Modern Mining October 2015

MODERN M I N I N G

CONTENTS

OCTOBER 2015

ARTICLES

REGULARS MINING NEWS 4 Asanko three quarters of the way to completion 6 Acacia production lower than expected in September quarter 7 Master Drilling lifts profits by 11 % 8 Kagem emerald mine increases output by 49 % 9 DRA Global awarded Platreef feasibility study 10 Local community turns out in support of Lerala 11 Omnia appoints new Managing Director of BME 12 Aftan purchases remaining 40 % stake in TantalumValley 13 Tungsten plant exceeds design expectations 14 Caledonia makes good progress at Blanket 16 Aveng Moolmans extends its contract at Tshipi Borwa PRODUCT NEWS 44 FLSmidth develops world’s largest operating flotation cell 44 MechCaL establishes repairs division 45 Bell Equipment range showcased at Bauma Conexpo 46 Strand jacking used to lift gantry sections 47 Fire suppression system gains traction 48 Blast emulsions now fine-tuned to suit every purpose 49 Vibro Optimax™ extends screen life 50 Modular, low maintenance chairlift systems 51 Angled support pedestal unveiled at Beltcon 52 Belt cleaners designed for punishing conditions COVER 18 MCC awarded R3,6 billion Nsele coal mine contract GOLD 22 Shanta plans underground operation at New Luika DIAMONDS 28 New mine plan enhances and derisks the Liqhobong project TECHNOLOGY 32 Drones, 3D photos and GPS take blast design a step forward FEATURE – COAL MINING 35 Impumelelo commended for engineering excellence 38 Optimisation study strengthens case for Tanzanian coal project 41 Wescoal in strategic transition 43 Sable enters agreement on Lubu power plant

Editor Arthur Tassell

Advertising Manager Bennie Venter e-mail: benniev@crown.co.za

Design & Layout Darryl James

Circulation Karen Pearson Publisher Karen Grant

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Printed by: Shumani Mills Communications

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher.

Published monthly by: Crown Publications cc P O Box 140,

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Bedfordview, 2008 Tel: (011) 622-4770 Fax: (011) 615-6108 e-mail: mining@crown.co.za www.modernminingmagazine.co.za

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Cover MCC Contract Mining & Plant Rental, one of South Africa’s leading open- pit mining contractors, has landed the contract for the new Nsele open- cast coal mine in the Delmas area. See page 18 for full details.

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Average circulation (April–June 2015) 4 370

October 2015  MODERN MINING  1