Africa Surveyors July-August issue 2021 by Nailex Africa Publishing

Volume 3 issue no. 16

July - August issue 2021

Africa Surveyors Structural Engineering

Possible causes of Structural failure

Learning about a Career in Surveying Underwater Profilers Zanzibar to Build Domino-Shaped Tower on a man-made Island

In this issue...... Botswana receives first 5-Star Green rating office building....pg 36 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

Nigeria’s latest gas-related power shortages could have been avoided....pg 14

THABA Telle Mining Company awarded with diamond mining rights in Lesotho....pg 26 July-August issue l 2021

July-August issue l 2021

www.africasurveyorsonline.com

CONTENTS

Contents 25

Current Issue

Structural Engineering - What causes structural failure & many more

REGULARS News Briefs

Events

Innovation

Opinion

Project review

Managing Editor Francis David

COVER STORY

Editor-in-Chief

Structural Engineering: Possible causes of structural

Augustine Mwita

Editor Dorcas Kang’ereha

Writer

Violet Ambale Harriet Mkhaye Irene Joseph Innocent Momanyi

failure

Features

Career: Learning About A Career in Surveying Marine: Underwater Profiers Oil & Gas: Rwanda to Resume Search for Oil and Gas in

Sales Executives

Lake Kivu

East Africa

Mining: Petra Diamonds to restart mining operations in

Jimmy Mudasia Lydia Kamonya Caiser Momanyi Vincent Murono Sheila Ing’ayitsa

South Africa

Paul Nyakeri Sean Masangwanyi Lisa Brown Thembisa Ndlovu

northern Tanzania

Upcoming project: Zanzibar to Build Domino-Shaped Tower on a man-made Island

Project Review: Prime Plaza - Botswana

ADVERTISER'S INDEX

Nigeria

Emelda Njomboro Uche Maxwel

Published by:

Nailex Africa Publishing Nairobi, Kenya.

20 34

C.R.Kennedy Survey Solutions............................................IFC Bauder.......................................................................................IBC Position Partners....................................................................OBC Skilltrade BV.............................................................................pg 17 MacArtney...............................................................................pg 13 AF Consulting Engineering..................................................pg 21 Evologics..................................................................................pg 24 Stannah.....................................................................................pg 22 Caroni........................................................................................pg 38 Saab...........................................................................................pg 19 Mirtk..........................................................................................pg 30

The Editor accepts letter and manuscripts for publication from readers all over the world. Include your name and address as a sign of good faith although you may request your name to be withheld from publication. We can reserve the right to edit any material submitted. Send your letters to: info@africasurveyorsonline.com

Disclaimer:

Nailex Africa Publishing makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents of its publications, but no warranty is made to such accuracy and no responsibility will be borne by the publisher for the consequences of actions based on information so published. Further, opinions expressed on interviews are not necessarily shared by Nailex Africa Publisher.

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July-August issue l 2021

NEWS BRIEFS

Ghana to reverse Land Degradation with World Bank support

he World Bank approved $103.4 million for Ghana to reverse land degradation and strengthen integrated natural resource management in about 3 million hectares of degraded landscapes, working with communities of the Northern Savannah Zone and the cocoa forest landscape. The cost of environmental degradation in Ghana due to unsustainable use of land for agriculture, forests, and mining stands at 2.8 percent of national GDP (2017). If the current natural resource extraction remains unchanged, Ghana will see its natural resource base destroyed over the long term, with

fewer opportunities to sustain growth and shared prosperity. “The project will help boost post-COVID-19 economic recovery, create jobs and secure livelihoods in some of the poorest parts of Ghana by focusing on agricultural productivity, ecosystems management and sustainable small-scale mining,” said World Bank Country Director, Pierre Laporte. The project will also enhance women’s role in locallevel forest and landscape management activities, and create better income-generating opportunities. Over 250,000 people will benefit from the project.

Kenya and China open Regional Luban Workshop for Petroleum Engineering

he energy sector in the country is set for major transformation after Kenyan and Chinese governments opened the country’s second Luban Workshop at Taita-Taveta University that will specialize in Petroleum and Petro-chemical engineering. This new development is part of a long-term joint plan to create a technical workforce to enhance the country’s capacity for exploiting the potential of the Blue Economy. University Education and Research Principal Secretary Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi termed the opening of the workshop as a game-changer in the country’s quest of becoming a regional powerhouse in the oil and gas industry.

Speaking during the launch of the Luban Workshop at Taita-Taveta University in Mwatate sub-county, Amb Nabukwesi noted that the partnership between Kenya and China to bolster the capacity of a locally trained workforce would see the country benefit immensely from practical skills in the fields of petroleum engineering, petrochemical engineering and New Generation Information Technology. The event also saw the opening of a Kenya-China Vocational and Technical Education Center where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Taita-Taveta University and Dongying Vocational Institute. The two institutions agreed to the establishment of a center at the university while another sister center will be established at Dongying Vocational Institute. The latter will become the base for Kenyan Teachers training in China as well as a base for learners pursuing advanced studies in the Asian superpower.

First turbine at first wind farm in Djibouti assembled

nergy demand could increase tenfold over the next ten years through new power plants in Djibouti. Faced with this development, the country relies on renewable energy resources, of which wind power is one of the pillars. Siemens Gamesa, a subsidiary of German engineering conglomerate Siemens, is building the first renewable energy plant in Djibouti. The company assembled the first turbine for the country’s new wind farm project earlier this month. This is the first of 17 turbines to be installed in Goubet. The 59MW infrastructure will be built on a 395-hectare site on the shores of Lake Assal. Siemens

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Alinani Precious Metals to put up mega gold plant in Kenya

ocal gold miners have a reason to smile after foreign company Alinani Precious Metals Limited announced plans to put up a mega gold refining plant in Kenya. The plant, which when completed would be the biggest in East and Central Africa. According to the company, the plant will act as a yard stick to small scale, medium scale and established gold miners in the country ,as it plans to empower and support them to realise optimum yields. This is through a scheme that will be engaged as a joint venture. Alinani is a mining corporation enrolled under First Group of Companies in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, with First Line Capital as an investment company, First Commodity Exchange works as a market platform, while First Cargo Logistics provides transportation products under one umbrella. The firm based in East Africa has over the years solidified itself as a significant actor in gold mining, refinery, and smelter across Africa. Small-scale gold mining is booming in the country, especially in areas like Siaya, Migori, Kisumu, Kakamega and Homabay counties and APM refinery plant is geared towards processing metal produced by informal diggers in several counties in Kenya, it said. According to APM Chief Executive Officer Bupe Chipando, the refinery once complete, will be a major investment that will offer miners and the country in general a way to extract value from their own mineral wealth, rather than just exporting raw commodities. If the sector is not properly controlled, they risk adding to problems of smuggling and fatalities while mining, due to improper mining equipment and methods, Chipando notes. Alinani Precious Metals will have the ability to generate and process about 300 kilograms of gold per day with a state-of-the-art equipment and machinery.

Gamesa will also maintain the wind farm when it is fully operational. The contract for the construction of the park was signed a little over a year ago. The electricity produced in Djibouti comes entirely from fossil fuels. The new facility is anticipated to reduce the cost of electricity, achieve energy independence and reduce the country’s CO 2 emissions .

“By branding gold from abroad as Kenyan, the operation is merely imitating others-for example, the Swiss don’t mine the gold they refine in Switzerland,” Chipando said. He added: “We will train, finance and provide machinery as well as continuous technical support to our members once we set the ball rolling.”

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NEWS BRIEFS

SGoF seeks review of Survey curriculum

T CODEIT Institute of Technology expands into Tanzania under a training agreement in East Africa

he no.1 Ranked Software Engineering Education Provider in the Mid Atlantic – CODEIT Institute of Technology (CIT) is now scaling its footprint in Africa. CIT recently signed an agreement with Kipanga Ventures LTD, better known as Hawks to train students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. CIT’s latest venture will incorporate Python Software Engineering, AWS Cloud Architecture, and Blockchain Programming Training. The move is in line with the institute’s goal of empowering low-income, unemployed, underemployed, women, and other underrepresented individuals, with the skills sets and knowledge to remove them from a cycle of poverty while creating generational wealth.

he Surveyor General of the Federation, Surv. Taiwo Adeniran has called for immediate review and update of school curriculum in our universities and Polytechnics to take into account recent technologies and development within the field of Geomatics. He said the review became imperative to enable practitioners operate at the peak of the career and align with the emerging dynamics and technological advancement in the sector. The SGoF made the call on Thursday, while delivering his paper at the Association of private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria, APPSM’s seminar entitled: Surveying Practice in Federal Capital Territory: The Burden of Land Tenure System and Lack of Adaptability to Change, held in Abuja. ‘‘There is need for review of the curriculum in the training institutions and also for the practicing surveyors to acquire more skills on regular basis to be in tune with the current realities in the industry.’’ He said the practitioners in the sector must be ready to study and analyze their environment and prepare proposals to relevant government institutions rather

than wait for advertisement in the dailies for jobs. Surv. Adenoran identified land tenure system, capacity and the adaptability of the professional to respond positively to emerging challenges in FCT through innovation and acquisition of relevant skills as some of the prevailing issues that affect practice of surveying in FCT. While emphasizing the importance of surveyors in development, Adeniran said ‘‘without surveying and Geospatial inputs, the seventeen terminal goals of SDGs would not be realized. ‘‘All we have to do is to consider the goals and come up with geospatial solutions that can facilitate the realization of the goals. Surveyors and geometricians must start thinking solutions because surveying and geometrics are about solutions.

Delta Drone International to provide LIDAR for Newmont Corporation in Ghana

The deal in Tanzania follows on the heels of CIT’s agreement in March of 2021 in Uganda. The series of deals confirm the educational venture by CIT in the region of East Africa. Chief Education Officer Da’shone Hughey shared his experience in Uganda and said, “The experience has been great in Uganda. Once we review the program’s features and nuances in Uganda, we will begin training in Tanzania. The Tanzania deal is part of CIT’s strategy in East Africa and the continent of Africa.” There has been a steady increase in the demand for IT solutions for businesses and individuals across the globe. Software Engineers have become one of the hottest solutions providers in recent times. Unfortunately, the increasing demand for such professionals has not been particularly met by a corresponding level of supply. However, the CODEIT Institute of Technology team looks poised to change this narrative as substantiated by the recent partnership deals in Africa. Co-Founder – Prosperity Paul of Kipanga Ventures LTD said, “I spent several years as a Software Engineer in Nairobi, Kenya. When I returned to Tanzania, I found it extremely difficult to find Software Engineers with the skills necessary to collaborate with on various projects. That was four years ago and the situation here in Tanzania still has not changed. The opportunity to work with CIT will help us increase the number of skilled Software Engineers significantly and position us for the coming Fintech market in Tanzania where we hope to attract tech investments.”

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lobal drones-as-a-service provider Delta Drone International (ASX:DLT) has been reappointed by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, a subsidiary of one of the world’s largest gold mining companies, Newmont Corporation in Ghana, for a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) project on its Ahafo mine. Delta Drone International will provide a dronebased LIDAR solution to create an accurate 3D model of the earth and its surface characteristics to map new areas for the mine and mitigate potential risks prior to mine expansion construction commencing. Delta Drone International CEO, Christopher Clark said: “To continue working with Newmont Corporation, one of the world’s leading enterprise gold mining companies, who is using advanced drone techniques

for several types of project applications, is a testament to our specialist expertise and dronesas-a-service model.” “Using the latest in drone LIDAR technology, we can fly with this sensor in a fixed-wing drone, allowing us to map new areas and essentially compete with manned LIDAR, but at a lower price point.” “We are seeing increased demand to use our LIDAR capability to create ‘digital elevation models’ that allows companies to see below thick forest and other surface vegetation and more accurately determine site suitability for certain types of infrastructure and how a site can be used.” “The trust our enterprise customers place in us to help solve these types of challenges through a fully outsourced solution is the reason we have longstanding customer relationships and are the go-to drones-as-a-service provider in Africa.”

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INTERNATIONAL

Jaxon Mining commences Advanced IP Survey at Netalzul Mt

Latium Technologies and Aon Revolutionizing Construction Risk Management

axon Mining Inc. (TSXV: JAX) (FSE: 0U31) (OTC: JXMNF) (“Jaxon” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce it has commenced an induced polarization (IP) surveying program, started on August 28, 2021, at the Netalzul Mt project on the Hazelton property, near Smithers, BC. SJ Geophysics Ltd. of Delta, BC is conducting the work. The program includes the acquisition of a DC resistivity/induced polarization (IP) data and short interval magnetotelluric (MT) data utilizing the Volterra Acquisition System. Netalzul Mt project covers 119.88 km2 of the northeast corner of the Hazelton Property and consists of 22 claims (Figure 1). The Netalzul Mt project is marked by surficial high-grade Ag-AuCu-Mo-W-Zn-Pb-Sb polymetallic occurrences. The mineralization exposed at Netalzul Mt is analogous to the types of mineralization at the Silver Standard mine at East Hazelton, the Huckleberry porphyry mine 100 km south of Smithers, SolGold’s Alpala project in Uruguay and Zijin’s Buritica project in Colombia. Jaxon’s conceptual geological model of Netalzul Mt depicts four high-grade silver dominated polymetallic mineralization zones and the deeper Cu-Mo-Au porphyry system that generated them.

atium Technologies and Aon plc today announced a strategic alliance to introduce Latium’s Job Site Insights® (JSI®) Internet of Things (IoT) application and suite of products as a foundational risk mitigation tool for contractors and owners. The alliance between Latium Technologies and Aon brings industry-leading technology to more contractors and owners, so they can prevent incidents before they happen, realize lower insurance costs and obtain more comprehensive terms for their insurance coverage. “Too often, projects are compromised by risks that result in expensive delays and insurance claims. JSI® is the only smart construction solution that

•

The 2021 IP survey will focus on the central part of the Netalzul Mt project (Figure 1). SJ Geophysics will utilize their Volterra distributed acquisition system to measure the DC resistivity, induced polarization, and MT resistivity responses. The Volterra 3DIP data will be acquired on 200 m spaced lines, utilizing 5-line acquisition sets and 112 m dipoles with a customized diamond array. Current injections will be acquired every 100 m. This will provide a depth of investigation of approximately 700 m-800 m (Figure 2). To increase the resistivity data depth of investigation, an optional MT survey in addition to the IP survey has been included to complement the resistivity data depth of investigation to approximately 1000 m+. Data for the Volterra short interval MT survey will be collected whenever the IP transmitter is not actively transmitting. High sensitivity induction magnetometers will be used to measure the magnetic field and the electric dipoles in place for the 3DIP survey will measure the magnetotelluric electric field response. The 3DIP data will be inverted utilizing UBCGIF DCIP3D inversion algorithms to provide 3D subsurface models of the resistivity and chargeability properties.

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Latium Technologies offers a suite of IoT telemetry solutions that create smarter construction sites through real-time data insight, analytics and alerts. JSI® combines Building information modeling (BIM), IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in an easy-to-use platform that substantially enhances overall visibility and management of a construction site.

ATTOM acquires GeoData Plus, to increase Real Estate Transparency accurate property analysis. We are excited to continue our rapid growth, and our mission of increasing real estate transparency.”

IP Surveying Program Highlights at Netalzul Mt Project •

combines innovation and IoT in the areas that need it most, like water-damage risk, one of the most expensive risks at the workface of construction,” said Mark Bryant, CEO of Latium Technologies. “Our work with Aon amplifies the importance of muchneeded industry change to enable world-class risk management and insights, and we’re thrilled to bring the power of IoT innovation and protection to Aon’s clients.”

The strategic acquisition of GeoData Plus will provide customers with greater insight into the marketplace to make more informed and educated decisions. GeoData Plus has served as a trusted source for appraisers, real estate professionals, lenders and more, in providing accurate valuations, comparable sales and public record data. With this acquisition, ATTOM will continue GeoData Plus’s commitment to servicing various industries in the real estate marketplace, further solidifying ATTOM’s unique position as the one-stop shop for premium property data fueling innovation.

“ATTOM remains focused on providing our customers with the most comprehensive property data available, while delivering data-driven critical insights and analytics-ready property data solutions addressing a wide range of business needs,” said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM. “This acquisition further enhances our value proposition for our customers – and the entire marketplace – by enabling users to obtain in-depth property reports and valuable information for a more

“The synergy between our two companies further enhances and empowers our combined capabilities in the real estate market,” said Erik Wind, President of GeoData Plus. “Our companies have very different strengths, but incredibly aligned goals to bring transparency and convenience to real estate transactions. I am thrilled about the positive impact this acquisition will have on the customers of GeoData Plus, ATTOM, and the overall real estate market.”

TTOM, curator of the nation’s premier property database, has announced it has acquired GeoData Plus, the leading application for in-depth property research, valuation, and prospecting tools.

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INTERNATIONAL

SAM acquires Johnson Surveying and Mapping

AM Companies, a leading provider of geospatial and construction services in the US, has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Johnson Surveying and Mapping, Inc., a professional land surveying company located in Jacksonville, Florida. SAM continues to expand its geographic footprint and service offerings through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. This acquisition continues SAM’s aggressive expansion, with this being SAM’s eleventh acquisition in five years. Johnson Surveying and Mapping is a full-service professional land surveying firm serving southeastern US with licenses in Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee. They have particularly strong relationships with clients in markets that include utilities, land development, and other public sector clients, and their service offerings and location complement SAM’s existing capabilities in the region and will expand SAM’s project capacity, geographic footprint,

and market diversity. “As we continue to expand our services and capacity across the US, we are pleased to bring Johnson Surveying and Mapping to our team,” said SAM President and CEO, Chris Solomon. “Their experience and reputation as a best-in-class service provider for their clients throughout northeast Florida will be a great addition to our company, and will also allow the Johnson team to deliver greater value-adding solutions to their clients.” Key Johnson staff will be joining the SAM team as part of the acquisition, including Owner Donald M. Johnson, Jr., PSM, who will continue to focus on business development and operations. According to Johnson, “We’re very excited to be joining SAM. They have a leading position for delivering innovative technology and project solutions in our industry and we look forward to bringing those advantages to our clients.”

Sigma joins the Microdrones global distribution network

igma, a distributor and service provider for a wide range of scientific and engineering technologies in the UAE and the GCC countries, will now be an official distributor of Microdrones integrated systems, including the GE industrial drone line and the Microdrones expert drone line, offering drone solutions to their Oil & Gas, Government, Environmental, Engineering, and Construction clients throughout the United Arab Emirates. “The partnership will strengthen our product portfolio and allow us to offer end-to-end drone solutions to our customers in the UAE,” says Chethan Karkera, the Channel Manager at Sigma. “Microdrones is one of the leading players for Lidar which compliments the Sigma Drone Portfolio.” As a Microdrones distributor, Sigma will offer the full product lineup from Microdrones providing their customers with everything needed to get started

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Bluesky Cyclomedia partnership combines Aerial and Mobile Mapped Data for Virtual City Models

using drones for surveying and mapping – the UAV, the sensors, and the software and hardware. In addition, the Microdrones as a Service (mdaaS) sales model will allow Sigma to expand its drone surveying market. Karkera adds, “The new collaboration with GE and the expanded product line from Microdrones will allow us to attract more government, construction and surveying companies. The capability and convenience paired with affordability will help many of our customers to integrate Microdrones solutions into their projects.” As the leading distributor and service provider for renowned brands in the UAE, Sigma has a significant market presence and an experienced team with long-standing business relationships in both the public and private sectors. Sigma has built a great reputation as the local partner for Scientific and Engineering Technologies.

luesky International, Aerial mapping company is working with the Dutch mobile mapping specialist Cyclomedia to bring together imagery and height data, captured from the air and at street level, to fuel a growing demand for virtual city applications in the UK. Cyclomedia currently captures and processes around 375,000 miles of 360-degree panoramic street level images and LiDAR data worldwide – the equivalent to 30 million recordings a year. Enhanced by powerful Artificial Intelligence powered analytics, this data provides large scale systematic visualisations of physical environments, using specialised technology, from moving vehicles. Using its hybrid airborne sensors, Bluesky has already flown many UK cities. Simultaneously capturing ultra-high resolution oblique and vertical aerial photography together with highly accurate LiDAR data, these Bluesky MetroVista products can provide large area aerial context for Cyclomedia’s street level detail. “By bringing together two best of breed solutions, in a single platform, we are ever closer to fulfilling the growing demand for true virtual cities available from the desktop,” commented Rachel Tidmarsh, Managing Director of Leicestershire-based Bluesky International. “Cyclomedia has been a pioneer in the field of mobile mapping for 40 years and has completed projects around the world so was a perfect fit for Bluesky.” “Working with Bluesky we can ensure that users are getting the best of both worlds,” added Duncan Guthrie, VP Europe at Cyclomedia. “We now have city-wide coverages achieved through aerial acquisition complementing street-level fidelity from our vehicle mounted sensors. Accessible through a single platform this will enhance a host of customer applications that require up-to-date, accurate, photorealistic 3D city models.”

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EVENTS

Commercial UAV Expo Americas Announces Massive Early Support for 2021 Event

rganizers of the annual Commercial UAV Expo Americas, the leading commercial drone trade show and conference in North America, have announced an impressive list of more than 225 supporters from six continents for the 2021 event, which will take place September 7-9, 2021 at The Mirage Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV. Hundreds of associations and media companies have already signed on as supporters of Commercial UAV Expo Americas 2021. “Industry leaders have clearly cast their votes for Commercial UAV Expo Americas in 2021,” said Lee Corkhill, Group Director at Diversified Communications, organizer of the event. “225+

media and association supporters have signed on as Supporting Partners for this year’s event, as Commercial UAV Expo Americas has firmly established itself as the leading event to bring the industry safely back together and serve professionals integrating and operating commercial UAS.” The 2019 edition of Commercial UAV Expo Americas drew in 3,100 attendees, 200+ exhibitors, and 200+ presenters from over 50 countries. The full list of supporters and attendees who took part in the event can be found here. Special features of the 2021 event include live outdoor drone demonstrations and the DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit with

two full days of programming for drone operators and program managers across law enforcement, fire, search & rescue, and other emergency services for strategic discussions and workshops surrounding the evolving use of unmanned aircraft systems. New this year, the UAM Summit, organized by Amsterdam Drone Week, will be a platform for knowledge-sharing and where key players co-create and cooperate to create urban air mobility solutions together. Full event information, including workshops, conference programming, networking events and more will be available soon. Registration for the 2021 event will open in June – stay in the know.

The Joburg Indaba

oburg Indaba is a highly regarded and influential industry platform which attracts an unparalleled line-up of CEOs, Government, investors and industry experts who come together to debate the

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critical issues facing the mining sector in South Africa. Speakers discuss the current challenges and opportunities in the industry including macroeconomic and political factors, how different

commodities and sectors are performing, current energy challenges, the investment landscape, ESG, modernisation and much more.

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LEAD SPONSOR

6 – 7 October 2021

The Joburg Indaba is an influential mining industry gathering, renowned for its straight talk, refreshing insights and collaborative atmosphere. Since its inception, the Joburg Indaba has developed a reputation as a highly regarded platform which unpacks a wide range of critical issues affecting all stakeholders in the mining industry. The Joburg Indaba brings together CEOs and senior representatives from all major mining houses, international investors, Government, parastatals, experts from legal and advisory firms and representatives from communities and organised labour. Follow us on the website for latest speakers and programme developments www.joburgindaba.com Joburg Indaba 2021 is proudly sponsored by: Lead Sponsor

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INNOVATION

A2Z Drone Delivery Launches Commercial Dual-Payload UAV

2Z Drone Delivery, LLC, developer of a patented tethered freefall drone delivery mechanism, today announced the launch of its RDSX commercial delivery UAV. The A2Z Drone Delivery RDSX was developed in collaboration with a leading global logistics provider to deliver dual payloads per flight, helping drone service providers streamline deliveries while mitigating consumer concerns with residential drone delivery. The RDSX integrates A2Z Drone Delivery’s proprietary tethered freefall Rapid Delivery System capable of quickly and safely delivering payloads from altitudes as high as 150 feet. By keeping spinning rotors far from people and property, the RDSX helps mitigate consumer concerns with drone deliveries such as the potential for property damage, intrusive rotor noise, and assuages some of the privacy concerns with lowflying unmanned aerial vehicles. A2Z Drone Delivery will be showcasing the new RDSX at the upcoming Commercial UAV Expo (September 7-9, 2021 in Las Vegas, NV). The RDSX is a flexible drone delivery platform capable of carrying dual payloads each weighing up to two kilograms on a round trip of up to 18 kilometers, or the RDSX can be configured with a single tether to expand its range out to 30 kilometers. The controlled-freefall delivery method employed by the RDSX allows UAV service providers to reduce time-on-station to a minimum by delivering

the package to the ground in seconds and eliminating the need for the drone to touch down. By maintaining its altitude throughout the delivery, the RDSX keeps spinning rotors away from people and property, mitigating consumer concerns and enabling it to deposit payloads into areas congested by trees, wires or other dangerous obstructions. The integrated A2Z Drone Delivery app combines manual control system operations with an onboard computer and sensor array to manage the package’s controlled-freefall and gentle stop before the ground. With the package delivered, the RDSX’s Kevlar® tether and auto-release mechanism releases the payload before being reeled back up for reuse.

“Residential drone delivery pilot programs are coming online throughout the United States right now, and much of the industry is anxiously awaiting the large-scale regulatory approval that will see residential deployments rapidly expand,” said Aaron Zhang, founder of A2Z Drone Delivery, LLC. “While the raw technical capabilities for these deliveries already exist, a key benchmark for regulatory approvals will be addressing the consumer comfort with UAVs being rolled out into daily life. Our tethered freefall delivery capability integrated with the RDSX offers a way to mitigate some of those consumer concerns.

Teledyne releases MicroCalibir, a new compact low-power camera platform

eledyne is pleased to introduce the MicroCalibir™, a new compact, low-power camera platform. This latest uncooled thermal camera platform features the smallest VGA IR core module on the market, making it ideal for OEM drones, handhelds, helmet-mounted and vehicular integration products. The development of the small and lightweight MicroCalibir is a result of the latest advances made by Teledyne DALSA’s integration of their in-house 12 μm microbolometer pixel technology with a deepADC ROIC circuit. This novel ROIC design results in a 1000°C intra-scene temperature range at a sub-50mK NETD. Its pocket-sized 21 x 21 mm format offers the latest Size Weight and Power (SWaP) optimization for this type of LWIR imager, with very high dynamic range. Furthermore, the cameras can reach very low, sub-30mK, NETD levels by utilizing advanced, user selectable noise filtering algorithms. The MicroCalibir platform delivers accurate and high-end thermal capabilities and can be configured by resolution, field of view, and frame rate, to deliver optimal performance in applications such as UAVs,

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security and surveillance, outdoor recreation/personal vision systems, firefighting and many more. MicroCalibir cameras and cores are available in QVGA and VGA resolutions and a variety of lens options. Its

modular design allows for different interface options, for today and for the future. Current available interfaces are LVCMOS, and USB2, a CSI2 version will follow later in 2021.

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INNOVATION

RedTail LiDAR Systems unveils innovative LiDAR System for small Drones

edTail LiDAR Systems, a leader in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror-based LiDAR technology, today unveiled the market introduction of the RTL-450 LiDAR sensor. The product will be launched at the XPONENTIAL 2021 Trade Show which is being held in Atlanta, Georgia from August 16-19. The RTL-450 incorporates a lightweight MEMS mirror and a precision navigation system to generate accurate data for the most demanding of aerial surveying missions. The high-resolution, threedimensional point clouds created by the RTL-450 provide operators an unsurpassed ability to conduct advanced analytics of geographic and manmade features on the earth’s surface. The RTL-450 – which is designed and assembled in the U.S. – incorporates patented LiDAR sensor technology to achieve superior performance. The innovative LiDAR system, which weighs in at just over 4 pounds, is designed to operate independently of a drone platform, providing great flexibility for drone integration. The modular nature of the design facilitates quick and efficient integration onto user selected platforms. To date, the RTL-450 has been integrated onto the FLIR SkyRaider, Freefly Alta-8, 4D-X6, DJI Matrice 300 and DJI Matrice 600. The simple and easy to use software interface – coupled with a comprehensive online training curriculum –

allows system operators to be up and running in no time. The system operates in a raster scan mode for surveillance missions and a side-to-side line scan mode for area mapping. The intuitive command and control, and high-brightness display integrated into the ground control station (GCS) allows operators to monitor and optimize data collection missions, an offering that that is unique in the world of small UAV

LiDAR systems. “We are thrilled to introduce RedTail LiDAR Systems’ RTL-450. This LiDAR system has been enhanced for use on a wide variety of small, user selected drones. The innovative MEMS mirror technology ensures that drone operators create one of the best, high-quality point clouds in the industry,” said Brad DeRoos, President and CEO of RedTail LiDAR Systems.

Schneider Eletric Announces New Features for ArcFM Edition XI

chneider Electric, the industry leader in Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions for utilities and communication providers, today announced the release of ArcFM Editor 11.3, the latest update to ArcFM Editor XI built specifically in ArcGIS Pro and for Esri’s Utility Network. This latest release of ArcFM Editor XI provides new ways for an overall efficient and better editing experience, most notably with the addition of Conduit Manager XI for the Utility Network. Users can easily create and manage dense underground networks and facilities like vaults, manholes, ducts in 3D while adhering to all network rules. Other new features and capabilities include: · A simple and intuitive duct layout editor to create, assign, modify and align ducts on walls in 3D. · Cross-sectional duct information that can be shared and traced across the organization.

· Instant 3D editing feedback for clarity and visual aid.

· Instant knowledge if a duct is available or occupied, as well as the shape and material of the duct.

“The extension of Editor XI with Conduit Manager XI gives users a rich 3D experience like this industry’s never seen,” said Jay Stinson, general manager at Schneider Electric. “Our goal is to make 3D editing as easy as 2D editing, and as streamlined and automated as possible. ArcFM Editor XI has a tremendous new value and we can’t wait for our customers to see it.”

· Seamlessly add contents to ducts, such as any electrical conductor. ·

Mass duct creation to save time and complexity.

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ArcFM Editor XI is the cornerstone of the ArcFM Solution XI Series, an ecosystem of applications focused on streamlining the design and construction workflow enabling utilities to get work done more efficiently. ArcFM Designer XI, ArcFM Web XI and ArcFM Mobile XI fill out the rest of the ecosystem offering the most comprehensive utility GIS solution available today. The result – streamlined workflows, minimized use of paper and a reduced work backlog equipping utilities to address the challenges facing today’s digital utility.

July-August issue l 2021

MINING

Exxaro partners University of Pretoria in cutting edge mining technology research programme

s part of its commitment to enhancing South Africa’s educational and technological spheres, Exxaro Resources has announced a partnership with the University of Pretoria to establish the first ever Exxaro Chair in Extended Reality (XR) Technology. Extended Reality technology refers to all real-and-virtual combined environments and human-machine interactions generated by computer technology, including augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR). Through this partnership, the Exxaro Chair in XR Technology will offer a framework firstly on how the XR technology can be used to address mining industry challenges, and secondly on identifying the best available technologies for the solutions. This investment in technological advancement will allow for constant research towards a safer, economical, and more environmentally sensitive form of mining. “We are proud to have such a strategic partnership with the University of Pretoria and to be amongst the mining companies to explore the potential benefits of XR Technology as a strategic intervention across its operations,” says Exxaro CEO, Mxolisi Mgojo. “Together, we are expanding upon the practical capabilities of XR in the South African context while supporting our need for industry to embrace the opportunities of the 4th Industrial Revolution. The possibilities of what we could develop are really exciting.” Exxaro will work with the Virtual Reality and

Interaction (VRI) Lab, an initiative of the Department of Information Science at the University of Pretoria, as well as the Department of Mining Engineering. The VRI lab applies XR technologies to create interactive user experiences for various applications. The Exxaro Chair in XR Technology programme will assist in selecting the most effective XR technology for the specific applications, and then design interactions that can enable intuitive interaction with the virtual environment. It will also offer extensive user testing of proposed solutions to ensure that the solutions address and solve as many of the challenges as possible. Among the solutions that will be explored are the application of individual and shared VR; mobile, tethered and cave setup VR; communication VR; tracked and untracked VR space; as well as hand tracking and full body tracking.

Professor Ina Fourie, the Head of Department of Information Science and the inaugural Exxaro Chair in XR Technology said: “Exxaro opens new opportunities for us to excel in industry related XR research. They offer us an opportunity to become international leaders in the use of XR technology in the mining industry and mining safety. Many other applications and opportunities can follow.” “The EBIT Faculty is honoured to work with an industry leading company such as Exxaro in taking the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), especially, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure and also to strengthen SDG 8 which is decent work and economic growth, both being what South Africa desperately needs” says Professor Sunil Maharaj, Dean of the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Engineering, Built & Information Technology.

Sandvik reinforces commitment to southern Africa miners with new South Africa HQ

n a strategic move that, it says, will consolidate its resources and further enhance its service to customers, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has moved its South Africa headquarters to brand new, purpose-designed premises in Kempton Park near Johannesburg. According to Simon Andrews, Managing Director at Sandvik South Africa, the state-of-the-art Khomanani facility includes three large workshop areas and office space on a 62,000 sq.m site. “As the Tsonga name Khomanani reflects – ‘hold each other together as a unit’ – our new home unites us under one roof to collaborate, adapt and learn as we strive towards higher standards,” Andrews says. “The technical synergies of the workshops add to our commitment and capacity for local production that meets global quality requirements.” Two of the workshops are dedicated to refurbishment and rebuilding of local equipment for the southern African region – mainly Botswana, Namibia and South

July-August issue l 2021

Africa. This is where new standard-format equipment is configured for local use – typically including features like safety systems, lighting, toe-hitches and decals to customer specifications. “Our remanufacturing facility allows us to completely rebuild machines to OEM standards, including the sub-assembly refurbishments on transmissions, axles, differential and pump motors,” Andrews says. The first workshop has 23 bays for machines to be refurbished, while the second is specially equipped with 100 t capacity flooring for the heavier tracked equipment such as underground continuous miners and surface drill rigs. The layout of the site allows the heavy transport vehicles to loop in and out with equipment without needing to manoeuvre, improving workflow and efficiency, the company says. A combination of cranes from 5 t to 30 t capacity – as well as a specialised 50 t forklift – facilitate safe and quick off-loading and reloading.

The third workshop focuses on local assembly of equipment for both South Africa as well as global markets to Sandvik’s OEM standards. “Our investment in local manufacturing capacity is an important vote of confidence in South Africa and its mining sector,” Andrews says. “The quality of our work is also world class, allowing Sandvik to shift certain manufacturing duties from elsewhere in the world to our new facility.” In line with Sandvik’s international guidelines, the design of Khomanani prioritises energy and water efficiency. With a shared solar photovoltaic system and use of LED light bulbs, the building is expected to achieve a 48% saving on energy, also making greater use of natural light, roof insulation and ‘low-E’ coated glass. Water-efficient fixtures, fittings and systems, as well as rainwater harvesting, will improve water consumption levels by 42%, according to the company.

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OPINION

Nigeria’s latest gas-related power shortages could have been avoided Here is why

n 28 May 2021, Nigeria’s national power generation dropped to 3,059 MW and for the subsequent seven days remained below 4,000 MW, six percent below average production. Low pressure on the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) left several gas turbine power plants with insufficient gas supply, leading to plant shutdowns and widespread power blackouts. Unlike gas turbine power plants, gas engine power plants have the flexibility to function during low gas pressure events. This flexibility significantly lowers power production risk, a supreme advantage in context of gas supply disruptions and systemic power shortages. Power cuts in Nigeria are a regular occurrence. Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) shows that from 2013 to 2020, the national grid system failed 84 times and partially collapsed 43 times. The World Bank data on countries with the most electricity outages in Africa showed that in 2019, Nigeria suffered outages for 191 days out of 365. The economic cost of power shortages in the country is estimated at around $28 billion annually – equivalent to two percent of its Gross Domestic Product.

Author: Yusuff Wale, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Marine & Power Services Nigeria Ltd

“

Unlike gas turbine power plants, gas engine power plants have the flexibility to function during low gas pressure events. This flexibility significantly lowers power production risk, a supreme advantage in context of gas supply disruptions and systemic power shortages.

”

July-August issue l 2021

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OPINION

Power plants suffer from disrupted gas supply Gas is used to fuel more than 80% of power generation capacity, in Nigeria that has the largest gas reserves in Africa. Despite major progress achieved over the past years, gas infrastructures development and maintenance remain insufficient, and this situation combined with infrastructure sabotage results in the country suffering from insufficient pipeline capacity and a lack of pipeline connections. The condition of the gas transmission and distribution system is a major constraint as domestic supply shortages and insufficient pressure severely affect the reliability of the power supply.

What does this mean in practice? Trunk pipelines like the ELPS require sufficient volumes of natural gas to be fed into the system within a specified pressure range to ensure that gas is delivered to all consumers along the pipeline as per the contracted quality and quantity. A drop in the volumes leads to a drop in the pressure leading to disruptions between the ELPS and end consumers. In such a scenario, high pressure off-takers such as gas turbine power plants can no longer operate and drop out as consumers, thus freeing up the remaining gas volumes for low pressure off-takers such as reciprocating gas engine power plants which can

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continue to operate at full rated capacity.

Workable solutions adapted to fluctuating fuel supply and load The flexible power plants, made up of multiple engine modules which can be turned-down or fired-up instantaneously, offer a large range in power supply availability. In addition to being robust and versatile to manage the current generation and transmission side disturbances, they are also the perfect ally of renewable energies since they can adjust output in response to the intermittent nature of the weather. Engine-based technologies also provide the best response times to effectively adapt to sudden excess or shortfall in electricity production. Furthermore, their modular format means that they can be sized to meet specific requirements, for a city, for manufacturing industries, or for local micro-grids. This makes them easier and faster to install than larger gas turbine plants and facilitates expansion as energy requirements increase. Gas turbine power plants on the other hand involve a continuous combustion process. They require a constant energy supply to generate consistent output. They are not adapted to operate on a stop-start basis, nor are they designed to cope with the intermittent nature of renewables. To maintain a balanced system,

flexible forms of electricity must be available to ramp up output at the same rate that wind or solar output fluctuates. Using small, modular, combustion engines to provide load flexibility enables larger combined cycle plants to provide a stable base load taking advantage of high efficiencies when operating at full capacity and reducing overall energy costs.

Unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s power sector The reality today is that Nigeria’s power system faces several challenges, including blackouts, fuel shortages, financing, maintenance, demanding operating conditions and reduced cooling water availability. The size of the gap between the country’s energy needs and its current provision is daunting but not impossible to close. As the largest economy in Africa, with huge gas reserves and high solar energy potential, Nigeria has all the natural resources necessary to meet the country’s power needs. To realise the full benefits of this potential, flexible engine technology offers a superior solution over gas turbine technology. Increasing access to electricity ranks as one of the major drivers for business growth. Improving power sector performance, particularly for manufacturing and services, will be central to unlocking Nigeria’s economic growth post COVID-19.

July-August issue l 2021

FEATURE

Learning about a Career in Surveying

ne can be professionally qualified surveyor and be self-employed or even a chartered accountant or financial consultant. A chartered accountant is someone who works for a company on behalf of the company. He has to carry out any function that would benefit the company and is paid a certain amount of money as remuneration. There are various courses and educational qualifications that can lead to an entry level professionally qualified surveyor in this field. In today's market a person with knowledge of geographic information, statistics as well as accounting can also be doing a surveying job. Geographical information refers to the knowledge of the physical things like roads, boundaries, railway stations, airport terminals, buildings, etc. This type of surveyor's work is normally carried out over long distances. They survey certain sites on behalf of a client and take the required measurements. This job requires the knowledge of computers along with computer software as well. Usually the surveyors work independently or are employed by large organizations. Another surveying career path is Quantity Surveying. To be able to do a quality quantity surveying, a person needs to have a master's degree in civil engineering or in any other field that requires scientific knowledge. Quantity surveying is usually of two types: one that is usually carried out by government bodies and the other one is of private origin where the product belongs to the private individual or structure. One of the interesting surveying field positions is land surveying. In land surveying, it is very important to have accurate measurements for various purposes. The main job of land surveying is to study the topography, the soil and the surrounding areas so that the surveyor is able to provide the information needed. In order to do a good land survey, one must be experienced enough and should also be wellversed with the drafting instruments for such surveys. Land surveyors usually start off as surveyors before moving on to other specialized assignments.

There are different course sequences available for Hydrographic Surveyors. In order to obtain the best grades, a student needs to undertake the core courses first. These include theory-based courses like mathematical fundamentals, geometry and surveying instruments. Next, the student has to undergo the core surveying course which mainly consists of lectures, laboratory work and practical sessions. Last, but not the least; the student needs to secure a certificate from the recognized surveying board. “Although it is hard to generalize as there are many different jobs, in general a hydrographic surveyor needs to be ‘hard’ skilled in applied mathematics, physics, computer science and a fair dose of electronics. As everything is applied, a future surveyor shouldn’t be an ‘armchair’ Surveyor but be able to apply all knowledge directly into practice,” says Johan Stam, of Skilltrade BV. In addition, there are some important skills that every Surveyor needs to have. A good surveyor needs to be detail-oriented, physically fit, good at problem solving, good with statistical methods and very

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skilled in writing a convincing narrative in the field of surveying. All these are the prerequisites for a successful career as a professional surveying surveyor. Additionally, according to Johan, besides the hard skills a number of soft skills are required. Surveying is often done in a small team, far away and problems need to be solved in the here and now. “Amongst the soft skills required are being a team player, being capable of trouble shooting, thinking outside the box, working under pressure, being able to convince but also work on your own part of a project (but still as a member of a larger team) etc. A good overall surveyor is one that combines the hard skills and the soft skills,” he adds. Now that you know all these important things about surveying, you should be in a position to look for a suitable course sequence. It would be a great help if you can find a chartered or certified surveying consultant who can guide you through your education and prepare you for a rewarding and fulfilling career in the field of surveying.

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Skilltrade Hydrographic Survey Training

Skilltrade has been providing hydrographic education and expertise to the marine offshore sector since 2001. Starting with a two-day Introduction to Hydrography ccourse we have gone on to develop a number of specialised courses such as Multibeam Echosounder, DGPS, RTK, Side Scan Sonar, Sub-bottom Profiler and Tides. Several hundred participants have been trained to date and courses continue to be popular. Since 2008 we also offer a full Hydrographic Survey Category B curriculum (Cat B) as defined and certified by the FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors (IBSC). Our Cat B training is normally an intensive 30 week course (a 13 weeks e-learning programme, 1 week safety training, 12 weeks of practical training in the Netherlands, followed by a 4 week Field Training Project). However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made changes to the curriculum which allows us to offer the course in a way which respects the health and safety of students and staff while still adhering to the educational integrity of the course. With approval of the IBSC all lessons and exams that can be provided online will therefore be taught using digital formats for the upcoming 26th class. A 3-week practical and workshop training period will be held in the Netherlands, in line with IBSC regulations, in April 2022. We are able to offer this modified program at a substantially lower price than our standard on-site program. Until such time as it is safe to resume the on-site programme we can offer the modified IBSC certified course for €8950.- excl VAT.

Interested? Visit our website www.skilltrade.nl

or contact us at office@skilltrade.nl

“ Handbook of

Offshore Surveying Skilltrade has also developed a comprehensive compendium on offshore surveying. The Handbook of Offshore Surveying is comprised of three volumes: Volume I ( Projects, Preparation & Processing) , Volume II (Positioning & Tides) and Volume III (Acquisition Sensors). This three-volume series is an essential reference for the modern day hydrographer and should be on the desks of every hydrographic survey department and the professionals working for them. Please visit www.skilltrade.nl/bookstore for further information and to purchase them online. Price: € 194,- per 3 volume set (excluding VAT and Shipping).

ENGINEERING

Egypt signs $4.5 billion high-speed rail deal

gypt has signed a $4.45 billion deal for a highspeed electric rail line to link its Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts that contractor Siemens (SIEGn.DE) dubbed a “Suez Canal on rails”. The contract between Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) and a consortium including Siemens Mobility, Orascom Construction (OC.DI) and Arab Contractors will cover design, installation and maintenance of the rail link over 15 years, a cabinet statement said. The 660-kilometer (410 miles) link will include a main line designed to carry more than 30 million passengers annually as well as a freight line, and will run between the Red Sea port of Ain Sokhna and the Mediterranean ports of Alexandria and Marsa Matrouh.

Ain Sokhna is a major port and industrial complex just south of the Suez Canal, the quickest sea link between Europe and Asia. According to Siemens CEO Roland Busch, the rail link would cut journey times by as much as half, describing it as a “Suez Canal on rails”. The German engineering and technology group said its share of the contract was worth around $3 billion. Trains would be delivered by its Siemens Mobility unit by the end of 2023, with the order to be completed by 2027. Financial close on the contract is expected in 2022, Orascom said in a statement.

NAT and the consortium also agreed to discuss and finalise deals on two other high-speed rail links in Egypt, one running south from Cairo to Aswan, the other connecting the Nile city of Luxor to Hurghada and Safaga on the Red Sea, Orascom said. The network will eventually extend to 1,825 kms, according to the cabinet. Egypt has an extensive rail network but it has suffered from decades of underinvestment and has been plagued by accidents. In recent years, the government has accelerated an infrastructure drive that includes a rapid development of the road network and an expansion of the Suez Canal.

Dangote pledges to boost engineering

he Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) crowns the Dangote Group with three awards in recognition of its outstanding contributions to the development of the engineering profession in the country. The awards were presented during the NSE Ikeja Branch’s dinner and awards ceremony organised as part of activities to round-off its engineering week. At the ceremony held in Lagos Dangote Industries Limited bagged the ‘Outstanding Engineering Organisation of the year’ award, while the President/ Chief Executive of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, and Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, Devakumar Edwin, were both honoured with ‘Outstanding Engineering Personality’ awards. Other personalities who got the NSE awards were Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, John Holt Plc, Kenol Nigeria Limited, and Pilot Science Company Limited among others.

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Speaking during the event, Edwin, who expressed the company’s delight at the recognition and awards, pledged Dangote Industries’ commitment to the development of engineering in Nigeria. According to him, the company has over the past years invested in the training and development of young engineers who have acquired sufficient knowledge and taken

up the responsibility of managing Dangote Cement plants across Africa. Through adequate training and exposure to latest science and technology, Edwin said that Nigerians engineers now work as expatriates in Dangote Cement plants located in other countries.

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Structural Engineering

Possible causes of Structural failure

tructural Engineering is a subset of civil engineering, where structural engineers are trained on how to design the “bones and muscles” that make the actual form and structure of man-made structures. This type of engineering has very high standards in what it takes to build commercial and residential buildings as well as structures for the military. There are many areas that fall under the category of structural engineering. These include structural steel, reinforced concrete, column line steel, masonry, piping, interior support, doors, window panes, roofing, walls, and earthquake response. The field of structural engineering has many uses. One of the most popular of these uses is the construction and design of bridges. Bridges are one of the most important pieces of road building and transportation. A quality structural engineer can help determine the proper specifications for a structure, which will make the structure able to withstand any weather condition. According to Allen Fiford, Director at AF Consulting Engineers & Associates, specifications often refers to a set of documented requirements to be satisfied by a material, design, product, or service. When specifications are provided by a Structural Engineer, it is often a type of technical standard. “There are different types of technical or engineering specifications and the term is used differently in different technical contexts,” he elaborates. “A Specification is basically a document that describes the scope of work, the type of materials to be used, the quality of workmanship and the methodology of installation in a specific contract. This is to be used and read in conjunction with contract construction drawings. The specification is a living document to be used by the project team during the construction phase; its value does not terminate at the design phase,” defines Eng. Gibson N. Wanjau, Director & Principal Engineer at EL ARCA Engineering. To the best of his knowledge, Eng. Wanjau further points out the proper Specifications for a Structure should; 1. Clearly define the Materials and manufacturers’ items to be used on site 2. Back up the cost of the project, not only the materials and products but also the performance and workmanship of the contractor. 3. Identify installation, testing and handover requirements. 4. Be clear, and rich in information to provide answers to the many construction questions on site, saving the project team, contractor and client time and money 5. Assist in minimizing project risk and providing support should there be any legal disagreements. 6. Reference the quality and standards which should be applied on a construction project. Structural engineer also ensures that all the necessary tests are passed before any construction project is put into use.

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Another application of structural engineering deals with the prevention of structural failure. All structures, including buildings, have the potential for failure at some point. This is when the effects of stress are greatest. The primary reason for structural failure is the rate of change of a structure’s loadbearing capacity and load distribution. For example, if a heavy load is placed on a weak point, the structure can experience structural failure. If the load changes, the strength of the structure can decrease or the force by which the structure compresses or grows can

change, affecting the performance of the structure. However, Allen believes that, in the construction industry or build environment, defective construction which causes failure may be caused due to numerous/several reasons that may not be easy to predict before or during the construction of a project. The major causes of structural failure are defective designs that have not determined the actual loading conditions on the structural elements. Inferior construction materials may also be the cause since

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STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING the loads are calculated for materials of specific characteristics. Structures may fail even if the design is satisfactory, but the materials are not able to withstand the loads.

Use of the wrong mix ratio of concrete (of lower class than specified). Failure may also occur due to contractor and Engineer’s inadequate supervision and control of operations and material quality.

“We at AF Consulting Engineers & Associates have witnessed in many scenarios where employment of unskilled labour in construction work becomes a huge problem, this is another reason for why we witness structural failures. Hence the reason why it is so important to appoint reputable professionals to educate, designers builders, homeowner builder’s… etc., to make each party fully conscious of the reasons why structures fail, and undertake all preventive measures preventing structures from failing,” he recommends.

2. Methodology of Construction The contractor’s failure to construct in accordance with drawings and specifications given by the engineer can also be a cause or reason for failure of structures. 3. External/Environmental Conditions These are often natural, such as unexpected loads, heavy rain, earthquakes and maybe defective sites, which may have unusual ground conditions e.g., sinking holes or even swampy land.

Conforming to Allen, failures occurs very rarely as a result to inadequate design, more often because of bad construction practice, either due to ignorance or cutting corners for profit. "This is where supervision comes in and therefore our fees as professionals should be respected," he concludes.

4. Error in Structural designs Error in design don’t only mean errors of computation, but also it can be a failure to account for loads the structure will be expected to carry, reliance on inaccurate data and improper choice of materials and their properties.

“Structural elements tend to fail because of use of substandard materials, error in Structural designs, the methodology of construction, external/environmental conditions and the usage to which the building is put,” says Eng. Wanjau. He supplementary expand on possible causes of structural failure;

5. The Structure Usage Every structure is designed and built to withstand a certain amount load. A residential house is designed to withhold the weight of the residents living in it. If the same building is used as a warehouse, then that structure stands at a risk of being overstressed.

1. Use of Substandard Materials and Lack of quality control This happens when the contractor/builder decides to use inferior materials to put up the structure. E.g.,

Structural engineers perform an assortment of tasks within a building. Many of these engineers will be involved in the planning process, which will

AF Consulting Engineers & Associates is a company that is an independent multi-disciplinary consultancy firm providing engineering services for the built environment. We are a company that builds its stature in building partnership through trust, commitment and standing together with honour with leading companies in the Construction Industry.

Do You Have A Construction Project We Can Help With? Contuct Us: Email: allen@afconsultingeng.co.za info@afconsultingeng.co.za Tel: +27 (0)79 245 0900 www.africasurveyorsonline.com

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STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING determine many of the building’s characteristics. They will be responsible for determining the structural integrity, load bearing ability, and conditions of the structure, among other things. Structural engineers can also implement many of the building’s controls, ensuring that they work correctly, and can monitor the overall effectiveness of the facility. Many construction projects in earthquakes zones require the help of structural engineering. In addition to assisting in the planning and execution of the project, structural engineers must ensure that the integrity of the buildings is not compromised. They perform tests on beams and walls, as well as check for weak areas. In many cases, structural engineers must also rebuild the entire project of the facility

after a major disaster. Civil engineers may also be called upon during a large earthquake to inspect any damaged areas and ensure that safety regulations have been followed. Many smaller civil engineering firms specialize in a particular segment of the field. Some specialize in projects that focus on the residential market, while others focus on commercial projects such as apartment complexes and office buildings. Structural engineers may choose to work on either a specialty or multi-specialty basis, depending on the type of structure they are working on. Whatever the case, it is almost certain that structural engineering will continue to grow in importance as time goes by.

Disaster as two buildings under construction collapses in Kiambu County a structural engineer before they started any construction, calling on the government to crack the whip on rogue developers and contractors. Matalanga said if not stopped, the country will witness more cases of buildings under construction collapsing and killing people. NCA officials who visited the Kinoo structure said the entire structure will have to be brought down and that investigation will commence immediately to establish if the law was followed during the construction. Eng. Matalanga, further, accused NMS through the Department of City Planning of failing to supervise physical constructions in the city.

A five-storey residential building under construction caved-in in Kinoo

five-storey residential building under construction and which partly collapsed in Kinoo after developing cracks on Friday has no proper foundation, an engineer has revealed. According to the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) president Engineer Nathaniel Matalanga, the Kinoo building is crumbling because it stands on a weak foundation. "The Kinoo area and the larger Kiambu County has red soil which requires a large and strong foundation built with quality materials to support a building," said Eng. Matalanga. He linked the rampant collapse of buildings to greedy developers whom he said hire bogus contractors instead of qualified professional engineers to build their houses.

people will be very rare. “If developers stopped shortcuts and greed and hired professionals, they will not lose their investment and we will have quality buildings,” he said. He accused the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) of failing in its supervisory role, adding that some of its officials are bribed by developers to allow substandard buildings to be constructed. “If National Construction Authority (NCA) says the structure was not approved, how come the developer was allowed to build it to the fifth floor?” he questioned. Matalanga said NMS have ignored the law which requires the developers to seek the advice of

Residents said the owner of the building visited it on Thursday after being informed that his structure had started showing signs of collapsing. "The owner came here on Thursday night before leaving without uttering a word,” said Ken one of the resident that lives near the ill-fated building narrated. “People living near here left yesterday because it was just a matter of when before it came down,” he narrated. On the same county, a similar tragedy befell Gachie residents where three people have been killed while dozens are injured after a building collapsed in Gachie, Kiambu County. According to area police boss Ali Nuno the site engineer has not been at the scene, and therefore it is hard to ascertain how many people were working before the building under construction collapsed. The Gachie building is said to have caved in when the workers were putting up a slab for the sixth floor.

“You cannot build a five-story structure on a narrow foundation without the service of a structural engineer, it will collapse,” he emphasized. The IEK boss urged the government to create a conducive environment for professionals especially those in the engineering profession to reduce deaths and losses witnessed during such unfortunate collapses. He said if qualified engineers were involved in the entire process, cases of building collapsing and killing

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Rescue workers at the collapsed building in Gachie

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INFRASTRUCTURE

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July-August issue l 2021

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MARINE

Underwater Profilers

nderwater Profilers are electronic devices used for tracking fish and other aquatic life under water. They are commonly fitted to boats and other vessels used for fishing. The underwater cameras are operated by a computer or a microprocessor that makes the images available to the person on the boat via a radio signal. Underwater Profilers come in two categories; those that are fixed and those that are mobile. Both the types have built in suction cups that hold the camera firmly in place in the water. Fixed Underwater Profilers can be viewed from above, below and at a distance of over 100 feet. This enables divers to observe the behavior of fish at great depths. These cameras are widely used for surveillance and research purposes. The fixed underwater profile is also widely used for monitoring vessels at sea and land-based oil rigs. For this purpose, there are models designed specifically for marine environments.

quality images with high resolution from very close distances. This characteristic allows the underwater profile to record data from anywhere from one to nine feet below the water surface. This characteristic also makes Underwater Profilers more convenient to use than fixed cameras. Another important characteristic is that they provide accurate results even if the background conditions are poor or cloudy. This quality makes underwater profilers suitable for use in any environment from vessels to cruise ships. One of the most desirable features that an Underwater Profiler should have is its capability of providing continuous data collection without requiring the user to manually trigger images during the motion of the water column. Continuous acquisition of high quality images with no need to interrupt work is a desirable characteristic for

underwater profile. Another desirable feature is that the underwater profile should provide an easy and reliable procedure of recording images either by use of a touch-screen interface or a dedicated video camera. A third desirable feature is that the system should allow trial-and-error control strategy. Underwater Profilers provide a variety of benefits for a wide range of applications in the marine environment. Their reliability, flexibility and maintenance support to allow these systems to provide fast and consistent results, while minimizing operator fatigue and costs. The key performance indicators also ensure optimum utilization of resources. They are ideal for use in on-board or off-shore oil platforms, undersea and open water research, disaster response, environmental monitoring and crime investigation.

Advantages of Underwater Profilers A major advantage of using Underwater Profilers is their low-water consumption. This helps reduce operating costs and increase operational productivity. The second advantage is that underwater profiles provide information on fish behavior at various depths, which is important for a number of species such as sharks and turtles. For this reason, the system is widely used in marine and wildlife research. The third major advantage is that the underwater profile system is capable of providing accurate information on the volume of the external bladder. Characteristics of Underwater Profilers The characteristics of Underwater Profilers that make them useful for tracking fish, crustaceans and other aquatic life is their ability to provide high-

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July-August issue l 2021

MINING

THABA Telle Mining Company awarded with diamond mining rights in Lesotho

HABA Telle Mining Company has been awarded diamond mining rights. The company becomes the first locally-owned company to be awarded with mining rights in Lesotho. Speaking to Lesotho Times, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lehlohonolo Nthontho, said that Thaba Telle was awarded a 10-year mining lease to mine the Khubelu kimberlite pipe in Mokhotlong. The company has three shareholders namely Lehakoe Diamonds with 60% shareholding, the government with 25% and 15% held by Thaba Telle Minerals, which is controlled by South African investors. Deputy Prime Minister Mathibeli Mokhothu, officially opened The Khubelu Mine and was accompanied by among others, Mining minister Serialong Qoo for the sod-turning ceremony. According to Mr Nthontho, he is excited to get an opportunity to be part of the country’s mining sector. “This is an exciting feeling for me and has been a result hard work amid many challenges,” Mr Nthontho said. “We are looking forward to this exciting journey, which will give us an opportunity contribute to the country’s economic development through

employment and taxes like other big locally owned businesses.” He said he was confident that the M60 million which they are planning to inject into the first development phase of the project will soon bear fruit. The mine is expecting to employ 100 people in the first phase, which will last for a year before embarking on the expansive second phase. At least 600 will be employed in the second phase. “We are currently setting up the mine plant ahead of commencing commercial production in the next three to four months. What we are doing now involves constructing access roads, water supply systems and accommodation facilities as part of the necessary infrastructure to facilitate production. We plan to invest M60 million in the first development phase of the project.” He said they used airborne geo magnetic surveying technology, which helped to improve the quality of their study during the prospecting stage. The company said it has already spent M20 million during

the prospecting stage. On his part, Mr Mokhothu expressed delight that the mine was locally owned. “What I like about this mine is that it is owned by a Mosotho who comes from the Mokhotlong district. This is significant because we are used to getting complaints that Mokhotlong people are not playing a significant role in the mining of their diamonds. “Hopefully this mine will end those complaints as Mr Nthontho is from the district and is the first Mosotho to get a mining lease as opposed to the usual awarding of licences to companies from outside the country,” Mr Mokhothu said. Meanwhile, Mr Qoo said three more new diamond mines would be opened before the end of the year. The Khubelu mine brings the number of Lesotho mines to five. The other four are Letšeng, Kao, Mothae and Liqhobong mines.

Petra Diamonds to restart mining operations in northern Tanzania

etra Diamonds is looking to restart operations of the Williamson mine at Mwadui in Shinyaga region, northern Tanzania, in the first quarter of 2022. Chief executive Richard Duffy said plans are being refined to allow WDL’s operations to restart in first quarter of 2022 to add 220,000 to 270,000 carats of diamonds to group production for the year. Last year, Petra reached an out-of-court settlement with local communities after being sued in London for violation of human rights. On May 12, Petra announced it had reached a settlement on a no admission of liability basis in relation to claims brought in High Court in London by British law firm Leigh Day on behalf of anonymous claimants. The firm said in update to shareholders for period ended June 30, that Petra paid over $1.3 million into an escrow account to fund restorative programmes. “Discussions with the government of Tanzania to reach agreement on various issues at Williamson are ongoing with view to being concluded during first quarter of 2022,” Mr Duffy said in unaudited trading update sent to shareholders.

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Production guidance for 2022 financial year has been set at about 3.3 million to 3.6 million carats of diamonds with the South African operations estimated to contribute between 3.1 million and 3.4 million carats.

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MINING

Congo reviews $6b mining deal with Chinese investors

he Democratic Republic of Congo's government is reviewing its $6 billion "infrastructure-for-minerals" deal with Chinese investors as part of a broader examination of mining contracts, this is according to Finance Minister Nicolas Kazadi. President Felix Tshisekedi said in May that some mining contracts could be reviewed because of concerns they are not sufficiently benefiting Congo, which is the world's largest producer of cobalt and Africa's leading miner of copper. His government announced this month it had formed a commission to reassess the reserves and resources at China Molybdenum's massive Tenke Fungurume copper and cobalt mine in order to "fairly lay claim to (its) rights". Kazadi said in an interview that the 2007 deal agreed with Chinese state-owned firms Sinohydro Corp and China Railway Group Limited was also being reviewed to ensure it is "fair" and "effective". Sinohydro and China Railway did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Elie Tshinguli, deputy director-general of the Sicomines copper and cobalt joint venture in Congo, majority-owned by Sinohydro and China Railway, did not respond to a request for comment. Deals Under the deal struck with the government of Tshisekedi's predecessor, Joseph Kabila, Sinohydro and China Railway agreed to build roads and hospitals in exchange for a 68 percent stake in the Sicomines venture. The deal formed a key part of Kabila's development plan for the country, but critics say few of the

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promised infrastructure projects have been fully realised and have complained about a lack of transparency.

to Congo's contract with Dubai state-owned port operator DP World for the development of the deep sea Banana Port on the Atlantic coast.

"We saw that there were some governance issues in the past," said Kazadi. "We needed more clarity on the contract, the kind of finance that is behind (the) investment."

DP World said in May that the contract had been amended but did not disclose what the amendments were.

He said the reviews were "not a matter of threatening any investors" and that the government was conducting the review "in close partnership with the Chinese themselves". Chinese investors control about 70 percent of Congo's mining sector, according to Congo's chamber of mines, after snapping up lucrative projects from Western companies in recent years. After Tshisekedi announced the reviews in May, a move attributed by some analysts to Western pressure to go after Chinese companies, China's ambassador to Congo warned the country "must not be a battlefield between major powers". Asked at an online briefing about the formation of a government commission to reassess reserves, the chairman of China Molybdenum, Yuan Honglin, said communication between Tenke Fungurume and Congo's state-owned mining company Gecamines, its minority partner at the mine, was going according to plan. "Both parties are confident to properly resolve the problem within the framework agreement," the chairman said. IMF deal Kazadi also provided new details in follow-up comments to Reuters on Friday about changes

Kazadi said the state's share in the project, whose cost is estimated at over $1 billion, had increased from 30 percent to 34 percent and the royalty rate to be paid to Congo increased from 5 percent to 15 percent. The deal was signed in 2018 but construction has yet to begin. In addition, Kazadi said he expected the International Monetary Fund's review next month of the $1.5 billion three-year programme for Congo, that received final approval in July, to confirm all the conditions had been met. "There is no doubt that the review should be successful and will lead to a new disbursement in December," he said, adding the next disbursement of just over $200 million would be used to bolster foreign currency reserves. Meanwhile the government plans to use half of the 1021.7 million Special Drawing Rights ($1.45 billion) - the IMF's own currency - allocated to Congo to further shore up reserves, he said. A big chunk of the remainder will be used to launch an investment fund aimed at diversifying Congo's economy, he said. "It will implement new projects in new kinds of areas, like agriculture or energy production," said Kazadi.

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OIL & GAS

Africa Geophysical Services secures 150,000+ Stryde nodes for seismic projects in the Middle East and Africa

eismic technology provider Stryde announced an agreement with Africa Geophysical Services LLC, a land seismic data acquisition and processing company in Oman, to supply 154,000 of its nodes for projects in Oman and Africa. The deal is the largest for Stryde in the Middle East and demonstrates the increasing preference for nodal systems no matter the environmental conditions or size of survey. Africa Geophysical Services, which has a presence in Oman, India, Tanzania, Egypt, Dubai, Uganda, Turkey and the United Kingdom, will use Stryde nodes, expertise and training services to obtain data for oil and gas exploration projects in Oman and Africa. Its project in Oman, which is due to commence later this year, will see the highest ever number of nodes used for seismic acquisition in the Middle East in any one project – utilizing high density acquisition for superior subsurface imaging. Around 130,000 nodes will be deployed via Stryde’s Compact system, which offers rapid, high-volume charging and data download.

Provision of such high numbers of seismic inventory like this is made possible by the cost effectiveness and efficiency of the Stryde system. To handle such large inventory in the field, the Compact system will enable up to 13,000 nodes to be prepared in a 24-hour period. And once out in the field, a greater number of nodes can be deployed in a survey, at less cost, with less resource but more speed, reducing both the environmental impact of seismic imaging and the health and safety risk. Deploying more nodes creates higher trace density, which produces a much higher definition picture of what lies beneath the ground, enabling oil and gas companies to maximize their existing reservoirs. Mike Popham, Chief Executive Officer, Stryde said: “This is a really exciting agreement for Stryde as we continue along the path of rapid growth and enter new territories – and we’re delighted to be working in collaboration with AGS to help deliver high inventory, cost effective and super high-definition seismic acquisition for its clients in the Middle East and Africa.

“The oil and gas industry is starting to recognize that high-density seismic imaging is the only option to fully unlock the true value of a reservoir. Our highly reliable nodes, which can be quickly deployed in their tens of thousands, with minimal impact on the environment, offers exactly this; a much better picture for far better returns on reservoirs.” Salim Ajib Alhajri, Chairman, Africa Geophysical Services, said: “This agreement represents a significant moment for both AGS and our customers. Working with the latest acquisition technology we realize our crews can be more efficient, safer and deliver better quality data to our customers, allowing them to radically improve their geological understanding. “And beyond these initial projects for which we intend to use Stryde nodes, we will offer the same high end acquisition capabilities to our clients who need to obtain high-definition seismic imaging in even more challenging terrains, such as urban areas, forests or in mountain ranges utilizing predominantly local Omani content. We are really looking forward to getting started and delivering the very best results for our clients in Oman, Africa and around the world.”

Rwanda to Resume Search for Oil and Gas in Lake Kivu

orks to explore the prospects of oil in Lake Kivu could resume soon after the project's Rwf1.038 billion budget received the nod from parliamentarians. The budget has now been availed to support Rwanda Mines, Petroleum & Gas Board (RMB) to support its efforts to continue exploration activities of gas and oil, according to Omar Munyaneza, the Chairperson of the Committee on National Budget and Patrimony in Chamber of Deputies. Vital Karangwa, in charge of communication at RMB, told The New Times that exploration activities were supposed to start in June this year.

charge of exploration, energy and industrial processes at petroleum board.

to a project that seeks to process methane into compressed natural gas (CNG).

He said that the exercise will help to "know more about the Kivu basin oil and gas potential".

In February 2019, Rwanda inked a $400 million deal with Gasmeth Energy to extract and process methane into CNG for cooking, industrial use and vehicles.

However, the activities were disrupted by factors including Covid-19 and budget constraints. Karangwa said exploration known as 2D seismic survey would resume soon.

He noted that collaboration and facilitation from stakeholders is crucial to avoid activity interference during maritime operations of seism data acquisition.

In May this year, RMB organised a high-level meeting on the upcoming survey in Lake Kivu in Rubavu District.

"After data acquisition, raw data shall be processed and interpreted for geological understanding of the petroleum system to pinpoint drilling targets," he said.

"The 2D seismic survey is an exploration activity aimed at imaging sedimentary layers of the subsurface area of interest," said Ivan Twahirwa in

Rwandans could start using locally produced cooking gas from Lake Kivu by the end of 2022 thanks

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Shema Power Lake Kivu (SPLK) is set to produce 15 megawatts of electricity by June this year, in its first phase of methane gas extraction from Lake Kivu. Overall, the plant seeks to add 56 megawatts to the national grid after investing $400 million in methane gas extraction. The project, which started in October 2019, is set to be finalised by December 2022.

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OIL & GAS

Atlas Oranto Drives Shallow-Water Exploration Offshore Senegal

ince discovering commercial hydrocarbon reserves in 2014, Senegal has emerged as a regional exploration hotspot within the MSGBC Basin and continent at-large. Today, the West African nation is home to ongoing drilling campaigns from leading IOCs and some of the largest gas megaprojects on the continent, including the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim and Sangomar Field Development projects. For its part, pan-African independent explorer Atlas Oranto is one of the key indigenous firms leading offshore hydrocarbon exploration in Senegal, as the country prepares for first gas production by 2023. Marrying local expertise with technical and financial solidity, the Group invests heavily in frontier markets and offers unique insights into the challenges and opportunities of hydrocarbon development on the ground, representing an optimal partner to foreign entities looking to enter subSaharan markets. At the upcoming U.S.-Africa Energy Forum 2021 (December 9-10, Houston, Texas) – organized by Energy Capital & Power (ECP) - the Group will participate as a Gold Sponsor and present farm-in opportunities for exploration activities in two shallow-water blocks offshore Senegal. The presentation is supported by the attendance of H.E. Aissatou Sophie Gladima, Minister of Petroleum and Energy of Senegal, at the two-day event, along with the region’s strong economic ties to North America

and extended legacy of welcoming U.S. investment and private sector participation in the energy sector. “Senegal has proven that the power of political will and leadership cannot be underestimated in this industry. Sound regulations, good governance and a political leadership aligned towards a common target of economic development and of making energy work for the people is what is making Senegal a new African success story,” said Prince Arthur Eze, Executive Chairman of Atlas Oranto Group. “Atlas Oranto believes in the positive and transformative potential of the energy industry in West Africa and across the continent, as well as the importance of partnerships between international and indigenous firms in lending a local voice to exploration and production activities.” Atlas Oranto holds stakes in two offshore blocks in Senegal: Cayar Shallow and St. Louis Shallow. With 13 leads already mapped, the Cayar Shallow block lies immediately north of the Dakar peninsula and the existing FAN-1 and SNE-1 discoveries by Cairn Energy at Rufisque. The acreage is estimated to be oil-rich, suggesting individual trap sizes of several hundred million barrels of oil in place, coupled with a close proximity to the coast that makes commercial discoveries potentially more viable than other offshore areas. The Group has already acquired 1,000 km2 of 3D seismic, in addition to an initial interaction

of quality, reprocessed 2D seismic. Going forward, the block is currently open to farm-in partners seeking to continue exploration activities within the highly prospective area. To the north of the Cayar Shallow block is the St. Louis Shallow block, which Atlas Oranto entered in 2015 to extend its interests in Senegal’s offshore sector. The block is located east of Kosmos Energy’s St. Louis Profond, with the existing Guembel-1 discovery to the west and FAN-1 and SNE-1 discoveries to the south. Accordingly, the block is estimated to hold geological conditions analogous to the oil-rich Guyana Basin, as supported by previous license holders including Shell and Tullow Oil, as well as aforementioned nearby discoveries. Under its 2015 PSC, Atlas Oranto has a work program consisting of an eight-year exploration phase in three parts: an initial phase in which 1,500 km² seismic may be acquired; a first extension in which a first well must be drilled and 25% of the block relinquished; and a second extension with the same conditions. To date, the Group has completed the first phase of exploration and may undertake a larger 3D survey than the minimum, covering 2,650 km². The St. Louis block has three primary prospects: Fish Eagle and Vulture, which contain prospective resources of 100-200 million barrels of oil, as well as Gainde to the south.

Petrofac secures $100m Libya EPCC contract

etrofac has secured a contract valued at over $100 million with Zallaf Libya Oil & Gas Exploration and Production Company, to deliver their Erawin Field Development Project Phase 1 Early Production Facilities. The engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) scope of work encompasses surface equipment, including well pads and flowlines at the Erawin oil field, located in southwest Libya. It also includes a pipeline to transport crude oil around 100 kilometres to the El Sharara oil field and a control room, substation and telecom system located there. Libya holds some of the largest oil reserves in Africa. Zallaf was established in 2013 to develop fields that have been discovered and appraised but not yet produced. It is a 100% subsidiary of the National Oil Company. In addition to this latest contract award, Petrofac is also currently providing Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and conceptualisation studies, both upstream and downstream, for a number of clients in-country, with wider opportunities to position for EPC delivery.

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Elie Lahoud, Chief Operating Officer – Engineering & Construction, said: “Libya is positioning itself to become a major oil and gas producer again and we’re looking forward to helping the National Oil Company achieve its goals, develop key infrastructure safely and securely, and increase production.

“Petrofac has been delivering complex projects, engineering services and training local workforces in North Africa for over 20 years now. This latest award builds on our strength of engineering and construction capability and track record of effective delivery.”

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CONSTRUCTION

This Sierra Leone tech firm allows you to track your construction project in Africa in real-time

dmond Nonie is a Sierra Leonean techpreneur and co-founder of Track Your Build, a firm that helps people and companies track their construction, particularly Africans in the diaspora who remit money for building homes or factories. The data science company provides drones, satellite, and ground sensor data services for organizations and individuals that want to monitor their construction projects. The company’s cloud platform allows users to remotely track and manage progress. “For example, a company might want to track multiple construction sites around the country from their head office, or someone from West Africa living in the U.S. may want to monitor a residential build in Nigeria remotely,” said Nonie. According to him, he started his company because he noticed companies and individuals had challenges verifying the progress of work of a construction project they were undertaking. His firm helps them to know how construction work is progressing, how labor is being utilized, and where the money is being invested in. Nonie started as a small drone operator in Sierra Leone and has now shepherded his firm to become a formidable management platform used to monitor large-scale projects across West Africa. According to him, he began offering what he knew he could offer at the time, which was drone imagery. He marketed his firm to Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora who were sending money home for construction projects but did not know the status of the project they were funding back home. The firm then started building its offerings out of the stage, expanding to NGOs, government agencies, and

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overseas investors looking to track their construction investment. According to Nonie, the general idea of the company, which is remote monitoring construction building, has remained the same but the application and method have evolved. For instance, the company is enhancing its automation capabilities, predictive elements, and a tool to support the project manager’s role. The firm also wants to invest in new areas. It is investing in a cloud platform, investing in data acquisition, and meeting growing demands on the continent for remote monitoring of projects through creating training pathways to outsource work to certified people to collect data and upload onto its platform. Nonie’s source of revenue comes from his biggest clients who are in the real estate and oil and gas

sector. “This is followed by government and public projects, including by the likes of the United Nations or the World Bank, and then by private residential builds,” he said. Track Your Build wants to expand to Africa’s biggest economy, Nigeria, and the second biggest economy in West Africa, Ghana. Other future expansions include establishing a presence in Senegal and Ivory Coast. “We are working on securing several large, recurring contracts so that we have a solid and sustainable sales pipeline that will put us in a strong position should we decide to seek funding,” he said. For potential entrepreneurs looking to explore the tech space, Nonie says patience is key to becoming successful. He also wants potential entrepreneurs to acquire experience elsewhere before starting their own venture.

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TENDERS

Karnataka govt invites global tender to survey mineral deposits in state

o determine and map mineral wealth, the state authorities has known as world tenders for divining of mineral deposits throughout the state. Minister for mines and geology Murugesh Nirani in a gathering with division officers in Belagavi stated at present the state’ information about presence of mineral wealth is restricted and is counting on an previous survey carried out about 50 years in the past. “Except for some areas with active mining, we don’t know the exact details of which minerals are available in which part of the state,” he stated. Minister stated the federal government already invited world tenders to conduct divining of minerals current deep contained in the earth. This course of, he stated would facilitate the state in readying a holistic and correct map of the mineral deposits in numerous components of Karnataka. He pointed that the

The minister additionally stated the state is significantly mulling institution of Karnataka state sand company to implement scientific sand mining, truthful distribution and easy provide of sand to builders and householders. He stated at current there are confusions about availability of sand, transport and sale. However, he stated the state is but to take a remaining name on the identical. Minister for mines and geology Murugesh Nirani

method of divining of minerals is a laborious train. In the current day the method will contain use of hightech devices and leading edge know-how. He added that when that is accomplished, it’s going to assist invigorate mining trade, generate jobs and increase income.

The authorities can also be planning to arrange college of mining to coach youths in mining and allied actions. This will guarantee provide of expert manpower to the mining trade. He additionally stated mining officers will put drones to make use of to identify crushers working with out permits. The mining division employees will clad uniform, use digital devices for communication, detect irregularities and filed reports.

LHDA launches tender for Polihali dam construction

he Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has launched a tender for the Polihali Dam, marking an important milestone for Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

Lesotho, South African and international experts: GIBB (Pty) Ltd; MPAMOT Africa (Pty) Ltd; Tractebel Engineering SA; LYMA Consulting Engineers of Lesotho, was awarded the Polihali Dam design and construction supervision contract in 2017.

The tender is the start of procurement for the second main works construction tender and follows on the May tender for the construction of the Polihali Transfer Tunnel.

The Polihali dam construction procurement is launched as construction activity on ten advance infrastructure contracts progresses steadily with some contracts expected to be completed in 2021. Construction of the 33kV line, which will provide a temporary power supply to the Polihali village, was completed in 2020. Work on the 132kV line has advanced with the construction of access roads, 91 tower foundations and the erection of 84 towers out of a total of 93. The Polihali and Katse civil works; access roads, pipe laying for potable water and sewerage lines have been completed, and construction on the main access roads is underway. Excavation on the Polihali diversion tunnels is close to completion with breakthrough on both tunnels expected in the second half of August.

The Polihali Dam will be a concrete faced rockfill dam (CFRD) similar to the Mohale Dam, which was built during Phase I of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). The embankment will stand approximately 166m high, have a crest length of about 920m and a crest width of 9m. Over 14 million cubic metres of rock which will be quarried locally within the dam basin will be compacted to form the embankment. The dam will create a reservoir on the Senqu and Khubelu rivers with an estimated surface area of 5053 hectares and a full supply storage capacity of 2325 million cubic metres. The Polihali Dam infrastructure also includes a 43m high, 600m crest-length CFRD saddle dam, a spillway and a compensation outlet. The flow from Polihali will increase the volume of water to be transferred from the Katse Dam, the centre point of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project which was constructed during Phase I. The current water transfer volumes to the Gauteng region of South Africa will incrementally increase from 780 to 1270 million cubic metres per year.

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This will also simultaneously increase the energy generated by the Muela hydropower plant from approximately 500GWh to 800GWh per year, a further step in the process of securing an independent power supply to meet Lesotho’s domestic needs. “The launching of the construction of the main works open tender is the culmination of years of planning and hard work of dedicated design and procurement teams,” said Tente Tente, CE of the LHDA. “Our objective with this final procurement stage is to attract suitably qualified companies with the capability, experience and resources to undertake the construction of the Polihali Dam within the set timeframes and to the required quality.” Interested construction firms have up to 12 November 2021, to submit tenders. Specific information on the requirements and conditions of the tender is available on the LHDA website at http://www.lhda.org.ls/tenderbulletin/ currentProcurement.aspx. The Matla a Metsi Joint Venture which comprises

According to the current master programme, water delivery is scheduled for 2027/28. Timeous construction of the dam and transfer tunnel is critical to meeting the water delivery deadline of the project. Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project builds on the successful completion of Phase I in 2003. It delivers water to the Gauteng region of South Africa and utilises the water delivery system to generate hydroelectricity in Lesotho.

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TENDERS

SALT launches a call for tenders for a solar power plant at Lomé airport in Togo

he Société aéroportuaire de Lomé Tokoin (SALT) is launching a call for tenders for the construction of a solar photovoltaic power plant at the Gnassingbé Eyadema International Airport (AIGE). Interested companies have until October 8th, 2021 to apply. In Togo, the Gnassingbé Eyadema International Airport (AIGE) in Lomé is now banking on selfconsumption of electricity through solar photovoltaic energy. The Société aéroportuaire de Lomé Tokoin (SALT), which manages the Aige, is launching a call for tenders for the selection of a green energy access provider. The company will be responsible for the design, supply and installation of the solar power plant, which is sure to reduce the carbon footprint of the airport, which handles 2 million passengers a year, according to the Togolese authorities. Salt wants to build a ground-mounted photovoltaic solar power plant, consisting of 4,680 modules

capable of delivering 1,825 MW of power. The plant will be installed on a 9,360 m2 plot of land, located 1.1 km from the airport’s new terminal building. The solar power plant will enable the airport to reduce its dependence on the grid of the Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET) and will reduce its diesel consumption.

Moreover, Salt is banking on its new solution to reduce its CO2 emissions. The implementation of this project is in line with the Lomé airport’s energy transition strategy announced in September 2021. Solar photovoltaic energy suppliers interested in SALT’s call for expressions of interest have until October 8th, 2021 to submit their proposals.

RITES invites tenders for supply of Broad Gauge PSC sleepers

ITES Ltd, a Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, has issued a tender for the work of “Manufacture, Supply, Delivery, and Stacking at Site of various types of BG PSC sleepers as per RDSO drawings and Specifications in connection with Detailed Engineering (DE) and Project Management Consultancy (PMC) for the work of Construction of New Railway Siding at Dipka Area of SECL, Dist. Korba.” Tender Reference Number: 11 /OT/SECL – Dipka/PSC Sleepers/PKG-II/2021 Name of work: Manufacture, Supply, Delivery and Stacking at site of different type of BG PSC sleepers as per RDSO Drawings & Specifications in connection with Detailed Engineering (DE) & Project Management Consultancy (PMC) for the work of “Construction of New Railway Siding at Dipka Area, SECL, Dist. Korba, Chhattisgarh. Estimated Cost of Work: INR 6.55 Crore Time for Completion: 4 Months Document Download / Sale Start Date: 31-Aug-2021 Document Download / Sale End Date: 16-Sep-2021 Bid Submission Start Date: 01-Sep-2021 Bid Submission End Date: 16-Sep-2021 Bid Opening Date: 17-Sep-2021

RITES at the working site. Tender documents may be downloaded from CPPP website https://etenders.gov.in/eprocure/app and from RITES website https://www.rites.com.

Locations at which Supply is to be made:

About RITES Limited:

The company has experience spanning 47 years and has undertaken projects in over 55 countries including Asia, Africa, Latin America, South America and Middle East regions.

Railway Siding at Dipka Area of SECL, Dist. Korba, Chhattisgarh. Site is available and materials are to be supplied as per directives of Engineer In-charge of

RITES Limited is a Miniratna (Category-I) Schedule ‘A’ Public Sector Enterprise and a leading player in the transport consultancy and engineering sector in India,

RITES Limited is the only export arm of Indian Railways for providing rolling stock overseas (other than Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia).

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having diversified services and geographical reach.

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CONSTRUCTION

Zanzibar to Build Domino-Shaped Tower on a Man-Made Island

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UPCOMING PROJECT

esigned by the award-winning from New York & Dubai-based design structure agency xCassia, Tanzanian AICL group and edinburgh crowland management have signed a project deal for xcassia to develop the concept for the zanzibar site, which was initially in development for locations in vietnam and saudi arabia. Plans to translate it into reality have been made twice in the past decade but were dropped due to multiple factors. The third time might be the charm and the idea may find its permanent home on the soon-to-be-developed 20-hectare site, just nine miles (15 km) away from Stone Town. The 70-story spiraling tower intended to help draw tourists back to the area after COVID decimated the local economy. The project consists of three main sites, the Arrivals Plaza, the Zanzibar Domino, and the Island Resort.

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The main entrance will be at the Arrivals Plaza that will also offer shopping areas and office spaces. The central attraction, the Zanzibar Domino is set just a mile out (1.5 km) on a human-made island and spreads out over a radius of 273 yards (250m). Hosting an aquarium, exhibition center, cultural pavilion, and a convention hall, the island also has a marina to receive yachts and offers more shopping and dining areas as the domino spirals outwards. Apart from a cinema, yacht club, VIP Helipad, and a pool, the spiral will also be home to an Eletrodom, an entertainment portal with giant media screens. Rising towards the sky in the center of the spiral will be the Domino Tower that will offer 560 units of high-rise residences and a hotel with 360 rooms with a view of the Stone Town and the Zanzibar coastline. Perched on top of the tower will be an observation platform that can be accessed through lifts that will offer panoramic views to the visitors. The materials

and color palettes along with horticultural walls and water features that will be used for construction will help the structure blend into its habitat. The Island resort will house 104 over-water villas linked to a lighthouse that will serve as a transport junction and also offer amenities to the residents. A three-section golf course, four helipads, a clubhouse, and a wedding chapel will occupy the rest of the space on the islands. "Positioned as one of Africa’s first truly iconic global destinations for tourism, entertainment, culture and conferencing, the Zanzibar Domino will offer visitors, residents and businesses a multi-faceted program designed to create year-round distinctive experiences, professional pathways and investment opportunities," said Youssef S. Amour, Executive Chairman of AICL Group, one of the developers of the project.

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PROJECT REVIEW

Botswana receives first 5-Star Green rating office building

he Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) recently awarded a five-star Green Star Africa – Office Design v1.1 rating to the new Motswere building – the first addition to Prime Plaza 11 in Gaborone’s CBD. The Prime Plaza development, owned by PrimeTime Property Holdings, consists of four existing commercial buildings (Prime Plaza I), each named after a species of local indigenous tree. Motswere is the first of four commercial buildings which will make up Prime Plaza II, which will be developed in phases. The building’s name derives from the Leadwood Combretum trees that inhabit the piece of land. PrimeTime invests in a diversified portfolio of office, retail, and industrial properties throughout Botswana and Zambia. Motswere is the first of PrimeTime’s large property portfolio to achieve third party green certification. “In a competitive market, PrimeTime’s ability to offer a Green Star rated building to an increasingly environmentally and ethically aware tenant base is a great advantage,” notes Joe Simpson of PrimeTime. The 2 780m² Motswere building, designed by Paul Munnik Architects, consists of three levels of A-grade office space and supporting facilities, and two basement parking levels,

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THE PRIME PLAZA - BOTSWANA

set among more open-air parking and water wise landscaped gardens. The five-Star Green Star rating signifies national excellence and requires a standard of innovative green design that goes beyond the basics of green building practices. A green building responds to local environmental conditions, while also considering global realities such as increasingly scarce and expensive energy and resources. Green buildings also respond to the need for comfortable and healthy indoor spaces for building occupants. Green Star is an integrated rating system, which helps to improve a building’s environmental performance and recognises environmental leadership. It looks at energy, water, materials/waste, indoor environment quality, land use and ecology, transport, emissions, and management. Motswere boasts high levels of energy and water efficiency, as well as state-of-the-art mechanical ventilation and building management systems. Kagiso Sebetso, in-house green building consultant at Time Projects (PrimeTime’s development and asset management arm), adds: “Botswana is a very hot country, for most of the year. Having a building so well oriented with south and north facing glazing that is provided with optimum shading, is quite an achievement when one considers the related reduction in energy consumption.” The project was not without its challenges, one being hit with the 2020 lockdown during the design phase, which meant that all team meetings went online. “This was still a very new concept at the time,”

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says Sebetso. “Being a pioneer comes with multiple challenges, particularly with regulatory bodies, such as seeking approval for Solar PV installation for a building that is not yet developed. Educating potential suppliers or subcontractors about the green practices that they are expected to price for, and therefore deliver on, is more challenging than one would anticipate, but is so worthwhile.” While the project experienced some delays due to Covid-19, teamwork and enthusiasm were key to the project’s eventual success. “The team values and understands the concept of not only designing green but also building green and without their buy-in and dedication, we would not have been able to achieve the certification,” Sebetso adds.

technical, Georgina Smit. “We are immensely proud of PrimeTime and the project team for embarking on this pioneering project for the local context, and we congratulate them on their commitment towards demonstrating sustainability leadership”. Sustainability features of the building: • • • • •

It is hoped that the Motswere building is just the start of a new wave of green-rated developments for Botswana and other parts of Africa. Green Star accredited professional on the project, Dash Coville, from Solid Green Consulting, says that the green building movement is gaining momentum in Gaborone, with Solid Green being involved with the certification of three other projects (including one with PrimeTime).

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GBCSA strongly supports the growth of green buildings in Africa and have certified projects in several other African countries. This project is GBCSA’s first Green Star-rated building in Botswana. “Green buildings are part of Africa’s solution to cope with future climate change and stimulate new economic opportunities,” says GBCSA’s head of

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Optimal orientation of the building to suit the location. Building tuning of the mechanical, electrical, wet services and irrigation services. Efficient waste management during the construction phase. On-site recycling facilities. Maximising on daylight to lower electrical lighting, while providing daylight glare control. Use of low Volatile Organic Compound materials indoors. Low electric lighting levels and low lighting power density, along with lighting zoning controls. A building users’ guide helps building occupants to understand and maximise the building’s sustainable features. Preferential parking bays for fuel-efficient transport. Cyclist’s facilities for building users and visitors. Water efficiency achieved using low flush rate sanitaryware and use of non-potable water in the irrigation system. Use of solar PV for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

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Africa Surveyors July-August issue 2021

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