Mia Breytenbach

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Mia Breytenbach

Mia Breytenbach is Deputy Editor: Features for Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

SA weighs market opportunities as utility-scale battery storage prospects improve

13th October 2017 Following the release of an energy storage techno-economic study ‘The South Africa Energy Storage Technology and Market Assessment’, advocating that South Africa requires market preparation to take advantage of growth opportunities in the stationary and mobility value chains of energy storage,... →

Construction starts on new R500m office tower development

13th October 2017 Local property developer Abland and joint venture partners Ellerine Brothers have started development of the 35 Lower Long office tower in Cape Town, in the Western Cape. The four-star green building will be situated on Lower Long Street, in the City Bowl. The 24-storey office tower will replace... →

ENVISAGED DESIGN The building will have a modern look, characterised by dynamic glazed façades of floor–to-ceiling heights

WWF, AfDB partner on Africa Nationally Determined Contributions Hub

13th October 2017 Conservation organisation the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have collaborated to advance the work of the Africa Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Hub in addressing the impacts of climate change on the continent. The AfDB Climate Change and Green... →

Photo by Bloomberg
FOCUS AREA The Africa Nationally Determined Contributions Hub focuses on fostering of long-term climate action

CoAL settles major liabilities, transitions into coal producer in 'extremely positive year'

13th October 2017 Following an “extremely positive and transformational year” in which South Africa-focused Coal of Africa Limited (CoAL) achieved significant milestones, such as settling significant liabilities and transitioning into a coal producer with the acquisition of the cash-generative Uitkomst colliery,... →

Chamber of Mines speaks out against State capture and more

13th October 2017 The Chamber of Mines (CoM) has drawn a firm line in the sand regarding its opposition to unethical leadership, bad governance and State capture,” CoM president Mxolisi Mgojo asserted on Thursday. “We are doing what is necessary to ensure better outcomes for our sector and our country. The chamber... →

Mining leaders stress need for good leadership

13th October 2017 Good leadership is critical to South Africa, former AngloGold Ashanti CEO Bobby Godsell said on Thursday. Speaking during a panel discussion on the leadership skills required for the future at the fifth Joburg Indaba conference, he stressed that the “fish rots from the head” and that good... →

Equites’ logistics focus proves resilient in H1

12th October 2017 JSE-listed specialist logistics property developer and landlord Equites Property Fund’s distributions a share for the six months to August 31, increased by 12.02% year-on-year to 60.98c, which is at the upper end of the company’s guidance of 10% to 12% distribution growth for the 2018 financial... →

South African mining industry still not spending enough on R&D

6th October 2017 While South Africa has increased its investment in mining research and development (R&D) since 2014, the country’s investment is still below that of its peers, delegates heard during a panel discussion on ‘Technological Innovation and Advancements in the Mining Industry’ at the Joburg Indaba, on... →

Photo by Duane Daws
DRA Group CEO Wray Carvelas

De Beers launches business incubator to promote SMMEs near Limpopo operations

6th October 2017 Diamond company De Beers has officially launched its second business incubator near its Venetia diamond mine operations in Limpopo. The incubator’s accelerated development programme aims to promote upcoming entrepreneurs, as well as small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) from mining... →

INCUBATION UNDER WAY The incubation programme started last month, with workshops targeting existing and aspiring entrepreneurs that have initiatives across the business spectrum

Geospatial products distributor launches world’s smallest image laser scanner locally

6th October 2017 Geospatial products distributor Aciel Geomatics has officially locally launched the Leica BLK360 imaging laser scanner – the world’s smallest and lightest image laser scanner. Aciel Geomatics, the appointed distributor for Switzerland-based Leica Geosystems AG, launched the scanner at the... →

EASE OF USE The integration of the Leica BLK360 laser image scanner and Autodesk software streamlines the reality capture process

Closed steel mill discovering new life as an industrial park

6th October 2017 Following the implementation of the business strategy to convert Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium complex, in Mpumalanga, into an industrial park, the park is capitalising on its strategic location, says Highveld Industrial Park CFO Andrew Maralack. Highveld Industrial Park is situated close to... →

CAPITAL LOCATION in less than a year of being operational, Highveld Industrial Park has set up a sustainable business

First gold pour at new Mali gold mine by year-end

6th October 2017 The ball mill shell has been successfully installed at emerging gold miner Hummingbird Resources’ flagship Yanfolila project, in Mali, which remains on schedule and on budget for the first gold pour by the end of this year. The installation is a significant milestone in progressing the project to... →

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHT Installation of the ball mill shell, following delivery of the ball mill are key milestones in progressing the project to production

Civil society bodies resisting plan for a coal mine in Mpumalanga

6th October 2017 A coalition of eight civil society and community organisations, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), which is resisting a proposed coal mine inside a declared protected environment and strategic water source area in Mpumalanga, has stepped up its resistance with further legal... →

Photo by Victor Moolman
CONTESTED COMMODITY Various legal proceedings are under way to oppose the proposed 15-year Yzermyn underground coal mine

CoM committed to finding workable solutions that are in the national interest

5th October 2017 The Chamber of Mines (CoM) has drawn a firm line in the sand regarding its opposition to unethical leadership, bad governance and State capture,” CoM president Mxolisi Mgojo asserted on Thursday. “We are doing what is necessary to ensure better outcomes for our sector and our country. The chamber... →

Mining leaders stress need for good leadership

5th October 2017 Good leadership is critical to South Africa, former AngloGold Ashanti CEO Bobby Godsell said on Thursday. Speaking during a panel discussion on the leadership skills required for the future at the fifth Joburg Indaba conference, he stressed that the “fish rots from the head” and that good... →

Industry to focus on back-to-basics for new Mining Charter – Herbert Smith Freehills

5th October 2017 The South African mining industry has to focus on going back to basics and on why the Mining Charter was created when considering Mining Charter Three, Herbert Smith Freehills partner and Africa cochairperson Peter Leon said on Thursday. Speaking during a panel discussion that highlighted ways... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Herbert Smith Freehills partner Peter Leon

CEOs plan investments in Africa in medium term amid all-time confidence lows

3rd October 2017 A third of CEOs plan to invest in Africa in the medium term, despite confidence in South Africa being at all-time lows. This is according to the quarterly Merchantec Confidence Index, released on Tuesday. →

Decline in insured construction activity to continue – Bryte

3rd October 2017 Insured construction activity contracted by 15% year-on-year in the second quarter. Southern African proactive business risk specialist Bryte Insurance (formerly known as Zurich Insurance) this week released its Construction Activity Monitor for the three months to June 30. →

CoAL seeks greater self-sufficiency after transformational FY17

29th September 2017 Following an “extremely positive and transformational year” in which South Africa-focused Coal of Africa Limited (CoAL) achieved significant milestones, such as the settlement of significant liabilities and transitioning into a coal producer with the acquisition of the cash-generative Uitkomst... →

Coal of Africa Vele colliery

Gigantic SA-made ore scrubber destined for Sierra Leone mineral sands mine

29th September 2017 Mechanical process equipment and solutions provider MechProTech has completed the manufacturing of one of its largest pieces of mining process equipment – the multimillion-rand, Titan 3596 mineral ore scrubber – which will be delivered to a mineral sands mine in Sierra Leone. MechProTech focuses... →

Photo by Duane Daws
SIZABLE PROCESSING Titan 3596 mineral ore scrubber is used to wash and break up alluvial gravels, clay and sand

Turbine installations at wind project completed ahead of schedule

29th September 2017 Khobab Wind Farm, in the Northern Cape has completed all 61 wind turbine installations, ahead of schedule this month. Further, Khobab, together with its adjacent wind farm, the Loeriesfontein Wind Farm, in the Hantam municipality, in the Northern Cape province, have achieved more than two-million... →

SOARING CONSTRUCTION The 100-m-tall Siemens wind turbines, which allow for optimum energy production, take between one and three days to construct, assuming favourable weather

Small businesses remain optimistic, despite volatility and uncertainties

29th September 2017 Despite economic volatility, South African small business owners remain optimistic and are actively pursuing growth, according to research from cloud based accounting software company Xero. The research report, titled ‘State of South African Small Businesses’ surveys the challenges facing the... →

Photo by Bloomberg
HELPING HAND Some small business owners want the government to provide more funding and some believe government should grant tax breaks for their business

Botswana Diamonds to start drilling at Limpopo project in October

29th September 2017 Diamond exploration and project development company Botswana Diamonds has announced that it will start large diameter drilling (LDD) at the Zebediela project, in Limpopo, next month. Zebediela forms part of the Vutomi Joint Venture project, at Frischgewaagt. Seventeen reverse circulation... →

BMG invests R400m in Joburg distribution centre

29th September 2017 Technical solutions provider BMG, which is part of Invicta Holdings, has officially launched its BMG World site, in Johannesburg, which is the culmination of a consolidation and supply chain re-engineering strategy that began nearly ten years ago. “The company’s R400-million investment to upgrade... →

WORLD-CLASS FACILITY BMG’s R400-million investment to upgrade its existing Droste Park facilities into a leading-edge distribution centre, centralises functional and support operations

Growthpoint launches South Africa’s first dual-certified property portfolio

28th September 2017 JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties has launched the first and only property portfolio in South Africa to be highly rated by the South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) and the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA). This premier portfolio, named... →

Growthpoint Properties office division director Rudolf Pienaar

Construction progresses at Hummingbird’s Yanfolila gold project

27th September 2017 The ball mill shell has been successfully installed at Aim-listed Hummingbird Resources’ flagship Yanfolila project, in Mali, which remains on schedule and on budget for the first gold pour by the end of this year. The installation is a significant milestone in progressing the project to... →

Yanfolila gold project, Mali

Legal framework offers model for enhancing transboundary infrastructure investment

22nd September 2017 The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca) has unveiled the Model Law that provides a framework for the harmonisation of cross-border rules, regulations, laws and policies governing transboundary infrastructure projects in Africa. The Model Law was unveiled at the yearly Nigerian... →

Photo by Duane Daws
PAVING THE WAY The Model Law may aid in additional efficiency, transparency and accountability with regard to public and private sector engagement in transboundary infrastructure

Big room for improvement in payment of suppliers by government

22nd September 2017 While Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Performance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration Jeff Radebe’s commented last month that the time taken by government to pay suppliers is improving, small business representative organisation AHI has identified areas where there is room for... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT There still remain outstanding and unpaid invoices of up to R5.3-billion

Master Drilling aiming to extend geographical, technological diversification

22nd September 2017 Raise-boring and drilling solutions provider Master Drilling continues to extend its service provision capacity and technology reach, with the company focusing on diversifying into new markets and industries and advancing technologically. “Diversification across geographies, commodities,... →

KEY COMPONENT Master Drilling aims to grow business not only in underground mining, but also in openpit mining, which makes up the majority of mining

BMG launches R400m World site facility in Gauteng

15th September 2017 Technical solutions provider BMG, which is part of Invicta Holdings, has officially launched its BMG World site, in Johannesburg, which is the culmination of a consolidation and supply chain re-engineering strategy that began nearly ten years ago. “The company’s R400-million investment to upgrade... →

BMG World site, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Platinum body expects market to maintain balance this year

15th September 2017 The platinum market is expected to remain in fundamental balance, albeit with a small 15 000 oz deficit for this year, the World Platinum Investment Council’s (WPIC’s) latest ‘Platinum Quarterly’ report shows. The report, published earlier this month, incorporates analysis of platinum supply and... →

Photo by Bloomberg
SECTOR STRENGTH There is continued resilience of platinum demand from the automotive sector, as well as from the platinum jewellery sector

Equipment manufacturer inaugurates new facility

15th September 2017 Heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has officially inaugurated its new parts distribution facility, near Johannesburg, in Gauteng. The 60 000 m2 facility consolidates two smaller parts-distribution sites – Linbro Park and Isando – and offers several advantages, including the ability to work... →

SHEER ADVANTAGE The 60 000 m2 facility allows for the ability to work more efficiently while increasing capacity to provide unmatched parts availability for customers across Africa

New retail development to open in Walvis Bay

15th September 2017 The new R500-million Dunes Mall in Walvis Bay, Namibia, is in the final stages of completion, with its doors set to open next month. The mall is developed by South African property developer and investor Atterbury, in partnership with local developers Tradehold. →

SIZING UP The new 27 500 m2 Dunes Mall in Walvis Bay, will be the largest in the area and the second largest in Namibia

Canadian-listed junior plans further drilling to increase Guinea project resource base

15th September 2017 TSX-V-listed Volcanic Gold Mines plans to drill within the significantly expanded mineralized footprint defined by air-core drilling adjacent to the inferred mineral resource at its Mandiana gold project, with a view to a resource increase and is actively orientating its exploration programme... →

Botswana Diamonds plans additional drilling at South Africa project

12th September 2017 Aim-listed Botswana Diamonds’ shares on the LSE rose by nearly 20% on Tuesday as the company announced it would start large diameter drilling (LDD) at the Zebediela project, in Limpopo, in October. Zebediela forms part of the Vutomi Joint Venture project, at Frischgewaagt. →

Master Drilling posts resilient interim results, continues technological innovation focus

12th September 2017 Two additional machines and the impact of favourable foreign-exchange movements have contributed to a 12.5% increase in JSE-listed drilling services provider Master Drilling’s revenue to $60.5-million for the six months ended June 30. The group added two raise-bore machines during the period... →

Nokeng mulling two or three more fluorspar mines by 2026 as huge shortage is predicted

8th September 2017 Following the breakthrough of opening the first new mine in Gauteng, South Africa, in the last 12 years, which is being developed by producer SepFluor’s wholly owned Nokeng fluorspar mine, the company aims to become vertically integrated in the fluorspar value chain in future. Fluorite ore is... →

SKA Africa partner countries to collaborate on radio astronomy

8th September 2017 Following the conclusion of the fourth Ministerial meeting of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Africa partner countries in Accra, Ghana, last month, members of the nine countries, represented by their science and technology Ministers and Deputy Ministers, signed a memorandum of understanding to... →

PROJECT REVIEW The Square Kilometre Array Africa partner countries reviewed the African SKA, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network, and the Big Data Africa initiative

Zest WEG Group achieves Level 2 BBBEE status

8th September 2017 Motor and controls manufacturer WEG subsidiary Zest WEG Group has taken steps to create a broader-based and more sustainable ownership foundation to ensure its compliance with the new Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Codes of Good Practice, which has seen the group achieve a Level 2... →

ZEST MANAGEMENT Front left, Zest WEG Group CEO Louis Meiring, Zest WEG Group CFO Nicky Hariparfad and Zest WEG Group logistics and operations director Juliano Vargas

Nokeng mulling two or three more fluorspar mines by 2026 as huge shortage is predicted

8th September 2017 Following the breakthrough of opening the first new mine in Gauteng, South Africa, in the last 12 years, which is being developed by producer SepFluor’s wholly owned Nokeng fluorspar mine, the company aims to become vertically integrated in the fluorspar value chain in future. Fluorite ore is... →

VERSATILE ORE Fluorite ore is mined for the production of calcium fluoride (CaF2), also known as fluorspar, which is a critical commodity for industrialised nations

Platinum market expected to maintain balance amid continued supply constraints – WPIC

6th September 2017 The platinum market is expected to remain in fundamental balance, albeit with a small 15 000 oz deficit for this year, the World Platinum Investment Council’s (WPIC’s) latest ‘Platinum Quarterly’ report shows. The report, published on Wednesday, incorporates analysis of platinum supply and demand... →

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