Foskor is a proudly South African producer of phosphates and phosphoric acid with international exposure. Thanks to ageing plant and declining global commodity markets, the company has seen difficult times but with big planned investments on the horizon, the future is looking bright…
Article published on Issue Nº 47 of Enterprise Africa Magazine | www.enterprise-africa.net
Latest Technological Innovation in Grinding With the Vertical Roller MillLOESCHE
Without any doubt, today's grinding plants have to feature highly efficient mills with high efficiency classifiers showing low specific energy consumption and the highest possible mechanical durability.
A new way to small-scale cement production.
There are no construction projects without cement, and no cement without LOESCHE vertical roller mills (VRM). Grinding of cement clinker and granulated blast furnace slag in vertical roller mills is a technology introduced by LOESCHE.
Since the first LOESCHE vertical roller mills came onto the market in 1928, countless numbers of them have been used in the cement industry across the world. Nowadays more than 2,000 LOESCHE mills are in operation worldwide.
Drive Selection for Large LOESCHE Vertical Roller MillsLOESCHE
Rising demand from the cement industry for ever greater mill capacities is having implications for the drive systems that have been used up to now. With conventional drive solutions reaching their limits, the world's leading gearbox manufacturers are developing new systems that can offer realistic alternatives for the higher-capacity mills that are now being ordered and delivered.
Meeting the Market Demand for Greater Grinding CapacitiesLOESCHE
There is a trend towards larger vertical roller mills in the market. This trend is not only limited to single ambitious projects, it affects the whole mill population.
The main drivers for this trend are: increasing kiln sizes, production of blended cements and the beneficial characteristics of onemill-solutions.
It is shown in the following contribution how the Loesche GmbH solves the trend towards larger mills with the focus on a sound mill scale-up and innovative design solutions.
- M. Reichert, Loesche GmbH, Duesseldorf, Germany
Article published on Cement International | Issue February 2018 | www.verlagbt.de
Latest Technological Innovation in Grinding With the Vertical Roller MillLOESCHE
Without any doubt, today's grinding plants have to feature highly efficient mills with high efficiency classifiers showing low specific energy consumption and the highest possible mechanical durability.
A new way to small-scale cement production.
There are no construction projects without cement, and no cement without LOESCHE vertical roller mills (VRM). Grinding of cement clinker and granulated blast furnace slag in vertical roller mills is a technology introduced by LOESCHE.
Since the first LOESCHE vertical roller mills came onto the market in 1928, countless numbers of them have been used in the cement industry across the world. Nowadays more than 2,000 LOESCHE mills are in operation worldwide.
Drive Selection for Large LOESCHE Vertical Roller MillsLOESCHE
Rising demand from the cement industry for ever greater mill capacities is having implications for the drive systems that have been used up to now. With conventional drive solutions reaching their limits, the world's leading gearbox manufacturers are developing new systems that can offer realistic alternatives for the higher-capacity mills that are now being ordered and delivered.
Meeting the Market Demand for Greater Grinding CapacitiesLOESCHE
There is a trend towards larger vertical roller mills in the market. This trend is not only limited to single ambitious projects, it affects the whole mill population.
The main drivers for this trend are: increasing kiln sizes, production of blended cements and the beneficial characteristics of onemill-solutions.
It is shown in the following contribution how the Loesche GmbH solves the trend towards larger mills with the focus on a sound mill scale-up and innovative design solutions.
- M. Reichert, Loesche GmbH, Duesseldorf, Germany
Article published on Cement International | Issue February 2018 | www.verlagbt.de
Loesche Mills for Cement and Granulated Blast Furnace SlagLOESCHE
Grinding of cement clinker and granulated blast furnace slag in roller grinding mills (vertical airswept grinding mills) is a technology introduced by Loesche. The first use of a Loesche mill, with a grinding track diameter of only 1.1 meters, was used as log ago as 1935. However, the breakthrough in grinding this type of material on the vertical roller mill did not take place until the beginning of the 1990s.
Get Fit For The Future - Dry Ore Comminution TechnologyLOESCHE
Our dry comminution is flexible, sustainable and energy-efficient.
The LOESCHE layout characterizes through a compact design and hence a small plan footprint - ideal from brownfield, but also for greenfield projects.
Loesche Technology - Always a Step Ahead: Loesche Mills for Cement Raw MaterialLOESCHE
Cement raw material has been almost exclusively ground in roller mills (vertical air-swept grinding mills) since the second half of the 20th Century. Loesche was and is the pioneer of this technology. Hundreds of Loesche mills have been used in the cement industry across the world to the present day. They operate with two, three, four and six rollers.
The vertical roller mill tools will likely have a fair brighter foreseeable future. However, this wants far more abilities who devote on the review of vertical roller mill less than the nationwide context.
The companies of Altra Industrial Motion offer many critical drivetrain products utilized in cement and asphalt applications including brakes, clutches, gearing and geared motors.
With over a century of experience in the design, quality and installation of grain storage systems, Bentall Rowlands Storage Systems Limited is a leading UK manufacturer in complete storage and processing equipment for the agricultural and industrial markets.
Dry Granulated BF Sand: A Groundbreaking and Sustainable InnovationLOESCHE
"Dry granulated BF sand: A groundbreaking and sustainable Innovation – Production process, product grinding and building materials investigations".
- Presentation by Thomas Fenzl, Primetal Technologies Austria, during the 14th Global Slag Conference, Exhibition & Awards.
26 - 27 March 2019, Aachen, Germany
El Estudio, promovido por la Unión Europea, pretende proporcionar a los Estados miembros información comparable sobre las competencias lingüísticas en lenguas extranjeras de los alumnos europeos al finalizar la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, así como conocimiento sobre buenas prácticas que permitan mejorar el aprendizaje de dichas lenguas.
La prueba principal de Estudio se ha realizado en España en el mes de marzo de 2011 en 359 centros, de los cuales 155 pertenecían a la muestra estatal y el resto correspondían a las ampliaciones de Andalucía, Canarias y Navarra.
Se han evaluado tres destrezas: dos receptivas –comprensión lectora y comprensión oral- y solo una productiva –expresión escrita. Las escalas de medición de nivel de conocimiento de lenguas se han realizado en los términos del Marco Común Europeo de Referencia de las Lenguas (MCERL) en sus 4 primeros niveles (A1, A2, B1 y B2).
Loesche Mills for Cement and Granulated Blast Furnace SlagLOESCHE
Grinding of cement clinker and granulated blast furnace slag in roller grinding mills (vertical airswept grinding mills) is a technology introduced by Loesche. The first use of a Loesche mill, with a grinding track diameter of only 1.1 meters, was used as log ago as 1935. However, the breakthrough in grinding this type of material on the vertical roller mill did not take place until the beginning of the 1990s.
Get Fit For The Future - Dry Ore Comminution TechnologyLOESCHE
Our dry comminution is flexible, sustainable and energy-efficient.
The LOESCHE layout characterizes through a compact design and hence a small plan footprint - ideal from brownfield, but also for greenfield projects.
Loesche Technology - Always a Step Ahead: Loesche Mills for Cement Raw MaterialLOESCHE
Cement raw material has been almost exclusively ground in roller mills (vertical air-swept grinding mills) since the second half of the 20th Century. Loesche was and is the pioneer of this technology. Hundreds of Loesche mills have been used in the cement industry across the world to the present day. They operate with two, three, four and six rollers.
The vertical roller mill tools will likely have a fair brighter foreseeable future. However, this wants far more abilities who devote on the review of vertical roller mill less than the nationwide context.
The companies of Altra Industrial Motion offer many critical drivetrain products utilized in cement and asphalt applications including brakes, clutches, gearing and geared motors.
With over a century of experience in the design, quality and installation of grain storage systems, Bentall Rowlands Storage Systems Limited is a leading UK manufacturer in complete storage and processing equipment for the agricultural and industrial markets.
Dry Granulated BF Sand: A Groundbreaking and Sustainable InnovationLOESCHE
"Dry granulated BF sand: A groundbreaking and sustainable Innovation – Production process, product grinding and building materials investigations".
- Presentation by Thomas Fenzl, Primetal Technologies Austria, during the 14th Global Slag Conference, Exhibition & Awards.
26 - 27 March 2019, Aachen, Germany
El Estudio, promovido por la Unión Europea, pretende proporcionar a los Estados miembros información comparable sobre las competencias lingüísticas en lenguas extranjeras de los alumnos europeos al finalizar la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, así como conocimiento sobre buenas prácticas que permitan mejorar el aprendizaje de dichas lenguas.
La prueba principal de Estudio se ha realizado en España en el mes de marzo de 2011 en 359 centros, de los cuales 155 pertenecían a la muestra estatal y el resto correspondían a las ampliaciones de Andalucía, Canarias y Navarra.
Se han evaluado tres destrezas: dos receptivas –comprensión lectora y comprensión oral- y solo una productiva –expresión escrita. Las escalas de medición de nivel de conocimiento de lenguas se han realizado en los términos del Marco Común Europeo de Referencia de las Lenguas (MCERL) en sus 4 primeros niveles (A1, A2, B1 y B2).
EnjoyDigitAll tells you everything about Design Thinking method.
Design Thinking is a human-centric approach of innovation. It uses designer’s tools in order to integrate the needs of individuals, the possibilities of technology, and the primary conditions for the commercial success of a product or service.
L'attractivité des campus pour attirer des étudiants. Conférence Campus Franc...Vincent GOLLAIN
Comment être attractif auprès des étudiants internationaux ? Quelles sont les recettes de bonnes pratiques ? Regard sur leurs critères de décision des étudiants et les outils et techniques marketing mises en place par des campus performants. Quels enseignements pour les campus français ? Vers des territoires universitaires conciergerie ?
Any good business relies on a couple of core processes. They are the anchor for daily operations, and help everyone understand what to expect of each other. Especially in the chaos of startup land, it's of utmost importance to build and protect your processes.
That doesn't mean that they cannot change. Any good process is scrutinized often to make it even better. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. Situations change, people change, tools change.
These are 5 of the core processes in our startup. They are not all our core processes, nor will they forever remain the same. We'd love it if you can help us improve our processes, and at the same take another critical look at your own processes.
You can always find us on Twitter: @FloownHQ
THERAMINE is a safe and effective option for the dietary management of pain without the adverse side effects associates with opioids, NSAIDs or acetaminophen. The efficacy and safety of THERAMINE is supported by two double blind clinical trials and over a decade of clinical use. To learn more about THERAMINE please call (844) 474-3111 or visit www.medicalfoods.com.
Fundación Banco Santander y la revista Matador colaboran en la edición anual de un Cuaderno de Artista, proyecto editorial de elaboración casi artesanal que se encarga a un gran creador contemporáneo.
En 2016 el artista elegido ha sido Ai WeiWei (Pekín, 1957), activista y creador contemporáneo fundamental en el panorama internacional, cuya obra se funde siempre con su militancia en la denuncia de la falta de libertades.
Este Cuaderno, titulado Idomeni Laundromat, consta de 21 fotografías de objetos abandonados y recogidos por Ai WeiWei en el campamento de refugiados de Idomeni (Grecia).
Más información: https://www.fundacionbancosantander.com/es/cuaderno-de-artista
In these slides Gianluca Fiorelli presents how to create Buyer Personas, what tools and methods to follow for collecting qualitative and quantitative data, how to create an editorial calendar and project campaigns that can effectively target the Buyer Personas we individuated.
How Robo Advisers, Fintech Are Revolutionising Wealth ManagementDinis Guarda
How Robo Advisers, Fintech Are Revolutionising Wealth Management. A Reflection and presentation about trends and ideas related with the topic and what is happening in the industry
A survey created by InsurtechNews in collaboration with InsurTech 2016 Singapore, involving over 120 respondents. Based on the answers collected, the most relevant area of Insurtech is Connected Insurance and this is not surprising at all. According to a preliminary release of a study jointly developed by Venture Scanner together with the Connected Insurance Observatory, connected insurance initiatives represent 30% of start-ups but have gathered an astonishing 80% of insurtech funding. Online purchases continue to be deemed as very relevant although such promise is everything but new and has yet to materialize. Things may change though if the new purchase innovation is push sales...
Unsurprisingly, respondents also indicated that insufficient knowledge and understanding of the insurance market is the most important challenge for InsurTech start-ups and creates an imperative for collaboration between incumbents and start-ups. The second barrier is the incapacity to engage and partner with incumbents. This point confirms the importance of all open innovation initiatives of the last few months: from hackathons to co-creation labs, from incubators to accelerators. They are all fundamental to allow start-ups to access incumbents and vice-versa.
Slides for running a two hour group ideation workshop to help generate new ideas, build creativity in teams, plug into the startup culture and accelerate innovation using design thinking techniques.
Nouveaux outils et dérives de la communication politique : interview exclusiv...Damien ARNAUD
Anne-Claire Ruel (@AnneClaireRuel) est enseignante à l’Université de Cergy-Pontoise, conseillère en stratégie d’opinion et chroniqueuse sur FranceTV Info et LCI.
Learn about the top 5 trends and twists all financial services companies should be monitoring and embracing in 2017. From the transition to a Trump presidency to digital credit marketing to threats of fraud as the result of loan stacking, dig into the details here.
Prescription For The Planet The Painless Remedy for our Energy & Environmenta...www.thiiink.com
This is the most important book that has ever been written on sustainable development...You MUST read it ! It is not A revolution, it is THE revolution, THE way to go!"
Bruno Comby, Ph.D., founder and President of EFN Environmentalists For Nuclear Energy
"If you're looking for an energy revolution, Blees has the boldness to offer both technology and vision."
Jim Hightower
“Blees writes devilishly well. His book is a culmination of tremendous erudition compounded by no end of research. Whether our society can be turned around to follow his Pied Piper lead is open to question. But at least he's drawn a map.”
T.J. King, Ph.D. Professor emeritus of English and Literature
"In a time desperate for solutions to the global environmental crisis, we need all the suggestions we can get. This analysis by Tom Blees therefore deserves serious attention as an informed and conscientious voice in the ongoing debate over what to do."
Howard Zinn. Professor, historian, playwright Author: A People’s History of the United States
“...A complete plan to revolutionize the world's energy systems.”
Jeff Crowell, Ph.D. Nuclear Physics Sandia National Laboratories
AB Minerals Corp. - A New Separation Techmology to Process Tantalite Bearing ...Curt Huber
AB Minerals has developed a new processing technology to produce metallurgical grade Tantalum powder and Niobium hydroxide, from industrial scale processing plants using Certified Conflict-Free ore
AB MINERALS UPDATED PRESENTATION - A New Separation Technology to Process Tan...crwh888
AB Minerals has developed a new, disruptive processing technology to produce metallurgical grade Tantalum powder and Niobium hydroxide, from industrial scale processing plants using Certified Conflict-Free ore
Iron Road - Managing Director's AGM Presentation 2014Iron_Road_Limited
Central Eyre Iron Project - Paving the Road
Iron Road is advancing the development of Australia’s next major integrated iron supply business on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
The CEIP offers:
•Robust financial metrics for both the DFS and optimised case, with debt service and loan life cover ratios supported at current iron ore prices.
•A manufactured product, resulting in a consistent high quality concentrate for life of mine, during a period of forecast declining quality.
•High quality concentrate with advantageous value-in-use characteristics for customers.
•Tangible benefits for local and regional communities.
Marking the 111th anniversary since its founding, Loesche GmbH
invited customers from all over the world to come to Düsseldorf for this year’s Loesche Symposium. The event held in Düsseldorf and Vienna from 5.09. – 09.09.2017 attracted more than 500 attendees. Over 50 nationalities met to discuss with each other the future of the cement industry.
Highlights at the Symposium included a tour of the Lafarge Cement Plant in Mannersdorf and the new A TEC - Rocket Mill, Austria.
Published on ZKG International | October 2017
Written by: Dipl.-Ing. Anett Fischer, ZKG International
60 not out - sixty successful years of continuous ferro alloy making at jodaPRABHASH GOKARN
On 20th April 2018, Tata Steel’s Ferro Alloy Plant at Joda turned sixty. It is India’s oldest continuously operating ferroalloy plant, and one of the oldest continuously operating ferroalloy plants in the world. The Ferro Alloy sector globally, and especially in India, is notoriously short-lived for reasons detailed in the paper. It also elaborates the reasons for the longetivity of FAP Joda.
A New Separation Technology to Process Tantalite Bearing MineralsCurt Huber
AB Minerals has developed a new processing technology to produce metallurgical grade Tantalum powder and Niobium hydroxide, from an industrial scale processing plant using certified conflict-free ore. This is a low-cost plant solution that can be rapidly implemented in any country that has sufficient coltan/tantalite supplies available for processing.
Similar to Investments Into New Plant Set to Stabilise Foskor (20)
The cement industry is worldwide one of the main contributors to man-made CO2 emissions, estimated at 7% of global emissions.
To keep pace with the demand and pressure to reduce CO2 emissions, a shift to sustainable building materials for housing and infrastructure must still be continued.
Cement manufacturers can make significant progress toward sustainability goals with alternative fuels and efficiency projects by reducing clinker content through cementitious additives (SCM).
Alternative Fuel Market After Covid-19 – Focus on Efficiency and QualityLOESCHE
Covid-19 has changed the way people interact with each other and the way business is done. Now is the time to change the paradigm regarding alternative fuel projects towards a more holistic approach in order to ensure investment efficiency. Simple and cheap (at first) shall give way to smart, flexible, and sustainable concepts. Suppliers shall give way to partners.
Article by Tais Mazza Joudeh, Head of Waste Conditioning, LOESCHE GmbH | Published on ZKG Cement Lime Gypsum Magazine, Issue 7-8 2020.
As ever-higher efficiencies are demanded of grinding equipment, cement plants require a new benchmark for grinding component performance. Addressing wear through regular maintenance and repair is one strategy with the sustainable supply of grinding parts and management of mill wear as key factors in keeping mills running.
By Dr Dorival G Tecco, Loesche GmbH, Germany.
Reprint from INTERNATIONAL CEMENT REVIEW, December 2017
Loesche-Separation Plant for Production of Ultrafine Granulated Blastfurnace ...LOESCHE
Presentation written by Horst Michael Ludwig; Bauhaus Universität Weimar, F. A. Finger-Institut für Baustoffkunde; Holger Wulfert, and Dr. Winfried Ruhkamp, Loesche.
Presented at the 14th Global Slag Conference, Exhibition & Awards.
26 - 27 March 2019, Aachen, Germany
Presentation by Michael Gramlin during the Symposium on Waste and Recycling Technology organized by AHK (Deutsch - Russische Auslandshandelskammer).
September 2018.
An Integrated Approach to Alternative Fuel use in Cement MakingLOESCHE
The world is facing a growing challenge with handling the ever-increasing tonnages of waste materials being produced, while at the same time environmental pressures are driving the push to reduce fossil fuel use in industrial processes. Cement production is no exception in this respect.
Published in www.zkg.de
Optimal Alternative Fuel Burning Starts with Computer SimulationLOESCHE
Presentation by Matthias Mersmann, General Manager Business Development New Products at LOESCHE GmbH, during the LOESCHE Symposium in Hanoi, Vietnam, in August 22, 2018.
With Vietnam’s growing industrialisation which is producing more and more waste, collecting and recycling this waste as alternative fuel for cement plants is a new and practical way to save energy and protect the environment.
LOESCHE Symposium Hanoi | August 22, 2018
LOESCHE Grinding Technology for the Power IndustryLOESCHE
Loesche Energy Systems Limited, based in the UK, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Loesche GmbH and the supplier of Loesche Grinding Technology to the Power Industry.
Slack (or Teams) Automation for Bonterra Impact Management (fka Social Soluti...Jeffrey Haguewood
Sidekick Solutions uses Bonterra Impact Management (fka Social Solutions Apricot) and automation solutions to integrate data for business workflows.
We believe integration and automation are essential to user experience and the promise of efficient work through technology. Automation is the critical ingredient to realizing that full vision. We develop integration products and services for Bonterra Case Management software to support the deployment of automations for a variety of use cases.
This video focuses on the notifications, alerts, and approval requests using Slack for Bonterra Impact Management. The solutions covered in this webinar can also be deployed for Microsoft Teams.
Interested in deploying notification automations for Bonterra Impact Management? Contact us at sales@sidekicksolutionsllc.com to discuss next steps.
DevOps and Testing slides at DASA ConnectKari Kakkonen
My and Rik Marselis slides at 30.5.2024 DASA Connect conference. We discuss about what is testing, then what is agile testing and finally what is Testing in DevOps. Finally we had lovely workshop with the participants trying to find out different ways to think about quality and testing in different parts of the DevOps infinity loop.
Essentials of Automations: Optimizing FME Workflows with ParametersSafe Software
Are you looking to streamline your workflows and boost your projects’ efficiency? Do you find yourself searching for ways to add flexibility and control over your FME workflows? If so, you’re in the right place.
Join us for an insightful dive into the world of FME parameters, a critical element in optimizing workflow efficiency. This webinar marks the beginning of our three-part “Essentials of Automation” series. This first webinar is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to utilize parameters effectively: enhancing the flexibility, maintainability, and user control of your FME projects.
Here’s what you’ll gain:
- Essentials of FME Parameters: Understand the pivotal role of parameters, including Reader/Writer, Transformer, User, and FME Flow categories. Discover how they are the key to unlocking automation and optimization within your workflows.
- Practical Applications in FME Form: Delve into key user parameter types including choice, connections, and file URLs. Allow users to control how a workflow runs, making your workflows more reusable. Learn to import values and deliver the best user experience for your workflows while enhancing accuracy.
- Optimization Strategies in FME Flow: Explore the creation and strategic deployment of parameters in FME Flow, including the use of deployment and geometry parameters, to maximize workflow efficiency.
- Pro Tips for Success: Gain insights on parameterizing connections and leveraging new features like Conditional Visibility for clarity and simplicity.
We’ll wrap up with a glimpse into future webinars, followed by a Q&A session to address your specific questions surrounding this topic.
Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your FME expertise and drive your projects to new heights of efficiency.
Accelerate your Kubernetes clusters with Varnish CachingThijs Feryn
A presentation about the usage and availability of Varnish on Kubernetes. This talk explores the capabilities of Varnish caching and shows how to use the Varnish Helm chart to deploy it to Kubernetes.
This presentation was delivered at K8SUG Singapore. See https://feryn.eu/presentations/accelerate-your-kubernetes-clusters-with-varnish-caching-k8sug-singapore-28-2024 for more details.
Connector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a buttonDianaGray10
Here is something new! In our next Connector Corner webinar, we will demonstrate how you can use a single workflow to:
Create a campaign using Mailchimp with merge tags/fields
Send an interactive Slack channel message (using buttons)
Have the message received by managers and peers along with a test email for review
But there’s more:
In a second workflow supporting the same use case, you’ll see:
Your campaign sent to target colleagues for approval
If the “Approve” button is clicked, a Jira/Zendesk ticket is created for the marketing design team
But—if the “Reject” button is pushed, colleagues will be alerted via Slack message
Join us to learn more about this new, human-in-the-loop capability, brought to you by Integration Service connectors.
And...
Speakers:
Akshay Agnihotri, Product Manager
Charlie Greenberg, Host
Let's dive deeper into the world of ODC! Ricardo Alves (OutSystems) will join us to tell all about the new Data Fabric. After that, Sezen de Bruijn (OutSystems) will get into the details on how to best design a sturdy architecture within ODC.
JMeter webinar - integration with InfluxDB and GrafanaRTTS
Watch this recorded webinar about real-time monitoring of application performance. See how to integrate Apache JMeter, the open-source leader in performance testing, with InfluxDB, the open-source time-series database, and Grafana, the open-source analytics and visualization application.
In this webinar, we will review the benefits of leveraging InfluxDB and Grafana when executing load tests and demonstrate how these tools are used to visualize performance metrics.
Length: 30 minutes
Session Overview
-------------------------------------------
During this webinar, we will cover the following topics while demonstrating the integrations of JMeter, InfluxDB and Grafana:
- What out-of-the-box solutions are available for real-time monitoring JMeter tests?
- What are the benefits of integrating InfluxDB and Grafana into the load testing stack?
- Which features are provided by Grafana?
- Demonstration of InfluxDB and Grafana using a practice web application
To view the webinar recording, go to:
https://www.rttsweb.com/jmeter-integration-webinar
PHP Frameworks: I want to break free (IPC Berlin 2024)Ralf Eggert
In this presentation, we examine the challenges and limitations of relying too heavily on PHP frameworks in web development. We discuss the history of PHP and its frameworks to understand how this dependence has evolved. The focus will be on providing concrete tips and strategies to reduce reliance on these frameworks, based on real-world examples and practical considerations. The goal is to equip developers with the skills and knowledge to create more flexible and future-proof web applications. We'll explore the importance of maintaining autonomy in a rapidly changing tech landscape and how to make informed decisions in PHP development.
This talk is aimed at encouraging a more independent approach to using PHP frameworks, moving towards a more flexible and future-proof approach to PHP development.
Software Delivery At the Speed of AI: Inflectra Invests In AI-Powered QualityInflectra
In this insightful webinar, Inflectra explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming software development and testing. Discover how AI-powered tools are revolutionizing every stage of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), from design and prototyping to testing, deployment, and monitoring.
Learn about:
• The Future of Testing: How AI is shifting testing towards verification, analysis, and higher-level skills, while reducing repetitive tasks.
• Test Automation: How AI-powered test case generation, optimization, and self-healing tests are making testing more efficient and effective.
• Visual Testing: Explore the emerging capabilities of AI in visual testing and how it's set to revolutionize UI verification.
• Inflectra's AI Solutions: See demonstrations of Inflectra's cutting-edge AI tools like the ChatGPT plugin and Azure Open AI platform, designed to streamline your testing process.
Whether you're a developer, tester, or QA professional, this webinar will give you valuable insights into how AI is shaping the future of software delivery.
Neuro-symbolic is not enough, we need neuro-*semantic*Frank van Harmelen
Neuro-symbolic (NeSy) AI is on the rise. However, simply machine learning on just any symbolic structure is not sufficient to really harvest the gains of NeSy. These will only be gained when the symbolic structures have an actual semantics. I give an operational definition of semantics as “predictable inference”.
All of this illustrated with link prediction over knowledge graphs, but the argument is general.
Builder.ai Founder Sachin Dev Duggal's Strategic Approach to Create an Innova...Ramesh Iyer
In today's fast-changing business world, Companies that adapt and embrace new ideas often need help to keep up with the competition. However, fostering a culture of innovation takes much work. It takes vision, leadership and willingness to take risks in the right proportion. Sachin Dev Duggal, co-founder of Builder.ai, has perfected the art of this balance, creating a company culture where creativity and growth are nurtured at each stage.
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...BookNet Canada
The publishing industry has been selling digital audiobooks and ebooks for over a decade and has found its groove. What’s changed? What has stayed the same? Where do we go from here? Join a group of leading sales peers from across the industry for a conversation about the lessons learned since the popularization of digital books, best practices, digital book supply chain management, and more.
Link to video recording: https://bnctechforum.ca/sessions/selling-digital-books-in-2024-insights-from-industry-leaders/
Presented by BookNet Canada on May 28, 2024, with support from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...
Investments Into New Plant Set to Stabilise Foskor
1. FOSKOR
Investments Into
New Plant Set to
Stabilise Foskor
Foskor is a proudly South African producer of phosphates and phosphoric acid with
international exposure. Thanks to ageing plant and declining global commodity markets,
the company has seen difficult times but with big planned investments on the horizon, the
future is looking bright…
PRODUCTION: Manelesi Dumasi
//
It’s well known that times in
mining and commodity markets
are difficult right now.The
situation in global markets has changed
dramatically in the past few years and this
is largely down to a confidence crisis in
Chinese financial sectors.The situation in
some areas is so bad that even the biggest
companies have not been safe.Take
Peabody Energy for example, the world’s
largest coal miner announced that it had
filed for bankruptcy after the commodities
price collapse.
In South Africa, a country built on
mining, falling prices are already causing
trouble, despite the favourable export
conditions with the recent depreciation of
the Rand. In February, the mining sector
recorded the worst figures in three years,
contracting by 8.7% year-on-year, a much
higher figure than even the pessimists
predicted.This contraction has paved the
way for new claims that the country could be
facing recession.
But even with all the negativity, there are
companies that have remained positive and
decided to be optimistic and enthusiastic
about the future, and not get caught up in
short term problems. A good example is
Foskor, the country’s producer of phosphates
and phosphoric acid and the only vertically
integrated phosphate producer.
Thefallingcommoditypricehashurt
Foskorbutinsteadofgettingstuckinarut,
thecompanyhasannouncedalarge-scale
investmentintoitsequipmentandplant
withtheaimofrevitalisingthebusinessand
improvingreliability,availabilityandefficiency.
The company holds a strong position
in the market, it has built fruitful and long-
standing relationships with companies all
over the world and with this new investment
it is looking to improve its business case from
within in the coming years.
One relationship which has been
fertile for Foskor over the past 16 years
has been with German company Loesche
who installed an innovative mill, theVRM
Type LM 50.4, back in 2000 at Foskor’s
Phalaborwa site.
Foskor’s Senior Manager Project and
Strategy, Shivaji Gadhave says that this type
of outlay is indicative of the company’s
strategy and bold approach to investment.
44 / Issue No.47 / www.enterprise-africa.net
“In 2000, we commissioned that
Extension 8 plant. Before that we were
using a ball mill or traditional mill. Our
team visited the site and tested material
before submitting the feasibility report. It
was a courageous decision at that time as
that type of mill had not been used in the
phosphate industry.
“Whenever you try new things there
are challenges and we worked hard with
Loesche on this.This mill was not designed
for the phosphate industry but we’ve seen
improvements in performance since using
the technology in this mill,”he says.
Foskor will hope that its future
investments are as successful as this.
The Loesche mill is suitable for hard rock
processing, can be fitted with wear resistant
products, uses low steel consumption
compared to conventional milling and
provides a better ore liberation compared to
conventional milling.
For the next three to five years, one
of the main focus areas for Foskor will be
upgrading ageing plant and Gadhave is
confident that this will be of huge benefit to
the company.
Continues on page 48 >>>
2. //LOESCHE
16 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF A LOESCHE VERTICAL-ROLLER-MILL
TYPE LM 50.4 IN A 25 KWH/T BWI HARD ROCK APPLICATION FOSKOR PTY (LTD) IN
PHALABORWA
In 1999, Foskor has decided to increase their production capacity to cater for the increase in phosphate
demand. During the project design phase, it was decided to install a Loesche Vertical Roller LM 50.4 mill
instead of the conventional rod and ball mill technology. Extensive research at the time of the projects has
revealed that the mill can be erected 30% cheaper than conventional milling process and a 25% smaller
footprint is required compared with a plant of similar capacity. Due to the inherent operating flexibility of
the VRM, better grand control can be applied by adjusting the feed rate, bed thickness, hydraulic pressure
on the bed, air flow and speed of the classifier.
Comparative grind analysis in pilot plant test between the VRM and the conventional mills were
conducted and it was concluded that the VRM provides much better differential milling and mineral
liberation resulting in better flotation recovery and concentrate grades.
The Loesche Mill grinds Pyroxenite Phosphate Rock from - 90mm to a flotation feed of 85 weight.-%
passing 425µm (P85=425µm). The annual production averages to 505 t/h of the hard-to-grind ore (Bond
Work Index: 25 kWh/t). Despite of the abrasive ore to be processed, the Foskor team achieves a plant
availability of 94% by executing appropriate preventative maintenance.
In 2010, additional wet milling capacity was added to the plant. The parallel operation of a dry
Vertical-Roller-Milling process and a conventional wet Rod and Ball Mill allows the first comparison of
these technologies in a hard rock application. A sampling campaign in July 2014 compared the actual
grinding and flotation performance between the two circuits and has revealed that the VRM provides:
• Better control over the process and hence consistently better product quality
• Higher process flexibility which allows to operate the mill in an on- and of-mode according to the
production targets which is not be possible with the wet milling circuit
• Faster adjustment of the process stability and product quality in case of mineralogical changes
• Better mineral liberation at reduced ultra-fines production resulting in higher recovery and
concentrate grades in flotation
A recent comparison between the VRM and the Rod / Ball mill revealed that the VRM consumes only
3% of the grinding media steel compared to the Rod / Ball Mill (4.32 g/ton vs 143 g/ton). Besides the
benefits in form of lesser iron contamination of the ground ore for the flotation this also leads to 35% cost
savings per ton of ore ground.
As part of continuous improvement Loesche and Foskor joined hands and are busy developing a new
generation modular air classifier with improved wear resistance and maintenance options which will be
installed 2017.
Loesche wants to thank the Foskor team for proving that the Loesche Milling technology is
successfully applicable for hard rock applications. Loesche is looking forward to continue the joint
improvement of the plant performance between Loesche GmbH and Foskor Ltd..
LOESCHE VRM TYPE LM 50.4
–16YEARSSUCCESSFULOPERATION
IN A HARD ROCK APPLICATION AT FOSKOR PTY (LTD)
BUSINESS PROFILE
46 / Issue No.47 / www.enterprise-africa.net
3. BUSINESS PROFILE
INVESTMENTS & UPGRADES
Foskor has a 65 years heritage in South
Africa and, as with any company that
utilised heavy industrial machinery, the
time has come for a significant upgrade
to allow Foskor to remain competitive.
“We have some plant that is around
40 years old so we now have the
requirement to replace a portion of the
plant in the Acid Division in Richards
Bay. We have had the funding approved
from our shareholder, the IDC, for the
acid equipment last year and we have
initiated the project.
“What the project is going to do
is improve the utilisation of plant, the
reliability of the plant and the efficiency
of the plant – currently because of the
age of the plant, we are struggling with
these parameters.
“This investment is between R3-4
billion,” explains Gadhave.
“It will definitely be positive for us
in the future and we are quite excited.
We are doing everything in house and
as we require we are going to source
contracts and consultants depending
on their expertise and contribution.
It’s completely funded by our major
shareholder, the IDC.
“There will not be a single partner.
Depending on the different part of
the plant there are different levels of
expertise available in the market, so
there will be several partners, several
construction consultants and partners
who will help us to implement this
project for the next three to five years,”
he adds.
The company has had success
recently following upgrades and
benefits from that investment are
already showing.
“In December 2014, we replaced
some of the major plant in our mining
division. This was a R550 million
investment and is currently running
successfully and has helped protect
our production capacity in the mining
division as the old plant was no longer
fit to run properly,” says Gadhave.
The R3-4 billion investment is
going to act as a catalyst for growth for
Foskor as it’s clear that the ageing plant
has been the source of many problems
for the business.
PRESSURE ON PRICE
“There is certainly downward pressure
in the market on pricing and currently
we are struggling with efficiency issues
and availability of plant so the situation
is difficult but there are opportunities
and soon the situation is going to
change and we will make profits,” says
Gadhave.
48 / Issue No.47 / www.enterprise-africa.net
GM_31590DHM_27/03/15_V4
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SHIVAJI GADHAVE
HEAD OF STRATEGY AND
PROJECTS
<<< Continues from page 44
4. FOSKORBUSINESS PROFILE
Economic phases are cyclical
and slumps are followed by peaks.
If we assume that the falling global
commodity prices will eventually
stabilise and rise, Foskor will be well
positioned to take advantage of new
opportunities.
“We have seen a reduction in our
market share but the major contributor
to that is our old plant as we cannot
produce at the level we were producing
before. Our quality is still the best in
the market, we have good customer
relationships so I think that the market
is not responsible for our reduction in
share, it’s to do with our internal issues
surrounding the age of our plant.
“The quality of our rock is among
the best in the world. It’s the same
with our phosphoric acid – it’s world
class. If there is a customer looking
for phosphoric acid and our acid is
available at the same price, customers
will go for our aid as there’s less
impurities and our acid is good for
niche markets. We have a quality
grow our business there while looking
for strategic alliances where possible so
that we can penetrate those markets,”
says Gadhave.
“We also have strategies to increase
our product basket. We want to add
value and move into downstream
products and we are planning to
diversify our business to reduce risk
and ensure everything is financially
sustainable.
“We are still focussing on our
South African market and there are
advantages here for us. We have long-term
relationships and established logistics
so we are well positioned in local and
international markets,”he adds.
The business is also focussed on
developing its most valuable asset –
its people. Foskor was awarded Top
Employer status in 2016, an award that
has been bestowed on the company
many times before, and this accreditation
demonstrates that Foskor offers
‘exceptional employee conditions, nurtures
and develops talent throughout all levels
advantage and excellent customer
relationships,” explains Gadhave.
Commodity pricing has also been
effected by unpredictable events that
cannot be planned for. Because of the
close link between phosphate and
farming, events such as droughts are
hugely damaging to the supply and
demand situation.
“Phosphate is a commodity but you
can’t generalise and group with other
commodities because it is mainly used
in fertiliser so it’s closely related to the
farming industry. There are others uses
in the food, pharmaceutical and animal
feed industries but the main use is in
farming. There is currently a drought
in South Africa, there’s a drought in
parts of India and India is the largest
consumer of phosphoric acid and
fertiliser so with the drought and with
changing government policies there is a
downward trend in price of phosphate,”
says Gadhave.
“It’s a temporary cycle and we’ve
seen it in the past. Things always go
of the organisation and has demonstrated
its leadership status in the HR environment,
always striving to optimise its employment
practices and to develop its employees’.
Gadhave, who joined the company
in 2010, is the perfect example of how
an employee has been nurtured.“I am
a mechanical engineer and a registered
and certified project management
professional in South Africa. I joined as a
project engineer in the mining division
and I climbed the ladder and I am now
heading up strategy and new business
development.
“Foskor offers fantastic career
development opportunities and shows
confidence in its staff,”he says.
Development of staff forms one of
the pillars of Foskor’s strategy – it’s not all
about profit. Part of the company’s mission
is to‘earn the respect of stakeholders’.
“We have a mechanism in place
where we engage with not only
employees but also the local community.
Foskor is a company that has the IDC as a
majority shareholder and that means that
down and then come back up. We are
geared up to survive in this is economic
cycle. Currently, there is no crisis for
us – we’re not going for a reduction in
production or retrenchments so we are
surviving and I’m sure the future will
be bright.
“Returning to profit is one aim
and the other is sustainability. The
current plant has completed its useful
life so we cannot expect much more
from this plant. New plant will mean
sustainability and improved efficiency
and that improves cost of production,”
he adds.
GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Following the installation of the
company’s new plant and the upgrades
of machinery, Foskor will be looking to
grow in terms of profits and markets
served.
“We always think about our
country and our continent so one
of the initiatives from our side is to
contribute to the SADC market and
FOSKOR
+27 11 347 0600
abbyl@foskor.co.za
www.foskor.co.za
50 / Issue No.47 / www.enterprise-africa.net www.enterprise-africa.net / Issue No.47 / 51
we are not only driven by profit making
but also by community development,
empowerment, small business
development and economic growth,”says
Gadhave.
“We have the internal problem with
our old plant as well as the downward
pressure from the market on prices and
so in the last couple of years, we haven’t
made huge profits so it’s difficult to
continually offer bonuses.
“We had a temporary problem but
now everyone is motivated and everyone
is giving their best effort to assist in the
turnaround of the company,”he explains.
In the long-term, the investment
into new plant is likely to be one of the
biggest decisions Foskor has ever made.
With the markets the way they are,
always unpredictable, the pressure is on
this sizeable business to perform well.
Fortunately, Foskor’s people are committed
and its partnerships and products are solid.
“To remain in the market you must
be a profitable business but we do
have other objectives and we want to
emphasise this as much as possible,”
says Gadhave.
This is going to be an interesting
few years, and Foskor is certainly worth
keeping an eye on
//R3-4 billion
investment