August 1, 2024 - From drones to the Cloud to AI, the world is progressing at the speed of light. It’s not always easy to keep abreast of the latest innovations in your field. But at Electra Mining Africa 2024, you’ll find the latest cutting-edge technology on display, hear talks from trailblazers in the industry, and meet hundreds of exhibitors across the areas of mining, electrical, automation, manufacturing, power and transport, all in one place.

Taking place at the Expo Centre in Nasrec, Johannesburg from 2-6 September, this year’s event will be one of the biggest Electra Mining Africa exhibitions to date. 

The show will extend across 35 000+ m² of exhibition space and accommodate more than 850 exhibitors, demonstrating the popularity of the show. Its focus is largely on local industry suppliers and manufacturers with top brands participating, together with an international contingent from countries including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, India and China. 

As the largest trade show of its kind in Southern Africa, and with its over five decades of experience, Electra Mining Africa offers an outstanding opportunity for exhibitors and visitors, buyers and sellers, to connect face-toface and develop long-lasting business relationships.

Hundreds of live demonstrations will bring machinery and equipment to life, with thousands of new products and innovations displayed throughout the five exhibition halls and extensive outside exhibit areas.

“We’re looking forward to this year’s show,” says Gary Corin, MD of Specialised Exhibitions, a division of the Montgomery Group. “The industry gave its full support to Electra Mining Africa 2022, which had just over 30 000 visitors through the gates. We’re expecting to exceed those numbers this year. Large organisations and SMMEs will be represented across the areas of mining, electrical, automation, manufacturing, power and transport.

“Some have exhibited with us for over 50 years, with their businesses growing alongside the growth of Electra Mining Africa. What better way to bring a brand to life: on the floor of an exhibition where you’re engaging with your target market face-to-face? It’s a unique value proposition to participate in an exhibition like this.”

The Electra Mining Africa Innovation and New Products Awards takes place again this year, following its success in 2022. Organised in partnership with the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), the awards recognise the outstanding levels of innovation at the show. Many entries are anticipated this year.

Charlene Hefer, Portfolio Director at Specialised Exhibitions, spoke about the various attractions, citing the Forklift Driver competition and the focused automation hall as two of the exciting elements at this year’s show.

“The Forklift Driver competition organised in conjunction with Lifting Africa and LEEASA, returns this year on a much bigger scale. It’s where exceptional forklift driver skills will be put to the test with forklift operators competing for the coveted title of Forklift Driver Champion,” explains Hefer.

“We’re also thrilled the automation hall, a huge attraction in 2022, has once more received overwhelming support from industry this year and will be filled with ground-breaking innovations. In addition, for the first time, Electra Mining Africa is incorporating the Local Southern African Manufacturing Expo.”

A gathering of industry experts

Education and learning are important to Electra Mining Africa. Industry experts will deliver talks at the co-located LEEASA and SAIMM conferences and WiMSA workshop, and at the free-toattend seminars hosted by SAIMechE.

Seminar topics will be aligned with the show’s theme days of sustainability, Women’s Day and skills development, safety and lifting, innovation and South Africa Day.

Among the many seminar speakers sharing their knowledge and expertise during the week, is Irene von Knoblauch-Dreyer, Managing Director of Flexilube, a leading lubricants and metalworking fluid manufacturer. Used lubricating oils represent a serious problem for both the environment and human health due to the presence of highly harmful contaminants.

Irene will give an overview of the used lubricating oil industry, the implications of EPR for end-users, and will discuss the immense benefits of true recycling to both the economy and environment which can lead to real sustainability within the South African lubricants industry.

Dr Sean Douglas Jones, CEO of the Artisan Training Institute, will discuss future trends in engineering training for South Africa and the African continent. Sharing his insights regarding digital document and compliance management for Health and Safety, Steven Jeffery, Saryx Engineering Group’s Strategic Business Development Manager, will explain how moving your safety files to a cloud-based digital document management system could save costs and assist in preventing distractions, with real-time reporting of compliance a definite advantage.

Rob Penney, a Programme Manager at Synertech, will give an insightful presentation on the transformative impact of smart technology in the mining sector. “Electra Mining Africa is going to be a great show and the innovations on display will be mind-blowing,” concludes Hefer.