Capital Equipment News January 2018

MINING NEWS

Three tips for meeting production targets

Mines are dynamic environments with loads of pressure on managers, department heads and procurement officers to keep up the pace, but there are three key bases to be covered if they are to consistently meet daily goals and keep the wheels turning smoothly. These must- haves are communication, trusted role players and resource capacity, according to SPH Kundalila group commercial officer, Werner Cloete. “Managers and procurement officers decide on crucial aspects that can make or break a project,” says Cloete. “When key actions are regularly taken – making them habits instead of emergency responses – it can revolutionise the way a site functions.” Firstly, good communication is vital, so that everyone is clear on the target and the strategy and they can all play their roles in meeting daily production targets. Managed well, the regular morning meeting can be a powerful tool allowing progress to be tracked through role-players reporting back. “In this forum, changes to the production plan can be easily shared and discussed,” he says. It is important that communication methods should be practical and timeous. This means a judicious balance of verbal and written communication. The message must also reach all parties involved, so communi- cators must ensure that everyone has access to optimal communication tools. Secondly, the project must have trusted

Meeting the challenge of increased production means having proven back-up plans already in place.

role players who have been vetted and chosen based on their ability to finish work within the allocated timeframe, and have the experience to conduct work effectively. “All teams on a project must also function well with others from different contractors, without causing unnecessary conflict or problems,” he says. “Such problems can cost time and money.” Thirdly, the project’s resource capacity will

determine whether it is able to adjust to new production targets at a moment’s notice. This might occur when commodity prices change – demanding higher output – or when there is a breakdown on site. “This is when it pays to have a well-resourced mining contractor like SPH Kundalila,” says Cloete. “In these situa- tions, the mine does not want the uncertainty of whether the contractor can increase its capacity in a short time.” b

Reliable comms for underground Experts in communication systems for underground coal and hard rock mines, Ya Batho’s locally developed and manufactured com- munication products offer both a high level of functionality and an affordable cost of ownership. Active in the market since 2010, Ya Batho grew quickly from its focus on fibre optics installation and has become a provider of direct contracting services to major players in the mining industry. Through its commitment to reliable and quality workmanship, it has grown its business to encompass turnkey solutions in the layout and design of communication systems. Ya Batho also supplies fibre optic infrastructure, leaky feeder communication systems, medium frequency radios and Wi-Fi infrastructure and accessories. It also maintains and services the equipment it supplies. The operation specialises in installing and splicing new fibre optic cables and repairing existing cables, testing their splicing integrity and issuing certificates verifying this splicing integrity, whether on surface or underground. It offers the Trinity range of leaky feeder products, designed to improve the quality and functionality of underground communications. For all medium frequency communication requirements, Ya Batho has the Kutta range of products. The medium frequency radios work with existing mine infrastructure (such as power cables, wire core lifelines, phone lines and conveyor structures) to transmit voice and tracking data to surface.

To meet mines’ WiFi requirements, the company uses the MCOTECH range of products underground and on surface, including wireless access point networks, intrinsically safe Android tablets for use in fiery mines and VoIP wireless handsets. It also offers various fit-for-purpose fire suppression products to address fire hazards that could jeopardise the functionality of the communication system. b

Ya Batho offers an intrinsically safe Android tablet for use in fiery mines.

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