Monthly Archives: February 2022

Client Focus

CONCOR STARTS WORK ON FAST-TRACK STUDENT BLOCK 

Leading black-owned contractor Concor is hard at work on the latest student accommodation project in Braamfontein, Johannesburg – a much-needed contribution to the national shortage of these facilities.

The Groove, a substantial 13-storey development, will provide space for 899 students, and is conveniently located just opposite the South Gate of Wits University. Concor is working with developer Growthpoint Properties, who in turn is operating on behalf of Durban-based fund manager Vulindlela. 

In addition to the new build, the project is also repurposing some of the existing buildings on the site where the old Doves & Kloppers funeral parlour became a familiar landmark on the busy Enoch Sontonga Avenue. These existing buildings will provide additional services and utilities for student residents.

The fast track venture is scheduled for completion in just 12 months, according to Concor site agent MacDonald Ngobese, and began in November 2021. 

“Concor has a well-established reputation for delivering complex projects speedily and on budget, while still being highly competitive in terms of costing,” says Ngobese, “This places us in a strong position to win projects like this.”

He notes that the successful completion of fast track projects relies on having a highly skilled and experienced core team on site, to closely manage subcontractors and to keep strictly to the construction programme. This also requires constant and in-depth communication with all stakeholders, from the client to operational partners and local authorities.

“The scope of the work includes full fit-out, right through to joinery,” he says. “Among the challenges is the very constricted work environment, as the site borders busy urban roads and the M1 highway.”

Two of Concor’s tower cranes have been erected on site to help deal with space constraints and to expedite the movement of materials in the interests of a fast pace of construction. While one crane is working 13 hours a day on production work, the second is speeding up the off-loading and placement of material deliveries. 

Client Focus

TRAINING SUPERVISORS FOR A MECHANISED, AUTOMATED FUTURE

Smart mining is a key focal point of leading underground mining contractor Murray & Roberts Cementation, and its digitisation strategy is strongly supported by its approach to supervisor training. 

“The Fourth Industrial Revolution is having major impacts on how we mine, so it is to be expected that our training focus must adapt accordingly,” says Tony Pretorius, education, training and development (ETD) executive at Murray & Roberts Cementation. “To underpin our digital strategy as a business, our training is evolving in terms of its outputs and its methodologies.”

Pretorius highlights that technology is improving safety and productivity in mining by facilitating automation, through either line-of-sight or tele-remote operation of equipment. 

This is placing new demands on supervisors, in their task of influencing better team performance. The company is introducing a range of digitisation initiatives in its projects, including a condition monitoring system to track the monitor the health of trackless mining machines (TMMs).

“Supervisors today still need to manage processes, systems and schedules to meet their objectives,” he says. “In addition, though, they also need the capacity to interpret the wealth of data that digital technology produces.”

The Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy (MRTA) at Bentley Park near Carletonville prepares supervisors with a series of e-learning modules including TTM appreciation, supervisory soft skills, legal liability, and mine-specific standards and procedures. 

However, the programme becomes more innovative with the inclusion of its neuro-leadership component.

“This course teaches supervisors about various personality types, their respective strengths and weaknesses, and how the brain influences the behaviour of those personalities,” he says. “This helps our learners to understand the different approaches inherent in personality types, and to take these into account in developing their leadership skills.”

The training itself leverages the use of two-dimensional and three-dimensional animations in the classroom, as well as interactive touchscreens. Supervisors are also exposed to the virtual reality space, where they are required to identify workplace hazards and risks and apply measures to manage these risks. 

“Our virtual reality modules include waiting place procedures, entry examination and safe declaration, as well as emergency preparedness and survey,” says Pretorius. “This is followed by learning in the mock-up environment, where they perform marking on the 3D blast wall with laser technology, and also sequential firing and blast advances.”

Client Focus

AFRISAM CEMENTS PARTNERSHIP WITH SPRINGBOKS

Leading construction materials company, AfriSam, is proud to announce that it has joined the Springbok family with a three-year partnership.  The company is also breaking new ground as the first in the construction industry and cement manufacturing sector to partner with the Springboks.

“We are delighted to welcome a new partner from a new sector of the South African economy into the Springbok family,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.

“AfriSam is a long-established company whose products are literally part of the fabric of the country. Similarly, we aspire to make the Springboks part of the fabric of the nation as well.”

AfriSam has been a long-standing supporter of sports going back almost 30 years when it sponsored one of the oldest football clubs in our country –  Orlando Pirates. That sponsorship was done under our previous company name, Alpha Cement.  More recently AfriSam has also shown support for the Free State Cheetahs and the South African Football Association’s development programme, Ima Nathi.

“One behalf of the entire AfriSam team, I would like to express our excitement about joining the Springbok family.  As a proudly South African company, we are constantly striving to build and uplift our nation.  Forming a partnership with a team that has, over the years, demonstrated how rugby can unify and inspire an entire nation, came as a natural fit for us.  We wish our beloved national rugby team all the best and we look forward to “creating concrete possibilities” together.  Go Bokke!” said Richard Tomes, Sales & Marketing Executive of AfriSam.

“We’d like to thank AfriSam’s leadership and their entire workforce for their support for the Boks. It’s the support of proudly South African companies such as AfriSam, that provides the foundations on which we can build, in this case almost literally”, concludes Roux.

Client Focus

BOOYCO MOBILE HVAC SOLUTIONS ARE BUILT TO LAST

Available from Booyco Engineering is a range of mobile HVAC systems specifically designed to meet the tough conditions typically encountered in the African mining, rail and military sectors. 

The systems, which are ideal for off-road equipment such as dump trucks, drill rigs, dozers and excavators, are able to cope not only with the vibration and dust associated with off-road environments but also the very high ambient temperatures that can often be encountered in Africa.

“There is a misconception that our mobile HVAC solutions are over-engineered, making them more expensive than they need to be, particularly in comparison to the mass-produced systems designed for use in typical heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). But these vehicles seldom run off motorways and they are typically designed for cooler climates,” explains Grant Miller, executive director of Booyco Engineering.

Elaborating on Miller’s point, Booyco Engineering’s MD, Brenton Spies, notes that Booyco Engineering’s systems are rated for use at ambient temperatures of 45°C to 50°C while mass-produced systems tend to be designed for cooler climates where 35°C is seen as the maximum operating temperature. In order to eject this additional heat, larger components are needed, such as larger condenser coils and more powerful fans. 

To cope with rugged off-road conditions, Booyco Engineering’s systems utilise welded structures and use thicker gauge (2,0 mm) steel plate than competitor products which tend to rely on less-expensive pop-rivetted structures and much thinner steel or aluminium sections. As a result, Booyco Engineering’s solutions are far more durable and reliable.

To counter dust, Booyco Engineering often includes scavenger fans and HEPA filters to maintain the air quality inside cabins. In addition, the cooling fin spacing is larger than on conventional units to limit dust build-up, which – if unchecked – can quickly impair the cooling capacity of inadequately designed systems. 

Summing up the case for choosing a Booyco HVAC solution, Miller says it is not sensible to pay money for a lower cost system that will not work in demanding African conditions. “And if someone claims that a lower cost system is the same as ours, beware! If it costs much less, it is likely not to work – and it certainly won’t work for long!” he warns.

Client Focus

B&E GEARS UP WITH LATEST METSO PLANT FROM PILOT CRUSHTEC

Leading crushing contractor B&E International has invested in Metso’s latest mobile screening solutions from Pilot Crushtec, in advance of what is hoped to be a better year for road-building and other construction in 2022.

Ken Basson, director plant and engineering at B&E International, says the new acquisitions will expand the company’s crushing fleet in anticipation of more work, and will also optimise the cost of aggregate production. The equipment order, which is to be supplied in Q1 2022, comprises a Lokotrack LT220D mobile crushing and screening plant and a Lokotrack LT120 mobile jaw crushing plant.

“Over the years we have built up an extensive fleet of Metso equipment, with close to 95% of our crushing units this brand,” says Basson. “In our target markets, we have found these product line configurations are optimal for servicing our customers’ needs.”

He notes that B&E International’s technical and operator teams have gained extensive experience in using Metso equipment, which ensures smooth operations all round. A vital consideration in the purchase decision is the high level of service and support the company receives from local Metso distributor, Pilot Crushtec.

“With their extensive spare parts supply inventory on hand, Pilot Crushtec reacts rapidly when we need them,” he says. “In our industry, this ability is paramount to achieving sustainable profitability – both for ourselves and our customers.”

The Metso LT220D, which boasts an innovative combination of high-performance cone crusher and screen on the same chassis, is an exciting addition to the B&E International fleet.

“B&E is already operating Metso’s LT330D – the ‘big brother’ of the LT220D – and the performance results from this unit have been exemplary in all respects,” Basson says. “The new unit is part of our replacement of older models in the LT1100 range, bringing a number of modern benefits.”

For instance, the Metso LT220D is about 5 t lighter than its predecessor, and comes fitted with a GP220 cone crusher combined with a Metso ST4.8 screen. It delivers more crushing power, and has more stroke options available. This is key to optimising both the quality and capacity of production.

“When combined with a Metso jaw crusher, the LT220D can produce up to three calibrated end‑products by using a two‑stage crushing circuit,” says Basson. “Crushing reduction ratios achieved by this crusher are also further optimised as a result of the increased number of crushing cavities available.”

With the rising cost of fuel, he also emphasises the enhanced fuel consumption as a factor in B&E International’s selection, with the Metso LT220D’s crusher being able to use efficient direct‑drive power transmission from the C13 Caterpillar engine onboard. 

The Metso LT120 is the latest and most advanced of Metso’s track-mounted jaw crusher plants, with its 1200 mm by 870 mm feed opening providing sufficient capacity for tough applications. The hydraulic drive ensures reliable operation and enables crusher direction to be changed in case of blockage.

Basson highlights that the lead time for the supply of the new units was also important, as the economic recovery in regions like Europe and North America was making it difficult for some OEMs to deliver orders within reasonable timeframes.

“We are making sure that we are well positioned for new work, as the construction and road-building sector seems be gradually more buoyant,” he says. “There are high hopes for an upswing in in this year and the sector can rely on us to perform to our usual standard.”