Engineer The
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Bulk Materials Handling & Logistics go hand-in hand
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Contents
Editor: editor@theengineer.com.na 081 122 6850
MINING 04 NAMIBIA RARE EARTHS’ outshining price recession
Marketing: marketing@theengineer.com.na
Weak rare earths prices are expected to improve within two to three years, which should benefit the Lofdal project that could start producing towards the end of 2019.
Distribution: distribution@targetnam.com 081 703 9499 Group Marketing Manager: Greg Goeda Business@targetnam.com
06 TSX & TSXV the world’s leading exchanges for African mining companies
Admin & Accounts Marizaan Bock admin@targetnam.com
07 FORSYS METALS NORASA: Uranium player aims for the BIG Leagues
Graphic Designer Keith M. Tuwelo
TRANSPORT 10 Africa Transport Industry to Award Women
Production Manager Wesley Urassa
ENGINEER OF THE MONTH
Executive Editor Confidence Musariri
12 Lukas Kapanda Kaangundue
Printer: Print Solutions
An Electrical Engineer in- training at Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) one of the beneficiaries to reap the seeds NSFAF has sowed.
The Engineer is a magazine published once a month and circulated to 10 000 senior engineering decision makers in Namibia. Subscription Rate: N$20 per copy per month / N$200 per year (Discount on multiple copies and multiple years)
COMPANY PROFILE
ISSN: 2026-8041
16 Tuhafifa, a Multi-disciplinary Consultancy of repute
Published by Target Multimedia
ENERGY Member of
17 NamPower Champions LED Lighting 18 Solar So What? Everything you need to know as a professional
Fortune G roup of Compa n i es
TECHNOLOGY In each issue, The Engineer offers advertisers the opportunity to get to the front of the line by placing a company, product or service on the front cover of the journal. Buying this position will afford the advertiser the cover story on pages and maximum exposure. For more information on cover bookings contact on Tel: +264 61 254 005/081 363 0336
Engineer Engineer Engineer New shift
Engineer
Vol.1/No.3 February 2015
NAMIBIAS PULSE OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Dundee commissions acid plant in Namibia
NAMIBIA’S PULSE OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
T
he plant is intended to eliminating sulphur dioxide emissions that have plagued Tsumeb residents since the smelter opened in 1963. The emissions have in the past caused health concerns in the town and as a result the management of the smelter undertook to better control and reduce gasses from the smelter.
An innovative Namibian architecture
Location: Building Value: Site area: GLA: No of floors: Basements:
Parking bays: Staff compliment:
Client Name:
Windhoek CBD N$425 million 4595m2 15,927m2 6 floors 6 Basement levels 685 1100 at maximum capacity FNB Namibia
Can the new faces at the Ministry of Works and Transport provide a new dimension to logistics?
Mining pays out N$3.3b taxes
Inside
The truth behind Neckartal
Kasete said the project took nearly two years to get everything in place due to the immensityof the scheme and pointed out that the multi-faceted project is adding innovative value to the Namibian mining and processing scene and will also secure fulltime employment for 18 Namibians. “I must say it’s a ‘proudly Namibian’ moment for Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb and its employees. Aside from adding tremendous value to our operations, this undertaking will give the Namibian economy a discernible boost as well,” Kasete explained.
Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb and the government worked in partnership to expedite the construction and operation of the facility to ensure the long term reduction of emission in Tsumeb. Engineering firm Outotec completed the construction of the state-of-the-art facility and Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Protea Chemicals Namibia (Pty) Limited, to assist with the marketing and sales of the sulphuric acid that will be produced at the smelter.
Cover opportunity “We took a giant leap forward in our continued effort of upgrading the Tsumeb Smelter and turn it
into a world-class operation,” How hybrid subcontractors can replace current tender system
said Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb vice president and managing director, Zebra Kasete.
Game changer: Namport’s Luderitz rail connection
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The acid will be sold as a commercial product predominantly to Namibia’s
The Engineer: April 2016
Women students in Computing and Informatics fields show a consistent enrolment of 36% in Computing and Informatics fields at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).
22 Women Android Training launched to Bolster App Development
NAMIBIA’S PULSE OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
2015 building of the year
Dundee Precious Metal Tsumeb has commissioned a N$2.6 billion hight-tech Sulphuric Acid plant designed to capture off-gases that are rich in sulphur dioxide from copper smelting converting them into sulphuric acid.
The nexus of taming Namibia’s oldest building
NAMIBIA’S PULSE OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Vol.1/No.5 May 2015
Vol.1/No.4 March - April 2015
The
Vol.1/No.1 September 2014
First edition
The
The
The
Infrastructure Project(s) Structural Engineering
21 Birth of the Namibia Women in Computing Society
a Nexus structure redeems Lüderitz a NamPower asset base surpasses N$ 23 billion mark
PORT CAPACITY COMPARISON Port of Lüderitz 724 604 486 2 380 -8.15
Vessel calls Cargo Handled TEU Depth
22 NUST Faculty of Computing and Informatics host 2nd Programming Competition
Port of Walvis Bay 1 520 5 372 635 253 052 -14 1
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3
MINING
NAMIBIA RARE EARTHS’ outshining price recession IN SHORT Weak rare earths prices are expected to improve within two to three years, which should benefit the Lofdal project that could start producing towards the end of 2019.
T
he current record-low commodity prices are crippling almost every sector of the mining industry, including rare earths. For TSX-listed junior Namibia Rare Earths, this will likely result in a short-term delay in the construction start-up of its Lofdal project in Namibia while it continues to source a technical/ financial partnership. Nonetheless, the company remains focused on completing all approvals necessary to ensure it is ready for development and more importantly production when prices recover, which if forecast for within the next two to three years, writes LAURA CORNISH. Just 15 months ago Namibia Rare Earths (NRE) released the positive results of a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for Area 4 of its Lofdal xenotime project. It revealed and confirmed an economically and financially viable and robust project based on projected market prices at the time. Strategically, it also represented a sustainable source of pure heavy rare earth oxides (HREOs) outside of China. Securing the necessary funding in collaboration with a qualified development partner was the company’s next and final step which would see the project advance quickly towards
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The Engineer | September 2016
construction start-up. “Unfortunately, 2015 saw rare earths prices plummet by more than half. Consequently, we have been able to secure that partner, despite considerable effort,” says NRE president Donald Burton. Most western rare earth projects utilize project rare earth pricing models. The Lofdal PEA utilized projected rare earth prices for 2017 provided by independent industry expert Technology Metals Research in its economic analysis. Those prices projected that the basket price for Lofdal’s HREO suite (compromising significant quantities of dysprosium) would be approximately US$78/kg which would provide a healthy margin based on a US$50/kg operating cost. Unfortunately, even the attractive and highly sought after dysprosium has fallen from about US$500/kg in early 2014 to about US$210/kg today. “This equates to a $32/kg basket price for Lofdal which would be unviable if it went into production today which is the predicament most rare earth producers and/or developers are facing at present.
It has been reported that even some Chinese produces cannot survive the current price environment”. Unlike most mineral and metal prices, whose current low prices are largely the result of global lack in demand, the rare earth oxide (REO) market has larger challenges to contend with. Not only does China continue to dominate global supply, it has eliminated its export quota system and lifted the tariffs which were limiting the volumes of REOs sold outside of the country. China is implementing a new system of “export licensing” and will impose new tariffs. It remains to be seen how all will play out with rare prices. It is estimated that perhaps 40-50% of China’s total REO volumes (and HREOs in particular) are also generated by illegal mining and the rare earth buyers are drawing down on existing stockpiles which are selling at ‘cheap’ prices. And while the market agrees China is working to resolve its export and illegal industry regulations and challenges, general consensus is that price recoveries will likely be pushed out to occur around 2018/2019, alongside the depletion of ‘non-taxable’ surface stockpile inventory.
for their use in high technology applications (wind turbines, electric cars, defense industry applications, etc.) and new technology development.
NRE still pushing forward For juniors such as Namibia Rare Earths (NRE) who are not in production, the impact of current price recession is making it difficult to attract capital; however, the long term outlook on rare earth pricing remains positive. “Our main priority is to understand where prices will be when we do go into production. According to metals and minerals analysis and forecasting specialist Adams Intelligence, prices for dysprosium in particular will exceed US$500/ kg by 2019,” which supports NRE’s development and production commencement timeframe. “For this reason we maintain our view that our project will be viable and we need to ensure that we keep moving forward in spite of the current market price environment.” To date this has entailed minimizing administrative costs and overheads to focus funding to support the approved project activities in Namibia over the next 12-24 months. It also saw the initiation of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) in July 2015 which is due for completion towards the middle of 2016. “The completion of an EIA is critical to ensure we maintain our timeline schedule should prices improve as forecast.” NRE appointed SLR Environmental Consulting Namibia to conduct EIA, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in support of an application to the Ministry of Mines and Energy for a mining license later this year. SLR Namibia has been associated with significant mine development projects in Namibia including Swakop Uranium (Husab uranium mine), Paladin Energy (Langer Heinrich uranium mine) and B2Gold (Otjikoto gold mine) Initial baseline environmental reports have already been completed for archaeological, invertebrate, vertebrate and vegetation studies by independent Namibian experts. Baseline monitoring equipment and programme has also been initiated comprising regular sampling of existing farm wells and from planned monitoring holes and will be completed by the end of July. The EIA will utilize and update these reports and will include a radiological impact assessment to ensure compliance will all relevant regulations and to develop an appropriate environmental
management plan for the proposed mine development at Lofdal. “SLR has maintained a rigorous schedule to keep our EIA on track for completion by mid2016. Full public presentations were held last August with no significant issues raised,” Burton highlights. In addition to this the company is continuing to source a technical and/or financial partner and progress a modest metallurgical programme which will receive more attention and investment in time as prices improve. “We do however already know with certainty that solvent extraction can successfully be used to separate xenotime materials but this process is costly and we would like to look at alternate separation methods and technologies to bring down the costs.”
“There are five critical rare earths on the indexneodymium (a LREO) and the four HREOs which constitute 95% of the value of the Lofdal deposit. This means that even at lower prices, the project remains an attractive prospect for development which can move into production quickly, having one of the lowest capital cost expenditures amongst its heavy rare earths project peers.” “Based on the global production figures, even though Lofdal is a small project estimated to produce about 1500 tpa of REOs, this would equate to 15% of the worlds available dysprosium supply and 10% of the worlds yttrium. It is an opportunity to secure a significant sustainable source of heavy are earths outside of China.” Burton continues. The project’s medium-term upside adds to its attraction potential. Burton says NRE has strong geological indication from its exploration drilling that the deposit continues at strike and
Ultimately, construction will likely start in 2018, a little later than the original 2017 schedule, assuming the requirements for an economic project-price rebound and secure partnership-materialize.
Lofdal economics remain very attractive Regardless of market circumstances, Burton maintains that Lofdal is one of the most unique rare earth deposits in terms of its mineralogy. Its primary mineral-xenotime-is an enriched HREO and to date there has never been pure bed rock source/xenotime mine put into production anywhere in the world. Geologically the occurrence of xenotime mineralization in a carbonatite complex is also unique as carbonatites are typically associated with light rare earths, making Lofdal a “special geological situation within a carbonatite complex.” And although Lofdal is small deposit, its value remains significant because of its specific contained HREOs (europium, terbium, dysprosium, and yttrium) which remain high priorities on the United States’ criticality index. The index contains a list of metals which are in current short supply but in high demand
at depth. This will ultimately increase its current resource and seven year lifespan. A modest drill programme of between 8000 and 10 000 m could double the size of available resource and deliver a longer 12-15 year lifespan. According to the 2014 PEA for Area 4, a cut-off grade of 0.1% total rare earth oxides (TREOs), provides 2.88 Mt of indicated mineral resources yielding 8 970 t of REO, of which 6 700 t are estimated to be HREOs. The total contained tons or REOs in both the indicated and inferred category amounts to 18 000t, of which just over 13 000 t are HREOs. And finally, as far as African jurisdictions go, Namibia is one of the best mining project locations in Africa. The country has transparent regulations and codes and fewer infrastructure challenges to contend with. “We have ultimately secured a brand new rare earths mining district which has never been explored, with a lot of upside potential and attractive mineralogy. The sector remains important because of its uses in clean, green technologies,” Burton concludes.
5
MINING
TSX & TSXV the world’s leading exchanges for African mining companies The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV), on a combined basis, are world-leading hubs for African mining finance, having raised C$1 billion of equity capital in the first half of 2015 for African projects alone, TSX head of business development for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Graham Dallas tells Chantelle Kotze.
F
orming a part of the integrated, multi-asset class exchange group TMX Group, TSX and TSXV are the leading exchanges with regard to the number of listed mining companies worldwide-totalling 1318 on 31 December 2015 out of the global estimate of 3 300 listed entities of the exchanges. This is compared with 651 mining companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), 170 listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and AIM sub-market, as well as 43 on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Taken together, TSX and TSXV are also the global leaders in the amount of mining equity capital raised for the mining industry, having raised $106 billion, or 54%, of the total value of mining equity capital raised between 2010 and 2014. This is compared with 17% of the total value of mining equity capital raised on the LSE/AIM and 14% on the ASX.
African and TSXV listing breakdown TSX Speaking at the 9th Annual Investing in African Mining seminar in London hosted by Africanfocused business development, marketing and educational company Mine-Africa late in 2015, Dallas pointed out that TSX is host to 45 mining companies with properties in Africa, with an additional 73 mining companies listed on TSXV with projected on the African continent. “Of the1 1318 listed mining companies, 118 are mining in Africa, and own and operate 469 properties. The projects and properties are located within 37 African countries, six of which are in northern Africa, 80 in western Africa, 27 in central Africa, 38 in eastern Africa and 37 in southern Africa,” says Dallas.
A good place to list “As a large producer of several of the world’s important minerals and metals, including zinc, uranium gold, nickel, aluminum and lead, Canada has a strong equity culture, particularly around resource industries, which makes it a good place for mining companies to go to be listed,” says Dallas.
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The Engineer | September 2016
The amount of capital raised on TSX and TSXV over the past 10 years, between 2005 and 2015, totals $114 billion. This, Dallas believes, demonstrate the remarkable strength and stability of Canada’s leading exchanges despite several global pressures and challenging commodity prices. Dallas, who has worked in the capital markets of London, Europe and Hong Kong, says that 53% of the global number of equity financing transactions took place on TSX an TSXV while the boards were also responsible for 34% of global equity capital raised in mining as at December 2015. The TSX and TSXV exchange market structure and feeder system is significant when taking into account the sheer number of companies that started in the more “junior” board on TSXV and eventually graduated up to the “senior” market on TSX, noted Dallas. He points out that over 600 companies, including 266 mining companies, have moved from the TSXV to the TSX in the past 15 years.
Diverse mining base The TSX and TSXV exchanges are home to mining projects at diverse ends of the project stage. The number of projects at the exploration stage total 1 039, while 834 of the projects are at an advanced exploration stage. The number of mining projects in production is 206, while a number of projects of development total 104.
De-listings There has been a slight increase in the number of de-listings by mining companies on the TSX and TSXV exchanges as of late, owing mainly to acquisitions and at the request of listed companies, and lesser so because of a failure to meet the listing requirements.
MINING
FORSYS METALS NORASA
Uranium player aims for the BIG Leagues IN SHORT Unlike juniors, Forsys Metals is ready to move its uranium project into construction phase after securing finance and plans to deliver a large scale operation from. The low uranium price is set to recover steadily over the coming years as the demand for clean, nuclear energy increases, particularly in China. This will provide significant opportunity for new uranium market entrance such as TSX-listed Forsys Metals as looks to bring its large-scale, Namibia –based Norasa project online CEO MARCEL HILMER tells LAURA CORNISH. Forsys metal has been focusing on the development of its project since it was brought into the company 10 years ago when the company listed the TSX. “It was and remains the company’s principal asset and flagship project which has been developed from green field stage through to a feasibility study over the years,” Hilmer starts. With significant investments injected into the project and the country over a decade the company has not changed or shifted focused either and it is determined to bring Norasa into establish itself as a Namibian mine operator. To date the project is at a stage of readiness to begin construction. Forsys metals only need to secure sufficient funds (which is presently working on) to start.
“We have our mining licence, environmental approvals, building permits as well as a full and compliant definitive feasibility study (DFS) delivered by Amec Foster Wheeler,” Hilmer outlines. The company has been looking for and evaluating funding options since the completion and release of the DFS in March 2015, “and has remained flexible and kept and open mind on potential partnership, off-take agreement and funding mix options a necessary in light of the current market conditions,” Hilmer admits. “Unfortunately and contrary to what some analysts forecast, the uranium price did not improve as projected in 2015 and this has made our financing effort more challenging.” Nonetheless, forsys is aiming to conclude securing its funding requirements towards the end of H1, 2016 after which an 18-month construction timeframe is required to reach production phase.
The Uranium Market For now, general market consensus indicates that the price of uranium will start to recover this year and range between US$50 and $60/lb (in 2016) and $65 and $70/lbin the longer term (it is currently about $34/lb). “We are optimistic about these projections and that market drives will improve the chances for higher uranium prices.” The need for a clean energy is becoming increasingly important, highlighted by the outcome at recent places on climate change in Paris. Global pollution levels are approaching critical level and there is a major consensus on the need to address and improve this situation. For example, countries like Korea, India and China are already investing heavily in growing their nuclear power capacity. According to the Nuclear Power Association, mainland China has 30 nuclear power reactors in operation, 24 under construction. “Additional reactors are also being planned to give more than a three-fold increase to its nuclear capacity to at least 58 GWe by 2030, and much more by 2050.” This alone will naturally lead to an increase in demand and this will be driven further by the lack of new uranium mines and expansions coming on stream, owing to the depresses market price and resources conditions. The combination of these two factors, as supply dwindles and demand increases, will drive price higher. A small company with massive production ambitions the Norosa project represents the consolidation of two large deposits Valencia and Namibplaas-which are situates 7km and apart together covers an area of 2477ha.
Geology near the Norasa project site
Its principal attraction is it substantial size and resources which is key to its operational success, Hilmer. Unlike most juniors in Africa who are focusing on smaller, faster operation start up in order to generate cash flow quickly, Forsys Metals approach and strategy is to develop a large scale operation from the beginning. “Supply to nuclear power stations is controlled by just few countries that all have huge demand and they are not looking for high grades, small deposits to marginally increase capacity. They are intent on securing long-life, material quantity suppliers to feed their multiple power stations over decades. Norasa can and will deliver on this front,” Hilmer outlines. Norasa has a 90.7Mlb mineral reserve (of U3O8t) using a 140ppm cut-off grade. Its operating cost per fund is estimated to average US$32.96/ lb over the life of the mine. It has an estimates pre-tax net presents value (NPV)of $622.6 million at discount rate of 8% (or $383.4 million post-NPV). The Norasa production schedule includes a processing rate of 11.2Mtpa in order to produce 5.2 Mlbpa of U3O8 over 15 years (minimum) at an average grade of 200ppm. “At this volume Forsys Metals would fall within the top 10 uranium producers in the world if we were operating today.” The operational will comprise a large open pit and standard processing acid leach plant. “Unlike alternative, unproven treatment methods, this type of plant has been built and operates numerous times, it is easy to operate and its technology is proven.”
In summary Norasa is one of the very few uranium projects in the world that is constructionready with DFS which confirms its robust economics- which will ensure the company successfully attracts the right strategic partners and investors to advance Norasa’s development.
The Engineer | September 2016
7
LOGISTICS
Bulk Materials Handling & Logistics
go hand-in hand A multidisciplinary approach to bulk materials handling, logistics and dynamic simulation has seen an existing iron are project in Sierra Leone achieve a 40% increase in through put over five months, without significant capital expenditure.
Global engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) firm Hatch’s concept of gateway logistics encompasses the entire supply chain from the mine to the bulk export terminal, including the rail transport corridor. “Our approach to this industry sector is based on an in-depth understanding of all these elements, including their integration and interaction,” Hendrik Visser, global technical coordinator for bulk materials handling at hatch, comments To date, Hatch has delivered over US$15 billion worth of gateway capital investment globally, either through joint ventures or in its main role as an EPCM provider. A particular feature in the company’s cap has been its involvement in Sierre Leone, where the client was looking to boost throughput significantly on its existing plant. “It was a start-up client that decided to penetrate the iron ore market and spend capital at a time when the sector was seeing significant disinvestment,” Ludwig Furstenberg, a dynamic simulation expert at hatch, explains. Time to market was a key driver and the operation had to be up and running in 18 months. “The client’s efforts in this regards ranged from searching for the old railway line with machetes to designing what needed to be replaced, and then building a mine and railway line in a country without infrastructure, with the aim of
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The Engineer | September 2016
having first ore on ship in less than two years down the line.” The new infrastructure - including the mine, rail link and port – was operational within this timeframe, with the client achieving steadystate throughput soon afterwards. Once steadystate was achieved, the client expressed a requirement to increase the overall throughput of the system. “Our job was to answer the classic question of what could be done to boost throughput without spending additional capital,” Furstenberg points out. “We had at our disposal a team of extremely dynamic people from the client driving the changes. A team of specialists from Hatch spent about a week on-site, collecting data from the mine to the port. We used this information to identify bottlenecks and to strategise around improving the organization, operations and maintenance.” Francois du Toit, global discipline director: logistics at Hatch, points out that the remarkable success of the Sierre Leone project is largely due to the critical interface between logistics and bulk materials handling. “Managing the interfaces between the different disciplines within the supply chains is where you identify numerous gaps and opportunities. These are generally areas where such supply chains have shortcomings.” A unique way of managing such shortcomings is through dynamic simulation, stresses Anneri Robison lead – Dynamic Simulation Group. “Just to piggybacking the dynamic simulation support to the rest of the highly developed solutions offered by Hatch will help a client to boost its operations. There are a lot of industry
experts in modeling, but what differentiates Hatch is that we really understand our client’s core businesses.” Key to this understanding is an awareness of the extraordinary pressure that the global mining industry is operating under at present. “Resources are more remote and difficult to access, which often means new infrastructure has to be put in place, from the mine sites themselves to rail links and ports.” This is where the concept of gateway logistics really comes into its own, as it includes international sourcing and procurement of equipment of the best quality and at the lowest cost. “In some case studies we have conducted, it is sometimes better to obtain steel out of South Africa for projects in Africa as china is no longer necessarily seen as a preferential source in terms of pricing and fabrication rates.” This is not to say that Africa is not without its unique challenges in terms of both materials handling and logistics. “Before you say that you can provide a solution, you need to look into both its feasibility and viability. In many cases, to execute a project you need to bring in your own equipment, such as multi-axle trailers, cranes and other specialized equipment, Du Toit points out.
“Resources are more remote and difficult to access, which often means new infrastructure has to be put in place, from the mine sites themselves to rail links and ports.” Maintenance lags behind in Africa, as do general health and safety standards. “It is a major learning curve for many of our sub-contractors, whom we employ in terms of our localisation requirements. However, these sub-contractors have to align themselves with our standards and those of the client. Health, safety and quality are simply not negotiable.” Then there are other issues to be considered, such as the current focus of ‘sweating’ existing assets. “Whereas in the past you had the luxury of perhaps being a bit conservative in your design approach, today you need to both understand the constraints better, and to come up with a bespoke solution that is structured around the specific client and application,” Visser elaborates. The high rainfall experienced in West Africa, for example, poses particular bulk materials handling issues in terms of wet,
sticky material. “We have developed a good skill set in this regard, not only in iron ore, but also oil sands and coat.” Other factors impacting on the effectiveness of a solution range from throughput constraints to build-up, blockages wear and impact problems. “Hence our multidisciplinary approach to find a system’s ‘sweet spot’ which pertains to the materials handling design as well,” Furstenberg stresses. “Looking at existing systems, there is often lower hanging fruit due to the traditional conservative design approach. This means that fairly low –cost solutions can be implemented quickly and cost-effectively to increase throughput and hence ‘sweat’ those assets. With relatively little or no capital investment, you can realize significant benefits.”
DRA grows its ports and harbour experience RLH is an engineering consulting firm specialising in the planning and design of coastal infrastructure projects across the globe.
This philosophy fits closely with DRA’s objectives of enabling its clients to achieve their projects goals optimally.
I am excited about the prospects of our Cape Town offering, which supports our innovation drive,” says Johann de Bruin, DRA Africa MD.
It provides world-class services in the EPCM contracts, from pre-feasibility planning and assessment through design, project management and construction supervision. Its specialist expertise in marine environmental analysis plays a major role in the initial planning and evaluation of marine infrastructure projects.
Additional services that DRA will now be able to offer current and future clients include: • Marine project concept planning and evaluation • Ports, harbours and coastal engineering; • Marine terminals and pipelines; • Environmental data collection and analysis for marine projects • Port logistics and materials handling; and • Forensic engineering and numerical analysis
“RLH has good working relationship with DRA going back a number of years, and has provided specialist marine design services to DRA on various projects internationally. We are excited about integrating into a global engineering company with the associated increase in capacity in delivering EPCM projects that this will bring. We look forward to further developing and enhancing the engineering capabilities of new marine division within DRA,” concludes Andrew Lloyd, MD of RLH Consulting Engineers.
The South African founded engineering company DRA has taken another step towards achieving its global diversification strategy, having recently acquired Cape Town basedports and harbour engineering business RLH Consulting Engineers. DRA will leverage the wealth of industry experience of key personnel in RLH, which spans more than 30 years; and will expand and further cement its international port and harbour developments and coastal engineering strengths.
RLH will be integrated into DRA’s new Cape Town office, servicing client projects in the South African region as well as up into West Africa. “Diversification into marine engineering s offered by RLH has been part of DRA’s strategy for the past year and we are very excited about RLH forming part of our team. The RLH culture and diligent approach to projects aligns well with that of DRA and we expect a smooth integration.
The management and staff at RLH have worked on multi-million dollar projects which leading international companies and are dedicated to completing the work on time and within budget-which makes it a suitable acquisition.
The Engineer | September 2016
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TRANSPORT
Africa Transport Industry to Award Women The who’s who in Africa’s transport industry gathers in Durban to award women in the industryEurope, Middle East and Africa, Graham Dallas tells Chantelle Kotze.
A
delegation of Africa’s foremost maritime industry professionals and an unbeatable line- up of thought-leaders will be in Durban on 18 October 2016 to recognise, reward and celebrate women who have made great strides in Africa’s transport industry. According to Stats SA, females comprised only 22% of the transport labour force in 2008. Six years later (2014), they comprised only 20%. African women are significantly under-represented in the transport sector. For example, in South Africa there are currently no female ship owners or ship builders and given that only 7 to 12 % of African engineering students are women, it should not be a surprise that a very small percentage of marine engineers are female. But, says Executive Director, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Ms Catherine Larkin: “Women who have succeeded in the industry need to share their story and show others that it is possible.” Larkin continues saying little, if any, progress in improving female participation in transport over the past decade has been made, but women can survive and thrive in the industry as there are many “good news” stories of women who have faced many challenges, but who have made it to the top.
Event Dates and Location: Co-located with African Port Evolution and African Rail Evolution Date: 18 October 2016 Location: Durban International Convention Centre
According to Awards Director, Athi Myoli, the Women in Transport Awards was created as a direct result of this desperate need to honour the outstanding achievements of Africa’s transport executives who have positively contributed to the development of the rail and maritime industry in Africa.
Master Mariner and Ship Surveyor at the port of Durban, Captain Thembela Taboshe believes recognition of effort in any platform has a profound effect in encouraging its people to always do more. “Sometimes all one needs is just to know that their hard work and compromise, or maybe their idea- whatever it may be, is recognised and appreciated – the best of luck to all our nominees.” Larkin and Taboshe are both judges for the awards amongst other esteemed representatives from a cross spectrum of industry heavyweights, including the Mauritius Ports Authority, Transnet Freight Rail, Transnet Port Terminals, Namport, Port of Ngqurha and others.
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The awards are segmented into seven categories to cater for female contribution across the broad spectrum of the transport industry. The final deadline for accepting nominations is 1 September 2016 and nominations can be done online.
Bicon Namibia is an independent, multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm, employing a permanent staff of engineering experts and supporting staff in major engineering disciplines. It is a well-reputed Namibian consulting company, ranging among the largest consulting engineering offices in Namibia.
29 Gen. Murtala Muhammed Ave. PO Box 2310 Windhoek, Namibia Telephone: (+264-61) 275 120 Telefax: (+264-61) 224 863 Email: bicon@bicon.com.na Web: www.bicon.com.na
SPECIALIST FIELDS
SPECIAL SERVICES
Project Management
Preliminary Investigations
Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Structural Engineering Civil Engineering Water Engineering Roads and Transportation Engineering Municipal Engineering Industrial Engineering Telecommunications Community and labour-based projects Sewerage Reticulation and Plants
Site Surveys Cost Estimates Engineering Designs Contract Documentation Quantity Surveying Site Supervision Quality Control Commissioning of Plant Technical Advice Project Co-ordination Interaction with Local Communities
ENGINEER OF THE MONTH 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
NSFAF aids ABB’s upcoming electrical engineer
Joint call by NSFAF and Chinese Loving Heart Organisation. 50 Scholarships are available for Civil Engineering at Vocational level. The Studies are to commence in September 2016. Assessment will be conducted in conjunction with the respective university and Chinese Loving Heart Organisation Applicant should have the following minimum requirements: • Grade 12 Certificate or; • Grade 10 plus relevant post-secondary qualification in related field. • Be in good health.
Lukas Kapanda Kaangundue an Electrical Engineer in- training at 6. Application process Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) one of the beneficiaries to reap the seeds 6.1. Submit a written application with certified copies of qualifications to any of NSFAF offices listed below: NSFAF has sowed. By Tulie Omaheke: Ms. Johanna Araes Hardap: Mr. Nico. A. Isaaks Oshana: Mr. Warde. WardePandeni Tel: 062-562465/ Cell : 081 166 5524 Omaheke Regional Council Directorate of Education 1st Office Block, Cnr President & Kameelboom Street Email: Johanna.Araes@nsfaf.na GOBABIS Oshikoto: Mr. Augustino Immanuel Cell: 081 166 5454 Oshikoto Regional Council Directorate of Education Simataa Street Augustino.Immanuel@nsfaf.na ONDANGWA
Erongo: Mr. Vincent Nakuta Nakuta Tel: 064-4105176 / Cell: 081 149 5410 Erongo Regional Council Directorate of Education Tobias Hainyeko Street Vincent.Nakuta@nsfaf.na SWAKOPMUND Kavango(East & West): Mr. Josef Homateni Nangolo Tel: 066-255936/ Cell: 081 166 5640 Kavango Regional Council Rundu Teachers Resource Centre Joseph.Nangolo@nsfaf.na RUNDU Khomas: Mr. Stanley Mbatira Tel: 061-420600/ Cell: 081 166 4681 Werner List Street Gutenberg Platz (Ground Floor) Stanley.Mbatira@nsfaf.na WINDHOEK
Tel: 063-245733/ Cell: 081 166 4532 Hardap Regional Council Directorate of Education, Sam Nujoma Drive orn and bred in Okakarara, it Special Educationwas Office Block, never going to be easy Email: Nico.Isaacks@nsfaf.na for a young man raised with MARIENTAL41 siblings where his father’s four wives competed for every resources. AllErkki he knew was competition and Ohangwena: Mengela survival matriculating in 2005 Tel: 065-290256/ Cell:upon 081 125 2372 he sought a temporary job in the Ohangwena Regional Council diamond industry. Directorate of Education Erkki.Mengela@nsfaf.na It was to be temporary for two years. EENHANA It was during that period in 2010 that he engaged the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund for funding. Omusati: Ms. Johanna Munyandi NSFAFCell: funded Kaangudue’s through Tel: 065-251700/ 081 166 5907 his studies in South Africa where Omusati Regional Council heEducation completed both his Certificate Directorate of and National Diploma in Electrical Johanna.Munyandi@nsfaf.na Engineering, which he completed in OUTAPI 2012.
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“The NSFAF loan is not complicated and in actual fact very easy to acquire. Zambezi: Mr. Romeo Simataa All I needed081 back in my day was a letter Tel: 066-252448/Cell: 126 1617 of acceptance from the university I Zambezi Regional Council wished to attend and proof that my Soweto Street parents were unemployed,” he recalls. Katima Mulilo Circuit Romeo.simataa@NSFAF.na Today his highest qualification is KATIMA MULILO a Bachelor in Technology, which he is now cable of paying off simultaneously while paying his NSFAF loan.
Contact: Ebben.Ngulu@nsfaf.na or Selma.Sheya@nsfaf.na. Due date for submitting application is 19 August 2016 at 10:00
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Tel.: + 264 61 420 600, P.O. Box 23053, Windhoek
“I urge all those who were funded by NSFAF and are employed to start paying off their loan so as to give opportunity to other less privileged leaners and students who wish to pursue their dreams in their respective fields of study. I could not have been here,” he says.
Tel: 065-230057/ Cell: 081 166 5349 Ongwediva Teachers Resource Centre Hifikepunye Pohamba Campus, Oshakati But it was not easy getting a job. After Main Road (B1attachment Road) a training at NamWater ONGWEDIVA he was unemployed for three months until ABB scouted him. He is now aMs.Engineer Otjozondjupa: Rhiana in-training, beingHoebes one of two engineers at ABB Hoebes responsible overseeing Tel:primarily 067-308087/ Cell: 081for 149 5788 designs and submissions. Otjozondjupa Regional Council, Songweng Street, “Now that I am in the industry, I Rhiana.Hoebes@nsfaf.na have learnt to spend long nights OTJIWARONGO of research and studying manuals if I have to deliver because I cannot //Karas: Denise Kamolokamwe countMs. on what I was taught at school ” he says./Cell: 081 149 5438 Tel:alone, 063-227072 //Kharas Regional Council Already, of heEducation has executed top ABB Directorate projects such Wheeler Street as: • City of Windhoek: Goreagab Denise.Kamolokamwe@nsfaf.na Dam wall, Haloid 66kV KEETMANSHOOP Substation upgrade • Paratus Intake Substation in Kunene: Ms. Linda Haipinge Walvis Bay Tel: 067-305000/ Cell: 081 166 5240 • Tscundi Mine Substation in Kunene Regional Council Tsumeb Directorate of Education • Nored’s Rundu Intake Substation Linda.Haipinge@nsfaf.na KHORIXAS For him, the engineering field is a very challenging industry but with both the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) offering diverse engineering programmes, the future is bright.
“In the next five years, I have set myself to become an Engineering Protection Specialist and this could not have been possible had the funding not been enabled.”
The Caprivi Link Interconnector A 350 kV HVDC Light® system stabilizes two weak networks in Namibia and enables power trading in the expansive region of southern Africa. ABB was responsible for system engineering including design, supply and installation of the two converter stations and earth electrodes.
ABB in Brief ABB, a leading power and automation technology group. ABB is one of the largest engineering companies worldwide. It has operations in around 100 countries, with approximately 111 000 employees. As a global leader in power and automation technologies, ABB in Africa provides solutions to improve the efficiency, productivity and quality of our customers’ operations while minimizing environmental impact ABB is one of the world’s leading power and automation engineering companies that provide solutions for secure, energy-efficient transmission and distribution of electricity. At ABB we increase productivity in industrial, commercial and utility operations. Innovation is at the forefront of what we do and many of the technologies that drive modern society were pioneered by ABB. Our portfolio ranges from robots that can print cars, light switches, huge electrical transformers to control systems that manage entire power networks and factories. ABB has been present across Africa since 1926, with its first office in Cairo, Egypt. Eighty
years later, we have major offices in key countries across the region. You can find us in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Cote d›Ivoire, Cameroon, Nigeria, Mali, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Kenya and more. In South Africa ABB has its head office, logistics and manufacturing centre at Longmeadow, Johannesburg. At these premises ABB has several manufacturing operations including medium voltage switchgear, high voltage protection, rectifiers and a robotics programming and servicing centre. At its Alrode, Johannesburg, premises ABB has an AC machines factory that manufacturers medium voltage electric motors for local and export markets.
ABB has a strong presence in the Southern Africa region with engineering and sales offices in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We offer complete solutions to utilities, including electrical power infrastructure for transmission and distribution networks and associated products and systems, such as substations, reactive power compensation, utilities automation (including protection, control and SCADA), water EPC contracts and power plant automation. On the industries side, we offer systems, products and services in the areas of pulp and paper, mining, metals and minerals, cement, chemicals and petrochemicals as well as manufacturing and customer industries. Our project capabilities include a comprehensive offering from feasibility studies, project management and design to construction, installation, commissioning and customer training. All offerings are supported by field maintenance and asset performance services.
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INDUSTRIAL
Time to Regulate Rigging; says Precision By Johanna Jonas
Precision Rigging Operation (PRO) has come of age and a force to reckon with when it comes to lifting and loading heavy metals, equipment or machinery.
Precision Rigging Operations has a wide range of experience and expertise in heavy lifting, rigging, steel erection and fabrication.
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ased in Swakopmund, the company has established itself within the mineral and harbour (logistics) industry.
“We recently installed mills at Husab mine which was a big feat for a local company. The fact that we are even signing contracts with giants like Rossing where we do retests and detects, is a sign that the industry now has faith in a local company. That keeps us on our toes to deliver,” says PRO’s Paulus Ashikoto. For Rossing, Precision Rigging Operation does all the lifting and moving of loads, thanks to a Wes Bank inspired deal. With a reputation that follows operations in Langer Heinrich and Kratz Marine, the company finds the competition from South African entities unfair. Adds Ashikoto; “The challenge that the company is currently facing is that Namibia does not have a law for accrediting rigging operations. You will find briefcase companies offering the same service but their employees are not qualified or trained to do this kind of work. In the end when accidents or when the job is not done properly, all Namibian companies are blanketed as poor in rigging. This is a safety job, we need a law to allow us to meet standards and protect the industry especially considering the infrastructure in Namibia is growing.” As a result, Precision Rigging Operations places great importance on providing first class, timely solutions to customer’s needs. Focus is heavily on the continuous improvement, quality and diversification of rigging services and something that distinguishes the company from competitors.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Tuhafifa, a Multi-disciplinary Consultancy of repute By Toini Martin
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uhafifa is a group of engineers, architects and project managers working together to provide a wholesome service in the entire spheres of the building environment.
Nevertheless, Tuhafifa’s main objective is to grow into a leading multi-disciplinary consultancy with capacity to successfully offer consultancy on critical civil projects for stakeholders in Namibia.
This is a dynamic multi-disciplinary consultancy servicing stakeholders established in 2012 with expert skills and management to service civil projects in Namibia.
The group offers services in MultiDisciplinary Consulting Engineering, Architecture Design, Project Management, Construction, and Procurement. And service fields in Building Projects, Infrastructure Projects, Defence and Security Projects, Oil, Gas and Chemicals Projects, Power Projects, Development Projects, Transportation Projects, Environment Projects, Sport and Recreational Projects, Industrial Projects, Mining and Metals Projects, Management Projects.
Their main objective is to grow into a leading multi-disciplinary consultancy in Namibia over time and, given the financial resources to grow will recruit and train professional staff and develop a full engineering, architecture design, construction and project management capability. Tuhafifa is capable of fielding integrated teams of skilful project managers, engineers, architects, expert support staff and leading network associates. By embracing the latest project management technology, knowledge, tools, techniques, skills and expertise, Tuhafifa aims to grow into a leading knowledge driven business. The group aims to ensure long term prosperity through exponential sustainable growth. Their main goal is sustainability, growth, prosperity, and value creation. Tuhafifa utilises Project Management Software, CAD, PMI’s PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), Portfolio, Programme and Project Management Maturity Model (P3M3), South African Unit Standards, SABs/SANs codes, sustainable design concepts, FIDIC contracts and latest ISO standards.
It is with this background understanding that Tuhafifa is likely to provide services to company comprising of multi-disciplinary consulting in the built environment. Besides it provides a superior, well communicated and integrated service to our stakeholders. Tuhafifa Group has the resources and knowledge to undertake about any job. Major construction projects are complex undertakings, often involving dozens of subcontractors, suppliers, and services. Orchestrating such operations demands first rate construction management something Tuhafifa Group is capable of providing on projects big and small around Namibia
3 Kerby Street, Windhoek 081 333 5551 http://www.tuhafifagroup.com/
Tuhafifa is capable of doing projects through; 1. Plan, design and construction management of residential and commercial property. 2. Renovation and extension of existing residential and commercial property. 3. Maintenance of existing infrastructures including air condition systems and electrical works. 4. Provision and installation of secure security systems for entire buildings They build with the intention of exceeding client’s expectations for safety, quality, functionality, aesthetics and deliver finished products that stand the test of time. The main goal is to provide a highly modern quality building infrastructure that will achieve the following: A human and well-designed building that meets the user’s functional needs and provides individual access to privacy, delight, outside views, and aesthetics. Design a clean and healthy environment with access to air, light, and water and free of excessive noise.
Tuhafifa Group has the resources and knowledge to undertake about any job. Major construction projects are complex undertakings, often involving dozens of subcontractors, suppliers, and services.
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Easily adaptable places that support varied work strategies and help balance an individual’s work. Efficient and state-of-the-art building, security, telecommunication, and electrical work systems that is easy to maintain. Provide a place that has a unique character, with an appropriate image and identity that provide a sense of pride, purpose, and dedication for the individuals.
NamPower
1mLED CAMPAIGN
NamPower Champions LED By Toini Martin
On 31 August 2016, NamPower officially launched the one million Light Emitting Diode (1mLED) Campaign as part of its Demand Supply Management (DSM). The Campaign is part of NamPower to reduce its supply demand mostly during peak times when Namibia consume more power than it can generate. NamPower Managing Director Kahenge Simson Haulofu stated that the 1mLED Campaign is one of the power company’s energy saving initiatives, aimed at reducing electricity usage in the residential areas during peak times (6:009:00am and 18:00-21:00pm) by replacing one million incandescent bulbs with light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, FOR FREE. “The LED bulbs have a longer lifespan with an average operation of 15 000 hours and consume far less electricity compared to the incandescent bulbs, while giving out the same/or more light intensity. The bulbs are environmental friendly as they contain non-toxic substances and are very cost effective over a period of time,” he said. The LED bulbs that will be installed have a warranty period of three years. By May 2017, a maximum of six bulbs can be installed per house in sockets which are likely to be on during peak times.
LED Champions NamPower has also procured LED Champions, namely NamEnergy Resources (PTY) Ltd and LexTechnologies (PTY) Ltd. The LED Champion will be responsible for the execution of the 1mLED Campaign by implementing a door-to-door replacement programme, by making use of local installers in the respective towns across the country. The LED Champion will collect the bulbs from the NamPower depot, recruit and train the local installers, distribute the bulbs to the local installers, manage the installation process, gather and manage the information from the re-fitted households and capture the data on an online data portal provided by NamPower. The LED Champion shall also dispose the replaced incandescent bulbs after a reconciliation process. For purposes of implementation, the country is
divided into two clusters: The Northern Cluster which will be serviced by LexTechnologies comprises of the following Regions/Towns: Ohangwena; Omusati; Oshana; Oshikoto; Otjozondjupa; Kavango East & Kavango West; Zambezi; Kunene; Omaheke; Khomas (a part of Windhoek); Erongo region (Arandis, Usakos, Karibib and Omaruru) The Southern Cluster which will be serviced by NamEnergy Resources comprises the following Regions/Towns: //Karas; Hardap; Khomas (A part of Windhoek); Erongo region (Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Henties Bay); Installation Process Local installation teams per region were recruited by LED Champions to execute the campaign. The installation team will use a runner who will go from door to door to identify the houses where there is an adult and whether the adult or home owner is willing to participant in the campaign. The runner will then inform the bulb installers who will go into the house and present a data gathering form to the adult or home owner. Home owners are therefore encouraged to take part in the campaign by giving access to their property and availing the information required to complete the data gathering form. The installers will replace and retain the replaced incandescent bulbs.
Installation Process The Installation team will return the replaced incandescent bulb to the LED Champions who will take it for reconciliation with NamPower, have them crushed and then dispose the crushed bulbs. M&V Process NamPower has appointed an independent Measurement and Verification (M&V) Consultant to audit the savings of the project.
M & V Process The project has been analysed and classified according to the guidelines set out in the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol Vol1 2012 (IPMVP). The M&V activities will therefore focus on the retrofit activities associated with the lighting retrofit only and the verification of the predicted Energy savings (MWh) and Demand (MW) impact as a result of the intervention.
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ENERGY
Solar So What? Everything you need to know as a professional
Message for Engineers With U$572b needed every year for the next 25 years to avoid a temperature increase of >2degC by Doomsday 2040, our Namibia’s per capita (population: 2.2 million) quota is N$2.52b per year or N$.1.12b per year on a National GDP quota, or N$1.47b per our consumption of total global power. Currently, global RE expenditure is US356b, the global community is already behind by 38% on the nominal efforts required, as declared at COP21 to which we are a signatory. Is climate change unscientific? Maybe, but it is irrefutably irrational is to build poisonous power stations when renewable energy is cost effective and, well, ‘renewable’.
A Photon/Subatomic particle of Light leaves our Sun. 8 minutes later it arrives on the surface of a solar panel. The solar panel has a crystal silicone sandwich of 3 various materials (P-type material, N-type material and a junction material). The sandwich helps guide and direct the excited Electrons. And after a few steps, they are ready for use in your home or business. (image: Light Systems Namibia)
Taking Power to the Frontier & Beyond With all the infrastructure that NamPower has installed over decades, why would you want to move away from that? Firstly, Electricity prices were cheap in the 90s but have risen to meet global average prices – with all other factors pushing up inflation, it may be more preferable to invest a power source that is steadily decreasing in cost per unit of power. In fact, if electricity prices continue to escalate solar generated power that is stored in batteries, becomes cost competitive by 2020. In other words, solar power then becomes cost effective over grid-power by 2018! Even with 29.5% losses from the solar module to your appliances, a Renewable Solar Photovoltaic System coupled with a battery bank is cheaper.
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Namibia is endowed with the highest GHI/ Solar Resource rating in Sub-saharan Africa (left), and possibly the most profitable in the world (bottom right). Also, Namibia has experienced negligible temperature changes during a recent Global Warming Survey (July 2016 – the Hottest Month in global history). (images: under fair use from SolarGIS)
Becoming Part of the Biggest Machine: On-grid
2016 - Price of Electricity Per Unit (kWh)
Batteries account for 50% of the cost of a system that can run on its own, (otherwise known as an ‘Island’). Alternatively, Solar Power Systems that are connected to the grid can deposit their excess production into the grid in exchange for a credit. This credit can be redeemed for an additional unit of power at a later stage, depending on the exchange rate your Regional Energy Distributor offers.
N$12.00
A country like Namibia requires a lot of protection on our national grid. Protection includes interconnection standards, special equipment and operating practices. Our single runs of powerlines are very long in our country; and at the end of these runs we find large economic centers, but we also find mall towns along the way. Our national power transmission engineers at Nampower maintain the highest protection standards in the World; without this protection over such long distances, the condition of the grid could suffer, leading to brown outs (flickering lights) and then eventually cascading blackouts throughout the country. Like the Great North American Blackout of 2003, each one of these lines will have to be energized individually in a process that could take months.
N$4.00
To combat this and support the already high integrity of the National Power Grid, Nampower, the Namibian Energy Institute, the Regional Energy Distributors and Municipalities require that all Solar Installations connected to the grid have built in redundancies to ensure that your home or business solar power installation does not cause a national power crisis. We Estimate that by 2020, Solar with Batteries will be cheaper than locally produced/imported electricity. To have an indication of how much your own Solar Installation will cost when compared to other sources, add the generation cost of solar to a battery technology of your choice.
What does the future hold?
N$10.00 N$9.70
N$8.00 N$6.00
N$3.10
N$2.00 N$1.88
N$0.42
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N$0.85
Cost of Electricity Per kWh (2016)
City of Windhoek Residential PP
Lead Acid AGM battery
Solar PV
Dispatchable\Baseload
Lithium-type Battery
2022 - Price of Electricity Per Unit (kWh) N$4.00 N$3.00 N$2.00 N$1.00
N$3.10 N$2.00
N$2.55
N$2.03 N$0.19
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Cost of Electricity Per kWh (2022) City of Windhoek Residential PP Lead Acid AGM battery Tesla Lithium Battery Ex-Western Cape, South Africa Solar PV Dispatchable\Baseload COP21 Compliant Coal
We Estimate that by 2020, Solar with Batteries will be cheaper than locally produced/imported electricity. To have an indication of how much your own Solar Installation will cost when compared to other sources, add the generation cost of solar to a battery technology of your choice.
Becoming Part of the Biggest Machine: On-grid These Silicone based solar panels consist of 99% of the global market, • Commercially produced Solar Panels have a rated efficiency of moreBatteries account for 50% of the cost of a system that can run on its own, (otherwise known not contain poisonous substances and have a theoretical maximum than 18% (in other words, the PV component is able to convert moreas ando ‘Island’). efficiencyAlternatively, of 33%. Solar Power Systems that are connected to the grid can deposit than 16% of the light captured by the solar panel, into power). their excess production into the grid in exchange for a credit. This credit can be redeemed for an additional unit of power at a• laterInverters: stage, depending on the exchange rate your of the traditional manufacturers Regional Energy Distributor offers.solar inverter have added more features and
more products to their offerings; but they have been unable to arrest the growing popularity of low cost, High Frequency inverters. The traditional leading brands in solar inverters have not adopted HFT architecture in their electronics because they are unable to develop sufficient levels of durability. HFT Inverters are 3% more efficient that the copper-heavy Low Frequency inverters, but because of the complexity of the process/”extra steps”, the materials in use are supposed to fail very early, in theory. LFT inverters are twice the price of HFT inverters.
The National (USA) Renewable Energy Laboratory publishes the above chart with the latest records in Photovoltaic materials. Popular technologies can be seen in blue and green; with the other
• Storage: Currently, viable Lithium battery technologies are 3 times more expensive than AGM batteries; but they are certain to last 3 times as long. A minimum investment in batteries sufficient to replace the utility supply for a residential home, is N$90’000. AGM Battery prices are set to decline, especially with the integration of recycled materials in Chineseproduced AGM batteries. The first generation of Tesla Powerwall is not a viable solution for Africa in its current configuration and options.
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ENGINEERING
Transition: Bicon Namibia
Changes Guard IN SHORT Having been a director since 1985, Jürgen Kaplan is now leaving a legacy and his fellow directors are content. In fact, Bicon Namibia is now entering its latest phase of transition, and it’s all home grown. The process of replacing Kaplan has been in the offing since December last year.
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he engineering firm which was established in 1957 has not missed its philosophy and culture of empowering its own, says Kaplan.
“The company thrives to improve the lives of less privileged people in Namibia wherever possible, and this is evident by the high percentage of the previously less privileged people working for Bicon, some of whom are not within the management structure. More than half of all technical staff at Bicon comes from this group,” shares Director/ Shareholder, Holger von Leipzig. With more than 50 years of operation, Bicon is today one of the largest consulting practices in Namibia, employing nearly 100 staff.
The firm has a wide experience in the design and supervision of the engineering components of major developments and pride themselves of having been involved in many of the major infrastructure, industrial and property developments in Namibia in the last few years. With the rise of Asian companies in the construction procurement process, we suffer due to extra supervision required due to low level of expertise plus low price on which we base our professional fees. “But we are prepared for that, thanks to our well documented legacy and experience in the consulting engineering. Our competitors talk more on being cheap, we preach quality,” says Holger von Leipzig. Leipzig has been a shareholding director since 2007, and together with other directors Daniel Mtambalika, Angula Nashandi and Elieser Nghikembua have overseen the company transform into a multidiscipline engineering and consulting firm. Under previous white leadership, Bicon Namibia permanently employed engineering experts and supporting staff in major engineering disciplines, who have developed into professionals in thier various disciplines.
Having been a director since 1985, Jürgen Kaplan is now leaving a legacy and his fellow directors are content.
Bicon Namibia is currently working on major projects some of which are to be completed this year. They include DR3635 in Okahao, TR14/2 – Trunk road in Otjinene phase 1, besides many other structures which were successfully completed. Bicon Namibia has three labs in Rundu, Okondjatu, Henties Bay and plans are underway for one in Oshakati very soon. The labs provide quality control on buildings and civil structure. These are under the directorship of Nghikembua, also another director, whose main field of experience is borrow-pits investigation, geotechnical investigations, quality and acceptance control for material used on roads, airports and other structures. Bicon Namibia grants bursaries in the engineering field to talented less privileged individuals (PDIs) in Namibia. “We do a lot of in-house training and we challenge our staff to improve their education and to obtain professional qualifications where the company provides financial assistance,” commented Mtambalika.
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The Engineer | September 2016
TECHNOLOGY
Birth of the Namibia Women in Computing Society Some of the 51% women in ICT who graduated from NUST in April 2016
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he retention and success rate for women students are though higher and recent statistics in the Faculty showed that women students on average perform better than their male counterparts. The 2014 statistics for the United States of America (USA) show that only 17% of Computing and Information Sciences graduants were women or 15% of all Computer Science fields. Compare this to the fact that 51% of the Faculty’s graduates in April 2016 were women. Some might not find that surprising as women graduants were always high in the Faculty. However, despite these high graduation rates, very few women major specifically in Software Development, which begs the question: why? The other question that needs answering is what happens to the women once they graduate as females in the ICT field seem to be either not that visible or they do other types of jobs. Another question is also what are the issues that women in Computing struggle with and what are their achievements. In order to celebrate women in Computing in Namibia and find some answers to these questions, the first ever Namibia Women in Computing Conference took place in Windhoek on 27 February 2016. Although the event’s main organiser was the Faculty of Computing at NUST with co-sponsorship and co-organisation by Google. Students, lecturers and professional women from NUST, UNAM, Telecom and other companies jointly organised the event. The event was organised as part of the global Anita Borg’s Birthday Celebrations around the world. Anita Borg was an American Computer Scientist who sought bring more women into Computing and also have Computing contribute to societal good.
Dr. Anicia Peters
Dr Anicia Peters, the Dean of Faculty of Computing and Informatics at NUST, was a Google Anita Borg Scholar in 2012 while she was pursuing PhD studies in the United States. She was one 15 women
Namibia is doing well in gender equality especially when it comes to women in political positions. Women students in Computing and Informatics fields also show a consistent enrolment of 36% in Computing and Informatics fields at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).
Computer Scientists across the United States who received the award. Google works with alumni such as Anicia across the world to advance not only women in Computing but also to support Computing initiatives. The audience comprised professional women, high school learners, university students and lecturers. Although the event catered initially
only for 200 women, close to 300 attended with some travelling from other regions of the country to attend the one day event. Google generously sent goodies for all participants. When the event was over, one student exclaimed: “It was so wonderful, I feel like doing the day all over again”.
Developers Circle approached NWIC due to the dismal participation rate of only 10% of women trained in App development over the past two years and the women do not return for advanced training. Google and the Namibia Youth Council sponsored the event. The event took place at Parliament and NUST. A follow-up intermediate App development training is slated for 2-3 September 2016, mainly to prepare women developers for a 24-hour Hackathon on Gender Based Violence (GBV) on 23-24 September and a Google Developers Festival early October. The GBV Hackathon aims to develop technology solutions to assist in preventing gender based violence and will run for 24 hours with six teams participating (both men and women). A team of GBV experts and exvictims and perpetrators will also participate to inform the design of the tech solutions. A special mention for Member of Parliament, Hon. Steve Bezuidenhout, who takes a special interest in ICT, assists, supports and champions for these events. He also actively learns to program. These activities and events are testimony of how we can all, students, high school learners and teachers, academics, the private sector and even politicians can come together to use ICT to solve national challenges and nurture our combined ICT capital.
That was the birth of the Women in Computing Society (NWIC) which remains an open to learners, students, academics and professional women interested in Computing across Namibia, even men are welcome to join as associate members. The group also became a chartered local Association of Computing Machinery Women (ACM_W) member. ACM is the international professional body for Computing. The group has subsequently co-organised a free basic Android App Development Training for women in honour of International Women’s Day. This saw 150 women trained over a twoday period in developing Apps. Within an hour of advertising the event on Social Media, more than 40 women had signed up already. This was astonishing as the co-organisers, the Windhoek Google Development Group and the NBII Mobile
Private Bag 13388 Windhoek, Namibia 13 Storch Street Windhoek, Namibia +264-61-207-9111 | +264-61-207-2444
Some of the learners who attended the event
The Engineer | September 2016
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Women Android Training launched to Bolster App Development
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amibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FCI) in collaboration with Google Developers Group (GDG) Windhoek, Namibia Women in Computing Society (NWiC), and the Namibia Business Innovation Institute (NBII) Mobile Developers Circle earlier this year held a two day training for women on “Android Development” in honor of International Women’s Day which was celebrated on March 8, 2016. The objective of this training was to equip women with mobile application development skills for Android Operating System (OS) which is used on more than 80% of all the worlds’ mobile devices. Android is a mobile OS developed by Google, based on the Linux kernel and designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. During the opening ceremony held at the Parliament chambers, FCI Dean Dr. Anicia Peters and PowerCom CEO Alisa Amupolo emphasized
the need for women empowerment in Namibia and expressed that the potential workforce of future women developers can utilize their mobile applications development skills for creating and promoting mobile apps in Namibia and abroad. Dr Anicia Peters during her opening remarks outlined the training goals “Participants should understand the challenges associated with developing in the mobile environment (and how to overcome them), learn how to build a great user experience for Android devices, and apply this knowledge to your own projects. Dr Anicia Peter also applauded contributions of women in the fields of computing and informatics. Women’s contribution in computing and informatics cannot be doubted as she further indicated that, 51% of this year’s degree graduates under her Faculty are women. Adding to that, over half of the total applicants at Masters Level are women. “I think it’s very important to get more women into computing”. “We are in an age where technology is mandatory, and we want women to have this understanding and knowing how to build an app it’s just a start” Ms. Alisa Amupolo was delighted to see a large number of women in the field of ICT together, whilst pointing out difficulties facing women innovators in a male dominated field and hopes to see women break the gender barrier in technology. “Technology knows no border, I am hoping that your applications can be used beyond our borders and add value to the ICT industry thus contributing to the country’s economy”.
Mobile Application Developers: Dr. Anicia Peters (far right) seen here is pictured with some of the Android participants
Justine Alweendo, Grade 11 learner found the training very informative and said that “As Android
Interface design: Participants busy at work, designing the applications interface during the workshop.
continues to grow beyond smartphones; it will become the brains behind invisible, ubiquitous cloud-connected computing. The skills I learned during this training will help me build awesome apps for smartphones and tablets today, and propel me towards exciting opportunities in Android’s future.” By the end of the training, close to 150 women who participated in the training managed to build a fully-functioning Birthday mobile app whilst acquiring and understanding the tools, principles and patterns that underlie all Android development. After successfully hosting the 1st Android for Beginners training session, a more advanced Android training aimed at both women and men is scheduled for September 2-4 at the Mobile Lab, NBII Innovation Village.
NUST Faculty of Computing and Informatics host 2nd
Programming Competition New grounds were explored, as the Namibia University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Computing and Informatics hosted an exciting two day programming competition on the 5-6th August 2016. The competition in its second year running is an initiative by the Faculty aimed at raising interest in programming. This year 11 team’s participated, 4 NUST university teams and 7 high school teams. Karibib Private School, St George’s Diocesan School, Windhoek Technical High School, Jan Mohr Secondary school (with 2 teams) and Community based Organisation
Second prize winners: Windhoek Technical High School team
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The Engineer | September 2016
PAYE contested the highly competitive high school category. Winners in the High School category were: 1) Karibib Private School, 2) Windhoek Technical High School and 3) St George’s Diocesan School. Tangeni Kamati, Code Geeks team Code Geeks: (left to right) Peneyambeko Nakalemo (Organising committee member), Efraim Ashivudhi, Toivo Toivo, Tangeni Kamati and Suama captain was happy with coding being Hamunyela; Deputy HOD in the Faculty. done over two days for the university teams and a day for the high school questions were much more complex. teams because of the questions complexity and challenges encountered. He “This year the teams were mixed, consisting of encourages that more students partake in this at least one student from each level of study competitions and had this message for fellow for the university teams. I also believe that the coding friends “keep working on those skills, be questions this year were much more hands-on and curious, ask questions, and continue with the fascinating for the teams.’’ exciting world of coding.” Team Code Geeks and Karibib Private School Perhaps the notable team was that of Jan Mohr won their respective categories. Special mention Secondary School girls’ team that consisted of must be made to Profile Investment Holdings and grade 8 and 9 learners and only had few weeks to Motor Vehicle Accident Fund who sponsored the prepare for the competition. competition and were vital to the event’s success. The competition organising committee co-chair The competition organisers hope to take the Mr Joel Eelu said this year’s competition slightly competition national next year, hence their appeal differed from that of last year because of team to individuals or companies to come on board with compositions and reckoned the competition sponsorships.
Know your LED Champions NamPower launched the 1 Million LED Campaign, through which it will be replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs – FOR FREE – in areas of your house where lights are mostly on during the morning peak hours (6:00am- 9:00am) and evening peak hours (18:00pm- 21:00pm). NamPower has contracted LED Champions who will be installing the 1 million LED bulbs through a door-to-door approach countrywide. The appointed Champions are: LEX Technologies
NamEnergy Resources (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: Cell:
Tel: Cell:
+264 61 41 3800 +264 81 141 5805 +264 85 640 6401 E-mail: wonder@lexconsult.na
+264 61 24 8668 +264 81 128 2434
E-mail: szacky@namenergyholdings.com szacky@iafrica.com.na
The LED Champions will make use of local residents in every town to install the bulbs. The installers will carry a campaign ID card and a Namibian ID card for verification when installing the FREE LED bulbs in your house.
www.nampower.com.na/DSM
LED Champion Regions LED Champion 1 (LEX Technologies) LED Champion 2 (NamEnergy Resources)
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