UMS Group (United Mining Services), has its origins in the South African mining sector but serves global mining and minerals processing clientele. Our unique differentiator is that we are a single-source provider with the expertise to undertake all concept, design, engineering, construction, commissioning and refurbishment projects for our MINING AND PROCESSING CLIENTS. As a single source provider we ensure that the construction teams who execute a project are already involved upfront during the design, engineering and procurement phases of a project. This reduces time, cost and risk to the client in getting their projects delivered as effectively and safely as possible.
Through the acquisition of UMS METS (Mining Engineering Technical Services) and UMS Shaft Sinkers we have a library of knowledge and expertise that spans 6 decades. The Company has some of the best and most experienced mining experts found anywhere including professional engineers (mining, mechanical, electrical, C&I, civil and structural), design engineers, project engineers and project managers, sinking specialists, project planners and schedulers, natural scientists (geology and rock mechanics) as well as experts in project control and procurement. The Company’s management and technical teams are recognised industry experts with decades of global experience.
The UMS Group through its UMS Shaft Sinkers division has particular expertise in all facets of underground mining and the construction of underground facilities. Our expertise also stretches to tunnelling and hydro projects.
Built on the back of decades of experience in the design and optimisation of materials handling systems for mining clients, UMS METS is now able to provide similar services to its metallurgical processing clients. We have built a team of highly skilled and recognised metallurgical process experts who can provide complete solutions for minerals process plant systems from process and infrastructure design, process optimisation to construction and commissioning of such plant systems. This includes EPC and EPCM services. Our key service focus is to provide clients with fit for purpose process solutions using modular approaches where practical. In addition, we provide clients with access to adaptable contracting methodologies (EPC/LSTK, EPCM, Cost + or Hybrid).
OUR STRUCTURE
UMS Group comprises the following:
- – UMS Limited (UK)
- – UMS NA (USA)
- – UMS Botswana Pty Ltd
- – METS International Limited (UK)
- – SHAFT SINKERS Mining Services Limited (Zambia)
- – UMS METS SA
- – UMS SHAFT SINKERS SA
WHAT WE OFFER
Through our companies, we are able to provide the full turnkey package of mining value chain solutions.
- – Studies (Concept to feasibility) (UMS METS)
- – Engineering and engineering management (UMS METS)
- – Capital infrastructure projects for new and existing mine projects (UMS SHAFT SINKERS)
- – Inspections, including shaft auditing, optimisation studies, refurbishment and rehabilitation, optimisation design and execution (UMS METS and UMS SHAFT SINKERS)
- – Contract mining (UMS SHAFT SINKERS)
- – New mine designs and developments, including shaft sinking systems, material handling & hoisting systems, structural and civil engineering (UMS METS)
- – Minerals processing and infrastructure design and execution packages (UMS METS)
- – Mine closures (UMS METS and UMS SHAFT SINKERS)
- – Consulting services, including 3rd party reviews and owner engineering team assistance (UMS METS)
WHAT SETS US APART
We understand our clients’ needs to gain rapid access to their resources as cost effectively as possible – due to high capital costs and shareholders’ expectation for the quickest return on investment. We focus on delivering scalable solutions that fit within our clients’ budgets. Although we are historically recognised for our service delivery on large-scale projects, our project appetite ranges from Tier 1 to Tier 4 customers in both the major and junior space.
Throughout the UMS METS and UMS Shaft Sinkers histories, we have showcased our ability to apply innovative techniques to overcome challenges and deliver excellence across our full scope of services. Through everything and anything we do, safety lies at the core of our decision-making and execution processes. Our aim is to deliver safe mines from mine construction through to mining operations.
Innovation lies at the heart of all UMS METS’ designs and this has seen it find cost effective, easy-to-implement solutions that resolve unexpected challenges for its clients. We have the capability to supply any client with production improvments improvement at an affordable cost. Through our shaft and mine audits we are capable of determining areas that will deliver the highest production improvement at the lowest cost to the clients. Using our library of knowledge we can identify bottlenecks and use inventive design to deliver real results.
An example of our design innovation was around the design of a functional shaft steel repair system after a clients’ shaft was so badly damaged by a skips’ malfunction that production was potentially impacted for an indefinite period. Through design innovation the shaft could be restored to full production capacity within 3 weeks.
Other key UMS METS design innovations included pioneering the deep pre-sink methodology, the mid-shaft loading system used during primary sinking, the rakerless headgear and the masterarch spilling system. This are just one of our many innovations for which the company has gained renown.
UMS Shaft Sinkers for example co-pioneered mid-shaft development with UMS METS – a system which facilitates horizontal access to the ore body from the vertical shaft while primary shaft sinking is still in progress.
We believe we boast multiple shaft sinking records and have through our project execution gained valuable experience and knowledge that enables us to perform all underground mine development using the best and most efficient techniques available. Over the years the company has been dedicated to improving mining safety performance and whilst improving productivity.
Our most recent addition to UMS is the establishment of metallurgical process capabilities in our UMS METS division. We offer the full range of process plant design and engineering capabilities to the mining industry, and predominantly the junior sector. We have devised an innovative approach to new plant delivery which incorporates modular functionality. Through innovation we have taken the concept of modularity one step further than what is traditionally accepted in the modular space. Our concept incorporates pre-designed, flexible, manufactured off-site, containerised process plants which are easily assembled and disassembled. This allows for the plants to be easily removed and re-used, allowing our clients to retain their value.
Innovation lies at the heart of all UMS METS’ designs and this has seen it find cost effective, easy-to-implement solutions that resolve unexpected challenges for its clients. We have the capability to supply any client with immediate results of improvement at an affordable cost. Through the completion of shaft and mine audits we are capable of determining areas that will deliver the highest production improvement at the lowest cost to the clients. Using our vast knowledge we can find bottlenecks and use inventive design to deliver real results easy and fast.
UMS METS for examples designed and implemented new shaft infrastructure using a novel approach that saw it awarded a contract to regain access to an underground resource that was suffering massive production losses – in just a few weeks.
UMS Shaft Sinkers for example pioneered mid-shaft development – a system which facilitates horizontal access to the ore body from the vertical shaft while primary shaft sinking is still in progress. This is just one of our many innovations for which the company has gained renown.
We believe we boast multiple shaft sinking records and have through our project execution gained valuable experience and knowledge that enables us to perform all underground mine development using the best and most efficient techniques available.
OUR BUSINESS PRINCIPLES
Our business principles are the ethical base from which all employees of the Group and its subsidiaries conduct business relationships with all our stakeholders.
As the UMS Group we understand the inter-dependency between us, the broader society and communities in which we operate and the impact our operations can have on the environment. We therefore undertake to always conduct ourselves with integrity, accountability and responsibility in all our business and project undertakings.
The UMS Group subscribes to the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act.
The principles by which we conduct our business are:
We operate with integrity in all our business dealings and do not participate in any practices that are collusive or anti-competitive. We will not resort to bribery to further our business interests. We always operate within the law and industry regulations.
We recognise that mining and associated projects often take place around marginalised communities and that these projects, if correctly executed, can have a significant positive impact on communities during and after the project is completed. Through our projects we try to achieve optimum economic involvement by local communities in a way that has real social and economic impact. We further will always take measures that minimise any detrimental environmental impact through our project execution.
In every action we take, UMS is driven by the value of care. Through all our project undertakings we strive to ensure a safer mining environment for contractors and mine personnel. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to workplace safety. Our Quality philosophy is to exceed client expectations and our Quality Management System is fully integrated with all relevant ISO standards.
Working collaboratively with our clients and other project stakeholders to successfully deliver projects and achieve win-win outcomes for all parties.
Our motivation is always to find solutions that are properly engineered and that enable optimized, cost effective, efficient and safe ongoing mining operations. We are driven by our innovative approach to delivering solutions that make strategic sense across the board whilst giving clients the fastest return on their investments.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The UMS Group recognizes the inter-dependency between our business needs and the needs of the communities and the environments in which we operate. To operate effectively as a business, we undertake to be a responsible corporate company in all our commercial and business dealings. In this regard we undertake to drive ethical business behaviors in all our undertakings.
From our local South African projects to all our international projects we ensure that we fully understand and comply with the expectations of the clients’ project. This includes not only engineering compliance but compliance to all other socio-economic expectations that ensure project success.
We recognise that mining and associated infrastructure projects often take place around communities who are economically marginalised and that the project itself, including the run of mine thereafter, must provide opportunities to local communities. Mining and infrastructure projects can have a significant impact on the communities where the project is undertaken. We understand that communities around a project have expectations in terms of direct job creation on the project as well as along the supply chain participation to the project.
Through our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, the UMS Group and its subsidiaries undertake to improve the social and economic well-being of the people with whom we engage in our business, particularly in helping to alleviate some of the social and economic imbalances. However, focus will first and foremost be on uplifting the social and economic well-being of the communities in the areas where we undertake projects.
As part of our corporate social responsibilities we further strive to provide a safe, healthy work environment for our people in our operations and will take reasonable care that operations do not unduly or negatively impact the environment. The Group approaches corporate responsibility without expecting any business and financial gain.
Vertical shafts to date
Incline & decline shafts
Deepest single drop shaft sunk
Widest diameter shaft sunk
OUR KEY CLIENTS
