Compiled by Sharyn Macnamara
The pulse of mining minds, technology, innovation and business drive was almost tangible when southern Africa’s biggest mining, electrical, automation, manufacturing, power and transport trade exhibition hit Johannesburg from 5 September to 9 September.
African Mining was there to see over 650 exhibitors show-case and demo their latest innovations, technology, products and services to over 30 000 visitors eager to solve their challenges and bounce ideas off experts and fellow mining peers, connect and discuss business opportunities.
Face-to-Face still the order of the day
The trade show’s 50th anniversary aptly coincided with the expo’s return after Covid-19 restrictions postponed the planned 2020 edition of the expo. The success of this year’s expo proved hands-down that expos are not a thing of the past, highlighting the importance and popularity of the age-old, tried and tested face-to-face relationship building. In-person events are here to stay, in fact they are imperative to doing business in these industrial sectors.
The power of ‘making meaningful connections’ was plain to see in the energy created by new connections and the excitement of reunions experienced by visitors and exhibitors, who shared this with African Mining. One exhibitor noted, “I feel that my business has experienced a rebirth.”
Portfolio Director of Specialised Exhibitions – a division of Montgomery Group – Charlene Hefer, made this statement before the exhibition’s opening date, “Exhibitions in the modern world remain incredibly relevant. Even with the growth of the digital age, human beings are gregarious and social by nature, they need personal contact. Face-to-face interaction facilitates the building of relationships and trust; live demonstrations engage the senses; and networking and collaboration between industry professionals can take place,” and it most certainly reverberated in the actual experience of the event.
Industry experts share insights
Current industry trends were evidenced in the ‘theme a day,’ free-to-attend seminars – automation, innovation, safety, future skills and South African Day – hosted by the South African Institute of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE), which saw over forty speakers presenting a variety of topics.
WiMSA (Women in Mining South Africa) led a workshop, focusing on innovations and processes paving the way for more women in the mining industry and discussing how the mining industry is making inroads for a more inclusive environment.
The Lifting Equipment Engineering Association of SA (LEEASA) and Lifting Africa together hosted a two-day educational and interactive conference and organised a new addition to the show – the forklift driver competition. Forklift operators, all in possession of a valid forklift license, competed for the title of Forklift Driver Champion. Their forklift driver skills were put to the test with the competition aiming to recognise and reward highly skilled and safety conscious operators. The winner of the competition was Ian Roux who received the Champion’s Trophy and a cash prize of R15 000.
The winner of the forklift driver competition was Ian Roux who received the Champion’s Trophy and a cash prize of R15 000. Image credit: ©Sharyn Macnamara, African Mining
Growth in innovation
Industry trends were further evidenced in the highly tangible and visible evolution of technology showcased on the ground in solutions for safe, sustainable and responsible mining with ESG in mind. The many launches and specifically the amount of locally generated innovation and manufactured product was astounding, boding well for Africa’s future. The feedback from members of both MEMSA and SAMPEC was extremely positive, noting that the quality of visitor was excellent at the expo, “the value derived from engaging directly with industry to grow the reputation of both the clusters, our members and the local manufacturing sector in general is immeasurable.”
It was the feeling of both organisations that ‘Local is truly Lekker’ and this was evidenced by the interest from mining companies, EPCs and EPCMs in locally manufactured mining machinery and equipment. The free to Attend Seminar Theatre speakers were varied and insightful, while the Innovation Awards added an extra element of excitement and anticipation to the week.
ABC Ventilation Systems were the overall winners of the Electra Mining Africa 2022 Innovation and New Products Awards for their latest innovation. The new product HardLine that won them top honours, as well as the Local Manufacturing: Innovation New Product (Mining category), is a Modified HDPE Polymer material converted into ducting for ventilation underground. The HardLine product overcomes safety and logistical as well as installation issues associated with traditional steel ducting.
Pearce says it is not easy to run a business and develop products, “But if you want to grow your business, you must persevere and be focused. We started 16 years ago in a garage.”
“Today’s fast-moving technology is providing an environment that is conducive to shifts in the industry. The young engineers coming through into the industry have an appetite for better and smarter ways of doing things to give the mining operation advantages and opportunities.”
Therefore, he says it is important to give young engineers guidance and some free rein to allow creativity to develop ideas and products.
The Awards were presented in partnership between Electra Mining Africa and the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC). Recognising the high levels of innovation at the show, this year’s Electra Mining had 21 entries that were adjudicated with 18 winners and runners-up named, including the overall winner. These were across various local and international manufacturing categories. The awards were adjudicated by SACEEC’s CEO Eric Bruggeman. Bruggeman says ABC’s innovation is a prime example of South African engineering developing a solution to a problem and then exporting it across the globe.
“The Innovation Awards started four years ago, back then we had eight entries. This year’s Electra Mining had 21 entries that were adjudicated with 18 winners and runners-up named, including the overall winner.”
“The innovation seen at this year’s Electra Mining has made me proud and shows what the local mining and engineering industry can do, and it excites me.”
The Awards were divided into two sections: Innovation: New Product and Innovation: Existing Product, for local manufacturing and for international manufacturing. “Whether it is an innovation to an existing product or a new product, it must have a massive impact. It must blow you away. And of course, you must sell it successfully as well,” he explains.
This year’s winners ranged from big companies such as Multotec, to Aditiv Solutions – a small company of eight young engineers. “But what they have in common is an innovation that has changed their industry,” says Bruggeman.
L-R Gary Corin, managing director of Specialised Exhibitions a division of the Montgomery Group, Terry Pearce – MD of ABC Ventilation Systems and SACEEC’s CEO Eric Bruggeman. Image credit: ©David Smith, African Mining
The Awards show that South Africa can compete on a global stage. “There is no reason why we cannot; we are as good as the rest of the world. The curve of innovation is open. As South Africa does not mass produce, making products better and cheaper is how we innovate,” says Bruggeman.
Winners: Local Manufacturing | Innovation: Existing Product
- Mining: Brelko
- Transport: Dust-A-Side
- IT: Flexco
- General Engineering: RNE Pumps
Winners: Local Manufacturing | Innovation: New Product
- Mining: ABC Ventilation
- Transport: Advanced Fire Suppression Technologies
- General Engineering: Aditiv Solutions
Winners: International Manufacturing | Innovation: Existing Product
- Mining: Kwatani
- Industry: Autotech Weighing Systems
- Transport: Kal Tire
Winners: International Manufacturing | Innovation: New Product
- Mining: Multotec & Mato
- IT: Weir Motion Metrics
The automation technology hall was a big addition to the show and the automation focused free-to-attend seminars were hosted by the Society for Automation Instrumentation Mechatronics and Control (SAIMC). The number of fantastic solutions was hard to absorb, it was noteworthy that one visitor mentioned that these solutions, harnessed in synergies, could result in even further impact for the industry.
International participation included the Austrian, German and Italian Pavilions as well as exhibitors from India, Chile, France, Australia, USA, Taiwan, Turkey, Switzerland, UK, Poland and Canada.
“We are so thankful that exhibitions are taking place again,” says Charlene Hefer, Portfolio Director at Specialised Exhibitions a division of the Montgomery Group. “We are grateful for all the effort our exhibitors have put into their stands which are of a very high quality, and to all of the visitors who took the time to come to the show. As a 5-in-1 trade show experience, it covered everything from mining, electrical and automation to manufacturing, power, and transport. The feedback that we have been getting is so positive, with the message that ‘business is back.’ The energy that we have seen – exhibitors and visitors, everyone involved – was palpable. The exhibition stands, the halls, the outside exhibit areas were pumping the whole week! We had high expectations, but we were also mindful that we were coming out of Covid, but we really hit the mark with over 30,000 visitors!”
“Sales were made on the stands, many new leads generated, and positive connections made. The visitors were high quality purchasing decision makers; the show attracted the right focused people. There could be no better endorsement of the show than the almost 50% of exhibitors who had already rebooked their stands for the 2024 show, even before the gates had closed on the 2022 show,” concludes Hefer.
So where does Electra Mining Africa see itself in the next few years?
“We are a people business,” says Corin. “We go where the industry takes us. Where the trends emerge, we follow, and express those trends at our events; emerging trends out of mining, manufacturing, automation, all the industry sectors that are the crux of the South African economy. Every two years those industry sectors gather together under one roof at Electra Mining Africa, and we look forward to our next show in 2024 where we will again showcase the latest trends, innovations and new products to all industry stakeholders.”
There is no doubt that the Expo has re-ignited mining minds, triggered solution driven business alliances and injected new energy into the mining sector, which in turn can only positively re-invigorate southern African economies.
Electra Mining Africa 2024 is taking place at the Expo Centre in Nasrec, Johannesburg, from 2-6 September 2024. For further information, visit www.electramining.co.za
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