WHITE RIVER – Their numbers are increasing. Another magnetite run, this from Foskor to Maputo, has joined the established Phalabora Copper (PC) – previously Phalabora Mining Company, or PMC – route, allowing another 160 to 200 of these heavy vehicles to traverse the already degrading provincial roads between Phalaborwa and the N4. An approximate 243 ore haulers depart from PC every day.
The local businessman who has taken it upon himself to tackle the phenomenon, Mr John Robinson, convened the R40 Truck Forum meeting in town last week. Among the 50 attendees were transporters of magnetite for Foskor including VR Cargo, Lalgy and Wamatha. Also around the table were PC and Metreta representatives, who monitor the behaviour of the drivers under contract from PC.
The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT), Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM), traffic authorities and Transnet were also represented. Key points discussed, included fleet numbers and the reporting of driver behaviour, laws prohibiting haulers from passing through town and a delegation of the Bushbuckridge community expressed their concern about the condition of roads in this area.
Reporting of driver behaviour
Haulers that fall under the control of Metreta’s monitoring team are Reinhardt Transport, Heymans Kole and Isuza. Motorists can report dangerous driving to 0800-02-22-33 citing the truck number, infringement and location. Lalgy, VR Cargo and Whamata agreed that they would install a similar system for their fleet. Currently, Whamata haulers display a call-centre number on all its vehicles.
Mr Ray Duba of PC mentioned that rural communities may find it difficult to report problems via cellphone if the numbers were not toll free. Robinson proposed that a code of ethical driving be compiled for all transporters to adhere to, a suggestion met with great positivity from all transporters present.
Trucks in town, what is acceptable and what is not
Last year Mbombela erected traffic signs enforcing the limit of 16 tons on roads leading through White River. According to superintendent Mr Peet Grobbelaar, council would enforce this and prosecute transgressors.
In cases where vehicles may have a legitimate reason for driving through town, officials would use their discretion, he added. Robinson tabled a complaint by the local Muslim community regarding public urination and other unsavoury practices by truck drivers, including the solicitation of prostitutes, in front of the local Mosque.
Mr Hennie Goosen of VR Cargo expressed his concern that ore haulers abide by the laws, while up to 20 timber and cooler trucks overnight in town.
Road degradation along the magnetite route
A delegation of Bushbuckridge warned that the R40 in this district was rapidly deteriorating and suggested that steps be taken to repair this before it became like the Plaston Road. PC had funded the rehabilitation of 7,1km of the Plaston Road after it became near impassable for ore hauliers in 2013.
An engineer of DPWRT confirmed that the volume of heavy traffic on the R40 is a concern and that the weight of ore carriers (which can be up to 60 tons when loaded), will accelerate road damage.
Conversely, Mr Hanno van Rooyen of MLM referred to the road through Hazyview as a serious concern, “We have estimated the repair of this stretch could be as much as R10 million.”
Transet’s ability to take over the majority of the transport of magnetite to Maputo was explained by Mr Vernon Radley. He said the target was to have eight trains of magnetite from PC to Maputo as well as Richards Bay. This equated to 196 000 tons per week. Only PC currently made use of rail transport for its magnetite. Transnet was in the second year of a seven-year plan to increase rail capacity, Radley expressed.
Enquiries: John Robinson on 0832631945@mtnloaded.co.za
