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There are currently more opportunities for opencast mining companies and contractors than in 2009, but costs are expected to gradually increase, says opencast mining contract company Diesel Power CEO Kobus van Biljon.

New mining contractors are entering opencast mining, which will increase competition, while a number of tenders and projects, currently being planned or undertaken, will offer a steady amount of work for the industry, he says.

“There are a number of new licences pending approval for opencast mining operations in South Africa and we have noticed a definite revival in the industry. Conditions are still tough but tenders are being advertised more often than advertised two years ago,” he adds.

Opencast mines are being developed to mine coal, chrome, platinum, diamonds and iron-ore in South Africa. Specific opencast mining growth areas include the Waterberg (coal), the Northern Cape (iron-ore) and the Brits/Rustenburg area (chrome and platinum). Southern Africa, Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana offer steady growth in opencast mining development but, in Zambia and Botswana, Van Biljon says, this currently involves expanding existing operations.

Diesel Power has also tendered for an opencast chrome operation, in North West, and is also pursuing opencast mining opportunities locally in gold, iron-ore, manganese and diamond projects.

Further, he believes there are significant work opportunities for contractors entailing the rehabilitation of opencast mining operations in South Africa.

“We believe there will be new opportunities for contractors because rehabilitation work will affect all mines and mining companies in the industry. “This is one positive effect on the industry resulting from the stringent environmental requirements placed on opencast miners,” says Van Biljon.

Conversely, the long environmental-impact assessment process is delaying the opening of a number of new opencast mining operations, he notes.

Henan Hongxing Mining Machinery Co., Ltd is a joint-stock mining machinery manufacturing enterprise integrated in scientific research, production and marketing. It is located at the High & New Technology Industries Development Zone of Zhengzhou,China with an area of 50 thousand m2 which includes 15,000 m2 of standard heavy duty industrial workshop. Equipments are more than 160 pieces, including large and medium sized metal processing, riveting and installing equipments. There are more than 660 workers including 80 administrators with secondary and senior occupational titles and engineering technicians. In order to promote the competitive strength, the advanced technologies have been introduced from America, Germany, Japan and Australia, which established the international advanced production line, first-class modern testing base as well as research centers of sand maker, mill and mine-selecting equipment. Scientific management, advanced processing technology and innovative manufacturing theory make the company become the mining machinery manufacturing and exporting base in China.