MINERS NEWS MAGAZINE

RENSSELAER, Indiana (Nov. 8, 2017) — Talbert Manufacturing, a North American leader in specialized heavy-haul solutions, celebrates the 70th anniversary of its mechanical gooseneck patent, which was developed by Austin Talbert, engineer and founder of Talbert Construction Equipment Co. Talbert Manufacturing was originally established as Talbert Construction Equipment Co. in 1938, in Lyons, Illinois. It served the Chicago market with crane and construction equipment rentals and heavy haul transport services. While Talbert was quickly regarded as a trusted name and a company that consistently delivered results, it was not until the advent of the first mechanical, detachable gooseneck trailers in 1946 that it had its claim to fame. The product was patented in 1947 and entered the Canadian market in the 1950s. The mechanical gooseneck revolutionized equipment loading by eliminating the need to drive equipment up and over the trailer tires. The design not only enhanced operators’ sa

Catalyst handling is a highly specialised science that requires specialised equipment as well as adequately and experienced trained personnel.Furthermore strict safety, health and environmental procedures ought to always be followed on executing catalyst handling jobs, especially considering the carcinogenic nature of the catalyst itself; depending on the levels of exposure. Dickinson Group of Companies; anchored by over 90 years of experience in providing the specialist furnace and industrial services to mining, metals smelting, mineral processing, thermal power generation and petrochemical refining industries stands out as a service provider of choice. The company recently unveiled its latest innovation in catalyst handling; internally developed catalyst unloading, screening and re-loading equipment supported by a KOK’s industrial vacuum machine/truck. The equipment is mainly made up of; an environmentally friendly convertor catalyst vacuum and screening units as well as other ac

Operations within the mining, petrochemical, construction, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries that use compressed air equipment are confronted with numerous hazards daily, often resulting in varying degrees of injuries and in some cases fatalities. Although there are a number of underlying causes of these accidents - improper maintained air compressors is one of the common causes of equipment-related injuries. In light of this, proactive maintenance not only plays a significant part of the safety of operations that use compressors, but also an important role in the productivity and sustainability. Rand-Air, market leaders in portable compressed air and power generation rental understands that for an air compressor to perform at optimum, regular services and preventative maintenance is essential. It is for this reason that businesses are advised to rent equipment as opposed to buying - this ensures a preventative maintenance approach and eliminates the stress of react

Finding the right overhead crane is now made a lot easier with Konecranes Crane Advisor, a quick online tool that helps customers narrow down their crane options with customized recommendations. The tool is already being extensively used in North America and is now made available in Southern Africa as well, with new features and content. As a leader in the overhead crane industry, Konecranes invests in research and development to bring new technologies and novelties to the market. “Crane Advisor is a service that makes the information retrieval a lot easier and more efficient for customers,” says John MacDonald, Service, Sales and Marketing Director of Konecranes Southern Africa. “Crane Advisor offers the customer valuable information which is then customized according to their lifting needs.” Driven by ease-of-use and customized information Only four steps are necessary to get a crane recommendation. Crane Advisor asks the customer to answer four key questions – industry, capac

Effective 1 November 2017, Atlas Copco grows into two separate international groups of companies. Globally, the entire Mining & Rock Excavation Technique Business Area together with the Construction Tools Division of Atlas Copco becomes part of Epiroc while the industrial segment remains with Atlas Copco. With Epiroc dedicated to the mining and civil engineering sectors and Atlas Copco focusing on the industrial market, the split provides the best growth opportunities for both listed companies. As global leaders in their respective areas, the two companies are perfectly positioned to deliver sustainable productivity solutions to their respective customer base. Spearheaded by newly appointed CEO, Per Lindberg, together with the support of a new board, and boasting a new head office, the evolution of Epiroc opens up a new chapter in the global mining and civil engineering industries. Epiroc, still a subsidiary of Atlas Copco, has begun the journey as an independent company o

Atlas Copco Compressor Technique is proud to introduce its 4th generation VSD+ compressors - the GA75-110VSD+! “This 4th generation which follows hot on the heels of the GA37- 75 VSD+ compressors we launched in 2016 is the biggest generation of VDS+ compressors for Compressor Technique’s Industrial Air Division,” says Business Line Manager for Industrial Air, Charl Ackerman. “Compressed air, much like electricity, is a utility that is critical to most production processes. So, their core business and not the source of their compressed air should be our customers’ primary focus,” states Ackerman. “Ensuring that our customers’ compressed air systems are seamless, efficient and cost effective to help keep their electricity bills and production costs to a minimum is therefore our focus. The compact, smart, efficient and reliable Atlas Copco GA75-110 VSD+ fulfills all these requirements perfectly for complete customer peace of mind.” Industry is constantly looking for ways to enhanc

Christine Ramon, chief financial officer of AngloGold Ashanti, favours a bold but considered approach to change. She heeds the advice of a Buddhist monk, ‘for every action, there is a reaction’. In other words, actions have consequences. She shares her views on responsible leadership. Many leaders in South Africa have this in common: they grew up in a close-knit family with limited finances. Their fierce will to succeed was a deciding factor in setting them apart. All the more credit to her, Christine Ramon, executive director at the third largest gold mining producer in the world, had few privileges growing up in Port Elizabeth as a young Indian woman in apartheid era South Africa. Raised by a single parent, Ramon went out to work at the age of 17. “I am one of five children and a twin,” says Ramon. “We’re very close. We even live in the same suburb today!” Four of the siblings are chartered accountants [CAs(SA)], while Ramon’s younger sister is a medical doctor. Ra

“Onsite industrial gas (nitrogen and oxygen) generation offers a much more sustainable and cost-efficient solution compared to cylinder or bulk liquid supply which require transport, handling, storage and administration,” notes Charl Ackerman, Business Line Manager of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s Industrial Air division. Nitrogen, often rated fourth after gas, electricity and water, is an essential requirement in many applications and many industries in for example chemical manufacturing, food and beverage processing and packaging, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and laser cutting, are dependent on nitrogen as an integral part of their production processes. Atlas Copco draws on over a century of experience and continuous technical innovation to offer tailor-made superior quality on-site nitrogen generators designed to optimise production processes at the lowest possible operating costs. “The NGP+ nitrogen generator with PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) technology can simpl

“Onsite industrial gas (nitrogen and oxygen) generation offers a much more sustainable and cost-efficient solution compared to cylinder or bulk liquid supply which require transport, handling, storage and administration,” notes Charl Ackerman, Business Line Manager of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s Industrial Air division. Nitrogen, often rated fourth after gas, electricity and water, is an essential requirement in many applications and many industries in for example chemical manufacturing, food and beverage processing and packaging, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and laser cutting, are dependent on nitrogen as an integral part of their production processes. Atlas Copco draws on over a century of experience and continuous technical innovation to offer tailor-made superior quality on-site nitrogen generators designed to optimise production processes at the lowest possible operating costs. “The NGP+ nitrogen generator with PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) technology can simpl

“Onsite industrial gas (nitrogen and oxygen) generation offers a much more sustainable and cost-efficient solution compared to cylinder or bulk liquid supply which require transport, handling, storage and administration,” notes Charl Ackerman, Business Line Manager of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s Industrial Air division. Nitrogen, often rated fourth after gas, electricity and water, is an essential requirement in many applications and many industries in for example chemical manufacturing, food and beverage processing and packaging, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and laser cutting, are dependent on nitrogen as an integral part of their production processes. Atlas Copco draws on over a century of experience and continuous technical innovation to offer tailor-made superior quality on-site nitrogen generators designed to optimise production processes at the lowest possible operating costs. “The NGP+ nitrogen generator with PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) technology can simpl

Brady Corporation offers a new pipe blind lockout solution that can be applied to the widest range of pipes. By easily and temporarily locking pipe blinds in place, companies can improve safety by preventing the release of gas, steam and hazardous liquids while pipe maintenance is ongoing. Increased safety and compliance The Pipe Blind Lockout can provide a very visual, physical barrier that acts as a deterrent for touching pipe blinds while maintenance is ongoing. When used with a properly installed pipe blind, the lockout device and a padlock reduces the risk of accidental release of pipe contents. This enables companies to increase workplace safety and also improve compliance with EU Guidelines 89/655 and the European Norm 1037. Non-sparking material The Pipe Blind Lockout has been UL tested for ISO 80079-36:2016 Explosive Atmospheres and falls within the parameters of the norm. The device is built out of a heavy duty 304 stainless steel with rugged, cast aluminium locking

SKF South Africa supplied a custom designed heavy-duty bearing housing assembly and two IMX-S conditioning monitoring systems for a 12MW SAG mill operating on a gold mine in West Africa. “This is the first combination online condition monitoring system and drive train solution for a SAG mill supplied by SKF,” confirms SKF Project Manager, John Storm. The end-user purchased the complete new SAG mill for the gold mine from a South African project house. The application presented a number of challenges which prompted the project house to approach SKF for assistance. “We had to find a solution to address the significant loading that the dual drive mill places on the bearing housing caps,” explains Storm. “Furthermore, as the entire plant is automated with instrumentation feedback to a control room, it was imperative that the mill comply with existing protocol.” SKF’s turnkey solution included South African designed bearings and sleeves complete with custom-designed heavy-duty pini

• Clariant Southern Africa recognises Transport Month with Container Dri® II • Clariant is playing pivitol role in transportation of food Johannesburg, Wednesday 25 October 2017 - As part of National Transport Month, Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, highlights the pivotal role it plays in the safe transport of food and agricultural products. Clariant’s products, such as Container Dri® II, help to reduce food waste in transit. “Food spoilage in particular has huge impacts: According to the Save Food Initiative, up to 40 percent of the globally produced food spoils in less developed countries during transport and distribution,” Hubert SimmlerHuebenthal, Head of Sales EMEA, BU Functional Minerals. The perishable nature of food presents a major challenge for shipping over long distances. In contrast to air freight, which is a relatively quick process, goods in containers transported by ship, rail, and truck often take several weeks to arrive at their destinatio

Finding the right overhead crane is now made a lot easier with Konecranes Crane Advisor, a quick online tool that helps customers narrow down their crane options with customized recommendations. The tool is already being extensively used in North America and is now made available in Southern Africa as well, with new features and content. As a leader in the overhead crane industry, Konecranes invests in research and development to bring new technologies and novelties to the market. “Crane Advisor is a service that makes the information retrieval a lot easier and more efficient for customers,” says John MacDonald, Service, Sales and Marketing Director of Konecranes Southern Africa. “Crane Advisor offers the customer valuable information which is then customized according to their lifting needs.” Driven by ease-of-use and customized information Only four steps are necessary to get a crane recommendation. Crane Advisor asks the customer to answer four key questions – industry, capaci

“Onsite industrial gas (nitrogen and oxygen) generation offers a much more sustainable and cost-efficient solution compared to cylinder or bulk liquid supply which require transport, handling, storage and administration,” notes Charl Ackerman, Business Line Manager of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s Industrial Air division. Nitrogen, often rated fourth after gas, electricity and water, is an essential requirement in many applications and many industries in for example chemical manufacturing, food and beverage processing and packaging, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and laser cutting, are dependent on nitrogen as an integral part of their production processes. Atlas Copco draws on over a century of experience and continuous technical innovation to offer tailor-made superior quality on-site nitrogen generators designed to optimise production processes at the lowest possible operating costs. “The NGP+ nitrogen generator with PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) technology can simply

On 04 September, Lonmin launched a new brand campaign which pays tribute to what Lonmin refers to as the ‘Week That Changed Our Lives’, a time when the company lost 44 of its employees during the Marikana tragedy of 2012. The campaign consists of a 60-second television and radio commercial, aired from 04 September on SABC, M-net and Mzansi Magic as well as 702, Power FM, Kaya FM and community radio stations Radio Maphisa, Madibeng FM and North West FM. Narrated by radio personality Trevor Tshabalala, the adverts bring a message of hope by focusing on initiatives that have been undertaken by the company to improve the quality of life for its employees and communities. The commercial is distinctly future focused, urging viewers to look forward to a brighter tomorrow by talking about how ‘tomorrow begins’. A selection of scenes then demonstrates the steps taken by Lonmin to catalyse that fresh beginning. These include investments made in areas such as education, healthcare, infrastruc

From 4 to 6 October Boksburg will be buzzing with excitement as young scientists from across the country descend on the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre to compete in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair. Over 600 of South Africa’s top future engineers, chemists, physicists, mathematicians and innovators will be competing at the country’s largest school-level science fair for a chance to take home prizes worth more than R4 million. These bright young minds have earned a spot at the Eskom Expo ISF after beating out the competition at a series of regional finals and they will be poised to showcase their innovative projects to a panel of judges and industry experts in the hope of bagging the top prize - a scholarship to study in Germany thanks to Siemens, as well as six full bursaries to study anywhere in South Africa. Like Sinenhlanhla Dlamini, the 2016 winner, who is currently studying in Germany, these future problem solvers are keen to take the

September is national Albinism Awareness month and disability equity solutions company, Progression calls on South Africa’s private and public sectors to embrace people with albinism and find ways to accommodate them in the workplace. Disability expert at Progression, Justene Smith, says not only do people with albinism face significant societal challenges, but they struggle to be accepted in the workplace too. “Workplace accommodations that can be put in place for people with albinism are not major, but they are necessary.” According to the Employment Equity Act reasonable accommodation can be defined as “any modification or adjustment to a job or to the working environment that will enable a person from a designated group to have access to, or participate or advance in employment”. Smith says not all people with albinism need to be accommodated to successfully perform their jobs, but some people do need a few accommodations. “All too often people with albinism are not provide

Atlas Copco Portable Energy has expanded its offering for the dewatering market with the launch of over thirty new heavy-duty, high capacity pumps. This includes the addition of three high-flow models to its PAS range of centrifugal dry prime pumps. The new pumps are capable of accommodating flows of up to 1400 cubic metres per hour. “Since acquiring Varisco we’ve established a consistent presence in the dewatering market,” said Wim Moors, Vice-President Pumps, Atlas Copco Portable Energy. “The new single-brand portfolio provides our customers with the best choice and widest flexibility when selecting a high-quality pump for their application.” Atlas Copco’s offering for the dewatering market comprises of highly efficient wet and dry prime centrifugal pumps for construction, drainage and emergency applications, plus specialised models for wellpoint applications and pumping abrasive liquids and bentonite mud. A new piston positive displacement pump has been launched that is specia

Chicago Pneumatic has extended its range of electrically-powered light towers with the launch of two new models, the CPLT V2 LED and CPLT V3 LED. Both can be integrated with the recently launched CPPG inverter generator which provides a reliable source of AC power below 3 kW at a moment’s notice. With this combination, contractors have access to a cordless, flexible, lightweight and easy-to-move solution that delivers instant site lighting even in off-grid and remote working environments. Ideal for any application where optimal visibility is crucial, the CPLT V2 LED and CPLT V3 LED are also simple to plug into an electric power source, such as an outlet. They feature four 160 W high-quality LED bulbs and provide an average coverage of 2,000 or 3,000 m2 depending on the chosen model. The 5.5 metre manual vertical mast can be easily raised to achieve the maximum coverage. Meanwhile, the robust canopy protects the light tower and maintains its peak performance in varying weather cond

SKF’s gearbox remanufacturing service delivers cost savings, performance enhancements and environmental benefits. Drawing on its expertise in bearings, gears, seals and lubrication, SKF demonstrated how its industrial gearbox remanufacturing service can deliver performance enhancements and extend the service life of obsolete or damaged gearboxes at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017. The service covers inspection and diagnosis at the customer's site, removal to one of SKF's accredited gearbox repair centres for reconditioning and/or upgrading, re-installation at the customer's site, commissioning and vibration fingerprint acquisition for future condition monitoring implementation. SKF addresses the root causes rather than the symptoms of gearbox failures. A detailed root cause failure analysis is conducted on bearings, seals and gears to determine the causes of failure and identify ways in which these may be avoided in the future. Such an approach prolongs unit life, improves re

SKF has launched the new SKF MultiPoint Automatic Lubricator TLMP 1018. This is a complementary product to the recently launched TLMP 1008, however the TLMP 1018 has 18 outlets. Developed for industrial applications, as well as agricultural and off-road vehicles, this reliable unit will replace the LAGD 1000 multipoint lubricator. The durable design offers more flexibility than the LAGD 1000 as the outlets are pluggable. The TLMP 1018 lubricator is suitable for use for applications requiring from one to eighteen lubrication points. The TLMP 1018 is packaged as a complete kit, including the lubricator, required tubing and connectors. The multipoint lubricator is easy to install and program via its keypad and has a LED display. In addition, the TLMP lubricators have low-level and malfunction alarms, both of which offer remote notification. The automatic lubricators are also available in versions with different voltages. With a 47% PS price reduction compared to the LAGD 1000, we

Women of elegance love elegant jewelry made of gold or diamond. That beautiful shiny diamond ring on your finger and those earrings that you treasure because they are made of gold have certainly undergone vigorous processes to become what they are. From an ore underneath the earth’s surface discovered by a lucky mineral explorer to a hardworking miner through the hands of a synthetic manufacturer then into the market where if you are lucky, someone bought it for you. Valuable minerals are not the only reason why people carry out mining exploration. They do so to satisfy their scientific inquisitiveness, to learn more about the earth’s surface and it’s interior. They also do so for economic purposes and to meet the ever growing demand for clean energizing water, fuel [gas and oil] and mineral which are either metallic or non-metallic. Mining is the process of extracting valuable minerals from the earth. Broadly, it’s classified into two; surface mining