In addition to new products and live demonstrations at the 2019 Electra Mining Botswana Expo – to be held at the Gaborone fairgrounds, from September 10 to 12 – there will be a full programme of free-to-attend seminars for visitors. The programme is subject to change and the organiser reserves the right to change the programme.

The seminars will focus on mining and other industries in Botswana, new technologies, the relationship between mining and the technology revolution, and a session on manufacturing. There will also be topics on occupational safety and health.

On the first day, the seminars will focus on mining and other industries in Botswana, including such topics as mining rights, mining licences and large-scale mining, presented by Botswana Chamber of Mines CEO Charles Siwawa.

South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC) director and CEO Eric Bruggeman will deliver a presentation on the future of manufacturing in Africa and how the SACEEC can assist in exporting products. Information technology solutions provider Reflex Africa principal geoscientist Noleen Pauls will talk about the role of women in mining, and mineral processing specialist Multotec capital sales process engineer Dise Nyokong will focus on the importance of sampling for decision-makers in the mineral processing industry.

Other topics include the importance of the correct selection and installation of cable entry devices within the mining environment, presented by local cabling company CCG Cable Glands sales and marketing director Arthur Cameron; and the way in which battery storage can add more efficiency to a mining business, presented by temporary power generation supplier Aggreko mining Southern and East Africa projects key accounts manager Pieter Jordaan.

On the second day, the focus will be on new technologies and the relationship between mining and the technology revolution.

Topics will include the evolution of hard-rock crushing, presented by engineering and steel production company thyssenkrupp product manager Demitri Kokoroyanis; and the imperativeness of considering water as a commodity amid the current water-constrained environment, presented by Multotec process engineer Vincent Ridgard. South Africa-German Chamber of Commerce product manager Gerard Mohapi will highlight the Mine Health and Safety Project, an initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.

Other topics include technology and research and development in the minerals sector, presented by Mandela Mining Precinct co-director Navin Singh; dust management, presented by Minerals Council South Africa Tabby Resane; traffic management leading practice for opencast operations, presented by Minerals Council South Africa team manager Ntsiky Phokwana; electronics manufacturer Schauenburg Systems’ Mine Wide Integrated Monitoring and Control System, presented by company business unit manager Ettiene Pretorius; and risk management in mining, presented by Exult Consulting Le Roux van den Berg.

Other seminars include noise reduction controls for the mining Industry, presented by Minerals Council South Africa principal adoption specialist Willie Deysel; and fatigue risk management – monitoring, education and counter measures, presented by technology developer Prism Services consultant Doug Potter.

On the final day, the seminars will focus on network management and manufacturing. Software developers and consultants Inspired Interfaces strategic marketing analyst Tom Phillips will speak about the way in which the network management of power grids enables mines to identify and resolve issues before they escalate into major problems, thus ensuring there is minimal impact on productivity, while Bruggeman will deliver a presentation on starting your own manufacturing business.

The Botswana Chamber of Mines will also host a three-day seminar series that will focus on investment, expansion projects and employing the youth.