Mining Developments News

The slain businessman Jacob Juma was the local face of Cortec Mining Kenya (CMK) Limited. PHOTO A Canadian company that used political connections and boardroom manoeuvres to get an exclusive mining licence for Sh6.24 trillion (US$62.4 billion) worth of minerals in Kwale County has lost its attempt to bulldoze the government to reinstate the permit — ending what had turned out to be the biggest auction of Kenya’s natural resources in history. The case by the Canadian company has exposed what had gone behind the scenes in the quest for an exclusive licence. CIRCUMVENT Cortec Mining Kenya (CMK) Limited, whose local face was controversial tenderpreneur Jacob Juma, had sued the government at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes arising out of a mining project at Mrima Hill said to contain one of the world's largest undeveloped niobium and rare earth deposits. Mr Juma, who was later killed in May 2016 by unknown people, was — according to the government — bro

Epiroc proudly introduces its new Regional Application Centre (RAC), which aligns with the OEM’s ongoing focus on meeting customers’ growing pursuit to elevate uptime, boost productivity, improve safety and shrink operating costs through the implementation of technology. Based in five key cities around the world (Denver, USA; Toronto, Canada; Santiago, Chile; Perth, Australia and Johannesburg, South Africa), the RAC will focus more closely on supporting customers through its mandate, which would include addressing regional specific demands, customer requests for enhanced productivity and first line technical troubleshooting over the complete range of Epiroc ‘smart’ equipment. The growing turn by the global mining industry towards the inclusion of automation and digitalisation has seen companies investing time and resources to introduce cutting-edge technologies. “The Regional Application Centre is committed to building a specialised team positioned on the customer’s doorstep to de

Demolition Technologies is a renowned and respected supplier of pneumatic and hydraulic construction, demolition and portable power equipment. “With this in mind, the decision to appoint them as our dealer to serve customers in the Western Cape region was an extremely simple one,” affirms Dennis Vietze, Wacker Neuson Sub-Saharan Africa Managing Director. Demolition Technologies has been solely a reseller and repairer of Wacker Neuson products since 2009. The signing of the dealer agreement on 15 October 2018 solidifies the two companies’ relationship, strengthens Wacker Neuson’s footprint in the Western Cape and adds the complete range of light compaction and concrete equipment to Demolition Technologies’ product portfolio. “Our dealer responsibilities extend to the marketing, supply and support of the Wacker Neuson equipment,” states Demolition Technologies Managing Member, Brendan Drummond-Hay. “We anticipate that the Wacker Neuson compact equipment range of mini-excavators, dum

ANNISTON, Ala. (Oct. 11, 2018) — Blastcrete Equipment, LLC, a long-time manufacturer of shotcrete and gunite mixers and pumps, offers a Refractory Paddle Mixer that delivers fast mix times while working with mixtures that include aggregates up to a half-inch (13 millimeters) thick. The hydraulic machine mixes as much as 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of refractory castable in 1.5 to 2 minutes and performs well in form-and-pour jobs and other applications involving precast shapes, mortars and grouts. “The market lacked a small, heavy-duty refractory mixer,” said Tripp Farrell, Blastcrete Equipment, LLC president. “We intentionally designed and built this Paddle Mixer to fill this void in the market. We want our customers to have the tools they need to be as successful as they can be.” The Refractory Paddle Mixer’s oversized, heavy-duty, chain-and-sprocket drive system provides years of reliable use under harsh conditions. It also features a pair of easily accessible levers to control th

Three hydraulic rock drills instead of two, whilst still retaining a light weight. The new SpeedROC 3F is designed to reach high levels of productivity with very low fuel consumption. "SpeedROC 3F is a solution that really meets our customers' needs", says Francesco Soffredini, Regional Product Manager at Dimension Stone Equipment. The SpeedROC 3F not only offers the same long reach and fast positioning as the well-proven SpeedROC 2F, but additionally features three rock drills which greatly boosts productivity. Despite the new features and capabilities, this robust machine is light, allowing it to utilize the same carrier as the SppedROC 2F. "The increased performance in combination with a reduced fuel consumption gives our customers' a better total cost of ownership", says Francesco Soffredini. The SpeedROC 3F is ideal for dimension stone industry quarries. The versatile machine has a flexible drilling capacity and excellent tramming stability, and it

Stockholm, Sweden: Epiroc, a leading productivity partner for the mining, infrastructure and natural resources industries, has won significant mining equipment orders from Murray & Roberts Cementation (Pty) Limited in South Africa. Murray & Roberts Cementation recently ordered multiple drill rigs to be used for the underground production build-up of the Kalagadi Manganese mine in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. The machines will ensure that the mine is operated with enhanced productivity, safety and cost efficiency. The orders total more than ZAR 160 million (SEK 100 million), of which more than half was placed in the third quarter 2018. “We are happy to be a key partner to Murray & Roberts Cementation as it expands productivity in the mine in the most cost efficient and safe manner possible,” said Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s Senior Executive Vice President Mining and Infrastructure. “Murray & Roberts Cementation looks forward to building a productive and su

Petroleum and Mining Cabinet Secretary John Munyes (centre), addresses the press in Eldoret on 19th July 2018. [Peter Ochieng, Standard] The Government is pursuing foreign dealers behind a mineral smuggling racket. According to Petroleum and Mining Cabinet Secretary John Munyes, the country is losing billions of shillings to cartels using fake licences to smuggle minerals. . The CS said the smuggling racket had reduced gemstones export from the country. Mr Munyes said the cartels sneak into the country to buy the minerals, and later smuggle them through undesignated routes on the Kenya-Tanzania border. He cited the worst hit as Taita-Taveta, Kwale and Kitui counties. The CS said the smuggling routes routes include Kuranze mining area, claimed by both Taita-Taveta and Kwale counties, where the dealers use motorcycles to sneak out the minerals. Without giving figures, the CS noted that gemstone exports have drastically reduced in the country as foreign dealers continue buying the precio

The mining investment opportunities in Kenya’s counties, case studies from successful mining projects, an update on the gemstone, artisanal and small-scale sector and how new technology can impact mining will be some of the focal points during the upcoming Kenya Mining Forum in Nairobi from 12-13 November. The programme will also discuss how the mining sector can forge synergies with its manufacturing and discuss infrastructure counterparts as well as financing and regulatory challenges. Here is a sneak preview of just some of the experts who will share their knowledge and experience at Kenya Mining Forum: * “Base Titanium’s key message is to show the world what is possible to achieve in Kenya” - Joe Schwarz – General Manager External Affairs and Development at Base Titanium, the returning exclusive diamond sponsors of the Kenya Mining Forum 2018. Joe is also part of a panel discussion during the conference on: "Experiences from within Kenya’s mining industry." * “We see

Stockholm, Sweden: Epiroc, a leading productivity partner for the mining, infrastructure and natural resources industries, has won significant mining equipment orders from Murray & Roberts Cementation (Pty) Limited in South Africa. Murray & Roberts Cementation recently ordered multiple drill rigs to be used for the underground production build-up of the Kalagadi Manganese mine in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. The machines will ensure that the mine is operated with enhanced productivity, safety and cost efficiency. The orders total more than ZAR 160 million (SEK 100 million), of which more than half was placed in the third quarter 2018. “We are happy to be a key partner to Murray & Roberts Cementation as it expands productivity in the mine in the most cost efficient and safe manner possible,” said Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s Senior Executive Vice President Mining and Infrastructure. “Murray & Roberts Cementation looks forward to building a productive and s

Stockholm, Sweden: Epiroc, a leading productivity partner for the mining, infrastructure and natural resources industries, has won significant mining equipment orders from Murray & Roberts Cementation (Pty) Limited in South Africa. Murray & Roberts Cementation recently ordered multiple drill rigs to be used for the underground production build-up of the Kalagadi Manganese mine in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. The machines will ensure that the mine is operated with enhanced productivity, safety and cost efficiency. The orders total more than ZAR 160 million (SEK 100 million), of which more than half was placed in the third quarter 2018. “We are happy to be a key partner to Murray & Roberts Cementation as it expands productivity in the mine in the most cost efficient and safe manner possible,” said Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s Senior Executive Vice President Mining and Infrastructure. “Murray & Roberts Cementation looks forward to building a productive and s

SANBORN, New York (Sept. 13, 2018) — KINSHOFER, a leading global manufacturer of high-quality excavator and loader crane attachments, offers its D-Series grapples with a new light, compact and flexible shell, ideal for sorting and demolition. The attachments feature 360-degree endless rotation for precise positioning to give construction, demolition and recycling contractors optimal control when grabbing materials. D-series grapples are available for 4,400-pound (2-ton) to 176,000-pound (80-ton) excavators. “The D-Series provides contractors with exceptional jobsite versatility,” said Francois Martin, KINSHOFER North America general manager. “The powerful grapples allow operators to easily grab, sort and move a variety of materials. Further, their design incorporates multiple features that reduce maintenance and extend service life.” Conventional heavy-duty hydraulic cylinders with hydraulic damping protection power the D-Series, while KINSHOFER’s patented HPXdrive powers the D04H