FOCUS infrastructure,
FOCUS infrastructure, process analysis, optimisation, improvement, strategic development and implementation, leadership and management, and budget projection and management. Expect was PC’s Manager for Mining Operations for more than five years before earning his current position. Expect brings many attributes to the PC copper bench, including Blasting and Mine Overseer Certificates as well as Mine Managers Certificate of Competency (MMCC). A relentless cooperative technical strategist, Expect is a national Council member of the Association of Mine Managers of South Africa (AMMSA) and the chairperson of PC AMMSA branch. In addition to his mining and leadership attributes, Expect is a sharp communicator who appreciates engaging stakeholders to ensure reaching amicable consensus. He constantly engages the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) on issues related to mining to ensure alignment and compliance. In 2017, Expect and his Mining team won two awards from MineSAFE for Best Safety Performance in Class and Best Safety Performance in Copper Recovery. Expect’s lengthy experience, coupled with his suitable qualifications, is an assurance that PC will continue to be at the forefront of mining copper and meeting specifications and needs of its copper customers. AFRICAN BUSINESS 2020 40
Lift II – Palabora Copper Mine’s shared and sustainable future Shaft Sinking Project Manager, Thabo Mokoena. Lift II refers to the construction project of new declines underground which will connect the old mine (Lift I) and the new (Lift II). The project began in 2013. This is similar to constructing a new mine and so requires installing new infrastructure such as crushers, conveyor belt and ventilation shaft which is pictured on the next page. The new mine (Lift II) is situated 400m below the old mine (Lift I) and is being constructed by a consortium of international and local contractors including the Australian Downer Group (Integrated Services Company) and the South African Mvusuludzo Projects which is a 100% black-owned and Level 1 B-BBEE emerging mine contracting and development company. The shaft-sinking company, Murray & Roberts Cementation (SA), is responsible for sinking the ventilation shaft for Lift II project. The ventilation shaft-sinking project commenced in February 2019 and is expected to be completed in mid-2022. The initial phases of the project involved drilling and reviewing of holes to determine the best location to sink the shaft. The new ventilation shaft will be much larger at 8.5m finished diameter, and will extend 1 200m in depth. To ensure safety, Murray & Roberts Cementation (SA) deploys a sinking method, which entails using a four-deck sinking stage (for main shaft sinking comprising the top, electrical, working and observation decks). This gives personnel the ability to conduct various tasks simultaneously without compromising anyone’s safety at the bottom of the shaft. A shaft-sinking charging unit comprising emulsion tanks and pumps has been designed to facilitate shaft blasts safely and accurately with the maximum distance allowed for the stage above bottom not exceeding 70m. To achieve success and fulfilment in virtually all the endeavours of the shaft-sinking project, the Shaft Sinking Project Manager, Thabo Daniel Mokoena, is an allrounder who understands that definite actions stem from positive thoughts, collaboration, passion, skills and continuous learning to stimulate power and purpose for one, the team and Palabora Copper. A skilful Mining Engineer with a BTech and a National Diploma in Mining Engineering from University of Johannesburg and Technikon Witwatersrand, coupled with more than 18 years’ experience in mining and shaft-sinking project management, Thabo personifies the idea that learning comes through accumulated studying and skilfulness through experience. Thabo, something of a mining and leadership scholar, has also acquired Mine Managers, Mine Overseers and Blasting Certificates from the Department of Mineral Resources as well as qualifications in Senior Management Development from the University of Stellenbosch and an Advanced Project Management Certificate from the University of Cape Town. Thabo started his career as a Process Controller at Anglo Platinum Precious Metals Refinery and ascended through the ranks to Mining Engineering Trainee, Miner, Senior Shifts Supervisor, Study Mine 41 AFRICAN BUSINESS 2020
