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Drilling and Tunnelling News
‘Frack mining’ mooted as a future mining innovation
By: Ilan Solomons 29th January 2016 Miners currently face many challenges, from low commodity prices to the exhaustion of accessible high-quality orebodies and high development costs. However, by drawing on the oil and gas industry’s process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, miners may have new ways to tackle those problems... →
Merger enables engineering firm to weather tough market conditions
By: Nadine James 22nd January 2016 Metallurgical engineering company MDM Engineering has kept its head above water and has been able to secure new contracts despite the depressed market conditions in the mining industry, MDM executive director and founder George Bennett tells Mining Weekly. He attributes the company’s... →
Faster, easier access to orebodies
By: Mia Breytenbach 22nd January 2016 JSE-listed drilling solutions provider Master Drilling will not only exhibit but also launch a new technological advancement – a mechanised blind shaft boring system – at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba, following a successful experience at the 2015 Cape Town-based event. Master... →
Supplier to feature LS250 MiniSonic in 2016
By: Kimberley Smuts 22nd January 2016 Despite the industry downturn, drilling services, drilling equipment and performance tooling provider Boart Longyear continues to invest in new product development and innovation in mining and expects to launch more than four new products this year. The company aims to share these latest product... →
DTI invites local companies to participate in DRC expo pavilion
By: Megan van Wyngaardt 19th January 2016 The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has invited South African manufacturers and exporters of mining equipment and related products and services to apply to participate at DRC Mining Week 2016, scheduled to take place on June 8 and 9 in Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The... →
New geology software version due for release next year
27th November 2015 Mining solutions developer Maptek will release the latest version of its mine-planning software suit Vulcan 10 in the first quarter of 2016. Vulcan incorporates a dedicated geology package that features tools that enable geologists to access and view drillhole data, define geological zones and... →
Master Drilling expands European footprint 
By: Megan van Wyngaardt 25th November 2015 Drilling services provider Master Drilling International (MDI) has inked a €5-million deal that will see it acquire a 40% stake in Scandinavian raisebore drilling company Bergteamet Raiseboring Europe. This formed part of MDI’s long-term growth strategy and was an effective entry into the... →
Benefits of electronic detonation being realised
20th November 2015 Electronic detonators are fast becoming an integral part of effective mining processes across the world, says electronic initiation system designer DetNet marketing director Johann Smit. “[The benefits of] electronic blast [initiation] are being recognised worldwide,” he says, adding that using... →
Mining solutions provider introduces hard rock mining truck
13th November 2015 US-based mining equipment manufacturer Joy Global recently debuted the Joy 16TD hard rock mining truck, its newest offering for the global mining market. Based on the popular DT-1804 truck model, the 16TD features lower hood lines for improved visibility, a digital operator display, shorter... →
Increased volumes of mining, construction assets auctioned online
By: Mia Breytenbach 30th October 2015 Owing to the continued global and local economic challenges that the local mining industry faces, several mining houses are shifting their focus from growth and expansion to efficiency and cost control, says online mining and construction equipment auctioneering company Clear Asset. The slowdown... →
Company to launch underground mining machines
By: Bruce Montiea 30th October 2015 Ultralow-profile mining machinery and equipment supplier Centre For Machine Technology and Innovation (CMTI Consulting) will launch two underground mining machines next month. CMTI Consulting MD Danie Burger says the machines are still being developed and will be delivered to gold miner Sibanye... →
New pneumatic face advance and roof bolter rock drill systems launched
By: Ilan Solomons 9th October 2015 Local pump and rock drill manufacturer Scamont Engineering’s range of locally manufactured pneumatic rock drills and roof bolters, the Shova face advance and Shova roof bolter have the ability to significantly increase mining extraction volumes and improve the safety levels for rock drill... →
Master Drilling remains optimistic with headline earnings up, focused on diversifying
By: Megan van Wyngaardt 28th September 2015 JSE-listed drilling services provider Master Drilling has declared a 22.9% jump in headline earnings from 61c to 75c for the six months ended June 30. At its results presentation in Johannesburg on Monday, the group also noted a profit of $10.4-million, up by 11%, and cash generated from... →
Prevalent mining risks necessitate more protection measures, says consultancy
By: Mia Breytenbach 18th September 2015 The pervasiveness of key risks to mineworker health and safety, notably silicosis and fall-of-ground incidents, underscores that much still needs to be done to protect workers, states multidisciplinary consulting engineers and scientists SRK Consulting South Africa (SA). SRK Consulting SA... →
PROTECTION MEASURE The mechanisation or automation of drilling and other mining operations is a solution that could reduce miners’ exposure to silica dust
Aircore drilling starts at Fisher East
7th August 2015 ASX-listed exploration company Rox Resources has started an aircore drilling programme on the Fisher East nickel sulphide project located 500 km north of Kalgoorlie, in Western Australia. The drilling programme, announced by the company last month, will test several strong electromagnetic (EM)... →
Assay results find significant zinc concentration
7th August 2015 ASX-listed metal producer Mungana Goldmines last month announced high-grade zinc results from previously unassayed diamond drill holes, within its Red Cap project area, 4 km from Mungana’s partially completed base metals concentrator at Chillagoe, in north Queensland. The drilling was done by... →
Updated Jorc mineral resource announced
7th August 2015 Australian strategic metals company Pilbara Minerals in June announced a significant increase in the Joint Ore Reserves Committee- (Jorc-) compliant high-value lithium content of its Pilgangoora tantalum-lithium project, in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The updated mineral resource includes... →
$2m drilling programme starts at Alaska Peninsula copper-gold project
By: Sashnee Moodley 17th July 2015 A drilling programme had started at the Alaska Peninsula copper-gold project, in south-west Alaska, explorer Millrock Resources reported on Thursday. →
Hydropower can effect 90% reduction in drilling energy
By: Bruce Montiea 17th July 2015 Hydropowered rock drills can reduce the drilling energy requirement of a mine by up to 90% compared to pneumatic systems, as they operate at more than twice the penetration rate of air drills. In addition, as hydropower is more energy-efficient, it also reduces the number of drillers in a working... →
Local company unveils Turkey-manufactured drill rig range
By: Ilan Solomons 10th July 2015 Local diversified information technology, mining and cooling solutions and products provider Troya Trading officially unveiled its new Geo 900 exploration drilling rig range to the local market at a company open day, in Midrand, last month. The drill rig was manufactured in Turkey by drilling... →
Fuel-efficient blasthole drill rig can drill larger holes
By: Mia Breytenbach 19th June 2015 Sweden-based construction and mining tools and equipment manufacturer Atlas Copco launched its PowerROC T50 surface drill rig, designed for use at limestone, cement and aggregate quarries, onto the African market earlier this month. The PowerROC T50 is a tophammer, blasthole drill rig that is... →
Miner confirms high-grade gold mineralisation
5th June 2015 Aim-listed Savannah Resources has defined an initial 65-million tons maiden inferred mineral resource estimate (MRE) at its Jangamo heavy mineral sands (HMS) project in southern Mozambique. Savannah CEO David Archer said in December that initial resource drilling was targeting two areas within... →
Downhole geophysics helps mines avoid costly mistakes
By: Bruce Montiea 8th May 2015 The profit margins of opencast mining have decreased, necessitating cost reductions while effcient production is maintained, says wireline-logging company Geoline Logging Services. Geoline manager Charles Gould states that most opencast mines tend to operate on a “best guess” basis in terms of... →
Simulation enhances preparation of mining learners 
By: Dylan Slater 1st May 2015 Using simulation facilities, such as mining environment mock-ups, coupled with electronic-learning (e-learning) techniques, holds significant benefits when training mining personnel, says mining services company Murray & Roberts Cementation. Murray & Roberts Cementation risk manager Tony... →
New shaft drilling method under development
By: Kimberley Smuts 17th April 2015 Body copy: Raiseboring and drilling services group Master Drilling is evaluating the possibility of drilling a shaft without bottom access, which could bring about “a radical change” in the industry, executive director Koos Jordaan tells Mining Weekly. He explains that, traditionally, raiseboring... →
Obtaining social licence a manageable challenge for emerging miner
By: Kimberley Smuts 17th April 2015 Obtaining a social licence to operate is one of the main challenges faced by emerging miner Wesizwe Platinum, which is sinking the main shaft of its Bakubung mine, on the western limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex. Wesizwe corporate affairs and investor relations executive Hamlet Morule tells... →
Bakubung shaft sinking remains on track
By: Kimberley Smuts 17th April 2015 Shaft-sinking activities at platinum miner Wesizwe Platinum’s Bakubung mine, in the North West, remain on track, with the main and ventilation shafts now having reached a depth of 770 m. Shaft sinking started in 2012, following the receipt of $600-million in financing from the China Development... →
Drilling further increases Ghana gold project’s potential
10th April 2015 ASX-listed gold producer Cardinal Resources last month announced that further down dip gold extensions were confirmed at its Namdini mining project, in Ghana, increasing the project’s gold bearing potential. Down dip extensions were confirmed at 13 m at 1.158 g/t from 53 m vertical depth, 10 m at... →
Company prioritises oil-contamination prevention, safety
By: Bruce Montiea 20th March 2015 To reduce the environmental impact of its projects, drilling services company Ubuntu Rock Drilling (URD) aims to prevent oil contamination as much as possible, company marketing manager Michelle Berrington tells Mining Weekly. To achieve this, a plastic liner is used to cover the ground surface... →
ZERO SPILLAGE Drilling must have as little impact as possible on the environment
Drill penetrates with more precision
By: Bruce Montiea 20th March 2015 Cutting tools developer Dormer Pramet in January launched a new solid carbide drill that increases drilling precision. The drill was specifically developed to overcome problems associated with deep-hole drilling and creating underground mining infrastructure, says Dormer Pramet application... →
More mining companies to benefit from drill rig simulator training
By: Bruce Montiea 20th March 2015 In response to the growing need for skilled drilling personnel, global training simulator provider ThoroughTec Simulation is increasing the number of its Cybermine blast-hole drill-rig simulator cabs, says operations VP Richard Bellengère. This production drive will make the cabs available to... →
Upgraded rotary drill to be introduced to African market
By: Bruce Montiea 20th March 2015 Following the completion of product support training, machinery manufacturer Caterpillar’s upgraded MD6640 rotary drill is now commercially available, says Caterpillar surface rock drills commercial strategy manager G R Regas, adding that the company will introduce the upgraded drill to the... →
Work on ventilation shafts project at Palabora copper mine set to start soon
By: Ilan Solomons 20th March 2015 Raiseboring and drilling services group Master Drilling will soon start with the civil construction of a shaft collar on the first of two ventilation shafts for refined-copper producer Palabora Mining Company (PMC) at its mine, in Limpopo, Master Drilling executive director Koos Jordaan tells... →
African drilling projects benefit from versatile equipment
By: Bruce Montiea 20th March 2015 African drilling projects are benefiting from using the versatile instruments and products produced by Italy-based drilling instruments designer DAT instruments, says sales manager Domenico Anelina. He adds that the company’s products can be installed and used on any drilling rig, irrespective of... →
Company introduces new, improved drill
20th March 2015 High-technology engineering company Sandvik has added the new DR461i drill to its equipment product line. “The DR461i is a diesel powered, self-propelled, crawler-mounted blasthole drill that is automation-ready and features forward-thinking design and technology for bulk mining operations,”... →
Challenging drilling project successfully completed
By: Bruce Montiea 20th March 2015 Integrated drilling services and equipment provider Boart Longyear last month completed another unique project using its dual-tube flooded reverse-circulation technique. The technique, used to drill 60-inch shafts through loss circulation zones, was used to create a ventilation shaft for an... →
Newly formed Thebe Turnstone to meet BBBEE thresholds
By: Natalie Greve 16th March 2015 Thebe Investment Corporation subsidiary Thebe Mining Resources (TMR) has acquired drilling company Turnstone Drilling, driving the group’s strategy of investing in businesses that provide critical services and supplies to mining sector. Turnstone Drilling had an operational fleet of 40 surface... →
Equipment supplier secures diamond, copper and nickel sector contracts
By: Mia Breytenbach 20th February 2015 South Africa-based drilling equipment supplier Schwalbe Import & Export has obtained three significant contracts with Africa-based mining companies in Botswana, Schwalbe MD Jonathan Betsalel tells Mining Weekly, adding that the company aims to start supplying the products in March or April. “The... →
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