Jessica Oosthuizen

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Jessica Oosthuizen

Jessica Oosthuizen is a Creamer Media Reporter for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Copper industry in crisis, new areas pursued

13th June 2018 The global copper industry is in crisis – traditional orebodies are becoming depleted and the commodity market has depressed the price of copper to such an extent that mining companies cannot afford to invest in expansion or new equipment, says foundry and engineering company Thos Begbie group... →

Local manufacturing crucial for economic growth

8th June 2018 Providing locally manufactured goods and supporting local manufacturing are massively important for the growth of the South African economy, says plastic conveyor components manufacturer IRP Engineering Plastics MD Kris Kibble. “Supporting international supply over local manufacture and supply... →

KRIS KIBBLE IRP Engineering Plastics places a large focus on local manufacture and it is an issue that we as a company constantly reiterate to our market

Indaba will create intra-Africa trade opportunities

8th June 2018 With the 2018 Manufacturing Indaba’s focus being on the development of intra-Africa trade, event organiser Siyenza Management MD Liz Hart says the event will bring key stakeholders together to create opportunities for engagement and dialogue. She tells Engineering News that Africa has many of... →

EXPANDING EXHIBITION Siyenza Management aims to expand the Manufacturing Indaba – the larger the event, the more companies to engage with and to explore added business opportunities

Companies moving towards emerging technologies

8th June 2018 There is strong indication that manufacturing companies will in the short term start using emerging technologies. This is according to ‘The Mobile Corporation in South Africa 2018’ report, based on research conducted by research organisation World Wide Worx, in partnership with enterprise... →

DEIRDRE FRYER Using the most suitable technology in the right areas can give rise to large cost reductions for businesses

S Africa must maintain cost-competitive sector

8th June 2018 It is vital for South Africa to maintain a manufacturing sector that is internationally cost competitive and can produce quality end-products, says Germiston-based material transfer solutions provider Weba Chute Systems MD Mark Baller. “The manufacturing industry has been under a lot of... →

LATEST TECHNOLOGY Weba Chute Systems uses the latest techniques and technologies to ensure optimum accuracy during the design and engineering phases, which also facilitate improved efficiencies

Effective control of substance abuse in industry crucial

8th June 2018 There is a need for effective control of substance abuse in the manufacturing industry as it is a major issue, says drug and alcohol testing equipment supplier Alco-Safe MD Rhys Evans. Alco-Safe has more than 4 000 clients using its services, across industries, including mining, construction,... →

RHYS EVANS Using Alco-Safe’s solutions, some of our clients have shown a 60% reduction in substance abuse in their companies

Balance between mechanisation, job creation must be maintained

8th June 2018 Specialist equipment supplier Multotec believes that a balance between the mechanisation of manufacturing operations and job creation must be maintained, says COO Jannie de Jonge. He tells Engineering News that it is something Multotec believes and practices. →

LABOUR RELATIONS The manufacturing industry is labour intensive – it employs almost two-million people locally and sound labour relations, as well as policies, are crucial in this industry

Industry pursuing better management of energy use

8th June 2018 There has been a growing trend among South African manufacturing plants to pursue energy reduction and manage its use better, says energy training services provider the Energy Training Foundation (EnTF) training manager Yolanda de Lange. She explains that significant hikes in electricity rates... →

YOLANDA DE LANGE The Energy Training Foundation is looking forward to expanding further into West Africa

AI can optimise manufacturing processes; awareness needed

8th June 2018 Artificial intelligence (AI), data and automation tools can aid manufacturers in enhancing and optimising their processes, says Cape Town-based machine learning startup DataProphet cofounder and MD Frans Cronje. The company specialises in developing AI solutions for the manufacturing industry,... →

FRANS CRONJE Artificial intelligence should be seen as a tool for taking skills, knowledge and experience, and sharing it among new workers entering the world of employment

Technology uptake to solve industry challenges

1st June 2018 Although there has been some progress in establishing continuous connectivity in the form of WiFi networks on railway systems in South Africa, political issues have limited the uptake of technologies in the rail industry, says access network infrastructure provider Ruckus Networks sub-Saharan... →

RIAAN GRAHAM A challenge associated with introducing and implementing IoT technologies is that there is currently no clear standard within the IoT sphere

Event to inspire industry to think differently – organisers

1st June 2018 Global events company Terrapinn will host the twenty-first annual Africa Rail exhibition and conference at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Gauteng, on June 12 and 13, which it believes will encourage the African railway industry to innovate and think differently. Africa Rail is the meeting... →

ATHENA MAHARAJ Africa Rail is an unrivalled platform for the continent’s railway industry to come together, learn, network and do business

Rail operator to occupy its rail services hub this month

1st June 2018 Locomotive and rail operator Traxtion Sheltam plans to move into its rail services hub in Rosslyn, Pretoria, later this month, says CEO James Holley. The company started this project last year owing to its requiring a hub to service its own fleet of locomotives, wagons and cabooses. →

RAIL SERVICES HUB The first phase of Traxtion Sheltam Rosslyn rail services hub is about 90% complete and includes a fully functioning workshop

Safety issues must be addressed – law firm

1st June 2018 Safety is a massive problem in the rail industry in South Africa and it must be dealt with, says global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright director and head of rail David Kapelus. Ageing infrastructure and unlawful activity contribute to the country’s rail safety problems, with significant problems... →

Photo by Creamer Media
TUMULTUOUS TRACKS In April, a vehicle and train collided at a level-crossing in the Western Cape when the vehicle apparently attempted to cross the railway tracks when it was not safe to do so

Politics suppressing rail infrastructure build in Africa

1st June 2018 Election cycles and governance have an inherently negative impact on rail infrastructure planning and the construction thereof in Africa, says multidisciplinary engineering consultancy WSP Africa transport and infrastructure director Vishaal Lutchman. He adds that many African countries have... →

VISHAAL LUTCHMAN The lack of continuity in government leads to unfinished projects and decaying rail infrastructure

Expo will facilitate interaction among sectors of Zambian economy

18th May 2018 The Caminex trade expo, which will be held from June 5 to 7 at the Kitwe showgrounds, in Zambia, provides a platform to facilitate interaction among various sectors of the economy, says event co-organiser Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery portfolio director Charlene Hefer. “It will promote... →

CHARLENE HEFER Caminex is an important trade platform for the Copperbelt region

Vibrating screens in copper production process vitally important

18th May 2018 Copper plays an important role in technological advancements, and vibrating- and original-equipment manufacturer and supplier Kwatani is well positioned to take advantage of growing copper demand. “Kwatani offers customised vibrating screens and feeders to the mining industry; we don’t have a... →

RUGGED AND ROBUST Vibrating screens must be able to handle large tonnages from the crushing or milling process – and efficiently size the material for the downstream process

Copper coil device to clean contaminated water, field trials under way

18th May 2018 Nonprofit organisation promoting copper use in Africa the Copper Development Association Africa (CDAA) is the sponsor of field tests being conducted for a copper coil device that can clean contaminated water. The device has been in development since 2013. Medical company Infection Control Africa... →

Photo by Creamer Media
WATER WORKS The Copper Development Association Africa is the sponsor of field tests being conducted for a copper coil device that can clean contaminated water

Advantageous networking opportunity provided

18th May 2018 Spectrometer and analyser supplier Spectrometer Technologies has found that attending the Caminex trade expo, which will be held from June 5 to 7 at the Kitwe showgrounds, in Zambia, is “an exceptional way” of meeting and networking with companies operating in Zambia and the rest of Africa, says... →

MIRKO STEINHAGE Throughout the year, there are three or four important mining shows that we feel every company needs to attend, and Caminex is one of those shows

Company continuously enhances core technologies

11th May 2018 Mine management solutions provider Modular Mining Systems (MMS) is continuously working on making value-added enhancements to its core technologies, says MMS MD Lourens du Plessis. He says customer feedback plays an important role in how the company’s solutions evolve over time. “By engaging with... →

LOURENS DU PLESSIS We are committed to assisting our customers in Africa to remain globally competitive

AfriSam anchor sponsor for Fulton Awards

11th May 2018 Leading concrete materials supplier AfriSam is the anchor sponsor for the 2019 biennial Fulton Awards, hosted by nonprofit organisation the Concrete Society of Southern Africa (CSSA). According to AfriSam, the event recognises the possibilities that concrete structures create for society and,... →

INNOVATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE The Fulton Awards is an event that honours excellence and innovation in the design and use of concrete

Gas conditioning systems remain in high demand

11th May 2018 As global pressure to reduce emissions mounts, owing to more stringent legislation, there remains a high demand for spray nozzle and spraying system manufacturer Lechler’s VarioCool Gas Conditioning systems in the cement producing industry, says Lechler representative in Southern Africa... →

STEVE SMITH Industrial Nozzles and Systems’ scope of supply to the cement industry has more than tripled in the last four to five years

Substantial need for skills development

11th May 2018 There is a massive need for skills development in the construction industry, particularly in the concrete industry, says cement and concrete technical services provider The Concrete Institute (TCI) MD Bryan Perrie. “However, with relatively little work available and companies retrenching... →

Photo by Bloomberg
CONCRETE FLOORS Bryan Perrie will present a workshop about typical problems associated with concrete industrial floors at the Totally Concrete Expo

Innovation, relevance, succession planning key to industry survival

11th May 2018 The local concrete industry must continuously move forward to remain relevant in a competitive market amid a developing economy where alternative construction materials and practices are gaining popularity, says cement producer PPC technical information services specialist Hanlie Turner. “Three... →

HANLIE TURNER A succession plan on paper is not enough to guarantee a safe future

Decorative concrete market looking good

11th May 2018 Decorative concrete solutions can raise the aesthetic value of both new projects and renovations, and construction chemicals company Chryso Southern Africa is participating in the market to supply such solutions for aesthetic and practical applications, company CEO Norman Seymore tells... →

LUMINESCENT LUMINTECH This technology contains particles that are incorporated into the concrete skin and glow in the dark

Stakeholders remain hopeful of growth in local cement industry

11th May 2018 Various players in the cement and concrete industry say the sector is hoping and expecting that there will be improvements in the industry after being impacted on negatively for several years. Cement producer PPC technical information services specialist Hanlie Turner notes that the concrete... →

Photo by Bloomberg
CRUCIAL CONSTRUCTION The upgrade and development of infrastructure is crucial to the sustainability of the cement and concrete industry

Cement plant maintenance crucial

11th May 2018 Strategic and effective cement plant maintenance services can increase plant productivity and reduce costs, says furnace and industrial services company The Dickinson Group sales manager Brighton Mapiku. “By doing thorough cement plant maintenance, which includes proper planning, employing... →

Stagnant mining industry detrimental to consulting engineers

27th April 2018 The local mining industry is “almost dormant” and it is having a knock-on effect on consulting engineers, leaving them with little in the way of projects, says industry body Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) CEO Chris Campbell. Many consulting engineers servicing the mining industry are... →

CHRIS CAMPBELL The current state of the industry has mostly been brought on by the debacle surrounding the Mining Charter

Discounts on professional fees a looming issue

27th April 2018 The issue of discounting the professional fees of consulting engineers, driven by public sector and private sector clients alike, is plaguing the sustainability of the consulting engineering industry, says voluntary association Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) CEO Chris Campbell. “Would... →

Photo by Knight Piésold Consulting
MINING OPTIMISATION Consulting engineers try to minimise the mining client’s total cost of ownership in the mining investment

Digitisation, safety hot topics in mining consulting

27th April 2018 There is “much discussion” in the global mining consulting industry around digitisation and safety in mines, says engineering and infrastructure advisory company Aurecon client director for resources Dr Eduard Vorster. The interrelation between digital advancements and safety is an important... →

EDUARD VORSTER Aurecon strives to develop its smaller partners so that they can become significant future players in the mining industry

Uncertainty remains in mining industry, technology transformation arising

27th April 2018 Recent changes in political leadership suggest that the South African mining industry may be moving towards a clearer operating framework but much uncertainty remains, says consulting engineering and science company SRK Consulting partner and principal consultant Andrew van Zyl. “This uncertainty... →

INNOVATION IMPERATIVE Innovative thinking must be embedded into all specialist disciplines of consulting engineering so that the full benefit of modern invention can be applied

New JV to lead to structured services solutions

27th April 2018 The joint venture (JV) between Stefanutti Stocks Mechanical – part of construction group Stefanutti Stocks – and Australian industrial services operation the Dawsons Group of Companies is “ground-breaking and a first for the pan-African mining sector”, says Stefanutti Stocks Mechanical MD Marius... →

MARIUS BOTES This dynamic joint venture will be a game-changer for the future of mining in Africa

Company offers customisable electrical distribution solution

20th April 2018 Transformer supplier Trafo Power Solutions is offering dry-type mini substations as a complete and customisable electrical distribution solution for several applications. “Mini substations generally include oil transformers, but Trafo Power Solutions is now able to design and deliver dry-type... →

MADE-TO-ORDER Well proven dry-type technology is being used in Trafo Power Solutions’ customised dry-type mini substations

Renewable energy crucial to Africa’s power

20th April 2018 Many African leaders have realised the crucial role that renewable energy can and will play in “bringing power to their people”, says multidisciplinary engineering consultancy WSP Africa power transmission and distribution director Dinesh Buldoo. “The return-on-investment of renewable power... →

Photo by Creamer Media
POWER OF NATURE Many African leaders have realised the crucial role that renewable energy can and will play in bringing power to their people

Investor interest in Africa’s power sectors remains significant

20th April 2018 Despite the downturn in commodity prices that led to more subdued growth in several of Africa’s resource-intense economies, there is still significant investor interest in Africa’s power sectors, says multidisciplinary engineering consultancy WSP Africa power transmission and distribution... →

DINESH BULDOO Transmission and distribution networks are equally critical components to electrifying Africa

Distributed generation can mitigate transmission constraints in Africa

20th April 2018 Investment in the African transmission grid and distributed generation solutions could be viable in mitigating the challenge of providing access to electricity, says power generation original-equipment manufacturer Himoinsa. “Whether owing to transmission constraints or distribution issues,... →

MATTHEW BELL Himoinsa has spent a lot of time developing a distributed generation offering to the marketplace

Africa pursuing diversified energy investments to deliver power

20th April 2018 Africa has an abundance of energy resources that can be brought online rapidly and cost effectively, says engineering, procurement and construction services provider Black & Veatch sub-Saharan Africa business development director Webb Meko. With governments realising that no single technology... →

WEBB MEKO Governments are realising that no single technology provides the long-term power solution they need to support economic growth and skills creation

Large uranium deficits expected

6th April 2018 The outlook for future uranium demand remains positive amid prevailing low prices, as significant deficits and “substantially higher prices” are expected over the next decade when future supply will be hampered by current under-investment, says uranium development company Bannerman Resources CEO... →

Photo by Bloomberg
URANIUM SUPPLY Supply cuts will cause a deficit in the uranium sector this year

South Africa must be proactive in uranium beneficiation pursuit

6th April 2018 South Africa needs to decide whether it wants to be a dominant player in the world in terms of uranium exports, says South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) scientist and chairperson Dr Kelvin Kemm. He tells Mining Weekly that if the country decides to pursue dominance in the industry,... →

KELVIN KEMM There is a whole associated business around uranium mining

Coating systems to benefit harbour infrastructure projects

30th March 2018 Technical products and services provider JST Group will market its range of Guardian coating systems for various applications, including marine piling, to the Southern African harbour infrastructure industry. The Guardian range has been well received internationally, with various splash-zone... →

SPLASH-ZONE PROTECTION The Splash-Zone system is easily applied and maintained, with a lifespan of more than 30 years

Technology transforming maritime industry

30th March 2018 State-owned company Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is creating a smart port system, in line with global automation and artificial intelligence (AI) trends, says TNPA infrastructure and port planning GM Hamilton Nxumalo. “We are transforming our ports into smart people’s ports,... →

HAMILTON NXUMALO Rapid technological change is driving companies to rethink their business strategies

TNPA to launch dredging school this year

30th March 2018 State-owned company Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) will launch its dredging school – the first of its kind in Africa – this year, says TNPA infrastructure and port planning GM Hamilton Nxumalo. “The TNPA Dredging School is a result of the Supplier Development (SD) Programme related to... →

ILEMBE DREDGER This trailing suction hopper dredger is the largest of its kind in Africa

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