SRK 30th Anniversary

Issue #33: SRK's 30th Anniversary

Introduction

Established in January 1974, SRK looks back with pride on the past three decades and forward with enthusiasm to SRK’s prospects in the years ahead. This newsletter is a celebration of SRK’s past 30 years. Profiles are presented for some 80 projects; these projects illustrate the range of services covered by the practice and include some that are, and have been, pivotal in the development of the SRK Group. read full article…

Africa

When the Bafokeng tailings dam failed in 1974, liquefied tailings flowed into an adjacent shaft, killing 13 people underground. In 1975 SRK designed a new tailings impoundment to meet a probability of annual loss of life at less than 1 in a million. The complex has operated successfully for more than 25 years; the 40m high decant towers will soon be extended to 80m. This design set South African industry standards. read full article…

Asia

SRK’s Cam McCuaig, Principal Geologist, at the AFCAN Tanjianshan project site which lies on the northern edge of the Himalayan plateau, Qinghai province, China. SRK developed a structural model for Tanjianshan focusing on the timing, kinematics and 3D geometry of the fault system that hosts gold mineralization. The model, used to assess risk and potential upside to resources, has provided successful targets to identify further mineralization. SRK is also assisting with geotechnical engineering advice. read full article…

Australia

Since the late 1990’s SRK’s Perth mining group has focused mainly on caving projects (sub level cave and block cave), completing over 20 projects in 8 countries, covering studies, operational reviews and due diligence. For example, one such study provided the blueprint for the establishment of Newcrest’s successful Ridgeway Mine. SRK has assisted many mines in their transition from open pit to large underground caving operations. read full article…

Europe

SRK’s Paul Hodkiewicz, geologist (second from left), with Gold Fields and Arctic Platinum geologists at the Konttijärvi Platinum Group Elements (PGE) deposit, on the Arctic Circle in central Finland. This long-term project started out as a regional structural interpretation of the Portimo Layered Igneous Complex, and later developed into a program of detailed mapping of trench exposures to delineate deposit-scale structural and hydrothermal controls on remobilized PGE mineralization. read full article…

North America

Since 1998, BHP Billiton Diamonds has mined diamonds at the Ekati Diamond Mine near Lac de Gras in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Current operations are based on mining multiple pipes by the open pit method. Some pipes are now being converted to underground mining, as pits deepen. Since 1999 SRK has worked with BHP Billiton’s team to select and design appropriate underground mining methods for individual kimberlite pipes.read full article…

South America

BHP Billiton intends to develop two new bauxite mines in Suriname. A feasibility study was completed in September 2004, and SRK is managing an ongoing Environmental Impact Assessment under trying field conditions of rainforest and swamp. Ecology, water management and NGO issues are of key importance. SRK expects to play a significant ongoing role in the future expansion of bauxite mining in Suriname. read full article…

Anniversaries

SRK (SA) Chairman Peter Terbrugge cuts the cake at the 30th anniversary celebration of SRK in Johannesburg. SRK (SA) operates out of eight offices in South Africa and one in Harare, Zimbabwe, with some 250 staff to provide comprehensive services in geology, mining, water, environment, geotechnics and waste. read full article…

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