New Ground Breaking Method for Shaft Sinking to Significantly Lower Capital Outlay

JOHANNESBURG, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mining may see a shift away from traditional drilling and blasting methodologies as African mining companies are rushing to fire up paused projects

A South African mine has developed an innovative method for shaft sinking by combining technologies for soft ground digging, drilling, blasting and raise-boring. This technique may see a shift away from traditional drilling and blasting methodologies due to its ability to enhance safety and optimise the productivity of the shaft sinking process. Mining infrastructure construction and services company Murray & Roberts worked on this ground-breaking project. They are also looking at utilising drilling techniques in blind sunk shafts from the civil engineering industry for shaft sinking projects in Africa. This technique has proven to significantly lower capital outlay in the coal gold and platinum industries.

In recent research on mining opportunities in Africa, conducted by IQPC, the current economic climb is seeing a surge of underground shafts enquiries from contractors all over Africa, from South Africa to Zambia. Mining companies are also feeling a sense of urgency to get their projects that were stalled during the economic down turn off the ground.

A common thread shared by the respondents was the perceived lack of specific trade information required in order to run more effective drilling and blasting operations. The other themes that came up were the challenges of reducing downstream costs and energy requirements, best practice for safety and learning about the latest developments in innovative technology. To respond to the want for the latest drill and blast knowledge and to aid mining companies in re-starting and re-focusing their operations, tangible and cost-effective solutions will be introduced next month at Drill and Blast Africa Summit that will be showing the way by presenting learnings from African mega mines.

About IQPC:

For over thirty years, IQPC has helped the world's leading corporations solve their business challenges through the sharing of practical industry solutions and global best practice. In the process, the company has built a formidable reputation for quality and value. The world's most progressive companies have benefited from IQPC's unrivalled global reach, which has connected international expertise with regional and local leaders.

For information about Drill and Blast Africa Summit, 7-8 June 2011 at Radisson Blu, Johannesburg, South Africa, visit http://www.drillandblastafrica.com; Alternatively contact: Katia Andrejev, Marketing Manager, IQPC at katia.andrejev@iqpc.com or call; +9714-446-2748