Renowned global mining technology firm, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology, is set to unveil its ground-breaking fully automated mining technology in Africa.
The Company recently signed a strategic framework agreement with Resolute Mining Limited to fully automate the company’s large-scale Syama gold mine in Mali.
Under the agreement, Sandvik is expected to develop Resolute’s underground gold mining operation in Mali around a fully automated Sandvik production system. The Syama gold mine, commissioned by Resolute in 2009, is a robust, long-life asset and the move to underground mining has extended the mine life to beyond 2028.
The two global giants – Sandvik and Resolute – say they have worked very closely in designing the underground mine. Not only have the partners collaborated on equipment selection but also the actual design of the underground infrastructure and the ability to match that with Resolute’s ambitions to operate equipment that will increase profitability, reduce costs and improve safety – areas for which Sandvik is renowned.
Sandvik says it is providing a unique opportunity for interrelationship between technologies, linking Sandvik equipment and the software Resolute uses with their entire value chain and operations.
To fully automate the Syama mine, Sandvik is delivering the proven AutoMine® and OptiMine® systems for analysis, process-optimization and automation, including a full fleet of Sandvik TH663 trucks and Sandvik LH514E electrical loaders. Together with a range of development, production and bolting rigs and top-of-the-range rock tools, this will become a mine of the future. The system is scheduled for commissioning later this year, 2018.
“It is very exciting to work with a progressive mining company such as Resolute and collaborate in bringing full end-to-end automation and process optimization into an underground mine,” says Lars Engström, President, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology.
According to Lars, “the Syama project provides a unique opportunity to bring together cutting-edge technologies into a large scale project and create the mine of the future in Africa.”
“Sandvik is one of the world’s mining industry leaders and innovators and the only equipment provider that can offer the full suite of proven autonomous equipment and digital solutions that we require. Together we have forged a partnership that will help us achieve our ambitions for Syama,” says John Welborn, Managing Director and CEO of Resolute Mining. “A key focus of our business is to ensure we maximize the potential of this outstanding deposit for our stakeholders by delivering a world-class underground mine characterized by a highly trained and skilled local workforce, a safe working environment and industry-leading productivity.”
The Vice-President, and Sales Area Manager for Sandvik West Africa, Mr. Nuhu Salifu, said the automation of the Syama mine is another testament to the Company’s growth in the West Africa region.
This growth, he asserted, is borne of Sandvik’s unparalleled understanding of the terrain and unyielding determination to innovate and find tailor-made, cutting-edge solutions for our customers in the mining industry here.
Myjoyonline.com