Leading drilling solutions provider Rosond has an overarching approach to sustainability and environmental responsibility. “Our operations are inherently energy intensive. We make use of a variety of fuel sources to power our machinery. With that in mind, the mining industry places stringent requirements which contractors are obliged to comply with to sustain a business relationship with their clients,” comments Rosond ESG Champion and Legal Advisor Zwelibanzi Nkomo.

Overseeing Rosond’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programme, formally introduced towards the end of 2022, Nkomo explains: “Our objectives are to minimise the environmental impact at our drilling sites by following strict procedures as prescribed by our clients. The procedures followed complies with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002,” adds Nkomo.

Linked to its ESG programme, Rosond ensures that it uses the latest technology and remains at the forefront of innovation and development, such as the introduction of next generation hydraulic machinery at its client sites.

Whilst pneumatic power, a cost-effective energy source (compressed air), has been used for many years as the primary energy source for underground machinery, it does have its drawback in terms of its environmental impact. This includes noise pollution, as the machines generate a great deal of noise that requires operators to wear earplugs to mitigate any adverse effects it may cause to a person’s hearing, both in the short and long term.

The next generation electrohydraulic drilling machines introduced by Rosond, represent the company’s in-house engineering technology. One of the benefits of it operating on a closed-loop system is that there are there are no exhaust by-products such as those created by pneumatic machinery.

A further benefit of making use hydraulic machinery is the containment of fluids used to power the machines ensuring that no contaminants are released into the environment. Even in the unlikely case of a leak, the working fluid (hydraulic oil) is much easier to contain than with pneumatic machinery.

The technology is superior in that there is greater output produced with a shorter turnaround time in terms of productivity. In addition, less energy and consumable are expended compared to the pneumatic counterpart.

There is also significantly less noise pollution as the drilling machinery is much quieter due to its power source being electrical. “This mitigates the negative effects of noise pollution and has provided an effective solution in our underground operations,” says Nkomo.

“Thus, as our clients are moving away from pneumatic driven machinery, we strongly promote the use of greener and more efficient electro-hydraulic machinery. The end goal will be when our entire fleet of underground drill rigs are electro-hydraulically powered. Currently our gold mining clients have adopted next generation hydraulic machinery, with other commodity sectors expected to follow suit.” he says.

Nkomo concludes: “Rosond is a reputable company that has established its reputation over several decades in the mining industry, both locally and abroad.” Through years of development, the company and its solutions have evolved to the point where it is now the benchmark for ground-breaking innovation in drilling methods and technology within its respective field of expertise.”