Publication: Mining Review Africa
Issue: January 2017

Level 2 BBBEE environment consulting specialist Knight Piésold is looking to consolidate its business in order to continue growing in 2017–with a strategic focus on its geotechnical capability, says mining technical director Andrew Copeland.

"This will entail expanding into pit slope stability and rock mechanics, a service that is offered by our overseas offices, but not locally. Our name is synonymous within the water fraternity for the design of large dams and hydro-power schemes, all of which involve extensive geotechnical investigations for foundations, grouting, tunnels, underground chambers and construction materials. Knight Piésold has excellent local skills in these areas and open pit geotechnics is therefore a logical extension to the current services offered to the mining and dam industries,” Copeland continues.

Another major focus area for the company in 2017 is tailings storage facilities (TSFs) which to date have been designed to depend on penstock towers to decant supernatant and storm water. This technology, the company believes, poses a number of risks including the potential failure of towers and outfall pipes for a tailings load >20 m; and also that newly designed TSF’s will have barrier systems that tower/pipes have to pass through.

Consequently, Knight Piésold will focus on promoting syphon and/or barge systems wherever possible to eliminate these risks. “We are also the only company that has designed and installed a syphon system, one of which has been operating for over 15 years, and a second that is currently being installed.”

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