Coface report highlights strain on SA's growth

The Coface Group, a worldwide leader in credit insurance, has released its latest report on South African growth prospects, taking into account the mining and export slumps. Overall, economic activity remains generally sluggish while upside risks to inflation have increased due to a weaker rand. Coface believes that this will persuade the Monetary Policy Committee to keep policy neutral over an extended period, with interest rates remaining unchanged for most of 2013. A reversal in policy easing is likely only late in the year or even in 2014. 15 May 2013 14:50

Another rare blue diamond found

[Lucille Davie] A rare 25.5 carat blue diamond was found at the Cullinan Mine, the third biggest diamond producer in South Africa, last month. Blue diamonds are among the rarest and most highly coveted of all diamonds and the Cullinan mine is the most important source of blues in the world, according to Petra Diamonds, the company that owns the mine. 13 May 2013 11:25

What's happening with SA port tariffs?

The deadline of 31 May for public comment on the new five-year plan for restructuring SA's port tariffs from 2014 is looming fast with just a week to go. 24 May 2013 10:25

Plans to improve UIF benefits for workers

[Linda Ensor] There was scope for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), which has R82bn in accumulated assets‚ to improve the benefits for workers‚ the UIF commissioner Boas Seruwe said on Thursday (23 May). 24 May 2013 11:27

PPS shows confidence levels rising

SA's graduate professionals felt more confident of the country's prospects in the first quarter of this year‚ according to the latest PPS Graduate Professionals Confidence Index released on Thursday (23 May). 24 May 2013 11:10

Mining and Biodiversity Guideline needs urgent implementation - WWF-SA

The minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, and the minister of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu, have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring biodiversity is duly considered by the mining industry. The signing of the Mining and Biodiversity Guideline by the ministers on 22 May 2013 is encouraging to the WWF South Africa (WWF-SA). 24 May 2013 09:13

Government to grab Zimplat's land

HARARE, ZIMBABWE: The Zimbabwe government vowed on Wednesday (22 May) it would not roll back on plans to seize 28,000 hectares of land leased to a local subsidiary of the platinum-mining giant Impala Platinum. 23 May 2013 10:56

Reunert to curb costs as profits fall

Electronics group Reunert will continue to focus on "rigorous cost control and act with prudence" over the next six months‚ it said on Tuesday (21 May) when its results for the six months to March were released. 22 May 2013 10:56

Steel production down by 15.1%

[Helmo Preuss] South African steel production fell by 15.1% year-on-year (y/y) in April to an estimated 570‚000 tons after dropping by 16.6% y/y in February to 515‚000 tons‚ according to World Steel Association data. 22 May 2013 09:14

Uncertainty over jobs losses at Becsa

[Mpho Sibanyoni] Mixed information is trickling out in relation to the number of people that BHP Billiton Energy Coal SA (Becsa) plans to retrench in South Africa. 22 May 2013 09:29

Get off the roads, use trains

South Africa needs to increase its use of rail freight to boost economic growth and preserve the country's roads, deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe said in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, on Monday (20 May). 21 May 2013 09:30

Barloworld's share earnings up 31%

[Mark Allix] Barloworld‚ a diversified industrial group‚ saw revenue rise 11%‚ operating profit increase 14% and headline earnings per share shoot up 31% for the interim period that ended in March. 21 May 2013 10:04

Mining and biodiversity guideline launched

On 22 May 2013, the minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa and the minister of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu, will launch the Mining and Biodiversity Guideline: Mainstreaming Biodiversity into the Mining Sector, at Kirstenbosch, Cape Town. Minister Molewa will also launch the Life: State of Biodiversity Report. 20 May 2013 15:26

Hydrogen fuel cells to be made in SA

Government is aiming to drive up demand for platinum by developing hydrogen fuel cell technology, Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom said on Thursday (16 May). 17 May 2013 10:51

Workers threaten indefinite Amplats strike

[Samuel Mungadze] Anglo Platinum (Amplats) workers have vowed to embark on an indefinite strike starting Friday (17 May) if management does not halt its plans to retrench 6‚000 employees. 17 May 2013 12:50