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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
SEPTEMBER
2015
“It also tackles legislation that is specific to the types of equipment found on
these sites, covers relevant health, safety and environmental issues, as well as
defining taxation, royalties etc in a different light compared with mainstream
mining. With our own set of rules and regulations we can also begin addressing
issues that affect our industry head-on rather than adapting our response to an
industry that is similar, but not the same.
“For example, we can formulate sector specific skills development plans
and work with government departments at all levels to eradicate illegal mining.
More importantly we can work in parallel with Government and the construc-
tion industry to ensure the success of future construction and infrastructure
projects on a national and local scale,” he says.
Towing the line
Coffee concludes that in the past two decades since the formation of
Aspasa,the association has actively worked with all role-players to establish
acceptable working codes and best practices. It has also taken safety, health
and environmental ethics on its quarries to world-class standards and has
implemented annual audits to ensure members comply with its ownstrict
guidelines as well as complying with all legal and statutory requirements.
“As a key role-player in the mining industry, a member of the Chamber of
Mines executive committee and active role-player on various Government and
industry panels, we believe that the time has come for us to define our own
sector with our own rules designed to protect and promote companies and
individuals within the quarrying industry.
REFLECTING ON ONE YEAR
OF INDUSTRY INNOVATION
A year since its launch in 2014, PPC’s Cement and
Concrete Cube (C3) remains a true triumph for the
industry. Designed to facilitate greater collaboration
and information-sharing, the Cube’s interactive
interface speaks to user trends and needs.
First launched to the industry in July 2014, PPC’s Cement and Concrete
Cube continues to offer users a subject-specific, neutral platformwhere
they’re able to source and share information, and interact with like-
minded people.“C3 was conceptualised to close some of the collaboration and
communication gaps we had noted in the industry,” explains Hanlie Turner,
PPC’s technical information services’ specialist. “Its interactive interface speaks
directly to the need for electronic information sharing and networking, driving
practical conversations where groups can leverage collective experience and
knowledge.” Industry uptake supports this assertion – with over 1 200 registered
users on the platform.
C3 has driven a number of key conversations over the past year, with posts
around innovation and creativity generating the most engagement.“The trend
is towards shorter, catchier content for day-to-day interaction, while more
technical content is accessed when a specific need for in-depth information
is identified,” notes Turner.
The Cube has attracted members from across the sector, including the
likes of John Sheath, CEO and Director of the Concrete Society of Southern
Africa, and Johan van Wyk, general manager of the Southern Africa Readymix
Association. Both note C3’s ease-of-use as one of its key features.
Users are able to join multiple interest groups. This has seen the growth of
groups around subject matter including innovation, architectural concrete, C3
A – Z and energy. The ease of searching for content across the Groups remains
one of the strengths of C3.
Current – and future – users can look forward to the continued evolution of
the Cube.“We’ve already received requests for an App that will facilitate greater
interactivity, much like Twitter and Instagram,” says Turner. “We’re committed
to updating and refining C3 to respond to this type of request, as well as to
keep abreast of leading social and electronic media trends.”
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