Digitalisation boosts productivity in mining sector
Innovation and technology are playing increasingly valuable roles in boosting performance and sustainable efficiency in mines throughout Africa. Schneider Electric, which has been partnering with mining companies for more than four decades, has a dedicated Mining,...
Machine Learning drives new feature for Pitram
New underground mining precision performance software, which uses machine learning to refine and enhance loading and haulage processes, is set to be launched by global mining software company, Micromine. The solution will be released in early 2019 as part of...
FLIR thermal cameras offer value
While the South African economy may be expanding at a snail's pace, things are starting to look more promising in the local construction industry. "The building industry is an exceptionally cyclical one and has shown little or no growth for the past decade," says...
Netstar invests in making mine operations safer
Ensuring safe working conditions for the mining sector is a challenge, particularly when it comes to complying with regulatory standards such as the Department of Mineral Resources’ collision avoidance system requirements for mine vehicles. Pierre Bruwer, Group MD of...
Audi, Ericsson pioneer 5G for automotive manufacturing
Audi and Ericsson has announced plans to pioneer the use of 5G technology for automotive production. The two companies have agreed on a range of activities exploring the potential of 5G as a future-proof communication technology that can meet the high demands of...
Aury Africa debuts RFID track-and-trace for mining
Screening and vibrating equipment solutions and services provider Aury Africa has introduced a radio-frequency identification (RFID) audit and inspection solution that is ideal for mining applications. These include inspecting plant equipment, mining machines, pumps,...
BIM is here to stay, says dormakaba
Adopting building information modelling (BIM) solutions should be a priority if the construction sector is to keep pace with technological innovation. This is according to dormakaba South Africa, which has a range of customised BIM solutions that comply with...
Integration key to improving our mining future
Visualisation and technology-integration are key themes for mining IT and software developers and they are not surprisingly continue to be the most talked about from a mine management and reporting point of view, collaboration and partnering are two hot themes that...
Mahle selects SICK Automation
SICK Automation Southern Africa (SICK) was contracted by Mahle, a manufacturer of heat exchangers for vehicles, to install an imaged based sensor solution in its Kwa-Zulu Natal manufacturing facility. Mahle needed to ensure that the scanning equipment selected would...
HMI software improves operator efficiency
Rockwell Automation has updated its HMI software to equip industrial workers with better information to run and maintain their systems. New features in the FactoryTalk View software version 10.0 include greater access to information, new mobile device support and...
New gas monitoring standards in coal mining
A relentless research and development (R&D) regime at Monitech Mining Monitoring Systems, a South African industry leader in mining safety and monitoring solutions, has resulted in an incessant rejuvenation of its Hazardous Area Control System, which has become...
Steady focus needed for turbulent times
Last month, Trading Economics reported that South African manufacturing production had declined 0.8 percent year-on-year, following an upwardly revised 4,2% drop in April, which was the highest since July of 2014. According to the report, "production of petroleum,...