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Project Management News

South Africa’s junior mining dearth result of unintended consequence – AmaranthCX

By: Martin Creamer 14th September 2021 South Africa’s junior mining dearth is a result of savings no longer flowing through to primary capital raising and stock exchange listings, as the Jacobs Committee expected them to do. The unintended consequence is that there are no longer small investors for small companies. This has negatively... →

Location tech adds real value

By: Halima Frost 3rd September 2021 Since the installation of a real-time intelligent location system – developed by global location technology platform company Quuppa – the mine in which it has been installed has reported a reduction in downtime and an uptick in productivity, communications device provider Ya Batho tells Mining... →

A black xox or tag manufactured by Quuppa and installed by Ya Batho measures real time positioning in a manganese mine in South Africa

TAG YOU'RE IT The Quuppa positioning tags are installed at critical points through out the mine for fast and effective position monitoring

New contracts awarded to services provider

By: Halima Frost 3rd September 2021 A division of Vereeniging-based furnace and industrial services provider Dickinson Group of Companies, Dickinson Copperbelt Services (DCS), has successfully established new contracts with two separate copper smelting plants in the Kolwezi district, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “The... →

An image of a large red truck fitted with vacuum pump and tank used for acid plant sludge spillage recovery

PUMP N' DUMP TRUCK Dickinson Copperbelt Services has secured the contracts for industrial services at two new copper plants in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Supplier keeps up with tech revolution

By: Halima Frost 3rd September 2021 Based on its BlueTechnology philosophy, metallurgical industry supplier SMS group has significantly broadened its expertise in processing, supplies and services for nonferrous metals production over the past year to meet the highest requirements of customers. “BlueTechnology in nonferrous metals... →

Three BlueSmelters supplied by SMS group in operation at Aurus automobile company in Russia for recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment

BLUE GROUP SMS group has implemented its range of BlueTechnology offerings at a greenfield plant in Russia for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment

Unique refinery concept enters first phase

By: Halima Frost 3rd September 2021 Global industry body the International Zinc Association (IZA) Africa desk spokesperson Simon Norton says the first phase of its “bold plan” to implement South Africa’s own zinc refinery has started. This includes raising the much-needed funding for the research phase, he stresses. →

A drone image of the Skorpion zinc refinery in Namibia which South Africa imports zinc from according to the IZA Africa Desk

The International Zink Association African Desk spokesperson Simon Norton discusses the concept of a new zinc smelter with ultra-low power consumption and a novel smelting process in South Africa.

Machine learning reaches mineral prospecting

By: Halima Frost 27th August 2021 The partnership between mining consulting services provider The MSA Group and Canadian mining software developer Koan Analytics has resulted in machine learning being available to minerals explorers in South Africa and throughout the world. “The partnership offers access to the most advanced... →

A map of ore deposits in a x-ray type image Ontario Canada for MSA Group and Koan

MINERAL MAP Clients will be able to use machine learning technology to map mineral resources across the globe

Real-time ore analysis set for African market

By: Halima Frost 27th August 2021 Digital mining solutions provider MineSense is establishing offices in Africa and Europe to introduce its real-time ore analysis technologies to the African Copperbelt by the fourth quarter. “Once we have successfully introduced the technology to the upper Africa region, we intend on filtering... →

An image of a large red tracked front loader at the mine face with bucket full of ore ready to be graded by a ShovelSense system

Caption: GRADE EXPECTATIONS The new ShovelSense ore grading technology is expected to reach African shores before the end of the year

New horizons for uranium as a green metal – Sibanye-Stillwater

By: Martin Creamer 26th August 2021 Precious and green metals portfolio company Sibanye-Stillwater on Thursday presented new horizons for uranium, which it described as a significant element in its green metals portfolio. Speaking after the company shot the lights out with record dividend-rich financial results, Sibanye-Stillwater... →

Precious and green metals portfolio company Sibanye-Stillwater on Thursday presented new horizons for uranium.

World-first plant supplied

20th August 2021 Metallurgical industry plant supplier SMS group last month announced that it had supplied a world-first greenfield e-scrap recycling plant for precious metals to plastics recycling giant Ecopolis Corporation. Following a multi-month commissioning phase, SMS group handed over a greenfield... →

ONE MAN'S TRASH Precious metals such as platinum can now be extracted from waste materials at a luxury car manufacturer in Russia

Use of recycled copper components limits costs

By: Halima Frost 20th August 2021 South Africa-based foundry and engineering company Thos Begbie has successfully manufactured and supplied recycled copper cast components to a platinum group metals (PGMs) smelter near Rustenburg, in the North West, over the past three months. About 115 000 kg of raw copper and 6 500 kg of... →

Thos Begbie manufacturing a copper inline arc furnace component from recycled copper

THROWING COPPER Thos Begbie has taken to recycling copper to decrease costs and increase lead times on its components

Wireless infrastructure, location systems beneficial for mines

By: Cameron Mackay 13th August 2021 Real-time data access for underground mines has traditionally been a challenge in South Africa, with the lack of broadband networks and the nature of mining contributing to this challenge. The implementation of wireless networks in underground mines by mining equipment supplier Ya Batho is... →

Explosives company puts stamp on underground mining

13th August 2021 Years of innovation and experience in the underground space have now positioned explosives manufacturer and supplier BME – part of the JSE-listed Omnia Group – as an important player in mines where low-profile, bord-and-pillar mining methods are employed. As a blasting and explosives leader in... →

BME's emulsion pumping technology in underground mine

TRIED-AND-TESTED FOR UNDERGROUND BME’s emulsion pumping technology for underground operations is an important focus for the company

Booming industry results in project delays

By: Nadine Ramdass 13th August 2021 The Australian mining industry is flourishing and is the core of the Australian economy, despite the ongoing pandemic. However, the sheer amount of work being done in Australia’s exploration and mining industries has impacted on laboratory processing times, resulting in long turnarounds.... →

An image of contract workers at Alien Metals Hancock project

DRILLERS REDUCED Current productivity has halved in some cases owing to Covid restrictions

Acquisitions help expand geosciences footprint

By: Cameron Mackay 13th August 2021 The acquisition of software company Seequent by infrastructure software company Bentley Systems, and the former’s acquisition of Danish geophysical software developer Aarhus Geosoftware (AGS), will contribute to Seequent rapidly expanding its geosciences footprint down the value chain with... →

Panoramic view of an open pit mine in Africa

SYNCHRONISED GROWTH Seequent and Bentley are well-aligned and can “hit the ground running” to support local and international investment to help grow African mining communities

Conveyor monitoring system successfully trialled

By: Cameron Mackay 13th August 2021 Mining technologies supplier Strata Worldwide partnered with fibre-optic company Future Fibre Technologies (FFT) to conduct a successful trial of FFT’s Aura IQ conveyor health monitoring system at a local coal mine. “The installations were done on conveyors above and below ground. Owing to the... →

Mining materials conveyor belt with Aura IQ Conveyor Health Monitoring

CLOUD-BASED MONITORING The system uses fiber optic technology, advanced signal processing algorithms and predictive analysis, along with cloud-based analysis, reporting and alerts

Increased demand strains resources supply

By: Nadine Ramdass 13th August 2021 While the Australian mining industry is doing very well on a macroeconomic scale, increased demand and Covid-19-related restrictions have made it challenging to acquire the resources needed to explore and develop mining projects. The mining industry has had difficulty in the supply and acquiring... →

An image of Thor Mining MD Nicole Galloway Warland

NICOLE GALLOWAY WARLAND Increased demand make it challenging for acquiring needed resources

Telecoms solutions solve connectivity challenges

By: Nadine Ramdass 13th August 2021 Mobile satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat aims to solve some of the Australian mining industry’s biggest connectivity challenges. Inmarsat products and services have been used across Australian mines for a long time, at every stage of the mining lifecycle, explains Inmarsat global... →

An images of a connected mining operation vehicle

CONNECTED VEHICLES Connected vehicles many advantages to mining operations

Success in sustainable community development initiative

By: Anna Moross 30th July 2021 Global diversified resources company Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) has pledged more than $1-million over the past four years to support its activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in partnership with nonprofit organisation the Good Shepherd International Foundation (GSIF). →

An image of the launch of the Bon Pasteur Alternative Livelihood programme in Kolwezi, in the DRC

ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMME The programme aims to promote fair and sustainable development in the mining communities in the Kolwezi region

Developing social climate spurs ESG activity

By: Anna Moross 30th July 2021 Proactive action in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives highlights the increasing importance of companies showing transparency and accountability in the ever-evolving social climate, explains Old Mutual Investment responsible investing group head Jon Duncan. →

Jon Duncan Old investing group head of Old Mutual Investment

JON DUNCAN Using ESG goals and green finance can enable mining companies to create opportunities to reduce energy and water consumption or carbon emissions while improving operational performance

Company provides crucial relief for community

By: Anna Moross 30th July 2021 Stainless steel producer Columbus Stainless aims to ensure the educational and social welfare of the Steve Tshwete local community through financial contributions and fundraising, says Columbus Stainless corporate affairs manager Nomsa Thosa. →

An image of Columbus Stainless CEO Charity Gold day

CHARITY GOLF DAY Columbus Stainless suppliers and customers participated to raise funds for eleven charity organisations. The funds were shared among the organisations

Miner empowers local communities

By: Anna Moross 30th July 2021 Investment company Menar subsidiary Canyon Coal has a longstanding history of ensuring social and economic development to empower local communities, says Menar social labour plan manager Nthabiseng Mueti. →

An image of the Bonginhlanhla Stimulation Centre in Mpumalanga, South Africa

BONGINHLANHLA STIMULATION CENTRE The centre provides integrated educational programmes and services that facilitate the wellbeing and socioeconomic empowerment of learners with disabilities

Risk management is an ESG imperative

By: Anna Moross 30th July 2021 There is a close correlation between sustainable development and environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns, says South African gold producer DRDGOLD CEO Niël Pretorius. →

An image of Niël Pretorius CEO of DRDGOLD

NIËL PRETORIUS Sustainable development engenders a perspective that considers the concerns of future generations

Wits to host two short courses to empower mining leaders

By: Donna Slater 26th July 2021 The Wits Mining Institute (WMI) will be hosting two of its Empowering Leaders short courses, in a face-to-face format, from August 23 to 28. The first course will focus on long-term systems thinking and planning in the minerals sector, equipping leaders with skills and insights to understand,... →

An image of Wits Mining Institute's Julie Courtnage

Wits Mining Institute course presenter Julie Courtnage

Exploration trailblazer Orion cracks retail investor code with 14 000-plus SA backers

By: Martin Creamer 21st July 2021 More than 14 000 South Africans now own shares in the discovery and development mining company Orion Minerals, which is reflective of retail investment that can be stimulated in South Africa to support essential local minerals exploration. What is also extremely promising is that the dual listed... →

This is a picture of Errol Smart, CEO of Orion Minerals, who is also chair of Minerals Council junior miner leadership forum.

Orion Minerals CEO Errol Smart interviewed by Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer.

Mining vital to economy, can help guide country's path – President

By: Martin Creamer 5th July 2021 Mining is vital to the South African economy and the opportunities that exist in mining can help guide the country’s path to a more inclusive and equitable economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated on Monday. Writing in his From the Desk of the President column, Ramaphosa placed mineral and... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Union Atlantic flags the difficulties facing junior mining, exploration companies

By: Donna Slater 2nd July 2021 JSE-listed explorer, developer and investor Union Atlantic Minerals reports that it has been negatively impacted on by restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic, weak commodity markets and “poor sentiment” towards junior mining and exploration companies. The company is in the final stage of... →

Manufacturer invests in autonomy research

By: Halima Frost 2nd July 2021 As part of a continuous effort to optimise payload and improve customers’ profit margins, while decreasing emissions and impact on the environment, South African earthmoving equipment provider Bell Equipment has invested heavily in research and development in its drive toward realising full... →

GOLDEN MACHINES Bell Equipment aims to maximise the efficacy of its articulated dump trucks to eventually attain a 'golden lap'

New excavator teeth cutting ground

2nd July 2021 Earthmoving and utility equipment manufacturer Komatsu’s new Kprime Tooth System from wear solutions specialists Hensley Industries is now available as standard on new Komatsu excavators. The Kprime Tooth System has been designed as a stronger and longer-lasting product, offering additional... →

BARING ITS TEETH The new Kprime Tooth System fitted to Komatsu Excavators are stronger and longer lasting than previously fitted teeth

Trommels, feeders for surface mining available

By: Halima Frost 2nd July 2021 The MDS static and mobile trommels, as well as the apron feeders, of South Africa-based equipment supplier BLT World are compatible with the crushers, feeders, recycling and other screening plants in South African surface mining operations. “Our customers in the mining sector have shown a... →

BEAT THE DRUM The MDS trommels offered by BLT World have drums which can accommodate three different screen sizes

Waste cooking oil powers ship from Singapore to South Africa for Anglo

By: Martin Creamer 29th June 2021 The use of sustainable biofuel to power a chartered capesize ship during a voyage from Singapore to South Africa has been successfully trialled as part of a decarbonisation initiative, Anglo American said on Tuesday. The biodiesel blend was produced by converting waste cooking oil from... →

The trial was conducted onboard the Frontier Jacaranda.

Company announces recovery operations’ profit

By: Cameron Mackay 25th June 2021 Gold miner Goldplat’s recovery operations achieved a combined operating profit of £4.2-million (compared with £1.053-million in March 2020) for the nine months ended March 31, 2021, as well as a combined operating profit in the third quarter (Q3) of this year of £1.16-million (compared with... →

GOLDPLAT RECOVERY With the company’s local operations, the year-on-year decrease in Q3 operating profit was owed to increased cost per ton of material, acquired for Goldplat’s low-grade circuit

Miner investing in operational improvements

By: Cameron Mackay 25th June 2021 Gold miner Pan African Resources is continuing to invest in its assets locally and improve its operations, including its Barberton Mines Complex, in Mpumalanga; its Evander mine, in Gauteng; and its acquired Mintails’ gold tailings deposit, states Pan African Resources CEO Cobus Loots. Production... →

COBUS LOOTS Pan African is leveraging the existing underground and surface infrastructure at Evander to access new areas of the underground orebodies

Northern Cape manganese ready to be mined

By: Halima Frost 18th June 2021 Specialist mining advisory company Ukwazi Mining engineer Jaco Mans tells Mining Weekly that South Africa has the capacity and capability to meet the increasing global demand for manganese. He explains that the Northern Cape holds more than 70% of the global manganese reserves and that the area... →

MANAGING MANGANESE Ukwazi is able to help manganese mines optimise their processes and operations

Tender for new modern cadastre system to be invited next week

By: Martin Creamer 1st June 2021 A tender for a new modern cadastre system to provide exploration information will be invited by the end of next week, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) director-general Advocate Thabo Mokoena said on Tuesday. In his opening keynote address on initiatives to ignite the exploration... →

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Director-General Advocate Thabo Mokoena

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

Miner provides update on copper operations

14th May 2021 Metals processing company Jubilee Metals last month provided a progress update for its copper operations in Zambia, specifically reporting that the first copper concentrate sent for refining at Jubilee’s Sable Refinery from Project Roan, was delivered on schedule. Last year, Jubilee entered into... →

BOOSTING COPPER PRODUCTION
The strong copper price is seeing it at a near ten-year high, with analysts predicting further growth over the next 12 months to 24 months

Photo by Reuters
BOOSTING COPPER PRODUCTION The strong copper price is seeing it at a near ten-year high, with analysts predicting further growth over the next 12 months to 24 months

Refurb programme sustains business during Covid

By: Cameron Mackay 14th May 2021 Machine supplier Bell Equipment’s ReMan repower programme, through which refurbishments of articulated dump trucks (ADTs) are conducted by Bell Equipment, has helped the company to mitigate some of the economic impact of Covid-19 in Zambia. Bell Equipment Zambia MD Mike Quin says the impact of... →

SUPPORTING A STAGNANT INDUSTRY There has been an increase in demand for refurbishing the B40D series ADTs, in particular, across all sectors of the Zambian mining industry

Zambian mine contributes to record production

14th May 2021 Diversified miner First Quantum Minerals achieved its highest ever yearly copper production last year, despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the company’s Sentinel copper mine in Zambia was a significant contributor to the record production. This is according to the company’s fourth... →

PHILIP PASCALL
2020 was a challenging and unprecedented year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, the company received its highest ever annual copper production

Photo by Bloomberg
PHILIP PASCALL 2020 was a challenging and unprecedented year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, the company received its highest ever annual copper production

Substantial water savings add up

7th May 2021 Solid liquid separation specialists Watercare Mining, in a case study published last month, highlighted cost savings of about R760 000 a month, following its upgrade of a mine’s water treatment plant. The upgrade of the existing water treatment plant entailed the optimised use of abundant and... →

CARRY-ION Being able to save water on a month to month basis is now possible subsequent an upgrade on a mines water treatment plant

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