With the Investing in African Mining Indaba imminent, the newly formed Siemens company, Innomotics, is on our front cover for this issue, a company set up to deliver end-to-end green solutions and digital transformation. Other lead feature articles come from WearCheck; Goodwin Submersible Pumps Africa; The Weir Group; SMC South Africa; and Tapflo.
ON THE COVER
Motion innovation for Africa’s mines
MechChem Africa talks to Sven Demmig and Tim Walwyn of Innomotics about end-to-end green solutions and digital transformation for the mining, cement, chemical and other sectors. Read more…
PETER’S COMMENT
COP28 and industry’s transformational role
Peter Middleton looks at the reported outcomes of COP28, but finds hope in the real progress being made by industry’s own initiatives, as highlighted by several stories in this issue. Read more…
MAINTENANCE AND ASSET MANAGEMENT
A brief history of lubrication
Steven Lumley, technical manager for WearCheck, outlines the history of lubricants from the Stone Age up to the Age of Enlightenment. Read more…
ISO-Reliability Partners announces strategic partnerships
ISO-Reliability Partners has been awarded a five-year tender to supply Royal Purple premium lubricants to Transnet Engineering for lubrication of highspeed traction motor bearings. Click to read in the online magazine…
SKF Maxilube optimises Moroccan mill
A Maxilube lubrication system from SKF has enhanced personnel safety, increased reliability, boosted uptime and delivered time and cost savings for a leading paper mill in Morocco. Read more...
WATER, WASTEWATER AND PUMPING SOLUTIONS
Goodwin: the premium submersible for dense abrasive slurries
Rui Gomes of Goodwin Submersible Pumps Africa talks about the niche applications and benefits of Goodwin submersible slurry pumps, engineered in the UK to handle very dense and abrasive slurries. Read more…
Why use submersibles for fluid handling
Ruaan Venter of IPR presents a compelling argument for the widespread adoption of submersible pumps to replace vertical spindle pumps across various sectors. Click to read in the online magazine…
Simple pumps and solutions for hygienic, hazardous and demanding applications
MechChem Africa talks to Tapflo’s local MD, Jason Andrew, about pumping solutions for the food, beverage and processing industries. Read more…
MINERALS PROCESSING AND MATERIALS HANDLING
Weir highlights big energy-saving opportunities in comminution
At a COP28 panel discussion in December, Paula Cousins of the Weir Group presented a comprehensive study into opportunities for reducing energy use and emissions in crushing and grinding operations. Read more…
Exploring the future of minerals processing
Mining experts from across the continent recently attended a Tega Industries-hosted technical conclave on the improvement of milling circuits and extending their viable lifespans. Read more…
SA mine gets world-first planetary gearbox customisation
Replacing one of a pair of planetary gearboxes for a Mpumalanga mine recently gave SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa the opportunity to pioneer a global innovation. Click to read in the online magazine…
Sports Nutrition and Flexicon bulk handling lines
Bulk bag dischargers and flexible screw conveyors from Flexicon have been chosen for blending and packaging USN’s diverse range of products at the Group’s Centurion plant. Read more…
HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING
Metso launches upgraded Evaporative Cooling Tower
Metso Corporation has released a more efficient dry gas cleaning solution for furnace off-gas, which offers improved cooling efficiency and excellent process control. Read more…
Dual-purpose vent and hoist shaft for Platreef
Murray & Roberts Cementation was chosen to design and execute a retrofit for Ventilation Shaft 3 at Ivanhoe Mines in SA’s Limpopo province, which will now simultaneously allow for upcast air and hoisting. Click to read in the online magazine…
POWERGEN, PETROCHEM AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY MANAGEMENT
AES, energy efficiency and the food and beverage sector
Associated Energy Services (AES), the service provider to the steam and boiler sector, outlines its offering to the food and beverage sector. Read more…
Achieving the energy future Africa needs
Nadja Haakansson of Siemens Energy outlines the opportunities available to Africa for establishing energy security and a just energy transition. Click to read in the online magazine…
Coal’s place in our energy mix
Gcobisa Melamane, clean coal research specialist at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), argues the case for coal in the energy mix. Click to read in the online magazine…
LOCAL MANUFACTURING AND FOOD PROCESSING
Competitive localisation of RE manufacturing and services
Mamiki Matlawa of ACTOM argues that localisation of the renewable energy industry can enable African manufacturers to compete with foreign companies. Read more…
Advanced feed mixer improves dairy cattle health
Choosing the right feeding system can mean the difference between a thriving herd or one that just exists, this according to dairy farmer, Dylan Eagleston, who recently made the switch to a Trioliet feed mixer from Smith Power. Click to read in the online magazine…
HYDRAULIC, PNEUMATIC AND AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS
Optimising two-port pneumatic valve selection
Automation, pneumatic system provider, SMC Corporation SA, presents some important aspects to the selection of 2-port pneumatic valves. Read more…
INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING
Net-zero shipping and green LNG
Pilbara Clean Fuels (PCF), Oceania Marine Energy (Oceania), and RINA Marine Consulting (RINA) are pursuing net zero-emissions on the iron ore export trade routes from Port Hedland in Western Australia. Read more…
REGULARS
Products and industry news Click to read in the online magazine…
Back page: ABB and Gravitricity to collaborate on energy storage systems
ABB and Gravitricity have signed an agreement to explore how ABB’s hoist expertise can accelerate the development and implementation of GraviStore technology. Read more…