As many built structures in the mining environment require the use of aggregates, cement and concrete, leading construction materials supplier AfriSam can collaborate with contractors and mines to design and provide specialist concrete mixes.

In addition to offering customised concrete for the mining industry’s construction requirements, the company has the scale, capabilities, expertise and experience to provide concrete solutions, with the systems and processes in place to effectively meet the sector’s supply requirements.

According to AfriSam, the logistics of providing concrete for the mining industry for construction projects differ from providing services to urban industrial construction projects. Mines design specific mechanisms to transport concrete underground through pipes, as concrete needs to be carried down to about 3 km underground, while in urban construction projects transport distances are shorter and easier.

“We work under very demanding and challenging conditions and that’s where AfriSam has the advantage in terms of the capabilities to supply concrete in those challenging situations,” explains AfriSam readymix GM Amit Dawneerangen.

Dawneerangen describes AfriSam as a “mine-ready” concrete provider because, when mining companies have specific concrete requirements, “AfriSam is well-equipped and prepared to meet their requirements, whereas other contractors or suppliers might still have to go through the process of getting all the requirements in order”.

The company also has a solid safety record and can meet the mandatory requirements for operating on mines when it comes to providing safe concrete.

Industry Challenges

Although AfriSam is well equipped to service the mining industry, Dawneerangen acknowledges that working in the industry has specific challenges, such as the limited time during which construction can be done.

He says that, generally, supplying mines involves the transportation of concrete over long distances, while delays can be experienced in terms of accessing the point of discharge. This can be quite a challenge because concrete has a limited life span.

AfriSam regional manager Russell Wearne points out that, if concrete is not used within its designed life span, it becomes unusable. Subsequently, AfriSam has designed concrete that “stays alive”. This allows for extended travelling distances while ensuring that when the concrete is delivered to site, it remains in a competent, usable state.

This offering is customised for the mining industry and AfriSam takes “special measures to ensure the concrete’s usability and no interruptions to supply”, he adds.

However, AfriSam is prepared for challenges, with backup plants to produce and supply concrete if there are breakdowns during transportation. “We plan it carefully and we have a number of plants available to service the mining hubs,” Wearne says.

AfriSam Expertise

AfriSam operates in different mining sectors, including coal and platinum, and has safety and health mechanisms in place to ensure that specialist products, such as heat resistant and steel fibre concrete, for example, are provided for clients.

Dawneerangen says the concrete required by mines is subjected to harsh environments, but the company’s concrete products allow for a “quick setting and fast strength development” to enable mines to continue daily operations.

AfriSam’s extensive research and development – by a dedicated product technical department, serviced by concrete technologists who are trained and experienced in the field, and in designing different concretes – enables the company to create and produce mixes of special types of cement and different aggregates that can withstand these aggressive environments.

AfriSam has “state-of-the- art” equipment and concrete-making facilities in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, “which support the product technical department in terms of designing complex mixes and ensuring that the company keeps abreast of the latest developments in concrete”, Dawneerangen highlights.

The company is also strategically located in the North West, in the platinum belt, in Mpumalanga and in KwaZulu-Natal to facilitate the effective supply of materials to the mines. “When servicing mines and contractors that work at mines, there is ready access to construction materials and technical backup,” Wearne emphasises.

“Our capabilities enable us to be almost preapproved by clients. AfriSam is flexible to meet various clients’ requirements; therefore, we are recommended for mining projects,” says Wearne.