Mia Breytenbach

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Mia Breytenbach

Mia Breytenbach is Deputy Editor: Features for Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Rockwell files for business rescue

28th April 2017 Dual-listed alluvial diamond miner Rockwell Diamonds has filed for business rescue, which will ensure any liquidation order is automatically stayed. This follows after a judge in Kimberley on March 23 issued an interim liquidation order against subsidiaries Rockwell Resources RSA, HC van Wyk... →

DAFF pledges support for a game changing NWU food and energy security project

26th April 2017 The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has pledged its support for the SUNfarming Food & Energy project at the North-West University (NWU), in Potchefstroom, in the North West province, which promotes the growing of and provides an opportunity to grow affordable and... →

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana and Faculty of Engineering Dean Prof LJ Grobler at the SUNfarming Food & Energy project

Blue Label appoints COO for South African operations

26th April 2017 JSE-listed Blue Label has appointed Wayne McCauley as COO of its South African operations. He will be responsible for developing, implementing and managing corporate and business strategies and will report to joint CEOs Mark and Brett Levy. “We welcome Wayne to our rapidly expanding South... →

Shanta reports higher Q1 production, improved margins

21st April 2017 Aim-listed Shanta Gold’s New Luika mine, in Tanzania, produced 20 416 oz of gold in the quarter ended March 31, improving the company’s margins and keeping it on track to meet its 2017 guidance. “Shanta had a promising start to the financial year with more ounces produced, at a greater margin... →

Africa’s largest scissor lift launched

21st April 2017 Mobile elevated work platform rental company Goscor Access Rental launched Africa’s largest scissor lift at its Montague Gardens facility, in Cape Town, last month. The HL-275 D27, manufactured by Netherland-based industrial equipment supplier Holland Lift, has the highest working height and... →

MEGA LIFTING The HL-275 D27 mega scissor lift has a 6.15 m 2.50 m deck, measuring 8.25 m 2.50 m when extended fully

Wind body questions unjustified constraints in power-mix base case

21st April 2017 The South African Wind Energy Association (Sawea) has rejected the current base case scenario used for the 2016 updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update for Electricity, calling for the scenario to be remodelled as a “least-cost energy plan” and re-issued for consultation. The public... →

Photo by Duane Daws
ARTIFICIAL CONSTRAINT The South African Wind Energy Association says the 2016 updated Integrated Resource Plan has unjustified artificial constraints on connection rates for wind and solar photovoltaic

Bushveld subsidiary, Chinese firm to build coal-fired power plant in Madagascar

21st April 2017 Aim-listed Bushveld Minerals subsidiary Lemur Resources has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese State-owned hydropower engineering and construction company Sinohydro Corporation to codevelop an initial 60 MW independent power producer (IPP) coal-fired power plant and an... →

Photo by Bloomberg
POWER SOURCE Lemur Resources’ mine in southern Madagascar is expected to supply coal to the Imaloto Independent power producer plan

Zambian mine in first-of-a-kind tailings dump site rehab, hopes to eventually produce biodiesel

21st April 2017 Zambia’s largest integrated copper producer, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), owned by global conglomerate Vedanta Resources, has launched the first project of its kind in Zambia to rehabilitate a mining site. The project, launched earlier this month, aims to cultivate elite Pongamia Pinnata trees for... →

CULTIVATION AIM Zambia Minister of Works and Supply Matthew Nkhuwa waters a Pongamia Pinnata tree as Konkola Copper Mines CEO Steven Din (middle) and other officials look on

Rockwell files for business rescue; will retain company operations in the interim

18th April 2017 Dual-listed alluvial diamond miner Rockwell Diamonds has filed for business rescue, which will ensure any liquidation order is automatically stayed. This follows after a judge in Kimberley on March 23 issued an interim liquidation order against subsidiaries Rockwell Resources RSA, HC van Wyk... →

Gem Diamonds appoints new chairperson

18th April 2017 Aim-listed Gem Diamonds has appointed Harry Kenyon-Slaney as its chairperson and an independent nonexecutive director, effective after June 6, succeeding Roger Davis, who will be stepping down. "I am delighted to be handing the chairmanship on to Kenyon-Slaney whose experience, knowledge and... →

CEO Harry Kenyon-Slaney

Exosun, Lesedi partnership to offer localised solar tracking solutions

14th April 2017 Global supplier of solar tracking solutions for ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) plants Exosun and South Africa-based engineering, procurement and construction company Lesedi Nuclear Services have entered into a partnership to provide localised solar tracking systems in South Africa. “Lesedi will... →

Photo by Exosun
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Lesedi Nuclear Services will ensure plant design, tracker manufacturing and installation of Exosun’s single-axis solar tracker

TVET students benefit from Euphoria, Saben partnership

14th April 2017 Local telecoms provider Euphoria Telecom announced that it had partnered with South African Broadband Education Networks (Saben) to offer affordable Voice over Internet Protocol to South African technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges and students. Saben is an initiative... →

GEORGE GOLDING For the education sector, reliable Internet means access to information for . . . teachers and students

Revised mine plan, updated reserves extend life of Tanzania gold mine

14th April 2017 East Africa-focused gold producer, developer and explorer Shanta Gold has announced a revised mine plan for its New Luika gold mine, in Tanzania, for January 2017 to December 2023, as well as an updated reserve plan for the mine. “The revised mine plan highlights the true prospectivity and future... →

Photo by Bloomberg
PRODUCTION INCREASE The revised mine plan is expected to result in a 39% increase in forecast gold production from 2017 to 2023, from 359 000 oz to 500 000 oz

Africa Climate Change Fund embraces new partner contributions

14th April 2017 The African Development Bank (AfDB) approved the conversion of the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) to a multidonor trust fund last month. This conversion brings two new partners to the fund, the governments of Italy and Flanders, Belgium, which are contributing €4.7-million and €2-million... →

Photo by Bloomberg
FINANCE MOBILISATION The Africa Climate Change Fund was established in April 2014 with a €4.725-million contribution from Germany to scale up climate smart development in African countries

Lesotho diamond mine poised to start commercial production in June

14th April 2017 Aim-listed diamond development company Firestone Diamonds expects its Liqhobong diamond mine, in Lesotho, to reach commercial production at the end of June. Commissioning of the mine started in October 2016, with mine construction completed on time and within the $185.4-million budget. In a... →

Photo by Firestone Diamonds
ATTAINABLE ACHIEVEMENT Nameplate capacity at the Liqhobong diamond mine has been achieved on multiple occasions and 402 440 t was treated up to December 31

Perseus makes positive start to 2017, as Edikan’s Q1 production rises 51% q/q

12th April 2017 Dual-listed gold miner Perseus Mining has made a positive start to 2017, with 48 655 oz of gold produced in the quarter ended March 31. Production for the quarter was 51% higher than that produced in the December 2016 quarter, with the Edikan mine, in Ghana, on track to achieve its production... →

Photo by Bloomberg
Perseus Mining CEO Jeff Quartermaine

Least-cost base case essential starting point for IRP process – Sawea

7th April 2017 The South African Wind Energy Association (Sawea) has rejected the current base case scenario used for the 2016 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update for Electricity, calling for the scenario to be remodelled as a “least-cost energy plan” and re-issued for consultation. The public participation... →

Local company partners with global software solutions major

7th April 2017 Provider of integrated project cost management software solutions Ares Project Management LLC, subsidiary of Ares Holding Company, and South Africa-based, multi-layered consulting company Infracon Consulting launched their strategic partnership last month. The aim of this partnership is to serve... →

SOFTWARE PROVISION Infracon Consulting will be able to sell and distribute Ares Prism, an enterprise project life-cycle management solution to manage the complete project life-cycle of capital projects

RBPlat to list R1.2bn unsecured convertible bonds, proceeds to fund Styldrift expansion ramp-up

5th April 2017 The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has granted platinum mining company Royal Bafokeng Platinum (RBPlat) approval for the listing of R1.2-billion 7% senior unsecured convertible bonds. The bonds will be listed on the main board of the JSE with effect from the start of business on April 20. →

Bushveld’s Lemur, Sinohydro to build coal-fired power plant in Madagascar

5th April 2017 Aim-listed Bushveld Minerals’ Lemur Resources subsidiary has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese State-owned hydropower engineering and construction company Sinohydro Corporation to codevelop an initial 60 MW independent power producer (IPP) coal-fired power plant and an... →

Bushveld Minerals moves closer to SMC acquisition as it supports BEE deal

28th March 2017 Aim-listed Bushveld Minerals has signed a a deed of settlement and undertaking (DSU) with Gingko Trading and Oakleaf Investments Holdings 115. Under the DSU, Bushveld will settle all demonstrable funding that Gingko advanced to Oakleaf 115, as part of its acquisition, as a participant in the... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Bushveld Minerals CEO Fortune Mojapelo

Firestone narrows H1 loss, says Liqhobong on track for commercial production in June

28th March 2017 Aim-listed Firestone Diamonds, which on Tuesday posted a $4.1-million loss before tax for the six months to December 31, expects its Liqhobong diamond mine, in Lesotho, to reach commercial production at the end of June. Commissioning of the mine started in October 2016, with the mine construction... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Firestone Diamonds CEO Stuart Brown

Revised mine plan, updated reserves extend life of Shanta’s New Luika mine

24th March 2017 Aim-listed Shanta Gold has announced a revised mine plan for its New Luika gold mine, in Tanzania, for January 2017 to December 2023, as well as an updated reserve plan for the mine. The revised mine plan is expected to result in a 39% increase in forecast gold production for 2017 to 2023, from... →

Exosun, Lesedi partner to offer localised solar tracking solutions in South Africa

23rd March 2017 Global supplier of solar tracking solutions for ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) plants Exosun and South Africa-based engineering, procurement and construction company Lesedi Nuclear Services have entered into a partnership to provide localised solar tracking systems in South Africa. “Lesedi will... →

Siemens on schedule to complete PRASA’s Gauteng signalling project in early 2020

25th November 2016 International engineering company Siemens is on track and aims to complete its project scope for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA’s) rail signalling system project in early 2020. Overall completion of Phases 1 and 2 of the Gauteng re-signalling project are at 83% and 33%... →

Logistics firm records 50% growth, driven by SA, South American mining sectors

25th November 2016 Logistics provider Dachser South Africa (SA) has, over the past three years seen a 50% increase in growth driven by the South African mining industry, as well as by growth in the South American mining industry, says MD Detlev Duve. “As there remain tremendous growth opportunities for logistics in... →

INTEGRATED LOGISTICS Dachser believes that digitalisation, integrated with logistics, will increase efficiency in the mining industry and shape it for the future

Regional demand grows for safety science company’s services

18th November 2016 Global independent safety science company UL says demand for its services in Southern Africa has increased by more than 25% year-on-year since the company established a local footprint in 2015. The company certifies, validates, tests, verifies and inspects manufactured products, as well as audits... →

New Hermanus Medical Village to open in January

11th November 2016 The increasing population of Hermanus and the surrounding Overberg area, as well as high demand for quality medical facilities, has prompted Cape Town-based commercial and industrial property brokers Annenberg Property Group to develop a multi-disciplinary, state-of-the art medical centre in... →

ENVISIONED HEALTHCARE The Hermanus Medical Village will include an oncology centre, a 20-bed subacute facility, the Hermanus Elderly Care Place frail care facility and a day hospital

New approach to deliver safe, efficient blasting and cost savings – AEL

11th November 2016 South African explosives manufacturer and distributor AEL Mining Services has launched IntelliBlast, a holistic and flexible approach to help clients on their unique journey to optimal blast outcomes using AEL’s differentiated products and services. IntelliBlast was launched at AEL’s Blasting... →

UNDERSCORED INTELLIGENCE IntelliBlast ensures delivery on desired blast outcomes and driving efficiencies, and optimise mining conditions

Metso raising awareness about advantages of its offerings

11th November 2016 By focusing on reducing costs and downtime for the mining industry, mining and industrial solutions provider Metso aims to raise awareness about the advantages of several of its offerings. This includes the newly developed protective Poly-Cer ceramic liner for its HP / MP range of crushers, the... →

POLY-CER CERAMIC LINER Comprises a wear ceramic that has been vulcanised into rubber, providing high resistance against abrasion

Caterpillar to invest $1bn in Africa over next five years

4th November 2016 US mining equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, its independent dealers and the Caterpillar Foundation are to invest $1-billion in business, education and training across Africa over the next five years, chairperson and CEO Doug Oberhelman announced at the US-Africa Business Forum in New York, last... →

Photo by Duane Daws
EMPOWERING AFRICA Since 2010, Caterpillar has invested about $50-million to support projects in Africa that improve the lives of those living in poverty

South African renewables IPP in financing deal with Japan’s Inabata

4th November 2016 Renewable energy independent power producer and energy consulting group Next Renewable Generation (NrG) has concluded a significant investment deal with large Japanese trading company Inabata to further fund the development of renewable energy projects in Africa. The investment deal, finalised in... →

GENERATION DEVELOPMENT Next Renewable Generation is currently involved in about 50 projects, which are in various stages of proposals and feasibility

As remanufacturing trend emerges worldwide, SA auto parts makers improve their capabilities

4th November 2016 With remanufacturing gaining traction worldwide, local companies in the automotive sector are improving their capabilities in this discipline, says auto-electrical and battery distribution company Probe CEO Frank Rovelli, who tells Engineering News that remanufacturing demand is increasingly... →

US miner using nanotechnology to recover gold

4th November 2016 US-based start-up gold producer New Gold Recovery (NGR) has started gold production at its Black Rock Canyon mine, in Nevada, in the US, using a proprietary gold recovery process applying nanotechnology that recovers in excess of 90% of gold particles. This is a remarkable improvement over... →

Photo by Bloomberg
REMARKABLE RECOVERY New Gold Recovery’s proprietary gold recovery process applies nanotechnology that recovers in excess of 90% of gold particles

Investing in climate resilience will be key to improving prospects for drought-prone farming sector

28th October 2016 With several weather institutions expressing cautious optimism that South Africa could receive normal, or even above-normal, rainfall towards mid-summer – that is between December and January – there is a degree of optimism that the embattled local agriculture sector could rebound in 2017. In... →

Voltage optimisation solution punted as way to cut energy costs

28th October 2016 A deal by South African energy efficiency specialists Rhino Lighting and Powerstar South Africa (SA) has signalled the nationwide roll-out of a globally patented Powerstar range of voltage optimisation systems for local industry, which has resulted in energy cost-savings of more than 25% in some... →

ENERGY SOLUTION The Powerstar range includes the energy storage system Virtue that can be integrated with any Powerstar Max or HV Max voltage optimisation system

Firm begins installing off-grid solar-charging stations in informal settlements

28th October 2016 Following the successful installation of its solar-powered charging station in the Mooiplaas informal settlement, in Centurion, renewable-energy supplier ePower Holdings are installing additional charging stations, with the latest stations to be installed in Shoshanguve, Gauteng, and in Zambia,... →

Investing in climate resilience will be key to improving prospects for drought-prone farming sector

28th October 2016 With several weather institutions expressing cautious optimism that South Africa could receive normal, or even above-normal, rainfall towards mid-summer – that is between December and January – there is a degree of optimism that the embattled local agriculture sector could rebound in 2017. In... →

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM Following weather reports of potential above normal rainfall, the agricultural industry seems optimistic for a better season

PTM to advance Waterberg project to feasibility, construction decision stage

28th October 2016 Having received positive results from an independent prefeasibility study (PFS) on the Waterberg platinum group metals (PGM) project, in Limpopo, TSX- and NYSE-listed Platinum Group Metals (PTM) plans to advance the project to the completion of a feasibility study (FS) and a construction... →

South African engineer’s geotechnical contribution recognised

21st October 2016 Multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy Gibb senior associate and geotechnical engineer Ron Tluczek has been recognised internationally for his contribution to the geotechnical engineering sector by being appointed as the vice-animateur for Working Group 2 Research at the International... →

RON TLUCZEK As a vice-animateur, my role entails the provision of leadership

New SADC body set up to strengthen groundwater management

21st October 2016 The Southern African Development Community Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI), a new organisation that will work within 15 SADC member States to collaboratively strengthen the management and development of groundwater for social and economic development in the region through the... →

Photo by Bloomberg
UNTAPPED RESOURCE Groundwater is the primary source of all water for about 70% of the inhabitants of the Southern African Development Community, yet only 1.5% is used

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