SOUTH AFRICAN SUPPLIERS
The new Komatsu HX45 truck and WX15 LHD ( pictured together ) were on show at MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas
and quicker changeouts . Another maintenance improvement includes the swing out cooling system .
John du Plessis , Capital Sales Manager for GHHMM ( Komatsu UGHR South Africa ), said : “ Our clear focus in the market is to reduce maintenance time and frustrations , and drive productivity for our customers . We are ensuring that we provide customers with the best possible solutions to optimise their operations . “
With the product portfolio expansion , customers in southern Africa can look forward to Komatsu supplying more than just the lowprofile products . The loader and truck combinations – the WX07 and HX20 , WX11 and HX30 , and the WX15 and HX45 – as well as the ZJ21 and ZB21 drill and bolter , are now included in this .
Jwaneng Underground coming to life
Komatsu ’ s expanding equipment offering for miners in southern Africa comes at a time when De Beers Group and the Government of the Republic of Botswana are investing further in their 50:50 diamond mining joint venture , Debswana .
Earlier this year , the Board of Debswana signed off a circa- $ 1 billion investment for a key development phase of the Jwaneng underground project , paving the way for one of the world ’ s most valuable diamond mines to transition from open pit to underground operations .
This phase of works , known as the Exploration Access Development Phase , will be used to establish a drilling platform to facilitate comprehensive sampling of the kimberlite pipes , delivering the early access decline for the underground mine and developing essential infrastructure to support forthcoming stages of the project .
The initial works , which have already started , follow the successful completion of feasibility studies .
Following the Exploration Access Development stage , the project will be developed in two further phases , Phase 1 mining and Phase 2 mining , to support long-term future production at the mine .
Redpath Botswana is carrying out this initial stage of development , having arrived on site earlier this year .
A member of the Redpath Group , Redpath Botswana was also responsible for developing a sand tunnel at the Ghaghoo diamond mine in the Kalahari of Botswana for Gem Diamonds . A decline tunnelling method using a specially designed 96 t Open Face Tunnel Shield was used to develop the sand tunnel at -8 ° inclination . This technology had never been used in unconsolidated sand or at a decline , with the project representing an unprecedented world first at 6.1 m in diameter by 473 m in length .
Since 1982 , when the Jwaneng Mine started operating , the mine has produced an annual average of almost 11 Mct / y .
Safety to the core
The open-pit-to-underground mining evolution is also something acknowledged by Murray & Roberts Cementation , with the company saying it brings new opportunities for shaft sinking and underground mining specialists .
Murray & Roberts Cementation says it has been busy with complex and long-term projects , reinforcing its safety performance and honing its innovative practices and technologies . According to Japie du Plessis , Managing Director of Murray & Roberts Cementation , the current market looks full of potential .
“ Among our differentiators has always been our depth of expertise and experience , with many of our people having served up to 35 to 40 years with us ,” du Plessis says . “ But what makes us most proud in recent years is how we have continued to pioneer safe execution in a field which is known for its risks and hazards .”
The company was recently recognised by the Association of Mine Managers South Africa with a safety award for achieving seven million fatalityfree shifts – over a period during which it sunk
numerous shafts for mining companies in southern Africa . Underpinning this safety record is a substantial and ongoing investment in skills , du Plessis notes , driven by the Murray & Roberts Training Academy at Bentley Park , near Carletonville .
“ Safety is at the core of our extensive range of training interventions in shaft sinking and trackless mining ,” he explains . “ Our blended learning methodologies – and particularly our mock-up facilities – are recognised as benchmarks for the industry ; many mines visit Bentley Park to learn from what we have developed .”
He highlights the way the company has engineered safety into all its processes , systems and equipment – based on a thorough analysis of past incidents . This has allowed the safe deployment of innovative shaft sinking methods , and spurs on continuous improvement in designs and methodologies .
“ Each project brings its own challenges and working conditions , so we apply our tailored approach to the specific needs of the customer ,” du Plessis says . “ This could include solving construction challenges underground , developing appropriate mining methods for underground crusher chambers or finding solutions for hoisting .”
Among its recent projects was the innovative adaptation of a ventilation shaft to include hoisting infrastructure that would operate where air is required to move at high velocities . There have also been shaft sinking contracts – including a recent 1,200-m shaft – where conventional methods failed to deliver results due to the poor quality of ground conditions .
“ We have been able to apply accepted sinking methodologies in creative ways , to deal with difficult ground conditions ,” he says . “ In the same way , we tailor solutions in trackless mining , pumping , hoisting , high-pressure plug construction , dewatering , ore pass rehabilitation and drilling and blasting practice .”
The skills development capabilities in Murray & Roberts Cementation adds a sustainability element to its contract mining work , which has recently included numerous projects in platinum and coal . The training and knowledge sharing with customers ’ people lays the necessary groundwork for in-house mining to continue productively after hand-over , it says .
Outsourcing opportunities
As mines in southern Africa intensify efforts to stay lean and cost efficient , a significant volume of crushing and screening is being outsourced to contractors – who favour the flexibility of mobile equipment , according to Pilot Crushtec .
Wayne Warren , Sales Manager Africa at Pilot Crushtec , says mobile crushing plants are
14 International Mining | JANUARY 2025