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HYBRID HOME The company also offers a hybrid solution which can include flatpacks, containerised solutions and prefab structures

PVC fabric structures beneficial for accommodation

By Media

The projects completed by specialists Canvas and Tent demonstrated the beneficial use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for mine-site accommodation, says Canvas and Tent group marketing manager Karen Coetzer.

The company manufactured 65 structures made out of PVC fabric for projects in Madagascar, Botswana and Angola in 2022.

It has been supplying turnkey camps made out of PVC fabric for remote mining operations, including workforce accommodation and on-site mining infrastructure, through its Bushtec Originals brand.

HYBRID HOME The company also offers a hybrid solution which can include flatpacks, containerised solutions and prefab structures

HYBRID HOME The company also offers a hybrid solution which can include flatpacks, containerised solutions and prefab structures

As the world’s “second-largest minerals industry”, the African continent is attractive to mining and exploration companies, which is evident in the increase in demand for mine-site accommodation, says Coetzer.

Increased demand has resulted in the construction period for accommodation having to be as short as possible to ensure that mineworkers are accommodated as soon as possible, while ensuring their safety and the hard-wearing of the accommodation.

The structures are proven, reliable building solutions that endure prolonged use in extreme climates, notes Coetzer, adding that the company also has an insulation system available for any fabric structure to increase interior comfort and energy efficiency in hot or cold climates.

FLYCAMP Flexibility is one of the advantages of Canvas and Tent’s PVC fabric structures, as it allows for the dis- and reassemble of accommodation camps

FLYCAMP Flexibility is one of the advantages of Canvas and Tent’s PVC fabric structures, as it allows for the dis- and reassemble of accommodation camps

Canvas and Tent offers a large selection of options for its PVC fabric structures, such as different models, sizes and configurations, to meet the on-site requirements of any mining operation.

Consequently, the company engages with mine managers, engineers and principal mine planning engineers to ensure that the modular structures and remote camp systems meet such requirements.

Benefits

Flexibility is one of the advantages of Canvas and Tent’s PVC fabric structures, as it allows for the dis- and reassembly of accommodation camps, says Coetzer.

This is especially important for mining operations in Africa, as some projects and sociopolitical environments tend to be unpredictable; for example, the security concerns in some Central African countries, the Sahel in the vast semi-arid region of Africa; and the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique.

Therefore, the ability to establish temporary or semi-permanent accommodation that can be easily relocated if necessary, is ideal.

PVC fabric structures are also cost effective, she adds.

“Temporary or semi-permanent accommodation is often less expensive than permanent accommodation options. This is especially important for mining companies operating in remote locations in Africa where infrastructure is lacking, and the cost of building permanent accommodation can also be prohibitive.”

The PVC fabric structures are also timely, as it takes about four hours to build fully functional accommodation that can house up to eight people in a dormitory style.

Moreover, Canvas and Tent’s accommodation solutions can easily be adjusted, depending on requirements – if an operation requires more workers, more accommodation can rapidly be erected, but it can also be disassembled if required.

Accommodation can range from single rooms with en-suite bathrooms to single rooms in PVC fabric structures with shared ablutions.

Canvas and Tent’s PVC fabric range can also be used and configured for workforce housing; kitchens; dining, medical and maintenance facilities; offices; ablution units; and recreation areas.

The company also offers a hybrid solution which can include flatpacks, containerised solutions and prefab structures.

“Our turnkey solution can accommodate needs as complex as the establishment of a reverse osmosis water-treatment plant. Canvas and Tent also carries out all of the internal and external reticulation such as electricity, water and sewerage systems.”

Mine-site accommodation is crucial, as a large number of artisans and skilled labourers must be housed as close to the operation as possible to ensure that operations run smoothly at all hours of the day, and to safeguard employees, particularly in remote locations, she concludes.

Operating in the Bush – By Sam J Basch

By Media

Redeployable Camp Systems SA was tasked with rapidly supplying
the SANDF with tents for its border protection duties

As its name indicates, Redeployable Camp Systems SA (RCSSA) (Hangar 4 Outside Stand ON4) has built an enviable reputation for its turnkey camp solutions in many parts of the world. The company’s redeployable camps have been supplied into some of the most inhospitable regions, from deserts and jungles to the icy fields of Antarctica.

In recent times, RCSSA, part of the KwaZulu-Natal headquartered Canvas and Tent group, provided more than 270 tents to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for its border posts around the entire perimeter of the country. This forms part of Operation Corona that is focused on safeguarding the country’s borders. The project entrusted to RCSSA covered 19 military bases on the borders, including those with Lesotho and Eswatini.

According to RCSSA group sales manager Martin Bester, the company managed to execute the order in a matter of weeks, from early December 2021 to late February 2022, a period that included the Christmas holidays.

“We delivered just over 100 Warrior tents measuring about 10 x 5 m and a further 44 of the 5 m square Warrior tents,” he explained. “Besides these and other deliveries, RCSSA repaired existing tents at the bases as required in terms of the contract.” For this massive and urgent undertaking, the company utilised no less than 42 ten-ton trucks that drove a combined 33 000 kilometres throughout South Africa in the short space of time. “We executed this contract within the specified timeframe and to the satisfaction of the SANDF,” Bester said. “The Warrior tents, fondly referred to as ‘Weatherhaven tents’ by the SANDF, accommodate eight to ten soldiers, but some tents were destined for other purposes, such as offices.”

Originally published on Defencenet.co.za on 23 September 2022

Home from Home

By Media

With South Africa’s military deployed into various African countries on peace support operations, a new-generation rapidly transportable camping solution was needed. Pretoria-based Redeployable Camp Systems (RCSSA) (Hangar 7, Stand N03) has lately been awarded several contracts to fulfil this requirement.

“The Canvas Products system that RCSSA is currently delivering consists of general and vehicle tents of varying sizes, furniture and packaging equipment,” said Karen Coetzer, group marketing manager. “We designed steel crates to ship the entire system, including the tents, solid doors, support structure, interlocking rubber floor tiles and a raised floor.

In addition, we provide a hand-operated hydraulic stacker – a smaller version of large warehouse stackers – able to lift 2 tonnes.” The consignment is delivered in a standard (6m) ISO low-cube shipping container, making it suitable for transport in a C-130 aircraft.

Two further contracts cover a mess facility and a container solution for a host of applications, including air-conditioning systems, a canteen and barbershop, paymaster’s office, stores, security lock-ups and even a bar and gym.

The 32m by 10m mess hall, with vestibules on the long sides, is constructed of a modular steel or aluminium frame, covered by durable, flame-retardant PVC fabric.

The mess contract includes delivery of a high-throughput dishwasher and an auto-start heavy-duty silent generator. “This is essentially five-star living for the military on operations,” Coetzer added.

The company is globally renowned for its innovative redeployable and air-transportable camp systems, having provided clients with turnkey soft-walled camps and HERCon hard-walled containers that can be expanded to offer triple the usual floorspace.

All in a box

By Media

Earlier this year Armscor awarded a R38 million contract valued to Pretoria-based Redeployable Camp Systems South Africa (RCSSA) for “simple and expandable” containers for the SA National Defence Force (SANDF).

The contract, part of the SANDF’s transportable camp systems requirement, runs over 33 months.

RCSSA group programme manager Richard Shaw explained the term “simple containers” is somewhat of a misnomer, as the containers are not that simple. They range from a bar, air-conditioning, canteen and a barbershop to a paymaster’s office, stores, security lockers and even a gym.

Sit down for a meal

By Media

Pretoria-based Redeployable Camp Systems South Africa (RCSSA) was awarded a R64-million contract for a turnkey redeployable mess facility for the SA National Defence Force (SANDF). The contract runs over a 25-month period.

Deliverables includes a mess hall, 32m by 10m in size, with vestibules on the long sides. The mess is constructed of a modular steel or aluminium frame, covered by durable, flame-retardant PVC fabric, similar to the company’s other large modular systems. Innovative guttering and a raised floor allow for the structure to be erected in high rainfall areas with muddy or uneven ground.