Tag Archives: SPH Kundalila

SPH Kundalila adds another Lokotrack LT120 for crushing fleet at platinum mine

Comminution of minerals, Equipment maintenance, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

SPH Kundalila has reaffirmed its faith in Metso Outotec crushers by putting to work another Lokotrack® LT120™ from local distributor Pilot Crushtec at an open-pit platinum mine near Rustenburg in South Africa’s North West province.

The Lokotrack LT120 mobile jaw crushing plant was acquired early in 2021, and has since been added to the fleet at the mine where SPH Kundalila has been conducting crushing operations for the customer since 2013.

“The new machine is part of our ongoing plant renewal process, ensuring that our fleet performs optimally with high uptime levels,” Graeme Campbell, Group Commercial Manager at SPH Kundalila, says. “We already have four of these models on other operations, and they have all been strong and reliable production units.”

The crushing fleet on this project processes 350,000-400,000 t/mth of platinum ore for the mine’s mineral processing plant. Material entering the crusher can be sized up to 800 mm in size, which is reduced to a product of 250 mm or less for transportation to the plant.

The mobility of the track-mounted LT120 provides the necessary flexibility that the mine requires to maintain a consistent grade for the plant, moving crushers when necessary to treat ore from different locations on site, according to the company.

SPH Kundalila Operations Manager, Dean Zeelie, says the Metso mobile crushers have proved themselves as reliable performers in front-line, hard-rock applications in the company’s contracts, with one unit notching up almost 25,000 hours to date.

“The Metso technology allows us to closely monitor machine running time and operating time, so that we can schedule regular service interventions,” he says. “Our on-site maintenance team ensures that all delivery targets are met, as our role in maintaining mine throughput is vital.”

This approach allows these mobile crushers to be completely refurbished at SPH Kundalila’s rebuild workshop in Potchefstroom at long-term intervals. This enhances reliability and lowers the total cost of ownership.

The close relationship between SPH Kundalila and Pilot Crushtec goes back over 23 years, according to Campbell, with the company investing in Metso crushers since 2007. He notes that they collaborate at early stages of potential contract opportunities when Pilot Crushtec will assist with testing and will then provide recommendations on the most suitable equipment for a job. He says Metso’s Bruno simulation software is also a valuable tool that the company uses for finding optimal solutions for its projects.

According to Francois Marais, Director Sales and Marketing at Pilot Crushtec, the Lokotrack LT120 includes a Metso C120 jaw crusher with a 1,200 mm by 870 mm feed opening, providing excellent capacity even in the toughest applications.

“The hydraulic drive ensures trouble-free operation and enables crusher direction to be changed in case of blockage or alternatively the on-board hydraulic hammer can be used, while the Caterpillar C13 engine module delivers optimal power to the high inertia flywheels,” Marais says.

“Its compact dimensions, combined with agile tracks, also make it easy to transport. The chassis design features good clearance at both ends, enabling simple loading on a trailer.”

SPH Kundalila adopts COVID-19-safe practices to keep contract mining services going

Mining safety, Mining services, , , , , ,

Management commitment to health and safety standards, combined with good planning and ongoing auditing, has allowed South Africa-based open-pit mining contractor SPH Kundalila to sustain operations, wherever permitted, the company says.

“The cost and the disruption have been significant, but we acted early to put resources and systems in place,” Graeme Campbell, Group Commercial and Operations Manager at SPH Kundalila, said. “It has been particularly important to constantly review our performance. Learning from the experience of our different sites has also helped keep safety standards high.”

Most of the company’s work sites in South Africa were required to close at the start of the lockdown, requiring shutdown procedures at each site. This included planning for the movement of staff and equipment, while updating access control measures.

It also meant collaborating closely with mines to ensure clients’ requirements were also observed. Limited operations continued at SPH Kundalila’s own dolomite and lime mine, designated as an essential service due to its product’s importance to farming.

According to SPH Kundalila Safety Manager, Quintin van der Merwe, an important aspect of the response has been the drafting of a revised safety, health, environment, and quality (SHEQ) policy.

“Our COVID-19 policy is the highest level of commitment from senior management to address the risks that were emerging from the lockdown,” van der Merwe said. “This covers a range of issues from financial provision and the supply of protective equipment, to respect and care for employees.”

Based on a COVID-19 management plan, SPH Kundalila is continually assessing the risks facing employees and operations. Attention is also placed on education and awareness-raising, as well as continuous improvement while observing COVID-19 regulations as they evolve.

“Being quick off the mark was key to our response – which included securing 1,000 litres of hand sanitiser and 1,000 cloth masks even before the lockdown,” he says. “The focus then moved to risk assessment and mitigation, such as the risk of infection from employees’ movements and sharing of equipment and office space.”

Results have been positive, Campbell said. With about 1,000 employees spread over 10 branches and half a dozen mining sites countrywide, the company was already 90% operational by the end of May. The high standards followed by SPH Kundalila align with those of the Raubex Group, as well as the Aggregate and Sand Producers Association.

“This has ensured that our internal audits – and those by our clients and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy – have made no adverse findings during the lockdown to date,” he said. “As a caring company, we have seen employees responding well to the changing demands. This translates into sustaining a high level of service across our operations.”

SPH Kundalila crushing it at Pilanesberg platinum mine

Comminution of minerals, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , ,

Raubex Group subsidiary SPH Kundalila has recently seen its contract expand at the Pilanesberg platinum mine on South Africa’s Bushveld Complex.

The two already have a nine-year relationship to fall back on, with SPH Kundalila’s primary contract at Pilanesberg entailing managing the mine’s primary crushing requirements. This includes crushing all run of mine (ROM) material from the mine before it is transported to the concentrator.

Pilanesberg, which has many outsourced contractors, recently celebrated 10 years of production excellence at the mine.

The nine-year relationship between Pilanesberg and SPH Kundalila can be attributed to the trust and partnership the company has built with the mine but also its high level technical skills set, according to the contractor.

SPH Kundalila Production Manager, Walter Eriksen, said: “With our 260 people on site, 75% from the local Bakgatla tribe, we operate four 63 t mobile crushing machines on the outskirts of the pit which have a combined design capacity of 380,000 t/mth.

“Our crushers have been replaced over the years as the mine’s production requirements have grown. Throughout this process we have maintained our machines’ high availability thanks to an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the mine’s production requirements.

“To ensure our performance further, we have established on-site technical support infrastructure including a workshop and plus-40 workshop crew. This facility enables us to conduct preventative maintenance equipment routines as well as full services and minor repairs which results in minimal downtime.”

The mine has expanded SPH Kundalila’s work on site of late, which now includes materials handling services delivered from its fleet of wheel loaders, dump trucks and tippers. In June 2018, the company’s workload expanded even further to include loading and hauling waste material from the pit.

SPH Kundalila Pit Manager, Danie de Jager, said: “Since June of last year we have successfully been moving waste material from the northern side of the pit. We have also steadily grown our volumes which started at 145,000 t/mth to around 500,000 t/mth. Through this service we are giving the mine quick and easy access to the reef.”

SPH Kundalila’s earthmoving fleet comprises two excavators, two bulldozers and eight 45 t dump trucks carefully selected to allow accurate waste-only removal.

SPH Kundalila Site Manager, Pieter Boonzaier, said: “Our service delivery, technical capability and ongoing dedication to helping Pilanesberg platinum mine meet its 150,000 oz per annum of PGM production requirements is a proud achievement for SPH Kundalila and we hope to continue working with the mine as its explores new and exciting chapters of its life.”

Forte Demolition goes to work on chrome pelletising plant in Rustenburg

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mining safety, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , ,

Forte Demolition Solutions, a subsidiary of surface materials handling expert SPH Kundalila, has started demolishing a chrome pelletising plant in Rustenburg, South Africa, following a recent turnkey contract award.

Forte says it is tackling the project with its specialised range of mechanical dismantling and demolition equipment.

Graeme Campbell, Group Commercial Operations Manager at SPH Kundalila, said: “Our investment in this equipment is substantial, making us the ideal partner for mines and other operations who need to address closure in a safe and sustainable manner.”

The plant to be demolished includes several multi-storey structures, conveyors, steel frames and concrete work, as well as large, heavy componentry, according to the company.

Campbell emphasised that Forte Demolition is one of few companies in South Africa with the necessary assortment of fit-for-purpose machinery and attachments. These ensure the cutting and breaking process is safe and efficient, allowing many components to be carefully dismantled for resale purposes.

“Among the factors behind our cost effectiveness is that we can shorten customers’ timeframes,” he said. “For example, our precision cutting is done by a shear attachment on an excavator. The power of hydraulics – combined with our specialised technology – means that everything is much quicker and safer.”

Equipment that is being employed on the pelletiser site includes a pulveriser for concrete demolition. It breaks concrete into small pieces that can be used as backfill on site, alleviating the need for transporting large concrete chunks to special dumping sites. Other specialised demolition attachments include grapples, hammers and buckets.

High levels of safety are ensured by an integrated safety, health, environment and quality management system, according to Brad van Niekerk, Project Manager at Forte Demolition Solutions.

“Safety is our key priority, which is enhanced by the closely supervised use of our mechanical equipment,” van Niekerk says. “This ensures that workers are not placed at risk by being too close to dangerous working environments.”

He notes that each project is planned and monitored by a skilled professional team, which takes the safest demolition approach. This is also aligned with customer standards to ensure full compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements. A 51% black-owned business and Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, Forte Demolition Solutions operates in South Africa through its offices in Fochville, Rustenburg, Stilfontein and Carletonville.