SA Mining

The AMD report - don't hold your breath

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Acid mine drainage (AMD) the hype is massive, and the issue just seems to go on and on ... and on! Ironically, the problem, according to experts, is bigger than huge, timing is shorter than short, and, if we hold our breath waiting for a solution from the DMR, the ending won't be very pretty. What we can't seem to get right is taking precautionary steps to prevent the problem from reaching cri

out of africa

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

BISHA GOLD PROJECT (PHASE 1) ERITREA Single African mine owner and developer TSX/NYSElisted Nevsun Resources' Bisha mine in Eritrea has reached commercial production. Commercial production marks the completion of project development, commissioning and operational ramp-up of the mine and processing plant. The operation is currently producing gold at a rate in excess of 1000ozpd.

The commissi

Optimal mine designs with mine2-4D, mineCAD and EPS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Figuring out which mine planning and design solution to implement is not easy. That's why you need to go with a product that has been chosen by hundreds of other mines like yourself. Just looking at the name won't necessarily give you the best result you will need to do some homework about your business as well as your solutions provider to make the right choice.

With unrivalled experience

Burnstone officially launched, officially open

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Ferdi Dippenaar - GBG CEO: "In the four and a half years following the commencement of the decline boxcut here at Burnstone in May 2006, we evolved from a so-called greenfields project to a production facility, during which time we focused on mine construction, infrastructure development and the early-stage establishment of an operating environment. It seems like a short time, and it probably is,

Petmin's prospective pipeline

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Petmin's organic expansion projects are on track with an exciting pipeline of prospective iron ore projects in place, Petmin remains well positioned for growth, with low gearing and significant cash resources.

The company will double production at its flagship Somkhele operation during calendar year 2012, to in excess of 1.1mtpa of saleable product.

Veremo Holdings, in which Petmin has a

Xstrata opens new chrome mine

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale has officially opened Xstrata's Magareng chrome mine in Steelpoort, Limpopo. The mine, which is being built at a cost of R700m, forms part of the R4.9bn second phase expansion of the Lion Ferrochrome mine and smelter complex announced in late 2010.

Premier Mathale highlighted Xstrata's contribution to the Limpopo province where it has chrome and platinum group m

Running rampant in WEST AFRICA

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The return of the `bull' in the commodities market and the subsequent loosening of financial fists is seeing a number of viable projects by junior miners get to the starting blocks.

In fact, resource-rich West Africa is like the proverbial nectar, attracting a swarm of explorers, investors and overseas miners.
Over the past few years a diverse range of commodities such as copper, gold, dia

seeking golden glory in Ghana

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The fundamentals for gold over the next five years at least are expected to remain robust, driving the gold price to record highs. Demand will be driven by China as it bulks up its gold reserves, explains economist David Halle of David Hale Global Economics. Speaking at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town in early February, Halle outlined the global economic impact on the commodities sector over the ne

Bumping up its GOLDEN bounty

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Since its first gold pour just over a year ago, at the Inata gold mine in Burkina Faso, Avocet Mining (Avocet) has been busy with exploration to extend the life of mine beyond the current six years. Aside from aiming to double its reserve base to 1.8moz by September this year, the company is on the prowl for lucrative gold investment opportunities in West Africa, financial director Mike Norris tol

AMPELLA firms resource for 2013

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

ASX-listed gold-focused Ampella Mining's market cap has, in the last twoand-a-half years, gone from $6m to $600m on the back of the company progressing its exploration projects in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Armed with a $26m exploration budget for this year Ampella is focused on delivering results to firm up its resource ahead of its proposed gold production in 2013, COO Jean Luc Roy tells Nelendh

Karma a three-year target

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

TSX-listed Riverstone Resources expects to bring its most advanced exploration project, Karma, located in the north-central region of Burkina Faso West Africa, into production in the next three years, CEO Michael McInnis tells Nelendhre Moodley.
Riverstone Resources plans to release an updated resource estimate by the end of February, which is expected to increase the resource by approximately

GOLD FIELDS major exploration, for major growth NOT IN SA

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Major international gold mining company Gold Fields has aspirations to grow its annual gold output from its current 3.6moz to 5moz (through development or production) by 2015. Thanks to a significant exploration budget, across almost every continent, the long-term output and lifespan from its South African old ladies needs only to be stable and steady, writes Laura Cornish. Recognised predomina

Getting down and DIRTY

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A determination to re-establish a local presence, particularly in energy-related projects, has finally paid dividends for construction contractor Group Five Projects Division. It recently won some large contracts on coal-miner Exxaro's Grootegeluk coal project located in Lephalale in the Limpopo Province and Riversdale's Benga project in the Tete Province of Mozambique. The division's strategy imp

NEW COAL new energy source

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Industrial Development Corporation's (IDC) investment in Sekoko Coal is intended to ensure that South Africa's coal supply will meet the country's need for more power. Sekoko recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with state power utility Eskom and Sekoko executive chairperson Tim Tebeila. The MoU will enable his company to supply Eskom's Matimba power station with its growing

Keaton takes a liking to Leeuw

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Keaton Energy Holdings has plans to refinance and acquire a 74% interest in South African export coal producer Leeuw Mining and Exploration (LME). The transaction will result in Keaton Energy acquiring an export foothold; a new major shareholder in Plusbay, an affiliate of Gunvor Group one of the world's leading energy trading companies; and will also safeguard more than 400 jobs in LME's oper

MEGA megawatts to the rescue

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Alternative power generation company Aggreko has spent the last 15 years delivering major power solutions to the African continent largely to the utilities and oil sectors.
With the completion of two significant projects for the mining industry recently, the company's focus on the sector remains high as new and expansion projects going forward are being determined on the back of power supply

Coal's role in 2030 energy mix

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

In October 2010, the Department of Energy made public the draft Integrated Electricity Resource Plan (IRP) for South Africa 2010 2030. The plan's intention is to provide an indication of South Africa's electricity demand; how this demand will be supplied; and what electricity will cost. Hatch Africa associate and president of the South African Coal Processing Society, Gerrit Lok, says that the

Uranium's `clean act' regains favour

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The soaring demand for energy worldwide, particularly clean energy, has recently seen uranium gaining favour from the pundits punting `clean green energy'. As a result the recent years have seen an unprecedented rise in the number of nuclear power plants recently constructed, in construction phase or being proposed. In a bid to tap into this lucrative market, the price of which has nearly double

A PASSIONATE

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

new MD for DRA Mineral Projects Angus Fynes-Clinton, newly appointed MD for DRA Mineral Projects (DRA-MP), the mineral projects division of major engineering and project management house DRA, aims to ensure that DRA maintains its strong foothold in the mining industry. "Our engineers are passionate about their work, this culture is the backbone of our success and I have every intention of reinfo

Minerals processing

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

taking the initiative on innovation Minerals processing equipment innovator MC Process is upholding its name as a technological trendsetter. The company is on the cusp of launching newly developed separation equipment and is fusing its core business with a new industry water treatment, MD Mark Craddock tells Laura Cornish. The end of last year marked the end of the recession and the beginnin

Sedgman takes COAL PROJECTS UP A NOTCH

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Engineering and project management company Sedgman has been rapidly growing from strength to strength as it advances two major coal projects and also undertakes numerous studies on the African continent, GM, Dirk Schenk tells Laura Cornish. Although Sedgman's local presence only became official a year and a half ago, the company's African experience extends back about seven years largely with

A Western Cape rarity

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Rare earth metals the name implies it all. Finding viable deposits is as rare as the metals themselves. A Canada-based company, Great Western Minerals Group (GWMG), through its 70.2%-owned South African company, Rareco, is set to redevelop and re-open a significant rare earth metals project in the Western Cape, writes Laura Cornish. The mine in question Steenkampskraal was originally operat

Saving water can boost MINE PRODUCTION

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Recent testing on a South African platinum mine has shown that saving water through paste and thickened tailings technologies is not only good for the environment, but can allow higher throughput and boost profitability. Using a pilot plant at Anglo Platinum's Mogalakwena South concentrator facility in Limpopo province, engineers and scientific company SRK Consulting, together with engineering c

Exploring new GREEN FRONTIERS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Diversified mining house Anglo American remains at the forefront of green mining, and has taken the lead in promoting green mining initiatives and setting benchmarks.
Aside from being an active member of the International Council for Mining and Metals (ICMM) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), to name just two, the company is also involved in a range of industry

Diamond DO-GOODERS

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Since launching the Diamond Route at the World Sustainable Summit in Johannesburg in 2002, diamond miner De Beers, E Oppenheimer & Son and BEE partner Ponahalo Group are in the process of expanding the concept to their operations in Namibia and Botswana, research and conservation manager Duncan MacFadyen tells Nelendhre Moodley. Since the launch of the Diamond Route nine years ago, the programme

Building a sustainable platinum future

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

"As one of the largest producers of platinum in the world, Implats has a significant impact on its greater environment. It is vital therefore that our business strategy is informed by national and international trends in sustainable development. For this reason sustainability forms the cornerstone of our value system it is an essential component of our board's mandate and underpins our focus on

OPTIMUM COAL

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Committed to climate change, communities and the environment Optimum Coal, South Africa's sixth largest coal producer and fourth largest coal exporter, follows a clear mandate to increase shareholder value, while operating in a manner that is respectful and sustainable to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Since its inception in 2007, Optimum Coal has successfully develope

KABWE cleans up

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

AIM-listed Berkeley Mineral Resources (BMR), established today purely as a tailings recovery company, has secured its first major project in Kabwe, Zambia. The company is going to recover substantial amounts of zinc and lead from dump material, while simultaneously solving a major environmental crisis in the area, BMR chairman Masoud Alikhani tells Laura Cornish. The Kabwe underground mine, clos

Financial preparation

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The core rehabilitation issue The basic understanding of mine rehabilitation is the necessary actions required to revive the environment during mining, and post mine closure. But having a detailed environmental management plan approved by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) is only the tip of the iceberg. "A combination of the right mix of investment portfolio and guarantees to match these

Optimising process systems for the mining industry

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

For over a decade, the Enviroplus Group has been a respected player in process plant engineering.
Our experience over the past 10 years has highlighted the necessity for clients to optimise their production facilities.
We have assisted clients with the following: l enhanced equipment reliability l improved production capacity l safety of operations l l environmental compliance The Group con

Containerised reverse osmosis system

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Mineral process engineering and design company MC Process is commissioning an order for a containerised reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment system, further entrenching its interests in water engineering within the mining industry, industrial waste and effluent market. "The compact system, capable of recycling any raw or contaminated water, will provide potable water for drinking and plant clean

ZERO-effluent plants a growing trend

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Water and waste water expert Veolia Water Solutions and Technologies South Africa has partnered with KV3 Civil Engineers in a R100m project to transform Samancor Chrome's Tubatse ferrochrome smelter in Steelpoort into a zero-effluent plant, aimed at conserving the water in the Steelpoort river by assisting in the re-use of waste water without the risk of salinating process water. The plant, whic

A changing environment

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Digby Wells Environmental is looking at the next 12 to 18 months as critical to fulfilling the company's strategic objectives in South Africa and Africa. The focus on African resource projects is expected to continue to deliver expansion opportunities to the company and its partners. The company is actively engaged in projects from Sierra Leone, Guinea, Mali, The DRC, Mozambique as well as all t

DMR mines for rehabilitation

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Government-funded mining research company Mintek is managing a programme to rehabilitate several mines on behalf of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) across South Africa. The programme follows on from earlier work performed on a yearlong contract which started in 2009. This programme, and the collaboration between Mintek and the DMR, will continue until 2013 under the current contract. I

Reducing incidents for people and the environment

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Since its inception 60 years ago, occupational risk management services and solutions provider Nosa has been working towards creating healthy and safe work environments for employees in the high-risk mining sector.

With new appointments in its mining division, Nosa now offers its mining clients more than 130 years of experience through the joint knowledge and skills base of its mining team mem

A perfect fit for Jwaneng Cut-8 project

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Diamond major De Beers' Jwaneng kimberlite lies in south-central Botswana on the fringes of the Kgalagadi desert, 160km south-west of Gaborone and 80km west of the traditional capital of the Bangwaketse district, Kanye village. The Jwaneng pipe was discovered in 1972 by De Beers prospectors. In 1978 an agreement was signed between the Government of Botswana and De Beers to establish the mine, wh

AEL takes on AMD

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Research and Development (R&D) Department at AEL Mining Services, an international expert and innova tor in blasting solutions, has proactively taken the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) concept further to add value down the supply chain to provide a potential solu tion for the Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) problem through its eco-friendly products.

By supplying environmental solution

Going LARGE on logistics

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Engineering, management and specialist technical service group Aurecon is becoming increasingly significant in the development of improved bulk and freight movement and logistics operations within the mining sector. The company has recently been involved in a number of rail transport and new port/port expansion study projects set to lift South Africa and Mozambique's export capacity in the mid-to-

Local cranes CRY OUT

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Rand strength, high local steel prices and cheap, poor-quality Chinese imports are likely to be the biggest obstacles to growth for local crane and hoist manufacturers this year. According to Marc Kleiner, GM of Condra Cranes, these three factors are interconnected and directly responsible for the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) recent recording of an increase in the number of import ap

Big shovelling at JWANENG

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Debswana has placed an order for two giant 495HR2 Bucyrus electric rope shovels Africa's largest to remove millions of tonnes of overburden and provide access to a rich bounty of diamonds at its Jwaneng mine in Botswana. Jwaneng mine is situated 120km west of Botswana's capital city of Gaborone and on the fringe of the Kgalagadi desert. The project known as the Jwaneng Cut-8 project is e

Pontoon POWER play

authour@pressmart.com (authour) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Weir Minerals Africa has expanded its slurry and mine dewatering equipment solution to include a range of locally manufactured pontoons. These will allow dewatering of large expanses or volumes of water as well as lightweight dredging and maintenance of settling dams. Ian Farquhar, dewatering manager at Weir Minerals Africa, say that this is a natural evolution and follows on the success achieve