Company Announcement - While Concor Opencast Mining positions itself as a mid-tier niche specialised mining contractor, its partnership with Downer Mining of Australia gives it the capability to tackle Tier 1 projects if need be. “Our combined effort will ensure that any joint operation has sufficient resourcing, infrastructure and systems to enable the delivery of a Tier 1 project,” Gert Buitendach, Contracts Director at Concor Opencast Mining, says.

Downer Mining has extensive experience in running ultra-class mining equipment, comprising some of the largest in the world, such as 800 t class excavators and 300 t class dump trucks. “In principle what this agreement means is that, when there are projects of mutual interest that are suitable for both of our objectives, we will partner with Downer Mining,” Buitendach says. The Australian mining giant has also developed proprietary systems to ensure the efficient and effective utilisation of this ultra-class equipment. In terms of its own fleet, Concor Opencast Mining has access to Murray & Roberts Plant, a sister company. “We procure equipment for specific projects as contract requirements differ. Our fleet ranges from typical road milling machines through to 120 t excavators and 100 t dump trucks.” Concor Opencast Mining also has access to some of the largest mobile crushing trains in the country, giving it the capability to carry out significant crushing projects and crush to the required specification.

The advantage of Concor Opencast Mining in this competitive market is its proven capability to deliver results and meet the requirements of its clients. The company has operations in both soft- and hard-rock mining, from coal to platinum and iron ore. “We have experience in the full commodity spectrum. We have also diversified into certain value-added mining requirements by offering crushing solutions, drawing on the construction infrastructure we have at our disposal.”

Having full access to the group resources of Murray & Roberts itself gives Concor Opencast Mining a distinct advantage. “We have a cross-functional platform in terms of underground mining, civils, infrastructure and engineering. We are part of a diversified group and have a significant knowledge base to draw upon.

“We are able to offer the appropriate client and project the option of transitioning from an opencast operation to underground mining. This is particularly suited to the platinum sector, where operations commence with opencast mining and progress to underground decline development. We can offer a combined solution.”

Concor Opencast Mining is also diversifying into tailings dam construction, such as a project it is undertaking for a large platinum mine in Limpopo. “We are constructing an impoundment wall. This does not only involve bulk volume placement, but also incorporates detailed compaction placement for the interface layer. This is one of the specialised areas we are diversifying into,” Buitendach says.

Concor Opencast Mining has SABS and MQA accreditation as an ISO 9001 training provider, which means it is able to deliver competent operators. Murray & Roberts Plant also has ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 accreditation. “This ensures that our operations are safe and controlled, as well as ultimately delivering reliable equipment in terms of both operation and maintenance.”

Buitendach adds that Concor Opencast Mining also effectively implements Murray & Roberts Group initiatives such as its STOP.THINK.ACT 24/7 health and safety campaign and its Visible Felt Leadership programme. “Safe production is the ultimate outcome that we need to deliver. If it is unsafe in any aspect, then it is not sustainable,” Buitendach concludes.