Bruce Montiea

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Bruce Montiea

Bruce Montiea is a Creamer Media Writer for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Uptake of information and communications technology solutions improve mining operations

22nd May 2015 Technology and innovation have become important benchmarks of efficient and sustainable mining operations, says consulting firm Frost & Sullivan Africa. The company notes that, with the significant decrease in profitability in the South African mining industry over the past two years – owing to... →

Finding good quality contractors a significant challenge

22nd May 2015 Among the many challenges facing the South African mining industry, such as strikes, skills retention and load-shedding, the challenge of employing and managing contractors seems to be significant, says contractor compliance management solutions company ComplyWorks MD Nicolai Massyn. He notes... →

Photo by Bloomberg
PREPARING TO BLAST Finding quality contractors is among the biggest challenges for miners

More miners seeking contractor support for short-term planning

22nd May 2015 An increased number of mining companies are seeking support from contractors for short-term tactical planning, as opposed to only long-term, strategic and life-of-mine planning, says opencast and underground mining consultant Sound Mining. However, Sound Mining director Vaughn Duke warns against... →

Photo by Bloomberg
PLANNING A MINE An increased number of mining companies are seeking support from contractors for short-term tactical planning

Efficient rosters help mines to maximise employee time

20th May 2015 An optimised employee roster increases a mining operation’s productivity, reduces labour costs, satisfies employee and union needs, meets regulatory requirements and ensures a healthy workforce, says customised roster solutions provider Shiftwork Solutions Africa manager Andrew Harding. Harding... →

Quality control leads to successful blasting results

8th May 2015 Quality control is the most important factor in conducting blasting at an opencast mine, says environmental, opencast and civil drilling and blasting company DynaD director Chris Bester. He states that using the correct charge-up instructions and procedures, which include the quantity of... →

QUALITY CONTROL Using the correct charge-up instructions and procedures lead to successful blasting results 80% of the time

Downhole geophysics helps mines avoid costly mistakes

8th May 2015 The profit margins of opencast mining have decreased, necessitating cost reductions while effcient production is maintained, says wireline-logging company Geoline Logging Services. Geoline manager Charles Gould states that most opencast mines tend to operate on a “best guess” basis in terms of... →

PRECISE Downhole geophysics using wireline logging allows for variable seam depths and thicknesses to be reported accurately

Mines increasingly depend on technology

8th May 2015 As mining companies become increasingly dependent on technology to drive, manage and deliver large-scale opencast projects, they are starting to consider cloud-based systems for solutions, says corporate collaborative cloud solution provider Asite CEO Tony Ryan. He says effective project... →

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EFFICIENT MINING Cloud-based systems provide mining companies with an alternative means of managing projects throughout the value chain

Dust prevention reduces downtime

1st May 2015 To prevent operational downtime that, on average, can result in a loss of between $1 000/h and $3 000/h, materials handling companies must invest in dust prevention solutions that effectively reduce or eliminate air pollution, says dust suppression engineering solutions company Dust-Act special... →

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ACCIDENT PREVENTION Investing in dust surpression solutions can effectively reduce or eliminate air pollution at any materials-handling site

Air purifier selling well in small business sector

1st May 2015 While air quality solutions company Solenco SA has mostly sold its Airvax air purifier to clients in the residential market, the company has noted an increased uptake from industry and small businesses, including pubs and restaurants, which are using the product in their offices and to remove... →

HEALTHY SURROUNDINGS Airvax is ideal for hospitals, nursery schools and daycare centres as it does not release particles back into the air once captured

Fine-particle engineering solution cost-effective for industry

1st May 2015 Dust-suppression solutions provider 88Chemco is saving costs for clients in the mining, oil and gas, and plantation industries with its chemical technologies and engineering methods, including fine-particle engineering, which was launched in July last year, says 88Chemco CEO Sebastian Karsas. He... →

TOTAL DUST MANAGEMENT 88Chemco uses appropriate chemistry for each project to ensure the solution fits performance and economic parameters

Companies meet new emissions standards with smoke, dust solution

1st May 2015 In response to the Department of Health’s new emissions standards that will come into effect this year, air-pollution control and dust extraction systems supplier Kentech is supplying smoke and dust control solutions that will help companies comply with the new requirements, says Kentech director... →

LOCAL PRODUCTON Kentech plans to start manufacturing antipollution filters in South Africa

Company tackles haul truck dust emissions

1st May 2015 International research, using human health and environment protection agency the US Environmental Protection Agency’s emissions factors for unpaved haul roads, indicates that haul trucks generate the most dust emissions from surface mining sites, accounting for between 78% and 97% of total dust... →

TREATED ROAD SURFACE Haul road surface treated with the Dust-A-Side bituminous-based product

Air Quality Act emphasises emissions control in South Africa

1st May 2015 Since the implementation of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act in November 2013, the importance of emissions control in South Africa has been increasing, says air filtration company Freudenberg Filtration Technologies. “In the past, industries focused mainly on protecting their... →

COLLECTING EMISSIONS The emissions generated from different industrial processes need to be collected at the source

Company completes R5.8m dust-removal system installation

1st May 2015 Environmental management company I-Cat Environmental Solutions completed the installation of a R5.8-million ScrubMist dust-removal system at diversified miner Assmang’s Beeshoek iron-ore mine, in Northern Cape, earlier this month. I-Cat director Anton van der Merwe tells Engineering News that... →

ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY DUST CONTROL I-Cat Environmental Solutions recently installed the ScrubMist dust-removal system at Beeshoek iron-ore mine

Growing need for dust extraction benefits antipollution companies

1st May 2015 Global public health institution the World Health Organisation’s 2015 statistics show that at least seven-million people worldwide die prematurely from air pollution-related diseases, which makes dust extraction a growing market that antipollution companies need to take advantage of, says process... →

DUST EXTRACTION MIP Process Technologies produces dust and fume extraction equipment capable of dealing with air pollution challenges

Company helping mines to effectively identify mineable resources

24th April 2015 Geological consulting company Gemecs is assisting exploration companies and mines with the successful identification of potential mineable in situ resources using geological modelling, says company marketing director Nico Denner. He explains to Mining Weekly that Gemecs uses geological modelling... →

READY TO BE MINED Gemecs uses geological modelling as basis for determining possible life-of-mine scenarios

Focus shifting to operational improvement

24th April 2015 Owing to ongoing commodity price pressure, many larger feasibility studies have been replaced by operational improvement and smaller opportunity assessment studies over the past few months, global consulting and technology company Deswik has found. Deswik consulting manager John Buffington tells... →

DESIGNING FOR EFFICIENCY Deswik enables mines and exploration projects to make design changes and update their schedules immediately to effectively deal with operational challenges

Mining companies advised to invest in the future

24th April 2015 Despite tough conditions currently, mining companies should still invest in building their operations for the future, as “the cycle will eventually turn”, says consulting engineers and scientists SRK Consulting chairperson and corporate consultant Roger Dixon. He adds that it is important for a... →

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ORCHESTRATING SURVIVAL Consuting engineers can assist mining companies in surviving difficult conditions by reviewing their plans and providing realistic advice

Effective wastewater treatment crucial

24th April 2015 Wastewater treatment works at mines must provide a competitive solution for their capital expenditure and operating expenditure, says water treatment plants designer and developer Degrémont South Africa mining business development manager Andy de Bruin. He says Degrémont works with engineering,... →

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BRINGING OUT THE COPPER Codelco is one of the global mining companies benefiting from Degrémont’s wastewater treatment services

Innovation needed to remain relevant in changing environment

24th April 2015 Mining houses and consulting engineering firms that continue to conduct business the way they have always conducted it will become irrelevant in the ever-everchanging environment, says project management and consulting firm Aurecon mining services leader Eduard Vorster. He tells Mining Weekly... →

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MOVING WITH THE TIMES The ever-changing mining environment requires companies to constantly reinvent themselves

Economics, market analysis crucial for effective feasibility study

24th April 2015 An effective mining feasibility study must provide not only the results of a geological evaluation or the development of mine plans, but also an analysis of the market and the fundamental economics of a project, says provider of upfront studies for the minerals industry PEC Consulting. Therefore,... →

UNDER CONSIDERATION PEC Consulting can help its clients identify all the aspects that have to be considered when planning to expand an underground or surface operation

Project feasibility study for Golpu under way

24th April 2015 Project delivery and consulting services firm WorleyParsons started working on the feasibility study for the greenfield Golpu gold project, in Papua New Guinea, last month. The project is owned by the Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture (WGJV), one of three Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV) entities, and... →

GOLPU PROJECT SITE WorleyParsons has started work on the feasibility study for the Golpu gold mine project, in Papua New Guinea

Flooring industry needs to accelerate training

10th April 2015 The flooring industry in South Africa must start investing in worker training, as government plans to make staff accreditation a compulsory requirement, says interior flooring supplier and installer Kevin Bates Albert Carpets (KBAC) CFO Neil Duncan. He says government has recently been applying... →

TRAINING SUPPORT Belgotex technical support manager Allan de Wit, Fita training director Patty Vermaak, Sparrow FET new business development manager Melanie Malema and Kevin Bates Albert Carpets CFO Neil Duncan

Quality concrete floors depend on contractor cooperation

10th April 2015 Dividing on-site flooring responsibility between main contractors and subcontractors leads to poor-quality concrete floors, says cement and concrete industry body The Concrete Institute. Therefore, the institute is encouraging main contractors and subcontractors to engage better with one another... →

CONCRETE FLOORING The Concrete Institute technical staff deal mostly with problems pertaining to concrete flooring

Reformulated screed offers new benefits

10th April 2015 The reformulated version of construction chemicals manufacturer a.b.e Construction Chemicals’ abescreed SLC P is being successfully applied at building projects countrywide, says a.b.e national flooring sales manager Peter Jones. “The abescreed SLC P is a pumpable single-pack, rapid- hardening... →

QUALITY FLOORING a.b.e Construction Chemicals and FloorworX take pride in their partnership that aims to offer a better system to the end-user

Expanded-aluminium grating and mesh prevent corrosion

10th April 2015 Expanded-aluminium floor grating and mesh, manufactured by expanded-aluminium products manufacturer Ampliform ensures that end-users do not struggle with corrosion in outside areas, says Ampliform GM Sean Daly. He adds that the company’s aluminium floor grating and mesh are also suitable for use... →

EASY POSITIONING Ampliform’s aluminium floor grating and mesh are suitable for use in applications where the weight of steel grating is an issue when it comes to loading on the roof trusses

DST, Mintek unveil cleanroom facility

9th April 2015 The successful installation of a R13-million ISO 3 cleanroom and BSL3 laboratory at national mineral research organisation Mintek was proof that the Department of Science and Technology’s (DST’s) ongoing investment in national research projects was bearing fruit, Science and Technology Minister... →

South African mining industry committed to mechanisation

3rd April 2015 The South African mining industry is committed to mechanisation in its deep-level mining operations, with major gold and platinum producers having announced their intent to modernise their operations, says Centre for Mechanised Mining Systems (CMMS) director Dr Declan Vogt. He says many platinum... →

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DOUBLE CONCERN Using people in deep-level operations is a challenge for mining companies because not only does making the underground environment suitable for workers become more costly but the risk to mineworkers also increases

Mining-induced earthquake research in final stages

3rd April 2015 Research institutions, led by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Japan’s Ritsumeikan University, are in the final stages of a research project aimed at gaining a better understanding of mining-induced earthquakes. Once the study is completed, it will assist the mining... →

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SAFETY UNDERGROUND Once the research project is completed it will assist the mining industry in being better equipped to deal with the ongoing challenge of keeping their workers safe underground

Mechanised installation of mesh promotes underground safety

3rd April 2015 The mechanised installation of high tensile steel mesh in deep-level mines promotes safety, as it reduces the risk of people being harmed while performing the same task, says engineering company Geobrugg Africa protection systems GM Bart Schoevaerts. “In a lot of mines, undeground support is... →

UNDERGROUND SUPPORT Geobrugg's high-tensile steel mesh is is three times stronger than mild steel and lighter than classical mild steel products

Research results in fewer incidents at SA deep-level mines

3rd April 2015 There have been major improvements in safety at South Africa’s deep-level mines over the past 19 years because of focused industry initiatives, as well as government-funded research and the implementation thereof, says SiM Mining Consultants director Friedemann Essrich. “From 1990 to 1996, on... →

GREATER CONTROL While deep-level mines are still exposed to significant seismic risk levels, these are increasingly being controlled through research and its implementation

Innovative technology leading to increased deep-level mining

3rd April 2015 Deep-level mining is becoming more common as a result of innovative technology, says design and consulting professional services company Stantec. Stantec US and international mining VP Sandy Watson says deep-drilling technology has continually advanced for greenfield projects, enabling mining... →

GOING DEEPER Deep-drilling technology enables mining companies to identify mineralisation at much greater depths with a reasonable level of confidence

SA deep-level mining industry to remain in doldrums

3rd April 2015 South Africa’s current outlook regarding the deep-level mining industry will remain negative, as the sector’s downward production trend is expected to continue, advisory firm Wood Mackenzie (Woodmac) gold costs senior analyst Brian Ziswa tells Mining Weekly. “There have been numerous closures of... →

Photo by Duane Daws
MITIGATION STRATEGY South African mining companies are attempting to introduce technology that aids deep-level mining, which is generally challenging

SA mines benefit from sophisticated cooling methods

3rd April 2015 Major mining companies, such as platinum producer Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) and gold miner AngloGold Ashanti, are benefiting from ventilation and cooling technology provided by cooling tower manufacturer Tektower, a subsidiary of industrial cooling tower systems company Industrial Water... →

COOLING TOWER Mines require sophisticated cooling methods and equipment to reduce temperatures to safe levels for workers

More mining companies to benefit from drill rig simulator training

20th March 2015 In response to the growing need for skilled drilling personnel, global training simulator provider ThoroughTec Simulation is increasing the number of its Cybermine blast-hole drill-rig simulator cabs, says operations VP Richard Bellengère. This production drive will make the cabs available to... →

SIMULATION Training simulators are necessary to ensure that operators know how to operate a drill rig safely and efficiently without the mine having to take it out of production for too long

Drill penetrates with more precision

20th March 2015 Cutting tools developer Dormer Pramet in January launched a new solid carbide drill that increases drilling precision. The drill was specifically developed to overcome problems associated with deep-hole drilling and creating underground mining infrastructure, says Dormer Pramet application... →

INCREASED PRECISION The R459 drill has been specifically developed to overcome problems typically associated with deep-hole drilling and creating underground mining infrastructure

Company prioritises oil-contamination prevention, safety

20th March 2015 To reduce the environmental impact of its projects, drilling services company Ubuntu Rock Drilling (URD) aims to prevent oil contamination as much as possible, company marketing manager Michelle Berrington tells Mining Weekly. To achieve this, a plastic liner is used to cover the ground surface... →

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ZERO SPILLAGE Drilling must have as little impact as possible on the environment

African drilling projects benefit from versatile equipment

20th March 2015 African drilling projects are benefiting from using the versatile instruments and products produced by Italy-based drilling instruments designer DAT instruments, says sales manager Domenico Anelina. He adds that the company’s products can be installed and used on any drilling rig, irrespective of... →

VERSATILE DAT instruments' products can be installed and used on any drilling rig

Upgraded rotary drill to be introduced to African market

20th March 2015 Following the completion of product support training, machinery manufacturer Caterpillar’s upgraded MD6640 rotary drill is now commercially available, says Caterpillar surface rock drills commercial strategy manager G R Regas, adding that the company will introduce the upgraded drill to the... →

POWERFUL The MD6640 is electrically powered and is Caterpillar’s largest rotary drill

Challenging drilling project successfully completed

20th March 2015 Integrated drilling services and equipment provider Boart Longyear last month completed another unique project using its dual-tube flooded reverse-circulation technique. The technique, used to drill 60-inch shafts through loss circulation zones, was used to create a ventilation shaft for an... →

DRILLING TECHNIQUE The dual-tube flooded reverse-circulation drilling technique makes it possible for the bit to penetrate loss circulation zones without the use of a more traditional raised bore rig

SA can become a bigger coal exporter

13th March 2015 South Africa has the potential to export more coal, provided there is rail infrastructure expansion and improvement in the country, says geology, mining and environmental consulting services provider MSA principal coal consultant Philip Mostert. He notes that South Africa currently exports... →

RAIL CAPACITY Transnet is considering upgrades to its various rail tracks leading to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal

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