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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cThe achievement of a million fatality free hours \u2013 reached in November 2023 \u2013 is more than just a number,\u201d says Durand. \u201cIt reflects the deep-rooted safety culture that has permeated every aspect of the project.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The innovative sinking methods, used for the first time in South Africa, were also carefully focused on achieving zero harm. Murray & Roberts Cementation employed its Canadian shaft sinking methodology, adapted to what became called \u2018the PMC way\u2019. This method included an innovative solution to poor ground conditions, where the sidewall of the shaft was closed up within 48 hours by means of the shaft concrete lining after every three metres of advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAmong the improvements that this facilitated was the removal of the hazardous work by rock drill operators at the shaft bottom, who would traditionally have to install temporary support,\u201d he explains. \u201cWe also decided not to conduct concurrent work in the shaft, so there was no risk of danger to anyone below when work was carried out from the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He emphasises the close collaboration between Murray & Roberts Cementation and PMC to ensure the success and safety of the shaft sinking. The project was significant insofar as there were many lessons learnt which could be taken forward into future projects, he says, further improving the safety record of shaft sinking practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are already looking ahead to two more important shaft sinking projects within the South African mining sector, where there is potential for certain of these learnings to be applied,\u201d says Durand. A veteran of over 15 shaft sinking projects around Africa during his career, he admits finding aspects of the PMC way initially quite unusual when he joined the project in 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUltimately, though, we all want to deliver safe projects, so there are many brilliant ideas that we have proven on this project,\u201d he says. \u201cThese strategies have been combined with the company\u2019s leading mining and engineering expertise, and made us very excited about the future of shaft sinking and contract mining.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n To facilitate streamlined programming on the project, the work ran on continuous operations with two 12 hour shifts. He notes that this improves on the usual eight hour shift system, which requires three shift changes \u2013 each change taking up valuable project time. The two-shift system requires only a morning and evening change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The vent shaft will replace the two existing vent shafts from the Lift I project, which are likely to be affected as they are in the Lift I zone of influence. In the final stages of the project, Murray & Roberts Cementation will strip out its services from the shaft, lift out the stage and dismantle the headgear. Final demobilisation of the company\u2019s infrastructure will be carried out during the first quarter of 2024, says Durand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leading underground mining contractor Murray & Roberts Cementation and its client Palabora Mining Company (PMC) celebrated the last blast at the new ventilation shaft, which took its depth to a final 1,200 metres below surface on 9 January 2024. The 8.5 metre diameter upcast vent shaft \u2013 which holed through to an already developed return … Continue reading PIONEERING VENT SHAFT AT PALABORA HOLES OUT SAFELY AT 1200 METRES<\/span> <\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"