The Saryx Engineering Group has been awarded the Best Industrial Ecosystem prize for its groundbreaking control and automation work on the DRDGOLD solar project. The recognition was received alongside Enerj Carbon Management at the 30th annual X-Change Conference 2024: Africa’s premier software gathering for businesses looking to modernise through cutting-edge technology.
“I am immensely proud of our team for winning the Industrial Ecosystems award,” says Ingrid Osborne, CEO of Saryx Engineering Group. “South Africa hosts many exceptional engineering projects by outstanding companies, making the competition incredibly tough. Receiving this award at the X-Change event is a testament to our team’s hard work, dedication and innovative spirit. We are honoured to be recognised among such distinguished industry leaders and remain committed to advancing control and automation technologies with continued excellence.”
DRDGOLD is constructing a 60MV solar power plant and power storage facility at Ergo Mining to reduce its carbon footprint and address the uncertainty of the supply and cost of electricity. Saryx was brought on board by Enerj Carbon Management to manage the way electricity is distributed to the plant to minimise costs and enable the mine to rely less on Eskom power.
Using sophisticated software technology solutions, such as the cloud-based Scada, the Saryx control and automation team enabled the plant to save on power during various demand periods. In addition, predictive analytics were used to identify vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in the power plant before breakdowns occurred to ensure the sustainability efforts of the mine were not hampered.
Automation technology has proven to be a powerful tool for businesses looking to streamline their processes and reduce their carbon emissions and energy use. Smart technology solutions such as the ones used by Saryx can be a game-changer for businesses serious about sustainability.
“I am pleased that we are participating in the renewable clean energy space to try to make a difference. The challenge going forward is to find innovative ways to recycle items such as panels, batteries etc., so as not to create a new problem when they reach end of life,” says Osborne.
Saryx’s involvement in the DRDGOLD Ergo solar project went beyond control and automation. It also provided its flagship contractor management solution, HSEC Online®, to the mining company. This comprehensive solution, now adopted plant-wide, has revolutionised contractor communication, ensured rigorous compliance and streamlined site access – significantly enhancing operational efficiency.