Modern Mining July 2018

PRODUCT News

secured, and issued by the Department of Mineral Resources. “When designing a centralised blasting system solution, we studied not only South African mining regulations but the requirements and standards for other key mining markets – as the systemwould need to be globally compliant, offering a complete blasting solution,” asserts Alberts. The implementation of the CBS at the mine, which began in December 2017, included extensive engagement with internal and external stakeholders. With safety as a key consideration, the system offered improved control over seismicity (where relevant) and reduced risks of underground employees coming into contact with potentially harmful gases and fumes emitted by explosives. “In terms of the blasting itself, the CBS offered a number of safety features,” he says. “Each centralised control box is equipped with a unique security key to prevent unauthorised access, and the unit will not fire should a cable fault be detected. Each unit is enclosed in a safe, quality housing that complies with IP65 ingress protection standards, and the system will not fire if there is no uplink between the system components.” Says Du Plooy:“Similar to more conventional mines that mine mul- tiple narrow reefs on different elevations simultaneously, Cullinan Diamond Mine also exploits different mining blocks within the sub- vertical kimberlite pipe intrusion on different horizons across the pipe. Mining blocks are remote and it demands effort and time to travel between them, making any localised blast system complex tomanage, time consuming and more prone to blast failures and safety breaches.” The use of AXXIS electronic detonators in underground bulk min- ing – particularly where the ring blasting method is employed – has a number of benefits from a production perspective. “Electronic detonation improves the reliability and the precision of the blast,” says Alberts. “Blast reliability reduces the risk of ‘hang-ups’ in the draw bell, as the system can check each detonator remotely before the blast is initiated. The precision of electronic detonators also results in less damage to the hanging wall and sidewalls, so the risk of unexpected dislodgement from the rock mass after the blast is signifi- cantly reduced.” BME, tel (+27 11) 709-8765, website: www.bme.co.za WearCheck’s newest laboratory is officially open in southern Namibia, bringing to 16 the number of laboratories that the company operates in nine countries around Africa and beyond. Situated at Skorpion Zinc mine near Rosh Pinah, the new lab is strategically placed to answer a growing call for world-class condition monitoring services in the region, particularly in the burgeoning min- ing and construction industries, says WearCheck. The lab is open to any industry requiring used oil analysis and other reliability solutions services. It is fully equipped with the latest instru- ments and technology and is backed by its own uninterrupted power supply. To enable maintenance managers to make quick decisions, the lab offers 24-hour sample turnaround time. A second Namibian WearCheck laboratory has provided condition monitoring services to the Husab uranium project since 2016. WearCheck Namibia, tel (+264) 81-229-6926, e-mail: leandras@wearcheck.co.za WearCheck opens second laboratory in Namibia

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