EVENT SPOTLIGHT

MINEXPO 2021: INSIGHTS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN PAVILION

AUSTMINE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHRISTINE GIBBS STEWART HOSTED THE AUSTRALIAN METS – NEXT GENERATION MINING PAVILION AT MINEXPO 2021 IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA DURING SEPTEMBER. WHILE THE SHOW LOOKED QUITE DIFFERENT TO PREVIOUS YEARS, IT WAS A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT FOR THE PARTICIPATING AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES.

Despite reduced numbers walking the show floor, the event going ahead pointed to positive signs on the road to recovery for the mining industry.

However, there was a limited Australian contingent due to travel restrictions, with most Australian company booths manned by United States, South American or even Russian personnel. The importance of mining in the global economic recovery was put front and centre at MINExpo.

The opening conference panel explored this theme, with Arch Resources president and chief executive officer Paul Lang noting that new infrastructure investment, urbanisation and the green new deal stimulus will drive commodity demand and prices.

On a local level, mining is also equally as important in transforming small regional areas by providing thousands of family sustaining jobs.

Mining’s role in addressing climate change was also explored during the conference sessions, including through technology development and providing the inputs to produce metal and steel to manufacture solar panels and wind turbines.

Both Caterpillar and Komatsu explored projects to reduce diesel fuels and build zero emission trucks, along with supporting infrastructure and platforms needed for continual charging and application of new fuel sources.

Game-changing technologies and innovations were again on display at MINExpo, with the major OEMs having impressive displays of new equipment.

Komatsu’s HD785-7 autonomous water truck, Sandvik’s DS412iE battery-powered rock bolter, and Liebherr’s excavator R 9150 Generation 7 were all new releases to the market.

Digital technology firms took centre stage at this year’s MINExpo, with intelligent systems, data analytics, automation, AI (artificial intelligence), monitoring and mine site connectivity and visibility discussed at length.

Hexagon Mining launched its Power of One, which is a holistic, life-of-mine smart solution connecting sensors and software, infield apps and cloudware to empower digital transformation.

This scale and breadth of applications available is truly transformative for mining.

The role of technology in driving sustainability was also explored in panel sessions. This was not just seen through an environmental lens, but also licence to operate, attracting young people into the industry and taking care of external stakeholders.

Barrick Gold Corporation president and chief executive officer Mark Bristow threw a challenge out to the audience about technological development and sustainability.

“We have seen a lot of talk over the last two years, and this is the first time the industry has come together,” Bristow says.

“There is an enormous amount of work to do. Technical delivery is going to be the challenge. We have seen a real kick start in technological conceptualisation. We now need to convert this into genuine benefits.”

Bristow noted that technology and innovation need a complete reinvestment to really change drive implementation and growth. He discussed the need for approval processes to be changed to adopt technologies quicker and pointed to an industry culture where there is a rush to comply rather than investing in new ways of doing things.

Congratulations to the businesses that made an effort to be at MINExpo 2021. While the show was very different to previous years, it was definitely worthwhile top participate.

Austmine’s Australian METS – Next Generation Mining Pavilion was headlined by AMC Consultants, Emesent, Klinge, PumpEng and TIMining.

Thanks to METS Ignited and the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources for supporting our efforts and providing sponsorship to enable us to showcase Australian METS to the world.

It was very important that Australia was present at MINExpo given our global leadership in mining expertise and technology.

While we are locked down in Australia, the world is certainly passing us by, and our lack of external engagement will no doubt have a negative impact on METS companies, exporters and economy as a whole.

Austmine has been proud to lead Australia’s MINExpo efforts and we look forward to having a full contingent of businesses in the Australian Pavilion when we return to MINExpo in a few years’ time. AM

AUSTRALIA WAS STILL PRESENT AT MINEXPO DESPITE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS. AUSTMINE’S PAVILION HIGHLIGHTED HOW THE METS SECTOR IS RECOVERING.

PROSPECT AWARDS

PROSPECT AWARDS NOMINATIONS EXHIBIT MINING’S BEST

NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2021 AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS ARE WRAPPING UP WITH FAMILIAR FACES AND UNIQUE TALENTS AMONG THIS YEAR’S AWARD CONTENDERS.

The Prospect Awards is a mainstay event that showcases the best innovations and projects developed by mining and METS (mining equipment, technology and services) companies, as well as the people who work behind-the-scenes to lead the industry to success.

Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 awards show is moving forward, albeit on a new date of March 17 2022 at The Greek Club in Brisbane.

The first wave of finalists are for the Excellence in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Application, Excellence in Environmental Management, Excellence in Mine Safety and Innovative Mining Solution awards.

Prospect Awards events manager Lauren Winterbottom thanks each of the talented individuals and organisations that submitted an application.

“Each finalist reflects the innovative prowess of Australia’s mining industry and the potential it exhibits in the face of adversity and global transformation,” Winterbottom says.

Excellence in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Application The Excellence in IIoT Application award highlights an outstanding implementation of IIoT that enhances mining and minerals processing.

Finalists for this forward-thinking award include Fenner Dunlop, Flexco, Coolon and Pitcrew AI.

Fenner Dunlop has been recognised for its iBelt solution, which transforms conveyor maintenance processes to monitor, plan and access predictions in real-time both on and off site to boost productivity.

Flexco has put forward its Elevate i3 Device, which acts as a wireless platform that can transfer real-time data remotely from an intuitive digital dashboard. It has been specifically designed for belt cleaner performance in heavy-duty operations such as mining.

LED lighting company Coolon received a finalist nod for its Coolon Brilliant Connected lights product, which contain smart wireless networking nodes that automatically create a wireless mesh network to enable IIoT services to operate.

Pitcrew AI has been recognised for its Autonomous OTR Tyre inspection product, which is a solar powered solution that inspects damage to OTR tyres that are seen on many mining vehicles without human intervention.

Excellence in Environmental Management The Excellence in Environmental Management award recognises a mine, company or project that has carried out a forward-thinking environmentally focussed program.

This year’s finalists include Gold Fields, Yancoal, Geoimage and SoilCyclers.

Gold Fields submitted its Agnew hybrid renewable project for its ability to deliver 50 to 60 per cent clean energy with 99.99 per cent reliability, setting a global benchmark for renewable energy in mining.

Coal miner Yancoal has received a finalist position for its rehabilitation of the Premier Coal operation in Western Australia into Lake Kepwari.

Geoimage’s groundWATCH digital application has also been recognised for its ability to allow systematic viewing of ground changes.

SoilCyclers has achieved finalist status for its Recycling Overburden and Mine Void Water collaboration, which was successful in rehabilitating Idemitsu’s Ensham coal mine in Queensland.

Excellence in Mine Safety, OH&S – sponsored by Vocus Safety is a crucial factor at any mine site and is highlighted by the Excellence in Mine Safety, OH&S award, which is awarded to a mine, company or project that has increased safety, removed risk or reduced worker issues.

This year’s finalists are Yancoal, Road Safe Moranbah, Mitchell Services and Mader Group.

Yancoal will compete for the award with its Yarrabee Way – Safety Culture Framework, which is developed by the company’s workers to understand and control its risks.

THE AWARDS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.

Road Safe Moranbah has been recognised for its ability to target community safety following a fatal crash on the Peak Downs Highway. It also focusses on data collection for the Sunshine Coast University to drive further safety research.

Mitchell Services submitted its Frontline-driven Fatal Risk Management, which has developed and implemented a critical risk management system that is focussed on workforce-led critical thinking and innovation.

Mader Group is recognised as a finalist for its Improving Fleet Safety program, which involved the adoption of an in-vehicle monitoring system that provides live tracking of drivers.

Innovative Mining Solution – sponsored by Austmine The Innovative Mining solution award recognises a mine, company or project that has developed a unique mining solution for the industry.

Finalists for the award comprise Aggreko, Geographe, newGenGroup and Technofast Industries.

Aggreko’s Aggreko Virtual Gas Power Plants has been put forward for developing the first mining power station that includes the application of gas generators and a virtual pipeline of LNG to power an underground mining operation which reduces diesel power.

Geographe has also demonstrated innovation through its Geographe Ball Stud Removal Tool, which is a safer, faster and quieter method of removing ball studs from heavy equipment to save significant labour costs. newGenGroup has received a finalist position for its ArmourGRAPH solution, which uses graphene nanoplatelets to enhance wear materials through areas including abrasion resistance and tear strength.

Technofast Industries has submitted its Technofast EziTite Hydraulic Head Nut for the award, which replaces solid mechanical nuts of gyratory rock and ore crushers to enhance safety cut downtime and provide easy installation.

Thank you to Prospect Award sponsors National Group, Liebherr, SEW-Eurodrive, Epiroc, Austmine, Flexco, CRC and Vocus for supporting the program.

Tickets for the evening are now available online at www.prospectawards.com.au AM The remaining award finalists will be revealed in the next edition of Australian Mining.