Modern Mining November 2019

Maptek Africa donates laser scanner to Wits The WMI hosts the Sibanye-

Mining engineering students at Wits Uni­ versity will be better exposed to the contribution of modern survey technology in a range of mining disciplines follow- ing the donation of equipment by Maptek Africa. At a handover to the Wits Mining Insti­ tute (WMI), Maptek’s Nick Venter said the company’s I-Site 8800 laser scanner will give students valuable insight into how this technology can assist in functions such as survey, geology, geotechnical and mining. It is applied in both open-pit and underground environments. The value of the laser scan- ner, including all its auxiliary hardware and software, is in excess of R6 million. “Using our technology combines long-range laser scanning hardware with processing and modelling software for the mining industry,” said Venter. He said the data collected by the scanner can be applied in various duties, includ- ing stope and drive survey; drive mapping; rock bolt identification; geotechnical analy- sis; stockpile volumes; mine modelling; and identifying tailings dam deformation. The equipment scans a large number of cloud points very quickly, providing detailed data that can be analysed with three-dimensional modelling and analysis software. WMI Director Professor Fred Cawood emphasised that real-time visualisation of underground environments for risk man- agement is very important for safe mining. “The ability to scan complex scenes and then add risk management content to the point cloud allows for a ‘realness’ that other forms of augmented reality are not capable of,” said Professor Cawood. “It is in this context that the Maptek scanner will be put to very valuable use by the Wits Mining Institute.”

S t i l l wa t e r D i g i t a l M i n i n g Laboratory (DigiMine), the Centre for Sustainability in Mining and Industry (CSMI) and the Centre for Mechanised Mining Systems (CMMS). Said Head of the Wits School of Mining Engineering, Professor Cuthbert Musingwini: “The School of Mining Engineering deeply appreciates the Maptek laser scanner donation to the Wits Mining Institute because it will be beneficial for both teaching and research in geospatial techniques.

Huw Thomas (left), Senior Lecturer at the Wits School of Mining Engineering, and Nick Venter, outgoing General Manager – Maptek Africa, at the handover.

This aligns well with our re-designed cur- riculum – which focuses on Mining 4.0.” Venter noted that Maptek has main- tained a long and healthy relationship with Wits, recognising the importance of strong partnerships between academia, the min-

ing sector and its technology suppliers. At the handover, senior lecturer as the Wits School of Mining Engineering, Huw Thomas, highlighted the value of raising technological awareness and competence among students. 

Maelgwyn to contribute its expertise to Kobada African Gold Group, Inc (AGG), listed on the TSX-V, has announced that Maelgwyn Mineral Services Africa (MMSA) will be con- tributing its expertise to the Kobada gold project in Mali.

execution of detailed and quality test work. Variability samples from the orebody will also be tested to provide the information required for economic and block-modelling of the project. Samples to commence the test work have already been shipped to MMSA in Johannesburg, South Africa.” “We are delighted to have MMSA on board to undertake the detailed test work on the Kobada orebody”, said Danny Callow, Chief Operating Officer for AGG. “We will undertake detailed test work on representa- tive composite samples taken from across the concession and test the most optimal process for the design of the future Kobada metallurgical plant.” 

SENET, the Johannesburg-based EPCM company managing the Definitive Feasibility study on the project on behalf of AGG, has contracted MMSA to conduct metallurgical testing of material from the project. “We are pleased to support SENET and AGG on the Kobada gold project,” com- mented Hennie Stallknecht, Metallurgical Manager, MMSA. “Our aim is to re-evaluate different process options and to optimise the best process flow in terms of gold recov- ery and project economics through the

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