Новости за 07.05.2021

Power utility Eskom has placed a senior manager in its coal procurement division on preliminary suspension, citing alleged corruption. This follows a whistle-blower tip-off to Eskom.

Pan-African multilateral trade finance institution the Africa Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has approved a R28-million project preparation facility for titanium dioxide pigment manufacturer Nyanza Light Metals, which is based in the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ). Afreximbank has also been appointed the mandated lead arranger to arrange the R4.5-billion needed for the construction of Nyanza's operations at the RBIDZ.

Asset manager Mergence has increased its shareholding of the two Ejuva renewable energy projects, in Gobabis, Namibia, from 17% to a majority stake of 66%. It acquired the 49% interest previously held by co-developer and initial part-financier energy engineering company CIGenCo.

State-owned Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is developing the Cargo Connect app, which will serve as a digital marketplace for logistics services in South Africa. The app will increase the logistics’ network visibility and benefit customers and the broader supply chain. Some of the app's features include improved and expanded user benefits, such as real-time container statuses with information on whether loaded, discharged, released or allocated.

The Ingula Nature Reserve, created to conserve the unique wetland and high altitude grassland area that hosts State-owned power utility Eskom’s Ingula pumped storage scheme, has been included in the International Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, which is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. The addition of the wetland to the list is the culmination of many years of hard work by Eskom and its partners BirdLife South Africa and the Middelpunt Wetland Trust.

Precinct-focused and retail-centered real estate investment trust Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) continues to successfully weather the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, building on the basis of strong property fundamentals, as it continues to derive value in the current economic conditions from its operational strategy focused on asset management. In a statement on May 7, L2D CE Amelia Beattie said the company remained focused on “the new ABC of rebuilding for growth strategy and specifically on responding with agility... Читать дальше...

Industry organisation the Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (Memsa) has appointed Lehlohonolo Amos Molloyi CEO and programmes manager. He plans to maximise the industry body's impact through advocacy and partnership to support localisation, transformation, technology development and skills development in support of a vibrant and growing South African mining supply chain serving domestic and export markets.

The US administration’s announcement this week of support to waive intellectual property (IP) protections for Covid-19 vaccines is a positive step to overcoming legal and other barriers to increasing Covid-19 healthcare access; however, much more needs to be done and pressure by civil society needs to be maintained. This was indicated by speakers during a webinar on May 7, held by organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Southern Africa, the Health Justice Initiative and Section27.

Packaging company Tetra Pak South Africa (SA) has welcomed the Section 18 regulations relating to extended producer responsibility (EPR) in the National Environmental Management: Waste Act. Existing producers can register with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, before the regulations are implemented from November.

Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about increasing calls for reforms to the Electricity Regulation Act that will truly unlock new private capacity.

Automotive multinational BMW Group South Africa (BMW SA) has handed over a 150-bed overflow facility, at Bronkhorstspruit Hospital, which will benefit nine hospitals and four clinics. The facility forms part of a long-term and sustainable R76-million investment in creating more than 800 beds in nine hospitals and four community health clinics, including Phedisong, the Soshanguve Multi-Purpose Centre, Kgabo CHC and KT Motubatse, as well as two Covid-19 screening and testing centres, the company says.

Renowned French aerospace group Dassault Aviation on Thursday announced its latest aircraft design, the Falcon 10X business (or executive) jet. Dassault specialises in advanced fighter aircraft (its current production type is the Rafale multirole fighter) and business jets, but is also active in the uncrewed aerial vehicle and space sectors. “[W]e are introducing a new benchmark in business aviation,” affirmed Dassault Chairperson and CEO Eric Trappier. “The Falcon 10X will offer an unrivalled passenger... Читать дальше...

A dry scrubber system designed, manufactured and installed by local environmental management engineering company Ecor Cleaning at acrylic sheet producer Röhm Africa's plant in Elandsfontein, south-east of Johannesburg, has reduced the plant's emissions to well below its air emission licence requirement of 150 mg/m3. Röhm Africa saw demand for its products rise drastically as the need for protective measures to minimise the spread of Covid-19 led companies to install clear sheets in buildings or provide protective headgear to protect workers... Читать дальше...

The latest TransUnion South Africa Vehicle Pricing Index (VPI) reveals some bad news for prospective car buyers: new-vehicle prices rose by almost three times the current inflation rate in the first quarter of the year and are expected to continue increasing in coming months.  At the same time, the prices of used vehicles increased in real terms for the first time since 2010, which suggests ongoing hardship for consumers.

President Cyril Ramaphosa told the National Assembly of Parliament that government's plans to guide South Africa on the path to economic recovery will not succeed unless the Port of Durban is restored to its former glory. Ramaphosa was replying orally to questions from Members of Parliament on Thursday afternoon. His replies at the hybrid plenary come a few weeks after Ramaphosa conducted a site visit to the KwaZulu-Natal port in April.

On Thursday, the US shocked many by announcing that it would support a temporary patent waiver on Covid-19 vaccines. Currently, only pharmaceutical companies that own the patents for the vaccines are allowed to manufacture the jabs. But lifting the patent rights means that they will lose this exclusive right. Their vaccine formulas can then be used by other parties to manufacture generic versions of these vaccines, without fear that they will be sued.

A video round up of this week’s magazine, highlighting our cover story, features and Business Leader.

Local recycling skills development nongovernmental organisation (NGO) The Appliance Bank (TAB) has partnered with global recycling initiative Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) in a project that aims to create economic opportunities while ensuring workable and safe solutions for the management of e-waste. TAB will create training materials to support the collaboration and help scale the intended impact of the SRI initiative in South Africa. The pilot project is kicking off in iLembe, KwaZulu-Natal... Читать дальше...

Wood-based panel products manufacturer PG Bison has received approval from parent company KAP Industrial Holdings for the purchase of a new melamine-faced board (MFB) press and an additional hot coating line. The MFB press and hot coating line will be located at its Boksburg site, in Gauteng, and will be installed alongside the existing production lines without any disruption to current capacity.