Chairman’s report
The construction industry
continues to be faced with
numerous challenges, mainly
focused around skills shortages.
Whilst various bodies are
approaching their challenges in different and often
independent ways, there is a need for a
concentrated and co-ordinated national effort
within the industry. We must also not underestimate
the funding requirements for this and this should
be borne by the Government, given the national
strategic importance of engineering to meet the
planned and necessary growth of the country.
Whilst much of this action focuses on long term
solutions, we need short-term actions that include:
The continuing pressurising of Government
into recognising the seriousness of the situation.
Reviewing existing Procurement Policies to
make the processes more efficient and to
avoid unnecessary wasted man-hours in
tendering.
Beginning the process of improving the
professional image of Engineers.
Recognising the generation gap and how we
can adapt strategies to attract the younger
generations.
Reviewing business strategies to improve
productivity (without reducing quality) and get
more out of current resource levels.
I believe that the engineering needs of the country
can be met only if we continue to work collectively
and avoid using the situation to meet other
agendas. As a Group, we have not only initiated
internal strategies to address these challenges,
but through participation in many regional and
national associations, are intending to influence
and accelerate solutions.
Clive Swaisland
Farewell to Bryan Pritchard
After having worked for 20 years
as Group Financial Director,
Bryan has reached the
compulsory retirement age of 65 years and will retire
at the end of July 2007. He will also be resigning as
a director of the B&A Group (Pty) Ltd.
Over the years Bryan has never been one to keep
his views to himself and particularly in attempting to
instill financial understanding in managers and
engineers. His philosophy of profit is not profit until
the cash is in the bank, has been well entrenched.
Bryan’s contributions to all aspects of our business
have been invaluable and he has been a key player
in our company restructuring and financial
management as the Group has grown over the years.
As a friend and also a business associate, I would
like to thank Bryan and his wife Annette, for their
contribution and support over these
20 years and wish Bryan well in
his deserved retirement.
All systems go for Somkele
The R100-million first phase of the new
Somkele Anthracite Mine, west of
Mtubatuba in KwaZulu-Natal is now
complete.
“
Phase one – the mining pit
T
his mine, which started production in May
2007, will process 40 000 tonnes/month for
the first six months and is expected to double
output by early next year,” says SBA’s project
director, Morrell Rosseau. “The mine will supply
anthracite for the metallurgical process industry
in South Africa and the surplus will be exported
for similar use, but may also be used for residential
heating overseas.”
Process plant and earthworks platform at the new Somkele Anthracite Mine in Mtubatuba.
The engineering team consisted of SBA consulting engineers and project managers for
the bulk earthwork and civil infrastructure and
Senet cc, responsible for the structural, mechanical
and electrical engineers associated with the
crushing and processing facilities
2
The project, which included strict environmental
and stormwater run-off controls, was nominated
for the SAICE Durban Branch technical excellence
award. Contact Morrell Rosseau –
[email protected]
The Somkele Anthracite mine project was nominated for the SAICE Durban Branch technical excellence
award, held at the ICC. At the function were representatives of SBA and Leomat, as well as Umgeni
Water and Moreland Developmen