The capital cost of hybrid crushing and screening technology has traditionally been prohibitive to the take-up of these solutions in Africa. Amid record high fuel prices, Bell Equipment, the Finlay distributor in southern Africa, has, however, seen renewed interest in hybrid solutions because fuel savings help offset their premium price and also improve their value proposition. By Munesu Shoko.
As quarries further embrace modern technology, there is an apparent increased uptake of electronic blast detonation systems. This was the overarching message from BME at the recent Institute of Quarrying Southern Africa (IQSA) conference, where the Omnia group company showcased its new AXXIS Silver digital initiation system, a step-change in efficient and safe blasting for quarries and small-scale mining operations, writes Munesu Shoko.
In an industry where over 30 000 technicians are required per year to maintain, service and repair growing fleets of heavy equipment and power systems, Caterpillar’s Technicians for Africa bridges the skills gap on the continent. Caterpillar’s Toby Kirgan tells Quarrying Africa that the programme, initially launched in 2015 in Nigeria, Mozambique and the DRC, has over the years, expanded to cover 33 countries. Munesu Shoko reports.
Demand for dual-powered crushing and screening solutions is rising quickly in the developed world. With their ability to have both electricity and diesel as power sources, hybrid solutions provide aggregate producers with the best of both worlds – compliance in urban operating environments and flexibility in the middle of nowhere. Yet, according to Pilot Crushtec’s Francois Marais, their uptake in Africa remains slow. By Munesu Shoko.