Mopani Rock Drill Repair Workshop launch
Tranter Mining and Engineering Services Zambia launches Mopani Rock Drill Repair Workshops.
In business it is imperative that one adapts and does what it takes to meet demand. This is exactly what the Tranter Rock Drill distributors for Zambia have done. On the 11th of July 2012 Tranter Mining and Engineering Services Zambia launched its first Rock Drill Repair Workshop to facilitate the efficient supply of rock drilling resources into the copper belt. The launch was a momentous occasion which saw many dignitaries in attendance including the Minister of Mines for Zambia Mr Christopher Yaluma. As guest of honour Mr Simusa highlighted the role mining has to play in the economy as he officially opened the Rock Drill Shop. Mopani Mine CEO Mr Danny Callow, the Tranter Rock Drills South Africa delegation and others all witnessed the occasion and acknowledged the exciting opportunities the partnership brings.
The Rock Drill shop has been strategically located to service the contractors in the copper belt mines. Tranter Mining and Engineering Services Zambia in conjunction with Mopani mines have worked together to establish what will prove to be a mutually beneficial relationship dramatically cutting down turn-around time by ensuring rock drill availability for mining operations.
This strategic location allows Tranter Mining and Engineering Services Zambia the opportunity to work hand in hand with the miners and provide the necessary training in an effort to boost productivity. Having the team on hand to advise and train contractors is just one of the many benefits this partnership brings.
The Rock Drill repair shop will be servicing the S36, S25 machines, airlegs and all other equipment supplied by Tranter Rock Drills. This ensures all spares are genuine and original increasing the life performance of the machines. In addition the shop will be sharpening bits, doing regular maintenance and ensuring the mine is well supplied. Tranter equipment is also at the forefront of a new shaft being sunk for the Mopani mines. The rugged and powerful S140 is the drill of choice for shaft sinking operations.
This growth has seen Tranter Rock Drills nominate Tranter Mining and Engineering Services Zambia as the official and only distributor into Zambia and The Democratic Republic of Congo. All orders will be managed and processed by Tranter Mining and Engineering Services Zambia as the official distributor in the region.
2013 Noise Level Deadline Looms
Are your Rock Drills meeting the legal standards?
When mining started on an industrial scale in the 1880s, miners faced very high levels of risk to both safety and health. Over the years the safety performance of mines improved. However Africa’s standards did not improve at the same rate as major mining countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA. South African legislative bodies attributed this to an absence of systemic approaches to improving conditions. For example there were approximately 4 000 cases of noise-induced hearing loss in 2004 and approximately R75 million was paid out in compensation.
At the Mine Health and Safety Summit of 2003, the tripartite stakeholders in mining agreed to targets and milestones, which were aimed at addressing the major health and safety concerns of the sector. One of the milestones set addresses reducing noise levels in the workplace. In line with improved safety in the workplace the following benchmarks were tabled:
“By December 2013, the total noise emitted by all equipment installed in any workplace must not exceed a sound pressure level of 110 dB (A) at any location in that workplace (including individual pieces of equipment)”.
For mine managers dealing with suppliers it is imperative that necessary measures are taken to meet the standards. When looking at the rock drill market one is led to ask - where do you start and how do you maintain the standards. Mine Managers – Staying ahead
Mine mangers can ensure their equipment meets the standards by doing the following:
PLAN: A comprehensive audit is the starting point. Seek out the services of a professional or supplier to get the ball rolling. Suppliers such as Tranter Rock Drills can provide the knowledge necessary to do a rock drill audit. Many of the leading mining houses they have assisted are already beginning to conform – well ahead of schedule.
VERIFY CLAIMS: Ensure equipment you choose has been independently verified – there are claims of sub 110dba which are outright false and misleading. Protect yourself, ask your supplier for verification certification – do your homework and avoid disaster.
USE OEM PARTS: When it comes to rotation cycles check that OEM parts are used in repairs. You may do all the right things ahead of time and then slowly find yourself going backwards because parts are not original and are thus contributing to emitted noise.
SERVICE ON CYCLES NOT FAILURES: Are rock drills being cycled and serviced on time. Pushing equipment beyond its scheduled cycle date will cost more in the long run. Leading suppliers such as Tranter Rock Drills will offer maintenance plans sending equipment for servicing to their conveniently located rock drill repair shops being setup in Steelpoort, Roodepoort and other strategic locations.
Current trends indicate that the some in the sector are leaving things until the last minute – a gross error in judgement. However there are shining examples of those making exceptional progress towards reaching the levels. Suppliers and mining houses are co-operating and moving towards a seamless transition with no disruptions. Tranter Rock Drills the OEM for the SECO are working with leading mines, supplying direct, keeping costs low and ensuring only original parts are used. Their patented muffling systems (independently verified by CSIR - Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) are being fitted to existing units and distributed with new units.
TRD preparing for Elektra 2012
Tranter Rock Drills will once again exhibit at the 2012 Elektra Mining Trade Show. Ranked as the second largest mining show in the world and with global recognition for its broad reach across mining, construction, industrial and power generation industry sectors, Electra Mining Africa once again proves its status as a world-class event attracting high numbers of quality exhibitors and visitors, both benefiting from the platform created to showcase the latest in products, services, technologies and trends.
Ranked as the second largest mining show in the world and with global recognition for its broad reach across mining, construction, industrial and power generation industry sectors, Electra Mining Africa once again proves its status as a world-class event attracting high numbers of quality exhibitors and visitors, both benefiting from the platform created to showcase the latest in products, services, technologies and trends.
Below is our press release for the show published in Mining Mirror.
In 2009 Tranter Holding's subsidiary Tranter Energy and Mining Services (Pty) Ltd (TEMS) acquired Boart Longyear's percussive rock drills, hard rock tool product lines and all associated manufacturing operations, including the site at Roodepoort. The company is now known as Tranter Rock Drills (Pty) Ltd (TRD). TRD focuses on mining, quarry and construction industry related products.
TRD is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of SECO rock drills, rock drill accessories, machine spares, ancillary equipment and consumables such as rods and bits. Our precision machining and grinding using CNC equipment and comprehensive heat treatment facilities ensure quality. We offer 12 months factory warranty and are ISO 14001:2004, ISO 9001:2008 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certified.
In a recent NIHL document it was found that TRD is leading the way in noise reduction technology. TRD have had their patented noise level technology independently verified by the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research). TRD is also in advanced testing of an anti-finger pinching device for airleg operations as well as roof bolting technology designed to reduce overall costs and increase safety standards on the mines.
We supply direct to the market. Our after sales services include rock drill repairs and servicing. We also provide technical support on site at the mines where required. As part of our client service development program we have located several areas for our Rock Drill Repair Workshop. These locations will be close to mines and will be a major contributor to increased turn around times for servicing. The current operational location is Steelpoort.
Our manufacturing plant is situated at 144 Main Reef Road, (Corner Wilson and Main Reef Road), Manufacta, Roodepoort, South Africa. Our telephone numbers are + 27 11 761 2200 or sales +27 11 767 2941, +27 11 761 2324.
Elektra 2012
Come and visit us at one of South Africa's largest trade shows
10-14 September 2012
Expo Centre, Nasrec, JHB, South Africa
Show Times: 9am - 5pm
Hall: 6
Stand Number: Unit K27
Lonmin boosts productivity after ditching mechanisation
Source: http://www.iol.co.za
The decision to revert to conventional mining methods has helped Lonmin improve productivity levels, after mechanisation failed to yield results.
Lonmin mechanised its platinum mines in 2004 under the leadership of then chief executive Bradford Mills, but in 2008 Ian Farmer, who took over from Mills, reversed the decision, saying the company had failed to significantly improve productivity at its mechanised mines and would revert to conventional labour-intensive mining.
Mark Munroe, Lonmin’s executive vice-president of mining, said last week that the dependence on mechanised mining had meant that it took longer for mines to reach full production: while it took six years for a standard mine to reach full production, it had taken 10 years at Lonmin.
“It (mechanised mining) set us back significantly,” he said. About R1.3 billion had been spent on the Saffy mine, which now uses conventional stoping mining methods, and it was expected that another R300 million would be spent to take it to full production.
Munroe was speaking last week during a sponsored media visit to the Saffy mine in North West. Lonmin had dealt with geological instability underground by introducing an improved support system.
Saffy employs more than 3 000 people and has had no fatalities since opening 12 years ago.
Lonmin, the third-largest platinum producer, offered the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) limited organising rights this year. “Amcu membership is predominantly at Karee mine where it has an office. There is a slight representation on other mines,” Munroe said.
This limited right was offered after Amcu members boycotted overtime at Karee. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) lost members at Karee after a branch leadership dispute led to an illegal strike in which 9 000 employees were dismissed last year. About 8 000 were rehired.
Lonmin has successfully managed labour unrest, unlike Impala Platinum, which lost R2bn in production following a six-week-long strike that was triggered by rivalry between NUM and Amcu.
The challenges in the platinum sector had forced Lonmin to review its business and it would inform the market of any changes in the next few months, Tanya Chikanza, the investor relations officer, said last week.
The drop in platinum group metals prices, rising costs of producing platinum, the euro crisis and labour unrest have made mines uneconomic. Last month, Aquarius Platinum said it would mothball two operations. In May, Eastern Platinum said it had cut funding to its Mareesburg project and Kennedy’s Vale concentrator plant in South Africa. Lonmin fell R1.49 to close at R94 on Friday.
Published Date: July 09, 2012
Discontinuation of Unmuffled Rock Drills
2013 Noise Benchmark Deadline Looms.
Are your Rock Drills meeting the DMR standards?
To all our valued clients,
By now you should be well aware of the noise level limits set out by the DMR. At the Mine Health and Safety Summit of 2003, the tripartite stakeholders in mining agreed to targets and milestones, which were aimed at amongst other things - reducing noise levels in the workplace. In line with improved safety in the workplace the following benchmarks were tabled:
“By December 2013, the total noise emitted by all equipment installed in any workplace must not exceed a sound pressure level of 110 dB (A) at any location in that workplace (including individual pieces of equipment)”.
For mine managers dealing with suppliers it is imperative that necessary measures are taken to meet the standards. In accordance with the requirements Tranter Rock Drills will no longer supply the unmuffled machines listed below – we will now be supplying the new range of muffled machines. This ensures you will meet the requirements set out above on time and avoid any unnecessary disruptions in production.
The changes are listed below:
| Machine discontinued S215 S25 |
New Muffled Range S215M2 (Muffled) S25M2 and S25M |
Tranter Rock Drill have and will continue to ensure all products supplied by us are of the highest quality and meet the requirements set our by the industry. A smooth transition will take planning and careful co-ordination. Please contact us so we can assist you in the transition process.
