Modern Mining June 2022

SUPPLY CHAIN News

Crane and hoist manufacturer Condra has won a crane and hoist order for Mupani Mine, one of several Zimplats operations Condra wins order for Mupani Mine

in Zimbabwe. Mupani is undergoing an upgrade to replace pro duction at Rukodzi and Ngwarati mines, and part of Mupfuti Mine. These are projected to deplete over the next six years. The order for the lifting equipment was placed by Australian proj ect management company Worley. It comprises thirteen machines for installation underground: two workshop-duty double-girder electric overhead travelling cranes, a jib crane for ore transfer, and ten short-headroom hoists for miscellaneous functions. All units have been designed for ease of transportation within the confines of a twokilometre-long underground access route. When manufacture is complete, only the short-headroom hoists will be shipped without being dismantled. The 5-ton jib crane, 10-ton overhead crane and sister 30-ton machine will first be extensively disassembled to enable mine tunnel navigation. Crane girders will be separated from endcarriages and crabs, while the crabs them selves will be shipped minus their hoists. All three cranes are already being manufactured at Condra’s Germiston works. After delivery, underground installation on gantries supplied by the mine will be executed by Worley’s technical teams using chain-blocks attached to rock bolts reinforcing the hanging walls. The company’s engineers designed the Mupani overhead cranes to suit reduced installation dimensions aimed at mini mising blasting and excavation not directly associated with ore removal. Compacted to fit within the confined operating spaces, the cranes can nevertheless deliver the lifting heights required by the customer. 

Condra manufactured and supplied cranes for Zimplats Mupani Mine.

38  MODERN MINING  June 2022