Kimberley Smuts

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Kimberley Smuts

Kimberley Smuts is a Creamer Media Writer for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Distributor sees satisfactory growth in tractor sales

14th August 2015 The growth in sales of Japan-manufactured Kubota tractors, distributed in South Africa by specialist machinery importer and distributor Smith Power Equipment, has been satisfactory, says Smith Power Equipment technical specialist Mike Heath, adding that customers have been “very happy with the... →

New series of log stackers launched

14th August 2015 Materials handling equipment supplier BLT South Africa (SA) earlier this year launched its updated TXLS series of log stackers onto the South African market, with the new Taylor series designed to efficiently handle a full log load from truck or rail in a single pass. BLT SA is the sole... →

TXLS LOG STACKER The new Taylor series designed to efficiently handle a full log load from truck or rail in a single pass

Modular solution meets customer requirements

14th August 2015 South Africa’s automotive industry has a specific need for robust and heavy-duty linear overhead materials-handling solutions, which has seen specialist crane and related components manufacturer Demag Port Elizabeth supplying its Demag Monorail System (DMS) to the industry, with DMS having been... →

DEMAG MONO-RAIL SYSTEM South Africa’s automotive industry has a specific need for robust and heavy-duty linear overhead materials-handling solutions

Industry body emphasises the benefits of effective water storage

7th August 2015 Local authorities need to realise that even small concrete water reservoirs, if strategically placed, can play a vital role in sustaining struggling rural communities, avers cement and concrete industry technical services provider The Concrete Institute (TCI) MD Bryan Perrie. He tells Engineering... →

EFFECTIVE WATER STORAGE Reservoirs provide many benefits, including sufficient water supply, floodwater control, power generation capacity, irrigation and recreational use

Africa should prioritise quality food production

7th August 2015 Agriculture remains the key sector in Africa for food security, employment and growth with agriculture-led growth having the largest impact on reducing the depth and breadth of poverty. Ensuring that the world has enough to eat is a massive challenge. The United Nations Food and Agriculture... →

FUNDAMENTALS OF AGRICULTURE The effective and sustainable intensification of agriculture is paramount in eliminating hunger and increasing the continent’s food security

Commercial bank speculates about the future of agriculture

7th August 2015 While the future of the agriculture sector is often debated at farmers’ conventions, during general council meetings, in the media and in the political arena, it is now becoming a pertinent topic among investors and agriculture companies says First National Bank (FNB) agriculture marketing and... →

AGRICULTURE SECTOR DEBATED Agriculture contributes 2.4% to the gross domestic product, which makes it the smallest economic sector in South Africa

Welding specialist opens Bloemfontein branch

7th August 2015 In response to a growing demand in the Free State, Northern Cape and Lesotho for quality, affordable industrial equipment to rent or buy, Southern Africa welding and construction-related equipment supplier Renttech South Africa (SA) opened its new branch in Bloemfontein in April. The new branch... →

RESPONSE TO GROWING DEMAND Renttech South Africa generators are manufactured by handpicked ISO-accredited suppliers in China

Relaunch of pesticide system aimed to support agriculture sector

7th August 2015 Asset management solutions provider QCIC relaunched its Qic-Sur telemetry pesticide system earlier this year, which enables remote control monitoring of pesticides for the fruit, vegetable and wine industries. The product relaunch forms part of QCIC’s aim to hone in on the needs of the... →

QIC-SUR TELEMETRY PESTICIDE SYSTEM This solution enables remote control monitoring of pesticides for the fruit, vegetable and wine industries

Improved connectivity for management solution benefits agribusiness

7th August 2015 Farmers can share crop information and continuously monitor and fine-tune their production process throughout the growing season using the information provided by connected devices, such as smartphones and tablets, says arable agriculture yield management systems provider Dacom. To support... →

SPECIALISED HARDWARE SUPPLIED Dacom develops and supplies specialised hardware, software and online advisory services to arable farms and global agribusiness

Amendments to PBR Act imminent

7th August 2015 Following Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana’s January announcement that he intended to introduce the Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) Bill in the National Assembly, public hearings were held in Parliament in May to discuss the amendments required for the PBR Amendment Bill.... →

Photo by Bloomberg
SUBSISTENCE FARMERS PROTECTED The intention of farmers’ privilege is to protect subsistence farmers from having to buy seed every year

Platinum mine to complete shaft sinking in October

31st July 2015 Wesizwe Platinum’s Bakubung mine, in the North West, remains on track to complete shaft sinking in October, after which commissioning will start. The main shaft is currently 25 m away from bottom level, while the ventilation shaft is 45 m away from bottom level. Both shafts are expected to reach... →

ACCORDING TO PLAN Main shaft stripping and commissioning at Wesizwe's Bakubung mine is expected to start in November 2015

Platinum projects well under way

31st July 2015 Platinum group metals (PGMs) producer Sylvania Platinum’s project portfolio includes four hotspots on the northern limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex that have been identified as prospective platinum, palladium and gold targets (PGM 3E), together with copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) deposits. Each... →

PGM FLOTATION PLANT Sylvania Platinum owns the Sylvania Dump Operations that currently include seven fully operational chrome tailings processing complexes

Auto product range expands to meet local market demands

24th July 2015 Champion’s new wiper blades were launched globally this year and are specific to vehicle applications. Champion has been persistent in developing this product and hopes to be the first company to market wiper blades with this new technology. Meanwhile, global powertrain components and vehicle... →

AEROVANTAGE HYBRID BLADE Champion’s new wiper blades were launched globally this year and are specific to vehicle applications

Survey reveals latest auto trends, innovations

24th July 2015 The automotive sector is feeling the pressure from the strict regulatory standards being enforced globally, as well as increasingly tech-savvy consumers who not only expect, but demand, new and innovative services, says professional services firm KPMG in its ‘Global Automotive Executive Survey... →

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY PRESSURE The automotive sector is feeling the pressure from the strict regulatory standards being enforced globally

Company introduces new fuel management system

24th July 2015 Asset management solutions provider QCIC delivered and released its QIC-Fuel solution in February and is optimistic that it will have at least ten companies on its system before December. The fuel management solution works in conjunction with the company’s flagship QIC-Fleet global system for... →

BRIAN MCKENZIE The QIC-Fuel solution enables the user to monitor the fuel by taking a sample of each sensor as the vehicle moves

New pipes manufacturing facility to be completed by year-end

20th July 2015 Sasolburg-based pipes manufacturer Africa Pipe Industries (API), which supplies helical welded pipes used in the water and oil and gas industries, has started the construction phase of a new manufacturing facility in Mokopane, Limpopo. API sales and marketing director Jan Jansen van Niewenhuizen... →

New coating solution a first in South Africa

17th July 2015 Local thermal spray coating and plasma transferred arc (PTA) cladding services provider Thermaspray is the first company in South Africa to introduce an array of coatings from US-based corrosion, wear and release-coating service providers Plasma Coatings USA – a division of rollers, roller... →

PRODUCT SUPPLY INCREASED Dryer Drums used in the paper industry requires coatings for non-stick high release, easy cleanabiltiy and traction

New premises for industry body training institute

17th July 2015 Nonprofit paint industry body the South African Paint Manufacturing Association (Sapma) plans to start erecting new premises for its training arm, the South African Paint Industry Training Institute (Sapiti) next month. The new training centre is being constructed on Sapma’s premises in... →

DERYCK SPENCE Sapiti will provide multifaceted practical training in coatings technology

Coating process provides significant wear and corrosion protection

17th July 2015 Performance tooling manufacturer and coating specialist TD Coating Centre included the surface-hardening process of boriding into its service offering this year, enabling the company to treat certain steel products with a low-friction, deep and hard-wear resistant surface that does not flake off.... →

BALL VALVES Boriding provides good corrosion resistance in non-oxidising acids and can operate in temperatures of up to 800 °C

Cool coatings project designed to limit buildings’ energy use

17th July 2015 The South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) has established the South African Cool Surfaces Association (Sacsa), administered by the Association of Architectural Aluminium Manufacturers of South Africa (AAAMSA), to govern and regulate Sanedi’s surface-cooling project, the... →

REDUCED ENERGY CONSUMPTION The Cool Surfaces project forms part of Sanedi’s drive to make paints, coatings and paint membranes more energy efficient

New polycarbamide technology introduced onto local market

17th July 2015 Industrial and specialty gas products and chemicals supplier Air Products South Africa (SA) has recently introduced its new polycarbamide technology, designed for flooring applications, which provides colour, ultraviolet stability and low temperature curing, says GM of the Chemicals division... →

JOSUA LE ROUX Air Products South Africa new polycarbamide technology provides colour, ultraviolet stability and low temperature curing

Atmospheric water provides bottled water alternative

3rd July 2015 Sustainable drinking water solutions provider Cirrus Water Management (CWM) installs atmospheric water generators as a healthier alternative to bottled water, which is also more cost effective and features a much-reduced carbon footprint. A gas and mining exploration project, in Mozambique,... →

BOTTLED WATER ALTERNATIVE An external view of the CWM 1000 Plant

New tag platform added to product range

3rd July 2015 Technology company Pitney Bowes SA released the latest version of the CMC CartonWrap ‘Dynamic box on demand’ solution in South Africa this year. CMC CartonWrap is an automatic carton packaging system capable of creating dynamic cardboard boxes from a continuous corrugated carton material reel. →

New customised packaging system launched

3rd July 2015 Technology company Pitney Bowes SA released the latest version of the CMC CartonWrap ‘Dynamic box on demand’ solution in South Africa this year. CMC CartonWrap is an automatic carton packaging system capable of creating dynamic cardboard boxes from a continuous corrugated carton material reel. →

DYNAMIC PACKING SOLUTION Technology company Pitney Bowes SA released the latest version of the CMC CartonWrap 'Dynamic box on demand' solution in South Africa this year

Radical attitude shift required for gold sector growth – consultancy

26th June 2015 The biggest potential for gold-industry growth lies in mining companies, government and unions undergoing a “radical” attitude shift, says consulting engineers and scientists SRK Consulting. “Without the attitude shift from these main industry players, the gold industry will continue to decline.... →

Photo by Bloomberg
COMMON OBJECTIVE NEEDED Without an attitude shift from the main industry players, the gold industry will continue to decline

Gold still main exploration commodity

26th June 2015 Gold remains the main commodity of interest for the exploration industry, accounting for 43% of exploration budgets in 2014, says mining and environmental consulting services company The MSA Group principal consultant Mike Robertson. He notes that, since the mid-1970s, gold exploration... →

EXPLORATION CONTINUES Gold remains the main commodity of interest for the exploration industry

Company opens new condition-monitoring laboratory in the DRC

26th June 2015 Condition-monitoring specialist WearCheck will open its newest laboratory at the new Kibali gold mine, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in August. Construction of the laboratory, which was approved in October last year, started in March this year and was completed last month. →

CONDITION MONITORING WearCheck will open its newest laboratory at the new Kibali gold mine, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in August

Global supply and demand trends impact on local gold sector

26th June 2015 The gold sector is the third-largest contributor to the mining industry’s contibution to South Africa’s gross domestic product, notes professional services company KPMG, adding that gold remains the South African mining industry’s second-most exported mineral. “Therefore, general global supply... →

SAFE HAVEN Central banks remain net buyers of gold and still hold a lot of gold as value, which positively impacts on global demand

Explosives manufacturer follows holistic approach

26th June 2015 Commercial explosives manufacturer and supplier AEL Mining Services continues to develop its portable charging units, having launched new units for shaft sinking at two sinking shafts in Africa in June 2015 to add to their suite of underground blasting solutions. AEL identified the need to... →

UNDERGROUND SOLUTION The introduction of portable pumps for narrow-reef mining has been a success, with complete shafts being fully converted at the mines of leading mining groups in South Africa

Acquisition and merger create job opportunities, improve customer service

12th June 2015 The acquisition of pump manufacturer SPP Pumps and pumps spares supplier Braybar Pumps by fluid management solutions company Kirloskar Brothers International (KBI) has created the potential for increased job opportunities in South Africa and improved (national) service for the mining sector.... →

GRAHAM COOPER The division of Braybar and SPP under KBI can be considered a cost-saving exercise, which is more efficient than operating two separate entities

Manufacturer to install new pumping solution at Chile mine

12th June 2015 Locomotives manufacturer General Electric (GE) Mining is set to provide new pumpstation solutions for a mine in Chile. The new GE pumpstation solution uses a combination of existing GE products such as pumps engines and gearboxes. →

PUMPSTATION SOLUTION Locomotives manufacturer General Electric (GE) Mining is set to provide new pumpstation solutions for a mine in Chile

Pumps service and support centre continues to grow

12th June 2015 Pump manager and supplier AESPUMP is establishing itself as a one-stop service and support centre for rotating equipment such as pumps, compressors and mixers. The company is continuously training its service technicians, with rotational training programmes equipping them with the skills needed... →

COMPLETE SERVICE Pump manager and supplier AESPUMP is establishing itself as a one-stop service and support centre for rotating equipment such as pumps, compressors and mixers

New diesel-driven pumps introduced to South African market

12th June 2015 Swedish industrial tools and equipment manufacturer Atlas Copco introduced its new range of portable diesel-engine-driven pumps, PAS, to the South African market in March this year. The PAS range, which includes 4 inch, 6 inch and 8 inch pumps, was officially launched in Belgium in June last... →

PAS RANGE Atlas Copco recently introduced its new range of portable diesel-engine-driven pumps

Company restores pumps at platinum mine

12th June 2015 Heavy-duty pump solutions manufacturer and supplier Pump and Abrasion Technologies in March restored 37 pumps at a South African platinum mine to original-equipment manufacturer specifications in less than two weeks, says Pump and Abrasion Technologies GM Francois de Villiers. He explains that... →

PUMPS SOLUTION Pump and Abrasion Technologies was hired to evaluate the readily available slurry pump equipment at the mine and to supply and install other necessary equipment

New dredge units launched

12th June 2015 Pump rental company Integrated Pump Rental introduced the SlurrySucker dredge unit into its rental fleet at the end of last month. This pumping solution which makes it easier to remove silt and built-up sediments from process water ponds, return water ponds and other water storage areas, will be... →

LOCALLY DESIGNED The SlurrySucker Dredge Unit is capable of extracting high tonnages due to the design and engineering of the dredge head

Peaked interest in new slurry pumps range

12th June 2015 Interest in slurry equipment solution provider Weir Minerals’ Warman slurry pumps has peaked over the past 12 months, with sales of these pumps having increased over the past 12 months. Launched in August last year, Weir Minerals’ new WBH slurry pump range includes many enhancements and material... →

RUI GOMES Development of the WHB range has been a global effort across Weir Minerals’ operations in order to incorporate our customers’ needs and requirements

Diamond producer aiming to establish new Botswana mine

5th June 2015 Diamond exploration and project development company Botswana Diamonds is aiming to establish a new diamond mine in Botswana, executive chairperson John Teeling tells Mining Weekly. The company expects to find new areas of kimberlite, potentially containing diamonds, by the end of this year, and... →

JOHN TEELING There is a clear supply-demand gap opening. Demand for gemstones in Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa is increasing, owing to an emerging middle class

Diamond partnership to develop cutting, shaping technology

5th June 2015 Diamond major De Beers announced last month that it had acquired a 33.4% equity stake in Swiss-based patent protected laser micro jet (LMJ) technology owner and supplier Synova SA. De Beers will now work with Synova to develop a fully automated cutting and shaping technology, with LMJ at its... →

Photo by Synova
DEDICATED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT De Beers will now work with Synova to develop a fully automated cutting and shaping technology, with LMJ at its core, which is expected to enhance diamond cutting and polishing efficiency

Cullinan, Finsch MCC contracts drawing to a close

5th June 2015 Switchgear solutions designer and manufacturer JB Switchgear Solutions’ contract for the design, manufacture and supply of motor control centres (MCCs) to diamond mining group Petra Diamonds’ Cullinan and Finsch mines, in Gauteng and the Northern Cape respectively, is drawing to a close. The... →

CONTRACT COMPLETED JB Switchgear Solutions’ contract for the design, manufacture and supply of motor control centres to diamond mining group Petra Diamonds’ Cullinan and Finsch mines is drawing to a close

Tongo mining licence application under way

5th June 2015 West Africa-focused diamond development company Stellar Diamonds has started the application process to obtain a mining licence for its 100%-owned 1.45-million carat Tongo Dyke-1 kimberlite project in eastern Sierra Leone. The application process was started as a result of Stellar’s decision to... →

DIAMONDS PROJECT PROGRESSES Moving Tongo to the mining license application stage is a major milestone for the project

Diamond mines pave way for company’s sustainable growth

5th June 2015 UK-based global diamond mining business Gem Diamonds continued throughout last year to focus on enhancing operational efficiencies and investing in innovative technologies at its Letšeng and Ghaghoo mines, in Lesotho and Botswana respectively. This strategy noted in the company’s 2014 full-year... →

Photo by Bloomberg
IN DEMAND The long-term outlook for the diamond market remains strong

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