MechChem Africa May-June 2025

⎪ Heating, cooling, ventilation and air conditioning ⎪

HVAC performance and equipment uptime In demanding environments for mobile equipment, HVAC systems play a critical role in ensuring operator safety and reliable performance. Custom HVAC solutions specialist, Booyco Engineering, emphasises how poorly performing units compromise equipment uptime, productivity, and overall operational efficiency. I n demanding environments, mobile equipment reliability is non-negotia ble. Often overlooked, however, is the critical contribution that heating,

ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems make to both operator safety and the reliable performance of machines. Booyco Engineering, South Africa’s lead ing specialist in custom HVAC solutions for heavy-duty mobile equipment applications, highlights that poorly performing HVAC units can directly impact equipment uptime and operational efficiency. According to Booyco Engineering’s managing director, Brenton Spies, HVAC systems in mining vehicles and earthmoving equipment as well as specialised rail and military applications are more than just comfort systems, they are integral to productivity and safety. “Mining operations often run in extreme heat, dust and humidity,” says Spies. “If an operator is working in a cab where the HVAC system is not functioning optimally, concen tration levels can drop, fatigue sets in faster and safety risks increase.” Additionally, electronics and controls inside the cab rely on stable environmental conditions and without efficient climate con trol these systems can fail or deliver unreli able performance.

In mining and quarrying environments, reliable HVAC systems are essential for ensuring both operator safety and consistent equipment performance.

Booyco Engineering has built a strong reputation as a trusted Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for designing and manu facturing robust HVAC units that are locally engineered to withstand the harsh conditions of African mines. “We design for vibration, dust ingress, extreme temperature variations and easy ser viceability,” he says. “Our units are purpose

built for the realities of heavy industry such as mining and quarrying, with all components tested and verified to perform under load.” A key differentiator, according to Spies, is the company’s focus on reliability and lifecycle cost. “Downtime caused by HVAC failure does not just inconvenience the operator, it can halt production, impact fleet availability and lead to unplanned maintenance costs. Our systems are engineered to reduce these risks, provid ing dependable performance over extended operating periods.” Booyco Engineering’s in-house design, engineering and manufacturing capability also allow for custom solutions tailored to specific vehicle types and operating conditions. “We work closely with OEMs and end-users to specify HVAC solutions that perfectly align with their operational requirements, whether it is open pit mining at higher altitudes or operations with severe air quality challenges,” Spies explains. As mining and quarrying operations across Africa continue to push the boundaries of performance and safety, the role of reli able HVAC systems will only become more critical. Booyco Engineering’s focus remains on delivering well-engineered and locally manufactured solutions that support equip ment reliability and operator wellbeing which, according to Spies, is a solid contribution that is vital to sustainable and productive mining operations. www.booyco.co.za

Engineered for the harsh realities of African mines, Booyco Engineering’s HVAC systems are designed to withstand vibration, dust and extreme temperatures.

May-June 2025 • MechChem Africa ¦ 31