British Steel to Supply 768 Metric Tons of Top Hat Shaft Guides to Botswana's Karowe Diamond Mine
British Steel’s Special Profiles team, based at the Skinningrove site, has successfully secured a contract to supply 768 metric tons of uniquely designed top hat shaft guides to one of the world’s most prominent diamond-producing mines: the Karowe mine in Botswana. This major contract highlights the company’s ability to provide innovative solutions for the mining industry, ensuring enhanced operational efficiency and durability.
The Karowe Mine: A Leader in Diamond Production
The Karowe mine, owned by Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp., is renowned for its significant diamond discoveries and its state-of-the-art mining operations. It is located in Botswana, which is the world's largest producer of diamonds by value. Karowe has already produced a massive 2,488-carat diamond, the second largest diamond ever discovered globally.
The mine is currently operating as an open-pit mine but will transition to underground mining in 2028. This transition will allow the mine to reach a planned depth of 767 meters, extending its life and ensuring its operations continue until at least 2046. The switch to underground mining involves outfitting the production shaft with top hat shaft guides, a unique solution that British Steel specializes in supplying.
Why Top Hat Shaft Guides?
Shaft guides are a critical component of any mine’s shaft system. Traditionally, they are produced in square hollow sections, but British Steel’s top hat profile provides several key advantages over the conventional SHS.
• Durability and Service Life: The top hat profile has a thicker section, which increases its resistance to wear, particularly in harsh and corrosive environments like those found in underground mining. This enhanced durability translates to a longer service life and reduced maintenance costs for mining companies.
• Inspection Ease: The open design of the top hat profile makes it easier to inspect for corrosion, offering a distinct advantage over SHS that are more difficult to inspect after installation.
• Higher Hoisting Capacity: The design of the top hat profile enables higher hoisting capacities, supporting greater payloads and faster winding speeds compared to SHS, making it an ideal choice for mines like Karowe.
A Custom Solution for Karowe’s Underground Operations
British Steel’s ability to supply 768 metric tons of these specialized shaft guides to the Karowe mine is a testament to the company’s expertise in manufacturing complex, high-performance profiles. The delivery will occur in four shipments, ensuring the mine’s production schedules are met up until the 2025 summer shutdown at the Skinningrove site.
David Ashton, Sales Manager for shaft guides at Skinningrove, expressed his enthusiasm about the deal: “We are delighted to secure this contract to supply shaft guides for the Karowe mine. Top hat shaft guides are a fantastic example of how we can manufacture complex profiles which are superior to other solutions in the market. Customers value these attributes and are willing to pay a premium for them.”
Global Opportunities for Top Hat Shaft Guides
British Steel’s top hat shaft guides are gaining traction globally, with the company already exploring opportunities in other mines beyond Botswana. Ashton noted that there is growing interest in supplying additional mines for Lucara Diamond Corp. as well as copper mines in Brazil and Zambia.
This international demand underscores the versatility and effectiveness of the top hat shaft guides in mining applications, positioning British Steel as a leading supplier of innovative mining solutions.
Key Takeaways:
• British Steel will supply 768 metric tons of top hat profile shaft guides to Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine.
• The top hat shaft guides will be used for the mine’s transition to underground operations, which are scheduled to begin in 2028.
• Top hat shaft guides offer several advantages over traditional square hollow sections (SHS), including longer service life, easier inspection, and higher hoisting capacity.
• The contract highlights British Steel’s expertise in manufacturing complex profiles for the mining industry and is expected to strengthen its position in global markets.
• The Karowe mine has already produced a 2,488-carat diamond, the second-largest ever discovered.
• British Steel is exploring further opportunities with Lucara Diamond Corp. and copper mines in Brazil and Zambia.
This contract marks a significant milestone for British Steel and showcases its ability to provide innovative, high-performance solutions to the mining industry worldwide.
