Modern Quarrying July-August 2016

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Top prize for architectural student Vedhant Maharaj from the University of the Witwatersrand recently won first prize at the Corobrik Architectural Awards, which took place in Johannesburg recently. For nearly three decades, this prestigious award has been presented to a tal- ented young graduate who is on the brink of making a name for themself in the competitive architectural profession. Maharaj’s winning disser tation, entitled Yantra, Infrastructure of the Sacred and Profane, exhibited critical ele- ments selected by the judges – innovation and technical excel- lence expressed with a keen understanding of the combined social, economic and environmental context that is changing the approach to the built environment today. Maharaj’s dissertation is a water purification infrastructure for the hazardously-polluted River Ganges in India. www.corobrik.co.za

Vedhant Maharaj is the winner of the 2015 Architectural Student of the Year awards.

New national CSSA president Hanlie Turner has been inaugurated as the Concrete Society’s national president for 2016/2017. She is a technical information specialist with cement company PPC and has been a member of the Concrete Society for many years, holding several voluntary positions in the organisation including chairperson of the inland branch, and more recently as national VP. Past president Tseli Maliehe of Ibhayi Contracting in Port Elizabeth says he is confi- dent that the Society is being placed in good hands under Turner’s leadership, guidance and enthusiasm for all things concrete. www.concretesociety.co.za

Oil price uptick not enough

The oil price has increased to its high- est since the last six months recently, after sinking below US$30/barrel in February. Many analysts are express- ing relief, saying that the uptrend is likely to continue. Jenny Erskine, partner in oil and gas at Deloitte in the Western Cape, says that the slight uptick in the oil price is not enough to provide security for players in the industry. “Since the oil price’s downward spi- ral, upstream oil and gas companies have roughly faced a 70% drop in rev- enues. Companies operating in this sector should not get ahead of them- selves by focusing on the short term. There is still a lot of water that needs to flow under the bridge before oil will deliver the same returns to com- panies operating in this sector as in 2014, when the price peaked about ± $105/barrel,” she adds. www.deloitte.com

New Concrete Society president Hanlie Turner pictured with outgoing president Tseli Maliehe.