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2024
PIONEERING VENT SHAFT AT PALABORA HOLES OUT SAFELY AT 1200 METRES
Friday, 26 January 2024
Reaching a final depth of 1,200 metres on 9 January 2024, the new ventilation shaft sunk by Murray & Roberts Cementation at Palabora Mining Company is a triumph in many respects. Most importantly, the innovative project has been completed with an excellent safety record.
MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION MOCK-UP RAISES BAR FOR MECHANISED MINE TRAINING
Thursday, 14 January 2024
Through its new mechanised mining ‘mock-up’ facility, Murray & Roberts Cementation is giving equipment operators and supervisors a more realistic learning experience. This enhances safety and is more cost effective than doing this level of training on a working mine, argues ETD Executive Tony Pretorius.
2023
DUAL-PURPOSE VENT SHAFT AT PLATREEF WILL ALSO HOIST ORE
Tuesday, 12 December 2023
When Ivanhoe Mines decided to bring forward the ore-hoisting plans at its Platreef project in South Africa’s Limpopo province, Murray & Roberts Cementation was chosen to design and execute a way to do it. The retrofitting of Ventilation Shaft 3, now underway, will allow the shaft to upcast air and provide hoisting capacity simultaneously.
MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION ACHIEVES 1 MILLION FATALITY FREE HOURS ON PMC VENT SHAFT
Monday, 11 December 2023
Murray & Roberts Cementation, a leader in underground mining contracting, recently marked a significant milestone in its vent shaft contract which forms part of the Palabora Mining Company (PMC) Lift II expansion project. On 2 November 2023, the company celebrated 1 Million Fatality Free hours, a testament to its unwavering commitment to safety and operational excellence.
SAFETY TRAINING MUST KEEP UP WITH CHANGING TECHNOLOGIES
Tuesday, 07 September 2023
With mining’s diverse array of demanding operations, each task carries with it a unique set of safety concerns. As mining evolves, training in technical roles such as drilling, blasting, loading and transportation all needs to be conducted with safety in mind, explains Tony Pretorius from the Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy.
MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT CE SAFETY AWARDS
Tuesday, 22 August 2023
Murray & Roberts Cementation was recently recognised for its exceptional safety performance at the annual Murray & Roberts Group’s CE Safety Recognition awards in June. As a leading underground mining contractor, the company has several projects under its belt that affirm its dedication to safety and the ultimate goal of achieving Zero Harm.
ORE PASS REHAB TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES TO KEEP MINES PRODUCING
Tuesday, 01 August 2023
Murray & Roberts Cementation has been doing vital ore pass rehabilitation work for decades, all the while developing better and safer technologies. The company’s innovative tube-and-fill method of rehabilitating ore passes, without the need for people to enter the ore passes, is consistently proving itself safer and more durable.
PALABORA’S VENT SHAFT A TRIUMPH OF COLLABORATION
Tuesday, 04 July 2023
The sinking of a 1,200 metre ventilation shaft as part of the Palabora Mining Company (PMC) Lift 2 expansion has proved to be a partnership success story, based on an unshakeable commitment to safety. PMC ordered this new ventilation shaft – which measures 8,5 metres in diameter – to service its Lift 2 block cave – and the project is now in its final stages.
DRILLING EXCELLENCE PAVES WAY FOR IVANPLATS’ PLATREEF PROJECT VENT SHAFT
Monday, 19 June 2023
For a new ventilation shaft at Ivanplats’ Platreef project, the 950 m deep pilot hole had to be drilled to precise accuracy. This was to allow for the shaft to be equipped with a hoist and rope guides to carry personnel – a dual purpose. Murray & Roberts Cementation was selected as the raiseboring contractor because of their experience and track record.
MINE SOCIAL LABOUR PLANS EMBRACE COMMUNITY CADET TRAINING
Tuesday, 16 May 2023
Cadet training for unemployed youth has become a popular skills transfer component of many mines’ Social Labour Plans. Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy has seen large intakes of young male and female cadets, who are being upskilled in various areas to enhance their employability in the mining sector and beyond.
SAFETY MUST BE AN OUTCOME OF BUSINESS CULTURE
Thursday, 16 March 2023
Safety in mining has come a long way, but it remains a challenging terrain that needs constant commitment and innovation. Murray & Roberts Cementation’s Trevor Schultz highlights how important it is to retain the focus on people and on the business culture. The company has earned its stripes in the field of safety, but recognises that the journey is never ending.
PALABORA VENTILATION SHAFT REACHES A DEPTH OF 800 M
Monday, 02 February 2023
The Murray & Roberts Cementation shaft sinking team responsible for delivering a new ventilation shaft at Palabora Copper Mine recently celebrated the achievement of a major milestone – the reaching of the 800 m mark. This represents two-thirds of the shaft’s final depth of 1 200 m.
2022
CHANGE AT THE TOP FOR MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION
Monday, 07 November 2022
Leading underground mining contractor Murray & Roberts Cementation has named Japie du Plessis as managing director designate. He will take up his position on 1 March 2023. Du Plessis will succeed the current managing director, Mike Wells, who retires at the end of February next year.
FIRST WATER CONTROL DOOR FOR VUP COMPLETED
Wednesday, 26 October 2022
An important milestone in the development of the US$2 billion De Beers Venetia Underground Project (VUP) has been reached with the completion of the first of six water control doors which are designed to counter water ingress into the underground mine. The doors have to be completed in advance of first production from the VUP, expected in H1-2023.
MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION STEADILY TRANSFORMS ITS WORKFORCE
Wednesday, 05 October 2022
Transformation in the world of underground mining – historically dominated by white males – is not easy to achieve but Murray & Roberts Cementation, probably the biggest and best-known mining contractor operating in South Africa, believes it is making steady progress towards its goal of having a workforce that reflects the demographics of the country.
MINE PROJECT TAKES STAFF MEMBER FROM LABOURER TO BOILERMAKER
Tuesday, 13 September 2022
As part of its ongoing development project the De Beers Venetia Underground Project, Murray & Roberts Cementation has produced its first boilermaker at this site. Thibi Jerry Phala joined the company as an engineering assistant seven years ago and started his apprenticeship in 2019.
VIRTUAL REALITY OPENS NEW DOORS FOR ENGINEERING TRAINING
Friday, 02 September 2022
New ground is being broken at the Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy (MRTA), where virtual reality tools are helping learners in engineering fields to understand schematics and diagnose faults on trackless mining machinery. This is part of the MRTA’s ongoing incorporation of new technologies into its training arsenal.
RECOGNISED FOR MAKING THE WORKPLACE SAFER
Thursday, 04 August 2022
A string of safety awards has recently been snatched by leading underground mining contractor Murray & Roberts Cementation. These include prestigious in-house accolades from the Murray & Roberts Group, and industry recognition for six million fatality-free shifts. Risk executive Trevor Schultz accredits the achievements to an ongoing dedication to make zero tolerance a corporate value – not just a slogan.
BOREHOLES PUT EDUCATION BACK ON TRACK FOR PHALABORWA SCHOOLS
Wednesday, 21 July 2022
Prayers have been answered for three schools struggling with an unreliable water supply near Phalaborwa in Limpopo province. Working with the Palabora Mining Company, leading underground mining contractor Murray & Roberts Cementation sponsored boreholes for each school. This is an investment in the country’s future leaders, according to senior project manager Fred Durand.
TRAINING PROGRAMME AT VUP DELIVERS SOUGHT-AFTER SKILLS
Tuesday, 28 June 2022
Thanks to Murray & Roberts Cementation’s training initiatives at the Venetia Underground Project (VUP) near Musina in Limpopo Province, two community members – Lucky Ndou and Nakedi Montja – have been able to realise their dreams of becoming diesel mechanics, a qualification in high demand in South Africa.
MURRAY & ROBERTS’ MINING BUSINESS MAKES STRONG RECOVERY
The Mining Platform of Murray & Roberts, one of the world’s leading mining contracting businesses, is fast putting the economic effects of the COVID pandemic behind it and its order book has now recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
MORE LOCAL ARTISAN SKILLS DEVELOPED AT VENETIA
Another achiever from the local community near the Venetia Underground Project in Limpopo has become a fully-fledged artisan, thanks to Murray & Roberts Cementation’s learnership programme. Abram Sebola, who joined the company in 2015, has spent the past three years as an electrical apprentice, to emerge recently as a qualified electrician.
ACQUISITIONS STRENGTHEN MINING CONTRACTOR’S CAPABILITY
The global Mining Platform of Murray & Roberts has significantly extended its capabilities over the past several years with two key acquisitions in the US and Australia, says Mike da Costa, CEO of the platform.
BENTLEY PARK GOES GREEN WITH ITS OWN SOLAR FARM
As mining embraces smart technologies for safer, more productive mining, so the skills of supervisors must broaden and adapt. This is placing new demands on the training required for supervisors of mechanised operations, in which Murray & Roberts Cementation is at the leading edge.
TRAINING SUPERVISORS FOR A MECHANISED, AUTOMATED FUTURE
Monday, 14 February 2022
As mining embraces smart technologies for safer, more productive mining, so the skills of supervisors must broaden and adapt. This is placing new demands on the training required for supervisors of mechanised operations, in which Murray & Roberts Cementation is at the leading edge.
COACHING LEADERSHIP FOR SUPERVISOR IMPACT
Friday, 18 January 2022
To ensure that its supervisor training has the desired impact in the workplace, the Murray & Roberts Training Academy (MRTA) provides valuable coaching to its on-site leadership. Using experienced coaches who are qualified at mine overseer level, the aim is to enhance responsible behaviour that promotes safe production.
2021
TRAINING MECHANISED OPERATORS ENTERS VIRTUAL AGE
Friday, 13 December 2021
As mining technology advances, the demand grows for skilled and productive operators of mechanised machinery. This calls for training that is multi-layered, preparing operators not just technically but also with an understanding of the cost impacts of their behaviour.
COACHING LEADERSHIP FOR SUPERVISOR IMPACT
Friday, 03 December 2021
To ensure that its supervisor training has the desired impact in the workplace, the Murray & Roberts Training Academy (MRTA) provides valuable coaching to its on-site leadership. Using experienced coaches who are qualified at mine overseer level, the aim is to enhance responsible behaviour that promotes safe production.
SUPERVISORY LEADERSHIP HOLDS KEY TO SAFE MINING
Monday, 15 November 2021
Great opportunity for further improving safety in mining operations lies in empowering supervisors with leadership skills and understanding. Fields like neuroscience can raise the impact of such training, according to Tony Pretorius, Education, Training and Development (ETD) Executive at Murray & Roberts Cementation.
HIGH-TECH REVOLUTION OPENS DOORS FOR ON-SITE MINE TRAINING
Tuesday, 12 October 2021
Futuristic skills training for underground mining is now a reality, and will soon be delivered to the mine gate. With new systems including virtual reality tools and interactive touchscreens, Tony Pretorius of the Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy (MRTA) says they are almost ready to take 21st century techniques to remote mining sites.
TAKING THE DIGITAL ROUTE IN UNDERGROUND MINING
Wednesday, 22 September 2021
Mike Wells, managing director of leading underground mining contractor Murray & Roberts Cementation, says as the mineral sector seeks safer and more automated operations in line with the ‘smart mining’ vision, the company is making good progress with its own digitisation strategy.
DEPTH OF ENGINEERING CAPACITY UNDERPINS MINING
Wednesday, 19 May 2021
Mining industry customers look to Murray & Roberts Cementation for engineering excellence to underpin their safety, productivity and profitability. Engineering is a focus that the company continues to prioritise, says engineering services executive, Hercilus Harmse.
YEARS OF SAFETY FOCUS DELIVER FATALITY-FREE RECORD
Friday, 10 February 2021
Murray & Roberts Cementation started 2021 with a resounding safety achievement of five million fatality free shifts. Mike Wells, managing director, says reaching this landmark was part of a concerted journey towards Zero Harm by this leading mining services specialist.
Murray & Roberts Cementation achieves five-million fatality-free shifts
Friday, 5 February 2021
Murray & Roberts Cementation, with an unrelenting focus on its “breakthrough” Major Accident Prevention (MAP) programme, risk assessments and verification of critical controls in the field, has achieved five-million fatality-free shifts for the first time.
2020
MRTA FORGES AHEAD IN FACE OF COVID LIMITATIONS
Thursday, 8 October 2020
Covid-19 lockdown restrictions have not held the Murray & Roberts Training Academy (MRTA) back from launching its new engineering centre for underground trackless mining machinery (TMM), but social distancing requirements have limited the number of learners the MRTA can reach.
Venetia Underground Project forecasting to deliver first ore in H2 2022
Monday, 7 September 2020
Notwithstanding the COVID-19 influenced disruptions, development of De Beers’ Venetia Underground Project (VUP) is now 38% complete as of August this year. The project is forecasting to deliver first ore expected during H2 2022, writes Munesu Shoko.
BOOSTING SCARCE SKILLS FOR MINING’S MECHANISED FUTURE
Wednesday, 14 October 2020
Forging 21st century skills to boost productivity in South Africa’s mining sector, Murray & Roberts Cementation has further enhanced its training facilities to develop scarce skills in modern underground mining.
GOOD PROGRESS ON PALABORA VENT SHAFT
Thursday, 13 August 2020
The sinking of the 1,200-metre deep ventilation shaft at Palabora Copper is proceeding apace, notwithstanding the Covid-19 shutdown and restrictions. Work, by Murray & Roberts Cementation, began on the 8,5 metre diameter shaft in early 2019; pre-sinking has reached a depth of 50 metres and the changeover from pre-sink to main sink is almost complete.
WORKING TOWARDS UNDERGROUND RESOURCES AT OTJIKOTO MINE
Monday, 3 August 2020
Vancouver-based B2Gold plans to conduct mining of the Wolfshag zone at its Otjikoto mine in Namibia and has appointed Murray & Roberts Cementation in joint venture with Lewcor Mining to establish the underground stoping horizon.
Boipelo leverages experience to court juniors
Friday, 27 March 2020
Coal-focused Boipelo Mining Contractors – a Level 2 broad-based black economic empowerment joint venture formed by Murray & Roberts Cementation (MRC) and the Amandla TM Group – having recognised the opportunity presented by divesting majors, is actively courting players in the midtier, and especially, junior mining space.
LEARNING, SHARING KEY TO SAFETY PROGRESS
Thursday, 20 February 2020
With its sights set on Zero Harm in the workplace, Murray & Roberts Cementation is constantly pushing the boundaries with new approaches and initiatives to improve safety.
Boipelo Mining Contractors New Clydesdale Colliery’s silver lining
Thursday, 16 January 2020
Since acquiring the New Clydesdale Colliery (NCC) from Exxaro in 2015, ASX-listed coal miner Universal Coal has proven that value can still be realised from older assets. The company has achieved significant success in reopening the underground mine, increasing production from nearby open pit resources and importantly, is making smart decisions to ensure it optimises its performance. LAURA CORNISH visited the mine to find out more.
Palabora copper mine History repeated
Wednesday, 8 January 2020
In 2020, Palabora Copper will enter its 64th year of operation – making it one of the oldest mining operations in South Africa. Despite its age, the operation has a long and prosperous future ahead of it. This is due to a significant US$1 billion investment from its 74% owner HBIS Group, a Chinese iron and steel manufacturing conglomerate. The investment entails the development of a new underground block cave mining area known as LIFT II together with supporting underground infrastructure and a large-scale new ventilation shaft. LAURA CORNISH visited the site to learn more about the project.
2019
REGULAR UPGRADES KEEP BENTLEY PARK AT FOREFRONT OF TRAINING
Tuesday, 22 October 2019
Further enhancements at the Murray & Roberts Training Academy (MRTA) training facility, Bentley Park, are keeping the organisation at the top of its game in mining skills development.
2018
No press relase for 2018
Monday, 8 January 2018
Murray & Robert has not released any press releases for 2018
2017
Virtual technology now used for blast training in SA
Thursday, 17 August 2017
Training for underground blasting has just taken a technological leap forward, with the installation and commissioning of Africa’s first virtual reality blast wall with rear-view projection, powered by Simulated Training Solutions, at the Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy near Carletonville, west of Johannesburg.
Murray & Roberts Cementation's Culture by Design initiative yields promising results
Wednesday, 2 August 2017
Murray & Roberts Cementation reports promising results from the first formal assessment of the impact of its “1st Choice” programme, implemented in 2010 as an intervention to boost safety levels and establish the company as a 1st Choice employer and service provider in the mining industry.
2016
3D Printing Adds Greater Functionality
Thursday, 1 September 2016
Known for use of best-in-class technology, Murray & Roberts Cementation has added 3D printing technology to its capability portfolio and believes that this will add greater functionality during project design stages.
2015
Petra Diamonds' Cullinan c-cut Phase 1 Expansion Celebrates Signoficant Advancement Progress with Murray & Roberts Cementation
Sunday, 1 November 2015
The underground portion of the C-Cut Phase 1 Expansion project at Petra Diamonds’ Cullinan mine, initiated in 2011 and due for completion in 2019, has already been recognised as a major success. Shaft sinking specialist, Murray & Roberts Cementation believes that its dedication to its portion of the overall contract has helped position the project well ahead of schedule.
Murray & Roberts Cementation Showcases Design Innovation and Capabilities with IVANPLATS' NO.2 Headframe
Sunday, 1 November 2015
Murray & Roberts Cementation has demonstrated its high quality design and drawing capabilities having recently completed the design of Ivanplats’ mechanised, high tonnage Platreef No. 2 shaft headframe. The design of a headframe of this magnitude is a first for the company and marks a huge milestone achievement says Theo Genis, Murray & Roberts Cementation study manager.
Comprehensive Training Programmes Ensure Learners Entering the Market are Competent and Proficient
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
The ultimate goal of any training programme should be to equip the learner with the necessary knowledge, skills and ability required to perform their job in a safe, proficient and productive manner. Extrapolating on-site experience has allowed the Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy at Bentley Park to design and develop training programmes that seamlessly combine theory (passive learning) and practice (active learning).
Great Reception for Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy Offering at A-OSH EXPO 2015
Monday, 1 June 2015
An emphasis on reacting to market needs has resulted in the development of a number of industry-specific training courses by the Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy. Initially developed to service the training requirements of Murray & Roberts Cementation employees, the courses are now offered to the industry in general.
Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy uses Simulators to Enhance the Learning Experience
Monday, 1 June 2015
Virtual learning and the use of simulators has become extremely widespread on a global platform. However, research shows that most mining companies do not use simulation to its full capacity often just going through the motions to acquire basic skills. This is according to Tony Pretorius, risk manager at the Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy.
Murray & Roberts Cementation Showcases its MechAnised Mining Skills at Booysendal UG2 North Mine
Friday, 1 May 2015
Murray & Roberts Cementation has cemented its superior mechanised contract mining skills set and experience having recently been awarded a three year contract extension at Northam Platinum’s Booysendal division.
Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy at Bentley Park Provides Training on 95% of all Shaft Sinking Activities
Sunday, 1 February 2015
The Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy at Bentley Park has adapted its conventional shaft sinking infrastructure to accommodate the latest shaft sinking methodology introduced to the South African mining industry from Cementation Canada. “We are currently equipped to provide 95% of all shaft sinking activities, having taken a unique look into what is required in terms of unpacking the cycles and the related activities, and then actually looking at cost-effective ways of being able to simulate the practical demonstrations,” Tony Pretorius, Risk Manager, says.
2014
Shaft boring machine general mining
Friday, 1 August 2014
A renewed emphasis on mechanisation in the mining industry has seen the development of the latest Shaft Boring Machine for Shaft Enlargement (SBE) by Murray & Roberts Cementation and Thyssen Schachtbau, in conjunction with Herrenknecht, both of Germany. This represents the next generation of rodless shaft enlargement machines, the so-called V-Mole technology. The SBE facilitates high sinking speeds of 6 m/d to 10 m/d and maximum safety for shaft boring by means of a pilot borehole. “It is at a point where we have the confidence to market the technology to the mining industry and to announce that it is now available,” Allan Widlake, Murray & Roberts Cementation, Business Development Director, says.
MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION SETS ITS SIGHTS ON GROWTH INTO AFRICA May 2014
Thursday, 1 May 2014
Against a backdrop of waning investor appetite in the South African mining industry, Murray & Roberts Cementation has set its sights on realising the potential for growth it has identified in the greater African market. This focus has led to a formal African growth strategy that has already seen a pleasing growth in the company’s order book from African operations, which currently constitutes about 25% of its turnover.
Murray & Roberts Cementation embarks on Strategic Positioning Initiative
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
Towards realising its vision to expand its footprint deeper into the African continent, Murray & Roberts Cementation has embarked on a strategic positioning exercise driven by two primary thrusts — safety and operational excellence. This initiative has seen certain structural changes being introduced to the company’s leadership, designed to ensure that projects are delivered safely, within scope, on time and within budget.
MURRAY & ROBERTS CEMENTATION TRAINING ACADEMY TAKES SIMULATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Monday, 3 February 2014
The Murray & Roberts Cementation Training Academy near Carletonville has taken the use of simulation combined with the use of other supporting technology to the next level. Underpinned by a battery of learner support programmes, learner trackless mining machine operators are able to progress from a novice status through a series of carefully designed stages that culminate towards operator applied competence.