Capital Equipment News February 2018

MINING NEWS

CMTI Group drives local innovation in mechanisation

CMTI Group’s locally-developed and patented mechanised underground mining equipment is now ready for commercial contracting. The cutting-edge technology includes ultra-low profile (ULP) mining and integrated brake-testing equipment, as well as rail-bound transport solutions, such as the hybrid diesel-electric locomotive. These are the outcomes of a 12-year-long development programme working in joint venture with some of the world’s largest platinum-group metal (PGM) and gold mining houses, and more than three years of testing the sophisticated solutions in arduous South African underground environments. CMTI Group manufacturers the equipment at its factory in Tshwane, Gauteng, which commenced operations at the start of 2017. As part of the ramp-up, the group embarked Atlas Copco has agreed to acquire the assets of Renegade Drilling Supplies Proprietary Ltd., a South African manufacturer and distributor of drilling consumables for mining exploration. The business will become part of Epiroc South Africa’s Rock Drilling Tools division. Epiroc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Atlas Copco Group, was created when Atlas Copco split into two separate international groups of companies in 2017. According to Gavin Dyer, regional MD of Weir Minerals Africa, the company is investing continuously in both physical and human resources – building its footprint of branches and service centres across the continent, while drawing in process engineering skills to bolster its capacity to optimise plants. His new leadership team of experienced experts are driving the company’s sales and service focus, to bring a wider range of offerings closer to the market and ensure that the business is solidly customer-focused. With marketing director Rajen Govender driving the strategic marketing effort and handling the relationships with key customers, William Cumming focuses on the ‘home ground’ and most neighbouring countries,

CMTI Group’s MT100 has a maximum height of 420 mm and a battery life of seven hours.

on a fundraising round that will close during the first quarter of 2018 to satisfy growth and the significant demand for South African mechanised-mining solutions. “Mechanisation replaces out-dated drilling-and-blasting methods used in the South African narrow reef, hard-rock mining

environment. Increased depth and distance from the shaft has resulted in contracted drill time at the workface. This has contributed towards shrinking production and burgeoning costs, which have been compounded by suppressed commodity prices,” reasons Danie Burger, MD of CMTI Group. ❂

Atlas Copco to acquire SA exploration business

The development saw Atlas Copco’s Mining & Rock Excavation Technique Business Area together with its Construction Tools division form part of Epiroc with a mining and civil engineering sector focus. Renegade Drilling is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and sells its products throughout the Southern African region. The company manufactures and distributes mining exploration drilling consumables, such as drill rods, in-the-

hole tools and diamond drill bits. It has 22 employees. “We are happy to bring the strong team at Renegade Drilling into our group,” says Helena Hedblom, President of Atlas Copco’s Mining and Rock Excavation Technique business area. “The acquisition will expand our product portfolio and establish a regional footprint for manufacturing of mining exploration consumables.” ❂

Weir boosts capacity and footprint in Africa & Middle East Process solutions is now the focus of Weir Minerals Africa, as it works to bring its growing range of services and products closer to customers in Africa and the Middle East. as sales director for South Africa and SADC. Sub-Saharan Africa from Zambia upwards – and also the Middle East – is the jurisdiction of Pieter Jordaan, sales director for the rest of Africa. The company’s process department is headed

by JD Singleton; as process director, he manages the over-arching process engineering offering that will add value at service centre, branch and mine site level across the geographic footprint. “The work of this team will raise the profile of the wider product range and ensure that customers are achieving the best possible returns from this technology,” says Dyer. “There are still areas where Weir is known largely as an original equipment supplier in the field of slurry pumps. Our new structure and capacity will help alert customers to the many opportunities available from Weir Minerals Africa to improve plant efficiencies and performance.” ❂

Weir Minerals Africa’s marketing director, Rajen Govender.

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