Modern Mining September 2016

MINING News

Syrah Resources, listed on the ASX, reports that its Balama graphite proj- e c t i n Moz amb i que r ema i n s on schedule and budget with an overall com- pletion of 42,6 % having been attained as at 31 August 2016. Although over 1 100 personnel are working on site, the project’s strong safety record continues with over 1 million man- hours worked without a lost time injury. Kentz awarded SMP contract for Balama project The key Structural, Mechanical and Piping (SMP) construction contract has been awarded to Kentz Engineers & Contractors Limitada (Kentz), a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group. Kentz has suc- cessfully operated in Mozambique for 18 years and – says Syrah – has a proven track record of delivering major min- ing and metals construction projects in Mozambique.

As part of the scheme, the graduates will have a six weeks rotation period visit- ing all the mining operations to gather a full understanding of the business, before being placed in their target discipline. Disciplines include Mining Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geo­ logy, Human Resources, SHEQ (‘Safety, Health, Environment and Quality’) and IT. Comments Ken Mekani, CEO of Metallon Corporation: “My career commenced when I joined the company as a Graduate Trainee and, having risen through the ranks over the years, I can demonstrate that this scheme can have a very significant and rewarding impact. We are training the brightest and most dedicated individuals, not only to be good managers of our business, but also to provide the skills and knowledge required for future managers of our country’s rich resources. Rebuilding the country’s skills base is key to the future growth of the company, and to driving the Zimbabwean economy.”  The Balama project is situated in Cabo Delgado Province in northern Mozambique, some 200 km west of the port town of Pemba. The project has a JORC 2012-compliant ore reserve of 81,4 Mt at 16,2 % total graphitic carbon (TGC) for 13,1 Mt of contained graphite. This is reportedly the largest graphite ore reserve in the world. According to the feasibility study on Balama, the project – which will employ simple open-pit mining – will have a production of over 350 kt/a. Commercial production is scheduled to commence in Q2 2017.  “We are delighted to have Kentz, with their strong operational history in Mozambique, join our Balama project construction team,” says Syrah’s MD, Tolga Kumova. “We look forward to partnering with them to realise our vision of being the largest supplier of high quality graph- ite globally.” Over 5 700 m 3 of concrete has been poured allowing for the SMP contractor to commence structural steel construction. Syrah reports that delivery of major equipment and construction materials to site is progressingwell with nomajor delays and that the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) is under construction with over 700 000m 2 of area cleared ready for excavation to com- mence during September 2016.

Flotation circuit plant area at Balama with concrete works underway (photo: Syrah).

Metallon launches Graduate Training Scheme Metallon Corporation, which operates four gold mines in Zimbabwe, launched its two- year Graduate Training Scheme in June this year. Fifteen university graduates, aged 18

to 28, were selected from over 1 000 appli- cants. The selection process comprised academic merits and grades, interview pro- cedures and psychometric testing.

Graduate trainees with Metallon Chief Executive Officer Ken Mekani and Group HR Manager Hopeson Chiswa (photo: Metallon).

14  MODERN MINING  September 2016