Capital Equipment News November 2016

MINING NEWS IN BRIEF

Powermite rolls in AMPgland at EMA Powermite, a Hudaco company that spe- cialises in components, equipment and systems, used this year’s Electra Mining Africa to show its range of products includ- ing new cable glands, couplers, reflective mining cables and a host of electrical components. “Electra Mining presented us with the perfect platform to showcase our Orion AMPgland,” says Donovan Marks, marketing director of Powermite. “We ex- pect this state-of-the-art cable gland which features a unique double-compression O-ring to be well received by the mining and oil & gas industries in particular due to its ability to secure and seal cables safely and efficiently.” Software developers, data scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs recently convened in San Francisco for a 54-hour hackathon sponsored by Caterpillar and Unearthed, an Australia-based open innovation organisation for the global resources sector. The hackathon format brought together creative problem solvers and industry experts who work in teams under intense time pressure to propose prototype solutions to industry challenges. Caterpillar challenged hackathon partici- pants to propose innovative ways to use telematics data and real-time coaching to improve surface mining truck operator performance. “Operator technique has a profound effect on productivity, fuel efficiency, component life and operating costs,” explains Tony Johnson, marketing manager for Caterpillar Global Mining, Surface Mining & Technology Division. hydraulic breaker maker Montabert to Joy Global. Explaining the background to that divestiture, Martin Knoetgen, president of Doosan Bobcat in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), says the hydraulic breaker and drilling equipment ranges at Montabert did not offer good synergies with Doosan’s core operations. “As a result, we decided to sell the business to Joy Global, where Montabert is an excellent fit with Joy’s core business of designing, manufacturing, distributing and servicing high productivity equipment for the global mining industry. This evolution provides Montabert and its employees with the opportunity to work for a global mining equipment business that is active in all major mining regions in the world,” says Knoetgen. b Boosting mining equipment operator performance Why Doosan sold Montabert to Joy Global Last year, Doosan sold its French

Towards new mining solutions Technology is a key driver in engineering and mining innovation, and it is being steered by the commodity downturn. This year’s Electra Mining Africa saw a host of innovative technologies being showcased, demonstrating the mining industry’s dire need for products and services that provide a safer mining environment that is more efficient in terms of production, but also more adaptive. Raymond Padayachee, head of Process Industries and Drives at Siemens, says it is important that the mining industry looks up to new technological solutions because the environment it operates in is changing. “Traditional technologies can no longer keep up with the demands of our changing world. This is the age of digitalisation and mass custom production. Siemens is at the forefront of driving the age of digitalisa- tion via Industry 4.0.” In a complete break with tradition, this year saw Sandvik’s stand empty of equip- ment. Simon Andrews, vice-president of Sandvik Mining Sales for Southern Africa, explains that the break with convention showcases the company’s new approach. “Previously we sold products. Today we are selling solutions, because this is what the industry is asking for.” Sandvik’s stand hosted a Virtual Reality

experience as well as a mining tunnel. “This way of exhibiting enables us to demonstrate our solutions, from cradle to grave, and a different way of working that is of more benefit and adding more value to the industry.” 3D Printing is a great solution when a company has a strong technical and business case as it can produce at a lower cost in a shorter time. Mass customisation and complexity are two things that 3D printing does well, explains David Sean Bullock, owner of Rapid 3D. “In the mining industry 3D printing is being used to create models and designs for display and training purposes. In future, 3D printing will mean that engineers and designers will not be held back by conventional techniques.” A major highlight was the locally produced Continuous Miner (CM) from JA Engineering (JAE). The development of the CM is all about contributing to the industry and keeping the mining industry in South Africa sustainable, says JAE chief executive Danie van Wyk. “It has also brought about more employment opportunities in the country. JAE alone has already doubled its production capacity and added additional factory space. We want sustainable long-term employment through sustainable growth.” b

Reliable gas detection for mining

Regarded as the most cost-effective, sophisticated and low maintenance gas detection device in the mining industry today, the new generation IP68 rated Sentient handheld, available from Booyco Electronics, was developed specifically to improve safety in underground mining and in any confined spaces in surface plants.

The Sentient is meant to improve safety in underground mining and in any confined spaces in surface plants.

to 500 Sentient devices in a matter of min- utes. All this equipment is connected via a network to a downloading server, where specialised BEAMS software enables various reports to be generated, such as detailed information on gas detected in the underground environment, peak val- ues, TWA values, pre-shift tested values, calibration reports and “no movement re- ports”. BEAMS software is web-based, making it possible to email these reports to relevant personnel automatically. b

It is said to be the first multi-gas instrument in South Africa that also measures relative humidity as a standard offering. The Sentient is also available with Fire Patrol capabilities. Distinguished by its bright red seal, the Fire Patrol Sentient is inserted into outstations located in specific areas underground, where it records date, time, gas and humidity measurements. A downloading network configuration is capable of gathering information from up

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