The Dickinson Group is Africa’s leading, independent refractory specialists, in the supply of a turnkey service to the refractory consuming industries of Africa and International Markets. Established in 1910, The Dickinson Group has been successfully trading for more than 90 years and has 75 years of experience in the specialized field of refractories.

The company has been involved in the initial construction and shutdown projects on smelters and process units for the major mining companies in Southern Africa and has expanded its business internationally into Africa and the Middle East and exported refractory precast shapes and stud welding equipment to numerous countries around the globe, including U.S.A., Argentina, Holland, Hungary, Australia, China, Taiwan, Korea, India, Russia, Angola, Kenya, Tanzania, Mali and Mauritius.

BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT TRANSFORMATION

The Dickinson Group of Companies is proud to confirm that we have finalized our black economic empowerment strategy and policy. The Dickinson Group has elected to proceeded with the establishment of a 100% employee owned black economic empowered company, namely Dickinson Sizanani (Pty) Ltd, which shall own 25 ,1% of the shares in Dickinson Group (Pty) Ltd. Dickinson Sizanani (Pty) Ltd shall consist of a broad based employee shareholding and furthermore Dickinson Group will also ensure that our employment equity plan reflects where possible the demographics of the South African society.

The Dickinson Group shall during 2005 be finalizing its BBE transformation process to ensure compliance of the company's strategy and policy with the Broad Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining Industry. The company shall furthermore be making application to the South African Mining Preferential Procurement Forum (SAMPPF) for accreditation as a Black Empowered Supplier/Enterprise, which in terms of the policy document refers to a company that is owned and managed by more than 25% and less than 50% black persons.

The Dickinson Group subscribes to the principles as contained in the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Charter, which ensure that black economic empowerment which should be broad-based, coupled with the BEE codes of good practice, economic growth to be inclusive and ultimately impacting on the whole economy. In essence Black Economic Empowerment is a priority within The Dickinson Group and the group will continue in our endeavors to identify possible black empowerment partners and entities in an endeavor to advance black economic empowerment in general.