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Project Management News

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... →

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

Mining waste can boost alternative-fuels prospects

By: Cameron Mackay 28th August 2020 Certain wastes in the mining sector present an opportunity to create alternative fuels, which can alleviate the energy supply challenges in the local industry, says waste management solutions provider Interwaste. Repurposing waste for energy purposes can also reduce the reliance on landfills and... →

REFUSE-DERIVED FUEL RDF is a solid fuel source recovered through the shredding and bailing of certain presorted dry industrial nonrecyclable waste

Pandemic prevents further engagement on housing draft

28th August 2020 A call for further engagement with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) regarding the 2019 Draft Review of Housing and Living Conditions Standard has stalled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in South Africa. The draft standard requires that mines... →

NICO PIENAAR The surface mining sector represents a large part of the overall mining community

South Africa’s instability still curbing mining capex – Master Drilling

By: Martin Creamer 27th August 2020 Drilling company Master Drilling, which is operating in 23 countries, does not foresee significant fixed capital being spent in South Africa, even though the company is finding strong demand pull in other main mining jurisdictions and earned most of its half-year revenue and highest profit margin... →

Master Drilling project.

Master Drilling aligning with opencast mines going underground in changing world

By: Martin Creamer 26th August 2020 South Africa-based drilling company Master Drilling, which is active in 23 countries, is aligning itself with the transitioning global requirement of opencast mines going underground. “As the world is changing, so are the mines,” said Master Drilling technology director Koos Jordaan at the... →

Curves on the hard rock 9 ° inclination of the declining cutting face at Eland mine.

Master Drilling technology director Koos Jordaan’s presentation covered by Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer

Electra Mining Africa 2020 going digital with Connect – and it’s free of charge

By: Martin Creamer 20th August 2020 The Electra Mining Africa Connect week will enable exhibitors to promote their products and services free of charge alongside industry-related informative webinars, media activations and product showcase opportunities from September 7 to 11. For the first time in 48 years, Electra Mining Africa... →

Specialised Exhibitions MD Gary Corin outlines Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect plans to Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer.

Orion sees N Cape as ‘dripping roast’ as Prieska project declared 'shovel ready'

By: Martin Creamer 17th August 2020 Orion Minerals CEO Errol Smart is over the moon about the granting of the final mining right for the Prieska copper/zinc resource, near the Northern Cape town of Copperton – and it comes with exciting exploration rights included. “We’re extremely pleased that the final regulatory hurdle for the... →

Orion mining right and exploration right areas in Northern Cape.

Digital twin manages mining assets with 3D technology

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 14th August 2020 Drone survey and inspection specialist Rocketmine has designed and developed the digital twin solution that enables mine operators to successfully visualise and monitor mining operations through three-dimensional (3D) technology. Mining assets and operations can be monitored and managed in real... →

DIGITAL TWIN The digital twin is not only a 3D replica of physical assets but also an open and connected working data environment

Solution enables contamination visualisation

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 14th August 2020 Global geoscience software company Seequent’s contaminants extension for its three-dimensional (3D) modelling and analysis solution, Leapfrog Works, was launched to provide users with accurate estimates and location of contaminants. →

CONTAMINANT EXTENSION Leapfrog Works, together with the new contaminants extension, forms part of Seequent’s wider set of contaminated site solutions

System uses existing comms for data transfer

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 14th August 2020 Communication plays a vital role in mine operations, and mining safety solutions provider Strata Worldwide now offers DigitalBRIDGE Plus+, which allows mines to take existing leaky feeder infrastructure and add Ethernet devices such as WiFi access points and digital cameras. →

Awesome new proudly South African face mask kindling international interest

By: Martin Creamer 13th August 2020 An awesome new proudly South African face mask, with a replaceable filtration system at its heart, is attracting international interest. The innovative and timely Hudaco Air Mask is a lockdown-period product of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Hudaco Industries group. (Also watch attached... →

Hudaco CEO Graham Dunford and Hudaco’s executive consultant Mike Allnutt discuss the new Hudaco face mask innovation with Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video: Darlene Creamer.

Autonomously connecting ecosystems can boost mine safety

By: Cameron Mackay 31st July 2020 Mining solutions provider Hexagon and its subsidiary, IDS GeoRadar, announced the release of the mining industry’s first straightforward integration of systems for safety and radar-based slope stability hazards last month. Hexagon’s Mining Division chief technical officer Rob Daw states that this... →

MINE SAFETY ECOSYSTEM No-go zones are identified in IDS GeoRadar’s IBIS Guardian software, which creates geofenced zones and hazards maps, and is correlated with radar alarms

Analyser distributor aims for local brand recognition

By: Cameron Mackay 31st July 2020 Analysing and non-destructive testing equipment supplier GammaTec is the exclusive distributor of the handheld X-Ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysers, produced by handheld analyser provider SciAps, in non-Francophone African countries as of... →

MAKING BOULDER PREDICTIONS The portable XRF unit is designed for core analysis to define the mineral content and elements in a sample, or applications requiring high-volume manual testing

Lockdown highlights importance of data governance in mining

By: Cameron Mackay 31st July 2020 Covid-19 and the subsequent national lockdown have driven the demand for digital technologies, which has highlighted the importance of data management, governance and quality in the mining industry, notes digital solutions provider Master Data Management MD Gary Allemann. “People working from... →

GARY ALLEMANN We’re looking more at mines where there’s an economy of scale, and therefore making some investments in data makes sense

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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