Abstract

KIRKPATRICK, S.  and  MUKENDWA, J.. Operational changes enable Namdeb's Southern Coastal Mining team to reduce risk and increase productivity as we advance deeper into the Atlantic Ocean. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. [online]. 2019, vol.119, n.2, pp.104-112. ISSN 2411-9717.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/2019/v119n2a2.

The mining operation at Namdeb's Southern Coastal Mine (SCM) is unique. It targets gravel layers up to 30 m below sea level, which continue to dip deeper, further west, under the Atlantic Ocean. On this storm-dominated coastline, severe water seepage into mining areas, rugged orebody footwall characteristics, and highly variable resource grades all contribute to a challenging operational environment. Namdeb has a proud history of innovation, and as the mine progresses further westwards and associated technical and economic challenges increase, this innovative culture has become essential to the future of the mine. The Theory of Constraints (ToC) has been widely used at SCM, and across the mining discipline, to focus efforts on improving overall business profitability. Through analysis of the mining processes, opportunities were identified, solutions developed, and initiatives implemented with staggering results across all three mining disciplines, i.e. stripping, load and haul, and bedrock bulking and cleaning. This paper outlines the solutions adopted and the results of the ToC analysis.

Keywords : mining; Namibia; theory of constraints; improvement; beach nourishment.

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