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MODERN MINING
September 2016
MINING News
Syrah Resources, listed on the ASX,
reports that its Balama graphite proj-
e c t i n Moz amb i que r ema i n s on
schedule and budget with an overall com-
pletion of 42,6 % having been attained as
at 31 August 2016.
Although over 1 100 personnel are
working on site, the project’s strong safety
record continues with over 1 million man-
hours worked without a lost time injury.
Metallon launches Graduate Training Scheme
Metallon Corporation, which operates four
gold mines in Zimbabwe, launched its two-
year Graduate Training Scheme in June this
year. Fifteen university graduates, aged 18
to 28, were selected from over 1 000 appli-
cants. The selection process comprised
academic merits and grades, interview pro-
cedures and psychometric testing.
As part of the scheme, the graduates
will have a six weeks rotation period visit-
ing all the mining operations to gather a full
understanding of the business, before being
placed in their target discipline. Disciplines
include Mining Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geo
logy, Human Resources, SHEQ (‘Safety,
Health, Environment and Quality’) and IT.
Comments Ken Mekani, CEO of Metallon
Corporation: “My career commenced when
I joined the company as a Graduate Trainee
and, having risen through the ranks over the
years, I can demonstrate that this scheme
can have a very significant and rewarding
impact. We are training the brightest and
most dedicated individuals, not only to be
good managers of our business, but also to
provide the skills and knowledge required
for future managers of our country’s rich
resources. Rebuilding the country’s skills
base is key to the future growth of the
company, and to driving the Zimbabwean
economy.”
Kentz awarded SMP contract for Balama project
The key Structural, Mechanical and
Piping (SMP) construction contract has
been awarded to Kentz Engineers &
Contractors Limitada (Kentz), a member
of the SNC-Lavalin Group. Kentz has suc-
cessfully operated in Mozambique for
18 years and – says Syrah – has a proven
track record of delivering major min-
ing and metals construction projects in
Mozambique.
“We are delighted to have Kentz,
with their strong operational history in
Mozambique, join our Balama project
construction team,” says Syrah’s MD, Tolga
Kumova. “We look forward to partnering
with them to realise our vision of being
the largest supplier of high quality graph-
ite globally.”
Over 5 700 m
3
of concrete has been
poured allowing for the SMP contractor to
commence structural steel construction.
Syrah reports that delivery of major
equipment and construction materials to
site is progressingwell with nomajor delays
and that the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) is
under construction with over 700 000m
2
of
area cleared ready for excavation to com-
mence during September 2016.
The Balama project is situated in
Cabo Delgado Province in northern
Mozambique, some 200 km west of the
port town of Pemba. The project has
a JORC 2012-compliant ore reserve of
81,4 Mt at 16,2 % total graphitic carbon
(TGC) for 13,1 Mt of contained graphite.
This is reportedly the largest graphite ore
reserve in the world. According to the
feasibility study on Balama, the project –
which will employ simple open-pit mining
– will have a production of over 350 kt/a.
Commercial production is scheduled to
commence in Q2 2017.
Flotation circuit plant area at Balama with concrete works underway (photo: Syrah).
Graduate trainees with Metallon Chief Executive Officer Ken Mekani and Group HR Manager Hopeson
Chiswa (photo: Metallon).