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EDITORIAL
Head of Editorial: Jack Salter jack.salter@outpb.com
Deputy Head of Editorial: Lucy Pilgrim lucy.pilgrim@outpb.com
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DIGGING BENEATH THE SURFACE
Welcome to our eighth edition of Mining Outlook.
The brilliant white backdrop of Lake Lefroy, a large ephemeral salt lake in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, sets the scene for this issue’s front cover feature.
Ausdrill, one of the largest drilling service providers in the country, has operated at the St Ives Gold Mine on Lake Lefroy for more than 25 years, where it has worked hard to overcome challenges posed by the area’s harsh environment.
An innovative approach has allowed Ausdrill to successfully drill across the lake and surrounding lands, with its expertise and adaptability crucial in overcoming otherwise impossible conditions.
“We have tackled these challenges by utilising tracked vehicles, designing custom-built drill rigs with extra-wide tracks, and even developing a hovercraftmounted drill rig to access the most remote areas,” explains Senior Manager of Operations, John Ivanovski.
GPC Groupe, meanwhile, is determined to play a significant role in the realisation of the Simandou Iron Ore Project, which is one of Africa’s largest mining ventures.
The project represents a unique opportunity to comprehensively transform Guinea and improve the living conditions of the population.
“Mining projects in Guinea, especially the Simandou Iron Ore Project, will have a significant impact on the region given their historical, natural, economic, and social interconnection within West Africa,” expands CEO, Aly Kaba.
The exploration, extraction, and implementation of coal also stands as a versatile force that is driving progress across Africa.
At present, the primary focus of Tanzanian coal mining company, Ruvuma Coal, is on its newly developed dense media separation wash plant.
“This new state-of-the-art facility will be crucial in ensuring that we can produce a consistent quality of coal for the international market,” informs Operations Director, Ryan Wienand.
This issue also showcases the latest projects and developments with exclusives from European Lithium, Mayur Resources, BCM Group, and more.
We hope that you enjoy your read.
Jack Salter Head of Editorial, Outlook Publishing
36 Ausdrill
We Know the Drill
Safe, reliable, and productive drilling and blasting services
AFRICA
66 GPC Groupe
Builders of the Future
Redefining the Guinean industry locally and worldwide
74 Ruvuma Coal
Excavating the Spirit of Exploration
Illuminating the Ruvuma region of Tanzania
84 BCM Group
Specialist Contractor
Surface mining and civil earthmoving expertise
EUROPE & MIDDLE
EAST
90 European Lithium
50 PBE Group
Vanguards of Mining Services and Solutions
Established leaders in mining products, services, and solutions
58 Mayur Resources
Nation Building in Papua New Guinea
Reducing the carbon footprint of the building materials market
Energising the Continent
Fuelling Europe’s sustainable energy future
98 Western Bainoona Group
Pushing Aggregate Boundaries
Staying up to date with the evolutions and demands of the aggregates market
Leaders
Ready
LET THAT ZINC IN
SWEDEN’S BOLIDEN IS nearing a deal that will position it as one of Europe’s largest producers of zinc, a metal primarily used in galvanising steel for long-term supply to the company’s smelter in Scandinavia.
Discussions are ongoing between Boliden and Lundin Mining (Lundin), who recently put two zinc operations up for sale – Zinkgruvan in Sweden and Neves-Corvo in Portugal.
These mines generated around 20 percent of Vancouver-based Lundin’s revenue last year, prompting the decision to raise funds whilst the company focuses on expanding to South America to develop copper projects.
COLOURFUL FORECAST FOR RAINBOW
PIONEERING DEVELOPER,
RAINBOW Rare Earths (Rainbow), is leading the first commercial recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from phosphogypsum.
This recovery project is underway in Limpopo province, South Africa, at a time when the demand for
COAL COMMITMENT AT COP29
IN A GLOBAL pledge to stop unabated coal power, 25 countries and the EU have committed to reducing fuel consumption. This agreement was presented during the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the signatory nations outlined their climate plans.
Canada, the UK, and Germany are amongst the nations intending to transition from fossil fuels. However, the US, China, and India, the world’s largest coal consumers, are notably absent from the agreement as there is ongoing pressure for other countries to make similar commitments in the lead up to next year’s COP30 talks in Brazil.
REEs is growing due to their use in permanent magnets that support the planet’s sustainability efforts.
Rainbow’s 35 million tonne (t) resource is projected to sustain the project for 16 years. It aims to recover four of the world’s most sought-after high-grade REEs, with an anticipated production of approximately 150,000t. The operating expense (OpEx) is expected to be amongst the lowest in the West and likely the lowest in the East.
ELECTRA EXPLORES ESSENTIAL ECONOMIC ELEMENTS
ELECTRA BATTERY MATERIALS (Electra) has been granted a 10-year exploration permit, approved by the US Forestry Service, for its copper and cobalt properties in Idaho.
This permit will allow Electra to advance critical mineral resource operations essential to the US economy. The exploration will cover
the Iron Creek deposit and the Ruby project, encompassing the underexplored CAS and Redcastle properties, both of which show significant potential for further discoveries.
Within Electra’s boundaries, seven occurrences of metallic mineralisation have been reported, either at the surface or during drilling. Additionally, Electra has secured USD$20 million from the US Department of Defense to develop a cobalt sulphate refinery in Toronto, Canada.
WORKPLACE NOT WELCOMING FOR WOMEN
TWO YEARS AFTER Australian company Rio Tinto vowed to tackle toxic work cultures that discouraged women and minorities from entering the mining industry, a new report reveals a staggering 39 percent of workers surveyed by the world’s second-biggest miner have experienced bullying.
This figure has increased from 31 percent in 2021, whilst the rates of sexual harassment and racism remain unchanged from three years ago. Many respondents reported being frequently told they only obtained their positions because they were women and therefore not qualified to do the job.
The Rio Tinto survey underscores the fact that women are at a heightened risk of being targeted in male-dominated work environments.
SERIOUS SITUATION IN STILFONTEIN SHAFT
HUNDREDS OF ILLEGAL miners have remained in an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa to evade arrest.
Police have blocked the delivery of food, water, and medicine in an effort to force them to resurface.
As many industrial mines have become exhausted in South Africa, illegal mining operations have thrived. Whilst the precise numbers are unknown, it is estimated that up to 6,000 abandoned mine shafts currently produce around 10 percent of the country’s gold output.
Criminal syndicates often control the operations, however the government attempts to crack down on such activities. There are concerns that the miners may become trapped underground if they become too weak to escape.
GROWING GOLD
SWITZERLAND’S GOLD EXPORTS have increased due to higher supply levels to the UK. However, according to Swiss customs data, these exports are still lower than a year ago as gold prices have reduced deliveries to China and Hong Kong.
This year’s gold price rally, which reached a record high of USD$2,696.59 per troy ounce, has significantly impacted demand in China, the world’s largest consumer of the metal.
As the biggest global bullion refining and transit hub, Switzerland has also seen a rise in gold exports to India, the second-largest consumer and a major importer, whose purchases have escalated amid the festival season.
Supporting THE GRIND
Alireza Oladzadeh, Business Line Service Manager for Gearless Mill Drives at multinational electrical engineering and automation corporation, ABB, discusses the crucial role of longterm service agreements and life cycle management in gearless mill drive maintenance to sustain the mining and minerals processing industry
Written by: Alireza Oladzadeh, Business Line Service Manager for Gearless Mill Drives, ABB
Rising exploration costs, volatile market prices, and increasingly remote environments put the mining and minerals processing industry under pressure to adapt.
Meeting these challenges also requires protecting workers’ health and safety whilst complying with increasingly stringent environmental legislation. Ideally, these issues also require solutions that ensure the efficiency and reliability of equipment with minimal operator intervention.
Against this backdrop of increased demand and squeezed margins is the importance of avoiding downtime. As such, maintaining critical equipment such as gearless mill drives (GMDs) is paramount. However, the complex upkeep of such equipment goes beyond routine check-ups; it necessitates a comprehensive and proactive approach.
Maintenance should not become a priority only when a problem arises. Mines that employ long-term service agreements (LTSAs) can identify issues earlier and course-correct where necessary.
LTSAs blend corrective, preventive, predictive, and prescriptive maintenance strategies with
advanced remote diagnostic services. Integrating a comprehensive life cycle management programme led by a dedicated life cycle manager facilitates a holistic approach to addressing maintenance issues whilst enhancing safety standards and efficiently managing operational costs.
ENHANCED OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY
Offering a gold standard for operational efficiency and sustainability, GMDs are essential to large-scale grinding processes in mining. With their streamlined design eliminating the need for conventional mill drive components like ring-gears, pinions, and gearboxes, GMDs have enhanced operational reliability. Higher power levels operating with a significant reduction in energy consumption put GMDs at the heart of grinding operations. However, effective maintenance is key to maximising the efficiency and longevity of these components.
LTSAs have emerged as indispensable tools in this regard, providing a structured framework for proactive maintenance strategies. Encompassing a spectrum of maintenance, LTSAs are tailored to mitigate risk and optimise performance.
When implementing LTSAs, mining companies should consider the inclusion of a life cycle management programme and advanced remote diagnostic applications. These additional agreements cover all levels of maintenance strategies and assure continued functionality and efficiency of GMDs across the board.
Simplifying the maintenance process, LTSAs ensure timely and efficient execution of necessary inspections and repairs. Real-time monitoring of GMD systems allows for early detection of potential issues and prompt resolution before they escalate into costly downtime events. Remote diagnostics also empower operators with actionable insights, ensuring continuous equipment optimisation and operational continuity.
The LTSAs allow experts to remotely monitor GMD systems regularly. This approach significantly reduces the risk of unexpected shutdowns with consistent system checks whilst addressing safety concerns around worker-equipment proximity.
Real-time monitoring and diagnostics of GMD systems are facilitated by digital tools and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, offering valuable insights into equipment performance and health.
The predictive software calculates potential failures through detailed analysis of historical and real-time data on the GMD’s electrical, mechanical, and thermal parameters to forecast potential failures. This allows for more precise and effective maintenance strategies that adapt to changing conditions and requirements.
Ongoing health assessments allow pre-emptive actions before failures
occur, whilst integrating mobile applications enables operators to access status updates and equipment overviews anytime, anywhere.
Instant, remote access to the system, leveraging cloud-based data to identify and address any issues, allows for prompt problem diagnosis and resolution guidance. From support lines and remote troubleshooting to predictive maintenance and condition monitoring, these services are bespoke to the needs of the system.
LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT
Data is central to corrective, preventive, predictive, and prescriptive maintenance concepts, and a life cycle management programme uses data to successfully integrate all services. The ability to gather and analyse data offers precise visibility into the health of GMD systems, enabling operators to plan or defer maintenance tasks confidently based on condition reports and shifting priorities.
Flexibility and customisation are key components of effective LTSAs, as a one-size-fits-all approach is rarely feasible due to varying challenges. Customised solutions enable targeted maintenance strategies that maximise efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
It is also vital that these services evolve with the technology; ABB has worked closely with Boliden at its Aitik mine in Sweden for 14 years, servicing equipment and systems under four contracts spanning three years each. Continuous adaptation of service requirements to meet the system’s needs helps extend the equipment’s life cycle whilst reducing associated costs.
Moreover, having experts with GMD field service certifications, familiar with critical equipment intricacies, ensures swift issue resolution. Whether remote or on-site, LTSAs maximise service availability for proactive and reactive support, enhancing asset performance.
EMBRACING THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY
Digitalisation and the integration of IoT are transforming maintenance practices. Employing data analytics and machine learning (ML) to predict equipment failures and issues before they occur enables proactive measures that prevent downtime and extend the lifespan of equipment.
As the mining industry strives to reduce its environmental footprint on the journey to the all-electric mine, maintenance strategies that improve energy efficiency and minimise waste are of utmost importance. LTSAs that integrate these principles not only support sustainability goals but also offer significant cost savings through reduced energy consumption and optimised operational efficiency.
ABOUT THE EXPERT
Alireza Oladzadeh is the Global Business Line Service Manager for Gearless Mill Drives at ABB and has over 18 years of experience with the company. He has led life cycle management, service operations, and project management roles during his time at ABB, driving excellence in mining applications and ensuring global service success for critical industrial systems in the mining sector.
THE KEY INGREDIENT FOR AUSTRALIA’S GREEN IRON TRANSITION
Tim Dobson, Managing Director, discusses how Magnetite Mines’ Razorback Iron Ore Project will help to enable low-emission green iron and steel production in Australia as the industry commits to decarbonisation
Writer: Jack Salter
Magnetite Mines is an Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed iron ore company focused on the development of magnetite iron ore resources in the highly prospective Braemar
INGREDIENT GREEN
“The Braemar Iron Formation is a large geological formation that up until now has been undeveloped,” says Tim Dobson, Managing Director of Magnetite Mines.
“It’s not a new discovery; it’s been well-mapped, well-drilled, and is extremely well-delineated in terms of its mineralisation, so we know there’s a massive amount of magnetite available in this iron formation.”
The Razorback Project is somewhat different to other iron ore projects that have been developed globally over the years as it is able to produce extremely pure concentrate products required for green iron and steelmaking.
DECARBONISING STEEL
“The decarbonisation of the steel industry has made projects such as Razorback economically viable because of the premiums being commanded for high-grade concentrates,” Dobson insights.
Australia does not currently produce any iron ore or magnetite concentrate products that meet the very high-quality specifications required for the production of green iron, which is the key ingredient in green steel.
The Razorback Project can meet these specifications and is designed to deliver a long-term supply of magnetite concentrates to enable a new green iron production and export industry in the country.
MAGNETITE MINES’ KEY PRIORITIES
• Strategic partnering
• Securing land access
• Approvals, including a mining lease application to the state government
• Technical work to complete the DFS
“Even over the last 15 years, none of the magnetite projects developed in Australia are producing the highgrade products that are necessary for green iron production – this is what makes the Razorback Project stand out,” states Dobson.
As the global steel industry has committed to decarbonisation, the timing of Razorback’s development is in line with the forecasted increase in demand for the premium-quality iron ore products required to produce green iron.
Magnetite Mines has witnessed steelmakers increasingly shift towards decarbonising their operations, such as the move towards Electric Arc Furnace (EAF)-based steelmaking, but this transformation of the global steel industry will take time to play out.
PURE PRODUCT
EAF-based steelmaking requires a very high grade of iron ore concentrate feeds. For this reason, the direct reduced iron (DRI) process, which removes oxygen from iron ore in solid form, i.e. without melting, cannot reject any impurities like blast furnaces can.
“What goes in comes out in the steel at the other end, so it has to be a very pure product,” Dobson emphasises.
Total global iron ore production that meets these specifications currently sits at about five percent, which aligns with annual DRI production levels.
“If you look at global steel production of almost two billion tonnes per annum, 70 percent comes out of blast furnaces and 25 percent
Tim Dobson (right) at the Port Pirie MoU signing
comes from scrap being melted in EAFs or similar.
“That last five percent comes from DRI production, so it’s a technology that’s well known and was developed in places where there was no coal but lots of natural gas,” informs Dobson.
Traditionally, the concept of making green iron takes DRI technology and replaces natural gas with pure, green hydrogen molecules only produced from renewable energy.
Magnetite Mines’ Razorback Project aims to produce five million tonnes per annum of high-quality DRI feed grade concentrates, now considered a premium product, into a market that’s expected to grow as steelmakers implement EAFs and seek the supply chain to feed them.
The Razorback Project has the capacity to naturally expand to 10 million tonnes per annum, doubling the size of the operation.
“We’ll be able to expand our operations and production to match the increasing demand, so that’s a feature of our project configuration.”
ALIGNMENT WITH GOVERNMENT
The Razorback Project is fully aligned with both the state and federal governments’ focus on creating a green iron industry, and South Australia is rapidly emerging as a strong candidate for future production.
“There are not many places in the world where renewable energy at scale and magnetite concentrates coexist, but South Australia is one of them,” Dobson tells us.
This year, the Government of South Australia commenced an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, seeking partners to jointly investigate the development of a green iron industry in the state by 2030.
“The government’s promise is that it will then align its policies and funding mechanisms to support that opportunity for the betterment of the state’s economic growth,” he adds.
The federal government has also recognised the opportunity and in May began consulting on opportunities to support the future growth of Australia’s green metals industry, a process that is aligned with the government’s flagship Future Made In Australia policy and associated fund.
The consultation aims to understand what the barriers are to decarbonising the production of green metals and what would encourage new investment, with the responses helping to guide policy development to support an Australian green metals industry.
“THE DECARBONISATION OF THE STEEL INDUSTRY HAS MADE PROJECTS SUCH AS RAZORBACK ECONOMICALLY VIABLE BECAUSE OF THE PREMIUMS BEING COMMANDED FOR HIGH-GRADE CONCENTRATES”
– TIM DOBSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MAGNETITE MINES
Magnetite Mines has submitted its recommendations to the consultation for how the government should position its policies and support projects such as its Razorback Project.
In July, the company also signed a Heads of Agreement with JFE Shoji Australia Pty. Ltd. (JFE).
This landmark agreement with Japan’s second largest steelmaking
group sets the framework for funding towards the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), the completion of which is central to progressing the Razorback Project to Final Investment Decision (FID).
Magnetite Mines believes that Razorback will be best developed via a joint venture (JV) with motivated investors and offtake partners,
“Razorback is the one and only project that JFE has decided to sign a Heads of Agreement with to support and fund its development and potentially become our first JV partner,” shares Dobson.
“We couldn’t be more excited with the alignment of all these elements of industry, international investment, and government.”
Magnetite Razorback footage February 2024
SUSTAINABILITY PIECE
Whilst Magnetite Mines is solely focused on Razorback, the company also takes its sustainability responsibilities and obligations extremely seriously.
Dobson himself is motivated to be a role model in terms of sustainability, particularly when it comes to stakeholder relations.
“We’ve spent two years building trusted, respectful relationships with the Traditional Owners, the Ngadjuri people, who have recognised native title over the land where our project is located, and formalised that relationship into a voluntary partnering agreement. That’s one example of how we’re taking our sustainability approach seriously,” he affirms.
The company has also signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with local governments to work hand in hand with them on the socioeconomic impacts in their regions.
“We’ve done that on purpose so that we are collaborating from the get-go rather than coming in later and, as sometimes happens, causing confusion or conflict when mining companies leave things unchecked until it’s too late.”
Magnetite Mines takes its sustainability obligations so seriously that it has launched ‘foresight’, a bespoke platform for the company’s approach to socially and environmentally responsible project delivery.
The launch of foresight embodies the company’s commitment to measuring and reporting its sustainability progress against objective global metrics to shareholders and stakeholders.
“All our sustainability works are done under the foresight banner, and that will be our brand as we go forward,” Dobson concludes.
Community engagement
Pictured from left to right: Pat Waria-Read, Ngadjuri Nation Director; Tim Dobson, Magnetite Mines Managing Director and Lynette Newchurch, Ngadjuri Nation Deputy Chair, signing historic Partnering Agreement
BREAKING NEW GROUND
With assets in Canada, Turkey, and Greece, we delve into the operating mines and industry-leading growth projects of mid-tier gold and base metals producer, Eldorado Gold, as well as its commitment to responsible mining
Writer: Jack Salter
From gold and silver to copper, lead, and zinc, the metals produced by Eldorado Gold (Eldorado) contribute to our modern world.
Indeed, these products are critical components of green technologies, medical innovations, financial systems, consumer goods, infrastructure, and much more.
Eldorado’s activities involve all facets of mining, including exploration, development, production, and reclamation.
Its operations, meanwhile, are global, with assets in Canada, where Eldorado is based, as well as Turkey and Greece, forming a well-balanced portfolio across the mining lifecycle.
This includes a total of four operating mines – the Lamaque Complex, Efemçukuru, Kışladağ, and Olympias.
OPERATING MINES
The Lamaque Complex is situated in Val-d’Or, a small city in Quebec that translates as ‘valley of gold’, and includes the Triangle and Ormaque orogenic gold deposits, the latter of which was recently discovered by Eldorado in 2019 within the infrastructure area of the complex.
Exploration at these deposits is focused on supporting the conversion of resources in the deeper veins at Triangle and Ormaque.
The company is also targeting and drill testing for new inferred resources in the existing mine infrastructure area, as well as exploring satellite deposits that can feed the Sigma mill,
ELDORADO PRODUCTS – AT A GLANCE
GOLD – A precious metal with a variety of uses around the world, gold plays an important role in innovations, including low-carbon technologies, medical diagnostics and treatment, renewable energy infrastructure, consumer electronics, aerospace technologies, and more.
SILVER – The unique properties of silver make it an important component in electronics, solar panels, nuclear energy, construction, chemical production, photography, medical treatments and devices, and even textiles.
COPPER – This critical component in emerging technologies for the green transition plays an essential role in everyday life. Copper is anti-bacterial, durable, recyclable, and the world’s preferred electrical and thermal conductor.
ZINC – As well as being one of the most widely-used metals, zinc is commonly used to protect iron and steel against rusting, store energy in zinc-ion batteries, and produce rubber, plastic, paint, and electrical equipment.
LEAD – Abundant, malleable, and relatively low-cost, lead is used in automotive and marine applications, telecommunications (telecoms), batteries, medical imaging, and more. Additionally, the ability to alloy lead with metals such as copper to enhance its properties is a key advantage.
located only 2.5 kilometres (km) north of Triangle.
In Turkey, meanwhile, Eldorado has proven its ability to locate gold deposits, as Efemçukuru and Kışladağ were grassroots discoveries.
Efemçukuru is a high-grade underground operation that uses a flotation circuit to produce a gold concentrate, whilst Kışladağ is a low-grade open pit operation that uses heap leaching for recovery and is one of the largest gold mines in the country.
The company’s other operating mine, Olympias, is an underground asset in Northern Greece that mines gold, silver, lead, and zinc, possessing a significant resource base.
Eldorado therefore strategically invests in underexplored, highly prospective areas that provide organic growth potential and access
to high-quality assets and is currently targeting new, sustainable gold and base metal resources through both discovery and commercial opportunities.
Indeed, whilst the company’s exploration is focused on its core operating jurisdictions of Canada, Turkey, and Greece, Eldorado continuously assesses global opportunities for commercial entry.
GREEK GROWTH PROJECTS
Along with its four operating mines, Eldorado’s portfolio includes a pair of industry-leading growth projects in Greece.
The exciting Skouries Project, a world-class asset located in the Halkidiki Peninsula together with Olympias, is the foremost of the two, with the high-grade copper-gold porphyry deposit to be mined using a
combination of conventional open pit and underground mining techniques.
The initial life of mine at the Skouries Project is 20 years, and it is expected to produce 140,000 ounces (oz) of gold and 67 million pounds (lbs) of copper per year on average.
As of the end of Q3 2024, the project is 79 percent complete, including the first phase of construction, with work advancing on the filtered tailings building.
In September, the first contract for this building was awarded for the structural and mechanical installations, whilst piping has been completed and concrete work is progressing.
Construction work is also continuing on the primary crusher building, process plant, thickeners, integrative extractive waste management facility, and underground at the Skouries Project.
SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK PILLARS
SAFE, INCLUSIVE, AND INNOVATIVE OPERATIONS – Fostering safe and inclusive workplaces that value diversity, personal growth, and innovation.
ENGAGED AND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES – Working with communities in a spirit of mutual respect to grow local economies and deliver lasting opportunities.
RESPONSIBLY-PRODUCED PRODUCTS – Demonstrating respect for human rights and delivering conflict-free, responsibly-produced products.
HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS, NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE – Taking care of the environment through industry-leading practices and technology.
Once construction is finished, first production is expected in Q3 2025, and the project remains on track for commercial production, which will follow at the end of next year.
The company’s other Greek growth project is Perama Hill, an epithermal gold-silver deposit located in the Thrace region and envisioned to operate as a small open pit mine that uses a conventional carbon-in-leach (CIL) circuit for gold recovery.
RESPONSIBLE MINING
Eldorado’s business is focused on breaking new ground at every stage
in the mining life cycle, from the initial relationships it builds with local communities to implementing socially and environmentally responsible closure practices.
In this way, Eldorado is committed to responsible mining and pledges to incorporate sustainability from the ground up.
This pledge is embodied by the company’s sustainability framework, which articulates four pillars that highlight its commitments across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators.
By delivering on these pillars,
Eldorado believes it will continue to be a preferred partner for its host communities and countries and have access to capital to enable growth. With a vision to build a sustainable, safe, and high-quality business in the gold mining sector, Eldorado is therefore creating value today and for future generations.
MINING THE SILVER SCREEN
From hard-working coal mining communities in the northeast of England to gold prospectors traversing South America for the next big discovery, cinema has historically depicted a broad range of mining stories. We dig deeper into some of the most famous examples and highlight a handful of key texts
Writer: Ed Budds
The vast global mining industry dates back centuries through numerous ages of human evolution and development.
Indeed, since the beginning of civilisation, people have mined stone, clay and, later, metals found close to the Earth’s surface. These valuable natural resources were then used to create the earliest iterations of technology in the form of tools and weapons.
This truly colossal sector has had and will undoubtedly continue to play a significant role in shaping the modern world as we know it today, as well as a vital part in our collective future.
Similarly, throughout history, the tool of filmmaking and the immense power of cinema has allowed key advances in technology, as well as enabling our very way of life to be documented, memorialising in a series of pictures the way in which global society and industries have shifted and evolved over time.
As such, mining in particular has historically been a topic of fascination in the world of cinema, lending a gritty, realistic, and sometimes grim look into the arduous lives of those brave enough to toil deep below the Earth’s surface.
The following collection of films effectively captures the essence of mining, the community culture that surrounds the industry, and some even showcase the fierce, irrepressible human spirit often found in the face of adversity.
Many of these fascinating stories have played a hugely important part in progressing a stronger, safer, and environmentally and economically superior mining industry that exists today, and for that reason they should be celebrated.
BILLY ELLIOT (2000)
Although not exclusively about mining, Billy Elliot, directed by Stephen Daldry, is set against the bleak and harsh backdrop of the 1984–85 British coal miners’ strike under Margaret Thatcher’s term as Prime Minister. The classic British film tells the story of a young working-class boy who fantasises about becoming a famous ballet dancer.
Starring Jamie Bell and Julie Walters, this hugely successful film, which has since spawned a West End musical, offers a poignant look at the impact of the strike on coal mining families in the northeast of England.
The film was shot on location across the UK, including in County Durham and the Easington Colliery, in order to authentically portray the brutal environment of a coal mining community during the miners’ strike.
Gold arrived as an American crime drama directed by Stephen Gaghan, starring Matthew McConaughey, Édgar Ramírez, and Bryce Dallas Howard.
The movie is inspired and tentatively based on the true story of the 1997 Bre-X mining scandal, when a gigantic gold deposit was allegedly discovered in the dense jungles of Indonesia.
A classic Hollywood ‘rags to riches’ tale, McConaughey’s character – an ambitious prospector – experiences the extreme highs and lows of the mining industry, teaming up with
PRIDE (2014)
Directed by Matthew Warchus, Pride is based on the true tale of a group of gay activists who decided to raise money to support the families affected by the British miners’ strike of 1984-85.
The incredibly uplifting and poignant film explores the unlikely alliance forged between the miners and their supporters, elegantly illuminating the themes of solidarity, prejudice, and community within the mining industry.
Boasting a who’s who of British actors and comedians, with Bill Nighy, Imelda
a similarly eager geologist to chase down a life-changing gold discovery in a corrupt and greed-fuelled world of dreams and betrayals.
Staunton, Dominic West, and Andrew Scott leading the charge, Pride was filmed in various locations across the UK, including London and Wales, to authentically capture the spirit and setting of the strike.
HARLAN COUNTY, USA (1976)
Not simply limited to narrative feature films, this meticulously crafted Oscar-winning documentary directed by Barbara Kopple depicts the Brookside Strike, shining a light on the local coal miners’ fight against the Duke Power Company throughout the 1970s.
Hailed as a raw and compelling portrait of the struggle for labour rights in the American coal mining industry, the exceptionally shot documentary footage was captured in Harlan County, Kentucky, presenting the real-life events and struggles of coal miners and their families during the struggle.
BLOOD DIAMOND (2006)
This gritty political action thriller, directed by Edward Zwick and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Hounsou, shines a light on the process of mining blood diamonds, which refers to the stones harvested in war zones before being sold to finance global conflicts, and thereby profiting warlords and diamond companies around the world.
Set during the Sierra Leone Civil War of the 1990s, the movie depicts a war-torn nation ripped apart by the struggle between government loyalists and insurgent forces, as well as highlighting the way in which even industries such as mining can be corrupted by the greed and malice of war.
ROYAL RUBIES
As one of the many ores recovered by mining, we ignite the world of fiery red rubies, the gemstone associated with nobility
Writer: Rachel Carr
After a violent beginning involving tectonics, rubies were formed around 50 million years ago when limestones were cooked by inferno-like temperatures of around 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and squeezed by the pressure of three to six kilobars.
Eventually, the limestone metamorphosed into marble with molten granite seeping into it releasing fluids to penetrate upwards through the rock. The metasomatism process removed the silica, but the alumina remained. From nature’s violent actions, a blood red jewel emerged.
Fast forward millions of years when erosion exposed ruby deposits along the scar where the two plates collided. This was caused by the
Indian subcontinent moving towards Asia and limestone deposits from the ancient Tethys Sea. The result of the land masses smashing together raised the Himalayas, and it was in this famous mountain range where rubies were first discovered in 2500 BCE.
Rubies were traded along China’s North Silk Road as early as 200 BCE, as Chinese noblemen adorned their armour with the red gemstone as they symbolised protection.
The myths and legends surrounding them carried through from royal history to popular culture with Dorothy’s ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz. Monarchs are most associated with gemstones, but King Henry VIII was possibly the most famous with portraits showing him adorned with rubies.
RUBIES
RARE RUBIES
Quality rubies are rarer than diamonds, with the finest stones found in Myanmar (formally Burma), however, they are also mined in Afghanistan, Australia, Cambodia, India, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.
The Mogok Stone Tract mine in Myanmar has produced some beautiful examples of rubies due to its unique geological conditions. The abundance of precious red gems is so legendary that it is said that locals happen upon them glinting amongst the grass in their gardens.
Rubies are believed to have been discovered at the base of a collapsed mountain by lost Shan hunters around
800 years ago. The vibrant Myanmar rubies’ value-determining factor is their extremely saturated colour, caused by a high chromium content.
However, the scarlet stones come in various shades on the red spectrum, as the island nation of Sri Lanka (formally Ceylon) will testify. The rubies from this part of the world have a more pink or purple hue, rather than the deep red they are known for.
Sri Lanka has always been a centre for mining different types of gems, not just rubies, in fact, it is so rich in its wealth of jewels that the Greeks and Romans called it Ratnadeepa, meaning Island of Gems. Rathnapura, the City of Gems, is one of Sri Lanka’s famous jewel-producing areas, noted for sapphires and rubies in particular.
The island has an impressive mine to market industry, both domestically and for exporting.
Furthermore, North Macedonia is the only country in mainland Europe to have naturally occurring rubies. Uniquely raspberry-pink in colour, they are found around the city of Prilep in the Sivec quarry and even feature on the North Macedonian coat of arms.
RED SOURCE
Most rubies are often found in secondary river deposits, far from their primary source of metamorphic rocks. Although the alluvial deposits contain a high percentage of good quality gem material, they do not yield a plentiful supply, but are relatively easy to extract.
RUBY FACTS
• Rubies are one of the four precious gemstones; the others are emeralds, sapphire and diamonds
• Almost all rubies have flaws; ones without imperfections are extremely rare
• Rubies are found in many different shades of red, the most precious ones are a rich red colour with a hint of blue
• The gems have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs scale
• Rubies are from the same mineral corundum as sapphires
• Dorothy’s ruby slippers sold at Christie’s in 1981 for USD$12,000. Interestingly, the iconic footwear is silver in L. Frank Baum’s novel, but the ruby red colour was more noticeable on the big screen.
Lucrative alluvial mining can require anything from primitive pans or sieves, a technique that has been used for centuries, however, the level of mechanisation differs from place to place. Land gravel is mined by excavating crude pits with shovels and picks, but if the gems are buried deeper in the earth, the pits are then fortified with timber as far down as 60 feet.
The successful ruby mine in Montepuez, northeast of Mozambique, is an openpit operation – meaning there are no tunnels. It globally boasts the largest assets, is currently valued at USD$1 billion, and is the most significant recently discovered ruby deposit in the world. Additionally, its mining techniques mean the
operational capacity is 150 tonnes per hour.
An extremely rare 101 carat ruby from Mozambique named Estrela de Fura is the largest ever discovered. Its
rarity is due to its vivid red hue and fluorescence, it is also visibly free from inclusions by the naked eye. Interestingly, the treasure-bearing rocks are older than the Himalayas, having formed between 500 and 800 years ago.
Despite their prolific presence in Asia, rubies have materialised in the US states of Montana, North Carolina, and Wyoming, however it is rare. Historically, North Carolina is the most important location for the red gemstones in the US as extraordinary star rubies have been unearthed there. The star is created when tiny fibres of the mineral rutile reflect the light in such a way that a star is formed, making it one of the most coveted and valuable gemstones in the world.
Rathnapura, the City of Gems
Crude gems in a woven basket in Sri Lanka
MOZAMBIQUE MINING INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
Numerous and diverse metals and minerals are found in subterranean Mozambique, contributing significantly to the country’s economy and its production of critical materials. We delve deeper into the potential of the thriving mining industry
Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Alfie Wilson
MINING SPOTLIGHT
Situated on the southeastern coast of Africa, Mozambique is characterised by its extensive coastline bordering the Indian Ocean. Endowed with abundant and manifold mineral deposits, the country’s landscape encompasses vast lowland plateaus and imposing mountains, while a treasure trove of natural resources lies beneath its surface.
The Mozambican economy greatly benefits from a wealth of sought-after gemstones such as rubies, garnets, and aquamarine, as well as valuable minerals such as graphite, spodumene, and heavy sands minerals. In addition, the presence of metals like gold, as well as practical compounds and elements like coal and gas, make mining a significant contributor to the country’s prosperity.
For more than 1,000 years, Mozambique has been steeped in the tradition of gold mining, as this precious metal was produced on a small scale by artisanal miners. Today, however, the country possesses high-quality commercial coking and thermal coal, iron ore, titanium, and marble. Other valuable commodities include petroleum, steel, niobium, cement, and aluminium.
Regarding the latter, aluminium plays a critical role in manufacturing aeroplanes and various transportation modes. It also surpasses copper in its ability to conduct electricity, making it a popular choice for use in transmission lines.
In Maputo, Mozambique’s capital city, you can find Mozal, S.A, an aluminium smelter located in the Beluluane Industrial Park. The joint project stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between South32, Mitsubishi Corporation, the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, and the Government of Mozambique.
The journey to achieving mining success in Mozambique may be lined with valuable metals and minerals, but it is not without obstacles. The industry requires a collaborative approach to promote sustainable growth, with a particular emphasis on expanding infrastructure such as roads and railways and creating a reliable electricity supply to bolster business strategies.
Increased exploration and exploitation of Mozambique’s minerals has the potential to grow the country’s economy significantly.
INTERVIEW:
CHAMBER OF MINES OF MOZAMBIQUE
As the voice of the country’s mining sector, the Chamber of Mines of Mozambique advocates for its members’ interests while promoting sustainable practices. We explore the industry’s prospects with its President, Geert Klok
Mining Outlook (MO): Firstly, please tell us about the origins of the Chamber of Mines of Mozambique, how it was incepted, and its initial vision?
Geert Klok, President (GK): The Chamber of Mines of Mozambique (CMM) was established in 2012 when the mining industry was in its early stages. The country’s formal large-scale mining industry is relatively young, less than 20 years old. The CMM functions as an industry association to advocate for mining interests. Due to the industry’s small size at the time, it did not gain much traction.
After a period of inactivity in the beginning, CMM experienced a resurgence as the mining industry
expanded. While it was established during Mozambique’s coal boom, we observed significant growth in graphite, heavy sand minerals, and the emergence of new companies engaged in ruby mining, leading to a more diverse industry.
In 2022, we secured a project supported by Germany in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Chemnitz (Germany). The project’s objective was to strengthen the CMM and conduct outreach and training programmes for the nation’s artisanal mining industry, enabling us to relaunch the association. Since the relaunch, we have gained numerous members and currently stand at around 60, including most of the major mining companies. We now feel we really represent the formal part of the organised Mozambican mining industry.
MO: What is the most exciting aspect of the industry in Mozambique?
GK: Mozambique has significant potential in the mining industry. Historically, there has been limited mining and exploration in the country, despite its abundance of important minerals, including graphite, making it
the world’s third-largest natural graphite producer. Mozambique also has heavy sands, gemstones, semiprecious stones, and coal resources. Despite the dwindling role of the latter, there are still many opportunities for growth and development in the mining sector.
MO: What are the biggest challenges facing the industry at the moment?
GK: The energy transition is a big challenge and an obvious opportunity. It’s a game-changer for the African mining industry, mainly because of the huge expected increase in demand for critical raw materials, of which we have several in Mozambique, such as graphite, lithium, and rare earth minerals.
The industry has the potential for growth through the beneficiation of critical raw materials and the development of new supply chains; the challenge is to figure out how to take advantage of this potential. Making the mining industry more sustainable, or “greening” it, involves reaching net zero in energy consumption.
Fortunately, electricity from Mozambique’s national grid is primarily from hydro sources. In rural, off-the-grid areas, some mining companies that initially relied on dieselgenerated power plants are now transitioning to costcompetitive solar energy. There have also been efforts to introduce electric moving equipment. Overall, achieving carbon dioxide neutrality presents a significant challenge for the industry.
In the context of the energy transition, it is evident that there is a need for increased production and mining output to meet growing demand. Yet, there is a lack of available financing for exploration, particularly in countries like Mozambique, where the mining industry is still perceived as high-risk and geopolitical instability further hinders access to funding.
MO: Are there any key aspects of the industry you’d like to highlight?
GK: When the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy conducted a census of Mozambique’s artisanal mining industry for the first time a few years ago, they uncovered some major issues.
Artisanal mining, according to this study, directly and indirectly employs over 800,000 people in the country, making it a more significant source of employment than the formal industry. As such, similar to the situation in Southern Africa, artisanal mining also presents numerous challenges due to its lack of regulation. Most miners operate without a license, rendering their activities informal or illegal. As a result, there are issues related to uncollected taxes, environmental pollution, and poor working conditions.
As part of our programme with Germany, we aim to provide training in conjunction with the mining inspectors and ministry in the fields of health and safety standards, environmental practices, and best practices of the industry. In this regard, we consider the promotion of best practices to be part of CMM’s role in the mining sector.
Initially much of the equipment, spare parts, and services for the mining industry had to be sourced from overseas due to limited availability within the country. However, it is in the mining industry’s best interest to engage local suppliers who can be more efficient and faster. It is also in the country’s interest to promote local development by creating employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
If executed properly, it would be a win-win situation, as working with local suppliers will establish an ecosystem for the mining industry, attracting new entrants and additional mining companies, while also developing the local economy. However, it cannot simply involve importing equipment and spare parts, marking them up, and selling
Geert Klok, President, Chamber of Mines of Mozambique
them. We need to engage local manufacturers and service providers to build capacity within the country.
Lastly, there is an extensive discussion in Mozambique and the region concerning critical raw materials and their beneficiation. African countries and the world need these critical raw materials. The question is, how can countries containing them benefit beyond mining and mineral extraction? How can they participate in the value chains? This is an important discussion in Mozambique, and CMM believes it needs careful consideration.
It is essential to enact enabling policies rather than legislate in a restrictive manner. Thus, there needs to be coherent regulations that create the right conditions to be competitive, as the domestic market is too small to support specific industries.
Graphite, for instance, is used in batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), but Mozambique does not have an automotive industry. Therefore, when considering the beneficiation of graphite as an anode precursor material for EV batteries, it becomes evident that this component fits into a supply chain that does not yet exist in Mozambique. To compete internationally, therefore, the infrastructure for electricity and human resources must be developed.
We believe it is important to consider international cooperation, especially at a southern African level. Understandably, each region’s countries would like to engage in beneficiation and build batteries for EVs, but in practice, this is a large-scale industry.
South Africa already has an automotive industry, so exploring this opportunity from a regional perspective and
“THE INDUSTRY HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH THROUGH THE BENEFICIATION OF CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SUPPLY CHAINS”
– GEERT KLOK, PRESIDENT, CHAMBER OF MINES OF MOZAMBIQUE
working together to establish a supply chain between this nation and Mozambique is important. This could be done in collaboration with the end user markets in Europe and North America, which are crucial.
We are also members of the Mining Industry Association of Southern Africa (MIASA). As a chamber, we actively participate in global discussions, contribute to developing appropriate policies and strategies, and engage internationally. We aim to promote Mozambique, emphasise the opportunities available in mining, share ideas and best practices, and learn from other countries and mining chambers across the world. This extends to both industrial and artisanal mining.
We must explore how to capitalise on these opportunities to benefit our industry and country. The energy transition presents a significant opportunity, and it is crucial for us to engage in regional dialogues. CMM plays a key role as an interface and contributes to our international engagement.
CMM’S OBJECTIVES
• Promote and support gender equality in the mining industry, as well as in scientific and technical research and training.
• Participate in national and international meetings, lectures, and forums in the interest of the chamber and its members in order to achieve its objectives.
• Develop corporate social responsibility (CSR) and health and safety standards.
• Share the results of studies, research, and cooperative programmes related to its objectives with members and, when appropriate, with society.
• Promote and support cooperation between the chamber and other mining industry associations, ministries, relevant government bodies, research institutions, development agencies, and companies.
• Take part in projects to promote and develop infrastructure and logistical services necessary for mining activities.
• Protect the interests of its members in labour negotiations with trade union organisations and the government, and participate in developing pension plans, social security, and medical assistance funds for member workers.
• Advocate for the interests of its members in mining activities and provide input on legislation that could impact them.
• Get involved in defining and implementing policies, strategies, and plans related to infrastructure development necessary for mining activities.
MO: Are there any plans or projects in the pipeline for CMM?
GK: We’ve recently developed a strategic plan that is member-approved and aims to strengthen CMM further. The plan also enables the association to serve the industry better, create new products, participate in regulatory reforms, and attract new investments. Our goal is to maintain a strong presence in representing the sector nationally and internationally, engaging in debates and showcasing the industry and, by extension, our country.
MO: Finally, how do you see the industry developing over the next five years?
GK: The industry in Mozambique has considerable growth potential. This is due to the underdeveloped mineral resources and opportunities presented by the energy transition, particularly in critical raw materials. If we can create the right conditions and provide an enabling environment for investments in the mining sector, we can expect significant expansion in the coming years.
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WE KNOW THE DRILL THE DRILL
Ausdrill’s leadership team come together to discuss its extensive presence in the Australian drilling and blasting scene, growing ability to provide innovative technological solutions to increase mine site safety and efficiency, and aspirations for the future
Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
Since its establishment in 1987, Ausdrill has provided safe, reliable, and productive drilling and blasting services across Australia.
Now part of the Perenti’s Drilling Services division, the company works with a range of clients, from major mining houses to junior explorers and developers, all of whom require high levels of efficiency and quality on their mining projects.
Ausdrill’s vast resource exploration, development, and production drill suite includes diamond core, reverse
circulation, and grade control.
“We have designed and manufactured in-house a specialised lake drill for exploration drilling, whilst our industry-leading Rock Commander provides a bespoke solution to drilling around underground workings,” introduces Matt Clinch, Business Development and Improvement Manager.
Due to its considerable reach and flexibility, the Rock Commander 330 is especially useful in pits with historical underground workings,
providing a highly safe and efficient drilling method in and around voids.
With a range of drilling units at its disposal, achieving hole sizes from as small as 76 millimetres (mm) and up to 311mm, the company’s diversity is unparalleled.
“We have explosives delivery mobile processing units (MPUs) capable of suitably loading both large and small-diameter blast holes,” Clinch adds.
Another operational focus for Ausdrill is geotechnical services
“OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS TO CONTINUE DRIVING INNOVATION IN SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND PRODUCTIVITY TO DELIVER THE HIGHEST QUALITY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES TO OUR CLIENTS”
– KYM LOW, GENERAL MANAGER, AUSDRILL
and understanding its client’s risks, particularly when it comes to loose or unstable rocks. As such, Ausdrill’s geotechnical services include rope access meshing and wall scaling capabilities which utilise trained professionals to mitigate the risks posed by wall instability.
To further improve the efficiency and safety of traditional rock scaling, Ausdrill partnered with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) to create the rock-scaling robotic system, High Access Localised Operations (HALO).
The two-year project introduced
robotic and virtual reality (VR) technologies to relocate rope access technicians to a safe distance and remote control a robot based on data transmitted via video and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, allowing rope access technicians to work from a distance.
The robot can manoeuvre over the crest line to descend the wall, rattling and dislodging loose debris and potentially hazardous rocks.
As Ausdrill looks to further develop and improve HALO, it is also exploring the integration of remote VR digital twin technology elsewhere in its suite of mining rigs and services, demonstrating its constant
commitment to ongoing innovation.
INNOVATING SAFETY
As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) with over 37 years of experience in the mining sector, Ausdrill specialises in building customised drills for its clients’ unique projects.
“We are also dedicated to developing cutting-edge technology and continue to invest in projects such as one-touch drilling, remote drilling, hands-free technology, and our patented hands-free Auto Sampler,” reveals John Ivanovski, Senior Manager of Operations.
Ausdrill’s patented Auto Sampler
is primarily used in grade control environments and continues to set new standards in safety performance, operational efficiency, and quality control.
The Auto Sampler utilises the RayTrac radio frequency identification (RFID) digital sample tracking system to ensure that every sample is tracked in sequence. The sample data is then uploaded to the client’s database.
Eliminating the need for human intervention, the Auto Sampler improves safety, ensures accuracy, and saves valuable time, labour, and on-site costs associated with sample collection on a drill rig.
TRANSFORMING SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE MINING
Initially awarded to Ausdrill in 1989, the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) Super Pit project is one of Australia’s largest open-pit gold mines.
Located approximately 600 kilometres (km) east of Perth, Western Australia (WA), the project currently employs around 115 Ausdrill workers.
It also operates 14 long-reach Rock Commander drill rigs, three grade control drills, and one reverse circulation (RC) drill, all of which are owned and maintained by Ausdrill’s in-house maintenance division.
“We are committed to having a locally based workforce and presence in Kalgoorlie with all key management residing locally on-site, supported by the Ausdrill Kalgoorlie branch,” Ivanovski details.
Congruent with the company’s commitment to supporting its workforce, the Rock Commander long-reach drills have transformed safe and productive mining at the KCGM Super Pit mine site.
“Originally designed to provide an effective approach to void management for KCGM operations, the Rock Commander long-reach drill keeps our employees at a safe distance from potential voids and away from high walls where rock falls may occur,” he elaborates.
This is due to the Rock Commander’s multi-echelon approach, which allows it to drill three lines without needing to tram.
MINING OUTLOOK: WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE MINING INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA TODAY?
KYM LOW, GENERAL MANAGER:
“The industry is both an exciting and challenging space to work in. There are challenges associated with the current market conditions, however we are optimistic that these will turn, and we remain well-positioned to capitalise on the anticipated uplift in demand.
“In the meantime, we remain focused on our safety, efficiency, and productivity, and ensuring that we continue adding value for our clients.
“We are particularly excited about the opportunities presented by technology and our role in making the drilling industry safer, more inclusive, and diverse.”
CHINA’S LEADING EXPORTER OF ROCK DRILLING TOOLS
-
certified by Euromonitor International
Guizhou Sinodrills Equipment Co., LTD (hereinafter referred to as Sinodrills) is an international market-oriented enterprise dedicated to providing a comprehensive solution for rock drilling tools. Its predecessor, DVY International, was established in 2002 and was registered as Guizhou Sinodrills Equipment Co., LTD in 2006.
Mission: Take Chinese rock drilling world and earn global trust in Sino-quality.
Vision: Make Sinodrills rock drilling global bestseller and achieve annual over 100 million US dollars.
Values: Customer satisfaction and business are the only standards for
drilling tools to the Sino-quality. drilling tools a annual sales of repeat for our work.
After over two decades of development, Sinodrills has evolved into a professional rock drilling tool supplier integrating research and development, production, and sales. Sinodrills owns two production enterprises: Wuxue Zhong’e Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. and Wuxue Xinchuan New Materials Co., Ltd., among which Wuxue Xinchuan New Materials Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech certified enterprise. Sinodrills is committed to providing a one-stop solution for rock drilling tools, with its products covering 4 series: top-hammer drilling tools, down-the-hole (DTH) drilling tools, geotechnical drilling tools, and rotary drilling tools.
Sinodrills strictly adheres to the ISO9001 international quality management system and consistently upholds the principle of integrity in business operations. Since 2016, it has been recognised as a 3A enterprise by the internationally renowned credit rating agency Dun & Bradstreet. Sinodrills places innovation at the core of its business, continuously improving product quality to create more value for
customers. By the end of 2023, Sinodrills had obtained more than 20 patents and has been increasing its R&D investment year by year. Since its establishment, Sinodrills has been focusing on the mid-to-high-end international markets. By the end of 2023, its products had been exported to 110 countries and regions around the world, with its export volume in 2023 ranking first in China (certified by Euromonitor International in March 2024). As of August 2024, Sinodrills, as the leading brand of rock drilling tools in China, has been registered in 120 countries or regions worldwide. sales@sinodrills.com | Website: www.sinodrills.com
AUSDRILL’S FLEET
DRILL RIGS – Ausdrill customengineers its own world-leading drill rigs and equipment, which are specially designed to increase productivity and optimise on-site safety. It also invests in the latest automated technology to remain at the forefront of the industry, especially when it comes to drilling deeper holes with larger diameters and streamlining processes to improve efficiencies.
REVERSE CIRCULATION RIGS –
The company’s heavy-duty reverse circulation rigs are proven to be resilient against a wide range of mining environments. They utilise the latest technologies, with operating systems designed with efficient rod handling systems in place. Having also incorporated its own rod fall prevention system, Ausdrill’s reverse circulation rigs are available with various options to suit a range of project needs.
HAMMER RIGS – Ausdrill’s fleet of top hammer and down hole hammer drills allow it to deliver, no matter how big the project or how remote the site is.
GRADE CONTROL RIGS
– The company’s grade control rigs are designed to meet the stringent demands of today’s modern mine site requirements. Featuring numerous innovative safety systems fitted as standard, the grade control rigs include rod fall prevention systems, efficient rod handling systems with dual operator stations, machine protection systems, and an ergonomic workstation for the sampling crew.
This reduces trip hazards for the blast crew by eliminating the need to turn tracked machines on the patterns.
In addition, the training cab Rock Commander, a two-seat operator training unit for hands-on experience, allows Ausdrill to improve the quality of training for its employees.
EXPERTISE AND ADAPATABILITY
Having operated at the St Ives Gold Mine on Lake Lefroy in Kambalda, WA, for more than 25 years, Ausdrill has worked hard to overcome challenges posed by the area’s harsh environment.
The lake itself is a huge salt pan with hazardous conditions, including deep mud beneath a salt crust.
“We have tackled these challenges by utilising tracked vehicles, designing custom-built drill rigs with extrawide tracks, and even developing a hovercraft-mounted drill rig to access the most remote areas,” Ivanovski explains.
The company’s innovative approach has allowed it to successfully drill across the lake and surrounding lands with various methods.
“Our expertise and adaptability have been crucial in overcoming conditions that would be impossible for standard drilling equipment and solidified our reputation as a leader in surface mining,” he adds.
Ausdrill & SITECH WA Join Forces to Revolutionise Safety, Precision, & Efficiency in the Mining Industry
SITECH WA, a leading provider of cutting-edge KCGM’s Fimiston
by Groundworks improves safety by alerting operators to exclusion zones and potential hazards.
Open discussions between Ausdrill and SITECH WA have concluded that the development of an online portal to interpolate as-drilled data reconciliation would greatly assist Ausdrill stakeholders. Democratising data allows supervisors, planners and maintenance staff, both onsite and further afield, to make critical operational decisions based on accurate as-drilled data and realtime productivity. With Ausdrill’s insights, the upcoming portal will offer the functionality that drilling providers demand.
John Ivanovski, Senior Manager of Operations at Ausdrill, emphasised the significance of the partnership: “With SITECH WA as our technology partner, we’re not just integrating systems; we’re future-proofing our operations. The combination of Ausdrill’s Rock Commander and SITECH WA’s Trimble Groundworks reflects our shared dedication to setting new industry standards and providing our teams with the tools and support they need to succeed.”
Angelo D’Agostino, SITECH WA’s Sales Manager, added, “Our partnership with
Specifically, Ausdrill has provided specialised multidirectional drilling capability to optimise hole trajectories, removing the guesswork to achieve targets, maximising resource extraction efficiency, and offering cost-effective solutions as safely and efficiently as possible.
The company’s activities on Lake Lefroy, enabled by its specialised lake drills, have consistently hit requisite targets, whilst its deep navigational diamond drilling capabilities have yielded significant cost savings at the St Ives gold mine site.
AUTOMATING DRILLING
Contributing to Ausdrill’s on-site
“AUSDRILL’S PARTNERS ARE CRUCIAL TO OUR SUCCESS AND ENABLE US TO DELIVER A VALUED SERVICE TO OUR CLIENTS”
– MATT CLINCH, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT MANAGER, AUSDRILL
safety, its semi-autonomous handsfree drilling equipment, which was used in BHP’s Nickel West project in Leinster, WA, has significantly reduced manual handling injuries.
“We’ve noticed a significant reduction in hand and back injuries while creating a safer and more inclusive environment for our diverse workforce,” Ivanovski observes.
The advanced technology can pre-select the required hole depth, drill down, and even change rods and flush the hole. As such, the need for manual, human intervention is not required, except for fine-tuning in the initial stages.
The recent introduction of
hands-free Austex Engineering (Austex) rigs at the Nickel West project has raised the bar for Ausdrill’s operations, further enhancing the safety of its employees.
For example, the Austex X1550TH, a fully integrated electric over hydraulic diamond drill rig operated by a wireless remote, includes a cage barrier protecting the platform alongside human recognition cameras, which immobilise the drill’s function before technicians are able to access a live work area.
Furthermore, the drill rig’s remote monitoring system allows employees to access data points from anywhere across the world. This data is stored
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By covering these critical elements, we minimise downtime and avoid unexpected costs, allowing you to focus on achieving the operational goals that matter most.
Our Founder & Director, Matthew Hayes, working the rods on an Ausdrill site, circa 2006.
AUSDRILL’S GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Committed to remaining at the top of its game, Ausdrill’s shared beliefs, which are widely implemented across Perenti, inform positive company-wide behaviours and actions:
• NO SHORT CUTS – The company never compromises its standards, strives for the best in everything it does, and continues to raise the bar in safety, performance, and transparency.
• NEVER WASTEFUL – Ausdrill makes every moment count, operating as efficiently as possible. It plans effectively, makes full use of its assets, and always spends its money wisely.
• WALK IN CLIENTS’ SHOES – To win over new clients, maintain existing ones, and ensure that everyone in the organisation benefits, Ausdrill must know its customers well – not just who they are, but what they do, what they’re asking for, and what really matters to them.
• SMARTER TOGETHER – Ausdrill believes that not one member of the organisation is smarter than the rest. By valuing diversity, working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other, Ausdrill’s people are capable of exceptional things.
• ENABLE TOMORROW – Ausdrill actively embraces change and enables new technologies and smarter ways of working to safeguard the mines of tomorrow, ensuring safer, more productive, and more reliable operations than ever before.
for internal analysis, enabling Ausdrill to further refine and optimise the drilling process for maximum productivity.
“Our investment in semiautonomous, hands-free drilling equipment aligns with our key priority to reduce risk in our work environment and prevent life-changing events. The safety of our employees is our number one priority,” confirms Kym Low, General Manager.
With employee safety at the forefront of its drilling operations, Ausdrill sets a high bar across the industry.
DELIVERING A VALUED SERVICE
Ausdrill’s supply chain is primarily managed in-house, with products sourced both locally and internationally.
“Ausdrill’s partners are crucial to our success and enable us to deliver a valued service to our clients. We have partnerships and relationships with major OEMs that consistently provide both reliability and leading technological solutions for our drilling service offerings to our clients,” Clinch outlines.
Ausdrill, part of Perenti Drilling
“OUR EXPERTISE AND ADAPTABILITY HAVE BEEN CRUCIAL IN OVERCOMING CONDITIONS THAT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR STANDARD DRILLING EQUIPMENT AND SOLIDIFIED OUR REPUTATION AS A LEADER IN SURFACE MINING”
– JOHN IVANOVSKI, SENIOR MANAGER OF OPERATIONS, AUSDRILL
Services (Perenti), is deeply involved in delivering the global mining services group’s purpose of creating enduring value and certainty, contributing to 4,726km of drill and blast and 2,621km of exploration drilling, according to the group’s 2024 annual report.
As part of Australia’s largest drilling contractor, Ausdrill continues to focus on innovation in safety, sustainability, and productivity as it provides clients with quality equipment and services.
FUTURE REFLECTIONS
Looking ahead, Ausdrill will continue to expand its presence in Australia, where it was first established 37 years ago.
Its commitment to providing excellent drilling project management services with the highest safety standards across Australia hasn’t changed since its inception.
“Our primary focus is to continue driving innovation in safety, sustainability, and productivity to deliver the highest quality equipment and services to our clients,” Low divulges.
Dedicated to implementing cuttingedge technology and automation to mitigate manual handling risks and elevate the safety standards of its workforce, Ausdrill will continue to investigate innovative drilling technology.
Furthermore, as much as its
recruitment process is focused on achieving and maintaining Ausdrill’s trademark commitment to safety, it also concentrates on getting the right people for the job – which is rooted in diversity to obtain a range of skill sets and strengths.
This extends to fostering an environment where more women in the mining community can thrive and look forward to coming to work.
“With a progressive, 50:50 leadership team, Ausdrill is determined to create a safe, inclusive work environment, achieving greater gender balance in our organisation,” Low passionately concludes.
Tel: +61 8 6159 4407
info@ausdrill.com.au
www.ausdrill.com.au
VANGUARDS OF MINING SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS
With experience and expertise in the mining industry, PBE Group strives to deliver high-quality solutions, services, and products across all its businesses and divisions. David Meyn, CEO of PBE Rutherford, provides further insight
Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
Australia’s diverse and fascinating geological past has gifted the nation with a vast assortment of precious minerals.
As a result, the country’s mining industry has experienced a substantial upsurge, leading to a remarkable increase in the export value of its natural resources.
A relatively flat terrain and sparsely populated areas, except in coastal cities and towns, make Australia an advantageous location for mine exploration and development.
In fact, the minerals sector contributes eight percent of the country’s GDP, placing it amongst the top five producers of the world’s key commodities.
Benefitting from favourable industry conditions, PBE Group (PBE) is at the forefront of mining services, offering an extensive range of electrical power and electronic safety
products and solutions.
This includes critical power solutions as well as data and communications infrastructure for mining, energy, tunnelling, data centres, infrastructure projects, and heavy industry.
Strategically located within mining regions for more than 30 years, PBE is a leader in delivering turnkey high-voltage power infrastructure up to 330 kilovolts (kV), spanning a plethora of services including the design, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning of electrification projects.
“Our in-house capabilities shine through as the company’s defining differentiator in Australian mining, and PBE prides itself on its ability to get the job done efficiently and quickly through close collaboration with customers,” opens David Meyn, CEO of PBE Rutherford.
As one of three separate but synergistic businesses within the group, PBE Rutherford operates through five divisions and one vision, with David leading and supporting its dedicated team alongside overseeing the Australian operations of ADE Power and PBE Axell – the global entities of the wider company.
David joined PBE 13 years ago after a varied career, including working as an apprentice electrician in the energy sector and managing mining projects.
SAFETY, SOLUTIONS, AND SUCCESS
Over the past year, PBE Rutherford has furthered its business in the mining and energy sectors by offering comprehensive turnkey critical power solutions for backup, peak demand, and off-grid applications.
electrical overhauls and repairs, PBE Rutherford’s expertise extends to various equipment such as shuttle cars, continuous miners, feeder breakers, and auxiliary fans.
“OUR MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IS THE PBE AXELL PROXIMITY ALERT SYSTEM, WHICH IS NOW APPROVED FOR THE AUSTRALIAN COAL MINING MARKET”
– DAVID MEYN, CEO, PBE RUTHERFORD
With its vast experience, the company also ensures enhanced workplace safety is of paramount importance through its innovative monitor, which reduces the risk of collisions between vehicles and employees with underground multiple detection technologies.
“My father was a coal miner, so growing up in the Hunter Valley meant mining was in my blood. It was a natural progression that my chosen career would be servicing an industry that means so much to me,” he expresses.
This includes a variety of mine specification generators, as well as solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Offering a range of services for underground mining machinery, including complete mechanical and
“Our most exciting development is the PBE Axell Proximity Alert System (PAS), which is now approved for the Australian coal mining market. We are also currently collaborating with various Tier 1 mining companies on rigorous trials of this product line,
P.I. Technical Services delivers complete electrical engineering and electrical skills as an integrated service. We specialise in on site electrical maintenance, testing, repairs, installations and equipment hire.
When you choose P.I. Technical Services, you are choosing an experienced electrical contractor with a strong set of values who will consistently provide the technical and professional expertise to satisfy your needs. We want to get the job done safely, on time and within budget.
SERVICES
• Labour Hire
• Conveyor Installations
• Pre Overhaul Audits
• Coal Seam Gas
• Longwall Moves
• Electrical Workshop
• Engineering
• Engineering Design
• Inspection & Audits
• Overhaul Management
• Project Management
• Commissioning Services
PI Technical Services Pty Ltd
Unit 1/36 Transport Av Paget Qld 4740 PO Box 8392 Mt Pleasant Qld 4740
Phone: 07 4998 5226
www.pitechnicalservices.com
MINING OUTLOOK: HOW DOES PBE VALUE, INCENTIVISE, AND MOTIVATE ITS EMPLOYEES?
David Meyn, CEO: “We truly value our employees, and as I often say, we are all players within the team. Each of us have a key role, and we are a great team as we complement each other’s skill sets.
“We provide flexible working arrangements, upskilling through training, and development opportunities with financial support.
“In addition, we offer an employee service awards programme and pathways for our staff to develop and contribute to the success of the business.”
which will greatly improve safety in mining,” reveals David.
Recently, PBE has experienced a rise in revenue due to specific contributing factors that have had a positive impact on performance, including an inspiring company work ethic.
“At PBE, we strongly believe in our ability to commit to and deliver on our customers’ requirements, and our project management approach instils confidence that projects will be successfully completed. My personal philosophy is to deliver on our promises and to do so safely,” emphasises David.
POWERFUL PROJECTS
PBE Rutherford has recently completed several significant projects in the mining and energy sectors.
“We have been working on three important developments. Firstly, a 330/33 kV substation and associated
works for converting a coal-fired power station site in New South Wales (NSW) into a renewable energy and technology hub.
“The second project involved constructing a 132/11kV substation for a new metallurgical coal mine in Central Queensland.
Lastly, we expanded a 66/11kV substation for a gold mine in the Central West region of NSW,” prides David.
For the first project, PBE Rutherford built a new substation connected directly to Transgrid’s 330kV transmission network.
The substation must provide a 33kV supply to nearby coal mines and the neighbouring Bayswater Power Station.
In addition, Liddell Power Station in NSW’s Hunter Valley was decommissioned and transformed into a renewables hub, with existing overhead feeders relocated underground.
HENGTONG CABLE AUSTRALIA
• Hengtong is the largest cable manufacturer in China
• We are one of the world’s largest opitical fibre producers
• Fourth largest insulated wire and cable producer globally
• Tallest VCV extrusion tower in the world at 180 metres
• Largest submarine cable manufacturer in Asia
• 22,000 employees globally
• Total of 3,000,000m2 of factories of which 2,200,000m2 are in China
• 80 subsidiary companies
RUTHERFORD
SPECIALIST MINING EQUIPMENT AND EXPERTISE OFFERED BY PBE
• Flameproof product line of Ex d enclosures and cable reelers for underground coal applications.
• Proximity alert systems for both open-cut and underground mining.
• Turnkey site-wide power infrastructure for both on and off-grid applications.
• Communications systems including leaky feeder radio, distributed antenna systems, and fibre optic networks.
• Cable services including cable repairs, new cable sales, couplers, and on-site services.
• Complete mechanical and electrical manufacture and overhaul of mining machinery.
• Mine spec generators, solar, and BESS.
• On-site support services.
“OUR MAIN FOCUS IS TO BE THE SUPPLIER OF CHOICE FOR ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS WITHIN THE MINING AND ENERGY SECTORS, ALONG WITH BUILDING ON OUR ALREADY SUCCESSFUL SERVICE BUSINESS”
– DAVID MEYN, CEO, PBE RUTHERFORD
The next project, Ironbark in Central Queensland, is a new underground metallurgical coal mine for the global export market whose substation connects directly to Powerlink’s 132kV transmission network.
Finally, the company designed, manufactured, and installed two new transportable substations and a static VAR compensator (SVC) for the Narrabri Mine Southern Extension Project in NSW.
This project, which is expected to extend the life of the mine until
2044, involved expanding an existing underground coal mine that produces 11 million tonnes of high-quality thermal coal for the global export market. Crucially, all three projects were delivered safely and on time.
“We have several key investments in the pipeline, including acquisitions and organic growth within the mining and energy sectors. There’s a lot happening in these areas, and we are well-positioned to continue our growth and expansion,” David reveals.
CHALLENGES, CHANGES, AND CAPABILITIES
The industry currently faces the challenge of navigating towards a more eco-friendly future by setting and achieving sustainable goals to reduce its impact on the environment.
“I believe the mining sector’s biggest challenge is decarbonisation and meeting lower emissions targets to avoid penalties, alongside reducing overall operating costs. However, PBE Rutherford, through a diverse range of products and solutions along with our capable team, can greatly support the mining sector in this period of transition and into the future,” David points out.
PBE Rutherford is equally seeing an increase in opportunities in Australia’s burgeoning rare earths market, which is rapidly growing as it serves many industries such as electric vehicles
(EVs), solar panels, and digital technologies.
“It’s a new venture for us with several contracts secured in the mineral sands sector. We have already witnessed considerable interest in our range of products and solutions related to power, communications, and safety,” he informs.
Looking forward, PBE Rutherford is prioritising becoming the top supplier and consistently delivering positive results for its services.
“Our main focus is to be the supplier of choice for electrification projects within the mining and energy sectors, along with building on our already successful service business,” David concludes.
Possessing a cohesive vision, worldwide distribution channels, and operational facilities strategically positioned in five key Australian
locations, PBE Rutherford is poised to further advance the group’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions, comprehensive services, and essential supplies to the mining industry.
Tel: 02 49619619
contact@pberutherford.com pbegrp.com
NATION BUILDING IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Darren Lockyer, Head of Business Affairs at Mayur Resources, enlightens us on the company’s focus on renewable energy projects and carbon footprint reduction across Asia Pacific’s building materials market
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
The mining and aggregates industry in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has an extensive and storied history, permeating across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region and its many sectors.
At the helm of the country’s mining industry is Mayur Resources (Mayur), who is spearheading low-carbon manufacturing and natural resources across PNG.
“Our asset portfolio, which spans industrial minerals and renewable power generation, will contribute to nation building in a country that
is poised for a significant growth trajectory,” introduces Darren Lockyer, Head of Business Affairs at Mayur.
In the context of PNG, this means building a nation that has one of the lowest cement consumption rates per capita with the ability to obtain competitively priced, locally and sustainably sourced cement to drive socioeconomic development.
“Our success is directly connected to bringing better sustainability outcomes to PNG and the broader APAC region by reducing the building industry’s carbon footprint. We’re
doing this by developing mineral projects that deliver high-quality, low-cost, and net zero inputs for the mining and construction industries,” he adds.
This is further supported by Mayur’s investment in building and operating a renewable energy portfolio of solar, wind, and geothermal production, as well as carbon mitigation and battery storage.
The company has grown to become a diverse entity with developments across lime and cement production, iron and industrial sands, and renewable energy.
Mayur is also building infrastructure that will not only support its projects but create an environment for other industries to grow in PNG, particularly in the special economic zone (SEZ) near Port Moseby, where the company has access to 12,000 acres of land.
COMPETITIVENESS AND CARBON FOOTPRINT
The SEZ was specially chosen for Mayur’s Central Cement and Lime (CCL) project, a 400,000 tonne lime source that is strategically located to initially supply lime and then cement to PNG and a host of markets in Southeast Asia.
Both lime and cement are critical materials for the building and construction sectors, thus providing PNG with a reliable local source of competitive materials with a smaller carbon footprint, subsequently giving the company a competitive advantage.
“Our location and the way we are structuring our business means we will make a genuine difference in the competitiveness and carbon footprint of cement and lime production in the region,” highlights Lockyer.
MAYUR’S VALUES
RESPECT – The company values all relationships, working with partners to understand and serve all stakeholders with respect.
INNOVATION – Mayur is resourceful, solves problems, and constantly seeks to create value while adapting, developing, and continually improving.
ACCOUNTABILITY – The company initiates sustainable outcomes, takes responsibility, and is open and accountable.
INTEGRITY – Mayur commits to its word, delivers results, and is professional and ethical.
Indeed, with the aim to meet all PNG’s cement, clinker, and quicklime needs, the CCL project is also strategically located next to the ExxonMobil PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, which helps keep operating costs low and provides easy access to domestic and export markets.
Furthermore, the project’s SEZ status offers tax relief and duty exemptions which boost the operation’s financial viability.
Additionally, in 2020, the PNG government awarded Mayur a 20-year mining lease for the project on top of a significant offtake agreement that the company had already secured.
The CCL operation will be delivered in two phases, starting with the quicklime plant followed by clinker and cement facilities, and is set to play a crucial role in the region’s economic and sustainable development.
CCL PROJECT: Developing Asia Pacific’s first carbonneutral quicklime, clinker, and cement project for supply to PNG, Australia, and the South Pacific at much lower cost than Asian exporters.
“We are also committed to doing things the right way, with the partnership and support of the government and people of PNG. We engage closely with host communities throughout our project areas to ensure we are aligned on what it means to undertake the sustainable development of the country,” affirms Lockyer.
Thus, the CCL project has the potential to create hundreds of new jobs, as well as support service businesses, electricity, roads, education, and health facilities for landowners.
PROSPEROUS PARTNERSHIPS
Mayur’s recent projects also extend to the development of a promising iron and industrial sands province along the southern coastline and delta regions of the Gulf of Papua.
A SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN
Mayur has a strong belief that the industry is moving forward towards sustainability, but not fast enough.
“We believe there is a real opportunity to speed up the transition to net zero by creating an integrated business in PNG that includes mining raw materials and processing them into high-value products, powered by renewable energy,” impassions Lockyer.
On top of the company’s plans to use renewable energy sources, Mayur will also significantly reduce carbon emissions from existing, long supply chains that move product to market across the region.
This is further aided by the location of PNG and its proximity to major regional markets, affording the company a strategic advantage in acquiring and exporting building materials and influencing the supply chain.
“Ultimately, our products will build resilience in the APAC supply chain for the critical materials that support the region’s building and constructing industries, while developing a downstream manufacturing sector that will support PNG’s economy by providing jobs and business opportunities for local people,” he elaborates.
This particular area shows great potential for numerous future projects and mining operations.
“The potential for scalability here is a big plus. If the initial projects are successful, we can expand operations relatively easily, tapping into more resources and increasing production,” comments Lockyer.
“Plus, our proximity to market routes means we can get our product to customers quickly and cost-effectively, which is a significant advantage.”
The company is also very close to finalising an investment made into the business by ACAM LP – a prominent global investment organisation in the natural resources sector, which will underpin the development of the CCL project.
“The project itself is ‘shovel ready’ with all the necessary approvals in place. This is an exciting time for us, and once we finalise our funding, we will be in a position to make an investment decision and start construction,” explains Lockyer.
Mayur is pioneering the development of a highly prospective iron and industrial sands province along the southern coastline and delta regions of the Gulf of Papua. There is potential for multiple projects, with near term routes to market and significant scalability to expand future low-cost operations.
An artist’s impression of surface mining operations at Orokolo Bay
1. Social feasibility studies
2. Social impact studies
3. Environmental monitoring
4. Environmental impact assessment
5. Social licence, environmental and social safeguards
Community liaison and consultations
Incorporated land groups capacity building and GIS training
Development forum facilitation and negotiation
Projects aside, Mayur also deeply values investment into the local community, as the business sees itself as partners in the development of PNG.
For example, Mayur recently connected eco-friendly solar panels and batteries at Kido Primary School, benefitting over 125 students.
Moreover, the company engages in the development of local skills and vocational education through its involvement in institutions such as the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), who it has joined to help fund 36 students through a 12-week intensive programme in its Engineering Pathways course.
“Ultimately, these people will have skills that could help us with our projects and other developments in PNG,” Lockyer points out.
“As we grow the business, we will continue to invest in supporting the local socioeconomic development of the country.”
CREATING OPPORTUNITY
With a great team both in PNG and Australia, Mayur aims to be an inclusive organisation where people from all backgrounds are welcome to bring their skills and talents to help make a difference.
The company offers employee benefits and schemes to all levels of staff to recognise the performance and contributions of the team.
“The biggest reward for us is knowing that we are building a sustainable business that will strengthen communities and PNG as a nation by diversifying its economy and producing building materials that are critical for socioeconomic development,” Lockyer closes.
Aside from employee well-being, Mayur’s other focus remains on closing a financing round for the CCL project, which will provide the funding required for the operation to enter full-scale construction and is expected to take around 18 months.
When complete, the company will have established the first downstream mineral resource processing hub in the country, which it expects to spur the creation of additional downstream industry in the region, significantly improving the livelihoods of local residents and PNG as a whole.
BUILDERS OF THE FUTURE
Bringing the quality of the Guinean mining industry to the global stage, GPC Groupe is connecting its country, powering Africa, and transforming the world. We speak to Aly Kaba, CEO, to learn more about the company’s inception and bold plans for a sustainable and innovative future
Writer: Lauren Kania | Project Manager: Joshua Mann
The West African country of Guinea is one of the richest in the world in terms of minerals, boasting high-quality bauxite, open-pit iron ore mining with 75 percent purity, and some of the finest gold deposits.
Over the past decade, the country’s local content standards have significantly improved to meet the strict requirements of the international corporations operating in the country, allowing ripe opportunities to arise for local companies to grow within this framework.
Guinea’s mining potential is so significant that it is considered one of the levers of its national economy, with the industry contributing approximately 15 percent of the country’s GDP.
“Our country’s mineral endowments have been poorly exploited for a long time, but since 2013, the government has implemented a new mining policy aimed at promoting greater profitability for investors, broadening the country’s tax revenue base and encouraging more locally added value,” introduces Aly Kaba, CEO of GPC Groupe (GPC).
“As you can see, the opportunities in this sector are endless and the business climate is conducive.”
MINING OUTLOOK: COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT GPC’S REBRAND AND NEW WEB PRESENCE?
Aly Kaba, CEO: “The rebranding has been in preparation for about a year and a half. The objective of this initiative was not only to increase our visibility but also to reflect the significant growth of GPC over the past 10 years. The previous logo, which had remained unchanged until 2023, no longer reflected our modern identity and expanding capabilities.
“Simultaneously, we revamped our communication strategy, focusing on professional networks such as LinkedIn and actively participating in industry events. These platforms and events provide valuable opportunities for potential clients to engage with us directly at our booths and gain deeper insights into the company. With a strong presence on these platforms, our strategy emphasises building close relationships with both existing and potential clients.
“Furthermore, this rebrand signifies our commitment to opening up to the international market. We aim to leverage our strengthened brand presence and network engagements to explore new opportunities globally, ensuring GPC’s continued growth and relevance on an international scale.”
One such organisation taking full advantage of these opportunities and making waves both locally and internationally is GPC, a seasoned group of Guinean companies specialising in building and public works (BTP), logistics, transportation, construction, and mining.
With over a decade of experience in delivering world-class services, GPC’s dedication to excellence has been a key driver of its exponential growth.
“Our vision is to establish ourselves as a leading integrated service provider in BTP, logistics, and general trade, not only within Guinea but also across Africa. We aim to offer superior service quality that meets the unique needs of our clientele,” insights Kaba.
Boasting a team of talented managers and engineers who bring a wealth of expertise to its projects, GPC prides itself on its professionals’
recognised capability in all facets of civil construction.
“Ultimately, we aim to generate the financial substance necessary to support the company’s development and meet our clients’ requirements through quality service, controlled cost, and human capital development.”
CONNECTING GUINEA, EMPOWERING AFRICA
With over 16 years of experience working for multinational companies in the iron ore, bauxite, and gold industries, Kaba boldly decided in 2016 to dedicate himself full-time to GPC, which had been established eight years prior with his brothers Amadou and Idrissa.
“GPC is the very first fully owned Guinean company to have signed a mining services contract covering
“AT GPC, WE DON’T JUST AIM TO COMPETE; WE STRIVE TO SET NEW BENCHMARKS IN THE INDUSTRY, DRIVEN BY A PASSION FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND A DEDICATION TO CREATING VALUE THAT ENDURES”
– ALY KABA, CEO, GPC GROUPE
the entire production chain, from bush clearing, drilling and blasting, transportation, and crushing, all the way to delivering the product to trains – an accomplishment we are exceptionally proud of,” he enthuses. What has come to differentiate the company and its services is an unwavering commitment to excellence in every aspect of its operations. GPC prides itself on delivering products and services
that not only meet but exceed international standards.
With client satisfaction at the core of its philosophy, the company prioritises understanding and meeting each client’s unique needs, ensuring their success and forging long-term partnerships built on trust and reliability.
Equally important is its dedication to the well-being and development of employees.
Standpipe exit road
Early morning meeting
WMF East side
Maintenance area
“We prioritise a safe and supportive work environment, investing in continuous training and career growth opportunities. We believe that by nurturing our team, we empower them to deliver their best and contribute to our collective success,” details Kaba. From project managers to engineers, skilled tradespeople, and administrative personnel, their expertise, commitment, and hard work are the recognised bedrock of GPC’s operations.
By investing significantly in their development through training and professional growth opportunities, the company fosters a culture of excellence and innovation within the industry.
Moreover, GPC’s proactive approach to leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices enables it to consistently optimise efficiency and maintain the highest levels of environmental and social responsibility.
“ULTIMATELY, OUR COMMITMENT EXTENDS BEYOND BUSINESS SUCCESS; WE ARE DEDICATED TO POSITIVELY IMPACTING THE LIVES OF THE GUINEAN POPULATION. THROUGH JOB CREATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES, AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES, WE AIM TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE
SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF GUINEA, FOSTERING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME”
– ALY KABA, CEO,
GPC GROUPE
GUINEAN EXCELLENCE ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
The Simandou Iron Ore Project – one of Africa’s largest mining ventures –was officially launched in 2022 after much delay, with the government mandating that priority be given to local companies well-equipped to propel the development forward.
GPC was one of the selected firms awarded a contract for construction activities and services for this integral and transformative endeavour. This project represents a unique opportunity to transform Guinea comprehensively, and the company is determined to play a significant role in its realisation, with the objective of
improving the living conditions of the population.
“Mining projects in Guinea, especially the Simandou Iron Ore Project, will have a significant impact on the region given their historical, natural, economic, and social interconnection within West Africa,” expands Kaba.
GPC’S VISION AND MISSION
VISION: To be the leading partner of choice for clients active in the mining, construction, and logistics sectors, both in Guinea and across the broader West African region.
MISSION: Building the future of Guinea and Africa with optimism and excellence. The company knows what it needs to do to achieve this, and it knows it can deliver. Its countless successful projects and satisfied clients speak for the value it adds.
In addition to this project, which is anticipated to redefine the regional industry as a whole, GPC is in discussions for other new mining projects in the country, both in bauxite and iron ore, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to expanding its contributions to Guinea’s mining sector.
“We aim to leverage our expertise to further develop these resources, contributing to the country’s economic growth and infrastructure development,” explains Kaba.
Furthermore, the company continues to engage with the government to identify priority projects where it can assist, both on the technical side and in structuring finances with partners.
These include the construction of highways, bridges, and public infrastructure, alongside water supply and electricity provision projects, with GPC’s goal to support these projects and ensure they are implemented with sustainable and effective solutions.
In parallel, the company is ambitious about developing its own mining project by continuing
exploration activities on its mining permits. In the medium term, it hopes to have internally developed all the necessary skills and resources to launch its own mine, allowing GPC to further solidify its position in the industry and invest more in Guinea’s economy.
“In the meantime, all our efforts are focused on the successful execution
M24 project
M24 project
of our important ongoing projects, with customer satisfaction remaining our top priority,” dictates Kaba.
FORGING AHEAD FOR A BETTER WORLD
The critical need for infrastructure construction in Guinea drives GPC’s initiatives to lay the foundations for future generations.
From real estate developments to academic institutions and multinational mining operations, the company has recently made significant investments in its construction department, including expanding into new activities such as road infrastructure.
“Central to our growth strategy is our commitment to giving back to communities. Through innovative, sustainable projects that prioritise
community impact, we’ve successfully delivered essential infrastructure like roads and water supply systems,” insights Kaba.
“Our approach integrates cutting-edge technologies, eco-friendly materials, and community-centred planning, ensuring our projects enhance public safety, environmental sustainability, and community spaces.”
The recent contract for constructing and asphalting 10 kilometres (km) of road in Conakry marks a significant milestone, as it’s the first contract signed with the Guinean government since GPC’s inception.
Despite being new to the construction sector, the company is proud to have achieved first place in the recent rankings published by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works on the performance of companies involved in Conakry road contracts.
“This distinction encourages us in our efforts towards building a modern Guinea and reminds us that we must redouble our efforts to achieve this goal,” emphasises Kaba.
Looking ahead, GPC anticipates undertaking more significant road and construction projects in Guinea and the West Africa region, aiming to leverage its expertise and resources to contribute to regional development and infrastructure growth as well as supporting economic advancement and societal well-being across the region.
Additionally, the company is working to continue its sustainable growth by focusing efforts on several
strategic initiatives for the remainder of 2024, including consolidating its position in current activities and markets.
More specifically, GPC’s key priorities include project execution and delivery, expansion and diversification, innovation and sustainability, community engagement and enhancement, and talent development and retention.
“Our primary focus remains on customer satisfaction and ensuring safety in all our operations. At GPC, we don’t just aim to compete; we strive to set new benchmarks in the industry, driven by a passion for continuous improvement and a dedication to creating value that endures,” concludes Kaba.
Tel: +224 613 33 25 25
contact@gpc-groupe.com gpc-groupe.com
M24 project
EXCAVATING THE SPIRIT OF EXPLORATION
Ruvuma Coal is spearheading Tanzania’s blossoming mining industry, which looks set to flourish. We discover how the company is igniting growth and forging innovative solutions with Operations Director, Ryan Wienand
Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Joshua Mann
In the southern region of Tanzania, there is a rich history of coal mining.
African coal, a catalyst of heat, finds its place in various domains, from burning as the fiery heart of cement kilns to propelling the transformation of raw materials into sturdy foundations and fuelling electricity production.
Thus, the exploration, extraction, and implementation of coal stands as a versatile force, driving progress across
the continent.
Ruvuma Coal (Ruvuma) is a Tanzanian coal mining company with its head office in Dar es Salaam, a major city and commercial port found on the nation’s Indian Ocean coast.
Translating as the ‘Abode of Peace’, it is the largest city in East Africa and the major financial hub of Tanzania.
The mine that the company operates out of is found in the Mbinga district of the Ruvuma region, where the business
currently employs a team of 1,250 dedicated professionals.
“We produce three main products – RB1, RB3, and cobbles or coal lumps,” introduces Operations Director, Ryan Wienand.
RB1 coal has the highest energy content, as well as lower sulphur and ash content compared to RB2 and RB3 coal.
Meanwhile, RB2 coal has a slightly lower energy content, while RB3 coal has the lowest grading among the three.
As such, Ruvuma’s RB1 coal is highly suitable for electricity generation due to its superior energy content and lower emissions.
“To date, we have proudly sent coal to Europe, the UK, Poland, North Africa, Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Pakistan, and India to name just a few of our locations,” he sets out.
“We offer a comprehensive service whereby we not only mine the coal, but now deliver it to any port in the world.”
THE POWER OF COAL
• The natural resource of coal is a non-renewable fossil fuel that was formed deep in the earth over hundreds of millions of years ago. As such, it derives from sedimentary rock formed by the remains of ancient organisms and organic plant matter. This matter then begins the process of decomposition very slowly and creates peat bogs, which in turn transform into coal when subjected to extremely high levels of pressure and heat.
• Coal is still one of the most widely used fuels for power generation because of its availability and low cost.
• Coal is formed into underground “seams” or “beds”, which can be up to 1,500 kilometres long and 30 metres thick.
• A resource that is rich in carbon and hydrocarbons, coal is combustible and can be burned as a fuel to generate electrical power.
“OVERALL, I THINK THAT AFRICA REMAINS FAIRLY UNTAPPED IN TERMS OF ITS POTENTIAL FOR SUPPLYING NATURAL RESOURCES AND THERE IS STILL SO MUCH OUT THERE TO EXPLORE”
– RYAN WIENAND, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, RUVUMA COAL
FULFILLING MAXIMUM POTENTIAL
At present, the company’s primary focus is on its newly developed dense media separation (DMS) wash plant, used for processing the coal that Ruvuma produces.
“This new state-of-the-art facility will be crucial in ensuring that we can produce a consistent quality of coal for the international market,” Wienand explains.
On top of this, in order to benefit its port facilities and distribution network, the company has recently installed two new Samson shiploaders that will help to turn around vessels faster when
they are unloading and reloading shipments.
Across the entirety of the business, Ruvuma is constantly upgrading both its facilities and processes to ensure an optimum level of production and distribution.
“We have prepared a structured roll-out of equipment as well as our ongoing work regarding the wash plant,” he tells us.
In addition to this, Ruvuma has just completed work on a new development centre where the company now has a team of dedicated trainers working on constantly upgrading the skills of its operators.
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“WE OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE WHEREBY WE NOT ONLY MINE THE COAL, BUT NOW DELIVER IT TO ANY PORT IN THE WORLD”
– RYAN WIENAND, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, RUVUMA COAL
POSITIVE CHANGE
Ruvuma believes that the resource of coal doesn’t just spark flames – it ignites possibilities.
Therefore, the company diligently plays its part in helping to develop and support local communities.
“We have already completed work on building a new school for the local area and are in the process of developing a trade and skills college,” Wienand prides.
“To date, our carpentry department and woodwork shop have trained multiple local people in new skills and supplied over 250 desks to other schools in the area,” he continues.
Dedicated to upgrading access to essential local healthcare facilities, Ruvuma has also built medical clinics and dispensaries in its nearest villages.
Additionally, while focusing on
helping the local community, the company dedicates itself to ensuring a better life and career for its staff.
“We have a policy to promote from within and have many operators that started out in other jobs and have developed and progressed exceptionally. We encourage everyone to step forward as empowerment is a difficult thing and needs to come from within.”
TANZANIA’S MINING RESURGENCE
Wienand firmly believes that Tanzania currently finds itself on the cusp of an exciting new mining era.
“Overall, I think that the whole of Africa remains fairly untapped in terms of its potential for supplying natural resources and there is still so much out there to explore.
“The trends that we are seeing across the continent include the ongoing regulation of local content and making sure that the right people get a chance at either providing services to mines or actually mining themselves,” he elaborates.
Today, Tanzania undoubtedly stands at the threshold of a new chapter in its mining narrative.
The sector’s contribution to
national GDP has steadily increased, and this growth is further reflected in the mining-driven expansion of nontraditional goods exports, particularly gold and coal.
These exciting gains can be attributed to recent government policies which are strategically harnessing the nation’s mineral wealth, aimed not only at attracting investments but also transforming
local communities.
Furthermore, this shift towards more inclusive economic development is centred on creating job opportunities and developing critical skills in the hope that the benefits of mining extend beyond simply establishing profits, and instead foster sustainable growth and improved livelihoods for Tanzanians while maintaining a business-friendly environment.
COAL AS A GAME-CHANGER
Ruvuma’s impressive numbers and annual output paint a powerful picture, however the company’s coal isn’t simply a resource – it has become a game-changer.
Keen to capitalise on this transformative potential, the Tanzanian coal mining industry is committed to continuing to meet international demand
for products, providing local employment opportunities, and further boosting the nation’s economy.
Consistently exceeding revenue targets year on year, the burgeoning sector has emerged as a potent engine driving Tanzania’s foreign exchange earnings, within which Ruvuma itself stands tall.
Beyond the economics, coal can
act as a foundation for development and an inspirational symbol of Tanzania’s potential on the world stage.
By working together, fostering dialogue, and forging innovative solutions, Ruvuma hopes to unlock the full potential of coal, ensuring it continues to fuel Tanzania’s growth and prosperity, illuminating a brighter future for all.
SPECIALIST CONTRACTOR
BCM Group has established itself as one of the most experienced surface mining and civil earthworks contractors in Africa. We talk about ongoing operations, employee training, local procurement, and more with CEO, Paul Coe
Writer: Jack Salter
Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
Africa is home to vast reserves, including gold, diamonds, cobalt, copper, and platinum, making it a crucial global mining player.
Increasing demand for these minerals and metals is driving significant growth in the continent’s mining sector, with many African countries also heavily investing in infrastructure and regularly making new discoveries, presenting opportunities for development.
However, it also comes with unique challenges and requires careful navigation of geopolitical complexities, such as social and environmental factors, infrastructure
constraints, regulatory frameworks, and social responsibilities.
“I believe my experience and expertise can help navigate these complexities in Africa’s mining industry, which is at an inflexion point,” opens Paul Coe, CEO of leading surface mining contractor and civil earthworks company, BCM Group (BCM).
Indeed, Coe is well-equipped to lead within the mining industry having held a number of senior management roles prior to his current position at BCM, whose headquarters is in Ghana and current projects are in West Africa as well as the Middle East.
BCM has operated for almost a century and in Africa since 1990, where the company has firmly established itself as a reliable, experienced mining contractor.
“We have expanded our presence by serving a diverse client base throughout West Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East,” Coe tells us.
ONGOING OPERATIONS
BCM’s ongoing operations include the Tarkwa (Ghana), Tonkolili, (Sierra Leone), Agbaou (Ivory Coast), and Attarat (Jordan) projects.
Attarat and Tarkwa are both longterm open pit mining contracts for oil shale and gold, respectively, that include load and haul, drill and blast, and crusher feed services.
The former has a significant estimated production volume of 2.3 million cubic metres per month (cbm/ mo), almost double the estimated volume of Tarkwa (1.2 million cbm/mo).
At Tonkolili (600,000 cbm/mo), meanwhile, BCM has been contracted to perform a number of open pit iron ore mining services and construct 10
“OUR DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF AFRICAN MINING DYNAMICS ENSURES THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ENGAGE AT ALL THE REQUIRED LEVELS TO DELIVER MINING PRODUCTION ON TARGET AND WITHIN REQUIRED TIMELINES”
– PAUL COE, CEO, BCM GROUP
kilometres (km) of haul road to a new satellite pit.
Similarly, the company is providing various open pit gold mining services and constructing a tailings storage dam wall lift at Agbaou (200,000 cbm/mo).
Alongside its ongoing operations, BCM has completed the Tri-K gold project in Guinea, which included the construction of the tailings storage facility, water storage dam, and flood protection infrastructure.
The complete scope of work also consists of load and haul, spread and compact, concrete works, as well as pipework and high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) liner installations.
“Production volume at the Tri-K gold project is estimated at 200,000 cubic metres (cbm) per month,” details Coe.
As one of the largest contractors in Africa, the company has strategically expanded its operations across the continent by entering new markets and increasing its presence in existing ones.
This growth enables BCM to better serve its clients, tap into new opportunities, and contribute to local economies.
“We are committed to responsible expansion, prioritising local partnerships, and community engagement,” Coe emphasises.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
The 2,000+ employees at BCM are dedicated to delivering exceptional services, prioritising safety, and fostering local partnerships while providing mining solutions to clients across the African continent.
“We have an excellent team of dedicated and experienced employees, with senior management based in Accra and well-developed systems for remote site support,” he adds.
The extensive technical expertise of BCM’s team spans the entire value chain, from exploration to mine closure.
“With expertise in surface mining and civil earthmoving, we craft
customised solutions that address the distinct requirements of each client,” informs Coe.
“Our deep understanding of African mining dynamics ensures that we are able to engage at all the required levels to deliver mining production on target and within required timelines.”
BCM has invested heavily in training and developing local talent in West Africa’s mining industry with programmes focused on technical skills, safety, and leadership development, empowering individuals to drive growth and success in their careers.
The company has trained numerous personnel, with many now holding key positions in the industry.
“We currently employ less than 10 First World country expatriates, 60 Third World country expatriates, over 1,800 national employees in Africa, and 200 national employees in Jordan,” Coe confirms.
There is also an excellent spread of capable, qualified, and experienced
senior management expertise at BCM.
Several core expatriate employees have covered the breadth of operational, technical, and administrative levels for over three decades, whilst many senior personnel have worked for BCM for 10+ years, bringing a mature and professional approach to the work they do.
“Their experience represents a significant operational asset pool, which has been nurtured and developed over the lifetime of the company,” outlines Coe.
BCM takes training very seriously, as this ultimately helps to achieve target production in a safe, efficient manner and lifts the skill levels of individual workers.
“We have trained many previously unskilled people from villages and towns in the areas near the project sites to high levels of competency, including plant operators, supervisors, and administration and maintenance personnel.”
WHY CHOOSE BCM?
LOCAL ENGAGEMENT – BCM is committed to engaging with local stakeholders and communities to ensure they are at the forefront of its local strategy.
“Our mission is to empower communities and drive economic growth in our regions by delivering exceptional mining solutions tailored to the unique needs of our clients whilst upholding the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility.”
SAFETY – BCM’s focus on safety excellence is reflected in its achievement of 10 million manhours free of LTIs at the Tarkwa site in Ghana and six million manhours free of LTIs across all sites spread out in various countries.
LONGEVITY – BCM recently celebrated its centenary, marking over 100 years in existence.
EXPERTISE – The company employs leading specialists in their field, with local and international experience that promises commitment to BCM and clients.
VERSATILITY – Providing a seamless approach to operations, BCM’s curiosity drives problem-solving and idea generation by providing the right environment conducive to success.
FOCUS – Its clients must make money and remain profitable in order for BCM to be successful.
IMPARTIALITY AND INDEPENDENCE – Being privately owned allows greater flexibility and response times without carrying the large overheads of publiclylisted entities.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE – BCM is a global company employing local experts who understand local cultural and legislative practices.
SIZE – BCM has offices in eight countries which can quickly respond and mobilise large teams.
REPUTATION – The company has built an enviable reputation over 25 years of operations in West Africa.
LOCAL PROCUREMENT
In addition to training its people, BCM equally prioritises local procurement, recognising the importance of supporting local economies and communities.
Diverse supply chain operations ensure the company sources goods and services from local businesses whenever possible, injecting value into the local economy.
“BCM has well-established maintenance and logistical support in place for all project sites, and we take pride in our ability to operate efficiently and cost-effectively on remote sites around the world,” Coe enthuses.
The company establishes offices at all its sites to handle local procurement, the importation of spare parts and materials, and other administrative functions.
An on-site Supply Officer coordinates procurement with the operational area office and BCM’s headquarters and logistics depot, whilst a site-based Logistics Officer deals with receiving, checking, and inspecting incoming goods and assisting with any local purchases and subcontracts.
BCM also uses its own fleet of light, flatbed, and low-bed trucks and trailers for the delivery of goods to its operational sites.
MD Iron and Steel foundry is a leading provider of high-quality metal castings for a wide range of industries.
We provide everything related to castings pouring instead of welding innovation in a variety of ways. Saving money by outsourcing technically high-quality products, purchasing and saving time, and increasing capital by stocking consigned items.
“We assume that some of the materials required for inclusion in the works would be available within the country of operation, and if cost and quality are proven acceptable, then this would be our preferred method of procurement,” Coe affirms.
“Subcontractors may be used for some portions of our contract work, depending on available competencies and skills.”
NON-NEGOTIABLES
Local procurement adds value to BCM’s services, as does its commitment to safety and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
“Safety and ESG are paramount and non-negotiable at BCM. We have implemented robust policies, procedures, and training programmes to ensure our operations meet the highest standards,” assures Coe. ESG guides the company’s
decision-making and business practices, whilst the safety of everyone it may impact is BCM’s top priority.
“Our goal is zero accidents and incidents through the provision of training and effective leadership and management.”
Looking ahead, BCM’s priorities include breaking its own safety record – one of the best in the mining industry – of 10 million manhours free of lost time injuries (LTIs) and enhancing its corporate ESG initiatives.
The company is also prioritising the expansion of its services in the Middle East and entry into new markets such as underground mining.
“BCM is focused on delivering exceptional results, driving growth, and making a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are also targeting increased revenue from multiple potential projects and
18-19 Medz Indutrial Park, Jorf Lasfar, C.R.Moulay Abdellah, El Jadida,
ENERGISING THE CONTINENT
Across Europe, electric vehicles have adopted lithium-ion battery technologies as standard. As a pivotal player in this burgeoning market, European Lithium is helping to meet this growing demand. We discuss the effects and trends associated with the ongoing energy transition with CEO, Dietrich Wanke
Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
Lithium is a highly versatile metal that is widely used in glass and ceramic manufacture, aluminium smelting, greases, air treatment, metallurgical powders, polymers, and a variety of specialty salts and pharmaceuticals.
Further to this, it is a key component of lithium-ion battery chemistry, the world’s dominant rechargeable battery technology.
Defined as a soft metal, the lightest on the periodic table, with a silvery-white appearance that reacts immediately with water and air, lithium also has the highest electrochemical potential of any element, which enables it to achieve high energy and power densities. Additionally, it has the highest specific heat capacity among solids and a low density, making it highly applicable to long-use life in small and lightweight batteries.
As a key player within the lithium mining industry, European Lithium is an exploration and development
business focused primarily on its wholly-owned Wolfsberg Lithium Project in Austria.
“We aim to be the first local lithium supplier in an integrated European battery supply chain,” introduces CEO, Dietrich Wanke.
The company is successfully advancing the project in the heart of Europe with the intention of helping to meet the continent’s growing demand for self-sufficiency in the supply of natural resources.
At present, on a global basis, China is the largest consumer of lithium with approximately 40 percent consumption in 2015. Meanwhile, Europe is the second largest with 21 percent, followed by Japan and South Korea.
“In Europe, there’s certainly a need for raw materials, especially when it comes to the context of the ongoing energy and mobility transition across the region, which requires certain materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite,” he adds.
Wanke has more than 30 years of experience in management at operational level for underground and open-cut mines, and has held statutory positions as a registered manager under the applicable mining acts in several countries and across a multitude of commodities.
He has also managed mining operations in Germany, Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Sierra Leone, from greenfield exploration through to full-scale production, as well as the extension of existing mines.
Notably, Wanke has also been awarded the APAC Insider Lithium Industry CEO of the year 2024 award.
WOLFSBERG LITHIUM PROJECT
European Lithium is firmly focused on the exciting ongoing development of its signature Wolfsberg Lithium Project.
Located in an industrial town 270 kilometres (km) southwest of Vienna in Carinthia, Austria, the project is a hard rock lithium deposit with historical exploration as a Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC)
resource, also possessing significant exploration upsides.
“Close to vital road and rail infrastructure, we are well located to service European consumers, the electric vehicle (EV) industry, and a growing number of battery manufacturers in the region,” Wanke explains.
“The Wolfsberg Lithium Project is well located in Central Europe to distribute our products to the major lithium-consuming countries of the
continent,” he continues.
The project comprises 22 original and 32 overlapping exploration and mining licences covering 20 areas issued by the Austrian mining authority.
All exploration licences are currently extended by the mining authority until 31st December 2024, and all licences for exploration and mining activities can be held in perpetuity provided their conditions are maintained.
“THE WOLFSBERG LITHIUM PROJECT IS WELL LOCATED IN CENTRAL EUROPE TO DISTRIBUTE OUR PRODUCTS TO THE MAJOR LITHIUM-CONSUMING COUNTRIES OF THE CONTINENT”
– DIETRICH WANKE, CEO, EUROPEAN LITHIUM
The Wolfsberg Lithium Project benefits from significant exploration started by its past owners, and consequently continued through advanced exploration, metallurgical testing, and mining with pre- and definite (bankable) feasibility studies conducted by European Lithium until recently.
Large, measured resources and proven reserves from the advanced and complex exploration, followed by detailed mine planning and optimisation, give solid confidence
to develop the project into active operations.
The active underground testmining and establishment of a metallurgical pilot plant for advanced and complex metallurgic testing purposes has enabled European Lithium to confirm its capabilities to produce Tier 1 quality for its battery grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) product.
Together with an independently developed and signed off bankable definite feasibility study, these activities
demonstrate European Lithium’s capabilities and confidence to become one of the first integrated suppliers for the growing and demanding lithium market within Europe.
Most recently, European Lithium has founded another intermediate company called Critical Metals Corp (CRML) in New York. A major milestone, CRML is now successfully listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange based on the successful development and key performance indicators of the Wolfsberg Lithium Project in Austria. This gives European Lithium exclusive access through CRML to the North American finance market and economy.
Furthermore, CRML has acquired significant interest in a rare earths exploration project, called Tanbreez in Greenland. This demonstrates the group’s ambition and strategic focus to cover a broad spectrum of critical metals such as lithium and rare earths for a sustainable supply chain within Europe.
HOW IS LITHIUM MINED?
Lithium is found in rock ores, which are mined and crushed. It is also found in briny water, where it can be extracted using the process of evaporation.
Across the globe, lithium is an essential component of clean energy technologies, from EVs to the big batteries used to store electricity at power plants. It is an abundant mineral, but to be used it must be extracted and processed.
Today, there are two main ways to pull lithium from the ground. Until recently, most lithium mining occurred in Chile, where the mineral is extracted from brines found at the Earth’s surface or underground.
To extract lithium, that liquid is then pumped and placed in pools where the water can evaporate, leaving behind the lithium mineral as well as other elements.
“This groundbreaking project has two integrated operations – mining and processing – to produce lithium concentrate, and a hydrometallurgical plant to convert this concentrate into battery-grade LHM.”
FUELLING THE ENERGY TRANSITION
The lithium boom in Europe is aligned with the ongoing energy transition as EVs continue to rise in popularity and prominence.
“Luckily, the COVID-19 pandemic has barely made a dent in European car makers’ EV sales and ambitions, and soon they will need more batteryready lithium than the world can supply in a long-term perspective,” Wanke tells us.
In this way, European Lithium aims to use cutting-edge technology to help fuel the region’s sustainable energy future.
Wanke believes that Europe is where lithium demand is going to grow the quickest anywhere in the world as it has no domestic supply, relying instead on global imports.
The clean energy revolution has created a pressing need to secure lithium supply as a key component in the lithium-ion battery space; this therefore remains key to satisfying growing global and European demand.
“Having lagged behind, Europe is now investing heavily to transform its automotive industry and become a leader in electrified mobility.
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“WE AIM TO BE THE FIRST LOCAL LITHIUM SUPPLIER IN AN INTEGRATED EUROPEAN BATTERY SUPPLY CHAIN”
– DIETRICH WANKE, CEO, EUROPEAN LITHIUM
European Lithium’s Wolfsberg Lithium Project is in the heart of the continent’s burgeoning cluster of battery manufacturers.”
The medium-term outlook for lithium consumption is going from strength to strength, with a base overall growth rate of 6.4 percent per annum by 2025, resulting in demand of 328,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).
Furthermore, surging demand and stronger global economic growth could result in an average growth rate of up to 9.3 percent and demand for 440,300 tpa of LCE in 2025.
AN INDUSTRY IN FLUX
Most of the world’s large car manufacturers are currently in the process of launching models that integrate lithium-ion battery technology. Tesla is aiming to bring
EVs to the mass market by lowering costs while entering into battery manufacturing at its Gigafactory Nevada facility, which will initially produce 500,000 units a year.
“It will invariably take time for leading car manufacturers and society to adopt EVs to a point that will impact the lithium market. However, their governments also need to take action to reduce global warming and pollution in cities, and the adoption of these vehicles can play a significant role in that,” Wanke envisions.
“The market for lithium-ion batteries has grown markedly, and EVs require substantially more lithium to power them,” he adds.
As well as cars, lithium-ion batteries are increasingly being used for heavy duty power storage, particularly when linked to off-grid sources of
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renewable energy that have also been projected as a huge growth market for companies such as European Lithium.
Meanwhile, the increasing use of aluminium-lithium alloys in aircraft manufacturing to lighten weight and improve fuel efficiency presents significant growth potential.
Undoubtedly, European Lithium has grown into a crucial player within the lithium supply chain and continues to play its part in the ongoing transition as the world looks to embrace environmentally-friendly solutions, and the demand for EVs looks set to skyrocket even further.
“To take our project to the next level, we will now turn our focus to securing additional funding, which remains our top priority in order to continue our work and progress across the next 12 months,” Wanke finishes optimistically.
PUSHING AGGREGATE BOUNDARIES
It
is the long-lasting mission of Western Bainoona Group
to stay up to date with the
evolutions and demands of
the
aggregates market. We catch up with CEO, Martin McGinty, about the company’s latest projects and focus on sustainability
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
Over the past 18 months, the Middle Eastern construction industry has continued to implement greener practices.
The aggregates sector in particular has felt a pressure to provide more sustainable options across its operations, such as recycled aggregate materials.
“Many countries are investing in infrastructure, and there is also a greater demand for aggregates, especially for large-scale construction projects including roads, bridges, and housing,” introduces Martin McGinty, CEO of Western Bainoona Group (WBG), an industry-leading provider in the construction, land transportation, and crusher markets.
Since last speaking to the company in mid-2023, supply chain issues have also continued to affect the availability of machinery, transportation, and other logistics technicalities.
However, WBG has worked hard to increase and improve logistical construction efficiencies to mitigate these disruptions.
CUTTING-EDGE INVESTMENTS
Over the past 16 months, WBG has been awarded a multitude of private and public infrastructure projects, which has resulted in increased demand for the production and delivery of aggregates, ultimately leading to a significant spike in the company’s revenue.
“To keep up with increased demand, WBG has invested in new
quarries, production plants, and distribution centres.
“Expanding our production capacity through new facilities and modernising existing ones with advanced equipment has helped our operational and production capacity,” McGinty highlights.
Indeed, the company’s investment in cutting-edge machinery and equipment has significantly improved the efficiency, safety, and environmental performance of its aggregates and infrastructure works. By adopting automation, digital technologies, and sustainable practices, WBG has been able to boost production, reduce operational costs, and meet the growing demands of large-scale infrastructure projects whilst staying competitive in a dynamic marketplace.
“These innovations not only contribute to operational excellence but also ensure long-term sustainability and growth for the company,” he adds.
WBG’s continued evolution is also granted by its vast network of supply chain operations that form the backbone of the company’s ability to deliver high-quality materials and services for infrastructure projects.
Therefore, by maintaining strong relationships with both international and local vendors, WBG ensures that it has access to the best equipment, materials, and technology, whilst mitigating potential risks from supply chain disruptions.
“These partnerships are crucial to the company’s long-term success, enabling it to remain competitive, innovative, and responsive to the demands of a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry,” McGinty affirms.
FLEET ELECTRIFICATION
One of WBG’s long-term goals is to integrate electric vehicles (EVs) into its fleet for transporting aggregates, corresponding with the aims of the wider construction industry.
However, the implementation of this sustainable technology offers both substantial advantages and challenges for the company, as well as the aggregates sector at large.
Regarding the former, EVs have considerably lower operation costs thanks to the fact electricity is far cheaper than diesel, and electric-powered trucks require less maintenance due to having fewer moving parts.
Additionally, EV trucks use regenerative braking that not only recharges the battery but also extends brake durability in the long run.
“These vehicles are also powerful enough to tackle steep inclines and heavy loads, making them suitable for demanding construction tasks,” McGinty points out.
On the other hand, electric trucks also present certain limitations. The shorter driving range, for example, makes the vehicles less suitable for long-distance journeys.
They also require extra time for charging, leading to extended potential downtimes, whilst the need for specialised charging infrastructure and high upfront costs require significant initial investment.
Moreover, the warm weather often found in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can impact the fleet’s battery performance, which can be affected by high temperatures and lead to overheating.
From a supplier perspective, the industry-wide adoption of electric trucks is still in its early stages.
“Establishing standardised practices with suppliers and dealers through in-depth discussions is therefore crucial for a smoother and more reliable integration process,” McGinty insights.
Although thorough trials of electric trucks have been conducted previously, additional real-world testing on construction sites is essential to fully assess their capability and effectiveness in challenging environments such as the UAE.
CREATING COMPANY AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
Throughout WBG’s history, it has been committed to empowering its employees and recognising their contributions, which has evolved to become a key factor in maintaining a motivated, engaged, and highperforming workforce.
“By investing in training, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture, and offering opportunities for career growth and recognition, the company ensures that its staff feel valued and empowered to contribute to our success,” McGinty prides.
This strategy not only improves employee retention and satisfaction but also drives innovation and operational excellence, positioning WBG for long-term growth. The company has likewise made significant strides in its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG practices over the past 12 months, focusing on carbon reduction, sustainable sourcing, community engagement, and workforce diversity.
“By embedding sustainability and social responsibility into our core business operations, WBG not only strengthens relations with stakeholders but also positions itself as a leader in driving positive and environmental change in the aggregates and infrastructure sectors,” he states.
“ELECTRIC TRUCKS CAN BE A VALUABLE INVESTMENT FOR COMPANIES AIMING FOR ECO-FRIENDLY OPERATIONS AND LONGTERM COST SAVINGS”
– MARTIN MCGINTY, CEO, WESTERN BAINOONA GROUP
“In summary, electric trucks can be a valuable investment for companies aiming for eco-friendly operations and long-term cost savings.
“However, it is important to carefully consider these sustainability benefits alongside the practical limitations to determine if they align well with the specific requirements of construction projects,” McGinty reflects.
NORTHERN RUNWAY REHABILITATION
WBG’s most recent projects include the Northern Runway Rehabilitation
at Abu Dhabi Airport, which delivered a series of significant advancements. Beyond the reinforcement and resurfacing of the runway with 210,000 tonnes of asphalt to ensure durability and resilience, the project also saw major technological advancements. These included a new redundant ground visibility monitoring system for enhanced safety, a cutting-edge instrument landing system (ILS) for improved operational precision, and the replacement of over 1,200 energyintensive halogen airfield lights with environmentally-friendly LED technology.
On top of this, the company is currently completing the design and construction of the Ras Ghumais Road Project on the Saudi Arabia border.
“This has been a key project for WBG in 2024, and the aggregates industry has played a major role in the operation due to the scope of work.”
The project consists of a number of construction works, including 30 kilometres (km) of carriageway, comprising three lanes with a width of 3.65 metres (m), an outer shoulder of 1.2m, and a median width of 5m.
It also includes a highway interchange with the E11 – the longest road in the UAE – designed to cater for a dual carriageway with a maximum speed of 80km per hour.
WBG’S UPCOMING PROJECTS
The company has recently been awarded a design and build cycle track project from Aldar, a prominent real estate organisation in the UAE. The project will span the Abu Dhabi mainland to Yas Island and consists of:
• 38km of cycle track
• 14 bridges
• One underpass
• Three culverts
EMC CV: Proudly Partnered with Western Bainoona Group (WBG)
The partnership between Western Bainoona Group (WBG) and Emirates Motor Company-Commercial Vehicles (EMC), showcases the benefits of effective collaboration in the transportation and construction sectors. Since 2011, WBG is operating a fleet of over than 300 Mercedes Benz trucks with different applications such as tractor heads , rigid tippers, mining tippers and Mixers.
With the innovative aftersales solutions from EMC, WBG has achieved a significant savings in total cost of ownership. EMC Service contracts & custom made solutions enhanced the performance, increased vehicles uptime and maximized operation efficiency.
This partnership highlights the importance of innovation in fleet management and sets a benchmark for efficiency and excellence. As WBG continues to integrate advanced technologies, the collaboration with EMC paves the way for future growth and operational success in both transportation and construction sectors.
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Mercedes-Benz Trucks you can trust
Emirates Motor Company (Commercial Vehicles), Authorised General Distributer of Daimler Trucks in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. M-12, Mussafah, 02 403 4755, emc.cv@emiratesmotorco.ae, trucks.mercedesbenzmena.com/abudhabi
“THOSE THAT PRIORITISE SUSTAINABILITY, DIGITALISATION, AND LOCAL SOURCING WILL BE WELL POSITIONED TO SUCCEED IN THIS EVOLVING LANDSCAPE”
– MARTIN MCGINTY, CEO, WESTERN BAINOONA GROUP
WBG is additionally constructing a bridge with a roundabout and local connecting roads, as well as an additional truck lane from the E11 to the new bridge.
“To benefit this project, WBG has installed a dedicated asphalt plant, which consumes vast amounts of aggregates,” McGinty informs.
CONSTRUCTIVE GROWTH
The Middle Eastern aggregates sector is set for continued growth, driven by infrastructure megaprojects, an increased focus on sustainability, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies.
As a result, the next 12 months
will see more regional collaboration, greener construction practices, and enhanced supply chain resilience.
“Companies will face competition and pricing pressures that will require them to innovate and optimise their operations,” comments McGinty.
“Those that prioritise sustainability, digitalisation, and local sourcing will be well positioned to succeed in this evolving landscape.”
Accordingly, WBG’s key priorities for the next year centre around sustainability, technology implementation, operational efficiency, and growth through market expansion and diversification.
The company’s environmental
strategy will be guided by specific targets such as carbon emissions reduction, improving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, increasing the use of recycled materials, and enhancing employee development.
“By focusing on these areas, WBG aims to position itself as a leader in the aggregates and infrastructure construction sectors, capitalising on growth opportunities while staying ahead of the market and environmental trends,” McGinty concludes.
Tel: +97125513222 info@wbg.ae wbg.ae
LEADERS
LEADERS IN BLASTING
Yuri Alexandre, CEO, tells us why Castonguay Blasting is wellpositioned to take on the industry as a leader in drilling and blasting for the mining and construction sectors
Writer: Jack Salter
Project Manager: Lauren Robinson
Being from Quebec, I feel the industry is ours to develop.”
There are many business opportunities in Canada for anyone willing to work hard and be creative, according to Yuri Alexandre, CEO of Castonguay Blasting (Castonguay). Indeed, the country is privileged to be sitting on numerous natural resources and critical minerals strived for by many around the world, now and in the future.
Yuri Alexandre, CEO
“Our advantage, being local, is that we know our environment such as the terrain, weather, culture, and communities. I feel we are well positioned to take on the industry,” affirms Alexandre, who has been with the company for 10 years.
Founded in 1971 in the city of Sherbrooke, the company now offers turnkey drilling and blasting, along with explosives supply and technical services, to the mining and construction sectors, leveraging its 50+ years of experience in the field.
Across its active offices in Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland, and Labrador, as well as South America, Castonguay employs around 300 people who are at the core of the company and commended by Alexandre as some of the best in the industry.
“We have built an internal team of engineers, technicians, and operators that specialize in what we do. This allows us to offer the best
practices and technical approaches to our customers, apply the highest standards, and respect industry laws and regulations,” he informs us.
“Our company has always been good with people, and as a result, we have multiple staff members with a long history at Castonguay. For example, one of our employees celebrated 39 years of loyal service this year!”
SAFETY, RESPECT, QUALITY, AND EXCELLENCE
Complemented by a fleet of 65 drill rigs and bulk explosives delivery equipment adapted to large mining and quarrying appliances, Castonguay fulfills multiple customer demands and delivers high-quality results.
“Our above-average standards and core values of safety, respect, and quality make us leaders in our field,” acclaims Alexandre.
The former is achieved through
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS
Active both in Canada and abroad, Castonguay cares about protecting the environment and works hard to preserve it by keeping its impact to a minimum.
To do so, the company favors biodegradable products, prioritizes the use of fuel-efficient equipment, ensures dangerous substances are handled and disposed of efficiently, and complies with dust emission standards, vibration limits, and the control of projections during its drilling and blasting operations.
Operating safely and responsibly is key to the success of Castonguay. Following legislative requirements as well as its own environmental policies, the company ensures the preservation of valuable resources.
Castonguay’s environmental objectives:
• Lower its carbon footprint
• Prevent spills
• Employee awareness training
• Minimize waste
• Efficient use of resources
• Environmental reporting and compliance
• Paperless technologies
rigorous health and safety training and the application of regional government standards and regulations in the workplace, which prevent harm to both employees and surrounding communities.
Castonguay also does its best to keep the use of dangerous substances to a bare minimum, pinpoint and eliminate risks, and respond adequately in case of an emergency or accident.
“We are accountable in regard to safety and production commitments and take a lot of pride in servicing our customers well, being comprehensive, and reacting quickly to their requests,” Alexandre smiles.
Respect is given to employees and clients by offering the best working conditions and solutions, whilst suppliers are likewise respected through honest and fair business transactions.
Quality and excellence, meanwhile, have been synonymous with
CAREERS AT CASTONGUAY
Respect and pride are fundamental values in Castonguay’s relationship with employees, clients, and suppliers.
The company offers its people a sound, stimulating, respectful, and rewarding work environment where autonomy and excellence are highly valued.
A number of jobs make up the company’s workforce, including blasters, who make sure to closely follow plans and specifications and, along with other members of the team, pay very close attention to health and safety matters on the worksite.
Drillers, meanwhile, conduct drilling operations in the northernmost regions of Canada and participate in large-scale mining projects abroad, whilst Castonguay’s mechanics are offered the means and tools that allow them to perform work its competitors can only dream of, whether indoors in one of the company’s workshops or outdoors directly on-site.
Well aware that mutual help and support are two key components of a project’s success, Castonguay also offers advantageous pay and a collaborative work environment to its vital office staff working in accounting, purchasing, engineering, and human resources.
As success is synonymous with Castonguay, it looks for staff members who value their work and are prepared to offer services that meet the expectations of clients.
MINING OUTLOOK: WHAT TRAITS DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN EMPLOYEE?
Yuri Alexandre, CEO:
“Sometimes our industry can be tough, so we need people who approach problems with a positive attitude and are always in solution mode. It is much better to have fun when you work; it makes it easier.
“We need people who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do the work. From the field up to management, we need people with grit who are not scared and love hard work.
“We look up to people who treat others with respect and who have integrity. It defines who we are and showing these values builds trust with others.
“Take pride in who you are and what you do. We spend a lot of time at work in our lives, so we better be proud of what we do and accomplish.”
“OUR CUSTOMERS KNOW THEY CAN DEPEND ON US FOR RELIABLE DRILLING AND BLASTING SERVICES, AND MORE RECENTLY, EXPLOSIVES SUPPLY”
– YURI ALEXANDRE, CEO, CASTONGUAY BLASTING
Castonguay for over half a century, be it drilling and blasting services or, more recently, explosives supply.
Using proven methods and stateof-the-art equipment, the company offers clients superior quality results, whatever the project type or scope, as well as excellent customer service.
AREAS OF GROWTH
Quebec is a big growth market for Castonguay, who recently signed an agreement in 2020 with US explosives manufacturer, Austin Powder, to
become their exclusive distributor for the province.
Since then, the company has increased its fleet of bulk delivery equipment every year and tackled two turnkey mining contracts, in which it delivers full drilling and blasting services as well as 100 percent of the explosives.
“We also provide these services in the aggregates industry, where we offer both rock-on-ground services as well as direct explosives sales to customers,” Alexandre adds.
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CASTONGUAY SERVICES
MINING – In open pit mines, taking advantage of the ore’s grade and avoiding excessive dilution are complex tasks that require the intervention of drilling and blasting experts.
Having worked closely with many mining companies worldwide, Castonguay’s team of specialists has acquired highly specific knowledge in this field.
Combined with one of Canada’s most important equipment fleets, this expertise allows the company to easily adapt to production variations and unpredictable weather conditions.
In short, Castonguay is capable of tackling short timeframes and complex projects, making it a leader in the field of open-pit mining.
QUARRIES – Castonguay always works closely with quarry operators, thus making sure that the material’s fragmentation is appropriate, the quarry is blasted in the most efficient way, and laws and regulations are respected.
Over the years, its methods have been adapted to meet the demand for work near populated areas. The company offers internal technical services and uses technologies such as blasting software, drones, deviation measuring devices, seismographs, and more to monitor blasting activity and ensure every blast is safe and optimized.
CIVIL ENGINEERING – Whether it be major hydroelectric projects, construction of mining infrastructure and site leveling, or piping system installations, Castonguay undertakes a wide range of civil engineering works.
To date, these projects have been successful and proven the top-of-line quality of the products and services provided by Castonguay, who plans to continue to grow this portion of the business in the coming years.
“We feel there is a place for us in the market. We are not only an explosives distributor but also an explosives user; we know what the customer needs,” states Alexandre.
Castonguay’s relationships with the likes of Austin Powder, as well as Sandvik and Epiroc for drilling equipment, are based on respect, communication, transparency, and continuous improvement.
“They are our main suppliers and part of our success, and we believe we are a good customer for them.
“The relationships we maintain are extremely important to us. It is also vital to communicate this to employees to ensure a culture of respect and communication is maintained at all levels,” Alexandre emphasizes.
“OUR ADVANTAGE, BEING LOCAL, IS THAT WE KNOW OUR ENVIRONMENT SUCH AS THE TERRAIN, WEATHER, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITIES. I FEEL WE ARE WELL POSITIONED TO TAKE ON THE INDUSTRY”
– YURI ALEXANDRE, CEO, CASTONGUAY BLASTING
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT
The company recently renewed its fleet of drilling equipment with a significant amount of investment into the latest technologies.
On various customer sites, Castonguay currently operates drills equipped with GPS positioning technology, remote operation capabilities, autonomous functions, and pressurized cabins.
This, along with a fleet of exclusive drilling rigs built in-house, allows Castonguay to access rough terrain and still be capable of drilling large diameters using down-the-hole technology.
These rigs are mainly used for the development phases of mining projects where accessibility is a
challenge and ore dilution is critical.
“We will keep investing in explosives delivery equipment, drilling rigs with the latest technologies, and our company culture to attract and retain top talent,” Alexandre tells us.
Developing and improving the business with top talent and equipment is Castonguay’s key priority for the rest of 2024 and beyond.
“We want to add more explosives delivery equipment to our fleet in order to grow in this sector. We also look forward to mastering new technologies and using them to their full potential; our goal is to stay ahead in our industry and benefit our customers,” he concludes.
In doing so, Castonguay will need to find ways to be cost-effective
and keep the industry profitable as it contends with high inflation and increasing operating and capital expenses.
Tel: 705 693-3887
Fax: 705 693-3854
castonguay.ca
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