Australian Mining - Jun 2018 by Prime Creative Media

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MAINTENANCE VOLUME 110/5 | JUNE 2018

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COMMENT

TECH METAL BONANZA GATHERS PACE BEN CREAGH

Ben.Creagh@primecreative.com.au

LITHIUM WAS THE FIRST MOVER, AND THEN COBALT EMERGED LAST YEAR. NOW ANOTHER OBSCURE METAL IN VANADIUM IS FOLLOWING IN HOT PURSUIT AS MOMENTUM FOR TECH METALS CONTINUES.

he rise of Australia’s lithium companies has been a hard story to resist in recent years. This year, however, the emerging Australian sector has started to deliver what many predicted, with the launch of production at mines and the start to long-awaited mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the marketplace. Like a lot of mining in Australia, the growth of the lithium sector has centred in the country’s west. In Western Australia’s Pilbara, Goldfields and South West, companies have rallied to move sites into development or expand existing operations. Positively, investment has flowed from around the world to secure a piece of the phenomenon. But risks do remain. The strength of the lithium price looms as a key obstacle. Despite price growth over the past decade, there are many analysts who believe it is a bubble. With so many mines starting, and many companies already planning expansions, oversupply may emerge as an issue contributing to this fall. Morgan Stanley caused a jolt in the marketplace earlier this year with a prediction that prices could almost halve by 2021. But for now, why not enjoy the M&A ride that has seemingly arrived, and appreciate the rapid growth and hard work of the companies that have made lithium a real opportunity in this country? As this issue of Australian Mining explains, the potential for acquisitions and consolidation in the lithium sector, both in Australia and internationally, has now reached a pivotal moment. To the credit of mining analysts, they predicted this would occur heading into 2018.

MANAGING DIRECTOR JOHN MURPHY EDITOR BEN CREAGH Tel: (03) 9690 8766 Email: ben.creagh@primecreative.com.au JOURNALIST EWEN HOSIE Tel: (02) 9439 7227 Email: ewen.hosie@primecreative.com.au CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER NATASHA SHEKAR Tel: (02) 9439 7227 Email: natasha.shekar@primecreative.com.au

Although, as lithium prices and investment have increased, it was inevitable to most who observe the mining industry on a regular basis. We may be at the early stages of this M&A, but it looks likely that the emerging industry has a series of changes ahead of it before the year concludes. Following in the footsteps of lithium has been growth in several other commodities not previously regarded as household names — think cobalt, graphite and vanadium. Cobalt, long the realm of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), moved into the spotlight in 2017 as the best performing commodity in terms of price gains. In 2018, it has been vanadium’s turn, having risen from $US3.50/lb at the start of last year to more than $US15/lb this year. A number of vanadium prospects are now being seriously explored around Australia to supply demand for the metal in long-life Vanadium Redox Batteries. While the risks for lithium have been recognised, they are just as prominent for the tech metals next in line. But if this ongoing growth has shown one thing, it is that the can-do attitude in Australian mining is alive and well, something that has returned in earnest in the post-downturn era.

Ben Creagh Editor

SALES MANAGER JONATHAN DUCKETT Tel: (02) 9439 7227 Mob: 0498 091 027 Email: jonathan.duckett@primecreative.com.au ART DIRECTOR Michelle Weston GRAPHIC DESIGNERS James Finlay, Blake Storey, Adam Finlay SUBSCRIPTION RATES Australia (surface mail) $140.00 (incl GST) New Zealand A$148.00 Overseas A$156.00 For subscriptions enquiries please call GORDON WATSON 03 9690 8766

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JUNE 2018

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FRONT COVER

In this issue of Australian Mining, we look at developments from two OEMs. Firstly, Sandvik’s launch of a series of new drill rigs, and then, Caterpillar’s milestone machine, the 793 truck, which has now been produced 5000 times. This issue explores the growing lithium industry in Australia, including the success of its fledgling companies, as well as a new technology being developed by Lepidico for extracting the commodity from mine materials. In this issue’s industry feature, several technology companies detail new software releases that are set to benefit the industry. This edition also looks at past Prospect Awards winner, Rox Resources, to see what the explorer has been up to in the years since securing the recognition. And as usual, we review the latest technology and accessories in our regular coverage of the new mining products available.

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CONTENTS

MINING EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENTS AT SANDVIK AND CAT New drill rigs and a machinery milestone

MAINTENANCE

10-12

14-16

34-35

THE TOTAL PACKAGE Total Lubrifiants discusses its latest Rubia Works engine oils

LITHIUM MINING GROWTH TRAJECTORY CONTINUES Tawana deal with JV partner sets the scene

TECHNOLOGY DIAMONDS ON THE GO A look at the rising lab-grown diamond sector

MINING WASTE A NEW SOURCE FOR LITHIUM Lepidico makes lithium play with L-Max tech

CASE STUDY

18-19

36-39

IMPROVING PLANT PERFORMANCE Blackhead Quarries teams up with Metso

TRACKING THE TRENDS CREATING A NEW IMAGE FOR MINING The next trend in the Deloitte series

WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

20-21

THE RISE OF THE FLEXIBLE WORKFORCE How emerging tech has changed work at mine sites

MINING SERVICES CELEBRATING A MILESTONE A timeline of success for the Warman Pump

MINING HISTORY

THE HOLTERMANN NUGGET An ode to one of the largest gold nuggets ever discovered

PROSPECT AWARDS A FINE TIME FOR NICKEL Catching up with Rox Resources

SAFETY

42-43

EVERY SECOND COUNTS FOR EYE SAFETY Enware displays its new portable eyewash from Tobin

MONITORING & MEASUREMENT DISCUSSIONS WITH AMPCONTROL Improving gas monitoring management

PROMO FEATURE

44-49

IOT APPLICATIONS IN MINING How Abbott, Bosch Rexroth and Consultel are contributing to connected mining

MANUFACTURING KABLEX ENTERS THE MARKETPLACE A new alternative for the mining industry

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

50-51

WHAT’S NEW FOR MINING? The latest from Skipper and Reel Tech

INDUSTRY COMMENT ON IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR MINING Austmine on the METS resurgence

30-32

REGULARS

NEWS 6-9

PRODUCTS 52-53

AUSTRALIANMINING

JUNE 2018

EVENTS 54

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NEWS

THE LATEST MINING NEWS AND SAFETY AUSTRALIAN MINING PRESENTS THE LATEST NEWS AND SAFETY AFFECTING YOU FROM THE BOARDROOM TO THE MINE AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. VISIT WWW.AUSTRALIANMINING.COM.AU TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING. OZ MINERALS AWARDS $660M CARRAPATEENA CONTRACT TO DOWNER Downer EDI will deliver underground mining services at OZ Minerals’ Carrapateena copper-gold project in South Australia after being awarded a $660 million contract. The six-and-a-half-year contract will start from the beginning of the 2019 financial year. Downer mobilised at the $916 million development during April, initiating a 10-week transition period where the mining services company assumed responsibility for the underground operations from incumbent contractor, Pybar. Downer, with joint venture partner Ausenco, was also awarded a $312 million engineering, procurement

and construction (EPC) contract at Carrapateena last December. The underground mining services contract will see Downer deliver site setup and development to the top of the ore body and infrastructure excavation, production setup and ramp up, and bedding in steadystate operations at nameplate site capacity. Downer chief executive officer Grant Fenn said the company was pleased to be expanding its relationship with OZ at Carrapateena. “This new contract is an excellent example of the breadth of services we can offer to customers in the mining and resources sector,” Fenn said.

FORTESCUE KICK-STARTS AUTONOMOUS EXPANSION AT CHICHESTER HUB Fortescue Metals Group’s first haul trucks fitted with Autonomous Haulage Technology (AHS) as part of its current expansion have started operating at the Christmas Creek site in the Pilbara. The conversion of around 100 haul trucks at the Chichester Hub will make Fortescue the first iron ore operation in the world to have a fully autonomous fleet. AHS trucks have moved more than half a billion tonnes of material for Fortescue since they were introduced at the Solomon Hub in 2013, delivering a productivity increase of more than 30 per cent for the company. Fortescue chief executive officer Elizabeth Gaines said the company’s history of embracing leading-edge technology ensured it remained at the lowest end of the global cost curve. “Innovation and technology is fundamental to driving sustained productivity and efficiency improvements across the business, ensuring we continue to deliver returns for our shareholders and key stakeholders,” Gaines said. “Most importantly, the introduction of AHS technology is leading to improved safety outcomes by significantly reducing the risk to our team members.” Workforce skills development has been a significant aspect of planning for the expansion of automation, according to Fortescue, with the implementation of a staged, sustainable redeployment process already permanently assigning team members to new roles. “Training is at the heart of everything that we do and our approach to autonomy is to ensure that no one at Fortescue is displaced as a result of this important initiative,” Gaines said. “We are working closely with our team members to offer professional development opportunities to expand their capabilities and provide pathways to a significant range of different roles throughout the company.”

OZ had worked with contractor Pybar on the underground development up until the Downer announcement. In July 2016, Pybar was awarded a $65 million contract to build the Carrapateena decline for OZ. The development of Carrapateena, about 160km north of Port Augusta, was approved by OZ last August. Carrapateena has been forecast to average annual production of 65,000t of copper and 67,000oz of gold over a 20-year mine life. Carrapateena has been scheduled for commissioning by fourth quarter 2019 and is expected to create around 1000 jobs during construction.

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

CATERPILLAR RELEASES TRIO OF ARTICULATED TRUCKS Caterpillar has launched three articulated trucks — 730, 730 EJ (Ejector) and 735 — to replace the manufacturer’s C Series predecessors. The updated trucks offer new operator stations, transmission-protection features, a new hoistassist system, an advanced traction control system, new stability-assist system, and a fuel-saving ECO operating mode. The 730 and 730 EJ have 28t payload capacity and the 735 has 32t. Caterpillar has enhanced the 730 and 730 EJ with automatic retarder control and a hill-start feature. The 735 retains these features from the C Series model and further incorporates a new Cat C13 ACERT engine, Cat CX31 transmission and structural and dimensional modifications that reduce empty weight by 22 per cent. These features combine for a fuel efficiency gain of as much as 18 per cent while retaining the productivity of the previous model. According to Cat, a new combined transmission-and-hoist lever provides efficient, single-lever control of vehicle speed and bodyhoisting functions to reduce operator effort and THE NEW CAT 735 AND 730 ARTICULATED TRUCKS.

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to automate repetitive operations. The standard Cat Detect/Stability-Assist system monitors the working angle of the tractor and body, as well as the grade, and cautions the operator if the machine is approaching the set threshold angle, stopping the dump process if continued action may result in potential tipping. The 730 EJ is designed to eject loads while traveling, providing positive dumping of the entire load, even when the material is sticky. Cat has further enhanced the safe operation of the machines with the Advanced Automatic Traction Control system, which features refined technology for proactively applying differential locks to avoid wheel spin. A throttle-smoothing system also prevents acceleration surges when traveling over extremely rough terrain. The optional Cat Connect PAYLOAD technology calculates payload via sensors on the suspension, and load-status lights at all four corners of the cab roof ensure visibility to the loader operator from any angle. The C13 engine used in all the new trucks is available in configurations to meet emissions standards in all regions of the world.

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NEWS

EPIROC RELEASES UNDERGROUND AUTOMATION PACKAGE

SANDFIRE ADDS LIFE TO DEGRUSSA MINE

Equipment manufacturer Epiroc is promising greater safety and efficiency in underground mining through several new automation features for the Scooptram underground loader. According to Epiroc, the Scooptram Automation Regular package allows the Scooptram to be controlled through an operator station from a remote location. “With the new Scooptram Automation Regular package, the operator can control the loader even while it is out of sight from a safe stationary or mobile control station,” Epiroc product manager of automation Vladimir Sysoev said. “The automation package also makes it possible for our customers to quickly and easily transition from manual to automatic mode, which is crucial in mines with a dynamic environment or quick advancements. “The automation package is an effective way for our customers to boost their productivity in today’s world, where mining operations have to contend with a variety of complicated production issues.” To minimise environmental impact and keep personnel out of harm’s way while production proceeds quickly and smoothly, Epiroc believes automation is key. With its new automation package, production and the efficient utilisation of machinery can continue even during shift changes and when personnel are not safely permitted in the work area, for example, when the mine has not yet been adequately ventilated or when there is a substantial risk of falling debris after blasting. The operator can make swift transitions from manual to automatic mode to quickly adapt to the situation at hand, according to Epiroc. “The Scooptram Automation Regular package allows our customers to automate a single loader without having to spend lots of time and money making extensive infrastructure alterations,” Sysoev said. The automation package includes cameras, sensors and safety modules that are mounted onto the Scooptram, as well as a safety system that is easily installed in the mine. If a person or another machine should enter the Scooptram’s work vicinity while the safety system is enabled, the Scooptram will automatically shut down to avoid causing potential harm. “Productivity and workers’ well-being go hand in hand. An automated loader from Epiroc works to protect both,” Sysoev said.

Sandfire Resources has extended the mine life of the DeGrussa copper-gold operation in Western Australia. The Perth-based company updated the operation’s mine plan, mineral resource and ore reserve, including outcomes of a review of unconverted measured and indicated resources in technically and economically assessed zones, resulting in their conversion to ore reserves. This, together with an upgrade to the mineral resource at the Conductor 5 deposit, has added around 1.3Mt of copper, at 3.5 per cent grading, for 46,000t of copper to the DeGrussa reserve. DeGrussa’s mine life has been extended to early-2022, from the previous 2021 outlook, with the upgrades. The updated mine plan, incorporating the near-by Monty mine, now totals 6.6Mt, at grading 5 per cent copper and 1.6g/t gold, for 332,000t of contained copper and 354,000oz of contained gold. Sandfire managing director Karl Simich said the updated mine plan and ore reserves reflected the success of diligent work programs completed over the past six to 12 months to re-evaluate key zones of mineralisation within the broader DeGrussa underground mineral resource inventory. “This work has been undertaken with the aid of improved technical understanding and increased drilling within many of these areas and against the backdrop of continued strength and the strong outlook for the copper market,” Simich said. “The conversion of a material component of our broader mineral resource inventory to ore reserves means that our overall mine plan underpins a mine life which now extends into 2022. “This is a great result which puts us in a very strong position to continue to take full advantage of the current and anticipated strength in the copper market.” Sandfire produced 15,531t of copper and 10,926oz of gold in the March quarter. The company is also making progress on the development of the Monty project, with first ore on track to be delivered in the second quarter of the 2019 financial year. Simich added Sandfire was continuing to pursue an aggressive exploration campaign across the Greater Doolgunna district, where it has expanded its footprint to over 6600km2 through a farm-in agreement with Auris Minerals. “A discovery anywhere within this belt will add further value to what we already have at DeGrussa and Monty,” he said.

RIO TINTO TO DOUBLE AUTONOMOUS DRILL FLEET Rio Tinto plans to double its fleet of autonomous drills in order to “create a safer working environment and boost productivity across its world-class iron ore operations in Western Australia”, according to a company statement. Currently, Rio has seven autonomous drills in operation at the West Angelas mine in the Pilbara, Western Australia and recently retrofitted four drills with autonomous drill system (ADS) technology at the Yandicoogina mine (also in the Pilbara). Following the announcement of a ramp-up in autonomous drill usage, Rio plans to introduce nine more drills by the end of the year, bringing its total fleet to 20. According to Kellie Parker, Rio Tinto managing director, planning, integration and assets, iron ore, the expansion will bring significant productivity gains, bringing improved accuracy and consistency while also enabling safer drilling. “The deployment of additional rigs, operated from our operations centre in Perth, offers significant advantages as part of our integrated system, which optimises our autonomous trains, trucks and drills and provides increased operability and flexibility,” Parker said. “As pioneers of automation and innovation, we continue exploring new technologies to ensure Rio Tinto remains a leader in the global mining industry.” Rio has long been a purveyor of automated technology particularly across its fleet of trucks. The company conducted its first autonomous drill tests at West Angelas in 2008 and is currently deep into testing of its autonomous train system, which is expected to launch by the end of this year. So far, Rio’s 11 automated rigs have drilled more than 5000km. AUSTRALIANMINING

JUNE 2018

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MINING EQUIPMENT

MORE THAN 50 YEARS DEVELOPING DRILL RIGS HAS LED SANDVIK TO THE DX900I.

SANDVIK TARGETS A BIGGER PIECE OF THE PIE IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE THE EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER’S LATEST RANGE OF DRILL RIGS DEMONSTRATES A CONSISTENT DIRECTION FOR ITS MINING AND ROCK TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS. BEN CREAGH WRITES.

andvik Mining and Rock Technology has designed the new Ranger DXi series of surface drill rigs to represent a totally new generation of the product family. The latest DXi rigs deliver more than just an update to the series, however, with Sandvik moving the top hammer drill in a direction that reflects the technological requirements of modern-day mines and quarries. Sandvik launched the Ranger DX900i in Australia during April, several months after its global introduction at the company’s facility in Tampere, Finland. The largest model in the Ranger DXi series, the DX900i is expected to interest the Australian gold

industry, in particular. It will also be an attractive machine for larger quarry operations. While Sandvik has developed drilling solutions for the mining and quarrying industries for more than 50 years, it has made significant progress on its rigs over the past decade by adding notable features that improve operational efficiencies and productivity. It has consistently focused on achieving this mechanically for the past five decades, with the inclusion of the Volvo Penta engine on a Sandvik drill for the first time being a significant development on this model. Now, the development of Sandvik’s drills is driven just as much by technology. The features of the latest Ranger DXi drill rigs AUSTRALIANMINING

promise to make this generation no exception from this perspective. But firstly to the updated design of the Ranger DX900i, which, with a counterweight revolving superstructure and enhanced stability has been developed to enable improved drilling coverage. The Ranger DX900i has a 290-degree reach, allowing for drilling coverage of 55 square metres, a capability that saves working time and minimises the need to reposition the rig. Despite the rig’s ability to rotate, its counterweight structure is designed to bolster the machine’s stability by maintaining weight opposite the boom. The entire series is also extremely mobile because of a low centre of gravity and high-tramming power.

JUNE 2018

The mobility of the Ranger series is an advantage it has over the larger DPi series, a range more frequently used in the mining industry. To add drilling efficiency, Sandvik has included 21–27kW of power and a new range of GT60 rock tools, enabling straighter drilling of 92–127mm holes. Sandvik business line manager, surface drilling and exploration, Scott Wright, says the DX900i is suited for drilling conditions across Australia’s major gold mining regions, such as the Goldfields in Western Australia. “In the Goldfields around Kalgoorlie there are a lot of DP1100i and DP1500i drill rigs, so the DX900i will fit in with them for smaller holes around the 89mm or 102mm mark — that is the sweet

MINING EQUIPMENT

SANDVIK EXPERT ILKKA LAHDELMA ADDRESSES THE CROWD AT THE RANGER DX900I LAUNCH.

THERE IS QUITE A LOT OF INTEREST FROM MINING CUSTOMERS BECAUSE IT IS BASICALLY VERY SIMILAR IN TERMS OF CAPABILITY TO THE 1100.”

THE DX900I IS DESIGNED FOR STRAIGHTER DRILLING OF 92–127MM HOLES.

spot for it,” Wright tells Australian Mining at the Ranger DX900i launch in Melbourne. “The DX900i is very similar to the DP1100 rock drill. There is quite a lot of interest from mining customers because it is basically very similar in terms of capability to the 1100.” The DX900i has a slightly larger hole diameter than sister product DX800i (89–140mm vs. 64–127mm), which in combination with its higher horsepower makes the new rig wellsuited to difficult rock areas. As always in today’s mining environment, technology, through data management and autonomous features, has been a priority in the development of this range The new series is equipped

with the latest versions of Sandvik intelligence, including full hole automatics, troubleshooting functions, iTorque drilling control system, full radio remote control and optional extras available for hole navigation, on-board data collection, wireless data transfer and drill plan creation and analytics. Sandvik’s technological progress not only reflects the demands of modern-day mining companies, but also the general direction the equipment manufacturer is taking with its new machinery releases. Ilkka Lahdelma, Sandvik product management director, surface drilling and exploration, says incorporating these features is crucial for the modern mining environment, which AUSTRALIANMINING

is increasingly focused on using automation and data. “Being able to connect the machine to upper level systems, so, basically receiving data and sending data back … that’s the focus for mining nowadays. It is the minimal requirement,” Lahdelma tells Australian Mining. “The thing is you are not able to control processes without the data, and that’s the actual key (because) when you go forward without data you can’t improve your processes.” Lahdelma adds that Sandvik now only builds machines up to this standard to reflect the emerging demands of mine operators. He also points out that the machines are upgradable, and can incorporate new systems and technologies that enter the marketplace. “We don’t build any other kind of machine (now). Our new designs will always have this type of intelligence,” he says, “we are going to develop more and more features on top of this platform. “In the coming years if the customer wants to buy a machine that doesn’t have some features then we will be able to add them later on much easier than with the old traditional rigs where we had to install something.

JUNE 2018

“Because they are now computerbased machines we are able to change the software or change the behaviour of the machines for certain conditions.” The Ranger DXi series’ new iCab combines upgraded mechanics with these technological capabilities. Sandvik’s focus for the development of the new iCab cabin has been on operator ergonomics and low cabin noise. It developed a new user interface based on several customer trials, while cabin noise levels have been reduced in cooperation with Finnish Technical Research Center, VTT, to 73.5 decibels, a level Sandvik claims has never been achieved on this class of drill rig. Sandvik says it has received positive feedback on the ergonomics, joysticks and control panels. The cabin also features room for a trainer behind the operator seat. The Ranger family of rigs are supported by Sandvik’s parts and services offering, including rock tools, performance fluids and consumables. Sandvik’s customer support centres are spread around Australia. Victorian contractor Maxfield Drilling is the operator of Australia’s first DX900i drill rig and planned to immediately put the machine into the field. AM

MINING EQUIPMENT

CATERPILLAR HITS MILESTONE WITH 5000TH 793 MINING TRUCK THE 793 MINING TRUCK WAS LAUNCHED IN 1991. NOW IN ITS FIFTH GENERATION, THE 5000TH VEHICLE HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR AN AUSTRALIAN MINING CUSTOMER.

aterpillar’s 793 mining truck has been a common sight on Australian mine sites for nearly three decades. Australia, along with North and South America, hosts the largest number of 793s, which are regularly found operating at iron ore, copper, coal and gold mines. Caterpillar reached a milestone with the truck this year by assembling the 5000th edition of the popular haul vehicle, 27 years after the first vehicle was produced. The milestone-reaching truck will be operated by an Australian mining customer, fitting when the truck’s history in this country is considered. In production since 1991, the 5000th truck assembled by Cat

represents the fifth generation of the 793. Data generated by the equipment manufacturer show the milestone production figure significantly exceeds the manufacture of any other brand in the 250-ton (227-tonne) class. The latest generation, the 793F, has become a popular choice for autonomous operation, with more than 100 of these vehicles now operating via Command for hauling, the autonomous truck operating system that is part of Cat’s MineStar technology. Western Australia’s iron ore mines are home to most of the autonomous trucks, however, their presence is expanding into North and South America. Caterpillar vice president Jean Savage, who is responsible for the

surface mining and technology division, says the 793 mining truck is the core of Cat surface mining vehicles. “The 793 has been an integral part of making Caterpillar the leading supplier of surface mining equipment. I thank the assembly team as well as those who developed the truck and those who support the trucks working in mines around the world,” Savage says. With Cat autonomous trucks delivering productivity gains of more than 20 per cent, while improving safety and reducing costs, the equipment manufacturer continues to see interest in this technology grow. The driverless vehicles have hauled more than 700Mt since the first trucks were launched about four years ago.

A 793F MINING TRUCK BEING LOADED BY A CAT WHEEL LOADER.

AUSTRALIANMINING

JUNE 2018

Cat’s global product manager for large mining trucks, Sudhanshu Singh, says the success of the 793 supported the manufacturer’s belief that it is the most productive and cost-effective truck in a wide range of applications. “The 793’s success is a direct result of collaboration with customers, Cat dealers and cross functional teams within the Caterpillar organisation — who have worked to optimise the performance of Cat trucks in a wide range of applications,” Singh says. “Our very first 793 truck, placed in service 27 years ago, is still in service delivering best-in-class cost per ton.” The 793 truck has become well known for its durability. One 793, built in 1992 and operating in the US, has accumulated 173,000 operating hours. AM

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LITHIUM MINING

TRUCKS BEGIN HAULING PRODUCT FROM BALD HILL TO THE PORT OF ESPERANCE.

LITHIUM ANTICIPATION RISES TO ANOTHER LEVEL FROM MARKET DARLING TO AUSTRALIAN MINING’S MAJOR GROWTH SECTOR, LITHIUM’S EXPANSION HAS BEEN UNDENIABLE. BEN CREAGH DISCUSSES THE BOOM SECTOR WITH TAWANA RESOURCES MD MARK CALDERWOOD.

ustralia’s lithium sector was tipped to see a surge in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and operational development this year — and so far it hasn’t disappointed. The fanfare that has followed lithium in recent years, mainly due to forecasted demand for the manufacture of batteries and electric vehicles (EVs), is seemingly coming to fruition as companies merge, become takeover targets or consider growth projects at Western Australian sites.

Tawana Resources’ joint venture with Alliance Mineral Assets at the Bald Hill mine has demonstrated the changing fundamentals of the sector. A year after forming the JV at the site near Kambalda, ASXlisted Tawana and Singapore-listed Alliance moved to consolidate ownership of the operation when they revealed plans to merge in April. The JV had launched spodumene production at the mine a month earlier, just seven months after construction started at the site. It then completed its first shipment of 3205t from the Port of Esperance in early May. AUSTRALIANMINING

By merging, the partners hope to simplify the project’s ownership structure and operational management. The merger, still subject to approvals at the time of writing, is being executed through a scheme of arrangement where shareholders of both companies will hold around 50 per cent of the combined entity each. Once completed, the merged company will trade in Australia and Singapore, with a market cap of close to $450 million. Tawana chief executive officer Mark Calderwood describes the

JUNE 2018

merger with Alliance as a “reflection of the market as a whole” where larger companies will benefit. “The money seems to go to the bigger companies unfortunately. The funders don’t like smaller companies … they will more readily put money into company shares with a stronger balance sheet, bigger market capitalisation and better liquidity,” Calderwood tells Australian Mining. “We will be dual-listed as well, and the only Singapore-listed lithium producer. You will end up winning more support the bigger you are … rather than being two companies

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THE MARKET CAPS (OF LITHIUM COMPANIES) ARE ON THE MOVE SO IT IS HARD FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING AT ASSETS, BUT IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE LITHIUM PRICE GOING FORWARD THERE IS STILL A LOT OF ROOM FOR THESE COMPANIES.”

BALD HILL’S LI2O CONCENTRATE REACHES 7 PER CENT.

producing 100,000–150,000t (of spodumene concentrate) each, we will be one company producing 200,000–300,000t, which puts us in a nice size range with turnover to make it more appealing.” Tawana paved the way for the merger in March when it outlined plans to restructure three early-stage assets into a new company so if could add focus on Bald Hill. The company is in the process of establishing the new entity, known as SpinCo, which will comprise the Cowan and Yallari lithium projects and the Mofe Creek iron ore project. Calderwood believes the merger between Tawana and Alliance is an unusual deal when compared to typical mining M&A activity, as it proposes to combine two companies with a single asset. He compares it, on some levels, to the deal Galaxy Resources did with JV partner General Mining in 2016, a transaction that created a company worth more than $700 million at the time. That deal focused on the WAbased Mt Cattlin lithium operation, the primary asset of a JV formed between Galaxy and General a year earlier. From a broader perspective, he says the M&A activity that has started to emerge in Australia and abroad recently may be a sign of things to come for the lithium sector. “There is going to be some interesting tension in the industry, but I don’t know at what level though, whether it is at the production level or at the converter level in China,” Calderwood says. “There is already some tension there. There’s people taking each other out. I suspect there will continue to be tension in the market, people sniffing around for each other.

“The market caps (of lithium companies) are on the move so it is hard for people that are looking at assets, but if you believe in the lithium price going forward there is still a lot of room for these companies.” If this year’s wave of activity, and potential activity, in Australia’s lithium sector is any indication, then tension is certainly building, as Calderwood suggests. Almost all of the country’s major players in the lithium industry over recent years have been involved through to mid-May. At Western Australia’s leading lithium mine, Greenbushes, also the world’s largest operation, plans were revealed for another expansion of the site in response to growing demand from the battery and EV sectors in March. Operator Talison Lithium is working with MSP Engineering

(MSPE) on a feasibility study for further expansion of the production capacity at the mine in the state’s South West region. Later in March, Altura Mining, which is developing the Pilgangoora project in the Pilbara region, confirmed that it had been in discussions with a Chinese company in regards to a potential takeover. Diversified mining group Mineral Resources then launched a process to sell up to 49 per cent of the Wodgina lithium project in the Pilbara. The company’s plan to sell a stake in Wodgina follows it receiving numerous unsolicited approaches from lithium processors, battery manufacturers, international trading companies and automakers that are interested in a direct investment or securing offtake agreements. Australia’s Kidman Resources and joint venture partner, Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM), revealed plans to build a new lithium refinery at Kwinana in Western Australia in May. It is expected the refinery will produce about 40,000t of lithium carbonate a year, as well as lithium hydroxide from the minerals processed at the JV’s proposed mine and concentrator at Mt Holland near Southern Cross. Pilbara Minerals, meanwhile, remains on track to deliver first spodumene concentrate from its

STOCKPILES OF CONCENTRATE BUILD AT THE WA MINE.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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Pilgangoora project in the Pilbara during the current quarter. The company also expects to make a final investment decision (FID) on an expansion of the operation during the September quarter, with a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the growth project being prepared for a mid-2018 release. While lithium has enjoyed significant support since prices for the commodity started to surge several years ago, it has also had its sceptics, with predictions of a bubble prevalent. Calderwood concedes that this perception still threatens investment, but also believes it provides a positive spin for the evolving marketplace. “It is healthy to have that. I remember the gold days when you had 95 per cent of people saying that gold is going up, but that’s when gold was finished,” Calderwood says. “Having naysayers, you need that balance in the market I think. It keeps things healthy. You have that in most commodities now.” Those sceptics may still be out there, however, it’s fair to say they are quieter now than in the past as the sector’s growth reaches the next level. AM As this article was written in midMay there may have been further developments in the rapidly evolving Australian lithium industry since.

80 YEARS OF THE VERY BEST In 1938, Charles Warman came up with an idea that would totally revolutionise the mining industry. As soon as Warman’s pumps came on to the scene, they became the very best you could buy. If it wasn’t Warman, you were wasting your time. Over the course of 80 years, Warman pumps spread across the globe driven by the ethos to always innovate. Soon, Warman became a global brand with a bigger influence than even the forward-thinking Charles Warman could ever have imagined. All over the world, Warman is known as the very best. It’s always been Warman, and it always will be.

To find out more visit www.alwayswarman.weir

www.minerals.weir Copyright © 2018, Weir Minerals Australia Ltd. All rights reserved. WARMAN is a trade mark and/or registered trade mark of Weir Minerals Australia Ltd and Weir Group African IP Ltd. WEIR and the WEIR logo are trade marks and/or registered trade marks of Weir Engineering Services Ltd.

MINING WASTE

L-MAX COULD BE AN IMPORTANT NEXT STEP FOR LITHIUM CHEMICAL EXTRACTION.

LEPIDICO’S L-MAX TECHNOLOGY MAXIMISES MICA’S LITHIUM POTENTIAL LEPIDICO IS MAKING WAVES IN THE LITHIUM INDUSTRY WITH ITS L-MAX TECHNOLOGY, WHICH CAN EXTRACT VALUABLE BATTERY-GRADE LITHIUM CHEMICALS FROM PREVIOUSLY IGNORED MICA SOURCES. EWEN HOSIE EXPLAINS.

ublicly-listed, Perthbased company Lepidico has been turning heads in the lithium industry since it unveiled its proprietary L-Max lithium extraction system in 2016. L-Max allows for the extraction of valuable lithium chemical from mica and phosphate mineral concentrates, a process that was until recently considered too complicated or

costly to pursue at a commercial scale. The project grew from the efforts of a team of metallurgists from Strategic Metallurgy, which began working on the process around 2014. They eventually developed a method whereby the concentrate is saturated with sulphuric acid, which leaches the elements of interest into a solution prior to a series of impurity removal precipitated steps at different pH ranges, generating lithium chemicals AUSTRALIANMINING

and a fleet of by-products, including valuable sources of sodium silicate and sulphate of potash. This method is more ecologically sound than other tailings-heavy processes, leaving behind a residue of benign white powder that is comprised of around 50 per cent gypsum. It also maxes out at about 100 degrees Celsius and is conducted at atmospheric pressure, making for a low-energy intensive extraction process.

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Managing director Joe Walsh and his team at Lepidico have within the last couple of years identified the city of Sudbury, Ontario as a prime location for the development of the company’s first L-Max chemical plant, in part due to its proximity to two large nickel smelters that can provide sufficient quantities of sulphuric acid for commercial-scale L-Max extraction. Speaking from Toronto, Walsh explains why lithium-rich micas have

MINING WASTE

until recently been neglected by the industry at large. “Until about five years ago or so, the lithium price was $5000-6000/t and annual lithium demand growth was in the single digits, allowing the existing lithium chemical producers to satisfy market requirements,” he tells Australian Mining. “There wasn’t a need for any significant new supply, so while lithium micas were known about, they were of largely academic interest. “The lithium chemical market now has strong double digit demand growth annually, with an incentive price well over $10,000/t for lithium carbonate; new sources of lithium are now being sought including the lithium micas which while not mainstream are no longer being overlooked.” Lepidico is coming into the lithium market at a buoyant time, encouraged by rising electric vehicle (EV) demand, which has seen government incentives across the world to expedite adoption; for example, Norway and the Netherlands have pledged to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2020 and the United Kingdom and France have pledged the same by 2040 (2032 in Scotland). China is also aggressively pursuing a petrol-free future, having set targets of at least 10 per cent of new car sales

being zero-emission cars by 2019, and 12 per cent by 2020. And there has also been interest from academia too. Since heading to Canada, Lepidico has entered into talks with Sudbury-based Laurentian University to evaluate whether or not the residue left over from the L-Max production process can be converted into valuable materials for landfill encapsulation via biomass mixing. “If we are successful with this body of work, we’ll have a perfect chemical process in the sense that the feed and reagents combine to produce a suite of valuable products with zero waste,” says Walsh. “We will end up with a process that has no waste products and whose only emission is steam.” In addition to the L-Max process for which it is most known, Lepidico recently announced a new, patented hydrometallurgical process dubbed S-Max that can serve as a second process technology arm for the company. S-Max allows for the production of marketable amorphous silica — a key material in areas such as chromatography (chemical separation) and microelectronics — sourced from the leach residue of the aforementioned sulphuric acid leach. The process has been in development in collaboration between the company and Strategic Metallurgy P/L for over

LEPIDICO EMPLOYEES PERFORMING A MINI PLANT RUN.

a year. “Compared to existing processes, S-Max should be an extremely lowcost way of producing amorphous silica when combined with L-Max process,” says Walsh. “It’s effectively a second process limb to L-Max; the two start off with a similar feed, but then downstream from that, S-Max allows for further refinement in the production process on the initial L-Max reside stream.” Lepidico’s planned phase one plant in Sudbury is the subject of a feasibility study that is evaluating a concentrate processing capacity

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of 30,000 tonnes a year (t/y) — producing 2500–3000t/y of nominal battery-grade lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) — with an overall capital expenditure in the region of $US40–45 million ($53–60 million). The company hopes to achieve operational status by 2020, and by the early 2020s upgrade to a full-scale plant capable of over 20,000t/y LCE, nearly 10 per cent of the current lithium market. Lepidico is entering at an exciting time, embracing the next step on the ladder to becoming a low-cost lithium producer of international renown. AM

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TRACKING THE TRENDS

THE CREATION OF A NEW IMAGE FOR MINING

PHOTO CREDIT: FORTESCUE METALS GROUP

MINING COMPANIES HAVE FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING A MORE POSITIVE IMAGE FOR THE INDUSTRY IN RECENT YEARS. DELOITTE’S IAN SANDERS EXPLAINS HOW THIS IS HAPPENING. BEN CREAGH REPORTS.

he general perception of mining outside of the industry itself has not always been positive. In Australia, mining is a standout contributor to the local economy. During the global financial crisis of a decade ago, it was a crucial reason why Australia wasn’t as affected as many nations around the world were. And despite the commodities downturn of earlier this decade, mining remained one of the most influential industries in the country. This ongoing contribution has not, however, been enough to overcome perceptions that mining causes damage to the environment, has a negative impact on local communities near operations, and it engages in dubious practices around the world. In recent years, mining companies have increasingly focused on

FORTESCUE EMPLOYEES ASSESS THE LOCAL PILBARA ENVIRONMENT, AN IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY.

improving the image of the industry. But, as Deloitte explains in its 2018 Tracking the Trends report, mining companies are still operating under a legacy of these negative perceptions. It is an ongoing process for them to update the image of mining, and one that involves changing the perceptions of the public, employees and customers. Deloitte Australia national mining leader Ian Sanders believes mining companies can move towards changing the perception of the industry in two ways: (1) re-engaging their employees and (2) strengthening their stakeholder ecosystem. “Re-engaging employees is part of the cultural revolution that I believe we are going to experience in the next three to five years in the mining sector,” Sanders tells Australian Mining. “When I think about re-engaging AUSTRALIANMINING

employees, (BHP chief executive) Andrew Mackenzie is quoted from time to time saying that’s one of the key productivity levers in their cultural environment. “If we look at the culture in mining five years ago versus where it is going to be in five years time there will be a clearer focus from all organisations on inclusion and diversity.” Sanders adds the focus on diversity is not just about gender and increasing the ratio of females in what has traditionally been a maledominated industry. He says this focus also includes diversity of thought, including at operations, in corporate offices and with key stakeholders. “If I look at that agenda, organisations are really focusing on it now. They are building strategies around what they can do now, and in three or five years time,” Sanders says.

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“They are really engaging, and re-engaging employees and saying as a group you can be more involved in helping us achieve these outcomes. “They are looking at how employees can be more involved in helping get out into communities and into educational institutions to help us achieve these outcomes.” Deloitte points to several efforts made in the Australian mining industry to re-engage employees and regain trust, including the mounting focus on mental health to address the internal and external pressures workers face. In Australia, as part of a state–wide campaign to generate awareness of mental health issues, Rio Tinto’s Hunter Valley mines traded their standard yellow truck trays for blue to indicate their improved capacity to provide support and related health programs.

TRACKING THE TRENDS

Glencore also introduced the Mates in Mining program in Queensland to encourage more open talk about the risk of suicide. When looking at their stakeholder ecosystem, Sanders says major miners like Rio Tinto and BHP have been working towards bolstering their relationships with governments, employees and communities for several years to increase trust in their organisations. For example, both companies moved to erase questions around their tax contributions in the countries in which they operate by becoming more transparent on their finances. Rio Tinto was the first mover in this regard, setting a new standard for tax transparency by voluntarily disclosing details of the taxes and royalties it pays on an annual basis. BHP followed Rio’s move in 2015, committing to develop detailed taxes–paid reports, making the two companies industry leaders in their goal to enhance public accountability and improve corporate credibility. There are various stakeholder ecosystems mining companies are focusing on, Sanders explains. “Government is first and foremost, then they have to be in the heart and minds of their employees and shareholders. And being as transparent as possible about your environmental footprint is also very

important,” Sanders says. “Rio Tinto and BHP are now really demonstrating to the broader economy what these mining giants are contributing to.” Sanders says the social impact mining companies are making on stakeholders is top of mind more than it has been in the past. “Organisations are making sure that they are clearly articulating how they are trying to impact not only the local communities in which they operate but working more closely with them,” he says. “That couples into local supply

chains as well. We are seeing more and more evidence of mining companies in their local jurisdiction trying to work more closely with local organisations to educate them more, to build better skills and to bring more skills in so that they can employ more people through the direct and indirect workforce within that community.” Leading strategies to improve the image of mining (source: Deloitte): Enhance transparency. Companies have improved the transparency of their tax disclosures. A similar spirit will likely need to pervade

their broader activities going forward. Miners need to more clearly demonstrate the role the industry plays in supporting and sustaining economic growth. Companies must share examples of the efforts they are making to remediate any environmental damage they cause. They must be more proactive in sharing the impact they are making in local communities and countries, not only in terms of employment, but also in terms of infrastructure investments, improved access to education, and healthcare programs. Up efforts to build, measure and report on sustainability. While many governments now require certain disclosures, over–reporting shows a real commitment to sustainability. Companies can only do this, however, if they invest in tools that can help them report consistently and with the same rigor used for financial disclosure. Develop a crisis management response plan. Mining companies must continually work to educate their stakeholders about the industry and keep them apprised of corporate activities. This means staying ahead of the curve by anticipating criticism and having a ready response. To repair reputations, mining companies must consistently be honest and upfront about any incidents and how they are addressing them. AM

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MINING SERVICES

ALWAYS WARMAN 80 YEARS ON THE WARMAN PUMP IS CELEBRATING 80 YEARS AS A GLOBAL LEADER IN THE MINING INDUSTRY. AUSTRALIAN MINING RETELLS THE HISTORY OF THIS INNOVATIVE BRAND KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD.

he Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) has produced some of the most notable names in the history of the Australian mining industry. Amongst those is Charles Warman, inventor of the Warman Pump in 1938. Eighty years have passed since Charles Warman created the Warman Pump in Kalgoorlie and his legacy as its inventor remains as strong as ever. Today, the Warman Pump is designed and manufactured by Weir Minerals, a global provider of technology and services for the mining industry, which acquired the everexpanding Warman brand in 1999. Weir Minerals celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Warman Pump with an event in Kalgoorlie last month, commemorating its storied history and looking to the future. The event was a chance to celebrate the brand’s success, having retained its leadership over such a long period, according to Terese Withington, regional managing director for Weir Minerals Asia Pacific. “Not only did we celebrate the history of Warman, but we also had an insight into future innovations, which is very exciting,” Terese Withington explains. “The Warman pump is a great Australian export story, and where better to celebrate its history and future than in Kalgoorlie, the birthplace of the Warman pump. It has certainly shaped the mining industry, not only in Australia but across the globe.” Weir Minerals invited a variety of people who have influenced the success of the Warman Pump over the past 80 years to the event, including customers, design houses, members of WASM, as well as a few current and past employees. To continue the celebration, Weir Minerals will also hold similar events around the world to recognise the global expansion of the Warman Pump. “We will run an online campaign where viewers can watch a multitude of videos on Warman, hear from a generation of experts, learn about our innovations and some of the longstanding pumps we have on sites around the world,” Ricardo Garib, Weir Minerals division president says. “We are all extremely proud of the Warman pump and its heritage; it has stood the test of time and continues to be at the forefront of slurry pumping technology

THE WARMAN PUMP WAS LAUNCHED IN KALGOORLIE.

80 years on.” Here, Australian Mining summarises the key moments that have shaped the distinguished history of the Warman Pump over the past eight decades.

1930–1940

WASM graduate Charles Warman starts work as a design draftsman in Kalgoorlie’s largest gold mine in 1931. Unhappy with inefficiencies in mining at the time, especially the pumps, Warman starts work on a new invention in the area. By 1938, he invents a new pump that uses replaceable liners and an easily replaceable impeller — the Warman Pump is born.

1940–1960

Charles Warman sets up a private consulting practice while continuing to upgrade the Warman Pump. It isn’t until after World War 2 that manufacturing of the pump begins in earnest. From a Kalgoorlie manufacturing plant, nicknamed Hippodrome, Warman Pumps spread across Australia. As demand rises, offices are set up in Sydney and Perth. By the end of the AUSTRALIANMINING

1950s, the pumps account for 90 per cent of the Western Australian market.

1960–1980

By the 1960s, Warman has manufacturing licences across the globe. The Warman Series “A” Pump is considered the world leader — a position retained to this day. Rapid growth continues for Warman Pump in the 1970s, with licences set up in Japan, the United States, South Africa, Europe, the Philippines, South America and more. To reflect this growth, the company is renamed Warman International. But Warman retains its roots through expansion at its Sydney manufacturing facility, developing it into the only plant in the world where slurry pumps are designed, totally manufactured and tested in the one self-contained site.

1980–2000

Warman International continues to expand in the 1980s, with an increase in exports throughout South America, and manufacturing in China. The first manufacturing plant in Chile was set up in 1990. Thanks to this continued growth and the expansion of Warman products, sales increase by 75 per cent

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despite a global financial dip. In 1988, the Warman Design and Build Competition is set up to help foster innovation in engineering students. Now in its 30th year, it is a prime example of how those working with Warman Pumps are always focused on the future. In 1999, Warman International joins the Weir Group — the beginning of a whole new chapter.

2000–2018

The early part of 21st century sees the global reach of the Warman Pump extend, strengthening its presence in Latin America, North America and Europe. Weir Minerals oversees a range of technological improvements to the Warman pump. In 2005 the first pressure relief system is added and 2009 sees the development of the new Warman WBH pump, featuring a new revolutionary impeller and inlet design. In 2008, South Africa’s CH Warman is acquired by Weir Group, consolidating all aspects of Warman. With Weir Minerals, the Warman Pump continued to break new ground and lead the industry with innovative designs and products. AM

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PROSPECT AWARDS

ROX LOOKS TO IMPROVING MARKET ROX RESOURCES RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT ATTENTION WHEN IT WON EXPLORER OF THE YEAR AT THE 2015 AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS. EWEN HOSIE SPEAKS WITH MANAGING DIRECTOR IAN MULHOLLAND ABOUT THE COMPANY’S LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

he staff of Rox Resources has been busy since winning Explorer of the Year at the 2015 Australian Mining Prospect Awards. When Rox won the award, it had three active projects: Mt Fisher and Fisher East in Western Australia and a minority interest in the Reward zinc joint venture in the Northern Territory. The company discovered nickel sulphides at Fisher East in 2013 during an exploration program designed to target gold and nickel, eventually determining a mineral resource of 2 million tonnes (Mt) of ore at 2.5 per cent nickel for 50,000t of contained nickel. Given the realities of a depressed share market and nickel price at the time, Rox managing director Ian Mulholland states he found the win “quite a surprise” and that

the recognition from peers as very satisfying. “Old heads in the exploration game were congratulating us and were impressed with our work, but the market, being driven by commodity price sentiment, did not,” he explains. Since the award, several major developments at Rox have helped to shape the company further. It sold its 49 per cent minority interest in the Reward JV for the equivalent of $20 million cash in October 2016 when JV partner Teck Australia (a subsidiary of Canadian major Teck Resources) exercised its pre-emptive right to match an offer from Marindi Metals for the purchase of Rox’s share. The deal led to Supreme Court action between Rox and Marindi, which claimed Teck’s exercise of its pre-emptive right was not valid; this was eventually settled out of court with Rox paying Marindi an already

agreed break fee of $300,000. Things could have been different for the JV — Rox and Teck had received an AMEC Prospector Award for the Teena discovery at the project, but sufficient market value was not forthcoming. “In JV with Teck, we had defined a resource at the Teena prospect of 58Mt at 12.7 per cent zinc and lead,” says Mulholland. “It was a great discovery, but the market was not giving us any value in our share price for this project, so our best option was to monetise it and use the money to do something else.” The influx of funds means Rox does not need to raise money in the short- to medium term, proving useful for additional exploration ventures. Just one day after the shares in Reward were sold, Rox announced the acquisition of the Collurabbie project from Falcon Minerals for

ROX MANAGING DIRECTOR IAN MULHOLLAND WITH A SAMPLE OF NICKEL ORE.

AUSTRALIANMINING

JUNE 2018

$25,000 in cash and 7.5 million Rox shares, a total equivalent to $150,000. Within 70km of the Fisher East project, it represented a significant expansion for the company’s nickel portfolio. The company negotiated a cheap deal on the prospect due in part to the plunge in nickel prices at the time, but with the metal’s recent resurgence it could prove a wise investment. Rox is hopeful the “prediction of a strong nickel price environment over the next decade” eventuates, according to Mulholland. “We are starting to explore the tenements, but since 2015 things have been really tough for explorers, especially nickel explorers,” explains Mulholland. “The nickel price had a plunge that no-one expected and it put a lot of nickel mines out of business. “We thought we would try to identify some prospects that might add to what we have, so we identified Collurabbie and negotiated a good deal on that. If we can find more massive sulphide deposits like the one already present, it could be quite exciting. “Demand for nickel is now starting to pick up with the advent of electric cars and other requirements for large electric batteries — for example, the Tesla mega-battery in South Australia.” For Rox, things are looking up, with a sharp eye for a discovery, steady cash balance and renewed sense of focus. The company possesses some of the highest-grade nickel sulphide deposits in Australia and is among a small number of ASXlisted companies to also have JORC mineral resources of nickel sulphides. “Our cash position allows us to undertake significant exploration without the pressure of a forthcoming capital raise, which dogs so many junior explorers,” says Mulholland. “Hopefully, we will find ourselves in a position in the not too distant future where we can be considering development plans for Fisher East and Collurabbie. In the meantime, we’ll keep on exploring, which is something our peers recognise that we do very well.” AM

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MEASUREMENT & MONITORING

IMPROVING MANAGEMENT OF GAS MONITORING EQUIPMENT AMPCONTROL DISCUSSES ITS RECOMMENDATIONS SURROUNDING PROCESS, PROCEDURE AND VALIDATION OF GAS MONITORING EQUIPMENT AFTER CONCERNS WERE RAISED IN QUEENSLAND.

Mines Safety Alert from the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy in April has reinforced industry discussions regarding the effect of environmental factors on the monitoring performance of methane gas detectors. Outlining a number of recommendations for site senior executives to consider, one action highlighted within the alert specifically encourages the consideration of the impacts caused by ventilation velocities over the sensors and potential for the filter units on the sensors to become blocked. Diffusion type gas detectors are used in fixed, machine mounted and handheld applications in underground mines for the real-time detection of flammable and toxic gases. These detectors are reliant on the natural equalisation of gas concentrations inside and outside the detector, driven by the respective partial pressures of gases. This equalisation can be impeded (to a greater or lesser degree), by the necessary filters and hydrophobic barriers protecting the fragile sensing elements from the typically harsh mine environments. This impediment is present in all detectors and typically the gas detector design is verified to comply with the performance requirements of relevant Australian Standards. (AS/ NZS 60079.29.1 for flammable gases and AS/NZS 4641 for toxic gases and oxygen). Where the mine environment is dusty, airborne contaminants are deposited on the gas detector’s external surfaces, including its protective filters and barriers. The gradual accumulation of dust and other foreign matter on the protective filters and barriers can further inhibit the diffusion of gas into a detector, degrading the two key performance criteria of accuracy and speed of response. Both are critical for management of gas in mines and confined spaces to ensure that potential ignition sources can be removed by isolating

power from mining equipment when methane levels exceed specific values. Increasing contamination on a catalytic type flammable gas detectors gives rise to two key phenomena, including an increase in the response time of the detector and a reduction in the steady state reading. Laboratory testing on methane gas detectors was conducted under various environmental conditions and calibration procedures which could be found in underground coal mines. This variation on condition was found to impact the overall performance of the methane gas detector, with results showing that indicated gas levels could be higher or lower than the know applied gas level, depending on the scenario. Following this testing, the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy has issued a number of recommendations surrounding process, procedure and validation of gas monitoring equipment.

In light of these recommendations, Ampcontrol suggests adopting a regimented calibration process using a well-designed calibration mask. Records of detector readings before and after calibration should be retained and reviewed to identify long-term degradation, and response time testing should be an integral part of the maintenance procedure. Despite this approach, however, one of the key elements missing from diffusion gas testing and investigation is information regarding what actually constitutes a ‘blocked’ or compromised sensor. Furthermore, the relationships between sensor ‘blockage’ and sensor performance have been limited to qualitative observations. Ampcontrol is currently pioneering this research, with work well under way on a study of the fluid dynamics of diffusion gas detectors and their associated calibration cups. Using computationally intensive fluid dynamics software, the operation and characterising

HOW GAS LEVELS ARE MONITORED IN THE UNDERGROUND COAL INDUSTRY IS AGAIN IN FOCUS.

AUSTRALIANMINING

JUNE 2018

features of typical diffusion type sensor heads and calibration cups can be studied in detail, including the identification of factors that enhance and compromise the diffusion process. Computer simulation studies can be referenced against visualisation techniques using equivalent Reynolds numbers to give a pictorial view of the diffusion process. Using a ‘clean’ (uncontaminated) model as the reference, the effect of contamination of the detector can then be quantitatively analysed, and validated by experiment. Such results will inform the development of superior diffusion gas detectors and calibration cups, and provide guidelines as to the maintenance requirements of such detectors. Industry is encouraged to seek advice and support to comply with these recommendations, with Ampcontrol able to provide technical and operational services such as training and site audits. AM

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MANUFACTURING KABLEX HAS BEEN CREATED TO COMPETE ON PRICING, THE PROCESS AND QUALITY.

KABLEX DELIVERS AN ALTERNATIVE TO MINING’S CABLE SECTOR KABLEX, A NEW CABLE SPECIALIST, HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY AUSPROOF TO DELIVER AN ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY AND A CONTEMPORARY SERVICE APPROACH. AUSTRALIAN MINING EXPLAINS.

hat began as a sketch on paper, was later founded and registered by AusProof

directors in 2014. Four years on, KableX launched in April 2018 and has developed modern and futuristic concepts leading to patented technology, encompassing designs to provide the industry with improved cable servicing and repair efficiency. KableX’s research and development department worked tirelessly to deliver a fresh look to a previously steady cable repair and supply industry. With KableX looking to progress the industry into the 21st century, the innovative equipment is designed and manufactured in-house, ultimately making technology the customer’s gain. KableX executive technical officer Bruce Smith says the new business’ technology and customer gains will deliver another option to this sector in the mining industry. “KableX was created with the intention to allow customers another choice in the market. We can compete

with pricing, the process, the quality and also be an alternative supplier to the mining industry as a whole,” Smith explains. He says KableX’s goal is to be an intelligent cable service and repair company that allows the technicians to work closely with the end user to provide tailored solutions, as well as an alternative. KableX’s new designs and efficient concepts have been developed specifically for the industry. The company’s personnel will focus on adapting these solutions to the unique requirements of each mining company, with the overbearing approach that no two mine sites are the same. Smith believes this is a different method to the historical processes in the industry over several decades, and one that will be welcomed as KableX’s technology and approach are recognised over time. “I have close to 40 years’ experience in the mining cable industry. What we have done is look at the current and past processes, and designed new patented processes, some of our new equipment hasn’t been seen in Australia, and overseas AUSTRALIANMINING

WE CAN COMPETE WITH PRICING, THE PROCESS, THE QUALITY AND ALSO BE AN ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIER TO THE MINING INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.” for that matter,” he says. “We’ve planned for our individual sites to be using a lean manufacturing process. We are minimising both wastage and labour to try and reduce costs by increasing efficiency.” Smith says the workshops have been designed to deliver high-quality solutions, while also managing the occupational health and safety (OH&S) risks that exist in the sector. “We don’t want to be the type of manufacturing plant where cables lay on the workshop floor and our employees have to pick them up to work on them,” Smith says. “All of our equipment is elevated to an ergonomic height and we have designed the workshops to minimise the risks by making everything clean and open. This helps us mitigate the risk of back injuries and other physical practices that have been

JUNE 2018

customary in the industry. The fledgling business offers more than 50 years of combined employee experience in the repair sector, with its personnel also involved in the development of cable and plug industry standards. KableX has the capacity to recover up to three cables at a time, with internally-powered trailers designed to collect cables from multiple sites, where they can be left with an operator to pick up the cable while the prime move can travel to the next mine. The foundation sites for KableX’s workshops are located at Singleton in New South Wales and Dysart in Queensland. KableX meets the AS/NZS 1747 requirement and only uses equipment and materials that are compliant to AS/NZS 1802, 2802, 1972, 1299 and 1300. AM

INDUSTRY COMMENT

AUSTRALIAN METS TARGET MINING’S NEXT HORIZON INDUSTRY BODY AUSTMINE DISCUSSES THE DIRECTION OF THE MINING AND METS SECTORS SINCE MARKET CONDITIONS HAVE SHOWN IMPROVEMENT.

A CUSTOMER USING NOBLE’S ITI VR CRANE SIMULATOR.

he mining industry continues to experience improved market conditions as we move to the midway point of 2018. Buoyed by this renewed growth, mining companies are now seeking to invest in the areas that will produce the next wave of production gains and long-term growth. Major mining companies have been speaking openly about current reviews of their core mining and business processes and are taking a broader approach that incorporates an assessment of enabling and disruptive forces to the future of the industry. As a result, digital technology, the industrial internet of things (IIoT), machine learning and artificial intelligence, the next generation

workforce and cyber security have all emerged as areas that mining companies are focusing more energy on. In the long run, this strategic review will lead to the realisation of mining’s next horizon. Currently, we have seen such technologies implemented in the maintenance space, which has seen greater activity following the mining downturn. According to McKinsey & Company, by unlocking the value of dormant data, the mining industry could generate an economic impact of $100 billion per year on maintenance alone. Paul Higgins, CEO of Dingo, has ensured that his business is taking significant steps to lead a digital transformation in maintenance, believing that this begins by AUSTRALIANMINING

capitalising on available data. “Extracting value from data is just as important as extracting resources from the ground. Miners have recognised that there is a tremendous opportunity to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve safety with Big Data if their teams can access it, understand it, and apply it to real-world situations,” he says. Dingo’s Trakka cloud-based predictive maintenance software is continually evolving to make it easier to capture and analyse data and turn that into insights, actions and outcomes. Its ease of use is also critical, which is why Higgins has focused on instant intelligence everywhere. “Mobile, cloud-based apps will deliver real-time access to insights that will drive better decisions —

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anytime, anywhere. The broad uptake of mobile apps to manage and act on information in peoples’ lives is creating the expectation that this capability should be equally available in the work environment,” Higgins says. Finally, Higgins looked at the interplay between the human and machines to deliver maintenance gains. “To ensure that its customers are benefitting from the latest technological advances, Dingo partnered with the Queensland University of Technology to build a collection of machine learning models that can predict failure of equipment with a high degree of accuracy. These models will continue to evolve and improve over time, and the outputs of the project are already being used by some of our customers to help predict

INDUSTRY COMMENT

the remaining useful life of major components,” he concludes. According to Dingo, the key to developing successful solutions in this space is keeping people central to the process, which is a view shared by fellow Australian METS company Nobles. The business focuses on improving safety procedures and systems in the maintenance space through operator training. Keith Bishop, general manager of marketing at Nobles, discusses the breakthroughs the company has made in this space through virtual reality (VR) based simulators. “Maintenance usually involves highrisk activities with heavy equipment, that are generally sub-contracted by the asset owner’s tier one maintenance contractor. A key challenge for the mine owners is how to best manage and mitigate this inherent risk,” Bishop says. “Until now miners really have had no reliable way of knowing how experienced and competent their subcontracted operators are. Enter the new technology of portable, VR based simulators, that combine the latest proven off-the-shelf VR technology with specialist, OEM-like hardware controls and advanced software. “This produces an immersive, realistic and qualifiable simulated operating experience and quantitative

assessment tool, at a much lower cost than a physical verification of competencies (VOC).” This technology is being seen in action with Nobles’ ITI VR crane simulation, which can quickly screen dozens of operators through a repeatable, quantitative VOC testing process. Whilst the current focus is on maintenance, activity is beginning to build in the design and planning space. Minemax works closely with clients to optimise Net Present Value (NPV) of their projects and CEO, Jim Butler, is seeing significant changes occurring.

implemented initiatives to meet changing industry requirements. “We are making our strategic optimisation solution accessible in more diverse ways. This includes catering to on-demand needs for running large numbers of business and technical scenarios in a very short time frame, commercialising recent research and development into fast algorithms for strategic schedule optimisation and continuously rolling out stages of our long-term vision of a fully integrated and responsive mine planning solution that spans strategic down to operational planning,” Butler says.

DINGO PARTNERED WITH THE QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY TO BUILD A COLLECTION OF MACHINE LEARNING MODELS THAT CAN PREDICT FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF ACCURACY.” “More strategic options are being run than ever before as miners embrace internal and cloud-hosted high performance computing. Companies want rapid economic evaluation of strategic options to inform high-value, company-critical investment decisions,” Butler says. Minemax has responded to the demands of their clients and have

The modern design and planning operations cannot be undertaken without consideration of the footprint of the mine. All effects of the mine’s construction, operations, processing and remediation must be considered to retain a social licence to operate. Ezio Viti, sales director at Eriez Magnetics comments on the current compliance of concentrator plants with

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community expectations. “The grade of deposits is declining; the availability of water is a premium and the cost of energy is spiralling. A typical concentrator requires about half the energy consumed in a mining project. The challenge for equipment manufacturers is to meet the needs of industry and allow its marginal projects to be viable while leaving a smaller footprint on the environment,” Viti says. Eriez has developed the HydroFloat, specifically designed to float coarse particles and assist the industry in achieving lower energy targets. “The HydroFloat achieves effective separation, delivering energy savings at the grinding stage and in the flotation process, which is about half the 10 per cent normally consumed in the concentrator. Resultant tailings are coarser, simpler to manage and easier to dewater,” Viti says. Products such as this, will be key to continually improving environmental outcomes for the mining sector. Whilst this is a great example of technology making step changes to mining’s environmental impact, environmental footprint must be viewed with a holistic lens to encompass various stakeholders across land operations, including tenements, property, native title, cultural heritage and environment. K2Fly is leading the way here and

INDUSTRY COMMENT

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account executive, Lexi Leonard, talks about optimisation of the space: “An integrated solution will enable real-time operational intelligence for planning, access, negotiations, operations, rehabilitation and closure. Mining companies must leverage this through cloud scalability and locational intelligence to stand out as true and responsible corporate citizens.” The good news for the industry is that Lexi believes this technology is available now. “Digital disruption in the ‘social licence’ value chain is happening today. Existing information silos are being broken down to deliver operational intelligence by combining disparate datasets from across the enterprise and public domain,” he says. K2Fly’s Infoscope is a breakthrough technology for gaining valuable information about an operation’s footprint and social licence, overcoming traditional breakdowns of communication between core operations and community considerations. The silos that Lexi mentions are moving to the top of the agenda for mining companies. Technology and advanced solutions have helped miners reach new heights for productivity, safety and cost reduction, but only within certain departments or projects onsite. Mining businesses focus on the next horizon within the industry. They are placing considerable energy into investigating methods of improving interoperability of technologies and integrating the various departments of their organisations. Gavin Knight, founder of Mystic Pants, an SME METS company that helps manufacturers connect into the IIoT, believes this vision is starting to

arrive more broadly. “The next horizon in mining will be an integrated mine site production system utilising generic AI, rolled up production systems data, safety data and process control systems data. It has been achieved in silo’s with Scada systems, engineering planning and autonomous vehicles, but the next phase is homogenising these outputs and overcoming vendor lock in,” Knight says. Mystic Pants is helping make this a reality by integrating disparate process control systems through collecting data parallel to existing process control systems, allowing direct and actionable insights without needing to replace existing infrastructure. Taylor McKertich of Endress+Hauser echoes Knight’s comments about interoperability: “Relative to other industries such as manufacturing, the global average of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) in mining is well below benchmark. The next horizon in mining is one where the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), big data analytics and human-machine interaction are brought together to optimise resource extraction and production efficiently, safely and sustainably.” Endress+Hauser are world-leaders in the technology space and have solutions utilising the IIoT through inventory management, smart sensors and instrument integration. Taylor comments that continual innovation from service providers and suppliers, along with effective collaboration, will assist in integrating these technologies across the site. Steven Weeks, commercial director, Paradyn Systems also comments on

AUSTRALIANMINING

the matter, reflecting on work the company has undertaken to optimise the value chain: “Silo business drivers for mining (ROM tonnes), processing (plant utilisation) and marketing (revenue) only align with enterprise objectives (cash flow, NPV) when operational performance is low. Under high performance operating conditions, decisions guided by siloed KPIs will misalign with the interests of the group and erode value.” He went on to describe how this situation is set to change in the future, “The advent of the cloud and AI is boosting supply chain software capabilities. The cloud, artificial intelligence and smarter algorithms are revving up the capabilities of pitto-port supply chain software.” Paradyn’s BlendOpt software is an example of the greater power technology has enabled, which harnesses the cloud and artificial intelligence to run multiple scenarios in the supply chain and implement those on a daily basis. Haydn Roberts, CEO of MST Global, perceives a similar future for mining to that described by Weeks. “At MST Global we envisage the next horizon in mining as one that sees improved productivity and safety through a geospatially connected ecosystem of sensors, devices, edge computers and infrastructure (network or cloud). This journey of digitising the workplace takes us on a path to better real-time decision making (operational intelligence) to smarter optimisation (artificial intelligence) to full automation,” Roberts says. However, in this landscape dominated by machines, Roberts cautions that the human element and

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interaction between organisations will be critical. “However, within this ecosystem there will still be the need for humans to interact, meaning reliable voice and high-bandwidth data communications will remain mission critical. No one organisation can expect to deliver this ecosystem in its entirety, meaning collaboration, partnership and open standards will become ever more important if we are to make this happen. Gone are the days where one company can build it all themselves. This is an opportunity for likeminded organisations to work on this journey together,” he says. MST Global has practiced what is preached and developed unified communication systems that combine tracking and automation with cloud systems, along with entering into mutually beneficial partnerships. “In surface mining, MST Global is working on a solution called ‘Fusion’ that will combine digital voice, data telemetry and tracking (both underground and surface) into a headless monitoring solution for a more affordable approach to digitising the mining workplace. This is being done in partnership with Tait Radio, an example of collaboration that is bringing a solution to market that neither party could have done by themselves without incurring longer lead times and cost,” Roberts says. Whether its maintenance, mine planning, social licence, interoperability, or other areas of the mining process, the innovation, ideas and knowledge of Australian METS is a key resource for mining companies to tap into through partnerships. Companies such as Dingo, Nobles, Mystic Pants, Endress & Hauser, Paradyn Systems, Minemax, MST Global, Eriez and K2Fly are all demonstrating a future-focussed strategy and are implementing technologies now that will lead to the next wave of operational improvements in mining. Austmine will help our innovative METS member companies demonstrate these technologies at our Austmine 2019 Conference & Exhibition, which takes place from May 21–23 in Brisbane next year and has the overarching theme of “Mining Innovation: The Next Horizon.” The advanced solutions on offer from Australian METS will be on show for the industry in the exhibition hall, whilst conference sessions offer the opportunity to be immersed in discussion about mining’s future. Find more information on the conference website: austmineconference. com.au

MAINTENANCE

THE TOTAL PACKAGE TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS’ NEW TOTAL RUBIA WORKS RANGE IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR OFF-ROAD ENGINES. AUSTRALIAN MINING SPEAKS TO THREE MEMBERS OF THE PRODUCT MANAGEMENT TEAM TO FIND OUT MORE.

otal is no stranger to the exacting needs of the Australian mining industry; its TOTAL RUBIA WORKS range of heavy duty engine oils is designed for off-highway engines, which typically run hotter and go through more day-to-day variation in terms of loading, idling and revving than their on-road counterparts such as highway trucks and buses. And now the company has released the latest additions to its range to follow the TOTAL RUBIA WORKS 1000 and 2000 series; the TOTAL RUBIA WORKS 3000 and 4000 series. The TOTAL RUBIA WORKS 3000 lubricant is formulated using synthetic base oil to meet the stringent performance requirements of German original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and is available in SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade. It is well suited for modern engines requiring low viscosity for improved fuel economy and long oil life in ultra-extended drain intervals — such as that seen in certain MAN and Liebherr engines — TOTAL RUBIA WORKS 3000 provides reinforced viscosity under high-temperature and high-shear working conditions. The TOTAL RUBIA WORKS 4000 series meets the latest API CK-4 performance classification and has been designed to address the rigorous duty that off-highway engines undergo. Available in three variations, SAE 15W-40, 10W-30 and 10W-40, it has

been specifically developed for the most recent engines of the world’s leading construction and mining heavy equipment manufacturers. While TOTAL’s RUBIA WORKS products concurrently meet European (ACEA), American (API) and Japanese (JASO) oil service classifications, Total Lubrifiants went a step further to anticipate the severe service conditions in off-road applications, which were based on customer feedback from field experience. “These engines are, in general, experiencing severe duty compared to on-highway engines, which are running at constant speeds with good windage,” says Total automotive application manager – Asian off-road, Jonathan Montales. “We have anticipated the severity of the mining environment, and as such have designed the product to be more robust. It can tolerate higher temperatures without sacrificing the performance of the lubricant and the machine.” While the TOTAL RUBIA WORKS series has been designed with this robustness in mind for off-highway applications (as opposed to its “classical” on-road focused lubricant range) it is also suitable for use in onhighway engines as well, maximising overall versatility. “The TOTAL RUBIA WORKS range is dedicated to off-highway applications but is designed to meet the requirements of on-road fleets as

well,” explains Stanislav Frolov, Total global market segment manager – off road. Total Lubrifiants’ Research Centre in France has conducted modified oxidation tests to make them more severe than prevailing industry methods, in order to fight against the most stringent oxidative conditions to which off-road engines are often subjected. The TOTAL RUBIA WORKS 4000 range is particularly well suited for Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi and Volvo construction and mining machinery users, says Bernard Lamy, Total senior product development manager – off-road. “If used correctly, and when properly monitored with TOTAL ANAC oil condition monitoring service, drain intervals can go beyond 500 working hours, and up to 2000 working hours may be feasible for some specific applications, figures that were previously unheard of,” he explains. “As a result, not only has the oxidation resistance been improved, but also, the deposits and varnish at high temperatures have been drastically reduced. “The benefits to the customer are lubrication cost savings, increased uptime and productivity, enhanced engine durability, and in the case of Total’s FE variants, improved fuel economy.” An additional bonus is the reduced downtime and improved service lengths that accompany the use of

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the latest TOTAL RUBIA WORKS products, which required three years of development to perfect, is that the lubricants can help regulate engine cleanliness. Total formulates its engine oils with selected low-ash detergentbased additives to clean high temperature piston deposits. Special dispersant additives are used to prevent sludge formation, which keeps engine surfaces clean and in good working condition. This low-SAPS (sulphated ash, phosphorous, sulphur) technology makes it possible to extend the diesel particulate filter life of the most modern engines with exhaust gas after-treatment systems. AM

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TECHNOLOGY

DIAMONDS TO GO LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS ARE BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THEIR MINED COUNTERPARTS. AUSTRALIAN MINING LOOKS AT SOME OF THE VIEWS ON THIS SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT.

MANY GEMOLOGISTS AND LAPIDARISTS ARE ‘HARD-PRESSED’ TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAB-GROWN AND MINED DIAMONDS.

ab-grown diamonds, a concept first formulated by scientists in the 1950s for use in industrial cutters and polishers, have become an increasingly popular choice for consumer diamonds as well over the past decade. Whether spurred by ethical concerns surrounding the source of mined diamonds, disavowed of the marketing hoopla of De Beers and its ilk, or merely budget conscious, they can be an attractive alternative. Lab-grown diamonds are not fakes, and should not be confused with diamond simulants such as cubic zirconia or moissanite. For all intents and purposes, lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to their mined counterparts, and cannot be distinguished without the use of specialised equipment. The only factor that truly separates the two is their formation and this is a factor in the perceived monetary value of lab-grown diamonds, which tend to be less expensive and retain less value than their mined counterparts. So, how does it work? Tiny slivers of mined diamonds are placed on a special plate and then encased in a chamber utilising high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) methods to mimic the natural crushing

process diamonds undergo during formation within the earth. Sometimes, a process called chemical vapour deposition (CVD) is also used, a process of microfabrication that allows carbon atoms in gas to attach themselves in crystalline form to a substrate (in this case, the diamond slivers) using various energy sources, including microwaves, arc discharges and filament. Then, over a period of several weeks, the slivers grow into carbonised black diamonds that can then be cut into their more familiar gem form. According to the company statement of Brilliant Earth, as American specialists in lab-grown diamonds and other ethically sourced jewellery, “man-made diamonds are nearly impossible to differentiate from natural diamonds” and “lab diamonds may exhibit different trace elements than natural diamonds that do not affect the appearance of the diamond.” However, the retailer is also careful to stress that lab-grown diamonds should come with official certification to show that they have been man made. Despite the similarities in appearance, this is not to say diamond miners should be turning in their pickaxes just yet. Through AUSTRALIANMINING

to December 2017, while polished diamonds were down 3.5 per cent, rough diamonds were up 2.7 per cent and De Beers’ full-year sales were up 53 per cent on 2015 figures. For some, there is more value placed on a diamond than how it looks. Lab-grown diamonds generally retail for 30–50 per cent less than their mined counterparts. There is also an argument made that it is the rarity of a gem that helps it retain its value over time, and over time the cost of producing lab-grown consumer diamonds will fall. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Grant Mobley, a gemologist and owner of major diamond retailer Pluczenik, laid out a few reasons why lab-grown diamonds might not replace mined diamonds, primarily an emphasis on the importance of formation. Referring to “real” diamonds as unique, rare and “miracles of nature”, he stated: “Laboratorycreated diamonds are stones that mimic the optical and chemical properties of real diamonds, however, they are not formed through natural occurrences — rather they are artificially mass produced in a commercial microwave in a factory in a matter of weeks. “The formation of a diamond is

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one of the attributes that makes them so distinct and rare. Most people have heard that diamonds are made of carbon and form under great amounts of pressure and temperature. “What tends to be overlooked is how many factors have to align just perfectly for diamonds to form — then, of course, be pushed up to the earth’s surface. “It takes anywhere from one to three billion years to form a diamond beneath the earth’s surface. Moreover, the formation can only occur in very specific parts of the earth where the combination of temperature and pressure is just right.” This is, of course, a subjective view, from someone for whom the pursuit and study of diamonds has been a lifelong passion. Others such as Jeffrey D. Feero, managing partner of noted jewellery design company Alex Sepkus, in an interview with the New York Times stated that he didn’t consider most diamonds rare and unusual, “except for rare, natural-coloured diamonds in green, red, pink, purple and vivid yellows”. Perhaps a sea change will be required for the common-garden groom to change their attitude on lab-grown diamonds despite their nigh-identical chemical makeup,

TECHNOLOGY

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CASE STUDY

BLACKHEAD QUARRIES – IMPROVING PLANT FLEXIBILITY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY BLACKHEAD QUARRIES HAS WORKED WITH METSO ON AN UPGRADE TO MOBILE CRUSHING AND SCREENING EQUIPMENT IN NEW ZEALAND, SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVING ITS OVERALL PERFORMANCE. quarries at Logan Point, in Dunedin and Balclutha, as well as the Walton Park sand plant in Fairfield. The Balclutha quarry, approximately 80km south-west of Dunedin is the largest producer of quality aggregates in the South Otago area and supplies around 30 different products. With a population of approximately 130,000 people, Dunedin is the second largest city of New Zealand’s South Island and is the principle city of the Otago region, with the harbour and the hills surrounding it being the

remnants of an extinct volcano. It has a diverse economy, but the city’s most important activity centres around tertiary education – Dunedin is home to the University of Otago, New Zealand’s oldest university (established in 1869), and the Otago Polytechnic. While primary industries are the main economic drivers of New Zealand’s economy, in recent years the Otago region has experienced a large increase in tourism. As a result, local government authorities

have increased their expenditure on infrastructure in the region, driving strong demand for quarry products.

Investing in the future

Until recently, Blackhead Quarry’s Balclutha quarry operated a fixed crushing plant that required rock to be transported up to five kilometres from its primary sources to the ageing facility. In the interest of improving operational flexibility and safety, the company decided to invest in a new mobile crushing

IMAGE CREDIT: METSO.

stablished in 1986, Blackhead Quarries is a joint venture between Palmer & Son (founded in 1880) and Fulton Hogan and operates a number of quarries in the region surrounding Dunedin, on New Zealand’s South Island. Opened in the 1950s, the company’s Blackhead Quarry, located at Blackhead on the seaward side of Green Island, produces 300,000t/y. The company also operates

TONY HUNTER, GENERAL MANAGER OF BLACKHEAD QUARRIES.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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CASE STUDY

and screening plant for its Balclutha operations. Blackhead Quarries has extensive experience with Metso equipment, having bought its first Lokotrack mobile impact crusher back in 2005. With its latest acquisition, Blackhead now operates the largest fleet of Metso mobile crushing and screening equipment in New Zealand. But the company’s relationship with Metso and MIMICO, Metso’s exclusive dealer in New Zealand, dates back a lot further than that. Much of the equipment in the company’s original fixed plants includes Nordberg, Allis Chalmers and Barmac machines which can all be traced back to Metso origins. Tony Hunter is the general manager of Blackhead Quarries. He has been involved in the industry for over 30 years and is a fifth-generation descendant of one of the company’s original founders. Hunter has overall operational responsibility for all of the company’s quarries. He said that being near the sea, the Blackhead quarry’s fixed plant, that had been in place for over 30 years, was suffering from extensive corrosion issues. Management was worried about the safety of fixed walkways and the quarry’s 23 conveyors. “Five years ago, we decided it was best to build a whole new plant at Blackhead with only nine conveyors and no walkways,” he said. In doing so, the existing Nordberg C100 jaw crusher, a cone crusher and Barmac 9600 crusher were relocated. The new plant is fully automated and was designed to keep the amount of structural steel work to a minimum, which led to the elimination of walkways. “For maintenance we use cherry pickers, which give better access to the equipment than walkways and in our opinion, are much safer for our maintenance staff,” he said.

Hard rock drives need for reliable wear part supply

Gavin Hartley is the quarry manager at Blackhead quarry, and has 10 years’ experience with the company. He describes his job as “making stones as cheaply and efficiently as possible while ensuring that his staff is safe.” “Staff compatibility and continuity are very important, as is giving our people the right tools for the job,” he said. The Blackhead quarry produces a full range of quarry products, including base courses (for road

EZI-ON, EZI-OFF EZI-GUARD

base), sealing chip, asphalt dust and railway ballast. The rock quarried in the Otago area is a heavy, finegrained rock that is hard, brittle and abrasive. According to Hartley, “jaws and liners typically last about 3500 hours, and Barmac tips only about 500 hours. Bucket teeth can last anything from 800 to 2000 hours.” So reliable, local supply of wear and spare parts is very important.

Moving parts and pinch points pose a serious danger to people who work around machinery. While most machinery guards eliminate incidents around moving parts, it is often heavy and cumbersome enough to become a manual handling hazard.

The patented ESS EZI-GUARD system comprises of a range of versatile, easy to install brackets, lightweight panels and standard structural tubing which forms an ‘off the shelf’ system that can be adapted to almost any application.

The importance of local support

The EZI-GUARD System has been developed to exceed the guard design requirements of AS4024.3610:2015”

“Here in New Zealand we are a long way from Finland, or other countries where rock crushers are manufactured,” said Hunter. ”It’s important that we can get ready access to the support we need, because a crushing equipment failure can stop our production.” Garth Taylor, crushing & screening business manager at MIMICO, agrees: “New Zealand is a small country and Dunedin is a small community.” “If Blackhead Quarries has two LT106 jaw crushers they only need one set of spare parts,” he explained. “They have two of New Zealand’s 12 LT1213 impact crushers. The significant population of Metso machines in New Zealand means that we keep a comprehensive range of spare parts to support our customers.” While there are now more brands of crusher available in the New Zealand market than ever before, Hunter likes to work with organisations that support the local quarrying industry. “The large number of Metso crushers in New Zealand means that there’s good support locally,” he said. “Wear parts are one thing, but these technically advanced machines can be stopped by the failure of a small component like a sensor. While we perform most of the maintenance ourselves, it is good to have local technical support. MIMICO provides all that we need and we have a great relationship.” Blackhead Quarries experienced the benefits of crushing and screening at the quarry face when it introduced its first mobile crusher in 2005. The company has been growing its fleet of Metso Lokotrack mobile equipment ever since, gradually reducing its reliance on fixed plant. “You can’t bust a rock without energy and even though it is fuel efficient, the mobile plant uses a lot of diesel – the machines have quite AUSTRALIANMINING

The patented ESS EZI-GUARD is; - Quick and easy to retroﬁt - Easy to remove for maintenance - Modular ‘off the shelf’ design - Corrosion Resistant - Strong but lightweight panels - Easily handled - Available in a variety of materials - Available in barricade form - Colored Safety Yellow as standard

Proudly Manufactured in Australia 37

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“We bought our first Lokotrack because, at the time, it was the best machine for the job. There weren’t as many options on the market as there are today. While we are always evaluating alternatives, we keep choosing Metso because of the strength of the backup available through MIMICO, the great track record and reliability of Metso equipment, and the quality of product we can produce with Metso machines.”

Going mobile at Balclutha

The company’s most recent addition to its Lokotrack fleet took place in 2017 at its Balclutha quarry, which mostly produces road and construction materials as well as manufactured sand. A significant part of the quarry’s production also feeds the concrete plant next door. The quarry’s demand tends to be seasonal – the Clutha district council for example has an annual road sealing season,

and there are periodic maintenance gravel contracts. Craig Upston, quarry manager at the Balclutha quarry, is a veteran of the industry. Having been with the company for 25 years, he is a thirdgeneration employee. “The shape of the product is critical for our customers – if we don’t get it right it will be rejected,” he said. “Our Barmac crusher helps us to achieve consistent product shape and quality.” The Metso Barmac vertical impact crusher uses an autogenous (rock-on-rock) crushing method. Its adjustable rotor speed and feed rate give operators precise control of the grade and shape of the final product.” From Upston’s perspective, moving from fixed to mobile plant was a matter of future-proofing the quarry. “We were planning to replace our older Barmac with a new one, and because the market for Balclutha’s product has a lot of ups and downs, being able to move the crusher around to different sites creates

better business flexibility,” he said. The quarry was originally opened some distance from the town of Balclutha, but with the growth of the town bringing suburbia closer to the quarry, the issue of dust has become more of a problem. By eliminating the fixed plant that was close to the road and moving to Lokotrack machines, quarry staff can choose where crushing occurs. The reduction of truck movement and decommissioning of the fixed plant has made it much easier for the company to manage dust. At first Upston proposed putting a new Barmac on tracks then in five years’ time adding a tracked cone and jaw crusher as well. As it turns out, the company’s management loved the idea and acquired all three Lokotrack versions in the same year. Uptson’s first exposure to Metso crushers was the Nordberg GP300 when Blackhead Quarries took over from Fulton Hogan around 2003. “We already had a lot of Metso IMAGE CREDIT: METSO.

large motors to move them around as well as for processing rock,” said Hunter. “With our move to mobile equipment and reduction in the number of trucks, our diesel usage has remained about the same, but we no longer consume electricity in our fixed plants – so overall, our energy costs have gone down in the order of $100,000 per annum.” According to Hunter, the reduction in truck usage has also delivered significant benefits in respect to staffing levels, site safety and maintenance costs. Blackhead Quarries now owns a total of 10 Lokotracks across its sites, and is the largest user of these machines in New Zealand. “Our Lokotrack fleet has become very important to our business,” said Hunter. “Our original LT1213 unit was the first one in New Zealand and is still operating – and now we have more across our quarries. They are the core of our mobile fleet.

MIMICO’S GARTH TAYLOR DISCUSSES MOBILE BARMAC SETUP WITH CRAIG UPSTON AT BALCLUTHA QUARRY.

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IMAGE CREDIT: METSO.

CASE STUDY

TOBIN EYEWASH PORTABLE TRANSPORT BOTTLE

GAVIN HARTLEY, QUARRY MANAGER AT BLACKHEAD QUARRY.

gear and had a great run with the crushers, so it made sense to keep on dealing with the same company,” he said. “As we were happy with the Metso equipment that we already owned, it was a no-brainer.” The decision to move to tracked equipment was driven by the need to quarry without access to electricity. Additionally, if the quarry had to relocate, it would be easy to move the equipment elsewhere. “If you bolt it to the ground there is no flexibility,” he said. “All the mobile plant is self-powered. We don’t have any three-phase power at the new quarry face, so mobile, diesel-powered crushing and screening is the only way to go.”

Reducing dependence on fixed plant In July 2017, MIMICO supplied a Metso Lokotrack LT106 mobile jaw crusher along with an LT200HP mobile cone crusher and an ST3.5 mobile screen for the Balclutha quarry. An additional ST3.5 and an LT7150 mobile Barmac VSI (impact) crusher were supplied in October. At a time of increasing infrastructure expenditure in the growing Otago region, being able to produce large quantities of quality aggregate in a more flexible way allows the company to be highly responsive to market fluctuations, which is important for Blackhead’s future business success. The company also deploys some of its Lokotrack mobile crushers and screens in contract crushing operations around the Dunedin

area and is now looking to purchase another LT106 for a new job that will deliver half a million tonnes of aggregate for a major road building project.

A positive outlook for the future

An eye wash within arms reach for immediate flushing

Technology aside, Hunter sees his people as the company’s greatest asset. “There are all those buzzwords people use like safety, productivity and profitability, but it all comes down to people,” he said. “We have a 25-year club here, comprising more than a quarter of our staff, which means a lot of experience.” The Blackhead Quarries business is like a big family that has existed for five generations, and Hunter wants it to continue to succeed for future generations. “It’s an inter-generational thing we have here, and as much as we get covered in dirt and dust, it’s a lot of fun and a very good life,” Hunter said. In a world where concern for the environment means that people look at mining and quarrying with an increasingly critical eye, Hunter has a positive outlook on the future. “This is a simple business. You can’t have a city without stones, and so we are lucky to be a mature company in a mature local economy, that will always need infrastructure,” he said. “In buying the Lokotrack equipment, I am trying to set the company on a good path for whatever may happen over the next 10 to 15 years to come and beyond.” AM AUSTRALIANMINING

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YEARS STRONG

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WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGY HAS SPARKED THE CHANGES TO HOW MINERS WORK.

THE RISE OF FLEXIBLE WORKING ENVIRONMENTS THE WAY MINING EMPLOYEES WORK HAS CHANGED. ONE INITIATIVE THAT HAS INCREASINGLY BEEN INTRODUCED AT MINING COMPANIES IS FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS. AUSTRALIAN MINING WRITES.

ining is considered a sector that is driving the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution where new technologies are reshaping the industry. Technologies like autonomous vehicles and company-wide management systems have formed the basis of the industry’s move in this direction over recent years. A by-product of these developments is their impact on how we work, including changes such as more personnel working at remote operating centres instead of at mine sites. The emerging revolution has also led to the introduction of more flexibility to working environments in the mining industry, a development that is tipped to be a key part of the unfolding industrial era. According to a survey released by recruiters Hays this week, 89 per cent of employers believe flexible working

options are very important or important when it comes to staff attraction and retention. Of the professionals surveyed, 33 per cent responded that flexible working options were critical to them remaining in employment. A further 63 per cent said they were ‘nice to have’, while just 4 per cent responded that flexible work was not important to them. “The emerging technologies of the fourth industrial revolution have made flexible working arrangements more accessible and transparent, which people are aware of. For this reason, it’s also becoming more important to staff attraction and retention,” Hays managing director in Australia & New Zealand Nick Deligiannis says. “There are many reasons why people may require flexible working options, including living further from CBDs to access affordable housing, balancing ongoing caring responsibilities, ramping back up after parental leave or throttling back from AUSTRALIANMINING

full time work toward retirement.” Mining has been at the forefront of the flexible working movement. As part of BHP’s goal to achieve gender balance, its chief executive Andrew Mackenzie recommended four priorities to help it achieve this target, one being to embed flexible working. Other leading mining employers in Australia, including Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group, also talk up their flexible working arrangements as key benefits for prospective employees. Flexible working environments are often viewed as an expectation of millennials, something that is reflected in the Hays report. However, Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) director, industry services, Tara Diamond pointed out earlier this year that flexibility was highly valued and sought after by workers of all ages. “Individuals are demanding greater choice and flexibility in the world of work and it’s important that any policy

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response from government encourages and facilitates this,” according to Diamond. The AMMA backs the introduction of more flexible working in mining. It released a report arguing that technological advancements will require the resources industry to modernise to meet the needs of Australians. Work is no longer built around fixed hours and fixed work locations, and has as its value proposition greater flexibility, convenience and freedom of choice for the individual, the report said. Deloitte, in its 2018 Tracking the Trends report, also views flexible working environments as a way mining companies can break down innovation barriers to deliver additional productivity gains in the coming years. The report also advises that building a working environment with flexibility will help organisations attract and retain employees. The way mining employees work is changing and flexibility is already shaping that future. AM

MINING HISTORY

HOLTERMANN’S HILL END GOLDEN PHOTOGRAPHIC NUGGET HISTORIAN GARRY DUNCAN TELLS AUSTRALIAN MINING ABOUT BERNHARDT OTTO HOLTERMANN’S COLOSSAL DISCOVERY DURING THE 19TH CENTURY NEW SOUTH WALES GOLD RUSH.

hen Edward Hammond Hargraves found gold on February 12 1851, he and his guide John Hardman Lister began the Australian gold rush in the Central West of New South Wales. It was at Radigan’s gully four kilometres upstream of the junction of Lewis Ponds and Summer Hill Creek that a few specks of gold would change the course of history for the region. Two months later just downstream, four ounces of gold were found on April 7 1851 where a bar of rock was crossing Summer Hill Creek. Today a nearby obelisk commemorates the finding of gold in the area. It can be seen at the corner of the original site of Store and Lister Streets. The claim, named Fitzroy in honour of the governor, was soon known as Ophir, a reference to the biblical King Solomon’s gold treasure. Speculators came from far and wide to try their luck in hopes of making it rich with over 2000 setting up camp nearby. However, it was nearby Hill End that became even more memorable as a gold rush town. A German immigrant Bernhardt Otto Holtermann (1838–1885) had come to Australia avoiding military service back home. He met a Polish miner Ludwig Hugo Louis Beyers, who became his business partner. They headed west to Hill End and began prospecting in 1861 at Hawkins Hill. They had no success for five years having to support themselves with other employment. In 1871, other investors had found some rich veins of gold, however, these soon petered out and they sold out of the claim. In the following year, during a night shift, a spectacular nugget find would make history. On October 19 1872, a huge quartz rock weighing almost 300kg was found deep down a shaft on their claim. It contained 158kg of gold. This was the largest reef gold specimen ever found in the world.

BERNHARDT OTTO HOLTERMANN WITH THE HOLTERMANN GOLD NUGGET.

Newspaper headlines spread the word attracting thousands of curious visitors eager to try their luck at gold prospecting. The rock contained gold worth 12,000 pounds. It was much larger than a nugget, though it universally became known as Holtermann’s Nugget. Holtermann and Beyers had AUSTRALIANMINING

recently founded the Star of Hope Gold Mining Company, and Luck had already turned their way as they started finding gold at Hill End a few months ahead of their big find making them rich. However, it is the huge nugget Holtermann found that is remembered most today as its preserved in the Holtermann

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photographic collection held at the State Library of NSW. Quick to preserve his golden find for photographic posterity, before the gold was extracted, Holtermann commissioned an itinerant photographer Beaufoy Merlin to photograph his grand discovery. Beaufoy Merlin and Charles Bayliss had formed the American and Australasian Photographic Company (A&A Photographic Company) in the Victorian goldfields. Holtermann built them a photographic studio at Hill End to complete the complex wet plate developing process. This began a fruitful promotion method for Holtermann to proudly showcase to the world the amazing mining potential of his newly adopted country. Known as Holtermann’s Great International Travelling Exposition it began by recording the goldfields of NSW and Victoria. This unique Australian photographic outdoor setting has provided a legacy of glass plates that pioneered the recording of Australia’s landscape. In 1875, it extended its reach by making giant panoramas of Sydney starting from Holtermann’s house in North Sydney. It soon became the world’s largest collection of wet-plate negatives astonishing audiences when shown overseas. In 1876, it won a bronze medal at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition and, in 1878, a silver medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle Internationale. Around 3000 of the original 3500 Holtermann glass plates survived the ravages of time. They were found in a garden shed at Chatswood by photography historian Eric Keast Bourke some 80 years after the photographs were first taken. Bourke’s photographic collection was purchased by the State Library of NSW in 1963. Digitised in 2011– 2012 Holtermann glass plates remain another true find of golden national significance. AM Garry Duncan is a history writer.

SAFETY

A MOMENT OF CLARITY ENWARE’S LATEST PORTABLE SAFETY SOLUTION, THE TOBIN TRANSPORT BOTTLE, ALLOWS OPERATORS INSTANT ACCESS TO EYEWASH IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. AUSTRALIAN MINING WRITES.

afety solutions provider Enware, known for its specialist plumbing and safety equipment manufacturing, is now stocking a portable eyewash solution that ensures an appropriate method for flushing of the eye is always within arms’ reach. “Tobin Eye Washes provide the immediacy of a ‘first response’ to an injury should it occur,” explains Allan Lane, national sales manager, safety

ENWARE’S NEW TOBIN TRANSPORT BOTTLE IS AN EYEWASH THAT CAN BE ON HAND AND EASILY USED BY THE INJURED PERSON THEMSELVES; WORKPLACE SAFETY IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO BECAUSE LIVES MATTER.” products at Enware Australia, exclusive Australasian suppliers of Tobin products. “Every second counts,” she adds. “Having an eyewash within arms’ reach is paramount and could make the difference between minimal and serious injury.” Acids, such as hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, while dangerous if they make contact with skin, can cause especially acute damage to the eyes and lead to potential permanent blindness within five minutes, depending on the severity and amount of acid that makes contact with the eye. Alkali substances are generally considered to be even more dangerous than acids, with substances such as lye (sodium hydroxide), lime — often found in plaster and cement — and ammonia capable of eating into the eye in under 30 seconds. It is in circumstances such as these that every second is crucial to prevent long-lasting damage, which makes the Tobin 500s portability a particularly attractive factor. It is critical that the user has the ability to flush out their eye or eyes within the first few

seconds in order to minimise the risk of blindness. In the mining industry, appropriate precautions must be taken lest hazards such as ore dust, chemicals and other contaminants, all of which can pose significant safety risks, make contact with the eye. As such, a high-quality, portable eyewash solution such as the Tobin 500 Transport Bottle should be as natural (and expected) an accompaniment at mine sites as the ubiquitous hard hat and hi-viz vest. The throat of the bottle consists of six small holes, which deliver the solutions via multiple streams as opposed to pouring from a single larger hole, ensuring that the solution is applied to the eye with consistent and proper pressure. “The gentle flow from six streams is more gentle on the eyes and prevents chemicals or foreign bodies being driven further into damaged soft tissue,” says Lane. “A damaged eye must not be washed with a hard or sharp object, as this could also cause further or additional damage to the eyes.” Another area where the Tobin

Transport Bottle is able to prove its mining mettle is during logistics operations, particularly for transport vehicle operators carrying dangerous goods — the Australian Dangerous Goods Code suggests that operators have an eyewash kit of at least 250ml sterile saline solution immediately handy for eye contact incidents, so Tobin Transport eye wash bottles double this requirement with its 500ml capacity. However, it is important to note that the bottle is intended as an accompaniment — rather than a replacement — for emergency washes and showers. The handiness of the bottle is great for remote locations where primary emergency eye wash equipment and emergency showers may not be accessible, providing immediate irrigation of the eye. “Although a plumbed system is always recommended for sites where there is access to plumbing as a continuous water supply is ideal, Enware understands that every second counts in the case of an emergency,” says Lane. “That’s why portable systems should be available in instances where there is no practical access to plumbing. “Enware’s new Tobin Transport Bottle is an eyewash that can be on hand and easily used by the injured person themselves; workplace safety is at the heart of everything we do because lives matter.” AM

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT MINE WORKERS HAVE ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE FACILITIES SHOULD EYE INJURIES OCCUR.

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SAFETY

ARE HAND INJURIES BEING PROPERLY REPORTED? HAND INJURIES ARE A KEY SAFETY CONCERN FOR MINE WORKERS AND ONE THAT MAY NEED EXTRA ATTENTION FROM MANAGEMENT. AUSTRALIAN MINING EXPLAINS.

safety report has identified critical trends in safety practices with regards to hand protection in Australia and New Zealand. Safety product company Ansell surveyed 381 respondents for the report — with 12 per cent being from the mining industry — over a one-month period late last year, including one-onone interviews with 10 representatives from major companies. The result, the 2017 Hand Safety Report, produced in association with the National Safety

Council of Australia (NSCA), saw some insightful feedback. Half of respondents stated that their company’s overall safety performance had improved since the first report in 2016, though nearly half (47 per cent) of safety managers reported concerns about underreporting hand injuries, with the main reasons being concerns around perceived blame or punishment, according to Jamie Burrage, NSCA Foundation general manager. Forty-three per cent of organisations also cited that they were unsure of their injury costs, and of those that did, it

AUSTRALIANMINING

was estimated that hand injuries were responsible for an average $60,000 cost per year out of overall injury costs of $350,000 per year. “The estimated costs of hand injuries should reinforce to employers that higher standards of safety not only limit the risk to their employee, but also the risk to the bottom line,” says Burrage. Materials handling is one of the leading causes of injury within the global mining industry. According to a mining safety and training supervisor surveyed in the report, rehabilitation and time off work are major factors in the

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overall costs, not just the injury itself. The supervisor adds that proper safety gloves helped to prevent ‘burst’ injuries such as cuts. “If you’re talking to someone with a cut finger and they’re not able to work, you don’t just look at the injury cost, you look at the recovery cost, the rehiring cost, loss of production and that’s where a lot of it lies,” the supervisor says. “The type of gloves that we use these days are helping prevent burst injuries and cuts and such. We’ve seen a big decline in the cost of rehabilitation.” AM

SOFTWARE

ABBOTT INFORMATICS STARLIMS ABBOTT IS HELPING MAKE PROCESSES EASIER FOR MINERS WITH ITS INTEGRATED SYSTEM STARLIMS. AUSTRALIAN MINING FINDS OUT MORE. STARLIMS OFFERS A SECURE, CONFIGURABLE PLATFORM.

bbott Informatics’ STARLIMS solution helps support the data management needs across organisations.

STARLIMS allows for integration with existing enterprise applications, helping streamline audits with the aid of advanced analytics systems. This helps reduce errors caused by human factors through the use of innovative methods. Founded in Florida in 1987, Abbott Informatics has a storied history of successful integrated solutions, data consolidation, standardisation, compliance and streamlining services. Abbott’s flagship STARLIMS software is applicable to myriad industries, including manufacturing, petrochemical and refinery operations. STARLIMS can help petrochemical and refinery operators in three ways; it can reduce the amount of required data entry as part of day-to-day

activity; it helps to ensure regulatory compliance, including automation scheduling that meets regional, customer and seasonal requirements; and it can consolidate systems as a central, web-based solution, helping streamline workloads, refinery management, and the decision-making process. Efficient scheduling, resource and equipment allocation all combine to allow for optimised refinery management. Using advanced analytics capabilities, customers can visualise and drill down data in real time, and make critical business decisions. A scalable, web-based product, STARLIMS allows operators to manage data not just nominally, but by exception as well. STARLIMS is also available on iOS and Android tablets and smartphones via the cross platform STARLIMS Mobile app as well, which allows for portability with workflow automations. The mobile app is tailored to screen size, supports an offline mode (with sync upon AUSTRALIANMINING

reconnection), and features a touch interface for haptic feedback. Additional features and

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capabilities are available for further customisation to meet customer standards, including scientific data management systems (SDMS), which allow users to pull both structured and unstructured data from various documents and lab instruments for easy data access. Advanced analytics options such as real-time lab data analysis through graphs and tables, and electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN), which can eliminate paper notebooks – increasing efficiency, reducing errors and promoting compliance – are also available. STARLIMS ELN allows for inhouse spreadsheet integration to capture and store data. STARLIMS Advanced Analytics allows for advanced visualisation of datarelevant charts; for example, scatter plots may be used for large data while bar and pie charts can be used for comparative purposes. The combination of LIMS, ELN, SDMS, advanced analytics and mobile applications are the five cornerstones that make up the complete STARLIMS package. Offering audit trails, electronic signatures, and chain of custody capabilities, STARLIMS can help simplify the quality control process by helping customers track compliance with standard operating procedures and business rules. AM

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

LITHIUM MINING

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SOFTWARE

CONSULTEL CLOUD HELPS MINING GROW SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2013, CONSULTEL CLOUD HAS PROVIDED TAILORED HYBRID CLOUD SOLUTIONS TO AID MINING BUSINESSES. AUSTRALIAN MINING SPEAKS TO CLOUD DIVISION LEAD BENJAMIN MOLLOY.

CONSULTEL CLOUD IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF COST-EFFECTIVE HYBRID CLOUD SOLUTIONS.

onsultel Cloud’s Hyper Converged Infrastructure (HCI) service, launched in partnership with NetApp, provides increased choice in cloud connectivity solutions for the mining industry. HCI provides a host of unique benefits for operators, allowing users to scale the level of service as required, guaranteeing performance while maintaining security and sovereignty of data. NetApp’s HCI technology was named an evolutionary disrupter by research firm Gartner for its ability to “accelerate business outcomes and achieve growth.” For Consultel Cloud, NetApp integration came naturally.

“We used what are in our opinion the two best partners, NetApp and Equinix, who work seamlessly together,” says Consultel Cloud division lead Benjamin Molloy. “This allows us to use the whole complement of products from a networking and storage point of view.” “Globally, we use Equinix data centres and NetApp for compute and storage, so unlike most providers, which would use different data centres, we only use the same technology — if you use Consultel Cloud in Dubai or New York, for instance, you know you’re going to get the exact same level of service wherever you go.” Leveraging NetApp’s experience as a hybrid cloud data services company, and the reliability of AUSTRALIANMINING

WE ARE ALSO A TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER, AS WELL AS A CLOUD PROVIDER, SO THERE’S A LOT OF CONTINGENCY IN WHAT WE ACTUALLY DESIGN FOR THE CUSTOMER, WHICH ENABLES THEM TO EXPAND HORIZONTALLY OR TO TURN THE SERVICE ON AND OFF AS THEY PLEASE.” Equinix data centres, Consultel Cloud delivers guaranteed metrics for businesses, including mine operators, which typically require high-performing infrastructure and seek ever-improving manageability and ease of use for their IT infrastructure. For over 20 years, the Consultel name has become an established part of Australia’s IT consulting

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landscape, but as a cloud service it has emerged as recently as 2013. Consultel Cloud is designed with flexibility in mind for work sites, providing risk reduction for businesses through consistent performance and a dedicated environment at a cost effective price. One of Consultel Cloud’s unique selling points is that it provides costeffective hybrid cloud solutions that

SOFTWARE

aren’t tied to any one provider. With Equinix Cloud Exchange Fabric integration, Consultel Cloud customers can privately connect to over 180 cloud service providers, including tier one providers such as SAP, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Oracle and their partner services. The interconnection of these services and the ability to make use of their various strengths gives users the most cost-effective hybrid solution available. This method helps to eliminate bottlenecks and guarantee data security because the data never leaves the customer’s assigned data centre no matter which provider the customer uses. Customers also have access to a portal with a single interface across a bevy of providers. In the words of Molloy, “it enables customers to see everything that’s going on with AWS or Azure or SAP HANA and their private cloud with a single interface.” This approach helps to reduce complexity and as a result, management costs. According to Molloy, the benefits Consultel

NETAPP HCI INTEGRATION GIVES ADDED FLEXIBILITY TO CONSULTEL CLOUD CUSTOMERS.

Cloud brings the mining industry are palpable, particularly in an industry where time is often a critical factor in operations. Customer deployments can be delivered quickly with no fuss, since integrating NetApp HCI Consultel Cloud has gained enough experience to deliver a proof of concept within a few days, and shorten deployment times for new environments from seven weeks to just four. “With mining, it’s similar to the manufacturing industry, where they

might want a whole solution or a site — even with instruction — to be enabled overnight, and one that can be turned off just as quickly. With the hybrid approach, there’s a lot of contingency built into that,” Molloy says. “We are also a telecommunications provider, as well as a cloud provider so there’s a lot of contingency in what we actually design for the customer, which enables them to rapidly expand or to turn the service on and off as they please.

Consultel Cloud is expecting 25–30 per cent growth in the next 12 months, with reaction positive so far. For Molloy, Consultel Cloud stands out among the competition for its ability to provide tailored and expedient hybrid cloud solutions. “We actually provide a hybrid cloud solution which is cost effective for clients. Most cloud providers today will be your tier one providers such AWS and Microsoft Azure; the other tiers of service providers usually just resell one particular type — they’ll be a Microsoft Azure partner, for example.” he says. “In line with Equinix, with the cloud network aggregation and with the use of Equinix Cloud Exchange Fabric, we can privately connect into over 180 cloud service providers. From a networking point of view that allows us to connect to all the different cloud providers and also, as a cloud provider, offer a hybrid cloud solution for our clients securely” Hyper converged systems are expected to continue to grow over time even as the market tightens, and Consultel Cloud is at the forefront. AM

Your perfect cloud among the clouds. Take Hyper Converged for a test drive today.

NetApp HCI guarantees performance, offers increased infrastructure elasticity, and has less infrastructure overhead compared to any other hyper converged solution in the market. Book a consultation with the Consultel Cloud team to find out how the power of a world class cloud solution can transform and take your business to the next level. consultelcloud.com.au 1300 014 385 hciaas@consultelcloud.com.au

AUSTRALIANMINING

JUNE 2018

SOFTWARE

AN INTERCONNECTED FUTURE DRAWING ON YEARS OF INNOVATION IN THE AUTOMOTIVE AND INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, BOSCH REXROTH IS PURSUING A NEW VISION OF THE ‘FACTORY OF THE FUTURE’. AUSTRALIAN MINING EXPLAINS.

ndustry 4.0 is something of a hot topic at the moment. From mining to manufacturing, it’s appearing everywhere. For the Drive and Control company Bosch Rexroth and the Bosch Group overall, it is something more than the buzzword du jour. The company has been implementing Industry 4.0 practices for years. Drawing on extensive experience from the tight margins and exacting processes of the company’s work in the highly efficient automotive industry, the company is now pursuing similar machine data implementation within the mining sector as well. For Bosch, Industry 4.0 applications started being implemented at a nascent level over a decade ago with the implementation of standardised plant structures and communication between machines at its car factories across the world, whether they were in Europe, China or the US. If a plant in the US had a problem, the relevant plant in Europe would be notified instantly. Now, the company intends to draw on this experience as a major player in 4.0 to, in the words of Bosch Rexroth Australia chief executive officer Thomas Raab, “win the trust of the mining guys”. “The philosophy of Industry 4.0 for Bosch Rexroth is not because it is fashionable,” Raab explains. “It is all about improving productivity, reducing cost on the whole lifecycle

for every manufacturer and this is also true for mining.” “Our philosophy about it from our own experience is that connectivity, the smart flow of information, shows the success we have internally and that’s what Bosch Rexroth and the Bosch Group as a whole, wants to get to the outside world more and more.” Bosch Rexroth’s suite of drive and control applications are well suited to Industry 4.0 integration, featuring a heavy focus on compatibility with the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT). IoT applications have started to roll out in new Bosch Rexroth products while retrofitting the old ones at the same time. This expresses a highly detailed connectivity concept that feeds into all levels of machine application infrastructure. In practical terms for the mining industry, this could translate on a base level to data analytics and predictive maintenance sensors for moving machines, such as mobile vehicles, bucket wheel drives, conveyor belts, and chain feeders from which data is transferred into the system. Raab admits that the process needs to be more refined for the mining industry compared to manufacturing. “The first step is to set up a data network in a big, open mine area which transmits the information to whichever cloud or control centre you want to transmit it to,” he says. “Then comes the intelligence about interpreting and analysing the data, and taking the

A DIAGRAM SHOWING BOSCH REXROTH’S VISION OF AN INTERCONNECTED SMART MINING SYSTEM.

AUSTRALIANMINING

right actions to maintain service levels, keeping performance up and reducing the downtime by taking preventative measures.” Bosch Rexroth takes pride in its reputation as an end-to-end service provider for industrial operations; IoT enabling hardware such as sensors, IoT gateways for data collection, and Rexroth’s data analytics software ODiN, are all produced in-house, something Raab believes promotes trust and security within a business environment. In addition, all services can be operated for the customers by Bosch Rexroth service experts, who provide field support and aid the operators in determining the root cause of the issue with appropriate knowledge. “Bosch has established its own industrial cloud network to offer an alternative compared to existing cloud service providers. “The business part of it is very much about trust and security, and to whom you are really giving access to your data. “The ODiN software can be operated by us for the customer; we take information from the machines about performance, status and predictive maintenance so we can give our advice to the mining operator. “We can see if the performance of the machine is not within the normal range, have a look into it and get advice on what should be done; Rexroth Australia is an end-to-end provider, with more than 100 people in hydraulics service across the country, and we send our people to mine sites to carry out preventive maintenance.” The mining industry also tends to operate on short time periods, often

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measured in weeks and months, whereas manufacturing is determined in span of years. This too requires an adjustment of philosophy as mining companies adapt to the increased life cycles of Industry 4.0. “We’re talking with mining companies about this whole life cycle topic,” explains Raab. “I think the mining industry has great potential to be more productive and receptive towards implementing new technology same as the automotive industry. Some are early adopters and willing to invest in improving the infrastructure to stay ahead of the game but I would say that due to the downturn in the last few years a lot of companies have invested carefully on how to make their operations more cost efficient.” Bosch Rexroth is now proceeding forward with a new vision towards Factory Of the Future — utilising mobile control units rather than the current standard of central controls — and smarter automation. The company made a milestone appearance at leading industrial trade show Hannover Messe in Germany in April, where it changed its traditional branding to focus on a new vision of connectivity. With a prominent presence in Australia, particularly as a hydraulics company, Raab is keen to share Bosch Rexroth’s new vision with mining partners here too. “You need to show customers you will be there tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, in the long haul. When Bosch Rexroth goes somewhere, we are there to be a long time reliable partner that contributes with innovation, quality and cost benefits to our customers,” Raab concludes. AM

Realizing the production of the future today

Realizing the production of the future today Industry 4.0 changes the world of production and connects the virtual world to

Industry changes world of production and connectsasthe world the4.0 real world the of machines. We use our expertise anvirtual operator in our own to theplants real world our expertise as ancontrol operator in our and of as machines. a providerWe of use intelligent drive and technologies to own plants and as a provider of intelligent drive and control technologies to develop and continuously expand our Industry 4.0 solutions. Initial results develop andthe continuously expand ourthem Industry solutions. Initial results show advantages. Among are 4.0 higher productivity, more individual show production the advantages. Among them are higher productivity, more individual and more e icient human-machine interaction. This strong base production and more efficient human-machine interaction. This strong base creates new value networks and allows Industry 4.0 to become a reality in your creates new value networks and allows Industry 4.0 to become a reality in company. your company.

Bosch Rexroth Pty Ltd

Tel: 1800 REXROTH

Email: info@boschrexroth.com.au

WE MOVE YOU WIN

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

THE PRODUCTS HAVE BECOME POPULAR IN ENVIRONMENTS LIKE MINING.

SKIPPER KEEPS MINING AHEAD OF HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY PRODUCT MANUFACTURER HAS BECOME A WELL-KNOWN SUPPLIER FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY. AUSTRALIAN MINING EXPLAINS.

he need for premium health and safety products is an ongoing consideration for mining companies. Since 2005, Skipper has been regarded as an original and leading manufacturer of health and safety products that allow areas of danger to be cordoned off safely to prevent injuries and accidents. The global company’s unique Skipper Safety Management System is helping mining and other industries comply with recommended practices by adhering to all existing laws and practices. Skipper’s innovative approach to customers’ problems allows them to continually develop this range, while delivering awardwinning concepts and designs. The Skipper retractable barrier unit can be attached to a variety of

surfaces, making it extremely quick and easy to assemble. Alternatively, it can be put on top of your existing cones, the unique Skipper cone, or the specificallydeveloped post and base system. The tape can further attach to surfaces such as walls, vehicles, shelving, glass or railings via a suite of accessories. “This system is perfect for a constantly-changing work environment and can withstand extreme weather conditions,” Skipper director Alan Bentley says. Skipper aims to stay ahead of competitors and imitators by utilising its experience and industry feedback to continually improve on materials, adding new product lines, and maintaining the highest qualitycontrol standards from its base in the United Kingdom. AUSTRALIANMINING

The company’s long-standing relationships with the largest safety product distributors means the Skipper range is tried, tested and trusted by mine safety professionals across the world. Skipper now supplies to more than 30 countries worldwide, including Australia and New Zealand. The versatility of Skipper’s products has allowed the business to branch out into new sectors and applications, according to Bentley. “With construction being our original area of focus, we also supply heavily to mining operations, petrochemical and logistics, facilities management, maintenance, power and telecommunications, agriculture, plant hire, warehousing and manufacturing, and local authorities,” Bentley says. Skipper’s products offer numerous

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features and benefits, including the increase in workplace safety that ensures employees are fully aware of any danger. The products improve operational efficiencies with their rapid setup time and reduce manual handling by providing more barrier per metre. Skipper designs its products with versatility in mind and for use in several environments and situations. In addition, Skipper’s products are virtually maintenance free, can be assembled in seconds, are robust and durable, lightweight, compact and easy to store. Key features of the Skipper products include a built-in locking button top that prevents unwanted spooling of tape, as well as the option to attach a tape end clip by wrapping them around a pillar or post for attaching to itself. AM

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

SAFETY MINING REELS MANUFACTURED IN AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIAN MINING LOOKS AT PITBULL’S EZY-DEPLOY SERIES OF MINING REELS..

ocal industrial reel users are turning to Reel Tech, an Australian company with more than 30 years’ experience in fluid handling. The PitBull mining reel range, known for its unique safety design, construction and versatility has been expanded and can now be optioned with new, easily attachable accessories designed to make them even safer and more productive. Used by Australasia’s largest mining, oil and gas companies, Reel Tech’s range covers all applications and environments.

What makes PitBull Reels safer?

When designing new reel technology, Reel Tech’s core focus is on ease of use and operator safety. PitBull Reels can be integrated with a gearbox called Ezi-Deploy, which is an easy to bolt on accessory for all PitBull direct drive reels. Ezy-Deploy is an auto declutching system, with no levers, buttons or electronics required; the operator can simply pull and go with the lowest pull resistance. Ezy-Deploy clutch system offers smooth reel operation to minimise operator strain injuries and reduce excessive force that can prematurely damage equipment. Difficult pull force on payout adds to the risk of strain injuries for operators. This auto declutching system dramatically reduces hose payout force, minimising strain injuries and eliminates chain and sprocket pinch points. Originally designed for Reel Tech’s Firedog range of truck mounted fire fighting reels, the EzyDeploy is now available as standard across the mining reel range.

Safest reel for the toughest environment

Reel Tech has released a complete range of PitBull hose reels with a gearbox designed for ‘safer’ rewind speeds and with rewind options including manual, pneumatic, hydraulic and electric. A new product called Safe-R-Reel is also available. It helps minimise the chance of employee and equipment damage

due to excessive hose ‘speed whip’ during rewind. Excessive rewind speeds in motorised reels, whether spring or electric rewind, can cause hose to rapidly move. Rapid movement of hose and fittings can strike employees and equipment. Rewind speed can be significantly reduced by 30-50 per cent by using Reel Tech’s SafeR-Reel brake cartridge system. This speed control system is easy and inexpensive to fit into many or existing spring rewind reels and protects the operator and equipment. This patented maintenance free non-belt and non-chain direct drive system ensures a controlled speed during rewind to reduce hose handling injuries. For spring reels, users can add Safe-R-Reel in full stainless steel that is chemically resistant, robust, durable, and offers a high level of safety. Manufactured in Australia, all PitBull reels are designed with hot dip galvanised frame and disc components, and with stainless steel full flow hub, fasteners and hose guide as standard. Hose reels no longer need to suffer from corrosion as all PitBull Reel range are hot dip galvanised, and as standard with stainless steel fluid paths, this means no painting and the ability of the reel to flow corrosive fluid without the need to change the reel internals makes it versatile, safer and most cost effective on site.

Adaptability

Most people don’t know that PitBull reels are designed with the patented quick change hub technology, which allows users to quickly change hose sizes and diameters. Reel Tech has AUSTRALIANMINING

THE EZY-DEPLOY SYSTEM HELPS MAKE OPERATIONS SAFER FOR MINERS.

also recently released a range of easy to bolt on accessories for PitBull reels. These easy add-on options, such as a quick change hub, make PitBull reels the most flexible reel and easiest direct drive reel to change out on site, saving time on the job.

Custom Solutions

The PitBull range suits most hose sizes from half-inch to two inches I.D. hose, available in ultra-narrow to large sized hose reels. Reel Tech has delivered numerous custom solutions from narrow reels for smaller spaces to fully automatic oversized reels. Users can also improve operator safety and handling with accessories like FlatWinder, an automatic hose layering accessory, allowing single

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operator control. The FlatWinder automatically layers the hose on the reel, so there is no reason for the operator to have to walk back to the reel at all during the operation — the system layers the hose onto the reel neatly every time. In addition to the FlatWinder, by adding Reel Tech’s Reel-in-Control long-range wireless remote control system, with adaptive frequency hopping — perfect for one-person hose handling applications — reducing multiple hose handling requirements. The operator has no need to touch the reel during rewind operations at all. PitBull reels can also be ordered in manual rewind hose applications that do not require powered operation or control. AM

PRODUCTS

STAUFF CAD DATABASE

TENNANT M17 BATTERY RIDER SWEEPER-SCRUBBER

Hydraulic fluid component company STAUFF has expanded its CAD online database with additional industrial fastening components for pipes, tubes, hoses, cables and other flexible and rigid components. Users now have unlimited direct access to 3D models and 2D drawings of hundreds of additional products and configurations made from plastic, steel and stainless steel. This saves valuable time and costs during the design process when system elements are integrated with other components. Each CAD model is permanently linked with the corresponding manufacturer’s reference and order code, which can be transferred into the parts list and easily communicated to the purchasing department. The files provided are native CAD formats, which are compatible with all common design and engineering software (e.g. SolidWorks, CATIA, Pro/E, Inventor, AutoCAD), as well as most neutral data formats (e.g. DWG, DXF, IGES, STEP). Using the online database, design engineers have access to CAD models of tube connectors, test couplings, filter housings, pressure gauges and other tank and container accessories, which are prerequisites for the design of hydraulic lines and systems.

Reduce the need for multiple-pass cleaning with the versatile M17 High Performance Battery Rider Sweeper-Scrubber. The M17 maximises efficiency by providing high-performance sweeping and scrubbing results. This rider sweeper-scrubber has the largest available battery capacity in its class to extend cleaning time and increase productivity. Featuring optional Pro-Panel technology that can integrate multiple cleaning setting into a touchscreen, the M17 reduces spills and dripping with its revolutionary, patent-pending water trap, which captures moisture that is left in the recovery hose during shutdown. • www.tennantco.com

• stauff.com/cad

STRATCO MINING CORE SAMPLE TRAYS

GATES HYDRAULIC HOSES

With over 70 years’ experience manufacturing and supplying quality products to the Australian construction and mining industries, Stratco understands the importance of protecting your drill core samples in high-quality, purposebuilt storage systems. Available for worldwide delivery, Stratco Core Trays are manufactured in a choice of metal or plastic materials and are designed to be strong, versatile and easy to use with a range of styles and sizes to suit your needs. The range includes Stratco Metal Core Trays and Stratco Plastic Core Trays. The metal trays are made from a quality zinc-aluminium alloy with integrated drainage slots to prevent cross-contamination of core samples, and the plastic trays are made from injection-moulded, highly visible white polypropylene that offers the highest level of UV protection with no pop rivets or welds. Whichever tray you need, you are guaranteed easy stacking and transportation. Stratco metal core trays are available with optional lugs and detachable handles, while the plastic core trays have handles built in.

Offering hose assemblies that run the gamut from low pressure to ultrahigh pressure, Gates is a leading manufacturer of couplings, hoses and accessories, recognised by over 20 international quality certifications and quality standards. Gates product portfolio encompasses adapters (including hydraulic and brass adapters), wire braid hose, PTFE hoses, crimpers, easily detachable couplers (quick disconnect couplers) and ball valves. The company also offers a line of international thread ends for wire-braid and spiral-wire hoses and can provide training workshops for industrial hose use to improve safety and productivity in the workplace. • gates.com

• stratco.com.au

AUSTRALIANMINING

JUNE 2018

PRODUCTS

OXYLANCE BURNING BAR SYSTEM

ERGODYNE ARSENAL 6810 WINTER CAP

The Burning Bar System from Oxylance can be used to cut through materials thanks to its 3870-celsius cutting tip that is nearly 1100 celsius hotter than a typical oxyacetylene torch. The Burning Bar System is particularly adept at cutting through both ferrous and nonferrous metals, with various sizes available to scale to various jobs; the Oxylance Burning Bar is available with outside diameters (OD) of .405 inches to 1.05 inches and lengths of 1.6m, 2.1m and 3.2m. The system is also compliant with US OSHA CFR 29-1910.95(a) Occupational Noise Exposure regulations, typically producing noise levels within a 90-91.9-decibel (dB) range, and maxing out at around 125dB when carbon arc gouging.

Ergodyne is noted for its safety work gear with a focus on providing protection, improving prevention and working towards zero injuries. Among products such as kneepads, safety gloves, kneeling pads, back supports and much more, the company has released a series of safetyand comfort-focused winter caps to help ensure comfort for site workers in colder conditions. Made from a full polyester knit, the cap can easily be stretched over hard hats. Pictured is the half-face style, but Ergodyne’s caps are also available in a full-face, balaclava-style variant as well. Ergodyne products are available in Australia from Pryme. • pryme.com.au • ergodyne.com

• oxylance.com

RADICAL TORQUE SOLUTIONS RAD PNEUMATIC NUTRUNNERS

SCHNEIDER INTELATRAC MOBILE OPERATOR ROUNDS

Radical Torque Solutions’ RAD pneumatic nutrunners are advanced torque guns suitable for mining applications, featuring an accuracy of -4 to 4 per cent and repeatability of -2 to 2 per cent. Available in several categories — standard series, high-speed series and wheel nut bolting series — the RAD series is flexible for a range of applications. The standard series (pictured) is designed for extreme duty use across a range of industrial applications at a single speed. The high-speed series utilises an automatic two-speed gearbox, ideal for nuts and bolts that have a long rundown. The wheel nut bolting series is specifically designed for wheel changes, and includes a nose extension to allow easy and safe operator access to the tyre rim.

Schneider’s Mobile Operator Rounds software can lead to significant return on investment for mine sites, including up to a 20 per cent reduction in downtime, 30 per cent increase in operator efficiency and 50 per cent reduction in breakdowns. Mobile Operator Rounds provides a list of daily tasks that can be loaded in the software, with workers able to implement best practice more easily through advanced scheduling of maintenance workflow. Mobile Operator Rounds utilises Microsoft SQL database server technology for system configuration and data storage. • software.scheider-electric.com

• radicaltorque.com.au

AUSTRALIANMINING

JUNE 2018

EVENTS

CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS EVENT SUBMISSIONS CAN BE EMAILED TO EDITOR@AUSTRALIANMINING.COM.AU

ENERGY MINES AND MONEY, BRISBANE, JUNE 20–21 Energy Mines and Money Australia will showcase strategic mineral, coal, oil and gas opportunities, and match projects with global investment throughout a two-day conference and exhibition taking place in Brisbane. Featuring over 80 mining leaders, energy executives and investment experts including Xcoal, AGL, Central Petroleum, Apollo, Denham Capital and SUEK to name a few, the conference programme will explore the economic outlook for energy and resources in Australia with a focus on oil, gas, gold, coal, and base metals. As well as examine the future of energy and the implications upon demand, supply, investment and opportunities for growth with a spotlight on uranium and battery metals, such as lithium, cobalt and graphite. • queensland.minesandmoney.com COPPER TO THE WORLD, ADELAIDE, JUNE 26 Copper to the World looks at opportunities for the red metal as the looming 2019 worldwide copper deficit opens up. International copper experts from Chile, the United Kingdom and Australia will join Australia’s copper miners and innovators working to fill the copper inventory gap as they incorporate the latest technologies to boost success and productivity. Decision makers and thought leaders will meet with up-to-date analysis, case studies and technical know-how on big opportunities facing the industry. Topics will span the international outlook for copper, Australian and global perspectives on new technologies in copper mining, innovation in engage-

ment and the ongoing work to discover the next resource. • w ww.minerals.dpc.sa.gov.au/copper_to_the_world QUEENSLAND MINING AWARDS 2018, MACKAY, JULY 25 The Bowen Basin Mining Club (BBMC), in partnership with the Queensland Resources Council, are proud to host the Queensland mining industry’s premier awards event, the 2018 Queensland Mining Awards. The Awards have been designed to celebrate the spirit of innovation, excellence and collaboration that is fostered within the highly competitive mining industry. Award categories include the Safety Innovation Award (sponsored by McLanahan), Collaboration Award (sponsored by METS Ignited) and Cost Saving Initiative Award (sponsored by Greyhound Australia), among many others. Award winners will be recognised the quality of their products and contributions, as well as their commitment to mining innovation. The Awards will be held at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre in the Bowen Basin on July 25, in collaboration with QME (below). • bbminingclub.com/awards QUEENSLAND MINING & ENGINEERING EXHIBITION 2018, MACKAY, JULY 24–26 The 2018 Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME), Queensland’s largest mining and engineering exhibition, will take place in Mackay from July 24–26. Bringing together mining personnel, suppliers and renowned speakers, the QME is dedicated to the discussion of AUSTRALIANMINING

the latest in strategies and technologies driving productivity, profitability and protection of the industry. More than 200 leading companies are confirmed to attend the event, where they will showcase the latest in mining technology with product launches and live demonstrations. Suppliers confirmed to attend this year include Hastings Deering (the event’s major sponsor), GE Mining, Downer and Panasonic, among several others. Support will also come from Austmine, BPEQ, the Bowen Basin Mining Club, Mackay Airport, Mackay Regional Council and Queensland Resources Council (QRC). • w ww.queenslandminingexpo.com.au QUEENSLAND MINING HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE, GOLD COAST, AUGUST 19–22 The Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference is an event dedicated to fostering proactive health and safety management techniques within the Queensland mining industry, and will see up to 700 delegates gathered from across Australia. This year’s event has the theme of ‘Recognising opportunities together’. Those wishing to take an active role in the conference are encouraged to consider presenting a paper during one of the sessions or to enter the renowned Innovation and Health Program Awards. This year’s conference will be held at The Star Gold Coast from August 19–22, where proceedings will culminate in a conference dinner and award presentation. Paper Abstracts submissions are due Friday March 30 and submission for the Innovation and Health Program

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Awards are due by Friday May 18. • qldminingsafety.org.au PROSPECT AWARDS, SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND, SYDNEY, OCTOBER 18 Celebrating its 15th year this October, the Australian Mining Prospect Awards has firmly established itself as one of Australia’s premier mining industry events. Nominations are now open for the 2018 Awards, which celebrates the best of the industry. Previous winners have included a large range of companies, from SMEs and start-up ventures to the industry’s biggest hitters, such as Atlas Copco, BGC Contracting and Roy Hill. Last year also saw iron ore mogul Gina Rinehart receive the award for Contribution to Mining. This year’s event will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday October 18. • prospectawards.com.au MINING LEADERS PROGRAM, BRISBANE, JUNE 18-OCTOBER 26 The Mining Leaders’ Program has been specifically designed for the unique challenges of the sector, and represents a partnership between the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) and UQ Business School Executive Education. The program aims to empower functional heads, discipline managers, or newly appointed general managers to become high performing leaders, building the capabilities to progress to executive and board level in the future. • smi.uq.edu.au/mlp

NOMINATIONS NOW

OPEN For more information, please go to

www.prospectawards.com.au Sponsors

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