KGOMOTSO LEKOLA The balance that we need to strike is between increasing efficiencies and mechanising without necessarily putting people out of work
Industrial solutions provider BT Industrial has developed a solution that enables mine processing plants to maximise operational hours while performing critical inspections and maintenance of corroded carbon steel pipes, MD Kgomotso Lekola reveals.
Traditionally, plants are built with steel-frame structures, requiring the pipes to be supported on metal I-beams. However, this standard means of support creates the problem of crevices forming, which trap water, resulting eventually in the corrosion of the structure.
It is also difficult to inspect and maintain these pipes. Plant operators have to shut down pipes sections and, possibly, the entire plant to carry out routine inspection and maintenance as corrosion spreads easily, Lekola points out.
BT Industrial offers turnkey solutions for high-density polyethylene piping, which includes design, manufacturing, supply, and installation. To reduce costs, BT Industrial has developed a solution to enable plant operators to lift, inspect, and proactively maintain the pipes quickly and efficiently.
“Without innovation, the only differentiator is price, and without scale, it is impossible to compete with the entrenched players,” notes Lekola. He highlights that BT Industrial is working with the University of Pretoria in developing some of these technologies.
He points out that pilot trials are being undertaken in conjunction with a major industry player. “We want to complete the pilot trials first to showcase our value proposition, following which we will come to market with full guns blazing. It is exciting for us. The only way to be successful in this industry in Africa is to innovate.”
Innovation assists the company in staying ahead of its competitors, without being mired in price-cutting, which is not only costlier in the long run, but also impacts on the return on investment.
“Given our relative size, we spend a lot on research and development, compared with many other, much larger companies. What has helped us gain traction in such a short space of time is our ongoing commitment to innovation,” comments Lekola.
In terms of the local mining industry, Lekola notes that the country has been a pioneer in ultra-deep level gold mining for many years. “We have an incredible knowledge base and skills set in South Africa. The one area where we have lagged is in mechanisation, compared with Australia, for example, where the production cost for an ounce of gold or ton of coal is lower.”
However, there is a common misperception that this lack of productivity is inherent in the local labour force, he adds.
“As Africa, we have a choice in whether we want to be behind the curve or ahead of it. “It is capital-intensive and difficult to execute, with a lot of sociopolitical factors to consider.
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