Modern Mining January 2025

MINING INDABA PREVIEW

Three decades of excellence across sub-Saharan Africa In 2024, Redpath Mining South Africa (RMSA) celebrated its 30 th anniversary, marking three decades of delivering world-class mining solutions. While RMSA focuses on operations within South Africa, Redpath’s broader African footprint currently extends to countries such as Ghana, Zambia and Botswana and has historically extended to several other African countries. Redpath is currently exploring several opportunities across the continent, both in regions where it has worked previously and in new jurisdictions. S afety is a core value for Redpath, guided by its motto: Safety – First, Last and Always . This commitment is evident in recent milestones such as 1 047 LTI-free days at Mogalakwena, 1 141 LTI-free days achieved by the Northam Boxfront project crew and 2 698 LTI-free days at RMSA’s Alberton Raiseboring and Engineering Workshop. Numerous projects, including Obuasi Gold Mine, Tshepong Mine and Thubelisha West Mine, have remained accident-free since their inception. A defining feature of Redpath’s success has been its ability to execute flagship projects that combine technical expertise with innovative solutions, such as Anglo American Platinum’s (AAP) Mogalakwena Underground Exploration Decline project (Phase B at present). Mogalakwena is a strategic capital project for AAP, supporting the future addition of underground mining at the mine. Redpath is collaborating with AAP to deliver this world-class project, leveraging global expertise and innovation. Two key objectives of the project are high-speed lateral development and skills transfer, achieved through Redpath’s Australian secondees executing advanced methodologies and training local operators. The Mogalakwena project follows a similar model to the project presently being executed at Venetia Mine for De Beers. Redpath, in collaboration with Venetia management, has significantly improved development rates using Redpath Australian expatriates to upskill local Venetia employees. These efforts have been realised over the last period where record development metres have been sustainably achieved. Northam Zondereinde 3 Shaft is another significant project for Redpath. At Zondereinde, Redpath is equipping a raisebore shaft and executing ancillary construction works. The project is complex and has had its challenges, which Redpath and Northam have worked collaboratively to solve. This continues a long-standing relationship with Northam, and Redpath is

The Mogalakwena Exploration Declines Phase B project in Limpopo, one of Anglo Platinum’s most significant capital projects, where Redpath is delivering extensive mining and construction services.

Redpath Thonket’s record-breaking raiseboring work at the Obuasi Gold Mine in Ghana, featuring the Kwesi Mensah Ventilation Shaft – now the world’s largest raisebore hole.

proud to be entrusted with this critical capital work as part of Northam’s overall expansion. Redpath’s Raiseboring Division has also delivered notable achievements. At Obuasi Gold Mine in Ghana, the Redpath Thonket Joint Venture set a world record by completing the largest raisebore hole to date – the Kwesi Mensah Ventilation Shaft. Measuring 944m in depth and 6.5m in diameter, the project demonstrated exceptional technical execution while incorporating sustainability measures such as water recycling and energy-efficient technologies. The team is currently reaming an additional underground hole with a diameter of 6.1m and a depth of 300m. In South Africa, projects like the Zibulo Colliery ventilation shafts and the Thubelisha West ventilation shaft (both in Mpumalanga) further highlight the division’s ability to deliver high-quality results ahead of schedule. A key success this year has been RMSA securing a raiseboring contract at AAP’s Der Brochen Project in Limpopo – a significant growth project for AAP. RMSA’s machinery is in place and crew mobilisation is underway, with work scheduled to commence in 2025. n

50  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | JANUARY 2025