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Project Management News

Technology helps companies weather storm

By: Cameron Mackay 13th November 2020 Multinational consulting engineers SRK Consulting director Andrew van Zyl stresses that technology, through the efficiencies it enables, is an important tool for retaining jobs in mining. The sector has been in a long period of decline, and technology is an opportunity to arrest that decline by... →

High demand for tailings consulting exceeds local capacity

By: Cameron Mackay 13th November 2020 Engineering consultant Knight Piésold is focused on providing technical advice for many local tailings dam facilities, says Knight Piésold technical director for mining services Africa Andrew Copeland. This increase in demand for tailings dam-related consulting can be attributed to several... →

SWIMMING WITH THE CURRENT Owing to Knight Piésold’s dam engineering experience, the company can work with mines in remote areas, particularly in the DRC, to provide hydropower

Exploration is priority, says Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe

By: Martin Creamer 3rd November 2020 South Africa should be an exploration site that contributes to gross domestic product growth and employment creation. “Exploration is the way to go and a priority,” Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe told the 2020 Junior Indaba in his keynote address on Tuesday. (Also watch... →

Gwede Mantashe (right) and Bernard Swanepoel.

The Junior Indaba covered by Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer

Flow-through must not only incentivise exploration but also market participation – Miller

By: Martin Creamer 2nd November 2020 A flow-through share scheme tax incentive, currently under consideration for South Africa, must serve to incentivise not only exploration but also public listed market development and market participation by a diversity of investors. Mining supply sales consultancy AmaranthCX director Paul Miller... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Mining supply sales consultancy AmaranthCX director Paul Miller

Hopes rise as top firms arrive at potential flow-through share model to stimulate mining exploration

By: Martin Creamer 27th October 2020 A flow-through share model has been drawn up with the help of top firms to stimulate badly neglected mining exploration in South Africa, Minerals Council South Africa junior and emerging miners leadership forum chairperson Errol Smart said on Tuesday. Speaking to Mining Weekly in a Zoom... →

Minerals Council South Africa Junior Miners’ Forum Chairperson Errol Smart interviewed by Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer.

Decision soon on platinum process that can save power

By: Martin Creamer 26th October 2020 The definitive feasibility study for the installation of a revolutionary new electricity-slashing processing plant at Pilanesberg Platinum Mine in the North West will be completed next month, in time for an investment decision from the shareholders in KellTechnology South Africa, which are... →

Kelltech’s Keith Liddell interviewed by Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer.

New service offering can help plug skills gap

16th October 2020 Australian engineering consultancy firm MEC Mining last month launched a new geotechnical engineering division, as part of the company’s in-house services, to cater for industry demand in the mining sector. The division will be led by MEC Mining technical services and Western Australia manager... →

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY With several Perth-based gold explorers, the company’s presence in Perth and expertise in gold will allow the company to better access and support these companies

SA company aims for preferred supplier status in Australia

By: Cameron Mackay 16th October 2020 Australia is abundant in minerals, with more mines being established every year; this results in more mined ore having to be processed, says local foundry company Thos Begbie sales engineer Esli Bantjes. He states that the company’s goal is to be the preferred supplier of components for... →

SCM21 PROJECT SUPPLIER Thos Begbie will manufacture and supply new and improved components to BHP’s Olympic Dam underground copper mine’s flash and electric furnace

Key market for fatigue monitoring technology

By: Cameron Mackay 16th October 2020 The Australian mining industry has been a key contributor to the growth of fatigue-monitoring technology provider SmartCap Technologies. SmartCap CEO Tim Ekert says that Covid-19’s impact on other key markets has further reinforced Australia’s importance to the company’s growth. “SmartCap has... →

FIGHTING FATIGUE A key benefit of the Life product is the elimination of incidents caused by fatigue, enhancing safety and overall productivity

GPS-denied drone trialled in South Africa, with keen eye on underground mine mapping

By: Donna Slater 9th October 2020 Melrose Arch-based mining technology company Dwyka Mining has conducted what it believes is the first Autonomy Level 2 (AL2) flight in South Africa, using a new drone-mounted light detection and ranging (Lidar) technology payload − Hovermap. The Hovermap payload is developed by Brisbane,... →

Dwyka Mining Services trials a DJI drone fitted with the Hovermap lidar payload in a GPS-denied environment

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Dwyka Mining Services trials a DJI drone fitted with the Hovermap lidar payload in a GPS-denied environment

Nigeria incentivises new mining investment

By: Halima Frost 9th October 2020 Nigerian Mines and Steel Development Minister Olamilekan Adagbite highlighted the incentives being offered to investors in Nigeria’s mining sector during a webinar on Driving Investment in the Nigerian Mining Industry in a Pandemic Situation, held in August. Government intends to reignite... →

GOING FOR GOLD Nigeria's government looks to reignite flames under the mining investment banner to draw attention to its vast mineral and metal resources

Grande Côte operation achieves ‘excellent’ results

9th October 2020 Multinational mining and metallurgy company Eramet 2020 half-year results, released on July 29, noted that its Grande Côte Operation (GCO) built on the “excellent operating performance” of 2019, producing 371 000 t of mineral sands over the period. Notably, GCO is the largest single dredge... →

NOT SCRAPING THE BOTTOM The dredging operation at Eramet's Grande Côte operation reported an excellent operating performance for the first half of 2020

Study paves way for engaging artisanal miners

By: Halima Frost 9th October 2020 Environmental consulting firm Digby Wells Environmental Mali country manager Mamadou Dembele says a dearth of opportunities drives the artisanal mining sector in Mali, and in West Africa. He tells Mining Weekly that a study conducted in June 2019 in the region by Digby Wells Environmental, which... →

LEGITIMATE OPPORTUNITY While considered illegitimate trade, artisanal mining space is well organised and financially fruitful

Processing plant progressing well amid slowdown

By: Halima Frost 9th October 2020 Despite Covid-19 having an adverse effect on the greenfield development of a mine and metallurgical plant, in Sierra Leone, local consulting firm METC Engineering director Dr Steve Cathey says the project is progressing well. He explains that construction on the Tongo diamond project – located in... →

DIAMOND DECLINE The decline on the Tongo diamond project is progressing well as is the fabrication of the diamond processing plant

Company notes West African mining potential

By: Halima Frost 9th October 2020 West Africa holds notable mining potential, with exploration and mining consulting services provider The MSA Group principal consultant Mike Robertson noting the company’s short- to medium-term goal of expanding further into the jurisdiction. “MSA sees West Africa as an increasingly appealing... →

TRIAL RUN
One of many sample plants set up in Mali has revealed the great potential the gold mining sector holds in the country

MSA Group principal consultant Mike Robertson discusses the company’s investment in West Africa and the challenges faced in doing so.

Flow-through must form part of overall exploration strategy – Minerals Council

By: Martin Creamer 7th October 2020 The introduction of a flow-through share scheme must form part of a full suite and package of measures tailored for a comprehensive exploration strategy for South Africa, Minerals Council South Africa CEO Roger Baxter said on Wednesday. Speaking during question time on day one of the Joburg... →

Roger Baxter at Joburg Indaba virtual event.

Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer putting a question at Joburg Indaba. Video: Darlene Creamer.

Satellite communications partnership formed to bolster remote operations

By: Donna Slater 6th October 2020 Mobile satellite communications company Inmarsat has entered into an agreement with remote monitoring and communications specialist Harvest Technology Group and satellite and radio communication systems company AST to provide Harvest’s customers in the mining, energy and utilities sectors with... →

Cabinless, emissionless vehicle foretelling underground’s autonomous future

By: Martin Creamer 30th September 2020 Mining Weekly on Wednesday watched a cabinless emission-free next-generation mining vehicle autonomously load, haul and dump in an underground mine, without a human in sight. The cabinless design places emphasis on the extent to which traditional human operation at the rockface is becoming a... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Sandvik global product line manager automation David Hallett

Improved offering, delivers remotely

By: Cameron Mackay 25th September 2020 The Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged geological services provider Minrom to focus on streamlining its in-house systems and enhancing its remote management capabilities, says Minrom senior geologist Graham Duncan. He emphasises that these enhancements will enable mining companies working with... →

GEOLOGY FROM HOME Systems with remote capabilities have become crucial for mining companies active in remote regions that are difficult to access regularly

Mining can play active role in Covid-19 recovery

By: Cameron Mackay 25th September 2020 Multinational professional services network Deloitte senior partner Andrew Lane emphasises the importance of the private sector, particularly the local mining sector, in addressing socioeconomic challenges in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. "The private sector needs to take a proactive role in... →

PROACTIVE SUPPORT Reliance on the mining industry in assistance in Covid-19 relief has been prevalent in mine-effected communities, where miners are vital to communities

New manganese mine edges closer to opening

25th September 2020 East Manganese, diversified miner Menar’s first manganese asset, located near the Northern Cape town of Hotazel, was recently granted Amendment to Environmental Authorisation, along with plant and tree removal permits – which are the latest statutory approvals. The R250-million project holds... →

Covid-19 drives demand for skills

By: Cameron Mackay 25th September 2020 The Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on the local mining sector have highlighted the importance of supervisory-level staff using organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills in mining operations, says heavy industry business consulting company OIM Consulting MD Arjen de Bruin. He adds... →

SKILLS FOCUS The local mining industry can benefit in productivity by focusing on the development of skills and competencies of supervisory-level staff on mining operations

Minerals Council aids E Cape response

25th September 2020 Mining industry employers’ organisation, the Minerals Council South Africa announced in August that several of its members contributed a combined R4.7-million towards oxygen and oxygen-related products for the Eastern Cape. The R4.7-million was jointly raised by African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo... →

TEBELLO CHABANA For many who become ill from Covid-19, particularly those who are most vulnerable, oxygen is what is most needed and will, quite simply, represent life

Green hydrogen study integrating SADC ahead of trillion dollar market emergence

By: Martin Creamer 23rd September 2020 JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – A German-funded project to develop a green hydrogen atlas across Southern Africa is integrating the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region ahead of the projected opening up of a trillion dollar market going into the future. →

Sasscal executive director Dr Jane Olwoch

Sasscol executive director Dr Jane Olwoch interviewed by Engineering News & Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer.

Authorities laudably supportive of grid-tied Pan African solar project – coordinator

By: Martin Creamer 22nd September 2020 The authorities have been laudably supportive of the R150-million grid-tied photovoltaic solar project that is to be built to supply electricity to Pan African Resources’ highly successful Elikhulu tailings retreatment plant in Evander, Mpumalanga. The nigh-10 MW solar plant, which is expected to... →

Photo by Pan African Resources
Elikhulu tailings retreatment plant at Evander, in Mpumalanga.

Coal giant empowers through education

18th September 2020 In 2019, JSE-listed diversified miner Exxaro invested a total of R224-million in job-related bursaries and scholarships. As a company that has “empowerment at its core”, Exxaro’s purpose, values and investment are geared toward youth development with the aim of nurturing future leaders. →

EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT Exxaro strives too empower its workers through education opportunities

New rig offers autonomous capabilities on smaller blast holes

By: Halima Frost 18th September 2020 Construction engineering company Basil Read Mining has launched a new autonomous drill that could offer an increase of about 30% in productivity, compared to manual drilling, contracts director Nqobile Khumalo tells Mining Weekly. The first C650 drill is to be delivered to a mine in Botswana... →

NQOBILE KHUMALO the automated C650 offers two distinct benefits when drilling coal deposits

Study demonstrates longwall viability for Sasol

By: Halima Frost 18th September 2020 Despite the challenges wrought by lockdown restrictions, mining and engineering consulting firm Mindset Mining Consultants has successfully completed a comprehensive longwall mining feasibility study for chemicals and energy company Sasol Mining. Sasol Mining sought ways of optimising its coal... →

FOR THE LONG-HAUL
Being able to supply coal over the entirety of the plant's life is key for Sasol Mining

Mindset Mining Consultants MD Alan Gissing and senior mining engineer Ronnie van Eeden discuss a recently completed longwall mining feasibility study conducted for energy and chemicals company Sasol. Camerawork: Darlene Creamer. Editing: Darlene Creamer. Recorded: 30.07.2020

New continuous miner to launch in 2021

By: Halima Frost 18th September 2020 Manufacturing of the JAE 38 Wildcub continuous miner – mining equipment and services provider JA Engineering’s newest offering – has started and will be delivered at the end of January 2021. The mid-seam continuous miner will be optimally suited to the “harsh and hard” mid-seam conditions... →

CONTINUOUSLY MOVING
The constant research and development conducted by JA Engineering has resulted in a new continuous miner to be launched early next year

JA Engineering CEO Danie van Wyk and the sales and marketing director Reuben Mabunda discuss the production of a new continuous miner, as well as the new JAE Data Mining Services app. Camerawork: Kutlwano Matala. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 21.08.2020

Solar to provide most of gold plants’ daytime power – Pan African

By: Martin Creamer 16th September 2020 The 10 MW solar electricity plant that Pan African Resources will construct on site at its Elikhulu gold-from-tailings plant next year at a cost of R150-million will take care of most of Elikhulu’s daytime power requirements. This is the first phase of solar power generation at Evander. Pan... →

Pan African's Cobus Loots and Deon Louw during question time at online results conference.

Pan African Resources results covered by Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer.

Digital transformation bearing fruit

4th September 2020 Latin American zinc, copper and lead producer Nexa Resources has appointed Swiss automation company ABB to provide state-of-the-art industrial automation systems for new and existing operations. →

Local value chain should include TiCI4, powder

4th September 2020 A PhD study on developing a roadmap for the South African titanium metal industry indicated that the South African titanium metal value chain should be expanded to include local TiCl4 and titanium metal powder production. The study was conducted at the Graduate School of Technology Management, at... →

COMPLETING THE FLOW With South Africa being one of the largest producers of mined titanium, rutile and ilmenite, many would assume that the country has a thriving titanium industry

Pilot delivers powder production

4th September 2020 Metals and rare earth processor Australian Strategic Materials (ASM) joint venture (JV) partner South Korea’s Zirconium Technology Corporation (ZironTech) has produced high purity (99.83%) titanium metal powder through its new electrorefining process at the commercial pilot plant in South Korea. →

HEAVY METAL ASM will focus on the production of dysprosium, praseodymium and zirconium metals in August

Bushveld advances electrolyte, solar, mini-grid projects

By: Martin Creamer 2nd September 2020 London-listed integrated primary vanadium producer and energy storage provider, Bushveld Minerals, the owner of assets in South Africa, on Wednesday reported progress with the group’s electrolyte plant, solar and mini-grid power project. Bushveld Energy intends devising self-generation options... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Bushveld Minerals CEO Fortune Mojapelo

South Africa’s green revolution gathering momentum

2nd September 2020 The Covid-19 pandemic has presented countries around the world with immense challenges, as the impact of the virus has affected every aspect of everyday life as we know it, write Dr Cosmas Chiteme, Dr Rebecca Maserumule and Prof Dmitri Bessarabov. (Chiteme and Maserumule are senior managers at... →

Hydrogen fuel and containerised fuel cell installations at One Military Hospital in Pretoria.

Company to provide energy storage for local mines

By: Cameron Mackay 28th August 2020 The local mining sector is becoming more open to implementing new technologies in terms of energy solutions, as they can make mining operations more efficient, productive and cost effective, states microgrid and energy solutions provider Hitachi ABB Power Grids MD Malvin Naicker. Hitachi ABB... →

CHANGING STATUS QUO The company is beginning to interact more with the mining industry to provide flexible, resilient and smart microgrid and energy storage solutions

Higher energy efficiency can save costs for miners

By: Cameron Mackay 28th August 2020 Local energy organisation the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) GM Barry Bredenkamp states that South Africa’s mining sector can continue to explore cost-saving measures through increased energy efficiency. Local miners face many challenges, including rising energy... →

ENERGY EFFICIENCY GAINS With more environmental pressures being placed on miners, improving energy efficiency is one of the leading drivers to contribute to a reduction in harmful emissions

Logistics company branches out

By: Cameron Mackay 28th August 2020 Local logistics services supplier Mixcorp is including renewable-energy technology suited to the mining industry in the scope of its research and development (R&D) department to add renewables-related logistical services to its offering. Mixcorp special scientific adviser Dr Godfrey Gandawa... →

DR GODFREY GANDAWA We are in the process of setting up operations in Zambia and the DRC, working with mines that are considering investing in renewable energy technologies

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