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Drilling and Tunnelling News
Progress at Botswana copper project
18th August 2017 Investor in strategic natural resource opportunities Metal Tiger has received all sample assays from previous infill /extensional drilling at its T3 copper/silver project, in Botswana, and is making good progress with its prefeasibility study (PFS) which is on track for completion in the fourth... →
Blasting and drilling increasingly automated
By: Robyn Wilkinson 28th July 2017 Ongoing developments to underground mining solutions provider iRing’s mine planning software suite are increasingly automating blasting and drilling operations, providing increased accuracy and safety in hazardous mining environments. →
NEW ERA iRing aims to demystify blasting and drilling operations through its software solutions, making them safer and more efficient
Canada’s First Cobalt hoping to seal DRC exploration deal by next month
By: Mia Breytenbach 21st July 2017 Cobalt asset group First Cobalt aims to close the transaction of a strategic alliance for a 70% interest in seven prospective copper/cobalt exploration properties in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by next month and progress exploration in one of the world’s “high-reward cobalt... →
Hydropower – what the industry needs now
By: Marleny Arnoldi 21st July 2017 The contraction in the South African mining industry has resulted in many projects and expansions stalling in recent years, with mines having closed or scaled back on capital and operational expenditure. →
Largest-diameter hole reamed in Africa – contractor
14th July 2017 The reaming phase of a 7.3-m-diameter hole at South African integrated energy and chemicals company Sasol’s Impumelelo coal mine, in Mpumulanga, has been completed, setting an African record for the largest-diameter hole reamed to date, says South African mining company Redpath Mining. Mining... →
Golden prospects following exploration in Mali and Senegal
By: Nica Schreuder 14th July 2017 Privately owned UK-based gold exploration company Cora Gold believes there is strong potential to ultimately increase the scale of the discovery at the Sanankoro project to a size suitable for consideration as a standalone gold mine hence the project being the primary focus of the company’s... →
Laguna Verde surveys yield encouraging results
7th July 2017 Mineral resource company Wealth Minerals has completed transient electromagnetic and gravity geophysical surveys at the Laguna Verde lithium project, in northern Chile, with its geophysical contractor reporting that the data quality is good to excellent for both surveys. The resulting gravity... →
Mining Indaba offering new junior zone, boosting interface opportunities 
By: Martin Creamer 4th July 2017 Strong new thrusts are planned for next year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba, which is scheduled to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from February 5 to 8, once again to support investment in mining companies operating in Africa and to provide an effective platform... →
Association applying changes to expand representation
By: Simone Liedtke 23rd June 2017 Owing to it being approached by various other opencast mining and quarrying companies and bodies, private-sector producers’ association Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa (Aspasa) will from now on only be known as Aspasa as it has dropped the ‘aggregate and sand’ from its... →
Multidisciplinary mining company says market is challenging
By: Simone Liedtke 23rd June 2017 With the general depletion of natural sand reserves around South Africa, especially within large cities, multidisciplinary materials openpit mining company Afrimat has invested in sand producing plants – especially in Gauteng – to produce high-quality concrete sands to ensure higher concrete... →
Process-focused solution ups output
23rd June 2017 North West sand and aggregate supplier CNC Crushers raised throughput by 45% at its Roadstone Shaft 5 crushing plant while simultaneously cutting back on maintenance, after implementing a full process-focused solution from industrial equipment supplier Weir Minerals Africa. →
Method leads to increased productivity
By: Marleny Arnoldi 23rd June 2017 Mining industry drilling services provider Rosond has adopted an approach to drilling equipment maintenance which entails identifying trends to assist it in applying engineering fixes, altering maintenance periods and educating operational staff accordingly. “We follow a productive approach, with... →
Stator introduced for reduced energy and maintenance costs
16th June 2017 Solutions provider for difficult pumping applications Netzsch Pumps North America has introduced the iFD-Stator 2.0, which it says combines efficiency, economy and environmental safety in one system. Featuring a two-part, reusable stator housing and replaceable stator, the iFD-Stator 2.0 is... →
Modern exploration tech to revive local diamond mining
By: Robyn Wilkinson 9th June 2017 With the application of third-generation exploration technologies, South Africa may prove to be the next diamond exploration frontier, says diamond explorer Botswana Diamonds MD James Campbell. →
Mining Resilience Research Centre launch to help sector survive Industrial Revolution 4.0
By: David Oliveira 26th May 2017 The University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Department of Mining Engineering has launched its Mining Resilience Research Centre (MRRC) at the Hatfield, Pretoria, campus. The centre will take a multidisciplinary and holistic research approach to address the challenges facing the South African mining... →
Geologists, mineralogists exploring new Botswana licences
By: Simone Liedtke 26th May 2017 A second fieldwork programme at the six new prospecting licences (PLs) in Botswana awarded to the Sunland Minerals joint venture (JV), including initial sampling and geophysics, is planned for September 2017. →
Training academy deriving ‘incredible’ value from simulators
26th May 2017 Simulation has resulted in a definite, dramatic reduction in training cycle times, says Bedfordview-headquartered mining contractor Murray & Roberts’ Murray and Roberts Training Academy (MRTA) education and training development (ETD) executive Tony Pretorius. With five, high-fidelity Cybermine... →
Mineral scanner to facilitate identification of reactive ground
26th May 2017 In another step towards safer blasting practice, Johannesburg-headquartered explosives and services supplier BME is adapting its XRF Delta Pro mineral scanner to quickly identify reactive-ground conditions that could lead to blast site incidents. “This can give us real-time information that... →
New company aims to be ‘unrivalled’ service provider
26th May 2017 With a focus on safety and supporting its customers, the process of integrating diversified industrial-use products and services provider Komatsu and high-productivity mining solutions provider Joy Global has begun, following the conclusion of a $3.7-billion deal in April. On May 8, executive... →
Equipment, automotive divisions boost Barloworld’s performance in difficult interim period
By: Megan van Wyngaardt 15th May 2017 Fleet management and logistics solutions company Barloworld on Monday posted a 5% increase in its operating profit for the six months ended March 31, to R1.84-billion, as its automotive division achieved record results and its overall equipment division boasted strong growth amid challenging... →
Start-up solution offered by crushing specialist
12th May 2017 With most major mining firms already on its customer list, blasting and excavation company B&E International – based in Kempton Park, South Africa - has developed a solution for start-up miners that likely need to conserve their cash flow in the early days of operation. →
Dust-suppression specialist geared for growth in Africa
By: Simone Liedtke 12th May 2017 Environmental management company I-CAT Environmental Solutions continues to grow its market share in dust-suppression management and solutions, and intends to increase its market share in Africa this year. →
Dust regulations hinder productivity
By: Simone Liedtke 12th May 2017 Regulations implemented by governmental authorities, including municipalities, and environmental bodies, are impacting significantly on productivity in the global mining industry at a time when opencast operations are running tight margins, says Johannesburg-based mining equipment manufacturer... →
Opencast mine equipment relocation method saves costs, time
By: Simone Liedtke 12th May 2017 By loading, transporting and offloading draglines for opencast mining clients in one piece, global engineered heavy lifting and transportation specialist Mammoet is driving project feasibility by saving its clients time and money. →
Geodrill reports ‘most promising start to any fiscal year ever’ – CEO
By: Henry Lazenby 9th May 2017 A 20% jump in first-quarter revenues bears witness to strong demand for drilling services provided by Canada-based Geodrill, prompting president and CEO Dave Harper to bill the three months ended March as “the most promising start to any fiscal year ever”. The Toronto-based company recorded... →
Platinum sector water management improves considerably
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 5th May 2017 The platinum mining sector in South Africa has made “considerable” progress over the past ten years in its endeavours to recycle and reuse water, with 50% to 60% of water pumped into tailings dams being returned to the plant for reuse, indicates SRK Consulting, a firm of consulting engineers and... →
Ex-prof says new rock mechanics book will deal with ‘incompleteness’ of existing texts
By: Ilan Solomons 5th May 2017 The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) has published a new rock mechanics textbook, which is entitled ‘Theoretical Rock Mechanics for Professional Practice’. Speaking at an event hosted by the SAIMM’s Johannesburg branch last month, author Matthew Handley elaborated that... →
NEW VIEWS REQUIRED The practice of rock mechanics has stagnated for the past 30 to 40 years within a reduced 2D view of what is very much ‘at the least’ a 3D problem
Drilling specialist to receive training accreditation
By: Marleny Arnoldi 5th May 2017 Mining industry drilling services provider Rosond is in the process of becoming an accredited Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Merseta) training provider. →
Shaft sinking progresses at Platreef’s Shaft 1
21st April 2017 The sinking of Shaft 1 at the Platreef platinum-palladium-gold-nickel-copper project in Limpopo, South Africa, has reached a depth of more than 283 m below surface, 697 m away from its target depth. Proceeding at an average rate of about 45 m a month, the shaft, with an internal diameter of 7.25... →
Test production starts at Mowana
21st April 2017 Africa-focused gold and copper exploration and development company Alecto Minerals has started test production at its Mowana copper project, in Botswana, after initial commissioning at the project’s process plant, says CEO Mark Jones. He notes that Alecto is moving at speed to deliver continuous... →
NOTABLE PRODUCE The atmosphere on site at the Mowana copper project in Botswana is buoyant, with the plant producing saleable concentrate up to 28% copper
Blanket’s Central shaft sinking on schedule
21st April 2017 The Central shaft at the Blanket gold mine, in Zimbabwe, remains on track to reach a target depth of 1 080 m by 2018 and is the key enabler of mining company Caledonia Mining’s longer-term life-of-mine plan at Blanket, says CEO Steve Curtis. →
Digging deeper becoming more attractive, financially possible
By: Victor Moolman 21st April 2017 Developing a new shaft is regarded as a grudge purchase by mining companies and their shareholders because of the capital-intensive nature of such projects. However, 2017 Rapid Underground Mine & Civil Access Conference organising chairperson Murray Macnab avers that underground orebodies are... →
Strategic mining alliance to clients’ benefit
21st April 2017 Mine shaft sinking and mining services company Redpath Mining South Africa has entered into an alliance with multidisciplinary construction group Stefanutti Stocks, joining their complementary capabilities and services to enhance benefits to their clients. →
Liberian gold miner driving near-mine satellite exploration
14th April 2017 TSX- and Aim-listed West African gold producer Avesoro Resources points to a strong outlook for 2017, with its main aim for the year being the discovery of additional mineable satellite resources within close proximity to its New Liberty gold mine, in Liberia. With numerous high potential targets... →
Mali lithium project developments ‘great endorsement’
14th April 2017 A potential second placing worth about £4.3-million with trading company Suay Chin International, if completed, will ensure that West Africa-focused mineral exploration and development company Kodal Minerals is well funded to produce initial mineral resource estimates at its Bougouni lithium... →
LITHIUM DEMAND Suay Chin was formed to take advantage of its extensive connections to supply the Chinese lithium market
New drill logistically self-sufficient
By: Victor Moolman 31st March 2017 The new track-mounted VersaMobile KmN.8UM drill from mining equipment manufacturer VersaDrill Canada is self-sufficient to the point that it does not need mine vehicle involvement to facilitate its transportation when operating underground. →
Productivity at SA gold, platinum mines declined 49% from 1999 to 2014 – Chamber of Mines
By: David Oliveira 31st March 2017 Productivity in the platinum and gold mining sectors declined by 49% from 1999 to 2014, while labour costs increased by about 309% during the same period, Chamber of Mines (CoM) modernisation and safety intern Katlego Letsoalo noted earlier this month during The Southern African Institute of... →
Automation software improves ease of work
24th March 2017 Sustainable productivity solutions provider Atlas Copco has introduced the Dynamic tunnelling package, a new automation software for face drilling rigs, such as its Boomer range, which is built for blast hole drilling in underground mining and tunnelling. The package is offered by Atlas Copco’s... →
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