Capital Equipment News April 2023

Referro takes Northern Cape by storm

Referro Systems hosted a successful automa tion event showcasing cutting-edge innovation in South Africa’s least populated province. The two-day Automation Open Day event at the Sivos Training Centre in Kathu, Northern Cape highlighted the province’s industry and mining sectors, and how new technology can benefit industries based here. Adrian van Wyk, Managing Director of Referro Systems, explained that the event was a success with about 100 delegates in attendance. The Automation Open Day provided valuable insights and solutions from industry experts representing some of the world’s leading electrical, automation, and global software and hardware brands for the industrial sector - such as Rockwell Automation, ElectroMachanica, Comtest (Fluke), Allen Bradley, Marechal South Afri ca, Throughput Technologies, and AllPronix. Highlights included presentations on various topics, including mining operations management, machine safety, renewable South Africa’s reserve of critical minerals presents an opportunity for the country to accelerate economic growth. With that growth, there would be a boost in employment opportunities and energy transition; key factors in some of the social ills faced in the country. The South African government has implemented several measures aimed at scaling-up investment, and increasing ex ploration and production while optimising the entire mineral value chain. Some of these measures include the digitalisation of licensing systems. This can improve the efficiency and transpar ency of the license application, grant and management processes and, as a result, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) seeks to digitise and modernise its mining license system. On 24 March 2023, the department issued a request for bids for the development of a customised and digital mining license platform which will enable the ministry to enhance the accuracy and accessibility of industry data while reducing the time spent in assessing and approving mining applications. This in turn is expected to speed up the deployment of mining proj ects and increase production. Another key focus is on the revitalisation of the transport industry and infrastructure. Challenges associated with South

applications in engineering, and ThinMan ager modern automation visualisation. The second day of the event was geared toward insightful and informative presen tations. It included discussions on smart motor control, reducing electricity costs, and alert alarm notifications. Van Wyk believes that the event was a

testament to Referro Systems’ commitment to providing innovative automation solutions. “Delegates from the Northern Cape expressed how they believed that such events provided great value as a platform to strengthen existing skills and systems that aid the mining and industrial sectors in their region,” he says. b

Transport and digitalisation key to boosting mineral mining

be explored at the African Critical Minerals Summit in July. In a bid to showcase investment and partnership opportunities within South Africa’s mineral sector, the DMRE will host the first-ever African Critical Minerals Summit in partnership with the African Energy Chamber. The event will take place in July 2023, uniting African policymakers and companies with global investors to dis cuss the future of Africa’s mining industry and the energy-mineral nexus. b

Africa’s rail network have negatively impacted the country’s mining sector and the ability of mining firms to move goods and services. A new partnership between mining industry employer organisation, Minerals Council South Africa and state-owned rail and ports operator, Transnet, is set to stabilise and improve South Africa’s rail network and port infrastructure and opera tions, thereby strengthening mineral trade. These are some of the solutions set to

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