CMP PRODUCTS
Located in the Haut-Katanga province of the DRC, the Kipushi Project is based on the high-grade, underground zinc-copper mine in the Central African Copperbelt, a site which saw 60 million tonnes of minerals mined between 1924 and 1993.
Ivanhoe acquired a 68 percent stake of the site in 2011 and selected METC as its EPCM and early works contractor, the project currently completing the engineering and procurement stage. Execution is slated for early 2020 and will involve the development of a 105-tonne per hour concentrator and already developed underground mine infrastructure.
In South Africa, Cathey cites a second project completed with Outotec, one which he originally had an interest in while working for Tharisa Minerals.
“In 2013 I project managed a chromite and PGM (Platinum Group Metals) processing plant in Marikana, North-West Province,” he recalls.
“This is the largest chromite producing mine in the world, and recently METC was privileged enough to upgrade the PGM flotation circuit.
“What makes it even more interesting is that the worn out (seven-year-old) Outotec flotation mechanisms were replaced with new Metso Minerals units. The two companies have recently merged, so we essentially removed Outotec mechanisms to replace them with ‘Outotec’ mechanisms.”
These are just a handful of examples of METC’s expertise in action, a common denominator on all projects being close and regular dialogue with clients about every step of the process, including selecting suppliers.
“As we work in Africa and beyond, the customer would sometimes specify a particular supplier that has stood them in good stead in the past and we at METC would obviously honour such a request,” Cathey continues.
“However, when you frequent the local friendly grocer on the end of the street you generally buy what products are fresh and suitably priced. Being at the end of the tip of Africa, South Africa is still a strong player in the mining industry with leading edge technology in this sphere.”
Opportunities aplenty
Cathey also observes an underutilised talent pool, a wealth of available skills which have been on offer since the mining industry came under severe strain in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash.
CABLE GLANDS: MINING
CMP Products has designed a unique range of cable glands specifically suited to the mining environment and accommodating all forms of cables used in underground (Group I) locations, surface mining (Group II) and general industrial scenarios.
The Group I range of cable glands provides the choice of using either a threaded entry cable gland or a flange-mounted version – both suitable for direct entry into the equipment. Adapters are also available for converting one type to the other. Barrier cable glands are available in this range, to form a compound barrier seal on non-filled cables, as well as an environmental seal on the cable outersheath.
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