COMMENT

BEN CREAGH

Ben.Creagh@primecreative.com.au

MINEXPO BUILDS EXCITEMENT FROM AFAR

LEADING EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS HAVE SHOWCASED HOW THEY ARE SUPPORTING THE MINING INDUSTRY’S PLANS TO DECARBONISE THE SECTOR OVER THE NEXT DECADE.

Border and travel restrictions unfortunately made it nearimpossible for most Australians to travel to MINExpo in Las Vegas this year.

However, technology ensured we didn’t entirely miss out on the new machinery and innovations launched at the global event, with many exhibitors streaming their latest solutions online.

Even from afar, MINExpo clearly showed how much the mining industry has progressed and how much further it looks set to develop in the coming years.

MINExpo covered several themes that reinforced METS (mining equipment, technology and services) companies are truly aligned with the needs of their mining company partners.

The push to decarbonise the mining industry was obvious in the product releases that the major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) unveiled, right through to the development of new software from technology companies.

Mining equipment is gradually moving towards a zero-emission target, while technology platforms are factoring in how to help mining and METS companies achieve this goal.

OEMs, including Liebherr, Caterpillar and Komatsu, notably strengthened their roadmap towards zero-emission mining equipment at MINExpo.

Liebherr has already made progress in this direction. For example, its haul trucks from 100 tonnes upwards are equipped with electric AC drive.

The company’s environmental goal is now to decarbonise its range of mining applications, with a 2030 target in place to have fossil-fuel-free alternatives for the majority of its current line-up.

Caterpillar highlighted a selection of initiatives to support its commitment to sustainability, a standout of these being partnerships with Rio Tinto and BHP to develop and deploy zero-emission mining trucks.

Komatsu has also teamed up with Rio Tinto and BHP, as well as Codelco and Boliden, to form the Komatsu Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Alliance.

The Japanese OEM debuted its initial concept for a haulage vehicle that can run on a variety of power sources, part of a poweragnostic development, at the Las Vegas event.

Another futuristic mining technology that took a step forward at MINExpo was autonomous hydraulic excavators.

Still in its development stages, Liebherr exhibited the first automation product of its hydraulic excavator portfolio, the semiautomatic Bucket Filling Assistant platform.

Komatsu also showcased the development of its semi-autonomous hydraulic excavator product with a teleoperation exhibition.

Both innovations present an insight into the future of mining and you would expect that by the next MINExpo in 2024, excavator automation will have progressed significantly.

Finger crossed that by then, Australians will be able to observe the next steps in this process in the flesh.

Ben Creagh Managing Editor

FRONT COVER

In this edition, we include a special focus on the surface mining sector in Australia, highlighting services and products that are transforming mine sites. This issue also shines the spotlight on the mineral sands industry in Victoria, an emerging part of the state’s resources sector. We look at WesTrac’s automation training program in Western Australia and how it has collaborated with Rio Tinto at the facility. This edition reviews several trends in the ongoing digitisation of the mining industry. And as usual, we cover the latest mining equipment and technology in our products section.

Cover image: Fenner Dunlop.

CORRECTION: IN THE OCTOBER EDITION OF AUSTRALIAN MINING, THE INCORRECT IMAGE WAS USED TO SUPPORT THE PRODUCT ARTICLE COVERING DIXON LAYFLAT HOSES ON PAGE 68. THE IMAGE WAS INSTEAD THE PROPERTY OF CRUSADER HOSE. AUSTRALIAN MINING APOLOGISES FOR THE INCORRECT USE OF THE CRUSADER HOSE IMAGE. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JOHN MURPHY

PUBLISHER CHRISTINE CLANCY

MANAGING EDITOR BEN CREAGH Tel: (03) 9690 8766 Email: ben.creagh@primecreative.com.au

JOURNALISTS MICHAEL PHILIPPS Email: michael.philipps@primecreative.com.au

NICKOLAS ZAKHARIA Email: nickolas.zakharia@primecreative.com.au HENRY BALLARD Email: henry.ballard@primecreative.com.au

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24

16 TRAINING & EDUCATION

Preparing for an autonomous future WesTrac collaboration with Rio Tinto delivers fundamentals

18 COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

Gold and diamonds keep their shine Australian gold retains prominence as domestic diamond projects gear up

22 MINING SERVICES

Inspiring the next generation of miners Landmark Indigenous joint venture supports local success

24 COMMUNICATIONS

Phoning in to the future of mining Innovations in mining communications unlock new capabilities.

28 REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT

Victoria turns gold into sand and back again Mineral sands opportunity develops in Victoria as demand grows

30 DIGITAL MINING

Expanding mining’s digital presence New mining technology complements future potential

40 SURFACE MINING

Delivering value for surface miners Key solutions and innovations scratch more than the surface

48 COMMUNICATIONS

High-speed comms in remote locations Pivotel solution transforms a Pilbara rail project

50 INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

Copper collaboration to save a precious resource Zero emissions copper takes first steps to make mining sustainable 52 DRILL & BLAST

Hexagon’s holistic approach to drill and blast High-precision drilling, blast-movement monitoring improves recoveries

54 TYRE MANAGEMENT

Driving innovation in tyre solutions Kal Tire tools prevent wheel failure risk on heavy mining equipment

56 MATERIALS HANDLING

Fenner Dunlops maps the future of intelligent conveying Conveyor management technology provides an edge in efficiency

58 WATER MANAGEMENT

Trickling up the value of dewatering technology Chemical solutions improve water management in mining

62 MINERALS PROCESSING

CDE's all-in-one logwasher Maintaining a smooth screening and cleaning operation

64 MINING SERVICES

Delivering value to a critical industry Mining solutions dial up the benefits from cost to production

70 MANUFACTURING

Supporting customers during the supply chain chaos Crusader Hose proves to be a lifeline for local mining industry

71 TRAINING & EDUCATION

Solid-Block Housed units call for solid training Bearings withstand the brunt of mining applications with ease of installation

28

73 INDUSTRY COMMENT

How the JORC Code affects mining finance The importance of this system for explorers of minerals deposits

74 EVENT SPOTLIGHT

Mining events push on amid COVID-19 Prospect Awards finalists announced as MINExpo amazes

62

REGULARS 5 COMMENT 8 NEWS 76 PRODUCTS 78 EVENTS