Booyco Electronics will quickly transition into a fully-fledged international service provider of proximity detection systems (PDS) in 2022. This follows the conclusion of a collaboration agreement with global smart technology solutions specialist Wenco International Mining Systems (Wenco).

The agreement will see both companies work in partnership to deploy Level 9 PDS systems across the global mining industry – as part of their objectives to enhance safety and production efficiency across the sector. Through Wenco, Booyco Electronics is immediately exposed to Wenco’s global distribution network with customers in 40 countries and offices supporting those customers in every major mining jurisdiction.

“The benefits to both companies are significant,” says Anton Lourens, CEO of Booyco Electronics. “Wenco is an internationally recognised and leading supplier of mining technology solutions and fleet management systems who truly understands open pit mining and operations. This affords our business the opportunity to enhance our existing PDS solution footprint and track record through their network. For Wenco, they now have a reference point in assisting their clients reach Level 9 PDS status through a well reputed service provider. Together, we can now collectively offer a safety system in both open pit and surface mines for PDS solutions for optimal personnel tracking as well as fatigue management.”

The Wenco technical services team are experienced in implementing complex real-time mining operation systems. They also have the requisite change management skills to condition these systems.

“As we've seen in South Africa, implementing a surface Level 9 PDS solution is highly complex. This was therefore an obvious fit with our system and marks a major step in introducing the highest level of PDS solutions to an international mining clientele,” Lourens continues.

Partnership established through excellence delivery

The collaboration is the result of a working relationship established between Booyco Electronics and Wenco through individual project execution work for new Gold Field’s project Salares Norte in Chile, South America. This is Booyco Electronics’ first execution work in the country together with local supplier, Insucam, and therefore an accolade in itself. Wenco was contracted to deliver a fleet management solution to site.

“Having recognised the Booyco PDS solution, Wenco approached me to evaluate the partnership potential between our two businesses and the rest as they say is history,” Lourens highlights. “Wenco is also recognised for publicly championing the benefits of new technologies and this new relationship is an extension of that message to market.”

With a working partnership firmly in place the focus for 2022 is the successful commissioning of new deployments. “Wenco has a number of contracts already in place with clients that are urgently looking for PDS implementation, so this year is ripe with quick win opportunities for Booyco Electronics. We will simultaneously focus on developing Wenco’s corporate knowledge of our systems so they fully understand the PDS offering, the capabilities of our technologies and then also how to integrate the different solutions into a single cohesive and comprehensive solution,” Lourens outlines.

While the global potential for PDS is clear, Booyco Electronics and Wenco (which has a South Africa-based branch) will focus equally on South Africa. The requirement for Level 9 PDS solutions remains an incoming legislative requirement, which was postponed due to the challenges of COVID-19, but should, according to Lourens be promulgated into law very soon.

“We believe there will be a massive spike in PDS deployment in the next 12 to 24 months as a result of this, equating to a solid and financially strong period for Booyco Electronics moving forward,” Lourens concludes.