14 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I June 2026
MINE COOLING TECHNOLOGY events and exhibitions
HOWDEN TECHNOLOGY DAY 2026 HIGHLIGHTS INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS FOR A CHANGING INDUSTRY
By Eamonn Ryan
The third Howden Technology Day 2026 highlighted the growing convergence of advanced engineering and strategic thinking in addressing complex mine cooling challenges.
From integrated mine cooling and ventilation systems to the role of data-driven optimisation, the event underscored a shift toward more adaptive, interconnected solutions. Keynote speaker Amy Faine Harvey reinforced this message by arguing that true competitive advantage lies not in technology alone, but in how effectively organisations combine artificial intelligence( AI) with human ingenuity.
Howden CEO Kudzai Nyangoni opened the day:“ Over three editions, Technology Day has evolved into a permanent fixture on Howden’ s calendar, covering a wide spectrum of disciplines including mine ventilation, underground cooling, water and wastewater treatment, waste heat recovery and the rapidly expanding field of liquefied natural gas. These are not isolated technical topics, but interconnected areas that reflect both current operational demands and future growth opportunities. Equally important is the collaborative nature of the event.”
That emphasis on practical application carried through into the day’ s technical sessions. Across presentations on ventilation, cooling and energy systems, a consistent message emerged: engineering challenges are intensifying as mining operations move deeper, thermal loads increase and efficiency pressures mount. Addressing these challenges requires more than incremental improvements. It demands a shift toward integrated systems thinking, where technologies are designed to work together rather than in isolation.
Mine cooling, in particular, stood out as a critical area of focus. As underground environments become deeper, hotter and more complex, traditional cooling approaches are being stretched to their limits. Engineers are increasingly combining surface cooling, chilled water systems, and, in extreme cases, ice-based solutions to maintain safe and productive working conditions. The objective is no longer simply to cool, but to do so in a way that balances performance, energy consumption, and long-term cost.
Ventilation is undergoing a similar evolution. Static airflow designs are being replaced by dynamic, datadriven systems capable of adjusting in real time to operational requirements. This move toward ventilation-on-demand reflects a broader transformation within industrial engineering, where infrastructure is becoming more responsive, adaptive and closely aligned with actual usage patterns.
It was against this backdrop of increasingly complex and interconnected systems that the event’ s keynote address introduced a broader, more strategic perspective. Harvey challenged the prevailing assumption that technology alone drives competitive advantage. Instead, she argued that the real opportunity lies in how effectively organisations integrate AI with human capability.
Her address reframed AI not as a standalone solution, but as part of a deeper shift in how organisations operate. Across industries, AI is already transforming processes – analysing vast datasets, predicting failures and optimising systems at speeds no human team could match. Yet, as she emphasised, these capabilities do not replace the core human elements of engineering. Judgement under uncertainty, responsibility for outcomes, and the ability to navigate entirely new situations remain distinctly human strengths.
Howden CEO Kudzai Nyangoni opened the day.
This distinction becomes increasingly important as engineers move into roles that extend beyond problem-solving. In Harvey’ s
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14 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I June 2026