Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 95 | Page 9

NEWS

WSP ’ s Project Raptor uses digital twins for South 32 ’ s mining project

WSP , a global multidisciplinary professional firm , says its Team Project Raptor , which forms part of the Transport and Infrastructure division , has completed groundbreaking work for South 32 , a globally diversified mining and metals company . The project focused on a comprehensive upgrade of its Manganese rail infrastructure in the Northern Cape and encompassed everything from feasibility and detailed design to implementation .

Located in one of the world ’ s most significant Manganese mining regions , the project played a critical role in enhancing the transportation of this metal given the global rise in demand for manganese .
What set Project Raptor apart from the outset was WSP ’ s innovative tender strategy . The team , led by Dr Terence Milne , Managing Director , Transport and Infrastructure for WSP in Africa , proposed a future-ready , digitalfirst approach that introduced 3D modelling , BIM-based project controls , and 4D and 5D execution , significantly elevating the project ’ s technical complexity and precision .
From design to execution , Project Raptor was digitally driven . The team employed advanced technologies such as drone measurement for real-time construction tracking and Autodesk Construction Cloud for paperless construction monitoring . This enabled the creation of a digital twin of the project , where bi-weekly drone imagery was converted into 3D models , allowing WSP and South 32 to assess progress against the design with unsurpassed accuracy .
“ By integrating a paperless , 3D design methodology from the beginning , we ensured the project ’ s sustainability , efficiency , and scalability . This digitally advanced approach reduced traditional on-site errors and provided a fully transparent platform for collaboration between stakeholders , including project contractors ,” says Milne .
WSP ’ s commitment to local community development was a cornerstone of the project . In collaboration with South 32 , Project Raptor supported a sizeable number of women from the local area in obtaining training certificates in heavy plant operation , thereby promoting local employment opportunities and fostering long-term skills development .

MTN Group selects IP Infusion , NEC XON as suppliers for Open and Disaggregated Networking

IP Infusion , a global provider in open networking solutions , announced that MTN Group , Africa ’ s largest mobile network operator , has selected several organisations , including IP Infusion , to service its newly formed Open and Disaggregated Networking Category – Software . This approval comes alongside three other vendors , and through partnership with NEC XON , an African integrator .

“ Disaggregation drives down costs , enhances innovation , and allows network operators like MTN to make independent hardware and software choices , ultimately making connectivity more accessible and affordable to the people across Africa that need it most ,” said Anthony Laing , General Manager of Networking at NEC XON .
IP Infusion manufactures open network software and solutions for carriers , service providers , and data centres . With hundreds of customers and thousands of deployments , IP Infusion is a
Anthony Laing , General Manager of Networking , NEC XON market provider in Network Operating Systems . The flagship software platform OcNOS allows network operators to disaggregate their networks , streamline operations , and reduce Total Cost of Ownership .
Network OEMs may also disaggregate network devices to expedite time to market , offer comprehensive services , and achieve carriergrade robustness .
MTN Group selected IP Infusion as a software provider for the Open Transport and Disaggregated category following a successful Request for Proposal process . The goal is to leverage open and disaggregated technologies to reduce capital expenditure and drive operational cost efficiency .
“ By adopting open and disaggregated networking , we are able to enhance the flexibility and efficiency of our network infrastructure ,” said Lloyd Mphahlele , General Manager of Group Technology at MTN Group .
“ IP Infusion has always been the market provider in open networking solutions ,” said Atsushi Ogata , President and CEO of IP Infusion . “ We are 100 % committed to servicing the open networking market , as it is a core value of our founding . Software-based networking and routing and switching are as relevant as ever .”
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