Contributed by MEMSA and SAMPEC
Local South African industry clusters MEMSA and SAMPEC showcase how the impact of the global energy transition and affiliated ESG disruptors are driving local mining tech innovation and solutions.
The Gravitas Minerals Optima Classifier™ has shown great potential in minerals processing. Image supplied by Gravitas Minerals
Historically, mining companies have preferred tried and tested equipment already in the market. However, new demands for efficiency and productivity, a zero-tolerance of unsafe mining practices, as well as an increasing focus on additional environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals have seen a strong demand for new technologies that enable sustainable, accountable mining practices.
In fact, “Mining executives rank environmental, social and governance (ESG) as the biggest risk to their business,” according to the EY Top 10 Business Risks and Opportunities for Mining and Metals in 2024 Report.1
Mines contracting suppliers to target sustainability
Whether driven by policy, economics or necessity – energy efficiency and monitoring, re-use and re-purposing of limited resources such as water, and optimising the positive impact mines have on their local environment and communities have become a priority for mining companies who now demand innovative solutions from suppliers. One manifestation is a growing trend by mines to contract equipment suppliers to achieve their energy saving goals, efficiency monitoring and maintenance of production targets.
Mining equipment innovators play a vital role in the green transition to which the mines are committed, and contribute to the growth of the economy, as well as the creation of skilled jobs. Industry clusters Mining Equipment Manufacturers of SA (MEMSA) and SA Mineral Processing Equipment Cluster (SAMPEC) are committed to assisting members in becoming the global suppliers of choice for green, safe and efficient mining technologies.
Local OEMs, particularly SMMEs with their innovative agility, are perfectly positioned to be at the cutting edge of new technologies. The 2022 and 2023 MEMSA Innovations for Mining Awards produced some excellent examples of new technologies successfully taken to market by SMMEs.
MEMSA member Nkangala Mining won the Innovation in Hard Rock Mining Award for a mechanised roof bolter which switches between a Tier 4 diesel engine for movement and a 545V electric motor on the smart drill unit, for cleaner operation and energy efficiency. The bolter can be remotely operated, providing operator safety – as can the roof bolter by SME Buraaq Mining Services which is designed to offer better safety in narrow seam mining.
Rockman MK6.1 Intelligent Bolter (fully automated bolting) by Nkangala Mining. Image supplied by Nkangala Mining
MEMSA member Graf-In Tech was recognised by the judges for an end-to-end business intelligence driven fleet management solution for mining fleets, improving fuel efficiency, costs and productivity, while the 2023 Chairman’s Award went to SME Kapabrake, for their woven brake lining built into a customisable Mine Winder Brake Pad. They are the only company on the continent that manufactures this product, which has passed stringent safety tests by the CSIR and in the US.
ERS Tech is an end-to-end business intelligence driven fleet management solution for mining fleets developed by Graf-In Tech. Image supplied by Graf-In Tech
SAMPEC and MEMSA member Gravitas Minerals’ Optima Classifier™ is a proprietary ‘hindered settling separator’, accepted by the US patent office as a novel technology, which allows for the recovery of otherwise unused fine coal, iron ore fines, diamond and low-grade chrome ores.
Innovation in green energy solutions
The demand for green energy and power storage continues to boost mining activity for battery minerals and innovation in energy generation-led mining investment. Policies and energy sector reforms can unlock investment in renewable energy and South Africa is committed to a long-term transition to a low carbon economy, realised through the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP).
Members have risen to the challenge by implementing greener manufacturing practices and the design of greener technologies. Following the successful development of a battery-powered LHD, MEMSA member Rham Equipment recently collaborated with the University of Stellenbosch to design and convert a petrol-powered taxi into a pilot battery electric vehicle. This project demonstrates the exciting potential for lateral migration of mining technologies and skills to multiple sectors. Battery electric driven mining equipment has also been developed by JA Engineering, Fermel and Battery Electric.
Hydro powered mining equipment is finally coming into its own as a technology which can meet business and ESG objectives simultaneously. MEMSA members Hydro Power Equipment (HPE) and local OEM Novatek both developed remarkably light-weight, low-vibration, safe and operator-friendly hydro-powered rock drills in response to the Mandela Mining Precinct’s Isidingo Drill Challenge. HPE’s Ulrich Kienle reports that the company’s resulting product, the Isidingo Drill, “is now a commercial reality, deployed at multiple mine sites across the gold and platinum industry”. MEMSA member Hydro Power Systems (HPS) won an Innovation Award for Productivity and Data Integration for its HV212EOD water piston pump which allows remote, real-time monitoring of the system and increased efficiency. All three local manufacturers supply complete suites of innovative hydro-powered equipment for underground mining. After extensive trials, deep level hard rock mines are starting to recognise the very real improvements in productivity and savings on both water and electricity which hydro-powered mining systems afford, reports JP Adlem of HPS, who emphasises, “The reality is, this technology can keep our mines open.” Integrated 4IR technologies, which are seeing rapid uptake by mines, amplifies the potential of green, safer and efficient technologies. Kienle adds that solar energy capacity being installed at mines can be coupled with hydro-powered systems to achieve outstanding green energy outcomes.
SAMPEC and MEMSA member Gravitas Minerals’ Optima Classifier™ is a proprietary ‘hindered settling separator’, accepted by the US patent office as a novel technology, which allows for the recovery of otherwise unused fine coal, iron ore fines, diamond and low-grade chrome ores.
HPE’s Isidingo Drill in action – making precision drilling easy with much lower impact on the operator. Image supplied by HPE
Eugene Els CEO at SAMPEC member company Afromix, points out, “For many years, mining companies have been attempting to lower their carbon impact. I predict that as more businesses actively search for renewable energy sources, there will be a shift away from using fossil fuels as a source of energy. There is a drive underway globally to acquire battery metals, like lithium, and the industry has already experienced a significant up-swing.”
This local OEM has implemented a ‘Move to Zero Initiative’ to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – to take their manufacturing facility completely off-grid by 2030. Afromix head office is already powered by a 55.4MWh solar power array, diminishing the company’s reliance on the municipal energy grid. The company has also adopted a ‘reduce and recycle employee pledge’ policy.
As the world moves towards more localised and sustainable supply chains, many foreign OEMs have opted to acquire or partner with local equipment manufacturing companies for supply into the Africa region as well as set up local value add companies. South Africa is a leader in mining equipment technologies and is perfectly situated to act as the supply hub into the continent, where exploration for, and mining of, energy transition minerals is expected to expand significantly. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will facilitate the development of regional supply chains, building local economies and curbing carbon emissions. South Africa must ward off de-industrialisation and secure its upstream mining value chain, particularly in products and services in certain fields of historical dominance in mining and mining equipment, safety and technology for deep-level mining and narrow-seam mining.
Critical minerals will play an increasingly important role in the country’s industrial diversification and technological capabilities development in the green energy sector, and Africa needs its own policy on mining and beneficiation of critical minerals if the continent wants to avoid having the rest of the world control the countries that own the minerals.
Capital remains the second highest risk factor, as the mining sector grapples to fund the expansions required to meet increasing demand for minerals crucial to the energy transition, according to the EY Top 10 Business Risks and Opportunities for Mining and Metals in 2024 Report. A continental effort is required to ensure investors are sufficiently confident in the political stability and security of their licence to operate.
References:
1. https://www.ey.com/en_za/mining-metals/risks-opportunities
| SAMPEC and MEMSA, member-based industry clusters, work with a wide range of innovation partners such as the Mandela Mining Precinct to help drive innovation and competitiveness in the local mining equipment manufacturing industry through information sharing, co-ordinated activities and facilitating technology development partnerships.
One such collaborative initiative is MiningTARA – Technology Availability and Readiness Atlas, a unique online mining equipment database with a user-friendly equipment search and filter interface managed by MEMSA and funded by the Mandela Mining Precinct, a partnership between the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and Minerals Council of South Africa. To access this portal, which allows local OEMs to showcase technologies including technical specifications and images, demonstrating the range, quality and sophistication of equipment that is locally manufactured and available – or under development – see miningtara.co.za. |