As mining operations across the African continent expand, the industry requires accommodation solutions that offer speed and comfort, which can be achieved through portable building manufacturer Kwikspace’s rapid- deployment infrastructure.

Worker accommodation has become a growing focus for mining companies under increasing pressure to meet regulatory and environmental, social and governance obligations. In South Africa, this takes the form of the Mining Charter with its international health, safety and environmental frameworks imposing further requirements on miners with operations in the country.

However, remote locations, harsh weather conditions and fluctuating workforce sizes make traditional, or otherwise permanent, construction difficult and time-consuming.

In this regard, Kwikspace COO Roberto Campos points out that modular construction presents a “smarter” alternative, delivering faster build times without compromising on quality or safety.

“Modular buildings offer advantages that traditional construction can’t match. They’re quicker to deploy, easier to scale and designed to keep people safe, comfortable and productive, wherever their work takes them,” he elaborates.

The company provides prefabricated solutions for every stage of a mine’s development, ranging from greenfield exploration to long-term camps for in-production mines.

Units, ranging from Parkhome rentals to permanent kit-built solutions, are manufactured and installed in as little as two weeks, with a production capacity of up to 1 400 m2 a week.

Kwikspace’s building interiors are climate- conscious and fitted with appropriate insulation, heating, ventilation and air- conditioning systems, while layouts are highly flexible, allowing for the inclusion of either communal or private ablution facilities, kitchens and recreational areas.

Further, the designs meet ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 9001:2015 standards.

Eco Manufacturing Processes
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Kwikspace prioritises environmentally responsible practices, including waste- reducing manufacturing processes, responsible disposal methods and the reuse of materials, wherever feasible, notes Campos.

Kwikspace’s footprint in South Africa includes satellite facilities in key mining hubs such as Kathu, Secunda and Richards Bay, as well as a network of branches throughout the country.

This geographic coverage ensures rapid deployment and consistent on-site support for mining operations, he says.

Further, Kwikspace has successfully executed projects for some of Africa’s most complex mining operations, adds Campos.

For example, in Guinea, the company supported global gold mining company AngloGold Ashanti’s Siguiri gold mine expansion by delivering 1 370 m2 of housing, ablution facilities and site offices for 120 personnel; while in Mozambique, Kwikspace supplied a 750-person camp for diversified miner Vale, completing the project during the region’s rainy season.

In Zambia, gold producer Equinox Mining commissioned Kwikspace to deliver a camp for 800 personnel, featuring multiple housing solutions, along with kitchens, dining facilities and recreational spaces. This was followed by 230 permanent housing units.

Meanwhile, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the company delivered simultaneous camp projects for copper miner Roan Mining and diversified mining major Glencore’s Mutanda Mining.

The projects aimed to assist in overcoming transport and import challenges and included management and labour housing, and clinics equipped with isolation wards and X-ray rooms, as well as the related site infrastructure.

In South Africa, Kwikspace supported a mine-led community relocation project in Dingleton in the Northern Cape by providing 129 prefabricated housing units and communal facilities, ensuring compliance with blasting distance regulations.

“In the ever-evolving mining industry, Kwikspace remains a trusted partner in delivering infrastructure that’s safer, stronger and smarter, helping operators build more dignified environments for their people,” Campos concludes.