The introduction of selected blast mining has the potential to reduce the cost of mining narrow-reef gold to the extent of resuscitating South Africa’s ghost towns, says veteran research commentator Dr R E (Robbie) Robinson. In an interview with Martin Creamer, (Mining Weekly Online ), Robinson identified up to 4 mines where selected blasting could open up access to gold reefs previously too expensive to mine.
Robinson estimated haulage and grinding costs could be reduced by up to two thirds, as gangue would be rejected prior to processing. The economic impact would be huge, revitalising some ghost towns.
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