Female-led company redefines raise boring drilling in Africa

In a sector known for its high barriers to entry, 100% black-owned and female-led Laone Mining and Engineering is confident that it is changing the landscape of raise boring drilling in Africa through its capacity-building initiatives and technical achievements, which executive director Tshepiso Mothibinyane says are key elements in driving the company’s impact across the mining industry.

Since its founding in 2016, the company has emphasised the importance of inclusivity and of embracing innovation for South African small, medium-sized and micro enterprises (SMMEs), which face challenges while catering for a niche and highly specialised market, with a handful of players, in the underground raise boring drilling sector.

Laone has, over the years, built technical support networks and in-house engineering capacities, which are “critical” for the sustainability of the business, she says.

In-house developments have enabled the company to expand significantly, from drilling 330 mm- to 1 m-diameter holes in the beginning phases of the business, to providing services for diameters of up to 2.1 m.

This achievement has been instrumental in Laone Mining’s growth, as it can compete within the medium-diameter drilling market, Mothibinyane tells Mining Weekly.

She attributes this success to her team’s technical adaptability and research capabilities, which she says have helped the company to successfully drill over 100 types of raise bore holes to date.

Business Ramp-up

Mothibinyane highlights an expansive project in 2021, which saw the company take on a new challenge for underground cover and exploration drilling of holes, ranging from 50 m to 200 m deep, for which over 4 000 m was achieved in total.

In addition, in 2023, the company undertook a project for maintenance, repair and operation of a complete sectional fleet of underground trackless mobile machines for batching and transportation of concrete and wetcrete to various underground development sections.

These capabilities underscore the firm’s commitment to comprehensive service offerings in response to demand, with the company’s ongoing innovations enabling it to fulfil increasingly complex project requirements, maintain cost-efficiency and reduce operational risk for clients.

While Laone Mining has steadily expanded its role and built capacity in raise boring through increasing and executing all opportunities it has so far been afforded, Mothibinyane highlights that there is a material need for broader industry transformation.

She calls for more inclusive tendering practices which could create “genuine opportunities” for SMMEs, such as Laone and other new entrants. The closed nature of the raise boring drilling sector in South Africa and the current tendering process poses a significant barrier to entry and participation by junior or emerging players, she notes.

“Limiting tender access to a handful of established players restricts growth opportunities for companies that bring diverse perspectives and skills to the table.”

Allowing for greater access to tender opportunities could foster robust competition and innovation in the industry, she adds.

Mothibinyane is confident that mining houses could benefit from tapping into the unique capabilities of newer companies and that in doing so, they will also be supporting industry diversification.

Community Impact

Laone Mining has a notable impact on the communities in which it operates, particularly through its commitment to skills development and local employment.

With over 150 employment opportunities created since business inception, the company focuses on training recruits from local areas, prioritising youth and women in its workforce.

In recognition of raise boring being skills intensive, Laone Mining ensures that all its employees receive specialised training, equipping them with knowledge that remains valuable beyond their tenure at the company.

“By providing relevant skills training, we’re enhancing not only our company’s capacity but also contributing to sustainable employment in the community.”

Mothibinyane further emphasises that the firm’s recruitment strategy is designed to support clients while fostering growth in the local workforce, with this model having created a ripple effect of local development, strengthening employability and providing workers with valuable technical skills.

Looking ahead, Laone Mining will focus on building its current strengths, especially as the company aims to transition from a small enterprise to a medium-sized entity.

For Mothibinyane, strategic partnerships are central to this vision, providing opportunities to leverage shared synergies and expand the company’s operational capacity.

The company’s goal, she says, is to create lasting value for stakeholders while ensuring that its growth aligns with sustainable and inclusive practices in mining.

“Laone Mining’s accomplishments underscore the potential of [the company] to serve as a case study in how SMMEs can thrive in niche, highly specialised and capital-intensive sectors despite structural challenges,” she concludes.