Engineering News | Issue | Magazine Content

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September 27, 2024

CRITICAL SHUTDOWN

Big Lesotho-SA tunnel maintenance vital for water scheme’s integrity

Cover Story

Big Lesotho-SA tunnel maintenance vital for water scheme’s integrity

By: Natasha OdendaalA major water-transfer tunnel supplying Gauteng’s water and half of Lesotho’s electricity will be closed for six months for critical planned maintenance starting on October 1. The maintenance project, a complex undertaking planned years in advance by the Lesotho Highlands Development Agency... →

First Word

Why platinum prices are bad when demand is good must be transparently investigated

By: Martin CreamerWhen demand for a commodity is good, the price of that commodity is generally good – but not in the case of platinum. Every platinum mining company you speak to reports robust demand but pricing that is shrinking the industry. Why this is so needs to be thoroughly and transparently investigated.... →

News & Insight

Business calls for soul searching on Nedlac’s future amid big socioeconomic shifts

By: Terence CreamerWhile reaffirming its commitment to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), organised business has again questioned whether the structure’s current composition and functioning are “fit for purpose”. Delivering the business constituency’s report at this year’s summit, which... →

Demand for used cars streaks ahead, Asian newcomers big new-car winners

By: Irma VenterThe prolonged economic downturn experienced across multiple sectors in South Africa has resulted in markedly depressed sales in the new-car segment over the past 12 months, says finance group WesBank. Additionally, as consumers continue to seek more affordable mobility alternatives, a noticeable... →

East London port welcomes two new tugs as TNPA completes fleet renewal

By: Irma VenterThe Port of East London has taken ownership of two new tugboats, marking the end of Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA’s) R1-billion marine fleet renewal programme, aimed at boosting tugboat availability and, thus, enhancing shipping operations at its facilities. This renewal programme is... →

EIB, DBSA increase funding for private renewables projects to R11.9bn

By: Terence CreamerThe European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved another €100-million (R1.98-billion) loan in support of the Development Bank of Southern Africa’s (DBSA’s) Embedded Generation Investment Programme, which is supporting the development of private solar PV and wind projects in South Africa. The... →

Global mobile subscriptions topped 8.7bn in second quarter

By: Natasha OdendaalThe number of mobile subscriptions globally has reached nearly 8.7-billion, after 60-million subscriptions were added during the second quarter of this year, with global mobile subscription penetration now at 107%. According to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report second-quarter update, China... →

New pact to boost telecoms SMMEs

By: Natasha OdendaalDigital infrastructure and managed services provider Seacom and ICT SMME Chamber have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster the growth and development of small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) within the telecommunications sector. The MoU, which underscores the... →

R628m in EU grants for South Africa’s green hydrogen push

By: Terence CreamerThe EU has announced R628-million (€32-million) in grant funding to support the development of South Africa’s nascent green-hydrogen industry, as well as to facilitate net-zero-related investments across Transnet’s rail, port and pipeline operations, including to prepare them for the production... →

Ramokgopa to seek advice from team of experts before taking next nuclear steps

By: Terence CreamerElectricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is assembling a committee of experts to advise him on the role that nuclear could play in South Africa’s future supply before issuing a new Ministerial determination for the possible procurement of 2 500 MW of new nuclear capacity. He has... →

Sanral awards R1.4bn Eastern Cape contracts, R3.8bn pending

By: Irma VenterThe South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has awarded 12 road infrastructure contracts to the value of R1.4-billion in the Eastern Cape since the start of the 2024/25 financial year, with contracts worth an additional R3.8-billion expected to be awarded by the end of the year. The... →

South African MVNOs focus on lifestyle value and personalisation

By: Natasha OdendaalAs South Africa’s mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market braces for explosive growth, emerging players are moving beyond competing on price towards delivering clear, lifestyle-driven value propositions. This shift comes as the global MVNO subscriber base outpaced traditional mobile network... →

We all feel a lot better about South Africa, says construction group WBHO boss

By: Irma VenterWilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) is currently in “a good space”, says CEO Wolfgang Neff. “We all feel a whole lot better about South Africa.” →

Editorial Insight

Distribution deadlock

By: Terence CreamerFew would disagree that the current financial and operational model for electricity distribution is no longer fit for purpose. This lack of sustainability is reflected in the continual rise in the arrear debt owed to Eskom, which currently stands at about R80-billion. It can also be seen in the... →

Mining Weekly News

Chrome shipments below Maputo corridor capacity

By: Darren ParkerThe Maputo Corridor is being underused by chrome exporters, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) northeast corridor acting managing executive Mandisa Mondi has said. Speaking at the Critical Materials Conference: Ferroalloys 2024, in Johannesburg, on September 11, she challenged chrome producers to... →

Cluster mining model promising steady-state advantage for Copper 360

By: Martin CreamerConventional mining typically focuses on a single large operation. In contrast, what is unfolding on South Africa’s Northern Cape Copper Belt is the deployment of a cluster mining model, which embraces 12 opencast and underground mines that are being developed in a manner akin to artisanal... →

Development finance institutions are key architects of hydrogen economy – Nhleko

By: Martin CreamerDevelopment finance institutions (DFIs) are more than just financial supporters of the hydrogen economy, they are important architects of its future, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) chief economist Zeph Nhleko writes in an Op-Ed released on Monday. By mobilising capital, influencing... →

Cartoon

FISSION AGAIN

Business Leader

Chemicals & Petrochemicals

Tristan le Masne

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