bursaries for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) degrees from... 

Conference to address shortage of STEM graduates

The second annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Conference and Career Expo will aim to address a shortage of technically skilled STEM graduates in South Africa. The... 

Blended learning can improve maths, science results

Blended learning, a combination of traditional classroom learning and online learning, can assist South African high school and university students in understanding complex formulas in mathematics... 

Sappi to combat artisan skills dearth with two new centres

To ensure an adequate supply of skilled labour and artisans, pulp and paper company Sappi has opened training centres in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. Sappi opened a training centre at its Saiccor... 

Graduate programme ensures pipeline of new talent

Sixteen graduates have been accepted into Southern African Caterpillar dealer Barloworld Equipment’s two-year graduate programme this year, during which time they will gain industry knowledge and... 

Hydraulic cylinder manufacturer to focus on expansion, African markets

Following Germiston-based investment company iSipho Capital Holdings’ acquisition of 90% of Boksburg-based hydraulic and pneumatic manufacturer Anderson & Kerr Engineering in 2017, the hydraulic... 

West African mining industry shows strong growth potential

The crowning of two West African mining projects as the winner and the runner-up of Investment Battlefield at the Investing in African Mining Indaba, held in February this year, indicates strong... 

Mining pursuing optimisation, innovation to increase profits

Sandton-based chemical reagent supplier and distributor Axis House believes mining in Africa is moving towards process optimisation through innovation to reduce costs and increase profits, explains... 

Zimbabwe has skills, natural resources to support increasing investment

Zimbabwe has adequate skilled and unskilled labour to support increasing investment and the expansion of mining operations, claims mining, exploration and development company Caledonia Mining.... 

Artisanal mining, geopolitical milieu remain challenges

Artisanal mining in West Africa, as well as an unstable geopolitical environment, remain core challenges to mining investment in the area, states Western Australia-based project developer Sarama... 

Asanko focusing on Esaase development to expand production

As part of its near-term organic growth strategy, Canadian junior gold producer Asanko Gold is focusing on expanding production at the Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) in Ghana, with the development of the... 

IoT, new technologies can solve challenges, increase competitiveness

Although the Internet of Things (IoT) is creating “a huge wave” in Africa, as smart connected devices are being deployed at mines, there is further potential for smart devices and IoT to positively... 

Seifsa expects 1.7% expansion in local steel industry

Following its initial forecast of a 1.1% expansion of the metals and engineering cluster at the beginning of the year, the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa)... 

New division to focus on diversification, innovation

Midvaal-based structural and reinforcing steel supply company Fabcon Steel is developing a new engineering division to diversify into different market segments. The company provides turnkey... 

Growth potential of B grade steel in Africa evident

The growth of various economies in Africa and the reliance on agriculture, means there will be a growing market for B grade steel for use in agriculture equipment, fencing and security in addition... 

Africa expansion can boost local industry growth

With South Africa being under new leadership since Cyril Ramaphosa became president, Alberton-based steel supplier and value-added processing company Allied Steelrode executive director Warne... 

Alternative solution for composite construction

Construction industry supplier Hilti South Africa’s Hilti X-HVB system – an alternative composite deck shear connector – makes composite construction more convenient and cost effective, says Hilti... 

Bell Equipment extends excavator range, Kobelco partnership

South African earthmoving equipment manufacturer and supplier Bell Equipment is expanding its partnership with Japanese excavator specialist Kobelco Construction Machinery (Kobelco) with a range of... 

Automation, technology integral to competitiveness

Benrose-based cutting consumables and capital equipment distributor First Cut believes it has a role to play in educating the downstream steel industry on the possibilities offered by new... 

Bell Equipment enters tipper truck market with Kamaz partnership

South African materials handling equipment supplier Bell Equipment has entered the Southern Africa tipper truck market through a partnership with Russian heavy duty truck manufacturer Kamaz. The...