In the stope
even considering any other mining methods
in their pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.
Many of these projects are underground
developments. There is a strong focus on
West Africa, and we already have automated
equipment operating in the DRC, Mali,
Burkina Faso, and also in countries like
Zambia and Tanzania.
What is your view on older mining
operations in South Africa where
the conditions do not necessarily
lend itself to automation and
mechanisation?
More than 80% of South African mines are
not suitable for automation due to, firstly, the
mine layout, and secondly, because of a lack
of infrastructure. In other words, there are no
real networks underground. Furthermore, these
mines are still using traditional, non-intelligent
equipment with basic functionality and limited
technology onboard.
To automate these mines will be very
difficult. It will entail product development
and massive investments to reconfigure and
relook the current mining methods. However,
one way to improve the productivity is through
information management and data analytics.
We have a complete offering that focuses
on these management systems. With our
OpitMine package, we take the roof off the
mine and give our customer a full view,
in real time, so that they can see what
is happening underground.
Will it be easy for these
mines to suddenly change
and operate an autonomous
mine?
No mine can just suddenly automate
operations. Automation requires
cultural change and a completely
different way of thinking. The change is a
gradual process that begins with information
management. From there, mine management
needs to develop a different mindset and
culture, and only then can you start looking at
automating the operations.
If mining companies have not been through
this journey, their project is likely to fail as a
result of a lack of understanding of the actual
requirements, a lack of supporting technology,
or non-belief.
So, automation is a gradual process
that takes up to four or five years?
Yes, but it all depends on the type of operation.
What about new projects in South
Africa — are they considering
automation?
Yes, the greenfields operations are all looking at
automation. It features strongly in the feasibility
study of the Platreef Platinum Project and the
pre-feasibility study of the Waterberg Platinum
Project. All new projects in southern Africa are
also looking at automation solutions.
Where do you see underground
mining five years from now? Will it
change a lot?
Underground mining will have to change
fundamentally to remain relevant. The challenge
is that in the African context, especially in South
Africa, the skills pool is dwindling. The only way
a mining company will run an effective operation
will be if it starts providing managers with tools
to visualise what’s happening in mines, which
will enable them to make better decisions.
In the short term, the focus will have to be
on information management, and in the longer
term, let’s say five years plus, full automation
will kick in.
Even low-profile room-and-pillar mines
have a future as automated operations, but
it will be a process. The biggest challenge is
geology. Mines do not have beautiful, flat
ore bodies. Ore bodies naturally roll and
dip and twist, and there are potholes and
other structures. The question is how to set
up network infrastructure to accommodate
the requirements of automation. Ultimately,
automation needs network coverage. A lot of
mines are now working with network partners
and suppliers to find a solution. When we do,
it again opens up unlimited possibilities.
Traditionally, mines have been using low-
profile technology equipment without any other
intelligence systems on them. If they want to
automate right now, solutions are available, but
they really will have to change the mining height,
which has a massive impact on dilution, so it does
create complications. The long and short of it is
network coverage and being able to provide an
effective network underground. That’s the real
limitation in southern Africa at the moment.
What in your view is the future of
underground blasting?
In my opinion, underground blasting will remain
relevant, but there are certainly opportunities for
mechanical cutting in certain ore bodies, though.
We have worked for years with a platinum
producer on a low-profile cutting machine.
It mines at 1.1m and cuts 4m at a time. Our
cutting technology is fairly advanced.
We are also working on hard rock rapid
access development machines, which will
enable us to access ore bodies in hard rock
environments much quicker and to put
development infrastructure in place. That’s in
the pipeline in the next few years.
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[38] MINING MIRROR MAY 2019
www.miningmirror.co.za