The mine blasting at Strowan kaolin on the Cradock road outside Grahamstown was postponed due to wet weather last week. The Matsopa Minerals company is planning to do the blasting today at 4pm in order to expose kaolin.
The mine blasting at Strowan kaolin on the Cradock road outside Grahamstown was postponed due to wet weather last week. The Matsopa Minerals company is planning to do the blasting today at 4pm in order to expose kaolin.
Acting commander of the Grahamstown Explosives Unit Warrant Officer Henk Coetzer told Grocott's Mail last week that a one-kilometre stretch from the mine would be closed for a minimum of 10 minutes. He said a section of the Cradock road near the Strowan kaolin mine would be closed.
Coetzer also said that animals and people would not be disturbed.
"It will just cause light vibrations and won't be felt by areas in town. The noise will be less than the ones usually heard during the army [shooting exercises]".
According to the mine manager John Burchell, inspection and supervision will take place to ensure a safe process.
Kaolin is used in certain ceramics, paint, plastics and soap, and the lower-grade material is used in bricks. Matsopa Minerals is a subsidiary of G&W Mineral Resources.
