Operations Management Systems (OMS) solutions provider, Keops Isis Industrial Information Systems (Keops Isis), part of the JSE Securities Exchange-listed Altech group, has announced that it has won several contracts at the BHP Billiton Mozambique Aluminium Smelter (Mozal) expansion project. This follows the finalisation of three similar projects in 2000 valued at R35 million.
The latest projects will see Keops delivering a real-time system (RTS)/supervisory control and data acquisition solution, as well as a manufacturing execution system (MES). "This solidifies our leading position in greenfields and brownfields project markets in the aluminium smelting industry in SA," said Keops Isis MD, Pieter Theron.
The projects firstly involve a consulting component, whereby one of the company`s top consultants will work on contract with the Engineering Procurement and Contract Management (EPCM) company, SNC-Lavalin Murray and Roberts as integration co-ordinator.
This is a requirement as there is a significant amount of integration between the control systems, MES and ERP, SAP R/3. The second component, the provision of RTS systems involves the establishment of a large central database repository using Wonderware`s Industrial SQL Server as well as the development of SCADA applications for a number of the new facilities not included in turn-key contracts.
The last component, the provision and commissioning of the MES solutions, which formed the "biggest part" of Keops Isis`s work at Mozal, comprise of the enhancement and technology upgrade of previously developed Oracle applications for various production sectors, including carbon, casthouse, laboratory, sub-station, reduction, inbound logistics, utilities and final product stock pad management.
"The project will be particularly challenging as it will encompass the installation of new hardware and software together with our technology partners HP, Oracle and Wonderware in a 'live` production environment.
"This demonstrates the confidence both Mozal and SLMR have in our abilities as a company to successfully execute projects of this magnitude and complexity," Theron added.
Keops Isis has previously successfully achieved upgrade projects at Bayside Aluminium and Iscor.
The project will continue to August 2003 and therefore provide a constant stream of revenue that will significantly contribute to the company`s earnings over the next 18 months.
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