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Infrastructure News

Development finance agency highlights Africa’s infrastructure needs and opportunities

By: Rebecca Campbell 17th May 2024 The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), which exists to catalyse private-sector investment in African infrastructure, on Friday released its latest report, State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2024: The infrastructure imperative: Igniting Africa’s Industrial Renaissance. This found that the... →

George building collapse rescue, recovery operations wrapped up

By: Chanel de Bruyn 17th May 2024 Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell has confirmed that the rescue and recovery operation at the site of a building collapse, in George, has been concluded. More than 1 000 rescue, support and volunteer workers carried out the... →

The cleared site of a building collapse in George

Today’s well-supplied market for critical minerals ‘may not be a good guide for future’

By: Terence Creamer 17th May 2024 A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report describes the sharp decline in critical mineral prices over the past year as a double-edged sword, cautioning that, while it has been a boon for clean energy deployment and affordability, it is a bane for critical mineral investment and... →

Investment in certain minerals, notably copper and lithium, is falling short of what was required for transition to net-zero energy system

Boiler rebuild to be delivered to biomass power station

17th May 2024 Flow control solutions developer Valmet announced in April that it would deliver a major boiler rebuild to the Steven’s Croft biomass power station in Lockerbie, Scotland in the UK, which is operated by energy infrastructure operator E.ON. The order is included in Valmet’s orders received in the... →

The Steven’s Croft biomass power station in Lockerbie, Scotland in the UK

POWERFUL REVAMP The boiler build being undertaken by Valmet for the Steven’s Croft biomass power station will increase efficiencies and output

Solutions provider helps manage emissions reduction

By: Halima Frost 17th May 2024 As a company that delivers modern, efficient solutions for oil and gas burner and boiler installations, Combustion Technology prides itself on its continuous carbon reduction cognisance, both for its own operations and for those of its clients, says Combustion Technology MD Grant Renecle. He... →

A man in a R&D workshop working on Boiler monitoring technologies

WORKING HARD The new Mini MK9 developed by Autoflame and distributed locally by Combustion Technology it can trim the air/fuel ratio of a client's operation by monitoring the actual flame itself

Concor’s Msikaba bridge progresses to highly technical phases

By: Irma Venter 16th May 2024 Construction at the Msikaba Bridge on the N2 in the Eastern Cape is set to move up a gear this year, with a number of challenging technical activities to be tackled. According to contractor Concor, these include post-tensioning the anchor blocks, installing pylon inserts and building the ladder... →

Opinion: Time to open the floodgates on infrastructure development

16th May 2024 In this article, Stellenbosch University PhD student and Centre for Sustainability Transitions junior researcher Alboricah Rathupetsane writes about the impact of extreme weather events on South Africa's infrastructure and the need for increased investment in infrastructure development, as well... →

Alboricah Rathupetsane

Rescue workers searching two remaining sections at George building collapse

By: Creamer Media Reporter 16th May 2024 The George municipality says about 2 500 t of building rubble has been removed from the site of the collapsed building in the town, which has so far claimed the lives of 33 people. About 500 t of rubble remains on site, as rescuers near day ten of rescue and recovery efforts →

Rescue and recovery efforts continue at the site of a building collapse in George

Forensic pathologists identify 18 of the 33 deceased in George building collapse

By: Creamer Media Reporter 15th May 2024 Forensic Pathology Services have, as at 06:00 on May 15, identified 18 of the workers killed in the collapse of a partially built residential building in George. The death toll has reached 33, while 19 people are still unaccounted for eight days after the building's collapse. →

Rescue efforts under way at a building collapse site in George, in the Western Cape

Pathology services seek to expedite identification as George building collapse death toll reaches 32

By: Creamer Media Reporter 14th May 2024 Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) and the South African Police Service are planning to expedite the identification of persons killed in a building collapse in George, in the Western Cape, with only six of the 32 deceased persons identified thus far. Eighty-one people were working on site on the... →

Rubble being removed at the site of a building collapse in George

Death toll in George building collapse rises to 27

By: Creamer Media Reporter 13th May 2024 The George municipality has reported that, as at 15:00 on May 13, 25 people still remain unaccounted for following last week's building collapse. The death toll has risen to 27, while 13 people remain in hospital. →

The site of the building collapse in George

Contractors, sub-contractors battling as late payments accelerate – MBA North

By: Irma Venter 13th May 2024 The construction industry value-chain is at risk of collapsing as shrinking margins, unfair practices and payment issues continue to undermine the sector. This is according to members of the Master Builders Association (MBA) North, who warn that “urgent dialogue and change” are needed to address... →

Raubex sees 28% bounce in its order book despite challenging environment

By: Irma Venter 13th May 2024 Raubex saw a 28% jump in its order book for the financial year ended February 29, to R25.55-billion, compared with R20-billion in the previous financial year. “This is testimony to our diversified business model,” said CEO Felicia Msiza on Monday as the group released its financial results. →

Felicia Msiza

AFC-led consortium financing large-scale road infrastructure development in Angola

By: Rebecca Campbell 10th May 2024 The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) announced on Friday the signing of a €381.5-million financing package for road transport infrastructure development in Angola. The AFC, founded in 2007, serves to catalyse private sector-led infrastructure development across Africa. This latest financing... →

George building collapse death toll rises to 12

By: Creamer Media Reporter 10th May 2024 The George municipality has confirmed that three more bodies have been retrieved from the site of a collapsed building, taking the death toll to 12. Eighty-one people were on-site at the time of the building's collapse on Monday afternoon. By Friday, 41 people were still unaccounted for. Thirteen... →

A sniffer dog helping to search for survivors

Tunnel section installed emissions-free using battery power

10th May 2024 A standard skidding operation evolved into an opportunity for heavy lifting solutions provider Mammoet to showcase its ability to reduce the carbon footprint of civil projects while minimising disruption. Mammoet was tasked by multidisciplinary infrastructure company Stadsbader Contractors to... →

UNDER PRESSURE Mammoet was tasked to lift and skid an 850 t concrete tunnel section 40 m beneath railway lines in Belgium

Organisers expect record attendance at event

By: Halima Frost 10th May 2024 With ballooning foot traffic, demonstrated by an increase in attendance of 81% from 2022 to 2023, the organisers of this year’s Enlit Africa anticipate a “bumper event that will be attended by global dignitaries and industry leaders”. The Enlit Africa 2024 will be held at the Cape Town... →

A man standing on a podium at last years Enlit Africa Event

TAKING TO THE FUTURE This years Enlit Africa theme – Less Talk, More Action – aims to encourage attendees and speakers to move away from talk in favour of action and implementatio

Conditions still challenging, but contractors report noticeable uptick – MBA North

By: Irma Venter 10th May 2024 Last year was one of the most challenging years the Master Builders Association (MBA) North has ever experienced, with many of its long-standing members entering business rescue or closing their doors, says MBA North executive director Mohau Mphomela. The 120-year-old employers’ body serves the... →

Deadline for latest battery procurement also extended as IPPs adjust to Eskom’s new grid access rules

By: Terence Creamer 9th May 2024 The deadline for South Africa’s recently launched third battery energy storage bidding round, or bid window three (BW3), has been extended by three months to October 31, following a recent deadline extension for the concurrent second battery bidding round from April 30 to June 6. Independent... →

Underspending on repairs, maintenance impacting on Joburg infrastructure – JoburgCAN

By: Sabrina Jardim 9th May 2024 Following a decade of underspending on repairs and maintenance on infrastructure, JoburgCAN, an initiative of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), says it is “gravely concerned” over the budget allocations for the maintenance of fixed assets in the City of Johannesburg’s draft budget for... →

Hope fades for 44 trapped in collapsed South Africa building

By: Reuters 9th May 2024 Relatives of 44 construction workers trapped under a collapsed building in the South African city of George faced a fourth day of anguished waiting on Thursday as heavy machinery worked at the site in a race against time to find any survivors. Of 81 people who were on site when the five-storey... →

TPT to continue to invest in Durban Pier 2 while legal spat over private partner plays out

By: Terence Creamer 8th May 2024 South Africa’s Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) says it will continue to invest in Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 while legal proceedings around its selection of International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), of the Philippines, for a 25-year partnership at what is South Africa’s largest... →

Port of Durban container operations

Engineering organisations, labour dept urge patience as cause of George building collapse awaits determination

By: Schalk Burger 8th May 2024 Civil engineering and construction industry organisations the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (Saice), Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) and Master Builders South Africa (MBSA) have urged patience to allow for investigations into the cause of the building collapse in... →

Photo by Reuters
A rescue worker and his dog search for survivors of the building collapse

NamPower grid-strengthening and battery storage project secures $138.5m World Bank backing

By: Terence Creamer 7th May 2024 The World Bank has approved a $138.5-million finance package to support the integration of renewable energy into Namibia’s electricity system by strengthening its transmission grid and integrating a second utility scale battery storage system into the country’s network. The initiative, which is... →

Dozens trapped in building collapse in South Africa

By: Reuters 7th May 2024 Rescuers searched through the debris of a multi-storey building collapse in the South African city of George that left four people dead and dozens still trapped early on Tuesday. Twenty-four construction workers who were at the site of the unfinished building when it collapsed have been removed... →

Rescue workers at the site of a building collapse in George, in the Western Cape

WBHO completes two solar plants, impactful community initiatives in Lichtenburg

By: Marleny Arnoldi 3rd May 2024 Construction group Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) and renewable energy company Sola Group have completed construction of the Merak 2 & 3 solar photovoltaic projects near Lichtenburg, in North West. The two solar plants, with capacities of 130 MW and 126 MW, respectively, span an area of 4 km2... →

WBHO and Sola Group's Merak 2 & 3 solar plants

AMSA expects to break ground on Vanderbijlpark’s 200 MW solar plant this year

By: Darren Parker 2nd May 2024 Steelmaker ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) is planning to start construction on a 200 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant at its Vanderbijlpark facility, in Gauteng, towards the end of the year, CEO Kobus Verster has told Engineering News. He explained that the installation would serve as... →

AMSA's Vanderbijl Park facility with open ground in the foreground

The ample open ground at AMSA's Vanderbijl Park facility will be used to build a 200 MW solar power plant

City Power seeks funding, manufacturing partners for informal settlement ‘energy box’

By: Terence Creamer 30th April 2024 Johannesburg’s City Power is seeking manufacturing and venture capital partners to further develop and pilot a rugged ‘energy box’ concept in one of the city’s 312 informal settlements as a possible greener and safer alternative to the illegal connections that currently predominate. Chief... →

Photo by Bloomberg
Joburg has 312 informal settlements where illegal connections pose an electrocution risk

Rand Refinery donates R2m to seven Gauteng schools

By: Sabrina Jardim 29th April 2024 As part of its commitment to education, precious metals refiner Rand Refinery has donated R2-million to seven primary and secondary schools in Gauteng. The company says this donation will be allocated towards refurbishments at, and procurement of modern educational tools by, the selected schools. →

Standard Bank mobilises debt fund to support sustainable infrastructure in Africa

By: Sabrina Jardim 26th April 2024 Financial services firm Standard Bank has committed to Acre Impact Capital’s Export Finance Fund I to support the financing of sustainable projects in Africa. Acre Impact Capital manages Export Finance Fund I, which seeks to invest in climate-aligned and sustainable infrastructure projects in... →

Sanitation solution developed for underserved communities, schools

By: Simone Liedtke 26th April 2024 The introduction of the Enviro Loo Clear Non-Sewered Sanitation System (NSSS) marks a substantial advance in addressing pressing issues of sanitation and water scarcity, says sanitation service provider Enviro Loo COO Mark La Trobe. The self-sustaining, flushing toilet system that recycles 100%... →

NON-SEWERED SANITATION SYSTEM The self-sustaining, flushing toilet system that recycles 100% of used water targets underserved communities, and is environmentally sustainable and practical for widespread implementation

PRASA partially restores five more railway corridors

By: Irma Venter 26th April 2024 The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says it has restored another five Metrorail corridors across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. These rail services were interrupted by Covid-19, vandalism, crime and poor maintenance practices under previous management teams. →

Can South Africa turn around 30 years of real economy underperformance?

By: Terence Creamer 26th April 2024 In this essay, Terence Creamer reflects on the factors that have shaped South Africa’s real-economy sectors of manufacturing, mining and agriculture over the past 30 years and considers ways to end the economy’s persistent underperformance →

Plastic pipes key to modernisation

By: Simone Liedtke 26th April 2024 To address the challenges of water scarcity, sanitation inadequacies and the need for efficient waste management there is ongoing reassessment of the materials and technologies used in infrastructure projects, says industry association Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association... →

PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE Given the pressing need for reliable and efficient sewer systems, the selection of materials for pipelines is of paramount importance

Task team established to enhance service delivery

By: Simone Liedtke 26th April 2024 In response to the concerning findings of the Blue, Green and No Drop reports, which highlight a nationwide decline in the quality of water services, government has established a task team dedicated to enhancing service delivery across various municipalities. The task team will aim to reverse the... →

SIGNIFICANT INCREASE
The 2023 Blue Drop report highlighted that the proportion of water supply systems failing to meet minimum microbiological water-quality standards increased significantly

Photo by Adobe Stock
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE The 2023 Blue Drop report highlighted that the proportion of water supply systems failing to meet minimum microbiological water-quality standards increased significantly

NGO unpacks poor quality of S Africa’s wastewater systems

By: Simone Liedtke 26th April 2024 Nongovernmental organisation (NGO) AfriForum’s latest blue and green drop report notes that 81% of sewage wastewater treatment works (SWWTWs) fail to meet minimum standards, which the NGO says endangers water sources nationwide, including those that supply drinking water to communities. This dire... →

FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE
AfriForum’s latest blue and green drop report notes that 81% of sewage wastewater treatment works fail to meet minimum standards, endangers water sources nationwide

Photo by Adobe Stock
FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE AfriForum’s latest blue and green drop report notes that 81% of sewage wastewater treatment works fail to meet minimum standards, endangers water sources nationwide

Jetting units used proactively in maintenance

By: Simone Liedtke 26th April 2024 Severe flooding events along South Africa’s coastal regions have underscored the crucial role of resilient infrastructure in managing excessive rainfall, says pumps supplier Werner Pumps, which has committed to delivering 50 custom-built vehicles, at five vehicles a month, to a municipality in... →

ENHANCED MAINTENANCE The truck-mounted jetting units enhance the capability to efficiently clear stormwater drains and sewerage systems

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