Modern Mining January 2024

TOP PROJECTS: PLATINUM

A mechanised mine Although the mine will be fully mechanised, he sug gests that there is nothing particularly unusual about this approach. “We will, for example, be using off-the-shelf tech nology – from OEM companies like Sandvik and Epiroc – such as twin-head jumbos that are oper ated remotely or are at least computer-aided, as well as remote muckers in the stopes, to scoop material and bring it out. The dump trucks being used will initially be standard, but some of these may be auto mated over time and, once steady state production is achieved and fleet replacements begin, we plan to switch them to battery-electric drives. “Then there are the conveyors and drills, most of which, with computer assistance, have the capacity to be operated remotely. We are simply leaning into the concept of digital transformation, which enables us to keep human beings from having to undertake brutal and dangerous work. Remember, if a rock falls on a machine you simply dig it out and fix it, there is no injury crisis,” he says. Asked whether automation might destroy jobs, Hallam explains that operators at Waterberg will be highly skilled and well paid. So, these jobs provide skills to people that they can leverage in future, while the money they earn is generally ploughed back into the local economy, which helps to create additional jobs in the community. He adds that machines need maintenance, so mechanics will also be required, adding to the skills that are being developed at Waterberg. “I have already mentioned how we will be producing nearly 35 ounces per employee, com pared to the average of three to five ounces per employee produced by manual based conventional mining. Essentially, what this means is that our

month. This is significantly more than conventional narrow reef platinum group metals mines in South Africa, most of which require vertical access. “We will begin with 20 m stopes, which allow us to drill in only one direction, thereby giving the crews involved time to grow and develop their skills. The mechanised mining method, and the use of paste backfill, allows for higher extraction ratios, increases safety and reduces geotechnical risk,” he states. “There are a multitude of benefits to be gained from mechanising in this manner, including: reduced risk to production; maximising mineral resource extraction; increasing flexibility via stope sequenc ing; improved safety and reduced geotechnical risk; and high productivity alongside low operating costs.” “By mechanising the mine, we improve safety, because workers can operate the drills and muck the ore remotely rather than at the rock face itself. Once fully operational, we expect to have a workforce of around 1 100 skilled operators, in a total workforce of around 1500-1800. To operate such specialised equipment clearly requires a lot of training and to this end, we have partnered with NORCAT to provide the requisite skills training to our staff.” NORCAT, he explains, is a skilled, non-profit labour training and development organisation that has an operating mine known as the NORCAT Underground Centre. This provides integrated, hands-on, and practical training programmes for new and existing miners. “We will begin by training our shift bosses, super visors and mine managers, taking some of them to NORCAT’s centre in Ontario, Canada, to train them in relevant physical conditions. They will then return to SA, so they can pass these skills onto other workers at Waterberg. Training in South Africa will include the use of simulators”

Drilling underway at the Waterberg project.

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30  MODERN MINING  January 2024