Free State Business 2017 edition
Free State Business 2017 is the seventh edition of this highly successful publication that has since its launch in 2008 established itself as the premier business and investment guide to Free State Province. Supported and utilised by the Free State Development Corporation (FDC), Free State Business is unique as a business journal that focuses exclusively on the Free State.
Free State Business 2017 is the seventh edition of this highly successful publication that has since its launch in 2008 established itself as the premier business and investment guide to Free State Province. Supported and utilised by the Free State Development Corporation (FDC), Free State Business is unique as a business journal that focuses exclusively on the Free State.
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OVERVIEW<br />
Lucrative opportunities exist for mineral processing. A minerals<br />
beneficiation strategy has been developed because this sector is seen<br />
as a key area for potential growth.<br />
Diamonds<br />
Petra Diamonds’ Koffiefontein mine increased revenue from<br />
$17.8-million in 2015 to $25.7-million in 2016, an increase of 44%. The<br />
total carats sold rose by 21% to 55 500. This is part of the company’s<br />
long-term expansion plan at the mine (situated in the south-western<br />
part of the province). By <strong>2017</strong>, Petra intends on producing 100 000 carats<br />
per year from the mine, which has a resource of 5.7-million carats. Petra<br />
has seven mines in South Africa. The Star mine, in which Petra (75%)<br />
is in partnership with Sedibeng Mining, is the other <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong> asset.<br />
The Lace mine is near Kroonstad, which Diamond Corp is in the<br />
process of raising money to develop more rapidly. The intention is<br />
to produce ore at a rate of 4 000 metric tons per day, and access to<br />
higher-grade kimberlite could lead to the production of 500 000 carats<br />
per year. The Industrial Development Corporation has advanced<br />
R220-million in project finance.<br />
In March 2014, a new share issue<br />
in London attracted R38-<br />
million and was over-subscribed.<br />
Further funds were raised in July<br />
2015 and December 2015 (when<br />
R70-million was raised).<br />
De Beers’ Voorspoed mine<br />
will have a production capacity of<br />
800 000 carats per year when<br />
it is fully operational. During<br />
the building phase, about<br />
R70-million was generated<br />
in the region, and the company<br />
intends on spending<br />
R400-million per year on<br />
capacity development.<br />
In July 2016, De Beers, the<br />
South African government and<br />
the South African diamond<br />
cutting industry launched a<br />
project to encourage diamond<br />
beneficiators. Among the first<br />
companies involved are Thoko’s<br />
Diamonds, African Diamonds,<br />
Nungu Diamonds and Kwame<br />
Diamonds.<br />
Coal<br />
The energy sector is using less<br />
coal and neither of the main sectors<br />
that use the chemicals made<br />
at Sasolburg (agriculture and mining)<br />
is growing.<br />
The mine is run by Sasol<br />
Mining and supplies Infrachem<br />
in Sasolburg with two-million<br />
tons of coal per year. Sasol Mining<br />
has invested in dust-suppression<br />
technologies, which are remote<br />
controlled. Technologies include<br />
scrubbers and high-pressure<br />
water spray systems.<br />
Anglo Coal runs the New Vaal<br />
Colliery in the middle of a triangle<br />
FREE STATE BUSINESS <strong>2017</strong><br />
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