As the countdown to Southern Africa’s biggest trade show begins, the excitement for Electra Mining Africa is reaching fever pitch. Exhibitors, participants and visitors are all preparing for an unparalleled display of innovation and industry prowess and excellence.

Thousands of innovative products and technologies are being meticulously polished to take centre stage, each poised to dazzle and inspire.

South African companies are stepping onto the mining and industrial red carpet with impressive vigour and confidence, as 93% of exhibitors hail from the local market. Highlighting the show’s deep-rooted South African essence, organisers Specialised Exhibitions MD Gary Corin says: “It is very much a South African show for a South African market.”

Although the number of international exhibitors has decreased, those making the journey are laser-focused on the South African market, eager to forge new supply chains, establish agencies and set up local offices, Corin adds.

Electra Mining Africa 2024 is billed to be the grandest in its 52-year history. With an over 30% increase in exhibitors compared with 2022, the event will unfold across 39 500 m2, featuring more than 950 exhibitors spread across six halls and extensive outside exhibit areas.

Industry sectors are loosely grouped within the various halls to highlight the innovations and technological advancements within these sectors, making it easier for visitors to navigate. Halls 5 and 6 are primarily dedicated to showcasing heavy mining equipment, comprehensive engineering support services, and machine tooling.

Hall 7 becomes the epicentre of automation, while Hall 8 features many of the international exhibitors. Hall 9 focuses mainly on power generation, and the newly added Hall 10 offers a versatile space for local manufacturing exhibitors, as well as the SA Mining Tech and Innovation Hub – a pavilion comprising Mining Equipment Manufacturers of SA (MEMSA), SA Mineral Processing Equipment Cluster (SAMPEC) and the Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) and some of their members, as well as other products and services. The outdoor areas are popular for pump and valve exhibitors and for materials handling and transport, alongside large equipment and moving demonstrations.

With improved colour-coded outside exhibit areas, visitors will find it easier to locate the companies they are wanting to meet. In addition, there is a hop-on courtesy bus that can assist getting from hall to hall.

From the outset, Electra Mining Africa has enjoyed the support of leading industry associations and organisations. Partnerships are in place with the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineers (SAIMechE), Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), Women in Mining (WiMSA), Lifting Equipment Engineering Association of South Africa (LEEASA), SAMPEC, the Southern African Coal Processing Society (SACPS), MEMSA, Women in Mining Business South Africa (WiMBIZ), Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (SASSDA), South African Fluid Power Association (SAFPA), MESA Africa Computer Engineering Advisory Council for SAIMC, and Production Technologies Association of South Africa (PtSA).

“Working closely with, and listening to the needs of our various stakeholders, we have ensured that Electra Mining Africa keeps current and relevant to the industries it serves. In support of this, there could be no better endorsement of the show than the almost 50% of exhibitors which had already rebooked their stands for the 2024 show, even before the gates had closed on the 2022 event,” says Specialised Exhibitions portfolio director Charlene Hefer.

The five-day event is essentially a five-in-one trade show, integrating Electra Mining Africa, Automation Expo, Elenex Africa, POWERex, and Transport Expo. For the first time this year, the Local Southern African Manufacturing Expo is incorporated within Electra Mining Africa showcasing local manufacturers in Hall 10 and additionally across the show.

In another first, WiMBIZ will be participating at the show this year. Representing female-owned companies in the mining industry, WiMBIZ will create a networking space where some of their members will be showcasing their businesses and services, and WiMBIZ will be hosting some exciting programmes during the week.

“For the first time ever, there will be a women-owned business hub for women who do business within the mining sector at Electra Mining Africa,” enthuses Hefer.

In addition, WiMSA will be hosting a half-day women-in-mining workshop.

Organised in partnership with SACEEC, Electra Mining Africa will elevate the excitement with the New Products and Innovation Awards competition. Celebrating remarkable ingenuity and outstanding levels of innovations, these awards spotlight the standout innovations of the show. Competition will be fierce with more exhibitors than ever vying for recognition, surpassing the participation levels of 2022.

Adding to the competitive spirit, the Forklift Driver competition, organised in conjunction with Lifting Africa and LEEASA, returns on a bigger scale with more entrants. Judges will be looking for exceptional forklift driver skills, as competitors aim for the coveted title of Forklift Driver Champion.

Further, there will also be an inward buying mission, organised in partnership with SACEEC, that will bring delegates from neighbouring African countries to the show. “To facilitate their visit, we’re subsidising part of their travel costs, ensuring these delegates can explore South African products and services firsthand,” says Corin.

Engaging Expert Insights
Meanwhile, the free-to-attend seminars, hosted by the SAIMechE, will give visitors the chance to hear from industry experts with topics aligned to the show’s theme days of sustainability, women’s day and skills development, safety and lifting, innovation, and South Africa day.

A major focus will be on power solutions for the mining sector, showcasing innovative approaches to meet mines’ energy needs.

SolarAfrica commercial head Brandon Horn will discuss 'Creating a Sustainable Future for Business with Solar, Battery, and Wheeling.' Horn will delve into how on-site solar, augmented with battery storage, offers substantial carbon reduction and cost savings, while the decentralisation of power generation supports South Africa’s renewable energy transformation through wheeling projects.

WEG Africa business development consultant Bernard Mitton will present on 'Sustainable Future for Hybrid Power Systems.' Mitton will explore the balance between capital investments and operational costs in hybrid solutions, combining wind, photovoltaic (PV), battery energy storage systems, gas generators, and steam turbines to enhance power system efficiency and redundancy.

Danfoss South Africa business development director Craig Rapson will address ‘How Mines Can Minimise Investment to Support the Long-Term Drive to Net Zero’. Rapson will highlight achievable short-term investments to support mines' long-term decarbonisation goals with alternatives like solar PV, wind, electrolysers, and energy storage systems.

Helping the mining sector get to grips with environmental legislation and understanding the impact of the introduction of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for responsible lubricants, Flexilube MD Irene van Knoblauch-Dreyer will speak on ‘Responsible Lubricants’. She will give an overview of the used lubricating oil industry, the implications of EPR for end-users and will discuss the benefits of true recycling to both the economy and environment.

Safety and security on mines will also be a key focus with critical discussions on the latest advancements and regulations.

Dresden Informatik and TTE Europe Team sales and marketing head Marc Olbort will present on 'The Introduction of Legal Regulations on the Track and Trace of Explosives in South Africa’. Olbort will discuss the importance of monitoring and controlling the movement of explosives to prevent illegal activities and enhance security measures.

Epic Blue CEO Michael Illsbroux will introduce 'Guardian, the Advanced Lone Worker Safety Solution’, which features cutting-edge indoor and underground positioning technology designed to enhance worker and site safety.

WEG Africa low-voltage and high-voltage motor executive Fanie Steyn will discuss 'Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Carbon Footprint: The Future of Electric Motors in Mining’. Steyn will emphasise the crucial role of innovative electric motor technologies in advancing sustainability objectives and meeting minimum energy performance standards.

As technology continues to advance in the manufacturing and industrial sectors, the need for skilled personnel to operate and maintain industrial applications becomes increasingly critical. Recognising this, companies are investing in training programmes to address skills shortages and ensure their workforce can effectively use the latest technologies.

Artisan Training Institute (ATI) CEO Dr Sean Douglas Jones will discuss ‘The Future Trends in Engineering Training for South Africa and the African Continent’.

In the rapidly evolving field of engineering, continuous professional development is essential for maintaining expertise and a competitive edge. Chempute Software CAD application manager Werner Theron, and training and marketing coordinator Lee-Anne Kylander, training and marketing coordinator at Chempute Software, will present on ‘The Role of Specialised Training Offered by Chempute Software in Refining and Enhancing the Skills of Engineers’.