Construction Mining Magazine November 2020

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Nov 2020 | Vol 4 / No 5 Construction & Mining

The essential magazine for Namibia’s construction and mining industry

& Mining

TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY & CONSTRUCTION

INSIDE THE TH E TENDER SECTION

2020 - Construction & Mining Magazine

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Contents

Construction & Mining Magazine Edition: 5 2020 - Vol 4 NO 2 ISSN NO: 2926-819X Serial NO: 9 772026 819003

3 - Credits & Content Page 4 - The Making of Barnard Mutua Architects 7 - The importance of interior designer in Construction

Publisher Twenty Six Media www.26medias.com

11 - NMP aims to Revolutionize the Namibian Economy with Phosphate Mining 12 - Embracing Change a Construction Must for Success 14 - Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Construction

Creative Director Mark Justino

17 - Construction And Mining Tender Section - New Column

mj@26medias.com +264 81 66 828 55

Manager Roxy Silta Tjarukua info@26medias.com +264 81 432 8467

Contributors Glenora Tjipura - Content Developer Emanuel Bongue - Designer Erastus Handombe - Operator Claudia Moono - Business Developer Ronnie Van Rooyen - Sales Manager Magie Amashili - Sales & Marketing Contact Tel: +264 85 66 828 55 E-mail: info@26medias.com Physical address:

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page The Making of Barnard Mutua Architects

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page

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Construction

24 Mozart Street, Windhoek West, Windhoek, Namibia ...Embracing Change...

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page

PROKON

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NMP Phosphate Mining page

Interior designer...

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page

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The Making of Barna

”

I think it was always a dream of mine to be an architect, I was attracted to the very subtle connection between science and art. A logic yet is subjective at the same time. You can’t argue with beauty and you also can’t argue with structure, something that is beautiful is universally beautiful.

And structure works, its science, its physical, it has to meet the logic of gravity, of support, and be able to function with basic properties. I think for me that was the attraction, I could express my logical thought and also the artistic side of my mind

”

Relays Francis Mutua, one of the visionary Directors, behind the Architectural firm Barnard Mutua Architects.

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ith a 25th-anniversary reckoning at the firm's door, the Construction and Mining Namibia Magazine had a sit-down with the director of the architectural firm, Francis Mutua.

In 1996 what is now known as Barnard Mutua Architects (BMA) was founded under the leadership of Leon Barnard, who has now moved into a passive role in the firm. The company over the years has had several name changes but remained rooted in a common philosophy; designing buildings that are free from pre-determined stylistic intent, and buildings that are a critical response to the region in which they are located.

BMA came from humble beginnings, remarks Francis about the firm’s early days, “The size of the office’s when it first started, was quite small with less than ten employees, and at the time they had bought a fridge and used the cardboard boxes from that as furniture in the office” Francis chuckles.

BMA recently celebrated its 24 years of service, and the company barely resembles ‘’small offices’’ and ‘’cardboard boxes’’ with an immense prolific profile with some of the most stylistic and high tech buildings in Namibia, such as the Mutual Tower, Namibia’s first green skyscraper and Nujoma offices, and Apartments, the building scoped an NIA award.

Other notable mentions amongst the many buildings under BMA’s belt are; the Namibia Institute of Pathology Headquarters, City of Windhoek Headquarters, NUST – Health and Sciences Building, Southern African Customs Union Headquarters, NUST-Parking, and Post-grad center.

Francis before joining the architectural firm had been working in Tanzania when Leon contacted him.

“Even though I had studied Architecture, I was initially in software, selling software and training architects in use of software”.

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Francis remarks that back then an email interview ensued with Leon, and at the time was the only way possible to conduct an interview.

“I came primarily to transform the firm to another level of technology, from CAD to ARCHICAD, to start producing a different type of documentation that took our offices to quite a different level in terms of presentation, working grounds, our clients and capacity.”

Joining the firm was a critical move for Francis, he adds that it was great for him and the firm to be part of revolutionizing the way things were done.

BMA since its inception 24 years ago has amassed themselves into a force to be reckoned with in the Industry.

The firm is currently the largest architectural firms in the country. The companies profile consists of building projects done all over Namibia, South Africa, and Ethiopia.

“I think we reached the peak of our growth around 2010 when we had quite a significant amount of work, we had more than a billion dollars’ worth of work which is quite a great achievement, “beams Francis.

The company’s principal activity is providing the full range of professional architectural services, from project appraisal and concept design through

Construction & Mining

ard Mutua Architects

to contract administration. Supplementary services include project management, urban design/renewal, interior design, custom made fittings, procurement, and landscaping design.

BMA over the years had some changes in regards to the directors and name changes.

“We are proud to have spawned quite a few firms like Howard and Chamberlain Architects, now Chamberlain and Associates Architects, and Herrmann Mueller Architects.

I think there are four or five firms, that have emerged from Barnard Mutua Architects, growth comes from people leaving and others joining,” notes Francis.

He makes a comparison to firms such as Kerry McNamara Architects, being one of the first few architectural firms in Namibia, and that they bred the growth of most Architectural companies in Namibia.

“Everyone worked for Kerry McNamara at some point in the industry, we are a product of Kerry McNamara Architects.”

Francis states.

When faced with the question, of what the new vision and trajectory of BMA is, after nearly 25 years of service, of which those consisted of becoming and maintaining, being an ‘industry giant’. The director relays that the new vision would be to get the younger generation in.

“It is not very wise to stay fully engage for so long it has the makings of a heart attack

especially when you are as passionate”, chuckling he adds “because architecture, fully engages everything your hands, your mind, your emotions, you are not just managing the firm, this can be very draining. It has a very finite timeline, after a while, you need to move out of the career or move into a kind of a passive stage and let younger people take over. You need to reach that point and keep fresh life coming in, let them spend their 20 years in the firm, and then come and join you watch other people grow.”

BMA celebrated its 24 years of service this year, and the firm looks forward to stepping into a different trajectory under the vision of younger architects.

BMA Director - Francis Mutua, 2020 - Construction & Mining Magazine

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Our dedicated and knowledgeable team with 133 years of experience in the construction sector takes pride in our ability to complete extraordinary building projects on time and on budget

CONTACT

To all our clients and acquaintances, Thank you for your support during 2020 We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2021!

Andeo Construction (Pty) Ltd 11 Ongoporo Street, Prosperita PO Box 11497, Klein Windhoek Tel: +264 61 44 99 88 Email: info@ac.com.na

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THE PRIMARY BENEFITS AND USE CASES FOR DRONES IN MINING As in many industries where drones are used, one of the biggest benefits drones provide to mining is improved safety.

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ining work is inherently dangerous. Materials in areas that have recently been excavated, called stopes, can shift and move, making them too dangerous for personnel to enter; blast sites can present uncertain conditions, making them hazardous to walk on foot; and even the surface of a mine can become unstable if there are problems underground, and potentially lead to a sudden collapse that could endanger those in the area. But safety is only one of the ways drones are helping to improve work in mining. Here’s a list of all the benefits drones present to mining operations: Improved safety. Using drones to collect visual data on the status of potentially volatile areas of a mine, like highwalls, crests, and inside stopes, as well as blast sites, means fewer people are exposed to those dangers.

Improved savings. Using drones to capture visual data inside of a stope can help identify remaining ore and geotechnical areas of interest, which could lead to additional revenue.

Improved data.

Capturing HD 4K video and high res images of a mine can help engineers and safety personnel do their jobs better, and create a historical record of the mine that can be used for future planning.

Improved efficiency. Mining companies can use visual data captured by drone to quickly share the status of an ongoing operation with stakeholders.

So What Kinds of Work Are Drones Doing in Mining Operations?

In general, drones are being used in mining to capture raw visual data. This data can then be converted into several different outputs, including detailed photos, videos, 3D maps, and orthomosaics.

4. Blast engineering

Here are some of the main ways these outputs are being used in mining operations:

5. Stockpile inventory monitoring

Blast sites can be dangerous immediately following a detonation, presenting potential hazards to mining personnel. Using a drone, detailed aerial data can be collected for a post-blast inspection to ensure that the site is safe before anyone enters it to continue work.

Detailed aerial data can help companies understand the elevation and contours of a mine so that they can do accurate planning.

As drone software and technology improves, the ability to conduct accurate stockpile volumetry measurements completely by drone continues to develop. Using drones to inventory large stockpiles of mined materials poses a significant improvement over more manual methods, which are slow, cumbersome, and often inaccurate.

2. Optimizing site development

6. Mapping the inside of mines

1. Mine planning

Once a mining operation is underway, drone data can ensure that the site is being used in an optimal manner, with ongoing progress reports helping personnel identify ways that operations could be made more efficient or safer.

3. Environmental monitoring

3D maps created with aerial data can help monitor the impact a mining operation is having on the surrounding environment in real time, allowing mining companies to reduce their impact and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Using special indoor commercial drones like Flyability’s Elios 2, which can fly in confined environments without GPS, mining operations have been able to start successfully creating 3D maps of the inside of mines. This use case is still relatively new, and the maps produced are not always perfect, but the value these maps can provide in terms of safety and enhanced situational awareness is immense. https://uavcoach.com/drones-mining All Drones in Namibia (commercial, hobby or recreational) must be registered with the Namibian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). contact: 0816682855 to hire a drone

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The importance in Construction

D e s i g n

f o r

l i v i n g

T

he interior designer’s role within the design of a commercial building, or home building structure, can be of great importance for a client to achieve their desired design objectives and functions during the initial development phases and throughout the completion of the processes and phases of the project.

That concentrates its focus on the safety, welfare, and personalization of the space in the most appealing, and functional aesthetics for the homeowner, for commercial projects; the public to appreciate and be proud of inhabiting.

“Functionality is very important, knowing the client’s desires, wants and needs are equally as important, and that’s what an Interior designer does, they compel the client’s needs and desires and create a personalized functional space for the client,” remarks Zita Jesus, the 28-year-old Namibian interior designer who is making head waves in the industry.

“What are you naturally drawn to as a homeowner, are you left-handed or right-handed, knowing this we can design a space that is easy to function in. Do you like drawers or cabinets?

Are you naturally drawn to the outdoors, if so you would probably want more light coming in the home, that means more windows? Are you a TV person? That means that you probably wouldn’t want windows that would face the screen in the sitting room.” notes Zita.

Zita remarks that most issues that could have been avoided in the construction process, come up long after the construction phase is done.

Some construction plans include a double story with the toilet upstairs this makes life uncomfortable for the client.

“You get a client that is a person who prefers a shower over a bath, but during the construction phase, they agreed to a model of their home that had a bathtub. The interior designer’s role is to give functionality to space, an architecture or construction project manager would give the basic’s standard structure, my role, especially in the initial construction phase, is to personalize the space for the client” The interior designer takes the architect’s interior, of the structurally complete and mechanically, electrically, and plumbing approved project to a new level.

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The role of an interior designer is to make sure that the client lives in a comfortable home.

“We design a space that is an extension of who you are. If you love plants we put the windows where

Construction & Mining

of an Interior Designer it makes sense for your plants to get the most natural light, if you are someone that loves to cook, that means your living room could be smaller than your kitchen because you would spend more time in the kitchen, so rather make that space much more comfortable.”

Architect’s professional services are required to perform the specifics for the client involving structure, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical engineering in a project, involving an interior designer at the beginning of the project, to collaborate ideas of design with the architect and client as a team effort, benefits the client not only short term but also in the long term.

I can advise a project based on the client’s needs, health and wants for instance making space for a ramp when building a home for someone in their 60’s who suffers from a health condition that, could have them needing to use a wheelchair in the future are considerations that save the client time and money, states Zita.

She is currently busy with the Pimp My Shack Project, a competition promoted by Pupkewitz Megabuild, where three lucky families get their shacks renovated for N$30000 each.

“One of the things we are doing in this project, for instance, is achieving functionality through painting the roof, with paint that can aid in cooling the shacks when it gets hot”, Zita mentions.

The project is meant to assist three families living in shacks to achieve a better quality of life through making their home’s aesthetically pleasing while also giving functionality and safety to the home, that benefits the inhabitants.

“Interior design can be for everyone; we want to do away with notions that interior designing is only for the rich and elite, just like when you go shopping there are some shops a bit pricier than others, it’s the same concepts here. You can still achieve a look and feel for your home within a reasonable budget” states Zita.

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NMP aims to Revolutionize the Namibian Economy with Phosphate Mining

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amibian Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd (NMP) has put forward the benefits of a Phosphate Industry in Namibia, which include the creation of 50 000 plus jobs in the Mining, Agriculture, and Construction sectors, whilst perfectly aligning with the national policies and goals of Vision 2030 and Harambee Prosperity Plan, along with directly and indirectly affecting growth in sectors such as Mining, Agriculture, Engineering, Housing, Construction and Trade among several others.

NMP is developing a world-class Sandpiper Phosphate Project located off the coast of Namibia.

Namibia has one of the world’s largest undeveloped phosphate resources.

Establishing a phosphate project and fertilizer industry in Namibia will offer many benefits according to NMP. NMP is a Namibian registered joint venture company. The shareholders of which are Mawarid Mining LLC from Oman and Namibian company Havana Investments (PTY)Ltd. A phosphate industry will position Namibia as an exporter of phosphate and fertilizer products, see an increase of in-country agricultural activity, create much-needed employment opportunities, and will require supporting industry services.

Phosphates are the naturally occurring form of the element phosphorous. Phosphate is used in a variety of things some of those uses being a critical component in fertilizers and animal feed supplements. In addition,

phosphate is found in a variety of consumer products such as soft drinks, toothpaste, health products, cleaning products etc., and is used in industrial and manufacturing processes.

Most phosphate is mined in North America, China, Morocco, the Middle East, and Oceania. These suppliers face significantly increased demand given the worldwide increase in food production, the loss of arable land to urban sprawl, desertification, climate variability, and growing populations.

According to the NMP website, in 2008, scientists from Sydney’s university of technology and Sweden’s Linköping university warned that phosphorus supply could peak in 30 years, with reserves exhausted in 50 to 100 years.

NMP claims the Sandpiper Phosphate Project will establish Namibia as a premier rock phosphate producer in the world.

The Sandpiper Project could be the first building block for developing a fertilizer industry in Namibia.

Namibia still imports the majority of the fertilizer products needed to underpin its agricultural industry at high cost resulting in less Agricultural activity.

NMP claims that the Sandpiper Project could lead Namibia to become exporters of fertilizer, grow the Namibian Agricultural sector amongst many others, and also aid in global food security.

The project has however received a setback, awaiting a court ruling on the validity of its

mining license based on a review application brought by three fishing associations (CNFA, Hake, Midwater) and a commercial fishing company, Omualu Fishing (Pty) Ltd, which was heard in the High Court of Namibia on 7th July 2020.

In addition to the outcome of the Court case, NMP is awaiting the issuance of the Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). NMP has completed a substantial Environmental Impact Assessment, in accordance with the Environmental Management Act (2007), which included 18 consultive processes with the public and stakeholders, 28 independent specialist impact studies, a Verification Study, and 3 separate independent reviews commissioned by the Environmental Commissioners Office.

The conclusion of the various studies states “NMP’s Sandpiper Phosphate Project will have no significant impact on the marine environment or ecosystem”.

Despite the pending court ruling and the issuance of the ECC, NMP has called for a job registration drive, the company is confident in a positive court ruling and is therefore moving forward with preparations for the Sandpiper Project development.

The Sandpiper Phosphate Project is set to create employment for over 600 Namibians (directly and indirectly) create opportunities for SMEs and other economic sectors, spend an estimated N$ 1 billion on civil and local infrastructure, require a capital investment of N$ 5.2 billion for the development, expect annual revenue of N$ 4.2 billion, contribute direct taxes of N$ 650 million/year and contribute royalties of N$ 78 million/year.

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EMBRACING CHANGE A CONSTRUCTION MUST FOR SUCCESS

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o industry was expecting or had prepared for the year 2020.

Construction in Namibia has had its fair share of adversity in recent years, from drought-related effects to various other economical factors, which negatively impacted the industry and the global COVID 19 pandemic has certainly added to the fray of challenges.

Flexibility and rapid adoption of market conditions are vital in the 21st Century business operations. And the recent global pandemic attests to this theory.

Prokon Software Consultants has taken to these challenges, assessed, adapted, and introduced new options to the Digital Engineering subscriber market fit for a new trajectory that the world is moving into. ‘’It’s a process, introducing intelligent solutions to the industry and it won’t happen overnight, but it’s vital that Business Owners and Project Members evolve with impending challenges and disruptions’’ notes Heiko Reiff, Prokon Namibia Sales Manager, ‘’New concepts are born, that need to be embraced

by Companies fully and if not, these could have adverse impacts in the future’’.

Prokon, well aware and experiencing the downturn in the construction industry in recent years, weathering the repercussion of various factors ranging from Environmental, Economic, and Regional challenges, saw Prokon changing trajectory and re-inventing itself. ‘’I heard about Prokon while still studying’’ states Julio Kaudinge, the Technical Specialist, at Prokon Namibia, who has been with the

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‘’It’s a process, introducing intelligent solutions to the industry and it won’t happen overnight, but it’s vital that Business Owners and Project Members evolve with impending challenges and disruptions’’ notes Heiko Reiff, Prokon Namibia Sales Manager, ‘’New concepts are born, that need to be embraced by Companies fully and if not, these could have adverse impacts in the future’’ Prokon team for four years, ‘’I have always wanted to work for them, and being part of a team that I continuously learn and grow from is such an honor’’.

The young engineer provides coaching and support for various AEC Autodesk Products: AutoCAD, Civil 3D + Storm, and Sanitary analysis, Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, Map 3D, Infraworks, Advance Steel, Vehicle tracking, Raster Design along with Prokon modules such as: Sumo, ProBAR, and Frame analysis.

With the company celebrating its 30th year in 2019, developing digital engineering solutions, Prokon has become synonymous in the engineering industry for its structural engineering analysis and design products.

The company has been the first Autodesk Gold Partner to be awarded the Construction Specialization in the Autodesk EMEA region.

Today, Prokon is subscribed to in over 80 countries, with 9 Distributors worldwide by 2019. A 20-year partnership with Autodesk, as a reseller and developer, complements the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Sector, with integrated AEC digital solutions. ‘’The biggest challenge in introducing intelligent solutions is the dissent we find between the older generation and the younger tech-savvy generation, younger engineers are much more welcoming of the new technologies and new methodologies of doing things’’ Julio assess over challenges Prokon is facing in implementing the new technological route.

Free movement, business travel, and face to

face engagement with partners and clientele have contributed, to say the least, disruption to everyday proceedings as well, due to the Covid19 pandemic lockdown and quarantine measures.

Scrambling for alternative strategies to continue operations and engagements has become a top priority for most organizations.

Prokon being a digital evangelist, recognized this as an opportunity for more solutions to be explored, unearthed, and implemented.

One such shift in operations for the Prokon team was the transformations from traditional classroom coaching. The benefits dawned on the team immediately, various options outweighed previous methods, as suddenly a worldwide audience could be reached with ease through digital platforms providing endless possibilities.

Previous logistical challenges suddenly seemed something of the past.

From a few basic pilot sessions, which then grew into Technical Engineering value sessions; audience interest has grown rapidly ever since. On the 17th September 2020, Prokon presented the first of many virtual TechTalks, sharing valuable knowledge and expertise with their Subscriber audience Subscribers, engineers, and various other construction personas from 21 Countries enjoyed the live interactive sessions. Concrete Colum design was the subject discussed.

Along with successful online coaching platforms in place the Prokon team, following the reduced activity in the construction industry as of 2016, over the past four to five years the company has been ambassadors of

Construction & Mining new methodologies and solutions that can revolutionize and provide much-needed solutions to the industry in Namibia.

Not much has changed over the last few centuries on a construction site itself, the paradigm shift has occurred in the design, documentation, and collaboration processes and methodologies, pre-, during, and postcompletion, that have driven construction professionals to seek a solution to align goals with needs. ‘’As an industry, we collectively need to have the drive to adapt and to change and realize the benefits. We all need to collectively have

a paradigm shift. The reality is that we will need to build smarter and deliver more with less, during these challenging times ’’ states Heiko.

Such a paradigm shift is BIM, a seamless process that is gaining momentum worldwide in the construction industry and is being considered essential for successful project completion nowadays. ‘’Stakeholder benefits greatly from the improved process, not only during planning, design and construction processes but also post-completion, once facility hand over commences. Owner/operators now have the

capabilities to operate, manage, and maintain assets more efficiently by accessible, datadriven information handed down from the design and build phase’’, says Heiko.

BIM is an intelligent 3D(Digital Twin) model-based process that equips architecture, engineering, and construction professionals with the insight and tools to efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure.

Offices and the workplace as we know it, are busy evolving as well. Corporations and business owners are reconsidering their business masterplans. Employees and Project

Presentetion for concret collum design, TechTalk: Johan du Plessis Members can work from any geographical location and still be connected to a Project.

This strategy going forward can be a great contributor to construction projects, as skills and expertise from a global field can be sourced and merged into a collaborative effort.

With an intelligent Digital Twin, accessible information, and data available in a common data environment (CDE) and a digital interactive conference application, the need to travel to site meetings can drastically be reduced and can cater to the new direction most companies are slowly starting to implement.

ways of doing things, mind you technology is advancing at a rapid pace and if things don’t change that will hinder the growth of the industry’’ Julio affirms.

While some Organizations are early and fast adopters, which embraced the new possibilities, others are more sedate adopters. ‘’Different recipes work for different Organizations. The important matter is, that each Construction Member assesses and plans for the future on a regular basis”, notes Heiko. ‘’We are making a difference with intelligent solutions, helping people complete projects more successfully, and adding value to an industry that can be extremely risky to compete in’’ Heiko adds, ‘’Policy makers should consider mandating BIM guidelines and standards for projects in Namibia, which we believe, all Stakeholders will benefit greatly from in the future.

One of the most noticeable challenges in bringing new solutions to companies is to challenge the mindsets, admits the Prokon team. ’’The majority of people are still using the old

Heiko Reiff - Regianal Manager

Julio Kaudinge - Technical Specialist

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AI in Construct

The future

SOME USES OF AI IN CONSTRUCTION Artificial intelligence (AI) is an aggregative term for describing when a machine mimics human cognitive functions, like problem-solving, pattern recognition, and learning. Machine learning is a subset of AI. Machine learning is a field of artificial intelligence that uses statistical techniques to give computer systems the ability to "learn" from data, without being explicitly programmed. A machine becomes better at understanding and providing insights as it is exposed to more data.

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AI and Machine Learning for Smart Construction The potential applications of machine learning and AI in construction are vast.

Requests for information, open issues, and change orders are standard in the industry.

Machine learning is like a smart assistant that can scrutinize this mountain of data. It then alerts project managers about the critical things that need their attention.

and manage buildings and infrastructure. In order to plan and design the construction of a building, the 3D models need to take into consideration the architecture, engineering, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) plans and the sequence of activities of the respective teams. There is software that uses machine learning algorithms to explore all the variations of a solution and generates design alternatives.

Prevent cost overruns Most mega projects go over budget despite employing the best project teams. Artificial Neural Networks are used on projects to predict cost overruns based on factors such as project size, contract type and the competence level of project managers.

Historical data such as planned start and end dates are used by predictive models to envision realistic timelines for future projects. AI helps staff remotely access reallife training material which helps them enhance their skills and knowledge quickly.

This reduces the time taken to onboard new resources onto projects. As a result, project delivery is expedited.

It leverages machine learning to specifically create 3D models of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems while simultaneously making sure that the entire routes for MEP systems do not clash with the building architecture while it learns from each iteration to come up with an optimal solution.

AI for Better Design of Buildings Through Generative Design Building Information Modeling is a 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering and construction professionals insights to efficiently plan, design, construct

Risk Mitigation Every construction project has some risk that comes in many forms such as Quality, Safety, Time, and Cost Risk. There are AI and machine learning solutions today that general contractors use to monitor and prioritize risk on the job site, so the project team can focus their limited time and resources on the biggest risk factors. AI is used to automatically assign priority to issues.

Project Planning There is company using robots to autonomously capture 3D scans of construction sites and then feeds that data

Construction & Mining

tion being performed by autonomous or semiautonomous bulldozers, which can prepare a job site with the help of a human programmer to exact specifications. This frees up human workers for the construction work itself and reduces the overall time required to

complete the project.

into a deep neural network that classifies how far along different sub-projects are. If things seem off track, the management team can step in to deal with small problems before they become major issues. Algorithms of the future will use an AI technique known as “reinforcement learning.�

This technique allows algorithms to learn based on trial and error. It can assess endless combinations and alternatives based on similar projects. It aids in project planning since it optimizes the best path and corrects itself over time.

AI Will Make Jobsites More Productive There are companies that are starting to offer self-driving construction machinery to perform repetitive tasks more efficiently than their human counterparts, such as pouring concrete, bricklaying, welding, and demolition. Excavation and prep work is

Project managers can also track job site work in real time. They use facial recognition, onsite cameras, and similar technologies to assess worker productivity and conformance to procedures.

AI for Construction Safety Construction workers are killed on the job five times more often than other laborers.

According to OSHA, the leading causes of private sector deaths in the construction industry were falls, followed by struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between.

A Boston-based General Contractor with annual sales of $3 Billion is developing an algorithm that analyzes photos from its job sites, scans them for safety hazards such as workers not wearing protective equipment and correlates the images with its accident records. It can potentially compute risk ratings for projects so safety briefings can be held when an elevated threat is detected.

AI Will Address Labor Shortages A 2017 McKinsey report says that construction firms could boost productivity

The platform where succesfull and future seccecfull people meet

by as much as 50 percent through real-time analysis of data. Construction companies are starting to use AI and machine learning to better plan for distribution of labor and machinery across jobs. A robot constantly evaluating job progress and the location of workers and equipment enables project managers to tell instantly which job sites have enough workers and equipment to complete the project on schedule, and which might be falling behind where additional labor could be deployed.

AI and Big Data in Construction Every job site becomes a potential data source for AI. Data generated from images captured from mobile devices, drone videos, security sensors, building information modeling (BIM), and others have become a pool of information. This presents an opportunity for construction industry professionals and customers to analyze and benefit from the insights generated from the data with the help of AI and machine learning systems.

AI for Post-Construction Building managers can use AI long after the construction of a building is complete.

Building information modeling, or BIM, stores information about the structure of the building. AI can be used to monitor developing problems and even offers solutions to prevent problems. https://constructible.trimble.com/constructionindustry/the-benefits-of-ai-in-construction

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WINDHOEK HIRE SALES & SERVICES

Local is lekker Proudly 100% Namibian

Windhoek Tel: +264-61-233693 infowhk@whssnamibia.com 5 Nickel Street, Prosperita Swakopmund Tel: +264-64-462020 infoswakop@whssnamibia.com 36 Hidipo Hamutenya St. Oshakati info-oshakati@whssnamibia.com

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THE TENDER SECTION

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INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)

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Vocational Training Centre – Phase 1B in

Kavango West Region.

Closing Date: 30 November 2020, 11h00am Interested bidders may obtain the bidding documents upon payment of a non-refundable fee of N$300.00 per bid.

Bids must be deposited in the Bid Box at NTA Village, 10 Rand Street, Khomasdal, Windhoek.

Late and electronic bids will not be considered.

Enquirers: procurement@nta.com.na

DESCRIPTION: Line Route Bush-Clearing

CLOSING DATE, TIME & VENUE FOR OFFERS: 10 November 2020 10h00, CENORED Head Office (Bid Box at the Reception) no 30 Frans Indongo Street, Otjiwarongo BID DOCUMENTS: Available at CENORED head office from 02 November October 2020 DOCUMENT FEE: N$100.00 TECHNICAL PROCUREMENT ENQUIRIES: ENQUIRIES: Mr S. Kaluwa Ms Jessica Haradoes, Tel: 067 314 181 CENORED Fax: 067 304 701 Tel: 067 304 700 Email: skaluwa@cenored. Fax: 067 304 701 com.na Email: jharadoes@ cenored.com.na

DELIVERY ADDRESS: Chairperson CENORED Tender Board PO Box 560 No 30 Frans Indongo Street, Otjiwarongo

RESTRICTION: Only contractors with physical offices registered within Otjozondjupa Region will be considered.

PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT UNIT INVITATION FOR BIDS – OPEN NATIONAL BIDDING

DESCRIPTION: Maintenance, Renovations, Repairs and Minor New Works on Low Tension Installations Government Buildings for the Period 01/04/2021 – 31/03/2024 PROCUREMENT REF NO: W/ONB/KRC-DWM-19/2020/2023 COST: N$500.00

KHOMAS REGIONAL COUNCIL

CLOSING: 30 November 2020 @ 11h00

Bidding documents are to be purchased at the Khomas Regional Council Head Office and the method of payment direct bank deposit or EFT: Bank: Standard Bank: Account Name: Khomas Regional Council, Account Type: Call Deposit, Account Number: 589012215, Branch Name: Windhoek, Branch Code: 08237 Payment must be certified by finance department before issuing of a bidding document. Bidding documents can be collected at the Procurement Management Unit on as from Wednesday 4th November 2020 TECHNICAL ENQUIRIES: Mr. F. Husfieldt @ 061 – 249151 / 061 – 2084111 ADMINISTRATIVE: Ms. H. Katjivena @ 061 – 2924304

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The United States Embassy in Windhoek has the following vacancies as detailed below: 1x Civil Engineer 1x Electrical Engineer 1x Mechanical Engineer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: The complete position descriptions listing all of the duties and responsibilities may be obtained on our website https://na.usembassy/jobs/ 2020 - Construction & Mining Magazine

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Construction & Mining

Heavy Earthmoving Equipment for hire Water Tankers Dump Trucks Excavators

Earthmoving equipment's

to make your project easier Tel: +264 (61) 415 700 | Cell: +264 81 4747 135 18

info@evsmining.com | www.evsmining.com

Construction & Mining Magazine - 2020

Construction & Mining

THE TENDER SECTION

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) Roads Authority in line with the Public Procurement Act, 2015 (Act.no.15 of 2015) hereby invites competent and registered Namibian companies to submit their best bids through Open International Bidding (OIB) and Open National Bidding (ONB) procedures as outline below.

No.

DESCRIPTION

PROCUREMENT REFERENCE NUMBER

PRICE

CLOSING DATE

1.

Supply and Delivery of Face Value Documents for the Namibian Traffic Information Systems for 36 months

G/OIB/RA-04/2019

N$ 300-00

26 November 2020 10h00 AM

Pre-Bid Meeting 06 November 2020 at 09h00 – 12h00 Roads Authority Head Office, Ground Floor, Cafeteria 2.

Provision of Minor Building Works to Roads Authority Buildings.

(Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry, Aluminum and Civil Works)

W/ONB/RA-01/2020

N$ 300-00

26 November 2020 10h00 AM

3.

Supply and Delivery of Personalized Number Plates for 36 months

G/ONB/RA-02/2020

N$ 300-00

26 November 2020 10h00 AM

4.

Sand Removal Works in the Oshakati Region

W/ONB/RA-03/2020

N$ 300-00

3 December 2020 10h00 AM

W/ONB/RA-04/2020

N$ 300-00

3 December 2020 10h00 AM

W/ONB/RA-05/2020

N$ 300-00

3 December 2020 10h00 AM

Pre-Bid Meeting 12 November 2020 at 09h00 – 12h00 Ongwediva Town Council Hall, Ongwediva 5.

Erection and Replacement of Road Signs in the Otjiwarongo Region Pre-Bid Meeting 09 November 2020 at 09h00 – 12h00 Roads Authority Regional Office, Otjiwarongo

6.

Painting of Road Traffic Markings on Surfaced Roads in the Oshakati Region Pre-Bid Meeting 12 November 2020 at 09h00 – 12h00 Ongwediva Town Council Hall, Ongwediva

BIDDING DOCUMENTS Bidding Documents will be available during office hours of the Roads Authority, Head Office, 4th Floor, from Wednesday, 28 October 2020, upon payment in cash in favour of the Roads Authority, the amount as indicated in the table above, which is not refundable.

Bids must be submitted in the Bid Box on the Ground Floor, Roads Authority Head Office, Corner of Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue and David Meroro Road, Windhoek at or before the closing date as stipulated above. Electronic bids will not be permitted. Late bids will be rejected.

ENQUIRIES: Mr. Eben !Gawaxab Procurement Officer: Tenders & Contracts Email: gawaxabe@ra.org.na Tel: +264 61 284 7088

Ms. Julia Itana Manager: Procurement & Tender Compliances Email: itanaj@ra.org.na Tel: +264 61 284 7183

Roads Authority Head Office, Corner of Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue and David Meroro Road, Windhoek KINDLY NOTE: ALL PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE ROADS AUTHORITY ARE SUBJECTED TO THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACT, 2015, ITS REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES. ISSUED BY: Mr CM Lutombi Chief Executive Officer Roads Authority Namibia Roads Authority, Private Bag 12030, Ausspannplatz, Windhoek, Namibia, www.ra.org.na

VISIT www.26medias.com/tender FOR MORE 2020 - Construction & Mining Magazine

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Construction & Mining

City of windhoek

20

Construction & Mining Magazine - 2020