SOUTH AFRICAN SUPPLIERS
Sandvik Rock Processing recently marked a significant step in its expansion across Africa , successfully completing its first South Africanmanufactured screen package
expansion across Africa , successfully completing its first South African-manufactured screen package .
The screen package that marks this milestone was specifically ordered by a gold mining client located in northeast Africa and includes a vibrating grizzly screen with a motor-driven exciter , five feeders and two custom-engineered feed-in chutes .
The Spartan facility already produces the Kwatani and Schenck products as part of Sandvik ’ s screening solutions offering , with it now having the capability to produce the Sandvik original screen range .
Positive disruption progress
Such moves by globally-oriented firms provide a positive backdrop to the upcoming Investing in
African Mining Indaba event , due to take place on February 5-8 , in Cape Town .
The event , which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024 , has a theme of ‘ Embracing the power of positive disruption ’; a theme that chimes well with Omnia group company BME ’ s impression of the current mining company dynamic . “ From our perspective as mining technology
BME looks to provide positive social impacts with the likes of its used oil initiative that sees the firm systematically and responsibly collect used oil from customers and other sources partners , BME can certainly attest to how mines are ‘ Embracing the power of positive disruption ’,” Ralf Hennecke , Managing Director of BME , said . “ We have no doubt that this is a critical element of African mining ’ s bold new future .”
One of the many questions that will be posed at this year ’ s event relates to how Africa will respond to the increased demand for battery minerals , and whether the continent can sufficiently ramp up production while sustainably managing environmental and social impacts , according to Hennecke .
“ This is a challenge to be faced as much by the mining companies themselves as their entire value chain , and calls for long-term partnerships dedicated to innovation and constructive problem solving ,” he said . “ In the blasting space , we feel well positioned to play our part – as our continuous improvement strategies have pushed the boundaries in terms of both sustainability and productivity .”
The company can point to several key areas here , many of which have South African roots .
In fragmentation , for instance , BME entered the South African market in 1984 as a pioneer in cold emulsion explosives . This was followed by decades of investment in emulsion technology and its range of electronic and digital solutions – as well as equipment and accessories . Among BME ’ s most valuable lines of development was electronic detonation , which continues to enhance blasting outcomes through the safety , accuracy , reliability and flexibility offered by its AXXIS electronic initiation system .
BME says : “ By allowing milli-second delays between detonations , and by lengthening our firing window , mines are now able to design increasingly intricate blasts to suit their geological conditions and production requirements . Mines have also been able to initiate ever larger blasts , thereby limiting their pit disruptions and blast-related downtime .”
This has been complemented by software able to accurately plan blasts and , in some instances – such as with BlastMap – simulate the results .
A non-negotiable in Africa ’ s mines is the prerogative of safety , Hennecke pointed out , with a BME high point being the company ’ s recent dual safety innovation in its flagship AXXIS Titanium™ system , where testing can be conducted at a lower voltage than detonation .
In addition to supporting the mining sector ’ s drive towards lower carbon emissions , BME has also looked to provide positive social impacts with the likes of its used oil initiative that sees the firm systematically and responsibly collect used oil from customers and other sources . This oil is then treated and re-used as a fuel agent in its emulsions , ensuring it is safely disposed of during high energy blasts .
To further support this aim , BME ’ s parent company , Omnia Holdings , recently entered into a partnership with Sweden-based Hypex Bio Explosives Technology , which has developed an emulsion that uses a non-nitrate explosive base to reduce the carbon content of blasting by 90 % compared with traditional sources .
Domestic and international wins
The level of political uncertainty in South Africa – linked to national elections due to take place this year – has had an impact on southern Africa business for “ greenfield services ”, according to Graham Chamberlain , New Business Director at Murray & Roberts Cementation , but brownfield mine expansions continue to keep the contractor busy in services like vertical drilling – where its order book is full .
On that vertical development theme , Murray & Roberts Cementation has just been awarded a contract to equip a vertical shaft at Ivanhoe Mines ’ Platreef project in South Africa , and an extension to its development contract there .
“ Another exciting development is our empowerment joint venture with a black-owned coal mining company , on a contract with Thungela ,” Chamberlain told IM . Thungela has recently rose to prominence in South Africa , acquiring thermal coal assets from Anglo American South Africa . “ This bodes well for the country ’ s future , as these junior companies are growing in capacity over time ,” Chamberlain said of this move by Thungela .
These projects are in addition to the flagship Venetia Underground Project , in Limpopo , which is nearing completion , and a ventilation shaft at Palabora Mining Company ’ s operations .
Such projects have seen the company adopt new technological advances like remote lining of shafts in raise drilling work to remove people from hazardous zones and raise safety levels .
“ Strategies like these recently earned us 7 million fatality free shifts – reflecting a safety focus that helps win business locally and outside the country ,” Chamberlain said .
He added : “ We recognise that mining is an
24 International Mining | JANUARY 2024