Proximity detection systems (PDS) specialist Booyco Electronics is once again raising the bar for safety, quality and local content in the mining sector,through a technology collaboration with fellow South African supplier Mernok Elektronik and Selectronic.

Anton Lourens, managing director of Booyco Electronics, says the companies are cooperating to bring the substantial advantages of new generation technology to the PDS market.Significantly,Booyco Electronics pioneered the use of PDS in South Africa and today has around 5,000 of its PDS units in the field, which have delivered over a million hours of service to date.

“The experience we have gathered in the field with our existing technology has informed the direction of more recent technology,and this collaboration agreement allows quicker development and rollout of technology,” says Lourens.

According to Mernok Elektronik founder and managing director Schalk Janse van Rensburg, his company’s strength lies in its in-house design and engineering capability. “This expertise, which we have been developing for over ten years, drives our research and development efforts,” says Janse van Rensburg.“The result is a worldclass product range developed for the specific needs of the South African mining sector.

With its extensive branch footprint developed over the past 13 years, Booyco Electronics will ensure that the new generation technology is within reach of customers and is constantly supported. The company’s strategically located service facilities are manned by trained field technicians, capable of both installing and supporting hi-tech equipment.

“Our proven levels of field support will ensure that the technology benefits of the latest PDS design are translated into bottom-line and safety benefits for our mining customers,” says Lourens.

The collaboration also recognises the value of greater localisation in the mining supply chain, in line with the requirements of the Mining Charter. Together, these two South African companies are able to further enhance their respective contributions to local economic development by promoting the country’s technology advancement and skills growth.

Lourens highlights that regulatory compliance hasbeen an important factor in driving the application of PDS in mining. All products are therefore certified in terms of Department of Mineral Resources requirements.