Longevity of Current Mines (LoCM)

The Longevity of Current Mines (LOCM) programme is designed to increase the efficiency of extraction, improve the safeguarding of personnel, and reduce the costs of current conventional mining operations. It further explores the development of innovative technology readiness levels by means of validation and certification.

objectives

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS): Enhance Safety by upgrading safety protocols and implement technology solutions designed to protect workers and reduce health risks at the mining face. Improve risk hazard observation and digitally capture information in the workplace with data integration to the Risk Management system.
Modernization and Efficiency: Improve Ore Extraction to enhance the efficiency of extracting ore reserves through advanced technologies and refined methods. Implement Best Practices by introducing new solutions and best practices to modernize mining operations and address current limitations.
Cost Reduction: Reduce Operational Costs in developing blue print evaluation models from current mining operations to technically and economically evaluate new technology application opportunities to lower costs and increase efficiency.
Sustainability and Liabilities Management: Turn Liabilities into Assets by exploring and proposing implementation of methods to convert potential liabilities into valuable assets, such as repurposing waste materials or improving resource recovery with focus on long-term sustainability by integrating
Technology Innovation: explores the development of innovative technology, guided by industry criteria and requirements, with assessment of the product’s readiness level by means of validation and certification.

Programme Outcomes

Isidingo Drill. Lightweight, reduced noise, hydro-powered
In-stope environment cooling systems, applicable to high temperature workings
Remote charging unit, available at University of Pretoria
Shift cycle optimization Framework and Guideline
Underground electronic capturing and reporting solution, (e-logbook) applicable to Shift Boss capturing information in the workplace
Remote Scraper Cleaning with Proximity Detection, applicable in NRHR mines
Future Sustainable Mining Industry Adoption Report, To evaluate and promote strategies for the adoption of sustainable practices in mining
Electronic Planning & Reporting Integrated System, applicable to mining industry
Equipment testing and TRL6 validation for application in NRHR mines validating Mernok’s scraper winch with proximity detection at TRL6
Optimise Drilling, Charging and Blasting management systems, Develop and validate an integrated software solution for enhancing DCBM operations in underground mining.

Demonstration Videos

Playlist

3 Videos

7:14

2019 LoCM WP1 Isidingo Challange Phase II 20191210

1:17

3:25

Current Projects

The Longevity of Current Mines (LOCM) programme as part of the SAMERDI strategy with intent to modernise and introduce new solutions to current gold, chrome and platinum mines with Best Practice methods and procedure outcomes focussing on optimisation and modernisation of conventional resource extraction processes.

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT:

Product development process from TRL6 to TRL9

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT:

Optimise Drilling, Charging and Blasting management systems (Phase III)

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT:

Equipment Testing & Validation Assessment at TRL7 stage

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT:

Product development process from TRL6 to TRL9

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT:

Optimise Drilling, Charging and Blasting management systems (Phase III)

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT:

Equipment Testing & Validation Assessment at TRL7 stage

Complete Project Selection

Drilling Monitoring

Isidingo Drill Challenge_Phase I

Heading Investigate blasting methodologies for the underground narrow reef mines

Lost blast analysis

Support_Composite Pipestick Phase I

Best practice document for working in areas of high temperatures

Shift Cycles and Productivity

Drilling Tech Blue Print Designs

Drilling Tech Blue Print Designs_Gold

IMPACTS OF ESKOM TARIFF HIKES ON MINING UNIT COSTS AND ENERGY INTESNIVE ACTIVITIES ON THE MINING CYCLE

Theory of Constraints for Mining

Isidingo Drill Removed milestone costs

Support_Composite Pipestic Phase I

Production Cycle Blue Prints

Underground Energy Utilisation

Isidingo Drill Challenge_Phase III

Safety Data Capturing in the workplace

Support_Composite Pipestick Phase III

Shift Cycle Blue Prints

Scraper winch with Proximity Detection Phase I

Electronic integrated planning and reporting

Remote Charging Unit_Phase I

Demonstration Shiftboss electronic and reporting

Future Sustainable Mining

Dynamic Test Facility Study_Phase I

Scraper winch with proximity detection_Phase I

Remote Charging Unit_Phase II

Future Sustainable Mining_Phase I

ULP Dozer_Sweeper Study

Rocker Shovel Systems Optimisation Blue Print

Electronic Intergrated Planning and Reporting_Phase I

ULP Equipment Testing and Application

Dynamic Test Facility Study Phase II

Future Sustainable Mining_Phase II_Industry Adoption Report

Dynamic Test Facility Study Phase III

Technology Readiness Assessment and Commercialise Framework

Drilling Charging and Blasting Management System Phase II

Optimise Drilling, Charging and Blasting management systems

Product development process from TRL6 to TRL9

Determine Utilisation of Dynamic Test Facilities in SA and establish governance structure for Quality Assurance

Equipment testing and TRL6 validation for application in NRHR mines

Focus Area

Resource Extraction Optimisation

The Resource Extraction focus area aims to extend the current conventional type mining life through improved productivity and safety, leading to 10 - 20% improvement in margin, and to reduce health and safety risks at the work face.

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Technology Business Improvement

The Technology Business Improvement focus is based on researching and identifying the latest technology products or systems to enhance products KPI measuring, control functioning, reporting to integrate with existing management system solutions.

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Sustainable Future Mining

The Sustainable Future Mining has a strong focus on providing a safer and healthier mining environment, to turn liabilities into assets. Water treatment and utilization, Environmental impact controls and sustainable Energy sourcing are major topics of investigation.