Syndicates are having a significant impact on the productivity and financial wellbeing of South Africa’s mining industry – from cable theft to the pilfering of other resources such as explosives and equipment – resulting in unwanted, unplanned downtime and, more concerningly, potential loss of life.

To address the issue, inventors from Standerton, Mpumalanga-based civil construction and mining solutions company Jonker Kontrakteurs – CEO Nicolaas Jonker, mining underground specialist Klaas Prinsloo and mining/product specialist Jaco Prinsloo – designed a new borehole occluding device.

There are several unmanned access points into the mining environment, such as geological, rescue and service boreholes, apart from shafts for the haulage of people and ore, and ventilation. Securing all these boreholes, leaving only the shafts for personnel and material transport, removes the potential for unwanted access that leads to theft and the associated challenges faced by the mining industry, said Jonker in an exclusive video interview with Creamer Media publishing editor Martin Creamer.

While shafts are under continuous surveillance using on-site security guards and cameras, boreholes are in secluded rural areas where mines do not have security 24/7. The company’s borehole occluding device, manufactured from 316 or 304 stainless steel for its anticorrosive properties, helps to protect underground mining assets by prohibiting criminals from entering these environments. 

Doing so also eliminates the risk of injury and fatality on mines, highlighted Jaco Prinsloo. 

“Cutting copper cable can create a flash that can potentially cause underground fires or explosions, while the theft of explosives creates a national security risk. Syndicates are using these explosives for cash-in-transit heists and can even use them for acts of terrorism.”

Providing mines with a solution that helps them to better control unmanned access points and comply with the regulations enforced by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the Mine Health and Safety Act, mitigates their liability.

The new, locally made device is built for the mining industry, with Jonker stating that South Africa ranks globally among the top countries facing external challenges.

“This invention has yielded positive results in South Africa. Not only does it prevent theft, but it also helps mines to mitigate legal liability by securing unmanned access points, as well as assists with emergency preparedness,” stated Jonker.

The patented device is designed to secure unmanned access points on a mine – generally boreholes ranging from 150 mm to 800 mm in diameter – using a main plug, shaft and mechanical fastener principle. The application of this basic mechanical principle involves using mechanical expandable arms to create a secure, high clamping force.

The mechanical fastened unit expands, locking the site-specific manufactured friction pads made from a carbon/ceramic composite to create a high friction clamping force, Prinsloo explained.

Boreholes and shafts greater than 800 mm in diameter can be secured with the same principal using hydraulic cylinders.

“During the past 18 months, the invention has undergone extensive testing and development, including a vertical pull test, a liquid penetrant test, as well as an aerodynamics test, being performed on the installed device,” shared Jonker, adding that the robustness and effectiveness of the unit were successfully proven.

The device cannot be removed once installed unless an authorised person is issued with the correct tool to remove said device.

“It's quite robust. It's made for mining,” Prinsloo said, adding that when tested in the field, the device withstood a direct pull force in excess of 400 kg.

He described the contact adhesiveness of the pads to the borehole casing and the borehole itself as “magnificent”.

“The reasonable man theory was proven. The results speak for themselves. There’s no way that anyone can remove the device. They can try, but they won’t be able to. The device also protects rescue chambers, with testing proving that it does not impact on the efficacy of ventilation. It still allows positive air flow to rescue chambers.”

Prinsloo advised that the company is considering a phased rollout, focusing on the South African coal industry at the start of this year and, thereafter, the platinum-group metals and gold sectors.

“Phase 2 will include the rest of the African continent, especially the coal and hard rock mining industries. And, if all goes well, in the second quarter of 2026, we will expand into the global market, focusing on Chile, Canada, America and Australia, where we see the greatest need for this product.”