Tag Archives: Exxaro Resources

DRA Global’s ‘total solutions offering’ put to the test at Exxaro’s Grootegeluk mine

DRA Global says it has continued to sustain its long-term client relationship with Exxaro Resources through the progressive engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract at the Grootegeluk coal asset in South Africa.

Exxaro’s Grootegeluk is an open-pit coal mine, 20 km from Lephalale in Limpopo province. The mine produced 26 Mt/y final coal products, using a conventional truck and shovel operation, and has an estimated mineable coal reserve of 3,261 Mt, and a total measured coal resource of 4,719 Mt.

“A project of this magnitude speaks to the extensive experience in project development and delivery extended to the client by DRA,” DRA says.

DRA’s specialist engineering expertise and total solutions package at Exxaro’s Grootegeluk includes, but is not limited to:

  • Bankable feasibility study;
  • Installation of a new PC2 Discard Conveyor alongside the current PC1 Discard Conveyor;
  • Installation of new bifurcated transfer chutes to discharge onto either PC1 or PC2 Conveyor;
  • Seven transfers in total that requires conversion; and
  • Construction of associated infrastructure; such as stormwater control, road crossing, new spillage collection and a transfer system.

Furthermore, DRA recently completed the 3D scanning of existing conveyors and accompanying infrastructure. The compiling of the 3D model has commenced and will inform the engineering of the various transfer towers and the new PC2 Conveyor onto the next phase, it said.

Exxarro, in 2018, initially awarded DRA a contract to construct a 500 t/h coal handling and preparation plant at the Belfast Implementation project, in Mpumalanga.

“The client’s faith in DRA showcases the proficiency in implementing large-scale coal projects and further solidifies the organisations’ reputation for successful project delivery (even under these new circumstances),” it said.

Alistair Hodgkinson, Senior Vice President at DRA, said: “Grootegeluk is just one of many projects under DRA that provides an excellent opportunity to showcase our engineering capability. This is a complex brownfields project that will require attention to detail to achieve successful construction during a tight shutdown deadline; the client values our reputation for being able to deliver challenging brownfields projects successfully.”

The project commenced in the September quarter and is forecasted for completion by the June quarter of 2021.

Barloworld Equipment offers Exxaro mine contractors a helping hand

Exxaro Resources and Barloworld Equipment (BWE) have signed a memorandum of understanding that could see the mining company’s contractors gain access to the required mining operations equipment at competitive rates and terms, as well as additional post-acquisition support to enable the contractors to execute operational projects.

The three-year, non-exclusive partnership aims to assist Exxaro’s contractors working on the projects including drilling, blasting, loading, hauling and coal handling. Previously Exxaro noted that contractors awarded work lacked the means to purchase or lease the equipment required to enable them to execute said projects.

Mxolisi Mgojo, Exxaro CEO, said: “Exxaro has committed to an enterprise and supplier development program to grow the South African economy within the sector and bolster efficiencies in areas we operate. This partnership enables us to empower and support appointed contractors to produce the best quality work.”

The partnership also looks to capacitate Exxaro contractors to build an effective equipment management capability to support the efficient delivery of projects; and find ways to minimise the capital and operating costs of equipment for contractors by dealing directly with BWE as the authorised distributor and reseller of equipment, Exxaro said.

Emmy Leeka, BWE Southern Africa CEO, said: “This partnership with Exxaro will allow emerging contractors to better participate in major projects. As the exclusive dealer for Cat earthmoving machines and power systems in Southern Africa, we will give Exxaro’s contractors greater access to equipment, financing and training.”

Exxaro looks to enter into similar partnerships with Komatsu, Volvo, Bell and other companies alike.