• TECHNOLOGY
At this juncture , she homes in on Weir ’ s ability to empower mining with technology that enables mines to move less rock , use less energy , use water wisely and create less waste – accelerating the path to smart , efficient and sustainable mining . Here she refers to Weir ’ s WRT ® upgrade for WARMAN ® pumps – a stalwart technology still adding huge value to operations . These are retrofittable in the WARMAN ® AH ® range of horizontal slurry pumps , delivering improved hydraulic profiles , reduced turbulence , extended wear performance and lower power consumption .
Moving into future tech advances , she talks about the benefits of Weir ’ s new digital brand - NEXT Intelligent Solutions , which are designed to revolutionise mining operations by integrating advanced digital technologies into equipment and systems . These solutions provide real-time data and predictive monitoring , enabling operators to make informed decisions that enhance operational efficiency and reduce downtime . NEXT digital twin technology offers a comprehensive understanding of equipment performance , allowing for proactive maintenance and optimisation . This innovative approach not only boosts productivity but also ensures safer and more sustainable mining practices .
Total flowsheet supply “ Weir , although well known as a pump manufacturer , has diversified and expanded its offering to the market – we customise solutions for our customers , and we have moved into total flowsheet supply – and this is where I see future growth for the company .” This is true of the Nokeng project says Ledwaba , which has been delivered in phases locally . The Reko Diq copper-gold project – a 50 % owned and tier-one greenfield development by Barrick Gold Corporation located in the Chagai district of Balochistan – is another international case in point . Weir won this GBP53-million contract in August 2024 to provide the copper project during the first phase with fine grinding , separation and tailings solutions . Weir will supply its ENDURON ® HPGRs , ENDURON ® ELITE wet and dry vibrating banana screens , WARMAN ® slurry pumps and CAVEX ® hydrocyclones . Weir ’ s large format HPGRs – the highest capacity design on the market – will also form part of the order .
“ Although the company is known for delivering large projects , we have developed ‘ plug and play ’ solutions that talk to the challenges of smaller operations , such as those run by the junior and emerging miners and
Weir has developed the new ENDURON ELITE banana screens for hard rock mining .
infrastructure contractors across the continent .” An example of this tech is the Modular Wheeled Plant ( WMWP ) concept – a fully mobile crushing and screening plant that can be transported by trailer . These plants are available in various configurations , starting from primary crushing solutions comprising a hopper , a vibrating grizzly feeder and a jaw crusher , to secondary crushing and screening stations consisting of a vibrating screen and a cone crusher . These solutions can be combined using simple mobile conveyors to configure a plant that can produce aggregates for various end-user requirements .
Leadership into a sustainable tomorrow . Ledwaba ’ s collaborative leadership style , is totally aligned with the collaborative style of Weir . “ The talent of each individual within the company ranks is recognised , appreciated , leveraged upon and developed for the good of the individual , the company , the industry – and by extension the communities it serves .” Ledwaba shows a passion for performance and motivating teams to achieve outstanding results , which she insists must have buy-in on the strategy moving forward .
NEXT Intelligent Solutions are designed to integrate digital technologies into equipment and systems .
Furthermore , she emphasises a deep commitment to the development of women , having previously led an organisation focused on investing in women-led enterprises within the infrastructure sector . She points out that the female staff complement at the South African operation is 23 % of the total work force , holding positions in administration , engineering and operations . Ledwaba notes the importance of driving more female involvement in the c-suite , which currently holds 4 % women representation , and of enhancing the current company collaboration with the Gordon Institute of Business Science ( GIBS ) offering leadership programmes to further develop the skills of
20 • African Mining • February 2025 www . africanmining . co . za