Bruce Montiea

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Bruce Montiea

Bruce Montiea is a Creamer Media Writer for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

State rail company invests in track management

12th December 2014 In support of its Market Demand Strategy (MDS), State-owned freight and logistics company Transnet is concentrating on refurbishing the country’s rail track system through training and the introduction of new rail track monitoring and management methods, says Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) track... →

SA company delivers passenger coaches to Angolan client

12th December 2014 Ten passenger coaches and one power car were delivered to Angola’s major railway line Caminho de Ferro de Benguela (CFB), in Lobito, by South African manufacturing and exporting company Dominex in a project that was completed in October, says Dominex CEO Kirk Christodoulakis. The project... →

IN THE AIR Dominex delivered eight sleeper coaches, two restaurant/kitchen coaches and one power car to Angola’s major railway line, Caminho de Ferro de Benguela

Additional earlier and later trains for commuters

12th December 2014 To continue offering safe, convenient and efficient service to passengers, rapid transit train Gautrain’s airport service from Sandton to OR Tambo International Airport was improved in August with earlier trains in the mornings and later trains in the evenings, says Gautrain CEO Jack van der... →

RUSH HOUR The overall Gautrain airport service continues to show positive growth since it started operations on June 8, 2010

Bolting system increases windmill construction speed

28th November 2014 Precision and hydraulic special service equipment manufacturer Power Team says its SPX bolting system, which it supplies to contracting companies in the South African wind energy sector, enables these companies to significantly increase windmill erection speed, reduce construction costs and... →

POWER EQUIPMENT The SPX bolting system ensures accurate torque and tension levels on every bolt

Wind energy projects help restore ecosystem

28th November 2014 South Africa needs to pursue projects that use wind for renewable- energy generation, as this green source of energy mitigates the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) while restoring and improving the ecosystem, says carbon advisory firm Promethium Carbon director Harmke Immink. The benefits that... →

Photo by Bloomberg
GREEN ENERGY Projects that use wind to generate renewable energy are essential

Company supplies generators to wind farm

28th November 2014 In its endeavour to support the country’s drive to propel the use of wind farms as sources of generating green renewable energy, temporary power and temperature-control solutions supplier Aggreko supplied nine 60 kVA generators to the precommissioning of the wind turbines at the Jeffrey’s Bay... →

WIND POWER Aggreko provides support services across the full life-cycle of both on- and offshore wind farms

SA wind energy industry thriving

28th November 2014 The South African wind energy industry has had a few hiccups since the beginning of the independent power producer (IPP) procurement programme, however on the whole the industry has excelled, says technical consultancy 3E Renewable Energy. “Essentially initiated and supported by the Department of... →

NICOLA CENCELLI The wind industry market has progressed into a thriving industry that is showing clear signs of sustainability

SA to double electricity generated through wind farms

28th November 2014 South Africa is creating the capacity to generate close to 2 GW of electricity from wind farms and, “within the next five years, this will more than double”, says Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies director, Professor Wikus van Niekerk. “South Africa was... →

GENERATING ELECTRICITY The Jeffreys Bay wind farm started operating this year

Company completes transportation and erection of wind turbines

28th November 2014 International heavy-lift and plant relocation specialist engineering firm Vanguard provided the transportation and erection services for nine 3 MW Sinovel wind turbines for the Van Stadens wind farm project, in the Eastern Cape, says Vanguard MD Bryan Hodgkinson. The project forms part of the... →

ON THE MOVE The towers for the turbines necessitate their transportation in three or four segments

Wind farm to go live before year-end

28th November 2014 Infrastructure equity investment manager African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) is proud to have played a key role in the completion of the Cookhouse wind farm, in the Eastern Cape, as one of the funders of the project, says AIIM CEO Jurie Swart. “We are pleased to have played a part... →

VAST The Cookhouse wind farm is 25%-owned by the local community of the town of Cookhouse through a community trust

Wind energy industry creating jobs

28th November 2014 While there is not a significant skills deficit in the South African wind energy industry, primarily the result of on-the-job training, there is a need to formalise the training and invest more substantially in local community training, says renewable-energy and sustainability consulting firm... →

SARAH STANDS The wind industry has created a need for more trained professionals such as turbine technicians, large-inverter programmers, engineers and quality managers

Technological advances reduce costs

21st November 2014 Keeping up with technological advances is enabling steel industry engineering services provider Steel Services & Allied Industries (SS & AI) to “cut overhead costs and reduce the handling of materials throughout the fabrication process”, says MD Lawrence Bartlett. SS & AI, which is a member of... →

FACTORY FLOOR Automation keeps Steel Services & Allied Industries at the forefront of technology and also makes it a leader in productivity

Multifunctional warehousing facility completed

21st November 2014 Steel building solutions provider Cousins Steel International (CSI) completed a value project in Mobeni, Durban, which entailed supplying the structural steel for and constructing a “highly functional” warehousing facility in September for property development company Shree Property Holdings, CSI... →

SPACIOUS The Cousins Steel International engineering team was responsible for the design, fabrication, supply and erection of the superstructure, as well as for all the cladding, doors and louvres of the warehouse

Company launches mini cranes in SA

21st November 2014 Specialist access platforms rental company Eazi Access Rental introduced the Maeda range of mini cranes to the market in September at mining and industrial trade show Electra Mining Africa Expo. The Maeda cranes can be used in a multitude of sectors such as steel, construction, mining, rigging... →

MINI CRANE Maeda mini cranes boast accessibility and compact power

African mining sees uptake in international investment

7th November 2014 Africa is attracting growing volumes of international mining capital, owing to the global economic downturn, which has impacted favourably on international investors perception of the continent as a favourable and reliable region for investment, says international law firm Allen and Overy. →

MEREDITH CAMPION Many African States are adopting new mining laws with provisions that facilitate participation in mining activities by international companies

New iron-ore mine planned for Liberia

7th November 2014 Iron-ore-focused company Tawana Resources is planning a 2.5 million-tonne-per-year (Mtpa) iron-ore mine, in Liberia. Executive chairperson Wayne Richards believes the Mofe Creek iron-ore project, which is expected to start commercial production by the end of next calendar year, will be “the most... →

Photo by Bloomberg
PRODUCTION IMMINENT The Mofe Creek iron-ore project is located in one of Liberia’s historical premier iron-ore mining districts

Development of Africa’s first niobium project under way

7th November 2014 The $8-million prefeasibility study (PFS) for the development of Africa’s first niobium mine, the $185-million Panda Hill project, in Tanzania, is expected to be complete by the first quarter of next year, says the mine’s owner and operator, niobium development company Cradle Resources. “At a... →

OUTPUT Panda Hill could deliver niobium at $16.67/kg at a base case throughput of two-million tons a year

2014 proves tough for mining in Africa

7th November 2014 This year has been tough for the African mining industry, owing to ongoing challenges and threats, such as resource nationalisation, regulatory uncertainty and labour unrest, says Deloitte energy and resources leader Andrew Lane. “Regulatory uncertainty continues across the continent, which... →

ANDREW LANE Regulatory uncertainty continues across Africa, which causes nervousness among international investors

Oz company to establish new gold mine in Africa

7th November 2014 Australia-based gold explorer and developer Gryphon Minerals plans to start constructing a new gold mine, in Burkina Faso, in the first quarter of next year. Gryphon Minerals COO Steve Zaninovich says the company is on the cusp of obtaining project finance from Macquarie Bank that will enable the... →

Photo by Bloomberg
NEW GOLD Maiden production at the Banfora gold mine is expected to be about 80 000 oz of gold for the first four years

Divestment indicative of local industry challenges

7th November 2014 Recent restructuring and divestment moves by mining majors Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), BHP Billiton and Gold Fields are indicative of the difficulties that mining companies operating in South Africa are facing, says strategy and communications consultancy africapractice consultant... →

SINETHEMBA ZONKE Mining companies are trying to shield their foreign investors from volatility in South Africa

Company executes Mozambique’s heaviest lift

7th November 2014 Engineering and construction specialist Kentz in August successfully installed a 250 t mechanical assembly in one lift at Brazilian mining major Vale’s Mozambique-based Moatize coal mine industrial complex, which, says metals and mining project manager Steven Gouws, was the heaviest lift executed... →

LARGE-SCALE Once complete, the Moatize coal project will be one of the largest coal mining projects in the world

Security strategy combats online attacks

31st October 2014 Companies need to start deploying a multilayered security strategy that can deal with threats such as Web application attacks, point of sale intrusions and the misuse of network tools by staff without having to use multiple security strategies, says distributor of security and networking... →

ANTON JACOBSZ Networks Unlimited offers the latest solutions within the converged technology, data centre, networking, and security landscapes

New security solution for financial services companies

31st October 2014 Customer communications company Pitney Bowes South Africa, in partnership with digital signature solutions provider ARX Cosign, launched a personal verification security solution in August to help financial services companies conduct business in a secure manner. “The CoSign Click solution... →

LEON VAN DER MERWE CoSign Click is suitable for any business that uses application forms and conducts business electronically

Biometrics the tonic for preventing identity fraud in retail

31st October 2014 In response to the growing need to prevent the losses that companies suffer as a result of identification fraud, identity management specialist Ideco is encouraging its clients to use biometrics technology to help them gather accurate information on their customers, says MD Marius Coetzee.... →

MARIUS COETZEE Point-of-sale-based biometric verification is a critical aspect in reducing losses caused by identification fraud

Complying with POPI Act ensures safety of customer information

31st October 2014 Every company needs to comply with the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act by ensuring that customers’ personal information is protected against loss and destruction. “Compliance prevents customer information from falling into the hands of people who could use it to engage in fraudulent... →

WARREN OLIVIER Losing personal data can cause serious problems for a company’s customers

Scanner for university a first in Africa

31st October 2014 Electronics industry equipment, software and technical support supplier Zetech last month supplied the first nano-computerised tomography X-ray scanner in Africa to Stellenbosch University, in the Western Cape, to assist the university in scanning objects during lab analyses for disciplines such... →

SENSING AND INSPECTING The Nanotom S is the inspection solution for a wide range of computerised tomography applications

Company increases supply of security doors

31st October 2014 Security-door company Bitcon Industries completed a modernisation programme of its manufacturing plant last month, enabling it to meet the growing demand from businesses for its range of security, fire, radiation and transformer doors, says director Bob Vollmer. “There has always been a demand... →

SECURING THE DOOR Bitcon’s security doors are supplied as a door and frame unit and installed by the building contractor

Strong passwords prevent cyberattacks

31st October 2014 Almost 315 000 new examples of malicious software appear every day, which increases the risk for consumers when using their computers, laptops and smartphones to access online accounts, says vendor of endpoint protection solutions Kaspersky Lab. To deal with this challenge, the company offers a... →

DAVID EMM Users should use strong passwords that cannot be guessed

Ice plants ease underground mining conditions

17th October 2014 In response to the intense heat that underground mineworkers endure, refrigeration specialist KTI-Plersch offers a cooling solution comprising modular containerised Plate Ice Plants (PLIP). Several PLIPs, with individual capacities of up to 220 t, make up a 5 MW, a 10 MW or a 20 MW ice cooling... →

ICE FACTORY KTI-Plersch’s ice cooling system helps mining companies to create a safer and healthier working environment to improve working conditions for mineworkers

Reliable temperature control solutions prevent lost time

17th October 2014 Temporary power and temperature-control solutions supplier Aggreko can provide mining companies with reliable solutions, enabling them to continue their operations without interference such as equipment breakdowns or maintenance downtime, says Aggreko Southern Africa GM Martin Foster. “Our... →

COOLING SYSTEM Aggreko supplies a full range of water and air-cooled chillers, cooling towers and bulk air coolers, all utilising an environment-friendly refrigerant system

Spin-filter technology reduces dust at platinum mine

17th October 2014 With the local mining industry facing increasing pressure to contain costs and maintain profits while overcoming several industry challenges, such as ensuring clean and filtered underground air, mining houses are looking to the engineering industry to offer innovative ways of dealing with these... →

MOGALAKWENA MINE, NORTH WEST Spin filters are an effective solution to dust build-up at mines

Conveyor-belt training deals with industry needs

26th September 2014 Conveyor systems are continuing to get larger, longer and faster, which is why safety training is becoming increasingly important, as it reduces the occurrence of events resulting from unwise actions around a conveyor that could have catastrophic consequences, says bulk materials handling... →

SAFETY FIRST Martin Engineering emphasises the importance of safety training

Logistics industry can benefit from new fleet management technology

26th September 2014 The African logistics industry can benefit from using new logistics information technology (IT), as this will enable companies to make business decisions based on facts and not assumptions, says supply chain industry specialised software solutions provider Dovetail. “Logistics IT enables... →

Photo by Bloomberg
CONTAINER WORLD Logistics companies need to use track-and-trace technologies to monitor the goods in their supply chain

Bigger trucks with better manoeuvrability for mining operations

26th September 2014 Local forklift distributor and services provider Toyota Forklift added bigger trucks, with a capacity of up to 8 t, to its 8-series range of counterbalanced trucks this year, making it easier for mining operations to meet their materials handling requirements. “The trucks are suitable for mining... →

USEFUL MANOEUVRABILITY Toyota Forklift’s new counterbalance trucks are suitable for mining because of their compact size and ability to move in tight spaces

New Zambian mine shafts to receive BMR winders

26th September 2014 Engineering group FLSmidth will next year deliver two Blair Multi-Rope (BMR) winders for raising and lowering conveyances during mining operations to new mine shafts, owned by diversfied mining major Glencore, in Zambia. FLSmidth sales manager for mine shaft systems in South Africa Wendy Norman... →

HEAVY DUTY Blair Multi-Rope winders are used for raising and lowering conveyances during mining operations

Company provides on-site mine shelters

26th September 2014 Specialised multidisciplinary engineering, lifting and materials handling company Akhanani Electromechanical Engineering this year launched a portable workshop structure – the Dome Shelter – providing South African mining companies with a flexible and user-friendly way of constructing on-site... →

UNDER SHELTER The Dome Shelters work as shelter and protection for plant and equipment

Transportation simplified with versatile telescopic boom

26th September 2014 Work-at-height equipment and allied services supplier Goscor Hi-Reach has introduced a new telescopic boom, Africa’s tallest self-propelled ‘super boom’, to the local market last month, making lifting and transporting heavy loads to high locations easier for mining and construction companies and... →

REACHING HIGH The Genie SX-180 makes lifting and transporting heavy loads to high locations easier

Auto guided vehicle benefits SA mines

26th September 2014 South African mining companies can now benefit from drive engineering company SEW-Eurodrive’s automatic guided vehicle (AGV), which has built-in safety features that make it possible to prevent accidents, helping mineworkers to safely conduct their materials handling processes, says SEW-Eurodrive... →

FOLLOW THE TRACK SEW-Eurodrive's automatic guided vehicle has built-in safety features that prevent accidents

Triple-crown accreditation for SA business school

12th September 2014 The University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) is one of only three African business schools to have received triple-crown accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). “This recognition is a stamp of quality and proof that African business... →

WALTER BAETS This recognition is a stamp of quality and proof that African business schools can be taken seriously

Enterprise development initiative boost for small and medium-sized enterprises

12th September 2014 Small business development received a boost with the launch of the Gordon Institute of Business Science’s (GIBS’) Enterprise Development Academy (EDA) at the business school’s campus in Illovo, Johannesburg, last month. “Government’s National Development Plan stipulates that 90% of new jobs have... →

YOGAVELLI NAMBIAR SMEs need to be supported to be sustainable, to grow and to thrive

Business school focuses on leadership for sustainability

12th September 2014 Sustainability provides unparalleled opportunities for organisations; it helps them to become competitive, resilient, and able to grow and create long term value says Rhodes Business School director Owen Skae. He says the school has been focusing on sustainability and leadership since 2004. “Our... →

OWEN SKAE Business and sustainability can work together harmoniously

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