CONTRACT MINING
Backed by deep operational insight and robust quality systems, Cementation Africa’ s teams execute every project with precision from shaft sinking to equipment selection and system handover
miner configuration.
“ These skills have now been used to assist clients moving from an open-cast to underground mining setup as the pits mature,” Chamberlain said.“ This involves not only developing the infrastructure for narrow reef, bord and pillar mining but also initiating the mining process up to steadystate stage.”
In this setup, Cementation Africa installs the infrastructure, conducts the development work and then ramps up the mining to steady state before handing over to the client in an orderly manner for them to assume the role of owner-operator. The systems handover includes a data pack covering every aspect of the work the company has completed – providing a firm foundation for them to take the operation forward.
Cementation Africa was also recently named by Tharisa Minerals, a subsidiary of Tharisa plc, as a key partner in its strategic transition from open-cast to underground. This $ 574 million plan will see the addition of underground mined ore from West Mine( Apollo Complex) and East Mine( Orion Complex) from 2031 at Tharisa to ensure that the nameplate processing capacity of 5.6 Mt / y run of mine( ROM) is achieved and exceeded, the mining company says.
Both the underground Apollo and Orion complexes, which will be developed sequentially, have been designed to mine 255,000 t / mth at steady state with a combined production rate of 510,000 t / mth, capped at the plant feed capacity of 5.6 Mt / y, thus maintaining current PGM and chrome concentrate output with growth opportunities due to smarter mining and less dilution.
A spokesperson for Tharisa told IM recently that the fleet plans at this project included the use of 10-t-payload Komatsu WX10LP low profile LHDs, 30-t-payload HX30LP low profile trucks, Sandvik DD321 double boom drill rigs, MacLean SS5 concrete spraying units, MacLean concrete transmixers, Fletcher 3120 bolters and more.
When discussing the use of such technology – automation, electrification and digitalisation included – Chamberlain said:“ Gradual technological advancement is our preferred route, favouring solutions that are readily available – even if we have to adapt them to our applications – and which have been proven effective. Certainly, data and information management is increasingly important where the large volume of data generated by modern mining operations requires careful interpretation and application. This data can also feed predictive models within an artificial intelligence framework, designed to assist supervisors in resource allocation and planning.”
Adams added:“ Important advances have been made in data acquisition and transmission in underground mining environments, and our focus is on continual improvement. In addition to fibre and Wi-Fi as strategies to enable faster data availability, for instance, we have also used a‘ mule’ data transfer system to enable machines to network, gather data and upload it at strategic points.”
U & M marks 50th year with big plans for the future
This year marks 50 years in business for Brazil’ s leading mining contractor, U & M, which came into existence in June 1975 with the foundation of earthmoving company Módulo Terraplanagem by Gumercindo Machado, which later merged with another family company, Unienge, in 1993.
However, the roots of the company date back even earlier, to 1958, when Gumercindo and his wife, Berenice Ribeiro, started with a solitary dozer, a Hanomag K60, and a unique vision for a new earthmoving company. IM had the privilege
International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025