Local companies continue to export despite poor local market

Despite the fiscally constrained state of the local economy, local equipment suppliers are successfully exporting their products, says South African Capital Equipment Export Council (Saceec) CEO... 

Legislative guidance needed to unlock renewable- energy-storage benefits

The use of renewable energy, such as solar photovoltaic, and exploring energy storage technologies, are integral to balancing the local energy mix in South Africa, including in the domestic and... 

Energy study on grid capacity to assist Eskom

Stellenbosch University (SU), in the Western Cape, is conducting a study to examine grid capacity and determine ideal locations for renewable-energy projects that will support the grid. The study... 

Court decision could increase electricity prices, revenue

National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) is appealing a High Court application that State-owned power utility Eskom brought against Nersa last year, which states that Nersa exceeded its... 

Repower, repurpose plans under way for utility

State-owned power utility Eskom is progressing with plans to repower and repurpose some of its coal power stations, build greenfield power plants with cleaner technologies and invest in necessary... 

Renewables can benefit from repurposed batteries uptake

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe’s announcement of the opening of Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) in March this... 

Company offers solutions to manage decentralised power systems

The shift to renewable sources of power generation that are decentralised and have to be managed presents opportunities for technology company Hitachi ABB Power Grids to be involved in the local... 

Acquisitions help expand geosciences footprint

The acquisition of software company Seequent by infrastructure software company Bentley Systems, and the former’s acquisition of Danish geophysical software developer Aarhus Geosoftware (AGS), will... 

Wireless infrastructure, location systems beneficial for mines

Real-time data access for underground mines has traditionally been a challenge in South Africa, with the lack of broadband networks and the nature of mining contributing to this challenge. The... 

Conveyor monitoring system successfully trialled

Mining technologies supplier Strata Worldwide partnered with fibre-optic company Future Fibre Technologies (FFT) to conduct a successful trial of FFT’s Aura IQ conveyor health monitoring system at... 

New technologies can unlock assets for decarbonisation

Using modern technologies to provide better orebody knowledge can potentially unlock millions of tonnes of copper in stranded assets globally, which, in turn, could help to counter the predicted... 

Rand Refinery looks back, and forward, as it marks 100 years of operations

Since it began operating in 1921, gold refiner Rand Refinery’s technological pioneering spirit has enabled it to transform into a “global powerhouse with a unique portfolio of products and... 

Rand Refinery looks back, and forward, as it marks 100 years of operations

Since it began operating in 1921, gold refiner Rand Refinery’s technological pioneering spirit has enabled it to transform into a “global powerhouse with a unique portfolio of products and... 

Manufacturer stresses need for quality materials during downturn

Amid strained economic conditions, contractors are opting to buy cheaper and lower-quality building materials, such as cement, to reduce costs, which cement manufacturer AfriSam cementitious... 

Equipment supplier distributes compaction range to local market

Compaction technology manufacturer Bomag has entrusted local equipment supplier Smith Power Equipment to distribute its light compaction equipment range in South Africa and selected cross-border... 

Concrete pole achieves 8kN of force testing

Concrete products supplier Rocla subjected its 11 m concrete cast pole to 8 kN of force testing at its manufacturing plant, in Roodepoort, in May. Rocla’s cast concrete pole has become the... 

Opportunities to improve artisan programme despite slow start

While the Artisan 4.0 programme is still in its first year, there are various opportunities to improve the programme going forward, says industry education entity the Colliery Training College... 

Company designs science centre, educational mobile games

Design agency Formula D Interactive has completed the concept design for a science centre in Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), Mpumalanga; the design for the centre has been commissioned by a local... 

Manufacturer provides solutions for distance learning

Educational engineering equipment manufacturer and importer Amtec Techniquip has developed new products to assist in local distance learning at a time when learners cannot physically access their... 

Testing can ensure safe communication on mines

The potential dangers of working underground make reliable communication vital for improving safety and enhancing operational efficiency, says communications device provider Ya Batho sales and... 

EPC regulations roll out promoted

The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) is actively promoting the roll-out of the new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Regulations. This is being done through SANAS’ new... 

Responsible sourcing needed

In 2019, South African authorities granted 19 refining licences, while in the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, 26 refineries were either completed or under construction; these refineries increase the... 

Company announces recovery operations’ profit

Gold miner Goldplat’s recovery operations achieved a combined operating profit of £4.2-million (compared with £1.053-million in March 2020) for the nine months ended March 31, 2021, as well as a... 

Firm’s developments can exploit gold resurgence

Despite the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on gold production last year, production has increased this year, as more producers are building capacity and mining projects resume. As a reagent... 

Miner investing in operational improvements

Gold miner Pan African Resources is continuing to invest in its assets locally and improve its operations, including its Barberton Mines Complex, in Mpumalanga; its Evander mine, in Gauteng; and... 

Association highlights third-party access benefits

Local industry body the African Rail Industry Association (ARIA) CEO Mesela Nhlapo says structural changes, as a result of allowing third-party access to State-owned freight utility Transnet’s rail... 

Association encourages use of zinc to boost rail

International Zinc Association (IZA) Africa Desk head Simon Norton says there is significant opportunity right now to increase the use of refined zinc for hot dip galvanising of steel, with the... 

Commuter rail on the rise

Railroad equipment supplier Gibela aims to elevate commuter rail as the transport mode of choice by contributing to safe and reliable public transport, in line with the transport sector’s... 

Industry struggling with materials shortages, price increases

A shortage of raw materials, coupled with substantial raw-material price increases, has placed the local coatings industry under pressure, states South African Paint Manufacturing Association... 

Repair solution used across industries

Pump systems and complementary pump products provider Mechanical Rotating Solutions (MRS) provided an emergency repair solution for a Pretoria-based cement manufacturer’s conveyor belt at the end... 

Institute working to host international event locally

The South African Institute of Tribology (SAIT) is collaborating with industry bodies and relevant government departments to host the International Tribology Council’s (ITC’s) eighth International... 

Company to continue local investment

Minerals processing equipment manufacturer Multotec aims to continue investing in modernising its local manufacturing capabilities. “In the long term, we would like to invest in Fourth Industrial... 

Company launches new division

Waterjet cutting service provider MAXJET will launch a new manufacturing division, referred to as MAX LINERS, next month. The division will focus on providing a range of products to prevent wear in... 

Company improves manufacturing line

Local civil and engineering steel products manufacturer and supplier Stewarts & Lloyds has upgraded certain parts of its high-speed, cut-to-length line, installed last year. Certain modifications... 

Facilities equipped for custom orders

Original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) Kwatani’s fabrication jobbing processes are designed to deliver custom-designed vibrating equipment within timeframes similar to those of other OEMs that... 

Products adapted for 4IR applications

Abrasive tools manufacturer PFERD has geared many of its products for Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and robotic applications because many customers in the local manufacturing and automotive... 

Resolving tax, policy uncertainty could boost majors

If the Zambian government and the mining companies invested in the country can reach consensus on how mines should operate, how they should be taxed, and if they can apply this consistently, then... 

Refurb programme sustains business during Covid

Machine supplier Bell Equipment’s ReMan repower programme, through which refurbishments of articulated dump trucks (ADTs) are conducted by Bell Equipment, has helped the company to mitigate some of... 

Sulphide collectors prospering in Zambian market

Axis House has had the opportunity to enhance and develop its range of copper flotation sulphide collectors in the Zambian mining industry, states Axis House sales manager Gareth Heynes. The... 

Internationally used products in demand and available locally

Two of motion and control technologies supplier Parker Hannifin’s products have been used in overseas development projects this year and have received significant demand from the local market, for...