The mining sector is continually evolving and adapting to new technologies and societal expectations, with several trends shaping the industry's future, particularly in enhancing mineral processing efficiency, as the industry shifts towards renewable energy and sustainability.

At Electra Mining Africa 2024, Multotec showcased a broad range of solutions to boost efficiency and precision within the mining and industrial sectors. The event served as a key platform for Multotec to demonstrate its dedication to collaboration, and the advancement of industry standards.

Rhodes Nelson, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Multotec, says the company has attended Electra Mining Africa since 1973, which today ranks as the biggest mining, electrical, automation, manufacturing, power and transport trade exhibition in Southern Africa, and consistently ranks among the three largest mining shows in the world.

“For us, Electra Mining Africa is not only about generating leads but also about reaffirming our relationships with our existing customers and showcasing our products and capabilities to potential customers,” he says.

“This is a key component of how Multotec handles its relationships, and Electra Mining is the ideal platform to demonstrate that we are still relevant to the industry. This event allows us to engage with our existing customers and an opportunity to expose them to the full range of Multotec products and services that they may not know about.”

Nelson notes that while product specialists are on hand at the event to engage with customers, it is about creating exposure for the entire Multotec offering. 

Industry trends

“One of the main industry trends at Electra Mining Africa this year was the heightened level of competition within the sector. With many international players entering the market and offering products with minimal customer support, it is crucial for local suppliers like Multotec to maintain high levels of service and keep costs down,” says Nelson.

“We have branches and infrastructure in place to do this and our model of being close to the customer is the differentiator.” 

Digital solutions

Another significant trend that was prominent at this year’s Electra Mining Africa event is the emergence of digital solutions, which are seeing successful adoption in mining, but have been lagging somewhat in the mineral processing space.

“We are continuously working on trying to find the magic solution and how we can add value to a plant from a digital perspective. Overall digital solutions have been more successfully implemented in mining than in process plants. We believe that this is due to the safety element that needs to be addressed in mines by removing people from dangerous environments,” says Nelson.

“This has not been the case with plants where the environment is less dangerous. We’ve seen many OEMs add intelligent parts to their equipment, but this is not necessarily taking off.”

Multotec is currently testing smart screening panels and leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to determine the flow in mills and to predict failures in equipment such as cyclones.

“When it comes to digital solutions, we think a big part of the issue is the lack of collaboration. Instead of companies trying to solve problems individually, we need to work together and collaborate with big tech companies to address these challenges effectively,” says Nelson.

He adds, “As the mining industry faces challenges and opportunities in efficiency, digital transformation, and increasing foreign competition, platforms like Electra Mining Africa play a crucial role. They allow us to demonstrate our commitment to innovation and customer relationships, while highlighting the need for local companies to quickly adapt in a globalised market.”

Commitment to sustainability 

A noteworthy Multotec highlight at Electra Mining Africa was its innovative sustainable exhibitor stand. As a testament to its commitment to sustainability, Multotec’s stand was crafted entirely from sustainable materials that were produced using energy-efficient production processes. Each component in the stand was either recyclable, repurposable or reusable, setting a new benchmark for eco-conscious exhibition practices in the industry - underscoring Multotec’s dedication to environmental responsibility and promoting sustainable practices within the industry.