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2021
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.