PROVIDING CUSTOMISED SOLUTIONS TO THE MINING INDUSTRY
TRANSFORMING MINE WASTE INTO SOCIETAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND
Providing customised solutions to the mining industry for over a century, Fraser Alexander is a global partner adding value to mining, waste, and infrastructure through smart solutions. We speak to Lourens De Koning, COO, about the company’s extensive history and plans for a sustainable future
Writer: Lauren Kania | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
Having provided customised solutions to the mining sector since 1912, Fraser Alexander is an industry stalwart, passionate about helping its clients avoid daily disruptions, maximise production, and enhance the entire value chain.
A trusted mining services partner, the company has worked diligently to develop a reputation for reliability, innovation, managing risk, and creating sustainable success with its clients, even during changing times. Founded over a century ago as the first tailings deposition service provider in the Witwatersrand region, South Africa (SA), to use cocopans to remove tailings from processing plants, the company has
grown to become an industry leader that prioritises a safe, disruption-free day.
Today, Fraser Alexander is proud to be a fully Black-owned and South African group, expanding its innovative business across the world and offering outsourced services and related infrastructure to move, manage, and add value to minerals, waste, and water.
“Whilst we primarily focus on tailings management, over the years, we have diversified into many other services, including construction, material handling, transportation, mineral processing, water treatment, and more,” introduces Lourens De Koning, COO.
FRASER ALEXANDER AT A GLANCE
• 100 percent Black-owned
• Founded 113 years ago
• Services two-thirds of the outsourced market across Africa
• Only contractor insured
• Experienced support team of approximately 3,000
• Services 80 percent of the outsourced coal processing sector
• Operations spanning 200 sites across two continents
The company’s impressive growth and service offerings are exemplified by its rapid expansion across the African continent in countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),
alongside current operations in South America, all whilst seeking opportunities to spread its footprint even further in regions such as Central Asia, North America, and Australia.
“We’re looking to establish Fraser
Alexander as a true localised business in each country where we operate. Therefore, our clientele focus and expansion strategy are based on building a sustainable business in those regions,” elaborates De Koning. Having held the position of COO
for eight years, De Koning plays a key role in shaping the company’s operational strategy and ensuring it thrives as a primary player in the mining services industry.
With over 22 years of experience in civil and geotechnical
engineering, collaborative project execution, leadership, and executive management, he is South Africanborn and raised, and found his passion for the industry whilst studying civil engineering at the University of Pretoria.
“Working in the mining sector, understanding the client base, decrypting the economics, and working to expand the business across a large industry is what makes this career exciting,” he impassions.
TRANSFORMING THE INDUSTRY
Currently, the mining industry is facing a variety of challenges due to environmental and climate change pressures, turbulent geopolitics, rapid technological changes, and a global maintenance skills shortage.
However, this does not intimidate nor dull the excitement that Fraser Alexander experiences when looking at the future of the international sector.
“The mining industry is invigorating, often because of the challenges we face. At the moment, we are dealing with the legacy issues of mining and a
lack of investment in the sector across Africa,” details De Koning.
“The sector is putting a lot of effort into redefining the future of mining and how it could become more environmentally friendly, ultimately doing away with the legacies of the past.”
Whilst it is important to recognise the necessary changes industries must go through in order to encourage a sustainable future, it would be a crucial mistake to overlook the importance mining has on the current economy and daily lifestyle of individuals and businesses across the globe.
Specifically, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mining sector in SA stepped in to stimulate the national economy and provide assistance throughout the unprecedented event.
“The evident care for people and operations, as well as the commitment to the continuity of the economy, was remarkable during this time. It showcases how important these sectors are to society,” imparts De Koning.
MINING OUTLOOK: CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT FRASER ALEXANDER’S FOCUS ON LOCAL EMPLOYMENT?
Lourens De Koning, COO: “Localisation is extremely important. Wherever we operate, we employ within a 50-kilometre radius as much as possible and go through an entire upskilling process.
“We do a lot of training, including safety, basic, skilled, and certified training. We have quite a large training department focusing on providing local development and bringing people through the ranks for significant career growth.
“In Africa, we’re highlighting in-country skills development, looking at local management and upskilling locals into head office support and operations.
“We are supported by the South African management team, with a predominantly localised team in each country, from senior management level right down to ground-level operations, all in an effort to embrace new cultures and build a long-term sustainable business.
“We’re very proud of the diversity of our business in South Africa and globally - our employees represent different cultures, genders, regions, and generations.”
Fraser Alexander is working to differentiate itself from the competition through various means, one of which is its values, consisting of excellence, innovation, integrity, care, and teamwork, which underpin all that it stands for.
“We work hard to ensure our values are something everyone is aligned with throughout our business. During recruitment, we ensure the people who join fit our culture of determination and success,” he specifies.
The company guarantees this mindset by providing its employees with regimented training, no matter the department. It emphasises upskilling people and transferring knowledge throughout the business
prepared for whatever challenges the
mechanisation alongside its vast
“We started with a team full of engineers. Now we have data analysts, computer specialists, and others who help us maintain our position at the top of the industry,” expands De Koning.
Digital Value Assurance for a Technology Future
Wielding the power of technology to provide you with the top digital advisory services, Singularity Data Solutions is here to transform your business and help you successfully navigate a technological future with confidence.
As a specialist organisation based in South Africa that focuses on utilising technological advances to the fullest to help your business thrive, we offer services including digital strategy definition, digital advisory services, solution architecture, solution delivery, and a Centre of Excellence establishment and operation. Our value lies in our ability to orchestrate technology to create value by using disruptive concepts and technologies to your advantage.
Equally, we assist various organisations in setting up and transitioning into digitally mature businesses through strategic, tactical, and operating model design whilst remaining deliveryfocused on all engagements.
Through our many years of collective experience, Singularity Data Solutions has formulated a homegrown digital maturity framework that evaluates strategy, people, processes, technology, and data management capabilities in a business.
WHY CHOOSE SINGULARITY DATA SOLUTIONS?
With a grand vision of being internationally known as a digital transformation specialist who leverages innovative thinking in order to continuously improve client’s value proposition, Singularity Data Solutions is unapologetic in our climb towards the top of the industry.
We stand by our mission statement of being a long-term partner to our clients by leveraging data to provide operational, tactical, and strategic value across their various organisations.
The company works to achieve this in a variety of manners. This includes standardising the technology landscape and driving a cost-saving and revenue-generating culture across IT and digital implementation, providing a reference architecture blueprint to increase speed on the selection and execution of digital solutions, and offering a prioritisation and feasibility framework for digital solutions selection and roll-out.
Additionally, Singularity Data Solutions works to improve stakeholder communication and support digital solution roll-out, align existing and new IT and digital projects to meet business aspirations, and create a sustainable digital implementation and operations function.
WHAT DOES SINGULARITY DATA SOLUTIONS OFFER?
What makes Singularity Data Solutions the optimum partner for your technology solutions?
We are internally focused, prioritising being efficiency-driven whilst promoting cost reduction and organisational optimisation alongside offering support with internal processes, HR, finance, and supply chain.
We are also externally focused, ensuring our team emphasises a customer-first attitude whilst providing market differentiation, revenue, and market growth for products, services, and innovation.
Additionally, we are risk-focused, highlighting the importance of asset risk, workforce risk, and customer risk, allowing us to provide reliable and top-quality assistance with asset management, workforce management, and safety, health, environment, and quality (SHEQ) management.
Overall, the services we provide for our clients at Singularity Data Solutions include digital advisory, solution architecture, network assessment, technology optimisation, and solution delivery. You can be confident in your company’s digital assessment and transformation when partnering with Singularity Data Solutions, where we wield the power of people and technology to optimise your solutions and maximise your technology investments!
CLIENT REFERENCE
“In 2015, Fraser Alexander first developed its Technical and Operational Risk Assessment system, TORAS - featuring a comprehensive tailings risk management methodology. TORAS serves as an internal monitoring tool and integration platform allowing Fraser Alexander to monitor and manage operational risk effectively with features such as data validation protocols, automated triggers and notifications, and auditability.
Singularity Data Solutions partnered with Fraser Alexander to transform TORAS into an advanced tailings risk management platform. Compliant with global standards like the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, TORAS integrates IoT, drone technology, and third-party systems to automate data collection and deliver comprehensive operational risk insights. Featuring a dataportal, automated alerts, and workflow tools, it enhances transparency and efficiency. Singularity’s expertise in strategy, sustainable solutions, and cost-efficient development, combined with Fraser Alexander’s tailings management depth, ensures practical, cuttingedge implementation. TORAS now sets the benchmark for innovation and accountability in mining.”
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
Over the course of its longestablished history, Fraser Alexander has situated itself as the largest tailing and mine waste management company of its kind, gaining a reputation for transforming mine waste into societal, environmental, and economic value.
“This achievement was something built over a long period of time. Starting in SA, we were the first company to assist clients in building these tailing facilities, which are some of the largest manmade structures in the world,” explains De Koning.
Having dominated the South African market, the company was able to expand further, both in terms of its service offerings and the countries and regions it was present in.
In 1994, the Merriespruit tailings dam failed, resulting in wide-scale destruction that forced the industry to reevaluate its tailings management and engineering procedures. Fraser Alexander was at the forefront of this redesign, not only as a service provider but also as a leader in many of the technical and R&D fronts, which served to further distinguish its ability to innovate and remain an industry frontrunner.
“This allowed us to work with international clients and strengthen our company name by further contributing to the industry,” insights De Koning.
Evidently, Fraser Alexander’s vast expertise has asserted its reputation for excellence, showcasing its hardearned experience in retreating and re-mining in a manner that prevents the possibility of any future failures.
As the company continues to look towards another century of success, it is prioritising expansion and operational excellence throughout 2025, working to ensure Fraser Alexander remains on top during a volatile period for the sector.
“We are seeking to optimise current operations and capitalise on the
“WE’RE LOOKING TO ESTABLISH FRASER ALEXANDER AS A TRUE LOCALISED BUSINESS IN EACH
COUNTRY WHERE
WE
OPERATE.
THEREFORE, OUR CLIENTELE FOCUS AND EXPANSION STRATEGY ARE BASED ON BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS IN THOSE REGIONS”
– LOURENS DE KONING, COO, FRASER ALEXANDER
opportunities we have been working on for a long time to advance them to realisation,” informs De Koning.
Specifically, the company is looking to expand further into South America and the African region in addition to embarking upon the
utilisation of brownfields as a means of development.
It is doing so by mechanising operations specific to these regions and actively upskilling its people to be ready for the new environments and unique challenges they each pose.
ADVANCED VALVE AND PUMP SOLUTIONS
At Paltech, being a leading South African OEM of advanced valve solutions is a point of pride. Our flagship products, the PAL-T High-Performance Single Eccentric Butterfly Valve and the Transformer Radiator Isolation Valve, are engineered to meet the rigorous demands of various industries.
ADVANCED VALVE SOLUTIONS
Durability, compact design, and high-pressure, high-temperature efficiency make the PAL-T valve ideal for critical applications in power generation, chemical processing, food and beverage,
Manufactured in a wide range of standard and exotic materials for corrosion resistance against various aggressive chemicals, acids,
PAL-T Single / Double Eccentric Butterfly Valve: Durability, compact design, and high-pressure, high-temperature efficiency make the PAL-T valve ideal for critical applications in power generation, chemical processing, food and beverage, mining, and utilities. Manufactured in a wide range of standard and exotic materials for corrosion resistance against various aggressive chemicals, acids, alkalis, and gasses.
Valve instrumentation
As the sole OEM official distributor of Schneider automation instrumentation in the Sub-Saharan African region, Paltech offers a select range of Schneider products and instrumentation, ensuring customers have access to a comprehensive portfolio of world-class solutions for their automation and energy management needs.
ADVANCED PUMP SOLUTIONS
Transformer Valve:
Our locally manufactured aluminium transformer valves are specifically designed for transformer cooling oil applications, ensuring utmost reliability and safety. These valves have undergone rigorous testing at multiple power stations, underscoring our unwavering commitment to quality.
Additionally, our comprehensive range of valves, includes:
• Flanged Slurry Sleeve: A bullet design, with a closed-frame design for non-spillage to the atmosphere when the liner is ruptured.
• Pinch Valve: A low-maintenance, cost-effective solution with no internal moving parts in contact with the fluid. A split-body design for easy seal replacement.
• Wafer Slim Swing Check Valve: A non-return valve with a slim face-to-face design for restricted pipe space availability.
• Flanged Diaphragm Non-Return Valve: A non-return valve with a diaphragm to prevent water hammering.
• Diaphragm Flanged Foot Valve: A soft-closure design to eliminate water hammering. Minimal internal spares and an easily replaceable seal kit.
• Through our distribution partnership with the MESON GROUP, we offer a comprehensive range of valves, including those for marine applications, ensuring we have the perfect solution for your needs.
Our locally manufactured aluminium transformer valves are specifically designed for transformer cooling oil applications, ensuring utmost reliability and safety. These valves have undergone rigorous testing at multiple power stations, underscoring our unwavering commitment to quality.
Expert Maintenance Services
Paltech offers comprehensive in-house maintenance services to optimise the performance and lifespan of your valves and pumps. Our skilled technicians provide:
•Inspection
•Repair
•Calibration
•Overhaul
Partnering with Paltech offers a cost-effective solution for expert maintenance, extending equipment lifespan, and minimising downtime.
Commitment to Quality - Where Innovation Meets Compliance and Reliability
Holding the requisite ISO and industry-specific certifications, Paltech delivers solutions that enhance operational efficiency whilst adhering to stringent industry standards.
To learn more about our advanced valve and pump solutions, contact us:
NXTGEN
NxtGen is central to Fraser Alexander’s success, integrating advanced technologies and providing essential operational support for efficient project execution.
The department leads project development, aligning with industry standards and sustainability goals. With a skilled team, NxtGen combines expertise from across Fraser Alexander’s operations to deliver effective solutions, improve efficiency, and mitigate risks, ensuring successful project outcomes.
REVOLUTIONISING TAILINGS MANAGEMENT
Innovations and mechanisation in mining
Fraser Alexander’s initiatives in tailings reprocessing, repurposing, and mechanisation are setting new benchmarks in the mining industry. By leveraging innovative technologies like the Supermag, Remotely Operated Mining Units (ROMUs®), and Self-Propelled Cyclone Units (SPCUs®), Fraser Alexander is not only improving operational efficiency but also contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible mining sector.
With NxtGen driving crosspollination and operational excellence, the company is well positioned to lead the industry into a new era of innovation and sustainability.
Reprocessing of iron ore TSFs to recover more iron
Fraser Alexander is actively pursuing innovative ways to recover more value in the form of ferrous minerals from existing tailings storage facilities (TSFs) whilst also considering alternative final tailings uses and disposal methods.
The upgrade process needs to
“NXTGEN IS THE HUB OF INNOVATION AT FRASER ALEXANDER”
– LOURENS DE KONING, COO, FRASER ALEXANDER
take the low-grade tailings and concentrate the particles with high ferrous content to achieve a saleable product. Fraser Alexander is working with one of its partners to run pilotscale trials on the upgradeability of ferrous minerals from ultrafine ores. These trials incorporate an innovative technology that reduces power consumption and the cost of processing whilst maintaining the effectiveness of the process.
Another benefit of this reprocessing is that due to the high volume of tailings that are bonded to the valuable ferrous minerals, there is a reduction in the volume of tailings that need to be re-deposited, which
means a smaller TSF. The company is also exploring alternative drier disposal methods for the final tailings.
Repurposing of tailings
In addition to reprocessing, Fraser Alexander, through its NxtGen division, is examining opportunities for the recovery of valuable minerals and to repurpose the remaining “barren” tailings.
Traditionally, not all minerals were recovered during the initial processing due to financial and operational constraints.
However, with evolving market demands and technological advances, new methods are being developed
ROMUs®
to extract additional minerals from existing tailings and alternative uses for the remaining milled silicas are being considered.
By extracting more from an existing tailings facility, it is possible to reduce the environmental impacts and facilitate the construction of the replacement TSF in line with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM).
Ongoing mechanisation and technological advancements
Fraser Alexander continues to push the boundaries of mechanisation in mining, focusing on reducing labourintensive tasks and enhancing safety. This includes the development of new mining units, automated systems, and innovative solutions for tailings management. The ongoing mechanisation and innovation in mining technology not only improve operational efficiency but also significantly reduce human error, labour costs, and workplace injuries.
Fraser Alexander has developed ROMUs®, a remotely controlled, track-mounted hydro mining unit. These units are equipped with high-definition cameras and high-speed controls, allowing operators to manage them from a centralised control room. This reduces the need for on-site personnel and enhances safety.
SPCUs®
These units are designed for high-tonnage cyclone facilities and provide mechanised solutions for tailings deposition. Fraser Alexander’s collaboration with Anglo American is focused on refining the SPCU® design to enable the use of Hydraulic Dewatered Stack (HDS) deposition strategies for TSFs to create internal drainage paths for improved stability.
Automated boom screen for trash cleaning
Fraser Alexander has also developed a fully automated boom screen, which removes debris from slurry launders, minimising the risk of fatigue and people-related safety. The automated system can be controlled remotely by ROMU® operators, reducing labour and enhancing site safety.
FRASER ALEXANDER SERVICE OFFERINGS
HYDRAULIC MINING AND REMINING
FRASER ALEXANDER USES PROPRIETARY ROMUS® FOR THIS TYPE OF MINING – THIS COMPLETELY REMOVES THE OPERATOR FROM THE MINING AREA
The company’s state-of-the-art hydraulic mining and remining equipment guarantees the opportunity to capitalise on tailings in a safe and effective manner.
Solutions include the funding of the plants with contracting models such as BOOM (build, own, operate, and maintain) and BOOT (build, own, operate, and transfer) or the design and construction of clientfunded plants that Fraser Alexander can operate and maintain.
TREATMENT
WATER TREATMENT AND BEST-FIT TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE
We get the best value for you through aim is to uplevel your facility to be releasing it into the environment, and self-sufficiency.
Solutions include the funding of the such as BOOM and BOOT or the design funded plants that Fraser Alexander
TREATMENT MINERAL PROCESSING
MANAGEMENT USING THE AVAILABLE
through our various offerings and our perfectly capable of reusing water, and making water drinkable for the plants with contracting models design and construction of clientAlexander can operate and maintain.
FRASER ALEXANDER IS THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT OWNER AND OPERATOR OF MINERAL PROCESSING PLANTS IN SA
The Fraser Alexander Mineral Processing Team utilises proprietary maintenance tactics to ensure best-in-class engineering availability.
Solutions include the funding of the plants with contracting models such as BOOM and BOOT or the design and construction of clientfunded plants that Fraser Alexander can operate and maintain.
MATERIALS HANDLING AND LOAD AND HAUL
FRASER ALEXANDER CIRCULATES MATERIALS EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY THROUGHOUT OPERATIONS, LIKE CLOCKWORK.
The company offers world-class handling equipment to move any type of material to where it is needed.
Its handling solutions are tailored to customers’ specific needs, ensuring effective and safe circulation of materials throughout their operations.
• Discard handling: Load, haul, level, and compact
• Materials movement: Train and truck loading, plant feed, waste removal
• Tailings recovery: Load and haul
• Ash: Levelling and shaping
• Stock: Stockyard management – reclaiming and building
• Topsoil: Strip and stockpile, reclaim and level
• Waste dumps: Load and haul
REHABILITATION
RESTORING THE ENVIRONMENT TO BE SELF-SUSTAINABLE AGAIN.
• Fraser Alexander has undertaken an extensive number of mine rehabilitation projects in a variety of environments.
• Services include shaping, landscaping, hydro seeding, and grassing.
• Rehabilitation and post-closure monitoring lend themselves to long-term local community jobs and business opportunities.
• Fraser Alexander can design rehabilitation projects to ensure inclusion and training of local people and to facilitate long-term opportunities for them.
“It’s about affordability, patience, and building long-term sustainable growth in these areas whilst remaining focused on the rich history and successful business we have been maintaining across the African continent,” decrees De Koning. Additionally, the company has created the NxtGen Fraser Alexander Team in order to cement its authority over innovation and ingenuity in mining. This team consists of industry titans with over 25 years of experience who are collectively looking at what the future of mining entails. Its exploration of the industry includes questions about what the circular economy looks like and how the company should position itself to be relevant in future markets. All of these factors serve to ensure Fraser Alexander remains at the forefront and participates internationally in the sector.
TAILINGS OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
FRASER ALEXANDER HAS MORE EXPERIENCE IN MANAGING CONTRACTOR IN THE WORLD.
• The company’s operational procedures and processes are well established, continuously improved.
• Over 100 years of operational experience.
• Solutions include thickeners, density control systems, and filter presses
• Fraser Alexander works with its clients to develop bespoke dry tailings
• Fraser Alexander manages over 200 million tonnes of tailings per year geographies, characteristics, deposition methodologies, facility design conditions (arid to subtropical).
• Fraser Alexander continuously invests in R&D on new deposition methodologies, and working together with clients, consultants and universities to research
MANAGING TAILINGS THAN ANY OTHER established, tried and tested, and presses and paste thickeners. tailings solutions.
year across a wide range commodities, design profiles, and a variety of site methodologies, specialised equipment, research and trial new ,industry solutions.
BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE
Fraser Alexander recognises the crucial need for action and compliance regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives that companies must engage in to better the world.
The organisation is committed to building a sustainable future, aptly demonstrated through its superb track record in safety, employing and developing local talent, and minimising environmental impacts for the benefit of all.
Considerable effort goes into ensuring Fraser Alexander is a responsible environmental steward and mitigates any potential impacts that may arise from the functions it performs at mining sites.
“We’ve observed in many instances that we’re doing good and leaving
2025 MRD301 course dates
a better future behind in the places where we operate,” notes De Koning.
“We’re keeping operations safe, preventing spillages into the environment and communities, and providing jobs and economic stimulation to the regions where we work.”
“We also offer Mining Residue Training (MRD301) to our clients and everyone operating in the mining industry to ensure that we all act responsibly in the building, management, and closure of tailings facilities”
The company strives to contribute to the socioeconomic development of the communities that surround its business activities. This is accomplished by increasing the capabilities of community-based small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) as potential or existing suppliers, partners, and host clients.
- Live session 2: 8th August 2025
Ultimately, Fraser Alexander aims to encourage the economic independence of local regions both now and in the future.
“We’ve taken on the responsibility of addressing localisation through community upliftment, employment, and developing surrounding businesses. It’s a part of our DNA and culture to positively engage within the regions around our operations,” details De Koning.
“The company always looks for any environmental and social upliftment we can bring as it is a high priority for us.”
Additionally, Fraser Alexander is creating a positive legacy through programmes that focus on local education, healthcare, upskilling employees, and reducing its mining footprint wherever possible.
“We believe that these initiatives and programmes demonstrate to the industry and our clients that we will be around long into the future,” concludes De Koning.
Tel: +27 11 929 3600
fainfo@fraseralexander.com www.fraseralexander.com
Fraser Alexander video
