Crushing and screening specialist Pilot Crushtec International has imported Italy-based lighting towers producer Generac TowerLights’ tower lights to mitigate power challenges experienced in the mining industry.

TowerLight systems contain on-board diesel generators that produce sufficient electricity to power a battery of four or more metal halide flood lights mounted on telescopic towers. The telescopic tower mast completely eliminates the safety hazard associated with scissor-type masts.

Depending on the model, these telescopic masts are either hydraulically elevated or elevated by means of a hand winch. They are easily transportable and have the option to be fitted to a locally manufactured trailer to be towed on public roads, enabling operators to react rapidly to power outages when and where they occur.

“The introduction of the range has proven to be a far-sighted marketing decision [which is] a classic case of having the right product at the right time,” says Pilot Crushtec International CEO Sandro Scherf.

He adds that, when the company originally introduced the range, the intention was to help its customers grow their businesses by making it possible for them to work around the clock.

“In industries like mining, where the critical denominator is cost per ton, the extra hours gained give users a significant competitive advantage. However, with the current irregularity in power supply, these products have become indispensable to the sustainable operation of their businesses,” he says.

Scherf explains that operators in the mining and construction industries were traditionally opposed to working two-shift or three-shift operations owing to concerns over the physical safety of their employees as well as potential damage to essential and costly equipment. However, these barriers have been removed.

“When lighting of this intensity is available, it immediately removes another major concern around the operational health of equipment. Under darkness, it is very difficult to spot an operational problem; however, with lighting of this quality, working conditions are virtually the same as in daylight hours,” he says.

Owing to this, the TowerLight concept has been popular and Scherf reports that sales have grown by 30% year-on-year since its South African launch in 2012.

“The mining sector immediately embraced the concept owing to its direct effect on productivity. Quarry operators, civils and construction contractors have also swelled our customer base and, at the same time, we are reaching a wider market,” he concludes.