The Mandela Mining Precinct will be unveiling two cutting-edge rock drill prototypes, designed for conventional mining in South Africa. The event will take place in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 19 November 2019.

The newly built rock drills are lighter, energy efficient, quieter and easier to set up and dismantle. Last year, the Mandela Mining Precinct came up with initiative called the Isidingo DRILL challenge, to encourage innovators to design a new rock drill based on industry criteria to be built and used in conventional mining, through a three-phased approach.

The first phase entailed the introduction of a new and innovative rock-drill concept design, followed by the second phase, which involved the prototype construction associated with testing and monitoring. Phase 3 will entail manufacturing and underground performance testing.

The event will see two finalists test the new drills according to the specifications as laid out in the challenge. The design challenge for a new rock drill will also focus on stimulating local innovation, development and the manufacturing of new drills.

Members of the media invited as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 19 November 2019
Venue: Mandela Mining Precinct, Corner of Carlow and Rustenburg road Melville, Johannesburg
Time: 09:30 – 12:30

RSVP: Contact Ms Kgauhelo Dioka on 073 398 8633 or e-mail kdioka@csir.co.za

Enquiries: Media Release

Reyhana Mahomed: Communication Manager (Mandela Mining Precinct)
Email: rmahomed@csir.co.za
Tel: 073 473 0398

OR

David Mandaha: CSIR Media Relations Manager
Tel: 072 126 8910/012 841 3654
Email: dmandaha@csir.co.za