Sascha Solomons

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Sascha Solomons

Sascha Solomons is a Creamer Media Reporter for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Quality offering in a competitive market key

24th February 2017 Now is the right time to focus on supplying a high-quality offering while remaining relatively competitive, says South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors' Association (Saracca) director Barney Richardson. He highlights that it is not worth the profit, if anything, to work on... →

Company completes cooling system installation

24th February 2017 Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contracting company 52 Engineering has completed the installation of a cooling system at tyre manufacturing company Bridgestone, in Brits, in the North West. →

COOLING SYSTEM FITTINGS 52 Engineering provides its clients with high-quality heating, ventilation and air-conditioning products

New VSDs in high demand

24th February 2017 Following the launch of its Movitrac LTP B HVAC, or heating ventilation and air-conditioning, variable-speed drives (VSDs) last year, automation manufacturer SEW-Eurodrive says the demand from the HVAC industry has been high. →

VENTILATION ASSURED SEW’s HVAC VSD supply smooth ventilation to any given building

Japanese-manufactured variable refrigerant flow introduced into South Africa

24th February 2017 Electronics and electrical products manufacturer Toshiba’s super heat recovery multi (SHRM) variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology for the air-conditioning industry has been introduced to the South African market by distribution company AHI Carrier South Africa. →

Platinum still a substantial contributor to local economy

10th February 2017 South Africa accounts for about 96% of all known global reserves of platinum-group metals (PGMs); therefore, stability and sustainability in its mining sector are essential for the platinum industry, says law firm Hogan Lovells partner and mining head Warren Beech. “The mining industry in general... →

WARREN BEECH The mining industry in general remains a substantial contributor to the South African economy and the platinum mining industry makes a significant contribution

Call to review charter’s proposed home ownership model

10th February 2017 Corporate monitoring organisation Bench Marks Foundation has long proposed that all platinum producers in South Africa, which promote private home ownership in line with the proposed Mining Charter, review this model, says executive director John Capel. He says the organisation’s surveys have... →

Amendment Bill in limbo, but processes crucial

3rd February 2017 While stakeholders are waiting for the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) Amendment Bill to pass into law, it is important to not only comply with the current version of the MPRDA, but also to take into account the proposed amendments, comments Hogan Lovells partner and head... →

WARREN BEECH Renewed consultation might eliminate some of the concerns on the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act Amendment Bill

Mining Charter ‘merely draft’ – law firm

3rd February 2017 Much controversy surrounds the April 2016 publication of the draft reviewed Mining Charter, but law firm Werksmans Attorneys reminds concerned stakeholders that it is still “merely in draft form”. Extensive comments were furnished from various industry stakeholders after the publication of the... →

CHRIS STEVENS The real-world implications of the revised charter will be fairly substantial for mining companies if it is published in the form in which it was published for comment in April 2016

Electronics company boasts unique PID inverter

27th January 2017 Global electronics company Omron says the Omron KP100L photovoltaic (PV) inverter has the unique distinction of being the only potential induced degradation (PID) preventive inverter on the market. “The importance of this has been recognised in recent years, owing to the introduction of increased... →

ROSS ALLAN Many residential and business consumers aim to produce their own electricity and rely less on Eskom

Solar LED light available in Southern Africa

27th January 2017 To reach its goal of enlarging its footprint in Southern Africa, solar street light manufacturing and distribution company Solar Eco Systems Africa has made promotional magnets manufacturer Magnet Energy an exclusive distributor of its range of self-sustaining solar light-emitting diode (LED)... →

SOLAR LED STREET LIGHTING Solar Eco Systems Africa’s range of self-sustaining solar LED street lighting combine enhanced aesthetics and the latest PV and LED technology

Ongoing solar projects promote IPP success

27th January 2017 Global private engineering and technology company Sener and its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partners, Emvelo and Cobra, are scheduled to complete the EPC of the 100 MW Ilanga solar thermal power plant near Upington, in the Northern Cape, at the end of 2018. The company... →

Company completes Wolmerton rail project

16th December 2016 Rail track construction, rehabilitation, electrification and maintenance provider Grindrod Rail Construction (GRC), in a joint venture with engineering company Bakara, has completed the rail refurbishment of the Wolmerton Depot. This forms part of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s... →

WOLMERTON DEPOT The Wolmerton Depot overhaul falls under PRASA’s Depot Modernisation Programme

Railway company investments to facilitate economic growth

16th December 2016 The current investments by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and State-owned freight utility Transnet will largely facilitate economic growth in South Africa through major infrastructure projects currently under way, says consulting and auditing firm KPMG infrastructure deal... →

Photo by Duane Daws
DE BUYS SCOTT investments by the PRASA and Transnet will largely facilitate economic growth in South Africa

Need for centralised courier point made clear

2nd December 2016 As tech-savvy customers demand faster and more efficient services, the need for a centralised technology-enabled courier point has become clear. Owing to this, outsourced e-commerce warehousing and order fulfilment services provider ParcelNinja.com realised the need for a scalable cloud-based... →

JUSTIN DRENNAN The company enables real-time integration with a variety of couriers

Programme encourages standalone third-party distribution businesses

2nd December 2016 As a means to grow the customer base in underserved communities and informal markets, global beverages company Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa’s (CCBSA’s) local distribution partner (LDP) programme has been launched to help local entrepreneurs create sustainable standalone distribution... →

DISTRIBUTION BUSINESSES Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa’s local distribution partner (LDP) programme has been launched to help local entrepreneurs create standalone distribution businesses

Ecofriendly innovations in on-site wastewater treatment simplified

25th November 2016 Using technology in sustainable wastewater treatment combined with the creation of its own bacterial strains developed in-house, South Africa-based biological wastewater treatment solutions provider SewTreat can respond to the demand for water management across sectors. SewTreat spokesman Theunis... →

WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES SewTreat offers a specialised, modular biological wastewater treatment plant tailor-made for the African market

Noise pollution overlooked in company environmental policies

25th November 2016 Although noise pollution has been described as the next ‘green’ barrier to overcome, flooring solutions provider KBAC Flooring says noise pollution is often overlooked in corporate environmental policies. For instance, KBAC Flooring sales director Brandon Park points out that selecting the... →

BRANDON PARKS Property developers, designers and architects have a crucial role to play in providing inspirational working environments for employees

Company supports plastic waste management

25th November 2016 As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), plastic pipes manufacturer DPI Plastics will sponsor the inaugural African Marine Waste Network (AMWN) conference next year. The AMWN was launched in July this year by the Sustainable Seas Trust (SST), plastics industry representative... →

MARTINE GOODCHILD Ever-growing plastic waste problems is a pertinent issue for DPI Plastics, as it considers itself a responsible plastics manufacturer focused on recycling and environmental sustainability

Company promotes ecofriendly production processes

25th November 2016 As a means of protecting the environment, nonwoven geotextile manufacturer Fibertex uses chemical-binder-free products and production processes to manufacture Fibertex geotextiles, which are made of virgin polypropylene (PP) material. Fibertex South Africa CEO Clive Hitchcock comments that virgin... →

CLIVE HITCHCOCK Nonwoven geotextiles play an important role in diverse sectors

Exclusive rights for wastewater treatment acquired

25th November 2016 Angolan oil and gas services company Friburge has acquired the exclusive rights to provide waste treatment solutions using wastewater treatment company Nature Oil and Gas’s technology in sub-Saharan Africa. The waste treatment solutions are on-board solutions to treat wastewater, or slops,... →

WASTE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Friburge provides waste treatment solutions that are on board and can be flushed regularly with water or chemical to clean them of debris and built-up residue

Multimillion-rand investment furthers aim of industrial market growth

11th November 2016 The growing strength of GUD Holdings-owned lubricant company Indy Oil’s brand and reputation among its customer base, which includes members of the mining industry, has led to a multimillion-rand investment in a blending plant in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. GUD Holdings is a manufacturer of... →

NDY OIL BLENDING PLANT KwaZulu-Natal facility has as a bulk-storage capacity one-million litres for base oils and additives

Pneumatic cylinder uniformity benefits distributor, improves part availability

11th November 2016 With no drastic changes over the last 100 years in the design of the pneumatic cylinders specified by the mining industry, these components are easily replaceable, thereby preventing costly production stoppages at mines, explains Africa-focused branded parts manufacturer and distributor Torre... →

PNEUMATIC IMPERIAL CYLINDER Components of the cylinders are easily replaceable and cost effective

Company promotes Italian pneumatic vibrator range

11th November 2016 A comprehensive range of electric and pneumatic internal and external vibrators suitable for ore screening and processing applications is now available in South Africa from industrial equipment supplier Bearings International (BI). BI has been a supplier of vibrator motors since 2012. →

LEWIS HIEPNER Motors’ high-quality bearings and an efficient grease-retaining system ensure long-lasting performance and a low noise level during operation

Australian company sees growth potential in African market

4th November 2016 Australia-based mining safety solutions company Nautitech Mining Systems has chosen South Africa as its gateway into the African mining market, owing to the number of mining projects and opportunities available in the country and on the continent. When its products and brands are established in... →

DOMINANT PLAYER In Australia, the Nautitech Spitfire broadband power line modem has 100% of the shearer market. Pictured are Nautitech GM Alex Lester and MD Aga Blana

Investment in mineral-rich Africa continues despite challenges

4th November 2016 It remains possible to realise potential growth opportunities in the African mining industry despite the challenges of local economic constraints, volatile commodity prices, corruption and regulatory uncertainty, says international law firm Hogan Lovells. Hogan Lovells mining and natural... →

PACKED WITH POTENTIAL Despite challenges for the African mining market, those in the industry continue to undertake significant capital investments

Zambian project achieves one-million lost-time injury-free work hours

4th November 2016 Mining and exploration company Group R Mining & Exploration Zambia achieved one-million man hours without a lost-time injury (LTI), at its Synclinorium shaft expansion project on behalf of owner Zambian-registered copper miner Mopani Copper Mines. Group R is the operating partner of... →

SYNCLINORIUM SHAFT EXPANSION The project involves the construction of a 7-m-diameter main shaft and a 6-m-diameter ventilation shaft to depths of 1 277 m and 1 167 m respectively

Foreign demand still drives African mining

4th November 2016 Africa’s mining and quarrying activities continue to be characterised by export-oriented activities and, as a result, the mining sector of this mineral-rich continent is driven primarily by the commodities appetite of the world’s largest economies. “While this is great for mining States in Africa... →

JACQUES ERASMUS To become globally competitive, emerging economies in Africa are looking to leverage the latest technological advancements

Need for industry to reconsider production, storage and distribution

21st October 2016 As large amounts of working capital continue to be tied up in high inventory levels, which is often paired with slow reaction times to market changes, beverage company Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) asserts that this prompts the warehousing and storage industry to reconsider the way in... →

END-TO-END STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY Viewing the warehousing and storage industry as an entire supply chain rather than siloed disciplines

Safer system for product management completed

21st October 2016 Africa-based intra logistical storage solutions provider APC Storage Solutions SA completed the installation and training for the racking, pallet shuttles and sprinkler system of a turnkey system for customs franchised-container freight station company Intermodal Cargo Solutions. “About 110... →

Benefits of spin filters emphasised

14th October 2016 With the South African mining industry facing the prevailing costs and uncertainties in the labour market that it does, industrial technology and solutions specialist RTS Africa Engineering says its spin filters offer an ideal solution by reducing dependence on maintenance personnel. “Not only... →

IAN FRASER Dust can be a major problem in the mining sector, notably in working spaces and control rooms

Mechanical drives supplied for block cave mine development

7th October 2016 Industrial components and technical expertise solutions provider Bearing Man Group (BMG) has supplied seven external mechanical drives for the Lift II extension project at Palabora Mining Company subsidiary Palabora Copper’s mine through South Africa-based project management and design... →

PALABORA COPPER MINES External mechanical drives for the lift II extension project have been delivered for the block-cave mine development

Tough times for motors and drives, but mechanisation creates hope

7th October 2016 The uncertainty of the mining market necessitates that motors and drives businesses, among others, limit their operating expenses while supplying products and services at minimal cost to their clients, asserts engineering and project management services provider Logiman. Logiman MD Krzysztof... →

Photo by Bloomberg
FICKLE TIMES Businesses operating in the mining industry are forced to reduce stock availability

Next-generation submersible motors to be launched

7th October 2016 South Africa-based pumping system solutions provider Franklin Electric South Africa (SA) is working on launching its next generation of 4” submersible motors, following the success of its previous motor, which achieved a lifespan of 30 years. Franklin Electric SA product manager Jano Verreynne... →

QUALITY LEADS TO DURABILITY Franklin Electric South Africa's previous motor achieved a lifespan of 30 years

Pumps industry thriving in new developments

30th September 2016 With substantial developments under way within the pumps industry, magnetic drive pumps manufacturer and supplier Brubin Pumps, which forms part of pumping requirements solutions provider Letaba Pumps, showcased the Brubin BA Cleaning in Process (CIP) hose pump at Electra Mining Africa 2016... →

OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH Pumps manufactured to operate in the general industry proves to be more advantageous

Bearings advance safety and performance

30th September 2016 Amid health and safety issues regarding pump selection, technical design and pump- bearing solutions supplier VescoPlastics says pumps manufacturers are trying to replace lead-containing bearings in pumps. “There is a move to eradicate the lead products in pumps that are used for potable water... →

LEAD-REPLACING PUMP Producing safer pumps decreases health concerns

Monitoring the use of pool pumps results in greater efficiency

30th September 2016 Pool maintenance and renovations company Pool Busters notes that monitoring pool pumps can lead to greater savings. “Using a pool pump that is popular in the market and readily available doesn’t guarantee savings or effective use. If a pool pump is selected on its availability at a lower price,... →

PUMPING EFFICIENTLY Monitoring the use of pumps results in longer lasting and cost effective pump use

Move towards OEM pumps becomes an emerging trend

30th September 2016 With the recent market move towards installing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) pumps in the Southern African mining sector, industrial pumps distributor Integrated Pump Technology asserts that the previous trend of sourcing cheaper replicated pumps has been turned on its head. “Owing to the... →

MOVING FORWARD The market is moving towards installing original equipment manufacturer pumps

Pumps solutions provider launches new products

30th September 2016 Innovative pump solutions provider Verder Pumps South Africa (SA) launched its new peristaltic tube pump, the Verderflex Vantage 5000, at Electra Mining Africa 2016 earlier this month. Verder marketing manager Elaine van der Westhuizen comments that the Vantage 5000 is a next-generation... →

VERDERFLEX VANTAGE 5000 Next-generation peristaltic pump system with touch-screen technology and an intuitive operating system

Eskom delivers on services despite arising challenges

16th September 2016 Service delivery in South Africa is a very demanding undertaking, says the Western Cape provincial branch of State-owned utility Eskom; however, it has to be done regardless of the challenges. Eskom provincial spokesperson Jolene Henn adds that for this reason, the delivery of projects within the... →

Photo by Duane Daws
STATE-OWNED UTILITY ESKOM Electrification by Eskom in the Western Cape has been undertaken in urban areas within the metropolis, peri-urban areas , rural areas and deep rural areas towards the border of the Northern Cape

Uncertainty surrounding resource programmes highlighted

16th September 2016 With South Africa needing to ramp up its potential power supply in the medium and long term, engineering and design firm WSP⎪Parsons Brinckerhoff Africa comments that the biggest challenge impeding ramp up of power generation from IPPs is the level of uncertainty regarding power procurement... →

JAY URBAN The major current developments in the electricity generation space include the initiation of the GTP, which aims to use LNG for the gas-turbine power plants

Need for rope condition assessment emphasised

9th September 2016 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) highlights that regular testing of samples from ropes forms a vital part of ongoing monitoring and evaluation. “Testing ropes in service helps the users . . . to understand the condition in which the ropes are in order to make an informed... →

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