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A
BB
, the leading power and automation technology group was
recently awarded a five-year ABB Full Service contract with
Namibia Custom Smelters (NCS), to manage and improve all main-
tenance activities at their copper smelting and converting plant in
northern Namibia.The full service total plant maintenance agreement
includes the transfer of NCS maintenance and reliability staff toABB.
ABB’s Full Service model, which involves the complete manage-
ment and operation of a plant’s maintenance function, development
and implementation of expert measures to improve productivity and
equipment reliability, will be employed at NCS. In this manpower-
intensive environment, ABB’s performance agenda will include a
strong focus on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards
for the workplace.
NCS is located inTsumeb, Namibia, approximately 425 km north of
the capital, Windhoek. The plant, which was commissioned in 1963,
is owned by Dundee Precious Metals Inc of Canada. It consists of
two primary smelting furnaces, three converters, and has an annual
production capacity of 200 000 tons of copper concentrate from the
treatment of complex copper concentrates containing gold, silver
and arsenic.
The smelter is one of only a few in the world which is able to treat
arsenic-bearing copper concentrates. Both blister copper and arsenic
trioxide are produced from the concentrates; the copper is then de-
livered to refineries for final processing, while the arsenic trioxide is
sold to third party customers.
Under the agreement, ABB will manage all maintenance to improve
productivity and equipment reliability at the plant, and retain and
develop all existing maintenance staff and management. In addition,
ABB will provide process optimization, energy consulting and equip-
ment lifecycle services at the site, as well as to manage all third-party
subcontractors and suppliers.
Enquiries: Sibongile Metsing.Tel. 010 202 5029 or email Sibongile.
metsing@za.abb.com.
A
METEKTest & Calibration Instruments has expanded the capabili-
ties of its versatile JOFRA HPC600 handheld pressure calibrator.
The instrument’s unique built-in electric pump now allows the calibra-
tor to achieve pressure and vacuum generation up to 20 bar / 300 psi
with the single touch of a button. Previously, the top range was 10 bar
/ 150 psi. Each unit also is individually temperature compensated from
-10 to 50oC / 14o to 122oF for accurate on-site operations, regardless
of temperature conditions.
In addition to its enhanced capabilities, the HPC600 offers a true
multifunction solution for a broad range of high-accuracy pressure
calibration applications from simple tool type jobs to complex custody
transfer systems.The device features a user configurable information
display, 15 different pressure units, mA input/output, percentage error
calculation, voltage measurement, serial communications and an ex-
ternal pressure module capability. The
HPC600 is a superior pressure calibra-
tor for field use that brings laboratory
accuracy into the field.The accuracy of
the HPC is specified in percentage of
reading to ensure an even better ac-
curacy and more applicable pressure
range. The multifunctional device is
designed to work as a pressure indica-
tor, pressure calibrator, a complete mA loop calibrator (including 24
V supply), a voltmeter, thermometer and pressure/vacuum generator.
All are in a single ruggedised housing with an easy intuitive operating
system that fits in the palm of the hand.
Enquiries:Tel. 011 422 1749/1840 or email rod@pressuresolutions.co.za.
P
resident ofThe SouthernAfricanAssociation for Energy Efficiency
(
SAEE
), Prof LJ Grobler, has been appointed as Dean of the North
West University’s (NWU) Faculty of Engineering.
After 16 years of service as professor in Mechanical Engineering at
the NWU’s School for Mechanical Engineering, Prof Grobler became
Dean on 1 September 2012. As a Mechanical Engineer from the Uni-
versity of Pretoria, and Pr Eng with the Engineering Council of South
Africa, he has unsurpassed experience in the academic, consulting,
as well as commercial and industrial spheres relating to mechanical
and energy engineering.
He obtained his PhD, specialising in retrofitting of commercial build-
ings with emphasis on energy management and indoor comfort, is
a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and a Certified Measurement and
Verification Professional (CMVP) and has trained over 600 individuals
in the internationally recognised Association of Energy Engineer’s
(AEE) CEM programme through the local
approved trainer, the EnergyTraining Founda-
tion, a division of Energy Cybernetics. He was
the 2007/8 President AEE based in Atlanta,
USA - the first non-American to become presi-
dent.The SAEE is the local chapter of the AEE.
With a background in not only academia,
but industry as well, Prof Grobler is well
positioned to produce deployable engineers
into the economy of South Africa. This ap-
proach will augment the aim of the NWU Faculty of Engineering
to be exceptional and respected, nationally and internationally, by
providing balanced educational and research facilities to implement
industry-relevant knowledge in innovative ways.
Enquiries:Yolanda de Lange.Tel. 041 367 1041 or email media@saee.
org.za.
Agreement for copper smelting plant in Namibia
Handheld pressure calibrator achieves 20 Bar/300 PSI
Appointment of Dean of Faculty of Engineering NWU
Electricity+Control
September ‘12
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