• Pages
  • Editions
01 Cover
02 Welcome Letter / Sections
03 Index & Interview Directory
04 Section 1: Introduction
05 The Road to Recovery
06 ABSA Group Interview
07 PwC Interview
08 Regional Trends
09 Sustainability & ESG Gaining Momentum
10 SRK Consulting Interview
11 Nafasi Water & ZN Geo Services Interviews
12 Section 2: Production, Development and Exploration
13 Precious Metals
14 Gold Fields Interview
15 Harmony & Pan African Resources Interviews
16 Base and Energy Metals
17 Lepidico Interview
18 Trevali Mining Interview
19 Orion Minerals Interview
20 Vedanta Zinc International Interview
21 Kumba Iron Ore Interview
22 Diamonds
23 Lucara Diamond Interview
24 Debswana Interview
25 Section 3: South Africa
26 South Africa
27 Ministry of Mineral Resouces and Energy SA Interview
28 Minerals Council SA Interview
29 Seriti & Exxaro Resources Interviews
30 NSDV & ENSafrica Interviews
31 Insights on South African Mining Industry's Health
32 Section 4: Namibia
33 Namibia
34 Chamber of Mines Namibia Interview
35 RMB & Standard Bank Namibia Interviews
36 Walvis Bay Salt Holdings Interview
37 Insights on Namibia as a Mining Investment Destination
38 Section 5: Equipment and Services
39 The Journey to Modern Mining
40 Murray & Roberts Interview
41 Kal Tire Interview
42 Eazi Access Interview
43 METC Engineering Interview
44 Insights on Digital Mining Revolution in Africa
45 MEMSA Interview
46 Fabchem Mining Interview
47 Insights from Local Manufacturers
48 Energy
49 juwi Interview
50 Engie Impact & Vivo Energy Interviews
51 Howden Interview
52 Section 6: Sponsored Company Profiles
53 Trevali Company Profile
54 Murray & Roberts Company Profile
55 Concluding Remarks
56 Credits

Mike da Costa, CEO - Global Mining,

MURRAY & ROBERTS

"Considering the level of sophistication and complexity of the technology we use, the academy is essential in training workers and to develop the skills we need for the modern mine."

Can you give an overview of Murray and Roberts’ mining platform?

The mining platform consists of three subsidiary companies: RUC Cementation, which focuses on Asia and Australia; Cementation in the Americas; and Murray and Roberts Cementation for the African market. Our current projects on the African continent are primarily in Southern Africa, where our approach is commodity agnostic. We recently established an underground coal mining contracting company focused on projects in South Africa. M&R executed projects previously in the Copperbelt, and we are currently working in Namibia, Zimbabwe and are also present in West Africa. A model we rely on in Ghana, the DRC, Namibia and Tanzania is partnering with local companies to enter markets across Africa.

Our biggest project is the Venetia underground project in South Africa with Anglo American, where we are establishing an underground mine as the principal mining contractor. We have completed sinking two vertical shafts to a depth of 1,000 m below surface and are in the process of equipping one of the shafts as well as doing the off shaft development that will accommodate the underground service infrastructure for the shafts. Our scope also includes the development of a decline from surface to enable access to the orebody for mechanised mining equipment. This decline has advanced to a depth of 550 m below surface. We are also working on the Kalagadi manganese mine and with B2Gold in Namibia, also to develop their mine underground, as well as on the planning and engineering of a new PGM mine in Zimbabwe.

What are some of your innovations in rock cutting and mechanised shaft sinking?

We invest heavily in mine development and shaft sinking innovations where our technology aims to save time for clients as we develop solutions that allow for the initial construction and set up of the shaft sinking site in parallel with the pre-sinking. With regard to improving the efficiency of sinking cycles, we employ efficiently designed hydraulic drilling jumbos, techniques to speed up the cleaning cycle, as well as innovations to improve the efficiency of the concrete lining process .

Our control systems monitor developments throughout the sinking cycle, identifying delays and shorten the time from blast to blast. Other innovations focus on the equipment used in the shafts to enhance safety and efficiency. As a result, we are proud of our safety records, as M&R Cementation have recently achieved 5 million fatality-free shifts.

Regarding mechanised mining, we are applying the technology used from our Australian subsidiary to our operations in South Africa, such as ensuring high speed WiFi networks underground to transfer data and using autonomous/semi-autonomous loaders operated using a remote control from the surface 24/7. Drilling machinery is also employed to drill automatically and by remote control, which is in the trial phase in Australia. Real-time monitoring of the operating parameters of the equipment allows us to improve our maintenance practices. M&R also owns a controlling share in a technology company specialising in IoT, data acquisition and analysis. Data related to the execution of the mining cycle is gathered and analysed using artificial intelligence (AI), then the information is communicated to the supervisors on the ground to enable them to make informed operational decisions accordingly. We are also currently working on real-time capturing of safety and audit data from underground and using AI for analysis to enable proactive action.

Can you elaborate on the M&R training academy?

Considering the level of sophistication and complexity of the technology we use, the centre is essential in training our workforce and to develop the skills we need for the modern mine by focusing on occupationally-directed technical skills and safety training. Through a unique combination of blended learning encompassing instructor-led simulations and online training modules, we also provide our clients with customised, site-specific and compelling training solutions for employees up to supervisor level. Using simulators and virtual reality, training can also be conducted virtually.

Where does M&R Cementation see the highest growth potential in the upcoming years?

We believe that ‘future facing metals’ could enter a pricing supercycle. We expect to see significant investments in South Africa’s PGM space.

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Interview: Kal Tire