| Client: | Northam Platinum |
| Location: | South Africa, EMEA |
| Throughput: | 187.5 ktpm |
| Value: | $580 million US |
| Contract Type: | Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM |
| Period: | Completed 2013 |
Booysendal UG2 North Mine /
Northam Platinum engaged DRA to provide a US$580 million total solution, designing and building every aspect of the project – the underground mining system as well as the above surface plant, materials handling facilities, full administration of the contractual requirements and all additional infrastructure, including bulk water storage and access roads.
The project included the development and construction of a 187 500 ktpm run of mine DMS plant and a 150 000 ktpm mill and flotation plant with a projected 50 years life of mine. The plant was commissioned, handed over to Northam Platinum in June 2013 and is presently being operated by Minopex, DRA’s operational arm. The Booysendal mine features a high level of mechanisation. DRA installed the entire high-tech underground infrastructure, including conveyors, vent fans, pumps, environmental monitoring equipment, electrical reticulation and automated equipment.
Booysendal Expansion /
Following a successful nine-year partnership, Northam Platinum appointed DRA Global as the main EPCM contractor on the project with a scope of work that included full Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM), two Upper Group 2 Reef (UG2) mining modules, a Merensky module and an aerial RopeCon.
The Booysendal mine featured impressive mechanisation; DRA Global installed the entire high-tech underground infrastructure, including conveyors, vent fans, pumps, environmental monitoring equipment, electrical reticulation and automated equipment. Underground mining was performed by automated drilling rigs and automated roof bolt machines, while wide shafts enabled trucks to access the reef area. The mine required less human capital for operations which resulted in improved safety performance, and efficient and cost-effective removal of large volumes of ore. At that time, in 2010, no other mining company in South Africa had contracted one single entity to deliver an entire project, and so, Booysendal became a flagship project. DRA Global delivered a total solution which was cost effective and efficient, but also dramatically reduced the risk of working with multiple contractors.
Booysendal RopeCon /
To meet Booysendal South’s material transfer needs, DRA Global selected the RopeCon system as the best solution. This comprised a series of strategically positioned towers, connected by ropes and conveyor belts, running the entire distance above ground. The system is unique and a first of its kind in Southern Africa and the application of this system at Booysendal South also marked the longest RopeCon in the world. The DRA Global team met many additional challenges with innovative solutions, these include infrastructure limitations, environmental concerns and difficult ground conditions and continues to meet project milestones set by Northam Platinum.