The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Centre for Mechanised Mining Systems – part of the Wits Mining Institute (WMI) – will present three-day courses in mechanised earthmoving and maintenance management in November.

WMI director Professor Fred Cawood is delighted about the introduction of the first two courses in mechanised mining under the WMI umbrella. “These courses are aimed at engineers and technicians, and will be followed up by a best practice workshop on South African mechanised mining lessons and more courses on digital, mechanised and sustainable mining in 2019.”

The Mechanised Earthmoving in Mining – Equipment, Technology and Management course will be presented by visiting lecturer Professor Zvi Borowitsh, of the Wits School of Mining Engineering and the Israel Institute of Technology. Borowitsh is a specialist in mine excavation, loading and haulage optimisation, with extensive experience in large-scale earthmoving projects and academia. He will also draw on industry experts to share their experience during the course.

The course content ranges from geomechanics and rock-breaking techniques to equipment economics and the remote monitoring of earthmoving equipment. Delegates will also study and practise the most up-to-date computer programs, such as Talpac, as well as fleet production and cost management for machine and earthmoving simulation, optimising system selection, and analysing machine and earthmoving costs.

The course will run from November 21 to 23 at Wits, in Johannesburg.

Borowitsh will also present Maintenance Management in Mining – From Strategic Management to Field Practice, in conjunction with maintenance management consultant and lecturer Edgar Bradley, from November 28 to 30. Guest presenters will include leading specialists from equipment producers, mining companies and consulting firms.

“Studies suggest that equipment maintenance costs account for 30 % to 60 % of total direct operating costs in a mechanised mining operation,” says Borowitsh. “While maintenance has in the past been viewed as an ancillary support activity, equipment maintenance and management are now clearly a central link in the mining value chain, and should be a core competence of any mining organisation.”

The course has been accredited with two continuing professional development points with the Engineering Council of South Africa, and comprises a combination of lectures and case studies from university and industry-based lecturers.