Abstract
Increased depths of conventional gold and platinum mines, longer travelling times as working places move further from the shaft, and ancillary activities taking place in the mining cycle reduce the useable time spent at the workface. Current shift lengths of 8 hours 20 minutes may no longer be adequate to complete required mining activities.The impact of mineworker commuting times on shift work is also not well understood. The aim of this research was to draft a framework to optimize shift cycles in order to maximize productivity, health, safety, and wellness in the South African mining sector. The framework was informed by a review of the literature, case studies at a local gold mine and platinum mine, and a workshop with industry experts. The findings indicate potential advantages of extended shift lengths and continuous operations, such as improved productivity, asset utilization, and employee morale. However, concerns included fatigue and the associated safety hazards, particularly when working longer shifts, night shifts, and numerous consecutive shifts. Job demands, personal factors, and commuting times are further considerations when scheduling shifts. The ideal shift system for the mining sector should holistically consider and balance operational requirements, health and safety, and employees' and their families' requirements, and suit the unique needs of each operation. Changes in shift cycles will require a structured change management process, which involves all stakeholders, and could help to enhance the viability of the South African mining sector.
Highlights
The productivity of most conventional South African underground gold and platinum mines is declining, operational costs are increasing, and profit margins are shrinking, while health, safety, social, and environmental challenges are present (Neingo and Tholana, 2016; Singh, 2017)
Employees on continuous operations (CONOPs) worked an average of 243 shifts each per year
This finding is in support of the literature on the topic; for example, Stenzel (2002) reported that the productivity of a certain mine increased by 21% after implementation of CONOPs with a 12-hour shift roster
Summary
The productivity of most conventional South African underground gold and platinum mines is declining, operational costs are increasing, and profit margins are shrinking, while health, safety, social, and environmental challenges are present (Neingo and Tholana, 2016; Singh, 2017). Many narrow-reef gold and platinum mines in the country are increasing in depth to reach new deposits, resulting in longer travelling times, rising costs, reduced profits, and heightened risks (Deloitte, 2014; Jacobs and WebberYoungman, 2017; Minerals Council South Africa, 2018; Rupprecht, 2018a; Singh, 2017). The increased travelling times, along with additional ancillary activities taking place in the mining cycle, reduce time spent at the workface, and might hinder the attainment of a daily conformant blast (Gumbie, 2018). The effects of worker travelling times from home to the stope face and the impacts of working conditions on worker fatigue are not well understood (Gumbie, 2018)
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