Dlamini Nhlanhla was asking if anything had been written about
asbestos mining in southern Africa, and in particular the Havelock
mine in Swaziland. The answer is that it was regularly written
about both in Mining Journal and in the Journal's Annual Review.
I have the texts of all articles in these publications on MJ's
"Worldwide Mining" CD, but this only goes back to 1981.
Here are some extracts:
Mining Journal, September 9, 1983:
"Negotiations are underway between Turner & Newall and the
Swazi Government for the sale by the former of its 60% interest
in the Havelock asbestos mine. T & N has already taken a
decision in principle not to renew its present mining lease, which
is due to expire at the end of 1986.
"The most likely purchaser is Tibyo Taka Ngwane, the investment
fund for the Swazi Nation, which already holds the remaining 40%.....
"T & N has operated Havelock for 50 years, and since
independence the mine has been one of the coutry's principal
foreign exchange earners. In recent years, however, its importance
has declined compared to sugar, woodpulp and chemicals......
"T & N confirms that the mine remains profitable, although it does
not publish profit and loss accounts for Havelock, in line with its
standard policy in respect of subsidiaries."
Clearly further reserves were found, as T & N were still involved
in 1990, as the following report in the 1991 Annual Review shows:
"The Havelock asbestos mine raised output of fibre to 35,938 t in 1990,
an increase of 32% over the 27,291 t produced in 1989. But the mine,
which was owned by Turner and Newall of the U.K. in partnership with
the Tibiyo TakaNgwane royal trust, continued to operate under
severe financial constraints and in December the government
agreed a further loan of E2 million to keep it operating.
"However, on January 31, 1991, the mine was put into provisional
liquidation. In April 1991, Consolidated Mining Corp. of South Africa
took an 85% interest in the operation, which is to be run at a reduced
rate, employing half the 1,600 workforce. The government has a 15%
stake. On the operating side, problems encountered during the year
included a steadily increasing intake of water in the Far West orebody.
The resulting wet ore restricted mill throughput, although repairs to the
mill tower drying system in April 1990 improved the situation. A two-day
strike took place in Octobe 1990r, bringing to a head labour unrest
evident throughout most of the year."
In the following year's Annual, the article on Swaziland stated that the
country's "value of mineral output decreased sharply", adding "This
reduction was largely attributable to a fall in asbestos production and
sales, as a consequence of a shutdown of the Havelock mine during
the first half of 1991."
The report goes on to say
"The mine was saved from permanent closure through its purchase
from Turner and Newall of the U.K. by Consolidated Mining Corp of
south Africa. A new operating company, HVL Asbestos (Swaziland),
in which the government holds 15% interest, has been formed and
has been implementing a rehabilitation and reopening programme.
It is intended to produce 3.5 Mt of ore per year over the five years to
1996"
The most recent mention was in the Asbestos article in the Mining
and Minerals section of the Annual for 1993, in which it was reported
that
"Consolidated Mining produced 33,000 to in 1992". It was also said
that the company was carrying out a feasibility study into milling
fibre reclaimed from old dumps.
>From the above, one might conclude:
(a) The present company might well be correct in saying they have
no records relating to the Turner and Newall days prior to 1991.
(b) Turner and Newall, if it did not report separate accounts for its
various subsidiaries, may not have detailed records for Havelock.
It had other asbestos mines in Zimbabwe and Canada, all of
which it has now sold, I think.
I think Turner & Newall, now renamed T&N, still exists, and I am
endeavouring to find out its address.
Tony Brewis
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