Modern Mining February 2016

EVENTS

processing footprint at Mamatwan and continu- ing operation of only one of four furnaces at the Metalloys smelter. He concluded by saying that the industry needed to make rational decisions and take a disciplined supply approach. Finally, although the mood at the Mining Indaba was overwhelmingly negative, it was not all doom and gloom. Kerr, for example, noted that while China’s growth had moder- ated and continued to rebalance, demand for the majority of commodities – while no longer exponential – was still strong versus histori- cal norms and variations of this view were expressed by a number of speakers. Many individual companies were also able to report positive news despite the stresses in the min- ing sector, perhaps the most notable example being Randgold Resources, which reported excellent results at the Indaba, with its CEO Mark Bristow describing 2015 as one of the best years in the company’s history. Overall, there was enough good news around to suggest that there is still plenty of life in the African mining industry despite the horrendous downturn of the past year. Photos courtesy of 2016 Mining Indaba

of implementation (a 4,4 Mt/a operation) was underway, with first concentrate scheduled to be delivered to the market by early 2018. He said the vision of the company was to grow Gamsberg production to 250 kt/a and then to 450 kt/a and beyond in three phases. Another player in the Northern Cape is the BHP Billiton spin-off, South32, the world’s largest producer of manganese ore. The compa- ny’s CEO, Graham Kerr, said the challenge for the metal had been the fragmented growth in South Africa’s Kalahari Basin over the past five years, which had led to sub-optimal outcomes in the resource, rail allocation, the export sup- ply chain and, ultimately, shareholder capital. “This lack of industry discipline has led us to the painful consequences of a world where manganese is materially over-supplied,” he observed. Kerr told delegates that South32 was responding to the difficult conditions facing manganese producers with a number of initia- tives. These included accelerating the second phase of the Central Block development project at Wessels, the reduction of saleable production at Wessels, the optimisation of the mining and

“This lack of industry

discipline has led us to the painful consequences of a world where manganese is materially over- supplied.”

Graham Kerr, CEO, South32

A range of products built on the foundation of quality and durability

Afrimat Limited is a leading black empowered open pit mining company providing an integrated product offering ranging from aggregates, industrial minerals, concrete products (bricks, blocks and pavers) to readymix concrete. Afrimat has established a strong foothold in contracting services comprising mobile crushing, screening,drilling and blasting. Backed by more than 45 years’ experience, Afrimat listed on the JSE Limited in 2006. As part of its continued diversification strategy, the group is expanding its footprint into Africa. The group’s capabilities enable Afrimat to service projects of any scale from major infrastructure and construction projects for state-owned enterprises and parastatals through to small private sector contracts.

®

Investing in diversified growth

Aggregates Industrial Minerals Contracting International Concrete Products Readymix

Tel +27 21 917 8840 Fax +27 21 914 1174 info@afrimat.co.za www.afrimat.co.za

February 2016  MODERN MINING  35