Percussion excavation as blasting alternative

Opencast mining, bulk materials handling, and drilling and blasting service provider Zizwe Opencast Mining’s fleet of hydraulic ripper excavator attachments from systems developer Xcentric enables clients to mine in socially sensitive areas, such as near communities, where drilling and blasting are not feasible.

The Xcentric ripper is a hydraulic attachment on an excavator that employs percussion to break or rip through hard material at a rate that is 80% more effective than a standard vibration-activated attachment or hydraulic hammer.

It is also significantly less intrusive than explosives, creating less dust and operating at lower noise levels, says the company.

“Legislation often prohibits blasting activities within 500 m of dwellings, unless the inhabitants are evacuated,” says Zizwe Opencast Mining technical and commercial director Allan McCormack.

The Xcentric rippers allow for mining as close as 100 m to dwellings without causing disruption, owing to their being quieter than other vibration-activated attachments that perform the same function.

“Our clients have positively received these units, as they have enabled continued operation of certain mines that had previously reached their mining limits,” he adds.

Using percussion rippers also contributes to environmental, social and governance (ESG) ambitions by reducing environmental footprints that could be elevated through dust caused when using explosives.

In addition, the vibration impact on nearby communities is negated when using Zizwe’s machinery, consequently reducing the impact or damages caused to residents’ homes during excavations conducted using explosives.

Zizwe fosters a sound ESG ethos by implementing various social, and enterprise and supplier development projects that are mutually beneficial for clients and their surrounding communities, he states.

Challenges and Growth

The Xcentric ripper requires maintenance as a result of the hard rock prevalent in the country, notes McCormack, adding that maintenance downtime impacts on mining productivity.

“To minimise this impact, Zizwe ensures it maintains a spare unit which can replace the damaged or broken unit with little downtime,” he enthuses, adding that Zizwe also invests in sufficient stockholding of critical ripper spares.

Zizwe has surface mining contracts in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the North West.

The company also aims to extend its offerings on a global scale, with an initial target of replicating its local success in South Africa’s neighbouring countries.

“As a company, we continually seek options and developments that provide us with a competitive edge and benefit our clients by enabling more efficient operations,” says McCormack.

Once a product or process is identified, Zizwe’s technical team investigates its viability before it is implemented in operations undertaken by the company.

In addition, relevant training and upskilling of employees is then conducted to ensure successful integration of the new technologies into the company’s portfolio.

“By fostering partnerships with local communities and adhering to best practises, we aim to contribute to economic growth, job creation and infrastructure development, establishing us as a key player in the global mining industry,” concludes McCormack.