Modern Mining April 2017

MINING News

HOISTING SOLUTIONS Winder Controls is a leader in the mechanical, electrical and hydraulic design, manufacture and installa- tion of mine winders and related equipment. Our designs comply with the latest international safety and reliability standards including SIL assessments where applicable. Our services include relocations, refur- bishment and upgrades, as well as full aftersales and maintenance support. In addition we offer a range of special products including steel wire rope handling equipment, Three Chamber Energy recovery systems and Nuclear Waste Disposal Technology.

Kakula exploration teammember seen with one of the drilling rigs now in operation (photo: Ivanhoe). project began drawing clean, hydroelec- tric power from the DRC national grid for development and construction activities. In September 2016, ongoing upgrad- ing work financed by Ivanhoe at the Mwadingusha hydropower plant allowed the facility to begin supplying an initial 11 MW of electricity to the national grid. Bench-scale metallurgical flotation test work at XPS Consulting and Testwork Services laboratories in Falconbridge, Canada, achieved copper recoveries of 87,8 % and produced a concentrate with an extremely high grade of 56 % copper using the flowsheet developed during the Kamoa pre-feasibility study. The material tested was a composite of chalcocite-rich Kakula drill core, assaying 8,1 % copper. 

Tantalite mine in Namibia upgraded Kennedy Ventures, the AIM-quoted investment company which, through its stake in African Tantalum (Pty) Limited (Aftan), has an interest in the Tantalite Valley Mine (TVM) in Namibia, reports that the mine recently hosted a suc- cessful visit by a customer, a leading manufacturer of tantalum capacitors, as well as Namibian government officials. During the visit Aftan provided demon- strations of tantalum recovery both at the plant and the product room.

transfer dam, reducing diesel usage and ensuring the plant water storage systems are always available via the transfer dam feed. A thickener has been mounted and is currently being com- missioned and is expected to reduce the silt to the main dam, as well as add- ing water storage and distribution to the circuit. Three more James tables have also been added. The crusher jaws have been refurbished and are being com- missioned to allow proper sizing during operations to bring more consistent feed to the circuit. Larry Johnson, CEO of Kennedy Ven­ tures, commented: “Aftan has made considerable progress in the year to date and is now in a position of strength both at the operational level and with onward sales. Aftan is confident that its product will meet the customer’s qual- ity and specification tests and its work this calendar year means Aftan is now firmly positioned within a world-class supply chain.” 

Tel: +27 (0)11 383 9300 www.winder.co.za

Fax: +27 (0)11 383 9305 email: winder@winder.co.za

Onemetric tonne of product has been sold by Aftan to the customer, who has requested a further six tonnes for deliv- ery during the quarter to June as part of a quality sampling programme to make certain the product suits its facilities and requirements. Ultimately, subject to the product meeting the required specifica- tions, Aftan hopes to agree a permanent offtake agreement with the customer. Aftan’s plant has undergone a num- ber of upgrades. A solar-powered pump has been installed to pre-fill the main

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