Tech yields beneficial tools for farms

Software company Aerobotics is pioneering solutions, such as its Aeroview infield mobile application and computer vision for the precision farming of perennial crops, as more growers look to... 

Accurate solution allows for sustainable farming

Agricultural technology developer Farm21 aims to assist 10 000 farmers worldwide in making better farming decisions by 2024 using its pinpoint accuracy solution, says Farm21 partnership manager... 

Innovative tech can change farming

With there being a need to increase food production by 60% by 2050 in Europe, agricultural technology developers Farm21 partnership manager Dewald de Vos says precision farming tools, such as the... 

Sector pursues recovery amid various challenges

While logistics real estate continues to do well and the office market is slowly improving, the operating environment for real estate owners and occupiers remains constrained. This is further... 

Concrete parking lots offer numerous benefits

While the initial construction cost of concrete parking is slightly higher, compared to asphalt parking, the maintenance costs of the former, for commercial and industrial properties, are minimal,... 

Strip malls preferred post pandemic

While the South African retail sector is showing signs of recovery, factors such as fuel costs, inflation and a change in consumer habits throughout the pandemic have led to consumers’ frequenting... 

Vacant office spaces halt development

The office market continues to struggle, with an oversupply of space, especially in premium nodes, resulting in office development being “at a standstill” as developers diversify into the... 

Industrial property faces expansion hurdles

The local property sector was subjected to a forced slowdown, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, consequently resulting in tension within the industrial property space as industrial tenants that... 

Proactive maintenance ensures max efficiency

With about 45% to 60% of the repair and maintenance costs associated with a tracked machine involving the undercarriage, an effective preventative maintenance programme is essential to ensure... 

Prices driving upgrades, maintenance

The current steep increase in commodity prices has led to mining clients’ upgrading and maintaining their equipment to reduce downtime and maximise output, says steel fabricator Hydra Arc project... 

Supply challenges addressed through investment – steel supplier

While the steel quality from several smaller mills has improved in the past five years, some challenges need to be resolved, prompting such mills to invest in improvements to align with market... 

Industry continues to face supply chain woes

The stainless steel industry has been under severe supply chain pressure caused by rising prices of raw materials, such as nickel, as well as shipping and logistics and energy costs, in Europe and... 

Positive outlook despite new challenges

The steel industry is emerging from the challenging period caused by global commodity issues in 2016, followed by Covid-19-related disruptions, and now the Ukraine war. South African Institute of... 

Sustainability efforts set to affect steel industry

The steel industry has been fraught with challenges, ranging from Covid-19-related impacts to supply chain issues, but the move towards more sustainable practices will also result in many changes... 

Plant increases production

The record-setting MIDREX DRI plant of Tosyali Algerie was supplied by MIDREX  and SMS group subsidiary Paul Wurth in 2018. This success motivated Tosyali to invest in boosting its production... 

In-country beneficiation opportunities rise on back of EV growth

Growth in the electric vehicles (EVs) market has led to increasing interest and demand for materials, such as manganese, used in the production of EV rechargeable batteries. This increased interest... 

Manganese project closer to its goal

Battery metal development company Giyani Metals aims to have the feasibility study for its K.Hill project, located near the town of Kanye, in Botswana, completed in the third quarter of this year.... 

Green economy will require more commodities – specialist mining director

Rather than requiring fewer commodities, the green economy, and its resulting technological developments, will actually require more commodities, says specialist mining services provider Ukwazi... 

Increased interest in gas-powered generators

Since the lifting of the own-generation licence threshold to 100 MW, interest in using gas for embedded power generation has increased significantly, says gas engine and hybrid power plant... 

Gas can meet commercial and industrial energy needs

While there are various sources of energy, gas remains one of the primary sources that can sustain a large amount of industrial and commercial requirements, says consulting service provider Synergy... 

Company shows revenue growth

Steel manufacturer and supplier Stewarts and Lloyds’ manufacturing division registered an even bigger growth in revenue last year – compared with the previous year – largely owing to the company’s... 

Sector requires support to recover, reap economic benefits

Despite the manufacturing sector being the fourth highest contributor to the gross domestic product, it has been in decline in recent years, and shrunk, impacting the overall economy. The Covid-19... 

Covid-19 continues to haunt manufacturing companies

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and its resulting lockdowns continues to be felt in the manufacturing sector despite a move towards eased regulations. Challenges, such as the shortage of... 

Manufacturing Indaba welcomes back the physical event

The Manufacturing Indaba is scheduled to take place later this month as an in-person event for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Event management company and Manufacturing... 

Correct choice of seals, gaskets can prevent failures

Seals and gaskets must be correctly selected, as the failure of seals and gaskets can endanger human life, as well as potentially causing significant financial losses, particularly in critical... 

Southern Africa deemed highly prospective for diamonds

Diamond exploration and project development company Botswana Diamonds regards Southern Africa as one of the most prospective destinations for diamonds globally. The Kalahari region of Botswana has... 

Junior mining regulations need to be amended, says law firm

Regulations impacting on junior miners must be amended to address the unique challenges and needs of the various types of miners currently classified as juniors, says law firm Beech Veltman CEO... 

Exploration sector has not received enough investment

The specialised exploration sector in South Africa has not been fully developed or invested in, which has resulted in the junior mining sector mainly comprising of medium-sized producers as opposed... 

New products added to portfolio, renew interest in metrology solutions

Measuring instruments supplier B&R Metrology introduced new products to its portfolio to counteract the decline in enquiries for metrology products as manufacturing and engineering companies... 

Electronic detonators ensure effective blasting

Opencast mines have to contend with rising costs as they go deeper. Efficiency is required to contain these costs and remain profitable, which is offered by digital technology such as blast... 

Pre-owned equipment demand spikes

The Covid-19 pandemic, and its related impacts, has caused severe delays for mining companies procuring new opencast mining machinery. As a result, mines and related contractors have turned to... 

Machinery maintenance key to mitigating downtime

Machine downtime – particularly for drill rigs – significantly impacts on the opencast mining industry, with the loss in productivity caused by scheduled and unscheduled downtime resulting in... 

Proactive measures ensure targets are reached

Coal mining company Canyon Coal ensures that its Khanye Colliery, in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng, follows a proactive approach to managing and mitigating the impacts of potential challenges.... 

Project unpacks 4IR skills-related needs

Industry cluster organisation Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa’s (Memsa’s) Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Skills Study Project seeks to understand the 4IR skills-related needs of... 

Bridging the gap between tech and its understanding

To unlock the full benefits and capabilities of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and ensure successful uptake, training programmes need to first assist mining operations and their... 

Precinct pursues implementable solutions

Public–private partnership Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) has strengthened its focus on developing and sourcing implementable solutions for the mining industry. The precinct has shifted its focus,... 

Precinct follows people-centric approach

Public–private partnership Mandela Mining Precinct’s (MMP’s) recent mining research has resulted in increased capacity to analyse how modernisation and technology affect the people in the industry... 

Firm looks to increase investment in outsourced businesses

Private equity firm Agile Capital continues to search for investment opportunities, including in outsourced mining businesses. Agile Capital CEO Tshego Sefolo explains that outsourced mining... 

Employment solutions enable companies to focus on core objectives

Integrated employment management solutions company Quyn provides a range of tailor-made employment management solutions for multiple industries, including the mining sector. These solutions offer... 

Experts can simplify compliance challenges

Mining houses need to be aware of tax legislation and compliance requirements to ensure that they are protected, and the most effective and efficient way of doing so is to use tax advisory...