Kimberley Smuts

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Kimberley Smuts

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

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Grown diamond industry poised for success

5th June 2015 The grown diamond industry was poised for great success, scientists and researchers from top universities in the US, Belgium, Russia and Taiwan said in December at a round-table meeting – The Future of Grown Diamonds – hosted by diamond growers IIa Technologies. IIa Technologies chief technology... →

Future diamond-price increase inevitable

5th June 2015 Diamond prices are expected to rise on the back of an increase in middle-income customers, in China and India, who are interested in buying diamonds, says mining consultancy MSA Group. The company says the price increase will occur, as this increase in demand is not balanced by an equivalent... →

INCREASED DEMAND Growth in the industry is being driven by the massive new consumer markets in China and to a lesser, but still significant extent, India

Concrete school clarifies industry tenets

22nd May 2015 The same mistakes are continuously being repeated on construction sites as a result of people not understanding the fundamental concepts of concrete technology, says the School of Concrete Technology (SCT), which is facilitated by concrete industry technical services provider The Concrete... →

Industry body warns against unaccredited training programmes

22nd May 2015 The Southern African Readymix Association (Sarma) has warned cement and concrete industry stakeholders that some unaccredited organisations are running cement and concrete training and courses, disseminating unvetted information that could be harmful to the industry. Sarma published an article in... →

QUALITY EDUCATIONThe School of Concrete Technology providing on site training in Dullstroom

New mill drive system introduced

22nd May 2015 Vertical roller mills manufacturer Loesche last year received an order to install a Loesche Mill type LM 70.4+4 in Calabar, Nigeria, the largest Loesche mill to date. Loesche was awarded the contract in July 2014 by Sinoma for United Cement Company of Nigeria (UCCN) – a consortium comprising... →

THE COPE GEARBOX The Cope gearbox, which was developed in cooperation with German gear manufacturer Renk, offers up to eight motors at the motor end

Private-sector companies leading NDP response

22nd May 2015 The award of government tenders is increasingly being delayed as private-sector players are called upon to take a nontraditional approach in implementing major infrastructure projects – and lead these, as opposed to waiting for the State to commission them. The typical approach in comparison to... →

FANI MTETWA The biggest opportunity for potential for growth in the construction industry lies in procurement

New construction regulations challenging for industry

22nd May 2015 The requirement to be registered with South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) is one of the most far-reaching changes of the 2014 Construction Regulations, set to come into force on August 7, 2015, says training company Alusani Skills & Training... →

Photo by Bloomberg
REGULATORY CHANGE The requirement to be registered with South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) is one of the most far-reaching changes of the 2014 Construction Regulations

Growing investor confidence increasing DRC cement demand

22nd May 2015 Demand for cement is increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as construction and infrastructure projects roll out in line with growing confidence and trust in the country and its economy, says consulting engineers and scientists SRK Consulting (SA). “Increased economic growth is... →

INFRASTRUCTURE DEMAND Darryll Kilian and Natasha Anamuthoo note that increased economic growth is driving infrastructure development and the associated demand for cement

Ship repair specialist’s international cred steers it in the right direction

15th May 2015 Turnkey ship repair solutions provider DCD Marine Cape Town tells Engineering News that its range of international accreditations has cemented the company’s reputation for sound safety and quality compliance, as well as industry-specific skills sets. The company, which services the maritime and... →

ACCREDITED DCD Marine, has worked hard to ensure that it complies with the highest industry standards

New vessels ordered as first step of $15bn investment plan

15th May 2015 Global trade, shipping and energy conglomerate Maersk Line in March this year signed a new building order with shipping and logistics services supplier China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (Cosco) Shipyard for seven 3 600 twenty-foot equivalent container vessels. The order, of which the price is... →

Photo by Bloomberg
INCREASED CAPACITY Maersk Line's investment plan will enable it to add capacity in line with growth in global container shipping demand while also replacing less efficient chartered tonnage

Consulting firm establishes framework agreement for National Port Plan

15th May 2015 Engineering professional services and consulting firm WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff (WSP) was contracted by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) under the TNPA Managing Contractor Framework Agreement to develop the 2014 National Port Plan (NPP). Development of this plan spanned from June 1, 2012... →

CAPACITY ASSESSMENT Freight demand information enables WSP to do a capacity analysis to determine how many vessel berths are going to be needed for the various commodity types coming into the ports

Solution offered for dust free bulk materials handling

15th May 2015 Environmental pollution caused by fugitive dust, is a major challenge in dry bulk handling, therefore, equipment manufacturer Samson’s Eco-hoppers are fitted with a dust control system that reduces the escape of dust during the grab-discharge cycle. Container-handling equipment and shipping... →

HANDLING EQUIPMENT EXPANDS BLT SA is the exclusive distributors for Samson in sub-Saharan Africa – including its Eco-hoppers – offering a technical advisory, parts and maintenance service.

Ship repair company predicts 2016 oil price stabilisation

15th May 2015 Ship repair company Elgin Brown & Hamer (EBH) Namibia predicts that the oil price will most likely stabilise towards the end of 2016. The company states that it is aware of the effects that the continued low oil price could have – not only on the downstream oil and gas sector in which it operates... →

NEGATIVE OIL IMPACT EBH Namibia states that it is aware of the effects that the continued low oil price could have – not only on the downstream oil and gas sector in which it operates but on the Namibian economy as a whole.

New Maydon Wharf technology ‘a first for SA’

15th May 2015 SSAXSYS JV, a joint venture (JV) between construction group Stefanutti Stocks and enterprise development partner AXSYS Infrastructure has set the completion date for construction at Maydon Wharf, in Durban, in South Africa for December 2016. The contract to start construction was signed on April... →

PROJECT APPROACH Sucessfully upgrading the berth will require using a phased approach with limited construction access minimising disruption to the available quay space at the Port of Durban, which is already under capacity

Manufacturing standards evolving, says industry body

8th May 2015 Significant changes are currently under way in the concrete industry, with amendments being made to design codes, construction standards, material specifications and test methods for concrete, says technical services provider to the cement and concrete industry, The Concrete Institute (TCI).... →

CHANGING CONSTRUCTION CODESIndustry specifications in the construction industry ensure that the public and the company overseeing construction are protected

Construction chemicals specialist to open East Africa branch

8th May 2015 The establishment of construction chemicals specialist Chryso Southern Africa Group’s first subsidiary outside South Africa – Chryso Eastern Africa, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya – is currently under way and is expected to be operational by June 2015. This development is part of Chryso Group’s... →

CEMENT'S GLOBAL GROWTH One of the primary demands from customers is the assurance that the Chryso Group’s products are 'green'

Local developers to launch asbestos-free cement-board insulators

8th May 2015 Electrical insulation and high-temperature electrical insulation specialists Insulectric and Interhom have partnered with the Department of Science and Technology’s Technology Localisation Implementation Unit (TLIU) to develop asbestos-free cement-board insulators. This partnership was... →

JOE MAPIRAVANA Asbestos-free cement boards have been under development at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for two years

Concrete seminar highlights need for reduced maintenance costs

8th May 2015 Hosted by nonprofit public benefit organisation The Concrete Society of Southern Africa (CSSA), the RepSem Concrete Repair and Protection seminar, which took place in March in the four major centres around the country, focused on starting repair and rehabilitation processes at the design stage of... →

UPDATING THE INDUSTRY The CSSA offers seminars, site visits, student support and continuing professional development accreditation for its members

New fully automated plant reduces cost of precast products

8th May 2015 Africa’s largest manufacturer of concrete brick, block and paving machinery, and concrete equipment supplier, Pan Mixers South Africa (PMSA), won the contract in mid-2014 to build and commission the Van Dyk Stene plant in Vredenburg, in the Western Cape. PMSA was contracted to supply all... →

VAN DYK STENE PLANT This is the first plant at which PMSA has implemented Kraft Curing technology in Africa.

Process-control specialist launches infrared camera range

24th April 2015 Process-control instrumentation and industrial electronics supplier Instrotech has launched a new fixed infrared camera, the PI 450 G7, aimed specifically at the glass industry. Released in South Africa in January, the Optris PI 450 G7 features a special wavelength specifically for the glass... →

INNOVATIVE INFRARED TECHNOLOGYThe launch of the new infrared camera range has provided Instrotech with the opportunity to work with customers such as Consol and PFG Building Glass.

Process automation specialist improves flow-measurement solution

24th April 2015 Instrumentation and process automation specialist Endress+Hauser is developing a new-generation change to its Proline flow-measurement solution platform. “The launch started three years ago and will cotinue for the next two years,” says Endress+Hauser product manager Frans van den Berg. Proline... →

PROMAG 53H STAINLESS STEEL Endress+Hauser is developing a new-generation change to its Proline flow-measurement solution platform

Increased interest in laser gas analysis, says engineering specialist

24th April 2015 Specialised engineering company Rand Technical Services (RTS) noticed an increased market interest for laser gas analysis in the last quarter of 2014, with the beginning of 2015 reflecting ongoing interest from potential clients, including the petrochemical and mining sectors. RTS became the... →

GAS DETECTION GROWS Neo Monitors' laser gas monitoring systems provide reliable measurement of the concentration and control of a single gas among other gases

Automation control specialist lands third oil and gas contract

24th April 2015 Automation control specialist Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS), which serves industrial process manufacturers worldwide, announced in March that it had been selected by oil and gas explorer and producer Hoang Long Joint Operating Company (HLJOC) to handle critical project management and... →

SAFETY CONTROL SOLUTIONSThe C300 process controller is used to tap oil and gas reserves in Vietnam

High-temperature gas flowmeter launched

24th April 2015 Industrial process instrumentation manufacturer and solutions provider Krohne this year launched its new Optisonic 8300 ultrasonic flowmeter for high-temperature gas and steam onto the global market. The new Optisonic 8300 ultrasonic flowmeter is a two-beam ultrasonic flowmeter for high flow... →

OPTISONIC 8300A two-beam ultrasonic flowmeter for high flow rates of superheated steam

New corrosion-protection solution developed

17th April 2015 Wear control group Filter Focus has launched a new environment-friendly corrosion-protection solution, RustPrufe, used for protection of any surface, eliminating rust and corrosion for extended periods. The product is formulated with an added flash rust inhibitor, which provides a superior level... →

RUSTPRUFE COATED COMPONENTS RustPrufe is environmentally-friendly solutionused to protect electric motors, equipment and structures in acid plants at numerous South African mines

Obtaining social licence a manageable challenge for emerging miner

17th April 2015 Obtaining a social licence to operate is one of the main challenges faced by emerging miner Wesizwe Platinum, which is sinking the main shaft of its Bakubung mine, on the western limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex. Wesizwe corporate affairs and investor relations executive Hamlet Morule tells... →

Bakubung shaft sinking remains on track

17th April 2015 Shaft-sinking activities at platinum miner Wesizwe Platinum’s Bakubung mine, in the North West, remain on track, with the main and ventilation shafts now having reached a depth of 770 m. Shaft sinking started in 2012, following the receipt of $600-million in financing from the China Development... →

EVENED OUT Owing to additional development work done on the ventilation shaft, both shafts are now at the same depth

New shaft drilling method under development

17th April 2015 Body copy: Raiseboring and drilling services group Master Drilling is evaluating the possibility of drilling a shaft without bottom access, which could bring about “a radical change” in the industry, executive director Koos Jordaan tells Mining Weekly. He explains that, traditionally, raiseboring... →

Tooling companies’ joint venture offers comprehensive solution

3rd April 2015 Specialist in the manufacture, assembly and sale of diamond tools and equipment Diamond Products has partnered with professional power tools manufacturer Makita, through its Southern African sole distributor Rutherfords, to provide customers with comprehensive power tools and cost effective... →

POWER TOOL PARTNERSHIP Diamond Products partner with professional power tools manufacturer Makita

Sales increase for ratchet action tool

3rd April 2015 Having showcased its Band-It Bantam tool CO75 at last year’s Electra Mining Africa exhibition, the 2014 sales of clamping systems solutions provider Banding & Identification (ID) Solutions increased by 3%, says Rosa Remendos, business manager of Banding & ID Solutions South Africa (SA). Remendos... →

PRODUCT SHOWCASE The 2014 Electra Mining Africa exhibition enhances sales of the Bantam tool C075 by 3%

New three-in-one electrical tool launched this month in South Africa

3rd April 2015 After successfully launching the new Ridgid RE60 three-in-one electrical tool in Europe and the US late last year, US-based hand-held tools manufacturer Ridge Tool Company will this month make the product available for the South African market through local industrial products supplier Dowson &... →

TERRY O'KELLY The Ridgid RE60 was well received after its European and US launch late last year

Power tools specialist launches new impact drill

3rd April 2015 Power tools manufacturer Bosch will launch the GSB 162-2 RE professional impact drill, featuring a 1500 W high-performance motor with a high overload capacity for hard applications, in the first quarter of this year, says Bosch industrial power tools senior brand manager Juergen Lauer. He tells... →

PROFESSIONAL IMPACT DRILL The GSB 162-2 RE is ideal for dry core drilling in concrete and masonry, screwdriving and large-diameter drilling

Industry body prioritises education, empowers full-time employees

27th March 2015 In an effort to replace the old N-level courses previously offered by former further education and training colleges, the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa), in partnership with the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) sector education and training authority (Seta) and... →

RECYCLING REWARDS One tonne of recovered paper saves three cubic metres of landfill space, reducing costs for municipalities

New tax mooted by DEA could impact negatively on paper industry

27th March 2015 Currently the paper industry is largely responsible for its own collections of recyclable paper needed as a raw material. Owing to transport and labour costs, collection is an expensive exercise, a situation manufacturers can do little to improve, says Paper Manufacturers Association of South... →

Paper industry doing well, despite struggling economy

27th March 2015 While the South African economy has been relatively stagnant over the past two years and is not expected to grow much this year – with 2% being an optimistic upward growth projection – the pulp and paper industry is “doing well under extremely difficult circumstances”, says Paper Manufacturers... →

Photo by Sappi
GROWTH PROJECTION The paper industry’s energy-saving initiatives are paying off amidst South Africa's stagnant economy

Rope-access specialist continues with repair services for Sappi mills

27th March 2015 Rope access specialist Skyriders completed hard-to-reach inspection and repair work on time and within budget early last year for South African pulp and paper producer Sappi’s Ngodwana mill, in Mpumalanga, Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn tells Engineering News. Zinn explains that, rather... →

QUICK AND EASY INSPECTION AND REPAIR Skyriders technicians use ropes to abseil down into confined spaces as a means of moving from point A to point B.

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