Kagem team drives ambitions
Earth moving, is one way to describe Sinclair Sitamboli’s work at, the world’s largest emerald mine, Kagem. Mr Sinclair, affectionately known among his peers as, Kanono or Little in the local Bemba language, is one of the youngest operators on the mine’s recently purchased fleet of Articulated Dump Trucks (ADTs).
Having first joined the mine at just 24 years of age, the now 29-year-old is elated at the prospect of meeting targets faster with the increased capacity of his dump truck, as his job involves clearing out waste material and transporting collected material to the mine’s wash plant.
Sitamboli further explained that sometimes the ramp is too high therefore calling for the removal of waste material before the production point can be accessed. “We had 40-tonne trucks but now we are also using 45-tonners making it easier to reach our targets,” said Sitamboli.
Kagem procured the new equipment late last year to improve operational efficiency. It includes the 13 ADTs with a rated capacity of 45 tonnes each, two 6-cubic-metre hydraulic excavators, and service equipment such as a water bowser with 36,000-litres carrying capacity, tyre handler, telescopic handler and other supporting equipment.
The machines feature state-of-the-art technology to facilitate smooth, safe and productive operation in line with the mine’s continuous process improvement philosophy. A fellow operator, Gideon Mwandama, notes the importance of the machinery, particularly the new ones in ensuring operational efficiencies across the mine and realising good production.
“My job, as a water bowser operator, is to ensure that my fellow workmates are driving on a good condition road. When workers are operating these machines they need to be on a clear road where there is no dust so they are able to see each other well and avoid collisions. I suppress dust from the roads, and the water bowser is also used to wash material that goes to the wash plant and can be used in the case of emergencies such as fire,” said Mr Mwandama.
As an open pit mine, keeping the dust to a minimum is crucial in not only helping to clear and maintain the line of sight for other staff on the job but also as a precaution to help curb dust-related health issues. Although an experienced operator of B45, B40D and B45Cs machines, Mr Mwandama places great emphasis on the need to always keep learning new things.
“Before these ones came in we had the D series. It’s interesting to be learning new things. With the old model you would get tired easily, but this one has a more comfortable seat and aircon. As it is computerised you can run diagnostics without touching the engine so it’s less stressful,” he said.
Mukosha Morgan, Workshop Superintendent - Heavy Duty at Kagem’s Engineering Department, echoed Mr Mwandama, saying, “We cannot mine without this heavy equipment and other equipment we are using in the pits. So it’s very important that we keep these machines in very good shape. We always want to make sure that we do it right the first time so that we reduce the down-time of the machine.”
The department, comprised of more than 90 team members, including mechanics, auto electricians, boilermakers, machinists, tyre fitters, and a service crew including grease men, is tasked with the maintenance of the mine’s growing fleet.
Kagem General Manager Prahalad Kumar Singh reiterated the company’s focus on investing in employee training in technical and operational areas with a special focus on the safety of personnel and property and on employee welfare, as the mine continues to grow and move from exploration into increased production.
