Standard Bank says it has been appointed the new chair of the Equator Principles Association for 2015/16, making it the first African bank to be elected to this position. According to the pan-African bank, the appointment, which takes effect on the 1st June 2015, comes at a critical juncture in the integration of environmental and social considerations within business as a component of responsible investing. Standard Bank’s Executive & Head of Environmental and Social Advisory within Investment Banking, Nigel Beck, will be the bank’s lead representative and chair. Beck says that while the world is aware there is a need…
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Outotec says it has won an order from Bafgh Mineral Complex Iron and Steel Industry Company (B-MISCO) for the design and delivery of technology and services for a new iron ore pelletizing plant in Bafgh, Yazd Province, Iran. The parties have agreed to not disclose the contract value, but typically such plant solutions are valued EUR 80 – 100 million, depending on scope and specification. Less than EUR 10 million has been booked in Outotec’s second quarter of 2015 order intake, and the revenues will be recognized gradually during 2015-2018. The new 5 million tonnes per annum pellet plant is…
Registration for the Electra Mining Botswana 2015 has commenced, the organisers of the three day event have confirmed. The fist expo was held in Botswana in 2013 and it was seen as a major success by stakeholders. The expo offers an opportunity to showcase current and developing technology, new products, equipment and machinery, and the latest systems and services. According to the organisers, the show is strategically developed to be a ‘one stop’ trade event, and is expected to attract a higher numbers of visitors including high quality decision makers in all areas of mining, industrial, construction, power generation and…
Anglo American plc has announced changes to its leadership structure in South Africa following a detailed governance review. The diversified mining group said the reorganisation of the Board of Anglo American South Africa (“AASA”) would bring greater effectiveness and alignment across the Group’s diversified mining businesses in South Africa. Anglo said following Michael Spicer’s decision to retire as Chairman of the AASA Board, Mark Cutifani, Chief Executive of Anglo American, will assume the role of the Chairman. Mark’s appointment will enhance the strength of the AASA Board and he will lead the Group’s engagement with key stakeholders in South Africa.…
A total of seven leading international diamond mining companies have committed to form the Diamond Producers Association (DPA). The founding members are ALROSA, De Beers, Rio Tinto, Dominion Diamond Corporation, Lucara Diamond Corporation, Petra Diamonds Ltd, and Gem Diamonds Ltd. These companies have pledged to work together in a bid to support the development of the diamond sector. The DPA is the first ever international representative organisation to be formed by some of the leading diamond producers, with a corporate registration in London, England. According to a statement, the DPA’s remit will include: maintaining and enhancing consumer demand for and…
MICROmega Holdings says it has purchased Aspirata, formerly a subsidiary of Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd. The Centurion-based Aspirata will complement and enhance the risk management, training, consulting and auditing services currently provided by NOSA, a leading global supplier of occupational risk management services and solutions and a subsidiary of MICROmega. Aspirata, which conducts nearly 1,700 real-time, web-based and computerised audits a month, operates extensively in the food safety and microbiological laboratory testing sectors. “These services will dovetail perfectly with those of NOSA, which currently does not provide training or auditing in these areas,” NOSA Global Holdings CEO, Duncan Carlisle…
APR Energy says it has signed a contract with the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), the national electric utility, to provide 35MW of new power generation for a two-year term. The company said it will install and operate the fast-track, turnkey power plant adjacent to BPC’s existing 70MW generating facility outside of Francistown, Botswana’s second-largest city. APR Energy expects to commission the plant in the third quarter of 2015. The power plant will feature diesel power modules that have been redeployed from APR Energy’s former project in Libya. The contract builds on a relationship that began in 2009 when APR Energy…
Barrick Gold Corporation has announced that it has formed a strategic partnership with leading Chinese mining company, Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd (Zijin). The company said as a first step, Zijin would acquire 50 percent of Barrick (Niugini) Limited (BNL), the company which owns 95 percent of and manages the Porgera Joint Venture gold mine in Papua New Guinea. In addition, Barrick and Zijin have signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement which outlines the intent of both companies to collaborate on future projects and joint investments, leveraging the strengths of each company. “A twenty-first century mining company with global reach…
The European Journalism Centre (EJC) has announced the winners of the fifth round of the Innovation in Development Reporting (IDR) Grant Programme. EJC said 14 projects will be awarded a combined total of more than 250.000 euros in funding to advance development reporting and bring the public innovative journalistic storytelling around global development topics. The final winners were selected at a meeting of the IDR Grant Programme Advisory Council, consisting of senior international journalists. The projects that have been identified to be eligible for funding will be greenlighted upon signature of a legal contract. The awarded projects have received endorsement…
Botswana’s two top travellers and photographers, Thalefang Charles of Mmegi newspaper and Pako Lesejane of Botswana Guardian would embark on an adventurous water trail expedition across the Okavango Delta from Shakawe to Maun using mekoro (dugout canoes). The trip, dubbed “Cross Okavango Delta Expedition” starts on May 30 to and will end on June 16, 2015. The expedition is supported by the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO). “This expedition will tell the story the (of) Okavango Delta to Batswana and the rest of the world through the eyes of young Batswana adventures.” According to a brief on the expedition, Charles and…