WINNING
Rossmin is an opencast mining operation, mining a high-quality limestone deposit near
Port Shepstone, known as the Marble Delta.
Rossmin has a good track record of
environmental compliance since inception
of this project on the Umzimkulu River
of the Marble Delta. The Umzimkulu
River forms part of the border between
Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The
plan for mitigation of activities centres on
a substantial offset area of approximately
100ha, where Rossmin has a biodiversity
agreement with Ezemvelo for the
protection of endemic species and the
naturally occurring habitat for wildlife.
Rossmin, through responsible mining,
intends to have a positive impact on the
surrounding environment:
• A small percentage of the total Rossmin
mining area is directly affected by the
mining activity, which means that a large
area is maintained in its natural state.
• Through good governance during
the life of the mine, to manage the
natural resources, the impact on the
environment will be minimised.
• Rehabilitation post mining activities will
restore the area for future human use.
• Rossmin has incorporated the local
community as shareholders in the
16 _ QUARRY SA | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
Adhesives and sealants
Agricultural lime
Animal feed
Environmental compliance
Rossmin has a unique limestone
deposit that lends itself to producing
high-quality calcitic and dolomitic
products, widely used in the following:
Carpets and backing
Dolomite limestone is used for acid
neutralisation in the chemical industry.
Cement
Construction aggregate
Decorative
Fertilisers
Flue gas desulphurisation
Food additive
Food supplements
Fungisides
Glass manufacture
the industrial market. We are young — less
than two years old — and small, but trying
to grow our market, so we need to be
nimble and efficient,” says Shozi.
Rossmin is growing despite the
challenges and planning the installation of
additional milling capacity to take on the
competitor in the fine industrial market.
“Rossmin has a
good track record
of environmental
compliance since
inception of this project
on the Umzimkulu River
of the Marble Delta.
The Umzimkulu River
forms part of the border
between Eastern Cape
and KwaZulu-Natal.”
Mining
Rossmin is a dusty site, so regular service and
inspection of machinery are necessary.
business and through this initiative and
the Rossmin Social and Labour Plan,
Rossmin is contributing to uplifting
previously disadvantaged people in the
community.
Today, Rossmin is a fully operational
business and has the interests of its
customers, staff, and various stakeholders
at the core of its culture. “This mine is a
success story of how a mine can cohabit a
space with its neighbouring communities,”
concludes Shozi. ■
Mortars
Paint and coatings
Plastics
Putty
Rayon processing
Roads
Rubber
Steel refining
Tile adhesive
Tile manufacture
Vinyl flooring
Water treatment.