Current prevention unable to mitigate explosions

Explosion, fire and dust suppression system original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Explospot Systems MD Arend Späth warns that current prevention used in underground coal mines is not enough to... 

Safety paramount at gold mine

Gold mining company Harmony’s portfolio of operations is “a tribute to its commitment to complex underground mining in South Africa” and the most stringent of safety measures are required to offset... 

Blast software boosts productivity, reduces costs

Commercial explosives and innovative blasting systems manufacturer Orica launched its SHOTPlus Underground solution, two months ago. SHOTPlus Underground is the company’s latest blast design and... 

Companies sign MoU for rail development on the continent

Multilateral development finance bank African Export-Import Bank and local railway services company Thelo DB signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop, finance and operate railway... 

South African rail manufacturing sector needs to reinvent itself

Despite South Africa’s having a strong presence on the railway scene – claiming almost 30% of the continent’s kilometres and more than 60% of its rail freight – the country’s rail manufacturing... 

Regulator plans to increase safety awareness

Owing to various safety-related challenges that the South African rail industry has faced in the past year, the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) plans to increase its safety awareness activities to... 

Need for change to address challenges in rail sector

Despite the local rail industry in South Africa constituting a sizeable and critical portion of the economy, and being well developed, compared with the rest of Africa, the rail infrastructure is... 

Mines’ demand for hybrid energy increases

As the mining industry is continuously striving for sustainable extraction – and with high electricity costs and environmental impact as key factors – power provider Aggreko has seen increased... 

Gold strong despite dip in demand

Despite gold demand declining by 1% to 4 335 t in 2019 – as reported by international association the World Gold Council (WGC) – central bank demand for gold and gold exchange traded fund (ETF)... 

Societal and other pressures affecting gold

Apart from the generational shifts in attitude towards gold in some key markets, notably China, a bigger risk facing the gold industry is its perception by society and how it responds and adapts to... 

Price outlook does not offset gold sector’s challenges

Despite the challenges that the local gold sector faces, the gold price remains strong, which is likely to continue in the short term, notes multinational professional services firm EY Africa... 

Industry remains in decline

Although the civil engineering and construction sector is the backbone of the economy and contributes significantly to employment and growth in the country, it continues to experience a slump, says... 

Demolition works under way at Melrose Arch

Construction company ICON Earthworks, a subsidiary of the ICON Group, was awarded a R2.5-million contract by property development company Amdec to demolish four buildings at the end of November... 

CESA remains hopeful about the future

Despite the country’s current economic uncertainty, consulting engineering firms association Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) president Sugen Pillay believes that the country is in the... 

Products reduce construction time

Two products of construction connection technology supplier Peikko South Africa – the bolted column connections and DELTABEAM slim floor structures – contributed to reducing overall construction... 

Pile solution cost effective, saves time

Piling contractor Geopile – a subsidiary of South African exploration and geotechnical services provider GeoGroup – has saved its client about R2-million and more than a month’s worth of... 

Correct policies, equipment vital for substance testing

Without the correct drug-testing policies and correct testing equipment in place, companies can face serious legal implications, warns workplace testing company ALCO-Safe MD Rhys Evans, adding that... 

Conferences still vital despite tough trading conditions

Despite a challenging trading environment over the years, trade shows are well supported, which indicates their relevance across various industries, says event organiser Specialised Exhibitions MD... 

Coal conference addresses challenges

The planned phase-out of coal in South Africa and other developed countries is one of the biggest challenges facing the coal industry, says London-based global information provider IHS Editor... 

Indaba to shape Africa energy policies

The Africa Energy Indaba conference provides a yearly programme that shapes energy policies for the continent. The conference will take place this year from March 3 to 4 at the Sandton Convention... 

Events and exhibitions crucial for South African economy

The Exhibitions and Events Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) strives to increase the significance of exhibitions and events in the marketing mix to demonstrate the power of face-to-face... 

Acceptance could boost Tanzanian mining

The mining sector, one of Tanzania’s most important sectors from a total exports perspective, has “tremendous potential”, says strategic advisory firm Africa Practice associate director Dr... 

Illegal mining, environmental compliance, concerns for Tanzania

The potential consequences of illegal mining, including health and safety, environmental, and social and socioeconomic impacts, are significant.  It is an unfortunate reality that, often, illegal... 

Gas could spur African development

Sub-Saharan Africa’s gas resources are vast, with ongoing developments highlighting the potential magnitude of the emerging gas sector and its ability to transform the region.  These developments... 

Gas project beneficial for local economy

Emerging natural gas producer Renergen’s Virginia gas project is a good example of how effectively small amounts of gas – if they are indigenous – can be used in the local economy, says industry... 

Company appointed as EPC contractor for Virginia gas project

Engineering consultant EPCM Bonisana, a subsidiary of EPCM Holdings, has been appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for emerging liquefied natural gas (LNG)... 

Cost calculator developed for industry

To assist companies in fully understanding the financial impact of a power outage or load-shedding on their businesses and operations, power solutions manufacturer Himoinsa developed the... 

Generators remain a valuable solution

Generators will remain important in supplying power during power outages owing to their flexibility and affordability, says industrial power solution provider Master Power Technologies sales and... 

Foundry company plans further expansion into Zambia

South Africa-based foundry and engineering company Thos Begbie’s Zambian branch will expand its workshop into a fully equipped heavy machine and fabrication shop with fabrication facilities to... 

Heat exchanger offers cutting-edge solutions

Heat exchangers solution provider Kelvion’s new advanced diffusion bonded heat exchanger – K°Bond – offers a cutting-edge solution for the most challenging processes. Oil rigs, liquefied natural... 

Demand for heat exchanger range increases

Over the past decade, there has been an increase in demand for industrial heat exchangers manufacturer Vitherm’s WeldPack range, owing to the strength and durability that it offers, says Vitherm SA... 

Equipment supplier overcomes vats challenge

Industrial equipment supplier Turnmill Proquip Engineering mitigated challenges that were presented by the installation and manufacturing of four leaching vats at a vanadium mine. The vats form... 

Company installs leachate tank at landfill

Industrial and commercial steel water-tank manufacturer SBS has recently installed a 500 m³ capacity landfill leachate storage tank with a floating cover at a landfill site in Stanger,... 

Steel tube exports grow despite poor domestic demand

South Africa’s carbon steel and low-alloy-steel tube and pipe manufacturing industry exported about 221 000 t in 2017, compared with 278 000 t in 2018, an increase of 26%. This increase has been... 

Drones provide cost savings for plants

Drone technology presents a major cost-saving opportunity for companies, compared to traditional methods of inspection, highlights industrial rope access company Skyriders marketing manager Mike... 

Remote pilot aircraft system used for firefighting

Fire protection systems provider Industrial Fire and Hazard Control has introduced a single source solution for all remote pilot aircraft system (RPAS) solutions for fire, rescue, hazardous... 

Outsourcing mine health, safety aspects more practical

While safety is a key concern, mining companies are realising that it is not always one of their core competencies, says mine safety systems and equipment manufacturer Schauenburg Systems sales and... 

Canyon implements carbon tax mitigation measures

The South African government has put pressure on industries to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through the Carbon Tax Act, which came into effect in June. The Act provides for the imposition of a... 

Supplier aims to meet demands through tech

Owing to lower commodity prices and higher input costs, construction equipment supplier Hitachi Construction Machinery Africa’s diverse business units have enabled it to adapt to the huge shift by... 

Distributor remains positive, focusing on automation

Statistics South Africa’s report on the construction industry last month shows a drop in activity related to nonresidential building, as well as construction work being constrained in the second...