3. Mining solutions through balanced rock mechanics
About TREM:
TREM Engineering cc is a rock engineering consulting agency that offers geotechnical and rock engineering
services, to the mining minerals industry within South Africa and the greater SADC region. Established in 2008,
the level 3 BEE - EME Johannesburg based company works closely with strategic partner specialists, to provide a
unique service offering to the mining and minerals sector. We do this through the provision of high quality and
tailored consultancy services.
Our services are related but not limited to: Rock Engineering for Mine feasibility studies, Numerical modelling
and interpretation (Map3D / Rocscience and other), Geotechnical data collection and analysis, Operational Rock
Engineering, Site assessments and recommendations, Compilation of COP’s and site geotechnical monitoring. We
also provide personalised training in Rock Engineering, Research and development, as well as Mine and Support
design.
TREM’s Vision:
To enhance and maintain business value for our clients through industry best practices, and the delivery of
consistent, high quality and balanced solutions in rock engineering. We strive to add value to projects both in
terms of safety and financial sustainability, with integrity and without compromise.
Objectives of TREM:
The primary objective of TREM Engineering is to share and grow the expertise in Rock Mechanics Engineering of
company founder and owner Mr JodyThompson. A series of short term and longer term goals steer the company’s
growth:
Short term goals include the following:
• Continue to grow and maintain a reputation of technical excellence and innovation in the field of rock
mechanics and for expertise in problem solving, numerical modelling and effective skills transfer
• Establish, develop and maintain synergies with other practitioners and professional consultants to expand
the company’s service capability
• Give back to the industry through involvement in relevant professional bodies (SANIRE, ISRM) and through
personalised training and mentoring of younger up and coming rock mechanics engineers
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5. 4
Over the longer term TREM aims to:
• Maintain a reputation within the South African market for exceptional rock engineering consulting
capability and value
• Expand the reaches of TREM into other African mining countries to oversee and guide the development of
rock mechanics skills and services within their geographic locations
• Expand the reputation of TREM into the rest of Africa and globally
• Develop increased service capability though potential partnerships and employment opportunities
• Develop an established footing in the industry as the preferred company for practical rock engineering
training focused on“one-on-few”tutoring sessions and personalised mentorship opportunities
Servicing Methodology: (How we do it)
TREM Engineering is positioned to respond to specific requirements of clients on- or off-site. Due to our currently
smallandsimpleoperationalstructure,ourprimaryserviceofferingisfocusedonexperttechnicalrockengineering
input, and the overseeing of existing operational rock mechanics departments. Although not equipped to provide
full-time large mine appointments,TREM uses it’s vast contact base in the industry to assist clients that are in need
of such services.
We bring forth to our clients quality expertise, skills enhancement (through skills transfer), and operational
solutions.
We undertake to provide comprehensive rock engineering solutions in the lifecycle of any project from the
conceptual stages through to project execution.
Service Divisions:
Operational Rock Engineering:
• General assessment of any rock related risk or incident
• Rock engineering level services and training (including basic review of strata control issues)
• Mine auditing / technical assessments (in the case of DMR section 54 stoppages)
• Compilation and renewal of the DMR enforced Code of Practice (COP) document to combat rock related
injuries and incidents (for both underground and surface mines)
• Expert numerical modelling services (Map3D, RocScience, FLAC / UDEC)
• Routine Rock Engineering and strata control services (including legal appointment) only to smaller low risk
operations (i.e. shallow open cast / quarry operations)
• Short term provision of expertise in certificated rock engineering roles at most larger and higher risk
operations (eg: Rock Engineering Manager or Shaft Rock Engineer) capability is availability dependant
Mining solutions through balanced rock mechanics
7. Mine Design and Planning:
• Underground hard rock and opencast feasibility studies in rock engineering design
• Expert numerical modelling services (Map3D, RocScience, FLAC / UDEC)
• Rock engineering pillar design
• Rock engineering support design
• Slope stability assessment and design
• Numerical assessment of deep level mining and /or seismic risk
• Onsite geotechnical core logging and assessment
Training and Development:
• Although TREM does not offer a set course curriculum, we are often tasked with providing our clients
with customised, personalised and site-specific training. The most recent successful initiatives include the
following:
o One-on-one informal‘weekend’tutoring of junior rock engineers towards the passing of the
COMREC certificate of competence
o One-on-few hands on mentoring and training in the application of numerical modelling in rock
mechanics aimed at solving mine specific problems
• Lecturing for the Chamber of Mines Rock Engineering Certificate (Paper 2 lecturer for the OHMS initiated
RETI annual courses)
• Pro-bono mentoring of junior engineers strictly on a“by invitation only”basis
Research and Development:
TREM has extensive experience in R&D through collaboration with major South African initiatives like the Safety in
Mine’s Research Advisory Committee (SIMRAC) programmes run during 2001 - 2010.
Portfolio of evidence:
TREM has rendered deep and shallow level hard rock underground mining services to:
• The Carletonville and Klerksdorp seismically active Gold fields
• The Barberton Gold fields
• The Bushveld Complex Chrome and Platinum deposits
• The Zimbabwean great dyke and shallow steep dipping vein deposits
Mining solutions through balanced rock mechanics
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9. • Opencast mining operations and quarries including the diamond deposits of the Northern Cape
• Various mines located outside of South Africa
Some of the clients we have worked with in the South African mining sector are:
• WorleyParsons RSA - Melrose Arch. International EPCM company
• RoyalHaskoning DHV - Johannesburg North. International engineering consulting firm
• Drift SuperSand Quarries - Johannesburg
• Sedibeng Iron Ore - Postmasburg, Northern Cape
• Rockwell Diamonds - Douglas, Northern Cape
• GlenCore Coal - Emalahleni (Witbank)
• OpenHouse Management Solutions (OHMS) - South Africa (Rock mechanics consulting company)
• The MSA group (specialist consultants to the mining industry)
• SRK Consulting (specialist consultants to the mining industry)
• AngloGold Ashanti (leading gold producer)
• Anglo Platinum (leading pgm producer)
Clients serviced outside of the South Africa include the following:
• African Barrick Gold – Bulyanhulu mine - Tanzania
• Lynas Corporation – Kankangunde Monzanite mine - Malawi
• PanAfrican Mining - Ayrshire Gold mine - Zimbabwe (international mining company)
Strategic Partnerships
The operations and successful development of any mining project relies on the coordinated efforts of different
specialized and skilled individuals. Through our interactions over the years, TREM has strategically developed
a network of independent Engineers and Specialists. On demand, these Engineers and Specialists provide
expertise, encompassing services such as: operational pit risk management and strata control, high level rock
mechanics engineering, numerical modelling, core logging for geotechnical rock mass classification, mine blast
engineering, rock strength testing, geotechnical and mine design, health and safety, mine closure and programme
management.
These experts – being actively involved in the gold, platinum, chrome and other industries, merge together with
TREM’s own in-house expertise, to provide balanced and efficient services of the highest quality.
Mining solutions through balanced rock mechanics
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11. About the Founding Member and Owner:
Jody Thompson
B. Eng (Mining Engineering)
M. Eng (Rock Engineering) – currently busy.
Chamber of Mine’s Blasting certificate (metalliferous)
COMSCC (Chamber of Mine’s Strata control certificate)
COMREC (Chamber of Mine’s Rock Engineering certificate)
Member of SANIRE, ISRM and the SAIMM
A qualified South African rock engineer, the Newcastle-KZN born JodyThompson
obtained his degree in Mining Engineering at the University of Pretoria circa 2001.
He has over 15 years of experience spread extensively across operational rock mechanics and consulting, and is a
Chamber of Mines Rock Engineering Certificate holder.
Over the span of his career, Jody has honed his skills working for and alongside large consulting firms and mining
companies such as: WorleyParsons RSA, Royal HaskoningDHV, SRK Consulting, Anglo Platinum and AngloGold
Ashanti. Having worked at some of the deepest and most challenging mines in the world, Jody has held positions
of responsibility as Senior Operations Rock Engineer and Operations Rock Engineering Manager, as well as the
consultingrolesofSeniorProjectRockEngineerandDepartmentHead.Severalotheropportunitiesandinteractions
have served to cement Jody’s expertise in the application of numerical modelling - to problem solving, employing
the use of codes like Map3D, Phase 2, Dips, and Slide, FLAC and UDEC.
In his free time, the outdoor adventure enthusiast with enviable DIY capabilities enjoys auto-mechanics, tackling
4x4 trails with family and friends, travelling, and engaging in family activities such as cycling and power stilting.
CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address:
TREM Engineering
15 Kingfisher Place,
Bromhof, Randburg, 2154
Jody Thompson
Tel : +27(0) 11 791 4071
Fax : +27(0) 86 540 3446
Cell : +27(0) 72 327 8616
thojody@gmail.com
jody@tremeng.com
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