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TECHNOLOGY COAL SPOTLIGHT VOLUME 113/02 | MARCH 2021

MINING EQUIPMENT

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TECHNOLOGY COAL SPOTLIGHT VOLUME 113/02 | MARCH 2021

MINING EQUIPMENT

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STAYING ON TREND WITH THE NEW NORMAL BEN CREAGH

Ben.Creagh@primecreative.com.au

MINING COMPANIES HAVE A LOT TO CONSIDER TO IMPROVE THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PERFORMANCE THIS YEAR IF DELOITTE’S 2021 TRACKING THE TRENDS REPORT IS ANY GUIDE.

eloitte’s annual Tracking the Trends report provides a formidable guide to what lays ahead for the Australian and international mining industry and how it arrived at its current position. It would have been easy for Deloitte to focus on the impact of COVID-19 and what the ongoing pandemic will mean for the industry in 2021 in this year’s edition. Refreshingly, this wasn’t the case when the latest report was released in February (featured on p22-23). Instead, Deloitte effectively outlines the opportunities, challenges and risks for the mining industry beyond the pandemic – assuming we do enjoy a reprieve from it. COVID-19 does still have a presence in many trends, but the real ‘elephant in the room’ in this year’s report is ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance). Mining companies have become increasingly serious about improving their ESG performance as investor and societal demands have dictated a move in this direction. Three trends are dedicated to ESG and the language used by Deloitte is similar to the messaging we already read or hear from Australia’s major miners. Deloitte urges the industry to focus on decarbonisation, to overcome mining’s social trust deficit and to transform corporate governance into a competitive advantage. A central theme across these chapters is the need for the industry to ‘create trust’ with key

stakeholders. This discussion picks up from the industry’s efforts to improve the ‘image of mining’ and lays the groundwork for how the industry can take the next steps. It also provides the junior and mid-tier sectors with a guide to how they can move along this path, something these organisations have grappled with. Then there’s the role of the supply chain. METS (mining equipment, technology and services) companies will require an understanding of these trends if they are to be a partner of choice for mine operators. METS must inevitably reflect the ESG strategies of their mining company partners to ensure their products or services are considered for investment. Another Deloitte trend, separate to those dedicated to ESG, which reviews the current vulnerabilities of the global supply chain also inadvertently highlights a balancing act for METS companies. On one hand, METS must adapt to the evolving ESG environment, but at the same time be agile in their response to a global supply chain disrupted by COVID-19. Agility will be the key for METS and their mining company partners on both fronts as they navigate this status quo.

FRONT COVER

In this edition, we include a special focus on the tyre management sector of mining, including feature articles covering the products and services enhancing this maintenance discipline. This issue shines the spotlight on Australia’s thermal coal industry and how two companies are managing the challenges it faces. We look at the advancing nature of communications in the underground mining industry, with input from mining and METS companies. This edition also investigates the opportunities arising in the silver mining sector, which has experienced a spike in interest so far in 2021. And as usual, we cover the latest mining equipment and technology in our products section.

Cover image: Kal Tire. Ben Creagh Managing Editor

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IN INTHIS THISISSUE ISSUE 32

16 16

Thermal coal’s future Balancing thermal coal with renewables

COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

FUTURE OF MINING

Mid-tier miners make moves How the mid-tier sector contributes to Australia’s economy

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

Tracking the Trends Deloitte’s top 10 mining trends for 2021

24 MAINTENANCE

Liebherr’s aftersales growth The OEM supports industry through services

WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

AMMA forecasts expansion Apprentices to support jobs boom

COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

Silver no longer second best Precious metal’s sizzling start to 2021

MINING EQUIPMENT

Equipment enhances performance Epiroc drill drives industry towards autonomous mining

MEASUREMENT & MONITORING

Size isn’t everything ifm efector’s small instruments handle big conditions

36 TECHNOLOGY

Pushing digital boundaries Technologies from Redmap, Mobilaris, Vernetzen connect mining

44 TYRE MANAGEMENT

Maintenance adds productivity Kal Tire, LSM, Hammersley protect tyres

MINING SERVICES

Genuine parts get the job done Altra Industrial, Sick’s trusted mining solutions

MINING INFRASTRUCTURE

Reeling in dewatering solutions Crusader Hose simplifies mine dewatering

WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

PCA promotes property Mine workers and investment opportunities

55 INDUSTRY COMMENT

Worth its weight in gold GIG, Austmine discuss their latest observations

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

AirEng helps miners breathe easy Schaeffler’s bearings blow away the competition

REGULARS 5 COMMENT 8 NEWS 60 PRODUCTS 62 EVENTS AUSTRALIANMINING AUSTRALIANMINING 66 OCTOBER MARCH 2021 2020

NEWS

THE LATEST MINING AND SAFETY NEWS AUSTRALIAN MINING PRESENTS THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE BOARDROOM TO THE MINE AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. VISIT WWW.AUSTRALIANMINING.COM.AU TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING. SA TO TRANSFORM POWER STATION INTO MINING PORT The South Australian Government has given Port Augusta Operations the go-ahead to build a port facility in the Upper Spencer Gulf that will service mining operations. The approval will see the former Port Augusta power station transformed into a modern port, to be named Port Playford. This will create a shipping hub for projects in key South Australian iron ore regions, including North Gawler, Curnamona and Braemar. Once completed, Port Augusta Operations will load commodities onto shallow-draft self-unloading vessels at the port wharf via existing rail links onto Cape-sized, ocean-going bulk carriers. These bulk carriers will be moored at the existing offshore trans-shipment

points near Whyalla. Port Augusta Operations managing director Shaun Shan said the project would provide an economic boost for the region. “Stage one of this project has already received more demand enquiries than its proposed capacity, which is fantastic news for our company and South Australia,” Shan said. “The development strongly aligns with key state, regional and local development directions and will unlock significant economic benefit within Port Augusta and across regional South Australia.” Port Augusta Operations intends to invest more than $100 million over the next 18 months, according to South

Australian Minister for Planning Vickie Chapman. Chapman said this would unlock $160 million of existing assets, which are currently wasting away at the disused site and serve a range of commodities and even minerals processing activities. “There is a scope for this tie to accommodate a range of commodities and activities, including mineral processing,” she said. “It’s estimated this development will create more than 100 jobs during construction and 80 permanent positions for ongoing port operations.” Construction of Port Playford will start in the middle of 2021, with first shipment from the port anticipated by late 2022.

AUSTRALIAN MINING GETS THE LATEST NEWS EVERY DAY, PROVIDING MINING PROFESSIONALS WITH UP-TOTHE-MINUTE INFORMATION ON SAFETY, NEWS AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN MINING AND RESOURCES INDUSTRY.

AUSTRALIA BRUSHES CHINESE COAL BAN ASIDE Australia has overcome China’s alleged coal import ban, with exports increasing during December, according to Australian Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt. The value of Australia’s coal exports increased by 26 per cent compared with November, with thermal coal accounting for most of the increase to meet demand during the northern hemisphere’s winter. Pitt said this result demonstrated the resilience and hard work of the Australian resources industry to maintain full operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down many other industry sectors globally. “Coal was worth $3.7 billion to the Australian economy in December alone as exporters looked to fill gaps in international markets and made the most of the increase in thermal coal prices,” Pitt said. “Coal sales to Vietnam and India were stronger, reaffirming the competitiveness of Australian coal and its reputation for high quality in global markets.

“This again reinforces the importance of coal as an Australian export commodity and that it will remain so for many years to come.” Australia’s resources and energy exports were valued at $272.5 billion in the 12 months to December 2020, as many worldwide economies recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed industrial development. “The result is testament to the work of our resources industry,” Pitt said. “Many countries are looking to resume industrial production and that is good news for the Australian resources sector.” China’s imports of Australian coal dropped by 47 per cent last October compared with the same time in 2019, as trade tensions escalated between the two nations and China reportedly banned several Australian imports, including coal. In 2019, Australia supplied more than 57 per cent of China’s thermal coal and 40 per cent of its coking coal imports, according to International Energy Agency Clean Coal Centre. AUSTRALIANMINING

THERMAL COAL EXPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA HAVE REBOUNDED.

MARCH 2021

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NEWS

RIO TINTO APPOINTS AUSTRALIAN CEO IN SHAKE UP Former interim iron ore chief executive Ivan Vella has become aluminium chief executive, while energy and minerals chief executive Bold Bataar has transferred to copper chief executive. Former managing director, operations, copper and diamonds Sinead Kaufman is now minerals chief executive. The product groups will continue to be supported by the safety, technical and projects group overseen by Mark Davies, and will include the recently established communities and social performance function. Chief people office Vera Kirkova has also decided to leave the company, with Egon Zehnder partner James Martin to succeed her in her role from April 6. Remaining on board is group executive strategy and development, including climate change, Peter Toth; chief legal officer and external affairs Barbara Levi; and interim chief financial officer Peter Cunningham until the company finds a successor. Recently appointed Rio Tinto chief executive officer Jakob Stausholm welcomed Parker, Kaufman, Martin and their fresh perspectives to the executive team.

executive committee, with a full agenda ahead of us and a determination to become a strong team. “I am confident that together we can unleash Rio Tinto’s full potential.” The mining giant announced it would make major changes to its leadership team last year, following an external review that took place after the destruction at Juukan Gorge in May.

“I want to re-establish Rio Tinto as a trusted partner for host communities, governments and other stakeholders,” Stausholm said. “While Rio Tinto continues to deliver strong safety and operational performance, there are improvements we can achieve across the business to make Rio Tinto more resilient and an even stronger performer and employer. “Now the work starts for (the)

IMAGE CREDIT: RIO TINTO.

Rio Tinto has unveiled a new executive team, including a chief executive of Australia, chief executive of iron ore and chief operating officer, as the company works to rebuild stakeholder trust in Australia. Pacific Operations Aluminium managing director Kellie Parker has been appointed chief executive Australia and will focus on strengthening external relationships across the nation. Rio Tinto has recruited internally to fill the other two new roles, with chief commercial officer Simon Trott becoming iron ore chief executive, and copper and diamonds chief executive Arnaud Soirat stepping up to chief operating officer. Soirat will drive company-wide improvements within Rio Tinto’s production system during an 18-month fixed term as chief operating officer. Aluminium chief executive Alf Barrios will also switch roles and take up the position of chief commercial officer to drive added value from mine to market. Rio Tinto will retain four product groups: aluminium, copper, iron ore and minerals, which will expand to include the diamonds business.

ALF BARRIOS HAS BECOME RIO TINTO’S CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER.

BYRNECUT REPLACES DOWNER AT CARRAPATEENA January over a transitional sevenweek period between OZ Minerals, Byrnecut and Downer. OZ Minerals’ contract with Byrnecut will continue for five years and is valued at around $130 million per year. Byrnecut has provided underground

mining services to OZ Minerals’ Prominent Hill mine in South Australia for the past 10 years and secured a contract renewal in 2020. Downer chief executive Grant Fenn said the company planned to transfer the majority of its existing roles to Byrnecut. IMAGE CREDIT: OZ MINERALS

Byrnecut will take over as OZ Minerals’ underground mining contractor at the Carrapateena copper-gold mine in South Australia after incumbent contractor, Downer, announced plans to divest its mining services business. The move has progressed since late

THE CARRAPATEENA COPPER-GOLD OPERATION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

“Downer’s exit from underground mining follows the sale of Open Cut Mining West, Downer Blasting Services, the Snowden consulting business and our share in the RTL Mining and Earthworks joint venture,” Fenn said in January. “We will work closely with OZ Minerals and Byrnecut over the next seven weeks to ensure a smooth transition of services at Carrapateena. “This includes the objective of providing roles for the majority of Downer’s existing workforce and the transfer of equipment from Downer to Byrnecut.” OZ Minerals stated: “(We thank) Downer for the work undertaken over the past two-and-a-half years, and for their major contribution in reaching development milestones at Carrapateena.” Byrnecut was expected to take full control of Carrapateena’s mining services during March. The Carrapateena mine is in the Gawler Craton region, around 160 kilometres north of Port Augusta.

RETHINK THE FUTURE OF MINING

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NEWS

ILUKA TO PAUSE CAPEL OPERATIONS Iluka Resources has suspended operations at synthetic rutile kiln 2 (SR2) at the Capel rutile operations in Western Australia for three to six months. The suspension will assist Iluka to reduce its stocks of synthetic rutile at SR2, which are at an elevated level following a contract dispute with United States-based chemistry company Chemours last year. Chemours was expected to take its first shipment of 4000 tonnes of synthetic rutile for the 2021 calendar

year in January in line with its contract. Iluka has stressed there will be no redundancies due to the production suspension and the company will use this time to carry out maintenance works, restart the kiln and adjust production settings. The suspension will also minimise operating costs for the company throughout 2021. Iluka produced a record 61,000 tonnes of synthetic rutile at SR2 during the December quarter, a leap from the 55,000 tonnes produced in the

previous quarter. This contributed to the company’s full year synthetic rutile production of 227,000 tonnes, a record for the company driven by higher runtime and use of reduced ilmenite stocks. Production of heavy mineral sands at Cataby in Western Australia was down on the September quarter to 117,000 tonnes due to lower ore grades. This comprised 75,000 tonnes of magnetic material, used as synthetic rutile feed, and 42,000 tonnes of non-

magnetic material for zircon and rutile production. Iluka processed 68,000 tonnes of heavy mineral sands at the Narngulu mineral separation plant in Western Australia, processing material exclusively from the Jacinth-Ambrosia zircon mine in South Australia. This was down on the September quarter last year when it produced 89,000 tonnes, due to adjusted production settings implemented in April in response to the impact of COVID-19 on global zircon markets.

AUSTRALIAN MINING EMPLOYMENT SMASHES RECORDS Australia’s mining workforce has continued a steady climb in numbers, with national coal mining employment reaching a record high, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). ABS data from the September to November 2020 quarter saw the total number of coal mining employees rise to a record 62,000, which marked a 22.2 per cent increase from the previous period (49,600). Total national mining employment reached 264,000 in the September to November 2020 quarter, compared with 240,600 in the June to August 2020 quarter. The result still trails the quarterly record of 274,200 total mining employees, which was recorded in

the March to May 2012 quarter. Western Australia was the best performing state overall, with a record 121,100 mining employees during the September to May 2020 quarter. Queensland earned the highest number of coal jobs in the same period, rising from 28,072 to 39,075. “December trade data also shows the value of Australian coal exports rose by 26 per cent over the previous month, showing coal continues to be an important part of the global energy and industrial mix and will be for years to come,” Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said. According to the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), the

national geoscientist unemployment rate in the December 2020 quarter fell from 10.6 per cent to 4.5 per cent. The increase was due to an influx in mineral exploration during 2020, with in-field geoscientists rising from 61.5 per cent to 69.2 per cent. AIG president Andrew Waltho said the results marked the fourth-lowest unemployment rate since the survey started in 2009. “It’s great to see job prospects for Australian geoscientists ending what had been a tentative 2020, on such a positive note,” he said. “The employment improvement appears to be largely due to increased mineral exploration. “Strong metals prices appear to be driving renewed investment in

resource discovery, especially in commodities like gold, copper, nickel and other battery materials, even lithium where 2020 was not a good year for producers and investors.” Waltho said Australia’s geoscientists were aging, with almost 40 per cent of the workforce having been operating for more than 30 years. “Almost 40 per cent of geoscientists in Australia have been working for more than 30 years, placing them in their mid-50s, while early career geoscientists: those with less than 10 years’ experience comprise less than 10 per cent of the community.” This is due to a reduced number of geoscience students meeting the job demand, Waltho concluded.

MORE WORKERS ARE PART OF THE AUSTRALIAN COAL INDUSTRY THAN EVER BEFORE.

AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

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NEWS

FORREST UNVEILS FORTESCUE’S GREEN STEEL PLANS produce steel with zero-emissions energy. “Australia is in an absolutely unique position to scale green steel,” Forrest said. “There are two ways. In one, you replace the coal in the furnace with green hydrogen. You get steel but instead of emitting vast clouds of carbon dioxide, you produce nothing more than water vapour. “To strengthen the steel, you simply add the carbon separately. It bonds into the metal rather than dispersing into the atmosphere. “The other way, the radical approach, is to scrap the blast furnace altogether and just zap the ore with renewable electricity.” Fortescue is trialling both

methods as the company aims to start building the green steel pilot plant this year and a commercial plant that is powered entirely by wind and solar in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in the next few years. “If Australia were to capture just 10 per cent of the world’s steel market, we could generate well over 40,000 jobs, more than what’s required to replace every job in the coal industry,” Forrest said. “Not just any old jobs, but similar jobs; construction workers, mechanics, electricians, engineers, all of the sectors that’ll be hit when coal is phased out. “And we would also produce

a product that is so much more valuable than either coal or iron ore – green steel.” This ambition follows Fortescue’s move to run its entire fleet on renewable energy, along with trialling hydrogen buses at the Christmas Creek mine and plans to develop green iron ore trains powered by renewable electricity or green ammonia. It is building solar farms that can generate more than 40 gigawatts of power, or more than half of what Australia makes currently. “With all these technologies, the day that Australia can mine iron ore without generating emissions is rapidly approaching,” Forrest said. IMAGE CREDIT: FORTESCUE METALS GROUP.

Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest has revealed ambitions to build Australia’s first green steel pilot plant this year. Forrest disclosed the company’s plans at the ABC Boyer Lecture for 2021; Oil vs Water: Confessions of a Carbon Emitter, pitching the urgency for global mining operations to take on hydrogen power to lower emissions. At present, Fortescue generates just over two million tonnes of greenhouses gases every year, equal to more than the entire emissions of the nation of Bhutan. He said that the answer wasn’t to stop mining iron ore, which is critical to steel production for the development of humanity, but to

FORREST WANTS TO USE ORE FROM SOLOMON (PICTURED) AND OTHER SITES TO MANUFACTURE GREEN STEEL.

PILBARA MINERALS STRENGTHENS PILGANGOORA FOOTHOLD Pilbara Minerals has finalised its acquisition of the Altura lithium project in Western Australia from Altura Mining for $201 million. Pilbara Minerals previously secured the agreement to purchase Altura Mining’s lithium operations in October 2020. The acquisition will provide Pilbara Minerals 100 per cent ownership of the Altura lithium project, which grants the former with control of the largest independent hard-rock lithium mining and processing operation

globally. Pilbara Minerals managing director and chief executive officer Ken Brinsden said the deal marked a significant milestone for the company. “This is a historic day in Pilbara Minerals’ relatively short history as a lithium producer and marks an important moment, not just for our shareholders, but also for the lithium industry in Australia,” he said. “The well-timed and cost-effective acquisition of our neighbouring AUSTRALIANMINING

operation is one of the most compelling transactions seen in the lithium sector in recent times. “It represents a unique opportunity to realise tangible synergies from integrating two very similar mining and processing operations and adopting a holistic approach to extracting value from what is essentially the same orebody.” Brinsden said the deal secured the company’s position as the leading pure-play lithium company on the ASX.

MARCH 2021

“It provides for a larger, more resilient and flexible operation with available offtake, which is an important strategic advantage at a time when a turnaround in the lithium market appears to be upon us,” he said. Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project neighbours the Altura lithium project. With control of two processing plants, Brinsden said this would increase Pilbara Minerals’ ability to meet customer demands.

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COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

THE ENDURING LIFE OF THERMAL COAL IS A BALANCED MIX BETWEEN THERMAL COAL AND RENEWABLE ENERGY THE ANSWER TO THE WORLD’S NEEDS? VANESSA ZHOU SPEAKS WITH BRAVUS AND YANCOAL TO DISCUSS THE APPEAL AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THERMAL COAL AS A MINED COMMODITY. forecast to exceed a billion tonnes a year of imports into Asia within the next decade, many mining companies in Australia have held on to their thermal coal assets. Australia’s higher quality thermal coal, which is prized for its high energy, low impurity composition, is a testament to this decision. Bravus Mining and Resources (formerly Adani Mining) puts the coal that will be mined at its Carmichael coal mine and rail project in Queensland into this category. Adani Australia chief executive and country head Lucas Dow says the company is equipped with a coal handling and preparation plant that resizes and processes the coal into the desired quality requirements. “In doing so, the finished product is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. It is these facilities that will see Carmichael coal become some of the better-quality

coal from around the world,” Dow tells Australian Mining. “The quality of coal from the Carmichael mine is better than the coal it will replace in the market, meaning it will produce fewer emissions when burnt to produce electricity, which makes it suitable for the new generation coal-fired power plants in India and Asia that are more energy efficient and produce fewer emissions.” Bravus has secured an end market for the 10 million tonnes of coal that will be produced at the Carmichael mine each year from late 2020. Dow is confident the demand for thermal electricity is still growing in India and Southeast Asia. “Both coal and renewables are needed to provide safe, affordable and reliable power,” he says. “Bravus’ parent company, the Adani Group, has a unique view of the market and we see there will be a need for both coal and renewables in the energy

mix to meet growing energy demand in Asia as people there emerge from poverty.” A Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) report released last October reaffirms that much of the Asian demand growth will rely completely on higher quality imported coal. It notes India, a key destination for coal produced at India-owned Bravus’ Carmichael project, is a hotspot for high population growth. “The 10 million tonne per annum thermal coal project is a clear example of the potential that a burgeoning trade and investment relationship between India and Australia holds,” Dow says. “India offers tremendous trade and investment opportunities for Australia, which could result in a significant uplift to our domestic economy.” It is also a country that hosts the largest ever solar offtake award won by the largest solar power developer globally based on operational, under

IMAGE CREDIT: BRAVUS MINING AND RESOURCES.

f there is one mined commodity that attracts attention and polarising opinions, it is thermal coal. Amid these contrasting views, thermal coal is being abandoned by some long-term producers as more and more investors exclude the commodity from their portfolios. Despite this trend, thermal coal has sparked a 26 per cent hike in the value of Australia’s coal exports in December 2020 compared with the previous month. The surging demand for Australian coal was largely driven by the northern hemisphere as it stocked up for its winter months. Coal sales to Vietnam and India – the world’s second largest coal importer – also increased during December, offsetting the blow of China’s decision to restrict the amount of Australian coal imported into the country. Capitalising on a market that is

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AT BRAVUS’ CARMICHAEL COAL MINE AND RAIL PROJECT. AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

YANCOAL IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FURTHER GROWTH IN THE COAL INDUSTRY.

construction and awarded projects, according to Mercom Capital Group, Adani Green Energy. The offtake involves eight gigawatts of solar power that will be delivered for the state-owned Solar Energy Corporation of India over five years. Establishing itself as India’s largest private electricity generator, Bravus also opened its Rugby Run solar farm near Moranbah in Central Queensland in 2019, using its parent company’s international expertise. “On a global scale, with total capacity of 12.3 (gigawatts), Adani Group’s rapid expansion into the renewable energy sector will help to displace 1.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide over the life of its assets,” Dow explains. “The latest ranking by Mercom Capital found Adani is roughly 70 per cent larger than the next-largest solar power generation company and that its renewable energy portfolio exceeds the total capacity installed by the entire United States solar industry in 2019. “As renewable technology improves there is no doubt that it will supply more energy, however this will take significant time as thermal power stations won’t be retired until they reach the end of their lives which is decades away. That is why we are committed to both coal and renewables.”

Yancoal is another thermal coal producer that supports the inclusion of renewables as part of the energy mix. A member of Low Emissions Technology Australia (LETA), Yancoal has participated in the New South Wales Energy Savings Scheme at the Mount Thorley Warkworth coking and thermal coal project, with more assets in the state to follow suit. Yancoal also chooses to combust its methane-rich waste at the Ashton coking coal underground mine in New South Wales rather than adopting a free-venting approach to help reduce emissions on site. Sharing the belief that higher-quality coal will remain a key component of the regional energy mix, Yancoal is progressing several brownfield opportunities and extension projects. The company is conducting a pre-feasibility study for a conceptual underground mine at Mount Thorley Warkworth, potentially increasing production to around five million runof-mine tonnes a year. It is also planning to lift production and processing profiles at the Moolarben open cut and underground thermal coal project in New South Wales, with approvals for the expansion received. Beyond this, Yancoal is making space for even further expansion across its coal portfolio, including “acquisitive AUSTRALIANMINING

growth opportunities as they arise.” “We are committed to only acquiring appropriately priced assets of genuine future value and adhere to a disciplined approach when considering external opportunities for long-term strategic growth,” Yancoal explains in a statement to Australian Mining. Such growth ambitions aren’t unfounded, even when investor appetite for coal is waning. Yancoal experienced a 180 per cent increase in saleable coal production, which grew from 18.6 million tonnes in 2015 to 52.1 million tonnes in 2019. This is primarily driven by the Moolarben, Mount Thorley Warkworth and Hunter Valley operations, all of which produce thermal coal. “Yancoal considers that there will be a continuing need for coal to play a key role in delivering economic growth and improved quality of life across Asian markets,” the company states. “By the end of this decade, the increasing global demand profile for coal is likely to ease and to coincide with a declining international coal supply profile, which we anticipate will create a more stable long-term price outlook. “The ongoing shift toward high efficiency, low emissions power generation should underpin the demand and premium price paid for the high-quality thermal coal that Yancoal produces.” The China-backed company is, therefore, ready to capitalise on the increasing energy and infrastructure requirements associated with expected population growth and urbanisation across Asia.

It states that no single country contributes more than 26 per cent of the company’s revenue. Claiming that it has not received any special treatment in regard to the reported Chinese restrictions on Australian coal imports, the company, which only has assets in Australia, takes pride in its successful relationship with China. “Yancoal should be held up as an example of successful Chinese investment in Australia, and successful Chinese-Australian collaboration and cooperation,” the company states. China, along with Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, accounted for nearly 80 per cent of Yancoal’s revenue from coal sales in 2019. “Yancoal acknowledges that some equity investors and financial market participants are moving away from exposure to fossil fuel-related investments for a variety of reasons,” the company states. “In addition to those investors, there are other investors and capital providers, including our existing shareholders and financiers, that identify Yancoal (and the coal industry more generally) as profitable and sustainable business that is servicing the continued demand for high-quality coal used in efficient electricity generation and steel production.” With supporters of thermal coal remaining in the market, companies such as Yancoal and Bravus are fearlessly blazing their way to deliver the commodity (and potentially expand their projects) to meet the extraordinarily high demand forecast by some. AM

(L-R) FORMER RUGBY RUN SOLAR FARM PROJECT DIRECTOR IAN SEDGMAN AND ADANI AUSTRALIA CEO LUCAS DOW.

IMAGE CREDIT: BRAVUS MINING AND RESOURCES.

IMAGE CREDIT: YANCOAL.

COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

MARCH 2021

FUTURE OF MINING

THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA’S MID-TIER SECTOR PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS AUSTRALIA (PWC) SUGGESTS THAT AUSTRALIA’S MID-TIER MINING SECTOR IS IN A STRONG POSITION TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY. NICKOLAS ZAKHARIA WRITES.

CHALICE MINING’S JULIMAR PROJECT HAS ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT EXPLORATION SUCCESS IN 2020.

he resilience of the Australian mining sector shone through during the tumultuous year that was 2020. In November last year, the 15th iteration of PwC’s annual Aussie Mine report was published at a time when economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic still lingered. The Aussie Mine report provides both industry and financial scope into the mid-tier mining sector by analysing Australia’s mid-tier 50 (MT50). This includes the 50 largest mining companies on the ASX with a market capitalisation of less than $5 billion as of June 30 2020. According to PwC, the MT50 collectively can be a key aspect to resourcing Australia’s economic recovery, achieving no change to net assets to market capitalisation and a 1 per cent increase compared with 2019. For instance, PwC discovered that the MT50 outperformed the ASX200 from April to June 2020 – a period

marred by the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, the MT50 employs more than 50,000 people with a combined market capitalisation of $61 billion, according to PwC’s research. The 2020 report found that 44 per cent of the MT50 were gold miners, as the commodity delivered record prices in the Australian currency. Gold was again viewed as a ‘safe haven’ investment during the initial economic fallout of COVID-19. According to PwC, gold and iron prices over the past 12 months have enjoyed higher prices with demand for other commodities also returning. “The contribution of both iron ore and gold companies has been significant throughout 2020 with both markets enjoying significant increases in demand during the early stages of the pandemic along with prices remaining high into 2021,” PwC national mining leader Debbie Smith tells Australian Mining. While the Aussie Mine report saw gold and iron ore as the frontrunners of minerals demand, other commodities AUSTRALIANMINING

CHALICE MINING MANAGING DIRECTOR ALEX DORSCH.

are picking up the pace, Smith says. “However, as has been the case with many things in 2020, a lot can change in a few months. Since our report was published in November 2020, many other commodities have experienced significant rallies in demand, including aluminium, copper, coal and nickel, which all feature in the MT50. “Therefore, we expect that the entire mining sector and not just

MARCH 2021

gold and iron ore producers will have a significant role in pushing the economic recovery in Australia.” Alumina Limited, whose primary commodity is aluminium, maintained its spot as the highest ranked mid-tier miner on the MT50 list, with a market capitalisation of $4.679 billion at the end of the 2020 financial year. At the time of writing, the company’s market capitalisation had moved above $5 billion. Mineral Resources climbed from sixth to second position on the list, gaining a 42 per cent increase to its market capitalisation in FY20 to $3.976 billion. At the time of writing, the company had continued this upward trend, jumping above a $7 billion market capitalisation. Only four coal miners were listed on the MT50, down from six in 2019 due to a decrease in its hold on the MT50’s market capitalisation. Coal’s price fell to 2015 levels during the 2020 financial year; however, Australia’s coal miners provided the largest, albeit decreased share of

FUTURE OF MINING

revenue out of the MT50. “In FY20, coal mining companies continued to be the greatest contributor of revenues and gross profits to the MT50 generating $11.4 billion (9 per cent decrease from 2019) in revenues and $61 billion (18 per cent decrease) in gross profits,” Smith says. Coal’s turbulent year was worsened by China’s alleged import ban, yet Australian Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt reported that exports have climbed by 26 per cent in December 2020 compared with November. “Coal was worth $3.7 billion to the Australian economy in December alone as exporters looked to fill gaps in international markets and made the most of the increase in thermal coal prices,” Pitt explains in a media release during January 2021. “Coal sales to Vietnam and India were stronger, reaffirming the competitiveness of Australian coal and its reputation for high quality in global markets. “This again reinforces the importance of coal as an Australian export commodity and that it will remain so for many years to come.”

More than a nickel and dime

The Aussie Mine 2020 report also saw a 21 per cent increase in explorers listed on the MT50, with an additional eight

A DRILL CORE AT THE MAWSON PROSPECT.

that are all new entrants. In the 2020 financial year, exploration expenditure crept up by 21 per cent for the MT50. Chalice Mining (formerly Chalice Gold Mines) was a new explorer that entered the MT50 list. The company increased its market capitalisation by 844 per cent in FY20 compared with the previous year, reaching $302 million. Chalice’s current market capitalisation has soared far beyond this level in the months

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since, reaching more than $1.6 billion by late January. In March 2020, Chalice’s nickelcopper-PGE greenfields discovery at the Julimar project in Western Australia reshuffled the company’s main focus from gold to nickel sulphides, driving a 568 per cent increase in its market capitalisation. Chalice managing director Alex Dorsch says what has been discovered at Julimar so far is only the beginning for the project.

Mineral Processing

“Yes, the last year has been remarkable for Chalice and I am incredibly proud of the team’s successes, especially considering the unique challenges the world faced in 2020,” Dorsch tells Australian Mining. “In saying that, I do believe this is just the beginning of our story at Julimar, where we made a major greenfield discovery in 2020.” Chalice is moving towards securing its maiden resource at the site with further exploration planned this year.

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AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

FUTURE OF MINING

CHALICE MINING’S JULIMAR PROJECT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

THE RECENT GREENFIELD EXPLORATION SUCCESSES ARE THE KEY DRIVING FORCE FOR MORE EXPLORERS ENTERING THE MT50, AND APPETITE FOR GREENFIELD EXPLORATION HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER, SO I THINK THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE.” Dorsch says the next exploration discoveries across the country are being driven by demand for new technology minerals. “I think the new wave of discoveries is upon us, but we are just seeing the beginning,” Dorsch says. “The increased pressure from policymakers and investors for decarbonisation means demand for these new technology minerals will undoubtedly continue to grow.” Demand for electric vehicles and energy storage is increasing, Dorsch reinforces. “Mining must expand dramatically as the fossil fuel industry declines. EVs (electric vehicles), energy storage and other decarbonisation technologies are here to stay, and I think the number of these miners in the MT50 will continue to increase once the demand for these ‘green’ commodities really kicks in,” he says. With an influx in explorers on the MT50 list, Smith says a greater representation of new technology minerals companies may surface if the forecasts for lithium-spodumene and

cobalt prices ring true. “We have seen the mix of the MT50 evolve over the past decade as relative demand for various commodities fluctuates,” she says. “With market analysts forecasting higher lithium-spodumene and cobalt prices over the next few years, we may see greater representation of these and other new technology minerals in the MT50 going forward.” For Dorsch, the trend for explorers to enter the MT50 will continue, with government support critical to capitalise on the benefits of new technology minerals. “The recent greenfield exploration successes are the key driving force for more explorers entering the MT50, and appetite for greenfield exploration has never been higher, so I think this trend will continue,” he says. “As we upscale the industry to satisfy the immense demand for technology minerals, government alignment and support will be critical to maximise the financial and social benefits of mining.” AUSTRALIANMINING

LEGEND MINING MANAGING DIRECTOR MARK WILSON.

A changing market

Legend Mining is another explorer that has debuted on the MT50. In 39th place, with a market capitalisation change of 540 per cent between FY19 and FY20, Legend has continued to advance its Mawson discovery at the Rockford project in the Fraser Range, Western Australia. The company’s nickel-copper sulphide discovery at the Mawson prospect is reminiscent of Sirius Resources’ Nova discovery in 2012. “What Mawson did for us in the past year is that there were multiple intercepts of massive nickel copper sulphides and that is only the fourth publicly disclosed intercepts of massive nickel-copper sulphide in all of the Fraser zone,” Legend managing director Mark Wilson tells Australian Mining. “Why that’s important is because of

MARCH 2021

the success of Sirius going back eight years or so where they discovered massive nickel-copper sulphide at the Nova deposit. And that market capitalisation went from $10 million to $1.8 billion in three years.” Legend is continuing to invest in exploration at Mawson, having spent $8 million out of its $12 million budget at the prospect last year. “The activity at Mawson (for the remainder of FY21) would be a continuation of RC and diamond drilling, combined with down hole electromagnetic surveys from those holes to give us follow up drill targets from there,” Wilson says. Wilson believes nickel demand is likely to increase due to the focus on government support packages across the globe. “There’s an expectation of increased commodity demand because of the stimulus packages being released by governments around the world. That will result in extra demand for nickel,” he says. “Seventy per cent of the world’s nickel goes into that stainless market. On top of that, you’ve got a predicted exponential use of nickel sulphide in the electric vehicle battery market. “Anything that’s battery compatible has definitely got enormous tailwinds driving it. My expectation is that at worst it will stay the same because markets often front-run where real demand is and maybe we’ve reached it, but I certainly don’t see any downside.” AM

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INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

IMAGE CREDIT: AGGREKO.

AGGREKO HAS DELIVERED HYBRID POWER SOLUTIONS ACROSS FOUR CONTINENTS.

PREPARING THE FACE OF FUTURE MINING DELOITTE’S TOP 10 TRENDS FOR 2021 HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THE MINING SECTOR’S COMMITMENT TO CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT AND IN LAYING A FOUNDATION FOR TOMORROW. DECARBONISATION AND ZERO HARM ARE TWO OF THIS YEAR’S DISCUSSION POINTS IN THE ANNUAL TRACKING THE TRENDS REPORT.

ecarbonisation is established as a hot topic in the mining sector, but the trend is set to culminate in a greater way over the next two to three years. Deloitte Australia’s mining and metals leader Ian Sanders believes the sector is at an inflection point, where the image of mining has significantly improved over 2020 and is set to continue to be a real focus. Leadership towards decarbonising the industry is being put into action despite Australia not committing to reach net zero emissions by 2050. BHP, for example, has set a longterm goal of achieving net zero operational emissions by 2050. The same ambition was last year mirrored by Rio Tinto, which plans to back the target via a $US1 billion ($1.3 billion) investment in climate-related projects over a five-year period. Rio Tinto’s Koodaideri iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia will play a part in this with the installation of a $144 million, 34-megawatt solar plant at the site. Aggreko Australia, a provider of mobile modular power and energy

DELOITTE AUSTRALIA’S MINING AND METALS LEADER IAN SANDERS.

services, has also committed to invest $450-600 million each year to support its energy transition, with the mining sector being a major part of this. “Miners are interested in hybrid projects that utilise solar and battery storage and are looking to us to become their independent power provider for the life of their projects,” Aggreko global head of mining Rod Saffy says. Sanders, meanwhile, notes that many of Australia’s mining majors and mid-tier players are announcing AUSTRALIANMINING

decarbonisation targets that are backed by scientific evidence. “That will enable them to achieve those outcomes. And now, we’re seeing mining operations starting to deliver on those targets and planning the different activities that will be required to achieve them in their one-, two- and five-year plans,” Sanders tells Australian Mining. “The mining sector has done a great job in demonstrating to the rest of the world what leadership in decarbonisation can be about.” Even the interruptions that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused haven’t forced mining companies to pull their foot off the decarbonisation pedal. Instead, they have continued to put this pursuit at the centre of their agenda; even going as far as not approving new capital projects unless they will enhance the organisation’s sustainable outcomes. “When you look at the different (decarbonisation) targets mining companies have set for themselves and in making them real, (you’d see) it’s done particularly well as a sector,” Sanders says. “Asset managers are coming up

MARCH 2021

with great ideas not only to improve productivity and efficiency on a mine site, but also innovative ideas (around the supply chain) to get better outcomes from a decarbonisation and sustainability point of view.” This proves that the increased talk on decarbonisation isn’t just words, with the drive for sustainable outcomes in this way maintaining its place as one of Deloitte’s top trends for 2021. Deloitte also points to the issue of trust between the mining industry and its stakeholders as one that is continuing to emerge as a central narrative. “In July 2020, the World Economic Forum released a report identifying the ‘trust deficit’ as being the key risk facing the mining industry,” Deloitte states in the Tracking the Trends 2021: Closing the Trust Deficit report, which was released in February. “Success in the future will likely be judged on factors far beyond financial performance. COVID-19 has taught us about the things people value most – safety, community, social impact, the environment. “Mining companies struggling to overcome a deficit in trust should take these lessons to heart.”

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

In regaining stakeholder trust, mining companies are building resilience and working towards zero harm – the most important trend for 2021. Mining companies have greatly expanded their ability to leverage data from different sources, with Sanders saying they now have much more intelligence to combat potential injury. This has helped ensure that mining companies have a great path to zero harm, beyond the practices they are currently employing to keep employees safe. Zero harm requires the use of predictive analytics to prevent safety incidents before they occur. By capitalising on safety analytics in a more integrated way than it’s ever been, mining companies can access deeper insights to reach zero harm. “You might have internal data sources, including safety standards, policies and procedures, incident data, safety audits and human resources information around training and maintenance,” Sanders says. “And you couple that with external data sources such as open source data and data from Facebook and LinkedIn, even, along with that from wearables and telematics. “Combined together, you’ll end up with much richer information around potential incidents and how to combat those, ensuring that they don’t occur (in the first place). “This is the real change that has taken place particularly over the last 12-18 months, and organisations are just getting richer and richer (in information) because of that.” Deloitte reveals that a company it worked with was able to centralise a vast amount of distinct data sources into one common source of truth. This included aggregating more than 5000 safety incident reports

THE MOVE TOWARDS DECARBONISATION IS A KEY TREND IN THE MINING SECTOR.

and all human resource, payroll, equipment and maintenance production, census, geospatial and climate-related data for a period of five years. Thanks to this project, the mining company was able to execute diagnostics at several of its mine sites and design interventions for short-term safety gains and long-term strategic changes. It uncovered hidden relationships between the company’s individual performance incentive program and incident likelihood, the effects of changing production levels and the impact of age and other sociodemographic characteristics of the employees, according to Deloitte. “Getting investor trust is really, really important,” Sanders says. “(Therefore,) building resilience, zero

harm and decarbonisation are the three things that resonate highly with mining companies.” Part of mining companies’ focus on build sustainable outcomes is their interest in better understanding the communities in which they are operating. The goal of co-creating values in their operating regions lies beyond a company’s interest to achieve compliance. “Mining companies are looking into local businesses and the areas of supply chain and education to make sure they are not only giving back to shareholders in the form of dividends,” Sanders says. “Even though nothing is perfect, the mining sector has made a significant level of improvement. And I do think we’ll continue to improve.” AM

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THE TOP 10 TRENDS OUTLINED BY DELOITTE IN 2021 ARE: 1. Building resilience amid volatility 2. M&A in an altered world 3. ESG: Getting serious about decarbonisation 4. ESG: Working to overcome the social trust deficit 5. ESG: Corporate governance adding to competitive advantage 6. Creating an agile supply chain 7. The path towards integrated operations 8. Advancing the future of work 9. On the road to zero harm 10. Meeting demand for green and critical minerals

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AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

MAINTENANCE

SERVICE A KEY COMPONENT OF LIEBHERR MILESTONES LAST YEAR WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ALL, BUT PARTICULARLY LIEBHERR-AUSTRALIA. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER’S SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACHIEVED MULTIPLE MILESTONES, PROVING THAT AFTERSALES IS NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT FOR THE COMPANY.

he number of equipment orders at Liebherr-Australia is going from strength to strength with every passing year. When growth accelerates, some businesses have been known to struggle with maintaining the quality of their customer support as more of their equipment populates mine sites. But the opposite has happened at Liebherr-Australia despite the increasing number of its machines in the field. The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has instead continued to provide world-class customer support for mining operations regardless of the circumstances. Liebherr-Australia executive general manager customer service, mining, Tony Johnstone says this can only be achieved by having first-rate employees. “At Liebherr, we recognise that our employees are a key factor of our

success and this has been very evident in the past year. Everyone at LiebherrAustralia has worked extremely hard under difficult circumstances to deliver exceptional customer support. We owe it to all of our employees,” Johnstone tells Australian Mining. “They had the willingness to work together, including adapting to different situations by moving to a different shift patterns, ensuring social distancing at work and changing some of our work processes to stay COVID compliant. “This applies to everybody across the sites and our operating regions, and in our various office locations, not just in the workshop floor.” Safety has remained at the forefront of Liebherr-Australia’s operations as ever-changing circumstances forced workplaces to quickly adapt and remain flexible. “It’s pleasing as well that during all of the stress our employees were under in the environment that COVID-19

LIEBHERR-AUSTRALIA MAINTAINED ITS CUSTOMER SERVICE FOCUS, EVEN UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES IN 2020.

AUSTRALIANMINING

has created, our focus on safety didn’t waiver and we continued to improve our safety performance through the year,” Johnstone says. In 2020, Liebherr-Australia’s remanufacturing business achieved its highest ever annual production numbers. The business reclaims parts from its components and refurbishes them at its Adelaide remanufacturing facility back to factory-standard for use by mining companies. In the past year alone, the OEM’s remanufacturing business produced 1377 components and disassembled 1672 components, surpassing the 2000 components Liebherr-Australia aspired to hit this year. Johnstone says that customers are driven to use Liebherr-Australia’s remanufacturing service because of the company’s ability to return components to a factory new standard. “Every component is tested before it’s dispatched, while the remanufacturing process also brings environmental and sustainability advantages through the reduction of waste,” he says. The OEM also assembled and tested more than 24,000 hydraulic hoses in the Adelaide hose manufacture department. Every hose manufactured is MDG (mining design guideline) and ISO standard compliant. This is a 7 per cent jump from the 22,432 hoses the department processed three years ago, Liebherr-Australia’s previous annual high. Liebherr-Australia also commissioned 41 mining machines in 2020 – nearly twice that of 2019 – and broke its record in buckets fabrication. The company delivered 45 buckets last year compared with the 33 fabricated during the previous year. This achievement sits on top of the fabrication department’s on-time delivery rate of more than 97 per cent. It includes the delivery of four buckets in just under 12 weeks from the time of purchase order. “We continue to look at the type of welding consumables machinery, robotics and bucket design to make our fabrication process more efficient and allow us to generate the highest quality

MARCH 2021

products that will last longer in the field,” Johnstone says. In this way, Liebherr-Australia has proven to overcome supply chain challenges amid the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The OEM has chosen to ensure that its European supply chain will experience no interruptions, by turning to air freight. “We wanted to ensure that we maintained continuity in supply to our mining customers, as well as maintaining the supply of remanufactured components to our customers, which heavily relied on our European and US supply chains,” Johnstone says. “Fortunately, our customers didn’t experience any equipment downtime last year due to our inability to supply parts on time, even during challenging times. All our facilities were open last year. We didn’t miss a day.” While breaking multiple records, Liebherr-Australia continues to keep a steady approach on innovation. The OEM is increasing its ability to remanufacture electric and electric drive system components, in addition to hydraulic components in the Adelaide remanufacturing facility. This has contributed to LiebherrAustralia’s ability to bring new products online, according to Johnstone. The OEM has produced two wear plate-less excavator buckets as part of its innovation strategy, eliminating the need for and high risk of bucket maintenance on site. These buckets have the potential to be used on all mining excavators up to the Liebherr R 9800, and can be replaced at the end of their life to be remanufactured. “It’s unusual isn’t it? We had a big year across all parts of our business. When you think the impact of COVID-19 could’ve been a lot worse, it’s actually made us a lot busier and even more innovative making sure that everything kept running,” Johnstone explains. “We’re a customer-focussed business and that’s evident in everything that we do, every day.” AM

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WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

APPRENTICES, STEM STUDENTS KEY TO FILLING FUTURE MINING ROLES RESOURCES INDUSTRY WORKERS WILL BE IN HIGH DEMAND OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AS PROJECT ACTIVITY RAMPS UP ACROSS AUSTRALIA. SALOMAE HASELGROVE INVESTIGATES WHERE THESE JOBS WILL BE AND HOW THE SECTOR PLANS TO FILL THEM.

he mining and energy sectors are set to create more than 24,000 Australian jobs by 2026, according to the Australian Resources and Energy Group’s (AMMA) Resources and Energy Forecast (2021-2026) report. Of these 24,000-plus roles, the mining industry’s most in-demand occupation will be plant operators, requiring a total of 9233 workers, despite growing digital trends in the industry such as automation. Plant operators were followed by 4484 engineers and 3014 heavy diesel fitters, ranking above geologists and other technical roles, further solidifying the need for skilled tradespeople in mining. AMMA head of policy and public affairs Tom Reid says this anticipated need for plant operators reinforces that Australian mining companies consider automation as a tool to be

used by people, rather than a reason to replace them. “Automation will see some shift in the duties of specific roles, however the need for operators will remain,” Reid tells Australian Mining. “It is important to note that for the majority of employers, automation is seen as a tool, not a substitute and will not lead to less people in the industry overall. “Some sectors have seen successful roll-out of automated trucks, trains and some extraction and loading plant, but we are far from the point where technology is significantly reducing the need for operators across the sector. “The potential job-creating benefits of automation and digitisation in the resources and energy sector is far outweighing any potential short-term disruption.” This anticipated growth is based on statistics on 98 new mining projects, worth a combined $83.8 billion, being

AUSTRALIANMINING

declared “committed” or “likely” by the Australian Department of Industry by 2026. AMMA anticipates coal will be the largest driver of growth, with 22 projects forecast to create about 8000 new production jobs of the anticipated 24,000-plus. This is followed by iron ore, which has nine projects expected to create

just under 5000 jobs, with the bulk of growth in coal and iron ore expected to occur between 2021 and 2024. New and expansion gold projects are also set to create 3318 new production jobs, with nickel, lead, silver and copper trailing behind with modest forecasted growth. AMMA also expects that the growing rare earths and critical

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT FOR THE MAJORITY OF EMPLOYERS, AUTOMATION IS SEEN AS A TOOL, NOT A SUBSTITUTE AND WILL NOT LEAD TO LESS PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY OVERALL. THE POTENTIAL JOB-CREATING BENEFITS OF AUTOMATION AND DIGITISATION IN THE RESOURCES AND ENERGY SECTOR IS FAR OUTWEIGHING ANY POTENTIAL SHORT-TERM DISRUPTION.”

MARCH 2021

WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

THE RESOURCES INDUSTRY EXPECTS TO NEED 24,000-PLUS NEW WORKERS BY 2026.

minerals sector will introduce 18 new projects around Australia, creating a further 2600 production phase employees. Despite recent trade tensions between Australia and China, Reid is confident this will only be a shortterm concern and not impact coal’s long-term prospects.

“The current trade issues with China present a very serious concern for Australia’s coal producers. However, AMMA is confident the Australian Government is doing all it can to resolve this diplomatic issue,” Reid says. “Despite confidence in the coal sector being hit by COVID-19 and a sustained decline in the commodity price, an example of this strength is highlighted by the coal industry workforce returning back to its November 2019 levels (of) circa 50,000 employees.” AMMA’s workforce forecast is a tool to inform the mining industry of the upcoming potential skills demands to attract the next generation of talent. Part of the plan is to increase the number of trainees and apprentices in mining roles and connecting with universities to give Australia access to diverse, well paid and rewarding careers in the resources sector. As Australia’s largest resources sector employer group, part of AMMA’s role is to connect with university students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees. “More trainees and apprentices, in particular equally encouraging both males and females to be skilled and upskilled in trades will be critical,” Reid says. “AMMA is proud to connect educators and students with STEM fields and the diverse and rewarding careers offered within the resources and energy sector through its Bright Future STEM primary schools program. “We must continue positioning the sector as an industry of choice for

school leavers.” In addition to university students, the Australian mining industry requires skilled tradespeople, upping the need for apprentices in mining fields. Gold Fields is not only working to attract skilled workers, but also to retain them within the company, supporting their employees to grow their careers at the company. “Retention has been an area of focus for some time,” Gold Fields executive vice president: Australasia Stuart Mathews says. “We have done a lot of work on building our brand in Western Australia and to make sure that our employee value proposition is well known across the country. “Gold Fields has a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing, encouraging employees to participate in health initiatives and offering employee assistance programs and counselling services at all sites.” Gold Fields also offers further training beyond formal apprenticeships for employees that want to further their skills in their chosen field and move up within the company. Mathews says 38 per cent of its vacancies in 2020 were filled with internal movements within Gold Fields. “Informal and formal training is always available for those who want to advance their careers,” Mathews explains. “We always look to promote from within wherever possible when vacancies arise. Thirty-eight per cent of our vacancies last year were filled internally.” AM

COAL IS SET TO BE ONE OF THE LARGEST GROWTH AREAS FOR MINING JOBS.

MINING COMPANIES ARE HIRING MORE APPRENTICES TO ADDRESS SKILLS GAPS IN THE INDUSTRY.

AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

GLOBAL INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY LOCAL MANUFACTURING, PARTS AND SUPPORT

COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

THE PARIS SILVER PROJECT ON SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S EYRE PENINSULA.

SILVER NO LONGER SECOND BEST SINCE FILM PHOTOGRAPHY BECAME OBSOLETE, SILVER HAS BEEN A BRIDESMAID COMMODITY FOR THE MORE FAVOURED GOLD. AUSTRALIAN MINING SPEAKS WITH THREE SILVER COMPANIES TO FIND OUT WHAT NEW INDUSTRIAL TREND IS DRIVING THIS OVERLOOKED COMMODITY BACK INTO POPULARITY.

n Australia, silver is often seen as a by-product for producers of gold or other base metals, adding bonus revenue on top of the consistency of gold, which investors traditionally flock to in troubled times as a safe haven. Some Australian producers are challenging this norm though, focussing predominantly on silver as their primary product, for both its traditional uses in jewellery making and its growing use in new technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and solar panels. New South Wales miner Manuka Resources is actually jumping ship the opposite way, transitioning from mining activities at the Mt Boppy gold mine in Cobar, New South Wales to concentrate solely on the nearby Wonawinta silver operations, where it processes the gold ore extracted at Mt Boppy. Manuka’s knowledge and experience in both gold and silver, and knowledge of the relationship between the two precious metals, will be key as it moves towards commencing silver production at Wonawinta mid this year.

“Silver’s relationship with gold should never be underestimated,” Manuka Resources executive chairman Dennis Karp tells Australian Mining. “The trading ratio of silver and gold has been interesting historically, in the last 25 to 30 years it’s been that every one ounce of gold equates to 40 ounces of silver. “This jumped to a ratio of 1:70 over the last two years and has had highs of 1:123 when COVID broke out last year. We are expecting it to break below 1:70 and hit 1:50 which means a 40 per cent appreciation in silver price when compared to gold.” While these ratios still see silver trailing behind, Karp is confident that silver’s versatility will secure its future in industrial applications as the world continues to embrace more advanced technologies. “The relationship is key because while gold could have a substantial industrial application, it is just so expensive to make,” Karp explains. “Silver, on the other hand, has fantastic conductivity and healthy benefits, it is used in a variety of industries and while it is expensive AUSTRALIANMINING

to produce, it is nowhere near the expense of gold. “While less than 5 per cent of global silver production goes into photography, compared with 15 per cent 15 years ago, solar panelling has picked up the slack and EVs are projected to pick it back up and balance this further.” As Manuka completes final gold processing from Mt Boppy by this June, it will be ready to move immediately into silver production. Thanks to a healthy stockpile of 500,000 tonnes ready for processing, Manuka will be able to transform an estimated 1.2 million ounces of contained silver into silver doré for refining with zero associated mining costs. “This is a huge advantage for us, having no mining costs associated with that stockpile, to be able to have a nice quick financial burst to the company once we make the transition,” Karp says. “Being able to kick off straight away from the stockpile then progress the stockpile to mining existing pits, we’re conducting infill drilling at the

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moment. We expect to upgrade the nameplate capacity of our processing plant from 850,000 tonnes per annum to one million tonnes per annum.” Another Australian company focussing on silver as its primary product is Investigator Resources, which stumbled upon its own piece of Paris on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Former managing director and company founder John Anderson was exploring for a uranium deposit in the area during 2012 when he identified what is now the Paris silver project. Starting out with its own greenfields project, Investigator spent eight years increasing its knowledge of the resource base and keeping an eye on silver prices until the timing became right to conduct South Australia’s biggest drilling program. Investigator Resources managing director Andrew McIlwain also recognises the worldwide shift towards EVs as a key catalyst in the silver revival. “The big shift for silver is going to be EVs, with some countries even pledging to not have any petrol

COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

THE INVESTIGATOR RESOURCES TEAM DRILLING AT THE PARIS SILVER PROJECT IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

vehicles operating by 2030,” McIlwain says. “This will be followed by a change in economic demand for similar to what we’re seeing with copper prices now. “Then on the supply side of the equation, we see it is more challenged as South American grades have plummeted.” With this door left open by other markets, Investigator Resources has come knocking with its high-grade product and an anticipated resource increase result from the 26,000-metre drilling program completed in December last year. McIlwain expects Investigator to deliver its resource estimate this March, then by mid-year release a prefeasibility study into the market and make the decision on whether or not to continue with a definitive feasibility study. “With the current view of the silver price, I certainly expect we will be doing that and that we’ll be back on the ground with more drilling, planning and development,” McIlwain continues. “One of the great things about Paris is it’s about 50 kilometres north of Kimba, there’s nothing else out there, it’s not in arable land or in the watershed of any catchments. “We have great relations with the Traditional Owners having gone through the formal native title mining approval process for exploration permits so there are no community issues to impediment development.” With the highway within 15 kilometres of the project and the promise of Investigator bringing in new infrastructure such as water and power stations and trade for local businesses, the Kimba community is excited to have this opportunity on its

doorstep. “However we end up producing, whether it’s silver containing concentrate or if we smelt on site and produce doré, we’re sellers into a commodity market,” McIlwain explains. “We’re really well positioned to have a project that is an absolute pinpoint for silver, especially as the prices continue to look promising on a daily basis.” Thomson Resources is another company that was keeping a keen eye on the transition of silver from solely a precious metal to a battery metal in markets around the world, particularly

the United States. It was observing the growth of this metal that led Thomson to acquire Australia’s highest grade undeveloped silver asset, the Webbs project in northern New South Wales and the Conrad silver project, also in the region last November. In the past, aspiring silver producers like Thomson struggled to compete commercially against other metal companies producing it as a byproduct. Thomson executive chairman David Williams, however, believes the silver story is at a crossroads of change. “Where silver is now and where we

MANUKA RESOURCES’ WONAWINTA SILVER MINE IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

see it going is quite a different story, particularly if you can get a reasonable sized resource,” Williams says. “The other side of it is gold exploration and production is a very busy paddock; every man and his dog are doing it but with silver, there’s not as many in the space in Australia to compete against.” With the use of silver furthering into EVs, the commodity is experiencing a “back to the future” transition, as it returns to the roots of its former industrial success in film photography. “Silver has always had its place as an industrial metal but now people from that side are beginning to recognise its importance and relevance in this space,” Williams says. “People are also directing their attention to getting out of currencies into assets like gold, but for those it is too expensive to invest into, silver is often the next obvious choice.” As the globe turns its attention to greener solutions for vehicles, power and energy, Thomson Resources has been full steam ahead since finalising the acquisition to develop its resource and form a strategy to expand its existing projects. “What’s interesting is I don’t think silver will ever lose its status as a precious metal,” Williams says. “It’s not as if its going to become the iron ore of batteries, but with silver’s growing role in the automotive industry because of motor vehicles becoming more smart and ecofriendly, there is clearly a growing demand due to its combination of precious and industrial metal.” AM

wwww.flexco.com.au

MINING EQUIPMENT

INNOVATION, AUTOMATION AND TEAMWORK ENHANCE MOUNT MORGANS PERFORMANCE A NINE-STRONG FLEET OF EPIROC DRILL RIGS IS CREATING INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND BOTH FINANCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAVINGS FOR A TIER 1 CONTRACTOR AT A WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOLD MINE.

acmahon provides contract services for mining operations throughout Australia and internationally. One of the contractor’s current engagements is at Mount Morgans gold mine, in Laverton, in Western Australia’s Goldfields region. Dacian Gold awarded a $250 million open pit mining contract to Macmahon in November 2017 for a five-year period at the mine, where it is undertaking drill and blast, load and haul, and technical duties. In that five-year period, the mine contractor expects to move more than 100 million tonnes of material, with the option to extend the contract beyond November 2022. At the start of the contract, Macmahon purchased the first machines in what is now an integrated, nine-strong drill rig fleet. Its preferred choice has been the currently semiautomated Epiroc SmartROC T45 tophammer rig, which has been developed for high performance in harsh applications. An intuitive control system offers mines precise drilling and consistent operation, leading to improved blasting

results. The rig is also designed to be fuel efficient, only expending the amount of energy the work demands. “We have an entire fleet of T45s, the standardisation of the fleet helps reduce our training and maintenance costs,” Macmahon project manager Paul Haynes tells Australian Mining. “The platform is well suited with the wide tracks, allowing it to be quite manoeuvrable on uneven terrain.” Haynes and the on-site team manage the open pit operation at Mount Morgans, which includes drill and blast, load and haul, maintenance, mine planning, and run of mine delivery. He says the T45 rig is well suited to the local environment, providing “good flexibility in terms of hole sizes. “We predominantly drill 115-millimetre holes, but due to collar piping and presplits we are also required to use 102-millimetre and 140-millimetre bits. The long mast allows us to single pass the five-metre benches, which saves a lot of time and

enables operators to ‘beat the water,’ reducing redrills and collar piping requirements leading to an increase in the productivity of the fleet,” he says.

Automated rod handling innovation

The T45 features an automatic feed alignment that enables the operator to maintain the desired angle when drilling, fundamental to the operator’s optimal blasting requirements. In particular, the rig’s automatic rod adding system enables the operator to supplement rods to the exact desired drilling depth. Kris Thomas, who is the capital equipment product manager for surface and exploration drilling at Epiroc, explains the SmartROC T45s used by Macmahon feature a long feed boom, which is “capable of carrying six-metre drill rods, so there’s higher ability to do a deeper, single plan instead of the conventional 3.6 metres rod which other competitors use.”

The automatic rod handling system, coupled with the sixmillimetre rod capability, enables the T45 to drill the required depths with less rod changes and, according to Thomas, eliminates the need for a single rod change at 12 metres. “On a conventional rig, you’d have to use three rods,” he says. “With our machine, you can use two rods, so one less rod change per hole over a shift, over a month, over a year is a massive saving in time over that process.”

Exclusive thread

The other innovation on the SmartROC T45 is the exclusive Powerbit T-WiZ 60 thread for bench drilling. “There’s two different rod sizes that you can use on the drill,” Thomas explains. “The T51 is a conventional drill rod size, it’s 51 millimetre. The T-WiZ 60 is an Epiroc-designed 60 millimetre pipe and smartly designed thread where it’s much easier for the operator to break out the drill string when he needs to put the rods away, compared to the conventional T51 that can be harder to break out. “With the T-WiZ 60, your holes will be straighter because there’s more mass to the rod, it’s stiffer, so

THE RIG IS WELL SUITED TO MOUNT MORGANS, PROVIDING GOOD FLEXIBILITY.

AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

MINING EQUIPMENT

you’re increasing your ability to get straighter holes. “As the T-WiZ 60 breaks out so quickly, there’s also less potential for damaging rods,” Thomas adds. “When the conventional rods are stuck there is a lot more hammering of the machine to try to break the rods and you can cause more damage than with prolonged percussion. “The T-Wiz 60 has nine millimetre more mass to the rod than the T51, so it’s going to be stiffer or harder to bend, and because of the increased annulus (ie the difference between the 127 millimetre and the T51 bits), your flushing ability is improved. When you’re drilling, you’re flushing air down the hole to push the cuttings up to the surface. With the increased annulus, the cuttings come up more easily.” For fuel efficiency and high productivity, the SmartROC T45 has been designed to only use the least energy. The 242kW Caterpillar turbocharged diesel engine (Cat C9, Tier 3 and Tier 4), 12 bar Epiroc C146-07 screw-type compressor and standard automatic radiator fan are programmed to automatically adjust to changes in the operating mode. For example, if the rig is tramming or idle, the compressor puts no load on the engine and reduces engine speed. According to Epiroc, the 1900 rpm hydraulic system does not use or require as much oil as other rigs, and the hydraulic tank is therefore a third of the standard size for its type. Biological oil can also be used at exactly the same cost as regular oil. “The total cost of ownership of the machine is very low,” Thomas says. “There’s very small amounts of oil required on the drill, so with less oil, there’s less fuel burn, there’s less wear and tear on the machine, and longer component life. “Obviously with the lower fuel burn, the engine life is greatly improved. The oil capacity is 100 litres in the hydraulic tank – whereas other manufacturers are using 300 to 400 litres in comparison. So you have that hydrocarbon disposal benefit too – you’re not dispensing so much waste oil, which makes it environmentally friendlier.”

Observing three core values

For Macmahon’s Paul Haynes, the T45’s innovative features have been beneficial– but to him the diversity and experience of the Epiroc team are the key. “Epiroc’s drills and drilling products come with a whole range of people who have different skillsets that come from different backgrounds,” Haynes says. “It’s great to have these people come out and work with our drillers and other team members.” Epiroc business line manager Beau

Tembey says collaboration, innovation and commitment are Epiroc’s three core values and are reflected in the company’s work. “We all have our strengths and capabilities, within Epiroc and with our customers like Macmahon, and we definitely get the best outcomes when we come together,” Tembey says. “With innovation, there’s always more efficient ways of working. Whether it’s the technology or materials side of things, improvements can be made. Again, that falls into the collaboration side, and coming up with new ideas and requirements helps us improve and innovate more quickly. “And commitment, for me, is quite simple. That’s about being accountable and delivering quite simply, from our side. That’s a strong focus of ours – we want our customers to know we’re as committed to providing actual benefits to them as selling a product.” Tembey believes that Epiroc can play a major role in the automation side of the T45 and other drill rigs going forward. “Automation is a huge focus, even for us in the drilling tools side, it’s about integration with systems on the drills,” Tembey says. “It’s important that you’re getting input from the products and the consumables to the drill to advise on the product wear. It’s about integrating the tooling digitally with the tool itself, which will have benefits.” Tembey adds that it is also about having the right data, which is irrelevant “if it’s not translated into beneficial information that has meaning and context and gives you input. Getting more digital at the best level means all those inputs can be realised in one system, and really provide that information and feedback in near real time.” That is the direction Macmahon is clearly driving towards as it enters the fourth year of its contract at Mount Morgans. “We’re now transitioning into a period where we are able to look at more of the data that’s captured within our SmartROC rigs and that is exciting,” Haynes says. “There’s a lot of data we can capture from the drills. I would say we use a limited amount of the available data at the moment and I would believe that we are not the only ones, it’s now a question of how we integrate data analysis into daily routine and convert it into productive operation.” With more automation and software features, hole and inclination systems, and hole navigation systems available, it is more than likely the SmartROC T45 fleet at Mount Morgans will continue to go from strength to strength. AM AUSTRALIANMINING

THE EPIROC SMARTROC T45 TOPHAMMER RIG IN ACTION.

ESSENTIAL SPECS – EPIROC SMARTROC T45 TOPHAMMER DRILL RIG

Hole diameter

89-140mm

Rock drill/DTH hammer size

COP SC25-HE and COP 3060 rotary heads

Maximum hole depth

36m

Engine/engine speed

242kW Caterpillar diesel engine (CAT C9.3/CAT C9, Tier 4 Final and add blue or Tier 3/Stage IIIA) @ 1900rpm

Air capacity

223 l/s

Height

3300mm

Length

10,700mm

Width

2500mm

Weight

18 tonnes

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MEASUREMENT & MONITORING

SMALLER, SMARTER SOLUTIONS INSTRUMENTAL FOR EFFICIENT MINING WHEN IT COMES TO THE SIZE OF MINING PITS AND EQUIPMENT, BIGGER IS OFTEN BETTER FOR INCREASING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF A MINE. HOWEVER, WHEN IT COMES TO INSTRUMENTATION, IFM EFECTOR IS PROVING THAT SOMETIMES SMALLER IS SUPERIOR.

background in developing instruments for factories and food and beverage applications may not seem like the most conventional entry into mining. However, this background is one of the things that sets ifm efector apart from its competitors, according to company sales engineer Sam Rupasinghe. ifm has transitioned its flow switches and sensors specifically from these industries and into mining, where decreasing the size of instruments can mean huge savings for miners, both from an equipment and maintenance perspective. For example, one of ifm’s popular mining applications is supplying flow switches and pressure sensors to monitor slurry pump gland water systems. This ensures the effective operation of slurry pumps on a mine site and prevents possible costly repairs and downtime of these pumps. “In industries such as food and beverages, a lot of the instruments need to meet high specifications in terms of the cleanliness of the environment, as well as being able to handle high water pressure,” Rupasinghe tells Australian Mining. “Our instruments need very high ingress protection (IP) ratings, minimum IP67 and a lot in the IP68 to IP69 range.”

The toughness of ifm’s instrumentation equipment has convinced some of Australia’s leading miners to switch from larger, conventional instruments. This includes a Tier 1 Western Australian gold mine, which approached ifm to install a better monitoring system for its cyclone slurry pumps. The gold miner wanted an option to monitor the flow, pressure and vibration of its site’s cyclone pumps. With ifm, the miner installed compact instruments and software that allowed the site to monitor these factors. “Traditionally, they would have had to install a separate pressure, flow and vibration sensor and run them all separately into the control system,” Rupasinghe explains. “This involves a lot of wiring and provides very limited information on exact pressure and flow, and only a little bit on vibration. “What ifm efector did was give them a full system integrating vibration, pressure and flow but those sensors were connected to a smart module, via simple plug-in cables and they only had to run a single ethernet cable from the smart module to the control system.” This provided an easy connection and no need to call in an electrician to complete rewiring works, saving the mine capital and precious time for mining and processing activities.

IFM EFECTOR’S INSTRUMENTS MEET INGRESS PROTECTION RATINGS UP TO IP69.

AUSTRALIANMINING

IFM EFECTOR’S MINING INSTRUMENTATION IS ABLE TO HANDLE EXTREME CONDITIONS.

Vibration is one of the key growth areas ifm has identified for its sensors, offering this to the mining industry in a smaller and smarter way than other options on the market. “Vibration is a lot of information coming through the system so traditionally it involves an expensive setup,” Rupasinghe says. “In ifm efector’s sensors, users are getting a lot more information like crest factor, temperature, acceleration and vibration value from a single sensor over a single cable. “Having connection to multiple sensors over the one line is a very costeffective solution to install.” In addition to the new sensor itself, ifm provided the gold miner with a software solution to monitor the flow, pressure and vibration data feeding in, which notifies users if anything is getting close to being out of the desired range. Combining multiple sensors into one, simple system resulted in huge capital savings for the company, with ifm’s compact instruments and sensors costing approximately $600 to $800, rather than a range of $6000 to $15,000 for a single instrument. ifm also has Internet of Things (IoT) chips built into its instruments, allowing users to combine analogue and IoT signals into the same device. “With our sensors, you can get multiple parameters built in, which

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is a big cost advantage for end users,” Rupasinghe says. “For example, we can provide a flow sensor that also has temperature inbuilt or a pressure gauge that has analogue and IoT signals inbuilt. “The latter is beneficial for clients who want to install a pressure gauge for local visualisation, while at the same time having an analogue pressure signal into their control system. Normally you would require two separate pressure sensors to achieve this but with our smart sensors this can be done with the one unit.” The inbuilt IoT chips are not new to ifm, but they are new for the mining industry as it moves towards Industry 4.0 and technology becomes more advanced. ifm uses the IoT chips to unleash extra information from its smart sensors, providing more diagnostic information for monitoring and preventative maintenance. Rupasinghe says systems incorporating ifm’s sensors can be used across all aspects of mining from on-site stationary equipment such as pumps and motors to mobile machinery such as dump trucks. “Instruments that are smaller and smarter allow for mine sites to gain a lot more information out of their systems. In the case of systems and sensors for mining, sometimes smaller is better,” he concludes. AM

TECHNOLOGY

MASTERMYNE IS COMMITTED TO CREATING VALUE FOR ITS EMPLOYEES AND STAKEHOLDERS.

MASTERMYNE EMPOWERS WORKFORCE WITH REDMAP SOLUTION MASTERMYNE HAS JOINED FORCES WITH DOCUMENT AUTOMATION SPECIALIST REDMAP TO AUTOMATE ITS ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DEPARTMENT, MINIMISING REPETITIVE AND MUNDANE TASKS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INVOICE MANAGEMENT.

astermyne started automating its accounting system in late 2018, ahead of forecasted business growth in the coming years off the back of contract wins. Candice Herron, finance manager for compliance at Mastermyne, says the project was not about reducing headcount at the company, but rather to prepare for growth. “We didn’t want the team having to touch every invoice that was sent to the business and were trying to free up their time to perform other tasks,” she tells Australian Mining. Redmap has allowed the team to transition to new responsibilities that add value to the business. Team members have moved away from the labour intensive and repetitive process of managing, moving and pursuing other team members’ authorisation for invoices, towards advisory and compliance. Redmap’s integrated technology with Pronto Software’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, Pronto Xi, has made this shift possible. The technology is underpinned by artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and extract valuable data from the invoice and, if need be, send it to the

right person for authorisation before uploading them into the ERP. Herron says the ASX-listed company’s board and executive team has a strong focus on compliance and they demand that rigorous processes are followed to manage vendor invoices. “(Pre-automation) that process was labour intensive and the team was having challenges with the volume,” Herron says. Mastermyne accounts payable officer Ruth Cuddihy says she was processing invoices that did not require human interaction, but she saw no other option. “We had a system of folders preRedmap. The invoice would be copied from folder to folder based on its status and stage of the process, and that meant that we would spend an inordinate amount of time moving invoices from one folder to another,” Cuddihy says. “As the volume grew, the amount of time we would spend managing the invoices increased.” With AP automation, Cuddihy’s role at Mastermyne has moved from being focussed on data entry to one of advisory and compliance. Similarly, the role of Mastermyne accounts trainee Alison Prestipino has shifted from managing individual AUSTRALIANMINING

invoices to dealing with a select few that require human problem solving. “Mastermyne has employed me to solve problems and not do data entry, and as such, the fact that all we touch are the exceptions is great for the business,” Prestipino says. “Automating has increased our efficiency considerably. It has also meant an end of requests for invoice copies. The entire business can find their own invoices now.”

MASTERMYNE HAS BECOME A LEADING AUSTRALIAN COAL MINING CONTRACTOR.

MARCH 2021

AP automation not only raises the workforce’s satisfaction with their work, but it also delivers the necessary audit trail associated with invoices, exceeding the results that human reporting can deliver. “(It) allows us to prove what has happened with each invoice to internal and external stakeholders. Every action that is applied to that invoice is recorded and reportable. You could never do that with paper,” Herron says.

TECHNOLOGY

THE CHANGE ASSOCIATED WITH AUTOMATION HAS NOT BEEN WITHOUT ITS CHALLENGES AND REDMAP HAVE BEEN THERE TO SUPPORT US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.”

Redmap chief executive Ben Woolley is driven by a vision where all of the company’s clients love the product that it builds for them. The company has just surpassed 100 deployments for Pronto Software customers and that has allowed it to invest in research and development (R&D) of the product. In doing so, Redmap has delivered a standard product that works straight out of the box and this has delivered a tremendous impact on the implementation cost and timelines. “Our customers see that best practice product in one of two ways: either they fit the standard and that means projects can be delivered in as little as six weeks or they see the best practice as a head start to their modification requirements,” Woolley explains. “For me, I just don’t want customers paying us to do the same thing we have done time and time again. “We believe the best technology projects are done in the shortest amount of time. So lots of what we do is about shortening this implementation cycle.” With the Australian Government mandating the use of an e-invoicing system from July 2022, Woolley believes we will see an increasing requirement for automation in the

The coal contractor’s satisfaction with the results delivered by AP automation is comparable to the team’s experience during the implementation. Mastermyne finance manager for mining, Andrea Brannan, says that Redmap’s service and responsiveness was exceptional during the evaluation process, and this is something that has continued throughout their use. “The change associated with automation has not been without its challenges and Redmap has been there to support us every step of the way,” she says. “Furthermore, their implementation costs were less than half of the other two vendors. This meant a much shorter implementation time, which is always a good thing for a technology project.”

E Q U I P M E N T

P A R T S

S E R V I C E

accounting space. “There are multiple different government strategies and policies that will continue to drive the requirement for automation,” he says. “The payment times reporting scheme is another great example of movement in the market that, we believe, will see increasing numbers of businesses adopt products like ours.”

Mastering mining services

Mastermyne’s business approach holds similarities with Redmap as the contractor maintains a reputation for reliably demonstrating its capabilities to clients. Since Andrew Watts and Darren Hamblin started the company out of the back of a ute in 1996, Mastermyne has become one of Australian mining’s most trusted contractors. Just as the AP automation project with Redmap demonstrates, Mastermyne is committed to creating value for employees, mining companies, communities and shareholders. It is currently contracted at Anglo American’s Moranbah North, Grosvenor and Aquila mines, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)’s Broadmeadow mine, Fitzroy Group’s Carborough Downs mine and Glencore’s Integra and Ulan mines. AM

S U P P O R T

ASTEC AUSTRALIA MINING SOLUTIONS

EQUIPMENT TO BUILD AND RESTORE THE WORLD’S INFRASTRUCTURE ASTEC AUSTRALIA.

an Astec Industries Company

PO BOX 142, ACACIA RIDGE, QLD, 4110 • 1300 278 322 • astecaustralia.com.au

AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

TECHNOLOGY

MOBILARIS IS PUSHING THE ENVELOPE FOR WHAT UNDERGROUND TECHNOLOGIES CAN ACHIEVE.

UNDERGROUND MINING NETWORKS UNEARTHED THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH INSTALLING NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE IN UNDERGROUND MINE SITES. AUSTRALIAN MINING UNCOVERS THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CYBER SECURITY IN THESE ENVIRONMENTS.

ining operations are more technologically integrated than ever before. While safety has remained a key priority in the mining industry for decades, the paradigm is shifting. Automation and smart technology have paved the way for digital practices due to their ability to enhance operational efficiencies and off-site accessibility. With COVID-19 only adding to the speed at which these technologies are adopted, it’s just as important to protect a business in cyberspace as it is to protect its production output. In September 2020, a survey from Secolve found that 78 percent of the more than 2000 risk, compliance and security specialists surveyed were concerned there would be a cyber security attack at their business within the next 12 months. Among those with the greatest fear were mining, energy and utilities companies.

Alarmingly, only 31 per cent used a third party to test their operational technology (OT) security, with just one in 10 businesses not undertaking reviews or updates to their OT security in the past two years. The OT network (also known as the production network) was previously separate from all external and internal network traffic. According to KPMG partner, technology risk & cyber security Angela Pak, smart technologies and interconnected devices, including automated machinery now use both legacy OT systems and IT-operated systems, which has led to further vulnerabilities. Pak says more stringent cyber security measures are being pushed, however organisations need to stay well prepared. “We are seeing a change in focus across various mining boards, audit and risk committees and executive forum questions are being asked relating to cyber security exposure and impact to the business,” Pak AUSTRALIANMINING

tells Australian Mining. “These conversations have highlighted the need for not just greater cyber resilience, but also preparedness to respond should a cyber incident eventuate.” Pak says a number of factors have hindered mining companies’ understanding and consideration of cyber security. These include concerns that security measures are an overhead impacting production, skill shortages, the complexity of global operations, a lack of consideration relating to third party risk and limited cyber security awareness. The onset of COVID-19, for example, has forced many regular practices to be introduced into the digital space. “A COVID-19 response for many companies has created another layer of risk with the increasing use of remote access services. The challenge to an organisation’s secure bubble during this time has increased the ‘attack surface’ for many mining

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organisations,” Pak explains. “Mining companies more than ever need clear visibility over potential points of entry into the organisation, location of the organisation’s most critical assets and ensuring their people and key third parties have a strong understanding of their roles and responsibilities regarding cyber security.”

Going underground

Vernetzen, an industrial network and cyber security company, specialises in OT networks and cyber security, particularly in underground environments. Managing director Luke King says that in his experience, the implementation of an underground network poses several challenges. “The primary problem for underground networks is twofold. Long linear wireless coverage and electrical availability,” King tells Australian Mining. “In the typical IT environment, there’s an airconditioned space where

TECHNOLOGY

the focus is just on the OT network element. In an underground mine you need to supply and run every element in order to power it.” Vernetzen offers a complete system that can also distribute power across an entire network. “Our solution is an all-in-one underground network system that also provides the power through a diverse electrical distribution, so it provides redundancy just like you’d have redundancy in a network,” King explains. “The actual network itself is only 30 per cent of the problem solving. It’s not just one item in itself – everything needs to be looked at from connectivity to security to process.” According to King, a more robust system can mitigate cyber security issues that may impose real-life consequences if a machine activates without the knowledge of on-site personnel. “We’ve been asked to be involved in investigating an incident where an operator located remotely from site started a conveyor belt,” King says. “On site, there were workers that were unaware that work was going to occur and they did not isolate the conveyor belt as it was located further away from where they were working. This conveyor belt dumped rock over these workers and seriously injured one of the workers there. “That type of incident rapidly highlights how the miner is trying to utilise technology, but at the same time have not adequately considered the required cyber security practices.” King says it is important for operations to adopt a complete ‘concept to implementation’ strategy, rather than a temporary solution that runs the risk of security breaches. “There’s a push to provide connectivity without a substantial review of the cyber security implications from providing that level of access,” he says. “That’s been a huge driver for a lot of temporary solutions to provide levels of access to things that would definitely be identified as ‘backdoors’.” King agrees that the pandemic has also increased the vulnerability of companies with an inadequate cyber security setup. “It’s definitely elevated the risk,” King says. “There is a push for more remote operations, but there are limited options out there for secure remote access solutions that still allows operators and third parties a simple process to accessing these OT networks at a reasonable performance. “This issue is increasing the risk of more backdoors and circumventing of secure controls, just so staff can carry out day-to-day tasks.”

More risks can also be expected as the adoption rate increases among mining companies. To combat this, Vernetzen offers solutions that provide secure remote access specifically designed for OT networks and monitoring services from its Critical Infrastructure Cyber Centre (CICC). “Cyber security is definitely becoming a significant issue for large infrastructure companies like miners,” King says. “The starting point for underground mining as far as technology maturity goes is very low. “So while there’s been a rapid push to implement more technology in the underground environment, the procedures and understanding of what effect that has regarding cyber security is the big challenge.”

Collaboration and innovation

Swedish-based company Mobilaris Mining & Civil Engineering is another entity that is pushing the boundaries in underground mine networking. Mobilaris has worked alongside mine operators to advance its underground communication products and services, which bring forward innovative underground and open pit mining solutions that enhance safety and productivity. Mobilaris Mining & Civil Engineering VP strategic product management and business development Hans Wahlquist and Mobilaris sales & business development manager Australia George Aslanis say collaboration is crucial to advancing the company’s underground solutions. “It works in both ways,” Wahlquist tells Australian Mining. “We get valuable insights in real challenges and gets access to live mines to perform our development in. “The mines get innovative ideas that drive both safety and productivity, as well as an early buy-in among the miners as we are often seen in the mine. “By having physically been in many mines and understood their respective situation has led to a unique global insight in mining. It is not rocket science but pure hard work. Wahlquist believes that off-theshelf position accuracy products do not have the technological advancements to provide in-vehicle navigation and traffic management. “Instead, specialised and quite costly additional technologies (based on time-of-flight technologies) have been the only available remedy for those use-cases,” Wahlquist says. And while expensive options using ultra-wide-band and time-of-flight technologies exist on the market, AUSTRALIANMINING

Mobilaris has embarked on creating a low-cost position accuracy alternative, called Mobilaris Hybrid Positioning. “This unique innovation is based upon cutting edge sensor fusion, artificial intelligence, advanced mathematics and allows for selfsustained positioning of a vehicle with five to 10 metres accuracy without any dedicated infrastructure for positioning,” Wahlquist says. “It does not require any specialised or costly hardware. Instead, it is designed to run on a standard Android tablet.” “Our own experience together with testimonials from customers makes us totally convinced that this new disruptive innovation will dramatically change underground mining.” The solution, when combined with the Mobilaris Onboard tablet, acts similar to a GPS-enabled car navigator, allowing the mine to keep

track of the vehicle at all times. “When there is a network connection available, the precise position of the vehicle is sent to the Mobilaris Mining Intelligence system so it can be seen by everyone else,” Wahlquist says. Mobilaris’ software is also developed with secure software design principles, as the company identifies the growing risks associated with digital technology. The complexity of building an underground network, however, is based around a lack of maintenance rather than the technology itself, Wahlquist continues. “Today, building a modern underground network is not a complicated thing anymore,” Wahlquist says. “Technology is not the problem, rather to maintain it and to see to that the underground network is healthy and well-maintained.” AM

VERNETZEN IS AN INDUSTRIAL NETWORK AND CYBER SECURITY COMPANY THAT SPECIALISES IN UNDERGROUND ENVIRONMENTS.

AUTOMATED TECHNOLOGIES HAVE ADDED ANOTHER LAYER TO MINE SAFETY.

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MINING SERVICES

GENUINE PARTS KEY TO SAFE AND RELIABLE PERFORMANCE WICHITA CLUTCH IS ONE OF ALTRA INDUSTRIAL MOTION’S LEADING GLOBAL DESIGNERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF HEAVY-DUTY CLUTCHES AND BRAKES. WICHITA CLUTCH HAS A STRONG FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BUYING GENUINE SPARE PARTS WHEN THE MINING INDUSTRY IS LOOKING AT ITS AFTERMARKET PROGRAM FOR CLUTCHES AND BRAKES.

hen investing in Wichita Clutch’s range of assemblies and parts, mining companies are guaranteed with heavy-duty clutches and brakes that are designed to withstand the rigours of industrial environments in Australia and around the world. By purchasing a product that will receive expert support and uses the latest design technologies and materials to provide innovative clutch and brake solutions, the end user has a safer and more reliable experience. Founded in 1949, Wichita Clutch provides a full range of solutions, including hydraulic clutches and brakes, air clutches, air brakes, watercooled clutches and brakes, and fluid couplings. It also provides ancillary equipment packages, which stock air hose kits, heat exchanges (brakes) and closed loop water systems. Backed by extensive application experience, Wichita Clutch’s engineers are always evolving their practices to provide innovative and safe clutch and brake solutions that meet customer requirements. With a strong focus on safety and longevity, the genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) provides reliable performance on ball and sag mills and blast hole drills, as well as soft starting and overload protection on feeder breakers and sizers. Compared with its clutch and brake assemblies, Wichita has found that some organic friction materials manufactured in countries that operate outside of its strict quality assurance standards and ISO 9001 guidelines contain traces of asbestos. In some instances, Altra Motion has found that up to 3 per cent inclusion is considered to be asbestos-free. Wichita Clutch sales manager and product specialist Daemon Flack takes pride in knowing that Altra Motion and its OEM manufacturers are all accredited to ISO 9001 guidelines. “Altra has 50-plus manufacturing plants around the world with 27 OEM

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brands,” Flack tells Australian Mining. “Every one of those companies has their own design and engineering team that are all accredited. “As part of the accreditation, we have quality insurance and policy procedures in place, and when we design something, we also have in-house testing and research and development (R&D) facilities.” If customers are unsure about the supply of an organic friction material, Wichita Clutch reinforces that a material safety data sheet should be available from the manufacturer, guaranteeing it is asbestos-free and fit for purpose Non-genuine organic friction materials have even been known to create excessive thermals on start-up to the point they have caused a fire. Fires can result from the coefficient of friction (CoF) imbalance by the tangential force applied between the AUSTRALIANMINING

mating of Wichita Centre and floating plates and the non-genuine organic friction material(s). In one case, at a large grinding mill where non-genuine 48-inch friction discs replaced genuine items to cut costs, the mill caught on fire and suffered excessive damage. With a promise to supply reliable and safe products, Wichita Clutch also offers its customers on-site support 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. “If there is a breakdown on site we will go there, assess the situation and then come up with a resolution quickly,” Flack explains. “We have a standard range of products that in most applications will suffice. “However, if we come across something that is a little bit left of field, Wichita then has the ability to take that on board, re-design,

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implement other equipment to get an engineered solution.” Altra Motion caters for its customers’ needs through a National Stocking Program and distribution centres in Sydney (New South Wales), Mackay (Queensland) and Perth (Western Australia), where it has critical spare parts on hand for trouble shooting and breakdown services. Wichita Clutch also offers its customers customised clutch and brake solutions on request. “Our R&D teams are constantly evaluating new designs and materials to make our genuine products safe, high quality, reliable and longstanding,” Flack says. Through continuous investment in new features and ensuring its engineers are constantly kept up to date, Wichita Clutch maximises value through a genuine range of products and services that are second to none. AM

Vernetzen Veto

Secure Remote Access Solution for Critical Infrastructure

Vernetzen

Industrial Networking and Cybersecurity

MINING SERVICES

TRUSTED INDUSTRY SOLUTION PARTNER ENSURES SAFE MINING OPERATIONS AS A CREATOR OF SOLUTIONS FOR THE ANALYSIS AND CONTROL OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINING ATMOSPHERES, SICK IS PASSIONATE ABOUT DELIVERING COST-SAVING, EFFICIENT AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS TO THE SECTOR.

ICK has partnered with mining companies in northern Australia to develop new features for its existing products that help operators increase production efficiency without the risk of unplanned shutdowns. The latest innovations to the company’s products, including BulkScan, Belt Edge Tracking and Ore Edge Tracking, allow mining industry customers to maximise even loading

on conveyor belts, while maintaining a safe distance from the edge of the belt to prevent spillage. Using non-contact time-of-flight technology to measure the volume flow of bulk material on the conveyor belts, BulkScan also generates the total quantity and the mass flow, with an integrated function for determining the centre-of-gravity of the bulk material. BulkScan not only reduces maintenance costs by preventing belt slippage, but also offers

ORE EDGE TRACKING AND BELT EDGE TRACKING ARE THE NEWEST FEATURES TO THE COMPANY’S BULKSCAN PRODUCT.

AUSTRALIANMINING

savings through minimised energy consumption. By using the two new features, coupled with the existing BulkScan features of centre-of-gravity and volume flow, it turns the BulkScan into a robust system. With companies increasing their conveyor belt loading, SICK discovered that there was a direct impact on the mine’s efficiency as the tonnes per hour also increased. This created problems such as uneven loading, blockages in chutes, material spillage and increased wear. Described as a simple package, the Belt Edge Tracking solution continually monitors the distance between the ends of the measurement area of the BulkScan to the edges of the conveyor belt. Ore Edge Tracking, meanwhile, constantly observes the distance between the ore on the belt to the edge of the measurement area. When using BulkScan’s new features for direct control of their apron feeder’s lateral position on conveyor belts, mining companies advocate that they also control the apron feeder’s Clamshell bucket to adjust the flow rate of the ore on the belt to meet an operation’s throughput targets. Another issue for the mining industry is that fines ore from mines have the tendency to clump together inside apron feeders and other chutes once moisture levels reach a certain threshold at a particular tonnes per hour rate. As a solution to this problem, SICK uses the existing weight scales on

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the conveyor belt, together with the volumetric analysis from BulkScan to monitor the ore’s bulk density in real time to determine its moisture content. By using this information, the company is able to actively control production targets and the feed rates into the apron feeders, preventing the fines from clumping and clogging up chutes. The BulkScan solution has enabled major mining companies to actively maintain maximum efficiency on the belt by dynamically adjusting the apron feeder’s feed rates based on the quality and condition of the ore being transported. Since being established in 2014, BulkScan has proven to be successful for mining companies throughout Australia and is now being rolled out onto conveyor belts at other operations. BulkScan, with its ability to simultaneously monitor multiple areas of the conveyor and bulk material on the belt, is now a single device allowing for multiple concurrent closed loop control systems. It also accurately relays volumetric analysis of bulk material from point A. When used in conjunction with existing technologies on the conveyor belt, the mine site is able to run at a far higher efficiency than it would if each technology was used independently. By continuing to offer unique and profitable solutions, SICK is dedicated to decreasing unplanned shutdowns and improving the safety, efficiency and productivity of conveyor belts in the industry. AM

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TYRE MANAGEMENT

NEW KAL TIRE LEADER WEIGHS IN ON GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN KAL TIRE AUSTRALIA HAS STARTED 2021 UNDER A NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR, FORMER GENERAL MANAGER MILES RIGNEY. SALOMAE HASELGROVE SPEAKS WITH RIGNEY ABOUT 2020’S SUPPLY CHAIN TRENDS AND HOW HE ANTICIPATES THEY WILL SHAPE THE TYRE SECTOR IN THE YEAR AHEAD.

fter more than 25 years in the tyre services business, Rigney has vast experience across the tyre sector, from his early days as a trainee in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, to now leading the company’s Australian operations. Rigney’s experience also spans international markets including 13 years in Indonesia, supporting other projects in South East Asia and spending time with international vice presidents from Kal Tire’s Southern Africa and Latin American businesses. After securing three service contracts with new and existing mining

companies and welcoming the highest number of trainees to the company in 2020, Rigney takes over as managing director with Kal Tire in a strong position. He is excited about the new role and will keep driving the business forward in 2021 and beyond. “We want to expand our service business further in partnership with mining companies,” Rigney tells Australian Mining. “Kal Tire looks forward to doing more work in the innovation centre in Canada and working on a number of projects; we see 2021 as another year to strengthen further, building on the work done in 2020.”

During 2020, Kal Tire took a unique position in how it reacted to the enquiries of mining companies that were looking to source tyres in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the supply of tyres remained consistent and stable during 2020, mining companies were still quick to take proactive action in case of disruptions to shipping from international manufacturers. “Once mining companies got to a point during April and May where there was some uncertainty about the impact of COVID-19, we saw an interesting change in their behaviour and actions,” Rigney explains. “The first thing Kal Tire observed

DURING 2020, KAL TIRE OFFERED AN EVALUATION PERIOD FOR CUSTOMERS TRIALLING NEW PRODUCTS.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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was that available inventory on the ground was taken up pretty quickly as part of the mining operations’ COVID risk strategies.” Even after mining companies stocked up in the early COVID-19 days, Kal Tire’s second observation was that some mining companies started looking beyond their traditional preferred brands to trial other options. “This took a little while to understand but from what we saw, the thought process for many miners was to see what was out there and consider increasing the number of available manufacturers as a mitigation to any further potential risk,” Rigney says. “This led to a lot of customers

TYRE MANAGEMENT

coming to Kal Tire and asking what else we have or what else is out there, which started conversations around the potential of supplying other tyre products our customers are not as familiar with.” With many of Kal Tire’s customers trying an unfamiliar product, some were concerned about how these alternatives would perform compared with what they previously used. In response to their concerns, Kal Tire offered an evaluation transition period for companies trialling new tyre brands, invoicing the mine at a cost per hour rate instead of a traditional sale transaction, dependent on the hours achieved by the new tyre each month. Rigney says this move proved Kal Tire’s commitment to supporting its customers and its confidence in these products. “Some customers said while it was appealing to trial a new brand, they were concerned of the risk of it costing more in the long run,” Rigney explains. “Our alternative, due to our confidence in our products provided

for this evaluation period, was to provide the tyres on a fixed cost per hour basis. This meant that the customers could not be worse off financially as they only paid for the actual performance received. “Ultimately, that strategy proved to be successful. Some of the customers that took that approach have gone through the lifecycle of those products and are looking to allocate some of their future market share to these new brands now the evaluation phase is over.” Rigney first saw the method of charging for tyres on a cost per kilometre or cost per hour basis being used when he toured Kal Tire’s Latin American operations in early 2020, describing it as an example of the company striving to meet market conditions where appropriate. Unfortunately, the onset of COVID-19 during Rigney’s visit meant he missed the opportunity to tour Kal Tire’s tyre recycling plant in Chile while in construction. The plant was constructed after the Chilean Government mandated the recycling of off-the-road tyres,

MILES RIGNEY IS KAL TIRE’S NEW AUSTRALIAN MANAGING DIRECTOR.

and despite some delays due to COVID-19, Kal Tire has recently started processing tyres. The legislation for recycling tyres will officially begin in January 2023, which means mining companies in Chile have begun looking for solutions, which Kal Tire has provided with the plant, now in its final testing phases.

Although Australia has not yet passed any legislation regarding the recycling of tyres, Rigney believes this could be a potential opportunity in the future as mining companies look to lessen their carbon footprint. Despite the complications of 2020, Kal Tire and the wider tyre sector have continued to thrive, with healthier competition between manufacturers thanks to mining companies broadening their horizons and trying new brands. “The communication lines between the tyre user, distributor and manufacturer have never been more efficient and flowing as they are now,” Rigney continues. “Seeing customers spread further than their usual one or two manufacturers brings a healthy competition to the marketplace and ensures competitiveness, so manufacturers strive to create better products to grow and protect market share. “This means tyres ultimately last longer, (reducing) the number of tyres we need to produce, and that can only be a good thing.” AM

Ph 1300 046 649 or email trading@immix.com.au Immix also offers total mine clean up Australia Wide for the purchase & removal of bulk scrap metal .

KAL TIRE’S TYRE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS EXTEND THE LIFE OF OFF-THE-ROAD TYRES.

AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

TYRE MANAGEMENT

LSM TYRE MONITORING SYSTEMS CAN PREDICT OR PREVENT TYRE EXPLOSIONS LSM TECHNOLOGIES’ TYRE MONITORING SYSTEM (TMS) IS ALLOWING MINING COMPANIES TO MONITOR THE CONDITION OF THEIR MACHINERY’S TYRES FOR MORE STRATEGIC MAINTENANCE, DELIVERING CAPITAL SAVINGS AND SAFER USE OF VEHICLES.

s far back as 2006, the ISO 21760 Road Vehicles Safety Enhancement – TMS recommended TMS as ‘safety enhancing technology.’ In 2014, a Queensland coroner recommended that the mining industry adopt wireless tyre monitoring sensing equipment after the death of a miner in 2010 due to a tyre explosion. Specific recommendations in the coroner’s report were that the industry investigate and implement remote or wireless tyre pressure sensing equipment within two years to allow operators to monitor tyre pressures from within the truck cabin. Tyre monitoring has once again sparked conversation within the mining industry in 2021 after the Queensland Mines Inspectorate (QMI) was called to a tyre explosion at a coal mine in December last year. A position five tyre on a mining truck located in the parking zone was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm and exploded, injuring two workers. The explosion also caused damage to equipment as tyre fragments shuttered crib hut windows, air conditioners, lights and water tanks. In response, QMI urged mining companies to review their lightning triggered action response plans. LSM Technologies managing director Peter Woodford says incidents such as this can be predicted or even avoided altogether with the use of tyre monitoring technology. The company’s TMS, for example, can monitor tyres even during severe weather events, enabling workers to observe the tyres from a safe distance in case of an explosion. “Normally, during a lightning strike to vehicle tyres, the rubber can become over-heated and a chemical reaction called pyrolysis occurs, causing the tyre pressure to increase that can then lead to an explosion,” Woodford says. “This can happen rapidly but also can take quite a while (24 hours) before the tyre actually blows up. “If you have a TMS installed and using LSM Technologies Fleet Safety

LSM’S TYRE MONITORING SYSTEMS MONITOR THE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE OF TYRES.

+ Maintenance (FSM) telemetry tracking system, employees can be kilometres away at a safe distance to monitor via the internet whether those tyres on vehicles in the park-up area are expanding due to the pressure or temperature.” By using a TMS, mining companies know for certain whether the tyres on vehicles in the park-up area are safe to go back into production following the storm. During extreme weather events, production can be halted to ensure safety, but with a TMS, mines can get their tyred equipment back to work quicker if they know the tyres are safe. Woodford says the TMS’ smarts provide accurate and instantaneous information about potential accidents, as well as more accurate reporting of routine tyre checks. “Many mining and earthmoving operators are mandating tyre pressure record checks on a weekly basis,” he says. “When mine sites have up to 2000 tyres and it takes more than three minutes per tyre to check (let alone record the information), this costs a lot AUSTRALIANMINING

of time and time equals dollars. “Doing the maths, this would require more than 100 man hours per week. By running a weekly automatic report using LSM Technologies FSM tracking telemetry with no paperwork, the instant savings for the mine site are phenomenal.” The TMS reporting system also saves time by alerting employees exactly which tyre needs attention, rather than relying on slower human checks of each and every tyre. “By knowing which tyre has an issue to target, you don’t need to get under to check the pressure and find out that of my 50 tyres, 49 were fine,” Woodford explains. “Looking on the screen, you can immediately identify which tyres need attention or repressurisation, say on the third trailer on the second axle on the inside, which is a massive saving of time.” As well as assisting during severe weather events and routine checks, LSM’s TMS also aids in monitoring the pressure and temperatures of tyres in everyday usage for on and off-road

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transport, light vehicles, mining trucks and port operations – any vehicle with a pneumatic tyre. Woodford says tyre-related accidents can cause injuries, even fatalities on mine sites, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring of tyres. Many Australian regulators and occupational health and safety authorities have acknowledged that TMS brings enhanced safety to industry. For example, the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) updated its recognised standard 13 tyre, wheel and rim management 2016 to include TMS. Additionally, the Western Australian Department of Mining and Petroleum (DPM) also included TMS in its guidelines on tyre safety for earthmoving machinery in 2015. “Maintaining the correct tyre inflation pressures is critical for a safe operation and prolonged tyre life,” Woodford says. “By implementing TMS technologies, vehicle operators are able to not only improve safety in their operational and maintenance tasks, but also dramatically reduce maintenance costs.” In New South Wales, 22 per cent of transport truck crashes are related to tyre failures, according to the New South Wales Centre for Road Safety report. Meanwhile, 33 per cent of truck fires are due to issues with wheels and tyres, according to the Major Accident Investigation Report – 2015. As more industry bodies and authorities around the world begin to mandate permanent tyre management systems, Woodford urges Australian companies to follow the trends and safeguard their tyre-related operations. “It is interesting to note that TMS are mandatory for all domestic passenger vehicles and trucks in the United States, Europe, Korea, China and Japan,” Woodford says. “By implementing TMS, vehicle operators are able to dramatically reduce maintenance costs, extend tyre service life, reduce fuel consumption, improve braking, handling and control and of course, experience less downtime.” AM

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TYRE MANAGEMENT

HAMMERSLEY’S RIM GOLD: A GOLD STANDARD IN RIM PROTECTION FLUIDS HAMMERSLEY AUSTRALIA’S GOLD STANDARD RIM PROTECTION FLUIDS CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARE IN THE PRESERVATION OF INDUSTRIAL TYRE RIMS. CONTINUING DEVELOPMENTS NOW HERALD THE EMERGENCE OF EVEN GREATER EFFICIENCIES.

or nearly half a century, Hammersley Australia has forged an enviable Australian and international reputation for high performance and innovative industrial maintenance products. The highly regarded Hunter Valleybased specialty chemical manufacturer has developed a new rim protection fluid that will provide a truly new generational concept to the important function of industrial rim protection. Hammersley is already the preferred supplier of choice to many national and multi-national mining organisations and, through its continuing robust research, continues to expand its influence. The company is renowned for its technical expertise and capabilities in many diverse sectors of the chemical industry. These sectors extend to corrosion protection, dust suppression, cleaning maintenance, mobile plant protection, mechanical maintenance and many more areas. Hammersley now provides products and technical support services throughout all Australian states and territories, and into South East Asia. The main thrust of Hammersley’s research has always been in specialty industrial areas and it is energetic in its support services for all of the products it manufactures, according to Brian McLean, technical services director at the Hammersley group of companies. McLean is a research chemist who has led the research and development of the company’s innovations since its inception in 1972. “We are survivors and are now one of the few, 100 per cent Australian manufacturers with the research and

HAMMERSLEY HAS BEEN MANUFACTURING RIM PROTECTION FLUIDS FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.

development skills that are capable of creating products to match any specific requirement,” he says. “We’ve always been known for the quality of our products and for the integrity of our business dealings. “Now we are concentrating on the mining and heavy industry, because historically, it’s what we’ve studied and worked with all our lives. “Our objective has always been to supply safe, quality products, properly suited to the task they are to perform and to provide easily accessible technical support to ensure efficient and safe usage. “All products are supported with technical data sheets and globally harmonised system (GHS)-formatted safety data sheets (SDSs).” In the field of rim protection, Hammersley’s technology is well founded. “We have been mainstream suppliers of rim protection fluids for nearly 30 years and, through our experience in large scale industrial corrosion protection, we were among the very first to bring forward carboxylate technology to the field of rim protection,” McLean says. “Carboxylate-based fluids are still the most widely used and accepted mechanism for the protection of industrial rims and apart from some AUSTRALIANMINING

fine tuning, they really haven’t changed much over all those years.” The general protectant products are normally just a single carboxylate ingredient and are supplied on a readyto-use basis with more than 90 per cent water. These solutions have served the industry reasonably well through the years, although at the margins of efficiency, their protection can still break down. As a consequence, some major tyre and rim manufacturers choose to import their supplies to ensure consistent quality. “Hammersley’s use of a blend of organic salts formed a stronger crystal modifying effect, and while we always held our product superior to its competition, we knew that somehow it could be done in a better way,” McLean says. Hammersley’s new development moves right away from the simplicity of carboxylates and provides added advantages not previously available. Rim Gold is the result of three years of practical development, a process that has been supported by federal government research and development concessions for the new innovations involved. It is a new product containing a chemical composition that is

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completely different, including mixed organic salts and organic heterocyclic compounds. This sophisticated complex – a multi-functional formulation – provides a stronger, more tenacious, longer lasting and more protective shield for all metals without compromising safety or environmental responsibility. McLean says the technology is the first major change in the direction of rim protection in over 20 years. “Rims have changed, tyres have changed but protection fluid advances have stagnated all this time,” McLean explains. Rim Gold is a true new-generational achievement but still remains nontoxic, non-hazardous, environmental benign and readily biodegradable. McLean forecasts further developments using this technology. “We believe that there are further exciting advances to be made in the area of product concentration and, in this vein, there lies the prospect of incredible savings in transport and logistical costs to the mining industry,” McLean says. “We are proud to introduce this truly, new generational product to the Australian industry – we believe that it will provide great advantages to the remote Australian mining and industrial sectors.” AM

WE CAN RECOVER MORE THAN ORE In 2019, Tyre Stewardship Australia identified the need to better understand Off The Road (OTR) tyre consumption and fate given the estimated recovery rate of used mining tyres in 2018/19 was just 11%.

MINING INDUSTRY Off The Road Used Tyre Analysis FINAL REPORT

January 2020 Prepared for Tyre Stewardship Australia by Randell Environmental Consulting in association with Brock Baker Environmental Consulting

NOW IS THE TIME TO INCREASE RESOURCE RECOVERY IN THE OTR SECTOR

TSA IS FUNDING SOLUTIONS

GET RECOGNISED

If you have a solution to recycle OTR tyres, get in contact with the TSA Market Development team to discuss ideas and funding opportunities. Email:

If you are already recycling OTRs, TSA want you to be recognised for your contribution. Use this QR Code to apply for your TSA accredition.

getonboard@tyrestewardship.org.au

Download your copy of TSA‘s ‘Mining Industry – Off The Road Used Tyre Analysis’. tyrestewardship.org.au

MINING INFRASTRUCTURE

PILBARA MINER SELECTS LAYFLAT HOSE FOR RAPID DEPLOYMENT A WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MINING OPERATOR HAS ADOPTED A NEW METHOD FOR MINE DEWATERING TO REPLACE THE BURDENSOME USE OF A LARGE POLYPIPE. CRUSADER HOSE’S HAMERSLEY LAYFLAT HOSE REELING SYSTEM HAS PROVEN TO BE A SUITABLE UPGRADE.

fficiency is key when managing mine sites as they are inherently complex projects. A large mining company in the Pilbara region of Western Australia was looking for an easier and more efficient method of managing one aspect of its scope of works: dewatering. Polypipe, although historically a hose of choice, possesses an unforgiving nature of stiffness, which makes its use cumbersome and sometimes challenging. Crusader Hose, an innovative Australian layflat hose manufacturer

with a strong culture of continuous improvement, was asked to assist in finding the solution. Crusader Hose managing director Francois Steverlynck was engaged in discussions with the miner’s dewatering manager to understand the operation’s challenges. “The welding of 350-millimetre diameter polypipe and dragging it down and around the pit proves to be a major hassle,” the dewatering manager explains. As this was an open cut iron ore mine, pipelines were constantly being moved and relocated. Welding and dragging the large

polypipe became a time consuming and inefficient task. As a result, Steverlynck recommended the Hamersley layflat hose reeling system in account of its low cost and mobility. The Hamersley reel system uses a hydraulic power from a telehandler to drive a motor that turns the reel. Each independent reel stands upright and has a capacity of carrying 200 metres of layflat hose and couplings. As each reel has a hydraulic motor, it is a simple case of attaching two quick-connect hydraulic hoses to the telehandler to commence deployment or recovery of the layflat hose. The Hammersley reeling system was the right solution for the mining company’s dewatering issue. The layflat hose was quick and easy to deploy. Almost 2000 metres were connected from various in-pit bores to

the poly-ring main. The telehandler was able to drive along the edge of the track, keeping the hose away from vehicles. There was no problem with bends and curves. Steverlynck was asked to fly out to the mine site to see the successful system and to hear some improvement suggestions. “Being a local manufacturer enables us to clearly communicate and incorporate customised design improvements,” Steverlynck explains. “For example, we added a hydraulic clamping method, which meant that the operator did not need to get out of the telehandler for reel changes. “We at Crusader Hose understand that there is a strong requirement for polypipe in mining applications, but want to make the industry aware of the benefits that layflat hose can bring, particularly as part of the more flexible dewatering connections.” AM

CRUSADER HOSE’S HAMERSLEY LAYFLAT HOSE REELING SYSTEM.

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MARCH 2021

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WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT PROPERTY CONSULTING AUSTRALIA PROVIDES INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO CLIENTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT INVESTING IN PROPERTY? PROPERTY CONSULTING AUSTRALIA OFFERS A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO INVESTING IN PROPERTY TO HELP CLIENTS MOVE TOWARDS A BETTER FINANCIAL FUTURE.

eople love talking about their property portfolio – especially around the barbecue with their family and friends. But in fact, less than 8 per cent of Australians own an investment property and less than 2 per cent own two or more, according to Property Consulting Australia (PCA). With good incomes, members of the mining industry are ideally placed to invest in property. So, what’s holding people back from investing? Most people think investing in property is for the wealthy, however investing is actually a tool to help become wealthy, with the majority of investors being mums and dads, who earn a modest income, have debts they want to pay off sooner and who want to make their hard earned money work better for them. “It is simply about helping clients find positive cash flow properties in good growth areas and help them move from where they are now, to

where they want to be financially,” PCA owner Claire Shearman tells Australian Mining. Director of PCA Patricia Zurrer purchased her first investment property at 23 years of age. Zurrer believes that capital growth is “the most important thing when investing in property.” Most people want to move closer to financial freedom, financial security and the independence that comes with owning rental properties. “People work hard for their money and they want to make informed decisions when investing in property,” Zurrer says.

So why is it important to build a portfolio?

Out of every 100 people aged 25 in Australia, within the next 40 years 54 of them will depend on government pensions, according to PCA. Another 24 will pass away, 12 will be totally broke, five will still be working, four will be independent and only one will be financially AUSTRALIANMINING

free and in a position to retire comfortably. Shearman and Zurrer started Property Consulting Australia seven years ago. They saw a real need to help clients find “better” investment opportunities. According to Shearman, only about 4 per cent of properties on the market are “good” investment opportunities. “It’s all about understanding what type of property you need to fit your strategy, with a focus on capital growth in the short term (within two years), so that you are in a position to purchase your second property sooner and build a portfolio,” she says. Shearman explains she enjoys seeing her clients enjoy the rewards of strategic property investment. “I love seeing people build their wealth, seeing the successful results they achieve from their property selection and seeing them grow a positive property portfolio for their future,” she concludes. Take that to your next barbecue. AM

MARCH 2021

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INDUSTRY COMMENT

SITTING ON A GOLD MINE THE GOLD INDUSTRY GROUP POINTS OUT THAT GOLD NOT ONLY HOLDS ITS VALUE IN THE MATERIAL WORLD, BUT ALSO BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

eloitte last year identified how the mining sector articulates the value it brings to society as one of the top concerns facing the

industry. As a message that has permeated through the mining sector in the past few years, the Gold Industry Group (GIG)’s formation in 2015 preceded the evolution of this trend. The organisation has constantly aspired to grow public understanding of the yellow metal’s social and economic value. Its National Gold Education Program, for example, enables industry workers to deliver workshops to schools around Australia. The program engages with young learners, raising their awareness of the value of Australia’s gold industry and the opportunities it could provide them in the future. Improved public knowledge of gold’s function will ultimately help miners of the precious metal deal with concerns surrounding social licence, GIG executive officer Rebecca Johnston says.

The world strikes gold

Aside from gold’s obvious and wellknown function as a store of wealth, the precious metal serves various other

roles in preserving mankind and its environment. Gold nanoparticles are used to help improve the efficiency of solar cells, while breaking down groundwater contaminants in industrialised areas. They are also imperative to the formation of new gold-based rapid diagnostic tests to detect COVID-19, among other diseases. “Researchers at Imperial College London have improved HIV/ AIDS diagnosis technologies, with experimental gold nanoparticle techniques increasing the potential for early detection of the disease,” Johnston tells Australian Mining. “Research is ongoing into the role gold can play in cancer treatment, with clinical trials confirming that the use of gold nanoparticle technology improved quality of life and decreased the risk of damaging healthy cells in patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.” Just as powerfully, gold-based drugs have been used to treat illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis. Gold’s function in preserving human life has been strengthened by its position at the core of several technological advances during our lifetime. They include areas of dentistry and medicine, where gold’s low reactivity with the human body ensures it is a

GOLD’S UTILITY FAR EXCEEDS ITS SYMBOL OF WEALTH.

safe material for crowns or fillings and coating pacemakers and stents. Layers of gold also protect astronauts, satellites and space vehicles from radiation and heat. “Gold is vital to our future and offers a myriad of possibilities,” Johnston says. “In May 2020, Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, discovered a new approach to understanding mineralisation, giving exploration companies methods to identify new deposits more quickly and efficiently. “Just recently, the Western Australian School of Mines published research on a modified gold extraction process, improving Curtin University’s glycine leaching technology.” Johnston believes the strength of Australia’s gold industry continues to contribute to the improvements being made to how the metal is mined. “Australia is currently the world’s second largest gold producer and is tipped to overtake China in 2021 as the world’s top producing country,” she says. “There is an opportunity to educate the wider public on gold’s many benefits and uses, with much of the population only familiar with its uses in finance and jewellery. “The role of the Gold Industry Group is to lead long-term educational and community initiatives that cultivate understanding and awareness of gold’s significant social and economic value to Australia.”

Australia’s pot of gold

The GIG launched a website last year that offers job seekers, students, parents, teachers and employees a one-stop shop for current vacancies and employment programs. The website, called Gold Jobs, features 19 companies and more than

MUCH OF THE WIDER PUBLIC IS ONLY FAMILIAR WITH GOLD’S USES IN FINANCE AND JEWELLERY.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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200 vacancies available at the time of writing, including at Newmont, Evolution Mining, Gold Fields, AngloGold Ashanti, Northern Star Resources, KCGM, Gold Road Resources, Norton Gold Fields, Regis Resources, St Barbara, Saturn Metals, The Perth Mint, Pallion and SMS Mining Services. The GIG also delivers thoughtleadership events each year where diverse speakers share their experiences and explore industry issues and trends. To promote diversity in the mining industry, the GIG introduced the annual Women in Gold debate in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne to spark conversations and drive change across the issues of gender, age, ethnicity and skill. The passion within the gold industry doesn’t stop there. They gather annually to participate in the GIG’s thought-leadership breakfast, with last year’s event dedicated to exploring the sector’s transition to low-carbon mining. “As acknowledged in the Deloitte Insights report, Tracking the Trends 2020, some of the opportunities miners are exploring include: navigating the current geopolitical landscape; technological disruption; increased demands from both community and investors; and articulating the intrinsic value that mining brings to wider society,” Johnston says. “Our annual thought-leadership breakfast, held in October 2020, explored the topic of transitioning to low-carbon mining, while 2019’s event covered the image of mining, both of which examined these opportunities. “We exist to drive positive change within both the industry and community.” AM

INDUSTRY COMMENT

AUSTMINE 2021 TO HARNESS INTELLIGENCE, DRIVE INNOVATION AUSTMINE URGES THE MINING INDUSTRY TO CAPITALISE ON THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGHS AS THEY DRIVE THE SECTOR FORWARD AND IMPROVE ITS RESILIENCE AGAINST ANY FUTURE INSTABILITY.

he importance of a strong mining industry to the global community is evident, but we face unprecedented disruption from global instability, community expectations and rapid technological progress. Despite the global challenges faced in 2020, Austmine sees the emerging opportunities and possibilities on the horizon for those working in and alongside the mining industry. The technology, skills and people are in place for mining to realise a step change in the way we operate, but how do we harness our collective intelligence for a sustainable future? Austmine caught up with Maptek director Peter Johnson and Safescape managing director Steve Durkin to explore the mining innovation landscape and the importance of harnessing intelligence ahead of the Austmine 2021 Conference and Exhibition.

Digital transformation

Through harnessing our collective intelligence, we can take the industry to previously unexplored new heights, from unmatched technological breakthroughs to

THE AUSTMINE CONFERENCE CONTINUES TO BE A PLACE THAT CONNECTS LEADERS AROUND STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND INNOVATIONS.

developing capabilities for the far reaches of space. As the speed of digital technology development increases, so does the need for us to harness this momentum and use it to drive the mining industry to a smarter future. The industry’s move towards interoperability and connection is providing fantastic opportunities to rise above.

“Historically a lot of data has been generated and left uninspected or secured by one owner. The opportunity exists to capture the value available from this data by ensuring it is available and shared among relevant parties,” Durkin says. “The rise of AI (artificial intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things) enables these data points to

be harnessed and evaluated as part of the larger mining picture, leading to increased efficiency and better decision making.” Mining companies are now more open than ever to exploring digital solutions. Australia is home to a broad ecosystem of leading mining technology and software businesses that will benefit from this trend and have the offerings ready to drive the industry forward. “The landscape for mining innovation has changed significantly in the past few years,” Johnson says. “There are less barriers to extending technology and data within mines – operations are less siloed now and mining companies are now looking at the entire value chain for where improvements can be made. “This presents a huge number of opportunities to deliver even greater value by connecting the various processes, functions and data throughout that value chain to enable more accurate, predictable and profitable operation of mines. That is very exciting.”

Increasing safety AUSTMINE 2021 WILL BE CENTRED ON THE THEME OF HARNESSING INTELLIGENCE.

AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

The imperative to harness our collective intelligence not only reflects the industry’s focus

INDUSTRY COMMENT

IMAGE CREDIT: SAFESCAPE.

IT IS A GREAT PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO BUILD SOME OF THAT TECHNOLOGY, BUT THE REAL BENEFIT TO THE INDUSTRY IS HARNESSING THE INTELLIGENCE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO USE IT TO ENABLE THEM TO REALISE THEIR GOALS.”

SAFESCAPE ELECTRIC LIGHT VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THE HARSH ENVIRONMENT OF UNDERGROUND MINES.

on boosting productivity, but demonstrates an increasing prioritisation of employee safety and an overall shift to more sustainable practices. “Our interest for innovation is to improve health and safety outcomes in mining,” Safescape’s Durkin says. “We do this by creating new products and ways of working that both improve safety and economic outcomes. “We’re very excited about the impact that the rise of electric vehicles and the data/ communications capabilities that come along with them will have for safety and economic improvements in mining.”

creating the ability for the skills, talents and expertise of the people working within the industry to be transformed into meaningful, sustainable value for the industry,” Maptek’s Johnson says. “I have seen many people, and teams of people, make huge contributions to their employers and the industry by innovating and leveraging the available technology and data in new ways, or better ways than had been tried before. “It is a great privilege to be able to build some of that technology, but the real benefit to the industry is harnessing the intelligence of those people who use it to enable them to realise their goals.”

Maximising potential

Austmine 2021

Harnessing intelligence is not just about leveraging data and information, but rather it focusses on optimising interactions between humans and machines. As intelligent systems and new technologies develop at a rapid pace, ensuring that the right people and processes are engaging with it will drive value into the future. “Harnessing Intelligence means

Austmine 2021 Conference & Exhibition, the world’s leading mining innovation conference, will bring together the brightest minds to progress the innovation conversation with a focus on Harnessing Intelligence. “Never before have we faced such challenges and in order to overcome these, we need to work together, be open to new ideas and think beyond AUSTRALIANMINING

the obvious,” Austmine’s chief executive Chris Gibbs Stewart says. “Harnessing Intelligence is about the collective knowledge, years of experience and deep understanding of mining that our community brings. “This, combined with our worldleading technology and innovation ethos, allows us to do very exciting things.” Durkin adds: “Austmine represents a unique opportunity to expose customers across the mining value chain to Safescape’s products and services. “As a travelling conference and exhibition, it draws in mining people around the country. It’s a great opportunity for networking with existing contacts and creating new ones.” Johnson also adds: “Maptek has been delivering technology solutions to the Australian mining industry for 40 years and we are proud to be able to continue supporting our customers in all sorts of ways, including by participation in the Austmine conference. “We continue to lead the industry in development and delivery of technology solutions and systems and are very excited to share this with the industry at the most significant event for the METS industry each year.”

The Austmine conference has built a trusted reputation as the go-to event for mining leaders to connect around the strategic priorities, key innovations and emerging technologies driving a sustainable industry future. “When we get together and think about the future, it is a powerful force and opens new opportunities,” Stewart says. “Austmine 2021 will bring the best together and allow us to do what we do best – collaborate, innovative and ensure Australia continues to lead the way in mining innovation.” The exploration of Harnessing Intelligence at Austmine 2021 will drive forward industry development and build understanding of how we can collectively leverage digital transformation, increase safety and collaboration and maximise workforce potential. Those interested in attending the Austmine 2021 Conference & Exhibition in Perth may be eligible receive up to 50 per cent of the costs of attending, exhibiting or sponsoring the event, covered by grant funding through the federal government’s business events program. AM For more information on Austmine 2021 Conference & Exhibition please visit: https://austmineconference.com.au/.

MINING COMPANIES ARE SHOWING GREATER OPENNESS TO EXPLORING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS.

MARCH 2021

, D E E N U T. O Y E R R E ER N. V E F O T N A O H IS H W D IT RC A N I E F ES TH

RELY ON AUSTRALIA’S MANUFACTURING, MINING AND INDUSTRIAL HUB 70,000 monthly users can’t be wrong. Find what you’re looking for with over 12,000 business listings and 8,000 specific product listings. Access relevant information and resources, empowering you to make a qualified purchase decision. You can always rely on your industry hub.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

SCHAEFFLER BEARINGS BOOST RELIABILITY FOR AIRENG PRODUCTS AIRENG OUTLINES THE IMPORTANCE OF SOURCING RELIABLE COMPONENTS FOR THE INDUSTRIAL FANS THAT ARE USED AT SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND MINING OPERATIONS.

he importance of good ventilation in underground mines cannot be overstated. To quote Rhys Thompson, company manager at AirEng, “If the ventilation system goes off, the mine has to shut down. That’s how critical it is.” As a company that specialises in the engineering, design and manufacture of industrial fans and blowers for a wide range of industries, including for surface and underground mining, AirEng puts a lot of emphasis on sourcing reliable components for its industrial fans. In the mining industry, AirEng is active in two broad areas of coal mining and hard rock mining, producing primary, secondary and booster fans, among other products. The company also manufactures a wide range of industrial fans and blowers for industries such as food and beverage, pulp and paper, agriculture and many more. With bearings playing such a crucial role in the reliability of industrial fans, Thompson says Schaeffler bearings have been AirEng’s trusted brand for bearings over the past 25 years. “We put a lot of emphasis on the reliability of our products and delivering consistent high quality (products) to our customers. The Schaeffler bearings provide the level of reliability that ensures our products perform well in the market, posing minimum risk to our reputation as a business,” Thompson says.

“Just to give an example of how reliable the Schaeffler bearings are, one of our customers had neglected lubrication of their fan’s bearings for over 19 years and the fan was still working after 19 years. “While this is far from desirable and we always encourage regular bearing maintenance and lubrication, this just goes on to show how durable Schaeffler bearings are.” CBC, the largest distributor of bearings and engineering services in Australia, has been supporting AirEng for over 25 years, not just as an exclusive supplier of Schaeffler bearings, but also through a range of technical and engineering services provided by CBC’s bearing experts. CBC’s expertise with bearings and housings has proven beneficial for AirEng on multiple occasions, according to Thompson. “Over the years, we have relied on CBC engineers’ technical advice, which has helped us improve our products and grow our range continuously,” he says. “At AirEng, we have some of the largest testing facilities for fans, which enables us to test every product before delivering it to a customer. CBC engineers have, on multiple occasions, visited our testing sites to help us resolve technical issues when we were looking for quick solutions. “Moreover, CBC’s extensive branch network across Australia means we can rely on their support wherever we are. The CBC branches always

AIRENG PRODUCES FANS AND BLOWERS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS.

AUSTRALIANMINING

AIRENG CHIEF FINANCIAL MANAGER MICHAEL ZEITOUN AND PRODUCTION MANAGER MARK CUMMINGS.

maintain a good inventory of products in stock and they have always looked after us when we needed a component urgently.” Leon Stefanec, area business manager at CBC Australia, says CBC works closely with Schaeffler Australia to supply Schaeffler bearings and plummer block housing units to AirEng. “Schaeffler Australia has always been a good source of support for our engineers and they assist us to better service our customers whenever we need,” Stefanec says. More recently, Stefanec says CBC engineers have custom-designed and manufactured a unique housing for a large diameter heavy-duty bearing unit for AirEng, which has helped reduce its production turnaround time. “While AirEng only uses Schaeffler bearings, the housings they were using for these heavy-duty bearings were previously ordered from overseas. The average lead time for these housings to be delivered to AirEng customers was around 20 weeks,” Stefanec says. “Our engineers worked with AirEng to design the pattern and casting model for the housing and by manufacturing these housings in-house, we were able to reduce the lead time to 12-14 weeks. “To get an idea of the size of these housings, the bearings themselves have a bore diameter of 300 millimetres and

MARCH 2021

they weigh around 140 kilograms each. The housings we supply weigh another 160 kilograms. “The in-house production by CBC has given AirEng a distinct supply advantage as the housings are now readily available here in Australia and we can carry these housings in stock, which allows quick turnaround time for AirEng.” With more than 30 years of experience, AirEng fans are installed on every continent and in well over 50 countries. AirEng was also a gold winner at Motion Asia Pacific’s Let’s Roll: Australian Business Awards 2020. Thompson says AirEng’s strength as a business lies in offering turnkey solutions and supporting its customers from concept right through the life of the asset. “At AirEng, we strive to offer quality products that are easy to maintain. Through our strong distribution network, we have so far installed tens of thousands of our units across a broad range of applications and the proven performance of these products is what gives our clients a high level of confidence in our products,” Thompson says. “Our partnership with CBC and our choice of Schaeffler bearings aligns well with our goal of maximising our products’ reliability and that’s something we value greatly.” AM

PRODUCTS

SANDVIK DD212 DRILL TO ARRIVE IN AUSTRALIA

ULTRA PROTECTION FROM CUTS

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has upgraded the DD210 development drill rig and introduced the DD212 for tunnelling and mining development in narrow vein drifts. Sandvik DD212 is a compact and intelligent single-boom, electrohydraulic drill that enables mine operators to open smaller tunnel sections and advance more metres. Its 3 per cent improved pull out ratio can result in up to 10 centimetres advance per face when compared with similar equipment. The DD212 also reduces boom positioning time per face by up to 20 per cent and improves drill penetration rate by around 15 per cent. It features a new drilling control system, THC562, which increases drilling performance while reducing wear on rock drill and tools. It is also equipped with new intelligent boom, SB20i, for accurate hole electric positioning. The first DD212 will arrive for an Australian contractor this month.

Advanced Technology Gloves (ATG) MaxiCut Ultra gloves are designed for people who need cut protection in challenging environments. The gloves integrate CUTtech technology for high cut protection (cut level 5C EN388:2016), with AIRtech 360-degree breathability to deliver high levels of comfort and wearer satisfaction. Such comfort is expected to discourage wearers from taking their gloves off due to gloves being too restrictive, uncomfortable or hot to wear as most injuries happen when gloves are removed. MaxiCut is dimethylformamide (DMF) free and guaranteed free from substances of very high concern (SVHCs). The gloves are dermatologically accredited by the Skin Health Alliance and prewashed prior to packaging, ensuring that they are fresh out of the pack as certified by Oeko-Tex.

• www.atgglovesolutions.com

• rocktechnology.sandvik

TOTAL IMPROVES GEAR PERFORMANCE WITH LUBRILOG

HUMMINGBIRD ELECTRONICS KEEPS WATCH OF POSITIVE PRESSURE

Total’s LUBRILOG gear fluid 550D is a half synthetic oil in a solvent developed for the lubrication of low-speed gear drive with very high power. It is suitable for mills and kilns with rotary drums in the mining industry. Its high viscosity at all temperatures, boosted with exclusive additives based on bismuth, gives it an incredible extreme pressure performance with functional lubricant film from -25 degrees Celsius to over 120 degrees Celsius. This gives the LUBRILOG gear fluid 550D excellent pumpability and sprayability despite low temperatures. Formulated with a propriety solvent, it evaporates quickly upon spraying, leaving behind the lubricant to protect the gear flanks. LUBRILOG 550D also ensures sufficient lubrication film thickness to protect the moving flanks. Free from chlorine, heavy metals and solid particles, the LUBRILOG gear fluid 550D is classified under ANSI/AGMA 9005-E02, Annex D2.

The Hummingbird panel mount cabin pressure monitor provides a highly visual readout to operators, letting them know when the cabin pressure drops below a critical level. While low pressure in the cab can result in dust and other harmful materials entering the cab, high pressure can result in fatigue and headaches. The cab pressure compares pressure in the cab with atmospheric pressure. When the pressure in the cab drops to a level that is not high enough to prevent dust and other materials entering the cab, the display turns orange to alert the operator. After a user-configurable number of seconds of the pressure is low or high, the display turns red, a warning is shown and the external outputs are triggered. The pressure measurement units and thresholds can be configured via a touch screen. The cab pressure monitor is easy to install and operate.

• miningsolutions.total.com

• hmbe.com.au

AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

PRODUCTS

DEVCON STRENGTHENS ABRASION RESISTANCE

WEIR’S ENDURON HPGRS TAKE GROUND

ITW Polymers and Fluids has manufactured the Devcon range of abrasion resistant epoxy products for mining maintenance and repair applications. Boasting technically advanced epoxy systems for abrasion resistance, the first product in the Devcon range, Devcon Plastic Steel putty, was first introduced over 60 years ago by Devcon USA. Today, the range has grown to consist epoxy and urethane products that are supplied to Australian mines and quarries by Motion Asia Pacific brands such as BSC. BSC product manager Michael Rowe said that high wear and abrasion were common in mining equipment such as mixing vessels, tanks, pumps, hoppers, impellers, skips, chutes, screens and grates. “These heavy-duty parts are often exposed to large stones, aggregates, particulates, sand and aggressive slurries that can damage and abrade even the hardest substrates,” he said. “While the Devcon epoxy systems can be used to repair high-wear surfaces, they can also be used to prevent damages and maximise equipment life.”

Weir Minerals’ Enduron high pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs) are replacing conventional mills in comminution (crushing, screening and grinding) circuits. The Enduron HPGRs offer energy and water savings while reducing grinding media consumption. Their wearable components are more durable, hence reducing maintenance costs. The Enduron HPGRs feature superior tyre lifetime with premium tungsten carbide studs designed to promote a robust autogenous wear layer, along with optimised diameter to width ratio to produce more fines than the competition. The HPGRs significantly contribute to carbon dioxide emission savings, in line with mining companies’ move to decarbonise. They are part of Fortescue Metals Group’s £100 million ($176 million) order for the Iron Bridge project, enabling dry processing of ore with at least 30 per cent less energy than traditional alternatives.

• global.weir

• bsc.com.au

XYLEM DELIVERS TOUGH SLURRY PUMPS

FENNER DUNLOP GAUGES BELT HEALTH

Xylem’s Flygt 5000 series slurry pumps excel in the most abrasive slurries with only regular planned maintenance needed. The pumps can keep sump solids free even with the coarsest and heaviest slurries, removing the headache associated with a slurry pump’s hard and fast wear. Xylem Water Solutions Australia product and marketing manager for dewatering, Paul Gaby, said the design featured enlarged volute to slow down the speed of slurry and reduce its wearing force. The Flygt 5000 series slurry pumps also come with an agitator or mixer option so users can keep solids in suspension and ensure that the slurry mix is completely removed. They offer lower operating costs, less maintenance, reduced operating noise, easy installation, less space use and are available for purchase or rent. The series includes modular systems for flow rate capacities ranging from 30 to 320 litres per second. More than 5000 Flygt slurry pumps are operating in mining, quarrying, construction and tunnelling applications.

Fenner Dunlop has upgraded its online belt thickness tester to unveil BeltGauge, an advanced device that is used to measure the wear profile of the cover rubber of a conveyor belt. BeltGauge not only measures the belt thickness, but also the belt tracking and width. It takes into account various potential factors that could lead to a damaged belt, including belt misalignment and edge damage events. Mine operators can detect premature wear, as well as identify and rectify issues with the conveyor belt interacting with conveyor componentry before they become a major issue. The system will also initiate an SMS or email notification when an abnormal event is identified, allowing for a speedy response. BeltGauge, part of Fenner Dunlop’s iBelt technology solutions, streams data into the DigitalHub, providing insights to customers in real time and removing the human effort involved in data collection.

• fennerdunlop.com.au

• xylem.com

AUSTRALIANMINING

MARCH 2021

EVENTS

CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS EVENT SUBMISSIONS CAN BE EMAILED TO EDITOR@AUSTRALIANMINING.COM.AU Underground Operators Conference 2021 | Perth and online | March 15-17 The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) Underground Operators Conference 2021 will bring together mining engineers, operators, technical service managers and consultants to share their underground operational experience and practices. Underground Operators 2021 will feature internationally recognised keynote speakers, including CommChain executive chairman Gary Zamel, Rock Engineering consultant, Sweden, Knut Garshol and Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum president Roy Slack. The program will cover key discussion topics on process transformation, innovative mining methods, health and safety, revolutionising the traditional mine and more. Underground Operators 2021 will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 15-17 2021. • undergroundoperators.ausimm.com 2nd Digital Mines 2021 | Online | April 20-22 The 2nd Digital Mines 2021: Building Fully Autonomous Mines from Pit to Port recognises the force of digitalisation in changing the nature of companies and their interaction with employees, communities, government and the environment at every step of their value chain. This year’s conference will deep-dive into the latest advances on intelligent mining and how world-leading mining companies are implementing theirs.

They include Resolute Mining’s Syama gold mine in Mali, Boliden’s fully autonomous underground mine and Vale and BHP’s next-generation autonomous mining. The conference will feature speakers from BHP, Roy Hill, Fortescue Metals Group, Rio Tinto, Alcoa, Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia, ABB Australia and Codelco. Delegates will also catch an exciting glimpse of the new frontier of mining in space. • claridenglobal.com Life of Mine Conference | Brisbane and online | April 28-30 AusIMM and the University of Queensland will join forces to host the fifth Life of Mine Conference in 2021 following four years of successful events. Being held in Brisbane and online, this hybrid event will allow delegates to safely attend the event in-person or online should travel restrictions still be in place. The Life of Mine Conference will explore the full life-cycle of a mine, from the exploration to rehabilitation phase, as well as address current and future challenges impacting the mining value chain. A key aim of the conference is to promote leading examples of applying approaches that enhance outcomes, increase efficiencies and improve effectiveness in addressing challenges in the present and years to come, including cost and production pressures, technical factors and societal and community expectations. Conference themes include integrated mine planning; sustainability outcomes; incorporating societal and

AUSTRALIANMINING

community dimensions into design, operation and rehabilitation; strategies for improving closure outcomes; influence of global trends on the future of the industry; approaches to produce viable post-mining economies and more. • lifeofmine.ausimm.com Austmine 2021: Harnessing Intelligence | Perth | May 25-27 Austmine’s world-renowned mining innovation conference will return in 2021, creating a key gathering point for industry leaders, change-makers and innovative thinkers. The 2021 theme of harnessing intelligence will provide the opportunity to reflect, discuss and consider the future of the mining industry following a period of significant disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Austmine 2021 will explore the importance of interaction between people, processes and technology over three days of keynote speeches, interactive sessions and panel discussions. The event has also welcomed BHP onboard as its principal sponsor for 2021, highlighting BHP’s continued commitment to technological excellence in the Australian mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector. • austmineconference.com.au Mill Operators Conference | Brisbane | June 23-25 AusIMM is running the Mill Operators Conference for the 15th time, offering it in a hybrid format this year. This conference will focus on best practice in all areas of plant operations

MARCH 2021

practice and management, tailings and water management and geometallurgy. AusIMM chief technical officer Greg Lane, BHP Nickel West principal – business development James McQuie and Curtin University senior research fellow Teresa McGrath are among the keynote speakers who will be presenting at the event. Mill Operators will welcome more than 600 industry professionals to hear from leading experts, participate in robust discussions, view the latest mining innovations and meet with their industry peers at networking events over the three days. • milloperators.ausimm.com BULK 2021: Australian Bulk Handling Expo | Melbourne | September 8-10 The Australian Bulk Handling Expo, conference and awards will bring the bulk handling industry together into a standalone exhibition in 2021. It will share the same location as MEGATRANS, which integrates intrinsically with the logistics and multimodal freight sector. BULK2021 is supported by the Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling (ASBSH), which will host an industry conference, while the trade expo will showcase the latest in bulk materials handling equipment and technologies. Exhibitors include Vega, SEWEurodrive, Mideco, Bonfiglioli, Minprovise and ESS Engineering. BULK2021 will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre over three days. BULK2020 ticketholders will be able to use their tickets to join the rescheduled expo. • bulkhandlingexpo.com.au

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