Cooperation arrangements between the mineral sectors of South Africa and the People’s Republic of China are in the offing after a recent visit to South Africa of a Chinese mineral delegation.
Senior personnel representing China National Nonferrous Metals Industry Corp. (CNNC) were hosted by the Chamber of Mines when they came to South Africa to hold discussions with local mining companies. The party undertook the tour to investigate the possibilities of technology exchange and other forms of co-operation, as well as to look at trading opportunities, including the possibility of investment in South African mines and mining development projects.
The chamber facilitated an intensive program of briefings, meetings and industry visits to expose the delegation to local mining technologies primarily related to deep-level mining and safety, as well as to shaft-sinking and refining.
The visitors showed interest in a range of technologies and techniques that have been employed on South African mines, including technology related to rock drilling, hydropower, support and cooling systems, orebody radar technology, environmental modelling software and safety and blasting management systems.
The visit was seen as a bridge-building exercise in view of CNNC’s broad involvement in China’s minerals sector and the potential for development of ties between the two nations. Prospects for ongoing contact between the two mining sectors appear promising in view of assessments that underground conditions in South Africa’s non-ferrous mines are similar to those in CNNC mines, rendering technology transferable.
CNNC is a national, integrated enterprise that produces and handles the commercial management of China’s non-ferrous metal raw materials and its smelted and processed products.
China produces some 2.5 million tons of non-ferrous metals annually, the main products being copper, aluminum, lead, zinc and nickel. China is also a gold producer, turning out some 100 tons per annum.
The Chinese delegation expressed an interest in establishing formal relationships with individual companies. It is anticipated that a party of local mining company technical specialists will conduct a visit to China early in 1993.
— From a recent edition of the South African Chamber of Mines Newsletter.
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