Cameron Mackay

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Cameron Mackay

Cameron Mackay is a Creamer Media Senior Online Writer for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Use of synthetic lubricants growing in local industry

11th February 2022 Synthetic lubricant use in the local industry as a viable alternative to conventional, hydrocarbon- and mineral-based lubricants is gaining momentum, says industrial equipment and consumables supplier BMG fluid technology business unit manager Willie Lamprecht. The lubricants are engineered... →

Lubricant company leads global market

11th February 2022 Last year global lubricant company Shell retained its status as the leading global supplier of finished lubricants for a fifteenth consecutive year, according to the nineteenth edition of consulting and market research company Kline & Company’s report ‘Global Lubricants: Market Analysis and... →

Sustainability, majority shareholder driving miner’s strategy

28th January 2022 Local gold producer DRDGold CEO Niël Pretorius says the market response to the global transition to clean energy, as well as the strategy and energy plans of the company’s majority shareholder, diversified miner Sibanye-Stillwater, are important considerations in shaping DRDGold’s strategy for... →

NIËL PRETORIUS our strategy remains to deliver economic value by applying our technology, management system and skillset to reclaim and treat material at a rate and level of efficiency

Prepared to support energy transition

28th January 2022 As South Africa prepares to transition to renewable sources of energy, carbon-intensive companies such as coal exporter Thungela can assist in this energy transition by ensuring delivery of higher quality, responsibly-mined coal, states Thungela CEO July Ndlovu. “This transition is going to... →

STAKEHOLDER BENEFITS The eMalahleni Water Reclamation Plant is an example of how mine water can be transformed into an asset with benefits for the local community

Mining mobility market ideal for hydrogen uptake

28th January 2022 Emerging mobility applications for hydrogen, such as heavy-duty mobility and materials handling equipment used in mining, provide an ideal market for the increased uptake of green hydrogen technology in South Africa, states hydrogen technology provider Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser Division SVP Filip... →

MOGALAKWENA MINE the electrolyser that will generate renewable hydrogen for the world’s largest hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle project has been delivered to site by Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser

JSE has role to play in sustainable energy transition

28th January 2022 The JSE has a role to play in creating an enabling environment for more sustainable practices, particularly in terms of South Africa’s transition to using renewable energies, JSE chief sustainability officer Shameela Soobramoney stated at the Southern Africa-Europe CEO Dialogue event hosted in... →

Miner to build climate-change-resilient businesses

28th January 2022 Environmental, social and corporate governance is central to diversified miner Sibanye-Stillwater’s strategy, and guides the company in how it operates and generates shared value for its stakeholders. Core to this strategy is building “climate-change-resilient businesses”, states... →

JEVON MARTIN These energy projects will improve the ESG credentials of South African mining houses and help close the national electricity supply deficit and allow Eskom to do maintenance

Miner’s transition plan to benefit all stakeholders

28th January 2022 As part of diversified miner Sibanye-Stillwater’s development of renewable-energy projects, the miner has created an Infrastructure for Impact programme to benefit all its relevant stakeholders while executing these energy infrastructure projects, explains Sibanye-Stillwater energy and... →

JAMES WELLSTED Our broader strategy is aligned with the just transition, and over time we’re going to evolve as a company to produce materials used for improving the environment

Solving transmission bottlenecks vital for unlocking supply

28th January 2022 Overcoming energy transmission congestion is vital to stabilise energy supply in South Africa and, to ensure that energy supply meets demand, transmission assessments and upgrades need to be conducted to allow for energy access from resource-rich solar and wind areas, states renewable-energy... →

WILLIAM PRICE Many of the country’s load centres are situated in coal production areas, where the transmission grid has been designed to deliver energy to large populations

SA’s green energy outlook for 2022

28th January 2022 With a background in electrical engineering, “a knack for business, and a passion for sustainability”, Norwegian global renewables company Scatec Southern Africa GM Jan Fourie has specialised in renewable energy projects for over a decade. He says his love for South Africa and the natural... →

RENEWABLE UPTAKE Scatec’s new project, which falls under the RMIPPPP, includes a 150 MW flagship twin hybrid PV-and-storage site in the Northern Cape

Mining can be a catalyst for growth in 2022

28th January 2022 Global commodity prices and economies have rebounded strongly since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which left many companies facing mammoth financial challenges to sustain themselves. This resurgence in the mining sector is closely connected to the rollout of vaccinations, which was... →

ZERO HARM INDUSTRY the mining industry’s goal of zero harm, ensuring that mineworkers return home from work unharmed, is critical to the joint success of labour and mines

Private, public adversity thwarts growth

28th January 2022 The state of local public sector infrastructure has been declining for years, while private sector infrastructure has not kept pace with international trends. This infrastructure could be upgraded by the private sector if it were given the chance to grow; however, an “adversarial” relationship... →

Company stresses need for on-site mining medical services

21st January 2022 Mining companies that partner with professional medical consultants to provide on-site medical assistance have the confidence that medical issues are treated appropriately and quickly. This immediate treatment can help avoid unnecessary off-site referrals, treatments and prescriptions, states... →

FLEXIBLE CLINCAL OPTIONS As mines are often located far from established healthcare facilities, having medical personnel operating on-site removes the need for employees travelling for treatment

Rising need for alcohol testing, recalibration

21st January 2022 Medical equipment suppliers are encouraging local miners to conduct more regular breathalyser alcohol testing at their operations, and to recalibrate breathalyser equipment that has not been used in a long time, owing to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, states ALCO-Safe MD Rhys Evans. “We... →

RHYS EVANS The relationship between alcohol consumption, trauma incidents and death has been highlighted by the media and government

Contractor training solutions contribute to safe mining

21st January 2022 Training solutions provider KBC Health and Safety is aiming to improve health and safety in the local mining sector by managing mining contractors, says KBC Health and Safety innovation manager Natalie Pitout. “Several of these contractors are used to working under less hazardous conditions in... →

ADAPTIVE, CRITICAL LEARNING Mining companies need to adapt to remain competitive, requiring employees to obtain new knowledge and skills that are conducive to ideal health and safety practices

Road rehabilitation project initiated

10th December 2021 A Gauteng rehabilitation project that entails a 27 km section of road – from the D483 / P6-1 intersection, close to Bapsfontein, in Ekurhuleni, to the D483/D713 intersection, in Cullinan, in Tshwane – began last month. This comes after a construction contractor was appointed for the project last... →

Road tech can improve road longevity, safety

10th December 2021 Engineering consultancy WSP has incorporated technologies that compensate for the potential longer time span between maintenance interventions for the rehabilitation of a 27 km section of road in Gauteng, says WSP director Marshall Muthen. The project, set to begin in January, involves a section... →

Industry body helps to develop electric vehicle capabilities

3rd December 2021 Local automotive industry body the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC EC) has aligned its strategy and resources to facilitate the attainment of the South African Automotive Masterplan targets in the Eastern Cape, states AIDC EC CEO Thabo Shenxane. These targets include... →

THABO SHENXANE Our research continues to monitor export opportunities in Africa with a view to providing the Eastern Cape with scientific and evidence-based interventions

Investment company supports localisation drive

3rd December 2021 The South African Automotive Master Plan 2035 (SAAMP), introduced in July this year, aims to increase transformation and localisation in the automotive industry, which is also evident through the launch of the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund (AITF) in 2019. The fund has, to date, set... →

ASAVELA LUMKWANA We want to invest long-term and be in partnerships where we can pool resources for the growth of local businesses, and subsequently the industry

Lubricant focus smoothing way into automotive

3rd December 2021 The automotive industry provides lubricant company FUCHS LUBRICANTS South Africa with growth opportunities in Africa, as a lot of growth on the continent is focused on the automotive sector, says FUCHS South Africa sales director Andrew Cowling. FUCHS LUBRICANTS have a range of more than 10 000... →

SUPPLY STRENGTH FUCHS LUBRICANTS have a range of more than 10 000 products and related service lines, covering the main categories of lubricants, including automotive lubricants

Impact of new tailings standards highlighted

19th November 2021 With the release of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) in August last year, the foundation of this field has shifted, and the stakes have been raised, argues engineering consultancy SRK Consulting. The company adds that this standard sets a new bar for corporate... →

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management requires that mines engage with multiple spheres of influence when designing and managing tailings storage facilities

Local company helps miners budget for new regulations

19th November 2021 Mining services provider Cenviro Solutions is involved in discussions with local regulatory bodies responsible for the revision of the National Environmental Management Act (Nema) – particularly as the Act pertains to financial provision regulations for tailings storage and mine waste facilities... →

LEENTIE SMIT Tailing dams have emerged as a risk for mining pollution, impacting underground and surface water, and posing a health and safety risk owing to aging infrastructure

Software helps miners manage tailings, waste

19th November 2021 Software company IsoMetrix’s tailings management solution has been developed over many years to help miners manage their incidents, obligations and risks related to mine waste facilities. The solution also reduces the administrative burden of conducting audits, inspections and reporting, states... →

Company leverages sorting technology to treat local mine dumps

19th November 2021 Mining technology company Acrux Sorting Technology wants to use its sensor-based sorting technology to help local miners improve their environmental, social and governance (ESG) processes, as well as their bottom line, through resource enhancement, states Acrux Sorting Technology chairperson Sean... →

SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION Acrux is confident that it will be able to roll this technology out to local commodity sectors, including bulk commodities

Retail complex work complete

12th November 2021 While the Montecasino leisure and retail complex in Fourways, Johannesburg, has its own maintenance team and specialised contractors, the complex occasionally requires work-at-height and confined-space experience for maintenance work, with rope access specialist Skyriders assisting in this... →

AT-HEIGHT UPKEEP Earlier this year, Skyriders did maintenance work at the complex, including replacing an anchor system on a bell tower used to suspend advertising banners

New division to provide tailored maintenance services

12th November 2021 Facilities management services provider FM Solutions launched their specialist technical unit, FM Solutions Technical, in June 2021 – thereby expanding their facilities management services to include technical maintenance. “We are now able to provide a tailored package to our clients, ensuring... →

ZAAHIR FORBES Businesses have seen the need to reinstate facilities management services to ensure that facilities and workplaces are compliant and ready to accommodate returning staff members

Company prepared to meet increased localisation demand

29th October 2021 Demand for logistics storage space remains high, as the e-commerce consumer base continues to grow year-on-year, amid the challenges caused by Covid-19, says design business Paragon Architects director Estelle Meiring. She stresses that the pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of extended and... →

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES Paragon is the architect for a new warehousing, storage and manufacture facility for Mattress and Couch at the Old Mint Industrial Park in Centurion, Gauteng

Storage flexibility shown during turbulent time

29th October 2021 Logistics company Unitrans has shown flexibility in meeting the warehousing and storage needs of customers – particularly amid the effects of Covid-19, and the looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July, on the local market – says Unitrans specialised warehousing and freight GM Ryan Brooke.... →

VERSATILE STORAGE The company runs two types of warehousing ¬– specialised warehouses that are customer specific and its own non-exclusive warehouses

Intelligent data crucial for distributors

29th October 2021 It is essential for distributors and retailers that track deliveries to have visibility on stock moving from the warehouse to the retailer, states software provider Cognizance MD Andrew Dawson. “Stock is the lifeblood of any distributions company, as most distributors will distribute stock on... →

ANDREW DAWSON Covid-19 has accelerated the technology drive. Distribution companies have found mechanisms to drive more profitable, healthier and more efficiently run operations and businesses

Company geared to service African regions

29th October 2021 Integrated logistics service provider Concargo remains resilient and flexible, and stands ready to show its potential for ingenuity, collaboration and cooperation in servicing the local market, as well as sub-Saharan and equatorial Africa, says CEO Dean Page. “There is an overabundance of... →

REGIONAL GROWTH While fast-moving consumer goods has remained Concargo’s strongest growth area, the company is aiming to grow in a range of industries

Suppliers vital to supply chain

22nd October 2021 The current shortages of raw materials, which are required for stainless steel fabrication, have highlighted how stainless steel raw material suppliers are vital for the company’s supply chain and economical efficiencies, says water-jet cutting service provider MAXJET director Preeshan Naidoo.... →

ALLEVIATING CONSTRAINTS Naidoo argues that during these challenging times, companies particularly in stainless steel need to better analyse markets, trends and deliverables

Association supports resilient industry through master plan

22nd October 2021 Despite the impact of Covid-19 and a weak economy, the local stainless steel sector has shown its resilience, as the South African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) continues to support industry through initiatives such as the Steel Master Plan. “When the Steel Master Plan was... →

LOCALISATION FOCUS Cocal companies have had challenges sourcing products from abroad, emphasising the need for localising the manufacturing of stainless steel products

Explosives company aims to extend its reach

8th October 2021 As part of bulk emulsion explosives and mining technology manufacturer BME’s ongoing strategic global expansion strategy, the company plans to continue growing its footprint in mining in West Africa, states BME West African operations GM Michael Klaasen. “BME has been active in West Africa for... →

REGIONAL FOOTPRINT BME has seven emulsion manufacturing plants in West Africa

Concerns remain despite assurances after coup

8th October 2021 Despite assurances that mining activity would not be disrupted in Guinea following the coup d'état on September 5, there is lingering concern that investors could be reluctant to continue investing in the country, argues law firm Beech Veltman CEO Warren Beech. “Investors are usually concerned... →

WARREN BEECH While West Africa should be benefitting from more investment, there are a number of concerns to investors regarding illegal mining and regional stability and security

Cooperation crucial to West African development – law firm

8th October 2021 Amid opportunities for mining and the availability of substantial human resources in West Africa, cooperation between the public and private sectors can help grow mining in the region. This cooperation can contribute to the development of industries, such as the energy sector, as well as the... →

EMPOWERED DEVELOPMENT Minerals mined from West Africa, aside from the fiscal revenue they bring in, should be used to develop the country in which they were extracted

Ghana base acts as catalyst for growth

8th October 2021 Much of the success of consulting engineers and scientists SRK Consulting’s office in Accra, Ghana, is based on the company’s local knowledge, represented by experienced professionals from West Africa, states SRK Consulting principal resource geologist and SRK Ghana country manager Ivan Doku.... →

BUILDING IN-COUNTRY EXPERTISE Despite challenges, SRK Consulting continues to build capacity in West Africa

Atlas project to be finalised

1st October 2021 Local wind energy collaboration the South African Wind Energy Programme (SAWEP) is in the final stages of completing the Wind Atlas for South Africa (WASA) Phase 3 project this year, says SAWEP project manager Andre Otto. SAWEP is a multiyear technical assistance project, funded by the Global... →

Project a blueprint for renewables future

1st October 2021 The Oya Energy Hybrid dispatchable facility, which consists of colocated solar, wind and battery storage energy, will form a blueprint for the way in which South Africa’s energy grid will be able to operate on 100% renewable energy, says energy project developer G7 Renewable Energies MD Dr... →

FOREFRONT OF WIND INNOVATION The Oya facility shows the value of wind energy to the grid, and that reliable energy can be supplied to South African consumers with battery storage

Event celebrates ten-year milestone

1st October 2021 The annual Windaba Conference and Exhibition 2021, will take place on October 7 and 8 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre as part of celebrating the wind industry’s being operational in South Africa for ten years, says South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) chairperson Mercia... →

Positive prospects for wind energy

1st October 2021 The outlook for the local wind energy sector is “exciting and positive” when considering the wind energy projects that have been implemented throughout South Africa in recent years, which capitalised on increased investor and developer interest in renewable-energy projects, states engineering... →

DINESH BULDOO South Africa has ideal wind energy resources, and has progressed in harnessing this potential through previous REIPPPP rounds, with about 2.2 GW of installed capacity

Developer highlights latest bidding round as milestone

1st October 2021 Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) is a key milestone along South Africa’s energy path and confirms government’s commitment to address power generation shortages in the country, says independent power producer (IPP) Globeleq chief... →

ASSURING UPTAKE The local wind energy sector needs predictability and a steady flow of procurement over the coming years to justify investments in new capacity

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