RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD.

UNION SECTION
LOW PROFILE - PROJECTS

STANDARD PRACTICE – CODE 4 REF. NO. 4.10

PNEUMATIC PUMP MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL

OBJECTIVE
To provide Supervisory staff Miners and Artisans with the system that phneumatic pumps are issued
operated and controlled to prevent water accumulations, production losses and excessive pump maintenance
costs.

4.10.1 PUMP ISSUES / CONTROL

1. All pumps will be numbered colour coded on each zone and allocated to specific Supervisors.

2. The Mine Overseer will authorise pump allocations based on specific requirements in each section.

3. The Engineering Foreman will ensure that records are kept of each pump allocated from his workshop.
The recipients of pumps will sign for each pump received.

4. A pool of spare pumps will be kept in the Engineering store for issue on a service exchange basis.

N.B. Foreman and Shift Supervisors are responsible to ensure this system is not abused.

5. Underground storage, usage and control of operating procedures will be the responsibility of the
Shift Supervisor in charge (to whom pump was issued).

6. Aluminium diaphram pumps will only be issued if contained in a protective steel cage to minimise
damage.

4.10.2 OPERATING PROCEDURE

1. The pump will be fitted with a strainer pipe and lubricator.

2. The pumps will be placed in water in an upright position.

3. The air hose will be blown out before being connected to the lubricator.

4. All 50mm hoses will be joined with WRE clamps and chained – no wire joints are permitted.
(See sketch).

5. Hoses will be suspended on sidewall roof bolts by means of wire. Pump columns must never exceed
30 metres to the face of the development end or area where water is being pumped.
 RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD.
UNION SECTION
LOW PROFILE - PROJECTS
STANDARD PRACTICE – CODE 4 REF. NO. 4.10

PNEUMATIC PUMP MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL

4.10.2 OPERATING PROCEDURE (cont.)

6. LHD. Operators and Tramming Team Supervisors will be informed by Production Team
Supervisors where pumps have been left in place to pump water. (This information will be provided
by the Stope / Development Team Supervisors coming off shift).

7. Where machines are drilling any face served by down dip roadways or A.S.D.’s the pump will
operate and no water is to be permitted to accumulate in the end.

8. Where broken ore has built up and water is likely to accumulate behind it the Supervisor, Miner and
Team Supervisor will ensure that there is a pump operating to prevent water damming up.

9. The Engineering Foreman will report damaged pumps on a weekly basis at the TM3 meeting.
The Shift Supervisor responsible for the damaged pump will be held accountable.

10. Pumps operating in a Supervisor’s section with numbers other than those allocated to his section will
be reported by the tramming staff. The Mine Overseer will investigate and take appropriate action.

11. Provision must be made by the Supervisor in charge of the area being pumped for a site where LHD /
Tramming Supervisor can place pumps during the loading operations.

12. The Shift Supervisor will submit on a monthly basis to the Mine Overseer a census which shows
pump numbers and the exact location of each.

4.10.3 PUMP MAINTENANCE

1. The Engineering Foreman in charge of pumps will institute and control a pump “call up” procedure.

2. The pump “call up” procedure will be displayed in the workshop, the Shift Supervisor’s office and
Mine Overseer’s office.

3. It will be the responsibility of the Shift Supervisor in charge to ensure “called up” pumps are delivered
to the workshop for maintenance.

4. On a weekly basis at the TM3 meeting the Foreman will report on adherence to the pump call up
procedure.
 RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD.
UNION SECTION
LOW PROFILE - PROJECTS
STANDARD PRACTICE – CODE 4 REF. NO. 4.10

PNEUMATIC PUMP MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL

4.10.3 PUMP MAINTENANCE (cont.)

5. Pumps and aluminum diaphram pump cages will be serviced and tested by engineering staff prior to
being re – issued.

6. Records of issues, receipts and repairs of each individual pump will be kept by the engineering staff
in charge of this task.

7. Pumps, which become uneconomical to repair must be reported immediately in order that they can
be replaced.

8. Allocation records must be recorded by the Foreman in charge and kept updated at all times.

4.10.4 GENERAL

1. Pumps should be clearly visible – painted white or some bright colour.

2. Strainer holes must be located on the topside of pipe only to prevent fine chrome from clogging pump.

3. At least one mining PTV man per Shift Supervisor’s section will be trained by Engineering Staff
to assist in minor repairs. He must be issued with the required tools to prevent damage to bolts etc.

4. When loading or offloading pumps care must be taken to prevent damage.

5. Prior to pumps being stored after use underground the air inlet port must be filled with lubricating
oil.

APPROVED :

ENGINEER :……………………………………. DATE :……………………..

B.A.M. PROJECTS :…………………………………… DATE :…………………….

REVISED STANDARD NO :……………………….…………….DATE…………………….

MF / TS DEC4-10 EFFECTIVE DATE :…../……/……..