MINERS NEWS MAGAZINE

JOHANNESBURG – The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) said on Monday that it has initiated a ground stability study in the Johannesburg area with immediate effect. In a statement, the DMR said the study, which will commence shortly through the Council for Geoscience (CGS), aims to assess whether there is any long-term damage to critical infrastructure installation. "While there is no immediate threat to critical infrastructure as has been claimed, government wants to confirm this assertion scientifically, and proactively deal with this matter not only in Johannesburg, but in other areas where illegal mining occurs," it said. "The CGS is expected to provide a preliminary report on the matter within two weeks." This follows weekend reports that the iconic FNB Stadium and other landmarks were at risk as illegal miners tunnel under the city close to fuel and gas pipes, raising danger of buildings collapsing and deadly explosions. Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba had r

Atlas Copco has expanded its range of low pressure oil-free rotary screw compressors with the addition of the new ZE 3. Specifically manufactured to operate in a broad spectrum of pneumatic conveying industrial applications, this low pressure oil-free rotary screw compressor ensures a continuous 100% oil-free air supply at the lowest possible life cycle cost. With the introduction of the new ZE 3, Atlas Copco offers a solution to OEMs who in the past often faced a limited choice of compressor manufacturers that could provide a reliable compressed air source. “The ZE 3 low pressure compressors incorporate Atlas Copco’s latest and well-proven oil-free screw element, a robust gearbox, and an IP55 motor which is completely enclosed for protection from dust ingress,” affirms JC Lombard, Business Line Manager at Atlas Copco Oil-free Air Division. “Owing to the optimal process and cooling airflow design, the machines are protected against extreme ambient temperatures.” These superior q

courtesy of Goldplat Plc NAIROBI, Oct 19 (Reuters) – Kenya plans to set up a gold refinery to help small scale miners in the west of the country, the Petroleum and Mining Ministry said on Friday, and the government is seeking consultants to advise on its construction. Kenya has proven deposits of titanium, gold and coal but its mining sector is a relatively small contributor to national output. However, revenues are expected to grow as new mines start production. The new refiner will provide services to help vulnerable, artisanal and small scale miners and other local producers meet international standards, the ministry said in a statement. "The aim of the project is to improve the livelihoods of the beneficiary community, regional economy and that of Kenya as a whole," the ministry said. It added that the refinery will also create new jobs. While Kenya is a small gold producer, it has attracted investors like London-listed Goldplat Plc, which operates a mine in south

“Onsite industrial gas (nitrogen and oxygen) generation offers a much more sustainable and cost-efficient solution compared to cylinder or bulk liquid supply which require transport, handling, storage and administration,” notes Charl Ackerman, Business Line Manager of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s Industrial Air division. Nitrogen, often rated fourth after gas, electricity and water, is an essential requirement in many applications and many industries in for example chemical manufacturing, food and beverage processing and packaging, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and laser cutting, are dependent on nitrogen as an integral part of their production processes. Atlas Copco draws on over a century of experience and continuous technical innovation to offer tailor-made superior quality on-site nitrogen generators designed to optimise production processes at the lowest possible operating costs. “The NGP+ nitrogen generator with PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) technology can simply b

Atlas Copco Compressor Technique is proud to introduce its 4th generation VSD+ compressors - the GA75-110VSD+! “This 4th generation which follows hot on the heels of the GA37- 75 VSD+ compressors we launched in 2016 is the biggest generation of VDS+ compressors for Compressor Technique’s Industrial Air Division,” says Business Line Manager for Industrial Air, Charl Ackerman. “Compressed air, much like electricity, is a utility that is critical to most production processes. So, their core business and not the source of their compressed air should be our customers’ primary focus,” states Ackerman. “Ensuring that our customers’ compressed air systems are seamless, efficient and cost effective to help keep their electricity bills and production costs to a minimum is therefore our focus. The compact, smart, efficient and reliable Atlas Copco GA75-110 VSD+ fulfills all these requirements perfectly for complete customer peace of mind.” Industry is constantly looking for ways to enhance

Najib Balala, (Ex- Mining Minister) and member of parliament Kenya has won a case against Cortec Mining Kenya Limited, Cortec (pty) Limited and Stirling Capital Limited over the revocation in 2013 of a licence for mining niobium and rare earth minerals, a court ruling made public on Tuesday showed. The decision could add to wariness about Kenya's nascent mining industry among investors already spooked by resource nationalism in neighbouring Tanzania, analysts said. The companies had argued their project was nationalised after they had spent six years and millions of dollars in exploration and development. But a tribunal at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ruled the companies' licence was not a "protected investment". It ordered the companies to pay costs of around $3.5 million to the government, compared with the $6.5 million it had asked for. Initial drilling at the Mrima Hill project had suggested more than 100 million tonnes of niobi

The outlook for Africa’s oil & gas industry is positive amid difficult operating and economic headwinds. Tough economic and external conditions have placed pressure on oil & gas companies to be more cost-effective and efficient. Companies have adopted to a low-cost environment, which promises to be even more beneficial given the current recovering oil price. These are some of the highlights from PwC’s annual Africa Oil & Gas Review released today at the 25th Africa Oil Week Conference, 2018 held in Cape Town. “Africa’s oil & gas companies have weathered the downturns and capitalised on the upswings focusing their efforts on new ways of working, reducing costs and utilising new technology,” Chris Bredenhann, PwC Africa Oil & Gas Advisory Leader, says. Companies have taken to restructuring their portfolios with a focus on established regions, less exploration, higher value plays with low break-even-cost, and projects with shorter lead times and lower risk. The indust

Kwale In an exclusive interview, Joe Schwarz, general manager of external affairs and development at Base Titanium discusses the company’s achievement highlights at its Kwale minerals sand operation in Kenya. In July 2017 the Kwale project was awarded official flagship status by Kenya’s Vision 2030. This is a proud achievement for the company and represents a significant milestone in the partnership between the government of Kenya and Base Titanium, the local subsidiary and operating entity of Base Resources, in promoting further development of the sector. Company and project highlights There have been many stand out highlights since acquiring and developing the Kwale mine – the rapid and successful development of Kenya’s first large-scale, modern mining project, plant commissioning and ramp up, a justifiably proud safety record, upskilling and developing our Kenyan workforce and our community development programmes. To this list can be added environmental rehabilitation. Ensuring a

Coal generated R129 billion in sales in 2017 – about 28% of South Africa’s total mineral sales and directly employed over 82 000 people, whose earnings amounted to some R22 billion. Apart from being South Africa’s largest mining contributor to gross domestic product and the third-largest employer in the mining sector, it also created another 170 000 indirect jobs. SRK Consulting principal geologist Lesley Jeffrey explains that the government’s latest draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) envisaged only 45% of the nation’s supply of energy coming from coal – down from 48% in the 2010 draft of the IRP. “In terms of the electricity coming from coal-fired power stations, this planned reduction represents about 4 000 MW of energy that will in future not require being generated by coal,” says Jeffrey. “This amount is equivalent to the closing of a large power station like Kendal – the last big power station built before work began on Medupi and Kusile," she continues. The amount of coal