Industry intelligence
Positive spin-off for cerium
The rare earth mineral cerium
will be one of the products
beneficiated and sold locally
by Steenkampskraal, the rare
earth mine in the Western
Cape province of South Africa,
which is reported to have the
world’s highest rare earth grades
averaging 14.4%.
Cerium is used in a
compound for polishing glass in
smartphones, computer screens,
watches, and windows. Cerium is
Steenkampskraal in the Western Cape province is reported to
also used in catalytic converters
have the world’s highest rare earth grades averaging 14.4%.
to convert harmful exhaust fumes
like carbon monoxide into less
harmful compounds, such as carbon dioxide.
alloys would translate to a requirement for 3 000
Some lighters use cerium metal for its pyrophoric
tons of cerium. (https://www.sciencedaily.com/
properties, as a catalyst in self-cleaning ovens, in
releases/2016/06/160604052603.htm)
carbon-arc lights for studio and projector lights, and
Components made with aluminium–cerium
in aluminium alloys.
alloys offer several advantages over those made from
In cast iron, it opposes graphitisation and
existing aluminium alloys, including low cost, high
produces a malleable iron. In steel, it removes
castability, reduced heat-treatment requirements,
sulphides and oxides, and in stainless steel, it is used
and high temperature stability.
as a precipitation-hardening agent. Magnesium
Heat tolerance makes aluminium–cerium
alloys use it for castings and give the ability to
alloys attractive for use in internal combustion
create complex shapes, adding to the heat resistance
engines. Tests show the new alloys to be stable at
properties of the magnesium casting. Cerium
300°C, a temperature that would cause traditional
compounds are also used to store hydrogen.
alloys to begin disintegrating. The stability of the
Cerium’s benefits also relate to its small particle size
compound sometimes eliminates the need for heat
and abrasive quality. In a new test application in the
treatment, typically needed for aluminium alloys,
aluminium industry, cerium is being added to molten
says ScienceDaily.
aluminium to harden finished aluminium products.
Not only would aluminium–cerium alloys
Researchers have developed aluminium alloys
allow engines to increase fuel efficiency directly
containing cerium, which enables these alloys to
by running hotter, they may also increase fuel
be easier to work with and more heat tolerant than
efficiency indirectly by paving the way for lighter
existing products.
engines. This will mean the introduction of
Aluminium is used in the auto industry, so
smaller aluminium-based components, or with
even though small quantities are used, it will
aluminium alloys replacing cast iron components,
increase the use of cerium. A one per cent
such as cylinder blocks, transmission cases, and
penetration into the market for aluminium
cylinder heads.
LONMIN HANDS OVER
MARIKANA SCHOOL
Platinum miner Lonmin
officially handed over
the new Marikana
Primary School to the
North West Department
of Education and
Sport Development as
well as the Marikana
community recently.
According to Ben
Magara, CEO of Lonmin,
the advent of the new
Marikana Primary
School heralds a new
dawn for Marikana’s
pupils. The school will
accommodate up to 750
pupils in Grades R to 7.
Facilities at the school
include a dedicated
Grade R learning centre,
ablution facilities
accommodating pupils
living with a disability,
a kitchen equipped to
provide meals for the
schoolchildren, and a
900-seater hall.
“The launch of the
school not only ensures
better educational
opportunities and
therefore a brighter
future for Marikana’s
children, it is also
evidence of our
dedication to protecting
the rights of our people
and bringing them to
life,” says Magara.
Digital collaboration improves skills
One of the most debated topics influencing
innovation is digitalisation and its impact
on the future of employment. It is met with
equal parts excitement and trepidation. No
matter which way you look at it, digital
transformation and a truly connected global
economy is already upon us.
Siemens has provided automation
equipment and industrial networks to
assist Anglo Platinum’s Engineering
Skills Training Centre (ESTC). One of
the pillars of digitalisation is industrial
networks and security and it is crucial that
these engineers understand the role of this
[4] MINING MIRROR JUNE 2018
technology in the future of mining. “We
are continuously e