MechChem Africa July-August 2023

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

Upskilling innovation in mining

ingly expected that decision-making is data driven, so everyone needs to be literate at the level that they interact with data to understand and analyse the growing volume of data available.” Mechatronics competency is a fo cal point for Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. Collaborating with the Tshwane University of Technology, the company upskills millwrights and electricians through a mechatronics programme that deals with the mar riage of mechanical, electrical and computer science. This is one of only two institutions in Africa that offer this specialised course. Sandvik’s Millwright Extended Programme makes Artisan 4.0 a focal point. “This includes basic skills in PLC programming and working with autono mous robots/vehicles,” Mnguni says. “These help to equip the kind of artisan industry really needs, as it is no longer enough to be specialised in traditional trades. While regulated apprenticeship modules are generic, the apprentices need additional specialised training to be ready to work on modern mining equipment.” Sandvik Academy has trained more than 1 000 apprentices over the past 22 years – at a 100% absorption rate into employment. “These people are gold to the industry and have been taken up not only in South Africa but also in countries such as Zambia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, as well as abroad,” Mnguni concludes. www.rocktechnology.sandvik.com ing lines, combining cutting-edge equip ment with integrated quality control and enhanced energy efficiency,” said Frédéric Midy, Project Director, John Cockerill Industry. “The fight against climate change is part of John Cockerill’s mission. This new contract will not only enable us to accompany AM/NS India on its journey towards sustainability but will also contribute to the country’s low-carbon economy ambitions.” The new CRM with advanced process ing lines is due to be commissioned in 2024. ABB is supplying its ABB Ability™ System 800xA DCS to support energy efficiency and sustainability.

Technology such as the Digital Driller allows Sandvik to deliver ‘real life’ training in a simulated working environment.

Mining is fast embracing various auto mation and digital technologies, but to keep up with the rapid pace of opera tional change that this trend demands, everyone must keep learning. This is the message from Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions Human Resources Development (HRD) Manager, Vusi Mnguni, who warns that skills development as an enabler is pivotal to effective change manage ment process. As a result, the company invests heavily in employee and customer development through its training acad emy at its Khomanani head office. This is made possible through a vari ety of specially developed programmes, ABB has been appointed to provide electrification and automation systems for ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, India’s advanced steel cold rolling mill in Hazira, Gujarat. The contract at the flagship manufacturing plant comes through John Cockerill India Limited, the original equip ment manufacturer (OEM) for the project. AM/NS India – a joint venture between two of the world’s leading steel compa nies ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel – is setting up the new cold rolling mill (CRM) as part of its downstream expansion plan. ABB is providing advanced electrifica tion and automation systems, including the ABB Ability™ System 800xA distrib uted control system (DCS) and associated equipment and components to support enhanced energy efficiency, optimised zinc consumption and high levels of cor rosion resistance throughout the steel

with most of these conducted in col laboration with tertiary institutions such as the University of Pretoria, Tshwane University of Technology, Colliery Training College, Sandvik Training Academy, and other qualified skills development providers. Training in future necessary compe tencies must begin now, to enable the company to move forward in meeting its strategic objectives. “This approach makes an important broader contri bution to the mining sector because tomorrow’s skills need to be in place before we can introduce our latest technologies to the market,” he says. “A key aspect of learning today is around data,” he explains. “It is increas “Our goal is to help create smarter steels for brighter futures for people and the planet. To do this, we place safety, in novation, and technology at the heart of our manufacturing operations and product development and ABB’s technology will support us in this,” said Dilip Oommen, Chief Executive Officer of AM/NS India. “The new processing lines are designed to produce new-age value-added steel, embedding the most demanding quality standards. This expansion will help us meet the growing demand for high-end steel, while also enhancing our portfolio of value-added, sustainable steel.” “We are proud of having been chosen by such a first-class steelmaker for the supply of two highly automated process production process. This will support AM/ NS India in its bid to reach greater levels of sustainability at Hazira.

ABB contract for advanced cold rolling mill

July-August 2023 • MechChem Africa ¦ 39