A combination of design innovation, engineering excellence and strict adherence to health and safety has resulted in the successful completion of a new conveyor building at Potgietersrust Platinum mine, in the process setting a new industry benchmark in steel construction.

The project was carried out by Cosira Tubular, a joint venture between the Cosira Group and Tubular Holdings.

"Our CAD/CAM division detailed an A-frame device which, once erected and put in place by our erectors, was able to perform a major lift, involving seven individual lifts and 600 tons of steel, over a period of just twelve days," explains John da Silva, managing director of the Cosira Group.

"This achievement is a landmark in conveyor building, and will set a standard for structural steel erection in the mining industry. During an eight week period, the 430 strong on site team erected an average of 280 tonnes per week, to deliver an impressive total of 5 275 tonnes on the project, as at mid-October. In addition, the off-site fabrication of all structural steel, platework and liners has taken just six months to complete."

Besides the innovative 'A' frame device, a fleet of 27 cranes, ranging from just 8 tonnes to an impressive 500 tonne crawler, was used to deliver the higher than usual tonnage per week needed. This met the demanding erection schedule required by the mine to ensure that the ore flow from the mine's new pit would be operational before the exhaustion of the previous workings, thereby optimising productivity.