Modern Quarrying April-May 2016

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Cesa commits to partnership with government

Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) supports the clarion call to address institutional and regulatory barriers to business investment and growth, announced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan during the Budget Speech. Cesa has, for some time now, been aware that there are inefficien- cies in the way public-sector infrastructure projects are implemented. These shortfalls include lack of planning, inappropriate procurement approaches, lack of project management capacity and capability, and lack of other desired skills in the public sector. In addition, these ineffi- ciencies rob South Africa of multiple billions of rand annually, which could effectively be used to fund the much-needed increase in infrastructure investment. Cesa welcomes the need for multi-year appropriations for major capi- tal projects of which reform is under consideration for the following proj- ects which are components of the R870-billion public sector infrastructure programme over the next three years: • Energy investment amounts to R70-billion this year and will be over R18-billion over the next three years, as construction of the Medupi, Kusile and Ingula power plants is completed. • Transport and logistics infrastructure accounts for nearly R292-billion over the next three years. Transnet is acquiring 232 diesel locomotives for its general freight business and 100 locomotives for its coal lines. There is R3,7-billion to upgrade the Moloto Road; R30-billion for pro- vincial roads maintenance; R18-billion for bus rapid transit projects in cities; and refurbishment of over 1 700 Metrorail and Shosholoza Meyl coaches. • R62-billion is allocated for the housing subsidy programmes and R34- billion for bulk infrastructure and residential services in metropolitan municipalities. • R28-billion will be spent over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) on improving health facilities and R54-billion on education infrastructure. • The next phase of the Oliphant’s River water scheme is in progress, completion of the supply to Lukhanji Municipality in the Eastern Cape, completion of the Wolmaransstad wastewater treatment works and construction of the Polihali Dam as part of the Lesotho Water Highlands Project. www.cesa.co.za Dedicated corporate website To better support its stakeholders, Atlas Copco is dividing its current website into two – one business site dedicated to customers and one focusing on corporate stakeholders. The corporate website has been launched with new content and design, while the business site will follow later this year. The corporate website is focusing on the society at large. This includes jobseekers, journalists, investors, governmental and/or non-governmental organisations as well as the general public. It also serves all customers and business partners who want to learn more about the group. The business website will remain on www.atlascopco.com while the new corporate website is found at www.atlascopcogroup.com.

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MODERN QUARRYING April - May 2016