Gold producer Gold Fields’ South Deep gold mine’s operating model, which is part of its Vision 2015, is expected to extend the life of the mine to more than 50 years.

Vision 2015, which is aiming to ensure that full mining production of 330 000 t/m is reached by 2015, promises an extended 50 years of mine life, states South Deep operations senior manager Sarel Ferreira.

The mine’s new operating model sees employees working seven days on, two days off, followed by seven days on and five days off. Previously, employees worked for four days and had four days off. This gives employees more that 50 addi- tional days off each year.

South Deep VP and head of operations Ken Matthysen points out that the new shift arrangements at the mine came into effect in November last year and, as a result, the production at the mine had improved drastically to 221 360 reef tons broken and 888 kg of gold produced.

“There was a lot of ore broken in the longhole stopes, but it was not all trammed. Underground stocks have increased by 38 000 t, which means that we are hopeful that we will see further production improvements in the months to come, enabling us to reach our targets,” explains Matthysen.

“In February this year, the operations staff had a road show, which explained Vision 2015 and the new operating model to all employees at both South shaft and Twin shaft at South Deep. The employees attended the presentations, which took place before underground workers joined their shifts,” Ferreira said last month in a South Deep newsletter.

“Further, shift time has increased by 30%, which gives employees more time to meet their targets. Underground trans- portation has been improved as well, which means that employees reach their work stations more quickly. Meanwhile, the new wellbeing and fatigue management programme ensures all employees are working more efficiently and safely,” explains Ferreira.

As part of the plan towards Vision 2015, South Deep’s mechanised training centre was completed in December last year. The centre will ensure that employees are trained to operate at the highest levels possible. The centre can accommodate up to 60 people a day and has four lecture rooms.

“The training centre will provide a platform which aims to introduce mineworkers to the trackless mining environment; conduct pre-employment assessments on all employees; provide social training to community members with the provision that, should vacancies arise, they will be employed; and to provide a facility where all rebuilt machines are tested before taking the machines underground,” highlights South Deep superintendent Eddie Stonehouse.

He notes that the mine is also in the process of upgrading and improving its simulator fleet to assist in improving the quality of the training.

Matthysen mentions that South Deep is working to ensure that Vision 2015 is fully embedded and operational so that the mine can achieve its goals of producing 330 000 t/m by 2015. Further, the mine also has a collective agreement to implement a housing scheme for its employees and the surrounding communities this year.