Australian Mining December 2010

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SERVING THE MINING INDUSTRY SINCE 1908

VOLUME 102/12 – DECEMBER 2010

www.miningaustralia.com.au

NO.1 FOR MINING TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT

Looking towards the future Moving on in mining Metals Outlook

Commodities future Metal prices

P.16

Prospect Awards

Mining excellence The industry’s best

P.18

Print Post Approved PP255003/00535

Water Management

7th Annual Prospect Awards Winners

Forgotten resource Wastewater treatment

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COMMENT

Mining Australian

Copyright Reed Business Information Published 12 issues a year by Reed Business Information (ABN 80 132 719 861) Tower 2, 475 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, NSW 2067 Australia Tel: (02) 9422 2999 Fax: (02) 9422 2966 Editor – Cole Latimer Tel: (02) 9422 2352 Email: ozmining@reedbusiness.com.au Journalist – Margaret Tra Tel: (02) 9422 2909 Email: ozmining@reedbusiness.com.au Account Manager – Sarah Bateman Tel: (02) 9422 8994 Mob: 0408 991 585 Email: sarah.bateman@reedbusiness.com.au Account Manager – Tim Richards Tel: (02) 9422 2818 Mob: 0407 948 774 Email: tim.richards@reedbusiness.com.au WA Representative – Jamie Wade Mob: 0435 945 868 Email: jamie@wadebusiness.com.au QLD and SA Sales Manager – Sharon Amos Tel: (07) 3261 8857 Fax: (07) 3261 8347 Mob: 0417 072 625 Email: sharon.amos@reedbusiness.com.au New Business – Alex Evans Tel: (02) 9422 2890 Email: alex.evans@reedbusiness.com.au RBI Manufacturing & Electronics Group: Associate Publisher – Michelle Graves Email: michelle.graves@reedbusiness.com.au Graphic Designer – Dave Ashley Production Co-ordinator – Mary Copland Tel: (02) 9422 2738 Fax: (02) 9422 2966 South Africa – Bob Stephen Stephen Marketing PO Box 75, Tarlton, Gauteng 1749, South Africa Tel: 27(011) 952 1721 Fax: 27(011) 952 1607 USA – Jonathan Sismey RBI 24th Floor, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Tel: (1) 212 370 7445 Fax: (1) 212 370 7441 Email: jsismey@ix.netcom.com Larry Arthur RBI Suite 203, 3700 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tel: (1) 949 756 1057 Fax: (1) 949 756 2514 Email: lharthur@ix.netcom.com Printed by GEON 20 Baker Street, Banksmeadow, NSW 2019 Tel: (02) 8333 6555

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Oh what a night The Prospect Awards went off with a bang as the resources industry came together to celebrate mining excellence.

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hat a night we saw last month. In what was the largest Prospect Awards night to date, the industry really came together to celebrate what we’ve achieved this year (despite hardship) and to single out those who have really gone above and beyond.

The winners ranged from discoveries that came about on a hunch (such as Sandfire’s DeGrussa find) to Optalert’s revolutionary fatigue monitoring system, which is like something out of sci-fi movie.

The night at the Harbour came together, with the crowd enjoying an interesting speech from the NSW Minerals Council’s Nikki Williams and MC Vince Sorrenti.

Comment Cole Latimer ozmining@reedbusiness.com.au And it was great to see the industry really enjoying itself and kicking back after what has been a hard year, after being knocked with one poorly formed mining tax after the other.

But while the night was spent looking back at the achievements of the year and how the industry has fared, it was also a night to look forwards – to 2011.

As this annus horribilius draws to a close, the industry can only be relived, yet at the

same time a little trepidatious that we may see a repeat of 2010 and the industry will once more get dragged through the proverbial mud.

So just what will happen next year?

Will we get a new mining tax yet again?

Will the Chinese mineral demand drop ridiculously low, slowing the industry down?

Can gold keep up its seemingly non stop rise, and how will the Greens new found

influence in the Government affect mining?

All these questions and more are rattling around the industry, as it seems to be moving from one rough year to the next.

And these last two years have been considerably hard on mining, especially considering just how high it was flying in the boom years just before hand.

And when recovery was again on the horizon at the start of this year, it seemed like the industry could repeat those heady days, until it was slapped with the mining tax.

Can the industry catch a break at all?

Let’s hope that 2011 is the year for it.

ON THE FRONT PAGE ON this issue’s front page we’ve featured Macarthur Coal’s Moorvale Mine Coal Handling Preperation Plant (CHPP).

The Moorvale mine itself is an open cut strip mine located just over 150 kilometres southwest of Mackay, and produces low volatile PCI and thermal coal.

It mines in a similar fashion to Macarthur's other nearby mine – Coppabella, whereas the Moorvale Mine coal seam comprises three piles with each ply being mined separately.

It went from a greendfields prospect to a coal producing mine in just over 12 months.

The nearest port to the mine is the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal.

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Contents

December 2010 issue

Features

2011 Focus – Metals Outlook 2011

FLUID POWER Simple Synchronicity Hydraulic lifting on site ....................................................................... p6 Safer driving on site Fail safe braking systems ...................................................................... p8 MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING Can hardly bear it Lubrication maintenance .................................................................... p10 Interlock protection Grinding mills protection systems ....................................................... p12

What the year ahead will bring…p16-18

2010 Focus – A look back

7TH ANNUAL PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS Excellence in Environmental Management ............................................ p18 Innovative Mining Solutions..................................................................... p20 Explorer of the Year .................................................................................. p22 Minerals Processing Plant of the Year ..................................................... p24 Excellence in Mine OH&S ..................................................................... p26 Contract Miner of the Year .................................................................... p28 Mine Manager of the Year ....................................................................... p30 Coal Mining of the Year .......................................................................... p32 Outstanding Contribution to Mining ..................................................... p34 Metalliferous Mine of the Year ............................................................... p36 Mine of the Year ....................................................................................... p38 Employer of the Year ................................................................................ p40 WATER AND WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT Wise to water management Trends and changes in water management ......................................... p42 Treating the root of the problem Unique solutions to wastewater management ............................... p44-45

Regulars JOBS ........................................................................................................... p41 A roundup of the year’s big events…p14

4 December 2010

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE ........................................................................... p46 EVENTS ..................................................................................................... p47

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FLUID POWER

Simple SYNCHRONICITY A computer controlled lifting system allowed for a world first dragline tub removal.

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hen RCR Resources-Eagle needed to carry out maintenance on a dragline, they needed a system which could lift safely and synchronously.

The miner turned to Larzep Australia for its computer controlled synchronous high capacity lift system to move their Marion 8750 walking dragline at the Curragh coal mine in Queensland.

In what was believed to be a mining first the system removed the dragline’s tub, which weighs approximately 942 tonnes, for maintenance.

The high lift system was developed after consultation with RCR, who requested help to jack and level the machine after it had been stepped up to the “high cam” position on the walking arms.

RCR-Eagle’s senior mechanical superintendent, Brian

Lynch, said “this machine had never been jacked and split for tub removal before, so we put a significant effort into engineering and then installing a stiffening package in the front corners of the revolving frame on the dragline.”

For the procedure, two fully engineered jacking frames with 1000 tonne working load limits were used.

RCR-Eagle engineered and constructed the jacking support frames, which housed two 500 tonne Larzep cylinders.

“The remaining of the seven jacks were fitted in custom built jacking haunches at 120º around the circumference of the tub,” he said.

They then utilized a modular lifting system from Larzep which allowed for up to three high capacity hydraulic power packs to be connected to a PLC controlled by a single laptop.

A single PLC can now operate up to three power packs.

Larzep also then supplied the seven 500 tonne lifting cylinders for the tub lift and split along with an electric power pump incorporating valving controlled electronically via a PLC, all of which was controlled by a sole laptop.

An additional twenty two 100 tonne capacity cylinders from Larzep were also used to unload the dragline’s left hand side propel walking arm for later removal.

According to Larzep’s Australian director Duncan Bain, the company’s latest software enabled the lift, all with a few simple clicks of the mouse.

With the programmed control, “this system ensures all the cylinders lift and lower simultaneously – to an accuracy of one millimeter – regardless of the actual load on each cylinder.

“It also has progressive lift control, providing the ability to tilt the load when required,” Bain added.

Through using the laptop screen, it allows operators to highlight which cylinder they want to be moving; when highlighted they turn green and can then be told how you want them to move – and you can move them individually or they can be synchronised for what the task requires.

Linear and pressure transducers on each cylinder enable the operator to see clearly on

Operators were able to control the jacks from a single laptop.

the screen the displacement of each jacking cylinder as well as the hydraulic pressure in each one, in real time.

The total mass and centre of gravity can also be shown on the screen.

“Users can pick any individual cylinder, or a combination from 1 to 21; for example you could highlight cylinders 14 through to 21, and then instruct them to lower 50 millimetres so that you can tilt it.

This makes it really flexible and simple,” Bain said.

He went on to say that the system is completely modular, the advantage of which is that eliminates the need to transport and operate a massive 21 port power pack.

Larzep was able to manufacture and deliver the system on site only eight weeks after receiving the order from RCREagle.

• Larzep Australia 03 9796 3744 sales@larzep.com.au www.larzep.com.au

WELDERS ENERATORS

6 December 2010

AustralianMining

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FLUID POWER

Safer driving on site An hydraulics company has designed a completely fail safe brake for light mining vehicles, Cole Latimer reports.

E

nsuring vehicle safety is critical on site. And one way to ensure this is through effective vehicle brakes.

Speaking to Australian Mining, Hy-Performance Fluid Power’s Keith Hurst said that the company’s new fully enclosed fail safe emergency brake is making driving on site safer.

Originally commissioned by BHP to develop the brake, Hy-Performance has designed the fail safe brake kits for ease of installation, low maintenance cost and to comply with the BHP fatal risk protocol.

One has also been installed in an on road car which has since driven around 40 000 kilometres, and according to Hurst has seen no problems nor needed replacing.The brake has been undergoing trials at an underground mine in Queensland over the last 12 months, and has been ADR approved.

“The hydraulically operated drive line mounted multi disc wet brake is submerged in oil, so it has high corrosion resistance, on top of being fully enclosed,” Hurst said.

8 December 2010

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The fully enclosed hydraulic fail safe emergency brake.

He explained that this is extremely important as brakes on mining vehicles wear out at a surprisingly fast rate due to the high level of corrosive and abrasive materials that are found on mine sites.

He explained it was created like this due to requests from miners who were looking for a completely fail safe brake that could operate in their harsh working environments.

The brake is spring applied, and

has a hydraulic release, so if the vehicle loses power then the brake will automatically work as hydraulic pressure bleeds off, he told Australian Mining.

On top of this, it also increases safety due to the potential for a series of interlocks.

“The system has a range of optional interlocks, so the mine operators have a greater choice in how they choose to have the brake apply, for instance they can specify for it to operate if a door opens while the vehicle is moving or if a seat belt is removed while the vehicle is running.

“The potential for these interlocks is really limitless and up to how the miners choose to specify it,” Hurst said.

All of the brakes are currently designed for land cruisers, including six cylinders turbo and non-turbo, V8, and Hilux models.

• Hy-Performance Fluid Power 07 3806 9900 sales@hyperfluid.com.au www.hyperfluid.com.au

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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MAINTENANCE & MONITORING

Can hardly

BEAR IT

It does not need to be wet for water to contaminate grease.

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ater contamination is a serious issue affecting bearings.

It is a source of bearing failure that is not particularly well understood, and often overlooked, as bearings may not actually be close to wet areas or obvious sources of water contamination.

Many miners think that unless the bearing is in wet operating conditions then contamination will not be an issue.

This is not the case.

A number of factors can lead to water contamination of grease, such as condensation inside the housing.

Humidity will also cause degradation of the grease through water contamination.

Additionally, processes such as wash downs with high pressure hoses are also likely

10 December 2010

to force water back into the housing through the seals, unless they are in good condition and continuously and fully grease purged.

There needs to be as little as .05% of water contamination to cause lubrication problems and failure of the grease’s protection properties.

On top of this, it also leads to a break down of the oil film strength, reducing the oil’s ability to separate rolling elements under load.

This loss in film strength damages surfaces, accelerating wear and tear of machinery and leading to complete bearing failure.

The presence of water also causes hydrogen induced embrittlement and cracking acceleration of the hydrogen induced fracture process, which

AustralianMining

Contamination breaks down the strength of oil film.

is started by the original water contamination and then advanced by corrosion and electrolysis, causing the rolling elements and raceways to become etched and pitted.

This surface damage then in turn causes high temperatures at the point of load as a result of the loss of oil film separation between the damaged surfaces, resulting in further oxidisation of the oils in the

grease consequently adding to the corrosion.

However, there are methods to prevent water contamination and subsequent damage.

Firstly there is the prevention of water ingress by maintaining the seals in good condition, and using labyrinth seals to ensure that they are continuously fully grease-purged.

By maintaining continuous re-lubrication of the bear-

ings to ensure that there is a progressive and continuous replacement of lubricant and that any contaminated grease is purged from the bearings, you can keep machinery running longer, and much more efficiently. • Delta Distribution 03 9723 8600 sales@dis.com.au www.dis.com.au

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MAINTENANCE & MONITORING

Interlock protection Installation and maintenance of interlock and control systems protect grinding mills.

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ne of the most important components in any plant’s throughput is the grinding mill.

And mills are now under greater pressures than ever before, with lower grades and higher throughput.

Nowadays, these large mills require more sophisticated bearings and lubrication systems as they are subjected to high loads and stresses.

The large throughput on these mills also means that when an unscheduled downtime occurs, these mills are hit hard.

So the question arises, how can you best protect these mills from preventable damages?

Modern control systems A modern grinding mill should not only have the latest control systems, but also a control philosophy that protects the mill itself.

As part of this control system, critical mill areas should have transducers to sense, in real time, the operating condition of the given parts.

This information is then fed back to the control systems which can then make decisions based upon a number of pre-set interlocks.

There are generally three types of interlocks: • Permissive interlocks: Conditions that must be met before the mill starts (e.g. bearing lubrication pumps must be running before it begins)

12 December 2010

Damage to a radial bearing when interlocks were bypassed.

Locked charge interlocks can prevent axial bearing damage.

• Alarm interlocks: Conditions that will set off an alarm, but not prevent the mills from operating (e.g. bearing temperature is either lower or higher than normal and triggers an alarm) • Trip Interlocks: Conditions that will cause the mill to shut down (e.g. dangerous bearing temperatures which will cease mill operations) It is important that these interlocks are selected to prevent the mill from operating in conditions that may potentially permanently damage it.

While these interlocks can be deactivated or bypassed to continue mill operations, ensuring they are operating and carrying out investigations when they are tripped can stop shutdowns.

so easily bypassed, as they are often passwords protected and require specific knowledge to bypass or change it.

However, where the mill control and interlocks are part of the centralised mine control system, bypassing an interlock can be as easy as a few clicks of a mouse.

In situations such as this, it is worth upgrading to a standalone control system.

AustralianMining

For example, an interlock could trip if the oil cooling heat exchanger or its upstream strainer becomes filled with debris.

In hot climates this would reduce the efficiency of the heat exchange and cause the hydrostatic bearing lubrication oil to heat up.

This increased temperature would first trip an alarm interlock, warning of the higher than usual temperature.

After this, if the original alarm was ignored and the temperature continued to rise, the trip interlock would activate and stop the mill, protecting the bearings from damage.

Standalone mill control systems In standalone mill control panels, interlocks can not be

Maintenance of control system Site maintenance personnel also need to be aware that the control system protecting the mill still requires regular maintenance, which includes: 1. Ensuring the control system is installed in a protected area, away from extreme

heat, moisture and dust.

2. Ensuring that the panel exhaust fans are operating correctly, and filters are cleaned regularly.

3. Panel doors are sealing sufficiently to prevent ingress of dust and water.

4. PLC forces and bridges are recorded and action put in place to remove as soon as possible.

5. Reviewing system set points.

A broken down mill means an idle plant.

Having an up to date control system prevents breakdowns and downtimes, which in instances such as these, is easily avoidable.

• Outotec 02 9984 2500 www.outotec.com

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LOOK BACK 2010

Looking forward looking back The mining industry has seen one of the most turbulent years in recent history, Australian Mining has a brief look at some of 2010’s major events.

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010 will remain a memorable year in the annals of Australian mining history for both good and bad reasons.

Starting with the high points such as the continually skyrocketing gold price, which every week broke new records, Australian gold miners watched as their companies became stronger and more valuable.

One miner, Kula Gold, even launched and completed an $80 million initial public offering, the largest seen in three years.

However, it was not just the gold miners, but also iron ore and coal, which regained some of their strength from a few years ago, helping the nation to weather 2009 and 2008, and what was the worse financial crisis that the world had seen since the depression early last century.

The Australian reputation for quality work also saw a fair number

of miners and contractors work being recognised overseas.

However some of this strong growth worried certain foreign markets, as Chinese demand intensified and two of Australia’s largest miners – Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton – decided to merge their respective iron ore assets in the Pilbara, to form a new base metal power house.

Early predictions that this joint venture would not see the light of day proved accurate as European industry bodies knocked it back, after market rumours that Rio was getting cold feet on the venture anyway.

This year also saw tragedy in the form of a terrible plane crash in the Congo, which cost the lives of the board of Sundance Resources, and the mining industry some well respected and admired people.

The mining industry was also the target of the Government this year,

Iron ore has been one of the major targets under the newly formed Mineral Resources Rent Tax. Inset: Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

as former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd slugged it with a mining tax out of nowhere – the Resources Super Profits Tax. This tax looked to claim up to half of all profits generated across the mining industry, and then redistribute this revenue unevenly across the nation.

In his attempts to force on the industry what later turned out to be an unconstitutional tax, Rudd received

a heavy backlash and was eventually forced from office.

His successor, Julia Gillard, soon brought in a reformed Mineral Resources Rent Tax which excluded the majority of resources apart from the cash cows of iron ore and coal.

As this turbulent year draws to a close, many in the industry are left wondering – just what will 2011 hold in store.

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METALS OUTLOOK 2011

Metals OUTLOOK 2011 With 2010 seeing gold breaking price records time and time again, Australian Mining takes this issue, with the help of IBISWorld, to look at just what 2011 may bring for the four major commodities.

Nickel Nickel mine output is expected to expand in 2010-11 in response to higher nickel prices.

Output fell in 2009-10 due to mine closures implemented in late 2008 and early 2009 when nickel prices plunged, making some mines unprofitable to operate.

Although output at some mines (such as Murrin Murrin and Cosmos) increased that year, it was not enough to offset the effect of mine shutdowns elsewhere.

Australia’s nickel ore production is expected to expand to about 172,000 tonnes in 2010-11, having fallen to about 163,000 tonnes in the previous year.

Nonethless, output will still be below the level of 183,300 tonnes in 2005-06. Most of the nickel ore mined in Australia is processed locally and the industry represents about 0.1% of overall economic activity.

Higher nickel output and much higher US dollar nickel prices are expected to push up industry revenues.

Strong growth in demand by large emerging nations, such as China and India, as well as by developed economies, for stainless steel propelled the demand for and price of nickel up in 2006-07, but soaring prices followed by economic downturn saw demand evaporate and led to tumbling prices over the following two years.

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A reinvigorated nickel price saw the planned reopening of the Ravensthorpe mine.

However, speaking to Thundelarra managing director Brett Lambert, he told Australian Mining that “the future bodes well for nickel.”

He said that “as nickel and steel are so closely aligned, it is a good idea to look at what is happening with steel production, and the Chinese are currently eager to get into more Australian iron ore and nickel really goes hand in hand with that.”

According to IBISworld, improving global economic conditions and a consequent increase in the demand for nickel then pushed up prices in 2009-10 and are expected to do so again in 2010-11.

However, the performance of the sector is expected to deteriorate during the five years through 2015-16, with revenue falling at an average annual rate of about 5.5%. Although output levels are expected to increase, the combination of lower US dollar prices (as global nickel production increases) and a stronger Australian dollar will more than offset the favourable effect on revenue of higher production. Profit is also expected to fall during the five years through 2015-16.

Gold Continued concerns over conditions in global financial markets and ongoing

tension in the Middle East have added to gold’s lustre.

These trends have renewed investor interest in the metal, resulting in a rising gold price.

The Gold Ore Mining industry is expected to generate revenue of about $11.65 billion in 2010-11, compared with $6.73 billion in 2005-06. Industry revenue is expected to expand by 17.5% in 2010-11, reflecting higher prices (in both US dollars and Australian dollars) and higher output.

The industry’s share of GDP in 2010-11 is expected to be about 0.4%.

Despite Australia's gold output remaining fairly flat over the past five years, substantially higher prices are expected to yield average annual growth in industry revenue of 11.6%.

Australia’s gold ore production is expected to be about 250 tonnes in 2010-11, compared with 248.4 tonnes in 2005-06.

The value of gold exports is expected to be about $11.25 billion in 2010-11. Imports of gold bullion to Australia are substantial, amounting to about $4.01 billion.

Industry performance is expected to weaken during the five years to 2015-16, as slightly higher output fails to offset lower US dollar gold prices and a generally stronger Australian dollar.

Industry revenue is expected to fall at a rate of about 4.1% .

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METALS OUTLOOK 2011

Australian iron ore is predicted to surge by about 44% in 2011.

Iron ore The Iron Ore Mining industry is expected to generate revenue of about $47.48 billion in 2010-11, compared with $15.46 billion in 2005-06.

Industry revenue is expected to surge by about 44% in 2010-11, due to much higher output levels and iron ore prices. Industry profit is also expected to expand strongly.

Higher iron ore prices follow a drop in 2009-10 induced by the global financial crisis.

Speaking to Andy Haslam from Territory Resources, he said “as China is still strong, but not as volatile as it has been, we are expecting to see prices hold up and be much better managed.”

The industry's share of GDP in 2009-10 is expected to be about 2.2%.

Higher output and prices are expected to yield average annual growth in industry revenue amounting to about 25.2% over five years.

Profit is expected to expand at a similar rate. Strong growth in large emerging nations, such as China and

India, is driving the demand for iron ore and underpinning price rises.

Australia’s iron ore production is expected to be about 450 million tonnes in 2010-11, compared with 263.8 million tonnes in 2005-06.

About 420 million tonnes of iron ore valued at about $47.23 billion will be exported, with nearly all sales going to China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the European Union.

Australia will also continue to import some iron ore fines, mainly from India.

Industry performance is expected to continue expanding over the five years ending in 2015-16, reflecting higher output. While iron ore prices in nominal terms (not adjusted for inflation) are expected to continue rising in both US dollars and Australian dollars, increases in production are expected to put downward pressure on real prices.

As a result, industry revenue is expected to grow at a slower average annual rate of about 4.7% over the next five years.

Australian resources generally look to continue to improve into next year.

The gain follows estimated falls in 2009-10, when output fell, and 2008-09, when copper prices plunged in response to the global financial crisis.

The industry’s share of GDP in 2010-11 is expected to be about 0.3% and it is expected to generate profit of $3.63 billion.

Rapid growth in industry revenue over the five years through 201011 occurred as booming demand in large emerging nations such as China and India propelled the demand for

copper and led to large price rises.

Industry performance is expected to expand at an average annual rate of about 2.2% over the next five years, as higher output more than offsets the negative effect on Australian dollar copper prices of a stronger local currency.

However, according to Andy Haslam, he expects to see a tightening copper as “its increasingly hard to find a new supplier.”

These reports appear in full on IBISWorld.

Copper

Copper production is set to rise. www.miningaustralia.com.au

Australia is one of the world's major copper mining countries, although its output lags behind that of Chile, Peru, the United States and China.

Australia’s copper ore production is expected to be about 939,000 tonnes in 2010-11, compared with 932,700 tonnes in 2005-06.

Just under half the copper ore mined in 2010-11 will be exported, generating export revenue of $4.03 billion. Most of those sales will go to China, India, Japan and South Korea.

Copper ore is not imported.

The industry is expected to generate revenue of about $6.76 billion in 2010-11, compared with $4.59 billion in 2005-06. Industry revenue is expected to rebound in 2010-11, on the back of higher production and stable prices.

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Environmental Excellence For minimising environmental impact on the Irvine Island project, Pluton Resources have won the EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AWARD, Margaret Tra reports.

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niche company Pluton Resources has taken out the Excellence in Environmental Management Award for developing a unique, minimal impact and highly successful exploration program at its Irvine Island project in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Environmental and approvals co-ordinator Ric Davies said the award meant a lot to Pluton because of the significance the company attaches to responsible exploration and development.

“The award recognised the company-developed hydraulic drilling platform, which all-but eliminates environmental impacts of exploring for minerals,” Davies told Australian Mining.

The island is characterised by high cliffs, rock gullies, dense tropical foliage and crocodile infested waters.

These elements made the Island fairly difficult to work on, as it contains no existing infrastructure.

In addition to these setbacks, the island holds such significance for the local indigenous group, (the Mayala people) that no company has ever been successful in getting onto Irvine before.

To combat these problems, Pluton decided a unique and innovative approach was needed for the island.

The company invested a considerable amount of time and effort in developing a strong working relationship with the Mayala.

This relationship ensures the Malaya have a significant say in the operations conducted, in addition to providing a sense of ownership and significant training and employment opportunities.

“About half our workers are Mayala, and they have been putting together these platforms safely and efficiency as part of their general exploration project duties. They 18 December 2010

Pluton Resources’ Ric Davies and John McDougall celebrate winning the award for Excellence in Environmental Management.

Orica Mining Services’ Richard Brown presenting the Highly Commended award to SRA Information’s Che DeDear.

are a key part of our workforce,” Davies said.

Pluton designed a patented exploration drilling platform, which eliminated the need for traditional access track clearance and drill pad preparation – the Universal Drilling Platform.

The UDP can serve as both a base for drill rigs and a helicopter landing pad.

It offers a number of unique advantages in that it can be used in rugged and steep terrain and does not cause the ground disturbances which typically come with drill pad preparation.

The platform also allows for vegetation regrowth beneath the platform whilst a site is being drilled.

According to Pluton, the UDP has the potential to be-

The company is continuing drilling at its project sites and further resource upgrades are expected.

To further understand its adherence to high environmental standards, Pluton has formal Government approval to clear up to 11 hectares of vegetation for exploration purposes, but has only impacted one hectare in the two years of drilling.

The Irvine Island exploration program is an exemplary example of the challenges that will increasingly be faced by exploration programs.

Pluton is setting high benchmarks in ensuring that the environment is a serious issue that needs to be fully addressed when working in the mining industry.

come a global industry standard for diamond core drilling operations in areas where the minimisation of environmental impact is paramount.

Pluton’s drill pad also covers significantly less ground than a drill site – just over 5m2 whereas a regular pad uses up to 30m2.

It also complies with occupational health and safety to provide a stable, flat work platform at a drilling site to ensure safety in the mine.

Pluton has marked out an astonishing 452 million tonne inferred iron resource on the Irvine Island after drilling at fifteen locations.

Each square meter of ground disturbance from drilling has equated to a discovery of approximately 6 million tonnes of resource.

Highly Commended

The Universal Drilling Platform in action at Irvine Island.

AustralianMining

High concentrations of dust from industry activity in Port Headland presented potential health risks to residents.

Dust particles that are inhaled can cause irritations that range from coughing and sneezing, to hay-fever type reactions and asthma attacks.

SRA Information Technology has won the highly commended award, due to its EnviroSys website which addresses this issue.

“SRA is proud to have received this award amongst

a group of such high calibre finalists,” environmental solutions consultant Che DeDear said.

“We feel that the recognition gained through this project will encourage further adoption of technology solutions to assist in solving serious environmental management issues within the overall resources industry.”

EnviroSys is a real time dust monitoring website, the information from the site will allow industries to make informed decisions regarding dust suppression design and technology into ore handling equipment and practices, in order to comply with regulatory license conditions and commitments.

What the judges said The judges were impressed with the use of Universal Drilling Platform which restricts footprint of drill sites.

One judge said the ability to minimise impact of exploration activities in sensitive areas indicated that protecting the environment was a main concern for Pluton.

“The parallel constraints, and the accommodation assists in agreement to explore in sites normally off limits.” www.miningaustralia.com.au

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The Excellence in Environmental Management Award

Congratulations to Pluton Resources Limited, Irvine Island

Orica Mining Services is the world’s leading supplier of commercial explosives and blasting systems, and is committed to developing and applying new technologies to achieve productivity, safety, environmental and financial gains for our customers.

As proud sponsors of the Excellence in Environmental Management Award at the Australian Mining Prospect Awards 2010, Orica Mining Services congratulates the category winner Pluton Resources Limited, Irvine Island. Pictured from left, Pluton’s Ric Davies and John McDougall with Orica Mining Services Executive Business Manager Australia / Pacific Richard Brown.

www.oricaminingservices.com

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Innovative Mining Solution Addressing the issue of satellite mining has seen J.Smith & Sons win the award for the most INNOVATIVE MINING SOLUTION, Cole Latimer reports.

I

nnovation is the corner stone of the mining industry. Its ability to be flexible, adapt and constantly be on the cutting edge is what helps to separate it from so many other industries.

From the way in which companies approach exploration, to processing, and everything in between, the mining industry is always pushing forward.

The latest of these pioneering leaders is the winner of The Australian Mining Prospect Awards for Most Innovative Mining Solution – J. Smith & Sons, for its Smith Mk4 Hydrapede Dolly.

Utilised at the West Turner Syncline Mine at Parburdoo, the Mk4 Hydrapede Dolly provides solutions to the problematic logistics issues faced in the mining industry.

According to the company, “the research and development of this concept has seen bulk haulage on mine sites revolutionised.”

Designed and manufactured by the 110 year old Australian family business, J. Smiths and Son, the Mk4 Hydrapede Dolly is a powered dolly which enables mining road trains to carry large amounts of minerals and ore over long distances, from the face of the mine through to

Winner of the Most Innovative Mining Solution – J.Smith & Sons.

Highly Commended winner Rambor with BASF’s Brendan Mullen.

the R.O.M, or product endpoint.

Essentially, the Hydrapede Dolly serves as a second prime mover in a road train, providing it with extra haul support.

The Hydrapede came about after J. Smith & Sons noticed a serious gap in the mine haulage market.

The company saw that there was a serious increase in the number of satellite mines and the need for material to be transported over long distances, but there were very few alternatives to the standard rear dump mining trucks, which were limiting long distance haulage options.

Due to this, the industry was limited to using vehicles with wide bodies, which

nations at speeds of up to 73 kilometres per hour, and is designed for use on gradients of up to 10%.

With its operation fully automated, the driver simply has to enable the Hydrapede when beginning a shift, and is not required to disable it until the end of the shift or for routine maintenance.

It operates in the same manner either loaded or unladed, with its tandem drive tri-axle powered by a Cummins QSX15 diesel engine and comes with a Roadranger 18 speed transmission.

The engine is mounted above the chassis and the transmission below, both of which are connected through a series of hydraulic pumps and a hydraulic motor.

Communications are fused between the Hydrapede components via a CANbus network and a custom built software program.

The entire system is complimented by a remote diagnostics unit which allows service technicians to access the data and programming of any Hydrapede machines within satellite range.

required more road infrastructure, but which could only haul materials short distances due to the capability of their large tyres.

The implementation of the Hydrapede allowed for a higher payload of 400 tonnes; a faster average hauling speed; a longer distance haulage capacity; and due to its narrow build requires much less road infrastructure.

Importantly, this longer haulage capacity makes it possible to serve the increasing distance between satellite mines and a central crushing or processing plant, which is not a sustainable option for standard rear tip mining trucks.

It can be operated with two, three or four trailer combi-

Highly Commended

J. Smith & Sons’ Smith Mk4 Hydrapede Dolly allows for much further haulage of materials.

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Fellow Australian company Rambor was also recognised for innovation in the mining industry for its AFC mounted longwall face drill, winning

the Highly Commended award.

The company’s longwall drill was designed to tackle the problem of quickly and safely providing strata support to the longwall face during a difficult take off.

Used at Centennial Coal’s Springvale Coal Mine near Lithgow in NSW in April this year, it achieved a dramatic reduction in times for this ‘down time’ operation from typically more than a week to under six shifts.

This was achieved through application of hand held roofbolter technology to develop a longwall face drill that is easier and quicker to transport than other conventional hydraulic rigs.

What the judges said The judges were excited about the way in which “the tandem drive tri-axle dolly with its diesel engine provides a new high tonnage trucking system which is much faster and provides a 400 tonne capacity using only small wheels.”

One of the judges even went as far as to say he could see a lot of applications they are currently working on in which the Hydrapede could be utilised, and would most likely contact the company to discuss its use on their projects. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Explorer of the Year For what has been one of the most exciting finds of the past year, Sandfire Resources won the EXPLORER OF THE YEAR AWARD, Cole Latimer reports.

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andfire Resources has really been one of the exploration success stories of the past few years.

Despite exploring during the midst of the worst financial crisis to hit the world this century, Sandfire managed to discover a massive copper/gold and silver deposit – the DeGrussa VMS system.

For its uncovering of this deposit, Sandfire has won the Explorer of the Year.

Speaking to Australian Mining, Sandfire’s senior project geologist Andy Hansen said that “to see the company expand from an adventurous exploration junior to a midcap resources company in little over a year is an experience few geologists will experience, and to be part of the team taking this exploration discovery to mining in less than 2 years is hard to describe ... the term ‘job satisfaction’ is an understatement.”

Prior to the discovery, Sandfire had located six areas of gold mineralisation within the Doolgunna Project area.

Five of these were hosted in sediments related to quartz veining, whilst the DeGrussa Prospect gold was apparently hosted in mafic volcanic and in contrast to the other five gold prospects.

The mineralisation was known to be siliceous near the surface rock and contained

Sandfire Resources Andy Hansen accepting Explorer of the Year from QMW’s Graham Barber.

Highly commended winner Brockman Resources accepting the award for its Marillana Iron Ore project.

highly elevated trace elements, predominately copper, lead, arsenic, tellurium, selenium and antimony.

Sandfire carried out a program of inclined reverse circulation drilling in mid 2009, which tested this mineralisation at depth.

However, the initial ‘approved’ program failed to confirm continuity of the mineralisation.

Going off what Hansen termed at the Prospect Awards night as ‘women’s intuition’, Margy Hawke, the geologist supervising the field program, chose to deviate from the program and drill a series of deeper RC holes in the south west end of the known gold mineralisation.

One hole in particular –

April 2009, the explorer has identified and evaluated four separate VMS deposits for which the current total indicated and inferred JORC compliant mineral resources are 10.67 million tonnes standing at 5.6% copper; 1.9g/t gold and 15g/t of silver.

All up this has given Sandfire a total contained metal content of 600 000 tonnes of copper, 660 000 ounces of gold and 5.1 million ounces of silver.

The company is continuing mineral exploration of its project, with three diamond core rigs and a reverse circulation rig active on site.

Pre-strip mining for an open cut is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2011.

Products from the initial open cut operations will be direct shipping chalcocite materials estimated at 151 000 tonnes at 25.6% copper and 2.6g/t gold, as well as stockpiled mill feed totaling 500 000 tonnes of sulphide copper mineralisation in addition to the oxide copper, oxide copper/gold and oxide gold mineralisation which will be initially stockpiled.

Establishment of a surface place and the development of underground workings will commence in the second quarter of 2011.

Drilling carried out at Sandfire Resources’ Doolgunna project.

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DGRC 101 – intersected copper rich massive sulphide mineralisation between 96 to 118 metres and 126 to 144 metres assaying 3.6% and 2.9% copper respectively.

Sandfire immediately commissioned a ground EM survey over the prospect, uncovering a large EM anomaly, and commenced a new program of RC and then diamond core drilling.

The very first diamond hole, DGDD 001, intersected two massive sulphide bodies: DeGrussa which reported 17.3% copper and 2.5g/t gold at intersections of 53 metres and 146 metres.

And Conductor 1,where intersections assayed 3.4% copper and 1.6g/t gold.

Since its discovery in late

Highly Commended Brockman Resources won the Highly Commended award for its outstanding fully owned Marillana Iron Ore project.

Located in the Pilbara region, the explorer has managed to define a JORC compliant resource estimate of over 1.63 billion tonnes of hematite iron ore mineralisation.

This is one of the larger iron ore resources in the region, and believed to be the largest hematite resource controlled by a junior Australian iron ore company.

This Ore Reserve will underpined the completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study.

What the judges said The judges’ comments for the Explorer of the Year category were some of the most positive for all of the awards.

The focus was on the significant work of the geological team for its Doolgunna discovery, firstly congratulating them for their persistence in what has been a “company maker” discovery in identifying an enormous copper/gold resource.

They also focused on the inventiveness of these geologists and their ability to integrate drilling and geophysics with traditional methods. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Minerals Processing of the Year For the installation of an Australian first paste thickener, Xstrata’s Bulga Coal CHPP has won the MINERALS PROCESSING PLANT OF THE YEAR, Cole Latimer reports.

W

hile the majority of people think that mining is simply pulling materials out of the ground, there is much more to it than this.

One of the most important factors in mining is processing the minerals, and doing this in the safest, most efficient way possible.

For the joint acts of not only carrying out an Australian first through the successful commissioning and operation of a paste thickener at a coal mine, but also for hosting the Australian Coal Association Research Project (ACARP) titled Impact of Flocculant Addition on Tailings Impoundment, and then fully implementing the process into management of the process tailings, Xstrata’s Bulga Coal mine’s coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP) has won the Minerals Processing Plant of the Year award.

Bulga CHPP installed the paste thickener to treat the coal tailings and has, over the past twelve months, improved and reached notable milestones in its levels of productivity, safety and in environmental standards using technology which has never been utilised previously in the country.

According to Bulga, the process involves the paste thickener converting the tailings to a paste consistency at the CHPP, after which the paste is then combined with the coarse reject material from the washing process.

The most immediate benefit of using the thickener was a noticeable reduction in the water that was released from tailings, which allowed it to be recycled back into the paste thickening process.

Another outcome was a decrease in the levels of power consumption for the CHPP. On top of its paste thickener installation, the Bulga plant was also host to the ACARP project.

24 December 2010

Bulga Coal CHPP’s Phil Enderby celebrating the plant being recognised for its innovative technology use.

Schenck’s Max Wijasuriya presenting Alcoa the Highly Commended award for its Pinjarra Refinery.

This investigated the impact of flocculant addition on tailings deposition density, water retention and the tendency for tailings to form surface crusts for subsequent rehabilitation.

Employees at the plant were involved in all aspects of the project from early investigations through to the fine tuning and eventual full scale implementation.

The project consisted of a polycrylamide based flocculant which was injected into

improved by more than 90%, saving water which would have otherwise been lost from the circuit through retention and evaporation.

The impoundment capacity nearly doubled due to the improvement in the initial deposition density, and suggested that there would significantly less delay between cessation and tailings due to disposal surface crusts forming on the TSF after four weeks.

The clear benefit of this project is the rapid release of clear water and an almost immediate increase in tailings deposition density.

Following the success of this project at the Bulga CHPP, several other Australian coal mines have chosen to implement this process at their own tailings storage facilities.

On top of these two innovative mineral processing solutions, the plant also set a production throughput record for 2009.

The year saw it reach a record of 2264 tonnes per hour, during which time the plant feed rate had to be decreased below normal operating levels due to the implementation of the paste thickener.

the tailings immediately prior to disposal into the impoundment area.

The flocculated slurry rapidly released clear water and created a beach due to the immediate increase in deposition density.

The deposition density then increased to solids within 24 hours and continued to increase to 75% solid seven days after treatment.

The water capture at the tailings storage facility (TSF)

Highly Commended The paste thickener significantly decreased water usage on site.

AustralianMining

The Pinjarra Refinery is part of Alcoa of Australia's threerefinery system located in

Western Australia, has won the Highly Commended award.

The blow off tanks for which it was nominated are part of the refinery’s digestion circuit.

The original 1970s tanks were replaced with new vessels designed and constructed with the latest safety systems and features to significantly improve the tanks’ operating and maintenance efficiency.

Ten tanks were designed, built and installed as the existing tanks were disconnected and removed and their foundations extensively upgraded – without missing a single beat of production.

The new, larger tanks are nearly seven metres in diameter and around 15 metres high, with a transport weight of around 60 tonnes each.

Likened to ‘open heart surgery’ on a live refinery, the project helped Pinjarra Refinery achieve a record production in 2009.

What the judges said The judges saw this application of paste thickener as a significant improvement in minerals processing, which provided a solution to an industry wide problem and allowed for more manageable refuse material, facilitating its disposal. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Excellence in Mine OH&S Optalert set a new benchmark for fatigue systems in the mining industry, which won this year’s EXCELLENCE IN OH&S AWARD, Margaret Tra reports.

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atigue has been a significant cause for concern for heavy vehicle drivers within the mining industry.

To combat this serious issue, Optalert has designed an innovative technology to monitor drive fatigue, which has won them the Excellence in Mine OH&S Award.

Optalert’s fatigue monitoring technology is the only system in the world that informs drivers, with real-time information, of their levels of alertness and the risk of a drowsy incident during a journey.

The system allows drivers in mines to take safety into their own hands, by warning the driver of the early onset of fatigue before the driver is even aware they are tired.

The system is easily installed in vehicles and uses patent technology to continuously measure levels of drowsiness via pulses of light.

The groundbreaking harmless light pulses measure the driver’s physiological state of alertness, 500 times per second.

Tiny light emitters and receivers are built into the frame of Optalert glasses, which measures how often the drivers blink.

This technology then issues visual and audible alarms that

ness and fatigue risk profile of one or many drivers around the world.

Highly Commended

Optalert receiving the award for Excellence in Mine OH&S for their Fatigue Monitoring System.

warn the driver, in large easy to read numbers on the Optalert dashboard indicator.

Drivers can then glance at their own fluctuating alertness level displayed as a score from 0 to 10 and make an informed decision to stop work and rest.

Optalert’s chief executive officer John Prendergast said the company is honoured to receive the award.

“It is tremendously gratifying to be recognised by this award.

“At Optalert, we believe the financial, human and emotional cost of workplace

fatigue related accidents is too high,” he said.

“Any of us can buy technology that can put sensors on a machine; that can manage the machine for you.

“Optalert as a business exists because we believe the man is different, we believe if you look after the man he will look after the machine for you,” Prendergast explained.

“However, that is not necessarily a belief embraced by everybody.”

Optalert’s customers, who are leaders in safety schemes in the mine sites of Australia and Latin America, have

Xstrata Coal and Interlink Management Services took out the Highly Commended award.

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AustralianMining

embraced this safer mining philosophy.

The company has taken fatigue monitoring systems to a new level, with improved and innovative technology to ensure fatigue accidents in the workforce are decreasing.

In 2000, the Australian Government estimated that between 20-30% of all road accidents involve driver fatigue, costing Australia around $3 billion per year, with fatigue involving vehicle accidents costing approximately $300 million per annum.

Optalert saw this issue needed to be addressed, and teamed up with BHP Billiton to work towards eliminating accidents in the industry.

BHP has been so impressed with the results to date, that management at the Spence mine is currently installing the Optalert system in the buses that carry workers between the mine site and nearby cities of Antofagasta, Calama and La Serna.

This technology is just the beginning for Optalert, with the company’s future plans to revolutionise fatigue management technology with the Optalert Fatigue Risk Profiler.

This profiler will allow users to use the internet to view the current state of alert-

Xstrata Coal NSW and Interlink Management Services have received the Highly Commended award.

The companies developed the XCN Coal Mining Integrated Training System to transfer skills between operations and same equipment throughout the XCN group.

This system is a milestone for the coal industry as the system addresses such links with: national competencies; safety legislation and standards; environmental procedures; operational standards and strategic quality and performance standards.

According to the company the system was designed to enhance OH&S standards across the organisation providing a holistic risk assessment and inclusion of safe work standards.

It allows the integration of simulator training modules to be introduced for emergency preparedness and testing, where there is no opportunity for the operator demonstrate this as part of their normal activity.

This system has been crucial in enhancing the operations and safety of Xstrata personnel.

What the judges said The judges said this is an outstanding innovation.

“A Fatigue Monitoring System with real time information will benefit the mining industry immensely.”

It warns the driver (haul truck) both visually and audibly of drowsiness ahead of driver indications.

The system also uses BHP as a global supplier, which is beneficial because this system can be used internationally. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Contractor of the Year In recognition of its work in blind shaft drilling, Australian Shaft Drilling has won the CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD, Cole Latimer reports.

S

afety is the number one factor governing everything on a mine site.

If it’s not as safe as possible, it’s just not going to happen.

And for its Kestrel Mine Extension Mains Vent Shaft project, which made the usually dangerous task of shaft drilling dramatically safer, Australian Shaft Drilling has won the Contractor of the Year award.

Rio Tinto’s Kestrel Coal Mine, where the work took place, has a capacity of 4.2 million tonnes of coal per annum, with the extension work pushing it out to 5.7 million tonnes and will see it contain a new 375 km longwall, automated stockpiling system, upgraded infrastructure and greater sustainable water usage technology.

Australian Shaft Drilling (ASD) is playing a major part in this, through the construction of ventilation shafts for the new underground mining operations.

Atlas Copco presenting the Contractor of the Year award to Australian Shaft Drilling.

In undertaking this task, the company used a technique that has become increasingly popular over the last few years – blind shaft drilling.

According to ASD director Dean Furness, the system

The Blind Shaft Drilling, carried out at the Kestrel coal mine site.

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of blind shaft drilling means that the entire shaft is constructed from the surface down, as opposed to the raise drill technique.

“In using the raise drill technique, an initial pilot hole is drilled down from the surface, after which the shaft is reamed out from the bottom upwards, which requires substantial underground access,” he said.

However, in blind shaft drilling, the shaft is completely drilled from the surface after which it is lined with steel and re-inforcing concrete.

“This means the workers do not need to go down the hole, making the entire operation considerably safer.

“The bigger mining companies tend to put a high value on safety; Rio Tinto specifically says safety is the most important aspect for any contractor on site,” Furness added.

On top of this, the blind shaft drilling technique has also become more popular as it can be carried out independently from other concurrent mining operations.

Furness explained that this shaft construction method is fast becoming the chosen method for greenfield sites.

Importantly, as the work is all carried out from the surface, the shaft can actually be completed before the underground workings, meaning that once the underground workings intersect with the shaft then there will be a ready made air supply in place.

“This allows miners to bring in machinery to start developing headings at a much faster rate than they would if they were operating on limited ventilation,” he said.

For the Kestrel Mine, Rio requested a 230 metre deep shaft with a five metre diameter, and a life expectation of 30 years.

ASD began setting up the site as preliminary design and earthworks stages were being carried out.

It planned to drill the shaft with a six metre diameter head, which would allow plenty of room for the installation of the lining structures.

Once this lining was in place, the shaft’s diameter would be reduced to 5.5 metres.

Since the project began earlier this year, ASD has drilled at a rate of up to 43 metres per week down to a depth of 160 metres.

The geology of the Bowen

Basin has also made blind shaft drilling a preferable option, Furness explained.

The tertiary strata at Kestrel consists of very weak clay, so securing it could be quite a challenge, and this weaker strata stretched to a depth of 75 metres, meaning that the drill rig’s mud drilling quality control system had to support the strata to prevent a collapse.

“Because the hole has such a large diameter, you have to make sure your drilling mud system holds up for the duration of the drilling,” he said.

“It would be catastrophic if a hole this size caved in, but thanks to the system, we’ve proved that typical Bowen Basin strata can be supported, despite its weakness.”

Contract Finalists Due to such a small pool of finalists this year, there was no highly commended.

However, that does not mean the fellow finalists were any less deserving of recognition for their work.

Finalist Echelon Mining Services was recognised for its development of a number of initiatives focused on alleviating issues typically associated with contract mining positions such as work hours and remuneration.

One of the largest indigenous owned companies in Australia, Yolngu Business Enterprise (YBE), was also a finalist for its commitment to development and safety.

With close to 40% of the company made up of indigenous employees, YBE has not has a single recorded lost time injury in two years.

What the judges said The judges were impressed with the levels of safety this unique drill process provided, and expressed their belief in the likelihood of it becoming a common procedure for greenfield applications. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Mine Manager of the Year For his dedication and genuine leadership skills, Bill Knight of Alcoa has won the MINE MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD, Margaret Tra reports.

B

ill Knight’s focus on implementing an ‘injury free’ mine, along with a long list of achievements, has earned him the Mine Manager of the Year award.

Knight was surprised at the awards, stating that when he commenced his career 30 years ago he never envisioned he would win such an award.

“I was able to reflect and realise that the mining group fosters a culture where people care about each other and want to recognise the little extra things that we all do everyday to help each other,” This time Alcoa believed it was Bill Knight’s turn to be recognised, after he was appointed to the position of manger of mines of Alcoa World Alumina Australia for their operations in Western Australia in late 2005.

“The Alcoa group has always felt this way about me and if I can do some things in my job that helps build and strengthen this culture then I believe this is a great investment,” he said.

Knight believes Alcoa’s Mining Operations have always been underpinned by a strong environmental culture which in his view is one of the keys to its long term

Alcoa’s Bill Knight accepting the award for Mine Manager of the Year

success in Western Australia.

He emphasised that employees can contribute to build a great place to work.

“I think I am very fortunate to work in a strong values based organisation with a wonderful team of people within mining.”

Knight has an unwavering commitment to providing a safe work place for all of his employees.

In 2005 the mining operations All Injury Frequency Rate (AFIR) reached a total of 35, and thanks to Bill’s

Highly commended winner Brian Kilgariff from OZ Minerals.

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initiatives, it was reduced the rate to 13 in 2009.

As a mine manager, Knight aims to encourage employee input and feedback.

He achieves this by implementing several programs, such as ‘Global Voices’, ‘Crew Sessions’ and community involvement.

‘Global Voices’ is a survey conducted by an external organisation on behalf of Alcoa.

The purpose of this survey is to understand how satisfied employees are with Alcoa as a place to work, and since

he has been at the forefront of promoting this survey, participation has risen from 67% in 2008, to 74% in 2009.

In the ‘Crew Sessions’, Knight visits each group within the mines (Willowdale and Huntly) where he spends 1.5 hours with every crew in their area to take part in question and answers sessions.

Knight also updates the group with Alcoa’s current business conditions in WA. Each year the Alcoa Foundation allocates a number of action grants to each area, mining received a total of $21,000, the grant applications are received from local, non-profit organisations.

Successful applicants then receive money and a promise of a number of Alcoa workers to be available to carry out a minimum four hours work each at an organised event.

Knight is guaranteed to make an appearance at these organisations supporting the community.

According to Alcoa, Knight is a role model for the mining industry as he is passionate about ensuring the company is involved within the local community.

Alcoa’s mining services manager said “Bill takes the

time to attend, wherever possible, significant work anniversaries and celebrations for all the employees.”

A key example of Knight’s kindness with his employees is that of one long term employee who recently retired.

During the exit interview, the employee explained why he was overwhelmed with Bill’s leadership skills.

Whilst nursing his sick wife, the person was contacted

by Bill personally and given a gift basket to wish him well.

This is one of many wonderful personal attributes Bill possesses which demonstrates his genuine concern for each and every member of his team.

“Bill Knight has been, and continues to be an inspiration to all of the people employed within Alcoa and anyone who has the privilege of knowing him in or out of the working environment,” Alcoa said.

Highly Commended OZ Minerals’ Brian Kilgariff has won the Highly Commended award for Mine Manager, having over 20 years experience in mining operations and mineral processing, with several years managing business improvement.

The company said Prominent Hill mining operations successful performance is a direct reflection of the experienced Management Team lead by Kilgariff.

Kilgariff and his team have implemented several safety programs including a lightning safety program, remote area travel and working alone.

What the judges said The judges said that Knight demonstrates that an Environmental Scientist can be a successful mine manager through commitment to safety, community involvement, flexibility and concern for employees and to production targets. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Coal Mining of the Year For a world first system designed to tackle mining under busy rail lines, GHD and Xstrata have won the COAL MINING OF THE YEAR AWARD, Cole Latimer reports.

D

ealing with subsidence is a major issue in all coal mining regions.

And in its Southern Coalfields, Xstrata Coal faced this very problem, which was then compounded by the fact that an active rail line ran over one of its longwalls.

Longwall 25 (LW25) at the Tahmoor Colliery sees seventy commuter and freight trains, which reach speeds of up to 85k/h, pass over it daily.

A number of options were considered to deal with this problem, however most were suited to low traffic or low risk operations, not busy high speed rail lines.

The mine needed a design which would let the railway infrastructure to subside by 600 to 1200m millimetres over a one kilometer stretch, yet still be operational for trains travelling at full speed.

The system would also need to take into account the variability of the geological strata and sensitivity to subsidence as well as allowing for ongoing monitoring and safety management plans.

The mine’s primary goal was to enable longwall mining to reach previously ‘sterilised’ coal that could not be safely or economically mined due to the overhead rail lines.

In conjunction with engineering firm, GHD, Xstrata developed a world first solu-

GHD and Xstrata accepting the Coal Mining of the Year award.

SEW’s Nick Lobianco presenting Hail Creek Coal Mine’s Andrew Woodley with the Highly Commended award.

tion to overcome this serious mining issue.

Different design approaches were adopted for each of the elements that could be affected by the longwall mining.

The two developed and installed expansion switches, which are more commonly used on bridges in Australia and overseas to allow for track movement due to thermal expansion.

Labelled the Track Expansion System (TES), it utilised an engineered solution and a multiple redundancy monitoring system that enables an early warning system to address any potential problems.

Prior to the implementation of the TES, longwall mining in the rail corridor had to stop as it approached the

The rail section beneath the mine path was fitted with strain gauge sensors, and the strains and stresses then monitored with a datalogger which could directly indicate the effects of subsidence on the rail.

It also allowed the changing stress levels in the infrastructure to be analysed so that any re-tensioning of the rail tracks could be scheduled if needed.

Because of this, rail stress could be controlled, avoiding the dangers of the tracks potentially buckling, being heavily damaged or worse.

However, the impact of mining on the rail operations has meant that speed restrictions will apply for the life of the project and permanent crews will be required to periodically adjust the rail as it expands and contracts.

During installation, ten expansion switches and all the associated monitoring system were put in place and partially commissioned in a two day ARTC ‘mega possession’ exercise.

An exit strategy has also been developed as the longwall progresses to enable the removal of the expansion switches and reduction of monitoring when subsidence is negligible and poses no risk.

This entire system allows for any problems to be dealt

overhead railway tracks and then recommenced on the other side of the line as it was considered to dangerous to mine directly beneath.

This was time consuming and increased the project risk.

The implementation of the TES allowed for the rail and mining to proceed independently without impeding or impacting upon one another during long wall mining either near or directly beneath the rail corridor.

The system itself consisted of five sets of expansion switches at 150 metre spacing along the one kilometer run.

It also had zero toe-load rail clips to allow the rail to move freely as well as anchor points mid span between switches to prevent rail creep.

Work carried out on the rail tracks that ran above the longwall coal mine.

32 December 2010

AustralianMining

with before they well and truly become a risk.

Highly Commended Winner of the Highly Commended award for Coal Mining of the year was Rio Tinto’s Hail Creek Mine.

The mine is an open-cut dragline and truck/excavator operation, mining two high quality coking coal products.

Opened in late 2003 it currently employs almost 700 personnel, with approximately 15% of the mine’s total workforce female, and over 80% of these women are employed in non-traditional roles within the organisation.

What the judges said The judges were extremely impressed with this unique engineering application to a substantial coal mining issue; one in particular stated that he “loves to see soundly based engineering solutions to common problems, this will have industry wide application, not just for rail but as an approach to deal with the inertia within Government instrumentalities.”

They also said that this was a significant development in addressing a major limiting issue in underground coal mine planning affecting coal reserves extraction. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Outstanding Contribution to Mining For turning around companies while promoting safer work practices, Bob Cameron has won the award for OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MINING, Cole Latimer reports.

D

espite its ability to drag an entire nation out of the global financial crisis, the actual mining industry itself is quite small.

And among those, a few have worked consistently to ensure this industry is working better and working safer.

One of these people is Centennial Coal’s Bob Cameron, who has been recognised for all that he has done by winning the Outstanding Contribution to Mining award.

In a career spanning decades, Bob Cameron has made a name for himself in taking struggling companies and turning them into resource power houses.

Cameron is also well known within industry for his active participation in a number of industry and professional associations, and more importantly, his championing of serious industry issues.

He used the experience working both at the coal face and in the board room to improve work place safety, refusing to accept that accidents were just a fact of life in mining.

While it may seem like common sense now, Cameron was behind a major push to stop smoking in mines.

34 December 2010

Centennial Coal’s Bob Cameron being recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to Mining over his career.

Highly Commended winner CSIRO’s Dr. John Read presented with his award by Siemens’ Raj Kapoor.

“Many underground coal mines contain explosive methane gas in their atmosphere, yet one of my biggest challenges at the first mine I managed was to stamp out smoking underground, a highly illegal and dangerous practice,” he said.

Cameron was also recognised for his commitment to coal mining in Australia, and in particular his work with Centennial Coal, taking it from a value of just $2 million to a company valued at $2.45 billion today.

Through his involvement with the Australian Coal Asso-

Design, Dr. John Read from the CSIRO has won the Highly Commended award.

The book comprises of 14 chapters that follow the life of mine sequence from project development to closure.

Up until the release of the book in late 2009, the only handbook of this type available to open pit mine slope designers was the CANMET manual – which was last published in 1977.

The purpose of the book is to be a new generations’ guideline that links innovative mining geomechanics

AustralianMining

ciation, NSW Minerals Council and NSW Clean Coal Fund, Cameron has pushed the importance of financial investment in to developing new greener technologies while at the same time advocating for a legislative framework. Cameron has spent his career being an industry ambassador, and focusing on the importance that people play in the industry.

Highly Commended For his many contributions and in particular the tireless work in writing the book Guidelines for Open Slope

research with best practice, by outlining what works best in a variety of different situations and why; what does not work and why not; and importantly which approach is the best practice.

What the judges said The judges focused on Bob Cameron’s reputation and record in acquiring underperforming mines and re-invigorating them through co-operative employee relations and clever mine design and techniques.

www.miningaustralia.com.au

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Metalliferous Mine of the Year Surviving a global financial crisis and ‘indefinite suspension’ of one of its mines has Rio Tinto’s Northparkes Mine winning the METALLIFEROUS MINE OF THE YEAR AWARD, Margaret Tra reports.

T

his year’s Metalliferous Mine of the Year Award was won by Rio Tinto’s Northparkes Mines for resuming its operations despite challenging many external factors.

The mine’s managing director Dr Craig Stegman thanked Australian Mining for holding the Prospect Awards, stating that these awards a credit to the mining industry. “(Winning this award) is a great recognition of our people and our operations,” he said.

“Our people make such an enormous contribution to the business and we are extremely fortunate to have a team who are committed to going the extra mile.”

The mine endured many hazards throughout the year, being struck by the global financial crisis, business divestment and the indefinite suspension of one of its underground mines – the E48.

Rio Tinto believes the combination of careful business planning, a clear focus on a long-term business strategy and the employees’ commitment and faith is what allowed Northparkes to survive against the odds.

According to the company, E48 was coined the “mine of the future” as it truly represents a significant step forward

Atlas Copco congratulating Rio Tinto’s Northparkes Mine on its win and its ability to overcome adversity.

Atlas’ Sergio Camozzi presenting the Highly Commended award to Oz Mineral’s Prominent Hill mine.

for improving efficiencies in underground mining.

In January 2009, E48’s construction was 60% completed when the mine received devastating news, that due to the global financial crisis they had to shut down operations indefinitely.

Northparkes’ dream of creating the mine of the future was diminished, the company had no choice but to terminate employment of over 320 contractors and 26 staff.

The project was placed on a ‘make safe’ program to ensure that the restart of the project could be completed in an efficient and safe manner.

According to the mine, these decisions by management would later prove crit-

ing constant communication on business developments.

Northparkes safety has also improved since 2007, with a 60% reduction in recordable injuries as a range of initiatives took effect.

After enduring all these set backs, the mine is now in its strongest position yet over its 15 year life.

It prides itself on the relationships it has developed within the community.

“This achievement recognises our commitment to best practice environmentally sustainable mining and our focus on building strong relationships with our local community including our traditional owners and local farmers.”

Northparkes has reached notable milestones since 2007, it successfully endured the divestment process and since shown the true value of the business to the Joint Venture Partners Rio Tinto and Sumitomo.

The official opening of the E48 mine was done by her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW on 13 November 2010.

According to the mine the nomination for Metalliferous Mine of the Year award is a testament to the commitment and capability of the Northparkes team who have endured great hardship without losing focus of the Northparkes vision.

ical to the success of the Northparkes mines.

In September 2009 Rio Tinto and Sumitomo agreed to fund the E48 project, this decision was timely for the operation which had been tackling extensive technical issues.

With a lot of hard work and determination Northparkes has now celebrated the completion of the undercut and the E48 mine is in full production.

Through the Northparkes team was shaken up by the chain of events, the team banded together and worked as a close knit community.

It achieved this by creating a clear set values, maintaining a strong focus on employee wellbeing and ensur-

Host for the night, Vince Sorrenti, welcoming Rio’s Leanne Heywood on stage.

36 December 2010

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Highly Commended Last year’s winner of Metalliferous Mine of the Year Award Oz Mineral’s Prominent Hill, has won the highly commended award this year.

Following from last year’s stellar performance, Oz Minerals has continued to perform well in 2010, announcing a plan to employ an additional fourth mining fleet at its Prominent Hill copper gold mine.

In addition to its production and financial performance, OZ Minerals continues to focus on its safety, social and environmental performance.

The success of the Prominent Hill mine, in a large part, is due to extremely skilled and dedicated workforce on site.

What the judges said The judges said Northparkes Mines was worthy of the award due to its successful further development of the mine. It used innovative techniques, and mining methods, and overcame significant technical and commercial problems.

One judge praised the great achievements in all areas despite achieving this under a “for sale” sign. One judge especially noted that the mine has “rebuilt itself in the face of adversity, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.” www.miningaustralia.com.au

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Mine of the Year Against all odds, Rio Tinto’s Northparkes Mines has come out on top to win the AUSTRALIAN MINE OF THE YEAR AWARD, Margaret Tra reports.

N

orthparkes Mines is the first block cave mine in Australia and over the last three years, has tackled the threat of a business divestment, the global financial crisis and the indefinite suspension of work on one of its mines.

Rio Tinto’s Northparkes Mines has successfully triumphed over these set backs and as a result has earned themselves the Australian Mine of the Year award.

The mine is at its strongest point in 15 years, and according to the company, it is a credit to the employees who placed their personal concerns about their futures aside to keep their mind on the job, including maintaining the safety of their workmates.

Managing director Dr Craig Stegman announced that the awards recognise the team’s outstanding contribution in building innovative and successful business with a strong safety culture.

“This is a great recognition of our people and our operations. Our people make such an enormous contribution to our business and we are extremely fortunate to have such a great team who are committed to going the extra mile,” he said.

In 2007 Rio Tinto announced that its 80% share of Northparkes Mines joint venture would be divested.

This came as a shock to the mine, which created major setbacks in terms of future uncertainty.

Northparkes journey came to a halt in early 2009, due to the global financial crisis where the company was forced to reduce expenditure on its E48 project mine.

The E48 is known as the “Mine of the Future”, had utilised planning and new technologies that have improved the efficiencies of this mining method and increased production in addi38 December 2010

Rio Tinto’s Northparkes Mines’ Leanne Heywood accepting the Prospect Award for the Australian Mine of the Year from MMD’s Derek Geoghegan.

tion to setting an industry benchmark for future mining developments.

According to the company E48 represented 15 years of underground mining innovation and will be Northparkes safest, most productive, energy

efficient and most profitableunderground mine.

However, the future seemed brighter in September 2009, with Rio Tinto and Sumitomo announcing that the required funding would be made available to complete

The Northparkes mine swept the awards night.

AustralianMining

the underground E48 mine.

Through all the hard work and the determination, Northparkes were proud to announce the opening of the E48 on 13 September was a success.

The official opening of the E48 mine was done by her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW. During the difficult periods of 2009, Northparkes employees quietly worked on an Order of Magnitude (OoM) study of the Step Change project.

This project was based on the larger low-grade resources that were identified by exploration during the mine’s previous years.

With the determination of the employees, the OoM study indentified an opportunity to increase the scale of the business and add a further 20+ years to the life of the mine.

Fortunately in August 2010, Rio Tinto and Sumitomo announced $90 million investment to progress the OoM study to a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).

The PFS is expected to be completed in 22 months and if successful a 12 month feasibility study will progress with the construction of the new underground mines to

commence in late 2012.

“We would like to acknowledge all the other entrants and finalists at the Prospect Awards. It is a credit to the mining industry that so many operations are driving improvements in our industry,” Stegman said.

Northparkes also ensures it works hard with the farming community to demonstrate that the mining and agriculture can co-exist.

“This achievement recognises our commitment to best practice environmentally sustainable mining and our focus on building strong relationships with our local community including our traditional owners and local farmers,” he said.

“We wish to acknowledge Australian Mining, which acts as a conduit for companies to share many of the achievements and advances that drive a culture of continuous improvement in the mining industry,” Stegman said.

Northparkes has certainly reached notable milestones since 2007, having successfully endured the divestment process and since shown the true value of the business to the joint venture partners Rio Tinto and Sumitomo.

What the judges said The judges were amazed with the turn around at theNorthparkes mine. One in particular said that “the rebuilding of the Northparkes mine in the face of adversity is like a phoenix rising from the ashes.”

They were also impressed with the successful further development of the mine considering the circumstances, by using innovative techniques and mining methods, as well as thee ability to overcome the challenges faced ahead of them with significant technical and commercial problems. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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7TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS WINNERS

Employer of Choice For providing a safe, exemplary work place, Rio Tinto’s Hail Creek Mine has won the EMPLOYER OF CHOICE AWARD, Margaret Tra reports.

T

he employer of choice awards represent how mines successfully attract, train and retain staff through innovative and unique management strategies.

And Rio Tinto’s Hail Creek demonstrated these qualities, by building a safety culture built with innovation and continuous improvement since its operations in 2003.

Hail Creek Mine’s general manager operations Andrew Woodley said the award recognised the site’s reputation for high performance, community support programmes, safety systems and positive workplace culture, which has established it as an employer of choice in the Bowen Basin.

“I’d like to thank all of the employees who work hard to make Hail Creek Mine an outstanding operation,” Woodley said.

The company employs a diverse range of employees with over 700 personnel, which include 15% of the staff who are female.

Within the 15%, an average of 80% are employed in non-traditional roles within the industry, and the company aims to continue to accom-

The Employer of Choice Hail Creek mine accepting the award.

Brian Kilgariff receiving the Highly Commended award for Oz Minerals Prominent Hill copper mine.

modate and encourage more women to work within the mining industry.

Rio Tinto prides itself on accommodating its employees, it offers modern facilities, contemporary work practices, and a strong culture based on diversity and equal employment opportunities.

“The business is well known for its high performance, community support programmes, safety systems and positive workplace culture, which has established it as an employer of choice in the Bowen Basin,” he said.

year of coking coal for the export market.

Employees of the mine live within the Mackay Whitsunday region and to ensure the health and safety of employees, the company provides transport to and from their mine site.

With a strong focus on safety, the company also constructed an employee village which is located adjacent to the mine, with the intention to provicde employees with a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment.

Rio Tinto emphasises that achieving excellence in safety comes from the commitment and hard work of employees across the operation.

The company said it looks to recruit people that share the same values and the beliefs that injuries at work are unacceptable and are preventable on at both a personal and team level.

Hail Creek was also recognised with Rio Tinto’s top global safety award for 2010.

This award is presented annually to two sites within Rio Tinto’s global portfolio, and recognises innovative safety systems, effective communication and a strong safety culture.

Throughout the years, the Hail Creek mine has endured many hazards.

The mine has successfully overcome two consecutive major wet seasons, significant growth in equipment across the site and a large increase in employment.

The mine itself is an opencut dragline and truck/excavator operation, mining two high quality coking coal products that are used in the production of steel.

It successfully produces around 7 million tonnes per

Highly Commended Award sponsor Blanchard’s Paul Stapleton espousing the value of leadership onsite.

40 December 2010

AustralianMining

Oz Mineral’s Prominent Hill was Highly Commended by

the judges for its values of respect and integrity when interacting with individuals, cultures, sustainability and the environment.

The company has implemented a variety of facilities, programs and accommodation to ensure its employees are well looked after.

It aims to promote a diverse workforce and has been successful in achieving growing representation from local indigenous groups, female employees and the local community.

What the judges said The judges said the reason Hail Creek mine stood out from the rest is because it is an employer of choice for the Bowen Basin, and is known for its high performance.

One judge said the community support program shows Hail Creek recognises the importance of a relationship between both the mine and the community.

“It’s great that they can support each other in the mining industry.”

They went on to say that it is great to see the safety systems and positive workplace culture that Hail Creek implements to ensure that the staff are well looked after in the mines. www.miningaustralia.com.au

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MINING JOBS To advertise a new job contact Hussein Azzan at 02 9422 2851

To see the latest jobs available visit www.miningaustralia.com.au, which is updated daily.

MINE PLANNING ENGINEER Location – Kalgoorlie, Goldfields & Esperance Company – EMS Pty Description: It is said that if you have Faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move a mountain.

This company has boomed from a seed of thought and leap of faith into a leading Mining Power House at the forefront of WA’s Mining Industry. Come on board and be a part of the dynamic vision that has enabled this Company and indeed, their well paid and looked after employees and enjoy the wealth the WA mineral industry has to offer.

If you are reading this then you are not totally satisfied in the position you are in and your company is not looking after you as well as they should.

This Mining Group offers you an opportunity to work with some of the greatest minds and experts in the Mining business with exciting, long term career prospects for yourself.

Your choice of FIFO or Residential. A Fantastic package which would tempt the most loyal Mining Engineer to jump ship.

Training & development to diversify your experience. Support and backing of a reputable company with multiple operations Expansions underway offering great opportunities down the line.

Reporting to the Senior Mine Planning Engineer you will be a key member of the team, providing planning and scheduling support to ensure the safe and efficient design and operation of the mine. Key responsibilities will be daily operational issues to assist in the development of schedules to achieve targets and designing stopes with optimal extraction strategy for the ore-body and developing and distributing appropriate mine plans in order to communicate this strategy.

Please contact Dianne on 08 9443 0400 or diane@emsjobs.com.au in strict confidence or to apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au PROJECT DIRECTOR Location – Perth Company – Ausenco Description: Ausenco has an award winning reputation in the minerals industry for innovative engineering and seamless project delivery for clients around the world. Currently, Ausenco operates in a number of countries with a global network of offices. Ausenco offers its people challenging and interesting opportunities to embark on complex and unique projects all over the world.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a leading EPCM provider. If you feel that your experience and qualifications meet the outlined criteria and you have strong commercial acumen along with the ability to lead and inspire a team please apply online now by clicking on the Apply Now link below.

If you have any questions or require any further information please contact Kilee Giles on 08 6104 8158 or for further

www.miningaustralia.com.au

information regarding Ausenco please refer to www.ausenco.com To apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au

everything you do the rewards will be well worth it!

Please contact Dianne on 08 9443 0400 or diane@emsjobs.com.au in strict confidence or to apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au

UNDERGROUND MINE SUPERINTENDENT Location – Kalgoorlie, Goldfields & Esperance Company – EMS Pty Description: A Gritty position! “Hands on role”. Not for the timid. We want an experienced engineer with steely determination to get stuck in and make things happen here.

You get to get your hands dirty, act decisively and manage at a new level.

You will enjoy the backing of well trained staff in a thriving operation with a professional but friendly atmosphere.You have the perfect and rare opportunity of actually choosing what is best for you and your family, regarding whether you want to go Residential in this community centred town or fly in and out of Perth on a good roster. It is worth having a look at what this employer of choice has to offer you, with multiple operations and a proven record for rewarding hard work and a work ethic.

By having a “no whinging, can do attitude” approach in leading and helping the Mining team meet production targets on time, within budget and adhering to safety guidelines, you will enable this team to reach their potential and break new ground.If you are an experienced engineer who has held the role as an UGM for a few years and have a Bachelor of Engineering in mining with a minimum of 10 years relevant experience in your pocket including a First Class Mine Manager’s ticket, then we would love to meet you.

Please contact Dianne on 08 9443 0400 or diane@emsjobs.com.au in strict confidence or to apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au

CHEF POSITIONS Location – QLD – State Wide Company – Cater Care Services Description: Cater Care Services are 100% Australian-owned company who specialise in providing catering and support services to the mining sector.

We currently have positions available for experienced Chefs at mining camps in remote locations of Queensland.

You will be part of a team that works together to support the entire site operations, but you must be able to demonstrate your responsibility for your performance and productivity.

To apply for this position please send a covering letter and resume to peta@catercareaustralia.com.au or please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au

MINE MANAGER – UNDERGROUND Location – Kalgoorlie, Goldfields & Esperance Company – EMS Pty Description: We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Mine Manager with at least a good 10 years' plus experience in underground metalliferious mining.

Bring it on with your well rounded experience as you will be responsible for the management and leadership of the Mine Operations ensuring that all technical, planning and production aspects relating to the underground development and production are completed and achieved accordingly.

This role will suit an experienced engineer who has held the role as an MM for a few years with a Bachelor of Engineering in mining, a proven background in the mining industry (minimum of 10-15 years relevant experience). You will need to possess a First Class Mine Manager’s ticket and exhibit exemplary personal skills such as the ability to lead people, build teams, good communication skills and the capability to generate improvement ideas across the site.

If you love pushing boundaries and have passion and ambition in

SENIOR PRODUCTION ENGINEER Location – Kalgoorlie, Goldfields & Esperance Company – EMS Pty Description: Accelerate your career and experience a job that enables you to feel proud and empowered to make a difference in this Top Mining House which has this lucrative deposit.

If you are a degree qualified senior engineer with at least 5 years experience with a 1st Class MM Ticket, or progressing towards one and are familiar with mine planning software then we would really like to hear from you.

You will enjoy being part of a team that gets on well together and gets the job done. There are great development opportunities within the company and the Directors firmly believe in rewarding those whose knowledge, qualifications and hard work keep the Company growing from strength to strength.

Please contact Dianne on 08 9443 0400 or diane@emsjobs.com.au in strict confidence or to apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au

MAINTENANCE PLANNER Location – Kalgoorlie, Goldfields & Esperance Company – EMS Pty Description: Looking for that next role that will position you as part of a superior outfit that will value you like no other? Our client is in need of an experienced and dynamic Maintenance Planner to join them in this great residential role.

On offer with this great residential role will be some excellent remuneration and perks. These guys know the benefits of keeping their staff well rewarded for what they do and provide the allowances and benefits to ensure just that.

Please contact Nikki on 08 9443 0400 or nikki@emsjobs.com.au in strict confidence or to apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au

TECHNICAL SALES SUPPORT ENGINEER – NATIONAL ROLE – DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL Location – Sydney Company – Kingscroft Consulting Description: The company is an international specialist manufacturer of mechanical components producing applicationspecific solutions for the Mining Minerals Processing and Oil & Gas industry. They are well established in the Australian market.

As part of their growth strategy are seeking a people orientated engineer.

Your focus will be to work closely with the Sales Managers to identify and specify customer requirements (these are qualified leads with existing and prospective customers). This will involve travelling to customer sites around Australia, meeting with Site Engineers, Maintenance Managers, and Engineering Managers to understand their requirements and then developing technically sound solutions to present back to the customer. In doing this you will develop and maintain customer relationships with end users, distributors and consultants.

Ideally you have sound understanding of the mining industry and/or heavy industry sector which results from work experience as a Mechanical Engineer (degree or certificate level) or in a Technical Sales role. Your technical capability extends to the operation, maintenance and engineering of heavy mechanical equipment, mechanical power transmission products and hydraulic systems.

Please contact Garry King in strict confidence or to apply for this role, please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au PRODUCT SPECIALIST – MOTION CONTROL – NATIONAL ROLE – DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL Location – Sydney Company – Kingscroft Consulting Description: The company is an international specialist manufacturer of mechanical components producing applicationspecific solutions for the Mining Minerals Processing and Oil & Gas industry. They are well established in the Australian market. As part of their growth strategy are seeking a people orientated engineer.

You will work closely with the Sales Managers to identify and specify customer requirements (these are qualified leads with existing and prospective customers). You will travel to customer sites around Australia, meet with Site Engineers, Maintenance Managers, and Engineering Managers to understand their requirements and develop technically sound solutions to present back to the customer.

Ideally you currently work in a business supplying the mining industry and/or heavy industry sector as a Mechanical Engineer (degree or certificate level) or in a Technical Sales Support role. Your technical capability extends to the operation, maintenance and engineering of heavy mechanical equipment i.e. mechanical power transmission products Bearings Gears Clutches Brakes and Hydraulic Systems.

Please contact Garry King in strict confidence or to apply for this role, or please visit www.miningaustralia.com.au

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WATER

Wise to WATER MANAGEMENT Enlightened attitudes to water usage among mine operators is improving management;boosting efficiency and giving some mines a new lease of life. ITT dewatering specialist Craig Holmes speaks to Jamie Wade.

JAMIE WADE: How have attitudes to

water management in mining changed in the last 10 to 20 years?

CRAIG HOLMES: There’s been significant change. In the past water was seen as something that you needed, used and then disposed. Twenty years ago there weren’t many environmental managers on mine sites and of the few environmental managers that were around – they had other things to worry about.

However, in the last 10 years companies have become very concerned about water usage; how they use it and more importantly: how they dispose of it afterwards.

JW: What are the latest trends and

Monitoring is key to management.

developments?

CH: Well that’s the thing, water is now being managed and it’s being managed holistically rather than discretely. By this I mean there’s a cycle to water usage. Whether you’re dewatering or recycling water it needs to be effectively managed from start to finish.

Increasingly, the attitude and approach to water management is tantamount to the approach to reagents and electricity; let’s face it: there aren’t too many dry processes in mineral processing so without water, minerals processing becomes very difficult. Water management isn’t as simple as building another dam. Environmental licences don’t usually allow mine operators to dig and operate another dam.

JW: Where’s water management tech-

nology headed?

CH: Water management technology is

increasingly about measurability – knowing what the water is doing; how much is coming in; how much is going out; the quality; and how to treat it.

Monitoring is the key to effective water management. If you know how water’s being used you can use it and reuse it. All mining operations will face increasing pressure from compliance and regulation and will be compelled to effectively manage usage.

JW: What are mine operators demanding today in water management?

CH: Mine operators are turning more towards specialists to help manage their water usage. In the past mine operators would, for instance, contact us for a pump. Now they turn to us for dewatering services on a project management basis that would include dewatering and correct water disposal.

This typically involves water management specialists working with key stakeholders in the mines’ operations, in particular the environmental management personnel onsite.

JW: What advice would you have for

mine operators when it comes to procuring water management technology and solutions?

CH: Find a provider whose core business is water management!

• ITT Water &Waste Water 13 19 14 www.ittwww.com

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42 December 2010

AustralianMining

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WATER

Treating the root of the problem Dealing with mining waste water presents a number of challenges, Sean McKinney writes.

S

uccessfully treating mining effluents presents major challenges for water treatment companies, who are frequently faced with remote sites and extreme environmental conditions, significant fluctuations in water quality, and a variety of contaminants.

Each mine requires a tailored wastewater treatment system to ensure the treated effluents (which can also be from tailing processes or mine dewatering) meet site-specific conditions and the required quality to allow reuse of the water within the mine.

“Ensuring sustainability of water supply is an important factor for any mining operation,” Nirosoft Australia regional manager Ravid Levy said.

Nirosoft provides water and wastewater treatment applications.

“Water must be considered and treated accordingly for each individual requirement,” he explained.

Levy pointed out that wastewater quality fluctuates significantly from mine to mine.

Mining effluents may contain many different types of contaminants, includ-

Each mine requires a tailored treatment system for particular contaminants.

ing those such as extreme pH values, heavy metals, suspended solids, organic materials, dissolved solids, and high conductivity.

Devising an appropriate treatment solution must be based on sound quan-

> CHARMEC M/L-SERIES

titative data on wastewater quality and flow regime.

“Conducting a feasibility study, while drawing from our experience in similar challenges around the globe, provides our engineers with vital infor-

mation which goes into the development of a tailormade solution, customised to site-specific conditions and client requirements,” he said.

A typical industrial or mining wastewater treatment plant could include any combination of the following treatment stages: gravity clarification for the settling of large solids; dissolved air flotation for the removal of oils and grease, coagulated solids, and organics; and multimedia filtration for the removal of residual TSS and turbidity.

These stages are usually followed by a high quality pre-treatment such as ultra-filtration membranes which optimises the performance of reverse osmosis (RO) desalination.

“Multiple RO stages may be required in order to achieve maximum recovery and minimise the amounts of brine disposed to evaporation ponds or the environment,” Levy said.

“Treated effluents can be reused in a variety of applications such as process and rinse water, dust suppression, irrigation and onsite landscap-

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44 December 2010

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WATER

ing, as well as discharge to surface waters or aquifer reinjection.”

The company has designed and supplied treatment systems which allow recycling of water fit for a wide variety of applications including mining, oil and gas, power, agriculture, and manufacturing industries, as well as potable water supply and municipal effluents recycling.

Nirosoft’s two decades of experience in developing skid-mounted, trailer-mounted, and containerised systems, using membrane and other advanced purification technologies, plays a valuable role in developing solutions to meet the specialised needs of the mining industry.

In 2008, the company developed a wastewater and tailing treatment system for the Collahuasi copper mine in Chile, the country’s third-largest copper producer. The open cut mine and its processing plant which handles copper and molybdenum ores are located in Northern Chile, approximately 60 kilometers south of the city of Iquique.

The ore processing leaves large volumes of contaminated and saline effluents which used to be discharged to the environment after only minimal treatment.

The wastewater has high levels of TDS, chemical oxygen demand (COD),

A multistage plant allowed for proper waste treatment at the copper mine.

hardness and total suspended solids (TSS), as well as high concentrations of sulphate, silica, iron and other heavy metals.

The raw wastewater fluctuates greatly, which make the water extremely challenging to purify.

“In order to handle these effluents and maximise water reuse while reducing discharge to the environment, Nirosoft designed, built and commissioned a multistage treatment plant,” he said.

“Installation of the plant was a key condition posed by the local envi-

ronmental authorities to allow expansion of the mine’s operations.”

The treatment stages include coagulation, flocculation, settling, dissolved air flotation (DAF), multimedia and granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration, and an integrated membrane solution which combines pressurised hollow fibre ultra-filtration (UF) followed by a three-stage seawater reverse osmosis (RO) membrane process.

“In order to maximise overall system recovery, the backwash water of the pre-filters and UF membranes is fully recycled to the feed buffer

tank, prior to the clarifier and DAF,” he explained.

The raw wastewater flow of 216 m3/hr (~5 ML/day) is treated to produce approximately 170 m3/hr (~4 ML/day) of desalinated product water which represents a recovery rate of approximately 80% for the entire process.

The treated water is then reused for process, woodlot irrigation and dust suppression.

During its nine years of operation in Australia, Nirosoft has provided water desalination systems for communities located in remote regions, coal seam gas water desalination, process water for industrial and energy generation operations, and effluents recycling systems.

“Developing effective systems for the treatment of mining effluent requires extensive knowledge and experience with similar systems and a wide variety of technologies – systems that meet the most stringent engineering, environmental and regulatory standards and requirements,” Levy stated. *Sean McKinney is the Business Development Manager for Nirosoft Australia.

• Nirosoft Australia 03 8862 6405 australia@nirosoft.com www.nirosoft.com

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December 2010

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Mining boots OLIVER Footwear has released the upgraded AT 65-691 350mm lace up mining boot. The boot features the new Poron XRD metatarsal guard. The addition of this guard makes the boot more lightweight and flexible. The high performance molecules of the guard create a unique protective shield that absorbs up to 90% of the most intense force.

This mining boot is comprised of a hard wearing dual density nitrile layer outsole combined with a polyurethane midsole, which provides shock absorption as well as a hard wearing Flame resistant boots. abrasion resistant sole. The sole provides protection from temperatures of 300 degrees Celsius of surface contact, anti static protection and importantly resistance to mineral and organic oils and acids.

The black water resistant upper is fully lined with a Sympatex waterproof liner and also comes with heavy duty Nomex heat and flame resistant stitching.

For sites where there is a risk of penetration from nails, fasteners, glass shards or similar obstacles, the AT 65-691 features the Qflex Zero non metallic insole which protects against the risk of penetration from beneath the sole and the resulting injuries. Further safety protection comes from the Natureform Type 1 protective toe cap which with its wider shape allows greater foot comfort and avoids contact between the foot and the toecap.

• Oliver Footwear 03 5320 0200 info@oliver.com.au www.oliver.com.au

Safety shirt IN an Australian first, KingGee have launched a work shirt with a built in dust mask. The new Dustee incorporates a nuisance dust mask into a KingGee high visibility polo. The Dustee is designed for use around intermittent non toxic nuisance dust, providing on the spot respiratory protection. The mask is attached to the the collar via elastic and can be pulled over the face with one hand. The shirt is made from a lightweight micromesh fabric that provides 30+ sun protection and also strips away moisture from the body, drying quickly. It is compliant with Australian high visibility standards, and comes in yellow and orange, and is available with either short or long sleeves.

• KingGee www.kinggee.com.au

Drill compressor system SANDVIK Mining and Construction has released a new compressor management system (CMS) for blasthole drill rigs. The system significantly reduces the amount of air consumed so that the compressors run at full throttle only when needed.

The management system is an option on new Sandvik drills, and can also be retrofitted to older models. The Reduces the air consumed. system is based around a PLC that ensures stat during a start up, the compressor produces no air until the engine reaches idling speed. When the drill is not drilling, the system creates a vacuum in the main compressor, allowing for a cool shutdown. When the rig is drilling, the system delivers the precise air volume required to meet flushing needs. One of the first Sandvik CMS users in the world is Anglo American group’s Drayton Coal mine in the NSW Hunter Valley Region.

According to the mine, it is saving 48 litres an hour, reducing the average engine load factor from 78% to 53%.

• Sandvik Mining and Construction 07 3637 7400 www.sandvik.com

46 December 2010

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www.miningaustralia.com.au

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EVENTS

Conferences, seminars & workshops Event submissions can be emailed to ozmining@reedbusiness.com.au MPES 2010 1-3 December 2010 Fremantle, WA MPES symposia are well known and recognised as leading forums for promoting international technology transfer with the main focus on all aspects of mine planning as well as mining equipment.

• AusIMM 03 9658 6105 sfinlay@ausimm.com.au www.ausimm.com.au

Practical Process Control for Engineers and Technicians 2-9 December 2010 Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane Attendees of this workshop will learn how to understand the fundamentals of process control and new techniques, tune PID control loops; correct stability problems; understand cascade loops and feed forward control; and importantly identify and correct problems

www.miningaustralia.com.au

with dead time in the process.

• IDC Technologies 1300 138 522 idc@idc-online.com www.idc-online.com

Mining Roads – Safety and Design Workshops 7-8 December 2010 Singleton, NSW ARRB Group, in collaboration with Curtin University's Western Australian School of Mines is pleased to offer a two day training workshop on best practice in the areas of safety and design of roads associated with mining and resource processing operations.

• ARRB Group 03 9881 1694 training@arrb.com.au www.arrb.com.au

Mine Reconciliation 8 December 2010 Crown Plaza, Surfers Paradise Mine reconciliation is an essential

process to the continued performance and improvement of a mine site. This conference will address strategies for developing an efficient and optimised reconciliation process to ensure your company’s export quality, reputation and profitability.

• Mine Reconciliation Judy Hizon 02 9229 1000 www.minereconciliation.com.au

NT Major Projects Conference 15-16 December 2010 Darwin, NT The 2 day event will focus on the significant investments made by the NT government into major projects currently being worked upon as well as projects in the pipeline. It will cover the different sectors of construction and infrastructure projects that are relevant to the future growth of the NT including regional planning, ports, roads, rail, water, resources, and minerals.

• Expotrade Australia

03 9545 0360 www.ntconference.com.au

Practical HAZOPS for Engineers & Technicians 21-25 February 2011 Brisbane, Melbourne Training takes the form of an introductory presentation followed by interactive workshop examples where course participants can obtain an understanding of the HAZOP technique and HAZOP team leaders can practice the skills.

• IDC Online 1300 138 522 idc@idc-online.com www.idc-online.com

Practical Safety Instrumentation & Emergency Shutdown Systems for Process Industries 21-29 March 2011 Perth, Melbourne, Sydney The best safety systems is not the

most expensive but rather it is the most practicable system; one that does not cause production losses whilst achieving risk reduction. This new workshop focuses on the management, planning and execution of safety systems in accordance with IEC 61511.

• IDC Online 1300 138 522 idc@idc-online.com www.idc-online.com

AIMEX 6-9 September 2011 Sydney, NSW Held every four years, the premier mining exhibition in Australia gathers together companies from all over the world to conduct business face-to-face with key buyers and decision-makers in the resources industry. It showcases the latest technology and mining services.

• Reed Exhibitions Australia Peter Thompson 02 9422 2955 peter.thompson@reedexhibitions. com.au

AustralianMining

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