Company announcements Home » Investors » News » Company announcements » Harmony supports the University of Pretoria’s Chair in Rock Engineering and Numerical Modelling 2017 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 Harmony supports the University of Pretoria’s Chair in Rock Engineering and Numerical ModellingOctober 31, 2017Johannesburg, Tuesday 31st October 2017, In June 2013, the University of Pretoria (“UP”) established a Rock Engineering Chair (Chair) in the UP’s Mining Engineering Department. The initial aim was to conduct research on specific rock engineering issues, in an attempt to provide a safer working environment in deep level hard rock mines. To facilitate this research, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony) provided financial support required for the initial research period between 2014 and 2016. Navin Singh, the mining and minerals resources manager of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) noted that “the technical challenges to mines have become even more severe, compounded by economic constraints and the increasing cost of labour”. These concerns highlight the need for renewed research in the mining industry as expressed in the creation of a Mining Resilience Research Centre (MRRC) at the University of Pretoria. The MRRC is an active participant in the South African Mining Extraction Research, Development and Innovation (SAMERDI) strategy managed by the CSIR. Universities, the industry and government work collaboratively to research critical issues within the mining industry – collectively called SAMERDI. The aim is to develop technological solutions to improve safety and productivity to reduce costs and extend the life of mines and their benefit to communities. In the process, mechanisation and non-explosive face advance methods are two of the thematic areas highlighted for research. In both these areas of research, the increase in advance rates to improve productivity are critical. The impact of substantial advance rates (continuous mining) on the safety of personnel within the working places, due to the perceived impact of seismic activity, could be significant. Peter Steenkamp, chief executive officer of Harmony, noted that “The importance of this work in the current and future hard rock mining environment in the South African mining industry – and to ensure safer, deep level mining – has propelled Harmony to extend their financial support for this research to the end of 2019 by five million Rand (R5 million). This support will allow the research to calibrate the developed software with actual underground closure and seismic behaviour at selected Harmony operations”. For more details contact: Max Manoeli Investor Relations Coordinator +27 (0) 82 759 1775 (mobile) Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony), a world-class gold mining and exploration company, has operations and assets in South Africa and Papua New Guinea (PNG). Harmony, which has more than 60 years’ experience in the industry, is the third largest gold producer in South Africa. Our assets include one open pit mine and several exploration tenements in PNG, as well as 9 underground mines and 1 open pit operation and several surface sources in South Africa. In addition, we own 50% of the significant Golpu project in a joint venture in PNG. The company’s primary stock exchange listing is on the JSE with a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The bulk of our shareholders are in South Africa and the United States. Additional information on the company is available on the corporate website, www.harmony.co.za.
