Modern Mining May 2015

MINING News

New platinum company makes JSE debut

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Zambezi Platinum (RF) Limited (Zambezi Platinum), the special purpose vehicle created to house the newly constituted HDSA sharehold- ing in Northam Platinum, successfully listed as a debt issuer on the main board of the JSE recently.

Paul Dunne and Lazarus Zim celebrate the listing on the JSE of Zambezi Platinum (photo: Philip Mostert Photography).

Zambezi Platinum will beneficially hold nearly 16 million Northam shares, amounting to approximately 31,4 % of the total issued ordinary share capital of Northam. Zambezi Platinum’s preference shares provide an affordable opportunity for a broad range of investors, over and above those directly invested in Northam, to gain exposure to the PGM sector. Speaking at the JSE listing function, Chairman Elect of Zambezi Platinum Lazarus Zim described the nature of the transaction which saw the establishment of Zambezi Platinum and which has revitalised Northam’s empowerment status, as unique and unprecedented. “Unlikemany prior BEE transactions, everyone party to this transaction is protected from the vicissitudes of the market through the ring-fencing of Zambezi,” he said. “With Northam’s strong balance sheet and vision- ary and energetic leadership, we can now pursue value-accretive growth opportunities which will benefit shareholders and all stakeholders alike.” Northam Chief Executive Paul Dunne added, “This landmark trans- action recognises the fundamental value of Northam along with its growth potential. Now, withmeaningful and sustainable empowerment participation, we are well poised to realise further upside.”  Golder Associates improves its B-BBEE rating by three levels Golder Associates Africa has in the short space of a year improved its Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) contributor rating by three levels. It has leapt from level 6 to level 3, with Level 1 being the highest possible rating. The integrated ground engineering and envi- ronmental solutions organisation’s MD, Dr Ralph Heath, attributes the significant improvement primarily to increased black ownership. He says, “The recent ownership transaction involving the Golder Empowerment Trust effectively increased black ownership by another 25 per cent. This allowed us to score 23 out of a potential 25 points for ownership on our Construction Generic Enterprises Scorecard.” The company has also changed its board profile, which now includes Heath and three new directors, DrWendy Ngoma, Charles Naidoo (Lead: Engineering Services) and Spencer Eckstein (Lead: Legal and Risk/ GAIMS). Dr Ngoma who is the former Deputy Director General of the Department of Art, Science and Technology, and Lawrence Baloyi, who is the head of the University of Pretoria’s Innovation Support pro- gramme, serve on the board of the recently formed Empowerment Trust with Collen Monokofala (Senior Hydrogeologist) and Spencer Eckstein. The main objective of the Trust is to give effect to Golder’s commitment to implementing its Black Economic Empowerment initiatives. 

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Investing in diversified growth

Afrimat Limited is a leading black empowered open pit mining company providing an integrated product offering ranging from aggregates, industrial minerals, concrete products (bricks, blocks and pavers) to readymix concrete. Afrimat has established a strong foothold in contracting services comprising mobile crushing, screening, drilling and blasting. Backed by more than 45 years’ experience, Afrimat listed on the JSE Limited in 2006. As part of its continued diversification strategy, the group is expanding its footprint into Africa. The group’s capabilities enable Afrimat to service projects of any scale from major infrastructure and construction projects for state-owned enterprises and parastatals through to small private sector contracts. A range of products built on the foundation of quality and durability

Tel +27 21 917 8840 Fax +27 21 914 1174

info@afrimat.co.za www.afrimat.co.za

May 2015  MODERN MINING  11