AFRICA NEWS
Global miner Gold Fields has signed a R6-million partnership with the School of Mining Engineering at Wits University , investing in the research and skills demanded to promote mechanised mining in South Africa . The partnership will support critical research in rock engineering , resource modelling , and mining productivity — which will feed into the success of Gold Fields ’ deep-level , mechanised South Deep mine , as well as other underground operations . As part of the partnership , the School ’ s Genmin Laboratories building was also renamed the Gold Fields Laboratories . Professor Cuthbert Musingwini , Head of School at Wits University ’ s School of Mining Engineering , highlighted the value of collaboration between academia and the mining sector in forging South Africa ’ s path towards safer , mechanised , and productive mining .
Wits University School of Mining Engineering
Wits University vice-chancellor and principal Adam Habib ( left ) and Gold Fields CEO Nick Holland signed the partnership agreement at the event .
Buses , extra heavies carried local truck market in November
After eleven selling months in 2017 , the local truck market lagged 2.9 % behind the sales recorded during the corresponding period in 2016 , with a total of 24 201 trucks having been sold by the end of November .
This is according to the latest results released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa ( Naamsa ), Associated Motor Holdings ( AMH ), and Amalgamated Automobile Distributors ( AAD ).
“ With only one month of sales left in 2017 , the industry will battle to surpass 27 000 units at the end of the year , which was forecasted to happen at the beginning of the year ,” said Gert Swanepoel , managing director of UD Trucks Southern Africa .
“ The local industry held up remarkably well despite South Africa ’ s stagnant economy , credit downgrades , and prevailing political uncertainty .”
Looking at November ’ s sales in isolation , the medium commercial vehicle ( MCV ) segment was 16.7 % down on November 2016 ’ s performance , to 688 units . The heavy commercial vehicle ( HCV ) segment was slightly down by 1.7 %, to conclude the month on 471 units . Sales in the extra heavy commercial vehicle ( EHCV ) segment increased by 2.2 % year-on-year to 1 103 units . The bus segment had a stellar month with a 43.9 % increase in sales to 82 units , as some significant contracts were concluded in anticipation
UD Trucks
Sales in industry segments like mining and construction picked up over the past quarter .
of the upcoming summer holiday season .
“ Good sales results in the bus and EHCV segments show that companies are still willing to invest in new assets , especially leading into the new year ,” said Swanepoel . “ Sales in industry segments like mining and construction have picked up over the last quarter or so , which is reflected in the positive sales results in especially the Extra Heavy segment .” ■
High-performance excavator for SA
The affordable Lovol FR220 high-production excavator is now available in South Africa , competing in the highly contested medium-sized excavator category and offering high reliability , good quality , and excellent support through South African distributor Dura Equipment Sales .
Made in Japan and assembled in China to meet the harsh , challenging African environments , the FR220 boasts a fuel-efficient six-cylinder Isuzu motor , Kawasaki hydraulics , and a KYB final drive . The Lovol machine is supplied as a full mining specification machine that meets all safety and performance requirements and is hydraulically ready to accept any attachments .
The excavator comes standard with a range of features that are usually offered as optional extras . The cab is designed with productivity and safety in mind , and offers air conditioning , ergonomically designed controls , and built-in ROPS / FOPS safety , as well as a safety grid .
The FR220 comes with a standard bucket of 1.1m 3 and a choice of short dipper ( for maximum breakout force in excavation ) or long dipper ( for
Dura Equipment Sales effective loading ) is available . The machine has also been designed for ease of maintenance with easily accessible service points . Lovol excavators come with
With top-of-the-range features and components , the Lovol offers improved costs per ton and the ruggedness and reliability of a high production excavator .
a 5 000-hours or one-year warranty , which includes four complimentary services at 250-hour intervals up to 1 000 hours . ■
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FEBRUARY 2018