Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Business Pointers >> July 2004
• First acrylic project in SA at Sasolburg: South Africa's first acrylic acids and acrylates (AAA) complex, based at Sasolburg, has begun production in the first half of 2004. It is a 50:50 joint venture between Sasol and its Japanese chemicals partner Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) - the first plant of its kind outside Japan which MCC has invested in. Only 16 companies worldwide produce acrylic and acrylates, but with a current global demand of 2,7 million tons of acrylic acids per year and still growing, the opportunities for SDA are considered to be boundless.
• Harmony leapfrogs: It has been announced that Harmony Gold Mining is implementing organic growth projects to the tune of billions of rand that will not only create thousands of jobs, but also substantially increase the company's output. The five projects include Doornkop and Elandsrand (on the western portion of the Witwatersrand Basin) and Tshepong, Phakisa and Masimong (in the Free State). These projects, plus the two mines that Harmony will be building in Papua New Guinea, will add some 2,5 million ounces to Harmony's profile by 2008. Of this figure, 1,1 million ounces a year will be replacement ounces, which leaves Harmony Mining with a nett growth of at least a million ounces over the next five to six years, reflecting organic growth as opposed to acquisition growth.
• Diamantmyn naby Kroonstad heropen dalk: Daar is 'n moontlikheid dat die Voorspoed Diamantmyn naby Kroonstad teen 2007 dalk weer in produksie gestel kan word, wat 'n hupstoot vir die ekonomie van die dorp en omgewing kan beteken. Tydens 'n onlangse inligtingsessie en openbare vergadering was die algemene gevoel positief, maar sommige boere het voorbehoude oor veral die watersituasie geopper. 'n Verteenwoordiger van die betrokke konsultante, Metago omgewingsingenieurs, sê na skatting sal R1 miljard bestee word voordat die myn waarskynlik in 2007 heropen. 'n Uitvoerbaarheidstudie van die oopgroefmyn sal tot Februarie 2005 gedoen word, 'n omgewingsimpakstudie vanaf April tot November 2005 en 'n gedetailleerde ontwerp van die myn vanaf Mei tot Augustus 2005. Konstruksiewerk word beplan vanaf Augustus 2005 tot Julie 2007, met die heropening geskeduleer vir Maart 2007. Sowat 300 mense sal aanvanklik in diens geneem word, maar dié syfer kan oor 'n tydperk, afhangende van skofte wat gewerk word, tot 1 000 werknemers opgestoot word. Die Voorspoed-diamantmyn was van 1906 tot 1912 in bedryf.
• Selfs begrafnisondernemers beroof: Na berig word, is verskeie begrafnisondernemers op die Vrystaatse Goudveld die afgelope tyd langs grafte van hul toerusting beroof. Minstens sewe masjiene wat gebruik word om kiste in grafte te laat sak, is die afgelope drie maande by net een ondernemer in die Goudveld gebuit. Werkers word by die grafte oorval en met vuurwapens in die grafte ingedwing, waarna dié toerusting geroof word. Ondernemers in Welkom sê hulle het al van hul eie toerusting herken terwyl dit in begraafplase deur ander minder bekende ondernemers gebruik word. Verskeie verdagtes is in hegtenis geneem. Volgens Avbob in Welkom het hulle die afgelope drie maande reeds sewe keer toerusting aan rowers afgestaan. Dié masjiene moes elke keer teen R25 000 elk vervang word. In die jongste rooftog is selfs die matte om die oop graf gebuit.
• BEE deals rocketed in 2003: According to the latest Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) annual compiled by Ernst & Young, the value of black economic empowerment deals in South Africa more than trebled in 2003 compared to the preceding year. According to the report, 189 black economic empowerment (BEE) deals worth R42,2 billion were concluded in South Africa in 2003, compared to 104 deals totalling R12,4 billion in 2002. The headline deal of 2003 was the African Rainbow Minerals and Exploration Investments / Harmony / Avmin deal, worth R10,6 billion. Also in the resources sector, in June 2003 Tokyo Sexwale's Mvelaphanda acquired a 15% stake in Gold Fields for R4,2 billion. Meanwhile in 2004 the BEE pace is reportedly picking up even further towards new record heights at year's end.
• New HQ for dti: Construction of the new head office of the Dept. of Trade & Industry (dti) in Pretoria is nearing completion and is in a process of being occupied by officials. The campus-style development, with an interior open-plan lay-out and a true African character, is said to foster a working experience encouraging interaction, openness and efficiency. Total project cost is R450 million, raised from a public-private partnership, covering 44 000m² floor space of eight separate buildings, able to accommodate 2 200 officials and parking for 1 500 vehicles and eventually expected to handle 5 000 visitors per day.
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