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Excavation Method Statement for Chrome Mining

The method statement outlines the procedures for safe and efficient open-pit chrome mining operations for Fraxolite (Pty) Ltd, conducted by BMC Africa (Pty) Ltd. Key activities include vegetation clearing, overburden excavation, dewatering, chrome extraction, and stockpile management, with a focus on environmental controls and safety measures. The document emphasizes the use of specific equipment, adherence to regulations, and the importance of training and supervision throughout the mining process.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
158 views4 pages

Excavation Method Statement for Chrome Mining

The method statement outlines the procedures for safe and efficient open-pit chrome mining operations for Fraxolite (Pty) Ltd, conducted by BMC Africa (Pty) Ltd. Key activities include vegetation clearing, overburden excavation, dewatering, chrome extraction, and stockpile management, with a focus on environmental controls and safety measures. The document emphasizes the use of specific equipment, adherence to regulations, and the importance of training and supervision throughout the mining process.

Uploaded by

evasegokodi
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Method Statement: Open Pit Chrome Mining

Project Title: Open Pit Chrome Mining Operations

Client: Fraxolite (Pty) Ltd

Contractor: BMC Africa (Pty) Ltd

Location: Portion 5 of Farm Vogelstruisnek 173JP

Prepared by: Matsebe Segokodi

Date: 01 March 2025

1. Scope of Work

This method statement outlines the safe and efficient execution of the following open-pit
chrome mining activities:

• Clearing of vegetation
• Soft digging of overburden and inter-burden
• Dewatering of pit
• Use of pecker (hydraulic breaker)
• Chrome extraction
• Hand-picking of chrome lumps
• Stockpile management

2. Plant and Equipment to be Used

• Excavators (30T and 50T)


• Hydraulic Pecker
• ADTs (Articulated Dump Trucks – 30T)
• Dewatering Pumps
• FEL (Front end Loader)
• Bulldozer (D5 or similar)
• Hand tools for sorting and lump picking

3. Detailed Work Methodology

3.1 Clearing of Vegetation

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• Conduct pre-site inspection and mark out the area.
• Mechanically clear vegetation using a bulldozer or excavator with a rake.
• Remove and stockpile cleared biomass away from the pit for proper disposal or
rehabilitation use.
• Ensure no disturbance of protected flora/fauna.
• Activity to comply with NEMA and EMP (Environmental Management Plan).

3.2 Soft Digging of Overburden and Inter-burden

• Excavate topsoil and loose overburden with a 50T excavator.


• Load overburden into ADTs and haul to designated overburden dump site.
• Separate topsoil for later use in rehabilitation.
• Inter-burden between ore seams is similarly removed without the use of blasting.
• Conduct regular visual inspections to prevent mixing with ore.

3.3 Dewatering of Pit

• Install submersible dewatering pumps in low points of the pit.


• Create proper drainage channels to direct surface water away from active mining
areas.
• Discharge water into settling ponds or designated drainage areas per environmental
permits.
• Maintain water sampling records if required by local regulation.

3.4 Use of Pecker

• Where compact material or rock lenses are encountered, use hydraulic pecker
attached to excavator.
• Only trained operators may use peckers.
• Pre-inspect area for stability before pecking begins.
• Use spotters to maintain a safe distance from other equipment and personnel.

3.5 Chrome Extraction

• Excavate chrome-bearing material selectively using a 30T excavator.


• Avoid contamination with inter-burden and overburden.
• Directly load chrome material into ADTs or haul to the primary stockpile area.
• Operators to be trained in selective mining techniques.

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3.6 Hand Picking of Chrome Lumps

• Spread chrome-bearing material at the stockpile or picking pad.


• Workers hand-pick visible chrome lumps (>40mm).
• Picked lumps are separated and stored in dedicated areas for lump recovery.
• All personnel must wear full PPE: gloves, hard hats, steel-toe boots, and high-
visibility clothing.

3.7 Stockpile Management

• Maintain separate stockpiles for run-of-mine (ROM) ore, chrome lumps, and inter-
burden.
• Construct stockpiles with safe slope angles and stable platforms.
• Label each stockpile for grade control and sampling.
• Implement dust suppression using water bowsers during dry conditions.
• Ensure clear traffic management around stockpile areas.

4. Environmental Controls

• Dust suppression through regular water spraying.


• Erosion control with berms and drainage where needed.
• Daily inspection of oil leaks and proper spill kits in place.
• Waste segregation on-site (scrap metal, general waste, hazardous materials).

5. Safety and Health

• All workers must undergo site-specific induction and medical fitness certification.
• Daily pre-start inspections of equipment.
• PPE mandatory for all tasks.
• Safety signage and demarcation around hazardous areas.
• Emergency response plan in place and first aiders on-site.

6. Supervision and Quality Control

• Site Supervisor to oversee operations and daily safety briefings.


• Spot checks on ore quality and contamination control.
• Maintain daily activity logs and reports.
• Conduct toolbox talks with specific focus on changing conditions.

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7. Risk Assessments and Permits

• Task-specific risk assessments completed for each activity.


• All high-risk activities (pecking, excavation near water) require a Permit-to-Work.
• Adherence to MHSA Section 11 on hazard identification and risk management.

8. References

• Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996


• National Environmental Management Act, 1998
• Project-specific Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
• Client Safety Specifications and Standard Operating Procedures

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Common questions

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The method statement ensures compliance by outlining specific procedures aligned with regulations such as the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA). It mandates the adherence to these acts through controlled environmental practices, risk assessments, and stringent safety measures. For instance, it details activities like dust suppression, pre-site operations inspections, and mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) use, ensuring regulatory adherence at each operational step .

Stockpile management is crucial to prevent material contamination, ensure safe storage, and facilitate efficient material retrieval. Effective management involves maintaining stockpiles with safe slope angles and stable platforms, labeling for grade control, regular dust suppression, and clear traffic management around stockpiles. These practices ensure safety, environmental compliance, and operational efficiency within the project .

Workers hand-picking chrome lumps are mandated to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, hard hats, steel-toe boots, and high-visibility clothing. These safety measures are crucial to protect workers from physical injuries, falling objects, and to ensure high visibility in the work environment, which contributes significantly to preventing accidents and ensuring their safety in compliance with site-specific safety regulations .

The Site Supervisor plays a pivotal role by overseeing daily operations, ensuring compliance with safety standards and conducting daily safety briefings. They perform spot checks on ore quality and contamination control, maintain logs for activity tracking, and lead toolbox talks on changing conditions. These responsibilities ensure that operational efficiency, quality control, and safety are consistently maintained, thereby preventing accidents and ensuring adherence to regulations .

The environmental controls implemented include dust suppression through regular water spraying to minimize airborne particles, erosion control utilizing berms and drainage systems to manage surface water and reduce soil erosion, and daily inspections for oil leaks with appropriate spill kits prepared to handle accidental spills. These measures ensure that environmental impacts are minimized in accordance with the Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

The primary purpose of conducting pre-site inspections and marking out areas in the clearing of vegetation process is to ensure that the selected areas for vegetation removal are accurately identified and prepared for mechanical clearing. This process helps in preventing unnecessary disturbance to protected flora and fauna, thereby complying with the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) requirements, ensuring that the operation stays within environmentally acceptable limits .

To prevent chrome material contamination during extraction, the project employs selective excavation techniques using a 30T excavator specifically trained operators to avoid mixing chrome-bearing material with inter-burden and overburden. These practices include direct loading of extracted chrome into ADTs or designated primary stockpile areas to prevent contact with other materials .

Pre-start inspections are critical for ensuring that all equipment is functioning properly and safely before commencing daily operations. These inspections aim to identify potential mechanical or safety issues that could lead to equipment failures or accidents. This proactive measure ensures that any detected issues are addressed before work begins, thereby enhancing safety, preventing potential accidents, and ensuring compliance with the Mine Health and Safety Act .

For high-risk activities like pecking and excavation near water, the project outlines task-specific risk assessments and requires a Permit-to-Work to be completed for such activities. The strategy involves assessing hazards, implementing control measures, and ensuring only trained personnel undertake these tasks to minimize risks. Continuous monitoring and updated training sessions further enhance the safety and successful management of these high-risk activities .

The dewatering process involves installing submersible pumps at the low points of the pit, creating drainage channels to direct water away from active mining areas, and discharging the collected water into settling ponds or designated drainage areas. Additionally, maintaining water sampling records as required by local regulations is part of the process to ensure environmental compliance .

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