South African gold mining giant Anglogold Ashanti on Thursday took its first steps into Russia, saying it would buy a 29,9% stake in London-listed Trans-Siberian Gold in a multi-million dollar deal. Anglogold Ashanti president Sam Jonah said the projects in Russia opened new horizons for the company.
A boilermaker died in an explosion near a production shaft of Sasol’s Middelbult Colliery in Secunda on Thursday morning, the petroleum giant said. Ryno Olivier (20), who was employed by Ukhozi Mining, died on the scene of the accident when a container used for storage of oxygen and acetylene bottles exploded on the surface.
A defiant Saddam Hussein mocked his accusers in a landmark court appearance in Iraq on Thursday, describing the process as "theatre" and calling United States President George Bush the real criminal. An unrepentant Saddam refused to sign legal papers after seven charges were read against him.
The Aids pandemic has taken a particularly heavy toll on Southern African countries — not least Mozambique. According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids latest statistics indicate that about 13% of the country’s 19-million-strong population is infected with HIV.
In a country notorious for poor service, it is refreshing to see a company like Liberty Life actually doing something proactive to remedy the problem. It’s never easy admitting that one is not perfect, but the life assurer has done just that with its recently launched "We’re working on it" media campaign.
The JSE Securities Exchange (JSE) was in positive territory in noon trade on Thursday, lifted by a slightly softer rand and basket-buying by futures players. Volumes were thin and the market’s illiquidity amplified its gains. At 12.02pm, the all-share index was up 0,68%.
C-Max Investments was named on Thursday as the preferred bidder for a combined retail, commercial and residential development in Newtown, Johannesburg. The construction would be part of a new development zone called Central Place, Newtown, and the Gauteng Tourism Authority has already signed a lease.
Political parties should be funded equitably by the state and private companies, Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille said on Wednesday. ”Fifty percent of the funds should be allocated on an equal basis to all political parties,” De Lille said in a speech prepared for delivery at a meeting on party funding in Cape Town.
Metorex, the midtier multicommodity mining group, has taken advantage of the recent strength in the rand/dollar exchange rate. At the time of its acquisition of the Barberton gold operation, Metorex entered into forward gold sale contracts to provide security for the repayment of a six-year loan raised from a consortium of bankers.
The finalists of the 2004 Businesswoman of the Year Award were announced by the Businesswomen’s Association late on Wednesday night. This year’s candidates represent the hospitality, financial services, IT and advertising industries. The winner of the award will be announced on August 25.