In the mining industry, where time is of the essence, there is a need for fast and efficient solutions when it comes to the construction of permanent structures or fully mobile units for temporary purposes.

To cater to these needs, prefabricated buildings supplier Kwikspace has created a prepacked building in a kit format – Kwik Kits.

Kwikspace COO Roberto Campos explains that these kits allow for quicker delivery times, while facilitating the transfer of kit-building skills should customers make use of local labour for onsite assembly.

He elaborates that the kits Kwikspace designs are “perfect” for remote and otherwise difficult-to-reach areas, with it being possible to assemble the Kwik Kits on a chassis, thereby meaning there is no requirement for a concrete foundation.

“The materials for concrete foundations in remote areas are difficult to source and the foundations themselves are challenging to cast correctly,” explains Campos.

He notes that as Kwikspace’s Kwik Kits are supplied in kit format, the buildings can be erected in remote locations.

Mining Demand

Campos tells Mining Weekly that Kwikspace has recorded good interest in its solutions from South Africa’s mining sector, and points to a couple of recent such orders, such as a separate 500-person change house and a 300-person change house, for platinum mines on the Merensky reef.

The company has also supplied multiple offices and change houses for other mines, accommodation units for a Lesotho-based diamond mine, an office block for a Mpumalanga-based platinum mine, and 300 m2 of buildings to be used as project offices and boardrooms for a Mpumalanga-based colliery.

There are many instances where a Kwik Kit has been implemented successfully at mines in South Africa and all over Africa.

Of late, there was a job for a mine in Mpumalanga where offices were required, quickly, in an area not accessible for a factory-built modular unit to be employed. The Kwik Kit unit was assembled on site, and the speed of delivery of the material and the assembly thereof ensured that there was no downtime.

Kwikspace has an extensive network of strategically-positioned branches in South Africa, including in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Qqeberha.

The company also operates satellite facilities in mining and industrial hotspots, such as Kathu and Secunda, as well as having facilities in Mbombela, Richards Bay, George and Polokwane, “which will further enhance our reach and capabilities”.

The polyurethane panels provided with the kits are locally made by Kwikspace and provide greater strength and have good thermal properties.

Kwikspace states that its building panels will not delaminate, with the structures having a life expectancy of 20 years, should they be properly maintained.

The Kwik Kits are available with two panel ranges – KwikPremium and KwikFire. The KwikPremium panels are available in widths of 1.16 m with a polyurethane core and have a density of 36 kg/m3.

The KwikPremium panels provide an acoustic absorbing property capable of lessening noise by 32 dB, while also providing improved thermal properties.

Campos adds that the KwikPremium product provides structural support as well as “exceptional” insulating properties.

The KwikFire panels include a fire classification of FR30 on their external wall. Campos notes that the KwikFire product provides a half-hour fire rating and holds an Agremént South Africa certification for re-assurance of its fitness for purpose.

“This system is designed to comply to SANS 10400 which ensures the safety, health and energy efficiency of structures. The panels used in our system are designed not only for longevity, but also for ease of maintenance for harsh conditions,” points out Campos.