Modern Mining April 2023

COPPER

surface engineering crew and assistants. In the shaft itself, there are normally only between seven and ten workers, including the miner and shaft boss. The total labour complement on site is currently just over 120 people, 46 % of whom are recruited from local communities. Durand says that commitment to safety is non negotiable with Visible Felt Leadership playing an important role. “We believe active and visible par ticipation by managers and supervisors not only identifies and addresses potential issues but also goes a long way to building a culture of safety throughout the organisation.” Highlighting Murray & Roberts Cementation’s community and social initiatives on the contract, Durand says the company – working very closely with PMC – has concentrated primarily on assist ing local schools. The facilities provided (to a value of near R2 million) have included ablution facilities, fences, water storage tanks and boreholes. “We also have a training initiative underway, and this has seen young community members attending our Bentley Park Training Academy near Carletonville,” he says. “Already, almost 80 individu als have completed the programme with a further 20 currently undergoing training. Although neither we nor PMC guarantee jobs to these youths, they are learning skills that are in high demand in the mining sector and could be life-changing for them.” Durand says the contribution that Murray & Roberts Cementation is making to the communities surrounding the Palabora mine reflects the com pany’s long-standing commitment to working in a socially responsible and sustainable manner. “Our company has a long record of engaging with and assisting local communities in the areas in which we work, and the Palabora contract is continuing this proud tradition”. Furthermore, PMC which is located within Phalaborwa in the Limpopo province in South Africa, is adjacent to the world-renowned Kruger National Park and the copper producer has initiated several wildlife management programmes to minimise the impact of its operations on the environment and to promote the harmonious co-existence of people, industry and wildlife. 

The method, developed by Murray & Roberts’ sister company in Canada, reduces the number of workers needed for shaft sinking operations and is regarded as being safer than traditional shaft sinking. “The different conditions we face have led to some changes in the methodology – without any compromise on safety – but many elements remain the same, particularly in terms of the shuttering system,” he says. “As was the case at VUP, we also use sling-down jumbos, the main difference being that our machines are electro-hydraulic rather than pneumatic-hydraulic.” The number of Murray & Roberts Cementation personnel deployed per shift is 25. This figure includes all drivers, bank assistants, operators,

An excavator busy lashing at the shaft bottom with shaft lining being carried out on the face.

Murray & Roberts Cementation achieved 500 LTI free hours on 1 July 2022.

22  MODERN MINING  April 2023