PRESS RELEASES
Press Releases
Download press releases for additional detailed information on all content found on this website.
| Published articles 2013 | |
 |
SA Mining – April 2013 |
 |
Mogol Post – May 2013 |
 |
Technology top 100 – March 2013 |
 |
Technology top 100 – March 2013 |
 |
Sunday Times – Dec 2012 |
 |
SA Mining – August 2012 |
 |
VR STEEL beefs up its empowerment profile |
 |
TZ shovels enter SA market |
 |
Robe shows it’s metal for VR STEEL in VEGAS |
| Published articles 2012 | |
 |
VR Steel scoops the Minister’s award for Excellence |
 |
MINExpo article |
 |
Mining Magazine |
 |
SA Mining August 2012 |
 |
Mining Magazine |
|
Mining Weekly – June/July 2012 |
 |
African Power – Second Quarter 2012 |
 |
African Mining Brief – Dragline Excavator |
 |
SA Mining – April 2012 |
 |
Heavy engineering – Big Iron article |
| Published articles 2011 | |
 |
SABS Design Excellence Award for our VR Truck Body |
| Published articles 2011 | |
 |
SA WINNER OF 2010 SWEDISH STEEL PRIZE |
 |
CUTTING THE COST OF MINING |
 |
SWEDISH STEEL PRIZE FOR SA TIPPER INNOVATION |
| Published articles 2010 | |
 |
VR STEEL WIN PRESITGIOUS SWEDISH STEEL PRIZE |
 |
Tackling the tough and tenacious
|
 |
The largest fabricated rope shovel bucket in the WORLD.
|
 |
First official dragline publication in a scientific journal..
|
 |
New China-based facility aims to increase global
competitiveness.
|
 |
‘Gigantic Proportions’ – Local fabricator makes ‘The world’s biggest rope shovel bucket’.Mining Weekly 2010 |
 |
VR Steel designs and manufactures the largest fabricated rope shovel ever made.EarthBroker 2010 |
| Published articles 2009 | |
|
|
Mining Magazine – March 2009 VR truck bodies at Sishen. South Africa-based VR Steel is making progress with the rollout of its VR Truck Body product, which has been in use for the last year at Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen mine.Mining Magazine March 2009 |
 |
SA Mining – February 2009 China still holds promise for VR Steel While the world flounders in the grip of the economic crunch, local steel product manufacturer, VR Steel, is upbeat about its success for the year ahead. Nelendhre Moodley recently spoke to MD, John van Reenen, about the outlook for the company and the areas in which it operates.SA Mining Feb 2009 |
 |
Mining Weekly – February 2009 Full Control Local manufacturerof steel products for the mining industry VR Steel, which had a 66,67% stake in VRC Mining Equipment, has now acquired the entire capital share of the Chinese-based company, which was established in mid-2008.Mining Weekly Full Control |
Articles 2008 |
|
 |
International Mining – September 2008Pit Progress
Recently VR Steel of South Africa launched an innovative VR truck body design, which features unique design features and significantly reduces operatingcosts. The first two truck bodies are currently in operation at Sishen iron ore mine in South Africa. |
 |
Mining Weekly – 29 August – 4 September 2008 Expanding Eastwards South African steel products maker to open shop in India. A manufacturer of steel products for the mining industry, VR Steel, is to launch its fifth global operation, in India, in January.Mining Weekly 29 August – 4 September 2008 |
 |
SA Mining – July 2008 VR Steel bodies built to endure VR Steel, recently launched its latest truck body design, which is significantly lighter and has a faster tipping capacity than current models. On a site visit to view the truck body at work at the Sishen mine, VR Steel MD, John van Reenen, explained that truck body testing on iron-ore is considered highly effective, as it is the most abrasive…SA Mining July 2008 |
 |
Mining Mirror – July 2008 – Vol. 21 No.1 North America VR Steel goes to Mine Expo Mining equipment manufacturer, VR Steel has announce that it will be showcasing its products at the MINExpro in Las Vegas, United States from September 22 to 24 2008.Mining Mirror_July 2008 |
 |
Mining Weekly – 4-10 July 2008 Significantly Popular – Locally made truck body attracts international interest Local steel product manufacturer VR Steel is receiving significant interest from local and international mining companies for its recently launched truck body design.Mining Weekly 4-10 July 2008 |
 |
BALtrans Newsleaf – Q2-2008 The Long Drag! Though shipping a 40 tonne dragline bucket to Brisbane in Australia presented BALtrans Clover Cargo Durban with some interesting challenges, everything went like clockwork, according to Vivian Naidoo, BALtrans Clover Cargo Seafreight Export Manager Durban.BALtrans Newsleaf Q2 2008 |
 |
Business Day – 2008-07-02 VR Steel tests new truck body at Sishen MINING services company VR Steel is testing and refining a new truck body at Sishen Mine,which it hopes will put it in a good position to bid for a multimillion-rand contract at the Northern Cape mine in the next couple of years.Business Day 02-07-2008 |
 |
Mining Weekly – 20 - 26 June 2008 Eastward Expansion – Mining equipment maker sets up in China VR Steel, has expanded its footprint internationally with the establishment of VRC Mining Equipment, a China-based company that will make dragline buckets, hydraulic and rope-shovel buckets and truck bodies for the East Asia and Pacific regions.Mining Weekly 20 – 26 June 2008 |
 |
SA Mining – June 2008 VR Steel launches truck body design VR Steel, steel products manufacturer and expert in research and development within the heavy mining equipment arena, has launched the VR truck body design, which is said to reduce operating costs per tonne significantly.SA Mining June 2008 |
 |
Modern Mining – June 2008 VR Steel to Exhibit at mining expo VR Steel will be showcasing its products for the first time at the prestigious MINExpo in Las Vegas, USA from September 22 to 24. According to VR Steel, MINExpo is recognised in the mining industry as the premier exposition of mining equipment and service in the world.Modern Mining June 2008 |
 |
Engineering News – 2 - 8 May 2008 Local steel company concludes R270-million BEE deal VR Laser Services has concluded a R270-million black economic empowerment deal with Benny Jiyane, who will now have a 30% shareholding in the company.Engineering News 2 – 8 May 2008 |
 |
Mining Weekly – 2 - 8 May 2008 R&D BOOST – Steel products company to upgrade, grow research department VR Steel, plans to upgrade and grow its research and development (R&D) department, in the heavy mining equipment arena, having recently announced that it would invest about R1O-million a year for ongoing research.Mining Weekly 2 – 8 May 2008 |
 |
Engineering News – 25 April 2008 - 1 May 2008 Local steel company concludes R270-million BEE deal VR Laser Services is owned jointly by MD Gary Bloxham and VR Steel, a manufacturer of steel products for the mining industry. The transaction will see Jiyane assume the role of marketing director of VR Laser Services.Engineering News 25 April 2008 – 1 May 2008 |
 |
FIN WEEK – 2008-04-17 Steeling the gap – How one young accountant built a multi-million company RESILIENCE IS PERHAPS the best approximation of John van Reenen, MD and founder of VR Steel. You’d think that after 30 years in a hostile business environment, he’d throw in the towel, but Van Reenen has nerves of steel.Fin Week 2008-04-17 |
 |
Mining Weekly – 2008-04-10
Local steel company to expand into international markets A local manufacturer of steel products for the mining industry is expanding its global footprint as a result of its expanded product line. VR Steel says that the expanded product line will include attachments for rope and hydraulic shovels, excavators and rigid and mining dump trucks.
|
 |
Mining Review Africa – April 2008 DRAGLINE BUCKET DESIGN CAN SAVE MILLIONS Intuitively a dragline bucket might be seen as an off-the shelf item, and in the past this has been the case, but thanks to at least one company undertaking genuinely cutting edge soil flow analysis and aerodynamic bucket design, individual buckets…Mining Review Africa April 2008 |
 |
Sake 24 – Beeld & Burger Kaap – 2008-07-4 VR Steel kry swart vennoot Die spesialis-staalplaatvervaardiger VR Laser het ‘n 30% belang aan mnr. Benny Jiyane, uitvoerende hoof van Shosholoza Steel Supplies, verkoop.Sake24 (Beeld & Burger Kaap) 2008-07-4 |
 |
Modern Mining – April 2008 VR Steel places emphasis on R&D VR Steel, which describes itself as a leader in research and development within the heavy mining equipment arena, invests significant amounts of money and resources in developing the most cost-effective product designs possible.Modern Mining April 2008 |
 |
Mining Mirror - February-2008
OVERBURDEN STRIPPING AND BACKFILL-Digging big with draglines Opencast coalminers often look forward to productively mining as they eagerly await trawling through for valuable resources. However, before they get to the coal mining they need to deal with overburden stripping and backfill which is most notorious for being a highly laborious and intensive task…
|
 |
Mining Weekly - 2008-02-08
New truck body design cuts operating costs, says manufacturer The load body shell features an integral wear package design, the I-Beam skeletal design improves overall durability, and the ultra long top rail is designed to withstand heavy impact from factors such as rockfalls during loading.
|
 |
Modern Mining – 2008-02-01 VR Steel launches new truck body Steel products manufacturer VR Steel has launched an Innovative truck body design which can be adapted to any make or model of truck. It says the product significantly reduces operating costs per tonne. The first two truck bodies are currently in operation at the Sishen iron are mine.Modern Mining 01-02-2008 |
 |
Engineering & Mining Journal - 2008-02-01
Shovel Dipper Offers Performance Improvements VR Steel Shovel Dippers have a durable & cost effective plate lip design that ensure longer life & better serviceability than cast models. The weld-on shrouds and adaptors lower risk of downstream damages.
|
 |
Mechanical Technology – February 2008 Wildfire 4.0 launched to promote best practice in design Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 4.0 is being launched in South Africa from 21 February to 6 March. Charles Anderson, managing director of productONE, talks to Mechtech about the history of Pro/ENGINEER and the new capabilities of its software offerings.Mechanical Technology February 2008 |
 |
SA Mining - January 2008
Down and dirty with draglines A design marvel, the massive bucket is only classified as a medium. The productive mine, which is a fairly high volume operation, requires machinery to function optimally on a daily basis and the VR Steel bucket is the ideal tool for their demands. With the bucket doing so well at Landau…
|
 |
Engineering News - 2008-01-17
UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD VR Steel CEO, Johan van Reenen shares a general industry consensus that the South African government is inhibiting the progress of manufactured exports by showing a lack of initiative in promoting products to the international market. This means that South African manufacturing companies…
|
| articles 2007 | |
 |
Mining Weekly – 2007-12-07 GIGANTIC BUCKET Mpumalanga colliery takes delivery of R4m dragline bucket. VR Steel’s dedication to intensive research and development seems to paying off as the industry is undergoes rapid growth. The demand for the company’s products are, therefore, increasing with a demand forecast of about 30 units in 2009.Mining Weekly 07/12/07 |
 |
Mining Weekly – 2007-12-07 Mpumalanga colliery takes delivery of R4m dragline bucket In December 2007, VR Steel’s mining division (then known as VR Dragline) supplied a dragline bucket to to coal-miner Anglo Coal’s Laundau colliery. The R4-million bucket represents the pinnacle of VR Steel’s advanced design technology that allows the company to also manufacture and maintain…Mining Weekly 07/12/07 |
 |
Engineering News – 2007-12-14 Government must improve incentives for manufacturing, steel fabricator VR Steel CEO, John van Reenen shares a general industry consensus that the South African government is inhibiting the progress of manufactured exports by showing a lack of initiative in promoting products to the international market.Engineerin News 14/12/07 |
 |
Modern Mining – 2007-12-01
Appeal to government on exports
There appears to be a general lack of initiative from government in promoting manufacturing exports. With an uneven playing field for South Africans trying to compete in the global export market, South Africa is losing out on economic growth as well as the chance of increasing employment opportunities. |
 |
Business Day - 2007-11-26 South Africa: VR Steel Expands Operations, Product Range VR Steel founder and MD John van Reenen said last week during a visit to the group’s operations that the company had expanded its range of products to include hydraulic shovel buckets and truck bodies, from its core business of dragline buckets.Business Day 2007-11-26 |
 |
KZN Industrial & Business News – 2007-10-01 Cranes for VR Steel, South-Africa The steel specialist VR Steel offers among other things shovels for scraper excavators in their wide range of products. These very heavy machines are put to use in surface mining, mostly in South Africa, the USA and Australia.KZN Industrial & Business News 01-10-2007 |
| Published articles 2005 | |
 |
New World Record – August 2005 New world record confirmed by GBI consulting. The previous monthly world record, as confirmed by GBI consulting, was 3.967,895 tons. Graham Lumley, Managing Director from GBI consulting, said: “I would therefore conclude that dragline 5016 in August 2005 did beat the previous best BE1570W monthly performance by 2%. This is definitely something Middleburg should be proud of.”New World Record Aug 05 Press Adverts 2008 |
 |
VR Dragline Bucket – Press Advert – March 2008 See us at MineExpo 2008, September 22-24, Stand 5024, Las Vegas Convention Center, Nevada, USAVR Dragline bucket advert |
 |
VR Truck Load body – Press Advert - 2008-02-29 Cranes for VR Steel, South-AfricaThe VR Truck Loadbody is designed to fully comply with the requirements of the Truck ManufacturerVR Truck body advert |
| Press adverts 2007 | |
 |
VR Rope Shovel Bucket – Press Advert – 2007-06-12VR products are designed using cutting edge technologies by world leading specialists in the industry, specifically for each customers requirements. |
Press Adverts 2006 |
|
 |
MTM Southern Africa -Press Advert – July/August 2006Today VR Steel Delivers a customized dragline bucket in 12 weeks less than their global competitors. It is also up to 30% lighter |
 |
VR Steel Newsletter – July 2008 New VR Truck Body performs. VR Steel truck body has the most progressive design features seen in any new product for the mining industry in decades.VR Steel Newsletter July 2008 |
 |
VR Steel Newsletter – June 2008 VR Steel continues to dominate in the South African dragline bucket & rigging market. As VR Steel’s population of dragline buckets increases, VR Steel continues to be the market leader in South Africa’s world class coal mining industry.VRSteel Newsletter June 2008 |
