Robyn Wilkinson

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Robyn Wilkinson

Robyn Wilkinson is a Creamer Media Writer for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Industrial effluent recovery a sustainable water solution

3rd March 2017 With the Department of Water Affairs’ National Water Week Awareness campaign – taking place from March 17 to 23 – celebrating twenty years of water delivery for social and economic development, water treatment specialist Proxa is looking to the future of water in South Africa by developing... →

Increased awareness key to enhancing industrial water efficiency

3rd March 2017 Increased awareness of the importance of water conservation and an enhanced sensitisation to practices that can facilitate it are some of the most effective means of eliciting a positive response to the drive to see that water efficiency practices are adopted in South Africa’s industrial... →

SAFEGUARDING SCARCE RESOURCE The Industrial Water Efficiency Project will guide a transformation of industry’s water use through a systematic and holistic approach to water management

Programme complements government objectives

3rd March 2017 Private higher education institution Monash South Africa welcomed the first class of students for its new Postgraduate Diploma in Water Management this year. →

BIMO NKHATA Water Week is crucial for highlighting the role that every person has to play in using water responsibly and sustainably

Water management crucial for ensuring economic viability

3rd March 2017 It is imperative that water resources and assets be protected and preserved through collective and holistic water management to secure the economic future of South Africa, says engineering consultant WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff hydrology senior associate Karen King. →

WATER AWARENESS Water Week must be supported as a platform for communicating that water resources need to be collectively and holistically managed by South Africans

One regional water utility for the Eastern Cape

3rd March 2017 Eastern Cape State-owned water utility Amatola Water is leading the charge in the advocacy of and planning activities required to ensure that a single regional bulk water utility is realised in the Eastern Cape, in line with the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS’s) institutional reform... →

Water recycling and reuse a responsibility of all S Africans

3rd March 2017 In an era where conserving water is growing ever more critical, given the shortage of fresh and drinkable water, recycling and reuse plays a pivotal role in driving forward sustainable solutions that will allow for the longevity of South Africa’s water supply, says waste management business... →

REUSE AND RECYCLING An underground wastewater treatment plant installed by Interwaste last year that will ensure that efficient reuse of water at the site

Challenging times call for innovation

17th February 2017 It remains imperative for companies to remain innovative, especially amid the construction industry’s facing a dilemma, with local infrastructure – including power, road, water and sewerage infrastructure – in dire need of upgrading, while very little money is being spent on civil construction... →

HOISTS GAIN POPULARITY SA French’s high-speed rack and pinion hoists are proving to be an effective complement to traditional tower cranes

Familiarity with building contracts essential for emerging contractors

17th February 2017 Failure to fully familiarise oneself with the contents of a building contract can cause conflict between parties and result in costly problems, says nonprofit industry representative the Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC) CEO Uwe Putlitz. →

UWE PUTLITZ Most disputes between building contractors can be avoided by following the provisions in the building contract

Quality key for the construction sector

17th February 2017 Industry association the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) is taking a proactive role in ensuring that a high level of quality is instituted and maintained throughout the civil engineering and construction sector’s supply chain. →

BENEFITS OF PRECAST Precast concrete is gaining popularity as a cost-effective and efficient solution that can help to facilitate good quality construction work

Conference to boost key partnerships

17th February 2017 Industry representative Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) will host the twenty-fourth International Federation of Consulting Engineers’ Group of African Member Associations (FIDIC GAMA) Conference – one of the biggest networking events for African consulting engineers – in Cape Town from... →

CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL CESA aims to achieve a more inclusive approach to infrastructure development in Africa

Partnership crucial in addressing housing shortfall

17th February 2017 Demonstrating the potential for the success of private-public partnerships, residential property developer Calgro M3 and construction products supplier PPC have partnered to upgrade an informal settlement along the Fleurhof dam, in Johannesburg, into a fully integrated city. →

DEVELOPMENT AT FLEURHOF 9 600 housing units together with infrastructure for community services will be completed along the Fleurhof dam by 2018

Commitment to quality boosts confidence in specialised product

17th February 2017 Construction solutions provider a.b.e. Construction Chemicals is seeing growing confidence in the use of specialised coatings in the South African construction industry, proving that the company’s commitment to high quality and durability in its product range continues to be a successful strategy... →

BRETT LARSEN a.b.e. Construction Chemicals focuses on prioritising good quality standards and keeping up to date with product advancements

S Africa to keep pace with automotive technology advances

10th February 2017 With American analyst firm Gartner predicting that there will be a quarter of a billion connected vehicles on the road globally by 2020, equipped with new in-vehicle services and automated driving capabilities, asset and vehicle tracking solutions company Ctrack, part of Inseego Corp, says cars... →

BETTER FLEET MANAGEMENT Ctrack’s range of on-board devices and mobile software can help fleet managers to prevent road accidents in South Africa

Positive outlook for automotive industry

10th February 2017 Increased new-car production levels, which include an expected growth in vehicle exports, are likely to drive improvement in South Africa’s automotive industry this year, says industrial equipment supplier Bearings International sales representative Cherry Slater. →

EXTENSIVE PRODUCT RANGE Bearings International is poised to cater to increased new-car production levels with its wide range of bearings and power transmission products

Production capacity grows in SA automotive industry

10th February 2017 The outlook for the local automotive industry for the next three to five years is very positive, with several manufacturers planning upgrades and expansions at their facilities to increase capacity, says drive technology provider SEW Eurodrive South Africa (SA) sales engineer Willem Strydom. →

WILLEM STRYDOM AND CLIVE O’REILLY SEW Eurodrive SA’s products can help automotive manufacturers optimize their operations as they expand their product lines

New era for automotive industry

10th February 2017 The technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sector is rapidly disrupting traditional ways of making and selling products across all sectors, including in the automotive industry, where technological advancement is radically influencing the way in which vehicles are manufactured and sold... →

TECHNOLOGY TAKE OVER Driverless vehicles will soon become a reality with extensive research and testing underway globally

S Africa must focus on fostering foreign investment

27th January 2017 The South African government needs to concentrate on creating a more inviting investment environment for foreign investors if it is to take advantage of future upturns in commodities prices and remain competitive in the global market, says specialist financial adviser Craton Capital cofounder... →

MARKUS BACHMANN South Africa is one of the world’s best mining domiciles in terms of mineral wealth but the country is at high risk of losing out on potential future mining booms

Mining companies to reap benefits from productivity partnerships

27th January 2017 Minerals and cement industry equipment and services supplier FLSmidth is establishing itself as a productivity partner in the African mining sector in light of mining companies’ focus on improving existing projects amid difficult economic conditions. →

TERENCE OSBORN Mining Indaba provides an opportunity for new strategic initiatives to emerge through discussions

Regulatory environment stifling investment

27th January 2017 South Africa’s mining industry will continue to feel the effects of regulatory uncertainty and political turbulence in 2017 compounding various developments in the sector this year, says banking services provider Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking investment banker Paul Miller. →

Photo by Duane Daws
PAUL MILLER Mining Indaba brings key mining industry players together and provides an efficient way of networking with multiple capital-providers

New technology introduced at Mining Indaba

27th January 2017 Engineering company WorleyParsons RSA will use the 2017 Investing in African Mining Indaba, which it describes as an ideal platform for showcasing and progressing ideas pertinent to Africa’s mining industry, to discuss its new five-dimensional (5D) project design platform technology with key... →

IMPROVED PROJECT PLANNING WorleyParsons RSA’s integrated design project platform provides a visual five-dimensional design scope that incorporates schedule and cost

Policy issues worsen supply-demand gap

27th January 2017 The global imbalance between the supply of and demand for commodities is further exacerbated in Africa by regulatory and political risk uncertainties, says multinational professional services provider Deloitte Africa emerging markets and Africa MD Dr Martyn Davies. →

MARTYN DAVIES Governments should use the Mining Indaba as a platform to communicate clear and coherent policy statements

Mining Indaba helps suppliers become more adaptable

27th January 2017 Mining industry suppliers and service providers need to react quickly to the industry’s changing needs during periods of volatile commodity prices, and attending the 2017 Investing in African Mining Indaba is critical to facilitate strategic management in this regard, says mining products and... →

JANNIE DE JONGE There is no better place than Mining Indaba for accessing information about the macroeconomic factors affecting the mining industry

Gold producer prepared for price recovery

27th January 2017 Having responded swiftly to the downturn in commodities prices over the past three years by lowering costs and optimising its portfolios, US-headquartered gold producer Newmont Mining is well positioned to outperform its competitors as the gold price recovers. →

TOM BRADY Newmont has reported a positive free cash flow in the past ten quarters, despite difficult market conditions

Mining Indaba platform for driving best practice, positive change

27th January 2017 The Investing in African Mining Indaba is a valuable platform for driving best practice and positive change in the mining industry, providing a forum where governments, companies, investors and civil society can meet and exchange views, says mining organisation International Council on Mining and... →

TOM BUTLER Water sustainability will be a key topic of discussion at the 2017 Mining Indaba as access to the resource in some mining areas is becoming increasingly scarce and competitive

Sustainability to be highlighted by EPC services provider

27th January 2017 Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services provider Black & Veatch will meet with new and existing clients at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba to explore the ways in which its sustainability-focused solutions can benefit their operations. →

WEBB MEKO Microgrids can provide energy security and reduce electricity costs and emissions for mines

Mines need to work ‘smarter to survive’

27th January 2017 Achieving low-cost operation of a mining project starts with identifying as early as possible a strategy that optimises all the modifying factors that stand between converting a project’s in-the-ground mineral resource into an economically mineable mineral reserve, says consulting engineers and... →

ANDREW VAN ZYL Mine development strategies require a shift towards partnerships so that all stakeholders can share the responsibility of the direction of the development

S African company taking ‘next big step’ in airborne geophysics

27th January 2017 Airborne electromagnetic technology pioneer Spectrem Air, together with mining majors and main shareholders Anglo American and De Beers, is developing a superconductor magnetic gradiometer, known as Squid, that will greatly enhance the capability of the sensors used in airborne geophysical surveys. →

NEW TECHNOLOGY Spectrem Air will showcase its latest technological developments at the Mining Indaba

New charter helicopter to service remote mining areas

27th January 2017 Business aviation organisation ExecuJet Africa will use the 2017 Investing in African Mining Indaba, in Cape Town, to launch its new service offering – a VIP-configured Bell 407 charter helicopter, which will operate from the company’s fixed-base operator facility in Cape Town. →

ACCESSING REMOTE SITES The Bell 407 charter helicopter integrates reliability, speed, performance and maneuverability, with a cabin that can be configured for different purposes

Fewer potholes on road ahead for vanadium, chrome, manganese

27th January 2017 It has been a challenging three years for the South African mining sector, particularly for ferroalloy producers. Several producers have reduced their output, while others have either entered business rescue or have been forced to close completely, says metals, minerals, carbon and chemicals... →

Photo by Duane Daws
NEW-YEAR DEPICTION Ferrochrome prices will remain strong in the first half of 2017, but there might be an oversupply thereafter, leading to lower chrome-ore prices

Partnership to attract new investors, companies

27th January 2017 Mining Indaba director of content Harry Chapman is confident that new investors and mining companies will be attracted to the 2017 Investment Discovery Forum (IDF) owing to its partnership with banking group Investec and investment services provider RBC Capital Markets, and programming that... →

FUNDING EXPANSION Guyana Goldfields will use the net proceeds of its bought deal financing to fund an expansion of its flagship Aurora gold mine in South America

Sars ensures correct employee classification

20th January 2017 The misclassification of employees as independent contractors is a common problem that has resulted in the South African Revenue Service (Sars) instituting more stringent guidelines to ensure that employers adhere to taxation regulations, says contractor management services provider EOH Highveld... →

BARTLEY JOSEPH South African employers act as agents of the State and are responsible for ensuring that all necessary taxes associated with an employee are collected

Improving labour laws may lead to greater employment rates

20th January 2017 A more mature attitude towards collective bargaining, more prudent use of strikes and greater flexibility for employers to manage their workforce according to demand would likely lead to a greater appetite for employment in South Africa, says legal services provider Shepstone & Wylie Attorneys... →

MICHAEL MAESO The consequences of a breach of the amendment that provides for the use of labour brokers is yet to be definitively determined

Businesses to navigate the effects of union instability

20th January 2017 Given the ongoing unstable political climate, the realignment of trade unions to consolidate numbers or gain increased affiliation is likely to perpetuate interunion rivalry for the foreseeable future, says legal services provider Creighton Attorneys director Barney Creighton. →

Photo by Duane Daws
MAINTAINING MAJORITY South Africa’s larger trade unions will have to make difficult choices to mitigate the loss of their majority

‘Exciting prospect’ awaits decision

16th December 2016 Diamond explorer and project developer Botswana Diamonds is in discussions with its joint venture (JV) partner, Botswana State-owned copper and nickel producer BCL, to undertake essential verification drilling on a cluster of diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes at the Maibwe exploration project in... →

JOHN TEELING There are currently powerful fundamentals driving the international diamond market, with analysts predicting a diamond supply deficit in future

Junior miner to complete facility expansions this year

16th December 2016 All of the facility expansions under way at the Krone-Endora project, in Limpopo, are on track for completion by the end of the year, says Canadian junior mining company Diamcor Mining CEO Dean Taylor. →

DEAN TAYLOR The current upgrades under way should address all optimisation opportunities identified by past testing and commissioning exercises at Krone-Endora

Bulk of Cullinan C-Cut Phase 1 nears completion

16th December 2016 Mining services company Murray & Roberts Cementation will complete its contract at diamond miner Petra Diamonds’ Gauteng-based Cullinan mine this month, concluding the largest portion of the R4-billion Phase 1 expansion project that will initially extend the diamond mine’s life span by about 15 year →

DELICATE OPERATION Detailed planning was undertaken to deepen the shafts at the Cullinan C-Cut project without disrupting the existing infrastructure and operations

Difficult drilling proves rewarding at Koffiefontein

16th December 2016 Diamond producer Petra Diamonds’ geological team has gained access to the kimberlite deposit between the 60 m level and 72 m level at its Koffiefontein project, in the Free State, owing to diamond drilling services provider Lesedi Drilling and Mining Contracting Company’s assistance in... →

PRODUCTIVITY LIFTED Production at Petra Diamonds’ Koffiefontein project increased by 37% this year, as the result of more run-of-mine tonnage being treate

JV plant to process Kimberley underground ore by H2 2017

16th December 2016 Diamond miner Petra Diamonds expects all ore from its Kimberley underground operation to be processed through the combined treatment plant associated with its Kimberley Ekapa Mining (KEM) joint venture (JV) from the second half of fiscal year 2017 onwards. →

POSITIVE SIGNS Global diamond supply remains tight while demand from the US has been stable, with growth in emerging markets detected

Property developers shift focus to manage economic risk

9th December 2016 There has been a slowdown in the development of commercial properties as developers shift their focus to residential, healthcare and industrial projects to best manage risks in South Africa’s economic climate, says business management consultant WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff Africa regional director... →

WILLIAM JOHNSTON Best practice designs that incorporate a holistic and sustainable approach to property development is becoming entrenched among South Africa developers

Consolidation provides opportunity for development

9th December 2016 With low growth in the South African economy, there is a trend in both the commercial office and industrial property sectors towards consolidation and the relocation of existing operations to well-connected locations, says consulting engineering firm Arup. →

DIGITAL DESIGNS The design of Pricewaterhouse Coopers’ new headquarters showcases the benefits of using digital software such as parametric modelling

Parallel generator plants a cost effective solution

2nd December 2016 The parallel synchronisation of smaller generators to achieve the same power outputs as a single large generator offers significant cost-saving benefits to South African businesses that must manage continued grid power supply uncertainties, says generator manufacturer Maverick Generators MD... →

ALTERNATE POWER PLANTS Maverick Generator’s eight-unit parallel generator plant has proven to be a cost-effective back-up power solution for an agriculture company in Limpopo

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