Australian Mining February 2012 by Prime Creative Media

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SERVING THE MINING INDUSTRY SINCE 1908

VOLUME 104/2 – FEBRUARY 2012

www.miningaustralia.com.au

NO.1 FOR MINING TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT

Personnel

SKILLS CRISIS Training miners

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Minerals Processing

Powering Australia’s economy Print Post Approved PP255003/00535

Revisiting the coal solution

NOMINATIONS OPEN 9th Annual Australian Mining Prospect Awards

INNOVATION Massive screens

P.34

Minesite Vehicles

MOVING ON SITE Buses and buckets

P.56

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© 2012 Caterpillar All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” and the “Power Edge“ trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. Cat and Caterpillar are registered trademarks of Caterpillar Inc., 100 N.E. Adams, Peoria IL 61629.

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COMMENT

Mining Australian

Copyright Reed Business Information Published 12 issues a year by Reed Business Information (ABN 80 132 719 861) Tower 2, 475 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, NSW 2067 Australia Tel: (02) 9422 2999 Fax: (02) 9422 2966 Publisher – Michelle Graves Email: michelle.graves@reedbusiness.com.au Editor – Cole Latimer Tel: (02) 9422 2352 Email: ozmining@reedbusiness.com.au Journalist – Andrew Duffy Tel: (02) 9422 2884 Email: ozmining@reedbusiness.com.au Key Account Manager – Sarah Bateman Tel: (02) 9422 8994 Mob: 0408 991 585 Email: sarah.bateman@reedbusiness.com.au Key Account Manager – Tim Richards Tel: (02) 9422 2818 Mob: 0407 948 774 Email: tim.richards@reedbusiness.com.au QLD and SA Sales Manager – Sharon Amos Tel: (07) 3261 8857 Fax: (07) 3261 8347 Mob: 0417 072 625 Email: sharon.amos@reedbusiness.com.au New Business – Alex Evans Tel: (02) 9422 2890 Email: alex.evans@reedbusiness.com.au WA Representative – Jamie Wade Mob: 0435 945 868 Email: jamie@wadebusiness.com.au RBI Manufacturing & Electronics Group: Production Co-ordinator – Mary Copland Tel: (02) 9422 2738 Fax: (02) 9422 2966 Graphic Designer – Dave Ashley South Africa – Bob Stephen Stephen Marketing PO Box 75, Tarlton, Gauteng 1749, South Africa Tel: 27(011) 952 1721 Fax: 27(011) 952 1607 USA – Jonathan Sismey RBI 24th Floor, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Tel: (1) 212 370 7445 Fax: (1) 212 370 7441 Email: jsismey@ix.netcom.com Larry Arthur RBI Suite 203, 3700 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tel: (1) 949 756 1057 Fax: (1) 949 756 2514 Email: lharthur@ix.netcom.com Printed by GEON 20 Baker Street, Banksmeadow, NSW 2019 Tel: (02) 8333 6555

The start of the end Is Clive Palmer’s battle with the QLD Government just the first in more mining unrest?

t’s always interesting when Clive Palmer takes the stage as you never quite know what's going to happen, there’s an unpredictable edge. In his latest outing Palmer’s China First has accused the Queensland Government of conspiring with QR National after the state’s Coordinator General awarded significant project status to QR’s Central Queensland rail proposal. He has claimed that it rips off their design and engineering, stating “we have no agreement or collaboration with QRN, nor do we plan to have one in the future, we have not and do not consent to their use of our proprietary planning, engineering and information for their declaration”.

Comment Cole Latimer ozmining@reedbusiness.com.au The miner went on to say that QR has breached confidentiality agreements and misled the company Palmer is peeved, and has gone all out, attacking the State Government, the office of the Coordinator General, and state treasurer Andrew Fraser. The treasurer has responded in equal terms, branding Palmer a bully, and slamming him on twitter by stating “Palmer reverts to type,

McCarthyist conspiracy, threats, attempts to intimidate independent public officers”. Palmer in turn has stated that Labor is bullying him. And this was just in the first two days. It has definitely been one of the livelier arguments to capture our attention recently. Considering that these are just the opening salvos of what is likely to be a long ‘discussion’, we’ve got some inter-

esting times ahead of us. Already the media has been corralled into it, with Palmer holding a conference attacking the media as well, saving some special bile for the Courier Mail, stating that “anything in the Courier Mail is incorrect, you know that …… I could be a telly tubby”. It’s funny, but it seems like this argument is just a continuation of fights with the government over their treatment of mining companies - the government takes an action, a miner reacts. Is this just a brief vision of what is coming in the next few months, the fighting and the bitterness, as the Mineral Resources Rent Tax looms ever closer?

FRONT COVER ON this edition’s front cover we’ve featured the newly built stacker system at Xstrata’s Ulan coal mine. This mine faced a difficult problem as it needed to run a massive conveyor and stacker over a former open cut pit that had been filled with uncompacted, loose soil. The solution required an innovative approach. In our Coal feature, we've also looked at the massive M&A deals in the coal mining space last year, as well as the growing number of councils calling for a ban on coal and coal seam gas operations in their region. We also look at the issue of conflict minerals in the Congo, and how it used to fund rebel groups. Australian Mining also has a look at Queensland one year on from the floods.

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February 2012

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Contents Features COAL Confusion reigns on mining bans Spikes in councils banning coal and coal seam gas mining ............................ p10 Covering old ground Redeveloping historical mines ...... p12-13 Safety support Longwall recovery safety .................... p14 Deal of the century Groundbreaking M&A in coal .......... p16 Cleaning up the coal Mine site remediation ........................ p18 PERSONNEL Stressing an alternative Dealing with work stress and fatigue .......................................... p20-22 Tapping an old vein Adult apprentices on site .................... p24 Mobile training The rise of m-learning ........................ p26 Scam alert The rise of mine job scammers .......... p27 Stemming the flow Combating employee attrition ............ p28 From the bush to the boardroom A new slant on an old issue ................ p30 Look to cleanskins for mining jobs Getting a foot in the door ............ p32-33 MINERALS PROCESSING Handling plant upgrades Integrating new networks and plants.. p34 Pre-planned preparation plants Concurrent plant expansions.............. p36 Changing the game M&A in the processing space ............ p41 QUARRYING/CRUSHING/SCREENING Clearing crushers Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t G.E.T. blocked.......................... p42

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From the ground up Building on solid foundations ............ p44 The daily grind Improving your throughput measurement ................................ p46-48

February 2012 issue

Are you carrying conflict minerals?

TAXES Taxing times Examining global mining taxes ...... 50-53 MINESITE VEHICLES Miningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bucket list Cutting LHD downtimes .................... p56 Consistent progress The latest excavators .......................... p58 Moving miners - driving safety Transporting miners on site ................ p60 Navigating vehicle wear Tracking and trending vehicle performance ...................................... p62 FLOODS The Queensland floods: One year on We look at the aftermath of the QLD floods ..................................................p72

Mining and human rights in Africa...p54-55

PROSPECT AWARDS LAUNCH ......... p78

Screening out the competitors Regulars NEWS ....................................................... p6 INDUSTRY COMMENT ........................... p8 PRODUCT FOCUS: Motors & Drives ............................................... p64-71 PRODUCT SHOWCASE.................. p74-77 JOBS........................................................p81 EVENTS...................................................p82

Processing more, better...p38

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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C R E AT E T H E I R H O M E -AWAY- F R O M - H O M E WITH FOX TEL Long shifts, hard work, being away from home for weeks at a time – mining is not an easy career. One way to attract and retain good staff is to offer them some of the comforts of home. Which is why FOXTEL is now offering business packages unique to mining operators, so employees can watch what they want, when they want – just as they would in their own living room. And with movies, news, documentaries, music and sports, FOXTEL business packages have something for everyone. Even the most remote areas can catch all the major sports highlights including the 2012 Toyota AFL Premiership season. And there’s the option to add the London 2012 Olympic Games, plus all the boxing and UFC action on Main Event. With a FOXTEL iQ or iQHD box in every room, the miners’ business package ensures staff are in full control of their own viewing and won’t miss any of the shows they’re used to enjoying at home. Plus, it’s all supported by a new, simple and cost effective delivery mechanism. The FOXTEL Business Mining Packages offers the most cost effective solution to bring FOXTEL entertainment to miners’ dongas:

S TA N D A R D M I N E S PA C K A G E :

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A selection of over 34 channels specially designed to suit a variety of tastes in entertainment, sports and documentaries.

A selection of over 58 channels, offering an extensive suite of sports, movies, news, documentaries, music and entertainment with a range of FOXTEL’s HD channels available.

Over 1.6 million homes have FOXTEL, so it’s fair to say that it has become the standard in quality programming, and an important factor in giving your company that edge in attracting and retaining the best staff in the industry.

To find out more, call your FOXTEL Business mining specialist on 08 9386 9535.

FOXTEL is not available in some areas/buildings. FOXTEL marks are used under licence by FOXTEL Management Pty Ltd. FOX SPORTS channels, FUEL TV, SPEED and Sky Racing channels are not available in licenced premises. Some channels not available in public viewing. FOX0178/STD/1

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HEADLINES

The latest mining news and safety Australian Mining presents the latest news and safety affecting you from the boardroom to the mine and everywhere in between. Visit www.miningaustralia.com.au to keep up to date with what is happening. Outrage over approval One of the most vocal opponents to Lynas Corporation’s plans in Malaysia says it is “outraged and appalled” by the Government’s decision to grant Lynas a temporary operating licence. Malaysia’s Atomic Energy Licencing Board granted Lynas approval for its processing plan in Kuantan, based on several conditions. On the back of the announcement Lynas executive chairman Nicholas Curtis said in a statement the company had respected the Government’s approval process. “Lynas recognises its responsibility to the community to operate the plant in a safe and sustainable manner,” he said.

BHP sheds workers A falling nickel price and high Australian dollar has prompted BHP Billiton to sack 155 workers from its Nickel West operations.

BHP said it intended to “restructure” the nickel business to cut costs, and planned on slashing production at the Mount Keith mine in WA’s Goldfields by 30 per cent. It said the Mount Keith changes would only be temporary, lasting about one year, but it did not provide exact dates. The company foreshadowed the move in its December production report, but it has previously denied suggestions it would sell its Nickel West operations.

Coal workers strike Workers at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal have gone on strike. It comes after failed enterprise agreement negotiations at the site, where workers demanded a 4.5% pay raise and BHP, the operator of the Port Kembla Coal Terminal, only offered 4.3%. Close to 100 workers took action at the port, with strikes running for several days.

Australian Mining gets the latest news every day, providing up to the minute information on safety, news and technology for the Australian mining and resources industry.

QR dismisses Palmer QR National has rejected Clive Palmer’s claims it breached

confidentiality agreements with the miner after it was granted significant project status. In January QR’s planned Central Queensland Integrated Rail Project (CQIRP) was declared a significant project by the state’s Co-ordinator General. The proposed rail line would see it export coal from the Galilee Basin to central Queensland ports. Clive Palmer's China First reacted angrily to the announcement, claiming that the haulage company misled the miner over the proposed rail link between Galilee and QLD ports.

Lead levels halved The national guideline for safe lead levels may soon be cut in half. The blood lead level guidelines may be revised if the World Health Organisation (WHO) reduces its level of concern from the current ten micrograms per

decilitre to five micrograms per decilitre. A reduction could force Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council to follow suit.

Mining job scams Queensland mines minister Stirling Hinchliffe has warned of mining job rorts. He stated that jobseekers should do their research before singing up to agencies which claim to be a recruiting hub for the resources industry. “Shonky businesses are targeting jobseekers wanting to get a foot in the door in the mining industry,” Hinchliffe said. “We’re hearing about a number of businesses who are overstating the level of assistance they are able to offer jobseekers. “The last thing we want to see are the hopes – or the hip pockets – of jobseekers being exploited by unscrupulous operators.

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INDUSTRY COMMENT

Mining industry gets the

RED LIGHT

Women on Boards’ Claire Braund looks at how resources companies are addressing gender diversity.

he 2011 annual reporting cycle was the first in which listed companies needed to address diversity under the revised ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations. Principle 3 recommends that the company develop and disclose a diversity policy that requires the board to set measurable gender diversity objectives, and report annually on progress and proportion of women at board level, in senior management and within the whole organisation. So how has the mining sector fared? In a new analysis of how ASX200 companies are complying with the recommendations and making progress on gender diversity more generally, mining and energy companies rank the lowest. The soon to be released Women on Boards (WOB) Traffic Light Index has been compiled from the latest annual reports and websites of 78 companies from the ASX200. Of the 27 mining companies in the index, 20 rated red and seven are rated orange. None of the mining and energy companies analysed rated green. Red lights are given to companies who have provided no details about compliance with Principle 3 or diversity in their most recent annual report, made any commitment to providing information next

time, or in the judgment of WOB have a very basic understanding of the intent of Principle 3 and diversity in general. Companies in the red include Amcor, Santos, Woodside, Worley Parsons, Fortescue Metals Group and Newcrest. Fortunately, they can look to the small group that are making progress, which includes AGL Energy, BHP, Caltex, OZ Minerals, Paladin Energy and Rio Tinto. These companies ranged from having basic initiatives (flexible work arrangements, parental leave policies and lower level leadership initiatives) to good policies and

targets for improvement but no reported progress over a number of years. So while some companies are clearly on the job, others are at best paying lip service to gender diversity and at worst, ignoring it entirely. We shudder to think what an analysis beyond the ASX200 might produce? All of which is interesting given the very long established business case for diversity. In 2004 the US-based nonprofit organisation Catalyst created the link between female board directors and corporate performance in its report ‘The Bottom Line: Corporate

The mining industry performed the worst in terms of gender diversity.

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Performance and Women’s Representation of Boards’. The report found higher financial performance for companies with higher representation of women board directors in three important measures – return on equity, return on sales and return on invested capital. Fast forward to Australia in October 2011 and the nonprofit research organisation Reibey Institute found that over three and five year periods, ASX500 companies with women directors delivered significantly higher return on equity (ROE) than those companies without any women on their boards. In between 2004 and 2011 there were a number of significant studies and reports successfully prosecuting the business case for recruiting and retaining women into senior leadership roles and onto boards. Worth noting is the report by Tim Toohey, chief economist at then Goldman Sachs JBWere, which found that closing the gap between male and female employment rates would boost the level of Australian GDP by 11 per cent. The report, ‘Australia’s Hidden Resource: The Eco-

nomic Case for Increasing Female Participation’, outlined the steady decline in Australia’s labour productivity growth and advocated that “... an alternative source of highly educated labour is already at Australia's disposal and with the right set of policy options this pool of labour can be unlocked”. At management level a number of companies, principally the banks, big retailers and global consultancy firms, have made serious interventions to stem the female talent haemorrhage with a range of innovate and flexible work options and mandated targets for executives tied to remuneration outcomes. On my recent travels overseas as part of my Churchill Fellowship, Svein Rennemo, the chair of global giant Statoil, told me that people under estimate the benefits that doing something different can bring. His experience of having at least 40 per cent women on his boards (under Norway’s quotation law) are directors that are younger, more educated, have closer connections with company executors and bring different experiences to the board, leading to an overall improvement in company governance. All sound reasons for diversifying a team. The global business case for more women on boards and across organisations no longer needs to be proven and debated, but believed and acted upon. In Australia, this will require a significant shift in corporate culture and in the attitudes and behavior of many who occupy positions of power. The mining sector is a dominant player in the Australian economy with major human resource demands. Surely, of all sectors it should be the one that understands the importance of a fully deployed labour force and the business benefits that diversity brings? The WOB Traffic Light Index will be released this month. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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CONFUSION reigns on mining bans State governments should look to their own policy to find the explanation for the rising number of council mining bans.

ast month Queensland’s Somerset Council was the latest to add itself to a growing list of local governments banning mining. Like similar moves before it the decision was simultaneously praised by environmental groups and damned by the mining industry. Queensland Resources Council CEO Michael Roche dismissed Somerset’s move as nothing more than “pre-election grandstanding”. He also said one must assume Somerset Council had “factored in losing its per capita share of state royalties”. And part of his criticism made sense. The application

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Councils are looking to State Governments for leadership on mining policy.

process for miners should allow state governments to objectively weigh the competing interests of environmentalists and the industry. But instead, especially in coal seam gas and coal regions, the process is being abused for political point-scoring. But Roche’s argument over mining’s economic benefit missed the mark. While there’s no doubt mining makes an incredible contribution to the economy, these bans have nothing to do with money.

If industry groups want to work with locals to develop our natural resources, they would do better to engage the community over the issues it most cared about. Touting economic benefits to people who care primarily about the environment has led to a dead-end argument, with no progress made on the concerns of either party. But more importantly council mining bans highlight a growing disconnect between local and state government mining policy.

When Somerset announced its move Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said she was “mystified”. But when Australian Mining spoke to Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell, who presided over a similar ban in her northern NSW electorate, the reasons seemed clear. While Governments are trying to take a balanced approach to mining, beneath the surface of their policy is much uncertainty. The NSW Government has extended its fracking moratorium, and it’s unclear

whether the Government will support the technology. In Queensland coal and coal seam gas projects continue to win approval, but exclusion zones are also widening. Neither Government has taken a stance behind the arguments of industry or environmentalists, and it’s out of this confusion that council mining bans are born. Dowell told Australian Mining her council had acted because the State Government had not. “We would have hoped they’d shown more leadership. It should not be up to individual councils to raise these concerns,” she said. For miners the local and state government confusion has lead to a regulatory process that is slow and has maximised uncertainty for investors. For locals it’s left landowners uncertain about whether their livelihood and health is under threat.

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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Covering old ground The development of an underground mine in a historical mining region created a number of hurdles.

ver since the suspension of operations at Xstrata’s Ulan coal mine’s open cut around four years ago, the miner has been considering possible ways to get the mine running at its full potential again. But Ulan was on the backburner as Xstrata focused more on the growth of its Hunter Valley and Queensland operations. However an increasing global demand for coal and a strong market price has impelled it to capitalise on Ulan’s existing infrastructure and an established local workforce. But it was unsure of how to do this effectively, as nearly a century of work in the region had created a number of significant hurdles. So Xstrata brought in GW Engineers to examine its options for continuing mining at its Ulan operation and the development of Ulan West. Ulan’s age was a major factor, as mining has been carried out in the area for close to 90 years, so it had to deal with an exacting brownfields construction. GW also had to optimise Ulan’s longevity while ensuring that operations could be carried out in compliance with Xstrata’s environmental management strategy – in particular noise containment. It developed a number of different concepts, considering the viability of each and the individual approvals processes, before coming to an eventual decision – move further underground. Preparation is now underway for the new Ulan West underground mine, which will begin production this year, longwall production in 2014, and will have an extended mine life that will see it run until nearly 2030. Not bad for one of the most established coal mining operations in the western coalfields of New South Wales. To achieve GW Engineers’ 12 February 2012

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The conveyor required structural adjustments to compensate for its run over loose, uncompacted soil.

optimal site design of around 5 500 tonnes per hour of run of mill coal it faced a serious challenge due to the mine’s previous activities. The clearance system from the one kilometer box cut to the 600 000 tonne hub stockpile needed to run over areas of the previous open cut mine which was now filled with around sixty metres of uncompacted, loose soil. The engineers were forced to develop a design which minimised the rate of predicted long term mine spoil settlement. They also had to create a means of structural adjustment for the clearance system’s 2.7 kilometre conveyor to compensate as settlement occurred. According to GW, actually designing the movement and processing of coal between the hub and the stockpile “entailed some exacting analysis. “The conveyor configuration comprises of a hub stockpile reclaim conveyor with 2000 tonnes per hour draw down points and a curved 2000 metre radius downhill conveyor falling 30 metres

over a distance of about 1500 metres, and crossing the Goulburn River,” the engineering firm explained. Ulan West’s hub to product stockpile yard configuration will feed a sizing station with one secondary and two tertiary sizers, as well as two trash screens. GW state that it can feed a stacker at up to 2000 tonnes

per hour, which in turn will generate a 200 000 tonne stockpile with additional capacity via dozer push out. A system of three conveyors reporting to an already existing rail load out bin will complete Ulan’s new surface infrastructure requirements, GW Engineers saying that each conveyor will service the stockpile reclaim and product out-

loading conveyor system’s seven draw points. While the design of the facilities was difficult, the associated challenges that came with it – such as noise levels – presented a serious issue. GW Engineers’ Keith Clegg said “beyond the more significant challenges posed by the curved downhill conveyor dynamics, Ulan’s environmental necessities required the company’s particular attention. “Effectively suppressing the unavoidable noise from the operations was a significant concern, as approval conditions mandated that the mechanical and acoustic designs comply with the Ulan’s Environmental Management Strategy’s sound control parameters.” The specifications required all conveyor transfer points and elevated gantries to be fully enclosed to contain the noise and dust as well as any light emissions after dark. GW stated that low noise idlers and conveyor drives units will all be certified before delivery to ensure compliance. The actual coal handling system will be integrated into

The stacker is fed at up to 2000 tonnes per hour, and can create a stockpile of 200 000 tonnes. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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the mine’s existing control technology, with scope to expand. Regarding the entire process from first approach to design, Clegg said that “although this is a brownfield site, Ulan’s state of the art and largely discrete monitoring and control technology will include provisions to create a planned environment where predictive, and importantly preventative, maintenance will enhance operations and save energy”. Following the construction of infrastructure at the site, Ulan will also look to increase its workforce. Its initial steps in doing so have already seen the miner accused of attempting to “poach” skilled workers from Queensland, in particular the Mackay region. Ulan had representatives at the Mackay Show in June last year, who were looking for miners, tradespeople, mine under-managers, and also cleanskins to work at the new underground mine. According to Ulan general manager Dan Clifford the

www.miningaustralia.com.au

The age of the brownfields site – nearly a century old – created unique problems in the new design.

mine was simply looking to source workers with varying skills at the ‘state-of-the-art’ operation. “The strength of the mining industry across Australia has made it extremely difficult for other mines to attract new employees in recent years, but

we believe Ulan has more to offer,” Clifford said. He went on to say that “Mudgee is a great place to live”. However the head of Mackay’s Regional Economic Development Corporation, Narelle Pearse, said mining

regions should work together to build skills bases, rather than compete with one another, stating that Ulan was drawing away its region’s coal miners. Pearse added “where would you want to live: the Whitsundays or rural New South Wales?”

In November 2010, Ulan was granted project approval from the NSW Department of Planning for the continuation of its existing and new underground longwall mining and open cut activities to generate around 20 million tonnes annually for another 21 years. It has a measured resource of around 126 million tonnes of run of mill coal, and is targeting a production average of about 6.86 million tonnes of ROM coal annually once the longwall is operational. The mine is a 24 hour, seven days a week mining operation, employing more than 900 people onsite. Its site includes a coal handling and preparation plant, surface conveyors, stockpiles, rail loadout facility and various other infrastructure. The mine, located near Mudgee and Gulgong, is a joint venture between Xstrata and Mitsubishi. It will consist of two underground operations – Ulan No.3 and Ulan West. Ulan West grew out of the expansion of Ulan No.3 underground works.

AustralianMining

February 2012

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Safety support Longwall equipment recovery safety tailor made for the job.

oal mining can be dangerous. In one of the most regulated industries in Australia, coal mining, and specifically underground coal mining, requires the highest degree of safety due to its potential hazards. It is no wonder then when you are mining hundreds of metres under the earth you want strong equipment that can withstand the extreme conditions faced in underground coal mines. This is especially the case when carrying out longwall equipment recovery - which exposes miners to dangers from moving heavy machinery, an unsupported goaf and roof, and loose material. Which is why Centennial Coal’s Springvale mine near Lithgow, in NSW, used DSI’s TenCate recovery mat during its longwall recovery operations. The mat was originally developed with input by both Australian and international underground coal miners to withstand the extreme load conditions found in underground mines. Speaking to DSI’s national coal manager Scott Kirkby, he told Australian

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AustralianMining

The mats have tensile strengths up 600/400kN for use behind caving shields.

Mining while these recovery mats have been used for a number of years, there have been strides forward in how it is installed and delivered. “There is really a tailor made approach to the whole process now,” Kirkby said.

According to Paul Rutzou, Springvale’s technical services manager, the mats “work well and are well supported by the company, as it and the supplier give us the service we need to get the shield recovery program completed on time and on budget”.

Kirkby explained that it has a customer support package which includes a site inspection and survey as well as the geological conditions. These results determine the geogrid size and how the mat is to be installed. The miner is also able to send a representative to the factory to supervise the mat's loading. Crew training and pre- and postinstallation reports are also included in the support package. “The whole process works well for us,” Rutzou said. “DSI take the time to thoroughly research the site conditions, prepare the mat according and then integrate themselves into the project.” The mats’ tensile strengths range from a 600/400 kN mat for use behind the caving shields through to a 300/200 kN version for extending over the canopies and down the face itself. They have been tested by the NSW Department of Minerals Resources for electrical and fire resistance, and are rated as Fire Retardant Anti Static (FRAS).

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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Deal of the century Despite tax worries, groundbreaking M&A is still going ahead, Cole Latimer reports.

oal is the new gold. Last year saw the coal mining industry draw a number of high investments amidst predictions of shaky markets, as well as seeing some of the largest takeover and merger activity in Australia’s history, more than gold ever did despite gold’s continually skyrocketing price. The US$5 billion Peabody and Macarthur takeover deal, and the $2.25 billion Whitehaven and Aston merger are two perfect examples of the movement in the coal market. So why is coal seemingly unstoppable, and why has its solid rise been overshadowed by gold’s rise?

Black gold It has been a consistently strong, if not exactly skyrocketing commodity, which is predicted to have a bright future. As countries such as China and India continue their aggressive economic development, Australia is fuelling their

The $5 billion coal Macarthur Coal acquisition is the largest in Australian history.

growth, due to its very unique position of being a developed country with under developed resources, as well as being in a location closer to both of these two nations than other

Peabody acquired Macarthur’s mass of QLD coal mines.

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major coal producers in South America or Africa. Only Indonesia boasts a better position and similarly fertile ground. Being such a young country, yet being a first world nation, puts us all in a rather enviable position, one which miners are trying to utilise. While our coal ties with China are well known, the ones with India are set to grow, particularly as the country is in the grips of an energy crisis and suffering constant rolling blackouts. Added to this is the battle over whether to sell uranium to India for energy generation, which is still going ahead despite protests from some in the government, which makes coal seem not exactly harmless but definitely the lesser of two evils. China and India alone, economic powerhouses that they are, have managed to create an almost perfect storm for coal. However, despite the Government seemingly linking the massive Whitehaven and Macarthur deals with the upcoming Mineral Resources Rent Tax, to show no damage to investor confidence, these deals

have been in the offing for some time.

Deal of the century Speaking to Tony Damian, a partner at Freehills – the law firm which advised Peabody on the Macarthur deal and Aston Resources in its merger with Whitehaven, he told Australian Mining that Macarthur has been a target since 2010 when it came under scrutiny from Peabody, Gloucester Coal, and New Hope. Macarthur was eventually acquired by Peabody Energy in what Damian described as “the largest coal takeover in Australian history”. However it was not the most straight forward takeover. It began as a joint hostile bid with existing shareholder Acelor Mittal, who exercised an option to tender shares into the bid. Damian explained that “it was a bit difficult for Peabody to carry out a solo hostile takeover as Macarthur had such a complex register which was very congested, and it included three major shareholders who held about 48 per cent of the company and had not supported a similarly priced bid in 2010”.

This forced the move with Arcelor, which Damian termed a “novel deal structure”. Peabody gave Arcelor options to stay in the bid, be a joint venture partner in the coal mine, or be paid out. “They made it very easy for Arcelor,” he said. By taking a much more open approach, Peabody managed to convince 99.2 per cent of Macarthur Coal’s register to accept the deal. The deal was arranged using a US$ 3 billion bond issue and US$ 2 billion of finance. Damian went on to say that this deal has been a model for acquisitions where there are congested share registers and a number of companies which hold 15 per cent or 20 per cent each. “Peabody’s approach to this deal is a blue print for how to carry out similarly difficult deals, and shows that despite large shareholders on the register a company can still be acquired.” Following this acquisition, Peabody is reportedly still looking to grow its presence in Australia, by “accelerating production for its existing assets and advancing its growth pipeline,” Damian said.

The M&A landscape Despite fear over the damage the Mineral Resources Rent Tax may have to the mergers and acquisition space, it is unlikely to dissuade all investment and continued growth of the industry in Australia. However, the Government’s use of these two deals as proof that it has not rocked the mining industry’s confidence is seen as a “one size fits all” response, where in fact it was in the offing well before the tax was finalised. While these deals have highlighted the growing prominence of coal, it has also showcased the kind of M&A activity that will become less likely following the implementation of the tax. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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Cleaning up the coal While coal is a necessary resource, its waste can be fatal, and needs important treatment strategies.

he waste generated from coal mining and beneficiation is contaminated with carcinogens, heavy metals, and radioactive elements. It’s extremely dangerous to the environment and human health, and an important consideration for mining companies. While each miner has its own plan to tackle the problem Virotec Solutions CEO Lee Ferguson says the industry’s treatment “has at times been found wanting”. In a report on coal mining Ferguson said the risks of improper waste treatment were “comprehensive and well-documented”. She listed arsenic and heavy metal contamination, alarmingly high cancer threats, and the devastation of local flora and fauna as some of the worst impacts. Nevertheless Ferguson’s report acknowledged coal as one of the world’s most plentiful energy resources with demand expected to quadruple in the coming decade. As a necessary resource, the challenge for miners is to understand the risks and pick the right solutions.

Acid mine drainage The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has ranked acid mine drainage as “one of the main strategic environmental issues facing the mining industry”. The problem occurs after the rock in coal stockpiles, handling facilities, and overburden reacts with air and water. In many cases the reactions can be highly acidic, with the acid then mobilising trace metals contained within the coal. Ferguson said the cocktail of chemicals produced in runoff was a serious threat if released to the environment untreated. “The combination of acid and metals seeps into waterways where it can effectively sterilise many kilometres of streams,” she said. In the worst cases groundwater can be contaminated with metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and thallium, damaging not only the environment but eventually making its way into drinking supplies. Ferguson explained that such contaminants were “known carcino18 February 2012

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Contaminated waters have the potential to destroy local river systems.

gens” and posed a “significant risk aluminium, iron, and manganese was to human and environmental health”. particularly effective. She said in most operations runoff Aluminium contamination went was either collected and impounded from 36.9 mg/L in the initial seepage at the mine site or impounded as to 0.03mg/L after treatment. runoff during storms. Similarly iron contamination went “In some cases, neither of these from 168 mg/L to 0.001mg/L and methods works effectively, due to manganese went from 9.5 mg/L to the large volumes of liquid to be 2.3mg/L. captured or the The water’s complexity of The combination of acid and pH was also the systems metals seeps into waterways raised from its involved.” initial high While acid where it can effectively sterilise acidity of 2.6 mine drainage many kilometres of streams. to 8.2, close to is a difficulty the normal facing all of the world’s coal mines, range of river water and within reguFerguson said Virotec’s operations in latory guidelines. Australia pointed to how the problem Queensland’s underground could be effectively contained. At the closed Aberdare East Colliery barriers near Cessnock, New South Wales, For another miner in Queensland Virothe company was contracted to reha- tec used the chemical additive outlined bilitate the site’s contaminated coal above and a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) to remediate the groundwater. tailings. A PRB is a wall built below the At Aberdare tailings from the mine were impounded in a small catch- ground used to clean water as it passes through. ment area on site. Permeable means the wall has tiny The runoff was highly acidic and had significant contamination from holes that allow groundwater to flow through it, and the reactive material a number of heavy metals. After treatment Ferguson said in the wall helps trap and remediate Virotec’s chemical reagent, used as contaminated particles. “The option of using PRBs to treat an additive to the tailings, had “resulted in significant reductions of all rele- acid mine drainage at coalmine sites vant metals and an increase in pH to has the potential advantage that welldesigned barriers can be constructed within regulatory limits”. At Aberdare East the remediation of and left unattended,” Ferguson said

adding that there are challenges with designing barriers that work effectively over the long term. Ferguson said selecting the right materials for the barrier was one of the hardest challenges, with most substances presenting their own setbacks. While limestone is used widely Ferguson said it had “many problems”. She said the slightly soluble nature of lime meant it could be leeched out of high rainfall areas, and some contaminants were able to coat lime particles and prevent them from continuing to neutralise water. Ferguson said Virotec had developed its own material to form PRBs that remediated contaminants without impeding water flow. But she said like all materials Virotec’s had its limits. “As with all PRBs, there is a limit to their capacity to effectively treat water at which point they need to be replaced,” she said. Ultimately Ferguson’s report highlighted the importance of environmental management for the coal mining industry. While coal is a valuable and necessary resource, it has the potential to seriously damage the environment. But with miners aware of the dangers, and companies working to improve treatment technology, our natural resources can be used without undue pressure on the environment.

Acidic waters can remain a problem after mining operations close. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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STRESSING an alternative F

or many workers engaged in the mining industry in Australia the experience of work stress is a very personal and private issue. Behind tough exteriors, many share the experience of difficulty sleeping, fatigue, feelings of anxiety, loneliness and depression. This often goes hand in hand with physical symptoms such as an exacerbation of musculoskeletal problems and other existing health complaints. Making good money has bitter sweet consequences. For some workers, the dangling carrot encourages them to put up with a working environment they are having trouble adapting to even though they might be better suited psychologically to working in a lower paid job closer to home. Ultimately both the organisation and the worker may end up paying a price for their

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stoic endurance as the stress begins to undermine their health, relationships and ability to function across both work and personal domains. This work stress is also behind the relatively high attrition rate in workers in their first year in the industry. Surprisingly, research into the implications of work stress in the mining industry on the physical and psychological health and work performance of the workforce is still in its infancy, behind that of research into other high risk industries where there is a clearer understanding of the nature of the relationships between work stress, mental and physical health, and work performance. Based on Australian mental health statistics however tre are irrefutable indicators that the mining industry in general needs to embrace a broader context to the notion of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;zero harmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Dealing with work stress in silence is no longer the only option.

With more than one million Australians suffering from either depression or anxiety in a given year and with research showing that both depression and anxiety increases the likelihood of workplace accident or injury, it is clear that mining companies need to develop further their understanding of

Occupational Health and Safety Issues as it relates to stress and overall fatigue. There have been many incidents where mining stress or fatigue has been directly related to an injury or even death, both on and off minesites. Long hours and hot seat changeovers have seen cars

crushed and people injured, and have lead to threats of strike action at coal mines such as Collie, where workers are up in arms over the potential hazard it poses. Two fatalities involving drive in drive out workers in Yeppoon and Dysart in 2007 and 2008 were caused by

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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fatigued miners getting behind the wheel, according to Central Queensland coroner Anne Hennessy. Imagine the overall benefits to the industry if the work force could switch on and off at will, mechanisms within their own brain and body that could help them to combat stress and fatigue and to adapt to the daily challenges that face them at work? There is a technique that has been scientifically proven to do just that: a technique called Autogenic Training. Autogenic Training enables people to self-regulate their psychophysiological responses creating profound changes in the mind and body that lead to optimal physical and psychological health and enhanced performance overall. It includes a series of mental exercises taught over eight hours and then practised for only a few minutes daily. Backed by over 3,000 clinical studies worldwide, positive changes brought about by Autogenic Training on the mind and the body are immediate and the processes under-

Fatigue and work stress present a serious hazard on and off site.

lying the changes are detectable and scientifically measurable. Helen Gibbons, the chief psychologist and head trainer at the Autogenic Training Institute runs Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only Autogenic Training Programme for organisations and their employees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Autogenic Training is a technique unlike any other,â&#x20AC;? Gibbons said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It achieves cognitive and

psychological results similar to that achieved through a combination of meditation, yoga, hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and on a physical level it produces the same physiological and chemical benefits that are associated with rigorous athletic training.â&#x20AC;? She added that for workers it is an internal process, rather than external, so does not

require users to discuss their feelings or thoughts with others. Gibbons explained that the training has already seen positive results within the NSW Police Service; the NSW Fire Brigade; Price Waterhouse Coopers; Ernest and Young; and NASA, which routinely train astronauts and pilots in the Autogenic Training Programme to adapt to the psychological and phys-

ical stressors of space travel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every organisation has its own unique combination of environmental factors that can affect the resilience and performance of their employees,â&#x20AC;? she stated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the mining industry for example, workers arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t only dealing with complex problems under difficult and often hazardous environmental circumstances, many are also often dealing with psychosocial disadvantages because of the remote location of their work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On top of this, normal personal routines are disrupted to fit in with the work cycles of the mining operations. The fact of the matter is that stress is rarely compartmentalised â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for fly in fly out miners stress at work affects home life and stress at home affects work life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Little by little, workers find that they are struggling to cope without really being able to identify the core reason. This is not a sign of weakness. It is a very real and a very Continued on page 22

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Continued from page 21 common problem for workers in mining and an integrated approach at the organisational level can do a lot in mitigating the risk of the negative impact of this ‘stress creep’.” Gibbons said the Autogenic Training Programme equips workers with tools that build up their mental and physical resilience so that they can deal more effectively with both personal and work-place stressors. “When the workforce learns to self-regulate their psychophysiological responses there is improved staff morale, lower staff turnover, lower incidence of work place accidents, reduced number of stress and other injury claims, less sick leave and higher productivity.” She described how the Autogenic mental exercises guide you into an ‘Autogenic State’ where you are relaxed both mentally and physically allowing for the regenerative mechanisms in the mind and body to kick in. “For this reason I call it the Triple R technique”, she said.

By using autogenic training, workers can relax their system while remaining alert, Gibbons claims.

“It allows your mind and body to rest, repair and regenerate. It targets the detrimental effects of the build-up of negative day to day stress that can over time make us unwell and erode our ability to think and perform. I have seen workers, despite their best efforts, reach a point at work where they feel they can’t go

on. They either leave their job, go on Workers Compensation or carry on at work at a much reduced capacity, often making mistakes and affecting the morale of those who work with them.” One area of prime importance in the mining industry is the mitigation of the risks associated with fatigue.

“It is really important that we understand the psychophysiological dynamics of fatigue if the mining industry is to make true inroads into this problem,” Gibbons stated. “As we are aware, fatigue is a ticking time bomb. People have what we call, a Basic Rest Activity Cycle. During the day we have a period of

approximately 90 minutes of alert activity followed by a 20 minute period when we feel fatigued and should strictly speaking be resting. People can override the fatigue period up to a point but it is unlikely that levels of hypervigilance will be as high in this phase of the cycle. With Autogenic Training, however, we can automatically switch on our ‘Para-Sympathetic Nervous System’ (the rest, repair and regeneration mode) and indulge in the ultimate power nap. In a very short period of time you can feel completely recharged and extend your period of hypervigilance at work.” “Based on improvements in imaging technology we now can see the scientific processes behind the Autogenic responses in motion, right down to the molecular level,” she said. “This is a truly exciting time for individuals and organisations alike as we now have at our fingertips a simple but highly effective evidence-based tool which is proven to enhance Occupational Health and Safety outcomes.”

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Tapping an old vein A new scheme is looking to mature workers outside of mining to fill the upcoming skills shortfall.

hen you think of an apprentice you typically think of a fresh faced youth taking their first steps into their first real job. But this isn’t always the case. As the mining industry provides more lucrative careers, more people are seeking apprenticeships as a way to get into the sector. And many of these are older people who have had experience elsewhere and are looking to give mining a go as the pool of trained workers rapidly shrinks. According to the National Resources Sector Employment Taskforce, there will be a deficit of around 36 000 tradespeople by 2015,which is forcing the mining industry to look away from traditional recruitment and overseas options to adult apprentices, who can be trained up within 18 months. Alan Sparks, the program director for the National Apprenticeships Program (NAP), stated that this area is an untapped resource of Australian workers. The program reportedly takes workers in similar roles, assesses the skills they already possess, and then fills the gaps required to complete a trade qualification, providing a new graduate for the industry in just over a year. Existing skills must equate to around 40 per cent of a trade requirement, which is qualified via rigorous Recognition of Prior Learning assessments. “Once a host employer signs up for the Program candidates can be recruited, assessed, and on the ground contributing to the workforce within 100 days,” he explained. Sparks said “not only does the enterprise take on board adult apprentices at the time when their productivity levels are peaking but as these are more mature adult apprentices they require less supervision and have a higher awareness of risk mitigation” as 24 February 2012

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The program is designed to fill some of the 36 000 predicted spaces needed in the industry.

compared to younger apprentices. A mature and more realistic view of work as an apprentice and the mining industry may also slow down the current attrition rate for first year miners. According to the Kinetic Group (an organisation formerly known as the Mining Industry Skills Centre), first year miners make up nearly 20 per cent of the estimated 9500 people who leave the mining industry annually. The program has already started providing workers for Anglo American’s coal operations in Queensland, and begun the recruitment drive for Bechtel Australia’s three upcoming LNG construction projects in Gladstone – the Queensland Curtis LNG, GLNG, and Australia Pacific LNG – seeking around 400 adult apprentices. It is also working with mining contractor Macmahon on the first 50 of 200 spots for diesel fitters. Sparks went on to say that this program is not a threat to traditional apprenticeships such as those through TAFE, rather a complementary option

for companies to increase their capabilities and enhance over skills sets in the industry. “NAP assists with diversification of the workforce and provides workforce maturity,” Anglo American’s operations training principal Debbie Butler explained. “Work and life experienced people are being introduced to mining, and they have the potential to mentor our younger apprentices or become our next wave of maintenance supervisors.” Ross Maidens and Ryan Hodges were part of Anglo's most recent intake. Maidens was an electrician in the UK, however his qualifications were not recognised in Australia, and he was looking at three years of study at a cost of $12 000. “It wasn’t feasible to undertake a normal apprenticeship here and support my family,” he said. “This way I gain my Australian qualification and have basically doubled my pay.” The program currently covers six trades – electrical fitter mechanic; dual trade electrical/instrumentation; fabrication trades such as boiler

maker, welder, and pipe fitters; diesel fitters; mechanical fitters; and carpentry formworkers. Applicants so far are mostly aged between 25 and 45.

However, there is one concern that has been raised by Kinetic CEO Derek Hunter, and that is the upcoming retirement age of many of these people and those already in the industry. “The situation for statutory roles on minesites is beyond a critical point, roles such as open cut miners, examiners, deputies for underground mines,” he told Australian Mining. “The median age for people in these roles is typically fifty plus. “My concern is that mines require a certain number of these people on site, and if the number is too low than safety is compromised and mines may be forced to close,” Hunter said. While adult apprentices are filling the massive forecast shortfall in the mining industry, as they edge closer to retirement age the potential for creating an even large skills gap in the future looms.

The course recognises prior learning. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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Mobile training Education, training, and troubleshooting in a matter of seconds.

raining has always been a bit of a nightmare in mining. On the job training, classes, workshops, and conferences on top of trying to get everything done makes it difficult. Add to this the remoteness of much of the industry and it makes for a logistical headache. Getting workers from sites in the middle of the Pilbara and Tasmania on the same page, let alone the same room, has always been a challenge in mining. The only answer used to be travel – trainers would fly from one side of Australia to the other, or even overseas, to hold workshops at one site after the other. In the opposite extreme, miners were forced to travel to a central location – costing their company a fortune in both dollars and productivity. Faced with constant hurdles such as these, it was relatively unsurprising then that the industry adopted technologies to ease this problem. The industry was amongst the first to begin using ruggedised PDAs to carry out audits and on the spot inspections. It was again at the fore-

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M-learning provides remote, up to the minute information and training.

front of technology when it started using e-learning to provide online training before miners even stepped on site. As technology has become more mobile, the mining industry is too. The latest development is mobile learning or m-learning, which has risen out of the high numbers of smart phone and iPad ownership, and is being hailed as the next game changer. Smart phone technology is ubiquitous on site, so the mining industry’s use of it to

train up and learn was always going to be a given, especially as it can easily be used on almost any mine site in the country without the need for existing infrastructure – just a handheld phone. It also addressed the issue of a dispersed workforce as it can bring people together in real time, with no cost to the mining company either. So what’s an example of m-learning? Imagine an articulated truck driver is in the process of dumping their coal payload

at a fairly crowded shipping facility when the all-terrain truck’s hydraulic system suddenly fails. The dump box is now stuck halfway and traffic is quickly growing behind them. No longer having the ability to steer, a trip back to the depot is out of the question. The only help is most likely an inexperienced diesel mechanic who has a limited offhand working knowledge at best. So, the driver can turn to their vehicle's service manual

for guidance, but this is time consuming. In the time it took to find the answer in the manual, mlearning could have already solved this issue. In a matter of seconds the truck driver could have pulled out their smart phone, searched the truck code in a mobile learning library and started downloading instructions or even a video on hydraulics and how to solve their problem. Remote training programs could also help to diagnose the problem with a quick click of a button, source aid materials, and show the necessary steps required to solve the problem – in this case a leaking hydraulic hose. Recent advances such as iPhone 4S’s Siri means that you simply have to ask and it will be presented. An hour searching for a solution, or a quick fifteen minutes and some m-learning is the difference between serious downtimes, or a slight delay on site. These mobile workforce aids are a reality due to the swathe of e-learning companies out there which provide 24/7 support to the mining industry, according to e-learning company Savv-e’s product sales manager James Fordham.

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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Scam alert While there are plenty of jobs available in the mining sector, illegitimate job scams are on the rise.

he warnings about scammers trying to capitalise on the mining boom keep coming, with some of the latest warnings coming straight from the Queensland Government. In late January QLD Mines Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe told job seekers to do their research before signing up with companies claiming to find people mining work. “Shonky businesses are targeting job seekers wanting to get a foot in the door in the mining industry,” he said. “We’re hearing about a number of businesses who are overstating the level of assistance they are able to offer job seekers. “Jobseekers are very unlikely to gain employment as a result of using these firms.” In particular Hinchliffe drew attention to organisations that offer to include an applicant’s resume on an “exclusive” database used by mining companies. He said so far as the Government was aware, the database did not exist, and the considerable fee paid by jobseek-

Mining job scams in Queensland have already seen a number of arrests.

ers for it was a complete waste of money. Similar schemes are rife in Queensland, including the fraudulent recruitment David Macartney was arrested for late last year. Police allege Macartney cheated six people out of more than $32,000 after posing as a representative from a high profile

recruitment agency. Macartney guaranteed jobs in the mining industry for the applicants, all from the Sunshine Coast and aged from their 20s to 40s. The Government said the best way for unskilled workers to get a foot in the door with mining companies was to attend job expos.

Most large resources companies have a presence at the expos, with four already held across Queensland earlier this month. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission job searchers need to beware of job offers that require payment of an upfront fee. It said people needed to spend time researching before parting with their money, and should attempt to meet with people offering a service. “Any job offer you receive through a spam email is likely to be a scam. for other types of advertising, you should still be very careful.” The ACCC said while most job scams guaranteed employment, workers should be wary of more legitimate services as well. Some organisations, while offering legitimate job services, are known to charge prices far in excess of their value. “Always check if the company has a refund or buy back policy if you are required to purchase anything up front and don’t deal with a company or person that does not have a physical street address.”

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Stemming the flow A new course has been designed to highlight the realties of mining, Cole Latimer reports.

t seems as though every man and his dog is trying to get a job in the mining industry. Other Australian industries have been haemorrhaging workers, with manufacturing losing employees hand over fist, while the mining industry is crying out about severe skills shortages – they are looking at a short fall of 10 000 workers in Western Australia’s Goldfields Esperance area this year alone. There is predicted to be a shortfall of 30 000 workers industry wide over the next five years. The massive expansion of existing mining and infrastructure projects has played a major part in this tightening of the skills market and created an opening for people outside of mining to step in. Steve Biazzaca, from contract mining firm Delta SBD, explained “that the rapid expansion of existing projects and all the upcoming work has stretched the industry talent thin as there are just not enough skilled people to do the work”. While many skilled workers are coming from mining industries overseas to step in and fill this shortfall, with companies such as Mastermyne looking to source hundreds of experienced Polish underground

Despite a shortfall of 30 000 workers over the next five years, close to 10 000 people leave the industry annually.

coal miners for Queensland operations, and Xstrata bringing Spanish mining professionals into Mount Isa, there are still plenty of spaces for Australian workers. So if the mining industry is where to be employment wise, why is there such a high attrition rate between for workers in their first year? According to the Kinetic Group’s chief Derek Hunter “of the estimated 9,500 people leaving organisations within the sector each year 18.4% had commenced their employ-

ment in the last 12 months”. Hunter explained that a large part of this has to do with the “disconnect of expectations of a job in mining, and hard reality”. Attempting to get a job in the mining industry often requires a serious level of investment, both personal and financial, often without a guarantee of employment. “People have such high expectations, of earning six figure salaries, of easy work, but they don’t understand the realities that come with a job

First year workers make up close to 20% of all people leaving the mining industry.

28 February 2012

AustralianMining

in mining, the stress, and how a fly in fly out lifestyle affects them and their family. “The massive drop out we are seeing in the first 12 months is about their expectations, and the company’s, not being met – it’s really about job fit and working conditions.” This drop out rate effects mining companies which have made an investment in the workers, particularly in cases where it has provided training prior to employment. In an attempt to battle this attrition rate, the Kinetic Group (formerly known as the MISC) has developed a course – Drill Down – which attempts to bridge this gap between expectation and reality, and to provide a better understanding of life in the mining industry. “While there are a lot of courses and training programs aimed at helping people get a job in the industry, there aren’t too many that may actually persuade them not to get a job in the industry,” Hunter told Australian Mining. According to Hunter, since the course has been running it has had a drop out rate of approximately 20 per cent, roughly in line with the first

year attrition rate for new miners. “We believe that this course will go some way to informing potential employees of the realities of life on a mine site and also help the industry reduce the overall attrition rate,” he explained. Held over one day, it covers ‘expectations and reality’; ‘working life and daily routine’; ‘family, relationships, and lifestyle’; and ‘managing financial temptation’. Once completed, participants work with the course facilitator to create a portfolio for mining job applications. Kinetic Group general manager – research and development, Deb Jones, said their research team has spent months collating information necessary for job seekers. “The information presented in this course has been specifically crafted with job seekers in mind. If you’ve never had a job in the mines and you are keen to take advantage of the resources boom, this course will help answer your questions before you move forward,” she said. Hunter added that the aim is to get people asking questions such as ‘how will this job affect my family and lifestyle’. It also looks at life in a mining camp, and how workers spend time after their shifts, dealing with the boredom factor – such as having to drive a haul truck along the same road again and again for hours while still remaining focused and vigilant, and the different kind of people you would find on site However, Hunter did state that the course does not guarantee a job, but aims to help the industry in finding the best candidates for further training and potential jobs. He went on to say this “is not a course designed to dissuade anyone from entering the mining industry, but to ensure they are committed to the industry and they can reap the benefits it provides”. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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KINGGEE.COM.AU I1V1P0-KG0184-WorkCool 2 Advert-Aus Mining.indd 1

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AM.FEB12.PG030.pdf

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PERSONNEL

From the bush to the boardroom The mining industry is taking a new tack on an old problem, Andrew Duffy writes.

hile the skills shortage is one of the oldest stories circulating the mining sector new initiatives are constantly developed to help find and train new workers. One of the most popular ways to find employees has been to look to groups that have historically been underrepresented in the sector. The worrying employment data for Indigenous Australians has long been acknowledged and mining companies are now increasingly looking to this group to find workers. Training and hiring Indigenous Australians is not only good for the community but also good business, with the cost of not having employees hurting expansion goals and production targets. As companies with a heavy presence on Indigenous land have found, diversifying the workforce with these workers also helps miners understand the communities in which they operate. But while there’s no shortage of Indigenous work programs in the mining industry few look beyond the blue collar. Career Trackers, a national nonprofit organisation, looks to address this shortfall by creating private sector internship opportunities for Indigenous university students. Career Trackers CEO Michael Combs told Australian Mining the program was about opening a line of work that was uncommon for Indigenous people. “The vast majority of people end up working for the Government and not many venture into the private sector,” he said. Combs said while programs to encourage Indigenous workers to find mining jobs were commendable, there wasn’t enough support for students to find white collar roles in the industry. “We’re still not seeing Indigenous people in the mining sector finding professional roles,” he said. “A lot of organisations are getting them into the mine, but we’re about people finding work as things like HR executives or project managers.” With Career Trackers Indigenous university students are found multiyear internships at private companies. The program’s ultimate aim is to convert the intern into a full-time employee with the company upon completion of their degree. Career Trackers also help interns by providing them with the training 30 February 2012

AustralianMining

Career Trackers is working with businesses to find young Indigenous people work in the mining industry.

and support to ensure the internship “The recruitment strategy for succeeds. Indigenous job seekers is very differCombs said a large part of Career ent,” he said. Trackers was about leadership and “There’s so many factors that come providing other young Indigenous into play in what makes an Indigenous Australians with role models. worker want to work for a company Support for or be pulled more practical There’s not a lot of professional away from it.” skills, like how He said Indigenous representation in to run a meetthere was a ing, and the es- the mining sector, especially “fundamental sentials not within the senior ranks. difference” to taught at unihow lifestyle versity, like the basics of word proces- factors, such as bereavement leave, sors, is also provided by the program. played out for Indigenous people. Combs said the biggest challenge The distance workers travelled in constructing an Indigenous work and their isolation from family were program came in personalising the also important factors to be considpolicy. ered.

Combs said developing culturally appropriate policies and being aware of these cultural differences was the key to solving the relatively high rate of attrition of young workers. He said Australia was still in the “early days” of professional Indigenous employment, and expectations and cultural norms would change as more Indigenous workers joined the sector. One industry effort to help retain Indigenous workers is the extra funding from MMG’s Century mine directed to the [Government’s] Putting Youth in the Future program. Putting Youth in the Future was designed to educate young people about social issues like alcohol use and violence. Century said it had trained some of its local Indigenous workers to deliver the program to the mine’s trainees and apprentices. The program’s co-founder, Adair Donaldson, said mentoring had “long been considered one of the best ways to support young Indigenous people” and such education would help improve the retention of young workers. Combs said mining was becoming a fashionable choice for Indigenous students, and Career Trackers was looking to expand further into the industry. “It’s definitely a popular industry, we get people coming to us asking specifically to get into mining,” he said. He said students wanted to be a part of the sector because mining had such a big impact on Indigenous culture. “Indigenous people want to take control of their future and have a voice in these discussions,” he said. For a company operating on Indigenous land Combs said having staff with a knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture was invaluable. “There’s not a lot of professional Indigenous representation in the mining sector, especially within the senior ranks,” he said. “But having these employees takes a lot of the guesswork out of what a community wants from a company's social responsibility.” He said such interactions were the best way to get the desired result for both the company and community. “At the end of the day both parties want the same result, which is a better future for Indigenous Australia.” www.miningaustralia.com.au

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PERSONNEL

Look to cleanskins for mining jobs While there are mining jobs on offer, a lot of unskilled Aussies can’t get a foot in the door, Andrew Duffy reports.

ardly a week goes by without a company, recruiter, or government boasting about the number of jobs available in the mining industry. But while the vacancies seem endless many still struggle to find work in the industry. The disconnect between this reality and what people see in the media is alarming, and the source of rising frustration in the community. Most often the frustration comes from cleanskins, or workers without any experience seeking entry level jobs in the industry. While experts are divided about the number of jobs out there for cleanskins, all agree that unskilled job seekers need to invest a lot of time and money if they’re serious about finding work in mining. Mastermyne managing director Tony Caruso, who

Experts say the number of mining jobs out there is legitimate.

heads a company that specialises in training cleanskins and securing them mining jobs, told Australian Mining the jobs were out there for those

that wanted them as “the pool of demand is definitely out there, especially for upcoming underground resources projects.

“And we’ve got a lot of cleanskins coming in to fill these positions.” He said job vacancies were on the rise and Mastermyne

are set to open their second Queensland training facility this year to cope with industry demand for cleanskins. For their work on training unskilled workers Mastermyne won Employer of Choice at Australian Mining’s Prospect Awards last year. But while they guarantee a mining job after workers complete their training the service doesn’t come cheap, with the course costing at least $13,750. Caruso told Australian Mining the price tag was indicative of the typical cost it took to bring cleanskins up to speed with the risks they face on site.. He said while the jobs were available, the idea cleanskins could walk into work without spending time and money was a myth. “Unfortunately there’s a lot of opportunistic businesses that prey on that sentiment,” he said.

DISCOVERING TALENT AS WELL AS MINERALS Our vision is to build a next-generation global minerals and metals company. We know that it’s our people that will play a key role in helping us to realise this. We work to form a partnership with each person in MMG, engaging them to contribute towards achieving our company goals as well as developing personally. As a performance-based organisation MMG uses speciﬁc measures and targets. Whether at company, site or individual level, we recognise and reward a job well done. If your talent is going unrecognised, get discovered at MMG.

VISIT MMG.COM/CAREERS TODAY 32 February 2012

AustralianMining

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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PERSONNEL

“There’s money to be made and they’ll tell people they’re a shoe-in for a job, and unfortunately we can’t stop that.” Kinetic Group CEO Derek Hunter told Australian Mining while the number of jobs available was genuine, cleanskins needed to realise they weren’t the only ones looking for the work. He said at last year’s QLD mining expos 50,000 people expressed interest in entry level jobs over three months. “A lot of people are excited about getting a job in mining, but whether they are suitable for it is a major question,” he stated. Hunter said study from the Kinetic Group showed almost 20 per cent of workers that quit mining jobs had worked in the industry for less than 12 months, adding that many unskilled applicants weren’t serious about working in mining after facing the reality of the dedication and cost of training, and the tough working conditions they encountered on the job. Caruso told Australian Mining cleanskins needed to

www.miningaustralia.com.au

do a lot of research before they parted with their money. “Talk to the companies that are hiring, ask them what the entry points are for the position and line up the training to fit that role,” he said. Caruso said some applicants might already be comfortable with the skills taught at training centres if they had previous experience in other heavy industries. “It makes sense, as there’s a high degree of transferability in mining, and you’re fundamentally using the same skills.” Nevertheless he said mining was a specialised industry and cleanskins needed to familiarise themselves with it. “People still need to be trained to familiarise themselves with the terminology, legislation, and tools of the industry.” He said this training was not only for the benefit of the person receiving it but also for those they would eventually work beside. “It means experienced workers won’t have to babysit people that haven’t been in that environment before.” “It takes pressure off the

guys on site and they can be confident the new worker is trained and understands how to look out for themselves and work safely.” Caruso told Australian Mining while other companies had their own training initiatives the skills shortage looked certain to worsen and more effort needed to be dedicated to training cleanskins. He said while miners had always been aware of it many companies had been “sitting on their heels waiting for someone else to solve the problem”. “In the past businesses have looked to the Queensland Resources Council or Government to solve the problem, but they’re slowly coming to the realisation it’s up to all of us to do our bit.” Caruso told Australian Mining while it was starting to change some companies chose to avoid the cost of training cleanskins and instead poached workers by offering higher salaries. “Some companies play the pay game and recruit other people’s trainees by paying more money,” he said.

Caruso says there's plenty of entry level jobs underground.

AustralianMining

February 2012

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Minerals Processing

Handling plant

UPGRADES Round the clock service allowed for the smooth installation of technology at Curragh’s CHPP.

ACE Engineers Group and Belden Australia have worked together to install two connecting Gigabit Ethernet networks at Queensland's Curragh coal mine's coal handling preparation plants, operated by one of Australia’s largest independent coal producers. Like all plans on paper it seemed straightforward, but complications with existing infrastructure and issues that surfaced after hours on a Friday evening looked set to cause undesirable delays to a scheduled plant shutdown. The mine currently produces 6.5 million tonnes of export coal and 2.5 million tonnes of domestic coal per year comprising hard coking coal, PCI coal and steam coal. Open cut reserves at Curragh allow production levels to be maintained to at least 2025.

Project overview Following PACE Engineers’ successful network upgrade for Curragh’s Coal Handling Preparation Plant 1 (CHPP1) earlier in 2011, PACE was again engaged to assist in connecting a new CHPP network (CHPP2) to the CHPP1 network. PACE was engaged on these projects as part of its role in the CHPP owner’s team support. The company is Australian owned and operated, providing professional services in the electrical and IT disciplines with considerable experience in the mining, minerals processing, energy, industrial and commercial industries. Assistance was also provided in the connection of CHPP2 to the CHPP1 network which includes all areas of the CHPP including train loading, raw coal and control rooms. PACE designed the interconnection between the new and 34 February 2012

AustralianMining

older wash plants by utilising Hirschmann RS40 components and achieved a seamless connection and commissioning without incurring any downtime or interruption to the running of the plant. The connection between the plants has been operating without any issues. Prior to the commencement of either project, Curragh engaged PACE to undertake a feasibility study on the existing network to identify shortcomings as it was operating in a heavily congested state. This congestion was resulting in a loss of data, which in turn further choked the existing capability to a level where functionality for production was being compromised. These system issues had the potential to impact production capability. Therefore a reengineered solution was required to ensure long term functionality and high production availability that could be maintained for the life of the mine.

CHPP1 The CHPP1 network upgrade and change management system was designed by PACE

When the new wash plant came online it was able to instantly connect with the first CHPP.

based on Belden’s Hirschmann RS40 range of compact configurable managed industrial 9 port full Gigabit Ethernet switches. Details of the design were provided to Curragh to allow them to advise their stakeholders of the systems and infrastructure that were to be installed in the existing plant. This allowed Curragh to make allowances with full knowledge of how the interconnections between the plants would best operate. An issue arose during the implementation of the equipment due to the poor condition of the existing optical fibre cable infrastructure. This problem wasn’t identified during the investigation phase because the existing network was not able to be interrupted for backbone testing.

The addition of a second CHPP required a serious network upgrade.

This issue caused the rollout to be put on hold mid installation with the likely scenario to cancel and implement a rollback plan. While a decision was made to prepare for rollback, PACE Engineers meanwhile called Belden’s support service on a Friday evening. After the issues were detailed, the Belden support engineer recommended an alternative course of action. Following this alternate methodology, PACE was able to continue its implementation of the network as designed and within the scheduled plant shutdown period. Chris Ward, PACE’s lead control systems designer, explained “whilst this support request was made after hours on a Friday afternoon we held little prospect of receiving the support we did”.

CHPP2 During the last quarter of 2011, PACE commenced installation and commissioning of the second network, including dual power supplies and optimising network device connections. PACE engineers were able to bring the data connections between the network it upgraded earlier in the year and the new coal wash plant online without the need for any downtime at either operation. During the design phase for the existing wash plant, allowances were made for the connections between the two wash plants utilising Hirschmann’s Gigabit Ethernet managed switches, with Layer 2 Enhanced software for DIN rail store-and-forward-switching incorporating a fanless design. When the new wash plant was coming online PACE was able to connect the new wash plant to the old wash plant via redundant links without interruption. “This demonstrates the flexibility of the Hirschmann redundant networks using HYPER Ring technology. With no additional configuration required to the old plant, the new plant could be connected months later when construction was completed,” Ward said. “The flexibility and reliability of the Hirschmann HYPER Ring and ring coupling configurations allowed us to provide our client with a high quality, redundant, high speed solution that met their present and future needs.” www.miningaustralia.com.au

AD_AMSCH1FEB_12.pdf

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Minerals Processing Feature

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AM.FEB12.PG036.pdf

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Minerals Processing

Pre-planned preparation plants A concurrent processing plant expansion increased output by 30 per cent with minimal downtimes.

he growing demand for coal has seen a massive expansion of the industry across Australia's east coast as miners sought to take advantage of the increasingly valuable commodity. Since the global financial crisis, coal has steadily clawed back its value without undergoing the vagaries of price which other commodities have suffered; although it is still yet to reach the heights of 2008. Gloucester Coal was no exception, as it underpinned its Stratford mine’s coal handling preparation plant (CHPP) expansion against the backdrop of buoyant coal prices. Working with engineers, Stratford mine’s operator was able to maximise speed and efficiency during the expansion of its coal handling and preparation plant, increasing overall production rates as well as processed coal quality, without compromising on productivity at the site. Last September Gloucester, the owner and operator of the Stratford coal mine, commissioned engineers to design and document the mechanical and structural engineering associated with the installation of a new Horizontal Belt Filter, a new Jameson

Downtimes during the plant’s restructure were minimised.

The plant was commissioned the day after construction.

Cell, and an additional desliming screen. The engineering firm, GW Engineers, was also retained to co-ordinate the on site works and installation to ensure that the project was completed within the mine management’s precise timetable. Upgrading Gloucester’s coal handling preparation plant with the new equipment has allowed it to achieve its three main target objects: increasing coal output by close to 30 per cent, or 700 tonnes per hour; producing coal with a much higher fines content; and increasing the proportion of coking coal produced by the

To ensure that operations could continue despite the construction, appointed site contractor H.F. Hand Constructors worked continual shifts over a week to install the new steel support structures and desliming screen infrastructure. Due to this the miner was able to commission the plant and increased production feed the day after construction. Structural design and documentation to accommodate the new Horizontal Belt Filter and Jameson Cell were prepared at the same time. Minimal disruption to the plant were designed into the

handling and preparation plant. According to Gloucester, the installation of the higher capacity de-sliming screen as well as its associated infrastructure was the initial focus, which allowed it to expand overall plant production sixfold – from 100 tonnes per hour up to 600 tonnes per hour. The engineering design also supported the coal handling and preparation plant operator's imperative that downtimes were minimised during the demolition and removal of existing steelwork and its replacement with a new steel support structure.

project, with construction adjacent to or over operating equipment scheduled for completion during maintenance breaks. Design and documentation for the project began in February last year, site works completed in only four months, with the upgrade commissioned at the end of June 2011. After only a relatively short period of optimisation the increased plant production rate of 700 tonnes per hour was achieved. GW Engineers reportedly handled the design and structural engineering, of the expansion.

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AustralianMining

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AD_AMGRUFEB_12.pdf

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AM.FEB12.PG038.pdf

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Minerals Processing

Screening out the competitors Australia has the Big Pineapple, the Big Banana, and now the Big Screen.

ron ore and coal are arguably Australia’s most important sectors within the mining industry. The fact that these two were the only substances to be included under the upcoming Mineral Resources Rent Tax highlights just how crucial coal and iron ore are to the Australian mining industry’s future. So the industry is keen to produce and process as much of these materials as it can before the tax is enforced. One company that has been at the forefront of wet and dry screening and processing for coal and iron ore has been Schenck Process. Speaking to Hayden Cornish, Schenck Process’ product manager for BMH and weighing, he told Australian Mining that its customers had indentified a need for improved processing on site, to increase the levels of throughput at higher efficiencies while at the same time reducing infrastructure costs. The miners were also looking to reduce overall power consumption. Essentially, they wanted a single location throughput that would solve these various issues. Seeing this unaddressed problem on sites around Australia, the company took unique action. It decided to develop the largest screen ever built in the Australian mining industry, to help mines produce more material, more efficiently. In doing so Schenck has created a massive 9.7 metre long, 4.9 metre wide screen – the first of its kind, and the largest ever built in Australia, Cornish stated. The next screen down in size is only 4.2 metres wide. According to Cornish, this wholly

Schenck Process has created the largest screen in Australia.

Australian development required the company to bring together its engineering team in Sydney, the development team in Newcastle, and production in Perth. “This development has allowed us to redefine the way processing plants are now being designed – instead of using two screens, using more power and costing more – a single 4.9 metre screen can be used,” he told Australian Mining. “The design and development of this screen has really allowed us to be at the forefront of the minerals processing industry,” he added. The main aspect of this massive

The screen measures 4.9 metres across and 9.7 metres in length.

38 February 2012

AustralianMining

screen is reducing structure costs: “Instead of using two screens, the 4.9 metre screen is able to be used in a single configuration while handling the same levels of throughput, additionally, spreading material over two screen decks can become fairly tricky, so by using a single screen it is easier to spread material whilst also reducing the overall weight of two screen,” Cornish explained. In relation to the screen the motor size is 90kW, and while the throughput is relative to the type of process required, moving up to 5000 tonnes per hour is possible. Schenck Process’ 4.9 metre screens

are designed for use predominately in the iron ore industry. The first screen left the workshop at end of last year, with the second already built and undergoing its final tests this month. They will be delivered to Fortescue Metals Group’s Cloudbreak and Solomon mines While the screen will only see use in Australia for now, there is the possibility it may soon be utilised overseas, particularly in Brazil, the U.S.A., and China. Schenck Process states that it is continuing to look at developments in the screening, feeding, bulk material handling, and weighing sector.

The first screens will be delivered to Fortescue’s Cloudbreak and Solomon mines. www.miningaustralia.com.au

PRO0020_AM_235x297_.pdf

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WE TAKE SAFETY SERIOUSLY. Our new safety catalogue is out now. With over 300 pages, our safety catalogue has everything you need to stay safe from head to toe. As Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest supplier of safety gear, clothing, footwear and more, we take safety very seriously. Some might say too seriously, but then, you can never be too safe. To order your copy of the catalogue call 132 832 or visit protectoralsafe.com.au

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Minerals Processing

Changing the game One of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest minerals processing companies looks set to fall into foreign hands, with the company eyeing an expansion into Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industry.

ne of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest minerals processing companies, Ludowici, is in the process of being bought-out by Danish engineering group FLSmidth for more than double its value. FLSmidth has made the move in order to strengthen its position in the coal market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is FLSmidthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategy to become a market leader in every major minerals processing segment of which coal, copper, and iron ore are three of the prioritised segments,â&#x20AC;? the company said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The acquisition of Ludowici will allow FLSmidth to complete its coal processing flow sheet and improve its copper and iron ore offerings.â&#x20AC;? FLSmidth said Ludowici was an attractive target because 65 per cent of its turnover was located in Australia, a region the company wanted to expand into further. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $7.20 offering is ambitious, leveling at more than double Ludowiciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pre-offer $3.50 price. Prior to the offer FLSmidth CEO Jorgen Rasmussen told reporters he thought it was

FLSmidth will acquire Ludowici for $267 million, expanding its presence in the country.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;most likelyâ&#x20AC;? the bid would be accepted by Ludowici shareholders. But Rasmussen said there was â&#x20AC;&#x153;no certaintyâ&#x20AC;? on the offer and it would only make a final offer after completing due diligence. Established in 1854 Ludowici is one of Australia's oldest businesses, and started its history as a tannery. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now a leading provider of coal centrifuges, vibrating screens, and other services for the mining industry. It was also the first Australian manufacturer of hydraulic and pneumatic sealings, and

is now countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest producer. The company has a strong presence in most of the world's mining countries, with its global headquarters in Brisbane joining another seven outlets across Australia. Ludowici also has headquarters in South Africa, China, India, Chile, and the United States. In a statement the company it would unanimously vote to recommend the takeover. FLSmidth said it would fund the takeover with its own resources and other credit facilities.

Julian Ludowici, whose great grandfather originally founded the company, stands to share around $70 million of the dealâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s profit with his sister and cousin, who are all major shareholders in Ludowici investments. After the deal Ludowici hinted publicly that it was a good time to break his ties with the business. He told reporters while Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manufacturing industry was doing it tough the Federal Government was not interested in providing assistance to mining manufacturers. He said the international

nature of FLSmidth meant it would be able to do more with the company than an Australian business would. FLSmidth is not wholly focused on the mining industry, with its cement operations also accounting for a large chunk of the business. In 2010 the cement industry accounted for 46 per cent of its profit, while the minerals business accounted for 47 per cent. The company says it is looking to expand into the mining industry further to capitalise on a strong global demand for key minerals and metals. It says mining is suffering from a shortage of equipment and is an â&#x20AC;&#x153;industry struggling with a near-term supply responseâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The market fundamentals appear very supportive for the decades ahead, with growing urbanisation and industrialisation in the developing countries, particularly China and India,â&#x20AC;? it said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This should lead to continuous rising demand for infrastructure, housing and consumer goods, which are all intensive consumers of minerals and metals.â&#x20AC;?

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AustralianMining

February 2012

AM.FEB12.PG042.pdf

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QUARRYING/CRUSHING/SCREENING

Clearing

CRUSHERS

GETting to the TOOTH of the matter of crusher blockages.

ne of the dangers any crushing operation will face is when contaminated ore introduces something which jams the machine. This forces maintenance operators to physically remove the blockage, which is extremely dangerous. It also cuts production as it forces crushers to halt operations while the obstruction is pried out. While most mines do their best to avoid situations like this and remove the dangers associated with having to physically remove the crusher’s blockage, sometimes it can't be helped. The most common objects which cause these blockages and obstructions are ground engaging tools teeth that have broken off and made their way into the crusher. Wear plates have also been known to make their way into crushers. According to Divall’s Earth Moving and Bulk Haulage workshop manager Tony Wright “if a tooth or wear plate falls into one of the crushers, which can happen with a lot of G.E.T. options, extensive damage is usually the result”. According to Wright, Divall looked at

Komatsu’s KVX ground engaging tools as way to solve the issue of broken or lost teeth entering crushers at their Goulburn quarry. Having already fixed six of the KVX G.E.T. to their excavators, which are used to feed the fleet of mobile crushing plants at the site, Wright said it has dramatically reduced the risk of the G.E.T. falling off their excavators. “KVX G.E.T. has excellent physical retention, meaning they stay on the bucket,” he said. “We’ve never had any G.E.T. components come loose and enter a machine since having installed KVX G.E.T.” Wright explained that prior to fitting KVX, the G.E.T. on their excavators were achieving a service life of only around 500 hours. However as the KVX teeth are reversible it now effectively doubles their service life. “Some of our KVX equipped machines are even achieving a service life of more than 4000 hours,” he added. Divall has reportedly also fit KVX base lips, which Wright says works well with the teeth and increases service life.

Broken G.E.T. pose a major hazard to any crushing operation.

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42 February 2012

AustralianMining

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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From the ground up Grinding mill foundations need to be solid as a rock, Jeff Belke* writes.

t’s hard to work unless you have a solid foundation on which to build. This is true in all jobs. In mining, if you don’t have a solid foundation – a concrete one, for your grinding mill, you can easily put your mill out of action and cost yourself millions in unnecessary downtimes, all for the lack of a little preparation. In the beginning it is the job of the mill supplier to specify the right mill related loads, which is then used by the engineer to design the mill's foundation. Mill loading diagrams are inherently complicated but most suppliers will ensure the diagrams are comprehensive enough to include all necessary information but are still as unambiguous and straightforward as possible. For example, some mill suppliers do not state the dynamic loads generated by an operating mill, i.e. drive train and charge related load variations. This may make it simpler to comprehend but will cause problems when it comes to designing the foundation. Consideration of static loads is not enough; capacity to accept the dynamic loads while achieving acceptable vibration levels must also be designed into any mill foundation. When designing the foundations, suppliers typically provide a diagrammatic foundation layout, which can be used to give a much wider picture. During this early phase engineers should consider the mill supplier data, which is often easy to misinterpret, especially in dial pinion mills where one pinion experiences a downward load and then undergoes uplift. Local conditions also play a role, where small inaccuracies in strata data can compromise mill performance. In general, local concrete design standards should be 44 February 2012

AustralianMining

applied, particularly in relation to seismic requirements. Outside influences such as adjacent mills and vibrations from nearby equipment will also affect your foundations. Mills of the same size and speed are particularly prone to generating vibration issues for each other. Installing adjacent mills on separate slabs is not always enough to avert problems. The construction phase must be planned so that installation and maintenance access is appropriately placed. Now to building. The mill foundation is often the largest concrete structure on a mine, and also the one most likely to being contractors unstuck, so there are some key elements to consider. During the pre-pour, ensuring correctness of cast-ins should be a given as poorly arranged cast-ins can cause lasting problems such as base plate instability. Just as in important is the proper location of these castins within the reinforcing to ensure they do not move during pouring. The reinforcing also has to be properly installed, as once it is covered with concrete it is impossible to check without destroying the base. Make sure the reinforcing is not too close to the surface, as it may expose it or allow fluids in – causing concrete cancer. While larger concreting jobs are typically carried out in stages, delays between pours can make it difficult to obtain a good bond between the concrete layers. This can result in a dry joint which leads to serious cracking and independent movement. Once movement is established then the vibrations from the grinding mill quickly increases. If the design and the pour are all carried out with no hitches then the completed

Mill foundations endure harsh vibrations and wear in the mining environment.

foundation needs to be properly grouted. First ensure the concrete is scabbled in preparation and fit hold down bolts with sleeves to allow tightening stretch. Only the underside of the base plates should be grouted, and it is important to ensure there are no air pockets underneath. Chamfer the grout edges away from the base plat to encourage water dissipation. If there any process solutions on site which may degrade the concrete over time, a highly likely occurrence on a mine, then the concrete must be sealed.

Producing a good foundation takes attention to detail in the planning, design and construction phases. Careful management of those phases will ensure your mill is built

on a solid foundation, with no problems. *Jeff Belke is the chief application engineer – grinding mills for Outotec. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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The daily grind Tracking ore through crushing and grinding circuits is becoming more reliable.

hile Metso is known for its large crushers, mills, and grinding equipment, it also works in processing consulting. A significant amount of this consulting work involves Process Integration and Optimisation (PIO) studies, which includes investigating the effects of drill and blast design and implementation on downstream processing. Critical to these studies is the ability to track specific ore into and through the plant. To increase the accuracy of this ore tracking, Metso has developed a system to track ore using RFID transponders dubbed SmartTag. According to the company it allows miners to link spatial mine data to time based processing data; increases confidence in ore blending; and

46 February 2012

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provides accurate measurement of residence times in stock piles and bins. Since its release there have been significant advancements with RFID technology that has allowed Metso to extend the reach of SmartTag beyond secondary crushing to tertiary crushing and beyond. This has been achieved by drastically reducing the size of the SmartTags from a diameter of 60 mm to 20 mm. The tags work by logging their insertion location using a hand held computer or PDA, they are then inserted into the ore (e.g. into a blast hole). The tags travel with the ore through digging, transport and processing, before being detected at detection locations (on conveyor belts), Continued on page 48

The development of the ore tracking tags provides more accurate information on blasting and downstream processing.

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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Spherical bearing for spider bearing; The spherical bearing can receive the high load with the wide areas. This has long bearing life as result.

Robust structure design frame; The crushers process various characteristic ore. The structure of HPC crushers are designed to stand the large fracture loads of hard ore.

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QUARRYING/CRUSHING/SCREENING

Continued from page 46 when the time and specific tag is recorded. The RFID tag data is then loaded into a database and analysed as required. To achieve this, the system requires five main components. The first component is a PDA, which allows the initial RFID tag insertion process to become more efficient and accurate. Each RFID tag is added to the database using one of three options; it is associated with a GPS coordinate; it is associated with a predefined point (such as a blast hole); or it is associated with a new point, which can be accurately located later. At present the system does not allow for high precision GPS but it can locate the nearest point in a series of predefined points, such as blast holes, and allow the user to associate RFID tags with these points. The next component in the system, the antenna, is located at the conveyor belts. The antenna both induces a charge on the tag and also receives a transmitted signal back from the tag. An RFID reader then decodes the signal from the antenna and determines the ID of the RFID tag passing the antenna. Later versions of the readers also have autotuning capabilities which ensure that the maximum possible read distance is achieved at all time. The reader then transmits the ID using serial communications. A data logger receives data directly from the RFID reader, stores the IDs with the time they were detected and monitors vital system parameters, such as the tuning state of the antenna. The data logging stage also makes the tag less reliant on communication links (such as wireless) as the data is stored at the detection point until a link is established to the software applications. The core of the software is an SQL (Structured Query Language) database. The database, located on a dedicated server, stores all the information about the detection points, detected RFID tags and orig48 February 2012

AustralianMining

The tags are encased in epoxy to survive blasting, crushing, and grinding.

inal locations. There are several software applications which either input data into the database or use the data to output information. These include the SmartTagServer, which reads data from the data loggers, the SmartTagPDA, which exchanges data with the PDAs and translates site blast hole layout diagrams, and the SmartTagRes, which calculates the residence time between two detection points. The new smaller RFID tags have been successfully used in several studies. As part of a wider PIO study a secondary crushing circuit was surveyed while being fed with a particular ore type. To determine the origin of the ore at any particular time and, most importantly, during the surveys, tag detection points were set up at three locations around the circuit. The three locations were primary crusher product, secondary crusher feed and secondary crusher product. A total of 384 mini RFID tags were placed on eight polygons (a polygon is defined as different ore zones within the mine block model) after the blast, the ROM pad, and trucks as they tipped ore into the primary crusher. Of the 384 tags placed onto either the muck pile or on the ROM pad 45 per cent were detected. However, if this is compared with the percentage of each polygon that had been excavated by the end of

the trial it is a fair conclusion that many of the RFID tags that werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t detected were also not excavated during the trial. To determine the survival rate of the tags during secondary crushing the number of tags detected before and after the secondary crusher were compared. Of the 128 tags detected before the secondary crusher, 97 were also detected after secondary crushing. However, as there were 52 tags that were detected after the secondary crusher

but werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t detected before the secondary crusher, the real survival rate is difficult to determine. By just comparing RFID tags detected at both detection points, it can be concluded that at least 76 per cent of the mini tags survived secondary crushing, although this number is likely to be much higher. To expand the applications of SmartTag through and beyond secondary crushing a mini RFID tag was required. To incorporate the mini RFID tags into the system, Metso faced two challenges;

Approximately 76 per cent of tags survived processing in tests.

firstly, the reduced read distance, and secondly, making the mini tags robust. By reducing the size of the RFID tag, the size of the antenna in the tag is also reduced. The size of the antenna in the tag is directly proportional to the amount of charge that is induced, for a given field strength. Therefore, the read range of a tag will be reduced as the size of the tag is reduced. Through investigation, the 20 mm tags were found to have an insufficient read range for the standard tag installation. Metso trialled two methods for fixing this issue; one method was to use two antennas while the second method was to place the antenna closer to the RFID tags. Both systems were tested at an iron ore mine. Both approaches, dual antennas or closer antenna distance, were found to have similar detection capability. However, based purely on the ease of installation, a single antenna located under the belt, was chosen as the new standard installation method. The second challenge faced when incorporating the mini RFID tags into the system was surviving a blast. A method previously used to achieve this was encasing the tags in a two part epoxy. The method works well for protecting the tags, and although it is time consuming and expensive it is currently the preferred method for protecting the tags. Different encasing materials, such as reinforced nylon, are still being investigated. After encasing in epoxy, the mini-tags have a diameter of 20 mm. The size of the mini RFID tags allows them to pass easily through screens with apertures down to 25 mm. Metso believe that the mini tags will allow applications for the system to be expanded. These new applications could include a wider use in the iron ore industry where size is the critical material quality. The focus is now on proving the reliability of the next size of RFID tags, which can pass through a 10 mm mesh screen. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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TAXES

TAXING times A

s the year 2011 came to an end, the mining industry has started to feel the heat from a new challenge across the globe. This time it is not from the economy, markets or technology but from the new tax regimes. Many countries with large mining industries are planning to bring in drastic changes to their existing mining tax and royalty mechanisms, and are eager to get m ore out o f th e m in in g companies. The year 2011 saw many governments make the move on the industry. Mining companies in Australia, South America, Africa and Asia have either witnessed a change in their mining tax regime last year, or will soon bear the brunt of increasing tax in the near future.

Australia One of the most recent and major mining related tax decisions was undertaken by Australia last year. In a move that surprised few Julia Gillard moved ahead with Kevin Rudd’s initial plan to levy the industry and take advantage of the boom, albeit in a watered form known as the Mineral Resources Rent Tax, or MRRT. In November, the Government finally passed legislations, after much wrangling

Australia isn’t the only country bringing in a new mining tax regime this year, writes Faseem T*.

Australia’s mining tax will have a major impact on the coal industry.

and accusations of catering only to the big three miners – Xstrata, BHP, and Rio Tinto, to impose a 30 per cent tax on only iron ore and coal. Despite confusion from the Greens and the market, gold - which has been hitting record highs - was not included under its auspices. The Mineral Resource Rent Tax, which had been in discussions following Kevin Rudd’s ousting from the role of Prime Minister and a national elec-

tion, will be effective from 1 July this year. The new tax mechanism is expected to generate revenue of about USD 10.8 billion for the Australian government in the first three years after its implementation. The move by the Australian government is mainly because of the increasing demand for iron ore and coal from developing countries like China and India. The demand for Australian resources is expected

to sustain in the long term and the government wants to take a share of the profits before it runs out. The government also believes that the new tax will ensure the benefits due to the Australian people from the non-renewable resources mined in the country by mining companies, 80% of which are based in foreign countries. At least 30 mining companies in Australia, ranging from small and medium sized to

the larger players, will be affected by the new taxes. The issue of state mining royalties has also been particularly contentious, with Queensland, Western Australia, and New South Wales dominating the debate as the Federal Government uses the potential stymieing of funds from a national infrastructure pool as a threat to force states into line. Australia is being used a potential model for other countries in their mining taxes, with nations closely following the outcomes of the tax battle and its eventual implementation.

South America Brazil Brazil is planning to come up with a new mining code and an increase its the mining taxes in the near future. The Brazilian Government and mining companies have been in talks for more than a year regarding the new tax, but a decision is yet to be made. The MRRT will generate more than $10 billion in revenue.

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South American miners will be hit hard this year.

Continued on page 52 www.miningaustralia.com.au

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Continued from page 50 The government wants to double the royalty rate to four per cent from the existing two percent of revenues it earns from mining companies. The Brazilian Government is also planning a “Special Participation Tax” which will differ from the royalties scheme. As per the current indications, this new tax in Brazil will target only big projects and may come up to 25 per cent of the total project’s capital, while smaller projects are expected to be left out of the purview of the new tax. As yet it has not defined what constitutes a ‘large project’. The mining companies have more reasons to worry because the move by the Brazilian Government cannot be seen as a one-off decision. It is believed that the increase in mining tax is part of a broader plan to increase state control over the mining industry at a time when the industry is set to boom. Peru Peru is another South American country which opted for tax regime change in 2011. The country increased the royalty tax rates to between one and 12 per cent of operating profits, from it’s existing rates of between one and three per cent of the net sales. Those mining companies which have signed “concluded legal stability” agreements

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AustralianMining

Chile’s Chuquicamata will see a new tax this year.

with the Chilean government, thereby making them immune to the new royalties will also have to pay a “special contribution” which will be between four and 13 per cent of their operating profits, slugging them once again. There have been concerns raised over whether the new tax regime will make Peru less competitive compared to neighboring countries like Chile. The Peruvian government has dismissed this argument by announcing that Peru will still remain competitive due to its much lower energy and labour costs. Chile Chile, which has the largest mineral reserves in South America, is also planning to devise a raft of new mining taxes in the long term. The public pressure on the government is growing in the country to increase the royalty

tax on the mining sector. Chileans are demanding that the foreign mining companies operating in Chile should contribute more to the Chilean state and the country’s development financially. Companies currently pay a royalty rate of about four to five per cent, in line with the royalty tax which was imposed upon the industry back in 2005. The Chilean government is making motions to raise the tax to between five and nine per cent from 2018 onwards, as the current contracts with the foreign mining companies will end by 2017. A small solace for mining companies operating in Chile is that the government is forecast to implement the new tax in gradual phases over a period of time, in the same way it implemented the existing royalty tax back in 2005. This is mainly to allay the concerns of the small to medi-

Indonesia will introduce new export taxes on coal.

um sized junior mining companies who are expected to be the most affected by the implementation of the new tax.

Africa Nationalisation is the major issue on the African continent. Many African countries are also planning to impose higher taxes on the major mining companies, who are mainly focused on resources such as iron ore and gold, particularly in the West African region. Many African countries such as Tanzania, Namibia, Uganda, Guinea, Ghana, Gabon, Mozambique etc. – which are dominated by foreign mining companies – are planning for imposition of higher taxes on their mining sectors. Indigenisation, particularly in eastern African nations such as Zimbabwe, have worried miners as companies have been forced to hand over

controlling stakes to local and national interests, or face expulsion from the country. The African countries are now in an advantageous position as more mining companies from developing countries like China, India and Brazil, have started to look at the under explored opportunities in a continent whose mining sector was earlier dominated by mining concerns from the developed world, such as the U.S.A., Britain, Europe, and Australia. Brazil’s Vale SA and China’s Minmetals Resources Ltd. are among the major players from the developing world who are trying to make serious inroads into the African mining sector. The competition between the mining companies will create a favorable ground for the African countries which are demanding an increased share from the profits of these mining companies in the form

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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of increased taxes and a share in the actual operations.

Asia China On the Asian continent, China imposed a resource tax on oil and gas mining companies in November 2011. The tax was imposed mainly to nullify the cost of environmental damage caused by mining and China’s lacklustre rehabilitation record. This tax may be extended to other resources also in the long term as China is facing serious environmental problems. The coking coal from China is already subjected to a resource tax of about USD 4 per metric ton. Indonesia Indonesia is also planning a number of new taxes on resources, but these taxes will be on the exports of resources rather than royalty rates for production or profits generated by mining. The country wants to develop its own downstream industries for mining activi-

India’s mining taxes will go towards supporting local communities.

ties rather than exporting unprocessed raw material to either China or India. The country, which is one of the leading exporters of thermal coal and nickel, is planning to impose the new export taxes in 2012, however the exact timing of the new legislation is yet to be decided. India The Indian government is also mulling additional mining taxes. The proposed taxes could result in mining companies

paying up to 26 per cent more tax on their profits garnered from resources such as coal and iron ore, in a similar vein to Australia. The government is intending to utilise the revenue from a new tax for the improvement of the local communities living in the periphery of the mines.

The future Increases in mining taxes are expected to affect the revenues of the mining companies in

different mining regions of the world. The governments are expecting the mining companies to contribute more to the national income as well as to the infrastructure development than has previously been required. Many governments are also expected to ratify conventions like the International Labor Organisation’s Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention No.169. As per the convention, the

government has to consult and take into confidence the local and indigenous people and ensure their participation in decision making regarding the usage of natural resources and other things related to them, similar to Australia’s Native Title Act and Canada’s indigenous laws. This has increased the voice of the indigenous people and the governments are demanding more from the mining companies to meet the expectations of the local people. The expected growth in the demand for the mined resources will ensure a profitable market for the mining companies. But the increase in revenue due to the growing demand will not be as high as the mining companies would like, as a sizeable share of the revenues will be garnered by the governments. How the mining companies would tackle this rising threat or what effect this issue will have on future mining investments remains unclear. *Faseem T is a research analyst at Beroe Inc.

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February 2012

AM.FEB12.PG054.pdf

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CONFLICT MINERALS

Are you carrying

CONFLICT MINERALS? The mining that helps make your electronics could be funding rights abuses in Africa, Andrew Duffy reports.

ike Australia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is immensely rich in natural resources. It's estimated to have $24 trillion worth of untapped minerals, including the world’s largest reserves of cobalt, and a significant amount of the world’s diamonds, gold, and copper. But for the Congolese their resources are a curse. They’ve been the principle driver of conflict and war for decades, funding the activities of militia attempting to seize power or find personal wealth. Congolese battlefields most commonly centre on areas rich in minerals, with mining helping maintain the power of rebels that use violence, child soldiers, and mass rape to intimidate and control local populations. While the atrocities have long gone underreported, Westerners are slowly gaining awareness of the issue and how their buying practices are helping fund the conflict. One of the most prominent voices in the debate, African human rights group the Enough Project, says there’s a direct connection between western consumer appetites and the violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They point the finger at smart phones and other electronics, which

use a number of the DRC’s conflict minerals, as one of the biggest problems.

Death by gadget There are four minerals that come from the Congo that are in almost all of our electronics. Gold is the most valuable, followed by tin, tantalum, and tungsten, which are known as ‘the three Ts’. Tungsten is favoured in electronics because of its strength at high temperatures, and tantalum is used in capacitors to help store electricity. Gold is used to coat wiring and tin is used as the solder on circuit boards. Once mined in militia controlled mines the minerals are smuggled across Congo’s border into neighbouring countries, most often Rwanda and Uganda. Once they make their way to the east Africa coastline the minerals are transported to smelters in China, India, Malaysia, and Thailand. At the smelters they’re mixed with other minerals from around the world, making them difficult to trace. Technology companies regularly complain about this problem, and say it seriously hampers attempts to audit supply lines.

The choke point Advocacy groups like the Enough Project have identified smelters as the appropriate choke point for stopping

Conflict minerals are typically mined with primitive technology.

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Militias controlling conflict mines have been known to use child soldiers.

the flow of conflict minerals, but experts are divided on whether it’s the best approach. Morehouse College assistant professor Laura Seay, a Texas-based academic and another leading voice on conflict minerals, told Australian Mining some of the current approaches to reducing violence in the DRC had been ineffective. “Eastern Congo has been under a near-total de facto ban on mineral exports from the conflict areas since last April, when the Malaysia Smelting Corporation decided to stop buying Congolese minerals as it could not guarantee them to be conflict-free,” she said. “According to the UN, this ban has reduced the trade in conflict minerals, but we have also seen an uptick in smuggling and no reduction in violence.” With the minerals available from other places, and companies wary of being tarred with financing African warlords, it’s easy enough for smelters to sidestep Congo suppliers.

But the unintended consequence of this is that while the violence continues, smaller legitimate miners lose their livelihoods. While the transfer of mining’s wealth to the community is small, it’s still a valuable lifeline for often desperately poor locals. Seay said technology companies were right about the difficulty in auditing mineral supplies. “It’s very, very difficult to adequately trace supply chains from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is why Malaysia Smelting pulled out of doing so,” she said. “There are some schemes to bagand-tag minerals, particularly tantalite and coltan, at their origin, and these seem to be working on a very limited scale.” But Seay said other social difficulties linked to the strife in Congo meant new initiatives were often easy to sidestep, especially by militia that had more funding and resources than the Government. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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CONFLICT MINERALS

“The problem in DRC is that no one is really in control of the entire territory, Government does not adequately tax the population or other resources, and therefore few Government employees are regularly paid salaries,” she said. “This makes it very, very easy to bribe almost any official, be it a border guard, a customs officer, or a police officer. “Under these conditions, it’s very difficult for any auditor to fully verify with near absolute certainty that minerals marked 'conflict free' coming out of the Congo are actually conflict free.” Seay told Australian Mining this problem was particularly an issue with gold, which was easy to smuggle and delivered high returns. “Companies can try to do more, but their efforts are likely to be thwarted because of the DRC’s lack of governance,” she said.

The international presence Unsurprisingly, international mining companies have little presence in the DRC. Conflict minerals usually come from artisanal mines where semiskilled workers extract ore using rudimentary technology, namely shovels, picks, and panning for gold.

Attempts to bag and tag minerals has had limited success.

But a professional presence is not completely removed from the Congo. International mining companies primarily operate in Katanga, a large province in the south of the country. While still in the country, these modern and professional operations are located well outside the conflict areas. As a result, Seay said international mining companies had “little to do with the conflict minerals problem”. But there is one exception to this, with Canadian-based Banro developing its new Twangiza gold mine in

South Kivu, close to the conflict regions. “The mine is very new and has only just started producing, but so far, it does not seem to be associated with any conflict or armed groups,” Seay said. Banro has four gold projects in the DRC, with Twangiza being the most developed, and the Congo’s Government previously said the company had its “full support” moving forward. “Many companies are watching the Twangiza mine as a bit of a test

case to see whether investing in mining in the Kivus is feasible and prudent,” Seay said. While investing in conflict regions is very high risk, many observers see international mining companies as part of the solution to the country’s minerals problem. “By professionalising the mines, it is believed that labour conditions will improve and the armed groups that draw on mining for revenue will have less opportunity to do so,” Seay said. While heavy involvement of international companies in developing the Congo’s mining industry is still a long way off, observers say there are a number of things those from outside and inside the industry can do in the mean time. As with all underreported issues, the first step is awareness. But more importantly, given the major role of conflict minerals in the gadgets that make up our daily life, commentators are calling on people to develop a demand for conflict free technology. While the challenges the Congolese face are great, so too are their possibilities, and the mining industry’s international stakeholders have a responsibility to help realise these goals.

TREAD EMULSION PLANTS Engineered, Industry Innovative Technology

Operational Configurations Siemens operational panel interface • Touch panel with fully closed loop frequency drive control • Manually controlled through pot and switch set points Capabilities to accommodate MICROSPHERES or ALUMINUM to blend with final storage Nominal Plant rate MINIMUM: 100/kg – 220/lbs per minute MAXIMUM: 301/kg – 662/lbs per minute Power: Electric or Hydraulic

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BRISBANE OFFICE: TREAD Australia Andre Fouche Business Manager – Australia & Asia afouche@TREADcorp.com

WORLD HEADQUARTERS: TREAD Corporation 176 EastPark Drive Roanoke, VA 24019 USA 540-982-6881 AustralianMining

February 2012

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MINESITE VEHICLES

Miningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BUCKET list A new LHD bucket is cutting replacement times by up to 90 per cent on site.

nderground LHD downtimes will soon be cut. A new mechanical bucket, released this month, is significantly reducing the time needed to replace wear edge systems on underground mine loaders. The Keech Mechanical Bucket (KMB) features a bolt on section at the front of the bucket which differs from the standard LHD buckets found on the market. The new bucket is being trialled at Newcrest's Cadia East underground gold mine near Orange, in New South Wales, after a year long development phase. The gold mine is currently trialling a 12 cubic metre bucket with an Armourblade edge system on two of its underground loaders, and according to Cadia the results to date have been positive. Its trials have focused mainly on use and evaluating actual edge life, which to date has tested at approximately 1000 hours.

Mark Adams, the regional and export sales manager for Keech, said â&#x20AC;&#x153;the KMB bucket front with the Armourblade edge is able to be replaced in only three hours onsite â&#x20AC;&#x201C; operators simply unbolt the front section and replace it with a new one. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Given that the edges on some buckets actually need to be cut off, which can take up to 35 hours, the KMB is likely to make underground mining applications a lot more efficient and cut LHD downtimes,â&#x20AC;? Adams added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are also investigating how we can extend edge life up to 1200 hours plus, and are looking at redesigning the corners, which are usually the fastest wearing area, through the addition of tungsten carbide inserts.â&#x20AC;? With the ease of removal for the LHD bucketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s front section, it now means that buckets can run a welded edge, making it ideal for use in hazardous areas, such as crusher zones, while still maintaining a quick change

The LHD buckets have a standard lifespan of 1000 hours.

out capability during underground operations, minimising downtimes. According to Keech, the mechanical bucket is compatible with both Armourblade and the Wearpact system, which is a hammerless ground engaging tool system that is available in full spade or semi-spade configurations. The buckets are manufactured

from quenched and tempered steel, with each bucketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wear protection system tailored to suit the operator's underground application. The mechanical buckets are suitable for all scoop underground loaders and are available in sizes ranging from seven cubic metres right up to 12 cubic metres.

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA PHONE: (+61 8) 9358 3511 EMAIL: saleswa@qmw.com.au

www.qmw.com.au 56 February 2012

AustralianMining

www.miningaustralia.com.au

AD_AMBOBFEB_12.pdf

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COMPACT LOADERS & EXCAVATORS

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AM.FEB12.PG058.pdf

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MINESITE VEHICLES

Consistent progress Another updated excavator from Bobcat is bringing the latest in machinery technology to Australia.

obcat has always been consistent in the release of new excavators and earthmoving equipment, aiming to increase reliability and performance in its machines. So it is no surprise that Bobcat Australia has announced the release of the new E55 excavator. American built and designed, this latest excavator provides minimal tail swing with increased levels of performance and endurance. According to Bobcat, new levels of user friendly and comfortable interior features are helping the operator to stay productive while making the most out of the improvements made to this excavator. An all new 35.4kW turbocharged engine powers the E55, which aids it in covering more ground at a faster pace, as well as providing increased strength. Bobcat has reduced the tail swing of the machine compared to previous generations, designing the E55 with only 342mm of over hang, helping the machine to get into tighter places. The new E55 model excavator

also has increased bucket forces of 26 100N, an arm force of 42 000N, as well as improved balance and lifting characteristics. It comes with a dig depth of close to four metres, and a reach of just over six metres. Bobcat added that its dump height of 4132mm is an improvement over previous models, and the controllability and ability to travel while loaded is better developed. Increased slew torque also comes as standard. Ease of maintenance has been a focus, with the excavator featuring easy to access daily maintenance check points, fold out cooling cores for easy cleaning, an enhanced ground clearance, and an X frame structure â&#x20AC;&#x153;which is easier to maintain and cleanâ&#x20AC;?, Bobcat says. Regarding operator comfort, the latest excavator has a reduction in noise and vibration levels, improved air conditioning and visibility, as well as a lockable tool box under the seat. It has an operating weight of just over five tonnes and a width of 1.96 metres.

The E55 has an increased dump height of 4132mm.

Repeat Customers:

manufacture robust, comfortable, practical and safe vehicles with good ground clearance and easy maintenance.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Able Bus and Coachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original design has a proven record of over 14 years, 240 coaches produced and 34 repeat order customers.â&#x20AC;?

We offer a variety of 2WD and 4WD mine site and tour coaches with seating capacity between10-50 persons.

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REMOTE area COACHES Phone (08) 9371 7100

or www.ablebusandcoach.com.au F. (08) 9371 9465 | E. info@ablebusandcoach.com.au

58 February 2012

AustralianMining

Supplying Australiawide (Est.1995) www.miningaustralia.com.au

AD_AMIMMFEB_12.pdf

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AEDT

T133 Conversion Kit® for Caterpillar® 793F, 797F Mining Trucks

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These alliances exclusively provide Immersive Technologies with access to the proprietary machine technical information necessary to correctly simulate the operation of the OEMs real equipment, ensuring you receive the most accurate training simulator.

AM.FEB12.PG060.pdf

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MINESITE VEHICLES

Moving miners – driving safety Coal mine operators are turning to specialised 4WD buses for greater safety, efficiency and passenger comfort.

ommutes to site in hot, miserable cramped buses unsuited to harsh and hazardous mine sites are becoming a thing of the past. In recent years 4WD buses have found favour with mine operators at remote sites in the Pilbara and now coal operators in regions such as the Bowen Basin are realising the benefits. “Coal operators are beginning to acknowledge that specialised 4WD buses offer a safer, more efficient and more comfortable means of transportation,” according to Kevin De Bruin – owner-operator of Perth-based 4WD bus and coach manufacturer Able Bus & Coach. “Our buses carry far more passengers than commuters or landcruisers. Greater seating capacity means fewer trips – less fuel and less wear and tear on vehicles and fewer drivers for operators using fleets of coasters or people movers. “Having fewer vehicles on site also reduces the likelihood of accidents,” De Bruin said. “The other key safety advantage of specialised 4WD buses is that they have a greater presence; they’re more visible to drivers of larger vehicles such as haul trucks.” HSE Mining production manager at BMA’s Saraji Minesite in the Bowen Basin and former pre-strip superintendent with BMA, Rick Barbeler, said specialised 4WD buses ticked all the boxes for sites such as Saraji. “We were impressed with the 4WD buses because the smaller coasters we had on site just weren’t up to it; we trialled 2WD and 4x4 coasters and they weren’t truly ‘4WD’ vehicles. Damage to coasters – due to their lower ground clearance – and the downtime for repairs were an ongoing issue,” he said. “It’s good to finally have a vehicle that we can move our people around and not have any major issues.” Testament to De Bruin’s 60 February 2012

AustralianMining

The buses are more visible on site, reducing the likelihood of an accident.

business philosophy of building tough yet safe, reliable and comfortable vehicles that meet the highest standards are customers such as BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and NationWide Hire and a repeat business rate of 90 per cent. A key proposition of the vehicles, says de Bruin, is robustness. “We build our buses on a bigger truck and put less passengers in. It may cost a little more but it’s better in the long run, giving a stronger, more reliable vehicle,” he said. Another key feature of the buses is inter-changeability with passenger modules that can be removed from older cab chassis and placed on a new cab chassis reducing replacement costs for companies. Able Bus & Coach’s vehicle make of choice is Isuzu – and for good reason, says De Bruin: “Isuzu isn’t just a good make of vehicle; after sales service is unsurpassed,” he said. The tilt cab of the chassis also allows easy maintenance and access to the motor. A higher ground clearance than a conventional bus chassis is also ideal for mine site and remote areas.

Extensive safety features also come standard with the minesitecoaches. These include a built-in Rollover Protection System (ROPS) to Australian Standards 1636.1 and 2294.2 and Australian Design Rule rollover compliance, full size coach seats with seat belts and driver’s air bag. ROPS is becoming essential on mine sites, says De Bruin, and not having to retrofit a ROPS is a huge cost saving, adds Barbeler.

Other safety features with Able Bus & Coach vehicles include seatbelts on all seats, a speed limiter and lockable battery isolater switch. Peter Rogers, a maintenance superintendent at an iron ore mine in the Pilbara, said the Able Bus & Coach 4WD bus design ticked all the boxes. “The bus is not over-engineered. Its simple built-forpurpose design means it gets the job done without overselling itself,” he said.

“For safety compliance, the buses meet strength and design requirements. All the engineering tests are validated. It especially met the Australian design standards. The reputation of the product for safety is excellent.” Air conditioners designed and built for extreme heat and vibration come standard. “Our buses are built from the ground up to cope with the extreme environments and this is the reason why we have so many repeat customers,” De Bruin said. “Every part our coaches, from the air-conditioning to the door locks and hinges have been tried and tested in rugged environments.” The interior features of the Able Bus & Coach vehicles, says Barbeler, were another advantage over smaller vehicles. “There’s more room in the Able Bus & Coaches: proper coach seats and seat belts. There’s more leg room in general, but also more headroom,” he said. “Having separate air-conditioning systems for the cab and cabin is another good feature. The cabin air conditioning system is also up high and out of harm’s way – unlike air-conditioning units in the coasters that are down low and susceptible to damage.”

The buses are able to carry up to eighteen people to and from the site. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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Large vehicles, large risks With the mix of heat, flammable liquids, fumes and electrics in an enclosed engine compartment, the potential for a furious fire is high. With Wormald, you have a vehicle fire suppression organisation that is always right behind you when you need us most. We’ve helped businesses prevent and suppress fires for over 120 years. From foam water spray systems to dry chemical and dual agent systems, our proven end-to-end solutions are designed to rapidly suppress fires in all kinds of vehicles from huge mining and quarrying plant and forestry equipment to mobile equipment such as portable generators and drilling rigs. So, you can get on with the job confident that your people and property are supported by one of the world’s fire safety leaders. That’s peace of mind. Trust the heavy vehicle fire safety experts. Call 1300 556 015 or visit wormald.com.au/vehicles

Pictured: Cylinders and Extinguishers

AM.FEB12.PG062.pdf

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MINESITE VEHICLES

Navigating vehicle wear A real time vehicle tracking dashboard is making monitoring easier on site.

aintaining mining vehicles and equipment is an ongoing battle on site. Knowing how your vehicle is wearing and its trends such as idling time and regular distance travelled makes this battle much easier. Which is why Navman Wireless has released a new fleet management application with a Dynamic Dashboard platform. Speaking to Navman Wireless’ vice president Asia Pacific, Ian Daniel, he told Australian Mining that this technology allows companies to collate vehicle data and allow them to predict its wear and tear. “It also allows the users to see vehicle usage trends, as it provides all the baseline info for the vehicle, while at the same time it provides configurability for each end user so that a company can align monitors to their set KPIs,” Daniel stated. Working in real time, data can be analysed in daily, weekly, or monthly trends, and then categorised by activities such as idling time, speed, distance

The Dashboard provides vehicle trending information such as wear and fuel usage.

travelled, or even the length of time the ignition is turned on. Data can also be collated by vehicle groups so that different KPIs can be monitored depending on the vehicle type or group function, so that LHDs

operating underground can be tracked against an entirely different set of standards to haul trucks. “For instance, if you want to understand speeding underground and to see people aren't going over the limit

then speed parameters can be fitted, so you can see the various LHDs speeds, how much they have gone over the limit and when, and then link it back to the particular drivers,” he told Australian Mining. “In this way mining companies can better manage safety on site by monitoring specific driver’s compliance and their behaviour when driving,” Daniel added. The Dynamic Dashboard can also track productivity issues such as uneven allocation of jobs across staff members or inefficient routing. “By knowing this sort of performance information a business can then act accordingly.” One of the key aspects in the development of the Dynamic Dashboard platform is its ease of use. Daniel went on to say updates to the platform, such as extra widgets and improved capability, will be provided for free Dynamic Dashboard is an additional feature of Navman Wireless’ vehicle tracking software Online AVL2.

VOLGREN Mine Transportation Solutions Volgren Mine Transportation Solutions can provide: A vehicle that is: i Australian Built i Built to Australia’s highest Safety standards i Constructed from Aluminium providing the operator with a vehicle that is Stronger, Lighter & Safer i Corrosion resistant i Low cost of option due to aluminium structure Finance Packages that can: i Provide finance for 1 to 500 buses i Full vehicle leasing i Off balance sheet benefits

The Volgren body can be built on either Australian or the major European chassis models. Volgren the Company Volgren is Australia’s largest manufacturer of commercial bus bodies. Our bodies are constructed from aluminium which has a natural resistance to corrosion. This is prevalent to the highly corrosive environment of the mining industry. Our buses also meet the highest safety standards in the ADR’s and roll over. Volgren have manufacturing facilities across Australia with plants in Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. Volgren have been manufacturing buses for the Australian market for over 30 years and today has a market share of over 40% of the domestic new bus sales market. Volgren is proud of their history in the Australian mining sector, providing buses to the industry since 1980 with a delivery of vehicles to Rio Tinto Alcan Gove (formerly Nabalco). These vehicles served the mine for 28 years and only recently were replaced with a fleet of new Volgren buses.

Australian Owned & Manufactured

For more information please contact Sales & Marketing +61 3 9791 4255 www.volgren.com.au

Global Technology

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62 February 2012

NEW SOUTH WALES 3-13 Kilcoy Dve Tomago NSW 2322

AustralianMining

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA 47 Beringarra Ave Malaga WA 6090

QUEENSLAND 20 Amy Johnson Place Eagle Farm QLD 4009

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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AM.FEB12.PG064.pdf

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PRODUCT FOCUS: MOTORS & DRIVES

Handling Bulk Powders and Granules? We are System Designers, Suppliers and Integrators. Dense Phase Pneumatic Conveying for efficient powder transfer Microveyor shown under a bulkbag discharge station

low-rate economical MicroveyorTM models 100kg to 10 te/hr

high-rate ‘KT’ series, rates of 5 to 500 te/hr

Programmable linear actuator MOTION Technologies is now distributing Haydon Kerk's new IDEA Size 23 Non-captive Linear Actuator – a RoHScompliant unit combining high-output force, rotary to Output forces of 890N. linear motion, stepper drive and programmable control in one integrated package. The linear actuator is fully programmable through a user-friendly graphic interface. Its linear travel per step ranges from 0.0031mm to 0.127mm, and the output force is up to 890N. The actuator is fully programmable through a user-friendly graphic interface and the actuator is available up to 20-inch stroke length with various screw pitches allowing very fine resolution, says Motion Technologies. The software reportedly allows easy troubleshooting through line-by-line or multiple-line program execution using the interactive debug feature, and inputs and outputs can be simulated in software before connecting actual I/O hardware. The unit is suitable for most applications requiring precision linear motion. • Motion Technologies 02 9524 4782 www.motiontech.com.au

High power drives Discharge of powder products to silos from containers. We offer a range of solutions, and rates of transfer. 690V rated.

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www.kockumsbulk.com.au 64 February 2012

AustralianMining

ROCKWELL Automation has extended the power of its range of PowerFlex 755 AC drives to 900 kW and added 690 volt ratings. These high-power drives provide application flexibility and a common DC bus option for energy savings. The new drives, designed for heavy industrial applications, provide users with increased application flexibility, advanced diagnostics and a common DC bus option, says Rockwell. The common DC bus option allows users to connect the PowerFlex 755 AC drive to a common DC bus configuration, which takes advantage of different drive cycles to share energy. In this configuration, a DC bus acts as a common energy source that feeds energy from a generating load to a motoring load, reportedly improving the application's energy efficiency. The updated drives offer embedded ethernet ports and five option slots, so users can tailor them to their application. Optional modules include I/O, feedback, safety, additional communications and an auxiliary power supply. According to Rockwell, a convenient roll-out design allows easy access to the drive for fast installation and maintenance. The drive's converter and control pod can remain in the unit while the inverter is rolled out, so control wiring can remain connected. • Rockwell Automation 03 9896 0300 www.rockwellautomation.com.au

Incremental encoder JOHANNES Hübner Giessen has developed the incremental encoder FG/FGH 40 for use under extreme conditions in heavy industry. Featuring robust aluminum housing, both the FG 40 (solid shaft) and the FGH 40 (hollow shaft version) is said to Resistant to vibrations. offer very high resistance to vibration and shock loads. With an axial shaft seal, the device achieves IP 65, IP 66 and IP 67, which is the highest degree of protection, the company says. The FG 40, which has high-quality scanning electronics, reportedly offers signal quality of the highest standard. Track A to track B phase displacement is 87°-93°; the pulse duty factor ±3%. The FG 40 is designed for temperatures up to 70°C as standard, and can be optionally equipped for a large number of special temperature ranges between -40°C and 100°C. Special versions can be provided to meet certain customer-specific requirements. The encoder has a high maximum transmission frequency of 200 kHz and has saltwater-proof quality for use in salty atmospheric condition, such as port technology. • Johannes Hübner Fabrik elektrischer www.huebner-giessen.com/en.html www.miningaustralia.com.au

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WWW.SEW-EURODRIVE.COM.AU/INDUSTRIALGEARS

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AM.FEB12.PG066.pdf

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PRODUCT FOCUS: MOTORS & DRIVES

DC Motors

Stepper drives

PITTMAN has released its 8540 series brush commutated DC motors. Designed for applications requiring high performance in small packages, the 8540 is reportedly an improvement over similar sized older generation Pittman motors and is used for high tech applications such as precision automation machinery or lab instrumentation. Pittman says the most significant feature of the design is greatly improved power density through the use of bonded neodymium Twice the torque rating. magnets. It also has twice the continuous torque rating, compared to previous generations. The 8540 series motors are 300mm in diameter and come in three lengths – 53.69mm, 65.66mm, and 77.65mm. Depending on the model, it can achieve a continuous torque rating from .018Nm to .059Nm without the use of a heat sink. The 8540 Series motors are available with 8 standard windings ranging from 9.55V to 48V. Customised windings can also be utilised for increased performance. The motors have standard pre-loaded ball bearings, allowing for high speeds, radial and axial shaft loading, and higher temperatures. A new bearing support system, a seven slot armature, and improved manufacturing techniques which allow for more balanced armatures, resulting in very low vibration and noise characteristics. At low speeds, the motors exhibit very low cogging due to its optimized magnetic circuit design. Low vibration and low cogging almost the 8540 ideal for position control in servo applications, Pittman says. Complementary products include gearboxes, encoders, and brakes. The motors have the capability of extensive customisation including shaft configurations, leadwire assemblies, optional EMI/RFI filtering components, transmission components (shaft gears, pulleys, or sprockets) and a variety of brush materials (including standard graphite). The motors are distributed by Motion Solution in Australia. • Motion Solution 03 9563 0115 sales@motion-solutions.com.au www.motion-solutions.com.au

AUTOMATED Motion Systems (AMS) has released drives with motion controllers. When automating a machine with stepper motors and drives, a motion controller is essential. This motion controller sends pulses and direction signals to the drive, telling to move the pre-set distance at the required direction and speed. The motion controller can be a computer, programmable logic controllers (PLC), oscillator or even a specially designed controller. AMS has released three of RTA’s models of drives which incorporate motion controllers, and range from 24V DC to 240 VAC supply. According to AMS, “in many cases this eliminates the need for a separate motion controller, reducing the cost and size of the system”. An added bonus is that the programming language used is specifically designed for motion control rather than the standard PLC based languages. Several motion programs can be loaded onto the drive and stored at once. Programs are selected using dedicated inputs in BCD and run using a START input. The drives are able to run as stand alone operations, so it is not necessary to have a computer or PLC connected to the drive at all times. These drives also have several digital inputs and outputs, a datum switch input, and an emergency stop input. For multi-axis machines, up to 48 drives can be linked on to a single serial line. Several instructions are available such as indexed run with or without ramp, free run with or without ramp, run with programmable braking distance, time delays, conditional jump, FOR/NEXT loop, and programming in absolute or relative coordinates. Some drives also have an optional analog speed control via an external potentiometer or an analog DC voltage. • Automated Motion Systems www.automotsys.com.au

Servo Drive Systems Repaired or Retrofitted … fast. All types of Servos (Bosch, Okuma, Kawasaki, Mitsubishi, Emerson, Unidrive SP & more).

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www.datafactory.com.au 66 February 2012

AustralianMining

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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Sydney Head Office: 22 Ormsby Place, Wetherill Park NSW 2164 Telephone: (02) 9609 7944 Facsimile: (02) 9609 7955 Perth Office: Unit 1, 21 Finance Place, Malaga WA 6090 Telephone: (08) 9249 5699 Facsimile: (08) 9249 5692 Brisbane Office: Unit 1, 93 Pearson Road, Yatala QLD 4207 Telephone: (07) 3807 8188 Facsimile: (07) 3807 8607

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AM.FEB12.PG068.pdf

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PRODUCT FOCUS: MOTORS & DRIVES

GREASING the wheel of efficiency Improved lubrication cut conveyor downtimes at Barrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Plutonic mine.

s mining vehicles and machinery face conditions ranging from minus 34 degrees up to nearly 50 degrees at sites around the world they need tough engines and motors to keep them moving. And lubrication is what keeps these motors from grinding to a halt. Especially in Australia where high levels of floating dry dust and grit present a constant hazard to motor life. Shell recently worked with global mining company Barrick Gold Corporation to improve its motor performance and reduce overall energy consumption at its Plutonic gold mine in Western Australia. Shell Lubricants worked with Barrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engineering staff to identify energy efficiency opportunities. Following studies, it suggested to the miner that it would benefit from changing

68 February 2012

AustralianMining

After using the new lubrication, Barrick reduced energy consumption and maintenance on its conveyor motors.

its existing hydraulic motor lubricant from Shell Tellus S2 M to Shell Telluis S4 ME on its conveyor systems. Barrick reportedly agreed

to implement a six month trial of the new lubricant in two of the Haggulunds MA 200 hydraulic motors installed on conveyors at the mine.

During the trial Barrick measured several factors, including load; temperature; filters; filter ratings; lubricant viscosity; and viscosity index.

The overall results were recorded by a power monitor, which Shell provided. According to the miner, results of the trial showed that by switching to Shell Tellus S4 ME in the two hydraulic motors it reduced energy consumption by approximately 5.27 per cent annually â&#x20AC;&#x201C; providing a saving of around US $ 10 520 a year. Barrick says it also benefited from extended oil-drain intervals, and reduced labour costs and downtimes at Plutonic. It also expects the change will extend machinery life. The miner is now planning to use Shell Tellus S4 ME across all of its 25 gold mines around the world. Shell has also recently developed Tellus VX, a hard wearing lubricant designed for use in frigid Arctic environments. It passed testing at a remote Siberian mine where temperatures varied from minus 50 degrees up to 35 degrees.

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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AM.FEB12.PG070.pdf

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PRODUCT FOCUS: MOTORS & DRIVES

Composite disc couplings NAISMITH Engineering have released highperformance composite disc CD couplings The CD couplings have torque capacities range from 40Nm to 1436Nm. Dubbed Zero-Max Composite Disc CD Shaft Torque capacities from 50Nm to Couplings combine high performance materials, 1436Nm. design features and precision to withstand demanding servomotor systems. Precision machined of ASTM A108 steel and 6061-T6 aluminum, the body components of these CD couplings are reportedly inherently balanced. With similar precision, the functioning components of CD couplings are made from precisely oriented and layered composite material similar to those composites used in aerospace applications. To ensure precise alignment of the assembled components, distributors Naismith Engineering say ISO Class 12.9 hardened shoulder bolts are utilised. The CD Couplings offer high dynamic load capacity and high torsional stiffness to ensure reliable system operation. With zero backlash, the couplings are not only excellent for reversing loads, they also provide smooth operation at high speeds, and are compact with a clamping design that fits most applications. Standard models and sizes include single and double flex models with clamp style hubs with or without keyways. The torque capacities range from 40Nm to 1436Nm and beyond with speed ratings from 4400 RPM to 17,000 RPM. â&#x20AC;˘ Naismith Engineering & Mfg Co marketing@naismith.com.au www.naismith.com.au

Specialists in: I AC/DC Motor & Generator Rewinds (High & Low Voltage) I Submersible Pumps I Transformers I Electromagnets

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70 February 2012

AustralianMining

W: www.globalrewinds.com.au Fax: (08) 9434 9955 ECL No. EC003345 www.miningaustralia.com.au

AM.FEB12.PG071.pdf

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PRODUCT FOCUS: MOTORS & DRIVES

Motion solutions

Motor apps

HAYDON Kerk Motion Solutions customises linear motion systems for a range Customises linear motion. of applications, including a linear actuator used in a throttle control system designed specifically for harsh environments. This particular linear actuator is said to be used to control the power to a cement mixer aboard a piece of heavy construction equipment. The typical operating environment for this application ranges from extremely dry and dusty to extremely hot and humid with nearly every other possibility in between. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;baseâ&#x20AC;? actuator can be modified to fit the specific application to produce a sealed linear actuator that withstands dirt, debris, and moisture. The actuator contains integrated switches for extended and retracted positions. The actuator has a rear enclosure that houses and seals the lead screw and bearing assembly, a bellows between the adapter and sleeve, a cable gland between the rear cover and cable, and an electrostatic coating on the lamination stack that effectively creates a permanent seal. It also contains integrated switches for extended and retracted positions. â&#x20AC;˘ Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions 1800 243 2715 info@haydonkerk.com www.haydonkerk.com

NHP has created an app for calculating full load current on the iPhone. NHPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Contactor Select iPhone App is a handy pocket reference tool which calculates full load current of three phase motors and allows correct product selection and overload settings to be made. The company says that by simply selecting the motor voltage and kW, the Calculates full load current. Contactor Select App will display the motor FLC (Amps) and suggest which contactor and overload to use. The app can select from either of NHPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sprecher + Schuh or Allen-Bradley brands, with contactor and overload selection made easy by providing users with the exact product number and product photo of the contactor or overload needed, as well as easy access to the NHP website. The Contactor Select App is available on the iTunes App Store. A web friendly version is available from NHPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. â&#x20AC;˘ NHP Electrical Engineering 1300 647 647 www.nhp.com.au

EC drives Synchronous motors.

EBM-PAPST has released a controllable synchronous motor for applications with quadratic torque. The mains-powered EC drive solution from ebm-papst, called VarioDrive C, is said to be an intelligent alternative to IEC-standard motors with frequency inverters. The controllable synchronous motor is designed for applications with quadratic torque. Three sizes are available, M3G 084/112/150, all of which feature an enclosed and compact design with integrated electronics. Models in the power range between 500-3,000 W offer variable, closed-loop speed control, and allow torques of 1.0-20.0 Nm. The robust mechanical design, which features IP 55 protection and insulation to class F, reportedly a long service life, despite tough ambient conditions often found in manufacturing facilities. â&#x20AC;˘ ebm-papst A&NZ www.ebmpapst.com.au

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AustralianMining

February 2012

AM.FEB12.PG072.pdf

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QLD FLOODS

The Queensland FLOODS: one year on The 2010/11 Queensland floods devastated the mining industry, but a year on miners have made changes to ensure it doesn’t happen again, Andrew Duffy reports.

ast year’s summer flood was an unprecedented problem for the mining industry. In Queensland its economic impact was immense, with most miners declaring full or partial force majeure on their contracts. According to the Queensland Resources Council only about 15 per cent of Queensland coal mines escaped the floods without any impact. A year on 2012’s wet season is winding down, thankfully without a repeat of the problems seen last year. Nevertheless 2011’s floods left a lasting impact on the industry. While the Government’s floods inquiry returned an interim report late last year the commission is due to deliver its full report at the end of this month. But that hasn’t stopped Bowen Basin mines from making their own changes to prevent similar disasters in the future. New Hope told Australian Mining it was no longer experiencing any impact from last year’s flood. It said it had recovered well from the disaster and found itself well prepared for the floods when they hit in late 2010. “In general New Hope was well prepared for the flood events of 2011,” a spokesperson told Australian Mining. “As a result the actual impact on mine operations was minimal.” But New Hope said it did 72 February 2012

AustralianMining

Heavy rainfall has the potential to devastate open cut sites.

not escape the floods completely, with its rail operations taking a significant hit. “The Western Railway line was badly damaged and was out of action for 12 weeks,” it stated. But the company said the line was repaired and delayed tonnage made up within several weeks. “Apart from carrying a large amount of dam water at one site, New Hope is no longer experiencing any impacts from last year’s flood,” it said. Despite recovering well New Hope said it had made a number of changes to its operations following the floods. These changes were made to the dam, pipeline, and pumping systems at all sites. The company said its current stockpile levels, combined with the changes it had made to its operations, meant it was confident it would handle any future floods. But New Hope said environmental regulation, a sticking point of last year’s flood debate that has since been forgotten, remained an issue. “Companies are limited by legislation in the capability to be able to discharge flood runoff from sites,” it said. “The current legislative system does not cater for these extreme events.”

“Modification of the system is therefore required.” The dispute between mining companies, environmentalists, and the Government over the correct way to regulate the discharge of mine water is still ongoing. The longevity of the debate has proved that for miners, having to empty a drowned site is as much a challenge as having it flooded. To minimise the hit to production companies look to discharge water as soon as it’s safe to do so. There’s a strong argument behind speeding up this process, as the longer flood waters remain in the pit the more

contaminants and heavy metals they adsorb. And as the waters recede local river systems become more sensitive to mine discharges. Nevertheless the amount of waste discharged by miners is immense. University of Queensland senior research fellow Daniel Franks previously wrote that in 2008 138 GL of water was discharged into a river system from a single flooded mine over a period of seven months. It was enough water to fill almost a third of Sydney Harbour. With 85 per cent of Queensland mines looking to

The effects of last year’s floods are still being felt.

offload water, the total discharge volume is enormous. Such a capacity of water, laced with minerals, heavy metals, and other contaminants, poses a serious risk to the flora and fauna that use Queensland’s waterways. Anglo American told Australian Mining while it had made improvements to its mines to prevent future flooding it had also made efforts to reduce the impact of its mine water on the environment. “A reverse osmosis plant is being constructed at Capcoal Surface Operations for commissioning in quarter 1 2012,” a spokesperson told Australian Mining. “The plant will provide the flexibility to purify water during the flood season and recycle water for reuse during times of drought.” Anglo said it had also made changes to its mines and the infrastructure surrounding them to minimise the production and environmental impacts of future floods. “Civil projects have been underway including sealing haul roads with a durable dusticide and improving bridges and creek crossings,” it stated. It said the company was also “implementing pumping and piping infrastructure that will enable water to be moved out of operating pits and into storage dams quickly”. Anglo also said it was constructing walls to prevent water flowing into open-cut pits, and was working with the Department of Environment and Resource Management to optimise discharge regulations for the industry. While Queensland’s floods were a disaster no one desires a repeat of, a review of the aftermath shows a flexible mining industry able to adapt to new conditions. Miners can’t guarantee there won’t be another flood, but with the changes and discussions underway, they can guarantee that next time they’ll be better prepared. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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“Rock Solid” Froth Pump for Mining KSB / GIW’s new froth pump provides continuous operation without shutdown or operator intervention. The new hydraulic design actually removes air from the impeller eye while the pump is running – just to keep your process moving. The HVF pump can be retrofitted to any existing froth application. Fewer pumps are required for less capital expense and, again, for less power / water usage. The patented vented impeller and air lock system helps to eliminate sump overflow, reduce downtime and water usage. KSB / GIW froth pump is environmentally friendly and cost effective for your mining needs. KSB Australia Pty Ltd • VIC 03 9314 0611 • SA 08 8234 0066 • NSW 02 9584 2099 WA 08 9412 0100 • Kalgoorlie 08 9412 0100 • QLD 07 3436 8600 Townsville 07 4774 9200 • NT 08 8947 4941 • NZ +64 9476 4047 • www.ksb.com.au

HVF

AM.FEB12.PG074.pdf

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Waste tanks

Jumbo picket remover

MARATHON Group has released waste tanks designed for the harsh demands of the mining industry. Built with a fully polyethylene tank (instead of the more Designed for the mining environment. common stainless steel) and a heavy duty galvanized steel frame, Marathon says these units are designed to go underneath an ablution block and work under roughest conditions and locations where no sewer connections are available. One of the key features of the tanks is their flat base, which ensures no sewerage remains in the bottom of the tank after pumping, unlike other units which have ridged bases that often trap residue. This ridge-free base has a level outlet to eliminate waste leftovers. The poly tank itself is a high-density UV-stabilised unit that is easily removed from the steel frame when required. While it can unbolt from the frame, the entire structure is welded thoroughly in a fixed position for structural integrity and a longer lifespan. The tanks are engineered with forklift slots to be easily relocated, and are stackable, ensuring that loading and transport is simplified. All units feature drag lugs so they can be dragged through sites are required. Each waste tank has a capacity of 4000 litres, and measures 3865mm in length, are 660mm high, and have depths of 2400mm. • Marathon Group Tim Drake 02 6575 2900 tim@mgpl.com.au www.mgpl.com.au

SEVAAN Group has released a larger version of its XPR post and picket remover. The jumbo XPR has been designed to remove the large posts and star pickets that are found on mine sites. Large post and star pickets represent the 10 per cent or so that can not be readily removed by the standard size XPR post remover. Unlike most post removal systems, the XPR works by moving the post vertically, instead of shifting it horizontally, breaking the bonding seal between the post and the ground. A totally mechanical device, it requires only Weighs only 6.1kg. minor exertion from an operator using one leg. As it works from ground-level, it requires no human lift factor. When positioned on ground-level, its friction blade digs into the periphery of the post at an acute angle and gives the post no option except to move upwards and out of the ground, once the operator begins the downward foot action. The Jumbo XPR requires no more energy or force than that required by a common foot pump used to inflate a bicycle tyre. It has a lightweight steel construction, weighing in at only 6.1 kilograms, and can be supplied in any colour. • Sevaan Group 02 9824 5555 tony@sevaangroup.com.au www.sevaangroup.com.au

Safety boots Chemical resistant.

Personal hearing protection HONEYWELL has released the latest passive hearing protection – the Sync Stereo Earmuffs. Featuring an acoustical earcup design, volume management technology and high fidelity stereo sound, the Stanley Sync provides hearing protection in hazardous noise workplaces. The Sync provides hearing protection as well as audio, allowing wearers to use their own MP3 player, mobile phone or other audio device while wearing it. Coming with an SLC80 rating of 31dV Class 5, the Stanley Sync provides consistent hearing protection and ensures appropriate attenuation in most industrial environments. The telescoping height adjustment can be modified for individual settings and personalised comfort, and remains fixed during use, making every Sync perfectly tailored for optimal comfort. The Sync earmuffs feature a comfortable contact surface which breathes easier in warm and humid climates, while the robust construction withstands rough treatment in the toughest work environments. • Honeywell 1300 139 166 www.honeywellsafety.com

74 February 2012

AustralianMining

BOGS Boots is launching its mine safe boot in Australia. Entering the Australian market, is has released its 6" industrial Chukka Steel Toe boot for heavy duty industries. With a contoured fit for added protection, durability, and comfort, the steel capped provides lightweight functionality with a 4mm Neo-Tech and 2mm Airmesh lining. The boots are designed to circulate air and add breathability to keep the wearer cool and comfortable. Bogs industrial boot is ASTM approved chemical and slip-resistant, non-marking, and come with a self cleaning outersole. • Bogs Footwear 03 9485 5618 www.bogsboots.com.au

Soil stabiliser NORWOOD Hall is showcasing its nature mimicking soil stabilizer enzyme for road building dubbed Eko-Soil. The enzyme, which produces roads with concrete-like strength, has already seen use in Victoria and South Australia. Developed in the laboratory from organic matter, Eko-Soil mimics the qualities of enzymes secreted by termites to bind their massive mounds. Norwood Hall Asia director Peter Hardiman explained that "three years ago we made a cautious foray into the mining industry but quickly realised we had to establish a credibility base. Success with the councils and now VicRoads means the time is right to re-enter the mining industry sector". As part of this mining push, Norwood Hall has also joined MESCA. More than 10 years ago the US-patented product was used on a section of road in the Western Australian shire of Mundaring which became known locally as “Enzyme Hill” travelled daily by B-double quarry haulage trucks. Little maintenance has been required for over a decade and the road has now had bitumen laid straight over the top. While the application in Australia is normally used on gravel roads, a number of councils have subsequently put a bitumen top straight on to the enzyme-treated roads. In the United States and elsewhere it is often used in the sub-base for bitumen roads. The first shire council to use the Eko-Soil enzyme was Mornington Peninsula in 2006. Horsham soon followed, then Mitchell, Whittlesea, West Wimmera, Murrindindi and South Gippsland shires joined in, along with the City Councils of Geelong and Latrobe. Norwood Hall director Brian O’Donnell, a former City Engineer at a number of Victorian councils, said results from use on council and VicRoad roads was proving the true value of the product. • Norwood Hall 0419 340 593 www.eko-soil.com.au

www.miningaustralia.com.au

AM.FEB12.PG075.pdf

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Lightweight boots BLUNDSTONE have unveiled a new range of rubber soled safety work boots. Dubbed the XFoot Rubber, the boots have been identified for their comfort on the job. The boots feature a bamboo lining which provides thermal regulation while at the same time deodorising, and providing anti-bacterial; anti-fungal; breathable, 20 per cent lighter in weight. and quick drying properties. In addition, Blundstone is also utilising PORON XRD in the underfoot comfort system material, which provides increased underfoot shock protection and comfort. The soles of the XFoot Rubber boots have been designed to reduce overall weight of the boots, improving comfort and reducing wearer fatigue. This has resulted in the boots in this range being up to 20 per cent lighter than competitors. XFoot Rubber boots are designed to withstand surface temperatures of up to 300 degrees Celsius and are suitable for heavy industrial environments such as mining. • Blundstone 1900 258 699 www.blundstone.com

Matching

BlakeDawson, the Australian legal experts

Modular accommodation BRUINDAM is highlighting its modular housing designs. It's thermal, eco-friendly, temporary or permanent modular buildings reduce energy consumption by up to 75%, the company claims. Its housing units have a six star energy rating, fast installation times, and are designed to reduce miner's environmental footprint due to their energy efficiencies and the flexibility of recycling or relocating the modules. Bruindam says it offers full turnkey solutions, adding that its units are available globally, and are compatible with transport via road, sea, and rail. • Bruindam 08 6253 8266 www.bruindam.com.au

with

Trenchless plougher UNDERGROUND Services Australia (USA) has released its trenchless ploughing technology, the EcoPlough system. The machine uses a specially designed Uses a vibratory blade. vibratory plough blade which is pulled through the ground at a pre-set depth of up to two metres. Suitable for a wide variety of applications, the system installs power, gas, telecommunications, water and wastewater pipes and cables up to 315mm in diameter. Multiple combinations of power and communications cabling can be installed simultaneously in single runs. Welding of pipes is carried out in front of the unit, while jointing of cables fed from the cable drives is performed behind the plough. An automatic, patented sanding hopper attached to the plough blade delivers clean sand 150-200mm below, 100mm above and 75mm to the side of cables or conduit, whilst danger tape is automatically placed at the top of the corridor in the same pass. An on-board GPS linked to two base stations providing a range up to 10 kilometres also displays the alignment and maps the depth and positioning of the pipes or cables being installed. The EcoPlough was 40 per cent more efficient and, hence, more economical than conventional open excavation trenching and backfilling. It allows an installation rate of up to 1000m per hour for production rates of 10kms per day, helping to significantly reduce construction periods. • Underground Services Australia 1300 344 559 info@usa.com.au www.usa.com.au www.miningaustralia.com.au

the global legal experts

On 1 March we will rebrand as Ashurst, Australia’s new global law firm.

Blake Dawson & Ashurst – more than a match.

BLD0024_ConA_AUSM_130212

AustralianMining

February 2012

AD_AMBLAFEB_12.pdf

Page

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Delivered to your Workplace

March 2012

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18/01/12 2:02 PM

AM.FEB12.PG077.pdf

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Protection against epoxy resins

Non flammable hand cleaner

ANSELL has carried out tests showing its Sol-Vex glove provide increased protection against epoxy resins and resulting skin diseases. According to the company occupational skin disease ranks as the most common occupational disease in many countries around the world with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;contact dermatitisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; accounting for approximately 90-95 percent of all occupational skin diseases. Epoxy resins are known to be a major cause of occupational skin disease and put the user at a high risk of contact dermatitis. Most allergic contact dermatitis related to epoxy resin is localised to the hands and forearms. In a 2003 study of occupational dermatitis, epoxy resins were found to be the most important relevant allergen in painter groups, and the second most common relevant allergen in the construction industry. Ansell, in conjunction with an independent German laboratory, tested the chemical Stops skin disease. resistance performance on eight chemical gloves against five commonly used epoxy resins. The results revealed that the Sol-Vex glove showed no signs of permeation after eight hours contact with the epoxy resin. The Sol-Vex glove range is available in a range options that include varying lengths, thicknesses, grip patterns and other variants. â&#x20AC;˘ Ansell 1800 337 041 protection@ap.ansell.com www.ansell.com

INTERCLEAN Australia has released a non flammable hand sanitiser designed for the mining industry. The non alcohol hand sanitising wipes can be stored in flammable areas and near flammable materials. They have been designed for use in both open cut and underground mining, and have already seen use in the oil and gas industry. Made from a non-abrasive fabric, the towels reportedly kill up to 99 per cent of germs and clean hands to prevent cross contamination. They are available in a 70 wipe value pack. â&#x20AC;˘ Interclean Australia 02 9838 7740 www.interclean.com.au

New distributor for ABS pumps Submersible pumps.

BECKER Mining Systems is now the national distributor for the Sulzer owned ABS jumbo submersible dewatering pump range. The company says this move into submersible dewatering pumping products and repair services is part of its commitment to underground mining. It has facilities in Newcastle, Moss Vale, Perth, Kalgoorlie and Townsville proving the new equipment. According to Becker, Sulzer ABS is a global market leader in mine site, construction site dewatering, waste water transport and treatment products. Jim Dwyer, Becker's sales and marketing manager, said this partnership with Sulzer ABS provides mining customers a cost effective submersible. The jumbo pump range is available in 415 and 1000 volt and can be supplied with mine specification cables, plugs, flotation modules and pump starting equipment. â&#x20AC;˘ Becker Mining sales@au.becker-mining.com www.au.becker-mining.com

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AM.FEB12.PG078.pdf

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9TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS

The 9th Annual Australian Mining Prospect Awards Launch

t’s that time of year again, where we launch the country’s largest national mining awards – The Australian Mining Prospect Awards. Last year saw the widest ever set of categories with more than 150 nominations across the board. The awards themselves, co-hosted by AIMEX, also saw close to 400 in attendance to celebrate the cream of the mining industry. Xstrata took out a number of awards, with Oaky Creek North winning both Mine of the Year and Coal mine of the Year, while its Mt Isa Zinc facility won the Minerals Processing Plant of the Year, closely followed by Bulga’s Coal Handling Preparation Plant. MMG took out the Hardrock Mine of the Year award. An Australian who demonstrated the nation’s skill and innovation – Kelvin Brown – won the Contribution to Mining Award, and was recognised as the Miner of the Year for his work in the 2010 rescue of Chile’s trapped underground miners, as well as his contribution to drilling. The 8th Prospect Awards also saw the introduction of two whole new categories, Mining’s Woman of the Year and the Community Interaction award, as well as the reintroduction of an old category, Young Achiever. The two new awards were the most hotly contested at the

The Australian Mining Prospect Awards honour those who are making a difference in the mining industry.

show, with Mining’s Woman of the Year running across 16 finalists, and won by ERA’s Michelle Iles. Community Interaction drew a lot of entrants

AustralianMining

of fly in fly out miners. In this issue, we are opening the awards once more, so get in now to showcase the latest technological advances in the industry,

or to highlight someone you know who is making a difference to the industry. Be a part of it, nominate today.

CATEGORIES • Mine of the Year • Hardrock Mine of the Year • Coal Mine of the Year • Explorer of the Year • Mine Manager of the Year • Contract Miner of the Year • Minerals Processing Plant of the Year • Contribution to Mining

• Employer of Choice • Mining’s Woman of the Year • Young Achiever • Community Interaction • Innovative Mining Solutions • Excellence in Mine OH&S • Excellence in Environmental Management • Employee of the Year

Young Achiever Mark Cosgrove celebrating his win.

The awards covered more than 15 categories.

78 February 2012

for its first run at the event, as Mining Family Matters won the inaugural award for their creation of Australia’s first support group for the families

Close to 400 attended the awards night. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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NOVEMBER, SYDNEY For close to ten years the Australian Mining Prospect Awards has recognised and celebrated innovation and performance in the industry. Last year close to 400 of the industry’s best gathered to highlight an industry that is excelling amidst a global down turn. And now it plans to gather again to showcase all that mining in Australia can do, and those that are making a difference. Are you?

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES • Mine of the Year • Hardrock Mine of the Year • Coal Mine of the Year • Explorer of the Year • Mine Manager of the Year • Contract Miner of the Year • Minerals Processing Plant of the Year • Contribution to Mining

AND NEW FOR 2012 The People’s Choice award, which is chosen from the awards recognising individual achievement and is voted on by an online poll at www.miningaustralia.com.au

DON’T MISS MINING’S NIGHT OF NIGHTS

BE A PART OF IT! Download the nomination kit at www.miningaustralia.com.au/awards

For further information contact Madeline Prince at madeline.prince@reedbusiness.com.au or on (02) 9422 2759. SPONSORED BY:

AD_MANMBLANOV_11_1.pdf

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Safe, reliable, affordable.

ASK US FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE NEW TREDLITE RANGE! email: tredlite@blackwoods.com.au For more information contact Blackwoods on 13 73 23 or visit blackwoods.com.au

AM.FEB12.PG081.pdf

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MINING JOBS To advertise a new job contact Hussein Azzan at 02 9422 2851

To see the latest jobs available visit www.miningaustralia.com.au, which is updated daily. RAIL LOGISTICS SPECIALIST LOCATION – BRISBANE COMPANY – ROCK PEOPLE Description: A multi-national miner urgently requires a Rail Logistics Specialist to develop and coordinate rail projects and rail capacity expansions across the East Coast of Australia. Based in Brisbane, working Monday - Friday your focus will be on rail lines situated on the East Coast of Australia. This is an exciting opportunity to join one of Australia's most prominent miners, an attractive remuneration package is also provided, including incentives. Ideally you will be a tertiary qualified rail, civil or mechanical engineer with a solid background in rail development projects and/or rail logistics. Postgraduate finance or business qualifications will be highly regarded. To apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au/jobs or contact Katie Hume on +61 7 3056 0057. SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER - UNDERGROUND LOCATION – ILLAWARA & NEWCASTLE, NSW COMPANY – PALARIS Description: An Australian based multi-national independent consultancy to the resources industry, Palaris provides specialist services in exploration, geology, engineering, mining project management and sustainability. Palaris has experienced significant growth on the back of the resources boom. Our people are the driving force behind our success; our culture is innovative, collaborative and values driven. Our client list boasts the major resource houses including BHP Billiton, Xstrata, Rio Tinto, Whitehaven Coal, Anglo, Vale, Macarthur Coal, Peabody, Centennial Coal, and many other local and international companies. This role can be based in either Newcastle or The Illawarra region. It offers the opportunity to travel and to work remotely at various client operations across a diverse range of projects. Based in a consultancy environment, this is an opportunity to broaden your current technical and operational capabilities in underground mining. You will have a passion for problem solving and engineering excellence. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will have significant experience in providing practical advice in relation to engineering and procurement of equipment. You will have a multi-disciplinary understanding of project management coupled with solid expertise in risk analysis for equipment operability and maintainability. To apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au/jobs SENIOR RESOURCE GEOLOGIST LOCATION – PERTH COMPANY – ROCK PEOPLE Description: Utilise your resource experience on a number of exciting and complex Au projects with a small team of respected geos. Perth based, great conditions... An exciting new opportunity has arisen for a Senior Resource Geologist to join an emerging Aussie gold company with a number of promising West Australian gold projects. Reporting to the Exploration Manager, you will take leadership for resource modelling and estimation for the group's advanced gold projects. Key accountabilities will include ensuring best practice QAQC, database management, reporting and more. Working from the company's Perth head office, you will work on a Monday to Friday basis with occasional travel to local projects as required. A lucrative remuneration package including incentives is provided. To apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au/jobs or contact Katie Hume or Alex Beutler on +61 7 3056 0055. PROJECT EXPLORATION GEOLOGIST - INDO PACIFIC (FIFO) LOCATION – ASIA-PACIFIC COMPANY – ROCK PEOPLE Description: A chance to launch your international career and gain invaluable experience in complex porphyries around a world class operation... A well regarded international mining group with world class operations currently seeks a Project Exploration Geologist to join their exploration team in the Indo-Pacific. In this role, you will be responsible for leading near-mine exploration programs at one of the group's flagship operations. Key accountabilities will include the design and planning of drilling programs,

www.miningaustralia.com.au

supervising local geologists and contractors, QAQC and core logging, data management, liaising with key stakeholders and much more. This is an outstanding operation located in the Indo Pacific region with exceptional amenities and easy travel access. A lucrative remuneration package including performance incentives is provided. You will enjoy a short expat roster from East Coast Australia while working with a team of respected geology professionals with extensive autonomy. Ideally you will be a tertiary qualified geologist with a strong background in hardrock exploration (e.g. 4+ years). To apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au/jobs or contact Katie Hume or Alex Beutler on +61 7 3056 0055. PROFESSOR OF MINERALS PROCESSING LOCATION – SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY – UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN Description: The Department of Chemical Engineering, which enjoys an international reputation in teaching and research, invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the above post. The Chair is an endowed position in the field of minerals processing and is sponsored by Anglo American Platinum Limited. The Department is actively committed to teaching and research. Research is carried out in the areas of bioprocess engineering, catalysis and catalytic processing, engineering education, environmental systems and process systems engineering, minerals processing, precipitation and crystallisation. The Department enjoys strong, global industrial support for its teaching and research programmes, and maintains close links with the South African chemical, petrochemical, biotechnology and mining industries. The successful applicant may also be required to assume the position of Director of the Centre for Minerals Processing, which is based in the Department. The Centre enjoys close links with many other researchers and research groups both within the University as well as with other universities, research organisations and mining companies worldwide. Further information on the activities of the Centre can be found at www.cmr.uct.ac.za The Department of Chemical Engineering also has strong research activities in areas cognate to the discipline of minerals processing such as bio- and hydrometallurgy, precipitation and crystallisation, environmental process engineering and also hosts one of the University’s signature themes, viz. Minerals to Metals (www.mineralstometals.uct.ac.za). The Centre traditionally has had very close links with the South African mining industry and the incumbent will be expected to foster and develop these as well as existing and prospective linkages with leading universities and research institutions worldwide in the area of minerals processing. The incumbent will have a strong research record in the area of minerals processing and it will be an added advantage if this is in the area of flotation or comminution. S/he will be expected to provide outstanding leadership in research and education and in industry collaboration so as to ensure the continued growth of the Centre. S/he will report directly to the Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering. Given that the appointment is at a senior academic level the incumbent will also be expected to become actively engaged, as appropriate, in the teaching and learning, as well as leadership and management activities of the Department and the University. The annual remuneration package for 2012, including benefits, is R771 584. Opportunities also exist for salary subvention from Industry. To apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au/jobs LONGWALL ENGINEERING SPECIALIST LOCATION – PALARIS COMPANY – (ILLAWARA & NEWCASTLE) Description: An Australian based multi-national and independent consultancy to the resources industry, Palaris provides specialist consultancy advice in exploration, geology, engineering, mine planning, project management, financial and sustainability services. Palaris has experienced significant growth on the back of the resources boom. Our client list boasts the major resource houses including BHP Billiton, Xstrata, Rio Tinto, Whitehaven Coal, Anglo, Vale, Macarthur Coal, Peabody, Centennial Coal, and many others. We are currently seeking an experienced Longwall Engineering Specialist to become part of the highly skilled, respected professionals working for us. We need your expertise to work on the best longwalls in the country!

The rewards, together with a competitive salary package, you will be valued, appreciated and respected for the specialist that you are! We do not have unnecessary hoops for you to jump through in our recruitment process. If you would like to have a confidential chat with our Manager, Underground Engineering & Maintenance Services, email us below and we will put you in touch with him for a straightforward discussion. To apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au/jobs CARE & MAINTENANCE OFFICER LOCATION – TASMANIA COMPANY – MMG Description: MMG comes with a long and proud history of providing metals and minerals of all kinds to customers around the world. The Group owns and operates a portfolio of world-class base metal mining operations, development projects and exploration fields. MMG is one of the world's largest producers of zinc as well as a substantial producer of copper, lead, gold and silver. The group currently has mining operations located in Australia and Asia and a large portfolio of advanced and early stage exploration projects through Australia, Asia and North America. The Avebury Mine in Tasmania, an underground nickel mine, was first commissioned in June 2008 and is currently under care and maintenance. Reporting to the Rosebery Business Development Manager, the key purpose of this role will be to ensure the Avebury Site is maintained in a safe, environmentally sound state by performing minor equipment checks, maintenance, security, record keeping, reporting and other duties as required from time to time. We require you to be an experienced tradesperson with demonstrated capability maintaining mining equipment. Ideally, you will have had exposure to underground mining. First aid training/certification is essential. An electrical and/or mechanical trade certificate is highly desirable. This is a permanent, residential role offering a 5 days on followed by 5 days off day & night shift roster. You will be offered an excellent remuneration package including incentive, subsidised housing and utilities or fuel card. Avebury is in close proximity to Zeehan and about 45 minutes from the community and MMG site of Rosebery which is located on Tasmania's west coast and a couple of hours drive from Burnie and Devonport. The town offers a safe family friendly environment. Located in close proximity to the World Heritage areas of North West Tasmania, Avebury offers exceptional outdoor experiences with fishing, canoeing, white water rafting, rock climbing and walking at your doorstep. To apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au/jobs MANAGER UNCONVENTIONAL RESOURCES LOCATION – BRISBANE COMPANY – ORIGIN Description: With our growing portfolio of national and international projects, we're moving forward – fast. Our search for tomorrow's energy solutions brings rewarding and diverse opportunities, plus scope for personal growth and career development. Reach your full potential with us, with guidance from industry experts, state of the art technology and support for your development. We're actively pursuing major development projects across the supply chain - from coal seam gas and offshore exploration and production projects through to significant expansion of our generation and retailing capabilities. As one of Australia's top 20 listed companies, by market capitalisation, we're continuing to expand across Australia and internationally. With strong leadership and vision, we're growing - fast. And each of the almost 4,000 people who work with us plays a vital role on our journey. Their passion, dedication and creativity are helping us make a difference. With high profile Queensland projects such as APLNG, unconventional gas is a significant part of our Upstream business and a platform for domestic and international growth. To develop this platform we seek a Manager Unconventional Resources to provide technology, leadership and functional support for existing business and growth opportunities in unconventional resources including coal seam gas, shale and tight sands gas reservoirs. You will have proven experience in collaborating with internal and external stakeholders including exploration and development professionals, joint venture partners, and other industry peers. You will display the integrity to entrench yourself in Origin Energy Health, Safety and Environment Systems and Procedures. In return for the value you add to the business, you will gain career defining exposure, receive a highly competitive remuneration package, and benefit from working with an Australian employer of choice. To apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au/jobs

AustralianMining

February 2012

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EVENTS

Conferences, seminars & workshops Event submissions can be emailed to ozmining@reedbusiness.com.au GIS In Mining and Exploration Online Summit 23 January-6 February Online At Mining IQ’sGIS in Mining & Exploration Online Summit, you will have the opportunity to hear successful examples of companies that have implemented GISand utilised GIS to their advantage. You will also get to hear about the future of the industry and the role GIS will playgoing forwards, both in terms of

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exploration and mining. This is an event for the explorer, the geologist, and for practitioners who want to gain further knowledge into the technical aspects, solutions and technologies of the mining geospatial world. • IQPC www.gisinmining-online.com

2ND Annual Rare Earths & Strategic Metals Conference 21-22 February Sydney Mining IQ will be holding the second annualRare Earths & Strategic MetalsConference in Sydney. The event will give you the opportunity to discuss your own rare earth concerns in an intimate forum, giving you access to valuable networking opportunities. Our conference will give you the opportunity to focus on the many challenges associated in setting up a rare earth project; examine the processing of rare earths and how successful metallurgical extraction can determine the

commercial viability of your project. • IQPC 02 9229 1000 enquire@iqpc.com www.rareearthsandstrategicmetals.com

2012 Australian Oil & Gas Exhibition 22-24 February Perth Convention Centre The Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition & Conference (AOG) has grown to become Australia’s largest oil and gas event and the only exhibition of its kind to attract over 11,000 visitors. AOG 2012 is poised to again shatter exhibitor and visitor attendance records, showcasing the very latest products, projects and technology in subsea, asset management, flow control, safety and engineering from the world’s leading oil and gas operators, contractors and supply companies. • Diversified Exhibitions Australia 03 9261 4500 aog@divexhibitions.com.au www.aogexpo.com.au

Queensland Mining Exhibition (QME) 24-26 July Mackay Showgrounds, QLD This show allows specifiers and industry professionals to come together to catch up on products and technology, industry trends and to network with mining industry colleagues. QME features free entry to all people in the mining, engineering and construction industries. • QME 02 9422 2955 qme@reedexhibitions.com.au www.queenslandminingexpo.com. au

Mining and Engineering NSW (M&E NSW) 28-30 August Newcastle, NSW M&E NSW has become a “must attend” event for all buyers and industry professionals, with over 230* exhibitors in 2009. Keep abreast of the latest products and technology as well as network with

industry colleagues in a vibrant business environment. • M&E NSW Peter Thompson 02 9422 2472 Peter.thompson@reedexhibitions. com.au www.miningandengineeringnsw. com.au

Goldfields Mining Exhibition (GME) 30 October-1 November Kalgoorlie-Boulder, WA GME provides local and international suppliers with a unique opportunity to conduct business face to face with key buyers and decision makers in Western Australia. Staged by Reed Exhibitions, GME provides a valuable opportunity to network and exchange ideas and information with industry colleagues. • GME Chris Ghosh 02 9422 2955 chris.ghosh@reedexhibitions.com. au www.goldfieldsminingexpo.com.au

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