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Project Management News

Change management key to digital success

By: Darren Parker 24th January 2020 When investing in digitalisation and automation, change management is one of the key challenges that needs to be addressed globally, and not only in the African mining industry, says global engineering company Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology Southern Africa automation business line manager... →

Efficiency focus can ease demand on Eskom

By: Tracy Hancock 24th January 2020 Zest WEG, the South African subsidiary of Brazilian motor and controls manufacturer WEG, has engaged local entities as well as the Embassy of Brazil to hold a roundtable in South Africa on energy efficiency early this year to encourage industry to use and promote energy-efficient products. “We... →

REDUCE DEMAND South Africa needs to address its power supply crisis by implementing more energy efficient solutions on an industrial level

Climate change to amplify challenges

By: Tracy Hancock 24th January 2020 Economists agree that climate change risks have, to date, been underestimated by industry in general, including mining, says consulting engineers and scientists SRK Consulting South Africa director and principal consultant Andrew van Zyl. Consequently, he expects that challenges associated with... →

IN-COUNTRY ADVANTAGE With offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana, SRK can closely follow industry developments cited at Mining Indaba ‘on the ground’

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... →

THE HOLE PICTURE The boxcuts are near completion, with decline development progressing well

Focus turns to water ice extraction as attempts to source minerals from space take back seat

By: Rebecca Campbell 29th November 2019 Incredible as it might seem, one can, without too much exaggeration, argue that the space mining sector has already gone through its first boom and bust cycle. Of course, it was, by the standards of the conventional mining industry, a tiny boom, and consequently a tiny bust (although no less... →

Consultants prioritise energy efficiency

By: Cameron Mackay 22nd November 2019 With the mining industry shifting towards more energy efficient processes, mining consulting and engineering services provider BBE is observing increased demand for developing and implementing energy efficiency in ventilation and cooling processes. “Ventilation, cooling and pumping are the major... →

RICHARD GUNDERSEN Ventilation on-demand is becoming more topical. One can switch fans on or off, and align cooling to where the activity is happening in a mine

Fan range redesigned to meet industry needs

22nd November 2019 Global ventilation fans and systems manufacturer TLT-Turbo GmbH has announced the redesign of its Auxiliary and Booster fan range. The new designs engender efficiency and cost effectiveness in a versatile product range able to meet the ventilation requirements of the mining industry. Development... →

UNDERGROUND DEMAND TLT-Turbo has received orders from a South African gold mine, and for the Kamoa Copper project

Shaft maintenance integral to operations

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 15th November 2019 Mining solutions provider United Mining Services (UMS) suggests placing significant emphasis on the operational maintenance of a mine shaft, as this can ultimately optimise the functionality of the mine, negating the potential financial and time-based losses that occur when shafts are not... →

MAINTENANCE OPTIMISED United Mining Services aims for mining houses to save on capital costs and downtime when conducting maintenance on the shaft infrastructure

Shaft capping prevents illegal mining, improves ground safety

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 15th November 2019 Redundant mine shafts are becoming a growing risk for mining companies, owing to a sharp spike in illegal mining activities. →

COVER UP Shaft capping and sealing is undertaken to reinstate land to unrestricted use

Blockchain solutions available to African mining

By: Darren Parker 8th November 2019 Australian software developer Blockhead Technologies has partnered with South African mining technology provider Dwyka Mining Services to distribute the full suite of Blockhead software solutions to the resources sector across sub-Saharan Africa. The distribution agreement, announced last month... →

JOSH HORNEMAN Africa is an attractive destination for new systems because it is much easier to create a new system for an as yet unserved client than to convert an existing one

Co-opting Canadian strategies to create investor awareness

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 8th November 2019 International commodities consultancy Core Consultants states that African mining jurisdictions can create investor awareness through initiatives that have been successfully carried out in Canada. →

BE AWARE, BE VERY AWARE
Investor awareness can be created in Africa through initiatives that have been successfully carried out in Canada

Photo by Creamer Media
BE AWARE, BE VERY AWARE Investor awareness can be created in Africa through initiatives that have been successfully carried out in Canada

Digital transformation will benefit African mines

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 8th November 2019 Commodity pricing volatility and global demand variability are two profitability pressures mining companies, especially Africa-based mining companies, have to deal with. This creates a need for smarter and more efficient operations, which can be engineered through the application of leading-edge... →

TECH SAVVY Wabtec’s technologies can enable miners to optimise people, processes and technology

Consortium heading up alumina refinery project

1st November 2019 PT Borneo Alumina Indonesia, a subsidiary of State-owned enterprise PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium has appointed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company Black & Veatch-led project management consortium (PMC) as a technical consultant to lead its alumina refinery project. The... →

ON TRACK CONTRACT PT Borneo Alumina Indonesia appoints Black & Veatch as technical consultant for Indonesia's first alumina refinery

Compressor company caters well to shutdowns

By: Halima Frost 1st November 2019 With the mining sector accounting for about 30% of its business, generator and compressor rental company Rand-Air notes that it has proven its ability to mitigate some of the challenges that local mines face during scheduled and unscheduled shutdowns. Rand-Air supplies various equipment items to... →

PRESSED FOR TIME Rand-Air's compressors are supplied to mines for unexpected shutdowns saving time and money

Digital platform improves zinc miner’s operations

By: Darren Parker 1st November 2019 Global engineering group Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology is commissioning a comprehensive data analytics and information management system called OptiMine for base metals miner Vedanta Zinc International’s Black Mountain Mining (BMM) operation, in the Northern Cape. The OptiMine platform will... →

MOUNTAINS OF DATA The Black Mountain Mining operation will now be able integrate relevant operational and maintenance data into one source

Transformation in explosives sector yet to ignite

By: Cameron Mackay 18th October 2019 Economic transformation in the mining, drilling and blasting industry remains slow and requires greater engagement from critical roleplayers, such as government, who should encourage the industry to realise the benefits of transformation, says rock blasting and demolition company Master Blasters... →

TRANSFORMATION TROUBLES Despite legislation, emerging black-owned companies still struggle with access to larger mining projects, owing to a lack of resources, experience and support

Water-gel technology allows for customised blasting solutions

By: Cameron Mackay 18th October 2019 Global blasting solutions provider MAXAM’s premium bulk water-gel technology range of blends, referred to as RIOFLEX, has been well received by the South African market and will allow the company to build on its presence in the country for over 20 years, says MAXAM Southern Africa regional sales... →

CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT MAXAM has been implementing continuous improvement programmes targeting cost reduction over the mine-to-mill process

New technologies can make mining safer, sunrise industry – Mgojo

By: Martin Creamer 2nd October 2019 The utilisation of new technologies could make mining a sunrise industry while simultaneously addressing safety and health issues, Minerals Council South Africa president Mxolisi Mgojo said on Wednesday. Responding to a question by Joburg Indaba chairperson Bernard Swanepoel following his keynote... →

Minerals Council South Africa president Mxolisi Mgojo’s address to Joburg Indaba covered by Mining Weekly’s Martin Creamer. Video Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Photograph: Dylan Slater. Video: Kutlwano Matlala.

Changing mindsets to realise technological benefits in the sector

27th September 2019 With the rapid development of new technology and the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is disrupting traditional processes and the way we live and work, data is becoming a hot commodity. The challenge lies not in obtaining the data, but in how to use it to its maximum potential to... →

DENVER DREYER It is vital to partner with a service provider that has industry experience as well as the technical expertise

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... →

SMOOTH OPERATOR HPE Africa’s new series of Hyundai excavators are designed for high performance in tough conditions

Global OEMs, smart factories drive efficiencies

By: Cameron Mackay 27th September 2019 Global original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with branches in South Africa could assist in pushing the African continent towards the implementation of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) smart factory technologies. This will increase efficiency and energy savings in the materials, bulk handling... →

NEW-GENERATION TRACKING Digital technology and smart factories will enable clients to track materials such as mined ore that is moved around a factory or mine site

Anglo’s inclusive procurement programme provides much needed boost

27th September 2019 For six years, a small company in the Northern Cape town of Postmasburg struggled with the typical challenges facing South African small, medium-sized and microenterprises: inconsistent work, poor cash flow, and an inability to plan for growth. →

INCLUSIVITY In 2017, Kumba Iron Ore’s inclusive procurement and enterprise development initiatives spent more than R36-billion with small suppliers around its operations

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... →

Investing in African Mining Indaba.

Service provider proud of fuel cell involvement

By: Halima Frost 20th September 2019 Business development service provider PentaQuark Energy (PQE) technical head Nicola Kotze tells Mining Weekly that the company’s continued involvement in the successful running of Minerals Council South Africa’s installed and fully operational fuel cell is worth celebrating. “PQE is exceptionally... →

FUELING THE CLOUD Conversation around fuel cells continue in the hopes that a burst in uptake will be seen soon enough

Bright horizons for investors, Zimbabwe diamond industry

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 6th September 2019 Russian diamond miner Alrosa says one of the motivations behind signing the $12-million joint venture (JV) agreement with national diamond miner Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) is to develop cooperation between Alrosa and its Zimbabwean partners and increase Alrosa’s presence in... →

MINING EXPLORATION Russian diamond miner Alrosa aims to develop cooperation with its Zimbabwean partners

Recovered grade a key focus for Caledonia

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 6th September 2019 With the expansion of gold miner Caledonia Mining Corporation’s operations, and its intention to increase its stake at its Blanket gold mine, in Zimbabwe, the company aims to focus on obtaining a higher recovered grade. →

SINKING SUCCESS Caledonia has completed its shaft sinking project at Blanket’s Central shaft

Company acquires environmental licences for lithium plant

6th September 2019 Brazil-based lithium miner Sigma Lithium Resources has acquired the necessary environmental licences for the construction (LP) and installation (LI) of its lithium commercial production plant from Minas Gerais environmental authority the Council of Environmental Policy (Copam) in Brazil. Copam... →

CLEAN PROCESSING The plant will use dry stacking technology to manage tailings, recycle about 90% of its water use, and will use energy from a hydroelectric plant

Company’s demolition processes ideal for mining furnace projects

By: Cameron Mackay 6th September 2019 The specialised demolition services of demolition contractor Jet Demolition are ideally suited to the distinctive challenges of any furnace demolition, particularly those in mining operations, owing to the specialised machines and equipment modified to work in such a confined space, says Jet... →

INTEGRATED SAFETY MEASURES Furnace shutdowns require working under extreme conditions, which makes it important that teams are well rested, disciplined and experienced

Filter press launched for mining industry

6th September 2019 Mining processing equipment provider Outotec has launched the new Outotec FP-S filter press, which is ideal for standard filtration applications, particularly when there is a need for short delivery lead-time and a safe, reliable operation. The filter press offers efficient solid-liquid... →

FLEXIBILITY WITH ACCESSORIES The modular design of the Outotec FP-S filter press allows it to be configured with optional accessories to meet the requirements in standard filtration applications

Gold miner to expand ore processing in Senegal

6th September 2019 Canadian gold production company Dynacor Gold Mines has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with mining equipment provider KN Equipments and wealth fund the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Senegal for Strategic Invesments (FONSIS) to begin the process of strategically expanding Dynacor’s business globally... →

MEETING PROCESSING DEMAND

As the new company would be the sole professional ore-processing facility in Senegal, Dynacor sees strong demand for its reputable and knowledgeable service

Photo by Bloomberg
MEETING PROCESSING DEMAND As the new company would be the sole professional ore-processing facility in Senegal, Dynacor sees strong demand for its reputable and knowledgeable service

Hybrid energy project achieves targets ahead of schedule

By: Halima Frost 30th August 2019 One of the largest solar-battery-diesel hybrid systems globally – Sandfire Resources’ DeGrussa hybrid project, in Western Australia - has achieved its yearly generation targets one month ahead of schedule. The project, at copper miner Sandfire’s DeGrussa copper mine, is wind and solar energy... →

POWER RANGER The concentrator at the DeGrussa mine provides 20% of the mine’s energy requirements

Industry reticent on software asset management tools

By: Darren Parker 16th August 2019 Despite an uptick in the use of software asset management tools by mining houses over the past few years, there still seems to be a reluctance to adopt the technology, says software solutions provider Wipro Africa business development head Marleze van Loggerenberg. As the mining industry moves... →

MARLEZE VAN LOGGERENBERG Mines should manage their software assets like they manage any other physical assets

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... →

HIGH TECH Multi-rotor PPK-enabled drones provide greater accuracy

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. →

A FEAST FOR THE SENSORS The Heron Lite enables easy and accurate on-foot mapping

Construction, investments progress at Kamoa-Kakula

16th August 2019 Significant progress is being made in the construction of the Kakula copper mine – the Stage 1, six-million-ton-a-year operation – on the tier-one Kamoa-Kakula project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to Canadian mining company Ivanhoe Mines co-chairpersons Robert Friedland... →

Industry slump makes technology improvements essential

By: Darren Parker 16th August 2019 An international slowdown in the mining industry over the past few years has led to a more pressing need for technology improvements, says bearings and transmissions products distributor Bearings International (BI) business development leader Shaun Combrinck. “The mining industry is at a point... →

SHAUN COMBRINCK An uptick in gold prices might mean more business from the gold sector soon

Da Vinci model required for mining in Industry 4.0 – Cawood

By: Darren Parker 16th August 2019 The global push for ever-increasing technological advancement in the mining industry means that it needs to readdress the way it builds and sources competencies, with a focus on breaking down skills silos to create more multidisciplined professionals, according to Wits Mining Institute director... →

FRED CAWOOD Sensors will take our jobs if we don’t stay relevant

Airborne tech allows for deep geological exploration in Australia

By: Cameron Mackay 9th August 2019 Continuous development and improvement in airborne geophysics technology provider Spectrem Air’s geophysical survey technology makes the company’s SPECTREM plus system platform ideal for exploration and mapping of deep geology in difficult conditions in Australia, says Spectrem Air GM Louis... →

SOARING AMBITIONS Spectrem Air will keep the SPECTREM plus system in Africa for about two years, but will most likely return to Australia to meet the demand for airborne geophysics

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