Cradle to grave
Contractors must be flexible to handle unexpected scenarios .
Photos by SPH Kundalila
Tips to meet production targets
Mines are dynamic environments with lots of pressure on managers , department heads , and procurement officers to keep the pace up , but three key bases are to be covered if they are to consistently meet daily goals and keep the wheels turning smoothly .
According to Werner Cloete , group commercial officer at SPH Kundalila , these must-haves are communication , trusted role players , and resource capacity .
“ Managers and procurement officers decide on crucial aspects that can make or break a project ,” says Cloete . “ When key actions are regularly taken — making them habits instead of emergency responses — it can revolutionise the way a site functions .”
Firstly , good communication is vital , so that everyone is clear on the target and the strategy and they can all play their roles in meeting daily production targets . Managed well , the regular morning meeting can be a powerful tool , allowing progress to be tracked through role players reporting back .
“ In this forum , changes to the production plan can be easily shared and discussed ,” he says .
Communication methods should be practical and timeous . This means a judicious balance of verbal and written communication . The
Meeting the challenges of increased production requires having proven backup plans already in place .
message must also reach all parties involved , so communicators must ensure that everyone has access to optimal communication tools .
Secondly , the project must have trusted role players who have been vetted and chosen on their ability to finish work within the allocated timeframe , and have the experience to conduct work effectively .
“ All teams on a project must also function well with others from different contractors , without causing unnecessary conflict or problems ,” he says . “ Such problems can cost time and money .”
Thirdly , the project ’ s resource capacity will determine whether it is able to adjust to new production targets at a moment ’ s notice . This might occur when commodity prices change — demanding higher output — or when there is a breakdown on site .
“ This is when it pays to have a well-resourced mining contractor ,” says Cloete . “ In these situations , the mine does not want the uncertainty of whether the contractor can increase its capacity in a short time .”
Meeting the challenge of increased production means having proven backup plans already in place , which leverage off the contractor ’ s access to a large-enough fleet , and to enough skilled personnel to get the work done .
[ 42 ] MINING MIRROR FEBRUARY 2018