st
1 MINING Central Africa’s Premier Business To Business Mining magazine November-December 2017 > Issue 26 > Vol.8 #
Kansanshi Mine trains local contractors p18
ALSO... Are mining companies closing the digital disconnect? p24
F MD R C - Z A MB I A
26
www.fmdrc-zambia.com
info@ecic.co.za www.ecic.co.za
Contents MINES & MINERALS HI TECH
06
Congo mines say revised code threatens industry's future
39
Mitigating risks on elevated platforms
FEATURED DEVELOPMENTS INNOVATION 10 Sula Iron and Gold acquires DRC cobalt license 33 Twiflex selected for Zambia complex
34 Vedanta unveils mine digitalisation as key driver of Gamsberg
36
SewTreat
40
To Provide Eco-Friendly Innovations
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DINGO The Global Leader in Predictive Maintenance
1st MINING Central Africa’s Premier Business To Business Mining magazine November-December 2017 > Issue 26 > Vol.8 #
FROM THE EDITOR Miners involved in exploration know this too well: aer spending so much time, manpower, effort and resources digging and looking for traces of mineral deposits, and unearthing more questions than answers, they have
Kansanshi Mine
no choice but to continue the exploration.
trains local contractors p18
As productivity remains the number one operational risk in the mining sector, digital transformation in the sector will be a critical enabler to addressing the industry's productivity and margin challenges. Mining companies will be able to better manage variability and improve productivity by merging digital with a manufacturing mindset, which focuses on productivity across the end-to-end value chain. e Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Honorable Christopher
ALSO... Are mining companies closing the digital disconnect? p24
F MD R C - Z A MB I A
26
www.fmdrc-zambia.com
Yaluma in Zambia, has said Government is promoting diversi cation within the mining sector and is focusing on value addition to development minerals, which are oen referred to as low value minerals.
Cover Kansanshi Mining PLC
Vedanta, a major zinc producer, is making a fresh $200m investment in its Namibian operations, as it plots a strategy to make the plant a regional hub
Editor Bertha M. editor@fmdrc-zambia.com
for re ning the metal. If you're involved in a mining project, you understand the importance of using the right tools for optimal results. When it comes to scoping and
Contributing Writers
mapping, drones (or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as they are officially
Anne Thomas, Mfuneko Jack, Lindani Mkhize and Caroline Thomas
called) have proven to be a viable and welcome solution.
Sales & Marketing
but drones are uniquely suited to the tasks of aerial mapping and scoping.
Russou Billiard sales@fmdrc-zambia.com +27 11 044 8986
Not only can they be equipped with the latest mapping (as well as tracking
Achieving an optimal bird's-eye-view of a mining site is a challenging task
and reporting) technology, drone technology brings with it a number of bene ts.
Deward Sitali dewards@fmdrc-zambia.com +260 96 187 4888
Welcome to our last edition of 1st Mining DRC-Zambia edition for the year
Victor Ndlovu victorn@fmdrc-zambia.com
questions, and inspire them to look for more answers.
Cleopas M. cleopasm@fmdrc-zambia.com
Read more interesting stories packed in this issue, and until next time we
2017. We hope that this issue will enlighten its readers, answer some of their
Mandla M. mandlam@fmdrc-zambia
hope you love this issue!
Professor M. professorm@fmdrc-zambia.com
Editor
Bertha M.
Graphic Design and Layout Que Gibson quegibson@outlook.com
Published By Mailing Times Media sales@fmdrc-zambia.com www.fmdrc-zambia.com
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Mailing Times Media (Pty) Ltd makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents of its publications, but no warranty is made as to such accuracy and no responsibility will be borne by the publisher for the consequences of actions based on information so published. Further, opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by Mailing Times Media (Pty) Ltd
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Mining NEWS
Congo mines say revised code threatens industry's future Mining companies in Democratic Republic of
Swiss-based commodities giant Glencore and
than in competitor nations such as
Congo said on Monday that proposed changes
London-listed Randgold Resources , said
neighbouring Zambia.
to the mining code adopted by the lower house
investors would look elsewhere if the code were
of parliament last week would do lasting
approved by the Senate and signed into law by
Congo's mines minister suspended
damage to investment in Africa's top copper
the president.
consideration of the revised code in March 2016
producer.
because companies had complained that its “is very heart of the DRC's economy is now
scal terms would make their projects
e process of revising the 2002 mining code in
seriously threatened while it should be
unpro table, given current low commodity
Congo has dragged on for over ve years but the
protected, supervised and strengthened,” the
prices.
National Assembly on Friday approved a bill
statement said.
that would increase taxes and royalties and sent
But the government reintroduced the proposal
it to the upper house Senate for a second vote.
“is would cause the certain death of a young industry, however it contributes to the
revenues in a country with an annual budget of
e measure would also increase the state's
achievements of the national economy.”
only around $5 billion.
in May, saying it was essential to boosting public
minimum unpaid share of new mining projects and require that Congolese investors hold at
e government and some civil society groups
least 10 percent of shares in large-scale mines.
in Congo dispute the companies'
nancial
percent of the country's export revenues and
In a statement, several of Congo's largest copper
models and argue that the proposed 3.5 percent
represents about 20 percent of national gross
and gold mines, including projects operated by
royalties on precious and base metals are lower
domestic product.
Congo's mining sector accounts for some 95
www.truflopumps.com.au
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Mining NEWS
Huge sums in mining revenue off the books in DRC: report Some $750m in revenue from Democratic
won by President Joseph Kabila.
e NGO Global Witness charged in July that
Republic of Congo's mines between 2011 and
the Congolese mining sector served as a
2014 "cannot be reliably tracked" in the records
"As the country faces a period in which critical
funding machine for the Kabila regime, which
of the state-owned Gecamines, the Carter
elections are supposed to take place, conditions
has been in power since 2001.
Center said.
are ripe for additional unreported sales and revenue diversion," the report warned.
"A toxic combination of corruption and
"It is troubling that Gecamines has refused to
and state mining companies is leaching a h of
e US foundation, in a report, suggested Gecamines used "its privileged position to
mismanagement in DRC's revenues agencies
generate US$1.1bn from copper and cobalt
publish contracts for several mining deals that
mining revenues away from the state budget
deals between 2011 and 2014" yet had failed to
may have generated more than half a billion
that should be used on vital public services such
reliably account for almost two-thirds of the
dollars in 2016-2017.”
as schools, hospitals and roads," Global Witness
revenue.
asserted in its report. e next presidential election is overdue, for
Gecamines wields control of the vast nation's
Kabila refused to quit at the end of his second
e Carter Center said its report is based on 200
"best mining permits", enabling it "to generate
constitutional term last December, sparking
interviews, the study of more than 100 mining
substantial revenues from its partnerships,
protests, bloodshed and arrests.
contracts, more than a thousand corporate
averaging US$262m per year in royalties,
documents and data from the Extractive
bonuses and other contractual fees from 2009 to
e vote was set to take place this year under a
Industries Transparency Initiative covering
2014," the report said.
transitional deal reached on New Year's Eve, but
2007-2014.
the electoral commission has since said that
e foundation was set up by US former
"ose revenues are not directed to the public
there can be no vote before early 2019, mainly
president Jimmy Carter to promote democracy
treasury, and they are largely beyond the realm
since a voters' roll is un nished in the troubled
and human rights around the world.
of public oversight," it said.
Kasai region.
e world's leading producer of cobalt and h largest copper producer, the DRC is one of the
It noted that signi cant income generated by
No immediate reaction could be obtained to the
world's poorest nations, where 90% of its
mining proved "difficult to trace" ahead of
report from authorities.
estimated 71 million population lives in
elections that took place in 2006 and 2011, both
extreme poverty.
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Mining NEWS
One Zambian mining community puts women's issues front and center D e e p i n t h e c o u nt r y s i d e o f Z a m b i a ,
about contaminated water, the mine operator,
“e coming of the mines has destroyed our
communities near Kansanshi, the largest open-
First Quantum, dug some b oreholes.
soils because crops can't grow like they used to
pit copper mine in Africa, are seeing few
Unfortunately, community members reported
in the past,” said another local woman.
bene ts from the copper that is extracted from
that two of them do not actually work and were
their ancestral lands. Worse yet, they are
insufficient to begin with.
e arrival of a mine can also mean a transition
struggling to get by with water and soil that they
to a more cash-based economy with an in ux of
believe is contaminated.
And it is not just clean water they were
transient, predominantly male mine workers.
concerned about, but also a lack of resources
Mirriam Lubinda, a young woman from Kabwela, shared with me that she is extremely
With some of the largest reserves of copper in
for their school and a health clinic.
Africa, Zambia plays a key role in the global
“It takes someone sick 5 kilometers [3 miles] to
worried about the growing trend of teenage
copper mining industry. Copper mining is one
walk to the clinic to receive health services,”
pregnancies among her peers, which derails
of the largest sources of revenue for the country.
reported a community leader.
their efforts to get an education.
Sadly, not much of this revenue is reaching the communities affected directly by mining. is
Environmental degradation and lack of
While men oen bene t from mining because
was con rmed to me on a recent visit to
community resources are, unfortunately, very
they can get paid work, women can be
Kabwela, the closest community to the mine.
frequent issues in mining communities, and
negatively affected—they oen don't get the
women (and oen girls as well) usually bear
well-paying jobs the industry can provide, or
Gathered at dusk in a circle outside the three-
the brunt of dealing with such challenges. ey
bene t from compensation (compensation is
room structure that is their school for grades
have to walk farther to get clean water and
t y p i c a l l y aw a rd e d t o m a l e h e a d s - o f households). Yet, women are the ones who care
one through seven, a number of men and
wood. ey have to deal with an increase in
women from the community described their
unpaid care work. And these are just a fraction
for the sick, take care of their families while the
challenges while their kids played nearby.
of the impacts that mining can cause.
men are at work, and deal with the mine's environmental impact.
“If we had safe, clean drinking water, our families would be healthy,” said one community
Mining affects livelihoods and family farms
member.
that women oen manage. In Kabwela, the
Aer repeated complaints from the community
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What gives me hope, however, is that in
locals believe that agricultural production is
Kabwela, women are speaking up.
suffering because the soil has become acidic.
In a community where patriarchal leadership
| FMDZ
Mining NEWS structures still prevail, both women and men
î ˘ese are not easy problems to x. But Oxfam is
Zambian government to create mechanisms
are voicing their concerns about the impact the
working with local partners to call on oil, gas,
that allow communities to bene t from mining
mine is having on the lives, livelihoods, and
and mining companies to be responsive to the
revenue proceeds. When the community is
well-being of women and girls.
communities where they operate and to make
involved, especially women, more of the
women's rights and working towards gender
bene ts are spread around.
Gender inequality is the most pervasive form of
justice a priority. We are also working to ensure
discrimination in the world, and it is no
that mining companies consult with women
coincidence that the majority of the world's
and men from local communities so that
poor are women and girls. Entrenched gender
everyone bene ts.
bias, in Zambia and around the world, not only prevents women from engaging with and
C l e an w ate r, a c c e ss to h e a lt h
accessing the economic bene ts of extractive
services—especially for pregnant women and
industries, but manifests in how companies and
children under ve, and preventing unwanted
governments engage with communities at all
pregnancies in young women still going to
stages of project activities. Gender-blind
school—would go a long way to making life
p ol i c i e s an d pr a c t i c e s i n c om mu n it y
better in these Zambian communities.
consultation and decision-making processes give rise to the systematic exclusion of women
Oxfam is also urging mining companies and
and a silencing of women's perspectives,
industry associations to adopt gender-speci c
agendas, and interests in relation to oil, gas, and
policies and to respect community rights to
mining projects.
Free, Prior, and Informed Consent and for the
One Zambian mining community puts women's issues front and center
Brian.rudd@capdrill.com www.capdrill.com
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Mining NEWS
Sula Iron and Gold acquires DRC cobalt license Sula Iron and Gold has acquired a controlling
DRC; and
interest in a cobalt licence and has raised
·
£1,750,000 through placing 3 billion shares and
"We are very excited to announce this
for general working capital purposes
subscribing 5 billion new ones.
signi cant addition to Sula Iron and Gold's
e fundraising, which has been arranged by SP
strategy and exploration activities," comments
Angel, is conditional, inter alia, upon Sula Iron
Sula Iron and Gold CEO, Roger Murphy.
and Gold shareholders' approval of each of the
"We are bullish on the outlook for cobalt and the
resolutions and admission.
other battery metals and believe that the
e net proceeds of the fundraising will be used:
creation of African Battery Metals will provide
to capitalize a new company to be
UK equity investors with exposure to cobalt,
incorporated in the DRC which will be 70%
which some analysts see as the battery metal
owned by Sula Iron and Gold and 30% by the
with the tightest supply/demand fundamentals.
vendor which will hold the cobalt licence to
"e complementary skills of our board and the
provide working capital to commence
experience of our technical advisers, Madini, of
systematic geological exploration work under
operating within the DRC provides us with, I
the cobalt
believe, an advantage in operating in the region,
licence, so commencing the process leading to
where most of the world's cobalt is found.
the de nition of an initial JORC-compliant
"e addition of cobalt to our existing gold
cobalt and copper resource
assets in Sierra Leone, provides important
·
diversi cation to our exploration activities.
to buy-back the D-Beta new shares
· to provide working capital to Blue Horizon,
"We remain committed to our Ferensola gold
Sula Iron and Gold's subsidiary which carries
project and to maintaining and valorising it
out its gold and iron exploration activities in
through a joint venture or farm-out, as
Sierra Leone
previously announced," concludes Murphy.
· to assess other cobalt-copper opportunities in
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www.mobydick.com
Mining NEWS
Vedanta invests $200m more in Namibian mining operations Vedanta, a major zinc producer, is making a
concentrate at a 50% metal grade out of SA
was an investment Vedanta group chairman
fresh $200m investment in its Namibian
made little sense and Vedanta was seriously
Anil Agarwal was not reluctant to make,
operations, as it plots a strategy to make the
contemplating building a re nery to process
Naidoo said.
plant a regional hub for re ning the metal,
it, Naidoo said.
says Vedanta Zinc International CE Deshnee Naidoo.
"e chairman of the business is all about However, if no fresh ore could be mined at
growth. We love that.... It's my job to balance
Skorpion aer the $200m investment, which
what we know what we want to do with phase
e re nery is a pivotal plant in the diversi ed
would give the mine another three-and-a-half
two and making sure all the learnings in phase
Indian mining company's base metals strategy
years of life and would more than double
one and optimisations we've put in place are
in Southern Africa, where it sees itself as a
output to 200,000 tonnes of zinc a year, then
carried into the second phase," she said.
dominant zinc and lead producer from its
the re nery there, which processes oxidised
Gamsberg and Black Mountain mines in the
material, would be converted to handle
By the middle of 2018, when the Gamsberg
Northern Cape and possibly the Skorpion
concentrate coming from sulphide deposits
concentrator begins ramping up with half a
mine in Namibia, depending on whether
like Gamsberg and others, generating 150,000
million tonnes of stockpiled freshly mined ore
another extension to the asset's life can be
tonnes of nished zinc a year, she said.
made. e Gamsberg mine, at which Vedanta is
ready to be processed, Vedanta Zinc wants to be able to make a decision on the second
e third phase could take output to 600,000
phase, whether to proceed immediately with
tonnes, but this was far in the future.
mobilising a phase two team or to delay the
investing 400m, will be a 250,000 tonnes a
project a while.
year of zinc-in-concentrate producer, selling
e Black Mountain mine, which generates
the metal to offshore buyers as the company
70,000 tonnes of lead, copper, zinc and silver a
A key factor would be the availability of
considers whether to include a re nery in a
year, would ultimately become a pure lead
power, some 300MW, and this was the best
second phase of the Gamsberg project to
mine with output of 160,000 tonnes a year.
time to begin talking to Eskom, because of
increase output to 400,000 tonnes of metal in
e cost of the second phase of Gamsberg,
new generation coming on line and an
concentrate.
including the re nery and an extension of the
oversupply of electricity in a moribund
concentrator plant, would be about $500m,
economy, she said.
At the 400,000 tonnes a year production level,
which would bring the total bill for the phased
the logic of shipping 1-million tonnes of
development of the mine to nearly $1bn. It
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Mining NEWS
Zambia is promoting diversi cation within the mining sector Minister of Mines and Minerals Development
tourmaline and aquamarine. ese minerals
than the 508,718 tonnes recorded during the
Honorable Christopher Yaluma has said
are oen referred to as low value minerals due
corresponding period in 2016.”
Government is promoting diversi cation
to their low price as a function of their weight,
within the mining sector and is focusing on
and relatively low value to international
value addition to development minerals,
commodity markets.
projected to increase to 778,379 tonnes from 770,587 tonnes in 2016. Equally, expansion
which are oen referred to as low value minerals.
“Total annual copper production in 2017 is
And Mr. Yaluma said that the vision of the Government for the mining sector is a vibrant
projects to extend mine life at Mopani and other mines continued. e performance of other minerals, emeralds in particular, also
is was in a key note speech delivered on
mining industry contributing to the
behalf of the Minister by Zambia's High
achievement of the Vision 2030 where Zambia
Commissioner to the United Kingdom His
aims to become a prosperous middle income
Excellency Mr. Muyeba Chikonde at the
nation.
exports of emeralds improved thereby
“e mining sector has continued to expand
revenue,” he said.
Mines and Money Conference in London.
improved. Production of emeralds and beryl increased from 52,833 kilograms in 2015 to 74,742 kilograms in 2016. In the same vein, increasing the contribution to Government
Mr. Yaluma said Government is focusing on
as evidenced from the increase in mineral
the promotion of value addition in order to
production and investments in expansion
e minister also invited investors to come
diversify the economy adding that
projects at existing mines and green eld
and invest in Zambia saying there were several
Development minerals provide vital inputs for
investments. Copper production, despite the
investment opportunities in the country's
challenges increased from 710,860 tonnes in
mining sector ranging from exploration and
domestic economic development.
2015 to 770,587 tonnes in 2016. At 510,856 Development minerals are minerals which
tonnes during the period January to August
include emeralds, amethyst, garnet,
2017, copper production was 0.42% more
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mining through to mineral processing and value addition and associated service industries.
Mining NEWS
Zambia Mining Industry Wants Better Public Understanding Of Mineral Royalty Tax (MRT) In a bid to improve public understanding of
whole subject of mining taxation, and MRT in
Among the key learning points of the report are
mining taxation, and promote informed
particular, needs to be better explained.
the following: ·
comment, the Zambia Chamber of Mines today
MRT is used by many countries
released a report entitled “A guide to
“MRT has been a hot topic. We want to set out
around the world, and always exists
understanding Mineral Royalty Tax (MRT)”.
the cold facts, so Zambians can better
alongside a tax on pro t – together,
understand a critical issue affecting the mining
the two taxes assure a stable ow of
e short, 15-page report is available free of
industry, and the wider context of tax and
tax revenue throughout the life cycle
charge from the Chamber of Mines' offices, and
investment in which the issue is situated.”
of a mine; ·
as a downloadable PDF on its website
unlike normal company tax, MRT is levied on revenue rather than pro ts;
www.mines.org.zm.
He added: “is report signals a more proactive approach by our industry in educating the
therefore, it is payable even when
It is the rst time that the industry body has
public about important strategic issues. It is a
mines are marginal or loss-making;
proactively sought to spark public debate on an
natural follow-up to the media conference we
issue that is critical to its long-term survival,
held in December last year to explain the crisis
·
mines can take several years to become pro table and pay pro t-
and heralds a more proactive and strategic
facing the global copper-mining sector. ere
based tax, so MRT is an effective way
approach to communication.
will be more such initiatives as the industry
for governments to get upfront short-
continues to engage constructively with
term tax revenue; and
e release of the booklet comes barely three
stakeholders and the broader public.”
·
unlike a pro ts-based tax, MRT is a cost to the business. A rate that is too
weeks aer the government announced its intention to unveil a new, more accommodating
A guide to understanding Mineral Royalty Tax
high can sti e economic activity and
MRT regime for the industry.
(MRT) is designed for a lay audience, and deals
employment, discourage further
with the subject broadly rather than in complex
investment, and diminish the long-
C h amb e r of M i n e s pre s i d e nt Nat h an
detail. It covers the present situation in Zambia,
term tax pipeline.
Chishimba said: “We commended the
explains the motivations and mechanics of
Government for announcing a sliding scale for
MRT, and gives an outside view of our mining-
e report also considers Zambia's approach to
the determination of MRT rates, linked to the
tax system by the IMF and World Bank, and
MRT in comparison with other mining
prevailing copper price. For the public to really
ends with some thoughts on the future of the
jurisdictions.
appreciate the signi cance of this move, the
mining industry.
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Mining NEWS
What is the outlook for Africa's mining industry? Mining Indaba experts take a closer look Mining is one of Africa's most signi cant export
ese pertinent issues affecting the future of
electric vehicles (EVs). Today around 14% of
industries. Natural resources make up
African mining will be debated at next year's
lithium demand comes directly from the EV
approximately 60% of South Africa's exports
Mining Indaba, the world's largest mining
sector, with this percentage predicted to rise to
and are a substantial driver of its economic
investment event, taking place in Cape Town
38% in 2025. Zimbabwe is a key exporter of
development. ough the continent initially
from 5 – 8 February 2018.
garnered fame for its gold rushes and diamond
lithium and allegedly holds one of the world's largest known deposits of the element.
mines, the African mining industry has since
e main stage will feature a full programme of
become one of the world's largest producers of
keynote speeches and corporate presentations
Cobalt demand is also expected to rise, creating
metals such as platinum, copper, iron ore and
by CEOs and senior executives of some of the
opportunities in the Democratic Republic of
uranium, among others. But what is the forecast
world's largest international mining companies
Congo (DRC) which has an abundance of
for Africa's commodity market in 2019 and
such as Rio Tinto, Vedanta and Anglo
cobalt deposits. With this sharp rise in demand
beyond?
American.
however comes increased pressure to expand the supply side, leading to concerns over how
Real-world events and evolving market
Predicting commodity markets
this will impact the environment, worker's
conditions are shaping the landscape of the
Panel sessions will focus on in-depth analysis of
rights and local communities.
mining industry. e uranium market is
South Africa's leading commodity markets,
predicted to experience an upli due to
with Invesco Portfolio Manager Norman
e main stage will also play host to a keynote
increased demand for nuclear energy, while
Macdonald looking at the long-term outlook of
head to head debate: 'Copper vs. Gold: which is
technological innovations such as the electric
the gold market and how this might be affected
the better investment case?' Mark Bristow
car revolution are set to increase demand for
by future contracts with China.
(CEO, Randgold Resources) will be arguing the
Anthony Milewski (MD, Pala Investments) and
leading a multinational gold mining company.
battery metals, creating new opportunities in the mining sector. Unregulated mining, unsafe
case for gold, having had decades of experience
working conditions and environmental damage
William Adams (Head of research, Metal
He will be pitted against Robert Friedland
have led to increased pressure to create
Bulletin) will examine the supply and demand
(Founder, Ivanhoe Mines) who is a major player
environmentally and socially sustainable
changes of the cobalt and lithium markets, and
in the mining industry and believes that a green
mines, especially among top industry players
how these may be affected by increased demand
revolution will cause a spike in copper prices, as
who are looking to change their reputation.
from car manufacturer Tesla as they invest in
it has the highest conductivity of any non-
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| FMDZ
Mining NEWS Chairman, e Brenthurst Foundation) who works with African governments to develop policies and ideas to strengthen Africa's economic performance. Collaborative action is vital for ensuring that the mining industry is responsive to the needs of the people it affects, allowing it to make a positive socio-economic impact and foster development across Africa. ough this topic will be covered in more detail during the Sustainable Development Day, the key points will be brought forward in a panel discussion with industry experts including Tom Butler (President and CEO, International Council on Mining and Metals) and the Hon. John Peter Amewu (Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Ghana). ey will be examining the tangible results already achieved and looking at which areas will require the most work to help Africa achieve its sustainable development goals. e intergovernmental summit e event's intergovernmental summit will address the sustainability issue by aiming to increase collaboration and discussion between African and international governments. is year 18 African mining minsters will be in attendance from countries including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Sudan and Mali, amongst others, alongside a total delegation of 30 African ministers expected at the event. ey will be gathering to discuss how they can help build a successful future for African mining by aiming to enhance transparency, learning from successful case studies in South America, partnering with western precious metal and is an important element in
Mullan (President, PDAC) who will be focusing
governments to invest in new projects and
all energy production as well as in the
on junior miners and the challenges they face
using the mining industry as a tool for social
manufacturing of EVs.
when it comes to international environmental
and economic transformation across the
and social performance standards. ey will be
continent.
A sustainable future
de ning the term 'sustainable and inclusive
On the sustainability front, Roy Harvey (CEO,
investment' while looking at how managing
While technological innovations such as
Alcoa) will be discussing whether it's possible to
sustainability factors can increase
electric vehicles are set to rapidly increase
build the perfect mine that doesn't leave
return.
nancial
demand for certain commodities and lead to
environmental or social scars. He'll be
growth in the African mining sector in the next
examining how mining companies can look
But what steps need to be taken to successfully
few years, it's also important to re ect on the
beyond pro tability to create shared value for
implement a programme of sustainable
impac t such growth will have on the
the communities that depend on them, and how
development? Many in the industry believe that
environment and local communities. e
viable this is for the industry.
partnerships between mining companies,
mining sector is essential for producing the
governments and communities are the key, a
metals and minerals we need for our way of life,
e topic will also be tackled on the nancial
theme which will be addressed in a keynote
and there will always be risk attached, but it also
side by investor Todd Warren (Head of Global
speech by Olusegun Obasanjo (Former
has the potential to do so in a way that bene ts
Resources, Colonial First State) and Glenn
president, e Republic of Nigeria and
society with more than just economic pro t.
FMDZ |
Nov - Dec 2017
|
Page15
Mining NEWS
ZCCM Investments Holdings wants to increase its stakes in the country's mines Following the sharp rise in copper prices this year Zambia's state-controlled
of a mining conference in London.
owned, is suing Canadian company First
rm ZCCM
He would not be drawn on how much money
Quantum for $1.4 billion over claims that First
Investments Holdings wants to increase its
ZCCM-IH would invest in the companies or
Quantum wrongly borrowed $2.3 billion from
stakes in the country's mines and also expects
over what period.
higher dividend payments.
its local copper mining subsidiary Kansanshi Mining Plc.
“It means every single mining company in ZCCM-IH, which was formerly called Zambia
Zambia is making a pro t so we have to ask
e long-running claim by ZCCM-IH includes
Consolidated Copper Mines Investment
ourselves how do we extract that value from this
$228 million in interest on the loan as well as
Holdings, has assets of about $1 billion with
mining company,” he said.
minority stakes held in the local mine operating
20% of the principal amount, or $570 million and talks over a possible settlement began
subsidiaries of foreign miners including
e highest cost of production was around $5
Glencore, First Quantum Minerals, Vedanta
200 a tonne for a mining company in Zambia
earlier this year.
and Jinchuan Group International Resources.
against the benchmark price of around $6 700,
ZCCM-IH alleged in court papers led last year
Zambia is Africa's second largest copper
Kasolo said.
that First Quantum used the money as cheap
Congo and a 22% rise in prices this year has
“Its a matter of asking them. I can't have shares
Quantum has said the loans were granted at a
boosted pro ts for the miners.
in a company where I don't realise value. What's
fair market rate.
the value of me having shares if they never give
Kasolo said an out-of-court settlement might
“It's encouraging us to invest even more in
me value?” said Kasolo.
yet be reached but the court case would
shareholding in some of the assets we have,”
Quantum dispute
“We want a win-win situation. We don't want to
CEO Pius Kasolo told Reuters on the sidelines
Separately, ZCCM-IH, which is 77% state-
kill the mine,” he said.
producer behind the Democratic Republic of
nancing for other operations while First
copper. at's why we want to increase our
continue to run in parallel with discussions.
info@verni.co.za www.verni.co.za
legacy@legacybuildingsolutions.com
www.LegacyBuildingSolution.com
Company NEWS
Kansanshi Mine trains local contractors Kansanshi Mining PLC has called on local
Mr. Msiska explained that despite FQM and
quality construction works wrong by applying
contractors who have just undertaken a
HTC of South Africa being very enthusiastic in
the knowledge they have acquired during the
construction management course to prove their
equipping Zambians with various construction
training and produce excellent results in
skills, no graduates will be given special
carrying out projects.
excellence when carrying out projects.
preference to awarding of construction projects Kansanshi Mine Public Relations Manager
for Kansanshi mines.
Godfrey Msiska said the mine will not come up
Meanwhile, the best performing student Lawrence Makumbi said he was con dent that
with any deliberate policy to award contracts for
“We are pleased to have an opportunity to offer
he and his fellow graduates will be able to carry
construction projects to individuals who are
this course in construction and hope that you
out any construction projects diligently that
trained by the mining rm in various courses.
will add intrinsic value to the construction
will be awarded to them
ZANIS reports that Mr Msiska said all
industry. However, there will be no deliberate
individuals who undergo any training
policy in awarding of contracts as you are all
Mr Mukumbi said the vast knowledge they
programs offered by Kansanshi Mine will be
expected to compete with other contractors,” he
acquired from the construction courses they
expected to compete with other individuals and
said.
were taught by HTC in conjunction with
with the mine.
Mr Msiska the graduates who successfully
competent skilled individuals.
He said this during the graduation ceremony for
potential to deliver projects on time as they
Mr. Makumbi commended FQM for taking
a construction course organized by First
have been adequately trained to meet the
time to train people in the construction
local construction companies for any contract
Kansanshi has transformed them into completed the construction course have the
Quantum Mineral (FQM)-Kansanshi Mine in
required speci cations for any road contractor.
industry in order to improve the quality of work
Solwezi last evening.
He advised them to prove people who view
that is done by local contractors in Zambia.
local contractors as being incapable of doing
Page18
|
Nov - Dec 2017
| FMDZ
Company NEWS
a maximum deceleration of 2.3m/s2. To meet the hoists high rubbing speeds and provide greater thermal capacity, Twi ex engineers designed a new large pad version (174,700mm2 each pad) of its popular VMS3SPS spring-applied, hydraulically-released brake, which is widely used on mine hoists around the world. ermal capacity is a measure of the ability of the brake pad to absorb and dissipate heat. Known as the VMS3-VR the 16 off brakes (8 off on the xed drum and 8 off
New winder for Mopani copper Mine hoist manufacturer FLSmidth worked
diameter, 70 mm thick discs, producing a total braking torque of 12.2MNm.
compartments.
For this application, each VMS3-VR is rated to
e double-drum BMR has a payload of 47.5
gap. At this braking force, the rated fatigue life is
240 kN braking force (µ=0.4) using a 2mm air
with Twi ex and its South African distribution partner, Tritec Sintered Products, on this
on the clutched drum) operate on two 6,800mm
installation. FLSmidth supplied a double drum
tonnes and operates at speeds up to 17.6 m/s in
over two million braking cycles. To assist with
Blair Multi-Rope (BMR) rock winder and a
a 1,278 m deep sha. A precision control system
maintenance, Twi ex brakes incorporate a
single drum BMR man / materials winder to the
designed by FLSmidth is used to achieve
monitoring system to signal brake pad wear and
Nkana project. e BMR winder is a variation
synchronous braking of all the brake units.
loss of braking force. e VMS3-VR brakes also include Twi ex's unique 'parked off ' feature:
on the double-drum winder and is used in extremely deep shas as the second drums cable
Twi ex brakes are used for parking and holding
meaning they can be adjusted under hydraulic
is used to balance the primary load. e drums
each time the mine winders stop. In exceptional
pressure so that when pressure is removed there
on both winders are identical; each measuring
conditions (i.e. power failure), the brakes can be
is no stored energy.
5.7m in diameter, with two 1.8m wide rope
used to bring the load to rest whilst maintaining
Company NEWS
Renewable energy for mines? Hybrid solar power plants can reduce the fuel
Dramatic reductions in the price of solar have
coal and nuclear‚ said Juwi's Amiran Roth-
costs of mines and industry and provide reliable
made the shi to hybrid energy attractive to
Deblan.
power at a predictable rate.
investors. South African and regional mining operations
Roughly a quarter (24%) of Africa's population
Greg Austin - managing director of renewable
are showing increasing interest in hybrid and
of more than a billion people currently have
energy company Juwi recently gave concrete
green power solutions‚ Juwi executives revealed
access to power through the traditional grid.
examples of where solar power plants are
during a presentation.
Increasingly African utilities are approaching
For example‚ solar PV supplies 60% of the
and the hybrid energy model is one of these solutions‚ said Austin.
working at African Utility Week in Cape Town. Juwi commissioned the world's biggest solar-
the private sector to help with generation gaps
battery-diesel hybrid system for the DeGrussa
power needed on a mine in Limpopo.
copper-gold mine in Western Australia.
e company has an installed capacity of 4‚300
e remote mine is off the country's electricity
MW in South Africa.
megawatts around the world and about 200 grid‚ thanks to solar panels that cover an area that is roughly the size of 40 football pitches. It is
Austin said: “Power prices for solar and wind
saving some 20% on its former diesel
are now cheaper than gas‚ coal and nuclear.”
consumption bill and is running smoothly.
e investment in renewable energy globally since 2015 has overtaken the investment in gas‚
www.energyproducts.co.za
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Nov - Dec 2017
| FMDZ
Company NEWS
Vibramech celebrates 40 years of excellence Vibramech celebrates its 40th year anniversary
pan feeders, tubular feeders and grease tables,
swaged fasteners.
in 2017 and further takes the opportunity to
which are all currently operating in processing
As sound dynamic behaviour is essential to
heartily congratulate the SACPS on its
plants, ocean vessels and underground mining
ensure vibrating equipment reliability, all
upcoming 50th anniversary.
operations.
equipment is built to perform within strict
In 1997, some 30 years aer the Southern
“Our success can be largely attributed to our
surfaces are machined in order to maintain
dynamic parameters. All internal mating stringent dimensional tolerances.
African Coal Processing Society (SACPS) was
design practice, which makes use of
formerly established, Vibramech was founded.
element analysis and strain gauge analysis to
In addition, the company's quality assurance
e company has over four decades unceasingly
prove structural integrity, with detailed
programme makes provision for a full 3D
nite
built its reputation in southern Africa's mining
attention paid to wear protection and
vibration analysis to be conducted on all
industry, considered to be among the harshest
commonality of components to minimise spare
equipment prior to release. is is used as a
and most aggressive environments in the world.
parts inventories,” explains Vibramech MD
benchmark for the life of the equipment.
Today, the company has become a world leader
David Massey.
A 200 head-strong staff ensures control all
e company also understands the harsh
and manufacturing. All equipment is designed
activities, from sales through to engineering
in the manufacture and supply of high-quality vibrating equipment to the minerals processing industry. e brand is synonymous with quality,
operating conditions which vibrating screens,
and manufactured by Vibramech without the
reliability, and robust vibrating equipment.
grizzlies and feeders are subjected to in the
use of manufacturing subcontractors. is
mining industry. As such, the company is
ensures complete control over quality and
Today, Vibramech is southern Africa's largest
cognisant that its designs need to cater for both
scheduling.
manufacturer of vibrating minerals processing
abrasive and corrosive environments.
Furthermore, its exible and practical approach
“Our equipment needs to withstand the high
the vibrating equipment geometry, resulting in
requirements. Our current installed base of
wear associated with screening abrasive ores
tailor-made equipment.
over 9 000 pieces of equipment has positioned
such as chrome, platinum and iron ore. We also
to screen design enables the client to optimise
equipment. “We engineer solutions for each client's unique minerals processing
us as market share leader in our eld," says
have a range of speciality liner materials, paint
In addition to on-going new project contracts,
Vibramech CEO, Pieter Bellingan.
speci cations and wear prevention compounds
Vibramech constantly strives to provide clients
which are used to combat the effects of
with augmentations to their existing vibrating
"We are proud to be the preferred supplier of
corrosion in marine and re nery applications.
equipment. is enables it to retro t custom-
vibrating equipment to project houses and
Vibramech even offers the option to install a
made design enhancements to improve on the
mines in southern Africa, and we have earned
screen in stainless steel,” Massey notes.
existing mechanical, wear and process related characteristics of any componentry which may
the reputation of being an OEM that designs and manufactures robust and durable screening
e Vibramech design makes extensive use of
need replacement.
equipment.”
rubber lining to reduce the effect of wear and
Issues such as drive type preference (geared
impact on screen components. A range of steel,
exciters / vibrator motors), increased
e company primarily supplies its equipment
ceramic and polyurethane liners are available to
throughput, improved efficiency, reduced panel
to mining and minerals processing industries
protect screen and grizzly side plates, as well as
pegging and optimised spray con gurations are
across the globe (Africa, Europe, Asia,
feeder pans. An abrasion resistant / anti-
all addressed during the retro tting process.
Australasia, North and South America), and has
corrosion epoxy resin system is used to
In each case, a detailed speci cation for the
extensive experience in gold, diamond, coal,
minimise wear associated with
retro t unit is compiled aer focused
iron ore, manganese, platinum, chrome, nickel,
applications.
nes in wet
consultations with the client, aer which the
uranium, copper, mineral sands and aggregate
“It is imperative that stresses induced by
current installation is geometrically assessed in
operations.
welding are minimised to prevent crack
order to ensure a seamless t into the existing
formation in vibrating equipment,” Massey
plant structure. Once the retro t unit is
Over its lifespan, Vibramech has developed a
says. Vibramech therefore makes use of heat
installed and commissioned, it falls under the
comprehensive range of multi-slope (or
treatment to stress relieve all welded screen
watchful eye of the Vibramech servicing
Banana) screens, horizontal and inclined
components. e overall design philosophy is
infrastructure, providing complete peace of
screens, dewatering screens, grizzly feeders,
to minimise welding and maximise the use of
mind for the client.
Page22
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Nov - Dec 2017
| FMDZ
remacon@telkomsa.net
remacon@telkomsa.net
christopher@remacon.co.za
Opinion
Are mining companies closing the digital disconnect? to-end value chain.
technology to track equipment and employees
across the world and upending industries, has
through the entire operation. It allowed them to
resulted in a digital disconnect in the mining
Closing the digital disconnect will position
optimise the utilisation of equipment, reduce
and metals sector.
mines to be
e current digital disruption that is sweeping
t for purpose for the future,
ensuring practical and sustainable solutions. e digital disconnect – a gap between the
However, many mining companies are yet to
potential from digital transformation and the
seize the advantages of digital. e current rate
stoppages, minimise bottlenecks and improve asset productivity and utilisation. ese mines show the potential that can be
poor track record of successful
of digital progress is out of sync with their scale
reached in terms of both productivity and
implementations – is not because of a lack of
of opportunity. EY's global report, 'e digital
safety.
engagement from the sector, but is rather due to
disconnect: problem or pathway?' found that
unsuccessful implementations, perceptions of
31% of 700 global respondents in the sector say
A pragmatic digital strategy starts with clarity of
high costs relating to IT spend and a disconnect
digital is high on the agenda for their
purpose and understanding where it will create
with current operating models, says Wickus
organisation, while 15% say it is not on their
value, supported by an over-arching, integrated
agenda at all.
3-5 year roadmap of digital initiatives that are
Making digital transformation work
that requires in terms of governance,
Botha, Africa Mining and Metals leader and
margin accretive. Key is understanding what
Wim Hoogedeure, Africa Advisory Mining and Metals leader at professional services rm EY. Using digital transformation to improve
An example of one of the many ways digital can
leadership, culture, capacity, capability, and
productivity, safety
transform operations can be found in a South
digital process maturity.
As productivity remains the number one
numerous structural challenges through the
Other examples where mining and metals
operational risk in the mining sector, digital
use of digital radio technology to monitor slope
companies seized digital opportunities include:
transformation in the sector will be a critical
failures. e technology used by the mine has
African mine. is operation has overcome its
1.
Optimising production plans and productivity rates across any
e n a b l e r t o a d d re s s i n g t h e i n d u s t r y ' s
advanced to a point where it tells the mine's
productivity and margin challenges. Mining
operators where and sometimes when the slope
operation and managing variability
companies will be able to better manage
failures are likely to occur, allowing for
under any conditions. Combining
variability and improve productivity by
evacuations to take place.
merging digital with a manufacturing mindset, which focuses on productivity across the end-
Page24
|
Nov - Dec 2017
detailed ore body data with digitised equipment performance and
A second example is a mine that used digital
| FMDZ
maintenance data, in a real-time
Opinion
environment, allowed scenario
and schedule optimisation tools is
analysis of alternative operating
possible.
premiums via sales contracted at
Understanding true end-to-end
different points of the value chain
plans for variability.
capability and systems bottlenecks,
(e.g., on the water sales).
Enhancing asset availability and
and supporting loss elimination.
reliability. A move to digitally
is is fundamental to a
e mining and metals industry plays an
enabled predictive maintenance
manufacturing excellence mindset.
important role in South Africa's economy.
plans, and the ability to re ne these 2.
capture spot markets and price
allows for the extension of
3.
4.
Increasing agility and
Digital enables mining companies to increase
maintenance windows, reduced
responsiveness to changes in
productivity and also solve safety problems. It is
component and labour costs, and the
market factors, such as freight rates
less about when to go digital, more about how to
minimisation of costly breakdown
and customers' buying behaviour
successfully operate in a digital world. Mining
events. Further, once the effective
trends. is would optimise
companies that will win in the digital age are
maintenance practices are
shipping and scheduling to reduce
those that use digital to solve business
standardised, the introduction of
demurrage, maximise port
problems.
robotic process automation (RPA)
utilisation and also enable miners to
info@tect.co.za
www.tect.co.za
FMDZ |
Nov - Dec 2017
|
Page25
Opinion
Drones are a mining must-have Reasons why drones are a mining must-have
using drones for mining surveying saves time
importance on a mining site and surveying
If you're involved in a mining project, you
and energy, increasing survey speeds and,
mining landscapes, infrastructure, or stockpiles
understand the importance of using the right
ultimately, boosting productivity. Cutting
can be a dangerous business. For example,
tools for optimal results. When it comes to
down on travel time, drones can scan an area
uneven and challenging terrain can result in
scoping and mapping, drones (or Unmanned
much more quickly (and therefore cost-
hazardous working conditions for surveyors
Aerial Vehicles as they are officially called) have
effectively) than more traditional mapping
travelling on foot. With their mapping abilities
proven to be a viable and welcome solution.
methods. And, by removing the human
and ying capabilities, drones are able to avoid
element insofar as the actual survey goes,
potential hazards and remove a large amount of
Achieving an optimal bird's-eye-view of a
drones offer a fast, effective service. In addition,
the risk associated with working on a mining
mining site is a challenging task but drones are
the low staff numbers needed to operate a drone
site. is makes them useful for operations such
uniquely suited to the tasks of aerial mapping
survey leave human resources free to attend to
as blasting and means that human surveyors
and scoping. Not only can they be equipped
other, perhaps more pressing, tasks.
can spend less time on the mining site, facing potential hazards such as cave-ins.
with the latest mapping (as well as tracking and reporting) technology, drone technology brings
3. Lower operational costs. Quite simply,
with it a number of bene ts.
drones are cheaper to operate than traditional surveying equipment. ey do not have the
planning, drones are the way of the future. Need
Here are our top reasons why drones are the best
maintenance and repair costs of manned aerial
a professional drone service provider? DC
choice for mining surveying:
vehicles.
Geomatics offers total aerial surveying services
4. Reduced downtime: In many cases, such as
technology surveying services) to the mining
(including aerial LiDAR and hyperspectral
1. Reliability: Using the latest in 3D technology, drones are able to accurately render overviews
When it comes to mining surveying and
of any terrain, no matter how inaccessible or
stack or stockpile inspections, downtime is
sector in South Africa as well as across the
hazardous. In addition, many drones are
required for a traditional, on foot survey to take
continent of Africa, including Zambia, Angola,
capable of transferring those images (and
place. Not so in the case of a drone survey
Namibi a, and Tanzani a. O ur te am of
related data) to operators for planning and
which, taking place from an aerial perspective,
experienced surveyors are equipped to generate
tracking purposes, in a matter of minutes.
can save expensive downtime hours.
extremely accurate surveys and maps for all our clients, reducing risk and saving on cost.
2. Increased speed, reduced costs: As above,
Page26
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Nov - Dec 2017
5. A premium on safety. Safety is of utmost
| FMDZ
sales@pdtsa.co.za
www.pdtsa.co.za/uav
Health & SAFETY
Busting hearing protection myths A Safety manager hears the excuses dozens of
ticking of a clock, for example), our ears do not
time, the reasons why a worker doesn't want to
have this ability to shut down.
wear the required hearing protection in noisehazardous areas. Some of the excuses would be
responded with a number of speech-friendly hearing protectors. Some have uniform attenuation across all frequencies, so that
e ears still detect sound, even when we are
wearing the earplug reduces volume without
laughable, were it not for the reality that workers
asleep. A worker who feels he no longer needs to
distorting conversations from a co-worker --
lose hearing forever when they do not properly
wear hearing protection is falling victim to his
speech sounds more natural. Some electronic
wear hearing protection in noise-hazardous
own progressive hearing loss. is is one reason
earmuffs are designed with ampli cation
areas.
why annual audiograms are an essential part of
circuits to make speech easier to understand in
a Hearing Conservation Programme. Hearing
intermittent noise. But the best response to this
And sometimes, the excuses have just enough
loss is insidious in its slow progression, such
excuse might just be to remind the worker that a
credibility to almost sound plausible. Is a
that it's difficult for a worker to detect any drop
hearing loss causes a disruption to
worker justi ed in not wearing hearing
in hearing from month to month, much less
communication that is permanent. Protecting
protection when he claims it affects his work
year to year. Audiometric testing detects those
h e a r i n g a l l ow s g o o d c om mu n i c at i on
output, or that he's safer without the hearing
shis in hearing which may be undetectable to
throughout life.
protection?
the worker
Let's review some of the common reasons
2. I can't hear my co-workers when I wear them
3. I need to hear my machine noise and alarms Like its cousin, “I'm safer without my seatbelt,”
workers offer for not wearing their earplugs,
Several research studies have explored why
the excuse that hearing protection prevents one
and dispel some of the myths preventing good
noise-exposed workers don't wear their hearing
from hearing warning signals and alarms is very
protection. “I don't use earplugs, because...”
protection. e primary reason is oen not
short-sighted. e easy answer to this
1. My ears have grown accustomed to the noise.
comfort, rather the workers' fear that it would
complaint is to simply fast-forward a few years:
rst few
interfere with communication and job
the unprotected worker won't be hearing those
weeks on the job, but I guess my ears just
"e noise really bothered me the
performance. For a worker with normal
warning alarms very well in a few years aer
'toughened up', because the noise doesn't
hearing, communication ability actually
incurring noise-induced hearing loss. Ideally, a
bother me now like it used to." But the truth is
improves when wearing hearing protection.
worker should be wearing no more hearing
that a worker who claims his ears have grown
But for a worker with existing hearing loss,
protection than is needed to bring noise levels
accustomed to loud noise has oen just lost
wearing hearing protectors can indeed affect
below 80 dB at the eardrum, and still let the
hearing sensitivity. While the brain can indeed
communication.
worker hear what they need to hear -- warning
Fortunately, some manufacturers have
available to safety managers is
'tune-out' certain repetitive sounds (a ventilation fan, street noise, or continuous
Page28
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Nov - Dec 2017
signals and alarms. A valuable tool now
| FMDZ
t-testing of
Health & SAFETY
earplugs.
sound back to normal. ere is no known cure for a hearing loss due to
Rather than relying upon published rating numbers, t-testing allows a
returns a noise-induced hearing loss back to normal.
loud noise. ere is no surgery, no rehabilitation, no medication that safety manager to accurately measure how much noise is reaching a worker's eardrum. A worker in 95 dB of noise, for example, needs no more
If a safety manager addresses the common excuses that some workers use
than 15 dB of real protection from his earplugs, to be safely protected yet
to avoid good protection, the workers will understand the importance of
still be able to hear warning signals and alarms. Fit-testing allows the
hearing conservation, both on and off the job. Hearing loss due to loud
worker to select the most suitable earplug, avoiding overprotection.
noise is painless and permanent, but also very preventable.
4. ey cause infections in the ear Research shows no higher incidence of new ear infections among earplug wearers compared to the general population. A user is more likely to get an ear infection due to swimming than from earplug use. However, if a wearer has an existing infection, it is best to switch to earmuffs for awhile, rather than aggravate the ear canal by inserting earplugs. It's important to always wear some type of protection when exposed to hazardous noise -even short intervals of unprotected exposures can cause permanent damage to hearing. Keeping some earmuffs on hand, as a temporary replacement for workers with acute ear infections, is good hygiene practice. But avoiding wearing all hearing protection out of fear of contracting an ear infection is unfounded and dangerous. 5. If I lose my hearing, I can always get a hearing aid In this spin on the old “pay me now or pay me later” rationale, some workers rationalize their laziness to protect their hearing by claiming it will all be xed in the end by obtaining a hearing aid. But these workers fail to recognize that hearing aids do not restore normal hearing in the same way glasses restore normal vision. Noise-induced hearing loss doesn't just make sounds soer, rather it distorts them. e most common complaint from a worker with a noise-induced hearing loss is, “I
www.breathalysers.co.za
can hear you, but I just can't understand.”
info@breathalysers.co.za e clarity of the message is gone. While hearing aids do a good job amplifying incoming sound, they rarely restore the clarity of incoming
FMDZ |
Nov - Dec 2017
|
Page29
www.maccaferriafrica.com
trs@ionet.co.za
www.tridentrefactory.com
trs@ionet.co.za
Health & SAFETY
Kansanshi Mining and Kalumbila Minerals take steps to improve mine safety
Kansanshi Mining and Kalumbila Minerals,
e competition has three categories covering
Around the world, miners have to be prepared
together with Lumwana Mine, have taken
scenarios of vehicle on re near a building; a
to deal with emergencies that can happen at any
proactive steps to improve their mine safety
motor vehicle accident and rescue; and rescue
time and threaten the lives and safety of their
procedures.
of an individual in a con ned space.
workforce.
ese steps have been taken by Kansanshi
e rescue teams were expected to both rescue
Mining accidents are extremely costly, whether
Mining and Kalumbila Minerals to save lives
the “victims” – posed by volunteer actors – and
measured in terms of medical expenses and
during an emergency such as a re, explosion or
put out the re within 20 minutes.
disability compensation, lost production and wages, or damage to plant and equipment.
rock fall. Kansanshi Mine won for their prowess and e move follows from Minister of Mines
showing initiative to execute their duty within
“Looking at the enormous investments that go
Christopher Yaluma's recent emphasis on the
the speci ed time in two categories (motor
into mining, any halt in the production chain of
importance of safety in the mining industry.
vehicle accident rescue and putting out a re)
our mines costs money which in turn negatively
successfully.
impacts royalty payments and taxes. So, we will
Kansanshi Mining and Kalumbila Minerals
“It is extremely important that we provide our
continue putting in place measures that will
came together recently to compete in the Morris
employees with the necessary equipment and
ensure that our mining operations remain as
Rowe Safety Trophy Inter Mine Rescue
ensure that we train them in the most pro cient
efficient as possible while maintaining the
C ompetition, which provides a safe
and realistic manner.
absolute safety of our employees,” explains Harmon.
environment for learning and sharing knowledge, realistic rescue scenarios that
“And this will also be followed by regular
stimulate and challenge the teams, as well as a
meetings that will be held between all levels of
“We also need to put in place measures that can
qu a lit y and honest apprais a l of t heir
management and employees to continually
either reduce or prevent any accidents at both
performance with the emphasis on professional
strengthen safety at all of the company's
our Kansanshi and Kalumbila mines. And this
development.
operations,” says Harmon.
is why we introduced a fatigue monitoring
During the competition the teams were
system in the off-road haul trucks aimed at
e award is named aer the general manager
assessed in the four areas of incident command,
addressing both fatigue and traffic-related
of Sentinel mine at Kalumbila.
technical tool operation, medical care and
issues during our mining operations,” she adds.
“Our top priority as a company is to ensure that
scenario.
e new system, which has been approved by
e four assessors debriefed each team
of Mines and Minerals Development, aims to
safety. Each team was given 20 minutes per the Department of Mine Safety at the Ministry
we have a safe and healthy workplace for our employees' ad part of that is rigorous regular risk assessments to identify safety hazards
following their challenge and provided them
alert drivers and their dispatch controllers of
associated with our operations and activities,”
with positive, negative and learning points. e
driver fatigue or a drop-in concentration.
explains Kalumbila Minerals public relations
objective was to obtain the highest score within
coordinator Miriam Harmon.
the allocated time given for each scenario.
Page32
|
Nov - Dec 2017
| FMDZ
Projects
to rest whilst maintaining a maximum deceleration of 2.3m/s2,” the company said. Its engineers designed a large pad version of its VMS3-SPS spring-applied, hydraulically released brake – which it provides for worldwide mine hoists – to meet the site hoists' high rubbing speeds and also to provide greater thermal capacity. “Known as the VMS3-VR the 16 off brakes (eight off on the xed drum and eight off on the
Twi ex selected for Zambia complex Power transmission component group Twi ex
clutched drum) operate on two 6,800mm diameter, 70mm-thick discs, producing a total braking torque of 12.2MNm,” it added.
Twi ex said the BMR double-drum's payload is
has delivered mine hoist parking brakes for
47.5t, and its operation capacity can hit speeds
Twi ex's brakes include a monitoring system to
Mopani Copper Mines' Nkana site in Zambia
of 17.6m per second in a 1,278m-deep sha. A
monitor brake pad wear and loss of braking
Twi ex worked with FLSmidth as well as its
FLSmidth-designed precision control system
force and signal as needed. e VMS3-VRs
own South African distribution associate Tritec
will permit synchronous braking of all brake
include the company's 'parked off ' feature,
Sintered Products for the installation.
units.
allowing them to be adjusted under hydraulic pressure – meaning no stored energy once
FLSmidth supplied a double-drum Blair Multi-
Twi ex's brakes will be used for parking and
Rope (BMR) rock winder and a single-drum
holding each time the mine winders stop.
BMR man/materials winder; the drums on both
pressure is removed. Nkana is one of Africa's largest copper and
winders are identical, measuring 5.7m in
“In exceptional conditions (such as power
cobalt mines, with four underground
diameter with two 1.8m wide rope
failure), the brakes can be used to bring the load
operations and an open pit.
compartments. e programme is aimed at both resource con rmation and resource expansion. CSA Global will prepare a Joint Ore Reserves Committee- (Jorc-) compliant mineral resource estimate in collaboration with Zambian rm GeoQuest, which is responsible for managing the drilling programme. “ is imminent drilling programme is designed to con rm a regulatory Jorc code resource and to test the potential of other nearby areas considered to be prospective,” said CEO Colin Bird. Galileo intends to start work on a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) on the project once the drilling programme is completed. Galileo in August entered into an agreement with BMR Group to acquire a 51% stake in
Drilling to commence at Galileo's Star Zinc joint venture
Enviro Zambia, which holds the Star Zinc project. Under the terms of the agreement,
Drilling on the Star zinc project in Zambia, held ine drilling will provisionally encompass up to
Galileo's stake in Enviro Zambia will increase to
joint venture by Galileo Resources PLC1,750 metres and will go towards both resource (LON:GLR) and BMR Resources (LON:BMR), iscon rmation and resource enlargement.
58% on completion of a PEA.
due to start.
FMDZ |
Nov - Dec 2017
|
Page33
Projects
Vedanta unveils mine digitalisation as key driver of Gamsberg D I V E R S I F I E D m i n e r Ve d a n t a Z i n c
adding that the system should improve
Discovered more than 40 years ago and held
International (VZI) plans to spend around $4m
efficiency by between 10% and 15%.
undeveloped in the asset portfolios of various
over the next three years digitalising its
MineRP executive VP of strategy John
mining companies, Gamsberg boasts a resource
green eld Gamsberg zinc project making it
Megannon said it was not the soware itself, but
of 214-million tons, with an average grade of
likely the rst local mining project in which
rather the development stage at which the
between 6% and 6.5%.
such soware will be introduced at a
system was being introduced, that made the
development stage.
digitalisation of Gamsberg unique.
VZI, which mines zinc in India, South Africa
“Around 90% of platinum and gold miners in
and Namibia, plans to start production at the
In collaboration with GE and mining soware
the country are using the soware, but its not
project in mid 2018, reaching steady-state
developer MineRP, the rst phase of digitalising
about the system in isolation. It has never been
annual production of 250,000 tonnes of zinc a
the mine will see the introduction of a soware
introduced at green elds stage. Here, it is being
year later.
system that will analyse data from the project in
used to instrument the factory before the
real time. is data and information, which relates to the
factory is even operational, whereas the system
Zinc was one of the biggest commodity price
is usually retro tted once production has
gainers on the London Metals Exchange in
already started,” he said.
concentrator and the value of the product, will
2017, Bloomberg data shows, and Vedanta is determined to bene t from the commodity
quality of the ore, the conditions of the Naidoo expressed con dence that the system
rally once Gamsberg is up and running. e
be relayed to the mine management team
would allow the company to be more
metal, which is used in alloys and in the
immediately, allowing quick adjustments to be
op erat iona l ly resp onsive to t he oen
manufacture of paints, rubber, cosmetics,
made to mining and processing activities
tempestuous commodity cycle and could,
pharmaceuticals, plastics and electrical
“e mining industry is abandoning the older
potentially, allow Vedanta to revisit projects
equipment, is currently trading at around
business model and is embracing new
and areas previously considered unmineable.
$1.46/lb.
technolog y. e Gamsberg design and
“Over the years, we've gone into areas that
construction is intended to be at the forefront of
haven't b een safe to mine or are not
Con dence in the zinc market appears to be
this digitalisation,” VZI CEO Deshnee Naidoo
economically mineable. I believe that this
paying off for the miner, which posted EBITDA
told journalists at the announcement of the
technology will allow us to go back into these
of $1.69bn for the six months ended September
initiative on 27 November.
areas and make them safer and more mineable.
30, 2017. It also posted an 80% improvement in
“In the past, a zinc project with a 6% grade
operating income from its zinc business on the
“It's a rst for a green eld project in South
wasn't attractive, but our digitalisation
back of a 42.1% jump in the volume of zinc
Africa. We're not waiting for the project to come
approach to Gamsberg has made it viable,” she
produced from its Indian operation.
online and then retro t it. We're starting the
said.
project the way we want to operate it,” she said,
Page34
|
Nov - Dec 2017
Vedanta hopes to achieve similar success in South Africa.
| FMDZ
Opinion
Upward swing forecast for surface mining equipment e global surface mining equipment market is
of mining activities, it is necessary to introduce
forced to follow strict environmental
expected to grow at a compounded annual
new mining equipment that emits less harmful
regulations. If and when mining companies do
growth rate (CAGR) of 3.24% during the period
particles into water, air, and land.”
not comply, their mining activities during
2017-2021.
certain periods of each year may be banned.” e report further states that one of the biggest
is is according to a research report that covers
challenges in the mining equipment market is
Key questions answered in this report
the present scenario and the growth prospects
environment regulations for mining activities.
– What will the market size be in 2021 and what
of the market by way of study, synthesis, and
“Mining has several negative impacts on the
will the growth rate be?
summation of data from multiple sources.
e nv i ron m e nt , w h i c h n e c e s s it at e s t h e
– What are the key market trends?
application of strict environmental regulations
– What is driving this market?
Commenting on the report, titled Global
on mining companies.
– What are the challenges to market growth?
an analyst from the research team said, “One
“e environmental impacts of mining include
space?
popular trend in the market is environment-
loss of biodiversity, contamination of water
e report contains a comprehensive market
Surface Mining Equipment Market 2017-2021,
– Who are the key vendors in this market
friendly mining activities. Mining can be made
resources, the formation of sinkholes, erosion
and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT
environment-friendly by developing new
of exposed hillsides, soil erosion, and soil
analysis of the key vendors. It has been prepared
strategies and practices, and integrating these
pollution. It is important for mining machinery
using an objective combination of primary and
practices to reduce the negative environmental
to take this into account.
secondary information based on in-depth
“Mining companies in many countries are
experts, covering the market landscape and its
impacts of mining operations.
market analysis with inputs from industry
“To reduce the negative environmental impacts
growth prospects over the coming years.
www.gefasystem.se info@gefasystem.se
FMDZ |
Nov - Dec 2017
|
Page35
Products & SERVICES
SewTreat To Provide Eco-Friendly Innovations In Onsite Wastewater Treatment By making use of the latest advancements in
are evident in our superior proprietary
SewTreat has extensive expertise throughout
sustainable wastewater treatment combined
biological technology. e modular design of
various disciplines and so we are able to offer
with the creation of their own bacterial strains
our treatment plants makes us a leader in
turnkey ser vices which incorporate
developed in-house, SewTreat are able to
providing waste water treatment solutions for
c onsu lt at i on , d e s i g n , m anu f a c tu r i ng ,
answer the needs of industrial, construction
the African continent,” says SewTreat
installation, construction and operational
and mining operations with efficient, affordable
Managing Director and spokesman, eunis
support to our clients that meet all legal and
and eco-friendly waste water treatment
Coetzer.
industry related compliance.”
solutions.
Although the company is newly formed, SewTreat has already become an established
Product Offering
SewTreat is a proudly South African company
name synonymous with international expertise
SewTreat offers several modular waste water
offering specialized, modular biological waste
in providing quality products and services to all
treatment plants tailored to meet the needs of
water treatment plant designs tailor-made for
sectors throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and
industrial sized, mining and construction
the South African and African market. eir
especially in the SADC region. e SewTreat
operations.
approach is based on return activated sludge
team consists of process and civil and process
technology incorporating submersed aeration
engineers, microbiologists, project planners
1. Plastic HDPE Tank Waste water treatment
media. is enhanced bacterial action ensures a
and a network of distributors with over 35 years
plant
highly effective treatment process boasting a
of experience in the eld.
very low carbon footprint, minimal capital input and low maintenance requirements. Understanding the Needs of the Market
e plastic range makes use of plastic 'Jo-Jo' type tanks that are connected in series or
“We have developed our products and services
parallel depending on site space requirements
to embrace our c ustomers' op erat ing
or layout. e plant is wholly constructed and
environments and the ongoing demand for
cold commissioned before delivery to client
“Our approach is to treat nature with nature
environmental, social and nancial sustainable
premises. e installation time required onsite
through sustainable engineering solutions that
solutions,” Coetzer explains. “e team at
is minimal – a 50kl per day plant can be
Page36
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Nov - Dec 2017
| FMDZ
Products & SERVICES
assembled on site in less than
ve days. A
water treatment plant.
aerobic process. ey are then returned to the
guarantee of up to 20 years is offered on the
a n a e r o b i c p h a s e t o e l i m i n at e s l u d g e
tanks depending on the type of tanks used in the
3. Civil Constructed Waste water treatment
plant. “We developed this range based on a need
plant
accumulation and waste generation.
we saw in the market for a more cost effective
eir civil constructed plants are designed and
“In a nutshell, the bacteria digest all impurities
solution for sewage treatment.,” Coetzer
constructed mostly for large ow industrial and
and the wastewater is then cleansed. e treated
explains, although he notes that while the
housing development applications. e plants
wastewater or effluent can then be discharged to
plastic plants are cost effective in term if capital
are aest hetically ple asing as t he y are
receiving waters – normally a river or the sea –
expenditure, the do carry very high shipping
constructed underground and can be covered
or alternatively used for irrigation, ushing of
costs and so he does not recommend them for
with vegetation and are entirely civil designed
toilets or general non-potable uses,” explains
installations outside of South Africa.
and constructed to exact civil engineering
Coetzer. “SewTreat has developed a highly
requirements. ese plants boast several
effective multiple strain bacteria range that gets
2. Containerized Waste water treatment plant
advantages for clients including the fact that the
added to our plants, this speci cally bred
e containerized plant is well suited to rugged
civil construction can be subcontracted to local
bacteria feed on the complex substances in the
African conditions. e concept is based on a
contractors to reduce construction costs.
wastewater, converting them into simpler
'plug and play' design, Coetzer explains, saying
substances, improving
that they are designed for ease of transport,
Coetzer explains that provision can also be
s e c u r it y an d m o du l ar it y, t a k i ng i nt o
made for easy plant expansion through simple
nal effluent on a
reduced footprint.”
consideration that the plant may be moved to
modular and common wall construction and
He notes that globally, the composition of
various locations. “e complete WWTP is
that if the plant is gravity-fed, the system can
effluents discharged to receiving waters is
built into ISO High Cube Containers. e
operate without electricity for up to 48 hours.
regulated by the national environment
plants are can be easily moved from site to site,
is makes the product an effective alternative
agencies. e legislation is concerned with the
can be easily expanded and have a once off cost
for remote operations, for countries with
prevention of pollution, and therefore sets
to the client as they can be moved from site to
unreliable power supply, or where no municipal
concentration limits on dissolved organic
site as needed,” says Coetzer.
connection is available.
carbon (as BOD or COD), nitrogen and phosphates and other compounds which cause
“Our recent upgrade of our design makes this a
A Greener Approach
eutrophication in receiving waters. It also
very competitive option for onsite waste water
Biological waste water treatment is an accepted
attempts to limit the discharge of known toxic
treatment. e plant is wholly constructed and
practice used worldwide. e process involves
chemicals by setting allowable concentration
tested at our 5000m² under-roof facilities which
con ning naturally occurring bacteria at a very
limits in the effluent. “If we consider that 100%
ensures that all boxes are ticked in terms of
high concentration in the treatment process,
of the effluent can be recycled, if done properly,
quality control procedures. e containerized
whether it is plastic type, containerized type of
there is no doubt that through this we are
plant offers a life span of 15 to 20 years which is
civil constructed type. From here this bacteria,
providing large bank of water, which previously
excellent for a plug and play solution,” says
together with some protozoa and other
may not have been considered as 'safe' for the
Coetzer explaining that installation literally
microbes (collectively referred to as activated
environment or community.”
requires only connecting of pipes to the waste
sludge) are treated in an anaerobic and an
FMDZ |
Nov - Dec 2017
|
Page37
Products & SERVICES
Drill Pipe and Accessories for the Mining Industry Tube Technologies manufactures drill pipe,
eissen, FQML, Sandvik and many other
adaptors / subs, straight ribbed stabilisers and
organisations across six continents. ey
Moghrein copper-gold operation, which is
casing for the mining, water, horizontal
consistently manufacture a variety of original
owned by Mauritanian Copper Mines, a First
directional drilling (HDD) and construction
equipment manufacturer (OEM) drilling
Quantum subsidiary.
industries.
products on time and under budget.
ey also supply down-the-hole hammers and hammer, tricone and drag bits.
products and accessories within the Guelb
Drilling equipment for mine rescue support e c omp a ny c ompr i s e s e x p e r i e n c e d
Tube Technologies' drilling products were used
professionals who possess a strong
successfully during the Chilean Mine Rescue,
Drill pipe and accessories for the mining
understanding of the manufacturing industry,
they engineered and manufactured drill pipe
sector
as it relates to drilling products. It will quote any
that was selected to advance the boring utilised
Tube Technologies is ISO 9001: 2008 certi ed
sized mining project, and our products are
to establish the rescue sha. is was a highlight
and practices an ISO 9000 quality management
trusted worldwide.
for the company to be able to assist in a
system.
humanitarian effort to save lives. eir products are currently utilised in mining
e company focuses on meeting customer
operations within Australia, Burkina Faso,
eir selection of pipe for such a perilous
exp ec tations and delivering c ustomer
Canada, Mexico, Russia, the US, and Vietnam.
mission was a testament to our product's
s a t i s f a c t i o n . e Tu b e Te c h n o l o g i e s
ey are also a consistent supplier of drilling
quality, and the processes that we maintain to
manufacturing process involves precise
ensure quality standards.
engineering, designing to customer speci cations, and extensive quality control. ey integrate design engineering, advanced technology inertia welding, upset forging and heat treatment to enhance the product. e facility holds computer numerical control (CNC) machines, EMI MAG Particle and a high-quality control laboratory to deliver highperformance products internationally. OEM supplier of mining industry drilling products Tube Technologies supplies Atlas Copco, Epiroc
Page38
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Nov - Dec 2017
| FMDZ
Products & SERVICES
Mitigating risks on elevated platforms RCT's remote control solution is safeguarding mobile elevated work platform operators aer a near fatality at a mine site highlighted the need to reform the process e operation of mobile elevated work platforms currently requires two people: one in the basket and one operating the movements from the ground. RCT's ControlMaster MTX1000 pendant remote is mitigating the risk, giving the control to the person in the basket. is enables the person working at a hazardous height to control the liing, lowering, crowning and tilting functions. Further safeguarding this procedure is the MTX1000's safety interlock feature. is solution has already been sought aer by one mining contractor, which required a simple and cost-effective solution to ensure operator safety that wouldn't require extensive machine modi cations or ongoing service and maintenance. RCT's automation and control product manager Brendon Cullen said: “e MTX disparity checks all proportional outputs, making it safer than a conventional hardwired solution. If an incident was to occur, our remote control will shut down straight away, rather than move the basket back to its original position.” In addition, the solution provides a master control in the operator station cabin for a second operator to be able to resume control if required, further safeguarding operators. “With ultimate control moved to the operator in the basket, the risk of crushing and pinching incidents is vastly reduced,” he added. e MTX1000 is the latest addition to the ControlMaster radio remote control range. It is designed with the same operating platform as RCT's ATX2200 but conveniently packaged into an even lighter remote control.
sales@safety-showers.com
www.safety-showers.com
e remote control includes a graphical display, proportional joysticks, dead-man and control buttons. It can be operated continuously for more than 16 hours before it requires recharging.
FMDZ |
Nov - Dec 2017
|
Page39
Products & SERVICES
DINGO - e Global Leader in Predictive Maintenance Used by the world's leading miners to
e engine of these Asset Health programmes
100% committed to keeping your assets
increase availability, extend asset life, and
is Trakka®, the industry-leading condition
healthy and operations running smoothly.
reduce maintenance costs by millions.
management system designed to house all
DINGO unites maintenance expertise with industry-leading technology to help mines quickly and cost-effectively implement Asset Health programmes that deliver real-world results. By continuously improving the health and performance of equipment, Dingo's solutions increase availability, extend component life, and reduce operating costs, with typical payback of >3:1 within 12
your condition monitoring data under one roof. Its proprietary predictive analytics and global equipment database span operating environments, OEMs and equipment, and will provide your mine with the insights and decision-support to run a highly effective directly integrated with existing systems or operate in parallel. Either way, this practical, predictability, productivity, and performance.
Used by mines across the globe, Dingo operates with one goal in mind: to improve the health and life of mining equipment. Dingo achieves this goal by arming maintenance teams with the systems, processes and knowledge to build highly effective Asset Health programmes.
Page40
|
Nov - Dec 2017
asset health and extending asset life at mines across the globe, Dingo's real-world solutions have saved the mining industry hundreds of millions of dollars… and counting. Products and Services
Asset Health programme. Trakka can be
proven system will increase asset
months.
Backed by a 25-year track record of improving
Trakka® Condition Management Soware ·
: Industry-leading, cloud-based
predictive analytical and work ow management tool that distills data down to
For mines that need additional expertise,
precise the maintenance actions that will keep
Dingo's team of Condition Intelligence
assets in peak operating condition.
experts has over 800 years of combined maintenance experience and manages the
Condition Intelligence™ Expert Service
condition of over 125,000 vital components
·
daily. ese unbiased, third-party experts are
by a team of maintenance experts dedicated to
| FMDZ
: Condition management conducted
Products & SERVICES keeping your assets healthy and operations
Contact us today to nd out how much you
running smoothly.
can save:
Heinrich Becker
E-mail: info@dingo.com
Krypton Mining
Website: http://www.dingo.com/
+27 (0)82 879 9016
Dingo Managed Solution ·
: Dingo's maintenance professionals
Dingo Channel Partner in Africa:
hbecker@dingo.com
will run your condition management system & processes – allowing you to focus on other vital needs. Austmine Award Winning Field Inspection App ·
: A mobile, end-to-end solution for eld inspection data capture and real-time
analysis by a centralised expert. ·
Dingo Benchmarks™: Dingo has built
the world's largest
eet health and life
benchmarking database. Use the power of this i n for mat i on to u nd e rst and how you r equipment stacks up vs. the competition, set informed budget targets, and maximise equipment health and operating life.
www.flowrox.co.za FMDZ |
Nov - Dec 2017
|
Page41
Products & SERVICES
Cooling towers and heat exchangers within the SX-EW process South African based Industrial Water Cooling
cooling towers will meet the required duty and
maintenance.
(IWC), along with its wholly owned subsidiary
adhere to all the necessary plant speci cations
Tektower, has been providing cooling tower and
but also need to ascertain:
In the SX process plate heat exchangers are used
heat exchanger solutions to Zambian and DRC
·
to control chemical temperatures within the
how readily available spare parts are
mines for many years. Solvent extraction (SX)
(in an emergency ex-stock parts will
autoclave where crushed copper ore is leached
and electrowinning (EW) processes are typical
ensure production continuity while long
with sulphuric acid to produce impure
to these mines. Heat generated by SX-EW plant
lead parts can bring production to a
solutions of copper sulphate.
processes either needs to be rejected or
standstill),
exchangers can then be incorporated to recycle
harnessed and transferred back into the system. Cooling Towers Cooling towers form the heart of a plants
·
Spiral heat
are spare parts sourced locally or regionally,
the rich acid's low-grade heat, which in turn can
or do they need to be imported from abroad,
then be used to pre-heat the lean acid coming
and
back from solvent SX.
· have the full tower speci cations and spare
cooling system and provide the necessary heat
parts lists been made available by the
In the EW process plate heat exchangers can
rejection for SX-EW plants to operate
original supplier in a language that the end
deliver optimum heat recovery by recovering
effectively and efficiently. Dependant on the
user understands?
low grade heat generated during the process
design conditions and required duty, cooling
R e g u l a r c o mp r e h e n s i v e p r e v e nt at i v e
towers can either be smaller factory assembled
maintenance of cooling towers is key to cooling
package type cooling towers or large
eld
erected cooling towers. Given the corrosive
towers delivering the duties and performance
IWC are the leaders in industrial cooling tower
they were designed for.
systems in Africa and has extensive experience
Heat Exchangers
mining industry.
environment within SX-EW plants, cooling towers need to be robust and corrosion proof to
and using it to preheat the rich electrolyte.
in providing cooling solutions for the copper IWC has successfully
ensure the maximum return on a mine's
Heat generated during SX processes can be
undertaken more than 80% of all natural
CAPEX spend; while ease of cooling tower
harnessed and transferred back into the system
draught cooling tower refurbishment work in
operation and maintenance, along with readily
using heat exchangers. Gasketed and welded
southern Africa.
available and competitively priced cooling
plate heat exchangers are arguably the most
tower spare parts, impact directly on a mine's
efficient technology for heat transfer.
OPEX spend.
ey
Deon Fawell
offer close temperature design, large heat
Key Accounts Manager
transfer areas and are up to 90% smaller than
+27 – 11 – 466 – 0699
Procurement managers, along with engineering
equivalent shell-and-tube heat exchangers.
deon@iwc.co.za
and maintenance teams, need to ensure that any
Plate heat exchangers are also low cost and low
Page42
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Nov - Dec 2017
| FMDZ
salesforce@mpcsa.co.za
www.mpcsa.co.za
Products & SERVICES
Demolish and rebuild with the MB drum cutter | MB-R700 is is a stor y of demolition. And of
that made it shapeless and occupied space. And
system with an integrated Power Booster, which
construction. Or, as in the best fairy tales, we
of course, as everyone knows, on a construction
reduces the demand for hydraulic power from
might say, once upon a time in Mexico City
site gaining even an extra centimetre means less
the work vehicle, with consequent fuel savings.
there was a factory which, aer closing down,
expenditure and less work.
was due to be demolished to make room for a new shopping mall. So there was the old and the new and, in the
e direct drive twin motor system, on the other hand, is a patented system that makes it
At this point the MB-R800 drum cutter came
possible to distribute the force of the two rock
into play. Mounted on a 20 ton Cat excavator,
cutter heads in different ways. e advantage is
the drum cutter removed the excess part of the
huge, since the power of the two drums is
middle, an MB Crusher MB-R800 drum cutter,
wall in as little as two weeks. So it was not
managed on the basis of the toughness of the
operated by Pilotec SA de CV, the Mexican
necessary to construct a revetment wall, as is
material, and the vibrations transmitted to the excavator arm are absorbed.
company commissioned to do the construction
oen the case in such worksites. No further
works.
costs were incurred and the construction of the new shopping mall was completed within the
us it is possible to cut various different kinds
e site
delivery data requested by the Client.
of material, from hard to less resistant, using the
demolished. en the basement of the new
An excavator-friendly drum cutter
low and the full set of picks to be used
building was excavated and diaphragm walls (or
e MB Crusher drum cutter enabled Pilotec
depending of the material to be cut.
First of all a part of the old factory was
same drum cutter: simply choose between the
underground bulkheads) were built, i.e. walls
SA to save time and money. But it also brought
made of reinforced concrete that prevent the
great advantages in terms of productivity, safety
So as the site manager of Pilotec con rms:
earth next to the excavated area from collapsing.
in the workplace and maintenance time. MB
“With the MB Crusher drum cutter, our
Real effective supports for the perimeter
drum cutters are equipped with an integrated
customer saved money on costs and we nished
structures. ese are usually used to protect
safety system which triggers if the excavator
the work in record time. So we are both very
areas excavated to accommodate underground
settings are not properly regulated. And that's
satis ed”.
oors (garage, car parks, etc.), or as a support of
not all. e two drums can be disassembled
bridge foundations or on the building sites for
directly on-site, without the drum cutter having
Focus on MB-R
jetties and docks, as well as for the construction
to be taken to a specialised workshop.
ere are three models in the MB-R range: the
of deep wells.
Moreover, their unique design allows them to
smallest, the MB-R700, works with excavators
work underwater as well.
from 6 to 13 tons; the MB-R800, the star of the
e excavator is thankful too when it works
adapts to excavators from 10 to 22 tons; last but
e MB Crusher drum cutter at work Aer completing the diaphragm walls, Pilotec
Mexican construction site, weighs 1 ton and
was le with a problem: how to eliminate all the
with an MB drum cutter. at's right, because
not least, the largest of the series, the MB-R900,
excess material le on the wall, inert material
the drum cutter uses an AAA+ type hydraulic
for excavators from 19 to 35 tons.
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Products & SERVICES
SANY is at the front end of mining with its latest wheel loader Goscor Earth Moving (GEM), part of the
e high-pressure
xed variable con uence
structural members result in an extended
Goscor Group, is making its presence felt in the
hydraulic system ramps up operating efficiency
service life of up to 10 000 hours. Safety features
mining industry with the launch of a new front
by over 12%, while total fuel consumption is
include a fully-hydraulic service brake,
end loader that offers end users the lowest total
slashed by more than 15%. e panoramic
electrically-controlled parking brake, and a cab
super-large cab has a noise level of only 75 dBa
with FOPS and ROPS functions.
cost of ownership.
for enhanced operator comfort, together with With a bucket capacity of 2.7 m3 to 4.5 m3, the
features such as an adjustable suspended seat,
SYL956H1 front-end loader is ideal for heavy-
and a multi-directional spatial air-conditioner
duty mining operations, GEM Sales Director
for both heating and cooling.
Andre Steenkamp comments. e highly efficient drive system features a rotar y
e ngertip-operation pilot system has been
automatic gearbox that boosts travel speed by
con gured with a variety of functional buttons
10% and increases towing force by over 6%. e
in the cab. Highly-reliable key components
rated load is 5 000 kg, rated power is 162 kW,
such as the DANA gearbox and heavy-duty
“We expect SANY's market share in South Africa to increase signi cantly as a result of the distribution agreement concluded with GEM,” Managing Director Barry Owen stresses. “Mining is recovering, and while the South African economy has been continuously weak for years, it should come to the point where it bounces back a little.”
and the maximum liing force is 172 kN.
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info@investmech.com
www.investmech.com
Products & SERVICES
Extracting more for less in Solvent Extraction Process | ENDRESS + HAUSER The target is to produce a rich and concentrated solu on to be used further in the electro winning process Copper is one of the few metals that occur in nature in a directly usable metallic form, also known as native metals, as opposed to needing extraction from an ore. is led to very early human use, from 8000 BC. It was the rst metal to be smelted from its ore 5000 BC, the rst metal to be cast into a shape in a mold 4000 BC and the rst metal to be purposefully alloyed with another metal, tin, to create bronze 3500 BC. In the middle ages, the oxidized layer of copper was naturally leached by water, depleting the upper layers of oxidised ore and revealing the rich copper laden solutions. is prompted miners to dig deeper, heap the ore and leach it out. is is known as hydrometallurgical production, the extracted solvents can be
electro-won, and almost pure copper anodes produced. e pyrometallurgical method uses commination (pulverisation), otation, smelting and converting to produce anodes. e cemented copper that is produced by precipitation in the leaching process can be added to the smelting process for further processing to anodes. During this cementation (iron precipitation) copper is produced by running the pregnant leach solution through a pile of scrap iron or steel. An electromechanical process takes place, and the copper precipitates onto the iron/steel, which in turn dissolves into the solution. It detaches as akes or powder. e pregnant leachate that is produced from the
FMDZ |
leaching process, will contain the leaching agent, either water or H2SO4 for oxide ores. Acid cure and acid-ferric cure are used for mixed ores. Some plants use an acid/kerosene mix. e process has to remove and recover the copper from the leachate, and remove impurities. is process has to be controlled, and as we know, when we measure, we can control. Ores that have been mined, crushed and dumped on impervious pads, are usually sprinkled or sprayed with the leaching solution, in the heap leaching process. Ponding, ooding or trickle systems can be used for dump leaching. e pregnant liquor is then fed to a solvent extraction plant, which can be optimised by various methods.
Nov - Dec 2017
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Products & SERVICES
Endress+Hauser suggests that by measuring the pH, Conductivity and Interface Levels, the process can be managed and optimised for maximum extraction, and minimum wastage. Level interface with ENDRESS + HAUSER Level ex FMP55 guided wave radar with Heartbeat Technology™.
into one device. It will simultaneously provide a reliable and accurate measurement of the top level and interface levels, even in emulsion layers. To accurately assure the correct metal extraction, we need to measure the conductivity of the settling chamber. is measurement will ensure that we have control of the transition stage from organic to aqueous. If not correctly controlled, this may cause “mud”, and as a result – plant downtime and wastage of additives. We use the Indumax CLS50D sensor, and a CM44x for this measurement.
Most important in the solvent extraction phase (sx) is detection and monitoring of the depth of the organic phase. e copper is trapped in the top layer. Automation is the norm in modern plants, since this does away with manual dipping, and the subsequent errors that it can produce. To this end, with the aid of Sensorfusion, Endress+Hauser has taken the reliability and accuracy of our guided wave radar and capacitance level, and combined it
e CLS50D is an inductive conductivity sensor that can withstand high temperatures
and has high chemical resistance. It has the added advantage of having Memosense digital technology. To accurately control our addition of solution, and the returned aqueous raffinate , we need to know the pH values. For this we use the CPF81D PH sensor. It is a robust, low maintenance sensor with Memosense digital technology. We scratched on the surface of the extraction processes. Uranium, gold, palladium and platinum are commodities that can go through the same process, but with differences in the re ning process. By Pieter Andjelkovic piet.andjelkovic@za.endress.com
clayton@brooklyneng.co.za
www.brooklyneng.co.za Page48
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Company NEWS
The rst female Marketing Manager of Endress+Hauser South Africa
Recently appointed Head of Marketing – Natlee
something happening, so it is never dull or
since. He is de nitely my better half, as well as
Chetty is the rst female Marketing Manager of
boring - every week is an adventure. I embrace
my biggest fan. We have an amazing son, Ethan,
Endress+Hauser South Africa.
Not the
the new challenges and enjoy the learning
who is eight years old. What I enjoy most about
conventional engineering prototype that you
experience, this helps me to grow. Aer all, you
him, other than his contagious laugh, is that he
wou ld exp e c t, Nat le e b ot h war m and
never know what you are capable of, until you
has allowed me the opportunity to relive my
charismatic, appeared stylish in heels, when we
take that rst step and go for it. I also love the
childhood. I now appreciate and enjoy the
sat down to chat about her success in her career.
travelling and opportunity to meet people from
things I used to do as a child so much more. To
“I started my career 14 years ago at the South
different cultures and countries. e best thing
see the world again through his eyes is the most
African breweries as a trainee in Engineering,
for me is to be part of the Endress+Hauser
precious gi in the world."
aer completing my Diploma in Electronic
family and be able to do what I love. We can be a
Engineering”. Although Natlee started her
crazy bunch at times, we work hard and play
To end I asked what advice she has for young
career in Engineering, her real passion lay in
even harder,” she laughs.
women out there in this industry, and she said,
as an External Sales Engineer in the Durban
Now I know you are all wondering just like me,
want to be. Pursue the things you love no
Office. Finally in 2013 she made her way into
how she balances family life with a career.
matter how difficult it gets because you can only
marketing. In 2007 she joined Endress+Hauser
“Have a clear vision for yourself and where you
Marketing as a Product Manager. Aer
Interestingly enough, Natlee doesn't think the
become truly accomplished at something you
obtaining a bachelor's degree in Marketing
two should be separated. “I think when work is
love doing, and then do it so well that people
Management with Cum Laude, she moved into
something you are passionate about it's not
can't take their eyes off of you. I would also say
the position of Industry Manager in 2015,
about work or life; it's just life. I have a simple
to surround yourself with a few people who
before assuming her current role as the Head of
philosophy, there is always time to do the things
believe in your dreams and always see the best
Marketing.
I love and that make me happy. My family is
in you. ey will help you through the tough
very important to me and I would not be where
times when you lose faith in yourself. Invest
I had to ask what is it that she enjoys most about
I am today without them. I have an older sister
your time in helping others succeed. I strongly
her new position, to which the answer came as
who is an outstanding role model to me. My
believe that when we truly and genuinely invest
no surprise. “is position provides me with a
dad was also a great source of inspiration and
into the success of others it has a boomerang
unique opportunity to bring together all of the
motivation for me. Everything I am is because
effect and comes back to you. Lastly, in the
experience I have gained over the years and to
of him. He taught me how to always strive for
famous words of Coco Chanel - Always keep
do this in an amazing family company. At
excellence, set goals and keep moving forward.
your head, heels and standards high”.
Endress+Hauser we have an incredible team
I met my husband 18 years ago when we were
that I really enjoy working with. ere is always
still teenagers and he has been my best friend
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