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SUPPLIERS REPORT Bridon Gains Foothold in South African Shaft Rope Market Two Bridon sinking ropes will be used for shaft sinking at Afplats' Leeuwkop underground project, shown here. Implats subsidiary Afplats has commissioned three 7,000-m (23,000-ft) sinking ropes from U.K.-based ropemaker Bridon International, which will be used in the twin mine-shaft system at the multi-billion rand Leeuwkop development. According to Bridon, it marks the first time in 90 years an international rope manufacturer has been selected to supply sinking ropes for a South African mine. Three Bridon Tiger Dyform 24LS ropes will be used to sink the mine's 1,350-m-deep (4,430-ft) shaft system. Once it reaches full capacity, the Leeuwkop mine is expected to produce 250,000 mt of platinum ore per month, equating to roughly 160,000 oz of platinum annually. Bridon noted that while the South African mining market has historically looked to domestic providers for its rope requirements, Afplats broke with tradition to find a rope solution that could meet the demands of the Leeuwkop project. Afplats, said Bridon, found its 24-strand ropes to be the most technically advanced available, offering a more highly engineered solution than competitors' 18-strand offerings. Afplats confirmed that the support Bridon offered for the installation and application of the ropes played a major role in its choice of supplier. Bridon rope advisers were on hand to provide on-site expertise and assistance as the ropes were installed. Bridon said it was able to provide a far shorter delivery time than domestic competitors could offer, delivering the three ropes to the Leeuwkop site two weeks earlier than originally planned. The Leeuwkop mine is expected to employ about 800 workers at full production, and has an estimated life of 22 years. It is the first phase of a major project, with exploration, drilling and seismic surveys of the remaining areas planned over the next five years to determine the viability of future mines. Siemens Snags Peñasquito Service Contract Siemens has signed a five-year agreement for operation and maintenance of crushing and conveying systems at Mexican mining company Minera Peñasquito, a subsidiary of Goldcorp, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Although estimated at €40-million, the actual cost of the order will depend on the plant's output, with the maintenance system serving to enhance the availability and reliability of the mine, according to Siemens. Under the contact, Siemens will be responsible for round-the-clock operation of the in-pit crushing and conveying system, as well as maintenance, repairs and parts management. The mine is located in the Mexican State of Zacatecas. Siemens said the customer will benefit from flexible contractual arrangements, which sets payment according to contractor compliance with production-based and performance-based key performance indicators such as plant output, productivity, availability and environmental compatibility. Siemens noted that it has had prior experience at the mine, having supplied drive systems and performed servicing and maintenance from startup. Peñasquito began commercial production in 2010. Full-year 2012 production is estimated to include 370,000–390,000 oz of 88 E&MJ; • JANUARY 2013 Siemens, following receipt of a recent contract, will operate and maintain the crushing and conveying systems at the Peñasquito mine for the next five years. gold, 23 million–24 million oz of silver, 310 million–325 million lb of zinc and 155 million–160 million lb of lead. www.e-mj.com