Cradle to grave
Mine and municipality join forces
Canadian group Platinum Group Metals and the Capricorn District Municipality in Limpopo, South Africa, have entered into an agreement to jointly develop a water supply management plan to increase the water supply and infrastructure capacity for both local community and Waterberg Mine usage. Platinum Group Metals’ Waterberg JV is developing the Waterberg Project, a large-scale mine development in the northern limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex.
The public-private partnership between the mining company and the municipality will benefit the mine and the communities surrounding the mining area. Capricorn District Municipality has identified groundwater resources proximal to the newly discovered Waterberg bulk mineable palladium-platinum-gold and rhodium project. At the pre-feasibility stage, independent specialists identified potential water resources for both the mine and local communities. The
joint responsible management of the water resources is the objective of the agreement.
An earlier, well-executed work and drilling programme conducted by the Capricorn District Municipality identified both potable and high-mineral unpotable water resources in the district. Work by Waterberg JV Co. has also identified some potable water resources. The unpotable water is now targeted for industrial use and potable water could then be prioritised for communities.
Good partnerships lower cycle times
When planning and implementing load-haul mining contracts, the importance of close cooperation between contractor and customer cannot be over-emphasised. This is according to Graeme Campbell, commercial and operations manager of Raubex Group company, SPH Kundalila.
“ It begins with the customer providing relevant and accurate data, so that the contractor can make the right calculations, but it goes much further than this,” says Campbell.“ When both parties are focused on improving cycle times, the project efficiency can be significantly improved, and the cost reduced.”
He highlights that contractors will not be able to achieve the required cycle times if the customer causes any delays. But, on the other hand, it only takes small improvements to shorten cycle times and reduce the cost per tonne. This result should provide enough motivation for a constructive partnership.
“ There are basic principles of earthmoving that influence cycle times, and these include ensuring ideal conditions, both on site and off site,” he says.“ On site, the loading area
SPH Kundalila partners with customers to reduce cycle times.
should be level and stable underfoot, while the haul road needs to be a well-maintained, quality surface with as few stops as possible.”
The offload area should also be easy to access, as this contributes to a quick turnaround time.“ Conducive off-site conditions mean that all activities must be accurately recorded, information on tonnes handled, and hours worked per shift must be regularly provided, and there must be constant feedback on health, safety, and machine status,” he says.
Not only will this achieve the shortest cycle times possible, but it will ensure a safe working environment— to the benefit of both the contractor and the customer.
“ When adjudicating load and haul tenders, it is therefore vital that mines scrutinise the cycle times that contractors estimate, as this is a key criterion on which service providers can differentiate themselves,” says Campbell.“ The difference between a couple of minutes per cycle could add unnecessary millions to the cost of a contract.”
SPH Kundalila
SEPTEMBER 2018 MINING MIRROR [ 57 ]