Coal demand buoys materials handling industry

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30 May 2009

Industry association the South African Institute of Materials Handling (SAIMH) vice-chairperson Adi Frittella says that coal demand, primarily for its use in State-owned utility Eskom’s power stations, will keep the materials handling industry buoyant in tough economic times.
“Some of the SAIMH’s members are faring well in current times owing to the increased demand for coal in existing and new power stations. Large portions of mining operations, particularly coal-mining operations, will depend on the use of specialised bulk materials handling equipment in order to move the raw material to different locations and ensure operational efficiencies,” explains Frittella.
In addition to coal demand being a saving grace for the materials handling industry amid the increased downturn in most industries, Frittella notes that the need for materials hand- ling equipment at bulk handling ports at termi- nals across South Africa is also maintaining growth in the industry.
The Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) and State-owned utility Transnet’s dry bulk terminal are examples of where the industry’s resources are needed.
However, Frittella notes that many of the conveyor systems at dry bulk terminals are old and poorly maintained. These facilities have subsequently become inefficient and unable to cope with increasing demand. Examples of where maintenance is required are the manganese terminal, in Port Elizabeth, and the iron-ore terminal, in Saldanha Bay.
Further, opportunities for the industry exist in other African countries.
There has been significant development in new coalfields in Mozambique, where South African bulk materials handling companies have been awarded large contracts. These companies have also established a presence in Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola.
Nevertheless, despite ample business opportunities for the industry, Frittella asserts that the economic recession cannot be ignored by the industry, and that the SAIMH’s members should maintain operational efficiency during this time.
Education and Skills
However, the industry is adjusting well to the current economic climate, as its resources are needed in crucial sectors of the economy, such as coal-mining, but Frittella notes that there is a skills shortage in the industry that could hamper future growth.
For this reason, the SAIMH has focused on skills training and education.
“We have identified the need to present basic bulk handling courses to a range of industry participants,” he says.
These courses comprise a number of modules which are Internet-based. These courses are currently designed as feeder units to higher-level courses involving practical training. “Eventually, the SAIMH is hoping to expand the basic courses to include intermediate and advanced training programmes too,” adds Frittella.
The institute continues to promote knowledge and imparts the importance of handling efficiency, systems integration and safety to industry participants.
Unfortunately, there is always a strong possibility that once the engineers and industry experts are trained in materials handling, they will seek experience and work outside South Africa. “This reduces the industry’s ability to expand on a local scale,” says Frittella
He explains that the SAIMH’s role in this encompasses making South Africa an attractive place to pursue work in the materials handling industry.
In addition to facilitating training, the institute participates in the creation of standards in materials handling.
Frittella says that the SAIMH was involved in the working group for the creation of standard guidelines for the guarding of conveyors, lock-out procedures, safety equipment and emergency mechanisms. It was also involved in updating the standards for conveyor idlers and pulleys.
The SAIMH is a founding member of the International Materials Handling Conference, which is a biannual conference on belt conveying.
“South Africa’s materials hand- ling standards are recognised for their excellence across the globe, making the industry well recognised and respected,” concludes Frittella.

Source: Mining Weekly