Modern Quarrying July-August 2017

ON THE COVER

The acquisition of Cape Lime in April 2016, is one of Afrimat’s larger to date. At the sum of R276-million, this acquisition is another extension of the group’s diversification strategy aimed at leveraging off its core business, not only in newmarkets but by also offering new products in existing markets. Dale Kelly met up with Cape Lime managing director Gerhard Terblanche at the company’s Vredendal operation in the Western Cape. Cape Lime – more than

owned by Trans Hex and says he was there for the wrapping up the loss-making Trans Hex lime division.“We tried to salvage the shaft kiln that had been erected by Trans Hex and struggled for about 18 months to get it going but in hindsight it would never have worked, and the best decision was to shut down the division and cut back on our costs. “I have taken some interesting risks in my career, coming from De Beers into the then Trans Hex-owned Cape Lime, and I remained on when a lot of peo- ple decided to abandon ship. It was a long and stressful period during which we carried out due diligence studies for several interested parties, but I am glad I stayed on.” Cape Lime is known for exceptional quality mineral products supplied to var- ious niche markets such as manufactur- ing industries producing chemicals, filler, glass, paint and food products. Its prod- ucts are also used for water purification, soil treatment, effluent treatment, build- ing and construction. The mineral deposit

T he history of Cape Lime dates back to 1946 when the first vertical shaft kiln was commissioned by Cape Lime Company Ltd on the farm Langevallei near Robertson in the Western Cape. Today, Langvlei has three kilns in operation calcining dolomite, which is mined and crushed on site. It also boasts the only pressure hydrator in South Africa. The Vredendal operation came into existence in 1981 when the dolomitic aggregate operation was expanded to include the mineral filter plant. Further expansion included the erection of the high-grade dolomite blending plant for

the glass industry in 1983 and the pro- cessing of high-grade limestone in 1993. A fluid bed calciner was commissioned in 2004, producing quality white lime. Cape Lime was purchased from pri- vate owners and the empowerment group Dormell. “We are pleased to retain the expertise within the business. The company is well run and efficient and this makes integration into the Afrimat group of companies that much easier,” said Afrimat CEO Andries van Heerden at the time of the acquisition. Terblanche, who says he is part of the furniture, continues heading up the operation in his quiet and efficient way. He joined Cape Lime in 1997 when it was

The limestone quarry at Cape Lime.

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MODERN QUARRYING July - August 2017