LNW Mining

Mining industry’s strategic engineering partner:

LNW Consulting Engineers and Project Managers remains the mining industry’s strategic engineering partner. Our key differentiator is the ability to execute technically complex civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering projects in high-risk environments. This is a capability that we have been honing and refining since inception in 2001.

Multi-disciplinary engineering solutions for mining

LNW Consulting Engineers and Project Managers provides a comprehensive range of multi-disciplinary engineering solutions for all types of lifting and materials handling in mining. These include portal scrapers and reclaimers; blending systems; slewing and fixed stackers; bucket-wheel reclaimers; and conveyor and rail-car loading systems. This is in addition to ship-to-shore loading and unloading equipment. We are also the African representative for Syralco (previously Hewitt Robins). This allows world class technology and designs in South Africa.

Extensive engineering capabilities harnessed by mining

LNW Consulting Engineers and Project Managers’ extensive engineering capabilities are also being harnessed by the mining industry for asset-integrity management services.
We have successfully completed many remedial designs and supervised strategic repair and replacement programmes. These range from materials handling installations and equipment through to various mining-related infrastructure, counting silos, cooling towers, reservoirs, stacks and chimneys. Severely compromised equipment and structures are subjected to comprehensive baseline assessments and fieldwork. Anomalies are recorded and geographically mapped for future reference. Structures are also scanned three dimensionally and thermally using drones and high-definition photogrammetry. Fieldwork also includes various types of non-destructive and performance testing. This is to determine asset remaining lifecycles, throughput capabilities and sustainability in terms of its required levels of efficiency. Modern accepted best practices are applied in the solution and analysis of complex multi-disciplinary engineering problems.

Core engineering competencies for mining

Our core engineering competencies for mining include:
• Linear and non-linear structural analysis and design through FEA
• Structural integrity assessment and failure analysis of structures subjected to dynamic and fluctuating loading, for example fatigue
• Weld fatigue assessment and repair designs
• Integrity assessments
• Thermal analysis and influence of thermal loading on structures and elements
• Failure analysis
• Statistical analysis
• Process analysis and improvements
• Machine design and mechanical equipment integration
• Bulk materials handling
• Discrete Element Analysis
• Tanks and vessel designs and certification
• Pipe system design, including pipe stress and flow analysis
• Functional and performance assessments
• Reliability improvements
• Asset life extension programmes and state of the asset verifications
• Rehabilitation
• Plant design, upgrade renewals and replacements
• Maintenance planning and statutory interventions

Strategic repair programmes are undertaken on a typical project management basis. We complete these projects independently as a consultants engineering team or as part of a client owners team.

Engineering solutions for mining dams

Moreover, we provide cutting-edge engineering solutions for the inspection, rehabilitation and maintenance of mining dams. This includes the use of remotely operated vehicles and drones with sophisticated devices and scanners to complete surveys of dammed water bodies.

Electrical engineering services for mining

LNW Consulting Engineers and Project Managers remains one of the foremost providers of quality electrical engineering services for mining.
This includes the design and implementation of system integration; power supply systems; and motor centres with motor drives of up to 3,3kV. We also design and implement SCADA and PLC integration, as well as field instrumentation and equipment control systems. Moreover, we inspect electrical installations using infrared technology. This one of the most effective measures of preventing system failure and electrical fires. LNW Consulting Engineers and Project Managers has also developed its own specific analytical models and evaluation protocols. This is to assess and compare inspection fieldwork and survey results against the original design and operational and maintenance plans. LNW Consulting Engineers and Project Managers stands ready to assist you with your civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering requirements. Learn more about our cutting-edge engineering solutions for mining. www.lnw.co.za