Modern Mining November 2021

journey based on long-term relationships

“We looked at our strengths and at how to build on and leverage those strengths. We have been building mining projects for a century and much of the surface infrastructure at mines is already being built by Fluor.” He says the company had been designing and building underground crushers and conveying sys- tems for many years and that the new add-ons to its already established portfolio included aspects such as portal, decline and mine design and scheduling, material handling such as trucks, conveyor belts, railways, crushers, mineral sizers, as well as bulk services both on surface and underground. Partnering with renowned brands in the industry was key to providing the full spectrum of under- ground projects design capabilities. These include, for example, ventilation and refrigeration subject matter experts (SMEs) and vertical shaft headframe, winders and shaft infrastructure SMEs who are well- known and trusted by Fluor and its clients. “Fluor has a wide range of supply chain tech- nology partners whom we have worked with for decades on mining projects and with whom we partner to bring the best value to our clients for their specific needs.” The company’s first underground mining project award in South Africa came in early 2020, a platinum project involving the design of two vertical raise bore shafts equipped with ventilation and refrigeration systems, as well as the surface and underground infrastructure to support the ventilation shafts. Klopper says Fluor’s strategy is to “get into the game” as early as possible, to engage the client in the concept and pre-feasibility phases, deliver well and demonstrate its technical capability and part- nerships of choice. Taking the project life cycles through the various phases can result in a relation- ship of many years.

“Our local business structure is built around our projects, our relationships and our portfolio, which currently includes platinum, iron ore, bauxite, dia- monds and copper projects.” Fluor’s current project portfolio includes several underground mining projects around the world, five of which are South Africa based. Mine of the future The mine of the future, says Klopper, is built not only on safe and sustainable mining but also in line with environment, social and governance requirements, which have become part of the global license to operate. “It starts with the ore body in the ground; what infrastructure is needed to access it; what

Tumela platinum mine in South Africa.

Jwaneng diamond mine in Botswana.

November 2021  MODERN MINING  23