Inside Mining April/May 2018

www.miningne.ws

af r ic an u pdates on th e

g ro un d a n d un d e rg ro un d

ANGLO AMERICAN A sustainability strategy to rival others

AfriTin The future of tin

mine water Mintek’s AMD solutions

WEIR MINERALS Choose your rubber lining with care

IN THE HOT SEAT We have full confidence in the market, as current political developments drive predominantly pro-business and pro-regulatory reforms in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Angola.” Thierry Pimi, MD, Cummins Southern Africa P8 ISSN 1999-8872 • R50.00 (incl. VAT) • Vol. 11 • No. 03 • April/May 2018

contents

a f r i c a n u p dat e s o n t h e g ro u n d a n d

u nde rground

08

18

Regulars

Industry Insight

3 Ed’s comment

18 Tech investment light at the end of the

Komatsu's HD1500-8 has a completely new design and has been developed using principles set by the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table

economy tunnel

6 Africa round-up

Mine water

39 Equipment and services

22 Addressing legacy challenges

Cover Story

MINING Equipment

4 Choose your rubber lining with care

24 Deeply rooted in Africa

Hot Seat

Automation

8 18 months at the helm

26 Consistent and dynamic mining

Sustainability

Infrastructure

10 Anglo American’s Sustainability Strategy

28 Competitive advantage

Coal Report

32 Time to focus on mining infrastructure

12 The road ahead for coal in South Africa

IT & Communication

Projects

29 Data management made easy

14 Africa: The future of tin

Equipment

TRACKING MINE VEHICLES

APRIL/MAY

2018 ON THE COVER p4 www.miningne.ws

35 VSD delivery in record time

20 South Africa: Bakubung breakthrough

A F R I C A N U P DATES O N T H E

40 Rugged and reliable

Legislation

ANGLO AMERICAN

TRANSPORT

16 Throttling the goose that laid the

A sustainability strategy to rival others

AFRITIN

36 Tracking mine vehicles

golden eggs

G RO U N D A N D U N D ERG RO U N D

The future of tin

MINE WATER Mintek’s AMD solutions

KNOWLEDGE IS YOURS GO DIGITAL @MY SANDVIK

WEIR MINERALS

Sandvik digital services support you in maximizing your productivity. Our constantly

CHOOSE YOUR RUBBER LINING WITH CARE

services and base your decisions on accurate data. Available 24/7, 365 days a year through My Sandvik web portal.

IN THE HOT SEAT We have full confidence in the market, as current political developments drive predominantly pro-business and pro-regulatory reforms in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Angola.” Thierry Pimi, MD, Cummins Southern Africa P8

FIND OUT MORE AT ROCKTECHNOLOGY.SANDVIK

ISSN 1999-8872 • R50.00 (incl. VAT) • Vol. 11 • No. 03 • April/May 2018

24

32

@mining_news www.facebook.com/pages/ Mining-News

Endorsed by

According to Weir Minerals – despite considerable research into the mechanics of abrasive wear – the choice of rubber lining in a particular mining or quarrying application remains complex and experience-based

In sid e M in in g A PR IL/M AY | 2018

1

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editor's comment

Mining the smart way Publisher Elizabeth Shorten Editor Mpinane Senkhane Journalist Phila Mzamo Contributors Alastair Currie, Keith Fenner, Danielle Petterson, Allan Reid Head of design Beren Bauermeister

A

s populations continue to grow,

of the problems with inaccurate data

pressure on the mining industry

are visible; others, unfortunately, are

increases. Millions of ounces of

not. Loss of data, poor accessibility and

minerals, metals and fuel are

quality-control issues can cost millions

required by most people throughout their

when they result in inaccurate modelling

Chief sub-editor Tristan Snijders

lifetimes. The question is how we handle the

and decision-making results.

Sub-editor Morgan Carter

demand. Many experts believe that IoT is

General manager Candice Landie

the answer.

Designer Ramon Chinian

Client services & production manager Antois-Leigh Botma Production coordinator Jacqueline Modise Financial manager Andrew Lobban Distribution manager Nomsa Masina Distribution coordinator Asha Pursotham Printers United Litho Johannesburg Tel: +27 (0)11 402 0571 ___________________________________ Advertising Sales

Jodi Haigh Tel: +27 (0)11 467 6224 jodih@lantic.net ___________________________________ No. 9 3rd Avenue, Rivonia 2191 PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117 Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/5 www.3smedia.co.za ___________________________________ Annual subscription:

South Africa: R330.00 (incl vat & postage) Foreign: POA Email: subs@3smedia.co.za

By now, most have heard about the

designed and built to ensure that no

Internet of Things (IoT) and how it is set

matter how large your company is, how

to revolutionise the way we have been

limited your IT capabilities or diverse your

extracting ore from the ground. But, many

geological resource, it can offer the

are wondering what it actually is and how it

solution you need.

will work operationally.

The expectation for the next decade

Weir Minerals is on the cover, highlighting how the choice of rubber

is that IoT will be used throughout the

lining in mining or quarrying applications

entire mining life cycle. I read in an

remains complex and experience-

article that there are two key reasons for

based; but according to Weir, one

this: to improve performance and boost

certainty is that hardness and price

productivity, while eliminating unnecessary

per kilogram are insufficient factors to

costs and waste, and being able to

consider when making that choice.

anticipate machinery failures. Known as the

There’s much more to it.

Industrial Internet of Things, factories and

The AfriTin project update on page 14

plants are seen covering their machinery

delves into a project in Namibia. The

with smarter, cheaper and smaller internet-

company identified an opportunity in

connected sensors. So far, miners have

the market and discovered that, as a

recognised a number of important benefits

commodity, tin is not well understood,

that have occurred as a result. It will be

which is demonstrated by the lack of

interesting to see how quickly the future is

listed tin companies in recent years.

adopted, especially here in Africa.

Increasingly, we are flooded with information and topics surrounding IoT; for

ISSN 1999-8872 Inside Mining

example, we must look at big data and

Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. ___________________________________

about their data strategies. Or data and

All material in Inside Mining is copyright protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the publisher. The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

On page 29, read about Micromine’s Geobank products which have been

Touching on topics from across the board, I hope you find this an interesting and varied issue.

how miners are having to think differently the future of work, based on examining why intelligent mining requires a broader

Mpinane Senkhane

transformation, not just a ‘digital mine’.

Or, think about remote-control continuous mining technology: what’s been tested, how is it performing and what should your long-term strategy be? All of these topics and many more like them look at really digitising the mine of the future – and this leads me to the question, how will IoT shape the mine of the future? I certainly hope I will still be alive many years from now to see

To our avid readers, be sure to sign up and get the latest updates and inside scoops from the mining industry. Check out what we are talking about on our website and Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter and have your say.

this potential realised somewhat fully; I look forward to it.

In this issue of Inside Mining, we consider the need to invest in appropriate geological software and how it is essential to the successful future of any mining organisation.

Most mining and exploration companies

@mining_news www.facebook.com/pages/ Mining-News

struggle to maintain the quality, integrity and usability of their essential data. Some

editor In sid e M in in g april/may | 2018

3

COVER STORY

CHOOSE YOUR RUBBER LINING WITH CARE Despite considerable research into the mechanics of abrasive wear, the choice of rubber lining in a particular mining or quarrying application remains complex and experience-based; but one certainty is that hardness and price per kilogram are insufficient factors to consider when making that choice.

A

ccording to Yatheen Budhu,

“The quality of rubber sheeting varies

wet minerals beneficiation processes is

product manager: Rubber

widely within the industry. Moreover, rub-

frequently lined with pre-cured rubber

Products at Weir Minerals

bers which are formulated for dry abra-

sheet. Where mines, fabricators and ap-

Africa, the mining industry has

sive applications may not be suitable for

plicators have access to an autoclave or

fallen into the habit of specifying rubber

wet abrasion applications,” he says. “An

open steam facility, steam-cured rubber

by hardness alone. “Hardness, on its own,

essential primary step is to assess the ap-

sheet could be used. Chemical curing is

is not a measure of rubber performance,”

plication requirement when selecting the

another option.

says Budhu. “Engineers should be aware

type of rubber sheeting.”

that hardness is not a reliable guide for

Used for almost a century to protect

Unique manufacturing process

the suitability of sheeting for abrasion

plant and equipment from wear and

Linatex® premium rubber has superior

resistance.” Other important factors,

chemical attack, rubber sheeting has

physical properties, and this, Budhu says,

including resilience, tensile strength, tear

had to compete increasingly with syn-

is due to the unique manufacturing pro-

strength, cutting resistance and dry/wet

thetic elastomers, polymers, ceramics

cess used by Weir Minerals.

abrasion resistance index (ARI), need to

and other abrasion-resistant metals, he

be considered to ensure that the option

says. Nonetheless, rubber has retained its

ufacture the renowned Linatex incor-

selected is fit for the application.

position as the preferred wear material

porates ‘liquid phase processing’ and

for fine slurry abrasion resistance, as well

ensures that the original molecular struc-

as impact and chemical resistance in the

ture of natural rubber is retained. Budhu

mining industry.

says this is critical to the performance

Abrasion in wet conditions

The manufacturing process to man-

characteristics of the product because, unlike a conventionally manufactured

Most processes used in the mining sector

compound, which has fillers such as

to recover base and precious metals,

carbon black, Linatex premium rubber

coal, diamonds and other minerals in-

has an even dispersion throughout the

volve the suspensions of solids in water.

rubber sheet. “Our manufacturing pro-

Budhu explains that natural rubber is

cess ensures that Linatex premium rubber

considered the most suitable wear ma-

is consistent in finish and performance,

terial in such applications where wet

and this eliminates the uncertainty and

abrasion is found, for example, in the

possibility of premature failure in the field

pumping and separation of fine par-

when using uncured or inferior quality

ticle slurries. Equipment used in these

products,” Budhu.

“The combination of a high wet ARI, high resilience and tensile strength with

Yatheen Budhu, product manager: Rubber Products at Weir Minerals Africa

a bimodal molecular weight distribution gives Linatex rubber its superior

COVER STORY

Weir Minerals produces custom rubber linings at its plant in Alrode

of factors must be taken into account to ensure that the lining will meet the application requirement. Depending on the application, this could include drop

performance in fine slurry applications,”

height, angle of impact and material

he says. Another important advantage

velocity, as well as the type and size of

of the manufacturing process used is that

material being transported.

it is possible to achieve absolute consistency in terms of material properties.

Specialised products

This consistency ensures that the highest

The main factors that influence wear

quality standards are maintained and

in dry applications are impact, cutting,

translate into a major cost advantage

chipping and fatigue wear. To counter

for end users with a reduction in the total

this type of abrasion, Weir Minerals de-

cost of ownership of equipment lined with

veloped the highly reinforced Linard®

Linatex premium rubber.

range of rubber compounds.

Budhu says that with over 90 years’

Linatex is used as a protective lining for a variety of surfaces to minimise wear and corrosion

Moulded Impact Panels and in par-

WHY RUBBER? Rubber has important material properties that make it particularly suitable as a liner in applications where wet and dry abrasion and impact are present. It is also

experience in handling aggressive mate-

ticular the ‘MAP’ (Modular Anti-abrasion

rials, Linatex premium rubber is still ranked

Panel), developed specifically for me-

as the best wear-resistant rubber for slid-

dium- to high-wear applications, offer

ing abrasion, and there is no equivalent

impact and abrasion resistance. Panels

Using rubber as a wear lining

when it comes to a wear lining in wet

are compression moulded and availa-

material means:

abrasion applications.

ble in thicknesses of 30 mm and 50 mm.

• less downtime

The panel features an interlocking de-

• fewer maintenance call-outs

sign and secure fastening mechanism

• lower inventory

Abrasion occurs where dry materials,

that reduces the chance of fine materi-

• lower running costs

such as ore, aggregates and gravels, are

al ingress between panels. Applications

• better safety due to noise reduction.

transported for further beneficiation or

include mining and minerals processing

processing. This could be via wheeled or

plants, aggregate handling facilities

tracked equipment, conveyors, transfer

and dredging operations.

Abrasion in dry applications

chutes or screens. In these applications,

Weir Minerals’ Linard 60 rubber is a

ideal for application in highly corrosive environments.

Corrosion protection

rubber provides both good dry abrasion

silica-reinforced natural rubber product

Specialised rubber is also used to provide

resistance, as well as impact resistance.

with good dry abrasion resistance and

corrosion protection in environments

Traditionally, steel liners are used in

a high resilience to cuts and tears. The

where chemicals and acids are used.

many of these applications; however,

product is designed to handle coarse

An example would be the lining of stor-

Budhu says a rubber liner will eliminate

materials, and the incorporation of silica

age vessels or tanks used for chemical

many of the problems commonly associ-

facilitates excellent anti-sticking proper-

containment. Budhu emphasises that it is

ated with steel liners.

ties. Due to its relatively low friction co-

critical to understand the composition of

efficient, it is also suitable in applications

the materials being stored in a particular

ic rubber produces a liner that has en-

where material build-up is likely. The

vessel. “This is essential as it will allow for

hanced resistance to cutting and goug-

product is also suitable for hose linings,

the correct type of rubber, capable of

ing, and further benefits include rubber’s

screen panels and skirting rubber.

withstanding the harsh effects of the

“A combination of natural and synthet-

The Linard HD range of products is a

chemical or acid, to be selected, and

tural shock, which has a knock-on effect

natural and synthetic rubber blend de-

will ensure protection of the metal sur-

on unscheduled downtime,” Budhu says.

signed with exceptional toughness and

face,” he says.

The weight of rubber compared to steel

natural elasticity. Suitable for high-im-

resilient properties resulting in far less struc-

The Linagard® range of products has

also allows for easier handling and instal-

pact applications or the handling of

been specifically designed for use in such

lation, while the energy absorption prop-

coarse aggregates, this range is

specialised applications, and will protect

erties of rubber assist in reducing noise.

particularly resistant to cutting and

the substrate against attack from acids,

All these factors have a positive bearing

gouging. Linard HD products are used

oils, chemicals and harsh UV rays. A food-

on health and safety on a plant.

successfully in heavy-duty crushing and

grade rubber sheet is also available.

Budhu emphasises that when selecting the thickness of the rubber, a number

screening applications such as those found in the coal sector.

www.minerals.weir

In sid e M in in g A PR il/M AY | 2018

5

HEADING PLEASE

Mining news

from around the continent BOTSWANA

and National Environment Management Authority (Nema) complained that sand harvesting was taking place despite the ban.

Residents of Mbulia and Paranga complained that dozens of trucks, belonging to a local businessman, harvest tonnes of sand from their farms and local rivers.

Chris Mwashimba, a Mbulia resident, said the miners harvested sand at night.

“Our village is targeted because it is in a remote area and many of us do not know that this trade (sand harvesting) is illegal,” he said. It is not clear

Botswana

President creating jobs in Botswana Botswana’s new president, who entered

whether the owner of the trucks, who to technical education and set up

has been operating without a licence

initiatives in tourism, mining, beef and

from the relevant authorities, would also

financial services.

be arrested.

Mwashimba, who said the trucks had

office in early April, says he wants to reduce the country’s dependence on the diamond trade while creating more jobs, after collapsing commodity prices tipped the country into recession in 2015.

also destroyed their feeder roads, urged

Kenya

the government to intervene.

Police arrest drivers for transporting sand

Mbulia residents also intercepted and detained a lorry at a seasonal river but

Police in Voi, Kenya, have arrested three

later released it after the lorry’s owner

Masisi, who takes over from former army

drivers and impounded their trucks for

agreed to repair the dilapidated road.

general Ian Khama, says he will give

transporting sand.

The retired teacher, Mokgweetsi

priority to tackling youth unemployment and diversifying Botswana’s economy.

“We still seek to build a Botswana

County Nema official Edith Kalo

The police, and Taita Taveta County

said the authority would conduct an

officials, said the trucks have continued

environmental impact assessment survey

to transport sand even after Governor

before granting permission to mine sand.

in which sustained development

Granton Samboja banned sand

is underpinned by economic

harvesting in the region. The governor

diversification,” Masisi told a cheering

said that sand harvesting would

crowd in parliament. “One of my top

resume after putting in place proper

Miners win court fight on BEE rule

priorities will be to address the problem

management policies in the industry.

The Chamber of Mines of South Africa

Voi’s Officer Commanding Police

has welcomed the declaratory order

of unemployment, especially among

South Africa

the young.” As part of efforts to branch

Station (OCPD), Joseph Chesire, said the

issued by the High Court, which states

out of diamonds, he also said his

drivers were arrested after officers from

that BEE ownership transactions do not

government would scale up access

the county environment department

need to be topped up if a company previously met the minimum 26% black ownership level. This follows the court

KENYA

hearing that was heard on 9 and 10 November 2017. The judgment boosts certainty for investors in the world’s top platinum producer and gives mining companies extra muscle in talks with Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe on changes to Mining Charter III. The Chamber argued that BEE ownership transactions should be recognised for regulatory certainty purposes, even where the BEE partner has sold or transferred part or all of

Sand harvesting will resume after putting in place proper management policies in the industry

its equity. Mxolisi Mgojo, president, Chamber of Mines of South Africa, said, “The Chamber notes and accepts the

SOUTH AFRICA Mxolisi Mgojo, president, Chamber of Mines of South Africa

“We were also mindful of capping placement at 12.5% of issued capital to preserve the company’s tight capital structure,” says Hoskins.

Zimbabwe's proposed metallurgical laboratory will be used to certify exports heading cross border

After Syrah Resources exported the first cargo of graphite from Mozambique in 2017, a number of firms are taking

the exact value and quality of mineral

strategic positions in Tanzania to cash

export shipments, particularly the

in on the growing global demand for

platinum group of metals (PGMs).

battery-powered electric vehicles.

The country is losing substantial amounts in potential revenue through

High Court judgment. The Chamber is engaged in meaningful processes

smuggling across unsecure border

Zambia

points. In 2015, Finance Minister Patrick

Department of Mineral Resources,

Disputes over KCM and outsourcing foreign labour

to shape and develop a new mining

Konkola Copper Mines has gone

charter that all stakeholders can

ahead with outsourcing labour without

support and defend.

concluding existing disputes with mine

general manager, Minerals Marketing

unions in the country, according to

Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ),

various unions.

said government will spend an

with other stakeholders, including the

“This new charter needs to help the mining sector to achieve stability, competitiveness, transformation and

Chinamasa said Zimbabwe was losing up to US$1.8 billion annually through mineral smuggling.

Masimba Chandavengerwa,

Chimango Chikwanda, vice-president:

estimated US$1.2 million to set up the

growth, and ultimately enable the

Human Capital Management, KCM,

metallurgical laboratory, as well as

sector to realise its true economic and

says KCM has outsourced about five

three weigh bridges to be established

transformational potential.”

foreign contractors, and about 200

at key border points. Currently, the

workers have already been seconded.

bulk of PGM shipments are assayed in South Africa.

She says KCM intends to second

Tanzania

Graphite project gets US$2.5 million

The three weigh bridges, to be

over 1 000 miners to the outsourced contractors. This decision has been

constructed at an estimated cost of

Graphex Mining has raised $2.45 million

made though disputes with the mine

$600 000, will be set up at the Forbes,

in placement of 8.7 million shares to

unions are still at large.

Nyamapanda and Chikwala border

fund a Chilalo graphite project in

points. Last month, MMCZ was quizzed

“We have so far seconded about 200

south-east Tanzania. The proceeds will

workers to the outsourced contractors.

by parliamentarians on the alleged

be used to conduct a feasibility study,

All these workers are still under Konkola

smuggling of minerals to neighbouring

finance and offtake arrangements for

Copper Mines so there should be no

countries. “We want to determine the

the project.

fears,” Chikwanda says.

exact quality of minerals leaving the

She adds that some of the

country. The final assaying is done

says the Australia Securities Exchange-

outsourced contractors have

in South Africa; it should be done

listed company received strong support

already arrived at the mines and are

in Zimbabwe.

for the shares placement from existing

undertaking various mining processes.

shareholders and new investors.

Chikwanda notes the contractors

exports leaving the country,” he said,

Phil Hoskins, mining director, Graphex,

“The laboratory will be used to certify

as Reliant and Minopex from South

noting that it was also imperative to

managed the placement of 8.7 million

Africa, MMS from China, Scalmont

invest towards setting up weigh bridges

shares to investors and Graphex’s

of South America and CMC of Italy.

in key mining provinces.

directors subscribed for 320 572

Joseph Chewe, general secretary,

of equities, which are subject to

Mineworkers Union of Zambia, has

investing towards installing tracking

shareholder approval at the company’s

expressed the organisation’s ignorance

software that would be installed at key

next general meeting.

over the decision taken by Konkola

border points across the country.

Bridge Street Capital Partners

and says the unions were not aware

TANZANIA

Chandavengerwa said MMCZ is also

“We are funding the installation of

that such a move went ahead

software at exit points working with the

without their knowledge.

Vehicle Inspection Department. We want to hook our system on to theirs

Zimbabwe

Government to tighten screws on mineral shipments

so that they can relay information to MMCZ,” he said.

MMCZ, Chandavengerwa said, is also working with the National

Zimbabwe intends on setting up a

Railways of Zimbabwe to build weigh

metallurgical laboratory to determine

bridges at exit points.

In sid e M in in g A PR IL/M AY | 2018

7

hot seat

18 Months at the Helm In 2016, Cummins Southern Africa appointed Thierry Pimi as MD, responsible for the leadership, operations and strategic direction for Cummins’ distribution business in South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi and Madagascar. In the last year and a half, Pimi has exceeded expectations.

A

experience in the power

When you first joined Cummins, what was your strategy? What was your vision?

and mining industries, Pimi previously

challenge and work hard to further

exceeding sales forecasts and increasing its investments in the region. How did you manage this and will you maintain this strategy moving forward?

generation, manufacturing

TP I was ready to take up the

held a number of senior management

enhance the business, elevate the

At Cummins, we are totally committed to

positions at Cummins in the USA and

Cummins brand and get closer to

the African continent and will continue

Senegal. He joined the company at its

our customers. My vision for Southern

to grow our business and innovate new

head office in Columbus, Indiana, in

Africa was, and is, for us to exceed

solutions for our customers. We have full

2008 as a corporate strategy manager.

our customers’ expectations through

confidence in the market, as current po-

Thereafter, he assumed the role of

world-class professionalism from a

litical developments drive predominantly

mining business leader for Africa, also

diverse and highly motivated team.

pro-business and pro-regulatory reforms

professional mechanical engineer with over 16 years’

at home base.

You have been quoted as having strong views on the development of local talent.

Can you explain this briefly?

in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Angola. In South Africa, we anticipate an improved relationship between the business community and the new government, which we are confident will lead to a swifter res-

I am a strong supporter of promot-

olution of the Mining Charter III dispute.

ing local talent and what I did was

We look forward to seeing this leading to

unleash diverse and capable teams

increased investment in the country

across the regions in which I have

equipped with strong local market

You have a new facility that is set to open in Waterfall City later this year.

Tell us more about it.

knowledge and solid regional busi-

Cummins Southern Africa continues to

ness culture.

invest significantly in capabilities and de-

worked, combining seasoned industry leaders with exciting new hires

Despite difficult market conditions last year, Cummins performed very well by

veloping people to provide world-class aftermarket support to customers in the region. We intend on opening our flagship Johannesburg facility at Waterfall City in Midrand in October 2018. This new facility is intended to serve as the launch

Thierry Pimi, managing director, Cummins Southern Africa

8

pad for brand reinforcement to attract the best talent in the region.

I n sid e M in in g A PR IL/M AY | 2 0 1 8

hot seat Cummins Southern Africa leadership team members present at the recent media briefing

Victor Masuku, leader: Finance

Racheal Njoroge, director: Operations

Robin Kuriakose, leader: Power Generation

Orlando Ferrao, general manager

At a media briefing held in Johannesburg in March, members of the Cummins Southern Africa leadership team voiced their confidence in the business environment and shared their latest innovative, high-tech breakthroughs and solutions for customers in power generation, mining and customer relations.

What are some of the strategic plans Cummins Southern Africa has developed for 2018 and beyond?

on the Cummins agenda, and the

Several strategic initiatives are currently

ates. The company’s first TEC (Techni-

being set in motion. With the best peo-

cal Education for Communities) pro-

ple, we will continue to deliver world-

gramme – in partnership with Komatsu

class service and honour our promise

SA – will be launched in April 2018 at

to our customers. In 2018, we will more

the Sedibeng Technical Vocational

aggressively drive our transformation

Education and Training College.

agenda in South Africa, with some key milestones set for completion by the end of Q2.

In 2017, Cummins Southern Africa had, and continues to have, a powerful regional presence in the areas of power generation, mining, automotive, marine and aftermarket support. Is this part of the regional strategy?

company has launched many socially responsible programmes to benefit local communities in which it oper-

Given the recent announcements made by your team, is it safe to say 2018 is going to be a good year for Cummins?

We hope so. We will continue to drive a culture of excellence in our business performance, while working as a cohesive team and living our core values of diversity and inclusion.

It certainly is. The regional channel

It is our vision for Southern Africa to

strategy execution will continue into

continually exceed our client expec-

2018 and, with the recent integration

tations through world-class profes-

of the Angolan operations, Cummins

sionalism from a diverse and highly

Southern Africa will now cover the

motivated team.

entire SADC region. Plans are also in

We continue to develop and engi-

place to boost the company’s pres-

neer new solutions in support of our

ence in Zimbabwe, Madagascar

clients’ wide range of needs. We are

and Mauritius with increased human

enthusiastic and optimistic about this

capital, improved capability and the

year, as we see a positive business

availability of parts and whole goods

environment, which has assured cus-

on the ground to more effectively

tomers, improved investor confidence

support customers.

and accelerated business growth in

Does Cummins engage in any CSI programmes in South Africa ?

Corporate responsibility rates highly

Southern Africa. I am confident that 2018 will be another great year and that we will continue to innovate to power our customers’ success.

w w w.af r i ca . cum m i n s. co m Make a difference with Cummins

Andre Kuhn, leader: Mining

CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS Racheal Njoroge, director: Operations, Cummins Southern Africa, highlights the revived push for growth and diversification in four key markets in 2018 – oil and gas, marine, mining, and automotive.

CUMMINS SOUTHERN AFRICA Orlando Ferrao, general manager, Cummins Southern Africa, has aggressive plans in place to form cohesive partnerships with customers to ensure the best experience possible. As part of this roll-out, the company says it will be increasing the availability of over-thecounter parts to improve aftermarket support of its products.

MINING SOUTHERN AFRICA The CSARO Mining activity, led by Andre Kuhn, has developed an advanced fault-finding electronic support tool that identifies the origin of technical glitches and the parts required to repair it. This reduces downtime, improves efficiency and provides cost savings for the customer. Furthermore, Cummins' telematics system, DEMS (Data Enabled Mining Solution), remotely monitors the vital statistics and performance of an engine, presenting early warnings of potential engine downtime.

POWER GENERATION The Cummins Power Generation activity in Southern Africa, led by Robin Kuriakose, highlights the largest single unit genset, the C3750 powered by a 95 ℓ engine, which is set to be installed and commissioned by mid-2018. This is a first for Southern Africa.

DEVELOPMENTS WELL UNDER WAY Substantial business and financial acumen is required to ensure that the developments undertaken by Cummins Southern Africa are a success. The finance team, under Victor Masuku, leader: Finance, make certain that all the company’s numbers add up.

sustainability

Anglo American’s Sustainability Strategy Anglo American recently launched its Sustainability Strategy, outlining an innovative approach to three major areas of sustainability – the environment, community development, and driving greater trust and transparency across the mining industry – including specific stretch goals to be delivered between now and 2030.

M

ark Cutifani, chief execu-

stakeholders, and is in alignment with the

tive, Anglo American, says,

UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“Our metals and minerals are the precious ingredi-

every school in its host communities performs among the top 20% of state

ents that enable and celebrate so many

together are expected to positively

aspects of our modern lives. But our role

transform how the stakeholders

in today’s world is far greater than simply

experience the business. Yet it is flexible

being a supplier of physical products.

enough to make it relevant to individual

• improving energy efficiency by 30%

If Anglo American is to play its part in

operating sites and local people,”

• reducing freshwater abstraction by

creating a sustainable future for the

says Cutifani.

world and improving the lives of all who

The strategy is focused on three global

schools in the country • reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30%

50% in water-scarce regions.

“Delivering on these commitments will

live here, then we must be prepared to

sustainability pillars – Healthy Environ-

transform the way Anglo American does

challenge our business and ourselves, by

ment, Thriving Communities, and Trusted

business. Keeping our people and the

reimagining mining.”

Corporate Leader – each encompassing

environment safe, supporting excellent

three global stretch goals. These goals

education, and using our unique ap-

egy is part of FutureSmart Mining™, the

relate to Anglo American as a whole, at

proach of collaborative regional devel-

company’s innovation-led approach to

an aggregate level.

opment to further enhance our ability

Anglo American’s Sustainability Strat-

sustainable mining. The company says

“They are deliberately ambitious, they

to provide truly sustainable benefits for

it is the blueprint for the future of the

will challenge our business to innovate

our host communities present a different

business – a future in which all mines will

and change, and we are mobilising our

picture of the future of mining.

be safer, more sustainable and efficient,

people and resources to deliver them

and better harmonised with the needs of

by 2030,” Cutifani says.

their host communities.

This innovative strategy has been

10

“The strategy is holistic and comprises mutually reinforcing elements that

job on-site in its host communities • working with government to ensure

Goals

“The financial benefits to our business by 2030 are expected to be significant, including substantially reduced energy and water costs. At the same time,

developed following a robust

Anglo American has a number of goals,

we expect our innovative approach

consultation process with the

which include:

and the technologies we are develop-

employees and a wide array of external

• creating five jobs off-site for every

ing to open up new mineral resource

Ins i de Mi n i n g april / MAy | 2 0 1 8

sustainability opportunities for us over the medium

providing information on everything

term,” adds Cutifani.

from where mining has taken place to

Anglo American’s Sustainability Strategy was launched to an audience of

The benefits have been immediate,

socially responsible investors as part of

with the drones providing information

the company’s presentation of its 2017

and data on Kumba’s operations that

sustainability performance.

used to take days, or even weeks, to ac-

Kumba Iron Ore case study As previously mentioned, Anglo American’s strategy is part of FutureSmart Mining. This is more than just a strategy on paper,

cumulate. In many cases, they are delivering new data that wasn’t accessible before, and are allowing Kumba to operate far more efficiently than before.

Not all the technologies are as glamorous as robotic

this is a strategy the

drills or drones – but they

company is pursuing in

are no less effective in con-

practice too.

Anglo’s Kumba Iron Ore is at the forefront of a technology revolution that is chang-

“Rather than replacing employees, we have shown that using technology in our operations improves skills and provides an opportunity for staff to develop and grow.”

current stockpiles.

tributing to a modern mining operation. Kumba is particularly proud of its Advanced Process Control (ACP) system, which,

ing the face of the mine’s operations

in simple terms, controls the flow of ma-

– and indeed, the entire iron ore mining

terial through the processing plant, with

industry – through the development of

fewer interruptions and better quality.

a fleet of automated drilling machines

And then there’s the autonomous

operated from a safe, air-conditioned

braking of Kumba’s haul trucks, which

control centre next to the mine’s office.

automatically brings the massive trucks

This development has seen a dramatic

to a stop to avoid collisions and acci-

rise in productivity for the business. Oper-

dents. More than 10 trucks have already

ating hours are up by 20% (from 14 to 17

been fitted with the new braking system.

hours a day) and the quality of the drill

The best part of the technology strate-

holes has improved. As a result, fewer

gy, says Bongi Ntsoelengoe, technology

drilling machines will be needed over

manager, Kumba Iron Ore, is that not a

the lifetime of the mine. The robotic drill-

single job has been lost in the process.

ing machines are part of an R500 million

“Rather than replacing employees,

investment in technology by Kumba at

we have shown that using technology

its mines in the Northern Cape as part

in our operations improves skills and

of its efforts to make mining safer, more

provides an opportunity for staff to

productive and more environmentally

develop and grow. Better working

friendly. The machines aren’t only tak-

conditions mean employees are

ing over the drilling operations, though.

excited and motivated about their

The skies are also a lot busier over

work environment, which makes for a

Kumba’s Kolomela and Sishen mines

more productive, safer workplace,”

these days, with a fleet of 10 drones

concludes Ntsoelengoe.

11

coal report

The road ahead for coal in South Africa With coal resources comprising around 30 billion tonnes, South Africa has abundant capacity to provide affordable power for many decades to come. In the longer term, the possibility of nuclear power could change this picture, but coal is the best choice for emerging markets for the foreseeable future. By Alastair Currie

D

storage (CCSS). Close to 90% of CO2

terms of volumes. In arguing the business

Coal Terminal (RBCT) exported

emissions created can be captured us-

case for coal, the report highlights the

76.47 Mt, a 5.1% improvement

ing this technology. Captured CO2 can

fact that this commodity is presently the

then be used productively for various

cheapest baseload technology. “This is

– Europe accounting for 10.1%, South

downstream processes, like refrigeration

supported by the Department of Ener-

America 0.5% and Africa 7.8%, with

and cooling. According to the World

gy’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2016),

key markets here comprising Djibouti

Coal Association, there are presently

which shows that the levelised cost of

(0.95 Mt), Mauritius (0.81 Mt) and Egypt

around 21 CCSS plants in operation or

electricity (LCOE) across the various coal

(0.74 Mt). However, the lion’s share

under construction.

technologies is lower than renewables.

uring 2017, the Richards Bay

when compared to 2016

continues to ship to Asia, at 81.6%, with

“Because of coal’s contribution to

India taking up the largest portion here

GHG emissions, many jurisdictions, in-

taken into account, the LCOE increases

(35.76 Mt).

cluding South Africa, have put in place

significantly,” the report states.

These RBCT export figures are steadily rising year-on-year but, in the longer

affected demand for coal,” reads a

Global coal

term, what is the future impact given

statement from the Chamber of Mines’

The EIA’s Energy Outlook 2017 report says

alternative options like nuclear, oil and

National Coal Strategy for South Africa

that global energy demand is expected

natural gas, and renewables? Where

report. This report was commissioned by

to expand by 30% leading up to 2040,

coal does remain a core component of

the Chamber’s Coal Leadership forum to

driven by the increasing rate of urbanisa-

the energy mix, it is frequently in a clean-

address negative perceptions worldwide

tion, “the equivalent of adding another

er format. For example, greenhouse

about its usage in industry. Locally, the

China and India to today’s global de-

gas (GHG) and pollution concerns are

report states that those that would be

mand”. However, the demand for coal

motivating regions like Europe, the USA,

most adversely affected are the electric-

is predicted to decline , with renewables

Japan and China to switch to power

ity and the liquid fuels manufacture sec-

(mostly solar and wind) then leading the

stations equipped with high-efficiency,

tors, and the basic iron and steel indus-

energy pack . Nuclear power only sees a

low-emissions (HELE) technology. That’s a

try. Combined, these sectors account for

marginal increase in capacity.

positive lease on life for ‘clean’ coal.

over 80% of domestic coal demand in

Another option is carbon capture and

12

strict environmental laws that have

If battery technology for renewables is

Ins i de Mi n i n g april / MAy | 2 0 1 8

terms of value and approximately 70% in

Currently, though, the EIA states that coal supplies a third of all energy used

coal report

1 South Africa produces 3.3% of the world's coal

In 2017, the Richards Bay Coal Terminal exported 76.47 Mt

worldwide and makes up 40% of electricity generation. “Although coal-fired power generation increases by 1.2% per year in the period 2016 to 2022, its share of the power mix falls to just below 36% by 2022 – the lowest level since IEA statistics began.”

The EIA estimates that the world’s recoverable coal reserves are 888.9 billion tonnes (IEA, 2016), with five countries possessing nearly 73% of the world’s recoverable coal reserves.

China, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa and the USA are currently the six largest coal consumers, based on IEA 2015 statistics. China leads by a wide margin as the biggest coal producer and consumer (but is seeking cleaner solutions like HELE, and renewables), followed by India.

According to the EIA, India has voluntarily agreed to reduce its GHG emissions intensity. However, at this stage, there is no sign of a drop in demand over the medium term, especially given India’s current heavy reliance on power sta-

Globally, some 21 CCSS plants are in operation or under construction

Coal’s socioeconomic benefits • I ndirectly, the coal industry is

Global energy demands are to expand by 30% by 2040

Coal resources in South Africa

responsible for creating and sustaining over 170 000 jobs outside the industry • F or most of the period between 1980 and 2015, increased labour productivity accounted for an increase in coal production (in volumes) •T ransport and storage costs account for more than 50% of total industry costs (excluding value-add) •A s a share of total GDP valueadd, compensation of employees outpaced net operating surplus/ profits for most years between 1995 and 2015 •C oal export prices are the leading indicator for net investment. In other words, a sustained increase in export prices is soon followed by higher net investment (Source: Chamber of Mines Coal Strategy 2018 report)

• S outh Africa is endowed with an

estimated 30 billion tonnes of coal, representing 3.5% of the world’s coal resources • T he country produces 3.3% of the world’s annual coal production • S outh Africa is a net exporter of coal and exports amount to 6% of total global exports. This ranks South Africa as the sixth largest coal-exporting nation in the world • I n 2016, South Africa produced 253.1 Mt of coal, of which 181.4 Mt was sold internally with a value of R61.5 billion, while 68.9 Mt, worth R50.5 billion, was exported •C oal provides 82% of the power generated by state-owned power utility Eskom •E skom operates 16 power stations and is building two more that will come on stream by 2021 • S asol mines some 40 Mt of coal a year for gasification and conversion into liquid fuels (Source: Chamber of Mines of South Africa)

tion coal, which is good news for South African exporters. In the longer term, the focus will be on advancing HELEtype technologies, to maintain coal’s place in the energy team.

“South African exports account for about 30% of total sales. Yet in terms of value, exports make up approximately 45% of total earnings.”

Chamber of Mines Coal Strategy 2018 report

In sid e M in in g april/M Ay | 2018

13

commodity: tin

The future of tin t

in is of fundamental value and

Once operational, we believe this will

is used to manufacture modern

confirm the potential of the Uis project

day electronics such as mobile

as a world-class tin mine with low opera-

phones. AfriTin is a mining com-

tional risks.”

pany with a portfolio of near production tin assets in Namibia and South Africa,

Mapping and modelling

with the flagship asset being the Uis tin

The company recently undertook and

mine in Namibia.

completed a detailed geological map-

In terms of investment destinations in

ping over the V1 and V2 pegmatite bod-

Africa, Namibia stands out mainly due

ies at Uis, which were previously identified

to the fact that the country boasts good

as priority targets for ore to supply the

transport infrastructure, a stable democ-

new, intermediary plant, based upon a

racy and an independent legal system.

historical report produced for Iscor, by

AfriTin Mining has procured the entire

SRK, in 1985.

front end crushing component for the

Tin is one of the best performing commodities globally with robust long-term fundamentals.

AfriTin has identified an opportunity in the market and discovered that, as a commodity, tin is not well understood, which is demonstrated by the lack of listed tin companies in recent years.

In a production report released by Afri-

processing circuit at the Uis tin mine cur-

Tin, the company revealed that the com-

rently under development in Namibia.

pleted mapping programme confirmed

Anthony Viljoen, CEO, AfriTin, states,

that the V1 pegmatite has a strike length

“We are very pleased with the results of

at surface in excess of 950 m. The V2 peg-

the early production phase mine design

matite was also extensively geologically

work that has recently been completed.

mapped, revealing that the centre of this mineralised body is much thicker than initial investigations had suggested, as well as revealing a possible structural control.

The mapping programme also confirmed the presence of mineralisation throughout the unmined surface extensions of the V1 and V2 pegmatite bodies. Both of these aspects related to the extent of the mineralisation along strike and at depth will be the subject of a more detailed exploration programme once production has commenced.

The company also revealed that the information acquired during the mapping expedition, combined with the digital

Anthony Viljoen, CEO, AfriTin

Can manufacturing

commodity: tin elevation model created from the ste-

construction of the plant site will be un-

remain excited about the project pro-

reo pair of satellite images, allowed for

dertaken through the use of high-resolu-

gression and the long-term opportunity

the creation of a 3D geological model

tion satellite imagery, which has already

that AfriTin provides to investors in the

using Leapfrog software. The 3D model

been purchased, and topographical in-

world tin market,” Viljoen says.

provides an outline of the V1 and V2 ore

terpretation is currently being prepared.

bodies extending to a depth of 150 m.

Following the completion of a map-

It is emphasised that the level of con-

ping programme and the construction

fidence of the model outline reduces

of a 3D geological model, the company

with increasing depth, but indications

has undertaken a detailed mine design

are that the mineralisation continues

for the V1 and V2 pegmatite bodies,

past this depth.

previously identified as priority targets

The 3D geological model will be utilised

processing plant. The mine design in-

a provisional mine production plan will

cludes an initial five-year mine produc-

be produced. The results from this pro-

tion schedule to commence operations

gramme qualitatively support the historic

on the outcropping pegmatite bodies

14.6 Mt resource in the SRK report for the

and existing excavations of the historical

V1 and V2 pit. The estimated ROM feed

V1/V2 pits.

to the plant is planned at 500 000 tpa. At

A plant location has been identified

this rate, the V1 and V2 pit could be the

in close proximity to the V1/V2 pegma-

sole supplier of mineralisation to the plant

tite bodies. The site layout and project

for the first 29 years of production

infrastructure are being finalised, and earthworks and civil works construction are scheduled to commence during

AfriTin has made good progress towards

May 2018, with production on track for

its objective of commercial production

the second half of 2018.

from the Uis mine later in the year.

The AfriTin engineering team has be-

2 3 4

“While we believe Uis has the resources to be a long-life operation, this

gun work on the infrastructure design

phased approach should provide a

for the plant design at Uis. The scope of

platform for sustainable early cash flows.

the team’s work includes civil, structural

It should also de-risk the implementation

and mechanical designs and drafting.

of a larger-scale mining and processing

The company says the planning work

facility, which should allow us to expand

needed to identify, design and begin

long-term project financing options. We

Mobile phones

1

to supply feed to the new intermediary

to generate a block model from which

Plant design update

AfriTin at a glance

Steel beams

5

AfriTin Mining is a newly formed company that has acquired the tin assets of Bushveld Minerals in Namibia and South Africa Following the successful transformation of Bushveld Minerals from an explorer into a producer, the de-merger allows AfriTin to become the only pureplay tin company listed on AIM AfriTin’s flagship Uis tin project is located in the Erongo Region of north-west Namibia Comprised of three separate mining licences, Uis is a brownfield, near-term production opportunity, which was once one of the largest open-pit tin mines of its kind in the world The project contains historical resource estimates (non JORC compliant) of over 70 000 000 t of mineralised pegmatite, with approximately 95 000 t of contained tin (as prepared by SRK Consulting in 1989)

Home appliances

In sid e M in in g april/M Ay | 2018

15

legislation

Throttling the goose that laid the golden eggs The prolonged uncertainty created by the introduction of Mining Charter III and the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill [B 15D – 2013], has left South Africa’s mining industry in limbo. It is an industry that can ill afford any more financial setbacks. By Allan Reid

R

ather than bringing more black

considering whether or not to approve

ownership with the BBBEE Char-

mining mergers.

ter for the South African Minerals Industry (Mining Charter III),

Zwane is adamant that rapid economic transformation should not just be lip

the Department of Mineral Resources

service. By introducing Mining Charter III,

(DMR) has created a roof fall in the

he will be increasing black ownership of

industry, which has put the brakes on

the industry to 30% – the effect of this an-

resource development.

nouncement has catapulted the industry

According to the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, the industry has been on the

into a crisis.

The mining industry has achieved 26%

back foot financially for years, recording

black ownership; the financial viability of

a R31 billion loss in 2015, with 60% of the

the additional 4% mandated by DMR has

significant platinum sector operating at a

added another risk to an already uncer-

loss. The industry already operates in an

tain market.

uncertain environment with fluctuating

Since 15 June 2017, R51 billion of value

commodity prices and exchange rates

in South Africa’s mining sector was lost,

compounded by increasing cost pres-

“due to the negative response to the re-

sures. The reduced deal flow, as investors

lease of the DMR’s revised charter”, says

seek to divest and look for opportunities

the Chamber of Mines of South Africa.

elsewhere, is adding additional pressure as investments dry up.

The announcement has created

It’s no secret that the announcement of Mining Charter III has led to the industry being lost in limbo. Prior to the announce-

employment uncertainty with

ment, the industry was battling along,

the blue-collared workforce. Job

with the contribution of gold to South Afri-

losses in the industry have become

ca’s GDP consistently declining. Accord-

commonplace; as the sector’s

ing to Stats SA, “South Africa produced

contribution to GDP decreases, so does

87% less gold in January 2015 compared

the opportunity to retain, let alone grow,

with the same month in 1980” – but now

employment opportunities.

The [former] Minister of Mineral Resources, Mosebenzi Zwane, has been reported saying (and reiterating) that he strongly believes “the new Mining Charter is realistic and achievable”. So concerning is the loss of employment in the mining sector that this issue has become a public interest focus area of the Competition Commission in

Allan Reid, director: Corporate and Commercial and head: Mining and Minerals Sector, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr

Job losses are increasing and at an almost equal rate to disinvestment, and secondary and supporting industries are feeling the impact

legislation

it’s hitting a full-blown crisis. And the economy, which narrowly clawed its way out of a technical recession in 2017, will bear the brunt.

Job losses are increasing and at an almost equal rate to disinvestment, and

projects have seen a

secondary and supporting industries are

sharp decline with no new

feeling the impact. Concurrently, fewer

gold mines having been sunk in

investors see South Africa’s mining indus-

the last 10 years.

While Mining Charter III was ostensibly

try as a viable option and foreign direct investment is leaving our shores. The

created to promote empowerment in

financial viability of South African mines

the industry, the very section of society

and the

is looking bleak and investors are seeking

it was created to support – the blue-

mining houses.

more profitable options in Africa. Gold

collared workers on which the industry

The charter has

mining is a perfect example.

relies – are hardest hit. Retrenchments

created a common goal

and job losses are but some of the side

of protecting the interests of

effects of a charter that didn’t consult

the mining industry – key to the

the industry for which it was written.

survival of both parties.

The Golden Fleece seems to be West Africa

As mines focus on retrieving what min-

West Africa is reaping the rewards,

If the mining industry is to survive, the

having far overreached the tonnage

erals, particularly gold and platinum, re-

current minister needs to be removed and

of gold mined by Southern Africa since

main in existing shafts, miners now need

replaced by an experienced hand in the

2006. While the South Atlantic side of

to dig as far as 3 km underground to

industry. The unilateral decision to proceed

the continent has its own challenges,

source what is left.

with Mining Charter III, while a strong

including an unreliable power source

political move, is smelting one of South

and tough tax legislation, it is still proving

A silver lining

a cheaper, more certain and attractive

An unintended consequence of

option for investors. The remaining South

Mining Charter III is its role in solidifying

*This article was originally published

African mines that are still operational

what historically has been a tenuous

prior to President Ramaphosa's first

are digging up what is there; exploration

relationship between the labour force

cabinet reshuffle.

Africa’s key contributors to its GDP.

Mining’s contribution in 2017 • • • • • • •

Direct contribution of mining to GDP: R312 billion Mining GDP growth rate: 3.7% Mining contribution as % of total GDP: 6.8% Direct contribution of mining to fixed investment: R93.4 billion Total primary mineral sales: R424 billion Royalties paid: R5.8 billion Taxes paid: R16 billion

(Source: Chamber of Mines, Mine SA 2017)

In sid e M in in g april/M Ay | 2018

17

Tech investment light

at the end of the economy tunnel

In February, President Cyril Ramaphosa commented that the South African mining sector should be treated as a sunrise sector rather than a sunset sector, which is how it is currently perceived. By Keith Fenner

H

Keith Fenner, business group director: Dynamics, Microsoft

is speech has given the

of growth, economic volatility and

industry a small amount of

limited finances.

hope as it faces a future that’s potentially provided

with far more government support,

underground expansion; it is also under

rather than the bedraggled and listless

pressure to cut back on its utilisation of

engagement of the past few years.

resources. The sector is one of the larg-

For Ramaphosa, the goal is to engage

est consumers of energy and water,

more closely with stakeholders in the

but both are increasingly scarce com-

industry around the Mining Charter and

modities and come with increasingly

ensure that it is more closely aligned

heavy price tags and external pressure.

with the transformation of mining in

Mining companies must find alternative

South Africa. For the industry, the goal

methodologies to reduce their impact

is to overcome challenges around

on the environment, as well as cut

economic depression, financial loss,

back on the huge weight they place

resource utilisation and modernisation.

on shrinking budgets.

Rampahosa’s support could not

18

Ins i de Mi n i n g A P R I L / MAY | 2 0 1 8

The industry doesn’t just have to manage the complexities that surround

come at a better time. The challenges

Time to rebuild

that impact on the mining landscape

Yet, the industry is pivotal to helping

are complex and costly, and have

South Africa rebuild its embattled econ-

been relentlessly affecting produc-

omy and drive growth in the region.

tivity and growth. Many mines have

According to the US Geological Survey,

to dig deeper and further in order

South Africa’s total reserves are worth

to deliver the same returns as in the

approximately R20.3 trillion, with the

past and they have to undertake

world’s largest reserves in manganese

this expensive exercise while reaping

and platinum group metals and among

diminishing returns. These two pain

the largest in gold, diamonds, chromite

points are further impacted by lack

ore and vanadium. This value is further

industry insight

underscored by the statistics released

are focused on addressing the unique

by Statistics SA stating that “mining con-

challenges that the industry faces.

tributes R8 for every R100 produced by the national economy and employs 1 in

Intelligent solutions

every 40 working individuals”.

The key is in the word ‘intelligent’ – intelli-

Mining has inordinate potential and

gent solutions that can be cut and craft-

According to the US Geological Survey, South Africa’s total reserves are worth approximately R20.3 trillion

can change the outlook for the country

ed to fit market requirements, like Mi-

and the challenges it faces around em-

crosoft Dynamics 365. Microsoft’s tech-

in mine safety incidents over the past

ployment, poverty and growth. Despite

nology offering is designed to fit into the

few years. Through insights and data,

issues around safety, illegal mining and

gaps that legacy tools, challenges and

mines can detect problems before they

financial loss, the industry is still one of

technologies leave behind. Smart and

become incidents.

the biggest employers in South Africa.

easy to use, it doesn’t impact on the

In fact, according to Statistics SA, min-

barrier to entry, but it does allow for the

impact on the bottom line – the kind of

ing was one of only two sectors that

company to optimise operations and

positive impact that the industry wants

showed positive growth in 2017, con-

empower employees. Using the collab-

on the bottom line. By optimising the

tributing an impressive 0.9% to the gross

orative capabilities of the technology,

mining life cycle, improving safety and

domestic product. Imagine the change

employees can share information and

the environment, and connecting the

it could make if it underwent even more

insights so they can make more informed

workforce, Microsoft 365 improves pro-

growth if the promises made by govern-

decisions along the value chain, and

ductivity and effectiveness, which has a

ment and SONA were kept?

using the data and toolsets embedded

very beneficial knock-on effect when it

into the system, the mine can increase

comes to budgets. It also mitigates the

safety and efficiency.

impact of unexpected costs by becom-

Amidst these pain points lies another issue – modernisation. Technology may

In addition, this technology has a direct

be one of the most important tools that

Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides on-

ing a part of the mining journey, from dis-

this industry needs in order to transform

going analysis of real-time and historic

covery to delivery, ensuring that systems,

productivity, overcome the challenges

data pulled from equipment, which can

tools, yellow metals and processes are

of limited skill resources, and gain deep-

then be shared across the organisa-

tracked, checked and consistently opti-

er insight into how processes can be

tion. It allows for the teams to instantly

mised. With it, the mine can modernise,

adapted to cut back on costs, resource

detect any potential issues or areas of

improve, transform and empower – all

usage and waste. Intelligent solutions

concern before they impact on the

the right boxes can be ticked to take the

designed specifically for the mining in-

mine’s people or safety record. It is

industry through the night and back into

dustry will deliver results, especially if they

also an invaluable solution to the rise

the sunrise.

In sid e M in in g april/M Ay | 2018

19

project: south africa

Bakubung breakthrough

WorleyParsons RSA, which has designed more deep mine shafts than any other company in the world, has recently completed the first and most critical phase of Wesizwe’s R10.7 billion Bakubung Platinum Mine project near Rustenburg.

T

he commissioning of the main and service shafts and the ore-handling system marks a major milestone in the

Bakubung project’s timeline. “The most important phase in developing a deep underground mine with vertical shafts is equipping and commissioning the shafts to hoist – and we have successfully achieved that within the required time frame,” says Ryan Illingworth, project director: Bakubung Platinum Mine, WorleyParsons RSA. He adds that with shaft steelwork, rock skips and man cages installed, and the production and service shafts complete, the vital work has been done and the second phase of developing underground infrastructure can continue.

The downcast production shaft, to be used for man and materials, has a hoisting capacity of 250 000 t of ore and 15 000 t of waste per month. A refrigeration system will provide bulk air cooling at a later stage. The layout of the 8.5 m diameter lined production shaft accommodates two 20 t skips, a two-deck cage with 12 t/150-man payload, a counterweight, and 20-man service cage. The 7.5 m diameter lined service shaft currently consists of a stage

Bakubung production shaft headgear

20

Ins i de Mi n i n g A P R I L / MAY | 2 0 1 8

The downcast production shaft, to be used for man and materials, has a hoisting capacity of 250 000 t of ore and 15 000 t of waste per month

winder and kibble winder, originally utilised for the sinking of this shaft but currently being used for the auxiliary hoisting of

Realising possibilities from mine to market.

rock and materials.

Other highlights Other major milestones WorleyParsons has achieved on this project include the construction of the main shaft terrace, main stores, workshops, temporary offices, sewage treatment plant, main access road and the production shaft headgear.

This 83 m tall headgear – for which WorleyParsons RSA received a South African Institute of Steel Construction Award in 2014 in the mining and industrial category – was erected in just 18 days and will be used to service all the conveyances.

The three winders are ground-mounted and include a Koepe winder for rock hoisting, and a double drum cage/ counterweight winder for men and material hoisting.

A bespoke solution A significant optimisation effort that WorleyParsons RSA achieved during the first phase of the project was the local development and implementation of a cost-effective and highly efficient roping-up system instead of importing a more expensive system.

Illingworth explains that, by working in conjunction with the Tech Edge group, WorleyParsons developed the first locally built Koepe roping-up equipment suitable for four ropes simultaneously. This tailor-made equipment included deflection sheaves, a compression

Resource Evaluation

Mine Planning

Mining & Mine Development

Materials Handling

Environment & Approvals

Mineral Processing

Tailings & Waste Management

Smelting & Refining

Transport to Market

Non-Process Infrastructure

beam, rope reelers and a friction winch – all controlled from a central desk supplied by Schneider. This was specifically designed for Bakubung Platinum Mine and is expected to pass on significant savings in both time and cost to the client over the lifespan of the shaft.

About Bakubung Wesizwe officially launched its flagship Bakubung Platinum Mine development project (previously the FrischgewaagdLedig project) on 4 July 2011 and WorleyParsons RSA has

WorleyParsons adds value through our full scope of services from pit to port including studies, mine planning, impact assessments, permitting and approvals, project management, construction management and global procurement.

been involved in the project for almost a decade – from pre-feasibility and feasibility stages to being appointed as the engineering, procurement, construction management contractor in 2012.

Bakubung Platinum Mine is located in the North West province of South Africa, in the western limb of the Bushveld Complex, and is expected to have a lifespan of 35 years and employ over 3 100 people when full production is reached.

The mine will produce 255 000 t per month on steady state for 24 years. Four mining levels are planned, ranging from 690 m to 810 m below collar.

Merensky and the UG2 reefs will be mined. Merensky reef

Our Mining Centre of Excellence in Johannesburg has niche expertise in underground and open cast mining and provides quality project development and engineering solutions for small to large projects across all areas of base metals, the coal supply chain, chemicals, ferrous metals, alumina, aluminium and iron ore.

Supported by the WorleyParsons global group, we pride ourselves on customising solutions for local environments and committing to our customers’ goals.

around the shaft area is intersected at 730.9 m below collar and UG2 reef is 769.4 m below collar. A concentrator plant will also be built on the mine.

www.worleyparsons.com

wprsainfo@worleyparsons.com

mine water

Addressing legacy challenges Over 150 years of mining in South Africa has led to serious environmental pollution, which needs to be addressed in order to ensure that the industry remains a sustainable role player in the country’s economy.

By Danielle Petterson

S

qualities, as well as extract various

needed upfront or in-between the RIP

elements including uranium, gold

circuits, capital and operating costs

and base metals.

are minimised. In this instance, toxic

Neutralising radioactivity Located near Mintek’s test site is Robinson Lake – a water body

soil from Robinson Lake is slurried at the Mintek demonstration site in AMD, and leached using sulfuric acid.

This leach step dissolves and

that was once a community

liberates the uranium and base

recreational area. The lake, located

metals, making these metals

in a residential area, has been so

amenable for removal from the soil.

polluted by mine effluent that it is

The resultant leached slurry is then

now radioactive.

passed through the uranium RIP

Mintek has paid particular attention

circuit to recover the uranium and

to this site, developing a method to

produce effluent slurry that is safe for

recover uranium and base metals

discharge. The environmental limit

from this polluted material in order

requires that uranium concentrations

to purify it. This is achieved through

be below 50 mg per 1 kg of solids

et up alongside Sibanye-

its MetRIX™ (metal recovery through

before discharge.

Stillwater’s operations in

ion exchange) technology, which is a

Randfontein, Mintek has

continuous, counter-current resin-in-

concentrations can be reduced to

established a technology

pulp (RIP) technology.

around 40 mg per 1 kg of solids. After

demonstration site to develop, test and

MetRIX follows a three-step process –

Using MetRIX, the uranium

the uranium is removed, the slurry is

showcase technologies to treat toxic

leaching, RIP adsorption and elution

passed through another RIP circuit to

mine effluent and waste.

– and the use of the technology

recover base metals such as copper,

eliminates the need for upfront solid/

cobalt and nickel.

Offering a solution for the

“We demonstrate that you can take

rehabilitation of mine-impacted sites,

liquid separation. The process recovers

these technologies work to neutralise

uranium and base metals, in separate

a highly polluted site like Robinson

acid mine drainage (AMD) and

RIP circuits, directly from leached

Lake, remove the toxic uranium,

generate streams of varying water

pulp. As solid/liquid separation is not

recover value and have effluent

NICMembrane™

wastewater, where it successfully removes turbidity and pathogens.

Opportunities exist to add this technology to the end of other water treatment processes in order to produce potable water.

Mintek also has several other technologies running at its test site, which are capable of treating AMD and recovering valuables from mining waste

The NICMembrane is a low-fouling ultrafiltration membrane that shows the capability of treating mineimpacted water for potential reuse. The capillary ultrafiltration membrane is a semi-permeable barrier that separates solutes from solution via size exclusion.

The technology has several applications and has been tested on domestic

Biological sulfate reduction The process uses anaerobic sulfatereducing bacteria (SRB) in the presence

mine water

Alan McKenzie, general manager: Technology, Mintek, explains how the Savmin plant operates

Sietse van de Woude, senior executive, Chamber of Mines, drinks the clean water produced by Mintek’s Savmin plant

Using the MetRIX system, slurry is passed through several RIP tanks to remove uranium and base metals

Other technologies Biological oxidation is used to recover precious and base metals, in this case gold, from tailings dumps that cause AMD, using microorganisms. A filtration process is used to upgrade the sulfide content before creating a concentrate. Microorganisms are then used to break down the sulfides and make the gold accessible.

Bio-oxidation occurs in temperature-controlled tanks to allow the growth of bacteria. The resultant product is taken for processing to remove the gold.

material that is safe for discharge,”

sulfate concentrations too high for

stumbling block at the moment.

says Michelle van Rooyen, head:

discharge into the environment.

According to McKenzie, a large portion

According to Alan McKenzie,

of the AMD problem on a national scale

Technology Metals, Mintek.

general manager: Technology, Mintek,

is not caused by existing operators,

there are several treatment options

but by mines that are long closed.

When it comes to treating AMD,

available for AMD globally, with reverse

Although numerous funding models

Mintek’s Savmin™ plant is able to treat

osmosis (RO) being the only one that

have been suggested, this means that

around 2 m3/h of AMD and produce

is currently commercially operational.

a fairly large proportion of the cost

potable-quality water, depending on

However, RO uses a vast amount of

for treating AMD will probably have

the concentrations of certain elements

electricity, which is costly, and produces

to be borne by government, which is

in the AMD. The technology follows

effluents like brine that cannot be

currently experiencing a constrained

a four-stage precipitation-based

disposed of safely. “What we decided

fiscal environment. As McKenzie points

treatment process developed by Mintek

to go for was a chemical process rather

out, running an AMD plant is not a

specifically for the treatment of AMD

than one that is based on electricity

cheap exercise. When Mintek’s plant

and other mining-impacted water with

usage,” he says.

was first established back in 2014, the

A solution for AMD

Savmin is the only one of its kind that

This has now been reduced to around

breakthrough we came up with is in the

R10/m3 through reagent recycling and

recycling and, in fact, we can recycle

optimisation, which is more on par

between 80% and 90% of the reagents

with some of the bulk water suppliers.

we put in, which reduces the costs

However, it still costs R1 million to

significantly and is also much more

R1.5 million per month to run the plant

sustainable,” says McKenzie.

over and above the roughly R25 million

The AMD problem in South Africa is significant. According to McKenzie,

of organic substrates to remove sulfates and precipitate metals as metal-sulfides, while simultaneously producing alkalinity that raises the effluent pH. Woodchips are used as an immobilisation medium and complex organic substrate for the SBR consortium. Using this method, more than 95% of sulfates can be removed.

cost of treatment was roughly R25/m3.

recycles reagents. “We believe the

cost of developing the plant.

However, the Department of Water and

roughly 60 to 80 million litres of AMD is

Sanitation plans for 2% of the country’s

produced daily. The test plant can only

water supply to come from treated AMD

treat about 50 m3/day and would need

by 2040. The department has warned

to be several thousand times larger to

that without a diversified water supply

tackle the problem. However, the Trans

and other measures, the country could

Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) is in

face a 17% water deficit by 2030.

the process of exploring technologies

McKenzie believes there are also

that can be implemented to tackle this

a number of other opportunities for

very serious problem.

this technology outside of the legacy

However, the cost of treating the problem is probably the biggest

AMD challenge, specifically for use at operating coal.

In sid e M in in g A PR IL/M AY | 2018

23

MINING EQUIPMENT

DEEPLY ROOTED IN AFRICA thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions is proud of its timehonoured history as a leading partner of engineering, equipment, technology, plant and service solutions to mining, cement, chemical, fertiliser, and oil and gas industries across the African continent.

L

with more than 40 customers. The

said, our capabilities as a world-leading

conference was extremely successful,

single-source solutions supplier is not as

with customers showing a keen interest

well recognised in Africa as in the rest of

in thyssenkrupp’s capabilities and

the world,” notes Nellessen. ”We need

ooking to further strengthen

solution offerings especially in the field

to address this through heightening

its long-standing business

of energy efficiencies and storage.

awareness around our engineering

partnerships and expand its

Editors from South Africa’s leading

solutions, which are focused on

footprint in Africa, thyssenkrupp

mining journals were also invited to an

increasing mine and plant efficiencies.”

hosted four customer conferences

open dialogue session where they were

during Mining Indaba 2018, which

given the opportunity to engage with

Growth Strategy

took place at the Cape Town

thyssenkrupp’s management.

For thyssenkrupp, it goes far beyond

International Convention Centre

“We are deeply rooted in Africa with

delivering of technologies that assist

spans eight decades. We also have a

mines and plants to be more profitable.

senior management unpacked the

large foorprint on the continent,” says

Their success means growth, job creation

engineering group’s structure, which

Philipp Nellessen, CEO: South Africa

and upskilling, the development of

enables the company to draw from

and sub-Saharan Africa, thyssenkrupp

local communities and, ultimately, the

five main business areas and combine

Industrial Solutions. “One of the largest

stimulation of economies in the African

local experience with global knowledge

concentrations of thyssenkrupp drum

countries where these industries operate.

to offer single-source solutions across

reclaimers is in operation at an iron

The growing trend of business-community

the entire value chain. thyssenkrupp’s

ore mine in the Northern Cape, and

collaboration will see outreach

sustainable engineering solutions

we have supplied the largest drum

initiatives such as mines providing

and cutting-edge technological

reclaimers in the world to South Africa’s

power or water to nearby communities.

breakthroughs were also shared

two new power plants. This having been

thyssenkrupp also recognises Africa’s

from 5 to 8 February.

During the conference, thyssenkrupp’s

Adamo Screnci Jacques Steyn General Manager: Materials Handling

24

business to the development and

a long presence in South Africa that

Ins i de Mi n i n g A P R I L / MAY | 2 0 1 8

Senior Business Development Manager: Energy Storage & Hydrogen

Koos Smit Senior Business Analyst: Regional Office South East Africa

MINING EQUIPMENT

Philipp Nellessen CEO: thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions untapped and unparalleled potential.

there is a direct correlation between

building the complete plant around

Only a minuscule portion of the world’s

increased depth and rising costs, so

the boiler. Expertise and technology

global exploration and extraction

mines are turning to technologies to

in the fields of electrolysis, polymers,

budgets have been invested in Africa

assist them in reaching these depths as

base chemicals, fuel storage as well

despite the fact that it holds over

efficiently and productively as possible

as modular solutions for chemical

30% of the world’s mineral resources.

in order to remain profitable.

and fertiliser plants are the areas of

More and more countries in Africa are

expertise of the Technologies and

showing economic growth on the back

A solution for Africa

of political stability, which is positively

“We want to be part of Africa’s

impacting on mining and industry.

solution and we want to make a

State-of-the-art service centre

South Africa’s political landscape is also

difference,” continues Nellessen.

thyssenkrupp has cornered the market

changing and the recent well-received

“To this end, we are committed to

in the service and after-market space

budget speech has seen considerable

focusing on increasing our presence

with its technologically advanced

strengthening of the rand and an

on this continent, building on our long-

Service Centre, located in Chloorkop,

increase in business confidence, which is

term African partnerships as well as

Ekurhuleni. Originally established to

attracting the interest of investors.

establishing new customer relationships

refurbish and manufacture components

and listening to customers to gain a

for its high pressure grinding rolls

resources, South Africa boasts diverse

better understanding of their individual

(HPGRs), significant expansion has

mineral riches; it is respectively the

requirements. This multifaceted strategy

resulted in the full service capability of

world’s fourth and fifth largest producer

will better position our various business

thyssenkrupp equipment and plants,

of diamonds and gold, and the

units to provide bespoke solutions,

as well as third-party equipment to

world’s largest producer of chrome,

from a single piece of equipment

OEM standards. These competencies

manganese, platinum, vanadium and

to an entire plant (feasibility studies,

extend to customers in all major

vermiculite. A gold mine located south-

systems, services) that combines local

African countries and field service

west of Johannesburg is currently the

experience and 200 years of global

teams are dispatched to support

deepest mine in the world, pushing

knowledge to ensure sustainable

equipment wherever and whenever

beyond the 4 km mark. The South

productivity and profitability for

needed, 24 hours a day, seven days a

African Chamber of Mines reports

customers and end-users.”

week. thyssenkrupp is also addressing

With 40% of the world’s known

Polymers business unit.

that gold production has fallen due

The often-remote locations of mining

to depleting resources so mines are

projects have prompted customers to

purpose-designed technical training

under tremendous pressure to go ever

look for suppliers who can provide an

centres across sub-Saharan Africa.

deeper to get to deposits. However,

all-in-one turnkey service – from the

The first training centre is currently

source of extraction to the ports for

under construction at thyssenkrupp’s

export. Perfectly positioned to meet this

Chloorkop facility, and is earmarked for

requirement is thyssenkrupp Industrial

completion in Q2 2018.

Solutions’ Materials Handling business

the loss of skills with the roll-out of

The recent opening of an office in

unit with its offering of stackers, drum

Accra, Ghana, bears testimony to

reclaimers, transfer cars, and train and

thyssenkrupp’s commitment to position

ship loading and unloading systems.

itself closer to its customers in the

From the Minerals Processing business

regions, bringing complete engineering

unit comes comminution and grinding

solutions and rapid, reliable and flexible

expertise. Power and Energy brings

support and services to their doorstep.

turnkey biomass fired plant solutions, from boiler supply right through to

Wilfred Barkhuizen

Ruben Lamprecht

General Manager: Minerals Processing

General Manager: Service

www.thyssenkrupp-industrial-solutions.com

In sid e M in in g april/M Ay | 2018

25

automation

A life solution for consistent and dynamic mining

Leading global supplier of equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries Sandvik Mining & Rock Technology boasts application areas including rock drilling, rock cutting, crushing and screening, loading and hauling, tunnelling, quarrying and breaking and demolition.

T UNDERSTANDING UNDERGROUND he award-winning AutoMine®

benefits including increased productivity,

part of the AutoMine Lite 2.0 product,

product family from Sandvik

improved safety and cost efficiency in

enabling automatic steering without

continues to evolve. The brand

mining. Loader or truck production cycles

predefined paths. This integrated solution

new next generation release of

can be automated with autonomous

expands the range of ideal mining

AutoMine Lite 2.0 includes both consistent

tramming and dumping as well as with

applications to continuously changing

high-speed automated production

loaders using Sandvik’s automatic bucket

mining environments, such as applications

missions and smart teleoperation

loading assistant functionality.

with small stopes or mine development.

capabilities for dynamic mining

Automated missions with AutoMine

Speed capabilities

operations. As a combined package, the

Lite are particularly suitable for mining

new AutoMine Lite 2.0 is a unique solution

operations requiring repeatable and

“AutoMine is the fastest underground

for integrated autonomy and advanced

consistently high performance, such

loading and trucking solution on the

performance and delivers substantial

intelligent teleoperation is now an integral

teleoperation capabilities means greater

For decades, we’ve worked with various tunneling projects around the world, creating remote control of underground loaders as sub-level open stoping, sub-level market,” says Jarkko Ruokojärvi, product cutting-edge technology to serve you with the best solution for your application. As the and trucks. caving, transfer levels or individual line manager: Automation, Sandvik only manufacturer in the business with our ownblock underground R&D center we continue to AutoMine Lite is a powerful tool to caving drives. In addition to the Mining and Rock Technology. “The be thetake clear forerunner in the tunneling equipment industry. advantage of full equipment optimised route-based automation, combination of automation and smart

26

Ins i de Mi n i n g A P R I L / MAY | 2 0 1 8

automation

80% 80% of Sandvik’s low-profile equipment is sold into the South African and Zimbabwean markets

15%

~1 650

Southern Africa makes up about 15% of Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology’s mining equipment sales worldwide

Sandvik's current overall workforce totals approximately 1 650 individuals across the country

flexibility, enabling mining customers to

locate and travel to the equipment.

easily expanded to AutoMine Multi-Lite,

use the most efficient operating mode

Another advantage of AutoMine

which enables each system operator to

in each production area or even both

Lite is that it significantly extends the

simultaneously control multiple loaders

modes in sections of the same production

lifetime of equipment, as machines run

or trucks and achieve even more

cycle. It is also easy for the operator to

optimally, reducing wear and tear and

significant value.

take full advantage of the new features

maintenance costs. The AutoMine system

in the system. Switching operating modes

is designed to a high level of safety and

AutoMine® is a registered trademark

– from automation to smart assisted

eliminates operator exposure to potential

of Sandvik.

teleoperation and vice versa – is as simple

hazards in underground environments.

as pressing a button.”

AutoMine Lite provides extra productive

With the new AutoMine Lite 2.0, Sandvik continues to drive the evolution of

hours each day by allowing the

underground equipment automation.

continued operation of the loader or truck

The solution is built on the proven

during blast clearance times. Additionally,

AutoMine platform and can also be

equipment utilisation is increased, as operators can hand over between shifts much faster without the need to

www.home.sandvik

In sid e M in in g april/M Ay | 2018

27

services

a competitive advantage Competitive Construction Services has been operational for more than 21 years, and specialises in the provision of engineering services, including supporting on-site operational services as required.

T

28

he business’s value system is

and knowledge. In the mining indus-

“Over the years, CCS has also part-

centred around the aim to build

try, our areas of expertise lie in milling

nered with both local businesses

mutual trust with customers and

installations and man and rock winder

and foreign companies to do work

rendering high-quality service

installation or repair. What really makes

locally and abroad. As the local

and support. Founded by JJ De Wet

us unique is that we offer manpower

mining sector was slowing down, we

in 1997, the business has become a

that is able to go out to any breakdown

managed to go abroad to work on

specialist in the installation, repair and

or shutdown at a moment’s notice to

installation projects in Zambia, Cuba,

maintenance of winders, mills, crushers,

ensure that any downtime is minimised,”

Zimbabwe, Mali, Niger and Liberia

convertors, mechanical machinery,

says De Wet. Despite the tough eco-

– to name but a few. Consulting for

lube piping and more, as well as air

nomic climate and the downturn the

foreign mines with installations on sag

slides, conveyors, raw mills and other

local mining industry has seen, De Wet

mills and ball mills in places like Ka-

equipment at cement plants.

says sticking to the business’s core val-

zakhstan and Cuba also kept us going

De Wet says that Competitive Con-

ues helped CCS weather the storm.

strongly and provided invaluable ex-

struction Services (CCS) has, over the

“The management and operating

perience,” he concludes.

years, focused on providing clients with

principles that we apply in our busi-

a service that will always minimise the

ness, and strongly believe have contrib-

swing, CCS looks forward to growing its

downtime mining operations may have.

uted to our current success, would thus

business and continuing to service the

“We do this by making sure we provide

naturally also be applied to any new

local market and beyond, forging new

the highest quality of workmanship, skills

contract opportunity.

relationships in the industry.

With the mining industry on an up-

Ins i de Mi n i n g A P R I L / MAY | 2 0 1 8

INSTALLATION & REPAIRS

“Installation of and Repairs on Winders, Mills, Crushers, all Mechanical Machinery and Lube Piping”

PO BOX 14781 ZUURFONTEIN 1912 CK 97/02975/23 V.A.T. NO.: 4530163361 Cell: (+27) 082 9229 557 (Estelle) Cell: (+27) 082 9229 556 (Johan)

CONTACT DETAILS:

Tel/Fax: (+27) 016 987 3149 l E-mail: dewet4@telkomsa.net

it & communication

Data management made easy In a world where data management is crucial, investing in the appropriate geological software is essential to the successful future of an organisation. Micromine’s entire suite of Geobank products delivers the best geological data management capabilities, no matter which environment you need it to operate in.

1

2

3

M

ost mining and exploration

releases typically aim to include a host

companies struggle to

of new functionalities and enhance-

maintain the quality, integ-

ments for existing tools, in order to keep

rity and usability of their

up to date with market and client re-

essential data. Some of the problems

quirements, so as to allow for continued

with inaccurate data are visible, while

return on their software investment. In

others are not. Loss of data, poor acces-

addition, we continue to innovate with

sibility and quality-control issues can cost

the vision of making exploration and

millions when inaccurate modelling and

mining easier,” Strydom comments. How-

decision-making results.

ever, smaller service packs are released

According to Micromine, the latest Geobank iterations are more necessary

throughout the year.

Strydom adds that the Geobank prod-

than ever before, given the increased

ucts have been designed and built to

project activity in the mining industry.

ensure that no matter how large your

Micromine’s regional manager for Afri-

company, how limited your IT capabil-

ca, Renier Strydom, says Geobank 2018

ities or how diverse your geological re-

is the latest version of the company’s

source, they offer the solution you need.

leading geological data management

As a total solutions provider of mining

solution, which aims to help mining and

software packages, Micromine aims to

exploration enterprises to maintain the

provide easy-to-use, fast, function-rich

quality, integrity and usability of their

and fit-for-purpose solutions. “This seems

essential data.

to be the underlying requirement from mines and service providers. Data size

New and improved

and complexity seem to be on the in-

Geobank 2018 includes a range of new

crease, and the ability to handle these

features and benefits aimed at improv-

large, complex data sets is becoming

ing the overall usability of the software,

increasingly important. We have also

making it easier to protect your most

seen a shift towards solutions that

valuable asset – your data. “These major

require less user involvement – more

left From top to bottom

4

1 A block model (graded) produced in Micromine

2 A drillhole and block model (without outline)

3 A key feature of Micromine is Vizex compatibility

4 Resource modelling in Micromine

In sid e M in in g april/M Ay | 2018

29

it & communication

GEOBANK Features Intuitive and visual tools can be accessed at the push of a button Visual Query tool, Plan Views, importing and exporting are just some of the new, intuitive ways of working in Geobank A central, secure system for storing your geological data providing a single point or truth Powerful validation to ensure accurate data Flexible reporting to transform your data into usable information Shared storage system to ensure appropriate visibility, accessibility and reliability Shared workflows to provide simple and consistent processes Scalable for use by operations of all sizes and across multiple sites

intuitive offerings that promote integra-

consultants. Training options include off-

tion among different software solutions,”

site training at Micromine Africa’s offices

explains Strydom.

in Bryanston, or on-site training at clients’

The latter is particularly important for a

premises or actual operations. Training

supplier of software solutions spanning

can be provided using data training sets,

the entire mining cycle, as the stages

or by using the client’s own data.

of involvement within a project life cy-

The company also provides post-sales

cle differ from project to project. In this

support for clients, with maintenance as

regard, Strydom’s remit is “to grow and

part of the Annual Licence (AL) scheme.

fortify all areas of our business in Africa,

The AL entitles clients to online and tele-

with the vision of being the preferred

phone support, as well as generic prod-

provider of innovative software solutions,

uct upgrades. This includes access to

allowing customers to maximise their

service packs and new software releases

asset value, increase productivity and

such as Geobank 2018 and Micromine

make reliable decisions. The shared vi-

2018. In addition, Pitram clients enjoy

sion for the company within South Africa

24/7 mission-critical support.

and Africa is to continue making explo-

“Currently, Micromine Africa aims to

ration and mining easier by means of our

provide universities across Africa with

software solutions.”

software licences as part of its CSI strategy. We are targeting areas such as

Training and support

Zambia, the Ivory Coast, Ghana and

To ensure clients obtain maximum bene-

Cameroon. The goal is not only to upskill

fit from its software solutions, Micromine

lecturers about the current technolog-

provides comprehensive training services

ical changes, but also to prepare stu-

to all users in South Africa and Africa

dents better before they enter the work-

by product- and industry-experienced

ing world,” Strydom concludes.

In sid e M in in g A PR IL/M AY | 2018

Micromine 2018 The latest version of MICROMINE’s market leading 3D modelling and mine planning software

nown for its usability and functionality, Micromine provides explorers with K an in-depth understanding of their project so prospective regions can be targeted more effectively, increasing the chance of a project’s success.

Miners are provided easy-to-use modelling, estimation and design tools to simplify day-to-day production tasks. Micromine allows users to capture, manage and interpret critical data, and is relevant to all stages of the mineral extraction process.

Micromine 2018 has been built with the user in mind and includes a range of new features and enhancements that increase the overall usability and performance of the software.

E: marketing@micromine.com T: +61 (0)8 9423 9000 micromine.com/micromine-2018

EXPLORATION AND 3D MINE DESIGN SOLUTION

“We are really excited at the new features and enhancements for Micromine 2018 and we feel these changes will greatly increase the overall usability of the software.”

Paul Hooykaas, Micromine Product Strategy Manager

31

Infrastructure

Time to focus on mining infrastructure

tT

About a third of the world’s mineral resources are found in Africa, yet the cost of redressing Africa’s infrastructure deficit is about US$75 billion, according to the World Bank’s Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic published in 2008. By Phila Mzamo he Aggregate and Sand Produc-

Nico Pienaar, director of Aspasa,

ers Association of Southern Africa

says the current crisis regarding water

(Aspasa) believes infrastructure

shortages throughout the Cape prov-

development in the South Af-

inces and elsewhere in the country

Aspasa wants to encourage better cooperation between stakeholders in the planning and delivery of mining infrastructure

rican mining industry should become

clearly shows that there is an urgent

a national focus. The association rep-

need to improve water management

of the infrastructure, including other

resents about 75% of the quarries and

structures with new dams, reservoirs,

mining companies and local users.

mines in South Africa that produce key

desalination plants, pipelines and

“Each of these participants has a

materials for construction projects.

other infrastructure.

different assessment of the risks, and

“Although this type of infrastructure

a preferred approach to designing,

cooperation between all role players in-

does not happen ‘overnight’, predic-

funding, delivering, accessing and

volved in the planning and delivery of all

tions of water shortages were made

owning the infrastructure. These must

types of infrastructure, including dams,

many years ago and the situation may

be carefully balanced and negotiated

pipelines, roads, railways and buildings.

have been avoided had providers and

to achieve a successful outcome,” the

planners worked more closely togeth-

report notes.

It says it wants to encourage better

er,” says Pienaar.

Value of shared use

It further highlights the importance of governments planning for their current and future infrastructure needs, and

Pienaar points out that in Norton Rose

considering the potential benefits of lev-

Fulbright’s ‘A global infrastructure re-

eraging off the demand to exploit their

source’ (2015), it is noted that there lies

natural resources.

an opportunity for governments and

“The specific mineral to be extracted

mining companies to leverage min-

will dictate the infrastructure require-

ing-related infrastructure for regional

ments of the mining company. For ex-

economic development.

ample, while coal mining will require rail

It says the shared use of mining

networks and a port terminal with coal

infrastructure requires coordination

handling capabilities to get the product

between the government, the min-

to market, processed gold may well be

ing company, the mining company’s

airlifted by helicopter.

funders and potential third-party users

“To be a viable solution, the mining and associated infrastructure project needs to align with the country’s long-

Nico Pienaar, director, Aspasa

term infrastructure strategy.

Infrastructure “It is crucial that the parties involved explore the potential for shared-use infrastructure in the early stages of structuring a project,” explains the report.

Professional partners Pienaar believes that industry professionals and representative bodies should form the nucleus of future infrastructure programmes in order to work towards real attainable goals. He says that if there is consensus among professionals that a road or dam wall needs to be built, then it is imperative to deal

totally and would like to expand on

with these professionals in every link of

them by stating that this vision is long

the project. These include suppliers of

overdue. As the representative body

materials such as aggregates, cement,

for the vast majority of materials used

concrete or bitumen.

to construct roads, we are 100% behind

“Industry associations play an im-

this initiative and, furthermore, want to

portant self-regulatory role within

be involved in the planning and imple-

their industry and are often the only

mentation of these initiatives alongside

assurance there is on such important

all other professional bodies.”

considerations as legal, environmental, and health and safety compli-

Skills development

ance, as well as measuring

Aspasa runs numerous

standards for quality and other technical requirements.

“Aspasa, for example, upholds high standards for existing and would-be members, with membership being subject to clean audits

workshops and formal

Mining and associated infrastructure projects must align with the country’s longterm infrastructure strategy

for health and safety,

site. In addition, technical committees set standards for quality-related issues

ensure that member organisations have access to the latest global techniques and mining infrastructure best practices. All the while, the association upskills and develops skills in order to

as well as environmental management being a prerequi-

training courses to

address skills shortages and transformation requirements for its sector of the mining industry.

“With state spending back on track

and work with the likes of Sanral in

and the economy set to recover from

order to develop acceptable quality

years of paralysis, we urge government

criteria for infrastructure of the future,”

and all role players to get together

says Pienaar.

and work towards improving the state

Future focus Pienaar adds that roads also play a big

of our industry in the short, medium and long term.

“Facilitating shared use of mining

role in the development of a country

infrastructure between the mining com-

and in the mining industry. He says this,

pany and third parties is the key to dis-

while noting Sanral’s role in ensuring rail

tributing the benefits of mining-related

infrastructure is brought to the country’s

investments more widely.

mining sector. “Sanral has just launched

“Aspasa is committed to reaching our

its ‘Horizon 2030’ strategy, which prom-

country’s goals now and in the future,”

ises ‘Building a better South Africa

Pienaar concludes.

through better roads’. It also states its vision to ensure a national road transport system delivers a better South Africa for all.

“This is good news for everyone,” says Pienaar. “Aspasa supports these views

In sid e M in in g A PR IL/M AY | 2018

33

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mining equipment

VSD supplied to Zambian copper

mine in record time

When a major copper mine in Zambia required a 110 kW variable-speed drive (VSD) urgently for a slurry application, it turned to SEWEurodrive South Africa, which was not only able to supply the unit on a fast-track basis over the Christmas 2017 period, but also assisted with the on-site installation and commissioning.

A

s this was the first time that

changing a motor, but the modularity

SEW-Eurodrive South Africa

and ease of use of our products make

supplied this mine with a

this a quick and efficient procedure. This

VSD, it decided to go the

is a clear example of our class-leading

extra mile by dispatching an electronics

technology giving us a leading edge in

field service technician to site to assist

the market,” Steyn comments.

with the commissioning and set-up. “We

The success of the project has been

also provided basic operator training

such that the mining producer is looking

as part of our support service,” Philip

to procure a second VSD as a backup

Steyn, export sales engineer, adds. “This

unit – which SEW-Eurodrive South Africa

project was a major achievement for

already has on hand, if need be. “Our

us, not only due to the large size of the

significant stockholding is a critical factor

unit, which is one of the biggest VSDs

in our success. It is all about being able

we have ever supplied, but also the fact

to not only deliver what you promise,

support structure is in place, and we

that we have introduced this mining

but going above and beyond what is

do conduct regular in-country visits,”

producer to our electronics line-up.”

required,” he explains.

Steyn adds.

supplied is that the mine did not have

Exports Department

Zambian project, where the mining pro-

to upgrade its control system in order

A major advantage in this regard is the

ducer was essentially unaware of the

to have it connected and up and run-

company’s Exports Department, which

electronics side of SEW-Eurodrive South

ning as soon as possible. “Changing

facilitates cross-border projects such

Africa’s product line-up, despite having

out a VSD is not as simple a process as

as this one in the Zambian Copperbelt.

a large number of its gear motors on-

“The backup and support service of-

site. “It is important for us to look at a

fered by our Exports Department are

customer’s entire operation, and to see

crucial, especially as we cannot be on-

where we can best add value by in-

site constantly. However, the necessary

corporating additional SEW products to

A particular advantage of the VSD

SEW-Eurodrive SA supplied a 110 kW VSD to a Zambian copper mine

SEW's Movitrac LTP-B frequency inverter

This contributed to the success of the

make for a total package,” he says.

The success of this project not only increases SEW’s installed base in the Zambian Copperbelt itself, but further entrenches the company as a supplier of solutions that make for the lowest total cost of ownership. “For example, we have just sold an additional two gearboxes to the same mining producer, with a further two on order.

The benefit for customers at the end of the day is that they have peace of mind that all our products come with comprehensive technical assistance and backup support, even in Africa,” Steyn concludes.

In sid e M in in g A PR IL/M AY | 2018

35

transport

TRACKING MINE VEHICLES

Compiled by Phila Mzamo

Komatsu Cutting costs per tonne Komatsu recently released

applications across coal, gold

the HD1500-8 mechanical

and nickel.

drive dump truck in Australia.

“Our new HD1500-8 truck will

The 141 t capacity hauler is

further build on the success

designed to reduce cost per

the HD1500-7 has had in Aus-

tonne through features such as

tralia,” says Scott Harrington,

the highest payload in its class,

national product manager:

faster cycle times, improved

Mining, Komatsu Australia.

fuel efficiency, longer com-

“It’s a completely new, rede-

ponent life, and enhanced

signed truck, developed using

maintainability.

principles developed by the

HD1500-8 mechanical drive dump truck – SPECS:

It replaces Komatsu’s suc-

global Earth Moving Equip-

• Net power

1 175 kW @ 1 900 rpm

cessful HD1500-7, which was

ment Safety Round Table to

• Gross torque

7.170 Nm

introduced in 2008 and with

ensure high standards of safe-

• Max speed

56.5 km/h

more than 50 units operating

ty and harm minimisation,”

• Rated payload

141 000 kg

in Australia working in mining

he says.

• Operating weights Empty/laden (6x6): 107 600 kg/249 575 kg

Man ProfiDrive Successful pilot training for tipper truck With its first Offroad & Traction

all-terrain MAN Construction Trucks.

With five different MAN tipper

training course, MAN ProfiDrive

The pilot event held in Simmelsdorf,

vehicles – a TGS 35.460 8x6

has added a further module

Germany, at the end of February,

HydroDrive, a TGS 26.460 6x6,

to its newly designed training

included a training session with

two TGM 18.340 4x4s, and a TGM

courses for specific sectors, which

experts and superstructures from

13.290 4x4 – and three MAN

is specially aimed at drivers of

Meiller-Kipper.

ProfiDrive trainers, participants on the pilot training course, learned how to operate and use

MAN TGS 26.460 6x6 – SPECS: • Net power

324 kW at 1 700 – 1 900 rpm

• Gross torque

2 100Nm @ 1 000 – 1 400 rpm

• Max speed

80 km/h

• Gross vehicle weight 28 000 kg

the various MAN drive functions correctly during practical driving exercises in a quarry that is currently out of use.

The MAN Academy offers seminars and e-learning courses for professionals across the globe.

36

Ins i de Mi n i n g A P R I L / MAY | 2 0 1 8

Scania Cement deal ensures efficient work G410CB 8x4 EHZ heavy tipper – SPECS: • Net power

1 175 kW @ 1 900 rpm 302 kw @ 1 900 rpm

• Gross torque

2 000 Nm

• Max speed

80 km/h

• Gross vehicle weight 50 000 kg

PPC recently took delivery of new Scan- G410CB 8x4 EHZ heavy haulers to seven. ia heavy mining tipper trucks to its slurry

Andre Niewmand, technical advisor:

plant in Mahikeng, North West.

Mining at the facility, says that Scania’s

The delivery is part of an ongoing re-

willingness to tailor-make the trucks to

lationship between the two companies

the company’s unique specifications

and an indicator of the migration from

and lower total operating costs were

the use of conventional yellow metal

the main reasons behind the decision to

haulers. This brings the total of Scania

team up with the Scandinavian OEM.

17-19 JULY

2018 SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE

JOHANNESBURG

SOUTH AFRICA Mahindra New backhoe loader unveiled

POWERING UP A CONTINENT

Mahindra South Africa recently unveiled its new EarthMaster backhoe loader. The backhoe loader is powered by a turbocharged, intercooled Mahindra Ditec diesel engine that develops 80 hp.

EarthMaster backhoe loader – SPECS: • Net power

60 kW @ 2 200 rpm

• Gross torque

321 Nm

• Max speed

39.97 km/h

• Excavator max dig depth

4.885 m

• Loader bucket capacity

1.1 m3, (available in 6-in-1 bucket)

• Shipping weight

7 430 kg

Rajesh Gupta, CEO, Mahindra SA, emphasises: “Mahindra is a long-haul player in South Africa and we are expanding our product portfolios in all verticals.”

MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER FOR AFRICA’S PREMIER POWER INDUSTRY EVENT Connect with 3,000+ professionals and attend the Technical & Strategic Conference, visit 75+ International Exhibitors and be part of our B2B Matchmaking.

Plus, Register by 15 June 2018 and SAVE $200+ on the Conference Delegate Fee with the Early Bird Offer.

Find out more information at:

www.powergenafrica.com

Bell Cost-saving 4x4 concept

CONFERENCE THEMES INCLUDE:

While the lower exchange rate will be

believes the company is well positioned

a challenge to Bell Equipment as an

in Southern Africa as a one-stop shop,

exporter of products, the company is

with its carefully selected offering of Bell

cautiously optimistic that 2018 will see

and partner products. The ADT specialist

a resurgence in mining and infrastruc-

is growing the four-wheel-drive concept

ture work, such as roads and civil de-

with its Bell B30E 4x4, which will be dis-

velopments, by central and regional

played at Intermat 2018. Suited to small

governments.

to medium-sized quarries with integrated

From an equipment perspective,

Electricity Industry Strategy

Thermal Power Generation

Renewable Energy

Power Delivery & Customers

aggregate production facilities, the truck

Mark Hughes, marketing director,

offers customers distinct advantages over

Bell Equipment Sales South Africa,

more traditional haulage solutions.

B30E ADT – SPECS: • Net power

232 kW @ 2 200 rpm

• Gross torque

1 300 Nm @ 1 200 – 1 600 rpm

• Max speed

Host Utility:

50 km/h

• Rated payload

28 000 kg

• Operating weights

E mpty/laden (6x6): 19 310 kg/47 310 kg

Presented by:

Owned & Produced by:

Products & Services

market news

from around the continent Innovation that takes drilling to the next level time,” he states. Liyema Drilling is currently operating the JS205 drilling machine at Kangala Coal Mine in Delmas.

“The JS205 has reduced our set-up time from seven minutes to an astounding 11 seconds, which enables us to complete between 450 m to 750 m in a single 12-hour shift,” affirms Basie. “With the capacity to drill 100 m more per day, this fully integrated solution has enabled us to improve our production by 80 hours in one month.”

“Our first response when Basie approached us for an excavator for a drilling machine was that we sell excavators not drilling machines,” says Mark Peterson, general manager: Central Region, Kemach Equipment. “But we believe that the ability to adapt our equipment to our customers’ requirements is true customer service.”

Basie, together with Karl Meyer from Liyema Drilling, locally designed, engineered and manufactured the bespoke drilling tower to fit the JS205 excavator.

The drilling tower incorporates an automatic rod changing functionality, which enables the operator to automatically change the rods from the safety and comfort of his user-friendly ROPS/FOPS cabin, allowing him to drill 5 m from high walls. Not only is the operator protected from all risks and hazards during drilling, but a lot of time is also saved by the fact that he does not need to move away from the 5 m area to change rods.

A successful partnership: (left to right) Graham Russell, Integrated Air Solutions; Basie Roelofse, Liyema Drilling; and Mark Peterson, Kemach Equipment

The conversion of a JCB JS205 excavator into a drilling rig has produced a machine that will rewrite the efficiency, productivity and safety rulebooks, according to three specialist companies.

Kemach Equipment Liyema Drilling and Integrated Air Solutions have combined a premium excavator with a premium compressor and a locally designed, tailor-made drilling tower that conforms to all OEM specifications.

The companies worked closely to achieve the seamless three-in-one integration solution, with each dedicating their respective technical expertise to the project.

Basie Roelofs, together with his team from Liyema Drilling, was responsible for converting the JS205 excavator into a drilling machine. Roelofs explains that mines are under constant pressure to improve efficiency, production and safety.

“In order to remain competitive and secure contracts, drilling machines must be fast, efficient, productive and, equally important, safe. It’s not about how fast you drill, it’s about the speed of the set-up – that is, how fast you can retrieve and move to the next hole. We are, therefore, relentless in our search to find ways to improve and innovate machines to maximise our set-up

Integrated Air Solutions customised the ELGi diesel compressor, which replaces the counterweight at the rear of the JCB JS 205 drill

Casting a wider product footprint The addition of centrifugal castings to Multi Alloys’ product offering means the company is now able to offer customers centrifugally cast pipes and similar axialsymmetric items.

Ken Perel, director, Multi Alloys, says they noticed a gap in the market after a customer asked them to assist with a casting-related query.

“We noticed a gap that has emerged in the local market for the supply of centrifugal cast pipe and hollow bar,” explains Perel. “The addition of centrifugal castings would complement the company’s basket of offerings, so we made contact with Italian foundry Fondinox.

According to Perel, the timing was perfect as Fondinox was looking to grow its business in South Africa. “So, it is a perfect synergy for both companies and an agreement was duly signed appointing Multi Alloys as an agent,” he says.

The centrifugal cast pipe/hollow bars are available in external diameters that range from 80 mm to 1 500 mm and internal diameters are from 45 mm up. Lengths of up to 5 500 mm as a single piece can be obtained through weld joints.

Multi Alloys has boosted its product offering, which now includes centrifugally cast pipes and similar axial-symmetric items

38

Ins i de Mi n i n g A P R I L / MAY | 2 0 1 8

Flush-mount pushbuttons for modern control panel design Global distributor for engineers Electrocomponents says more than 150 new lines of flush-mount pushbuttons from Schneider Electric’s Harmony XB5F range are now available to the market.

According to RS Components, the trading brand of Electrocomponents, the new range of Harmony pushbuttons and buzzers from Schneider Electric features modern designs and provides improved plastic robustness.

“Schneider Electric has focused on the robustness of the new XB5F range, and designed it to meet the performance requirements of machines and electrical control panels in harsh environments. Featuring IP ratings of IP66, IP67, IP69 and IP69K,

and extended temperature ranges from –40°C to +70°C. The range has also seen improved mechanical endurance and shock resistance characteristics,” the company explains.

The extension to the Harmony range from Schneider Electric enables RS to offer the most comprehensive portfolio available globally of industrial pushbuttons, switches and pilot lights.

Drill bits key in setting African record Using diamond-impregnated bits and a standard rotary percussion rig, deep drilling expert Torque Africa Exploration recently drilled its way into the record books with a hole drilled in the Springs area reaching 1 148 m.

This is an African record and one of the deepest rotary percussion holes drilled worldwide in mixed and largely uncharted geologies, and the contract calls for yet more and deeper holes in future. Nardus Bezuidenhout, director at Torque Africa, explains that the company is partway through its contract to bore several deep-level holes into disused mine stopes for the treatment of acid mine drainage. These range from a few

Fast facts

hundred metres below the surface to over 1 200 m for the deepest hole and require all the ingenuity of the company’s technical experts.

According to Bezuidenhout, Torque Africa took on the job in the face of other experts who said the risks of failure were too high.

“We were never in doubt though, and in conjunction with Pieter Coetzee and his team from Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology’s Rock Tools Division, we planned the technical details of the operation.”

Matthew Shoffner, product manager: DTH Bits, Sandvik, also worked with the local team of experts and found that Sandvik bits and hammers were going to be key to getting the job done efficiently.

“The uncharted nature of the geology of the area led to us using standard bits and then switching to diamond-impregnated bits as soon as formations became too hard or abrasive,” he explains. Shoffner explains that bit changes can be complicated and time-consuming but the bits used were of the highest quality.

“Considering the forces at these depths, only the highest-quality bits could be used and even despite the higher cost of diamond-impregnated bits, the durability was extended beyond 378 m per bit. This far outweighed the standard bit alternative, which would have been 70 m and required constant pullouts,” he concludes.

One of the deepest rotary percussion holes in the world was recently drilled in Springs

•T orque Africa Exploration recently drilled its way into the record books with a hole drilled in the Springs area reaching 1 148 m • Bit changes can be complicated and time-consuming, but the bits used in this drilling were of the highest quality • Considering the forces at these depths, only the highest-quality bits could be used and durability was extended beyond 378 m per bit

In sid e M in in g april/M Ay | 2018

39

Equipment

Rugged and reliable Spartan-based vibrating screen specialist Kwatani is in the process of building one of its strongest and heaviest screens yet, to undertake punishing duty at a South African iron ore mine.

Kim Schoepflin, CEO, Kwatani

T

he 54 t scalping screen – measur-

specifications. Vibrating with a stroke

stoppage will in turn disrupt the whole

ing over 10 m in length and with

that applies around five times the

plant,” she says. “Uptime is an abso-

a 3.7 m width – is a single-line unit

gravitational acceleration on the ma-

lute non-negotiable.”

that will handle about 7 000 tph of

terial, the mass of the rocks is effectively

She highlights Kwatani’s capacity to

ROM iron ore. It will take feed from a pri-

increased by five times, according to

design, manufacture, test, commission

mary crusher with a top size of 400 mm,

Kenny Mayhew-Ridgers, COO, Kwatani.

and maintain screens of this capacity

although these boulders may still be up

“This places a very high requirement

and ruggedness.

“Our depth of expertise and expe-

on the machine’s technical specifi-

to 800 mm long.

“This ROM feed will place tremendous

cations and durability, so the mine

rience in the field, combined with

load on the screen, particularly due

has been very careful to choose a

our substantial facilities and quality

to the impact and weight of the over-

supplier that it trusts completely to

standards, equips us to custom-design

size rocks,” says Kim Schoepflin, CEO,

design and manufacture a unit of this

and engineer fit-for-purpose machines

Kwatani. “Significantly, a large portion

capacity,” says Mayhew-Ridgers. “Even

that handle high tonnages reliably

of the material – as much as 50% of the

the panels had to be designed with

while doing the duty that customers

feed – will move over the full length of

internal structures that enable them

demand,” she says.

the screen without passing through the

to withstand the magnitude of these

apertures, so the screen must effectively

forces.” Schoepflin empha-

‘convey’ these heavy boulders without

sises that the unit’s single-line

incurring damage.”

status makes it a key item

This also means that the bed depth will

of equipment on-site, with

be relatively high, requiring the design to

several parts of the process-

accommodate a bed of about 800 mm

ing plant heavily reliant on

of material on the feed end and about

its throughput.

500 mm on the discharge end. Iron ore is

“It is, therefore, vital that

a heavy material, so a bulk density fac-

the screen runs reliably

tor of 2.5 has been applied to the design

and continuously, as any

index to advertisers Competitive Construction Services

Micromine

31 37

Cummins

8

Power-Gen Africa

Junior Indaba 2018

2

Sandvik

KSB Pumps & Valves

40

28

IBC

Ins i de Mi n i n g A P R I L / MAY | 2 0 1 8

SEW-Eurodrive

OBC, 26 30

thyssenkrupp

IFC, 24

Weir Minerals

OFC, 4

WorleyParsons RSA

21

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