Unique Technology Expertise

RopeCon® and Cableway Expertise

REM is closely affiliated with the Doppelmayr/Garaventa group and is Partner in the Southern African region for Doppelmayr Transport Technology GmbH of Austria.  Through 15 years of close collaboration with Doppelmayr, REM has the experience of the technology to review, conceive and  develop RopeCon® and Cableway projects in Southern Africa and beyond.

The Doppelmayr /Garaventa Group is the incomparable leader in cable transport technology having over 14,400 installations worldwide. Their portfolio of products is extensive, (See   http://www.doppelmayr.com/.)   Doppelmayr will undertake the full design and execution of the Cable technology solution within the overall project.

There are few key technologies which are revolutionising the bulk materials transport business.  The RopeCon® system is a significant advancement in transport technology.  We highlight  the technology on this page and welcome your inquiries.


RopeCon® Conveyor System   


The RopeCon® system is a continuous conveyor for all types of bulk material. The systems can be short as well as extremely long distances of up to 20 km in one section.This system can be built to cross over impassable terrain, rivers, motorways and buildings without any difficulty. Spans between towers vary with the topography and design requirements.  The longest span to-date is    1200m between supports.

Capacities can be up to 10 000 tonnes per hour and the belt can run at angles up to 75 degrees.

The payload is carried on a flat conveyor belt which has corrugated side walls.  Axles with polyamide wheels on each end are attached across the belt at regular intervals and support the belt.  The wheels run on the supporting track  ropes. 

The track ropes are stationary and support the wheels in motion.  The track ropes span over towers in a similar way to Ropeways.
The span between two towers will depend on the terrain, profile, capacity etc but are as much as 800 m. 


The RopeCon® system is a proven technology with units operating up to 15 years all over the world.  It has several distinct advantages over traditional systems:
    • Low power requirements, hence lower operating & maintenance costs
    • Environmentally  friendly with low impact on the area, and local activities and communities
    • Good Safety regime
    • High Security of payloads en-route
    • Capacities of up to 10 000 tons per hour
    • High availability of the operating system
    • Design life over 25 years operation
    • Minimal constructional impact and can be erected in an ecologically acceptable way.
The system is a custom-made solution to every transport problem.  The first two RopeCon® units to be installed in South Africa are in full operation since 2018.  The third Unit is being insttalled in 2021 and is planned to be commissioned in late 2021.


Cableways and Ropeways for Bulk materials and Unit load transfers


Material Ropeway systems can transport up to 1500 tons/hour or single loads of up to 40 tons even in rough and difficult terrain.  The system has a minimal impact on the environment. Spans of up to 1,500 m and gradients of 90 % can be surmounted without any problem.

The Ropeway system provides an alternative for Unit Material handling - such as containers, cars etc.  These systems are purpose designed but provide a significantly reduced foot-print and interface with other surrounding infrastructure.

Urban & Tourist Cableways and Ropeways for People Transport.


People transport has used cable-supported systems worldwide for centuries. Doppelmayr and Garaventa have developed over 100 years to be the technology experts with a world-wide reputation for top class products,  quality and safety standards. Their portfolio of over 14,400 installations covers a range of sizes and capacities, different systems and cable configurations all adapted to the Client needs. 

The uses of cable ways include Tourism, Urban transport infrastructure, Construction work and access to isolated points such as lookout points, fire watch stations & light houses

Projects within South African include the following:
  • the Table Mountain Cableway upgrade to further enhance it's status as an experience of a lifetime. 
  • Garaventa designed and supplied the unit on the Moses Madiba Stadium in Durban as part of the 2010 World Cup developments. 
  • The Euphoria Golf Estate cableway is a REM  turnkey project with the technology, design and installation all provided by Doppelmayr.
Construction time is short and environmental impact is low.  The overall Capital and Operating costs for Urban transport has proved to be a very significant positive factor.  The improved safety, security and the reduced travel times at a lower price to the passengers is dramatic. 
  
The world´s biggest Urban Ropeway network









La Paz and El Alto  in Bolivia is the showcase project.  The project has been developed in stages and now covers both municipality areas. 

The Ropeway system uses 1,396 detachable 10-passenger gondola cabins on 10 separate lines in service. The whole system has a total length of approx. 33 km. running between 26 stations

Daily average:   250,000 to 300,000 passengers   

Total: May 2014 to March 2019:  almost 200 million passengers 

The mass urban transport Cableways are proven throughout the world and are the most economic and successful option for the Southern African Urban transport systems.  Travel time and costs are significantly reduced  with increased safety. 


Cable Cranes, Lifting Systems, Skytrucks and Parallel Cranes

Cable systems have been used as temporary and permanent transport systems for thousands of years. 
With the support of Swiss Company Engineers and Contractors, REM is able to design, supply and construct Cable Systems for use in Construction, Safety Systems, Access ways, Material transfer and People transport. 

Cable Systems are simple to operate in remote areas and are ideal for crossing ravines, rivers, up and steep hills or cliffs. Common examples include Construction Work,  Bridge and Dam Building - across and into a site - over rivers and gorges etc.