What’s mine is mine

More than 850 exhibitors showed off their innovations, products, services and technologies, across 38 000 m² of exhibition space at the Electra Mining Africa 2014 exhibition. It took place at the Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg, from September 15 to 19. CLAIRE RENCKEN reports.

Electra Mining Africa is driven by a powerful motivator: to be the ultimate marketplace for all stakeholders involved in the mining, construction, industrial, machine tool and power-generation industries. Since its inception, more than 40 years ago, the show has grown so dramatically that it has earned its place as the second-largest mining show in the world, and is recognised as a gateway into Africa for local and global investors.

This year, visitors again saw many leading-edge South African companies in the packed halls, marquees and outside precincts. There were also various high-profile international exhibitors. According to Gary Corin, MD of Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, organiser of the biennial show: “The support received from exhibitors and general business for the 2014 show was outstanding.”

International protective clothing manufacturer, Charnaud, used the exhibition as a platform to launch a new range of four-in-one personal protective suits, which provide protection in severe heat applications.

Metal-Safe personal protective clothing (PPC) garments are made from fabrics that ensure the user is sufficiently protected against life-threatening hazards such as fire, static, electric-arc flash and severe molten-red metal splash.

Charnaud founder and chairman, Andrew Charnaud, says that Electra Mining was the ideal event for the new product launch. “The African mining sector’s top decision-makers form part of the comprehensive guest list at Electra Mining, which made it the ideal platform to launch Metal-Safe.”

The Metal-Safe range is available in one- and two-piece coverall options, and can be washed in water at residential or industrial laundries. Charnaud also exhibited its existing range of tried-and-tested protective garments.

Charnaud points out that the company has been exhibiting at Electra Mining since 2010. “We cater for a highly specialised industry, and solve complex clothing issues that save lives across the mining, metal pouring, electric, cold, wet and fire industries,” he adds.

The MSA Group celebrated its 100th anniversary at the exhibition. In recognition of this milestone, visitors to the company’s stand got to take a trip through time and see how far the MSA range of products has come during the last century.

The theme of the 90 m² MSA Africa stand was inspired by the layout of an underground mineshaft. The products were all depicted on a dedicated timeline running from 1914 to 2014. MSA Africa managing director, Colin Oliver, says “Electra Mining is an ideal event at which to celebrate this special anniversary. It is the premier mining conference in Africa, with the most high-profile decision makers all in attendance. It enables us to highlight our vast range of safety products and also to lay the foundations for meaningful and long-lasting relationships.”

During the exhibition, knowledgeable and experienced MSA Africa product managers hosted in-depth and interactive presentations on various recently launched, as well as tried-and-trusted MSA products. These included the Luminator cap lamp, the Altair 4X mining multigas detector, the V-Gard hardhats and the Advantage 400 half mask.

Renttech South Africa also showcased its rental and sales capabilities at Electra Mining. The company rents and sells a vast range of welding, power-generation, lifting and rigging, as well as construction-related equipment and solutions. It also sells a full range of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Martiens Opperman, operations manager at Renttech South Africa, says: “To be a participant at this show gives the company a significant advantage, as customers can see and experience our products and services.”

Renttech South Africa made use of a specially designed mobile unit to conduct welding demonstrations at Electra Mining. The company shared its stand with principal partner Lincoln Electric, and demonstrated a number of new products that are available for existing and upcoming projects throughout Africa.

ACDC Green Energy Solutions (a division of ACDC Dynamics) has previously showcased its extensive range of products and services at Electra Mining. This year was no different. Charles Woods, managing member of ACDC Green Energy Solutions, comments: “Electra Mining is a great platform to inject new innovations, products and services directly into the arterial line of the southern African economy. We hit the ground running at this year’s show, with an exciting line-up of new products and services that were extremely well received and generated good interest.

“As all exhibitors know, at every show, there are the ‘tyre kickers’, the ‘catalogue collectors’ and the ‘peppermint pinchers’. However, in amongst this motley crew, there are the ‘real deals’. Fortunately, Electra Mining seems to attract more of the latter than the former.”

The company’s extensive range of smart meters, the Integra motor controllers, innovative solar solutions and its engineered power factor correction solutions wowed the crowds, according to Woods.

The next Electra Mining Africa exhibition will be held at Nasrec from September 12 to 16, 2016. With over 40 000 visitors expected to attend the show, many exhibitors have already booked their stands.