David Oliveira

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

David Oliveira

David Oliveira is a Creamer Media Senior Staff Writer for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Email: newsdesk@engineeringnews.co.za

Saice approaches High Court to suspend ECSA council

6th March 2017 Civil engineering voluntary association (VA), the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (Saice), on March 3 submitted to the High Court an application to have the current council members of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) suspended. Saice CEO Manglin Pillay has told... →

Research finds mining not the only contributor to seismic events

3rd March 2017 JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Historical research by the Council for Geoscience (CGS) has placed almost beyond doubt that it is the gold mining sector that is solely responsible for causing seismic events in and around Johannesburg. Gold mining has, however, amplified the number and magnitude... →

Entries open for Aveng Trident Steel Awards

3rd March 2017 Entries are open for the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction’s (Saisc’s) Aveng Trident Steel Awards 2017 and Cadex Systems South Africa Photo Competition. Saisc CEO Paolo Trinchero says after the high standard of last year’s awards, there has been “extraordinary” expectation... →

German-backed initiative to help increase use of solar energy in industrial processes

3rd March 2017 The South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) and the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAGCCI) announced last month that they had teamed up for the international Solar Payback project, which aims to increase the use of solar thermal energy in industrial... →

Newly installed system helps KZN factory recover 1.63 Mℓ of process water

3rd March 2017 A 500 000 ℓ rainwater harvesting system was handed over to global healthcare company BSN Medical’s Pinetown factory, in KwaZulu-Natal, in January, helping the company to reduce its environmental impact and operational costs as part of its global green initiative. Local rainwater harvesting... →

COST CUTTING BSN Medical’s 500 000 ℓ rainwater harvesting system at the company’s factory in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, will help reduce its operational costs

Grindrod FY16 loss widens on depressed H1 market conditions, impairments

2nd March 2017 Shipping and logistics group Grindrod’s attributable loss widened to R1.9-billion for the 2016 financial year, from a loss of R1.43-billion in 2015, as a result of depressed market conditions in the first half of the year and impairments in its Shipping and Freight Services Rail businesses.... →

African land disputes arise primarily as a result of forced removals – research

24th February 2017 Research released earlier this month by UK-based consultancy TMP Systems, and the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) found that 63% of disputes related to private-sector land and natural resources in Africa start because communities are forced to leave their land. The research explores... →

New cleaning solution launched into Southern African markets

24th February 2017 Goscor Cleaning Equipment (GCE) launched its latest cleaning equipment solution – the GM1ze zero-emission refuse picker from German environment-friendly cleaning equipment manufacturer Green Machines International – at its Johannesburg facilities earlier this month. GCE MD Greg Venter noted... →

South African gold production remained flat in 2016 – WGC

24th February 2017 Despite generous mineral reserves and high-grade orebodies, South Africa’s gold mining industry continues to see the sparkle it once held as the best gold producer in the world, dimming, having seen steadily declining production figures in recent years, positioning it in sixth place in 2015,... →

Pockets of resilience, but SA’s manufacturing outlook remains fragile

17th February 2017 South Africa’s manufacturing sector, which has been struggling to shed the ‘deindustrialisation’ mantle for the past three decades, despite vocal support for the sector from government, is unlikely to experience a dramatic turnaround in 2017. However, there are some signs of resilience and even... →

Pockets of resilience, but SA’s manufacturing outlook remains fragile

17th February 2017 South Africa’s manufacturing sector is expected to grow by 0.5% this year and by 1.2% in 2018, according to data from economic analysis and forecast provider FocusEconomics. Financial institution Barclays’ latest purchasing managers’ index (PMI) released earlier this month indicates that the... →

Photo by Duane Daws
SPARKS FLY South Africa’s manufacturing sector is expected to grow by 0.5% this year and breached the neutral 50-point mark on the PMI last month, the first time in five months

New black-owned compressed-air company launched

17th February 2017 The South African compressed-air industry has celebrated its first 100% black-owned company following the launch of Enza Air, a division of industrial holdings company Asani Group, in Johannesburg earlier this month. “This is a very important day for us and signals the birth of a new player in... →

Industry still ‘plagued by issues of noncompliance with Mining Charter’ – MIT

17th February 2017 Ahead of the release of the Mineworkers Investment Trust’s (MIT’s) 2016 financial results later this month, Mining Weekly spoke to MIT COO Simphiwe Nanise earlier this month to review some of its highlights for 2016. He noted that MIT, which provides financial benefits to members of the National... →

Northern Cape youths receive financial aid for tertiary education

10th February 2017 Twenty-six youths from the Emthanjeni municipality, in the Northern Cape, were awarded full tertiary bursaries last month by solar energy project developer Solar Capital and its subsidiary Solar Capital De Aar 3. These bursaries were among the 80 distributed at the well-attended Ministerial... →

Metals, engineering sector to grow 1.4% this year, but risks remain

10th February 2017 South Africa’s metals and engineering sector is expected to grow for the first time in more than three years this year – with growth estimated at 1.4% – amid rising commodity prices and an improved economic outlook globally and domestically. Speaking at the launch of the ‘State of the Metals and... →

Containerised laboratory for Mpumalanga colliery

10th February 2017 Coal analysis firm Umzamo Analytical Services (UAS) opened a containerised analysis laboratory last month at junior coal miner ACC Coal’s Overlooked colliery in Bethal, Mpumalanga, to provide real-time, on-site analysis. “The . . . laboratory complements our existing footprint of laboratories... →

Gold demand reaches four-year high of 4 309 t

10th February 2017 Global gold demand rose 2% in 2016 to reach 4 309 t, the highest level since 2013, according to the World Gold Council’s (WGC’s) latest ‘Gold Demand Trends’ report, which was launched earlier this month. According to the report, demand was largely driven by inflows into gold-backed exchange... →

Milestone for Two Rivers as PGM production surpasses 400 000 oz/y

3rd February 2017 Mpumalanga-based Two Rivers, a joint venture between diversified miner African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and platinum producer Impala Platinum (Implats), reached an important milestone last year, producing more than 400 000 oz of platinum-group metals (PGMs) for the first time since the mine started... →

Gold demand reached four-year high in 2016

3rd February 2017 Global gold demand rose 2% in 2016 to reach 4 309 t, the highest level in four years, according to the World Gold Council’s (WGC’s) latest ‘Gold Demand Trends’ report, which was launched earlier this week. According to the report, demand was largely driven by inflows into gold-backed... →

World Gold Council director and investor relations manager John Mulligan

Ventilation groups team up in new African collaboration

3rd February 2017 Germany-based TLT-Turbo, and local industrial fans and ventilation companies MechCaL and TLT ACTOM, will team up to produce and distribute a full range of ventilation products for the mining, construction, industrial and power markets in South Africa and wider sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). After... →

PPC says R1.7bn kiln revamp to improve enviro compliance, market position

3rd February 2017 JSE-listed cement producer PPC last month invited media to a tour of its Slurry operation, in the North West, and the construction site of the R1.7-billion Slurry Kiln (SK) 9 project, which is scheduled for first clinker production at the beginning of next year. The brownfield project, which... →

PPC SLURRY Production at PPC’s Slurry cement manufacturing operation in the North West is set to increase to 1.9-million tons a year following the completion of the SK 9 kiln

Milestone for Two Rivers as PGM production surpasses 400 000 oz/y

3rd February 2017 Mpumalanga-based Two Rivers, a joint venture between diversified miner African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and platinum producer Impala Platinum (Implats), reached an important milestone last year, producing more than 400 000 oz of platinum-group metals (PGMs) for the first time since the mine started... →

PLEASING PRODUCTION Year-on-year production at the Two Rivers mine has consistently improved over the past five years, from about 300 000 oz in 2011 to 400 722 oz in 2016

Global uranium production expected to reach 76 493 t in 2020

3rd February 2017 Global uranium mine production is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%, reaching 76 493 t in 2020, according to a report by research and consulting firm GlobalData. ‘Global Uranium Mining to 2020’, published last month, states that growth in production is needed to meet... →

Metals, engineering sector to grow for the first time in over three years in 2017, but risks remain

27th January 2017 South Africa’s metals and engineering sector is expected to grow for the first time in over three years this year – by 1.4% – amid rising commodity prices and an improved economic outlook both globally and domestically. Speaking at the launch of the ‘State of the Metals and Engineering Sector... →

Aeroderivative gas turbines seen offering stable accompaniment to renewables

27th January 2017 Aeroderivative gas turbine technology could provide an economical and efficient alternative to wind, solar and tidal power generation, particularly as these technologies depend on unpredictable weather. Global engineering firm Siemens sub-Saharan Africa power and gas executive VP Andreas Pistauer... →

EFFICIENT DESIGN Siemens aero gas turbines have a cycle efficiency that is typically 1% to 3% better than that of traditional industrial gas turbines

Innovative powder based solution limits water evaporation

27th January 2017 The opening of water conservation solutions provider WaterSavr South Africa (SA) in November last year has seen the introduction of an important technology to the local fight to conserve water, which could prove to be a boon for government and farmers. WaterSavr, a proprietary technology... →

Fluor clinches engineering contract for Eritrean potash project

27th January 2017 Global engineering and construction company Fluor announced earlier this month that it had secured a front-end engineering, design and optimisation contract from ASX-listed potash producer Danakali for its Colluli potash project, in Eritrea. Following a competitive tendering process, initiated... →

Africa’s mineral exploration budget 24% lower y/y in 2016

26th January 2017 Although Africa accounted for 13%, or $916-million, of the global mineral exploration budget in 2016, research from Standard & Poor’s (S&P’s) Global Market Intelligence has revealed that that was 24% lower than in 2015. The continent has, thus, dropped to being the fourth-largest investor in... →

Tooling capabilities open up new prospects for SA auto-parts firm

20th January 2017 Cable management solutions provider HellermannTyton South Africa’s 2014 acquisition of PVS Engineering has significantly improved the company’s tooling manufacturing capabilities and placed the company in a strong position within the group internationally. HellermannTyton South Africa network... →

New Joburg council chamber design draws on lekgotla theme

20th January 2017 The new R340-million Johannesburg Council Chamber building, with several unique features, was showcased to the media last month by the Joburg Property Company (JPC). JPC property development senior manager Alan Dinnie explained during the tour that the new building, expected to reach completion... →

Wits, Chinese university in partnership to boost research

20th January 2017 The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT) established the Joint International Research Laboratory of China–Africa Mining Geospatial Informatics in November last year at a ceremony in Xuzhou, China, to further the mining research of the two... →

Northern Cape wind farms receive main transformers

16th December 2016 The Northern Cape-based Khobab and Loeriesfontein wind farms announced last month that they had received their main transformer, which were transported by road from Johannesburg. The 160 MVA transformers are to be housed in substations, from where all the generated power from the wind farms will... →

Engineering solutions provider showcases manufacturing capabilities

16th December 2016 Engineering solutions provider Ansys earlier this month hosted investors and media on a tour of its technology investment business unit Parsec’s manufacturing facility, in Irene, Gauteng. Ansys CEO Rynier van der Watt highlighted that the facility is dedicated to the manufacture of high-end... →

Mintek demonstrates new tailings treatment process

16th December 2016 State-owned research organisation Mintek earlier this month demonstrated its Retreatment Flowsheet for Au and Uranium Tailings, or Reflaut, tailings treatment process at gold miner Gold Fields’ South Deep mine, in Johannesburg. Reflaut has been used at South Deep since last month, and removes... →

Photo by Duane Daws
REFLAUT RETREATMENT Mintek’s Reflaut demonstration plant at South Deep retreats about 200 kg/h worth of tailings, producing about 2 g of concentrate for every ton of tailings

Work on Booysendal South Central access decline to start in April

16th December 2016 Platinum producer Northam Platinum earlier this month awarded JSE-listed Murray & Roberts Cementation the Phase 1 contract for the Mpumalanga-based Booysendal South Central complex, a new mine that will be established on the same mining lease as Booysendal platinum mine. Murray & Roberts... →

New Johannesburg Council Chamber to allow for greater public participation in governance

13th December 2016 The new R340-million Johannesburg Council Chamber building, which is expected to be complete in March next year, will boast dedicated seats for the public and media. Joburg Property Company (JPC) property development senior manager Alan Dinnie on Tuesday told journalists attending a media tour... →

Chinese firm hits Eastplats with civil claim

9th December 2016 China-based precious metals mining services provider Hebei Zhongheng Tianda Platinum (HZT) has filed a notice of civil claim against dual-listed Eastern Platinum (Eastplats) and several of its subsidiaries. The civil claim, filed in Canada’s British Columbia Supreme Court, in Vancouver, relates... →

Desalination helps South32’s KZN aluminium smelter beat water woes

9th December 2016 To ensure sustainable operations in drought-stricken Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, diversified miner South32 has invested R74-million in a seawater desalination plant that uses membrane technology to produce cooling process water for its Hillside aluminium smelter. The diversified miner appointed... →

New engine oil promises significant cost savings

9th December 2016 Global petroleum company Shell’s latest heavy-duty diesel engine oil, Rimula R4L, coupled with its customer value proposition (CVP), aims to improve cost efficiency at mining operations amid the current tough economic climate. Shell South Africa commercial lubricants sales GM Anton Niemann... →

Innovative wastewater treatment system launched in W Cape

9th December 2016 Water solutions provider Maskam Water launched the Clarus Fusion sewage treatment system, which substitutes treated water with recycled water for sanitation, industrial or irrigation use, in October. The decentralised wastewater treatment system, launched at the company’s premises in Brackenfell... →

CLARUS FUSION The Clarus system requires sludge removal only once every four to six years, and only one hour of routine maintenance every six months

Technology group calls on innovators to enter industrial drive competition

9th December 2016 International power and automation technology group ABB announced last month that innovation platform The IdeaHub is recruiting hardware and software innovators worldwide. These innovators are needed to take on the challenge of transforming the role of drives in an industrial setting that might... →

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe