In a powerful move to connect and protect mining assets, improve data connectivity, and save lives, Africa-focused industrial IT solutions provider Sedna has partnered with telecom infrastructure powerhouse Globalstar.

Band 53/n53 is a mid-band licensed spectrum resource that Globalstar offers to partners and customers that otherwise would not have access. Spectrum is sorely needed for progress in Africa. In line with demand for faster and more reliable speeds, the 5G variant of Globalstar’s Band 53 is known as n53.

“Demand for wireless data solutions from heavy industrial uses in mines is on the rise, but access to reliable always-on solutions is a challenge,” says Anton Fester, Sedna managing director.

“Access to reliable data and connectivity is an imperative for miners and their managers, as reliance on Wi-Fi alone is not enough, while access to spectrum is a continuous challenge. Globalstar’s terrestrial spectrum offers an immediate solution and we are delighted to be joining forces with a renowned global innovator like Globalstar to bring secure, reliable and state of the art data connectivity solutions to mines across the continent.”

He furthermore describes the deal as “an extremely important and exciting development for Africa’s mining industry.”

“The addition of n53 and 5G status ensures we are in lock-step with the latest digital advances and the Fourth Industrial Revolution as new networks around the world will be built utilising 5G’s advanced technology. There is already a lot of demand for these solutions as spectrum is also critical to the deployment of private LTE solutions on mines, which we are already rolling out.”

Band 53 offers partners secure and reliable connectivity in any environment and utilizing the band allows customers to deploy considerably less access points than when relying on Wi-Fi, leading to superior security, performance and long-term value.

Globalstar vice president of strategy Kyle Pickens says, “We are excited to be working with Sedna to bring Band 53/n53 connectivity to their mining deployments in Africa and beyond. Mining is a critical endeavour for the global economy and ever more important in many of the countries in Africa where Sedna is focused.

“The ever changing landscape make network design difficult and the environment is dangerous adding value to automation. Private wireless networks like we can deploy with Band 53/n53 are great solutions for Sedna’s business and the mining industry.”

Founded in South Africa in 2006, Sedna has rapidly expanded its solutions and innovation to serve mines globally (it has active operations on three continents) with scoping, sourcing, installing, and supporting enabling operational technology (OT) network technologies.

Sedna installed Africa’s first licensed spectrum private LTE (pLTE) network in South Africa as well Africa’s first underground leaky feeder licensed spectrum pLTE network.

“We aim to expand our solutions broadly across the continent. This will include developing adequate use cases to address customer needs. Innovations include automotive solutions through the power of AI, mobile connectivity for sensors, and geofencing for workers’ safety, among many others. The world is truly in the network, and by harnessing these innovations Africa’s heavy industries can thrive, survive and grow,” says Fester.

Sedna continues to expand its trusted partnership eco-system. Last month it strengthened its partnership with Nokia to co-operate on the technological advancement and development of Africa’s mining sector. It is now Nokia’s main system integrator for Africa in mining and other industrial applications.

“Our aim is to be a next-generation solutions provider to mines and other heavy industries across Africa. Technology has the power to ensure Africa’s growth trajectory is accelerated and with partners like Globalstar, we will continue to drive this growth with tailored, cutting edge solutions,” concludes Fester.

Judging from interactions with mining customers at Electra Mining Africa 2022, Weir Minerals Africa notes that there is a growing demand for digital integration, which provides mines with data to develop strategic improvements to their operations.

“Several customers spoke about the need for real time management of important operational parameters at their operations. Mines are moving away from human assumptions to using actual data points for tracking key indicators that make equipment reliable,” says Tiisetso Masekwameng, General Manager – Comminution at Weir Minerals Africa.

To respond to this growing need for digital solutions, Weir Minerals Africa showcased its Synertrex® intelligent platform which provides mines with insights into actual costs of running their plants, data to develop strategic improvements to mining operations and the opportunity to performance benchmark every part of their operations.

“Synertrex is a complete digital ecosystem that continually monitors equipment’s performance and integrates with customers’ distributed control systems. This means that advanced analytics are conveyed through a digital interface, making sure our customers have all the indicators delivered to their devices with accuracy and in real time, even if they aren’t at the mine” explains Masekwameng.

As part of Synertrex® condition monitoring, she adds, sensors are applied to processing equipment and the data they provide is captured and continuously analysed. Customers are therefore able to eliminate guesswork from their operations by having detailed real time insight into how their equipment is performing. Information is displayed on a simple, easy to understand dashboard which can be accessed via any device or integrated into existing operational systems. It will convey real time fact-based insights into machine performance and health, remaining useful life and other crucial operational indicators.

“As mining companies redefine their investment strategies, the Synertrex intelligent platform can help customers transform their operations. This is because it also assesses their machinery’s performance, including potential improvements, such as optimising the equipment’s energy efficiency or throughput. The Synertrex intelligent platform remotely manages maintenance from monitoring wear and tear, to scheduled servicing and repairs, to keep mining equipment at its most productive, thus ensuring maximum equipment uptime and profitable operations for mining companies,” concludes Masekwameng.

Sperrgebiet Diamond Mining (Pty) (SDM) this week confirmed a majority equity investment by Global Emerging Markets Group (GEM). The new shareholders, the company’s board and management stated they eagerly look forward to operations at SDM to restart and for the company to become a sustainable development partner to the local community, the Lüderitz economy and Namibia at large.

The diamond mine is now gearing up during the fourth quarter of 2022 to start up operations at the historic production levels under Namdeb. The immediate next aim is to double production by mid-2023 by implementing an infield pre-treatment facility as the second phase. The company is amidst an aggressive recruitment drive, aiming to employ up to 180 people by the end of 2022, with a further increase during phase two.

SDM is a Namibian company that owns a combination of four onshore and offshore diamond mining licences in the restricted diamond areas around Lüderitz. Its mainland based operation is located at Elizabeth Bay, 40km south of Lüderitz.

Among other investments, the resources division of the GEM Group holds mining and energy assets in Zimbabwe. Their vision is to expand their footprint in the southern African mining and energy sectors and the larger continent in the longer term.

Their current African investments include a majority shareholding in RioZim, which is one of the biggest gold producers in Zimbabwe. RZM Murowa, which is one of the world’s leading diamond producers, is an affiliate of RioZim.

The company also owns a base metal refinery and an energy business unit focused on generating green energy and minimising the carbon footprint of its mining operations. Through this latest acquisition, the group aims to expand its business with the newly acquired mining asset in southern Namibia.

Meanwhile, SDM acquired the mining asset from Namdeb Diamond Corporation in October 2020 and invested in the project through an environmental clean-up campaign and the care and maintenance of the existing main processing plant with the aim to recommission it.

Additional capital investment has been solicited by the shareholders, culminating in a share sale transaction between the Namibian shareholders being the founders, Lewcor Holdings, and its minority partners, David Sheehama, MSF Commercials, and the GEM Group.

“The equity transaction was well received by the government of Namibia and received approval from the Namibian Competition Commission and the minister of mines and energy. The deal was finalised on May 20, 2022, with GEM group subsidiary obtaining 78% of the shareholding and Namibian shareholders retaining 22% inclusive of an Employees Trust of 2%,” reads a statement from SDM.