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Mining deeper while maintaining value

18th March 2016

By: Kimberley Smuts

Creamer Media Reporter

  

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Multidisciplinary professional services firm Hatch Goba is continuously developing more cost-effective means of extracting ore, especially in South Africa, where mining is deeper and more difficult amid falling commodity prices, resulting in decreasing profit margins.

Technologies that allow for the remote control of mining equipment such as drill rigs, ultimately, mean more face time and increased efficiencies and outputs, notes the company.

“Mechanisation limits people exposure; it is not just about increasing production. Health and safety considerations are a major driver for mechanisation, as it removes mineworkers from the face, especially in deep-level mines, where there are rock bursts and seismic activity,” says Hatch Goba associate and Africa, Europe and the Middle East mining director Kevin Seyfried.

Many of Hatch Goba’s mining clients are, subsequently, testing new technologies in tandem with original-equipment manufacturers, elaborates Seyfried. Hatch is developing technology solutions which will provide breakthroughs to clients in many areas, especially in the area of operational cost reductions.

Hatch Goba has been involved with the Mufulira and Mindola shaft projects for Mopani Copper Mines, in Zambia. Seyfried explains that the project started originally with the Synclinorium shaft, whereupon the client opted for further development and two additional shafts.

Seyfried highlights that Hatch Goba’s recommendation was to examine the commonalities between the two shafts in terms of depth and production rates, for example.

The company looked at what could be rendered common and, thus, which only needed to be designed once. The other option was to adopt a base design to tweak this where necessary for each shaft.

“It was standardisation as far as what was practically possible between the two shafts, including standard equipment specifications, which is an essential factor in terms of spares and critical maintenance. This approach not only assisted in reducing the total capex [capital expenditure] of the project, but will also contribute to a major saving in terms of opex [operating expenditure] going forward,” he notes.

Hatch Goba is also considering underground mining access opportunities in Zambia and diamond mining company Debswana’s Jwaneng diamond mine, in Botswana.

The company is also working in Madagascar and investigating industrial mineral opportunities in Ethiopia, where potash is in abundance.

Reviewing Value
Hatch Goba aims to mitigate global challenges amid sliding commodity prices, by maintaining the standard of its services and the value it provides for clients.

The company, a member of the Hatch Group, has operational performance teams assisting the management of mining operations to achieve operational performance to ensure that their projects can survive beyond the project’s estimated end date.


Hatch Goba notes that many of its clients sustain not only their businesses but also the countries in which they are active. For example, in Botswana, Hatch Goba supports mining companies, such as Debswana, the world’s leading diamond producer by value. Debswana, a partnership between the Botswana government and the De Beers Group of companies, operates the Orapa, Letlhakane, Jwaneng and Damtshaa diamond mines.

Debswana, which employs more than 5 000 permanent workers, continues to be one of the country’s largest private-sector employers, where 97% of its workforce are citizens of Botswana. According to Debswana, its operations also account for the employment of more than 6 000 contractors.

“It is . . . important for us to adapt to what the client needs – the commodity crisis has affected us, but it brings about positive change,” says Seyfried.

As a result, Hatch Goba notes that it is now ensuring that such change contributes positively to the industry. “We, therefore, do not see the challenging times as perilous, but rather an opportunity to become more robust and add even more value,” Seyfried notes.

Global Reach

He points out that, owing to Hatch Goba being based in South Africa, its primary focus is Africa, Europe and the Middle East, where it is involved in several projects.

“We work across various sectors, from infrastructure to metals and energy, providing clients with services ranging from the supply of mining-specific energy solutions to a railroad system to the nearest port for export purposes, as well as customer-related logistics,” Seyfried explains.

Hatch Goba refers to its service outside Africa, such as in North and South America, as global response.

Where the company has to use its global resource efforts, it taps into its global skill sets, providing a service no matter where the client’s need is.

As such, the company enables clients to use one (centralised) company for their various mining needs.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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