Production began in January this year on the new Cat MD5075C track drill (replacing the MD5075), designed from the ground up by Caterpillar’s R&D team to meet exacting demands in construction and small to medium-sized quarries. The track drill joins its larger Cat MD5150C sibling in Caterpillar’s two model top hammer track drill line-up, with both units well suited to local conditions due to their robust fabrication and simplified operating requirements.
Editor’s Piece
Illegal mining – an industry dilemma
Despite industry’s efforts to formalise and professionalise its operations, borrow pits and illegal mines are still popping up all over the country. Why is this still being permitted?
Illegal mines are flourishing and in many cases, greed, corruption and personal gain are the root cause behind this ugly practice. One such example is the sand mining operation inside the Letaba Branch Nature Reserve. The mine is 100% illegal. It is operating without a mining right, without approval from the local community, and without a legal lease agreement.
MQ has a list of the entities and people either directly or indirectly involved with the mine, one of whom is currently under investigation for several irregularities; another of whom was fired by the Majeje Community Chief for fraud and mismanagement – and will follow up on this story in the next issue.
Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual; the former invariably damages the morals of the entire country – something not new to South Africans at the moment.
In this issue
Combined wash plant makes the grade at gravel quarry
At the Quarry Face goes global this month, with a look at sand processing by regional Victorian aggregate producer Mawsons Concrete & Quarries, based in Australia. The operator required a wash plant that could consistently clean sand and aggregates, while retaining as many fines as possible.
Quarrying sector performs to international standards
In this regular feature, MQ discusses Aspasa’s activities over the last quarter, together with several important issues currently being raised with the authorities on behalf of its members, among these the controversial diesel rebate scheme.
Transformation beyond the equity scorecard – Part II
The second part of this paper describes specific initiatives undertaken by mining companies to transform; the most notable of which includes staff recruitment efforts to appoint HDSAs, staff development initiatives, and community development.
Innovation is key to Intelligent Quarrying
We report back on a conference organised by the UK Institute of Quarrying in association with the Building Research Establishment, exploring various themes and ideas affecting the minerals extractive industry.
Industry Marketplace
This issue features Burgers Equipment and Spares, which has moved to new fully-functional offices in Johannesburg. Other stories include: the old, loyal Kawasaki ZV90 wheel loader, working its heart out for GaNala Plant Hire in Mpumalanga is an ELB partnership which is proving its worth; Osborn’s R12-million order from Transkei Quarries; the world record set at Daunia Open Cut coal mine in Queensland by blasting specialist BME; Pilot Crushtec International’s DoppiaTrac, which is establishing itself as the coal crusher of choice with coalfield contractors; and Wirtgen, which has officially opened its South African subsidiary.
