Donald Makhafola

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Donald Makhafola

Donald Makhafola is a Creamer Media Reporter for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Companies to submit plans to reduce energy consumption

8th June 2018 South Africa-based companies consuming over 400 TJ of energy a year will be required to submit energy management plans to the Department of Energy (DoE) to demonstrate how they are reducing energy consumption and their carbon emissions footprint if draft legislation is promulgated in its current... →

Interwaste uses innovation to convert waste into energy

8th June 2018 Waste management company Interwaste is continually exploring processes and technologies to divert waste from landfills and has created a variety of methods converting waste-to-energy. Interwaste director for business development and marketing Kate Stubbs says the first way to get value out of... →

WASTE-TO-ENERGY Companies are committed to reduce their carbon emissions footprint and looking at alternative sources of fuel, as well as renewable energy

Energy efficient lighting system pilot project completed

8th June 2018 Electrical solutions and lighting specialists Magnet Group, in partnership with electronic multinational Philips, completed a pilot project for the design and installation of an energy efficient lighting system at property investment company Growthpoint Properties’ head offices, in Johannesburg,... →

EFFICIENT LIGHTING Lighting for circadian systems requires different metrics from those used for conventional architectural lighting

VSD compressor saves up to 28% energy cost

8th June 2018 Owing to its unlimited starts per hour without a decrease in motor life, the variable-speed drive (VSD) compressors of compressor supplier Tru Compressor have been designed to save up to 28% on energy costs in their motor life span. “In a conventional air-compressor, starting up the drive motor... →

Gauteng govt to release unused land and properties in July

1st June 2018 The Gauteng provincial government completed an assets register last year and is expecting to release its property portfolio to the value of R31-billion in July. The portfolio consists of unused land and buildings, Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo told construction... →

JACOB MAMABOLO The Gauteng government will release its assets portfolio consisting of land and buildings in July

Junior miners set to capitalise on ‘new dawn’

25th May 2018 There is a mood of optimism sweeping across the country following the election of Cyril Ramaphosa as the President of South Africa and the appointment of Gwede Mantashe as the Minister of Mineral Resources, with the junior mining sector hoping to capitalise on this through proactive initiatives... →

Photo by African Sun Mining
NEW DAWN Junior miners in South Africa are hoping to get sufficient government support and attract investment, following the election of President Cyril Ramaphosa

African Sun Mining pursues opportunities at Junior Indaba

25th May 2018 Owing to the current high prices of commodities, wholly black-owned, Pretoria-based opencast mining contractor African Sun Mining hopes to liaise with mining companies, which are prepared to start new projects, during this year’s Junior Indaba to be held from June 5 to 6 at the Johannesburg... →

SERVICE OFFERING African Sun Mining offers a full package of opencast mining services

Madaouela and Mutanga uranium projects ready for development

25th May 2018 Canadian uranium company GoviEx Uranium’s two projects, the Madaouela project, in Niger, and the Mutanga project, in Zambia, are fully licensed, and the junior company is ready to start the development of these projects to improve supply to the world uranium market. “We have made several... →

GROWTH In addition to Madouela, GoviEx acquired a second project in Zambia to expand its portfolio and add to its Mutanga project

New diaphragm valves to be supplied in South Africa

18th May 2018 Italian thermoplastic valve manufacturer Formatura Iniezone Polimeri’s (FIP’s) flanged Dialock (DK) diaphragm valve, launched internationally in June last year, will be available to the South African market within the next few months through thermoplastic products supplier Astore Keymak. The new... →

NEW PRODUCT Astore Keymak is the sole distributor of Formatura Iniezone Polimeri's industrial valves in South Africa

BMG appointed valves distributor in Africa

18th May 2018 Engineering components supplier BMG was recently appointed as the distributor for slurry valves manufacturer Dual Valves’ products in South Africa and Africa, through its 130 branches, as part of the company’s fluid technology expansion programme. Appointed in February, BMG fluid technology... →

EXPANSION BMG has been appointed distributors for Dual Valves products in South Africa and into Africa

Valves system ready for African oil production market

18th May 2018 Netherlands-based valves manufacturer Mokveld’s new patented low shear technology, the Typhoon valve system for oil production system is available for the African commercial market through South Africa-based high-end and specialised equipment supplier Energas Technologies. “The low shear-force... →

NEW PRODUCT Mokveld’s Typhoon Valve System is now available in Africa through Mokveld’s distributor in South Africa, Energas Technologies

Cost-effective and lasting automatic drain valves for compressors

18th May 2018 Air compressor products distributor Tru Compressor Solutions’ automatic drain valve for compressors can last up to 15 years if maintained regularly, and could save companies substantial amounts of money and downtime , says sales director Philip Botha. “Many companies neglect to open their manual... →

RELIABLE AND LASTING Tru Compressors Solutions' automatic drain valve for compressors can last up to 15 years

YPC promotes mining, metallurgy studies to learners

4th May 2018 The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) junior organisation the Young Professionals Council (YPC) is campaigning to attract high school learners to the mining and minerals industry, as well as influencing institutions of higher education to nurture students to successfully... →

MQA plans to review and develop 50 learning programmes

4th May 2018 The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) has set a target to review and develop a total of 50 learning programmes in the 2018/19 financial year to remain at the cutting edge of new technology and skills development in the mining and mineral sector, in line with 2017/18 Sector Skills Plan (SSP).... →

TEBOGO MMOTLA The Mining Qualifications Authority encourages mining companies to work in partnership with the training providers and public institutions to share skills, as well as best industry practice

Company invests in training to bridge skills gap in minerals processing

4th May 2018 Minerals processing specialist Multotec spent more than R10-million on education and training development in 2017, while an additional R2-million was spent on the newly built, state-of-the-art training centre in Spartan, Kempton Park, says COO Jannie de Jonge. De Jonge says Multotec has “invested... →

SPECIALISED TRAINING Multotec's state-of-the-art training centre in Spartan, Kempton Park

Training needs to match high-tech demands

4th May 2018 The fast-changing world of technology could be a significant challenge in the global mining industry in ensuring that graduates are equipped with the relevant skills and training to meet the changing demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, says the University of Witwatersrand‘s (Wits’)... →

Photo by Creamer Media
HIGH TECH The University of the Witwatersrand School of Mining Engineering digital mining tunnel is part of the industry's initiatives to provide training in high technology

Joburg saves millions of litres of water using low-flush cisterns

27th April 2018 With the objective of saving about 580-million litres of water a year through its low-flush cistern toilet system project, utility company Joburg Water says the project can also save the city about R3.5-million a year. “Households currently use 29% of their water for flushing. The project is... →

FLUSHES WITH LESS WATER Joburg Water completed the installation of 10 000 low-flush cistern toilets in Soweto

Tanks provide sustainable wastewater management

27th April 2018 Water tank supplier Water Systems’ 3301kℓ ST31 tank is the best solution for wastewater and sanitation plants, owing to its high quality standard and large capacity, says marketing manager James Preston. “The innovative design of SBS Tanks allows for the tanks to be easily transported and... →

Municipal wastewater facilities need adequate maintenance

27th April 2018 Owing to ageing infrastructure and a shortage of skills in wastewater a number of the wastewater treatment plants of the country’s municipalities are discharging effluent that requires attention, says wastewater treatment utility East Rand Water Care Company (Erwat) MD Tumelo Gopane. Some... →

NEW TECHNOLOGY Erwat installed its hybrid bacillus bacterium at its plant in Tsakane

Skysite expands and increases its offering

13th April 2018 Work-at-height specialist Skysite is celebrating twenty years of doing business this year, with the company evolving from handling small cleaning and rigging projects to big and diverse projects, increasing its competency and service offering to divisionally managed offices in the Western Cape... →

SERVICE OFFERING Skysite was contracted to carry out the complete external redecoration of La Cornieche apartments

S African foundry aims to expand footprint in North America

11th April 2018 The capacity of some aspects of the smelting industry in North America, such as the steel sector, has significantly deteriorated in the past 25 years, as a result of Chinese companies dominating the market and supplying cheaper products, says South Africa-based foundry and engineering company... →

Photo by Dauane Daws
QUALITY PRODUCTS Thos Begbie has the capacity to meet any client requirement in size, quality and complexity

Mobile communication boosts work milieu in deep-level mines

6th April 2018 With deep-level mineworkers exposed to hazardous environments on a daily basis, companies need to improve their communication and planning to reduce the number of fatalities in the industry, says employee engagement company Wyzetalk CEO Gys Kappers. "Enhancing stakeholders' engagement through... →

GYS KAPPERS Enhancing stakeholders' engagement through more frequent communication will go a long way towards improving health and safety measures in mines

ULPs drive innovation for underground mechanisation scheme

6th April 2018 The MT3500X/NX and MT950 ultralow-profile (ULP) machines designed and developed by mining equipment and machinery supplier CMTI Group can facilitate mining at lower operating heights and at greater depths, as well as in inaccessible areas, such as remnant pillars and barred panels. "This is the... →

Photo by Creamer Media
DANIE BURGER CMTI Group has embarked on a fundraising round that will close during the first quarter of this year to satisfy growth and the significant demand for South African mechanised-mining solutions

Technology imperative to improve operations, safety in deep mines

6th April 2018 Advancing and applying smart technology is improving miners' ability to delineate geological structures more accurately, which is important because a key aspect that affects safety in the sector is the variability of rock mass characteristics over time and space, says consulting engineers and... →

WILLIAM JOUGHIN SRK Consulting is collaborating with the Australian Centre for Geomechanics to develop apps to manage seismic hazards that are dangerous for deep-level mines

Pumps system integration key to industry future

23rd March 2018 The future of pump technology may be in optimal system integration as opposed to the pump itself, says pumps solution company Mechanical Rotating Solutions (MRS) MD Franscois Steenkamp. This being the case, MRS now offers improved motor and variable-speed drive technology that provide solutions... →

MOBILITY Mechanical Rotating Solutions newly launched mobile borehole trailer

Longer-lasting, superior-quality pumps set bar high

23rd March 2018 With speed, discharge pressure and temperature influencing hose fatigue, pumps solutions supplier Verder Pumps South Africa says its Verderflex hose pump series has several design features that provide longer hose life than that of its competitors. Hose life is determined by pump speed, pressure,... →

STRENGTH AND DURABILITY Verderflex hoseware is manufactured with more fibres for maximum hose life and better resistance to high temperatures

Pumps feature specialised protective standard

23rd March 2018 The Hippo submersible slurry pump range from Centurion-based pumping solutions provider Hazleton Pumps is regarded as the safest range the company has developed, with specialised protective features standard. "There is currently no other submersible slurry pump range that can be compared to the... →

Treasury places obligation on SOEs to buy locally manufactured pumps

23rd March 2018 The South African Pump Cluster (SAPC) welcomes the decision of the National Treasury to place an obligation on State-owned enterprises (SOEs) to buy designated pumps and medium-voltage (MV) motors from local manufacturers. National Treasury issued a practice instruction note in terms of... →

Photo by Bloomberg
PUMP MANUFACTURING The South African Pump Cluster believes that the country has established a robust pump manufacturing industry

Association to revive local pumps manufacturing industry

23rd March 2018 The Southern African Pump System Development Association (SAPSDA) has developed a local manufacturing plan that will revive the South African Pump Cluster and include all companies that can manufacture components required by industry, as well as encourage member companies to support local... →

DEVELOPMENT The Southern African Pump System Development Association is repositioning itself to develop the local pumps industry

Retrofits improve pump systems performance

23rd March 2018 South Africa-based global pump supplier Sulzer is considering innovative ways to assist its clients to save time, decrease costs and mitigate carbon emissions while also working on complying with national environmental, health and safety regulations, says Sulzer retrofit segment manager Richard... →

PUMPS MODERNISATION Sulzer's retrofits improves existing pumping equipment and systems

Quality brands needed to counter cheap imports

23rd March 2018 Quality brands and reliable aftermarket support are key to combat the surge in price-sensitive products entering the local market, especially Chinese imports, according to fluid conveyance solution provider Incledon engineering sales director Bruce Crystal. The company is a preferred importer and... →

BRUCE CRYSTAL Incledon is a preferred importer and distributor of the Italian Pentax pump range as well as locally produced

Stringent regulations may impede coal industry growth

16th March 2018 While key challenges facing the coal mining industry make the future of coal in South Africa uncertain, when considering the weight of coal in South Africa's energy mix, the coal mining industry is likely to remain an important one, says credit insurer Coface group economist Ruben Nizard. South... →

RUBEN NIZARD The environmental regulations worldwide could have an impact on coal exports

Association focuses on clean coal technologies

16th March 2018 While the development of clean coal energy is an imperative amid climate change, the worthwhile gains are more in the downstream use of coal than in the mining and beneficiation of raw coal, says South African coal mine research association Coaltech CEO Henk Lodewijks. He tells Mining Weekly that... →

Photo by Bloomberg
SEQUESTRATING METHANE Coaltech is looking for methods to remove methane from coal during production before it reaches the atmosphere

Coal mining needs effective extraction means

16th March 2018 The best process for extraction of coal depends on the geographical and geotechnical information of the deposit, says Johannesburg-based multidisciplinary engineering consulting company GO Holistic Engineering engineering consultant Kevin Jacobs. He tells Mining Weekly that South Africa's diverse... →

LONGWALL COAL MINING A longwall miner used to extract coal in underground coal mining allows for a higher extraction rate of coal

Colenso power project set for construction in 2019

16th March 2018 The development of the greenfield Colenso anthracite coal mining project, in KwaZulu-Natal - primarily earmarked to supply the coal-fired Colenso power station currently in the planning phase - is expected to start next year at an estimated cost of R410-million, says coal mining and independent... →

Photo by Creamer Media
POWER SUPPLY The Colenso power station will provide baseload power to stabilise the national power grid

S Africa’s coal mining set for growth

16th March 2018 Coal mining and mining in general have received a boost in confidence following the inauguration of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa who has committed to transforming mining from "a sunset to a sunrise industry". This is likely to solve policy uncertainty and lure investors, says... →

Photo by Creamer Media
SUNRISE INDUSTRY South Africa is regarded as a source of a good-quality coal by European countries

Canyon Coal hones in on SA coal projects

16th March 2018 South African coal exploration and mining company Canyon Coal says five new opencast and two new underground projects are at an advanced planning stage as part of the company's vision to achieve coal output of 10-million tons a year and so become a midtier coal miner by 2019. "We are also very... →

Photo by Creamer Media
PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE Canyon Coal is planning five opencast and two new underground projects

Lemur advances Madagascar coal asset

16th March 2018 Aim-listed Bushveld Minerals subsidiary Lemur Resources' Imaloto coal asset in Madagascar is at an advanced development stage, being fully explored and ready to start mining, subject to environmental approvals, says Lemur Resources CEO Prince Nyati, who reiterates that all effort and development... →

NEW COAL ASSET Lemur Resources' Imaloto coal asset in Madagascar is ready to start mining

Coal remains a main source of energy in Africa

16th March 2018 Coal will maintain its status as a robust, baseload energy source for the foreseeable future in Africa, says South Africa-based diversified resources company Exxaro coal operations executive head Dr Nombasa Tsengwa, who tells Mining Weekly that coal is cheap and that more than 1 600 coal-fired... →

Photo by Creamer Media
ENERGY SOLUTION Exxaro has R18-billion worth of projects in the pipeline over the next five years

Innovative sizer equipment added to product range in SA

16th March 2018 Key mining equipment supplier Takraf Africa will officially launch the Takraf sizer equipment range onto the southern African market later this year, following its official launch in Europe in 2016. The sizer equipment, which has potential for application in coal mining, is already available on... →

INNOVATIVE SOLUTION Takraf's sizer equipment will be showcased during the Electra Mining Africa Expo at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg from September 10 to 14

Drought raises need for more cost-effective models

2nd March 2018 The City of Cape Town provides an early indicator of the threat many cities could face amid ongoing water demand versus supply constraints, exacerbated by the Mediterranean climate in South Africa and globally, says Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) technical committee chairperson Jason... →

Photo by Dauane Daws
CHANGING WEATHER PATTERNS Cape Town is the first metro city in the country to experience the risk of a major water supply shut down as a result of severe drought

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