WINNING
ROSSMIN ’ S
100-YEAR FUTURE
By Eamonn Ryan
Kim Kemp
Umzimkhulu Industrial Holdings , trading as Rossmin , is an opencast mining operation , mining a highquality limestone deposit near Port Shepstone , known as the Marble Delta . Rossmin was established in 2010 to mine calcitic and dolomitic limestone , and the mine opened in March last year .
Rossmin mine manager Fana Shozi overviews the operations as follows : “ Rossmin uses the most advanced systems to process the minerals in order to produce products of a high quality . Rossmin has a licenced lifespan of about 30 years — but I think we have sufficient limestone to last more than one hundred years . We have only opened two of our mining deposits and have others which we have not yet touched . We are mining two types of limestone : dolomitic and calcitic limestone . Dolomitic limestone has more magnesium content than calcitic limestone . There is a vast market for both materials .
“ Limestone is used for acid neutralisation in the chemical industry , in effluent water treatment and stream restoration projects , and as a soil conditioner . As a source of calcium , limestone provides valuable nutrients to plants and helps change the pH of the soil by raising it to match the plants ’ needs . It enables more uptake of nutrients for plant growth . Dolomitic limestone is used as a source of magnesia ( MgO ), a sintering agent and flux in metal processing , and as an ingredient in the production of glass , bricks , and ceramics . It is used in the construction industry because of its strength ,” says Shozi .
Revolutionary processes
The Rossmin process is revolutionary in that new mineral sorting technology is being employed to achieve unprecedented product qualities . Dry sorting of limestone minerals reduces the environmental impact of traditional wet flotation processes and results in reduced energy consumption and plant performance .
Shozi notes : “ On the sorting side of the business , Rossmin sorts the ore in terms of two characteristics : chemistry and colour making . Rossmin is a market leader in the application of this technology .
“ Using modern mining methods , latest advances in sorting technology , and sizing ,
14 _ QUARRY SA | SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2018