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Tracy Hancock

Tracy Hancock

Tracy Hancock is Creamer Media Contributing Editor for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Mining BEVs set to launch

17th March 2023 Underground mining mobile equipment specialist MacLean Engineering is expanding its battery electric vehicle portfolio this year with the launch of three new mining vehicles that further address ventilation-related energy costs, improve health and safety through diesel-free work environments, and... 

Multimillion-rand shaft construction soldiers on

17th March 2023 The R137-million Mngeni shaft project at the Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC), in Emakhalathini, KwaZulu-Natal, is edging closer to completion, with water infrastructure and electrical reticulation installed last month. This month, basic surface infrastructure, such as offices and change... 

Multimillion-rand shaft construction soldiers on
ON SCHEDULE The Mngeni shaft project is expected to achieve first coal in October this year, which is about 12 months after its start date

Manufacturer focused on anti-theft, -vandalism signalling equipment

10th March 2023 The prevention of vandalism and theft of rail infrastructure continues to be a significant money pit for the South African passenger and freight rail industry. State-owned entity Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) spends R1-billion a year to protect its infrastructure from vandalism,... 

Manufacturer focused on anti-theft, -vandalism signalling equipment
NQOBILE MTHEMBU ACTOM Signalling is constantly developing solutions that will curb the theft and vandalism of signalling equipment

Third-party access crucial for sector

10th March 2023 Rail industry representative African Rail Industry Association (ARIA) is driven by a mandate to facilitate public–private partnerships (PPPs) as a tool to revitalise the South African rail industry, with CEO Mesela Kope-Nhlapo declaring 2023 the year of third-party access. “It is in the country’s... 

Third-party access  crucial for sector
MESELA NHLAPO It is in the country’s best interest to successfully advocate for the practical implementation of the third-party access rail policy to service the unserved market that previously benefited from our railways

Logistics industry digitisation to trend this year

10th February 2023 The digitisation of the local logistics industry will take centre stage this year as companies continue leveraging smart technology and innovation to improve customer service delivery and experiences amid the current economic climate, says smart logistics company Pargo cofounder and director Lars... 

Logistics industry digitisation  to trend this year
LARS VEUL Consumers’ demands and expectations are at an all-time high and show no sign of slowing down

AMR uptake an opportunity to upskill workers

10th February 2023 While autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are becoming an integral part of future-oriented factories, job creation remains an important factor for a company considering AMR implementation at a facility to ensure it remains globally competitive and sustainable, says industrial automation expert Omron... 

AMR uptake an opportunity to  upskill workers
AMR UPTAKE Local interest in autonomous mobile robots is specifically focused on increasing productivity, employee safety and wellbeing, as well as on curtailing errors

Grindex pumps distributor widens SADC network

3rd February 2023 Pumping applications solutions provider Integrated Pump Technology has been given the green light to distribute the submersible pumps range from Swedish pumps manufacturer Grindex in a further seven countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). “Our sole distribution agreement... 

Grindex pumps distributor widens SADC network
JORDAN MARSH Having local service centres is key for efficient and effective pump repairs

OEM’s recipe wins bulk of Africa’s projects

3rd February 2023 Pumps manufacturer Weir Minerals Africa is the partner of choice for the majority of mining operations in Africa, winning 95% of projects owing to the company’s footprint, the scale of its operations and product offering, says Weir Minerals Africa pump products GM Marnus Koorts. “The number of... 

OEM’s recipe wins bulk of Africa’s projects
ENGINEERING EXPERTISE Weir’s highly skilled, in-country engineers are focused on optimising clients’ sites

Firm secures ‘preferred’ status

31st January 2023 Foundry and engineering company Thos Begbie has been named a preferred supplier of Europe’s largest copper producer Aurubis, which also claims to be the world’s largest copper recycler. Thos Begbie, based in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, manufactures water-cooled copper and other furnace components... 

Firm secures ‘preferred’ status
TACTICAL CHANGES Thos Begbie is expanding its business strategy to gain a major advantage over the local market, as demand for copper processing snowballs

Indonesia’s high-speed rail project completed ahead of G20 summit

16th December 2022 Using various solutions from infrastructure engineering software developer Bentley Systems, lead contractor PT Wijaya Karya (WIKA) was able to complete the construction of an integrated high-speed railway line between Jakarta and Bandung, and accompanying infrastructure, in time for the G20... 

Indonesia’s high-speed rail project completed ahead of G20 summit
AWARD WINNER WIKA won first place in the Rail and Transit category at the Bentley Systems Year in Infrastructure Going Digital Awards this year. WIKA building information modelling engineer Rizky Yusuf Ramadhan is pictured third from left along with other members of his team and, from left, Bentley Systems civil infrastructure VP Francois Valois, CEO Greg Bentley, chief success officer Katriona Lord-Levins and rail and transit industry marketing director Steve Cockerell

Digital platform aims to improve SADC rail efficiency

16th December 2022 A substantial percentage of all rail wagons in South Africa are empty when moving between destinations. In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, only a small percentage of rail capacity is being fully used. That is a huge amount of wasted and expensive space, says South... 

Digital platform  aims to improve  SADC rail efficiency
SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS The Empty Trips digital freight exchange allows rail carriers to publish empty rail wagons on the platform, making this information visible to rail shippers so that they can book space on the rail wagons

Digital engineering key to award-winning level crossing removal project

16th December 2022 Many Australian construction companies are actively employing people, especially those who have a digital background, to address the country’s skills shortage, particularly in major infrastructure projects, including the removal of dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne, says... 

Digital engineering key to award-winning level crossing removal project
AWARDING INNOVATION Acciona southern region digital engineering manager Daniel Easter (centre) was awarded first place in the Construction category of the Bentley Systems Year in Infrastructure Going Digital Awards last month. Also pictured (from left) are Bentley Systems CEO Greg Bentley, construction VP Rich Humphrey, senior product marketing manager Marion Bouillin and chief success officer Katriona Lord-Levins

Noncompliant installations surge amid energy crisis

9th December 2022 The rush to install standby power supply in South Africa amid the country’s energy crisis has led to an influx of service providers, which are misinforming the public on the legal requirements that electrical installations need to comply with, says trade association Electrical Contractors’... 

Noncompliant installations surge amid energy crisis
UNITING AN INDUSTRY The Electrical Contractors’ Association South Africa is working with multiple associations to formalise and standardise training and requirements for electrical contractors in an effort to realise a united industry

New welding equipment, training significant contributors in growth strategy

2nd December 2022 To assist its growth strategy in an evolving local market space, specialist fabrication company Efficient Engineering has made a significant investment by procuring a state-of-the-art automated welding machine, from France. 

New welding equipment, training significant contributors in growth strategy
PRESSURE VESSEL A typical pressure vessel produced by Efficient Engineering

World unlikely to resolve copper deficit soon – CDAA

18th November 2022 While the improved management of copper scrap recycling is crucial to supplement future mined supplies to address the world’s seemingly perpetual copper deficit, copper cable theft continues to be a hindrance locally, says local copper industry representative Copper Development Association Africa... 

World unlikely to resolve copper deficit soon – CDAA
PRODUCTIVITY PRUDENT Africa needs to develop new downstream businesses and secure the local production of products through a copper master plan

Roan’s success to be duplicated in north

18th November 2022 With diversified metal recovery business Jubilee Metals Group’s flagship copper processing project, Project Roan, in Zambia, reaching nameplate throughput last month, the company is aiming to replicate a similar model at a larger scale at its northern refinery. Roan is part of Jubilee’s southern... 

Roan’s success to be duplicated in north
SABLE REFINERY The north of Jubilee’s Zambian footprint presents the opportunity to more than double the copper-producing capacity of its 14 000 t/y Sable refinery, which forms part of the company’s southern refining strategy

Efficient management of constrained energy supply vital

11th November 2022 It is important that local municipalities manage South Africa’s available power supply as efficiently as possible by adopting smart-grid enabling products, as the country continues to battle electricity generation constraints, especially with President Cyril Ramaphosa having stated that... 

Efficient management of constrained energy supply vital
VLADIMIR MILOVANOVIC Municipalities should be considering ways to improve or digitise their grid in a manner that affords them the ability to monitor their network status and performance

CoCT on track to become African energy diversification beacon

11th November 2022 The City of Cape Town (CoCT) is working on diversifying its energy resources to significantly reduce its reliance on struggling State-owned power utility Eskom in the next two years and, thereby, the impact of loadshedding on its customers. The municipality intends to end loadshedding for... 

CoCT on track to become African energy diversification beacon
INVITING INCENTIVE In July, the City of Cape Town expanded its small-scale embedded generation programme to permit commercial customers to sell more electricity than they use

Climate change major energy efficiency driver

11th November 2022 While the implementation of energy efficiency measures reduces demand on South Africa’s fragile power system, the climate change agenda continues to significantly influence corporate South Africa’s efforts in this respect, says renewable-energy solutions company Solareff – a member of nonprofit... 

Climate change major energy efficiency driver
A MORE EFFICIENT APPROACH Companies must consider energy efficiency and embedded generation together when calculating their energy requirements

Millions injected into water tech over past 7 years

21st October 2022 The Water Technologies Demonstration Programme (Wader) has invested about R43.5-million in 46 projects from 2015 to 2022 as the technology arm of the National Water Research, Development and Innovation Roadmap. The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) has been the primary funder of the... 

Millions injected into water  tech over past 7 years
DRIVING DEVELOPMENT Floating solar is one of two breakthrough technologies supported by the Water Technologies Demonstration Programme, the technology arm of the National Water Research, Development and Innovation Roadmap

S Africa can ease effect of natural disasters through technology

21st October 2022 Deploying “cutting-edge” solutions at South Africa’s water treatment plants will assist the country in mitigating the severe impact of natural disasters, such as the drought in Nelson Mandela Bay, in the Eastern Cape, and the flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, while addressing the poor state of... 

S Africa can ease effect  of natural disasters  through technology
JOYCE MOGANEDI The current water crisis facing South Africa has created new opportunities and there is plenty of room to adopt and embrace new technologies

Edikan set to surpass guidance

14th October 2022 The Edikan gold mine, in Ghana, is clawing back the production loss incurred owing to the shutdown of its mill for preventative maintenance in June. The mine recorded its best month of gold production since December 2018 in July and surpassed its June quarter production by mid-August. The mine,... 

Edikan set to surpass guidance
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY Through the Nkosuo deposit, Edikan also has the potential to, once again, become a very important component of Perseus Mining’s diversified asset portfolio

Ghana tops in West Africa

14th October 2022 While the West African operating climate is positive overall as emerging initiatives are coming into play on the back of ongoing capital investment in mining projects, politically stable Ghana remains the region’s most attractive mining jurisdiction. The country boasts a historically proven... 

Ghana tops in West Africa
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP While West Africa’s mining legislation is still evolving in many respects, regardless of in-country legislation, mining companies are also the drivers of compliance to prevent adverse environmental impacts

W Africa key for processing expert

14th October 2022 Minerals processing expert Maelgwyn Mineral Services Africa (MMSA) is growing its West Africa installed base of 29 Aachen High Shear reactors through the installation of four more units. “Mining in West Africa has grown significantly over the past couple of years and MMSA has been a part of this... 

W Africa key for processing expert
TRENDING TESTWORK The mining industry is increasingly adopting on-site cyanide detoxification testwork, which eliminates red tape and the addresses the exorbitant cost of sending samples to South Africa for testing

Coal waste could boost REEs supply

30th September 2022 The information derived from a study published this year on the mineralogy and distribution of rare-earth elements (REEs) in Waterberg coalfield high-ash coals could assist with a new concept of logging coal seams by considering the REE elemental composition of coal, rather than just its energy... 

Coal waste could boost REEs supply
COAL CONCENTRATION A Clean Coal Technology research group study to characterise the associations, distributions and concentration of rare earth elements in coal focused on the Waterberg basin, in Limpopo, a region hosting about 40% of South Africa’s remaining coal resources

Gugulethu construction is still on track to kick off this year

30th September 2022 Construction of the almost R600-million opencast phase (Phase 1) of coal exploration and mining company Canyon Coal’s Gugulethu colliery is planned to start this year, subject to market conditions and the availability of export trains. Canyon Coal, a subsidiary of private investment company... 

Gugulethu construction is still on track to kick off this year
MINING MUSCLE Seven 90-t excavators and 21 60-t articulated dump trucks to mine the Gugulethu project, which is set to produce single RB3 product for export

Amendment Bill fails to recognise safety practitioner profession

23rd September 2022 The continued failure to recognise the safety practitioner profession is yet another disappointing aspect of the poorly drafted Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Amendment Bill 2020, says law firm Klass Looch Associates managing member, advocate Raynard Looch. “Unlike the Mine Health and... 

Amendment Bill fails to recognise safety practitioner profession
RAYNARD LOOCH Managers and supervisors are an integral and essential part of an employer’s health and safety management system and deserve statutory recognition

Be careful of relying only on screening tests

23rd September 2022 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 to base disciplinary action on the results of screening tests alone. “A large number of companies... 

Be careful of relying only on screening tests
RHYS EVANS The number of local companies undertaking substance abuse tests incorrectly is equal to those which are undertaking them correctly

Valve demand up amid mining uptick

16th September 2022 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 President of the country in August last year, says AR Controls CEO Julien van Niekerk. “Demand is relatively... 

Valve demand up amid mining uptick
JULIEN VAN NIEKERK Zambia is now poised to become one of Africa’s largest nickel producers with FQM’s commissioning of the Enterprise mine

Distribution deal favouring pumps supplier

16th September 2022 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 sector since January this year. Accounting for about 30% of the submersible pumps market in the country,... 

Distribution deal favouring pumps supplier
A ROBUST RANGE Grindex has been active in Zambia for the past 25 years, with its range of drainage pumps capable of handling water with abrasive solids up to 12 mm in size

MMDA review expected to be extensive

16th September 2022 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 addresses the challenges hindering the mining industry’s already significant contribution to the country’s... 

MMDA review expected to be extensive
MMADIKA MOLOI The proposed changes to the Mines and Minerals Development Act are expected to encourage development at all levels of the mining sector and sustained investment in small-scale and gemstone exploration projects

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

16th September 2022 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 output in the next ten years, says Zambia Chamber of Mines CEO Sokwani Chilembo. “Tripling the country’s... 

Tripling Zambia’s copper output ambitious but attainable best-case scenario
SOKWANI CHILEMBO Things have been heating up in the exploration sector, with a couple of dozen prospects in the thick of second and third round earn-in negotiations, listings and capital raisings

Coal waste a solution to cost-effective natural gas storage

14th September 2022 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 environmental impact of the country’s coal waste. “Coal dumps can not only potentially spontaneously... 

Coal waste a solution to cost-effective natural gas storage
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT Process lines could easily be designed and established in proximity with local coal wastes or collieries to produce activated carbons for cost-effective adsorbed natural gas storage and transportation

Transformers to be installed at local gold mine

2nd September 2022 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 challenges manufacturers have been facing globally. While there is a global shortage of raw materials, from... 

Transformers to be installed at local gold mine
DAVID CLAASSEN Oil-cooled transformers are progressively being replaced with dry-type transformers, which are increasingly being specified for new projects

Motor manufacturer helping to reduce load on grid

2nd September 2022 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 energy generation system through the uptake of its products. For example, the company started... 

Motor manufacturer helping  to reduce load on grid
EDUARDO WERNINGHAUS Zest WEG is dedicated to bringing the most efficient products in its portfolio to the African market to assist customers in lowering total cost of ownership

ESG key to improving investor sentiment

26th August 2022 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 about the African mining industry, says coal and heavy minerals mining company Exxaro stakeholder... 

ESG key to improving investor sentiment
LOW CARB FUTURE Exxaro aims to transition from a coal-based to a minerals and renewable-energy solutions business that will thrive in a low-carbon future

Eskom losing skills to overseas utilities

26th August 2022 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 flattering, says Stellenbosch University engineering dean Professor Wikus van Niekerk. “These engineers,... 

Eskom losing skills to overseas utilities
BULK UP STORAGE As part of its plan to end load-shedding, South Africa should invest in another pumped-storage scheme system, such as Ingula, as part of its effort to avoid future energy storage challenges

Utility on track for 2050 target

26th August 2022 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 2035 continue to be effectively implemented, says Eskom Just Energy Transition (JET) GM Mandy... 

Utility on track  for 2050 target
GOOD AND READY Eskom has 5 GW of grid capacity ready to go, but is finalising studies to ensure that the next tranche of land it offers is suitable for renewable-energy developments and has access to grid capacity

S Africa needs electricity intervention now

26th August 2022 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 longer-term initiatives to stabilise the power system are rolled out, says Stellenbosch University Faculty of... 

S Africa needs electricity  intervention now
SAMPSON MAMPWHELI By reintroducing energy efficiency and demand-side management programmes, the country can reduce pressure on the grid within six to eight months

Multifunctional security tech can boost productivity

19th August 2022 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 boost productivity amid a changing mining landscape, says Sweden-headquartered video surveillance... 

Multifunctional security tech can boost productivity
BEYOND BASIC Axis’s camera technology can introduce and improve operational efficiencies at a mine, beyond basic security functions

EVDS supports productivity

19th August 2022 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 contributes to the ever-growing strategy of improving and increasing productivity and efficiency. “The... 

EVDS supports productivity
DEBOTTLENECKING DELIVERY The emulsion vertical delivery system contributes to efficiency, as it frees up cage time, consequently enabling mines to not only increase hoisting capacity but also productivity
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