Opportune time to invest in Botswana

The subdued global mining industry, owing to depressed commodity prices, has prompted Botswana to find alternative economic growth areas in other sectors of the country’s economy, simultaneously... 

Botswana event provides notable sales platform

Spurred by the Electra Mining Botswana conference and exhibition’s growing popularity, bulk materials handling solutions company Martin Engineering will exhibit at the event for the first time,... 

Heavy industries equipment supplier adapts to stay relevant

Botswana’s decision to diversify its economy away from diamond mining towards coal resources and base metal beneficiation should prompt businesses to adapt to service the changing needs of the... 

Show expected to achieve further growth

The number of exhibitors and visitors taking part in the Electra Mining Botswana exhibition and conference, since its inception in 2013, has increased by 17% and 8% respectively, with this years’... 

Technology to aid fleet management

South Africa-based, international information technology and communications provider T-Systems says technological improvements in sensors, software and management solutions indicate that commercial... 

Platinum company advancing women

Platinum mining and marketing company Impala Platinum’s (Implats’) programmes and initiatives to advance women in mining have received good participation, with the company reporting that women... 

Mining to continue to support valves industry

Mining will remain the primary long-term source of revenue for the valves industry on the African continent, says valves and actuator technology manufacturer and supplier AR Controls director... 

Local valves company employs competitive strategy

Over the past two years, the African valves market has experienced trying conditions when dealing with the mining industry; however, the business environment is now slowly recovering as a result of... 

Growth aids new sales platform

There is cautious optimism worldwide in the future demand for valves, owing to investment in major industries, such as, besides others, mining and oil and gas, as well as related infrastructure,... 

Mentors ease entry

Finding a mentor who has extensive experience in the industry is one way of mitigating challenges facing women in the mining industry, says multinational mining company Anglo American production... 

Service provider encourages development

Hard work, practical experience and knowing the industry are key factors needed to succeed as a woman in the mining sector, 24-year-old workshop technician at specialist safety and monitoring... 

Women need to put change in motion

To change the attitudes towards women working in the mining industry, women need to abandon their ‘victim’ mentality to affect empowerment, says Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy... 

Employee diversity fosters innovation, creativity

Global engineering consultancy Aurecon geotechnical engineer Dr Gabrielle Wojtowitz advocates for cross-gender, -cultural and -border teams in the workplace, as this stimulates diverse thinking and... 

Role models essential for women in mining

When multinational mining company Anglo American mine overseer Lorraine Nndwambi first entered the mining industry 2013, female mentors were scarce. This made acclimatising to the working... 

Gas industry will provide foreign investment opportunity

From a fuel and foreign investment perspective, growing a gas industry is a major direct foreign investment opportunity for South Africa, says engineering consultancy WSP Africa power generation... 

Shale gas still a power resource option

Global leading engineering, consulting and construction company Black & Veatch sub-Saharan Africa business development director Webb Meko says successful exploration for shale gas could make up for... 

Gas-to-power a more favourable alternative energy source

The nuclear procurement programme was rejected in the High Court earlier this year and opens the way for greater advocacy around the gas-to-power programme, says oil and gas specialist Lizel... 

Coega IDZ preferred location for the gas to power programme

The Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) has initiated an environmental impact study for South Africa’s gas-to-power programme, and has strategically explored the IDZ’s full potential beyond its... 

Investment in gas economy tough if risk exceeds appetite

Gas infrastructure for electricity generation requires key investors to get involved in this capital-intensive endeavour but if the perception among investors is that of risk exceeding reward,... 

Gas beneficial in diversifying energy mix

Gas can be used to supplement the variable nature of renewables, thereby adding to a steadily diversifying energy mix in South Africa, says advisory firm KPMG South Africa energy economist Requier... 

Computational fluid dynamic simulation in steam and power generation plants

Numerical modelling of bulk processes using computer-based models provides a quicker and more beneficial method than manual calculations for complex steam generation systems 

Accelerating growth of services in Africa

Mining services company Fraser Alexander is focused on expanding its presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, both prime locations of high-grade copper deposits. With more... 

Burundi rare earths project on track for first production

Rare-earth element mining company Rainbow Rare Earths says it has made significant progress towards achieving first production at its Gakara rare earths project in Burundi, East Africa, with about... 

Greater demand for rope access

Inspection and maintenance work is increasing for rope-access technicians across the African mining industry, says industrial rope-access solutions company Skyriders, which boasts a zero-fatality... 

Industrial gear gaining traction across Africa

The X Series is quickly establishing a footprint in Africa, as it is the preferred industrial gear unit specified by drive engineering specialist SEW-Eurodrive for the mining industry, says the... 

Golden prospects following exploration in Mali and Senegal

Privately owned UK-based gold exploration company Cora Gold believes there is strong potential to ultimately  increase the scale of the discovery at the Sanankoro project to a size suitable for... 

Pockets of potential bode well for future

The expected turning point in the African mining sector has not yet occurred, owing to continued soft economic growth in emerging economies allied to uneven global economic recoveries, divergent... 

Africa remains tough but attractive mining destination

Despite potential risk factors associated with mining in Africa, mining services provider Fraser Alexander executive business development head Ken Bouch says the rewards make it worth investing in... 

Locally produced engineering steel declining

It has become cheaper to import finished products manufactured  overseas  than to manufacture engineering steel in the country, which has resulted in more than half the country’s foundries closing... 

Steel remains invaluable commodity, despite decline

Despite the decrease in demand in the local steel industry, the industry remains invaluable to South Africa’s economy, says local provider of high-quality global electrical, automation, mechanical,... 

Tight market conditions put demand for LSFB under pressure

The light steel frame building (LSFB) industry is experiencing the same hardship as the building and construction industry. According to Statistics South Africa, the area of buildings completed... 

Automation pivotal to steel industry’s future

Owing to its customers requiring cost-effective, faster and better solutions, capital equipment manufacturer First Cut MD Andrew Poole says automation coupled with innovation is pivotal to the... 

Indaba critical for policy engagement

With the policy environment changing as a result of global and local competition, consulting firm Cova Advisory believes that this year’s Manufacturing Indaba can play a significant role to assist... 

R&D incentives pivotal for sector growth

The direct correlation between successful economies and their investment into research and development (R&D), is the reason consultancy firm Cova Advisory joint MD Duane Newman says it is important... 

Indaba to focus on emerging sector developments

With the 2017 Manufacturing Indaba’s focus being on the development of emerging manufacturers, event organisers Siyenza Management MD Liz Hart says the event will continue to provide new and... 

Revolution draws mixed reaction from industry

Although the fourth industrial revolution is set to disrupt almost every industry globally by transforming production, management systems and governance, Department of Science and Technology... 

Initiative addresses barriers to expand aerospace manufacturing

The aerospace industry has, among others, two important international players – Airbus and Boeing. This applies to local aerospace as well as international aerospace manufacturing industries, all... 

Lighting solutions company adapts to changing technology

Leading lighting solutions company Beka Schrèder is succeeding in adapting to rapidly changing lighting technology, in its manufacturing process, while maintaining focus on cost benefits for... 

Expansion ensures greater manufacturing capability for Hydra-Arc

Steel fabricator Hydra-Arc has recently expanded its machining capability allowing them to take on work previously done by international manufacturing and engineering companies. Founded in 1987 by... 

Advanced tech key to unlocking future competitiveness

According to the Deloitte 2016 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index, CEOs globally believe that advanced manufacturing technologies are key to unlocking future competitiveness. “As the...