Leveraging digital technologies in its range of mineral processing equipment will again allow Multotec to display new product developments at Electra Mining Africa that optimise recoveries and reduce cost of ownership for mineral processing plants.

“Technologies such as smart panels and 360º virtual reality video can make a valuable contribution to pioneer greater efficiencies, by helping predict and schedule equipment maintenance,” says Multotec group CEO Thomas Holtz.

“This assists planning at plant level and means less unexpected downtime as a result of equipment failure; every step we take on this innovation journey gets us closer to a more sustainable mining sector.”

Inspired by the philosophy ‘think global and act local’, Multotec can draw from its experience around the world to feed into its ongoing research and development programme that continuously improves its range of offerings, from screen media and wear solutions, to solid-liquid separation and mill linings.

“Retaining the technological edge is one important way that South Africa can sustain and grow its local manufacturing capability,” says Holtz. “As a Level 4 broad-based black economic-empowerment company with a 26% black shareholding, we are fully supportive of the emphasis that the Mining Charter places on local content, and especially about the plans for formal verification of local content.”

According to the Manufacturing Circle – in which Multotec is an active member – the country’s percentage of local manufacture as a percentage of gross domestic product has dropped from 24% in 1994 to just 12% today, with the difference going to imported products.

“If we want to drive a local manufacturing agenda and create jobs in the manufacturing sector, we must have an effective way of verifying local content in manufacturing activity,” says Holtz.

He says the company is already participating in the engagement process with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) about how such a verification system could be designed and implemented, as an auditing authority, such as the SABS, would be required to make the system work.

“Equipped with the right framework and incentives, the mining sector could improve its already substantial contribution to stimu- lating local manufacture and technology development,” Holtz says.

With 45 years of specialised experience in its field, Multotec also provides skills development through its in-house training facility, constantly raising the expertise in its extensive network of branches around South Africa and the rest of Africa. Its innovation even goes beyond product development, to evolving new service models – such as its ‘cents per tonne’ model in which customers pay a monthly invoice based on process tonnages to maintain their process equipment.

Hall 6 Stand A22
Hall OS Stand P20