GROUNDBREAKING 

It’s a YES from BMG

BMG – part of Invicta Holdings Limited – celebrates five years since joining South Africa’s Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme, which is a joint initiative between the Government and private sector. The country’s YES programme aims to create one million work opportunities for unemployed black youth. “We believe that the business sector has a responsibility to help solve the escalating problem of youth unemployment. The social cost of unemployment and the threat it poses to the stability and dignity of South African society, are far too great for companies not…

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GROUNDBREAKING 

It’s full steam ahead for Western Cape customer thanks to SKF’s sustainable leak detection solution

One of SKF’s key customers based in Cape Town, Western Cape, who depends on steam systems for its production processes, was facing costly challenges related to high energy consumption and excessive maintenance hours. The maintenance team was having to frequently replace gaskets and seal kits across all steam traps and valves, which incurred avoidable costs while unnecessary time was spent on labour. “Their Engineering Manager sought a solution that could effectively monitor the integrity of their steam traps and valves, enabling easy and precise identification of leaks,” notes Darrin Cardoso,…

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GROUNDBREAKING 

Fibertex Nonwovens to participate at SAGC 2025

Fibertex Nonwovens will be participating at the South African Geotechnical Conference (SAGC) 2025, to be held between 28 and 30 May in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal. “As a leading manufacturer of high-performance nonwoven geotextiles, Fibertex Nonwovens strives to consolidate its commitment to infrastructure development and sustainable engineering across the continent,” explains Brian Potgieter, Technical Sales Engineer, Fibertex Nonwovens South Africa. “This prestigious event is the ideal platform to further integrate into the professional geotechnical community, share expertise and support knowledge transfer. We also look forward to showcasing our geosynthetic solutions and demonstrating…

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GROUNDBREAKING 

Robust cable carrier systems for steel mills

BMG supplies and supports the full range of Tsubaki chain, power transmission and motion control products, including Kabelschlepp cable carriers, that have been developed for dependable use in diverse industries.   “Typical applications for these cable carrier systems extend from standard applications, like machine tools, cranes, car-wash systems and medical and laboratory technologies, to more complex applications, including industrial robots, offshore oil rigs and aerospace,” explains Carlo Beukes, Business Unit Manager, BMG’s Power Transmission Division. “Apart from offering a comprehensive selection of standard solutions, which are immediately available nationally from…

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GROUNDBREAKING 

BME uses AXXIS on Australian mine to solve efficiency, safety challenge

When an Australian opencast coal mine wanted to eliminate the need for bulldozer push operations, while ensuring safe and productive blasting, it turned to BME for its electronic initiation solutions. Producing seven million tonnes of coking coal annually, the mine was employing typical cast blast designs on 40 metre bench heights to achieve maximum movement of overburden material – over three million cubic metres – from each blast. A dragline, located on the low wall crest, was used to remove overburden. Due to the nature of the geological features on…

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GROUNDBREAKING 

Low PGM prices drive efficiencies, consolidation

With depressed platinum group metal (PGM) prices, there is plenty of scope for optimism and opportunity, it emerged at last month’s PGMs Industry Day in Johannesburg. According to delegate Joseph Mainama, partner and principal mining engineer at SRK Consulting South Africa (SA), speakers at the event highlighted that streamlining of operations and costs remains a focus in this segment – and possibly some further consolidation of assets. As a result of the current price pressure, major PGM projects being investigated are mainly for replacement rather than expansion of product supply,…

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GROUNDBREAKING 

ABB innovation for energy efficiency and sustainability at Enlit 2025

The application of sensor technology to reduce the operational and standby power losses of traditional current and voltage transformers means that, over the lifetime of a typical switchboard in the African environment, the energy saving equates to 181 MWh over a 30-year period. This is according to Egon Worthmann, Business Manager – Commercial and Operations in the Distribution Solutions Business at ABB. Sensor and digital technologies used in conjunction with ABB’s switchgear assist its customers’ operations to run more efficiently, thereby reducing their carbon footprint. This enables African customers, in…

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Agriculture NEWS National 

Vimbukhalo Primary School upgrade is a benchmark for future sustainable development

Vimbukhalo Primary School is a newly built school in the Drakensburg region near Winterton in KwaZulu-Natal. When AECOM first visited the site in 2019, the school was in a state where learning was challenging. Temporary park homes were being used as classrooms, while the limited permanent facilities were in poor condition and deemed unsafe for use. “The poor condition of the school presented an opportunity to reimagine the entire school areal,” comments Doreen Noetzold, Technical Director and Architectural Lead, South Africa, at AECOM. “Children are the future, and it is…

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GROUNDBREAKING 

SA farmers urged to invest in premium tyres for long-term returns on estimated R1.2 billion tyre use

Johannesburg, South Africa – 15 May 2025 – With the 2025 Grain SA NAMPO Harvest Day in full swing, Bridgestone Southern Africa is drawing attention to a vital but often overlooked input cost in farming operations: tyres.  As farmers face mounting input costs, the company is calling for greater recognition of the role premium-quality tyres play in sustaining agricultural productivity and stability.   Recent estimates indicate that farmers collectively maintain an inventory of tyres valued at over R1.2 billion* annually across their agricultural vehicles, including tractors, harvesters, bakkies, motorcycles, and…

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GROUNDBREAKING 

The role and future of sustainability for grain farmers in South Africa

 Agricultural systems have a central role to play in food security, rural development, and the sustainable management of natural resources. As South Africa assumes leadership of the G20 in 2025, it has a unique opportunity to champion agricultural reforms that promote sustainability throughout the sector.   “The sustainability of South African farms is essential not only for environmental protection, but for securing long-term agricultural yields and, consequently, South Africa’s food security,” explains Gert Breet, Sustainable Agriculture Lead at FNB Commercial. “Sustainability – optimising scarce resources to preserve and enhance value…

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