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Opencast Quarries News
Zero harm difficult to attain – Aspasa
By: Halima Frost 1st May 2020 Surface mining association Aspasa director Nico Pienaar tells Mining Weekly that the surface mining industry currently faces many challenges that need to be addressed so that mines can achieve the ultimate goal of zero harm. These include illegal mining not being adequately addressed by the... →
Proper wash-bays prove beneficial
By: Halima Frost 1st May 2020 Investing in a ‘proper’ wash-bay water cannon can save money and time on vehicle upkeep and maintenance for an opencast operation, says fire protection supplier DoseTech MD Mike Feldon. He notes that operations often uses standard fire protection ‘monitors’ or water cannons, which are not fit for... →
Adviser streamlines mine processes
By: Halima Frost 30th April 2020 Specialist mining advisory company Ukwazi Mining Solutions was selected to assist a major mining client with the streamlining and automation of its planning process for a sizeable Southern Africa openpit coal operation last year. “The client had many challenges ranging from inconsistent data... →
Opencast mines may return to 100% of capacity from May 1 – Patel
By: Martin Creamer 27th April 2020 Opencast mines are permitted to return in phases to 100% operation from May 1 but underground mines must continue at 50% of production capacity, Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel said on Saturday. Speaking during a media briefing covered by Mining Weekly on South Africa’s easing from the... →
Post-Covid delivery of crane for colliery’s dragline excavator 
By: Martin Creamer 22nd April 2020 A contract won by Witbank company GTB Industrial Services will see Condra manufacturing a technically complex crane to service an Mpumalanga colliery’s dragline excavator. Condra will deliver the dragline maintenance crane during the month following the easing of Covid-19 quarantine restrictions. →
Mining may resume at 50% capacity – Minister
By: Martin Creamer 16th April 2020 All mining operations, excluding collieries supplying Eskom which have been permitted to operate at full capacity throughout national lockdown, may now resume at 50% capacity during the remaining lockdown days, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said on Thursday. Thereafter,... →
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Matashe during virtual media conference.
Satellite imaging helps monitoring of remote mining operations
By: Donna Slater 9th April 2020 Satellite imaging of remote mining operations can be used to track and visually represent surface changes, ranging from the areal extent of surface operations, surface water, surface disturbances and the addition or removal of surface infrastructure – a vital component of mining management amid... →
Moves afoot to 'futureproof' South Africa's drones regulations
By: Donna Slater 20th March 2020 Regulations governing drones, officially referred to as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), have been stagnant since July 2015, when the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) first introduced regulations to formalise the industry. →
Pilot Crushtec launches compact mobile crushing, screening equipment from Metso
By: Schalk Burger 6th March 2020 Mining and quarrying equipment specialist Pilot Crushtec launched a new range from mining equipment manufacturer Metso’s mobile and compact crushing and screening equipment last month that is well suited to local economic conditions. Pilot Crushtec CEO Sandro Scherf says that contracts have been... →
Monitoring system’s African launch imminent
By: Halima Frost 6th March 2020 Monitoring solutions provider MineWare this month announced the launch of its Argus wheel loader monitoring system in Australia and the US, with a global roll-out to follow this year to meet industry demand. “The omnipresent wheel loader plays an important role in heavy minerals mining and its... →
Cobalt demand drives illegal trade
By: Halima Frost 7th February 2020 Increased global demand for cobalt is spurring mining activity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), specifically illegal and artisanal operations. The southern point of the DRC is reported to contain about two-thirds of the world’s natural cobalt reserves. →
Firm invests hopes in Indaba
By: Darren Parker 24th January 2020 Mining investment firm Menar MD Vuslat Bayoğlu hopes that this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba will “rise to the occasion” in addressing the challenges that are plaguing the South African mining industry. Some pressing challenges include the need to deal with regulatory uncertainty and... →
Khoemacau begins decline development
By: Darren Parker 24th January 2020 Development work is well under way at the Khoemacau copper and silver project in Botswana, with mining contractor Barminco beginning decline development for the new underground mine in Zone 5 this month. Early construction activities started in early 2019, with mine construction, development and... →
Anglo’s polyhalite entry likely to hit MoP more than SoP – Danakali
By: Martin Creamer 21st January 2020 The proposed entry of Anglo American into the fertiliser industry is more likely to impact the muriate of potash (MoP) market than the sulphur of potash (SoP) market, says Danakali CEO Niels Wage. MoP production is relatively concentrated with single-channel CanPotex group of companies in Canada... →
Automated tech implemented at iron-ore project
6th December 2019 The trial of the Smart Mine technology project at iron-ore mining company Sokolov-Sarbai Mining Production Association’s (SSGPO’s) Kacharsky opencast site has been successful. SSGPO, a subsidiary of international metals and mining conglomerate Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), says that it plans to... →
Imminent trade war truce positive for iron-ore
By: Darren Parker 6th December 2019 Economic research institute Afriforesight expects the US and China to reach a trade war “truce” near the end of the year, providing some support for iron-ore. This anticipated resolution of the trade war is expected to have a positive effect on economic activity in general, including for steel... →
Nearing zero fatality milestone
By: Darren Parker 6th December 2019 Coal and iron-ore miner Exxaro Resources is making a final push to achieve its goal of being fatality free for three consecutive years. To better ensure that milestones like this can be reached, the mining company launched its Khetha Ukuphepha – Zulu for Choose Safety – campaign at its conneXXion... →
Opportunities abound in uncertain iron-ore market
By: Darren Parker 6th December 2019 Where some might see cause for concern, mining services provider Ukwazi business development director Spencer Eckstein believes that the uncertain future of iron-ore demand and pricing could mean opportunity. Some of this uncertainty is exemplified by the announcement last month of the proposed... →
BALLS OF STEEL Pelletised iron is made from waste dust and can be used in the manufacture of steel
Imminent surge in demand for PDS anticipated
By: Darren Parker 29th November 2019 Mine safety equipment supplier Booyco Electronics CEO Anton Lourens is anticipating a surge in demand for proximity detection systems (PDS) next year. In 2017, the Department of Mineral Resources, as it was known then, issued a 2020 deadline for mining companies to implement stipulations laid out... →
Mechanised equipment supplier wins award
By: Darren Parker 1st November 2019 Coal cutting machinery and gearbox supplier Eickhoff South Africa was recognised for operational excellence as a supplier of mechanised equipment at the inaugural Exxaro Supplier Excellence Awards, held in Johannesburg, last month. The other two finalists nominated in this category were... →
Canyon implements carbon tax mitigation measures
By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 25th October 2019 The South African government has put pressure on industries to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through the Carbon Tax Act, which came into effect in June. The Act provides for the imposition of a tax on the carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse-gas emissions, and addresses matters connected... →
Crusher manufacturers focused on improving longevity
By: Tracy Hancock 4th October 2019 Technological advances in the crushing industry are few, with some machines based on old technology that has been used for decades, says surface mining association Aspasa director Nico Pienaar. “Crushers remain basic,” he says, noting that the industry is in the Second Industrial Revolution and... →
Earthmoving supplier launches new excavator series
27th September 2019 Earth-moving and construction equipment supplier High Power Equipment (HPE) Africa has launched two new series of excavators from automotive manufacturer Hyundai, namely the R480LC-9S range and R330LC-9S machines. Both series are designed for high performance in tough conditions in various... →
Energy-saving VSDs ideal for mining conveyors
By: Cameron Mackay 27th September 2019 The two new variable-speed drive (VSD) product offerings from bearings and power transmission products distributor Bearings International (BI) – to be launched in the third quarter of this year – are ideally suited to applications in the mining industry. The AlphaDrive-Micro VSD and the... →
Excavator series well received by local mining sector
27th September 2019 Construction and mining equipment manufacturer Doosan’s DX800LC-5B tracked excavator series, which was launched early last year, has received a positive market response from the local mining industry. Doosan is part of the Capital Equipment Group (CEG) division of investment holding and... →
Local OEM’s overseas partnerships boost growth
By: Cameron Mackay 27th September 2019 Bulk handling vehicles original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) Desmond Equipment SA (Dezzi), is aiming to capitalise on, and boost years of consistent growth in the South African market by expanding its product range and through partnerships. Dezzi, as the brand is named, are renowned for its South... →
First glimpse into Mining Indaba 2020 programme
By: Martin Creamer 26th September 2019 The twenty-sixth Investing in African Mining Indaba – scheduled to take place in Cape Town from February 3 to 6 next year – will offer delegates new insight into issues facing Africa’s resources sector. “We’re building on the success of the 2019 Mining Indaba in terms of the high level of... →
Miners must adapt to stay relevant, says Aspasa
By: Simone Liedtke 23rd September 2019 The world is changing and miners, in many instances, will need to adapt their practices and product offerings to stay relevant, says Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of South Africa director Nico Pienaar. He explains that years of tough trading conditions have reshaped the South African... →
Botswana coal miner receives funding for production
20th September 2019 Botswana-listed coal miner Minergy announced last month that, despite extreme difficulty in accessing financial backing, it has successfully raised funding of P90-million from the Botswana Development Corporation, as well as from the Minerals Development Corporation of Botswana. Initial funding... →
Coal mine lives on 
By: Darren Parker 20th September 2019 Coal mining company Canyon Coal’s Phalanndwa colliery extension project is expected to extend the life-of-mine to 2027, and the company is negotiating with the relevant stakeholders to further extend the mine life by six years, Phalanndwa colliery GM Alan Mabbett tells Mining Weekly. The original... →
Stacker reclaimers made new at coal mine
By: Darren Parker 20th September 2019 The refurbishment of three stacker reclaimers at a local coal mine is well under way, with transmission solutions company SEW-Eurodrive supplying 39 new drives for the project. Work on the project began late last year and the client aims to have completed the refurbishment of all three machines –... →
Rietvlei targets steady state production
By: Darren Parker 20th September 2019 Junior coal miner Rietvlei Mining Company’s Mpumalanga-based Rietvlei colliery will achieve steady-state mining in the fourth quarter of this year. Investment holdings company Butsanani Energy CEO Gideon Krynauw – speaking at the Afriforesight Bulk Commodities conference held last month, in... →
New drone technology allows for greater accuracy
By: Darren Parker 16th August 2019 A three-dimensional (3D) photogrammetry mapping solution called SmartMine – driven by multirotor post-processed kinematic (PPK) drone technology – was launched last month by drone mapping and surveying company Rocketmine. The SmartMine solution allows for greater accuracy, as well as the daily... →
New mobile scanner allows for rapid on-foot mapping
By: Darren Parker 16th August 2019 Surveying equipment distributor Autobuild Africa launched a new mobile scanner – the Heron Lite – at the SA Geotech 2019 conference, in Kempton Park, last month. The device was developed by survey technology company Gexcel as part of its Heron range of wearable mobile mapping products. →
New radar allows for real-time rockfall tracking
By: Darren Parker 2nd August 2019 The new RockSpot radar of Italian manufacturer IDS GeoRadar, a subsidiary of sensor and software group Hexagon, can locate, track and signal alerts on the slightest rockfalls and slope failures as they happen in real time. Introduced to the global market in the second quarter of this year, the... →
Aspasa calls for more oversight, increased awareness of legislation
By: Nadine James 31st July 2019 The sand industry, while subject to the Mining and Petroleum Resources Development Act, is still suffering from a lack of “control” or oversight, Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of South Africa (Aspasa) director Nico Pienaar told the CDE sand-washing conference on Wednesday. He noted a... →
New wheel loader ensures flexible features
19th July 2019 Construction equipment provider Caterpillar’s new 920K Compact Wheel Loader’s new features allow operators to tailor machine performance to individual preferences for added operating efficiency, while a choice of auxiliary-hydraulic systems expand the use of work tools for added utility. With a... →
Hydraulic telematics, tracking tech optimises equipment, jobsites
19th July 2019 Construction equipment supplier Doosan South Africa’s new advanced telematics and tracking technology, referred to as Doosan Connect, is designed to make equipment and jobsites more efficient, economic and convenient, says DISA Equipment Doosan South Africa MD Darrel Holton. Doosan is part of... →
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