AUSTMINE 2021 HARD ROCK MINING VOLUME 113/04 | MAY 2021
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VOLUME 113/04 | MAY 2021
SPARKING CHANGE UNIFIED APPROACH LIGHTS THE WAY
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COMMENT
THE ROAD TO ELECTRIFICATION WHILE STILL MANY YEARS AWAY, AUSTRALIA’S MINING INDUSTRY IS TAKING GENUINE STEPS TOWARDS TRANSITIONING INTO AN ELECTRIC ENVIRONMENT BY WORKING TOGETHER TO OVERCOME ITS CHALLENGES.
BEN CREAGH
Ben.Creagh@primecreative.com.au
T
he founding of the Electric Mine Consortium is a prime example of what collaboration can offer the modern mining industry. It’s also shaping as an example that Australia’s automotive industry can learn from as it stutters towards an electric future. A number of key players in the resources industry, from leading mining companies to larger METS (mining equipment, technology and services) organisations, have joined forces to establish the State of Play-led Consortium (see p12-13). In a public commitment to electrification, the chief executive officers of the mining companies co-signed a statement of intent to electrify their mine sites and accelerate change in the industry. Some of these members will compete in the global battery minerals market, in which major automotive manufacturers are looking for suppliers that plan to reduce the carbon content of their operations. They are joined by METS companies that will also compete, in particular for the investment dollars of these mining companies, but have put their rivalries aside to push development of electric machinery and technologies forward. As pressure builds on mining companies to decarbonise their operations, as well as contribute to lowering emissions from the sites where mined materials end up, this is a clear sign that the mining industry plans to work together to achieve this goal. The benefits of electrification in mining are well known. Notably, it allows for the removal of diesel from mines, cutting emissions and eliminating the exposure of workers to diesel particulates.
However, the uptake of electric vehicles in Australian mining has been slow due to a variety of reasons, including the capital costs involved and the class of available equipment not being suitable for the country’s large operations. As technology improves, these challenges are becoming easier to overcome and the industry has demonstrated a willingness to work together through initiatives such as the Consortium to drive rapid progress. The optimism for electrification in Australian mining comes as negativity surrounds the country’s automotive sector and the sluggish introduction of EVs compared with other advanced markets. This year, Australia has been labelled a range of things because of its perceived attitude towards EVs, including “positively hostile” and being in the “automotive third world.” While the motives for EVs on public roads are just as clear as they are in mining, the market share for these vehicles sits at just 0.75 per cent of sales. The slow uptake has been blamed on unattractive taxes, planning laws and a lack of a national approach. As accurate as these reasons may be, if there’s something that Australian lawmakers and automotive companies can learn from our mining industry, it’s that a transition to electrification will work most effectively with a collaborative approach.
FRONT COVER
In this edition, we include a special focus on hard rock mining, including feature articles covering the products and services driving productivity in this sector. This issue previews the Austmine 2021 Conference & Exhibition with profiles of METS (mining equipment, technology and services) companies that will be on show at the event. We look at the pursuit of electrification in the industry by talking to a number of companies that have joined forces to establish the Electric Mine Consortium. This edition also explores the Australian Government’s plan to make the country a global leader in the supply of critical minerals. And as usual, we cover the latest mining equipment and technology in our products section.
Cover image: IGO’s Nova operation.
Ben Creagh Managing Editor
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IN INTHIS THISISSUE ISSUE 12
26
12 FUTURE OF MINING
24 TECHNOLOGY
48 PROFILE
14 INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
30 REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT
50 MAINTENANCE
18 REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT
34 AUSTMINE 2021 CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
52 MINING SERVICES
Sparking industry change Electric Mine Consortium to drive mining progress
A critical step forward Australia’s critical minerals road map lays foundation for the future
More than a pot of gold TNG, Glencore talk Northern Territory’s mining potential
20 TYRE MANAGEMENT
A second life for mining tyres Kal Tire, Tyre Stewardship Australia recycling efforts
Aqura, Vega and space mining How technology is opening new frontiers for the mining industry The length and breadth of Gawler Craton Junior miners highlight the region’s next projects
Exhibitors at this month’s event Perth prepares to host Austmine’s showcase of mining innovation
42 HARD ROCK MINING
Driving new levels of productivity Profiles of services companies in the hard rock mining sector
Gold Industry Group chair continues legacy Kelly Carter discusses her ambitions for the industry body Eloise Copper finds reliable solution CBC assists copper operator with spare parts and technical support
Exciting developments supporting mining Atlas Copco, RINGSPANN, Dynamic Rigging, Astec and Drivetrain
58 WATER MANAGEMENT
Stainless steel pumps emerge Xylem pump solution brings increased durability
59 MINING INFRASTRUCTURE
Flexibore 400 withstands pressure Crusader Hose delivers world-leading layflat hose to iron ore site
61 EVENT SPOTLIGHT
Mining events return to form Prospect Awards and AusIMM set the scene for 2021 event calendar
REGULARS 3 COMMENT
52 AUSTRALIANMINING AUSTRALIANMINING6 6OCTOBER MAY 2021 2020
8 NEWS 64 PRODUCTS 66 EVENTS
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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. FORTESCUE HANDS OUT CONTRACTS TO MONADELPHOUS, VYSARN Fortescue Metals Group has signed a $150 million crane services contract with Monadelphous and extended a drilling and construction agreement with Vysarn in the Pilbara, Western Australia. Monadelphous has partnered with Fortescue at its Solomon operations since 2017, and the Eliwana operations since last year. The latest contract will see the engineering company provide general crane repairs, maintenance and shutdown activities for Fortescue across its Pilbara operations. Monadelphous managing director Rob Velletri said the contract further strengthened the relationship between the two companies. “We are pleased to have
secured this long-term contract with Fortescue and look forward to continuing to support their operations in the Pilbara with the ongoing provision of quality crane services,” Velletri said. The Solomon and Eliwana mine operations are 140 kilometres apart and provide Fortescue with the Fortescue blend – a combination of higher iron grade, low-cost Firetail ore with low phosphorous Chichester ore. The contract comes after Monadelphous’ annual report revealed a 15.9 per cent decrease in revenue for its maintenance and industrial services division. Meanwhile, Fortescue has extended its contract with Vysarn for hydrogeological borefield drilling and
construction to 36 months, including an option to extend the agreement by another two years. The original contract, signed in November 2019, involved a 24-month contract with a one-year extension option. The amendment was made by Vysarn’s subsidiary Pentium Hydro and will continue to be carried out at four of Fortescue’s locations across the Pilbara. These include the Solomon and Eliwana operations, plus the Cloudbreak and Christmas Creek mine sites. The amendment also added a provision for a dual tube flooded reverse drilling rig, with the equipment deployed in April.
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.
Mineral Resources (MinRes) expects to benefit from faster haulage times after ordering 10 Komatsu HD1500-8 dump trucks for the Iron Valley mine site in Western Australia. MinRes commissioned the first Komatsu HD1500-8 in late 2020, with the remaining nine delivered in the first quarter of 2021. The company reported that the HD1500-8 could complete a haul journey from Iron Valley’s pit floor to the crushing facility and return in 21.63 minutes, compared with 23.84 from the older machines used. “Following the success of the HD1500-8, (MinRes) placed a milestone order for 10 of our machines,” Komatsu salesperson Jason Lambert said. The HD1500-8 is capable of climbing the 160-metre-deep pit at Iron Valley at 13 kilometres per hour, while achieving 60 kilometres per hour on the flat road and a 22-kilometre-per-hour descent. “The operator can alter the fuel use according to gradient and also
IMAGE: KOMATSU.
MINRES CHOOSES KOMATSU DUMP TRUCKS FOR IRON VALLEY
ONE OF KOMATSU’S HD1500-8 DUMP TRUCKS.
the load for the return trip to the floor,” Lambert said. The trucks have achieved two fuel shifts of operation between fuelling at Iron Valley. “It’s as if the HD1500-8 has been purpose built for the mine and in many respects, that is the case,” Lambert said. According to Lambert, MinRes also considered the costeffectiveness of the machine. “From a miner’s perspective,
cost is a major determinant – capital cost, life cycle cost and productivity,” Lambert said. “In this instance, there was a consistent theme of 10 per cent improvement – in purchase cost, payload and operating efficiency – an additional 10 tonnes, 10 per cent faster and 10 per cent cheaper. “But increasingly, there’s also the consideration of health and safety.”
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The HD1500-8 features a collision awareness system which includes eight on-board radars and six cameras to create a 360-degree view of the surrounding environment. Komatsu has enhanced the machine’s health and safety benefits with an intelligentlydesigned cabin that includes cooling systems, low vibration operations and noise attenuation at a peak 72 decibels.
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NEWS
NSW SURVEY DISCOVERS UNTAPPED GROUNDWATER AND RESOURCES An airborne electromagnetic survey undertaken above central New South Wales has returned positive results on the prospect of hidden water and resources below the surface. More than 19,000 square kilometres were surveyed, according to New South Wales Deputy Premier and Minister for Resources John Barilaro, revealing untapped resources up to 400 metres deep into the earth. Barilaro expected to follow up the exciting discovery with further surveys across the Cobar-Nyngan area, as well as at Mundi near Broken Hill. “This cutting-edge technology
has delivered readings of potential deposits of minerals including gold, copper and zinc throughout the Central West and what could be untapped groundwater,” Barilaro said. “We have received positive feedback from the mining industry about the quality of the survey data, with several companies using the information to carry out licensed exploration programs and even a new discovery of mineralisation which was drilled on the basis of the results. “We can now consider using the highly-technical data as part of a drilling program to confirm if we have found groundwater, what is in it, as well as how best to access it.”
The exploration venture is part of the National Drilling Initiative (NDI) proposed by MinEx CRC, with $16 million committed over 10 years by the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW). The NDI is led by Geoscience Australia national drilling initiative coordinator Anthony Budd. “The NDI vision is to drill multiple holes in a region to map the regional geology and architecture, and to find the potential for mineral systems in 3D,” Budd said. “It’s intended that the NDI will take advantage of new low-cost coiled tubing drilling technology.” Barilaro said the funding and interest
in one of Australia’s vital sectors, mineral resources, would attract further investment into the economy. “Mining is critical to the (New South Wales) economy, it is responsible for half of our state’s export revenue and despite COVID-19 and other challenges, the sector has remained resilient, continuing to provide direct employment, while indirectly supporting local businesses,” Barilaro said. “Our state is rich with high-tech metals and critical mineral resources and we are on a mission to make (New South Wales) the number one destination for investment in mining in Australia.”
BHP PLOTS MT ARTHUR MINE LIFE EXTENSION thermal coal assets, including Mt Arthur Coal, to focus its portfolio on higher quality metallurgical coal,” BHP stated. “This means Mt Arthur Coal’s ownership or operating control could change in the coming years.” BHP stated the approval process required a comprehensive assessment and review and engagement with the local community and key stakeholders. In November 2020, the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) reported that BHP had cut jobs at the mine. The group stated that BHP
subsidiary, Operations Services, decreased its workforce by 110 employees from 160. BHP now employs around 2000 people at the Mt Arthur mine, and expects the approvals to allow for the employment of 2600 people. To extend the mine’s operations, BHP stated that minor extensions to the existing mining infrastructure would be required. This includes extensions to the workshops, stockpiles, electricity distribution and other ancillary infrastructure, which will see Mt Arthur extended further to the west of the nearby town of Muswellbrook.
BHP stated this would not alter its existing and approved hours of operation or coal transportation. The miner’s previous attempts to sell Mt Arthur were unsuccessful after failing to find a suitable bidder. Yancoal Australia and Bravus Mining & Resources (formerly Adani) were among the bidders allegedly rejected. “Yancoal considers acquisitive growth opportunities as they arise, such as BHP’s thermal coal assets, and is committed to only acquiring appropriately priced assets of genuine future value,” a Yancoal spokesperson told Australian Mining in July 2020.
IMAGE: BHP.
BHP plans to seek approval for an extension of operations at the Mount Arthur thermal coal mine in New South Wales to 2045 despite recent efforts to sell the asset. The company is seeking state and federal development and environmental approvals to keep Mt Arthur active after the current open cut approval expires on June 30 2026. In line with BHP’s plan to divest its thermal coal assets, the company’s decision to extend Mt Arthur’s life flags that mine ownership or control could change in the coming years. “As announced in August 2020, BHP is assessing options to divest its
MT ARTHUR IS THE HUNTER VALLEY’S LARGEST INDIVIDUAL COAL PRODUCTION SITE. AUSTRALIANMINING
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FUTURE OF MINING THE SANDVIK DL422IE ELECTRIC LONGHOLE DRILL.
SPARKING CHANGE THROUGH ELECTRIFICATION THE ELECTRIC MINE CONSORTIUM COMBINES MINING COMPANIES, EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPERS WITH ASPIRATIONS TO ESTABLISH A CARBON NEUTRAL AND ADVANCED INDUSTRY IN THE FUTURE. NICKOLAS ZAKHARIA WRITES.
I
n 2011, the State of Play platform was launched by VCI (Virtual Consulting International) in partnership with the University of Western Australia and has since become the largest mining research platform on strategy and innovation globally. Last year, State of Play released an electrification report, focussing on its importance for the shift to clean energy at mine sites. It found that 61 per cent of the next generation of mines will be completely electric, while 89 per cent of mines will be electrified in the next two decades. The report suggested that industry collaboration through a consortium would pave the way for a better understanding of the benefits associated with electrifying a mining operation. In March, State of Play announced the Electric Mine Consortium, which was born out of the electrification report. The Consortium has recruited miners IGO, OZ Minerals, Gold Fields, South32 and contractor Barminco as members to push electrification in mining forward, while they reduce their scope one and two emissions. “Our data shows renewables, all electric systems and batteries will help fuel the change towards a healthier,
economically viable future of mining, but uncertainty remains when it comes to which area to invest in first, and how,” State of Play co-founder Graeme Stanway says. METS (mining equipment, technology and services) companies Epiroc, Sandvik, Horizon Power, Safescape, 3ME Technology, Hahn, Dassault Systemes and Energy Vault were also announced as partners of the State of Play-led Consortium to provide technology and services to mining projects. A primary goal behind electrifying mining operations is to completely decarbonise the industry, and State of
Play believes that mine sites will be unable to cut their emissions without electrification. The Consortium, however, hopes to spark industry-wide collaboration and change as a frontrunner to wide-scale adoption of electric mine operations.
Greener practices
IGO’s Nova nickel-copper-cobalt operation in Western Australia’s Fraser Range is an operation with significant fervour behind it. The site first made history when then-owner Sirius Resources discovered the Nova deposit, sparking an explosion of nickel exploration in
EPIROC HAS A COMPLETE FLEET OF ELECTRIC MINE VEHICLES AVAILABLE.
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the Fraser Range. IGO acquired Sirius Resources in 2015 to become the owner/developer of the site. While nickel is a key commodity for creating clean energy technologies and battery materials, IGO is also eyeing electrification of the Nova mine. IGO has partnered with fellow Consortium member Safescape to trial the latter’s Bortana battery electric mining vehicles at Nova. Nova contractor Barminco collaborated with IGO at the mine to implement the trial, which found zero emissions allow more vehicles to be in a single area at the site, increasing
FUTURE OF MINING
productivity. IGO chief operating officer Matt Dusci believes the trial proves battery light vehicles are a viable opportunity. “Battery light vehicles are at a point of maturity where they are set for mass adoption within industry,” Dusci tells Australian Mining. Dusci says IGO has finalised a prefeasibility study on the electrification of Nova. “This study found that if we were to commence development of the Nova operation today, technology is now reliable, safe and cost effective enough to develop the operation as an ‘allelectric’ mine,” he says. “Our study illustrated both a capital and operating savings over the lifeof-mine, coupled with the emissions reduction. We are committed to decarbonisation and excited about bringing new technology into our mines of the future.” With IGO already heavily invested in green energy, the company hopes to promote broader industry change through the Consortium. Dusci says the Electric Mine Consortium will help decarbonisation materialise. “The Electric Mine Consortium offers IGO the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded companies focussed on accelerating this drive to electrification,” he says. “IGO will continue to have our own individual goals for emissions and electrification; however, the Consortium offers the platform for collaboration and the sharing of learnings and ideas. “Decarbonisation and climate change is a global challenge, and collaboration will be required at all levels if we are to be successful as a society.” Dusci says heavy battery electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and mess storage for renewable generated electricity are areas which need development. “We are collaborating, through the Consortium, to answer these questions, provide data from trials to research groups and influence designs to be user friendly. In this way we hope to accelerate the development of effective, robust and fit-for-purpose solutions faster,” Dusci says.
Drilling down the fundamentals
With a fleet of electric mining machines, Sandvik is well-positioned to drive change with its involvement in the Electric Mine Consortium. For Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions – sales area APAC, sustainable business, marketing and communications manager, Kate Bills, the Consortium drives the company’s goals with battery electric
IGO HOPES TO ADVANCE ELECTRIFICATION THROUGH ITS INVOLVEMENT IN THE ELECTRIC MINE CONSORTIUM.
vehicle adoption. “Our vision is to the be the market leader in electric mining equipment and to be the preferred partner for our customers in the drive to adopt battery electric vehicles (BEVs),” Bills says. “Our involvement with the Electric Mine Consortium is one of the many steps we’re taking as an organisation to achieve this.” Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions – sales area APAC, business line manager – load and haul, Andrew Dawson says the Consortium encourages collaboration to push the boundaries of the mining industry. “The Consortium gathers likeminded companies with electrification goals and allows us to work collaboratively, develop road maps and together shape the future of the electrified mine,” he says. “By working together and developing reference cases for either a fully electrified mine or part thereof in steps leading towards it. This allows real-world demonstration to the wider market of how BEV technology can be integrated and alleviate the ‘fear of the unknown’.” Sandvik has also targeted a suite of 2030 sustainability goals, including a 50 per cent reduction in its carbon emissions. “Sandvik is ambitious in terms of our 2030 Sustainability Goals, which cover four key areas: climate, circularity, people and fair play,” Bills says. “The biggest impact we can make to sustainability is through our offering, which helps our customers increase productivity, reduce their environmental impact and become safer. Sandvik last year launched the first-of-its-kind 18-tonne LH518B battery loader, which assists mining operations in reaching their own AUSTRALIANMINING
sustainability goals. Adding to the loader breakthrough, the company is developing a battery 65-tonne class truck, set to be the largest available in its range. Sandvik has this year continued its string of electric mine offerings with the DL422iE battery-electric top hammer longhole drill, which features an electric driveline system for zero emissions. Epiroc is another major equipment manufacturer involved in the Electric Mine Consortium. In recent years, the company has been focussed on designing zero-emission underground loaders, trucks and drill rigs. Epiroc business line manager Shaiful Ali says the company will seek batterypowered options for its full fleet of vehicles in the long-term. “A lot of the Australian mines are large and suit a bigger class of machines,” he says. “Short term, I think diesel will be around because the evolution of the battery is not there yet. But in the long term, yes, we will also look at battery options for our full fleet of machines.” For Ali, collaboration and standardisation are the two pillars of pushing electrification in mining forward with the Consortium. SANDVIK’S LH518B IS THE WORLD’S FIRST 18-TONNE BATTERY-POWERED LOADER.
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“We all need to understand a standardised way for how we do things. The goal is to make it simpler for a more consistent output,” he says. “With the Consortium, this is the main driver to ensure there is a standardised way of how we do things moving forward.” Ali says standardisation of battery charging practices is one example of how electrification can encourage safer operations. “The biggest issue we faced was the cost, but I think with the recent introduction of Batteries as a Service, it gives the confidence that the upfront cost is not as damaging as once thought,” Ali says. “The Batteries as a Service solution allows control and management of all batteries on site to be put into the hands of Epiroc, including maintenance and upgrades, allowing for a hassle-free approach towards electrifying a mine. “Because Australian mining is generally collective, collaboration is the best way to move forward. Everyone brings an element of speciality in this and Epiroc is part of the specialisation, but we’re not specialised in everything, so the Consortium brings a collaborative approach.” AM
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
A CRITICAL STEP FORWARD AUSTRALIA IS ONE OF SEVERAL COUNTRIES THAT HAS TURNED ITS ATTENTION TOWARDS FORTIFYING CRITICAL MINERALS SUPPLY CHAINS, WITH DEMAND FOR THESE MATERIALS EXPECTED TO SKYROCKET OFF THE BACK OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND NEW TECHNOLOGY DEMAND.
T
he Australian Government’s Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing Road Map outlines Australia’s 10-year plan for becoming a global leader in the supply of critical minerals. Released in March, the plan is broken into two, five and 10-year goals, with the ambition of making Australia the world’s major supplier of resources technology and critical minerals processing. As electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing ramps up, the importance of new technologies will only grow. And Australia’s rich critical minerals reserves have elevated the potential the country holds to become
ILUKA’S ENEABBA RARE EARTHS OPERATION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
a dominant force in the critical minerals supply chain. For example, Australia has the world’s second largest reserves of lithium and is the leading producer of lithium spodumene. On top of a plethora of undeveloped critical minerals deposits, Australia is the world’s fourth largest producer of rare earths and is sixth for rare earths resources.
Looking offshore, the critical minerals fervour is growing in countries such as the United States, with President Joe Biden signing an executive order in February to deliver a 100-day review of four key areas, including large-capacity batteries and critical minerals supply chains. While the review is still being undertaken at the time of writing, the Biden Administration has indicated it
LYNAS IS THE SECOND LARGEST PRODUCER OF RARE EARTHS MATERIALS GLOBALLY.
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will move suppliers out of countries such as China and back into the US or allied countries. Being a key ally to the US, Australia is well-positioned to capitalise on this opportunity. Federal Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt says Australia has the potential to grow its role in the critical minerals global supply chain. “There is growing recognition among like-minded countries about the need for more diverse global supply chains,” Pitt tells Australian Mining. “This presents an opportunity for Australia, given our world-leading resources of many critical minerals. “Our world-leading mining expertise, proximity to manufacturing powerhouses such as Japan and Korea, and our position as a trusted trading and strategic partner with rapidly growing markets in the US and Europe positions us well compared to other nations. “Australia is one of the most technically advanced, innovative and efficient resource producers in the world with a skilled workforce, stable investment climate, supportive government incentives and high environmental standards.” The Australian Government last year established its Critical Minerals Facilitation Office to grow the sector further. In 2020, resources technology and critical minerals were also listed as the top priority in the Australian Government’s $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative and National
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
Manufacturing Priorities. “The government recognises that mechanisms such as the Roadmap and the Modern Manufacturing Initiative demonstrate our strong support for the critical minerals sector,” Pitt says. “Along with our close engagement with partner countries, these initiatives position Australia as a reliable and secure international supplier of critical minerals for the world.” And while the Road Map’s plan is 10 years in the making, Pitt says Australia’s role in the global critical minerals supply chain could evolve into downstream processing. “Australia also has world-leading expertise in resource extraction and processing, high-tech engineering and renewables research,” he says. “Drawing on our expertise in minerals processing, there is also an opportunity for Australian industry to move into downstream processing. “Developing processing capabilities outside of concentrated supply chains will be a crucial step in diversifying supply and establishing secure supply chains; and increased domestic processing will also help Australia capture more value from its critical minerals resources.”
Growth and opportunity
Cobalt Blue has positioned itself as Australia’s next major cobalt producer through its flagship Broken Hill cobalt
project in New South Wales. Broken Hill’s integrated mine and refinery is set up to produce highquality battery-ready cobalt sulphate to kickstart the domestic battery industry. The Australian Government has acknowledged the project’s potential, with Austrade listing it in the Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus 2020. “The Prospectus details potential Australian investments in a wide range of critical minerals including cobalt. The BHCP (Broken Hill cobalt project) is the only primary cobalt project included,” Cobalt Blue chief executive Joe Kaderavek tells Australian Mining. “The Australian Government will be using the prospectus to engage investors and off-takers on the opportunities in Australia’s critical minerals sector. “Cobalt Blue applauds the proactive approach initiated by the federal government in facilitating investment interest in critical minerals development and processing in Australia.” Kaderavek explains that the prospectus puts Broken Hill and Cobalt Blue to the global stage, allowing investors and off-takers to engage with Australia’s critical minerals project. While cobalt is not publicly traded, Cobalt Blue’s analysis of the critical mineral expects demand to grow by
COBALT BLUE’S BROKEN HILL COBALT PROJECT.
400,000 tonnes by 2030 compared with 140,000 tonnes in 2021. “The majority of that growth is driven by electric vehicle and energy storage system battery needs,” Kaderavek explains. “These numbers also assume a significant ‘thrifting’ or lowering of cobalt content in the battery as technologies progress, nevertheless, the demand growth remains overwhelming.” Cobalt Blue’s next steps at Broken Hill include to deliver a demonstration plant later this year to produce over 100 kilograms of cobalt sample product, with a feasibility study to be delivered by 2022. For Kaderavek, the Biden
Administration’s approach to critical minerals in the US is also a step in the right direction. “It’s a very positive first step,” he says. “Building up US supply chains would not mean it is going it alone, but would see global logistics alliances built as part of the efforts to address weaknesses overall. “As we have already seen, the US Government is willing to incentivise supply into its production into its domestic supply chains, and we look forward to such possible outcomes.”
Uncovering rare earths
Rare earths make up a major segment of critical minerals, with a large supply located in Australia.
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AUSTRALIANMINING
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INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
Lynas Rare Earths is an Australianbased rare earths miner unique in having a presence across Australia, the United States and Malaysia. In February, Lynas entered an agreement with the United States Department of Defense to build a light rare earths separation plant in Texas to bolster the country’s local rare earths supply chain. “As well as strengthening Lynas’ position in this key market, security of supply is an essential foundation for the renewal of downstream specialty metal making and permanent magnet manufacturing in North America,” Lynas chief executive officer and managing director Amanda Lacaze tells Australian Mining. “Rare earth materials are necessary for the development of advanced manufacturing capability and Lynas expects this focus on economic development in the US will continue.” Lynas is currently the only producer of separated rare earths outside of China and is the second largest worldwide, with its rare earths sourced from the Mt Weld mine in Western Australia. According to Lacaze, developing cost competitive operations, which will require government support, is a key way to establish Australia’s critical
minerals projects in global supply chains. “Government support, including for the development of cost-effective infrastructure will be essential to developing this cost competitive position,” Lacaze says. “We have an exceptional opportunity for Australia to become a reliable supplier of critical minerals, as Lynas has done in the global rare earths supply chain.” Rare earths have not suffered the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the market well positioned due to increasing EV demand in Europe and Asia. “COVID-19 has sharpened the focus of government and manufacturers around the world on diverse and sustainable supply chains for critical materials,” Lacaze says. “While they are used in small quantities, many modern technologies cannot be made without critical minerals such as rare earths and we are seeing more government action on critical minerals than ever before, including tangible actions and significant investment. “The Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative highlights the importance of resources technology and critical minerals
processing to the development of modern manufacturing capability in Australia and in key allied jurisdictions. “Under the program funds will be made available for projects and we look forward to this support to develop cost competitive production in Australia.” Iluka Resources is another ASXlisted company that is heavily invested in critical minerals projects across Australia and Sierra Leonne, including the Jacinth-Ambrosia mine in South Australia, the world’s largest zircon mine. Company chief financial officer and head of development Adele Stratton says Iluka is focussing on developing its rare earths portfolio. “Iluka’s current rare earths operation at Eneabba in Western Australia is the highest grade globally,” Stratton says. “We are also studying the feasibility of developing the Western world’s first fully integrated rare earths refinery at Eneabba. Similarly, our Wimmera project in Victoria is focussed on developing a dual zircon and rare earths deposit with a potential multidecade mine life.” Sales at Eneabba commenced in 2020 with phase two of the operation set to produce a 90 per cent monazite concentrate compared with its current 20 per cent monazite concentrate,
along with additional zircon products. Rare earths are vital for the production of permanent magnets, which are used in new technologies including EV motors and also generate power in wind turbines. “Demand across this supply chain is expected to grow substantially over coming years; and our operations and projects provide a world-class foundation from which to participate,” Stratton says. “We have a number of attractive development options under consideration.” Illuka believes critical minerals in Australia encourage downstream processing, which Minister Pitt also alluded to. “Beyond secure supply chains, critical minerals policy settings are also geared towards encouraging greater domestic value addition of Australia’s mineral resources,” Stratton explains. “Iluka has a proud history of mineral sands processing in Australia, alongside which we have developed a substantial track record in relation to waste handling, environmental management and rehabilitation. “These are the sustainable development disciplines that go handin-hand with downstream processing, including to ensure the industry’s longterm public acceptability.” AM LYNAS’ MT WELD RARE EARTHS MINE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
AUSTRALIANMINING
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MAY 2021
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REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT
NORTHERN TERRITORY: MORE THAN A POT OF GOLD
THE NORTHERN TERRITORY IS EMERGING AS A PRODUCER OF KEY MINERALS THAT ARE VALUABLE TO THE WORLD’S TRANSITION TO A LOW CARBON ECONOMY. TNG AND GLENCORE DISCUSS THE ROLE THEY WILL PLAY. TNG’s Mount Peake titaniumvanadium-iron project, which is around 230 kilometres north of Alice Springs, is one of these projects. Mount Peake boasts a JORCcompliant resource of 160 million tonnes, making it one of the largest undeveloped vanadium-titanium-iron projects globally, according to the Australian Government. The project has been awarded major project status by both the Australian and NT governments due to its potential. TNG managing director and chief executive Paul Burton says securing the support and involvement of the Australian Government for the development of a global scale critical minerals project like Mount Peake is significant for the company. “Apart from getting a single-entry point for Commonwealth Government approvals, the company expects that federal major project status will also open doors in terms of project financing, commercial negotiations and engagement with stakeholders as the award of major project status by the Australian Government is a recognition of the strategic significance of the project to Australia,” Burton tells AUSTRALIANMINING
Australian Mining. The Mount Peake project location also couldn’t be more strategic. TNG plans to build its processing facility to support the Mount Peake critical minerals production in the Middle Arm Precinct in Darwin, which has CREDIT: TNG.
I
n today’s mining landscape, the popularity of the Northern Territory (NT) as a mining jurisdiction doesn’t come close to its Australian counterparts. Even though the NT was rife with historical gold mining as early as the 1960s, the growth of its industry was limited for much of the 2010s. Luckily, this dry spell broke in 2019, when a spike in mining activity in the NT took place and continued into a new decade. The NT mining sector has increased its economic contribution to the economy, with the industry’s value rising by a whopping 40 per cent in 2019-20 to a record $7.5 billion, according to Northern Territory Department of Treasury and Finance data. This surge in activity is developing off the back of the NT’s potential to become one of Australia’s hot spots for critical minerals discoveries. When the Australian Government launched the country’s critical mineral strategy last year, several mining projects that were considered crucial to Australia becoming globally competitive in the export market for these commodities were in the NT.
TNG MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CEO PAUL BURTON.
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been recognised as an area of priority investment by the federal government. Burton says the need to increase investment in the sector in Australia has been highlighted by the global growing demand for renewable energy and the reliance on the Chinese production of critical minerals. “Northern Australia is one of the main areas of investment with $5 billion in funds available under the Northern Australia Infrastructure facility for the development or improvement of infrastructure in the northern region of the country,” Burton says. “With the right investments and proper regulations in place, the Northern Territory now has the chance to become Australia’s hub for export of critical minerals produced in-country to overseas markets.” TNG aims to produce three high purity products: titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment, vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) and iron ore fines (Fe2O3). Their production will come at a time when global demand for the products is anticipated to climb, with that of titanium dioxide pigment potentially jumping from 6.5 million tonnes a year to eight million tonnes a
REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT
THE MCARTHUR RIVER MINE IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY STARTED OPERATING IN 1995.
orebodies,” Burton says. The TIVAN process was developed in Australia with environmental concerns in mind by TNG and German-based metallurgical engineering firm, SMS group. They are also assessing the potential use of green hydrogen as a reduction agent in the process. This will reduce the required amount of electricity to produce the same amount of hydrogen by electrolysis of water by around 30 per cent. In this way, TNG is stepping closer to its ambition to achieve a net zero carbon footprint for TIVAN, with a final investment decision for the Mount Peake project due to be made this year. year in 2025. As for vanadium pentoxide, global demand is estimated at 190,000 tonnes a year, with estimates that the emerging market for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB) would consume in excess of 17,000 tonnes of V2O5 in 2029, four times the demand posed by the VRFB market today. TNG has established an alternative energy strategy and aims to become a commercial supplier of VRFBs as part of its vertical integration strategy for the Mount Peake project. The company’s entire production of the three products has been covered by offtake agreements. TNG’s point of difference lies in the TIVAN technology, which has been designed for the metallurgical treatment of titanomagnetite orebodies. Thanks to TIVAN, TNG will be able to extract TiO2 pigment, V2O5 and iron ore fines from the magnetite concentrate to produce high-purity products for export from Darwin. “Darwin will be the first global site for development of a commercial TIVAN processing facility and adjoining TiO2 pigment plant, establishing Darwin as a hub for a high-tech, value-adding processing industry for titanomagnetite
NT resident holds firm
The value hidden underneath NT ground extends beyond the elements considered by the Australian Government as critical minerals. Australia’s largest zinc operation is located in the NT – Glencore’s McArthur River mine, which is around 970 kilometres south-east of Darwin. Glencore produced just under 280,000 tonnes of zinc in concentrates and nearly 55,000 tonnes of lead in concentrates in 2020. Even though the mine began operations in 1995, it has a long life ahead of it. Its current mine life is predicted to last until 2039, after which Glencore will reprocess tailings until 2048. A key ingredient to galvanise steel, zinc is found in renewable energy technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines, batteries and electronics. Glencore expects zinc’s role in extending the lifecycle of multiple steel-based products means it will play an important part in the transition to a global low carbon economy. “We estimate that global zinc supply will need to almost double to meet increased demand under the International Energy Agency’s Rapid Transition (1.5-degrees-Celsius) pathway,” a Glencore spokesperson tells Australian Mining. AUSTRALIANMINING
“Our approach is to minimise potential impacts of our activities on the environment through environmental stewardship and responsible resource management across our operations.” The importance of the McArthur River mine is only strengthened by the communities it supports in the NT. Glencore employs around 1200 people including contractors and is focussed on recruiting and retaining employees from across the Gulf Region. The company’s Indigenous Employment Program, for example, has opened the pathway to 23 Indigenous trainees this year. This adds to Glencore’s permanent Indigenous workforce at McArthur River, which amounts to 264 people, representing a whopping 22 per cent of the entire workforce. Such a rate is more than double the NT mining industry average of 9.4 per cent. “We rely on every one of our 1200 people to keep the cogs moving at McArthur River Mining and if 2020 has taught us anything from a risk perspective, recruiting locals is better. However, for us it extends further than that,” Glencore general manager at McArthur River, Steven Rooney, says during a Darwin Mining Club speech in March. “As a major employer in the Territory we have an obligation to
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CREDIT: TNG.
CREDIT: GLENCORE
TNG’S OFFTAKE AGREEMENTS IN A MAP.
invest in the next generation of workers and make sure skills stay where they are needed here in the Territory. “As a FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) site, all 1200 of our people play their part in the mine and village running smoothly. From cooks, cleaners, chemists, truck drivers, engineers, plumbers, enviros, security guards and more; we are essentially a small town and with that comes jobs.” Through the world’s largest zinc and lead resources in the NT, Glencore has built a community that keeps people employed while supporting the world’s transition to a low carbon economy. The NT’s richness in minerals has not only brought positive contribution to the local communities and wider economy, but also fulfils the global demand for zinc, lead and to a more limited extent, silver. The minerals produced in the NT have arguably shifted the state’s reputation to one that is instrumental to fulfilling global ambitions to create a better planet. Glencore and TNG are both playing a part in this. AM
TYRE MANAGEMENT
AHEAD OF THE CURVE: KAL TIRE TO LAUNCH TYRE RECYCLING PLANT KAL TIRE IS CONTINUING ITS PIONEERING WAYS BY DEVELOPING A TYRE RECYCLING PLANT IN THE MINING-RICH COUNTRY OF CHILE IN SOUTH AMERICA. THE PLANT IS SET BE FULLY OPERATIONAL IN THE COMING MONTHS. KAL TIRE’S TYRE RECYCLING PLANT IS THE FIRST TO OPERATE IN CHILE.
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al Tire has stepped ahead of national legislations in Chile that will require the recycling of mining tyres starting 2023. The company is on the verge of reaching full production capacity at its off-the-road (OTR) tyre recycling facility in Chile after five years of planning, engineering and construction. The facility is set to convert 20,000 kilograms of scrap tyres – the equivalent of five 63-inch ultra-class tyres – to 6500 litres of alternative fuel, 4000 kilograms of recycled steel and
8000 kilograms of carbon black each day. The plant is designed to operate at the highest safety, environmental and quality standards. Kal Tire Australia managing director Miles Rigney says it is the company’s aim to get as far up the tyre recycling chain as it can. “We’re very pleased with the quality of the steel and oil that we’re recovering from the recycling plant, the synthetic gas we’re using to help operate the plant and the other component being the recovered carbon black,” Rigney tells Australian Mining. “It’s where the focus and effort of our innovation team and global AUSTRALIANMINING
partners lie: to find the best ways to purify and recover carbon black at the highest level to allow the best circular use of it.” Carbon black is a key ingredient in the manufacture of tyres and now a major resource targeted during the recycling process at the Chilean plant. The carbon black recovered by the process is forecasted to be able to be used in new rubber moulded and plastic products such as tyres, conveyor belts or plastic pipe. Such recycling capacity by Kal Tire trumps the common practice of exporting rubber crumbs to countries such as India and China, which
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according to Rigney constitutes more of a tyre disposal than a true recycling model. “We hope to take our Chile plant concept beyond the country so we can recycle tyres into components that can be re-used by the same mining operation,” Rigney says. “What we’re trying to do now is work higher up in the recycling chain so we can get to a point where users of mining and earthmover tyres can recycle them and use the resultant products in other parts of their mine sites.” Embodying the true definition of recycling, the modularised and
TYRE MANAGEMENT
therefore scalable plant will use the energy produced from the tyres being recycled to maintain the process for seven hours. Using thermal conversion technology, the process stops using external fuel and runs solely on the synthetic gas produced from the recycled tyres. Kal Tire recycling project manager Scott Farnham says the plant operates at a very low external energy input to start off, then none at all as the synthetic gas is then used. “It’s a really innovative process. It’s something that utilises the energy already inside the tyres to recycle more,” he says. Farnham leads a team that has adopted the use of thermal conversion technology instead of tyre shredding due to its environmental friendliness. It will mark Kal Tire as the first user of the technology in the tyre recycling space in Chile. “The technology is based on an established process where you heat tyres in a vacuum with no oxygen,” Farnham explains. “The tyre will gassify inside the sealed chamber, and when you open the doors at the end of the process, there’ll be no more volatile elements, only steel and carbon remain. The vapours have been evacuated from the chamber and condensed into oil, which
THE PLANT WILL USE THERMAL CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY TO ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST RECYCLING STANDARDS.
is held in storage tanks.” Every second of the large undertaking is monitored by Kal Tire’s own process control software. It automates the tyre recycling process starting from the loading of tyres to the reactors. To keep team members and the environment safe, the Kal Tire plant features a large water reservoir and water cannons, along with pressure relief valves and a nitrogen system that will flood the reactor in case of a fire. “Since the plant is located in a desert area, we have large tanks of water should the safety features fail,” Farnham explains. “I’ve applied my 25 years of
experience in the tyre recycling industry to keep it as safe as possible.” Kal Tire’s recycling plant is being established in the heart of the Chilean mining industry, Antofagasta, well-positioned amid the world’s largest copper mines, including Codelco’s Chuquicamata mine and the BHP-operated Escondida mine. This strategic location is where Kal Tire has secured a large stockpile of scrap tyres from Antofagasta Minerals for recycling, with the resultant steel, carbon and oil to be acquired by Kal Tire’s local partners. “We saw the need from our mining customers who all have a similar
problem of having mountains of scrap tyres on their sites. Now we have something real that is starting to operate,” Farnham says. “We see many proposals and announcements about recycling plants being built. Kal Tire’s plant is the first to operate in Chile and demonstrates our innovative culture and desire to solve this large problem for our customers.” In establishing the plant, Kal Tire has moved ahead of Chilean legislation requiring the recycling of OTR mining tyres starting 2023. Tyre importers and mining companies in Chile will be required to recycle 25 per cent of its tyres from 2023 to 2026, before the number jumps to 75 per cent in 2027 and reaches 100 per cent by 2030. “There was a risk to establishing this plant before legislation was set, but listening to the Chilean Government’s sustainability and circular economy plans, we felt the time was right to make the investment,” Farnham says. “Whether the legislation exists or not, we are now seeing circular economy and sustainability interests grow month by month. “We believe that mining companies and tyre importers can both see the environmental benefits from the process and products.” AM
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TYRE MANAGEMENT
A SECOND CHANCE FOR TONNES AND TONNES OF TYRES THE RECOVERY AND RECYCLING OF OFF-THE-ROAD TYRES HAS BEEN A MISMANAGED ISSUE FOR AS LONG AS TYRES HAVE EXISTED. TYRE STEWARDSHIP AUSTRALIA IS DETERMINED TO CHANGE THAT.
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ith more than 300 mines operating around Australia in 2019, one can only imagine how many tyres are reaching the end of their lives every year. Luckily for tyre suppliers, buyers and the environment, Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) imagined just that when Randell Environmental Consulting was commissioned in 2019 to undertake an analysis of the consumption and fate of off-the-road (OTR) tyres in the mining industry. The analysis (based on 2018-19 findings) found that just 11 per cent of OTR tyres were recovered, while the remaining 105,000 tonnes were left unrecovered – assumed to be disposed of on mine sites, farms and dumping facilities. These numbers only increased in 2019-20, while figures in the past are assumed to be just as damning. However, the tyre tide has started to turn, and TSA is rolling up its sleeves to be part of the extraordinary change. The not-for-profit organisation of tyre retailers, manufacturers, recyclers and collectors has received government funding to expand its revolutionary Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme (TPSS). The TPSS is an industry-led scheme set up to effectively reduce the environmental, health and safety impacts of tyres which reach the end of their lives in Australia each year. It will affect a range of applications from mining to aviation, agriculture, conveyor belts and rubber tracks. The funding for the scheme comes as part of a federal government initiative to invest almost $15 million in product stewardship for products such as plastic packaging, sports shoes, coffee capsules, child car seats and of course, tyre products. Alongside the funding came a stamp of approval from the government for industry best practice in product stewardship, announced by the Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Trevor Evans at this year’s launch of the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence.
TYRE STEWARDSHIP AUSTRALIA CEO LINA GOODMAN.
TSA chief executive officer Lina Goodman accepted both the funding and the formal accreditation with a strong sense of determination for the scheme’s future. “We’re really pleased to have been given the Australian Government’s stamp of approval for the scheme under the new recycling and waste reduction legislation. It will help drive stronger procurement policies, so more Australians view the waste we
create as the valuable resource it is,” Goodman says. Goodman has spent more than 20 years working within the resource recovery, energy and reverse logistics sector and it’s through such experience that she’s learnt the importance of strong commercial partnerships in achieving TSA’s goals. TSA has invested more than $6.3 million nationally to fund real-world outcomes for tyre derived products and research a sustainable path towards responsible tyre management. Government funding will be used to increase resource recovery associated with the OTR sector and investigate the feasibility of expanding the scheme to include conveyor belts and rubber tracks. The aim of the study will be to understand how best to support sustainable industries through useful policy and regulation. To ensure the legitimacy and transparency of TSA’s work, and of further work in the OTR recovery field, Goodman says it will be extremely important to have a robust system of reporting. “TSA has begun to explore technology that can aid in the transparency of OTR recovery and recycling rates,” Goodman explains. “Maintaining a single source of truth for data associated with the OTR sector is paramount for future
TYRE STEWARDSHIP AUSTRALIA IS EXPANDING TO INCLUDE TYRE PRODUCTS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES.
AUSTRALIANMINING
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investment and policy making.” Further to this, Goodman adds, “a working group will also be established to build the success plan for OTR recycling; utilising experience, research and practical outcomes to drive conclusions that can be transferred and adopted nationwide. “This working group will include members from government, mining, research, Indigenous and industry groups, manufacturers, logistics and recycling companies.” TSA is also working to expand the scheme to include conveyor belts, as a broader scope for recycled products means a boost for market opportunities. “Securing the complete tyre supply chain within the scheme will help the OTR market assess infrastructure needs, financial flows and viable markets,” Goodman says. “There is no existing verified data that indicates conveyor belts and rubber tracks are recovered to any great quantities. There’s potentially tens of thousands of tonnes of these products reaching the end of their lives each year in Australia. Learning exactly how much we’re dealing with is exactly the point of this study.” TSA only expects opportunities to increase as communication lines and infrastructure are improved. “Currently, the tyranny of distance, easy disposal options and lack of recycling infrastructure have contributed to low recovery rates,” Goodman says. “However, TSA estimates that post the project completion mark, recycling rates will increase as the market opportunities, logistics capability and industry preparedness is established.” In Goodman’s eyes, the perfect scenario in tyre stewardship is one where the industry tackles the issue in one particular way – together. “(An ideal world is) where all tyre importers are contributing to the scheme and taking responsibility for the tyres they distribute to market,” Goodman says. “Where all organisations who use tyres are acting responsibly and working only with reputable and legitimate tyre recyclers and collectors.” AM
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TECHNOLOGY
BRIDGING THE MINE CONNECTIVITY GAP MINE OPERATORS ARE CONSTANTLY HIT BY UNIQUE CHALLENGES THAT CREATE A NUMBER OF NETWORK TECHNOLOGY BARRIERS WHICH AFFECT THEIR OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY. AQURA TECHNOLOGIES HAS DEVELOPED AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION TO HELP COMPANIES IN THIS AREA.
A
qura Technologies’ experts know all too well the limitations mining operations face due to data transmission restrictions and having limited capital to invest in network technology upgrades. In late 2016, Aqura was approached to identify a way to deliver a 4G LTE underground wireless network for a major gold mine in the Goldfields region of Western Australia. The operator wanted to grow its capabilities to better leverage underground communications to support real-time video monitoring, improve its access to operational data to support mine performance planning and create a foundation to implement more reliable communications. Aqura created a proof-of-concept for the operator that met all of these requirements while remaining highly robust. Backed by the success of the Western Australian project and numerous surface private 4G LTE deployments since, Aqura is looking to support Tier 2 mining companies with the launch of its LTE as a Service (LTEaaS) solution. Aqura chief operating officer Alan Seery says LTEaaS is a new approach to the delivery of private industrial wireless networks that offers a pay as you need, highly scalable and low touch resourcing option. “It provides the right approach for organisations that need reliable, high-speed communications, but want the flexibility of low initial capital outlay and the ability to scale rapidly and efficiently,” Seery tells Australian Mining. “This new approach means you can focus on your operation and leave the delivery of high-performance connectivity to us.” By eliminating the complexity of trying to orchestrate LTE, a fairly complex technology, Seery says Aqura has taken the experience of Tier 1 companies and given other resource companies the option to realise the same benefits on a
AQURA’S TECHNOLOGY ELIMINATES THE COMPLEXITY OF ORCHESTRATING LTE.
monthly package. “That is the value proposition. It is a turnkey solution where we deliver the connectivity, the control of that network and orchestrate efficient traffic flows so it works efficiently, which we then support,” he says. With a lot of Tier 2 customers now trying to navigate the next generation of connectivity, Seery says Aqura has created a technology that brings it all together. But first, a key part of guiding them through this process is by educating them. Aqura strongly supports the Australasian Critical
Communications Forum (ACCF) in their efforts to help companies understand the technical benefits from the commercial models that are applied to LTE. Companies which take part in the training program become better informed on what they can achieve by improving their connectivity and identify how it will drive value for their operations. “Training like that offered by ACCF is bridging the gap, not only with the technology but also for the business process,” Seery says. “The training program is working to upgrade awareness of how LTE helps organisations move to nextgeneration connectivity. “It’s geared to technologists but there is an underlying focus on the business benefits that can come from the shift by providing a way to bridge the legacy they have, but still move forward with LTE.” More than four years after the breakthrough project in the Goldfields, Aqura’s goal for the future is to continue assisting companies and assessing the safety and process of their work. Seery says a key aspect of this ambition is helping them move towards zero entry in underground mining by using its technology. “The LTE technology we deliver helps operations become more efficient. In an underground mine, which is an area we are
AQURA’S TECHNOLOGY IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES AND CONNECTIVITY IN UNDERGROUND MINING.
AUSTRALIANMINING
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AQURA HAS ADAPTED TO NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO PROVIDE ITS SERVICE.
really focussing on because they are struggling with technology, conventional Wi-Fi is still in use and is problematic,” he says. “In an underground mine, it is about proving that the technology is viable for them and helping introduce it to that environment.” Seery says Aqura wants to help minimise workers from having to enter underground mines by providing technology that enables them to work from the surface. “LTE is an enabler to deliver that capability. We want to work with the industry to make the leap from the legacy into that style of operation – zero emission, zero harm and zero entry and really optimise operations,” Seery says. By staying on top of the latest global standard for LTE, Aqura understands what is needed to successfully adapt to new technologies. With its team on the ground and hearing first-hand the needs and wants of the industry, Seery says Aqura is delivering a roadmap for the future of mining. “We want to improve working conditions overall and create that confidence in companies to invest in LTE today so they can reap the benefits now and into the future,” he concludes. AM
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TECHNOLOGY
MINING BEYOND THE ENDS OF THE EARTH TESLA CO-FOUNDER ELON MUSK BELIEVES THERE COULD BE HUMAN CIVILISATION ON MARS BY 2050.
SPACE MINING ISN’T JUST A NICE IDEA, BUT A COMPLETE POSSIBILITY IN THE FUTURE. THE OPERABILITY OF AUTONOMOUS MINING SYSTEMS IS SHAPING AS A KEY PART OF UNLOCKING THE DEPOSITS OF OUTER SPACE.
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any have aspired to venture into deep space or be the first to reach the moon, asteroids and
now Mars. The Obama Administration established aspirations to send humans to Mars by the 2030s, then the Trump Administration pushed for a return to the moon by 2024 while it held power. For global superpowers such as the United States, China and Russia, space mining has become central to their ambitions to make their mark in space. Backing this intention is Tesla co-founder and SpaceX owner Elon Musk, who envisions building 1000
Starships and creating a human civilisation on Mars by 2050. However, Musk’s vision has been met by doubters, including Serkan Saydam, the director of research and the mining engineering discipline leader at the School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering and deputy director of Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research of University of New South Wales (UNSW). “I wish it could happen, but it’s all about the technology development between now and the next 10 years,” Saydam tells Australian Mining. “If Elon Musk can speed up the process, or other companies offer different technologies, then perhaps he is right.” The possibility of Mars or moon
settlement may potentially come down to autonomous mining capabilities. Its development, or lack thereof, is the reason extra-terrestrial human colonisation or space mining is not yet feasible. Although autonomous systems have rapidly advanced in the past few years, they are yet to be fully integrated. “We’ve got autonomous trains, autonomous drills and autonomous trucks, but that’s about it. But once they are integrated, it’ll be the kind of technology that is needed for space mining,” Saydam says. This is the reason for mining companies’ dependence on human employees and physical work on site, according to Saydam, who says that automating only part of a mine’s
GILMOUR SPACE CEO ADAM GILMOUR SAYS THAT ASTEROIDS CARRY TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS’ WORTH OF PLATINUM.
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systems won’t work. He finds a similar lack in confidence in applying advanced technologies in the area of underground mine communications. “We are using 3G/4G in Australia’s underground mines, not even 5G; when you start using robots and autonomous equipment, you’ll generate big data that requires highspeed data transfer,” Saydam says. “Therefore, we don’t have the full operating technology available in underground mines yet. How are we going to apply this on the moon or Mars? “Systems unsuitability is the reason Tesla cars aren’t allowed to drive themselves in some countries. The equipment can run without a human driver, but the systems process isn’t suitable for its application yet.” If the technologies were readily available, Saydam says the missing piece lies in their operability. The earth’s autonomous systems have to be integrated or advanced enough to be applied in high-risk outer space ventures. “We have to send robots to the moon or Mars to prepare the way for humans landing,” Saydam says. “In moon travel, robots and humans can arrive at the same time because the moon is easier to reach. But for travel to Mars, we can’t risk sending human beings before we do the robots as the travel takes about six to eight months. Moon travel from the earth only takes a couple of days. “Should the spaceship use up all its fuel upon arrival in Mars, there won’t be any more fuel to come back with; therefore, we need to first send the robots to Mars to make sure
TECHNOLOGY
that water is extracted and turned to hydrogen, ready for use as rocket fuel.” The complication with Mars travel extends to the limited time that humans can spend on the planet. Humans aren’t able to stay on the red planet for more than 20 days, unless they plan to return to earth years later. “Either they come back to Mars in 20 or so days or wait for four years to return to the earth. This is because Mars will move away from the earth after around 20 days,” Saydam says. “We need to have enough resources to sustain human lives on Mars for four years in case something goes wrong.” Although Australia is not a world leader in space exploration, the country is backed by strong mining knowledge and expertise. Saydam is optimistic that today’s inadequacy in “fully” autonomous mining capability for space mining will one day change. “Australia is leading the development of autonomous systems in mining globally, so we’re going to get there,” he says. “We’re the best miners in the world. We just need to transfer this knowledge to space and do more research, which we are already doing.” The professor, who is also president of ISRM (International Society of Rock Mechanics) Commission on Planetary Rock Mechanics, says this is why Australia is well-positioned to be a global leader in space mining. Australia’s position is strengthened by the formation of the Australian Space Agency and the support of the Australian Government, which listed the space sector as a national manufacturing priority at the end of
UNSW PROFESSOR SERKAN SAYDAM.
last year. Saydam believes this will result in increasing momentum towards space mining. And the next thing that will propel progress towards space mining is the creation of a market. Space launch company, United Launch Alliance, is a pioneer that is offering to pay $US3000 ($3877) for a kilogram of water as it is delivered to space. Alternatively, they are offering $US500 per kilogram of water if it is delivered to the moon’s surface. In this case, hydrogen molecules from the water will be separated via electrolysis to become an energy source and replace dying satellite batteries. “Currently, when a satellite dies it becomes space junk,” Saydam says. “It’s more expensive to bring the satellite back to earth and relaunch it, so companies simply relaunch a new satellite. “But with this example, you’ve created a business case. You can create the same thing for things such as construction materials, 3D
WE’RE THE BEST MINERS IN THE WORLD. WE JUST NEED TO TRANSFER THIS KNOWLEDGE TO SPACE.” printing and more.” Gilmour Space Technologies chief executive Adam Gilmour agrees that there is no clear case yet when it comes to profitable space mining other than water. Gilmour is heading a Queenslandbased company that aims to develop launch vehicles capable of taking autonomous mining equipment to the surface of the moon, Mars or asteroids over the next five to eight years. “You hear stories about asteroids having platinum worth trillions of dollars, but nobody talked about how expensive it is to get the space mining equipment or technology to
the asteroid, moon or Mars, and then to send the mined products back to the earth,” Gilmour tells Australian Mining. “It’s an extremely complicated endeavour to mine beyond the earth. I think it’ll be another 30-50 years before we can start to mine anything other than water.” Pointing at the stark difference between space mining and outer space settlement, Gilmour is optimistic that the latter, a human civilisation in Mars, can be established by 2050. “Humanity has already demonstrated that we can take semimining machines, or machines that are pretty close to mining machines, to the surface and operate them for a period of time because NASA has done that with its rovers,” he says. “Even before the end of the decade, the first prototypes of mining machines will land on the moon. You’ll see that by 2025 and on Mars by around the end of the decade – it’s entirely possible.” What’s more, Gilmour says there will be a permanent base on the moon by the 2030s and on Mars by the 2040s. The opportunities abound, as autonomous mining equipment can be developed within four years given a government order, according to Gilmour. This means that the progress made by mining and METS (mining equipment, technology and services) companies so far has not been futile. The sentiments of Saydam and Gilmour confirm that moon or Mars travel isn’t just a daydream, nor is advancing autonomous technologies irrelevant to earth-based mining. “If we can achieve mining in space, we can do it even better on earth,” Saydam says. AM
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TECHNOLOGY
VEGA PROVIDES ACCURATE WATER LEVELS AT MESA A VEGA’S ADVANCED SENSING TECHNOLOGIES HAVE ABOLISHED A LONGSTANDING ISSUE FACED BY MANY MINING OPERATORS: THE INACCURACY OF WATER LEVEL READINGS IN WATER CARTS. INTRODUCING VEGAPULS C11 AND VEGAMET 841 SENSORS.
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ining operators have been dealing with the issue of inaccurate water level readings in water carts. Rio Tinto manager mining, Robe Valley operations, Phil Scott and others recognise this as a persistent problem in the sector. It was reported in the water trucks at Rio Tinto’s Mesa A iron ore operation in Western Australia during a pre-start meeting last year. Rio Tinto approached Current Engineering Solutions senior electrical engineer Paul Smith, who has worked with VEGA radars in fixed plant environments for more than 10 years, to assess the concern. Smith, recounting a story from a conversation with Scott, says he remarked how it is amazing that mining has trucks that drive themselves, but still hasn’t overcome the issue with the level indicator. According to Smith, the problem originates from the use of mechanical switches and moving parts, which are “always a disadvantage”. “The system they were using comprised multiple cable float switches that were held together with a plastic wire,” Smith explains. “This technology is unreliable due to its moving parts.”
PREVIOUS LEVEL MEASUREMENT IN A WATER CART.
Smith worked with VEGA Australia area manager (Western Australia) Andrew van de Sande to make sure Rio Tinto received a suitable outcome. First, they fully tested the VEGAPULS C11 series sensor and VEGAMET 841 controller in both a bathtub and swimming pool before they proceeded with a trial at the Mesa A operation. The installation of the VEGAPULS C11 and VEGAMET 841 sensors on Mesa A’s water trucks would be the first application of its kind for the products. VEGAPULS C11 was released last year and is usually used for noncontact level measurement in water treatment, pumping stations and rain overflow basins. “The new C series radar stood out as a good choice as it was well within the required dynamic range, extending up to eight metres,” Smith says. “And being both contactless without moving parts, this was seen as the perfect choice to replace the existing system that comprised multiple mechanical type float switches.” The VEGAMET 841 controller is an upgraded series of the VEGAMET model, an already proven sensor at Rio Tinto’s mine operations. It allows a simple conversion of pump controls and flow measurements on open channels, AUSTRALIANMINING
and weirs and totalisers. Smith says what makes VEGAMET 841 a standout technology is the controller has a dedicated housing that withstands harsh environments, instead of being integrated to a switchbox or programmable logic controller (PLC). “We put them through some rigorous testing in the bathtub and swimming pool for the conditions we were expecting them to be put under at the mine site,” van de Sande adds. “We submerged them under water and we made large waves in the pool, but their performance surpassed all expectations. They worked beautifully without any teething issues.” The private trial confirmed their confidence in the products’ new application, leading them to proceed with a trial at the Mesa A operation in December. Smith says the Mesa A site team supported the trial by accommodating water cart access and an operator to work with for multiple cycles while on site. “They were also very proactive in implementing other elements that were required to be completed for a successful deployment, including the management of change for the trial and single point lesson detailing the new system,” he says. Rio Tinto testified of the accuracy of the system during the trial, having experienced zero reliability issues. “The sensor was very accurate, and to date, we have had no issues at all with reliability or accuracy. The operators now have an almost
exact percentage or level height measurement that they can use to work out how far they can travel before running out,” Rio Tinto’s Scott says. “This may not sound like a big deal, but in a very hot and dusty condition, water truck operators are often under immense pressure to keep up with the requirements of mitigating dust levels.” Smith says it is frustrating to drive down a haul road for 40 minutes thinking there is enough water in the cart, only to run out and then have to drive back to refill the truck. He explains that it creates more complications for the mine site. The higher movement of trucks means that they are creating more dust, while increasing vehicle interaction on an already busy haul road. The unreliability of water indicators also translates to wastage when an overfill at the water stand happens, causing wash outs that put others at a safety hazard. “The system is now being sold as a complete pre-programmed kit with all the necessary installation materials, including the radar, display, mounting adapters, terminal box, terminals, glands and reducers for installation, as the water carts go into the workshop for a scheduled service,” Smith says. He anticipates that the company’s solution at the Mesa A mine will be a catalyst for mining companies to demand this standard of technology from OEMs. “Knowing there’s a solution out there means that the problem will no longer be accepted,” Smith concludes. AM
A NEWLY INSTALLED VEGA SENSOR HAS DELIVERED ACCURATE WATER LEVEL MONITORING.
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REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT
THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF GAWLER CRATON COHIBA MINERALS, MINOTAUR EXPLORATION AND UNEARTHED SOLUTIONS SPEAK WITH VANESSA ZHOU ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY MINERAL DEPOSITS LYING UNDER THE GAWLER CRATON GROUND. COHIBA MINERALS HAS HIT HIGHGRADE IOCG INTERSECTIONS AT THE HORSE WELL PROSPECT.
addition to uranium and silver. Enter Cohiba Minerals, the owner of an 80 per cent interest at the Horse Well project where it has drilled only four holes but encountered high-grade IOCG intersections. They include 0.9 metres at 1.85 per cent copper from 974 metres; 0.8 metres at 12.15 per cent copper from 1033 metres; and 0.4 metres at 0.97 per cent copper from 1089 metres from two holes. Cohiba Minerals chief executive Andrew Graham likens the company’s discovery to finding a needle in a haystack. “We didn’t set out on our first drilling program necessarily expecting to find an Oak Dam West,” Graham tells Australian Mining.
IMAGE CREDIT: COHIBA MINERALS.
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any have used the words prolific, prospective and revered to describe the promise of discoveries in the Gawler Craton mineral province in South Australia. The popularity of the Gawler Craton shot up following the success of BHP (at the Olympic Dam copper-golduranium mine) and OZ Minerals (at the Prominent Hill and Carrapateena copper-gold mines). Still, there is much more potential yet to be uncovered at the enormous geological province. BHP, for example, has drilled nearly 3.5 million metres at Olympic Dam but does not intend to stop there. The mining giant is dedicating more years and resources to unearthing minerals at its Oak Dam tenements, 65 kilometres from Olympic Dam. The company has reached phase three of exploration drilling at Oak Dam, with further activity to continue throughout the current financial year. After lacklustre results from drilling at the Oak Dam East project, BHP returns to Oak Dam West where it identified a major high-grade discovery. In 2018, BHP reported an iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) mineralisation at 425 metres of 3 per cent copper and 0.59 grams per tonne of gold, in
“But we’ve hit intersections of highgrade copper and persistence of lowgrade copper throughout the entire length of 473 metres in hole four. “The smaller high-grade intersections in that are also what tell us we’re in a mineralised system but haven’t yet drilled into an orebody.” Intersections of gold and silver amplify the copper frenzy, with 28 metres at 0.13 per cent copper, 0.26 grams per tonne gold and 2.18 grams per tonne silver. Graham underlines its significance as high-grade gold is not traditionally associated with IOCG deposits (the Carrapateena project is one exception in this way). Hence, the chief executive expects the highly encouraging findings, and
their location, will garner significant interest from other mining companies. It also strengthens Graham’s confidence that Cohiba is exactly in the right address. “We’re not only in the Gawler Craton, which is a great address, but we’re actually in the high-level address within the Stuart Shelf,” he says. “All these major deposits at Olympic Dam, Carrapateena, Prominent Hill and Oak Dam are in Stuart Shelf. “We couldn’t really be in a much better position in terms of geographical location considering we’re right next door to Oak Dam West – one of the best IOCG discoveries in recent times.” Even though Cohiba’s discovery is a big feat in itself, the achievement of its drilling program calls for an even bigger celebration. Firstly, the drilling program was designed on the basis of “very, very little information”. Secondly, there was a limited amount of historical drilling conducted in the entire 440,000 square kilometres of the Horse Well prospect. Described as virgin territory, Cohiba decided to approach historical drilling using magnetics, gravity and magnetotelluric surveys. The technologies are used to seek out feeder systems, which have previously been associated with largescale IOCG mineralisation systems
IMAGE CREDIT: MINOTAUR EXPLORATION.
THE PEAKE AND DENISON SITE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
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such as Carrapateena, Olympic Dam and Oak Dam West. “One of the things we’re very aware of in this IOCG environment is that we’re dealing with very, very complex geology, structure and systems,” Graham says. “We still have a fair bit of work to do to understand exactly what we’re looking at and where we sit in the overall system. “But hitting mineralisation in two out of four drilled holes is a staggeringly good result.” Cohiba is conducting technical studies to figure out where it should go next in its drilling campaign. Despite the present degree of mystery, Cohiba has set out to drill at least four additional targets during its next work program. Cohiba will focus on finding longer intersections of higher-grade copper and further mineralisation around holes three and four. The team will be kept busy by pursuing additional discrete targets that Cohiba has found since starting its drilling program. “We’re in a very complex area environmentally, geologically and geographically. They need a lot of work,” Graham says. “But you’ve got to have a level of persistence and back yourself up. So we’ll continue drilling the area and find additional areas to investigate. We haven’t exhausted our options at all.” Fellow junior Minotaur Exploration is also dealing with partial information at its Peake and Denison project in the Gawler Craton. Lying just outside the Gawler Craton geological domain, Minotaur’s manager exploration and business development Glen Little says there is not much known about the basin yet. The mineralisation being targeted is suspected to resemble those at
MINOTAUR MANAGER EXPLORATION AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GLEN LITTLE AT PEAKE AND DENISON.
Minotaur’s Cloncurry copper-gold project in Queensland more than the IOCG deposits associated with the Gawler Craton. Minotaur is applying its learnings from the joint venture project with OZ Minerals and its geological modelling to complement the data sets of the South Australian Government. “The Peake and Dension project represent an opportunity for us to apply new exploration strategies and geological models to test targets that no one else has ever drilled,” Little says. “We’re bringing new concepts, new ideas and a fresh set of eyes to the project area. “The South Australian Government has done a lot of historical exploration activity, so the concept is combining
IMAGE CREDIT: MINOTAUR EXPLORATION.
REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT
the government’s quality aeromagnetic and gravity data with our AMT (audiomagnetotelluric) geophysical survey over discrete targets.” Stretching 20,000 square kilometres, the mineralisation being targeted lies under younger rock cover. The copper-gold deposits intersected at the Cloncurry project are perceived to hold similar characteristics to those at Peake and Denison. “We’re looking at big copper targets,” Little says. “We won a $300,000 grant from the Geological Survey of South Australia through the accelerated discovery initiative. “That, for us, is proof that the government likes our geological concepts and the quality of the targets we’re proposing to target.”
To add to the prospectivity of Peake and Denison, Little says the project also came out as the second highest priority target area in the ExploreSA: Gawler Challenge competition last year. Data science consultancy Caldera Analytics has better defined the project by identifying the prospects of IOCG mineralisation, stating that this should be taken seriously. “All the stars may be aligning,” Little says. “We’re preparing ourselves for drill testing. It might take us three months (from mid-March) to finalise access as we need the approvals of Traditional Owners, landholders and the South Australian Government. So we could be up and running between late May and July.” The wide array of mineralisation found by Minotaur and Cohiba proves there is more to the Gawler Craton than copper or gold. Holly Bridgwater, industry lead – crowdsourcing of South Australian Government partner for ExploreSA, Unearthed Solutions, says the province also hosts diverse commodities such as zinc, uranium, nickel, cobalt and rare earths. She believes the ExploreSA competition has brought the promises of Gawler Craton to a global audience. “The competing teams were very excited to apply their skills to real-life situations of a scale such as mineral exploration,” Bridgwater says. “There’s also publicly available information from the competition that can be accessed and used to identify the tenements and regions that mining companies can explore.” Only time, and luck, will tell what bonanza Gawler Craton can deliver next. As Cohiba’s Graham says, possibly reflecting most companies operating in the Gawler Craton: “We’re here to stay.” AM
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AUSTMINE 2021
HARNESSING INTELLIGENCE – A TRILLION-DOLLAR OPPORTUNITY? AUSTMINE PREVIEWS ITS 2021 CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL SHOWCASE THE LATEST IN MINING INNOVATION TO INDUSTRY IN PERTH ON MAY 25-27.
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he Australian METS (mining equipment, technology and services) and mining sectors will meet at the world’s leading mining innovation conference in Perth, Western Australia in a matter of days. The biennial Austmine conference and exhibition is a premier event for mining leaders to connect around the strategic priorities, key innovations and emerging technologies driving a sustainable industry future. With a focus on the key theme of Harnessing Intelligence, Austmine 2021 is set to once again further the innovation agenda.
AUSTMINE 2021 CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION WILL HIGHLIGHT NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN MINING.
Rich rewards
It is well documented that the mining industry is undergoing a transformation driven by Industry 4.0. Terms such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital simulation and augmented reality are now part of the industry lexicon. However, the power of this technology and its impact on mining is still emerging. A recent article published by EY indicated artificial intelligence had driven US$1.2 trillion ($1.57 trillion) in global business value in 2018. It forecast this figure will be as large as US$2.9 trillion this year. As such, the magnitude of opportunity for the mining industry from digital technologies is undeniable. Austmine chief executive officer Christine Gibbs Stewart says Austmine 2021 will be addressing the power of data. “We are in uncharted waters with the digital age. Our conference speakers – many of whom are global leaders in this field – are attending the conference to help us navigate new pathways. With their insights we will be better positioned to take advantage of the growing opportunities,” Gibbs Stewart says.
Power of people
Harnessing intelligence goes beyond leveraging data and information. “At Austmine 2021, we will be discussing optimising interactions between humans and machines across the value chain,” Gibbs Stewart says.
“As intelligent systems and new technologies develop at a rapid pace, we have even more of an opportunity to take people out of harm’s way, understand the orebody and reduce waste.” She says technology is unlocking the enormous potential within the Australian METS sector which, in turn, is bringing benefits to mining. “During COVID, innovation has flourished. Australian METS in particular have stepped up and developed new digital technologies related to workforce tracking, health monitoring and remote operations,” Gibbs Stewart says. “There is no doubt we are continuing to lead the world in the provision of technology solutions that enable sustainable mining. “In fact, technology and innovation featured very strongly in Austmine’s recent national survey. We found around one third of companies have capabilities in digital technology and automation. “This, coupled with nine out of 10 AUSTRALIANMINING
THERE IS NO DOUBT WE ARE CONTINUING TO LEAD THE WORLD IN THE PROVISION OF TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS THAT ENABLE SUSTAINABLE MINING.” companies reporting that innovation as important to business, is resulting in a highly competitive and solution-driven sector.”
A new frontier
As an innovation conference, Austmine 2021 may be the catalyst for mining step change. “The exhibition floor has the best of what Australia has to offer, and our program and speakers are outstanding,” Gibbs Stewart says. “There will be more opportunity to
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truly connect with our Ideas Exchange, which will see challenges put out to conference attendees. Our principal sponsor BHP will be involved with this, along with our Innovation Partners OZ Minerals and Roy Hill. “This is the opportunity industry has been waiting for to personally reconnect in a post-COVID environment. “The three days from 25-27 May are delving into topics such as connectivity, sustainability and decarbonisation. “Brandon Craig, asset president WAIO at BHP will open the conference with a keynote address, while managing director at Rio Tinto’s Pilbara Mines Operations Matt Holcz will discuss leveraging people and technology in the era of disruption. “This conference looks over the horizon. By harnessing our collective intelligence, we can take the industry to unexplored heights, whether that is technological breakthroughs to developing capabilities for the far reaches of space.” AM
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AUSTMINE 2021
AN UNSPOKEN PIONEER OF RESOURCES COMMUNICATIONS THE DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION OF PRIVATE LONG-TERM EVOLUTION NETWORKS ACROSS AUSTRALIA’S RESOURCES SECTOR HAS BEEN A MAJOR WORK-IN-PROGRESS FOR THE INDUSTRY. CHALLENGE NETWORKS IS BEST-IN-CLASS TO CHANGE THAT.
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hile some smaller operations might survive and thrive on a humble WiFi network, the larger of Australia’s 300-plus mining operations require a more flexible and capable piece of infrastructure. Telecommunications provider, Challenge Networks, is a leader in the space and continues to provide solutions that are advancing the technological capabilities of the industry. At this month’s Austmine 2021 Conference & Exhibition in Perth, Challenge Networks will join forces with one of its strategic partners and vendors, Cisco, a multinational provider and manufacturer of hightechnology products and services. Challenge Networks principal consultant Malcolm Jones says the partnership came about through the two companies’ connections with Nokia. “Cisco selected us because of our subject matter expertise in the private LTE (long-term evolution) space and to leverage us globally for new opportunities in the resources sector,” Jones says. “We’re one of the few collabs with Cisco, globally, that is developing 5G demonstrations for service providers and private operators to come and have a look at our labs.” Jones has worked for the company since 2019, but he was introduced to Challenge Networks at an Austmine event years earlier where he met the chief technology officer Simon Lardner. As Jones was working with a major iron ore miner at the time, he saw first-hand how Challenge Networks was a pioneer in the private LTE space. “Rio Tinto was the first company in the world to set up a private network and Challenge was the first systems integrator in the world to bring a private network to the mining vertical,” Jones says. “What struck me about (Lardner’s) company was that they were an
CHALLENGE NETWORKS IS AN EXPERT IN LTE MINING APPLICATIONS.
innovator in the field of private LTE in that nobody had actually ever done it before,” Jones says. This year’s Austmine Conference will see Challenge and Cisco unveil their strategy to develop the world’s first private 5G network for the resources sector. Jones says while access to 5G spectrum and engagement with the regulator is a work-in-progress, Challenge will be there with Cisco, ready and waiting to find ways to provide Australia with the best private network capabilities available. “As in LTE, issues with (radio frequency) spectrum are some of the AUSTRALIANMINING
biggest hurdles to be overcome for the emergence of 5G, and the ACMA as the regulator here in Australia haven’t properly defined how that will be in the context of the private sector,” Jones says. Another drawcard for Challenge Networks is its innovation at Gold Fields’ Granny Smith gold mine. “We are the world’s first underground LTE vendor and systems integrator to have a fully operational and live network with some 50-plus kilometres of underground LTE network,” Jones says. If prospective clients can’t make it to Challenge’s Austmine booth this
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IT’S OUR DOMAIN EXPERTISE, WE’RE NOT RELIANT ON THE VENDOR TO SUPPORT US.” year, they can just as easily take the word of Gold Fields’ superintendent of IT networks Rodney Nebe. Nebe details exactly what Challenge has done at Gold Fields’ Granny Smith, St. Ives and Gruyere gold mines and why it’s been so successful. “We’ve expanded our LTE infrastructure across three mining operations, and we are the first in the world to have an LTE leaky feeder system in an underground environment,” Nebe says. “It’s helped us to achieve our targets in safety and production, while increasing uptimes for network infrastructure.” Jones explains the difference between Challenge and its competitors in LTE network integration. “It’s our domain expertise, we’re not reliant on the vendor to support us. We actually have implemented every vendor’s solution, so we understand what’s the best-in-class for every product type,” Jones says. “The challenge we often see in the marketplace is when systems integrators come in and offer similar vendor products, but don’t have the domain expertise on how to integrate those and don’t have an understanding of the mining applications.” Jones says Challenge Networks has some tricks up its sleeves to ensure the rise of the company doesn’t stop in the resources sector. “We’re currently engaged with a vendor on a range of NBN last-mile solutions where fixed infrastructure doesn’t exist in remote areas,” Jones says. It’s an exciting prospect behind the scenes of a company that props up industries and asks for little recognition in return. AM
BIG WHEELS SHOULD KEEP ON TURNING Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) are calling on mining and earthmoving companies to explore solutions to better recover used Off-The Road tyres and turn them back into a valuable and environmentally sustainable resource.
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AUSTMINE 2021
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT GOES ON A SMART AUTOMATION JOURNEY MRA HAS HELPED KEEP THE HEART OF AUSTRALIA’S COAL INDUSTRY BEATING WITH SMART SYSTEMS TO AUTOMATE, PROTECT AND OPTIMISE THE PERFORMANCE OF LARGE-SCALE STOCKYARD EQUIPMENT AND SHIP LOADERS.
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ustralian-based electrical and automation engineering company, MRA, has played a key role in automating Australia’s vibrant coal sector and is now bringing these innovations to iron ore and bauxite. Headquartered near the Hunter Valley coal mining region in Newcastle, New South Wales, MRA is at the forefront of automation technologies for stockyard management and ship loading systems, and is starting to export these technologies to the world. MRA’s stockyard management system (SMS) processes 250 million tonnes of Australian coal a year, which represents 65 per cent of the country’s entire coal exports. This includes the coal that is processed at Port Waratah Coal Services – the largest coal export terminal in the world. “MRA’s DNA is automation and control systems. Our smart systems utilise scanner data and analytics to help management make more accurate and timely decisions in the existing PLC (programmable logic control),” MRA engineering manager Peter McPherson says. A $50 million stockyard reclaimer can become fully automated and actions finely tuned with MRA’s Smart Stockyard Management System (SMS).
This improves safety with 3D visualisation tools, which help to relocate operators from the risks of being exposed to large machinery in action. Still, the biggest advantage is productivity gains. MRA’s SMS has increased throughput across six stacker reclaimers at Queensland’s Abbot Point coal terminal by more than 11 per cent, leading to the system receiving the Bulk Handling Innovation Technology Award in 2019. This represented an additional five million tonnes per year and a payback in under three months. The optimisation is made possible by MRA’s laser technology that’s backed by a highly accurate volumetric stockpile modelling system. By creating a higher time-in-material with accurate start positions and lower slew cut turnaround times, air digging is eliminated. The SMS also has enhanced visualisation, giving it the ability to identify material in the stockyard, provide live status of yard machines and positioning, while also protecting the machine from collisions. All of this is happening while an operator monitors the activity from a port’s central control room. The SMS achieves this by tracking all stacking and reclaim tasks, stockyard targets as well as in-loading
and out-loading performance. Its strengths also come at an opportune time as the global resources sector is emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic ready to embrace automation and remove personnel from hazardous areas. MRA commercial director – smart automation products, Andrew Wilshire, has observed this trend in major mining regions across the world, including South America, South Africa and North America. “We have a world-leading technology for the automation of the stockyard,” Wilshire tells Australian Mining. “We improve safety, we increase throughput efficiency and help management better control the quality and flow of material. “Mining and port operators are looking for ways to protect their continuity of operations and MRA’s smart systems can really help.” Another key focus for MRA is the ship loader where MRA provides a full protection system including anticollision system (ACS), where it is the only Australia-owned solution amid a number of European alternatives. McPherson says this means mining and port operators are not going to deal with time differences and delays in getting equipment support, which can also lead to extra costs.
THE ACS USES 3D LASERS TO CREATE A MODEL OF THE SHIP LOADER, VESSEL AND PROTECTION ZONES.
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“By protecting ship loader systems with our ACS, we have embarked on steps towards full automation,” McPherson continues. “We’re focussed on partnering with the right operations and terminals to assist us with achieving full automation. This hasn’t been achieved in the industry to date.” The ACS is now operating at two Australian coal terminals and is about to be deployed in a North American port facility. The quality of MRA’s solution is based on laser scanning technologies, which are installed on the ship loader and collect millions of data points to create a highly accurate 3D map of the vessel. Such representation and spatial awareness helps to prevent collisions, while creating a real-time protection zone around the ship loader’s boom and shuttle, spout/soon and operator cabin. The ACS provides separation distances to the PLC which can produce a slow-down or inhibit instructions. It is one of the tools in MRAs ship loader protection suite that assists the operator with eliminating blind spots from CCTV and thermal cameras. Other tools in its suite that support the operator are vessel list and draught evaluation and hatch detection. Built to ensure continued operations, the ACS has, at the time of writing, registered more than 160 months without a collision incident at Port Waratah Coal Services’ Carrington terminal and Port Kembla Coal Terminal. McPherson says safety sits at the forefront of the ACS technology development as it provides the additional tools required for the relocation of the operator cabin from the boom of the ship loader. “Our deep understanding of the mining industry and machine automation help to ensure personnel stay safe and productivity is optimised,” McPherson says. “This is the fruits of our 23-year investment in smart technology for the materials handling sector.” AM
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AUSTMINE 2021
SCALABLE IS SALEABLE IN DATA MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS THE RESOURCES SECTOR IS ABOUT MORE THAN DIGGING DIRT FROM THE GROUND AND PROCESSING ORE; IT’S BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATIONS OF NUMEROUS NICHE ORGANISATIONS WHICH MAXIMISE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY ACROSS THE INDUSTRY.
ACQUIRE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ALISON ATKINS.
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eoscientific data management specialist acQuire is one such company that supports the industry by ensuring businesses are getting more bang for their buck during exploration and mining. The company has reached 25 years of business developing geoscientific data management solutions, which will be on show at the Austmine 2021 Conference & Exhibition in Perth this month. Alison Atkins, chief executive officer of acQuire, says mining businesses can hardly afford to go without the sort of solutions that the company provides. “Considering how much mining companies spend on collecting data, and the criticality of the information they use and the decisions they’re making from it, (data is) probably one of their primary assets, yet it’s definitely undervalued in the industry,” Atkins says. “Primarily, it’s a tool for quality, compliance and assurance, allowing clients to have confidence in the data they’re collecting and to then serve that data to third parties to do mine planning and modelling.” Atkins has been involved in the industry for 30 years across Western Australia’s Goldfields region and in western Africa. She’s pursued a number of
explorative and geological roles in her time, moving through the ranks before eventually settling at acQuire just over 20 years ago. Atkins finds acQuire to be a company with a growth-driven culture that promises to keep a career interesting for decades. She says the competitive advantage of acQuire is in the scalability of its solution. Internally and externally, acQuire encourages and allows people and businesses to develop on their own two feet. “We have a scalable solution that grows with the customer. That’s from greenfields exploration right through to feasibility into mining, but also the rehabilitation on the other side,” Atkins explains. “We have a solution they can buy at any phase throughout their mining lifecycle, and it will scale with them. “It’s also scalable from a commodity and domain perspective. We have customers in exploration, underground mining and a variety of different commodities and we’re the one enterprise solution that is fit for a variety of different needs.” While acQuire focusses less on aftermarket services, the company is confident in its partnership program with Nova Network consultants
to support customers through the ownership of acQuire’s broad range of solutions. “We’re primarily focussed on deploying the software solution and getting it implemented correctly. Then, through different strategies, we’re empowering the customer to own the solution, while giving them options with the Nova Network as well,” Atkins says. The latest addition to acQuire’s geological data management solution – GIM Suite – is its web and mobile capabilities. The update allows operators to work more effectively in a time-pressured environment, logging geological data for sampled and unsampled blastholes using a mobile app. “With the newer releases of the technology, moving into web and mobile also gives us a strong competitive advantage. There are a lot of mobile apps out there, but none have the truly integrated synchronisation that we have between the core solution and the mobile app,” Atkins explains. Atkins says the company is excited to see people in-person at the Austmine 2021 Conference & Exhibition to teach and learn about the latest developments in the industry. “It’s one of our flagship events
that we attend in Australia. It’s a great initiative and it’s something that we really want to be associated with,” she says. “I actually participated personally in the mentoring program a few years ago as a mentee, which I got a lot of benefit from, and that in itself creates a great network of people within the industry. “Governance and compliance are coming to the forefront, so we will be showcasing and focussing on the importance of the data asset and what that means from a confidence perspective for compliance and regulatory reporting.” Atkins laments the industry trend of treating people disposably, especially during challenging periods like COVID-19 or the global financial crisis. Across acQuire’s six offices in four countries, Atkins says a culture of empowerment to succeed is key to accomplishing such an overarching grip on the market. “We’re a successful organisation that comes down to the criticality of the people in it. We work extremely hard to retain our staff and we have a lot of initiatives in place to ensure the right environment and culture to ensure everyone succeeds,” Atkins says. AM
ATKINS SAYS DATA IS UNDERVALUED IN THE INDUSTRY.
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AUSTMINE 2021
ALFA LAVAL HIGHLIGHTS TAILINGS DEWATERING INNOVATION AT AUSTMINE 2021 ALFA LAVAL AUSTRALIA MINING & MINERALS KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER, PAUL TUCKWELL, SHARES THE CAPABILITIES OF THE COMPANY’S SOLID BOWL CENTRIFUGES IN OVERCOMING CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE FILTRATION AND OPERATION OF TAILINGS DAMS.
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ncreasingly, the mining industry is looking for technical solutions to dewater mine tailings slurries. This can extend the life of existing tailings storage facilities or eliminate the risk of tailings dam failures altogether, with associated cost, environmental and risk advantages. A number of technologies exists that all promise to deliver a dry tailings result. Mechanical dewatering with solid bowl centrifuges is emerging as an effective solution for many tailings applications involving ultrafine solids. The capital, infrastructure and operating costs associated with these offer benefits compared with other technologies. Alfa Laval offers customers not only solid bowl centrifuges with very large capacity (up to 70 dry tonnes per hour). These are specifically designed for high density slurries and the durability required for tailings slurries.
The company helps customers optimise the entire process from concept to operation, building on its strong research and development (R&D) commitment and significant in-house engineering expertise. Alfa Laval prides itself on a strong local heritage, with more than 95 years’ market presence in Australia. Its service and support capabilities include a specialised service centre in Sydney and field service/ commissioning engineers based around Australia. This gives its customers confidence in maintaining their equipment performance and reliability. Alfa Laval also provides remote condition monitoring and troubleshooting.
Can tailings with a high slimes and ultra fines content be dewatered with a solid bowl centrifuge? Slimes and ultra fines (particularly those containing metallurgical clays) are often a challenge to both filtration and
operation of tailings dams. Newer methods which reduce the slurry volume though improved thickening, both in the process plant and consolidation at the disposal area have evolved. However, they all require a slurry discharge and containment in a dedicated area. Valuable water is also lost through evaporation rather than directly recycling it to the process plant or water storage dam. Many sites would benefit from recycling this water. While filtration can struggle with clay, a gravity-based method such as a thickener commonly separates out the water and solid phases with the assistance of flocculent. They create an overflow that is normally clear enough for use in the process plant, and a pumpable underflow. Logic suggests that artificially increasing the gravitational (G) force in a solid bowl centrifuge will achieve an even better solid-liquid separation result – and it does. You may like to see this demonstrated.
How can I trial the solids bowl centrifuge technology?
Alfa Laval is able to test the full scale of testing, from small samples to large thickener underflows. Many projects pass through several testing steps prior to commitment of a full-scale plant. Common key evaluation criteria that mining companies consider while selecting technologies for the dewatering of tailings are rheology of dewatered solids (cake) for transport and stacking; clarity of cleaned water phase (centrate) for recycling to the process plant; and operational experience and demonstration of concept. Testing assists with evaluating these factors. Larger scale tests on operating mine sites enable collection of data for scaling up to full-scale operation. Smaller scale pilot tests provide proof of concept and demonstration
ENGINEER HOLDING DEWATERED CAKE FROM THE ALFA LAVAL SOLID BOWL CENTRIFUGE.
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ALFA LAVAL AUSTRALIA MINING & MINERALS KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER, PAUL TUCKWELL.
of the cake and centrate achievable, and measurement of the flocculent dose requirements. Lab testing is a good screening step to provide an indication of the results achievable. Alfa Laval can provide operators with a detailed technical proposal for its mining solid bowl decanter centrifuges. The company also offers several full scale to pilot scale skid mounted trial solid bowl tailings centrifuges for on-site or off-site tests.
Austmine 2021 Conference presentation
As associate sponsor, Alfa Laval is proud to present on day one (May 26, 2:45–3:05pm) of the Austmine 2021 Conference. The presentation is titled, Recover, Recycle and Reuse: Extracting Value from Tailings, forms part of the Breakout Stream 2 – Water & Tailings. Alfa Laval will also have a stand at the Austmine Exhibition (#112). Meet Tuckwell and his senior mining engineering colleagues to discuss your process optimisation strategy and dewatering requirements. AM
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HARD ROCK MINING
SCI-FI MEETS MINING REALITY: COMPANIES INVEST IN CONNECTED WORKER TECHNOLOGY VIRTUAL METHOD HAS JOINED FORCES WITH LIBRESTREAM TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF VIRTUAL REALITY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MINING OPERATIONS.
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n the 2008 film Iron Man, the brain behind Tony Stark’s super suit is based on his artificial intelligence (AI) system, J.A.R.V.I.S., which is capable of displaying data and diagnostics to Stark directly from the helmet of his suit. This slice of fiction is not far off what is possible today through the means of AI and augmented reality (AR) provided by mining industry wearables specialist, Virtual Method and Librestream, the number-onerated provider of AR and remote collaboration solutions. “As a wearables specialist and vendor for global mining and metals company Rio Tinto, Virtual Method has been working with various teams across the company’s aluminium operations in Australia and Canada to investigate and prove out potential use cases for wearable technology in the mining and manufacturing industry,” Rio Tinto IS&T business partner Scott Carson says. “Over the past 12 months, many workplaces have had to adapt to challenges associated with COVID-19, such as travel restrictions and remote working. “This has increased the industry’s appetite for better ways to communicate and share knowledge over vast distances, with wearable technology such as the RealWear HMT-1 a potential solution currently being trialled by Rio Tinto in a number of operational environments.” Virtual Method views AR and VR (virtual reality) as the next phase of growing safety, collaboration, AI and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies in the mining industry. And while mining companies are well-versed in sensor-based innovations that monitor heavy mining machinery, Virtual Method aspires to enhance the skills, capabilities and safety of workers themselves through wearable computing. Virtual Method chief executive officer and co-founder David Francis believes the concept of the ‘connected worker’ is the next step in the mining
ONSIGHT CONNECT CAN BE INTEGRATED INTO MICROSOFT HOLOLENS 2.
industry’s evolution. This allows data to be recorded by voice commands in a simple and efficient manner, while also providing in-the-field, at-the-task capabilities to train and instruct workers so they stay out of danger and are compliant with safety protocols. “Fully-augmented, connected human workers will be an extensive stop-gap for the mining industry,” Francis tells Australian Mining. “There is no doubt that transformation and automation is coming quickly, but not so much for the workers on the ground, who have heads full of special knowledge and capabilities that automation will struggle to replace for some time yet. So, it raises the question: how do you audit, augment and amortise the knowledge of human workers, and integrate them directly into enterprise resource planning (ERP), Microsoft 365 Azure or AWS data cloud, or asset management and safety systems?” To solve this challenge, Virtual Method has developed a connected worker strategy with Librestream Technologies. AUSTRALIANMINING
Librestream’s Onsight platform helps workers and distributed teams gain immediate access to the content, people, relevant data and guidance needed to solve business challenges. “As a top-tier Onsight reseller partner in Australia, Virtual Method is trained to handle sales and technical support and to guide our customers to the solutions that provide the greatest value and return on their investment,” Librestream VP, business development Tim Harader tells Australian Mining. Onsight acts as the foundation of an industrial workplace’s digital transformation by unlocking ‘edgenative’ capabilities for faster and more efficient operational capabilities that connect from across the globe. “Our remote expert software, Onsight Connect, allows workers at the coal-face to be able to reach back and access experts in various locations to solve problems, show how to complete tasks and to ensure any safety concerns are met and have that interaction even in challenging network conditions,” Librestream VP of product management, Jon Newman says.
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“This allows for the workers of a remote site to have that expertise they may not have been able to otherwise access, and to ensure bestpractice safety, guided by expert-eyes domestically or even internationally.” This function can be integrated into iOS, Android or Windows devices and wearables such as RealWear HMT-1 or Microsoft Hololens 2, to allow for live video-feed virtual inspections of sites, even at extremely low bandwidths, meaning it is capable of staying connected in remote environments unsupported by Microsoft Teams or Cisco Webex calls. Onsight also has a unique capability, when required, to plug into and meet these office-conferencing solutions ‘halfway’, and extend them to the remote-edge. Newman says AI analysis is also integrated into Onsight to assist workers. “The use of computer vision allows Onsight to help recognise what the worker is actually looking at,” he says. “The AI can help identify a particular type of control box, and the computer vision can recognise that and can bring in training material for how to maintain that equipment.” Onsight is further capable of using IIoT telemetry to display sensors and mine-site equipment virtually for workers, with wearable technology provided by Virtual Method. For Newman, Librestream’s Onsight platform is designed to equip workers with the tools required for safer and higher skilled operations. “You see Iron Man and the heads up display he has with J.A.R.V.I.S. – we see that as the future standard for a worker,” he says. “That’s where we see it going and Onsight is well positioned in this space to add these capabilities and features for the industrial worker. “The key is to find the right complete solutions partner, such as Virtual Method, who can take you on the complete journey, across device-suitability, workeronboarding and Onsight use-case identification plus integration.” AM
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HARD ROCK MINING
CJD KEEPS VICTORIAN HARD ROCK OPERATIONS ROLLING CJD EQUIPMENT’S NATIONWIDE DISTRIBUTION OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT FOR THE MINING AND QUARRYING INDUSTRIES HAS HELPED IT CEMENT A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH A VICTORIAN BUSINESS. CJD EQUIPMENT HAS A FULL FLEET OF VOLVO EQUIPMENT FOR HARD ROCK APPLICATIONS.
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ustralia’s booming resources sector requires its mines and quarries to deliver hundreds of millions of tonnes of product each year to local and international markets. The backbone of any effective operation is the equipment needed to turn rocks into profits. For Matthews Quarries, the go-to brand has always been Volvo. Operating in Victoria, Matthews Quarries has depended on the Volvo brand since brothers Robert and Graeme Matthews reopened the quarry in 1980 after their father, Keith Matthews, had previously worked at the site before it was shut in 1952. Matthews Quarries produces over 500,000 tonnes of premium basalt for Victoria’s local construction industry each year. The company operates three sites in Victoria, including its 50 per cent stake in Latrobe Valley Sands. The three operations are used to produce washed sand, concrete, crushed rock, ballast and sealing aggregates. For more than 15 years, the company has purchased machinery from its Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) dealer, CJD Equipment, to ensure the aggregates are supplied from the Latrobe Valley in a reliable way.
CJD is a nationwide distributor of construction machines from reputable brands such as Volvo CE and SDLG, as well as the Kenworth, DAF, Isuzu and Fuso truck dealers in selected states. The company was founded in 1974 and distributes construction equipment and trucks throughout Australia, including in regional towns and mining hubs. CJD is dedicated to providing its customers with the highest quality support available, evident through its slogan, ‘Big enough to trust, small enough to care.’ For Matthews Quarries owner Robert Matthews, Volvo equipment is a vital part of the company’s three operations which consistently deliver sand and hard rock aggregates with minimal downtime. “We have continued to invest in Volvo CE due to its reliability,” Robert Matthews tells Australian Mining. Volvo CE machines are deployed across their quarry located on the Tyers-Walhalla Road, Boola including an A60H, two A40F, three A45G articulated haulers, two L250G, a L260H wheel loader and a 75-tonne Volvo EC750D excavator, which features a 3.3-cubicmetre to 5.16-cubic-metre bucket capacity range. As the world’s leading manufacturer AUSTRALIANMINING
of articulated haulers, Volvo’s A60H has proven worthy of the demands of Matthews Quarries and is surprisingly versatile for its capacity. The aim of an articulated hauler is to provide true off-road capabilities, allowing work across all terrains. Volvo’s 60-tonne A60H represents the company’s latest innovation in its articulated hauler concept, featuring differential locks, active hydraulic front suspension and load optimisation. To ensure productivity levels are maintained, the A60H’s hydraulic front suspension allows it to continue moving in tough conditions, while its on board weighing system ensures each load is accurate. The A60H’s includes a 495-kilowatt engine and wet disk brakes, which also allow the hauler to deliver reliable and efficient power delivery with a lower cost per tonne. “The main reason we keep choosing Volvo is due to the dependability of the machines to produce what we expect,” Robert Matthews says. “We have maintained a good relationship with CJD Equipment that has enabled us to maintain reliability and sales.” According to Robert Matthews, CJD Equipment’s support and services have been made convenient with local aftersales service in the
vicinity of the company’s operations. “They offer local support and services for our machines nearby, so we don’t have to wait for them to come from Melbourne,” he continues. “It makes it much more convenient.” Matthews Quarries also uses Volvo CE at its Latrobe Valley Concrete and Latrobe Valley Sands joint venture with the Blackwood family. By using a Volvo L90F wheel loader, the company provides premix concrete and 450,000 tonnes of sand from the Latrobe Valley region of Victoria each year. The Latrobe Valley Sands operation also features a Volvo EC18D compact excavator, EC480D excavator, two Volvo A45G articulated haulers, two A40F articulated haulers, two L250G and a L150F wheel loader. A common trait among Volvo CE machines is their fuel economy, exhibited by the L250G’s 13-litre, sixcylinder turbocharged diesel engine, which delivers high torque at low engine speeds. For Robert Matthews, the value that the Volvo namesake represents has seen the company remain an active customer. “The main reason we continue to purchase Volvo equipment is due to the competitive prices and reliability,” Robert Matthews says. “Those are the two main aspects that keep us coming back.” AM
MATTHEWS QUARRIES USES VOLVO’S STATE-OF-THE-ART A60H AT ITS QUARRY.
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HARD ROCK MINING
ELPHINSTONE DRIVES UNDERGROUND VEHICLE EXPERTISE DEEPER MAJOR CATERPILLAR OEM ELPHINSTONE CONTINUES TO DELIVER INNOVATIVE AND RELIABLE UNDERGROUND SUPPORT VEHICLES FOR HARD ROCK MINING AFTER 45 YEARS.
U
nderground mining environments pose their own unique set of challenges, and using the correct equipment is vital to ensuring productivity and efficiencies are optimised in a safe and effective manner. Caterpillar original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Elphinstone recognises this, having provided the industry with underground mining equipment for more than four decades. The Australian company was founded in 1975 after Dale Elphinstone started repurposing Caterpillar equipment for hard rock underground mining environments. Over its 45-year history, Elphinstone has grown to offer a wide array of solutions – most are independently designed in-house using Cat parts and components. The relationship with Caterpillar was built on the principle that neither itself nor Elphinstone would release products that compete with one another, a strategy that has cemented Elphinstone’s name as a recognised OEM for underground mining equipment. Based in Tasmania, the company has delivered its machines to locations across the globe exclusively through the Caterpillar Global Dealer network. According to Elphinstone global sales and marketing manager Tim Mitchell, the company designs its products for multiple rebuilds, extending the life of the machine and reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO). “Where some competitive machines
are deemed throw away at first rebuild, the Elphinstone product has been designed in a way that it can be rebuilt multiple times and still provide the same reliability as new,” Mitchell tells Australian Mining. “Rebuilding lowers the total cost of ownership and having a modular design means that the machine can be updated with new technology or upgrades.” In recent years, Elphinstone has launched 11 new underground mining support vehicles, utilising the WR810 and WR820 (pictured) base platforms and the UG20K and UG20M underground graders. The WR810 and WR820 platforms are underground hard rock mining solutions, which can be used for multiple applications through their ability to be configured to suit specific customer requirements. Elphinstone’s 10-tonne WR810 platform is available in a centre mounted cabin and a newly developed front mounted cabin configuration using the same chassis and features of a three-seat operator station, perfect for operator training or transporting a crew into and around the mine. “The smaller footprint allows the WR810 to fit into a smaller-sized tunnel or drive,” Mitchell says. “It suits many applications where the mine plan is restricted on the size of the machine.” Mitchell says both machines have multiple configurations, including agitator, water cannon, fuel and lube, delivery and scissor lift configurations for the WR810. The WR820 can be configured with a larger agitator and a water tank. Development of the WR810 AUSTRALIANMINING
and WR820 continues, and other configurations will be available in the future. “Rather than a unique machine design for each specific machine type, the base Elphinstone carriers have has been designed as a common platform for multiple purposes,” Mitchell explains. “As an example, the common WR810 front frame can be configured with centre or front mounted operator cabin, fixed or hydraulic suspended front axle, Tier 3 or Tier 4 final engine and other configurable options.” The two platforms have been designed for easy maintenance and safety, with both featuring a RollOver Protective Structure (ROPS) and Falling Object Protective Structure (FOPS) compliant to ISO standards. “Other safety features include superior braking systems, onboard test systems, machine interlocks, centralised isolation, firewalls and heatshields, optional integrated fire suppression system and emergency stops located at each end of the machine and in the operator’s cabin,” Mitchell says. Elphinstone’s UG20K and UG20M underground graders also offer a proven road maintenance solution backed by Caterpillar’s near-100-year history in the motor grader business. Based on the Cat 120K2 and 120M2 platforms, the Elphinstone graders are designed to suit underground environments with the purpose of road maintenance, which increases haul truck productivity and reduces their maintenance cost.
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“Having well maintained haul roads not only benefits the machines but also means the operators of them will have a smoother ride, reducing long-term health issues,” Mitchell says. Elphinstone is currently developing a next generation grader, which will incorporate the Voice Of Customer (VOC) from the current models. Each Elphinstone underground support vehicle is designed to go to work and stay at work, while enduring the harsh environments of hard rock underground mining. “Reliability and availability are important to the productivity and return on investment to our customers,” Mitchell says. A stringent testing process at the Caterpillar Burnie Proving Ground in Burnie, Tasmania ensures the machines are prepared for underground environments. Being a Caterpillar OEM ensures that Elphinstone’s machines receive high quality maintenance and support by its global dealers, which are supported by a dedicated factory product support team. “All Elphinstone machines are sold exclusively through the Caterpillar dealer network; the Elphinstone product support team provides technical support to the already established dealer technical support team,” Mitchell says. Elphinstone’s product support technicians are also available for the initial training and introduction of its products, as the company continues to roll out its innovative fleet of underground mining support vehicles. AM
PROFILE
NEW GIG CHAIR TO CONTINUE PREDECESSOR’S LEGACY IRISH PLAYWRIGHT GEORGE BERNARD SHAW ONCE SAID THAT PROGRESS WAS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT CHANGE. AUSTRALIAN MINING SPEAKS WITH KELLY CARTER ABOUT THE CHANGES SHE’S ABOUT TO INSTIGATE AT THE GOLD INDUSTRY GROUP AFTER TAKING THE REINS AS CHAIRPERSON. GOLD INDUSTRY GROUP CHAIR KELLY CARTER (R) WITH VICE CHAIR STUART JENNER.
well as explorers, refiners and service providers. We’ve been able to bring together those disparate organisations with a unifying purpose. I’ve always found that to be interesting. Not many organisations can do that quite as effectively as the GIG has done, so it’s important to me that the GIG remains a strong representative of all of the gold sector.
What are you most proud of about GIG?
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he Gold Industry Group (GIG) has appointed new leadership with board member and exvice chair Kelly Carter stepping up to become chairperson in March. Carter succeeds long-term chair Richard Hayes, who has departed the role after five years. Although Hayes will continue to channel his influence as a GIG board member, it is Carter’s commitment as the new chair that will ensure the industry body’s impact remains strong. Carter joined the GIG board in its second year of operation in 2016. She has also been instrumental in overseeing Gold Fields’ operational performance and regional strategy as company vice president of legal and compliance. Carter’s strong credentials also include being named one of Business News’ 40under40 leaders and Women in Mining – UK’s top 100 Global Inspiration Women in Mining in 2018. Australian Mining speaks with Carter about her mission to see that GIG’s
impact in the gold and broader mining sectors continue.
What has been the highlight of your time as a GIG board member since 2016?
I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with (Richard Hayes) over four years of being a GIG board member. Working with such an experienced chair has been a significant enabler for me to take the chair role. I’m very grateful for his mentorship, as well as the incredibly supportive board that we have. We are united by a common goal to promote the positive impact of the gold industry to the public. Given its supportive environment, there was a natural progression for me to move into the chair position. I might not be the most likely candidate given my professional background as a lawyer, but this in itself demonstrates the diversity of career opportunities in the gold sector. My role in instigating and maximising the GIG’s $5.6 million partnership with Netball WA and AUSTRALIANMINING
its stakeholders over three years – the single largest investment in the sport’s 95-year history – has helped to prepare me to take on this role.
How do you plan to continue GIG’s accomplishments?
GIG has been able to make real progress in raising the profile of the gold industry, with a small staff and lean budget since it was founded five years ago. My goal is to ensure that we continue to build that connection between Australia and the gold sector. The gold industry has a rich history in Australia, and we make an enormous contribution to the country both economically and through our community-based initiatives. I would like to see the GIG build the number of people who recognise that contribution, and are not only proud to work in the sector, but are also ready to recommend it to their children and friends. In addition, I also look forward to building the GIG’s membership base. We have a diverse membership, ranging from small, single-deposit producers to global mining houses, as
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We’ve successfully garnered the engagement of GIG members in projects that single companies would realistically not have been able to undertake alone, for example creating a one-stop-shop for gold sector recruitment through our Gold Jobs hub. We’ve also delivered a national gold education program that delivers curriculum outcomes for both primary and high-school children using exciting and fun gold-based practical activities, supported by materials such as rock boxes to expand students’ learning. The scale of the program is something that would be extremely difficult for any single organisation to achieve on its own, but by working together, we’re putting aside competitive differences and accomplishing incredible things. That’s one of the really unique differentiators of the gold sector.
What is the one key issue that the gold sector is still facing?
The sector’s profile remains a very relevant issue for us. We need a pipeline of people who want to be trained and educated to build a career in the industry. That’s why we develop programs targeting kids and young people to spark their interest, and look for new ways to promote the range of opportunities available. We’ve seen a changing landscape in the last year, with the impacts of border closures and reduced migration being felt at our operations, but also in the university space, with the reduction in foreign students coming into Australia. We need to work hard to ensure we continue to have a pipeline of people to work in the sector for the next decade and beyond. AM
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MAINTENANCE
ELOISE COPPER FINDS RELIABLE CONVEYING SOLUTION CBC HAS HELPED ELOISE COPPER OVERCOME THE DIFFICULTIES OF BEING A REMOTE MINE SITE IN QUEENSLAND BY PROVIDING QUICK ACCESS TO PARTS AND SERVICES.
THE NEW VSD CONTROLLED GEARED MOTOR UNIT INSTALLED ON THE ELOISE COPPER MINE CONVEYOR.
THE BONFIGLIOLI HD SERIES GEARBOX WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE IDEAL SOLUTION FOR ELOISE COPPER.
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trustworthy conveyor drive was what Eloise Copper mine’s maintenance team was looking for when it consulted CBC’s experts in July last year. As a mine site located in the regional Queensland town of Cloncurry, spare parts and technical support is not always on hand for Eloise Copper, so maintenance supervisor Craig Stokes says he didn’t want to take any risk with the new conveyor drive. “We are a remote site, and we have limited access to spare parts. We just can’t hold everything on site so having something that’s reliable and is not going to fail is critical for us,” says Stokes, who has been the mine’s maintenance supervisor for the past four years. Despite being located more than 700 kilometres from Cloncurry, CBC’s
Townsville branch has been supporting Eloise Copper mine for nearly a decade, with CBC specialists often travelling to the site to offer expertise in person. Eloise Copper, operated by FMR Investments, feeds 720,000 tonnes of ore into its mill and produces 50,000plus tonnes of copper concentrates per annum. Stokes says the conveyor in question delivers material from the jaw crushers to the milling circuit to be grinded further. “We were having some reliability issues with the existing hydraulic motor. The conveyor’s performance became intermittent when the material on it got wet and heavy during the rain,” Stokes says. “Having multiple valves and pumps in the hydraulic drive system made fault finding more complex.” Once the maintenance team had made up its mind to replace the old AUSTRALIANMINING
hydraulic drive unit with a new unit, the CBC specialists’ recommendation was to change the hydraulic drive with an electric variable speed drive (VSD) geared motor for better reliability. “An electric drive is a lot easier to maintain than a hydraulic drive,” CBC mining manager for North Queensland, Sam Wilkinson, says. “That’s because there are fewer moving parts and components in an electric drive. Also, there’s no need to frequently change the hydraulic oil and oil filters, which further eliminates any potential risk of oil contamination. “The electric drive is also more compact and it offers the same amount of torque across the entire speed range.” To deliver the VSD-controlled geared motor, the CBC team used its in-house engineering capabilities and worked with its premium partners at Bonfiglioli and TECO
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to assemble the unit with the right configuration. A Bonfiglioli HD Series gearbox was identified as the ideal gearbox for Eloise Copper’s application. As Bonfiglioli sales manager Alan Young explains, Bonfiglioli HD Series gearboxes are specifically designed for the harsh working environments at mines. “The Bonfiglioli HD Series gearboxes are designed based on the latest gearbox technology to ensure the longest service intervals,” Young says. “The robust design means the gearboxes can be easily customised and fitted with different cooling options and accessories. The output shaft can be chosen both in the parallel (HDP) or right angle (HDO) configuration to ensure minimum mounting space is required.” Based on the information and dimensions provided by CBC
MAINTENANCE
engineers, the Bonfiglioli team also manufactured the base plate to mount the gear unit into the existing conveyor drive setup. Bonfiglioli incorporated a cooling fan within the space confinement of the base plate. The motor selected for the application was a TECO MAXe3 electric motor, which the TECO team equipped with a forced cooling option and delivered to CBC. TECO MAXe3 mining motors are an ideal choice for VSD driven mining applications due to their robust high efficiency construction. They have superior inverter rated insulation, are IP66 and insulation class H as standard, and have a 1.2 service factor at 40°C. As Wilkinson explains, electric motors need to be equipped with forced cooling fans in slow-running applications. “When you run an electric motor very slowly, it should always have a fan at the back because when the fan runs too slow, it may overheat. With electric motors, whenever you run them very slowly, you need to have a separate powered fan to keep them cool.” Once all of the engineering work was finalised and the new VSD-controlled geared motor was put in place, the result was better than the maintenance team expected. “The temperature in Cloncurry was around 48 degrees on the day we
TECO MAXE3 ARE HIGH-EFFICACY MOTORS DESIGNED FOR MINING APPLICATIONS.
TECO MAXE3 MINING MOTOR KEY FEATURES: • High efficiency motors • True IP66 with porous drain plugs • Class H insulation system • Superior inverter-rated insulation (8500V/ microsecond) • Precision and rugged cast iron construction including fan • Typical temperature rise less than Class E • Suitable for 60˚C ambient at rated output • Two sets of thermistors for frames D160 and larger.
installed the new unit. That was a good test for us to make sure the new unit could meet the site’s requirements,” Wilkinson says. Stokes says he was impressed with the outcome. Apart from the reduced downtime from having to regularly repair the hydraulic drive, the upgrade to a VSD motor has also saved the mine thousands of dollars through better control on the feeding rate. “It was very important for us to be
E Q U I P M E N T
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P A R T S
BONFIGLIOLI HD SERIES KEY FEATURES: • Spheroidal cast iron housing • I/O shaft planetary and gearbox symmetry • Wide range of options and accessories • High design standards • Atex-gearbox for explosive environments 2G/2D.
able to have consistent feed to the mill. The conveyor drive upgrade has provided us with improved control of mill densities and grind size,” Stokes says. Eloise Copper has since decided to upgrade a second conveyor on the site with the same technology provided by CBC. “We are very happy with the reliability and the operational consistency of our conveyor and we
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want the other conveyor to be as reliable as this one. The CBC team has been very helpful in working through the technical requirements and giving us a customised solution,” Stokes says. AM
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EQUIPMENT TO BUILD AND RESTORE THE WORLD’S INFRASTRUCTURE ASTEC AUSTRALIA.
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AUSTRALIANMINING
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MINING SERVICES
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN A CHALLENGING MARKET ATLAS COPCO’S RANGE OF INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HAVE CONTINUED TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF AUSTRALIA’S MINING INDUSTRY DESPITE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
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OVID-19 may have interrupted supply chains over the past year, but it hasn’t stopped the availability of Atlas Copco’s equipment and services. Atlas Copco oil free division sales engineer Dillon Smith says the industry is demanding efficiency more than ever due to unplanned shutdowns and border closures. “COVID-19 showed us that at times it might become more difficult to get to site,” Smith tells Australian Mining. “A major feature of Atlas Copco’s products is reliability, which we’re known for in the industry, so the customer is able to have a bit more faith in their equipment when there are challenges getting to site. “The other major demand is efficiency as the customer has to make sure power or supply is available for the equipment.”
Efficiency, versatility and reliability
Atlas Copco’s efforts over the past year have cemented the brand’s reputation as an industry leader in air compressor solutions that are used across multiple industries. Its compressors have been widely adopted at both Australian and international mining operations due to their efficiency, versatility and reliability. With close to 150 years of company history, Atlas Copco’s diverse portfolio goes far beyond a single product.
Operating out of 15 Australian service centres, the company also offers blowers, gas generators, air dryers, assembly systems and support services for its local mining customers.
Diverse product portfolio
Smith says the diverse product portfolio is one of the company’s key advantages. “Atlas Copco has a range of low-pressure equipment which is used throughout the mining industry particularly for processing applications,” he says. “We have a range of gas generation products as well, including nitrogen and oxygen generators also used in the minerals processing industry.”
Smartlink
Adding to the company’s efficient line of products is its software and support services, including the Smartlink device for Atlas Copco compressors. Smartlink is a compressor monitoring program that enables digital insights, including the uptime, efficiency, health of a machine, which can be accessed remotely via a phone or computer. This allows mine sites to ensure their equipment is running correctly, even when site access is hindered.
Variable speed drive compressors
As the industry moves towards more sustainable practices, Atlas Copco’s variable speed drive compressors (VSDs) enable a more power efficient and sustainable energy solution.
ATLAS COPCO IS CONTINUING TO ADVANCE ITS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
“Our estimation is all Atlas Copco VSDs installed in the field are estimated to save around $20 million in energy costs across all industries in Australia,” Atlas Copco business development manager Tony Dias tells Australian Mining. The VSDs, however, offer more than just less money spent on electricity. Atlas Copco VSDs typically offer around 35 per cent savings on power, which can then be allocated to other machines on site. “Customers have responded very well to those savings,” Smith adds. “Those savings can then be put into other areas of the mine without any additional supply requirements.”
Mining operations
To allow for more independent mining operations, Atlas Copco’s gas generator range enables remote locations to produce their own nitrogen and oxygen. “Having a nitrogen or oxygen generator on a remote mining site in Western Australia is highly advantageous,” Smith says. “This allows for massive savings on transportation costs and a backup supply if a mine uses more than expected.” Atlas Copco Western Australia regional manager customer services Lisa Bremmell says its services department is also prepared to
ATLAS COPCO OFFERS AUSTRALIA-WIDE SUPPORT.
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support its range of products. “We offer a number of various solutions under the form of maintenance required,” Bremmell says. “If a client has a maintenance agreement, the parts are automatically supplied and can be delivered directly to site. It streamlines the supply chain from a client perspective to have someone supplying parts.”
Clean energy
To continue its sustainability efforts, Atlas Copco is aiming to produce cleaner energy by compressing hydrogen, with a range already available. “Atlas Copco have compressed air equipment to compressed hydrogen which is a hot topic around the world in producing energy as clean as possible,” Dias says. “To reduce the carbon footprint, we already have our range of compressors that compress hydrogen.”
Research and development
According to Bremmell, Atlas Copco’s research and development (R&D) teams across the globe are continuing to innovate further in areas including compressed hydrogen. “The amount of R&D that Atlas Copco invests year on year is something that we should be very proud of,” she says. “It’s something that drives the organisation on a daily basis.” AM
MINING SERVICES
COMMUNICATION PIVOTAL TO RINGSPANN’S SUCCESS RINGSPANN HAS SET HIGH AMBITIONS FOR GROWTH IN AUSTRALIA WITH THE COMPANY AIMING TO EXPAND BY 25 TO 30 PER CENT BY 2025. THE COMPANY TELLS AUSTRALIAN MINING ABOUT ITS PLANS.
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eneral manager Seshan Ramaswamy says RINGSPANN Australia is going to achieve this ambitious goal by being at the forefront of reaching customers before their projects hit the ground. The manufacturer of power transmission components first opened doors in Australia in 2018 after its head office in Germany saw an opportunity for better communication with local customers. With over 75 years of engineering background, the company hopes to build on its expertise to achieve this goal. “First of all, we need to ensure we are getting to customers before the projects are at the design phase. This is key to getting into the market as well as not just having the standard product, but customisable application,” Ramaswamy says. “We can optimise the solution to suit various applications in the mining industry. Our research and development team are constantly working with our products to ensure they are up to date and meet the standards.” Ramaswamy says that keeping in contact with customers to ensure their needs are met is also key to achieving further growth for the company “We are constantly looking at the stocks of our products and that helps us make sure we are stocking the standard products well in our warehouse to ensure there is a quick turnaround for customers,” he explains. With all of RINGSPANN’s factories based overseas and products taking six
RINGSPANN’S LOCKING ASSEMBLIES.
to eight weeks to arrive, Ramaswamy says that by making sure its products in Australia are fully stocked, it cuts downtime for operations. Despite the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, RINGSPANN still finished the year stronger than it did in 2019. Ramaswamy recalls that it took the company six to eight weeks to understand the gravity of the situation and see what could be done to move forward. “We found many customers weren’t replying to enquiries as they tried to navigate the climate at the time.
However, we kept in contact with them and made it our first priority to ensure they were safe and secure,” he says. “The last 12 months were challenging for all of us, but luckily for RINGSPANN we were operating from our office because we were classified as an essential service supporting the mining industry. And because our office is only a two-person operation, we were able to social distance.” As a result, Ramaswamy is confident the company will be able to increase its gains by 10 per cent in 2021 by continuing to establish a strong foundation of communication.
RINGSPANN’S PRODUCT OFFERINGS INCLUDE A WIDE RANGE TO BENEFIT THE MINING INDUSTRY. AUSTRALIANMINING
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With this short-term aim, Ramaswamy says RINGSPANN is providing a pathway to reaching its overall growth target. “The last six months of 2020 we finished stronger than 2019 and that was a big surprise for us. Despite not being able to meet with our customers in person, we constantly connect with them online and through video,” he says. “To make sure we were still present and proactive in the market, we made sure we were in contact with our customers to let them know how we could support them.” Ramaswamy reinforces that it is important for RINGSPANN’s customers to realise that by working with the company, they have an industry partner with highly qualified employees. RINGSPANN has grown from its headquarters in Bad Homburg, Germany to employ 480 people worldwide across 17 international companies. The company provides drivetrain components to more than 6000 global customers in industries such as mining and food. RINGSPANN operated through a distributor for a number of years in Australia, but shifted its sights to pursue a globalised business model over the past 15 years, which led to the establishment of RINGSPANN Australia in 2018. RINGSPANN’s product offerings include freewheels, industrial brakes, shaft-hub connections, overload clutches, and coupling and precision clamping fixtures to the mining industry. The company aims to go above and beyond the expectations of customers, often providing unique solutions that are typically not available in its official catalogue of products. “We talk to our colleagues in South Africa, North and South America, India and China for new ideas and share the success with our local customers,” Ramaswamy says. “RINGSPANN is always on the ball and takes pride in sharing ideas across the company to ensure the customer gets the best result.” AM
MINING SERVICES
HIRING EQUIPMENT WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK DYNAMIC RIGGING HIRE’S HOISTING AND RIGGING EQUIPMENT HIRE SERVICES ALLOW FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS OF PROVEN EQUIPMENT FOR MINE MAINTENANCE APPLICATIONS.
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ptimising investments and costs as a mine contractor are vital ingredients for providing services to a highly demanding industry. Most mining contractors have large fleets of vehicles that are prepared to tackle the tasks at hand on a mine site, but some equipment is used for a much shorter term than others. Hoisting and rigging equipment, in particular, are a key aspect to any routine plant maintenance, repairs or construction expansions of a mine. However, this equipment comes at a high cost and is only used for a short term. To mitigate the cost, Dynamic Rigging offers a full range of hoisting and rigging equipment for the mining industry. Based in Melbourne, the company offers its services Australia wide, having dealt with contractors for major mining operations across the country. Dynamic Rigging believes equipment hire provides significant advantages over outright purchases. Unlike a traditional purchase, Dynamic Rigging’s equipment hire services mean that it manages inspection and certification of hoisting and rigging assets, while preventing the need for record keeping or storing equipment in warehouses on site. The company tests and inspects all of its equipment both before and after hire from its warehouses, including load proof testing, to ensure it meets the necessary Australian standards. For Dynamic Rigging manager Ross Johnson, mining industry customers will benefit from the short-term hire options, which are often all that is required for hoisting and rigging equipment. “Our selection of rental hoisting and rigging equipment are reasonably unique and at times high value items that would be utilised for short-term use,” Johnson says. “Instead of having to make a purchase or source the equipment,
DYNAMIC RIGGING ALSO OFFERS REMOTE CONTROLLED WINCHES FOR HIRE.
customers can source it at a rental basis.” Dynamic Rigging’s equipment for hire includes Ingersoll Rand and JDN pneumatic chain hoists, Crosby Straightpoint load cells and remote controlled 4.5-tonne winches. Air-powered pneumatic hoists are ideal for underground mining
CHAIN HOISTS ARE MOST COMMONLY HIRED FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS IN MINING APPLICATIONS.
AUSTRALIANMINING
applications compared with electric hoists due to their safety benefits and continual use, Ross continues. “Pneumatic chain hoists do not have a duty cycle, whereas electric hoists have a duty cycle which limits the amount of use in a set period,” Ross says. “In mining operations, our
DYANIMC RIGGING’S 55-TONNE LOAD CELL CAN BE DELIVERED AUSTRALIA WIDE.
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equipment is typically used in general routine plant maintenance where large plant needs to be dismantled or opened up for repairs, plant breakdowns and general construction expansions of sites.” The most common uses for the winches are for pulling applications, including conveyor belt and conveyor pulling for planned maintenance or breakdowns, while its load cells provide live readings of loadings via a digital scale. The equipment is delivered to customers via freight, which can be delivered within a one-day period, allowing for fast and efficient hire across the country. Dynamic Rigging’s equipment for hire has been tried and tested across major underground and open cut mine sites specialising in commodities such as copper, gold and coal. “We can dispatch equipment Australia wide,” Ross says. “Most of our equipment is configured in a way that’s ready to go. It is delivered in stillages and crates that make it easier to transport. “We can mobilise interstate freight within a day, while we’ve also taken advantage of hotshot services and delivered using our own fleet across Victoria and South Australia.” Dynamic Rigging is unique for having one of the longest lengths of chaining configurable to its hoists, providing a significant advantage to certain mine sites, with its smaller hoists dropping to 100 metres, Ross adds. The company has earned a reputable name across multiple industries, having previously delivered a pneumatic chain hoist to a Whyalla steelworks operation, 1400 kilometres from the company’s Melbourne warehouse. “Our lifting equipment is all subject to Australian standards and testing regimes, where we maintain all the equipment to the relevant manufacturer and Australian standards,” Ross says. “We also operate a comprehensive workshop to service the hoists inhouse, so customers can expect a reliable and trusted product.” AM
MINING SERVICES
NEW DEAL STACKS UP FOR ASTEC, OPS GROUP ASTEC HAS RECOGNISED THE INCREASING NEED FOR MOBILE CONVEYING EQUIPMENT AND EXTENDED ITS REACH ACROSS AUSTRALIA. TO ACCOMMODATE THE DEAL WITH OPS, MELBOURNE AND BRISBANE WILL BE ADDED TO ITS LIST OF DISTRIBUTION CENTRES.
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stec Australia has signed an exclusive deal with its Australian dealer OPS for Astec Telestack products in Australia. Mobile conveying equipment can offer significant operating cost savings for certain applications compared with traditional methods of material handling. The plant can also reduce planning requirements thanks to increased flexibility, and the ability to move from site to site. The Astec range of equipment has made its mark around the world, operating successfully in some of the most challenging environments. Telestack, located in Omagh, Northern Ireland, was acquired by Astec Industries in recent years and specialises in the complete in-house design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of mobile conveying equipment, a complete line of material handling systems used extensively in the port, aggregate and mining industries. Telestack continues to invest heavily in its facility, as part of a long-term strategy to futureproof its capacity to support the development of an extensive range of world-class, innovative and quality products. Astec anticipates synergies between Telestack and its aggregate product lines to be beneficial while incorporating OPS as Astec Australia’s newly appointed dealer. This is an important evolution collaborating in very active and demanding markets and expanding Astec’s footprint. Shane Czerkasow, the managing director of OPS Group, the Australian dealer of Astec Telestack’s products, says the market is embracing solutions which can reduce reliance on manual labour, fuel usage, manpower and ultimately improve efficiencies. “We at OPS are delighted to formally announce the extension to our longstanding partnership with Telestack through Astec Australia, which is already in effect with OPS and MPS stocking and servicing Astec Telestack Australia wide,” Czerkasow says.
The OPS Group has been the exclusive dealer for Telestack Bulk Materials Handling Equipment in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory. However, with the signing of the new agreement with Astec Australia, the company’s subsidiary Mineral Processing Solutions (MPS) will distribute in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. In addition, MPS will distribute Astec Breaker Technology International (BTI) equipment. BTI manufactures a wide range of mining, quarrying, construction and demolition equipment designed to improve productivity and profitability. Czerkasow says the timing is perfect for OPS to expand its Astec Telestack offering across Australia. “The OPS business has grown on the core values of delivering worldclass products with industry-leading service and support, all of which provides our customers reliability, productivity and efficiency,” he says. “Astec Australia is an obvious fit and perfect partnership for our business, as these are commonly shared values. “Great equipment requires great back-up and support and we believe this is a well-matched partnership that will deliver quality outcomes for customers of these industries.” Astec Australia regional managing director David Smale says MPS’s local market knowledge and mineral processing experience, backed by Astec Telestack’s innovation prowess and manufacturing capabilities, will allow the two companies to develop into a dominant player in these markets. “MPS’s demonstrated ability to offer innovative, quality products and services makes them the perfect partner to support customers with applications, support and service,” Smale says. MPS will deliver the expanded Astec Telestack product offering through new and existing Australian support infrastructure. The company already has facilities in Perth, Darwin, Adelaide and the New South Wales Central Coast, with each holding new and used equipment stocks, hire AUSTRALIANMINING
MOBILE CONVEYING EQUIPMENT IS USED EXTENSIVELY IN THE PORT, AGGREGATE AND MINING INDUSTRIES.
fleets, spare part warehouses and local service and support teams. To strengthen its presence on the east coast, the company has invested in local teams in Brisbane and Melbourne, along with additional inventory of equipment and parts. Additional work is underway on new facilities in these cities, expected to be completed in the quarter of 2021. OPS Group’s operations and engineering manager Trevor Raman says the company’s investment in its facilities is aimed at improving the service and support capabilities for its current and future customers. “With the expansion and continued diversification of our range of equipment offering, it is critical that we constantly develop and improve our overall customer support,” Raman says. “Our first-class facilities will enable our businesses to stock unprecedented levels of capital equipment, readily available for sales, hire and demonstration, as well as ensure we stock industry-leading levels of spare parts.
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“OPS have always strived to deliver class-leading service and support. These new facilities will allow us to take this to a whole new level. We now have tremendous capabilities in large scale plant refurbishment, fixed plant services, fabrication and component manufacturing and refurbishment, including screen media and conveyor products.” The Astec Telestack range covers all facets of moving material from one point to another and is capable of up to 3000 tonnes per hour capacities. This range includes: • Track–mounted stackers • W heeled stackers and link conveyors • Radial telescopic stackers • Ship loaders and unloaders • T racked and wheeled hopper feeders • Reclaim hoppers • T racked and wheeled truck unloaders • Bulk reception feeders • Static and project conveyors • T racked blending plants (pugmill). AM
2021
AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS
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MINING SERVICES
KALGOORLIE BECOMES THE NEWEST BRANCH FOR DRIVETRAIN FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, DRIVETRAIN HAS PROVIDED GENUINE PARTS AND COMPONENTS, AUTHORISED AND TESTED REBUILDS, ALONG WITH A WIDE RANGE OF ENGINEERING AND FIELD MAINTENANCE SERVICES TO THE MINING INDUSTRY. AUSTRALIAN MINING FINDS OUT WHAT ITS EXPANSION INTO A KEY WESTERN AUSTRALIAN REGION WILL BRING.
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rivetrain has spent the last three decades developing its reputation as a supplier of highquality solutions for major Australian mining companies and contractors. Its longstanding relationships with leading international driveline component and equipment brands allows Drivetrain to enhance and improve mining maintenance programs and operations across the industry. In January 2021, Drivetrain’s parent company, ASX-listed Engenco, made the ultimate commitment to Australia’s unofficial gold mining capital, Kalgoorlie, by acquiring an industrial property in the city to house the Drivetrain facility. This is part of the Engenco Group growth strategy to expand the reach of products and services by reacting to customer needs. This will complement Drivetrain’s existing portfolio of mining-focussed workshops in Mackay, Newcastle, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, which service underground and open cut mining, across soft and hard rock operations, along with Australian defence assets, material handling, rail, commercial and automotive vehicles, power generation and oil and gas compression equipment. Drivetrain is no stranger to Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields in Western Australia, having built lasting relationships with hard rock mining companies in the region. “A lot of underground mining in Australia, particularly in gold is centred around Kalgoorlie,” Drivetrain general manager, sales and business development Mark Griffith tells Australian Mining. “Kalgoorlie is a real mining centre and has been for many hundreds of years and a lot of our biggest customers are very centric to that area. “Moving into the (Kalgoorlie) geographical area to provide the people and expertise to support customer demand in the region is driven by our need to provide solutions to our customers.” Drivetrain has already proven its worth to major miners and contractors
DRIVETRAIN’S KALGOORLIE BRANCH HAS BOLSTERED ITS WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PRESENCE TO SUPPORT MINING.
in Kalgoorlie, providing specialised underground services and equipment. The company introduced products such as Kovatera’s customisable underground mining vehicles, Dana Spicer’s industrial axles, transmissions and drivelines, and Axletech (Meritor’s) SPRC tandem axle sets for mine site heavy haulage trucks. In 2021, Drivetrain will ensure Kalgoorlie and the broader Australian market has access to the latest developments to its brands, such as Kovatera’s new range of electric vehicles. By expanding into the Goldfields, Drivetrain will offer the local mining sector with direct access to these internationally recognised OEMs, with the flexibility of working with a partner based in Kalgoorlie. “Drivetrain is very flexible as a business, whereas competitors and OEMs can be quite rigid,” Griffith explains. “We provide high-quality service, but also have a point of difference in that what the customer needs is what Drivetrain provides. “For example, we introduced a line of utility vehicles into Australia a few years ago and over the course of two years, adapted those vehicles by working with the OEM to redesign them to suit the Australian conditions of ramp mining and Australian mining methods. “This has had huge success over the
AUSTRALIANMINING
last six to eight months, in that those vehicles have started to deliver better costs and improved performance to those operations.” Drivetrain general manager, operations Peter Gale says “Australianising” products so they are strong enough to withstand some of the toughest mining conditions in the world is one of the company’s key roles in the process. The company is prepared to take the next step when it sets up in Kalgoorlie, bringing international products to a level where they can handle Australia’s hard rock mining environments. “Often equipment from the brands we represent will be fine for years in other conditions, but if we bring it to Australia it just isn’t designed for the rough environment,” Gale says. “Drivetrain is that pivotal link between the market and OEMs to work out what doesn’t fit with the Australian environment and how to improve it. Our customer approach is ‘what do you want us to do for you?’” In addition to ensuring equipment is prepared for the Goldfields, Drivetrain will support the community with investment in employment opportunities and contract partners. Drivetrain executive general manager Shane Stafford says the company plans to engage Kalgoorlie locals, even if they are people who have not been exposed to the mining industry before.
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“We will continue to invest in the community, working with local schools to provide opportunities for people who want to undertake an apprenticeship or other career opportunities in the mining industry,” Stafford says. “Drivetrain provides the option for people who a mine site roster might not be suitable for to work in the industry in a workshop capability in town. “This provides a flexible option to a wide range of people looking to enter into the heavy industrial industry.” Kalgoorlie will also have access to Drivetrain’s team of experts, who have customised the range of vehicles, axles and other spare parts it supplies to manage the mining conditions in the Goldfields region. “We’re going through the process of gearing up the company for some of the changes around electrification,” Griffith reveals. “We’ve done this with every technological change over the last 30 years and our knowledge and internal relationships allow us to ensure our team has the best training and the most cutting-edge techniques available. “Continuously building our electrical engineering and the Kovatera electric vehicles debuting in Australia over the next six months is an example of how we take on new technology to put ourselves at the cutting edge of adapting technology to the Australian market and its conditions.” AM
WATER MANAGEMENT
STAINLESS STEEL PUMPS EMERGE IN MINING ENVIRONMENTS NO WATER IS TOO ALKALINE OR ACIDIC FOR XYLEM’S RANGE OF STAINLESS STEEL PUMPS. XYLEM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER KERRIN FOSTER SHARES MINING SITUATIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT FROM THE COMPANY’S PRODUCT INNOVATION.
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here is a reason why an industry leader like Xylem remains ahead of the competition after several decades. Xylem has grown over a century to become a Fortune 1000 water technology company that continues to solve industry challenges, backed by a research and development (R&D) department that provides solutions for an evolving environment. This year, the company has allocated a significant amount of investment to R&D to take its capability in solving water issues to another level. Such a commitment is one factor that motivated Xylem business development manager – mining and
THE FLYGT 2190.390 STAINLESS STEEL DEWATERING PUMP CAN HANDLE ABRASIVES AND CORROSIVE LIQUIDS.
industrial, Kerrin Foster, to spend a few years at the company’s headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden in 2007. Foster, who began his career at Xylem in 1993, says he’s always been proud that the company is constantly looking for ways to improve its product range and customer experience. “Xylem leads in water technology R&D. Such commitment to innovation has, for example, given birth to the extension of the range of Flygt stainless steel pumps late last year,” he tells Australian Mining. “When I started with this company nearly 30 years ago, we didn’t have the full range of stainless steel pumps available in the market. “When you did get your hands on one, it wouldn’t be a pump designed for mine water dewatering so they weren’t as robust and able to handle the harsh environments that underground mining present.” Xylem’s range of stainless steel pumps respond to problems that are found across Australia, from the mining region of Far North Queensland to the Goldfields of Western Australia. The range combats acid mine drainage that occurs when water and air interact with minerals in the rock that can be exposed during the mining operation. This leads to oxidation which can create sulphates, which then dissolve in water creating an acid solution, making Xylem’s corrosion-resistant stainless steel pumps an ideal choice to resist such extreme environments. ”We see it in copper mines, particularly, but it can also happen in zinc and gold mines for example,” Foster says. “When water with low pH is found in a sump or at the bottom of a shaft, standard pumps would suffer accelerated rate of wear, heavy corrosion and high incidence of failure. “Mining companies have traditionally had to bear with the failure in the midst of running a 24/7 mining operation and endure excessive repair costs.” This situation has inspired Xylem to further develop its range of stainless steel pumps to overcome more problem applications and reduce company operating costs. AUSTRALIANMINING
Xylem supplied a copper mine in Australia with its all-stainless steel Flygt BS2700 series pump, which Foster says instantly changed the situation. It also resulted in greater reliability and service life, significantly reducing the operator’s maintenance and operating costs. The range of stainless-steel pumps is also designed to come to the rescue in hyper saline applications, where premature pump failures occur due to material incompatibility. In such hyper saline scenarios where corrosion rates are accelerated and major components wear a lot quicker, a standard pump’s intended life would be slashed considerably. In this case, Xylem’s Flygt BIBO 22-kilowatt 2190 and Flygt BIBO 37-kilowatt 2201 stainless steel pumps virtually compete with the performance of the classic Flygt BIBO range, but with a far superior material advantage. The pumps have currently tripled the previously experienced service life and counting, with no signs of distress, according to Foster. Such performance materially trumps previous failure rates, which typically occurred between four and six weeks. Foster says the Flygt BIBO stainlesssteel pumps are backed by the strength of the classic BIBO dewatering pumps only to offer superior material, design and corrosion resistance benefits. “A majority of the pump’s components are constructed with the CD4MCu Duplex stainless steel. Duplex stainless steel has a high resistance to corrosion, particularly suitable for applications where there are high levels of chlorides or salinity where the water could be more than seven times saltier than sea water,” he explains. “The 316 stainless steel is not as corrosion resistant for an environment such as this. The pumps above have provided more than twice the service life, yet we haven’t even seen the end.” Xylem’s stainless steel pumps are also a welcome solution in tails decant applications, where there could be acidic or alkaline conditions and chemical residue present in the water following ore processing.
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THE FLYGT 2400.390 PUMP IS IDEAL FOR DEEP EXCAVATIONS THAT REQUIRE VERY HIGH HEAD PUMPING.
Foster says the Flygt BIBO 2190 and BIBO 2201 pumps can be particularly helpful in recovering water from tailings decant due in part to their rugged hydraulic design. “In mining, you don’t want someone to be watching the equipment at all times. You want a solution that will require very little care or interaction, so we provide the best solutions for their water challenges,” Foster says. While mining companies have used the solutions available to them in the past, Xylem is changing the game by better equipping them to stand up to the rigours of harsh operating environments in the future. Xylem, the owner of 3000 patents, is at the forefront of robust water technology solutions as it prioritises reliability above all else. AM
MINING INFRASTRUCTURE
FLEXIBORE 400 WITHSTANDS MORE PRESSURE THAN FIBREGLASS PIPE CRUSADER HOSE HAS HELPED KEEP AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST IRON ORE MINES OPERATING BY RELEASING A LAYFLAT HOSE THAT BOASTS THE HIGHEST PRESSURE CAPACITY IN THE WORLD.
A LARGE IRON ORE MINER USES CRUSADER HOSE LAYFLAT HOSE FOR MINE DEWATERING.
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rusader Hose has strengthened its 35-year history in ground water pumping solutions with the development of Flexibore 400. The ultra-high-pressure hose series was a result of Crusader Hose’s research and development in the area of bore water extraction, cementing the Melbourne-based company’s status as an innovative Australian manufacturer of layflat hose, flexible rising main and mine dewatering hose. The breakthrough comes in the form of a six-inch Flexibore 400 series hose, which is the highest pressure layflat hose in the world for mine dewatering, boasting a burst pressure of 90 bar or 900 metres. The iron ore mines in the Pilbara region of Western Australia are a leading powerhouse for the Australian economy. These mines are at the cutting edge of best practice in efficiency and safety. Australian mining engineering is highly rated across the world due to its skilled processing and ore extraction techniques. “In some of the larger open cut iron ore mines, they have been working for over 30 years, non-stop, removing ore out of the pit. Some of the larger
mines are longer than 25 kilometres, so you can imagine the experience gained plus size of hole in the ground,” Crusader Hose managing director Francois Steverlynck says. To extract the ore in a dry state, the open cut mine needs to keep the water table lowered. This is typically achieved by pumping groundwater out from in-pit bores. These are the bores that are inside the open cut mine, as opposed to around the perimeter. Due to the constantly changing topography inside the pit, as the mine extends and deepens, these in-pit bores need to be moved and relocated. Flexible rising mains have been the system of choice for in-pit bores due to the simplicity with which the submersible pumps can be retrieved and installed. The typical installation method uses a roller, crane or mechanised spool, as the riser pipe is one continuous length. As the need to extract ore from deeper depths inside the pit has evolved, so has the importance of lowering the water table below the pit base. When the water table goes deeper down, the end result is a need for higher pressure pumps and higherpressure riser pipes. AUSTRALIANMINING
Until recently, only fibreglass riser pipe had the pressure rating for this application, as Australian-made Flexibore and Well hose, an imported United Kingdom hose, both reached their safe operational pressure limits. Fibreglass, however, is not the ideal solution as it’s bulky, expensive and cumbersome to install. Therefore, discussions were initiated with dewatering supervisors of the large Western Australian mines for the need of a higher pressure Flexibore hose. The engineers at Crusader Hose rose to the challenge of developing a world-first product, and in June last year successfully trialled a six-inch Flexibore 400 which bursts at 90 bar. Groundwater can now be safely pumped from 360 metres below, or at higher pressures. The tensile load reached was 25 tons (22.6 tonnes), which represents the pump plus water weight that can be safely suspended from the Flexibore hose. “This is a pioneering achievement in the history of our company,” Steverlynck says. “This Australian development will hopefully be
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keenly adopted by the mining companies and enable them to keep at the forefront of productivity and continuous improvement.” AM THE FLEXIBORE 400 SERIES HOSE HAS A BURST PRESSURE OF 90 BAR.
THE MINING INDUSTRY HAS MOVED TO A NEW PHASE FOLLOWING THE MINING BOOM, ONE WHERE PRODUCTIVITY, INNOVATION AND SAFETY HAVE EMERGED AS ITS KEY PRIORITIES
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EVENT SPOTLIGHT
PROSPECT AWARDS RETURN TO BRISBANE IN 2021 THE PROSPECT AWARDS HAVE BEEN A MAINSTAY IN AUSTRALIA’S RESOURCES INDUSTRY FOR CLOSE TO TWO DECADES, SHOWCASING LOCAL MINING AND METS COMPANIES THAT ARE PUSHING TOWARDS A MORE FORWARD-THINKING AND EFFICIENT FUTURE. THE PROSPECT AWARDS WILL RETURN AS AN IN-PERSON EVENT IN 2021.
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he COVID-19 pandemic caught the business world by surprise, however the mining industry earned its stripes as a resilient force, as outlined by last year’s Prospect Awards. Since 2004, the Australian Mining Prospect Awards have continued to play a role in acknowledging the achievements of Australia’s mining industry. Even when the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly emerged last year, the Prospect Awards continued, with the 2020 winners presented across Australian Mining’s print and digital platforms. This year’s event will return as an in-person event on October 14 in Brisbane. The pandemic continues to present significant challenges to the entire mining industry through a string of global supply chain issues, ongoing interstate and international travel bans and adjustments to working arrangements.
But the mining industry showed it could respond, delivering innovation, strategy and commitment towards achieving a successful outcome. Records were set for 2020 in iron ore, gold and copper exports, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). A total of $270 billion was injected into the Australian economy last year from the resources sector, 62 per cent of the nation’s export revenue. Iron ore broke the $100 billion mark for the first time in a boom year for commodity exports, while also breaking its monthly export record in December 2020. The Prospect Awards ensure that the efforts of mining and METS (mining equipment, technology and services) companies do not go unnoticed, with last year’s awards showcasing the innovation and prowess of the industry in a time of reflection on the pandemic. As the world manages the impact of the pandemic, the industry must look at ways to apply its experience AUSTRALIANMINING
over the past year to ramp up efficiency through the means of new technologies and electrification. “As we look towards a post-COVID world, the mining industry has emerged with a focus on ensuring operations are as reliable as possible even with fewer workers on site,” Australian Mining managing editor Ben Creagh says. “The industry has shown it is capable of coming together in a time of significant challenges.” The sponsors returning for this year’s awards night include National Group, Liebherr, Epiroc, SEW Eurodrive, Flexco, CRC and Austmine. Outside of technology, the Prospect Awards also focusses on individuals and companies who have made a difference to their organisations and the industry at large. Prospect Awards events manager Lauren Winterbottom says the Prospect Awards aim to amplify those who have made a difference. “After the challenges of last year, we’re looking forward to celebrating the achievements of the
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industry,” she says. With nominations now open, the categories for this year’s awards include: • A ustralian Mine of the Year (sponsored by National Group) •C oal Mine of the Year (sponsored by SEW Eurodrive) •C ontract Miner of the Year (sponsored by Epiroc) •H ard Rock Mine of the Year (sponsored by Epiroc) • I nnovative Mining Solution (sponsored by Austmine) •S afety Advocate award (sponsored by Flexco) •M ine Manager of the Year (sponsored by CRC) • Lifetime Achievement award (sponsored by Liebherr) • Indigenous Engagement Award •E xcellence in IIoT Application •E xcellence in Environmental Management •E xcellence in Mine Safety, OH&S •M inerals Processing of the Year AM For more information, visit https://prospectawards.com.au
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FERRET GROUP OF WEBSITES
MHD Supply Chain Solutions
EVENT SPOTLIGHT
OPEN PIT OPERATORS CONFERENCE BREAKS NEW GROUND FOR ITS 10TH STAGING, AUSIMM’S OPEN PIT OPERATORS CONFERENCE WILL RETURN IN JULY 2021, UNVEILING THE LATEST OPEN PIT MINING ADVANCEMENTS IN BOTH PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL FORMATS.
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ustralia is home to a wide array of soft and hard rock open pit operations that have helped the resources industry become the significant economic force it is today. With mining facing an influx of changes and innovations, AusIMM’s Open Pit Operators Conference will be at the forefront of showcasing new and future innovations in open pit mining in 2021. While this is the 10th Open Pit Operators Conference in the series, it is the first that will be held in a hybrid format, combining an in-person and online experience. Delegates can attend the conference in Perth and access the conference content via a powerful virtual platform from wherever they are in the world. The conference will still feature six expert keynote speakers, a highquality technical program, full trade exhibition and networking functions. In addition, online delegates can explore live and on-demand content, interact in live streamed Q&A discussions and engage virtually with other industry professionals. Among the keynote speakers is Deloitte principal in assets consulting, Pieter Lottering, whose work involves collaborating with resources companies to provide operational transformations. This includes remote operations, digital optimisation and digital solutions to improve production and site efficiencies. “At Deloitte, I lead our integrated operations practice which really focusses on bringing the latest technologies and ways of work together in a way that allows companies to enable their whole supply chain and whole business,” Lottering tells Australian Mining. With more than 20 years’ experience in the resources and energy sectors, Lottering is well-versed in how technology continues to evolve. At its core, digital technologies including remote operations and datafication will drive up more reliable and sophisticated mining operations, which is what Lottering’s team at Deloitte are focussed on facilitating. “When you view your operations
as a whole, there’s a number of inefficiencies at the interface for functions of a mining organisation,” he explains. “By bringing it all together you eliminate a lot of the inefficiencies at the interface point. “We are creating the future of the workplace for mining industries which helps a lot with attraction of the right kind of talent, making sure the work environment is future ready and that you adopt Industry 4.0 concepts that deliver value.” During this year’s Open Pit Operators Conference, Lottering will present Deloitte’s intelligent mining framework, which assists operators with their digital transformation. “It’s a conceptual framework to help companies think about how they do their digital transformation in the operations space in a holistic manner and define a coherent vision,” Lottering explains. “It also aims to determine what the technology stack for the future could be and the requirements needed by peoples’ skills and culture, and best practices to go on that journey.” According to Lottering, the most significant challenges to the industry’s adoption of digital technologies is mindset. And despite COVID-19 not increasing the direct demand for digital technologies, the industry has grown more accustomed to the necessity of remote technologies due to border
closures and limited site access. In combination with higher efficiency expectations, this has encouraged miners to see how technologies can improve the value of an operation. “We are in mining; we are very comfortable with the older way of technology deployment: very large project styles and very risk averse,” Lottering says. “We are seeing across multiple industries (that) there’s a requirement to take a more agile and nimble approach to testing technologies and seeing how they add value.” Due to the price of many Industry 4.0 technologies, Lottering suggests the industry should create a culture that consistently encourages their valueadding and maintenance benefits. Lottering says a balance must be struck between adopting and learning about new technology to maintain a safe and stable mine operation, while collaboration with vendors will also encourage more advances. “Having a much more collaborative and strategic relationship allows us to design systems that are required and fit for purpose for the future,” Lottering says. Wearables and worker analytics are Lottering’s predictions for future trends in mining technology. But long-term adoption of digital solutions will only be possible by changing the
THE AUSIMM OPEN PIT OPERATORS CONFERENCE WILL BE STAGED AS A HYBRID EVENT FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR.
AUSTRALIANMINING
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DELOITTE PRINCIPAL IN ASSETS CONSULTING, PIETER LOTTERING.
industry’s approach. “I think there’s a lot that could happen (by) bringing in more wearables and wiring people up to get more data from a people perspective,” Lottering says. “When you talk about attraction of talent, mining has an image problem it needs to address. “To use our approach to technology to also make it an exciting and modern place to come and work in would be an important goal to pursue.” AM To find out more about AusIMM’s Open Pit Operators Conference, visit www. ausimm.com/open-pit-operators/
PRODUCTS
FRONTIER AUTOMATION STREAMLINES RECLAIM PROCESS Frontier Automation’s flagship product 3DReclaim is tailor made for reclaimers for use in stockyards of iron ore, coal and other mining or bulk material handling facilities. It uses Frontier's patented machine vision control system and has been proven in a range of customer installations to dramatically improve reclaimer performance in comparison to conventional PLC-based methods. 3DReclaim actively scans stockpile volume ahead of the bucket wheel in real time to directly control the reclaim process with the world’s first truly volume-based controller. The system optimises face up and end of bench sequences and controls the slew turnaround to minimise unproductive air digging. It also prevents downtime through bogging events typical for conventional control operations.
• frontierautomation.com.au
LIEBHERR UNVEILS R 9600 HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR Liebherr has launched its R 9600 hydraulic mining excavator, which introduces assistance systems and semi-automated capabilities to the mining industry. The R 9600 excavator was trialled in Australia by BHP and Thiess at iron ore and coal sites, proving its worthiness of entering production for the global market. It features two QSK50 Cummins engines, which have Liebherr’s LPE (Liebherr power efficiency) solutions to save on fuel costs. The LPE solutions allow the engine of the 600-tonne excavator to reduce fuel consumption without impacting productivity. Engines for emission-regulated regions are also available. The engines reduce nitrogen oxide by injecting a liquid reductant into the excavator’s exhaust system. Liebherr also expects an electric drive version of the powertrain to be available in the future.
• liebherr.com
RELIABLE AND ACCURATE CONVEYOR BELT MEASUREMENT
M2P INFLATABLE OVERHEAD PROTECTION SYSTEMS
LaseBVC is a high precise 3D-Laser measurement system that measures the bulk volume on a conveyor belt. Due to the robust design of the components, the LASE application knowhow and the specific application software, the product is the most comprehensive available in the market. A 2D-Laser scanner is mounted above the conveyor belt to generate a 3D profile of the material as it moves through. LASE BVC application software calculates the volume flow precisely and can handle up to four simultaneous operations. With the use of high-resolution laser scanners and a scan rate of up to 50 scans per second, the material can be measured in high resolution, even with high belt speed. The system can be commissioned and maintained intuitively with user-friendly dialogue control and configuration wizards.
• lase-solutions.com
AUSTRALIANMINING
M2P Engineering’s overhead protection system (OPS) provides a costeffective solution to solving overhead hazards within the mining industry. The company offers Australian-made inflatable overhead protection systems (OPS), which are the safest, most efficient and cost-effective form of overhead protection for personnel and infrastructure available today. These inflatable solutions can be installed and commissioned in under an hour using available site air – OPS saves time. Case studies have shown customers achieving huge savings in cost, time and labour through implementing the M2P OPS during maintenance, shutdowns and general operations that require overhead protection for their workers. The time savings involved have also allowed these customers to increase overall production, allowing for improved profitability.
• m2pengineering.com.au
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PRODUCTS
WORLD-FIRST DRILL RIG WITH INTERNAL HYDRAULICS
ABB ADDS TO HOIST SAFETY SUITE
With protected hydraulics, sensors and cables, Epiroc’s new Boomer M20 is designed and built to minimise unplanned stops and maximise uptime and performance in highly demanding operations. The Boomer M20 mitigates tough wear and tear seen in other rigs with its heavy-duty hose-less boom design, meaning you can stay up and running for longer. With on-board automation, tele-remote capabilities and digital drill plans, operators can be sure of improved reliability, quality and safety throughout the drill cycle. The Boomer M20 has the option of a battery-electric driveline, allowing for health, maintenance, ventilation and cooling benefits. If grit, safety and productivity are important, Epiroc’s Boomer M20 has been developed to provide benefits in these ways.
In order to avoid hoist failure and downtime, ABB has launched its latest innovation – the ABB Ability Performance Optimisation for hoists. The digital service will use cloud-based data monitoring to provide predictive maintenance insights and ensure plant operators can maximise their productivity. The technology works by collecting data from various points and analyses KPIs such as cycle time, filling and dumping time, and safety brake systems. Hosted on the ABB Ability Edgenius Dashboard application, the technology forms part of an ABB suite of mine hoist safety products. It enables quick analysis and insights into any plant operation and is backed by almost 130 years of global experience in hoisting solutions.
• epiroc.com
• new.abb.com/au
SANDVIK TOPS CLASS FOR SURFACE DRILLING
CAT DRIVES PRODUCTIVITY WITH UPDATED LOADER
Sandvik has unveiled its latest development in surface top hammer drilling, the Top Hammer XL. With the Top Hammer XL, Sandvik boasts a 50 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, 25 per cent reduction in total drilling costs, and 15 per cent increase in productivity compared with down-the-hole drilling methods. This, all by expanding the hole size from 140mm to 178mm in diameter. The system is comprised of three main components – the Pantera DP1600i drill rig, the RD1840C rock drill and LT90 rock tools. The Top Hammer XL has a small footprint allowing it room to move on narrow benches. Sandvik claims extensive testing proved it to produce less CO2 than 170 family cars would over the course of a year.
Cat’s new 992 wheel loader offers significant jumps in productivity and efficiency for mining applications. The 992 is powered by Cat’s C32B engine and offers up to 32 per cent gains in productivity. Cat has also built-in its Z-bar linkage to the 992, gaining a 48 per cent greater payload-per-fuel efficiency compared with the previous model. The OEM has revamped the cabin to increase visibility, provide intuitive controls and allow for new technologies to boost efficiency. It features 50 per cent more legroom at the knees, while also increasing the windshield glass surface area by 25 per cent. Adding to its easy maintenance, Caterpillar has included a front walkaround platform to clean cab windows in a simple manner.
• rocktechnology.sandvik
AUSTRALIANMINING
• cat.com
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EVENTS
CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS EVENT SUBMISSIONS CAN BE EMAILED TO EDITOR@AUSTRALIANMINING.COM.AU 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 the major miner’s continued commitment to technological excellence in the Australian mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector. • austmineconference.com.au Resources Technology Showcase | Perth | June 21-22 The Gold Industry Group is a presenting partner of a two-day innovation showcase at the Perth Convention Centre, filled with technologies from the resources, defence and space industries. The event is targeted towards primary and high school students, who can roam the exhibition space learning
about virtual reality, drones and robots, and how they can be applied across Western Australian mines. The showcase will feature hourly TED-talk style seminars, where visitors can witness the various technologies in action. Perth’s Elizabeth Quay will be used to showcase mining equipment such as haul trucks, courtesy of showcase partner WesTrac. Other partners include Fortescue Metals Group and Telstra. Register your interest for school excursions or public visits now. • rtsperth.com Mill Operators Conference | Brisbane and online | June 23-25 The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) is running the Mill Operators Conference for the 15th time. This year’s hybrid conference will focus on best practice in all areas of plant operations 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 of 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
AUSTRALIANMINING
International Uranium Digital Conference 2021 | Online | August 3-4, 10-11 After a highly successful digital conference in 2020, experiencing the largest attendance in over five years, AusIMM is once again hosting the 2021 conference as an online experience available to all professionals across the globe. Uranium 2021 will offer unparalleled opportunities to collaborate with the world’s most knowledgeable uranium and nuclear experts on the current state and the turnaround of the global uranium industry. Presentations will explore the growing global demand for more new uranium production and the opportunities to re-commence standby projects and explore new projects. • www.ausimm.com/uranium Women in Industry Awards | Melbourne | August 17 Women across traditionally maledominated industrial sectors will be formally recognised at the Women in Industry Awards. The event aims to acknowledge the exceptional women who have achieved success through their invaluable leadership, innovation and commitment to their sector. Potential sectors for recognition have included quarrying, mining, road transport, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, bulk handling, waste management, rail and infrastructure. Past winner and 2021 ambassador
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Rachel Ashfield said the awards provided “an opportunity to highlight key aspects and career defining moments of your many years of success and dedication.” The event is a partnership among Australian Mining, PACE, Manufacturers’ Monthly, MHD Supply Chain Solutions, Prime Mover, Trailer, Waste Management Review, Rail Express, Roads & Infrastructure Australia and Australian Bulk Handling Review. Nominations close on June 25. • womeninindustry.com.au 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 as it 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. BULK2020 ticketholders will be able to use their tickets to join the rescheduled expo. • bulkhandlingexpo.com.au
SMART AUTOMATION PRODUCTS SMART STOCKYARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Fully modularised machine automation 3D modelling and visualisation Reclaimer optimisation SmartTurn Quality Tracking down to 0.1m3
SHIP LOADER TO VESSEL ANTI-COLLISION SYSTEM Laser-based real time protection zone Remote operator control Load balance monitoring Vessel drift and hatch detection
Keen to find out more? You’re welcome to contact our Engineering Manager Peter McPherson m 0403 453 250 e peter.mcpherson@mra.com.au w mra.com.au
XYLEM
MINING SOLUTIONS PUMP RENTAL & SERVICES Whatever the Challenge, Xylem has the Solution. By partnering with Xylem, you can rent best-in-class pumping equipment, without capital expenditures. Ensure equipment is being serviced correctly with the right parts and gain access to our skilled engineers, product experts, and service technicians who will keep your operations running.
13 19 14 xylem.com/au