SOUTH AFRICAN SUPPLIERS
the region with the in-demand Mine Bus and UV60D units .
The company concluded : “ GHH is truly a total solution provider able to supply loaders , trucks , rigs and utility vehicles for low-profile , narrowvein and mid-seam mass mining applications .”
Digital trainers for Redpath
In what the companies referred to as a milestone that will help to revolutionise mining training and safety practices in southern Africa , Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has provided its state-of-the-art digital trainers to leading mining contractor Redpath Mining South Africa .
This technology provides trainees with interactive interfaces that closely resemble the controls and displays found on real mining equipment , ensuring a seamless transition from training to on-site applications for trainees . It also enables them to learn and practice safety protocols and emergency procedures without exposing them to the risks associated with reallife mining activities .
The existing strategic partnership between Sandvik and Redpath – under a global framework agreement – signifies a shared vision of promoting excellence and safety in the mining industry , with the high-fidelity simulations offered by Sandvik ’ s digital trainers enhancing the training experience .
Sudesh Deonarain , General Manager Engineering at Redpath Mining , said : “ Our trainees can familiarise themselves with a range of mining environments , equipment behaviour and tasks , allowing them to hone their skills in a lifelike setting . From equipment operation and maintenance to troubleshooting and teamwork , they can practice various scenarios , ensuring they are well-prepared to tackle real-world challenges .”
He says these cutting-edge tools help to better equip Redpath ’ s workforce to navigate the complexities of modern mining operations and to ensure safety and productivity .
Vusi Thobela , Key Accounts Manager at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions , added that the accurate simulation of mining equipment and processes allows trainees to develop a deep understanding of the intricacies of operating and maintaining the Sandvik machines .
“ This supports increased productivity and reduced downtime , ultimately optimising operational efficiency in mining operations ,” he says . “ Furthermore , the digital trainers may incorporate data analytics capabilities , providing valuable insights into trainee performance , equipment utilisation and operational efficiency .”
The data-driven approach fosters continuous improvement in training methodologies , contributing to the overall growth and success of mining operations , according to Thobela . `
Weba entering bumper period
Mark Baller , Chief Executive Officer of Weba Chute Systems , says a recognition of the company ’ s chute engineering and installation capabilities is seeing more projects specify its solutions in the study stages .
Although market conditions change rapidly , he noted a strong uptick in demand for the company ’ s transfer chutes .
“ At the moment , there is very good pipeline of projects for Weba Chute Systems , including platinum prospects in Zimbabwe and a busy copper landscape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( DRC ),” he said . “ In fact , looking at the latter months of 2024 and then into 2025 , we expect this to be a bumper period .”
Overseas , the company is looking forward to a major project in the US next year where it expects to supply a large package of about 50 chutes , and , in Turkey , a gold mine expansion will take up to eight of its engineered chutes .
“ We continue to be approached by new customers – recently in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan – who have transfer chute challenges and have seen or heard about our specialised solutions ,” Baller said .
“ Our reputation – especially with existing customers – means our chutes are often specified in the project plans ; this was certainly the case in these projects in the US and Turkey .
“ As a leader in our field , we find that overseas customers often come to us after failing to find a local supplier who can solve their particular problem . We sometimes have a cost advantage by conducting the design , engineering and manufacturing work in South Africa , but it can also make sense to for us to manage aspects of the work – such as fabrication – in the customer ’ s country .”
Larger projects for the company over the past year include the manufacture and installation of 32 chutes in a steel plant in South Africa and , working in tandem with a leading EPCM company , the supply of 10 large chutes to a platinum mine in Zimbabwe , to handle run of mine material between the portal and plant .
“ We have also completed the engineering design for nine chutes for an expansion project at a local manganese producer , and expect to start the manufacturing process shortly ,” Baller said . “ In Botswana , we have been designing and delivering multiple chutes to three diamond mines , and this will continue .”
Weba Chute Systems ’ Mark Baller says the company ’ s reputation – especially with existing customers – means its chutes are often specified in the project plans
In a large South African platinum expansion Weba Chute Systems has also been involved in the engineering of chute solutions , with plans to progress that project next year .
Like many of his peers , Baller was aware of the perceived investment inhibitors associated with South Africa but was keen to highlight how his company has managed to jump over these hurdles .
“ The power generation crisis in South Africa remains , even though some early progress has been made to augment supply with renewable energy ,” he said . “ A key challenge is that the crisis goes further than electricity generation ; transmission and distribution is also a problem . The grid infrastructure is not in a good state , leading to frequent disruption – even in leading heavy industrial areas such as Wadeville outside of Johannesburg , where Weba Chute Systems is based .
“ Fortunately , we own our premises and have systems in place to be resilient . We have for many years had our own standby diesel generation sets and , more recently , we have invested in our own 160 kW solar power system , which reduces our day-time reliance on the national grid .”
Partnering on performance
Hoosen Essack , Process Manager at Weir Minerals Africa , says the global company ’ s holistic capabilities are helping overcome mining bottlenecks for clients across the continent .
Weir Minerals increasingly has operations coming to the company in search of solutions to optimise their overall process , with follow-on orders tending to reflect this .
“ Whereas other OEMs are often seen simply as suppliers , Weir Minerals is increasingly brought in as a partner with significant resources that it ’ s ready to leverage to ensure its customers can meet their growing production demands ,” he told IM .
28 International Mining | JANUARY 2024