Author: Stephen White

Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden), the largest multi-commodity mining and metals company in the Middle East – and based on market capitalisation, one of the top five mining companies globally – has been granted a captive license by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Captive insurance is a risk financing mechanism in which a company is able to insure itself against potential losses. In a captive insurance arrangement, the insured brings its risk in-house by creating a licensed company that provides insurance to its parent organisation. With 17 mines and sites and 6,000 employees, Ma’aden is said to be among the…

FM contractors and experts from across the access and handling sector have called for greater industry cooperation to protect lives and ensure construction and building maintenance are more sustainable.  The Access and Handling Summit took place this week at the Habtoor Polo Club in Dubai,  with a series of panels taking a deep dive into the challenges facing the sector. A forum featuring representatives from facilities management firms Emrill, Farnek and Gracko sectors highlighted how effective collaboration early in the construction process is essential. Other talking points during the day included equipment and team mobilisation best practice, planning for working…

I’ve never been a believer in the saying that you should never go back, and so when the opportunity came to return to Construction Machinery Middle East halfway through January – I naturally jumped at the chance. For those who started reading the magazine in the last few years, that line may make absolutely no sense at all. For the unitiated, my time with Construction Machinery Middle East dates all the way back to the start of the magazine which was, unbelievably, over a decade ago after I made the jump from another well-known title in the equipment world. From…

Women, who have historically been underrepresented in the logistics industry, are now taking center stage. In 2022, women accounted for 19% of C-level positions in the average supply chain organization, up from 15% in 2021. Successfully recruiting women, advancing them into leadership roles, and retaining them in supply chain positions are now considered essential components of an organization’s strategy. We are not just discussing traditional administrative roles here; the new generation of women employees who have been joining FedEx in increasing numbers over the past few years has proved that their fresh perspective can enhance all parts of supply chain…

Bobcat is exhibiting at SaMoTer 2023, the most important exhibition in Italy for the construction machinery sector, presenting several recently launched product lines and models for the first time in the country. SaMoTer provides an ideal platform to show visitors the new Ground Maintenance Equipment (GME) range from Bobcat, which includes compact tractors, small articulated loaders (SAL), mini track loaders, mowers and turf equipment, says Bobcat: “Building on the company’s success in the North American market, Bobcat aims to rank within the top.” All Bobcat GME models are robust and versatile, providing excellent productivity and great comfort. Representing the range,…

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sits at the heart of minerals crossroad called the Arabian-Nubian Shield; this continent-crossing seam is estimated to contain $1.3 trillion worth of potential minerals across numerous commodities, including copper, phosphate, gold, iron ore and rare earth minerals. The sixth largest phosphate producer in the world and the largest gold producer in the Middle East, with 20 million ounces of gold reserves below ground, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has invested billions into the sector as part of its plans to reduce its economic reliance on the oil and gas industry. To achieve its ambitious Saudi…

Oman and Etihad Rail Company, the developer and operator of the US $3bn UAE-Oman Rail Network, has signed a cooperation agreement with Mubadala Investment Company. The deal is in support of the development of the 303km-long railway network that will connect Oman and the UAE. In a statement, the companies said that the partnership comes in line with the two parties’ efforts to explore investment opportunities in the railway sector. In addition, it will strengthen cooperation and support the Oman and Etihad Rail Company’s efforts in accelerating the planning and execution process of the UAE-Oman Rail Network. The cooperation agreement…

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry have agreed to set up an integrated logistics park at Al Khumrah in the south of Jeddah at a cost of one billion riyals (USD 266 million). Mawani said the logistics development will further bolster its role as a key player in the national transportation ecosystem and boost its drive to “position the Kingdom as a global logistics destination in line with the ambitions of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), alongside realising the outcomes of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) that aim to…

SirajPower has signed a deal with Fujairah-based Halwan Crusher that will see the deployment of its Solar Hybrid system. As per the terms of the agreement, SirajPower will develop a unique, fully financed 3.9MVA solar-diesel battery. The firm says its system will enable Halwan Crusher to reduce fuel consumption at its latest project site in Fujairah. “The year-long initiative launched by the UAE President H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to make 2023 the ‘Year of Sustainability’ represents yet another significant milestone for us in the direction of further cementing our position as a provider of solar energy solutions…

The Access and Handling Summit will return in March with a panel of end-users confirmed to talk during the event, the organisers have said.  During the event held on the 7th March, experts from both the construction and facilities management sectors will look at the challenges for firms, including a look at best practice in the sectors when it comes to operating equipment and managing teams on site. Talking points will also include equipment and team mobilisation best practice, planning for working in a construction and built environment, project stakeholder co-ordination and improving efficiency and value for the project and…