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Limpopo Business 2018-19 edition

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A unique guide to business and investment in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Launched in 2007, the 2018/19 edition of Limpopo Business is the 10th issue of this highly successful publication that has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Limpopo Province. Limpopo has many investment and business opportunities. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there are special features on developments in the transport and logistics sector and a focus on tourism. Interviews with industry leaders in development finance from the Industrial Development Corporation and the Small Enterprise Development Agency share their insights into the state of the provincial economy. Investment news related to mining, telecommunications and development finance is carried in overviews of all the main economic sectors. The publication also has a comprehensive register of all provincial government and municipal contact details. Updated information on Limpopo is also available through our monthly e-newsletter - which you can subscribe to at www.globalafricanetwork.com

FOCUS Palabora Mining

FOCUS Palabora Mining Company Investing – in mining, energy saving, communities and people. The Palabora Mining Company (PMC) is one of Limpopo Province’s most significant investors. PMC has been mining, concentrating, smelting and refining copper and other by-products in the eastern part of the province since 1956. Two feasibility studies in 2013 and 2014 underpinned the decision to extend the life-of-mine for a further two decades. PMC’s investment into mining infrastructure brings with it major investments in the communities in which it operates and in people – who live near the mines, and the staff who work for the company. BRICS investment A Chinese consortium acquired the mining operation in 2013 when there was a possibility that the life of the mine would be culminated and the smelter closed because it was outdated. Both of these scenarios would have led to many job losses. Soon after the sale transaction, the new owners fostered partnerships between Palabora Copper (the operating subsidiary of Palabora Mining Company) and Chinese companies in various areas such as economic development, trade, skills and technology transfers to extend the life-of-mine, refurbish the smelter and build a new floatation plant. The latter two projects were implemented in partnership with China’s Beijing General Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (BIGRIMM). PMC is the member of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Business Council Manufacturing Working Group as it wishes to contribute to a favourable environment for growth, technology exchanges and assist South Africa in building international cooperation platforms that embody the spirit and ethos of BRICS. PMC’s success story is one that shows that amid cultural differences within BRICS countries, challenges and growing global economic uncertainties, cooperation by companies from BRICS countries can create a favourable environment for growth. LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2018/19 28

FOCUS Investing in mining Once the decision was made to extend the mine’s operations, large amounts of capital were committed to mining operations (R10.4-billion), construct an improved floatation plant (R261-million) and the refurbishment of the smelter (R878-million). The project to extend the mine’s life is known as Lift II and it will take mining at PMC to 2033. The project aims to make use of a large historical stockpile to create further revenue. Investing in energy PMC runs an Energy Management Programme that has resulted in significant savings at the mining operation. In the five years to 2017, the company saved R232-million through avoided energy costs with respect to electricity, coal and liquid fuels, and water usage. The company’s investment in energy saving through 31 projects successfully implemented was rewarded with the award by Productivity SA of the 2017 Limpopo Productivity Award. Investing in communities The decision to extend the life-of-mine has had an impact on surrounding communities and small businesses in the area. Through PMC’s enterprise development and supply chain programmes, local small business owners have been able to open or expand their operations. Over the years, PMC has invested more than R186-million in developing communities through the Palabora Foundation, PMC’s community project execution partner. Community projects include road rehabilitation and construction, and the hosting of sporting events. A 24-hour emergency health centre, MarulaMed, was inaugurated in April 2018. The centre caters to the Phalaborwa community which does not have a private clinic. Investing in people Education and skills development are among the most important drivers of the Palabora Foundation’s programme. In addition, skills transfer within the staff, most of whom are drawn from local communities, is a company priority. In professional cadres and senior positions, PMC aims to have 40% representation of Historically Disadvantaged South Africans (HDSA). Also included in the plan is the employment of people with disabilities. PMC has attained and retained the Top Employer Certification for three conservative years, from 2016 to 2018. The company aims to have at least 10% of the workforce representing female employees, particularly in roles that were traditionally held by male employees. PMC Chief Financial Officer Dikeledi Nakene was nominated as the most powerful woman on the continent in 2017 at the “Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government Awards”. In August 2017, Dikeledi won the national and regional awards for women working in the mining industry, which earned her a nomination in the continental awards. 29 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2018/19

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