Close encounters

When you’re working on the land it helps if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty. MDM Engineering work with a range of minerals, so it’s bond with the elements grows everyday

It is one of the oldest professions in the world, but mining is still a constantly evolving industry which relies increasingly on cutting edge technology, while also tempting new, innovative companies into the arena. MDM Engineering is one of the new kids on the block and already it’s making a big impression.

Set in stone

In the winter of 2006, George Bennett and business partner Mike Nunn launched MDM Engineering. Their prime objective was to create a finely tuned, combative and punctual business that adheres to exceptionally high standards. It was a good time to start a new venture—the economy was buoyant and the industry was ripe for new blood. In the few years that have passed since trading began, Bennett and Nunn’s vision has taken shape very nicely indeed.
The company is primarily concerned with mine engineering, focusing on the design and construction of process plants for several different minerals.

MDM’s exclusive service incorporates the full process extraction of various minerals including gold, uranium, base metals, platinum group metals, ferro metals, industrial minerals, coal and diamonds. It is also involved from the vital preliminary economic assessment/scoping study stage, right through to the prefeasibility and bankable feasibility studies. The company also conducted detailed engineering and project management.

Executive director George Bennett reveals the formula that makes the company a force to be reckoned with: “MDM listens with care, designs with purpose and delivers beyond expectation. Our technical team has 311 years’ worth of experience. It has built 54 plants, completed 63 bankable feasibility studies and worked in 32 countries.”

This combined pool of talent has always been essential to the company’s meticulous ethos and is reflected in the rapid growth of the workforce. In just over half a decade MDM’s employee numbers have risen from a humble 26 to a formidable workforce of 190. Many more will join the ranks as the company’s influence continues to spread.

Solid as a rock

The experience built over the years has resulted in MDM developing a large database of projects, many being built in more remote locations across Africa. The company is capable of designing all the intricate infrastructure for the projects, including power generation plants and full plant operation.

MDM has also become very familiar with the logistical challenges of moving heavy equipment through Africa from customs clearance through to the actual construction of temporary bridges and roads, for delivering the equipment to site.

Over the last three years MDM has worked on many important projects based in South Africa. Additionally, during the last 18 months, it has successfully extended its ventures in the rest of Africa.  Exciting projects are currently taking place in Ghana, Tanzania, DRC, Botswana and Zambia. MDM plans to continue its expansion throughout Africa, targeting the mining opportunities in various countries and across a wide range of commodities.

Mining magic

One of MDM’s proudest achievements came during 2008/2009 when the company successfully commissioned the first combined uranium and gold process plant to be constructed in South Africa for over 30 years.

Meanwhile, it also oversaw the initial mine waste solutions phase for First Uranium Corporation in Stilfontein, South Africa, conducting the full engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) implementation for a 650,000 tonne per month gold and 130,000 tonne per month uranium circuit.

MDM also carried out the full EPC implementation for a 2.4 million tonnes per annum gold plant as well as the EPC for a 1.2 million tonnes per annum uranium plant in Randfontein, South Africa.  Both projects were, again, carried out for First Uranium Corporation.

Some of MDM’s current projects and studies include the Gold Fields Tarkwa CIL Expansion gold project in Ghana, Kalahari Resources’ Kalagadi Manganese Umtu project in South Africa and a dense media separation plant for Camrose in the DRC.

Other notable ventures are bankable feasibility studies for African Barricks’ Bulyanhulu gold project in Tanzania, Taung Gold’s Evander shaft in South Africa, Metorex Kinsenda copper project in the DRC and Africo Resources’ Kalukundi copper/cobalt project, also in the DRC.

In addition the company has recently been awarded with the EPC for the Tharisa chromite and platinum expansion project in South Africa.

MDM works closely with its supplier base on its various projects to ensure a streamlined and efficient delivery to the client.  Some of these partners include Try Line Steel Engineering, Outotec, Roymec Tecnologies,  Site Fab, Southern African Merchants, Zest-Electrical, Weir Warman Africa, Kemix, Hawker Sideley and Pan Solutions.

With so many incredibly adventurous assignments completed, continuing and starting in the near future it’s safe to say, when it comes to delivering an engineering master class MDM really have cracked it.

Add to: del.icio.us | Digg | NewsVine | Mixx | FaceBook | Twitter