Mining without Covid-19 safeguards harmful to communities

Keeping mining operations Covid-19-free is crucial because all mine personnel return to different communities, which can extend the spread of the infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 over long... 

Workforce plan invaluable in crisis

Having an actionable and implementable workforce plan in these uncertain times is more important than ever, says workforce development solutions provider Immersive Technologies Europe, Middle East... 

Coronal capping design being completed for Namibian mine

Rope access specialist Skyriders is preparing to install a new coronal capping, with its design in the process of being finalised, for two smokestacks at a mine in Namibia. The company secured the... 

Smart solution to Covid-19 business recovery

The online Smart Mining resource centre from digital solutions innovation hub Axora has piqued the interest of African mining companies, particularly those in South Africa. Axora chief commercial... 

Compressed air expansion project completed at Mozal smelter

South African engineering, procurement and construction company Lesedi has completed the upgrade of the compressed air installation plant at diversified mining and minerals company South32’s Mozal... 

African interest in reclaimer chain

Southern African bearings and power transmission products distributor Bearings International (BI), a member of Hudaco Industries, is working closely with the manufacturers of the reclaimer chains... 

Dale Automation emergency ventilator could create jobs amid crisis

While South Africa faces significant job losses amid the Covid-19 outbreak, engineering company Dale Automation expects to create 50 to 60 additional jobs should it receive the necessary medical... 

Subsea cable to improve connectivity in Africa

Submarine communications network supplier Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) has been appointed to build the 37 000-km-long 2Africa subsea cable – one of the largest subsea projects globally, which... 

Cables for corrosive conditions

Industrial equipment supplier BMG’s extensive portfolio of Tsubaki Kabelschlepp cable carrier systems and safety cables includes S/SX steel cable carriers, which have been designed to carry heavy... 

Manganese remains resilient

Manganese prices remained resilient in the first quarter of 2020, even as Chinese imports fell by 18%, with in-country logistics impacted on by the country’s Covid-19 lockdown, says natural... 

Aeris Mask copper filtration face mask takes off

The “slide-in” copper filter inserts for cloth masks manufactured by South African startup Aeris Mask in accordance with government guidelines have had massive interest, with the company selling... 

Energy efficiency part of futureproofing assets

Local building owners are looking to futureproof their assets for the secondary market, and reduce operating costs across all sectors, including the commercial, office, retail, industrial and... 

Great demand for infection control across Africa

The demand for infection control solutions manufacturer SteriTech’s products has increased significantly across Africa since the Covid-19 outbreak, but so have the company’s lead times. “Demand in... 

Cogen technology heating up in Africa

South Africa needs to realise that the rest of Africa is becoming more business friendly, and it may no longer be the sole gateway to Africa, which is showing noticeable demand for co-generation... 

Africa still viable for business

It is possible to work in most African countries, provided there is an investor-friendly fiscal regime, the correct asset, a diverse management team and a flexible execution strategy, says mining... 

Covid-19 compounds challenges in Africa

The legislation put in place amid the Covid-19 pandemic is compounding the “exceptionally challenging” business environment already faced by companies when operating in Africa, where each country... 

Expedited change in stainless steel industry expected

The Covid-19 pandemic will have long-term ramifications, including permanent change in the South African stainless steel industry, Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda)... 

Lockdown further strains stainless steel recycling

Prior to the national lockdown, South Africa’s stainless steel recycling industry was under strain, facing a dramatic drop in available recycling material and increasing input costs, says... 

R&D on hold to keep doors open

Stainless steel cylinder manufacturer Jooste Cylinder & Pump Company has implemented various measures, such as delaying research and development (R&D) projects, to assist staff as much as possible... 

Crisis highlights sense in sourcing locally made First Cut blades,welding consumables

Covid-19 has brought with it doubts and concerns about supply chain security, availability of stock and lead times, says First Cut’s Consumables Division director, Gary Willis. The pandemic has... 

Effective mine closure vital amid current economic crisis

The depressed economic climate emanating from the global Covid-19 pandemic is expected to increase requests about the authorisations process 

EDS Systems developing first South African carbon tax tool

Software developer EDS Systems is developing the first cloud-based carbon tax tool tailored to the South African market, in response to the introduction of the country’s Carbon Tax Act last year,... 

Zambia resilient despite challenges

The copper-dominant Zambian mining industry is resilient despite the impact of Covid-19, volatile commodity prices, a lack of foreign direct investment and poor, ill-advised government actions,... 

World’s largest emerald mine not exempt from pandemic

The turmoil stemming from the global Covid-19 outbreak represents one of the most serious challenges that many companies face globally, and the world’s largest emerald mine, Kagem, is no exception,... 

Chamber paints bleak future

There remains no incentive for further investment in copper-rich Zambia’s mining industry, says the association for mining and allied companies Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM). In January, Mines and... 

South Africa has duty to address SADC energy efficiency

South Africa has a duty to make the energy efficiency knowledge accrued through the Industrial Energy Efficiency Project (IEEP) more accessible to the rest of the Southern African Development... 

Local energy not managed efficiently

South Africa is not using its world-class renewable energy resources to drive energy efficiency, says independent conservation organisation World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF-SA) urban... 

New label can improve consumer education

The next challenge for the South African domestic appliance industry is the migration to a new energy efficiency label under the Appliance Energy Efficiency Standards and Labelling (S&L) programme... 

UJ creates open-source, low-cost ventilators

The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) is coordinating efforts to further develop open-source ventilators in response to initial reports that... 

Consider compliance when buying second-hand TMMs

Mining companies buying second-hand trackless mobile machines (TMMs) on auction need to ensure that only proximity detection systems (PDSes) from suppliers that have been approved by the... 

Upswing in online mining auctions expected

Mining companies, like most industries, will investigate all methods of generating capital following the loss of trade caused by South Africa’s three-week lockdown to limit the spread of Covid-19,... 

Decarbonising of local power generation sedate

Decarbonising South Africa’s electricity generation is no longer a technical challenge, it is a political and economic issue, says University of Pretoria Graduate School of Technology Management... 

Suppression system averts oil transformer fires

Mitigating risks on oil-filled transformers is a primary concern for various firms that make use of this high-value equipment. Although safety in the engineering of transformers is increasingly... 

South Africa-born XinaBox chips in sub-zero Antartica, space

From collecting data in sub-zero Antarctica to rapid circuit prototyping on the International Space Station (ISS), South African modular “xChip” manufacturer XinaBox, pronounced "X-in-a-box",... 

Limestone miner keeps mills turning

Opencast mining operation Rossmin has registered as an essential services provider and continues to supply calcium additives to the food, animal feed and agricultural industries, heeding President... 

Advisory firm plays change-agent role amid Covid-19 outbreak

Playing a change agent role, black-women led and controlled technical and management advisory firm LEI Advisory, (a division of Letaba Elihle Investments), can assist companies which have been... 

3D printers answer call to produce PPE for healthcare workers

Three-dimensional (3D) printing solutions provider Additive Manufacturing Solutions’ (AMS’) initiative to mobilise the 3D printing community to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for... 

Council turns attention to Ghana

South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC) member companies are increasingly looking outside of the South African market for opportunities, owing to the country’s current economic... 

Lack of port development a concern

While there is some movement in the development of South Africa’s port infrastructure by the private sector, the overall stagnation of its development is concerning, law firm Bowmans ports,... 

Various trends shaping Africa’s port infrastructure

The development of inland container terminals, or dry ports, to decongest port traffic is a trend that is gaining significant traction in Africa, says WSP Africa maritime technical director...