Mineworkers who are comfortable and con- tent are more produc-tive, which is why prefabricated building manufacturer Hi-Way Parkhomes designs its trans-portable and modular buildings, that can be built on site, to com-bine all the amenities of home in a convenient and robust package.

Hi-Way Parkhomes MD Stanton Marais tells Mining Weekly that the prefabricated mobile units are a perfect solution for the accommodation needs of South African mine-workers.

“For example, we offer accom-modation units, site offices, change houses, training rooms, admin blocks, first-aid rooms, clinics, kitchens and dining rooms,” he elaborates.

Hi-Way Parkhomes started refurbishing and manufacturing mobile and prefabricated build-ings in 1991 and the prefabri-cated structures have been used in various settings, such as construction, exploration and logistics.

Marais says the company is now making its products available to the African mining industry.

“Our building installation team is ready to install on any mine site to the clients’ require-ments, on time and within budget.”

He adds that the company also manufactures contractor vans, which are heavy-duty caravans that can be used in the mining industry during surveys and exploration missions in remote areas. “These are turnkey camps that are completely mobile and can be towed from site to site,” he says.

Marais explains that, as the company manufactures accord-ing to client specifications, each unit is priced individually. He adds that the type of finishes that the client requires often determines the pricing and that the company uses only SABS-approved materials. “We are also in the process of becoming ISO-accredited.”

Hi-Way’s mobile park homes are manufactured in a controlled factory environment using durable materials and quality fittings to make them robust. The units are all custom-built and available in various sizes and layouts, says Marais.

“The sidewalls and roof are 60 mm thick, and the exterior and interior skins are bonded to a fire-retardant polystyrene core resulting in an extremely strong panel. The external chromatic skin has a butt-jointed profiled edge, which gives a flush weatherproof joint,” Marais explains.

Another benefit of the Hi-Way Parkhomes system is that the material will not emit poisonous gases during a fire, as is sometimes the case with conventional insulation materials.

In addition, the structures are fitted according to each unit’s electricity requirements, with a 230 V power supply and a distribution board. Wall switches and plug boxes are flush-mounted in the wall panel, with wiring concealed in the polystyrene core. All units are delivered with a valid electrical certificate of compliance and include a 12-month warranty on new units pertaining to workmanship and materials applicable under normal-use conditions, he says, adding that cross-linked polyethylene piping is used for water supply and polyvinyl chloride piping for waste and sewage removal.

Comfort Features
Marais says Hi-Way Parkhomes always tries to meet its clients’ specifications when furnishing units. “Each floor is covered in 1.6 mm or 2 mm industrial vinyl or carpeting,” he says, adding that air conditioners, curtains and/or blinds are supplied and fitted according to customer requirements. “They can also specify whether geysers should be electricity, gas or solar powered,” he says.

“Our units do not contain any timber framework, except for the weatherproof exterior-grade floorboards. “This ensures that they are not prone to wood rot or moisture problems over time,” notes Marais.

He adds that, with so many mines operating in South Africa, the need for mine site accommodation has increased over the last few years and is becoming a challenge for mine management to house their staff in comfortable yet cost effective, durable and practical accommodation.

“Many of the mines are oper-ating on tribal lands that they do not own, and accommodation and mine offices – such as brick and mortar buildings – cannot be built as permanent structures. This is why prefabricated struc-tures are becoming increasingly necessary,” he notes.

Marais tells Mining Weekly that, owing to the limited life span of mines, the mobile prefabricated building industry is well suited to provide a solution for mining companies’ accommodation challenges.