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Investment in certain minerals, notably copper and lithium, is falling short of what was required for transition to net-zero energy system

Today’s well-supplied market for critical minerals ‘may not be a good guide for future’

Published: 17 May 24

A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report describes the sharp decline in critical mineral prices over the past year as a double-edged sword, cautioning that, while it has been a boon for clean energy deployment and affordability, it is a bane for critical mineral investment and diversification. The ‘Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2024’ highlights that, following two years of dramatic increases, the prices of critical minerals fell steeply in 2023, returning to levels last seen before the pandemic.

Tenth Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation finalists revealed

Published: 17 May 24

Four innovators from Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire and Uganda – whose innovations address recycling in construction, AI tools for healthcare and farming, and reengineered waste collection – have been selected from a shortlist of 16 to compete for this year’s £50 000 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. The Royal Academy of Engineering will host the final of the tenth Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, the continent’s largest engineering prize, on June 13, in Nairobi, Kenya.

Opinion: Government must come to the party on new-energy vehicles

Published: 17 May 24

The automotive sector requires policy certainty and investment incentives to meet the challenges of the future and sustain its vital role in the economy, writes Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking National Manager: Manufacturing Amith Singh.

UNIT FEATURES
The new M20 MILLTURN has a turning machining unit with B-axis and automatic tool change on the lower system.

Company focuses on core competence in complete machining

Published: 17 May 24

Austrian mechanical engineer WFL Millturn Technologies’ latest development has enabled the company to manufacture the complete machining of chuck parts with a diameter of 2 000 mm. The complete machining of chuck parts from the aerospace industry is one of the core competencies of WFL Millturn Technologies, which notes that it has been able to gain “quite an advantage over the years” for chuck parts where the diameters are often the same as or considerably larger than the workpiece length.

INDISPENSABLE OPPORTUNITY
The Machine Tools Africa expo aims to be an indispensable gathering for all stakeholders in the engineering and manufacturing industries

Machine Tools Africa to play crucial role in education, skills development

Published: 17 May 24

The upcoming Machine Tools Africa 2024 exhibition will serve as a comprehensive platform for showcasing the latest innovations in machine tools and related technologies. It also plays a crucial role in education and skills development, which is vital for sustaining industrial growth in South Africa.

Industry organisation eagerly anticipates Machine Tools Africa event

Published: 17 May 24

With a few days to go until the 2024 iteration of the Machine Tools Africa event, to be held from May 21 to 24 at the Nasrec showgrounds, in Johannesburg, industry organisation Machine Tools Merchants’ Association (MTMA) chairperson Mike Lee says all exhibitors are “getting ready to put the greatest machine tool exhibition on the African continent together”. The latest industry technologies are being demonstrated at the event, Lee says, noting that it will “without a doubt be of huge interest” to the local and international markets.

Mining-focused manufacturers see innovation as key to survival and future growth

Published: 17 May 24

Amid the challenges of loadshedding, logistical constraints and volatile commodity prices, South Africa’s mining-focused manufacturers and equipment suppliers view ongoing innovation, including embracing digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI), as increasingly central to their survival and future growth. Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (Memsa) CEO Lehlohonolo Molloyi describes local manufacturers in the sector as “resilient” and responsive to the needs of the sector, highlighting in particular how innovation has played a central role in improving the domestic mining sector’s once-dismal safety record.

Cape Town targeting this year as starting date for turning landfill waste into power

Published: 17 May 24

The City of Cape Town (CoCT) says it is moving closer to turning landfill waste into energy, with two projects that are designed to produce electricity from the combustion of landfill gas moving towards implementation. Landfill gas, primarily made up of methane, is produced when organic matter, such as food scraps, breaks down at landfill sites.

Firm highlights improved safety, reliability of new actuator

Published: 17 May 24

Global technology and software company Emerson has introduced the new ASCO Series 148/149 safety valve and motorised actuator made for industrial fuel oil burner recirculation and safety shutoff applications. “The new solution provides a reliable, versatile tool for industrial users to prevent overpressure, leaks, and system malfunctions that can lead to health and safety incidents, with one configuration suited to a wide range of combustion system applications,” says Emerson discrete automation global marketing director Ali Sarwar.

Company highlights positive technological effect on market

Published: 17 May 24

Industrial equipment supplier Auma South Africa emphasises the positive impact of technology on the actuators market ecosystem. Auma's electric actuators and gearboxes are fitted onto third-party-supplied valves before distribution to end-users as an option, with a strong emphasis on maintaining good relationships with various manufacturers. All of its products are sourced from Germany and assembled in-house according to customer specifications. Auma highlights that it embraces current technology advancements, which allows users to connect through their phones or laptops in order to download extensive parameters for actuator maintenance, fault-finding and parameter optimisation. Fault reports can be promptly sent to Auma or its German counterparts for precise servicing recommendations, enhancing operational efficiency.