Australian Mining Aug 2022 by Prime Creative Media

INDUSTRY INSIGHT COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT VOLUME 114/7 | AUGUST 2022

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT VOLUME 114/7 | AUGUST 2022

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COMMENT

A MINING BOOM DRILL AND BLAST MINING INVOLVES A LOT MORE THAN MAKING SOMETHING BLOW UP.

PAUL HAYES paul.hayes@primecreative.com.au

s the term would suggest, drill and blast in the resources involves drilling holes into rock following very precise surveying and planning. Once drilled, these holes are loaded with explosives which are detonated, causing the rock to fracture and crumble. Sounds simple enough. The idea of drilling and blasting on a mine site has come a long way. As with pretty much every other area of the resources industry, safety and efficiency are among the most important aspects of this vital process. This month, Australian Mining takes a look at some of the of the innovations, products and services that are involved in modern drilling and blasting, including a new blastinitiation system, remotely operated systems, maintaining close customers relationships to create maximum optimisation and efficiency in drill-based operations, and a close look at an international case study involving an emulsion vertical delivery system at a mine in Zambia. Elsewhere in the magazine, we drill down into PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) recently released ‘Mine 2022’ report, which examines the performance of the world’s top 40 mining companies in 2021, while unpacking the most pressing trends facing the global mining industry. We speak with a PwC Australia partner about the report and what the future holds for mining in locally and around the world. We also take a deep dive into the history of uranium mining in Australia. While the local use of uranium in nuclear power generation remains a long way off (at best), the country’s

history of mining this valuable resource goes back further than you might think. Looking more at the mining industry of today, it’s no secret that the sector – like so many others around the world – is experiencing a major skills shortage. We chat with an industry CEO about the current situation, including what the industry can do to better sell itself to graduates and anyone else considering joining the industry. And with face-to-face events now firmly back on the calendar after what feels like an eternity, we have a preview of the upcoming 2022 Australian Bulk Handling Expo, to be held in Melbourne from August 24–26. After recent events like the Prospect Awards, Women in Industry and the Institute of Quarrying (IQA) Australia National Conference were such big hits, we can be quite certain people will flock to BULK2022 for what will no doubt be a jampacked conference. After having spent so long at our desks and communicating with people over the phone or via a computer screen, it’s fantastic to see the events space come back to life and give the whole industry a breath of fresh air.

Paul Hayes Editor

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JOHN MURPHY PUBLISHER CHRISTINE CLANCY EDITOR PAUL HAYES Email: paul.hayes@primecreative.com.au JOURNALISTS ALEXANDRA EASTWOOD Email: alexandra.eastwood@primecreative.com.au TOM PARKER Email: tom.parker@primecreative.com.au LEWIS CROSS Email: lewis.cross@primecreative.com.au

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER JANINE CLEMENTS Tel: (02) 9439 7227 Email: janine.clements@primecreative.com.au SALES MANAGER JONATHAN DUCKETT Tel: (02) 9439 7227 Mob: 0498 091 027 Email: jonathan.duckett@primecreative.com.au SALES ADMINISTRATOR EMMA JAMES Tel: (02) 9439 7227 Mob: 0414 217 190 Email: emma.james@primecreative.com.au DESIGN PRODUCTION MANAGER MICHELLE WESTON michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au ART DIRECTOR BLAKE STOREY blake.storey@primecreative.com.au

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AUGUST 2022

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IN INTHIS THISISSUE ISSUE

22 22

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

The PwC scoop: Forecasting mining’s financial future? Soaring inflation has seen the global mining industry endure greater operational costs in 2022, but will this situation continue?

COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

U ranium in Australia: Past, present and future While the use of nuclear energy in Australia remains a long way off, the country has a long-standing history of uranium mining.

DRILL AND BLAST

Dyno Nobel blasts off with the Ranger After a successful launch overseas, the Australian mining industry is set to reap the benefits from the Digishot Ranger, Dyno Nobel’s newest blast initiation system.

MINING EQUIPMENT

Keeping the wheels in motion Using its decades of experience around the world, Kal Tire is able to help smaller mining operations achieve big production results.

30 42

WATER MANAGEMENT

GEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Redefining rigid pipelines with flexible layflat hose S etting up pipelines for mine site dewatering remains a big part of water management. Flexible layflat pipelines and reeling systems can offer the perfect alternative for poly pipe. P rospectivity analysis meets machinelearning SRK, in partnership with DeepIQ and BHP, has delivered an update into the world of machine learning in knowledge-driven geological analysis.

MINING INNOVATION

Redefining exploration with the CoreSmart Predictor Two inspired innovators have joined forces to develop the CoreSmart Predictor, artificial intelligence that provides highly accurate, real-time grade predictions for drill core ore sampling and mining operations.

MINING EQUIPMENT

RECRUITMENT

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Under the hammer: Buying and selling to suit every need S ince its start in 1958, Ritchie Bros. has gone from strength to strength. Its APAC sales director Finlay Massey discusses why. Attracting innovation A s industries across the world face skills shortages, how can mining can stay competitive? The best the industry can handle The 2022 Australian Bulk Handling Expo is back after a long hiatus and will arrive in Melbourne in August.

REGULARS 5 COMMENT 10 NEWS 76 PRODUCTS 78 EVENTS

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Solving the challenge of scrap tyres in a way that’s practical and sustainable could be around the corner for Southern Africa. After successfully opening a thermal conversion OTR tyre recycling facility in Chile that converts scrap tyres into base elements for reuse, Kal Tire is ready to bring this scalable solution to other regions.

NEWS

THE LATEST MINING AND SAFETY NEWS AUSTRALIAN MINING PRESENTS THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE BOARDROOM TO THE MINE AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. VISIT WWW.AUSTRALIANMINING.COM.AU TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING. MINING INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTES $43 BILLION IN COMPANY TAX The return to the community from Australia’s mining industry has again hit record levels, with a combined $43.2 billion in company tax and royalties paid in the 202021 financial year, a 16 per cent increase from the $37.3 billion contributed in the previous period. Company taxes paid reached a new record high of $26.5 billion

and royalties also reached a high of $16.7 billion in 2020-21 contributing significantly to federal, state and territory governments at a time when they needed it most during the COVID pandemic. The record company and royalties payments are highlighted in an Ernst & Young report commissioned by the Minerals Council of Australia

THE MINERALS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SAID COMPANY TAX AND ROYALTY PAYMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INCREASING IN 2021–22.

(MCA), which also shows that in the last decade (between 2011–12 and 2020–21), the mining industry contributed $254 billion in company taxes and royalties ($142 billion and $112 billion, respectively). MCA chief executive Tania Constable said company tax and royalty payments are expected to continue increasing in 2021–22 in line with increases in export earnings, driven by a positive outlook in the price and quantity of metallurgical and thermal coal coupled with a robust year for iron ore, gold and base metals. “The industry in Australia continues to pay the highest average wages (and) the most company taxes, delivers the most export revenue, and is critical to supporting regions and communities – supporting 1.1 million jobs in the mining industry and its supply chains,” she said. “The Australian mining industry always pays its fair share of tax while providing royalties to state governments to pay for improved roads, hospitals and other infrastructure and services.

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

“Mining companies also support thousands of regional businesses around Australia and their workers who provide essential services that keep the industry operating. “In addition to new jobs across the nation and paying its fair share of taxes and royalties, the mining industry has been supporting local communities through the COVID-19 pandemic, providing substantial donations to hospitals, charities, childcare centres and schools.”

PULLING POWER IN RIO TINTO FEMALE RECRUITMENT DRIVE More than 3000 women across Australia and New Zealand have applied for roles with Rio Tinto following the launch of recruitment campaigns targeting women who had not previously worked in the mining industry. In Western Australia, the Transferable Pathways campaign attracted about 1600 responses, which was roughly the same number received for the Women in Leadership program at Rio Tinto’s eastern Australian and New Zealand aluminium operations in April and May, bringing total applications for both programs to around 3200. The campaigns attracted applicants from a diverse range of industries, including defence,

aviation, government, human resources (HR) and education. Rio Tinto chief executive Australia Kellie Parker said the response to both of these campaigns had been overwhelming and it was encouraging to see women keen to enter the industry as the company worked to create a more inclusive and diverse environment. “Our recent review into workplace culture, the Everyday Respect report, showed clearly that we need to foster a more diverse and inclusive workforce, which includes increasing the number of women in our business,” she said. “One way we are trying to do this is to better recognise leadership AUSTRALIANMINING

and work skills gained in other industries and help transfer those to our workforce. “Traditional recruitment practices for our industry mean we are hiring women from the same talent pool. “By opening up our operational roles to women without industry experience, but with transferable skills and talent, we not only increase representation of women in our business but also diversity across the industry as a whole.” After a successful trial program for female operators in 2020, the program will be enhanced in 2022 to include leadership roles. 34 women will be selected for a combination of leadership, planning and scheduling roles across Rio

AUGUST 2022

Tinto’s Pilbara operations, including Gudai-Darri, Marandoo, Robe Valley, Brockman, Cape Lambert and other Pilbara locations. Over the first 12 months, each participant will receive a tailored learning and development plan to support their move into mining. They will be asked to bring their unique skills to learning and development sessions that will be focused on the more technical aspects of mining. Each participant will also shadow a peer on-site and be partnered with mentors to coach and support them as they gain industry experience. Successful candidates will begin the programs later this year.

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NEWS

AUSTRALIAN RESOURCE EXPORTS HIT RECORD $400B BULK CARRIERS LOADING IRON ORE AT PORT HEDLAND.

The global energy crisis has driven demand for Australian resources to all-time highs, with the country’s resource exports hitting a record $405 billion for the 2021–22 financial year. The ongoing Russia–Ukraine war and the resultant sanctions on Russia have led to global shortages in coal and natural gas, which has in turn seen commodity prices spike. Australia’s record resource export earnings have come as countries look to non-Russian sources of fuel, a situation Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King said

highlighted Australia as a “stable and reliable” global supplier. “Australia’s resources and energy sector continues to underpin Australia’s economy and to support international energy security during the global turbulence caused largely by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” she said. The June 2022 Resources and Energy Quarterly (REQ) from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources Export forecasts earnings to rise again to $419 billion in 2022–23, before cooling to $338 billion in 2023–24.

Earnings from coal and liquefied natural gas have more than doubled in the past 12 months, with figures reaching $100 billion and $70 billion, respectively. Iron ore remains Australia’s most valuable export, with the new trade figures estimating its export earnings reached $133 billion for the year. However, King said those earnings were expected to decline as mines in Brazil lift production volumes and global demand slows. “The value of iron ore exports is expected to moderate further in 2023–24, as prices ease toward

their historical average below US$100 a tonne,” she said. Commodities such as lithium, nickel and copper, which are critical to the transition to cleaner sources of energy, generated $23 billion of combined export earnings in 2021–22, an increase of 39 per cent from 2020–21. Lithium demand is being driven by surging global electric vehicle sales, which doubled to 6.6 million in 2021. Having reached $4.1 billion in 2021–22, lithium’s export earnings are expected to more than double to $9.4 billion in 2023–24.

DOZERS START DIGGING AT COBURN PROJECT Rapid construction of Strandline Resources’ Coburn mineral sands project in Western Australia facilitated commencement of openpit mine development (starter pits) two months ahead of schedule. It comes after the successful early mobilisation of the mining contractor in April 2022. Mine development will now run concurrently with finalising the construction of the processing and supporting infrastructure, which remains on budget and on track for first production of HMC (heavy mineral concentrate) later this year.

Detailed mine planning optimisation by AMC Consultants, using the latest infill drilling data, has resulted in an enhanced pit design for the first two years of the mine plan, which contains less overburden (lower strip ratio) and potentially reduced mining costs compared to assumptions contained within the Coburn definitive feasibility study. The three dozer mining units have been delivered and assembled on-site, ready to be moved into position for mining first ore later this year. AUSTRALIANMINING

Commissioning of the subsystems associated with the wet concentration plant (WCP) and hybrid power station is expected to commence from July 2022 as construction verification works ramp up. Strandline managing director Luke Graham said with Coburn construction reaching peak activity and personnel numbers on-site, the company continues to focus on managing the various risk factors associated with development of the project.

AUGUST 2022

“This includes HSE risks, potential impacts of COVID-19, inclement weather, contractor performance and contractual claims,” he said. “The capital expenditure forecast to complete the project, including an assessment of contractual claims received to date, is regularly evaluated by the company’s technical, financial and legal experts.” The Coburn project is set to capitalise on its robust margins, the buoyant minerals sands commodity pricing outlook, its Tier 1 location, and demand for critical minerals.

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NORTHERN STAR CONSIDERS THREE OPTIONS FOR KCGM EXPANSION Northern Star Resources will consider one of three options to expand its mill at KCGM (Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines). Located in Kalgoorlie, in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, KCGM is one of the world’s largest and most significant gold mines with a mineral resource of 27.4 million ounces (Moz) and an ore reserve of 11.9Moz. The expansion options were determined after a mill optimisation pre-feasibility study (PFS) was carried out, which also enhanced Northern Star’s social investment by ensuring KCGM can make a responsible and significant contribution to sustainable mining and offer broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) benefits in the WA Goldfields region. The expansion possibilities: • 17 million-tonne-per-annum (Mtpa) milling capacity: bolt-on expansion • 24Mtpa milling capacity: 70 per cent process plant refurbishment • 22Mtpa milling capacity: full rebuild (greenfield process plant) Northern Star managing director Stuart Tonkin said all three routes were financially compelling and would deliver meaningful operational benefits. “We believe Northern Star’s powerful combination of continued operational excellence, the strongest asset portfolio in our history, and a commitment to deliver social value will enable us to provide attractive returns and long-term value growth,” Tonkin said.

THE BIGGEST EXPANSION OPTION WOULD INCREASE THE MILL CAPACITY BY 11MTPA.

“The PFS determined that the three options offer significant operational benefits to potentially create substantially more value than maintaining today’s 13Mtpa milling capacity. “It showed an expanded mill capacity, underpinned by a simplified processing circuit flow sheet, could lower KCGM’s all-in sustaining cost (AISC) by up to $200 per ounce, as

well as boost annual production by up to 200,000oz. “The key difference between the three mill expansion options is free cash flow generation, a key strategic pillar for the company. “We will now embark on the final study phase to optimise the best pathway to generate superior returns for shareholders. We will not grow for growth’s sake, but remain focused

on the disciplined and transparent allocation of capital and a strong balance sheet.” Regardless of the outcome of the feasibility work to determine the most valuable option, the KCGM pathway to 650 kilo ounces per annum by the 2026 financial year is unchanged, with regional synergies and production growth enabling a lower AISC position than that being achieved today.

EU TURNS TO AUSTRALIA FOR CRITICAL MINERALS The European Union (EU) is veering away from its reliance on Russia for raw critical minerals, instead looking to Australia to become its next supplier. As the war in Ukraine continues, Australia and the EU have been brought closer together in a move that would see Australia be a prime supplier of lithium and cobalt, as well as iron ore. Head of trade and economics at the EU Delegation in Australia, Cornelis Keijzer, said Australia’s sanctions on Russia have also factored into the EU’s thinking. The EU currently relies on Russia for energy and raw materials. “We’re looking for new sources,” Keijzer said.

“So that is what we’re looking for from Australia: the possibility to source those raw materials now from Australia. “Things like lithium, cobalt, critical materials, but also iron ore. We want to buy from Australia, no longer from Russia.” According to Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell, Australia would be keen to start supplying the EU. “One of the things that I think we’ve learned over the last few years is that by having all your eggs in one basket, you put yourself in a precarious position,” Farrell said. Common critical minerals include cobalt, lithium, nickel,

AUSTRALIANMINING

vanadium, tungsten, magnesium, graphite and rare earths. They are used in low-emission technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, and rechargeable batteries. They are viewed as a vital component of the global drive towards a green transformation. And Australia has a key role to play in that transformation. The Federal Government’s $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) is supporting new Australian technologies and innovations to come onstream. Farrell said he was optimistic that negotiations are heading in the right direction.

AUGUST 2022

“Certainly the vibe coming from the Europeans is that they want to do this deal,” he said after speaking with European counterparts. While there is no set deadline on the deal, Keijzer hopes for “decisive progress” by early 2023. “In terms of a provider of some of these very strategic raw materials, [Australia] is important,” he said. “Australia is also important as a customer; we do sell a lot of goods in Australia. So there’s an interesting trading relation that can still be more developed, we think, especially as the Australian economy has a need for more diversified customers.”

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NEWS

PILBARA MINERALS PUSHES BUTTON FOR MORE PRODUCTION The board of Western Australian lithium producer Pilbara Minerals has approved capital investment for its P680 Project, which will involve processing improvements made to the Pilgan plant that will deliver increased life-of-mine (LOM) spodumene concentrate production. The annual production run rate from the Pilgangoora operation will ultimately be increased to about 640,000–680,000 dry metric tonnes from the December quarter of 2023 – a 100,000 tonnes per annum increase. This investment supports Pilbara Minerals’ long-term growth strategy

to incrementally increase production capacity at Pilgangoora in line with customer and market demand. The P680 Project is expected to leverage existing infrastructure to achieve higher production volumes at reduced unit operating costs through the introduction of a new heavy media separation (HMS) circuit. It also sees the introduction of ore sorting technology to the front-end of the Pilgan plant, which is designed to reject basalt (and other non-lithium hosting materials) earlier in the production process.

Pilbara Minerals will manage delivery of the project to help mitigate cost and schedule overruns, with key long-lead procurement undertaken prior to the award of construction contracts. Production will support the chemical conversion facility currently under development in South Korea in a joint venture with POSCO. In addition, the company continues to receive strong interest in longer-term spodumene concentrate supply contracts from both its existing customer base, as well as from other industry participants.

Pilbara Minerals managing director and chief executive officer, Dale Henderson, said the milestone reinforced the exceptional scale and quality of Pilgangoora, one of the few hard rock lithium production operations globally that has the resource size and existing operating platform to enable a rapid scaleup of production to meet long-term requirements. “From the outset, our long-term growth strategy has been to develop each stage with a focus on tailoring production to meet demand, while also planning for future expansion opportunities,” he said.

PILBARA MINERALS’ PILGAN PLANT UPGRADE WOULD ADD AN EXTRA 100,000 TONNES PER ANNUM OF CAPACITY.

GREEN LIGHT FOR COAL ROYALTY TIERS Queensland recently rolled out new progressive coal royalties, following passage of enabling legislation through parliament. State Treasurer Cameron Dick said no member of parliament voted against the move, nor did any party express opposition to the substance of new progressive coal royalty tiers. He said there were no votes cast against the royalty tiers from members representing the Liberal National Party (LNP), Katter’s Australian Party, One Nation, nor the Greens political party. “This can be contrasted to the 2019 budget revenue bill, when the LNP voted against higher gas royalties,” he said.

“This demonstrated support for progressive coal royalties from across the political spectrum is good news for coal producers, promising policy stability as these arrangements will not be politicised either now or in an election environment. “With royalty arrangements now settled with support across the political spectrum, Queensland’s partnership with industry will be renewed through the new Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan.” Dick said new progressive coal royalties ensure a fair return to the people of Queensland when profits are extraordinary, but will protect AUSTRALIANMINING

coal producers and coal jobs should prices decline. “We have not jacked up coal royalties on low prices in the middle of a downturn, and we’re pleased all parties have seen the good sense of Labor’s approach,” he said. “Financial markets also agree, with continued strong investment interest in Queensland resources, including coal. “Share prices for our coal producers continue to perform strongly, demonstrating our royalty changes are good for Queensland and good for business.” However, the Queensland Resources Council has been scathing in its condemnation of

AUGUST 2022

the royalties, with chief executive officer Ian Macfarlane saying the State Government’s plan for the resources sector was to increase taxes, short-change resources communities and drive away jobs and investment. “The resources industry is Queensland’s economic backbone, supporting the jobs of more than 422,000 people, and last financial year contributing $84.3 billion to the state economy,” he said. “This foolish decision to over-tax our sector will lead to projects being cancelled, put on hold or reduced and lead to job losses, particularly in regional areas.”

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NEWS

SUCCESS RAMPS UP AT KOTH AND DARLOT

KING OF THE HILLS AT NIGHT.

The ramp-up of Red 5’s King of the Hills (KOTH) gold project in Western Australia is proceeding to plan, following the first gold pour in early June. The new 4.7-million-tonnesper-annum KOTH processing plant is performing in line with expectations, with a total mill operating time in excess of 84 per cent achieved during June 2022. The SAG mill continues to deliver throughput rates in excess of 600 tonnes per hour

at moderate mill loads and power draw. The open-pit and underground mines are also now fully operational, with the first underground stope fired on June 20. The mill feed has been supplemented with higher-grade ore from Great Western. There are currently more than one million tonnes of ore on the KOTH ROM pad, which is equivalent to more than two months of processing feedstock.

The Darlot mine in the Eastern Goldfields also performed well, producing 64,261 ounces for the 2022 financial year (production guidance was 62,000—72,000oz). Red 5 expects Darlot’s fullyear all-in sustaining cost (AISC) to be in line with guidance of $2400–$2500 per ounce. Trucking of Darlot underground ore to KOTH will begin in the September quarter. Red 5 managing director Mark Williams said the company had

delivered a solid final quarter of the 2022 financial year, with the key highlight delivering KOTH on time and on budget, and the start of commissioning and ramp-up. “We now have an excellent platform to embark on this next chapter of Red 5’s growth. The successful ramp-up of production at KOTH will put us on an exciting growth trajectory over the coming quarters, and we look forward to keeping the market informed about our progress during FY23,” he said.

FMG, LIEBHERR IN GREEN HAUL TRUCK PARTNERSHIP Fortescue Metals Group has teamed up with multi-national equipment manufacturer Liebherr to develop and supply green mining haul trucks. They will be used for integration with the zero-emission power system technologies being developed by Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE). This is a major step towards transitioning Fortescue’s diesel mining fleet to a green mining fleet before 2030 and accelerates the opportunity to commercialise zero-emission power system technologies in heavy industry applications. Utilising WAE’s unique proprietary technology and expertise in high-

performance battery systems, the partnership secures a pathway for Fortescue to become a zeroemission power system supplier to a Tier 1 original equipment manufacturer and accelerates technology commercialisation. Under the arrangement, Fortescue will purchase a fleet of 120 haul trucks from Liebherr, with delivery aligned to its fleet replacement and sustaining capital expenditure forecast. The commitment represents about 45 per cent of the current haul truck fleet at Fortescue’s operations. Truck haulage consumed approximately 200 million litres of diesel in the 2021 financial year and accounted for AUSTRALIANMINING

26 per cent of Fortescue’s Scope 1 emissions. The phased supply of haul trucks is anticipated to commence following a two-year joint development period enabling the development and integration of Fortescue’s proprietary-owned power system into Liebherr’s proprietary-owned base truck. Liebherr will supply mining haul trucks to Fortescue in batteryelectric and fuel-cell-electric configurations, in accordance with Fortescue’s requirements. The first of the zero-emission haul units will be operational on Fortescue mine sites by 2025, with the aim of having the units available for commercial sale from that time.

Fortescue chief executive officer Elizabeth Gaines said the company believed that enhancing technology was key to addressing climate change. “We are investing in renewables and new decarbonisation technologies to transform our mining fleet to run on green renewable energy,” she said. “This agreement builds on the considerable value already created through Fortescue’s acquisition of WAE and demonstrates the significant longterm opportunity for Fortescue to commercialise green power system technologies to the broader heavyduty mobility market.”

AUGUST 2022

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NEWS

KATHLEEN VALLEY SET FOR FULL DEVELOPMENT LIONTOWN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER TONY OTTAVIANO (LEFT) AND CHAIR TIM GOYDER (RIGHT).

Liontown Resources is set to fully develop its Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia following the execution of a third and final

foundational offtake agreement, together with a $300 million debt facility from leading global automaker, the Ford Motor Company.

It also follows the previously announced foundational offtake agreements with Tesla and LG Energy Solution, and a $463 million capital raise in December 2021.

Liontown’s offtake commitments represent about 90 per cent of Kathleen Valley’s start-up production capacity of close to 500,000 tonnes per annum. In the process of securing funding for Kathleen Valley and conducting front-end engineering design (FEED) activities, Liontown has revised the project’s capital cost estimate, with the $473 million projection from the 2021 definitive feasibility study (DFS) increasing to $545 million. “The increase is driven primarily by optimisation and expansion of the FEED scope across a range of areas and general cost escalation,” the company said in a statement. “The variations to the FEED scope will improve the project’s operational flexibility and include adjustments that, while increasing capital, are expected to deliver positive improvements on the project’s process control and operating costs over the life of the project.” The capital cost estimate remains consistent with the 15 per cent +/- accuracy tolerance Liontown suggested in the 2021 DFS. In preparation for project delivery, the Perth-based miner continues to progress a series of major contracts – including engineering, procurement and construction management, a power purchase agreement, freight logistics, bulk earthworks and open-cut mining services – with established and high-quality contractors. With pre-production mining set to commence in the first quarter of 2023, Liontown forecasts first spodumene concentrate production in the second quarter of 2024.

BOWEN SHIPS FIRST COAL FROM BLUFF MINE Bowen Coking Coal has shipped first coal from its Bluff Mine near Blackwater as the company establishes itself as Queensland’s next independent metallurgical coal producer. Amid strong coal pricing, Bowen’s first delivery of about 35,000 tonnes (t) of ultra-low volatile pulverised coal injection (ULVPCI) was shipped in early July under a sales contract with Formosa Plastics Group, a large diversified multi-national conglomerate headquartered in Taiwan. The sale was agreed under the 50:50 marketing joint venture

with Bowen and M Resources, a specialist metallurgical coal trading company. Bowen managing director Gerhard Redelinghuys said the shipment was a significant achievement for the company, creating hundreds of jobs and paying significant royalties to fund services for all Queenslanders while supplying a critical steelmaking material to the world. “Following our first shipment from Bluff we will see our production start to ramp up quickly. Further sales from Bluff have been committed for August and September as we see this AUSTRALIANMINING

mine achieving steady state production later in this quarter,’ he said. “Following the completion of the Burton acquisition, we now have a portfolio of high-quality metallurgical coal developments coming online this year as we ramp up to our production target of five million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) by 2024. We are making great progress at Broadmeadow East, the first of the enlarged Burton complex pits, with first coal mining also expected this quarter.” The Bluff Mine was acquired by Bowen in December 2021 and significant preparation works were

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undertaken prior to first coal being mined in April under a contract with HSE Mining. An additional 3600t digger (the third machine on site) has now been mobilised as support to remove overburden for the pit extension towards the south. Coal production at Bluff mine is now expected to ramp up to a steady state run-of-mine (ROM) target of 80,000t to 100,000t per month by the end of August, representing an annualised production rate of between 1Mtpa and 1.2Mtpa ROM over four to six years to supply the global steel industry.

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INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

THE PWC SCOOP: FORECASTING MINING’S FINANCIAL FUTURE? SOARING INFLATION HAS SEEN THE GLOBAL MINING INDUSTRY ENDURE GREATER OPERATIONAL COSTS IN 2022, BUT WILL THIS SITUATION CONTINUE? AUSTRALIAN MINING CHATS TO PWC AUSTRALIA PARTNER MARC UPCROFT TO GET THE LATEST.

ricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) recently published its ‘Mine 2022’ report examining the performance of the world’s top 40 mining companies in 2021 while unpacking the most pressing trends facing the global resources industry. The PwC report identified ‘critical minerals’ as the sector’s most significant concern, highlighting imminent supply shortfalls in some of the most important materials for the renewable energy transition.

Mine 2022 also shined a light on the record-breaking financial performance of the world’s top miners in 2021 and examined whether this will remain in the future, as well as the increased presence of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in recent times. PwC explores environmental, social and governance (ESG) as the final theme of Mine 2022. ESG is a concept growing in stature within the global mining industry and one that will increasingly influence investor sentiment into the future. In the first of a two-part series, Australian Mining will explore financial performance and M&As in detail,

pondering the sector’s continued economic success and the risks that may quell this momentum. With strong margins comes the opportunity, so how do M&As permeate this financial dialogue?

Top 40 miners

Every year, PwC ranks the world’s top 40 mining companies through the aggregation of public information such as annual reports and financial updates available to shareholders. The rankings also express PwC’s point of view on topics affecting the industry, developed through interactions with its clients and other industry leaders. While majors BHP, Rio Tinto and Vale maintained their 2021 grip at the top of the list – at one two and three, respectively, in the 2022 report – Glencore rose from eighth spot to fourth, while US-focused FreeportMcRoRan made its way into the top 10, rising from 11th to sixth on the list.

IRON ORE PRICES INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF 59 PER CENT IN 2021 FROM 2020, LEADING TO A 43 PER CENT SPIKE IN REVENUE.

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Other strong performers included Tianqi Lithium Corporation, a part owner of the Kwinana lithium hydroxide processing plant in Western Australia, which rose 22 places to 15th on the list. Canada’s Teck Resources rose 10 spots to 22nd, and US potash miner the Mosaic Company jumped 15 places to 23rd in the rankings. PwC derives its Mine 2022 trends from the top 40 miners, so expect to see a few big names littered throughout this editorial.

Mining’s financial future

The last few years have been financially kind to the global mining industry, with the sector scaling the economic highs of 2020 to post an even stronger 2021. PwC found year-on-year (YoY) revenues for the world’s top 40 mining companies to be up 32 per cent and net profits to be up 127 per cent in 2021 when compared to the previous 12 months.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

This amounted to a record performance from mining’s top echelon. Company profits closely aligned with increases in commodity price, with coal, copper and iron ore prices experiencing sizeable jumps (54, 50 and 59 per cent average increases in 2021, respectively). PwC Australia partner Marc Upcroft called this a key takeaway from Mine 2022. “It’s interesting when you look at the financial returns – particularly the increase in profitability. It’s really focused on pricing and across three commodities,” he told Australian Mining. “Coal revenue was 77 per cent higher (from 2020), copper revenue was 47 per cent higher and iron ore revenue was 43 per cent higher, and those three commodities alone represented an increase of $165 billion in revenue.” Upcroft said that in the 20 years that PwC had been compiling the Mine report, it has only seen higher returns on equity in two years – 2006 and 2007 – when commodity prices sky-rocketed and the supply response could not keep pace. According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences’ (ABARES)

Australian Mineral Statistics, the 2006–07 period was a time of strong economic growth for China. This contributed to iron ore export earnings increasing by 21 per cent to $15.5 billion when compared to 2005–06. Australian Mineral Statistics also found increased copper prices (up 62 per cent) and zinc prices (up 73 per cent) were strong economic drivers in 2006–07. While today’s top 40 mining companies have enjoyed more buoyant market conditions than ever before, the question is whether this will continue in a world of rising inflation. Despite the reality of spiking costs, Upcroft expects financial performances to remain strong. “When you look at the financial credentials of the mining industry, the sector is in a pretty strong place as a whole,” he said. “Profitability and margins are high, balance sheets are strong and there’s low debt in the cycle of things, so that puts the industry in a very strong place.” Mine 2022 found capital expenditure (capex) in the top 40 increased by

18 per cent from 2020 to 2021, with a further 14 per cent jump forecast from 2021 to 2022. This will amount to a predicted $US82 billion ($119 billion) spent on capex in the 2022 calendar year. But while rising costs will continue to be a hindrance, there may be more pressing concerns at play. “Inflation is … obviously a global issue and we’re seeing pressure on costs that we haven’t seen for a while, so that’s going to be a feature of this year and next year,” Upcroft said. “But in the scheme of things, the biggest challenge will be accessing people, being able to develop your projects on time. “They’re probably going to be bigger concerns that companies are focused on as the global supply-

chain challenges continue to cause difficulties across all industries. “And there’s no quick solutions to that in terms of supply chain and cost. But it will translate to lower margins in 2022 and beyond.”

Deals

The value of deals among the top 40 mining companies in 2021 tripled from 2020, while the number of deals grew by 60 per cent. Gold was a key player in the M&A space, making up 70 per cent of total deal value. Valued at $US10 billion ($14.6 billion), the ‘merger of equals’ between Canadian gold miners Agnico Eagle and Kirkland Lake Gold was a noteworthy transaction. As part of the merger, Agnico Eagle assumed possession of the Fosterville gold mine in Victoria, which is considered one of the highestgrade and lowest-cost gold operations in the world. In the March quarter of 2022, Fosterville generated $US194.9 million ($283.9 million) in revenue from mining operations while incurring $US88 million ($128.2 million) in production costs. This led the company to an operating margin of $US106.9 million ($155.7 million). PWC RANKED BHP, RIO TINTO AND VALE AS THE TOP THREE MINING COMPANIES IN 2021.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

THE TOP 40 MINING COMPANIES DELIVERED A RECORD FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN 2021.

Newcrest Mining’s $US2.8 billion ($4.1 billion) acquisition of Canadianfocused Pretium Resources was another notable deal, providing the major Australian gold miner with a potential Tier 1 site in the Brucejack operation in British Columbia. Upcroft wasn’t surprised to see the gold industry be a prominent M&A participant, and it’s something he expects will continue into the near future. “When you look at the deals that happened last year, they were really gold-focused … which is partly a consolidation phase,” Upcroft said. “And we think that consolidation phase will continue over the next few years, both at the large end of the gold sector and also the smaller end.” St Barbara is a recent example of a gold miner looking to consolidate, with its acquisition of Bardoc Gold considered a logical decision given the ASX-200 miner’s proximity to Bardoc’s namesake project in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Completed in April 2022, the Bardoc purchase enables St Barbara to accelerate its Leonora Province Plan connected to its Leonora gold operations, with the

advanced Zoroastrian and Aphrodite underground deposits identified as noteworthy assets. Upcroft said accessible project timelines in the industry mean there are also more gold companies to buy. “Gold is one of those commodities where it’s still relatively easy to develop a small gold mine,” he said. “In the scheme of things, it’s much easier being a small gold company than it is being a small lithium company, a small coal company or a small copper company. So … there’s lots of gold mining companies and many of them have got one, maybe two projects. “When you’re a small gold mining company, you don’t have any scale across the broader needs from a corporate governance and control perspective. “The larger you are as a company, the more capability you have to meet today’s expectations around all of those things that come at a much higher cost than ever before. “That’s why, for smaller gold companies, even without any synergistic benefits at the mine sites directly, there is a benefit of getting more mine cash flow to support that broader corporate function.” AUSTRALIANMINING

The number of critical minerals deals among the top 40 mining companies jumped fivefold in 2021 when compared to 2020, while the total value of the transactions doubled. First announced in December 2021, Rio Tinto’s $US825 million ($1.2 billion) acquisition of the Rincon lithium project in Argentina was a notable critical minerals M&A. Rincon is a large undeveloped lithium brine project that has the potential to be a long-life, scaleable resource capable of producing batterygrade lithium carbonate. In October 2021, South32 announced its intention to acquire Sumitomo’s 45 per cent stake in the Sierra Gorda copper mine in Chile for an initial upfront cash consideration of $US1.55 billion ($2.26 billion). The deal was completed in February 2022. Given the current interest in the sector, Upcroft forecasts a continued uptick in critical minerals transactions. “We expect to see more and more of them (deals) and that’s partly as those existing critical minerals companies manage their own strategies and where they’re going,” he said. “There’s also the opportunity for other mining companies not currently

AUGUST 2022

exposed to critical minerals and (who) want to get involved. This is an easy way for them to do that. “From time to time … we may also see it more from an opportunity front whereby companies that have great projects … can’t fund them, or they can’t manage the size of them themselves. This will create opportunity for acquisitions, M&A, joint ventures and so forth.” While the global mining industry is facing operational costs on an increased scale, well-run companies will continue to enjoy positive margins into the future. The financial risks facing the sector remain a cause for concern but not a cause for panic, and Upcroft said as long as the sector was supported from an investor, lender and government point of view, prospects remain strong. “Mining companies are in good shape financially and, together with investors, lenders and government help, that’s an environment for supporting the right growth projects,” he said. “Margins are falling but they will still be pretty high so (if you) manage costs, we’ll still see margins in the right space.” AM

COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

AUSTRALIA’S HISTORY OF URANIUM MINING GOES BACK MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

URANIUM IN AUSTRALIA: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE WHILE THE USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY IN AUSTRALIA REMAINS A LONG WAY OFF, THE COUNTRY HAS A LONG-STANDING HISTORY OF URANIUM MINING.

ustralia is home to almost a third of the world’s total known uranium resources, and the country’s history with this valuable resource goes back further than one might think.

Past

In 1906, a small amount of uranium ore was taken from South Australia’s Radium Hill, from where it was transported to Hunters Hill in Sydney for processing. The result was radium, a radioactive element that was used to paint watch faces during a time when the risks of radioactivity were not well understood. The ensuing decades saw small amounts of uranium continue to be mined at Radium Hill, located near the New South Wales border about

435km north of Adelaide, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that uranium mining in Australia took off. As the effects of World War II continued to be felt around the globe, the atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 brought new level of global attention to uranium. While today there are three uranium mines in Australia – Ranger in the Northern Territory, and Beverley and Olympic Dam in South Australia – only the SA mines are currently producing uranium. But Australia does have a history of uranium mines in various parts of the country. In addition to Radium Hill, there have been Nabarlek in the NT and Mary Kathleen in Queensland, both of which closed in the 1980s. Rum Jungle and South Alligator mines, both in the NT, closed in 1971 and 1964, respectively. AUSTRALIANMINING

The driving factor behind these mines was the potential to use uranium as a future energy source in nuclear power. Legislation dictates that nuclear power stations are not allowed to be built in any Australian state or territory, with the situation unlikely to change any time soon. But that doesn’t mean the country is at a loss for this valuable heavy metal.

Present

As the home of almost a third of the world’s total known resources, Australia is a global uranium hotspot. It is also the world’s third-ranking producer behind Kazakhstan and Canada, producing 7798 tonnes in 2019 alone. Olympic Dam is currently the number-one producer of uranium in Australia, but given the mine has been running since 1988, those

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in the industry are looking toward an up-and-coming venture that could see Olympic Dam fall to second place. Boss Energy’s Honeymoon project was given the final green light at the end of May, as the company gears up to re-open the SA mine. After successfully raising $125 million in March, Boss Energy can now accelerate Honeymoon’s construction, with a view of production commencing in the December quarter of 2023. “We’ve made our final investment decision, we’re fully funded and we’re ready to go,” Boss Energy chief executive officer and managing director Duncan Craib said in a Stockhead video conference in June 2022. Boss Energy acquired the pure uranium mine in December 2015. The brownfield restart asset was

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formerly a strong uranium producer before shutting down due to a dip in commodity prices. To ensure Honeymoon would become an advanced global uranium development project, Boss Energy focused on building a resilient and sustainable operation. A key aspect of this sustainability endeavour was the introduction of ion exchange as a processing technique. Not only does replacing the existing solvent extraction process with ion exchange significantly reduce costs, it also de-risks the operational aspects of the project and increases the mine’s capacity to 2.45 million pounds per annum. “What COVID has taught the industry is that reliance on a small number of jurisdictions and a limited number of producers is an unwise strategy,” Craib said at the 2021 Diggers and Dealers Conference. “Australia offers a geopolitically stable environment in which global fuel buyers can purchase uranium.” However, Boss Energy is not the

only company focusing on building up its uranium stock. Vimy Resources has joined forces with Deep Yellow, an advanced uranium exploration company founded in 1985, to pave the way for a $658 million merger. This will see Deep Yellow acquire 100% of Vimy Resources and create a new global uranium player as more countries turn away from Russian supply amid its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The companies will work on Vimy’s flagship Mulga Rock project, located in the Great Victorian Desert of Western Australia. Mulga Rock is slated to be the largest underdeveloped uranium resource in Australia and, since development began in late 2021, it is only a matter of time before the site is fully developed and becomes a key player in global trades. “The merger marks the first major deal in the uranium sector for nearly a decade,” Deep Yellow managing director and chief executive AUSTRALIANMINING

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COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

BHP’S OLYMPIC DAM MINE IN SA IS ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S TWO OPERATIONS CURRENTLY PRODUCING URANIUM. (IMAGE: BHP)

officer John Borshoff said in the Deep Yellow and Vimy Resources conference call in March 2022. “From the Vimy perspective, this merger de-risks and underpins the path to development of the Mulga Rock project and will enhance our exploration efforts,” Vimy Resources managing director Steven Michael added. Vimy’s August 2020 definitive feasibility study refresh at Mulga Rock showed a strategic long-life project, finding that the site could provide uranium sufficient to power eight nuclear reactors per year. Mulga Rock will be WA’s first uranium mine. Michael expressed pride that the site would employ 550 personnel during construction, and another 350 once in production. This would mean over $200 million in state royalties will be generated over Mulga Rock’s 15-year life. “The foundations are now in place to build a long-life, strategic resource project for Western Australia, and the board of Vimy is focused on rapidly advancing Mulga Rock to its next development milestone,” Michael said. The power that Mulga Rock will generate is equivalent to 70

per cent of WA’s greenhouse gas emissions or 12 per cent of the country’s total emissions.

Future

Now that two key players have announced further uranium resources in Australia, two words have been on many people’s lips: nuclear energy. The debate in Australia over the potential benefits of nuclear energy

has been going for years, with members from both major political parties eager to have a discussion on the future of nuclear energy in Australia. Historically, nuclear energy has been shot down by Australian experts, as the abundance of coal has meant support went to the cheaper and simpler option of coalfired power plants. In addition, many consider the

THE RANGER URANIUM MINE IN THE NT OPERATED FROM 1980 UNTIL 2021.

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AUGUST 2022

construction timelines of a nuclear power station a major obstacle – it can take more than a decade to build a commercial-scale plant – and the price tag can potentially run into the tens of billions. And the issue of nuclear waste and its long-term disposal remains a significant environmental concern. But with the consequences of carbon emissions from fossil fuels such as coal being felt around the globe, some are suggesting it might be time to look elsewhere. Many countries are in the developmental stage of small modular reactors (SMRs). A miniature version of a nuclear power plant, SMRs and very small modular reactors (vSMRs) are increasing in global stature. These units have received the endorsement of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA). In a 2021 report, the MCA said SMRs could be Australia’s lowest cost 24–7 zero-emission energy source. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there are more than 70 SMR designs under development in 18 countries, including the US, the UK, Japan, South Africa, Korea, and Argentina. Quicker and less capital-intensive to build than a nuclear power plant, SMRs are said to be safer, easily transportable, and scalable to meet specific energy requirements. Although this has been heralded as a way to cut costs and construction time, many remain unconvinced. For now, the future of nuclear energy in Australia is a clear and resounding no. But as other countries continue to develop their nuclear energy, and Australian companies continue to expand profitable uranium sites, it may not stay that way forever. AM

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DYNO NOBEL BLASTS OFF WITH THE RANGER AFTER A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OVERSEAS, THE AUSTRALIAN MINING INDUSTRY IS SET TO REAP THE BENEFITS OF THE DIGISHOT RANGER, DYNO NOBEL’S NEWEST BLAST INITIATION SYSTEM.

afe, simple and smart are three key words that drive Dyno Nobel, a company that prides itself on providing top-of-therange blasting products and services. A global leader in the commercial explosives industry, Dyno Nobel knows what the mining and quarrying industries are looking for when it comes to blasting, and Ranger is a system that showcases the company’s innovation. First launched in January in the US to wide acclaim, the Ranger system will make its way down under before the end of 2022. “It’s just a great product,” Dyno Nobel’s North American sales manager Dennis Johnson told Australian Mining. “It’s all about if your product can help your customer. Our product is robust, our downlines are the best in the industry, and we’ve got great software.” With the construction and quarrying industries having made great use of the Ranger system in the US, the Australian team now wants to see the medium-scale mining sector enjoy its benefits. And the safety features of the Ranger system make it a key tool for mining and quarrying. “This first thing we did (when the Ranger system was in development) was automated detonator detection,” Dyno Nobel vice-president initiating systems technology Dirk Van Soelen said. “So what that means is you don’t need any user action to determine if a detonator is not connected, thereby lessening the amount of user interaction and increasing reliability and safety. The ability to do remote RF blasting with a 3km line-of-sight blasting distance from the system provides great deployment flexibility and it means that people can fire from the correct exclusion zone.”

THE SYSTEM’S DIGISHOT MODE ALLOWS THE SHOT-FIRER TO TAG ITS LOCATION AND SEND DELAYS TO THE DETONATORS WHEN THEY ARE CONNECTED TO THE HARNESS WIRE. AUSTRALIANMINING

AUGUST 2022

Having the ability to design, visualise and analyse blast sequences before running the shot is a massive benefit for miners. Viewing a shot plan prior to the blast means users can make sure all detonators are going off in the correct sequence at the time for which they were planned. The Ranger system incorporates an application that lets users do just that. Called ViewShot app, the application runs on a tablet to create a simulation of what the shot will look like. Its portability ensures operators can take it with them wherever their next shot sequence is. “The Ranger system is simple to use, but it has all the smarts, safety, and learnings customers associate with Dyno Nobel’s electronic detonator product range,” Dyno Nobel technical marketing manager Dave Pearce said. “We’re bringing a high-technology system to markets that want it, but which don’t want the complexity that traditionally goes with it.” Designing a blasting system that is simple enough to use but robust enough to survive often-harsh Australian mining conditions is no easy feat. But Dyno Nobel’s years of blasting experience mean it has developed a system miners can feel confident in using. The Ranger system was designed from the ground up to ensure it could connect to tablets, and it has the ability to interface to the myriad digital infrastructure found on a mine site. The path from designing to blasting is streamlined. “The person who designed the blast might be different from the person who is actually conducting the blast,” Pearce said. “We’re reducing human error by having the system deliver the right information straight to the detonator, rather than manually entering or translating information, thereby also reducing paperwork.”

DRILL AND BLAST

The Ranger system offers two modes depending on what the shot-firer needs: Plan mode and Digishot mode. Plan mode allows the shotfirer to pre-design with location and timing through the ViewShot app. Planning allows a tagging path to be created, which makes deployment fast and easy. Digishot mode is a conventional tagging mode, utilising location-based tagging with sides, rows, and hole and detonator numbers. This mode allows the shotfirer to tag the detonator’s location and send the delays to the detonators when they are connected to the harness wire. “These capabilities increase the mining sector’s adoption rate of electronic detonators,” Van Soelen said. “And adopting new technologies means the industry as a whole becomes safer and more efficient.” For Johnson’s customers in the US, the vibration-reduction aspect of the Ranger system is a key selling point. With many quarries and construction sites located in built-up areas, there was a need to ensure the community wouldn’t be affected by the blasts. This benefits Australian customers in that the Ranger system can also support bigger blasts while maintaining the same level of

AUTOMATED DETONATOR DETECTION IS A KEY SAFETY ASPECT OF THE RANGER SYSTEM.

vibration reduction, which means blasting can occur less often. It’s this commitment to communities along with the broader

mining industry that helps to set Dyno Nobel apart. And with such a positive reaction to the Ranger system in the US, there’s

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little doubt Australian mining and quarrying sites are in for a treat once Dyno Nobel rolls the system out later this year. AM

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DRILL AND BLAST

GOING DEEP WITH EMULSION EXPLOSIVES AECI MINING EXPLOSIVES’ DEEPEST EMULSION VERTICAL DROP SYSTEM HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS A GAME-CHANGER FOR THE GLOBAL MINING INDUSTRY. WE EXAMINE THE CASE STUDY.

n a recent expansion project of its Chambishi mine in Zambia, Non-Ferrous China Africa opted to install AECI Mining Explosives’ emulsion vertical delivery system (EVDS) as part of its aim to develop a cost-effective mining operation. The project delivered the emulsion and sensitiser at depths of up to 980m. Emulsion, as a class five dangerous good, is a physical mixture of two immiscible liquids formed by shearing discrete droplets of one liquid phase into a continuous phase of the other liquid. NFC Africa Mining PLC (NFCA) is one of the largest underground mines in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province. Having previously engaged AECI Mining Explosives in 2012, NFCA was already aware of the benefits of the EVDS. This integrated system delivers the base emulsion and sensitiser required directly to a storage facility underground. These storage facilities are designed to be in close proximity to the underground production areas. This is achieved through a piping system installed in a borehole that connects the underground storage facility to the surface infrastructure. NFCA was already using AECI Mining Explosives’ emulsion product underground – the UG200S (sticky) product for up-hole charging – and requested the new emulsion and sensitiser products be delivered to its 680 and 980 mining levels. AECI Mining Explosives analysed the space available, product demand, and blasting schedule in order to provide an optimal surface and underground storage capacity, as well as a tailor-made delivery system. “The project scope included the supply and delivery of all plant and equipment, the preparation of the site, drilling of the borehole, blasting of the underground cavities, as well as installation and commissioning,” AECI Mining Explosives regional manager Zambia Michael Woolridge said.

Mining Explosives has managed to deliver from the first day of commissioning.” Key benefits for the client include improved safety; seamless inventory control; reduced interface with explosives; optimised ordering, delivery and charging units refilling; reduced maintenance, fuel and asset wear; and reduced risk of theft. Other gains include reduced time and labour resources.

New depths

THE PROJECT DELIVERED THE EMULSION AND SENSITISER AT DEPTHS OF UP TO 980M.

The first emulsion was dropped to the 680 mining level on February 5 2020, followed by a drop to the 980 level the next day. The system was immediately available at full capacity and continues to operate as such.

Key benefits

Before the EVDS was installed, the mine utilised four-tonne emulsion cassettes that were reloaded on the surface and transported via the cage network to each level. This method was costly, time-consuming, and compromised the quality of the product, according to Woolridge, while delays caused by double handling, cage times and spillages at decanting points were common. AUSTRALIANMINING

The critical consideration for the mine in opting for AECI Mining Explosives’ EVDS was to free up cage time to increase hoisting capacity. The solution would also provide seamless inventory control of emulsion from delivery to the mining face. “A dedicated vertical delivery system and associated storage capacity allow the client to always have emulsion available ‘on tap’ at both the 680 and 980 mining levels, while at the same time freeing up cage time for other activities,” Woolridge said. “The client expected full availability of these benefits on completion of the project, something AECI

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Woolridge said underground emulsion explosives used in uphole applications have two major characteristics to consider. The first is that such products will deteriorate when exposed to shear. Pumping of emulsion explosives over long distances will introduce such shear, which can reduce the usability of the product and may lead to pipe blockages. “The second characteristic is the minimum burning pressure of the product,” Woolridge said. “Unsensitised explosives are relatively insensitive to sources of heat, but above a certain pressure threshold the emulsion becomes sensitive to the source of energy. “Should a blockage occur in a vertical line for whatever unforeseen reason, hydrostatic pressure will build up in the vertical line that may exceed this minimum burning pressure.” These two characteristics have previously restrained the depth of EVDSs. AECI Mining Explosive’ research and development department team has worked to develop an emulsion product that can be delivered under specific conditions to minimise the effect of shear. Rheology models have been developed to predict flow characteristics of the product under various conditions. The project was significant for both parties – it allowed NFCA to optimise its operation and provided AECI Mining Explosives with further opportunity to demonstrate it had the ability to deliver emulsion product via this technology to depths in excess of 900m. AM

WesTrac Mining Whitepaper

TARGETING ZERO EMISSIONS IN MINING

TECHNOLOGY AND THE PUSH FOR GREATER SUSTAINABILITY The mining industry is subject to a range of regulations and public scrutiny when it comes to improving sustainability outcomes. In many cases, there are no specific metrics to identify just how far miners need to go – but as this whitepaper discusses, it is a process of continual improvement, and stakeholders at every stage in the supply chain have a role to play. That includes equipment and technology providers.

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DRILL AND BLAST

BREAKING NEW GROUND WITH THE HD SERIES BOOM SYSTEMS WHEN IT COMES TO ROCK BREAKING, EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY MUST BE KEY CONSIDERATIONS TO ENSURE A MINE CONTINUES TO RUN SMOOTHLY, AND TOTAL ROCKBREAKING SOLUTIONS IS LEADING THE WAY.

otal Rockbreaking Solutions (TRS) has had its finger on the pulse of the Australian mining industry for over 10 years. Founded in Western Australia by experienced construction and mining industry professionals, TRS is a company built on providing customers with service, advice and solutions that meet the needs of demanding industries. TRS has a highly experienced in-house engineering and project management team that specialises in the mechanical and hydraulic design of heavy-duty fixed boom systems, among other mining necessities. The latest focus for the company has been its TRS HD Series Boom Systems. “In the last several years we’ve been working with some of the big Pilbara mine operators,” TRS engineering manager Paul Ingleson told Australian Mining. “After listening and helping with their rock-breaking challenges and issues, we came up with a list of features that we believe are missing from what’s currently available on the market. “This formed the basis of our new boom system design.” The resulting HD Series Boom Systems are designed for mines in which the operators work the rock breakers hard and continuously. Featuring increased movement speeds and longer reach booms, the HD Series can cater to the most demanding mining applications. TRS engineers have over 20 years of experience designing rock-breaker boom systems and have incorporated the company’s leading BoomSafe control and automation system into the HD Series. Ensuring a machine operates as it’s supposed to when it’s supposed to is a necessity for mine operators. And that necessity is increased when the machine is part of a large-capacity crushing circuit. “We found that a lot of the current designs in the market aren’t keeping up with the continuous use because they weren’t designed for that duty originally,” Ingleson said.

THE HD SERIES HAS BEEN RE-DESIGNED TO MEET MORE BLASTING NEEDS THAN EVER BEFORE.

“The HD stands for ‘high duty’. The system can handle the stress of regular and constant use and, as a result, the life of the machine is increased.” TRS has committed itself to improving functional safety in its rock breakers. A key component of keeping the machinery as safe as possible is the incorporation of load-holding valves. These valves are built into the machine and their installation means that the boom won’t fall if a line breaks. And while many manufacturers incorporate these valves into their rock breakers, TRS has embedded the valves into the cylinders for added safety. Another focus for the team has been heavy-duty energy-absorbing slew stops to increase the safety of people in the vicinity. Along with the usual primary slew limit sensors, the HD Series features a secondary sensor that will automatically turn the power off and stop the drive. And, in the unlikely event that the secondary sensor fails, there is a hard physical stop. AUSTRALIANMINING

“It is intrinsically safe without completely relying on sensors, and that’s a big benefit,” Ingleson said. With the mining sector increasingly adopting new technologies and upgrading machines in a bid to make work faster and more efficient, the HD Series also features automated movements. “At the press of a button, the machine will automatically go from park through a pre-planned path to where you want it to stop,” Ingleson said. “We set up a safe working envelope. What that means is that the operator can’t accidentally knock over a light pole or handrail because they can’t work outside of the envelope. “It’s the first line of defence for a collision.” Having worked with large Australian mines for years, TRS understands that some of the largest sites are operated remotely. In response, the HD Series can be operated from anywhere in the world through a remote package.

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Combining these remote operational capabilities with the increased safety and automation features is a recipe for a completely new and innovative boom system. But within this innovation, customers can still find the signature servicing facilities for which TRS is known. “We’ve done a lot of work on providing hammer and tool change facilities,” Ingleson said. “You can safely change the hammer and tool, and you can do it quickly. “We wanted to put a lot of innovation into the features that complement the boom – it’s one of our core strengths.” These Australian-designed and engineered systems represent the first significant development in rockbreaker booms in over a decade. “We’ve designed this series with reliability, safety, and speed in mind,” Ingleson said. “And we’re really proud of the fact that we’ve supported the local industry while doing it.” AM

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DRILL AND BLAST

MANAGING CUSTOMERFOCUSED DRILL SOLUTIONS BUILDING POSITIVE PARTNERSHIPS, MINNOVARE INVESTS IN CUSTOMER-CENTRIC SOLUTIONS THAT PRIORITISE FUNCTIONALITY WITH EXISTING PROCESSES.

roviding high levels of optimisation and efficiency in underground drilling operations is a service on which Minnovare

prides itself. Servicing mining operations across Australia, North America and Africa, Minnovare has a breadth of expertise to identify and employ technological solutions to increase the operational capacity of drilling operations. After working with a variety of clients and reviewing operational data, Minnovare was able to find a number of common issues or difficulties companies faced when it came to drilling, as managing director Callum McCracken told Australian Mining. “In order to bring optimised technologies to our customers, we embarked on an extensive study to understand the variables that contribute to drilling inaccuracy,” McCracken said.

MINNOVARE WORKS TO PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH HIGH LEVELS OF OPTIMISATION AND EFFICIENCY IN DRILL-BASED OPERATIONS.

“We found that across various mine sites with hundreds of kilometres of data from drilled holes, that errors associated with the current drilling process were the largest contributors to the inaccuracy of a blast hole. “Some customers wanted to limit ore dilution and others wanted to increase ore recovery, just to name a few, and ultimately we were able to distil that the problems they faced could be traced back to inaccurate drilling and errors in the traditional processes.” Placing a focus on customers and their requirements, Minnovare understands the different needs of the mining operations it services. “Once we have received information from an operation, both of their wants and the potential issues they have, we then work with our clients to customise our technology offering to meet their needs,” McCracken said. “We pay particular attention to the technological capabilities of the sites and stakeholders, with respect to the AUSTRALIANMINING

existing processes already in place, rather than developing an incredibly complex new process and technology that might end up causing more issues than it solves.” The partnership with the customer begins when an enquiry is sent to Minnovare, which then turns into a development of a performance benchmark for the company in question. The benchmark created by Minnovare serves to aid both parties in understanding the cost of the problem and is an important metric to measure the ongoing improvement that Minnovare delivers. “We utilise a system called Minnovare CORE (client online reporting engine) that acts as a conduit between the drill-and-blast software used by our customers and the production optimiser user interface, and becomes the central repository of the site’s drilling data, reporting and analytics,” McCracken said. “It ensures that drill rig operators can access that information and that

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every hole is drilled to plan, so that in the moment the right procedures are taking place. “Any other data that is of note or the operator captures during the shift is sent back to the Minnovare CORE, meaning that data fidelity is ensured as it is in a digital form, and additionally that management can gain insights into how well the drilling process is being completed on-site. “It enables data from all shifts to get back to an engineer by the end of the worker’s shift, which gives visibility to the work accomplished and also gives them the ability to hold people accountable to what has been achieved on shift.” Through the membership held with Austmine, Minnovare has been able to connect and expand its business by not just connecting with other leaders in the industry, but also by making connections with customer bases through their conferences and events. “Austmine have given us the chance to explore new markets and build our network over the years,” McCracken said. “We’ve gotten a lot of value out of the opportunities afforded to us, in the ability to make physical connections and relationships with other METS (mining equipment, technology and services) companies who attend their events.” Minnovare has a vested interest in ensuring consistency and reliability in the drilling operations it optimises through making them intuitive to use and providing a high level of support after its systems are in place. “We provide our customers with confidence that what they’ve planned is actually what gets drilled, and we see that that has a material impact on the drill-and-blast process,” McCracken said. “Consistent drilling is required to get a consistently good outcome and, to that end, our technology is designed to bridge the gap between operators of all skill levels to ensure that level of consistency. “And we’ve seen some real value come about as part of our efforts to address that.” AM

MINING EQUIPMENT

KAL TIRE’S DECADES OF EXPERIENCE MEAN IT CAN HELP MINE SITES BIG AND SMALL REACH PRODUCTION TARGETS.

KEEPING THE WHEELS IN MOTION USING ITS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AROUND THE WORLD, KAL TIRE IS ABLE TO HELP SMALLER MINING OPERATIONS ACHIEVE BIG PRODUCTION RESULTS.

ith close to 70 years’ experience in tyre service and supply, there is no doubt as to why mining operations turn to Kal Tire. Its branches span around the country from Western Australia to Queensland and New South Wales, as well as a Perth repair centre. Throughout its history, Kal Tire has and continues to invest in innovative solutions for every stage of tyre life and for every mining operation, no matter the size. “One of the advantages that Kal Tire has is its broad international footprint across five continents and serving over 150 mining operations,” Kal Tire Australia managing director Miles Rigney told Australian Mining. “We’re well positioned to identify what could be best practice

in one location. We have interconnectability that works within all regions.” Kal Tire’s Australian team members now support more than 20 open-pit and underground mines and offer a range of services to benefit them. The services can include tyre management and maintenance, repairs, nationally recognised training and assessment, and the supply of rims, consumables and accessories. It is also an independent tyre dealer able to offer the right tyre for the application required. “Gone are the days where the cost of tyres is the key decision-making of the purchase that’s required,” Rigney said. “Most mining organisations understand the role that the tyre plays on equipment productivity.” Miners are increasingly focused on their production aspirations, and Kal Tire’s experience means it is in AUSTRALIANMINING

a prime position to provide support and guidance to these companies. “We have discussions with our customers around what their productivity goals are and how we can help them select a tyre that is best positioned to help them achieve these goals,” Rigney said. “It’s thinking about the way tyres are used in the mining fleets and how they are maintained and managed. We need to ensure they have the technical characteristics required to enable the production targets to be realised.” Its Tire Operation Management System (TOMS) is one way Kal Tire helps to aid its customers’ productivity. The system allows users to plan and predict tyre maintenance, improving the tyre’s life and site safety. TOMS connects Kal Tire’s customers to its entire fleet planning team, which means tyre servicing

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can be performed while trucks are already down for maintenance, further reducing downtime. Kal Tire has a strong focus on sustainability solutions and helping customers achieve environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. One way the company is doing that is through its Maple Program, which allows Kal Tire to calculate the carbon and oil saved in raw material when performing an ultra repair on a large injury of a tyre so it can go back into production, versus purchasing a new tyre. “Customers are issued an annual certificate verifying how much carbon and oil they have saved that they can use in their environmental reporting,” Rigney said. “The carbon calculator we have developed as part of this program, has been verified by SCS Global Services, a leader in thirdparty certification.”

MINING EQUIPMENT

But the Maple Program isn’t the only sustainability solution the company has in the works. Thermal conversion mining tyre recycling is an initiative that Kal Tire has taken on with gusto. With a recycling facility now operating in Chile, Rigney expressed his pride in the company’s future plans to expand this into the Australian sector. When tyres reach the end of their life, they are recycled using thermal conversion to stop them ending up in landfill or a stockpile of old, unusable tyres, where they would stay for over 80 years before decomposing. The company can process 20 tonnes of tyres at a time through thermal conversion recycling. “We are working with different organisations in Australia to try and progress this area,” Rigney said. “We’re seeing interest growing, technology evolving and the desire of companies to continue down this pathway.

“For me, it’s certainly a matter of when rather than if.” These sustainability efforts are appreciated by greenfield mining operations, in particular. “That’s where we’re able to have the most impact by getting in early in the development,” Rigney said. “It enables us to focus on things such a safe workshop design, haul road design, traffic management and tyre and wheel management strategies. “In many greenfields cases, customers start talking to us before they’ve even made their final truck selection.” Kal Tire has a dedicated team and solutions in mind for every mining operation with which it partners. “Our experience has been that when we get in there early, we can make sure that there’s appropriate representation on the importance of tyres to achieve safety and productivity goals,” Rigney said. AM

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SUSTAINABILITY

EPIROC: BATTERY-ELECTRIC TRAILBLAZERS AS A LEADER IN THE FIELD, EPIROC IS CONSTANTLY PIONEERING NEW INITIATIVES TO HELP MAKE A BATTERY-ELECTRIC VEHICLE REALITY MORE ACCESSIBLE AND EFFICIENT FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY.

ince launching its first battery-driven product – the Scooptram ST7 Battery – in May 2016, Epiroc has been a trailblazer in the electrification movement. Epiroc released the Scooptram ST7 Battery as an automated loader when prior models had to be powered by an electric cable. The company has since evolved its battery-electric vehicle (BEV) range to include underground trucks and drills, with a batteryoperated surface drill rig also in the pipeline, having recently commenced trials in Sweden. In 2017, the Swedish company started development of a battery platform involving scalable, modular architecture that could be used across its product range, from the smallest to the largest machines. Epiroc then unveiled its secondgeneration BEV range in November 2018, including a number of larger machines that appealed to a broader market, particularly in Australia. Providing BEVs was one thing but supporting the transition to electrified machines was another, especially for a mining industry that had long been diesel-dependent. So Epiroc rolled out its Batteries as a Service (BaaS) business model to remove the obstacles that come with a transition to the technology,

providing an “instant technology leap” to battery-electric machinery. BaaS moves the upfront costs of batteries from capital expenditure to operational expenditure, with the responsibility of this function assumed by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). “A key component to the success of this offering is the flexibility it allows our customers,” Epiroc Canada product manager – Rocvolt Shawn Samuels said soon after BaaS was launched. “We take ownership of the battery itself and automatically replace and update the units as needed, which means the mine site can breathe easier and continue to focus on heightened production.” With BaaS, Epiroc monitors clients’ battery performance and replaces batteries when needed, ensuring BEVs have the required capacity at all times, as well as the flexibility to install the latest technology when available. July 2020 saw Epiroc announce its first BaaS customer, with Vale taking on 10 Epiroc BEVs for two of its Canadian mine sites. Today, Epiroc’s BEV range boasts the Scooptram ST7, ST14 and ST18 Battery loaders, the latter of which is the largest underground loader on the market. With an 18-tonne capacity, the ST18 has excellent digging ability

and higher lifting, making it a perfect companion for Epiroc’s mine trucks. In December 2021, Epiroc and Newcrest announced they had joined forces to convert the gold miner’s Panel Cave 1 at the Cadia East gold mine in New South Wales to an integrated semi-autonomous operation. The Scooptram ST18 has been a key part of this process, with the loader going through several stages to be ready for automated operation. Cadia general manager Aaron Brannigan said Epiroc had been pivotal in supporting his workforce through the transformation. “Innovation and technology is the way of the future, and the mining industry is no exception,” Brannigan said. “We see automation as the future of our Cadia East underground mine, and through our industry partnership with Epiroc we are already achieving milestones that will support this aspiration.” Capable of 24–7 production across seven drives of the panel cave and with further expansions in the works, the project highlights Epiroc’s ability to deliver a fullydeveloped autonomous system for a mining operation. The OEM’s BEV range also includes the Minetruck MT2010 and MT42 Battery. The MT42 is known for its speed up inclines, accelerating

(FROM LEFT) EPIROC’S SCOOPTRAM ST14 BATTERY, BOOMER E2 BATTERY AND MINETRUCK MT42 BATTERY. AUSTRALIANMINING

AUGUST 2022

dump cycles and increasing overall productivity. Then there is Epiroc’s mining and exploration (M&E) drilling fleet, which includes the Boomer E2 Battery zero-emission face drill rig, which has an on-board charger, large battery and powerful motors to enable long tramming distances. This range also includes the Boltec M Battery, which is among the most advanced and productive fully mechanised rock-bolting machines in its size class. In early July, Epiroc announced it was trialling the first-ever battery-electric surface drill rig in collaboration with Swedish construction company Skanska. The rig’s design is based on Epiroc’s renowned SmartROC T35 surface drill rig. The SmartROC T35 E will harness Epiroc’s vast experience in the development of underground battery rigs, with Skanska to test the rig at a quarry near Stockholm, Sweden. Following the trial, Epiroc will announce when the SmartROC T35 E will be available to the market. As Epiroc continues its electrification journey, the OEM aims to offer its complete fleet of underground mining equipment as battery-electric versions by 2025, and its full fleet for surface operations as battery-powered versions by 2030. AM

GROUNDHOG MINE DIGITIZATION AND AUTOMATION

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WATER MANAGEMENT

THE HAMERSLEY REELING SYSTEM HAS PROVEN POPULAR IN SMALL AND LARGE MINING OPERATIONS.

REDEFINING RIGID PIPELINES WITH FLEXIBLE LAYFLAT HOSE SETTING UP PIPELINES FOR MINE SITE DEWATERING REMAINS A BIG PART OF WATER MANAGEMENT. CRUSADER HOSE KNOWS THAT FLEXIBLE LAYFLAT PIPELINES AND REELING SYSTEMS CAN OFFER THE PERFECT ALTERNATIVE FOR POLY PIPE.

oving large volumes of water can be challenging for engineers when aiming to control water levels. The rigid poly pipelines that are typically used do the job are often time-consuming to install and difficult to relocate. Over its 36 years of manufacturing, Crusader Hose has redefined water transfer pipelines using flexible layflat hose and reeling solutions. Made in Australia, the company’s large-diameter layflat hose is moveable, and its innovative reeling system makes handling flexible pipelines easy and safe. Rising water tables, cyclones and storms can cause havoc for an open-cut mine, where keeping water out is one of the primary functions in supporting mine operations. Mine dewatering in all of these situations needs to be done swiftly and efficiently.

Mining companies have used poly pipe for water transfer for decades . Although a successful method, poly pipe used for this purpose is always of a large diameter and, therefore, very cumbersome to handle. Many trucks are needed to transport a reasonable length, but unloading requires special equipment such as cranes. In addition, welding machinery and a specialised labour force are needed. Poly pipe is also expensive, if not impossible, to redeploy and relocate. It is not uncommon to see obsolete high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines left abandoned on-site once mining has ceased or the pit has moved, as HDPE recovery and recycling can be a big-ticket item. In these instances, the poly pipeline is often a single-use and costly exercise, and derelict poly pipe also has an undesirable effect on the environment. Crusader Hose, an Australian company that manufactures layflat hose and reeling systems, is striving to create a paradigm shift AUSTRALIANMINING

in how mining engineers and water logistics technicians manage mine dewatering – to think outside the circle of poly pipe, as it were.

The company is determined to redefine rigid pipelines with flexible layflat hose throughout Australia.

THE BAYSWATER TRAILER-MOUNTED MODULAR REELING SYSTEM IS IDEAL FOR PIPELINES OF UP TO EIGHT INCHES.

AUGUST 2022

WATER MANAGEMENT

THE WATERLORD LAYFLAT HOSE PIPELINE CAN BE USED IN HYDRO MINING.

A family business led by the second generation, Crusader Hose has worked with many industry leaders and is recognised as a progressive and innovative company. Developments in research and development (R&D) have raised its hose quality to worldstandard. The company’s engineering capabilities have expanded to fabricate reeling systems, the primary purpose of which is to deploy and retrieve layflat hose rapidly and safely. Crusader Hose is proud to be an Australian-owned company with its factory based in Bayswater, Victoria. Its perseverance and growing space in the market have seen some importers question the viability of selling higherpriced foreign-made goods, according to managing director François Steverlynck. “We are proud to be the only manufacturer of mine dewatering hose in Australia and, with our capabilities, support the mining sector with worldstandard high-quality systems,” Steverlynck said. “Although competing against a market flooded with imports has had its challenges.” Steverlynck believes Crusader Hose’s ability to offer a complete dewatering system sets the company apart from importers. “Offering layflat hose complete with a hose deployment and retrieval system gives us a tremendous edge in the market,” he said. “With an engineering fabrication workshop alongside our factory, we feel we can support the Australian mining sector better than anyone else.” Mine dewatering is a two-pronged approach: water extraction from the open-cut mine pits, then transferring the extracted water to another area.

High-pressure pipe is a critical requirement, as water often needs to be pumped up a high wall and across long distances. Crusader Hose has developed large-diameter Waterlord layflat hose that can handle these high pressures and flow rates. Waterlord is manufactured in a range of diameters, up to 12 inches, with a bursting pressure of 2800 kilopascal (kPa) and flow rates up to 350 litres per second. Being a local manufacturer has given Crusader Hose customers a great advantage. “Our popular Waterlord was recently customised for hydro mining in a large operation in the country’s north-east,” Steverlynck said. “Our visit to the mine gave us a clear insight into what the specific conditions were, and we could then design and offer a solution which proved to be exactly what they needed. “Although they were happy with our product, when new issues arose we were on-site within a week to solve them, too.” Developing reeling systems inhouse with a dedicated engineering department has been a key strategy at the company. “We know and understand the difficulty in reeling up layflat hose, as we make thousands of metres at our factory daily,” Steverlynck said. “We feel best suited to designing and fabricating solutions due to our intimate hose experience.” Dewatering needs can vary among mines, and Crusader Hose’s popular Hamersley and Bayswater reeling systems are finding their way into small and large operations. The interchangeable spools of the Hamersley make it quick and easy to AUSTRALIANMINING

REELS OF WATERLORD READY FOR TRANSPORT.

deploy multiple lengths of hose, while the Bayswater is a trailer-mounted modular system ideal for pipelines of up to eight inches. Layflat hose is compact and easily transported. Once on-site, forklifts are most often used in unloading the flatpacks from the truck. Made of abrasion-resistant polyurethane, Crusader Hose dewatering hose handles high pressures and the rigours of Australian mining environments. The reeling systems provide straightforward deployment at the commencement of dewatering and later recovery once the temporary pipeline is no longer required. Flexible layflat pipelines offer a suitable alternative to rigid pipe systems in emergencies or other shorter-term applications.

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The mining industry has been using poly pipe for a long time and, according to Steverlynck, does not yet fully appreciate the benefits of a flexible long-length layflat hose pipeline. “There are many benefits in using flexible layflat hose and reeling systems, and we are eager to assist mining engineers in finding more efficient solutions for their dewatering requirements,” he said. “We are not here to replace poly, just to offer alternative options to rigid lines.” With the Hamersley and Bayswater deployment systems, using layflat hose has never been easier. “We’re keen on helping the mining industry overcome the seeming challenges of using layflat hose, and Crusader Hose is fully committed to supplying complete systems,” Steverlynck said. AM

EFFICIENCY AND OPTIMISATION

A MINING CONNECTIVITY SPECIALIST GROUNDHOG HAS DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE SOFTWARE SOLUTION THAT KEEPS MINE SITES CONNECTED, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME OPTIMISING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY.

igitisation is key to the mining industry’s continued evolution, with real-time metrics and data providing avenues for operations to optimise and improve all aspects of their business. Amid a strengthening environmental, social and governance (ESG) backdrop, it’s critical that mining companies are constantly measuring and evaluating their environmental commitments, safety standards and social performance so they are match fit in the eyes of investors. GroundHog’s mine digitisation software is the next frontier in operational connectivity, ensuring mining companies can track their fleet performance in real-time, enabling them to mine more tonnes, more of the time. Harnessing the abilities of artificial intelligence (AI), GroundHog’s fleet management software (FMS) optimises driving times and organises traffic on a mine site, and has been tailored for underground and open-pit operations. GroundHog chief executive officer Satish Penmetsa told Australian Mining that FMS data collection is automated through various sensors, on-board equipment telemetry and high-precision GPS units. “Using AI, our automated FMS allows operators to meet their timesensitive goals and plans,” she said. “We have real-time location tracking systems for all machines equipped with our software, which allows users to visualise in a threedimensional space where all their equipment is.” With employees spread across wide expanses and a high proportion of lone workers on a mine site, it is critical telecommunications are reliable and consistent. This is where GroundHog comes to the fore. “We extend our network to the face of an operation using peer-to-peer technology, which works ideally in a mining environment. The alternative is to establish Wi-Fi connectivity, which can often be expensive technology,” Penmetsa said. GroundHog’s offering doesn’t stop there, with the software able to assist teams to configure rosters and other shift management practices.

Management staff can plan shifts, as well as the operations that take place during those shifts. They can also track the execution and performance of those operations. “We cover five stages of digitalisation, and through this journey we can gain significant insights into how data can help improve productivity at sites that use our applications,” Penmetsa said. GroundHog supports accurate data-driven decisions to be made on-site, with information as available to supervisors as it is to upper management. This allows for greater flexibility when adapting to change, with management able to make quick decisions to swap to alternate plans if needed. The software automatically exchanges information between equipment whenever machines come within range, and that information is then shared to an online cloud and made available to digital devices. GroundHog’s technology does not require the company’s proprietary hardware to function, with the software compatible with standard

operating systems and all types of mining equipment, whether haul trucks, drills, lighting towers or anything in between. “Our software is agnostic, so companies can spend what they can afford on the actual hardware in terms of tablets and devices based on operational needs,” Penmetsa said. “The only thing they’ll need is the dongles to provide telematics information from the machines. These dongles then connect with our software, which is then uploaded to the cloud.” Penmetsa said many original equipment manufacturers (OEM) have standardised their vehicle information and telematics data, which GroundHog can interpret to increase operational efficiency. But that’s not the full extent of its offering. “The real draw is our software doesn’t need to be installed onto computers; the apps are available for direct download from the app store onto phones and tablets, which then connect to our servers,” Penmetsa said.

GroundHog also has a safety training learning management system (LMS) built into its software, ensuring every employee can be properly trained before they head out to the site. For companies still evaluating how to optimise or digitise their operations, GroundHog can also provide remote support and recommendations on the best way forward. “If companies feel confident that they can integrate our systems into their business on their own, we encourage that,” Penmetsa said. “But we’re always available to provide remote support if the need arises. “If there is a desire for a more comprehensive integration of our technology, then our changemanagement consultants can go onsite and walk the company through the entire digitisation process.” In an industry where whole-ofmine connectivity is critical for productivity, efficiency and, most importantly, safety, GroundHog’s end-to-end software can be the perfect partner. AM

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AUSTRALIANMINING

AUGUST 2022

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COMPANY PROFILE

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO A GLOBAL LEADER SCOTT TECHNOLOGY OPENED ITS DOORS IN 1913 AND HASN’T MISSED A BEAT SINCE. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JOHN KIPPENBERGER DISCUSSES THE COMPANY’S HISTORY AND SUCCESSES, AS WELL AS ITS BRIGHT FUTURE.

hen John Scott and his two sons established their motor repair business in the early 1900s, there was no knowing that, with time, the company would eventually grow into a global leader of automation. The small business in Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island specialised in general repairs to gas, oil and petrol motors until 1953, when the company would see a change in direction from motor maintenance to general engineering. And in the 1990s, Scott Technology went global. “The business started off as a broadbased engineering company all those years ago,” Scott Technology chief executive officer John Kippenberger told Australian Mining. “And then it started specialising in automation and robotics, which took it into some very big industries, where we are a key player today. “The company has a great history.” Scott Technology currently has operations across 11 countries, including Europe, Asia and North America to Australia and New Zealand.

Kippenberger credits the success of Scott Technology to the individuals who help make it run. “We’re driven by people across various industries and geographies, and we have a really strong and talented team right across the board,” he said. “The people have always been a cornerstone of what we’re about at Scott.” In the late 2000s, Scott sought to grow its business in the mining sector with a number of acquisitions, including Rocklabs. Scott Mining is now a key part of the business, with its centres of excellence based in Western Australia and Auckland, and customers in more than 100 countries. The company offers a large range of crushers, pulverisers, rotating and linear sample dividers, and certified reference material, along with a range of mining field automation systems. “Scott Mining furthers our brand recognition for quality innovation and automation,” Kippenberger said. “It’s an important part of the global Scott Group. Scott Technology specialises in reliability, efficiency, and performance consistency across all aspects of its business, and the mining sector is

no different. Scott splits its mining business into three focus areas: products, systems and services. Separating the business into these specific components allows Scott to better focus on providing its mining customers with top-tier support across all areas. “We’re a brand that specialises in efficiency, productivity, quality and safety,” Kippenberger said. “We put consistency of performance in everything we do, from regional mining companies to big global ones like Rio Tinto.” And Rio Tinto is set to benefit more from Scott Technology’s experience with a new automated laboratory – the largest of its kind in the world – being developed for the Gudai Darri iron ore project in Western Australia. This will see Scott Technology take responsibility for the supply and commissioning of equipment for a new sample preparation and analysis laboratory. “It’s been a long, end-to-end project over the last 12 to 18 months,” Kippenberger said. “It’s a testament to our people and their perseverance through all of the supply-chain disruptions.

SCOTT MINING BECAME A KEY PART OF THE BUSINESS IN THE 2000S.

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SCOTT TECHNOLOGY CEO JOHN KIPPENBERGER.

“It’s been an extraordinary test of fortitude and commitment from Scott, but also reflects the positive relationship that we have with the team at Rio Tinto.” While developing the laboratory with Rio Tinto, Kippenberger said Scott Technology would continue to focus on investing in the evolution of crushing equipment, smart technology, and automation solutions in large-scale automation laboratories. Another focus area for Scott Technology has been the development of an automated mining truck refuelling system through the use of robotics combined with vision technology. Now through the development phase and into commercial rollout, this technology will also play a role in the mining sector’s focus on carbon reduction. To support significant growth ambitions in its mining strategy and the further development of this area of the business, the company has recently appointed Ian Enright as the global director of Scott Mining. Enright will be looking at opportunities across geographic markets and metal industries that fit Scott Technology, as well as meeting customers’ technology needs as they adjust to a low-carbon future. But regardless of where the future takes Scott, one thing will remain consistent: the strong team of people who make everything happen behind the scenes. “I think the thing I’m proudest of is that we’ve got high-quality people focused in specific areas where we have a technological point of difference,” Kippenberger said. “Watching our people across the globe deal with the challenges of the last few years and keep their commitment to delivering first class outcomes for customers is definitely something I am proud to be a part of.” With new leadership and several significant projects on the horizon and nearing successful completion, Scott Mining is ideally positioned for growth in Australia and beyond. AM

REMANUFACTURING

SKF HAS A GLOBALLY RENOWNED INDUSTRIAL BEARING REMANUFACTURING PROGRAM.

REMANUFACTURING: CRITICAL TO MINING’S NET-ZERO FUTURE AUSTRALIAN MINING COMPANIES WILL NEED TO FIND MORE WAYS TO DECARBONISE THEIR OPERATIONS. AND SKF HOLDS A KEY TO ONE VALUABLE PATHWAY.

n important piece to the mining industry’s net-zero puzzle, the circular economy doesn’t just relate to the process of repurposing minerals from waste or tailings. There’s another important practice that gives products a new lease on life. Remanufacturing involves returning a product to its original performance with warranty that’s equivalent or as good as a newly manufactured product. In a sector that’s so equipmentdependant, the remanufacturing opportunities are endless. Mining companies and contractors can not only limit the costs of buying new, but also improve their sustainability credentials and significantly reduce product lead times. SKF has a globally renowned industrial bearing remanufacturing program. Once a bearing arrives at SKF’s remanufacturing facility in Perth, the company’s team goes through a staged process to remanufacture the bearing.

This includes an initial inspection, remanufacture, quality checks and reassembly before the bearing is returned to the customer as good as new. But while the intrinsic remanufacturing process ticks several important boxes, there’s more to SKF’s solution than that. As SKF Australia reliability specialist – remanufacturing Pratik Kandekar puts it, the company considers the remanufacturing process holistically. “What SKF has done from a global standpoint is, based on the cost of steel and a lot of other parameters, we are able to quantify exactly what the CO2 impact of doing a remanufacturing job is versus a new bearing,” he told Australian Mining. “As a part of our remanufacturing service, we give customers a CO2 certificate which they can use when reporting their carbon emissions. A customer will have KPIs (key performance indicators) regarding their sustainability performance and this helps them to quantify it.” Certain application conditions – such as contamination or sporadic metal-to-metal contact – can cause AUSTRALIANMINING

SKF ADOPTS A CONTROLLED REMANUFACTURING PROCESS, WHERE IT WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE UNIT.

damage and SKF recognises a bearing’s service life is often shorter than that estimated by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). To prevent major damage or bearing failure, SKF adopts a controlled remanufacturing process, working with its predictive maintenance unit, harnessing the smarts of the company’s condition-monitoring abilities to intercept a product before it reaches breaking point.

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SKF industry specialist – mining Vince Broom, who is often involved with the initial bearing removal at a mine site, said the company considers several variables before commencing the remanufacturing process. The environment in which the bearing has been used or kept often dictates when it will be removed. Broom used the example of a recent large-size bearing that had been in operation for four years and had been

REMANUFACTURING

running at about 70–80 revolutions per minute (rpm) before being removed for remanufacture. SKF also promises a quick turnaround, which is particularly significant given the long lead times the Australian mining sector is experiencing in the wake of COVID and global geopolitical crises. “When we’re talking about the size of the bearings we’re remanufacturing, there could be up to 8–10 months lead time for ordering new,” Rod Allen, segment manager – mining and mineral processing, told Australian Mining. “Remanufacturing has filled that gap where we could turn around a bearing in 24 hours if we have access to that bearing quickly. Or we could drag that 8–10 months lead time down to 2–3 weeks.” Allen said this can lead to significant cost savings for mining companies. “Large coal mines, gold mines or metal-producing companies that we deal with, they could run into the millions of dollars of downtime per day (if a bearing fails), depending on what part of the plant we’re talking about. And it’s not only the damage to the bearing itself, but also to the assets. “So if we pick up a potential bearing issue early enough with the technologies that we deploy, such as condition monitoring, we’re able to salvage that bearing prior to a catastrophic failure and return that

REMANUFACTURING INVOLVES RETURNING A PRODUCT TO ITS ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE.

product as a remanufactured unit back to the customer in short space of time.” As a trusted partner to the global resources sector, SKF has supported some of the world’s largest mining

companies on their remanufacturing journey. Australian mining companies are turning to SKF to remanufacture their large-size bearings, from slew bearings to mill bearings.

“Recently, we were able to remanufacture a large slew bearing for less than 50 per cent of its original purchase price and bring it back to new specification for them to be able to reuse or store as a critical spare with the complete warranty,” Allen said. “We’ve also had success with big mill bearings where customers have come to us with rusted bearings from storage and we’ve remanufactured them, effectively giving them a new lease of life and reducing the product’s carbon footprint in the process.” In the past, remanufacturing had often been considered a means to an end, with companies turning to it as a stop-gap to rectify a pressing mechanical issue. But Allen is seeing a behavioural change, with the process being implemented strategically rather than reactively. Allen said the recent success of SKF’s remanufacturing unit has been driven by current market trends relating to sustainability and cost reduction, with environmental, social and governance (ESG) obligations and rising capital expenditure important considerations. And as mining companies further embrace the circular economy on their net-zero pursuit, SKF can be the perfect partner, whether it concerns remanufacturing or any other sustainable enterprise. AM

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DIGITAL MINING

FREIGHTLANCER KEEPS THE MINING INDUSTRY MOVING AUSTRALIAN MINING CHATS TO A LONG-TIME FREIGHTLANCER USER ABOUT HOW THE PLATFORM HAS SUPPORTED HIM OVER THE YEARS.

s a critical supporter of the Australia resources industry, the freight and logistics sector facilitates the equipment companies and contractors require to carry out their mining operations. If there’s a hold-up or potential supply chain disruption – whether it be an extreme weather event or a COVID incursion – the risk of mining companies not receiving their equipment on time can lead to potential lost uptime. Enter Freightlancer. The global marketplace and management platform irons out kinks in the supply chain, providing transport solutions for companies in need, while ensuring the transparent and accountable operation of the freight sector. Freightlancer is an easy-to-use system that’s backed by a team of experienced logistics coordinators. It keeps shippers and carriers connected, while providing a safe and reliable escrow payment system to ensure there’s no awkward conversations.

One Freightlancer beneficiary is RTH Transport operations manager Mark Gillespie, who can generate quotes nearly every day and has been able to close up to three jobs a week through the portal. Gillespie said the platform is also accurate. “Everything that I’ve quoted through Freightlancer has been on the money or we’ve just had to go up and down a little bit,” he told Australian Mining. RTH Transport facilitates transport all across Australia, including to all major cities, and supports mine sites in New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Gillespie uses the portal to find transport jobs for RTH’s carriers. RTH will make a quote on individual jobs and Freightlancer will provide an answer in a few days as to whether the quote can go ahead as is, or if negotiation will be involved. The Australian mining industry, like so many other sectors, has been navigating supply-chain disruptions for more than two years due to the COVID pandemic. Whether it’s a

border closure or a driver testing positive, Freightlancer is always there to find a solution for its carriers. “I had a driver that got COVID as he was doing a delivery for Freightlancer and I had to change drivers, which put us back a day,” Gillespie said. “And Freightlancer were understanding, which is where they need to be. “You might be doing a job for Freightlancer and something may happen – you might break down or something – but if you contact them, they’re always obliged to help you out as long as you let them know. “What I’ve found since I’ve been dealing with Drew (Davis, Freightlancer’s general manager – sales and business development) and Warwick (Corney, Freightlancer’s Western Australia business development manager) and a few others over the years, is that if I help them they’ll always look after me.” Carriers must adhere to unique protocols before they deliver freight to a mine site. Freightlancer ensures carriers are always prepared, providing the essential resources to ensure they never arrive blind.

“Freightlancer gives you all the information on what you need, including necessary mine site inductions,” Gillespie said. “Freightlancer sets that up and sends it to you so you don’t have to chase it all.” It’s not only about providing the right information, but also maintaining regular communication. “When you’re quoting on loads, communication is always there as far as Freightlancer getting back to you with an answer of either yes, no or maybe,” Gillespie said. When accepting a move, carriers can also be confident that Freightlancer hasn’t just found a fast solution, but the best solution. “Freightlancer’s load descriptions are nearly always spot on,” Gillespie said. “Ninety per cent of the time you quote on a job and the truck will fit the brief – whether it’s the weight, dimensions or kilometres driven. “Freightlancer looks at the kilometres from place to place or state to state or Brisbane to Perth or wherever and gets the right truck. You can really trust the site.” AM

DISRUPTIONS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN MEAN MINING COMPANIES RISK NOT RECEIVING EQUIPMENT AND CAN LEAD TO LOST UPTIME.

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AUGUST 2022

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MINING EVENTS

INNOVATION IN A CHANGING INDUSTRY THE INTERNATIONAL MINERAL PROCESSING CONGRESS HAS BEEN DUBBED THE OLYMPIC GAMES OF MINERAL PROCESSING – AND FOR GOOD REASON. CONFERENCE CHAIR RALPH HOLMES TALKS TO AUSTRALIAN MINING ABOUT WHAT ATTENDEES CAN EXPECT THIS YEAR.

ince the first International Mineral Processing Congress (IMPC) was held in 1952, the congress, and more recently its associated regional conferences, have been a roaring success for attendees across the broad spectrum of the mining industry. And after the Cape Town congress was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IMPC AsiaPacific 2022 is set to reignite the congress and conference series. In addition to seven other exciting keynote speakers, Australia’s chief scientist Dr Cathy Foley has signed up to present a talk focusing of innovation and getting more women into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). “I’m very much looking forward to what Dr Foley has to say,” IMPC chair Ralph Holmes told Australian Mining. “We have so much expertise in this country. I’m excited to hear about what she has to say on cyber developments and tackling big problems for the future of Australia.”

THE IMPC WILL BRING TOGETHER PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE MINING INDUSTRY.

Conference committee member Professor Robin Batterham concurred “Innovation in a changing world and women in STEM are totally relevant to our present time,” he said. After two years of virtual events, face-to-face social opportunities at IMPC Asia-Pacific 2022 will be a welcome change. As one of the first significant conferences of its type in a number of years, the event’s networking functions have been spread out across the three days to provide attendees with the opportunity to meet each other and share ideas. That said, IMPC is an international event and those not able to attend in-person will still have the opportunity to join the conference virtually. “The IMPC is a great meeting place where inspiration happens and linkages form,” Batterham said. A large range of topics will be explored at the IMPC Asia-Pacific 2022. Along with preconcentration, flotation, separations, geo and hydrometallurgy, and modelling, the AUSTRALIANMINING

conference will also shine a spotlight on big data. The focus on big data will examine the use of massive company-owned databases to optimise operations, with a view to reducing the carbon footprint. For Holmes, whose interests lie in energy and carbon reduction, IMPC provides an opportunity for attendees to rethink their operations and ask themselves what they can do to better help the environment. “I’m also interested in areas that explore what the future mine could look like,” Holmes said. “As we move toward electricity generation and storage that doesn’t use coal, thinking about what the future mine could look like is very topical.” For Holmes and Batterham, having such an action-packed conference is a blessing and a curse. With three conference days and three parallel streams, there is almost too much to see and do. “It’s one of those impossible times where you want to be in three places at once for much of the three days,” Batterham said.

Luckily, IMPC Asia-Pacific 2022 will also feature more than 180 full papers and extended abstracts on the themes of the conference, so those who can’t attend a speaker’s address will still be able to hear from industry professionals. These papers and abstracts will lend themselves to the extensive technical program at IMPC AsiaPacific 2022, which will showcase the latest innovations and thinking in the field of mineral processing. Holmes and Batterham are hoping for attendance of people across the whole spectrum of the industry, from research professionals to equipment manufacturers and designers. But it’s not just those directly involved in the industry that should attend. Anyone working to bring new ideas to the market will find the conference inspiring. “Innovation can and does happen and is required to address the key issues we face,” Batterham said. And this innovation cannot occur without a wide breadth of people coming together to talk about the challenges in mineral processing and the wider environment, and how to solve them. AM GRINDING IS ONE OF THE MANY TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED AT IMPC 2022.

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MINING TECHNOLOGY

THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS HEXAGON MINING DIVISION’S POWER OF ONE PLATFORM CONNECTS PROCESSES FROM THE FIELD TO THE OFFICE WHILE REDUCING COSTS AND INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY.

t’s no secret that mines have a lot of moving parts, and it can seem almost impossible to get a handle on all of them at the same time. That’s where Hexagon’s innovative Power of One platform can help. A set of holistic solutions connecting all of a mine’s processes from pit to plant, the Power of One platform connects all sensors and software with a system that can be accessed from anywhere, whether from the field or the office. “The platform enables mines to implement and integrate applications better than current solutions,” Hexagon’s senior director, product and innovation Marcos Bayuelo said. The platform autonomously connects key ecosystems across a mine, including exploration, planning, drill and blast, material movement and mine monitoring. This means it can address critical challenges that many mines face, such as cutting costs and improving safety and productivity. Safety is always front of mind for Hexagon. Its award-winning safety solutions, such as the Operator Alertness System, Collision Avoidance System and Vehicle Intervention Systems, have all been included in the Power of One platform to ensure operational safety. “We believe that people are a mine’s greatest asset,” Bayuelo said. “By integrating our safety solutions with the platform, we ensure that operators are protected daily and that mine managers and executives have the data to take preventive measures and find the root causes of safety incidents.” The Power of One platform simplifies the safety workflow of a site by integrating all applications, meaning mining operations can focus on the crux of any safety issue. By attaching preventive data to the implemented administrative controls, safety processes can be dramatically improved. The ever-present drive to cut costs and increase productivity makes adopting new technologies like the Power of One more important than ever.

HEXAGON’S POWER OF ONE PLATFORM CONNECTS ALL AREAS OF A MINE.

These technologies should ideally be easy to understand so they don’t cause more problems for those working with them. The Power of One platform has this down to a fine art. “The platform has already resonated with our customers, not only for the tangible benefits but also for simplifying the digital transformation of a mine site,” Bayuelo said. By seamlessly connecting the mine to the boardroom, users of the Power of One platform can expect an effortless experience, increased operator adoption and reduced training time. These aspects combined mean the platform can be set up and ready to run in no time. Another of the benefits of the Power of One platform is enabling mines to become situationally aware and self-learning operations. AUSTRALIANMINING

Situationally aware mines can make more sense of their data and, in turn, make faster and more informed decisions. “The Power of One platform gives customers a unified view of all their data to enable them to improve efficiency, cut costs and drive value across multiple mining processes,” Bayuelo said. In an effort to help more sites become self-learning operations, the platform is able to give users a realtime view of key operations, including vehicle interactions and fatigue management. This data can be used to optimise productivity on the site. The COVID pandemic accelerated the rate of technology adoption across the resources sector. For Hexagon, it’s important to ensure mining operations continue to see the value of automating and

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streamlining day-to-day processes. With the Power of One platform, sites no longer need to adopt different solutions for planning, management, and safety. And, in the future, Hexagon hopes the technology will allow mines to create a smart digital reality of their site that leverages simulation and autonomous technology to further improve decision-making. While implementation of that technology may still be a while off, mining operations can rest assured Hexagon will continue to provide them with technological solutions to make sites safer and more efficient than ever. “At the end of the day, it’s all about delivering to our customers the best-in-class capabilities through our industry-leading solutions,” Bayuelo said. AM

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GEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSIT IN NORTHERN CHILE. (IMAGE: BHP)

PROSPECTIVITY ANALYSIS MEETS MACHINE LEARNING SRK, IN CONJUNCTION WITH DEEPIQ AND BHP, HAS DELIVERED AN UPDATE INTO THE WORLD OF MACHINE LEARNING IN KNOWLEDGE-DRIVEN GEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS.

echnology utilised by exploration companies has been trialled with machine learning to automate the process of finding useful geological deposits. Prospectivity analysis is a predictive method typically used in a regional scale of mining operations to focus on, and subsequently rank, prospective areas for mining. The analysis generates prospectivity maps that score the ground in terms of relative prospectivity within a defined grid. While the analysis does not give a specific probability of finding a deposit within an exact location, the machine learning involved – as defined by the inputs that are given in terms of what features and minerals to look out for – can assess the environment and identify locations as outputs that fit the information provided. Presenting at the Future of Mining event in Sydney Australia, SRK corporate geology consultant Chris

Woodfull discussed the feasibility of machine learning in relation to prospectivity analysis. “The quality of your input model will be indicative of the quality of your output, in this case the prospectivity analysis,” Woodfull said. “Machine learning has attracted a lot of interest, specifically in regard to geology, as it promises an objective approach that minimises human bias, in addition to the ability to rapidly interrogate large and disparate data sets. “Truck movements and bench metres drilled are examples of where machine learning is beneficial from an operational mining perspective. Though when it comes to geological mapping, the data given to be processed and the quality of said data will have a direct impact on prospectivity analysis it generates.” Inappropriate data selection, lowquality data and a complicated link between the data and the geological feature or deposit of interest can all AUSTRALIANMINING

lead to poor outcomes in relation to information is produced in geological surveys. As part of his presentation, Woodfull posited that a combination of geoscience and data science can minimise the biases caused by machine learning, using an example study of large porphyry copper deposits in northern Chile. “There was a three-phase system employed, the first being a proof of concept, the second being a stage of model enhancement, and the final stage being the generation of the prospectivity maps,” Woodfull said. “Data was ingested to a cloud where the data was then cleaned, fixing issues of inconsistent formats and missing attributions among other things, with a focus on consideration of the key geological factors controlling the generation and preservation of the copper deposits in the area of interest. “In assessing key geoscience-based features for analysis, SRK worked closely with the team at DeepIQ, who

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were focused on the data analytic portion of the study, including developing automation for the cleaning of the data. “Most importantly, at the end of the process the machine model outputs were reviewed compared and iterated, which included comparison to a well established knowledge-based mineral-potential mapping process.” A prospectivity analysis workflow generated from the study in northern Chile showed a series of mutual feedback loops between the datadriven and knowledge-driven workflows, where data was vetted by analysts and then fed back into the machine-learning model. Through the phases and revisions, the machine learning was able to use fusion and fuzzy logic to determine not only the test sites set by BHP, but also an additional 30 discrete focus areas. Four of those areas were selected by BHP for further evaluation.

GEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

• A powerful collaborative approach that encouraged cross-fertilisation of ideas and ensured no one specialist was driving outcomes • Enhanced and new data sets, based on high-resolution mapping, which were integral to the outcomes of the study • The introduction of a deep learning fusion model that was instrumental in generating more optimal models • Several high-prospectivity areas that were identified for further detailed review in an already well explored region

During the trial in conjunction with DeepIQ and BHP, SRK was able to provide a number of positive outcomes of working with machine learning:

Also speaking during the presentation, DeepIQ founder Vish Avasarala discussed the difficulties of generating prospectivity analyses and how they were overcome utilising machinelearning software. “The data for geospatial mapping can be so wildly different in file format and resolution that it is a tedious task to standardise it manually,” Avasarala said. “DeepIQ allows for automatic cleaning of those varied data sets, addressing resolution issues and noise, to build analytic-ready data sets. “In addition, regular machine learning has every data point being independent from other data points. Whereas geospatial mapping has strong correlations between data points, as when there is one strong prediction for a prospect, that also means that data

AUSTRALIANMINING

points near it will have a high chance of being a prospect. “We have developed algorithms that work well with low-resolution image maps and low sample sizes to develop a structured connection between data points to increase accuracy of predictions.” The data studio developed by DeepIQ allows for distance calculation based on images with defined rock structures which, when combined with data sets and run via a system ready for machine learning, can calculate that distance automatically. A BHP spokesperson provided insight into the major miner’s interest in working with machine learning to develop prospectivity maps and how they might be used in future projects. “Ideal data situations are few and far between. We have to deal a lot of the time with incomplete, slowquality or sparse data sets,” the spokesperson said. “To that end, we wanted to bring forward some geoscience compilation and advanced machine-learning expertise to address the problem, which is how to create well-constrained prospectivity models, given the limitations we have in data.” Utilising sparse data as confirmatory points, rather than as a mandatory data input, has allowed BHP to use data that may otherwise have been abandoned due to its incomplete nature.

AUGUST 2022

TRUCK MOVEMENTS ARE AN EXAMPLE OF WHERE MACHINE LEARNING IS BENEFICIAL FROM AN OPERATIONAL MINING PERSPECTIVE. (IMAGE: BHP)

The process and data generated by prospectivity maps also have a function in geological surveys, as a part of land management and as a tool by investor organisations to aid in land evaluations. “Combining specialist knowledge and the collaborative nature of this study with machine learning, we can have a good understanding of the key data sets driving the high-prospectivity areas,” Woodfull said. AM

MINING INNOVATION

THE CORESMART PREDICTOR IS REDEFINING EXPLORATION TWO INSPIRED INNOVATORS HAVE JOINED FORCES TO DEVELOP THE CORESMART PREDICTOR, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE THAT PROVIDES HIGHLY ACCURATE, REAL-TIME GRADE PREDICTIONS FOR DRILL CORE, ORE SORTING AND MINING OPERATIONS. AND THAT’S JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

imap and GEOS Engineering have jointly developed a workflow that not only maps hyperspectral drill core data and collects airborne data, but also provides accurate grades of the most common metals. Dimap owner and chief executive officer Dr Holger Eichstaedt told Australian Mining the CoreSmart Predictor provides a sophisticated solution using artificial intelligence (AI) that makes interpretation of hyperspectral data not only more accurate, but also easier to read and understand for mine operators and geologists. “The scientific data comes from nature and the results can be difficult for the user to read,” he said. “After drilling they get their core box, minerals get mapped out and then they need spectral geologists to look at that data.”

VIRTUAL CORE BOX SHOWING THE WORKFLOW RESULT FROM SCANNED CORE TO THE FINAL PREDICTION RESULT OF HIGH COPPER GRADES.

The idea behind CoreSmart is to make it simpler for the mine operator or the geologist by providing a mineral

Metal

Threshold (ppm unless marked differently)

Accuracy of prediction checked against independent samples

2.5

81%

0.8

85%

36.50%

95%

3.90%

84%

10.0

89%

22.0

93%

5.0

91%

68.0

92%

0.3

94%

6.0

93%

0.1

95%

ACHIEVED ACCURACY OF THE CORESMART PREDICTOR TESTED ON INDEPENDENT ASSAYS FOR THE METALS AVAILABLE FOR PREDICTIONS ON HYPERSPECTRALLY DRILLED CORE AND ROCK SAMPLES.

AUSTRALIANMINING

map of a core box, as well as providing the metal grades directly. “The newly developed CoreSmart Predictor now enables us to provide the client with the areas where they have copper, for example, above a specific grade and then they can deal with that specifically. So there is no need to analyse the whole core chemically,” Eichstaedt said. “Our mission is to make hyperspectral data usable for a broader group of users in the mining industry, not just for the specialised spectral geologists or geochemists.” Eichstaedt said that without specialised knowledge, valuable information – whether past or present data – is often overlooked in the mining and exploration industry. “There is an amazing amount of hyperspectral data in Australia which hasn’t been used to the full potential,” he said. As knowledge in the mining industry continues to evolve, a younger generation of geologists is finding and interpreting old spectral data acquired 20 years ago. Some technologies have simply not been developed further and CoreSmart is now bridging that gap by taking interpretation of hyperspectral data to the next level.

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“We understand project operations and the CoreSmart Predictor has the potential to improve the visualisation of mineral resources, shore up feasibility studies, which in turn builds confidence in planned investments,” Eichstaedt said. CoreSmart results will enable targeted drilling campaigns with fewer geochemical analyses necessary in the future, which could bring mining or exploration companies one step closer to a significant discovery. “For an affordable price, the CoreSmart Predictor gives you a fast understanding of where possible commodities are and allows you to model your commodity much better,“ Eichstaedt said. “Sampling costs you between $200– 400 per sample. Scanning (through CoreSmart) costs about $US12 plus analysis, which costs from $US8 per metre – so you only need $US20 to know where your raw materials are.” CoreSmart helps exploration and mining companies to speed up their processes and examine the entire drill core in much greater detail, showing areas of mineralisation at an early stage to plan their assays more efficiently. Eichstaedt said AI also enables a more objective rather than subjective assessment of a resource, with

MINING INNOVATION

THE CORESMART PREDICTOR IS DESIGNED TO MAKE IT EASIER TO PROVIDE A MINERAL MAP OF A CORE BOX, AS WELL AS THE GRADES.

mineralisations able to be discovered that were initially overlooked. In CoreSmart testwork, Dimap analysed data from AuScope’s National Virtual Core Library (NVCL) – considered the world’s largest drill core mineralogical database – through AI. From a dataset of 2000 drill holes with a threshold of 0.8 parts per million (ppm) gold, the CoreSmart Predictor found 431 additional predictions from what had initially been explored and 168 holes that had never been explored for gold but had minimum 10m segments with gold above 0.8 ppm predicted. Eichstaedt said these additional predictions are not limited to gold. “The biggest advantage of CoreSmart is that you can scan during a drilling campaign and get an instant prediction,” he said. “And the company can identify areas where geochemical testing needs to be done and minimise their costs for geochemical analyses this way. It is fast and you can be sure that nothing is overlooked. “Alternatively, you can look at old drill cores and see if you’ve missed something and if it’s worth reassessing.” Since the main strength of the CoreSmart Predictor lies in more precise and comprehensive drill core analysis, further applications are opening up. “CoreSmart can predict metal grades not only in drill cores, but it can also analyse hyperspectral airborne data, which is what we’re currently

doing in Mongolia,” Eichstaedt said. Dimap and GEOS jointly conducted a research project with Erdenet Mining Corporation, which holds one of the largest porphyry-copper deposits in Mongolia. In 2019, Dimap flew to Erdenet’s operation, set up a test field and used the CoreSmart Predictor to analyse the miner’s existing data sets. Eichstaedt said the CoreSmart Predictor was able to deliver 84–95 per cent accuracy on copper predictions from airborne data. With hyperspectral drill core and airborne analysis well established, CoreSmart’s evolution into operational mining is the exciting next step.

“If you can use it from 2000m of altitude, there’s no problem using it from 10m or 1m distance,” Eichstaedt explained. “Even on the conveyor belt, the CoreSmart Predictor can identify ore grades, which helps companies to optimise the performance of their processing plants. It allows real-time data of the material to be generated to ensure that only material above the desired ore grade enters the plant.” With several companies currently testing the CoreSmart Predictor for this purpose, Eichstaedt said there was no other current technology that can predict ore grades as precisely, quickly and effectively as CoreSmart.

Dimap and GEOS’s vision is that the CoreSmart scanner can also be combined with augmented reality to help loader drivers directly identify and delineate their material. “With the CoreSmart Predictor, the loader operator can see directly where the ore-bearing rock is,” Eichstaedt said. “So they have a screen – or even better, glasses – and can see instantly where the grade is below or above the threshold. “They can decide immediately what goes to the processing plant, the rest can go to the dumps.” According to Eichstaedt, because loader operators perform visual ore analyses directly at the mine face, this application allows for improved efficiency and safety compared to current practices. The operator would not need any special expertise. “Without any hyperspectral or geological knowledge, the machine operator can see where the grades are and where the blind material is,” Eichstaedt said. The vision of Eichstaedt is that the CoreSmart Predictor can be applied in all phases of a mine life. By continuously feeding new data into the AI predictor, it continues to improve and become more precise over time. Whether Dimap is working with its partner GEOS to enhance CoreSmart’s capabilities or with its commercial clients, the company is always looking to collaborate, sharing knowledge and have creative discussions. “We always see projects as a collaborative process,” Eichstaedt said. “Both partners want the project to be successful, and that means if we have a problem, we will solve it together. “That’s what I like about the mining industry – we really work together, share ideas and constantly discuss how to move forward.” AM

HIGH COPPER GRADES OF MORE THAN 3% PREDICTED OVER OUTCROPS IN WA.

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SUSTAINABILITY

TECHNOLOGY AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE MUCH OF THE MINING INDUSTRY’S PUSH TOWARDS NET-ZERO WILL BE DRIVEN BY TECHNOLOGY, AND A NEW WHITEPAPER FROM WESTRAC OUTLINES STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE.

SMALL CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE MINING VALUE CHAIN CAN CONTRIBUTE TO MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL GAINS.

very stage of the mining supply and value chain is aware of the need to improve environmental performance and move towards the ultimate goal of zero emissions. But the issue, according to leading Caterpillar dealer WesTrac, is that many operators along that chain don’t quite know what steps to take to start addressing the necessary issues. And that’s why the company produced its recent whitepaper, ‘Targeting zero emissions in mining: Technology and the push for greater sustainability’. WesTrac takes social responsibility seriously and understands that sustainability applies to all the ways in which the organisation impacts the world around it. The company recognises the need to make changes in the resources sector, and WesTrac aims to demonstrate sustainable practices in environmental management, minimising environmental risk and impact to clients and community stakeholders.

The new whitepaper outlines practical approaches and existing or emerging technologies designed to help on the journey to eliminating emissions. It focuses on environmental factors, particularly how equipment technology is helping miners address sustainability goals in terms of emissions reduction. According to WesTrac product manager Rafael Price, electrification of vehicles and equipment is one of the key focus areas for improving environmental performance in the mining industry. However, Price said, finding an effective balance of weight to power that allows an operation to maintain productivity while reducing emissions can be a significant challenge when using battery technology in, for example, a truck. “A Cat 793F haul truck would have about 2650 horsepower available in its current configuration and that will move a fully loaded truck up a hill at around 14km per hour for many hours without the need to refuel,” he said. AUSTRALIANMINING

“When we go to a new energy source such as a battery technology, it’s about getting the energy density into that machine so we can operate in an efficient way. “It’s a matter of finding the most efficient and cost-effective battery energy system that’s going to store enough energy, be rechargeable in a timely manner and not add too much additional weight to the machine.” Zero-emission haul trucks are certainly an area of focus. Caterpillar and Rio Tinto are collaborating on a development project to roll out the world’s first fully autonomous, zeroemission fleet of CAT 793Fs at the major miner’s cutting-edge GudaiDarri iron ore mine in the Pilbara. But WesTrac underlines the fact that alternate fuel sources are only one piece of the technology puzzle that is a more sustainable future. The company’s whitepaper looks at an example where gold and copper producer Newmont, in what was called “a trendsetting move”, partnered with WesTrac to introduce a fully autonomous haul fleet at its

Boddington mine in WA, making it one of the first sites in the world to do so. “Deep autonomy will play straight into decarbonisation, and ultimately greater overall sustainability,” WesTrac autonomous haulage system deployment manager Brett Wilson, who was closely involved with the Newmont Boddington rollout, said. “Technology unlocks revolutions. We’ve seen it since the 1800s – bring technology, bring new ways of doing things and it just unlocks so much potential. “General output from the trucks (at Boddington) is up. Tonnes moved are up. The trucks operate well in fog, sleet, rain, slippery environments. There have been no accidents, no issues. The trucks just work.” The key message of the whitepaper, according to WesTrac Cat MineStar product supervisor Laura Brennan, is that success in improved sustainability is the sum of many small parts. “Regular one per cent improvements here and there, over an entire system, equal massive gains over time,” she said. AM

AUGUST 2022

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TECHNOLOGY

ROSTERING FOR SUCCESS IT MAY SEEM LIKE A SMALL CHANGE, BUT DIGITISING ROSTERS CAN HAVE A FLOW-ON EFFECT FOR ALL AREAS OF A MINING COMPANY – INCLUDING HIGHLIGHTING GENDER DIVERSITY. CRU SOFTWARE AND HARMONY GOLD TEAM UP TO TELL AUSTRALIAN MINING HOW.

M V

nnovation and automation in the mining industry are crucial, allowing for faster processes, reduced downtime and lower operating costs. But there is one area that can fall by the wayside in automation and innovation: people processes and support services. This is what Harmony Gold found when the COVID pandemic hit and its spreadsheet rostering system started working against the company, instead of for it. “In the past, rostering was mostly maintained on spreadsheets, with each department managing their own cohort of people and their own roster patterns,” Harmony SE Asia human resources manager Sandra Almeida told Australian Mining. “During COVID we added significant levels of complexity with longer and differing rosters and a need to isolate and screen employees prior to attending the workplace.” Harmony Gold found that a high number of employees were not showing up for their travel and recognised it needed better data analysis to understand and manage the problem for its site in Papua New Guinea (PNG). So Harmony Gold called Cru Software. “Harmony Gold was really, really clear about the problem that it wanted to solve,” Cru Software account manager for Harmony Gold Lois Penney told Australian Mining. Harmony wanted a fit-for-purpose solution, data visibility and a partner invested in its success, and this is what Cru Software was able to provide. “It was an inclusive, collaborative approach to solving our problem,” Almeida said The resulting move to a digital rostering solution changed the way Harmony Gold’s PNG site managed its people movements. The digitisation of rostering allowed the company to understand why absenteeism was occurring and optimise its crews to fill those vacancies while getting the best out of its people. For the first time since the pandemic began, Harmony Gold recorded a substantial drop in absenteeism and shutdown time.

A DIGITAL ROSTERING SOLUTION HELPED HARMONY GOLD’S PNG SITE RUN SMOOTHLY.

On spreadsheets, the rostering data could be two to three days old by the time it was analysed, but a digital solution means it can be updated in real-time. Problems can be mitigated and the site continues to run smoothly. “Over the course of the pandemic, we needed to change both our local and expatriate rosters a number of times and the rostering software enabled us to model our options prior to implementation of the change,” Almeida said. “COVID reminded businesses that if you don’t support your core business, then you don’t have a core business. “As an HR professional, I want to solve business problems and make the business smarter to run more efficiently. I want to focus on making our people happier and more productive and I think this digital solution is helping to do that.” An unexpected benefit of the digital rostering solution was the ability to see the spread of gender AUSTRALIANMINING

diversity in the company. For Almeida, a gender-diverse workplace is a vital factor in keeping the mining industry evolving. “In PNG, we get heavily involved in the community to support education,” Almeida said. “We offer scholarships for both STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)based courses, as well as trades and apprenticeships, and encourage females to apply to really encourage diversity in the mining industry.” Another important aspect to encourage a more gender-diverse industry is to move away from the idea it is a male-dominated one. This thinking may deter women from entering the sector, and while there are undoubtedly more men employed in mining, that is not to say that women cannot be found at every level and discipline. “At Harmony Gold our strategic drivers include increasing our gender diversity and female representation across the business,” Almeida said.

AUGUST 2022

“Our executive management team in South Africa is made up of over 40 per cent females from diverse backgrounds, and we recognise the transformational leadership that having a gender balanced workforce brings.” At Cru Software, 75 per cent of its product and leadership team is female and the company is incredibly proud to have worked hard to have such a high percentage of female representation. For her part, Almeida fell into the mining industry accidentally after moving to Kalgoorlie in the WA goldfields and falling in love with the constant change and innovation seen in the sector. As a people leader in a highly competitive industry, she finds a high level of job satisfaction in the work she does. “To encourage longevity in mining, we must support our female leaders to join industry bodies to build connections, network and advance their career to set themselves up for success,” Almeida said. AM

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MINING EQUIPMENT

UNDER THE HAMMER: BUYING AND SELLING TO SUIT EVERY NEED SINCE ITS START IN 1958, RITCHIE BROS. HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH. ITS APAC SALES DIRECTOR FINLAY MASSEY TELLS AUSTRALIAN MINING WHY.

or those who want to sell mining equipment abroad, there is no better way than with the expertise of

Ritchie Bros. As a global asset management and deposition company, Ritchie Bros. offers its customers endto-end solutions for the buying and selling of used heavy equipment, machinery and trucks.

Helping thousands of businesses appraise, trade, inspect, buy, refurbish, ship, and finance is the company’s bread and butter, and nowhere has this been developed more than in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Finlay Massey is the company’s APAC sales director and has been instrumental in implementing multiple sales channels and enabling online sales of high-value mining assets. With an ability for

problem-solving and seeing the bigger picture, he has been able to successfully manage the APAC sales team since 2017. Massey joined the company in 2001 and has seen a range of advances in this time. Chief among those was the company’s pivot to online auctions amidst the COVID pandemic. “We had an instantaneous global shift from having live auctions with big crowds to going online,” Massey told Australian Mining.

RITCHIE BROS. HAS EQUIPMENT AND AUCTION FORMATS TO SUIT EVERY NEED.

AUSTRALIANMINING

AUGUST 2022

“We improved our information feed about inspections to our customers and we worked with customers more closely on payment terms and the like during those tough times.” Called Marketplace-E, this online auction channel has undoubtedly helped Ritchie Bros. to establish a strong reputation in the global mining sector. So much so, in fact, the company is now turning its attention to purchasing entire mining fleets.

MINING EQUIPMENT

RITCHIE BROS. OFFERS ITS CUSTOMERS END-TO-END SOLUTIONS FOR THE BUYING AND SELLING OF USED HEAVY EQUIPMENT, MACHINERY AND TRUCKS.

“Ritchie Bros. is highly experienced in shipping large-scale mining fleets and our ability to procure equipment across borders and territories has filled a gap in the sector,” Massey said. The aftermath of the pandemic has also seen widespread equipment shortages, which Ritchie Bros. has helped mitigate with its database. “We have the largest database of buyers in the world and can reach the most motivated buyers through our network and marketing campaigns,” Massey said. Massey attributes this to his hardworking team, which has had great success sourcing and selling assets in the past 12 months. He also credits the company’s success to its integrity, which is something he believes helps to Ritchie Bros. apart. “You can bid with confidence from anywhere on the planet,” Massey said.

THE COMPANY STARTED OUT AT A SINGLE SITE IN BRISBANE AND HAS GROWN INTO HAVING SEVEN LOCATIONS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

“Owners cannot bid on their own equipment or trucks, everything is sold to the highest bidder, and everything is stored securely. “We also have full multi-channel sales solutions for our sellers because we understand unreserved solutions don’t suit every customer.” Ritchie Bros. has a number of different transaction solutions, including the 24–7 Marketplace-E, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers for a live auction format, IronPlanet for a reserved auction format, and Ritchie List, where sellers can sell goods themselves. This attention to different needs has helped Ritchie Bros. expand.

The company started out at a single site in Brisbane and has now grown into having seven locations across the country. Ritchie Bros. operates as a transparent business, allowing customers to view price results, market trends and analytics through its asset solutions. Massey credits the company’s unreserved auction model as the foundation of business and customer trust, and that trust continues to build nationally and globally with each passing year. Along with the Australian-based sector of the business, a wide international reach is what allows

Ritchie Bros. to regularly trade used equipment globally. “Our global footprint with territory managers across Australia, China, Japan, the Philippines, Europe, Canada, America, and our ability to source equipment from all over the world is second-to-none,” Massey said. “If there is an opportunity, we will have a territory manager ready to help right there on the ground. “We source the asset, coordinate the shipping, get the machines cleaned, and get them off the port to our customers. “We take care of everything from A to Z.” AM

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AUSTRALIANMINING

AUGUST 2022

RECRUITMENT

ATTRACTING INNOVATION AS INDUSTRIES ACROSS THE WORLD FACE SKILLS SHORTAGES, AUSTRALIAN MINING SAT DOWN WITH METS IGNITED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ADRIAN BEER TO FIND OUT HOW THE RESOURCES SECTOR CAN STAY COMPETITIVE.

eople have come to understand that Australian industries are facing a major skills shortage, and the resources sector has been particularly hard hit. Modern mining practices create a high demand for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills, and the industry must compete with many other sectors in order to fill its vacancies. According to METS Ignited chief executive officer Adrian Beer, the traditional methods of attracting and retaining new talent to the industry are no longer as effective. “Competitive wages are how the industry traditionally attracted new talent,” he told Australian Mining. “It’s a high-paying industry, but it’s no longer sustainable method. “Wages have balanced across industry sectors. Work habits have changed – there is more to a career than just the job. Employees place a much greater emphasis on social impact and lifestyle factors. “The resources industry brand creates a challenge … it does a poor job of marketing how much investment goes into sustainability, social responsibility and reducing its environmental impact.” The COVID pandemic has exacerbated the Australian skill shortages, as foreign students, researchers, and specialists with technical skills have been unable to immigrate to the country. But the shortage of STEM skills isn’t just a local issue. The National Skills Commission (NSC) said job vacancies had grown significantly beyond their preCOVID levels in all of Australia, New Zealand, the US and the UK. Beer said industries across the world had been forced to change how they attract innovation. “Many sectors previously worked in isolation of each other, but more innovative sectors have broken down these silos and are moving freely between the industry,” he said. “If you look at the multinational technology conglomerates, their product lines serve multiple industries, and STEM workers move freely between different sectors.

R i t

METS IGNITED HAS PARTNERED WITH QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE TO PROVIDE CROSS-SECTOR BUSINESS ACCELERATORS FOR THE INDUSTRY.

“In other sectors we also see the workforce move across organisation types, from small companies to large ones – from suppliers to buyers and back again. “In Australian, Tier 1 mining workers tend to stay working at larger companies, mid-tier mining workers stay in that tier, and compared to other industries we see little transition between the two.” Changing work conditions have also led to new ways of working. The COVID pandemic saw a mass transition from office and site-based to work-from-home arrangements out of necessity, with major companies like Atlassian and Facebook committing to the change permanently. For the resources sector, embracing these new ways to work will open the way for people who have previously had limited access to the industry. Breaking down industry silos can lead to more inclusion and diversity, and to a broader range of skills. “The mining industry is conservative, as capital costs are significant, and financial decisions

AUSTRALIANMINING

need to take into account long asset lifecycles,” he said. “The ability to take risks is low, which can make it challenging to react quickly if something doesn’t work out. “Embracing people who bring different commercial and risk management skills can help technology adoption and makes businesses more agile.”

Staying competitive

A unique challenge facing the mining industry is the fact it is both a producer and consumer of innovative technology. The sector pumps billions into research and development to find productivity solutions, but does not often commercialise them. Companies invest in their own training, skills and teams; however, the benefits of this innovation are not always shared across the sector. METS Ignited helps by aggregating industry demand, attracting innovative suppliers to address common challenges, such as mine electrification, creating a more readily defined market opportunity.

AUGUST 2022

Beer said the organisation also wants to further accelerate the crosspollination of innovation between resources and other industries. “The defence and energy sectors extensively use technology that was originally designed for the resources market,” he said. “The insights from these other industries often result in recommendations on how technology can be improved. “The skills shortage is a global challenge, with high demand across multiple industry sectors. While Australia is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and a strong innovative culture, if we don’t effectively commercialise this capability we will become a less significant player on the global stage. “We must open up our market if we want to attract new skills locally, building a sustainable technology ecosystem for the benefit of all of our major industry sectors. If we don’t, our local businesses will be overtaken by global competition, and this opportunity will go elsewhere.” AM

Rocklabs has been leading the industry for over 50 years and are the experts in geochemical analysis.

MINING INNOVATION

ON THE CUTTING EDGE IN THE PILBARA RIO TINTO’S NEW GUDAI-DARRI SITE IS THE COMPANY’S MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED MINE. WHAT NEW INNOVATIONS ARE ON DISPLAY?

ince development of the Gudai-Darri mine began in April 2019, 14 million work hours have gone into bringing Rio Tinto’s 17th iron ore mine online. All of that work has resulted in what the major miner has called its most technologically advanced iron ore mine in the Pilbara. The operation features autonomous trucks, trains and drills as standard, as well as innovations such as a robotic ore sampling laboratory that provides visibility of the ore grades within minutes, and a digital replica of the processing plant that allows teams to quickly test different situations before implementation. These autonomous assets are monitored remotely from Rio Tinto’s operations centre in Perth. “Gudai-Darri represents a stepchange in the deployment of automation and technology within our iron ore business,” Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Simon Trott said. “(Its) combination of data and analytics, machine-learning and automation will make this mine safer and more productive.”

THE MINE’S RECLAIMER ENABLES THE BUCKET WHEEL MODULE TO BE CHANGED OUT FOR MAINTENANCE, IMPROVING SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY.

The mine, which has an expected life of more than 40 years and an annual capacity of 43 million tonnes, officially opened on June 21 and is expected to reach capacity in 2023. So what innovations are included at such a cutting-edge operation?

Autonomous trucks and drills Gudai-Darri has 23 CAT 793F autonomous haul trucks and three CAT MD6310 autonomous drills.

The trucks implement real-time ore tracking using sensors to provide live dig face progression, while data-informed modelling from the drills helps to build more accurate assessments of existing ground conditions and improve safety. In collaboration with Caterpillar, Rio Tinto said it is advancing the development of zero-emissions autonomous haul trucks. Once development is complete, it

is anticipated the world’s first operational deployment of Caterpillar 793 zero-emissions autonomous haul trucks will be at Gudai-Darri.

Autonomous water carts

Described by Rio Tinto as world firsts, the new vehicles were developed in partnership with Caterpillar and are primarily used for on-site dust suppression, enhancing productivity by enabling mine THE SOLAR FARM CONSISTS OF ABOUT 83,000 PANELS MADE UP OF PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS.

AUSTRALIANMINING

AUGUST 2022

MINING INNOVATION

obstacle scanners and auto-stop functions.

THE GUDAI-DARRI MINE IS HOME TO 23 CAT 793F AUTONOMOUS HAUL TRUCKS.

Paperless field mobility

The major miner said it is using technology to provide workers with in-field access to real-time data – connecting teams to each other, work and assets. Team members can use tablets to access many of the applications they need in the field, helping to eliminate paper-based systems and reducing unnecessary travel. operations to digitally track water consumption and reduce waste. Intelligent on-board systems detects dry and dusty conditions, triggering the application of water to roads to keep them in good condition.

Autonomous trains

Fully operational in June 2019, AutoHaul was said to be the world’s first fully autonomous long distance, heavy-haul rail network.

Solar farm

The solar farm consists of about 83,000 panels made up of photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity. With a capacity of up to 34MW, the solar farm is expected to supply about a third of the mine’s average electricity demand once construction is complete in August.

Robotic ore sampling laboratory

Robotics in heavy mobile equipment warehouse

The Gudai-Darri laboratory is fully automated and integrated with the mine. Production samples (lump and fines) enter the lab via a conveyer from the sample station and will be transferred to the automated production cell by a robot. This facility is designed to provide greater visibility of the ore grade being stockpiled on-site.

The heavy mobile equipment (HME) warehouse is home to four automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) designed to automate the handling of pallet frames. Using AGVs in the warehouse is designed to help reduce manual handling and improve safety, with the introduction of laser

‘Digital twin’ asset

The digital asset will be a first for Rio Tinto and is designed to enable team members to visually navigate the asset, plan their work using a 3D model and view or download associated technical data and documents. The same digital asset data is used to provide a feature-rich, interactive 3D environment for virtual reality training. AM

RIO TINTO IS WORKING WITH CAT IN ADVANCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ZEROEMISSIONS AUTONOMOUS HAUL TRUCKS.

Rotable bucketwheel reclaimer Reclaimer maintenance traditionally requires a prolonged shutdown while several components are removed. The reclaimer at Gudai-Darri will enable the entire bucket wheel module to be changed out for maintenance, improving safety and efficiency

Industrial Flotation Specialists Floating Walkways

SINCE

1988

Manufactured in Australia – Designed to suit requirements

On Water

+61 7 5594 8211

On Land

Edge Handrail

info@superiorindustrial.com.au AUSTRALIANMINING

AUGUST 2022

 Used extensively in mining, oil & gas, irrigation, water treatment and marine industries  Rotomoulded heavy-duty modules connect to form any size platform or walkway  Relocatable for temporary or permanent multipurpose use  Can sit on land or float on water  Maintenance free, non-slip, and a wide range of colour options  Can be stacked vertically for variable buoyancy and compact storage  Add the Superior ‘Edge’ handrail system – top rail, mid rail and optional kick rail

www.superiorindustrial.com.au

MINING EQUIPMENT

THE NEXT EVOLUTION IN SPRAG-TYPE BACKSTOP TECHNOLOGY ALTRA MOTION’S NEWLY DEVELOPED MARLAND BRAND OF ABC BACKSTOPS IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY PERFORMANCE AT A COMPETITIVE PRICE POINT.

collaboration between Altra’s brands, the Marland ABC Sprag backstop features a new design with indexed sprags evenly distributing force and reducing internal friction between the inner and outer races. It also features lower operating temperatures when compared with similar units. ABC series backstops are designed for installation on lowspeed shafts with typical dimensional tolerances and clearances, and are symmetrical so they can be mounted according to the desired free rotation direction of the shaft. The torque arm is a single-section beam connected to the backstop by two precision pins, which simplifies field installation. The component can be installed vertically, horizontally or at any desired angle while maintaining a uniform load on the flanges. The components and bearings are continuously self-lubricated in a shielded oil chamber. A doublelip seal is positioned adjacent to the bearings to keep oil and environmental contaminants out of the backstop chamber.

ALTRA MOTION’S MARLAND BRAND OFFERS A NEW RANGE OF ABC SERIES BACKSTOPS DESIGNED FOR INSTALLATION ON LOW-SPEED SHAFTS WITH TYPICAL DIMENSIONAL TOLERANCES AND CLEARANCES.

Grease nipples in each outer labyrinth are provided for any reapplication of the sealing grease which, when fed, force dirt and old grease out of the labyrinth through the trap. In addition, a periodic check of the oil level and purity can be performed utilising the oil level indicator during operation or at rest. If the inspection reveals impurities, draining, flushing, and refilling can be easily accomplished using piping, T-connections and traps. Altra’s Marland brand has been producing backstops since 1931. The new ABC backstops utilise the engineering operating principles proven by decades of development, with sister divisions Formsprag and Stieber proving to be trusted allies in the product’s evolution. Eight models of the ABC backstop are available with nominal torque ratings of up to 295,000 Newton metres (Nm). Complement all of this with Altra Motion’s wellrespected Australian service division and there is little wonder as to why Marland’s products are so successful. AUSTRALIANMINING

THE NEW ABC SPRAG-TYPE BACKSTOPS UTILISE THE ENGINEERING OPERATING PRINCIPLES PROVEN BY DECADES OF DEVELOPMENT.” “Altra Motion has three service facilities strategically located nationwide with qualified service technicians to support on-site and workshop requirements,” Altra Motion WA service manager Chris Gordon recently told Australian Mining. “Our local service facilities in Sydney, Perth and Mackay also serve as certified rebuild centres for Svendborg Brakes, Marland Clutch, Stromag, Ameridrives, Stieber and Industrial Clutch (each Altra Motion brands). “We will also open a new additional service facility in mid-2022 to expand our corporate footprint and provide an even faster response to customer needs.”

AUGUST 2022

All Altra Motion service facilities are staffed with local teams of highly trained technicians that provide fast-response on-site service, including 24–7 breakdown assistance, along with installation and commissioning support. “If a customer is unable to send their Altra Motion product directly to one of our service facilities for testing and diagnostics, we can send a qualified service technician onsite to identify and rectify a fault,” Gordon said. “Providing customers with the peace of mind, knowing that if a component has failed but is too difficult to disassemble, Altra Motion can come to them and minimise downtime. If necessary, we can also provide a temporary (rotatable) original equipment replacement.” While COVID-related global supply-chain challenges have significantly affected some component suppliers, Altra Motion has a comprehensive supply of genuine replacement parts from various brands stocked in Australia. This allows repairs to be completed quickly without the hassle of long lead times. “We offer preventive maintenance plans that allow our customers to pre-empt future setbacks,” Gordon said. “For example, if a product has reached the end of its service life, we recommend upgrading and retrofitting. “However, suppose the component has been in operation for a prolonged period and is beyond repair. In that case, we will offer a replacement with the latest generation of that specific product model. “If there are any modifications in terms of mounting due to an updated product design, we would offer an entire package and assist in the retrofit installation.” Altra Motion also offers on-site training for mining customers in Australia, which can help improve understanding of the products and anticipate faults before they arise. Customers are also trained on how to install replacement components, which can be particularly beneficial for more extensive mining operations that utilise products from several Altra Motion brands. AM

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EARTH SCIENCE PROGRAM CONNECTS INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION PROVIDING UP-TO-DATE AND RELEVANT INFORMATION ON EARTH SCIENCE IS VITAL IN A COUNTRY WITH MAJOR GROWTH IN THE MINING AND RESOURCES SECTOR.

EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER AT THE RECENT AUSTRALIAN GOLD CONFERENCE.

ften combined with other sciences or pushed down as a priority, earth sciences can be low on the list of things on which schools can focus. The lack of comprehensive and accessible earth and environmental science education in senior secondary school education is an issue that Australian Earth Science Education (AusEarthEd) seeks to resolve through the provision of free online resources and relevant information about the industries and careers in earth sciences. Being able to produce and disseminate accurate information about the mining industry through examples from best practice is an integral part of the success of AusEarthEd, according to lead educator for senior secondary engagement Susan Filan. “We are able to make resources that teachers can use, based on the latest information that comes from

our industry partners and sponsors,” Filan told Australian Mining. “Students are given the newest information on innovations and discoveries in mining and, more broadly, the whole earth and environment sciences sector. “We strive to provide information that is going to resonate with the students. “We’re former teachers and appreciate the struggles of the classroom. “And by providing this content to teachers we’re allowing them to teach the curriculum without having to stay on top of all the recent developments in the earth sciences field.” With the support of major partner the Gold Industry Group, AusEarthEd has been able to highlight initiatives occurring at gold mines and provide students opportunities to participate in excursions that connect their earth science education and future career prospects. AUSTRALIANMINING

The Australian Gold Conference, held in Sydney on June 14, was an opportunity for AusEarthEd to showcase the practical applications of such careers. “Being able to show students and teachers the industry beyond what they study in the classroom is invaluable,” Filan said. “We are excited to engage with the interests of the students and expose them to the professional world of the gold industry. The conference was valuable not only for formal education but also in promoting interest in the application of their knowledge. “We get as close as we can to providing students with an authentic experience of working in these fields, and when we can’t physically provide an example, we turn to digital experiences. “Using simulation activities, virtual reality accessories and reports of real landscapes across Australia, we can deliver something that is real and impactful to the students and allow them to undertake activities that accurately mirror work in these fields.” The courses developed by AusEarthEd are built on the

AUSEARTHED PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE WITH ELEMENTS OF THE MINING INDUSTRY.

AUGUST 2022

curricula in place across Australia and are deeply rooted in case studies of recent real-world examples that have a focus on sustainability. The materials and resources are freely available on the AusEarthEd website and can be used to teach all aspects of the curriculum for Earth and Environmental Science classes. Free access allows AusEarthEd to broaden the number of schools it reaches, offering much needed support to regional and remote communities that otherwise would be left on their own in developing this type of content. “The site has been up for two years now and with how we’ve seen education be disrupted with the events of recent years, being able to provide content which drives a talent pipeline into the growing mining industry is more important than ever,” Filan said. “About half of engaging teachers are from regional areas, accessing online professional learning from AusEarthEd. Compared to if it was in-person and myself delivering the content, I would only be able to reach those in the Sydney metro region. “We go through the syllabus with them and provide teachers with authentic examples, so that they can deliver the content in a muchimproved fashion.” Catering to the needs of classrooms and offering incursions where learning can expand beyond a textbook, AusEarthEd has an important purpose in not just providing authentic earth science education, but providing education to grow the gold mining industry. “Getting more students interested in the materials that make up their world is the pathway that’s going to lead into your future workforce,” Filan said. As demand for the services provided by AusEarthEd in NSW is growing, there are opportunities for additional supporters to join the Gold Industry Group. AM

The mark of qualification, competence and experience. bpeq.qld.gov.au

EVENTS

THE BEST THE INDUSTRY CAN HANDLE THE 2022 AUSTRALIAN BULK HANDLING EXPO, BACK AFTER A LONG HIATUS, WILL ARRIVE IN MELBOURNE IN AUGUST. THE EVENT’S PLATINUM SPONSOR VEGA AUSTRALIA MAKES SURE ITS PRODUCTS ARE AS FAMILIAR AND SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE.

jam-packed conference, exhibition and awards program is what awaits attendees at the 2022 Australian Bulk Handling Expo (BULK2022). Presented by Australian Bulk Handling Review, BULK2022 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, running as a standalone event between August 24–26. It will also benefit from being held adjacent to MEGATRANS, a major event that integrates the logistics and freight sector. Supported by the Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling (ASBSH), the event will host an industry conference that brings together panels, keynote speakers and presentations, while a trade expo will showcase the latest in bulk material handling equipment and technology. BULK2022 promises to deliver valuable insights into the industry, with the conference to cover

numerous topics over its two days, including: • Panel session: Mitigating risk and promoting safety onsite • Technical session: Challenges and solutions of dust suppression during bulk materials unloading into intake hoppers • Technical session: Where science and awareness meet there is opportunity • Technical presentation: Evaluation of bulk material dustiness and design of suppression systems • Technical presentation: Digital inspection – Using mobile devices to manage compliance and maintenance in the bulk solids handling industry The Australian Bulk Handling Awards that run as a part of BULK2022 are the only such program for the industry. The awards are being run in conjunction with the Mercury Awards, and the evening’s gala dinner is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate achievements and successes AUSTRALIANMINING

of companies and individuals that have demonstrated innovative practices and superior performances across the year. With the delays caused by the COVID pandemic forcing the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 awards, this year’s event will be a combined affair, with the winner coming from the pool of joint finalists.

These awards highlight the innovation and excellence that abound within the bulk handling industry. BULK2022 is proudly supported by VEGA Australia, which is a platinum sponsor, as well as supporting sponsors Premier Tech and PROK, and conference sponsor LEAP Australia. VEGA will be showcasing its range of products that aim to be modern and up to date with the market, but also simple and easy to use, as managing director at VEGA Australia John Leadbetter explained. “We’re always working on new tech formats to keep ourselves ahead of the market. That means listening to our customers and finding out what their needs and plans are,” he said. “No system is the same and each industry has different requirements. “BULK2022 is going to be a huge show and we’re all excited to boost our company’s profile through it. “There’s a real opportunity here to develop a deeper understanding of the market while helping to grow the bulk handling sector through our latest innovations, which are geared towards this industry.” Close to 100 businesses are exhibiting products at BULK2022, encompassing the broad array of technology and innovation with the bulk handling industry. An event that targets those who deal with bulk materials in various forms, BULK2022 is a fantastic opportunity for manufacturers and clients from a range of industries who would not normally meet to engage in person. AM

THE EVENT IS SET TO BE AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST DEDICATED BULK HANDLING EXPO IN OVER A DECADE, WITH EXHIBITORS AND ATTENDEES FROM A BROAD RANGE OF MARKETS.

AUGUST 2022

2022

AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS

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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN Australia’s premier Awards for the mining and minerals processing industry

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