Modern Mining September 2025

The Ivanplats Shaft 2 box cut before the construction start of the concrete permanent headgear.

The box cut at Matla Mine is captured here, forming the critical entry point for developing new underground access to coal reserves.

engineers both on-site and at head office. Yet the same level of quality and attention to detail is applied to smaller-scale projects such as the design of a two-tonne skip for a Zimbabwean mine producing only a few hundred tonnes of ore daily. Thanks to the department’s close-knit structure, the team remains agile and responsive - able to fast track unforeseen project elements to prevent costly delays. “Working with 3D intelligent software, our design engineers create digital twins and 3D models that are made available online via QR codes,” he continues. “These can be viewed from site or wherever fabrication is taking place – assisting with the interpretation of engineering drawings.” He notes that critical risk management – based on fatal risk protocols – is integrated into the drawings themselves, highlighting key risks to look out for during fabrication and construction. Du Plessis highlights how the building of institutional memory is a pillar of the company’s strong relationships with clients – built from project to project. Cementation Africa’s experienced multi disciplinary teams often stay together from one phase of a project to the next, giving the client added peace of mind about the team’s familiarity with project details and challenges. Over 90% of the Mine Engineering department, for instance, has been with Cementation Africa for more than 10 years, while three-quarters of the division have more than 15 years

- avoiding siloed work and promoting inclusivity and transparency throughout the process. “By working as an integrated team our structural, civil, electrical and mechanical engineers contribute not only to answering the questions of ‘what’, ‘when’ and ‘why’, but also to addressing the practical ‘how’,” says Du Plessis. “This positions our Mine Engineering department to offer comprehensive support including installation and commissioning services.” Du Plessis highlights that this foundation of knowledge and expertise has been built over decades, with Cementation Africa serving as a training ground for many of the industry’s critical skills. The company has also contributed to the broader mining sector by sharing its insights and best practices at both local and international conferences. Underpinning this commitment is its core value system - Care, Ownership, Integrity, Innovation, Partnership and Resilience - which continues to guide its approach to collaboration and professional excellence. “Ownership of our project outcomes and results is a key aspect of our values,” explains Goulding. “We can provide a holistic view of a client’s proposed solution to ensure that it achieves its objectives, rather than just designing in compartments.” Project requirements can differ significantly from one client to another, notes Goulding. On a major project that extended over a decade, the Mine Engineering department produced more than 3,000 drawings - each reviewed and approved by the client’s

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