What we do

Plan and build

Before we put a spade in the ground, our geologists and engineers work together using virtual mine planning systems to design the most effective, cost-efficient, environmentally sound construction and operational mine plan. This work can take several years, depending on the complexities of the ore body, the physical environment of the site, its location relative to power and energy supplies and the route to market.

We don’t only plan for the life cycle of the mine, but take great care to look beyond and determine the rehabilitation of the site and the real benefits that the local communities will continue to benefit from. The technologies we use to plan and build and rehabilitate help us get it right first time, which minimises our environmental footprint while also safeguarding precious cash resources.

Process

By processing, converting and refining our raw materials we produce what customers need. As well as creating new products, our processing technologies enable us to reduce waste, save water, increase efficiency, drive innovation and, by adding value to our products, support economic growth in the areas we mine.

Processing begins with removing as much waste as possible, often using huge crushers to reduce the size of the material to help recover the valuable minerals from the ore.

We then concentrate the minerals using a range of processes that depend on the type of ore. For example, we use gravity separation for coal, which is lighter than the waste rock, while copper can be separated using a flotation process.