MechChem Africa August 2018

Multotec’s design and manufacturing capabilities in screening media made from various materials, such as wedgewire, polyurethane polymers, rubber and ceramic compounds and steel allow it to share lessons in best practice and cutting-edge technology with its northern hemisphere partners. Global collaboration advances screening media solutions

I ncreased technological collaborationbe- tweenMultotec and its sister companies in Europe is releasing added value for customers aroundAfrica andbeyond, ac- cording toMultotec’s vice president: screen- ing media, Roy Roche. “While Multotec is well known for a di- verse range of screening media offerings for all commodities across themining sector, this technical sharing process will benefit local customers and even open doors for us into new markets and industries,” says Roche. “Working more closely with our global part- ners, we now have the opportunity to grow our presence into the aggregate segment and even industrial segments such as food.” He notes that Multotec’s unique design and manufacturing capabilities – includ- ing screening media manufactured from wedgewire, polyurethane polymers, rubber compounds, ceramic compounds and various forms of steel – allows it to share lessons in best practice and cutting-edge technology with its northern hemisphere partners. In turn, the involvement of many of these firms in the aggregate sector has already opened doors for Multotec to share benefits

with its local customers in terms of aggregate screening. “Our sister companies – who are head- quartered mainly in Germany – have almost a century of experience in their respective fields,” saysRoche. “Their expertise can there- fore feed valuably into Multotec’s mining product evolution cycle with technology in areas such as fixing systems, ease of installa- tion and flexibility of polymers.” Cooperation to date has allowed the shar- ing of design and technical insights, as well as ideas on manufacturing techniques, with experts meeting at screening workshops and sales conferences. Among the matters dis- cussed are issues such as accuracy of screen- ing, the preventionof pegging andblinding on screenmedia, and the replaceabilityof panels. Roche emphasises the ‘golden thread’ running throughMultotec’s approach to cus- tomer serviceand technological development – from concept and design stage, through manufacture and installation to performance monitoring,feedbackanddesignmodification. “This feedback has led to the continuous improvement of our products, adding value witheachnewenhancement,”heconcludes. q

Roy Roche, vice president for screening media at Multotec.

Stringent quality control ensures Multotec’s high quality standards are maintained in all its manu- facturing facilities.

Local manufacturing showcase at Electra Mining Leveraging digital technologies in its range of mineral processing equipment will again allow Multotec to display new product developments at Electra Mining Africa that optimise recoveries and reduce cost of ownership for mineral processing plants. “Technologies such as smart panels and 360˚ virtual reality video can make a valuable contribution to pioneer greater efficiencies, by helping predict and schedule equipment maintenance,” says Multotec group CEO, Thomas Holtz. “This assists planning at plant level and means less unexpected downtime because of equip- ment failure; every step we can take on this innovation journey gets us closer to a more sustainable mining sector.

inwhichMultotec is an activemember – the country’s percentage of local manufacture as a percentage of GDP has dropped from 24% in 1994 to just 12% today, with the dif- ference going to imported products. “Ifwewant todrivealocalmanufacturing agenda and create jobs in the manufactur- ing sector, we must have an effective way of verifying local content in manufacturing activity,” says Holtz. He says the company is already partici- pating in the engagement process with the South African Bureau of Standards about how such a verification system could be designed and implemented, as an auditing authority, such as the SABS, would be re- quired to make the systemwork. “Equippedwith the right framework and incentives, themining sector could improve itsalreadysubstantialcontributiontostimu- lating local manufacture and technology development,” he says. q

“Retaining the technological edge is one importantway that SouthAfrica can sustain and grow its local manufacturing capabil- ity,” continues Holtz. “As a Level 4 B-BBEE company with a 26% black shareholding, we are fully supportive of the emphasis that theMining Charter places on local content, and especially about the plans for formal verification of local content.” According to theManufacturingCircle –

Operational cyclone innovations will be show- cased on Multotec’s stands at Electra Mining Africa 2018: Hall 6A22 and outside on OSP20.

18 ¦ MechChem Africa • August 2018

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