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Project Management News

Mill maintenance contract keeps fires burning

1st October 2021 Global technology company ABB has signed a long-term agreement with Swedish mining house Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag (LKAB) to provide service to twelve mine hoists and the hoisting motors at the Kiruna mine, in Northern Sweden. Kiruna is the largest underground iron-ore mine in the... →

Hoists ordered for mine operation, maintenance

1st October 2021 Mining systems solutions provider Becker Mining South Africa’s distributor in Rustenburg, Tech-North Rustenburg, has secured an order for 26 Kito electric and manual chain hoists and accessories, for a processing plant at a mine in North West province. The hoists have been delivered to the mine... →

A Kito 1 t electric chain hoist, an orange hoist on rail a rail, supplied to a mill in North West province by Becker Mining South Africa,

CHAIN GANG A number of Becker Mining's hoists are being supplied to a mill in the North West Province as part of a supply and maintenance contract

Green Sedibelo will use 82% less electricity to take PGMs all the way to end consumer

By: Martin Creamer 28th September 2021 Platinum group metals (PGMs) producer Sedibelo Platinum Mines is well on its way to becoming the lowest of low-energy PGM energy users and the highest of high on-site beneficiators of metals that are key in the global fight against climate change. Sedibelo’s technology sensation is the remarkable... →

Creamer Media screenshot of Arne Frandsen of Pallinghurst

Pallinghurst managing partner and cofounder Arne Frandsen speaks to Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer

Transport company has high hopes for Indaba

By: Halima Frost 24th September 2021 This year’s Joburg Indaba brings with it hopes of increased and ongoing investment in the mining sector, specialist transport company Unitrans regional business development manager Joubert van Schalkwyk tells Mining Weekly. The event, which will be held virtually on October 6 and 7, will help... →

An image of a large Unitrans road train with four trailers being loaded with coal at a colliery

LONG TRAIN RUNNING Road trains offered by Unitrans allow for greater loads negating the need for more vehicles on the road

Association applauds upcoming event

By: Halima Frost 24th September 2021 Surface mining industry association Aspasa (previously known as Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa) applauds the conference concept and the efforts of the organisers of the upcoming Joburg Indaba, Aspasa director Nico Pienaar tells Mining Weekly. “The companies being... →

An opencast operation with product pouring onto a pile

PILING ON? Aspasa believes that increased focus on smaller opencast operations should be added to the scope for future events

Strong attendance expected for Indaba

By: Halima Frost 24th September 2021 Although the Joburg Indaba mining conference will be hosted virtually for the second year running, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and the global responsibility to limit face-to-face interactions, event organiser Resources 4 Africa CEO Paula Munsie says the virtual format presents new... →

An image of host and master of ceremonies Bernard Swanepoel at a podium hosting a pre-Covid-19 Joburg Indaba, and engaging with delegates

BETTER REACH Although face-to-face interactions are always first choice, the option to attend online extends the reach of the Joburg Indaba

New valve manufactured for tailings pipelines

By: Halima Frost 24th September 2021 Although South African company Dynamic Fluid Control (DFC) has only soft launched its new slurry knife gate high-pressure valve, the SKG-HP, it has been well received by clients. The clients intend to use the valve in highly corrosive applications such as moving tailings from a processing plant... →

An image of a large blue high pressure valve used in tailings pipelines strung from a hoist

TAILINGS CONTROL The movement of tailings to a tailings dam can be facilitated through a pipeline with robust valves such as the DFC SKG-HP valve

Infrastructural challenges impede coal industry

By: Nadine Ramdass 17th September 2021 South Africa is a major coal-exporting country, with its coal sector also providing baseload capacity for the country. However, infrastructure challenges negatively impact on the local industry, says coal exploration and mining company Canyon Coal COO Clifford Hallatt. Locally mined coal is... →

An image of Canyon Coal De Wittekrans projects coal sample

DE WITTEKRANS COAL De Wittekrans project will create 430 jobs

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... →

Creamer Media screenshot of AmaranthCX director Paul Miller taken during Zoom interview.

AmaranthCX director Paul Miller interviewed by Mining Weekly's Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer.

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 Announcements

LED Lighting Donated to Matolweni Community Crèche

WSP and SLR Consulting oversee the complete design and construction of the Gold Fields South Deep Gold Mine Doornpoort Tailings Storage Facility (TSF)

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