Modern Mining May 2023

CONSULTING ENGINEERS

their carbon footprint. Many miners are also looking for innovative ways to manage their ventilation sys tems and are keen to adopt solutions such as vent on demand,” explains de Villiers. However, he points out that while some clients are keen to adopt innovative technologies, others are more reticent, taking the wait and see approach, and will only consider adopting solutions once they have been proven successful. While Bara Consulting’s client-base is exten sive and includes junior to mid-tier and mining majors, such as Sibanye-Stillwater, Harmony Gold and Glencore, among others, given its high level of expertise and value for money offering, a vast major ity of its client-base remains junior miners. “We are a dynamic group of highly skilled engi neers and I believe that, as small and flexible niche market experts delivering solutions cost-effectively, we appeal to the junior mining segment. Essentially, we are a cultural fit for juniors and we work closely with them,” says de Villiers. However, like its peers in the local mining indus try, Bara Consulting bemoans the challenging state of infrastructure – including power, water and rail – coupled with extensive corruption and growth inhibiting policies, which have seen the South African mining sector once again lose out on the

and greater project optimisation and efficiencies, etc. “Aside from adopting the latest innovations aimed at driving down costs and improving pro duction, miners are increasingly looking to adopt sustainable energy alternatives, with many miners evaluating options to replace their diesel operated fleets with battery electric vehicles. We are busy with the development of lithium projects in Europe and find that clients are keen to embrace clean energy technologies at operations that align with lowering

Inspecting core at Omitiomire.

34  MODERN MINING  May 2023