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Business Thought Leadership

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Creamer Media’s Mining Weekly presents Business Thought Leadership. This is a platform for unsolicited opinion articles written by various thought leaders on topical issues affecting the South African economy and the business environment. Creamer Media retains the right not to publish unsolicited opinion articles, as well as to remove articles from the platform. The opinions expressed are not those of Creamer Media.

AI factory cooling vs cloud data centers: Why liquid cooling is essential for high-density AI workloads
AI factory cooling vs cloud data centers: Why liquid cooling is essential for high-density AI workloads
26th August 2026

By Steven Carlini is the Vice President of Innovation and Data Center for Schneider Electric The AI factory era has arrived 


Minerals-Led Industrialisation: South Africa’s Make-or-Break Moment
26th August 2026

By: Thabo Moloto - founder and CEO of Rootz Investments South Africa holds the richest chrome endowment on Earth, yet we cannot keep our own furnaces lit. Two decades of shipping raw ore overseas... 


Digital twins and the grid that no longer stands still
Digital twins and the grid that no longer stands still
25th August 2026

By: Johan Potgieter - Cluster Industrial Software Lead at Schneider Electric Historically, grid reliability focused on maintaining stable operations under expected conditions. Today, however,... 


Designing the modern AI cooling stack
Designing the modern AI cooling stack
21st August 2026

By: Canninah Dladla - Cluster President for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric In the largest year-over-year jump in AFCOM’s decade of research, the research group’s newest 2026 State of the... 


South Africa’s abandoned mines: The missing piece in the fight against illegal mining
20th August 2026

By Junior Mining Council President Fred Arendse South Africa cannot wish away the illegal mining crisis while leaving thousands of abandoned, derelict and ownerless mines without proper security or... 


How experiential safety and wellness interventions are reshaping risk culture in South African workplaces
How experiential safety and wellness interventions are reshaping risk culture in South African workplaces
18th August 2026

By: Sian Thurtell - Commercial Director at KBC Health & Safety In high-risk industrial environments, a paper trail is often mistaken for a safe workforce. For decades, health and safety performance... 


Modernising without disruption: The rise of software‑defined brownfield automation
Modernising without disruption: The rise of software‑defined brownfield automation
13th August 2026

By: Sydney Higgo - Industrial Automation Business Developer & Engineer at Schneider Electric Brownfield industrial sites have for decades relied on hardware‑centric automation architectures built... 


 When Good Oils Go Bad Part 4 Thermal Breakdown: When Oil Can’t Take the Heat
When Good Oils Go Bad Part 4 Thermal Breakdown: When Oil Can’t Take the Heat
12th August 2026

By: Steven Lumley - technical manager, WearCheck The fourth article in WearCheck’s “When Good Oils Go Bad” series takes an in-depth look at thermal breakdown. 


Designing for delivery: Why execution strategy can make or break a remote mining project
7th August 2026

By: Mike Snell, Director Projects – WA & Africa, Ausenco In mining project delivery, few decisions can have a bigger impact on cost, schedule and risk than the execution strategies chosen early in... 


Strategic service partnerships will form the backbone of tomorrow’s data centre infrastructure
Strategic service partnerships will form the backbone of tomorrow’s data centre infrastructure
6th August 2026

By: Meryl Eckersley - Secure Power Sales Manager, Global Services, Southern Africa at Schneider Electric Operational continuity has become a defining measure of organisational resilience, and... 


The value of advisory services for critical infrastructure in West Africa
The value of advisory services for critical infrastructure in West Africa
6th August 2026

By; Nnadozie Ogbuehi - Vice President for Services, SSA at Schneider Electric As West Africa’s industrial and digital landscape expands at pace, organisations are facing a new reality:... 


The age of AI data centres – respecting nature while embracing innovation
The age of AI data centres – respecting nature while embracing innovation
5th August 2026

By: Canninah Dladla - Cluster President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Schneider Electric Artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and advanced analytics are accelerating demand for data centre... 


East Africa – electrification succeeds when it includes all
East Africa – electrification succeeds when it includes all
4th August 2026

By: Symphrose Ochieng - Infrastructure Segment  & Power Systems Business Leader at Schneider Electric There is a lot to be said for a region that leads by example and East Africa’s renewable energy... 


The liquid cooling imperative – how to navigate the high-stakes economics of AI Infrastructure
The liquid cooling imperative – how to navigate the high-stakes economics of AI Infrastructure
3rd August 2026

By: Canninah Dladla - Cluster President for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric Nearly 60% of operators are expected to adopt liquid cooling within five years as AI-driven economics reshape... 


South Africa's mining safety journey must continue: Drawing lessons from Canada and Australia
31st July 2026

By Junior Mining Council President Fred Arendse  The recent emergency safety briefing at Impala Platinum's Rustenburg operations should remind us that South Africa's journey towards zero harm in... 


Managing direct liquid cooling deployment risks in AI data centres
Managing direct liquid cooling deployment risks in AI data centres
27th July 2026

By: Canninah Dladla - Cluster President for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric AI infrastructure has arrived, and with it the reality: power-hungry chips like NVIDIA’s Blackwell have pushed... 


AI – how the next moon race is right here on Earth
AI – how the next moon race is right here on Earth
23rd July 2026

By: Steven Santini - Vice President for Secure Power, SSA at Schneider Electric In 1969, the world watched in awe as Neil Armstrong took “one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind”, a... 


Our next generation of engineers building living labs of innovation
Our next generation of engineers building living labs of innovation
21st July 2026

By: Ifeanyi Odoh - Country President, Schneider Electric East Africa When people talk about the future of engineering in Africa, the conversation often centres on potential, the promise of a young... 


Mining the Future or Burying the Industry?
20th July 2026

By: Lubabalo Cengani The current structure of the South African economy is deeply rooted in the development of the Mineral Energy Complex (MEC) during the apartheid era. This model focused on... 


How the fast-food industry can gain a competitive edge, fast
How the fast-food industry can gain a competitive edge, fast
17th July 2026

By: Charles Coetzee - Buildings & C&SP Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric Fast-food or Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) operators operate within one of the most competitive spaces in... 


Retrofitting for sustainability – a smarter, more resilient path to modernisation
Retrofitting for sustainability – a smarter, more resilient path to modernisation
16th July 2026

By: Nontu Mkhize - Offer Marketing Manager: Power Services and Industry – Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric Across Sub-Saharan Africa, organisations are under increasing pressure to... 


Investing in competence despite fuel price volatility
Investing in competence despite fuel price volatility
14th July 2026

By: Jacques Farmer - MD at PRISMA Training Solutions  In the mining industry, the real instability often lies not underground, but in global market conditions. A volatile mix of geopolitical... 


Preparing Africa’s data centres for the demands of autonomous AI
Preparing Africa’s data centres for the demands of autonomous AI
13th July 2026

By: Faith Waithaka - Cloud and Service Provider Segment Lead for Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it is rapidly becoming the... 


Bridging Generations: Shaping a Multi‑Generational, Future‑Ready Workforce to Drive Growth in Africa
Bridging Generations: Shaping a Multi‑Generational, Future‑Ready Workforce to Drive Growth in Africa
10th July 2026

By: Yewande Ayowole‑Oso - Regional HR West Africa & MEA Senior Talent Programme Lead, and Aurélie Memeliwando, Regional HR Central Region, SSA Talent Leader and MEA Electrifier Project Lead at... 


How South African organisations can turn sustainability ambition into measurable impact
How South African organisations can turn sustainability ambition into measurable impact
8th July 2026

By: Rohit Chashta - Sustainability Business Lead, Africa, SE Advisory Services at Schneider Electric In 2026, the question for South African businesses is no longer 'why' sustainability matters,... 


Uganda’s first refinery has the potential to build a lasting energy ecosystem
Uganda’s first refinery has the potential to build a lasting energy ecosystem
7th July 2026

By: Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Hegazi - Business Development Leader, Energy and Chemicals, Schneider Electric East Africa With Uganda announcing that its estimate of recoverable oil and gas resources has... 


 SF₆-free switchgear and digital intelligence – mines are now investing in outcomes
SF₆-free switchgear and digital intelligence – mines are now investing in outcomes
7th July 2026 By: Haydon Whitley

By: Cecil Maartens - Account Manager MMM Segment for SSA at Schneider Electric Mining is a high-stake industry and always has been. Few other industries are under so much pressure to consistently... 


When Good Oils Go Bad Part 2 Oxidation: When Oil Gets Old
When Good Oils Go Bad Part 2 Oxidation: When Oil Gets Old
29th June 2026

By: Steven Lumley - technical manager, WearCheck (Virtual Showroom) Oxidation - the focus of part 2 of WearCheck’s “When Good Oils Go Bad” series - is one of the most common chemical reactions we... 


Tanzania LNG – unlocking future growth across energy and industry
Tanzania LNG – unlocking future growth across energy and industry
26th June 2026

By: Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Hegazy - Business Development Leader, Energy and Chemicals, Schneider Electric East Africa Tanzania’s energy and chemicals segment is projected to show tremendous growth in... 


Virtualising the control room – why cloud-ready BMS is reshaping building operations
Virtualising the control room – why cloud-ready BMS is reshaping building operations
25th June 2026

By: Charles Coetzee - Buildings & C&SP Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric Buildings may be getting smarter, but too many control rooms are still anchored to yesterday’s technology,... 


Energy for AI, AI for energy: designing AI-ready data centres
Energy for AI, AI for energy: designing AI-ready data centres
25th June 2026

By: Steven Santini, Secure Power Vice President, Schneider Electric Sub-Saharan Africa The data centre industry has evolved through successive waves of innovation, from virtualisation to cloud... 


The QCTO countdown - progress, pressure, and plenty of questions for South African mines
The QCTO countdown - progress, pressure, and plenty of questions for South African mines
25th June 2026

By: Jacques Farmer, Managing Director of Prisma Training Solutions The South African mining sector is racing towards a major regulatory transition. The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations... 


How Data and AI are unlocking South Africa’s next mineral frontier
How Data and AI are unlocking South Africa’s next mineral frontier
23rd June 2026

By: Ntsako Baloyi - Data & AI lead for Accenture, South Africa South Africa’s mining industry has long been defined by what lies beneath the surface – vast mineral wealth that has shaped the... 


How modern EAM is becoming the driver of mines’ productivity, resilience, and sustainability gains
How modern EAM is becoming the driver of mines’ productivity, resilience, and sustainability gains
23rd June 2026

By: Cecil Maartens - Account Manager, MMM Segment for SSA at Schneider Electric  Like the swing of a pendulum, mining organisations find themselves caught in a familiar rhythm: chasing higher... 


Decoupling software from hardware for future-proofed process automation
Decoupling software from hardware for future-proofed process automation
22nd June 2026

By: Kobus Vermeulen - Direct Sales Executive, Process Automation at Schneider Electric For decades, industrial automation was built around a simple principle: install robust control hardware, keep... 


Sustainability beyond the factory - why SA companies must rethink supply chain accountability and turn it into business advantage
Sustainability beyond the factory - why SA companies must rethink supply chain accountability and turn it into business advantage
18th June 2026

By: Rohit Chashta - Sustainability Business Lead, Africa, SE Advisory Services at Schneider Electric South African organisations’ broad environmental obligations have evolved into a number of... 


Digital services poised to play a defining role in operational resilience across West Africa
Digital services poised to play a defining role in operational resilience across West Africa
18th June 2026

By: Nnadozie Ogbuehi - Vice President for Services, SSA at Schneider Electric Across West Africa, organisations are increasingly rethinking how they manage critical assets and operational... 


Infrastructure development at speed – the digital twin advantage
Infrastructure development at speed – the digital twin advantage
17th June 2026

By: Johan Potgieter - Cluster Industrial Software Lead at Schneider Electric Large infrastructure projects have a stubborn reputation. Globally, major capital works such as transport corridors,... 


 Power blind spots – gaining visibility into what lies beneath
Power blind spots – gaining visibility into what lies beneath
11th June 2026

By: Anoop Hariparsad - Offer Marketing Manager, Microgrids, MEA at Schneider Electric It might sound almost too simplistic, but for many organisations and their finance teams, monthly electricity... 


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Monitor Distributors
Monitor Distributors

We at Hawk High Pressure Pumps specialise in industrial pumps and pumping systems. Our high pressure washing equipment is locally manufactured and...

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Goodwin Submersible Pumps Africa (Pty) Ltd
Goodwin Submersible Pumps Africa (Pty) Ltd

Goodwin Submersible Pumps Africa is sole distributors for Goodwin electrically driven, submersible, abrasion resistance slurry pumps.

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Advanced Fire Suppression Technologies
Advanced Fire Suppression Technologies

Established on 1 March, 2000, by Barries Barnard, Advanced Fire Suppression Technologies (AFST) and the Advanced Group stands as Sub-Saharan...

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Craig Miller Technical Services (CMTS)
Craig Miller Technical Services (CMTS)

CMTS is a leading, well-established EC&I contractor with 37+ years of mining and industrial experience. We execute full-scope EC&I projects with...

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