Constructon and engineering group Murray & Roberts says its global contract-mining operations are poised to benefit from the mineral-commodities boom, which the company expects will persist for “at least the next five to seven years”. Writing in the group’s annual report for 2006, CE Brian Bruce reports that Murray & Robert’s mine-construction and development operations in the Southern African Development Community region, Canada and Australia are well positioned to benefit from growth opportunities in the domestic and global mineral-commodities markets.“Global growth, particularly in and from the eastern hemisphere, continues to place heavy demand into the natural-resources sector.“Indications are that this will continue for at least the next five to seven years before reaching a new level of sustainable demand.“This bodes well for further development of a global resources focus in the group,” says Bruce.Meanwhile, demand for metals and minerals continues to exceed installed delivery capacity and resource prices have risen to record highs.“Capital expenditure by mining houses in our largest market – South Africa – has firmed appreciably, but still without the expected growth,” states Bruce.South Africa remains the group’s primary mining contracting market.It experienced increased activity in both the base-metals and precious-metals markets during the year under review.Platinum continued to offer the best opportunity, as the world’s two largest South Africa-based producers of the precious metal – Anglo Platinum and Impala Platinum – invested in expansion and replacement projects to meet global demand.There was also increased activity in the gold-mining sector, largely as a result of the stronger gold price and “an element of acclimatisation to a stronger rand environment”.In Africa, Murray & Roberts Cementation targets established mining markets with multiple project opportunities, including Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana, where demand for diamonds is generating renewed activity.Mine development, which contributes 45% of the group’s revenue in South Africa, continued on the Impala Platinum No 20 shaft, Lonmin’s Karee 4 twin shaft and the Anglo Platinum Turffontein decline shaft project, in the Rustenburg area.A new R600-million contract was also secured on the Paardekraal double shaft project for Anglo Platinum and a development contract was secured for the Barplats platinum mine, near Brits.The Kroondal platinum mine continues to be the mainstay of activity in contract mining, accounting for almost 40% of South African revenue.The remainder of business in South Africa is focused on small specialised projects, which include exploration drilling, raise drilling and cementation work.The development of a fourth shaft at Kroondal is currently under adjudication.According to the annual report, Murray & Roberts Cementation is also the preferred contractor to build and contract for the new Blueridge mine, near Groblersdal.Bruce also reports that RUC Mining Contrac-tors, in Australia, reaped the benefits of ongoing buoyancy in the highly-mechanised Australian underground-mining sector, reporting revenues of R146,5-million, compared to R115,2-million in 2005, and operating profits of R20,1-million, up from R11,7-million.Cementation Canada exceeded key financial targets in an active market, delivering revenues of R657,3-million, compared with R547,1-million in 2005, and operating profits of R43,9-million (2005: R24,7-million), at an operating profit margin of 6,7%.

Executive items

Jeanna Gibson has joined Jarrard Nowell & Russell as a staff accountant. She holds an associate degree in accounting from Trident Technical College and an associate degree in technology from Excelsior College. Previously, she was a nuclear electronics technician on active duty in the U.S. Navy.

R. Wayne Hall has joined First Financial Holdings, the parent company of First Federal Savings and Loan Association, as executive vice president of financial management effective Dec. 1. He has more than 20 years of experience in accounting and risk management, most recently as executive vice president and chief risk officer for Provident Bank in Baltimore. He holds a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in accounting from Virginia Tech and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Be Aware! Salem-Area Road Construction Projects Could Put a Damper ...

(SALEM) - The City of Salem Public Works Department wants you to Be Aware! of four road construction projects that are set to begin on Monday that could affect your commute through town.

Person found dead at mobile home park

A person was found dead in Coachland mobile home park when fire personnel responded to a possible gas leak in the Truckee neighborhood.

Truckee Fire Protection District arrived on scene at the mobile home park at about 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday to discover the person was dead, said Gene Welch, Truckee fires public safety and information officer.

No information has been released about the deceased at this time.

It is not known if the reported gas leak has any connection to the persons death, said Welch.

Truckee police arrived on scene and are currently conducting an investigation, he said.

Welch said the fire department left the scene after ensuring the location was safe.

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Mobile Home Owners Being Forced Out

LYNNWOOD, Wash. -- Dozens of residents face eviction in Snohomish County because many mobile home parks statewide are being sold off to big developers.