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Secure access to mine

Turnstiles provide Eland Platinum with secure and robust access solution.

Turnstar Systems is Africa’s largest manufacturer of turnstiles and vehicle barriers. Its products are exported worldwide and were the logical choice for Eland Platinum Mine when it came to security for their constantly expanding operations in Brits.

Trencon Construction offers contracting services on a wide variety of projects as well as the conventional building contracts. Trencon’s expertise ranges from office blocks to shopping centres, residential developments, parkades, airports, schools and mines.

Eland Platinum was acquired by Xstrata Alloys in November 2007. It is Xstrata Alloy’s second platinum mining operation after Mototolo Mine, which forms part of the joint venture with Anglo Platinum. The mine is constantly undergoing expansion and is committed to sustainable community development.

Eland Platinum is expanding at a rapid pace and currently employs over 650 people. Monthly production amounts to ±200 000 tons. With this growth, Eland Platinium required a reliable and secure access control and time and attendance turnstile solution. Mine security is always an issue due to the huge amount of theft that takes place at South African mines and in order to prevent illegal mining. Another aspect of concern is to prevent buddy clocking, which is effectively the theft of time, and unauthorised access into mine dining rooms and hostels.

Turnstile solution

Turnstar manufactured a total of 45 turnstiles which were installed at various pedestrian entrances around the mine. The TRIUMPH 4 full height single and double turnstile was chosen for staff entry due to the need for a high level of security and a robust turnstile solution. The turnstiles were supplied with a hard wearing powder coat finish and were fitted with card reader brackets for the seamless mounting of the access control system.

The TRIUMPH 4 is fitted with both the Turnstar ROTALOK rotation locking mechanism and the ROTARUN perpetual base bearing which are guaranteed for a period of five years and are designed to provide maintenance free operation. Self lubricating industrial plastics are incorporated into the turnstile mechanism and all wearing parts are case hardened for superior longevity.

A number of custom manufactured security gates and barriers were installed by Turnstar to provide for special needs access and in order to secure the openings beside and above the turnstiles.

The Turnstar products were delivered and installed on site in batches. All stringent mine safety rules and protocol were followed and the manufacture & installation were completed in a period of six weeks.

Fact file

Securing one of the most precious of metals – platinum.

Sector: Mining

Scale of project: Eland Platinum Mine, Brits

Key elements: Full height turnstiles, security gates and security barriers

Benefits: Security and time & attendance

Solution supplier:Turnstar Systems, Craig Sacks, +27 (0)11 786 1633; Manufacture and installation of turnstiles,speedstiles, revolving doors, vehicle barriers and other physical security products

Client Details

Company: Trencon Construction & Eland Platinum Mine, Brits

Contact person: Grant Cathrall

Business sector: Construction & Mining

Tel: +27 (0)11 974 4464

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