Bruce Montiea

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Bruce Montiea

Bruce Montiea is a Creamer Media Writer for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Installation and maintenance of conveyor belts require technical awareness

2nd October 2015 As mines are not all built to the same specifications, technical awareness is required for optimal conveyor belt installation and maintenance, says conveyor belt cleaning equipment designer and manufacturer Brelko Conveyor Products. The maintenance frequency of conveyor belts depends on the size... →

Simpler conveyor systems could solve problems at mining operations

2nd October 2015 Most conveyor-related problems at mines in Africa could be solved through their using simpler systems, says mineral beneficiation, mining and bulk solids handling industry consumables designer Tega Industries SA. Company business development and marketing manager Vishal Gautam says when it comes... →

EFFECTIVE CONVEYING Tega Industries SA offers conveyor components designed to handle weak points on conveyors and maximise efficiency

Conveyor belt downtime can harm bottom line

2nd October 2015 Conveyor belt downtime is often taken lightly by belt experts, shift bosses and foremen, despite the potential harm it can cause to a company’s production and bottom line, says mining consultation, conveyor belts and underground machinery maintenance company Dazoforce Mining and Construction CEO... →

MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES Dazoforce developed a three-volume series of conveyor belt maintenance reference books

Impumelelo colliery receives new belt reeler

2nd October 2015 Conveyor fastening and accessory specialist Flexco manufactured and delivered a new vertical belt reeler in June to energy and chemicals group Sasol’s Impumelelo colliery in Secunda, Mpumalanga. Flexco project engineer Simon Curry says the belt reeler will be installed at the colliery once the... →

SIMON CURRY The colliery will use the belt reeler to store and unspool 2 195 m of conveyor belting when the mine’s main decline shaft becomes operational

Conveyor drives suit African operations

2nd October 2015 A conveyor drive system functions optimally when it is designed to balance thermal and mechanical ratings with bearing life, says engineering and gearing innovation company David Brown Gear new build manager Louis van den Bergh. David Brown, whose head office is based in the UK, designs and... →

RELIABLE A conveyor drive system must allow for easy lubrication to operate at different speeds without the need for additional lubrication systems

Miners advised to protect conveyors against lightning

2nd October 2015 Mining conveyors are prone to being struck by lightning, owing to the vast area they cover, says earthing systems, lightning, surge and overvoltage protection specialist Advanced Lightning Protection financial manager Lee-Anne Chapman. Chapman explains a lightning bolt as “basically a large... →

FORCE OF NATURE Lightning is an unpredictable force of nature, which is a constant danger to structure, electronic equipment and human life

Quality-control testing at PV project due for 2016 completion

18th September 2015 Renewable-energy consulting and engineering firm Enertis is conducting factory inspections and independent quality-control tests at the Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska photovoltaic (PV) project, in the Northern Cape. The company tells Engineering News that the testing started in May and will be... →

QUALITY PRODUCT It is beneficial for local manufacturers of PV modules to formally test their products, as this leads to improved quality

Reputation management ensured by good quality control

11th September 2015 Optimising the quality and safety of products, processes and systems ensures good reputation management, which is a significant benefit for all companies, especially those in the manufacturing sector, says UK-based international testing, inspection and certification companies trade federation... →

Photo by Bloomberg
GLOBAL COMPLIANCE The IFIA offers testing services to international companies

OHSA amendments ensure regular testing

11th September 2015 The new amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) passed earlier this year require all lifting machines to be performance-tested at intervals not exceeding 12 months to ensure that unsafe lifting machines are not used, says lifting equipment specialist quality and safety service... →

OPTIMAL OPERATION Lifting machines must be performance-tested to operate safely

South Africans must insist on quality, says institute

11th September 2015 Observing quality will be the foundation of South Africa’s economic success and a better quality of life for its people, as the need for quality can be found in all spheres of manufacturing and service delivery, says national quality awareness organisation the South African Quality Institute... →

Photo by Bloomberg
QUALITY CONTROL The need for quality can be found in all spheres of manufacturing

Agricultural laboratory awarded ISO accreditation

11th September 2015 Having been awarded the ISO 17025 accreditation in December last year for its precision agriculture laboratory, testing services provider Intertek now considers itself to be at the forefront of soil testing in Africa, says sub-Saharan Africa agri services regional manager Charles Botha.    The... →

UNFAILING RESULTS The accreditation of Intertek Agricultural Services’ precision agriculture laboratory provides the guarantee of reliable testing services

JV to provide specialised smelter services

4th September 2015 Joint venture (JV) specialist furnace and industrial services provider Dickinson ZIS has made significant progress in providing global smelters with personalised smelter services since its establishment last year, says metals smelting and mineral processing services company The Dickinson Group... →

Photo by Bloomberg
METALS-PROCESSING SERVICES Dickinson ZIS was established primarily to expand refractory and aluminium smelter services in KZN and throughout Southern Africa

Canadian mining and refinery project ready for financing

4th September 2015 Canadian precious-metals and specialty minerals projects developer Fortune Minerals is pursuing financing solutions and offtake agreements for its Nico gold/cobalt/bismuth/copper project, a vertically integrated development comprising a proposed mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories and a... →

MINERAL RICH The Nico deposit contains significant cobalt and gold, as well as 12% of global bismuth reserves

Preheater technology makes smelting projects efficient

4th September 2015 The shortage of electricity supply in South Africa and the associated increase in electricity prices have resulted in a severe downturn in the country's furnace industry, with many smelting projects being put on hold, says high-capacity furnace and smelting plant company Tenova Pyromet sales and... →

EFFICIENT ENERGY USE Multiple Preheater Technology directly addresses mines’ needs to reduce their electricity consumption

Process consistency instrumental in refinery success

4th September 2015 To enable optimal operational efficiency, refineries have to reduce errors in analysis, achieve process consistency and increase data visibility, says logistics and supply chain company Prediction Software. To achieve this, refineries have to use the appropriate technology, company president Gene... →

Company to release device to detect lab-grown diamonds

28th August 2015 Gemmological services and technology developer and provider Diamond Services will in September unveil a mini Raman Spectrometer that can accurately detect high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapour deposition lab-grown diamonds and HPHT colour-treated diamonds. “The mini Raman... →

TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED The mini Raman Spectrometer is designed to provide diamond and jewellery companies with a high technological capability

New technology to reduce coal mine operating costs

28th August 2015 Australian mining technology company Emergent Mining Technologies (EMT) launched its Reduced Energy Mining System (REMS) in May to increase the energy efficiency of opencast coal mines. The technology is meant to dramatically reduce mine operating costs, improve productivity and prolong the... →

Photo by Bloomberg
MINING EFFECTIVELY The Reduced Energy Mining System increases the energy efficiency of opencast coal mines

New underground scanning device now locally available

28th August 2015 Full service technology implementation company Ramjack Technology Solutions in February launched Canadian mining mobile equipment company Peck Tech Consulting’s uGPS Rapid Mapper scanning device onto the local market. The device, unveiled in South Africa during a roadshow jointly conducted by... →

COLLECTING ACCURATE DATA The uGPS Rapid Mapper can take scans at speeds of between 1 km/h and 15 km/h

Geotech analysis made easier with monitoring system

28th August 2015 Australia-based exploration and emerging producer Havilah Resources in June bought a surface laser monitoring and tracking system to use at its opencut Portia gold mine, in South Australia. The mine will use the Sentry monitoring system, designed by mining software, hardware and services provider... →

OBSERVING Maptek’s Sentry surface laser monitoring and tracking system simplifies geotech analysis

New plasma pipe-cutting machine enters production

28th August 2015 Specialist chromium carbide (CrC) long-life liners and components manufacturer Rio-Carb in June started producing pipes for the diamond mining industry using its new plasma pipe-cutting machine at its factory in Alberton, Ekurhuleni. Rio-Carb director Martin Maine tells Mining Weekly that the... →

SUITABLE Chromium carbide-clad pipes can handle abrasive material

Technology can assist in preventing mining fraud

28th August 2015 Technology is increasingly being used in the mining industry to reduce fraudulent activities, says software development company Dariel. Dariel MD Malcolm Rabson notes that while illegal mining is a significant challenge, it is not only these undertakings that result in fraud, as “much of it... →

Photo by Bloomberg
STREAMLINING OPERATIONS With Dariel’s Weigh Bridge Connectivity solution, drivers who transport minerals have a radio-frequency identification card and vehicle number-plate recognition to prevent fraud

Company modifies design of materials hauler jacking system

28th August 2015 Hydraulic tools manufacturer Hi-Force is making design changes to its ToughLift jacking system, with new models expected to be released in 2016, says company marketing director Laura Thompson. “The jacking system provides users in the mining industry with an easy and safe method of lifting... →

STURDY AND SAFE The ToughLift jacking system can meet the requirements of plant operators at mines and quarries

Steel institute to increase presence in Africa

14th August 2015 Steel construction industry promoter the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) believes its renewed strategic focus involving increasing its presence in the rest of the African continent will help the local steel construction industry survive the current trying economic... →

BETTER BUILDING PRACTICES Saisc offers training courses to improve the workmanship of its members

Protection of locally produced structural steel paramount

14th August 2015 Local designation is industry’s most effective tool when protecting the local steel construction industry against imported fabricated structural steel, says steel construction industry body the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc). Saisc industry development executive Kobus de... →

HOME-MADE The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction is lobbying for the protection of locally produced fabricated structural steel

Weld-cladding services benefit petrochemicals industry

14th August 2015 Stakeholders in the petrochemicals industry are reaping the benefits of using welding specialist Hydra-Arc’s method of weld cladding, as it enables vessels to contain corrosive material. Hydra-Arc engineer Ewan Huisamen tells Engineering News that weld cladding is the most robust and durable form... →

EFFECTIVE CLADDING Hydra-Arc considers weld cladding to be the most robust and durable form of cladding

Global use of vitreous enamel steel increasing

14th August 2015 The global market, with knowledge of and a demand for vitreous enamel steel, particularly for use in public areas, is maturing, says custom-made vitreous enamelled steel products manufacturer Vitrex. Vitrex sales and marketing director Cristian Cottino tells Engineering News that this maturation... →

GLOBAL APPLICATION The locally manufactured Vitraclad cladding has been used at Liverpool Central Station, in the UK

Mining companies benefit from wear-resistant slurry knife- gate valves

7th August 2015 Industrial solutions company Flowrox’s slurry knife-gate valves are ideal for demanding shut-off applications in the mining, minerals-processing and metal industries, the company says. “The new and robust Flowrox slurry knife-gate valve series handles fluids and slurries in the toughest... →

EASY UPKEEP The slurry knife-gate valve series is based on an ease-of-maintenance concept

Easy-repair valves reducing downtime

7th August 2015 Limiting downtime because of valve repairs is important for mining operations, says control, isolating and safety valves manufacturer Hydromine Projects. Therefore, the company offers mines the Hydrocore valves product range that has only one moving part, which can be accessed with the valve body... →

LIMITING DOWNTIME Hydromine Projects’ Hydrocore valves product range helps mining companies eliminate breaks in production

Company increases valve-ball size

7th August 2015 As a result of continued research into and development of its technical ceramics manufacturing capabilities, advanced materials company Morgan Advanced Materials can now manufacture balls of up to diameter nominal (DN) 250 for severe service valves from its Nilcra Zirconia-based material, company... →

TOUGH The size DN250 ball valve is ideal for extensive use in minerals processing

All-purpose valve suitable for slurries

7th August 2015 Germany-based valves company KVT in April released pinch valves in duplex stainless steel for use in slurry applications. KVT manager Martin Katzenschwanz tells Mining Weekly that pinch valves are useful to mines, as they can control almost any medium. They can also control bulk material such as... →

DIVERSE APPLICATION Pinch valves can control almost any medium

Increased demand for automated valves

7th August 2015 While mining companies still mainly use manual valves, the demand for automated valves in brownfield and greenfield mining developments is growing, says Pace Valves’ Martin Horsfall. “This appears to be driven by plant operators’ desire to improve production efficiencies and reduce waste through... →

COMPREHENSIVE OFFERING Floval’s dual stope isolation system adds to Pace Valves’ product offering

Suitable valves important for process efficiency

7th August 2015 The impact of harsh mining conditions on valves is often difficult to predict; therefore, valve manufacturers should discuss the working conditions of a mining operation with clients in detail to ensure that suitable valves are produced, says valves manufacturer GEMÜ MD Claudio Darpin. The... →

CREATING SOLUTIONS Various valves-related situations can be simulated at GEMÜ’s test laboratory, in Johannesburg

Company provides valves retrofitting solutions

7th August 2015 Major oil and gas companies, such as Chevron,Total, Engen, PetroSA and BP, are benefiting from valve actuator company DEMCA Actuation Solutions’ valve retrofitting service, the company says. DEMCA sales manager Ross McAslan says a thorough knowledge of the electric actuator market and... →

QUALITY SERVICES Knowledge of the electric actuator market enables DEMCA Actuation Solutions to offer quality valve retrofitting services

Tanks manufacturer builds water reservoir for local community

31st July 2015 Having identified a shortage of potable water in the Siyabuswa community, the Dr JS Moroka local municipality, in Mpumalanga, appointed agriculture and industrial liquid storage tank and reservoir manufacturer Aquadam to help install an extra reservoir to service the community. The project got... →

MULEBY SYSTEM TANK Aquadam has been contracted to install its water storage solution for the Siyabuswa community, in the Dr JS Moroka local municipality, in Mpumalanga

Phase 2 of LHWP in full swing

31st July 2015 The procurement of consultants for the four-phased, multibillion-rand binational Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), signalled the official start of the physical work component of Phase II of the project, says LHWP implementing agency the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority CEO Refiloe... →

MEGAPROJECT The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a multibillion-rand, binational water project that will benefit Lesotho and South Africa

Manufacturer supplies valves to major water project

31st July 2015 The valves supplied by global manufacturer and distributor AVK Valves to the North-South Carrier (NSC) pipeline project, in Botswana, are meeting all the client’s requirements, says AVK Valves. The NSC pipeline project – the largest engineering project ever undertaken in Botswana – carries raw... →

INSTALLED BASE AVK Valves supplies valves to major water projects across Africa

Emergency potable water needs prioritising, says Rhodes professor

31st July 2015 Regular protests by residents demanding adequate water supply proves that many South Africans are subjected to interrupted and inadequate safe drinking water supply, says Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality director and Rhodes University professor Tally Palmer, who tells Engineering... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ONGOING WATER SUPPLY Water services authorities must ensure that when water services are interrupted for more than 24 hours, consumers have access to alternative water services

Motor vehicle manufacturing to grow by up to 3% in 2015

24th July 2015 The outlook for the South African motor vehicle manufacturing industry in 2015 is modestly positive, with an expected marginal volume increase of up to 3% in domestic sales, says National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa director Nico Vermeulen. This is mainly based on... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ASSEMBLY LINE Growth is expected in South Africa’s motor vehicle manufacturing industry

May Kyster

24th July 2015 Mayleen Kyster is founder and director of Africa Steel Holdings, a steel-specific investment holding company and steel project management company that also trades in steel and offers steel processing services →

Inspection products reduce fluid-injection injuries

17th July 2015 In response to the unacceptable number of fluid-injection injuries in the global mining industry, US-based ultraviolet equipment and fluorescent materials manufacturer Spectronics Corporation will intensify its efforts to make its FluidSafe and SafetyBlu products widely available. Spectronics... →

ENHANCING SAFETY The SafetyBlu light kit comprises smart alternating current and direct current chargers, yellow fluorescence-enhancing glasses and a belt holster, with all components packed in a padded carrying case

Hydropower can effect 90% reduction in drilling energy

17th July 2015 Hydropowered rock drills can reduce the drilling energy requirement of a mine by up to 90% compared to pneumatic systems, as they operate at more than twice the penetration rate of air drills. In addition, as hydropower is more energy-efficient, it also reduces the number of drillers in a working... →

PRECISE Hydropowered drilling can achieve improved advance rates through more accurate drilling

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