Impala Platinum Mine (Shaft 16)

South Africa / North West / Rustenburg /
 mine, platinum mine/processing, mine shaft
This shaft was constructed by Shaftsinkers and included sinking of the Main and Ventilation Shafts, together with the underground development operations, building up to the production target of 250 000 tons per month. The Main Shaft will have a final depth of 1657m at 10.0m diameter and the Ventilation Shaft will be 1400m deep with a cross-sectional diameter of 6.8m. Both shafts are concrete lined.

Started in 2004, Impala 16 Shaft was instrumental in the designing and construction of Impala 17 Shaft complex, where key learning points from the former were adopted and applied.

This shaft uses one of the world's largest multi-rope friction winch for hoisting. It was fabricated by Siemag Tecberg. It was shipped to Impala on October 27-2010.

At this final destination, a new 1800-metre-deep shaft of the platinum mine run by the customer Impala in Rustenburg (in the North West Province) is awaiting the installation of 4 hoisting ropes and balance ropes. The 2.0-kilometre-long ropes, which have a diameter of 54 + 59 mm, need to be installed quickly and above all securely. In order to meet these requirements, SIEMAG TECBERG offers an innovative solution and sets technical standards. A special characteristic of this machine is the fact that it is constructed as a mobile model. The system is built onto a specially manufactured heavy-duty frame, enabling it to be moved using a tractor unit. This allows the customer to use the winch on different shafts, both for the initial rope installation and mounting of the cages and also for changing ropes.

Located in the south-eastern corner of the Impala mining lease area, No. 16 Shaft will service an area approximately 4.5km on strike and 2.4km on dip. With a total contract value of R7.2 billion (US$1.02 billion), the project entails the sinking of a vertical main shaft for personnel and material access, and an upcast ventilation shaft. At present, station development around the lowest levels in the seven-level shaft is under way, and the ventilation shaft is complete. First production is expected in 2013. By the time it reaches steady state in 2018, the mine will produce 226 500 tonnes of Merensky and UG2 reef per month from No. 16 Shaft’s seven operational levels.


Reference for location(Shaft location map):
www.implats.co.za/implats/downloads/2006/annual_report/...

Reference for information:
www.implats.co.za/implats/Impala-platinum.asp

www.ambriefonline.com/nov_dec10%20sa2.html

www.smenet.org/uvc/mineventpapers/pdf/029.pdf

www.siemag-tecberg.com/html/news-224.html?lng=en

www.powercem.co.za/media/docs/Impala_Platinum_Mine_III....

www.shaftsinkers.co.za/pastprojects.html#lux9
Reference for information:

www.ambriefonline.com/nov_dec10%20sa2.html

www.smenet.org/uvc/mineventpapers/pdf/029.pdf

www.siemag-tecberg.com/html/news-224.html?lng=en

www.powercem.co.za/media/docs/Impala_Platinum_Mine_III....

www.shaftsinkers.co.za/pastprojects.html#lux9
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   25°34'1"S   27°17'18"E

Comments

  • Impala dnt care about us employee
  • it is very amazing how contractors are just exploiting workers at impala mine(RTB 16 SHAFT) doesnt care,and some of these workers work with expired medicals were as the are safety officers who suppose to be monitering the situation,especialy jjg construction.
This article was last modified 15 years ago