AfriRock 2017Technical Visit

Palabora Mining CompanyA massive underground copper mine next to the Kruger National

Park conservation areaPalabora Mining Company (PMC) together with the South African Institute for Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) is proud to invite you to view the world-class block-cave mining operation based in the town of Phalaborwa, in South Africa's Limpopo Province. Located directly adjacent to the Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest wildlife parks, Palabora coordinates several onsite wildlife management and cultural heritage programmes as part of its ongoing sustainability drive. The company also collaborates closely with various communities in the Ba-Phalaborwa district to boost economic development and alleviate poverty.

Palabora has been operational since its incorporation in 1956 and is the country's major

producer of refined copper, producing approximately 45 000 tonnages of copper per annum. Palabora Copper is South Africa's sole producer of refined copper, which it supplies mainly to the local market and export the balance. Whilst copper forms the base-load of its business, Palabora also mines and exports other by-products such as Magnetite, Vermiculite Sulphuric acid, anode slimes and nickel sulphate.

Palabora's block-cave mine is a benchmark for integrated design. No other block-cave mine has been put into as competent an ore-body. The block height of the cave reaches a record 450 meters in the centre, increasing up to 700 meters on the periphery, rendering Palabora a world-class mine. Geographically, the production footprint is very small, measuring 650 meters in length and 200 meters wide, with 20 production cross-cuts and 320 draw-points. With the coarse fragmentation of the ore body, a high degree of secondary breaking activities is required to treat hang-ups and oversize; and to keep ore flowing through the draw-points for the loaders to haul.

The tour will include a drive around the mine to view the now-completed open pit excavation and an underground trip to the workings. Rounding off, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the ecological wonder and understand the precious heritage that is the Kruger National Park.

For further information, contact Camielah@saimm.co.za of the SAIMM.Images and information obtained from http://www.palabora.com and http://pessimistincarnate.blogspot.co.za

Thank you to T Habile and S Loggerenberg for their kind assistance and willingness to participate.

Compiled by: J Walls, Pr Sci NatPrincipal Consultant; DirectorJeWal Geotechnical (Pty) Ltd

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