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Drilling and Tunnelling News

Underground copper project start remains on track

19th April 2019 Copper ore company Nevada Copper has confirmed that its Pumpkin Hollow underground copper project remains on target to start production in the fourth quarter this year. Pumpkin Hollow is located in Nevada, in the US and has substantial reserves and resources including copper, gold and silver. →

Ivanplats to complete early-works construction at Platreef Shaft 2

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 19th April 2019 Ivanplats, the South African subsidiary of Ivanhoe Mines, is expected to complete early-works construction at Shaft 2 of the Platreef palladium/platinum/nickel/copper/gold/rhodium project, near Mokopane, in Limpopo, South Africa, in the second quarter, says Ivanplats VP and project director... →

SHAFT 2 Aerial view of the Shaft 2 box cut early works with the concrete hitch under construction

Capital Drilling poised to meet growing demand for drilling services

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 18th April 2019 Africa-focused Capital Drilling continues to be well positioned for an anticipated uplift in demand, especially in West Africa. “At this early stage of the year, we have already seen some encouraging signs in the market, with robust metals prices, particularly gold, and improving capital markets. →

SA mines can now use drone technology for underground mapping

By: Halima Frost 5th April 2019 South African systems integrator Ramjack Technology Solutions has formed an alliance with Swedish aerial robotics company Inkonova to supply underground unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, or drones) and mapping technology to the South African mining industry for use underground. Inkonova supplies... →

GAME OF DRONES Initially used during wars and for defense purposes drones are now being used in mining and industrial applications

Anglo American, Northam, Australia’s budget surplus make headlines

4th April 2019 This week Mining Weekly editor Martin Creamer discusses Anglo American’s plans for hydrogen, new tunnel boring technology at Northam’s Eland mine and Australia’s $7.1-billion budget surplus. →

Anglo American, Northam, Australia’s budget surplus make headlines.

Master Drilling’s full year performance underpinned by Americas, Europe success

By: Marleny Arnoldi 26th March 2019 JSE-listed Master Drilling expanded its operations to Canada, Turkey, Ghana and Italy and saw growth in Brazil and Mexico during the financial year ended December 31, 2018. This helped to offset headline earnings decreases in a tough African market. →

Master Drilling CEO Danie Pretorius

Underground drill operator training simulator launched

22nd March 2019 Global engineering company Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology has introduced an operator training simulator to provide a compact and flexible solution to safely train operators and maintenance teams on its DD422i, DD422iE and DT922i drill rigs. This latest development provides a low weight safe... →

STIMULATING SIMULATING The new simulator allows for simulation underground at the source of the drilling

Drilling rig, loader introduced onto African drilling market

22nd March 2019 Mine exploration and drilling innovation service provider Boart Longyear has introduced its LF160 surface coring drill rig and FL262 Freedom loader into the African market. The LF160 and FL262 were available for viewing at an official presentation held at the company’s Robertville site in... →

SHOWCASE Two new products in the Boart Longyear drilling portfolio have been introduced to the African market

Australian drilling programme makes promising start

22nd March 2019 A drilling programme at a sizeable anomaly beneath a dry salt lake in South Australia, has been successfully completed with encouraging preliminary geology observations. The Torrens project is located within the Stuart Shelf region of South Australia about 50 km from modern mining company Oz... →

TO DRILL “ORE” NOT TO DRILL The drilling at the large anomaly has shown promising geological results

Shotcrete-testing system available for mining sector

By: Halima Frost 22nd March 2019 Construction industry services and technology provider Hilti has improved on its powder-actuated DX 450 shotcrete testing system to suit the mining sector. After seeing the scope to increase its client portfolio Hilti presented the DX 450 to a copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.... →

SHOT IN THE DARK Underground tunneling installations can now be accurately tested to allow for quicker mine reentry

BI to expand offering in mining sector

By: Cameron Mackay 22nd March 2019 Bearings, power transmission and chain products distributor Bearings International (BI) hopes to increase its offering to the mining sector by providing various chain products to original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that supply equipment to this sector, says BI mining business development... →

BEST POSITION Bearings International is looking to bring stock holding to the mining sector to have stock in the branches, at the right place, at the right time

Detection system lowers maintenance costs

By: Halima Frost 15th March 2019 The second installation of a custom-made sidewall detection system was completed by monitoring solutions provider Monitech at diversified miner Anglo American’s Zibulo coal colliery, in Mpumalanga, last month. The system was designed and installed to help prevent damage caused to the scrubber fan... →

COALFACE VALUE Keeping damages and costs down at the coalface is more achievable with the sidewall detection system

Council sees potential in coal exports

15th March 2019 In its 2018 facts and figures pocketbook published last month, Minerals Council South Africa notes that South Africa has an annual coal export potential of 110-million tons compared with the 75-million tons currently being exported. This would not only increase investment by more than 10% to... →

ROGER BAXTER A collaborative approach is needed to develop and implement solutions for the mining sector

Capital Drilling lifts FY18 net profit

By: Marleny Arnoldi 14th March 2019 Aim-listed Capital Drilling achieved a 48% year-on-year increase in net profit to $7.7-million for 2018. The company on Thursday declared a 2018 dividend of 1.5c, compared with 1.2c in 2017, on the back of a 16% year-on-year increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and... →

Three #DisruptMining finalists named

By: Mariaan Webb 26th February 2019 A new drilling approach, an artificial intelligence (AI) solution for mineral processing and an Internet of Things (IoT) application for conveyors will go head to head in this weekend's live finale of the #DisruptMining finale in Toronto. The three innovations have been selected as the finalists... →

Local manufacturers to benefit from Mining Charter 3's implementation

By: Nadine James 14th February 2019 Mining Charter 3 and its Implementation Guidelines have created an environment where it is possible for local manufacturers to leverage procurement capacity to drive transformation, Department of Mineral Resources representative Xolile Mbonambi said at a breakfast held at the Industrial... →

Department of Mineral Resources representative Xolile Mbonambi

MEMSA chairperson Freddy Mugeri discusses the implications of Mining Charter 3 for equipment manufacturers. Video and editing: Nicholas Boyd.

Aury Africa aims for expansion into PGMs sector

By: Cameron Mackay 8th February 2019 Screening and vibrating equipment solutions and services provider Aury Africa is planning to expand its operations into the platinum group metals (PGMs) market this year with the introduction of radio-frequency identification (RFID) audit and inspection solutions. Aury Africa regards the local... →

EXPANSION INTO PGMS MARKET The company hopes to use its signature range of products and services, such as vibrating screens, to capitalise on opportunities in the PGMs market this year

Tharisa remains committed to Zim PGMs investment

By: Cameron Mackay 8th February 2019 Despite the turbulent political landscape in Zimbabwe currently, low-cost platinum group metals (PGMs) and chrome concentrate producer Tharisa Minerals remains fully committed to its Investment Project Framework Agreement with the Zimbabwe government. The agreement involves the establishment of a... →

THARISA PLANT We remain optimistic about PGMs and will continue to invest in the locations we operate in, while looking for new opportunities

MAXAM to demonstrate blasting technology

25th January 2019 Global technology company MAXAM – specialising in the design, development, manufacture and application of energetic materials – will exhibit its blasting solutions product range for mining, quarries and infrastructure works, at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba. MAXAM has an... →

RIOFLEX RIOFLEX is a highly energetic, robust and flexible density bulk hydrogel suspension-based explosive, representing the latest development in bulk explosives technology

Company rebranding to be showcased

By: Paige Müller 25th January 2019 JSE-listed infrastructure group Aveng has begun to consolidate its opencut contracting entity Aveng Moolmans and its shaft sinking and underground business Aveng Shafts & Underground into a unified brand, which will be known as Moolmans. Aveng Mining operating group MD Stuart White tells Mining... →

BRAND UNIFICATION Aveng groups rebranding strategy is aimed at having the African mining market identify with the consolidated brand as Moolmans from the end of 2019

Wear plate tests show positive results

By: Thabi Madiba 18th January 2019 Testwork on South Africa-based high-performance polymer producer Vesconite’s polymer sliding wear plates has shown promising results on a crawler drill that is employed at Vedanta zinc project, in Gamsberg, in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The wear plates were installed on the rotary head... →

PHILLIP DE VILLIERS Technical representative examines one of the stock wear plates inside the Johannesburg warehouse

Gold drilling demand ensures solid revenue, contracts for Capital Drilling

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th January 2019 LSE-listed Capital Drilling exceeded the top end of its revenue guidance of $105-million to $115-million for 2018, on the back of a strong performance at its West African contracts. It earned $116-million in revenue. →

Enable meaningful participation, pleads Women in Mining chair

By: Martin Creamer 12th December 2018 The Mining Charter has significant room for improvement to enable meaningful participation of women in mining, says Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA) chairperson Lindiwe Nakedi. Soweto-born Nakedi, who owns Gubhani Exploration – a surface exploration drilling company that is currently the only... →

Women in Mining South Africa chairperson Lindiwe Nakedi (right) interviewed by Martin Creamer

Women in Mining chairperson and Gubhani Exploration MD Lindiwe Nakedi talks to Mining Weekly Online’s Martin Creamer. Video: Nicholas Boyd. Photographs: Creamer Media Chief Photographer Dylan Slater.

Significant drill targets identified at Kavango’s Botswana project

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 10th December 2018 Kavango Resources has recorded positive results from geophysical follow-up work carried out since the completion of Phase 1 of the airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey over its Kalahari Suture Zone (KSZ) project, in Botswana. The company noted in a statement issued on Monday that ground-based... →

Innovate and generate cash at same time – Dassault Systèmes Geovia

By: Martin Creamer 5th December 2018 The objectives of innovating and generating cash are not mutually incompatible and can be achieved at multiple levels simultaneously, says Dassault Systèmes Geovia Brand CEO Raoul Jacquand, who was in Johannesburg to showcase the French company’s suite of advanced three-dimensional (3D) software.... →

Dassault Systèmes Geovia Brand CEO Raoul Jacquand spoke to Mining Weekly Online’s Martin Creamer on new mining technology. Video: Christo Greyling. Photogaphs: Creamer Media Chief Photographer Dylan Slater.

Sector remains significant for mobile buildings company

By: Cameron Mackay 30th November 2018 The oil and gas industry will remain a significant focus for prefab and modular buildings in 2019, says rental buildings manufacturer Kwikspace, rentals executive Andre Prinsloo. →

KWIKSPACE MODULAR BUILDINGS Kwikspace provides a range of modular buildings and rental fleet buildings to rapidly accommodate people during shutdowns

Need for digital tech growth in industry

By: Cameron Mackay 30th November 2018 Although the oil and gas industry has begun to use analytics, it can use digital technology to grow the industry even more, says consulting and business process services company Wipro business development manager for South Africa Marleze van Loggerenberg. “Oil and gas companies are focusing on... →

MARLEZE VAN LOGGERENBERG Africa has the potential to leapfrog current technology and current infrastructure, and implement new technologies in its operations

Deep-water Africa at the heart of Impact’s strategy

30th November 2018 Owing to the upstream oil industry quickly becoming comfortable with increased demand, and the resultant improvement in investor confidence, privately-owned oil and gas exploration company Impact Oil and Gas exploration director Phil Birch says Africa is witnessing an upsurge in interest in... →

OFFSHORE OIL RIG Some of the largest remaining oil and gas reserves lie along deep passive continental margins

Attractive and certain policy presents positive prospects for industry

By: Cameron Mackay 30th November 2018 With the now confirmed separation of oil and gas legislation from that of mining in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act South African Oil & Gas Alliance (Saoga) CEO Niall Kramer says the prospects of South Africa entering the liquefied natural gas and indigenous shale gas market... →

NIALL KRAMER The separation of oil and gas legislation from mining legislation is something that the industry has been asking for and policy makers are heading the country in the right direction

Skills upgrade in SA oil and gas industry needed

By: Cameron Mackay 30th November 2018 South Africa has fallen behind the rest of Africa in the oil and gas industry in terms of skills, exploration and legislation, says OPITO (which used to be known as the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization before it was internationally recognized) accredited offshore training company... →

Safety initiatives, innovative machinery achieve zero harm

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 30th November 2018 Mining development and exploration drilling company Rosond achieved zero harm last month, which bodes well for the company’s aim of achieving zero harm in its next financial year. “In the year ahead, we will continue to focus on promoting safe behaviour and increasing management visibility on the... →

Master Drilling earmarks ‘significant share’ of capex for product portfolio, market diversification

By: Paige Müller 30th November 2018 Having grown from strength to strength since its JSE listing in 2012, local innovative drilling solutions provider Master Drilling plans to focus its capital expenditure (capex) on product and market diversification over the next five years, according to group CEO and founder Danie Pretorius.... →

Premier encouraged by high-grade intersections at RHA

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 21st November 2018 Exploration drilling at Premier African Minerals’ 49%-owned RHA tungsten mine, in Zimbabwe, has demonstrated encouraging multiple high-grade intersections and the potential convergence of orebodies, CEO George Roach said on Wednesday. Providing feedback to shareholders regarding the latest... →

Hydropowered drilling saves water – manufacturer

By: Marleny Arnoldi 16th November 2018 The notion that hydro-powered equipment uses or wastes more water than compressed-air (pneumatic) drilling or electric drilling is a misconception, says hydro-powered equipment manufacturer Novatek MD Julian Wills. →

USE TO SAVE Novatek’s hydropowered equipment uses water that is effectively recirculated for cooling or other uses

Drilling delineates new corridor of mineralisation at Kamoa-Kakula

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 14th November 2018 Exploration drilling at Ivanhoe Mines’ Kamoa North prospect area, which forms part of the 397 km2 Kamoa-Kakula mining licence, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has successfully delineated two new, continuous corridors of shallow copper mineralisation containing zones of thick,... →

Diamond core intersections confirm geological model at Kodal’s Mali project

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 13th November 2018 Mineral exploration and development company Kodal Minerals has received assay results for the first two diamond drill holes completed during the wet season at the Sogola-Baoule and Boumou prospects on the company’s 450 km2 Bougouni lithium project, in southern Mali. The diamond core intersections... →

Bushveld lowers FY output guidance

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 9th November 2018 Integrated primary vanadium producer Bushveld Minerals has lowered the full-year production guidance for its Bushveld Vametco subsidiary downwards to between 2 600 t and 2 650 t, from the previously expected 2 850 t to 3 000 t. This is as a result of the impact of industrial action at the... →

Master Drilling diversifies, expands through new JV in Italy

By: Marleny Arnoldi 5th November 2018 JSE-listed Master Drilling has entered into a joint venture (JV) with Italian construction company Ghella, to establish a new Italy-based company called TunnelPro. TunnelPro will pursue tunnel boring projects in the smaller scope civil construction and broader mining industries, while also... →

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