August 2011
In a major step forward for the Cut-8 project at Jwaneng in Botswana, Caterpillar handed over the first of three massive 7495 electric rope shovels to the mine in late June. Modern Mining attended the event, which saw speeches being given by Jwaneng's GM and senior Caterpillar executives. The 7494 was previously known (until Caterpillar's recent acquisition of Bucyrus) as the 495HR2. It has a phenomenal capacity and can move up to 30 Mt of material a year. The units being deployed on the Cut-8 project will work in conjunction with a fleet of 41 Komatsu 930E electric drive trucks, each having a payload of nearly 300 tonnes.
Gold coverage this month centres on Wits Gold's De Bron-Merriespruit South (DBM) project in the southern Free State goldfield. DBM is still at a relatively early phase - the prefeasibility is just starting - but Wits Gold is convinced that it has a good chance of being the next Wits Basin gold mine.The scoping study indicates that the shallow orebody could support a mine producing nearly 3 Moz over a mine life of 25 years and estimates the capex required at US$227 million.
Platinum is covered this month in an article on Wesizwe's Frisch-Ledig mine, which neighbours Styldrift and Maseve. This new Western Bushveld mine is in the early stages of development but shaft sinking is due to start early next year and first production is expected in 2017. Frisch-Ledig is a substantial project which will cost over R7 billion to implement but with the Chinese on board as the major shareholder in Wesizwe the funding has now been secured.
Our article High-tech imaging introduced locally looks at hyperspectral imaging technology which has many applications within the mining and minerals sector, particularly in minerals exploration and environmental monitoring. The technology is available from Southern Mapping, one of South Africa's pre-eminent companies specialising in aerial mapping and remote sensing which last year concluded a technology agreement with US-based SpecTIRTM, one of the leaders in the field.
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Cat loaders perform at Lydenburg plant
Our cover story focuses on BEE company Powers PNP Plant Hire which has deployed several new Cat 666H wheel loaders at Xstrata Alloys in Lydenburg. Powers PNP is working as a sub-contractor to Fraser Alexander and the two companies between them move about 230 000 tonnes a month.
DBM - could it be another Burnstone?
The DBM project in the Free State goldfield has the potential to be South Africa's next Wits Basin gold mine, says Wits Gold. The company believes it could be developed in similar manner to both Burnstone and Modder East, with access to the shallow orebody being provided by a decline and a twin-shaft system to a depth of 650 m.
Boseto project heads towards commissioning
Australia's Discovery Metals Limited (DML) says its Boseto project - which will rank as Botswana's second dedicated copper mine (after Mowana) - is on course for commissioning in the first half of next year. The mine, the first of several which could be developed in the area between Maun and Ghanzi in the north-west of the country, will produce 36 000 tonnes of copper as well as a million ounces of silver yearly over at least a 15-year mine life.
Zibulo conveyor sets a new African record
The 15,9 km long Zibulo overland conveyor, the longest single flight overland conveyor on the African continent, was one of the projects to be highlighted at the highly successful Beltcon 16 conference, held at the Birchwood Conference Centre on the East Rand on 3 and 4 August. The conveyor, which links Zibulo Colliery with the Phola processing plant, was successfully commissioned late last year.
