Robyn Wilkinson

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Robyn Wilkinson

Robyn Wilkinson is a Creamer Media Writer for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Agricultural irrigation efficiency framework improves water use

11th August 2017 Through intensive research, the Agricultural Research Council’s Institute for Agricultural Engineering has developed a framework to improve water efficiency in agricultural irrigation systems in South Africa, which reassesses the methods traditionally used to measure a system’s efficiency and... →

Western Cape’s agricultural growth to drive economy

11th August 2017 Supported by the Western Cape government’s strategic initiatives to help farmers grow their crops – and their market share – the province’s official tourism, trade and investment agency Wesgro has successfully committed investments in the Western Cape agricultural sector of R1.56-billion over the... →

Photo by Bloomberg
UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT The Western Cape plays a key role in South Africa’s agricultural sector, with a unique rainfall pattern allowing for a mixture of agricultural activities

Equipment drives farming sustainability

11th August 2017 Forward-thinking livestock farmers who are willing to embrace the use of new equipment in their operations will forge a way forward amid the economic and ecological hardships facing South Africa’s agricultural industry, says Johannesburg-based industrial equipment provider Vermeer Equipment... →

BETTER FEED The Vermeer R2300 basket rake ensures a cleaner forage, increasing the production value of dairy and beef cattle

Stakeholder support integral to urban farming in S Africa

11th August 2017 While the appetite for urban farming exists in South Africa, more needs to be done to motivate stakeholders from both the private and public sectors to play a role in creating and growing successful projects that can be translated into sustainable investments, say engineering and infrastructure... →

Photo by Bloomberg
MODERN FARMING Wheat grass and other leafy greens are being grown in vertical farming units in China created out of retrofitted shipping containers

More engineers needed to support local projects

28th July 2017 As part of its drive to promote and support the engineering profession at multiple levels, the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is establishing an intervention programme that will focus on accrediting engineering academies for training candidates for the purposes of registration within... →

SIPHO MADONSELA Developing and sustaining a relevant, transformed, competent and internationally recognised engineering profession is critical in meeting South Africa’s socioeconomic goals

Blasting and drilling increasingly automated

28th July 2017 Ongoing developments to underground mining solutions provider iRing’s mine planning software suite are increasingly automating blasting and drilling operations, providing increased accuracy and safety in hazardous mining environments. →

Photo by Bloomberg
NEW ERA iRing aims to demystify blasting and drilling operations through its software solutions, making them safer and more efficient

Company evolves to meet KZN miners’ needs

21st July 2017 As mineral sands miners in KwaZulu-Natal move into the next phase of their project life cycles, mining solutions provider Multotec is taking steps to evolve its products and service offering to meet changing customer needs. →

LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS Multotec field service teams conduct regular site visits to ensure optimum performance of equipment

Sugar industry to make the most of yield recovery

21st July 2017 As KwaZulu-Natal’s sugar cane growers start to recover from the effects of the drought, the South African Canegrowers’ Association (SA Canegrowers) is urging the industry to remain resilient and look for opportunities to diversify their operations. →

BOUNCING BACK The SA Canegrowers board of directors is optimistic about the 2017/18 season, with improved rainfall set to improve production levels

Illegal mining threatens infrastructure development in KwaZulu-Natal

21st July 2017 Failure to adequately regulate illegal sand mining in KwaZulu-Natal is increasingly becoming a threat to the mining and construction sectors in the region, says Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa (Aspasa) director Nico Pienaar. →

NICO PIENAAR Aspasa is taking steps to ensure a well-run and compliant aggregate and sand producing industry in KwaZulu-Natal

Exhibition facilitates industrial growth in KZN

21st July 2017 This year’s KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (Kite) will provide businesses in the province with an ideal access route to the key resources required to ramp up their operations in line with government’s extensive and ongoing investment in new manufacturing endeavours. →

Photo by Bloomberg
GROWING ECONOMIC HUB Government investment in the Port of Durban will support trade stemming from the ramp-up of manufacturing activites in KZN

Lessons learned underpin multicontinent sugar strategy

21st July 2017 Specialised polymer manufacturer Vesconite Bearings believes that the experience it has gained from KwaZulu-Natal sugar mills will prove instrumental in ensuring the success of its multi-continent sugar strategy and grow the company’s revenue from new markets. →

EDDIE SWANEPOEL The knowledge gained from hard-wearing African sugar applications has been essential in converting other relatively new markets to using Vesconite Bearings’ products

‘Durban’s best kept secret’ honoured for technical excellence

21st July 2017 Engineering and project management consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa was awarded the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) Durban branch’s prestigious technical excellence award last month for the design and construction of Main Road 577 (MR577), with SAICE calling it... →

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED The design of MR577 was fraught with technical complexity, as the route climbed along the KwaDabeka tributary of the uMngeni river and into New Germany

Futureproof solutions ensure green living

21st July 2017 Demonstrating its capability for creative thinking, engineering and project management consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa has overcome bulk services shortages and ensured the preservation of the natural environment along KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast through the sustainable design of the... →

New solutions make LNG to power a reality in Africa

14th July 2017 Marine and energy solutions provider Wärtsilä will present solutions that provide a way for the South African government to realise its liquefied natural gas (LNG)-to-power ambitions in a realistic, cost-effective and swift manner at this year’s POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa. →

NEW AVENUES New technologies enable the delivery of smaller volumes of liquefied natural gas to almost any coastal location

Spotlight on solar

14th July 2017 With solar photovoltaic (PV) installations now recognised globally as the cheapest form of power generation, a key emerging trend is the integration of these systems with storage and transport options, says solar solutions provider SOLA Future Energy CEO Dom Wills. →

DOM WILLS A reliable power supply on Robben Island has been ensured through a 666 kW solar farm designed by SOLA Future

New thermodynamic cycle to disrupt the renewables landscape

14th July 2017 Thermodynamic technology developer Heat Recovery Micro Systems owner Johan Enslin will introduce a disruptive new avenue for renewable-energy generation that can significantly lower electricity costs for power utilities and smaller decentralised power generating systems at this year’s POWER-GEN &... →

JOHAN ENSLIN The REHOS cycle is based on proven process components, but features a novel interconnected configuration of these components

Advanced grid protection system beneficial for African market

14th July 2017 Power protection solutions provider Swedish Neutral will exhibit its Ground Fault Neutraliser (GFN) earth fault protection system at this year’s POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa, taking the opportunity to highlight the protection benefits that the system can offer power grids with an unreliable... →

Power crucial to Africa’s economic development

14th July 2017 With strong correlations between electric capacity and economic development, access to reliable and cost-effective power is crucial to enabling nations to harness the productive capabilities of their people and obtain meaningful growth, says engineering, procurement and construction company Black... →

WEBB MEKO POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa is the ideal platform to shift the conversations surrounding new power technology into meaningful action

Energy storage solutions to be leveraged in South Africa

14th July 2017 The decreasing cost of energy storage solutions presents many opportunities for South Africa to manage the key issue of localised peak load power generation more efficiently, says green energy solutions provider Freedom Won cofounder and director Antony English. →

ANTONY ENGLISH AND LIZETTE KRIEL The co-founders of Freedom Won are confident that demand for energy storage will continue to grow in South Africa in the long-term

Australian products showcased at event

14th July 2017 Following the establishment of Australia-based industrial solutions provider HMA Group’s South African subsidiary, the company is looking forward to showcasing its diverse offering at this year’s POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa. →

POWER PRODUCTS Fireye’s strong footprint in the African power generation sector will be further bolstered through its partnership with the HMA Group

Event to facilitate meaningful and relevant debate

14th July 2017 The POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa advisory board has gone to great lengths to ensure that this year’s conference programme is tailored to meaningfully address the issues most relevant to Africa’s power generation sector and supported by a showcase of suppliers who can practically assist in... →

Photo by Bloomberg
PLOTTING FUTURE PATHS Creative thinking is needed to devise a representative power-generation portfolio that leverages all the options available

Conformity assessment key to navigating disruption in the power sector

14th July 2017 The power industry is a global community that has developed a strong habit of sharing best practice and discussing joint problems – making events like POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa invaluable for advancing the sector in times of disruption, says testing, inspection and certification services... →

Photo by Reuters
UP TO STANDARD Conformity assessment involves ensuring clients’ power assets are developed, constructed and operated in line with all applicable regulations

Event to advance renewable-energy models

14th July 2017 POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa is crucial to business development on a continent where there are chronic energy shortages and access to modern, affordable energy services is critical to developmental objectives, says South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (Sapvia) chairperson Davin Chown. →

DAVIN CHOWN To electrify Africa and really tap its growth potential, we need to look at new, flexible models of energy generation and distribution

Engineers must become indispensable during challenging times

30th June 2017 Until the barriers to investment and development in South Africa’s mining sector are resolved so that key opportunities can be realised, engineering companies need to ensure that their expertise and services are made indispensable to the market, says specialist engineering company Paterson &... →

Partnerships key to sustaining consulting engineering sector

30th June 2017 Cultivating partnerships between larger, established firms and smaller organisations in the various sectors, is the best way to drive sustainability in South Africa’s consulting engineering industry, says consulting engineering firm Malani Padayachee & Associates (MPA) CEO Malani Padayachee-Saman. →

Consulting engineering industry must become resilient

30th June 2017 A key focus that arose out of discussions at this year’s International Federation of Consulting Engineers’ Group of African Member Associations (FIDIC GAMA) Conference, and which will be further explored at the FIDIC International Infrastructure Conference in October, is the need for resilience... →

Photo by Bloomberg
GOOD BUSINESS SENSE The only way to develop sustainable infrastructure in Africa is through partnerships between international and local companies

Park upgrades provide community upliftment

30th June 2017 The construction of two 35 m pedestrian bridges is under way in Paterson Park, completing the final phase of an upgrade project that will provide the community of Norwood, in Johannesburg, with a visually pleasing and functional recreational environment. →

UPGRADED RECREATIONAL ENVIORNEMENT In 2015, the Johannesburg Development Agency initiated a project to uplift the Norwood area that included the upgrade of Paterson Park

Company leads by example in new green premises

30th June 2017 Engineering consultant WSP Africa will be moving into its new head office in Knightsbridge office park in Bryanston, in September, providing its clients with a stellar example of a sustainable building project. →

MATHIEU DU PLOOY South Africa has a very strong environmental stance, supported by powerful legislation

New construction contracts aim to reduce uncertainty

30th June 2017 The new contract documents under development by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) that aim to reduce uncertainty for construction contractors and employers should not become overly complex and difficult to implement, says specialist commercial consulting firm MDA... →

Company celebrates 70 years of success

30th June 2017 Professional engineering services provider SMEC South Africa’s merger with Singapore-based consultancy Surbana Jurong has further strengthened the South African company’s offering to the African market this year as it celebrates its seventieth year of operation. →

Company brings consulting engineering into digital age

30th June 2017 With advanced technologies replacing pen-and-paper approaches across all industries, engineering and project management consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa MD Salani Sithole stresses that consulting engineering companies must find ways to embrace the era of digitalisation in their... →

MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY Royal HaskoningDHV has pioneered the way environmental effects of projects are understood by launching the world’s first digital interactive environmental impact statement

Blanket increases in import duty put industry under pressure

23rd June 2017 Although the implementation of a hot-rolled coil (HRC) safeguard duty in South Africa aims to protect and support the local steel manufacturing industry, its unintended consequences for downstream customers are placing further pressure on an economy already under stress, says fastener products... →

ENSURING PRETENSION FORCE The HEICO-TEC Tension nut has been developed for applications where it is difficult to use a pneumatic, electric or hydraulic tool to tighten the nut

Increased customs duty on stainless steel fasteners an ‘oversight’

23rd June 2017 Cape Town-based fastener supplier Fastenright is appealing to the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) to remove the customs duty that was implemented on stainless steel fasteners on April 1. →

ROBUST PRODUCT Stainless steel fasteners are far more resistant to staining, corrosion and rust than ordinary steel

Company to expand its fastener market share

23rd June 2017 Industrial equipment supplier Rutherford’s fastener division FTS Fasteners and Fixings is working steadily to expose its customers to its new product range and aims to increase its South African fastener market share by increasing the product range, improved stockholdings as well as through... →

Manufacturer gears up to meet growing fastening systems demand

23rd June 2017 Owing to its recent move to larger premises, fastening systems manufacturer Easyhold will increase its stockholding and provide better service for its growing customer base, says operations director Simon Barnard. →

SIMPLE BUT SECURE Easyhold’s wall plugs can be used with a quality cable tie to secure cables and pipes into mortar

Modern exploration technologies to revive South African diamond mining

9th June 2017 With the application of third-generation exploration technologies, South Africa may prove to be the next diamond exploration frontier, says diamond explorer Botswana Diamonds MD James Campbell. He notes that, as a result of low investor confidence in the country, little diamond exploration... →

Photo by Duane Daws
James Campbell

Modern exploration tech to revive local diamond mining

9th June 2017 With the application of third-generation exploration technologies, South Africa may prove to be the next diamond exploration frontier, says diamond explorer Botswana Diamonds MD James Campbell. →

REVISITING KEY LOCATIONS The first phase of drilling at Frischgewaagt, an eastward extension of the mined-out Marsfontein kimberlite pipe in Limpopo, was completed in April

New mine design focused on realising business excellence

9th June 2017 Johannesburg-based project management and engineering company Paradigm Project Management (PPM) will apply its “three halves” philosophy to design and develop diamond producer Stellar Diamonds’ Tongo-Tonguma project, in Sierra Leone. →

Photo by Duane Daws
RADICAL REVIEW NECESSARY With a diamond supply shortfall looming, exploration companies must employ innovative planning to obtain funding for new projects

Africa ramping up diamond exploration

9th June 2017 As exploration activity in the African diamond mining industry resurges in expectation of a supply shortfall in the next five to eight years, mining consultant The MSA Group is preparing its facilities to meet a growth in demand for its services. →

GROUNDWORK ESSENTIAL As a first-stage evaluation of diamond grade, micro-diamond analysis can prevent significant expenditure on the bulk sampling of non- or subeconomic kimberlite

Tensioning system extends conveyor belt life

2nd June 2017 The new automatic pneumatic tensioning system for conveyor belt cleaners from Neponset-headquartered bulk materials handling solutions provider Martin Engineering will be available in South Africa through its office in Mpumalanga in the second half of this year. →

AUTOMATION ACCURACY Users benefit from a consistently correct blade tension and reduced power demand on start-up when using Martin Engineering's Automated Blade System

Demand boost for containerised transport from mine to buyer

2nd June 2017 Bulk materials handling solutions provider Linde Material Handling South Africa has observed steadily increasing interest in Italian manufacturer CVS Ferrari’s brand of equipment from mining companies operating in Africa, with businesses across all industries increasingly moving towards the... →

ENSURING SAFE HANDLING The CVS Ferrari F500 reach stacker series is the first of its kind to feature electrohydraulics that enable the equipment to react quickly to changes in power demand and modulation

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