Modern Mining January 2015

MINING News

Murray & Roberts companies have 22 shafts underway

The Murray & Roberts Underground Mining platform not only has growth in its order book but – with 22 active shaft proj- ects underway globally – is the single most active shaft-sinking group in the world outside of China. This is according to Allan Widlake, Business Development Executive

of Murray & Roberts Cementation. The Murray & Roberts Group has sunk the deepest single-lift shaft in South Africa (at South Deep), the deepest single-lift shaft in the USA (at Resolution) and the deepest shaft in Canada (at Kidd). It is also busy sinking what will be the deepest shaft in the US, namely a winze, at Lucky Friday. The platform comprises the following businesses: Murray & Roberts Cementation (Johannesburg-based); Cementation Canada (North Bay-based); Cementation USA (Salt Lake City-based); Cementation Sudamérica (Santiago-based) and RUC Cementation Mining (Perth-based). The Murray & Roberts Group consists of three additional operating platforms. The new Oil & Gas platform was previously known as Construction Australasia Oil & Gas and Minerals, the Energy & Industrial platform was previously known as Engineering Africa while the Infrastructure & Building platform was previously known as Construction Africa and the Middle East. “The Underground Mining platform will be the main focus at Mining Indaba, with the other three platforms participating too, as a large part of their business is exposed to themining sector.We believe that Mining Indaba 2015 will be the premier event to showcase our total service offering to the mining industry, with synergies across all four operating platforms,”Widlake says. “We are utilising both the Australian in the delivery of development and expan- sion projects. Previous executive roles have included Chief Operating Officer for Anvil Mining in the DRC and Senior Vice President at AngloGold Ashanti in Ghana, where he had full accountability for all in-country operations for both underground and sur- face mining with gold production capacity of 600 000 ounces per annum. He has a BSc and PhD in Mining Engineering and a Masters degree in Business Leadership and is a Fellow of IMMM and AusIMM. “We are delighted to welcome a min- ing professional with the experience and track record of Toby to the management team,” comments Shanta’s Chairman, Tony Durrant. “With the need to deliver both opencast and underground mining at New Luika in the coming years, Toby will add

and Canadian experience in our platform to introduce First World development and shaft-sinking expertise to the South African mining industry,”Widlake says. Additional cooperation between South Africa and Australia has involved the establishment of internal joint ventures to bring skill sets together for projects elsewhere in Africa. Murray & Roberts Cementation itself is focusing on West, Southern and East Africa as its main target markets. “We have opened an office in Zambia and entered into a partnership with Enterprise Générale Malta Forrest (EGMF) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In terms of Ghana, the Murray & Roberts Group opened an office in Accra in 2013,” says Widlake. He adds that in Zambia, Murray & Roberts Cementation is blind sinking and equipping the main shaft at Mopani Copper Mines’ Synclinorium project. Similarly, Murray & Roberts Cementation is carrying out shaft sinking and high speed development at the Mufulira Deeps expan- sion project for Mopani Copper Mines. In South Africa, Murray & Roberts Cementation is delivering a twin verti- cal and single decline shaft (blind sink) at Sasol’s Impumelelo. It is deepening the No 1 and 3 shafts at Petra Diamonds’ Cullinan mine, in addition to slipe and line develop- ment, while it is blind sinking a ventilation shaft at Assmang’s Gloria mine.  significant value in guiding the company through this critical period in its short history. Joining now as Chief Operating Officer will allow for a suitable period of transition and help to ensure a seamless handover. “Mike joined us on a 30-month contract in October 2012 with a remit to address start-up issues at the New Luika mine, develop a management team, strengthen the balance sheet and develop a life of mine and growth strategy. Mike has accom- plished a number of important milestones during his successful tenure. Production has grown significantly from 5 748 ounces in Q4 2012 to being on track to produce 83 000 ounces in 2014 at an all-in sustain- ing cash cost of US$900 to $950 per ounce, and is targeted at 83 000 to 85 000 ounces in 2015 at a reduced all-in sustaining cash cost of US$830 to $880 per ounce.” 

Sinking headgear at the Gloria Shaft in South Africa.

Shanta Gold appoints Chief Operating Officer Shanta Gold, which operates the New Luika Gold Mine (NLGM) in the Lupa goldfield of south-west Tanzania, has announced the appointment of Dr Toby Bradbury to the senior management team as Chief Operating Officer, effective from 1 January 2015.

Shanta’s CEO, Mike Houston, has informed the board of his decision to retire on 31 March 2015 upon the completion of his contract and it is intended that he will be succeeded by Dr Bradbury as CEO effec- tive from 1 April 2015. Dr Bradbury has 30 years’ experience in corporate, strategic and operational roles across a broad range of commodities and geographies through which he has gained significant expertise in opencast and underground mining operations, as well as

8  MODERN MINING  January 2015