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Materials Handling News

Noticeable increase in use of in-cab video surveillance

By: Nadine James 29th September 2017 Internet of Things solutions provider Orbcomm has seen a noticeable increase in mining companies requesting in-vehicle video solutions for their earthmoving and bulk handling equipment. Orbcomm VP of sales for Africa Henry Smith notes that, since the company launched this solution late last year,... →

R250 000 training centre launched, Merseta accreditation sought

By: Nadine James 29th September 2017 Industrial warehousing equipment and materials handling solutions provider Goscor Lift Truck Company (GLTC) – part of Goscor Group – launched its new R250 000 training centre, in Edenvale, Gauteng, last month. The company is also applying for Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector... →

CONTINUOUS LEARNING Frequent changes in technology require that technicians familiarise themselves with new or upgraded product training

Tech support, repair and maintenance service critical to 20 years

29th September 2017 South Korean industrial equipment conglomerate Doosan celebrates its twentieth year in South Africa this year, notes Disa Equipment MD Rod Watson, adding that Doosan maintains its strong position in today’s competitive earthmoving sector through its reputation for reliable engines, a robust... →

DX225LCA EXCAVATOR The hydraulic excavator’s 21.5 t operating weight is enhanced by new specifications that include a 0.92 m³ bucket capacity

Gigantic SA-made ore scrubber destined for Sierra Leone mineral sands mine

By: Mia Breytenbach 29th September 2017 Mechanical process equipment and solutions provider MechProTech has completed the manufacturing of one of its largest pieces of mining process equipment – the multimillion-rand, Titan 3596 mineral ore scrubber – which will be delivered to a mineral sands mine in Sierra Leone. MechProTech focuses... →

Photo by Duane Daws
SIZABLE PROCESSING Titan 3596 mineral ore scrubber is used to wash and break up alluvial gravels, clay and sand

Mining-focused drone data service company gets Ghana licence

By: Donna Slater 29th September 2017 Drone data service provider Rocketmine has received the first commercial remotely piloted aircraft system operating certificate (ROC) in Ghana. →

Offshore capital equipment markets come in handy amid ‘turmoil’ in domestic mining sector

By: Donna Slater 29th September 2017 South African capital equipment manufacturers that are exporting, and which have survived the ongoing turmoil in the mining industry and domestic economic environment, have showed resilience and bear testament to the lifeline provided through exporting products and not relying solely on sales... →

Platinum-group metals producer aiming to increase fuel cell demand

By: Simone Liedtke 22nd September 2017 To increase demand in the fuel cell (FC) industry, platinum group metals producer Impala Platinum (Implats) aims to take its Impala Platinum Refinery off the State-owned power utility Eskom grid and power the refinery using FC technology, with commercial operation of its first phase aimed to... →

FAHMIDA SMITH The development of the 8 MW fuel cell is an exciting development in Implats’ move towards a carbon-neutral fuel source at its refinery

SA platinum miners enter recycling market despite ‘mixed’ expectations

By: David Oliveira 22nd September 2017 Despite the mixed performance and expectations of the recycling industry, local platinum producers Sibanye Resources and Northam Platinum this year entered the platinum-group metals (PGM) recycling market. Platinum recycling is projected to decline by 6% year-on-year to 1.76-million ounces this... →

Welding Alloys South Africa & KRAM Engineering

22nd September 2017 As the market leader in engineered wear-protection solutions and flux-cored welding wire technology, WASA has been servicing the sub-Saharan Africa market since 1976. WASA is part of the Welding Alloys group, which covers more than 150 countries through a network of 30 subsidiaries worldwide.... →

Companies find use for abandoned underground coal mines

By: Nica Schreuder 22nd September 2017 Forsaken underground coal mines are increasingly being reopened using opencast mining methods, according to independent mining advisory group Ukwazi senior mining engineer Adriaan Strydom, who tells Mining Weekly that this practice is effectively enabled through increased mechanisation. While an... →

SECOND CHANCE
The trend of returning to underground mines and turning them into opencast mines is a cost-effective alternative to exploration

Photo by Bloomberg
SECOND CHANCE The trend of returning to underground mines and turning them into opencast mines is a cost-effective alternative to exploration

Real-time analysis aids coal mining efficiency

22nd September 2017 To avoid incorrect plant control decisions and plant inefficiencies, technologies that measure mining process streams must be implemented directly and in real time. Australia-based bulk materials monitoring company Scantech uses real-time analysis technologies to measure conveyed bulk materials... →

REAL-TIME EFFICIENCY The COALSCAN 9500X is installed on the conveyor and only takes up one metre of belt space

Rail company unlocking coal export potential

22nd September 2017 According to South African rail, port and pipeline company Transnet, increasing rail capacity in South Africa is critical for unlocking coal export opportunities, both for neighbouring African countries and for the domestic market. The rail utility discussed its approach to increasing rail... →

PROPOSED PROJECT To relieve pressure on the Ermelo–Richards Bay line, Transnet Freight Rail is currently considering the SwaziLink Project, which will divert general freight away from the key coal export line

Technological advances aim to improve sustainability

By: Nica Schreuder 22nd September 2017 Owing to the possible presence of hazardous methane gas during coal mining, it is common practice to monitor methane levels at operational mining sections. As such, mining monitoring systems company Monitech’s Hazardous Area Control System was introduced to coal mining fifteen years ago and it... →

CUSTOMISED PROJECTS Every Exxaro project is customised, owing to possible environmental constraints

Minerals processing business bullish about future, despite industry challenges

By: Nica Schreuder 22nd September 2017 Based on substantial growth over the past 12 years, mining and industrial services provider Fraser Alexander’s minerals processing business intends to double its revenue within the next three to five years, says Fraser Alexander minerals processing GM Jaco Scholtz. “We are particularly proud of... →

ALL ENCOMPASSING Fraser Alexander is able to service clients across the coal washing and processing value chain

800 000 t copper output by year-end conservative estimate

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2017 Copper production in Zambia will reach just more than 800 000 t by the end of this year as the country is taking steps to regain its position as Africa’s leading copper producer, according to Zambia Chamber of Mines (CoM) initiative Mining for Zambia (MFZ). “This is a conservative estimate,... →

DRAWING DOLLARS $12.4-billion was invested in new mining ventures in Zambia from 2000 to 2014 by just six mining companies

German companies to display digital solutions for Zambian mines

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2017 Nonprofit organisation, the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is aiming to invite more German companies to Zambia to display digital solutions for mining and Industry 4.0, following the success of its German-Zambian Business Forum. SA-German Chamber Lusaka office head... →

BUSINESS FIRST The first German-Zambian Business Forum was held in Lusaka, Zambia, earlier this year to strengthen economic ties between Germany and Zambia

Kalumbila facility will service global mining industry

15th September 2017 By the first quarter of 2018, a building site in Kalumbila, in North-Western province, in Zambia, will be transformed into a $40-million manufacturing facility that will produce high-quality mill-balls for mines in Zambia, neighbouring countries and the world market, says Zambia Chamber of... →

TANGIBLE EXCITEMENT There’s a tangible feeling of excitement in the air at Kalumbila with the coming of the ME Elecmetal plant

Industrial solutions provider aiming to benefit Zambia’s mines

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2017 Industrial solutions provider RTS Africa Engineering (RTS) states that air compressors used in the mining industry – including in Zambia – are, for the most part, well-proven, reliable pieces of equipment that can operate for years with relatively little maintenance. →

EFFECTIVE SUPPLY The use of a spin filter is a truly effective means of feeding clean air at ambient temperatures

Peristaltic pumps key in war on water wastage

15th September 2017 Peristaltic pumps use less water, with traditional centrifugal pumps losing efficiency when the slurry has a specific gravity (SG) of 1.3, or 30% solids, or more. Peristaltic pumps can efficiently circulate slurry with SGs of up to 1.6 to 1.8, or up to 80% solid content. Pumps supplier Verder... →

SAVE ON WATER On a plant processing slurry at 75 t/h with 65% solids, every time a peristaltic pump replaces a process slurry pump, more than 1 100-million litres of water is saved every year

Hydrogen detection solutions to increase safety at Zambian mines

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2017 Tshwane-based industrial solutions provider RTS Africa Engineering (RTS) believes that Zambia offers a “strong and vibrant mining economy” and is currently in the process of entering the Zambian mining market to provide increased safety at mines through its hydrogen detection solutions. →

HIGHLY VERSATILE The H2Scan Hy-Alerta 500 instrument is a “highly versatile” hand-held detection device

New bulk materials solution supplied to Kansanshi

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2017 Bulk materials handling solutions provider Martin Engineering introduced the company’s newest primary cleaner offering, the CleanScrape, to Zambia, following its launch at Electra Mining, which was held at the Nasrec Expo Centre, in Johannesburg, last year. The primary cleaner has been supplied... →

CLEANSCRAPE The primary cleaner has been supplied to mining company First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi mine

Peristaltic pumps operating at Zambian mines

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2017 Randburg-based industrial equipment supplier Verder Pumps’ Verderflex (VF) 125 peristaltic pump is in operation at mining company Kansanshi Mining’s Zambia-based Kansanshi copper mine and is undergoing testing at two other Zambian mines, as well as mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.... →

VERDERFLEX 125 The peristaltic pump is in operation at the Kansanshi copper mine

Second Copper Cobalt Africa Conference to be held next year

15th September 2017 Educational institution Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) will host the second Copper Cobalt Africa Conference at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort, in Livingstone, Zambia, in July next year. →

INDUSTRY REVIVAL
The African Copperbelt is again experiencing a resurgence of activity following the commodity downturn of recent years

Photo by Bloomberg
INDUSTRY REVIVAL The African Copperbelt is again experiencing a resurgence of activity following the commodity downturn of recent years

Solutions provider helping Zambia tackle mining challenges

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2017 The mining and mineral processing sectors present some of the most challenging production environments, as the large-scale operations are often located in harsh, remote areas, explains technical solutions provider BMG. →

LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY To ensure the long-term sustainability of a mine, it is essential to always keep operating costs down

Specialist helps Zambian mines save on maintenance costs

15th September 2017 More and more mines in Zambia are seeing the benefits and the profitable returns of investing in condition monitoring, with a direct positive impact on productivity and machine availability, and reduced maintenance costs, enthuses condition-monitoring specialist WearCheck. →

NEIL ROBINSON Customers are able to see for themselves the savings on the bottom line that are attributable to condition monitoring

Zambian interest in heavy-duty equipment range

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2017 The trommel screens and apron feeders from engineering solutions developer Ireland-based MDS International (MDS) are of particular interest on the Zambian Copperbelt, states bulk materials handling equipment distributor BLT. Designed by MDS for mineral processing and recycling applications, BLT... →

HIGHLY ACCURATE The MF0814T tracked material feeder has a holding capacity of up to 100 t and is designed for high discharge control accuracy

Combination of factors influence pumps’ life cycles

15th September 2017 It is important to frequently monitor the operation of pumping systems; however, the initial manufacturing of a pump, as well as its installation, are as important, explains South African pumps industry body the South African Pump Manufacturers’ Association (Sapma). →

PUMPS MAINTENANCE Routine mechanical maintenance, along with other factors, significantly improves a pump’s reliability

Distributor expands pumps offering with Italian range

By: Victor Moolman 15th September 2017 Pumps supplier Packaged Metering & Pumping Solutions (PMPS) has added Rotho peristaltic pumps from Italian pumps manufacturer Ragazzini to its South African product offering. “We see huge opportunity to supply peristaltic pumps to projects in neighbouring countries,” PMPS MD David O’Neill tells... →

PAINLESS UPKEEP The maintenance of peristaltic pumps is simple and can be done on site

Five new pumps supplied to Limpopo platinum mine

15th September 2017 Supplier of mining system solutions Becker Mining South Africa has supplied five hydro solids (HS) slurry pumps to a new furnace slag granulation process plant at a platinum mine in Limpopo ahead of schedule. →

New range of drives available to SA market

15th September 2017 Electrical solutions provider Magnet Group introduced a new range of variable-speed drives (VSDs) last month, the Altivar Easy 610, which improve equipment performance and reduce operating costs by optimising energy consumption, the company explains. →

DIVERSE USE The Altivar Easy 610 variable-speed drives can be used in a diverse range of environments

Pumps offer suitable for minimal lubricity

15th September 2017 Engineering components supplier BMG’s SF series of Steimel lubricant and feed gear pumps, introduced four years ago, is used mainly on oil lubrication systems in mines, steel works, power stations and in general industry. →

WIDE REACH A wide area across Africa is supported by BMG, where the company supplies maintenance and repairs

Submersible pump that can run dry a safer option

By: Victor Moolman 15th September 2017 The Hippo submersible pumps range from Centurion-based slurry pumping solutions provider Hazleton Pumps can operate without water for an unlimited amount of time, explains Hazleton Pumps MD Thys Wehmeyer. →

LARGE PLAYER Hazleton has supplied some of the largest submersible pumps in the world

Repackaged technology to serve local minerals market well – FLSmidth

By: Donna Slater 15th September 2017 The repackaging of established technology to process mined minerals is set to serve the local market well, according to mining and cement process technology company FLSmidth. →

REFLUX CLASSIFIER
Multiple Reflux Classifiers can be installed to process material

minerals processing technology expert Taavi Orupold tells Mining Weekly about the FLSmidth Refulx Classifier. Video and Editing: Nicholas Boyd.

Establishing connectivity, visibility critical to economic growth

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2017 The mining sector remains crucial to the economic growth of many African countries, including copper-dependent Zambia, and, as such, it is important that foreign mining companies operating in these countries can improve the performance of their mining assets to ensure their continued economic... →

STEPHEN DU PREEZ Mines will be transitioning from manual to autonomous operations, with a higher reliance on digitalisation

Nitrogen generator offers Zambian mines extended tyre life

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2017 There are several opencast mines on the Copperbelt in Zambia using large haul trucks to transport ore from the pit for crushing and processing, and extending the life of tyres plays a significant role in cutting costs and improving production, says on-site nitrogen gas generator supplier NitraLife. →

NITROGEN GENERATOR Minimal maintenance is needed to keep the NitraLife generator operating effectively

Company’s solutions address minerals processing inefficiencies

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th September 2017 To address water contamination in the minerals processing sector, processing specialist Multotec is installing its CleanTeQ ion-exchange system, which is designed for the removal of soluble elements from process water, at operations in Oman and soon in the Democratic Republic of Congo. →

MINERALS RECLAMATION Multotec's ion-exchange system can also be used to recover valuable minerals from effluent streams at mineral processing plants

Mineral processing plants prioritising cybersecurity

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th September 2017 Infrastructure solutions company BT says minerals processing companies are starting to prioritise efforts against cyberattacks on process control solutions. BT Asia, Middle East and Africa head of energy and research Stephen du Preez, tells Mining Weekly that a targeted attack can cripple or even... →

HELD AT RANSOM
A proper cybersecurity strategy can address this risk and block, for example, ransomware from gaining access to computers that run the process control software

Photo by Bloomberg
HELD AT RANSOM A proper cybersecurity strategy can address this risk and block, for example, ransomware from gaining access to computers that run the process control software

Proper process control components increase processing efficiency

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th September 2017 With technology and equipment used for mineral processing well established and generally highly automated, slurry control valves manufacturer eDART is focused on the efficient use of energy and the improved reliability of components. →

FLUID CONTROL eDART uses computational fluid dynamics to design splitter boxes for increased efficiency and controlling the flow distribution in a minerals processing plant

Company Announcements

FLSmidth announces completion of TK Mining acquisition – creating a leading global mining technology and service provider

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