What Africa has to offer

Electra Mining Africa 2016 was one of the biggest and best thus far, attracting a multitude of suppliers and buyers. We went along to find out more

The inaugural Electra Mining Africa exhibition was held 44 years ago, at the Milner Show grounds in 1972. Today the show is southern Africa’s largest trade show and one of the world’s largest mining exhibitions.

This year, more than 850 local and international exhibitors showcased their latest technologies, products and services across 34 000 m² of indoor/outdoor exhibition area. Just more than 29 000 visitors attended from both South Africa and the continent at large.

“We put in a massive effort to bring African visitors to the show. It was also very pleasing to host the CEO of the Botswana Chamber of Mines, Charles Siwawa, and the president of the Zimbabwean Chamber of Mines, Isaac Kwesu,” says Charlene Hefer, portfolio director, Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, organisers of the exhibition.

According to Gary Corin, MD of Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery: “The show is a key platform for government to engage with the private sector, with the export of South African technology and products into Africa and globally.”

The Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, even made an appearance. “It is important to see first-hand the capacity of our industry and Electra Mining Africa gives us this opportunity. It is a great place for us to demonstrate our manufacturing capacity,” Corin continues.

Creating support from government was also a key objective. Eric Bruggman, CEO of the South African Capital Equipment Export Council, says: “We need the support of the government to grow this sector. A strong local industry is necessary if we are to export our goods.

“South African technology in mining is by far the best in the world – we are world class and do not have to hide from anyone. We can compete against the best.”

This was evident from the stature of exhibitors this year, 40 percent of which have re-booked for the next show. Here is what just a few had to offer…

ACS-Embrace

ACS-Embrace, an African provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, recently released
a new version of its Embrace ERP Software – Embrace 14.

At Electra Mining the company demonstrated how Embrace 14 enables companies to manage and tightly control all costs, optimise and streamline operations and embrace sustained profitability.

For example, Embrace 14 has an integrated Embrace Service, Repair and Maintenance solution suited to both external and internal workshop environments, as well as the new Embrace Tyre Management system to help improve tyre performance, reduce costs and enhance vehicle and driver safety.

Brasco group

With the Brasco Filtration division a leader in the air-pollution-control industry specialising in servicing the filtration industry, the company concentrated on the industrial air-filtration department.

Brasco Group placed emphasis on the servicing of dust filtration units and on all the spares available for these units such as: filter bags, valves, controllers and cages.

Demag

The new V-Type crane girder was launched in sub-Saharan Africa in March, following its successful debut in Europe and North America in late 2014. “We chose Electra Mining Africa 2016 as it is sub-Saharan Africa’s premier exhibition event, which has always been well-attended,” Richard Roughley, Demag senior manager sales and marketing, comments.

The V-Type crane girder delivers safety and impressive load-handling rates. It also allows 30-percent more light to pass through, providing improved visibility, while brightening the workspace. The V-Type crane girder is 17-percent lighter than comparable cranes with box-section girders.

Fail Safe fire

Failsafe Fire Projects has specialised in fire suppression for heavy-duty vehicles and stand-alone machines for more than 20 years. It focuses particularly on mining, agriculture, military, marine and public transport.

At Electra Mining 2016, the company launched its newly developed electronic fire panel, which is integrated with a remote-monitoring GPS system. The company also had a training rig on display.

Festo

Festo had an extensive range of pneumatic and process automation products and solutions on offer, as well some of its latest training equipment. However, the most impressive offering at the show was undoubtedly its famous AirPenguin.

A product from Festo’s research division, the Bionic Learning Network, the AirPenguin is an autonomously flying object that comes close to its natural archetype in terms of agility and manoeuvrability. It incorporates human-machine interfaces, autonomy and flexibility – all qualities that are required in the mining sector.

North safety

“Electra Mining is a platform that grants any supplier of personal protection or mining equipment the opportunity to meet operational personnel and decision-makers. It also allows us to showcase our broad product spectrum, which caters for every requirement,” says Lizette Kasselman, head of marketing at North Safety.

This was the second time that North Safety had a presence at Electra Mining. This year the company added critical engineering and consumable products to its range of safety protective apparel.

These included Reinol hand cleaners and industrial chemicals, Spanjaard industrial lubricants and sprays, lifting machinery and repairs, lifting tackle and slings, Megaroller conveyor idlers and scrapers, allied screen and filter products, Petrozorb oil absorbents and oil-spill kits, industrial valves and slurry pumps, as well as specialised nuts and bolts. New consumable products on offer included waste rags, silicone, grinding discs and general mining supplies.

Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation has outlined key steps operators can take to better understand operations, improve performance and reduce safety risks, through the creation of a connected mine.

“Controllers, smart devices and software in a connected mine can provide access to thousands of points of process and machine data that, until now, have been inaccessible,” says Paul McRoberts, regional manager of industry mining, metals and cement at Rockwell Automation.

The company is also working with mining companies to establish a purpose-built control floor to give workers real-time visibility across operations.

Autonomous mining together with remote monitoring and control solutions impact overall employee safety, while modern distributed control systems enable fully integrated operations for flexibility and rapid decision-making. Updating historically disparate systems will create a new level of operational intelligence and improved productivity for mining operators.

Spiderwebb

SpiderWebb recognises that deaths and injuries at work associated with falls are among the top priorities for prevention efforts throughout the world.

SpiderWebb had its unique, patented BETA design and ladies harness on display. The company has also partnered with Recocel, a SSETA-accredited training company, to offer its clients working at height training and inspections.