Msauli mine, adjacent to the Havelock, Transvaal

The Msauli mine was a chrysotile mine in the Barberton district of the Transvaal, South Africa: Asbestos, the industry's trade journal, placed it in 1968 "some 15 miles south-southeast of Barberton near the Swaziland Border in the northern extremity of the Steynsdorp Valley," and the same article says that "the deposit was first worked in 1942 when 148 tons fiber were produced."¹ That article dates "continuous production" from 1944 and says that "up to December 1967, Msauli Mine produced a total of 230,894 tons of Chrysotile fiber."¹ In 1981 the journal described the mine as being in "the Ka Ngwane homeland, formerly known as the Barberton District in the Transvaal, on the Swaziland border."⁶

Owners and names

The 1968 article says that "in 1948 there was a change of ownership and name to African Chrysotile Asbestos," and that the new company staked a large area around "the original claim area of the Diepgezet Asbes Company."¹ It says that "in 1950 the concern became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Msauli Asbes Beperk, a public company and in 1962, Federale Mynbou Beperk acquired a controlling interest in the latter company."¹ Another report in the journal that year gives the name change a later date: a meeting of the shareholders of Msauli Asbestos Mining & Exploration Company Limited "was held in February, 1968," to consider, among other things, a resolution "to change the name of the company to Msauli Asbes Beperk."⁷ The U.S. Bureau of Mines' Minerals Yearbook for 1951 had reported "a new mine adjacent to the Havelock" being worked "by Msuali Asbestos Co., also known as African Chrysotile Co."² Later issues of Asbestos describe African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd. as "the operating company of Msauli Asbes Ltd." and as its "wholly-owned mining subsidiary."^8,9 The journal said in 1976 that "General Mining has about a 30% interest in Msauli Asbes Ltd.," and the yearbook for 1981 wrote of Gencor's "31% ownership of Griqualand Exploration and Finance Co. and Msauli Asbestos, Ltd."^10,11

Pits and shafts

The 1968 article reported that "underground operations were discontinued in 1965, and mining was confined to open pit working of the existing 'Anna' and 'New' Quarries at the northern and southern extremities of the orebody."¹ A 1981 account in the journal tells it differently, saying that Msauli "was originally an open-cast mine until 1975 when the orebody was followed underground."⁶ The company's own annual report, as the journal printed it in 1976, said that "only underground mining is now taking place," which gave "a greater degree of ore grade stability."¹² The journal reported over R1-million to be spent in 1976 on equipment that included "shaft deepening and development work to continue mining at lower levels," and plans for 1977 "to continue the shaft-sinking program."^10,13

The mills

For 1960 the yearbook reported that Msauli Asbestos Mining and Exploration Co. "purchased mechanical equipment and began constructing a hydroelectric plant for its operations."¹⁴ In 1968 the company told its shareholders that a study had found that "in a new modern plant, fiber recovery can almost be doubled" and that "there are sufficient ore reserves to indicate a life of mine of more than 30 years," and that "plans have been made toward the erection of the new mill."⁷ In December 1968 the journal reported that Msauli Asbes Beperk had "started constructing its new mill which is expected to be completed by the middle of 1969."¹⁵ The yearbook for 1969 says construction of the milling plant near Barberton "was completed the latter part of the year," that "the new mill can treat approximately 1,000 tons per day on a two-shift basis," and that the "$6 million complex will increase production capacity to 50,000 tons of fiber annually."¹⁶ The same report, drawing on Mining and Minerals Engineering, said that "crude ore is obtained from the largest chrysotile mine in South Africa."¹⁶ In 1976 the company planned "a partial extension of the plant at Barberton," and the journal reported plans for "an additional milling plant."^10,12

Output

The yearbook for 1961, drawing on the South African Mining and Engineering Journal, reported that "one-half the South African chrysotile output was from the Msauli mine, where production of grades 3, 4, and 5 totaled 1,300 tons monthly," and that "average fiber recoveries were 5 percent of the ore."⁴ For 1962 it said the mine "produced nearly half of the domestic chrysotile."⁵ Asbestos reported that in 1974 "the facility yielded about 69,000 metric tons of fiber comparable to QAMA Grades 4-7."⁸

The figures for the next years do not agree: the company's annual report, as the journal printed it in September 1976, gave "83,936 tons of fiber" for 1975.¹² In December 1976 the journal estimated 1976 output "at 100,000 tons of Grades 4-7, 22% over the previous year."¹⁰ A year later it wrote that "output of Grades 4-7 totaled 83,936 tons in 1976, 14% over 1975."¹³ In December 1978 it gave "100,669 tons in 1977 vs. 83,936 tons in 1976 and some 84,000 tons in 1975," and said that "production in 1978 was reduced to decrease fiber stocks to optimum levels and to match market demand."⁹ The journal reported that in 1978 "fiber production was reduced 29% to 70,967 tons," a decrease it attributed "to increased competition and Russian dumping in Far Eastern markets."¹⁷ For 1979 it wrote that "fiber production improved nearly 20% in 1979 (84,980 tons against 70,967 tons in 1978)," though "unit costs per ton of fiber escalated."⁶

Workers, dust and shipping

In November 1968 the journal reported that "Msauli presently employs 600 people all of whom are housed on the mine property."¹ Changes in 1974 and 1975 included "the mechanized handling of packaged fiber, palletizing and the establishment of alternate depot and siding facilities at Carolina."⁸ The journal listed "dust suppression equipment" among the plans for 1977, and "dust prevention" among the capital projects of 1979.^13,17 The yearbook for 1969 said that 75 percent of the new complex's output "will be exported via the port of Lourcenço Marques."¹⁶

Later years

The yearbook for 1991, citing Industrial Minerals, reported that Msaulii Asbes Beperk, "which has experienced a drop in profits in recent years, began studying the feasibility of recovering asbestos fiber from its tailings dump," a recovery that "would require the construction of a new mill plant."¹⁸

The documents report this mine producing asbestos fiber for sale.¹⁷

Location

Output the documents report

Figures as printed, in the units each document uses (short tons before about 1990, metric tons after, in most U.S. chapters). Some are a year's output, some a daily rate or a capacity, some a company's total rather than this mine's alone; the statement for that year below says which.

Year	Figure	Source
1944	230,894 tons of fiber (cumulative)	1
1961	1,300 tons monthly	4
1974	69,000 metric tons of fiber	8
1975	83,936 tons of fiber	12
1976	100,000 tons	10
1976	83,936 tons	13
1977	100,669 tons	9
1978	70,967 tons	17
1979	84,980 tons	6

Year by year

Every statement about this mine in the documents, in each document's own words, by the year it is about.

1942

• Opened: “The deposit was first worked in 1942 when 148 tons fiber were produced” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 4¹

1944

• Output: “up to December 1967, Msauli Mine produced a total of 230,894 tons of Chrysotile fiber” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 4¹

1948

• Ownership: “In 1948 there was a change of ownership and name to African Chrysotile Asbestos” (African Chrysotile Asbestos; Diepgezet Asbes Company), p. 4¹

1950

• Ownership: “In 1950 the concern became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Msauli Asbes Beperk” (Msauli Asbes Beperk; Federale Mynbou Beperk), p. 4¹

1951

• Worked: “a new mine adjacent to the Havelock is being worked by Msuali Asbestos Co., also known as African Chrysotile Co.” (Msuali Asbestos Co.), p. 10²

1959

• Worked: “Other deposits that have since developed into producing mines in the Barberton area are ... Msauli Asbestos”, p. 8³

1960

• Description: “purchased mechanical equipment and began constructing a hydroelectric plant for its operations” (Msauli Asbestos Mining and Exploration Co.), p. 9¹⁴

1961

• Fiber: “chrysotile”, p. 12⁴
• Output: “Average fiber recoveries were 5 percent of the ore”, as reported by South African Mining and Engineering Journal (Johannesburg), p. 12⁴
• Output: “One-half the South African chrysotile output was from the Msauli mine”, as reported by South African Mining and Engineering Journal (Johannesburg), p. 12⁴
• Output: “production of grades 3, 4, and 5 totaled 1,300 tons monthly”, as reported by South African Mining and Engineering Journal (Johannesburg), p. 12⁴

1962

• Output: “produced nearly half of the domestic chrysotile” (Msauli Asbestos Mining and Exploration Co., Ltd.), p. 11⁵

1965

• Description: “Underground operations were discontinued in 1965, and mining was confined to open pit working” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 4¹

1968

• Reserves: “there are sufficient ore reserves to indicate a life of mine of more than 30 years” (Msauli Asbestos Mining & Exploration Company Limited), said by Msauli Asbestos Mining & Exploration Company Limited, as reported by Asbestos (magazine), p. 29⁷
• Mill: “plans have been made toward the erection of the new mill” (Msauli Asbes Beperk), said by Msauli Asbestos Mining & Exploration Company Limited, as reported by Asbestos (magazine), p. 29⁷
• Dust and health: “The mine has a clinic which is visited by a doctor from Barberton every week” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 6¹
• Workforce: “Msauli presently employs 600 people all of whom are housed on the mine property” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 6¹
• Description: “situated some 15 miles south-southeast of Barberton near the Swaziland Border” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 4¹
• Mill: “started constructing its new mill which is expected to be completed by the middle of 1969” (Msauli Asbes Beperk), p. 12¹⁵
• Ownership: “to change the name of the company to Msauli Asbes Beperk” (Msauli Asbestos Mining & Exploration Company Limited; Msauli Asbes Beperk), said by Msauli Asbestos Mining & Exploration Company Limited, as reported by Asbestos (magazine), p. 29⁷

1969

• Mill: “increase production capacity to 50,000 tons of fiber annually” (Msauli Asbestos Ltd.), p. 8¹⁶
• Mill: “The new mill can treat approximately 1,000 tons per day on a two-shift basis” (Msauli Asbestos Ltd.), p. 8¹⁶
• Mill: “Construction of the Msauli Asbestos Ltd. milling plant near Barberton ... was completed” (Msauli Asbestos Ltd.), p. 8¹⁶
• Description: “Crude ore is obtained from the largest chrysotile mine in South Africa” (Msauli Asbestos Ltd.), as reported by Mining and Minerals Engineering, p. 8¹⁶

1974

• Output: “operates a Chrysotile mine and mill in the Barberton District of the Transvaal. In 1974 the facility yielded about 69,000 metric tons of fiber” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 40⁸

1975

• Description: “mechanized handling of packaged fiber, palletizing and the establishment of alternate depot and siding facilities at Carolina” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 40⁸
• Output: “The Msauli Mine—At 83,936 tons of fiber, the company produced approximately 15,000 tons more than in 1974” (Msauli Asbes Beperk), said by Msauli Asbes Beperk, as reported by Asbestos (magazine), p. 48¹²
• Description: “Msauli ... was originally an open-cast mine until 1975 when the orebody was followed underground” (Msauli Asbes Ltd.), p. 32⁶

1976

• Description: “Since only underground mining is now taking place; a partial extension of the plant at Barberton” (Msauli Asbes Beperk), said by Msauli Asbes Beperk, as reported by Asbestos (magazine), p. 48¹²
• Mill: “Over R1-million was to be spent this year on new pressure packing equipment, an additional milling plant, shaft deepening and development work” (Msauli Asbes Ltd.), p. 38¹⁰
• Output: “Output in 1976 is estimated at 100,000 tons of Grades 4-7, 22% over the previous year” (Msauli Asbes Ltd.), p. 38¹⁰
• Output: “Output of Grades 4-7 totaled 83,936 tons in 1976, 14% over 1975” (Msauli Asbes Ltd.), p. 35¹³

1977

• Dust and health: “Plans for 1977 were to complete the pressure packing and unitizing facilities, to continue the shaft-sinking program and to provide ... dust suppression equipment” (Msauli Asbes Ltd.), p. 35¹³
• Output: “Production of Grades 4-7 totaled 100,669 tons in 1977 vs. 83,936 tons in 1976 and some 84,000 tons in 1975” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 44⁹

1978

• Description: “Capital expenditures in 1978 were to be about R700,000 mainly for continued shaft sinking and equipping, manhoisting arrangements, improved tailings disposal” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 44⁹
• Output: “For the year 1978, fiber production was reduced 29% to 70,967 tons and sales were down 7% to 80,707 tons” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 40¹⁷

1979

• Dust and health: “Current capital projects include shaft-sinking, equipment, plant modification, dust prevention and pressure packing” (Msauli Asbes Ltd.), p. 40¹⁷
• Output: “fiber production improved nearly 20% in 1979 (84,980 tons against 70,967 tons in 1978)” (African Chrysotile Asbestos Ltd.), p. 30⁶

1981

• Ownership: “its 31% ownership of Griqualand Exploration and Finance Co. and Msauli Asbestos, Ltd.” (General Mining Union Corp. (Gencor)), p. 8¹¹

1991

• Exploration: “studying the feasibility of recovering asbestos fiber from its tailings dump” (Msaulii Asbes Beperk), as reported by Industrial Minerals, p. 3¹⁸
• Mill: “would require the construction of a new mill plant” (Msaulii Asbes Beperk), as reported by Industrial Minerals, p. 3¹⁸

Other names

Documents call this mine “new mine adjacent to the Havelock”, “Msauli Asbestos Mining and Exploration Co. operations”, “Msauli mine”, “Msauli Asbestos Ltd.”, “Msauli Asbestos, Ltd.”, “Msaulii Asbes Beperk”, “Msauli Asbes Beperk”, “Msauli Mine”, “Anna Quarry”, “New Quarry”.

References

1. Asbestos Magazine, 1968, November 1968 (November 1, 1968), pp. 4, 6.
2. Minerals Yearbook: Asbestos Chapters, 1951 (January 1, 1952), p. 10.
3. Asbestos Magazine, 1959, August 1959 (August 1, 1959), p. 8.
4. Minerals Yearbook: Asbestos Chapters, 1961 (January 1, 1962), p. 12.
5. Minerals Yearbook: Asbestos Chapters, 1962 (January 1, 1963), p. 11.
6. Asbestos Magazine, 1981, January 1981 (January 1, 1981), pp. 30, 32.
7. Asbestos Magazine, 1968, June 1968 (June 1, 1968), p. 29.
8. Asbestos Magazine, 1975, December 1975 (December 1, 1975), p. 40.
9. Asbestos Magazine, 1978, December 1978 (December 1, 1978), p. 44.
10. Asbestos Magazine, 1976, December 1976 (December 1, 1976), p. 38.
11. Minerals Yearbook: Asbestos Chapters, 1981 (January 1, 1982), p. 8.
12. Asbestos Magazine, 1976, September 1976 (September 1, 1976), p. 48.
13. Asbestos Magazine, 1977, December 1977 (December 1, 1977), p. 35.
14. Minerals Yearbook: Asbestos Chapters, 1960 (January 1, 1961), p. 9.
15. Asbestos Magazine, 1968, December 1968 (December 1, 1968), p. 12.
16. Minerals Yearbook: Asbestos Chapters, 1969 (January 1, 1970), p. 8.
17. Asbestos Magazine, 1979, December 1979 (December 1, 1979), p. 40.
18. Minerals Yearbook: Asbestos Chapters, 1991 (January 1, 1992), p. 3.