Mining Mirror January 2018 | Page 27

Louw Mining in focus Before a mine is started up again, the old infrastructure needs to be checked again to ensure the safety of mineworkers. initial costs. Selling scrap metals on site also contributes to generating funds during t he revitalisation stage. Open cast mining operations are easier to revitalise than underground workings. The main upside potential on open cast mines is that once basic geotechnical and rock engineering, and social and environmental investigations have been completed and the required remedial work done, it can be brought into full or partial production in a brief time. Scott says that there are several surface mining contractors that offer competitive operating rates and that can establish site in double quick time. Underground operations require more intensive work to be done before re-starting operations. Depending on the commodity mined, a major uptick in price will make any existing operation enticing though, even if it is not premium grade ore. Lower grade material, sweepings and vampings can be sold off initially to offset start-up costs. “Existing detailed geological, metallurgical, geotechnical and rock engineering data will aid in determining whether or not selective pillar mining or footwall ripping can be done to recover saleable ore during the revitalisation phase,” says Scott. When a major sells a mothballed operation to junior mining companies that lack the resources to develop a greenfields-operation, it presents many opportunities for the new entrants. At the same time the previous owners can refocus their operations, while stimulating the market by opening it up to juniors. New agile, smaller companies can fully optimise the mine before bringing it back into production. “Revitalised mothballed operations have a knock-on effect and create opportunities in the supplier markets and other related industries,” says Scott. Environmental concerns According to Ingrid Watson, programme manager: Environment at Wits University’s Centre for Sustainability in Mining and Industry (CSMI), it makes business sense to re-mine old shafts rather than to sink a new one and install the necessary infrastructure. “What we have seen, however, is that major mining companies pass the mothballed mines onto junior miners that do not always have the resources to carry out the environmental programmes and rehabilitation properly,” says JANUARY 2018 MINING MIRROR [25]