How automation solutions with AI can help optimise maintenance, production for sustainable manufacturing

Sustainability can play an important role in acquiring and retaining customers, as well as in developing new market opportunities, says automation specialist Omron. One area where the company wants... 

MSP’s latest roof supports used by major gold producer

Mining support systems manufacturer Mine Support Products (MSP) has supplied its new Camprop and Hydroprop underground roof supports to a major gold mining company. The first order was delivered in... 

Local interest soars, despite obstacles

Local deep-level mining equipment manufacturers are noticing increased interest in their product offering on the back of Russian sanctions, but are being weighed down by the country’s ongoing... 

Wireless networks tested at Venetia underground

US-based Kinetic Mesh wireless networks developer Rajant Corporation conducted digital mining tests in collaboration with multinational engineering company Sandvik to ensure that wireless... 

VUP remains on schedule amid energy crisis

Major diamond miner De Beers’ $2.1-billion Venetia Underground Project (VUP) is on track to start production in the second half of this year, despite the National State of Disaster, declared to... 

Delivering a mine of the future while creating jobs

The Venetia Underground Project (VUP) is vital to ensure that Venetia remains one of the largest diamond producers not only in diamond mining major De Beers’ global portfolio but also for the South... 

Local mines adopting Hydrovessel drilling system

Another two local deep-level mines will completely remove compressed air from their operations over the next 18 months, equipping 120 mining crews with drilling equipment supplier HydroPower... 

Major player moving to secure power purchase agreements

As South Africa’s energy crisis continues, global renewable resource company Sappi is actively engaging with independent renewable-energy producers to secure renewable energy as and when it becomes... 

Global demand for paper, pulp and board softens

Global demand for paper, pulp and board is expected to soften in the first half of this year, compared with the highs of last year, where severe supply chain constraints created paper shortages... 

Local mines adopting Hydrovessel drilling system

Another two local deep-level mines will completely remove compressed air from their operations over the next 18 months, equipping 120 mining crews with drilling equipment supplier HydroPower... 

Mining BEVs set to launch

Underground mining mobile equipment specialist MacLean Engineering is expanding its battery electric vehicle portfolio this year with the launch of three new mining vehicles that further address... 

Multimillion-rand shaft construction soldiers on

The R137-million Mngeni shaft project at the Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC), in Emakhalathini, KwaZulu-Natal, is edging closer to completion, with water infrastructure and electrical... 

Orders roll in for Dragonfly V commercial drone under development

Western Cape drone developer FlyH2 Aerospace has secured letters of commitment for 56 Dragonfly V – a long endurance, remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) hydrogen-electric aircraft – since the... 

Manufacturer focused on anti-theft, -vandalism signalling equipment

The prevention of vandalism and theft of rail infrastructure continues to be a significant money pit for the South African passenger and freight rail industry. State-owned entity Passenger Rail... 

Third-party access crucial for sector

Rail industry representative African Rail Industry Association (ARIA) is driven by a mandate to facilitate public–private partnerships (PPPs) as a tool to revitalise the South African rail... 

German construction hoist installed in Secunda

Gauteng industrial equipment supplier SkyJacks has installed a GEDA construction hoist on a 100-m-high vessel at chemicals and energy company Sasol’s monomers plant in Secunda, Mpumalanga. “The... 

First wire rope hoist ordered

Mining infrastructure systems supplier Becker Mining South Africa has sold its first Kito RX wire rope hoist to a processing plant in Rustenburg, in the North West, after launching the range in... 

Bespoke crane to facilitate helicopter crew training

Local crane manufacturer Condra’s Germiston workshop will soon take on the challenge of manufacturing a bespoke 5 t double-girder electric overhead travelling crane for the purpose of training... 

Mindset change a must for effective PSP

Effective public-sector participation (PSP) in the funding, management, operation and maintenance of South Africa’s depreciating road, rail and port infrastructure requires a mindset change by... 

Private sector provides infrastructure solutions

A local premium prepared food and beverage business has secured the services of Pretoria-based engineering consultant BBEnergy to use water more responsibly and improve management systems by... 

S Africa needs smarter ports

For South Africa’s eight ports to keep up with the changes in global shipping, and safeguard trade that is vital to the economy, it is extremely important that Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)... 

TPT engaging OEMs to address ageing equipment

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), a division of State-owned company Transnet, has started a process to engage with original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to establish long-term partnerships. The... 

Loadshedding sees demand for petrol-driven lawnmowers rocket

South Africa’s energy crisis has had a significant impact on demand for the electric cord-based cylinder mowers in the Professional range manufactured by Randburg-based lawnmower manufacturer Rolux... 

Logistics industry digitisation to trend this year

The digitisation of the local logistics industry will take centre stage this year as companies continue leveraging smart technology and innovation to improve customer service delivery and... 

AMR uptake an opportunity to upskill workers

While autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are becoming an integral part of future-oriented factories, job creation remains an important factor for a company considering AMR implementation at a facility... 

Grindex pumps distributor widens SADC network

Pumping applications solutions provider Integrated Pump Technology has been given the green light to distribute the submersible pumps range from Swedish pumps manufacturer Grindex in a further... 

OEM’s recipe wins bulk of Africa’s projects

Pumps manufacturer Weir Minerals Africa is the partner of choice for the majority of mining operations in Africa, winning 95% of projects owing to the company’s footprint, the scale of its... 

Firm secures ‘preferred’ status

Foundry and engineering company Thos Begbie has been named a preferred supplier of Europe’s largest copper producer Aurubis, which also claims to be the world’s largest copper recycler. Thos... 

S Africa must apply lessons from auto industry to green hydrogen sector – Patel

Lessons from South Africa’s extensive experience in the automotive industry need to be applied as the country focuses on building a green hydrogen sector, which could potentially produce... 

Challenging transition lies ahead

South Africa’s just energy transition (JET) to a low-carbon economy will not transpire overnight and will remain a challenge throughout the 2023 financial year, professional services firm EY... 

100 MW-plus projects registration expected by Q3

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) expects private-sector projects exceeding the 100 MW threshold to be reflected on the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s... 

Kanna automated wool press only locally made option

The automated hydraulic wool press from Western Cape farm equipment manufacturer Kanna Industries is the only one of its kind in South Africa, says Kanna Industries founder and owner Willa Nolte.... 

Indonesia’s high-speed rail project completed ahead of G20 summit

Using various solutions from infrastructure engineering software developer Bentley Systems, lead contractor PT Wijaya Karya (WIKA) was able to complete the construction of an integrated high-speed... 

Digital platform aims to improve SADC rail efficiency

A substantial percentage of all rail wagons in South Africa are empty when moving between destinations. In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, only a small percentage of rail... 

Digital engineering key to award-winning level crossing removal project

Many Australian construction companies are actively employing people, especially those who have a digital background, to address the country’s skills shortage, particularly in major infrastructure... 

Noncompliant installations surge amid energy crisis

The rush to install standby power supply in South Africa amid the country’s energy crisis has led to an influx of service providers, which are misinforming the public on the legal requirements that... 

New welding equipment, training significant contributors in growth strategy

To assist its growth strategy in an evolving local market space, specialist fabrication company Efficient Engineering has made a significant investment by procuring a state-of-the-art automated... 

Dust-A-Side launches hybrid monitoring solution

Dust control management specialist Dust-A-Side, headquartered in Pretoria, has introduced a comprehensive dust monitoring solution that offers particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM 10 real-time... 

World unlikely to resolve copper deficit soon – CDAA

While the improved management of copper scrap recycling is crucial to supplement future mined supplies to address the world’s seemingly perpetual copper deficit, copper cable theft continues to be... 

Roan’s success to be duplicated in north

With diversified metal recovery business Jubilee Metals Group’s flagship copper processing project, Project Roan, in Zambia, reaching nameplate throughput last month, the company is aiming to...