MINING DIVISION

The Basil Read Mining Division continues to build on strong alliances which provide a solid base for operations as it continues to do work for these companies on an ongoing basis. Basil Read Mining has been involved in a number of medium – and long-term contracts across Africa using state-of-the art equipment and the most innovative mining techniques in order to meet client requirements. The recent union of Basil Read and TWP could also see the Basil Read group getting even further involved in the mining sector.

Furthermore, Basil Read’s subsidiary Blasting & Excavating (B&E) is one of South Africa’s foremost drilling, blasting and excavating companies, with contracts secured at several of South Africa’s high profile mining operations.

CURRENT PROJECTS

	Debswana - Jwaneng Mine This project which kicked off during January 2010 involves the execution of Cut 8 Contract Mining Phase 1 at Jwaneng Mine in Botswana. The major works, which include: drilling, blasting and hauling of 20 million tons of waste. This project will be carried out as a 70/30 split JV with Bothakga Burrow. The contract was awarded by the Debswana Diamond Company, Botswana, with an approximate contract value of R 240 million.
	Trekkopje (Namibia) The Trekkopje mine is situated 140km North East of Swakopmund in Namibia in the Namib dessert. The contract is a Joint Venture between Basil Read, Concor and Grinaker-LTA. Contract work entails the construction of the Maxi Leach Pad, 7 solution ponds and crushing of the filter material. The Leach Pad is 4km x 1km and covers an area of approximately 2.1 million square meters which has to be covered by a plastic geo membrane at a 1% fall. 1000km’s filtration pipe must be layed on top of the membrane and then covered with the granite filter material with a height of 900mm over the area. The total granite filter base that has to be crushed and placed is 3.8 million tonnes to a -38mm spec. Cut and Fill for the 1% slope consists of moving 2 million cubic meters of material. 1 million tons of sand has to be made to a spec of -4.75mm and mixed with 7% bentonite for the base of the Leach pad. A total of 260 plant items will be used to construct the Leach pad over the 24 month period. The contract value is R 330 million for Basil Read of the collective R 1 billion value and will last for the duration of 24 months starting on 4 February 2010.
	Rössing Uranium Mine The Rössing Uranium Mine, one of the largest open pit Uranium mines in the world, has been in operation for just over 30 years. Basil Read Mining Namibia (Pty) Ltd has been awarded a three year contract extension at Rössing Uranium Limited.  Originally, a contract for the pioneering of the north-western cutback of the existing open pit which entailed the pre-stripping of the rocky, mountainous landscape that surrounds the pit was awarded to Basil Read. During 2008, Basil Read Mining was awarded the further three years extension on this project and in 2010 continues to make significant progress in the area.
	DeBeers Venetia Mine Percussion Drilling Project Blasting & Excavating (B&E), a subsidiary of the Basil Read group, has been awarded the contract for the De Beers Venetia Mine Percussion Drilling Project. The contract which commenced in October 2008 is worth R138 million with a contract period of 36 months. Major works include the drilling of 165mm and 127mm percussion holes at the Venetia open pit mine.