Simpler conveyor systems could solve problems at mining operations

Most conveyor-related problems at mines in Africa could be solved through their using simpler systems, says mineral beneficiation, mining and bulk solids handling industry consumables designer Tega... 

Conveyor belt downtime can harm bottom line

Conveyor belt downtime is often taken lightly by belt experts, shift bosses and foremen, despite the potential harm it can cause to a company’s production and bottom line, says mining consultation,... 

Impumelelo colliery receives new belt reeler

Conveyor fastening and accessory specialist Flexco manufactured and delivered a new vertical belt reeler in June to energy and chemicals group Sasol’s Impumelelo colliery in Secunda, Mpumalanga.... 

Conveyor drives suit African operations

A conveyor drive system functions optimally when it is designed to balance thermal and mechanical ratings with bearing life, says engineering and gearing innovation company David Brown Gear new... 

Miners advised to protect conveyors against lightning

Mining conveyors are prone to being struck by lightning, owing to the vast area they cover, says earthing systems, lightning, surge and overvoltage protection specialist Advanced Lightning... 

Quality-control testing at PV project due for 2016 completion

Renewable-energy consulting and engineering firm Enertis is conducting factory inspections and independent quality-control tests at the Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska photovoltaic (PV) project, in the... 

Reputation management ensured by good quality control

Optimising the quality and safety of products, processes and systems ensures good reputation management, which is a significant benefit for all companies, especially those in the manufacturing... 

OHSA amendments ensure regular testing

The new amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) passed earlier this year require all lifting machines to be performance-tested at intervals not exceeding 12 months to ensure... 

South Africans must insist on quality, says institute

Observing quality will be the foundation of South Africa’s economic success and a better quality of life for its people, as the need for quality can be found in all spheres of manufacturing and... 

Agricultural laboratory awarded ISO accreditation

Having been awarded the ISO 17025 accreditation in December last year for its precision agriculture laboratory, testing services provider Intertek now considers itself to be at the forefront of... 

JV to provide specialised smelter services

Joint venture (JV) specialist furnace and industrial services provider Dickinson ZIS has made significant progress in providing global smelters with personalised smelter services since its... 

Canadian mining and refinery project ready for financing

Canadian precious-metals and specialty minerals projects developer Fortune Minerals is pursuing financing solutions and offtake agreements for its Nico gold/cobalt/bismuth/copper project, a... 

Preheater technology makes smelting projects efficient

The shortage of electricity supply in South Africa and the associated increase in electricity prices have resulted in a severe downturn in the country's furnace industry, with many smelting... 

Process consistency instrumental in refinery success

To enable optimal operational efficiency, refineries have to reduce errors in analysis, achieve process consistency and increase data visibility, says logistics and supply chain company Prediction... 

Company to release device to detect lab-grown diamonds

Gemmological services and technology developer and provider Diamond Services will in September unveil a mini Raman Spectrometer that can accurately detect high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) and... 

New technology to reduce coal mine operating costs

Australian mining technology company Emergent Mining Technologies (EMT) launched its Reduced Energy Mining System (REMS) in May to increase the energy efficiency of opencast coal mines. The... 

New underground scanning device now locally available

Full service technology implementation company Ramjack Technology Solutions in February launched Canadian mining mobile equipment company Peck Tech Consulting’s uGPS Rapid Mapper scanning device... 

Geotech analysis made easier with monitoring system

Australia-based exploration and emerging producer Havilah Resources in June bought a surface laser monitoring and tracking system to use at its opencut Portia gold mine, in South Australia. The... 

New plasma pipe-cutting machine enters production

Specialist chromium carbide (CrC) long-life liners and components manufacturer Rio-Carb in June started producing pipes for the diamond mining industry using its new plasma pipe-cutting machine at... 

Technology can assist in preventing mining fraud

Technology is increasingly being used in the mining industry to reduce fraudulent activities, says software development company Dariel. Dariel MD Malcolm Rabson notes that while illegal mining is a... 

Company modifies design of materials hauler jacking system

Hydraulic tools manufacturer Hi-Force is making design changes to its ToughLift jacking system, with new models expected to be released in 2016, says company marketing director Laura Thompson. “The... 

Steel institute to increase presence in Africa

Steel construction industry promoter  the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) believes its renewed strategic focus involving increasing its presence in the rest of the African... 

Protection of locally produced structural steel paramount

Local designation is industry’s most effective tool when protecting the local steel construction industry against imported fabricated structural steel, says steel construction industry body the... 

Weld-cladding services benefit petrochemicals industry

Stakeholders in the petrochemicals industry are reaping the benefits of using welding specialist Hydra-Arc’s method of weld cladding, as it enables vessels to contain corrosive material. Hydra-Arc... 

Global use of vitreous enamel steel increasing

The global market, with knowledge of and a demand for vitreous enamel steel, particularly for use in public areas, is maturing, says custom-made vitreous enamelled steel products manufacturer... 

Mining companies benefit from wear-resistant slurry knife- gate valves

Industrial solutions company Flowrox’s slurry knife-gate valves are ideal for demanding shut-off applications in the mining, minerals-processing and metal industries, the company says. “The new and... 

Easy-repair valves reducing downtime

Limiting downtime because of valve repairs is important for mining operations, says control, isolating and safety valves manufacturer Hydromine Projects. Therefore, the company offers mines the... 

Company increases valve-ball size

As a result of continued research into and development of its technical ceramics manufacturing capabilities, advanced materials company Morgan Advanced Materials can now manufacture balls of up to... 

All-purpose valve suitable for slurries

Germany-based valves company KVT in April released pinch valves in duplex stainless steel for use in slurry applications. KVT manager Martin Katzenschwanz tells Mining Weekly that pinch valves are... 

Increased demand for automated valves

While mining companies still mainly use manual valves, the demand for automated valves in brownfield and greenfield mining developments is growing, says Pace Valves’ Martin Horsfall. “This appears... 

Suitable valves important for process efficiency

The impact of harsh mining conditions on valves is often difficult to predict; therefore, valve manufacturers should discuss the working conditions of a mining operation with clients in detail to... 

Company provides valves retrofitting solutions

Major oil and gas companies,  such as Chevron,Total, Engen, PetroSA and BP, are benefiting from valve actuator company DEMCA Actuation Solutions’ valve retrofitting service, the company says. DEMCA... 

Tanks manufacturer builds water reservoir for local community

Having identified a shortage of potable water in the Siyabuswa community, the Dr JS Moroka local municipality, in Mpumalanga,  appointed agriculture and industrial liquid storage tank and reservoir... 

Phase 2 of LHWP in full swing

The procurement of consultants for the four-phased, multibillion-rand binational Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), signalled the official start of the physical work component of Phase II of... 

Manufacturer supplies valves to major water project

The valves supplied by global manufacturer and distributor AVK Valves to the North-South Carrier (NSC) pipeline project, in Botswana, are meeting all the client’s requirements, says AVK Valves. The... 

Emergency potable water needs prioritising, says Rhodes professor

Regular protests by residents demanding adequate water supply proves that many South Africans are subjected to interrupted and inadequate safe drinking water supply, says Unilever Centre for... 

Motor vehicle manufacturing to grow by up to 3% in 2015

The outlook for the South African motor vehicle manufacturing industry in 2015 is modestly positive, with an expected marginal volume increase of up to 3% in domestic sales, says National... 

May Kyster

Mayleen Kyster is founder and director of Africa Steel Holdings, a steel-specific investment holding company and steel project management company that also trades in steel and offers steel... 

Inspection products reduce fluid-injection injuries

In response to the unacceptable number of fluid-injection injuries in the global mining industry, US-based ultraviolet equipment and fluorescent materials manufacturer Spectronics Corporation will... 

Hydropower can effect 90% reduction in drilling energy

Hydropowered rock drills can reduce the drilling energy requirement of a mine by up to 90% compared to pneumatic systems, as they operate at more than twice the penetration rate of air drills. In...