Industry intelligence
COLLIERY DEAL CREATES JOBS Sitatunga Resources purchased Wescoal ’ s coal assets near Newcastle , KwaZulu- Natal , for R103-million .
The assets include an approved mining right and overlaying surface rights . Sitatunga signed an agreement to buy the Leeuw Braakfontein Colliery from JSE-listed mining company Wescoal .
Braakfontein Colliery is an advanced-stage exploration property situated on the Klip River Coalfield , located about 10km from the town of Newcastle . The area has a potential for coal extraction through opencast mining at the initial phase as well as underground mining at a later stage .
Arne Hansen , the managing director of Sitatunga , said he and his team are excited about the prospects of converting the potential at Braakfontein into an owned and managed mining operation . “ As a start , it ’ s a good investment for us . We are therefore looking forward to start operations as soon as everything has been cleared by regulators .”
The offer by Sitatunga , an exploration and project development mining company , to buy the assets came at the right time for Wescoal , which was looking at disposing of its non-core assets to fund future growth . The deal is subject to regulatory approvals .
Menar closer to RBCT
Menar Holdings has entered into an agreement to buy a majority stake in Kangra Coal for USD28m . Kangra owns assets in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal .
The successful purchase of Kangra will give Menar a strategic stake in Richards Bay Coal Terminal ( RBCT ), the world ’ s largest coal terminal . This will work in Menar ’ s favour , as exports have gradually increased over the years . Kangra owns a 2.3 % stake in RBCT and has a right to export a total of 1.6 million tonnes of coal annually .
The purchase of a 70 % stake from Madridlisted energy giant Gas Natural Fenosa ( GNF ), is subject to regulatory approval and the finalisation of discussions about pre-emptive
Lifesaving mine technologies
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research ( CSIR ) showcased some of the latest technologies to support the country ’ s mining sector .
The event took place at the Mandela Mining Precinct in Johannesburg . Among the technologies displayed was a robot platform equipped with safety inspection sensors to enter mines during safety periods . Known as ‘ Monster ’, the robot aims to assess and identify risks for underground mines .
Ground penetrating radar ( GPR ), which is being researched as one of the South African Mining Extraction , Research , Development and Innovation ( SAMERDI ) Advanced Orebody Knowledge technologies , was also displayed . This technology contributes to the Zero Harm objective , by enabling miners to visualise potentially hazardous geological structures in the hanging wall that could lead to falls-of-ground .
The CSIR also developed a pedestrian detection system . The system uses a range sensor to determine the distance to each identified person and tracks each person to determine if and when a collision is likely to occur .
Addressing the media , CSIR mining experts Dr Dave Roberts , Dr Shaniel Davrajh , and Dr Michael van Schoor said the organisation
The RockPulse was developed by the CSIR to improve safety in mines .
rights held by the 30 % owner , Izimbiwa Coal Investments .
If approved , the acquisition will add to Menar Holdings ’ growing portfolio and diversified geographical location of assets . The mining investment company already owns Zululand Anthracite Coal ( ZAC ), which it acquired from Rio Tinto .
Managing director at Menar , Vuslat Bayoglu , said the willingness of the Spanish giant to sell the assets had perfect timing , as his growth strategy through acquisition and investing in existing operations was taking shape . “ We have the right set of skills and a proven track record to operate coal mines in challenging environments ,” he said .
is working hard to come up with cutting-edge technologies to improve safety in the mines .
While commenting on the role that the CSIR is playing in supporting the South African mining industry , CSIR principal researcher , Dr Roberts , said the organisation was identified as a primary research provider to the Mine Health and Safety Council ( MHSC ) Centre of Excellence .
Principal engineer , Dr Davrajh , highlighted the importance of using robotic technologies in the mines . He said using these technologies could assist in reaching some of the areas that are not accessible during an incident . Principal geophysicist , Dr Van Schoor , talked about the use of GPR technology for rock mass stability investigations . He said there was a need for reliable rock mass stability determination .
Dineo Phoshoko
[ 4 ] MINING MIRROR OCTOBER 2018