Modern Quarrying Q2 2019

Q4 2018 ACI shows reality of sector challenges Afrimat, the JSE-listed open pit mining company provid- ing industrial minerals, bulk commodities and construc- tion materials, has released the findings of the Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2018. The ACI is a composite index of the level of activity within the building and construction sectors, compiled by renowned economist, Dr Roelof Botha, on behalf of Afrimat. According to Botha, the recovery in Q4 2018 was not suf- ficient to lift the index to a higher level than a year earlier. The average value of the index in 2018 was 4,7% lower than in 2017 and it is clear that the South African construction sector has been under-performing since the end of the recession in 2009. “When compared to the same quarter a year ago, five of the eight constituent indicators remained in the red, with substantial declines in the value of building plans passed and completed, as well as the volume of building materials produced,” he says. Botha points out that real GDP increased by 1,1% during Q4 2018 on a year-on-year basis, but the value added by the construction sector declined by the same margin during this period – a clear indication of the stressful conditions being experienced by the sector. “It is, however, encouraging to note that the index level has risen for the third consecutive quarter, following a below-par performance in 2017 and a fairly sharp dete- rioration in the first quarter of 2018. The index recorded a gain of 3,9% in the fourth quarter of 2018 and is now 14,4% higher than during the first quarter of 2018,” says Botha. “This reflects a continuation of a broad-based recovery

of the level of activity in the sector since the beginning of 2018, with five of the eight constituent indicators record- ing gains over the third quarter.” He indicates that the best performers during the fourth quarter of 2018 were salaries and wages in the sector, the value of hardware retail sales and building material sales. l

The recovery in the last quarter of 2018 was not sufficient to lift the index to a higher level than a year earlier.

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ICMM TO CREATE AN INTERNATIONAL STANDARD FOR TAILINGS DAMS

appropriately, consistently, and transparently. While the standard would become a member commit- ment, ICMM will encourage others to join us in advocating for it to be adopted more broadly,” says Tom Butler, CEO of ICMM. ICMM will engage with representa- tives from civil society, communities, industry, investors, and multilateral organisations, to determine the detailed scope of the review. The review will be carried out by a team of experts from diverse disciplines, led by an independent chair and is expected to be complete by the end of 2019. l

A global and transparent con- sequence-based tailings facility classification system with appropri- ate requirements for each level of classification A system for credible, independent reviews of tailings facilities Requirements for emergency plan- ning and preparedness “ICMM CEOs have committed to creating a step change for the indus- try in the safety of tailings facilities by developing a recognised interna- tional standard for member com- panies. The standard will be based on best practices to ensure that tailings facility risks are managed

The International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM) has announced its governing Council of 27 member CEOs will establish an independent panel of experts to develop an international standard for tailings facilities for its member compa- nies. The standard will be informed by a review of current global best practices in the mining industry, and beyond. The standard is expected to create a step change for the industry in the safety and security of these facilities. The details of the standard will be defined through the review process but are expected to include:

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QUARTER 2 - 2019 MODERN QUARRYING