Mining

Strengthening mining capabilities

Bernard Kaninda, FLS president sales and service for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Bernard Kaninda, FLS president sales and service for Europe, Middle East and Africa. (Image source: FLSmidth)

Customers can benefit from stronger regional capabilities developed by FLS, according to Bernard Kaninda, FLS president sales and service for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

According to newly appointed FLS president sales and service for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Bernard Kaninda, regional capabilities are important for customers. As a leading full flow sheet technology company, FLS occupies a distinctive place in the market, says Kaninda, giving it a special relationship with customers.

“Being a partner through all their mineral processing requirements, FLS walks with customers throughout the lifecycle of a comprehensive range of equipment and solutions,” he says. “This engagement gives us greater impact in helping the mining industry achieve its sustainability goals.”

FLS aligns itself with industry imperatives by committing to energy and water reduction targets, and committing to reach zero emissions by 2030. To achieve these goals, he says, it was imperative to further grow the region’s capability – shifting from the previous regional definition which comprised sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and Southern Asia to a more cohesive EMEA region.

“We believe the move to an EMEA region will better create the capabilities we are looking for, combining the strengths of Africa and Europe, and our learnings in the Middle East,” Kaninda explains. “We expect to be able to respond more quickly with services, spares and equipment, and are building local resources to achieve these improvements.”

The focus on communication and partnership is being fostered through clusters within the region, which are empowered with adequate resources for quick response times and effective support for end-users. “As a partner that tailor-makes solutions for our customers, we go further by guaranteeing the performance of that equipment,” he says. “This means being able to respond effectively as and when the situation demands, so we need to be in close proximity to the customers’ sites – and very familiar with the conditions they experience.”

“The mining sector is dynamic, however, so we are constantly expanding our equipment footprint and will be establishing a presence wherever we have a significant installed base,” he says. “It has always been a matter of pride for us that FLS customers will receive the same close attention irrespective of where they are around the globe.”

Streamlined logistics are an important aspect of the strategic shift, which will reduce delivery times through better availability of inventory in-country, facilitating faster access to service and parts. “We are also committed to the communities in the regions where we operate and are increasing our local employment as we develop our presence in different countries,” says Kaninda. “We believe in building local capability and this is visible in our teams, in which 90% to 100% of staff are already local in the region.” These teams are supported by specialised training provided by facilities in South Africa.

Powerscreen appoints PICO as authorised distributor for Egypt

PICO, as the authorised distributor for Powerscreen, will provide a wide array of services such as equipment sales. (Image source: Powerscreen)

Powerscreen, a global leader in mobile crushing, screening, and conveying equipment, has appointed PICO Engineering Group as its new authorised distributor for Egypt.

This partnership is aimed at expanding Powerscreen’s footprint in the region while offering improved customer support through PICO’s extensive industry experience and distribution network.

PICO, widely recognised for its strong presence in construction equipment and customer service excellence, will now provide access to Powerscreen’s complete range of advanced crushing and screening solutions. This collaboration ensures that Egyptian customers can benefit from direct access to Powerscreen’s cutting-edge technology and equipment.

PICO, as the authorised distributor for Powerscreen, will provide a wide array of services such as equipment sales, expert technical assistance, spare parts availability, and ongoing maintenance. This ensures that Powerscreen customers receive comprehensive support, maximising the performance and longevity of their machinery.

“We are thrilled to welcome PICO into the Powerscreen family as our authorised distributor in Egypt,” said Imran Kazi, regional sales manager at Powerscreen. “Their deep understanding of the local market, combined with their commitment to excellence, makes them the ideal choice to represent the Powerscreen brand. We are confident that PICO will provide unparalleled support to our customers, helping them to maximise productivity and efficiency with our industry-leading equipment.”

“We are honoured to be appointed as the Powerscreen distributor for Egypt,” said Shahir El Essawy, PICO Engineering group CEO. “Powerscreen’s reputation for quality and innovation is well-known, and we are excited to bring their cutting-edge solutions to our customers. Representing Powerscreen aligns with our commitment to delivering world-class products and services, and we look forward to a successful collaboration.”

Caterpillar unveils energy solutions for the mining industry

Caterpillar's Cat DET revolutionises mining energy management with groundbreaking tech for efficiency and sustainability. (Image source: Caterpillar)

Caterpillar Inc. has introduced an innovative OEM-designed solution to address one of the mining industry’s most challenging aspects of the energy transition: energy management

The Cat Dynamic Energy Transfer (DET) system is entirely developed by Caterpillar and can transfer energy to both diesel-electric and battery-electric large mining trucks while they operate on a mine site. Additionally, it can charge a machine’s batteries while operating with increased speed on grade, enhancing operational efficiency and machine uptime. The Cat DET system offers the industry options to support both near-term and long-term sustainability strategies.

Denise Johnson, Caterpillar’s resource industries group president, stated, “We believe Cat DET provides a technological leap for the mining industry. Our team of innovators designed this system to provide immediate benefit to miners who want to lower their operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions today while also creating flexibility for the future. We know customers need choices to fit their unique site objectives. We are proud to deliver an innovative, integrated solution that can support their needs of today and those of the future.”

Flexibility through innovative design

The Cat DET system consists of a series of integrated elements, including a power module that converts energy from a mine site’s power source, an electrified rail system to transmit the energy, and a machine system to transfer the energy to the truck’s powertrain.

The rail system is a highly deployable, mobile solution that can be customised to fit customers’ specific site layouts, including high-speed and curved haul roads, which boosts productivity. The connecting arm can be mounted on either side of a truck and on various truck models, offering flexibility to meet customers’ specific operations. It can be used on both mature and developing sites and is easily movable or expandable to maximise mine site coverage.

Cat DET will integrate with the Cat MineStar Command for hauling solution, combining autonomy and electrification technologies to provide a comprehensive site solution.

Marc Cameron, Caterpillar senior vice-president, explained, “We believe mine sites will benefit from enhanced efficiency with the integration of electrification and automation. When combined, these technologies will help miners achieve production targets while simultaneously managing energy demands.”

MDS appoints new Middle East distributor

Amal AlMizyen, Chief Executive Operation Officer and Conor Hegarty, General Manager

MDS, a global leader in manufacturing heavy-duty rock trommels and conveyors, has announced the appointment of Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery as its inaugural distributor in the Middle East.

With immediate effect, Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery will oversee the sales, service, and support of the MDS range of materials processing equipment throughout Saudi Arabia.

Headquartered in Jeddah, Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery is a well-established supplier of heavy machinery, commercial vehicles, material handling solutions, and crushing and screening equipment.

Their broad portfolio includes the sale and maintenance of internationally recognised brands, such as Komatsu construction and mining machinery. Already representing Powerscreen and Terex MPS, this new partnership with MDS marks the third Terex brand to join their extensive product lineup.

The appointment of Abdul Latif Jameel as distributor for Saudi Arabia is part of the ongoing global expansion of MDS, reinforcing its commitment to delivering innovative and reliable products to customers worldwide while providing localised support and knowledge.

Amal AlMizyen, chief executive operation officer, Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery, said, “We are very excited to bring MDS into our product portfolio and firmly believe that their products will provide better solutions to our customers. With the introduction of MDS, we will be able to produce larger aggregates for Armour Rocks, Gabion Stones and Gabbro. The timing is ideal as Saudi Arabia is currently handling massive construction mega projects and MDS units will be able to produce these larger aggregates at much higher rates compared to the current conventional methods.”

Raheel Qamar, business development manager, MDS commented, "We are very excited to welcome Abdul Latif Jameel to the MDS network. Entering the Middle East market is a major moment for us, and we believe that Abdul Latif Jameel will help us reach and serve customers in Saudi Arabia. Their dedication to excellence, high customer focus and deep local knowledge of our industry makes them an invaluable addition to our global network. I look forward to working closely with the team to build and develop MDS across the Kingdom."

Revolutionising Backhoe efficiency with JCB 3CX

Discover the enhanced JCB 3CX Backhoe Loaders, arriving this July with upgraded features for superior performance. (Image source: Bell Equipment)

The updated range of JCB 3CX Backhoe Loaders is set to arrive on South African shores this July, promising to build on the brand’s popularity with enhanced features aimed at delivering improved comfort, versatility, and productivity, thereby reducing costs and boosting efficiency

Bell Equipment sales product manager for JCB products, Massyn Jansen Van Vuuren, commented, “This new model range will replace the existing JCB 3CX Eco, 3DX and 3CX Global product lineup. The new cab makeover is the most noticeable change and is bound to impress. The striking new design uses high quality moulded plastics, and the pillars and roof are light grey in colour to give a lighter and more spacious feel.

“Most importantly the new cab places a huge focus on operator safety, comfort, and ease of operation. For example, the loader lever has been simplified to operate like a wheel loader. The 3CX range now has a single lever loader control incorporating an F-N-R directional switch so an operator can control the loader and transmission with one hand. In addition, there is a proportional switch on the side of the lever to operate the 6-in-1 bucket, which further reduces the effort needed to operate the machine.”

Enhanced features

The new EasyShift transmission with 'kick down' comes standard across the range, simplifying gear changes via a rotation of the F-N-R directional lever next to the steering wheel. The kick down switch, located on the floor, allows operators to shift from second to first gear for added power during loading or site work."

“All cabs are ROPS/FOPS certified and the seat rotation area is larger to give the operator more room, which together with improved cab sealing to keep out water and dust, creates a cleaner and more pleasant workspace. There is also improved visibility to the working area behind the machine,” remarked Massyn.

In addition, the 3CX Plus model introduces a high-performance HVAC air conditioning system with 21 adjustable air vents strategically positioned around the front console, ‘B’ pillar, and rear of the machine, optimising comfort and demisting performance. The 3CX features a standard fan mounted on the B pillar."

Under the hood, the JCB 3CX range benefits from enhanced hydraulic efficiency due to new standard variable displacement piston pumps across all models. The larger pump provides 150lpm, a 39% increase over the previous model, allowing for reduced engine speed while maintaining productivity, effectively cutting fuel consumption. Moreover, the variable flow pump operates on demand, reducing engine load and further improving fuel efficiency.

The Plus and Pro models feature a standard Smooth Ride System for improved road handling and can be equipped with a versatile 6-in-1 shovel, optionally fitted with flip-over forks for increased functionality. “The 6-in-1 shovel can be used for dozing, loading, digging, grabbing, spreading, and grading while the optional flip over forks are ideal for machines that will double up as a forklift for pick and place activities around the work site and to unload vehicles,” he added.

Lighting has been upgraded with six LED work lights replacing halogen lights. Front-mounted adjustable LEDs and rear-mounted LEDs, two of which are adjustable, enhance nighttime visibility. A 'guide me home' light system keeps work lights illuminated for 30 seconds after the ignition is turned off, aiding safe exit from the machine and worksite during nighttime operations.

Other standard features include an in-cab boom lock, front and rear wash/wiper functions, Return To Dig function, electronic throttle control, Bluetooth radio and USB ports, front and side LCD display, adjustable steering column, and a battery isolator key for electrical isolation during maintenance.

"All in all, the new 3CX range has a machine to suit all requirements and we expect these new machines to add real value and strengthen JCB’s position as the world’s leading brand of Backhoe Loaders. We have a fleet of units that will be used across the country to familiarise customers with the new range and the improvements, so we encourage customers to contact their nearest Bell dealer and experience the machines for themselves,” concluded Massyn.