|
Engineering
firm Maed pays R7m for Birkenhead
The assets of the Birkenhead Brewery near Hermanus in the Western
Cape were sold this week for about R7m to Maed , an international
engineering, project management and construction company but not,
until now, a brewing company.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Brooklyn
collapse triggers concern
Tshwane city council investigates 15 buildings for not complying
with safety standards. The collapse of part of Brooklyn Mall, the
second such shopping centre mishap in Pretoria within five months,
has raised concerns about safety standards in SA buildings.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Pretoria
mall roof collapses
A part of the roof at Brooklyn mall in Pretoria has collapsed, but
only one shop was affected, say emergency services officials. About
500m² of the roof collapsed inside the Clicks shop shortly
after 14:00. The store was closed at the time.
(©www.news24.co.za)
McCarthy's
72m rand investment a boost to car sales
Durban - McCarthy's R72 million investment in two motor dealership
complexes in Durban and Pietermaritzburg would help boost new and
used vehicle sales by providing customers with a one-stop shopping
destination, Brand Pretorius, the chief executive, said yesterday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)
New
quake will not derail work on skyscraper
TAIPEI Investors are determined to press on with construction of
the world's tallest skyscraper in earthquake-prone Taiwan, despite
the latest tremor at the weekend, which has claimed five lives to
date.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Overbuilding
hits office sector
SA's office property is bearing the brunt of overbuilding, with
returns in the sector showing a downward trend in the past two years.
The decline in office property total returns is reflected in last
year's Sapix-IPD figures, published by the databank on Thursday.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Propnet
planning to revamp Carlton
PROPNET is planning to resuscitate the Carlton Hotel. If it succeeds,
the project will be another milestone in the revival of Johannesburg's
central business district.
(©www.bday.co.za)
SA
firm wins Tanzanian agency deal
Associate Editor SA Engineering firm Netgroup Solutions has beaten
several foreign companies and Eskom Enterprises to clinch a lucrative
contract to run the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco).
(©www.bday.co.za)
Game
to open R20m outlet in Newcastle
Discount retail chain Game Stores is establishing a R20m outlet
in Newcastle following nearly two decades of trade in the northern
KwaZulu-Natal town
(©www.bday.co.za)
State
once again tries to sell off Aventura
The long awaited privatisation of the state-owned holiday resort
company Aventura is back on track, with government having requested
proposals for the appointment of a legal and financial advisor to
oversee the sale.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Midrand
set for boost
MIDRAND and its surrounding areas are likely to receive a major
road infrastructure boost when Old Mutual Properties goes ahead
with its R3bn mixed use development, Zonk'Izizwe.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Enviro
study for 110 km hydrogen pipeline launched
An environmental impact assesment (EIA) for a proposed 110 km pipeline
to supply hydrogen gas from Sasol Chemical Industries (SCI) in Sasolburg
to the Impala Platinum Refineries in Springs is currently under
way.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Steel
firm welcomes competition decision
Steel firm Iscor welcomed the reasons given by the South African
Competition Tribunal that allows the merger between Saldanha Steel
and Iscor to proceed. The tribunal had given the go-ahead for the
merger in February but only released its reasons yesterday.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Agency
to manage State's property sales
The disposal of State-owned fixed properties will soon become the
job of the new State property management agency, due to be established
before the end of the year, says chief director communications Lucky
Mochalibane.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Construction
of abalone project next year
Construction of a 120 t abalone farm outside Saldanha Bay, in the
Western Cape, is scheduled to get under way by the first quarter
of next year.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
SA
waste-to-wood-to-energy initiative
The concept of using trees to treat wastewater and simultaneously
using the wastewater as a resource to grow productive plantations
for renewable energy from biomass, is being investigated by the
CSIR.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Strike
threat hangs over engineering sector
If a meeting between the National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa)
and the South African Engineering Federation of South Africa (Seifsa)
on April 12 fails to provide a concrete solution to a dispute, more
than 200 000 workers in the local engineering industry will down
tools.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Tariff
changes to boost competitiveness of SA's ports
Cargo importers and exporters will be the main beneficiaries of
the reduced wharfage rates being implemented across South African
ports by the National Ports Authority of South Africa (NPA), according
to the CEO of the NPA, Siyabonga Gama.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Southern
Africa is becoming an aluminium-smelter destination
Deep sea-ports and reliable, competitively-priced electricity could
give Southern Africa an edge over many regions as the location of
some of the potential aluminium smelters resources giant BHP Billiton
is mulling.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
 Back
to Index
 |
THE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS CONVENTION
ON
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
1-3 May 2002
Sandton, South Africa
The convention is a joint initiative organised by the:
Association of SA Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS),
SA Association of Consulting Engineers (SAACE),
SA Black Technical Allied & Careers Organisation (SABTACO),
SA Institute of Architects (SAIA) and
SA Institute of Civil Engineering (SAICE).
Click here
to register |
| HOUSING
NEWS AND LAND ISSUES |
|
|
ADB's
loan will help turn small farmers into exporters
Mbabane - The African Development Bank (ADB) has approved
a R411 million loan to finance a development of the Lower
Usutu River in Swaziland, which aims to turn peasant farmers
into exporters.
(©www.busrep.co.za)
Reedville
gives state lesson in building on firm foundation
On the outskirts of Springs on the East Rand lies a new low-cost
housing project called Reedville, an example of why government
has had to shift its housing delivery strategy. Less than
two years old, the settlement looks older than the nearby
township of Kwa-Thema, established in the 1950s.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Back
to Index
|
| SAISC
seminar: "A new method of measurement
and new specifications for structural steelwork". |
| A
seminar on the new method of measurement and specifications
for structural steelwork, drafted to replace SABS 1200
H.
A seminar aimed at engineers, steelwork
quantity surveyors and other disciplines. Benefits:
Clear and precise bills of quantities
and specifications In line with actual practice in industry.
Better understanding will lead to cost savings. Practical
stuff!
Note :
The information provided constitutes Continuing Professional
Development for members of the built environment professions.
Members of ASAQS will receive a certificate at the end
of the seminar qualifying them for 8 CPD points.
Dates: 18 April 2002 - Johannesburg
22 April 2002 - Cape Town
23 April 2002 - Durban
Fee: R500 per delegate
Closing date:10 April 2002
For more information please contact:
Leslie at SAISC
Tel: +27-11 838 1665
Fax: +27-11 834 4301
info@saisc.co.za
Web: www.saisc.co.za
|
| Download
the Registration form from the ASAQS
website at http://www.asaqs.co.za |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Mugabe's
Congo fortune under fire
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his counterparts in Rwanda,
Burundi and Uganda could soon find themselves cut off from millions
of US dollars in revenue from mines in the Democratic Republic
of Congo
(©www.bday.co.za)
Drought
will hit Zimbabwe
The systematic harassment and brutalisation of the agricultural
experts and their staff on farms in Zimbabwe was to allow
President Robert Mugabe to capture support for his continued
presidency by dispensing patronage.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Drilling
for crude in Chad
An international consortium led by ExxonMobil has begun drilling
for crude oil in Chad, meaning billions of dollars of oil
money could soon be pouring into one of the poorest countries
in the world.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Zim
mines want Z$ devalued
The Zimbabwean Chamber of Mines has called on President Robert
Mugabe's government to devalue the Zimbabwean dollar to revive
the country's ailing precious metals industry.
(©news.news24.co.za)
Back
to Index
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Caledonia
likely to reopen SA gold mine
Caledonia Mining, a junior mining company listed on the Toronto
and Nasdaq stock exchanges, will decide next month if it will
restart commercial production at its SA Barbrook gold mine.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Harmony
wins 99% stake in Hill 50
Harmony Gold has had to push up its offer price for a second
time to secure a shareholding of almost 99% in Australian
mining company Hill 50.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Diamond
producers polish up industry's ways
Canada's entry into top league challenges De Beers' methods
and brings transparency to an often mysterious business Diamond
businesses dotted all over the world are throwing their weight
behind new brands and retail alliances, signalling a new era
that will in all likelihood bring more transparency and higher
returns to the often impenetrable diamond industry.
(©www.bday.co.za)
PGM
miner's 600 000 oz vision for 2006
Australian PGM producer Aquarius Platinum is planning to simplify
its corporate structure stating that its current model is
inefficient and was the result of the need to raise finance
and deal with rapid growth.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Bid
to cut and polish gems in Northern Cape
Authorities in the Northern Cape are pushing ahead with plans
to have locally mined diamonds developed and polished in the
country, before being exported to international markets for
sale, especially in Europe and the US.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Very
different outlooks for PGM sisters
It appears that forecasts that palladium would battle to keep
up with its sister metal platinum appear to be coming true.
This week palladium slumped to $373/oz from its earlier high
of over $380/oz.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Diamond
giant buys R10-million in software
Diamond giant De Beers has purchased ActaWorks software from
Global Technology Business Intelligence (GBI) in a deal worth
over R10-million. The decision to buy this new-generation
extraction, transformation and loading tool was primarily
an architectural decision supporting the group's business
intelligence strategy.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Norilsk
uses nickel reserves as collateral
Russia’s metals giant Norilsk Nickel will use 60 000
tons of nickel from its reserves as collateral for a loan
by a syndicate of foreign banks, Norilsk’s deputy CEO
Maxim Finsky said. He said the three-year loan would be arranged
by Credit Suisse First Boston, Dutch ING Barings and Standard
Bank.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Report
questions 'prosperity diamonds' claim
While Southern Africa's diamond endowment has brought about
economic prosperity and has not fuelled civil strife –
as has been the case in Angola, Sierra Leone and the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) – Partnership Africa Canada contends
that the region's 'prosperity diamonds' "have had limitations
and has not been without controversy".
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Collaborative
research to improve safety
Underground transport has long been regarded as one of the
biggest culprits in mining accidents.
In fact, according to the Department of Minerals and Energy,
transportation systems have been responsible for 26% of mining
fatalities and about 49% of reported injuries.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Deep
mines can be massive mines
Those who were convinced that massive mining
at deep levels would not work had to admit that they were
wrong when Target, the first deep-level gold-mine to be opened
in South Africa in 20 years, moved from project status to
mine status last month.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
$564m
iron-ore project for Oz
MW Online BHP Reuters Diversified miner BHP Billiton unveiled
a $564-million plan to develop a new iron-ore mine backed
by South Korean steel maker Posco and expand its port facilities
to seal its place as a world iron-ore giant.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Iron-ore
giant's rail allocation set at 23,5m tons
Metals and mining firm Kumba and Transnet have announced the
signing of a landmark agreement to support future iron ore
throughput on the Sishen-Saldanha railway line, the mainspring
of South Africa’s iron-ore export business.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Less
tin to be exported from China this year
China, the world’s top tin producer and exporter, is
expected to ship out less metal this year in hopes of spurring
global demand and prices, officials and traders said.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Back
to Index
|
|
|
New
homes at: Ramsgate
Over the past few years there's been a surge in interest in the
lower south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, an attractive and accessible
coastal area where developers are able to offer quality at a reasonable
price.
(©www.property24.co.za)
Cape
rentals rocket again
Homes in the Sunset Beach, Higgovale and beachfront Kommetjie areas
around Cape Town are fetching rentals of up to R10 000 a month while
exclusive Bishopscourt, Constantia, Fresnaye and Clifton homes are
being let for up to R30 000 a month.
(©www.property24.co.za)
Flat
rentals far ahead of inflation
Flat rentals nationally have risen at more than double the rate
of inflation in the past 12 months, and are expected to rise by
at least six percent this year as demand continues to outrun supply.
(©www.property24.co.za)
Spotlight
on: Muizenberg
Muizenberg, which was the Cape's playground for the rich and famous
in its Victorian heyday, is set for a revival as buyers rediscover
its beauty, convenience and value.
(©www.property24.co.za)
Edenvale
comes full circle
Home sales in Edenvale are once again being boosted by young executive
and professional buyers who, as their parents did in the ‘60s,
are finding both value for money and convenience here
(©www.property24.co.za)
PGP
expands to meet SA demand
Strong demand from SA investors for central London residential properties
has prompted Pam Golding Properties (PGP) to expand its Pam Golding
International (PGI) representation in SA with the appointment of
leading broker Kim Faclier.
(©www.property24.co.za)
Alterskye
to head NRS
Amanzimtoti-based Charles Alterskye has been elected chairman of
the 125-office National Referral Services (NRS) group.
(©www.property24.co.za)
|
|
 Signs
of life?
‘The hero and the coward feel the same emotions, it's what
they do about them that sets them apart’. When things are going
well, most people, contractors and manufacturers alike, don't need
to be either; it's when a crisis looms that you have to show your
mettle — or lack of it. Only with hindsight, many months hence,
will we know who made the right decisions in the recession of 2001/2002.
(©www.industryclick.com)
20th
Century vision
100 years is a long time — especially in the field of consulting.
Kate Price talks to Swedish firm SWECO.
(©www.industryclick.com)
Back
to basics
Yes, the show must go on. But in 2002, themed retail projects must
also focus on the bottom line.
(©www.industryclick.com)
A
blueprint to enhance building security
WHILE THE TRADITIONAL CONCERNS OF THE property manager — asset
planning, acquisition and maintenance — are as important as
ever, security is now near the top of the priority list. To address
security issues the right way, property managers now must fill an
additional role as security and communications manager.
(©www.industryclick.com)
 First
African in Space
Mark Shuttleworth - It's full-throttle training at Star City "Boot
Camp" as Mark and the rest of the crew perform simulations
of docking with the ISS and take part in some leg-bending physical
testing. Follow Shuttleworth's preparations to the launch date later
this month by clicking
here.
(©www.africaninspace.com)
Back
to Index
|
|
A
false dawn?
Design & Construct contracts are being lauded as providing the
construction industry with ‘best value’. Really? iC’s
contracts expert Roger Knowles examines the facts…
(©www.industryclick.com)
Labor
Rates and Structural Steel Prices Around the World
This index maintained by International Cost Engineering Council
gives one an indication of relative prices (unfortunately rates
and prices need to be converted to a common currency such as the
Rand)
(©www.icoste.org)
Book review
Elemental Cost Analysis, Format, Method of Measurement, Pricing:
Measurement of Buildings by Area and Volume (104 pages) - The first
edition of this book was published in 1972 and has subsequently
been refined and updated in two subsequent editions. The present
3rd edition represents relatively minor adjustments over the 2nd
edition but adds extensive illustrations to aid the reader in correctly
identifying the various building elements. The first part of the
book defines elemental cost analysis and lists the functional elements
of buildings, describing their composition and method of measurement
and pricing. The second part provides standardized rules for measurement.
The book refers only to SI units of measurement but its principles
are equally applicable to use of Imperial units. The book is clear
and concise and thoroughly explains the Canadian uniform method
of measurement for buildings. The book costs $60.00 (CDN) Non-Members
Price and can be purchased online by clicking
here.
(©www.icoste.org)
New members to the
ASAQS CUG
A warm word of welcome to the following member
who has joined us in the CUG
during the past week:
All the names next week
Please note
that your registration to the CUG will remain in force as long as
you remain a member of ASAQS and there is no need to register every
year. If you have not received an e-mail confirming your registration
contact ASAQS.
Back
to Index
|
| Did
you hear? |
|
According to a news report, a certain private school in Victoria,
BC recently was faced with a unique problem.
A number of grade 12 girls were beginning
to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That
was fine, but after they put on their lipstick they would
press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip
prints.
Every night, the maintenance man would remove
them and the next day, the girls would put them back.
Finally the principal decided that something
had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom and
met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that
all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the
custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night.
To demonstrate how difficult it had been
to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show
the girls how much effort was required.
He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped
it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.
Since then, there have been no lip prints
on the mirror.
|
|
