Modern Mining November 2015

PRODUCT News

Lock-out systems minimise risk

connection in the piping. Another sce­ nario is the sudden release of a jammed conveyor system, which can result in the crushing of workers, if not properly man­ aged,” she says. According to Arnesen, it is the respon­ sibility of the employer to develop and implement an energy control procedure that provides authorised and affected employees with the same level of pro­ tection as a personal lock-out or tag-out device. “A good LOTO system consists not only of clearly labelled energy sources and easy-to-follow procedures, but also qual­ ity and accessible lock-out tools to ensure smooth and quick maintenance and ser­ vicing activities,” she continues. North offers a wide variety of padlocks that are available in nylon, aluminium, steel and brass body options. Nylon body padlocks are best-suited to electrical applications, due to the non-conductive properties of the material. Temperature and corrosion-resistant aluminium body padlocks are ideal for high-temperature outdoor applications up to 580 deg C. North Safety Products Africa, tel (+27 31) 705-6085 country’s only black female site managers,” he continues. A qualified electrician with years of experience across South Africa’s mining industry, Saretha Faro hails from the Northern Cape. Gulfstream first indicated its interest to respond to the Gamsberg site tender towards the end of last year, with discus­ sions beginning in earnest in January this year. “With fuel one of our key procurement components, security of supply was non- negotiable,” says Deshnee Naidoo, CEO, Vedanta Zinc International. “With its diverse supplier network, comprising over 26 depots and refineries around the country, we were confident that Gulfstream Energy would be able to meet our requirements. “It has also provided us with the oppor­ tunity to take an empowerment partner into a market sector previously not available to them,” continues Naidoo. Further, with its 100 % black-women owned, Level 2 B-BBEE and empowering supplier status, Gulfstream can guarantee its customers are able to claim 125 % of spend in support of their own preferential

lock the machine being serviced or main­ tained. After being locked, a tag is placed on the machine to indicate that it should not be turned on. Hayley Arnesen, Exports Manager for North Safety Products, explains that LOTO systems are used in industry and research settings to ensure that danger­ ous machines are properly shut off and not started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or servicing work, in order to avoid danger. “The lack of a LOTO system, or improper handling of the system, may result in injuries that include electrocution, burns, crushing, cutting, laceration, amputation, or fracturing of body parts. The unexpected start-ups can also cause extensive damage to the machinery itself, adding the expense of equipment repairs and replacement to the total cost involved,” she warns. Arnesen stresses that trained personnel should always manage the LOTO system. “For instance, if a steam valve automati­ cally gets turned on, it might burn the workers who are repairing a downstream components required to keep a mine operational,”says Jegels. However, the man­ ner in which mining companies procure fuel is slightly different to other commer­ cial entities. “Mining operations typically require a managed solution,” says Jegels. Response to this market demand has seen Gulfstream launch its ‘Gulfstream Molecule Management Solution’. “What this entails,” continues Jegels, “is that over and above procurement of the actual fuel products, Gulfstream takes full responsibility for both the delivery and management of a number of elements.” In the case of BMM, this has seen Gulfstream invest in on-site fuel infrastruc­ ture (including fuel tanks and pumps), stock on consignment and the placement of Gulfstream staff at the Gamsberg site to co- ordinate and manage its mandate. “In addition, we have also deployed an automated fuel management system through a third party partner, Gilbarco AFS,” continues Jegels. This allows for the effec­ tive management of all on-site fuel storage, dispensing, recording and real-time report­ ing providing up to the minute accurate information on fuel spend. “We have also appointed one of the

At any given time in South Africa, three mil­ lion workers are reportedly exposed to the hazards posed by volatile energies such as gas, fluids or steam, which are contained in various types of machinery undergoing routine servicing and maintenance. An effective means of minimising these risks is by securing and controlling the energy sources with an effective lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) system. A LOTO system prevents unexpected start-up or release of stored energy by securing a padlock to a clamp in order to The North range of padlocks features shackle diameters ranging from 4,7 mm to 7 mm.

Gulfstream Energy awarded first-of-its-kind mining contract Gulfstream Energy, one of South Africa’s larger independent fuel wholesalers, has been appointed as sole supplier of a total fluidmanagement solution to the Gamsberg project site located close to the Black Mountain mine in Aggeneys in the Northern Cape. Effective from 1 August 2015, the agreement will see Gulfstream responsible for a fully supported fuel management solu­ tion in addition to the supply of all fuel in support of the mine’s operations.

“This is of huge significance to Gulf­ stream Energy,”says Shane Jegels, CEO.“Not only does it enable us to make inroads into a market sector traditionally the stronghold of the oil majors, but it is also unique with no other mining company to date having awarded a contract of this nature to an inde­ pendent non-refining player.” The Gamsberg project involves the development, construction and commis­ sioning of a 4 Mt/a (ROM) open-pit zinc mine, concentrator and associated infra­ structure. The project is owned by Black Mountain Mining (BMM), a 74 % subsidiary of Vedanta Limited (a listed subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc). The remaining 26 % is owned by Exxaro Resources. “Fuel is one of the major procurement

procurement and B-BBEE rating. Gulfstream Energy, tel (+27 11) 100-7100, website: www.gulfstream.co.za

56  MODERN MINING  November 2015