Category: GROUNDBREAKING

Leading consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari celebrated its 90th anniversary during special client and alumni events in Tshwane and Cape Town in November last year. These events also had displays of engineering technology used in the past, as well as new technology drastically transforming engineering design. It showcased artefacts going as far back as 1930s, which reflected technological advances over time. “The story of Zutari is in many ways also the story of the engineering industry in South Africa and beyond,” says CEO Teddy Daka. In addition to…

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BMG’s new NORD MAXXDRIVE®-XT industrial gearboxes, which were launched at the Electra Mining trade show last year, have been well received by leaders in bulk logistics, particularly for use in belt conveyor systems. MAXXDRIVE-XT industrial gear units – developed by NORD DRIVESYSTEMS to meet the demands of conveyor technology drives used in the handling of bulk goods and minerals – have advanced features for high thermal and mechanical load capacities, durability for extended service life and low maintenance requirements. “The power and speed ranges of the two-stage right-angle gear units…

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BMG’s bearings portfolio extends from precision miniature bearings used in machine tools and electronics applications, to giant size bearings that meet high demands in steel and mining. This range encompasses the RN metric series, which was launched recently by Rexnord, leading global bearing manufacturers. “What’s impressive about the RN series, is not only are these the first metric-sized ISO unitised plummer block bearings available locally, but these bearings, with a two-piece outer race, are interchangeable with existing SN500 plummer blocks using 222**KK bearings. For users this means high efficiency, optimum…

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The claims that electrically-charged stones were found in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been circulating on social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. Recent social media claims of “electrically charged stones” found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been debunked by experts. A video circulating on social media showed several people inspecting a small, shiny rock and connecting it to a wire, which activated a light. However, experts have stated that while certain minerals can conduct electricity, none can store it. The substance in the…

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As the mining sector gathers again for the 2023 African Mining Indaba, there is likely to be both excitement and apprehension in the air. Global trends toward decarbonisation are raising demand expectations for battery minerals, and geopolitical tensions suggest that Africa may become more of a focus for sourcing these critical commodities. At the same time, the changing landscape of regulations, best practice and public perception makes for a complex environment to navigate. “Investors in Africa will want to harness the potential of commodity demand,” Andrew van Zyl, managing director…

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President Hakainde Hichilema, has facilitated the signing of a significant energy deal that has the potential to revolutionize the Zambian energy sector. The Zambian-owned power utility company ZESCO has signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates’ company Masdar to develop solar projects worth $2 billion. During the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between Zambia and the UAE, Hichilema stated that the MoU aims to promote large-scale investment in renewable energy in Zambia. The MoU and JDA will see ZESCO partner with Masdar,…

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The question of whether bigger means better in mining trucks was raised again recently in a blog post by Uwe Muller, Head of Sales & Marketing Off-Road Solutions at Volvo Autonomous Solutions. Of course one issue with today’s large rigid mining trucks is their CO2 emissions, which motivated a Volvo research project as far back as 2015 on whether these haul trucks could be powered by batteries, thus reducing environmental impact. With the technology available at the time, it was clear that electrification in this format wasn’t a practical option.…

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Gécamines, the General Company of Quarries and Mines, has reported that it produced approximately 4,562 tonnes of copper throughout the year 2022. This information was published in a summary of statistical data from the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) released in early January 2023. The report indicates that Gécamines experienced a notable uptick in copper production during 2022, compared to the previous year. According to the same sources, Gécamines’ copper production was around 3,996 tonnes in 2021, which represents an increase of nearly 566 tonnes in 2022. However, the Central…

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Barrick’s two gold mines in Tanzania, North Mara and Bulyanhulu, boosted their combined output to 547,0001 ounces in 2022, achieving another step towards their potential Tier One2 status in the group’s asset portfolio as a combined complex. At the same time, exploration is continuing to deliver opportunities to grow the mineral reserves net of depletion at both mines. North Mara’s transition to owner-mining is successfully ramping up its ongoing open pit expansion with improved efficiencies and costs, while technological advances in the underground operation are increasing productivity. The restart of mining at…

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Criterion Equipment’s range of TCM forklift trucks encompasses 4-wheel electric counter-balance FB-IX series, designed for high productivity and safe operation in all material handling applications. These flexible machines have been particularly well accepted locally for use in warehousing and storage facilities. TCM is constantly upgrading the design of its eco-friendly electric forklift trucks for greater controllability, enhanced safety, minimal maintenance requirements, improved environmental cleanliness and operator comfort. The new counter-balance FB-IX series – a Class 1 sit-down rider type machine, available with standard wheel bases and capacities between 1,0 and…

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