There is a new synergy in the field of construction and mining equipment. US based Terex Corporation has sold its South African subsidiary, Terex Africa, to Imperial Holdings. In terms of the agreement Imperial will distribute a broad range of Terex cranes, mining, construction, roadbuilding and utilities equipment. These products will be distributed under the Terex Africa name.

In large open-pit mines, haul roads are the arteries carrying the production. Debswana Diamond Mines chose Komatsu's latest generation 29 t GD825A-2 motor grader as a replacement machine for use in maintaining haul roads at the Letlhakane diamond mine in northern Botswana. The new grader, delivered by Komatsu Botswana to Letlhakane - the smaller companion to Orapa mine - in mid-March 2007, has joined a fleet of similar class dozers that are used to maintain the haulroads leading in and out of the pit.

Drill-masters with full order books will welcome the introduction of Atlas Copco's 30-bar compressor. The step up from 25 bar to a 30 bar machine will bring a host of benefits when drilling through hard rock at depth. What's more, Atlas Copco offers more than just the machine. There is a complete support package which includes maintenance plans, remote monitoring facilities and attractive finance packages.

Cement is literally what keeps it all together. South Africa's construction sector is in a vigorous growth phase, fuelled by both private and public spending. However, the question arises, will the country have enough of cement to keep building going until 2010 and beyond. South Africa's cement supply is in the hands of four companies, who produce some 13,6-million tons annually. Figures from South Africa's Cement and Concrete Institute forecast that by 2010, cement regional sales demand will exceed 16,5-million tons a year. However, the four producers have solid plans to ensure that demand for cement is met.

Civil engineering contracting company, Ruthcon has been going from strength to strength. Not only has it recently acquired Conform Construction, but its concrete division is progessing well on the concrete work on the silos and conveyor trestles at Impala Platinum's no. 20 shaft. The contract, valued at R13 million, is the largest sliding concrete operation yet for Ruthcon.