Pilanesberg Platinum Mine recently celebrated 10 years of production excellence which it attributes largely to the technical excellence delivered by its outsourced contractors. Critical to this operation is the upfront dry processing requirement which SPH Kundalila has been providing to the mine for the last nine years.

Located on the Western Limb of South Africa’s Bushveld Complex, the Pilanesberg Platinum Mine recently celebrated 10 years of production excellence which it attributes largely to the technical excellence delivered by its outsourced contractors. Critical to this operation is the upfront dry processing requirement which Raubex Group subsidiary SPH Kundalila has been providing to the mine for the last nine years.

As the mine’s longest standing contractor, SPH Kundalila’s primary contract entails managing all of the mine’s primary crushing requirements. This includes crushing all ROM material from the mine before it is transported to the concentrator. “With our 260 people on site, 75% from the local Bakgatla tribe, we operate four 63 t mobile crushing machines on the outskirts of the pit which have a combined design capacity of 380 000 tpm,” says SPH Kundalila production manager Walter Eriksen.

A nine-year relationship, which has seen the company’s contract expand more recently, can be attributed to the trust and partnership the company has built with Pilanesberg Platinum Mine but also its high level technical skills set.

“Our crushers have been replaced over the years as the mine’s production requirements have grown. Throughout this process we have maintained our machines’ high availability thanks to an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the mine’s production requirements. To ensure our performance further, we have established on-site technical support infrastructure including a workshop and +40 workshop crew. “This facility enables us to conduct preventative maintenance equipment routines as well as full services and minor repairs which results in minimal downtime,” Erikson states.

As is tradition in the platinum sector, the mine requires heavy-duty crushing machines capable of crushing large, hard rocks. SPH Kundalila’s crushing equipment delivers flawlessly in this area.

Having proven its technical expertise and commitment in contributing towards the mine’s objectives, the mine has expanded SPH Kundalila’s work on site which now includes materials handling services delivered from its fleet of front end loaders, dump trucks and tippers. In June 2018 the company’s workload expanded even further to include loading and hauling waste material from the pit.

“Since June of last year we have successfully been moving waste material from the northern side of the pit. We have also steadily grown our volumes which started at 145 000 tons per month to around 500 000 tons per month. Through this service we are giving the mine quick and easy access to the reef,” says SPH Kundalila pit manager Danie de Jager.

Over a year into this new work stream, SPH Kundalila’s technical capabilities have continued to shine brightly. Its earthmoving fleet comprising two excavators, two bulldozers and eight 45 t dump trucks which were carefully selected to allow accurate waste-only removal.

“Our service delivery, technical capability and ongoing dedication to helping Pilanesberg Platinum Mine meet its 150 000 ounces per annum of PGM production requirements is a proud achievement for SPH Kundalila and we hope to continue working with the mine as its explores new and exciting chapters of its life,” concludes SPH Kundalila site manager Pieter Boonzaier.