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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%.
Gloucester County will hire an outside contractor to remove deer carcasses from local and county roads, a service the state stopped providing Oct. 1. "Neither the county nor the municipalities has budgeted for this extra cost; however, we have received numerous requests from our local government officials for help with this issue," Freeholder-Director Stephen M. Sweeney said in a statement Thursday. The county is seeking proposals by Nov. 1 and expects to award a two-year contract. Talk about this and more on the Courier-Post forums!
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The contractor responsible for works on Civil Aviation Avenue, the road to the airport, has been fined Lm4,000 for traffic management shortcomings, Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett said. In an interview with The Times, Mr Mugliett explained that contractors are responsible for traffic management close to the site of works, with the rest left in the Malta Transport Authority's hands. But traffic management close to the road - which was completed just weeks ago after giving motorists a headache for months - left much to be desired. At one point a hand-written fluorescent sign on a concrete boulder was pointing the way to the airport but someone unfamiliar with the local roads would have been sent on a wild-goose chase. The minister said the authority's main complaint was the contractor switching the lanes he was working on without informing the ADT's architects, something that at times led to chaos.
Bauerly Bros., Inc., Sauk Rapids, has been awarded the bid to complete the approximately 600-foot unfinished section of 21st Avenue (Pine Loft Road) and connect it to Highway 95. Bauerly had the low bid of $301,801. Hardrives, Inc., the only other bidder, came in at $322,313. The engineers estimate for the project was $243,429. Connecting the road to Highway 95 will involve installing three turn lanes and adjusting the current Highway 95 median at the location, all part of the bid. A left turn lane off Highway 95 onto 21st Avenue will be installed for westbound traffic. There will be a right turn lane and a left turn lane installed for eastbound traffic. The right turn lane for eastbound traffic will allow turning onto 21st Avenue. The left turn lane for eastbound drivers will allow turning into the residential area on the north side of Highway 95.
Older adults interested in a unique arrangement for affordable, independent living are invited to explore the Elder Cottage Rental Program in Tompkins County. Better Housing for Tompkins County rents small, modular homes to income-eligible seniors (60 and older) who wish to have them installed temporarily next to the family home of one of their adult children or other supportive relative living in Tompkins County, outside the City of Ithaca.
"The program is very popular with the seniors who use it, and their families," explains Andrew Piliero, Property Manager. "Best of all, the rent for each of the cottages is based on income, so they are affordable as well as handicapped-accessible."
The Cottages were the first of their kind to be sited in New York State in 1998.
A resident of Oak Street reported someone took a jewelry box containing gold chains, bracelets, a turquoise frog and an antique watch from her home between Sept. 9-18, state police said. Anyone with information may call 865-2194. SWATARA TWP. Hydrant damaged State police in Jonestown are looking for the motorist who crashed into a fire hydrant in the 900 block of North Lancaster Street at 6 a.m. yesterday. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 865-2194. PERRY COUNTY MONROE TWP. Man hurt in crash A Juniata County man was injured Saturday night when he lost control of his car and it struck a tree. Scott E. Cluck, 34, of Richfield, was listed in serious condition yesterday at Hershey Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.
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