Pm february march 2017

PROJECTS MAGAZINE February/March Edition 2017

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Publisher: E.S.C Magazine T/A PROJECTS MAGAZINE Tel: +27 11 040 3910 Fax: +27 86 601 9195 Email: info@projectsmagazine.net Website: www.projectsmagazine.net 62, 2nd Avenue, Houghton.

P.O. Box 92744, Norwood, 2117 South Africa Contributions The editors welcome news items, press releases, articles and photographs relating to the Construction Industry. These will be considered and, if accepted, published. No responsibility will be accepted should contributions be lost, damaged or incorrectly printed. © All rights reserved

The title and ownership of movable assets can be controlled in a simple, cost effective solution, which is far less costly than registration on eNaTIS, for all to access and monitor trade and ownership in real-time to greatly reduce fraud and theft.

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How to capture the entire life-cycle of yellow metal assets currently excluded from registration on eNaTIS The identification of sizable assets such as yellow metal as used in the mining industry is essential for financiers, owners, members of the public and insurers. This is due to the fact that, in most cases, the total value of these movable assets financed and insured is quite substantial.

However, as is now well known in the industry, Regulation 5 of the National Road Traffic Act of 1996 (Act 93 of 1996) regulates that certain motor vehicles are not allowed to be registered on to the National Traffic Information System (eNaTIS). In 2011 the Inter Provincial Policy and Procedural (IPPP) committee, instructed the NRCS to adhere to legislation and stop providing eNaTIS model numbers for those vehicles prescribed in Regulation 5. The vehicles so prescribed are vehicles not designed for public road use, in other words, vehicles that cannot legally pass a roadworthy test.

Yet, in the bank's controls suites, the use of “title” on an eNaTIS Registration Document is utilised as the confirmation of the bank's interest in the asset. Therefore by denying access to eNaTIS for such assets the ability of applying “title” (on mainly “yellow metal”) had effectively been withdrawn.

Accurately identifying ownership The issue of accurately identifying ownership of yellow metals and other moveable assets in instances where the purchaser is still in debt with the financier, or in some cases, the asset is lost due to theft, remains hugely problematic for both the financier and insurer.

This is mainly due to the lack of correctly marking the movable assets other than roadworthy and registered vehicles. Further, millions of Rands are lost every year due to either dual or multiple financing on the same asset, and the inability to claim ownership after an insurance claims pay-out.

To further add to the headache, there is also the inability to recover items in the secondhand market, or those from criminal sales points.

Permanently marking assets Today, there are not too many options for permanently marking assets in order to identify and confirm ownership. The monitoring and tracking of property is only possible when each item is individually identifiable and recorded in a traceable database. For example, making use of selfadhesive labels, which will not wear out or fall off, can be the solution that the banks and insurance companies have longed for.

In today's modern and technologicallyadvanced society, is it imperative for both the financier and the insurer to be able to have access to a central database where the owner of an asset could be linked to the specific asset in question, similar to what e-NATIS does in the registered motor environment.

What is greatly needed today, is a system that can create the most recent reliable record of an asset by updating those records in realtime as changes are made by various system participants. This system would allow banks and insurance companies to effectively manage and control the financing and insurance of all assets throughout the lifecycle. This would greatly reduce fraud, double discounting, or incorrect depiction of value for insurance purposes.

The process This is what SAMAR – the Southern African Moveable Asset Register – is able to provide.

Today, there is a controlled solution available for the introduction of models for Vehicle Manufacturers, Importers and Builders (MIBs), as well as their dealer network, in the South African market.

The MIBTrack System keeps track of vehicles from manufacture/import, through introduction to eNaTIS or SAMAR, allocation to dealer, up to first registration, and allows for interaction between dealership and OEM to confirm that the vehicle information was captured correctly before the release for first registration takes place.

Further, the use of this system by the insurance industry to load their interest against the asset under finance will reduce risk for the banks and related costs.

For some users, the benefits of registering movable assets on SAMAR will facilitate

financing that may not otherwise have been available, by providing identifiable data and markings for tracking and control that are admissible in a court of law.

Registration of Asset by MIB: 1.Assets are loaded to SAMAR via MIBTrack 2.MIB registers asset with its SAMAR Asset Number, and optionally a Microdotting pin or UVTT 3.SAMAR will register title to the bank and generate an electronic title certificate 4.SAMAR can now be used for the lifecycle of the asset to reflect changes in ownership, title, asset condition, insurer and tracking mechanism

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EBOTSE Golf and Leisure Estate The appointment of an Energy Consultant, assists with continuous modelling of the development,. to ensure the best possible environmental responsive design in order to lower the overall energy consumption in the units/building. This includes insulation (Roof & cavity walls), heat pumps, low energy electrical installation, lighting‌ etc.

Ebotse Golf and Leisure Estate is a very exciting place. It is the culmination of the vision of developers,who wanted to transform a wasteland left by sand quarry mining into a serene, secure environment, where families could live in harmony with nature. Those who visit this magnificent estate are astonished at what has been created. Despite its proximity to significant facilities and infrastructure, such as the Oliver Tambo International Airport and the Gautrain, Ebotse exudes a unique tranquility not easily found in Gauteng The diversity of bird and animal life on the estate allows families to experience an environment which is unique in Gauteng.

The landscape has been dramatically transformed at Ebotse. In excess of R60 million was spent on rehabilitating the old mining site, including moving more than two million cubic metres of soil, filling up an old quarry pit, removing 800 000 square metres of alien vegetation and replacing it with indigenous grasses, plants and trees. Not only have degraded wetlands been rehabilitated but, new wetlands have also been created by removing five massive kaolin dumps totaling 1 450 000 cubic metres.

Ebotse has enhanced Benoni in many ways.

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The completed development will facilitate an investment in excess of R2.5 billion in 870 high-end homes in top-class facilities.

Between 5 000 and 8 000 jobs will be created continuously during the estimated eight-year development period. A further 1500 permanent jobs will be created after the development is complete. When you consider that in South Africa each employee supports at least eight people, Ebotse is a very significant contributor to the local economy. Our world-class residential environment aims to attract an increased number of investors and entrepreneurs to Benoni, significantly benefiting the entire region.

The layout of the Ebotse Estate was done in such a way that, apart from individual residential stands, allowance was made for 7 higher density group housing stands. Contrary to other development layouts, the positioning of these group housing stands, have been considered in such a way that they are in all cases, equal to, or even better positioned than individual stands.

Studio 3 Design House was approached to do the design of all the large stands, with each of these developments having a distinct architectural character. All of these developments, in turn, aim to enhance the diversity, in style, location and price at Ebotse.

The most recent development, known as The Links, is a high-rise development with luxury units on the unique south-east bank, alongside Victor Peterson Drive, overlooking the entire estate. Fifteen buildings consisting of five floors, with a penthouse on the top floors, have been designed and are developed with unique and unsurpassed views, spaces, fittings and finishes. On the sixth floor a rooftop entertainment area, which boasts a 5m x 3m swimming pool, provides a private and protected area for the Penthouse only, with views over the golf course and estate.

advantage of the majestic views, while respecting the privacy of the neighbours. All 4-Bed and Penthouse units, including the rooftop, have private, secure access with a lift opening directly into the living space.

Due to the extreme fall on the site, steel and timber bridges provide a link to each building from the road level where visitors parking is provided. Direct access to the lifts and stairs to all floors considers the disabled. Two levels of parking garages below road level, provide double and triple garages with storerooms.

Phase 1, which was completed in 2014, consists of 3 buildings. Phase 2, which commenced in May 2015 and will be completed in December 2016, consists of the next 4 buildings. Each of these buildings consist of 2-Bedroom units, 4 Bedroom units and a Penthouse, each designed to take full

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TENOVA TAKRAF AFRICA SEES EARLY SUCCESS WITH NEW SEMI-MOBILE BRADFORD BREAKER Tenova TAKRAF is an integrated solutions provider to the global mining, bulk material handling and minerals industries, offering innovative technological solutions as well as process and commodity knowledge along the industry value chains. With the integration of the well-known DELKOR brand of products into TAKRAF, the offered portfolio for the mineral beneficiation and processing sectors has been considerably enhanced. Further information is available at www.takraf.com.

Within a year of unveiling its innovative semimobile Bradford Breaker to the mining industry, comminution equipment specialist Tenova TAKRAF Africa is supplying two machines for junior miners operating open cast mines in South Africa's Mpumalanga Province. The collieries, Overlooked Colliery (Pty.) Ltd. and Black Wattle Colliery (Pty.) Ltd., ordered the semi-mobile Bradford Breakers in July/August 2016 with delivery scheduled for end January 2017.

ensures more accurate alignment of the machine, the performance of which is highly sensitive to misalignment.

The machines operate at 300 tph, breaking coal lumps of a maximum size of 350 mm down to 80 mm, and were ordered based on both their low capital cost and ease of transport. These features are crucial to junior and small miners who are increasingly exploiting the small coal resources that remain.

Developed originally for the American market and its softer coal to remove impurities and contamination from feed material, the Bradford Breaker has seen incremental but far-reaching improvements over the decades by TAKRAF Africa (previously part of the Bateman group) to tailor it to the increasingly demanding conditions and difficult coal of the South African mining industry. The latest development, the semi-mobile Bradford Breaker, is a further demonstration of how this technology is adaptable to the evolving needs of the industry.

The semi-mobile Bradford Breaker ordered by Black Wattle, part of the UK based Bisichi Mining PLC group, will be located adjacent to the washing plant. The breaker for ACC Coal's Overlooked Colliery will be used to service the mine for its remaining life-of-mine of some 10 to 15 years, with the option to then be moved to another application. TAKRAF Africa's scope of work covers design and manufacture with the mines responsible for installation at site.

This is a relatively simple activity as the semimobile Bradford Breaker comes complete with a civils template, which is then cast into a concrete slab at site. A further advantage of the use of a single concrete slab in place of the more traditional multiple plinths is that it

TAKRAF Africa has marketed Bradford Breakers, under license from Terrasource Global of the USA, to the South African mining industry since the 1970's, with the breaker having proved to be a loyal workhorse in the coal industry for the simultaneous sizing and cleaning of raw coal.

As the smallest model in the range of Bradford Breakers marketed by TAKRAF Africa, the semi-mobile version offers the benefits of the traditional Breaker in a more compact machine. With affordability being a critical factor for junior and small miners, the design of the semi-mobile Bradford Breaker has been rationalized, without compromising on performance, with features such as a centralized lubrication system offered as an optional add-on.

Essentially a rotary breaker, the Bradford Breaker consists of a large revolving cylindrical drum driven by an electric motor. As the drum rotates, lifters lift the lumps of material to a pre-determined height and the material then drops, under gravity, onto the screen plates where it shatters along the natural cleavage lines. The machine is easy to maintain and repair, as it is driven from one end only by a simple drive assembly.

3D of semi-mobile Bradford Breaker.

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Fuel and Oil analysis The acidity of an oil shows whether the oil is oxidised as a result of operation at high temperature, if there is a high percentage of moisture, or whether the oil has been in service for too long. The viscosity of the oil is a very important parameter and must be in conformity with the requirements of the machine builder. The alkalinity or the loss of alkalinity of the oil, proves that the oil is in contact with inorganic acids such as sulphuric acid.

Used oil analysis is comparable to a medical analysis with a blood test. Like blood, lubricating oil contains a good deal of information about the envelope in which it circulates. Wear of metallic parts, for example, produces a lot of minute particles, which are carried by the lubricant. These small metal particles can give information about the machine elements that are wearing, and can be detected by various methods, for example, Atomic Emission Spectrometry. Determination of larger particles can be done using optical or electronic microscopy, or ferrography.

OIL ANALYSIS The concept of analysing an oil sample from a machine or component is identical to that of taking a blood sample from a person, the results determine the health status of the unit.

Wearcheck's experienced diagnostic team then recommends how to rectify any abnormal findings.

WearCheck's programme analyses for wear, contamination levels and oil condition in any oil-wetted compartment or oil filter found in equipment ranging from earthmoving units, transport fleets and processing plants to ships and aircraft.

The programme is simple You: Purchase a WearCheck oil sampling kit, take the sample and return it to your nearest WearCheck depot.

We: Our highly skilled lab staff analyse your sample, the results are then interpreted by our Diagnosticians who will make a recommendation and send you a report on their findings.

Types of oil analysis Automotive For use on mobile equipment such as earthmoving machines, trucks, buses, light vehicles and generators.

Industrial For use on industrial gearboxes, hydraulics, compressors, pumps, turbines, bearing compartments, recirculation systems and refrigeration and air-conditioning compressors.

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Marine For use on engines, generators, hydraulics, gearboxes and other onboard equipment.

Aircraft Various kits are available for piston and turbine engines as well as hydraulic systems and helicopter rotor gearboxes.

Laboratory tests The exact tests carried out on a sample are determined by the type of machine and component.

The tests are designed to measure applicable combinations of the following: Wear metals Contaminants: dirt, water, fuel, soot, coolant Additives Cleanliness rating Viscosity Acid level Additional tests The following additional tests are available: Ÿ Viscosity at 100°C Ÿ Water, in parts per million, by Karl Fischer titration Ÿ Total base number Ÿ Total acid number Ÿ Analytical ferrography Ÿ Oil filter analysis FUEL ANALYSIS WearCheck's fuel analysis kit has been designed to help customers determine whether their fuel meets SANS requirements.

SANS 342 is the specification for South African diesel; and SANS 1598:2006 is the specification for unleaded petrol. WearCheck is an ISO 9001 certified company. The testing laboratory has ISO 17 025 accreditation.

A fair proportion of diesel engine failures can be directly traced back to the quality of the fuel which was in use. Fuel contamination, degradation or adulteration can have serious consequences in terms of blocked filters, stuck or worn injectors, poor spray patterns and atomisation.

Diesel tests Distillation (ASTM D86) Density at 20°C (ASTM D7042) Viscosity at 40°C (ASTM D7042) Flashpoint (ASTM D93) Total contamination (IP440) Water content (ASTM D6304) Sulphur content (ASTM D4294) Cetane index (ASTM D976) ISO 4406 Particle count (ASTM D7619)

Petrol tests Distillation (ASTM D86) Colour and appearance (In-house) Density at 20°C (ASTM D974) Lead (Pb) content (In-house) Additional tests Bacterial and fungal growth Total Acid Number (TAN) Illuminating Paraffin (IP) Absence/Presence Illuminating Paraffin (IP) – Percentage Silver corrosion Copper corrosion Lubricity (HFRR) Biodiesel percentage Significance of these tests Flashpoint The flashpoint temperature of diesel is the minimum temperature at which the fuel will ignite on application of an ignition source. Flashpoint varies inversely with the fuel's volatility. This helps identify petrol adulteration.

Viscosity Viscosity is a measure of a fluids resistance to flow. It therefore affects injector lubrication and fuel atomisation. Fuels with low viscosity may not provide sufficient lubrication

for the precision fit of fuel injection pumps or injector plungers, resulting in increased wear or leakage. High viscosity fuels on the other hand will increase gear-train, cam and follower wear on the fuel pump assembly due to the higher injection pressures.

Diesel fuels with high viscosity also tend to form larger droplets on injection, causing poor combustion and increased smoke and emissions.

Fuels that do not meet viscosity requirements lead to loss of performance.

Sulphur Diesel with higher sulphur content produces more exhaust particulate emissions than diesel with a lower sulphur content which has major environmental implications. Local and international regulatory bodies have lowered the allowable percentage of sulphur in diesel to 0.05%, this may change in the near future to 0.005% as we strive to become more environmentally friendly. Most diesel vehicles function optimally with 0.005% sulphur content diesel. Using diesel with higher sulphur content can lead to failures of the emission control systems and/or corrosion of the cylinder liner and piston due to the formation of sulphuric acid.

Distillation Measures the temperature range over which a fuel turns to vapour. Volatility is one of the primary methods which distinguish various fuels from one another. They also give an indication of the fuels ability to start the engine, its power, fuel economy, emissions and deposit formation.

Density This is a measure of the specific gravity of the fuel. It essentially determines the energy content. The denser the fuel, the more power the engine can generate and vice versa.

Cetane Number (index) The Cetane number is a measure of the ignition quality of the diesel. It represents the time delay between injection and ignition. If the Cetane number is too high, the fuel will ignite too close to the injector. This forms a fuel rich region whilst the rest of the chamber has a weak fuel to air ratio.

Incomplete combustion and soot formation will be the result. Low Cetane fuels cause knock, difficult starting, rougher running and increased exhaust emissions.

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Breath of Air for Iron Ore Producers The Coface Group, a worldwide leader in credit insurance, offers companies around the globe solutions to protect them against the risk of financial default of their clients, both on the domestic market and for export. In 2015, the Group, supported by its ~4,500 staff, posted a consolidated turnover of â‚Ź1.490 billion. Present directly or indirectly in 100 countries, it secures transactions of 40,000 companies in more than 200 countries. Each quarter, Coface publishes its assessments of country risk for 160 countries, based on its unique knowledge of companies' payment behaviour and on the expertise of its 340 underwriters located close to clients and their debtors.

The rapid decline of the iron ore price over the past three years tested the limits of mining companies globally. This left the industry questioning whether it was realistic to be hopeful about the price recovery seen over the past few months. With various factors contributing to the volatility seen over the past decade, it is hard to say exactly what the future holds.

Local Environment South Africa is currently the sixth largest producer of iron ore globally and the third largest exporter accounting for approximately 6% of global exports, having produced roughly 80 million tons in 2015. Even though power supply improved significantly in South Africa over the past year, it could still be considered a potential threat to future expansions.

Demand for iron ore is primarily driven by industries that require large amounts of steel.

For example, the construction and automotive industries account for more than half of worldwide consumption. Iron ore is predominantly used for the production of steel and is therefore dependent on overall economic growth to drive demand.

The possibility of labour unrest could also cause major problems for the local mining sector and result in low profit margins. inefficiencies have forced some of South Africa's largest iron ore producers to consolidate projects, and even consider disinvesting from South Africa.

The commodity is mined in approximately 50 countries, but has a few dominant players progressively gaining market share under the current market conditions. According to the U.S. Geological Survey the top three producing countries accounted for nearly 80% of total production, China being the largest player by a significant margin.

It was expected that output from China and some African countries would slow down under the prevailing market conditions due to higher production costs from some smaller inefficient projects. Smaller mining companies are being put under increasing pressure by the low iron ore price with narrow margins.

The result is that the small mines are being forced to close down or seek partnerships in attempt to remain profitable.

Larger companies with low production costs, specifically in Australia and Brazil, are using the difficult industry position to gain market share. This has sustained the global oversupply, forcing iron ore's price down from the supply side.

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Closing inefficient operations has been successful for some by decreasing their break-even extraction costs. Most mines are likely to continue their focus on efficiency in an attempt to maximise narrowing profit margins, instead of major capital expenditure for expansion. The majority of new projects in Africa are also facing challenges due to the low commodity price.

Despite the expected decrease in production, South Africa will remain the largest producer of iron ore in Africa for the foreseeable future.

Delays in projects in West Africa are likely, due to factors such as political risk, poor infrastructure and weak legal systems.

Regardless of these difficulties, continued investment from China in mining and other projects is expected to yield improvements in the available infrastructure. Local demand for iron ore is expected to remain subdued, as steel manufacturers face increasing production costs.

U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2016 (million tons)

Global Outlook Amongst other factors, iron ore prices have been driven down by a global oversupply in recent years, with a slight recovery in 2016 that has provided some relief in the short term for iron ore producers. Even with recent developments, it is predicted that iron ore prices will remain relatively low in the foreseeable future. This oversupply is evident when considering the increasing output of the world's two largest net exporting countries, Brazil and Australia.

Australia's iron ore exports contribute to roughly half of the world's total exports.

Currently Australia is the world's second largest iron ore producer holding a competitive advantage due to low cost production and high-grade iron ore.

During 2015, Australia exported $37 billion in iron ore with a total production estimated of 824 million tons. It is expected that Australia's iron ore sales will increase at an average of 3% yearly until 2020.

China is the world's largest iron ore consumer, and consumes about 80% of Australia's exports. Australian iron ore exports to China have increased by about 10% in 2015, which is significantly lower than the average annual growth rate of 18% over the past ten years.

Brazil's expansion was smaller in comparison to Australia's, producing approximately 428 million tons a year.

Expansion projects previously started will contribute to the growth in Brazil's iron ore output in coming years. Australia and Brazil have some of the most cost efficient mining operations globally with an estimated production cost ranging between $30 and $50 per ton for different projects. Despite low commodity prices, output from Brazil and Australia are expected to show steady increases over the coming years in an attempt to gain market share.

Iron ore is one of the most mined and exported minerals in Brazil's mining sector, which is likely to remain a prominent part of their economy. It is projected that 200 million tons of production capacity was inactive globally between 2014 and 2015 due to difficult market conditions.

China is the world's largest net importer of iron ore, having net imports of $57.9 billion, eclipsing the second largest net importer, namely Japan, which has net imports of $9.3 billion. Therefore the effects of China's declining economic growth and slowdown of residential property construction has had a drastic impact on global demand, affecting the iron ore and steel industries as a whole.

Although China is the world's largest iron ore producing country, the grade of ore mined by China is lower. China's crude iron ore production contains on average only 22% iron content. Therefore more complex and expensive mining processes are needed to refine these ores. Smaller mining operations account for approximately 60% of China's iron ore output. Additional factors impacting China's demand for iron ore include the slowdown in industries with high iron inputs. The drastic drop in iron ore prices witnessed over the past few years was to a large extent due to China's decline in steel consumption and the use of scrap metal in steel production as a substitute, placing pressure on the commodity price from the demand side.

The latest development was an increase in the iron ore price triggered by Donald Trump's victory in early November, causing the commodity's price to rise to its highest point in two years. This 4% increase was due to Trump's pledge to spend $500 billion on rebuilding US's infrastructure.

The United States produces and consumes only an estimated 2.5% of the global iron ore output.

The price recovery during 2016 is the result of the recovery of Chinese steel demand from its residential construction sector. This was brought about by China's stimulus policies aimed at stimulating economic growth. Steel mills restocking iron ore has supported the commodity price in 2016 and is expected to continue well into 2017.

This price recovery is likely to prolong inefficient projects coming offline, fuelling the global oversupply. The current stimulus will only support the iron ore price in the short term, with the global oversupply produced by Brazil and Australia anticipated to drive the commodity price back down during 2018.

The real long-term effects would only be known once there is some clarity on the exact implementation of these projects.

Despite the recent recovery, the longterm view for the commodity remains unchanged as larger players in the industry plan to increase supply, aiming to take market share from the smaller competitors, feeding the global oversupply during a period of weakening demand.

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Construction TSHWANE HOUSE Equipment Other Tshwane types ofHouse, concrete a modern, mixers include forward-looking JDC seriesmunicipal concrete mixer and centre the Swill serial bring double local horizontal government shaft closer compulsion to its people, mixer. and The is JDC theseries first step mixer in rejuvenating has a gear the boxinner driven city. to discharge concrete and it is to control for its movement.

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The project iswork Construction channeled could have to meet been requirements a difficult andstrategic of tiresome priorities job if it of happened the city of that Tshwane only man shouldas:perform it manually. Any given such construction Ÿ Economic project growthwould and development be taking ages to no Ÿ completion Enhancingsince effective its commencement. service delivery Therefore, capacity, it ismanagement a big thanksand to the ancient innovators implementation whom byoftheir theintelligence CoT's institutional and greatobligations knowledge of art and design that they innovated Ÿ Management the so-called of the concrete physical integration equipments,of which Tshwane have always and improvement made the construction for the quality projects and sustainable a simple exercise viabilitywhen of the they urban are and knowledgeably controlled by man and hence rural environment making all the project's work and unproblematic Ÿ Accessibility, availability affordability and of faultless. essential services and facilities Ÿ Achievement of a range of the CoT's These concretesuch equipments are available in a objectives, as the promotion of job widecreation, range and are each designed private to perform SMME development, diverse sector number participation of construction and BBBEE tasks in a special Ÿ Private manner. sectorCA investor 1300 single-drum investment in soil rollermajor is equipment that is designed operate capital projects within thetoCoT. Ÿon parking lot, road, street as well as utility The of the capital city isand alsothe about pipe remaking projects. The roller's engine intervening decisively in the creation hydraulic pumps are mounted on it inofa away modern urban premised on the that makes thefabric equipment operate effectively principles achieving justice, spatial and henceofwell versed spatial for good service sustainability, spatial resilience, spatial quality, delivery and maintenance. and spatial efficiency. The core objective of the remaking of drum Southroller's Africa'sengine capitaliscity is CA 1300 single in such about forges a new To a way how that itthe is City perpendicularly to identity. the frames realize thishydraulic objective, it requires while the pumps are inmobilization line with theof other spheres of government, engine.

Thus, the users of the residents, equipmentcivil can society, and the private in order from to easily reach requiredsector components concretize the process will lead to a In both the engine and thethat hydraulic pump. shared of South capital respect development to the arrangement of Africa's the engine, the city asroller envisioned Tshwane entire is ableintothe distribute theVision weight2055. at an optimal level.

Therefore, the City's infrastructure investment is around identified economic nodes CApremised 1300 roller comes with a special feature to lead as to the attainment a better known ejector exhaustofoutlet thatquality helps of life for all engine within the Cityand of Tshwane. minimize noise also puts This off thewill integrate service-based Citysection. in a dust fromapenetrating into divided the engine sustainable environmentally For activitiesand such as operation ofsensitive pneumatic manner. tools and sandblasting, construction contractors are provided with a reliable amount of air by a XAS 185 portable compressor. This compressor has added

benefits being economical,approach compact and Thus, ourlike nodal development efficient. XAS 185 urbanism portable compressor supported by new principles ishas to several the features make it better equipment. anchor City'sthat spatial transformation One is a 49-horsepower diesel engine, perspective and is key toKubota how spatial which complieswill witheventually the acceptable emission transformation be experienced standards. by the residents of Tshwane.

The engine speed constantly In this regard, the is new Tshwanemonitored House by a fully automatic regulator as per project the air is municipal headquarters complex demand thereby minimizing highaconsumption both a new building project and CBD of fuel. The compressor's fuelnot tank, is of regeneration project that will onlywhich achieve 20-gallons, the contractors to use the massive costenables effectiveness and productivity compressor approximately eight hours goals for thefor City's service delivery without the need refueling.

XAS 185 management, butfor also generate economic portable compressor has aforlow of in redevelopment outcomes thecost CBD maintenance as city a high resale price. particular, for as thewell whole generally.

This is contributed by the durable climate resistant polythene meant to protect The Project is for thecanopy provision of serviced the components of the compressor whileofat25 head office accommodation for a period the same time resisting impacts of corrosion. years excluding construction period of 24 Long distance transportation months to the staff of the Cityofofconcrete Tshwane mixture is made effective in construction by Metropolitan Municipality.

The scope of the the useentails of concrete mixer trucks.

Such project the demolition of the old trucks are preferred as they preventaconcrete “inferior” Munitoria buildings, complete new coagulation effectively,financing avoid stratification design, construction, and other of the concrete as well as ensure quality&and defined services including operations proper speed of construction. facilities management for a period of twenty five years for the provision of serviced Concrete plant can currently operate with accommodation to 1589 Municipal staff of the suitable inner citystorage equipments referred to as silos. Silos act as effective cement bins, thus, when installed considering aspects Tshwane Houseproperly Comprises of: as safety andaccommodation reliability bulky cement ŸsuchGrade A office for 1589is safely stored. council staff Ÿ A Green Star 5 Building silos cost can have level 25 system ŸThe Total of thematerial project over years installed in them, which enablesoperations, the including the construction, contractors to vividly position and the maintenance andsee life the cycle replacements quantity of the cement.value of R2 equates to stored a net present billion hand, S serial ŸOn the Up other to 1300 parking baysdouble over 2horizontal levels compulsion mixerconditions mixes hard and dry to ŸshaftCohesive working conducive concrete.

It is awith multi-functional interaction the public mixer whose high mixing quality, energy Ÿfeatures A 250are (enabled for 350) seater standalone saving, reduced noise, with efficiency and its Council Chamber, associated structure is simple. meeting rooms and communications booths.

MELCO Elevator S.A. (Pty) Ltd

Tel: 011 392 3330 Fax: 011 392 3335 P.O. Box 1328, Bramley, Johannesburg, 2018 MELCO Elevator is Proud to be Associated with the Tshwane House Development13

Fire Safety The high rate of population growth has led many people to congregate closer to each o ther leading to housing congestion w hich has led to the increased risks related to fire. Fire safety or fire prevention is the collection or set of practices which have been set with the aim of preventing the ignition of unwanted fire or curbing the damage that can be caused by fire.

Fire safety is threatened b y fire hazards, these are the elements which trigger fire or hinder fire prevention. In order to maintain fire. Fire safety is enhanced by the use fire safety elements. They are very important as they act as precautions which prevent any start of unwanted fire and they are a necessity for any housing.

Fire safety elements include; they work effectively and efficiently. For instance, the fire extinguishing system are employing the latest generation of the stable FPC fire extinguishing condensed aerosol forming compound comprised mainly of Potassium salts with no pyrotechnic materials.

They are highly effective, efficient, environmental friendly, non corrosive and non toxic. They have a fully automatic activation system, electrical, thermal safety, one must implement fire safety measures; they are a useful tool in prevention of fire.

The highest percentages of fires occur in residential areas as com pared with commercial areas. These fires are caused either accidentally or maliciously. The main fire hazards in informal settlements i nclude; kitchen fires, combustible materials near flames or sparks, smoking,

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candles and open fires, exterior cooking equipment, cooking appliances, maintaining proper fire exits, maintaining fire alarm systems for detecting fires, proper storage of fire hazardous materials, maintaining the correct type fire extinguishers, maintaining a complete inventory of and manual modes and have a se lf activation system. In any building, fire safety is maintained by providing protection for its occupants and provision of evacuation facility in case of fire emergency, by ensuring that the risk of fire spreading to another building is eliminated or minimized and that there is adequate means of access to fire extinguishing equipment.

In case of fire, electrical appliances and heating appliances. Whether fire has broken out in formal or informal area, its spreading is influenced by the natural environment such as wind and geographical position, combustible building materials and the housing congestion. Forests are also threatened by fire caused deliberately such as through dropped cigarettes or thr ough natural factors such lightning. fire stops among other elements.

Due to the improved technology and educated personnel, these elements have been improved to ensure that public safety is ensured by creating awareness of fire safety by providing; training, education programmes, informational resources, by providing expert guidance on fire and life safety and ensuring adequate space between buildings to minimize spread of fire.

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Heaters Heaters are made with an aim f optimizing energy consumption thus facilitating recovery of heat and saving on cost, heaters transfer solutions are designed based on task they are meant to play for example cooling, heating, condensing, evaporating and steaming.

Heaters transfer solution are based on plate type and the type of heat exchangers technology they poses which ranges from compact design, high capacity and heavy duty designs to small. These heaters transfers are available either as standard solutions or customized solution and are applied in a vast of industries processes ranging from chemical industries, aerospace, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, food and beverages. The major type of heat solution is: Bare tubes, plate and frame, shell and tube, spiral heat exchangers, finned tube, plate coil, tube in tube. Heat exchangers are either tabular, gasket, welded or semi welded plate.

The tabular heat exchangers are mostly applicable in food and beverages, example includes water desalination unit used to desalinate sea water into fresh utility water, compakva which has got small and compact heaters used for heating domestic tap water, district cooling and heating unit designed for central heating and cooling tap water, Para tube which is a multipurpose solution best for processing products with sensitive texture changes and those with high viscosity.

The plate heat exchangers ranges from duo safety systems designed to detect early leakages, duraflow systems designed for continuous processes for medium and high

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viscosity media, hygienic frames designed to meet maximum hygienic requirements, paraweld systems which contains welded channels so as to handle aggressive fluids and they are largely applicable in refrigeration for heat transfer, plate evaporator are designed for concentrating animal and vegetable extracts, parabrazed are designed for water heaters, gas boilers, as well as solar heating and lastly the energy saver system designed for high thermal efficiency used for processing low viscosity media.

Construction materials for heat transfer materials depends on the fluids vapor, temperatures and pressures in the system and in order to facilitate efficiency and effectiveness of heat transfer solutions the following factors must be considered, proper installation, proper selection and maintenance requirements.

Good maintenance entails full inspection on products, proper cleaning and replacement of the worn out products. Improper installation affects longevity and functionality of the systems components causing poor control and water hammer. When selecting quality energy transfer solution one must consider the initial cost, replacement cost in case the system fails to perform and maintenance cost.

Cranes Cranes and hoists vary in design and performance in different fields of work such as in the mines, construction sites, shipyards, rigging end trucks. end trucks. These cranes come with varied features that are essential to their degree of performance.

Single girder to running motorized en trucks kind of crane's features include two trucks that are sealed and totally enclosed, non-ventilated motors with adjustable D.C brakes, rubber bumpers, bridge beam fastener set as well as two helical gear reducers. With the mentioned features, externally adjustable D.C. brakes allow controlled deceleration, which is machining or general industrial operations.

The unique features associated with the convertible push and trucks include trolley stops, beam fabrication instructions as well as assembly and installation guide. Convertible push and truck's benefits include having fully machined frames that are convertible for either top running or under hung use. And for the wheels to roll smoothly on flat or tapered flanges, they are cast with iron and precision machine.

On the other hand, focusing on hoists, we can cover the air hoists, which also vary in regard to their lightweight and steel in nature to ensure durability, exclusive air motor gear with significant ability to accept contaminated air as compared to the other motors and it has also high starting torque ensuring proper spotting capability, automatic multi disc brake that is fully enclosed to ensure efficient protection and corrosion resistance as well as smart design

bottom blocks mounted on situations as well as in petrochemical industries. They are trusted solutions for effective and the safest handling and lifting of equipment and concrete construction materials .

They have corrosion resistance as well as smart design bottom blocks mounted on ball bearing for easier and smoother turning under load.

Hercu-link chain hoist series deliver enhanced strength, safety as well as rugged durability in applications demanded in the fields such as the shipyards, conventional or nuclear power generation and even construction.

Hercu- Link chain hoist is one in which enhanced safety is noticeable with the presence of automatic Cranes which are available and accessible in forms such as single girder top running motorized end trucks, double girder top running motorized end trucks as well as convertible push frames. It is also ideal when new head room requirement in an already existing application necessitates a new crane or even in situation where head room allows lower building heights for a new construction.

The LIFTCHAIN chain hoist series has a capability of lifting loads amounting to a capacity of 1.5 tons to 100 metric tons and it has a variety of configurations such as hook mount, a gear and a motorized trolley for mounting on beams as well as jibs.

Features characterizing the LIFTCHAIN hoist include rugged and compact design

Convertible push and trucks' kits offer a medium duty and push end truck design, which can be assembled for either top running or under hung cranes. Convertible push and trucks are compatible for assembly, maintenance, mean that additional lifts are obtainable, full flow pendent for maximum control as well as enhanced positioning of the load, the disc brake is non-asbestos and spring engaged with air release plus the hoist has a 100 % duty cycle multi-vane air motor.

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Earth moving equipment The objectives should be realistic, measurable and time bound so as to achieve maximum effectiveness. It is also important to assess all risks associated with these objectives so to facilitate positive income, for these objectives to be achieved there must be adequate resources both financial resources and man power.

Earth moving equipment of the mine site can simply be defined as the processes or an activity that aims at restoring land that is not active and has been abandoned to a productive state in regard to natural habitats, soil productivity, and fresh water thus enhancing its sustainability its beneficial uses and achievements of specific social economic outcome.

When mine sites and quarries are abandoned they are prone to pollution caused by dumping of pollutants materials by the community members, insecurity which comes in due to lack of warnings and fence, in order to protect the land from the above calamities there is need to enforce rehabilitation program.

Earth moving equipment program entails the following: Identifying the context of the rehabilitation plan, setting of the objectives for the program, developing the program, implementing the rehabilitation plan, management and monitoring of the program, closure of the program and finally follow up.

Rehabilitation program should be able to meet the following key requirements: Legislative requirements, safety and health of the area, economic viability and a possible positive economic impact to the local communities, create stable aesthetic landforms within the area, development of the area in accordance with local people

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cultural and beliefs in addition to hope and aspirations of all stakeholders, consider alternative reuse of the area, ecological sustainability, economic development, minimize soil erosion and reduction in maintenances requirements of the rehabilitated area.

Safety and healthy measures should be considered as integral part of rehabilitation and taken into action so as to minimize hazardous damages left behind by mining activities such as: emission of chemicals into the ground leaving heavy metals that gets contaminated with soil and water, pits and pots, falling rocks, unstable ground, high toxic gases, explosive fluids and dangerous shafts which in turn poses threat to the general habitat endangering its existence.

Alternative reuse of the abandoned mines and inactive quarries includes establishment of activities which are beneficial to the community such as using pits from these area such as water reservoirs and installation of sewage plants, open air museums which attracts tourism and can also be used for educational purposes. Local people's cultural beliefs, wishes and hopes should be considered in rehabilitation program and in reusing of the mine site because they are the beneficiaries and they are the ones affected, this is achieved by involving them in decision making

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Excavations Many vamping operations make use of manual labour with shovels and brooms to clean up these fines and recover them for further processing but vacuums have proven to be very useful in this application.

There are many ways to try and improve the grade coming out of a mine. Trying to reduce the amount of waste that is mined out with the ore (dilution) has a large and positive impact but this is not always possible and is sometimes unavoidable.

Making sure the plant is running at its best efficiency with the least possible losses through the process is also important but in general most plants run at a high efficiency unless they are of an older design or have seen a serious lack of maintenance. Vamping is another way to try and recover as much valuable ore as possible and has proven it can deliver.

Some studies have found that in gold mines which use a lot of explosives to blast out the stopes, 85% of the gold bearing material is less than 75 microns in size after the blasting has taken place. The grades that are often found in these fines are in the double digit range and in rare cases are even as much as 100 g/t.

Vacuuming ensures that all the material is efficiently recovered – it can remove material from cracks which sweeping is not capable of.

It also generates no dust at the nozzle, making it a safer method of recovery, especially underground. When used instead of jetting, vacuuming that makes use of roots

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type technology has the advantage of not needing water and also does not suffer from high grade material being washed away into the drains. Finally, vacuuming allows for recovery from confined areas where even shovels and brooms are difficult to use.

Vamping is a low cost operation because the actual mining has already been done and the infrastructure is also already in place. This means that the vamping crew can focus exclusively on the recovery of the fines material.

One thing to keep in mind is that vamping is a low volume operation with high grade returns which means you cannot measure the success by the amount of tons of ore these operations recover but rather the grades that are being achieved and the kilos of gold that are being added to the output of the mine every month. This requires grades to be measured more regularly.

Some mines process this material separately and collect it in bags of between 25 and 50 kg and transport it separately for proper monitoring purposes. Generally these vamping operations are done by contractors as the mine continues to focus on development and mining which is generally their core competence.

Personal Protection Equipment It is also called personal protective equipment, referring to all the equipment intended to be put on or held by a person at work that protects them against risks of any kind to their health and safety. The PPE can also be clothing worn by a student, contractors, employees or visitors in shielding their bodies against workplace hazards. For instance, in the event of an electric arc, workers are exposed to so high temperatures that results to severe burns.

They are used to supplement other means of hazard controls or further minimize the risk of injury.

PPE include equipment such as safety footwear, hard hats, high visibility waistcoats, goggles, life jackets, respirators and safety harnesses. Waterproof, weatherproof, or insulated clothing is subject to the regulations only if its use is necessary to protect employees against adverse climatic conditions that could however affect their health and safety.

Each piece has a different use and as well made of different materials appropriate for one use and not for the other. For instance, natural rubber gloves do protect the wearer from strong solutions of say bleaching effects for some time lesser than will do to protect from ammonia hydroxide effectively.

Hence, it is necessary to wear or use the right PPE. Since it may not offer protection fully, one must ensure the required levels of protection: should be selected with respect to the type of hazard and the degree of protection required; it should be useable in the presence of other workplace hazards; users should be trained in proper use and fit of the PPE; it should also be replaceable in case of error defects; the PPE should be properly stored and maintained.

Most used types of PPE in industrial and construction workplaces include: fall protection equipment protecting from falls from heights; earplugs protecting from noise; head protection, hard hats protecting against falling objects; safety footwear against crushing toes; safety glasses to protect the eyes from intense light, UV rays, radiation from hot objects and flying objects, dust particles and metal pieces. As well, safety gloves do protect one from contact with toxic chemicals and electric wires.

Other protection equipment available include: respiratory protection such as disposable, cartridge, air line, half or full

face; skin protection like sunburn creams, long sleeved clothes; PPE for specific tasks such as disposable clothing for working with chemicals; welding, painting for example lead aprons for x-ray protection, coveralls when using chemicals, leather jackets, trousers and spats for welding, thermal and cold protective clothing for work furnaces and cool rooms.

In addition to the equipment's responsibilities, the employees and other users are required to clean or sterilize the clothing equipment after use; in case of any damage or malfunction, to inform the service provider; must not misuse the clothing equipment; must use the protective clothing or equipment in a way instructed to use it.

The cost of using the personal protective equipments is meant by the employers. The PPE to use depends on the work environment, the work conditions, and the process being performed or rather the hazards involved. PPE should be used only when it is a last option after all other methods to improving safety have been taken.

Reasons to consider the PPE as a last resort are: restricting the user to some point limiting visibility or mobility thus creating additional hazards; effective protection can only be achieved through use of the appropriate PPE and if correctly fitted and maintained; thirdly, PPE only protects the one wearing it while the measures to control the risk at the source protect everyone in the workplace.

Factors to consider when choosing the suitability of PPE must be in line with the hazards involved in the task or the work place as well as meeting the needs of each individual. Further, it matters a lot if the type used is effective without increasing the overall risks; the PPE should be adjustable to suit the wearer; also the health condition of the users must be checked prior to wearing them; the types of PPE worn at the same time should enhance compatibility for efficiency.

Moreover, the manufacturers of personal protective equipment must ensure that the PPE will continue to provide the degree of protection for which it is designed through an effective maintenance system. This maintenance may include replacement, cleaning, examination, repair and testing.

Therefore simple maintenance such as cleaning, a wearer can easily do so while complex care is entrusted to competent personnel.

In conclusion, the personal protection equipment leads to benefits such as reducing the risk of illnesses; minimizes on future costs; and enhances safe working environments.

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Power Generation On the hand, it is necessary to note that power stations also referred to as generating stations, power plants, power houses or generating plants are industrial facilities for the generation of electric power.

Most of them contain one or more generators, a rotating machine that converts mechanical power into electric power. Most of the power stations in South Africa are owned and operated by Eskom which account for a bigger portion of all the electricity produced in the country and lesser portion of all the electricity produced in the African continent. It contains operational facilities and some under construction aimed at the increasing electricity generation.

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To begin with, generation refers to the amount of electricity a generator produces over a specific period of time. A generator's output may vary according to conditions at the power plant, fuel costs, or as instructed by the electric power grid operator. On the other hand, in this context, power refers to the electricity generated in power stations. Hence, would as well refer to power generation as electricity generation which is the process of generating electric power from sources of primary energy. It can be said it is the first process in the delivery of electricity to consumers. The other processes such electricity distribution, storage, recovery are normally carried out by the electric power industry. Power is mainly generated by electromechanical generators that are driven by heat engines fueled by combustion or nuclear fission as well as other means such as kinetic energy of flowing water and wind.

Other energy sources include solar photovoltaics and geothermal power.

Power is generated by the movement of a loop wire, or copper between the poles of magnet. Central power stations became economically practical with the development of other means of power transmission, using power transformers to transmit power at high voltage and with low loss.

Electricity has been generated at central stations since it's begin. The first power plants were run on water power or coal, but today depends on nuclear, natural gas, hydroelectric, wind generators and petroleum, coal and supplementary amounts from solar energy, tidal power, and geothermal sources.

Further, the use of power-lines and powerpoles have advanced the distribution of electricity significantly. There are several methods of generating electricity which are important in transforming other forms of energy into electrical energy. To commence with, in electromagnetic induction, kinetic energy s transformed into electricity through electric generator, dynamo or alternator. It is in almost all commercial electrical generation that electromagnetic induction is used where by mechanical energy forces a generator to rotate. The other method is static electricity that forms the physical separation and transportation of charge, for instance: triboelectric effect and lightning. Here, the electrostatic generator which was first discovered is still used even in the modern devices. Thirdly, most power is mainly generated through turbines driven by wind, water, steam or burning gas. Here, are many different methods of developing mechanical energy, including heat engines, hydro, wind and tidal power. Most of the power generation is driven by heat engines. The modern steam turbine currently generates about 80% of

electric power in the world using a variety of heat sources. For that reason, turbines have power sources such as steam by boiling water through burning coal in a thermal plant; nuclear fission heat created in a nuclear reactor creating steam; through renewables, steam is generated by biomass, solar thermal energy where solar parabolic troughs and solar power towers concentrate sunlight to heat a heat transfer fluid that then is used to produce steam; as well, turbines are driven by natural gases produced by combustion; further, small turbines can be powered by diesel engines which is usually at low voltage and hence used for back up generation. Last but not the least, the windmill was early on a wind turbine.

Fourthly, electrochemistry is a method used of generating electricity, which is a direct transformation of chemical energy into electricity in battery form. This electricity generation is important in portable and mobile applications. For example; the primary cells act as a power source directly, however many cell types are used for storage systems rather than primary generation systems. In addition osmotic power is a likely occurrence at salty and fresh-merge places. Just to mention, the other methods may include: photovoltaic effect; thermoelectric effect, which is the direct conversion of temperature differences to electricity in thermocouples, thermopiles, and thermionic converters; piezoelectric effect and nuclear transformation. In addition to the above, the selection of electricity production modes and their economic feasibility varies depending on the demand and the locality. As a result of differences in international economies, prices too do vary considerably.

All types of power plants and renewable sources have their own advantages and disadvantages, and thus their selection is determined by the local power demand and the fluctuations in demand. It is not economically viable for sources of production if power grid loads vary too much during the annual production cycle and the ability to store the flow of water for hydroelectric power is limited. Consequently, due to advanced technology, the merits have increased such as more massive production, renewable sources of power are experiencing reduced production costs and the energy in many cases is costcomparative with fossil fuels. Moreover, worldly, many governments are providing subsidies to curb the higher costs of any new power production and to make the installation of renewable energy systems economically feasible.

In summary, generating electricity from natural gases is relatively than generating power by coal.

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PPE Vending Machines PPE is an important requirement for many firms that provide safety equipment to the staff in order to reduce the risk of occupational injury or harm. The issuing and monitoring of protective equipment sometimes becomes tricky to control as the total costs escalate unnecessarily.

PPE vending machines do provide the means to address health and safety challenges faced by managers. Failing to provide adequate personal protective equipment to employees leads to potential life threatening risks that would result to serious financial and legal consequences. Therefore, the employers have realized the need of using on-site vending machines in providing these equipments. They provide protective gloves, goggles and ear defenders among other protections.

The vending machines do provide availability of PPE as well as offering storage under appropriate status and provide the means by which the employers can monitor and access the usage of the equipments. In addition, advanced systems are available to ensure monitoring of equipment from individual level facilitating the supply is sufficiently meant to both parties and prevention of casual pilfering that is common at the work places.

Vending machines have become common in that better control of small, highly consumable and highly valuable products. The vending products are such as PPE, batteries, cutting inserts, drill bits among others. Further, these machines reduce downtime for acquiring this equipment at the start of the shift. Enables

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companies to maintain a clean safe work environment to reduce injuries and mitigate safety risks.

Moreover, the vending machines allow for controlled access and can be programmed in a way that employees access the relevant PPE and other tools for the assigned task.

Vending units also provide employers with PPE usage data that helps manage a safety program and preventing costs from hiking.

Comprehension of the full usage enables the firms protect overstocking, under-stocking the equipment of which both can be expensive in view of products, compliance and complexity.

The importance of data from an inventory program managing PPE supplies can provide documentation during a safety audit or incident inspection. As well, this technique enhances complete understanding on the efficiency and effectiveness of a safety program hence allowing firms to identify new opportunities to improve it.

It is fundamental for industries to install PPE vending machines as they come with the following credits: has several user friendly features; helps each person to comply with workplace safety standards; demonstrates organizational commitment to employee

occupational health and safety; comes with tracking software that coordinates individual users as well as overall stock levels.

The overall objective is to minimize on consumption and the ability of the machine to cut down stolen goods in workplaces.

Increases productivity by making products available at all times saving money and time too. They enhance reduction in consumption and abuse since the employees are aware of being accountable after use. The machine is also customized to ensure that customer's unique products requirement are met and tested to ensure trouble free vending of the items.

The procedure to operating this machine; the user, say an employee, an employee, contractor or a visitor is required to use a smart card/key or a ring in order to operate or dispense the PPE vending machine. The smart cards contains no monetary value but rather serves as a tracking device of items enabling the owners or users ensuring they are not stolen nor misplaced.

The PPE vending machine then allows dispensing a safety item in the work place efficiently and effectively. On the other hand, safety equipment that is stored in the vending machine such as safety glasses, gloves, helmets are then issued to the users.

Above all the mentioned, it is important to note that PPE vending machine systems do not require refrigeration units, hence don't totally experience major and expensive problems.

Also, the system is designed with specific features and high quality materials that ensure longevity and reliability. In case of any issues arising, the machines are designed that such issues can be resolved through the phone, however such cases rare with these machines.

In some countries, there are two different sizes available to choose from, small to large.

The selection of the size is dependent on the volume of the PPE equipment that the respective workplace takes. These two options are alike in functionality and the characteristics. These features include: modern features and a sleek design; much user friendly; are long lasting and are much cheaper than others.

In conclusion, besides vending machines for Personal Protective Equipment, others serve as hot beverage vending machines, snack and can vending machines, water coolers, multipurpose vending machines or cash and cashless payment solutions.

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Revolving door A revolving door is used to control traffic or heating and air conditioning in a building. The revolving door structure consists of individual door panels (or wings), a center shaft with the hardware needed to support the door wings, a circular structure called a "rotunda" or "drum" that is usually fitted with glass, and the ceiling (supported by the rotunda) that contains either a mechanical braking device (used to control the speed of the doors) or an electronic device that uses a motor to drive the doors automatically.

The main benefit of a revolving door is that it is always closed and always open. This means that the design of the system is such that there is at least one door wing sealing the opening at all times reducing the amount of heating volume and air conditioning (HVAC) that escapes from a building and these savings in energy costs can be considerable.

The revolving door achieves these savings because the curved walls of the rotunda allow the seals to fit tightly as the door wings rotate.

Each wing is fitted with a rubber and felt weather seal. With time and use, these weather seals on the door wings must be replaced because their effectiveness diminishes with age. This process is also a part of the design of the revolving door system.

History The exact first use of revolving doors is unknown. However, it is known that they have been in use since about 1790 in Chicago where they are still widely used today.

Revolving doors solved the problem of how to automatically close the door opening in order to keep from losing heating or cooling. Early revolving doors were manufactured using wood because the technology and materials needed to economically manufacture them from metal was either not yet available or prohibitively expensive.

Raw Materials The materials used in the construction of a revolving door consist of aluminum extrusion, steel tubes, machined steel hardware pieces designed to attach the doors to the structure, marine grade plywood, glass (curved and flat), felt and rubber, and the mechanical devices used to control speed or a motor driven operator device to move the doors in response to a signal from a sensor.

Design Each basic revolving door design is modified (with respect to dimensions, number of door wings, whether the function is manual, automatic or security, and finish or color) to suit the users requirements. The basic design of the revolving door system is not changed, but it is available in several configurations.

When an architect specifies a revolving door, he or she is primarily interested in the best design that will conserve energy but also one that will bet suit the traffic requirements of the finished building. From this basic idea, the architect specifies the revolving door system and configuration, and manufacturers can adapt their designs to comply with the specifications.

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The Manufacturing Process All aluminum members are cut to length depending on the overall final dimensions of the revolving door. Aluminum extrusions are manufactured utilizing a very large press device called an extrusion press.

The press forces pre-heated aluminum cast billets through a steel die that has a shape cut to the requirements of the user. Much the same as a cake decorator who uses a sack of icing forced through a small nozzle to create designs and shapes, an extrusion takes the shape of the cut out in the die and these shapes can be made to very exact tolerances.

These extrusions are the main components used in revolving door manufacturing—they are designed to lock together and provide a very solid framework to support the rest of the system.

Revolving door systems can also be manufactured using exotic metals like brass or stainless steel to enhance their appearance.

These systems do not use aluminum extrusions. Instead, sheets of metal that are cut and formed to wrap around a steel skeleton (sub-frame) are welded in place.

They can easily cost as much as three times that of a standard aluminum revolving door.

The circular rotunda walls are formed from aluminum extrusions that are repeatedly fed through a bending machine until the correct radius is achieved. The radius depends on the required size of the revolving door.

The most common size (width) is 8 ft (2.4 m), but these systems can be manufactured to much larger widths. Larger systems are usually motorized because the structure would be very difficult to push manually. The bending machine consists of three rollers through which the straight piece of aluminum is fed.

After each bend, the rollers are moved closer together and the material is fed through again until the correct radius is achieved.

This process is critical because the door panels must not only fit inside the rotunda, but they must also evenly rotate 360 degrees without hitting the rotunda walls. The seal between the door panels and the rotunda must also be maintained to reduce the amount of hot and cold air entering and leaving through the door.

All aluminum parts (doors, frames, etc.) are welded together and prepared to receive the hardware components that make up the emergency breakout system.

The circular ceiling is cut from 1 in (2.54 cm) thick marine grade plywood and then laminated with 0.125 in (0.318 cm) thick aluminum sheet to form the interior ceiling.

Steel angle is welded together in a grid pattern to provide the support for the ceiling and to secure the mechanical speed control device.

The grid is installed on top of the ceiling.

The speed control device is a system of spring loaded brake shoe assembly that rotates inside a drum. As the rotational speed of the revolving door increases, so does the brake shoe assembly and the pressure of the brake shoes against the drum slows the revolving door down preventing the "freewheeling" effect. The speed control device can be mounted in the ceiling or in the floor. Floor mounted speed controls are used on systems that have glass ceilings or have insufficient clearance at the top of the door system.

The center shaft is fabricated and fitted with the balance of the breakout hardware.

Revolving door systems (in the United States) must be fitted with a "panic collapsing mechanism" or "breakout system" that permits the door frames to fold against one another.

This bookfold position permits an unobstructed exit from the interior to the exterior of the building in the event of a fire or other emergency. The Uniform Building Code (adopted by most municipalities in the United States) requires the breakout system together with another manual or automatic swinging or sliding door next to the revolving door for emergency exit and handicap access.

The breakout mechanism consists of two breakout plates that are attached to each end of the center shaft. They are slotted because the door frames are fitted with pivot bars that allow the door frame to fold out of position as described above. The breakout plates have removable access gates that allow the door

frame to be hung to the assembly using a pivot bar assembly.

The gates that allow the door frame to be hung to the assembly using a pivot bar assembly. The revolving door panels rotate with the center shaft assembly and the center shaft an aerial view and a cut-away of a revolving door.

The ceiling is prepared for the light fixtures (cut-outs) and the center shaft hole is cut at the very center.

Assembly is, as previously discussed, fitted with breakout plates at the top and bottom.

There are additional hardware devices at each end of the center shaft and these devices are the actual center shaft pivot points. They are referred to as stub shafts.

The bottom of the center shaft assembly sits inside a bearing assembly that is secured to the floor of the building. The bearing permits the revolving door to rotate smoothly and is necessary to prevent mechanical breakdown due to wear.

The entire revolving door is assembled at the factory for testing. Once cleared for shipment, the revolving door is disassembled and wrapped in protective plastic. A wood crate is built and the revolving door components are packed and secured for their journey to the job site.

When the revolving door assembly is erected, a series of tests and measurements are made in order to verify that the product conforms to the requirements of the customer. The system is checked for correct height and width, all functions of the revolving door are tested (speed control, breakout system, weather stripping, etc.) and adjustments are made where needed. In the case of security systems or automatic systems, each computer function or mode of operation is checked and rechecked for proper operation. The quality control inspector must sign off on an inspection form before the door system can be disassembled.

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Safety and Security Software in Construction Though the vibrations are experienced at intervals, VIBXPERT II is well inbuilt with tools to curb and to eradicate the problem. VIBXPERT II Balancer as a portable condition monitoring system that is portable, fault of unbalancing especially with the rotors equipment can easily and powerfully be handled.

Systems or machines are by all means vital in the daily undertaken activities that could not be easily done by human strength. These activities are especially in the industrial fields and the mining sectors to name just but a few.

Unlike man, who can harmoniously detect a breakdown of his own body system and act by himself without hurting others, systems break instantly and man, who effectively controls the systems cannot easily escape the dangers the come with a system's vibration analyzer.

A number of its special features include; user friendliness and intuitive operation, automatic switchbox support, fast measurements by use of trending spectra, long-lived battery as well as powerful diagnostic tools for troubleshooting machines. Abnormal vibrations produced by rotating machines as a result of unbalancing, misalignment, defective bearings, looseness and gear damage.

The balancer breakdown; fatal injuries and even immediate deaths are not easily gotten away with. However, such fatal emergencies can be avoided in advance. This is only via implementation of condition monitoring systems. Condition monitoring systems are available in different versions; they can either be portable or online. Portable systems for condition monitoring are ultimate for inspections and appropriate diagnosis in the machine park. Examples of them include data collectors plus vibration analyzers.

Online helps detect unbalances effectively thereby correcting the fault in advance.

VIBXPERT II has with it special features that have shaped its outstanding performance, which include one-hand operation that is manageable, powerful reporting tool, upgradability to vibration analyzer, 1 and 2 plane field balancing as well as machine diagnostic and integrated vibration analysis.

Online condition monitoring systems are fast, reliable and powerful to protect assets such as

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machines with very high end technology.

VIBGUARD is an example of advanced online condition monitoring system, which has 20 parallel channels, intelligent data reduction, DIN rail mountable, various configurations, continuous monitoring and seamless integration to condition monitoring systems on the other hand are ideal for automatic detection of changes in the conditions of a machine; they work autonomously thereby making them accurate in timely detection of possible breakdown.

With the latest technology, there are special portable conditions monitoring systems that play multiple roles in ensuring conditions of machines. Such a system is the VIBXPERT II, which is an all-in-one data collector, field balancer as well as a control system. It is most compatible to offer parallel and synchronous data acquisition, protects assets from unplanned shutdown and carries out high diagnostics to ensure high rate of productivity and measures time signals for all kinds of signal inputs. In order to perform in high depth of analysis and monitoring of turbo machinery, the VIBGAUARD is connected to the buffered outputs of real time protection systems. It is also swift in data processing, thus, it is suitable for protecting assets with much shorter running cycles like the machining tools and cranes. VIBGAUARD It is effective and offers high level of troubleshooting as it is also available in the portable version.

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Security Communication and tracking for underground mines that is digital in nature meets the underground communication infrastructure as well as a real time transfer of data.

Excellent Security communication and IT Solution give room for enhancing efficiency, safety and significant productivity in the mining industries. This is in both conducive and harsh mining environment within a given underground mining industry. Perfect underground communication and IT solutions consist of reliable, up-to-date and effective technologies as well as skillful personnel, who exercise underground intelligence and expertise to ensure safety and productivity through effective asset monitoring.

Cap lamps are another type of underground communication solution to the underground mining. A cap lamp that can be considered competent as compared to other camp lamps is the Integrated Communications Cap Lamp (ICCL) inbuilt with features like personal protection equipment and communication equipment such as PED text message reader.

Underground wireless communication is also recommended as a solution to underground communication for underground mining resources such as coal.

With the incorporation of features such as LAN Wi-fi protocol or Wi-fi digital system, effective communication and quality data is achieved allowing productivity in the underground mines. A tracking system that is Wi-fi based acts as an effective safety tool as it effectively helps monitor the mining machineries such as vehicles as well as personnel working underground. Other benefits that come with such a tracking system include its ability to allow video cameras, phones and also PCs operate underground plus enabling automation.

This is due to the benefits that come with underground wireless communication. First, it covers a long range of distance; current frequencies permit rum for approximately 2050 km LOS connecting clients. A high speed that allow up to 50 Mbps bandwidth and it is also secure since it uses encryption of a higher standards.

Detection systems for mines can as well be implemented for underground mining. For instance, proximity detection system, which is in other words known as Collision Avoidance System (CAS), is a detection system that is designed to prevent the risk of personnel coming into contact with the underground mining machineries in a manner that cannot be controlled.

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For the most critical underground mining environment, underground mesh radio communication is recommended as the best solution. Full wireless mesh network's ability to allow a given node connect with another in communication in the mining site allows consistent communication even as the site changes with continuous underground mining.

Thus, harsh mining sites need ruggedized cell phones, PDAs and radios to name a few.

Underground mesh network does also support automation, data communication between heavy machines and also monitoring the performance of such machines.

Stemming Trucks Stemming is essential in the drill and blast mining stage, where aggregate material is placed on top of explosives in drill holes.

When the explosives are detonated, the stemming locks and the expanding gases keep the forces the boreholes until the rocks start breaking. As result, stemming trucks are created so as to efficiently stem the holes on a blast pattern. Stemming using the Ausroad stemming trucks is repeating on how stemming has been in previous applications.

Its application contributes in making the blasting procedures quick and more productive.

Ausroad stemming trucks are designed in such a way that they can work in demanding environments during usual mining operations.

These machines have revolutionized the stemming process within open cut mines, leading to improved safety and significant savings in materials, time and manpower.

There are different types of stemming trucks characterized by large stemming units, water spray system to manage dust, a metering system that can determine how much stem work to put in the hole on a meter basis, zero waste of aggregate, single operator function through joystick control from the cab, custom length placing conveyor to reach either side of the truck for stemming and other functions.

There are several merits achieved in using the stemming trucks. They are such as operational safety in which the process is fully controlled from the driver's seat through a joystick thus enhancing safety; ability to access hard-to-reach blast areas and decreasing the line between charge and blast to an almost a negligible period. When companies join to produce a stemming truck, this is a great benefit to the nation as they are able to increase production even when the times of mining challenges such as high production costs, high commodity prices, labor unavailability and others.

On the other hand, when the stemming trucks are available or locally manufactured, this becomes a credit to the users and clients as they are assured of local support and readily available spare parts where need be.

Proportional hydraulic control allows accurate control and placement of stemming materials which reduce wastages and increase on efficiency. In addition they lead to fewer unpredictable vehicle movements on site that improves the safety and effectiveness; less dust and heat exposure for ground staff.

The following are the types of trucks. To begin with jet-master trucks are designed for many road maintenance applications including

repairing broken edges of sealed, repairing potholes, depressions, wheel path rutting and drainage bumps. They help to save time since they can be cleaned while running, are rotor free, have no moving parts and can handle any material.

Secondly, water trucks is used in mining sectors or for civil construction projects for road maintenance that have a full epoxy lining to prevent corrosion and are highly reliable.

They are either fitted with remote controlled water cannons, hydraulic sprays, ground spray systems, timers for various spray patterns and rear view cameras. Water trucks are used for applications such as compaction, dust control, or fire prevention.

Trucks for compaction are required for construction works as they help to compress the surface of the ground making it smoother and manageable for construction. It is mainly used in cases of land preparation for residential construction or on farm-land, making it easier to compress into a firm and load bearing surface. On the other hand, water trucks for dust control are widely used in large earthmoving operations, such as mining or road building to control the amount of air.

On the final application, water trucks can be used by fire-fighters for their back up as well as spraying water onto roads or bush-lands as a preventive measure in case of severe dangers of fire or to suppress existing fires and stop them spreading.

In summary, suitable extraction tools are available in enabling cartridges to be removed, that takes the form of a corkscrew or barb of nonferrous material which can be connected to stemming rods.

In addition, it is necessary to consider the explosive costs as well as optimizing costs and making informed decisions and production costs when selecting the drilling and blasting methods.

Thirdly, emulsion trucks are important road maintenance solutions which can either be truck mounted, trailer mounted, skin mounted or mini sprayer units. The other type is the high quality HD trucks designed specifically for delivering asphalt, aggregates or quarry products horizontally to the ground and customized for a variety of other tasks The HD trucks are appropriate for small and large patching jobs, heavy maintenance jobs and general repairs.

However, removing stemming and re-priming is a course of action to consider in case of dealing with misfire. Nonetheless, this operation can be hazardous hence requiring huge care after a detailed consideration. For instance, when a hole contains detonators and its anticipated excessive force would be required to remove the stemming, then the operation must not be performed. This is would end up in premature initiation of the charge, especially if the detonator is close to the top of the main charge and is immediately below the stemming. Further, under no condition should the explosives or the detonators be removed from a borehole by pulling on the detonator leads.

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Stockpiling Management This system has a comprehensive knowledge of mobile machine and conveyor control systems that enhances a complete stockyard optimization solution. Its main features are such as the system can be used in simulating different circumstances including new stacking and reclaiming modes; can determine burst out limits when the bucket wheel should leave the coal in mining sites to optimize turn around for all reclaiming methods; has the ability to provide volume look ahead for current bucket wheel trajectory, allowing the machine control system to adjust long travel; the system is straightforwardly integrated with existing site hardware, control systems and operational database systems; it is also generic and can be configured for any stockyard layout with any combination of yard machines; the basis of the profile model is constructed from machine position information and material properties among others.

A stockpile refers to a storage location for bulk materials, forming a part of bulk material handling process. Stockpiles are used commonly in areas such as in a refinery, port or say a manufacturing facility.

A stacker makes up a stockpile while a reclaimer is used to recover the material.

Stockpiles are part of the essential path in material handling supply chains. Any stacking and reclaiming gains do affect the profits while indirectly affecting machine maintenance.

On the other hand stockpiling management systems are important physical principles incorporated by firms for material flow as well as scanning instruments to delivering an accurate and robust solution.

In addition, mining sites require stockpile management software with 3D views which comprises of detailed quality of data of stockpiles for better stacking and reclaiming decisions. The advantages are that it creates user defined stacking patterns based on performance, capacity or quality; has 3D view gains of the stockpiles; maximizes stockpile and yard capacity with consistent stacking results and actual infill stacking.

In order for one to claim a waste deduction, there is need to know when that waste should be received and have suitable systems for substantiation. Stockpiling waste before processing it or transporting it off-site, one should ensure that the amount of waste in tonnes and applicable levy rates added to the stockpile and recycle process are recorded; as well as the amounts transported from the site. Deductions cannot be claimed for waste that was received more than a day time period before the date on which the deduction is claimed. When claiming deductions for the stockpiles, the first-in firstout accounting financial principle is used.

In other words, stockpile management is a wide ranging term that covers specific technical areas related to the safety and security of ammunition and explosives in accounting, storage, transportation and handling. Further, it includes determination of stockpile sizes, types of stockpiles, their location and the management of ammunition in service. As a result, proper planning is essential in stockpile management so as all activities involved work together as an integrated system.

The secure national management of small arms stockpiles is instrumental in preventing small arms proliferation. However, poor

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stockpile security leads to illicit market of the arms. Corrupt officials may trade off weapons under their account to criminal groups or rebel forces. Measures to ensure the security and management of legal stocks of small arms and to reduce surplus weapons are important components for an effective action programmed to combat illicit trafficking and prevent and deduct the proliferation of small arms.

The importance of stockpile management in this case include: improving security through ensuring that weapon leakages does not threaten the security which the military is trying to provide; that it does not threaten the security personnel as their own leaked guns may be turned back on them; illicit ammunition are not stolen, misused in the civilians' hands. Moreover, safety is improved, if not safely stored, can lead to explosion of ordnance stocks which would kill many people and destroying properties too.

Also if stored in poor conditions such as wet ones, the stability of ammunition and explosives is compromised hence resulting to unsafe handling. Thirdly, the stockpile management ensures appropriate registration of the amount of weapons in stock helping identify lost ones and prompt their recovery actions. The exact number of weapons in stock become known thus ensuring accountability.

Just to mention, basic measures to take when storing ammunition are such as smoking or fire should not be allowed near the area of storage; in case of only one storage room, different categories of items should be placed separately in the room; if the ammunition category is not definite where it belongs, then should be stored as category 1; there should not be fuse detonator; all the weapon magazines should be emptied and stored with the weapons; any directional weapons such as rocket propelled grenades should be placed with the warhead facing out of the stack and away from occupied areas.

Last but not least in case of fire, one should not enter the storage area until a fire brigade arrives.

The most effective way to ensure is to limit access to unauthorized personnel through measures such as having alarm systems, guarding the sites with dogs and patrols, fencing and external lighting systems, controlled access measures, inventory control through audits and stock-checks, purpose-built storage facilities and consequently installing surveillance equipment.

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Supply Chain Finance The buyers optimize working capital, and the supplier generates additional operating cash flows, thus minimizing the risk across the supply chain. Supply chain generally involves the use of technology platform in order to automate transactions and track the invoice approval and settlement process from initiation to completion. This technique has become popular due to increasing globalization and complexity of the supply chain especially in automotive, manufacturing and the retail sector.

It is also referred to as reverse factoring or supplier finance which is a set of solutions that optimizes cash flow by allowing businesses to prolong their payment terms to their suppliers while providing the option for their large and small market enterprises suppliers to get paid early. The small businesses have the benefit from high credit scores of their buyers, and for buyers to lengthen their payment terms.

Supply chain finance has the following features: it is not a loan; it is an extension of the buyer's accounts payable and is not considered financial debt whereby it represents a true sale of supplier's receivables; it's not for large companies only for it provides value for firms of all sizes and credit ratings; does not require a bank since the programs can be self-funded by the buyers, without a bank's participation in funding or else financing is shared by the buyer, capital markets and financial institutions; finally, supply chain does not require to be tied to a single bank.

Reverse factoring has several transactions such as extension of buyer's accounts payable terms, inventory finance and payables discounting. Supply chain finance enhances working capital in two ways: encourages collaboration between the buyer and seller, rather than the completion that often pits buyer against seller and otherwise.

Secondly, it connects the financial transactions to value as it moves through the supply chain.

The supplier finance works well when the buyer has a better credit rating than the seller and therefore can access capital at a lower cost. The seller benefits by accessing cheaper capital, while having the option to sell its receivables to receive immediate payment. On the other hand, the buyer is able to negotiate better terms from the seller such as an extension of payment terms that enables the buyer to conserve cash or use it for other purposes.

The procedure of reverse factoring is as follows: the supplier sends their invoices to the buyer using the current policy; the buyer approves the invoices and uploads the approved invoice data to the supplier platform; at any time, the supplier is able to access the invoices on logging into supply chain finance platform.

The fund may settle directly in the supplier's bank account on the original maturity date or the supplier may trade his receivables to a

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funder on the platform in return for advance payment. Fifthly, if traded before maturity, the difference between full invoice and discount is electronically transferred to the supplier's bank account. Nonetheless, the supply is often paid during the next day of business.

The financing rates are based on the buyer's risk and not the supplier's. Sixthly, the buyer pays the full invoice to the supplier at maturity. Meanwhile, the buyer simultaneously benefits, because they have effectively extended their payment terms without negatively influencing the suppliers.

Supply chain finance is mutually beneficial for both the buyers and suppliers as it stabilizes the cash flow. Buyers can extend their payment terms but without pressurizing the suppliers directly; the cost can be lower since the funding is directly based on the buyer's credit rating; suppliers get similar benefits to invoice finance as they get paid within a shorter time rather than waiting for long payment terms; competition and transparency in a multi bank platform forces lower prices from funders.

Buyers can bring additional banks to fund their programs if the existing funder's price is too high thus the buyers are leveraged to influence the funder's behavior and maximumly drives competitive prices; selection of a multibank option allows the buyer full control of which banks want to work with and the flexibility to introduce new funders in order to meet liquidity shortfalls due to current funders possibility of losing credit appetite in a reverse factoring platform.

Consequently, the main profit from the supply chain finance is that the buyer does not pay any fee to extend its payment terms and the supplier only pays a small discount if he wants to get paid early.

In summary, it is a collaborative process, whereby the lender aids both the buyers and the suppliers and all the three parties agree.

Hence, the supplier finance is not similar to invoice finance even when the supplier sees them alike. On the other hand, smaller buyers use trade finance to fund transactions on receiving goods from suppliers if and only if are financially strong and are working with creditworthy suppliers.

This is done through letters of credit or cashes upfront from large lenders that guarantee the payment to the suppliers.

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Business confidence drops back in the fourth quarter After improving to 42 index points in the third quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) fell back by four points to 38. This means a slightly bigger majority of the 1600 respondents, surveyed between 17 October and 21 November, are now unsatisfied with business conditions than during the third quarter.

As the hype around the local elections has faded, the rand has weakened and the petrol price has risen, there was always a chance sentiment would deteriorate. In the end, this is exactly what happened. After considerable increases in the third quarter, confidence dropped back in the motor and retail trade sectors in particular, and to a lesser extent in the wholesale trade. Sentiment among manufacturers remained unchanged at a still depressed level, while the building sector was the only sector that sustained an increase in its BCI. After jumping from 26 index points to 43 in the third quarter, retailer confidence deteriorated to 34. In addition to continued subdued growth in real household income, the application of new (and stricter) regulations for the granting of in-store credit also depressed sales volumes, in particular of semi-durable goods (clothing, footwear etc.) and durable goods (furniture, appliances etc.). Although sales of non-durable goods (such as food and beverages) held steady, lower price increases weakened turnover and profitability. From the look of things, trading conditions during the upcoming festive period will be as challenging as ever.

As for new vehicle dealerships, many longed for an improvement in sales during the fourth quarter. This failed to materialise.

Consequently, their mood deteriorated anew, with more than seven out of every 10 dealerships now unhappy with prevailing business conditions.

Figure 1: RMB/BER Business Confidence

Source: BER, SARB (Shaded areas represent economic downswings) 38

Although the BCI among wholesalers changed little, drifting lower from 56 to 53, it hides a shift in underlying sales volumes; while those of consumer goods weakened markedly, the sales of non-consumer goods showed a definite recovery. The relative improvement in the agricultural, mining and building sectors lifted the sales of non-consumer goods such as machinery, chemicals and building materials.

Manufacturer confidence remained unchanged at 30 index points, so mirroring the growth in production volumes, which continued to hover around zero. Domestic sales volumes recovered and export sales continued to do comparatively well, but production didn't have to be ramped up due to sufficient levels of stocks of finished goods.

The improvement in residential building activity, which started at the beginning of the year, gathered pace in the fourth quarter. This in itself was good enough to lift the overall confidence of building contractors from 44 to 48. By contrast, and following the period of spectacular growth between 2012 and 2015, non-residential building activity fell back in mid-2015 and has continuously struggled since then.

Bottom line Despite the small drop in the fourth quarter, at 38, the RMB/BER BCI is still an improvement, if only just, on the 32 points reached in the second quarter. The low point in the index may thus well be behind us. Yet, in no way do the fourth quarter survey results imply that a notable economic recovery is upon us. Rather, the results continue to point to a “muddlethrough” scenario where growth, in all likelihood, continued to move broadly sideways at a low rate in the second half of the year.

Credit rating agencies continuously cite the country's low level of business confidence as a factor inhibiting GDP growth, and rightly so.

“Simply put, without a notable improvement in sentiment, the economy will remain stuck in first gear”, said Ettienne Le Roux, chief economist of RMB. To this end, the initiatives being taken by the different CEO-Presidential working groups are important. Equally so are the apparent measures being discussed, and hopefully will be acted on by the relevant parties to help stabilise the labour market in future. But more needs to be done to boost sentiment as the likely related payoffs in stronger fixed investment, greater employment and faster GDP growth in the end will all be worth it.