Australian Mining Feb 2025

CRUSHING AND SCREENING BHP INDUSTRY INSIGHT DIGITAL MINING

VOLUME 117/1 | FEBRUARY 2025

PUSHING AHEAD

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COMMENT

MINING’S MOMENT AS WE EMBARK ON ANOTHER YEAR, THE AUSTRALIAN MINING SECTOR IS UNIQUELY PLACED TO CAPITALISE ON OPPORTUNITIES STEMMING FROM THE CLEAN-ENERGY TRANSITION.

TOM PARKER tom.parker@primecreative.com.au

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table and reliable could be two words to describe the Australian resources industry, one which is backed by steady geopolitics and a technological fervour to achieve constant improvement.

The sector’s competitive undercurrent is driving all operators to be better, whether that involves boosting productivity, reducing costs, improving environmental stewardship, and/or making mines safer.

But as more and more nations understand and unlock their mineral endowment, there’s greater international competition than ever before.

While China has long been a mining forerunner, whether they are extracting minerals themselves or participating in downstream endeavours, the likes of Indonesia, India and countries in South America and Africa are positioning themselves as capable mining partners.

Indonesia has flooded markets with its lower-grade nickel, throwing pricing out of whack and hindering Australia’s proud nickel industry, while Argentina and Bolivia are becoming emerging lithium jurisdictions.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Mozambique are just three African nations flaunting their critical mineral potential.

More than ever, downstream manufacturers are spoiled for choice when it comes to material supply, which means Australian miners need to up their game to remain competitive.

While Federal and State Governments are integral to providing accessible regulatory environments, Australian mining companies must demonstrate why they remain a supplier of choice.

Miners must unlock greater operational efficiencies to lower costs and bolster their bottom line. Only then can they reliably navigate undulating fiscal environments and be trusted by downstream partners.

Enter Australia’s METS industry, which provides the solutions and technologies to enhance operations.

In the February edition – our first issue of 2025 – we showcase the METS companies enabling improved crushing and screening practices in the mining sector.

Here, the likes of Sandvik, Metso, XCMG, McLanahan and MAX Plant take centre stage.

Caterpillar adorns the cover with its D11 dozer. In doing so, we celebrate the role of dozers as integral support machines.

Elsewhere in the February edition, BHP president Australia Geraldine Slattery offers her 2025 outlook for the Australian mining industry, while we also spotlight three emerging uranium players coming through the ranks.

Happy reading.

Tom Parker Editor

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AUSTRALIANMINING 3 FEBRUARY 2025

FRONT COVER

As one of the world’s premier original equipment manufacturers, Caterpillar needs no introduction.

A company which innovates equipment to support all aspects of a mine, the February edition of Australian Mining gives Cat the opportunity to spotlight its dozer range.

Cat has a range of track and wheel dozers from which to choose, with the track range starting at the D1, with 59.7 kilowatts (kW) of power, and extending to the D11, with 634kW of power.

This includes the D6 XE – Tier 4/Stage V, the world’s first high-drive electric-drive dozer. Boasting longer service intervals, fewer moving parts and fewer maintenance tasks, the D6 XE can reduce maintenance costs by up to 12 per cent and support up to 35 per cent more fuel efficiency.

The D11 – in all its glory – graces the cover of this issue.

Cover image: Caterpillar

ROB O’BRYAN Mob: 0411 067 795 Email: robert.obryan@primecreative.com.au ART DIRECTOR MICHELLE WESTON michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au SUBSCRIPTION RATES Australia (surface mail) $120.00 (incl GST) Overseas A$149.00 For subscriptions enquiries please contact (03) 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au PRIME CREATIVE MEDIA 379 Docklands Drive, Docklands, Vic 3008 www.primecreative.com.au © Copyright Prime Creative Media, 2016

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IN THIS ISSUE 16

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DECISION-MAKER

14

COVER STORY

32

BHP: Champions of competition BHP president Australia Geraldine Slattery detailed the Big Australian’s 2025 outlook while speaking at the Melbourne Mining Club in December.

36

COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

38

EQUIPMENT

Emerging uranium players Australian Mining spotlights three Australian-based companies with bright uranium futures.

A mining workhorse What makes dozers an essential component of the mining industry, and what types of dozers are commonly used?

Embarking on global growth Backed by an expansion of its local and international facilities, Schlam is continuing its expansion in Australia and beyond.

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40

CRUSHING AND SCREENING

A gold-standard performance A new Sandvik crushing and screening plant is delivering greater efficiency and operational safety at the Agnew gold mine.

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CRUSHING AND SCREENING

Crushing solutions for any mine site Rapid Crushing & Screening Contractors has a strong track record of providing tailored solutions that boost productivity.

ESG

Busting sustainability myths As the mining industry navigates the clean energy transition, FLS calls on miners to take a pause to optimise operations.

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M&A

Shifting dynamics As the Australian mining industry embarks on 2025, M&A activity is unlikely to slow down.

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M&A

The next lithium giant Australian Mining looks at what Rio Tinto’s acquisition of Arcadium Lithium means for the global lithium industry.

REGULARS 3 COMMENT 6 FOLLOW THE LEADERS 80 PRODUCTS 82 EVENTS

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38 AUSTRALIANMINING 5 FEBRUARY 2025

IMAGE: RAWPIXEL.COM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

FOLLOW THE LEADERS

FOLLOW THE LEADERS: THE LATEST EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST EXECUTIVE MOVEMENTS ACROSS THE MINING SECTOR, FEATURING CAPRICORN, RAMELIUS AND ILUKA.

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apricorn Metals chief executive officer (CEO) Kim Massey retired from his role in January 2025, with current chief operating officer (COO) Paul Criddle succeeding him.

Throughout his tenure at Capricorn, Massey oversaw the company’s transition from a gold exploration company to a low-cost gold producer through the Karlawinda gold mine in Western Australia. Massey also oversaw Capricorn’s growth projects, namely the Mt Gibson gold project in WA. Prior to that, Massey was chief financial officer at Regis Resources from 2009 to 2019, where he played a key role in financing and developing the Duketon gold project in WA. While Massey retired as Capricorn’s CEO, he remains a part-time consultant to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

“I would like to thank Kim Massey for his invaluable contribution to Capricorn over the last five years,” Capricorn executive chairman Mark Clark said.

“The growth of Capricorn to a high-quality, low-cost gold producer with an enviable growth outlook whilst delivering exceptional shareholder returns is a great credit to Kim’s tenure as CEO. We look forward to his continued involvement as a consultant to the company.”

Criddle has overseen a range of operational highlights since joining Capricorn in May, including

Karlawinda’s ore reserves increasing to 1.43 million ounces (Moz) of gold and Mt Gibson’s ore reserves increasing to 2.6Moz. Bringing over 20 years’ experience in the mining industry, Criddle will become Capricorn’s CEO on February 3.

Ramelius Resources has appointed a new COO and expanded its executive team through multiple recruitments.

In November, Ramelius’ long-standing COO Duncan Coutts revealed he would step down to pursue other opportunities, but would stay at the company until early December to support a smooth leadership transition.

Coutts will soon be replaced by Tim Hewitt, a mining engineer with over 30 years’ experience.

Hewitt’s most recent role was at Gold Fields, where he served as vice president – mining, vice president – technical, general manager of the St Ives and Gruyere operations, and mining manager of the Granny Smith mine.

Prior to his time at Gold Fields, Hewitt worked as a mining manager at LIHIR Gold, St Barbara and Newmont.

Ramelius has recruited Peter Ganza as its general manager – projects. Ganza is currently Ramelius’ acting COO and will stay in that role until February 2025, when Hewitt will officially start working at the company.

As general manager – projects, Ganza will focus on the Rebecca-Roe gold project and the Eridanus cutback/mill expansion at Mt Magnet.

Ramelius has appointed Kim Boekeman, who has over 20 years’ experience working in human resources, as its new executive general manager – human resources (HR).

Boekeman’s previous HR roles at Rio Tinto, BCI Minerals, BP, Assala Energy, and ANZ will provide insight on an executive level to ensure Ramelius remains a desirable place to work.

Boekeman will commence her role on February 17.

Ramelius has also promoted current general manager – business development Alan Thom to chief development officer.

Iluka Resources announced the retirement of its chairman Rob Cole in December.

Cole, who joined Iluka’s board in March 2018 and became chair in April 2022, has stepped down effective December 13 due to health reasons after taking temporary leave.

Iluka acting chair Andrea Sutton praised Cole’s leadership during his tenure, highlighting significant milestones under his guidance, including the demergers of Deterra Royalties and Sierra Rutile, as well as Iluka’s strategic shift into rare earths.

“At his AGM address in May, Rob reflected on Iluka’s resilience and commitment to delivering sustainable value,” Sutton said.

“His personal contribution to this commitment has been unwavering, on

AUSTRALIANMINING 6 FEBRUARY 2025

behalf of the board, I thank Rob for his outstanding leadership and service to the company.”

Arafura Rare Earths has announced the appointment of Tommie van der Walt as chief projects officer, which took effect on January 20.

Van der Walt brings extensive experience as a mining executive and has capability in project delivery and operational leadership, bolstered by a career spanning exploration, construction, and operations in complex environments.

In his previous role as Newmont’s regional project director for Africa, Van der Walt developed a multi-country growth strategy and successfully delivered the $US1.7 billion ($2.77 billion) Ahafo mega-project on schedule, enhancing production capacity and efficiency.

More recently, he served as chief operating officer at Ionic Rare Earths, overseeing the development of the Makuutu rare earths mine in Uganda and a chemical plant in Belfast.

“Tommie’s technical expertise, strategic vision, values-based leadership, and emphasis on operational excellence position him well to lead delivery of the Nolans (rare earths) project,” Arafura said.

Van der Walt’s appointment follows the decision of chief operating officer Stuart Macnaughton to step down for personal reasons. AM

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DECISION-MAKER

BHP: CHAMPIONS OF COMPETITION BHP PRESIDENT AUSTRALIA GERALDINE SLATTERY DETAILED THE COMPANY’S 2025 OUTLOOK WHILE SPEAKING AT THE MELBOURNE MINING CLUB IN DECEMBER.

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t’s no secret that Australia has one of the strongest mining sectors globally.

Backed by its abundance of metals and critical minerals, Australia’s mining industry has gone from strength to strength over the years.

Leading the pack is BHP, which has just come off a massive 2024 full of operational milestones and production records.

Australian Mining recently gained insight into the BHP engine room when BHP president Australia Geraldine Slattery spoke at the Melbourne Mining Club in December.

Here, she discussed the importance of a competitive mining industry and the Big Australian’s plans for its flagship commodities.

Staying competitive

IMAGES: BHP

Competition is at the heart of an industry’s ability to innovate and provide the best products and services.

This is especially true in the Australian mining industry, where it’s competing with countries that can supply resources and critical minerals at faster

rates due to less stringent environmental, social and governance standards.

Slattery said Australia is key to the global energy transition, labelling the movement as “one of the great industrial shifts in history”.

“All of us here know that shift will not occur without the minerals Australia provides,” Slattery said.

Slattery cautioned that Australia cannot take its history for granted, highlighting challenges in skills availability, technology adoption and global investment appeal.

When speaking about labour shortages, Slattery said nearly half of the global skilled engineering workforce will retire in the next decade.

“We know we don’t have enough graduates in mining-related fields to replace them,” Slattery said.

“Part of the solution lies in expanding Australia’s workforce participation – and this highlights the fundamental importance of the entire industry’s work to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce.”

Slattery called for enhanced research and design efforts, pointing out that Australia ranks 23rd

globally in innovation and 20th in digital readiness.

“There is, I believe, a shared recognition that in mining, nextgeneration technologies will make our exploration, development and operations safer, more sustainable and more productive,” she said.

Slattery also urged for permitting processes to be streamlined.

“For Australia, the principles should be clear: put in place a riskbased permitting system that ensures processing timelines are certain and outcomes are reliable,” she said. “(Mining is) not only integral to our way of life, but it’s also integral to our economy and to our livelihoods. (It) underpins our healthcare and education systems, and way of living.”

Iron ore

BHP PRESIDENT AUSTRALIA GERALDINE SLATTERY.

Australia has been the world’s largest iron ore producer for several years.

Despite being a vital component for steel manufacturing, Slattery said iron ore demand will likely decrease in the coming years.

“As China reaches its later stage of urbanisation, we expect to see steel demand coming off,” Slattery said.

“We expect prices to moderate between now and the end of the decade as new supply comes into the market and the demand for steel declines.”

Slattery shed light on the outlook for BHP’s Western Australian Iron Ore (WAIO) business, which is bolstered by its low-cost profile.

“Western Australia Iron Ore is the lowest-cost and most-efficient iron ore miner globally and has held that position for a couple of years,” Slattery said. “That provides us with resilience through a changing market, and we really see the benefit of that in margins.

AUSTRALIANMINING 8 FEBRUARY 2025

“In terms of growth, we’re growing modestly. We produced 287 million tonnes (Mt) during FY24, trending to 305Mt in terms of mediumterm guidance.

“We recently sanctioned a sustaining mine, Western Ridge Crusher, just a few months ago. (We’re continuing) to look at growth but nothing is decided past the 305Mt.” With high-grade iron ore projects such as the Simandou deposit emerging in west Africa, BHP has a plan to keep WAIO competitive.

“Being the lowest-cost producer positions us very well,” Slattery said.

“Maintaining that position of resilience is fundamental to our ability to maintain strength.

“The Pilbara in WA has really shown itself over the decades to be incredibly resilient, both from the private sector but also with the support of the State Government.”

Copper

BHP expects copper demand to grow by 70 per cent by 2050 due to factors such as machinery electrification, the global energy transition and more digital infrastructure coming online.

Luckily, the company has the operations to meet this demand.

Copper production was up four per cent for BHP in the September 2024 quarter, due to higher grade and recoveries from the Escondida mine in Chile. Escondida also produced about 1.13Mt of copper during FY24, its highest production in four years.

These stellar results further solidified BHP’s copper aspirations, with the company viewing the base metal as a kingmaker commodity.

The Big Australian is ready to further feed copper demand via the Prominent

DECISION-MAKER

THE ESCONDIDA OPERATION IN CHILE IS THE WORLD’S LARGEST COPPER MINE.

BHP IS LOOKING TO DOUBLE THE PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF ITS SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COPPER BUSINESS TO 650,000 TONNES.

Hill and Carrapateena assets it inherited from OZ Minerals, as well as its Olympic Dam operation and Oak Dam deposit. Its Chilean assets, Escondida and Spence, will also play a major role.

“We’re anticipating and planning for a world where we may be able to double copper output (at Copper South Australia) over the next 10 years,” Slattery said.

“We’ve got 13 rigs in exploration (at Oak Dam), actively looking at how we can advance studies for that.”

Nickel

Of all commodities, nickel arguably had the most challenging 2024.

With faltering prices caused mainly by a supply surplus and an increase in supplies from countries like Indonesia

and China, Australian nickel miners had to weather several storms.

This included BHP, which suspended its Nickel West operations and West Musgrave project in October 2024. The company intends to review the decision

by February 2027.

“The surplus in the market creates quite an overhang,” Slattery said.

“Despite growing demand, the overhang

will probably take us to the end of the decade.

“I wouldn’t necessarily subscribe to the view that Australian nickel is dead.

I think if there’s a supportive price environment and an opportunity to reset the cost basis and the competitiveness through technology and a modernised supply chain, I think that’s certainly very plausible.”

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AUSTRALIANMINING 9 FEBRUARY 2025

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DECISION-MAKER

BHP INTENDS TO REVIEW THE DECISION TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND WESTERN AUSTRALIA NICKEL BY FEBRUARY 2027.

When BHP suspended its nickel division, it committed to redeploying employees to other BHP operations.

“We’re pleased to share that about 700 of our Nickel West colleagues are heading to our iron ore assets, but also Copper South Australia and the Queensland metallurgical coal assets,” Slattery said.

“That’s been good for our employees, and it’s been good for the company.”

Coal

Whitehaven Coal officially took ownership over the Daunia and Blackwater metallurgical coal mines in Queensland, which were previously owned by BHP, in April 2024.

Despite this $US4.1 billion ($6.58 billion) divestment, BHP held onto its five other Queensland coal mines: Broadmeadow, Caval Ridge, Goonyella Riverside, Peak Downs and Saraji.

“(With) the metallurgical coal business, we see continuous strong demand, particularly from India,” Slattery said.

“Forty per cent of our coal goes to India and we make up a significant part of their imports. We’ve high graded the portfolio to really concentrate our assets because we think that’s where there’s more tightness in the market, and that higher-grade coal contributes to more energy-efficient steelmaking.

“We think the blast furnace will prevail for many years to come, notwithstanding the efforts between ourselves and some of our biggest steel customers to advance green steel and lower-carbon steel.

“As we transition to that future, it’s our view that metallurgical coal … will play a core role.”

Looking ahead

BHP’S WAIO BUSINESS PRODUCED 287 MILLION TONNES DURING FY24.

As it embarks on 2025, BHP will continue prioritising the safety of its people and engagement with Traditional Owners and communities.

“Beyond that, (we’re) working with the sector and policy makers to inform the settings that will allow Australia to compete for capital,” Slattery said.

AUSTRALIANMINING 10 FEBRUARY 2025

BHP will also continue investing in technology, with 50-60 per cent of its mines now autonomous.

“The opportunity to go beyond the 1.0 to the 2.0 of autonomy in terms of the smart mine, I think that’s an area that offers enormous opportunity,” Slattery said.

“We know the interaction between vehicles and people is where most of our injuries and, tragically, fatalities occur. Whether it’s separation or detection, (autonomous technology) is an area that can prevent these occurrences.

“One of the other areas we have deployed technologies in is exploration, through bringing together geological data sets and data analytics to either move the pace or (gain) insights, but also in our partnerships with accelerators and startups, who are often more agile than big companies in advancing and trialling technologies.”

As a new year begins, BHP will continue to grow its business to feed the global energy transition and beyond, with ‘future-facing’ commodities such as copper and potash to remain key drivers. AM

AUSTRALIANMINING 11 FEBRUARY 2025

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

MINING’S MOMENT IN THE SUN A RECENT CSIRO REPORT SUGGESTS PUBLIC TRUST IN THE MINING INDUSTRY IS IMPROVING, BUT THE SECTOR MUST REMAIN VIGILANT.

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“The idea behind the report was to have a large representative sample of the Australian population,” Voconiq chief executive officer and co-founder Kieren Moffat told Australian Mining.

“We collected about 88 per cent of the data using a panel-based collection method, then we opened the floor to anyone 18 years and over who wanted to have their say. This was to make sure that anyone who wanted could participate, and it led to interesting findings.”

This latest survey is the third instalment in a decade-long program of research, providing an update on national surveys conducted in 2014 and 2017.

Over 6400 participants were surveyed for this edition, with a focus on critical and energy transition minerals. Overall, it was found public trust in the mining industry has improved from 2017.

“The best way to know how people feel about something is to ask them directly, and that’s what this survey does,” CSIRO Mineral Resources science and deputy director Louise Fisher told Australian Mining.

“And by doing the survey repeatedly, we get a longitudinal dataset that lets us understand how those attitudes to mining are changing over time, and also what factors are driving that change.”

The survey found that 73 per cent of respondents acknowledge that access to critical minerals is essential for achieving net-zero emissions, while 72 per cent believe mining will support Australia’s future prosperity.

However, concerns remain around the potential environmental impacts of mining operations. The survey found that 61 per cent agree mining can have negative environmental impacts, and issues around dust, water

IMAGE: EDEN NGUYEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ublic opinion of the Australian resources industry has ebbed and flowed over time.

But as the need to transition to renewable energy becomes entrenched in the public’s consciousness, mining – especially the mining of critical minerals – has seen a step change in attitude.

The mining industry is no longer the hulking unknown in the background, having certified its importance in recent years – a change backed up by a recent citizen survey.

Conducted by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO and Voconiq, the ‘Australian attitudes toward mining’ report examines the public’s outlook on the industry, providing crucial insights for policymakers, industry leaders and communities.

THE MAJORITY OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS AGREE THAT MINING IS ESSENTIAL TO AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE.

AUSTRALIANMINING 12 FEBRUARY 2025

quality and community health remain significant concerns.

“It was great to see the improvements of people’s attitudes on a number of key issues, like the need for mining to produce more critical minerals,” Moffat said.

“Citizen perspectives are so important because mining is a national resource that’s managed by governments and conducted by industry. Surveys like this allow governments and industries to hear concerns directly from the community.

“In the age of social media, it’s more important than ever to have a moment of clarity and speak to those people that aren’t necessarily the loudest voices – those that are simply out there in the community.”

Fisher said the survey provides recognition of the role the mining industry must play in decarbonisation.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

THE 2024 ITERATION OF THE REPORT FOCUSED ON THE CONTINUED NEED FOR CRITICAL MINERALS.

IMAGE: BJP7IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

THE SURVEY FOUND THAT 73 PER CENT OF RESPONDENTS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ACCESS TO CRITICAL MINERALS IS ESSENTIAL FOR ACHIEVING NETZERO EMISSIONS, WHILE 72 PER CENT BELIEVE MINING WILL SUPPORT AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE PROSPERITY.” “The conversation around net-zero and ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles in mining is one that’s become a lot more focused and prominent in the last few years,” she said.

“Ongoing demonstration by the industry on how they’re going to address that challenge in the mining space is going to be important in sustaining trust.

“It will be an interesting data point for us to track over time.”

SUSTAINABILITY REMAINS HIGH ON THE LIST OF PRIORITIES FOR SURVEY RESPONDENTS.

IMAGE: SANGPEHT SURAT/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Overall, the majority of survey respondents agreed that mining contributes positively to both Australian employment rates and way of life; 78 per cent said mining provides employment opportunities for young people, while 70 per cent agreed the industry had helped improve necessary infrastructure like transport.

After completing sections focused on the positive benefits and negative impacts of mining, participants were asked to respond to the following statement on a seven point scale, where higher scores indicate greater agreement: ‘Considering the benefits and costs associated with mining, it is worthwhile to peruse mining in Australia.’

The result of 5.3 indicated a strong agreement with the sentiment.

Fisher said the result can show miners that they’re heading in the right direction.

“The data tells us that there is community expectation that mining companies are ensuring their workplaces are safe and diverse, and they’re managing their environmental impacts effectively,” she said.

“They can look at this data and ask themselves, ‘What are we doing as a company, and how does that line up with what the community is telling us they want?’

“The industry shouldn’t rest on this positive sentiment; they need to scrutinise it to ensure they continue demonstrating improvement.”

For Moffat, the survey results serve as a set of action points mining companies can use to ensure they’re meeting the needs of their local communities.

AUSTRALIANMINING 13 FEBRUARY 2025

“This report provides a blueprint for social acceptability and social license to operate,” Moffat said. “We’re now seeing local communities have the power, the agency and the capacity to ensure their relationship with mining companies remains strong, productive and ensures miners are meeting expectations both locally and nationally.” AM

EQUIPMENT

A MINING WORKHORSE DOZERS ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF THE MINING INDUSTRY, BUT WHAT MAKES THEM SO IMPORTANT – AND WHAT TYPES OF DOZERS ARE COMMONLY USED? Track dozers

Widely used across the Australian mining industry, track dozers have long been a reliable support machine, offering the right weight-to-horsepower ratios to push large loads.

Miners turn to track dozers when they’re working in varying and difficult terrain, including rough and muddy ground, with the tracks providing stronger traction and stability in these environments.

The tracks evenly distribute the dozer’s weight, providing higher pushing power and greater traction in rough terrains.

Wheel dozers

Wheel dozers have become an increasingly popular option for miners looking for speed and manoeuvrability, with the machines benefited by articulated steering and higher visibility.

Deployed in the right applications, wheel dozers can reduce fuel and undercarriage costs and capably push lighter loads across long distances.

Wheel dozers can swiftly clean up around shovels and trucks and complete jobs at multiple sites, with applications including stockpiling, road maintenance and reclamation, to name a few.

According to Caterpillar strategy manager Kent Clifton, operators must analyse their site-specific conditions before opting for either a track or wheel loader.

If operators are consistently pushing 70–110 per cent blade loads and don’t require mobility, Clifton said, track dozers are often the best option. But if mobility is required and the blade load is up to 70 per cent, a wheel loader is often the best option.

Caterpillar dozers

Cat offers a range of track and wheel dozers, with the track range starting at the D1, with 59.7 kilowatts (kW) of power, and extending to the D11, with 634kW of power.

This includes the D6 XE – Tier 4/ Stage V, the world’s first high-drive electric-drive dozer. Boasting longer service intervals, fewer moving parts and fewer maintenance tasks, the D6 XE can reduce maintenance costs by up to 12 per cent and support up to 35 per cent more fuel efficiency. The electric drive also enables the D6 XE to cut carbon emissions by up to 20 per cent.

The machine is also fitted with Cat’s Grade and Assist technology, boosting productivity and supporting ease of operation.

Cat’s wheel dozer range includes the 814, 824, 834, 844 and 854 models.

Many major mining operations opt for the 844 and 854 models, while midsized operations opt for the 834 dozer.

Clifton said selecting the right wheel dozer can be dependent on the size of the trucks and loading tools being used.

“For example, one of the keys when you’re working on a truck dump is that you need to keep up with the trucks,” he said.

IMAGES: CATERPILLAR

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hile trucks and loaders are key transporters of ore on a mine site, support machines such as dozers take on much of the grunt work by pushing and excavating valuable material.

A seamless dozer operation can be the central ingredient to a more productive mine, enabling other machinery to go about its business without a hitch.

Dozers can assist in constructing and maintaining haul roads and safety berms, mine reclamation and clean-up of blast areas, while dozer ripping is a popular and cost-effective alternative to accessing ore when blasting is not possible.

The most efficient ripping operations are those that cut with the grain, though it’s important to understand the strata to support the best ripping patterns. Cross ripping can be an effective technique to navigate difficult spots.

Operators must be mindful of ripping up slopes or on side-slopes – ripping downhill can be the most effective approach, best capitalising on the dozer’s weight and horsepower.

Australian Mining takes a closer look at track and wheel dozers and spotlights a Tier 1 original equipment manufacturer in the process.

DOZERS ASSIST IN CONSTRUCTING AND MAINTAINING HAUL ROADS AND SAFETY BERMS, MINE RECLAMATION AND CLEAN-UP OF BLAST AREAS. AUSTRALIANMINING 14 FEBRUARY 2025

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DOZERS OFFER A COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO ACCESSING ORE WHEN BLASTING IS NOT POSSIBLE.

THE CATERPILLAR D11 DOZER BOASTS 634KW OF POWER.

“When you look at sizing your machine, you know that within a couple of passes there will be another truck coming in and you want to make sure you get that material pushed off in time. A smaller machine may not have the capacity to do that clean-up work.”

Clifton said it’s also important for a wheel dozer not to get in the way of a haul truck.

“The truck is what’s really ringing the cash register,” he said. “You don’t want to get a machine that’s so big that you’re obstructing the

of a mine’s support fleet, enabling primary vehicles such as haul trucks to carry out their work seamlessly.

Caterpillar understands this equation, offering a leading range of track and wheel dozers to support any mining operation. AM

trucks running on the haul road.

You want to get them back as quickly as you can to the loading tool, so you have to size the wheel dozer accordingly.”

As the resources industry evolves, dozers remain a key component

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CRUSHING AND SCREENING

A GOLD-STANDARD PERFORMANCE

A NEW CRUSHING AND SCREENING PLANT AT AGNEW GOLD IS DELIVERING FINANCIAL REWARDS TO GOLD FIELDS.

A NEW SANDVIK CRUSHING AND SCREENING PLANT AT GOLD FIELDS’ AGNEW GOLD MINE IN WA IS DELIVERING GREATER EFFICIENCY, THROUGHPUT AND OPERATIONAL SAFETY.

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“The equipment was old, and there was little or no spare parts availability.

From a metallurgical perspective, it was being pushed to its limits to deliver the tonnage required. At best it was giving us an 8–10mm output, which was putting pressure on the downstream grinding circuit.”

The age and complexity of the existing plant also meant that access for operation and maintenance was difficult, presenting potential safety concerns.

IMAGES: SANDVIK

old Fields Limited is one of the world’s largest gold mining companies with nine operating mines, located in Australia, South Africa, Ghana, Peru and Chile.

The Agnew gold mine is one of four Australian gold mines operated by Gold Fields. The site is situated approximately 375km north of Kalgoorlie and has a long history of gold production dating back to the late 1970s.

The mine is best known for its underground operations, primarily targeting the Agnew and Lawler gold deposits. Ore is extracted using a combination of underground and surface mining and is then processed on-site.

Around 2018, with the mine expanding into a third underground source, there was a need to increase plant throughput. The 21-year-old tertiary crushing circuit, which was suffering from poor reliability, was unable to meet the demand.

Gold Fields metallurgy manager Reg Radford is the company’s technical expert in the field of processing metallurgy. He works with process managers across all Gold

Seeking a complete solution GOLD FIELDS METALLURGY MANAGER REG RADFORD.

Fields sites in Australia to assist in optimising operations.

Radford could see that the crushing and screening circuit was not in keeping with the company’s broader standards.

“It was working to its limits, and if you compared it to other Gold Fields sites, it was not to the standard that would be accepted elsewhere,” he said. “It didn’t meet our criterion for a well-organised, safe, professional gold processing operation.

The existing crushers were reaching end-of-life, and rather than just replacing them, it was decided to build an entirely new crushing and screening circuit.

To do this, and address various other concerns regarding the existing plant, a comprehensive upgrade project, known as the Agnew Stage 1 upgrade, was conceived.

The initiative examined bespoke and modular designs that could replace the existing plant. The project aimed to improve site water drainage and dust management (by installing a fine ore bin) while minimising disruptions during construction and commissioning.

AUSTRALIANMINING 16 FEBRUARY 2025

GOLD FIELDS MANAGER – PROCESSING TRISTAN FREEMANTLE.

Gold Fields manager – processing Tristan Freemantle was appointed as project director for the upgrade at Agnew. A veteran of the gold and copper industry, Freemantle originally worked for Barrick Gold and then transferred to Gold Fields around 12 years ago.

Since then, he has worked across several of Gold Fields’ Australian sites and is currently based at Gruyere, a joint venture project with Gold Road Resources in the Yilgarn area of WA.

CRUSHING AND SCREENING

“Agnew’s mine life had been extended for a further eight years, so upgrading the crushing and screening circuit was important to increase our processing capabilities: we needed to be in a position to process more ore from the new third mine coming online,” Freemantle said.

Gold Fields has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Sandvik, with the company having Sandvik crushers installed at both their St Ives and Granny Smith operations. After considering a bespoke solution, the Gold Fields team chose to go with a Sandvik modular plant.

“We needed a circuit that was simple, low maintenance and reliable, but also wanted the best crushers and screens that we could get,” Freemantle said.

“Sandvik showed a willingness to work with us within our parameters.

Initially, it was just the crushers and screens, but in the end, they presented a complete plant design, which was modular and comparable with the bespoke designs we were considering.

“Sandvik was also able to accommodate our desire to manage our own electrical and process control design.”

A key to the successful implementation was Sandvik’s expertise in crushing and modular plant design combined with the screening know-how of Schenck Process.

The scope of supply included a Sandvik reciprocating plate feeder, grizzly screen, jaw crusher, and two cone crushers, as well as a Schenck Process double-deck banana screen fitted with Screenex screening media. Sandvik also provided bins, chute work, associated wear protection, and conveyors.

The innovative plant design eliminated the need for two screening stations and associated conveyors when compared with other proposed designs.

“Having a single vendor was an advantage,” Radford said. “Sandvik’s initial designs and 3D models were quite detailed and comprehensive, which was encouraging. It gave us confidence in the circuit because we knew exactly how the proposed layout would interact with the existing plant.”

Changeover challenges

A significant challenge for the project team was that Gold Fields needed the new plant to be installed in parallel with the old one so that, ideally, there would be zero downtime.

“Agnew can’t afford to be down for two or three weeks,” Radford said. “The mill is pushed to its limits, so it has little ability to catch up.

“Solving this problem – where we could build the new circuit and how to tie it in – was a good part of the success story. Commissioning ontime and within budget, with limited

SANDVIK 800I SERIES CONE CRUSHERS PERFORM SECONDARY AND TERTIARY CRUSHING FUNCTIONS AT AGNEW.

downtime, was a very important part of the brief.”

To accommodate this requirement, the team decided to move the run-of-mine (ROM) pad and build the new circuit on the site of the old ROM pad. While this achieved the brief of zero downtime, it introduced a new challenge.

The geology of the ROM pad was untested, and some contractors argued that a substantial concrete

AUSTRALIANMINING 17 FEBRUARY 2025

foundation would be required to support the crushing and screening plant, greatly increasing both the build time and cost.

In the end, working with Gold Fields geotech consultants, Sandvik’s design team resolved this problem by delivering a support structure for the new circuit that was strong and rigid enough to reduce the concrete foundations required.

CRUSHING AND SCREENING

Greater efficiency and operational safety

The new crushing and screening plant has now been running for more than 12 months, and the Gold Fields team is very happy with its performance.

“It’s going very well,” Freemantle said. “The Schenck screen is performing well, and the Sandvik crushers have an intuitive automation system that was easy to integrate with our process control.

“The new plant was designed for a two-million-tonne-per-annum (Mtpa) throughput, which is oversized for the current throughput of 1.3Mtpa.

“This means the crushers can be run tighter, producing smaller product.

During the design stage, the crusher output was set at 8mm, but it’s now regularly producing less than 6.5mm.

“The finer feed has improved downstream mill performance, increasing the maximum throughput rate from 155 to 170 tonnes per hour.”

A comminution crushing and grinding survey completed in October 2023 indicated that the new circuit is around 18 per cent more energy efficient than the previous one.

“Also, we were able to centralise the control room duties, where we now have one operator in one control room, and the crushers run pretty much automatically with extensive CCTV around the circuit,” Freemantle said.

“Previously, the crushers had their own control room, and the operator relied heavily on visual line of site monitoring.”

Safety has also improved considerably with the simpler design, modern instrumentation, and improved automation. The new circuit effectively

SCHENCK PROCESS’ (NOW SANDVIK) DOUBLEDECK MULTI-SLOPE VIBRATING SCREEN.

addressed safety concerns associated with the old plant, exemplifying Gold Fields’ commitment to providing a safe workplace for its employees.

“Access to the new circuit is much easier and safer, with better, wider walkways, chutes that are accessible, and more room for cranes.” Radford said.

Improved environmental considerations

According to Radford, the design of the new circuit has reduced dust generation and improved water drainage around the plant.

“The new circuit has fewer conveyors and transfer chutes, and improved water sprays and belt scrapers,” he said. “We aimed to improve housekeeping and access to make things easier for our maintenance and operations staff. Comparing the two plants is like comparing chalk and cheese.”

Including a fine ore bin seamlessly tied into the main mill feed conveyor reduced dust emissions, reduced freshwater consumption from sprinklers, and improved site drainage through an improved plant layout.

Financial rewards

Replacing the crushing and screening circuit has led to immediate financial improvements for the company.

The new modular crushing and screening circuit has delivered minimum annual savings of $1.5 million by increasing throughput at a reduced crushed product size, improving downstream efficiencies, and introducing a fully centralised control room. This has eliminated the need for a permanent second crusher control process technician.

Combined with capital savings, this led to an impressive three-year payback period.

The Agnew gold mine’s transformative upgrade not only eliminated long-standing challenges but also ensured a more efficient, costeffective, and profitable operation.

Teamwork wins the day

The Gold Fields team feels the teamwork between all those involved has greatly contributed to the success of the project.

“Overall, working with Sandvik has been quite stress-free,” Radford said.

“There have been challenges on both sides, but we were always able to meet in the middle and find solutions. Once the concrete civil issues were solved, the whole thing came together very quickly.

“Sandvik’s ability to work with multiple teams was a highlight, delivering a project to spec, and always listening. The Sandvik team really pushed themselves to deliver the project and helped us achieve what we needed despite the challenges – many of which were out of their control.” AM

FINER CRUSHER OUTPUT HAS IMPROVED GRINDING CIRCUIT EFFICIENCY AND THROUGHPUT AT AGNEW.

AUSTRALIANMINING 18 FEBRUARY 2025

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CRUSHING AND SCREENING

A PERENNIAL PARTNERSHIP

T

he best business partnerships are the ones that evolve into a genuine friendship.

Such is the case for Lincom Group and Doyle Group’s CAMM Quarries business, companies that have been working together to deliver the ultimate in crushing and screening production for the past 25 years.

So when CAMM needed to increase production and efficiency across its North Queensland operation, the company knew to turn to Lincom to get the job done.

“CAMM needed equipment that was capable of producing higher tonnes per hour,” Lincom area sales manager – North Queensland and PNG Erwin Koch told Australian Mining. “But they wanted to be able to expand their production without going back to the drawing board while also bringing down cost of tonne per hour.”

While other companies may have balked at the task, Lincom took it in stride.

First, Lincom sat down with CAMM to discuss and understand the needs and expected outcomes of the quarry.

Once that was in place, it was time to develop aggregate flow charts to provide theoretical production rates and yields. Then, the upgrades began.

Lincom worked to upgrade the primary jaw crusher on site from the PT400X to the PT600PS; the 1000 Maxtrak cone crushers to the

IMAGES: LINCOM

LINCOM GROUP TAKES PRIDE IN CREATING LASTING PARTNERSHIPS WITH ITS VALUED CUSTOMERS.

LINCOM GROUP AND CAMM QUARRIES HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS.

1300 Maxtrack; and the screening equipment from the Chieftain style to the H6203R. CAMM Quarries managing director Jeffrey Doyle was thrilled with the final result.

“With the guidance of Lincom and Powerscreen, we decided that with the introduction of new and larger equipment we could crush more tonnes per hour which consequently reduced our need to crush as long,” Doyle said.

“These efficiencies have allowed us to ensure better utilisation of personnel and machinery and increased planned maintenance to decrease downtime and reduce unplanned issues.”

With the upgraded equipment, the quarry was able to achieve a production rate of 220 tonnes per hour – a 70 per cent increase.

“Consistent reliability and production have been sorted by this modification,” Doyle said. “The aggregate plant may run for three eight-hour days per week rather than the six 10-hour days previously.”

For Koch, a major highlight from the project was working closely with a company that has become more like family.

“CAMM put a lot of trust in Lincom for this project, and we worked together to plan the achievements,” he said.

LINCOM STEPPED IN TO HELP INCREASE PRODUCTION AT CAMM’S NORTH QUEENSLAND QUARRY.

AUSTRALIANMINING 20 FEBRUARY 2025

“Lincom’s values align closely with CAMM’s values, and that one inquiry 25 years ago has turned a customer into a family friend. We even have Christmas parties together.”

Turning customers into long-term friends and partners is the bread and butter of Lincom operations because the machinery isn’t forgotten about as soon as it reaches site.

“We need to have ongoing conversations about the machinery,” Koch said. “We don’t just deliver it and then forget it’s there.

“The after-sales support is just as important as the before-sales support.

And we get a real kick out of seeing the machines work for our customers and hearing stories about what they have been able to achieve with them.”

For both Lincom and CAMM Quarries, trust isn’t just a word; it’s an ethos that has seen both companies thrive.

“There’s nothing better than helping people achieve their goals,” Koch said.

“Watching a client go from an inquiry to a customer to a part of the family never gets old, but you need strong trust in each other to get to that point.”

For CAMM Quarries, which is now regularly achieving a boost in production and a reduction in cost of tonne per hour, the investment in Lincom has been a big success.

“We continually monitor our hourly throughput to ensure feed rates are maintained and machines are running at the optimum,” Doyle said.

“Hourly rates are tracked and communicated to supervisors and plant operators; you would be surprised of the difference this can make in a day.” AM

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CRUSHING AND SCREENING

A CENTURY OF CRUSHING EXPERTISE WITH DECADES OF INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE AND A DESIRE TO MAKE ITS CUSTOMER’S LIVES EASIER, METSO IS HELPING TO REVOLUTIONISE THE CRUSHING AND SCREENING INDUSTRY.

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“Metso includes a full digital offering for its XM crusher series, comprised of SmartCone, SmartStation and Mineral Crusher Pilot (MCP) automation,” Barry said.

“We deliver intelligence from the simple connection of our IC (integrated control) system at a local level through to the full connection of the operator’s control suite, and all the way to expert global teams remotely monitoring and evaluating the crusher performance.”

The ability to remotely monitor and evaluate a crusher’s performance allows Metso’s teams to be in constant contact with the machine, able to recommend changes to optimise performance in real time.

“This advanced technology extends the time between maintenance intervals and allows for a more continuous operation,” Barry said.

Recognising that each customer has differing crusher requirements, Metso always adapts its approach to suit.

“Our end targets are always based on the customer’s requirements,” Metso senior manager, crusher technical support Neale Baigent told Australian Mining.

“With our chamber optimisation program for instance, each crushing process is unique and feed material properties change over time.

“Based on Metso’s extensive database of over 40,000 crushing installations, plus tools such as our unique simulation software and CrusherMapper scanning,

we select optimal alloys, choose or design chamber geometry to maximise wear life and performance.”

The chamber optimisation program is an evolution borne from customer demand, as it’s now also available to non-Metso crushers.

“Based on our results from this program, customers wanted our chamber optimisation also across nonMetso crushers, which is what we now do,” Baigent said.

In terms of evolution, the new poly-cer product, part of Metso’s protective wears portfolio, gives up to four times better wearlife, reducing shutdown frequencies.

“Poly-Cer is a specially designed blend of rubber and high-quality

IMAGES: METSO

lot can happen in a century.

Industries rise and fall, cities transform, and companies like Metso help to reshape the mining industry as we know it.

During the past century, Metso has been at the forefront of crushing applications. From the primary crusher stage down to fine crushing and pebble applications, the company is renowned for its benchmark crushing solutions – and it has no plans of slowing down.

“Metso takes pride in the deep knowledge of our people and our strong customer service commitment,” Metso crusher technology manager –capital equipment Troy Barry told Australian Mining.

“In Australia for example, we have an impressive footprint of service locations and experts, including our recently opened Karratha Service Centre, Metso’s largest service centre globally.

“We also have a particularly strong team of crushing experts here in Australia, some with over 30 years of crushing expertise – working closely with our expert global design and engineering teams.”

Having been involved in the industry for as long as it has, Metso is no stranger to adapting with the times, especially when it comes to one of the industry’s favourite buzzwords: digitalisation.

THE XM SERIES NORDBERG MP CRUSHER.

METSO HAS BEEN WORKING TO RESHAPE CRUSHING AND SCREENING IN THE INDUSTRY FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

AUSTRALIANMINING 22 FEBRUARY 2025

ceramics, reinforced with steel.

This ensures both strength and performance,” Baigent said.

“Installation of Poly-Cer is easy and safe, with plug-in, bolt-in installation for most crushers.”

As the company evolves, Metso’s crushing capabilities are always increasing, with the XM series a particular highlight for Barry.

“The entire premise of the XM series is giving the customer the highest performance equipment to achieve optimisation,” he said. “Our up to 25 years warranty protects the customer’s investment and is unheard of in the industry.”

Barry said Metso’s drive to change means it has been able to stay at the forefront of innovation.

“The recently launched XM crusher series combines resilient engineering, unmatched warranties and a new digital package,” he said. “It combines the toughest and most advanced mechanical parts with the latest in digital technologies and automation. And by using the most robust crushers available on the market, the XM series enhanced the Nordberg MP cone crusher and the Superior MKIII primary gyratory with the most extreme duty parts, increasing wear life.”

As Metso looks to the next century, it’s clear this crushing behemoth isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

“As we look to the future, we continue to develop our alloys, product offerings and services,” Baigent said.

“We are always looking to improve and innovate in anticipation of our customers’ needs– after all, the best new developments come from feedback and challenges faced by our customers.” AM

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CRUSHING AND SCREENING

CRUSHING THE COMPETITION

W

hen it comes to mining and construction machinery, XCMG is a name synonymous with innovation, durability, and excellence.

Leading the charge in the Australian market, XCMG has proudly introduced the XPE1215 mobile jaw crusher, a game-changer in the world of crushing and screening.

Designed for efficiency, reliability, and unmatched performance, the XPE1215 is here to redefine industry standards.

Built for power and precision

At its core, the XPE1215 is engineered to handle the toughest of tasks.

With its impressive jaw capacity, this mobile crusher is equipped to handle large-scale operations, processing substantial volumes of material with ease.

Whether it’s mining, construction debris, or quarrying, the XPE1215 tackles the job head-on, ensuring maximum productivity on every project.

Key specifications: • Jaw size: Optimised for high-capacity throughput, reducing downtime and increasing efficiency • Motor power: Enhanced motor systems ensure smooth operation, even under heavy load conditions

IMAGES: XCMG

XCMG’S NEW XPE1215 MOBILE JAW CRUSHER IS POISED TO CHANGE THE GAME IN CRUSHING AND SCREENING. • Mobility: Designed for rapid deployment and ease of transport, this crusher adapts seamlessly to diverse terrains and work sites.

Why the XPE1215 leads the pack

The XPE1215 isn’t just another mobile jaw crusher; it’s a class apart. Here’s why the XPE1215 is a premium option: • Innovative design: Incorporating advanced engineering, the XPE1215 boasts a user-friendly interface, making operations straightforward and efficient. Maintenance has never been easier, thanks to its accessible design and quick-service capabilities.

• Energy efficiency: Sustainability is at the heart of XCMG’s innovations.

The XPE1215 reduces energy consumption without compromising performance, helping operators achieve cost savings and meet environmental goals.

• Durability under pressure: Built with high-quality materials, this crusher is made to withstand Australia’s harshest conditions. From searing heat to rugged terrains, the XPE1215 remains reliable, ensuring years of dependable service.

• Precision and consistency: The crusher’s advanced jaw technology delivers uniform particle sizes, enhancing the quality of the output.

THE XPE1215 MOBILE JAW CRUSHER REDUCES ENERGY CONSUMPTION WITHOUT COMPROMISING PRODUCTIVITY.

XCMG in 2025

While the XPE1215 takes centre stage, there’s much more to come from XCMG. XCMG is gearing up to redefine the crushing and screening industry, with an expanded lineup of advanced machinery set to debut in 2025.

These forthcoming innovations are not only tailored to meet the specific demands of the Australian mining and construction landscape but are also engineered with global best practices in mind, ensuring they deliver superior performance, durability, and efficiency.

XCMG’s commitment to innovation means these new models will incorporate advanced automation, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced material handling

THE XPE1215 MOBILE JAW CRUSHER IS BUILT TO WITHSTAND TOUGH MINING CONDITIONS.

AUSTRALIANMINING 24 FEBRUARY 2025

capabilities to support operations of all sizes.

Whether tackling challenging terrain or increased throughput in highdemand environments, XCMG’s 2025 lineup promises to push boundaries and set new benchmarks in crushing and screening technology.

Crushing it with XCMG

The XCMG XPE1215 mobile jaw crusher is not just a piece of equipment – it’s a statement. It’s a declaration that XCMG is here to push the boundaries of what’s possible in mining and construction machinery.

As the industry look towards 2025, XCMG’s commitment to excellence ensures the future of crushing and screening is brighter than ever. AM

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rockprocessing.sandvik

Bringing you our world of expertise We are now better equipped than ever to help you to optimise your comminution and material handling operations for maximum performance, safety and efficiency.

Our industry leading expertise in crushing, screening, feeding, loading and wear protection allows us to bring you an unrivalled equipment line-up. We underpin this unique offering with our expert process knowledge, full range of digital tools, high quality OEM spare parts, consumables and life-cycle services.

Scan the QR code to discover why we are the industry’s partner in eco-efficient mineral processing.

CRUSHING AND SCREENING

A MINERAL PROCESSING PIONEER MAX PLANT HAS REVOLUTIONISED THE AUSTRALIAN MINING INDUSTRY BY DELIVERING TAILORED MINERAL PROCESSING SOLUTIONS THAT PRIORITISE SPEED, FLEXIBILITY AND PROFITABILITY. A business which started with Pedley listening closely to customer needs has gone global, serving the needs of mining and quarrying industries in Australia and beyond.

MAX Plant prides itself on selling solutions, not equipment. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the company works with customers to design a solution for their project, before then manufacturing and installing it.

But MAX Plant is not your average OEM, offering comprehensive end-toend solutions that position the company as a project partner, focusing on delivering tailored, turnkey solutions.

Partnering with MAX Plant makes clients feel they have a trusted partner by their side – a mineral processing expert that can attend to any of their needs.

MAX Plant is known for its agility, offering solutions that adapt to any process. This means MAX Plant equipment can be reconfigured as a project evolves, whether a customer is processing single materials, needs a fullscale operation for a range of material sizes, or needs to move its plant between several sites.

MAX Plant has supported customers working in a range of commodities, including copper, potash, gold, manganese, iron ore, aggregates and so much more.

Pedley said “some great people have worked for MAX Plant over the years”, some of which remain at the company from inception.

This is all part of MAX Plant being a family business, where employees are celebrated and looked after.

“You can’t build a company by yourself,” Pedley said. “MAX Plant has been built around the people that work in and for the company. That’s not just your employees but your suppliers and your customers – it’s the whole package that must go together.”

MAX Plant general manager Michael Colvin echoed Pedley’s sentiments.

“The design process is at the heart of what we do,” he said. “Our talented team places a strong emphasis on understanding the customer’s vision and project requirements. From there, we craft a bespoke MAX Plant solution to achieve those goals.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see how we transform clients’ ideas into reality.

ALL MAX PLANT EMPLOYEES ARE CELEBRATED AND LOOKED AFTER.

MAX PLANT PROVIDES TAILORED MINERAL PROCESSING SOLUTIONS TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MINING SECTOR.

AUSTRALIANMINING 26 FEBRUARY 2025

“Being part of that journey, from concept to completion, is truly inspiring.”

Over the years, MAX Plant has become a trusted leader in designing, manufacturing, and installing modular and mobile mineral processing plants.

This includes crushing and screening, feeders, rock breakers, conveyor systems, heap leaching, sampling systems, eco mixes, electric-powered mobile crushers and screens, dust suppression solutions, plant lighting, and the list goes on.

These solutions are the result of MAX Plant’s dedication and expertise, working collaboratively to transform customer visions into reality.

This spirit of teamwork and innovation has cemented MAX Plant’s reputation as a dependable and highly sought-after specialist in mineral processing solutions. AM IMAGES: MAX PLANT

A

ustralian mining companies are constantly looking for more efficient, cost-effective solutions with quick turnaround times to commence or expand their operations.

This is particularly the case with mineral processing operations.

Enter MAX Plant, an Australian business with a reputation for providing tailored solutions designed to meet the unique needs of the Australian mining sector.

These solutions enable operational readiness and revenue generation faster than traditional mineral processing plants.

MAX Plant was founded in 2006 by Craig Pedley, who built the business by listening to customers’ needs and creating tailored solutions. Over the years, it has grown into the global business it is today.

“Our focus is on delivering maximum flexibility, maximum profitability, maximum ease of setup, and maximum time saved for our customers. That’s where the MAX Plant name originated,” Pedley said.

In 2006, while tendering for a project, a valued customer in the Murchison region of WA faced short project deadlines and tight material specifications.

The company approached MAX Plant to design, manufacture and install a modular mineral processing plant to handle its iron ore mineral processing needs, resulting in the creation of the very first MAX Plant.

“This project laid the foundations for a strong and lasting relationship with our first customer, that continues to this day,” Pedley said.

“Over time, we’ve developed a comprehensive range of MAX Plant equipment that significantly reduces the time from design to dirt on the ground.

“Our library now boasts thousands of machines we’ve designed, manufactured and installed, enabling us to create the perfect plant for each project and tailor it specifically to the needs of each client.

“Our ability to deliver within tight timeframes is reinforced by being a family-owned business with manufacturing in Western Australia.”

Through his decades of experience in the mining industry, Pedley understands that relationships are critical to the success of any business.

“Relationships last forever if it’s a win–win for both sides,” he said.

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You need a dozer that is fuel efficient.

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So, Cat dozers are infused with features that extend component lives and deliver longer undercarriage life. They deliver maximum productivity and long life through multiple rebuilds — for a low total cost of ownership. learn more at cat.com / miningdozers

©2025 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

IMAGES: RAPID CRUSHING & SCREENING CONTRACTORS

CRUSHING AND SCREENING RAPID IS ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER MINING SERVICES COMPANIES.

CRUSHING SOLUTIONS FOR ANY MINE SITE RAPID CRUSHING & SCREENING CONTRACTORS HAS A STRONG TRACK RECORD OF PROVIDING TAILORED SOLUTIONS THAT BOOST PRODUCTIVITY.

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apid Crushing & Screening Contractors, one of Australia’s premier mining services companies, has inspired innovation in the crushing and screening sector for the better part of 50 years.

Rapid’s modular and mobile plants have proven themselves in refining a wide array of commodities, from iron ore and gold to lithium and other critical minerals, with the company’s client base boasting several Tier 1 miners.

This includes the Greenbushes lithium mine in southern Western Australia, the world’s largest hard-rock lithium mine.

The company’s extensive expertise and adaptable crushing and screening solutions have been instrumental in meeting Greenbushes’ demanding production requirements.

Utilising its fleet of mobile and fixed plants, Rapid has tailored its services to align with Greenbushes’ high output. This includes handling the crushing of spodumene ore to precise specifications, ensuring a seamless feed into downstream processing circuits.

Rapid’s advanced crushing and screening technologies have enabled the company to effectively address fluctuations in production needs.

Additionally, Rapid’s focus on reliability and its ability to provide on-site support have been critical in maintaining Greenbushes’ productivity.

This partnership underscores Rapid’s ability to support large-scale mining

projects through specialised, scalable solutions, whether a client requires one part of a circuit or an end-to-end crushing and screening solution.

Rapid also has a strong track record in the Pilbara, recently working with Pilbara Minerals at its flagship Pilgangoora lithium mine.

In May 2024, Rapid delivered a crushing and screening infrastructure package to Pilgangoora, which will support Pilbara Minerals with a large pipeline of expansion projects.

Rapid’s competitive edge lies in its ability to design and implement solutions tailored to individual project needs, with the company constantly evolving its crushing and screening capabilities, delivering fast, mobile setups that can be easily relocated, reducing project lead times.

Rapid predominantly runs Metsobased crushers across its operations, including the Jonnson L160, one of the world’s largest mobile jaw crushers.

Weighing over 190 tonnes, the Jonnson L160 is used as the primary jaw crusher at many mine sites across Australia.

Rapid also has an extensive fleet of cone crushers with most tracked units based on Metso’s HP300 or HP400 machines.

Machinery is at times designed, manufactured and maintained by Rapid’s in-house manufacturing company, Irvine Engineering. This enables Rapid to safeguard the quality of its materials and workmanship, as well as the reliability of supply.

This strategic partnership not only ensures the highest standards of performance and durability but also reinforces Rapid’s commitment to delivering exceptional value and customer satisfaction.

Rapid’s solutions have proven especially critical in remote mining regions where key infrastructure is limited and operational challenges abound.

Safety and environmental responsibility are cornerstones of Rapid’s operations, with crushing and screening processes often posing mechanical hazards, dust issues and environmental risks.

Rapid addresses these challenges with some of the best practices and technologies in the business.

Additionally, Rapid has an unyielding focus on safety, regularly auditing its systems and providing comprehensive training to its team.

Rapid’s approach aligns with the broader goals of the Australian mining sector, which increasingly prioritises sustainability and environmental stewardship. The company’s emphasis on compliance and innovation reinforces its standing as a responsible contractor.

As the mining industry continues to evolve amid the clean-energy transition, the demand for premium crushing and screening solutions is expected to grow.

Rapid is well-positioned to meet these needs, leveraging its decades of experience to deliver tailored, innovative, and sustainable crushing and screening solutions for years to come. AM

UTILISING ITS FLEET OF MOBILE AND FIXED PLANTS, RAPID HAS TAILORED ITS SERVICES TO ALIGN WITH DIFFERENT KINDS OF MINE OUTPUTS.

AUSTRALIANMINING 28 FEBRUARY 2025

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Engineered to meet the specific challenges of hard rock mining, the unique Hercules curved design offers a lighter body, combined with outstanding strength and durability.

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Maximise your payload productivity with the Schlam Hercules dump body.

schlam.com/hercules

CRUSHING AND SCREENING

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SCREENING EQUIPMENT

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hoosing the right screening equipment is essential for mining operations looking to optimise efficiency, enhance material quality, and meet production targets.

Screening equipment isn’t a one-sizefits-all solution; every operation has unique requirements, and understanding these needs is critical to selecting the most suitable machine.

Asking the right questions can help ensure the equipment meets operational demands and delivers long-term value.

Here are eight key factors to consider when selecting and sizing screening equipment.

THE MCLANAHAN MD VIBRATORY SCREEN IS A COMPACT, HIGHCAPACITY DRY SCREENING UNIT.

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Throughput requirement

The cornerstone of equipment selection is understanding the volume of material to be processed, typically measured in tonnes per hour (tph). Manufacturers rely on this figure to recommend appropriately sized equipment.

Matching the equipment to the operation’s capacity ensures efficiency and minimises downtime. Overestimating or underestimating throughput can lead to unnecessary wear or underperformance.

Particle size distribution

A detailed particle size distribution is fundamental to selecting the right screening equipment as it defines the size range of materials that need to be separated.

This data includes the proportions of particles above, below, and near the desired cut point, as well as the maximum particle size in the feed stream.

Supplying accurate information ensures manufacturers can recommend equipment that meets the specific needs of the application, addressing not only the required separation but also factors like operational variability.

Providing details on oversize and halfsize particles relative to the cut point is especially beneficial as it gives a more comprehensive view of the feed material.

This allows manufacturers to optimise equipment design and ensure consistent performance, delivering a solution tailored to the operation’s requirements.

Bulk density of material

Understanding material density allows manufacturers to account for factors like material flow characteristics and

IMAGE: MCLANAHAN

THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED WHEN SELECTING SCREENING EQUIPMENT FOR A MINING OPERATION.

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wear on the equipment, ensuring the machine is robust enough to withstand operational demands.

This information is essential to designing a solution that delivers reliable performance and long-term value under real-world conditions.

Moisture level of feed material

Moisture content is a key factor in screening performance, particularly for finer particles. High moisture levels can affect material flow and screening efficiency, causing clogging or sticking that can disrupt operations.

Understanding the moisture content of the feed material allows manufacturers to account for these variables when recommending equipment, ensuring optimal performance and consistent throughput.

What cut points are required

Whether the goal is a single separation or multiple, understanding cut point requirements is essential.

Some operations may require straightforward separations, while others require more complex configurations to meet their production goals.

Equipment such as vibrating screens and rotary trommels can be designed to accommodate various cut points, ensuring precise particle size separations tailored to specific needs.

Providing clear information on the desired separations allows manufacturers to recommend equipment that delivers accurate and efficient results, regardless of the application’s complexity.

Screening efficiency

No screening device is 100 per cent efficient, but understanding the acceptable level of efficiency for a given application is critical. Pre-crusher screens, for example, may prioritise throughput over precision, while classifying screens for finished products demand higher efficiency.

There’s a world of difference between 80 per cent and 95 per cent efficiency, so it’s important to ensure the right balance of performance and cost.

Any special requirements?

Certain additional features can be crucial in meeting specific operational needs and improving screening efficiency.

For example, water spray systems can be used to wash material for a cleaner separation, while specialised drive mechanisms enhance performance and help minimise wear.

Other options, such as screen heating and ball tray decks, can further support the production of cleaner products.

Communicating these requirements allows manufacturers to recommend the most appropriate equipment tailored to your operational goals and challenges.

AUSTRALIANMINING 30 FEBRUARY 2025

Screen media

The choice of screen media – whether steel wire, polyurethane, rubber, or other options – has a significant impact on the screening process.

Different media types influence the open area, which can affect the size of the screening unit. It can also affect the number of decks on a vibrating unit or the diameter and length of a trommel.

Previous experiences with specific media types may inform your preference, but consulting with a manufacturer can help ensure the most effective choice for your application.

A collaborative approach

Partnering with an experienced manufacturer is important when selecting screening equipment.

McLanahan, for example, brings 190 years of experience designing and manufacturing screening solutions for mining operations worldwide.

Even if you’re not an expert, a trusted manufacturer can guide you, and by answering these eight questions, you equip them with the insights needed to recommend the best solution for your application.

As mining operations continue to seek greater efficiencies, investing time in understanding screening needs upfront can yield significant longterm benefits. AM

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Martin® Screen Vibrator

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Railcar

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Hydraulic

Electric

artin’s energy-efficient electric, pneumatic and hydraulic vibrators are ideal for a wide range of bulk material processing applications, including: conveying, screening, product sizing, draining, comM paction, dewatering — plus bin, hopper, chute, and railcar evacuation.

Our Screen Vibrators are designed for separating rock and gravel, silica and sand, plus a variety of other bulk materials. These electric vibrators serve as a direct retrofit for Derrick® screen shakers and require no modifications or adapters. All Martin vibrators are constructed with the highest quality housings and internal components for dust-tight, water-tight IP66 protection.

Derrick® is a registered trademark of Derrick Corporation, Buffalo, NY. Martin Engineering is not affiliated with or authorized by Derrick Corporation.

For service, training or sales call 1300 627 364, email mea@martin-eng.com or visit martin-eng.com.au.

Martin Engineering Australia Pty Ltd, 102 Christensen Road South, Stapylton, QLD, 4207, Australia

COMPANY PROFILE

IMAGES: GENESIS MINERALS

A GOLDEN GENESIS AUSTRALIAN MINING TAKES A LOOK AT GENESIS MINERALS’ PLANS TO BECOME A LEADING GOLD PRODUCER IN 2025.

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hile other commodities felt the sting of faltering prices in 2024, the gold price remained

high and consistent.

From October 2023, the precious metal traded above the $US1900 ($3056) per ounce (oz) mark for almost six consecutive months, reaching $US2400/ oz for the first time in April 2024.

The price continued to increase steadily throughout the rest of 2024, regularly notching new records.

These market conditions have been welcomed by Genesis Minerals, a Western Australian gold producer with operations across the state’s two premier gold districts: Leonora and Laverton.

Genesis’ producing assets include the Admiral, Ulysses and Gwalia operations, all situated in Leonora. The company acquired the Gwalia gold mine from St Barbara in July 2023 in what Genesis described as the creation of “a leading Australian gold house”.

Genesis continued its inorganic growth by acquiring Patronus Resources’ Bruno-Lewis and Raeside gold projects in Laverton and the remaining 20 per cent in Dacian Gold, both of

which will allow the company to ramp up production and deliver new ore sources to feed both the Leonora and Laverton mills.

“From what was essentially a concept three years ago based on an ‘open for business’ strategy in the Leonora district, (Genesis managing director) Raleigh Finlayson and his team have successfully executed a series of acquisitions and developed assets to create a gold producer with growing significance,” Genesis non-executive chairman Anthony Kiernan said in November 2024.

“Following the acquisition of St Barbara’s Leonora gold assets in late FY23 (the 2022–23 financial year), the company delivered strong gold production from the Gwalia underground mine, reflecting the implementation of several improvement projects to enhance operational efficiency.”

Genesis unveiled its five-year strategic plan in March 2024, with the company targeting 1.3 million ounces (Moz) of total gold production up to FY29.

Australian Mining breaks down what this plan entails, what Genesis has achieved so far, and what it aims to accomplish in 2025.

THE GWALIA OPERATION IS SUPPORTED BY INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS AN LV WORKSHOP.

The five-year plan

Genesis’ five-year plan spans from the beginning of FY25 until FY29.

The strategy will see Genesis increase gold production over the five-year period from 140,000oz in FY24 to 325,000oz in FY29.

The company hopes to maintain an average production profile of 335,000oz per annum from FY29.

As part of this plan, Genesis has already met its FY24 production guidance of 130,000–140,000oz. It’s also positioned to achieve its FY25 guidance of 190,000–210,000oz.

“The new Admiral open pit was brought online following declaring commercial production from Admiral in May this year,” Kiernan said.

“We also cut the portal at our new shallow Ulysses underground mine, with current development rates boding well for fast-approaching production.

This saw Genesis achieve the mid-point of our production guidance for FY24, delivering 134,451oz of gold at an all-in sustaining cost of $2356/oz.

“Importantly, this was achieved with a very strong safety record, including zero lost-time injuries.”

THE ADMIRAL GOLD OPERATIONS IN THE LEONORA REGION OF WA.

AUSTRALIANMINING 32 FEBRUARY 2025

COMPANY PROFILE

Genesis’ strategy is bolstered by its 15.2Moz in mineral resources and 3.3Moz in ore reserves, with the amount of ore reserves providing the company with a potential 10-year production outlook.

“It is clear we now have the reserve to underwrite our future as a major ASX gold producer with annual production of 300,000oz per annum and more,” Finlayson said in March 2024.

“We also have long mine life and operational diversity on both the mining and processing fronts.

“Importantly, these new robust models show there is huge scope for ongoing growth in the inventory and forecast production rates, with mineralisation open across the assets and drilling continuing to return exceptional results.”

Operations

In September 2024, Genesis brought forward the restart of its Laverton mill by six months to capitalise on strong gold prices.

The Laverton mill officially restarted in October, allowing Genesis to increase its FY25 production outlook to 190,000–210,000oz at a reduced allin sustaining cost (AISC) of $2200– 2400/oz.

The restart coincided with Genesis producing 36,020oz at an AISC of $2628/oz during the September 2024 quarter, a steady increase from the 34,617oz produced in the June quarter and 30,473oz produced in the March quarter.

Genesis viewed the early Laverton mill restart as the first step of its fiveyear growth strategy.

“This early restart at Laverton has very positive implications for our fiveyear plan, opening up the potential to achieve our 2029 production target of 325,000 ounces per annum ahead of schedule, and supporting our longerterm aspirational production goal of increasing production to 400,000oz per year,” Kiernan said.

Genesis is also growing its operations through drilling programs at Gwalia and Admiral, both of which have delivered strong assays and, according to Finlayson, demonstrate the scope to steadily convert resources to reserves.

“This will make our mine plans even more robust, paving the way for higher mined grades and increased mining rates, all of which will help accelerate the planned organic growth to 325,000oz and beyond,” Finlayson said in November 2024.

GENESIS MINERALS CUT THE ULYSSES PORTAL IN THE MARCH 2024 QUARTER.

The company cut the portal in the March 2024 quarter and production is expected to begin soon.

Genesis will also complete early development works and open pit and underground optimisation studies at Tower Hill, extensional drilling and underground studies at Hub, and reevaluate Westralia as a bulk open pit opportunity.

“Our confidence in the company’s ability to meet its targets is underpinned in part by the significant benefits derived from our in-house mining services

division, Genesis Mining Services,” Kiernan said.

“Our in-house mining division and the quality of its personnel provides certainty, operational flexibility and efficiency in our day-to-day business, and is central to ensuring we have the skills and experience when and where they are required.”

Driven by an ambitious ‘ASPIRE 400’ (accountable, sustainable, people first, integrity, results and empower) vision, Genesis is poised to strengthen its position as a leading gold producer in 2025.

Looking ahead

To keep its operational momentum going, Genesis will accelerate underground development at the Ulysses gold mine.

GENESIS MINERALS IS GROWING ITS GWALIA OPERATION IN WA THROUGH A DRILLING PROGRAM.

AUSTRALIANMINING 33 FEBRUARY 2025

“The achievements of the past year have been excellent,” Kiernan said.

“Our management team, staff and contract partners have worked diligently to deliver safe production increases, effective and successful asset acquisition and a pipeline of growth opportunities … we have laid the foundations for a high-quality ASX gold producer offering both scale and growth.”

Genesis Minerals’ ascent has seen it join the upper echelons of the ASX, entering the same territory as Perseus Mining and De Grey Mining, which is set to be acquired by Northern Star. AM

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

IMAGE: JT JEERAPHUN/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

MINING TRANSACTIONS, WHICH TOTALLED $27 BILLION IN FY24, ARE SHAPING COMPANY STRATEGIES.

NAVIGATING THE CROSSROADS IN AN EVER-CHANGING AND EVOLVING LANDSCAPE, HOW DOES THE AUSTRALIAN MINING INDUSTRY TACKLE GROWING COMPETITION AND INCREASING PRESSURES TO DECARBONISE?

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HP president Australia Geraldine Slattery has painted the current mining landscape in Australia as being at a defining moment.

Speaking at the QUT Business Leaders Forum in November, Slattery said Australia “sits at a crossroads” amid strengthening global competition.

“Competition grows globally,” she said. “The developing world is full of innovation. There is an abundance of investment capital in every region.

Emerging countries are investing in the skills and capabilities of their own people. Europe, the US, and Australia all face new competition.

“And then there are the business headwinds: inflation, labour shortages, economic uncertainty, threats to shipping routes, (and) regulatory barriers in every industry.

“All this amounts to a world that is harder – not easier – to navigate. A world where even decades of past growth and success can no longer be taken for granted.”

However, there is work that can be done to maximise investment and activity in the modern mining world.

According to PwC national mining leader Marc Upcroft, it starts by achieving alignment between key stakeholders – even if it is challenging.

“It’s hard to get all of them lined up,” he said. “Even if they are, the next challenge will be to keep them aligned.”

For Upcroft, the most pressing alignments include mining companies and markets, government support, and global economic stability.

“Getting the government properly in a zone of long-term, genuine support and creating the right environment for economic activity generally is critical,” he said.

Deal alignment in a changing market

The surge in mining transactions, which totalled $27 billion in the 2023–24 financial year (FY24), has been a major factor shaping company strategies.

Upcroft noted the growing trend of large-scale deals transforming

companies as part of their strategic planning. However, aligning buyer and seller expectations remains a challenge, particularly in commodities like lithium and coal.

“The lithium market has been through a turbulent period, with prices skyrocketing and then falling sharply,” Upcroft said.

“This has taken confidence out of the buyer side, though we are starting to see some transactions happen again.”

On the topic of coal, Upcroft pointed out the limited pool of potential buyers, especially given the trend of motivated sellers realigning portfolios.

“There’s always a healthy gap between what the seller is trying to achieve and the buyer’s goal to capitalise on a lower price,” he said.

Decarbonisation challenges

The mining sector’s role in the energy transition has placed new pressures on companies to decarbonise operations while maintaining financial and operational stability.

AUSTRALIANMINING 34 FEBRUARY 2025

Upcroft acknowledged the difficulty of balancing these competing demands.

“Some decarbonisation steps will be easier, such as switching to renewable electricity, but other solutions like hydrogen-powered fleets or battery electric vehicles for remote sites are still challenging,” he said.

“Collaboration between mining companies, suppliers, and researchers is essential to accelerating this process. It’s a complicated path, especially for remote mining operations, and many challenges are unique to each site.”

Mid-tier mining shifts

The 2024 ‘Aussie Mine’ report, PwC’s analysis of Australia’s midtier mining sector (MT50), revealed shifting trends.

Critical minerals performed well in 2023, representing 52 per cent of the MT50 that year, but fell to 37 per cent in 2024.

Market capitalisation for critical minerals companies dropped by 28 per cent, which represents the sharp change in the lithium market.

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Gold and coal strategies

For gold producers, leveraging strong prices and market sentiment has enabled growth and attracted investors.

The ‘Aussie Mine’ report said many MT50 gold companies have grown in recent years through acquisition and expanding operations. The resulting higher production coincided with this year’s higher prices to significantly increase earnings.

MT50 gold companies were able to increase earnings by 47 per cent and,

way things pan out over time,” he said.

“The three most important things for the sector to be aligned is getting the mining companies and markets lined up, governments providing proper support in the long term and creating the right environment for economic activity.”

With collaboration, strategic deals, and a commitment to addressing pressing challenges like decarbonisation, the mining industry has the tools to navigate the complexities of its evolving landscape. How effectively it does this, however, remains to be seen. AM IMAGE: AFRICA STUDIO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

given the strong gold price, this isn’t a surprise.

“High prices, particularly in Australian dollar terms, mean strong cashflows that support growth, shareholder returns and debt reduction,” Upcroft said.

“Balancing expansion and liquidity can be hard, but gold companies have adopted measured strategies. We’ve seen growth companies use debt as part of their strategy, though they’ve been careful to maintain healthy balance sheets.”

In the coal sector, companies are navigating declining revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) alongside rising market capitalisations.

Upcroft attributed this to investor perceptions and strategic positioning.

“Coal companies have tripled their market capitalisation over the past three years by sustaining growth despite market uncertainties,” he said.

Aligning for the future

Upcroft said achieving alignment is a massive task and remains a formidable challenge for the sector to keep it aligned as the landscape changes.

“No single group is in control of all factors, and the misalignment we observe isn’t due to behaviour but the

MT50 GOLD COMPANIES WERE ABLE TO INCREASE EARNINGS BY 47 PER CENT IN FY24.

IMAGE: BJP7IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Alumina Limited, Nickel Industries and Jupiter Mines were the only producers identified in the report to record a year-on-year value increase.

The report also notes that the reason for lithium’s price decline was due to increases in supply and lower growth in demand.

While critical minerals have been a dominant focus, gold has reclaimed its position as a significant player in 2024.

“Gold has always been a dominant part of the mid-tier sector,” Upcroft said. “Despite price impacts in critical minerals like lithium, the long-term value of these companies and projects remains strong.”

The mid-tier sector has also seen record-breaking deal activity, with FY24 marking the largest total deal value in 20 years.

THE MINING SECTOR HAS A LOT TO NAVIGATE, BUT THERE’S PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW WITH STRONG GLOBAL COMPETITION.

AUSTRALIANMINING 35 FEBRUARY 2025

COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

EMERGING URANIUM PLAYERS AUSTRALIAN MINING SPOTLIGHTS THREE AUSTRALIAN-BASED COMPANIES WITH BRIGHT URANIUM FUTURES. South Australia is a key reason for this uptick.

Kazakhstan has long held the title as the world’s largest uranium producer, followed by Namibia, Canada and then Australia.

Needless to say, the nuclear industry is going to need uranium from all avenues if it’s going to be a reliable energy source in the future.

Australian Mining takes a look at three uranium-focused companies looking to become important pieces to the nuclear puzzle.

Koba Resources

Koba Resources is developing its Yarramba uranium project, located 17km north of the Honeymoon uranium operation in South Australia.

“The strength of Yarramba is the size and the exploration upside,” Koba managing director Ben Vallerine told Australian Mining.

“I see this project as an exploration geologist’s dream. We’ve got 5000km2 of tenure with over 250km of palaeochannels to explore in a worldclass uranium district. The potential to find a new unknown deposit at Yarramba is incredible.

“If we have success, there’s a clear pathway to production with existing infrastructure just down the road.”

Koba is actively drilling at Yarramba, which is proving that the mineralisation is more widespread than anticipated.

“We began drilling in and around the Oban deposit and have confirmed there is high-grade uranium mineralisation,” Vallerine said.

“The Chivas prospect also intersected some very significant uranium results, which shows mineralisation isn’t restricted to Oban. There is a JORC 2004 resource at Oban but we have now discovered high-grade mineralisation 700m to the east, so there’s huge potential to find more mineralisation as we step out further.”

Koba has also drilled 1.5km to the south of the Berber prospect.

“Berber was previously identified in the 1990s,” Vallerine said. “We stepped out 350m to the east of the historic mineralisation and uncovered some high-grade uranium. Mineralisation now exists in sparse drilling over 700m of strike at Berber and remains open in all directions which is very exciting.”

Alongside Yarramba, Koba holds the Harrier uranium project in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, which Vallerine said has “very high grades” and is part of the company’s “longer play”.

“One of our rock chip samples from Harrier returned 7.48 per cent uranium

oxide, equalling 74,800 parts per million (ppm),” he said.

“We’re looking for 500–1000ppm in South Australia, and we’re finding 75,000ppm in Canada, so Harrier is a different beast.”

With projects in two premier uranium jurisdictions, Koba has carved out a diversified portfolio that could meet heightened uranium demand in the future.

“All the tech and AI companies are backing nuclear to fulfill their power needs,” Vallerine said.

“With the green energy movement, several people are bullish on nuclear being part of the solution. I think the solution requires several things, but nuclear is part of it.

“The world has started to come around to the fact that nuclear is a green energy source. We’re going to need more power in the future as populations increase and our reliance on technology and AI grows.”

Koba will continue exploration at Yarramba in 2025, with the company commencing passive seismic surveys at the Mt John prospect in December 2024.

“We’re going to continue exploring the existing prospects and look for new prospects while generating new drill targets to test,” Vallerine said.

IMAGE: KOBA RESOURCES

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hen the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) took place, it saw 25 countries such as the US, Canada and France launch the ‘Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy’, which recognised the role nuclear energy can play in achieving net-zero by 2050.

COP29 saw six more countries including Kazakhstan and Nigeria join, signalling a shift in attitude towards this form of energy.

The primary fuel for nuclear is uranium. While critical minerals such as lithium saw cyclically low prices in 2024, the uranium price held strong.

The uranium price soared above $US80 ($129) per pound in November 2023, its highest peak since March 2008.

This momentum continued into 2024, hovering above $US100/lb in January and February and sitting between $US70/lb and $US90/lb for the rest of the year.

And Australian operations are benefiting, with local uranium production increasing by 20 per cent in 2023 according to the ‘Australia’s Identified Mineral Resources 2023’ report. The restart of Boss Energy’s Honeymoon uranium mine in

KOBA RESOURCES IS DEVELOPING TWO PROJECTS IN PREMIER URANIUM JURISDICTIONS.

AUSTRALIANMINING 36 FEBRUARY 2025

COMMODITY SPOTLIGHT

RECHARGE METALS OFFICIALLY ACQUIRED THE CARTER URANIUM PROJECT IN THE US IN DECEMBER 2024.

“Everyone loves the idea of renewables and getting away from fossil fuels, but you still need to provide that baseload power, and that’s where the tech companies are looking ahead in longterm deals.

“Because of it, the growth of AI (artificial intelligence) and data will continue.”

To become a key uranium supplier, Connected is starting with the Etango North-East project.

In late October 2024, the company commenced field exploration at Etango

IMAGE: CONNECTED MINERALS

Connected Minerals had a landmark 2024, recommencing trading on the ASX and changing its name from Connected IO in October, all while finalising acquisitions of uranium exploration licenses in Namibia.

Connected holds an 80 per cent interest in three uranium projects in Namibia: Etango North-East, Swakopmund, and Rossing South. Both Etango North-East and Swakopmund have been granted exclusive prospecting licences (EPL), and the EPL for Rossing South is pending.

“From December 2023, we started pushing to acquire uranium projects,” Connected managing director Warrick Clent told Australian Mining.

“Namibia is a great jurisdiction for uranium – it has a 45-year history of uranium production. We had some contact with vendors and assessed a few projects to find a good mix.

“I’m looking forward to leading the charge of our uranium portfolio, especially in a mineral I believe is really going places in the future.”

Multiple tech conglomerates have signed deals with energy companies.

These include a 20-year power purchase agreement between Microsoft and Constellation Energy, and Amazon’s small modular reactor agreements with Energy Northwest, X-energy and Dominion Energy.

Clent said agreements like these will drive uranium demand.

“It’s coming from the requirement for baseload power,” Clent said.

IMAGE: RECHARGE METALS

Connected Minerals

North-East to assess an area historically noted for high but unverified uranium scintillometer readings.

The samples collected then underwent chemical analysis for uranium content to identify potential drill targets for future exploration, with the initial rock chip results confirming highgrade mineralisation of up to 2086ppm triuranium octoxide. “(Etango North-East is) in an area that’s quite structurally complex (and) an area of high uranium radiometric signature,” Clent said.

“We’ve taken our time to get into the right spots geologically, and we think we see the continuations of (Bannerman Energy’s) Etango mineralisation style into Etango North-East. We hope to establish these targets in early 2025, with upwards of two drilling programs running in the first or second quarter.

“We don’t want to lay back and sit on this ground. We’re active explorers and we want to do the hard work to get these projects up and running.”

Recharge Metals

URANIUM DEMAND IS SET TO BE DRIVEN

BY INCREASING ENERGY CONSUMPTION.

Recharge Metals dived headfirst into uranium in March 2024 by acquiring the Newnham Lake uranium project in the Athabasca Basin in Canada.

Recharge then kept this momentum going by acquiring the Carter uranium project in Montana, US. “Uranium’s driving fundamentals are what made us keen to acquire an advanced uranium asset,” Recharge managing director Felicity Repacholi told Australian Mining.

“Carter, which is on the outer rim of the Power River Basin, a proven region for in-situ recovery uranium production, has had a huge amount of drilling and has historical resources in the ground.”

AUSTRALIANMINING 37 FEBRUARY 2025

Many uranium projects are being developed in the Powder River Basin, including Peninsula Energy’s Lance project, one of the largest uranium resources in the US. “There’s six permitted ISR processing plants within 300km of Carter, including Peninsula’s,” Repacholi said.

“Carter was mainly drilled by (former energy company) Kerr-McGee back in the 1970s and early 1980s. The real benefit and cost saver for Recharge is having those drill holes already done.”

Recharge is focused on two deposits at Carter: Acadia and Mindy, both of which were identified through KerrMcGee’s drilling.

“Preliminary drilling programs will focus on those key areas where the resource was identified to bring them up to a JORC 2012 standard,” Repacholi said.

“We’ve also got several targets identified from previous drilling that found roll fronts over multiple kilometres.”

Recharge will use 2025 to undergo permitting processes and review all available data to refine its drilling program, which is expected to commence in mid-2025.

“Our geologists are going through all the hard copy information from the 1970s and early 1980s,” Repacholi said.

“There’s a wealth of information you obtain when you acquire a project with such a large amount of drilling completed for minimal costs.”

Amid buoyant market conditions, Connected, Recharge and Koba are ready to de-risk their uranium projects through their exploration campaigns.

And with the uranium price projected to maintain its high levels throughout 2025, these explorers have timed their run well. AM

EQUIPMENT

DRIVING GLOBAL GROWTH

S

chlam, a market-leading manufacturer and supplier of mining truck bodies in Australia, is entering a new phase of expansion.

The company is continuing to grow its customer base in Australia, North America and beyond, with a relentless commitment to customer service, infield support and continued innovation.

With significant investment in its local and offshore manufacturing operations, Schlam is confidently meeting the growing demand for its products, both in Australia and other key mining markets.

Most recently, Schlam commemorated a significant milestone in its growth journey with the company now in the process of shipping 10 dump truck bodies to Rio Tinto’s borates mine in the US. Additional bodies are also set to be delivered to other large global miners in the region.

Ensuring exceptional customer experience

Schlam Payload managing director Hendrik Mueller attributes much of the company’s success to its customerfocused ethos.

“With a partnership-driven approach, alongside a relentless focus on innovation and product refinement, Schlam has become a go-to supplier for top-tier mining companies, both in Australia and beyond,” Mueller said.

Schlam maintains that what sets it apart in the competitive truck body market is its ability to tailor solutions to the specific needs of each mining operation.

“We design and build bodies that are optimised for the unique conditions of each mine,” Mueller said. “We conduct site studies and use our experience and advanced software-driven simulations to quickly develop customengineered solutions.”

long-standing dilemma in the mining industry: balancing payload capacity with durability.

“Our customers no longer have to choose between a lighter body with a greater payload but shorter lifespan, or a heavier body that lasts longer but limits payload,” Mueller said.

“Schlam’s designs offer the best of both worlds.”

SCHLAM HAS EXPANDED ITS MAIN PRODUCTION FACILITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA BY 50 PER CENT AND INTRODUCED CLASS-LEADING MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES.

Investing in local manufacturing

With a reputation for excellence and performance, demand for Schlam’s dump bodies and mining attachments has grown significantly among both existing and new customers across the world.

Just like other Australian manufacturers, Schlam has faced many challenges, including labour and material shortages. But amid these challenges, Schlam has progressively expanded its manufacturing capabilities to support growing demand.

The company recently expanded its main facility in Western Australia by 50 per cent and has introduced advanced manufacturing technologies, including robotics.

“We did not ‘shut-up shop’ and move our manufacturing offshore, or even cap our production,” Mueller said. “We listened and found better ways.

“To better service our existing and new customers in Australia, we made a significant investment in improving our operational efficiencies by bringing our Australian manufacturing plants to world-leading standards.”

There’s also a social element to Schlam’s expansion.

“Our expansion in WA has also enabled us to make a strong contribution

SCHLAM TRUCK BODIES ARE DESIGNED TO BE BOTH LIGHTER AND STRONGER.

Performance meets durability

Schlam truck bodies are designed to thrive in the toughest mining environments.

Their lightweight, curved designs optimise payload capacity without compromising structural integrity, a key factor in their appeal to miners.

By reducing weight in nonwearing areas and using lighter, stronger materials for structural components, Schlam has solved a AUSTRALIANMINING 38 JANUARY 2025

to the WA economy, and the communities we serve,” Mueller said.

“We’ve created more job opportunities and grown our team by 40 per cent, all the while driving our focus on safety.”

Expanding global manufacturing Schlam’s global expansion has also seen the establishment of new production hubs in China and Mexico to support

IMAGES: SCHLAM

BACKED BY AN EXPANSION OF ITS LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL FACILITIES, SCHLAM IS CONTINUING ITS GROWTH IN AUSTRALIA AND BEYOND.

EQUIPMENT

SCHLAM SUPPLIES MINING COMPANIES WORLDWIDE THROUGH PRODUCTION HUBS IN AUSTRALIA, CHINA AND MEXICO.

demand within major mining regions worldwide.

According to Mueller, this allows the company to supply bodies to the exact engineering standards it is esteemed for, in a timely and cost-efficient manner.

“We needed to be closer to our international markets, so we meticulously selected the right manufacturing partners to ensure our products are built to our exact quality standards,” he said. “Our manufacturing partners also uphold our core values, and the stringent safety standards we live by.

Just like in our Australian operations, our values are proudly displayed in our manufacturing hubs.”

North American expansion

With its products operating at leading mine sites across the world, Schlam further solidified its global presence in 2023 by establishing Schlam Americas in Tucson, Arizona, to serve the US hard rock mining sector.

Schlam’s strong position in the Australian market has laid the foundation for its North American entry.

The company’s Australian customers were so impressed with the performance of its truck bodies that they actively requested the introduction of the product into their North American operations.

Adapting to a future-ready mining landscape

As the mining industry embraces innovation with autonomous trucks and alternative fuel options, Schlam is evolving its design

A SCHLAM BODY DESIGNED FOR FORTESCUE’S HYDROGEN-POWERED HAUL TRUCK PROTOTYPE.

capabilities to stay ahead of these technological advancements.

Evidencing this is the fact that Schlam’s Hercules body is the preferred choice for autonomous dump truck fleets. The robust design is already in operation on Liebherr T 264 trucks at Fortescue’s Australian sites, and is also on Fortescue’s pioneering hydrogenpowered haul truck prototype.

Schlam’s commitment to innovation is evident in its forward-thinking

approach to design, which includes integrating trolley pantographs and optimising truck bodies to accommodate the sensors necessary for autonomous operations.

“We have leveraged our extensive experience with Australian autonomous fleets, and we’re now expanding our expertise to support international customers, helping them boost payload productivity,” Mueller said.

AUSTRALIANMINING 39 JANUARY 2025

By expanding its Australian and overseas manufacturing capabilities, and with its first major North American orders underway, Schlam believes it is poised to make a lasting impact on the mining industry across the globe.

With a proven track record of innovation, customer-centric solutions and adaptability, Schlam is committed to continue its leadership in mining truck body design for years to come. AM

ESG

BUSTING SUSTAINABILITY MYTHS AS THE MINING INDUSTRY NAVIGATES THE CLEAN-ENERGY TRANSITION, FLS CALLS ON MINERS TO TAKE A PAUSE TO OPTIMISE OPERATIONS. “To achieve real change, there must be a willingness to stop, rethink, and reconfigure.”

Case for pausing operations

Elks pointed out that implementing greener technologies sometimes requires a temporary halt in production.

This pause is often seen as an insurmountable challenge, but Elks argued that the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term disruption.

“Imagine stopping operations for a few weeks to adopt new technology that could generate an additional 10 million tonnes of output annually, equating to $1 billion in revenue,” he said.

“In some cases, like with manganese operators using our technology, the payback period is as short as three and a half weeks.”

This quick return on investment highlights the financial and environmental benefits of embracing new solutions.

Improving existing operations

FLS has shifted its approach from merely selling equipment to becoming a partner in optimising mining operations.

The company offers audits to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement, often uncovering substantial gains with minimal investment.

“We’re not just here to sell you a crusher,” Elks said. “We want to partner with your team to optimise your entire operation.

“In one case, we identified changes that could increase output by four per cent, translating to an additional $148.5 million annually. And our audit cost the client a fraction of that.”

This collaborative approach addresses a significant disconnect in the industry: the lack of communication and knowledgesharing across the supply chain.

Elks said many operators and procurement teams fail to grasp the long-term financial impact of efficiency gains, focusing instead on upfront costs.

“A lot of procurement decisions are made by people who don’t fully understand the equipment’s potential,” he said.

“They’ll haggle over a five per cent discount without realising that a 2–3 per cent efficiency improvement could add billions of dollars to revenue.”

Assisting in the transition

FLS is helping companies navigate these changes by providing the expertise and technology needed to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.

For example, the company’s REFLUX technologies, developed over a decade ago, have demonstrated significant environmental and economic benefits.

“We can reduce CO2 emissions in iron ore production by 12 per cent today, using existing technology,” Elks said.

“That not only lowers tax liabilities but also creates a greener product that can command a premium.”

FLS’ premium fixed plant offerings include its REFLUX Classifier (RC), REFLUX Concentrating Classifier (RCC), and REFLUX Flotation Cell (RFC).

These innovations are complemented by a comprehensive range of crushing, milling, and grinding solutions, providing robust and efficient processing systems for the mining industry.

The RC has earned a reputation as one of the most advanced fine-particle, gravity-based separation technologies on the market.

IMAGES: FLS

T

he mining industry must be adaptable if it hopes to thrive in a time of heightened sustainability and environmental demands, according to FLS Asia Pacific regional president Jason Elks.

Elks spoke to Australian Mining about the need for operational transformation to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) expectations and remain competitive in a market increasingly influenced by carbon regulation.

“Corporate governance and ESG compliance are no longer optional; boards understand this because legislation mandates it,” Elks said.

“However, many companies still prioritise increasing production year over year, which conflicts with the need to pause and reconfigure operations to be more sustainable.”

Elks believes this reluctance stems from a risk-averse mindset.

“People want to do what they did yesterday because it’s a known quantity,” he said.

“But you can’t make operations greener by sticking to old methods.

FLS’ MODULAR REFLUX CLASSIFIER PLANT IMPROVES THE PERFORMANCE OF GRAVITY SEPARATION CIRCUITS WHEN COMPARED TO SPIRALS AND HYDROSIZERS.

AUSTRALIANMINING 40 FEBRUARY 2025

ESG

FLS HAS SHIFTED ITS APPROACH FROM MERELY SELLING EQUIPMENT TO BECOMING A PARTNER IN OPTIMISING MINING OPERATIONS.

THE REFLUX FLOTATION CELL ENABLES HIGHLY EFFICIENT FROTH FLOTATION.

Engineered for minimal power and water consumption, the RC maximises mineral recovery while reducing operational costs. This efficiency is crucial for mining operations striving to optimise productivity without compromising sustainability.

The RCC and RFC extend the capabilities of REFLUX technology, offering enhanced separation and flotation performance. The RCC delivers sharper particle separations, while the RFC delivers high throughput and low energy consumption, addressing some of the most pressing challenges in mineral processing.

These technologies form a core component of FLS’ MissionZero strategy, an ambitious initiative aimed at helping mining customers achieve zero emissions, zero water waste, and zero energy waste by 2030.

By partnering with customers through a holistic, end-to-end solutions model, FLS delivers sustainable and scalable systems that drive operational efficiency and environmental stewardship.

With a proven track record of innovation and a commitment to mining’s future, FLS’ REFLUX technologies are paving the way for a greener, more efficient mining sector,

making them an indispensable choice for forward-thinking mining operators.

Call to action

The industry is being urged to think beyond short-term gains and consider the broader impact of their decisions.

By fostering long-term partnerships that prioritise sustainability and profitability, FLS empowers its mining partners to work intelligently and proactively, considering the mediumand long-term opportunities rather than only operating in the now.

“We want to educate the entire supply chain, from operators to corporate teams,

on the value of investing in smarter, greener technologies,” Elks said.

“The solutions are already here – we just need the industry to embrace them.

“Money is irrelevant compared to time – the longer we wait to implement these solutions, the greater the cost to the industry.”

In a world with greater levels of environmental obligation and legislation, change is becoming mandatory rather than optional, and mining companies without change management processes in place risk being left behind. AM

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DIGITAL MINING

LEVERAGING DATA TO CREATE VALUE KOMATSU’S REMOTE EQUIPMENT MONITORING SYSTEM, SMARTCARE, HELPS USERS GAIN A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF THEIR MINING FLEET AND MACHINE PERFORMANCE.

A

t the heart of every business is efficient decision-making.

This is especially true in the mining industry, where a single poor decision can ripple across operations, impacting productivity, safety, and profitability.

Recognising these challenges, Komatsu Australia has leveraged its expertise in innovation and technology to provide advanced solutions aimed at enhancing reliability and productivity.

One such initiative is SmartCare, an advanced remote equipment monitoring system designed to address a key issue in the mining sector: the abundance of data without actionable insights.

Data-driven decisions

experts (SMEs). These professionals work closely with maintenance and reliability teams at mine sites, providing tailored support for individual machines or entire fleets.

By accessing a global database of diagnostic and predictive software tools, Komatsu SMEs can remotely predict and identify emerging machine issues.

Advanced, data-driven methodologies allow the team to proactively address potential problems before they escalate, minimising downtime and ensuring equipment reliability.

Since 2020, SmartCare has delivered exceptional results, generating over $23 million in value for Komatsu customers both domestically and globally with a 96 per cent effectiveness rate from over 6000 cases raised.

Currently, the SmartCare team monitors over 250 pieces of equipment across various sites, commodities, continents, and product types.

Subject matter experts

Measurable benefits

Central to SmartCare’s success is the involvement of Komatsu’s subject matter

IMAGES: KOMATSU

Mining operations today generate vast amounts of data, but without the ability to interpret and apply this data effectively, its value is diminished.

Komatsu SmartCare bridges this gap by integrating product specialists, OEM (original equipment manufacturer)

machine expertise, high-frequency machine data, and analytics into a single, comprehensive package, creating actionable insights that drive smarter decision-making and improved operational outcomes.

“At Komatsu, we recognise that we sell a lot of equipment to customers, and this equipment requires ongoing support,” Komatsu Australia national manager – SmartCare programs Barry Pamenter told Australian Mining.

“Consequently, we remain heavily engaged with our customers to maximise the value they are getting from their assets into the future.”

SmartCare focuses on maximising asset performance by reducing maintenance-related interruptions and inefficiencies. The gains from this not only translate into increased revenue for customers but also reinforce Komatsu’s reputation for delivering exceptional value and brand reliability.

SMARTCARE HELPS ENHANCE DECISION-MAKING AROUND THE HEALTH, PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE OF A MOBILE FLEET.

Customers who engage with Komatsu’s SmartCare program have reported significant improvements in machine reliability, increased availability, and reduced operational costs. The proactive nature of the program ensures emerging issues are addressed promptly, feeding valuable insights into Komatsu’s global database to benefit all customers.

Pamenter highlighted the program’s continuous improvement approach.

“When an emerging issue is identified and resolved, it feeds into our global database of tools and analytics, thereby benefiting all our customers,” he said.

“We’re always looking at that continuous integration process.”

SMARTCARE PROVIDES USERS WITH A HOLISTIC VIEW OF THEIR MINING FLEET.

AUSTRALIANMINING 42 FEBRUARY 2025

Building customer capability

A unique aspect of SmartCare is its commitment to building customer capability.

Beyond resolving immediate issues, when requested, the program is also designed to empower customers to manage their own remote monitoring programs effectively. This includes training and upskilling mine site staff, enabling them to independently apply SmartCare’s principles and tools to their operations.

This emphasis on collaboration and knowledge transfer ensures customers are equipped to maximise the benefits of SmartCare long after its initial implementation. It’s a partnership model that prioritises long-term success over short-term gains.

A vision for the future

The success of SmartCare underscores Komatsu’s broader vision for the mining industry: a future where innovation and collaboration drive sustainable growth.

By combining cutting-edge technology with deep industry expertise, Komatsu is helping to shape a more efficient, resilient, and environmentally conscious mining sector.

Pamenter attributes much of SmartCare’s success to the dedication and expertise of the team behind it.

“We’ve got highly skilled people who specialise in running SmartCare programs,” he said. “They have a deep understanding of data and the ability to process, interpret, and present it in meaningful ways.

“Their ability to turn raw data into actionable insights and engage with the customer is what sets us apart.”

DIGITAL MINING

KOMATSU IS COMMITTED TO CREATING VALUE FOR ITS CUSTOMERS THROUGH MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION.

Realising the value of SmartCare For Komatsu customers, the value of SmartCare lies in its ability to prioritise machine health and minimise risk. By providing real-time insights and proactive solutions, SmartCare enhances decision-making at all levels of an organisation.

Whether it’s improving machine reliability, increasing uptime, or reducing costs, the program delivers measurable outcomes that directly impact a company’s bottom line.

Moreover, by fostering a culture of continuous improvement, SmartCare ensures that customers remain ahead of

the curve in a competitive industry.

SmartCare is more than just a monitoring system; it’s a transformative solution that empowers mining operations to make smarter, datadriven decisions.

By combining technology, expertise, and collaboration, Komatsu is setting

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AUSTRALIANMINING 43 FEBRUARY 2025

a new standard for innovation in the mining sector.

As the industry continues to evolve, initiatives like SmartCare will play a crucial role in driving sustainable success, proving that the power of data, when harnessed effectively, can truly revolutionise the way businesses operate. AM

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MINE TECHNOLOGY

A DRONE REVOLUTION WHILE AUSTRALIAN MINERS WORK THE EARTH’S SURFACE, APTELLA IS WORKING TO SUPPORT THEM WITH AN EYE IN THE SKY. THE HUBX SOLUTION.

weather or periods of no sun, HubX can run itself on its power storage systems for a month or more without recharging,” Docherty said.

“The trailer also has high-quality insulation with an exterior cooling system, meaning it doesn’t generate its own heat, preventing overheating.”

The platform uses sensors for ground, air and situational awareness, with a specialised server connecting back to a remote centre.

“Traditionally, this data would need to be collected by sending a worker into a remote, hazardous environment,

often taking up a day of precious time,” Docherty said. “With HubX, miners deploy the platform in a set location and leave it for 12 months, from which it takes off in less than 40 seconds and collects all the data you need.”

Gaining certification to operate drones manually from a remote operations centre can be complex and time-consuming.

The HubX solution expedites the process by enabling customers to deploy the platform immediately and gain their own certification to operate it manually if they wish.

With locations throughout Australia, south-east Asia and New Zealand, Aptella supports the civil construction, building, mining and geospatial industries with world-leading technology solutions.

Under the partnership between Aptella and Sphere Drones, HubX demonstrations and initial deployment will be on offer Australia-wide, with tiered technical support readily available.

“Adding HubX to our drone technology offering gives customers ultimate choice when selecting the best fit for their application and business needs,” Docherty said.

“Sphere Drones did a fantastic job getting the product into the market and they’ve partnered with Aptella for our unmatched field services capability.

“Our experience with large-scale mining equipment will be highly beneficial to them and we’re excited to see where this new era of drones in mining will lead.”

The large configurable payload bay on HubX provides miners the flexibility to mix and match various drones on the platform to suit their unique business needs and scale remote data collection.

This means miners can plug-and-play any third-party drones they already have on-site, reducing costs and seamlessly transitioning the technology into a mine’s operations.

“Our team is committed to sourcing and deploying the latest innovations from around the world for our customers,” Docherty said.

“It’s an honour to partner with an Australian-based development team and collaborate with Sphere Drones to bring this unique, full-service HubX solution to our customers.” AM

IMAGES: APTELLA

G

athering detailed data regularly and at scale isn’t easy in the middle of outback Australia, especially in challenging terrain and hazardous mining operations.

But that’s exactly what technology solutions provider Aptella is doing.

Thanks to a partnership with fullstack technology and drone services developer Sphere Drones, Aptella offers a platform capable of autonomously scanning and mapping mines in even the most remote reaches of Australia.

The technology is called HubX, a solution designed for drone-in-a-box or terrestrial scanning tasks, easily deployable with a self-sustained, mobile form-factor.

What is drone-in-a-box? Often used in remote or hard-to-access operations, it consists of a drone operating out of a docking station.

When set up with a power source and an internet connection, HubX charges and operates drones autonomously, allowing operations to run 24–7 and reducing reliance on human presence.

“It’s not an understatement to say this is a drone infrastructure revolution,” Aptella drone market development manager Gavin Docherty told Australian Mining. “It’s the start of a new way of scanning and mapping, with permanent and mobile nodes offering miners flexibility in how they get their critical data.”

By using a solar power system and 5G/satellite internet, HubX is backed by built-in redundancies, giving miners peace of mind that they can rely on consistent data no matter the conditions.

“It’s been designed around maximising solar capture, so in bad

THE HUBX CAN BE DEPLOYED ANYWHERE ON A MINE SITE. AUSTRALIANMINING 44 FEBRUARY 2025

TECHNOLOGY

CONNECTED, SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE UNDERGROUND A PRIVATE LTE (4G) NETWORK BY VOCUS IS SUPPORTING THE TRANSFORMATION OF SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY AT ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S ICONIC GOLD MINES.

W

hen Gold Fields engaged Vocus to deploy a private LTE (4G) mobile network at its Granny Smith underground gold mine in Western Australia, it was a technological stepchange that brought the iconic operation into the 21st century.

“Underground miners have been working in the dark for a long time, not being able to get visibility of where people are, where assets are, where the opportunities are,” Gold Fields Granny Smith general manager Mark Glazebrook said.

That all changed when Vocus deployed the private LTE network throughout the many kilometres of tunnels at Granny Smith, which reach as deep as 1.4km below the surface.

underground Wi-Fi hotspots in vehicles to connect W-Fi-only apps.

“It allowed us to gather all the data we needed from our staff, trucks, loaders, and telemetry into one platform so we could make decisions quickly and in a coordinated way.”

From a production perspective, the control room on the surface also lacked real-time information on the location of vehicles, equipment and personnel. If a loader or other piece of machinery was parked at the end of a shift without its location being recorded, it could take significant time to locate it again to begin the next shift.

“It’’s enabled the saving of a significant amount of productivity time for a single asset each day,” Glazebrook said.

Lifting the lid of the mine

Delivering reliable high-speed mobile connectivity in an underground mining environment required Vocus to design specialised equipment.

The team developed special radio frequency filters to allow bi-directional signal amplification throughout the mine.

IMAGES: GOLD FIELDS

“We wanted to ‘lift the lid of the mine’ – to be able to see into operations clearly so we could provide a safer workplace and optimise production,” Glazebrook said.

“Vocus installed the private LTE network, and we connected all our haulage fleet and mining telemetry to it. We also used it as backhaul for

A challenging engineering problem

This meant that applications could send data at high speed from underground to the surface just as fast as the downloads that enabled staff to access training materials and conduct video calls.

“When you’re operating an underground mine, sending all the data up to the surface is the most important thing – which is the opposite of most broadband solutions which are designed to provide high speed data download,” Vocus project team member Malcolm Jones said.

The requirement from Gold Fields to be able to transmit data to the surface at low latency and high speed created a complex engineering problem.

“As simple as running a cable down tunnels sounds, it’s a complex design scope because on that one signal path you have to carry two frequency bands for uplink and downlink and use specially designed filters to stop them getting mixed up,” Jones said.

“Then you have to recombine them at the point of radio amplification.”

The solution utilises leaky feeder cable attached to the roof of the tunnels, creating a continuous antenna with signal-boosting radio amplifiers placed every 150m.

THANKS TO VOCUS, UNDERGROUND OPERATIONS AT GRANNY SMITH ARE MUCH MORE SEAMLESS.

AUSTRALIANMINING 46 FEBRUARY 2025

GOLD FIELDS’ GRANNY SMITH GOLD MINE IS AN ICONIC PROJECT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

GPS positioning underground without satellites

The network is augmented with Bluetooth beacons embedded in the bidirectional amplifiers as well as standalone beacons placed throughout the mine which provide precise reference locations to provide ‘Google Maps’-like positioning of assets and personnel, working around the fact that the underground tunnels have no reception from the GPS satellites that would normally provide this.

Since going live, the Granny Smith LTE network has supported a raft of safety, productivity and operational efficiency improvement programs.

The LTE network enables a situational awareness system that allows vehicles to identify other vehicles in close proximity below the surface as well as providing precise tracking of personnel throughout the mine.

Another unexpected benefit has been the ability to use standard business applications like video calling and conferencing, which is particularly useful for troubleshooting problems underground with engineers on the surface.

“The Granny Smith team is using apps on the system, and in particular Microsoft Teams for voice communication rather than their traditional push-to-talk radio because the 4G coverage is actually better in some parts of the mine,” Jones said.

With 42km of the tunnel system now covered by LTE and more being rolled out, Gold Fields sees the Granny Smith implementation as a significant move towards its mine digitisation program. AM

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EQUIPMENT

IMAGES: LIEBHERR

DRIVING THE INDUSTRY FORWARD LIEBHERR-AUSTRALIA HAS ENTERED INTO A NEW PHASE OF GROWTH, DRIVING AUTOMATION AND SUSTAINABILITY ALONG WITH ITS CUSTOMER-CENTRIC CARE.

A

ustralia is a powerhouse within the international mining industry – so it needs a powerhouse sales and service company to back it up.

That’s where Liebherr-Australia comes in. Having been a mainstay within the Liebherr Mining brand for the past 40 years, the company is currently in the midst of a growth spurt expected to continue until the end of the decade.

As Liebherr-Australia ramps up its workforce, overall infrastructure and expertise in new technologies, Australian Mining takes a look behind the curtain of this global name.

“When I first started with LiebherrAustralia over 15 years ago, the focus was primarily on operational efficiency and basic automation,” Liebherr-Australia director of mining Trent Wehr said.

“Today, we are embracing cuttingedge technologies like artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics to drive productivity and enhance safety.

“One of the most notable shifts has been the industry’s growing commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, with a stronger emphasis

on reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency through measures such as alternative fuels and, more recently, battery technology.”

Some of Australia’s largest miners continue to put their trust in LiebherrAustralia, a feat Wehr is particularly proud of.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen not only new customers come on board, but also our existing partners significantly expand their fleets,” he said. “This speaks to the trust they place in our equipment and services.

“As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to delivering the exceptional service and innovation that has always been at the core of Liebherr’s success.”

As demand for Liebherr-Australia’s products and services continues to climb, the company has adapted by enhancing its operational capabilities and workforce skillset.

Customer support remains a key part of Liebherr-Australia’s DNA, with this focus being the key driver of many company changes.

“We’ve built our reputation on delivering not just high-quality equipment but also unparalleled service,” Wehr said. “The positive feedback we consistently receive from our customers is a testament to this commitment.

“As we continue to expand our fleet and presence across the country, we will ensure that our support infrastructure – from parts supply to maintenance and training – evolves alongside the growing demands of the industry, so our customers can be confident in us every step of the way.”

Automation and sustainable technologies will also be important focuses for Liebherr-Australia in the future.

Customers can look forward to seeing the autonomous battery-electric T 264 mining truck come online in the next few years, as well as Liebherr’s fleet management system and autonomous haulage solution.

“As we deploy a substantial number of new machines across Australia, it’s clear the demand for parts and components over their service lives will be huge,” Wehr said.

“We’re fully committed to ensuring these machines receive the parts they need, when they need them. To meet this demand, we are doubling our components and parts inventory, streamlining our internal processes and advancing the sophistication of our systems.”

It’s clear that the next few years will be an exciting time for

LIEBHERR-AUSTRALIA IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A GROWTH SPURT, EXPECTED TO LAST THE DECADE.

Liebherr-Australia and the broader mining industry.

“As we continue our exponential growth across all areas of our mining business – from expanding our fleet to embracing new technologies and enhancing our support capabilities – there’s a lot to look forward to,” Wehr said.

“I encourage the mining industry in Australia to stay tuned and watch Liebherr closely. We are committed to delivering exceptional value and service, and with our continued investment in people, technology and infrastructure, we’ll be leading the way through these transformative times.” AM

AERIAL VIEW OF LIEBHERR’S OFFICE IN ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

AUSTRALIANMINING 49 FEBRUARY 2025

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EFFICIENCY AND OPTIMISATION

SAFER, FASTER 777 BALL STUD REMOVAL BUILT WITH SAFETY, EFFICIENCY AND POWER IN MIND, GEOGRAPHE HAS RETHOUGHT HOW MAINTENANCE TEAMS REMOVE SEIZED CATERPILLAR 777 BALL STUDS. In addition, featuring a snap-on/ snap-off mechanism for more positive

THE 777 BSRT HAS BEEN SCALED DOWN TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE CATERPILLAR 777.

loading of its components ensures a quicker and safer operation.

“With its compact, lightweight design, the 777 BSRT can be transported to any site where ball stud maintenance is required,” Thasappan said.

“Traditional approaches to ball stud removal involve timeconsuming, manual and often high-risk activities which can pose a significant risk to maintenance personnel. The 777 BSRT allows maintenance teams to be out from under a haul truck while releasing the seized studs.

“Geographe’s tool is easily installed and uses seamless hydraulic force to release the ball stud.

SIVA THASAPPAN AND ANDRE DUCKITT DEPLOYING THE 777 BSRT ON-SITE.

AUSTRALIANMINING 50 FEBRUARY 2025

The applied force is localised and does not adversely affect adjacent components.”

Duckitt said the ease of use of the 777 BSRT is a particular highlight of the tool.

“The BSRT can be operated by a single person, and removing a ball stud takes no more than 10 minutes including the set up and operation time,” he said.

“Minimising the need for hammering, grinding and hot works, the tool assists in avoiding eye injuries, pinch points and bruising to the hands.

“Maintenance doesn’t need to be hazardous. The 777 BSRT makes our customers’ lives safer and easier. Making maintenance safer is one of the main reasons behind why we do what we do.” AM IMAGES: GEOGRAPHE

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here are a handful of common methods for removing seized ball studs.

Some use sledgehammers, while others rely on hot works or grinders. But what if there was a safer, faster solution?

Building on the global success of the Ball Stud Removal Tool (BSRT) to suit Caterpillar 785, 789 and 793 haul trucks, Geographe has now introduced a BSRT to suit 777 haul trucks.

“Using traditional practices, a customer had been trying to remove a ball stud from their truck for over two hours when we arrived on-site,” draftsperson Siva Thasappan told Australian Mining.

“They had allocated a 12-hour shift to remove it. Once we deployed the prototype 777 BSRT, the stud was released in three minutes.”

Planner and estimator Andre Duckitt took Australian Mining through the process of deploying the new tool.

“One of Geographe’s core values is ‘work it out’, so it was business as usual when we were asked to develop a solution for the Caterpillar 777 trucks,” Duckitt said.

“The key challenge was the smaller size of the truck, which meant less space to work with. We scaled down the original design while ensuring it delivered the same impact as its predecessor.”

To ensure the strength and reliability of its specialised tooling, Geographe conducted a finite element analysis (FEA) using computer software to evaluate performance under stress.

By inputting the tool’s load, dimensions and material properties, the analysis reveals how the load is distributed and identifies potential weak points in the tool.

“Various operational scenarios for the tool were considered and optimised through FEA simulations,” Thasappan said.

“Once the design was finalised, a prototype tool was manufactured and testing was conducted.”

The 777 BSRT design also includes improved modifications such as additional clearance that has been provided to accommodate various positioning options for the tool.

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MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY MAX PLANT www.max-plant.com

AIR QUALITY

RARE AIR

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here’s nothing worse than feeling fatigued and lethargic while on the job.

This is the everyday reality for many mine workers, as they endure poor ventilation and air quality in their mining dongas.

Given the dusty environments of most mine sites in Australia, if an operator isn’t proactive about managing poor air quality, their workers are likely at risk of cognitive and/or respiratory conditions.

And with studies indicating indoor air quality on mine sites is up to five times worse than outdoor air, the health risks are further multiplied.

One fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) mine worker can attest to the issue, detailing the conditions they are exposed to on every FIFO stint.

“While I’m not directly located at the working mine, I’m surrounded by red dirt and exposed to hot, dusty conditions,” the FIFO worker told Australian Mining.

“Our rooms must always remain closed due to the dust generated by high winds, moving vehicles and airconditioning fans.

“I can sense that the ventilation in my donga is poor, and the air quality feels noticeably bad every time I step inside.

Everyone can clearly see the dust around the campsite.”

How does this make him feel?

“I experience a dry, stuffy nose when waking up for my shift,” he said. “I don’t feel as refreshed as I do at home and often feel lethargic or tired. I also seem

to get colds or the flu more frequently while working on-site.

“My allergies are much worse on-site compared to when I’m at home.”

For a FIFO worker completing an eight-day swing, the ailments can add up.

“By day three (of my FIFO stint), I’m feeling tired and stuffy,” they said.

“Mentally, I feel drained and sometimes I’m not sure why.

“When I get sick on-site, I have to work through it. Then, when I return home, I spend three of my six days off recovering. The biggest issue is that I just don’t feel like myself during my eight-day swing.”

It’s unlikely this is an isolated case, with similar grievances shared by other FIFO workers.

Poor air quality not only affects a worker’s mental health and wellbeing but also a site’s productivity and safety, potentially impacting profitability.

So what’s the solution?

VBreathe is offering access to its patented air purification and sanitisation technology as a service, with its unit installed inside a mining donga to actively neutralise bacteria, viruses, and other airborne particles like dust and silica.

There’s no upfront cost for the mining company, with companies committing to a monthly subscription fee to gain access to the VBreathe unit and all the associated upkeep, monitoring and maintenance that comes with it.

“We understand that some miners have hundreds if not thousands of

VBREATHE FILTER AFTER FIVE MONTHS IN MINING DONGA (LEFT) COMPARED TO NEW FILTER (RIGHT).

dongas on-site,” VBreathe executive account director Jason Tippett told Australian Mining. “And if they have to buy a unit for every donga, the outlay can be exceptionally high, potentially discouraging the purchase altogether.”

VBreathe removes the hassle of buying and maintaining the unit.

“As part of the service, we provide access to state-of-the-art technology that purifies air indoors and sanitises all surfaces,” Tippett said.

“This enables miners to deliver an optimal environment for the wellbeing and productivity of their employees and not have to worry about it – everything related to the upkeep and maintenance of the VBreathe unit is handled by us.”

The unit comes with an app enabling mining companies and VBreathe technicians to monitor the unit’s performance and efficacy in real-time.

VBreathe then systematically schedules times to replace the gels and filters based on the app’s insights.

“The gels generally get replaced every two months, and the filters get replaced

IMAGE: VBREATHE

AIR QUALITY IS AN ISSUE IN MINE CAMPS ACROSS AUSTRALIA, BUT VBREATHE HAS A SOLUTION.

every four to six months,” Tippett said.

“When our technicians visit site, they replace the gels and filters, and clean the unit, making sure it’s operating at the highest level. Site visits also allow us to share feedback so miners can see how the unit is fixing their air quality and benefiting their workers.”

The mine worker interviewed has been using the VBreathe unit for at least six months, and recently gained insight into the poor air quality in their donga.

“After changing the filter, I was shocked by how red and dusty it was,” he said. “It even had an odour to it.”

After falling sick multiple times in past winters, the worker said their health has dramatically improved since the VBreathe unit was installed, boosting wellbeing and productivity as a result.

“I don’t understand why these kinds of units aren’t standard on-site,” he said.

Keen to learn more? VBreathe is offering a free trial of its subscription service, where you can road-test the VBreathe unit and the monitoring capabilities that come with it. AM

IMAGE: EDEN NGUYEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

POOR AIR QUALITY IS AN UNRESOLVED ISSUE IN MANY MINING CAMPS, LEADING TO WORKERS DEVELOPING RESPIRATORY AND COGNITIVE CONDITIONS.

AUSTRALIANMINING 52 FEBRUARY 2025

COMPANY PROFILE

A TRUE NORTH REVITALISATION AUSTRALIAN MINING SPOKE TO TRUE NORTH COPPER MANAGING DIRECTOR BEVAN JONES ABOUT HOW THE COMPANY’S RECENT RECAPITALISATION WILL SPUR FUTURE GROWTH.

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on exploring our two flagship projects, the Cloncurry copper project and Mt Oxide.

“There was $32.3 million of debt owed to Nebari Resources Credit Fund II LP and with that debt they had security over True North’s assets.

Following the conditional placement, we’re now in a position where we no longer need to ramp up operations at Cloncurry to service that debt.”

Of the $32.3 million owed to Nebari, $3.9 million of this will be converted into True North equity.

Tembo Capital Holdings UK also committed $15 million to the recapitalisation, making it True North’s largest shareholder at about 29 per cent, while Regal Partners committed $6 million, making it the second-largest shareholder at 14 per cent.

Glencore, which has an offtake and toll-milling agreement with True North for the processing of up to one million tonnes of Cloncurry ore per annum, also subscribed for a 9.9 per cent stake.

“The recapitalisation has given us the opportunity to revise the direction of the organisation,” Jones said.

“At Cloncurry, True North has paused mining and will not continue the operational ramp up towards commercial production. Our new strategy is to pause, drill and optimise our existing portfolio including further exploration and drilling to grow our current resource portfolio.”

True North also opened a share purchase plan (SPP) in December to raise up to a further $5 million at the same offer price as the placement.

The SPP gives existing shareholders an opportunity to participate in True North’s new strategy, which following the pause of its Cloncurry rampup, will include a reverse circulation drill program at the project, before commencing drilling at the Mt Oxide project once seasonal conditions permit.

As part of this plan, True North won’t undertake any work consistent with ramping up or commencing production at any of its assets for at least 12 months.

“The first part of our drilling program will involve several drill-ready targets at Cloncurry, including near-mine opportunities to grow resources, expand the current mine life and optimise the previous mine plan,” Jones said.

IMAGES: TRUE NORTH COPPER

uilding a business from the ground up is no small feat, especially in the Australian mining industry.

A company that understands this is True North Copper, a Queensland-focused copper explorer.

After a brief period in voluntary administration, True North is positioned to recommence trading on the ASX in January thanks to a $50.3 million fully underwritten conditional placement, which saw about 10 billion new shares issued at $0.005 per share.

The placement is part of True North’s broader recapitalisation to extinguish all debt.

“The conditional placement provides a solid foundation for our future,” True North managing director Bevan Jones told Australian Mining.

“Having navigated the challenges of the voluntary administration caused by our financiers withholding access to our planned working capital, we are ready for a fresh start.”

“The recapitalisation enables us to remove the financiers’ security on our assets, repay our debit facility and focus

THE CLONCURRY COPPER PROJECT IS CENTRED AROUND THE GREAT AUSTRALIA MINE IN NORTH-WEST QUEENSLAND.

AUSTRALIANMINING 54 FEBRUARY 2025

BEVAN JONES HAS BEEN TRUE NORTH’S MANAGING DIRECTOR SINCE JUNE 2024.

True North’s new exploration strategy ties into its long-term goal of becoming a world-class copper producer in the North West Minerals Province.

The key to achieving this goal?

Jones points to establishing a proper foundation.

“Our exploration efforts have given us the opportunity to grow our knowledge and understanding of our asset portfolio to realise its potential scale,” Jones said.

COMPANY PROFILE

“We have an existing mine operation around Cloncurry (the Great Australia Mine). We have a heap leach facility and solvent extraction plant, and the network required to carry out the toll mining activity to operate that system.

In our previous operational plan, we were constrained to one million tonnes per annum, which was a restraint on the scale of the mining.

“Through our agreements with Glencore and our memorandum of understanding with Copper Resources Australia for its Rocklands operation, we intend to collaborate and maximise the existing assets in the area.”

With a 2024 geophysics program proving copper mineralisation exists in previously unexplored areas at Cloncurry, True North aims to complete infill drilling to unlock new deposits.

“We have highly prospective areas which will increase the scale of the existing Cloncurry reserve,” Jones said.

“Between the Great Australian Mine and the Taipan deposit, we will target four very prospective anomalies. The idea is to prove how big that system is.

One of the anomalies looks like it’s the feeder system for the whole region as it’s open at depth.

“The geology team want to test those theories and establish a larger regional view of the mineralisation at Cloncurry.”

True North will also focus on exploring its Mt Oxide project, located in an underexplored region in Queensland.

“Mt Oxide is next to 29Metals’ Capricorn copper precinct,” Jones said.

“Limited historical mining has been completed on our leases and none of this was in the past two decades.

“In the past 18 months we have conducted low-cost boots-on-the-ground exploration, including surface mapping, rock chip sampling and geophysics, using IP (induced polarisation) surveys which have improved our understanding of the 10km area along the Dorman Fault. The Vero deposit makes up just 1km of this area.

“Foundational exploration has shown that mineralisation is repeated along strike, so it’s not just one area of mineralisation.”

Drilling results at Mt Oxide include a high-grade intersection of 66.5m at 4.95 per cent copper, one of the top 10 copper intercepts in the world in 2023.

“The 66.5m at 4.95 per cent copper intersection was an amazing result at Vero,” Jones said.

“Vero would likely be an underground development because it’s underneath a historic open pit. We are now looking to do more drilling within the area to focus on some of the newly identified nearer surface targets sitting under outcropping gossans that show zones of high chargeability in our recent IP surveys.”

Both Cloncurry and Mt Oxide are situated in the Mt Isa Inlier, one of Australia’s most iconic mining regions.

Jones said copper mineralisation is expressing itself on the surface in

multiple locations and rock chip sampling backed up the prospectivity of the area. “(Prospector) Ernest Henry visited Cloncurry over 100 years ago searching for copper,” Jones said. “The Great Australian Mine was one of the mines he found, so people have known copper is in the area for over a century.

“Mt Isa is the centre of the whole region. Therefore, we’re able to leverage existing infrastructure, facilities, and the skills and knowledge of the local community.”

It’s no secret that copper has a variety of end uses in a green economy, whether it be through electrical distribution, equipment and devices, industrial

machinery, wind turbines, solar panels and, of course, electric vehicles.

And with True North poised to grow its resources in one of the world’s premier copper districts, the company has an important role to play to feed the base metal’s growing demand.

“True North Copper is solely focused on growing value through copper exploration in North-West Queensland,” Jones said. “It’s a Tier 1 jurisdiction and we have over 1,500km2 of highly prospective leases within this world-class copper zone.

“If you’re interested in Australian copper, True North is well placed to grow Queensland’s next major copper resource.” AM

TRUE NORTH’S PORTFOLIO IS PROSPECTIVE FOR COPPER, COBALT, SILVER AND GOLD.

TRUE NORTH IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE EXTENSIVE DRILLING PROGRAMS AT CLONCURRY AND MT OXIDE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2025.

AUSTRALIANMINING 55 FEBRUARY 2025

DECARBONISATION

IMAGE: SEWCREAMSTUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

LEADING THE DECARBONISATION CHARGE AS THE WORLD WORKS TO DECARBONISE, THE MINING INDUSTRY HAS A BIG PART TO PLAY.

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he mining sector has a pivotal role to play in global decarbonisation, according to KPMG’s latest ‘Global Metals and Mining Outlook’ report.

In a recent conversation with Australian Mining, KPMG global mining leader Trevor Hart shared insights from the company’s report, shedding light on the industry’s challenges, opportunities, and the vital part it will play in creating a sustainable future.

“Last year, our report focused on the broader opportunity for the industry around the world’s decarbonisation and electrification,” Hart said.

“This year, we wanted to deliberately talk to industry participants around the challenges of transitioning into a decarbonised, electrified world and some of the focus areas around that.

“We wanted to be more focused on where the industry is at and how the industry is tracking and presenting itself.”

The report reflects the input of 453 participants from 20 countries, with more than half working in roles directly tied to decarbonisation and across various sectors around the world, providing a comprehensive view of the industry’s efforts.

Despite the complexities and uncertainties surrounding decarbonisation, the mining sector remains largely optimistic.

The shift towards a decarbonised economy, driven by global demand for renewable energy, has provided a new pillar of demand for minerals essential for this transition.

“This optimism stems from the fact that decarbonisation is a very physical transition,” Hart said. “It requires a significant amount of material, and the industry is well-positioned to meet that demand.”

But this optimism is often tempered by the prioritisation of capital investments for decarbonisation projects and challenges related to volatile commodity prices.

An example of the latter is the current global lithium and nickel downturn, which was primarily caused by a supply surplus of cheaper lithium and nickel coming from countries with less stringent environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.

A decrease in global electric vehicle (EV) sales also played a part in the decline.

Mining companies, used to building assets for multi-decade use, must now HAVING WORKERS WITH THE SKILLS AND EXPERTISE TO IMPLEMENT NEW TECHNOLOGY IS CRUCIAL.

AUSTRALIANMINING 56 FEBRUARY 2025

navigate the volatility of both input and output prices while planning and deploying capital for large-scale decarbonisation initiatives.

The mining sector’s ability to deploy both existing and emerging technologies will be crucial in its decarbonisation journey.

“One of the key areas that continues to be called out by executives is the skills and capability gap in deploying new technologies to drive productivity and sustainability,” Hart said.

“Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and make mining operations more sustainable.”

According to a report from the Rocky Mountain Institute, there are around 28,000 large haul trucks operating globally.

Almost all of these haul trucks are diesel-powered, with each consuming around 900,000 litres of diesel and emitting 68 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per annum, making these vehicles a significant contributor to global carbon emissions.

To combat this environmental hurdle, the mining industry is focusing on reducing carbon emissions in areas like heavy haulage, crushing and processing.

Hart pointed to the industry’s efforts to replace diesel-powered systems with renewable energy solutions as a key example of this.

“Renewable energy can deliver electrons cheaper than diesel, especially when you factor in the long-term costs of carbon pricing,” he said.

IMAGE: TOTOJANG1977/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

DECARBONISATION

“This shift will not only help companies decarbonise their operations but also provide cost efficiencies over the long term.”

However, technology alone is not enough; companies must have the skills and expertise to implement these innovations effectively.

The industry’s ability to attract and retain the necessary talent will also be critical to achieving these goals.

One of the key findings from KPMG’s report is the importance of integrating decarbonisation into the core strategy of mining companies.

“The companies that are having the most success are those that have embedded decarbonisation into the fabric of their business,” Hart said.

“This means not treating decarbonisation as a standalone project but aligning it with broader goals of building productive, sustainable businesses.

“There’s a real synergy in pursuing decarbonisation not just for the sake of compliance, but because it can lead to more efficient and sustainable operations. It’s about finding that ‘one plus one equals three’ opportunity.”

Hart said decarbonisation is not a shortterm goal and mining companies need to adopt a long-term strategy, especially for assets with extended lifespans.

“The longer the life of the asset, the greater the opportunity to benefit from decarbonisation,” Hart said.

“For shorter-term projects, however, it can be more challenging to balance the economics of capital investments with the immediate need for decarbonisation.”

IMAGE: NICOELNINO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

THE MINING INDUSTRY IS FOCUSING ON REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS IN HEAVY HAULAGE.

AI TECHNOLOGY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY ON MINE SITES.

Decarbonisation can be a complex and costly process, but it’s one that offers significant long-term rewards.

By transitioning to renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, mining companies can position themselves as leaders in the global energy transition, all while securing a more sustainable future for their operations.

The mining sector’s importance in global decarbonisation cannot be overstated, as the mining and the metal production industries account for around 13 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions.

“The industry has a massive role in research and development and technology innovations that will reduce the carbon intensity of metal production and mining operations,” Hart said.

“As new technologies for extracting, processing, and transporting minerals are developed, these innovations will not only benefit the mining sector but also have far-reaching impacts on other industries.

“Heavy haulage, for example, is one area where advancements in mining could have significant ripple effects across transportation and logistics.”

AUSTRALIANMINING 57 FEBRUARY 2025

KPMG’s report highlights the mining sector’s crucial role in driving the global decarbonisation agenda.

While there are undeniable challenges to decarbonisation, the industry is optimistic about the opportunities ahead, recognising its potential to inspire innovation.

“This industry has a major role to play in decarbonising the world,” Hart said.

“The innovations and advancements we see today will drive not only the mining sector but also the broader global economy towards a more sustainable future.” AM

BULK MATERIAL HANDLING

STAMPING OUT DUST EMISSIONS MARTIN ENGINEERING DISCUSSES LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO MANAGING FUGITIVE MATERIALS IN A CONVEYOR.

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Skirtboards

The skirtboard enclosure is essentially a low-efficiency settling chamber. The basic concept is that a dust particle will settle out of a laminar air stream based on the speed of the airflow and terminal velocity of the dust particle.

There are many rules of thumb for skirtboard sizing and dust curtain placement to contain dust in the skirtboard enclosure. Most of these practices are without proof of performance other than, “That’s the way we’ve always done it”.

A current practice for conveyor skirtboard enclosures is to optimise airflow by increasing the height of the enclosure. Two common rules of thumb for enclosure length are two times belt width or 0.6m for every 1.0m/s in belt speed. If height is increased, the distance the average dust particle must travel also increases.

A detailed design study of airflow and particulate settling was performed using flow simulation software.

A “standard conveyor” was established as the baseline for the study. The standard conveyor is a 1200mm-wide belt with a 35-degree trough angle, travelling at 2.0m/s.

A generic material was used to produce the baseline data, with a bulk density of 1442 kg/m3 and a nominal 50mm minus particle size distribution with a 20-degree surcharge.

FIGURE TWO: MODEL OF COMPLETE STANDARD CONVEYOR RECEIVING AND DISCHARGE FOR EXTERNAL ANALYSIS.

The discharge chute was sized based on a material volume equal to or less than 40 per cent of the chute crosssection. A drop height of 3m, an open area of 0.9m2, an average particle size of 25mm and bulk flow of 1680 tonnes per hour were used to calculate the induced air volume.

Several variables were investigated to simplify the analysis. The complete conveyor with discharge and receiving belts was modelled and, while there were significant regions of recirculation in the upper discharge section, the airflow in the chute was reasonably consistent.

So the chute was simplified to that shown in figure three, with the air volume and dust particles injected into the last 2m of the chute.

IMAGES: MARTIN ENGINEERING

ost conveyors handling bulk materials have some material loss from spillage, leakage, dust and carryback emissions, collectively called fugitive materials.

The root causes are often obvious but rarely addressed; rather, the standard approach is to treat the symptoms.

Failing to control fugitive materials can lead to unplanned downtime, excessive cleaning costs, regulatory actions, poor public relations and safety incidents, while addressing the issues with long-term solutions improves availability, housekeeping and safety, ultimately enhancing a company’s cashflow.

Reducing visible dust emissions (typically defined as particles larger than 40 micrometres [μm]) from conveyors is often a primary goal, partly because it attracts the attention of workers, neighbours and inspectors.

Quite often the use of respirators is seen as an acceptable alternative, but a closer evaluation shows these devices can reduce productivity by as much as 19 per cent, and prolonged use can affect cognitive and sensory abilities significantly. These decreases in productivity alone justify making improvements to conveyor dust containment.

Both external and internal analyses were conducted, with complete moving discharge and receiving conveyors.

The bulk material surface was set to absorb particles and the walls set to reflect particles. The effectiveness of the enclosure variations was determined by counting the number of each size particles that escaped the end of the enclosure compared to the number injected.

The results of the external analysis indicated that escaped dust particles increased in speed, with the air current affected by travelling around the belt and the discharge pulley. This phenomenon is known as the Magnus Effect and emphasises the need for effective belt cleaning as close to the discharge as possible.

A space of 1mm between the bottom of the skirtboard and the belt was used to simulate leakage.

Curtain designs

Several experienced maintenance technicians were surveyed and their preferred curtain arrangements modelled. In addition, multiple curtain designs and placement schemes were studied, including staggered, slit, curved, angled, with and without slits, with holes and no curtains.

Several unconventional skirtboard enclosures were modelled in an attempt to create recirculation in the enclosure and improve dust settling. The optimum design for the standard conveyor was determined to be a conventional enclosure with a height of 600mm, a length of 3.6m and three dust curtains placed in defined locations (see figure five).

Worn exit curtains were also modelled, and as the spacing above the load increased, the dust settling performance deteriorated. The use of a single curtain at the exit proved

FIGURE ONE: NEW DESIGNS IN SKIRTBOARDS ALLOW FOR DOUBLE SKIRTING THAT FLUCTUATES WITH THE BELT FOR A BETTER SEAL.

AUSTRALIANMINING 58 FEBRUARY 2025

BULK MATERIAL HANDLING

problematic in all cases, acting to speed up the exit airflow even further when close to the belt and re-entraining dust in the exiting air stream, while being ineffective in creating recirculation within the enclosure.

When the curtain placed at the exit was worn too much, it was as if there was no curtain at all. A curtain placed at the exit and adjusted close to the load creates another fugitive material problem, sometimes called the popcorn effect, where the curtain causes spillage by knocking material off the belt.

FIGURE THREE: THE STANDARD CONVEYOR USED FOR BASELINE INTERNAL ANALYSIS.

Results

Particle density Solid density had little effect on the settling of nuisance dust particles from 100 to 25μm. In every case, all of the 100 and 40μm particles settled almost immediately and as the bulk density increased, there was a moderate reduction in respirable dust emissions.

Discharge chute and tailbox The junction between the discharge chute and the skirtboards was found to be an important design detail for creating recirculation. Making the width of the discharge chute narrower than the width of the skirtboard helps to fold the airflow going into the first curtain, encouraging distribution of the airflow towards the top of the enclosure, rather than along the surface of the material.

The tail box had little effect on dust emissions out of the exit end of the skirtboards. In most configurations, the height of the tail box was set at 300mm, while the tail box length was set at 600mm to match the 600mm idler spacing used in the load zone by most conveyor manufacturers and engineers.

Length of skirtboard It was found that for most situations a 3600mm-long skirtboard produced the best results. Increasing the length to 4800mm and height to 900mm had marginal effect but may not be worth the extra investment.

FIGURE FOUR: DUST PARTICLE TRAJECTORIES FROM A CONVEYOR.

Height of skirtboard An enclosure height beyond 600mm for the standard conveyor with a single exit curtain did reduce nuisance emissions but tended to increase respirable dust discharge, because the average settling path was greater with the higher enclosure.

Airflow As would be expected, the average air velocity through the skirtboards was

directly proportional to the induced airflow and cross-sectional area.

Average velocities in the skirtboards due to induced air ranged from 0.8 to 2.8m/s.

Belt speed has a minor effect on average velocities. High air speeds kept the respirable dust suspended, so reducing induced air into the chute is also important in improving the performance of a conveyor system.

FIGURE FIVE: AN UNCONVENTIONAL CHUTE DESIGN ANALYSED. AUSTRALIANMINING 59 FEBRUARY 2025

Curtains The best results were obtained with three or more curtains. The design of the slits in the curtains is important to allow air to pass through, enabling the airflow paths to fill the entire chamber and not just flow at high speeds.

It was found that the individual flaps should be about 50mm wide, with slits at least 5mm wide and the curtains extending the full width of the enclosure.

While some improvement is seen with increased skirtboard height and length, it’s doubtful these adjustments can be economically justified on the reduction of respirable dust alone.

A return on investment for the control of nuisance dust can be based on reduced cleaning labour, increased equipment life and/or the elimination of dust collection for new and retrofit designs.

If the improvements reduce the time-weighted average of respirable dust emissions to the point where engineering or administrative controls could be less stringent, then a financial case could also be made based on improvements in labour productivity. AM

EQUIPMENT

IMAGES: SCHLAM

THE 100TH BARRACUDA BUCKET IS A T2 MODEL PROVIDING SIGNIFICANT PAYLOAD ADVANTAGES.

A COMPLETE MINING BUCKET SOLUTION SCHLAM’S BARRACUDA MINING BUCKETS ARE PROVIDING MINERS ALL OVER AUSTRALIA WITH AN ARRAY OF PRODUCTION ADVANTAGES AND EFFICIENCIES

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n the competitive landscape of the Australian mining industry, reducing equipment downtime is paramount for boosting productivity and ensuring operational safety.

One critical element in achieving these objectives is the effective design and manufacture of mining buckets. These robust tools endure rigorous conditions, often requiring refurbishment within months of service.

Understanding how to optimise bucket performance is essential for any mining operation focused on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Barracuda overview

Schlam designs and manufactures a range of mining buckets under the Barracuda brand.

These include excavator and front wheel loader buckets to suit the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) equipment and models used in Australian mining.

Schlam’s Barracuda buckets are engineered for excavator classes ranging from 100 tonnes to 900 tonnes, with payload capacities reaching up to 45m³.

Each bucket design is meticulously customised to meet specific operational

requirements and OEM specifications, ensuring optimal performance based on factors such as tip radius, pin centre, breakout force, and maximum suspended load.

Developed to maximise efficiency

While Schlam has a long history of designing and engineering mining buckets, in recent years the company has invested significantly in developing a product range that caters for the specific needs of the Australian mining industry.

The company has worked closely with its existing dump truck body clients to develop bucket solutions to compliment its load and haul process.

“The mining bucket is the business end of the load and haul process, so it’s important to match the right bucket with your haul equipment,” Schlam vice president innovation and strategic focus Amit Bareja said.

“Filling a haul truck with three and a half buckets rather than three is inefficient no matter which way you spin it.”

According to Bareja, this is a common mistake that occurs at mines around the world.

Not correctly payload matching an excavator, shovel and wheel loader

A BARRACUDA T2 BUCKET DEPLOYED ON AUSTRALIA’S FIRST OPERATIONAL ELECTRIC EXCAVATOR.

buckets with a haul truck means the mine risks giving away productivity and money with every load.

Designed to deliver in challenging conditions

While Schlam offers a comprehensive range of standard buckets, each Barracuda bucket is customised for specific sitebased conditions and applications.

A poorly-designed bucket can slow productivity and performance of the load and haul ecosystem.

“Bigger is not always better – a fit for purpose solution is,” Bareja said. “Every mine site is different, so it’s important

AUSTRALIANMINING 60 FEBRUARY 2025

for us to tailor each product to suit the demands of the site it will operate on.”

Each Barracuda excavator and wheel loader bucket is uniquely designed to suit ground conditions, ore types, material properties, and OEM earthmoving fleets to help miners get the best out of their fleet of load and haul equipment.

The Barracuda T2: Leading through innovation

With the Barracuda range of buckets becoming increasingly popular among leading miners in Australia, Schlam is continuing to develop new products that offer additional benefits to miners.

EQUIPMENT

“When it comes to product development, we work on the principle of developing product solutions ‘for miners, with miners’,” Bareja said. “We worked with some of the leading miners, listened to their needs, and developed the Barracuda T2.”

The Schlam T2 mining bucket is engineered in two distinct sections: structural and high-wear.

The high-wear section features a linerless, replaceable shell and a lower sidewall weldment, eliminating the need for additional wear mitigation during the service cycle.

WHEN IT COMES TO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, WE WORK ON THE PRINCIPLE OF DEVELOPING PRODUCT SOLUTIONS ‘FOR MINERS, WITH MINERS’. WE WORKED WITH SOME OF THE LEADING MINERS, LISTENED TO THEIR NEEDS, AND DEVELOPED THE BARRACUDA T2.”

Constructed from significantly thicker material, this section is designed to wear down to a predetermined ‘trigger’ thickness, signalling the need for replacement. The replacement linerless shell can be prefabricated, allowing for quick installation during scheduled

refurbishments, which considerably reduces out-of-service time.

In the structural section, wear mitigation is strategically applied only where necessary, which increases the overall durability of the bucket and extends its service life. The wear plates used in these areas are sized for easy replacement during routine machine service intervals.

The Barracuda T2 enables miners to save asset downtime and subsequently increase payload productivity, eliminating the requirement for heel shrouds and wear packages.

This feature not only makes the T2 up to 15 per cent lighter than standard mining bucket products but also eliminates the hazard of stored energy associated with rolled wear components.

Like its Hercules cousin, each T2 bucket is specifically designed for a customer’s site requirements, with variable thickness lower floor and side wall options available.

The first T2 was released in 2022, entering service on a major iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. That first unit, with a payload capacity of 22m3, has since recorded over 10,000 hours of operation and still has the original lower shell.

With strong customer demand, there are over 30 T2 buckets operating on major mines across Australia.

In 2023, Fortescue deployed Australia’s first operational electric excavator, a Liebherr R 9400 E, which included a specifically designed Barracuda T2 bucket.

Technical support

To assist with asset longevity, Schlam offers its customers on-site

A BARRACUDA T2 BUCKET BEING PREPARED FOR DELIVERY TO THE PILBARA.

technical support for its Barracuda mining buckets.

The team of Schlam technical support specialists undertake site and equipment inspections, which assists customers with payload planning and wear mitigation.

Further enhancing Schlam’s technical support is the expansion of its main production facility in WA to assist nearby mining regions.

Schlam’s journey from a regional player to a global innovator illustrates the company’s dedication to excellence and client satisfaction.

Its understanding of the need to adapt, innovate, and tailor its solutions to the unique needs of individual mines sites is clear through the Barracuda T2, which offers significant payload advantages for all users. AM

FORTESCUE DEPLOYED AUSTRALIA’S FIRST OPERATIONAL ELECTRIC EXCAVATOR, A LIEBHERR R 9400 E, WHICH INCLUDED A BARRACUDA T2 BUCKET.

AUSTRALIANMINING 61 FEBRUARY 2025

LIGHTING

BRIGHTER BEACONS

THE NEW MS LIGHT TOWERS OFFER SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, RELYING ON THE SUN RATHER THAN DIESEL.

T

he humble lighting tower is a backbone of any mining operation – and it’s not hard to see why.

Since mines operate 24–7, lighting towers are essential for keeping workers safe, providing much-needed visibility on even the darkest nights.

They are also sturdy and able to be moved from location to location, both vital attributes for the vast and oftenharsh Australian mining industry.

Atlas Copco has been making lighting towers for a number of years, launching its first battery-powered LED light tower, the HiLight Z3+, in 2019.

Now an industry staple, Atlas Copco has added another tower to the family: the HiLight MS 4 and MS 5.

“Atlas Copco lighting towers have an extensive reputation for being quality products, built to handle tough environmental conditions with minimal service requirements,” Atlas CEA brand leader David Buttigieg told Australian Mining.

“The new MS towers build on these key features with a focus on autonomy, functionality and connectivity.”

Driven by innovation, the new MS towers feature efficient lithium-ion batteries and solar panels to deliver a minimum of 11 hours of autonomous operation while also shortening recharging time.

The battery in the MS 4 requires only four hours to recharge, while the two batteries in the MS 5 need only five hours.

THE MS TOWERS BOAST HIGH EFFICIENCY AT A LOW COST OF OWNERSHIP.

“The MS towers can operate for up to 85 hours with dimming function or 11 hours at 100 per cent without a requirement for fuel,” Buttigieg said.

“The phosphate-lithium batteries provide safer and more reliable energy storage, and the light coverage is impressive – the MS4 can cover 3856m2, and the MS5 can cover 5278m2 at 20 lux.”

Atlas Copco prides itself on developing and designing equipment to target partner needs and drive customer success.

To that end, the MS towers boast high efficiency at a low cost of ownership to ensure a quick return of investment and have been developed with serviceability in mind to reduce downtime.

For Buttigieg, the addition of the Atlas Copco HardHat canopy – a polyethylene canopy protecting the tower – is also a long-term advantage for customers.

“Atlas Copco’s HardHat canopy is legendary,” Buttigieg said. “It’s maintenance-free and corrosion resistant and will last a lifetime, without any work or maintenance from the customer’s side.”

The sustainability benefits are also amplified in the new MS towers.

“By utilising solar, the MS light towers offer sustainable energy relying on the sun rather than diesel or electric power to operate, without compromising on light quality or period of use,” Buttigieg said.

“The solar panels are parallel so if one has an issue the battery will

IMAGES: ATLAS CEA

ATLAS COPCO’S NEW MS LIGHTING TOWERS HAVE REDEFINED SUSTAINABILITY AND EFFICIENCY.

continue to charge off the other panels with independent maximum power point tracking (MPPT) per panel to maximise efficiency.”

Other sustainability benefits of the MS towers include their reliable light source independent from fuel provisioning, the ability to operate at high altitude without derating, and the inherent emission reduction.

“The SMD high-lumen LED light along with extended battery autonomy make the new MS towers some of the

THE MS 4 AND 5 LIGHTING TOWERS HAVE THE INDUSTRY EXCITED FOR WHAT’S TO COME.

AUSTRALIANMINING 62 FEBRUARY 2025

best performing solar lighting towers on the market,” Buttigieg said.

Boasting more autonomy, brighter lights, a smaller footprint and a robust HardHat canopy, it’s no wonder the MS 4 and 5 lighting towers have the industry excited.

“The towers will be ideal for mining applications given they offer extensive battery life between charges and the appropriate light coverage to support the high safety and visibility requirements of evening shifts,” Buttigieg said. AM

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SUSTAINABILITY

BUSLOADS OF BENEFITS WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY ON A MINE SITE, NO PIECE OF EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE LEFT OUT OF THE EQUATION – INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION. workers to site for the initial build of a mine, with some movements being as large as 300 to 400 people per day,” Kennedy said.

“In Western Australia, where high heat and rugged, unsealed roads are part of daily operations, Yutong buses deliver consistent, reliable performance.

Customers rely on their durability to transport large workforces to and from mine sites safely, while maintaining the highest levels of comfort and efficiency.”

But Yutong is more than just a bus manufacturer; it’s a partner in progress.

“Whether that’s meeting sustainability targets, enhancing worker safety or optimising transport efficiency, Yutong delivers tailored solutions backed by a global reputation,” Kennedy said.

This level of large-scale workforce movement demands not just durability but also an uncompromising approach to safety – an area where Yutong’s Electric Safety System (YESS) excels.

Built to withstand extreme mining environments, YESS delivers advanced multi-level protection that ensures the wellbeing of passengers and equipment.

Whether navigating remote Pilbara roads under relentless heat or enduring the dust-heavy challenges of South Australia’s mines, YESS offers critical safety features such as anti-crash battery designs, nitrogen protection systems, and 24–7 real-time monitoring.

“Safety is paramount for our mining customers,” Kennedy said. “The YESS system provides peace of mind by allowing real-time insights into battery performance and immediate response capabilities.”

Yutong’s reputation as a global leader in sustainable transportation isn’t by accident. The company has been producing electric buses since 1999 and has worked to improve its offering each year since.

“Yutong’s battery-electric buses (BEBs) are a cornerstone of the company’s sustainability strategy,” Clark said.

“BEBs eliminate the need for internal combustion engines, reducing carbon emissions and eliminating exhaust fumes. They are also equipped with advanced technologies like regenerative braking, extending driving range and enhancing energy efficiency.”

Yutong’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through several key credentials, including its participation in the United Nations Global Compact, and its pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

But sustainability isn’t Yutong’s only focus.

The company is also serious about safety, developing YESS to ensure every person gets to and from work safely.

“YESS provides multi-level protection, ensuring optimal safety and system efficiency under the toughest conditions,” Kennedy said.

Clark said customers valued Yutong’s stringent safety requirements, as well as the comfort, reliability and costeffectiveness of its buses.

“One of our customers said the Yutong EV buses have been a game-changer for them, providing an incredibly reliable and cost-effective option,” Clark said.

SUSTAINABILITY AND SAFETY ARE KEY DRIVERS OF YUTONG’S BUSINESS.

“This feedback reflects Yutong’s ability to meet the diverse demands of industries like mining while supporting the shift to sustainability.”

As the industry dives headfirst in 2025, there’s no slowing down for VDI or Yutong. Throughout the year, VDI is planning to expand its support for the mining industry as it grows with the sector.

“Our operations in central Queensland and Western Australia are central to this strategy, ensuring we can meet the needs of customers in these critical regions,” Kennedy said.

“You can expect new developments that reflect our focus on customer needs, enhanced vehicle performance, and a seamless transition to zero-emission transport in the future.

“VDI is deliberately prioritising our mining customers, ensuring they have the technology and support they need to succeed.”

With a global reputation for innovation, Yutong – supported by VDI’s local expertise – will continue to revolutionise mining transport with buses that exceed industry expectations and meet sustainability goals head-on. AM

IMAGES: VDI

C

ontrary to the name, mining’s fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workforce doesn’t only rely on planes.

In fact, many employees are transported to a mine site the old-fashioned way: by bus. But there’s nothing old-fashioned about VDI’s Yutong buses.

An Australian family-owned business with deep roots in the transportation sector, VDI Australia is the national distributor of Yutong buses – and the company is proud of its vehicle partner’s legacy.

“With a history spanning over six decades, Yutong has produced over 150,000 battery electric buses globally and leads the way in bus manufacturing innovation,” VDI national sales manager Sara Clark told Australian Mining.

“Our partnership allows VDI to combine Yutong’s cutting-edge technologies with our local expertise, helping Australian businesses meet their transport and sustainability goals while maintaining the highest safety standards.”

And with miners increasingly looking at ways to boost sustainability on-site, Yutong’s buses provide them with an easy way to stamp out their transportation emissions.

VDI Western Australia general manager Mike Kennedy has seen first-hand how Yutong buses perform in some of the most demanding conditions, including unsealed roads and extreme heat.

“Yutong’s range of ICE (internal combustion engine) and EV buses are used to transport large numbers of

YUTONG’S BUSES ARE USED ACROSS THE AUSTRALIAN MINING INDUSTRY. AUSTRALIANMINING 64 FEBRUARY 2025

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M&A

IMAGE: AFRICA STUDIO/ADOBE.STOCK.COM

WITH TIGHTER CAPITAL MARKETS, PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS ARE STEPPING IN TO FUND MINING PROJECTS.

SHIFTING DYNAMICS AS THE AUSTRALIAN MINING INDUSTRY EMBARKS ON 2025, M&A ACTIVITY IS UNLIKELY TO SLOW DOWN.

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he Australian resources sector is poised for significant merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in 2025, with gold and copper projects emerging as focal points, according to legal experts at Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

Russell Philip and Oliver Carrick spoke to Australian Mining about key trends, challenges and opportunities, highlighting the evolving M&A landscape.

Gold consolidation gains momentum

Gold producers are expected to continue consolidating as they seek to navigate cost pressures and scale up operations in 2025.

“Gold is one industry that has a lot of tailwind support for it as a safe haven investment hedge against inflation,” Philip told Australian Mining.

“Australian gold miners, following the merger of Newcrest and Newmont, are in a good position to capitalise on this momentum and solidify their market relevance.”

However, the outlook for copper is less straightforward.

“It’s not because of the lack of interest in copper,” Philip said. “It’s finding strong copper projects; everyone’s out there scouring for good copper projects at the moment.”

Private equity rises in prominence

With tighter equity capital markets, private equity firms are stepping in to fund mining projects.

“We’ve seen a significant uptick in companies looking at non-traditional financing,” Carrick told Australian Mining.

“Private equity is well-versed in structures like royalty financing, product streaming and convertible loan type arrangements.”

Carrick highlighted that firms such as Resource Capital, Appian Capital Advisory and Orion are poised to invest their undeployed capital in highpotential projects.

“Traditional bank lenders have pulled back from the market, but private capital appetite has grown, particularly in commodities like copper,” he said.

Competition for quality assets

Philip acknowledged the need for reforms to streamline approvals.

“Government red tape is always an issue for miners but streamlining the approvals processes is a good place to start,” he said.

“The Australian mining industry is akin to the Silicon Valley of expertise; it’s about leveraging our global significance and exporting our intellectual property.”

Despite these challenges, Australia’s robust standards and expertise make it a competitive destination for foreign capital.

Strategies for future growth

Hostile M&A activity has surged in the past year, particularly in the mining sector.

“The competition has centred around quality assets like lithium where companies were fiercely competing for the right opportunities,” Carrick said.

“A similar dynamic played out in the gold space with companies like Perseus and Silver Corp.”

While the lithium market has cooled, the focus has shifted toward opportunistic acquisitions, exemplified by Pilbara Minerals and Latin Resources.

These trends highlight the importance of strategic positioning in the evolving M&A environment.

As competition for high-quality assets intensifies, mining companies must adopt tailored strategies to secure growth.

“If you’re a perennial explorer of greenfield opportunities, M&A is a natural exit point,” Philip said.

“Companies need to be clear about their skill sets and challenges in bringing a mining project through all phases.”

Philip cited examples like Gold Road Resources and De Grey Mining, which have successfully transitioned from exploration to development.

Aligning investor expectations and capabilities will be crucial for companies aiming to retain long-term project ownership.

Attracting foreign investment

Navigating regulatory changes

Australia’s mining sector continues to draw substantial foreign interest, but regulatory challenges remain a hurdle.

The introduction of new merger clearance rules presents additional complexities for mining companies.

AUSTRALIANMINING 67 FEBRUARY 2025

“There’s enough concern that we’ll see timelines blow out, similar to what happened with Foreign Investment Review Board reviews,” Philip said.

“Only time will tell how the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission handles the increased workload, but this is something to watch closely through 2025 and beyond.”

Eyeing consolidation

Mid-tier gold producers stand to benefit significantly from consolidation. Carrick pointed out the opportunity to fill a gap in the ASX 200 left by the NewcrestNewmont merger.

“Combining one, two or three midtier companies could catapult them into the ASX 100 or 200, attracting institutional investors,” he said.

Philip emphasised the advantages of transitioning from single-mine operators to diversified portfolios.

“Diversifying risk exposure and capturing the attention of institutional funds are key benefits,” he said, noting that consolidation will help smaller players achieve greater stability and market visibility.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s 2025 outlook highlights a dynamic and challenging landscape for miners.

From gold and copper consolidation to private equity’s growing role and the complexities of regulatory reforms, the year ahead promises significant shifts.

By leveraging their expertise and adopting strategic approaches, Australian mining companies can navigate these changes and secure long-term growth in a competitive global market. AM

M&A

THE NEXT LITHIUM GIANT IMAGES: ARCADIUM LITHIUM

RIO TINTO’S ACQUISITION OF ARCADIUM LITHIUM IS EXPECTED TO BE FINALISED BY MID-2025.

AUSTRALIAN MINING LOOKS AT WHAT THE DEAL MEANS FOR THE GLOBAL INDUSTRY. ARCADIUM’S OLAROZ LITHIUM BRINE OPERATION IN THE REMOTE JUJUY PROVINCE OF ARGENTINA.

R

io Tinto’s ongoing acquisition of Arcadium Lithium comes at an interesting time for the global lithium sector.

The critical mineral has been hit with lower prices primarily caused by a supply surplus and an increase in lithium supplies from countries such as China. A decrease in global electric vehicle (EV) sales also played a part in the decline, despite EV demand rising.

The downturn resulted in Arcadium’s shares decreasing by more than 50 per cent between January and October 2024, making the US lithium major an attractive takeover target for miners looking to expand their lithium footprints.

Australian Mining takes a look at how the acquisition came to be and what it means for the global lithium industry.

The beginning

Created in 2024 via the Allkem–Livent merger, Arcadium is a leading global lithium chemicals producer with a diverse portfolio.

The company has various multinational upstream capabilities and downstream processing offerings. These include assets in Argentina and Australia and downstream conversion resources in China, Japan, the UK and the US, where Arcadium operates the only integrated mine-to-metal production facility in the western hemisphere.

Arcadium is also developing projects in Argentina and Canada to increase its production capabilities to meet global lithium demand.

But it was Arcadium’s Salar Del Hombre Muerto, Olaroz, Sal de Vida and Cauchari operations that caught the eye of Rio Tinto, which has been on the hunt for lithium acquisitions for quite some time.

The major miner is developing the Rincon lithium project in Argentina and is focused on perfecting its lithium extraction technology, with the company to commence production through a 3000-tonne lithium carbonate starter plant before scaling up.

Rio has also been eyeing potential merger and acquisition opportunities in Canada, particularly in the James Bay region of northern Quebec, where Arcadium is developing its Nemaska and Galaxy lithium projects.

By acquiring Arcadium, Rio will be expanding its footprint in Argentina and Canada, two emerging lithium regions.

The transaction

Rio Tinto confirmed it would acquire Arcadium for $US6.7 billion ($10.8 billion) on October 9 2024.

The deal was struck through a definitive transaction agreement, under which Rio will acquire Arcadium in

AUSTRALIANMINING 68 FEBRUARY 2025

an all-cash transaction for $US5.85 per share.

This represents a 90 per cent premium on Arcadium’s October 4 closing price of $US3.08 per share.

“Acquiring Arcadium Lithium is a significant step forward in Rio Tinto’s long-term strategy, creating a world-class lithium business alongside our leading aluminium and copper operations to supply materials needed for the energy transition,” Rio Tinto chief executive officer (CEO) Jakob Stausholm said.

“Arcadium Lithium is an outstanding business today and we will bring our scale, development capabilities and financial strength to realise the full potential of its Tier 1 portfolio.

“This is a counter-cyclical expansion aligned with our disciplined capital allocation framework, increasing our exposure to a high-growth, attractive market at the right point in the cycle.”

M&A

“We are confident that this is a compelling cash offer that reflects full and fair long-term value for our business and de-risks our shareholders’ exposure to the execution of our development portfolio and market volatility,” Graves said.

“This agreement with Rio Tinto demonstrates the value in what we have built over many years at Arcadium Lithium, and we are excited that this transaction will give us the opportunity to accelerate and expand our strategy for the benefit of our customers, our employees, and the communities in which we operate.”

IMAGE: RIO TINTO

The acquisition positions Rio as the world’s third-largest lithium supplier, sitting behind Albemarle in the US and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) in Santiago, Chile.

In August, Arcadium paused investment in its Galaxy lithium project as it looks to recruit a partner interested in providing capital for the project in exchange for a long-term strategic investment.

That same month, the company also revised the sequencing of its lithium carbonate projects at Salar del Hombre Muerto. Instead of executing Fénix phase 1B and Sal de Vida stage one simultaneously, Arcadium Lithium will complete each project sequentially.

In September, Arcadium announced plans to transition its Mt Cattlin mine in WA into care and maintenance.

While stage 4A waste stripping and expansionary investment will be suspended after the mine completes stage three mining and ore processing by mid-2025, Arcadium will continue to explore the viability of underground mining at Mt Cattlin, which could potentially extend the remaining mine life.

RIO TINTO CEO JAKOB STAUSHOLM.

ARCADIUM CHAIR PETER COLEMAN.

“By accepting this proposed transaction from a larger, more diversified player, shareholders can avoid ... potential delays or setbacks in project execution, in exchange for immediate returns,” Arcadium chairman Peter Coleman told shareholders in October.

“Arcadium Lithium has been driven by a shared mission to support

our customers through the global energy transition. By leveraging Rio Tinto’s strong balance sheet, extensive resources, diverse portfolio and expertise, we enhance the likelihood of successfully developing and operating our assets while supporting the clean energy transition.”

Arcadium CEO Paul Graves echoed similar sentiments.

ARCADIUM’S MT CATTLIN HARD-ROCK LITHIUM MINE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

AUSTRALIANMINING 69 FEBRUARY 2025

Looking ahead

The acquisition was unanimously approved by the Rio and Arcadium boards in November 2024, with the deal requiring approval from Arcadium’s shareholders and the Royal Court of Jersey, as well as customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

With the deal expected to be finalised by mid-2025, Rio is positioned to be the next global lithium supplier helping build a low-carbon future. AM

M&A

A NEW ERA FOR QUEENSLAND COAL ANALYSING PEABODY ENERGY’S ACQUISITION OF ANGLO AMERICAN’S STEELMAKING COAL PORTFOLIO AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR AUSTRALIA’S COAL SECTOR. IMAGE: ANGLO AMERICAN

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THE DAWSON SOUTH COAL MINE IN THE BOWEN BASIN, QUEENSLAND.

Peabody president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jim Grech described Anglo’s steelmaking coal portfolio as “world-class” and said it will transform Peabody into a leading coal producer with Tier 1 mines in premier coal mining regions.

“This transformative transaction presents a rare opportunity for Peabody to acquire premier steelmaking coal assets at a compelling valuation as we reweight our portfolio toward seaborne metallurgical coal,” Grech said in November 2024.

“The transaction is strategically aligned, immediately accretive and highly synergistic, positioning us to better serve the best metallurgical coal demand centres in the world.”

The sale of Anglo’s entire steelmaking coal business, which includes the sale of the company’s 33.3 per cent stake in Jellinbah Group to Zashvin for approximately $1.7 billion, is expected to generate $7.5 billion.

“The sale of our steelmaking coal business is another important step towards delivering the strategy that we set out to create a worldclass copper, premium iron ore and crop nutrients business,” Anglo CEO Duncan Wanblad said in November.

“Through focus, asset quality and outstanding growth options, Anglo American will offer a highly differentiated investment proposition supported by strong cash generation and the capabilities and longstanding

IMAGE: BJP7IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

hile Newcastle coal futures reached an all-time high in September 2022 – reaching $US457.80 per tonne – they have been on a steady decline ever since, falling below $US120 per tonne to start 2025.

The commodity’s price has decreased for a variety of reasons, most notably the global shift from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable and low-carbon energy sources.

Of the two coal types, metallurgical coal is a valuable material for steel production and has an important role to play yet.

In developing nations, steel demand is expected to grow by 4.2 per cent in 2025, according to the World Steel Association, driving higher demand for coking coal.

These projections come as Peabody Energy begins the process of acquiring Anglo American’s steelmaking coal portfolio for up to $US3.775 billion ($6.09 billion).

How did this transaction come about and how will it shape Australia’s coal sector if it goes ahead? Australian Mining investigates.

It started when BHP put forward its second takeover offer to acquire Anglo in May 2024.

While the Big Australian didn’t end up making a formal offer to Anglo, the negotiation period saw Anglo reveal its asset breakup plan.

The structural overhaul will see Anglo focus its attention on copper assets in South America and iron ore assets in South Africa and Brazil while divesting assets that don’t fall under these categories. The assets for sale included Anglo’s steelmaking coal mines in Queensland.

While companies such as BHP and Whitehaven Coal were speculated to be potential buyers due to their respective synergies with Anglo’s mines, it was Peabody that came out on top.

Peabody is a coal producer with seven operating assets across Queensland and New South Wales.

Now, Anglo’s various stakes in mines situated in prime Queensland coal territory will join Peabody’s portfolio.

This includes an 88 per cent interest in the Moranbah North joint venture (JV), a 70 per cent interest in the Capcoal JV, an 86.36 per cent interest in the Roper Creek JV, a 51 per cent interest in the Dawson Complex, and a 50 per cent interest in the Moranbah South JV.

PEABODY’S ACQUISITION COMES AS STEEL DEMAND IS PROJECTED TO GROW BY 4.2 PER CENT IN DEVELOPING REGIONS IN 2025.

relationship networks that can deliver our full potential.”

BUMA International will acquire a 51 per cent interest in the Dawson Complex via a binding agreement with Peabody.

BUMA will fund Peabody’s acquisition of the Dawson Complex and Peabody will transfer the stake to BUMA once its transaction with Anglo is completed.

Peabody’s agreement with Anglo is expected to be finalised by the third quarter of 2025.

Once Anglo’s coal mines join Peabody, the portfolio is expected to produce about 11.3 million tonnes of primarily hard coking coal in 2026, cementing Peabody as a leading coal producer equipped to meet increasing steel demand in Asian markets. AM

AUSTRALIANMINING 70 FEBRUARY 2025

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INDUSTRY EVENTS

AS AUSIMM GEARS UP FOR UGOPS 2025, AUSTRALIAN MINING TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT THE INDUSTRY CAN EXPECT FROM THE PREMIER CONFERENCE.

K

atrina Crook is wellversed in all things underground mining.

From roles in mining engineering and governance for some of Australia’s largest miners to serving on AusIMM board committees, Crook has seen it all – which makes her excitement for AusIMM’s 2025 Underground Operators (UgOps) Conference all the more validating.

“Whether you’re in the boardroom as an executive or on the ground as a mining engineer, UgOps 2025 has something for you,” Crook told Australian Mining.

“The conference has been growing in both attendees and calibre year on year, so 2025 will be an exciting event.”

To be held in Adelaide from April 7–9, UgOps 2025 will address the industry’s demand for more intelligent and cost-effective ways of extracting orebodies from deep underground.

IMAGES: AUSIMM

A DEEP DIVE UNDERGROUND KATRINA CROOK HOPES UGOPS 2025 WILL PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR INCLUSIVITY.

Over 1500 mining professionals are expected to be in attendance, eager to connect, network and share knowledge across the two-day event.

“UgOps 2025 will be the perfect opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues and friends in a low-pressure environment,” Crook said.

“Getting to listen to and be a part of the technical presentations and sessions is also exciting. We’ll have engaging panel discussions built into the program as well, enabling greater audience participation.”

The AusIMM team has already lined up three industry greats to present keynote speeches at UgOps 2025. Crook said she is particularly looking forward to hearing their talks.

“Mark Cutifani from TotalEnergies, Bruce Harvey from resolution88, and Laura Tyler from Adriatic Metals are our 2025 keynote speakers,” she said.

“We always seem to attract a really high calibre of keynote speakers, and

A JAM-PACKED PROGRAM IS EXPECTED FOR THE 2025 UNDERGROUND OPERATORS CONFERENCE.

clearly 2025 is no different. These keynotes are going to be a highlight for me, but also for a lot of other attendees as well.”

Crook is hoping UgOps 2025 will also provide a platform for inclusivity in the industry, something she is passionate about.

“In 2022, I was included in the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining from Women in Mining UK,” she said. “Advancing further in my career is a reminder that I’m in a position to champion diversity and inclusion in the wider mining sector.

“In a future underground mining sector, I would like to see more collaboration, more skill-sharing, and a more people-centric approach to mining.

We can’t do those things without a diverse range of people employed in the industry.”

As well as being a promotor of diversity, UgOps 2025 will also explore key themes such as modern mining methods and practices, revolutionising the traditional mine, and mining at greater depths.

Discussions throughout the two days will focus on health and safety, mine ventilation and the global push towards net-zero, both in and out of the exhibition hall.

“We have been growing our exhibition area as part of this conference,” Crook said.

AUSTRALIANMINING 72 FEBRUARY 2025

IN A FUTURE UNDERGROUND MINING SECTOR, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE COLLABORATION, MORE SKILL-SHARING, AND A MORE PEOPLE-CENTRIC APPROACH TO MINING. WE CAN’T DO THOSE THINGS WITHOUT A DIVERSE RANGE OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN THE INDUSTRY.” “What we’re finding is that the exhibition provides a good, lowpressure way for people to investigate other alternative suppliers and learn more about the ways they can work in the industry.

“We’re really proud of the highquality technical content we’re able to maintain with this conference, and that’s due to the support of industry and the engineers and operators being so giving of their time and energy.” AM AusIMM’s 2025 Underground Operators Conference will be held from April 7–9 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

AIMEX BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER IMAGES: PRIME CREATIVE MEDIA

AUSTRALIA’S LONGEST-RUNNING MINING EVENT ARRIVES IN ADELAIDE IN SEPTEMBER.

AIMEX 2025 WILL HAVE A STRONG FOCUS ON WOMEN IN MINING.

AIMEX’S FREE-TO-ATTEND CONFERENCE WILL EXAMINE THE TRENDS SHAPING THE MINING INDUSTRY.

AIMEX 2025 WILL FEATURE THREE KEY FEATURE PAVILIONS.

S

ince its inception in the 1970s, Asia Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) has supported the latest industry trends, innovation and developments by bringing leading local and international mining suppliers and professionals under one roof.

And the event will continue this longlasting legacy in 2025.

Following a strong bid from the South Australian Government and key mining stakeholders, AIMEX will call Adelaide home for the next 10 years.

The move to SA marks a new era for the nation’s resources sector, where future-facing commodities are at the forefront of the state’s exploration efforts.

“South Australia’s recent boom in mineral exploration has uncovered large sources of copper and green iron – both of which are key to a greener future,” Prime Creative Media general manager events Siobhan Rocks told Australian Mining.

“Moving AIMEX to South Australia enables us to maintain the event’s reputation as a key event for the AsiaPacific region.”

Australian Mining looks at how AIMEX 2025 promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

Networking opportunities

At the heart of AIMEX is the opportunity for attendees, speakers and decision-makers to mingle and connect with one another face-to-face.

The night before AIMEX 2025 kicks off, welcome drinks will be held for exhibitors to network and make plans for the event.

A three-day program will follow, comprising an expansive exhibition, a world-class conference, and curated networking opportunities including a breakfast for women in mining and energy on the first day, a networking event on the first night, and the 2025 Australian Mining Prospect Awards on the second night.

Developed in partnership with Australian Mining, AIMEX’s freeto-attend conference will encompass industry insights, case studies and thought leaders speaking about current and future mining developments.

Taking place across three conference stages, the speaker program will showcase the very best of the resources sector and establish SA as a key mining hub.

“Speakers will touch on the decarbonisation and electrification of the mining industry, as well as how transformative technology has impacted the entire mining process, from exploration to production,” Rocks said.

“The exhibition will enable attendees to engage in product demonstrations, stay informed of the current industry trends, and learn different ways of doing business.”

From the atrium networking area to the two networking lounges, AIMEX 2025 will offer countless opportunities for visitors and exhibitors to network in a fun and collaborative environment.

On the ground

AIMEX 2025 will showcase a range of feature pavilions and stages, including areas for mining, energy, transformative technology and research and development.

The Mining Pavilion will invite leading mining companies to celebrate their achievements and promote themselves as an employer of choice.

This in turn gives attendees the chance to connect with miners and understand the equipment, technology and methods they use to reap operational benefits such as increased productivity, reduced costs and emissions.

Celebrating SA’s extensive renewable energy network, AIMEX 2025 will integrate energy for the first time by exploring the undeniable synergy between the mining industry and the energy sector.

“There’s no denying the connection between the mining industry

AUSTRALIANMINING 74 FEBRUARY 2025

and renewable energy,” Rocks said.

“As part of its plan to power green steel and future energy solutions, SA has invested significant money in a range of hydrogen projects. It is this interconnectivity that will be at the forefront of AIMEX 2025.

“And it comes at the perfect time, as the mining and energy industries are keen to invest more in new technologies, initiatives and projects positively contributing to the global energy transition.”

Following popular demand, AIMEX 2025 will see the return of the ‘meet the buyer’ program, directly connecting mining representatives with suppliers to help decision-makers quickly discover the best solutions for their needs.

It will also help suppliers understand the needs of working miners.

“Our ‘meet the buyers’ platform offers people the chance to schedule invaluable meetings to ensure they can get the most out of their time at AIMEX,” Rocks said.

Now under Prime Creative Media’s banner, AIMEX 2025 will showcase the best of the Asia-Pacific mining sector and act as a comprehensive source for the latest insights, products and innovations. AM AIMEX 2025 will take place at the Adelaide Showgrounds from September 23–25.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

PNG’S PREMIER EVENT

T

he Papua New Guinea Industrial and Mining Resources Exhibition and Conference (PNG Expo) is set to return to Port Moresby from July 2–3, highlighting the latest technologies, products and services transforming the Pacific nation.

Featuring industry giants such as Metso, Blackwoods, Sandvik, Lincom, Putzmeister, Mayo Hardware and Weir as exhibitors, the 2025 PNG Expo promises attendees an unparalleled opportunity to engage with cuttingedge advancements.

From mining machinery and safety solutions to industrial hardware and engineering innovations, the exhibition floor will cater to the needs of both the local and international mining sectors.

Like last year, the 2025 PNG Expo will be staged at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby and has been meticulously planned to ensure a safe and seamless experience for delegates and exhibitors alike.

The location enables easy access to all components of the event – from the welcome drinks and main exhibition floor to the conference and gala dinner.

Prime Creative Media marketing manager of mining events Rebecca Todesco said the venue was chosen to maximise networking and engagement opportunities.

“Holding the event at a luxury business location like the Stanley Hotel means our delegates can spend more time building lasting industry connections and less time travelling between locations,” Todesco said.

All elements of the exhibition, including sideline events, have been thoughtfully curated to enhance the experience of attendees and ensure they can focus on meaningful interactions.

“Our delegates can make the most of their time knowing that once they arrive, we will bring the industry to them,” Todesco said.

“Locating everything in the one place not only means more contact between our buyers and suppliers but also means we can prioritise the welfare of our attendees.”

The conference segment will feature leading experts sharing insights on the future of mining in PNG and beyond, with discussions to focus on sustainability, innovation and the practical applications of emerging technologies in mining and industry operations.

Attendees will leave with insights and strategies for enhancing their operations,

BY CONNECTING LOCAL OPERATORS WITH WORLD-CLASS SUPPLIERS AND INNOVATORS, PNG EXPO ENCOURAGES PARTNERSHIPS AND FOSTERS COLLABORATION.

OUR DELEGATES CAN MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR TIME KNOWING THAT ONCE THEY ARRIVE, WE WILL BRING THE INDUSTRY TO THEM.” improving safety and contributing to the region’s economic growth.

With the PNG resources sector positioned as a critical component of the global supply chain, the 2025 PNG Expo aims to support its development.

The exhibition is not only a platform for showcasing products but also a vital space for building industry relationships – especially between Australia and PNG. “We value the close relationship between Australia and PNG, as seen with recent investment in NRL teams from the Federal Government and the recent PNG Core Exhibition held in Australia,” Prime Creative Media general manager of events Siobhan Rocks said.

“We know the importance of our northern neighbours to the Australian mining landscape, and we look forward to bringing Australian and local companies together in July.”

ALL ELEMENTS OF PNG EXPO HAVE BEEN THOUGHTFULLY CURATED TO ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE.

In addition to fostering connections, the event prioritises the safety and comfort of attendees, ensuring that everything is easily accessible within the hotel’s premises.

The 2025 PNG Expo will be a onestop destination for those looking to explore advancements, address challenges, and seize opportunities within PNG’s mining and industrial sectors.

The event doesn’t just provide attendees with countless business

AUSTRALIANMINING 76 FEBRUARY 2025

opportunities, but also a great atmosphere by fostering an all-inclusive, focused experience.

The July event is not to be missed for anyone involved in the mining sector and is an unmissable opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the ongoing evolution of PNG’s resources sector. AM The 2025 PNG Expo will be held from July 2–3 at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby.

IMAGES: PRIME CREATIVE MEDIA

ONE OF MINING’S UNMISSABLE EVENTS IS READYING A JAM-PACKED INSTALMENT IN 2025.

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Each Barracuda bucket is individually engineered by a team with global OEM expertise, to overcome site specific challenges and to ensure the optimal performance of your mining equipment fleet.

With Barracuda’s dedicated after-sales support, our team is with you every step of the way to enhance your load and haul productivity and to help extend the life of your assets.

schlam.com/barracuda

GOLD

POSEIDON NICKEL HAS BEEN COY ABOUT RESTARTING ITS BLACK SWAN NICKEL MINE, BUT RECENT DRILL RESULTS MAY PROVE THE PROJECT TO BE AN IRRESISTIBLE GOLDEN GOOSE.

I

t was a big year in 2024 for Poseidon Nickel’s Black Swan project in Western Australia.

The mine, out of action since 2008, had its care and maintenance program replaced with possible expansions and a new lease on life – but it’s not the first time the mine has gone from hot to cold and back.

Operations first commenced at the Black Swan open pit in 1997 and it operated continuously until 2008. In that time the mine, and its underground sister Silver Swan, produced around 179,000 tonnes of nickel.

The project had a number of owners over the years, including Finnish company Outokumpu until 2002, followed by MPI Mines, Lionore from 2004 and Norilsk Nickel from 2007.

Norilsk acquired the mine through a takeover of Lionore, but a nickel slump soon after saw a number of mines in WA shuttered, including Black Swan.

Poseidon took over the mine’s reins in 2014 but held steady on any firm decision to resume operations until it announced Black Swan would be restarting in 2022.

The company undertook various testing and studies to prepare the mine for production following the announcement, but in mid-2023 a string of hiccups led Poseidon to consider putting its restart plans on hold again.

At the time, then-chief executive officer (CEO) Peter Harold said Poseidon’s plan was to continue expanding Black Swan’s resource estimates with the aim of restarting as soon as feasible.

“While the team has made solid progress advancing the project towards the restart, we have been advised that grid power will not be available at site until late 2024,” Harold said. “In addition, we have determined that further metallurgical test work is required to confirm the recoveries used in the feasibility study for the disseminated open pit ore.

“These project-related factors together with the continuing tightness in the WA labour market, the lack of the availability of Kalgoorlie fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) accommodation, and the increased volatility in global commodity and equity markets have resulted in us deferring the Black Swan restart decision.”

Then, in May 2024, Poseidon began to reconsider its decision to hold off on the project again as nickel prices bounced back.

At the same time, the mine’s resource estimate drastically increased, culminating in the discovery of multiple high-grade nickel targets close to the surface.

Newly minted CEO Brendan Shalders said this was an attractive prospect given Poseidon would not have to make the costly trek underground.

“There would be additional capital expenditure required to undertake these works, however the cost would unlikely be prohibitive to restarting the project,” he said at the time.

Pastures were looking greener for Black Swan – but in August 2024 they started to look golden.

Poseidon announced that exploration activities had stumbled across 52 gold nuggets from interpreted gold-bearing structures at the site.

Gold was being discovered at Poseidon’s other nickel projects as well, including Mt Windarra and Lake Johnston, also in WA. “When considering the historical nickel focus at all of our projects, there has been very little sustained exploration for other commodities despite all three projects being located in the heart of the eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia,” Shalders said.

“The recently reported gold anomalies at Windarra, the increased gold prospectivity at Black Swan and the copper-gold potential at Lake Johnston all offer exciting opportunities to carry out low-cost, high-reward exploration programs while maintaining our nickel resources and infrastructure options.”

In all, Poseidon collected 362 soil samples in August 2024 from a reconnaissance soil sampling program which took place over the entire Black Swan tenement package.

“Given the lack of gold assays and the historical focus on nickel, the gold potential at Black Swan has been somewhat overlooked,” Shalders said.

“High priority infill soil sampling programs are underway to better define drill targets and progress the planning for low-cost shallow drilling programs.”

Those programs continued throughout September 2024, with soil infill testing on several gold trends within the Black Swan package.

The top three targets, the Wilson’s, Wattle and Ellison soil anomalies, have since returned consistent results, the most promising of which is the Wilson’s prospect that doubled in size with testing.

IMAGE: POSEIDON NICKEL

BLACK SWAN FLOCKS TO GOLD THE BLACK SWAN OPERATION.

To accompany Poseidon’s gold efforts at Black Swan, in July 2024, the company announced a new partnership with Encore Minerals to develop the Windarra gold and nickel tailings project in WA. Encore intends to use proprietary glycine leaching technology (GLT), specifically the GlyCat and GlyLeach, to process valuable minerals from Windarra tailings, including gold and nickel.

Encore is to be responsible for the entire lifecycle of the project, including funding, development, operation, closure and eventual rehabilitation.

In addition to this partnership, Poseidon is also in the midst of a merger with Horizon Minerals, expected to close by the end of February 2025.

The deal is set to form a new midcap, 100,000-ounce-per-annum gold producer, and will see Poseidon operate as a subsidiary of Horizon.

The combined entity will have a mineral resource of approximately 1.8 million ounces at an average grade of 1.84 grams per tonne of gold and about 422,700 tonnes of nickel at an average grade of one per cent nickel.

It will also have a combined exploration ground of 1309km2 and two processing facilities in the Goldfields, including Poseidon’s Lake Johnston processing plant and associated infrastructure – a site which has potential to be developed into a lithium processing hub.

“If the merger proceeds, the combined entity intends to continue these exploration programs which would support any potential future processing of gold ores at Black Swan,” Shalders said.

The Black Swan processing infrastructure will combine Horizon’s large gold resource into a powerhouse in the Kalgoorlie-Coolgardie districts of WA. “We believe this proposed merger represents a unique opportunity to unlock the value of our significant gold

AUSTRALIANMINING 78 FEBRUARY 2025

resource in the WA Goldfields and leverage strategically located processing infrastructure,” Horizon managing director Grant Haywood said in October 2024.

“This really is a logical consolidation of complementary assets, delivering a near term and cost-effective processing pathway and creates greater potential for both sets of shareholders to create value from the cashflow generation potential of a long project pipeline and wholly owned processing infrastructure.”

The gold company’s 465,000oz Burbanks and 428,000oz Boorara gold deposits will be the cornerstone assets in a project pipeline aiming to deliver a five-year mine plan to fill the Black Swan processing plant.

“The schemes announced are a pivotal step towards establishing a significant gold business and provides Poseidon shareholders and holders of Poseidon options with an exciting opportunity to become part of an emerging gold producer at a time when the gold price is at all-time highs,” Shalders said.

“There is strong alignment between Poseidon’s strategy and that of Horizon, which is one of the core pillars underpinning this regional consolidation.

Together we have greater capability to deliver on longer term cashflow generation from cornerstone operations fitting for an emerging mid-tier gold producer.”

Nestled firmly in the Goldfields region of WA, it’s not necessarily a surprise that Black Swan is showing potential as a double nickel–gold threat, especially given the support it may come to rely on from Horizon.

And, as nickel continues to navigate a price downturn, it’s become clear that gold is now Poseidon’s new focus, whether it progresses as its own entity or as a subsidiary of Horizon. AM

LEARN MORE

WWW.PNGE XPO.COM

THE STANLEY HOTEL, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea 2-3 JULY 2025

A premier meeting place for industry trade

PRESENTED BY:

PRODUCTS

IMAGE: SIBO

STEEL FLANGED BUSHINGS FOR YOUR EQUIPMENT IMAGE: CRUSADER HOSE

WHERE STRENGTH MEETS SAFETY

Steel flanged bushings, also known as flanged sleeve bearings, are used in the Creating A BanedttAltra Inerduastinrial w rd Rexno rs in a ne ands with egal he joints of excavators, buckets, and hydraulic clamps; and are found in demolition r of R end ned br IPS us merge Rexnord ns. Renow ing end to . obal io stry liver The gl into Regal ain Solut ts de eavy Indu uc tr n machines, grabs, drilling machines, large buckets, and pile drivers. io od er H pr Mot rial Pow g and train in er st in w M Indu class po ions to world train Solut Their primary function is to minimise friction between shafts and bushings, Power ensuring smooth operations.

Sibo offers a range of flanged bushings, including custom designs to meet specific requirements. These bushings can be produced with different types of grooves and in various sizes, tailored to the needs of different applications.

Key features of Sibo’s flanged sleeve bushings range include being capable of handling both radial and axial loads, being suitable for a wide range of machinery in construction, mining, and demolition, and being available in standard and custom designs to fit specific needs.

• crusaderhose.com.au

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FASTER DETECTION AND RESPONSE TO MINING VEHICLE FIRES

AN ECONOMICAL MODULAR EMERGENCY REFUGE CHAMBER

Johnson Controls has launched its new ANSUL CHECKFIRE 210 quad infrared (QIR) detector for mining vehicle fire protection.

When used alongside linear heat detection systems, the CHECKFIRE 210 QIR detector uses infrared technology to help increase the speed of fire detection and response on mobile mining equipment.

To minimise the severity of fire damage and increase peace of mind on the worksite, the ANSUL quad infrared technology detects flames within seconds, even across a wide range of operating conditions like smoke, hydrocarbon flames, dust, fog and varying temperatures.

The ANSUL CHECKFIRE 210 QIR detector also leverages infrared technology to reduce the possibility of false discharges.

The detector features an innovative latching alarm signal that quickly identifies which detectors have been activated, helping save time and effort needed for physical vehicle inspection during and after a fire event.

The CHECKFIRE 210 QIR system includes the new quad infrared detector, interface modules, installation bracketing and a dedicated optical test unit.

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Strata Worldwide has introduced new economical and versatile lightweight emergency refuge chambers for mining companies and tunnelling contractors.

The Strata emergency refuge chamber modular (ERCM) is designed with a series of attachable sections that can be assembled pre-or-post-delivery, helping overcome possible handling and shaft size restrictions.

The ERCM modular design provides expanding options that allow operators to order chambers to their existing requirements and add more capacity later.

The result is a cost-effective unit that can be modified over time to meet any changing needs of the project, site, and size of the workforce.

Each segment can be bolted together either at Strata’s facility or on location to create a secure, air-tight seal that matches the high functionality and quality standards of Strata’s traditional single-unit refuge chambers.

Flexible in size, the ERCM can range from 12-person occupancy up to 36 people by increasing the number of seating segments used.

• strataworldwide.com

• johnsoncontrols.com

AUSTRALIANMINING 80 FEBRUARY 2025

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IMAGE: STRATA WORLDWIDE

IMAGE: JOHNSON CONTROLS

Crusader Hose has revealed its latest innovation: the lightweight fivetonne lifting clamp.

Weighing just 29kg, the clamp has been engineered to provide enhanced safety and ease of use in a variety of lifting applications.

The rounded-edge design minimises wear and tear by preventing sharp contact points that can damage or compromise the integrity of your hose, ensuring a longer lifespan even in demanding conditions.

Building on the trusted features of Crusader’s original lifting clamps, this new model includes swing bolts for quick and easy installation and is designed to grip hoses securely without applying excessive force.

With a five-tonne capacity and testing at 9.5 tonnes, these robust clamps are ideal for heavy-duty applications while offering versatility for various operational needs.

Specifically engineered for use with Crusader’s Flexibore hose, the clamp streamlines installation and handling, making it indispensable for both field and remote site projects.

Its lightweight design enhances operational efficiency and ensures reliable performance while reducing downtime and equipment damage.

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AUSTRALIANMINING 81 FEBRUARY 2025

SUBSCRIBE

EVENTS

CONFERENCES, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS EVENT SUBMISSIONS CAN BE EMAILED TO TOM.PARKER@PRIMECREATIVE.COM.AU

Underground Operators Conference Adelaide | April 7–9 At Underground Operators 2025, the mining industry will address the demand for more intelligent and costeffective ways to extract orebodies and explore new technologies that are making it possible to mine at greater depths.

Discussions will focus on health and safety, mine ventilation, social licencing, technology, automation, and the global journey toward net-zero.

Over 1500 mining engineers, operators, technical service managers and consultants from around the world will be in attendance, with a strong keynote speaker lineup scheduled throughout the two days.

Delegates can expect a unique showcase of new technologies, services and over 100 industry-leading organisations on the exhibition floor.

• ausimm.com/conferences-andevents/underground-operators Mineral Resource Estimation Conference Perth | May 6–7 AusIMM’s Mineral Resources Estimation Conference is expected to bring together over 500 geologists, geostatisticians, software solution providers and other resources professionals from across the globe to challenge the status quo of mineral

resource estimation and share leading best practice examples.

The conference aims to showcase leading best practice, case studies and research on mineral resource estimation and the software applications required, facilitating open exchange of information, boasting interactive sessions, panel discussions and keynote presentations alongside case studies and peerreview papers.

Session topics will showcase the latest advancements and leading examples in 3D geological and estimation domain modelling, geostatistical analysis, estimation, validation, risk analysis, and reporting.

• ausimm.com/conferences-andevents/mineral-resource-estimation Global Resources Innovation Expo Brisbane | May 20–22 The Global Resources Innovation Expo (GRX) is an industry-led conference and exhibition hosted by Austmine in partnership with AusIMM. It represents an exciting evolution from past Austmine conferences, with GRX25 poised to become an annual global event for the international resources industry.

GRX25 connects attendees with global leaders, allowing them to discover cutting-edge solutions and engage in insightful discussions that drive progress.

GRX25 will feature some of the most influential voices in technology, emerging industries, mining and resources.

• grx.au PNG Industrial & Mining Resources Exhibition and Conference Port Moresby, PNG | July 2–3 The 2025 PNG Industrial & Mining Resources Exhibition will showcase over 100 local, national and international manufacturers and suppliers with the latest innovations in the supply of services and equipment for the industrial, mining and oil & gas sectors.

The two-day exhibition is the premier meeting place to connect and network with thousands of industry decisionmakers across a broad industry reach, including senior management, government personnel, engineers, contractors and trade technicians.

With extensive support from key stakeholders in government, associations and industry, PNG Expo is an epicentre for industry trade and a forum for establishing high-quality customer contacts and conducting business.

• pngexpo.com APCOM Conference Perth | August 10–13 The 2025 Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Mining Industry (APCOM) Conference will

AUSTRALIANMINING 82 FEBRUARY 2025

address digitisation across the mining supply chain.

APCOM 2025 will bring together people working in digitally focused roles from across the international mining sector, attracting innovators, mining leaders, planning engineers, mine managers, geoscientists, operators and ESG professionals to Perth in August.

The conference program will include pre-conference workshops, an exhibition, networking opportunities and presentations by leading experts from across the globe.

• ausimm.com/conferences-andevents/apcom-2025 AIMEX Adelaide | September 23–25 In 2025, Australia’s longest-running mining exhibition will make its South Australian debut in Adelaide to bring together the largest community of mining suppliers and professionals all under one roof to drive innovation and collaboration.

As the key event on the mining calendar, Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) is an internationally renowned platform showcasing the latest mining technology, equipment and services, and offering a unique opportunity for leading suppliers and buyers to conduct face-to-face business, learn about the latest trends and network in an interactive forum.

• aimex.com.au

ASIA-PACIFIC’S INTERNATIONAL MINING EXHIBITION IS MOVING! ADELAIDE SHOWGROUNDS SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SEPT 2025

As Australia’s longest running mining show, Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) has a long, established history of showcasing and supporting the latest trends and developments in the industry.

AIMEX is relocating and will call South Australia home for the next 10 years, following market feedback and strong support from the local government and key mining players.

The move marks an exciting new chapter for the event and the region’s resource sector, with the state leading the way in future-focused mining.

AIMEX offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with Australia’s largest community of mining suppliers and professionals in an environment that stimulates innovation and collaboration.

LEARN MORE AIMEX.COM.AU

A SOLUTION AS UNIQUE AS YOUR SITE

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