In our lead article this month we look at DRDGOLD's Ergo tailings retreatment operation and, specifically, the new R320 million flotation/fine-grind (FFG) circuit at Ergo's Brakpan plant, designed to increase the efficiency of extraction by approximately 10 %.
Operation of the plant was suspended for several months last year but the problems that led to this decision have now largely been resolved and DRDGOLD reports it is now starting to see the benefits of the FFG circuit.
Moving far to the north of South Africa's borders, we take a look at two diamond projects now being developed by Stellar Diamonds in the West African countries of Guinea and Sierra Leone.
One of the projects, Baoulé in Guinea, is already into the trial mining phase while the other, Tongo Dyke-1 in Sierra Leone, should enter commercial production later this and eventually build up to being a 90 000 carat a year operation.
Addressing the topic of materials handling, we cover the latest Deebar Rail-Veyor® installation in South Africa's mining industry, now operational on surface at a mine in North West Province. The Rail-Veyor® is an innovative bulk material transport system based on the principle of a roller coaster, where a train consisting of a series of articulated trough-like, two-wheeled cars runs on light rails up inclines, down hills and around bends on a rail that can turn back 180 deg within 30 m.
Our special feature this month focuses on surface or open-pit mining contracting and includes profiles of Aveng Moolmans, probably the biggest player in this field in Africa, and Concor Opencast Mining, part of the Murray & Roberts Group. Interestingly, while many companies engaged in providing services to the mining sector have been forced to diversify into Africa to counter the effects of the current mining downturn, Aveng Moolmans, while still maintaining its wide geographical footprint, is finding that the biggest part of its turnover is now being derived from contracts within South Africa itself.
R9,3 billion Lift II at Palabora approved
Palabora Copper (Pty) Limited, a subsidiary of Palabora Mining Company, has received the much anticipated nod from its shareholders to execute the R9,3 billion life of mine extension project. The project – known as Lift II – is a block-cave mine development that will see the company extending its life of mine until 2033.
Extracting the tonnage value with Liviero
Our cover story profiles the Liviero Group, active across the construction and mining industries. Liviero Mining, its opencast mining contracting arm, is emerging as mid-tier contractor, with its biggest current contract being at Keaton Energy's Vanggatfontein coal mine near Delmas in Mpumalanga.
Stellar poised to emerge as a mid-tier diamond miner
A spin-off from the old Mano River Resources, AIM-quoted Stellar Diamonds, up till now primarily an exploration company (although it did mine the alluvial Mandala deposit in Guinea between 2009 and 2011) is set to become a commercial-scale producer, with trial mining already underway at a kimberite project in Guinea and development of a full-scale mine imminent at a kimberliute dyke deposit in Sierra Leone.
Moolmans shows its resilience in a highly competitive market
While the severity of the downturn in mining has left many open-cut mining contractors desperate for work, Aveng Moolmans is weathering the storm very capably. We talk to its MD, Stuart White, who says that the key to surviving recessions is not to tender in a reckless manner and to focus inwards on efficiencies and the quality of earnings.
