Project

Rock Characterisation & Drillability

Linking mineralogy and measured rock properties to brittleness, drillability and better-informed equipment selection in platinum and gold mines.

This collaboration with the universities of Limpopo and Venda asks how observable rock properties can improve decisions about mining equipment and process performance.

Ncedo Matukane developed mineralogy-informed brittleness indices for UG2 reef. The current drillability work measures hardness, porosity and strength alongside mineral content so that drilling response can be understood across mine lithologies.