Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Business Pointers >> 17 - 31 July 2003
Vrystaat - Free State
Mechanised success for Target Gold Mine : It is reported that the Target Gold Mine between Welkom and Bothaville is the most advanced mechanised and technological gold mine in SA, utilizing only a tenth of the workforce needed to achieve outputs similar to those in other conventional goldmines. Efficiency levels at the new Target mine are best illustrated by comparing its output to that of the old Loraine gold mine adjoining it. Loraine needs 12 000 employees to produce 100 000 t a month, whereas Target needs only 1 200 to do the same tonnage. 90% of Target's 100 000 t is produced by bulk mechanised mining and only 10% by customary hand-held drilling in stopes.
Xhariep Distrik wankel : Volgens die pasgelewerde jaarverslag van die uitvoerende burgemeester van die Xhariep Distriksmunisipaliteit sal die munisipaliteit sonder eksterne finansiële hulp nie die mas opkom nie en word dit deur ontbinding in die gesig gestaar. Die distrik, wat die Mohokare-munisipaliteit (Smithfield en omgewing), Letsemeng (Koffiefontein en sustersdorpe) en Kopanong (Trompsburg en buurdorpe) insluit, dra van alvyf munisipale streeksdistrikte die minste by tot die bruto geografiese produk van die Vrystaat - R1,3 miljard oftewel 2,96%.
Sasol Solvents on export drive : The two Sasol Solvents plants for the manufacture of n-butanol and acrylic acid, currently being erected on the Midland site at Sasolburg, represent an investment of some $340 million. This is export-driven, with the company estimating that it will eventually export 80 - 90% of the n-butanol and 80% of the acrylate production volume. The decision to base the plants in Sasolburg was taken in the light of the pending conversion of the Sasol facilities from a coal-based to a gas-based plant in 2004 and resultant job losses.
Nationaal - National
Indiensneming in sektor neem af : In antwoord op 'n Parlementêre vraag, het Min. Alec Erwin syfers verskaf wat aantoon hoe indiensneming in talle formele sektore van die ekonomie afgeneem het. Ondanks 'n styging in die bydrae van die motorvervaardigingsbedryf tot die BBP van 1,5% in 1995 tot 1,8% in 2001, het indiensneming in die sektor in dieselfde tydperk van 80 045 to 77 583 afgeneem. Die bydrae van die landbou-, bosbou-en visbedrywe tot die BBP het van 3,9% in 1995 tot 4,9% in 2001 gestyg, maar indiensneming het van 853 100 tot 766 255 afgeneem. In die mynbedryf het indiensneming skerp van 594 407 in 1995 tot 407 997 in 2001 gedaal. Selfs in 'n groeisektor soos toerisme, waarvoor syfers vir die bydrae tot die BBP nie beskikbaar is nie, het indiensneming luidens min. Erwin se syfers van 46 629 in 1995 tot 33 041 in 2001 gedaal.
DTI new unit for manufacturing : The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has established a high-level competitiveness-strategy unit, comprising four chief directors, responsible for crafting a policy framework to guide the evolution of an advanced manufacturing economy in South Africa by 2014. The unit falls under the Enterprise and Industry Development Division (EIDD), which focuses on resource-based industries, such as technologies used in mining and agriculture; information and communication technologies; biotechnology, etc.
JSE alternative exchange : Small and medium sized companies will be listed on Africa's first alternative exchange, due to be launched in October this year by the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE). This market will have its own listing requirements while the JSE will be proactive in searching for unlisted companies. Directors of these companies will have to attend a director induction programme. DTI has made a three-year financial commitment to the alternative exchange.
Internasionaal - International
Large development projects in Mozambique : Considerable new development investments in Mozambique are being reported. The Mozambican government, backed by finance from the World Bank, has budgeted $100-million for infrastructure rehabilitation and development. South African companies in particular are being encouraged to get involved in supplying and servicing these projects, which include a national road and bridge reconstruction programme (worth R1 billion), construction of storage dams (R1,5 billion), the Limpopo railway (R500 million), school and hospital construction (R1 billion) and a national electrification programme (R3 billion). Meanwhile the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) plans to invest $70 million over the next three years to restore and modernise Maputo's harbour.
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