The Sunday News
Roberta Katunga in Shurugwi
PLATINUM mining company, Unki, on Friday launched a 184m Emulsion Vertical Drop System (VDS) at its Shurugwi operation amid revelations from the mine officials that it is set to save the mine about $26 000 annually in addition to $10 000 saved annually due to reduced fuel consumption by charging equipment.
Speaking at the launch, Unki Mine General Manager Walter Nemasasi said the project which was commissioned in June is the first of its kind in Zimbabwe and has the potential to save up to 13 percent on fuel and running costs of charging equipment by making use of a vertical drop emulsion delivery system.
“We sunk the hole in 2011 but only managed to have it working this year. This shows that decisions can be made and take time to be formulated but still be followed through,” he said.
Explaining the need for the VDS, Mr Nemasasi said the increase in production and rapid advance of underground workings at Unki mine in recent years had increased the distance between the working faces and surface mounted storage facility for UG 100 emulsion and the sensitiser.
“Transportation of the key blasting materials was fast becoming a long and expensive process. The total daily travelling distance for the Five Mobile Charging Units has since been reduced from 110km to 20km since the vertical drop system implementation,” he said.
According to JSE listed AECI Group of which AEL mining services is a subsidiary, the developers of the system, the vertical drop delivery system is fast becoming the globally accepted best practice for the delivery of emulsion to underground operations by transporting products safely through a reticulation system of piping to a designated storage site closer to the mine workings.
AEL Zimbabwe Managing Director Trevor Lilford said the company is focused on delivering cost effective solutions to the mining industry during a challenging economic environment.
“Projects such as the installation and operation of a Vertical Drop emulsion delivery system are all about adding value to the customer through equipment and blast efficiencies, which result in operational cost savings and increased levels of output,” said Mr Lilford.
He said the VDS provides significant safety enhancements because it reduces the interface time with explosives which are manufactured at the working faces during charging, adding that security is also improved through streamlined delivery channels.
Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Chief Government mining engineer Mr Noel Paskwavaviri commended Unki Mine and AEL for using advanced technologies in the industry at a time when mining companies are said to be lacking an appetite in reducing mining costs through embracing technology.
Mr Paskwavaviri said Government supports endeavours that promote safety of mining operations through innovative means.
“Other mines should emulate Unki’s set philosophy on technological advancements and it is impressive that they are the pioneers in the use of this system,” he said.
The launch was attended by officials from AEL parent company in South Africa, the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe, Ministry of Mines, Zimplats, Mimosa, Murowa, Renco mine and Stanbic officials, among others.
