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Drilling and Tunnelling News
Sierra Leone gold sector ‘open for business’
By: Robyn Wilkinson 10th March 2017 The moderate rise in the average gold price to $1 248/oz in 2016 increased investor appetite for gold exploration and triggered some merger and acquisition activity in the sector, providing a positive environment for miner Sula Iron & Gold to advance its planned drilling programme at its... →
More contracts out to tender with commodity price upswing
By: Simone Liedtke 3rd March 2017 With commodities, such as gold and copper, showing positive growth, mining contracting and engineering company Redpath Mining Africa has noted an upswing in contracting work in the African mining sector. Redpath Mining Africa MD Ockert Douglas says this was also the sentiment held by others at... →
Drilling services provider declares Indaba ‘great success’
By: Simone Liedtke 3rd March 2017 The 2017 Investing in African Mining Indaba was a “great success” for drilling services and equipment, including for performance tooling provider Boart Longyear, as it secured deals and has several prospective projects to follow up on, says general sales manager Andre van Heerden. →
Group to split to improve customer focus
17th February 2017 Swedish sustainable productivity solutions provider Atlas Copco will create a new company focused on mining and civil engineering, should it receive backing at its annual general meeting in April. →
Master Drilling readies for international roll-out of new horizontal raiseboring technology
By: Ilan Solomons 7th February 2017 JSE-listed drilling services provider Master Drilling announced at the Investing in African Mining Indaba on Tuesday that its horizontal raiseboring (HRB) technology is ready for international roll-out after a successful pilot test at the Cullinan diamond mine, in Gauteng. Master Drilling CEO... →
Milestone for Two Rivers as PGM production surpasses 400 000 oz/y
By: David Oliveira 3rd February 2017 Mpumalanga-based Two Rivers, a joint venture between diversified miner African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and platinum producer Impala Platinum (Implats), reached an important milestone last year, producing more than 400 000 oz of platinum-group metals (PGMs) for the first time since the mine started... →
African company one of biggest underground mining contractors
By: Martin Creamer 2nd February 2017 The predominantly Africa-based Murray & Roberts Cementation has served the mining industry for more than a century. Along with Cementation Canada, Cementation USA and RUC Cementation Australia, the Murray & Roberts Underground Mining Platform ranks among the biggest underground mining contracting... →
VENETIA MODEL What the Venetia underground diamond mine will look like when complete
Raubex
27th January 2017 With more than four decades of experience in the Southern African construction and mining industry, infrastructure development and materials handling specialist Raubex Group is a leading player on the sub-continent. Listed on the JSE since 2007, Bloemfontein-headquartered Raubex specialises in... →
Propellant-based rock breaking system mooted as alternative to traditional explosives
By: Ilan Solomons 27th January 2017 It is generally acknowledged that South Africa’s narrow-reef mining sector is in a precarious state as its viability is challenged by declining global commodity prices, labour instability, uncertain government policy, overregulation and declining productivity. Adding to the problem is mine... →
IMPROVING SAFETY The 1.4S initiation system propellant powders produce no shock energy, which ensures improved hanging wall conditions, and therefore a safer working environment
Gubhani Exploration
27th January 2017 Black female-owned, cutting-edge surface exploration drilling company Gubhani Exploration was established in 2008. With projects led by a geologist with 13 years of experience in working with drilling contractors and mining companies, Gubhani is a well-rounded service provider that understands... →
Completion of Mindola shaft expected in 2019
By: Nadine James 27th January 2017 The Mindola Deeps shaft sinking project in Kitwe, Zambia, should be completed by June 2018, marking the first time that a 2 000 m shaft will be raise drilled, says mining contractor Redpath Mining. The project, which is owned by diversified mining and marketing company Glencore’s Zambian copper... →
Difficult drilling proves rewarding at Koffiefontein
By: Robyn Wilkinson 16th December 2016 Diamond producer Petra Diamonds’ geological team has gained access to the kimberlite deposit between the 60 m level and 72 m level at its Koffiefontein project, in the Free State, owing to diamond drilling services provider Lesedi Drilling and Mining Contracting Company’s assistance in... →
‘Exciting prospect’ awaits decision
By: Robyn Wilkinson 16th December 2016 Diamond explorer and project developer Botswana Diamonds is in discussions with its joint venture (JV) partner, Botswana State-owned copper and nickel producer BCL, to undertake essential verification drilling on a cluster of diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes at the Maibwe exploration project in... →
Work on Booysendal South Central access decline to start in April
By: David Oliveira 16th December 2016 Platinum producer Northam Platinum earlier this month awarded JSE-listed Murray & Roberts Cementation the Phase 1 contract for the Mpumalanga-based Booysendal South Central complex, a new mine that will be established on the same mining lease as Booysendal platinum mine. Murray & Roberts... →
Bulk of Cullinan C-Cut Phase 1 nears completion
By: Robyn Wilkinson 16th December 2016 Mining services company Murray & Roberts Cementation will complete its contract at diamond miner Petra Diamonds’ Gauteng-based Cullinan mine this month, concluding the largest portion of the R4-billion Phase 1 expansion project that will initially extend the diamond mine’s life span by about 15 year →
Murray & Roberts secures Phase 1 Booysendal South Central complex contract
By: David Oliveira 9th December 2016 JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Platinum producer Northam Platinum this week awarded JSE-listed Murray & Roberts Cementation the Phase 1 contract for the Mpumalanga-based Booysendal South Central complex, a new mine that will be established on the same mining lease as Booysendal platinum mine.... →
Sibanye testing alternative to explosives-based rock breaking
By: Ilan Solomons 9th December 2016 The South African mining industry requires a paradigm shift in its fundamental approach to mining processes to ensure that it can move away from the use of explosives, says diversified miner Sibanye Resources safe technology and innovation project engineer Alex Fenn. He argues that explosives are... →
NONEXPLOSIVE MINING ENABLER The Multi-Track1000 is 930 mm in height and has four independent track assemblies, which are capable of three different degrees of motion
Mobile technology helps eliminate blasting obstacles
By: Kimberley Smuts 18th November 2016 Explosives firm BME explored how mobile technology and centralised data could provide mine managers with an edge to comprehensively eliminate potential blast problems, through among others management of blast inputs, thereby improving blast results, at its annual Drilling and Blasting Conference.... →
Two-year renewal for Zebediela nickel project prospecting rights
By: David Oliveira 11th November 2016 Aim-listed base metals and uranium exploration company URU Metals announced earlier this month that it successfully renewed the three prospecting rights encompassing its Zebediela nickel project, in Limpopo, for another two years. The prospecting rights are held by URU Metals’ wholly owned South... →
Zambian project achieves one-million lost-time injury-free work hours
By: Sascha Solomons 4th November 2016 Mining and exploration company Group R Mining & Exploration Zambia achieved one-million man hours without a lost-time injury (LTI), at its Synclinorium shaft expansion project on behalf of owner Zambian-registered copper miner Mopani Copper Mines. Group R is the operating partner of... →
Amplats targeting 80% mechanised production but timeline extended to 2027 as price slumps
By: Ilan Solomons 28th October 2016 Platinum producer Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) is developing a range of mechanised technologies and is aiming to produce 80% of its platinum using mechanised mining methods by 2027. Amplats mining services head Frik Fourie says the company started implementing this strategy in 2011 when the... →
Patented mining technology to be released month-end
By: Aarifah Nosarka 28th October 2016 Local ultra-low-profile mining machinery and equipment supplier CMTI Consulting expects to release its patented MT100, MT1000 and automated brake tester technologies for mines by the end of this month. The technology, developed by CMTI Consulting, in Pretoria, comprises 70% local content and is... →
Greater urgency needed in adopting mechanisation in South Africa
By: Aarifah Nosarka 28th October 2016 For the local mining industry to ensure its sustainability, the industry needs to accelerate the rate at which it is adopting new technology, mechanical engineering consultant CMTI Consulting MD Dr Danie Burger tells Mining Weekly. “The transitioning of mines to greater mechanisation and... →
Horizontal raiseboring at Cullinan mine outperforms traditional methods
By: Ilan Solomons 21st October 2016 Raise boring and drilling services group Master Drilling is nearing completion of a 220 m hole with a diameter of 4.5 m horizontal raise bore (HRB) trial project at Southern Africa-focused miner Petra Diamonds’ Cullinan diamond mine, in Gauteng. During a site visit to the mine earlier this month,... →
HORIZONTAL RAISE BORING Horizontal raise boring is a developing technology with potentially faster production advances and is consistently more stable than traditional drill and blast
New body for shaft sinkers launched
By: Ilan Solomons 30th September 2016 The South African Shaft Sinking, Equipment and Services (Sasses) supply group, a subgroup within the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (Saceec) was officially launched at the Electra Mining Africa 2016 tradeshow in Johannesburg, last week. Sasses aims to assist local manufacturers... →
Studies seek ways to prevent falls-of-ground accidents at mines
By: Ilan Solomons 30th September 2016 A series of implementation projects were carried out between 2012 and 2015 by global engineering consultancy SRK through the Safety in Mines Research Advisory Committee with funds from the Mine Health and Safety Council (MSHC) with the aim of imparting a risk-based support design methodology to... →
Ontario govt awards Boart Longyear C$1.37m to improve safety, reduce costs
By: Henry Lazenby 28th September 2016 Multinational drilling equipment and services provider Boart Longyear has received an award of C$1.37-million from the Ontario government to help improve safety at mineral exploration drilling sites and the efficiency of drilling systems technology. The Salt Lake City, Utah-headquartered company... →
Cash costs plunge below $700/oz at AngloGold’s Mponeng mine
By: David Oliveira 23rd September 2016 South African gold mining major Anglo-Gold Ashanti reported in its six- months through June 30 earnings report, released in mid-August, that its South African flagship operation, Mponeng gold mine, near Carletonville, was one of the lowest-cost producers in South Africa during the first half of... →
Hughes Drilling appoints administrators
By: Creamer Media Reporter 22nd September 2016 Queensland-based coal driller and miner Hughes Drilling has collapsed. Jason Preston, Shaun Fraser and Jamie Harris, partners of McGrathNicol, were on Thursday appointed as joint administrators of all the entities controlled by Hughes Drilling, except of its US subsidiary Reichdrill. →
Shaft sinking industry group launches, seeks to create new opportunities
By: Ilan Solomons 16th September 2016 The South African Shaft Sinking, Equipment and Services (Sasses) supply group, a subgroup within the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (Saceec), was officially launched at the Electra Mining Africa 2016 tradeshow in Johannesburg, this week. Sasses aims to assist local manufacturers... →
Indicated resources at Tanzania gold prospect up 409% to 205 347 oz
By: Mia Breytenbach 16th September 2016 East Africa-focused gold producer, developer and explorer Shanta Gold has upgraded its Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant resource estimate at the Ilunga satellite deposit at the New Luika Gold Mine (NLGM), in south-west Tanzania, with indicated resources increasing by 409% – from 40 352 oz... →
GRADE ELEVATION The indicated resource gold grade rose 17%, from 4.03 g/t of gold to 4.71 g/t of gold
Caterpillar to discontinue some underground equipment ranges
By: Ilan Solomons 16th September 2016 In a “strategic initiative” to restructure and optimise its manufacturing footprint, US mining equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has decided to place its soft rock room and pillar underground equipment production under review and will stop taking orders for this equipment. The company has... →
Master Drilling posts 15.4% revenue growth despite tough operating environment
By: Ilan Solomons 16th September 2016 JSE-listed drilling services provider Master Drilling has overcome a challenging economic climate to secure a $208.9-million order book, while its headline earnings a share increased 30.1% year-on-year to 97.6c in the six months ended June 30. At a presentation of the company’s interim results,... →
DANIE PRETORIUS Master Drilling experienced a slow start to 2016, owing to delayed access to sites, delays in project start-ups, poor ground conditions and economic fluctuations
Consultant promotes technology over subsidies to ensure sustainability
By: Nadine James 16th September 2016 Coal mining companies need to embrace the technological revolution if they are to overcome current challenges, including lower commodity prices, rising labour costs and increased regulatory pressures, says commodity and industrial consulting firm Bryanston Resources. According to Bryanston... →
Sentinel at forefront of global mining technology
9th September 2016 Canadian base metals producer First Quantum Minerals’ (FQM’s) $2.1-billion Sentinel mine, in Zambia’s North-Western province, is described by the Zambian Chamber of Mines (CoM) as the country’s mining industry’s “most ambitious venture ever” and the single-largest upfront infrastructure... →
Master Drilling secures healthy pipeline of projects, despite challenges 
By: Ilan Solomons 6th September 2016 JSE-listed drilling services provider Master Drilling has overcome a challenging economic climate to secure a $208.9-million order book, while its headline earnings a share increased 30.1% year-on-year to 97.6c in the six months ended June 30. At a presentation of the company’s interim results,... →
Kansanshi copper mine renews drill fleet
By: Mia Breytenbach 2nd September 2016 Amid lacklustre global commodity prices and difficult times faced by the Zambian copper mining industry, the country’s largest copper mine, Kansanshi, has opted to renew its fleet of blast hole drill rigs by acquiring Sandvik D25KS and DP1500i drill rigs. Sandvik Zambia key account manager for... →
Schwalbe
26th August 2016 Focused on providing products and services whilst ensuring competitiveness in quality, reliability and price, South Africa-based drilling equipment supplier Schwalbe’s product lines have been supplied to and tested, with favourable results, by companies such as gold producer AngloGold Ashanti,... →
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