Developing a new shaft is regarded as a grudge purchase by mining compa-nies and their shareholders because of the capital-intensive nature of such projects.
Developing a new shaft is regarded as a grudge purchase by mining compa-nies and their shareholders because of the capital-intensive nature of such projects. However, 2017 Rapid Underground Mine & Civil Access Conference organising chairperson Murray Macnab avers that underground orebodies are coming into their own once again.
“Older underground mines that were originally designed for a 25-year life are now being considered for extension to beyond 50 years; new subvertical shafts and tertiary shafts are also being considered, where the orebody economics allow for it, as potential new investment opportunities.”
The approval of a new shaft construction is determined by whether the size and depth of the orebody supports financially viable mining operations, says Macnab.
He points out that the economics of orebodies and the ability to raise capital determine whether a shaft can be deepened, upgraded, revamped or a new shaft can be justified. The economics are linked to the commodity price, but, with the recent and steady improvement in commodity prices following the 2016 price slump, business cases are improving.
Macnab tells Mining Weekly that, with the advent of aerial magnetic surveying technology years ago, the “easy pickings” mines have largely been discovered and exploited through opencast mining, but some of these operations are ageing and must either be expanded as underground mines or be replaced.
Denne historien er fra Mining Weekly 21 April 2017-utgaven av Mining Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra Mining Weekly 21 April 2017-utgaven av Mining Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Supply Cliff?
Commodities supply shortfall looming following years of underinvestment
Strikes Threaten Coal Sector
If an agreement cannot be reached on the future structure and form of wage nego­tiations in the coal sector, unions have threatened to strike, says Solidarity mining industry deputy general secretary Connie Prinsloo.
Continued Focus On Downstream Development
Continued Focus On Downstream Development
Unrelenting Scourge
Mining fatalities in South Africa rise for first time in decade
Plea For Open Discussion
Diamonds body calls for ‘productive dialogue’ on Kimberley Process reform
Deep Potential
Stillwater deal seen positioning Sibanye as globally competitive mining champion.
Explosive Advantage
Explosives reloading system helping Gold One to reduce mining costs.
Critical Juncture
South Africa’s mining sector at a crossroads, collaborative effort required.
Consulting Engineering's Viability Proportional to Mining's Growth
The consulting engineer-ing industry’s sustain-ability and growth are largely dependent on and proportional to the mining industry’s sustainability and growth respectively, says industry body Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa).
Greater Emphasis On Ensuring Sustainability
Engineering expertise can be used to generate socio-economic gains for mining companies, particularly in jurisdictions that are dependent on the finite business of mineral extraction, states global engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Aurecon, an adviser to the African mining sector.
