42 minute read
Brelko targets the big league
BRELKO ADAPTS
Survives and thrives
By Nelendhre Moodley
COVID-19 has brought the local manufacturing sector to its knees, with global supply chain disruptions adding a further layer of misery to manufacturers and forcing suppliers to international markets to reconsider their global market growth strategies.
According to a recent paper by PwC titled Impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain industry, the pandemic has severely impacted production as it places restrictions on people and goods through border closures.
“Manufacturers and distributors have found it di icult to replace or replenish their inventory and equipment or machinery, due to supply chain disruptions globally.
Importers and exporters have also found it challenging to deliver or bring in goods across most international borders, as the seaports, which are the main route for international exchange of goods, have been impacted by restrictions and the slowdown of industrial activities of major trading partners,” says PwC.
For Gauteng-based Brelko, which exports its spillage control equipment across the globe, the company has had to look for growth locally. Brelko supplies product across the globe, from North and South
America, Europe, the Middle-East, Asia and
Australia.
“Where the time lag for shipping and receiving products is estimated at between seven and eight weeks, recent supply chain constraints have led to lead times being extended to as many as 20 weeks. Coupled with these delays has been the soaring cost of shipping which adversely impacts the bottom line,” says Brelko’s MD Kenny
Padayachee.
BRELKO TARGETS THE BIG LEAGUE
The spillage control equipment supplier has looked to both the local and African market for growth, targeting large-scale clients such as local power producer Eskom and global mining giant Rio Tinto’s Richards Bay Minerals (RBM).
RBM, a leader in heavy mineral sands extraction and refining, is South Africa’s largest mineral sands producer.
Having supplied “good service and excellent quality products” to Rio Tinto’s QIT Madagascar Minerals ilmenite project a few years ago, Brelko was recently approached to supply its suite of products to RBM. escalation in the security situation at the operations) has been li ed, Brelko will install the balance of product,” says Padayachee.
With an eye clearly focused on the continent, the spillage control equipment supplier has also made inroads into supplying product to Canadian miner Ivanhoe Mines’ new mechanised underground mine – the Kamoa-Kakula copper project – in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“Brelko is supplying a full turnkey service o ering to the project, including primary and secondary scrapers and angle ploughs as well as Keyskirt, belt tracking and hi-impact systems,” says Padayachee.
PANDEMIC AND THE SUPPLY CHAIN
Despite a very di icult past 20 months, Brelko is elated that no sta have been put on short time or were retrenched.
Keyskirt® Structure Installation.
“Brelko has been contracted to supply 120 units of conveyor cleaning equipment, and to date has delivered and installed 100 of these units. As soon as the force majeure (declared by Rio Tinto in June due to an
Before installation of Brelko Products.
TAPPING INTO ESKOM’S CONVEYOR SYSTEMS STRATEGY
Speaking at a virtual Coal Industry Day recently, Eskom’s GM for primary energy, Sandile Siyaya, told delegates that as a substantial portion of Eskom’s coal was being nicked, there was a growing preference for coal to be delivered on conveyor belts as this would ensure a predictable price path and security of coal supply.
Eskom’s CEO André de Ruyter adds that the trucking of coal to power stations is becoming increasingly expensive, with the options of conveyor belts and rail becoming decidedly more attractive.
In fact, the power producer recently signed a deal with Arnot OpCo, which will relay coal to the Arnot power station via conveyor belt.
The power producer’s preference for coal
Robotic assembly of a scraper blade.
delivery on conveyor belts certainly bodes well for conveyor belt cleaning equipment suppliers such as Brelko.
In fact Brelko, which has a long history with the power utility (spanning over 30 years), is looking to grow its o ering to more power stations, including Kendal, Lethabo, Matla, Majuba, Kriel, Kusile, Medupi, Camden and Tutuka power stations.
“While Eskom is known to get a lot of bad press, my experience has been extremely positive with our interaction being with a group of hard-working people eager to help support the local community surrounding its power stations.”
As a case in point, says Padayachee, suppliers to the power producer are required to redirect 1% of the value of the contract to upli ing the community surrounding the identified projects.
“As part of the Kendal Power Station contract, Brelko was required to invest 1% of the R15-million contract towards community improvement, as was the case with its contract with Lethabo Power Station. As part of promoting job creation, we hired locals, such as boilermakers, from the Meyerton area.”
BRELKO PATENTS NEW SAFETY DEVICE
Since its establishment 35 years ago, Brelko has patented numerous product innovations. “We have a steadfast focus on research and development aiming at constantly improving and enhancing our products through innovation – this has earned us a reputation for delivering premium quality products,” says Padayachee.
The company recently designed, developed and commissioned its new Nip Guard safety device which looks to eliminate unnecessary injuries known to occur around pulley nip points and pinch point hazards.
“We understand that we have a responsibility to our workers and that those working on our products must, as far as possible, remain safe and free from harm or injury. The Nip Guard is our latest product innovation and we believe that we have created a product that provides safety, e iciency and improved productivity.”
The Nip Guard has been manufactured to meet the various mounting standards, including SABS, CEMA, Australian and PROK. “The product requires low maintenance, operates in all conditions and owing to its robust construction, ensures product
Brelko is“ supplying a full turnkey service o ering to the Kamoa Kakula copper project. “ – Padayachee
longevity, thereby contributing to lower expenses and improved productivity.”
According to Padayachee, the Nip Guard has already been commissioned and tested on-site at a number of mining operations. “All problems have been ironed out and the Nip Guard is working well on mining conveyor systems. For Brelko safety is non-negotiable and we therefore work to constantly improve our product range.” ■
BRELKO
Brelko is a Level 1 B-BBEE-accredited company, supplying polyurethane rollers, belt scrapers, Keyskirt chute sealing systems, belt centralising systems and polyurethane hi-impact systems across a number of sectors, predominantly the mining sector.
THERMAL IMAGING
Reveals potential failures in mining machinery
Thermal imaging of machine parts enables Shell LubeExpert to identify and tackle potential vulnerabilities in mining equipment, to help avoid downtime and safety threats.
It’s no simple task to ensure safety and avoid unscheduled downtime to keep mining activity as continuous and e icient as possible. Consider how many mining activities require heavy-duty machines, each with a host of potential points of failure.
Shell believes that technology is a key enabler in diligently monitoring and scheduling maintenance to ensure equipment maintains optimum conditions.
One such example is the thermal imaging used by Shell LubeExpert to provide greater insight into mining machinery.
Michael Longbottom, global lubricant expert manager for Shell, says: “Historically, operators had three options for managing the life cycle of equipment: run to fail; schedule preventive maintenance; or guess when an intervention could prevent a failure.
“However, with vast streams of analytical tools, they are increasingly able to rely on predictive maintenance to protect, maintain and optimise the longevity of their products – which is central to Shell Lubricants’ philosophy.”
By using a video streaming camera and strobostatic imaging technologies during machine inspection, Shell LubeExpert teams can capture an entire gear set in motion.
For example, with a rotating 360° image of a gear, Shell LubeExpert can determine the lubrication contact and temperature pattern area around and across the tooth and witness any changes in movement and variations in tooth loading and contact.
Meanwhile the strobostatic imaging technology tool slows down the oscillation of the gears enough to allow a technician to look at a single gear as it rotates.
EQUIPPED FOR INDUSTRY 4.0
Thermal imaging technologies show great promise for equipment operators, with early adopters gaining a competitive edge by harnessing the support from a lubricants supplier to upskill sta on Industry 4.0 technologies.
However, while several imaging technologies are available to the market, businesses still do not fully understand the benefits of a proactive maintenance strategy. Added to that, of the mining companies surveyed, 34% say they’re lacking trusted third-party support.
With over 20 years of industry experience, the Shell LubeExpert team is equipped with the technical expertise to provide advice required to set operators on the path to success.
INSPECTIONS AT THE RIGHT TIME HELP AVOID MAJOR GEAR DAMAGE IN SOUTH AFRICA
During a routine Shell LubeExpert operational inspection on a BE 1570W dragline in South Africa, the inspection revealed strange looking contact patterns on a new drag and hoist gear set that had just gone into service during a major shutdown.
Using video streaming thermal imaging and stroboscope inspections, a Shell LubeExpert team was able to identify the root cause of the problem, and that less than 30% of the tooth was carrying the load.
In another instance, our Shell LubeExpert used thermal imaging to uncover a costly culprit: the injector on a dragline that had been over-lubricating by more than one pound every time the system cycled.
That’s equal to a lubrication system cycling four times an hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This came out to $70 000 a year wasted on lubricant on one injector.
Working closely with the customer, Shell Lubricants’ experts delivered the correct solution to stop the over-lubrication in its tracks, helping to optimise the life of the component and protect profits. ■
BABCOCK STREAMLINES SUPPLY CHAIN
Babcock Africa has established a new national parts distribution centre to enhance efficiency of its supply chain process across all the company’s operations. The streamlined central warehouse will stock spare parts and components for all of Babcock’s business units and will facilitate the swift dispatch of items to all its national and regional branches, the company says.
Babcock delivers engineering support services to the energy, process, mining and construction industries, and is a regional distributor for many leading international brands.
The wholesale distribution centre is already in full operation. According to Hans Roos, head of supply chain at Babcock Africa, the centralised facility is part of Babcock’s new operating model to improve productivity and efficiency.
The warehouse currently holds parts and supports the logistical requirements for DAF Trucks and Babcock’s full suite of construction equipment brands (Volvo Construction Equipment, Tadano, Sennebogen, SDLG and Winget). Plans are under way to incorporate Babcock’s other business units into the national parts distribution centre.
Moving to a centralised new head office in Isando, Johannesburg, and launching a new unified product brand image in midNovember was all part of a long-term strategy for sustained growth and expansion going forward for Fuchs Lubricants South Africa, the company said.
“We are 100% focused on leveraging this extensive portfolio across our main markets, which are mining, construction, automotive, heavy engineering general industrial, among others,” said sales director Andrew Cowling.
METSO OUTOTEC
EXPANDS LOKOTRACK MOBILE SERIES
Metso Outotec recently launched two new models to the Lokotrack mobile crushing and screening series – the new Lokotrack LT200HPX and Lokotrack LT220GP mobile cone crushers.
The products are compact and efficient and ideal for aggregate contractor customers, bringing up to 30% more capacity and added flexibility compared to earlier models. The new models premiered during Metso Outotec’s virtual studio events in October, the company said.
“The new models and our end-to-end offering demonstrate our focus on improving aggregate customers’ operations and bottom line,” said Kimmo Anttila, vice president, Lokotrack Solutions at Metso Outotec.
“With these new models of 300 metric tonnes per hour capacity and 40 metric tonnes transport weight, the customers have even more choice and flexibility to select from our cone crusher range. Lokotrack is a sustainable and future-proof choice for any type of aggregate production.”
FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA TARGETS GROWTH IN AFRICA
The company has longstanding relationships with various original equipment manufacturers (OEMS), especially in the automotive sector, and has good penetration into Southern Africa at the moment in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique in particular. “Our affiliation with these OEMS means we play a key role in helping grow their brands.”
RGM CRANES
SUPPORTS PRODUCTIVITY AT SANDVIK’S NEW FACILITIES
Sandvik Mining RSA has appointed RGM Cranes to provide 19 overhead single and double girder cranes, ranging from three to 30 tonnes in capacity, at its new facilities in Kempton Park, the company says.
Anthony Breedt, technical department project coordinator at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions Southern Africa, says that in addition to RGM Cranes’ track record, factors that were taken into consideration in the awarding of the contract included customer service, the ability to quickly and efficiently formulate bespoke solutions, and the ready availability of spares and components.
“As an added bonus for Sandvik Mining RSA, RGM Cranes’ overhead single and double girder cranes are highly affordable, making the cost-to-performance ratio extremely favourable,” says Shaun Field, sales engineer at RGM Cranes.
Field says the selected RGM Cranes overhead cranes incorporate Guralp equipment that includes a hoist monitoring system, electromagnetic brakes, predictive maintenance application, programmable control unit, variable speed drive control on cross and long travel motions, as well as load limits in a sheave bracket to assist with uncalibrated loads.
“The cranes are being used for various operations within a number of sections that include maintenance, production, processing, wash bay, components department and the manufacturing department. It was important to offer a combination of crane configurations that would maximise crane usage for the different area applications and equipment to be lifted,” says Field.
The project rollout was conducted in three phases:
Workshop 1 – Rebuilding of all steel track units.
Workshop 2 – Rebuilding of all rubber tyre vehicles with local components in accordance with customer requirements and OEM standards.
Workshop 3 – Production unit where Sandvik will build new units locally. The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) recently issued a request for proposal inviting competent service providers to submit proposals for the development of a new manganese export terminal at the Port of Ngqura in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
Transnet National Ports Authority appointed the CDC as the implementing agent for the relocation of the manganese terminal and the Liquid Bulk Terminal from the Port of Port Elizabeth to the Port of Ngqura.
The primary objective of this project is to provide worldclass end-to-end services to the manganese sector in South Africa through ensuring that there is a reliable, efficient and cost-effective bulk materials handling facility and impeccable export services at the Port of Ngqura. It will contribute towards the much-needed economic development of the country, the company says.
The project will unlock significant investment in the mining sector through improvement in logistics infrastructure and services, and this development is therefore critical in advancing government’s objectives as set out in the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
The new manganese export terminal seeks to have facilities that meet the best environmental standards, with a focus also on near-zero dust emissions, and zero impact on the groundwater, and other natural resources. The required technical solution is for a covered or enclosed manganese stockyard.
“We are moving away from an open stockyard solution for environmental sustainability and world-class best practices,” says Dr Mpumi Mabula, CDC’s executive manager for infrastructure planning and development.
NEW MANGANESE TERMINAL AT PORT OF NGQURA
ADVANCING THE BIODIVERSITY
AGENDA By Pieter van Greunen, general manager at Vedanta Resources Gamsberg project
Prioritising sustainable mining practices and lowering carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of the mining industry has increasingly been a subject of discussion over the past decade. South Africa’s commitment to the Paris
Agreement has been topical in recent months, with government vowing to cut more carbon emissions by 2030. In 2015,195 countries promised to reduce global warming to at least below 2.0°C, and ideally not more than 1.5°C above preindustrial levels. Climate change is possibly the greatest environmental challenge the world faces this century. Although o en referred to as
“global warming”, global climate change is more about serious disruptions of the entire world’s weather and climate patterns, including impacts on rainfall, extreme weather events and sea level rise, rather than just moderate temperature increases. As we mine in arid and semi-arid regions like the Northern Cape, we experience intense rainfall, higher-than-usual heat temperatures and excessive water resources of the Orange River. Thus a reduction in the amount of reliability of rainfall, or an increase in evaporation, would exacerbate the already serious lack of surface and groundwater resources. Water availability in the arid and semiarid regions, which cover nearly half of South
Africa, is particularly sensitive to changes in precipitation. Desertification, which is already a problem in South Africa, could be exacerbated by climate change. Furthermore, climate change may alter the magnitude, timing and distribution of storms that produce floods and longer droughts. The developing world is expected to face greater challenges than the developed world, both in terms of the impacts of climate change and the capacity to respond to it.
Progressive mines that prioritise biodiversity and sustainability think about solutions that preserve and conserve the biodiversity of sensitive regions. Initiatives like establishing plant nurseries that conserve the wild and indigenous plant life on mining land or purchasing land around mines to start a nature reserve not only advance the biodiversity agenda but also create employment for local communities.
The mining industry needs to incorporate biodiversity management into all its integral projects across all three stages – the design phase, the operational phase and the postclosure phase. Towards the end of the 20th century and throughout the start of the 21st century, the approach to mine closure has changed globally and locally.
Standards on mine closure have been produced and “mine closure” has become a specific discipline within the industry, with major mining companies employing experts in this discipline. This is done to o set the damage caused by mining activities on the land in and around the mine.
Mines today need to be resilient and sustainable to thrive by increasing e iciency and optimisation. The industry must understand the implications of our energy consumption, both in terms of its cost to the climate as well as cost to operations, and remains committed to meeting the energy demands, while limiting carbon emissions.
We remain fully supportive of the outcomes of the Paris Agreement and have taken on carbon reduction targets in alignment with the national goals for cutting emissions.
The priority is not just to focus on zero harm but also to ensure zero discharge and zero waste. The approach to achieve this is by harnessing the potential of technology and innovation.
Technological interventions and concentrated e orts have helped us surpass our water and energy targets. As signatories to the Paris Pledge for Action, we encourage the implementation of a carbon strategy and exploring innovative ways to reduce carbon emissions. As corporate citizens, we must be committed to addressing the climate change challenge with the same vigour as we pursue economic and social development. ■
SA’S EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION AND QUOTAS THE PROBLEM, NOT THE SOLUTION
With four versions and counting of the ANC’s Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), which has done irreparable damage to South Africa’s once world-leading mining industry, one would think the ruling party would put more thought into considering whether the country really needs the newly proposed Employment Equity Amendment Bill.
It really doesn’t. Firstly, the ANC hasn’t considered the further damage this bill would cause to the country’s mining and other industries, to the country, to its people, and of course to foreign investment into the country. Secondly, South Africa doesn’t need this bill, just like it doesn’t need all of the other ANC-created and -backed job-destroying economy-wrecking quota-oriented legislation of the past 20 years.
To say this new bill was one last throw of the dice for the ANC to garner more votes in recent municipal elections before it got turfed out is probably true. But the bill’s real intent is more nefarious than that.
This populist proposed amendment bill would further entrench current crony capitalism in SA’s mining and other industries from the country’s already terribly overstretched, out-of-depth, greatly compromised and discredited Labour and Mining Ministries. It grants the minister huge and many discretionary and arbitrary powers to set and enforce racial targets and quotas, award contracts, ban companies from government tenders, determine compliance and much else.
Draconian and totally devoid of even any reference to meritocracy and constitutional rights. It is more hideous “state 0 control” – at its worst.
The current black economic empowerment, MPRDA and employment equity bills and policies are already renowned for causing massive economic destruction and huge loss of jobs in South Africa, especially in mining (450 000 jobs lost in SA’s gold mines alone)(Australia tripled its mining labour force in the same period). Corruption and devastation have flourished under the ministerial and departmental discretion exercised over the past 25 years with this type of legislation, bringing the mining industry and South Africa to their knees.
Any new mining and related jobs that have been created over the past 25 years have been cancelled out by the multiples of jobs lost due to these ill-conceived and -intended policies and legislation. The evidence is there for everyone to see. Yet government continues with this blind and relentless dogmatism of cadre deployment, quotas and social and economic re-engineering.
It doesn’t seem to appreciate, possibly due to lack of appreciation of world history, of how this kind of thinking, talk and action has led to catastrophic results not just for South Africa and its people, but for its neighbours as well. When the western (and
much of the rest of the) world just hears these terms it shudders. Investors however run – away from, not towards, South Africa. Social engineering, cadre deployment and quotas were the frequently used © Robert Tshabalala @ Financial Mail terms and creations in Stalin’s Soviet Russia, in Mao’s Communist China and in Nazi Germany’s grotesque attempts to also “re-engineer” society and history. Surely the ANC can do better than borrow from these world-class disasters. From racial college quotas to forced job placement (al la Mao’s Chinese “jiuye”) and seemingly “innocent” Peter Major scorecard tick boxes for not only equity composition of companies in SA, but for the much Mergence Corporate higher purchasing quotas as well. Solutions Director: Mining South Africa’s ruling party doesn’t understand the very serious downside implications of all of this. Foreign investment has long disappeared in the country because of these utterings and legislation that invariably follows. But what is as bad – if not worse – are the massive, invariable loss of jobs and economic activity because of the ANC’s rabid vocalising and attempts to implement these catastrophes. Less intense, but seemingly just as eagerly relished by the ruling party, is forced job placement. Looking at the ANC’s employment equity legislation and current and further proposed bills, forced job placement seems to be a real favourite of theirs. SA’s Gold Mine Employment 000’s With the ANC’s multitude of 700 ministers constantly competing to show their worth, their zeal, 600 their loyalty to the cause – they 500 are only too eager to adopt quotas and resolutions for racial 400 admission into the country’s 300 government and parastatals and 200 universities. And we all know how once 100 begun, quotas develop lives of their own and soon spread to every other level of employment, 86 91 96 2001 6 11 16 2021 institutions and industry in the country. No one really knows, including the ANC’s high-ranking o icials and ministers, how thorough and entrenched their various quota-based and contained legislation is supposed to permeate South African society. But the o icial commentary says “completely”. Each individual minister and ministry (there are 28) seem to have their own vision, their own interpretation of the ANC’s new world order for the country. If these were even halfway agreed on by business and the ruling party (which they usually are not) and then implemented, industry could then try to steer a path to some kind of stability and sustainability around them. South Africa’s ruling party, the ANC, would create vastly more economy, employment and wealth for all of South Africa and its citizens by rescinding most of the legislation passed over the previous two decades and simplifying and making morally and ethically sound the legislation and policies it doesn’t rescind. The big question is, will the party ever even contemplate changing tack, let alone discuss it publicly, let alone ever – willing or not – try a di erent path before all is lost? ■
CLEAN ENERGY
Central African minerals in the spotlight
By Ogi Williams: director of strategy and consulting at In On Africa
The global revolution in clean energy adoption is now in full swing. States across the world, primarily in developed regions but also in developing nations in the global south, are looking to wean o their dependence on carbon-based energy generation – including coal, oil and later gas – and transportation fuelled by hydrocarbons.
This shi does however come with a number of complexities, including establishing more robust supply chains for various minerals and rare earth elements that will be required as part of this transition.
Green energy transportation such as electric vehicles (EVs) and power generation units such as wind turbines require significantly more material to develop than their carbon counterparts. Various types of EVs including hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and battery-electric (BEV) require anywhere between 35kg and 80kg of copper in order to operate, paling the needs of conventional vehicles that only sap 8kg to 20kg of the same.
Wind turbines will similarly require significantly more copper for both onshore and o shore installations than conventional power generation plants, with global oil and gas consulting firm Wood Mackenzie estimating that 5.5 metric tonnes of copper will be needed leading up to 2028 to meet the needs of new projects.
Similar to copper, demand for cobalt – a key component in the manufacture of EV batteries – has risen drastically in recent years, with the price standing at over $50 000 a tonne as of May 2021, surging by over 60% since the start of the year.
Nickel is reflecting the same trend with prices surging by close to 70% over the past year reaching highs of $18 000 per tonne, primarily driven by rising EV sales in Europe and China.
With United States-based EV manufacturer Tesla announcing in the latter half of 2020 that it will be increasing the use of manganese in the production of batteries for its mid-range vehicles, the price of this mineral is also expected to rise in parallel to the others mentioned.
THE BATTLE FOR RARE EARTH MINERALS BEGINS
Though rare earth elements are more negligible in their current contribution to the energy transition, as technology evolves they could play an increasing role. Representing a cluster of 15 minerals, rare earth elements such neodymium and praseodymium – or NdPr as they are more commonly known – are key components in the production of magnets used to power EVs, which in turn are set to absorb around 40% of future demand.
China, as the dominant processor of rare earths, is moving forward strategically in its role within the global EV supply chain given recent trade tensions with the US and is likely to exert significant pressure on the latter when it comes to stable supplies.
In turn the US has begun to shi its policy prerogatives to move away from its dependence on China as a supplier of processed rare earth elements – currently accounting for some four fi hs of supply – and has turned its attention to Africa as an alternative source while also building up its own capacity for processing rare earth elements. Both Burundi and Malawi are on the US shortlist of key future suppliers.
All things considered, the rising demand for such minerals is set to have a significant impact on various African producers who are at present key suppliers to global markets including Burundi (coltan, rare earth elements) the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (cobalt, coltan, nickel), and Rwanda (coltan, rare earth elements).
The argument for more formalised and structured oversight in supply chains within such states is growing in parallel. In May 2021 the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a special report noting the importance of structured and formalised supply chains of key minerals including cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium, nickel, manganese, molybdenum and silicon, along with the same treatment being given to suppliers of rare earth elements, particularly within African states who are set to play an ever-growing role in facilitating the energy transition.
STRONG REGULATION IS NECESSARY FOR SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSPARENCY
The growth in attention on African states as suppliers of energy-transition minerals is not new, but it is becoming a more difficult issue to overlook as the world ramps up impetus to move away from carbon-based energy and transportation sources.
Both the DRC and more recently Rwanda have come into the spotlight for the wrong reasons when looking at their roles in the cobalt supply chain. The DRC has been facing scrutiny over transparency in production and supply of cobalt for some time, with human rights abuses and sidelining of artisanal miners during the Joseph Kabila administration being commonplace.
A June 2020 report by International Crisis Group, a peace-keeping NGO, noted the incidence of the forced removal of artisanal miners from industrial mining sites in the Haut-Katanga and Lualaba province, despite not encroaching on existing operations in any way.
Smuggling of cobalt and coltan into Rwanda to maximise on tax savings is also commonplace and driving illegal trade between the two nations, with Rwanda now coming under scrutiny for facilitating the movement of “blood minerals”.
Some forward motions are being made by the governments of African states who are set to boom off the back of the global energy transition. Though stability is fragile in the DRC, the Félix Tshisekedi administration has sought to move on reviewing existing contracts with Chinese firms in August 2021 as a way to eek out additional value from the country’s mineral wealth while simultaneously looking to curb the illegal movement of minerals.
In parallel, the incoming administration of Évariste Ndayishimiye in Burundi has also sought to re-evaluate existing contracts with rare earth mining companies as of July 2021, the main one targeted being US-based Rainbow Rare Earths, as a move to seek additional beneficiation in preparation for the looming boom in demand.
The current motions being made by African governments are positive, but more needs to be done in preparation for growth in demand. With the US increasingly looking to the continent as a supplier of key minerals, African governments will need to place greater emphasis on oversights and transparency initiatives, lest the former start increasing political and economic pressure to comply with global supply chain standards, while also focusing on development initiatives, particularly in the artisanal mining space. n
The rising demand for energy-related minerals is set “ “ to have a significant impact on African producers who are key suppliers to global markets.
KIBALI ADVANCES AUTOMATED MINING
Barrick Gold’s Kibali mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains on track to achieve its production guidance for the year and grow its mineral reserves, securing its future as a Tier One operation for at least another 10 years, says Barrick’s chief executive Mark Bristow.
He says the company is continuing investment in technological innovation, especially developments in automated mining. Machine learning has been implemented at the mine’s three hydropower stations and reactive control of the enlarged battery installation will further reduce the need for backup diesel generation, shrinking Kibali’s already relatively small carbon footprint.
New automation software for the underground haulage loaders has been installed and the commissioning of a system for remote stope bogging now enables operators to control loaders from surface.
“Surface control is safer and more efficient, and it also creates employment opportunities for women in an industry where these are not abundant. It’s worth noting that all these operators are Congolese, as Kibali continues to employ and upskill locals in line with Barrick’s global policy of giving preference to host country nationals.
“Congolese citizens currently make up 94% of Kibali’s workforce, including its leadership,” Bristow says. “To date Kibali has contributed $3.7-billion to the Congolese economy in the form of payments to contractors and suppliers, infrastructure community and support, salaries and royalties, taxes and permits.
“The success of our continuing exploration programme around the mine confirms the potential for reserve growth from new open pittable resources and extensions to the high-grade underground orebodies, indicating that Kibali will materially benefit the DRC and its people for years to come.”
AWC WIDENS DISTRIBUTION OF BÖHLER WELDING RANGE
Böhler Welding has taken the strategic decision to invest in growing its presence in Africa. This is evident from its investment in the joint venture with Afrox at the Brits consumables factory, in which Böhler now has the controlling share and full management responsibility. This shows strategic intent for the future of its consumables range into Africa, the company says.
While owned by Afrox, African Welding Company (AWC) is a totally separate entity that is solely responsible for the Böhler Welding product range in South Africa. AWC operates as the principal distributor for Böhler Welding in South Africa and in selected sub-Saharan African countries.
The goodwill generated by this deal sparked the opportunity to form AWC as a new distribution vehicle exclusively dedicated to the Böhler Welding product range. A key advantage is that AWC has access to Afrox’s warehousing and financial strengths and to its network of local distribution outlets.
AWC operates independently of Afrox with respect to customers, pricing sales and marketing. “We go to market with a world-class Böhler product that can compete against all other quality brands of welding consumables and equipment, including Afrox,” says head of AWC, Gerhard van Wyk.
AWC has established formal commercial arrangements to use the facilities at 11 local Afrox outlets to house Böhler products, while two more will soon be finalised. These products will be made available for click-and-collect or direct delivery orders placed via AWC’s national call centre or online platform.
This gives AWC a nationwide network for delivery and collection services, a national footprint and a presence in all major centres. In addition, there are several Afrox/Linde outlets across Africa that are being approached to become part of an extended AWC network.
Well known for its premium electrodes and consumables, Böhler recently moved into manufacturing more affordable general-purpose products, such as its Böhler AWS E6013 General Purpose MMA Electrodes and the low hydrogen Böhler AWS E7018 Electrodes. These are very competitively priced and ideal for routine everyday use.
© ISTOCK – Thossaphol
FIRE RISK
IN THE CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY
Afire that broke out at the KZN Resins factory in Durban at the end of August has placed the spotlight on the extreme hazards associated with the chemical processing industry (CPI), says ASP Fire CEO Micha el van Niekerk.
These hazards can quickly lead to a cascading sequence of events, resulting in a potentially catastrophic loss. Here fire protection systems should be designed in conjunction with, or in consideration of, the respective process hazard analysis. It includes identification of critical equipment needed to prevent any catastrophic loss, and will ultimately estimate the likelihood and severity of any unwanted releases.
To meet the fire protection objectives and loss mitigation, both passive and active fire protection features and systems should be implemented. Common and e ective features include both passive (functional features as in drainage systems) and active (mechanical, as in a sprinkler or deluge system).
Some chemical fire retardants interrupt the chemical reaction in the gas phase of combustion, for example halon and PhostrEx, whereas others break down the polymers in the solid phase of combustion so that these melt and flow away from the flame. Other solid-phase chemical fire retardants cause a layer of carbon char to form on a polymer surface that is very di icult to burn. Intumescents are materials containing chemicals that cause swelling up behind the protective char layer, providing even more insulation.
A system not designed for the storage of flammable liquids, particularly in plastic containers, whether stored in racks or on the ground, poses a risk for multiple fires starting together within the storage area, and can lead directly to the failure of the best fire systems installed, warns Van Niekerk.
In terms of the specific measures required to combat such a fire, no two firefighting operations are the same. “However, one thing always remains constant. In order to save lives, firefighters must first protect their own lives,” stresses van Niekerk. Therefore, the equipment they select has to be robust, reliable and fail-safe, even in demanding conditions, and firefighters must be familiar with their equipment.
Every second in which the body is depleted of oxygen or exposed to high concentrations of toxic substances can result in acute or lasting harm to health. Wearing self-contained breathing apparatus is essential, as well as flash hoods or hooded masks to protect one’s eyes. Firefighters must always ensure their equipment is wellmaintained and should clean it thoroughly a er each use.
ASP Fire provides a turnkey service whereby sound fire-engineering principles are applied to ensure that the design complies with the life, property and environmental fire safety objectives required by law. Therea er its accredited fire technicians will install the recommended system design and, finally, technicians will maintain the system at the suggested intervals as determined by the applicable bylaws.
“Essentially the legislation is concerned, quite simply, with the need for all buildings to be designed, constructed and equipped so that in the event of fire, the risk of life and to the buildings themselves is preventable. If a fire does break out, the fire prevention system must be e icient enough to mitigate the fallout of said fire,” says Van Niekerk. ■
ASP Fire o ers a turnkey fire engineering service for the chemical processing industry.
“ “Both passive and active fire protection systems are required in the chemical processing industry. – Van Niekerk
HEAVY-LIFTING EQUIPMENT RUNS ON POLYMER BEARINGS
Dock-levelling manufacturer REV Designs recently completed the design and construction of three of the country’s largest scissor lifts with a capacity of up to 40 tonnes per lift. The Springs-based manufacturer incorporated a host of clever designs to facilitate the heavy-lifting ability of the scissor lifts, earmarked for use in the saw milling industry. It also included the latest polymer bearings to enable heavy lifting with minimal wear and damage for considerably longer service life and maintenance intervals, the company said.
According to REV Designs founder Ricardo Viljoen, the use of igus high-performance polymer bearings ensures that the pivot points work smoothly with vastly reduced wear compared to traditional bearings. There’s also no need for lubrication or daily maintenance.
“The bearings needed to be very strong to withstand the kind of forces that are placed on it in this hard-pushed timber processing environment. With this in mind, we worked closely with igus’s polymer bearing specialist, JuanEric Davidtz, who was able to match the right bearings for our requirements. Our design uses 33 bushes per lift and each one has specific operational requirements,” says Viljoen.
He says polymer bearings supplied by igus have become integral to nearly all new designs due to the bearings’ rugged and long-lasting abilities. That means that the bearings are able to last as long as the best materials used on the company’s lifting equipment, docklevellers and other equipment.
KELLER KEEPS ABREAST OF ELECTRONICS INNOVATIONS
Developments in electronics are moving at great speed, and so KELLER components are regularly examined to ensure they continue to meet its strict requirements.
“Our X-Line products have undergone such a change in electronics that a completely new electronics series has been developed, complete with improved specifications and more digital interfaces. And of course fully compatible with the trusted KELLER communication protocol and software,” says commercial director for KELLER Martijn Smit.
He says this development involves more than 40 KELLER series. “To ensure that everything runs smoothly, this adjustment will therefore be implemented in phases. The first series has been equipped with the new electronics since June 2021, with a new firmware version and an updated Modbus protocol.”
The user will not notice any changes to the electronics, as there are no changes in usage.
“But because the latest updates have been installed, the result is that the electronics react faster and are immediately noticeable so that we can determine in the software before delivery which output signal the sensor will receive.”
KELLER sensors are well known for their high accuracy and competitive prices. There’s now the added advantage that they are equipped with the latest electronics for many different applications.
KELLER AG für Druckmesstechnik is the world’s largest manufacturer of Piezoresistive original equipment manufacturer pressure sensors.
VENDEL EQUIPMENT SALES (PTY) LTD T/A ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
PO BOX 3716, HONEYDEW, 2040 TELEPHONE: +27(11) 801 4911/2 REG. NO: 2013/000179/07 E-MAIL: vendels@mweb.co.za ANTON - CELL +27 (0) 082 923 5397 OFFICE – CELL +27(0) 83 626 5588 JAAP - CELL +27 (0)82 892 1327 LORAINE - CELL +27 (0)76 021 4344
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3 x 2016-2014-2011 Hamm 3520 SDR’S 2 x 2018 Hamm 3411 SDR’S 1 x Hamm HD120 SD Roller
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1 x 2018 Kamaz 65222 6x6 15M³ Tipper 1 x 2016 F. A. W 10M³ Truck 1 x 2004 Terex TA30 6x6 Dumptruck
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2 x Caterpillar 140H Motor Grader’s 2 x Caterpillar 140G Motor Grader’s 1 x Komatsu GD650 Grader with ripper
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TO ADVERTISE IN www.samining.co.za SAMIN NG MIN NG
READ WHAT REALLY GOES DOWN IN SADC
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ADVERTISING Ilonka Moolman 011 280 3120 moolmani@samining.co.za
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS
AECI Mining Explosives ..................................................................... 19 Air Liquide .......................................................................................... 25 Alexander Bay Diamond Co .............................................................. 15 Bara Consulting ................................................................................. 33 BLC Plant Company ........................................................................ IBC Bosch Diesel Service ........................................................................... 5 Brelko Conveyor Products ................................................................. 51 Gates SARL .......................................................................................... 7 Invincible Valves....................................................................... 27; OBC Keller .................................................................................................... 3 Komatsu Mining ................................................................................. 45 KSB Pumps & Valves ......................................................................... 35 Manitou Southern Africa .................................................................... 41 NSDV .................................................................................................. 11 SGB Cape .......................................................................................... 28 Shell Lubricant Solutions ................................................................... 17 Shell Coolant and AdBlue from Shell ................................................ 39 Ryncor Auctioneers ............................................................................. 9 Tega Industries ................................................................................. IFC Tomra Sorting Mining ......................................................................... 13 Menar Capital ................................................................................20-21 Vendel Equipment Sales .................................................................... 51 Wec Projects ...................................................................................... 18
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