Be careful of relying only on screening tests

Substance abuse continues to be a significant problem for employers in South Africa; however, substance abuse testing equipment supplier ALCO-Safe MD Rhys Evans notes that some employers are trying... 

Valve demand up amid mining uptick

Demand from the Zambian mining industry for valves, and actuator technology manufacturer AR Controls’ product offering, is stable and increasing since Hakainde Hichilema became the seventh... 

Distribution deal favouring pumps supplier

Engineering products supplier Integrated Engineering Services (IES) has been responsible for servicing pumps specialist Integrated Pump Technology’s growing customer base in the Zambian mining... 

MMDA review expected to be extensive

Law firm Webber Wentzel expects the review of Zambia’s Mines and Minerals Development Act (MMDA), No 11 of 2015, to take a considerable amount of time to complete, as the current government... 

Tripling Zambia’s copper output ambitious but attainable best-case scenario

Key prerequisites need to be in place if Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema is to tap into the potential developmental benefits of the “oil of Zambia” by tripling the country’s yearly copper... 

Coal waste a solution to cost-effective natural gas storage

Activated carbons derived from South Africa’s coal wastes present a cost-effective adsorbent for adsorbed natural gas (ANG) storage and transportation amid growing global pressure to reduce the... 

Hawk launches 230 V single-phase, hot-water pressure washer

High-pressure pumps manufacturer Hawk has expanded its hot water range with the launch in July of a 3 kW single-phase, diesel burner hot-water pressure washer that is ideal for removing stubborn... 

Transformers to be installed at local gold mine

Gauteng dry-type transformer specialist Trafo Power Solutions is on track to supply three transformers to a local underground gold mining operation for commissioning this month, despite the... 

Motor manufacturer helping to reduce load on grid

In focusing on energy efficiency, Zest WEG, a subsidiary of Brazilian motor and controls manufacturer WEG, is helping the South African mining industry reduce its load on the country’s fragile... 

BEKA Schréder launches new LEDTEC LED lowbay

Gauteng-based lighting manufacturer BEKA Schréder has launched a new light-emitting diode (LED) lowbay with a circular economy three-star rating as part of its LEDTEC range. Known as the LEDTEC,... 

ESG key to improving investor sentiment

Working alongside key stakeholders and employing good governance structures, such as sound environmental, governance and social (ESG) practices, is an effective way of improving investor sentiment... 

Eskom losing skills to overseas utilities

The continued flight of highly skilled and experienced technical staff from State-owned power utility Eskom to the local private sector and overseas power utilities is concerning, but also... 

Utility on track for 2050 target

State-owned power utility Eskom is on track to ensure that the country’s electricity sector achieves net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with an increase in sustainable jobs, should its Strategy... 

S Africa needs electricity intervention now

South Africa needs to promptly implement small interventions to ease the pressure on the national electricity grid, requiring an investment of between R50-billion and R100-billion, while... 

Multifunctional security tech can boost productivity

While response to the new technologies needed for South Africa’s mines of the future are mixed, decision-makers are gaining a better understanding of how one device can serve several functions to... 

EVDS supports productivity

Mining houses are increasingly realising the value of using emulsions in underground and surface blasting applications, and the addition of an emulsion vertical delivery system (EVDS) further... 

Demonstrations of new versatile dozer a hit

The K-Series 1050K crawler dozer from heavy equipment manufacturer John Deere has received positive reviews following demonstrations at various mining sites across South Africa. Focused on... 

Geophysical sensor remains unmatched

Mining and infrastructure solutions company Orica has yet to see anything similar to its RHINO autonomous drillstring-mounted geophysical sensor on the market since introducing the first version in... 

Manufacturers feeling pressure as payment delays continue

Local valve manufacturers continue to struggle with delayed payments from the mining industry, which comprises 55% to 60% of the South African valve manufacturing market, says South African Valve... 

Local demand lower than rest of Africa

The demand for valves specified for mining applications in the rest of Africa is much higher than demand in South Africa, says valve manufacturer RGR Technologies MD Marinus Ras. “New underground... 

Replacement valves supplied to gold and coal mines

South Africa-based valve manufacturer LVSA Group completed the manufacturing of valves for a Ghanaian gold mine and a South African coal mine last month. The orders, comprising of knife gate,... 

Commodities surge boosts demand

The global increase in commodity prices is motivating local mines to spend capital on new and existing projects, while the long delivery times of imported products have shifted their focus to South... 

Orders for cost-effective Dezzi MG80T continue to roll in

Demand for the Dezzi MG80T motor grader from KwaZulu-Natal specialised heavy earthmoving machinery manufacturer Dezzi Equipment has steadily increased since its launch in 2001, with minimal... 

Bioeconomy could support S Africa’s energy needs

Amid unstable power supply, the development of a wood bioeconomy could help support South Africa's energy needs while ensuring that the country meets its carbon emission reduction targets, says... 

Telemetry critical for sustainable water infrastructure development

Digitally transforming water supply and treatment plants can elevate the water and wastewater sector’s operational effectiveness for increased sustainability, says energy management and automation... 

S Africa offers pragmatic solution but still far from sustainability

While South Africa offers the rest of Africa practical examples of sustainable infrastructure development, there is still much that needs to be done before the country achieves a sustainable... 

Falcon rotary cutters’ local content still significant after almost 40 years

Since being introduced in 1985, the traditional rotary cutters in the Falcon range – consisting predominantly of the Slasher and trademark-protected Haymaker – still maintain local content upward... 

Mines opting for solar security lighting

Many African mines are opting for solar-powered perimeter lighting so that their security is not compromised during power failures, says luminaires manufacturer BEKA Schréder export manager Paulo... 

Artisanal, small-scale miners still underserved

Artisanal mining has grown substantially in sub-Saharan Africa over the past 20 years despite being an underserved market where accessing capital, markets and expertise is challenging, says... 

Mine water, waste skills deficit amid green mining transition

The global green mining transition, which is driving a significant increase in demand for effective water and waste management in the African mining market, has highlighted a skills shortage, says... 

SA’s mining future rests on exploration turnaround

The popular Junior Indaba, held in Johannesburg last month, highlighted once again that South Africa is losing ground on the exploration and junior mining front – with exploration being discouraged... 

Demand outstrips tyre supply

The African mining market’s demand for tyre solutions provider Bridgestone Southern Africa’s product has increased substantially and is exceeding supply, owing to global tyre supply constraints,... 

Lining installation under way

Civil engineering construction services provider ICON Group is currently progressing with work at a gold mine in Burkino Faso, where it is installing 200 000 m2, 1.5 mm high-density polyethylene... 

Company automating Gabon manganese mine

Pretoria-based automation company Iritron is involved in an expansion project at a manganese mine in Gabon. Owner Comilog is the world’s second largest high-grade manganese producer, says Iritron... 

HPS HV212 EOD drilling system making mines more profitable

Orders for Potchefstroom drilling equipment supplier HydroPower Systems’ (HPS’) HV212 EOD hydrovessel drilling system are increasing as acceptance of the technology grows on the back of proven... 

Gold miner’s journey producing results

After 14 months, South Africa’s largest gold producer by volume, Harmony, is just under halfway through its humanistic transformation journey called ‘Thibakotsi’, which aims to embed a culture of... 

Alignment breeds success

There seems to be a misperception that if South Africa mechanises and/or digitises its mines, all the country’s problems will disappear, according to business management consultant company OIM... 

Rest of 2022 holds many potential demand outcomes

Amid heightened economic and geopolitical uncertainties, the remainder of the year holds a range of potential outcomes for gold demand, says World Gold Council (WGC) Europe, the Middle East and... 

Maintenance of ageing road network a top priority – JRA

The deterioration of Johannesburg’s roads is a key concern in terms of the general maintenance of the city, with inclement weather, vandalism and theft, as well as ageing infrastructure, the key... 

Sanral success stories

Despite the negative impact of its recent tender cancellations, South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) says it continues to improve, manage and maintain the national road network. In...