Viva Engineering is honoured to announce our remarkable achievement at the 2024 Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) Steel Awards, where we were awarded three prestigious awards:
- Best Mining Project
- Best Export Project
- Best Overall Project
“I’m absolutely thrilled and humbled to receive this award on behalf of the Viva Team. Winning the Best Overall Project Award is a dream come true for us. Thank you to every single person who was part of this project. Your client focus, grit, 110% dedication and late-night sacrifices are sincerely appreciated. From the start of the project the entire team approached the project with a “Can Do” attitude – thank you. “ Collen Gibbs, Managing Director, Viva Engineering
Viva Engineering has a proud history of excellence, having previously won awards for Best Mining Project and Best Export Project in 2023, alongside our accolades in 2002, showcasing our continuous commitment to innovation. These awards are a testament to our pursuit of excellence and leadership in the steel fabrication industry. Winning the Best Overall Project is a moment of immense pride for Viva Engineering, as it represents the pinnacle of recognition in our industry. We liken this achievement to South Africa winning the Rugby World Cup—it’s not just a victory, it’s a symbol of the strength and capability of our entire team.
Our award-winning project, ‘The Copper Mine Expansion in Chile’, highlights our technical capabilities and commitment to safety. Chile, as one of the most seismically active regions in the world, presents unique challenges. Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Nazca and South American tectonic plates converge, the country is frequently impacted by earthquakes. As a result, Chile has implemented some of the most stringent building codes and testing standards globally, particularly for critical infrastructure like mining.
To ensure the safety and resilience of the feeders against seismic activity, all materials required rigorous testing. Each material was sampled in person, packaged, and airfreighted to Chile for testing in accredited laboratories. This meticulous process was critical in meeting the exact standards set by Chilean regulations and guaranteeing the integrity of our structures in such a high-risk environment. This project also required advanced modelling techniques for mechanical components like idlers and pulleys. By leveraging Tekla, a structural modelling software, we developed detailed models of these elements, allowing us to calculate precise weights for transportation. Additionally, the original design specified Asian standard section sizes, which were unavailable locally. We converted the design to welded built-up sections and created custom profiles to match the exact required specifications. This unique solution enabled us to align dispatch weights with those provided by the mechanical supplier, ensuring accuracy throughout the process.
Despite global disruptions, our team continued to present our value proposition to Virta through virtual meetings, advocating for a South African solution. Recognising the project’s cost sensitivity and competition from Asian fabricators, we proposed a fully assembled belt feeder solution manufactured entirely in South Africa. This reduced our on-site installation time and de-risked the project for our client, which not only met but exceeded their expectations. We are extremely proud of our team’s ability to navigate these complexities and deliver a project of this magnitude within tight timelines.
“Working with Viva was one of the best professional experiences I’ve had in my 30 years in the global bulk material handling industry. Their collaborative approach, commitment to quality, and transparent communication stood out at every stage of the project. Viva’s exceptional teamwork and proactive problem-solving exceeded our expectations, helping us deliver a project that has gained industry accolades. Together, we built a true partnership focused on success, proving that when alignment in culture and values exists, the results can be extraordinary.” – Grant Graber, President, Virta Inc.
We are deeply grateful to our client, Virta, for their trust and collaboration, and we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of steel construction globally.
“I truly believe that the key ingredient to the success of this project was the exceptional working relationship between Viva and our client Virta – thank you.” – Collen Gibbs, Managing Director, Viva Engineering
Together, we take pride in offering innovative solutions at competitive pricing, top-tier craftsmanship, and efficient project turnaround times. Our success demonstrates our ability to drive excellence and innovation within the South African steel industry, proving that we can not only meet – but exceed the demands of international projects.
