Redpath Africa Advances Underground Development at Mogalakwena Sandsloot

Redpath Africa Limited is making progress on underground development at the Mogalakwena Sandsloot project in Limpopo, South Africa, with its Phase B extension advancing ahead of the corresponding development schedule.

The project involves developing an underground mine beneath an existing open pit to access deeper platinum-group metal (PGM) resources. Redpath’s responsibilities include lateral development, underground construction, raiseboring and preparation for longhole stoping, bringing several specialist mining capabilities together under one contractor.

Located near Mokopane in Limpopo’s Waterberg District, Mogalakwena is a major PGM mining complex owned by Anglo American Platinum. The Sandsloot project is designed to extend access to mineral resources beneath the open pit through an underground decline rather than a conventional vertical shaft.

Mechanised development and integrated operations

Redpath uses mechanised drill-and-blast methods supported by trackless loading and hauling equipment, mechanised ground-support installation and specialist underground construction services.

Its equipment includes development drilling rigs, loaders and underground haul trucks. These operations are supported by the installation of ground support, ventilation and essential underground services, all of which must be coordinated to prepare working areas for subsequent development activities.

The project also involves close collaboration between Redpath and the mine’s technical teams. Geological conditions, infrastructure requirements and changing operational priorities can influence the sequence of work, making adaptive planning and communication essential to maintaining progress.

Eldie Nortier, Redpath Africa’s contracts manager for mining, said the project had been among the smoothest operations he had experienced in more than 20 years in contracting. He attributed this to the contribution of both parties and the level of engagement between their teams.

Nortier said the relationship was based on partnership rather than a conventional client-contractor arrangement, with challenges addressed jointly and action plans developed when issues arise.

Developing South Africa’s underground mining skills

Alongside underground development, Redpath is working to strengthen the technical capabilities of South African mining personnel.

Specialist trainer-operators are helping local employees develop skills in development drilling, longhole drilling, remote operation and other specialised underground activities. The programme aims to build the practical knowledge required to operate and maintain advanced mining equipment safely and effectively.

Assessments conducted during the project have indicated a narrowing gap in average drilling performance between South African and expatriate operators. South African crews have also demonstrated strong overall drilling output.

Redpath has additionally supported the alignment of international expertise with local competency requirements, including the accreditation of expatriate electricians as competent electricians in South Africa.

Nortier said bringing in specialist expertise was only part of the process, emphasising the importance of giving South African personnel opportunities to gain the skills and experience needed for complex underground operations.

Ventilation and trial stopping preparations

The current Phase B extension is scheduled to continue until August 2027. Work is progressing towards the next stage of underground development and production readiness, including the development of critical ventilation infrastructure and preparations for trial stopping.

Trial stopping will allow the team to assess the performance of the planned mining method under the project’s operating conditions. The work requires coordination across excavation, drilling, ground support, ventilation and equipment readiness.

The project highlights the role of specialised underground contractors in developing deeper mineral resources while supporting the transfer of technical knowledge to local workforces.

For South Africa’s mining industry, the combination of mechanised development, integrated project execution and skills development will remain important as operators seek to access deeper deposits and sustain production from established mining complexes.