Blasting News (4Q - 2013)

Blasting News VOLUME 22 ISSUE 4 2013

IN THIS ISSUE • AEL’s Inaugural Blasting Masterclass - a resounding success!

• AEL sustains business relationships in Ghana • Breaking the Africa record with DigiShotTM Plus • Taking electronic blasting to new heights

Wealth Unearthed

Printed on 100% eco friendly paper

Editor’s note

Contents

AEL sustains business relationships in Ghana

3

Inaugural Blasting Masterclass showcases how AEL adds value for its customers

4

Breaking the Africa record with DigiShotTM Plus

6

AEL secures additional ammonia capacity with the help of Johnson Controls

8

Taking electronic blasting to new heights with DigishotTM Plus 10 New Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill of 2013

12

AEL and Unitrans combine efforts to support learners

13

Best stand award for AEL

13

Making our mark at iPAD DRC

14

We bid adieu to Tata Madiba

15

Contact Directory

15

In line with our value proposition of Thought Leadership, we present our free copy of issue 7 of Explosives Today, AEL’s technically-driven customer publication authored and tailored by our Mining Optimisation team.

Contact Details Eubulus Pillay Blasting News Editor Tel: Fax: Email: Web:

+27 11 606 0313 +27 11 605 0000 eubulus.pillay@aelms.com www.aelminingservices.com

Disclaimer This publication does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of AEL Mining Services Limited management. The copyright to this publication rests in AEL Mining Services Limited. Other product and corporate names used in this publication may be trademarks or registered trademarks of other companies, and are used only for explanation and to the owner’s benefit, without intent to infringe.

2

Welcome to the final issue of Blasting News for 2013.

During this eventful year we have shared many of our successes and ground-breaking innovations tailored to add value to our customers’ operations. We thank you for your loyal readership and will continue with our knowledge-transfer and thought-leadership stance in 2014.

In this issue we reveal some of our record-breaking achievements such as setting the new Africa record at Kolomela and taking electronic blasting to new heights with Digishot™ Plus.

AEL West Africa is the leading supplier of explosives products and services in this region. Learn more about how AEL services the mining industry and is strongly positioned to provide products and services to customers in Ghana through a sustainable business relationship with Wileb Mining.

An update from our inaugural Blasting Masterclass shows how AEL experts shared in-depth knowledge about the creation of innovative technological advancements in the mining industry that aim to add value to our customers.

As an international player we demonstrate our support to various markets with our presence at key industry events such as the iPAD DRC recently hosted in Lubumbashi. We also proudly share news about our receipt of a prestigious accolade at the 2013 Mining Lekgotla.

Remaining close to our heart is our CSI initiatives which uplift communities within which we operate. One such event was AEL and Unitrans’ combined effort to support learners at the Borite Primary School in North West province.

We round off this issue with a befitting tribute to a global icon and father of the Nation, Tata Madiba, who was called to rest. His dedication to humankind and their right to happiness has left an indelible mark on our society. Let us carry on his legacy.

Finally, as we look forward to embarking on the new year, we pledge to keep you abreast of our cutting edge innovations and share our insights on industry-related topics.

To subscribe to Blasting News please visit our website www.aelminingservices.com and fill in the subscription form located under the Publications tab in the News & Media portal.

Eubulus Blasting News II Fourth Third Quarter Quarter2013 2013

AEL Africa

AEL sustains business relationships in Ghana

FLTR: Ben Agboka; Carel Impey; Ebenezer Badoo; Daniel Murphy-Twum

AEL Ghana has had a long and prosperous relationship with Wileb Mining who is AEL’s independent agent for providing quality products and services to the Quarry and Construction operations as far as Togo, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. Franky Botha – Managing Director, AEL West Africa chatted to Willie Krofah and Ebenezer Badoo, from Wileb Mining, over lunch.

After very successful careers with FMCG giant, Unilever, Wileb Mining’s Willie Krofah and Ebenezer Badoo jumped at the opportunity to become distributers of commercial explosive products in Ghana.

This was more than 20 years ago and although gold mining was already a large part of Ghana’s economy, times were tough and opportunities for sales were limited.

During the conversation, it became apparent that these two Ghanaian gentlemen were more visionary than brave and today, two decades later, Wileb Mining has grown into a reputable supplier of explosives, initiating systems and blasting services to the quarry and construction fraternity in West Africa.

Well into his seventies, Willie runs the company from the head office in Accra Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

with Ebenezer as his Operations Director.

Together, and with the assistance of AEL Ghana, they have evolved blasting operations in this industry to more modern practices by employing fit-for -purpose technologies. Like AEL, their business model is based on good service as blasting is regarded as an art and explosives can therefore not be regarded as just another commodity.

With the scarcity of mining skills across the Globe, Ghana is no different and Wileb finds it challenging to provide their customers with these much needed services. Both AEL and Wileb invest heavily in human capital. Therefore AEL’s Blast Competency programmes were suggested to Wileb Mining. Immediately the company nominated Ben Agboka and Daniel Murphy-Twum to attend the course in South Africa.

The real significance of this commitment was underpinned when Ebenezer Badoo decided to support his two engineers by joining them on their mission to enhance their skills. Wileb knew intuitively that this investment would pay handsome dividends.

The course was presented by blasting aficionado, Carel Impey, who honed

his skills during many years of service with AEL. Carel sees this opportunity of facilitating the Blast Competency programmes as giving back to the industry to which Ben and Daniel attested enthusiastically.

The course addresses a wide variety of blasting issues, like properties of explosives, blast design, mining methods, the importance of drilling, basic geology, specialised blasting techniques, safety, environmental considerations and more.

On their return to Ghana, Ebenezer, Ben and Daniel drafted reports of their experience at AEL in South Africa and their renewed energy for tackling the myriad of issues in the Quarry industry in West Africa. Wileb Mining expressed its sincerest gratitude to AEL for the opportunity and for continuing to invest in training programmes aimed to increase skills levels in the Mining industry.

AEL’s intent unequivocally remains to be the best provider of Blasting Solutions in the world. Our products, expertise and know-how merely become an extension of this commitment and if this means sharing knowledge with blasters in West Africa, then that is what AEL will commit to.

3

AEL Sustainability

AEL’s Inaugural Blasting Masterclass showcases how AEL adds value for its customers

Maximising value

“Mine to Mill”

Investment into new innovations and technologies is key to yielding better results for customers

4

AEL Mining Services hosted its inaugural blasting masterclass, a premier industry event offering in- depth insight and cutting edge solutions from “mine to mill”, in Johannesburg on 20 November 2013.

The event comprised an enlightening conference where delegates had the opportunity to interact with renowned AEL specialists who presented the latest developments and shared technical knowledge that would equip customers to ease their way through any intricate blasting matrix.

The conference was coupled with a dynamic exhibition which enabled delegates to experience AEL’s vast suite of products engineered to increase cost saving, enhance safety and deliver value across the value chain.

AEL is continuing to invest heavily into Research and Development (R&D) to provide the mining industry with cutting edge products that help customers

optimise productivity in this highly competitive environment.

According to Wayne Du Chenne, Executive Director: Southern Africa, who was speaking at the AEL Masterclass event, “3% of the revenue that AEL generates annually is invested into R&D”.

AEL is not a product purveyor but rather a value-adding service provider that strives to optimise our customers’ mining operations.

The inaugural AEL Masterclass, which saw over 180 delegates gather for a fullday session, incorporated the latest in mining safety technology, new innovations into the market and case studies.

Following the success of this year’s masterclass, AEL has committed to staging the event as an annual two-day industry colloquium.

“Precision in blast energy”

Wayne Du Chenne, Executive Director: AEL Southern Africa Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

AEL Thought Leadership

Record number of delegates in attendance

AEL’s Mobile Manufacturing Unit on display

Delegates attending the Masterclass gained value from the conference

Delegates engaging with AEL experts

AEL and customers networking

Technical questions answered by AEL specialists

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

5

AEL Record Breaking

Breaking the Africa record -

blasting 4,786 Digishot™ Plus detonators at Kolomela Iron Ore mine AEL Mining Services (AEL), Northern Cape - Southern Region, set a new African record for the largest number of DigiShot™ Plus detonators fired simultaneously on 6 November 2013 at Kumba Iron Ore’s Kolomela Mine. A blast containing 4, 786 detonators was fired in the newly opened Klipbankfontein pit.

Morne Stiglingh, Managing Director for Open Pit and Massive Mining at AEL, says the new record was 2,100 detonators more than the previous Africa record (also at Kolomela) and a mere 332 short of the world record of 5,118 detonators.

Stiglingh says the aim of the blast was to minimise blast stoppages in the newly established pit and to showcase AEL’s capability of delivering superior products and services.

Minimising stoppages positively affects production and

subsequently helps the client expose ore quicker.

According to Stiglingh, a total of nine blast blocks and a presplit were fired in various positions in the Klipbankfontein pit. A crew of ten AEL members worked for 14 days in temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius to make this possible.

The success of the blast has enabled the mine to change their methodology by having the confidence to fire fewer and larger blasts to minimise mining interruptions.

Subsequently, a second blast containing 4,787 detonators was fired further improving the Africa record by one detonator.

All set to break the record

6

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

AEL Record Breaking

All systems go...

Africa record achieved!

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

7

AEL Supply Chain

AEL secures additional ammonia capacity with the help of Johnson Controls Ensuring security of supply for our customers Ammonia is a key ingredient in the manufacture of explosives but there are seasonal supply chain constraints as a result of logistical challenges.

As a result, AEL Mining Services (AEL) turned to Johnson Controls to release the bottleneck with its offloading capacity to secure a sufficient supply of ammonia to keep its local plants functioning at capacity, especially during peak season when ammonia is in high demand.

Robert Burnie, Senior Project Engineer at AEL, says “In order to avoid down time in our manufacturing plants, AEL can now accommodate three block train deliveries of ammonia per week with Transnet Freight Rail (TFR).

To make this service model work, AEL needs to offload all the rail cars in a 24-hour window period which was previously impossible,” said Burnie. He explains that in order to meet the 24-hour turn-around timeframe, AEL is implementing an approximately R60 million upgrade of its offloading facilities in Modderfontein, Johannesburg. Two Johnson Controls’ Frick RWF II 1080 compressor sets, the first of these high capacity compressors in South Africa, are pivotal to the success of the solution.

According to Burnie, with annual sales now exceeding R6 billion, the portfolio has been diversified to decrease the AEL dependence on the South African narrow reef market and AEL has deliberately grown its share of the South African surface opencast mining market substantially in the past 5 years.

8

He explains, “This is an explosives intensive market and the additional ammonia offloading capacity was required to leave sufficient spare capacity for further growth in this market in the future.

Three Johnson Controls Frick screw compressors were used to move the ammonia from the high pressure train bullets to AEL’s low pressure 16000 tonne capacity bulk storage tank.”

According to Russell Hattingh, Operations Manager for Johnson Controls, AEL selected two large ammonia Frick RWF II 1080 compressor sets with 1300kW motors to help them meet their requirements. “This is the highest capacity model in the Frick compressor range and the biggest of its kind in South Africa. Combined, these compressors are able to move 198kg/min of ammonia (equivalent refrigeration duty of 1850kWR at -33°C).”

The high pressure ammonia gas generated by the compressors is used to displace the liquid ammonia from the railway storage bullets and the high pressure liquid ammonia being pushed from the rail bullets is then piped through to an expansion valve near the low pressure storage vessel, which is kept at atmospheric pressure, and a temperature of about -33°C. “New piping with a greater diameter will be required to increase the capacity of the line to the storage tank,” says Hattingh.

Russell meanwhile, identified three

critical success factors which led to the success of the operation.

“Firstly, this is a schedule-driven project and long lead items like the compressor packages had to be selected and ordered during the basic engineering phase so as not to impact the schedule.

Another challenge is integrating and fitting new equipment and piping into the middle of an existing plant. This was made possible by using 3D CAD and being able to present a 3D model of the changes to the client before finalizing the detailed design.

Finally, safety is key. Ammonia is a hazardous chemical. Therefore, the design and specification of this type of plant requires knowledge and experience of the relevant standards, codes and statutory requirements to ensure a safe and reliable facility,” explains Russell.

“An important consideration in the selection of the Frick compressors was also the skill and experience the Johnson Controls team brings to the project,” says Hattingh.

Johnson controls have global experience in dealing with ammonia offloading and storage, and in meeting the safety and performance requirements around this application. Burnie says their strong, highly knowledgeable technical team in South Africa will provide the necessary configuration, implementation, commissioning and maintenance support to AEL. The upgrade of AEL’s offloading

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

AEL Supply Chain

facilities is underway, with the new weighbridge completed in midAugust. The refitting of the rail siding for jumbo rail cars will be completed by end of March 2014.

“Good progress is also being made with the construction of the compressor housing. The delivery of the Johnson Controls team has also been superb. Their communication is excellent; they set high standards and deliver value. They have also been able to deliver the equipment three weeks early,” adds Burnie.

Burnie says the project is pushing to tie in full re-commissioning of the offloading facilities in the second quarter of 2014.

“For us its safety first, so after due consideration of risk in terms of safety, specifically around maintaining the integrity of the tank, we have decided to take the storage tank off-line in the second quarter of 2014 to facilitate the installation of the new pipe work,” he says.

The payback period for this project is projected to be four years. “This project will ensure that AEL’s supply of ammonia remains reliable. This is critical to our operations – namely the manufacture of ammonia nitrate explosives - but will also ensure we can reliably continue to service our clients’ needs, and grow and expand our business into the future,” concludes Burnie.

Reprinted courtesy of Johnson Controls

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

9

AEL Electronics

Taking electronic blasting to new heights with DigishotTM Plus

By Ashlin Pillay

results in the operation losing substantial revenue. This motivated Letšeng Diamond Mine to request AEL Mining Services to extend the blasting trials by an additional six months in order to further measure improvements in damage to diamonds.

This challenge presented a great opportunity for AEL to demonstrate their extensive and superior mining expertise, and to showcase their electronic initiating systems with the benefit of improved fragmentation uniformity, improved muckpile control, and further downstream beneficiation benefits.

Ashlin Pillay - Electronic Field Technician, Initiating Systems

Lesotho is also known as the “kingdom in the sky”, and rightly so; their mountains being the source of crystal-clear water and also the world’s rarest diamonds.

The Letšeng Diamond Mine, situated in the heart of the Maloti Mountain Range in Lesotho, is the world’s highest diamond mine peaking at 3,100m above sea level.

Letšeng is owned by the Lesotho Government in conjunction with Gem Diamonds and is well recognised for producing some of the highest dollarper-carat value stones.

The Letšeng diamonds are unique in having exceptional colour and clarity (purity), as well as some of the highest carats (size). This is despite the low grade ore.

Just last month, a 12.47 carat blue diamond fetched a record price of US$ 603 047 per carat, a total of US$ 7.5 million, while an 82 carat white diamond fetched US$ 59 173 per carat, a total of US$ 4.8 million (www.miningne.ws).

Excessive damage to diamonds during the mining and beneficiation process 10

The initial electronic blast was carried out on 20 October 2013 based on the current bench design parameters from Letšeng.

A total of 870 DigishotTM Plus detonators were used in this blast, making it the largest single electronic detonator trial blast conducted by AEL in Letšeng history.

The mine requested the use of a V2 chevron; however, after a calculated evaluation of the bench width, the requested blast delay design was changed to have a more optimal muckpile configuration.

The ore bench required minimal material movement into the bottom of the pit after blasting, as this would otherwise comprise the design life of the slope catchment berms, which is a safety concern when it comes to falls of ground, as well as loss of ore tons and delays in production.

The added technical challenge was a requirement from the client to blast a ramp in conjunction with the main blast, and subsequently, the material on the ramp to be left in-situ - a complex blasting situation indeed.

The use of the software ViewshotTM allowed for flexibility in the timing design, and the blasting team could simulate different scenarios in order to find the optimal timing solution.

The design was then transferred to the control equipment for the DigishotTM Plus detonators. A proficient understanding and manipulation of the timing chevron resulted in the key objective being met resulting in a blasting solution fit-forpurpose.

The end result - a perfectly controlled muckpile profile with minimal material thrown to the pit bottom, and an improved uniformity in fragmentation for optimal beneficiation processes - exactly as the customer requested.

The subsequent blast was custom designed to incorporate the new design parameters, based on invaluable lessons gained from the first blast.

Improvements were made on the desired fragmentation size, and a marked time and cost saving advantage was seen by the mine in terms of load and haul efficiencies.

These successful blasts have yet again demonstrated AEL’s ability to provide timeous and customised solutions to the client, demonstrating our technical value add propositions. Incontestably, AEL’s technological edge continues to break new ground at new heights, while keeping the diamonds just the way nature intended them to be.

The author would like to thank Christo Peltz and Sandy Etchells for their technical contribution to this article. The author would also like to thank David Tshilowa, Thabiso Moloi, Fanie van Dyk, Solomon Sedibana and Paulos Phalana from Quarry Services for their group effort and support on site to make this blast a resounding success.

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

AEL Electronics

Blast design of 870 Digishot PlusTM detonators using ViewshotTM

View of the blast

Ramp blasted with minimal material movement into the bottom of the pit

Representing AEL from left Thabiso Moloi, Ashlin Pillay and David Tshilowa

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

11

AEL Legal

New Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill of 2013 By: Leanda-Marsha Vilakazi The setting, monitoring and enforcement of health and safety standards in the South African mining industry is regulated under the Mine Health and Safety No.29 of 1996 (“MHSA”).

With developments over the years in occupational health and safety in the mining industry and some challenges being faced by the Department of Mineral Resources (“DMR”) in the enforcement of the Act, a review process of the Act was undertaken which has

culminated in the draft Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill of 2013 (“Bill”).

The Bill was published in Government Gazette No 37027 on 15 November 2013 and seeks to amend the current Mine Health and Safety Act No.29 of 1996 (as amended) so as to: - - - -

rationalise administrative processes; review enforcement provisions; reinforce offences and penalties; amend certain definitions; and

- provide for matters connected therewith.

The DMR has published an invitation to provide written submissions on the Bill within 60 working days of the date of publication of the Bill, the deadline being Wednesday 12 March 2014, and has provided an opportunity for all stakeholders to participate in the content of the Bill before it is introduced to Parliament in 2014.

REGULATORY UPDATE - 2013/11/15

SOUTH AFRICA: MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY AMENDMENT BILL 2013

A Main & sub-category B Nutshell

C Regulatory source D Executive Summary:

Minerals and/or Mining – Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill Comment is invited on the Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill, which seeks to amend the Mine Health and Safety Act so as (a) to review enforcement provisions, (b) simplify the fine system and (c) strengthen offences and penalties.

It also seeks to substitute and add certain definitions and expressions to remove ambiguities, and effect certain amendments to ensure consistency with other laws, particularly the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act. Notice 1103 Gov Gazette 37027 of 15 November 2013

The Department of Mineral Resources (“Department”) has published for comment the Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2013 (“Bill”), as follows: 1) BACKGROUND

a) The setting, monitoring and enforcement of health and safety standards in the South African mining industry are regulated under the Mine Health and Safety Act 1996 (“the Act). b) The Act is premised on the principle that responsibility for health and safety lies with the employers or owners of mines. c) The enforcement and ordering of compliance within the Act forms the core business of the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate (“Inspectorate”), a core branch within the Department. In enforcing the Act, the Chief Inspector of Mines and various other inspectors have wide statutory powers.

2) OBJECTS OF BILL

a) The Bill seeks to amend the Act so as to review the enforcement provisions, simplify the fine system and strengthen offences and penalties. It also seeks to substitute and add certain definitions and expressions to remove ambiguities, and effect certain amendments to ensure consistency with other laws, particularly the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 2002. b) The Bill further seeks to harmonise the administrative processes in the Act with sound administrative practices. c) Occupational health and safety policy, prevention, research and enforcement arrangements within the mining industry in South Africa are regulated under the Act. The Act is administered by the Department through the Inspectorate.

3) CLAUSE BY CLAUSE ANALYSIS [“clause” refers to the Bill; “section” to the Act]

a) Clauses 1 and 2 amend sections 2 and 2A in order to substitute the word “body corporate” with “company” to align the Act with the Companies Act 2008. b) Clause 3 inserts a new section 2B to provide for the appointment of a chief executive officer. c) Clause 4 repeals section 3(3). d) Clause 5 amends section 6 by inserting the word “suitable” to ensure that employers provide a variety of personal protection equipment for employees to accommodate women. It also provides a definition for “suitable”. e) Clause 6 inserts a new section 7(6) to make the employer who appoints a contractor ultimately responsible for compliance with the Act. f) Clause 7 amends section 10 of the Act by deleting the word “reasonably practicable” in order to place an obligation on employers to prioritise health and safety training at mines. This is further amended by inserting the word “formal training”. g) Clause 8 amends section 11 by deleting subsections (5), (5A), (5B), (6), (7) and (8). h) Clause 9 inserts section 11A in order to provide for an employer to conduct investigations, and make reports, into accidents, serious illness and health threatening occurrences at a mine. i) Clause 11 amends section 13 in order to effect certain technical changes, to allow an Occupational Health Practitioner (“OHP”) to conduct medical surveillance in conjunction with an Occupational Medical Practitioner (“OMP”), and further to substitute the requirement of a practice number with a professional registration number for uniformity. j) Clause 12 amends section 17 and provides that the OMP must inform an employee in writing of a finding that the employee is unfit to work and of the employee’s right to appeal. k) Clause 13 amends section 20 to compel the Medical Inspector to inform an employer of an appeal lodged by an employee and inserts a period within which the Medical Inspector may consider the appeal. This amendment further puts timeframes on the medical appeal process in line with the Labour Relations Act, 1995. l) Clause 14 provides for amendments to effect the new name “Safety and Health in Mines Research Advisory Committee”. m) Clause 17 provides for the appointment of a Principal Inspector of Mines, Medical Inspector and inspectors, by the Minister, and also the appointment of other competent persons, to further the objectives of the Act. n) Clause 21 inserts section 55C in order to provide for the payment of moneys received in fines, into the administrative fund contemplated in section 43(eB). o) Clause 22 amends section 57 in order to provide clarity of the appeals process against administrative decisions. p) Clause 28 amends section 92 to allow for the strengthening of the penalty provisions in respect of a person who is convicted of an offence mentioned in schedule 8 to the Act. Clause 28 also provides for the penalty that may be imposed on an employer company, that is convicted of an offence in terms of any section of the Act. q) Clause 29 adds subsection (5) which provides for the withdrawal of a delegation or assignment by the Minister, Director-General and Chief Inspector of Mines made, in terms of this section. r) Clause 31 amends section 102 of the Act in order to insert or substitute certain definitions to remove ambiguities and provide regulatory certainty. s) Clause 36 amends schedule 8 in respect of sections under which a person may be convicted.

F G H

12

Suggestion / comment Effective dates Regulatory body

Consider submitting comments Send comments by 12 March 2014 to Mr Andre Andreas at Andre.Andreas@dmr.gov.za Department of Mineral Resources (DMR)

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

AEL in the field

AEL and Unitrans combine efforts to support learners

AEL and Unitrans representatives joined the school principal to unveil the new facilities (pictured above).

As part of a joint Corporate Social Investment, AEL in conjunction with Unitrans sponsored the upgrading of school buildings and the establishment of various sports facilities at Borite Primary School situated in Mogwase.

At the official handover function on 21 October 2013, the school management and representatives from the Department of

Education were clearly touched by the joint interest displayed by both our companies.

AEL were highly impressed with the facilities which took dedicated managerial input from Unitrans in bringing this to fruition. We believe this facility will play a significant role in the upliftment of the leaners and ultimately the community.

Best stand award for AEL AEL Mining Services is proud to announce that Progroup, awardwinning stand designers, won the EXSA (Exhibition & Event Management Association of Southern Africa) Best Stand Award for the design of the AEL Mining Services stand at Mining Lekgotla 2013.

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

13

AEL News in brief

Making our mark at iPAD DRC AEL participated in the Infrastructure Partnerships for African Development (iPAD) Katanga Mining Briefing held in Lubumbashi from 15 – 17 October 2013.

This was an opportunity for AEL to showcase our trail-blazing product offerings and unique services while furthering our thought leadership stance.

Moise Katumbi – Katanga Province Governor ; Erick Monga – President of the Commerce Chamber in the Katanga Province; Francis Kasongo – AEL Mining Services (DRC) SPRL - Managing Director; Max Madjani – AEL Mining Service (DRC) SPRL - Financial Director

Patrick Machona – AEL DRC SPRL Customer Services Manager - with SICOMINES representative

The event was attended by delegates from central and provincial government, international policymaking bodies, the local private sector and investors operating in the DRC. “AEL’s participation in the event was an indication of our commitment to doing business in the region. We were able to network and build relationships with key stakeholders,” said Francis Kasongo, Managing Director of AEL DRC.

AEL representatives: Francis Kasongo; Max Madjani; Kazadi Kaninda – AEL (DRC) Business Development Manager

Francis Kasongo engages with James Bethel (right) from ENRC Group [Copper-Cobalt Head]

Season’s GREETINGS

May you and your family enjoy this festive season and have a prosperous new year!

From all of us at AEL Mining Services

14

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

We bid adieu to Tata Madiba “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal, which I hope to live for and to achieve.

But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

De Klerk, for the ‘peaceful termination of the apartheid regime and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa”.

Mandela became the symbol of the struggle against apartheid after he was convicted in the Rivonia Trial of charges of sabotage and was sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island.

Mandela, a key figure in the African National Congress, who helped found the party’s youth league and armed wing, Umkhonto We Sizwe, was imprisoned for 27 years before he was finally released in 1990 at the age of 71.

Nelson Mandela was a bastion of confidence, courage and care. His dedication to the nation was unwavering and his ability to lead by example will continue to inspire future generations.

At the end of his trial, Mandela gave a now iconic speech in which he said:

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, together with former president FW

The world mourns the loss of an exemplary human being - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, South Africa’s first democratically elected president and an icon of peace and reconciliation the world over.

The much-loved Mandela, known affectionately as Tata Madiba, became increasingly frail and retired from public life in 2004 at the age of 85.

A year later, he was elected president in the country’s first democratic election.

He stepped down from the presidency in 1999 after one term in office but continued with a busy public schedule.

Rest in peace Tata Madiba. May the nation find strength through the inspiring legacy you have left behind. Hamba kahle.

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Nelson Mandela AEL Contact Directory Southern Africa Cape Town (T) +27 21 842 3901 East London (T) +27 43 745 2169 Gauteng Quarry Services +27 11 606 3523 Johannesburg (T) +27 11 606 0000 Kimberley (T) +27 53 802 6352 Klerksdorp (T) +27 18 477 1062 Kuruman (T) +27 53 712 3035/2958 Kwa-Zulu Natal (T) +27 31 266 4303 Mankwe (T) +27 14 558 2800 Mokopane (T) +27 15 491 1373 Mogalakwena (T) +27 15 418 2189 Nelspruit (T) +27 13 747 2278 Northern Province +27 15 491 1328 O’Kiep (T) +27 27 713 8597 Rustenburg Bushveld (T) +27 14 594 9300 Steelpoort (T) +27 13 230 8020 Venetia Mine (T) +27 15 575 2335 Welkom (T) +27 57 217 1252 West Wits Sales (T) +27 18 788 3390 Witbank / Emalahleni (T) +27 13 690 1242 Africa and International Asia Pacific +6221 7592 4498 Botswana (T) +267 393 8133 DRC (T) +243 997 027 878 Egypt (T) +20 22461 8609 Europe +27 82 553 9080 Ghana (T) +233 302 762 633 Indonesia (T) +6221 7592 4498 Mauritius (T) +230 269 1650 Namibia (T) +264 64 403 463 South America (T) +562 928 1300 Tanzania (T) +255 22 277 1055 Zambia (T) +260 966 990 945/9 Zimbabwe (T) +263 479 0846

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013

15

This is the kind of wealth AEL Mining Services is proud to help you unearth. Advancing, constantly evolving and defining the future of explosives in the mining industry whilst preserving our heritage.

AEL Head Office Tel: +27 11 606 0000 email: company.email@aelms.com www.aelminingservices.com

16

Blasting News I Fourth Quarter 2013