5
07.13
mining news
Near-term route to production at Manica
Maintenance Management in Mining course
Drilling underway at the Guy Fawkes deposit at the Manica gold project (photo: Auroch Minerals).
ASX-listed gold explorer Auroch Minerals NL
says that that an independent scoping study
has been completed on its existing non-re-
fractory and Fair Bride transitional resources
at its Manica gold project in Mozambique.
The study confirms the technical and com-
mercial viability of a +40 000 oz per annum
mine at Manica to provide near term cash
flow. Auroch reports that a Definitive Feasibil-
ity Study (DFS) will commence immediately.
“The development of Manica will give us a
first mover advantage and allow us to accel-
erate our consolidation strategy in the area,
giving the company momentum and critical
mass. This will provide a stable platform from
which the company can create cash flow and
operate at the lower end of the total cash
cost curve. These are exciting times for all
stakeholders as we make the transition from
exploration to development,” says Auroch’s
Managing Director, Dean Cunningham.
Adds Chairman Glenn Whiddon: “As Au-
roch has successfully progressed its explo-
ration programme, the technical teams’ un-
derstanding of the Manica Northern Shear
Zone has improved greatly. The company
has considered the results to date and its cir-
cumstances to formulate a decisive strategy
which provides a path to production and a
potential source of near term cash flow. Au-
roch has every confidence in the robust na-
ture of the Manica gold project and we are
excited to be moving towards production.”
The scoping study, prepared by indepen-
dent advisers JP Mining Consulting (Pty)
Limited, revealed viable simple shell open
pits for the Fair Bride and Dot’s Luck depos-
its and potential for a shallow depth under-
ground open stoping operation at the Guy
Fawkes deposit. It envisages a centralised
processing plant being established on the
mining concession with a throughput rate
of 720 000 t/a at an average head grade of
2,23 g/t Au. The initial capital expenditure is
estimated at US$31,62 million in May 2013
constant money terms.
In a mechanised mining environment, mining
equipment is vitally important in determining
the success of the mining process and equip-
ment performance is often the production
constraint that determines the performance
of mineral extraction and processing opera-
tions. Maintenance in mining remains a chal-
lenging area. Innovative, futuristic thinking
and challenging the ideas of the past are re-
quired to ensure the economic viability of the
mining industry going forward.
In order to address some of these chal-
lenges, The Centre for Mechanised Mining
Systems (CMMS), Wits University, will be pre-
senting a three-day course entitled ‘Mainte-
nance Management in Mining – from strategic
management to field practice’ from the 26 –
28 August 2013.
The course content includes:
real time monitoring of machine and com-
ponent health, data interpretation and ac-
tions required;
strategic management of mining equip-
ment maintenance;
machine application and the resulting wear
and tear of various components including
tracks, tyres, ground-engaging tool cutting
edges and drill bits;
optimising part and component life;
global and national data links for support-
ing maintenance and repairs;
oil sampling for component wear detection;
principles of out-sourced service agree-
ments;
basic workshop and field service planning.
Professor Zvi Borowitsh of the Wits School
of Mining Engineering and the Israeli Institute
of Technology will lead the course. Edgar
Bradley, experienced lecturer in reliability and
maintenance and well-known maintenance
consultant, will present the latest thinking in
maintenance management. Guest presenters
will include leading specialists from equip-
ment producers, mining companies and con-
sulting firms.
Further details are available from the
CMMS, tel (+27 11) 717-7329, e-mail:
Patricia.
