2021 SEPTEMBER IN REVIEW
110/09 110/08
08
MINEXPO IS BACK Showcasing Giant Machines and Technology Progresses in the Mining Sector
18
For women in mining, it's UMS leading the way
26
Interview with Jim Ford founder of Waypoints Wyoming LLC
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PROFILES IN MINING
SPECIAL FOCUS
26 Interview with JIM FORD, founder
18 For women in mining, it's
of Waypoints Wyoming LLC
UMS leading the way
SURFACE MINING
05 Metal prices support Philippine mining expansion
06 The Boggabri coal mine, Australia: temporarily closed for Covid-19
16 Botswana Starts Work on its First Iron-Ore Mine
24 Intelligent mining market likely to experience high demand
34 Introducing new tech to your company: 3 strategies
38 Orissa Mining’s iron ore site marked by MOBISCREEN MS EVO screening plants
40 Fear mount over Taliban revenge;
Afghan Mining professional seeks refugee status in the U.S
42 Oz Minerals authorized $600 million investment
43 PRECIOUS-Gold shaken by Delta variant; attention on U.S. inflation
STATISTICS
46 June 2021 crude steel production 47 crude steel production December 2020
22 Despite cash inflows, iron ore miners see different futures
THE LEAD
08 Minexpo is back- Showcasing Giant Machines and Technology Progresses in the Mining Sector
UNDERGROUND MINING
37 Twin Metals pledges BEV fleet for Minnesota polymetallic underground mine
44 Deep-sea mining: Does it threaten our environment, or can it save us?
www.skillings.net | 3
SEPTEMBER 2021 VOL.110. NO.09
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SURFACE MINING
Metal prices support Philippine mining expansion
T
he Philippine Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said that metallic mineral output value was P68.63 billion from January to June, up from P55.13 billion a year earlier. 53.44 % of products of Nickel accounted for total production value, or P36.68 billion, followed by gold, which accounted for 34.84 per cent, or P23.91 billion, and copper, which accounted for 10.87 %, or P7.46 billion. MGB reported that nickel ore output increased 39% to 151,646 metric tons, valued at P21.42 billion. The gold produced in the first half rose
by 3% to 8,545 kilos, an estimated P22.15 billion. Gold's average price in the first half increased 9.8 % to $1,808. Philippines Gold Processing and Refining Corp. was the largest gold producer, producing 3,558 kilograms, followed by Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corp. On the other hand, copper output volume fell 24% to 23,557 MT in the first six months, despite a 4% rise in value to P7.46 billion. Carmen Copper Corp. provided 75% (17,568 MT) of total production output, while Philex Mining Corp. contributed 25% (5,989 MT). Silver production volume decreased 6% to 11,069 kilos, while the value increased 46% to P451.47 million.
Apex Mining Co., Inc. produced the most silver, followed by the Philippines Gold Processing and Refining Corp. IN A MOBILE PHONE MESSAGE, Calixto V. Chikiamco, President of the Foundation for Economic Freedom, stated that he expects the mining industry's excellent performance to continue. MGB stated that the local minerals industry would contribute significantly to the national economy in the future, especially with the reopening of OceanaGold Philippines, Inc.'s Didipio Copper-Gold Project in Nueva Vizcaya and the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations for Executive Order No. 130, which lifted the prohibition on new mineral agreements.
www.skillings.net | 5
SURFACE MINING
The Boggabri coal mine, Australia: temporarily closed for Covid-19 The current Covid-19 outbreak in Australia, which has put Sydney on lockdown for over a month, has now expanded to Newcastle, a major coal export town, and the Hunter Valley coal-producing region. After a false positive result at the mine site, Japanese trading house Idemitsu was compelled to temporarily close its Boggabri mine.
T
he Boggabri thermal and pulverized coal injection grade mine in New South Wales (NSW) has been given the green light after being shuttered over the weekend with personnel in isolation due to a false positive test by a worker. The epidemic has had little impact on Australia's mining industry, but the more virulent Delta
strain has the potential to inflict greater havoc. After a contractor tested positive for Covid-19, Australian iron ore mining company Fortescue halted some activities at its Cloudbreak iron-ore mine this week. Australia is one of the least vaccinated countries in the OECD and a country which has relied on strong border restric-
6 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
tions and severe lockdowns to prevent the pandemic, despite the fact that these measures are proving ineffective against the Delta strain. Mine workers are being pushed to the front of the line in several jurisdictions as the government ramps up immunization program. The Queensland government has designated fly-in, fly-out and drive-in, drive-out mine workers, as well as teachers and delivery drivers, as a category 1B vaccination priority. This means that everyone in this group, regardless of age, can be vaccinated right away. This is intended to help protect the business in the medium term, albeit working through an already overburdened immunization system will take weeks.
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THE THE LEAD LEAD
8 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
MINExpo is Back!
Showcasing Giant Machines and Technology Progresses in the Mining Sector Following a one-year hiatus, the event will return bigger and better than ever with the newest cutting-edge equipment, innovations, services, and technology that can elevate mining operations to new heights.
M
INExpo is held every four years to demonstrate the latest cutting-edge equipment, innovations, services, and technologies that may propel mining operations forward and assure long-term prosperity. The industry is ready and prepared to go forward, coming back stronger than ever with the inperson event taking place September 13 to 15 in Las Vegas, after a four-year break was extended by over a year owing to COVID-19. MINExpo, the world's largest mining expo, covers all aspects of the business, including exploration, mine development, open pit and underground mining, processing, safety, environmental improvement, and much more. The 2021 event will occupy 675,000 square feet and 11 halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center, according to exhibition organizers. Here's a glance at what a few of the most prominent exhibitors have planned.
CATERPILLAR SHOWCASES ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY EQUIPMENT
Caterpillar's 55,000-square-foot exhibit themed "Together, We're Mining Better," will feature a variety of product exhibits, new equipment debuts, previews of what the company hopes the future will bring, and remote operation stations. The following new equipment models will be on display: R1700 XE LHD Load Haul Dump: This new model has a 16.5-ton payload, 53,330-lb lift, and tilt breakout force, and an 11.2-mph top speed, thanks to 100 percent batwww.skillings.net | 9
THE LEAD
General Session images from Mine Expo 2016
tery-electric propulsion that produces substantially less heat and noise. The new Cat MEC500 Mobile Equipment Charger can fully charge it in as little as 20 minutes. R2900 XE LHD with diesel-electric drivetrain: Its upgraded lift arm and components give up to a 39 percent higher lift breakout force than the R2900G, resulting in fuel efficiency of up to 31 tons per liter. • D11 XC Electric Drive Dozer: Caterpillar will debut the world's largest, most powerful, most efficient electric drive dozer with high drive, according to
the company. D10 dozer: The D10 consumes up to 4% less gasoline compared to the previous model, increases productivity by up to 3% with high-horsepower reverse, and improves efficiency by up to 6% with combined load-sensing hydraulics and stator clutch torque divider. 992 Wheel Loader: Introduced earlier this year, the 992 offers up to a 32% increase in productivity, a 10% reduction in maintenance costs, and up to a 48 percent increase in payloadper-fuel efficiency in applications in a four-pass match to 100-ton trucks
10 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
compared to five passes with the 992K in-field testing. Furthermore, the new Cat 777G Water Truck will be integrated with MineStar Command for hauling, offering a glimpse into the future of autonomously lowering dust levels at a mine site while ensuring haul road safety. EPIROC WILL DEMONSTRATE FRESH AND UPGRADED PRODUCTS
Epiroc will demonstrate a number of new products, technologies, and concepts aimed at improving productivity, safety, efficiency, and sustainability, including:
Pit Viper 291: This rig, which will make its debut at MINExpo, is designed to drill larger diameter holes in soft to medium earth conditions using both rotary and DTH drilling techniques. With a 55-foot clean hole single pass with the drill bit above the table, it can drill holes with diameters ranging from 6 3/4 to 12 1/4 inches. SmartROC D65 XLF: This new-generation model features automated drilling and rod handling, as well as a smart fuel-saving system that cuts fuel usage by 20% compared to the FlexiROC D65 drill rig. The new equipment comes with three feed beam sizes that can hold 5-, 6-, or 8-meter pipes and can drill to a depth of 56 meters. SmartROC T45: For quarrying and construction, this top hammer surface drill rig enhances productivity, lowers fuel costs, and collects useful data. Smart features and options include the Hole Navigation System (HNS), AutoPos, and ROC Manager. Boomer M20 with Battery Option: Dubbed the world's first internal hydraulics face drill rig, the Boomer M20 provides high precision and performance with on-board automation features, tele-remote capabilities, and digital drill plans, resulting in increased drill cycle dependability and quality. It has a battery-electric driveline with an onboard charger as an option.
autonomous haulage. Some fresh Komatsu resolutions created to advance more sustainable mining techniques that will be on showcase include: WE1850 Gen 3 surface wheel loader combined with proven SR (Switched Reluctance) hybrid drive technology ZR122 surface blasthole drill with automated features Battery hauler for underground mining fueled by lithium-ion battery technology Battery-tram powered ZJ32Bi jumbo drill for below surface hard rock mining
Underground hard rock drilling and bolting retrofits compatible with all major and most other OEMs LIEBHERR TO PUT LATEST MINING NEW NOVELTIES
The Liebherr booth, which spans over 28,000 square feet, will showcase innovations from the company's Mining, Mobile Cranes, and Components product divisions, including: R 9150 Generation 7, R 9200 Generation 7 and brand-new R 9600 Generation 8 Excavators: Liebherr
KOMATSU USES ELECTRIFICATION AND AUTOMATION TO ITS ADVANTAGE
Komatsu will use its 48,000-squarefoot booth to show off its latest haulage concepts, which are designed to prioritize customers' desire for lower emissions and autonomous haulage solutions. The company will also reveal its future vision for power-agnostic dump trucks and autonomous haulage retrofits for existing equipment. Komatsu will also show off future possibilities such as remote control of hydraulic excavators and
General Session images from Mine Expo 2016
www.skillings.net | 11
THE LEAD
General Session images from Mine Expo 2016
Power Efficiency, Assistance Systems, and Bucket Filling Assistant are now standard on all three excavators. In the cabin of the R 9600, and on tablets exhibited on the stand, assistance systems will be shown physically. T 274 Haul Truck: This real 336-ton machine offers quick cycle times, increased output rates, low fuel consumption, and cheap cost per ton. The Trolley Assist System and the Autonomy Kit are just two of the choices available. PR 776 Mining Dozer with LiReCon Teleoperation System: The 77-ton dozer will be on exhibit with the new LiReCon (Liebherr Remote Control) teleoperation system, which is designed to give operators more comfort and safety in difficult mining operations. LRT 1090-2.1 Rough-terrain Crane: This 100-ton crane has a 154-foot telescopic boom with two telescoping modes: strong and long. It comes with an outrigger monitor that automatically determines the support state and
a crane control system as standard. It's also included with the VarioBase changeable support base as standard. MAGNI EXHIBITS FOR THE FIRST TIME
For the first time, Magni Telescopic Handlers will show its fixed boom, rotating, and heavy-lift telehandlers at MINExpo. It will show how telehandlers may help mines enhance revenues while also creating safer working conditions. Magni will include the following characters: Rotating Telescopic Handlers (RTH): These rotators rotate 360 degrees, act like multiple machines in one, and can be customized with forks, winches, platforms, and a variety of specialty attachments. Users especially benefit from the, which allows them to boost production pace. There are 16 variants in the range, with lifting capacities ranging from 8,800 to 28,600 pounds and lifting heights ranging from 58 to 167 feet. Fixed-boom Telehandlers: Heavy
12 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
Lift variants come with accessories designed specifically for mines, such as forks, tyre handlers, cylinder handlers, and conveyor belt attachments. They can lift between 11,000 and 110,000 pounds. All models have a proprietary load control system that detects the risk of overload during operation and restricts further movement, resulting in a safer mine working environment. PETRO-CANADA MINING WILL SHOW EQUIPMENT FLUIDS AND GREASES
HollyFrontier Lubricants & Specialties. Petro-Canada Lubricants DURON heavyduty engine oils, HYDREX hydraulic fluids, and PRODURO transmission drivetrain oils will be on display at the HollyFrontier division. The PEERLESS 3 Moly 322 grease, which is intended for the protection of lowspeed, severe heavy-duty applications where high temperatures and heavy loads are common and wear protection is vital, will also be on display at MINExpo.
HALCOR PRODUCTS Copper tubes with or without lining or industrial insulation for applications in: • Drinking water and heating networks • Underfloor heating and cooling • Gas and medical distribution networks gases • Cooling and air conditioning systems • Solar energy applications • Various industrial applications
The copper segment of ElvalHalcor S.A. is composed of six subsidiaries and seven associates/joint ventures, based in Greece, Belgium, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, while it operates a total of five production plants in Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey. The copper segment of ElvalHalcor S.A. develops and distributes a wide range of products, including copper and copper-alloy rolled and extruded products with Halcor being the sole producer of
Halcor is the copper tubes division of ElvalHalcor S.A. and together with four more companies form the copper segment of ElvalHalcor S.A. that specializes in the production, processing and marketing of copper and copper alloys products with dynamic commercial presence in the European and global markets. For more than 80 years, Halcor has been offering innovative and added-value solutions that meet contemporary client demands in fields, such as plumbing, HVAC&R, renewable energy, architecture, engineering and industrial production.
copper tubes in Greece. High quality in production is achieved through strict controls applied throughout the production process. With a consistent quality focus, the company implements an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Quality Management System and leverages high technologies and expert staff. As a result of the Group’s strategic investments in research & development, Halcor is recognized as one of the leading copper producers globally, setting new
standards in copper processing. The company maintains a consistent focus on quality and environmental protection and a strong commitment to the principles of sustainable development. In this context, all production facilities in the Group’s plants leverage advanced technologies to bring in the market innovative products that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. For more information, please visit our website www.halcor.com www.skillings.net | 13
THE LEAD
General Session images from Mine Expo 2016
In addition, information on the GREASEN-GO automatic lubricator, which is designed to ensure consistent equipment protection, will be accessible. TRIMBLE TARGETS SAFETY, PRODUCTIVITY, AND EFFICIENCY
Trimble will demonstrate a variety of mining solutions designed to increase safety, production, and efficiency while also putting mines on the road to autonomy. Visitors to the show can learn about the following topics: Trimble Insight: Designed to give quarry and mine managers a clearer picture of fleet inefficiency or downtime, Trimble Insight uses data from LOADRITE loader, excavator, haul truck, and conveyor belt sensors to create simple dashboards, monitor alerts, and productivity data that can help them make better business decisions. Trimble LOADRITE payload and 14 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
productivity management solutions: These solutions employ onboard scales to help monitor and improve load and haul, processing, and load-out operations. Smart Haul load and haul tracking software, as well as LOADRITE L3180 Smartscales for wheel loaders, will be featured at MINExpo. Trimble Autonomy: has teamed together with ROBORACE to showcase Robocar autonomous car racing. The Applanix Position and Orientation System (POS) LVX GNSS-inertial system powers haul trucks for positioning and orientation in mining operations, employing the same positioning technology that helps the Robocar maintain exact in-lane location at speeds up to 175.49 mph. Trimble will also demonstrate smart antennas and inertial sensors that enable a high-accuracy, continuous GNSS solution.
WIRTGEN SURFACE MINER FOR A NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT
The Wirtgen 220 SM/220 SMi surface miner will be one of the company's products on display at MINExpo 2021. The machine will be shown for the first time in North America at bauma 2019. The surface miner is equipped with a 950 horsepower EU Stage V/US EPA Tier 4 Final engine. It's ideal for small and medium-sized mining operations, as well as routing and infrastructure projects. The compact and versatile machine, according to the company, can selectively extract materials
General Session images from Mine Expo 2016
with an unconfined compressive strength of up to 50 MPa and a cutting depth of up to 11.8 inches. A cutting drum unit with a width of 7 ft. 3 in. is custom-made for the application and ensures great output at low running costs. The holder base's high, narrow sides ensure that material flows freely and that energy consumption is maintained to a minimum. Even when mining heavy, abrasive material, this results in less wear and tear on the housing, holders, point-attack cutting tools, and scraper blade.
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SURFACE MINING
Botswana Starts Work on its First Iron-Ore Mine GABORONE-Botswana has started work on its first iron-ore mine, according to a senior government official, as the economy struggles to diversify its economy away from diamond mining.
A
s the coronavirus crisis evolved last year, Botswana's significant reliance on diamonds, which account for a fifth of its GDP and more than two-thirds of its foreign exchange income, was exposed.
The pandemic reduced demand for diamonds and drove down prices, causing the country's economy to contract by nearly 8% after previously growing at much to 4%. Since then, Botswana has attempted to capitalize on its immense natural resources by issuing mining licenses for commodities like coal, copper, and iron ore. A license to develop the Ikongwe iron-ore mine, which is held by a unit of India's Yashomann Industries, was recently obtained. "The mine is also looking at processing some of the run-on-mine material for local steel production. This will revive the local steel industry," said Lefoko Moagi, minister for mineral resources, green technology and energy security. In July, Chetan Patil, director of Vision Ridge, the company that is constructing the mine, said that the deposit would yield a million tons of iron-ore per year for the next ten years, with the iron ore concentration of up to 65 percent, or 65 percent iron. For steelmaking, anything with more than 60% iron content is considered good. "Because of the prevailing high international market, we will target the export market but we also have plans to set up a pig-iron plant in Botswana," Patil said. Iron-ore prices have risen to record highs in the last year, averaging approximately $240 per ton for various grades, owing to robust demand from China, which produces more than half of the world's steel. 16 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
FloLevel Technologies
SURFACE MINING
For women in mining, it's UMS leading the way 18 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
While it is evident that women in mining are a minority and that long-term thinking is required to increase accessibility and development of women in the mining sector, companies such as United Mining Services (UMS) are leading the charge toward inclusivity. According to Digby Glover, CEO of the UMS Group, diversity has long been one of the Group's core values. The company's two primary arms, UMS Shaft Sinkers, and UMS METS have been led by highly qualified, competent, and experienced women for many years. “This is unusual in the industry, but it shouldn’t be,” says Glover. “We use the right people in the right roles, who are appointed completely on merit. We source our employees from a diverse population of people, and as a result, our workforce is representative of that population.” He admits that the shaft sinking industry has been viewed as being stuck in a sector with little evolution in terms of how a business should operate for decades. Still, the company's language has been shifting. For some time, UMS has been exploring new ideas to do things differently. “We have been at the forefront of change in the underground mining industry, and this puts us in a unique position in this sector,” says Glover.
“It’s all about people, and I’m making sure that UMS has the best, both in terms of bringing the right people in, but also in terms of looking after them once they are there.”
Randima has a Bachelor of Mining Engineering and a Master of Engineering in Project Management. She is well qualified to lead the highly skilled UMS shaft sinking and underground mining team.
THE WOMEN IN MINING AT UMS
Her mining engineering credentials are complemented by real-world knowledge and hands-on industry experience while dealing with on-the-job challenges.
Takalani Randima, MD of UMS Shaft Sinkers, joined UMS in 2018. Takalani began her career as a trainee engineer on a mine in 2008, just a few years after women were legally permitted the right to work underground in South African mines. Her career has progressed since then, leading to her current position.
She has already overseen three large, highly successful shaft sinks and several shafts and underground infrastructure projects.
Digby Glover, CEO of the UMS Group
“A large part of my role as the CEO of the UMS Group is to bring in the skills that will drive this change. I have brought in top-class people and they in turn have brought top-class people with them. We have started to assemble a team that punches far above our weight in terms of skills, know-how and experience required to do the work that we do, in order to accelerate our ability to do things better. www.skillings.net | 19
SPECIAL FOCUS
Research Center at the time. Further studies were pursued to obtain a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management. Siphiwe continued her career in pyrometallurgy and logistics at Samancor Ferrochrome, where she completed her Engineer In Training Programme before joining UMS METS. She is excited to learn plant commissioning.
“At school I excelled in science, and while all my classmates wanted to study medicine, I wanted to do something different. I won a science prize sponsored by a mining house and this got me interested in engineering which led me to being awarded a bursary from that mining house,” says Takalani. “Although my family were surprised at my career choice to do mining engineering, I have never looked back. What I really love about the mining industry is working with all the people; the adrenalin rush of facing different challenges every day and the need to think out of the box during problem solving. I love what I do!” Esbé Miller, Group HR & Payroll Manager at UMS, is responsible for establishing and managing strategic human relations/employee relations initiatives and having direct operational responsibility for HR/ER. “I grew up in Swartklip (Anglo Platinum Union Mine at the time), so I think mining was always in my DNA: approximately 80% miner and 20% Blue Bull,” says Esbé. “I’ve been very fortunate regarding the career exposure I have had thus far. After I graduated from university, I applied for the graduate program through the Anglo Development Centre. I was placed at Union Mine as an HR graduate, where I was subsequently permanently appointed.
“Working at UMS has provided me with learning experiences across various disciplines, not just within the HR fraternity. It’s a fast-paced environment, where one gains experience in the local and international arena. One of the highlights of working at UMS is being part of a team that was able to implement new strategies to overcome some of the industry challenges and ultimately positioning the UMS group where it is today. “Companies have all had trying times, some more than others, and we were no exception to experiencing turmoil. But sometimes, amid chaos, there is also opportunity. It takes continuous hard work and commitment from everyone, no illusions there, but it’s worth it in the end. Maybe mining is not for everyone, and that is okay, but I think I am exactly where I am supposed to be.” Siphiwe Antonette Malepe, a Junior Process Engineer, had joined UMS METS after a long academic career. After completing a National Diploma in Engineering, she decided to further her studies, which included a year of in-service training at the Modikwa Concentrator Plant. She completed a Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering, where she was allowed to mentor ten first-year Chemical Engineering students. She also published two academic papers and gave a presentation at the Planetary and Scientific
20 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
“I chose to be an engineer because engineering gives me an opportunity to challenge myself and it gives me the space to think out of the box in the most creative and technical way,” says Siphiwe. “Engineering is the centerpiece between the world we live in and innovation. The need for engineers expands with the ever-increasing demand for innovative solutions to better the conditions of the world, as we are like the wizards of society. “I wanted a career that will allow me the opportunity to work with people who are as driven and skilled as myself, and that’s ultimately why I wanted to become an engineer.” Nonjabulo Zikhali works as a Commercial Contracts Specialist at UMS, where she is in charge of a wide range of procurement and contracting duties such as contract drafting, recommending the best contract for a project, contract negotiations, and assuring contractual, insurance, and bonding requirements are met before contract execution. Nonjabulo explains that while she was studying quantity surveying, she was offered the opportunity to join a division that specialized in constructing mineral processing plants. “My first-hand experience was when I was part of the site team helping to achieve a project of constructing a gold processing plant project in Ghana. I have not looked back since then.”
She states that as a woman she has experienced no challenges in her career. “I wanted to be a professional in the engineering field and I went and did it. It was after I had started working that I realised that there were not enough women in the industry. My mentors were male so there were instances where I had to alter myself to fit in but that is a thing of the past.” She enjoys the sense of accomplishment she gets at the end of a project and being part of a team that created something valuable in the world that creates jobs for others.
Genevieve van Wyk, a Junior Mechanical Engineer, assists with preparing annual budgets, designs, layouts, inspections, project installation, project planning, organization, and control and makes recommendations on alternative solutions to engineering problems. She got into mining after graduating and was allowed to join UMS METS.
“Since UMS has different divisions within the company, I have learned about the different stages of mining from developing a mine, to mining, to processing ore. Having knowledge in the different stages of mining allows me to understand what happens downstream and upstream of a particular stage which allows for good engineering design.
“Transitioning from a student to a working woman and navigating through a company that was changing was extremely challenging. Lucky for me, I enjoy a challenge,” says Genevieve.
“The highlight for me on this job is seeing an engineering design come to life through manufacturing. It is difficult to explain how exciting and eye opening that is.”
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SURFACE MINING
Despite cash inflows, iron ore miners see different futures Despite a recent drop in the price of the steel raw material, major iron ore producers are awash in cash and are likely to remain so. Where they disagree is on what they believe will be the next significant profit drivers.
R
io Tinto, the world's largest iron ore miner, reported record first-half profits in 2021, with underlying earnings nearly tripling to USD12.17 billion from the same period a year ago. Despite shipping 12 percent less iron ore in the second quarter than the same period a year ago due to storms affecting Rio's Western Australia state operations, the company's profits soared.
BHP Group and Fortescue Metals Group, Australia's second and third-largest iron ore miners, are expected to join Rio in reporting record profits.
For iron ore delivered in north China, the spot price fell to USD180.15 per ton at the end of July 2021, down 10.5 percent from the previous week.
For the 12 months to end June 2021, BHP reported record full-year iron ore production, despite a slight drop in fourth-quarter output. Fortescue exceeded its full-year iron ore shipment forecast thanks to a record fourth-quarter performance.
However, by historical standards, iron ore is still at extremely high prices, having traded below USD100 per ton from mid-May 2014 to June 2020, with only a brief spike above that level in May and August 2019.
22 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
Prices may continue to moderate if China, which buys about 70% of the world's seaborne iron ore, continues to persuade steelmakers to limit production while supply from top exporters Australia and Brazil rises. However, with Rio Tinto reporting a cash cost of USD1818.50 per ton for free-on-board iron ore at its Western Australian ports, it's clear that even if iron ore continues to lose value, the major miners will be strong cash generators. DIFFERING PATHS
Mining companies' use of all that cash shows where they anticipate making profits once iron ore demand declines as China's industrialization slows and the country sources more ore from new projects in places such as Guinea's Simandou.
different path than its Australian peers, with a major pending investment in potash. The world's biggest listed miner is set to decide soon whether to proceed with its USD5.7 billion project to produce agricultural fertilizer in Saskatchewan, Canada. Potash is an important component of plant nutrition and can make crops more drought-resistant, which is likely to become more critical if climate change alters rainfall patterns worldwide. BHP's planned foray into potash could be seen as a response to climate change. However, rather than attempting to reduce carbon emissions, as Rio is doing with lithium for batteries and Fortescue with green hydrogen, BHP is looking for a product that will be in higher demand as the world grapples with the effects of climate change.
Rio Tinto is still investing in copper, with expansion at its troubled Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia, but the miner has also approved a large investment in lithium, an essential metal for batteries that will be critical in any successful energy transition away from fossil fuels. The London-based miner announced on July 27, 2021, that it would invest USD2.4 billion in Serbia's Jadar lithium project, with a four-year construction program set to begin in 2022. The mine will establish Rio as the largest lithium supplier in Europe. It will provide the continent's major carmakers, such as Volkswagen and BMW, with another metal source, which is critical to their plans to transition to electric vehicles. Fortescue sees a future in new energies as well but believes hydrogen will be the winner. The miner has signed several agreements to explore hydrogen projects in India, Brazil, Africa, and Australia's island state Tasmania. Fortescue's focus is on producing green hydrogen, primarily through hydropower, and then use the resulting hydrogen as a fuel in industrial processes such as steel production. BHP, which has significant investments in coking coal used to make steel and oil in its portfolio, is following a www.skillings.net | 23
SPECIAL FOCUS
Intelligent mining market likely to experience high demand
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he growing adoption of automation technology by businesses worldwide and the digital transformation thus resulting in mining, drive growth in the smart mining market. Some of the top players in the intelligent mining market are Rio Tinto, Rockwell Automation, Trimble Navigation, Atlas Copco, Caterpillar, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Komatsu Mining, Cisco Systems, Siemens, Deloitte Intelligent Mining, SAP ERP, Bosch Global, and Codelco.
INNOVATION IN MINING WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROWTH
The mining industry's technology evolves in response to heightened demand for increased safety, productivity, and
sustainability. Companies worldwide are implementing automated technologies to improve their operations and gain greater control over real-time data. Mining companies are implementing smart technologies for mining and commodity distribution to meet global demand for natural resources. Automation in smart mining increases overall mining productivity and efficiency. For example, Resolute Mining, an Australian-based gold mining company, is spending USD223 million to build the world's first fully automatic underground mine in South Africa, including driverless trucks, loaders, and drills. Furthermore, acquisitions by key players are boosting the global market.
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GROWTH FACILITATED BY HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY IN SMART MINING
The smart mining market is divided into two types: surface and underground mining and automated equipment. The most popular is automated equipment, which saves time by utilizing load haul dumps, excavators, drills, breakers, and other equipment to extract minerals from rock or soil. Digitalization of mining activities is also required for safe and easy operation. The use of hardware and software solutions to monitor overall mining with minimal labor-intensive interference is one of the critical drivers of the global market for smart mining. Automation in mining provides better control and higher productivity, fueling demand for it. The
advancement of mining technologies empowers employees, promotes safety, and maintains a healthy environment by establishing a long-term socioeconomic relationship that benefits the companies' overall growth. NORTH AMERICA TO DOMINATE THE GLOBAL MARKET
The global smart mining market is divided into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Mining has been practiced in North America since the 19th century, and it continues to expand with the discovery of minerals in the region. North America is a significant producer of bauxite, iron, copper, coal, and nickel. It is expected that North America will continue to dominate the global smart mining market, owing to the various industries involved in mineral discovery and job creation across the continent.
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Offices: Byron, GA Escanaba, MI Muskegon, MI Coleraine, MN Tulsa, OK Chester, PA Oshkosh, WI Green Bay, WI Rhinelander, WI www.skillings.net | 25
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Interview with Jim Ford FOUNDER OF WAYPOINTS WYOMING LLC
Jim Ford is the founder of Waypoints Wyoming LLC. He has multiple advanced degrees from the School of Hard Knocks. He has an experience of about fifteen years in upstream oil and gas operations, primarily CBM (coal bed methane) in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana. He also carries experience in O&G services in trucking and rail transload terminals, plus manufacturing of activated carbon from PRB coals. Summarize your company business and current projects you are involved in. “Waypoints Wyoming provides strategic advisory services in the space around low carbon intensity energy and materials. Wyoming, UWYO, Campbell County, City of Gillette are currently developing a world class basis, proving grounds to foster research into and demonstration of the technologies needed for the low carbon solutions that society and markets demand. The 'carbon valley' concept ties O&G production, coal mining, CCUS,
electricity generation, coal-to-products, CO2 transportation and EOR.”
Tell us a bit about your prestigious company, “Waypoints Wyoming” please, especially the beginning years and now. “Waypoints Wyoming was formed in 2019 to specifically assist the local government of Campbell County Wyoming, in developing and promoting a vision for the continued utilization of coal, natural gas, and oil in a CO2 constrained future. Over the last 2 ½ years Waypoints’ scope
has expanded to include work with other government entities, economic development groups, universities and national labs. We provide advisory services to private industries to promote the development of advanced carbon technologies and deployment of the same into the commercial space. Some of the areas where we do our best work include assisting project developers in obtaining social license to operate, www.skillings.net | 27
PROFILES IN MINING
industrial siting, environmental assessment and regulatory permitting, technical assistance in process refinements and strategic planning for integration of their technologies into the marketplace. Individuals and markets are issuing separate but related calls for decarbonization of the transportation sector – in favour of electrified vehicles, and decarbonization of the industrial and electricity generation sectors - particularly coal fired generation. While these aims are not contradictory on their face, pursuing them simultaneously on a global scale surely compounds the difficulty. I believe that there is a major disconnect between the societal demands for reduction of CO2 emissions, the growing needs for useful forms of energy and the state of available technologies and infrastructure needed to deploy solutions at an industrial scale. At Waypoints, we seek to bridge those gaps with support for commercially viable projects that can help provide those solutions.”
What do you think are the primary needs of society and market with respect to low carbon intensity energy and materials? “I THINK THAT THIS QUESTION SHOULD BE TAKEN IN TWO PARTS:
The first need of any society with respect to energy, is to have access to abundant, reliable, and affordable sources of energy; this improves the human condition such that the members of that society can elevate their thinking and actions beyond the basic requirements of sufficient food, clean water, and protection from the elements. Energy provides the foundation for the mechanisms, methods, and materials to accomplish these things. The second, is the natural result of what follows once these basic needs are met; namely that healthy and wealthy people
have the capacity to address the environmental issues of responsible resource utilization and elimination of wastes and pollution (including focus on the creation of methods to produce low carbon intensity forms of energy, materials, and chemicals). Much of the world today finds itself at this second phase by having had the luxury of several generations of energy abundance. The opportunity exists now for the developing world to simultaneously
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accomplish both steps by employing CCUS strategies for sensible utilization of coal, oil, and gas along with nuclear and other sources of renewable energy.”
We see the acronyms CCS and CCUS often now. What is the process followed for CO2 capture and sequestration? How can CO2 be utilized after it is captured? “The very first IPCC Assessment Report in 1990 identified CO2 capture and
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profiles in mining
At industrial process facilities such as coal and natural-gas-fired power plants, steel mills, cement plants and refineries, separation of the CO2 from other gases (such as nitrogen and water vapor) takes place using solvents or membranes. Once separated, the CO2 is compressed and transported via pipelines, trucks, ships, or other methods to a suitable sites for geological storage. The CO2 is then injected into deep underground rock formations, usually at depths exceeding 3,000 feet or more. There are immense opportunities for utilization of CO2 once it has been captured. When injected into depleted oil reservoirs, reserves that would otherwise be left behind can be recovered without drilling new wells or needs for significant new infrastructure additions.
Much of the CO2 injected for this use remains permanently in the rock, so oil produced in this manner has an overall lower carbon intensity when compared to traditional methods. CO2 is also being utilized in engineered concretes and fuel production.”
Where can all of this be deployed in the first place? “I am confident that the Powder River Basin region of Wyoming possesses all the attributes necessary to demonstrate to the world that a transition to low CO2 intensity production of electricity, fuels, chemicals, and materials from coal, oil, and natural gas is not only possible but can be fairly profitable too! We have the right combination of: vision, political will at all levels, access
Waypoints Wyoming was formed in 2019 to specifically assist the local government of Campbell County Wyoming, in developing and promoting a vision for the continued utilization of coal, natural gas, and oil in a CO2 constrained future.
sequestration as an important tool in accomplishing its goals, and has done so consistently now, for over 30 years! CCS TYPICALLY REQUIRES THREE MAJOR STEPS:
capturing CO2 at the source, conditioning it for transportation, and, then injecting it through wells specially engineered and permitted into deep geologic formations at a carefully selected and safe sites, where it is permanently stored. www.skillings.net | 29
PROFILES IN MINING
to tremendous natural resources, and an existing capacity for production and transportation of minerals and energy that is second to none. Our mining, O&G, power generation, industrial manufacturing and service sectors have the expertise to put the ideas into practice at the plant and in the field level both. Under the leadership of the Wyoming Energy Authority, UWYO School of Energy Resources and Energy Capital Economic Development, three significant projects are taking root in Campbell County. These are in a collaborative effort to be locally known as the “Carbon Valley” initiative. Together we are focusing on three pathways right now that can offer set solutions
We have the right combination of: vision, political will at all levels, access to tremendous natural resources, and an existing capacity for production and transportation of minerals and energy that is second to none. to responsibly address CO2 in the energy sector and utilization of carbon-based natural resources in novel ways. The Wyoming Integrated Test Center, ITC, (https://www.wyomingitc.org/) opened at the Basin Electric Dry Fork Station
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to provide space for researchers to test Carbon Capture, Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS) technologies using actual coal-based flue gas. Research will look at taking flue gas and turning it into a marketable commodity. It will lead to new opportunities in petrochemicals as well as other commercial uses of carbon dioxide. Research at the facility will help ensure the viability of the coal industry, which supports jobs, local and state economies and help to keep electricity prices low for millions of people around the globe. The ITC is one of a handful of such facilities around the world and only the second one in the United States. While many carbon capture technologies are being developed and studied in
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based electricity generation facilities into deep geologic formations underground. The goal is to demonstrate safe and secure geologic CO2 storage and eventually commercialize large-scale subsurface storage near Dry Fork Station. Upon project completion, the team will have advanced the science of carbon capture and storage – with beneficiaries ranging from the U.S. Department of Energy to the coal and utility industries. In fall 2021, researchers will begin drilling a second CO2 test well to finalize the geologic characterization and collect baseline microseismic measurements. Earlier this year, a baseline CO2 monitoring network was installed to scan levels in the soil. Wyoming Innovation Center (WyIC), a 5,500-square-foot coal commercialization facility, broke ground in June 2021 in Gillette. The 9.5-acre site will be home to companies and researchers developing commodities like asphalt, graphene, graphite, agricultural char, carbon fiber, and more – using coal and coal byproducts.
laboratory settings, ITC is one of the few research and testing facilities at an operating coal-fired powered plant. Laboratories cannot mimic the real-world conditions of a functioning coal-fired power plant. ITC allows for real world testing at an active power plant and alleviates typical concerns over being able to transfer technology efficiently from a lab to a plant. The Wyoming Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise project, known as CarbonSAFE for short, involves a team of University of Wyoming scientists and industry professionals investigating how to permanently store carbon dioxide emitted from coal-
The state-of-the-art WyIC will feature two buildings and seven demonstration sites for pilot plants, for private companies and researchers to advance coal-to-product and rare earth element processes. Tenants at WyIC will focus on evaluating the commercial viability of high-value nonfuel, low- or zero-emissions products made from coal and extracting pivotal rare earth elements found in the fly ash of coal burned at local power plants. The WyIC’s 4,000-square-foot building will provide office, lab and workspace for tenants – while a 1,500-square-foot building will be used to handle raw materials. The facility is locally owned and operated by Energy Capital Economic Development (ECED). www.skillings.net | 31
SURFACE PROFILESMINING IN MINING
These three projects are together providing for a solid foundation for research and pre-commercial demonstrations of methods that can be deployed at scale in NE Wyoming.”
Who are the main competitors of Waypoints Wyoming and how do they challenge Waypoints Wyoming? “The major challenges that Waypoints faces are not from competitors in the arena…in fact we welcome collaboration with others that share a common vision! THERE ARE TWO REAL CHALLENGES. THAT I CONSISTENTLY OBSERVE:
the first is that many groups, including some politicians and environmental advocacy organizations, have turned away from supporting any efforts to find responsible continued utilization of coal, even though methods exist to address the atmospheric emission. I feel that we here in the US can and will find solutions, for coal, that will become the standard in those parts of the world where coal use continues to increase. Ignoring coal and the subsequent challenges it faces will not help to solve any problems where it is used irresponsibly. The second challenge is that many young people have been instilled with such a negative view of coal, oil, and gas that they believe that the world must simply do without it. We need to promote educational pursuits in engineering, chemistry, and environmental sciences that develop the disciplines to solve problems rather than just turn away from the challenges.”
Please throw some light on your company’s key findings and the biggest accomplishments so far. “Waypoints has the privilege of providing field level operational support for the Integrated Test Center. This gives us
the opportunity to engage with leading universities and private developers in CCUS while doing our part to support the investment of the project partners. One of the most exciting efforts right now is our work with a consortium of private researchers and industrial developers in conceptual design for an integrated refinery model utilizing coal as a crude feedstock. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that there are investors out there for real low carbon solutions that can result in
32 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
tangible projects. Much of the “greenwashing” that has been prevalent seems to be being recognized for what it is, disingenuous and serving only as feel-good statements that have no actual effect.”
In your opinion, what could be the best non-traditional use for coal? “In the US and throughout the world, nearly all coal is used for steam power generation, though China is seeing a significant move toward fuels and chemicals production too.
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gas in the electricity generation sector, and coal has consistently missed the price point for gasification-based fuels when compared to petroleum. I believe that some of the front runners for coalbased products will be high performance asphalts, BTEX range chemicals and high fixed carbon solids like activated carbon and graphite. I think that one of the most exciting prospects is the production of the precursors for low-cost carbon fibers from coal.”
Where do you see the rare earth elements extraction standing, 20 years down the line? “One very important fact to understand about rare earth elements is that they are not all that rare. REE’s are common across all areas of the world, but in low concentrations… what is rare is to find them in high concentrations that justify mining, extraction
and concentration using today’s methods. The global REE landscape came to be dominated by China (and still is today) due to corporate industry making most every supply chain decision over the last 30+ years primarily based on near term economics. Recent years have seen some diversity of supply and processing capacity due to many nations having concern about maintaining both defense and manufacturing security. I believe the next major changes in REE supply chain will be driven by ESG focused investing that will require mining and processing methods to improve to conform to those environmental and social ideals. Further down the line, I foresee implementation of circular economy of REE containing materials that recycles continually after the initial product manufacture and that adds significantly to quantities that are produced in primary mining efforts.”
The non-thermal possibilities for coal are tremendous using technologies that are available today, but the last 100 years have shown us that coal has only been utilized outside the boiler when there is an absence of available petroleum and domestic security strategy falls back on coal reserves. Ultimately, I think that the abundance of coal and its secure access is what will lead to a resurgence. Coal is having a hard time right now, particularly in the United States, competing against natural www.skillings.net | 33
SPECIAL FOCUS
Introducing new tech to your company: 3 strategies Large corporations have long recognized the value of innovation. However, how does a research and development project become a technology solution that teams on the ground actually use?
A
study was conducted to investigate this question, which analyzed several data sources from a large, multinational oil company. The researchers reviewed 7,000 drilling projects over a decade, examined the career histories of over 30,000 engineers dating back to 1979, and conducted a series of interviews with current engineers, managers, and executives. They discovered that the company had
consistently demonstrated an interest in innovation, spending billions of dollars on R&D each year and generating nearly 10,000 patents to date. Furthermore, they discovered that when the company adopted advanced technologies developed through its R&D efforts, drilling costs fell by 15%, resulting in an average savings of $90 million per year per subsidiary. With low oil prices, those savings were significant.
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Despite this significant investment in innovation and unmistakable evidence that innovation pays off financially, the researchers discovered that the company sometimes struggled to gain internal traction for new technologies developed by its R&D teams. Their research identified several common roadblocks and three strategies that are especially effective at encouraging new tools and systems adoption. BEGIN WITH THE USERS
Large corporations often take a top-down approach, developing new technologies based upon high-level strategic and financial concerns before passing them on to subsidiaries and teams. This can work, but the researchers discovered that the frontline engineers tasked with implementation were very hesitant to follow the instructions of some distant R&D researchers on how to do their jobs. And it's easy to understand why. These projects already have a lot of
uncertainty and risk, and if something goes wrong, it could sink millions of dollars into the sand. To overcome this apprehension, the researchers discovered that a bottom-up approach was frequently far more effective. Another engineer they spoke with described how his subsidiary's head of technology was generally opposed to using new technologies from headquarters, arguing that they were a waste of time and money. As a result, whenever R&D proposed new technologies to the subsidiary, the proposals were rejected even before they were discussed on the ground. However, when this engineer visited headquarters and had the opportunity to observe a new system that R&D was
developing to prevent water seepage into oil wells, he was captivated. When he returned from his trip and shared the new technology with his colleagues, they decided to disregard the head of technology and go ahead with the solution anyway. They quickly noticed a significant reduction in water seepage, and their success convinced the boss to jump on board and approve the technology throughout the subsidiary. The critical point here was that, like most advances, this new technology was not simply plug-and-play. For the solution to work outside the lab, project engineers had to conduct a series of experiments and fine-tune the solution for their specific location. If the people on the ground aren't thrilled about a project like this, they can always use the need for adapta-
tion as an excuse to decline the project. However, once people are on board, they will embrace the challenge and do the work required to ensure the advancement's success. That is why R&D teams must begin by interacting with the people who will be using the solutions rather than the bosses who approve budgets. If the R&D team can persuade a few people, they will be able to test whether their new creation improves things in the real world. And once they've had success with one field unit, they'll have a much stronger case when it comes time to talk to others. CHOOSE THE BEST EARLY ADOPTERS
Of course, starting with users is only the first step. R&D teams must identify which users will be most receptive to specific new technologies to maximize their chances of success. This could be people
www.skillings.net | 35
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who are particularly dissatisfied with the status quo — the engineers described above, for example, have had to deal with water seepage for so long that they were open to trying something new — or people who have a specific interest in the proposed new technology. Suppose an R&D team is developing a digital version of a critical analog control system. In that case, it may begin with the operational group that pioneered the old system, as those teams are likely to have the most context to understand the benefits of the update. In addition, the company studied by the researchers implemented two different programs to align R&D teams with the most suitable field engineers. First, the company identified engineers with operational and research experience, and the R&D teams ensured that those engineers were kept up to date on new developments relevant to their research areas. Second, the company established R&D outposts that would allow researchers to rotate through different units, which would enable them to promote new technologies and better understand the current operational needs of field engineers, allowing them to tailor their pitches and solutions to the needs of individual teams.
an internal venture fund to fund the initial trial, which helped the R&D team win over the field engineer's group. Another effective strategy is to group projects of various sizes. The researchers discovered that while R&D teams may be eager to see a technological advance tested in a large project, project managers are unlikely to desire to take on so much additional risk. To solve this issue, the R&D team would locate a small project elsewhere to serve as a guinea pig, and the big project would fund the first round of implementation. This created a win-win situation: the costs to the big project were relatively low, so the damage was limited if things went wrong, and if it succeeded, they would have the proof of concept they needed to implement the technology more widely. Meanwhile, it provided the small project with access to technology
REDUCE THE FINANCIAL BARRIER
Finally, one of the most frequently cited reasons for teams failing to comply with requests to adopt new systems is that implementation often necessitates both man-hours and significant capital investment. These obstacles, however, do not have to be insurmountable. There are numerous creative ways to obtain the resources required, such as through a grant, an internal incubator, external funding, and so on. In the case of water seepage, the R&D team persuaded 36 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive, which meant that the managers on these teams were often more than willing to take on the additional risk. Most R&D teams are unable to subsidize the implementation costs of new technologies fully, so it is critical to explore creative solutions like this to gain the support of local champions. ***** R&D teams cannot take their users for granted when it comes to internal technology rollouts. To gain internal traction, businesses need to treat these users as partners, understanding and addressing their actual needs rather than presenting solutions that do not work for them, by identifying potential early adopters from the bottom up and tackling the financial and non-financial obstacles that prevent people on the ground from successfully implementing the solution.
UNDERGROUND MINING
Twin Metals pledges BEV fleet for Minnesota polymetallic underground mine cific battery electric mining equipment vendor yet. The announcement follows the company's statement in 2019 that it was switching to dry stack tailings management in its proposed design. Dry stack and filtered tailings technology eliminates the need for a dam and is the most environmentally friendly method of storing tailings. MiningWatch, Earthworks, the International Council on Mining and Metals, and more than 140 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) supported the dry stack in a 2020 study.
Twin Metals Minnesota has announced that it will invest in the electrification of its mining and support vehicle fleets as part of its commitment to advancing the nation's most sustainable and technologically advanced underground mining project.
T
he company's primary goal is to design, build, and operate an underground copper, nickel, cobalt, and platinum group metals mine approximately nine miles southeast of Ely and 11 miles northeast of Babbitt. It is interested in the minerals in the Maturi deposit, which is part of the Duluth Complex geologic formation. Twin Metals will reduce its onsite greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 65 percent by converting the mine's fleet from previously proposed diesel equipment
to electric vehicles. Other advantages include reduced power requirements for underground ventilation and heating, reduced maintenance requirements, reduced noise, and improved worker safety and air quality. Twin Metals will be Minnesota's first mine to use battery electric vehicle technology (BEV). The proposed electric vehicle fleet represents almost 100 percent of the project's mining and large support vehicles. Twin Metals have contracted no spe-
Twin Metals claims to have worked for more than a decade to develop and propose an underground mining project. It submitted its formal mine plan to state and federal regulators in late 2019 and is currently going through the multiyear environmental review process. The Duluth Complex, where Twin Metals intends to mine, is the world's largest undeveloped copper-nickel deposit, and it contains critical minerals required for a green energy future. Antofagasta, the parent company of Twin Metals, has led the industry in setting ambitious goals for sustainable mining practices. By 2022, all four of Antofagasta's mining operations in Chile will be powered entirely by renewable energy. In addition, the company has reduced its GHG emissions by more than 580,000 tons since 2018 and has a new goal of reducing emissions by an additional 30 percent by 2025. www.skillings.net | 37
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Orissa Mining’s iron ore site marked by Mobiscreen Ms Evo screening plants At the Keonjhar iron ore mine in Orissa, India, MOBISCREEN MS EVO screening systems have been assisting Kalina Commercial Corp and Orissa Mining in achieving their goals by classifying material into the proper grain sizes.
K
alinga, which extracts iron ore on behalf of the state-owned enterprise Orissa Mining, has been employing six Kleemann MOBISCREEN EVO mobile screening systems to sort the ore into up to four fractions. More than 20 excavators are used to remove, handle, and load the ore, with 140 huge dump trucks bringing it from the mines to the screening plants for further processing. 5 double-deck screening plants MOBISCREEN MS 952 EVO along with a triple-deck screening plant MS 953 EVO make segmentation of the
blasted and then crushed material into up to 3 or 4 (with the MS 953 EVO) fractions feasible. Kalinga has reached a continuous daily production target of 30,000 t in two shifts using these six mobile classifying screens, with the desired final grain sizes of 0-10 mm and 10-40 mm. The MOBISCREEN MS EVO screening units can function precisely and efficiently in harsh conditions: they can handle feed material with a moisture content of 6-7 percent without trouble at an open-pit mining site in Keonjhar.
38 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
DR SR SAMAL, MANAGING DIRECTOR, KALINGA COMMERCIAL CORP, SAID:
“We have been using Kleemann screening plants for more than two years. These plants have proved their value with regard to product quality and output. Over the years, they have become an indispensable element of our operation. The service, above all, is exemplary. The co-operation with the Wirtgen Group was crowned with success.” The company claims that because work platforms are easily accessible, servicing operations can be completed rapidly and screen surfaces can be replaced without difficulty. All other service components are accessible from the ground, making maintenance activities simple to complete.
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Fear mount over Taliban revenge; Afghan Mining professional seeks refugee status in the U.S The Skillings Mining Review editorial board received this confirmed communication via Skillings’ INSIDER mining thought leader solicitation a few days ago.
T
he Skillings Mining Review editorial board received this confirmed communication via Skillings' INSIDER mining thought leader solicitation a few days ago.
Just after Kabul fell, a message arrived from a fellow mining professional in the heart of Afghanistan. For his protection, we can't provide you with this person's name or specific location. However, we can reveal that he has over ten years of mining, geology, and petroleum engineering experience. The continuation of entrenched political elites in Afghanistan, which extends to the mining industry, is a sad legacy of decades of internal warfare. Afghanistan's substantial mineral reserves, including coal and copper, have been known to the world mining industry for decades. Afghanistan is one of the world's wealthiest mining areas, with an estimated $3 trillion in undiscovered mineral resources and Rare Earth elements.
40 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
…My name is ---- from Afghanistan. I am an official government employee that has worked with different Non Government Organizations (NGOs) in Afghanistan. Now the government has been brought down by the Taliban regime, my family and I are not safe. Therefore I want the American government to give an emigration visa to protect my family from conflict and save my life. I hope you are able to send a humanitarian visa for us. Best regards.
Afghanistan's mining industry has been marred by anomalies and a lack of transparency in the bidding process and influence-peddling that benefits politically linked mining contract owners. The public-private sector process is saturated with unmet legal, contractual obligations and significant income loss for the government. Afghanistan's copper resource is estimated to be around 30 million tonnes, according to a 2019 study by the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum. Compared to mineral rich Africa, this country's iron ore, talc, lithium, uranium, gold, and precious stones reserves are mainly unexplored and underutilized oil and gas. Despite provisions in the Mineral Law of 2010 and its 2014 amendment, relevant government agencies have mostly failed to supervise and supervise the mining industry effectively.
The mining industry has been a source of contention in Afghanistan's development discourse, infused with vehement patriotic rhetoric, presumably to deter a takeover of the country; instead of attracting foreign private investors to the country's vast natural resources, wide opinion say leadership should use the country's rich resources to offer chances for domestic investors and Afghan companies. In essence, the world sees the Afghan government and its people on the one hand in a state of turmoil and uncertainty. On the other hand, the Taliban have yet to declare their intentions for the enormous natural riches and those who exploit them. However, in the thick of it all is our fellow miner, who passively speaks for the estimated 10 million mines
in Afghanistan and the millions of other mining professionals in the area who have no voice. This series of events could present the possibility of changing and improving the availability of easily exploited mineral resources. The potential of removing political elites who exploit weak and corrupt government institutions stands before the incoming government. If you find our friend's message unsettling and a little unsettling, you should. What about him? This publication has opted to contact the US State Department and pass his request to the appropriate authorities... and hope for the best.
Northern Afghanistan has 1.95 billion barrels of undiscovered recoverable crude oil reserves and natural gas reserves above 16.2 trillion cubic feet, according to the Afghan Ministry of Mines and Petroleum in 2011. Only hours after the Taliban overran the country, reportedly a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson claimed Beijing was ready for "friendly cooperation with Afghanistan." China has maintained communication with the Afghan Taliban and has played a public role in supporting the Afghan issue's political resolution. Russia has stated that its diplomatic post would stay open, and it has expressed its gratitude to the new leadership. Within 48 hours following the capture, Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov met with a Taliban representative and claimed he had seen no indication of retaliation or bloodshed.
www.skillings.net | 41
SPECIAL FOCUS
Oz Minerals authorized $600 million investment The company's board wanted shareholders to benefit from the substantial increase in first-half earnings before entering into the next development phase, including expansions at Prominent Hill and Carrapateena starting this year and a decision on West Musgrave anticipated in 2022. With the Wira shaft mine extension allowing access to previously uneconomic regions and opening up possible new possibilities, we are delighted to anticipate a long and productive future for Prominent Hill in South Australia, stated Andrew Cole, CEO of Oz Minerals. For Prominent Hill, the choice, confirmed by the operation's dependable performance and constant resource to reserve conversion rate. The shaft expansion allows Oz Minerals to invest in reduced emissions and other environmental and worker goals with a longer mine life and higher production rates. According to Oz Minerals, the hoisting shaft would give access to mineral resources outside of the existing trucking mine plan that would have been uneconomical to reach through trucking from 2033 onwards. With the Carrapateena mine now running at intended capacity for the whole half-year, increased revenues continue to be partly offset by higher payments to suppliers. The company's board wanted shareholders to benefit from the substantial increase in first-half earnings before entering into the next development phase, including expansions at Prominent Hill and Carrapateena starting this year and a decision on West Musgrave anticipated in 2022. According to Cole, Prominent Hill's annualized rates remained over four million tons per year in the first half, with work continuing at the bottom of the current life-of-mine level to build level infrastructure in preparation for the
start of the bottom-up mining sequence. Simultaneous bottom-up and top-down mining will allow mining rates to rise from 2022 to between four and five million tonnes per year, ahead of the shaft mine development, which would allow mining rates of six million tonnes per year from 2025. During the first half of the year, Carrapateena's production increased as anticipated. The board also authorized the block cave extension in January, and it would replace the lowest part of the existing sub-level cave footprint with a block cave to boost mine output to a projected 12-million tonnes per year. Early activities on the block cave decline start in the fourth quarter of 2021, while the team continues to concentrate on debottlenecking and improving the current sub-level cave output rate to
42 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
5-million tonnes per year by 2023. The investment decision has not changed and will be implemented in 2022. The West Musgrave provincial plan was also progressed in the first half, with the addition of a focused geophysics and drilling program at the Succoth copper deposit, situated 13 kilometers west of Nebo-Babel, that is set to begin in the third quarter of 2021. The Succoth project has the potential to bring value to West Musgrave. Stope production is now anticipated to begin soon, enabling a shift from development ore processing to production ramp-up, thanks to the arrival of new mining equipment at the site in June. During the first half of the year, continued resource drilling at Santa Lucia and Pantera, enabling mineral resource and study updates to define expansion prospects in Brazil for the second half of the year, according to Cole.
SPECIAL FOCUS
Precious-Gold shaken by Delta variant; attention on U.S. inflation Gold’s technical picture remains bleak as dollar firms near three-week high, Asian shares held back by Delta worries.
G
old prices rise as concerns about an increase in instances of the Delta coronavirus strain overshadowed pressure from a gaining dollar and bond yields, on August 11, 2021, as investors awaited U.S. inflation data later in the day.
low on August 9, 2021. “Gold’s inability to recapture the $1,750 level means that the technical picture remains heavily negative, and it is vulnerable to further sell-offs,” Jeffrey Halley, a senior market analyst, Asia Pacific at OANDA said in a note. The price of silver increased by 0.1 percent to $23.34 per ounce. Palladium rose 0.2 percent to $2,645.82, while platinum jumped 0.7 percent to $1,001.82.
Spot gold rose by 0.1% at $1,730.31 per ounce by 0637 GMT, and U.S. gold futures rose 0.1% to $1,732.70. “Lingering Delta virus concerns are offering some safe-haven inflows into gold in the Asian session, but gold is still struggling to recover from the flash crash on 9 August,” said Stephen Innes, managing partner at the famous Swiss firm, SPI Asset Management. “Obviously, with the Federal Reserve communication taking a more hawkish turn, coupled with the strong U.S. non-farm payrolls data markets are a little bit nervous about taking it (gold) higher.” As coronavirus infections continued to rise in numerous Asian countries, endangering the economy and driving some investors to safe-haven assets, risk sentiment in the wider financial markets remained muted. However, the dollar index remained close to a three-week high against its peers, as US Treasury rates climbed to their highest levels since mid-July. Investors are now waiting for the monthly U.S. personal consumption report, which is out at 1230 GMT and could impact the Fed's tapering plan. On August 10, 2021, Chicago Fed President Charles Evans stated that the current inflation increase should not prompt the central bank to tighten monetary policy too quickly, and that further months of labour data are needed before any changes are made. Indications of a stronger labour market in recent days have fueled fears of a faster-than-expected interest rate hike in the United States, bringing gold prices to a four-month
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www.skillings.net | 43
UNDERGROUND MINING
Deep-sea mining Does it threaten our environment, or can it save us?
Metal clumps the size of potatoes at the bottom of the deepest oceans could help us fight climate change, but mining them could also harm a world we know very little about. More than 150 years after French author Jules Verne published his classic tale of deep-sea exploration, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, we know less about the deep sea than we do about the moon's surface.
L
arge areas submerged thousands of meters beneath the surface of the ocean remain a mystery. However, it has now been discovered that they may hold the key to combating climate change. Technologies such as batteries 44 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
ADVERTISING INDEX
Azcon ............................................ 45 Barr Engineering............................ 15 of electric cars, solar panels, and wind turbines necessitate the use of rare resources found on the seafloor. At the same time, mining them may be a curse for the environment. Despite this, companies are pushing forward with deep-sea mining. Currently, 30 companies have permits to explore the Pacific Ocean's depths, with companies such as Lockheed Martin and Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering NV (DEME) creating their deep-sea mining initiatives.
plumes, which may cover fauna in the vicinity of the mining site. Meanwhile, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is debating deep-sea mining rules, which should be finalized within the next two years.
CR Meyer....................................... 23 FloLevel Technologies.................. 17 Fryberger........................................ 15 General Equipment Supplies........ 05 Global Minerals Engineering........ 44 Golder Associates......................... 45 Halcor............................................ 13 Lake Superior Chapter ISEE.......... 45 Malton Electric Company............. 45 ME Elecmetal................................ 07
Royal IHC, a Dutch maritime technology company, is taking part in this new rush. The extraction of tiny clusters of resources known as polymetallic nodules is their current focus. They contain metals and minerals that are essential in technologies such as batteries and wind turbines.
Minnesota Power.......................... 21
These tiny nodules litter the seafloor in some places, but getting them up in a profitable way can be difficult.
Optiro............................................. 02
Meanwhile, scientists are debating whether we can mine at such depths and whether we should. Deep-sea mining areas are largely unexplored and frequently contain many undiscovered species. There is an argument that deep-sea mining experiments are beneficial because they provide more information.
Mielke Electric Works................... 25 Naylor Pipe.................................... 48 Neo Solutions................................ 33 Northern Engine & Supply............. 45
We thrive on challenges
SEH................................................ 43 TDS6.............................................. 21
golder.com
However, some experts believe that we would need at least another ten years of research before allowing commercial mining. Mining has the potential to harm the deep sea in a variety of ways. The vehicles can potentially destroy the top of the seabed, resulting in an unavoidable loss of life among the animals that live there. More importantly, robots may emit sediment www.skillings.net | 45
STATISTICS
JUNE 2021 CRUDE STEEL PRODUCTION
W
orld crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 167.9 million tonnes (Mt) in June 2021, an 11.6% increase compared to June 2020. CRUDE STEEL PRODUCTION BY REGION
Africa produced 1.5 Mt in June 2021, up 46.9% on June 2020. Asia and Oceania produced 122.5 Mt, up 6.4%. The CIS produced 8.9 Mt, up 9.1%. The EU (27) produced 13.2 Mt, up 34.7%. Europe, Other produced 4.3 Mt, up 21.0% The Middle East produced 3.6 Mt, up 9.1%. North America produced 10.0 Mt, up 45.2%. South America produced 3.9 Mt, up 51.3%. TOP 10 STEEL-PRODUCING COUNTRIES
The 64 countries included in this table accounted for approximately 98% of total world crude steel production in 2020. Regions and countries covered by the table: Africa, Asia and Oceania, CIS, European Union, Middle East, North America, South America.
China produced 93.9 Mt in June 2021, up 1.5% on June 2020. India produced 9.4 Mt, up 21.4%. Japan produced 8.1 Mt, up 44.4%. The United States produced 7.1 Mt, up 44.4%. Russia is estimated to have produced 6.4 Mt, up
Table 1. Crude steel production by region Jun 2021 (Mt) Africa Asia and Oceania CIS EU (27)
1.5
% change Jun 21/20 46.9
Table 2. Top 10 steel-producing countries
Jan-Jun 2021 (Mt) 8.0
% change Jan-Jun 21/20
Jun 2021 (Mt)
% change Jun 21/20
Jan-Jun 21 (Mt)
% change Jan-Jun 21/20
28.0
China
93.9
1.5
563.3
11.8
India
9.4
21.4
57.9
31.3
Japan
8.1
44.4
48.1
13.8
7.1
44.4
42.0
15.5
e 6.4
11.4
38.2
8.3
122.5
6.4
737.0
13.8
8.9
9.1
53.3
8.7
13.2
34.7
77.8
18.4
Europe, Other
4.3
21.0
25.2
18.1
Middle East
3.6
9.1
21.4
8.7
North America
10.0
45.2
58.7
16.4
South America
3.9
51.3
22.6
28.1
167.9
11.6
1003.9
14.4
Total 64 countries
11.4%. South Korea produced 6.0 Mt, up 17.3%. Germany produced 3.4 Mt, up 38.2%. Turkey produced 3.4 Mt, up 17.9%. Brazil produced 3.1 Mt, up 45.2%. Iran is estimated to have produced 2.5 Mt, up 1.9%.
United States Russia South Korea
6.0
17.3
35.2
8.3
Germany
3.4
38.2
20.6
18.1
Turkey
3.4
17.9
19.7
20.6
3.1
45.2
18.1
24.0
e 2.5
1.9
15.0
8.0
Brazil Iran
The 64 countries included in this table accounted for approximately 98% of total world crude steel production in 2020. Regions and countries covered by the table: Africa: Egypt, Libya, South Africa. Asia and Oceania: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Vietnam. CIS: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan. European Union (27). Europe, Other: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Turkey, United Kingdom. Middle East: Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. North America: Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, United States. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
46 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW September 2021
CRUDE STEEL PRODUCTION DECEMBER 2020. Source – World Steel Association COUNTRY
DEC 2020
DEC 2019
%CHANGE DEC-20/19
2020
% CHANGE
COUNTRY
DEC 2020
DEC 2019
%CHANGE DEC-20/19
2020
% CHANGE
Austria
530 e
521
1.7
6 665
-10.2
Mexico
1 550 e
1 361
13.9
16 854
-8.3
Belgium
359
505
-28.9
6 119
-21.1
United States
6 434
7 292
-11.8
72 690
-17.2
Bulgaria
40 e
43
-6.3
485
-14.3
Croatia
15 e
7
101.9
47
-32.0
North America
9 107
9 801
-7.1
101 119
-15.5
388
326
19.0
3 651
-21.4
2 886
2 462
17.2
30 971
-4.9
Argentina
Czech Republic
408
359
13.7
4 465
0.6
Finland
339
186
81.8
3 500
0.8
France
1 155
918
25.7
11 596
-19.8
Chile
105 e
109
-3.5
1 165
2.8
Germany
3 137
2 835
10.6
35 658
-10.0
Colombia
110 e
97
13.5
1 126
-15.5
94
17.0
1 430
5.9
Ecuador
50 e
50
0.5
477
-21.5
164
-44.8
1 513
-14.5
Paraguay
3 e
3
-4.4
22
-17.5
1 404
6.9
20 200
-12.9
Peru
105 e
91
15.8
671
-45.4
Uruguay
5 e
5
-7.2
47
-24.6
Venezuela
2 e
0
315.8
29
-43.6
3 654
3 143
16.3
38 158
-8.4
Egypt
994
574
73.0
8 229
13.4
Libya
73
63
16.2
495
-18.4
297
-1.5
3 877
-37.0
934
45.5
12 600
-10.1
2 224
19.6
29 030
13.4
85
186
-54.3
1 218
-52.4
Saudi Arabia
440
664
-33.8
7 775
-5.1
United Arab Emirates
280
297
-5.8
2 722
-18.2
3 465
3 371
2.8
40 745
2.7
China
91 252
84 692
7.7 1 052 999
5.2
India
9 796
9 383
4.4
99 570
-10.6
Japan
7 526
7 785
-3.3
83 194
-16.2
South Korea
5 952
5 880
1.2
67 121
-6.0
380 e
261
45.6
3 743
13.3
1 700 e
1 693
0.4
20 570
-6.3
Thailand
410 e
357
14.8
4 420
4.1
Vietnam
1 600 e
1 876
…
19 500
11.6
118 616
111927
6.0
1 351 117
1.6
473
449
5.4
5 490
0.0
59
57
3.8
586
-12.2
533
506
5.2
6 076
-1.4
Greece Hungary Italy
110 e 90 1 500 e
Luxembourg
113
97
17.3
1 886
-11.0
Netherlands
540
521
3.6
6 054
-9.1
Poland
680 e
642
5.9
7 890
-11.9
Slovenia
50 e
34
45.0
570
-8.5
Spain
891
765
16.4
10 934
-19.5
Sweden
410
376
8.9
4 409
-6.6
United Kingdom
710 e
550
29.0
7 185
-0.5
Other E.U. (28) (e)
680 e
642
6.0
8180
-12.1
10 665
10.2
138 786
-11.8
European Union (28) 11 757 Bosnia-Herzegovina
75
70
6.5
759
-5.2
Macedonia
33
24
35.9
180
-24.8
Norway
41
40
3.2
624
0.5
Serbia
119
158
-24.8
1 456
-24.6
Turkey
3 403
2 893
17.7
35 763
6.0
Other Europe
3 671
3 185
15.3
38 782
3.9
Byelorussia
200 e
225
-11.2
2 490
-5.0
Kazakhstan
355 e
374
-5.0
3 835
-7.2
45 e
35
28.2
465
18.7
Russia
6 110 e
6 159
-0.8
73 400
2.6
Ukraine
1 906
1 561
22.1
20 616
-1.1
84
-4.8
950
42.6
Moldova
Uzbekistan
80 e
C.I.S. (6)
8 696
8 438
3.1
101 756
1.5
Canada
1 070 e
1 092
-2.0
11 078
-14.1
20 e
22
-8.5
181
-21.4
El Salvador
8 e
8
-5.7
79
-22.5
Guatemala
25 e
26
-3.9
237
-22.6
Cuba
Brazil
South America
South Africa
292 e
Africa
1 359
Iran
2 660 e
Qatar
Middle East
Pakistan Taiwan, China
Asia Australia New Zealand Oceania
Total 64 countries (1) 160 858
151 969
5.8 1 829 140
-0.9
(1) - HADEED only. (2) - the 64 countries included in this table accounted for approximately 99% of total world crude steel production in 2019. e - estimated
www.skillings.net | 47
