In an industry where clarity, compliance and continuity are essential, the Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI) has emerged as an indispensable pillar of strength. As a statutory body tasked with regulating employment standards in civil engineering, the BCCEI provides the structural integrity needed to build both physical infrastructure and economic resilience.

The BCCEI’s work goes far beyond traditional labour relations. “We exist to support the sector’s ability to function effectively and grow sustainably,” says Lindie Fourie, Operations Manager at the BCCEI. “From dispute resolution and compliance to addressing industry challenges and collective bargaining, our mandate touches every part of the value chain.”

Collective strength: How the BCCEI is building South Africa’s future
Lindie Fourie, Operations Manager at the Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI)
Its unique framework of six collective agreements offers clarity on employment terms, fair wages, retirement funding, registration requirements and dispute resolution – all carefully structured to reflect the complex nature of the civil engineering sector. Importantly, these agreements are not static. They evolve with input from the four official parties – the two employer organisations and two trade unions that govern the BCCEI – ensuring that negotiated outcomes are practical, fair and future-focused.

One of the BBCEI’s most active and essential roles is played by its Compliance Department and designated agents. Deployed nationwide, they offer on-the-ground engagement with contractors and employees including those in remote locations. These designated agents don’t just enforce rules- they serve as educators, advisors and liaisons, helping to prevent misunderstandings and promote participation in the BCCEI’s structures.

Having built a strong customer base across Europe over the past two decades, Tru-Trac Rollers is now strengthening its regional presence with the appointment of three master distributors.

According to Tru-Trac COO Shaun Blumberg, the move aligns with the launch of the company’s new Apex Series Trackers which is the next generation range of belt trackers delivering significant performance benefits and attracting strong interest in international markets, as it has locally.

“We have established a solid foothold in the European market where customers value the quality and dependability of our belt tracking solutions,” says Blumberg. “There is widespread recognition that our products set the benchmark when it comes to addressing the critical challenges of belt misalignment.”

Tru-Trac revitalizes Europe network with new partners
Tru-Trac’s Apex Taper Trough Trackers effectively resolve misalignment issues, ensuring smooth and reliable conveyor operation
Blumberg notes that the company is excited to reignite its expansion strategy through partnerships with three well-established players in the industry, based in the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. In the Netherlands, Cannon Belts will serve as the master distributor and distribution hub for most of Europe and maintain stock levels of Tru-Trac trackers to support efficient supply to the continent. In the UK, the appointed exclusive distributor is Brec, while Masanés Servindustria will handle exclusive distribution of Tru-Trac products across Spain and Portugal.

AVZ Minerals has resumed arbitration proceedings against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after a temporary suspension period expired without progress toward settlement discussions.

The Australian mining firm said the DRC government failed to engage during the ICSID-imposed pause, which lasted until 23 June 2025. The suspension was initially encouraged by the U.S. government to facilitate a potential resolution regarding AVZ’s claims to the vast Manono lithium deposit.

Manono project
AVZ has now filed a new application with the ICSID Tribunal, citing DRC’s non-compliance with orders from Procedural Order No. 3. The company maintains its position as the legal majority stakeholder in the Manono project through its interest in Dathcom Mining SA, and continues to assert its rights under permit PR13359, granted by the DRC’s Ministry of Mines in May 2022.

Parallel arbitration proceedings at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) also remain active. In a recent decision, the ICC tribunal rejected a request by AVZ’s former partner, La Congolaise d’Exploitation Minière (Cominière), to bifurcate proceedings. This follows a March 2025 ruling ordering Cominière to pay €39.1 million plus interest to AVZ for violating emergency orders linked to the joint venture agreement.

Integrated Pump Technology has delivered its first two Godwin pump units to a major gold mining operation in north-western Tanzania, marking a milestone for the brand’s growing footprint across Africa.

“The Godwin range continues to gain traction in the region, proving its reliability and performance inharsh operating conditions. Given the acidic nature of the underground water at this site, we recommended a stainless steel configuration for the pump’s internal components,” says JD Nel, Godwin Product Manager at Integrated Pump Technology.

Integrated Pump Technology makes inroads with Godwin pump in Tanzania’s mining sector
The Integrated Pump Technology team pictured on site in Tanzania, supporting local mining operations with reliable dewatering solutions.
Strong presence
A key factor in the project was Integrated Pump Technology’s strong local presence through its fully Tanzanian-owned distributor, Pinnacle Engineering Solutions, based in Mwanza near the mine site. The two Godwin HL250M Dri-Prime diesel-driven pumps were selected to transfer water to a holding dam at a rate of 550 m³ per hour over a 70 metre discharge head. Nel notes that the Godwin HL250M units are more than capable of this duty and can deliver up to 790 m³ per hour at the same head if conditions require.

“This additional capacity is critical during the rainy season, when underground water inflows can rise dramatically,” he explains. “The mine needed a solution that could scale up quickly without adding infrastructure or equipment, and the Godwin pumps provide exactly that.”