HIGH PROFILE
IM: How is the project seen as representative of
the company’s wider shaft sinking expertise?
GC: The Palabora project is a good example of our
ability to deliver a cost-effective solution to the
client, based on our extensive global experience
in the sector. This starts with our many years of
investment in a comprehensive range of shaft
sinking equipment, which we can apply to
numerous projects over the life of these fit-forpurpose
assets. We are able to amortise our
equipment over time and the client has the
benefit of competitive rates.
This is particularly important when the
equipment is highly specialised, such as the
gantry system we are employing on this project.
Costly capital items like large sinking winders also
need to be amortised over many projects. We are
also geared up to store and maintain this valuable
equipment between projects.
We bring a depth of engineering and
draughting expertise, as well as experienced
managers, master sinkers and shaftsmen. With
our dedicated training institution – the Murray &
Roberts Training Academy (MRTA) in Gauteng,
South Africa – we are assured of the best possible
skills on all our projects. Certified by the Mining
Qualifications Authority, the MRTA ensures all our
staff report to projects with the documentation
and training that legislation requires.
With this training expertise, we were also able
to quickly develop and apply the necessary
modules in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
and national disaster regulations.
It has also been important that our
procurement practices support the mining sector’s
commitment to developing their local economies.
On this project, for instance, our in-house systems
have ensured 35-40% of people employed are
from the local area, and that significant portions
are women. We also support local companies by
including them in our supply chain and reporting
monthly to our client on our performance in this
regard.
In terms of corporate social investment, we
have also worked with our client to support
valuable initiatives such as the provision of
sanitary pads to five underprivileged local schools
– part of a national effort to improve school
attendance and maximise learning opportunities.
IM: What aspects of this project will help the
industry move forwards in terms of speeding up
development rates, improving safety, lowering
shaft sinking costs, lowering mining’s
environmental footprint, etc?
GC: In traditional shaft sinking practice, the shaft
lining was only carried to 18-20 m from the
bottom. In this project – and in line with Murray &
Roberts’ current lining principles – we are carrying
the lining right to the bottom of the shaft. This
reduces the risk of any delays caused by
intersecting poor ground conditions. The
technique is made possible using a modified
version of the traditional shutters and highly
specialised concrete mixes prepared by our onsite
batch plant.
We have purpose-designed the stage to
include two infrastructure decks, which need to
be clear when we are working on them. All the
hoisting and winding functions are electronic, and
have visual displays and redundancies built in to
ensure control and safety.
Our safety culture is a key aspect of our
continuous innovation driving Zero Harm in the
sector. In addition to our training and systems, we
engender self-discipline in our teams. The peer
pressure at employee level ensures no shortcuts.
We closely monitor the leading safety indicators
and respond quickly if any transgressions are
detected. In essence, there must be a planned
process for every task and stop-gates to prevent
activity that could present risk.
Environmental controls are entrenched in the
Murray & Roberts policy, covering all aspects from
water treatment and discharge to hazardous
waste and air quality. We also use third-party
experts to check and certify our environmental
impact. The Palabora contract – with its close
proximity to the Kruger National Park – also
involved dealing responsibly with wild animals on
or near the work site. Employees were
appropriately trained and prepared for these
eventualities. IM
MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION
ST
MAKE IT YOURS!
Tel: (011) 422-1949
Produced by Coralynne & Associates
www.cementation.murrob.com
SHAFT SINKING • RAISEBORING • DEVELOPMENT • CONTRACT MINING • MINE ENGINEERING
SEPTEMBER 2020 | International Mining 77