East African Mining News Unearthing Mining Opportunities in East Africa
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Johannesburg, South Africa – A Tanzanian gold producer is betting big on a golden future, commissioning a massive upgrade to its processing plant that will effectively double its output. The ambitious expansion, spearheaded by South African-linked mining equipment giant DELKOR, comes as the price of the precious metal continues its upward trajectory.
The 12-meter diameter thickener, a crucial piece of equipment in the gold extraction process, is undergoing a significant overhaul at the hands of its original manufacturer. DELKOR, a key player within the TAKRAF Group, initially installed the thickener and associated flocculant plant at the East African mine over the past two years. Now, responding to the miner’s bold move to scale up operations, DELKOR engineers are hard at work modifying vital components in the pre-leach circuit. This includes changes to the feed pipe, feed well, and overflow launder – all necessary to handle the anticipated surge in gold-rich slurry before it enters the carbon-in-leach plant.
George Jacob, TAKRAF’s sharp-eyed sales manager, revealed to Mining Weekly that while the original installation had some built-in buffer capacity, the sheer scale of the planned doubling in output necessitated these key component upgrades. The mine’s flocculant plant is also receiving expansion enhancements to cope with the increased flow.
The project showcases a blend of international expertise and regional support. Critical, specialized components, including the thickener mechanism itself, were meticulously crafted at DELKOR’s Centre of Excellence in India and shipped directly to the Tanzanian mine via the bustling port of Dar es Salaam. Meanwhile, the bulkier elements, such as the robust tanks and hydraulic systems, were proudly sourced and transported from South Africa, relying on trusted local logistics providers to navigate the roads to the mine.
The upgrade project, greenlit in 2024, is on track for completion in the second quarter of this year. This expedited timeline comes at the direct request of the gold producer, eager to capitalize on the favourable gold market. Adding further value, TAKRAF also lent its expertise to the process island design for the upgraded plant, saving the client the hassle and expense of engaging a separate third-party for this crucial task.
Beyond this headline-grabbing upgrade, TAKRAF has been steadily building its presence in eastern sub-Saharan Africa. Jacob highlighted several significant materials handling projects undertaken for a major, long-established gold miner in Tanzania throughout 2023 and 2024. This included the installation of a space-saving radial stacker, a heavy-duty apron feeder, and a network of five in-plant conveyor systems.
“This project saw us working hand-in-glove with another OEM, who handled the crushing and screening equipment,” Jacob explained. “TAKRAF took charge of the conveying aspect and the crucial apron feeder, which manages the raw, run-of-mine material.”
The choice of a radial stacker, with its 52-meter boom and impressive 975 tonnes per hour capacity, offers significant advantages for the mine’s compact footprint. Unlike a larger, linear stacker, the radial design minimizes the need for extensive civil works and construction materials during installation. The run-of-mine material now flows seamlessly from the crushing and screening circuit to the radial stacker, forming a circular stockpile ready to be reclaimed by wheel loaders as needed for the concentrator’s demanding throughput.
Looking ahead, Jacob is optimistic about the burgeoning mining sector in Tanzania. He revealed that TAKRAF is currently engaged in several tender processes for projects spanning gold, graphite, and even uranium within the country. Demonstrating a commitment to local growth, TAKRAF is actively exploring opportunities to source materials and components from Tanzanian suppliers, aiming to inject value into the local economy and strengthen its regional partnerships. This Tanzanian gold miner’s bold expansion, supported by South African engineering prowess, signals a confident stride towards a more prosperous future in the heart of East Africa.
