Paige Müller

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Paige Müller

Paige Müller is a Creamer Media Reporter for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Re-evaluation of SA’s mineral beneficiation strategy urged amid slow progress

15th February 2019 Amid slow progress in realising South Africa’s mineral beneficiation strategy – as set out in the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) 2011 policy document – mining industry participants, analysts and experts are re-evaluating the feasibility of mineral beneficiation as a growth trajectory path.... →

Event set to dissect the future of African energy

15th February 2019 The eleventh edition of the Africa Energy Indaba – which will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, from February 19 to 20 this year – will focus on the future prospects and direction of energy on the African continent from an energy provision and investment point of view.... →

Photo by Duane Daws
AFRICA’S ENERGY FUTURE The Africa Energy Indaba will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, from February 19 and 20 this year

Energy capacity shortfalls stunting Africa’s industrialisation efforts

15th February 2019 Insurance company the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC) says there are significant shortfalls and backlogs in Africa’s installed energy capacity, which is stunting the continent’s efforts to industrialise and expand its local economies. ECIC COO Mandisi Nkuhlu stresses... →

UPDATING INFRASTRUCTURE The ECIC is aiding Mozambique State utility Electricidade de Mocambique in a project to finance the rehabilitation of the country’s electricity infrastructure in northern Mozambique and in Maputo

Renewable grids present investment opportunity

15th February 2019 The recent trend towards the development of renewable energy, including those based on smart grids and microgrids in Africa, has encouraged the establishment of a new renewable energy equity fund. With the Africa Energy Indaba set to take place from February 19 to 20 at the Sandton Convention... →

Photo by Bloomberg
GAS ON THE RISE There has been and increase in the development of gas-fired power stations throughout Africa

Technical workshops to address energy efficiency

15th February 2019 The Department of Trade and Industry’s National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) programme states that it will host technical workshops at this year’s Africa Energy Indaba. NCPC-SA communication manager Julie Wells tells Engineering News that the organisation plans on “a strong... →

STRONG SHOWING The NCPC-SA and other organisations will present workshops in the technical workshops area, which will be located on the exhibition floor of the Africa Energy Indaba

Renewables ensure cleaner national energy

15th February 2019 The wide-scale adoption of renewable energy projects throughout South Africa will result in a more cost-effective and cleaner national energy supply, says renewable-energy development and management company G7 Renewable Energies. “About 20 years ago, the renewables debate was about environmental... →

Photo by Duane Daws
AFFORDABLE ENERGY For the first time, South Africa is seeing a real opportunity to buck the trend of ever-increasing electricity tariffs

Re-evaluation of SA’s mineral beneficiation strategy urged amid slow progress

15th February 2019 Amid slow progress in realising South Africa’s mineral beneficiation strategy – as set out in the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) 2011 policy document – mining industry participants, analysts and experts are re-evaluating the feasibility of mineral beneficiation as a growth trajectory path.... →

Photo by Bloomberg
THE WAY FORWARD Slow progress and the failure of large beneficiation projects resulted in divided opinion on the value of beneficiation and the best approach to salvage it

Increased regulatory certainty bolsters direct foreign investment

1st February 2019 African law firm ENSafrica states that there has been a concerted effort to reintroduce legal certainty into South Africa’s mining and minerals industries in the hopes that a stable legislative and regulatory regime will boost foreign direct investment into these critical industries. Mining is a... →

LLOYD CHRISTIE Legal certainty encourages bolder decisions which, in turn, provide the impetus for innovation, and innovative thinking leads to a mining industry re-envisioned

Uncertainty set to continue until new legislation becomes practice

1st February 2019 The local regulatory environment governing the mining and minerals sectors has improved significantly over the past year; however, international business and industry law firm Allen & Overy (South Africa) expect industry uncertainty to persist until the new legislative and regulatory ammendements... →

GERHARD RUDOLPH The consultative process and finalisation of Mining Charter III have introduced some degree of certainty into the sector

High Court judgment alters face of mining rights

1st February 2019 The Pretoria High Court ruling handed down on the Baleni and Others v Minister of Mineral Resources and Others case on November 22 last year, is likely to impact significantly on the future distribution of mining rights in South Africa, states international business law and litigation firm... →

LUCAS MOALUSI In effect, the judgment empowers communities to refuse mining on their land

Charter still face legal hurdles

1st February 2019 Amid concerns regarding the uncertain future of the South African mining industry, South African corporate and commercial law firm Werkmans Attorneys, has welcomed the publication of Mining Charter III, the Amendment thereto and the Implementation Guidelines on the basis that they bring some... →

UNCERTAIN OUTCOME Mining Charter III could be considered ultra vires, or exceeding the Minister’s authority

Intra-Africa trade lags

25th January 2019 With the 2019 Investing in African Mining Indaba – the world’s largest mining investment conference, dedicated to the capitalisation and development of mining throughout Africa – set to take place in February, insurance corporation Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC)... →

PORTIA DUBE Intra-African exports and imports are lagging behind other regions such as Europe, Asia and North America

Exxaro will present coal investment proposition at Indaba

25th January 2019 South African coal and heavy minerals mining company Exxaro Resources will present its coal investment proposition at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba. On February 5, Exxaro representatives will present on the main stage at the twenty-fifth annual Investing in African Mining Indaba. →

Photo by Dylan
MXOLISI MGOJO Exxaro Resources will present a talk about remaining resilient as a coal producer in the face of increasing challenges to coal as a primary energy input, at this years Mining Indaba

New data management solution to be exhibited

25th January 2019 Mining software solutions specialist MICROMINE will exhibit its new data management solution, the Geobank 2019, at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba. “Geobank 2019 has thus far been a closely guarded secret, but it will be available for delegates coming to our booth at this year’s... →

DIGITISATION POPULARISED The increased demand for digitised monitoring solutions indicates a push towards digitisation in the African mining industry

Company rebranding to be showcased

25th January 2019 JSE-listed infrastructure group Aveng has begun to consolidate its opencut contracting entity Aveng Moolmans and its shaft sinking and underground business Aveng Shafts & Underground into a unified brand, which will be known as Moolmans. Aveng Mining operating group MD Stuart White tells Mining... →

BRAND UNIFICATION Aveng groups rebranding strategy is aimed at having the African mining market identify with the consolidated brand as Moolmans from the end of 2019

Battery metals a key opportunity for Africa

25th January 2019 A number of exploration projects are moving closer to production, following a period of significant explorative work financed by investors in the African battery metals space, says minerals exploration and evaluation consultancy firm The MSA Group principal consultant for critical metals Michael... →

OPPORTUNITY ARISES There is currently a boom in the African exploration industry centred around the commodities that are associated with lithium-ion battery based technologies

Mining Charter boosts junior mining

25th January 2019 After 20 years of poor policy and oppressive regulations having all but irradiated South Africa’s junior mining sector, the local junior mining industry is beginning to turn around as a result of the Mining Charter, says minerals explorer Orion Minerals CEO Errol Smart. Serving as Junior Miner... →

ERROL SMART The commercial framework for exploration and junior mining has changed completely in South Africa with the new Mining Charter and many investors have not yet recognised the potential now exposed

Firm to exhibit mining related expertise at Indaba

25th January 2019 Long-time attendee and exhibitor at the Investment in African Mining Indaba engineering consultancy firm SRK Consulting will showcase the full range of its mining-related expertise and solutions at this year’s Indaba. “SRK will once again exhibit at the 2019 Indaba, having exhibited at all the... →

ANDREW VAN ZYL, MARCIN WERTZ AND HENNIE THEART The delegation that will lead SRK South Africa’s participation at this year’s African Mining Indaba

Technology improves mine longevity and sustainability

25th January 2019 With the local mining industry having struggled to stay profitable for the past 15 to 20 years, digital engagement company Wyzetalk CEO Gys Kappers stresses that the emphasis being placed on technological advancements – such as the Wyzetalk platform – at this year’s Investing in African Mining... →

GYS KAPPERS Wyzetalk continually delivers health and safety notifications, such as best practice information, accident reports and equipment-check information to the mobile devices of all employees

Energy security in Africa remains a concern

25th January 2019 Amid a continued lack of access to stable and reliable energy sources in Africa – which are critical in supporting energy intensive mining operations – Zest WEG Group, subsidiary of leading equipment manufacturer WEG, expects the provision of secure energy for the African mining industry to be a... →

ALASTAIR GERRARD AND TAYLOR MILAN The success of any capital investment in greenfield or brownfield mining projects is directly coupled to the availability of a reliable and cost-effective energy source

Solar PV uptake expected to double

14th December 2018 Energy supply from solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is increasing at a rapid rate in South Africa, with PV grid installation expected to double in the 2018/19 period, says renewable-energy solutions supplier Genesis Eco-Energy director and solar energy association South African Photovoltaic... →

DAVIN CHOWN The cost of a coal-fired plant is escalating and along with it the price of electricity

Self-sustaining clean energy system developed

14th December 2018 Sustainable energy specialist Hyson Sustainable Energy – situated in Krugersdorp – has developed and patented a fully self-sustaining, energy-producing tower, says Hyson Sustainable Energy MD Sally Hall. “The Hyson Sustainable Energy ‘Power Tower’, which was provisionally patented just seven... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ZERO EMISSIONS The Hyson Sustainable Energy ‘Power Tower’ allows for the recycling of liquefied carbon dioxide and water used in the energy generation process, resulting in zero harmful emissions

Local sugar industry struggles to stay afloat

7th December 2018 The survival and sustainability of the labour intensive sugar industry is under severe threat owing to the flood of sugar imports and the resultant inability by industry bodies to recover costs, according to South African Sugar Association executive director Trix Trikam. “The local sugar industry... →

UNBALANCED TRADE The world sugar market is distorted by producer country incentives, resulting in production that is surplus to demand

Sugar dumping remains a crisis for industry

7th December 2018 While national government has shown a willingness to protect the sugar industry against corrosive trade-dumping practices, nonprofit anti-dumping organisation FairPlay founder Francois Baird emphasises that government’s ineffective administrative processes have made its previous attempts at... →

Photo by FairPlay
FRANCOIS BAIRD If the local sugar industry is not assisted soon, the flood of imports will result in contraction, consolidation, closures and job losses

Delays in biofuel framework hinder industry

7th December 2018 Despite the local sugar industry championing a bioethanol fuel subsidy as a potential method to relieve the burden on sugar through demand diversification, Ethanol Producers Association of Southern Africa secretary, Alf Stevens, suggests that this may not have the timely impact that the local... →

Photo by Bloomberg
SLOW PROGRESS Even if the Biofuels Regulatory Framework is attractive, the first ethanol for biofuel would only reach the petrol blenders by the end of 2021 at the earliest

Partnership for land tenure rights mutually beneficial

7th December 2018 Sugar producer Illovo Sugar Africa has been partnering nongovernmental organizations, governments and global donors to transform the landscape of tenure rights in its operating countries, says Illovo Sugar Africa Group MD Gavin Dalgleish. “Africa has the highest proportion of agricultural land... →

Photo by Bloomberg
UNDERSTANDING LAND CONCERNS Illovo Maragra plantation partnership has been invaluable in understanding the complex problems arising from land and how to address them

Master Drilling earmarks ‘significant share’ of capex for product portfolio, market diversification

30th November 2018 Having grown from strength to strength since its JSE listing in 2012, local innovative drilling solutions provider Master Drilling plans to focus its capital expenditure (capex) on product and market diversification over the next five years, according to group CEO and founder Danie Pretorius.... →

READY TO ROCK Master Drilling’s recently developed MTB – manufactured for horizontal mining applications – is ready for market

Fluid maintenance neglect proves costly

30th November 2018 Fluid maintenance is frequently neglected and the consequences of using contaminated fuel and lubricant oil are often underestimated, says technical solutions provider BMG fluid technology business unit manager David Dyce.... →

PORTABLE PARKER FILTRATION TROLLEYS BMG’s portable 10 MFP series hydraulic Parker filtration trolleys are designed to prefilter and transfer lubrication safely from drums or storage tanks to system reservoirs

Service kit ensures operational uptime

30th November 2018 Filtration solutions provider Filter and Hose Solutions (FHS) states that its unique turnkey filter service kit system significantly reduces operational downtime in the mining and industrial sectors. “FHS offers a fully customised service kit system for all forms of heavy earthmoving equipment,”... →

INDUSTRY SLOW-DOWN The mining and construction industries are under significant pressure

Local market forces filtration providers into Africa

30th November 2018 Amid a hostile local economic climate, growth in the local industrial water treatment and filtration sector has been stagnant, forcing service providers to expand their offerings into Africa, says South Africa-based industrial water treatment solutions provide WaterIcon. The company focuses on... →

UPTICK EXPECTED The water treatment and filtration industry expects a major drive towards zero liquid discharge plants and effluent recycling plants, which it predicts will bolster the industry’s 2019 project pipeline

Master Drilling earmarks ‘significant share’ of capex for product portfolio, market diversification

30th November 2018 Having grown from strength to strength since its JSE listing in 2012, local innovative drilling solutions provider Master Drilling plans to focus its capital expenditure (capex) on product and market diversification over the next five years, according to group CEO and founder Danie Pretorius.... →

READY TO ROCK Master Drilling’s recently developed MTB – manufactured for horizontal mining applications – is ready for market

Overly prescriptive policies threaten mine profitability – analyst

23rd November 2018 South Africa’s overly prescriptive, unbalanced and onerous environmental policy framework runs the risk of making the mining industry “uninvestable”, says Dr Anthea Jeffery, policy research head at think tank the Institute of Race Relations. “South Africa’s environmental regulations compare badly... →

ANTHEA JEFFERY South Africa’s environmental regulations compare badly with those in many other countries

Thickened tailings solution testwork under way

23rd November 2018 Process equipment and mine dewatering equipment supplier Weir Minerals Africa is performing tailings test work at a major South African platinum mine to develop a turnkey thickened tailings solution. Weir Minerals Africa process manager Hoosen Essack states that the local miner has shown interest... →

HOOSEN ESSACK The Weir Technical Centre facility – which was opened in 2016 – provides innovative and sustainable tailings and pipeline solutions for Weir Minerals’ customers worldwide

Govt’s R20bn exploration boost lauded, but more needs to be done

9th November 2018 Amid reports that South Africa is attracting less than 1% of the global share of exploration spend, Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has dedicated a national investment of R20-billion to an integrated multi-disciplinary mapping programme to boost global investment in local exploration.... →

CLAUDE BAISSAC Many African countries have excellent exploration potential, but bad governance and limiting policies cap exploration implementation

Supplier expands into agriculture sector

9th November 2018 Amid increased demand for wholesale bearing solutions in the agriculture sector, Boksburg-based wholesale bearing supplier ISO Bearings is actively looking to increase its supply into the sector. “ISO Bearings has noted potential for growth in the agriculture sector. As a result, the company has... →

INVESTING IN AGRICULTURE ISO Bearings has been investing in the supply of internationally sourced price-competitive bearing solutions for agriculture since 2016

Sealing solution prevents shaft damage

9th November 2018 Split roller bearing specialist OE Bearings (OEB) has developed and patented a new sealing solution to prevent costly shaft damage in the event of bearing failure. OEB founder and MD Warwick Steinhobel tells Engineering News that the company first undertook the development of the new sealing... →

INDUSTRY CONCERN OE Bearings has identified that shaft damage caused by undetected bearing failure is costly

Bearings mitigate health concerns in F&B industry

9th November 2018 Amid stringent health and hygiene standards in South Africa’s food and beverage industry, bearings and power transmission products distributor, Bearings International (BI), offers the industry a bearing solution that will ensure the highest health and hygiene standards in food processing plants.... →

HIGH-PRESSURE READY All KML bearings housing units have smooth surfaces that can be cleaned easily with high-pressure washing equipment

Govt’s R20bn exploration boost lauded, but more needs to be done

9th November 2018 Amid reports that South Africa is attracting less than 1% of the global share of exploration spend, Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has dedicated a national investment of R20-billion to an integrated multi-disciplinary mapping programme to boost global investment in local exploration.... →

CLAUDE BAISSAC Many African countries have excellent exploration potential, but bad governance and limiting policies cap exploration implementation

Demand for project management services expands

2nd November 2018 Project Management South Africa (PMSA) CEO Taryn van Olden states that the project management adoption has begun to spread to a variety of unexpected industries and has become bigger than ever before. “Project management as an industry has a long history in construction and engineering. However,... →

TARYN VAN OLDEN South Africa is seeing increased demand for project management services in several unorthodox industries

Awards programme to promote innovation in project management

2nd November 2018 Local project, programme and portfolio management practitioners’ association Project Management South Africa (PMSA) has introduced the Project Management Office (PMO) of the Year Awards Programme to honour and promote local innovation in project management offices. “This is an exciting step that... →

NATIONAL BIENNIAL CONFERENCE The Project Management South Africa national biennial conference is taking place from November 14 to 16 at the Wanderers Club, in Johannesburg

Automatic shut-off valves improve plant safety

26th October 2018 Valves, steam and combustion system solution provider Heaton Valves Africa (HVA), states that its extensive range of German-made Albrecht-Automatik safety shut-off systems and components, significantly improve combustion system operational safety in the industries it serves. HVA combustion... →

SAFETY SHUT-OFF Albrecht-Automatik safety shut-off systems have a closing time of between one and five seconds during control function

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