SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company; and in West Africa, demand for its services is as high as ever, as Alan Swaby discovers.

Anyone working or simply taking an interest in gold mining will know full well that nothing can be said to potential investors about the value of a prospect that isn’t backed up by independent verification. In fact, as service providers go, there can’t be many that are as busy as those involved with testing and certification.

Twelve years after listing on the Johannesburg exchange, South Africa-based logistics company OneLogix is poised for exponential growth. CEO Ian Lourens talks to Gay Sutton about the importance of balancing entrepreneurial spirit with meticulous attention to detail.

Mike Hollett, chief executive officer of National Lifestyle Villages, tells Andrew Pelis how the company has diversified and grown into a $50 million business since the turn of the century.

In the 20 years from 1992, the Harris sisters built their company from nothing to a R200 million organisation. CEO Caron Harris spoke to Ruari McCallion.

DHL Express Australia is investing heavily in its facilities and infrastructure as it moves to grow further in one of its longest-standing markets.

DHL has been in operation since 1969, when in San Francisco, Dalsey, Hillblom and Lynn launched the world’s first intercontinental express delivery service. Today, DHL’s air and road network spans over 220 countries across the globe, and has become a household name and market leader in express delivery.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has today announced that it will fully acquire Cellzome, a developer of proteomics technologies, for £61 million.

GSK already owns 20 per cent of Cellzome, a privately owned company with laboratories in Cambridge, UK, and Heidelberg, Germany. The company will become part of GSK’s R&D organisation.

Osisko Mining Corporation has updated its assessment of fire damage incurred last week at the Canadian Malartic Mill and the preliminary time estimates for the recommencement of production.

Civil engineering inspections have been conducted on the mill floor and roof areas affected by the fire, and safety concerns in the area of the Number 4 cyclone bank have been addressed. Clean-up and repair work has commenced.

A major natural gas discovery has been made offshore Mozambique in the deepwater Rovuma Basin.

The discovery was made by London, UK-based Cove Energy together with its partner, Houston, US-based Aanadarko Petroleum, nearly 20 miles north-west of the Prosperidade complex.

The Golfinho discovery well encountered more than 193 net feet of natural gas pay in two high-quality Oligocene fan systems. The well was drilled to a total depth of approximately 14,885 feet in water depths of approximately 3,370 feet.

Rank Group has announced it is to acquire Gala Casinos from Gala Coral Group for £205 million.

Rank will acquire 23 casinos in Great Britain and three non-operating licences. The deal is set to create the largest casino operator in Great Britain by number of casinos, with 58 operating venues and 13 non-operating licences.

Rank said the deal presents a “significant opportunity” for it to continue delivering sustainable value for shareholders through the development of its casino portfolio.