MINING SERVICES

CAPS EXPANDS RENTAL CAPABILITY

WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING RENTAL OPTIONS FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY, CAPS AUSTRALIA HAS FLEXIBILITY AND APPLICABILITY FRONT OF MIND.

CAPS Australia offers one of the widest ranges of industrial air compressors in the country.

In a world where mining supply chains are incurring more disruptions than ever before and sourcing locally has never been more important, hire options have become increasingly popular – and necessary.

CAPS national rental coordinator Rhys McIntyre believes this demand can also be put down to distinct financial preferences within the mining sector.

“A lot of the mining companies rely a lot on operational expense instead of capital expenditure,” he told Australian Mining. “So it’s quicker and easier to get the required machines onsite through rental.

“If sites need a short-term, mediumterm, long-term solution, they can come to us and we can provide it.”

Indeed, everything from portable diesel air compressors to electric air compressors, dryers, receivers for a complete air solution can be rented from CAPS.

It’s one thing to hire a machine, it’s another to ensure that machine is applicable to a particular mining environment. And that’s why standardisation is so important.

“Over the last three years, we’ve been focused on standardising our equipment,” McIntyre said. “This helps ensure safety, interoperability, and compatibility of equipment we supply to sites.

“If a customer wants multiples of one type (of air compressor) and comes to us and says, ‘We want 8000 CFM (cubic feet per minute) at –20 to –33 (dew point)’, CAPS can provide 8x1000 CFM portable diesel machines connected to fuel tanks and plumbed into desiccant dryers and air receivers.”

CAPS also has its rental purchase option (RPO) available for all stocked rental machines. Customers can rent for a minimum of 12 months up to 48 months and have the option of purchasing the equipment on any anniversary. The monthly rental rate of the equipment is reduced every 12 months as it wears.

McIntyre said the RPO was about giving mining companies greater flexibility.

“It can often be hard to get capital expenditure approved, so what we offer with the RPO is, it’s like a rental but at every 12-month anniversary they’ve got the option to purchase it,” he said.

“So it gets to four years and the capital expenditure might be $20,000 instead of $150,000 to buy it originally. This is a more palatable figure for capital expenditure.”

CAPS has its own ISO (International Organization for Standardization)accredited engineering division to ensure all rental machines can be customised to an operation’s unique requirements.

“All of our equipment is mine-spec (mine specification) as standard,” McIntyre said. “We have standardised our product modifications across the range so all machines are compliant with mine site specifications and will withstand the hot and harsh conditions.”

Once equipment has been commissioned, CAPS has service centres across the country to attend to all rental equipment servicing requirements or product alterations.

As a trusted partner to the Western Australia mining industry, the company has an especially strong presence in Perth and Kalgoorlie, though it has also established itself in Mackay, Queensland, and elsewhere in Australia.

CAPS has had a presence in Newcastle, NSW, for over 30 years and the company recently opened up a dedicated rental facility in the city to add to its support of the area.

“Newcastle’s a really strong hub for the Hunter Valley coal mining region and is going to be our large east-coast rental hub,” McIntyre said.

“So we’ll be offering a lot of the larger portable diesels and large electric compressors with all the necessary ancillary equipment such as dryers, fuel tanks and air receivers to suit.”

CAPS has also launched a service hub in Launceston, Tasmania, assisting companies and contractors with all of their air compressor service, repair and rental needs.

With more than 42 years in the books, CAPS’ reputation alone solidifies the company as an important part of the Australian mining equipment, technology and services (METS) industry.

You can’t build a reputation without a focus on product excellence, premium service and having an affinity for innovation. CAPS has these in spades. AM

CUSTOMERS CAN ACCESS A COMPLETE AIR SOLUTION THROUGH CAPS’ RENTAL OPTIONS. CAPS NATIONAL RENTAL COORDINATOR RHYS MCINTYRE WITH THE COMPANY’S RENTAL FLEET.

LIEBHERR BRANCHES OUT IN THE WA GOLDFIELDS

LIEBHERR-AUSTRALIA RECENTLY OPENED ITS THIRD WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MINING BRANCH TO MUCH EXCITEMENT.

THE OPENING OF THE KALGOORLIE BRANCH REPRESENTS A RETURN TO THE REGION FOR LIEBHERR.

The official opening of Liebherr’s Kalgoorlie branch was held on Thursday April 28, with employees, customers, partners, and community members joining at the Kakarra Road site to celebrate.

Located 588km east of Perth, the location will allow Liebherr to provide fast and efficient parts and services to its large customer base in Kalgoorlie and the surrounding areas.

The Kalgoorlie branch marks Liebherr’s return to the region and represents the recent growth the company has experienced in the district.

Located in the heart of the WA Goldfields, the expansion signifies Liebherr’s diversified portfolio, not only of equipment and services, but also a wider range of commodities.

Since 2018, Liebherr has grown from fewer than five excavators to now more than 30 machines within a 600km radius of Kalgoorlie, including mining excavators, off-highway trucks, and dozers. Liebherr has continued to expand its products worldwide and the company has grown steadily throughout its six-decade-plus history.

While the company’s offices can be found throughout the country, the new opening marks a reappearance in the region for Liebherr. The company was present in the area through an agent between 1986 and 1990, before taking over as the official original equipment manufacturer (OEM) dealership from 1990 to 2006.

“Returning to Kalgoorlie marks the success we’ve had in recent years in growing our equipment fleet in the region,” Liebherr managing director Trent Wehr said. “We have always been committed to providing the best support to our customers and establishing the Kalgoorlie branch will only further enable us to provide these services.”

As with all Liebherr operations, customers can expect a high level of service and support from the Kalgoorlie branch.

The branch features a 1000m² warehouse where customers will be able to find necessary parts and Liebherr tooling.

The site will also be supported by full-time parts personnel. Customer support and service teams will use the branch as a hub when travelling between sites and, along with the parts warehouse, the new branch will also feature a 180m² office space.

Having the branch in Kalgoorlie will also provide support in the form of fast access to spare parts and critical customer service for customers and their equipment in the region.

An exciting component of the branch is how it will cater to growth. Located on a 10,000m² block, future expansion could allow for equipment to be built on the premises as demand grows.

The branch has enough room to store equipment on-site, along with a fully equipped wash bay.

The Kalgoorlie facility will be supported by the main mining branch in Perth, along with LiebherrAustralia’s head office, national distribution centre, and production facility in Adelaide.

Customers can now find Liebherr branches in Mackay, Queensland; Mt Thorley , NSW; and in Perth and Newman, WA; along with the head office and national distribution centre in Adelaide, SA. AM

THE NEW LOCATION WILL ALLOW LIEBHERR TO PROVIDE FAST AND EFFICIENT PARTS AND SERVICES TO ITS CUSTOMERS IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS. THE OPENING WAS ATTENDED BY EMPLOYEES, CUSTOMERS, PARTNERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

QME: BACK IN MACKAY AND BIGGER THAN EVER

TAKING PLACE IN MACKAY IN JULY, QME WILL ILLUSTRATE THE WORLD-CLASS CAPABILITIES OF THE QUEENSLAND RESOURCES SECTOR, SHOWCASING INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE ON A LARGER SCALE THAN EVER BEFORE.

Queensland’s mining industry has weathered the last two years particularly well, and the scale of this year’s Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) is a strong reflection of the sector’s resilience.

Returning to Mackay from July 19–21, QME will see Queensland’s innovation, excellence and world-class capabilities on display once again.

With a packed roster of over 280 exhibitors, including Atlas Copco, Mastermyne, RYCO 24•7, Volvo Penta, ABB Australia, WEG and Fulton Hogan, 2022 sees QME serve up one of its biggest-ever celebrations.

Mackay Regional Council mayor Greg Williamson said the biennial event was a highlight on the local calendar and an excellent opportunity to showcase the region’s extensive mining capabilities.

“QME is a barometer of the resources sector’s confidence and operational scale in Queensland, and in 2022, it looks to be the best in nearly a decade,” he said. “We’re so proud of what QME brings to Mackay and are thrilled to host the exhibition at the Mackay Showgrounds once again.”

Beyond the exhibition floor, QME features a free-to-attend seminar series, live demonstrations and presentations, plus exclusive industry events like the QME Opening Party and the Queensland Mining Awards.

Exhibition director Samantha Martin is excited to see the industry’s engagement with the QME program.

“QME 2022 is breaking records in so many ways – our outdoor space is set to be nearly 300 per cent larger than QME 2018, and we’ve got exhibitors from all over Queensland and Australia who are eager to meet with customers face-toface once again,” Martin said.

The Opening Party on Tuesday July 19 – hosted by QME in conjunction with the Queensland Resources Council – is expected to attract hundreds of guests and will be sponsored by Hastings Deering.

Hastings Deering chief executive officer and managing director Mark Scott said the event will be an unmissable opportunity to network with the people who make things happen in the industry.

“We’re proud to partner with QME once again as they celebrate nearly three decades of showcasing the best our industry has to offer. It’s never been more important to connect with our peers, as that’s where true innovation happens.”

The QME Seminar Series, sponsored by Komatsu, will feature panel sessions, keynotes and thought-provoking topics including innovation, industry outlook, exponential technology, workforce, government and policy, and occupational health and safety.

With thousands of attendees expected and an expanded exhibition floor, the Seminar Series promises to be another major drawcard in an actionpacked week.

Noteworthy industry experts speaking at QME’s Seminar Series include Ian MacFarlane (Queensland Resources Council chief executive), Melanie Saul (Pembroke Resources ESG manager) and Professor David Williams (director of the Geotechnical Engineering Centre at University of Queensland’s School of Civil Engineering).

Joanne Bergamin (QEM Limited’s director of communications) will also be there, as will Kristy Purdon (Anglo American work management superintendent), Lydia Gentle (BHP maintenance manager) and Tanya Cambetis (Glencore execution specialist).

It’s not just industry suppliers exhibiting at QME. The Mining House Pavilion will play host to major mining companies such as Anglo American, BHP, Bravus Mining & Resources, Glencore, MacKellar Group, Multicom Resources and Whitehaven Coal.

The Queensland Resources Council is a strong supporter of the event, and chief executive Ian Macfarlane said an expanded QME was an excellent reflection on the sector’s strength over the past few years.

“Mining is one of the top three drivers of the Queensland economy, and the royalties from the sector are essential to Australia’s continued economic growth and jobs,” he said.

“One in every six jobs in the state is supported by the resources sector, and in the last financial year we contributed a record $84.3 billion dollars to the Queensland economy.

“With this in mind, it’s fantastic to see the sector coming together at QME to discuss the next wave of innovation and how we can continue to stay at the leading edge of technology and sustainability for the future.”

Anyone participating in or supplying to Queensland’s mining industry is welcome to visit the three-day event. In particular, engineers, management and site personnel will benefit from the program and exhibition. AM

QME IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS ON THE AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES INDUSTRY’S ANNUAL CALENDAR.

QME will be held from July 19–21 at the Mackay Showgrounds. To register for free, visit qmeexpo.com.au

SOURCING USED EQUIPMENT FROM ACROSS THE WORLD

RITCHIE BROS. IS A WORLD LEADER IN THE USED EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY, AND THE DEMAND FOR THE COMPANY’S SALES PLATFORM CONTINUES TO INCREASE AMID GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS.

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) play a critical role in the Australian mining industry, as they engineer and innovate equipment to keep the sector turning. However, as global supply chains tighten, it’s important mining companies and contractors are able to source machinery through different avenues.

Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the used equipment market has experienced strong buyer demand, filling the global supply chain gap for new equipment.

A frontrunner in the used equipment industry, Ritchie Bros. has cast the net wide, leveraging its connections to source machinery solutions from across the globe.

Every month, thousands of people across the world buy equipment at Ritchie Bros.’ unreserved auctions, it’s 24–7 online retail channel Marketplace-E, and through private treaty. To complement the equipment, the company provides the services and information needed to buy with confidence.

“We’re in every continent in the world,” Ritchie Bros. Asia Pacific sales director Finlay Massey told Australian Mining. “We’re located in South America, North America, Europe, South-East Asia, Africa. We’ve got fulltime employees in all of these areas.

“This gives you the ability to inspect equipment in the various countries, do the local negotiations on the purchasing side and do physical inspections, as well as supply photos and downloads and all the necessary information the buyer would need.”

It’s not only about sourcing the equipment but having the ability to get it to Australia quickly. This is where Ritchie Bros.’ global shipping and importing expertise comes to the fore.

“We sourced a very low-hour Caterpillar 994K wheel loader from Europe and shipped it into Australia which ended up going to a major iron ore miner. That arrived in two months,” Massey said.

“A customer recently enquired looking for a low-hour late-model Caterpillar D10T dozer. We sourced one in Japan and can have it here in five weeks.”

Ritchie Bros.’ sourcing capabilities not only come from the company’s global footprint but also its understanding in commodity markets.

“Commodity prices aren’t just domestic to Australia, they’re global,” Massey said. “Historically, Indonesia has been a very strong sourcing place to find equipment for Australians.

“At the moment, coal prices are up, their demands up as well, so the used equipment supply from Indonesia has decreased compared to where it was 12 months ago.”

While rising commodity prices create their own unique buying behaviours, they typically lead to higher cash flow for mining companies, creating greater appetite for growth and increased desire for equipment. This puts Ritchie Bros. front and centre.

Ritchie Bros.’ 2022 Australian Unreserved End of Financial Year (EOFY) Auction is taking place from June 22–23 and stands as the perfect opportunity for companies to capitalise on any outstanding tax opportunities.

Massey said the EOFY auction is a popular event because companies will be looking to make some closing deals before the new financial year begins.

“Many companies don’t know their current financial situation until very late in the financial year,” he said.

“So having our auction at the end of the financial year gives them an opportunity to have their facts and figures right when looking to buy or sell.

“You’ve got some companies that need to offload assets at that time of year, and you’ve got others that need to acquire assets in order to take advantage of the 100 per cent write off which is on offer.”

As Ritchie Bros. continues to expand its global footprint, the company’s sourcing capabilities will only increase, enabling used equipment to be located and shipped more quickly.

And in a mining industry where speed and efficiency come first, Ritchie Bros.’ sales platform is only going to grow in popularity. AM

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE BUY EQUIPMENT RITCHIE BROS. HAS THE CAPABILITY THROUGH RITCHIE BROS.’ SALES CHANNELS EVERY MONTH. TO SOURCE USED EQUIPMENT FROM ALL ACROSS THE GLOBE.

A SAFER WORKFORCE THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY

AN ADDITIONAL BONUS OF AUSTRALIA’S COMMITMENT TO ZERO EMISSIONS COULD INCLUDE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE MINING WORKFORCE.

The Australian Government last year pledged to deliver net zero emissions by 2050 while preserving Australian jobs and generating new opportunities for industries.

A large part of this saw Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Federal Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reductions Angus Taylor release Australia’s Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan.

The technology-driven plan sets out a credible pathway to net-zero by 2050, establishing Australia as a leader in low-emissions technologies.

John Curtin Distinguished Professor Peter Newman from the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute said the entire private sector was moving quickly.

Newman believes that while there is great potential in hydrogen fuel cell technology, it will not be costeffective and the industry will be better off focusing on the benefits of battery technology.

“All of the land transport is going to be battery-electric, so every train, truck and piece of mining equipment will be able to switch to battery-electric or running directly off the main power supply,” he said.

“Batteries are getting lighter and they now have a more extensive range. The battery chemistries are constantly being upgraded, which is giving them more power.”

However, it is not just batteries that are included in sustainable energy.

IGO recently announced it has continued its partnership with Zenith Energy to prove it is possible to use 100 per cent renewables to meet the demands of an operational mine site.

Zenith Energy is the builder, owner and operator of the power station at IGO’s Nova nickel-copper-cobalt operation in the Goldfields region of WA and will expand its renewable generation to successfully operate “engine off” for up to nine consecutive hours a day.

The site is currently powered by a hybrid solar and diesel engine system and will expand its renewable energy capabilities through the addition of an extra 10MW of solar panels, and a 10MWh battery energy storage system.

The storage system is a key component of achieving “engine off’, storing sufficient power to ensure supply and reliability of the system is not compromised.

Zenith executive manager – growth Dominic Da Cruz said the project would boost renewable penetration on-site to allow for 100 per cent renewable power generation during daylight hours, depending on weather conditions.

Based on a power purchase agreement struck up with IGO in October 2018, Zenith built its facility to complement the previous Nova diesel power station, also designed by Zenith.

Da Cruz said while Nova would continue to rely on diesel-generated power overnight and during inclement weather conditions, he remains confident the industry is approaching a tipping point where 100 per cent renewable power generation will be possible 24 hours a day.

However, in addition to the positive environmental and sustainability objectives of the Nova project, Da Cruz said there were also safety benefits for personnel working at the site.

“The primary example, particularly in underground operations, is the ability to reduce the diesel particulates from a site,” he said.

“I think there are many mining companies that are starting to rate the potential health problems associated with exposure to these particulates, especially over long periods.

“Companies like IGO and other major miners are currently trialling battery-electric vehicles on their sites in an attempt to reduce these risks; however, I think the concept of a fully electric mine site is still a few years away.”

Curtin University-led research has found that as many as half a million Australians experience constant tinnitus, with workers in the resources industry among those most at risk.

The research, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, examined the prevalence of tinnitus among 5000 adults currently employed across the country.

Lead author and audiologist Kate Lewkowski, from the Curtin School of Population Health, said the survey results indicated one-quarter of the Australian workforce suffered from tinnitus, including 500,000 who live with it constantly.

While 2050 may seem like a long way away, the potential benefits of net-zero emissions – not just for the environment, but also for the broader Australian resources industry workforce – could be massive for the sector. AM

ZENITH ENERGY’S NOVA PROJECT IN THE GOLDFIELDS.

GOLD GROWTH OUTLOOK ON THE RISE

THE LATEST RESOURCES AND ENERGY QUARTERLY, FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, SCIENCE, ENERGY AND RESOURCES, HAS REPORTED AUSTRALIA’S GOLD MINE PRODUCTION IS PROJECTED TO RISE AT AN AVERAGE OF 6.8 PER CENT A YEAR IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, REACHING A PEAK OF 390 TONNES IN 2025–26.

ON A GLOBAL SCALE, GOLD CONSUMPTION INCREASED BY 9.9 PER CENT TO 4021 TONNES IN 2021.

Australia remains the second largest gold producer in the world, and the industry contributed $23 billion to the economy in 2021, furthering the nation’s economic prosperity, providing tens of thousands of jobs, and supporting local communities.

With 82 operating gold projects accounting for nine per cent of global mine production, and a solid pipeline of projects, Australia’s gold mine production is expected to reach 305 tonnes in 2022.

Growth over the next few years will be driven by mine reactivation and expansions, as well as production from new mines (Bellevue Gold’s 5.7-tonnes-a-year Bellevue gold mine in WA is expected to come online in June 2023).

Australia’s gold export earnings also increased by 6.3 per cent to nearly $27 billion in 2020–21. This was largely propelled by a 4.4 per cent year-on-year rise in Australian dollar gold prices, as well as a 9.9 per cent boost in global gold consumption.

Australia exports its gold to more than 55 countries, and export volumes are projected to rise from 285 tonnes in 2021–22 to 382 tonnes in 2025–26.

However, production is tipped to decline. After reaching a peak in 2025–26, Australian gold output is projected to decline 4.1 per cent a year to 374 tonnes in 2026–27. Output will be weighed down by lower grade ores, reserve exhaustion and closures, and will be exacerbated by falling prices.

It is therefore essential the industry is supported and investment in exploration is incentivised and continues to rise. Exploration is a vital gateway towards new gold deposits and realising the local economic and jobs benefits of production.

Exploration Australia’s gold exploration expenditure increased by nearly 22 per cent in 2021 to $1601 million. This accounted for 45 per cent of Australia’s total minerals exploration expenditure during the year – driven by high US dollar and Australian dollar gold prices.

Western Australia remained the centre of gold exploration activity in Australia, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of total gold exploration expenditure.

Centre of Australian gold production In 2020–21, WA was the largest gold-producing state in Australia, accounting for 68 per cent (or 218 tonnes) of Australian total gold mine output, followed by New South Wales (11 per cent, or 36 tonnes), Victoria (7.6 per cent, or 24 tonnes), the Northern Territory (4.7 per cent, or 15 tonnes), Queensland (4.1 per cent, or 13 tonnes), South Australia (3.8 per cent, or 12 tonnes), and Tasmania (0.7 per cent, or 2.1 tonnes).

WA is expected to remain Australia’s largest gold-producing state over the next several years as production rises.

Production in the NT, SA and Tasmania is also expected to rise. Global consumption On a global scale, gold consumption increased by 9.9 per cent to 4021 tonnes in 2021.

The economic recovery from the COVID pandemic saw gold jewellery demand jump 52 per cent to 2124 tonnes, while demand for gold in technology increased by 8.9 per cent, propelled by a 9.2 per cent rise in gold used in the electronics sector.

This is expected to continue, with world gold consumption tipped to rise at an annual average rate of four per cent for the next three years, fuelled by a projected fall in gold prices.

About the REQ The Resources and Energy Quarterly (REQ) is a publication produced by the Federal Government’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources containing the Office of the Chief Economist’s forecasts for the value, volume and price of Australia’s gold commodity exports.

About Gold Industry Group The Gold Industry Group is a memberbased, not-for-profit association governed by a Board of Directors.

The organisation represents gold producers, explorers, prospectors, fabricators and service providers to champion long-term initiatives that grow understanding of the gold sector’s value to the economy and community. AM

AUSTRALIA’S GOLD MINE PRODUCTION IS EXPECTED TO REACH 305 TONNES IN 2022.

INTRODUCING THE NEW CAPS GENERATOR RANGE!

CAPS is excited to launch its brand new range of generators to the market, complementing our existing range of AIRMAN and KOHLER generators. CAPS wanted to be able to offer our own range of generators, that through our 41 years of experience has allowed us to specify. A range with the right quality, the right features and that are more than up to the challenges of the Australian conditions. We have partnered with one of the world’s leading European manufacturers of power generators to bring to you our new range suitable for both prime or back-up power. Highly specified and a competitive price.

POWER GENERATORS (PRIME OR BACKUP)

CAPS will be initially offering generator sizes of 9kVA right through to 794kVA. CAPS generators featuring world class componentry and the brands you know and trust such as; Perkins engines, Leroy Somer alternators, Deepsea controllers and many more. They all come with high quality super-quiet acoustic enclosures, double-wall bunded fuel tanks and a myriad of safety features such as Earth leakage, electric fuel level sensor, low fuel alarm, fuel gauge, battery isolator, rain cap, lifting points and emergency stop button.

IN STOCK AND AVAILABLE NOW

AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCHES

For a complete backup solution, you will need to add an Automatic Transfer Switch. This facilitates management between your generator supply and mains supply to automatically start and stop the generator when power is lost or restored. All CAPS standby power generators can be equipped with Verso automatic transfer switches in the range of 35A – 630A

At CAPS, we’re the experts in the supply and installation of industrial diesel generators in Australia. Whatever your power industrial generator needs are, we’ll make it happen.