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Weighing the effect of mining mechanisation

REHABILITATION UNDER WAY A restorative project being undertaken by Ncamso involves removing contaminated waste so that land can be developed for hydroponic fish farming

SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT ENCOURAGED Ncamiso provides job creation for community members who work to remove potentially corrosive metals from stockpiles

27th May 2016

By: Kimberley Smuts

Creamer Media Reporter

  

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Materials handling and hauling company Ncamiso Mining is looking to acquire more mechanised systems, as this should increase its productivity by between 60% and 70%.

However, to create jobs, increase profitabi- lity and provide sustainable employment for the community surrounding mines, the company plans to implement mechanised technologies while retaining the services of its reef sorters.

Ncamiso Mining MD Fikile Mashinini tells Mining Weekly that completely mechanising its materials handling processes would result in about 200 job cuts.

The company currently mines, excavates, handles and transports close to one-million tons of raw material a year in South Africa and is focused on providing expert and professional materials handling, shallow mining, the mining of tailings dams, mining supplies and logistics services.

Ncamiso has successfully partnered with various companies across South Africa. For example, in the Springs area, it mines and hauls gold-bearing material to Aim-listed gold reco- very services company Goldplat’s processing facility in Benoni.

The company is also contracted to mine and haul gold-bearing material for processing to the metallurgical plant of metals mining group Pan African Resources’ Evander gold mine, in Mpumalanga.

The company works with developers to ensure that mined areas are self-sustaining once projects are completed. For example, Ncamiso is currently working on the rehabilitation of an old reduction plant on a farm belonging to estate agency Markon Reality, in Springs. The project involves clearing out the tailings dams and removing contaminated waste so that the land can be developed for hydroponic fish farming. The hydroponic plant will provide a means to produce high-quality food for consumption by the community and for sale, thereby enhancing the sustainable economic growth of that community.

Before excavations can start so that the deve- loper can erect the required infrastructure on the land to support the plant, Ncamiso needs to create an environment that will be sustainable in the long run. Ncamiso began the clean-up opera- tion in September 2015 and aims to have the land ready for the developers by September this year.

Day-to-Day Challenges


While trying to provide sustainable solutions for the mining and related industries, as well as maintain customer and stakeholder satisfaction, the company faces numerous daily challenges.

Mashinini explains that the removal of radio- active material requires double handling, as a result of the risks and the problems associated with handling contaminated material. He notes that the procedures Ncamiso implements ensure that the public and the environment are protected during routine operations should an accident occur during transportation.

Hence, trucks used to transport radio- active material are required to proceed through a washbay before leaving a site, with covers securing the radioactive material so that there is no spillage of the contaminated material during transportation. The nature of the material also demands constant monitoring of its pH level to determine its level of radioactivity.

Further, the company has to deal with and allay the environmental concerns raised by the public, who are at risk of being exposed to radioactive material if spillages occur along the general public transport route.

Dust is also an issue when transporting radioactive material, as it can pick up and spread chemicals, resulting in air pollution. Therefore, Mashinini notes, dust suppression is very important, explaining that the company manages these challenges by planning in advance, implementing the necessary packaging and transport regulations for radio- active material.

In terms of on-site logistics, he says mining areas need to be addressed with extra caution, as they are vulnerable to collapse or sinkholes. Mining involves digging deep underground, which destabilises the solid foundation/support for the surface, which, in turn, can lead to ground giving way underneath heavy equipment and machinery. Other aspects that cannot be controlled but need to be taken into account include the reliability of outsourced transport and truck drivers, as well as the weather.

Mashinini explains that, when using outsourced transportation com- panies, mines may at first be allocated new trucks, but, once further work has been secured, older unreliable trucks might be supplied. Truck drivers might also find a better-paying job, leaving the site without notifying anyone. This effects a mine’s delivery schedule, as well as the amount of material that it expects to remove and transport for processing in a day.

Heavy machinery not being able to operate in wet conditions also effects a mine’s delivery target. “During periods of heavy rain, it becomes very difficult to operate trucks in muddy conditions . . . there is also risk involved for the truck owners – should their trucks carry material that is too heavy . . . buckets could tip over and, in some cases, the whole truck,” Mashinini says.

Ncamiso Mining was initially involved solely in the transport of raw materials and supplies. As opportunities presented themselves, the expertise of the company grew and its capacity increased.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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