Theresa Bhowan-Rajah

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Theresa Bhowan-Rajah

Theresa Bhowan-Rajah is a Creamer Media Reporter for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

PGMs faring well during pandemic

5th February 2021 While Covid-19 continues to pose challenges for several industries, the mining industry, specifically platinum group metal (PGM) mines, has been somewhat less affected. Mining advisory company Ukwazi tells Mining Weekly that most PGM mines, like other mines, were considered essential services and... →

Hydrogen plant to power truck

5th February 2021 Energy transition leader ENGIE has contracted Pretoria-based engineering firm Thermtron Scientific to provide balance of plant services for the on-site hydrogen plant of the Mogalakwena mine, in Limpopo, on an engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning basis. Initial talks between... →

POWER HOUSE The hydrogen plant will supply Anglo American with hydrogen to fuel its “revolutionary” fuel cell electric vehicle haul truck

Mining production fell in November

5th February 2021 As a consequence of renewed lockdown regulations in key trading partner countries, domestic mining production took a nosedive in November as it dropped by 11.6% year-on-year (y/y). This likely diminished hopes of a significant recovery in the sector for the fourth quarter as output levels... →

GEOFF NÖLTING kdowns both domestically and abroad would likely hamper any meaningful recovery in the sector in the short to medium term

Business relationship mutually beneficial

29th January 2021 The international partnership between sawmill technology supplier Newsaw and Italy-based biomass boilers and heating solutions provider Uniconfort has resulted in power solutions, power independence and cost-effective maintenance for boiler plants in Africa. “Since 2004, Newsaw has been watching... →

TEAM WORK Uniconfort has a turnkey solution that combines steam with biomass boilers and turbines

Drone tech allows for expansion

29th January 2021 With technology advancement in the drone industry and drone access expanding from military to commercial use, rope access specialists Skyriders found that drones could be successfully used in the inspection of boilers and other confined spaces. “Industries are constantly developing, and the... →

TEENY TINY SPACES Drones have good lighting and high-resolution imaging technology that can take accurate images of the environment within a boiler

Mixer successfully increases plant efficiency

22nd January 2021 German drive technology manufacturer SEW Eurodrive provided its services and gearboxes for a mixer replacement which was fabricated by family-owned feed milling original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Dalein Agriplan. Dalein Agriplan fabricates feed milling installations for the animal feed... →

STIR THE MIXING POT The XT gearbox is a unique gearing system that has a twin-shaft mixer instead of a single-shaft mixer

TASEZ on track, boosts enterprise involvement

11th December 2020 Despite the challenges for projects throughout the year, including Covid-19, the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) remains within its timeline and budget. “The project is in the construction phase and we have broken down the project into a number of work streams that are dedicated... →

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A GREAT START The TASEZ project is in the construction phase and has been broken down into a number of work streams

TASEZ a ground-breaking initiative for industry

11th December 2020 The development of the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) represents a ground-breaking initiative as it aims to create Africa’s first automotive city, with direct economic benefit to the surrounding communities by creating thousands of new jobs. It will also streamline operations at... →

OCKERT BARRY Having many key suppliers within the TASEZ, in such close proximity to the FMCSA assembly plant, will be instrumental in enhancing and improving efficiency

Consulting engineers boost project portfolio

27th November 2020 Platinum producer Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) has appointed engineering, design and project management company COENG Consulting and Construction Engineers to provide ad hoc professional services at Amplats operations. “A formal tender process was conducted, whereby a certain number of... →

LOUIS LABUSCHAGNE The relationship between COENG and Amplats started about four years ago

Safe, custom-made ERCs increase safety

27th November 2020 Increased scrutiny on mine safety and targets for zero harm have ensured that emergency refuge chambers (ERC) have become vital to mining operations, and mining safety solutions provider Strata Worldwide has launched its new Global ERCX model. “This new ERC design uses a new manufacturing process... →

SAFE KEEPING Strata ERCs safeguard mineworkers if they get trapped underground or if the air-quality in the mine is compromised

More communities to benefit from Moma mine following plant relocation

27th November 2020 Through constant involvement in and development of its surrounding communities, titanium minerals producer Kenmare Resources notes that its increased ilmenite production, and the subsequent effect on Mozambique’s exports, will have significant benefits for the company, its host communities and... →

HELPING HAND Kenmare donated personal protective equipment and hand sanitisation kits to community health facilities close to the Moma mine

More 4IR integration needed from mining

27th November 2020 The advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has had a significant impact on all facets of society, but international investment company StratisQ Group notes that the mining industry needs to participate more in the 4IR transformation. “Digitisation is not the future – it is here already.... →

HUGO BOTHA Digitisation is not the future – it is here already

Manganese expertise boosts service to mines

27th November 2020 Geological service provider Minrom states that its dedicated team of geologists, with years of manganese mining expertise, can provide crucial decision-making services for manganese mines in the Northern Cape. Minrom’s services range from greenfield exploration and three-dimensional geological... →

Photo by Bloomberg
MANGANESE EXPERTISE Through services to manganese mines in the Northern Cape, Minrom has identified pitfalls and bottlenecks that occur during the exploitation of resources during mining programmes

Iron-ore, copper doing well amid pandemic

27th November 2020 Covid-19 negatively impacted the demand for all industrial commodities, but not all markets were impacted equally, explains investment management provider Sanlam Private Wealth. Commodities on which China has a greater import reliance, such as iron-ore and copper, generally fared better than... →

CHRISTIAAN BOTHMA While commodity demand beyond Covid-19 remains uncertain, he highlights a few observations in terms of copper and iron-ore

Reducing regulatory burden remains critical

27th November 2020 When comparing the legislative environments of different mining regimes on the African continent, law firm Webber Wentzel notes that the two highest ranked countries in terms of the 2019 Fraser Institute Survey – South Africa and Guinea – have similarities. “The legislative environments of these... →

Photo by Creamer Media
JONATHAN VEERAN There will always be investor interest where there is a demand

Procurement boosts local economy

27th November 2020 With low economic growth and high unemployment, South Africa’s economy is under intense pressure. Management consultancy Kearney’s research indicates that particularly mining and mining-related industries could improve the country’s economic outlook. Government has challenged the mining industry... →

FRANCOIS SANTOS Capturing and sustaining a competitive advantage will require embracing a shared value agenda

Site training continues online during pandemic

27th November 2020 The onset of Covid-19 resulted in many companies moving aspects of their operations to online and virtual platforms, and contractor and management solutions provider KBC Health & Safety has made similar adjustments. “Since Covid-19 more clients have adopted our computer-based training programmes.... →

SIAN THURTELL Since Covid-19, more clients have adopted our computer-based training programmes

Preventive measures vital for ‘new normal’ commercial operations

13th November 2020 As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, facilities management service provider Facilities Management (FM) Solutions points out that companies need to create a preventive maintenance plan for the upkeep of commercial spaces at regular intervals. “While self-performed maintenance protocols have not... →

A THOROUGH JOB Creating a preventive maintenance plan at regular intervals, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, is of great importance

Preventive maintenance an active solution

13th November 2020 In large operating plants, whether power generation, or petrochemicals, rope access specialists Skyriders strongly recommends that clients carry out preventive, rather than reactive, maintenance. “Much like having a maintenance or service plan for a car, we recommend that our clients carry out... →

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE Preventive maintenance usually starts with non-destructive testing, often through visual inspections, ultrasonic wall-thickness testing or x-ray testing

Pandemic effects still felt in valves industry

6th November 2020 Industrial equipment supplier Dupleix Liquid Meters (DLM) believes that the national lockdown has placed a strain across countless industries and feels that there is a long road ahead before things return to normal. DLM supplies valves primarily to the mining, petrochemical and sugar industries,... →

RIENZI KNIFE GATE DLM is a strong competitor in the valve industry, having built strong relationships with customers and suppliers

Lack of local OEMs hinders valve industry

6th November 2020 The lack of local original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) has led to a low availability of valve components and spares – particularly during the Covid-19 period – which has, consequently, resulted in project delays, says engineering contractor Brimis Engineering. “During the national lockdown,... →

SLOW AND STEADY During the national lockdown, imports, and overall logistics operations, came to a halt with an assembly delay of between 12 weeks and 30 weeks

Industry body promotes support interventions for local foundries

6th November 2020 Industry support provider the National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN) is promoting pressure-equipment-directive support interventions in the local foundry industry and these interventions are in support of the localisation of pressure-equipment components such as valves and pumps. “The role of... →

SANDY MAJATLADI The role of the NFTN is to endorse a competitive market within South African foundries

Covid-19 mining regulations affect exploration

16th October 2020 While there were no exploration-specific regulatory changes because of Covid-19, the regulations applied to the mining industry ultimately affected exploration projects. →

JONATHAN VEERAN Hinderances have arisen from the pandemic, the primary hinderance being that timelines have been pushed back

Service provider returns to exploration

16th October 2020 With an existing and substantial fleet of exploration drill rigs, geotechnical service specialist Geogroup intends to get back to the exploration space. “Geomech Africa, a subsidiary company of Geogroup with its Level 1 B-BBEE, has not been involved in any exploration drilling projects in the... →

DIG DEEP Geogroup rigs range from being able to drill 200 m holes to 2 000 m holes

AI analytics give greater insight into exploration

16th October 2020 Geospatial analytics specialist Descartes Labs offers a unique and powerful analytics platform that provides its clients with a wide range of geospatial and non-geospatial data for visualisation and predictive analytics. →

Company meets demands amid pandemic challenges

5th October 2020 Foundry and engineering company Thos Begbie has received multiple orders to manufacture components for the pyrometallurgical industry. The company continues to manufacture copper components for this industry despite the constraints of limited resources in the engineering industry. →

TEAMWORK Thos Begbie has adapted operations to use virtual platforms to conduct meetings, inspections and webinars

NDT viable in volatile environments

2nd October 2020 Rope access specialist Skyriders provides non-destructive testing (NDT) for a large petrochemicals producer in South Africa. “NDT comprises a number of techniques that enable us to evaluate and test the integrity of a structure, component or system without having to physically damage or take... →

HIGH ROLLER NDT comprises a number of techniques that enables Skyriders to evaluate and test the integrity of a structure, component or system

Used equipment gaining traction

25th September 2020 Earthmoving equipment supplier Goscor Earthmoving, an accredited dealer of heavy equipment manufacturer SANY equipment, has noted an increase in the popularity of used materials-handling equipment amid the current economic constraints caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the national lockdown. →

GOOD AS NEW SANY has sold a significant number of machines during the lockdown period and have very few pieces of used equipment on hand

Pallet-free logistics rising slowly but steadily

25th September 2020 As society at large becomes more aware of the environmental concerns of using traditional wooden pallets, pallet-free bulk bags manufacturer Tellap tells Mining Weekly that it has observed a trend away from using traditional wooden pallets. →

EASY MOVING The Tellap pallet-free bulk bags have been developed for the packaging and transporting of dry, loose semi-bulk products, including high-value minerals

Li-ion developments driving standby power system

25th September 2020 With the increasing demand and overall benefits of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, industrial Li-ion battery supplier CHASE Technologies is developing a standby power system. →

POWER HOUSE CHASE Technologies is developing a standby power system that will be powered by LiFePO4 batteries

Low-pressure mist solution effectively mitigates dust

11th September 2020 To mitigate fugitive dust emissions at mining operations, environmental solutions company I-CAT offers end-to-end integrated dust-management solutions that comply with all relevant industry regulations and standards. →

FLY-AWAYS With low-pressure misting solutions, water droplets dampen the dust and limit its volatility

New reagent increases recovery of phosphate

4th September 2020 Chemical reagents supplier and distributor Axis House has launched an extension to its phosphate range to include defoamer and decadmiation products in addition to the existing Rinkalore collector range for phosphate flotation. →

PHOSPHATE SPECIALISED Axis House has launched an extension to its phosphate range to include defoamer and decadmiation products

Regulations, pricing a challenge for local LNG uptake

28th August 2020 Despite there being vast benefits to using liquefied natural gas (LNG) locally, natural gas producer Renergen tells Engineering News that regulations and pricing are impeding the growth of the LNG sector. →

RENEWING ENERGY Renewable energy is fast becoming more affordable

LPG upcoming in SA’s energy mix

28th August 2020 Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has an important role to play in the complete energy mix of South Africa – it is a clean-burning, sustainable and portable fuel, with further applications in water heating, space heating and cooking, says industry association and body the Liquefied Petroleum Gas... →

NIRVAN BRIJLAL The economic and environmental benefits of LPG emphasises its role as a key player in the local energy mix

Environment-friendly catalysts reduce emissions

28th August 2020 High-performance catalyst manufacturer Clariant Catalysts has developed the EnviCat N2O catalyst, to remove nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) gases almost entirely from the waste gases emitted by industrial plants. →

DR JONATHAN CHETTY N2O is a climate-changing gas, with an average life span of 114 years in the earth’s atmosphere

Digital twin manages mining assets with 3D technology

14th August 2020 Drone survey and inspection specialist Rocketmine has designed and developed the digital twin solution that enables mine operators to successfully visualise and monitor mining operations through three-dimensional (3D) technology. Mining assets and operations can be monitored and managed in real... →

DIGITAL TWIN The digital twin is not only a 3D replica of physical assets but also an open and connected working data environment

Fluid testing, an aid for precise drilling

14th August 2020 Global mining technology company IMDEX developed the IMDEX MUD Automated In-field Diagnosis (AID) to optimise fluid management, as drilling fluids can be critical to how successfully the drilling programme runs, says IMDEX product development GM Michelle Carey. →

MICHELLE CAREY The IMDEX MUD AID testing unit is portable, lightweight and easy to install and operate

Solution enables contamination visualisation

14th August 2020 Global geoscience software company Seequent’s contaminants extension for its three-dimensional (3D) modelling and analysis solution, Leapfrog Works, was launched to provide users with accurate estimates and location of contaminants. →

CONTAMINANT EXTENSION Leapfrog Works, together with the new contaminants extension, forms part of Seequent’s wider set of contaminated site solutions

System uses existing comms for data transfer

14th August 2020 Communication plays a vital role in mine operations, and mining safety solutions provider Strata Worldwide now offers DigitalBRIDGE Plus+, which allows mines to take existing leaky feeder infrastructure and add Ethernet devices such as WiFi access points and digital cameras. →

Project completed using rope access

7th August 2020 Rope access specialist Skyriders completed the removal of a layer of cementitious fireproofing and insulating material from a spherical gas storage tank at a petrochemicals producer, in Mpumalanga, during the first quarter of 2020. →

SAFELY SOARING Rope access was deemed the safest option, as the fireproofing was not stable enough to allow for other more traditional means of access to get close to the gas storage tank

Company goes digital to curb challenges

7th August 2020 An increasingly competitive sphere, and a large choice of partners and customers are two of the chemicals industry’s greatest challenges. Specialised chemicals company BASF aims to lead in digital transformation in the chemicals industry to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its... →

DALE WALKER The “new normal” that has been imposed by Covid-19 on the globe, has allowed for radical transformation in the way that the company does business

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