Cement-maker PPC has started structuring its new broad-based black economic empowerment( B-BBEE) agreement after concluding subscription agreements for another B-BBEE deal announced in 2008, from which the firm received R1-billion in funding. The funding will be used to reduce the company’ s debt and fund capital expenditure, focusing on the introduction of a new clinker production line at its Slurry Kiln 9 Project, near Lichtenburg in the North West Province. The new production line will boost overall output to 5 500 tonnes per day. The company plans to announce its new B-BBEE deal in the first half of the year.
The Competition Commission has unconditionally approved Afrimat’ s acquisition of 60 % of Northern Cape based Diro Iron Ore and Diro Manganese at a cost of R276-million. Diro’ s operations were halted due to financial distress after it accumulated debt of approximately R483-million, although it still has a proven iron ore reserve of 5.6Mt that could be mined and upgraded through its existing beneficiation plants, as well as approximately 1.3Mt of sellable fine ore stockpiles. The Commission found that the proposed transaction is unlikely to substantially prevent or lessen competition in any market in South Africa, and is unlikely to raise any other public interest concerns.
Rockwell Automation will be hosting its Automation University Classic— a free, comprehensive two-day training programme— at Emperors Palace, Gauteng, on 17 – 18 May. The theme is‘ The connected enterprise— smart, productive, secure’. The programme is open to everyone interested in leading-edge automation solutions, and comprises over 50 hands-on laboratories, demonstrations, and presentations relating to Rockwell Automation products and services. Customers can tailor programmes to their needs, and industry experts will be conducting seminars for the mining, oil and gas, water and wastewater, consumer, and automotive industries. The event is open for registration and is currently undergoing validation through SAIEE for CPD credits.
New era for ready-mix concrete in SA
Sarma
The Southern Africa Readymix Association( Sarma) is gearing up for a new phase in the development of the industry. According to incoming chairperson Avi Bhoora, after a referendum held in mid- January, the decision was taken to consolidate all concrete
Avi Bhoora replaces Charl Marais( who resigned from the position at the end of 2016) as chairperson of Sarma. industry bodies. This resulted in Sarma’ s decision to withdraw from the joint office that it shared with the Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa( Aspasa).
Bhoora replaces previous chairperson Charl Marais, who resigned from the position at the end of 2016, while former Sarma general manager Johan van Wyk replaces Aspasa director Nico Pienaar as director of Sarma.
“ We thank Nico Pienaar and his team for their unstinting support, and congratulate Johan van Wyk for succeeding Nico as director of Sarma,” said Bhoora.“ The external environment has been harsh and this has affected business confidence and markets adversely. The management committee deliberated on the status of our industry at our strategic planning meeting held in mid-September 2016.
“ We concluded that Sarma currently represents approximately two-thirds of the industry, and we will need to embrace an even greater majority in future to avoid losing our identity and also to make a more meaningful contribution to the overall construction industry,” he added.“ We will also strive to derive a greater benefit from the consolidation of the concrete industry bodies.” Speaking of what the industry and the markets that the association supplies can expect in future, Bhoora mentioned an enhanced accreditation process for readymix concrete quality; a stronger lobby for having accredited ready-mix producers specified as exclusive suppliers of concrete; and more accredited training to uplift core skills within the industry.
He also stated that the association would be looking to emulate good practice from other successful industry associations in respect of statistics collection and dissemination, as well as conflict management. Examples include the establishment of an ombudsman, adoption of a
Sarma code of conduct, compliance, and consequence management.“ We pledge on behalf of the management committee that we will work tirelessly to realise the objectives of Sarma. However, it requires full support from all ready-mix suppliers to further improve the image of the ready-mix industry, as well as to move the industry to a new position of profitability and sustainability,” Bhoora concluded.
Former Sarma general manager Johan van Wyk replaces Nico Pienaar as director of Sarma.
4 _ QUARRY SA | March 2017