Australian Mining September 2022 by Prime Creative Media

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A few years ago I was afforded the opportunity to head underground at a coal mine in New South Wales.

n my time as a journalist and editor in what could be called Australia’s resources media industry, I’ve had surprisingly few chances to actually visit a mine site. Having been based in either Sydney or Melbourne, the logistics of such a visit have often proved prohibitive.

We again chat with a PwC Australia partner about the report and what the future holds for mining in Australia, taking a particular focus on critical minerals and the ongoing environmental, social and governance (ESG) push.

Email: emma.james@primecreative.com.au

DIRECTOR BLAKE blake.storey@primecreative.com.auSTOREY GRAPHIC DESIGNERS KERRY PERT, LOUIS ROMERO

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We chat with author Kiara Ellis whose new book, FIFO & Me, is designed to help kids better understand the nature of their parent’s work, as well as the mining industry itself.

Another common topic of conversation at the event – and throughout the industry – is the ongoing skills shortage in mining. We speak with an industry general manager about how mining is making improvements that will help to attract the people and skills it needs to thrive well into the future. Mob: 0414 217 190

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UNDERGROUNDMINING

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COMMENT AUSTRALIANMINING 5 SEPTEMBER 2022

Another area of particular focus in this month’s issue is the often-difficult nature of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) work. It’s no secret that the FIFO life can take a significant toll on the workers, but it can be easy to forget the effect it can have on the families at home.

We also provide a wrap-up of the recent Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME) in Mackay. QME is a huge event on the mining calendar and after experiencing a COVID-related cancellation in 2020, this year’s expo proved a huge hit with attendees and exhibitors, all of whom expressed a similar sentiment: it’s great to be back attending face-to-face events.

Indeed, underground mining is not for the faint of heart, and in this month’s issue of Australian Mining we’re happy to shine a light on some of the vital equipment, services and people toiling away so far below the surface. This includes longwall machines, improved ventilation systems, fan installations, electric cabling, and Elsewheremore.thismonth we run the second in our two-part series on PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) recent ‘Mine 2022’ report.

PAUL HAYES paul.hayes@primecreative.com.au CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JOHN MURPHY CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER CHRISTINE CLANCY EDITOR PAUL Email:HAYESpaul.hayes@primecreative.com.au JOURNALISTS ALEXANDRA EASTWOOD Email: alexandra.eastwood@primecreative.com.au TOM Email:LEWISEmail:PARKERtom.parker@primecreative.com.auCROSSlewis.cross@primecreative.com.au ASHLEY PERRY Email: ashley.perry@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

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9690 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au8766 PRIME CREATIVE MEDIA Suite 303, 1-9 Chandos Street Saint Leonards NSW 2065, Australia ©www.primecreative.com.auCopyrightPrimeCreative Media, 2016 All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. PRINTED BY MANARK PRINTING 28 Dingley Ave Dandenong VIC 3175 Ph: (03) 9794 8337 Published 12 issues a year IT MAY NOT BE FOR THE FAINT OF HEART, BUT UNDERGROUND MINING PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE IN THE AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES SECTOR.

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And after emerging from what I was later told was a depth the equivalent of several times the length of Sydney’s Centrepoint Tower, I came away with a deep respect of the men and women who are literally working at the coalface of the Australian mining industry.

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24 I NDUSTRY EVENTS

If there was one overriding sentiment at the recent Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition, it was that people throughout mining are thrilled to get back to in-person industry events.

72 WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

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National Group grows its NSW footprint W ith a strong presence in Western Australia and Queensland, National Group has experienced significant growth in New South Wales in the last 12 months.

According to PwC, critical minerals is the most significant issue facing the global mining sector today. We chat with PwC Australia partner Marc Upcroft to understand why.

Taking flight with the power of words F IFO life might be a staple for many families, but it can be hard on those back at home. Author Kiara Ellis discusses how her book helped her kids understand the nature of their dad’s work.

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WHAT HAPPENED AT WILUNA?

AUSTRALIANMINING 10 SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWS

FTI Consulting was appointed a voluntary administrator, indicating Wiluna had insufficient working capital to support the reset plan for its Wiluna gold operation in WA.

The directors of MACA have recommended shareholders accept a conditional off-market takeover bid worth $350 million from mining services contractorWA-basedThiess.MACA provides contract mining, civil and infrastructure and structural and mechanical services to the resources sector in Australia, Brazil and Cambodia.

RESOURCESFORSAFETY,THE-MINUTEPROFESSIONALSMININGWITHUP-TO-INFORMATIONONNEWSANDTECHNOLOGYTHEAUSTRALIANMININGANDINDUSTRY.

Wiluna had investigated options to address its cash flow shortfall, including obtaining financial accommodation from creditors and shareholders. However, the company was unable to successfully address the shortfall in time.

Thiess has agreed to offer MACA shareholders $1.025 cash for each share they own pursuant

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Regular capital raises are in Wiluna’s DNA. When former owner APEX Minerals took on the Wiluna project in 2007, it launched at least eight raises in five years before going into receivership in 2013.

MACA co-founder and nonexecutive chairman Geoff Baker said Thiess approached the business with “a compelling offer at an attractive price”, representing a strong premium to recent trading prices.

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The move came after Wiluna had recently raised $60 million in emergency funds, which fell at the lower end of the company’s $50–84 million target.

WILUNA EXPERIENCED A COMBINATION OF ADVERSE FACTORS BEFORE CALLING IN ADMINISTRATORS.

proposal and subject to the independent expert concluding, and continuing to conclude, that the offer is fair and reasonable to shareholders.Eachofthe directors of who owns or controls shares presently intend to accept the offer.

“The MACA board believes that Thiess is the right partner for the MACA business, with similar values and a desire to enhance services to our clients, and to carry on the community and charity engagement initiatives of which MACA is so proud,” he said.

Blackham Resources acquired the mine in January 2014 and launched several placements leading up to its 2020 rebrand. Wiluna Mining announced a $24.5 million capital raise in December 2020, with

to the offer, which is conditional upon the fulfilment or waiver of certainThiessconditions.willbeentitled to reduce the offer price by the amount (if any) of any dividend attaching to MACA shares. The MACA Board has not yet determined whether or when any such dividend will be declared or paid.

The struggles of Wiluna Mining culminated in the company going into insolvency in July.

The all-cash offer delivers a substantial premium to MACA shareholders.MACAdirectors backed the offer, in the absence of a superior

throughout 2021, including a $53 million share placement in November 2021. The recent $60 million raise would follow.

“These have included rampup delays caused by COVID-19 and skilled labour shortages, inflationary cost pressures, the war in the Ukraine, shipping delays of key equipment and delays to concentrate sales.”

“The company has unfortunately experienced a combination of adverse factors which have made it necessary to raise additional funds prior to achieving the targeted commercial production run rate for Stage 1,” former Wiluna executive chair Milan Jerkovic said upon

“Thiess will continue investing in our respected brand and will seek to provide additional development opportunities for our people as part of its national and international operations.”

Wiluna had been targeting a run rate of 110–120,000 ounces per annum for its Stage 1 concentrator by the end of 2022.

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Ritchie Bros. sales director Finlay Massey said the company pleased to be working in collaboration with Emeco to deliver innovative solutions to the dispersal of excess assets.

“We continue to strengthen our partnership with the Mongolian Government following commencement

RIO IS “COMMITTED TO MAKING LASTING, LONG-TERM CHANGE TO OUR CULTURE”.

“We are uniquely positioned to deliver Emeco with our substantial

“We also acknowledge the Traditional Owners, the Mirarr People’s opposition to developing the Jabiluka uranium deposit and restate our full support for ERA’s commitment that the deposit would never be developed without the Mirarr People’s consent.“Since ERA announced the material cost and schedule overruns, we have sought to work constructively with ERA’s independent board Committee as they seek to find a funding solution.”

EMECO EXCESS EQUIPMENT DEAL WITH RITCHIE BROS.

Komatsu.Ritchie Bros. is highly experienced in conducting large-scale mining transactions and deliver significant results by leveraging its global network, comprehensive sales solutions, providing insights and a number of transaction solutions for commercial assets. Rio Tinto has declared its second highest ever interim dividend of US$2.67 per share after delivering an underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of $US15.6 billion.

Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm said the company remains focused on delivering on its long-term strategy, with a steady improvement in operating performance and some notable advances in the growth agenda.

“As a result, we are paying our second highest dividend of $4.3 billion, a 50 per cent payout, in line with our policy. The market environment has become more challenging at the end of the period.

“We are pleased to start selling surplus assets through Ritchie Bros. to the global mining industry,” he said.

“We set ambitious climate targets in 2021 to reduce our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50 per cent by 2030,” he said. “While, as expected, we are yet to achieve a reduction in our emissions, we are putting the building blocks in place, including a call for proposals to develop large-scale wind and solar power in central and southern Queensland to power our aluminium assets in the Gladstone region.

AUSTRALIANMINING 12 SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWS

“We continue to focus on rebuilding our relationships with Indigenous peoples across our global operations. On February 14, we announced an agreement with the Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation on a new codesigned management plan to ensure the protection of significant social and cultural heritage values.

With headquarters in Perth, Western Australia, Emeco brings deep knowledge and an impressive rental fleet, supported by a network of maintenance and component rebuilding workshops across the country.

Emeco’s operations is supported by close to 1300 employees and a solid and experienced management team that is well equipped with proprietary asset management and fleet optimisation technology and more than 1000 units of heavy equipment in various quality brands such as Caterpillar, Hitachi, Liebherr, and

“We are on track to achieve our gender diversity target to increase

resources, industry expertise and extensive buyer database to maximise the return on sale of surplus Emeco assets.”

On the downside, Stausholm said as a majority shareholder of Energy Resources of Australia (ERA), the company was disappointed to learn of the material cost and schedule overruns on the Ranger rehabilitation project in the Northern Territory.

With this joint agreement, Emeco has received a dedicated storefront on Ritchie Bros.’ IronPlanet, a custom-branded seller page that includes Emeco listings for sale. Assets will either be sold via Marketplace-E and IronPlanet auctions with the approach tailored to deliver the optimal result.

Ritchie Bros. has entered into an agreement to deliver excess mining equipment dispersal services to UnderEmeco.this agreement, Ritchie Bros. will collaborate with Emeco to deliver competitive integrated sales and marketing solutions to the dispersal of heavy earthmoving equipment.Emecois one of Australia’s largest independent mining equipment rental businesses, providing tailored earthmoving equipment solutions for mining companies – with operations in all key mining regions of Australia.

“Ritchie Bros.’ multichannel sales approach will allow us to sell equipment when, how, and where, weEmecochoose.”carries out a comprehensive scope of work from its component and rebuilding

female representation (including in senior leadership) by two percentage points this year,” he said.

of underground mining at Oyu Tolgoi, delivered first iron ore from the GudaiDarri mine in Australia and approved early works funding at the Rincon lithium project in Argentina,” he said.

“In May, we signed a Heads of Agreement with the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) people which will guide the co-management of PKKP country where mining takes place.”Stausholm said delivery of first ore from Gudai-Darri, Rio Tinto’s first greenfield iron ore mine in the Pilbara in more than a decade, was a significant milestone, with the mine expected to reach its 43-milliontonne-per-year capacity in 2023.

“With a shared focus on asset solutions, this agreement is the foundation for a strong partnership and compliments our efforts to diversify our sales solutions,” he said.

Emeco general manager for global assets Steve Crofts said the business had been in the mining industry for 50 years providing heavy earthmoving equipment to mining companies and contractors across coal, gold, copper, bauxite and iron ore.

“The progress we are making will ensure we continue to deliver attractive returns to shareholders, invest in sustaining and growing our portfolio, and make a broader contribution to society in the drive to net-zero carbon emissions.”

Following publication of a comprehensive external review of workplace culture in February, Stausholm said Rio Tinto was now implementing all recommendations from the report to ensure a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace.

However the dividend was almost half that of last year.

“We are committed to making lasting, long-term change to our culture, including to our workplace culture, and to building better relationships with Indigenous peoples, communities and partners.

SECOND HIGHEST EVER DIVIDEND FOR RIO TINTO

“We reached agreement with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) on all tax matters in dispute. We also reached agreement with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore in relation to transfer pricing for the same historical years (2010 to 2021). In the second half of 2022, we will pay additional tax of $613 million to the ATO relating to this agreement, which has been fully provided.”

For the six months ended June 30, net cash generated from operating activities was $10.47 billion, compared to $13.66 billion for the same period last year.

company, Force Equipment, to their line boring company, Borex, and underground mining services company, Pit N Portal.

“Market conditions were good, albeit below last year’s record levels. We delivered largely flat production and solid financial results, with free cash flow of $7.1 billion and underlying earnings of $8.6 billion, after taxes and government royalties of $4.8 billion.

“This is part of our proposed development of the Western Range iron ore project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

“These assets require 1140MW of reliable power to operate, which equates to at least 4GW of quality wind or solar power with firming.

“We remain committed to ensuring the rehabilitation project is completed to a standard that will establish an environment similar to the adjacent Kakadu National Park,” he said.

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The largest part of last year’s contribution was a $9.2 billion spend on goods and services from 8630 Australian businesses.

The company said the performance had been underpinned by safe, reliable operations and firm demand for its commodities.

“We also unified our corporate structure, and added to our global options in copper and nickel.

“Broader market volatility continues and we expect the lag effect of inflationary pressures to continue through the 2023 financial year, along with labour market tightness and supplychain

years, providing employment for Australians and contributing to jobs and businesses in the city, and in the communities where it operates.“Webelieve mining matters.

An average rate of 67Mtpa was achieved at South Flank in the June 2022 quarter, contributing to record production from the Mining Area C (MAC) hub and record lumpBHPsales.produced 253Mt of iron ore in FY22, with the Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) operations making up 249Mt of that and Samarco the remaining 4Mt, in line with BHP’s iron ore production from the 2020–21 financial year.

Chief executive officer Mike Henry said the year was again fatalityfree and BHP continued to improve safety issues, which included addressing sexual assault and harassment, racism and bullying.

AUSTRALIANMINING 14 SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWS

A strong fourth quarter has capped off a year of significant progress for BHP, with iron ore leading the way, generating record sales volumes for the 2021–22 financial period.

“In copper, Escondida in Chile had record material mined and nearrecord concentrator throughput, while Olympic Dam in South Australia performed strongly in the fourth quarter after planned smelter maintenance.”

“Overconstraints.theyearahead, China is expected to contribute positively to growth as stimulus policies take effect; however, the continuing conflict in the Ukraine, the unfolding energy crisis in Europe and policy tightening globally is expected to result in an overall slowing of global growth. Our strong focus on safety, operational reliability, cost control and social value will help us navigate these challenges and continue to deliver for all of our stakeholders.”

GLENCORE EMPLOYS MORE THAN 17, 000 PEOPLE ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

BHP sold 284 million tonnes (Mt) of iron ore across the 12 months, as South Flank’s ramp-up to full production capacity (80Mt per annum) tracks ahead of schedule.

Glencore also paid close to $2.9 billion in taxes and royalties in Australia for calendar year

The company reaffirmed its position as Australia’s largest producer of coal, cobalt, zinc and lead, and the second-largest producer of nickel, copper and Australia,silver.

“The near tripling of top-end royalties has worsened what was already one of the world’s highest coal royalty regimes, threatening investment and jobs in the state,” Henry“Alsosaid.during the year, we merged our petroleum business with Woodside, completed the sales of BMC and Cerrejón, and decided to retain New South Wales Energy Coal until the cessation of mining in 2030 subject to relevant approvals.

GLENCORE ADDS $14 BILLION TO AUSTRALIAN COFFERS

25 mines across Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

$19 billion in taxes and royalties in Australia.Glencore commissioned Ernst & Young to complete the study, that estimated that last year the flowon benefits from operations was about 94,900 jobs and $27 billion to the national economy.

Glencore head of corporate affairs Cassandra McCarthy said

“We delivered record full-year sales volumes at our iron ore business in Western Australia as a result of reliable operational performance and the South Flank project,” he said.

Henry said Queensland metallurgical coal delivered strong underlying performance for the quarter in the face of significant wet weather.

In addition, BHP is assessing the impacts on BMA economic reserves and mine lives as a result of the increase in coal royalties by the Queensland Government.

Glencore operates

Australia has a world class mining sector that continues to be a key pillar of our economy and Glencore is proud to be part

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Glencore’s latest economic contribution study shows a direct contribution of $14 billion to the Australian economy in 2021.

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Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations shipped approximately 79.9 million tonnes (Mt) of the mineral (100 per cent basis) in the first quarter of 2022, up 12 per cent from the previous quarter.

FORTESCUE HITS NEW PEAK FOR IRON ORE SHIPMENTS

“We remain focused on innovation and productivity to maintain our industry-leading cost position and deliver strong operational performance. Together with our focus on investing in growth through the Iron Bridge Magnetite project and Fortescue Future Industries, we are well placed to advance our transition to a global green energy and resources company and ensure our stakeholders continue to benefit from Fortescue’s success.”

MIXED OUTLOOK IN RIO TINTO QUARTERLY REPORT

AUSTRALIANMINING 16 SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWS

Rio Tinto has highlighted strong performance at a number of its sites, while flagging “considerable” headwinds in China and a “weakening” economic outlook amid the Russia–Ukraine war and tighter monetary policies.

Fortescue Metals Group registered record iron ore shipments of 49.5 million tonnes (Mt) for the July quarter, boosting FY22 shipments to 189Mt, exceeding the top end of guidance.Strongcash flow generation contributed to cash on hand of US$5.2 billion and net debt of US$0.9 billion, compared to net debt of US$2.4 billion at the close of the previous quarter.

Fortescue continued to advance its decarbonisation objectives in the quarter, as evidenced by the strategic partnership with Tier 1 global equipment manufacturer Liebherr for the development and supply of zero-emission green mining haul trucks. The agreement leverages the capabilities and value created through Fortescue’s acquisition of Williams Advanced Engineering.“Buildingon another year of record performance, our guidance for FY23 reflects our ongoing commitment to optimising returns from our integrated operations

RIO

Fortescue chief executive officer Elizabeth Gaines said this was achieved in a challenging operating environment due to the impact of COVID throughout the financial year.

“While2022.significantly higher-thanaverage rainfall in May impacted mine production, continued focus on mine pit health and commissioning of Gudai-Darri supported a stronger second quarter,” the company said.

“We strengthened our operational performance at a number of sites, which we will now replicate across the portfolio,” Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm said in the company’s quarterly report.

and marketing strategy, with total shipments in the range of 187–192Mt,” she said.

“The delivery of first ore at GudaiDarri, our first greenfield mine in the Pilbara for over a decade, increases mine capacity and supports

“Despite industry-wide and global headwinds, Fortescue’s unique culture and values has delivered these exceptional results and I am immensely proud of the performance of the team,” she“Wesaid.maintain a strong focus on safety and a commitment to zero harm, with (total recordable injury frequency rate) improving to 1.8 in the 12 months to June 30 2022, 10 per cent lower than two at June 30, 2021. This reflects our core value of safety and the commitment to look out for our workmates and ourselves.”

production of our flagship Pilbara Blend.“We also fired the first draw bell at the Oyu Tolgoi underground project in June, and started producing scandium and tellurium. These critical minerals are being extracted from existing waste streams at our titanium operation in Quebec and copper operation in Utah, without the need for new mining.”

However, the major miner said prices for its commodities decreased during the second quarter of 2022, with growing recession fears and a decline in consumer confidence to blame.

“Economicoutbreaks.stability is a focus (in China), but headwinds are considerable from restricted labour and goods movement and a slowing external environment.”

“We are committed to transforming our culture and building better relationships,” Stausholm said. “In May, we signed a Heads of Agreement with the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) people which will guide the co-management of PKKP country where mining takes place.

“China’s industrial activity troughed in May amid COVID lockdowns,” the company said in its report.“June recovered but uncertainties remain given the potential for ongoing

IS INVESTED IN COMMODITIES NEEDED FOR THE GREEN ENERGY TRANSITION.

Gudai-Darri delivering first ore was key. The Pilbara operation is expected to deliver increased production volumes and improved product mix in the second half of

Bauxite production of 14.1Mt was four per cent higher than the previous quarter, with Rio highlighting the strong performance of its Weipa operations in far north Queensland. The company also mentioned some environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts in the quarter.

“We made progress against our four objectives during the first half and we are determined to further strengthen Rio Tinto while investing to grow in the commodities needed for the energy transition, decarbonise our portfolio, be a partner and employer of choice, maintain our tight capital allocation and continue to pay attractive dividends.”

As Stausholm indicated, the company posted a strong operational quarter, with shipments up across most commodities compared to the previous period.

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“NdPr production of 1579 tonnes and total REO (rare earth oxide) production of 3650 tonnes was achieved during the quarter.

“Our financial position remains strong with $82 million net cash balance at the end of the quarter and we increased our corporate debt facility limit early in the quarter

“At Carrapateena, cave management remains the priority with the cave developing towards breakthrough to the surface. The tailings storage facility main embankment lift was completed ahead of schedule and under budget and the liner installation is on track for completion in Q4.

During the quarter, Lynas continued to use commercial and charter shipping to transport concentrate from Fremantle to Lynas Malaysia, mitigating the risk of unforeseen delays in commercial shipping schedules.

extended five-year term,” he said.

The company continues to explore the province potential of West Musgrave with the assessment of the Succoth copper deposit where drilling was completed in June.

“Demand for Lynas’ products remained strong in the quarter, with the majority of our products sold in the outside China market,” she said.

“However, the frequency and severity of the outages this quarter necessitated several partial or complete temporary production halts which affected production volumes.

“The West Musgrave study in Western Australia progressed well during the quarter with the mining lease granted. Extensive engagement with the Ngaanyatjara community continued during the quarter and positive progress was made towards completion of the mining agreement.

COPPER OUTLOOK POSITIVE DESPITE LOWER OZ PRODUCTION

plans being actioned. However, new COVID variants and increasing infection rates across the community more broadly continue to pose a risk to operational productivity and guidance.

“OZ also furthered growth by entering into a conditional binding terms sheet during the quarter with Havilah Resources. It sets out the basis of a new strategic relationship in the prospective Curnamona Province in South Australia, including the grant of an option to acquire the Kalkaroo project,” Cole said.

OZ managing director Andrew Cole said the combination resulted in an update in the June quarter to the group copper production and cost guidance for 2022.

“Combined, they provide substantial working capital liquidity and a solid foundation for investment in our brownfield expansion projects at Carrapateena and Prominent Hill.”

Lynas Rare Earths is riding high on a “very strong” final quarter for FY22, with the company realising the benefits of robust market pricing and demand despite continued challenges in the external environment.

“The assets continue to actively manage resources to maintain safe and productive operations and to minimise“Lookingdisruption.ahead,at Prominent Hill, work continues to advance future growth opportunities including increasing mining rates to fully utilise the increased capacity of the hoisting shaft from 6Mtpa to 6.5Mtpa.

“Whilst the copper price has weakened recently, the medium-tolong-term outlook remains strong for minerals linked to the renewable energy industry, like copper and nickel. Our focus for 2022 remains on safely delivering our operational targets, advancing our current growth projects and adding new growth options to the portfolio while we continue to strengthen our unique company culture, placing us in a positive position against forecast demand trends.”

modification with the objective of decreasing fresh water consumption by 40 per cent at the Lynas Malaysia plant. This modification will be implemented during next quarter and is expected to substantially reduce exposure to water supply issues going forward whilst being consistent with best practice sustainability principles.”

“As a further improvement our team has now designed a process

“The installation of additional semi-continuous condition monitoring of the conveyor and an alternate splicing method provides confidence on minimising further unplanned conveyor interruptions,” he“Asaid.stronger operational performance is expected over the second half of the year at our Australian assets with remediation

Cole said the Carrapateena conveyor belt damage resulted in a reduction of about 4300 tonnes of copper metal produced. The material handling system returned to operating at full capacity during the quarter and has continued to operate without issue.

lower its group production and cost guidance for the year, but expects the copper market to remain resilient.

“As has been reported across industry, various cost categories have seen significant increases over the past 12 months. Royalty cost increases follow price increases in the market, freight costs were approximately double due to global shipping cost increases and the addition of charter ships to mitigate

Lynasrecorded.chiefexecutive Amanda Lacaze said during the period rare earth prices were sustained at recent high levels, especially the NdPr (neodymium and praseodymium) price which remained between 70–80 per cent higher than at the same time last year.

“Progress on growth projects continued during the period. At the Kalgoorlie processing facility all five kiln sections have been lifted into position and assembled, and welding has“Significantly,commenced.during the quarter Lynas was awarded a follow on contract for about US$120 million with the United States Department of Defence to build a commercial heavy rare earths separation facility in the “LynasUS.is planning to construct the facility within an existing industrial area on the Gulf Coast of the state of Texas. The new facility will house both the heavy rare earths separation facility and the planned light rare earth separation facility.”

“Our teams are finalising definitive binding agreements and work plans ahead of the Havilah shareholder vote (at the end of August 2022) to approve the grant of the Kalkaroo Option

It said the year-end cash balance of $965.6 million provides a confident basis for funding continued growth as demandRecordgrows.sales receipts of $351 million were achieved in the quarter, with sales revenue of $294.5 million the second-highest quarterly result

“This was lower than in the third quarter due to ongoing and unpredictable water supply interruptions from our local supplier in Malaysia. Over the past five years, Lynas has implemented several mitigating strategies to deal with the frequent interruptions to water supply, including additional process water storage on site and use of other natural local water sources.

AUSTRALIANMINING 18 SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWS

the impact of port and shipment delays. Chemical input costs have increased by approximately 20 per cent with some specific chemicals seeing changes of up to 70 per cent,” Lacaze said.

OZ HAD TO CONTEND WITH A NUMBER OF UNCONTROLLABLE FACTORS.

The company had to contend with a number of uncontrollable factors such as a softer start to the year due to weather and COVIDenforced absenteeism, material handling system belt damage at the Carrapateena mine in South Australia, and increased unit costs guidance due to lower volumes, labour pressures, and inflation on other inputs.

“The team continues to assess the impact of cost inflation and the operational environment on project

cost and schedule, an important consideration as we approach a final investment decision.”

LYNAS OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO RECORD SOLID QUARTER

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PwC global mining leader Paul A Bennell didn’t mince his words when introducing Mine 2022.

In the August issue of Australian Mining, we explored two of the four themes discussed in the report, shining a light on the recordbreaking financial performance of the world’s top miners in 2021 and examining the increased volume of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in recent times.

The rankings also express PwC’s point of view on topics affecting the industry, developed through interactions with its clients and other industryMajorsleaders.BHP,Rio Tinto and Vale maintained their 2021 grip at the top of the list – at one two and three, respectively, in 2022 – while Glencore rose from eighth spot to fourth.The rest of the top 10 was made up of (in order) Chinese coal miner China Shenhua Energy Company, US copper juggernaut FreeportMcRoRan, Anglo American, Newmont Corporation, Russia’s MMC Norilsk Nickel and Fortescue MetalsChina’sGroup.Tianqi Lithium Corporation, a part owner of the Kwinana lithium hydroxide processing plant in Western

THE PWC SCOOP: MINING’S CRITICAL CONCERN

Pperformanceexamines2022’published(PwC)ricewaterhouseCoopersrecentlyits‘Minereport,whichtheofthe

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

Every year, PwC ranks the world’s top 40 mining companies through the aggregation of public information such as annual reports and financial reports available to shareholders.

Electric vehicles (EVs) seem to dominate the sustainability dialogue, driving an increased appetite for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and vanadium; however, there is more to the story.

Top 40 miners

In the second of a two-part series, we now take a deep dive into what PwC believes is the global mining sector’s most significant concern, critical minerals, and investigate environmental, social and governance (ESG) – a concept that’s growing in stature and will increasingly influence investor sentiment into the future.

Silicon and rare earths are vital to renewable power generation, with silicon considered the most common semiconductor material used in solar cells – a core component of a solar panel –representing approximately 95 per cent of the modules sold in 2020.

Australia, rose 22 places to 15th on the list, while Newcrest Mining (25th) and South32 (26th) were the only other Aussie miners to make thePwCcut. derives its Mine 2022 trends from the top 40 miners, so expect to see a few big names littered throughout this editorial.

world’s top 40 mining companies in 2021, while unpacking the most urgent trends facing the global resources industry.

As the world continues to understand its net-zero reality, materials underpinning renewable technologies are surging in demand.

“If the mining industry does not rapidly scale up its discovery and delivery of critical minerals, the prospects of energy transition at scale will be jeopardised,” he said.

Critical minerals

Australian Mining. “And the massive amount of investment that’s needed to support that.

AUSTRALIANMINING 20 SEPTEMBER 2022

“When you look at the mineral content that’s needed to support that (transition), we’re talking about more, not less minerals.

Rare earths, on the other hand, are essential for permanent magnets used in wind turbines and solarPwCpanels.Australia partner Marc Upcroft said critical minerals are called “critical” for a reason, and that without an uptick in their production, reaching desired net-zero targets will toissue)increasingly difficult.become“(Criticalmineralsisapressingonthebackofthattransitionalow-carbonworld,”hetold

ACCORDING TO PWC, CRITICAL MINERALS REPRESENT THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FACING THE GLOBAL MINING SECTOR TODAY. AUSTRALIAN MINING CHATS PWC AUSTRALIA PARTNER MARC UPCROFT TO UNDERSTAND WHY.

“It’s now really crucial for an uptick in exploration, an uptick in projects being developed and coming to market beyond what we can currently see in order to meet that increase in demand.

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.

This includes the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative, which is supporting the likes of emerging critical minerals companies Arafura Resources, Australian Vanadium and Alpha HPA Limited, and more, on their downstream journeys.

AUSTRALIANMINING 21 SEPTEMBER 2022

But Upcroft is seeing a shift.

The Australian Government is taking up the challenge, announcing a long-term critical minerals strategy to grow the local sector, expand downstream processing and help meet future global demand.

Upcroft said explorers and emerging producers are one of the most important pieces to the critical minerals puzzle.

Major miners buying into critical minerals projects isn’t going to solve the larger issue, however, with more investment needed if we are to bridge future supply–demand gaps.

“If you forecast demand for critical minerals based off the path to netzero and the energy transition part

of that in particular … we see a gap across several commodities.

CRITICAL MINERALS UNDERPINNING THE RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION ARE SURGING IN DEMAND.

“What we’ve tried to do with this year’s report … is look at that next tier (of companies) to see the extra activity that’s happening around critical minerals, because it’s pretty important to Australia,” he said.

“In all industries, the ESG revolution is upon us,” the firm stated in Mine 2022. “Miners will see tangible business benefits by reorientating operations around a value proposition that puts people and planet alongside profit.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

RISING EV DEMAND IS DRIVING AN INCREASED APPETITE FOR COMMODITIES SUCH AS LITHIUM, COBALT AND VANADIUM.

“And it’s becoming clear to us that if you’re trying to achieve the energy transition on the current target and timetable, this only happens if there’s a substantial increase in exploration, discovery, development and mining of critical minerals.”Upcroft highlighted the importance of lithium, nickel, cobalt and graphite for EVs, while also acknowledging the role of rare earths and silicon in solar and wind generation.HesaidthatMine 2022 was the first time PwC had added copper and aluminium to its critical minerals list, which are becoming important cogs in the ‘green transmission’ narrative.

“As miners work to provide the minerals to achieve a net-zero future, the societal impact on communities and the broader ecosystem of stakeholders must be front of mind.”

Copper is a highly efficient conduit, with copper conductors used widely in renewable energy systems to generate power, while aluminium is being used in countries such as India as an alternative green material in power grids.

“Copper is the only commodity we would consider to be in the critical minerals group,” he said. “So we’re starting to see some deal activity from the majors in that space and we expect more to come as a result of that.”

The ESG obligation

“In Australia, we’ve got some important critical minerals companies in terms of how they’re operating, but we’re (also) well endowed for critical minerals.

There are many Australian companies on the precipice of being critical minerals producers. Austrade’s critical minerals prospectus 2021 highlighted more than 40 investment-ready opportunities in Australia.

Interestingly, three of the top four commodities produced by Mine 2022’s top 40 mining companies –iron ore, coal, gold and copper – are not critical minerals.

Some of the notable 2021 transactions in the critical minerals sector included Rio Tinto’s $US825 million acquisition of the Rincon lithium project in Argentina and South32’s $US1.55 billion spend on a 45 per cent stake in the Sierra Gorda copper mine in Chile.

Linked to the pursuit for decarbonisation is the mining industry’s ESG obligation, which also concerns the sector’s social licence to operate and its societal reputation.PwCputs it best.

“And if we don’t do that, that puts that timing of achieving net-zero and achieving the energy transition at jeopardy.”

“There’s still more to come from these larger miners and a lot of that’s focused on making the whole group strategy inclusive of ESG, so that ESG can become an equally important pillar for value creation.”

Thepreviously.”miningindustry can implement sustainable practices by providing materials and mineral processing capacity for the renewable energy transition; however, this is not a “free kick” to being an ESGprogressive enterprise.

Upcroft said that while much of mining’s next tier was beginning to embrace ESG, there are still “laggards” in that space.

“Mining (companies) can’t really see their role in energy transition as a free kick on ESG, corporate trust and that social licence to operate,” Upcroft said.

AUSTRALIAN MINING COMPANIES DON’T ADOPT

a run as perhaps people thought it might“Andbe.the importance of that is solid ESG credentials are quickly becoming an entry point to raising debt and equity.

“You don’t have the time anymore to raise the equity, build the project and then over the next five to 10 years build your credentials and everything else. If it’s not there upfront, then you might not get your debt or equity. Or if you do, it’ll come at a higher cost.”

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

PwC said ESG presents risks and opportunities for the top 40 mining companies.Governments and regulators are sending clear signals that companies will be held accountable if they don’t operate in more sustainable and ethicalUpcroftways.said the Australian mining industry has gone through a major ESG transition in recent years and that most Tier 1 miners were now

THEY RISK BEING LEFT OUT IN THE COLD BY INVESTORS.

“The key feature (among that next tier) is that, corporately, ESG is still … an add-on to their existing

well advanced in their ESG strategy.

“Go back two or three years and ESG was more of an add-on to the mining company strategy rather than being an integral part of it,” he said.

AUSTRALIANMINING 22 SEPTEMBER 2022

ESG could be the difference between closing a crucial loan or debt arrangement with a bank or winning over a major shareholder.

who properly integrate ESG into their strategy rather than ignore it or bolt it on to what they’ve been doing

IF ESG PRACTICES,

“To properly do well on that front, trust needs to be genuinely

IT’S NOW REALLY CRUCIAL FOR AN UPTICK EXPLORATION,IN AN UPTICK IN PROJECTS BEING DEVELOPED AND COMING TO MARKET BEYOND WHAT WE CAN CURRENTLY SEE IN ORDER TO MEET THAT INCREASE IN DEMAND. AND IF WE DON’T DO THAT, THAT PUTS THAT TIMING OF ACHIEVING NET-ZERO AND ACHIEVING THE ENERGY TRANSITION AT JEOPARDY.”

QME 2022 FEATURED MORE THAN 300 SUPPLIERS ACROSS THREE SOLD-OUT PAVILIONS.

But this year’s expo came back in a big way, buzzing with mining engineers, procurement professionals, senior leaders and site personnel exploring the seemingly endless exhibition floor.

“It’s a great opportunity to see everyone again.”

The 2022 iteration was the first QME in four years, with a COVIDinduced interruption having led to the cancellation of the 2020 edition of the biannual event.

“We’d like to thank our exhibitors, supporters and sponsors who contributed to delivering this successful event,” Martin said.

IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK

been that significant business was made between both visitors and exhibitors, which illustrates the substantial business opportunities QMEWithpresents.”morethan 300 suppliers across three-sold out pavilions, plus an expanded outdoor area, QME burnished its reputation as a major event on the Queensland mining calendar. Major industry players with a presence at QME included Komatsu, Hastings Deering, ABB and FLSmidth, as well as major miners Anglo American, BHP and BMA, Bravus Mining and Resources, Glencore, MacKellar Group and Whitehaven Coal.

“We’re “There’sback.”nosubstitute for face-toface.”“It’s good to be back.”

Engineering Exhibition (QME), held at the Mackay showgrounds in late July, the positive vibe was hard to miss.And one sentiment in particular stood out when talking to people, whether exhibitors or attendees.

attended insightful sessions in the seminar series, received practical applications in the numerous workshops and, perhaps above all, took the opportunity to reconnect

AUSTRALIANMINING 24 SEPTEMBER 2022 INDUSTRY EVENTS

MACKAY MAYOR GREG WILLIAMSON WAS ON HAND FOR QME.

IF THERE WAS ONE OVERRIDING SENTIMENT AT THE RECENT QUEENSLAND MINING AND ENGINEERING EXHIBITION, IT WAS THAT PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE INDUSTRY ARE THRILLED TO GET BACK TO IN-PERSON EVENTS.

These industry professionals also

The team from TS Global was happy to see so much foot traffic throughout the exhibition, helping to raise people’s consciousness of the brand.“Anyawareness is good awareness,” they said from the exhibition

face-to-face with their peers. “I was thrilled by the quality of

alking around the MiningQueenslandatexhibitionpackedhalltherecentand

Commentingfloor.on the exhibition, Hastings Deering executive manager – product support strategy Simon Turnbull said the company

“I really like the approach we’re having as an open show so people from all walks of life can come and have a look and understand more about mining.”Langbridgewas especially happy to see so many young people coming through asking about a career in mining.

QME will be back at the Mackay Showgrounds in July 2024.

Dr. Holger he@dimap.com.auEichstaedt

For Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane, the popularity of QME 2022 represented an opportunity to highlight the vital role mining plays in the region.

Contact:

largest mining industry exhibitions, we are able to connect and demonstrate our capabilities with a range of dynamic business’,” Turnbull said.

Dr. Holger Eichstaedt (Dimap)

Phone: 08 9380 8332, Mobile: 0494 116 167

“There’s lot of Year 11 students interested in apprenticeships and career pathways,” he said. “It’s been refreshing to see the number of young people … it’s a really positive sign for the industry.”

“With the advancement of technology, the need for unlimited connection and evolving needs of customers, we recognise the need to create a compelling experience that supports productivity improvements and the continual progression of the mining sector.“This is a unique opportunity for our people to be able to showcase the extent of our offerings directly to the mining industry.”Sustainability and technology were key themes throughout the event, with autonomous vehicles and operations a particularExhibitorsfeature.were also especially happy to see so many people from in and around Mackay walking through the doors of the event.

“QME has been a fixture in Mackay for the last 29 years and remains the most important trade event for the Queensland mining and METS industry,” he said.

Bravus Mining and Resources head of community Kate Campbell said the company appreciated the opportunity to discuss the job, training, and supplier opportunities at its Carmichael mine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin.

“It is truly a showcase of innovation and highlights the world-class solutions that are being developed in central Queensland and beyond.”

“To return to the QME in 2022 with our greenfield mine and railway now built, producing, and exporting really puts the achievements of more than 2600 regional Queenslanders into sharp focus.”Speaking of regional Queenslanders, one of the best aspects of QME being back on the calendar is the spotlight it shines on Mackay.

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“The good thing about this show is that it’s free to attend,” Matt Langbridge, Komatsu’s director – mining and crushing, told Australian Mining

“We’re determined to continue to support the communities that supported us so passionately and give back to them through jobs, contracts, and other economic investment.

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Perth Office: 531 Hay Street, Subiaco WA 6008

“We all know the mining industry offers a range of fulfilling careers in well paid, highly skilled jobs that last a lifetime,” she said.

AM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS ALSO ATTENDED INSIGHTFUL SESSIONS IN THE SEMINAR SERIES.

r.kahnt@coresmart.servicesDr.he@dimap.com.auRenéKahnt(G.E.O.S.)

The AFC Faceboss RS20s control system was trialled in partnership with the Springvale mine in NSW, paving the way for the world’s first fully functional turbo transmission technology (TTT) autonomous coal clearance control system to be installed at the operation.

UNDERGROUND.AKOMATSUJOYARMOURED

Built around AFC functions, the mimic controller can also be viewed from multiple locations, allowing greater control and monitoring.

FACE CONVEYOR IN AN UNDERGROUND COAL MINE.

Based on the existing RS20s platform for powered roof supports (PRS), the control system leverages a broad pool of engineering resources and technological smarts to improve armoured face conveyor (AFC) performance and expand the possibilities of underground coal mining.

ELEVATING OPERATIONAL SYNERGY IN UNDERGROUND COAL MINES ONE OF THE MINING SECTOR’S LEADING OEMS, KOMATSU IS CONSTANTLY INNOVATING WAYS TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY ON A MINE SITE. ONE SOLUTION IN PARTICULAR COULD BE A GAME-CHANGER

“The old system’s been around for decades and some of the components were becoming obsolete and had a complexity of marshalling boxes with busy cable runs,” he told Australian Mining. “The legacy system also does not provide the same local fault analysis capabilities as the RS20s.

AUSTRALIANMINING 26 SEPTEMBER 2022 UNDERGROUND MINING

“It was getting to a point where the old system was running out of memory, so we decided it was time to integrate into our other proven systems, intrinsically safe (IS) RS20s control system.

n partnership with a customer, Komatsu has developed a solution designed to improve operational synergy and safety in longwall coal operations.Introducing the AFC Faceboss RS20s control system.

“This platform allows operators to view data directly from the mimic and HMI (human–machine interface), which helps keep operators away from moving parts and improvesIntegratingsafety.”the AFC Faceboss RS20s control system into the existing PRS platform means customers maintain less equipment while operating a control system that is familiar to them.

Komatsu control and automation product manager Shane Cooling said the new system was long overdue.

The AFC control and monitoring features are concentrated into a single control platform, improving integration, customer interaction and scheduling. The AFC Faceboss mimic controller has a specially designed facia plate based on a similar button layout and construction to the PRS mimic.

The AFC Faceboss RS20s control system provides customers with a Komatsu Joy operating platform with synergy across all products. It also standardises use of parts across AFC and PRS control platforms.

THE AFC RS20S CONTROL SYSTEM IS MORE FAVOURABLE FOR MAINTENANCE TEAMS.

The AFC RS20s control system is favourable for maintenance, enabling fixes to occur quickly and efficiently.“Thisincludes changing and setting parameters from the mimic, setting overrides, and operating the PAT (pivoting arm tensioner) control,” Cooling said.

chain tensioning. P&P technology means longwallteam,communicationsystemcanspeedsuchcanalso scalable,changechangedcomponents can be easilyoutwithouttheneedtothephysicalwiring.TheRS20scontrolsystemismeaningnewfeaturesbeaddedastheygetdeveloped,astheFacebossRS20nhigh-network.Komatsu’sSmartSolutionsteamsafelymonitortheAFCcontrolremotelywhilemaintainingwiththeon-siteaddingevenmoreflexibilitytocoaloperations.

“Operators could be at any mimic across the coal clearance system and easily monitor the machine sensors without having to go back and forth,” Cooling said.

AUSTRALIANMINING 27 SEPTEMBER 2022

“If the customer wanted to do maintenance on the chain, for example, they can now use the slow runner through the mimic itself, meaning they can control the chain movements from a single vantage point, which negates the need to have an operator at both ends of the face.”

With plug-and-play (P&P) technology, the system comes ready out of the box to suit site setup for

The AFC Faceboss RS20s control system’s fault-finding is more intuitive, with alarms and warnings advising operators of problems and where they exist. It can also override and provide fault tolerance for I/O (input/output) to maintain production until maintenance is planned.

Greater operational autonomy leads to improved safety outcomes.

This provides customers more control when managing software updates, making the system easier to maintain and improving software delivery times.

Customers are looking for greater interaction and fault diagnostics in control systems.

UNDERGROUND MINING

THE AFC RS20S CONTROL SYSTEM EXPANDS THE POSSIBILITIES OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINING.

efficiency, are convenient for the operator and remove them from high-pressure hydraulics exposure, creating a safer environment.

THE CENTRIFUGAL FAN INSTALLATION AT THE GLENCORE CSA MINE WAS A CHALLENGE WELL SUITED TO ZITRON.

BLOWING AWAY THE MARKET

As mines go deeper in search of ore bodies, companies are faced with new challenges, including risks from higher temperatures and exhaust from diesel mining equipment, which in turn places greater demands on ventilation systems to ensure the safety of workers.

“Thatdays.was the biggest challenge of the project, but close coordination with the customer enabled us to make this happen.”

Electric vehicles and new technologies are becoming more common in mining, helping to reduce the levels of toxic fumes. But this doesn’t mean ventilation systems are going to become smaller.

A part of these customisable solutions might be the introduction of rental equipment.

Transitioning from products to services would allow fan manufacturers to go from a linear economy to a circular performance economy. Retaining ownership of the fans would allow the company to reuse them or to environmentnewnurturingbiggestpeopletakes,valuebetterhigherprovideswhilepreservingindividual components,recycletherebythequalityofproductsminimisingwaste.Moreover,focusingonservicesotheradvantagessuchasandmorestablerevenue,profitmarginsandincreasedadd-onsforcustomers.WhateverdirectiontheindustryFernandezisveryclearthatwillremainsthecompany’sasset.“Andweneedtokeeptheirgrowthandusingtechnologiestoprovideanwhereeveryonecancontribute,”hesaid.ButnomattertheinitiativeZitronemploys,onethingwillneverchange:thecompany’scommitmenttoitspeopleandcustomers.“Westrivetofosteraspiritofinclusiveness,whereeveryoneis madetofeelvalued,”Fernandez said.“Therespectwehaveforeachothertranslatesdirectlytoourcustomersandmakesforabetterexperienceoverall.”

“This was one of the biggest fan installations in Australia, and we had a very tight schedule for manufacturing and installing the fans,” Fernandez said.

But Zitron is prepared.

“CSA mine needed a bigger ventilation system, but they didn’t want to stop the existing fans to wait for the new ones to be installed – they wanted the changeover to happen with minimal downtime, which we were able to deliver by running both sets of fans in parallel until the new ones were fully installed and working correctly.”

AUSTRALIANMINING 28 SEPTEMBER 2022 UNDERGROUND MINING

Scan the QR code and let’s work together for a carbon neutral future!

“We worked with our engineers and our customer and developed a plan to complete the fan changeover in one night shift instead of the usual three

A project of this scale required Zitron to tap into the knowledge and experience gleaned from its long involvement in the industry.

“In a project this big everyone is understandably stressed, but by constant communication with the customer we were able meet the tight schedule,” Fernandez said.

While this is not yet something Zitron provides, Fernandez explained it may give customers more flexibility when it comes to equipment, in that the machines are only used when needed. Once there is no longer a need, another company can make use of them.

With innovation and sustainability being core elements of Zitron’s business strategy, a rental option could help the company to grow the services aspect of its business.

Our ambition is to create a carbon-neutral compressor room. Thankfully, most companies have decided to become part of the solution. It’s a win-win for the environment and for the future of your business.

In fact, as Fernandez explained, they will actually get bigger.

VENTILATION SYSTEMS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN UNDERGROUND MINING, AND ZITRON IS LEADING THE WAY WITH ITS SOLUTIONS FOR THE INDUSTRY. BUT THAT’S NOT ALL THAT MAKES THE COMPANY STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD.

“In the future, we expect mines to require bigger and more powerful fans, even if they are using electric technology, because they will still be mining deeper,” he said.

didn’t say it was because the company had some of the most efficient and resilient fan blades in the business, although that’s true.

hen asked what makes Fernandezdirectormanagingdifferent,ZitronJavier

ZITRON MANAGING DIRECTOR JAVIER FERNANDEZ.

For Fernandez, it’s the people – employees and customers – that make Zitron the leader it is today.

This means the company is well placed to take on bigger projects, such as the centrifugal fan installation that was recently completed at the Glencore CSA mine in Cobar, New South Wales.

One of Australia’s highest grade copper mines, CSA produces approximately 50,000 tonnes of copper a year.

“Contributing to and changing the industry for the better cannot be achieved without everyone playing a part,” he told Australian Mining

The company is primed to provide more customisable solutions to fit every need, by harnessing the talent of its people, the know-how gained over more than 50 years and the investment in new technologies.

generation reduces the cost of quality compressed air and gases and significantly reduces CO2. Our patented Cerades desiccant dryer is a nice example of such a breakthrough innovation. It provides better air quality, lower energy and service costs, and health and environmental benefits.

“Our staff are committed and passionate, and this translates to our customers. Most of our success comes from genuinely listening to the customer to understanding what they want and meeting their requirements.”FoundedinSpain in 1963, Zitron now has factories on four continents and continues to move with the times to diversify and offer its customers the strong support they have come to expect.

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• Specially formulated compound sheath with low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) properties, including a LSZH-110 bedding

The Circular SWA Enhanced is made up of the following components:

Distribution by myself in 2002 as an agency company for manufacturers who didn’t have representation in regional Queensland,” Maguire told Australian Mining

The Circular SWA Enhanced is a product of Powerhouse Distribution founder and managing director Percy Maguire’s profound industry knowledge and experience.

“Most of our business is now diversified around Australia, New Zealand and into Asia-Pacific, and we’re looking at becoming less an electrical products distribution company and more a specialist cable supply company.”

• Galvanised steel wire armour

Maguire said the Circular SWA Enhanced tries to kill a few birds with one stone.

This has led Powerhouse Distribution to develop the Flexible Orange Circular SWA (steel wire armoured) Enhanced electrical cable, which delivers cost savings and improved safety outcomes for underground mining operations.

“We’ve increased the compound and made a special compound on insulation.“Andby increasing cable,”Orangecancalculations,theirit,toanotherCircularinstallationincreasedexcitedcable’sreceivedsmalleryou’reratingdueEverythingofdifference,”withswitchboard,asandkilometrecostmaterialcentfumes,”zero-halogenshould theretunnel,iron oreouter sheath.due toalso hascapacityyou getcompound’s insulationtheproperty,agreatercurrent-carryingoutoftheconductor.”TheCircularSWAEnhancedimprovedsafetyattributestheLSZHpropertiesinits“Inanundergroundcoal,goldormine,orinanundergroundorpotentiallyanywhere,beafire,low-smokedoesnotemitanytoxicMaguiresaid.TheSWAEnhancedhas25perlesscopper,whichsavesonrawcosts.Butthat’snottheonlyincentive.“Ifyoucanimagineyou’reaundergroundinthedarkyouhaveaproductthat’salmostflexibleasanextensionleadintoaandyoucanterminateitthelamponyourhead.That’stheMaguiresaid.“You’regoingtosavecostsonallyourcomponentsontopofthat.isgoingtobecheapertoasmallerdiameter.Theampiswithinacoupleofamps,sogettingthesamepropertiesforacable.”PowerhouseDistributionhasstrongfeedbackfromtheearlysamples,withendusersbythecostsavingsandefficienciesfromdecreasedtimes.TheimprovedsafetyprofileoftheSWAEnhancedhasbeenfanciedattribute.“Customerswhohavebeenablepickitupinrecentmonths,holdfeelitandtwistit,andbasedonownengineeringexpertiseandcanseethesavingsthatbemadebyutilisingtheFlexibleCircularSWAEnhancedMaguiresaid.

ELECTRICAL CABLING THAT CUTS COSTS IN UNDERGROUND MINES

being solely a distribution agency into becoming a supplier, importing cables for use on some of Australia’s largest mine sites and on major infrastructure projects such as WestConnex.”

ESTABLISHED IN 2002, POWERHOUSE DISTRIBUTION IS NOT ONLY REVERED WITHIN AUSTRALIA, BUT ITS PRODUCTS ARE SOUGHT-AFTER ACROSS THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. AND NOW THE COMPANY HAS A NEW INNOVATION FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY. THE FLEXIBLE ORANGE CIRCULAR SWA ENHANCED ELECTRICAL CABLE DELIVERS COST SAVINGS FOR UNDERGROUND MINES.

• Specially formulated compound to meet 110°C operation

• Flexible conductor made of plain annealed fine-stranded copper that complies with AS/NZS 1125 (Class 5)

comes to installation, due to the countless hours, days – or even weeks –saved from the installation period.”

owerhouse Distribution has built its fullservice business on an ability to source unique, electrical equipmenthigh-quality for an array of specialist applications critical to mine sites and civil engineering projects.

For more than 50 years, Maguire has held a raft of industry roles, including trade, managerial and advisory appointments, while maintaining a deep engagement in the design, development, manufacture, and supply of electrical cabling.

As Powerhouse Distribution’s appetite to service Australia’s largest mining operations and civil engineering projects remains stronger than ever, Maguire and his team have designed, patented, and brought to market the Circular SWA Enhanced.

AUSTRALIANMINING 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 UNDERGROUND MINING

“Most large SWA cables are like trying to wrestle a crocodile and the conductors are rather rigid because they might only have 19 strands in it. This is a flexible conductor which has several hundred strands,” Maguire said.

The company has maintained close relationships with specialist manufacturers in Australia and overseas, including in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Finland, Italy, the US and Canada, in order to provide industry with custom-made applications and solutions.

ACCELERATE MINE CLOSURE WITH DATA REHABILITATIONDRIVEN 01 INTERVENE WHERE IT COUNTS Relevant insights to direct and optimise resources 02REPORTINGSIMPLIFY Insights and analysis to reduce the time spent on regulatory reporting 03 OUTCOMESIMPROVE Data driven solutions which increase success www.dendra.io

environments where safety is paramount.Sepuraproduct manager Ben Tabor explained how VHF TETRA

WITH THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE CLEAR, RELIABLE COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH TETRA RADIOS, SEPURA HAS THE TOOLS TO SUPPLY MISSION-CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS IN UNDERGROUND MINING OPERATIONS.

nderground mining is a tough, worker’smatterenvironment,dangerousnowhataroleentails.Inthissetting,with

“Always on” communication is the bedrock of a mission-critical network, with users permanently connected on a highly resilient network.Mining organisations can now add dynamic control features to

been a concern or something to be carefully managed, the greater signal propagation of the VHF frequencies proves an ideal solution, providing

UNDERGROUND MINING

RELIABLE UNDERGROUNDCOMMUNICATION

coverage“Radio waves in lower frequencies have wavelengths, meaninglongerthey travel further distances,” he said.

The solution helps to fill a gap in the market for quality VHF TETRA radios, complementing the reliability, security, and missioncritical protocols of TETRA with the powerful audio processing of the SC Series radios, ensuring clear audio in loud, wet or dusty conditions.

VHF TETRA IMPROVES COVERAGE IN DANGEROUS UNDERGROUND LOCATIONS, ENSURING OPERATIONS CAN CONTINUE AND DOWNTIME IS MINIMISED.

Sepura’s proven fleet of TETRA radios is now available in VHF frequency bands, providing even better coverage to organisations operating in underground sites.

Without a trusted communication network, there is a significantly increased risk to staff safety and a greater chance of interruption to operations.Thecommunication solution has to provide loud, clear audio to ensure instructions are clearly heard even in close proximity to heavy machinery and drilling equipment. It needs to be easily used in dark environments, and it needs to be tough enough to keep working through heavy knocks, drops in water, ingress from dusty mining waste, or a combination of all three.

Automated safety features

“Because of this, the coverage is enhanced even in constricted underground spaces and operators can reduce the physical infrastructure required to support the solution, enabling significant savings in equipment and maintenance costs.”

multiple risks from heavy machinery, dirt, dust and explosive materials, it’s essential to maintain a reliable communications link between every individual and vehicle, team leaders and the control room.

WHEN UNDERGROUND, IT’S ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN A RELIABLE LINK BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE CONTROL ROOM.

But for responders in the field, their radios are an inseparable communication device without which they cannot communicate with their team or continue with their operational Mission-criticalroles.radios users can now save time, reduce costs and minimise the time radios are out of service by upgrading their Sepura radios to over the air programming (OTAP), enabling seamless remote upgrades with minimum disruption to radio operation.

to secure, approved Wi-Fi networks to install or download radio configurations, phonebook updates, fleet maps, PIN/PUK codes, updated privacy settings or licenceOTAPfiles.also includes asset management by identifying any atrisk radios that have been inactive for a period of time, and ensuring synchronised upgrades are made to the fleet in a manner that suits operations, avoiding out-of-step configuration that may affect continuity. AM

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Once triggered, the app executes routine and safetycritical tasks to deliver fast results, reducing the risk of user error and safeguarding operational team members, who are then free to focus on their critical tasks.

• Unlocking secure locks due to the presence of a nearby authorised radio, improving site efficiency and maintaining security Alerts and notifications are fully configurable in order to match and enhance an organisation’s workflows.Aflexible set of triggers and radio actions can support operations,

Examples of automated actions:

• Switching a user’s talk-group (eg when entering a blast zone)

and combined according to logic or priority.

When it’s necessary to update the configuration of a radio or install a new app, license or programming detail, radios are naturally taken off of operational duty for amendments to be Fleetmade.managers face logistical headaches as a result of having to bring radios back to sites to install upgrades in the traditional manner. In addition, organisations are

their existing radio solution through Sepura’s AutoMate app, enabling greater staff safety and improved situationalAutoMateawareness.isanintelligent app that automates radio activity and workflow based on a user’s location. It works on existing TETRA networks, with no upgrade to infrastructure required.

AUSTRALIANMINING 33 SEPTEMBER 2022

• A safety warning sent to users in a specific location (eg in an explosives or chemicals storeroom)

Wireless programming

• A vehicle speed warning on-site, causing an emergency alert to be sent to the site controller

“It is used around conveyors, in such product as cleaner blades, conveyor skirting and general guarding around conveyor transfers, as well as on underground machinery during development and longwall mining,” he told Australian Mining

AUSTRALIANMINING 34 SEPTEMBER 2022 UNDERGROUND MINING

POLYURETHANEPERFORMANCE-ENHANCING

“The magnets and ceramic tiles are moulded into the surface of the polyurethane and have been effective in temporary repairs at coal handling prep plants,” Fenwick said.

“In regard to the use of polyurethane, because there are so many grades it’s not just the one

The latest polyurethane product TS Global has developed is magnetic wear patches, equipment that is a necessity on every mine site to reduce unplanned downtime and maintenance, and avoid reductions

TS GLOBAL HAS A RANGE OF POLYURETHANE PRODUCTS THAT ARE UNIQUE, VERSATILE AND SUSTAINABLE, WITH AN ARRAY OF APPLICATIONS FOR MINING OPERATIONS.

THE MAGNETIC WEAR PATCH HELPS TO REDUCE UNPLANNED DOWNTIME AND MAINTENANCE, AND AVOID REDUCTIONS IN COST PER TONNE.

results in strong resistance to corrosion and abrasion, coupled with increased shedding capabilities.

bumpers for a shuttle car or mining machinery walkways. The company also manufactures custom-length polyurethane flat sheets for a range on-site purposes and applications.

With a significant amount of in-house expertise, the company prides itself on working in close collaboration with its customers to ensure components are made to specific requirements, accounting for durability and sustainability.

TS GLOBAL HAS POLYURETHANE COMPONENTS ON A NUMBER OF MACHINES FOR UNDERGROUND MINING, INCLUDING FEEDER BREAKERS.

“The magnets are applied to the outside of a wear hole on a transfer chute to reduce spillage until the chute can be correctly repaired during a planned maintenance window.

“The TheirabsorbconveyorcomponentslaggingFenwick said.acomponentspolyurethane-basedlastlongerandaregenuinelydurableproduct,”TSGlobal’spolyurethanepulleyproducts–interfacingassociatedwithbeltsystemsandpulleys–greaterwearandlastlonger.designandconstruction

product. You need to ensure you are undertaking your due diligence and applying the appropriate grade to the component being manufactured, that it’s fit for purpose.”

TS Global has made substantial commitmenta to the development and production of polyurethane components for use across underground mining and mineral processing.

The company is currently working towards creating polyurethane product kits for use on mining machinery, with a collection of componentry available for customers to access quickly and safely.

he last 15 years have seen TS Global at the forefront of apossibleallowclientrequiredcomponentsteammachiningofworkshopresourcescomponentryand,aspolyurethaneapplications.elastomerrefineisbeds,andcleaners,conveyorcomprehensivethefunctionality.cost-effectivenessequipment,high-qualitymanufacturingminingbalancingwithlong-lifeThecompanyhasdevelopedcapacitytomanufacturearangeofinnovativeproductsincludingbeltbeltploughs,belttrackersbeltskirting,aswellasimpactpulleysandbeltrepairkits.Anotherkeyproductthecompanycontinuingtodevelopandispolyurethane,aversatileusedinarangeofminingTheuniquepropertiesofcanbeeasilyadjusted,it’saninherentlyflexiblepolymerassuch,cansolvearangeofproblemswithinthesector.TSGlobal’spolyurethaneishometoanassortmentin-housefabricationandcapabilitiesthatallowmemberstobuildpolyurethane–mouldedinanyshapeorsize–basedonrequirements.Thethree-dimensionalmouldsTSGlobaltoproduceanyminecomponent,suchastreadplateforroofsupport,or

Business development manager Justin Fenwick outlined the uses of polyurethane within underground mining operations.

“From a longwall point of view, we have polyurethane components on longwall roof supports and coal clearance systems, as well as on development mining machinery including, miners, shuttle cars componentsfeeder breakers.”Theuseofpolyurethaneagainstconveyor belts in some applications allows for a longer life of around 30 per cent in terms of wear ratio.

UNDERGROUND MINING

Mine Vent 2022 will also feature two keynote speakers: Peter Newman, chief inspector of mines in Queensland; and Emeritus Professor Jim Galvin, who was instigator for the development of the Graduate Diploma in Mine Ventilation at UNSW Sydney. His speech will be looking at how the diploma has influenced the coal mining industry, as well as how it has changed and improved ventilation.

VENTILATION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN MINING.

workers are currently exposed to respirable silica dust, which is generated through workplace mechanical processes. The smaller the dust particle, the more harmful it is as it can penetrate deep into the lungs.

o matter the method of mining, dust can pose a significant risk to workers’ health and safety.Ventilation control

“The purpose of the conference is to provide avenues for networking and up-to-date knowledge in managing ventilation problems,” Mine Vent committee chairperson Duncan Chalmers told Australian Mining

It’s hoped these factors will provide a strong incentive for underground operations to attend Mine Vent so workers’ health and safety can continue to be prioritised.

Similarly, there has recently been a re-emergence of pneumoconiosis in mine workers. Commonly known as ‘black lung disease’, pneumoconiosis is a preventable condition caused by exposure to respirable coal dust.

Mine Vent seeks to bring together operators, planning personnel, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, government regulators, consultants, and research and technologyChalmersexperts.alsohighlighted mine managers as another important group of attendees due to their varied roles within a mining operation.

and future engineers and personnel. Both speakers bring a wealth of industry knowledge to the conference.

big issue that we face in all aspects modelling,of mining.”half a million Australian

“That’s one of the benefits I see in conferences, over and above the formal proceedings. I think ideas are shared and information is passed around more in informal settings, where everyone is just catching up and meeting.”

Mine Vent 2022 will be held on October 10–12 on the Gold Coast. The conference will be streamed online for those unable to attend inperson.

MINE VENT WILL SHOWCASE INNOVATION AND PRODUCTIVITY IN VENTILATION.

And that’s where Mine Vent comes in.Forover 10 years, Mine Vent has been an industry-leading conference in the promotion of safe ventilation practices in the resources sector. Each Mine Vent sees attendees share and disseminate knowledge gained from a wide array of Australian and global mining operations.

This year will be no exception.

“It’s a great environment to have those informal sessions of conversation,” Chalmers said.

And, of course, Mine Vent 2022 will provide attendees with a great opportunity to come together and meet with colleagues in-person.

THE AUSTRALIAN MINE VENTILATION CONFERENCE – MINE VENT – HAS BEEN PROMOTING PRACTICES TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY SINCE 2011.

Attendees of the three-day event can expect a packed schedule, with technical presentations, panel discussions and an exhibition showcase on the agenda. There will also be selected abstracts on topics such as detection and control of spontaneous combustion, ventilation case studies, and prevention of gas ignitions and explosions, among others.

Mine Vent 2022 will see conference hosts AusIMM, UNSW Sydney and the Mine Ventilation Society of Australia come together on the Gold Coast and online on October 10–12.

“There is a wide range of topics that will be discussed across the conference,” Chalmers said. “We want to cover as many aspects of ventilation and underground mining as possible to really get the information out there.”

SHOWCASING INNOVATION IN MINE VENTILATION

“We have made great advancements and we have a greater understanding of the issues involved in ventilation, but we cannot forget the issues of the past,” Chalmers said.

systems form the basis of much of the effective dust risk management; however, it’s important to keep abreast of recent developments and research to maintain and improve safety.

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HARDOX® WEAR PLATE WORKS HARD IN MINING

TAKING FLIGHT WITH THE POWER OF WORDS

AUSTRALIANMINING 38 SEPTEMBER 2022 FLY-IN, FLY-OUT

here’s a good reason that Western Australia is often called the epicentre of Australian mining.

Having been together for 12 years, Ellis is accustomed to her husband’s time away from home. But when the couple had their first child, she began to realise she’d have to help her son understand this way of life,“Mytoo.son loved going to pick his dad up from the airport,” Ellis told Australian Mining “But he started asking us questions in the car on the way home like, ‘where do you sleep?’ and ‘what do you do at the airport all week?’”

It wasn’t until her son revealed that he thought his dad lived at the airport for a week at a time that Ellis realised she would need to help him understand.

But not all of those people live close to the mine sites and WA hosts a record number of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers.

The idea for FIFO & Me was born.

The book was written over four and a half years, with a break when Ellis had her second child. While her newborn daughter slept, Ellis would write and, when much of the world shut down over the COVID-19 pandemic, she found an illustrator and an“COVIDeditor. has been awful, but it has had its technological advantages. My illustrator (Andrew McIntosh) is in Melbourne and I was able to make the book over my laptop,” Ellis said.

FIFO LIFE MIGHT BE A STAPLE FOR MANY FAMILIES, BUT IT CAN BE HARD ON THOSE BACK AT HOME. AUTHOR KIARA ELLIS DISCUSSES HOW HER BOOK HELPED HER KIDS UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THEIR DAD’S WORK.THEBOOK

“The books are printed locally here in Perth. They bear the Australian Made and Owned logo. It was so important to me to support the Australian industry.”

The state is home to truly vast reserves of precious resources, including the largest supplies of iron ore and gold in Australia, as well as equally vast reserves of people directly employed in the mining sector – more than 20,000 people across 125 operating projects, in fact.

She initially hunted around for books to help explain where Dad went when he was away. There were lots of books to be found on big emotions, but not much in the way of answering a child’s favourite question: why?

Kiara Ellis’ husband is one of over 60,000 FIFO workers who catch a flight to one of WA’s mining operations. For around a week or so at a time, the site will become his base; he will sleep, eat, and work there, before heading home for a well-deserved week off with his family.

“I felt like we needed something tangible to educate them a bit on mining, and to show them that there’s a purpose for their parent leaving home for a bit,” Ellis, who is now a mother of two, said.

Ellis felt it was important for FIFO kids to learn about what their parent does at a mine site while they’re away, so she has dedicated an entire page in FIFO & Me to showing children that the materials their parent helps to mine are used in things they utilise every day, from bikes to refrigerators.

IS ALSO DESIGNED TO HELP KIDS UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF WORK AT A MINE SITE.

“A pivotal moment in the book is when the parent is in the donga (a temporary dwelling used by FIFO workers) and talking to the kids on FaceTime. This is literally what families do every night when a parent is away, so it was important to me to capture real moments like that.”

“He gets amazing quality time with the kids where he can go to school drop-off and pick-up and school events. He goes to their after-school activities.

KIARA ELLIS WROTE HER BOOK TO HELP HER SON UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF HIS DAD’S WORK.

“I think we can get a lot more women in the mining sector by taking a grassroots approach,” Ellis said.

Although just launched, the books have already gotten the Australian FIFO community talking. Many kids have been gifted the book on the day their parent flies out, and Ellis has enjoyed hearing about families reading the book together.

“Even when we were newly married and didn’t have kids yet, we were

“It’s important that it’s written in a language that kids understand,” she said.“Iwanted to make sure that just because you’re not a FIFO child doesn’t mean that it’s not something that you can read, because it has a lot of education in and behind it.”

“We should start talking to kids now and showing them that this is not unachievable. Women deserve to be celebrated for their work.”

Multiple studies have been conducted on the impact this type of work can have on a worker’s mental health, and even the worker’s partner, but not a lot has been done on the impact on However,children.onestudy likened the experience of FIFO kids to that of a grieving cycle, which really resonated with Ellis. She hopes the books will give children an understanding that their parent isn’t gone for good, but rather that they’re off to do an important job and will be back soon.

AUSTRALIANMINING 39 SEPTEMBER 2022

As such, featuring a reclaimer on the front cover of the book was no accident. This was an intentional design decision by Ellis to show the little girls reading her book that they could do anything in the mining sector, from operating heavy machinery to climbing the ladder to become a CEO.

FLY-IN, FLY-OUT

After a family day at her husband’s work, Ellis saw first-hand how many women were working in mining and wanted to ensure all children could benefit from her books, regardless of which parent was the FIFO worker.

Similarly, the book shows the pit-toport process of the mined materials, starting with blasting and moving right through to crushing and exportation. There is also a page on the personal protective equipment (PPE) used by theTheworkers.book is in full colour, with a rhyming prose that keeps kids engaged and entertained. Ellis tested the manuscript out on families with and without a FIFO parent, to ensure all kids would enjoy the book.

Another important consideration when Ellis was writing FIFO & Me was inclusivity. The book features a range of illustrated characters with different genders and ethnicities to celebrate the diversity of the Australian mining sector.

The FIFO life can be tough on the worker and their family.

“I really wanted to create this connection and this tangibility so kids could understand and see what’s happening,” Ellis said.

And this led to the development of the second edition of the book: FIFO & Me: Mum edition

“My husband sacrifices a lot, but FIFO life, like anything, has its benefits, too,” Ellis said.

The ‘Enough is enough: Sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry’ report found that company statements of regret were sincere but limited and rarely included accepting responsibility for allowing the situations to arise.

Ernst & Young identified the following skills as increasingly important for occupations within the mining sector:

The Ernst & Young report, ‘The future of work: The changing skills landscape for miners’, found that robots, drones and remote-controlled systems will be rolled out more widely to enhance exploration efforts and mining operations. These innovations are expected to redesign traditional occupations such as drill operators, surveyors, and field geologists.

“Mining has previously commanded bespoke technology solutions,” she said. “The transition to fully electric autonomous mines means mining will be competing against other sectors for more mainstream industrial technology solutions and skills.

AUSTRALIANMINING 40 SEPTEMBER 2022 CULTURE

• Data and digital literacy

During the WA Government inquiry, Rio Tinto conducted a comprehensive, confidential survey of all of its worksites and made the resulting report public, helping to set a strong baseline for consultation and measurement as a framework for positiveAccountabilitychange.

The mining industry’s adoption of technologies like automation and electrification is also contributing to

• Strategic planning

“While it is important to recognise the mining industry has made dramatic improvements when it comes to physical safety, there is still a way to go for psychological safety,” Morrison

these behaviours are being called out demonstrates positive changes that help to address these issues.”

The traditional roles of mining are constantly being redefined, increasing the diversity of skills and capability required. New innovations foster greater inclusivity, as well as improving productivity and safety.

Cloud computing, informationsharing, and big data are also predicted to continue changing the nature of work, enabling integrated operating centres that allow more work to be performed remotely and flexibly.

“As more work happens remotely, in the cloud and away from physical labour, there are opportunities to leverage new sources of skills,” she said.METS

genuine cultural transformation.

Cultural change

Ignited is working with the Electric Mine Consortium to pilot

at the executive level is vital for effective cultural change within a company, and Morrison said it was becoming even more important as investors around the world focus on ESG reporting.

Australia’s resources and energy industry will require an additional 24,000 workers by the end of 2027, according to new modelling released by the Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA).

• Change management

• Stakeholder analysis

CULTIVATING A CULTURAL SHIFT

a program to build the capability to transform job-ready training and reskilling in the mining industry.

METS IGNITED AUSTRALIA GENERAL MANAGER KYLAH MORRISON OUTLINES HOW THE MINING INDUSTRY IS DRIVING CHANGE ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE PEOPLE AND SKILLS IT NEEDS IN THE TRANSITION TO NET-ZERO.

FUTURE MINING SKILLS

“If you look at physical safety measures, there are detailed key performance indicators and reporting requirements that ensure businesses are keeping people physically safe.

• Creativity

• Data analysis

“However,said.cultural change does not occur overnight, and the fact

“(For example), in recent months there has been a spotlight on bullying and harassment in the workplace,” she said.

THOUGH MORE CAN BE DONE

aintaining a strong reputation in the eye of investors and other stakeholders is vital for the strength of any industry.

“Without cultural change at all levels of originations, the mining sector risks falling behind in the global competition for talent.” AM

METSdecisions.IgnitedAustralia general manager Kylah Morrison told Australian Mining there have been incidents in the mining industry –whether they fall under environmental, social or governance – that require further efforts to rebuild trust.

Morrison said the pandemic and the rise of working from home has also led to companies embracing remote and flexible opportunities.

• C omplex engagementstakeholder

• Design thinking

“The way companies are treating their people is an important part of doing business. Tangible reporting is required,” she said.

In the case of mining, investors are increasingly looking to all aspects within the environmental, social and governance (ESG) paradigm to inform business

PROTECT

NEW TECHNOLOGIES LIKE AUTOMATION AND ELECTRIFICATION ARE CONTRIBUTING TO A CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE INDUSTRY.

“Risk-management strategies are in place that need to prove they minimise or eliminate exposure to dangerous situations. These have been applied to physical safety for a while, and we’re now starting to see them applied to psychological safety.”

“The flow-on effect is an increased demand for data and digital literacy skills across the entire mining value chain, including in our regional and remote communities,” Morrison said.

MUCH HAS BEEN DONE TO IMPROVE PHYSICAL SAFETY IN MINING, TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Addressing this skills challenge, Morrison said, requires new methods of training, new business models, and new sources of people.

“This improves access to the sector, creating exciting opportunities for everyone in our regional centres”.

• Collaboration

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WITH ESTABLISHED GROUND SUPPORT COMPANY MINOVA HAVING BEEN SOLD TO THE AURELIUS GROUP – A GLOBAL INVESTMENT BUSINESS LOOKING TO EXPAND INTO AUSTRALIA – AUSTRALIAN MINING EXAMINES WHAT THE MOVE MEANS FOR THE LOCAL INDUSTRY.

Aurelius is “focused on creating value through the operational improvement of companies with development potential”. Aurelius prefers to work closely with its businesses, which is why it is deploying operational and functional experts to support Minova.

Minova – which provides ground support and geotechnical solutions for mining and tunnelling industries – has also taken advantage of the new ownership to shift its strategy.

Since the acquisition, Aurelius has worked closely with Minova to establish top industry capabilities that align with its growth aspirations.

A mining services company specialising in ground support solutions, Minova was once a closely integrated subsidiary of the explosives company Orica, but has since been reestablished as its own entity as part of a carve-out process.

“The mining industry is very fluid – people move around a lot, to different sites or companies. We find that people we work with understand and remember how we helped solve their problems.

Seetharam said Minova aimed to grow in the hard rock sector and fuel this growth by leveraging its manufacturing capabilities in Australia and emerging countries.

MINOVA IS A MINING SERVICES COMPANY SPECIALISING IN GROUND SUPPORT SOLUTIONS.

AURELIUS HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH MINOVA TO ESTABLISH TOP INDUSTRY CAPABILITIES THAT ALIGN WITH ITS GROWTH ASPIRATIONS.

Minova’s strength is that it is customer-centric, which Seetharam said is what makes the company a preferred partner for mining companies.

Minova head of APAC Sateesha Seetharam said that while the new acquisition presented several unknowns to its associated Australian businesses, the move bolstered the company’s growth aspirations.

“Our customers know that they can come to us if they have a problem or require re-assurance with their ground control practices,” he said.

earlieracquisitionclosedAureliusinvestmenturopean-basedfirmsuccessfullythe$180millionofMinovathisyear.

“Australia has a premium mining sector that is going through a boom period and has some of the strongest mining hubs in the world. Aurelius appreciates and wants to support our growth here.”

“The support of Aurelius’ has put us in a very strong position to provide the complete portfolio and solution offering to the mining industry,” he said.

“Aurelius is a predominantly Eurocentric business – the acquisition is part of its expansion into Australia. From a customer perspective, it’s a new owner that they have not done business with before.

AUSTRALIANMINING 42 SEPTEMBER 2022 MINING BUSINESS

With support from Aurelius, Minova now has a clear path ahead to strengthen its position in the underground mining sector.

The company is also looking at increased engagement with the mining and infrastructure industries through participation in industry conferences and academic research

“Minova’s brand recognition is second to none. We are well known through the hard and soft rock segments as a market leader in technology, with some exciting new product releases on the horizon,” he said.“We’re also the only company that has the local injection manufacturing capabilities, which makes us stand apart from others in the market.”

Sateesha said the first 100 days under Aurelius had set up Minova on a strong growth foundation.

“We use our broad product range and highly skilled staff to assist customers and together solve issues they may be having.

“Minova has worked closely with major Australian mining houses for over two decades, providing innovative and efficient ground support solutions” he told Australian Mining

INVESTMENT AND GROWTH FOR THE AUSTRALIAN MINING SECTOR

responsiveness and reviewed its product portfolio to bolster any gaps. It is also looking to enhance its manufacturing capabilities in Australia to complement its current product portfolios.

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Identifying the untapped potential for industrial growth in 1940 and creating strategic partnerships around the globe throughout the years, Bradken has created a business that supports its mining and resources customers.

This essence of growth, innovation and evolution, as well as the ability to adapt to changing external environments, is shaping the future for Bradken and its customers.

BRADKEN HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY THROUGHOUT ITS 100-YEAR HISTORY.

and those who have followed Bradken’s product base, partnerships, manufacturing footprint and business focus has continually evolved.

uilding on 100 years of knowledge,ofwhoexpertise,manufacturingthepeopleareattheheartBradkenhavetheexpertise,

drive and capability to support the mining industry throughout Australia and around the globe.

AUSTRALIANMINING 44 SEPTEMBER 2022 MINING SERVICES

The company has long had a focus on acquisition, always bringing in people to help grow the business.

“Throughout the years, we have demonstrated and embraced the values at the heart of Bradken’s success, such as taking on challenges, seeing the customer in everything we do, and working collaboratively to achieve goals both for our customers and the “Matchingbusiness.our history of working with customers to understand what they need and value with technology solutions is key to Bradken’s future.

From serving the mining industry in the 1920s before shifting to armament castings during WWII and then moving to rail and most recently back to the mining industry, Bradken is defined by its commitment to service and broad range of talent that allows it to excel in so many different manufacturing areas.

“We are preparing for the impact mining operations’ digital and sustainability evolution has in shifting Bradken’s manufacturing and service focus,” Attwood said.

INABRADKENINNOVATIVE:ANDMARKSCENTURYOPERATION

Bradken and its people have been at the forefront of innovation and technology throughout the company’s 100-year history.

Discussing the efforts of the company and its employees, chief executive officer Sean Winstone noted that the success of Bradken is tied to innovation and resilience.

RESILIENT

“Digital technology is the enabler to support the growth of sustainability for both Bradken and our customer base.

supporting mining customers in adopting innovative solutions to meet changing requirements has helped Bradken stand the test of time and remain a leader in the resources industry.

“Bradken is proud of the 100 years of manufacturing history and of the customers we continue to serve. Their needs are changing and we are committed to joining them on that journey for another 100 years to deliver innovation solutions that improve safety, sustainability and productivity, whilst also lowering total costs of Bradkenownership.”hashadthe resilience to take on many challenges over the years, and often had the foresight to make the most of the opportunities it was presented, matching the work on which the company focused with the needs of the time.

Head of research and development Reece Attwood believes Bradken’s ability to adapt and diversify has been vital in its success in the modern mining sector.

Embracing continuous improvement throughout its 100 years and always

“The next big goal of Bradken is to have net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.”

THE COMPANY HAS EVOLVED OVER ITS 100 YEARS TO BECOME A GLOBAL LEADER IN DESIGNING AND MANUFACTURING HIGHQUALITY WEAR PARTS AND SUPPLYING MINING SERVICES AND DIGITAL SOLUTIONS.

“To make it to 100 years, a business and the individuals involved with it have to be resilient and innovative, as well as committed to strong values,” he told Australian Mining

Leslie Bradford and Jim Kendall were astute businessmen who saw potential in Australian foundries in the 1920s, and under their leadership

THE PEOPLE ARE WHAT MAKE BRADKEN THE SUCCESS IT IS TODAY.

“Bradken is cast with a culture of experience, knowledge and innovation, setting the standard for the next 100 years,” Winstone said.

A focus on services around optimisation and maximum sustainability of operations, including digital services and maximising the life of equipment and technology, is key

The training tools come equipped with location management services (LMS) tracking for certifications and include competency reports of the operator’sSupportingperformance.themining industry

AUSTRALIANMINING 45 SEPTEMBER 2022

In particular, digital solutions being the conduit to supporting optimised and more efficient operations, as well as monitoring and reducing manufacturing process impacts, have influenced the company in adapting its traditional manufacturing and service focus to better support the resources sector.

As Attwood said, the impact of mining operations’ ongoing evolution in changing and updated sustainability practices and digital options has shifted the future focus of Bradken.

to the future development of Bradken. Similarly, research and investment into greener manufacturing and materials is something the company aims to keep in mind as it heads into its next centenary of operation.

“From our traditional manufacturing origins to today’s diversified brand, our transformation continues to support the evolution of the mining industry.”

as faithfully as it did a century ago, Bradken remains a reliable and trusted name when it comes to physical or virtual manufacturing solutions.“Welook forward to what the future holds, and to delivering innovative solutions that improve safety, sustainability, performance and productivity for our customers,” Winstone said.

Throughout its 100 years of operation the company has certainly shown that it has the capacity to grow and evolve, and the foray into a digital market is a natural step forward for Bradken.Looking ahead to a bright future, the company has started development of virtual reality (VR) training solutions with the release of the

Bradken’s ambitions and recognition of its role in enabling sustainable mining practices through a ‘cradle to grave’ approach to equipment and services will support its continued growth.

BRADKEN UNDERSTANDS THAT DIGITAL SOLUTIONS WILL DRIVE OPTIMISED AND MORE EFFICIENT MINING OPERATIONS.

Bradken hammer-free GET Removal VR training module, which helps to familiarise operators with ground engaging tools (GET).

MINING SERVICES

LEFT: THE COMPANY LOOKS FORWARD TO PROVIDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS INTO THE FUTURE.

Allowing for safer maintenance procedures in relation to removing or servicing Bradken GET products, the technology also facilitates the training of staff members prior to physically undertaking the task.

Building on its century of manufacturing expertise, the company has embraced continuous improvement and technology to support all customers in adopting innovative digital mining solutions.

These departments can also modify the machines to the customer’s specifications.“CJDhavea big list of things that they do to our machines before we get them to make them more suited to the underground environment,” Campain said.

“The cabs are such a comfortable environment, and the operators feel like they haven’t done days of work,” heThesaid.L120H

wheel loaders have been updated with the latest innovative technology, promoting 20 per cent greater fuel efficiency and five per cent increased productivity. Fitted with a more powerful engine, the H series wheel loaders are perfect for a wide range of environments, from underground mining to construction.

Barminco recently acquired two Volvo L120H wheel loaders, which were purchased from CJD to join Barminco’s existing Volvo fleet.

Barminco has been a global leader in hard rock underground mining for more than three decades. During its long history, the company has found ways to get the best out of its machines, including using the L120Hs as a wheel loader and a tool carrier.

VOLVO, SOURCED FROM CJD, HAS BEEN THE GO-TO EQUIPMENT FOR BARMINCO.

“The wheel loaders have a planned life of around seven years underground,” Campain said.

The success and longevity of the CJD and achievementsrelationship points toBarmincocontinuousforbothcompanies as the mining and equipment sectors continue to evolve.

CJD EQUIPMENT AND BARMINCO HAVE A LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP. THE TWO COMPANIES TALK TO AUSTRALIAN MINING ABOUT HOW THEY WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE QUALITY RESULTS.

CJD branches operate nationwide, from capital cities to regional towns and mining centres. Barminco in Western Australia is one company that has taken full advantage of CJD’s services, and the two have forged a long-lasting business relationship.

Daniels added that these machines are “fantastic wheel loaders”.

Sinceattachments.alargenumber of materials have to be at work in an underground mine, this type of flexibility in a wheel loader is imperative to get the job done.

To help ensure the wheel loaders continue running at full capacity, CJD provides general servicing and maintenance with the support of its parts-and-service department.

TEAMING UP AND HEADING UNDERGROUND

“The support and services that CJD provide are fantastic,” Campain said.

“And during those seven years, the machines will do up to 20,000 engine hours underground and, barring any unforeseen incident, we don’t have to do any major repairs on them.”

ince its founding in 1974, CJD has been supplying its mining customers with everything they need to continue to operate smoothly. With a large portfolio of iconic brands, such as Volvo Construction Equipment, the company is a leader in national equipment distribution.

Barminco boasts a fleet of more than 30 Volvo wheel loaders spread across its domestic and international operations. All have been purchased from CJD, with Campain praising CJD’s customer support.

“And so when a machine turns up in our yard, it’s ready to go to work. The only thing we have to do is operate them.”

BARMINCO HAS RECENTLY TAKEN POSSESSION OF TWO NEW VOLVO L120H WHEEL LOADERS.

“We do a lot of their equipment modifications in-house – whatever they need, we can supply.”

“We have had a close working relationship with Barminco for well over a decade,” CJD national key account manager James Daniels told Australian Mining

Where a smaller underground site might have two or three wheel loaders in use at one time, many of Barminco’s larger mines regularly put many more to work, due in large part to the positive balance of purchase price against operating life.

AUSTRALIANMINING 46 SEPTEMBER 2022 MINING EQUIPMENT

“My technical team engage with CJD’s technical team on a regular basis and our relationship has gotten to the point where we don’t even have to tell them what we want – they understand the specs we need and how we want everything done,” he said.

A hitch on the front of the L120Hs allows for various tool attachments, a set-up that gives Barminco the flexibility to use the machines for any application, including fork and jib crane

For both CJD and Barminco, the business relationship forged over the years has been incredibly beneficial to daily operations. CJD play a vital role in advocating for Barminco’s needs across different equipment manufactures and, as the company grows, CJD has been able to expand into the broader mining sector.

“We’re excited to see this relationship continue to develop.” AM

“The L120s have been like the underground version of a Swiss Army knife for us,” Barminco plant general manager Peter Campain told Australian Mining

With a simplified corporate structure, National Group has the agility to match miners’ dynamic, ever-evolving schedules.

“Cadia has known us for years and has been able to trust who we are and what we do. We were able to provide value and the capacity to supply.”

NATIONAL GROUP GROWS ITS NSW FOOTPRINT

NATIONAL GROUP WAS RECENTLY AWARDED A THREE-YEAR MINING SERVICES CONTRACT AT YANCOAL’S MOOLARBEN COAL OPERATION.

“Then its guys like me maintaining that and a team that is dedicated to the business and our customers.

Given the current supply-chain challenges affecting the Australian resources industry, Pipiciello said the ability to provide equipment quickly and on time was a big drawcard for

With a strong presence in Western Australia and Queensland, National Group has experienced significant growth in New South Wales in the last 12 months.

NATIONAL GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARK ACKROYD.

“The way we are and the way we’re able to operate – with that one connection to Mark – our hard work over the years and bringing it all together, as well as the customer knowing who we are and what we’re about, enables us to offer the quality products and service we do today.

Championed by chief executive officer, managing director and company founder Mark Ackroyd, this ethos permeates throughout National Group. But it’s not the company’s only ticket to success.

“We’ve got a direct line of contact, we don’t have any middle management,” National Group NSW business development manager Len Pipiciello told Australian Mining

MINING SERVICES

“We’re able to make decisions quickly, which suits miners’ operations and their requirement to pivot regularly in an ever-changing worldNationallandscape.”Group provides value for its customers without compromising on quality and excellence.

WITH A STRONG PRESENCE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND QUEENSLAND, NATIONAL GROUP HAS EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN NEW SOUTH WALES IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS.

t’s no accident that National Group has established itself as one of Australia’s leading mining services companies. With a client base brimming with Tier 1 mining companies – including recent contract wins at the Cadia gold mine and Moolarben coal operation –National Group is underpinned by an unwavering passion to succeed.

A major factor in this growth came with Newcrest awarding National Group a surface mining contract at its Cadia gold mine in central NSW in 2021.

National Group is supplying Newcrest with equipment such as Caterpillar 994K and 988K large wheel loaders, Caterpillar 793 dump

“We’ve got a market-leading fleet of equipment that’s current,” Pipiciello said. “So we’re able to offer what we believe is a value product or solution to the customer and expedite it.

“Our people want to work hard for National Group because of how the company has grown and expanded to what it is today.”

Yancoal has also recognised National Group’s excellence, recently awarding it a three-year mining services contract at the Moolarben coal operation in NSW.

National Group’s contract-mining arm – National Mining Services –will provide works including the safe pre-stripping of up to 15 million bank cubic metres of overburden each year at the Moolarben coal mine.

AUSTRALIANMINING 49

THE MOOLARBEN CONTRACT CONTINUES A STRONG PERIOD OF GROWTH FOR NATIONAL GROUP IN NSW.

As the Australian mining industry navigates heightened labour shortages, Pipiciello said National Group could promise Yancoal a committed and capable workforce.

“Hats off to the team we’ve got working for National Group, who have been able to do what they’ve done under challenging conditions,” he told Australian Mining.

The Moolarben contract continues a strong period of growth for National Group in the coal industry.

gold and copper deposits in the world.

National Group has supplied equipment for Anglo’s Capcoal operation for three years. The latest contract will double the volume of equipment the company supplies there and further expands its presence in the Bowen Basin.

As National Group continues to evolve, the company is not restricted by a specific commodity and looks at any greenfield site, expansion or mine closure as an opportunity.

To ensure he is always ahead of the curve, Pipiciello said he is constantly abreast of changing commodity prices and industry movements, anticipating when the next opportunity may arise.

National Mining Services will use National Group’s ultra-class mining equipment on the contract, including Liebherr R9800 excavators, Liebherr T282 dump trucks and other ancillary equipment. The contract will create 75-plus jobs.

Grimes said the contract was progressing well and praised his team members for their resilience, with inclement weather conditions affecting much of the NSW mining industry in recent months.

MINING SERVICES

“We’ve still got more gear to go in, so we’re not finished mobilising equipment, but the team has been outstanding so far.”

“I’m always looking for opportunities and keeping my

NEWCREST MINING AWARDED NATIONAL GROUP A SURFACE MINING CONTRACT AT ITS CADIA GOLD MINE IN 2021.

In January, Anglo American Australia extended an equipment contract with National Group for its two open-cut coal mines at its Capcoal operation in Queensland (Lake Lindsay and Oak Park).

ARE

Once installed, the systems are joined and the extra piping becomes a part of the original system.

MOST

“The tool can allow the installers to design the piping system because all of the equipment data is already known by the system, where it chooses the right size of pipe almost instantly,” Shallvey said. “Then it provides you with a Bill of Materials after you’ve finished the designing of it, which allows you to put a quote together.

AIRnet also has access to 20 design

“It’s an easy-to-use push-fit system.”

“A medium-to-large job would take an installer anywhere from three to four days to work out everything and submit that as a quote. The AIRnet planner that can do all of that in about three

HIGH-QUALITY COMPRESSED AIR IS VITAL IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, AND AIRNET’S PIPING SYSTEMS ENSURE THAT AIR GETS EXACTLY WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO.

he last couple of years have seen the AIRnet brand gain serious momentum in the Australian market. Owned by Atlas Copco, AIRnet is stocked in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth branches, as well as the main distribution point in Sydney.

“Being a modular system, it allows

“So if the business grows over time and they need to add more machines, it’s so easy to cut into the system, extend it, change or reroute it, without the use of any major tools because of the way that the couplings all fit together from 20–50mm.

way through to the service point of the air can be done by the one company, which provides greater continuity and ease for AIRnetcustomers.”aluminium fittings and pipes can be removed, reconfigured and reused to move with a company’s changing demands.

The AIRnet planner is a design tool – now available on the iPad –that enables a sales representative to design, visualise and create the Bill of Materials for total installation.

“Having that longevity within the industry of making these products for industry creates a huge amount of experience,” Shallvey said.

The company’s design technologies and innovations are based on technical expertise gained from Atlas Copco, which has more than 140 years of experience with pressurised air applications and equipment.

AUSTRALIANMINING 50 SEPTEMBER 2022 AIR COMPRESSORS

“A lot of research and development

“Thehours.aim is anyone with a bit of knowledge ... should be able to design a piping system relatively easily.”

Given some operations run 24 hours a day, they cannot function without compressed air for any period. In this case, the use of valves means the AIRnet system allows the required pipework section to be added without disrupting current infrastructure.

And the absence of complex tools, combined with the fact no welding, gluing, or crimping is required, makes life much easier for customers.

It uses integrated calculations for compressed air, vacuum and inert gases with a database of thousands of prebuilt and generic equipment models to help sales representatives simulate design as realistically as possible.

THE AIRNET BRAND HAS GAINED SERIOUS MOMENTUM IN THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET.

“It’scentres.amodular piping system to assist with the distribution of air from the compressor into a pipe network system which goes down and feeds whatever service is required – whether that’s a panel beater workshop, blow gun at a mechanic’s workshop, or a plasma or laser cutter in an engineering workshop,” AIRnet business development manager Phil Shallvey explained.“Beingownedby Atlas Copco, we can provide the customer with that complete turnkey solution. The supply of the air compressor all the

THE RIGHT PRESSURE AND FLOW

With uptime on a mine site so important, this flexibility has to be provided without disrupting operations.

From a design point of view, AIRnet’s research and development has ensured the product creates the least amount of resistance.

ALUMINIUM AIRNET PIPE AND FITTINGS PRESSURE-RATED AND SPECIFIED FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS.

AIRnet can save up to 70 per cent on installation time when compared to traditional piping systems – the previously complicated journey of designing and installing a piping system has been revolutionised by the AIRnet planner 2.0.

Aluminium AIRnet pipes and fittings are pressure-rated and specified for most industrial applications where standard compressed air is required, including nitrogen generation and rough vacuum installations.TheAIRnet system can be used to pressurise any machine process, product diverter apparatus, automation, and machining equipment, as well as common industrial air facilities like automotive assembly, distribution centres, loading docks, moulding, cabinet, furniture, and service and repair

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The VPA filters at the Kiunga plant are a critical part of the production process. Their purpose is to dewater the copper concentrate slurry and produce material that does not exceed the safe moisture-level limit for OTMLshipping.choseMetso Outotec to undertake a major audit of the equipment, covering key areas of the mechanical operation and automation of the VPA presses.

The upgrade was divided into two distinct stages.

THAN 30 PER CENT THROUGHPUT INCREASE.

The audit identified the key elements in developing the next level of sustainable and economical upgrades and refurbishments.

Some new items were required, such as the main beams, yokes, cylinders and supports, which were thenTheinstalled.finalupgrade component was the inclusion of a K1 panel that added greater control and human–machine interface to the plant.

The copper plant produces a coppergold concentrate which is then sent by pipeline to Kiunga Port, where it is dewatered and loaded into barges.

COLLABORATION IS KEY

METSO OUTOTEC WORKED OTML

WITH

Current mining exploration data indicates that there is nearly 800 million tonnes (Mt) of reserves available at the Ok Tedi site. The processing plant consists of two large parallel circuits where ore is milled through a series of stages before minerals are extracted through conventional flotation.

Significant investment in the plant’s future

OTML decided to proceed with the refurbishment of the units as part of its plant asset renewal (PAR) project. The PAR project is a progressive replacement and refurbishment program of the processing, dewatering and ship-loading facilities. It represents a significant investment by OTML into the future of the plant and will be implemented over two years.

TO IMPROVE VPA FILTER PERFORMANCE.

dismantling and removing the original equipment and relevelling the presses soleCertainplates.items, such as the fixed press head end and rear frame, were refurbished and reinstalled.

SPECIFICATIONS,

Two of the main pieces of equipment at the Kiunga plant are the pair of Metso Outotec VPA (Vertical Plate Airblow) dewatering filters.First installed in 2007 and considered workhorses in the process, by 2015 these two large machines were showing wear and tear, resulting in reduced performance and throughput, potential safety risks and requiring increased maintenance and spare parts.

Stage one of the upgrade was to bring the VPA presses back to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications. This included

AUSTRALIANMINING 52 SEPTEMBER 2022 MINING PERFORMANCE

Ok Tedi Mining (OTML) is a proudly 100 per cent PNGowned company, with a 67 per cent shareholding by the PNG Government. The remaining 33 per cent is held by the people of Western Province.

The Metso Outotec audit identified key elements in upgrading the VPA filters to optimise their performance.

Stage two of the upgrade is planned to take place in the future and will upgrade the hydraulic power units (HPUs) to NextGen HPUs, futureproofing the plant, reducing the HPU cycle time by an estimated 10 per cent and further increasing throughput.

The OTML and the Metso Outotec teams worked together very closely, with OTML responsible for the complex workaround preparation for additional cabling and other in-field components necessary to facilitate this control system at the site.

COMPLETED VPA UPGRADE, BACK TO OEM NOW DELIVERS MORE

THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OK TEDI MINING AND METSO OUTOTEC WAS VITAL IN IMPROVING THROUGHPUT AND MAINTENANCE AT A MINE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA.

he Ok Tedi mine is an open-pit copper and gold mine located in the Star Mountains in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The site was first drilled in 1968.

Fortunately, there had been extensive skills transfer during the first VPA upgrade, thus familiarising the OTML staff with the upgrade process. Weekly meetings were also held to collaborate on planning and to make sure requirements were met for the shutdown. Additional ad-hoc meetings were also held, dependent on the project stage and whatever expertise was required from the Metso Outotec team.

Following a request from OTML, a training package was also developed for a face-to-face training to be delivered in due course.

The first VPA unit was upgraded in January 2021, and the strong results prompted OTML to bring forward the second VPA upgrade to July 2021.

WHICH ADDED GREATER CONTROL AND HUMAN–MACHINEINTERFACE.

According to Wagambie, immediate results were visible since the completion of the refurbishment.

MINING PERFORMANCE

and fully equipped them with the latest in Metso Outotec’s VPA technologies. This included an upgraded control system and human–machine interface features that would future-proof the units in anticipation of further upgrades.

“These units are now processing 125 tonnes per hour with more than 24 hours’ slurry and no downtime,” he said.

By resolving the continuing maintenance issues and providing the latest technology, OTML now implements proactive and predictive maintenance for the filters, enabling reliable operations with the current set-up and into the future.

Metso Outotec remotely guided the OTML team in the step-by-step procedure for the removal of the older components and installation of the new ones. Extensive procedure documents were provided for OTML to reference, with further support from Metso Outotec experts on the phone to talk through the procedures.

K1 PANEL,

by OTML in developing its site competencies to top-level skills in VPA filter operation.

“We were having plant reliability issues since the filter units were ageing and the refurbishment project was timely,” Kiunga operations manager Dexter Wagambie said.

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projects in terms of input from Metso Outotec I have ever been involved with,” Metso Outotec site account manager James Walton said.

The second upgrade was hampered by travel challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the Metso Outotec team unable to travel to site, the work was performed by the OTML staff under guidance from Metso Outotec staff in Australia, South Africa, and Finland.

AUSTRALIANMINING 53 SEPTEMBER 2022

Future-proofed performing welland

The upgrade process brought the two VPA units back to OEM specification

Since the upgrade, Metso Outotec’s training and ongoing filter support have also helped with embedding the latest industry practices and procedures on-site.

OTML upskills staff during pandemic

“The units can produce 2850 tonnes per day. Prior to the overhaul, we were averaging 2152 tonnes per day.” AM

Isocyanates have been commonly used as a catalyst for polyurethane paints since 1952; however, it is only recently that the health risks associated with exposure have become clear. These risks can include longterm respiratory illnesses, allergic contact dermatitis, or skin and respiratory sensitisation.

MANY MACHINERY PAINTS CONTAIN TOXIC CHEMICALS

One of the many ways to ensure the longevity and durability of that equipment is painting the surface, but that process is not as straightforward as one might believe.

all, no mine can run at its best without properly functioning equipment.

A TOP-NOTCH TOPCOAT

“We have engineered the optimum formula that is suited to the harsh environment of the mining industry.”

AUSTRALIANMINING 54 SEPTEMBER 2022 MACHINERY

THAT CAN HARM WORKERS’ HEALTH.

“For the last 12 months, our research and development team have been working on the first isocyanatefree polyurethane coating, called Vitrethane 650,” A&I Coatings business development and customer satisfaction manager Bill Chesterfield told Australian Mining

In the Australian resources sector, corrosion is a constant threat to machinery, including from the often-harsh outside climate and the chemicals that come with being underground. But painting the machinery can come with its own risk to workers, as many paints contain harmful chemicals like isocyanates.

A&I COATINGS HAS DEVELOPED A BRAND NEW SOLUTION TO THE HARMFUL CHEMICALS OFTEN CONTAINED IN MACHINERY PAINT.

ining aconsiderationsmostisfunctionalityequipmentoneoftheimportantonminesite.After

The greatest risk to workers’ safety comes from direct exposure through physical contact or inhalation to isocyanates. While the proper training, supervision, and personal protective equipment (PPE) can limit the risk of exposure, health questionnaires and checks should also be completed every 6–12 months for workers who are commonly exposed.

Although some may think surfacepainting machinery like a truck is just a way to make the gear look nicer, mining equipment goes through a lot of unseen wear and tear and the right coat of paint can lengthen its lifespan.

But, as they say, prevention is better than cure and removing the harmful chemical altogether is best. Luckily, globally recognised Australian industrial coating manufacturer A&I Coatings has come up with a solution.

AUSTRALIANMINING 55 SEPTEMBER 2022

To ensure Vitrethane 650 works for all applications, the topcoat is available in an unlimited colour range, with colour, gloss retention and chemical resistance equal to that of a high-quality

“Asshould.these coatings break down, the integrity of the paint and the substrate is affected,” Chesterfield said.

MACHINERY

It’s no secret that mining conditions in Australia can be especially severe, thanks to the harsh climates in which sites are often situated. And given Australia is also home to some of the biggest mines and mining equipment found anywhere in the world, it’s important that care is taken to ensure gear remains in top condition.

Not only does Vitrethane 650’s durability help to ensure equipment longevity and worker health, but it also allows mine sites to continue to function at peak productivity, avoiding the higher levels of downtime that come with continuously re-painting machinery. Similarly, if a machine needed to be taken off-site to be repaired due to corrosion, this would incur more costs to the site.

“It also reduces workplace risks and negative health side-effects.”

Not only is Vitrethane 650 less harmful to those working with it, but it is also more sustainable and durable. Many companies are currently using coatings such as enamels, catalysed acrylics, or modified epoxies to reduce worker harm; however, these materials can be brittle and often have poor impact resistance.

Polyurethane coatings are popular in the mining sector, and with Vitrethane 650, A&I Coatings has ensured this can still be the case – but in a safer way.

In addition, Vitrethane 650 has a very low odour, which helps to reduce the concentration of contaminates in the air, further reducing the impact on air quality.

“By displaying the desired balance of mechanical properties, such as flexibility, impact-resistance, surface hardness, toughness and adhesion, Vitrethane 650 can go above the service requirements for a specific application and withstand adverse effects or damages.”

“This leads to a premature failure, exposing the equipment to corrosion attacks, an early onset of decay and a decrease in its ability to perform as it should.”

Users of Vitrethane 650 can expect the topcoat to function like any high-performing polyurethane, from chemical-, abrasion- and adhesionresistance to weathering performance and flexibility, all without endangering the workers’ health.

Vitrethane 650 is a premiumquality two-pack isocyanate-free polyurethane topcoat. By utilising full polyurethane technology, it is able to cure without the use of harmful chemicals, ensuring a safer and more durable coating.

A&I Coatings is a family-owned paint formulating and manufacturing business in New South Wales. By utilising its in-house testing capabilities, including blast and paint trialling, accelerated UV and corrosion chambers, and thermal shock testing, the company is in a prime position to introduce industry-leading paint products to the global mining sector.

“Vitrethane 650’s resistance to adverse damages such as reverse impact is critical to achieving the best value from the haul truck and the truck body.”

“Now companies can be assured that they can safety use a polyurethane coating and not have to compromise in the quality, while knowing that there is no risk of exposure to harmful chemicals,” Chesterfield said. AM

A&I COATINGS’ VITRETHANE 650 IS DESIGNED TO BE A SAFER SOLUTION TO MACHINERY PAINTING.

“Commonly used coatings such as modified epoxy have poor reverse impact (resistance), often shattering and delaminating on the outsides of the machine bodies from the impact of rock or other hard material falling into the tray,” Chesterfield explained.

“Vitrethanepolyurethane.650iscreating a pathway to a sustainable future for both the workplace and environment,” Chesterfield said.

These coatings are also less able to withstand atmospheric elements like acid rain, salt sulphates, or ultraviolet (UV) exposure, all of which can lead to an early breakdown of the coating and, in turn, expose the machinery to corrosion. In some cases, this may lead to a shortened machine lifecycle or a reduction in its ability to function as it

REGULAR PAINTING OF MINING MACHINERY CAN HELP ENSURE ITS LONGEVITY AND DURABILITY.

“We saw there was a need in the market for a high-performing and extremely durable coating that could withstand the harsh environment and did not contain isocyanates,” Chesterfield said.

And it is exactly these concerns that Vitrethane 650 is designed to address. The isocyanate-free polyurethane topcoat has been engineered to resist adverse impacts on a mine site,

all while reducing worker harm.

“It is both the Warman pumps technology and the Weir Minerals signature and unrivalled service that helps our lithium customers feel secure in the knowledge that they are only getting the best.”

Weir Minerals’ engineering teams work closely with field support staff and customers to ensure Warman pump designs are continuing to work as needed. It is also important for the company to make sure the pumps are fit for purpose and easy to maintain while performing at their best.

“Weir Minerals has continued to develop the Warman pump range by constantly advancing its hydraulic design and materials technology,”

“Through continuous efforts and collaboration, our team has ensured the pumps can handle the most abrasive slurries and arduous duties that exist in mining.”

A PUMP FOR EVERY OPERATION

But it is not just the after-sales service that customers can expect from the company. Installation, commissioning, upgrading, and troubleshooting are all handled by local support staff, and designated pump experts are on hand to provide a deeper breadth of knowledge.

This attention to detail has cemented Weir Minerals as an industry leader in the field.

As mining technology continues to evolve, so too does the equipment.

The more popular hard rock process involves recovering lithium from spodumene mineral, while lithium from brine involves evaporating lithium salts to access the mineral itself.

But regardless of the method, lithium mining is known to produce abrasive slurries, which can wreak havoc on pumps. These slurries are so difficult to pump because the small particles contained within can quickly wear down pumps and pipeline components.Thisiswhere Warman pumps from Weir Minerals can help.

Weir Minerals divisional director, centrifugal pump product management Elias Aho told Australian Mining.

Warman mill circuit (MC) pumps to withstand the highly abrasive nature of spodumene found in lithium mining,” AhoHardsaid.rock lithium mining might be the most popular method in Australia, but its extraction process can lead to some of the most abrasive slurries. This is because the ore is being crushed, pushed through screens, and thenLuckily,separated.Warman MC pumps have proven their worth in this process due to their outstanding wear life. Improving pumps’ wear life also has a beneficial impact on production by

“Even the most interesting challenges can be handled thoroughly and efficiently,” Weir Minerals divisional senior product manager Quinton Sutherland said.

“Incorporating our proprietary wear materials such as the

PUMPS

CMYCYMYCMYMCK

lmost half of the world’s lithium is produced in Australia, with the majority being mined in Western Australia. The critical mineral is used in a large variety of everyday things, from batteries to composites in glass and ceramics.Thereare two methods used in lithium mining: hard rock mining and lithium from brine.

“This allows superior service access for all Weircustomers.”Mineralsalso has a large manufacturing centre situated in Artarmon, NSW, which houses elastomer and machine shops, pump assembly, and the largest ferrous foundry in Australia.

THE WARMAN MILL CIRCUIT PUMPS TECHNOLOGY HAS PROVEN ITS STRENGTH BY IMPROVING THE WEAR LIFE OF EQUIPMENT IN HIGHLY ABRASIVE SPODUMENE PROCESSING.

Invented in 1938 by Charles Warman in Kalgoorlie, WA, Warman pumps have been designed for heavyduty work. Weir Minerals acquired Warman pumps in 1999 and has since

Like all mining equipment, the pumping machinery requires regular servicing and maintenance to ensure it can continue to perform. Weir Minerals takes care of this through its servicing centres.

AUSTRALIA’S LITHIUM RESOURCES NEED DURABLE PUMPS THAT PERFORM UNDER PRESSURE. WEIR MINERALS’ WARMAN PUMPS HAVE PROVEN THEY ARE UP TO THE CHALLENGE.

The lithium from brine method is most commonly used in North and South America.

DECADES OF EMPIRICAL OPERATIONAL AND WEAR DATA FROM THOUSANDS OF WARMAN PUMP INSTALLATIONS AROUND THE WORLD INFORM WEIR MINERALS’ R&D.

It is for this reason that Warman pumps remain at the forefront of pumpingDecadestechnology.ofempirical operational and wear data taken from global Warman installations has allowed the Weir Minerals team to continuously update the pumps to ensure they can perform at their peak.

Weir Minerals’ customers appreciate the level of service the company provides with its Warman pumps.

“The Australian lithium miners in Western Australia and the Northern Territory are serviced out of the Weir Minerals’ Perth SuperCentre or the Charles Warman Service Centre in Kalgoorlie,” Aho said.

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YOUR LOCAL VEHICLE RENTAL COMPANY

The WA900-8R’s automationmanageranddirectorefficiency.”weSummervilleaidapproachtheimprove productivity.also designedand semi-autonomousautonomousfeaturesaretohelpoperators“We’vegotauto-digandfillingofbucket,andwe’vegotsemi-autoanddumpsystemswhichinthetrainingofnewoperators,”said.“Soalongwiththetrainerseat,canreallyprogresstheoperator’sForMattLangbridge,Komatsu’s–miningandcrushing,MattRiley,Komatsu’sbusiness–miningandcrushing,technologiesalsoplayed a key role in their QME involvement.

“This class of machine is applicable to a lot of the mines in the Bowen Basin region.

underground mine.”LangbridgeandRiley said it was exciting to see people’s interest in

looking for apprenticeships come through,” Langbridge said.

“A lot of kids from Year 11 have an interest in what Komatsu can offer as far as apprenticeships going forward, and also what the products are and how miningLookingworks.”tothe second half of the year, Riley said a major priority for the company would be meeting commitments to its customers.

And the Komatsu WA900-8R wheel loader proudly on display was a perfect example.“Thisis our 100-tonne class wheel loader, which is fitted with a 21-cubicmetre coal bucket,” Komatsu national product manager – mining Mark Summerville told Australian Mining “QME was a perfect opportunity to showcase this model on the east coast.

Engineering Exhibition (QME) in Mackay, a town considered the gateway to the Bowen Basin coal mining reserves, the decisions on what equipment to bring were anything but arbitrary.

While acknowledging the labour and supply-chain issues that are affecting industries across the world – “people and parts” as Riley succinctly summed it up – the Komatsu team experienced QME with a positive outlook that can be seen throughout much of the mining

“We’ve got some big orders that we’ve taken in the last 12–18 months, so there’s some major customer deliveries, particularly in the Queensland region,” he said.

“We’ve really reduced the amount of labour hours taken to maintain this machine in the field.”

“We have to focus on hitting those deliveries and seeing those pieces of equipment ramp up to production.”

BRINGING OUT THE BIG GUNS

KOMATSU’S WA900-8R WHEEL LOADER WAS A HIT AT QME.

lives“We’veeasier.done a lot of things to improve maintenance access to the engine, serviceability requirements, maintainability of the radiator and cooling fan, with reduced change out time for major components,” Summerville said.

“The industry’s heading towards more automation and we’re showing off our latest Faceboss 2 remote control system, which is part of that pathway to complete automation in underground

“We’resector.sopleased to be back in

“The reaction has been really great,” Summerville said. “(We’ve had) a lot of comments about the improved maintainability of this machine versus the previous model.”

“It’s a really positive sign for the industry that there’s so much young interest in the mining industry, particularly at the Year 11 level.

KOMATSU CAME TO THE QUEENSLAND MINING EXPO WITH A STRONG UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL MINING

THE SIMULATOR ALLOWED PEOPLE TO FEEL THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING IN AN UNDERGROUND MINE.

AUSTRALIANMINING 58 MINING EQUIPMENT

“In terms of coal load out, a lot of people use this in their ROM (run of mine) loading applications, rejects and train loading. It’s a great machine forWiththat.”so many people from the surrounding coal mining operations passing through the exhibition across its three days, Komatsu proved it certainly knows its audience.

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“The size separation based on particle size is something that the industry has not really heard of when it comes to this efficient highcapacity finding and screening,” Jain told Australian Mining

value of any mining operation.

DERRICK’S GLOBAL TEAM CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT.

Having a strong focus and across product offerings as broad as iron ore, gold, mineral sand and lithium mining, Derrick Corporation has an integral role in the Australian

“Being able to increase the yield from screened material, and doing so effectively, aids in the future processing of the material as the time savings using our systems are passed directly to later processing stages.

considerable expertise with dry and wetDerrickmaterial.plays a vital role in beneficiation between the mine and mineral processing plant. Technical sales manager Amit Jain discussed the importance of the company’s stack screening equipment when working with ultra-fine material.

“We can screen down to 38 to 45 microns, which aids significantly in the sizing and classification of particles with regards to the method in which they are mined and ultimately improve the overall recovery and capacity of the plant.

VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON

“Additionally, our open area where the material is screened is very longlasting, remaining usable for over six months of use which, in addition to having production benefits in reducing downtime to replace, has

DERRICK IS SCREENED FOR SUCCESS

resourcesProvidingindustry.andservicing more than 270 screening installations across the country, Derrick is the premiere name when it comes to ultra-fine screening of particulate, boasting

AUSTRALIANMINING 60 SEPTEMBER 2022 MATERIAL SCREENING

ptimised efficiency and maximisingismaterialrecoveryimprovedinscreeningimperativetothe

DERRICK SHIPPING DEPARTMENT, BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DERRICK CORPORATION IS STAYING AT THE TOP OF THE GAME WHEN IT COMES TO WET AND DRY MATERIAL SCREENING.

“And provided that we’re told whether dry or wet screening is required and what is being screened for, we can deliver the most fit-forpurpose screen to ensure there is as little misplacement as possible and also give them an efficient product.”

“Dry screening comes with its own issues, as the air is the medium for the screening so it comes down to the customer’s ability to keep the material dry, which can always be variable, and if exposed to moisture can result in lowered rates of screening.

“The vibrating motor that facilitates the screening of material is built to work in a specific way that meshes with the screens and machines that we provide, as it’s made by us,” Jain said.

“It’s built with low power consumption in mind and, like all our products, is low maintenance, as it has self-lubricated bearings.

“Depending on the particle size that is being screened, there are different challenges and different requirements of the screens, and to that end we can provide a solution that is suited to the customer,” Jain said.

“We have low misplacement across all of our screens.

company’s stack models saves on installation costs and, given the fact a single piece of Derrick-made equipment can replace multiple other screening machines ,lowers the environmental impact of having several machines made and running at the same time.

“Being able to turn the machine on and push maintenance to the back of your mind is something we see as really valuable, as being user-friendly and enabling our customers to get the most out of the recovery of their material is what we want to provide to our customer base.”

Similarly, the screens through which the minerals are separated are long-lasting and need to be replaced at a lesser rate due to the nature of how they work with the vibrating motor to screen the material Derrick Corporation is looking to the future with developments

AUSTRALIANMINING 61 SEPTEMBER 2022

environmental benefits in limiting the amount of needed screen replacements.”Alargepartof the success Derrick enjoys comes from the focus on the key components of its screening equipment: the vibrating motor, the screen media, and the machine itself.

The screening systems offered by Derrick Corporation don’t need a large amount of training to operate. The required information is contained within the operating manual included with each system.

“The water plays a significant role in mineral screening, as it is the medium that the material is screened through and allows the mineral to be screened more quickly and effectively than it can through the air.

Being able to incorporate multiple screening media into one machine has resulted in the creation of the StackSizer and SuperStack, which incorporate five and eight screening decks, respectively. These innovations operate with significant efficiency in minimal space.

The commitment to quality and service in designing and manufacturing the machines themselves is a large part of the reliability and efficiency of the screening products.

DERRICK EIGHT-DECK SUPERSTACK WET SIZING SCREEN

AUSTRALIAN DERRICK STACKSIZER INSTALLATION

to refine its existing screening technology and develop dry screening technology that has applications for specific“Currently,materials.about 75 to 80 per cent of our installations are wet screening, as they are more efficient than dry screening,” Jain said.

“But we have solutions to solve them from our end and are currently in development to create largecapacity dry screening solutions for materials and particles which need to be kept Deliveringdry.” solutions that are effective and provide benefits beyond screening capabilities in increased sustainability and lowered environmental impact, Derrick Corporation has the tools and expertise to improve efficiency and optimise mineral screening operations across the resources sector.

Additionally, each system is manufactured and assembled by Derrick Corporation itself, minimising the risk of improper installation on-site. The company also maintains a global customer team that can provide virtual and in-person support.Derrick has maintained a strong focus on fine material screening expertise throughout the company’s history, with significant investment in research and development helping it stay ahead of the market.

Derrick Corporation manufactures and assembles its patented products from a location in Buffalo, New York, before shipping the assembled products to the rest of the world.

MATERIAL SCREENING

The efficiency that Derrick Corporation supplies pays dividends in not just the end result of the screening, but also in the costs associated with running and installing theThemachines.high-capacity nature of the

“From start to finish you’re probably looking at about 15 to 20 minutes.”

Eight models of the ABC backstop are available with nominal torque ratings of up to 295,000 Newton metres (Nm).

“This was the process for deciding to add a low-speed spragtype backstop to the market while retaining the quality that the Altra Motion–Marland brand is renowned for and making the unit more pricecompetitive,” Sinclair said.

“We’ve also got our bearing supported with two deep-groove ball bearings.“Andthis particular backstop has got a larger bore-to-torque capacity than other units in the market, as well as a narrow design so it can fit into a smaller envelope.“It’sacompact backstop that will fit in most places.”

THE NEW BACKSTOP IS THE RESULT OF GOING DIRECT TO CUSTOMERS TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY WANT.

That’s why Altra Motion implemented one of its ‘voice of customer’ surveys to determine exactly what they wanted when developing the new backstop.

COMPACT AND STRONG

“Voice of the customer is a key part of our Altra business systems, involving the customer in all stages of design, development and conditioning.”Itwasthiscompany ethos that led to the new backstop.

A collaboration between Altra’s brands, the Marland ABC sprag-type 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.

drain the oil, put the fresh oil in and a new breather, and it’s done.

According to Altra, this unit has the industry’s highest peak torque combined with the largest bore capacity for its length.

The compact design combined with its level of strength is perhaps what most sets the Altra Motion – Marland ABC sprag-type backstop apart from others on the market.

“It’s surprising how much torque it

Also chief among the new backstop’s features is the fact it’s oil-filled, rather than grease-filled, which makes for considerably easier maintenance.

ALTRA MOTION WENT DIRECTLY TO ITS CUSTOMERS TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANTED BEFORE DEVELOPING AND MANUFACTURING THE NEW MARLAND ABC SPRAG-TYPE BACKSTOP.

AUSTRALIANMINING 62 SEPTEMBER 2022 MINING EQUIPMENT

ALTRA MOTION NATIONAL SALES MANAGER REX SINCLAIR (LEFT) AND GLOBAL MARKET DIRECTOR – MINING JON COOKSLEY (RIGHT) LAUNCH THE BACKSTOP AT QME.

“There’s an incorrect market perception that Altra is a distributor, not a manufacturer and service provider,” he said during at the launch the recent Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME).

One of the key aspects of the new backstop, according to Cooksley, is the fact it’s grown out of Altra Motion’s existing technology.

“We’ve also optimised the seal design with double-edge sealing, and greased the labyrinth to protect the sealing in the tough mining conditions,” Sinclair told Australian Mining

“It’s very much a part of the Altra philosophy to listen to the customer,” Altra Motion global market director –mining Jon Cooksley told Australian Mining at the launch.

Altra Motion national sales manager Rex Sinclair wanted to clear up a misconception about the company.

“With a grease-filled one, when it comes off you have to strip the backstop completely. It’s a major strip (to put in fresh grease),” Sinclair explained.“Whereas this new backstop can

“It’s narrower for the size of backstop that it is,” Cooksley said.

“It’s a new concept backed by the voice of the customer, but all of the sprag designs … are something that’s evolved in technology over the last 30 or 40 years,” he said.

The new features don’t stop there.

hen speaking at the recent global launch of the new typeABCMarlandsprag-backstop,

“Altra Motion is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and service provider.”

And part of being an OEM, as Sinclair made clear, is investing in research and development “to meet the ever-changing needs and requirements of our customers”.

“Having it completely oil-filled, having optimised seal designs so it’s running a lot cooler, and the compact design as well is all really significant.”

AVL’s decades of experience have provided a wealth of knowledge about the potential stressors associated with fleet leasing.

WITH FLEXIBLE OPTIONS, AUS VEHICLE LEASING IS A ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR FLEET LEASING.

Leasing (AVL), customers can be reassured that their fleet needs are being taken care of as the company works to take away the stress and guesswork of vehicle leasing.

“We have been in business for well over 40 years which has allowed us to build a wealth of experience in the industry,” leasing manager Rebecca Roberts told Australian Mining. “We run well over 3000 vehicles at any one time throughout the state.”

GIVING FLEETS A NEW LEASE ON LIFE

This means that, in the event of an accident or emergency, customers have the freedom to choose a service location that’s convenient to them so they can get back on the road sooner.

“We are totally flexible because we can offer servicing and maintenance at our various workshop locations across the state,” Roberts said.

“The lessee can also choose to manage their own serviceing if required and provide us with a copy of the records along the way.”

The AVL team offers individualised support every step of the way. Its services include a range of flexible fleet leasing products supported by parent company AUS Fleet Solutions (AFS) group, which owns a Europcar franchise in WA.

ehicle leasing is necessary across a wide range of industries, and the mining sector is no exception.WithAUS Vehicle

AFS has 13 locations all around WA including five servicing workshops in the Pilbara region and one in the goldfields, meaning its fleet leasing solutions are perfect for those working on remote WA mine sites.

AUS VEHICLE LEASING PROVIDES SOLUTIONS FOR A RANGE OF CUSTOMER NEEDS.

The wider AUS Fleet Solutions Group takes pride in offering services that can elliviate leasing pains. In conjunction with AFS, AVL can provide vehicle servicing throughout the entire life of the lease with their onsite mechanical service business AUS Mechanical Services. The business can also provide smash repairs with their business AUS Smash Repairs at the end of the lease to minimise fair wear and tear

AUSTRALIANMINING 64 SEPTEMBER 2022 VEHICLE LEASING

AUS VEHICLE LEASING, A PART OF THE AUS FLEET SOLUTIONS GROUP, IS A ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR VEHICLE LEASING IN WA.

The backing of Europcar and AFS allows AVL to be able to offer a complete lifecycle leasing model from purchase stage through to allocation, build and support.

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Examples show that by injecting oxygen of one per cent of the amount of the air into the combustion air line for the flame (meaning oxygen concentration in the combustion air increases from 21 per cent to 22 per cent), the theoretical adiabatic flame temperature is expected to rise by approximately 50°C.

Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. AM

By dissolving industrial-quality oxygen into the pre-oxidation and cyanide leaching circuit in the most appropriate way, Air Liquide’s customers can expect a more optimised gold recovery process and a more efficient use of chemicals.

FLOWCHART OF THE GOLD LEACHING PROCESS.

Jet injectors are designed to inject oxygen into highly dense slurries with seamless installation. They are made of spring-based valves that generate and inject small oxygen bubbles underneath the impeller in the reaction tank. Stirring power helps reduce their size further and increase the reactivity of oxygen.

s the global demand for gold continues to increase Australia,economicgeopoliticalamidanduncertainty,withthe

HOW OXYGEN CAN DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN GOLD MINING PROCESSES

4 Au + 8 NaCN + O2 +2 H2O = 4 NaAu(CN)2 + 4 reactionairConventionally,NaOHcompressedisusedtoacceleratecyanide’swithgoldores.However, Air Liquide offers pure oxygen to inject into the ore slurry for pre-oxidation and cyanide leaching to maximise productivity and gold recovery from increasingly complex ores.

Compared with air, the use of pure oxygen, along with Air Liquide’s technology, can be expected to increase gold recovery (e.x. +2

The key objective of the leaching process is to transfer as much gold as possible from its bearing minerals into the aqueous solution that includes cyanide and oxygen to maximise recovery efficiency.

The most common method to inject oxygen into the combustion air is through the use of an oxynator, which is attached to the combustion air pipe to homogeneously introduce oxygen into the relatively larger pipe as Therequired.useof oxygen for combustion also has the advantage of reducing exhaust gases. To increase the production amount of processing in the limited space of a furnace, power would typically need to be increased and a significant quantity of air would have to introduced.

PROCESSING66

However, with gold generally becoming more difficult and expensive to process due to the diminishing quality of ore, mining companies are seeking further production efficiencies to remain competitive.Oxygen,supplied by Air Liquide, can play a significant role in improving productivity in two specific gold mining processes: ‘oxygen enrichment’ for the roasting of refractory gold ore; and ‘oxygen injection’ into the stirring tank reactor for gold leaching.

Lessons from parallel industrial combustion processes, such as electric arc furnaces for steel, cupola furnaces for iron, and melting furnaces for glass, show the significance of oxygen usage for increasing efficiencies.

Gas injection into liquid for gold leaching process

The consistent benefits for these industries in taking advantage of oxygen in their combustion processes include reduced start-up times, increased processing speeds and reduced cold spots.

However, the introduction of a large amount of air can be challenging depending on the combustion limit of the furnace space. Therefore, by introducing oxygen and reducing the amount of air equivalent to the amount of oxygen, it is possible to keep the required temperature and reduce the amount of exhaust gases at the same time.

Oxygen enrichment for gold roasting processes

AUSTRALIANMINING

In the gold mining process, gold extraction takes place in the processes whereby the slurry of gold-bearing ores concentrates generatedand/orby mineral processing under the leaching process – in the stirred tank reactor at atmospheric pressure.

per cent to +5 per cent increase), decrease in cyanide consumption (e.x. -10 per cent to -25 per cent decrease), increase in throughput (gold recovery rate) and benefits in downstream cyanide adsorption efficiency.Toincrease gold recovery by optimising oxygen and chemical (cyanide) through the injection of pure oxygen efficiently, Air Liquide offers customers two main types of oxygen dissolution solutions –inline injectors and jet injectors – depending on each customer’s specificInlineneeds.injectors are designed to boost the reactivity of oxygen with the ore with enhanced metal recovery and low energy requirements.Reactivityis increased through the contact time and the higher shear forces that lead to smaller oxygen bubbles and more surface area for the reaction. They are installed on the main slurry line upstream from the leaching circuit or side-stream on the stirred tank reactors.

In the latter configuration, the recirculation flow rate is a multiple of the slurry throughput. The slurry and cyanide (if any) make contact with the oxygen as many times as necessary to increase the amenability of gold to cyanide leaching.

WITH GOLD BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE TO PROCESS, AIR LIQUIDE HAS SOLUTIONS THAT CAN IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY.

largest known share of gold resources in the world, is producing the precious metal at record levels.

Considering some gold ore will be double refractory during the roasting process, it is critical to roast the ore at very high temperatures to reduce sulphur and organic content and increase gold recovery in downstream processes.

AUSTRALIANMINING 68 SEPTEMBER 2022 GOLD

• T he close partnership with the Burnett Mary Regional Group in south-east Queensland is now extending to help develop Elliot Heads Wetlands, Research Centre

EVOLUTION MINING VICE-PRESIDENT OF SUSTAINABILITY FIONA MURFITT.

“If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is that through collaboration, by coming together, we can solve big problems,” Murfitt said.

“This ambition includes the health, safety and wellbeing of our people, those who live in our communities where we operate, and the protection of our planet, too.”

The miner also recently approved three shared value projects in partnership with local community •groups:Therelationship the Gidarjil Development Corporation at Mt Rawdon, Queensland, where the Murra Wolka Art Project involved the creation of infrastructure to enable Evolution’s Indigenous partners to take ownership of the Murra Wolka Creations

“Our aim is for our people to be inspired and to call their time at

ESTABLISHED IN 2011, EVOLUTION MINING HAS RISEN TO BECOME A LEADING GLOBAL GOLD MINER THAT INTEGRATES SUSTAINABILITY INTO EVERYTHING IT DOES, INSPIRING PEOPLE TO BE AT THEIR BEST.

A key to Evolution’s focus on sustainability is the company’s ability to unlock the potential of its people through leadership and developing protective behaviours via a collective leadership approach.

As sustainability is integrated into every aspect of the company, its people remain at its heart.

LAUNCH OF THE GALARI AGRICULTURAL COMPANY AT THE COWAL GOLD OPERATION IN NSW.

“We want our entire business to understand and support the holistic wellbeing of people we hold a social licence with, especially considering the ongoing impacts of theEvolutionpandemic.”views its external stakeholders as integral in terms of sustainability, particularly given the close ties it has forged within the communities in which it operates.

volution Mining is an Australian gold mining company with five wholly-owned assets, Cowal in New South Wales, Mungari in Western Australia, Mt Rawdon and Ernest Henry in Queensland, and Red Lake in Ontario, Canada.

Over the last decade and since its initial resource at Mt Carlton, Evolution has evolved into one of the world’s best-value gold producers.

“Imagine if we can create a workplace where people go home even better than how they arrived at work – where people feel they have a voice, can contribute and thrive,” she said.

Another important partner is the relationship with the Gold Industry Group, which is deeply engaged in activities within Australia’s gold industry, primarily focused on education, community and employment.Asamember-based organisation, the Gold Industry Group represents producers such as Evolution Mining, and the company values the association.“Inpartnership we strive to support the building of stronger sustainable futures, and aim to enhance economic sustainability and wellbeing in regional areas in line with our vision and values,” Murfitt said.

It maintains ongoing efforts on health and safety performance across all operations by delivering reliable and robust controls, increased field leadership and high-quality safety interactions.

Focused on sustainability Evolution integrates sustainability into everything it does.

Established in November 2011 by executive chair and founder Jake Klein and a small management team, Evolution Mining’s vision has been to create a premier global gold company that is focused on its values: safety, accountability, excellence and respect.

Regardless of its growth or success, working to ensure sustainability, including the health and safety of people, has been an overriding focus since Evolution’s inception.

Evolution Mining’s vice-president of sustainability Fiona Murfitt described the company’s their ambition.

INSPIRING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

• A partnership with the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation, based near Evolution’s Cowal Gold Operation in NSW, saw the launch of the Galari Agricultural Company, which will see local young people trained to operate a sheep livestock and wool production business.

Sustainability can mean different things to different people. At Evolution, the portfolio covers health, safety, environment, (including the management of climate-related risks), First Nation engagement, and social responsibility. This supports communities for those who live and work near Evolution operations.

Its sustainability performance is measured across the operations in Australia and Canada, in line with its commitment to values and transparency.HowEvolution defines sustainability relates to its valuesdriven approach, creating measurable value for stakeholders through safe and reliable, low-cost gold production in an environmentally and socially responsible way.

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The abilities the Australian METS sector brings to these challenges are highly sought after, as Vineet Jaiswal, leader of the Centre of Excellence at Vedanta Limited, said when discussing the partnership with“WeAustmine.aredelighted to see this alliance take place, as Austmine is a great platform to help crowdsource innovation and connect to the best of brains across the world for opportunities available across Vedanta group,” he said.

BRINGING AUSTRALIAN METS SOLUTIONS TO INDIA

Discussing the co-operation between the companies, Austmine’s director of international Business Dr Robert Trzebski highlighted the benefits the partnership has beyond the companies directly involved.

THE PARTNERSHIP HAS BENEFITS BEYOND THE COMPANIES DIRECTLY INVOLVED.

The partnership between Austmine and Vedanta aims to connect Australian METS suppliers to resolve critical challenges, drive operational excellence and champion world-best industry practices.

Vedanta seeks to present changes to the sector on a global scale.

(METS) network of Austmine in Australia and Vedanta’s drive for technology excellence and innovation,” he said.

Reducing the net carbon consumption (NCC) in the potline at the Vedanta Limited Jharsuguda (VLJ) smelter, and reducing the risks, impacts, and occurrence of communication gaps in the underground mining operation at the Rampura Agucha Mine (RAM) are the listed goals for the challenges, each being provided with previously trialled solutions and requirements for successful solutions.

“We are very pleased to see this MoU in place, as it paves the way for great synergy between our two entities, combining the mining equipment, technology and services

AUSTRALIANMINING 70 SEPTEMBER 2022 METS

“Our collaboration will allow Australian METS solutions to connect with the Indian mining industry and address challenges around world-class standards of governance, safety, sustainability and social Jharsuguda,thetheseekpower,ironhave interestsResourcesseparatetheIndustry,asChallengeCouncil,supportedMiningDeliveringresponsibility.”theAustralia–IndiaInnovationProgram,bytheAustralia–IndiaandtheGlobalMining–Indiaprogram,aswelltheAustralianDepartmentofScienceandResources,partnershiphasbegunwithtwoopen-innovationchallenges.BothfocusedonVedantaoperations–whichinzinc-lead-silver,ore,steel,copper,aluminium,oilandgas–thechallengestosolveproblemspresentatRampuraAguchaMineandaluminiumplantlocatedatOdisha.

AUSTMINE AND VEDANTA HAVE COME TOGETHER TO DEFINE A FUTURE FRAMEWORK AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR COOPERATION IN DELIVERING THE AUSTRALIA–INDIA MINING INNOVATION PROGRAM AND THE GLOBAL MINING CHALLENGE –INDIA PROGRAM.

“The METS capabilities of Austmine’s membership network will be a complement to Vedanta’s

Solving sustainableAustralia’schallenges,open-innovationgainingaccesstotransformativeandtechnologies,and driving

Through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that outlines the partnership between the two companies, there is scope to solve open-innovation challenges by utilising the platform Austmine maintains in addition to the technological aptitude and environmental, social and governance (ESG) focus of Vedanta.

ushing for great change in innovation in the Austminepartnershipindustry,miningthebetweenand

quest for transformation across environment, communities, governance, workforce and other business functions.”

disruptive potential that will create a large-scale impact on global ESG issues are key objectives of the MoU.

The purpose of these challenges is to link Australian METS companies with export opportunities and supply needs of India’s largest mining organisations to facilitate growth in both Australia and India Austminemarkets.andVedanta are proud to provide advice, training and support for Australian METS companies with an interest in the Indian mining market.

OUR BRIGHTER FUTURE

www.minovaglobal.com/apac

With years of investment and management experience in a range of industries and sectors, Aurelius will employ its management capabilities and the necessary ﬁnancial resources to invest in product innovation, sales, and research to grow Minova. The new ownership will bring further focus and capital to support our exciting plans, sustaining Minova’s position and continuing growth in the hard rock and infrastructure sectors, for ground support solutions.

Minova’s acquisition by the Aurelius Group will actively support the ongoing innovation across our product portfolio in our core mining and infrastructure markets in the coming years

the industrials sector.

• Sarah Coleman – idoba

he Women in Industry Awards are an invaluable opportunity to celebrate the achievedleadership,commitment,andsuccessbywomenacross

The awards exist to celebrate not just the nominees, but all women who are driving change in these industries. Finalists for the 2022 awards have now been announced.

SuccessBusinessfinalists:DevelopmentoftheYear

AUSTRALIANMINING 72 SEPTEMBER 2022 WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

“(Awardsin industry.likethese) are important so we can celebrate our successes. However, we still need to have difficult conversations about education, bias, assumptions and missed opportunities for women in industry,” she said.

Excellence in Construction

• Lina Goodman – Tyre

Categories range from safety and advocacy to excellence in manufacturing, transport, engineering, and mining.

• Julie Piccinin – BAE Systems Australia

• Kari Banick – Linfox

• A nika Talukder – BAE Systems Australia

The 2022 awards, to be held in Sydney on September 8, are sponsored by Atlas Copco, Weir Minerals, and Komatsu. Commenting on the awards, Komatsu expressed pride in its “Komatsusponsorship.isproudto once again be a sponsor of the Women in Industry Awards to celebrate the successes of the incredible women working in our industry,” the company said.

• Saasha Callaghan – OLEOLOGY

Safety Advocacy

• Emma Muller – Horizon United Group AM

• Jacky Magid – Uncle Charlie’s Cookies

• Brenda Denbesten – BHP

• Louise Adams – Aurecon

“We know we will have succeeded when women are represented 50 per cent top to bottom. I urge all of us … to use our profiles and our influence to be role models and to be champions for the amazing women who are joining our industries and professions.”Anadvocate for female representation, Evans sits on multiple boards and committees that aim to advance Australian innovation and manufacturing capability.

• Gina Rinehart – Hancock Prospecting

• Jane La Nauze – Stantec Australia

THE WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AWARDS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRIALS SECTOR. THE AWARDS CELEBRATE NOT JUST THE NOMINEES, BUT ALL WOMEN WHO ARE DRIVING CHANGE INDUSTRY.IN

Rising Star of the Year

• Emma Muller – Horizon United Group

Excellence in Engineering

Mentor of the Year

• Rebecca Healy – Boxhead Plastics

• Michelle (Nikki) Cowper – Viva Energy Australia

• Stacey Davies – Daimler Truck and Bus

• Te Ana Goeree – Viva Energy Australia

• Sarah Stante – CaSE

• Sarah Marshall – Fulton Hogan

“Women bring alternative viewpoints and experiences to a business, which often fosters creativity and change. Yet the career pathway for women can be quite challenging, especially in an industry that is not highly represented by women,” Ashfield said.

Industry Advocacy

Stewardship Australia

• Deb Scown – Ampol

Social Leader of the Year

• Annastasia Denigan – Qube

Excellence in Manufacturing

• Yvette Mihelic – John Holland

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2022 WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AWARDS

“The Women in Industry Awards give an opportunity to highlight key aspects and career defining moments of your many years of success and dedication.”

Excellence in Mining

• Priya Perera – Department of Transport

• Joanne Jeffs – Fulton Hogan

• Nina McHardy – Fulton Hogan

• Sarah Vogler - United Carriers

The 2022 Women in Industry Awards

Engineers Australia chief executive officer Bronwyn Evans was named Woman of the Year at the 2021 awards. She said more still needs to be done to increase the number of women

• Kelsey Smith – Roy Hill

• Maria Ruiz – ABB Australia

AWARDS

• A nne-Laure Saluden – Transdev Sydney Ferries

• Frances Ross – Ross Transport

Excellence in Transport

• Joana Feiteira – Transdev Sydney Ferries

• Felicity Hall – CJC Management

“All nominees and winners are making their workplaces and communities a better place for future generations which closely aligns to our core values at Komatsu.”

• Biljana (Billie) Stanic – Martinus

• Sage Hahn – Bio Gro

• Barbara Pitsos – Fulton Hogan

OUTSTANDING WOMEN AND THEIR

• Danielle Bull – WesTrac

• Jessica Ansell – Close the Loop Group

• A mbrin Naaz Begum – M-Power Software

THE RECOGNISE ACHIEVEMENTS ACROSS A RANGE OF INDUSTRIES.

Rachael Ashfield, the 2021 Women in ambassador, describedIndustrythe awards as an opportunity to highlight defining moments in many of the nominees’ careers.

• Helen Tower – Seqirus

• Maria Hill – Hitachi Rail

JSG Industrial Systems | jsgindustrial.com | 1300 277 454 Quality Engineered Systems Lubrication Management | Flow Management | Fire Suppression Increase oil service life up to 5 times + with OCU (Oil Conditioning Unit) &ProductivityImproveMachineup time

OCU (Oil Conditioning Unit) is an electrically operated oil cooling, filtering and pumping unit that protects gearboxes and bearings. The SKF OCU removes contamination effectively and reduces oil temperature to improve productivity and machine life. Three different OCU models are available, with air cooler, with water cooler and without cooler where only filtration is needed. For extremely high oil volumes several OCU units can be installed back to back for fail safe redundant operation. A number of corrosion-resistant designs are also available for outdoor and off-shore applications.

Our strength comes from high-quality distribution partners who manage installation, service, technical support & training nationwide. As you plan for the future, let our experience guide your success.

SKF JSGSystemsLubricationDistributorIndustrialSystems

Crusader Hose has been manufacturing layflat hose for over 36 years and, in consultation with industry, knows reliable reeling systems reduce the required workforce and assist in supporting occupational health and safety Crusaderobligations.Hose’s mine dewatering solutions are Australian-made in Victoria.

• It addresses elimination, which is the most effective tier of the hierarchy of controls

The Bayswater Mobile Hose Crate 1600 reeling system is ready to assist in handling temporary, flexible pipelines, making it ideal for progressive mining companies eager to embrace the many benefits of layflat hose technology.

Tested and proven on large oil spills worldwide, this technology has now been designed to suit workplace-sized systems.

Benefits of CRC SmartWasher bioremediation technology:

Fabricated for the rapid deployment and retrieval of layflat hose, this reeling system has two off 1600mm diameter reels mounted within a crate, with each independent reel able to handle up to 100m of eight-inch hose and accommodates 200m capacity per crate.

• Its water-based fluid is constantly cleaned by microbes, promoting long-lasting performance while reducing the waste stream

• www.crusaderhose.com.au

Technology ensures nothing stays the same for too long in any industry, and the resources sector is no exception.

PROTECT YOUR TEAM AND THE ENVIRONMENT WITH BIOREMEDIATION

Crusader Hose has developed an innovative hose reeling system to manage large-diameter flexible layflat hose.

PRODUCTS

IDEAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FROM ATLAS COPCO GENERATOR

Bioremediation technology is much simpler than it sounds with the CRC SmartWasher. A closed-loop system is created where naturally occurring microbes are introduced to the fluid via filter mats. As the system is being used, microbes do the dirty work in cleaning the fluid, so it can be used time and What’stime again.more, there is no expensive hazardous waste haulage with this product, as contaminants are turned into non-toxic by-products to less than 1/100th the waste volume of traditional solvent parts washers.

• It’s better for you, the workplace and the environment

• T he reliance on personal protective equipment (PPE) is significantly reduced, as there are no harsh chemicals used

The CRC SmartWasher uses bioremediation technology that is designed to eliminate nearly all of the harmful waste typically produced from using a traditional solvent parts washer.

• T he need for stringent chemical hazard operating guidelines is greatly reduced

• No hazardous waste produced, eliminating expensive chemical haulage

• blackwoods.com.au

INNOVATIVE HOSE REELING SYSTEM FROM CRUSADER HOSE

AUSTRALIANMINING 74 SEPTEMBER 2022

The CRC SmartWasher has now been fully designed to suit workplace-sized Insystems.thepast, solvent parts washers have been effective and efficient in cleaning workshop parts, but there is now a cleaner, greener, and safer alternative that offers customers lower operating costs.

Blackwoods stocks the full range of CRC SmartWasher products.

The Atlas Copco 250 kVA Generator with 51.4L/h (100 per cent load) fuel consumption is ideal when you need an efficient solution and your application load varies. Providing power for long-term projects on remote sites, the QAS250 diesel generator is a high-quality heavy-duty industrial generator. Built tough, it can be used as a permanent source of power or moved regularly to where it’s needed; whether that be a few metres or hundreds of kilometres, users can be assured of easy, safe movement capabilities and guaranteed performance, even in the harshest conditions. The QAS250 is ideal for sites requiring a semi- permanent installation that can be upgraded or downgraded. Anyone looking for an efficient solution will find the QAS250 to be ideal. Contact the team at Atlas CEA to find out more.

• atlascea.com.au

The power pack-equipped trailer-mounted designed Bayswater 1600 has quick-connect couplers and free-spool capability.

cpcompressors.com.au

Learned on more than 1300km of drill core from a wide variety of geological settings and 130,000 related geochemical assays, the CoreSmart Predictor has proven its capabilities to map copper grades directly over outcrops.

TUF FOR HIGH MINING PRODUCTIVITY

Verifications in Mongolia with excessive ground sampling and a specifically developed test field showed that up to 95 per cent of the predicted high grades of copper above 3500 parts per million (ppm) have been predicted correctly.

The optimised bolting unit with reduced feed length enables reduced drive sizes while retaining the same bolt lengths used previously.

Chicago Pneumatic has introduced the new 16 bar compressor for the laser-cutting industry, which has brand-new cut through technology.

Epiroc is leading the charge towards sustainable mining with the Boltec M, a fully mechanised bolting rig with battery driveline.

THE CORESMART PREDICTOR REDEFINES EXPLORATION

Hardox 500 Tuf wear plate is the latest upgrade in the Hardox range, delivering exceptional strength, hardness and toughness in a single wear Itplate.has a hardness level of 500 HBW (Hardness Brinell Wolfram) for high wear resistance and thanks to its superior resistance to wear and dents, mining equipment will last longer and need less maintenance. This wear steel is so tough it can double as a structural material in heavyduty mining dump bodies and buckets.

MINING 75 SEPTEMBER 2022 PRODUCTS INTRODUCING CHICAGO PNEUMATIC’S 16 BAR

Key features include 16 bar outlet pressure, dew point controlled dry air, high-efficiency coalescence filtration and activated carbon filter for clean oil.

As the CoreSmart Predictor can be applied to hyperspectral data from aircrafts and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) in greenfield exploration, it was used in an airborne campaign in the southern Yilgarn Craton over more than 500 square kilometres.

Using the CoreSmart Predictor in ground exploration works reduces efforts on surface geochemistry, identifies exploration targets and improves the timeline of explorations.

• coresmart.services

Compared to traditional buckets with heavy wear packages, a bucket or dipper made in Hardox 500 Tuf is wear resistant, tough and gives a longer service life with fewer add-on wear parts. It can achieve 30–50 per cent longer service life over Hardox 450, and 85–100 per cent longer service life compared to a 400 Brinell steel or other generic AR steel.

COMPRESSORHARDOX500

MAKING MINING SAFE WITH THE BOLTEC M BATTERY

•

the power of the laser cutting machine, the type of auxiliary gas, the pressure, and the flow rate of auxiliary gas.

Capable of handling most bolt types between 1.5–3.5m, including friction, inflatable, mechanically anchored and rebar bolts, the Boltec M is among the most advanced and productive fully mechanised rock-bolting machines in its size class.

The Boltec M series machines share a common four-wheel-drive articulated carrier design with their Simba mining and exploration (M&E) and Boomer M&E stablemates which ensures easy maintenance due to an open service

Laser cutting uses a focused high-power and high-density laser beam to irradiate work pieces, so that the material at the irradiated place will melt, vaporise, or cuttingcuttingaffectingTheblow away.mainfactorsmetallaserthicknessandefficiencyare

With high outlet pressure, Chicago Pneumatic ensures high cutting efficiency, and cutting speed and thickness, while stable free air delivery ensures the quality of the surface. And with less water and oil in the air, Chicago Pneumatic ensures the lifetime of the laser heads.

The CoreSmart Predictor identified the copper grades directly on outcrops. The produced copper grade maps have been verified by surface geochemistry detailing the mineralisations.

Thearchitecture.standard and optional features of the Boltec M ensure operator safety, comfort and guarantee a job well done, while the battery driveline reduces the environmental footprint and creates a healthier work environment.

• epiroc.com/en-au

• elphinstone.com/electrical-harnesses

ELECTRICAL HARNESSES FOR UNDERGROUND MINING

ATLAS COPCO EXPANDS ITS GA COMPRESSOR RANGE

Atlas Copco has released its latest GA compressor, the GA 90+ – 160 (VSD+), designed for reduced energy consumption, and high reliability and serviceability. All components are designed for ease of service, with the most commonly serviceable parts grouped together for easier access. The patented portal design enables full access to all components when more extensive maintenance is required. This results in a service time that is half that of comparable designs. The GA 90+ – 160 (VSD+) works together with the Optimiser 4.0 to optimise an entire compressed air system through selection of the most efficient combination of compressors. With the optimiser users can monitor the performance and energy consumption of each individual machine, as well as the entire compressed air system.

• atlascopco.com/en-au

AUSTRALIAN

Elphinstone is a producer of cable assemblies and components for underground and surface mobile equipment used in the mining industry. Wire processing and identification are achieved via a Komax Z633 wire processing unit. This is capable of processing 36 different wires simultaneously with wire sizes ranging from 0.22mm² up to 6mm². Current cable assemblies are sleeved in conduit, spiral wrap, cloth tape, or varflo sleeve which conforms to MIL-I-23053, or over braided via herzog harness braiding machines. Elphinstone has two braiding units: the KB 1/48 100, which covers a range of 8–20mm; and the KB 1/24-100, which covers a range of 25–40mm. Elphinstone currently produces more than 1500 variants and over 15,000 pieces per year for all existing customers, with an on-time delivery performance of greater than 98 per cent.

australianresourcesandinvestment.com.au NUMBER16VOLUME We are a global team unified by a common purpose: creating advanced, sustainable technology solutions to the world’s water challenges across more than 150 countries. Developing new technologies that will improve the way water is used, conserved, and re-used in the future is central to our work. Our products and services move, treat, analyse, monitor and return water to the environment and in public utility, industrial, residential and commercial building services settings.Sustainability is at the core of everything we do, and we aim to ensure our footprints leave a positive impact on the environment and the wider community as we strive to build a healthier and more water-secure world. Our commitment to water quality is Xylem’s foremost priority at both an organisational and global scale, with our corporate social responsibility program Watermark aiming to provide education and equitable access to safe water and sanitation to support healthy lives and help build resilient communities around the world. ISSN2201-9960 772201996000 02 $14.95incl.GST CHASING THE FOSTERVILLENEXT IRON ORE BOUNCEMINERSBACK AUSTRALIA’SCOMMODITYUNTAPPED THE RISE OF VANADIUM VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1 2022ResourcesAustralian&Investment Commodities in 2022SIX KEY THEMES AUSTRALIANRESOURCES & INVESTMENTVOLUME16NUMBER2 2201-9960ISSN 772201996000 03 GSTincl.$14.95 MINING’SMEGA-CITYNEXT THE NEXT BIG RARE EARTHS PLAYERS MAKING SENSE OF THE WORLD AROUND US CREATING A CURRENCY OUT OF ESG VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2 2022 Australian Resources & Investment Australia’s bright future IN PLATINUM Australian Resources & Investment is the country’s premier journal dedicated to providing cutting-edge insights into resource developments in Australia and around the world. Special feature articles include the best minds in the industry and examine investment, exploration and extraction, recruitment, engineering and mine management. Subscribe to Australian Resources & Investment to stay up to date with the latest news on ASX-listed mining stocks and commodity prices.

Lithium, Battery and Energy Metals Conference

The message remains that ventilation controls form much of the effective management of core risk activities in mines. The recognition of this has brought about the requirement of the position of statutory ventilation officers in both coal and metalliferous mining sectors in Australia.

The awards provide a unique opportunity to take a step back and acknowledge the exceptional women who have achieved success through invaluable leadership, innovation and commitment to their sector. Awards range from Social Leader of the Year to Woman of the Year, but all exist to celebrate the exceptional work done by not just the nominees, but all women in these industries. They are a nod to their commitment, diligence and •dedication.womeninindustry.com.au/

CONFERENCES, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS

virtual meetings and discussion groups. As the conference is being held in a hybrid format in Perth and online, attendees have the opportunity to explore one of the world’s great mining cities in September, or gain world-class knowledge virtually from the office, home or #Lithium2022on-site.

Perth | September 14–15

will be the perfect platform in elevating your findings and sharing knowledge and research with global experts and industry professionals.

Coupled with this is the re-emergence of pneumoconiosis in mine workers. These and other factors should provide the incentive for all underground operations to contribute strongly to this conference. Significant developments in practice and research in recent years have helped ensure we maintain and improve

commercial road transport industries. They aim to raise the profile of women within industry, as well as promote and encourage excellence.

The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference 2022 will provide an opportunity to promote safe ventilation practices to improve the productivity and safety of mines.

Australian Mine Ventilation GoldConferenceCoast|

October 10–12

By sharing and disseminating the knowledge gained from operations in Australia and around the world, AusIMM can assist in the provision of the raw materials needed.

EVENT SUBMISSIONS CAN BE EMAILED TO EDITOR@AUSTRALIANMINING.COM.AU

• lithiumausimm.com/conferences-and-events/

AusIMM and Murdoch University are once again bringing together the best and brightest minds at the Lithium, Battery and Energy Metals Conference in Perth and online from September Delegates14–15. will hear first-hand the latest research and innovative technologies in lithium and battery metals. As with previous events, the 2022 program will feature leading commodity and technology experts, insights from government representatives, and the opportunity to network with over 200 people over two days. Themes to be explored at the 2022 event will include exploration and geology; battery minerals and brines; mineralogy and metallurgical processing; economics and attracting project financing and investments; batteries, capacitors, and energy storage; and environmental, social and governance.

Trusted, proven TETRA Now in VHF band Extend coverage Reduce operational costs Full accessory portfolio For further information visit www.sepura.com

We are a global team unified by a common purpose: creating advanced, sustainable technology solutions to the world’s water challenges across more than 150 countries. Developing new technologies that will improve the way water is used, conserved, and re-used in the future is central to our work. Our products and services move, treat, analyse, monitor and return water to the environment and in public utility, industrial, residential and commercial building services settings.

Our commitment to water quality is Xylem’s foremost priority at both an organisational and global scale, with our corporate social responsibility program Watermark aiming to provide education and equitable access to safe water and sanitation to support healthy lives and help build resilient communities around the world.

Sustainability is at the core of everything we do, and we aim to ensure our footprints leave a positive impact on the environment and the wider community as we strive to build a healthier and more water-secure world.