Malusi Mkhize

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Malusi Mkhize

Malusi Mkhize is a Creamer Media Reporter for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Canadian cobalt project development advancing

6th May 2016 More than C$115-million has, so far, been spent on the development, including test mining and a pilot plant processing, at the Nico cobalt/gold/bismuth/copper project, in Canada’s Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan. Once operational, Nico, discovered by North American development stage mining... →

Distributor extends components offering

22nd April 2016 Industrial, electrical and electronics components distributor RS Components has extended its range of pneumatic components with products supplied by global pneumatics manufacturer SMC Pneumatics. →

Product diversity caters for varied market

22nd April 2016 Owing to its diversification in design, from concept stage to manufacturing finished products at its factory in Wadeville, Gauteng, motion, control technologies and systems manufacturer Germiston Hydraulics believes it can cater for the varying demands in the hydraulics and pneumatics market in... →

Company invests in S African market, targets African expansion

22nd April 2016 Global pneumatics technologies manufacturer SMC Pneumatics is investing heavily in the local market as it targets further expansion in Africa, following the establishment of its new facility in South Africa in the first quarter of last year. →

Regulations impede thermal spray switch

22nd April 2016 The implementation of the thermal spray process as a replacement for hard-chrome plating in hydraulic cylinders is impeded by inadequately stringent health and safety regulations in South Africa, says maintenance and fabrication specialist Weartech technical director Adam Wintle. →

Renewable energy project successfully completed

15th April 2016 Integrated heavy lifting, transportation and installation solutions provider ALE South Africa completed the handling and transportation of 56 wind turbine generators in February for the Amakhala project, in the Eastern Cape. The generators are made up of 10 components each comprising three... →

GIVING RENEWABLE ENERGY A LIFT ALE successfully transported and handled 56 wind turbine generators for the Amakhala project

Modular crane completes recovery of Bertha

15th April 2016 Global engineered heavy lifting and transportation specialist - Mammoet completed the recovery of ‘Big Bertha’ ; the world’s largest boring machine, which was built in 2013 specifically for the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Tunnel in Seattle, Washington. →

Photo by Mammoet
THE BIG LIFT Mammoet’s lifting tower system was custom-built to recover Bertha

Acquisition in line with expansion plan

15th April 2016 Crane manufacturer Condra in February became the majority owner of Cape Town-based crane manufacturing company BB Cranes. The acquisition stems from a long-standing relationship spanning more than 22 years and is in line with Condra’s expansion plan. “We feel that BB Cranes is one of the few... →

METICULOUS Condra is involved in projects with highly specialised machinery and equipment that requires time to ensure quality and durability

R&D ensures growth for heavy lifting company

15th April 2016 Owing to ongoing research and development (R&D), rigging and lifting equipment provider Kelmeg Lifting Services has expanded its product offering, which resulted in significant growth over the past five years, says Kelmeg factory manager Rodney Young. Kelmeg is a division of equipment supplier... →

INCREASED PRODUCT PORTFOLIO New rigging products allow for achieving a sustainable footprint in all markets

Company benefits from strategic positioning and branch network

15th April 2016 Crane solutions provider Johnson Crane Hire believes that its fleet of 250 cranes, a network of 13 branches throughout major cities in South Africa and a business branch in Gaborone, Botswana, have led to its success in various heavy lift applications over the years. “Our branches are... →

Battery-powered power tools more beneficial

1st April 2016 Outdoor power product manufacturer Husqvarna’s 36 V lithium-ion battery-powered equipment provides long lasting power and greater economical value than petrol powered alternatives, says Husqvarna South Africa product support general manager Bronson Gunter. The high-performance battery can be used... →

NEIGHBOURHOOD FRIENDLY Battery-driven power tools offer more efficiency and reduce maintenance cost

Strong growth leads to blade technology introduction

1st April 2016 Engineering and electronics specialist company Bosch is set to introduce its NanoBlade technology in October this year to selected markets, with initial availability being targeted for Europe. This follows the company’s strong growth in power tools last year that resulted in a €4.5-billion... →

CUTTING EDGE Bosch’s new NanoBlade technology is ideal for do-it-yourself applications

Manufacturer introduces cordless cutoff technology

1st April 2016 Power equipment manufacturer STIHL has developed what it says is the world’s first cordless cut-off machine that has a 230 mm cutting wheel for both indoor and outdoor cutting requirements. The STIHL TSA 230 is carbon emission-free compact and lightweight. The company introduced the machine to... →

A FIRST The STIHL TSA 230 is the world’s first cordless cut-off machine with a 230 mm cutting wheel

Manufacturer promotes sustainable buildings for mining industry

25th March 2016 Modular building solutions provider Perfect-Places is assessing the building needs of the South African mining industry with an eye to introducing its range of thermal-insulated modular homes that reduce construction time. The Cape Town-based company constructs buildings that are warmer in... →

ENERGY SAVER Perfect-Places offers a building solution that is warmer in winter and cooler in summer, reducing the need for heating and cooling

Energy efficiency provides the edge amid escalating costs

25th March 2016 Modular homes and prefabricated building supplier Afripanel highlights the significant advantage of using energy efficient prefabricated buildings for mine-site accommodation solutions amid rising electricity and fossil fuels costs. Afripanel MD Jaco Schultz tells Mining Weekly that the company... →

CONSTRUCTION EFFICIENCY The Afripanel modular building system is designed to reduce construction time on site

Interim housing supplier targets growth despite industry turmoil

25th March 2016 Modular buildings manufacturer Kwikspace is involved in several prospective mining projects in Africa while the local industry struggles to recover from low commodity prices. “Our prefabricated rental buildings are an economical and practical solution when accommodation is needed for less than... →

OUTLYING SUCCESS The success of Kwikspace is attributed to its being able to provide accommodation solutions in the most remote areas

Push to supply longer-term lodgings

24th March 2016 Housing and building construction system company Moladi believes mining companies, which are currently dealing with the commodities downturn, should invest in longer-term building solutions for the purpose of on-site accommodation, as opposed to more traditional prefabricated modular buildings.... →

MORE TO OFFER Moladi’s green building technology is up to six to eight times stronger than traditional brick and cement structures

Manufacturer offers fiber laser cutting machines

11th March 2016 Laser manufacturer and sheet-cutting solutions provider Amada is offering its fiber laser cutting machines, designed from a combination of the Co2 series and the company’s in-house fiber laser technology to the global market. “The fiber laser cutting machines not only set a new standard in terms... →

FAST, PRECISE AND EFFICIENT The Amada range of fiber laser cutting technology is the most economical machine solution available in the midrange segment

New lasers increase ouput

11th March 2016 Precision laser-cutting solutions provider Cutting Edge Technologies is benefiting from increased outputs owing to a range of German manufactured lasers. The company, based in KwaZulu-Natal, is using three 5 kW L5030 Trumpf lasers at its Westmead factory, allowing for the cutting of mild steel... →

WORTH IT Laser technology provides added shortcuts for customers and can help increase their manufacturing process

Laser scanning technology vital in construction projects

11th March 2016 Using laser scanning technology, from the preliminary phase of a construction project to the detailed design construction as well as the back-end phase, is indispensable, says professional services firm WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff Africa transportation and infrastructure regional director Douglas... →

Photo by Bloomberg
INVALUABLE ACCURACY Laser technology provides irrefutable accuracy to either dispute or approve what has been built by a contractor

JV refinery boosts skills development

4th March 2016 The Durban-based crude oil refinery joint venture (JV) between Shell South Africa Refining and BP Southern Africa – Sapref – in January awarded 70 pupils with a training opportunity, which includes bursaries for university studies in the fields of engineering and artisan training through the... →

PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY SAPREF provides training opportunities to 70 pupils as part of its R18-million skills and development program

Rope access maintenance more cost effective than traditional access

4th March 2016 Rope access solutions provider Skyriders is currently providing maintenance solutions on the deluge fire sprinkler system installed at one of South Africa’s largest petrochemicals companies’ fuel and gas tanks as part of a five-year contract. Skyriders was contracted by the petrochemical company... →

MAINTAINANCE EXPERTS ROPED IN Skyriders provides cost-effective rope access for petrochemical tank maintenance solutions

Control technology improves refining and chemicals industry

4th March 2016 Advance process control (APC) technology has become an industry standard for petrochemicals and chemicals companies, owing to its ability to improve the overall management of a refinery, says process and operations management solutions provider BluESP chief engineer Dr Kevin Brooks. He tells... →

QUALITY DECISIONS Advance process control technology enables petrochemical companies to make decisions that lead to optimum functioning capacity of refineries and plants

New malaria-combat insecticide to infiltrate market by 2017

4th March 2016 Leverkusen-based, multinational life sciences company Bayer expects its Fludora Fusion to be readily available to the African market towards the end of 2017 and early 2018 to combat diseases such as malaria. Bayer sub-Saharan Africa divisional head for environmental science Jose de Sousa tells... →

FIGHTING MALARIA Bayer’s two-way insecticide Fludora Fusion aims to be an effective solution for African disease control programmes to address the challenge of insecticide resistance

Maintenance strategies key to SA industry

4th March 2016 The stagnating economy, coupled with depressed oil prices, has led petrochemicals refineries to emphasise pump and equipment maintenance rather than investing in capital procurement, states pump supplier AESPUMP sales and marketing director Neil Britz. Owing to this, he notes that the company can... →

MAINTENANCE IS KEY Effective maintenance reduces capital expenditure of equipment

Portfolio refocused to lean on chemicals business

4th March 2016 Integrated energy and chemicals provider Sasol is refocusing its portfolio to lean more on its chemicals business, following the division’s turnover of R105-billion, which accounted for 57% of the group’s total turnover for the 2015 financial year. Sasol executive VP: chemicals business Fleetwood... →

CHEMICAL NETWORK Sasol’s chemical business has a footprint in more than 23 countries

Ethics, the foundation of project management

19th February 2016 An organisation’s ethics and, more importantly a project’s leadership is the very foundation on which its successful development is based, says Denver-based project management expert, course leader and author Terry Owen. In a handbook titled Project Management for Mining, published in 2015, which... →

Photo by Bloomberg
TRUST IS KEY Project leadership must embrace the personal traits of integrity, fairness, faithfulness and honesty

High-value projects key to success in economic downturn

19th February 2016 By identifying and concentrating on high-value projects as a positive project management practice, mining companies and project managers can help ensure the success of projects amid the current slump in the mining industry, local mining and exploration consultancy The MSA Group notes. MSA Group... →

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT Project management companies must intensely interrogate a project’s ability to survive in tough financial times

Consultancy attributes growth rate to specialist teams

19th February 2016 Gauteng-based mine planning and engineering consultancy Ukwazi grew by 29% in 2015, exceeding its average growth rate of between 22% and 23% recorded over the previous five and ten years. According to Ukwazi director and principal mining engineer Jaco Lotheringen the company’s formal study... →

Safety, risk ownership key to thriving projects

19th February 2016 Effective risk-mitigation measures and a sound safety-management system are integral to the development of a successful project, stipulates global mining and engineering planning and service provider WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff. The company has been operating in Africa for the past 20 years and has... →

Photo by Bloomberg
BUYING INTO SAFETY Project managers are responsible for creating a culture of safety at project sites

Modikwa South 2 handover slated for July

19th February 2016 The completion of South African mining company African Rainbow Minerals’ (ARM’s) Modikwa platinum mine South 2 Phase 1 decline shaft is in its final stages and will be handed over to the mine in July. The execution project is contracted to Centurion-based project management and consultancy Fox... →

Photo by Bloomberg
PROJECT SUCCESS Fox Projects completed the execution of Anglo American Platinum/ ARM’s Modikwa mine north decline and handed over the project in December 2015

Infrastructure deficit limiting Canada’s mining operations

12th February 2016 Given the limited resources available to Canada’s territorial governments, federal funding will play a key role in developing infrastructure to facilitate the country’s minerals exploitation, according to a study by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) and other industry... →

Photo by Bloomberg
UNLOCKING MINERAL WEALTH Improving infrastructure to aid mining will be a common theme at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention 2016

Expert aims to further BEE goals

29th January 2016 Pump supplier, testing and servicing expert AESPUMP intends to further expand its apprenticeship programme, which it says is at the heart of its recent upgrade to Level 4 black economic empowerment (BEE) accreditation. “We believe that this emphasis on skills development will, over time, lead to... →

Photo by Alan Thrush
IMPARTING SKILLS Apprenticeships ensure that a steady stream of qualified fitters and turners enters the pumps industry

Experience reason for competitive advantage, pumps’ longevity

29th January 2016 Pumps manufacturer Mather + Platt claims to have built up one of the largest number of pumps operating in the South African mining and water sectors. Mather + Platt marketing and business development manager Dave Johnson tells Mining Weekly that pumps that have been installed and working for more... →

EXPERIENCE COUNTS Mather + Platt has been operating in South Africa since 1954

Provider looks to complement its other solutions

29th January 2016 Global sustainable productivity solutions provider Atlas Copco is focused on the development and extension of its pumps in 2016 and 2017 to take advantage of the synergies within its compressors and generators offering. As such, the company is concentrating more of its international resources to... →

PRODUCT BOOST Atlas Copco is placing the same emphasis on its pumps range as that of its compressors and generators

Pumps supplier offers new hydro mining solutions

29th January 2016 Industrial pump solutions leasing company Integrated Pump Rental has introduced Slurry Blaster, a cost-effective cleaning tool for slurry removal. The Slurry Blaster forms part of the company’s hydro mining equipment solutions and was launched in mid-2015 as a response to the lack of hydro mining... →

SLURRY REMOVAL The Slurry Blaster is a hydro mining solution for the removal of slurry build-up

Call to adopt internationally recognised pumps standards certification processes

29th January 2016 South African exports to lucrative overseas markets will be simplified when the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) product certification processes and procedures are amended to be recognised by other international certification authorities, says South African Pumps Systems Development... →

Photo by Duane Daws
OVERCOMING RESTRICTIONS Cooperation between the South African Bureau of Standards and international standards authorities can pave the way for pumps of South African manufacturers to enter lucrative overseas markets

SA pumps manufacturer supplies significant Canadian mine

29th January 2016 Comprehensive pump manufacturer Hazleton Pumps expects to deliver two Hippo model 200MH slurry submersible absorbing 185 kW pumps to the Kearl oil sands project in Canada by the end of the next month. “Owing to the general economic slump experienced in South Africa and more specifically the... →

OVERSEAS FOOTPRINT Hazleton Pumps’ Hippo model is destined for one of Canada’s highest-quality oil sands deposits

CSIR solar plant strives for 100% off-grid switch

22nd January 2016 The 558 kW ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar plant at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in Pretoria is fully operational with initial testing completed in 2015. The project, which began construction in June last year, forms part of the CSIR’s aim to run its Pretoria... →

Photo by Duane Daws
OFFGRID PROSPECTS CSIR’s Pretoria campus aims to go 100% offgrid through its new solar photovoltaic plant

Solar power grid-tied systems yield energy cost efficiency

22nd January 2016 Using solar power as a grid-tied system rather than a load shedding intervention secures efficient, reliable and long-term energy-pricing, says solar PV solutions supplier Sola Future Energy FD Dom Chennells. “Effective solar systems provide 25 years of guaranteed power and, by tapping into that... →

Photo by Cumulus
ENERGY CERTAINTY Solar power helps to provide certainty over energy cost

Solar solutions provider develops direct solar heating solution for colder conditions

22nd January 2016 Local solar water heating solutions provider Solar Beam has provided the market with a patent low pressure direct and frost free solar water heating system capable of being installed anywhere in the country. Solar Beam founder and owner Graham Mundy tells Engineering News that the direct solar... →

Photo by Solar Beam
GOING DIRECT Solar Beam’s new direct solar water heating system functions in all weather conditions

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