Containerised Electrical & Control System Powers Paste Plant in Botswana
October 2025System Integration & Control Systems Design
Delivering a complete, containerized solution for a mine’s paste plant in Botswana, this project stands as a model of modern EC&I; execution — integrating electrical, control, and automation systems into one unified, transportable package.
Project Overview
The objective was to design and implement the mine’s entire paste plant electrical and control infrastructure — a full turnkey solution that included medium-voltage (MV) substations, MCCs, and MV drives, all built within containerized enclosures.
Central to the system was a unified PLC architecture with distributed Remote I/O, a robust plant-wide network, and a central server room for seamless data flow and centralized control. The result: total production readiness on delivery.
Challenge and Solution
Executing a complex, full-scope EC&I; project in a remote mining environment presented unique challenges — from stringent technical specifications to complex logistics.
Through a combination of in-house design expertise, modular construction, digital engineering, and ISO 9001:2015 quality assurance, the team achieved precision and reliability from factory to field.
This approach ensured all systems — from high-voltage power distribution to process instrumentation — were fully integrated, tested, and ready for rapid deployment and commissioning.
Key Technologies and Tools Used
• EPLAN for advanced electrical and control design
• PLCs with distributed Remote I/O for plant-wide integration
• 24VDC control power systems for reliability and safety
• Skid-mounted RIO panels to enable flexible relocation and simplified maintenance
• Digital engineering tools ensuring accuracy, consistency, and traceability
Lessons Learned
Future projects will benefit from even greater modular standardisation to reduce commissioning time and further simplify logistics, especially in remote environments.
Unique Selling Point
An end-to-end engineered solution — fully integrated, factory-tested, and delivered ready for production — demonstrating how precision design and modular execution can overcome even the toughest project conditions.
How certified industrial automation channels become co-creators in the AI era Schneider Electric South Africa
System Integration & Control Systems Design
As industrial automation becomes software-driven and AI-enabled, the role of channel partners is shifting from equipment supply to outcome-based consulting, software integration and lifecycle services that require continuous certification and capability development.
Read more...Why integration defines the next competitive edge in pulp and paper
System Integration & Control Systems Design
ABB’s Arvin Ramjee argues that fragmented automation, assembled from different suppliers at different stages of a plant’s lifecycle has become one of the pulp and paper industry’s most overlooked commercial risks, and that true integration, rather than surface-level connectivity, is what delivers measurable business value.
Read more...Integrated automation enhances water treatment at dairy facility Process Dynamics
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Process Dynamics delivered the electrical, instrumentation, control and automation integration for an advanced water treatment and reverse osmosis system at a major South African dairy processing facility, achieving a 50% reduction in the client’s water utility costs.
Read more...Intelligent process control is reshaping cement production in Africa
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Advanced process control, predictive analytics and automation are helping African cement producers cut energy use and stabilise output as they contend with rising electricity costs and tighter margins.
Read more...Process Dynamics – Integrated Automation for Dairy Water Treatment Process Dynamics
System Integration & Control Systems Design Project and industry
Process Dynamics delivered the electrical, instrumentation, control and automation integration for an advanced water treatment and Reverse Osmosis (RO) system at one of South Africa’s ...
Read more...New SI programme strengthens Schneider Electric’s partner ecosystem Schneider Electric South Africa
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Schneider Electric’s SI Energise 2.0 programme offers system integrators a competency-based framework to develop deeper expertise in EcoStruxure and AVEVA software, enabling them to deliver full-lifecycle industrial automation solutions.
Read more...AI and smart solutions for underground proximity detection systems
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Booyco Electronics explains why fitting proximity detection systems underground is far more complex than installing sensors, and how integration, data and intelligent analytics are helping mines manage the challenge.
Read more...Why cloud-ready BMS is reshaping building operations Schneider Electric South Africa
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Smart sensors and non-contact radar are reshaping industrial measurement, feeding connected platforms that predict failures before they happen.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version