Mining Link Blog

Queensland breaks ground on CopperString

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 23:19:41 GMT

The Queensland Government has broken ground on the first construction works of the $5 billion CopperString project.

Work commenced yesterday on the CopperString projects’ first and largest workforce accommodation site.

The site will house those charged with building the project’s 840km high-voltage transmission line that will connect Mount Isa to the ‘SuperGrid’ for the first time.

The workforce accommodation will house up to 550 construction workers at its peak.

These workers will construct a nearby substation and progress early stages of the transmission line development heading west from Hughenden out to Mount Isa.

Supercharging the state’s north-west aims to unlock Queensland’s $500 billion north-west minerals province.

It’s expected CopperString will be complete in 2029, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Queensland Premier Stephen Miles said CopperString is the biggest ever expansion to the state’s publicly owned energy system.

“Queenslanders deserve cheaper, cleaner, more reliable energy – to power their homes, our schools, hospitals, shopping centres and more,” Miles said .

“CopperString will be the catalyst for transforming Queensland’s north and north-west – opening up mining opportunities, creating more jobs and unlocking critical minerals which will be essential in developing renewable technologies.

“This is the start of a long and exciting future for the region and our state.”

Commencing later this month, project owner, Queensland Powerlink, will be offering free sessions for businesses along the CopperString corridor to build their capabilities.

The program includes five workshops and one-on-one assistance to help businesses build confidence to bid on major projects and supply chain work in the region.

“All of North Queensland understands the immense opportunities that CopperString presents for local jobs both directly and indirectly which is why this is such a momentous day,” Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart said.

“Critical minerals are the next big boom for the resources industry and the feedback I’ve had from companies is that this project is key to unlocking those opportunities.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/queensland-breaks-ground-on-copperstring/

Showcasing the best in underground mining

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 22:56:28 GMT

Underground mines are busy places, and it’s vital companies are on top of their processes to enable an efficient and safe underground operation.

Whether it’s having the best equipment to drive higher production, maximise return on investment, minimise waste or keep workers out of harm’s way, mining companies benefit from understanding and investing in the right underground technologies.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/showcasing-the-best-in-underground-mining/

BHP goes green at ‘world’s largest’ copper mine

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 05:44:33 GMT

BHP has started environmental processing to have the transport at its Escondida copper mine in Chile transitioned to an electric trolley system.

The Big Australian will invest around $US250 million ($371.6 million) in the project at Escondida, which it owns in a joint venture with Rio Tinto.

The funds will go towards installing key infrastructure to electrically assist the movement of extraction trucks in areas where the highest fuel consumption currently takes place.

BHP has submitted an environmental impact statement to the Environmental Impact Assessment System in Chile.

“The electric trolley system is one of the initiatives with which we seek to move towards a safer and more sustainable way of operating hand in hand with technology,” BHP Escondida president Alejandro Tapia said .

“This project will allow us to reduce the fuel consumption of our extraction trucks and thus advance our goal of net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

The project includes the construction of a new electrical substation and transmission lines both inside and around the Escondida Norte pit.

These facilities will electrically assist the movement of trucks inside the mine in the areas where they go up loaded with ore and, consequently, consume more fuel.

With this new technology, instead of using diesel, they will be propelled by electrical power, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving productivity associated with truck performance given the higher travel speed.

Once construction kicks off up to 160 jobs are expected to be created.

The trolley project is in addition to other technological transformation initiatives that the company maintains in different stages of study and execution, including the progressive incorporation of autonomy in its mining equipment.

To date, Escondida has six autonomous trucks in full operation and by 2025 it expects to have the largest fleet of autonomous equipment in South America.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/bhp-goes-green-at-worlds-largest-copper-mine/

Inspired tech and faster rehabilitation

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 22:56:12 GMT

Dendra has evolved its aerial seeding technology to the point that it can cover up to 44 hectares per day – a 10-fold increase in just a decade.

The Australian mining industry is beginning to understand the gravity of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) movement and what it means for a company’s bottom line.

Regulators, investors and other stakeholders are increasingly taking ESG into account when making decisions that affect a mine’s financing and development.

Dendra is enabling ESG compliance in the local resources sector by empowering miners and contractors to implement better ecosystem-restoration practices, leading to improved land treatment and relationships with Traditional Owners.

As an important component of ecosystem restoration, aerial seeding sees drone fleets disperse various seed types and combinations onto disused mining areas, providing the foundation for ecosystem restoration, reducing erosion hazards, and suppressing the growth of invasive plant species.

Aerial seeding usurps traditional ‘boots-on-the-ground’ methods, with drones able to seed larger and harder-to-access areas faster.

In fact, Dendra is able to seed up to 44 hectares per day through its current aerial seeding processes – a 10-fold scale increase from a decade ago.

Dendra has not only been able to expand the scale of its offerings but also improve the quality of its technology to handle a wider range of seed types.

“In Australia, seed types range from grains to grass and everything in between,” Dendra engineering group manager Ashwin Chandrasekaran told Australian Mining.

“This is where Dendra comes in – we’ve pioneered new technology that can help spread far more fibrous and difficult seed types. And we do this with a focus on operational safety and efficiency.”

Dendra Australia engineering manager Alec Lewandowski said Dendra’s technology is ever evolving.

“We are always adapting our system to new seed types,” he told Australian Mining. “When we receive a seed that’s outside of our capability, we perform some R&D (research and development) and get the system working again to a good level.

“This is a testament to how our company works; no matter the customer request, we push to make it work.”

Dendra sees new capabilities entering the drone technology sector all the time. It’s one thing to adopt a new technology, but it’s another thing to adapt it.

“Every year new aircraft enters the market that has more agility or carries heavier weights,” Chandrasekaran said.

“Dendra builds a system that can adapt to these aircraft. Just because an aircraft can carry ‘X’ amount of weight doesn’t mean it is better, because you still need to be able to accurately disperse a certain amount of seed per hectare.”

The continued expansion of Dendra’s aerial seeding solution reflects both the growth of drone technology over the years and the company’s ability to evolve with that growth and tailor its solutions to current environmental needs.

Chandrasekaran said when a mining customer in Western Australia requested its mining operation be seeded by “one of Australia’s most difficult seed types”, Dendra went to work.

“The first time we saw the seed, we instantly knew it was going to be a difficult seed to work with; the seed could be compared to a bale of hay,” he said. “But we quickly made some modifications to our system and patented a new technology that focuses on how different seed types can efficiently pass through our system.

“We’ve been able to improve our technology little by little, making it more and more efficient, and we’re now at the stage where we’re doing an extensive project.

“We started aerial seeding about five hectares for this client. This year we’ll be doing 500 hectares.”

Dendra has achieved greater scale and scope with its aerial seeding solution. The company is also changing the way undulating and difficult-to-access terrains can be rehabilitated.

“Much of the mining environment is very treacherous terrain – it’s rarely flat,” Chandrasekaran said. “While traditional methods often involve trucks, tractors or teams of people on ground manually completing seeding tasks, this is not possible or safe in many mining landscapes.

“This is where our aerial solution comes into effect. There is no terrain we cannot seed, which means we can easily scale because we only need to add more aircraft to increase the size of the area we’re trying to spread.

“And even if the terrain is accessible, if you consider the cost per hectare, buying another drone is a lot more economical than buying another tractor to seed the same area.”

Dendra makes seeding simple, with the mobility of its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) meaning solutions can be quickly mobilised to a mine site.

“Some of the mine sites we work with are so remote that it isn’t always practical to get machinery on-site in a short space of time,” Chandrasekaran said. “But we’re able to quickly deploy our UAVs, go out and complete hundreds of hectares of seeding over a couple of weeks.

“We’re efficient, we’re safe, and we’re fully capable of being able to deliver seeding solutions at scale in a short period of time, which saves mining companies a lot of time and money.”

While Dendra has already achieved so much with its aerial seeding solution, there is so much more potential for this technology to grow and evolve.

Lewandowski said the company is always pushing to achieve greater volume.

“The more volume an aircraft can hold, the more seeds you can hold in one flight,” he said. “This means less fly backs, less filling up of the aircraft, which means more spread and more hectares covered per day.”

Dendra has a passion for technology and a passion for the environment, two critical linchpins in determining the mining sector’s ESG future.

And as Dendra establishes a stronger presence in the Australian mining sector, the company will continue to drive greater innovation and unearth safer, more efficient and more cost-effective ecosystem restoration practices.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/inspired-tech-and-faster-rehabilitation/

Introducing Azbil’s new electromagnetic flowmeters

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 23:03:40 GMT

The MagneW PLUS+ electromagnetic flowmeters from Azbil Corporation are designed to measure every sort of liquid, including water, chemicals, slurries, and corrosive liquids.

The standard model has a mirror-smooth PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) liner for excellent adhesion resistance that enables outstanding durability even in long-term use. It is available in an integrated type and a remote type and can be used in a wide range of settings, including explosion-proof and outdoor environments.

The Azbil magnetic flowmeters offer the following features:

Improved performance and greater stability

Suppression of flow noise is 3.5 times that of the conventional model for excellent stability in the presence of noise.

Achieves more reliable measurement in individual applications through features such as an excitation frequency change function, an optional auto spike cutoff setting, travel averaging, and manual zero adjustment.

Improved factory data memory function to facilitate checking after shipment

In addition to the serial number and production date on the product tag plate at shipment, the human machine interface enables checking in maintenance mode. Statuses that may be difficult to read on the product tag plate are backed up as electronic data.

High-speed batch function for batch applications

A high-speed response function with a damping time constant of 0.1 second can be selected as an option. This enables compatibility with high-speed batch applications, allowing use with a pulse frequency of up to 3000 hertz.

Compatible with HART and CommPad communicators as a standard feature

Communication with CommPad is supported as in previous models. Communication superimposed on the analogue signal can be used by selecting the HART communicator function.

For further information, contact AMS Instrumentation & Calibration , Azbil’s Australian distributor.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/introducing-azbils-new-electromagnetic-flowmeters/

EQ hits tungsten production high

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 22:32:35 GMT

EQ Resources hit new weekly production records in June at its Mount Carbine and Saloro tungsten operations in Queensland and Spain respectively.

The Mount Carbine operations produced a record 70.4 tonnes of 50 per cent tungsten oxide (WO3) concentrate over a seven-day production period, with a daily record of 13.6 tonnes of 50 per cent WO3 concentrate produced within a 24-hour period.

According to EQ, this marks a 16 per cent improvement over the previous weekly production record at Mount Carbine. It also builds off the production record achieved in the March 2024 quarter.

The Saloro operations also achieved a weekly production record of around 50 tonnes of 50 per cent WO3-equivalent concentrate within a seven-day period at the beginning of June.

EQ credited the higher recovery and final concentrate production at Saloro to significant upgrades implemented during the June 2024 quarter.

“I am very pleased with the progress seen at both operations specifically throughout June,” EQ chief executive officer Kevin MacNeill said .

“Mount Carbine faced a major rebuild of our main screen, which allowed us to implement the previously announced upgrade of one of our XRT sorters. Technology is evolving quickly and given our good relationship with TOMRA and considering that we just commissioned the new generation sorters at Saloro, we could finish the upgrade in less than a week.”

Looking ahead, the Saloro processing plant de-bottlenecking program is scheduled for completion by the end of the September 2024 quarter.

The plant improvements implemented so far include the crushing and screening circuit, modification of jig ragging, spiral circuit optimisation and a rearrangement of the shaking table circuit to capture a higher proportion of fine scheelite previously lost in the tailings stream.

The Queensland Investment Corporation will also fund the expansion of Mount Carbine via a $20 million loan to be received by EQ in two instalments over a three-year period.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/eq-hits-tungsten-production-high/

More support for NT lithium

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 22:58:43 GMT

The Northern Territory Government has extended a deal with two aspiring lithium cathode producers for the development of a new battery manufacturing project.

Avenira Limited and Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees) will extend a memorandum of understanding (MOU) originally signed in September 2022.

Under the September 2022 announcement, a tripartite non-binding MOU was signed by Avenira, Aleees and the NT Government to work towards the development of a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cathode manufacturing facility.

The NT Government is to assist and advise on necessary infrastructure including water, energy, power, telecommunications, road, port and rail access and service requirements.

The new agreement will aim to see a feasibility study commenced on the project by the end of the year, with site allocation to come in 2025.

Avenira’s work on the project is currently underway following the completion of a promising scoping study, which Avenira chair and chief executive officer Brett Clark said demonstrated the strong economic and technical viability of the project.

“The MOU extension demonstrates the continuing support of the Northern Territory Government and Aleees with this significant LFP cathode project in Darwin,” he said .

This agreement has been extended to June 30 2025 to allow the NT Government to continue to provide Aleees and Avenira with support through to the completion of the next stage studies.

Once operational, the pilot facility will manufacture up to 10,000 tonnes of lithium-iron phosphate battery cathode material per year.

It’s estimated the project will initially create 100 jobs, growing up to 1000 jobs and generating more than $US4 billion ($6 billion) in revenue annually once scaled to full production.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/more-support-for-nt-lithium/

A Catalyst for more gold

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 23:00:28 GMT

Catalyst Metals has revealed that dewatering at its Plutonic East deposit is progressing faster than anticipated, thanks to an improved balance sheet.

In February 2023, it was announced that Catalyst would merge with Superior Gold via a Canadian plan of arrangement. As a result, the company took over ownership of the Plutonic gold mine, located about 300km northeast of Meekatharra in Western Australia, in June 2023.

A month prior, it was announced that Catalyst would acquire Vango Mining for $66 million. The acquisition was completed in March 2023.

Both acquisitions allowed Catalyst to consolidate the Plutonic gold belt. When the acquisitions took place, the Plutonic gold mine was the only operating mine on the belt.

Within the first 12 months of owning the Plutonic operations, Catalyst installed a new management team and reinvested cashflows into advancing the Plutonic gold belt’s development.

The company also managed to lower cut-off grades from 2.7 grams per tonne (g/t) to 2.0g/t, allowing Catalyst to better understand the Plutonic gold belt and two development projects it has in the area: Plutonic East and Trident.

In April 2024, the company commenced dewatering at Plutonic East. The initial pit lake and underground dewatering activities are expected to continue until the first quarter of the 2024–25 financial year (Q1 FY25), with rehabilitation of the decline at Plutonic East also commencing in Q1 FY25.

With these works being undertaken, Catalyst said the start-up capital costs for Plutonic East will be lower than anticipated.

“The Catalyst operating team has done an exceptional job in stabilising operations and lifting production at Plutonic,” Catalyst managing director and chief executive officer James Champion de Crespigny said . “This has led to a strengthening of Catalyst’s balance sheet.

“Our focus now turns to the organic growth strategy of developing the existing resources across the belt. As Catalyst better understands the belt, we’re seeing the capital costs for developments fall. These lower capital costs, and our improving balance sheet, are encouraging signs.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/a-catalyst-for-more-gold/

Martin Engineering debuts secondary conveyor belt cleaner

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 23:00:23 GMT

Martin Engineering has announced the next generation of secondary conveyor belt cleaners engineered to reduce dusty carryback and lower maintenance time.

Designed to withstand the stress of heavier loads carried on wider and thicker belts at higher speeds, the Martin SQC2S Orion secondary cleaner features individually cushioned tungsten carbide blade cartridges for effective cleaning without risk to the belt or splices.

A two-tiered tensioning system means minimal adjustments and monitoring throughout the life of the blade, and the heavy-duty blades are mounted on a slide-in/slide-out assembly for faster and safer one-worker external servicing.

The result is improved belt cleaning with less dust and maintenance for greater workplace safety at a lower cost of operation.

“We field tested the Orion over several months side-by-side with competitor designs in punishing mining environments and found that the new design significantly outperformed the competition,” Martin Engineering conveyor products manager Dave Mueller said.

“At the end of the testing period, customer participants started the process of replacing all their heavy-duty secondary cleaners with the Orion. We now view this design as the future of our secondary cleaner line moving forward.”

Secondary cleaners play an essential role in the belt cleaning process by significantly reducing the volume of dust and fines dropped as carryback on the belt return. Primary cleaners release most of the abrasive material remaining on the belt after discharge.

Located below the head pully just behind the primary, secondary cleaners scrape off the fines and dust that hide in cracks and divots in the belt. Carryback is attributed to many environmental and operational issues such as air quality violations, fouling of rolling components and machinery, and increased labor for cleanup and maintenance.

The Martin SQC2S Orion secondary cleaner is appropriate for all bulk handling material applications.

The unit is made up of individual six-inch (152.5mm) blades mounted on a square steel tube assembly. Not designed for reversing belts, it is suitable for belt widths between 18–96 inches (457–2438.5mm), belt speeds up to 1200 feet per minute fpm (six metres per second), and temperatures up to 250ºF (121ºC).

“What sets this unit apart from others on the market is the innovative, dual tensioning system with independent heavy-duty tungsten blades which are game-changing design features,” Mueller said.

“The first level of tensioning is supplied to the entire assembly using the heavy-duty SQC2S tensioner, which applies light upward torque evenly across the belt profile for less friction and no wear on splices.”

The second level of tensioning is on the individual blade assembly. Each Orion blade assembly is attached to a steel square tube assembly that is secured a mounting plate. The square tube houses a rubber tensioner with a torsion arm bolted to each side and a specialised tungsten blade is attached to the arm.

The whole system is mounted at a 90-degree angle, then tensioned so each blade is vertical and perpendicular to the belt. As the belt runs, each blade assembly adjusts independently to precisely match the belt’s profile, permitting them to compensate for camber, flaws/blemishes, and stubborn material stuck to the belt’s face. To accommodate belt cupping and other uneven surfaces, the blade assemblies can be individually adjusted to match the belt profile.

The blades are specially designed for heavy-duty abrasive applications in both dry and wet environments. Tested on hard rock and slurry belts, the Orion blades offered superior cleaning results with a longer equipment life. This is due to the rugged tungsten carbide core surrounded by mild steel. Blades are also available in stainless-steel for specific corrosive materials.

The blade design features an attached deflector shield made from polypropene or rugged nylon for high temperature applications. Mounted directly to the blade in an outward scoop design, the shield ushers loosened material away from the mainframe and toward the discharge chute. This mitigates buildup on the assembly, extending the blade’s effectiveness and reducing the amount of maintenance.Safety and ease of maintenance is a key feature and a core priority for all Martin Engineering designs.

The slide-in/slide-out design allows a single worker to perform maintenance with easy access outside of the conveyor structure, eliminating the need to crawl underneath or awkwardly reach inside. This greatly improves workplace safety and reduces the amount of time and labor required for maintenance, significantly lowering the cost of operation.

“Every bulk handling operation is unique and requires equipment that is versatile and adaptable, and I think we’ve achieved that with the Orion,” Mueller said.

“Martin Engineering products are developed to improve efficiency and safety, without compromising belt health. This design gives customers more options and superior results, regardless of the material or the process.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/martin-engineering-debuts-secondary-conveyor-belt-cleaner/

Optimising sustainability

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:45:01 GMT

The Hexagon MinePlan Schedule Optimiser can now carry out battery-electric vehicle modelling.

Hexagon describes its sustainability efforts as “a natural, integrated part of its operations and core values”.

“Sustainability is crucial to the company’s success, and its work drives profitability and long-term shareholder value,” the company said.

Hexagon Mining head of product – mine planning Jesse Forgues told Australian Mining that sustainability is also crucial to the mining industry amid a global energy transition.

“As mines are increasingly shifting to renewable energy and electrification within their own operations, they are also working to produce the necessary minerals for all industries to do the same,” Forgues said.

To further aid in this industry-wide mission, Hexagon has advanced its MinePlan Schedule Optimiser, which determines the most productive cut mining sequence to achieve the highest project profitability, and then generates practical short–long-term project schedules.

The digital solution can now measure an electric haul truck’s energy usage and downhill energy generation.

“Load and haul represent the majority of greenhouse gases within a mine and a large source of costs,” Forgues said.

“By modelling alternative energy sources and integrating them within our current products, such as the MinePlan Schedule Optimiser, we can ensure the mine plan is being assessed to minimise energy usage costs, which ultimately impact mineral extraction costs and trickle down to the end consumer.”

For the last decade, Hexagon’s MinePlan Haulage solution has been providing inputs into MinePlan Schedule Optimiser.

“This is an important step in the planning process and represents the extraction sequence using the fleet available,” Forgues said.

“Fuel consumption is modelled based on the route and vehicle type. Fuel consumption is then calculated for each route, allowing the user to see trade-off scenarios based on fuel usage.”

This process can now be followed for an electric haul truck.

“We can model the kilowatt hours required to move the required amount of tonnes against the optimal routes, considering both the energy usage uphill and the energy generation downhill,” Forgues said.

“This approach results in a mine plan that reflects the specific model of truck being assessed.”

This integration will help mining companies increase their efficiency and safety while reducing emissions.

“The integration between MinePlan Haulage and MinePlan Schedule Optimiser boils down to enabling better decision-making that is considerate of all aspects of the mine plan, ensuring that the economics of the plan are well understood,” Forgues said.

“It also allows for seamlessly understanding trade-offs of different fleets and mixed fleets so that optimal outcomes can be determined with minimal user intervention.”

Hexagon believes its sustainability journey is determined not only by the role its products and solutions play in the market, but also by its own processes and actions.

In 2024, the company will continue progressing its sustainability commitments, including the transition of Scope 1 and 2 emissions to renewable energy by 2027.

“A number of our facilities will transition to renewable energy as part of our ongoing efforts to reduce our energy consumption,” Hexagon senior director – ESG (environmental, social and governance) Louise Daw told Australian Mining.

“Waste reduction is also a significant focus for us this year as we consider novel ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.

“We will continue to work closely with our suppliers to ensure alignment on policies and goals, and by 2030, 80 per cent of our procurement spend is expected to be with suppliers with Science-Based Targets initiative-validated net-zero targets.”

The company seems to have had a great start, with EcoVadis – the global standard for business sustainability ratings – awarding Hexagon the gold sustainability rating in March.

“This rating places Hexagon in the top five per cent of companies assessed globally and reflects our demonstrated and measurable commitments to energy reduction, social responsibility, safe working environments and a diverse and inclusive workforce,” Daw said.

“Across the globe, our solutions put data to work for customers in ways that enable more efficient processes and improved decision-making, resulting in fewer inputs, less waste, reduced emissions, increased safety and better preparedness.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/optimising-sustainability/

‘Taking the dirty out of diesel’

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 23:34:41 GMT

HYDI Hydrogen is helping to drive down carbon emissions for diesel-powered machines in the mining industry.

Mining companies have been facing pressure to decarbonise their operations from governments and stakeholders in line with the global shift towards net-zero.

As diesel usage is a significant contributor to Australia’s net carbon emissions, decarbonising heavy vehicles and other diesel-powered assets seems the logical place to start. In the mining industry, this is often achieved through switching to battery-electric assets.

But for an industry built on 24–7 operation, this is a complex and time-consuming process.

Among the challenges is the fact Australian mining operations are spread over vast distances, which makes introducing the necessary electric infrastructure expensive and logistically complicated.

In a similar vein, the switch between diesel and electric does not happen overnight. It involves trials and gradual implementation.

On top of everything, these diesel-powered heavy vehicles have operational lifespans beyond a decade, and in some instances can be rebuilt for an even longer life. Considering many companies have 2030 climate commitments to meet, this asset longevity puts them in a corner.

Mining companies must choose between replacing expensive-but-still-operational diesel assets with their electric counterparts or running out the life of these existing assets, possibly imperilling their decarbonisation goals as a result.

But what if there was a way to make diesel cleaner?

Such a transitional technology would allow mining companies to get the most out of their expensive diesel assets, ease the transition to electrification, and drive down carbon emissions at the same time.

The solution exists, and it’s called HYDI.

“HYDI is a hydrogen on-demand retrofit unit for large diesel engines which delivers immediate reductions in carbon emissions,” HYDI Hydrogen sales director John Wilson told Australian Mining. “HYDI reduces diesel usage by producing hydrogen as a fuel supplement.

“Where the units have been fitted to new and old engines, they are achieving up to 14 per cent diesel fuel savings.”

Every litre of fuel not burned saves an equivalent in carbon emissions. For larger operations, that means more fuel saved and a faster return on investment.

And in addition to reducing fuel consumption, HYDI makes diesel engines cleaner.

“Hydrogen supplements the diesel fuel to enable a stronger, cleaner and more complete combustion,” Wilson said.

“Independent testing has demonstrated reductions of 80 per cent in diesel particulate matter (DPM) and fewer carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxide gases. Additionally, the fuel savings achieved from the HYDI unit further reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

“This makes for cleaner engines and a 60 per cent reduction of soot residue in the engine’s oil.

“It’s taking the dirty out of diesel.”

A cleaner fuel burn provides the engine with additional torque, improving productivity. Reducing DPM also improves air quality, which has environmental and safety benefits.

More than 300 units of HYDI have been deployed to date, with the majority applied to heavy haulage, drill rigs and generators in the mining sector.

The technology has received endorsement from ResourcesWA. Holcim Cement in collaboration with Scania are currently monitoring initial deployments on heavy vehicles in the Pilbara, with exciting performance data exceeding expectations on fuel and carbon emissions reductions.

It is a combination of intelligent design features that makes HYDI a perfect fit for the Australian mining industry.

“Our technology harnesses the benefits of hydrogen in an efficient, affordable and sophisticated way, and can be scaled to apply to multiple applications,” Wilson said.

“The unit is robust with a fully welded stainless-steel case to enable deployment in harsh environments.

“The unit does not store any hydrogen nor have any reliance on a pressure vessel, making it completely safe.”

In fact, HYDI doesn’t need any chemicals or additives to run – water is the only consumable. On top of safety and environmental benefits, this minimises service requirements for the unit.

Designed and built in Australia, HYDI is a simple solution to the complicated challenge of decarbonising a mining operation.

“In the absence of viable alternatives in terms of performance, refuelling infrastructure, and affordability, new diesel-powered vehicles will continue to be deployed for the foreseeable future,” Wilson said.

“While total fleet electrification is many years away, HYDI can be implemented today on diesel assets to immediately start driving down carbon emissions.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/taking-the-dirty-out-of-diesel/

BHP to welcome first CAT Early Learner electric haul truck

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 23:26:14 GMT

The first Caterpillar (CAT) 793 battery-electric haul truck is set to touch down at BHP’s Jimblebar mine in Western Australia in October.

Members of BHP’s operational decarbonisation team were on-site at CAT’s Tuscon Proving Ground in the US to see the truck trials in action.

“Not only do these trials represent an important step on BHP’s operational decarbonisation journey, but the technical outcomes could help to inform how we approach these challenges moving forward,” BHP operational decarbonisation vice president Dan Heal said .

“As we progress towards potential deployments, we need to consider how we plan our mines, manage power demand, charge equipment, the skills we will need, and most importantly, safety.”

In preparation, BHP’s Jimblebar mine is completing upgrades to site electrical transmission and distribution to enable high power charging infrastructure.

It’s all part of BHP’s mission to take action to decarbonise its operations, which includes reducing its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions in three key ways: diesel displacement, fugitive emissions elimination, and electrification.

“Taking action requires us to challenge the market to approach technology development differently,” BHP global mining and services vice president Sebastian Greco said.

“It requires the industry to innovate and adopt new collaborative methods, to identify solutions through studies and proof-of-concept trials, and it requires us to learn together as we go.

“Securing the first CAT Early Learner battery-electric haul truck is a reflection of the ongoing collaboration between BHP and CAT and we are thrilled to be working together on this trial.”

CAT completed development of its first battery electric 793 prototype in 2022 with support from key mining customers participating in its Early Learner program.

The program launched in 2021 and focuses on accelerating the development and validation of CAT’s battery electric trucks at participating customer sites.

A primary objective of the program is for CAT to collaborate more closely with its customers as the industry undergoes transformational change through the energy transition.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/bhp-to-welcome-first-cat-early-learner-electric-haul-truck/

Tech-powered solutions to maximise field resources

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 23:18:04 GMT

Appian resources, energy and utilities account director Justin Grose explores how the company’s field service management solutions can address the unique challenges of the mining industry.

Running a mining operation is a highly complex task. Beyond exploration and production, miners now must navigate ESG, decarbonisation, market volatility and increasing operational risks.

With 24–7 operations across remote locations – often under harsh environmental conditions and with limited infrastructure – efficiency is key when coordinating and monitoring a dispersed workforce.

How can the mining industry simultaneously save time, increase productivity, reduce disruptions and downtime, and improve asset utilisation?

The Importance of field service management in mining

Field service management (FSM) involves coordinating field operations, managing work orders, scheduling tasks, and ensuring that field workers have the tools and information they need to perform their duties efficiently.

In the mining industry, FSM is vital due to the complexity of field operations, the remote locations of sites, and the heavy reliance on equipment and vehicles that require regular maintenance and monitoring to prevent breakdowns.

Efficient FSM ensures that complex tasks are meticulously planned and executed, worker safety is maintained, and operations run smoothly.

Field service challenges in the mining sector

The mining industry faces several challenges that can hinder effective and efficient field service management:

Geographical dispersion : Mining operations are typically spread out over large areas, making it difficult to maintain direct oversight of workers. This dispersion complicates communication, supervision, and coordination

Harsh environmental conditions : Miners work in extreme conditions, from scorching heat to freezing cold, which can impact both the workers’ health and the operational equipment. Ensuring the well-being of the workforce and the smooth functioning of operations in such environments is a constant challenge

Safety and compliance : The mining industry is heavily regulated, with stringent safety and compliance requirements. Managing these regulations across multiple sites is complex and requires meticulous attention to detail

Resource allocation : Efficiently allocating resources, including manpower and machinery is crucial in mining operations. Misallocation can lead to downtime, increased costs, and reduced productivity.

Enhancing field management with innovative technology

To address these challenges, mining companies are increasingly turning to technology that streamlines operational efficiency.

Mobile applications and digital platforms can revolutionise how field operations are managed.

With a large workforce operating from hazardous, remote sites, it is imperative for mining companies to stay connected with their on-site employees – communications which are completely dependent on mobile devices.

For example, BAI Communications Australia operates one of the most extensive broadcast networks in the world.

The company faced challenges with labour-intensive manual processes for managing site access, which required multiple phone calls, emails, and document sharing between staff and contractors.

To upgrade from manual to automated processes, and digitise and optimise Site Access Management, BAI created a digital prequalification application on the Appian AI Process Platform for all site visitors.

This significantly reduced processing time for access requests and improved safety and security procedures.

The mobile app developed for field staff allowed them to log in and out of sites, view faults and work details, and report hazards and risks in real-time.

The benefits of such digital solutions extend beyond improved safety and efficiency. Real-time visibility and tracking, roster and shift planning, workforce analysis, and time attendance are now more streamlined.

Integrated platforms facilitate seamless communication and coordination between the field and the central office, ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently, and issues are addressed promptly.

Real-time data and analytics provide a clear picture of field operations, enabling better decision-making and proactive management of resources and tasks.

Embracing digital solutions for optimal performance

Effective field service management is essential for enhancing productivity, ensuring worker safety, and improving customer satisfaction.

Leveraging digital solutions like Appian’s low-code platform can address the unique challenges of the mining industry by providing robust, mobile-enabled applications that streamline operations and provide real-time visibility into field activities.

By embracing these technologies, the industry can optimise their field operations, reduce costs, and drive growth.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/tech-powered-solutions-to-maximise-field-resources/

Caterpillar tackles skill shortages

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 00:05:19 GMT

Caterpillar has announced a substantial donation to the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation (AEDF), a non-profit foundation for the heavy equipment industry.

The original equipment manufacturer’s $500,000 donation will support the AEDF’s Vision 2025 initiative , a project aimed at addressing the technician shortage within the equipment distribution industry.

The project is also focused on improving programs offered to students across US high schools and technical schools that are considered underserved within the technical skills space. It will do this by bringing skills-based programs back to high schools to help enable career success for all learning and career pathways.

“Caterpillar understands the importance of closing the skills gap in today’s labor market and is focused on helping build solutions,” Caterpillar corporate social responsibility leader Asha Varghese said .

“We believe in supporting AEDF in its Vision 2025 campaign to make a difference in addressing the critical skills gap and supporting solutions for greater workforce readiness.”

By 2027, the project aims to recognise at least 200 high school programs and accredit at least 120 college programs to help foster meaningful job placements for students.

If these goals are met, the Vision 2025 initiative is expected to help generate an additional 10,000 skilled technicians entering the workforce, 5000 AEDF certified technicians and 500 AEDF certified managers.

“The AED Foundation is grateful for Caterpillar’s leadership and investment in our Vision 2025 campaign,” AEDF president Emeritus Bob Henderson said.

“Caterpillar’s support, in conjunction with nearly 75 other investors, brings our Vision 2025 campaign to over $7 million. These investments provide the Foundation the sustainability needed to continue to be the heavy equipment industry’s leader in workforce development.”

Komatsu made a $250,000 donation to the Vision 2025 initiative last year.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/caterpillar-tackles-skill-shortages/

Global Lithium’s Manna gets a resource boost

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 23:56:49 GMT

Global Lithium Resources has reported a 43 per cent increase in total resource tonnes at the Manna lithium project in Western Australia.

The mineral resource estimate (MRE) for Manna now sits at 51.6 million tonnes (Mt) at one per cent lithium oxide (Li ₂ O), with a 26 per cent increase in total contained Li ₂ O going from 406,000 tonnes (t) to 515,000t.

Global Lithium also recorded a 63 per cent increase in indicated resource classification, with the indicated resources now equalling 32.9Mt at 1.04 per cent Li ₂ O.

The MRE increase at Manna follows the reverse circulation and diamond drilling program conducted in 2023, where over 60,000 metres was drilled.

“The company is pleased with this significant mineral resource upgrade at our 100 per cent owned Manna lithium project, a great outcome following the extensive and safely executed exploration program our team undertook during 2023,” Global Lithium managing director Ron Mitchell said .

“The 63 per cent increase in the indicated resource classification is particularly important as we continue to advance our geological understanding of the deposit.

“This growing resource demonstrates that Manna has potential to become one of the most important near-term lithium development projects in Western Australia, a proven low-risk mining jurisdiction.”

The MRE upgrade will be implemented into the Manna mine schedule and definitive feasibility study (DFS), the latter of which is well advanced and is scheduled for release in 2024.

“Coupled with the positive technical results in relation to our commercial scale ore sorting trials and ongoing metallurgical test work, our confidence in the robustness of the Manna deposit has grown,” Mitchell said.

“The Global Lithium team is now heavily focused on executing several parallel project related activities including the near-term completion of all material project approvals, our CY24 (2024 calendar year) exploration campaign and the conclusion of the Manna DFS.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/global-lithiums-manna-gets-a-resource-boost/

Golding Contractors to make waves with Stanmore

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 23:44:35 GMT

Golding Contractors will acquire the mining services contract, associated fleet and transfer of the employees that HSE Mining has deployed to Stanmore Resources’ South Walker Creek mine in Queensland.

The transaction value of $85 million is set to be funded via NRW’s asset finance facilities, as Golding Contractors is a wholly owned subsidiary of NRW Holdings.

“I am delighted that NRW has been successful in acquiring the HSE Mining assets and inventory and securing the novation of the mining services contract with Stanmore at South Walker Creek,” NRW managing director and chief executive officer Jules Pemberton said .

“NRW, through our Golding and Action Drill & Blast businesses, has had a long association with Stanmore and I look forward to our teams continuing to deliver industry leading services. I also look forward to welcoming the HSE personnel into the Golding and broader NRW team.”

Golding will employ approximately 550 HSE personnel and operate the heavy mining equipment presently deployed at South Walker Creek.

The mining services contract to be novated to Golding is expected to generate annual revenue of approximately $250 million, and unless further extended by agreement between Golding and Stanmore, expires in August 2025.

HSE and Golding are currently working through the transition arrangements, with financial close to occur at the end of July 2024.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/golding-contractors-to-make-waves-with-stanmore/

Fenner teams up with NAWO to champion women

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 23:22:23 GMT

Fenner Conveyors and the National Association of Women in Operations (NAWO) are joining forces to foster more inclusive and diverse workplaces.

NAWO is a leading national network for women in operations, with a mission to increase female representation in traditionally male-dominated sectors like mining.

NAWO’s vision is to see gender diversity valued and balanced at every level in operations. Fenner Conveyors people and culture chief officer Jen Green said the company is proud to support this vision.

“Our partnership with NAWO will focus on promoting gender diversity and inclusivity within our business, creating opportunities for women in operations to excel and reach their full potential,” Green said .

“This partnership will form part of our gender diversity strategy which is currently being developed by the Executive Management Committee, as they look to champion a more inclusive future and rethink established systems of work.”

Through this collaboration, Fenner Conveyors aims to:

Promote gender diversity : Implement initiatives and programs that encourage the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in all operational roles

Enhance inclusivity : Foster an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued and respected, regardless of their gender identity or background

Provide support and development: Offer training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to support the professional growth of women and underrepresented groups in our workforce

Lead by example: Set industry standards for diversity and inclusion practices, demonstrating the tangible benefits of a balanced and diverse team.

“By supporting our women to foster connection, share ideas and grow in their careers, NAWO will help us to build a pipeline of female leaders and encourage inclusive leadership,” Green said. “This partnership is a testament to our ongoing commitment to creating a workplace where everyone can succeed.

“By working together with NAWO, we are taking concrete steps towards a more diverse and inclusive future within our business operations.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/fenner-teams-up-with-nawo-to-champion-women/

New MinRes lithium venture ready to rock

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 23:09:17 GMT

Mineral Resources (MinRes) and Galileo Mining have completed a deal that will see lithium exploration begin in earnest at the Norseman project in Western Australia.

MinRes has bought 30 per cent of Norseman for $7.5 million, with $5 million having now been paid.

“With completion of the MinRes lithium joint venture agreement, lithium exploration will now begin at the Norseman project,” Galileo managing director Brad Underwood said .

“MinRes have an incredible depth of experience in the lithium business and have secured the rights to work on our untested lithium potential at Norseman.

“In return Galileo shareholders will benefit from a focused program of lithium exploration while the company continues to concentrate on the extensive potential for nickel, PGEs, and gold in the same region.”

If the project proves fruitful, MinRes will have the option to increase its stake to 55 per cent for an additional $15 million.

That number will increase to 70 per cent should a decision to mine be reached, which MinRes will solely fund.

Drilling programs have been underway at the project prior to the deal, with follow-up drilling scheduled for August.

“Our recent drill results show more prospective palladium and platinum zones within close proximity to geophysical anomalies,” Underwood said.

“Our exploration strategy follows a cyclical pattern with campaign drilling, review and interpretation of results, integration of new information, and then more drilling.

“We believe this cycle of exploration activity gives us the best opportunity of making further discoveries in a fundamentally unexplored tenement package.”

Galileo will retain ownership of tenements at Norseman, as well as the rights to nickel, PGEs and all minerals other than those contained within the lithium pegmatites.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/new-minres-lithium-venture-ready-to-rock/

Starlight only getting brighter for Westgold

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 04:02:11 GMT

Westgold Resources has increased the mineral resource at its Starlight gold mine in Western Australia by 41 per cent.

The total mineral resource for Starlight now sits at 590,000 ounces, with a 21 per cent increase in measured and indicated mineral resource available for ore reserve studies.

“Organic growth opportunities within Westgold’s high value portfolio continue to be unlocked by drilling,” Westgold managing director and chief executive officer Wayne Bramwell said .

“The growth in Starlight and emergence of the Waterbore zone we see today is a function of good science and the investment Westgold made in drilling this mine over the last eighteen months.

“The same strategy is being deployed across our main operating assets such as Bluebird-South Junction, Big Bell and Great Fingall, extending these orebodies and mine lives.”

Westgold has identified the Waterbore Zone within Starlight as a potential new mining front, with strong results returning for the quarter.

Intensive drilling will continue at Starlight, with three drill rigs now operating.

“Optimising Starlight to maximise free cash generation over an extended life remains the focus, with continued exploration success providing the platform to deliver this objective,” Bramwell said.

Westgold said that many of the more significant results returned during the current quarter are from the Waterbore area of the mine.

Waterbore is a relatively new production zone with only one trial level developed, however the tenor of grades seen is providing encouragement that Waterbore can develop into a long-term alternative production source for Starlight.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/starlight-only-getting-brighter-for-westgold/

AIC hits production milestone at Eloise

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 22:28:10 GMT

Gold and copper explorer AIC Mines has achieved the 2023–24 financial year (FY24) production guidance it set for its Eloise copper mine in north Queensland.

AIC Mines officially acquired the Eloise mine in November 2021 from FMR Investments for $27 million. FMR is now AIC’s largest shareholder, holding between 26–29.9 per cent of the company.

According to AIC, since acquiring the mine, its key focus areas at Eloise has been to improve operational reliability.

The company has done this by investing in a mining fleet to improve availability, developing additional ore sources such as the Macy North and Lens 6 deposits, and having an overall focus on employee feedback to improve engagement and reduce employee turnover.

As a result, Eloise has achieved its FY24 guidance of 12,500 tonnes (t) of copper and 5000 ounces (oz) of gold concentrate.

“This is an excellent outcome and testament to the energy and ability of the team at Eloise and the targeted capital investment made by AIC Mines over the past two years,” AIC Mines managing director Aaron Colleran said .

Last month, the Queensland Government granted AIC a mining lease for its Jericho deposit located 4km southeast of Eloise, which it acquired in January 2024. The mining lease allowed AIC to commence surface works at Jericho.

“Development of a new underground mine at Jericho is a game changer for our Eloise copper mine,” Colleran said on May 17. “It provides a pathway to expanding annual production at Eloise to over 20,000t of copper and 10,000oz of gold in concentrate.

“Mining at Jericho will be lower cost than Eloise as it is much shallower, commencing below only 50m of cover. Expansion of the Eloise processing plant will further reduce operating costs through economies of scale and equipment improvements.”

AIC is also developing a 3km underground link drive from Eloise to Jericho, which will take off from the Eloise decline at 125m below surface.

Source: AIC hits production milestone at Eloise - Australian Mining

Are you showcasing at MINExpo?

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:36:49 GMT

In partnership with Austmine, the August edition of Australian Mining will have a significant presence at MINExpo – the world’s largest mining trade show taking place in Las Vegas from September 24–26.

Will you be showcasing at the event? Or maybe you have a new product or offering you’d like to promote to the MINExpo masses?

The August issue will be your best chance to put yourself in front of the mining industry’s most influential decision-makers.

This edition will also provide a platform for the best innovations, products and services available to the surface mining industry.

Whether it’s having equipment that ensures efficient production, maximises return on investment, minimises waste or keeps workers out of harm’s way, it’s never been more important to invest in the right surface mining technologies.

The offer includes:

1 x full-page advertisement for August edition of Australian Mining (ad to be supplied)

1 x editorial piece in Australian Mining (to appear as part of ‘surface mining’ feature)

Editorial to be written for you by an Australian Mining journalist

Editorial to appear on Australian Mining website and be distributed through its e-newsletter and social media channels.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/are-you-showcasing-at-minexpo/

Batchfire: Cool and collected with Cummins PGXL

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 22:41:29 GMT

Cummins’ Australian-made PGXL coolants are widely accepted in the mining industry, providing protection across all diesel engine brands.

In supporting remote mine operations, Cummins provides a well-established bulk coolant delivery service, eliminating the need for miners to manage their coolant inventory.

Cummins takes care of all the logistics, delivering the coolant directly to the minesite. The PGXL production facility in Melbourne has the capacity to deliver 30 million litres of coolant per annum, so supply is readily available.

Within the PGXL product line-up, Cummins offers two coolant technologies: PGXL HD and PGXL Vital.

Both of technologies are propylene glycol-based coolants which provide heat transfer while being a safer option (than ethylene glycol) for product handling and the environment in that they are low toxicity and biodegradable.

Both products are life-of-engine coolants and each offers its own set of benefits in engine and radiator protection to suit the wide-ranging operational requirements of customers.

Batchfire experience

Queensland miner Batchfire Resources has been using PGXL HD coolant since 2018, with bulk deliveries being made to the Callide Mine by one of the country’s most reputable fleets – Emerald Carrying Company.

The PGXL HD coolant is used across all mobile equipment at the mine which encompasses more than 130 pieces of equipment, including Cummins and Caterpillar-powered machinery.

Classed as an extended life coolant, PGXL HD has proven this classification valid at the mine.

“It’s an easy coolant to deal with,” Batchfire superintendent – maintenance and engineering for mobile equipment Daniel Boal said.

“If everything goes well and we don’t have an issue such as a blown coolant hose, we’re looking at coolant life of up to 30,000 hours depending on duty cycle and when engine changeout occurs.”

The latest haul trucks – Komatsu 930-5 units with Cummins Tier 4 QSK60 MCRS engines rated at 2700 horsepower (hp) – coolant/engine changeout is at 30,000 hours, while the Komatsu PC7000 excavators with dual 1675 hp Cummins QSK50 MCRS engines have a coolant/engine changeout target of 20,000 hours.

“We haven’t had any coolant-related issues across the different engine brands we’re operating,” Boal said, pointing out that engine teardowns at Callide have shown PGXL HD to provide the required protection against cavitation (liner pitting), corrosion and scale formation.

“We’ve found it important to use the one coolant brand across all machinery and to stay with that brand to achieve consistency of water pump seal life and coolant performance in general,” Boal said.

Cummins’ service support at Callide Mine – headed up by product support representative Sam van Leeuwen, who works out of the Cummins Emerald branch – also underpins the use of the Cummins coolant.

Boal rates Cummins’ support highly.

“Nothing is going to be perfect, but Cummins’ support is as good as you can get, it makes a big difference,” he said.

The PGXL range is fully supported by an industry-leading non pro-rata warranty and can be used across a range of original equipment brands, such as Cummins, Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel, mtu, John Deere, Mercedes, Volvo and Waukesha.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/batchfire-cool-and-collected-with-cummins-pgxl/

A mini solution for a major industry

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 05:52:30 GMT

Movex’s MINIDOZER may have big implications for the Australian mining sector.

When thinking about a mine site, one could be forgiven for simply picturing giant haul trucks and massive crushers.

But the dynamic world of Australian mining often requires smaller solutions for bigger challenges as operations move towards a greener future.

Hasemer Material Handling has been a trusted supplier of quality lifting and material handling equipment for the Australian mining industry since 1965.

With decades of experience under its belt and customers across Australia and New Zealand, Hasemer is well versed on the challenges facing the sector as net-zero targets approach.

The company is now bringing a different kind of solution to Australian shores with the help of its Canadian-based partner, Movex Innovation .

As an established industry innovator, Movex boasts a network of mining equipment across a range of operations in more than 30 countries.

Hasemer managing director Stephen Batten has seen first-hand the benefits Movex equipment can have in Australian operations.

“Movex’s innovation is driven by a commitment to listening to its customers, with the company always coming out with new products to suit their unique needs,” he said.

The latest Movex MINIDOZER is no exception to this principle.

With a low-profile design for confined areas, the MINIDOZER is purpose-built for tough applications like cleaning potlines in aluminium smelters or underneath conveyor belts in ore-processing plants.

These environments are traditionally extremely dangerous areas for workers, with operations needing to be shut down while workers perform cleaning and recovery.

But the MINIDOZER takes the human element out of the process, boosting site safety and slashing downtime by allowing operations to keep running while it works. Batten said Hasemer has already implemented Movex’s machines at Australian operations with resounding success.

“At one aluminium smelter specifically, we have been able to work with Movex and our customer to customise the MINIDOZER to their unique specifications,” he said. “One mining contractor told us the MINIDOZER actually saved them a person on the job.”

But the ultra-compact loader doesn’t just have the potential to keep operations running; it can also keep workers out of harm’s way.

Movex business development director William Lavoie said the MINIDOZER can also help operators reach their sustainability goals.

“The confines of certain operations demand ultra-compact material-handling equipment, and not just any equipment will do,” Lavoie told Australian Mining.

“In aluminium smelters, especially, equipment must be robust against magnetic fields, but we must accommodate a client’s needs and consider all operating environments.

“Being electric-powered while having diesel power strength, the MINIDOZER also eliminates emissions and cuts fuel costs.”

With nearly 100m of remote control range, the MINIDOZER is designed to work in harsh environments and go where others can’t.

Lavoie emphasised that not only can the MINIDOZER save operators on downtime, maintenance and overall costs by only requiring simple battery changes, but it’s also an easy-to-use solution anyone can operate.

“While the MINIDOZER uses smart and advanced technology, we engineered it so it can be used by anyone,” he said. “It doesn’t require any licencing either; it really is a simple solution.”

It’s a simple solution Batten is confident will have a major impact in the Australian mining sector.

“Hasemer and Movex alike prioritise quality products and services for our customers,” he said.

“The MINIDOZER is the latest realisation of our shared commitment to solving the challenges our customers face.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/a-mini-solution-for-a-major-industry/

Uptime when it matters most

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 23:05:14 GMT

Flexco’s FXC steel cord belt fastening system is keeping conveyor systems up and running across Australia.

Steel cord conveyor belts are put to use in only the heaviest of applications, such as high-tension applications like moving hard rock and heavy metal.

But the sturdy nature of such equipment poses logistical challenges when it comes to maintenance. In the event of belt damage or pulling a new belt onto the conveyor system, few timely options have traditionally existed for splicing steel cord belts.

Until now.

Flexco ’s FXC steel cord belt fastening system can be installed immediately to get a conveyor system up and running as quickly as possible.

Mine sites would ordinarily have to wait for a vulcanised splice on the conveyor belt, which can delay operations for days. With the FXC steel cord belt fastening system, however, the belt can be temporarily spliced in just hours until a vulcanised splice can be installed.

“The FXC system is a first-of its-kind mechanical belt fastener for steel cord belts,” Flexco product manager – HD mechanical belt fasteners Franklin Moore told Australian Mining.

“Nothing like this exists on the market right now and we are incredibly excited to share our patented design with the world.”

Flexco’s testing has demonstrated that four workers are able to splice a 72-inch-wide steel cord belt in just 4–6 hours.

“The stress of waiting to get a belt back in operation is one thing, but we also know how detrimental this downtime is to the site’s bottom line,” Moore said.

“While this is a temporary splice, it bridges the gap until a permanent vulcanised splice can be installed.

“The FXC can be kept on hand as an insurance policy so when faced with unplanned downtime, customers can respond immediately.”

The FXC fastening system also enables quick and efficient belt pulling.

“Another option available with the FXC is that it enables sites to attach a new steel cord belt onto an existing one in order to string the new belt onto the system,” Moore said.

“Teams can prep the new belt end prior to shut down for minimal downtime when changing a belt, and a safety factor is calculated to give sites confidence when pulling the new belt on.”

Testing in this area has shown four workers can prep a 72-inch-wide belt for stringing onto a conveyor in three hours.

That means the FXC fastening system can manage the biggest challenges associated with steel cord conveyor belts.

“The FXC empowers customers to reduce the amount of downtime associated with steel cord belts, which are often incredibly important to a site’s production,” Moore said.

“Scheduling, transportation time, belt prep, installation and curing time of a typical vulcanised repair or replacements can take days, if not weeks.

“This downtime and lost production are extremely expensive, so we are giving these teams a new method for getting back up and running in just a few hours.”

Flexco also understands that steel cord belts come in all shapes, sizes and construction.

That’s why the company collects belt specifications from customers in order to create and deliver a customised FXC fastening system to suit a site’s specific needs.

Made from high-quality components, the FXC fastening system has been expertly designed and rigorously tested in different mining environments around the world.

“Flexco has been the trusted expert in mechanical fasteners for over 115 years, so it’s exciting to improve our customers’ efficiency in a whole new belting market,” Moore said.

“Leading the way with a mechanical fastener for steel cord belts has been exciting for the whole Flexco team, but the benefits it offers our customers is the most special aspect.

“The FXC has been welcomed into a variety of different industries around the world and the reception has been astounding.

“Flexco is proud to offer something that gives sites control over expensive and extended downtime.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/uptime-when-it-matters-most/

Metso launches new battery cathode plant

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 22:43:32 GMT

Metso is launching a new plant to manufacture precursor cathode active material for lithium-ion batteries.

As a Metso pCAM plant , the facility centres around an energy-efficient pCAM reactor, PSI 1000 particle size analyser and pCAM process control.

The plant aims to integrate advanced technology and decades of know-how to ensure an energy-efficient and sustainable production process.

“The growing use of high-performance lithium-ion batteries with enhanced energy density, fast charging capabilities and improved safety features is driving the demand for high-quality and sustainable precursor materials,” Metso hydrometallurgy vice president Mikko Rantaharju said .

“As a strong and reliable partner for the development of lithium hydroxide and other battery minerals projects, we are the first Western supplier able to also deliver an optimised pCAM plant for the manufacturing of premium precursor cathode active material.”

For active cathode precursor manufacturing, Metso’s offering ranges from optimised raw materials selection to design and delivery of the pCAM plant and related services.

The production process consists of metal sulphate feed preparation, co-precipitation of mixed metal hydroxide, and filtration.

To support the customers in optimised raw material selection and process design, Metso uses its own in-house pCAM process development, testing and pilot facilities.

The Metso pCAM plants are Planet Positive-certified, ensuring low energy and water consumption.

“Based on life cycle impact assessment, we found that the Metso pCAM process features remarkable sustainability benefits – it reduced water consumption by 52 per cent and CO2 emissions by 31 per cent. Also, power usage decreased by 27 per cent,” Rantaharju said.

Supported by its Planet Positive offering, Metso provides sustainable technology, equipment and services for all ore types, including the critical minerals required for a responsible energy transition.

Currently, Metso is supporting several battery minerals projects that are in the study, piloting, engineering or delivery phases.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/metso-launches-new-battery-cathode-plant/

Victorian rare earths mine backed by US investment

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 23:08:24 GMT

A rare earths and mineral sands project in Victoria is another step closer to production thanks to a $183 million funding boost from US uranium miner Energy Fuels Inc.

Astron Corporation’s Donald project in west Victoria is at the heart of the deal, which involves farm-in, joint venture, and offtake agreements that will see Energy Fuels become a 49 per cent owner.

Energy Fuels will immediately assume responsibility for funding 100 per cent of the Donald project expenditure in the form of an interest free loan to the joint venture company.

Construction of the project is expected to start in 2025, with rare earths concentrate to be shipped to Energy Fuels’ White Mesa Mill processing facility in Utah by 2026.

Astron managing director Tiger Brown said the joint venture with Energy Fuels will establish a Western rare earth value chain aligned with the Australian Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy.

“The execution of this agreement represents a transformational moment in our company’s history,” Brown said .

“In Energy Fuels, we have found a joint venture partner that shares our values, our goals and focus, one that strongly complements our mineral sands experience and aspirations with their own rare earth experience and strategy.”

Energy Fuels president and chief executive officer Mark Chalmers shared Brown’s sentiment, highlighting Donald as a ‘world class’ project.

“I’ll add that our joint venture plans with Astron and the timing of the Donald project development could not be better and fits very nicely with the sequencing of our US Critical Mineral Hub initiative, which includes advancing our rare earth element and heavy mineral sand production,” Chalmers said.

“We believe the Donald project will be a ‘flagship’ mining project for Australia and the State of Victoria and the USA, producing many of the rare earth element raw materials needed for the energy transition perfectly aligned with the critical mineral objectives of both countries.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/new-vic-rare-earths-mine-backed-by-us-investment/

Court approves Silver Lake–Red 5 merger

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 22:58:02 GMT

It’s been an exciting week for Silver Lake and Red 5 Resources as the Supreme Court of New South Wales approves the companies’ bid to merge.

Orders were made yesterday at the Supreme Court approving a scheme of arrangement under which Red 5 will acquire 100 per cent of Silver Lake shares.

Silver Lake intends to lodge an office copy of the Court’s orders with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission today, after which the scheme will become legally effective.

Once the scheme comes into play, Silver Lake will delist from the ASK and new Red 5 shares will commence trading on June 20.

Silver Lake shareholders backed the move earlier this week .

The merger is set to create a diversified mid-tier gold company producing around 445,000 ounces per annum, firmly establishing the merged entity as a mid-tier company.

Silver Lake acquired 11 per cent of Red 5’s shares back in September 2023. Now, Silver Lake shareholders are set to receive 3.434 Red 5 shares for every Silver Lake share held.

In a presentation announcing the merger, the two companies said it will “provide Red 5 and Silver Lake shareholders with the opportunity to participate in a stronger combined group, delivering benefits not available on a standalone basis”.

The merged group management team will be led by Luke Tonkin from Silver Lake as managing director and chief executive officer. Tonkin will be supported by Richard Hay from Red 5 as chief operating officer and Struan Richards from Silver Lake as chief financial operator.

Once the merger is finalised, the company will have ownership of four gold projects: King of the Hills (KOTH), Deflector and Mount Monger in WA, and Sugar Zone in Ontario, Canada.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/court-approves-silver-lake-red-5-merger/

New strategic alliance to progress Tivan’s Speewah project

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 22:54:10 GMT

Tivan has formed a strategic alliance with Sumitomo Corporation, an integrated trading company working across industries such as minerals resources, to accelerate growth at the Speewah fluorite project in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia.

The agreement provides a framework for both parties to negotiate a formal joint venture agreement for the development, financing and operation of Speewah.

If a joint venture is formed, Sumitomo will become the sole distributor and agent to market Speewah’s commercial grade fluorspar, with prescribed tonnage reserved for Japanese customers.

Fluorite is used to produce commercial grade fluorspar products and fluorine. There is currently no domestic fluorspar or fluorine production in Australia, but Tivan is looking to become the first. The Federal Government added fluorine to the critical minerals list in December 2023.

As per the strategic alliance, Tivan will be responsible for Speewah’s development costs before the joint venture is executed.

“Over the past year Tivan has prioritised Japan as an enduring and trusted partner to Australia,” Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson said .

“Our strategic alliance with Sumitomo Corporation is the culmination of these efforts. Sumitomo is a company and group that we deeply respect, with foundational principles that date back over 400 years. We look forward to progressing the Speewah fluorite project together, with enterprising spirit and a common vision of shared prosperity.”

Tivan and Sumitomo are expected to negotiate and enter into a binding joint venture agreement by December 31 2024.

Last month saw Tivan sign a heads of agreement with Glen Hill Pastoral Aboriginal Corporation to enhance regional collaboration around Speewah and execute a memorandum of understanding with Pacific Blue to potentially integrate the Ord River hydro-electricity power plant into energy supply for Speewah.

The Speewah fluorite project forms part of Tivan’s broader Speewah vanadium-titanium-iron project in WA.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/new-strategic-alliance-to-progress-tivans-speewah-project/

SmartROC rigs get even smarter

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 22:51:19 GMT

Epiroc’s SmartROC Tophammer cabin rigs can now access RCS version 6.27, increasing productivity with possibilities to use features such as One Hole Automatic (OHA).

The new version delivers additional automation, which reduces wear on consumables while saving money. There will also be an added value for customers as the update has the potential to increase the functionality of their existing SmartROC cabin rigs.

“SmartROC T35, T40 and T45 will profit from these extra benefits due to this upgrade,” Epiroc global product manager Ulf Gyllander said .

“The rigs will have access to improved drill plan handling, a possibility to enable auto hole reset, high altitude functionality, easier to read fuel consumption and improved information around drill functions related to anti-jamming in the display.”

OHA creates possibilities for customers to drill down to the desired depth, adding rods automatically as required with minimal intervention from the operator. Once the hole is complete the rig pulls up all the rods automatically.

“SmartROC D50, D55, D60, D65 and SmartROC C50, already include many of the new benefits coming from this new RCS version,” Epiroc global product manager Mattias Hjerpe said.

“However, as a result of this upgrade, these rigs will feature an improved automatic rod-handling sequence which further optimises One Hole Automation and minimises operator input.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/smartroc-rigs-get-even-smarter/

Astute takes mining to new heights

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 22:40:36 GMT

Astute Metals has collaborated with Fleet Space Technologies to explore for large-scale copper and silver-zinc-lead deposits in the Northern Territory.

Astute will use Fleet Space’s ExoSphere ambient noise technology to help characterise the thickness of cover and explore for seismic velocity anomalies in basement rocks.

“I am very pleased with the collaborative partnership we have formed with Fleet Space to further unlock the significant potential of the Georgina project for Tier-1 base metal discoveries,” Astute chairman Tony Leibowitz said .

“As a leader in the development of exploration technologies, Fleet Space’s equity investment is a strong endorsement of the company’s projects, leadership, exploration approach and value-creation strategy.

“The Ranken collaboration brings Astute one step closer to unlocking the discovery potential of the broader Georgina project.”

Fleet Space director and chief financial officer Federico Tata-Nardini said the partnership would help to redefine mineral exploration.

“Fleet Space’s cutting-edge technology applied in partnership with Astute’s mineral exploration expertise has the potential to unlock significant discovery value in the prospective Georgina project,” Tata-Nardini said.

“This technology revolutionises resource exploration, opening the door to faster discoveries and precise drilling operations while minimising environmental impact.

“Reinforcing both parties’ dedication to the advancement of mineral exploration, Fleet Space will acquire an equity stake in Astute through a targeted share investment.”

Fleet Space has the option of taking up a direct equity stake in Astute of $400,000 at a subscribing price of $0.047 per share.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/astute-takes-mining-to-new-heights/

Weir opens $28m Port Hedland service centre

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 06:16:14 GMT

Global mining technology leader Weir has officially opened its new Port Hedland service centre in Western Australia.

The new facility bolsters Weir’s national network of 16 service centres and will aim to support customers and their operations across the Pilbara region.

The centre is equipped to service Weir’s broader range of products and technologies, provide engineering and maintenance support as well as critical parts storage for faster service times for customers.

“The new centre at Port Hedland will support our key customers in the region, providing Weir’s best-in-class service and expertise,” Weir Minerals regional managing director Kristen Walsh said at the facility’s opening.

“The Australian $28 million facility demonstrates our commitment to sustainable mining and with further investment planned, we will continue to support our ambitious growth plans in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.”

This will include Fortescue and Thiess’ Iron Bridge project, which incorporates Weir transformational flow sheets – the world’s first dry comminution circuit without tumbling mills.

Port Hedland serves as a critical hub for the mining and resources industry in Australia, driving economic growth and success for the important iron ore region.

The new service centre will work to deliver innovative engineering solutions and expertise, enhancing operational efficiencies and advancing sustainable progress across the Pilbara’s dynamic mining landscape.

With best-in-class technology and support, the centre features facilities for Enduron high-pressure grinding rolls servicing, including tyre roller assembly and Linatex rubber lining services, helping customers to extend the life of their assets.

The next stage of development, set for 2025, will see an expansion of the team and specialisation in the repair and overhaul of various Weir processing equipment including Warman pumps, Cavex hydrocyclones and Isogate valves as well as Enduron crushers and screens.

Building on trust, collaboration and integrity, Weir said it is committed to delivering innovative solutions and working together with its customers to make mining more sustainable.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/weir-opens-28m-port-hedland-service-centre/

Newmont keen on copper

joy@strategixos.com.au (Joy Strategixos) — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 23:14:08 GMT

While speaking at the Melbourne Mining Club, Newmont president and chief executive officer Tom Palmer discussed his copper aspirations and where he sees the company heading to reach these goals.

Copper is a base metal that has a variety of end uses in a green economy, whether it be through electricity distribution, electrical equipment and devices, industrial machinery, wind turbines, solar panels and, of course, powering electric vehicles.

In December 2023, the Federal Government introduced Australia’s strategic materials list, which identifies commodities that are essential for the energy transition but aren’t at risk of supply chain disruptions and aren’t vulnerable enough to meet the critical minerals list criteria. One of the five metals on this list is copper.

While Newmont’s bread and butter has always been gold, the major miner is looking to expand its copper reach.

“We’re about 80 per cent gold today, and about 10 or 11 per cent copper, and then we’ve got silver, lead and zinc (that) make up the other 10 per cent,” Palmer said.

“As we look at our operating portfolio, we’re around six to seven million ounces of gold, we will run within that band.

“Then it’s about 150,000 tonnes of copper that come from a couple of those operations. Our organic project pipeline is copper–gold, gold–copper projects. So developing our organic project pipeline and reinvesting back into the business is going to maintain that gold band and it’s going to increase that copper pipeline.

“We have the opportunity to choose to go from 10 or 11 per cent to 15 per cent and hold, or 20 per cent. There are some other things we could do that would go beyond that.”

When asked where he wants Newmont’s copper to be in the next decade, Palmer said it’s a “more complicated equation” to work through.

“How do we develop our project, in what order, at what pace and (which) communities (are we) working in,” Palmer said “If we’ve got the support of the permitting we’ve got, we’ve got a project here that’s going to deliver appropriate returns with that view on copper and copper pricing, and gold and gold pricing.

“So it’s looking at all those variables and making decisions about where we (should) invest our next dollar after the existing projects … it’s more about understanding how you develop that project pipeline successfully.”

Palmer’s comments on copper follow BHP deciding to not make a formal offer to acquire Anglo American. Anglo’s global copper assets caught the eye of the Big Australian, which views copper as a kingmaker commodity as nations turn to net-zero technology and a green economy. And it seems Newmont agrees.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/newmont-keen-on-copper/

Bravus backs up Cowboys

Wed, 29 May 2024 23:30:21 GMT

(L-R) Head of NRLW and women’s elite pathways Anita Creenaune, Cowboys NRLW head coach Ricky Henry, Bravus COO Mick Crowe, Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel, Cowboys NRLW player China Polata. Image: Bravus

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys are set to receive more support from Bravus Mining and Resources as the company expands its partnership to include the club’s women’s squad.

Bravus has been associated with the Cowboys since 2019 and became a platinum partner of the NRL squad in 2021.

“Our Carmichael mine near Clermont and our offices in Townsville and Rockhampton are all in the heart of Cowboys territory and our team members are some of the club’s biggest fans,” Bravus chief operating officer Mick Crowe said.

“We were lucky enough to have Tom Dearden and Kaiden Lahrs out at the mine in February to launch our company-wide footy tipping competition and had plenty of workers asking when we were going to back the NRLW squad. Well, I’m happy to say, today’s the day.

“As a company, we’re passionate about creating opportunities and pathways for the next generation of regional Queenslanders – whether that’s encouraging them to put their footy boots on and enjoy the brilliant game of rugby league or pulling on a pair of steel caps for a career in mining at Carmichael.”

Cowboys chief executive Jeff Reibel said the partnership is a reflection on the commitment of both organisations to create opportunities for regional Queensland.

“The Cowboys was established by the North Queensland community in 1995 to provide local talent with a pathway to compete on the national stage without having to leave home, and the formation of our Cowboys Women’s Academy in 2019 was another huge milestone in that legacy,” Reibel said.

“Bravus’ investment in our new generation of NRLW Cowboys is testament to its ongoing commitment to enriching North Queensland, both on the footy field and well beyond it.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/bravus-backs-up-cowboys/

NSW looks to the future of coal

Wed, 29 May 2024 23:21:20 GMT

The New South Wales Government has announced a new framework to support coal mining workers and communities in a future beyond the commodity.

Today, coal plays a crucial role across NSW, with more than 125,000 workers in the state either directly or indirectly employed by the coal mining or coal-fired power sectors.

Though coal is expected to continue play a central role in Australia’s resources sector for years to come, the industry will need to adapt as global decarbonisation targets approach.

The NSW Government’s new Future Jobs and Investment Authorities model will aim to advocate for communities and their workers and drive investment to coal regions in the shift.

The framework will include an investment advocate and board, as well as units in the Hunter, Illawarra, central west and far west regions with representation from local government, community groups, unions and industry.

The authorities will play a central role inside the government to advocate for coal-producing communities.

“Coal mining will continue to support thousands of local jobs and underpin the state’s energy grid for many years to come,” Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said .

“But with global demand for coal projected to decrease over the coming decades, we want to ensure workers, communities and regional centres are given the support they need.”

NSW Minerals Council chief executive officer Stephen Galilee welcomed the announcement, which he said will provide time to plan for the future while the sector’s economic benefits and jobs continue.

“Today’s announcement from the NSW Government of a proposed model for the Future Jobs and Investment Authorities is a positive sign that long term planning for the future is being taken seriously,” Galilee said .

“The medium-term outlook for NSW coal is strong. Nearly 90 per cent of all coal produced in NSW is exported to more than 20 countries overseas, and demand for this high-quality coal is likely to remain high for many years.”

There are nearly 40 coal mines currently operating across NSW, including 17 in the Hunter region, with most involved in export coal markets.

Fifteen Upper Hunter mines either have approvals in place or are seeking approvals to continue mining to 2035 or beyond, with several seeking extensions to operate beyond 2040.

Beyond the Upper Hunter, another fifteen NSW coal mines either have approvals in place or are seeking approvals to continue mining into the 2030s.

Six of those mines are either approved or seeking approval to operate until 2040, and several seeking extensions to operate beyond 2040.

Though this latest framework is looking far into the future, things are still looking bright for coal in the short-to-medium-term.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/nsw-looks-to-the-future-of-coal/

Fortescue’s first spin in hydrogen haul truck

Wed, 29 May 2024 05:24:23 GMT

A hydrogen-powered T 264 haul truck prototype developed in partnership by Fortescue and Liebherr has fired up its engines for the first time in Perth.

The successful operation of the truck, dubbed ‘Europa’, with hydrogen marks the next step in Liebherr and Fortescue’s journey to develop and supply zero-emission haul trucks for the mining industry.

“With Europa soon moving to site, Liebherr and Fortescue have taken an important step closer to their common target of developing and building zero-emission solutions for the mining industry that are both field proven and energy agnostic,” Liebherr Mining vice president of sales and marketing Joerg Lukowski said .

“This success demonstrates the incredible capabilities of two Tier 1 companies working together to develop viable technologies today that can help the mining industry move towards a decarbonised future.”

Europa contains a 1.6-megawatt battery developed in-house by Fortescue WAE, and 500 kilowatts of fuel cells. The prototype can store over 380kg of liquid hydrogen.

“Following the success of our battery electric haul truck prototype at site, we’re thrilled to now have Europa up and running on hydrogen,” Fortescue Metals chief executive officer Dino Otranto said.

“This is a huge achievement for the team and brings Fortescue another step closer to having a fleet of zero emission trucks at our sites by the end of this decade.”

Fortescue and Liebherr established a partnership for the development and supply of zero-emissions mining haul trucks in June 2022.

Liebherr began delivering the first of Fortescue’s T 264 diesel electric trucks in 2023, which will be converted to zero emission technology before the end of the decade.

“We’re aiming to transport Europa to our mining operations within the coming weeks where it will then undergo further site-based testing and commissioning,” Otranto said.

“The subsequent test results will inform our future fleet of zero emissions trucks that we’re delivering with Liebherr.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/fortescues-first-spin-in-hydrogen-haul-truck/

Is green iron Queensland’s next resource powerhouse?

Wed, 29 May 2024 05:15:19 GMT

A new partnership will soon see a major green iron hub opening its doors at Gladstone, Queensland.

Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners has entered the development phase of its proposed green iron project, which will involve testing of the major Eulogie magnetite deposit in central Queensland.

Exploration permits for the deposit are held by Quinbrook’s partner, Central Queensland Metals (CQM), and is touted to be the largest known deposit of its kind in the state.

Quinbrook managing director and regional leader Brian Restall welcomed the next stage of the project.

“This is unquestionably an ambitious project that directly addresses the hopes for Australia’s manufacturing renaissance,” Restall said .

“Whilst in its early stages, we believe the project has the potential to create a significant new infrastructure investment and export opportunity in the same way that Queensland’s coal seam gas resources have already done.”

The Eulogie resource is a vanadiferous titanomagnetite ore deposit located 70km west of Gladstone, estimated to contain 465 million tonnes of ore.

The deposit is anticipated to have the potential to support a resource more than double this amount after further exploration work is undertaken by CQM supported by Quinbrook.

“Quinbrook has built a reputation for devising differentiated investment strategies that create the new infrastructure assets needed to progress the energy transition,” Restall said.

“With Gladstone Green Iron, we are using our long-established project development DNA to identify unique industrial sites that can host new green manufacturing and processing industries benefitting from globally competitive operating costs including Quinbrook supplied renewable power.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/is-green-iron-queenslands-next-resource-powerhouse/

Federal Government reveals National Battery Strategy

Wed, 29 May 2024 04:50:43 GMT

On May 23, the Federal Government revealed its National Battery Strategy, outlining how it will support the Australian domestic battery industry as it grows. But what does the policy mean for the mining industry?

The strategy

The National Battery Strategy aims to drive economic growth by expanding Australia’s battery manufacturing capabilities and building skills.

It will create a diverse and competitive Australian battery industry by:

improving Australia’s energy security
ensuring Australia’s place in global battery supply chains
driving economic growth
creating positive social, economic and resilience outcomes for all Australians.

It will focus on areas such as manufacturing, knowledge and skills, global supply chains, sustainability, environment, social and governance, circular economy and government coordination to achieve these objectives.

The National Battery Strategy was released as part of the Future Made in Australia policy , which focuses on creating new jobs and opportunities by maximising economic and industrial benefits from the net-zero emissions transition. Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King previously described the resources industry as “ the heart ” of the policy.

Critical minerals

The National Battery Strategy will help Australia take advantage of its abundance of critical minerals by leaning into policies such as the Critical Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals Facility , the latter of which received a $2 billion boost last October.

“We want to make more things here and with global demand for batteries set to quadruple by 2030, Australia must be a player in this field,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said . “Batteries are a critical ingredient in Australia’s clean energy mix.

“Together with renewable energy, green hydrogen, and critical minerals, we will meet Australia’s emission reduction targets and create a strong clean energy manufacturing industry.”

Metals used to create batteries such as cobalt, graphite, lithium and nickel are on Australia’s critical minerals list , which outlines minerals that are essential to low-emission technology, the economy and national security, and whose supply chains are vulnerable to disruption.

Industry response

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has welcomed the strategy, with ATSE chief executive officer Kylie Walker describing it as “a step towards positioning Australia as a global leader in battery production by 2035”.

“The strategy is an opportunity to shift our focus from simply exporting minerals to adding value through advanced manufacturing capabilities,” Walker said .

ATSE especially welcomed the focus on knowledge and skills development, which heeded recommendations from ATSE’s recommendations.

“Meeting current skills shortages and modernising training capacity for future workforce demands is essential,” Walker said.

A total of $523.2 million was allocated to the Battery Breakthrough Initiative in the 2024–25 Federal Budget , which was welcomed by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia earlier this month. The funding will be spread over seven years and administered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/federal-government-reveals-national-battery-strategy/

Revived NSW silver mine gets straight to work

Wed, 29 May 2024 04:34:37 GMT

Polymetals Resources has been hard at work since it officially acquired the out-of-action Endeavor silver–zinc–lead mine near Cobar in New South Wales this month.

The company completed a 21-hole due diligence surface drilling program of the upper north lode (UNL) prior to securing the mine, which showed promising mineralisation in all drillholes.

Polymetals has now locked in a geotechnical drilling campaign set to commence in June and is closing in on a mine plan optimisation study.

“Polymetals has continued its mine plan optimisation work since the release of its initial mine restart study (MRS) in October last year,” Polymetals executive chair Dave Sproule said .

“With the recent strategic investment by Metals Acquisition Limited (MAC), the company is now funded to complete its final optimisation work program, being geotechnical drilling of the high-grade silver zinc UNL for mine planning optimisation purposes, as well as providing improved resources to reserves conversion.”

Polymetals announced it had formed a non-exclusive strategic alliance with Metals Acquisition Limited on May 27.

The aim of the alliance is to advance the Endeavor mine and MAC’s CSA copper mine, also located in the Cobar Basin.

“We are confident that the planned drilling might generate an uplift in the UNL ore reserves which are planned to be mined over the first two years of production,” Sproule said.

“The high grade and high margin silver and zinc UNL is shallow and has existing mine development allowing immediate access for accelerated mining.

“Results from the drilling will be included along with the additional tonnes identified from within the main orebody in our optimised study.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/revived-nsw-silver-mine-gets-straight-to-work/

Thunderbird production flies high

Wed, 29 May 2024 04:22:59 GMT

Sheffield Resources’ Kimberley Mineral Sands has seen a major ramp up in production at the Thunderbird mineral sands mine in Western Australia.

Thunderbird has produced about 1.35 million tonnes (Mt) for the June 2024 quarter to date, a substantial increase from the previous quarter where 1.1Mt was produced.

During the month of May, Thunderbird produced about 750,000 tonnes, which in line with the current ramp up schedule working towards an annualised ore mining rate of 10Mt per annum.

The increase in Thunderbird mine production led to an increase in concentrates production, with about 65,000 tonnes of ilmenite produced in the June quarter to date. Around 37,000 tonnes was produced in May.

Thunderbird also produced 20,000 tonnes of zircon concentrate for the June quarter to date, with 12,000 tonnes produced in May.

“The ramp up of activities at Thunderbird is progressing very well and the significant step change in production and shipment achievements during this quarter demonstrate that we are moving forward toward nameplate capacity in line with our original plans,” Sheffield executive chair Bruce Griffin said .

“While we have observed cost pressure and near-term pressure on realised zircon concentrate pricing, Thunderbird remains a world class mineral sands asset capable of solid production and cost performance across many decades to come.”

The increase in mine and concentrate production at Thunderbird follows the first bulk shipment of zircon concentrate being shipped from the operation in late March.

Sheffield said Thunderbird product shipments for the June quarter have continued to grow, with about 55,000 tonnes of ilmenite concentrate being dispatched to Yansteel, Sheffield’s 50:50 joint venture partner for Kimberley Mineral Sands.

The loading of around 30,000 tonnes of ilmenite concentrate is currently underway, with regular bulk product shipments via the Port of Broome expected throughout the rest of the June quarter.

The Thunderbird project boasts one of the largest high-grade mineral sands deposits discovered in the last 30 years.

Operations began at the site in October 2023, with the project expected to produce a suite of mineral sands concentrate products.

Source : https://www.australianmining.com.au/thunderbird-production-flies-high/

Fortescue begins building Arizona green hydrogen plant

Mon, 13 May 2024 05:22:44 GMT

Australia’s Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has begun building its first “green” hydrogen plant in Arizona, which is expected to produce up to 11,000 tonnes of the element annually.

Construction of the project, dubbed Arizona Hydrogen, is part of Fortescue’s $550 million commitment to developing an electrolyzer and liquefaction facility in Phoenix, where first production of liquid green hydrogen is targeted for 2026.

The world’s fourth-largest iron ore maker, which is expanding into renewable resources with its Fortescue Energy unit, said the Arizona plant is slated to create over 2,000 jobs during construction and more than 400 permanent positions once in operation.

The process of producing green hydrogen is powered entirely by renewable energy. Since it doesn’t generate polluting emissions it is considered the cleanest and most sustainable form of hydrogen.

“Fortescue is unashamedly a first-mover in this space, the world needs us to move quickly,” Fortescue executive chair and founder Andrew Forrest said.

“But, we need to be encouraged to that, not punished. There are rules right now under consideration with the Biden Administration that would make already announced projects like this one dramatically more expensive and smaller, resulting in fewer economic opportunities and slower progress on decarbonization.”

Forrest was referring to the proposed Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit, or section 45V of the US Inflation Reduction Act, which dictates how hydrogen producers qualify for the credit.

The draft rules propose to limit hydrogen producers’ ability to provide project-specific information, such as upstream emissions data, when calculating the carbon intensity of their hydrogen. Instead, a national average will be used for all producers, rather than allowing them to use their actual upstream emissions data.

According to opponents to these rules , they say that the eligibility for the 45V tax credit will be based on this national average carbon intensity, rather than the real emissions associated with each producer’s operations. As a result, the federal government may end up rewarding dirtier natural gas production while discouraging other producers from cleaning up their processes.

“I support the Biden Administration’s goal to produce hydrogen in a way that prioritizes sustainability, however 45V, in its current form, is a straitjacket on the industry and works against the Biden Administration’s own climate goals,” Forrest said.

Fortescue has been expanding its presence in the green energy market in recent months. Late last year, it approved investments of about $750 million over the next three years for the Arizona hub and two other projects: the Gladstone 50 megawatt green hydrogen project in Queensland, Australia; and the Christmas Creek green iron trial commercial plant in Western Australia.

The miner has also announced its intention to build an advanced manufacturing facility in Michigan and it has opened an office in New York , called Fortescue Capital, to attract more investment into its green energy businesses.

As part of the strategy to scale up its green energy unit, Fortescue said last year it would no longer allocate 10% of its net profits to this business. Instead, projects and investments will compete for capital allocation, with additional funding coming from external investors.

Fortescue expects to maintain equity stakes ranging from 25% to 50% in these projects, where it will partner with outside investors.

The miner is expected to make final investment decisions on green hydrogen initiatives in northeastern Brazil and Norway before year-end.

Source: https://www.mining.com/fortescue-begins-building-arizona-green-hydrogen-plant/

Firebird Metals confirms low-cost Chinese manganese operation with feasibility study

Mon, 13 May 2024 05:08:16 GMT

Firebird Metals (ASX: FRB) has provided a feasibility study for its proposed manganese sulphate operations based in China that demonstrated a low-cost producer of material used in lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) batteries.

The company has several manganese projects in Western Australia, but is aiming to lower production costs by building a plant and establishing operations in China, where it has developed relationships with several experts in the LMFP space.

After assessing a number of locations, Firebird selected Jinshi, Hunan province, as the site of its battery-grade manganese sulphate production facility for the initial phase, during which it will process manganese ore provided by third parties.

According to the feasibility study released on Monday, the projected capex of the Stage 1 operation is estimated at $83.5 million, with another $10.6 million pegged for working capital.

The Stage 1 plant will have a capacity of 50,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of battery-grade manganese sulphate (MnSO4) and 10,000 tpa of manganese tetra oxide (Mn3O4), or the equivalent of 72,500 tpa MnSO4.

The company will rely on the circular industry and plant location within the Jinshi High-Tech Industrial Park, which has localized key reagents and inputs that can drive a low opex of approximately $609/mt for MnSO4. The price of MnSO4 referenced in the feasibility report is $1,419/mt.

“The company has been buoyed by the incredible level of support and interest received from key government agencies and tier-one banks in assisting us establish operations in China,” Firebird managing director Peter Allen said in a news release.

“With their support, Firebird is well-positioned to deliver on key remaining development and financing milestones to meet our objective of commencing operations in China in Q4 2025,” he said, adding that this support also extends to ongoing discussions regarding third-party manganese offtake for Stage 1.

In Stage 2, Firebird will transition to processing ore from its Oakover project, located 85 km east of Newman in the East Pilbara manganese province. The production capacity is expected to rise to 300,000 tpa MnSO4 for the Chinese cathode market plus 100,000 tpa MnSO4 for Western markets.

An August 2023 a scoping study for the Oakover project indicated an 18-year mine capable of producing 1.2 million tonnes of 30-32% pure manganese concentrate annually. The deposit has a measured resource of 172 million tonnes at 9.9% manganese and an indicated resource of 105.8 million tonnes at 10.1% manganese.

Source: https://www.mining.com/firebird-metals-confirms-low-cost-chinese-manganese-operation-with-feasibility-study/

An end-to-end technology solution

Mon, 13 May 2024 04:53:01 GMT

BUMA deploys operational technology to ensure the best client outcomes.

Mining services provider BUMA offers comprehensive end-to-end services to its clients throughout Queensland with ongoing support from its technology solution partner, Aptella .

With a focus on safety and collaboration, BUMA has rapidly expanded its use of operational technology in recent years, tailoring solutions to meet the requirements of each client and project.

Jack Walker leads operational technology initiatives across BUMA sites, providing solutions and offering comprehensive support for technology incorporated into the day to day running of a mine.

“As a mining services provider we partner with our clients over the long term and our commitment is to deliver on their evolving objectives,” Walker said.

BUMA’s scope and scale of operations are varied and dynamic, offering tailored mining service solutions to clients. These range from comprehensive full scope services to fulfilling specific requirements such as integration with a client’s fully autonomous fleet, rehabilitation services and asset maintenance.

“We take pride in our ability to adapt our approach and be agile, quickly mobilising to address new requirements or meet changing project demands,” Walker said.

Responsible for examining the latest advancements in technology, Walker engages with external stakeholders to seek solutions that optimise performance, asset management and rural network connectivity.

Collaboration with all major departments, particularly asset technology, allows the business to work cohesively and deliver well-rounded solutions.

BUMA’s journey into operational technology stems from a fundamental focus on taking care of its people, company assets including trucks, excavators and dozers, and the mine itself.

“Safety is the number one value at BUMA. We continuously look to integrate and utilise technology to create a secure working environment for all employees, both our own and our clients’,” Walker said.

The use of high precision machine guidance for excavators and dozers, coupled with survey solutions, machine health monitoring, and site networking, enhances the efficiency of the mine and lifespan of the machinery.

“Optimising the safety of our people, as well as the health and performance of our equipment, ultimately leads to improved pit compliance and extraction,” Walker said. “That in turn translates to higher quality outcomes for clients, both in the short- and long-term.”

As a growing company, BUMA focuses on downstream technologies that materially support strategic mine planning.

Survey, machine guidance and drone technology help to ensure accurate and safe mine designs that enhance overall efficiency. Additionally, BUMA is investing in modern network infrastructure to maintain dataflow and real-time operations.

In choosing a technology provider, Walker said it was important the company aligned with BUMA’s agile, tailored approach.

After years of successful deployment at the Commodore mine, near Toowoomba in Queensland, Aptella (formerly Position Partners) has supported BUMA’s expansion of technology across all sites, with rapid deployment within a six-month period.

“We value Aptella’s adaptability, aligning with BUMA’s commitment to client needs,” Walker said. “Aptella’s agnostic products provide us with a wide range of solutions across various mining functions, enabling us to choose and deploy the best tools for each project.”

Aptella mining business executive manager Andrew Granger said the company deeply values its collaborative working relationship with BUMA.

“As a company that lives and breathes its commitments to safety and progress, it has been a privilege to support BUMA’s growth by providing end-to-end technology services to meet their evolving needs,” he said.

As a multi-solution distributor with offices throughout Australia, South-East Asia, and New Zealand, Aptella has a strong commitment to providing local service and support capabilities to customers.

Like BUMA, Aptella recognises that every site and client has unique requirements when it comes to both the technology, service and support that will suit them best.

“Our approach is to listen to customer challenges and understand desired outcomes, first and foremost,” Granger said. “We then innovate to source and deploy the best, fit-for-purpose technology to help deliver those outcomes and support our customers over the long-term.”

Aptella provides BUMA with 24–7 asset monitoring and support, which includes access to Aptella’s remote access platform that enables technicians to contact, troubleshoot and resolve issues remotely.

This service provides BUMA with fast, proactive support, and is backed by a local team of technicians who can deliver site maintenance and training.

“In the dynamic industry that is mining, unplanned maintenance is part of the journey,” Walker said. “Having Aptella’s readily-deployable resources make a significant difference, enabling us to address any issues quickly, minimising disruption and ensuring smooth operations.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/an-end-to-end-technology-solution/

Digital innovations in the spotlight ahead of QME

Mon, 13 May 2024 04:36:22 GMT

The Australian mining sector is thriving amid the advent of digital technologies, with paper-based systems largely a thing of the past.

As digital capabilities continues to evolve, so are the resource industry’s needs for such infrastructure, with achieving greater productivity, safety and sustainability paramount operational considerations.

Do you have an inspired digital offering the mining sector needs to hear about?

The July edition of Australian Mining will showcase the digital innovations and processes that are enabling mining companies and contractors to realise a more streamlined operation.

Australian Mining is an official media partner of QME, meaning the July edition will be distributed at the conference, providing additional reach for your content and branding.

The July edition will also give QME exhibitors the opportunity promote their participation at the event, with the ability to detail your stall location and any key products and messages you are looking to convey.

The offer includes:

1 x full-page advertisement for July edition of Australian Mining (ad to be supplied).
1 x editorial piece in Australian Mining (to appear as part of ‘digital mining’ feature)
Editorial to be written for you by an Australian Mining journalist
Editorial to appear on Australian Mining website and be distributed through its e-newsletter and social media channels.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/minings-most-inspired-digital-innovations/

Glencore divests Volcan stake

Mon, 13 May 2024 04:24:42 GMT

Glencore has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its controlling stake in Volcan Compañia Minera, one of the largest producers of zinc, lead, and silver in the world.

Glencore is selling its 55.03 per cent stake to Transition Metals AG, a subsidiary of Integra Capital, a financial and investment firm that has invested in a diversified portfolio in Argentina and beyond.

“As part of the transaction, Transition Metals will pay Glencore $US20 million and Glencore has agreed to provide a secured facility of up to $US40 million to fund certain mandatory tender offer obligations of Transition Metals pursuant to applicable Peruvian laws and regulations,” Glencore said in a statement.

“The transaction is not subject to any regulatory approvals and is expected to close this week.”

Glencore first acquired a stake in Volcan in November 2017 via a purchase offer at $US1.215 per A share.

At the end of the offer, Glencore acquired 36.92 per cent of the class A common shares, leading the company to hold 55.03 per cent of the total class A common shares. The company also gained 23.29 per cent of the class B common shares, which excluded treasury shares.

Volcan is currently operating 12 mines and eight plants across five mining units. All of its operations are located in the Central Sierra of Peru and the company holds 29.7 million tonnes in total mineral reserves and 470.8 million tonnes in total mineral resources, as of 2023.

In other news, Glencore recently welcomed top-end profits and a copper boost, just in time for global demand to take off.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/glencore-divests-volcan-stake/

Aggreko strikes gold at Porphyry

Mon, 13 May 2024 04:19:09 GMT

Energy solutions company Aggreko has completed the construction and commissioning phase of a new 4.4 megawatt (MW) solar farm.

The solar farm utilises 5B Maverick PV panels , as well as two Aggreko Y.Cube battery energy storage systems, which will supply renewable power to Northern Star Resources’ Porphyry gold mine in Western Australia under a long term power purchase agreement.

The Porphyry project is part of Northern Star Resources’ Carosue Dam Operations.

The existing 5MW diesel power station – owned and operated by Aggreko – has been connected and integrated with the new solar farm and BESS to create Aggreko’s second thermal renewable hybrid power station in WA.

“The new solar array was commissioned in February 2024 and is set to produce about 7.4 gigawatt hours of renewable energy each year – saving 1.67 million litres of diesel fuel and 4486 metric tonnes of CO ₂ emissions annually,” Aggreko managing director Asia Pacific George Whyte said.

“We worked closely with 5B to supply a relocatable solar plant, which seamlessly integrates renewables with conventional power sources. This ensures a reliable and sustainable energy supply, while optimising cost effectiveness.”

Aggreko’s environmental, safety and governance (ESG) strategy is underpinned by two goals:

net-zero emissions from facilities and operations by 2035

a 30 per cent reduction in the emissions intensity of energy solutions by 2030.

These environmental commitments sit alongside the company’s social and governance commitments: investing in its own skills and communities and being an ethical and transparent business.

Northern Star Resources’ Carosue Dam Operations general manager, John Albrecht said the solar PV power will help boost the operation’s financial and environmental footprint.

“The off-grid power solution implemented provides a reliable, and cost-effective solution that can be scaled up and down as needed throughout our mine’s operational life cycle,” he said.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/aggreko-strikes-gold-at-porphyry/

Victorian Budget brings in mixed mining reviews

Mon, 13 May 2024 00:25:10 GMT

Victoria’s 2024–25 Budget was released yesterday, with industry players reacting with mixed reviews.

The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) said the Budget provides some positive developments for Victoria’s mining industry, but warned a lack of funding for smaller projects could prove costly.

In particular, the MCA highlighted the absence of funding for the critical minerals grants program announced in the 2022 Budget.

“Modest grants for exploration, research, and innovative technologies are essential to ensure Victoria capitalises on opportunities to integrate into renewable energy and high-tech supply chains,” the MCA said .

However, the Budget has allocated $44 million in base funding to help grow the Victorian critical minerals industry, which the MCA said is a step in the right direction.

“MCA Victoria acknowledges the $44 million in base funding provided in the Budget for Resources Victoria to help grow the Victorian critical minerals industry and fund an efficient regulator, for which the MCA has long advocated,” the MCA said.

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to make no changes to the existing royalties scheme.

“The2024-25 Victorian Budget makes no changes to the existing royalties scheme, and no increases in fees and charges for miners and explorers, but there remains a lack of clarity around the state’s critical minerals ambitions and objectives,” AMEC chief executive officer Warren Pearce said .

“With $44.7 million in new sector funding, this budget builds on last years $23.3 million for the Victorian resources industry to continue building regulator capability and approvals capacity and efficiency, along with ensuring delivery of its regulatory reform amendments.”

Like the MCA, AMEC highlighted the need for more critical minerals funding.

“While this should help Government be more efficient, we would like to see more real support for critical minerals,” Pearce said.

“Unlike most other jurisdictions in Australia, Victoria has yet to outline a prescriptive critical minerals strategy, despite having a considerable mineral endowment including antimony, lithium, copper, tungsten, tin and mineral sands (including rare earth elements).”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/victorian-budget-brings-in-mixed-mining-reviews/

Epiroc and Toranomon deepen ties

Mon, 13 May 2024 00:04:15 GMT

Epiroc has signed a non-exclusive distributor agreement with Toranomon Corporation, a Japanese sales and rental company.

The partnership intends to strengthen Epiroc’s presence in Japan’s booming underground civil construction segment.

For more than a decade, Toranomon has worked solely with Epiroc equipment, primarily focusing on sales and rental of the technologically advanced and appreciated Boomer face drilling rigs.

The new partnership between the two companies also acts as an extension to the business relationship Epiroc and Toranomon have shared over the last several years.

“Toranomon’s extensive market expertise, strong position, as well as their high contractor engagement within the tunnelling segment, makes this a strategically important partnership for Epiroc,” Epiroc underground division vice president sales and marketing Sarah Hoffman said .

The non-exclusive distributor agreement was signed at the end of 2023 and will provide strengthened after-market support for Epiroc customers in Japan with the help of Toranomon’s large service organisation.

“We are delighted to start this closer relationship,” Toranomon Construction Machinery chief executive officer Koki Sakurai said.

“Japan’s civil tunnelling is deeply safety driven, while project demands are growing at high speed. The population of Japanese tunnel workers are decreasing, and our local customers appreciate Epiroc’s advanced rigs that provide fast and accurate drilling.”

Epiroc underground division global business development manager civil construction Ulf Sundberg echoed similar sentiments.

“With this agreement in place, we are proud to offer solutions and services that will improve safety, innovation, and sustainability within the underground civil construction segment,” Sundberg said.

“We see great potential in utilising automation and monitoring technologies to a greater extent in the Japanese tunnelling segment, where challenging rock conditions are frequently met.”

Epiroc recently announced that its SmartROC C50 surface drill rig is now available with a standard feed and a long feed.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/epiroc-and-toranomon-deepen-ties/

Queensland critical minerals boosted by millions

Sun, 12 May 2024 23:54:08 GMT

Queensland is set to welcome a host of new critical minerals projects thanks to millions in funding from the Queensland Government.

The funding comes from a $2.67 million Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) Collaborative Project Fund and the latest round of the $4.6 million Collaborative Exploration Initiative (CEI).

The CEI will provide funding of up to $300,000 to 18 successfully chosen projects across regional Queensland including near Chillagoe, Cloncurry, Mount Isa and Townsville.

Nearly three quarters of all successful projects are involved in the discovery of new copper deposits, an essential resource for many types of clean energy

“By facilitating these exploratory projects, we are not only laying the groundwork for economic prosperity but also reinforcing Queensland’s position as a key player in the global resources market,” Queensland Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart said .

The $2.67 million METS Collaborative Project Fund invites researchers, government agencies, resource companies and industry groups to come together to tackle challenges in the sector.

Grants between $50,000 and $300,000 are on offer, and projects that address environmental issues, emissions management, renewable energy and safety will be prioritised.

“We’re inviting funding proposals that aim to improve emissions and support Queensland’s transition to renewable energies and improve mine site safety,” Queensland Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace said .

“We aim to champion initiatives that focus on global industry challenges such as automation, mine rehabilitation, reducing emissions across the resources supply chain, and collaborating with resource companies to pilot ground-breaking technologies.”

Previous funding has gone to projects that have used machine learning algorithms to find the best way to predict the mineral content of ore bodies; and the installation of sensors to monitor wear and maintenance of mine site conveyor belts.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/queensland-critical-minerals-boosted-by-millions/

Orion looks to offload another 8.3% stake in Capstone Copper

Sun, 12 May 2024 23:42:39 GMT

The three Orion Resource Partners funds that recently sold a stake in Capstone Copper (TSX: CS) (ASX: CSC) are looking to offload another 8.3% holding in the Canadian miner’s shares via a secondary offering in the Australian market.

On Friday, Orion Fund JV Limited, Orion Mine Finance Fund II LP and Orion Mine Finance (Master) Fund I-A LP jointly announced a block trade agreement with Macquarie Capital Ltd., Canaccord Genuity Ltd. and RBC Capital Markets, all in Australia, for the sale of their equity interest.

Under the deal, the Orion funds will sell 62.4 million CHESS depository interests over the common shares of Capstone, or the equivalent number of fully paid common shares, at a price of A$9.50 each. The proceeds totalling A$592.8 million will go directly to Orion, and Capstone will not receive any proceeds from the CDI sale.

The CDIs will only be offered to certain eligible investors in Australia, plus other foreign jurisdictions where the distribution of CDIs does not require a prospectus, which would exclude Canada.

At the time of Friday’s announcement, the Orion mining funds held approximately 152.9 million common shares for an approximate 20.3% stake in Capstone. Upon closing of the secondary offering, they would beneficially own 90.5 million shares, or approximately 12.0% of Capstone’s share capital.

As part of the secondary offering, Orion has agreed not to sell any common shares or other securities of Capstone for a period of 90 days.

In early February, Orion announced the sale of 11.9 million common shares, or 1.7% of Capstone, in a bought deal offering involving RBC Capital Markets, National Bank Financial Inc. and Scotiabank. In total, the financing saw more than 68.4 million shares sold including 56.5 million by Capstone.

Capstone raised C$431.2 million from this to fund its projects in Chile, which include the Mantos Blancos copper-silver mine located in the Antofagasta region and the 70% owned Mantoverde copper-gold mine located in the Atacama region.

Shares of Capstone Copper fell 3.2% at market open in Toronto to C$8.69 apiece. The stock traded within a range of C$4.40-C$9.15 over the last 52 weeks. Its market capitalization is estimated at over C$6.5 billion ($4.8bn).

Source: https://www.mining.com/orion-looks-to-offload-another-8-3-stake-in-capstone-copper/

Australian magnate Rinehart takes stake in MP Materials

Sun, 12 May 2024 23:26:04 GMT

US rare-earths producer MP Materials said Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart’s mining firm had taken a 5.3% stake in the company, expanding her investments in the mineral ore sector.

In a regulatory filing last week, the Nevada-based miner said Hancock Prospecting, owned by Australia’s richest person Rinehart, holds about 8.8 million shares of MP Materials.

MP Materials is the second-biggest producer of rare earths outside China after Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths. Lynas ended talks with MP Materials over a potential merger in February.

Hancock declined to comment on Wednesday.

The iron ore miner has been building stakes in critical minerals projects, including rare earths. Hancock’s investments include a 6.17% stake in Brazilian Rare Earths and a 9.14% holdings in Arafura Rare Earths, according to LSEG data.

(By Melanie Burton and Roshia Sabu; Editing by Maju Samuel and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

Source: https://www.mining.com/web/australian-billionaire-rineharts-firm-takes-stake-in-mp-materials/

AVL welcomes first vanadium electrolyte

Sun, 12 May 2024 23:14:08 GMT

Australian Vanadium (AVL) has produced its first high purity vanadium electrolyte, which is a key component of vanadium flow batteries.

Independent testing demonstrated that the vanadium electrolyte complied with typical specifications required by vanadium flow battery manufacturers.

Alongside producing first vanadium electrolyte, AVL has also successfully commissioned its vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility that completed construction in December.

The facility – located in Wangara, Western Australia – was built with the help of a $3.69 million grant from the Federal Government. It was designed to produce high-purity electrolyte to support up to 33 megawatt hours per year of vanadium flow battery energy storage.

“The completion of the facility, coupled with the confirmation of the production of on-specification vanadium electrolyte from Western Australia’s first manufacturing facility, achieves another major milestone for AVL and is a positive reflection of the technical and operational expertise within our organisation,” AVL chief executive officer Graham Arvidson said .

“We are ready to accept orders for electrolyte and are actively pursuing sales.”

According to AVL , vanadium batteries are best suited to large-scale energy storage applications such as electrical grids as they offer a high capacity for energy storage and a long cycle life. They can also be charged and discharged repeatedly without significant degradation.

To help the industry build upon these advantages, the company is developing its Australian Vanadium project , one of the highest grade vanadium projects in the world.

Vanadium concentrate produced from the Australian Vanadium project will then feed AVL’s proposed processing plant for vanadium pentoxide production, which will be used as feedstock for the vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/avl-welcomes-first-vanadium-electrolyte/

Safety and shipments winners for Fortescue

Sun, 12 May 2024 23:01:50 GMT

Both total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR) and shipments improved for Fortescue during the March quarter, with the major achieving a record shipment month in March.

The TRIFR for metals saw a 17 per cent improvement from December 2023 at 1.5. This was compared to a TRIFR of 1.8 at 31 December 2023.

While iron ore shipments were six per cent lower at 43.3 million tonnes, shipments did recover during the quarter, with a record month for shipments of 18.7 million tonnes achieved in March.

“The Fortescue team pulled together to successfully implement our recovery plan, and we had a record month for shipments in March contributing to 43.3 million tonnes for the quarter,” Fortescue Metals chief executive officer Dino Otranto said .

“We also set a new record for railed tonnes, all while continuing to improve our safety performance.

“Our decarbonisation plan is progressing well, with our first operational electric excavator moving over one million tonnes of material since being commissioned. Our battery electric haul truck prototype has completed its first phase of testing, exceeding the performance expectations of the battery power system.”

The March quarter saw Fortescue successfully conduct the first use of ammonia as a marine fuel onboard the Singapore-flagged ammonia-powered vessel, the Fortescue Green Pioneer.

“In true Fortescue style, we are rapidly advancing these opportunities while retaining an unwavering focus on costs and capital discipline,” Fortescue Energy chief executive officer Mark Hutchinson said.

“The Energy business achieved several milestones, including the official opening of our Gladstone Electrolyser Facility in Queensland, which positions Fortescue as a large scale producer of electrolyser stacks.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/safety-and-shipments-winners-for-fortescue/

Andromeda completes Wudinna divestment

Fri, 10 May 2024 00:04:18 GMT

Andromeda Metals has finalised the divestment of its 25 per cent stake in the Wudinna gold project in Gawler Craton , South Australia.

Wudinna is now wholly owned by Cobra Resources, a gold explorer trading on the London Stock Exchange. For the stake, Cobra paid Andromeda $500,000 in cash and $1 million in Cobra shares.

“Andromeda confirms that the sale and purchase has completed and Andromeda’s wholly owned subsidiary Peninsula Resources received $500,000 in cash, in addition to the 52,010,000 Cobra shares that were issued in advance of completion,” Andromeda said .

Andromeda announced the Wudinna divestment in November 2023. Andromeda managing director and chief executive officer Bob Katsiouleris said the divestment is consistent with Andromeda’s strategy to divest non-core assets to support the commercialisation and development of the Great White project.

“This announcement, in addition to the recent announcement on the sale of Drummond epithermal gold project, demonstrates our strategic focus remains squarely focused on securing the funding required to support a final investment decision for the Great White project being made, and the commencement of construction,” Katsiouleris said in November.

For the Drummond project in Queensland, Andromeda allotted 29.5 million shares in Trigg Minerals in exchange for the reimbursement of expenses related to the sale of the project.

The shares were issued alongside an upfront payment of $27,000 in cash and a cash refund of $7500 in respect of the environmental bonds for the project.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/andromeda-completes-wudinna-divestment/

March quarter a winner for Red 5, Silver Lake

Thu, 09 May 2024 23:52:07 GMT

As the two gold miners ready for their merger in June, a strong March quarter has seen these individual entities off with a bang.

Red 5

Red 5 has been on a winning streak with its gold production, with the March quarter marking the fourth consecutive quarter over 50,000 ounces.

The gold miner produced a total of 50,132 ounces in the quarter, positioning it to deliver at the top end of its 2023–24 financial year (FY24) production guidance of 195,000–215,000 ounces.

“The March quarter marked another solid period of consistent delivery by the Red 5 team and our fourth successive quarter of production above 50,000 ounces,” Red 5 managing director Mark Williams said .

“All three of our mines – KOTH open pit, KOTH underground and Darlot underground – continued to perform well, delivering the required tonnes and grade.

“KOTH open pit had a standout quarter, with a total of 1.8 million tonnes of ore being mined at an overall grade of 0.81 grams per tonne.”

KOTH, or King of the Hills, gold mine in Western Australia, saw ore production from a number of areas and contributed to Red 5’s quarterly gold sales of 49,726 ounces.

“During the quarter, the major corporate development for Red 5 was the proposed merger between Red 5 and Silver Lake, to create a diversified, leading mid-tier gold company with a very strong balance sheet,” Williams said.

“This transaction is a logical combination of two leading mid-tier gold companies, and represents an exciting inflection point for Red 5 shareholders following the successful development, ramp-up and achievement of steady-state production at King of the Hills.”

Silver Lake

Quarterly production HIT 64,967 ounces of gold and 349 tonnes of copper for Silver Lake, with ongoing drilling at the miner’s Western Australian operations to advance potential new mining fronts to increase operational flexibility and life of mine.

The strong year to date performance has Silver Lake well positioned to exit FY24 having delivered or exceeded group sales guidance for the 10th consecutive year.

“During the quarter Silver Lake again delivered strong operating performance and continued the established

track record of strong free cash generation in Western Australia,” the miner said.

“Importantly, the strong free cash flow result is in parallel with the continued investment in growth and mine life extension opportunities with the ramp up of activities at the Santa mining complex (in WA) through the quarter culminating in the first blast on April 8 and the ongoing 93,000 metre drill program at the Sugar Zone.”

The commencement of mining at Santa reestablishes open pit mining at Mount Belches for the first time
since 2016.

Cash and bullion sat at $342 million at the end of the quarter.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/march-quarter-a-winner-for-red-5-silver-lake/

Lynas powers through low rare earths prices

Thu, 09 May 2024 23:41:58 GMT

Lynas Rare Earths made strong progress across its growth projects during the March 2024 quarter amid lower rare earths prices.

“Sales revenue and sales receipts for the quarter, at $101.2 million and $107.7 million respectively, reflected the low average NdPr price during the quarter and also our decision to hold both NdPr (neodymium–praseodymium) and SEG (mixed heavy rare earths) inventory rather than sell into the low price environment,” Lynas chief executive officer Amanda Lacaze said .

Despite the low rare earths prices, Lynas achieved “excellent” production rates, with 1724 tonnes of NdPr produced during the period.

Construction activities at the Mount Weld expansion project also progressed well, with structural, mechanical, piping (SMP) and electrical works on Stage 1 (concentrate dewatering) being well advanced.

“The energisation and commissioning of the Stage 1 circuit will commence over the next few months, and the Stage 1 circuit will initially be tied into the existing operation,” Lacaze said.

“A staged commissioning approach reduces commissioning risk and enables a step-up in production capacity in the latter part of this calendar year whilst the remainder of the plant is constructed.”

Construction of Mount Weld’s Stage 2 (balance of plan) is also ramping up with all long lead equipment such as grinding mills and flotation cells on site. Concrete works at Stage 2 are also advancing and SMP works are set to commence in late April.

Following the first feed of material from Mount Weld into the Kalgoorlie facility in December 2023, Lynas continued to carry out final commissioning and initial production activities at the Kalgoorlie project. These activities remain ongoing.

“Introduction of concentrate into the process has informed additional works and activities,” Lacaze said. “This has included enhanced electrical back-up systems following the major electricity outage in late January, further testing of loading and unloading systems and additional testing of the flowsheet.

“Based on the continued finalisation of construction costs and the extended commissioning timeline, the updated project budget for the Kalgoorlie facility is estimated at a capital cost of approximately $800 million, an increase on the previous estimate of $730 million outlined in August 2023.”

After awarding Western Australian company Carey Group Holdings a five-year mining services contract in March, Carey commenced work at Mount Weld in April.

“The contract will draw on Carey’s nearly 30 years of experience as an open pit mining contractor and leading 100 per cent First Nations-owned business, including as a service provider to neighbouring mines near Laverton,” Lacaze said.

Last week, mining magnate Gina Rinehart snapped up a 5.82 per cent stake in Lynas amid her rare earths spending spree .

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/lynas-powers-through-low-rare-earths-prices/

ESG Watch: Why climate change is leaving mining firms between a rock and a hard place

Thu, 09 May 2024 23:28:08 GMT

For most of us, when we think about mining and the environment, it tends to be about water and air pollution, disasters such as the fatal collapse of tailings dams, or the global warming consequences of coal mining.

But the extraction of metals such as copper, nickel and cobalt will be increasingly important as we urgently seek ways to cut emissions from other building blocks of the global economy such as steel, cement and aluminum.

By 2050, the World Bank forecasts that demand for the metals and minerals used to produce the clean energy technologies that will be needed to meet Paris Climate Agreement goals will increase by almost 500%.

New mines will bring increased risks to nature and biodiversity. Conservation group Re:wild warned recently, for example, that more than a third of Africa’s great apes are at risk because of the surge in demand for the minerals that are vital for green technologies.

At the same time, the sector is itself becoming more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including increased flooding, heatwaves, drought and increased competition for water. A McKinsey study found that 30%-50% of production for copper, gold, iron ore and zinc is in areas of high water stress, and those figures are predicted to rise.

“In Chile, 80% of copper production is already located in extremely high water-stressed and arid areas; by 2040, it will be 100%,” the consultancy says, adding that 40% of Russian iron ore production will suffer from extreme water stress by 2040.

Recently, mines from Brazil to Germany have had to shut down temporarily because of water shortages, costing their operators millions of dollars. Reducing the water intensity of mining operations will be crucial to improve the resilience of production assets. Extreme heat and sea level rise are other climate impacts the sector will have to address.

The industry also faces pressure to cut its own emissions as businesses across the world increasingly look at the carbon impact of their supply chains.

“Although metals are not yet priced on their CO2 footprint, that day could come,” McKinsey points out.

Coal, which currently accounts for about half of the global mining market, may be flying high at the moment, but demand, not just from power generation but also from steelmakers and cement producers, will recede as the pressure to decarbonize increases. Many mining companies face having to rebalance their portfolios to replace revenues from coal production.

The Global Investor Commission on Mining 2030 was launched in 2023 to address key systemic risks that challenge the mining sector’s ability to meet the demands of the low-carbon transition. As they scale up production of transition minerals, “they must do so responsibly and without harm to communities and the environment – or risk conflict and opposition from host communities that will in turn undermine the global climate transition,” it says.

The commission, backed by $13 trillion of assets under management, is chaired by Adam Matthews, who is also chief responsible investment officer of the Church of England Pensions Board. He says the commission’s focus areas include artisanal mining, child labour, the impact of automation and the future workforce, indigenous communities’ and First Nations’ rights, impacts on biodiversity, climate change, tailings dams, conflict reconciliation and corruption.

“To meet our climate targets, a lot of mines need to be expanded or developed from scratch in areas with a lot of complex dynamics,” Matthews says. “We need a global focus on what is needed for the transition, and where those assets are located, communities need to benefit.”

Energy analysts Wood Mackenzie say the switch to net zero “will require a total rethink of what the mining and metals space is, and where it needs to be”.

The industry will have to electrify its operations as much as possible, not just through the use of renewable electricity but also by replacing giant diesel-fuelled trucks with alternatives powered by batteries or fuel cells, or using LNG, hydrogen and e-fuels. There will also be opportunities to improve efficiency through the use of autonomous fleets, while artificial intelligence and machine learning should also streamline operations and identify opportunities to cut emissions.

Matthews, however, stresses that mining works on a multi-decadal time frame that often comes up against short-term investor horizons. “A lot of these things take a considerable amount of work, real engagement with communities and challenge business models that focus on shorter time frames than the industry actually works to,” he says.

While there are a number of initiatives to help operators to reduce their impacts, these are not always well developed or universally applied. “There is a complex landscape of standards and we need some consolidation,” Matthews points out. “And in some areas, there are no standards. There was no standard for tailings until recently, for example, but one is now being developed.”

Schneider Electric’s Materialize platform, which it launched in April with the Global Mining Guidelines group and Glencore, is an initiative that aims to bring mining and minerals groups together to cut emissions in the sector’s global supply chain.

“There is a multitude of different players across mining, minerals and metals, of different sizes and with different capabilities to be able to decarbonize,” says Rob Moffitt, president, mining, minerals and metals at Schneider Electric. “Materialize was formed to help those companies create a critical mass across the value chain.”

One area where the platform could have a significant effect is in increasing the use of renewable energy. “By combining the purchasing power of different companies, we can accelerate the deployment of clean energy through utility-scale PPAs (power-purchase agreements),” Moffitt says.

The platform will also be used to engage thousands of suppliers, share best practice and allow companies to track emissions from suppliers.

“There will be far more pressure on the supply of critical minerals in future,” he says. “If we are going to decarbonize, we really need these industries. But we need to work out how to produce these minerals in a more sustainable way.”

Source: https://www.mining.com/web/esg-watch-why-climate-change-is-leaving-mining-firms-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place/

Mining Rehabilitation Fund continues to deliver

Thu, 09 May 2024 23:13:28 GMT

A 10-year review of the Western Australian Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) has been undertaken, with stakeholders invited to give feedback.

The MRF is a pooled fund that WA tenement holders under the Mining Act 1978 are required to contribute to through an annual levy.

If a mine operator is unable to meet their rehabilitation obligations and the site is declared abandoned, the MRF can be used to ensure rehabilitation is carried out.

An independent, 10-year review into the operation of the MRF is a requirement of the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Act 2012 (MRF Act).

Marsden Jacob Associates was engaged by the WA Government to undertake the public consultation and statutory review of the MRF Act.

Overall, the review found the fund continues to function well as a targeted approach to minimising the environmental, social and financial risk of abandoned mines to WA.

“The MRF is essential to the state’s capacity to manage and rehabilitate abandoned mines, leading to better environmental and community safety outcomes,” Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety resource and environmental compliance executive director Tyler Sujdovic said .

“It is encouraging to see that stakeholders were generally supportive of the MRF Act, and that its objectives and purpose remain relevant.

“There is always, however, room for continuous improvement and the department will review the recommendations within the report and investigate potential actions to improve the effectiveness of the MRF.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/mining-rehabilitation-fund-continues-to-deliver/

Chalice changes tack at Gonneville

Thu, 09 May 2024 23:04:32 GMT

Chalice Mining has begun steps towards a selective mining campaign at its Gonneville nickel-copper-platinum group element (PGE) project in Western Australia.

Recent modelling work has focused on re-interpreting high-grade sulphide zones within the resource at a much more granular level, which the company said will maximise production in the face of weakened prices.

“The remodelled high-grade sulphide resource marks the first step in the reset of the development strategy for the Gonneville project,” Chalice managing director and chief executive officer Alex Dorsch said .

“The high-grade model provides improved high-grade definition to underpin the design of a more selective, smaller scale starter project.”

As part of the updated mineral resource estimate, high-grade palladium, nickel and copper zones have been modelled separately to better define the mineralogical domains.

Previous resource models assumed bulk open-pit mining approaches only with significantly larger block sizes.

An additional 56 drill holes have also been incorporated, both to increase confidence in the resource as well as extend it down-dip to a depth of around 1100m.

“Importantly, a smaller scale starter project design allows for future expansion into a larger scale bulk mining operation, according to prevailing economic conditions at the time,” Dorsch said.

“Selective mining initially preserves the optionality of a future expansion, as mined material will be stockpiled for future processing.

“This staged development approach reduces risk, allows efficient deployment of capital and maximises optionality.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/chalice-changes-tack-on-gonneville/

Queensland backs Dianne copper

Thu, 09 May 2024 05:11:08 GMT

Revolver Resources has continued to make strong progress at its Dianne copper mine with ongoing support from the Queensland Government.

Revolver is currently progressing detailed mine planning and scheduling activities, helped along by a maiden $1.3 million grant from the Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund.

The mine is on track for targeted first copper cathode production during the second half of 2025.

“Revolver is fortunate to be in a very unique position with a high-grade copper ore body at-surface at the Dianne mine,” Revolver managing director Pat Williams said .

“We have no existing debt and we have a truly incredible pathway to generating production revenues, to fund the company’s growth and accelerate the scale of our exploration activities across our highly prospective tenure at the broader Dianne and Osprey projects.”

Revolver is now undertaking Traditional Owner engagement and broader workforce participation planning, with project debt and equity funding solutions well advanced.

“Our Dianne copper mine project, the site of one of the world’s historically high-grade copper mines, is now in the advanced stages of planning for operational recommencement,” Williams said.

“While advancing the project towards targeted final investment decision later in 2024 and first production in 2025, we absolutely plan to continue focused copper (and gold) exploration activities in parallel.

“This includes targeted further drilling in the Larramore volcanics belt at Dianne and project Osprey during the remainder of 2024.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/queensland-backs-dianne-copper/

Gold Road exits Greenstone talks

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 01:10:46 GMT

Gold Road Resources has ended discussions with Orion Resource Partners, a global alternative investment firm, to acquire its 40 per cent stake in the Greenstone Gold Mines.

The announcement comes a week after Gold Road responded to media speculation that it would acquire a substantial interest in the operation.

Located in Ontario, Canada, the Greenstone Gold Mines are currently held in a joint partnership between Canadian-based Equinox Gold, who owns 60 per cent, and Orion Resource Partners, who holds the balance and is looking to divest its stake.

“As previously stated, Gold Road continues to evaluate strategic opportunities as part of a considered and diligent growth strategy,” Gold Road said in an ASX statement on Tuesday.

“The company will only pursue these opportunities on terms and at values which it believes are in the best interests of its shareholders.”

Orion Resource Partners is reportedly seeking a valuation of more than $1 billion for its Greenstone stake.

The Greenstone project has an expected mine life of 15 years, over which it has been tipped to produce over 400,000 ounces of gold per year. Production is anticipated to begin this year.

Despite ending its talks with Orion Resource Partners, Gold Road confirmed earlier this week that mining and processing operations at the Gruyere joint venture it shares with Gold Fields have resumed after a period of heavy rainfall.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/gold-road-exits-greenstone-talks/

Martin Engineering celebrates 50 years of air cannon technology

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 01:07:04 GMT

Martin Engineering, a world leader in bulk handling solutions, is marking the 50th anniversary of its invention of the world’s first low-pressure air cannon.

Air cannons have transformed material flows in bulk processing systems, eliminating problematic internal buildups and blockages. After five decades of continuous innovation, Martin Engineering remains at the forefront of air cannon advancements, enabling industrial plants to run more profitably, efficiently and safely than ever.

The company launched the world’s first low-pressure pneumatic air cannon – its legendary Big Blaster – in 1974. It was devised and developed by Carl Matson, a member of Martin’s senior team and cousin of the firm’s founder Edwin F. Peterson.

The patented technology was designed to dislodge stubborn material stuck to the inside walls of hoppers and silos by firing precisely timed bursts of compressed air to keep bulk material flowing and preventing the growth of serious build-ups and blockages.

The air cannon was originally aimed at the same quarrying applications as the legendary Vibrolator, the Martin-patented industrial ball vibrator on which the company’s success had been built since its inception in 1944.

By the 1980s, as Martin Engineering expanded its global presence, the Big Blaster was already being reimagined for use in high-temperature industrial applications to maintain the flow of sticky materials through the process and minimise unscheduled downtime.

Martin air cannons soon proved to be a game-changer for sectors such as cement, for the first time signalling an end to workers having to access the interior of preheater vessels to manually break off hefty material build-ups using a high pressure water jet – one of the most unpleasant and hazardous jobs on a cement plant.

By the 1990s, Martin Engineering had developed an extreme heat and velocity version of the Big Blaster, called the XHV, with an all-metal construction capable of withstanding the harshest of conditions.

During the 2000s, Martin became the first to introduce a safer positive-pressure firing valve with its Tornado air cannon – technology that prevents unintentional firing if there’s a drop in system pressure, and also allows solenoid valves to be positioned up to 60m from the air cannon for easier access and maintenance. Designed with safety in mind, the positive firing valve also delivers a more powerful blast.

Soon after that came the introduction of the Hurricane valve, located in the rear of the air cannon tank rather than at the tank and nozzle junction, greatly improving safety and ease of maintenance. The exterior-facing design eliminates the need for removal of the tank so maintenance is a simple one-worker operation requiring only minutes for replacement.

In 2008, Martin Engineering opened its industry-leading Center for Innovation , which accelerated the company’s air cannon technology advancements including:

SMART Series Nozzles with multiple nozzle tips, one of which features a retractable design that extends the 360° nozzle head into the material stream only when firing, protecting it from repeated abrasions and extreme temperatures. Its clever Y-shaped assembly means the nozzle can be installed, accessed and serviced without removing the air cannon or further disruption to the vessel structure and refractory.

The Martin Thermo Safety Shield , which acts as a safety barrier to allow timely and safe maintenance of air cannon systems. It protects workers from exposure to severe temperatures so that maintenance can take place safely and production stays on schedule.

Martin Engineering’s current ground-breaking air cannon designs are the result of research and development in the Center for Innovation, located at the company’s headquarters in Neponset, Illinois. The centre will open its doors to visitors in the Summer of 2024 as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations.

“From the very beginning, our air cannons were specifically designed to produce a quiet but powerful, high-velocity discharge of plant-compressed air to dislodge buildups and enhance material flow,” Martin Engineering global air cannon product manager Brad Pronschinske said.

“They were developed to be capable of handling the high temperatures, harsh gases and abrasive, corrosive materials associated with heavy industries, and yet have low maintenance requirements and low costs. Since the launch of the Big Blaster 50 years ago, we have continued to innovate, introducing smarter and ever more powerful air cannon systems that improve efficiency, productivity and safety.

“We’re especially proud that Martin air cannons have become so important in reducing the health and safety risks associated with clearing blockages manually – such as working in confined spaces, working at height, falling materials, and working in hot and dusty environments.

“Our team is always working on new developments and we’re looking forward to bringing the next generation of air cannon technologies to our customers all over the world.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/martin-engineering-celebrates-50-years-of-air-cannon-technology/

$6B Qld coal acquisitions revive sale speculation over worker pay dispute

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:58:04 GMT

A mining multinational and major mineral producer recently finished transferring ownership of two Central Queensland operations.

BHP recently confirmed it had finished selling its Blackwater (226km west of Rockhampton) and Daunia (169km southwest of Mackay) coal mines.

Successful bidder Whitehaven Coal is paying a combined US$4.1 billion (A$6.2B) for the two sites.

“We are well placed to execute a smooth transition and to integrate the Daunia and Blackwater mines into the Whitehaven portfolio. We are excited to welcome the teams at Daunia and Blackwater into our business,” Whitehaven CEO and managing director Paul Flynn said in a public statement.

However, the new owner might not hold onto both assets in their entirety forever.

“Whitehaven has previously flagged a possible selldown after paying up for the Queensland assets last year in an auction, when it was advised by UBS,” News Limited reported.

“Two parties – one from Japan and one from India – may be about to surface as buyers of a stake. While the identities are unknown, sources pointed to steel producer JSW Group of India or Nippon of Japan.”

QMEB can reveal Blackwater is the most likely mine to sell a 20 per cent interest first, potentially fetching a share in up to US$2.5B (A$3.8B).

No announcements are expected to be made before Whitehaven releases its new March quarter production report on 19 April 2024.

Rumours began circulating after 300 employees rejected Whitehaven’s bid to introduce WorkChoices agreement offsets, which reportedly absorb future superannuation increases and strip those affected of up to $100,000 in accrued entitlements. This was feared to affect those planning to retire or accept a redundancy package.

Very negative feedback prompted management to withdraw its proposal.

“We have heard your feedback about the guarantee of annual earnings clause and the potential for this to remove entitlements that people currently enjoy. This is not Whitehaven’s intent,” executive general manager – operations Ian Humphris previously said in an internal email obtained by the Collieries’ Staff and Officials Association (CSOA).

“Whitehaven will be issuing a contract amendment to remove the guarantee of annual earnings clause. This will ensure all transferring Blackwater and Daunia staff can continue to enjoy their current entitlements once they become Whitehaven employees. Whitehaven will also apply this to open cut overseers.”

CSOA congratulated employees on an “incredible win” at the time.

Source: https://www.qmeb.com.au/6b-qld-coal-acquisitions-revive-sale-speculation-over-worker-pay-dispute/

Pioneer Lithium gets financial backing from Ontario government

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:44:26 GMT

Pioneer Lithium (ASX: PLN) has received a fresh shot in the arm from the Ontario government, which recently handed the company C$180,916 for its flagship Root Lake project in Canada.

The Australian explorer and developer said the funds were granted through the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP). The amount received represents a rebate of up to 50% of eligible exploration costs, capped at C$200,000, incurred by the company at Root Lake between April 1, 2023 to February 15, 2024, it said in the statement.

“The OJEP program is a vital part of financing and fostering early exploration projects and allows us to further advance our exploration activities,” chairman Robert Martin said in a statement.

The company has been expanding its footprint in Canada, where it now holds five exploration projects across the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

Its most recent acquisition, the Benham Project in northwest Ontario, became an instant hit for Pioneer. Bought in November , the company’s exploration team had by mid-January discovered numerous pegmatite outcrops, including a 40-metre long mineralized prominence.

Pioneer is also advancing the early exploration Root Lake lithium project in north-west Ontario.

Lithium prices hit rock bottom last year and are struggling to make a significant recovery. This is partly because miners, refiners, and auto makers are still dealing with an excess stockpile that is causing the current oversupply of the battery metal.

Despite some projects and mines being affected by the lithium price collapse, several major producers are determined to continue expanding, adding to the uncertainty about when prices will eventually recover.

Source: https://www.mining.com/pioneer-lithium-gets-financial-backing-from-ontario-government/

Rio Tinto to invest $9.3 million in technology startups

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:36:47 GMT

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) said on Wednesday it is teaming up with a global venture studio and start-up investor to back the development and commercialisation of breakthrough technologies in the mining industry.

Rio will partner with Founders Factory and invest A$14.4 million ($9.3m) in global pre-seed and seed stage start-ups over the next three years, it said, adding that the focus will be on technologies in the fields of safe mine operations, decarbonization, exploration processing and automation.

Each start-up will receive a cash investment and participate in a four-month accelerator program run by Founders Factory to support product development and commercialization.

The Western Australian government has also partnered with Founders Factory to invest in nature-tech start-ups that preserve and restore nature and biodiversity.

The partnerships with Rio Tinto and the Western Australian government will support the first Australian hub of Founders Factory in Perth. The company currently operates in London, Johannesburg, Milan, Berlin, Bratislava, New York and Singapore.

“Technology has always been at the forefront of our industry and Western Australia can be the Silicon Valley of the global mining industry,” Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Simon Trott said in the statement .

“With the backing of industry and the state government, local and international start-ups will receive investment opportunities and access to real-world testing and scaling support, helping Western Australia’s innovation economy to grow.”

“Securing the internationally renowned Founders Factory for Perth is a major coup for our state,” Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said. “This is the first time the tech accelerator has operated in Australia, providing a springboard for innovative local businesses to reach an international audience and maximize their chances of success.”

Source: https://www.mining.com/rio-tinto-to-invest-9-3-million-in-technology-startups/

Berkeley to take uranium mine dispute with Spain to arbitration

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:26:38 GMT

Australian mining group Berkeley Energia will take its dispute with Spain to international arbitration after the country refused to give final approval to a uranium mine near the city of Salamanca, the company said on Wednesday.

The Retortillo project, Berkeley’s main asset, received preliminary approval in 2013 but has since run into hurdles, including opposition from nearby communities and safety concerns from regulatory authorities.

Berkeley had estimated investment in excess of 250 million euros ($269 million) and more than 2,500 jobs in the region.

Spain’s Energy Ministry refused to approve the project in 2021, citing a negative opinion issued by the Nuclear Safety Council highlighting “poor reliability and high uncertainty of the safety analyses of the radioactive site”.

It upheld the refusal in February 2023 after the London-listed Berkeley appealed.

The company said in a filing to the Spanish stock market supervisor CNMV that specialist teams Herbert Smith Freehills Spain LLP and LCS Abogados will jointly prepare and submit a “request for arbitration” to the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

“Notwithstanding the investment dispute, Berkeley remains committed to the Salamanca project and continues to be open to a constructive dialogue with Spain” to find an amicable resolution, it said.

The Energy Ministry declined to comment.

Berkeley shares rose 17% in Madrid and 11% in London on Wednesday.

The company has said the rejection infringed on its rights under an international agreement known as the Energy Charter Treaty, designed to promote energy security through the operation of more open and competitive energy markets.

($1 = 0.9289 euros)

Source: https://www.mining.com/web/berkeley-to-take-uranium-mine-dispute-with-spain-to-arbitration/

Gina Rinehart-backed lithium hopeful surges after demo batch

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:06:41 GMT

Australia-listed lithium developer Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd. has gained nearly 40% this week after announcing its first viable output using direct-extraction technology, an emerging technique for producing the battery material.

The firm’s demonstration plant in Landau, Germany, delivered a batch of lithium chloride in line with the quality it eventually plans to make commercially, Vulcan said in a statement on Thursday. The firm backed by Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart has agreements to supply European carmakers including Stellantis, Renault SA, and Volkswagen AG.

The firm’s shares jumped about 13% on Wednesday and closed 24% higher on Thursday.

Direct lithium extraction, or DLE, is seen as a promising production technique because it radically reduces the time needed to convert lithium brine into a form suitable for battery manufacturing. But it has faced widespread skepticism, and is still relatively untested at commercial scale.

“We see this as a major step forward for the company, a validation of Vulcan’s extensive work to date and of our view that DLE has a role to play in the lithium supply chain,” analysts from Cannacord Genuity Ltd. said in an emailed note.

Vulcan is planning to start market-ready production in 2026, executive chairman Francis Wedin said in an email interview. The company is still seeking to secure funding for that first phase, which will make 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide annually — enough to supply batteries for half a million electric vehicles.

“Construction will take just over two years, and the clock starts ticking once financing is complete,” Wedin said. The company is in talks with potential strategic investors, including oil and gas and automotive companies, to buy equity, Vulcan said..

Vulcan said the demo production in Germany was the first lithium chloride sourced and produced within Europe. The project will use geothermal energy to power its plant, reducing carbon emissions, it said.

Source: https://www.mining.com/web/gina-rinehart-backed-lithium-hopeful-surges-after-demo-batch/

MinRes puts its Mind to the Matter

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:51:21 GMT

Mineral Resources (MinRes) held its latest Mind Matters series at its Osborne Park head office in Western Australia.

MinRes’ Mind Matters series aims to give its team members the chance to learn about key mental health topics from a range of experts.

The session focused on information and advice on how to enhance performance through sleep, with experts Dr Ian Dunican and West Coast Eagles strength and conditioning coach Paul Turk discussing the benefits of optimising sleep routines.

The key takeaways included:

getting quality sleep over quantity (while explaining that getting enough sleep of ideally seven hours is still important)
prioritising calming pre-sleep activities
tracking sleep data through sleep wearables like smart watches
distinguishing between behaviour-related sleep issues and clinical disorders
avoiding exposure to mobile phones before sleep
allowing a suitable window between eating and sleeping
nap strategy importance
prioritising recovery time after shift work
allowing for additional sleep on weekends to offset sleep debt.

“As we continue to prioritise mental and physical wellbeing, incorporating these insights into our daily routines can lead to improved sleep quality, enhanced performance and overall vitality,” MinRes said .

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/minres-puts-its-mind-to-the-matter/

MinRes marks mental health milestone

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:42:28 GMT

Mineral Resources (MinRes) and not-for-profit Youth Focus recently celebrated 10 years of partnership providing essential mental health services to Western Australian youth.

MinRes has donated over $2.3 million over the life of its partnership with Youth Focus, leading to the support of thousands of young people across the state.

The long-running partnership was renewed for an additional two years in 2023 and forms part of MinRes’ commitment to encouraging a culture in which mental health is spoken about openly.

This includes staff access to in-house psychology services and mental health first aid training.

MinRes head of mental health Chris Harris visited the not-for-profit’s Burswood headquarters to meet with Youth Focus chief executive officer Derry Simpson.

“MinRes and Youth Focus both consider mental health to be just as important as physical health,” Harris said .

“I’m proud we are working together to help break down barriers and ensure support is accessible for young people.”

Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show mental health challenges among young people have increased almost 50 per cent over the past 15 years.

Simpson said through the support of organisations like MinRes, Youth Focus can provide evidenced-based, safe and high-quality services at no cost when young people need them most.

“To achieve sustained support for young people, we need long-term partners like MinRes who understand the challenge and are committed to making a difference, just as we are,” she said.

“This partnership means we can support more young people, where and when they need it most.”

While the statistics are a stark reminder of the challenges so many young people face, Youth Focus is determined to take a active approach to creating solutions.

“We exist to help create a community where young people can thrive. We know this takes a village – one that unites to support young people as they move through their lives,” Simpson said.

“Thanks, MinRes, for being such an important part of this village. Youth Focus could not support the young people of Western Australia without partners like you.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/minres-marks-mental-health-milestone/

What the Westgold–Karora merger means for the Aussie gold sector

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:31:03 GMT

The Westgold-Karora merger is the latest acquisition to set the mining industry abuzz. But how will it shape the Australian gold sector? Australian Mining investigates.

When Westgold Resources announced its $1.2 billion merger with Western Australian gold miner Karora Resources this week, it sent the industry into a spin – and for good reason.

Karora is the owner of the Beta Hunt and Higginsville gold mines, both high-performing assets nestled in the same region of WA as Westgold’s iconic Bluebird and Great Fingall mines.

Alongside other operating assets, the enlarged Westgold is expected to bring in 400,000 ounces of gold per year. This will launch the company into the top five Australian producers.

“The prize here is Beta Hunt’s gold potential,” Westgold managing director and chief executive officer Wayne Bramwell said .

“Rarely do you find a gold asset of the quality and potential of Beta Hunt hiding in a nickel belt and drilling is expected to further unlock value at this mine.

“This merger brings Beta Hunt together with Big Bell, the emerging Bluebird and the iconic Great Fingall mine under one Australian management team.”

The merger is set to rocket Westgold’s standings up the ladder to hold the spot as Australia’s fifth highest gold producer, right under a newly created Red 5/Silver Lake entity , if that merger was to go ahead.

With a combined 13-million-ounce mineral resource and a 3.2-million-ounce ore reserve from two historic WA goldfields, Westgold also has the chance to continue to grow this footprint.

It’s little wonder Karora chair and chief executive officer Paul Huet is welcoming the merger with open arms.

“With the combination of Westgold and Karora, we are taking the next step by combining two highly complementary, free cash flow generating asset bases in one of the world’s finest mining jurisdictions to create a premier Western Australian mid-tier gold producer,” he said.

“Karora shareholders will benefit from having very meaningful ownership in a larger, more diversified gold producer with a highly experienced management team located entirely in Western Australia.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/what-does-the-westgold-karora-merger-mean-for-the-aussie-gold-sector/

Rio Tinto teams up with leading tech startups

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 05:03:18 GMT

Mining giant Rio Tinto has announced it will back the development and commercialisation of breakthrough mining technologies.

As a partner of Founders Factory, a global venture studio and start-up investor, Rio will invest $14.4 million in global pre-seed and seed stage start-ups over the next three years.

The technologies backed will focus on safe mine operations, decarbonisation, exploration processing and automation, with each start-up receiving a cash investment and the chance to participate in a four-month accelerator program through Founders Factory.

“Technology has always been at the forefront of our industry and Western Australia can be the Silicon Valley of the global mining industry,” Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Simon Trott said .

“Our iron ore operations in the Pilbara are among the most technologically advanced in the world. This exciting new partnership gives us the opportunity to build on our innovative legacy to unlock new technologies and help our business find better ways to provide the materials the world needs.”

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook expressed his excitement for the partnership.

“Securing the internationally renowned Founders Factory for Perth is a major coup for our state,” he said.

“This is the first time the tech accelerator has operated in Australia, providing a springboard for innovative local businesses to reach an international audience and maximise their chances of success.

“This three-year partnership will further cement WA’s position as a global leader in research and the development, helping to diversify the economy and create the jobs of the future.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/rio-tinto-teams-up-with-leading-tech-startups/

A year of “fundamental change” for AngloGold Ashanti

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 04:46:07 GMT

AngloGold Ashanti has released its 2023 annual report, where chairperson Maria Ramos described the year as one of “fundamental change”.

The gold miner recorded $4.6 billion in revenue for the period ending December 31 2023, along with about $1.4 in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation and $109 million in free cash flow. A total of $91 million in dividends were also paid to shareholders.

AngloGold chief executive officer Alberto Calderon said the company’s most significant milestone for 2023 was the successful corporate restructuring of the business.

The corporate restructure saw AngloGold transition its primary listing to the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange), moving its group headquarters to Denver, US, and its official domicile being the UK.

“This places us directly in the world’s leading capital market, and the largest equity market for gold shares, among the world’s most highly valued producers,” Calderon said.

“We believe this will, in time, lower our cost of capital and position us well for future growth opportunities.”

In Australia, AngloGold saw a 21 per cent increase in total gold production from the previous year by producing 562,000 ounces (oz) of gold.

The Sunrise Dam operation accounted for $47 million of the company’s regional capital expenditure and produced 252,000oz.

“Higher gold production and favourable ore stockpile inventory movements, as well as the weakening of the Australian dollar against the US dollar, offset higher labour and consumables costs and higher royalties paid, contributing to lower total cash costs for 2023 of $1318/oz compared to $1402/oz in 2022,” AngloGold said.

The Tropicana joint venture shared with Regis Resources contributed $87 million to AngloGold’s regional capital expenditure and produced 310,000oz.

“The higher head grade was partially offset by slightly lower ore tonnes processed, due to a larger proportion of harder ore in the mill feed in the second half,” AngloGold said. “Higher waste stripping and drill and blast costs, partially offset by favourable ore stockpile inventory movements and the weakening of the Australian dollar against the US dollar, contributed to a higher total cash cost of $1105/oz for the year compared to the $881/oz reported for 2022.

“Construction of a renewable energy facility at Tropicana started in the second half of the year and is on schedule for completion in early 2025. The facility comprises four 6MW (megawatt) wind turbines, a 24MW solar farm and a 14MW battery storage system.

“It will integrate 62MW of clean energy into Tropicana’s existing 54MW gas fired power system, reducing the site’s diesel and gas consumption for power generation by 96 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, slashing carbon emissions by more than 65,000t (tonnes) annually over a 10-year period.”

AngloGold also rehabilitated 265 hectares of land in 2023, 42ha more than what was rehabilitated in the previous year.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/a-year-of-fundamental-change-for-anglogold-ashanti/

What’s next for Australian coal?

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 04:27:30 GMT

The global appetite for coal grew eight per cent in 2023, but global conditions and volatile weather patterns are setting an uncertain stage for the commodity. Australian Mining investigates.

The Federal Government’s ‘ Resources and Energy Quarterly ’ (REQ) for March 2024 revealed coal to be Australia’s largest exporter in 2023 at around 170 million tonnes.

It’s a huge boon for the country, as overall global metallurgical coal demand is projected to rise from 317 million tonnes in 2023 to 331 million tonnes by 2029.

World steel output is expected to grow at 1.5 per cent every year over to 2029, providing a strong baseline for metallurgical coal use in the medium term.

The REQ found numerous Asian countries continue to progress ambitious steel plans and are likely to drive an increased pace of steel production over time.

Notably, the Chinese Government has imposed three per cent import tariffs on metallurgical coal in order to protect its domestic industry.

Though Australia is exempt from these tariffs under Free Trade Agreements, the REQ forecasts the global boom China has been drumming up may be reaching its peak as a result.

While China’s coal demand may slow, India’s imports grew by 25 per cent to 73 million tonnes in 2023, with growth expected to continue through to the end of the decade.

On the price side, Australian prime hard coking coal averaged $US294 a tonne (/t) in 2023, significantly lower than the 2022 average of $US360/t.

The REQ forecast prices will continue to experience volatility as a result of supply side issues like logistical pressures and weather events like Cyclone Jasper.

Prices are expected to broadly trend downwards in 2024, averaging $US277 a tonne for the year.

The volatility comes from the likelihood of a new La Niña cycle and associated disruptions. In real terms, prices are expected to fall to $US185 a tonne by 2029.

But the REQ held an overall positive outlook as Australian export volumes are expected to increase from 161 million tonnes (Mt) in 2023–24 to 175 Mt by 2028–29, as mines in NSW and Queensland ramp up.

These prospects include Bowen’s Bluff mine, Burton and Broadmeadow East projects, Pembroke’s Olive Downs complex, and Anglo American’s German Creek among others.

Overall, the fundamentals remain favourable, with Australia primed to continue dominating the global market in 2024 and beyond.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/whats-next-for-australian-coal/

Abra calls in administrators

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 04:16:15 GMT

Abra Mining has appointed administrators, calling in Richard Tucker and Robert Hutson of KordaMentha.

The company, a joint venture between Galena Mining (60 per cent) and CBH Western Australia (40 per cent), owns and operates the Abra base metals mine in the Gascoyne region of WA.

Abra has previously outlined ramp-up issues with mining rates, mined grade and recent rainfall events restricting in-bound critical supplies and out-bound concentrate haulage.

“In February and March to date, Abra concentrate production and haulage has been affected by flooded roads forcing the mine to preserve LNG stocks,” Galena managing director Tony James said in March . “The mined and processed grade continues to be lower than planned due to ongoing modelling and operational variances.

“The mine has brought forward a mill re-line which was initially scheduled for April with the view of achieving a continuous processing block in the coming weeks once the road is re-opened.”

January ore milled was 107,886 tonnes (t) at 5.3 per cent lead grade, producing 7861t of concentrate. That same month, processing was impacted by 95 hours of mill downtime.

According to Galena, the administrators plan to operate the Abra mine and processing plant on a business-as-usual basis while reviewing operating options.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/abra-calls-in-administrators/

Wiluna Mining removed from ASX

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 04:01:31 GMT

Wiluna Mining has delisted from the ASX, almost two years after it entered voluntary administration.

The Perth-based gold company said delisting wasn’t anticipated to significantly impede strategic review process, implementation of the deed of company arrangement or process for re-admission to ASX.

Wiluna said its deed administrators had applied for relief, but relief wasn’t granted by the ASX. Despite this, the deed administrators will continue to engage with external parties interested in the recapitalisation of Wiluna.

In February, FTI Consulting senior managing director Mike Ryan said the Wiluna gold mine’s pre-feasibility study demonstrated a potential pathway to return the Wiluna operations to a viable footing.

“As has been demonstrated through multiple resource and reserve statements, Wiluna has a large amount of gold mineral and ore at healthy grades,” Ryan said at the time.

“The potential of the 5.24 million ounces of gold contained within Wiluna resources cannot be overlooked.”

As of March 31 2024, Wiluna holds $2.67 million in cash. The company also sold 7281 ounces (oz) of gold bullion during the March 2024 quarter at an average price of $3155/oz.

Overall grade processed during the March 2024 quarter increased from 0.61 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold to 0.75g/t of gold, with the overall recovery decreasing from 51.5 per cent to 47.7 per cent.

Wiluna also processed 617,522 tonnes of tailings and dump leach material for 7088oz of gold during the March 2024 quarter, a 31,899-tonne and 1134-oz increase from the previous quarter.

The company said dewatering systems and access to key areas underground continue to be maintained during care and maintenance to facilitate the restart of future mining operations, and the ramp up of the Wiltails circuit remains underway.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/wiluna-mining-removed-from-asx/

Key Solutions Group awarded manufacturing grant

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 03:54:15 GMT

The Queensland Government has awarded Key Solutions Group a $500,000 grant through the Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program.

The Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program provides funding and other assistance to help regional manufacturing small-to-medium enterprises build their advanced manufacturing capability.

Key Solutions Group will use the grant to purchase and install two Motoman AR1440 series welding robots, Power-Trac seam finders/trackers and rotary screw compressors.

The machinery is expected to reduce production costs by 30 per cent and generate private sector investment of more than $1.2 million.

It is also set to expand Key Solutions Group’s manufacturing capacity through the creation of eight new jobs while upskilling 28 current employees.

The funding given to Key Solutions Group was part of the Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program’s third round.

“Every time we see a Queensland manufacturer take advantage of these grant programs, I know that it’s a step in the right direction for creating a more resilient and robust manufacturing sector,” Queensland Manufacturing Minister Glenn Butcher said .

“We have helped so many businesses throughout Queensland, just like Key Solutions Group, with leaders who can see an opportunity to expand their factory’s capabilities, an opportunity to secure more clients and grow their business.

“We have heard from many manufacturers that it’s challenging to recruit staff for welding roles and so wherever possible, automation is solving some of those problems. It also means staff can be upskilled to new roles and some of those manage the robotic part of the process.”

Key Solutions Group managing director Frank Attard said the grant will assist in the growth of the company.

“We’ll be able to achieve significantly greater efficiencies in time usage and labour output, which will ultimately result in better service to our growing customer base,” Attard said.

“The robotic manufacturing facility project will be a key ingredient in our business growth path and we’re looking forward to bringing in more customers with a broader product and service offerings.”

Key Solutions Group is an engineering specialist company based in Mackay that specialises in pipe welding, repairs and component manufacturing and is a major service provider to Mackay’s mining and agriculture sectors.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/key-solutions-group-awarded-manufacturing-grant/

Silver Lake, Red 5 share strong results

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 03:41:07 GMT

Majors Silver Lake Resources and Red 5 have shared their March quarter results, recording strong output across operations.

Silver Lake

Silver Lake recorded strong sales for the quarter, including 64,463 ounces (oz) of gold and 338 tonnes (t) of copper.

Both the Mount Monger and Deflector operations in Western Australia performed strongly for the company, both well positioned to meet the top end of their respective guidance ranges.

Silver Lake ended the quarter with cash and bullion of $342 million with no debt, and listed investments of $166 million.

“Pleasingly, the YTD (year to date) performance has Silver Lake well positioned to build on its nine consecutive years of meeting sales guidance,” Silver Lake said .

Red 5

The King of the Hills (KOTH) gold project in Western Australia was the winner for Red 5 in the March quarter, achieving production of 50,132oz.

The amount marked the fourth consecutive quarter of production exceeding 50,000oz.

While production was impacted by the combination of a planned SAG mill reline in March and unplanned downtime in February relating to a SAG mill lube system fault, reducing overall mill utilisation, all mines continued to perform well for the quarter.

Red 5 is forecasting higher production in the June quarter, with no further major shutdowns planned for the rest of the financial year.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/silver-lake-red-5-share-strong-results/

Rio Tinto takes over Ranger uranium mine site cleanup

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 07:29:54 GMT

Rio Tinto (ASX, LON, NYSE: RIO) will carry out the rehabilitation of the closed Ranger uranium mine in Australia’s Northern Territory amid major delays and spiralling costs weighing on the project.

The company’s majority owned uranium producer Energy Resources of Australia (ASX: ERA) halted activities at Ranger in 2021 , after 40 years of operation. The initial goal was to finish the clean-up and restoration of the site by 2026, with an estimated cost of around A$800 million ($520m at today’s rates).

Following several delays and cost overruns, ERA warned investors in September that total expenses were now projected to “significantly surpass” A$2.2 billion ($1.43bn). It also said the program’s completion date would be postponed until after 2028.

The world’s second largest miner said the agreement reached with ERA will see it take over management of the rehabilitation program immediately, but noted that full transition was expected to take about three months.

“The ERA team has worked incredibly hard and made good progress rehabilitating Ranger,” CEO Brad Welsh said in the statement . “However, as the project moves into a new phase it will benefit from Rio Tinto’s global expertise in mine closure.”

Rio’s Australia head Kellie Parker noted that taking over Ranger’s management meant the company could “directly provide more closure and project delivery experience and know-how to this critical task.”

The mining giant said it would now focus on finalizing required studies and executing the necessary rehabilitation activities.

ERA, in which Rio Tinto holds an 86.3% stake, said that an updated timeline for the project will be disclosed when finalized at a later time.

Source: https://www.mining.com/rio-tinto-takes-over-ranger-uranium-mine-site-cleanup/

As Rio Tinto strives for ‘impeccable ESG’, investors raise water issues

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 07:20:15 GMT

Rio Tinto faced demands from shareholders at its annual meeting on Thursday to come clean on environmental issues, including water and biodiversity, as the company said it was committed to achieving an “impeccable ESG” performance.

Mining, responsible for 4% to 7% of greenhouse-gas global emissions in 2020, is under the spotlight as a provider of critical raw materials needed for the energy transition, including electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure.

“We are finding an economic pathway to reach our targets on decarbonization, in partnership with governments, customers and communities,” CEO Jakob Stausholm said at the annual meeting in London.

Rio aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions – direct emissions by the company and certain types of indirect emissions – by 15% by 2025 and 50% by the end of the decade.

In its climate report last February, Rio said it would invest $5-6 billion in decarbonization projects between 2022 and 2030, down from a previous forecast of $7.5 billion. It spent $425 million in 2023.

Chairman Dominic Barton told the meeting the company would maintain a focus on four objectives, including striving for “impeccable ESG credentials.”

The hunt for minerals, including copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and iron ore for the clean energy transition, has boosted the number of mining projects globally.

This is driving deforestation of tropical rainforests, which are home to many species, including the great ape, a new study published this week by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and NGO Re:wild said.

The study estimates that more than one-third of the entire ape population in Africa – nearly 180,000 gorillas, bonobos and chimpanzees – are at risk.

The Anglo-Australian miner is developing part of the Simandou project in Guinea , one of the world’s largest untapped iron ore deposits, where more than 23,000 chimpanzees could be impacted by mining activities , the study said.

Shareholders asked Rio directors about Simandou at the meeting.

Barton told shareholders he and colleagues had met with four civil society organizations in Guinea in March. “They provided valuable feedback about our operations – what is working well, but also what we need to do better.”

Investors at the AGM also questioned Rio about its Madagascar mineral sands operation, QIT Madagascar Minerals, which released water from the mine site into the surrounding environment due to heavy rainfall in 2022. Dead fish were found after the water release.

The shareholders also asked about a letter sent to the company by UK law firm Leigh Day on Tuesday, where sixty-four individuals from the mine region alleged the waterways and lakes still contained high levels of uranium and lead.

Sinead Kaufman, chief executive of Rio’s minerals division, in response highlighted an independent report commissioned by the company to investigate the fish deaths.

“The report outcome was inconclusive and it said that we (it) cannot find any direct evidence on any heavy metals contamination that caused the fish deaths but also it cannot find any conclusion.”

Reuters in February reported that a group representing UK pension funds, Local Authority Pension Fund Forum had raised concerns about the company’s water management at its Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia and in Madagascar.

Rio Tinto said at the time it recognized the importance of water to its host communities and that it was “committed to driving effective water stewardship and enhanced transparency for stakeholders.”

Source: https://www.mining.com/web/as-rio-tinto-strives-for-impeccable-esg-investors-raise-water-issues/

Dubbo rare earths project gets $900m boost

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:03:19 GMT

Australian Strategic Materials (ASM) is set to receive a $US600 million ($923 million) boost for its Dubbo rare earths project in New South Wales.

The funding comes in the form of a non-binding and conditional letter of interest from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM), the official export credit agency of the US Federal Government.

ASM will use the cash injection for the construction and execution phase of the Dubbo rare earths and critical minerals project.

“The Dubbo project is a globally significant rare earths and critical minerals asset, well positioned to support the joint objective of Australia and the US to develop and expand reliable, responsible and secure global access to critical minerals,” ASM managing director and chief executive officer Rowena Smith said .

“We are delighted to receive this letter of interest from US EXIM following extensive collaboration with multiple government and industry stakeholders in the US and look forward to building on the relationships we have established in this jurisdiction.”

US EXIM’s support is linked to the potential US content, such as equipment, goods and services, to be supplied in the construction phase of Dubbo and the key strategic role the project can play in the critical minerals supply chain.

The letter of interest is subject to completion of due diligence by US EXIM and ASM obtaining all necessary approvals for Dubbo.

The funding is in addition to a $200 million letter of support previously received from Export Finance Australia (EFA).

Current funding for Dubbo’s construction now stands at $1.12 billion, with ASM hoping the letter of interest will drum up further financing from North America.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/dubbo-rare-earths-gets-1b-boost/

BHP halts plans at Kalgoorlie smelter

f3a7f15f@Shazamme.com (VinylFirstName VinylLastName) — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:54:09 GMT

After reducing its West Musgrave workforce by 25 per cent earlier this week, BHP has decreased the number of contractors working at its Kalgoorlie nickel smelter.

BHP made the decision to cut costs amid the nickel downturn, which was primarily caused by a supply surplus and an increase in nickel supplies from countries like Indonesia and China.

BHP has paused work on a new precipitation system for the Kalgoorlie smelter, with the contractors installing the infrastructure being immediately stood down.

The major miner’s plans to build a short-term 1000-bed camp at the site have also been postponed. The housing was intended to accommodate workers needed to rebuild the 51-year-old smelter in 2025–2026.

According to The Australian Financial Review , BHP said in its application that up to 2000 workers would be needed at the peak of the smelter’s rebuild.

While work on the precipitation system and bed camp has been paused, the Kalgoorlie smelter has continued operating and BHP is currently weighing up the future of its nickel business .

The company is looking at deactivating its nickel business altogether until nickel prices improve.

BHP’s nickel woes started when it announced plans to pause part of its Kambalda processing operations in WA. The decision was made in light of Wyloo placing the Cassini, Long and Durkin nickel mines under care and maintenance.

Wyloo was a major supplier to BHP’s nickel concentrator in Kambalda, following its $760 million acquisition of Mincor Resources last year.

The pause at Kambalda led to BHP declaring an impairment against its nickel operations in its half-year results .

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/bhp-halts-plans-at-kalgoorlie-smelter/

MinRes and Lord Resources off to the races

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:42:50 GMT

Green metals explorer Lord Resources and Mineral Resources (MinRes) have entered into a binding farm-in agreement that focuses on the Horse Rocks lithium project.

The partnership will provide Lord Resources with non-dilutive funding and access to MinRes’ knowledge and expertise in lithium exploration and production, all while ramping up exploration at its Jingjing lithium project.

The agreement follows Lord Resources identifying multiple stacked lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites at Horse Rocks in January, which displayed extensive fractionation.

“We are extremely excited to secure a strategic partnership with MinRes,” Lord Resources managing director Barnaby Egerton-Warburton said .

“The agreement validates the strong work Lord has already completed at the Horse Rocks lithium project and provides the opportunity to collaborate with a world-class exploration team drawing on their knowledge and expertise of this highly prospective lithium region.

“We also look forward to ramping up exploration at our Jingjing lithium project, which will provide a two-headed lithium exploration strategy.”

Under the agreement, MinRes has the right to acquire an initial 40 per cent interest in Horse Rocks by funding $1 million of expenditure within 18 months.

Lord Resources and MinRes have agreed to create a joint venture (JV) in Stage 2, where MinRes will have the option to earn a further 30 per cent interest by funding an additional $5 million in expenditure within 36 months of Stage 2 commencing.

MinRes can then earn a further 15 per cent interest in Stage 3 by funding expenditure through to a decision to mine, bringing its total potential interest in the project to 85 per cent.

Throughout the initial farm-in period, Lord Resources will manage the implementation of exploration and development activities on the Horse Rocks tenement.

The company will also have access to MinRes’ geological expertise so it can identify prospective mineral targets.

Once Stage 3 has been completed, Lord Resources has the option to stay in the JV and contribute to all future costs. Alternatively, it can convert its JV interest to a 1.5 per cent royalty.

This week also saw MinRes acquire Poseidon Nickel’s Lake Johnston nickel concentrator and tenures, which it will look to convert into a new lithium hub.

The company also began piloting a new lithium extraction technology in partnership with Lithium Australia.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/minres-and-lord-resources-off-to-the-races/

Australia’s largest solar farm powers up Queensland

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:38:00 GMT

Mining projects from MMG Limited, Mount Isa Mines and New Century Resources are set for a green energy boost as Australia’s largest solar farm officially launches.

The Dugald River solar farm will power key mines in outback Queensland’s North-West Minerals Province, a region known to host one of the largest critical minerals endowments in the world.

The 88-megawatt farm, owned by APA Group, boasts 180,000 solar panels across 200 hectares of land.

APA Group executive of operations Petrea Bradford told the ABC renewable energy is central to the future of responsible mining.

“More and more of our mining customers are looking for renewable energy infrastructure solutions which is an opportunity for us,” she said.

Bradford said APA has a dedicated team on the lookout for renewable energy supply opportunities for mines in the region.

“The north-west region has a huge renewable resource,” she said. “Our strategy for being in the north-west is to support our mining customers as they continue to look to decarbonise with renewable energy solutions.”

The Queensland Government estimates the North-West Minerals Province to be worth $500,000 billion, with a bounty of critical minerals like copper, vanadium, and zinc.

Queensland’s Minister for Resources Scott Stewart told the ABC access to reliable energy is holding back the region from a boom.

“When I go and visit mines out in that area, they talk about this as one of their biggest inhibitors to expansion,” he said.

While the Dugald River solar farm is significant, it’s not the only Queensland project in the pipeline.

The Queensland Government announced a $1.3 billion package late last year to progress work on the CopperString 2032 project.

The funding will see construction commence mid-2024, a significant milestone towards unlocking the North-West Minerals Province, and the renewable energy potential of north Queensland.

“CopperString 2032 is the largest ever economic development project in north Queensland, and the largest expansion to the power grid in Australia,” former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said when the funding was announced.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/australias-largest-solar-farm-powers-up-queensland/

AngloGold holds strong amid heavy rain

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:28:56 GMT

Despite substantial rain impacting the Tropicana gold mine, AngloGold Ashanti believes the weather won’t have an impact on its gold production.

Therefore, the company has left its 2023–24 financial year (FY24) production and cost guidance unchanged.

“The area in which the Tropicana gold mine is located received more than 350mm of rain in a 72-hour period from March 9, almost 50 per cent higher than its average annual rainfall,” AngloGold Ashanti said .

“The subsequent flooding interrupted power supply to the processing plant and required mining operations to be temporarily suspended. Power has been restored to the site and access to the underground mine has resumed.

“However, mining from the open pits remains restricted until surface water is cleared through pumping and evaporation. There have been no safety incidents during this period and the mine infrastructure remains sound.”

AngloGold Ashanti said it may see some reduction in gold production at Tropicana for the first half of 2024. However, the gold miner said any decrease is expected to be mostly recovered in the second half of the year.

“Consequently, the company does not believe that this event will have an impact on its gold production and cost guidance provided in February 2024, which guidance is therefore maintained,” AngloGold Ashanti said.

AngloGold Ashanti’s Tropicana joint venture partner Regis Resources revealed earlier this week that it won’t change its FY24 guidance despite heavy rainfall interrupting its operations.

Like Regis, AngloGold Ashanti said the heavy rainfall has closed the supply road to Tropicana.

As a result, the Tropicana processing plant is treating stockpiled ore at a reduced throughput rate. Processing may be suspended if consumable stocks are exhausted before the road reopens.

The Tropicana update follows AngloGold revealing a net loss of $US235 million and $US46 million in headline loss for the year ending December 31 2023.

The company also recorded $US1.42 billion in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, and $US1.27 billion is adjusted net debt.

AngloGold Ashanti said basic earnings were down year-on-year due to factors such as:

higher costs related to the corporate restructuring

higher environmental provisions for legacy tailings storage facilities

higher care and maintenance and retrenchment costs associated with the Córrego do Sítio operation that was placed on care and maintenance in August 2023

higher operating and exploration costs

higher foreign exchange losses

higher tax expense.

“These effects were partially offset by higher equity-accounted joint venture income, higher finance income, lower impairments and derecognitions recognised in Brazil, and a higher average gold price received per ounce,” AngloGold Ashanti said.

“This year-on-year increase is mainly due to lower cash generation from operating activities, lower dividends received from the Kibali joint venture and the once-off costs associated with the corporate restructuring.”

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/anglogold-holds-strong-amid-heavy-rain/

New uranium head for Sibanye-Stillwater

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:24:37 GMT

Greg Cochran will join the Sibanye-Stillwater team as executive vice president head of uranium from June 1.

The role will see Cochran be responsible for developing strategies to realise and optimise the value of Sibanye’s uranium resources.

Cochran will bring over three decades of experience to the position, having held a position on Uranium One’s South Australian team while guiding the Boss Energy’s Honeymoon uranium mine through environmental approvals.

“With solid fundamentals currently underpinning the uranium market, we will be assessing various options to realise value from our existing 32 million pounds of uranium resources on surface at the Cooke tailings dam, and 27 million pounds of uranium resource at Beatrix 4,” Sibanye-Stillwater chief executive officer Neal Froneman said.

“We are confident that Greg will deliver on this potential.”

Cochran has led other uranium companies in the past, including Namibian-focused Deep Yellow. He was most recently in the role of managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Aurora Energy. Before Aurora, he was the CEO of Reward Minerals, a sulphate of potash development company.

Cochran was also a part of the due diligence team on Uranium One’s $C3.8 billion acquisition of UrAsia Ltd in 2007, the largest uranium transaction in history. He was also responsible for the integration and management of the Kazakh joint venture interests.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/new-uranium-head-for-sibanye-stillwater/

Westgold powers through weather challenges

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:16:11 GMT

Westgold Resources remains on track to deliver its production and cost guidance for the 2023–24 financial year (FY24), despite weather challenges impacting production.

The gold miner’s Murchison and Bryah operations suffered lost time due to intermittent yet heavy rainfall across Western Australia.

Flooding impacted surface and underground haulage and the processing of wet and sticky ore constrained mill throughputs and increased the reliance on low-grade surface stocks.

Wet feed was also a contributing factor to crusher failures at the Fortnum processing hub and Tuckabianna mill.

However, crusher repairs at both mills are now complete and both mills have returned to processing at capacity and are expected to commence building crushed ore stocks.

Despite recent production setbacks, Westgold’s FY24 production guidance will remain 245,000–265,000 ounces (oz) at $1800–$2000/oz.

“It has been a challenging period for our teams in the Murchison and Bryah operations, who have responded quickly to weather and operational challenges and safely got our processing plants back up and running,” Westgold managing director and chief executive officer Wayne Bramwell said .

Despite Westgold ceasing operations at its Paddy’s Flat underground mine, it has delivered “exceptional drilling results” at the Starlight underground mine.

The drilling has extended the Nightfall lodes, which are the continuation of the Starlight lodes to the north. Westgold said the Nightfall lodes exhibit “exceptional grade and a high level of grade variability”.

Results extending the Nightfall lodes include:

39m at 7.05 grams per tonne of gold (g/t Au) from 272m in NF1130RD11

65m at 10.37g/t Au from 145.35m in NF1125RD12

5m at 64.53g/t Au from 111.5m in NF1125RD03

“Westgold’s investment in drilling across our mines continues to bear fruit at Starlight,” Bramwell said .

“Our high-grade nightfall lode continues to expand, with our geology team expecting further mineral resource growth over the coming quarters. Key to our resource development success is Westgold’s drilling division.

“Our inhouse capability continues to expand with the purchase of six state of the art underground drill rigs, taking our drill fleet to 13 and reducing our need for contractor support across the group.”

Westgold has subsequently mined more than 266,000oz from Starlight.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/westgold-powers-through-weather-challenges/

A practical partnership

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:12:04 GMT

Treotham has been integrating igus products to keep Australia’s mines running smoothly for more than three decades.

The mining sector is no stranger to massive equipment processing millions of tonnes of rock every day. In fact, it’s exactly what the industry does.

But in the events things go awry, operators need a quick and effective solution. Treotham offers a one-stop shop for industrial cable management solutions on which mines can rely.

Treotham supplies over 10,000 high-quality components and systems to industries across the country, with a keen eye on mining.

Treotham has partnered with German-based manufacturer igus to deliver solutions to mine sites for more than 30 years. The companies have fostered a relationship built on knowledge-sharing and staying on the cutting edge of technology solutions.

According to Treotham’s igus product manager John Sharp, igus products recently achieved $1 billion in sales, a feat made possible through collaboration and expertise in what is a niche field. The partnership has set Treotham up with a method for success.

“We understand our product applications on a deeper level, and we can identify potential problems at the design stage,” Sharp said. “Our whole product range is customisable depending on the customer application. No two systems will be exactly the same, so we’re not just offering something off the shelf.”

Treotham boasts a workforce of engineering experts who harness the creativity required to customise a unique solution for each project.

“Typically, a client comes to us with a concern or problem they are unable to solve,” Sharp said. “We find the quickest way to analyse the issue is to arrange a site visit to fully understand the problem and come up with a proposal to replace the failing equipment with an igus system.

“For clients who are seeing the efficiency of igus systems for the first time, it can mean change. So moving away from the ‘old’ to the ‘new’ can seem like making a big decision, but once the designs have been produced to the specifications and efficiencies realised, a new level of understanding and appreciation is achieved.

“We recently supported a mining customer who was having a problem with a car dumper. They weren’t able to provide much information, and they weren’t able to stop the machine for any length of time.

“The dumper is a critical piece of equipment, and they were having to intermittently shut down to change out the cables and hydraulic swivels.”

Sharp emphasised the fact mine operators don’t have time to deal with avoidable shutdowns when they have ships waiting to be loaded with ore.

“We flew to the site to establish what the issue was and what a solution might look like,” he said. “I worked with some of their fitters to build a scale model of what we were intending to do to give them an idea of how to implement the installation.

“The solution has been in service ever since with zero issues.”

igus’ E4.1 energy chains protected the car dumper’s cables from dust, rocks and other debris that go hand in hand with mining. The chains come with the advantage of an easily maintainable modular structure comprising an inner–outer link design that provides a tough solution with a small footprint.

Treotham was able to get operations back up and running smoothly, leveraging igus products to limit potential downtime and boost operational efficiency for the site.

“It’s all about creating the best result for the customer,” Sharp said.

“By collaborating with partners like igus, we often find they have insight into similar applications and can work with us to deliver the best solutions.”

Finding the best solution to a problem comes from having the best data. Across its centres in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, Treotham is in a position to work with mine operators in Australia to determine their needs as issues arise.

“Our customers can be rest assured we have people on hand to get to the site if needed,” Sharp said. “You have to go that extra mile because so often we’re applying an alternative technology they haven’t used before.

“Operators can be a bit hesitant to overhaul a system, and understandably so. We ensure our solutions bring measurable improvements to a site that our customers will remember, so they know they can trust us, take the leap of faith, and see a huge payoff in the form of less maintenance and more productivity.”

Once a solution is in place, Treotham prioritises providing quality after-market support to help ensure customers’ continued success.

“Servicing and inspecting our solutions is highly important to us,” Sharp said.

“Customers want equipment that runs efficiently without them having to think about it. We’re more than happy to step in and make sure things keep running as they should.

“Once our customers see what we have to offer, they keep coming back.”

intermittently shut down to change out the cables and hydraulic swivels.”