Industry intelligence
Menar strikes another coal deal
Mining investment company Menar has reached an
agreement with Coalvent and African Onca to partner
in the development of the Riversdale Anthracite Colliery
(RAC) project near Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal. Like
Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC), Menar’s other
operation in KwaZulu-Natal, the RAC project will
produce low-sulphur, medium-quality anthracite coal.
The coal deposits are estimated to be just over nine
million tonnes, with the possibility of further expansion
in future beyond the estimated mine lifespan.
The agreement with Coalvent and African Onca was
signed after the two companies acquired Rio Tinto’s shares
in RAC. “Our involvement will ensure that this very sound
investment, which has a huge potential, is turned into
reality when we start operations after all the regulatory
processes have been completed. We have been inspired
by the excellent relationships we have cultivated with all
stakeholders in the province,” says Menar MD, Vuslat
Bayoglu.
The fast-growing Menar bought ZAC from Rio Tinto in
2016 and turned it into a thriving operation whose product
is sought in competitive international markets, including
Brazil and the United States. ZAC is the sole producer of
prime anthracite in South Africa.
Smart reduction in cost
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
has commissioned five more performance-based standards
(PBS) trucks (‘smart trucks’) to AB InBev, as part of the
national Smart Trucks pilot programme, bringing the total
number of operational smart trucks in South Africa to
more than 270.
The introduction of smart trucks has significantly
contributed to the drop in the number of truck accidents
on South African roads. Operators such as SG Coal,
Unitrans, Barloworld, Buhle Betfu, and AB InBev have
reported a 39% reduction in crashes, an average of 12%
reduction in fuel consumption; and, as a result of increased
payload efficiency, a reduction of over 84 000 trips a year.
The PBS pilot programme was established by the CSIR,
with support from the Department of Transport. Its work
entails conducting comprehensive PBS vehicle safety
simulations and road infrastructure impact assessments,
to ensure that the vehicles are designed to meet the
prescribed minimum performance requirements stipulated
by the agreed performance standards.
The primary objectives of the PBS programme are to
improve logistics efficiency by reducing the costs associated
with transporting raw materials and to minimise the cost
of delivery to customers. A significant spin-off lies in the
enhanced safety features inherent in the design of these
vehicles, due to the strict rules governing participation in
the programme.
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New levels of hydraulic efficiency
The Krebs slurryMAX range of slurry pumps from global minerals
process specialist FLSmidth has brought new levels of hydraulic
efficiency to Africa’s slurry operations.
Offered with a range of material options for liners and impellers, the
slurryMAX handles most plant applications across various industries.
Its design is based on the success of FLSmidth’s millMAX range of
pumps, whose wear ring technology has created an efficient and long-
lasting slurry pump.
The slurryMAX features an improved, more efficient impeller and an
optional water drain plug for easier maintenance, allowing water that might
have settled at the bottom of the pump to be drained quickly.
In the slurryMAX 8 × 6 pump and larger units, a simple removable
suction liner assembly allows for easy inspections of the internal components,
as well as the replacement of the impeller without removing the discharge
pipe. In addition, the volute liner has an integrated back liner that bolts
securely to the outer drive side-casing. This makes for easier and hands-free
assembly, improving the safety aspects of the pump. Maintenance crews will
also appreciate the easy-to-use lifting jig, for faster and safer rebuilds.
Other models in the slurryMAX range include the XD version for
aggressive applications, boasting thick elastomer liners and a heavy-duty
impeller for extended wear life. The slurryMAX HP is the high-pressure
version of this model, and is designed for multistage high-pressure pumping
systems. Featuring a high-pressure outer casing, the slurryMAX HP uses all
the same wear-resistant parts as the XD, giving consistent performance
and long life.
AngloPlat chooses compliance
Anglo American Platinum has signed a contract for Topsoe’s Wet
gas Sulphuric Acid (WSA) sulphur emissions control technology
for their platinum smelter facility in Polokwane, South Africa.
The WSA technology ensures compliance with environmental
regulations and is a proven technology that controls sulphur
emissions and produces commercial-grade sulphuric acid that can
be sold.
The WSA plant is designed to drastically reduce emissions of
sulphur dioxide (SO2) from the platinum smelter from around
90 000mg/Nm3 to less than 1 200mg/Nm³. It will produce up to
148 tons per day of sulphuric acid.
Newly enforced regulations in South Africa limit the emission
of SO2 and require sulphur-emitting facilities to install abatement
technology. WSA’s recovery of process heat makes it extremely
energy-efficient and consequently it uses no or very little support
fuel. WSA does not produce any waste and requires only minimal
cooling water.
The WSA plant ordered by AngloPlat will be the second
in Africa. As governments and investors across the continent
implement stricter environmental guidelines, the technology is
expected to be adopted by many more African companies. Around
the world, 160 WSA plants have been commissioned.
The contract covers basic engineering, license, proprietary
equipment, catalyst, training, and supervision services. Hatch in
South Africa has been selected by AngloPlat for engineering,
procurement, and construction management (EPCM) and will be
managing the completion of the project on behalf of AngloPlat.
NOVEMBER 2018 MINING MIRROR
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