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Consulting Engineers

Clients’ lack of technical knowledge hampering consulting engineers

By: Sabrina Jardim 27th May 2022 While the relationship between the consulting engineering industry and the South African mining industry is growing in a general sense, consulting engineers, nevertheless, face challenges in providing professional services to the mining industry, many not unlike those experienced when dealing... →

Mining industry sees positive developments

By: Sabrina Jardim 27th May 2022 There have been positive developments in the mining sector regarding health and safety standards, particularly with the establishment of the global industry standard on tailings management (GISTM), says industry body Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) CEO Chris Campbell. The GISTM relates... →

An image of Chris Campbell, standing with his hands in his pockets, wearing glasses, a black suit and tie with a white collared shirt

CHRIS CAMPBELL Cesa’s School of Consulting Engineering offers online and in-person training and teaches skills including people management, financial management, contract management and interpersonal skills

Mixed reviews for BIM

By: Sabrina Jardim 27th May 2022 While consulting engineers are leading the building information modelling (BIM) drive, with designs and analyses being completely BIM-orientated, the technology has had mixed success for the mining industry in South Africa so far, says tertiary education institute University of Pretoria (UP)... →

Image depicting a person holding a yellow construction helmet and plans against a blue and white construction site backdrop

Photo by Adobe
GOING OUT ON A BIM While consulting engineers are leading the BIM drive, the technology has had mixed success for the mining industry in South Africa so far

Local miners urged to adopt renewables

By: Sabrina Jardim 27th May 2022 Considering the global emphasis on a just energy transition, South African mining houses are assessing their options for the adoption of renewable energy through either their own build programmes or the procurement of energy from independent power producers, says leading consulting engineering... →

Black and white image portraying a smiling Janice Foster

JANICE FOSTER To tackle the ambiguity associated with adopting renewable energy, consulting engineers recommend appropriate solutions to minimise uncertainties

Miners relying more on consulting engineers

By: Sabrina Jardim 27th May 2022 As demands on the mining sector become increasingly onerous and complex, mines’ reliance on consulting engineers has grown, particularly in terms of health and safety, as well as environment, social and corporate governance (ESG), says engineering consultancy SRK MD Vis Reddy. Over the past 20... →

An image depicting two consulting engineers wearing bright orange vests and hard hats overlooking a mine site, standing next to a white vehicle

ADAPTIVE MEASURES Despite mounting pressures placed on consulting engineers by reporting standards, Reddy says consulting engineers have adequately adapted to meet necessary requirements

Technology a beneficial partner for consulting engineers

By: Sabrina Jardim 27th May 2022 Consulting engineers have tended to welcome technology, owing to its multiple benefits, including the gathering and analysing of large amounts of data, which can inform responses to industry challenges and assist in finding more sustainable solutions, says engineering consultancy SRK director and... →

An image depicting a smiling Andrew Van Zyl, leaning against a wooden table, wearing a navy blue suit and white collared shirt

ANDREW VAN ZYL Van Zyl says that, to fully leverage the value of technologies, SRK has its own in-house data science unit to support its innovations in the consulting engineer space

Consulting engineers influential in mining success

By: Anna Moross 12th November 2021 Consulting engineers play an important role throughout the mining process, from the exploration phase to the construction and operation of the mine, says Consulting Engineers South Africa CEO Christopher Campbell. →

An image of Christopher Campbell, CEO of CESA

CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL Consulting engineers, play a major role in ensuring the entire ecosystem functions at peak performance

Renewable power a viable option for mining operations

By: Anna Moross 12th November 2021 Integrating renewable power after construction in mining operations aims to enhance efficiency and decrease costs while minimising environmental effect, says consulting engineers Zutari technical director Daniel Chelopo. →

SOLAR PV PANELS Renewable-energy consultants assist clients in exploring, comprehending and managing the process of integrating renewable energy into existing grid netwok

Challenges in mining exploration in the DRC

By: Anna Moross 12th November 2021 Determining resources and reserves in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), although known for its significant mining potential and “world-class” deposits in various commodities, has its challenges, says SRK Consulting Congo chairman and geological consultant Dominique Sambwa. →

An image of the exploration phase of mining

RESOURCE AND RESERVE DETERMINATION Investors interested in the DRC's mining potential generally have to embark on a risky phase of exploration

Balancing technology advancements can help industry thrive

By: Nadine Ramdass 14th May 2021 Stakeholders need to balance the multiple impacts of technological advancements in the mining industry to enable the industry and its employees to thrive, says engineering consulting company Zutari technical director Pieter Scholtz. There are many advantages to such technological advancements,... →

Pieter Scholtz Improved technology takes employees out of dangerous situations

Specialised attorneys fill gaps engineers cannot

By: Nadine Ramdass 14th May 2021 Consulting engineers have valuable technical understanding but often lack the legal expertise to ensure that their intentions are well articulated and that the contract is balanced. The resulting gap requires legal experts to ensure that the contract is correctly drafted to protect the parties... →

EUAN MASSEY
Specialised attorneys can save time and money

MDA Attorneys directors Euan Massey and Odette Potgieter discuss the need for attorneys when drafting mining sector contracts.

Collaboration among industry associations must increase

By: Nadine Ramdass 14th May 2021 There is a need for increased collaboration between consulting engineering industry associations and Minerals Council South Africa, says Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) CEO Chris Campbell. Industry associations, such as Cesa, serve the purpose of working towards ensuring the wellbeing of... →

Coeng appoints first COO

By: Nadine Ramdass 14th May 2021 Multidisciplinary engineering, procurement and construction management company Coeng has appointed Takalani Mbedzi as its COO. Mbedzi is the company’s first COO, having joined the company to assist the chairperson and CEO with work distribution, as the company continues to grow. →

Takalani Mbedzi Coeng aims to become a reputable engineering, procurement and construction management service provider

EU project focuses on responsible sourcing

By: Nadine Ramdass 14th May 2021 Technical consulting engineers and science expertise provider SRK Consulting has extensive experience and a long working history in the mining sector, and is using its expertise to assist the European Union’s (EU) Horizon-funded 2020 research and innovation programme, the EU RE-SOURCING project.... →

Andrew van Zyl SRK Consulting is facilitating input of AFrican and Asian stakeholder

Technology helps companies weather storm

By: Cameron Mackay 13th November 2020 Multinational consulting engineers SRK Consulting director Andrew van Zyl stresses that technology, through the efficiencies it enables, is an important tool for retaining jobs in mining. The sector has been in a long period of decline, and technology is an opportunity to arrest that decline by... →

ANDREW VAN ZYL AND MARCIN WERTZ SRK’s in-country expertise has provided many advantages, particularly in instances when cross-border travel has been restricted

High demand for tailings consulting exceeds local capacity

By: Cameron Mackay 13th November 2020 Engineering consultant Knight Piésold is focused on providing technical advice for many local tailings dam facilities, says Knight Piésold technical director for mining services Africa Andrew Copeland. This increase in demand for tailings dam-related consulting can be attributed to several... →

SWIMMING WITH THE CURRENT Owing to Knight Piésold’s dam engineering experience, the company can work with mines in remote areas, particularly in the DRC, to provide hydropower

‘Forgotten Act’ could spur economic development

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 15th May 2020 Government and industry should not forget the Infrastructure Development Act (IDA), promulgated in 2014, and the impact it could have on economic development, says legal service provider LNP Attorneys chief executive Nikita Lalla, especially now that the economy is slowly opening up. LNP... →

NIKITA LALLA Implementing the Act will ensure that that plans are fast-tracked to assist with economic development

Consultancy rolls out automated measuring network

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 15th May 2020 Consulting engineers and scientists SRK Consulting is rolling out automated vibrating wire piezometers (VWPs) on tailings facilities, says SRK Consulting principal engineering geologist Lyzandra Boshoff. These networks monitor seepage and the associated pore pressure regime in a tailings facility... →

LISL FAIR SRK has developed a two-pronged approach to assisting mines to contain the spread of infections

Industry association weighs in on recovery plan to restart economy

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 15th May 2020 In restarting the economy, government needs to implement a recovery plan that focuses on opening up different sectors that will enable them to partially operate during the ongoing pandemic while remaining cognisant of the risks associated with Covid-19, says industry association Consulting... →

CHRIS CAMPBELL The private sector should work with the public sector to start up and progress procurement processes for infrastructure delivery

Consulting company hopes to enter mining sector

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 15th May 2020 Engineering consulting and management practice Zimile Consulting Engineers intends to diversify into the mining sector and believes that it is equipped and skilled to deliver quality service, says Zimile Consulting Engineers COO Fergus Feltman. “Given the scale and nature of work that the company... →

WATER PROJECTS Bulk earthworks for Metro Municipality water reservoir

GEOTHETA

15th May 2020 Consulting geotechnical engineering company GEOTHETA offers a variety of geotechnical and civil engineering consulting services. Based in Randburg, South Africa, GEOTHETA operates all over the world, with appointments in South Africa, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Botswana,... →

Company appointed for substation construction

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 15th May 2020 Engineering procurement and construction (EPC) firm COENG has been appointed for EPC services for the construction of a 40 MVA plant substation at platinum miner Wesizwe Platinum's Bakubung mine, near Rustenburg, in the North West. COENG... →

MOCK UP 3D render images for the new Wesizwe SubStation

Trafo Power Solutions

24th January 2020 Trafo Power Solutions was established to cater for the growing appetite and scope for the application of dry-type transformers in Africa. These power solutions are suitable across a wide range of industry including mining. The company offers a wide range of cast resin transformers from 160 kVA to... →

Battery technology advances could create savings, environmental benefits

By: Mamaili Mamaila 29th November 2019 Further advances in battery technology are expected as new options come to market and new economies of scale are achieved, says independent consulting engineers and scientists SRK Consulting. →

ANDREW VAN ZYL AND MARCIN WERTZ Advancements in battery technology are likely to create the potential to reduce costs and environmental impact while providing a disruptive force as price volatility persists

Holistic solutions crucial for mining sustainability – consultancy

By: Mamaili Mamaila 29th November 2019 Holistic solutions that consider closure, social, environmental and technical best practices will be important for the sustainability and longevity of the African mining industry, say independent consulting engineers and scientists SRK Consulting. →

ENAURING BEST PRACTICE The integration of the various mining-related disciplines such as mine planning and geotechnical, to environmental and social – is key to ensuring best practice on any project

Tailings dam failures concerning

By: Mamaili Mamaila 29th November 2019 It is unacceptable that tailings dam failures are reported to be about ten times more frequent than water dams on a ratio basis, says geotechnical engineering company Geotheta CEO Ian Hammond, particularly in terms of loss of life, livelihood or environmental damage. →

STRICTER FOCUS Professional engineers overseeing tailings facilities must account for more stringent, more severe and more appropriate factors in the design, monitoring, surveillance and closure aspects of the tailings storage facilities and their appurtenant structures

Dabeb Engineering

29th November 2019 Established in 1979, Dabeb Engineering specialises in the design and manufacture of electro-hydraulic actuators. With over 40 years in the field, the DEA range of actuators has become a unique, universally accepted and versatile electro-hydraulic product. The machines are distributed worldwide... →

Mine health, safety awareness crucial for consultants

By: Mamaili Mamaila 29th November 2019 Owing to the mining industry having historically gained a reputation for being “inherently unsafe”, consulting engineers need to be more mindful of this aspect when working in the sector, says professional association Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) CEO Christopher Campbell. →

CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL As there is an explicit emphasis on zero harm in the mining sector, consulting engineers in mining have to conform to industry requirements

Mechanisation drives service offering

29th November 2019 Structural steel designers and fabricators Structa Group of companies manufactures and supplies a range of infrastructure-related products including water storage tanks and industrial process equipment. →

Kwatani

17th September 2019 Established over 43 years ago, Kwatani is the largest independent privately owned original-equipment manufacturer supplying and manufacturing custom designed vibratory equipment in Africa, with over 15 000 units in more than 35 countries. More than one vibrating unit a day is dispatched from the... →

Consulting could play an increasingly important role in SA

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 26th April 2019 While the local mining industry is shrinking, this is not necessarily the case for the mining consulting industry, as the role of mining consulting firms has evolved in response to changes in the industry, says consulting engineers and scientists SRK Consulting partner and principal consultant... →

ANDREW VAN ZYL AND MARCIN WERTZ SRK Consulting acknowledges the growing value of Big Data and technology-focused expertise

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