Modern Mining August 2023

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BBE Projects to construct refrigeration plant for Northam Platinum’s Zondereinde Western Extension Project

BBE Projects, a specialist in the design, engineering and construction of mine ventilation, refrigeration and cooling systems, is currently executing a turnkey project to design and construct a refrigeration plant and fan station at Northam Platinum’s Zondereinde No. 3 Shaft Project.

T he Zondereinde No. 3 Shaft Project, near Thabazimbi in the Limpopo Province, is plati num group metals (PGMs) miner Northam Platinum’s major expansion drive that will see the construction of three new shafts on a block of ground on the Western Limb of the Bushveld Complex. The flagship expansion project has already seen the completion of the No. 3 Shaft barrel develop ment at a depth of 1 380 m, which will be equipped for personnel and materials handling, while another two shafts, still under construction, will handle ore and ventilation for the mine. The expansion is pre dicted to extend the mine’s lifespan by an additional 30 years. Andrew Branch, Director at BBE Projects, says the company was appointed to design and build the large surface refrigeration plant to chill service water and provide air cooling for the underground works, as well as an upcast fan station on the ventilation hole.

Andrew Branch, Director at BBE Projects.

Bespoke design “Zondereinde No. 3 Shaft is currently one of the big gest projects in the South African mining industry and we are very proud to be a part of it. We are doing a tailored design for the mine, drawing on all the industry norms and our experience to give them

Northam Platinum’s Zondereinde Western Extension Project 1.

40  MODERN MINING  August 2023