Electricity and Control July 2021

SAFETY OF PLANT EQUIPMENT + PEOPLE : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

South African PDS technologies expanding globally

Booyco Electronics is seeing keen uptake of its home- grown Proximity Detection System (PDS) technologies and is moving ahead in growing its global footprint. It has established key relationships with Australian smart technology company RCT, with Ramjack Technology Solutions and with Insucam. CEO Anton Lourens says, “These are exciting times. We are already doing business in Southern Africa, West Africa, South America and Australia, and seeing considerable interest from countries in Europe and North America. Our international growth is based on the strong relationships we have built with experienced channel partners who serve and know these mining regions.” Lourens notes that the company’s journey into international markets began some years ago through its involvement with the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT). This global initiative of major mining companies guides best practice in minimising vehicle interactions and collisions. With South Africa leading the world in regulating this space, Booyco Electronics has been able to contribute valuable insights to this global forum – based on its market-leading PDS technology and experience in the field. “When we began designing our latest Booyco CXS generation of collision avoidance technology, we developed a solution that would lend itself to application in international markets,” Lourens says. “We then identified and engaged reputable partners who understand their customer base and are technically capable of supporting our innovative product line.” The first Booyco PDS system exported from the South African company was installed in Madagascar about five years ago. Further international installations have followed – in Ghana, Namibia and Chile. “With our focus on developing safety equipment that

ensures every employee returns home safely every day, we collabo- rate with responsible, diligent part- ners who apply their technical re- sources to realising that vision on individual mine sites,” he says. Among the new relation- ships that Booyco Electronics has established, Australian

Anton Lourens, CEO of Booyco Electronics.

smart technology company RCT has operations in 70 countries; Ramjack Technology Solutions provides sys- tem integration services globally; and Insucam has a strong South American footprint. “While our channel partners support the technology and the end-customer, there is also significant value-add in our collaboration as our partners are already experts in automation, remote control and interfacing,” says Lourens. “Their experience in on-mine implementation opens doors to integrating our various technologies to the customers’ benefit. We can also incorporate their technologies into our solutions.” Positioning Booyco Electronics well for its global growth is its familiarity with most mining environments, based on over 15 years in the field. In addition, it has developed its technology to address the various scenarios specified by EMERST in its protocols and guidelines. This means the company’s PDS solutions have solid global applicability. “We have also enhanced this offering by adapting our machine displays and text to different languages to suit new markets, as well as translating our manuals and training materials for technicians appropriately,” Lourens says. “We provide training – online as well as in person, where possible – to our channel partners. This is done via video and we are also experimenting with innovations like body cameras for the more technical aspects of learning and on-site fault finding.” Lourens highlights that for mining professionals in many countries PDS is still relatively new, as regulations have not previously required the use of this technology. This has led Booyco Electronics to focus extensively on information and training tools that familiarise the international mining sector with the value of the technology. “It is clear that PDS technology has much to offer mines globally, especially as mining operations seek digital integration that will continuously improve safety and productivity,” Lourens says.

For more information contact Booyco Electronics. Visit: www.booyco-electronics.com

South Africa is a global leader in safety regulations relating to proximity detection and collision avoidance in mining.

26 Electricity + Control JULY 2021