7 minute read
Mining
Gold from the Mwanza Precious Metals Refinery.
Mineral potential being missed
African countries need to invest fully in the value addition of their extractive industries to boost income from their minerals. Mwangi Mumero reports.
Investing in value addition and employing newer technologies in the mining industries will reduce the exports of raw mineral ores to richer industrialised nations for further processing.
Take Tanzania – the fourth largest gold producer in Africa – for example. The country’s gold production currently stands at roughly 40 tonnes a year and, more generally, it earned around US$2.3bn in minerals exports in 2019, a significant increase over the 2018 level of US$1.6bn. Gold is Tanzania’s biggest foreign exchange earner, overtaking tourism in 2020 and new, larger, deposits are still being discovered in the Geita region.
By 2020, two model gold smelters have been built to boost mineral processing and in June 2021 the Mwanza Precious Metals Refinery was inaugurated. The construction of a 24.5 km wall around the Mirerani tanzanite mine is expected to help curb smuggling – an activity that results in a sizeable amount of minerals lost each year. “Smuggling networks involve influential persons working with foreigners to sneak gold and other minerals through Kenya, Tanzania and India,” observed Luckystar Miyandazi, a Tanzanian tax specialist and mining sector researcher.
Yet, despite these recent developments and the importance of minerals to the country, the area remains under-developed with little investments in value-addition infrastructure as well as other socialeconomic indicators.
In seeking out foreign investors in value added activities in the country, the Government of Tanzania notes that opportunities exist in smelting and processing of minerals. Imported machinery and supplies can be brought into the country duty free and the Government is also calling for investments in technology, machinery and services in mineral value addition.
Mwanza Precious Metals Refinery Co. Ltd. Image Credit:
The Mwanza Precious Metals Refinery in Tanzania was inaugurated on 13 June 2021. Substantial mineral potential
Africa has about 42% of the world’s gold reserves and 80-90% of chromium and platinum group metals. In 2019, minerals and fossil fuels accounted for more than a third of exports from at least 60% of African countries.
However, multinational firms mainly from Europe, North American and China still dominate the extraction and refining of most minerals in the continent – with minor roles given to local firms.
Two nations in Africa – Botswana and South Africa – have invested heavily in value addition in their extraction industries, establishing highly developed industries from natural resources rather than exporting the raw mineral ore. South African and Botswanan diamond polishing industries, for example, are well developed.
Experts suggest that African nations need to integrate into regional and global value chains and promote horizontal and vertical diversification anchored in value addition, innovative approaches and local content development.
In his book, Looting Africa, Tom Burgis, a former journalist, argues that African nations can also keep resources in the country and implement high tariffs to protect domestic industries – a move he notes African leaders are reluctant to implement.
According to Landry Signe, senior fellow – Global Economy and Development, Africa Growth Initiative, mining companies and African governments should also embrace Fourth Industrial (4IR) technologies. Artificial intelligence (AI), automation and big data can help mining firms boost productivity, reduce operating costs, improve working conditions and reduce the damage to the environment.
A recent report by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) indicates that while African countries receive taxes and royalties from foreign firms extracting their minerals, many lack the broad governance mechanisms to invest in value addition and ensure broadbased growth in the mining sectors as well as regions where the extraction takes place. If, however, this challenge is overcome it would allow African economies to enjoy the full value offered by their natural mineral resources and unlock significant value for countries across the continent. ■
CONDRA TO SUPPLY SIX CRANES TO SOUTH AFRICAN MINING HOUSE
Condra has announced to supply six cranes, one portal and five double-girder overhead machines to a South African mine belonging to an unnamed mining house.
Of the six cranes ordered, four are identical 10-ton overhead machines with spans of 6.5 metres, and two have already been delivered. The first was installed underground and commissioned for maintenance duty on pumps, motors and other equipment. The remaining two 10-ton cranes will be completed to join the third on site early in 2022.
A fifth crane, a 15-ton portal machine, is earmarked for receiving and dispatch duties, while the biggest of the six cranes will be a 25ton electric overhead travelling workshop unit.
Condra’s tenders for the three orders proved successful against multi-company competition. Their prices were not the lowest, supporting growing evidence of a trend toward buyers valuing lower overall lifetime costs over price, these lower costs being achieved through supplier commitment and an ability to deliver ongoing, reasonably priced after-sales service and maintenance.
A similar trend can also be seen in the market for second-hand cranes, where almost-new machines manufactured by companies unable to deliver effective maintenance lose value faster than much older cranes from more reputable firms.
The six cranes for the mining house are machines of standard design, fitted out to customer specification. Remotely controlled, there are pendants for alternative manual control. The cranes also feature floodlights to aid operation, and bulkhead lights for safety on all walkways. Other safety fittings include the flame-proofing of brakes and electric panels to IP65 standard, and weather canopies over all motors. Flashing lights and sirens warn when the cranes are in motion.
The company aims to manufacture cranes and hoists for African conditions. Image Credit: Condra
Dellner Bubenzer has launched SB 28.5 disc brake that is set to upgrade the SB Series equipment with optimised technology and maintenance service.
This product launch marks the first since the global Dellner Bubenzer merger in June 2021.
Jan-Willem Schoneveld, CCO of Dellner Bubenzer, said, “Dellner Bubenzer's goal to become the world's leading supplier of brakes and related power transmission products requires us to constantly evolve our company and our offerings. By constantly monitoring our products, recognising optimal performance potential, and responding to market needs, this is another opportunity to expand and enhance our product portfolio with worldwide competence and expertise.” Further, Schoneveld elaborated on the enhancements of the new generation of the SB disc brake. “This an important development for braking systems that consumes less energy with a fast-closing time. Beyond sustainability and energy saving, the SB 28.5 brake presents the significant advantage of less maintenance. This is a result of the improved self-centering system by roller and cam. In addition, we have advanced the automatic wear compensation and the parallel alignment of brake shoes, so maintenance work is simplified. The compact design allows our customers for 1:1 replacement of previous products, ensuring precise The company aims to become the world's leading supplier of brakes interchangeability if new brakes and related power transmission products. are needed,” said Schoneveld.
Image Credit: Dellner Bubenzer
BARMINCO, NEWTRAX AND SANDVIK TO STRENGTHEN PEDESTRIANS SAFETY
Perenti’s Barminco, Newtrax and Sandvik have partnered to develop a solution that aims to improve the safety of pedestrians working near heavy vehicles (HVs) underground.
Under the terms of the partnership, Newtrax will deploy its Level 9 Collision Avoidance System across Barminco’s Sandvik fleet, including the supply of intelligent cap lamps with advanced electronic safety features to Barminco’s underground mines.
The technology is due to undergo initial testing at one of Barminco’s underground sites in January 2022.
Paul Muller, CEO of Perenti, said that the project focuses on ensuring people safety and sustainable adoption of the technology throughout the industry. Muller commented, “The combination of Newtrax’s technology, our underground operating experience and Sandvik’s role in supplying heavy mining vehicles can put us in a position to offer the entire industry a smart solution to a complex problem.”
Simon Waghorn, Newtrax regional vicepresident – APAC, said that the collaboration with Barminco would provide the partners with realworld experience that would help optimise the system as it develops.
“Although the Newtrax Collision Avoidance System is the best available system on the market, many more enhancements are required to accelerate adoption,” Waghorn said. “This partnership with Barminco will enable collaborative product development which will result in an even better product for the industry.”
