JSE- and ASX-listed Orion Minerals has awarded a six-month trial mining contract to P2 Mining, a subsidiary of South African mining contractor Newrak Mining Group, to undertake the early works trial underground mining programme at the Prieska copper/zinc mine (PCZM) in the Northern Cape of South Africa.

The trial mining will target the +105 Level Crown Pillar, using conventional and alternative underground mining methods.

The trial mining will comprise 120 m of footwall ramp development, before accessing the high-grade supergene ore of the +105 block with ore development along strike for 150 m on either side of the primary access as the primary in a cut-and-fill mining cycle.

Moreover, the contract also covers the opening of the 143 Level historical stope draw-points for selective loading and hauling to surface of broken ore remaining in the stopes, as well as to perform bulk sampling and metallurgical trials on the material.

If successful, this exercise will continue to build a stockpile on surface for future processing once the concentrator plant is commissioned.

Newrak will operate a trial fleet of ITC equipment, together with a full conventional mechanised mining fleet to compare efficiencies during the trial mining phase.

A previous PCZM production manager, Andy Brown, will be part of the Newrak team, bringing additional operating experience to trial mining at Prieska.

Newrak will operate a fleet of conventional load, haul and dump loaders, as well as a continuous loading machine, which was recently introduced to the South African market and secured by Orion on demonstration rental.

The ITC120 continuous loader is expected to contribute to improved efficiencies in mucking operations and to accelerate access tunnel development and ore drive development.

“This is a tremendously exciting period for Orion as we move to active trial mining at Prieska and start our transition from developer to operating mining company. We have spent the past two months completing essential preparations, such as installing underground refuge chambers, upgrading hoisting capacity of the emergency escapeway to surface, and sourcing and installing key ventilation equipment.

“With these essential safety and environmental preparations now complete, we can finally mobilise the mining contractor to commence drilling, blasting and hauling ore to surface,” says Orion CEO and MD Errol Smart.

“The trial mining phase will also see Orion apply our core philosophy of bringing proven, innovative methods matched with appropriate skills and experience to our operations, while at the same time training and upskilling our host community members so that we can ultimately source our staff locally.

“We also aim to develop local enterprises to service Orion’s mines and the South African mining industry, encouraging our service providers and contractors to support these endeavours and contribute to the skills transfer and enterprise development,” he adds.