Table Of Contents Company Profile.2 Introduction Company Overview Ubora Innovations Future Vision Mission and Values...3 Vision Mission Values Areas of Research.4 Human Factors Commodity Focus Novel Mining Real-Time Risk Management Products and Services...6 Infrared Pedestrian Device Our Team.7 Ubora Innovation Corporate Profile 2013. 1
Introduction Ubora Innovation (Pty) Ltd focuses on the development of mining technology designed and engineered in conjunction with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research s (CSIR) Centre for Mining Innovation (CMI) in South Africa. Our research and products aim to explore and meet the demands of the dynamic mining industry locally and internationally. We currently develop novel mining methods and solutions used in deep-mining of gold, platinum and coal. Our emphasis is geared towards helping mining companies improve workplace health and safety conditions while mitigating risk and lowering operating costs. Company Overview In 2012, Rorisang Ntai, Fumani Shisana, Pamela Segone, and Rhandu Mahlaule established Ubora Innovation in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and their mining entity the Centre for Mining Innovation (CMI). The company s primary focus is to set up a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) compliant South African business, which researches and commercialises mining technology products for the domestic and international market. This is achieved through the formal Memorandum of Understanding through the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research s Centre for Mining Innovation in South Africa, identification, commercialisation and transfer of technology and investment opportunities accessed via Ubora Innovation s extensive networks in South Africa, Australia, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola and Lesotho. Ubora Innovation commercialises projects, which will either introduce new world-class mining technology or create a viable African based competitor to the current market. Ubora Innovation s Future Ubora Innovation has also established a close working and supply relationships with key manufacturers internationally and locally, who have also expressed interest to become a potential partner in a South African manufacturing or assembly project. In the near future Ubora Innovation will setup it s own manufacturing plant in South Africa to handle the various products, which Ubora Innovation s engineers create. Ubora Innovation Corporate Profile 2013. 2
Vision Ubora Innovation is a world-class South African innovation company that creates and engineers products and services for a sustainable future in the mining industry. Mission To achieve our mission, Ubora Innovation strives to be an industry leader creating products and rendering services, which will service the needs of the dynamic mining industry. Values Innovation Ubora Innovation commits itself to creating products and rendering services that are aligned with the dynamic needs of the mining industry. This will be done through remaining informed and in touch with the market to assess its needs. We intend on providing the mining industry with innovative solutions to remain competitive, whilst contributing to decreasing operating costs and maintaining high health and safety standards. Quality Ubora Innovation commits its self and its employees to providing world-class products and services in all aspects of business practice. Integrity Ubora Innovation commits itself to integrity in all its business practices, honesty and the pursuit of our goals through legal and ethical means. Equality Ubora Innovation strives to create an equal opportunity environment in which employees can realise their full potential. We believe in the rights, and dignity of the individuals and seek to ensure that the previously disadvantaged, on account of gender or race, are empowered through Ubora Innovation s initiatives. Ubora Innovation Corporate Profile 2013. 3
Human Factors Environmental and organisational job factors Human and individual characteristics Research in this area combats: Noise-induced hearing loss Silicosis caused by dust particles Excessive exposure to diesel particle matter Heat-related disorders Extraction without harm stems from research about potential health and safety risks based on: Psychological and physical characteristics of the workplace The physical, cognitive and emotional demands of work performance Respiratory and noise hazards in the workplace The role of human factors in accidents and incidents Commodity Focus Ubora Innovation s research and development team has been researching technology based on various commodities for over 20 years. Coal, gold and platinum are three commodities, which comprise of 75% of the income generated by South Africa s mining industry. South Africa s platinum and gold mines go below the surface, and to depths deeper than other countries. Due to the dynamic nature of this of mining, Ubora Innovation chose to focus heavily on deep-level gold and platinum mines. Ubora Innovation s multidisciplinary capabilities allow for integrated research. This means that novel technology situations can draw on multiple research areas such as: Optimizing the extraction of coal resources Laser technology Logistics and operations Advanced material sciences and mechatronics Mobile intelligent and autonomous systems Environmental sciences Undersea mining Safety and health of mine workers Ensuring sustainability of mining operations Mechanisation of the platinum industry Creating of a locally led mechanisation industry Ubora Innovation Corporate Profile 2013. 4
Novel Mining There are vast mineral resources in South Africa (and internationally) that can t be extracted due to the high extraction costs of outdated technology. Ubora Innovation researches and creates novel mining methods and devices, which will be able to convert these un-mined resources into commercially viable mines. Ubora Innovation has been looking at novel ways to improve the quality of mining while reducing operational costs. These methods include: Developments in mechanisation and automation related sensors Thermal sensors for collision avoidance systems Novel methods of rock-breaking Improved ore-body information Innovative systems for ore management and transport. Real-Time Risk Management The mining industries lack of communication technology for various mining situations, have made it extremely difficult for mine managers and engineers to know every exact intricate detail about their mining environment. An industry standard communication architecture called AziSA has been created, with the aim of providing real time data to sensors that have already been developed. These sensors coupled with AziSA, will provide mine managers and engineers with real-time updates on rock integrity, formations and movement. This information will provide opportunities for mine managers to be better informed, improve decision-making and lower risk management. Ubora Innovation Corporate Profile 2013. 5
Infrared Pedestrian Detection (IPD) Device: A device that uses thermal images to detect, predict and prevent pedestrian-locomotive collisions. This product will be used for underground coal, gold and platinum mines, reducing locomotive-pedestrian collisions. It can also be applied to other industries such as tunnel digging, construction and engineering. Our engineers are currently designing and testing products relating to: Developments in mechanisation and automation related sensors Thermal sensors for collision avoidance systems Novel methods of rock-breaking Improved ore-body information Innovative systems for ore management and transport Energy saving for mines Ubora Innovation Corporate Profile 2013. 6
Chief Executive Officer: Rorisang Ntai Rorisang is an entrepreneur involved in the petroleum industry. His background is in finance where he started his career as an Investment Officer working for FNB Asset Management & Trust Services advising clients on shares traded on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. He was then head hunted back into finance where he worked for Citadel Investment Services as an Investment Analyst. In 2010, he established a medical technology company, which focuses on teleradiology, with its pilot project scheduled in East Africa. Executive Chairman: Fumani Shisana Fumani has vast entrepreneurial experience in various industries ranging from film, media to recently entering the retail fast food business. He is the founder, and still currently an executive producer at Theia Filmedia, a production company servicing local and international clients such as Sky1, BBC, Old Mutual, and itv. He also is opening several fast-food retail outlets throughout the Western Cape. Over the years, he has maintained an extensive network of business relationships throughout Southern Africa and the United Kingdom providing him with contacts and information to ensure successful ventures. Executive Director: Pamela Segone Pamela is a young woman in business. She has a vast amount of experience in the transportation and logistics servicing the minerals industry and is a partner at the nationwide trucking company, Benhaul Transport. She is also a partner at the mining equipment company SUPERAIR. SUPERAIR is the sole importer and manufacturer of screw compressors in South Africa. Miss Segone is a board member at SAMDA (South African Mining Development Association), which is an organisation for junior black miners in South Africa. Ubora Innovation Corporate Profile 2013. 7
Non-Executive Director: Rhandu Mahlaule BSc Hon (Geology and Paleontology), MSc (Management of Technology Innovation) Rhandu is a mining geologist registered with the South African Council for Natural and Professional Scientists. She started her career with De Beers Consolidated Mines working across the diamond-mining pipeline gaining experience in alluvial, underground and opencast mining environments. With over 10 years experience her resilient focus on the Lean Manufacturing philosophy drives her passion to seek smarter and safer ways of work thus cultivating a culture of continuous improvement in all aspects of project management. Ubora Innovation Corporate Profile 2013. 8