SI strong on diamond mines

April 2004 System Integration & Control Systems Design

Two high-profile contracts at cross-border diamond mines have been awarded to B&W Instrumentation & Electrical. In Namibia, B&W, in a joint venture with ABB Namibia, has started work on a coveted electrical and instrumentation contract at Namdeb's new R400 million Elizabeth Bay diamond plant near Lüderitz. The JV formed part of the successful tender submitted by project managers Bateman Projects Namibia. The contract calls for the installation of the 6,6 medium voltage switchgear, 6,6 to 550 V distribution transformers, various 525 V motor control centres and variable speed drives. It also includes small power and lighting and all associated racking, cabling and the termination within the equipment.

The instrumentation will be carried out in accordance with the hook-up drawings provided and includes the main and secondary rack routes and associated cabling. In accordance with B&W's practice of promoting local skills, local Namibian labour is being used and on-the-job training undertaken. The contract is scheduled for completion by the end of May 2004.

In Lesotho's Maluti mountains, B&W has completed an electrical and instrumentation contract at the world's highest diamond mine, Letseng Diamonds. Working at an elevation of 3100m, B&W had to contend with the difficulties of working in an extremely remote location, gale force winds and snow in November, in order to successfully complete the four month contract, which started in October 2003. The contract was awarded by mineral plant design and engineering company, Dowding, Reynard and Associates (DRA) which was responsible for the construction of a new, fully automated 350 tph dense media separation plant at Letseng Diamonds as part of the mine's revitalisation. Commissioning of the plant is scheduled for completion by the beginning of March 2004. According to DRA's Danie van Zyl, who first worked with B&W on Assmang's Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine in 2000, the Letseng contract has confirmed the excellent working relationship between the two companies. Apart from electrical and instrumentation construction, B&W's contract also involved all high-tension reticulation (11 kV) in the plant.

This is the highest altitude B&W has ever worked at and extremely cold weather prevailed even in high summer. "Although there is a tar road, getting supplies to the top proved quite a feat and working at that unusual altitude altogether proved quite challenging, says B&W's project director, Dean Nevay.

For more information contact Ken Nel, B&W Instrumentation, 011 907 1663, [email protected]

Further reading:

Flotation system modernisation for a gold processing and mineral recovery plant.
Moore Process Controls System Integration & Control Systems Design
Moore Process Controls has successfully modernised a gold processing plant's flotation control system, replacing obsolete I/O hardware with Schneider Electric's latest M580 X80 platform.

Read more...

---

Project and industry
Schneider Electric South Africa System Integration & Control Systems Design
Transforming crushing plant operations through integrated automation.    Controlgear Instramac was engaged to deliver the electrical control and automation systems for a new crushing plant within the ...

Read more...

---

Project and industry
EXEL Electrical Engineering System Integration & Control Systems Design
EXEL EE was contracted to deliver the complete electrical, control and instrumentation scope for the upgrade of a gold mine's water treatment facilities in Tanzania.

Read more...

---

Turning system integrators into trusted technology partners
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing System Integration & Control Systems Design
Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partner Programme is repositioning system integrators from hardware suppliers into lifecycle-value partners. Oriel Soupen explains the competency framework, certification model and real-world results that are already helping African system integrators win higher-value, longer-term engagements.

Read more...

---

When digital twins move from concept to critical tool
IT in Manufacturing System Integration & Control Systems Design Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Digital twins are moving out of the lab and onto the mine, the factory floor and the transport network where they predict failures before they happen. Amritesh Anand looks at where they earn their keep, the data and integration work behind them, and the security questions every organisation should ask before switching one on.

Read more...

---

Best practices for managing the MRO supply chain in Africa
RS South Africa System Integration & Control Systems Design
RS South Africa outlines how strong data governance and digital tools can turn maintenance, repair and operations procurement into a strategic advantage across Africa.

Read more...

---

Containerised Solar Solution Accelerates Delivery of Riverside 3 MW Power Plant
Proconics System Integration & Control Systems Design
Proconics was engaged by NewFields to deliver the electrical integration solution for the Riverside 3 MW Solar Power Plant in Zimbabwe. The project required a compact, modular approach that could simplify deployment, minimise site works, and support rapid commissioning in a remote location.

Read more...

---

Modern Energy Metering Solution Enhances Reliability and Reporting for Major Power Utility
SAM Systems Automation & Management System Integration & Control Systems Design
This project involved the implementation of a modern energy metering system for a major power utility operating within the industrial automation and energy management sector. The objective was to improve the reliability, accessibility, and accuracy of energy data while simplifying infrastructure and reducing system complexity.

Read more...

---

PCS Global
PCS Global System Integration & Control Systems Design
PCS Global led a digital infrastructure initiative in a southern African data centre setting, aiming to merge several essential operational systems into one cohesive platform. The objective was to break down silos, enable real-time decisions, and ensure seamless operation in a mission-critical environment.

Read more...

---

Seamless migration from ET 200M to ET 200SP HA for future-ready automation
Moore Process Controls System Integration & Control Systems Design
Moore Process Controls undertook a modernisation initiative spanning the mining, petrochemical, and oil & gas sectors. This project involved upgrading legacy Siemens ET200M I/O systems to the advanced ET200SP HA platform.

Read more...

---