Australian Mining - May 2018

AUTOMATION MINING SERVICES VOLUME 110/4 | MAY 2018

MATERIALS HANDLING

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AUTOMATION MINING SERVICES VOLUME 110/4 | MAY 2018

MATERIALS HANDLING

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COMMENT

ONE COMPANY’S TRASH IS ANOTHER’S TREASURE BEN CREAGH

Ben.Creagh@primecreative.com.au

QUEENSLAND’S COAL INDUSTRY IS TRANSFORMING FOLLOWING RIO TINTO’S LONG-AWAITED MOVE TO SELL ITS ASSETS IN THE BOWEN BASIN.

I

t may not be accurate to label Rio Tinto’s coal assets in the Bowen Basin trash (as the headline suggests), but the miner’s week-long sale in the region during March had this editor thinking of this twist on a well-known expression.

Rio’s three-pronged, $US4.15 billion sale in the Queensland region was hardly surprising — most pundits viewed the divestment as a matter of when, not if.

The major miner had been open about plans to exit Australia’s coal industry, suggesting on occasion that it believed demand had peaked due to the pressures of a carbon-constrained world.

Rio’s transition had also been in process for a while. This time last year the company was in the midst of offloading its Coal & Allied thermal coal division in the Hunter Valley to Yancoal.

So, while Rio’s departure from the local coal industry could be viewed as a dent in the future prospects of the Australian, and even the Bowen Basin, sector, it shouldn’t be.

The buoyancy of the Bowen Basin buyers is the first reason why the country and region should keep the faith.

For example, EMR Capital, which joined forces with Indonesia’s PT Adaro Energy for the Kestrel mine deal, was delighted to secure another coking coal operation, one of the equity fund’s four core commodities.

EMR’s chief executive Jason Cheng even described the transaction as a “once-in-ageneration” opportunity. The equity fund is building a strong reputation for its ability to strengthen key mining operations, with Golden Grove in Western Australia and Capricorn Copper in Queensland two that come to mind in recent times.

Then there’s Glencore, which agreed to

MANAGING DIRECTOR JOHN MURPHY EDITOR BEN CREAGH Tel: (03) 9690 8766 Email: ben.creagh@primecreative.com.au JOURNALIST EWEN HOSIE Tel: (02) 9439 7227 Email: ewen.hosie@primecreative.com.au CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER NATASHA SHEKAR Tel: (02) 9439 7227 Email: natasha.shekar@primecreative.com.au

buy the Hail Creek coal mine and Valeria coal project off Rio for $US1.7 billion. Despite doomsayers predicting a slow death for coal, Glencore has bolstered its portfolio of coking and thermal coal operations over the past year, reinforcing a commitment to the industry.

Interestingly, Rio’s flurry of sales coincided with a Queensland Government announcement that it had named preferred tenders for exploration rights to more than 13,000 hectares of Bowen Basin land.

The state government has tasked explorers Metroof Minerals and Sojitz Coal to unlock the next coal reserves in the region to ensure the future of the sector.

These developments must also raise hope, at least in the short- to medium-term, for mining equipment, technology and services (METS) companies, which may have also been reconsidering the role of the coal industry in their future.

With new mine owners, as well as a government committed to growth in the sector, there is bound to be fresh opportunities for these industry players too.

As commentator after commentator attempts to spell the end of the coal industry, this promising outlook indicates otherwise for now.

Ben Creagh Editor

SALES MANAGER JONATHAN DUCKETT Tel: (02) 9439 7227 Mob: 0498 091 027 Email: jonathan.duckett@primecreative.com.au ART DIRECTOR Michelle Weston GRAPHIC DESIGNERS James Finlay, Blake Storey, Adam Finlay SUBSCRIPTION RATES Australia (surface mail) $140.00 (incl GST) New Zealand A$148.00 Overseas A$156.00 For subscriptions enquiries please call GORDON WATSON 03 9690 8766

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FRONT COVER

In this edition of Australian Mining, we look at the creation of Epiroc, the mining and construction company that has been spun-out by equipment manufacturer, Atlas Copco.

This issue also reviews Austmine’s Mining Innovation Roadshow in Newcastle with a summary of the event’s key presentations.

In a tech-focused feature, we explain why ABB believes it is critical that mining companies collaborate with industry partners as they digitally transform their operations.

This issue also covers the materials handling sector, with profiles of several of the major players supplying equipment and services to Australian miners.

And as usual, we review the latest mining technology and equipment in our regular coverage of the latest products available in the mining industry.

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CONTENTS

MINING EQUIPMENT DIFFERENT NAME, SAME COMMITMENT Atlas Copco’s mining division becomes Epiroc

PRODUCTIVITY

10-11

28

NATURAL MAGNETISM Eriez increases productivity and safety

MAINTENANCE

INNOVATION ROADSHOW A HIT Austmine’s Newcastle event

12-14

30-31

TECHNOLOGY

A LOAD OFF THE MINDS SEW-EURODRIVE’s service centre in Mackay

MEASUREMENT & MONITORING

32-33

BANKING ON PARTNERSHIPS ABB values mining collaboration

MADE TO MEASURE The latest at Vega and Thermo Fisher

16-17 TRACKING THE TRENDS A NEW KIND OF MINER The next trend in the Deloitte series

ENGINEERING

18-19

34

THE MANY USES OF TIVAR What makes the material enduring?

PROSPECT AWARDS EVIROFLUID CONTINUES GROWTH The latest at the former environmental winner

EVENT

20

35

COPPER TO THE WORLD A preview of the 2018 event

COAL MINING

INDUSTRY COMMENT

36-37

RIO TINTO EXITS COAL The miner’s flurry of Bowen Basin deals

DISCUSSION DELIVERS COLLABORATION A review of Austmine’s innovation event

22-24 ENVIRONMENT DYNO NOBEL’S LATEST SYSTEM Ready for Australian deployment

MATERIALS HANDLING

26

38-51

SPECIAL FEATURE The crucial mining sector in focus

REGULARS

NEWS 8-9

PRODUCTS 52-53 AUSTRALIANMINING

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NEWS

THE LATEST MINING NEWS AND SAFETY AUSTRALIAN MINING PRESENTS THE LATEST NEWS AND SAFETY AFFECTING YOU FROM THE BOARDROOM TO THE MINE AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. VISIT WWW.AUSTRALIANMINING.COM.AU TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING. COAL COMPANIES TARGET NEXT BOWEN BASIN DISCOVERY predominately on metallurgical coal and the development of the next generation of close to surface coking coal deposits in Central Queensland,” Vorias said.

“This exploration authority will also broaden our local footprint which includes our management and operating interests in the new AUSTRALIAN MINING GETS Meteor Downs South mine as well as THE LATEST NEWS EVERY our existing Minerva mine.

DAY, PROVIDING MINING “Importantly, the Sojitz Coal business PROFESSIONALS WITH UP TO THE have specialised in highly productive, MINUTE INFORMATION ON SAFETY, cost competitive thin seam mining NEWS AND TECHNOLOGY FOR operations, which provides an THE AUSTRALIAN MINING AND excellent platform for developing RESOURCES INDUSTRY. coal deposits in the Fort Cooper coal measures.”

Queensland Mines Minister Anthony government exploration tenders.

Lynham said awarding the tenders was another positive result “Potentially, these tenders could from the state’s first be our next generation of coal RIO TINTO TO LAUNCH DRIVERLESS TRUCKS AT FIFTH IRON ORE MINE annual exploration development in an area with a history program, giving the of successful coal development for and have a track record of reskilling, upskilling resources sector its export and electricity generation,” Rio Tinto will expand its autonomous haul and redeploying our people,” Salisbury said. first forward plan for he said. truck operations to the West Angelas mine “Technology will continue to change the way this year, giving it five iron ore sites with the we work, new career pathways will be created driverless vehicles in the Pilbara of Western LITHIUM PRODUCTION STARTS AT BALD HILL and our adaptability and innovation in training Australia. and development will be key to our success.”

The miner plans to deploy 15 trucks fitted Since the trials in 2008, Rio’s autonomous with the Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) Joint venture partners Tawana Resources and Alliance Mineral haul trucks have moved more than one billion technology at West Angelas from this month, Assets have launched lithium production at the Bald Hill mine tonnes of ore and waste material. with testing and commissioning already in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia.

Rio has approved a retrofit program to add under way.

The spodumene concentrate production was achieved in the technology to 48 existing Komatsu and Once the trucks have been deployed, Rio’s March through a newly-constructed dense media separation Caterpillar haul trucks over 2018–2019. autonomous fleet at its Pilbara iron ore (DMS) circuit, which is now being ramped up to its full operations will increase to 100 production rate. vehicles.

Tawana managing director Mark Calderwood said Bald Hill The autonomous fleet at West progressed from maiden lithium resource to production in nine Angelas will include Rio’s first months, including only seven months of construction. retrofitted Komatsu 930E trucks “The focus now is to achieve steady state production from and represents about 25 per cent the stage one DMS circuit and optimise lithium yields,” of the total number of trucks in Calderwood said. operation at the mine, which is “Concurrently, the JV will work on completion of the stage owned by the Robe River Joint two lithium fines circuit design and re-commissioning of the Venture. tantalum circuits.”

Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive The JV delivered first lithium concentrate from Bald Hill in April.

Chris Salisbury described Tawana is also restructuring three of its exploration assets into the deployment as a special a new company so it can increase its focus on Bald Hill. achievement after the company The Cowan lithium project, Yallari lithium project and Mofe first trialled AHS in Australia at the Creek iron ore project will be spunoff to create SpinCo. Tawana West Angelas mine 10 years ago, has not announced plans to list SpinCo on the ASX, however. paving the way for its current fleet.

Calderwood said that focusing on the Bald Hill project — which “Rio Tinto has led the way in has seen less than 5 per cent of its prospective area explored automation and has been on this so far — would drive growth at the company. journey for more than a decade.

“Tawana’s primary focus is to ensure effective ramp-up of A KOMATSU We’ve successfully managed the production and to ensure exploration activities are focused AUTONOMOUS TRUCK. challenges and opportunities that ‘near mine’ to drive growth in mineable reserves and extend automation technology presents associated mine life at Bald Hill,” he said.

Australian explorers Metroof Minerals and Sojitz Coal have been named as the preferred tenders to unlock the next coal reserves in the Bowen Basin in Queensland.

The companies have exploration rights to about 13,100 hectares between Middlemount and Blackwater.

Metroof Minerals has been awarded an exploration authority for 86 square kilometres, 60km south-east of Middlemount, while Sojitz has secured an exploration authority to explore 45 square kilometres, 25km south-east of Middlemount.

Ken Broadfoot, Metroof director, said the tender complemented the group’s existing authorities on the eastern edge of the Bowen Basin.

“This exploration authority continues Metroof’s diversification into the Queensland market,” Broadfoot said.

“Long-term, should this exploration authority prove probable our interest is to convert this into mining activity, similar to our existing operations in other parts of Australia.”

Both companies must negotiate land access agreements and satisfy any existing environmental and Native Title requirements before the exploration authority is granted.

Cameron Vorias, Sojitz managing director, said the exploration authority would further complement the company’s Queensland metallurgical coal interests.

“This gives opportunity for Sojitz Coal to further grow its portfolio focusing

AUSTRALIANMINING

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NEWS

AUSTRALIAN GOLD SECTOR POSTS HIGHEST ANNUAL OUTPUT SINCE 1999 Australian gold output reached its highest mark since 1999 last year, maintaining the country’s place as the world’s second largest producer behind China, data from Surbiton Associates has revealed.

According to the Melbourne-based mining consultants, total Australian gold production was 301t, or almost 9.7 million ounces (Moz) in calendar 2017, a three-tonne increase on 2016.

Output during the December 2017 quarter was six tonnes higher than the previous quarter at 80t.

“At the average gold price for 2017, the 301t was worth almost $16 billion,” Surbiton Associates director Sandra Close said. “Australian gold production is still trending upwards and the next few years look promising.”

Gold prices, in both US and Aussie dollar terms, moved slowly upwards in 2017 despite the usual short-term variation, Surbiton reported. Recent spot prices for gold were around $US1315/oz or $1695/oz.

“The higher output in the December quarter was due to a number of factors including the strong recovery at Newcrest’s Cadia East mine near Orange, New South Wales, which was almost 60,000oz higher,” Dr Close said.

“Other operations with higher output included the Super Pit’s increase of

28,000oz, Peak up 21,000oz and Tropicana up 19,000oz.”

Dr Close said the increase at Peak, near Cobar in NSW, was not surprising after ASX-listed Aurelia Metals acquired the mine from Canada’s New Gold for $US58 million.

Often the vendor maximises production just before an operation changes hands, Dr Close explained.

“Fosterville, the largest gold mine in Victoria, owned by Canada’s Kirkland Lake Gold, also increased production substantially by 18,000oz for the

quarter,” Dr Close said.

“Notably it had the distinction of treating the highest grade of ore for any large mine in Australia – at the outstanding grade per tonne of 21.5 grams, or more than two-thirds of an ounce, of gold.”

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MINING EQUIPMENT

DIFFERENT NAME, SAME COMMITMENT TO MINING EPIROC’S PER LINDBERG AND HELENA HEDBLOM DESCRIBE THE COMPANY’S PLANS IN MINING NOW THAT IT HAS OFFICIALLY SPLIT FROM ATLAS COPCO INTO A STAND-ALONE BUSINESS. BEN CREAGH WRITES.

T

he Sweden-based duo leading Atlas Copco mining and construction spin-off, Epiroc, have promised an agile company that will act quicker to meet global demands and trends.

It has been more than a year since Atlas Copco proposed plans to split the group into two companies — Atlas Copco and Epiroc.

The move, which was approved by shareholders at Atlas Copco’s annual general meeting (AGM) in April, has been taking shape at the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM’s)

mining and construction branches around the world.

In Perth, for example, Epiroc’s new branding took over from the Atlas Copco signage that previously sat at the peak of its premises by March. Its machines already in the field will not be rebranded, but all equipment leaving the factories will take on the Epiroc name from May. A split may have taken place at Atlas Copco, but Epiroc president and chief executive officer Per Lindberg said the new company’s leadership had been determined to ensure the industry that it would maintain the same ambition and AUSTRALIANMINING

direction to supply high-quality, tech-advanced equipment.

He believes the split is set to provide significant benefits for global mining clients in a variety of industry disciplines, while also allowing the company to strengthen the service and technology expertise that developed under the Atlas Copco name.

“The intention of Epiroc is to speed up our activities to be quicker and more agile for our clients,” Lindberg told Australian Mining during a visit to Australia. “If you look at the background, Atlas Copco has been successful in five business

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areas so the attention, focus and management of this area by the board has perhaps not been the top priority.

“Now we are going to be focused solely on the mining and construction business. I think that is going to be beneficial for everyone, especially the customers.”

With global market conditions gradually recovering over the past 18 months, Epiroc has been established at an opportune time.

The mining cycle is heading up, giving Epiroc the platform to push forward with its growth strategy to meet mining’s modern-day,

MINING EQUIPMENT

EPIROC’S MOBILE MINER.

NOW WE ARE GOING TO BE FOCUSED SOLELY ON THE MINING AND CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS. I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE CUSTOMERS.”

EPIROC’S BOOMER M2C BATTERY DRILL.

increasingly tech-focused, needs.

In Australia, the demand is firmly centred on digital technology and automation — two areas that remain priorities for Epiroc regardless of where mining is in its cycle.

“The focus in Australia continues to be on automation. The big mining houses are here and all of them are looking for productivity improvements and solutions through automation,” Lindberg said.

“The industry is looking for new solutions and not the least when it comes to automation and the digital space. This is what we have to provide — we do it already but we also have to continue to develop more so in that area.”

As Atlas Copco, the mining business has achieved a benchmark for an automation project working with BHP to deploy an autonomous fleet of drills at five iron ore mines in the Pilbara.

The fleet, which is managed at BHP’s remote operations centre in Perth, has provided notable productivity and utilisation gains for the miner, while also offering the usual safety benefits by removing operators from a high-risk environment.

Epiroc hopes to add to the achievement in the Pilbara by securing more automation-focused projects at Australian mine sites.

“It’s obvious that we have a diverse set of clients — some of them being very large mining houses and others being operators of smaller mines,” Lindberg said.

“Some of them are underground AUSTRALIANMINING

miners and others are surface miners.

It’s important that we understand how we work with automation in these different contexts. Everyone wants automation but the solutions for each of them will be very different.”

Epiroc expects the emerging demand for automation to come from not only the majors, but also Australia’s bevy of mid-tier miners, and possibly even junior companies.

The company’s constant development focus to meet this broader demand is to expand its range, while complementing new equipment releases with advanced technology and data management systems.

It is also prepared to, and has already made, acquisitions or formed collaborations with industry peers to add the capabilities and expertise needed to achieve this goal.

For example, Atlas Copco established a collaboration with Saab AB, and its subsidiary Combitech AB, to provide mining companies with solutions for advanced and secure digitalised operations last October.

Collaborations such as this are in line with Epiroc’s vision of the digital mine of the future, according to Helena Hedblom, Epiroc senior executive vice president mining and infrastructure.

Hedblom told Australian Mining that Epiroc’s short-term expansion strategy would focus on developing autonomous solutions for its smaller drills and underground load and haul vehicles

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“It is of course a huge opportunity to bring the same automation technology into the underground environment,” Hedblom said, “but then the challenge underground is to have a quality network set up to support the autonomous equipment.

“So we are bringing capabilities in from different industries and partnering with companies, which have been at the forefront in those industries to bring the technology to mining and speed up the transformation.

“We believe in that collaboration.

We don’t need to reinvent everything for mining because we can partner up and bring technology from other industries to mining.”

Another area that Epiroc will increasingly develop in the coming years will be its range of electric and battery-powered vehicles, according to Hedblom.

Despite automation being the focal point of Epiroc’s Australian strategy, the company plans to offer additional electric or batterypowered models each year to support growing demand in that area.

Hedblom said it was Epiroc’s intention to introduce more underground battery models in particular.

“It will take time before we have transformed the entire offering but we see that as a priority,” Hedblom said.

“The technology is already there and we have started with the smaller equipment, but now we are stepping up in the larger equipment as well.

We are confident that this transition will come and we will be at the forefront driving that change.”

Epiroc is represented by local branches across Australia, and it continues to supply equipment and services to mine sites around the country following the split from Atlas Copco. AM

INNOVATION

AUSTMINE MINING INNOVATION ROADSHOW IS A HIT FOR NEWCASTLE AUSTMINE’S MINING INNOVATION ROADSHOW VISITED NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES, AND FEATURED A HOST OF ESTABLISHED SPEAKERS FROM LEADING MINERS AND TECH COMPANIES. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

N

ewcastle’s recently rebranded Rydges Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza) played host to a well-attended event in March organised by mining equipment, technology and services (METS) industry body Austmine.

Featuring a diverse array of renowned industry speakers and opportunities for group discussion, the Austmine Mining Innovation Roadshow, as its name suggests, dedicated itself to the discussion of innovation in the mining and resources sector, not just from a technological perspective, but also with regards to the workforce and greater industry mentality at large.

Christine Gibbs Stewart, Austmine

chief executive officer, delivered an opening address to discuss the aims of Austmine as a group and the event overall.

“Innovation is in our heart and collaboration a part of our DNA,” Stewart said.

“As we know, innovation comes in several shapes and sizes, and we are going to hear several perspectives today, from a bigpicture, countrywide, macro view, to implementing practical innovation and how specific applications can make a difference is such areas as decision-making, culture, safety and the environment.”

The first speaker of the day was Febriany Eddy, director and chief financial officer of nickel matte producer Vale Indonesia, which

AUSTRALIANMINING

exports 100 per cent of its product to Japan.

Eddy, who spoke about the challenges and opportunities faced by the company in light of waning prices and a tightly wound Indonesian market, commented on the strict mining regulations in the South-East Asian country.

She said that “regulation is open to interpretation and sometimes interpretations are abused,” while adding that although 2017 had been a tough year for the company, it had managed to operate above its margin.

Eddy admitted that due to Vale’s recent financial performance it hadn’t been able to expend too many resources on innovation, but she did talk at length regarding the company’s plans for conversion

12

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from oil to coal power (currently one of a planned five kilns has been converted), the opportunities nickel presented for the booming battery industry and its use of CoreDataQ for the management and tracking of mobile equipment.

The next speaker was Schenck Process engineering manager Matthew Cutbush, who talked about the study of data from the analysis of vibrating equipment, and how the company’s sensors could help to mitigate downtime by predicting where and how vibration could cause equipment failures.

His talk is covered in greater detail in this issue as part of Australian Mining’s feature on materials handling.

Following Cutbush was a familiar

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INNOVATION

A GROUP CONFERENCE.

face to Austmine, Glencore Copper asset manager Karl Roes, who had previously spoken at Austmine’s 2017 Mining Innovation Conference and Exhibition in Perth.

Taking to the stage with confidence, this time he discussed his myriad experiences implementing practical, holistic innovation solutions at mining operations, with a focus on one operator in particular.

He utilised the example of Queensland-based Glencore subsidiary Ernest Henry Mining as an example of an operator that had implemented what he referred to as a “symphony of efficiency” through its use of geotechnical flow modelling and in-house project management database (PMD).

First implemented at the mine in mid-2013, PMD led to a considerable increase in draw compliance percentages for the copper-gold producer.

Next came a scheduled group discussion that saw attendees (including the speakers) split into six groups to discuss various topics surrounding innovation, including workforce diversity; innovation for a purpose; the role of IP in innovation collaborations; borrowing from other industries to create mining innovation; cyber security; and creating innovative business models and partnerships.

Following lunch, the next two talks were led by Bengalla Mining Company CEO Cam Halfpenny and METS Ignited general manager, industry engagement, Peter Clarke, who both delivered speeches on the theme of innovation in the supply chain.

Halfpenny spoke at length about

CAM HALFPENNY OF BENGALLA MINING COMPANY.

Bengalla’s operations in the Upper Hunter, stressing the importance of good team dynamics.

“What we’re trying to do is build a positive relationship where we reward good performance,” he said. “[We] engage strongly, manage it effectively, and through that we all benefit.”

Clarke discussed objectives set by the federal government, including the “commercialisation of innovation”, development of METS sector capability and export growth. He discussed the METS accelerator program, Igniting METS, a collaboration between METS Ignited and the Queensland Government in 2017 that is now set to go nationwide in 2018.

“We’ve run the world’s first accelerator focused purely on startups for the METS sector, and that was done with support of the Queensland Government, who have been very supportive of METS Ignited,” explained Clarke.

“Eight companies went through that accelerator last year and we will be running it again in a national form this year. At the end, one of those eight companies had received venture capital funding to move forward, and another of the eight had made about $6–8 million in sales to the Middle East, so we’ve seen some significant results.”

Shaun Booth, Glencore group manager resource development, followed with an impassioned history lesson on innovation in mining, expressing beliefs on topics as varied as the fallacies of continuous mining, the size race of draglines, the economy of scale and the link between mining’s needs and technological innovation.

AUSTRALIANMINING

“Things aren’t getting easier — everything’s becoming harder — and the only thing that makes you able to survive such conditions are new technologies,” he explained.

“It’s also about survival; you need to bring in innovation and new technologies when times are good because times don’t stay good forever; cycles are quite dramatic and don’t last for very long.”

He explained that while the average strip ratio of open cut mining was formerly about 3.5:1 compared to 5.5:1 today, production rates had become much higher; using draglines as an example, the average size of a dragline bucket in 1904 was three cubic metres compared to the 122-cubic-metre average of today. Booth also compared the doubling of productivity and economies of scale in mining every 10–12 years to Moore’s law, a similar

FEBRIANY EDDY OF VALE INDONESIA.

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equation applied to computing power.

Rounding out the event were Paul Moynagh, co-founder and CEO of mining software company CommitWorks, who spoke about creating trust, commitment and sustainable operational and safety results; and Ritesh Mishra, optimisation manager at Zambian operations of Canadian company First Quantum Minerals, who discussed how to use technology to meet safety and environmental targets.

Overall, the Austmine Mining Innovation Roadshow represented a measurable success, bringing together a number of high-profile speakers in an established mining city — Newcastle is home to the world’s largest coal export port — and letting them interact with each other in order to reach viable solutions for the industry’s future. AM

The DigiShot Plus.4G electronic initiation system is taking the future of mining to the next level.

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AUTOMATION

ABB BANKS ON TECH PARTNERSHIPS TO BENEFIT MINING COLLABORATION IS PROVING CRUCIAL AS MORE MINING COMPANIES COMMIT TO DEVELOPING DIGITAL MINING OPERATIONS. ABB HAS HELPED DELIVER PROJECTS THAT SHOW WHY. BEN CREAGH EXPLAINS.

T

echnology company ABB is a leading advocate of the value that forming partnerships can create when developing and optimising digital mining

operations.

Mining has historically been a slow mover when it comes to collaborating with industry partners. However, ABB group mining vice president Max Luedtke thinks this mentality is gradually changing.

Luedtke has observed mining companies collaborating with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), technology companies, mining services groups and suppliers to develop operations into digital mines more than ever over the past 18 months.

For ABB, no project has set a stronger benchmark in this regard than its partnership with Boliden AB at the Garpenberg lead-silver-zinc

mine in central Sweden.

ABB helped Boliden transform an ageing mine, which first produced in the 13th century, into a standout example of a 21st century digital operation.

Sweden-based Luedtke believes many global miners are investigating what their mine of the future looks like, but they continue to be challenged by how they should update their internal processes to support this.

“In the past mining has been very isolated, it has had many different islands, so one thing we are seeing is companies starting to look at the total solution. Mining needs connectivity on all levels,” Luedtke told Australian Mining at the ABB Customer World event in Melbourne.

“We developed a mining library (of our solutions), which is actually more like building blocks, so that when companies are building plants,

or even upscaling them from smaller plants, they are able to add this kind of functionality. They don’t have to make every decision at the start.

“Normally mines start small and then have to grow, but when they are already using our enabled technology they can grow with the technology so they don’t go into decisions they are locked into. That is one thing that we are pushing a lot, this library.”

Luedtke said it was important for mining companies to adapt their internal processes to support a transformation like this.

ABB, as a company itself, has also been through this challenging culture transformation to adjust to a changing market environment, he added.

“Mining is normally a conservative industry,” he said. “A lot of the mines have to rethink how they are operating and how they are changing their internal processes. That is one area

THE ABB EVENT IN MELBOURNE.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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MAY 2018

where we are challenging them more and more.

“We normally take customers to Sweden to different mines and set up this connection so they can see there is a different way to do it. In many areas the technology is there, it is just about being open to use it.”

At Garpenberg, ABB worked with Boliden to ensure the operation would remain profitable in the 21st century by transforming it into an advanced mine.

In 2011, Boliden decided to invest $US580 million ($757 million) to expand Garpenberg, with the aim of strengthening the company’s growth plans in the following years by reducing long-term operational costs.

As part of the expansion, Boliden engaged ABB to deploy the Industrial Internet of Things concept to deliver productivity improvements in an underground environment.

The project, which was completed in

AUTOMATION

mid-2014, has turned Garpenberg into one of the world’s most integrated and advanced mines.

Garpenberg’s milled ore tonnage rose by around 60 per cent to 2.22 million tonnes. Costs per tonne also fell significantly, with less energy consumption, water use and noise for local residents.

ABB’s System 800xA control solution is considered the “brain” behind Garpenberg’s automated environment. It is operated at more than 30 different workplaces, all linked to tablet-equipped workers via a wired and wireless communication network installed in the mill and part of the mine.

It has been almost four years since the Boliden project was completed and the industry has continued to evolve significantly from a technology perspective since.

ABB South-East Asia regional manager Max Tschurtschenthaler believes the mining industry has now discovered the difference that can be achieved through the partnership approach.

“Something we have realised over the last 24 months or so is that at the mining companies, the innovation teams have become the stronger voice internally in the companies.

This enables this kind of partnership approach,” Tschurtschenthaler said.

From the perspective of ABB mining

solution account executive Richard Marsh, the commodities downturn earlier this decade provided time for companies to contemplate, and then make decisions, on how to launch their digital projects.

“What we saw was a real production mentality when all of the commodity prices were high. Then when the market went into a slump they didn’t want to spend anything, but there was a lot more listening,” Marsh explained.

“They are turning around now to say they are no longer in the production mindset, but instead they are in the efficiency and effectiveness mindset — that’s what we are seeing now.”

Marsh said the emerging mindset had mostly been led by automation projects to this point as companies targeted lower human-related costs.

“They are trying to reduce the human cost, and after they achieve that the next cost to lower is usually power or energy,” Marsh said.

“I think that is where we are trying to lead them, so we will see where the next compression is for where they can make money. This is not just about getting rid of people, it is also about optimisation.”

ABB’s mining group focuses on several disciplines, producing a range of products and solutions for open pit, underground, minerals processing, crushing and grinding activities.

Despite its broad expertise, ABB has focused on developing a culture where each mining area consistently works together, instead of in a siloed way — something it also urges mining companies to do when developing

THE GARPENBERG MINE CONTROL ROOM.

digital operations.

ABB global product manager – underground mining and hoisting, Oswald Deuchar, said the mining team had seamlessly integrated because the same platforms and libraries were being used across the group.

“We are using the same digital platforms when we are working together on projects,” Deuchar said.

In the underground space, Deuchar said ABB was commonly focused on how energy consumption at mine sites could be reduced, for example, through the Ventilation on Demand solution.

“It is all focused on using modern scheduling systems to improve the availability of machines,” Deuchar said.

“The underground mining environment has become very mechanised but it is also very inefficient.

“By having proper scheduling systems we will be able to schedule maintenance and how we use both people and the equipment.”

Deuchar said ABB would continue to focus on developing solutions that remove people from dangerous environments, with new automation projects and the introduction of more robotics planned.

With these developments expected to sweep through mining in the coming years, ABB has already demonstrated how industry partnerships can deliver an effective result. AM

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TRACKING THE TRENDS

A NEW KIND OF MINER EMERGES WORKFORCES IN MINING HAVE EVOLVED SIGNIFICANTLY TO REFLECT THE INDUSTRY’S DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION. DELOITTE’S IAN SANDERS UPDATES AUSTRALIAN MINING ON PROGRESS IN THIS AREA.

T

he mining workplace is rapidly transforming as companies re-envision talent management in the digital age, according to Deloitte’s 2018 Tracking the Trends report.

As the digital mine becomes a reality, the nature of work is poised to change dramatically, at both the mine and in the back office, Deloitte’s third trend, The future of work, explains.

In Australia, this process is well advanced for the leading miners and is set to become increasingly apparent for mid-tier and junior miners in the coming years.

The Pilbara iron ore miners, for example, have long-established remote operations centres in Perth controlling haul trucks, surface drills and other equipment from thousands of kilometres away.

Deloitte Australia national mining leader Ian Sanders said the location of work had become increasingly important, and something that had been facilitated by the development of these operations centres.

“That’s a change from where we worked and the way we worked. It’s obviously because we have become much more digital,” Sanders told Australian Mining. “(The transformation) is designed so the worker of the future is more based on an insights driven organisation, rather than one that reacts to things as and when they occur on a mine site.”

For the major miners, remote operating centres have helped them reduce costs, increase productivity and improve safety at their operations.

However, Sanders pointed out another workforce demand that emerged due to the data and information being created by remote operations centres.

“Do we have the skills within our workforce to actually leverage those insights rather than be reactive to events and occurrences?” Sanders questioned.

He said this meant plenty of re-thinking for human resources divisions at mining companies, as well as for the training, education and recruitment agencies that supported the industry.

Companies need to realise that they will not be able to recreate

MINING WORKFORCES ARE RAPIDLY CHANGING DUE TO TECHNOLOGY.

previous career paths as mining heads into the future, Sanders explained, adding that job descriptions and the skills required in the industry had changed.

“First of all, they need a different type of person with a different mindset to what we have today,” Sanders said.

“Having a technological background, understanding data, how to read data and how to act on data is important within the business.

“STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects have become much more important for training and education organisations. There is a lot of discussion about that, which is good, but there needs to be more.”

Sanders also believes that mining companies are focusing on sourcing candidates that are ready-made to contribute in these areas.

AUSTRALIANMINING

“The type of experience that students are getting at university while they are learning is becoming even more important than what it was,” Sanders said.

“This is so they hit the ground running and actually engage in a conversation that is going to change the mindset or change the operation as soon as they arrive.”

Manufacturing is often an industry that mining is urged to learn from when it comes to adapting to changes that automation and technology have forced on workforces.

It has been several decades since manufacturing embarked on this movement, and one that has gradually taken hold of the industry in the time since.

Sanders agrees that mining can view manufacturing as the industry standard from which it can learn from. However, he also believes that

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MAY 2018

the transition in mining is on track to be much more rapid given where the industry is already at.

“I can remember 25 years ago walking through a manufacturing plant and it was all about the people and how they connected with one another,” Sanders said.

“The last time I went through a manufacturing plant I struggled to find any people with the exception of them in the remote operating centre, or where there was something that a robot wasn’t able to fix.

“That was a transition of 20-odd years, but I think mining is going to want to do that transition within five years, if not sooner, and they will be able to leverage the learning from the likes of manufacturers and other major industries.”

The result of this transition, Sanders added, did not always mean the loss of jobs, but instead a changing type of

COPYRIGHT © 2017 RIO TINTO.

TRACKING THE TRENDS

A DIGITAL SETUP AT RIO’S YARWUN OPERATION.

employment, with new opportunities expected to be created as the workplace transformation continues.

As Deloitte explains, this is all part of the emergence of “a new kind of miner.”

Deloitte’s leading strategies for ‘The future of work’ include: • Retrain and upskill: Gaps in employee digital knowledge are undermining technology transformation efforts, according

to Deloitte. It is imperative for mining companies to compare their current talent pipeline against skillsets they anticipate needing and hiring and retraining to the identified gaps.

• Adopt new attraction and retention strategies. For digital talent, miners should place greater emphasis on nurturing and developing their people, creating interesting and purposeful work, and building an environment with career flexibility and tools that enable employees to collaborate and exchange ideas transparently.

• Source and integrate talent across networks. There is a growing need for miners to partner with organisations that have deep technology expertise. Companies will need to design and evolve their partnership networks to access the best talent for specific work and cultivate talent sources, according to Deloitte.

• Redesign work for technology and learning. Companies must move beyond process optimisation to find ways to enhance machinehuman collaboration. This includes identifying areas where digital technology can augment worker performance as employees shift to more productive work.

• Create a new social contract with communities and governments.

To prevent potential backlash, Deloitte believes it is important for mining companies to work with key stakeholders to develop a shared vision for the future of work. AM

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PROSPECT AWARDS

A CLEAN SLATE ENVIROFLUID BEAT HEAVY COMPETITION WHEN IT SECURED THE AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARD IN 2014 FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. EWEN HOSIE SPEAKS TO ACCOUNT MANAGER MICHAEL OHLMEYER FOR AN UPDATE ON THE COMPANY’S PROGRESS SINCE.

F

or over 15 years, Envirofluid has been dedicated to the removal and replacement of toxic and hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

The company was recognised for its commitment when it received an Australian Mining Prospect Award in 2014 for Excellence in Environmental Management for its work in developing a more sustainable solution for management of Fortescue Metal Group’s (FMG) byproduct wastewater, produced during the chemical cleaning of its Pilbara ore haul trains.

For FMG, a heady mix of chemical degreasers, thick dust and hydrocarbon contaminants were causing an adverse effect on wastewater quality that led to environmental waste and massive clean-up costs.

Envirofluid’s solution was its biodegradable degreaser Triple7 Heavy Duty, which had the ability to lift oil, grease and dirt from the trains’ surfaces without forming permanent emulsions, resulting in wastewater with no toxic content.

This also allowed for water to be reused by FMG, saving on the usually high costs associated with water procurement.

“As I understood from how it went, initially they approached us,” explained Michael Ohlmeyer of Envirofluid. “We ended up saving them $300,000 a year just in discharge costs alone, as well as overcoming workplace hazards by replacing dangerous chemicals; through use of our Triple7 Heavy Duty — which is 100 per cent biodegradable and 100 per cent plant based — FMG reduced the hydrocarbon discharge offsite as well, improving the treatment separator.

“There’s nothing else that we know like it on the market,” Ohlmeyer said.

As a company, Envirofluid abides by the mantra of “Safer, cleaner and greener working environments” through the implementation of chemical substitutions in a variety of industries, not just within the mining and resources sector, but in fields as diverse as agriculture, government and defence, property and transport as well.

Recently, the company has embarked on projects as diverse as aiding the Department of Defence with the removal of aquatic growth from the underside of defence landing

craft by using Triple7 Enviroscale Plus, and the use of spill control solutions for discharges into harbours and Australian waters.

The latter project resulted in the first such product to be listed by the Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA) for its properties of non-toxic spill containment.

“That’s Triple7 BioConcentrate, a marine cleaner agent and herder for oils and hydrocarbons — it’s still got the single properties when used onshore as well,” explained Ohlmeyer.

“We do a lot of descaling in waterlines and pipelines as well — anything involving safer maintenance chemicals onsite.”

Following receipt of its award, which Ohlmeyer called a “rewarding experience”, the company has continued to grow, expanding its various product offering and moving towards a consultation role with companies seeking various ways to make operations safer and more sustainable.

Ohlmeyer identified three specific trending questions among environmentally-conscious buyers in the mining sector and beyond, particularly when it comes to cleaning and washdown; these are the overall quality of the products (“Are they up to scratch?”); whether or not products meet market compliance; and concerns surrounding “greenwashing”, the deceitful mislabelling of potentially toxic products as being more environmentally safer than they actually are.

“With Envirofluid we’ve found ourselves doing a lot of chemical substitution, taking on a consultancy role,” said Ohlmeyer. “Where a client has a chemical register, we offer a service of looking at reducing stock, eliminating risk and substituting applications for safer alternatives.

“We can look at products in use currently — where they are now, what else is on the market — and perform a very open analysis of what is available, anywhere from solvents, brake cleaners, wash down, parts cleaning; we cover the whole maintenance spectrum in the mining sector.

“We’ve had very positive feedback on being able to uncover the traditional hazardous chemicals that have been there, improving worker health and safety and reducing risk.” AM AUSTRALIANMINING

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COAL MINING

RIO TINTO OFFLOADS BOWEN BASIN COAL ASSETS AUSTRALIAN MINING OUTLINES RIO TINTO’S PLANS TO SELL SEVERAL OF ITS COAL OPERATIONS IN THE BOWEN BASIN TO A VARIETY OF BUYERS.

T

he Bowen Basin coal industry in Queensland is set for a makeover after Rio Tinto revealed its long-awaited deals to exit the sector in March.

A trio of deals were announced by Rio over a one-week span, with the first seeing the miner agree to sell its interests in the Hail Creek coal mine and Valeria coal project to Glencore for $US1.7 billion ($2.2 billion).

A couple of days later Rio unveiled plans to sell its majority share in the Winchester South project to Whitehaven Coal for $US200 million.

And finally, with the largest deal of the lot, a consortium of EMR Capital and Indonesia’s PT Adaro Energy was revealed as the proposed buyer of Rio’s 80 per cent stake in the Kestrel underground mine for $US2.25 billion.

Here, Australian Mining takes a closer look at each deal:

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MANY PEOPLE AT RIO TINTO AND THE COMMUNITIES WHERE WE OPERATE, WHOSE HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE COAL BUSINESS OVER MANY YEARS.”

Glencore grabs a couple

Whitehaven secures Winchester

COPYRIGHT © 2017 RIO TINTO.

Glencore’s acquisition from Rio includes an 82 per cent share in Hail Creek and a 71.2 per cent interest in Valeria. The Hail Creek Complex is in the northern Bowen Basin, 120km south-west of Mackay. It includes the Hail Creek, Lake Elphinstone and Mount Robert tenements.

Hail Creek is a large-scale open cut mining operation that first produced in 2003. In 2017, Hail Creek produced 9.4 million tonnes (Mt) of coal, comprising 5.25Mt of hard coking coal and 4.13Mt of thermal coal.

Rio Tinto chief executive JeanSébastien Jacques commented: “We expect that Hail Creek will continue to perform strongly under its new owner, securing long-term jobs and continuing its contribution to the state of Queensland.”

Valeria, meanwhile, is a large undeveloped coal project about 40km north-west of Emerald. It contains 762Mt of coal mineral resources, and is expected to produce high-energy, low-ash thermal and coking coal once developed.

Rio expects to complete the sale to Glencore by the second half of 2018, once the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), the Queensland Government and others

have approved the deal.

The remaining 18 per cent of the Hail Creek mine is owned by Nippon Steel, (8 per cent), Marubeni Coal (6.67 per cent) and Sumisho Coal Development (3.33 per cent).

Each JV partner has the right to sell its share to Glencore through a “tag-along” right, which could result in additional payment of up to $US340 million.

If approved, it would be the second major coal acquisition in Australia in as many years for Glencore. Last year, Glencore secured a 49 per cent stake in the Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) coal mine in New South Wales in an arrangement that coincided with Yancoal’s acquisition of Rio’s Coal & Allied division.

Under the agreement, Glencore acquired 16.6 per cent of HVO from Yancoal, with both companies working together to purchase Mitsubishi’s 32.4 per cent interest in the operation to reach the 49 per cent stake.

RIO CEO JEAN-SÉBASTIEN JACQUES.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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Whitehaven Coal agreed to acquire Rio Tinto’s 75 per cent interest in the Winchester South project to give the major miner its second significant Bowen Basin deal.

Winchester South is a large, undeveloped coal project about 30km from Moranbah. The Winchester South tenement contains 356Mt of coal resources and is expected to produce both coking and thermal coal products once developed.

According to Whitehaven, a developed Winchester South will potentially have a mine life of 20–30 years with annual production of between 7.5–15Mt/y.

Jacques commented: “We believe this agreement for the sale of Winchester South represents the best option for the future development of the project while delivering attractive value for Rio Tinto as we continue to streamline our portfolio.”

The agreement involves Whitehaven paying Rio $US150 million on the completion date of the deal and then making another $US50 million payment 12 months later.

For Whitehaven, the acquisition would provide it with a development

COAL MINING

THERE WILL BE NEW OWNERS OF COAL OPERATIONS IN QUEENSLAND FOLLOWING RIO’S DIVESTMENT.

coal. Rio reported last December that Kestrel had reserves of 146Mt and resources of 241Mt. EMR is chaired by Owen Hegarty, who spent 25 years with Rio Tinto and was managing director of Oxiana.

Jason Cheng, EMR chief executive officer, said acquiring Kestrel represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

“Coking coal is one of our four core commodities and it offers excellent

COPYRIGHT © 2017 RIO TINTO.

asset close to infrastructure, including one of the main rail lines in the Goonyella System and a nearby electricity power grid.

Whitehaven managing director and CEO Paul Flynn described the project as a significant strategic acquisition that offered an opportunity to develop and operate a high-quality, large-scale coking coal mine in one of the world’s premier coking coal basins.

“Winchester South will form a key part of the company’s longer-term growth plan and complements our Vickery project in the Gunnedah Basin as another high-quality asset which will help Whitehaven respond to the strong and growing demand for premium coking coal that exists in Asian markets,” Flynn said.

The remaining 25 per cent of Winchester South is owned by the Spectre Group. The deal is subject to the usual regulatory approvals and conditions, but is expected to be complete by the second half of 2018.

Consortium capitalises

If the Kestrel acquisition is approved, Melbourne-based equity fund EMR and Indonesia’s Adaro will jointly manage and operate the underground mine after taking ownership from Rio. The Kestrel operation, about 40km from Emerald, produced 5.1Mt of coal in 2017, comprising 4.25Mt of hard coking coal and 0.84Mt of thermal

MACHINERY AT HAIL CREEK.

AUSTRALIANMINING

demand and supply fundamentals for decades into the future,” Cheng said.

EMR also owns a share in the West Cumbria Mining coking coal operation in the United Kingdom.

In Australia, EMR operates the Golden Grove mine in Western Australia and has guided the re-launch of the former Mount Morgan mine in Queensland under Capricorn Copper.

Adaro, one of Indonesia largest coal miners, produces more than 50Mt a year and supplies thermal coal to the global seaborne market.

Garibaldi Thohir, Adaro chief executive office, commented: “The acquisition of the Kestrel mine is a significant milestone in Adaro’s strategic expansion of its portfolio of metallurgical coal as well as one of its largest investments outside of Indonesia.”

Jacques said the sale of the coal assets would leave the company’s portfolio stronger and more focused on delivering the highest returns through targeted allocation of capital.

“I would like to thank the many people at Rio Tinto and the communities where we operate, whose hard work and commitment has contributed to the success of the coal business over many years. I wish them continued success under new ownership,” Jacques said. AM

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ENVIRONMENT

DYNO NOBEL SYSTEM BLASTS OFF FOLLOWING SEVERAL YEARS’ R&D ACROSS THE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY GROUPS, DYNO NOBEL’S DIFFERENTIAL ENERGY SYSTEM IS ABOUT TO BE RELEASED INTO THE AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES SECTOR. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

A

n unrivalled bulk explosives technology is about to be launched into Australia by Dyno Nobel.

Differential Energy, from global explosives leader Dyno Nobel, is unmatched by any product currently in use in the country or indeed globally.

Incitec Pivot chief technology development officer Rob Rounsley said Differential Energy, a patented technique of automated and tailored loading for each blast hole, will be launched in Australia within the next couple of months.

Differential Energy reduces the waste and adverse environmental impacts caused by traditional, imprecise application of bulk explosives.

“Following a highly successful launch and uptake in North America, we are excited to now be ready to launch in Australia,” Rounsley said.

Brett Macaulay, Dyno Nobel product manager, Asia Pacific, said that unlike traditional delivery methods, Differential Energy allows the customer to tailor the explosive energy via Dyno Nobel’s patented delivery system to suit the geological ground conditions.

“For harder ground, a higher energy can be applied, while in softer areas, a lower energy can be applied, thus

IN NORTH AMERICA, A NUMBER OF OUR IRON ORE, COPPER, GOLD AND QUARRY CUSTOMERS ARE SEEING THE BENEFITS OF USING DELTA E IN BETTER BLAST OUTCOMES.” optimising energy placement in the loading process,” Macaulay said.

“Energy profiles are achieved through automated control of the loading, process and sensitisation system. The energy, or density, is changed instantaneously in the blast hole via the control system in this unique delivery system.

“It’s all about tailoring the energy in the blast hole to suit the geological conditions to provide optimal fragmentation. By placing the right amount of energy into the right part of the hole, customers can enjoy the best of both worlds — improved fragmentation without any wasted energy or over-consumption of explosives.

“Not only is there less product per blast hole, there is the added benefit that the loading rates with Differential Energy are up to three times faster than traditional loading methods.”

Dyno Nobel’s Delta E Jumbo trucks offer larger payloads also, which means lower service costs via faster loading, reduced turnarounds, and in some cases, fewer trucks.

“It is not uncommon to see cases where a traditional three truck loading operation can become a two truck operation with Differential Energy,” Macaulay said.

The new Differential Energy truck and software system can load wet and dry holes from a single truck without the need for extra equipment or multiple processes — this simplified, streamlined operation saves time and money, and makes the whole operation less capital intensive than traditional loading methods.

“In addition to saving time, this has the added environmental bonus of minimising groundwater contamination, a common concern with bulk explosives placement,” Macaulay added.

Macaulay said Dyno Nobel’s Differential Energy would also provide several other environmental benefits, most notably by reducing post-blast fumes, in particular NOx. “Traditional heavy ANFO (ammonium nitrate/fuel oil) products are known to generate post-blast fumes and Differential Energy

BLASTS UTILISING DIFFERENTIAL ENERGY PRODUCE FAR LESS NOX THAN TRADITIONAL METHODS.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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MAY 2018

A GRAPHIC SHOWING HOW THE DIFFERENTIAL ENERGY FILLING PROCESS WORKS.

significantly reduces these levels.

“These fumes, big orange clouds of gas, are problematic — customers don’t like it, explosive manufacturers don’t like it and the communities don’t like it. Differential Energy helps reduce NOx by being highly water resistant, thereby providing a ‘cleaner’ detonation reaction and lowering the energy in the ground.”

Rounsley said response to the new technology had been “extremely positive” among Dyno Nobel’s US customer base.

“In North America, a number of our iron ore, copper, gold and quarry customers are seeing the benefits of using Delta E in better blast outcomes,” he said. “We have demonstrated that they can reduce total operating costs by five to 30 per cent through optimised fragmentation.”

“Our US customers see the value that Differential Energy delivers, and the company is confident these advantages will be beneficial for Australian customers.” AM

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PRODUCTIVITY

NATURAL MAGNETISM AUSTRALIAN MINING SPEAKS TO ERIEZ MANAGING DIRECTOR JAISEN KOHMUENCH ABOUT HOW PROPER SELECTION OF A SUSPENDED ELECTROMAGNET COULD BE KEY TO INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY IN BULK MATERIALS HANDLING.

T

he suspended electromagnet (SE) is widely used in the mining industry. When installed and maintained correctly, it can operate effectively and efficiently for years under the harshest of environments.

Removing damaging tramp iron when conveying bulk materials is an important step to effectively increase plant availability and protect expensive downstream mineral processing equipment.

Both manual and self-cleaning SE magnets are typically mounted over a conveyor belt to remove large pieces of tramp iron such as rebar, nuts, bolts and other steel contamination that represent a hazard to downstream crushers, mills and pulverisers.

They also remove sharp metal rods (i.e. pokers) that damage or tear conveyor belts, typically at transfer points. It is important that customers choose the right type of SE magnet for the right application however.

through which the magnet has to pull the tramp metal,” explained Eriez managing director Jaisen Kohmuench. “As belts move faster, the force needed to remove the tramp also increases as the magnet has less opportunity (i.e. less time) to pull out the ferrous contamination.”

Standard vs. custom components

SE magnets consist of several standard components necessary to provide the magnetic force required to remove steel contaminants. These include the coil, core, back bar and steel enclosure. Collectively, they provide the magnetic circuit for the duty; 99 per cent of Eriez SE magnets come with coils fully immersed in cooling oil.

The oil effectively controls heat and moisture – the greatest enemies of electromagnets – by keeping the coil relatively cool while maximising the magnetic strength. Eriez is the

only manufacturer to incorporate an expansion tank to ensure the coils are always completely submerged.

“The advantage of the expansion tank which only Eriez utilises is that this arrangement makes sure that the coils are always 100 per cent submerged and as the magnet gets hot and oil expands, it is contained in the expansion tank,” said Kohmuench.

“In comparison, suspended electromagnets that don’t include this approach will always have portions of their coils uncovered because as the oil heats up, it expands and seeps out of the magnet pressure relief valve.”

A small percentage of SE magnets also utilise air-cooling and contain no oil. This type of magnet is generally used in areas designated as hazardous, such as gassy or dusty locations.

Permanent suspended magnets (nonpowered) can also be used for these applications where the strength and deep reach of an electromagnet is not required.

Selecting the right SE magnet

An SE magnet can be tailored for a static plant application, in-pit mobile equipment or bulk terminal loading facility, such as iron ore and coal ship loaders.

Key selection factors include burden depth, belt width, suspension height, position and tramp iron size and shape. Other factors are belt speed and incline, material density and maximum lump size.

While primarily designed to capture larger masses, such as roof bolts, hammerheads and star pickets, SE magnets can also be adjusted for smaller tramp as well, such as M24 nuts.

The required magnet strength increases as the belt width and burden depth increases. For example, a 1066mm square SE magnet suspended at 330mm can pull tramp iron through 280mm of burden. A larger belt with a magnet height of 762mm can pull tramp through 711mm of burden. Eriez has SE magnets for belt widths up to 2440mm.

“A larger belt width and a deeper burden increases the volume and mass of material on the belt, which increases the amount of material

ONE OF ERIEZ’S SUSPENDED ELECTROMAGNETS (SE MAGNETS) IN ACTION ABOVE A CONVEYOR BELT.

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Manual cleaning vs. selfcleaning

Manual clean SE magnets are for low frequency tramp occurrences. The magnet is moved away from the belt and the power is shut down to release the accumulated tramp into a skip.

A potentially higher incidence of tramp requires a self-cleaning option to continually operate and propel accumulated tramp from the magnet face. Another advantage here is that self-cleaners don’t require manual intervention.

Eriez is recognized as world authority in separation technologies, having been in operation for over 75 years. Kohmuench compares it to working with a family.

“We treat everyone the way we would want to be treated,” said Kohmuench, “be it customers, suppliers, associates, and the communities around us.

“It’s easy to work for a company with such a positive ethos.” AM

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MAINTENANCE

SEW-EURODRIVE TAKES A LOAD OFF THE MINDS OF QUEENSLANDERS QUEENSLAND’S MINING INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO BENEFIT FROM THE EFFICIENCY GAINS DELIVERED BY SEWEURODRIVE’S SERVICE CENTRE IN MACKAY. AUSTRALIAN MINING EXPLAINS.

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t has been more than a year since SEWEURODRIVE opened its Heavy Industrial Service Centre in Mackay, Queensland, featuring a state-of-the-art load testing facility.

A first-of-its-kind service in the Sunshine State, the facility is providing significant benefits for local mine operators, which were previously forced to ship their large industrial units interstate for assessment, or settle for refurbished drives that had not been load tested.

The facility is capable of load testing up to a power level of 500 kW and 600 kNm of torque, while also offering simpler spin testing and partial load testing up to 1.5 MW. Additionally, SEW-EURODRIVE is in most cases able to load test the entire gearbox, motor and swing-base assembly.

As gear units naturally suffer wearand-tear, they eventually require efficient refurbishment at some point, making the proximity of the facility to nearby mine sites significant for local miners.

SEW-EURODRIVE Far North Queensland sales and operations manager Daniel Dallari said load testing was potentially expensive before the Mackay facility was developed, especially when shutdown, removal and transportation costs were also factored in.

However, ignoring gearbox issues can result in a series of unwanted outcomes, including unscheduled downtime, excessive maintenance and short-term fixes, and high energy usage.

Dallari explained that load testing before delivery back to site was critical to avoid unnecessary costs, adding that defects identified during a test were often inexpensive to rectify.

“In many cases, because the gear unit will have been replaced with a spare, the refurbished unit may be placed in storage and not put into production for an extended period of time,” Dallari said.

“The last thing the gearbox owner wants is to place a refurbished gear unit back into production and then find it is not up to the job.”

THE LOAD TESTING EQUIPMENT IN MACKAY.

Here, Australian Mining outlines the key aspects of the test:

The Mackay facility method

SEW-EURODRIVE’s Mackay system uses a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Spectrum analysis of vibration to identify potential gear and shaft defects.

Dallari said the test loaded the bearings and gearing in such a way to avoid gear mesh backlash that could cause errors in the vibration analysis.

“The test protocol will take the gearbox through various tests with loaded gear teeth to detect potential misalignment, including misalignment caused by load, speed or temperature,” Dallari said.

“Thermal imaging and temperature logging are used to evaluate gearbox thermal performance, while noise levels can be checked for compliance with noise requirements.”

AUSTRALIANMINING

The test provides mining companies with reassurance that the overhauled gear unit is fit for operation, as it more closely replicates site conditions than a spin test.

Controlled environment

The test provides a controlled environment where vibration frequencies of interest can be elevated and captured.

To elevate frequencies, the active profile of the tooth is loaded, eliminating clearances such as those induced by backlash and end float, and the frequency response of all rotating elements during motion is measured.

“Gear mesh frequencies and bearing defect frequencies are a primary focus when reviewing vibration spectra noting they are all separable and identifiable within the signal as they are all represented by a specific frequency,” Dallari said.

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Visual inspection

A visual inspection of the gear meshing contact pattern is a key part of the regime. Prior to testing, each gear is accessed via inspection ports and dye is applied to the teeth that are visible from the port.

Dallari said the test was performed once the dye had dried. He added that the teeth were again inspected after the test to see how the dye had been worn from the teeth.

“Correctly meshed gears should show an even erosion of the dye, while misaligned gears will exhibit an uneven dye pattern,” Dallari explained.

Spectrum analysis

SEW-EURODRIVE places vibration analysis sensors on the machinery during testing to generate individual vibrations that are converted to the frequency domain using a FFT.

MAINTENANCE

Keep it Safe, Keep it Clean When conveyors shut down, core staff are often overwhelmed and maintenance of conveyor belt cleaners, skirts, impact beds and other conveyor accessories are often overlooked or service is performed by people who are not trained to service the equipment. Unless conveyor accessories perform at optimal levels, belt damage, carry-back and spillage can result.

A CLOSE-UP OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT IS MAKING MINERS MORE EFFICIENT.

THE LAST THING THE GEARBOX OWNER WANTS IS TO PLACE A REFURBISHED GEAR UNIT BACK INTO PRODUCTION AND THEN FIND IT IS NOT UP TO THE JOB.” The resultant frequency spectra will show clear Spectrum artefacts if a defect is present. There is a range of defects that can be detected using FFT spectra, including mechanical looseness, misalignment, gear tooth defects, and bearing defects.

Mechanical looseness

If there is mechanical looseness or an improper fit between parts under the test, a long string of rotating frequency harmonics may be seen in the spectrum. These harmonics may be random and unorganised, according to SEW-EURODRIVE. Dallari said looseness was typically identified by abnormally highrunning speed amplitude, followed by multiples of half multiples.

“Harmonic peaks may decrease in amplitude as they increase in frequency,” Dallari said. “If there are a series of three or more synchronous or half synchronous multiples of running speed, and their magnitudes are greater than 20 per cent of the fundamental running speed, there may be mechanical looseness.”

Misalignment

Misalignment is created when shafts, couplings and bearings are not properly aligned along their centrelines. The two types of misalignment are angular and parallel.

A cocked bearing can also generate considerable axial vibration. Phase measurements from the axial position are necessary to help differentiate the difference between the two.

Common causes of misalignment that may be detected include: cold alignment, mechanical damage, and installation error.

ESS provides competency based technicians to specifically monitor and maintain Conveyor Belt Cleaning, Sealing and Support systems.

ESS technicians are able to inspect conditions and produce a condition report and maintenance plan that can be actioned by Owners, Contracting companies or ESS technicians in a manner that prioritizes the maintenance based on risk analysis

Misalignment usually causes the bearing to carry a higher load than its design specification, which may cause bearing failure due to early fatigue.

ESS offers a range of flexible maintenance and monitoring services to ensure optimum performance from the plants conveying systems. We tailor our services to your requirements.

Gear teeth

There are two key elements to consider when understanding how gear mesh issues arise: gear mesh frequency (GMF) and sidebands of the GMF. “By monitoring these two elements, it is possible to establish how the gear affects the system and the significance of the problem,” Dallari said.

ESS Maintenance and Monitoring Services Include; • Installation and Commissioning • Service and Maintenance • Inspection and Reporting Services

Gear mesh frequency

• On site trouble-shooting

GMF equals the number of teeth on the gear multiplied by the speed of the shaft to which the gear is attached.

In addition to evaluating GMF, Dallari said it was important to use the proper span regarding frequency range to observe the GMF at higher frequency in the same vibration signature.

“To achieve this span, GMF should be multiplied by a factor of 3.25. This factor relates to a gear characteristic that wear problems do not necessarily occur at the fundamental GMF,” he explained.

• Site Compliant Vehicles and Equipment • Maintenance Contracts • Conveyor Accessory Maintenance Training

Gear mesh frequency sidebands If one or both interfacing gears have worn teeth, the spectrum exhibits sidebands around the GMF. The sidebands are spaced at a distance equal to the shaft speed.

When the amplitude and number of the sidebands increases, there is likely a problem with the gearbox components. AM

AUSTRALIANMINING

Proudly Manufactured in Australia 31

MAY 2018

MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING

MADE TO MEASURE AUSTRALIAN MINING SPEAKS TO VEGA AUSTRALIA MANAGING DIRECTOR JOHN LEADBETTER ABOUT THE LATEST IN THE MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY COMPANY’S VEGAPULS SERIES OF MEASURING DEVICES, THE VEGAPULS 69.

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he engineering teams at German company VEGA (or VEGA Grieshaber KG, to give it its full title) are no strangers to innovation.

One of the latest advancements in the company’s line of silo measurement devices, the non-contact, continuous level measurement system VEGAPULS 69 has continued to prove its versatility in bulk solid measuring by being utilised for the purpose of rock crusher level control, a suitably highrisk operation.

Due to the 80 GHz transmission frequency, the VEGAPULS 69 has a total beam angles of three degrees, which means it has a major advantage in that it can focus on very narrow areas and thus eliminate the false echoes that are caused through other structures or material build up on tank walls.

Typical applications for the VEGAPULS 69 are ROM bin levels, primary and secondary crushers, stockpile heights, surge bin levels,

train loadout silos and anti-collision detection, and according to VEGA Australia managing director John Leadbetter, response has been highly positive so far.

“The market has taken to this unit very well,” explained Leadbetter.

“Radar has been used in mining since 1991 and has been seen as a reliable measurement of products in these harsh environments.

“The VEGAPULS 69 has continued on with the development of radar and allowed its uses in applications to be varies and reliable.”

Placed at a distance above the crushing system, the VEGAPULS 69 can accurately measure feeds to the rock crusher despite extreme noise and dust generation thanks to high-quality signal focusing.

“The VEGAPULS 69 Radar level Transmitter is specifically designed to measure the level of dry products,” added Leadbetter. “The options available for flanges are about the flexibility to meet the customers mounting on their existing tanks and vessels.”

It’s a versatile device as well. In addition to bulk solid measuring of rock crushers, VEGAPULS 69 has also found use for its applications in alumina silo level measurement, an important part of the aluminium smelting process.

Alumina is stored in powder form in silos of up to 60m in height and 75m in diameter; its 120m range has proven more than sufficient for measurement of these silos’ surface profiles, and fine particles and smooth surfaces do not affect the measurement.

Should the silos contain more than one filling zone, VEGAPULS 69 can also accommodate this with the use of multiple sensors. VEGA hopes this new solution will provide improved cost efficiency, convenience and reliability for operators.

It has a measuring range of up to 120m, app integration, and is available in two variants; one with a plastic antenna for lighter applications, and another with a stainless steel flange for heavy-duty applications. It can also be integrated with PLICSCOM and PACTWARE, an onboard

VEGAPULS 69 IS SUITED TO A VARIETY OF SILO MEASUREMENT APPLICATIONS.

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display programmer and laptop program respectively, for remote monitoring. VEGA hopes this new solution will provide improved cost efficiency, convenience and reliability for operators.

In addition to these benefits, while not a safety product in and of itself, the VEGAPULS 69 can make things safer for operators. As Leadbetter explained, the VEGAPULS 69’s advantages when dealing with the possibility of detecting and mitigating overflow can lead to indirect safety benefits.

“The VEGAPULS 69 is not a safety device but does allow reliable measurement of mining materials thus eliminating the probability of bin overflows that can cause damage to plant and personnel,” he said.

For measurement of liquid gases such as LPG in the oil and gas sector, the VEGAPULS 69 is joined by its sister product VEGAPULS 64, a ball valve-mounted radar sensor that relies on specific techniques to vastly reduce noise levels associated with ball valves, resulting in much better signal focusing for liquid gas measurement. AM

MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING

THE SONDE OF THE SEA THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC IS A PREMIER SUPPLIER OF IN-SITU’S WATER MEASUREMENT TOOLS. AUSTRALIAN MINING TAKES A LOOK AT ITS LEVEL TROLL AND THE MULTIPARAMETER SONDE — THE AQUATROLL 600.

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vailable from Thermo Fisher Scientific, In-Situ Level TROLL data loggers provide accurate and reliable water level, pressure and temperature data for up to 10 years. TROLL Loggers have patented twist-lock connectors and rugged cable-compatible systems allowing for effective real-time communication of data.

The series have the option of nonvented sensors, and compensating for barometric changes with the use of In-Situ’s BaroTROLL Data Logger or vented options for greater accuracy.

Level TROLL data loggers can be utilised for several applications, including aquifer characterisation involving slug and pumping tests; coastal studies of tide and harbour levels; wetland and estuary research; hydrologic events such as crest stage gauges, storm surge monitoring and flood control systems; long-term, real-time groundwater and surface

water monitoring; mining and remediation.

Solid titanium and sealed construction ensures the loggers can be used in fresh, salt and contaminated waters. They utilise Win-Situ 5 for Windows compatibility via desktop or VuSitu software for android connections, such as tablets and smartphones, monitoring and analysis can be conducted remotely with relative ease.

Win-Situ software’s ability to streamline analysis and reporting enables real-time networks and 24/7 access to quality data.

Also in In-Situ’s line up in the TROLL series is their flagship unit, the AquaTROLL 600 Multiparameter Sonde.

The AquaTROLL 600 is an ideal measurement tool for both groundwater and surface water applications, and one of the most flexible measurement devices in the company’s portfolio.

It is suitable for long-term deployments as their industry-

leading sensors have minimal drift and hold their stability.

“For the AquaTROLL 600, these units can be customised to your application whether it be a long-term monitoring project, or as a handheld,” explained Tara Matthews, product manager at Thermo Fisher. “These parameters include pressure with vented or non-vented options, optical RDO (dissolved oxygen) pH/ORP, conductivity, turbidity, and ISES that hold their stability. The added advantage of internal logging, as well as telemetry capabilities allows these units to be customised to any requirement.”

The Aqua TROLL also utilises an antifouling restrictor that prevents the accumulation of biological fouling on the Aqua TROLL 600 while it is immersed. A specially formulated copper prevents biological organisms from attaching and growing on the sonde, which helps to improve the accuracy of data and extend deployments for up to six weeks in extreme environments AM

IN-SITU’S LEVEL TROLL SERIES.

REGISTER www.minerals.dpc.sa.gov.au/copper_to_the_world

AUSTRALIANMINING

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ENGINEERING

THE MANY USES OF TIVAR IN MINING AUSTRALIAN MINING SPEAKS TO EPLAS DIRECTOR LISA MARSHALL ABOUT WHAT MAKES TIVAR SO ENDURING (IN MORE THAN ONE SENSE OF THE WORD).

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lastic specialist Eplas is a leading Australian supplier of Tivar, a material primarily based on ultra-high-molecularweight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

Available in several grades — standard (virgin grade), premium (modified grade) for bulk handling applications — Tivar polymers are ideally suited to a wide variety of engineering applications.

One of Eplas’s standout products is Tivar 88, which leads the company’s line of bulk material grade linings.

“Tivar 88 is the world-recognised premium lining product for bulk material handling, exemplified by its low coefficient of friction and excellent wear properties,” said Lisa Morgan Marshall, director of Eplas.

“It has extremely favourable sliding properties, is resistant to aggressive chemicals and has very high abrasion and impact resistance.”

Tivar 88 is often used for lining in industrial bins, silos, loader buckets, hoppers, chutes, railway trucks and self-unloaders, where its properties are ideally suited to shifting orebodies and other such bulk solids often associated with the mining industry.

Tivar also possesses extreme flexibility with regards to heat resistance, retaining its properties at temperatures of -269C to +80C. Last year, Eplas completed a major Tivar 88 hopper installation for Arrium Mining in Whyalla, South Australia, and has also supplied hopper and chute lining installations at docks for GORO Nickel in New Caledonia. Allegedly pleased with the results, Marshall said that more Tivar lining projects could be in the offing for the company in the future.

“The material’s extreme wear and flow promotion efficiencies have proven to be extremely beneficial when handling abrasive minerals on such a large scale,” said Marshall.

Types of Tivar

There are several varieties of bulk handling grade Tivar materials available from Eplas, all serving specialised functions and largely available to order.

VisiLiner for example, is a bulk handling option comprised of two

coloured, sandwiched layers of material, a 9mm top layer and 3mm bottom layer that acts as a wear indicator to show when the liner needs to be replaced.

Tivar 88 ANTI-STATIC is adapted for applications using explosive powders or other such incendiary materials, combining the durability of Tivar 88 with much lower surface resistivity.

Tivar 88 with BurnGard (aka FlamEx) adds a coat of flame retardant material to Tivar 88 that won’t spread fires, proving particularly useful for lining applications where heat may be present. In mining terms, this most often means coal handling, especially in hot spots and stagnant coal environments where smouldering can occur.

When the source of the combustion is removed, Tivar 88 with BurnGard self-extinguishes and experiences no further impact.

Tivar Rubber-backed meanwhile is a composite material with 9mm Tivar + 2.1mm thick rubber backing designed to absorb high energy impacts, with the rubber backing providing impact absorption and thermal expansion that has the knockon effect of minimising substrate corrosion.

It can also be glued to surfaces where metal fasteners could not be used. Within the purview of mining, this type of Tivar is especially useful for coal, mineral sands and cement handling.

Tivar 88 with QuickSilver liners help to reduce carryback during material transportation and unloading, being lighter and harder wearing than steel and aluminium. Elimination of the usual hang-ups associated with other lining systems also helps to increase safety by reducing risks associated with human intervention.

It can also be fitted in a day and requires no ongoing maintenance.

“These materials are essentially self-cleaning,” explained Marshall.

“Installing chute and hopper linings makes the use of vibrators redundant; this helps to reduce noise levels substantially, which is much better for our ears.

“No sticking or carry-back also eliminates tip-over risk. Most loads dump clean by third ram stage — AUSTRALIANMINING

THE MATERIAL’S EXTREME WEAR AND FLOW PROMOTION EFFICIENCIES HAVE PROVEN TO BE EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL WHEN HANDLING ABRASIVE MINERALS ON SUCH A LARGE SCALE.” even wet clay and cement — and the reduced turnaround means more loads per day.”

QUICKSILVER TRUCK LININGS HELP TO REDUCE CARRYBACK.

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These are just a few of the many types of Tivar polymer assisting the mining industry. AM

EVENT

COPPER TO THE WORLD GETS THE SCOOP ON GROWTH TRAJECTORY AUSTRALIA’S COPPER SECTOR IS ON THE RISE AS GLOBAL ISSUES OF ENERGY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND TRANSPORTATION BECOME MORE URGENT. ore from its Southern Mine Area — the expansion involving a quarter of a billion dollar investment and the scale of development and associated infrastructure work on par with five new standalone mines.

OZ Minerals has extended the life of its Prominent Hill copper mine.

In April, primary approvals for its almost $1 billion Carrapateena copper gold project were secured from the South Australian and Commonwealth Governments, clearing the way for Phase 2 of construction to commence for processing and above ground infrastructure. OZ is innovating across the board from analytics to aid decisionmaking in its field exploration programs to drive mining efficiencies by tapping into the latest communication and digital platforms.

Newcrest Mining, with Australian copper operations at Cadia Valley, NSW and Telfer, WA has also joined the program to share its insights into incorporating technological approaches to its operations.

More broadly Australia’s copper exploration sector is upbeat. Argonaut’s Torrens Exploration project holds promise as filling in South Australia’s copper inventory, with the company identifying 10 exploration targets, each with the potential to host an Olympic Dam-sized deposit.

Copper miners Havilah and Hillgrove will share presentations on copper mineralistion styles in a company segment at the conference.

Stretching thinking

Decision makers and thought leaders will stretch thinking across the value chain on ways to meet the growth trajectory with up-to-date analysis, case studies and technical know-how on big opportunities facing the industry.

Disruptive technologies are also bringing new opportunities for productivity and the conference will drive in-depth discussion. Speakers from CSIRO Manufacturing and the International Copper Association will discuss new technologies along, the copper mining value-chain along with Hatch on advances in the smelting space.

Working towards strengthening environmental and social performance and community acceptance is an ongoing goal for the sector, to be covered by Kim Ferguson, chair of the International Council of Mining and Metals Closure Working Group.

The Discovery segment of the program will reinforce why Australia

Filling the copper shortfall

Australian producers are working to supply a great big chunk of the emerging copper inventory gap, as they incorporate the latest technologies to drive success and productivity.

BHP is forging ahead with its investment plans to expand the world’s third largest copper deposit at Olympic Dam in the north of South Australia.

This year the mine celebrated the completion of a $350 million smelter upgrade and upgraded works on the refinery, concentrator and other key infrastructure and site technology to further drive processing productivity.

This follows the production of new

BHP ENGINEER JEANETTE TAYLOR AT OLYMPIC DAM.

AUSTRALIANMINING

is the place to come for copper exploration — with the success rate for finding copper deposits over the past decades double the world average.

The past year has seen companies bring forward a tranche of excellent drill intersections, resource upgrades, feasibility studies and advanced projects.

With slim pickings for outcropping ore bodies a challenge worldwide, improving exploration undercover remains a challenge. Answering the call to improve exploration performance will be speakers from the UNCOVER initiative and AMIRA. The UNCOVER initiative is pooling specialist expertise across the nation in a well-coordinated national effort in the ongoing effort to unearth economic mineral deposits. AM View the full Copper to the World program and register: minerals.dpc. sa.gov.au/copper_to_the_world Further information: Charles Moore (charles.moore@sa.gov.au IMAGE CREDIT: BHP.

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s the looming 2019 worldwide copper deficit steps closer to reality, high-calibre international copper experts from Chile, the United Kingdom and Australia will join leading copper miners and innovators in Adelaide next month for the Copper to the World conference.

A sign of the times is that ongoing demand for the red metal means miners will need to produce as much copper in the next 25 years as has been mined in humankind’s history to meet growth in global industrial production and higher investment in energy infrastructure with emerging economies driving much of the growth.

As it stands, Australia is a major contributor to world copper stocks as the world’s 3rd largest exporter of copper ores and concentrates and the 7th largest producer of copper.

The South Australian Government has developed the Copper to the World program with a national and global copper audience in mind to deliver a global perspective on the future of copper, delving into trends, opportunities and developments across the copper value chain to address rising demand.

New sources of demand are moving at rapid pace. Take the increased global production of electric vehicles – containing more than three times the weight of copper compared to regular vehicles — this is expected to raise copper consumption by 300,000t alone in 2018 and 2019.

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INDUSTRY COMMENT

DISCUSSION GROUPS DELIVER COLLABORATIVE RESPONSES AUSTMINE’S MINING INNOVATION ROADSHOW EVENT IN NEWCASTLE DURING MARCH REINFORCED THE VALUE OF COLLABORATION IN MINING.

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he Mining Innovation Roadshow brought together mining and METS professionals to discuss innovative strategies and technologies that will improve our industry. The agenda featured speakers from Vale Indonesia, Glencore, Bengalla Mining Company, First Quantum Minerals and more.

Amongst the keynote presentations, Austmine created a group discussion session that is designed for open communication and collaboration on key topics that are vital to the improvement of the mining industry. These were: 1. Workforce Diversity Leading Innovation – Facilitated by, Ross Carter, business advisor, Austmine 2. Innovation for a Purpose: Breaking new solutions into the supply chain – Facilitated by Will Vandenberg, general manager, The Simulation Group 3. Looking at the Role IP plays in Innovation Collaborations – Facilitated by Dale Thompson, business advisor, Austmine 4. Borrowing from Different Industries to Create Innovation in Mining – Facilitated by Dallas Wilkinson, president and general manager, Minova and director, Austmine 5. Cyber Security: Vital for any digital strategy – Facilitated by, Marianne Cummings, business advisor, Austmine 6. Creating Innovative Business Models and Partnerships – Facilitated by Peter Clarke, general manager, industry engagement, METS Ignited.

The groups were steered away from lamenting about problems that are perceived in the industry, but instead to call upon participants to become an active voice in finding solutions. To frame the session, three key questions were asked: 1. What’s the current state of play/ where are we now?

2. Where do we want to be that would make a difference to our industry?

3. How are we going to get there?

THE GROUPS ASKED THREE QUESTIONS FOR EVERY TOPIC.

At the end of the hour, each discussion group was asked to deliver their findings back to the room.

Workforce diversity leading innovation

This discussion group focused on how diversity in the workforce can lead to innovative thinking and solutions.

They looked at various forms of workforce diversity, from gender and race to age and professional experience.

What is the current state of play? The mining industry is conservative and there isn’t yet a culture of encouraging diversity across the industry. However, it was acknowledged that there has been a big shift in recent years and that although there is still a lot of change to come, the ball has started rolling.

Where do we want to be? The obvious answer was “to be more innovative.” One of the key cultural AUSTRALIANMINING

factors that the group would like to see change is the mining industry’s risk averse attitude, of always being the “first to be second.”

How are we going to get there?

The primary answer was to bring in a much larger knowledge base, especially from other industries and to attract the new generations. The argument for this, was to avoid doing things the way they have always been done. The group suggested that as an industry we needed to start changing our image and interactions with the wider Australian professional communities to attract both new talent and alternate experience. Some of the solutions they discussed was offering more internship programs like the Austmine Women in STEM METS Career Pathway Program and encouraging HR to step away from requesting industry knowledge as a pre-requisite for employment in mining.

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Innovation for a purpose

This topic fostered a deep dive into how METS and miners can work together to ensure that creative and “outside the box” technology and thinking can find a place in existing supply chains.

What is the current state of play? The group found that while a number of new and innovative solutions have already broken into the supply chain, such as drones and automation, there needs to be better identification and cooperation throughout the whole industry and supply chain. They looked at how METS often drive innovation, but often don’t understand the needs of the end-user or communicate their value proposition effectively.

Where do we want to be? The group pointed towards creating a supply chain system and procedures that allow for clearer and more direct communication between miners and METS.

INDUSTRY COMMENT

THE GROUPS DISCUSSING INNOVATION IN MINING.

other industries included machine learning, marketing, logistics, data analytics, artificial intelligence and finance management.

How are we going to get there?

The group identified two major areas that we as an industry need to work on to make this happen: education and culture. We must create a culture in our current workforce and management teams of innovation and next level thinking, that encourages a natural response to look outside of mining to see what else is possible. Benchmarking must also be used to identify where it is that we are continuing to be world leaders in best practice, but also finding the places where we need to improve.

Cyber security How are we going to get there?

Different initiatives for miners and METS interaction were discussed, modelled from existing programs such as the Bengalla Supplier Improvement Program that Austmine and the Entrepreneurs’ Programme is facilitating in Muswellbrook. The group identified that platforms such as this can lead to greater understand and risk-sharing relationships. METS also made the admission that collaboration and partnerships are still under-developed within the supplier space, and a more open mindset needs to be adopted.

Looking at the role IP plays

In exploring issues surrounding innovation and collaboration, the inevitable intellectual property issue always arises.

What is the current state of play?

There is generally an attitude to protect IP at all costs, but the group believed that some unique technology needs to be protected while other products and solutions may be already known. They acknowledged that the current cost of IP is high and talked about the complexities around the difference between knowledge and IP, along with identifying IP in relation to a product. However, they assessed that in the last 30 years there has been a massive shift in collaboration, which is improving the IP sharing landscape along with IP licence agreements.

Where do we want to be? The position that the group discussed that we would like to be in is one

of appreciation and respect for IP. Where there are opportunities for open sharing and open sourcing where relevant, but also protections where the IP is unique. Ideally, companies who are willing to share the most should also gain the most.

How are we going to get there?

Education was highlighted as critical.

Organisations need to work with all parties in the supply chain so that they can understand what is important to protect and what should be shared.

Borrowing from different industries

Many sources of mining disruption have shifted from other industries and this group discussed what further technologies and systems mining can leverage to improve performance.

What is the current state of play? While mining is a worldleader in some spaces, there are too many situations where mining can see other industries optimise procedures but are too risk averse to adopt solutions.

Where do we want to be? The group wants the mining industry to be the leader in best practice for all industries, we want to be world leaders in technology and innovation. The group talked about how information shouldn’t be siloed, and that in reviewing the greater pool of knowledge you can find new and different solutions to old problems. Key areas identified where mining should look to AUSTRALIANMINING

After numerous talks with industry leaders, Austmine has identified cyber security as a key area that METS need further education on.

While it is a topic that is currently only spoken about by subject matter experts, it should be considered by all METS businesses.

What is the current state of play? They noted that with new technology and reliance on instant data sharing there are now more touch points than ever before that are at risk from cyber threats. They said that this will only increase as the industry continues to evolve towards mining 4.0. However, strategies and policies across the whole industry are not yet up to the requirements that are held by other industries or indeed by insurance compliance.

Where do we want to be? The obvious answer is to protect our infrastructure and IP. However, the group noted that some cyber policies can be an inhibitor to sharing data.

Therefore, the ideal situation to move towards is one that is secure but that still gives us flexibility and control over collaborations and doesn’t have a large impact on operations.

How are we going to get there?

The group felt that there needed to be an overall cyber security philosophy throughout individual organisations and the industry as a whole. That we need to create a culture where cyber policies and practices are treated as every day responsibilities. This would require educating the workforce to the risks and requirements of a cyber plan.

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Comments were also made about attracting talent and skills from other industries and training up the workforce for effective cyber security implementation. Finally, they discussed compliance and that if collaboration between miners and METS is to be successful, there needs to be an industry certification for cyber readiness.

Creating innovative business models and partnerships

For mining to be sustainable long-term, business models and partnerships must be grown that foster innovative solutions. Whilst many industry groups are currently encouraging this shift, further change is needed.

What is the current state of play? A number of inhibitors were discussed, including a lack of understanding from METS about identifying key contacts to collaborate with in mining companies, IP considerations for risk sharing, red tape within large businesses, a lack of communication or understanding about mining needs and transitioning.

Where do we want to be? The group found that an industry ecosystem must be fostered that encourages the formation of partnerships and collaboration. A communicative environment will be critical to achieving this goal.

How are we going to get there?

Knowledge sharing within the industry must be increased, as if greater information was shared about R&D and projects in development, companies could pool resources together and generate results faster.

It was also suggested that whilst a lot of collaboration focuses on METS working together, miners can also do the same and share solutions with each other. Test sites and product trials were discussed, whilst further opportunities to have forums surrounding open collaboration was also identified as an avenue for change.

Overall, key themes throughout the groups emerged around intellectual property, diversity within mining and METS companies, better communication and skills from other industries. The next Mining Innovation Roadshow takes place in Perth on September 13 2018 and will feature similar discussions to further explore conversations on the future of mining. AM

MATERIALS HANDLING

GOOD VIBRATIONS AUSTRALIAN MINING LEARNS MORE FROM SCHENCK PROCESS ABOUT HOW SENSOR-BASED MONITORING OF MACHINERY VIBRATION CAN REDUCE DOWNTIME AND SAVE MONEY AT MINE OPERATIONS.

T

he vibration inherent to operational machinery from unwanted vibration from poorly operating equipment can cause significant damage

over time.

Not properly monitored, vibration in machinery can cause breakdowns, leading to unplanned maintenance that results in lost productivity for mine operators.

Schenck Process has spent considerable resources to develop a method of machine vibration analysis in order to maximise operational uptime by detecting potential equipment faults in advance, and subsequently, scheduling maintenance during planned downtimes. The resultant fruit of this technological push is an innovative device at the forefront of the so-called fourth age of industry — also referred to as Industry 4.0.

Matthew Cutbush, service and process solutions engineering manager at Schenck Process, spoke recently about the potential benefits of advanced data collection and diagnostics of vibrating equipment at Austmine’s Technology Innovation Roadshow in Newcastle.

Speaking to an audience of industry professionals, he took to the stage to discuss the implementation of Schenck Process’s compact CONiQ condition monitoring system, a small device attachable to vibrating machinery for the purpose of real-time feedback and analysis. These sensors can be applied to new machinery or retrofitted to older equipment.

Utilising six-dimensional inertial sensors, sensors can be placed strategically across the body of machinery to offer algorithmic feedback, showing potential issues along the length of the device.

Cutbush illustrated this concept with an image of a CONiQ sensor attached to the bearing box of a rotary direct force exciter, a device used to help power the industrial vibrating screens typical of mineral processing sites.

“Vibrating equipment is somewhat critical to the operation of process plants,” explained Cutbush. “Standard screens can operate up to 1.3 million cycles in a day so usually any minor issues can develop into major ones fairly rapidly.

“Robust maintenance strategies are usually required to identify these issues and applying steps to rectify them

SENSORS CAN BE APPLIED TO NEW MACHINERY OR RETROFITTED TO OLDER EQUIPMENT.

before any catastrophic failures occur.”

With the move to larger screens and feeders the impact of vibration can be quite critical to output. Given a quick overview of the life cycle of vibrating equipment, Schenck Process can perform testing onsite — checking the impact of the production plant, including impact of material on the operation of vibrating equipment — in order to ensure everything meets the design criterion.

Schenck Process’s sensors can be fixed to equipment for 24/7 monitoring and are particularly good at exciter monitoring, as well as analysing screen or feeder body motion and the impact on reliability thereof. Portable solutions can offer very advanced motion monitoring and analysis for screen bodies as well as exciters, coming equipped with a self-levelling capability that allows them to be installed while equipment is running.

Typical measurement results include resultant and lateral stroke lengths across the X and Y axes, exciter speeds (if applicable), orbits and time waveforms, which can be immediately referenced for diagnosis; advanced analysis of broad data can show issues like the degradation of exciter speeds over time, which usually results from belt and pulley wear.

If failure is imminent on one side AUSTRALIANMINING

of a twin exciter machine, CONiQ is sensitive enough to detect potential discrepancies from 3.5m on the other side of the machine. Alarms and warning limits can also be set by the operator to identify and communicate potential problems as well.

The costs of CONiQ, Cutbush said, are more than reimbursed by the money saved by even a short period of unplanned downtime, a facet of what he referred to as the “future of failure prediction”.

The devices also offer additional connectivity thanks to their online connectivity; given an active connection, data can be shared across the globe within minutes.

“Imagine the power of being able to predict when your components are about to fail,” said Cutbush. “You could schedule planned downtime to eliminate unplanned downtime, but also maximise service life of individual components and your piece of equipment as a whole.” AM

A CONIQ SENSOR ATTACHED TO A NEW DF704S EXCITER DURING INITIAL TESTING.

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The power to predict!

CONiQ® from Schenck Process offers distinct advantages as a condition monitoring system specially designed for vibrating machines, with a unique six-dimensional vibration measurement.

With CONiQ®, Schenck Process consolidates its position as a provider of intelligent Industry 4.0 applications.

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Maximum uptime. For a lifetime.

CONiQ® condition monitoring in mineral processing

MATERIALS HANDLING

MODULAR CONVEYOR INNOVATION SET TO DISRUPT INDUSTRY THE AUSTRALIAN DESIGNERS OF AN INNOVATIVE MODULAR CONVEYOR SYSTEM EXPECT IT WILL BE A GAMECHANGING SOLUTION FOR THE RESOURCES AND BULK MATERIALS HANDLING SECTORS. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

F

Conveyor Manufacturers Australia (CMA) has developed a technology that it believes will be a disruptive force in the mining and bulk materials handling industries.

CMA was founded to introduce items of innovative conveyor technology to these industries, with particular focus on delivering benefits in the areas of time, business processes, performance, safety and the environment.

To this end, CMA has developed the Containerveyor, a modular conveyor system providing miners with an industry-first solution that considerably lowers capital and operational costs, as well as current installation times, while maintaining a high level of performance.

Uptake of the system is already

CONTAINERVEYOR IS MODULAR SYSTEM THAT WILL SAVE SIGNIFICANT OPERATING COSTS.

proving significant for CMA, with the company engaged in global projects exceeding more than 200km of the Containerveyor solution.

CMA co-founder Ben Smith said the company aimed to develop a simple solution with the Containerveyor, without being simplistic.

“It didn’t take long to come up with the idea of Containerveyor. However, significant effort since has been invested into refining product quality; functionality testing; certification; and, ensuring the technology meets the varying needs and demands of our customers,” Smith told Australian Mining.

“CMA is now set to disrupt the market with world-first conveyor technology for both surface and underground applications. It’s truly game changing.”

Smith believes there are several AUSTRALIANMINING

benefits of Containerveyor that differentiate it from the competition, particularly its potential to save substantial costs.

Moreover, Smith reinforced that CMA focused on ensuring the performance of the system would match its cost-saving potential.

“If we don’t support our customers to improve their business’ operational performance then we don’t deserve a place,” Smith said. “We would rather someone not make a purchase than have them purchase something that doesn’t maximise their chance of success.”

Cutting conveyor costs

The system is entirely built and fitted out offshore. Manufacturing costs are therefore lower when compared to traditional conveyor systems.

Smith said the modular system would arrive on mine sites in a

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plug-and-play format, meaning the installation process required no specialist labour or skills.

“Drop the modules in place, connect the belting and you’re away,” Smith explained. “The installation of the system requires considerably fewer people, therefore, significant cost savings are realised, particularly in remote locations that are tough to get to.”

The simplicity of the Containerveyor installation process also means the equipment is much quicker to install than conventional systems.

The faster installation time allows production to start much sooner than current industry standards, Smith explained.

“Moreover, miners may be able to avoid inefficient practices, such as trucking ore initially, while traditional conveyors are installed,” Smith said.

Once installed, the Containerveyor’s operating costs are further lowered when it is combined with CMA’s RollOver Idler, as the conveyor doesn’t need to be stopped for roller-idler maintenance and replacement.

Production and haulage can continue without interruption when the two solutions are used together, Smith explained.

“This directly improves utilisation and availability, and removes the need to short-dump or rehandle product while traditional conveyors are being maintained,” Smith said.

The conveyor system’s modular design also allows it to be relocated and reused elsewhere, delivering additional cost savings.

When mining areas move or haulage routes need to be relocated, the Containerveyor can be shifted to accommodate the change and re-used without loss or damage.

Safety first

Owing to the modular nature of the system, Containerveyor is installed with simple cranes or tele-handlers, which almost entirely removes manual handling from the process.

Containerveyor provides a dedicated, covered walkway for workers to safely navigate for maintenance and inspection activities,

MATERIALS HANDLING

to insulate the system and workers from outside temperatures and environments,” Smith added.

Containerveyor is also designed to be expanded through add-on or thirdparty systems for remote sensing and condition monitoring.

another element that boosts safety.

CMA designed Containerveyor so that a range of optional systems can be pre-installed into every module, including communications and monitoring equipment, smoke detection, fire suppression, piped services, storage for consumables and area lighting.

“In very hot or cold environments, thermal panelling can be fitted to all surfaces of the Containerveyor

Environmentally friendly

The conveyor solution, which can be buried for visual amenity, has been designed with the environment in

mind, a key consideration for mining companies.

Containerveyor can be completely enclosed to establish a controlled environment where noise, dust, vibration and harmonics can all be managed at the source.

“Our systems have been designed to address real-world environmental impacts. Environmentally, if you don’t notice our presence then we’ve done our job,” Smith said.

“Being a structural framework in its own right, the Containerveyor can be used to span surface features or elevated to form gantries to feed stockpiles or preparation and beneficiation plants.”

Containerveyor’s modular design significantly reduces its environmental footprint through fewer ground contacts and civil structures, reducing the need for rehabilitation of the land.

Financial commitments

The modular and reusable aspects of Containerveyor mean that, for the first time, a surface conveyor system can be financed or leased to operations, with several institutions already indicating to CMA they will support funding of the solution.

“The ability to finance or lease systems now offers the industry the

ability to enjoy lower operating costs from a surface conveyor, while avoiding the up-front capital cost of purchasing or funding a system,” Smith said.

This also provides a highly beneficial solution for those companies that would otherwise truck material (increasing operational costs), to avoid capital costs. It’s a real win for business’ trying to increase productivity.”

Containerveyor and Roll-Over Idler are covered by extensive International Intellectual Property (IP) protections. AM

CONTAINERVEYOR IS DELIVERED TO SITE IN A PLUG-AND-PLAY FORMAT.

INNOVATIVE. RESPONSIVE. PRODUCTIVE. Conveyor Manufacturers Australia (CMA) is a leading developer of innovative conveyor technology.

We are all about business and process improvement. Whether its time, cost, performance, safety, or environmental impact, our goal is to improve these factors for the businesses we support.

Containerveyor ™ is our world first modular surface conveyor system. With its launch in Australia this month, we’re disrupting the status quo in the mining and bulk handling industries.

Our technology will: • • • • • • • •

lower capital and operational costs significantly shorten installation time reduce stoppages improve utilisation and availability lower health and safety related risks minimise visual impact, noise, dust and other environmental concerns integrate with third party systems and components provide a cost effective replacement for trucking

Containerveyor ™ modules are transported to, and arrive on site, in a ‘plug and play’ format ready to operate. Being modular, they can be relocated and reused elsewhere. Systems can be purchased, leased or financed.

Let us show you how Containerveyor We listen and we respond.

TM

can impact your bottom line.

info@cmacv.com

AUSTRALIANMINING

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MAY 2018

www.cmacv.com

MATERIALS HANDLING

BEYOND THE BELT FENNER DUNLOP IS NOT JUST A BELT MANUFACTURER, BUT A ‘HEAD-TO-TAIL’ CONVEYOR COMPANY. AUSTRALIAN MINING SPEAKS TO STEVE ABBOTT, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF FENNER DUNLOP AUSTRALIA, TO FIND OUT MORE.

F

enner Dunlop has enjoyed a strong 18 months, buoyed by resurgent commodity prices — particularly coal and iron ore — following a period of industry-wide downturn.

Never afraid to take on new challenges, the company has risen to meet the needs of an increasingly sophisticated market over the last decade, emerging as a full conveyor design, supply and servicing company offering head-to-tail solutions.

“By 2010, we’d finished our service expansion and started acquiring engineering capability, such as Australian Conveyor Engineering and Belle Banne,” explained Steve Abbott, COO of Fenner Dunlop Australia, “and the reason we did that was to continue to move the business model towards a total conveyor solution.”

The move, Abbott said, was spurred on by two primary reasons.

“First of all we recognised that most of our customers aren’t really interested in conveyor components, they’re interested in moving material from one place to another,” Abbott explained.

“Many of them aren’t really interested in conveyors, they’re interested in the total operation of their businesses, of which conveyors is a small but critical part.

“With conveyor expertise within the customer base diminishing, we were happy for us take on a greater role to help improve asset performance and reliability. The customers drove us in the engineered conveyor solutions (ECS) direction.”

“The second reason is that as a quality-focused OEM we have to be able to support our products, so servicing was always going to be a big part of what we did and as we did that more, we realised that we were creating a point of difference between what we provide and what our competitors provide.”

It turned out there was a burgeoning market for a conveyor company to make work easier for the miners.

Fenner Dunlop now offers a full range of professional services, including field service, engineering and design, overhauls and refurbishment with 19 established service centres across Australia and two more in New Zealand.

Historically formed from two separate belting companies, Fenner (est. 1861) and Apex (est. 1952), ApexFenner emerged in 2001 and took the name Fenner Dunlop Australia in 2005.

It is this storied history that has allowed the company to establish itself as a full conveyor solutions company, a process requiring a long time and

AUSTRALIANMINING

a lot of experience to get right, according to Abbott. Fenner Dunlop has taken advantage of this vision to enter markets without much room for additional providers.

“Definitely, we’ve seen other companies try to do it, but to be successful requires long gestation periods,” said Abbott. “I think we were fortunate in that we got in first and we had first mover advantage.”

The company hasn’t just expanded over the last few years in terms of customer service options, but research and development too. Abbott identified four primary technological and engineering advances for conveyors over the last few years; making conveyors more dynamic; reducing energy costs; the implementation of application-specific belting; and conveyor monitoring systems.

Fenner Dunlop has carried out studies to compare light weight, dynamic conveyors with trucks for new and expanding mines, particularly at operations with shorter resource life and lower margins.

“What we’ve tried to do is adopt the concepts of longwall mining, where the conveyor is moving and actually adapt that to provide lower-cost dynamic conveyor solutions to make them competitive with trucks,” said Abbott.

The Fenner Dunlop philosophy is

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about designing products that reduce downtime and increase belt life, which is what the customers ultimately want.

As such, the company has not adopted all new technologies with equal fervour, carefully picking and choosing its developments in line with its customer-focused values. Abbott cites the recent trend for monitoring systems at mine sites as a particular example, as collated data has to go through a filter in order to discern whether the information is actually useful in a mining environment.

“We don’t see how putting a $15 monitoring device on a $50 idler is going to work in the market as customers are not going to pay the extra money for the monitoring device,” he explained. “Particularly when you understand the way idlers are actually maintained onsite, you understand that mines are not going to stop just because an idler has failed.

“We start with a customer problem and look for right technology solution, whether it be developing it inhouse (like our recently launched On Line Belt Thickness Tester) or work with technology developers. We tend to try and work with our customers on technology solutions that are practical and cost effective as opposed to just investing in technology for technology’s sake.” AM

So much more than belts...

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We do it all.

Fenner Dunlop is the only company that provides a complete solution for all conveyors, irrespective of OEM. From inhouse conveyor design and manufacture through to repairs and service, Fenner Dunlop delivers full accountability for your conveyor system and its performance.

Phone 1800 Fenner (336 637) www.fennerdunlop.com.au

There is ONE company you can rely on to keep your conveyor systems running at peak efficiency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ONE call is all it takes.

So much more under our belt.

MATERIALS HANDLING

PROK GETS READY FOR THE FUTURE OF MINING NEPEAN CONVEYORS HAS SET A STRONG FOUNDATION TO EXPAND THE PROK CONVEYORS COMPONENTS BUSINESS SINCE ACQUIRING IT FROM SANDVIK LAST YEAR. AUSTRALIAN MINING EXPLAINS.

P

ROK Conveyor Components is entering a new phase of growth under the ownership of Nepean Conveyors.

Since taking control through its acquisition of Sandvik’s conveyor business last year, NEPEAN has been developing a strategy for the next expansion of the PROK business.

The transition initially focused on making the change of ownership as seamless as possible for customers to ensure minimal impact at their operations.

With the quality of PROK’s output and services maintained, NEPEAN has launched a long-term strategy to invest in its local production and expertise to support the Australia materials handling sector.

It has already breathed new life into PROK by providing it with access to manufacturing facilities in Mackay, Queensland and Sydney, New South Wales. PROK is also benefiting from NEPEAN’s sales offices in Perth, Sydney, Mackay and Indonesia.

PROK is taking advantage of these facilities to bolster the strong reputation it has built in Australia since 1948.

Its mining products, which include a range of quality rollers and pulleys commonly found on conveyors within the materials handling industry, are being equipped to support the modernday demands of mining companies.

PROK engineering and product line manager Ray Anderson said the business would continue to specialise in products for the “future of mining” under NEPEAN’s guidance.

“Our team has significant experience in designing conveying solutions that are safe, reliable and enable maximum productivity levels,” Anderson said.

PROK’s mining products have an emphasis on performance and reliability. They are offered as original components or as replacements for existing systems.

A standout product is the PROKOMPOSITE roller, which PROK describes as a low-weight, low-noise innovation that delivers value when compared with competing steel rollers or general market plastic rollers.

The product is as strong as

comparably-sized steel rollers and capable of carrying the same loads.

It also makes 50 per cent less noise and weighs 55 per cent less than traditional steel rollers, while saving 20 per cent in costs due to easier maintenance and lower energy demands.

PROK also offers poly disc rollers that operate by utilising high-abrasion resistance and high hydrolytic stability polyurethane discs.

The poly discs avoid the buildup of material that can be deposited onto the roller surface, something that causes the roller diameter to develop an irregular worn surface and change shape.

“This is often a major cause of belt mistracking and roller shell wear,” Anderson said. “Highly effective, PROK poly disc rollers are a reliable and simple maintenance solution to this common belt conveyor problem.”

PROK has the capacity to manufacture more than 5000 pulleys a year, with assembled masses upwards of 45t. Its pulley refurbishment services team can

provide significant cost savings against the purchase of a new pulley.

The business established a pulley refurbishment service to provide an original equipment manufacturer-grade service for finished product capable of meeting the same standards of design and build quality as an OEM pulley.

Anderson said the pulley refurbishment services team developed a solution for a top tier client that desperately wanted to take advantage of an unplanned outage to change-out a competitor’s pulley with a bearing fault, but couldn’t as there was no spare on site.

However, Anderson added that PROK’s refurbishment services team had a built-up pulley on hand, which was days away from being shipped.

“So, realising how important it was for the client the team had a final year apprentice work back to finish the pulley and prepare it for transport on the client’s specialised transport cradle,” Anderson said.

“By nightfall the pulley had been loaded onto a truck and the following morning it was on the road heading

THE CONVEYOR SYSTEM AT ROY HILL.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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to site for installation.”

Anderson believes PROK’s approach to “go the extra mile” like this shows how the business makes a significant difference to its customers and why it has become known as a conveyor company the industry prefers to do business with.

Importantly for NEPEAN, the PROK team has embraced its new ownership and is determined to add to the reputation established by the company over the past 70 years.

Anderson said the entire workforce was united and passionate about the change and value of the PROK brand.

“The positive feedback and comments from the team has made the transition all the more rewarding.

A long-term strategy in investing in local production and expertise to support local industry has been very well received from the team,” Anderson said.

With this tick of approval, PROK remains a focused player in the materials handling sector that is ready to cement its place as a leading manufacturer in Australia. AM

THE MINING INDUSTRY HAS MOVED TO A NEW PHASE FOLLOWING THE MINING BOOM, ONE WHERE PRODUCTIVITY, INNOVATION AND SAFETY HAVE EMERGED AS ITS KEY PRIORITIES

AUTOMATION MINING SERVICES VOLUME 110/4 | MAY 2018

MATERIALS HANDLING

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MATERIALS HANDLING

THE SPLICE OF LIFE AUSTRALIAN MINING SPEAKS TO WILL SMITH OF BRIDGESTONE MINING SOLUTIONS AUSTRALIA ABOUT HOW THE COMPANY’S REVOLUTIONARY NEW CONVEYOR BELT SPLICING PROCEDURE ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR HAZARDOUS RUBBER CEMENT.

I

n response to demands from a customer base calling for a safer way to splice fabric belts, Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia (BMSA) has worked in tandem with Bridgestone’s Japanese R&D team over the last five years to implement a splicing procedure for fabric conveyor belts that is both more environmentally sound and safer for workers.

The process is called Zero Volatile Organic Compounds, or Zero VOC. Currently a unique development of Bridgestone (with patents registered in Japan), Zero VOC incorporates a number of novel ways to improve on the traditional rubber cementing method.

When installing a new conveyor belt, it is important to make sure the two ends join correctly. With regards to fabric belts, this process — referred to as splicing — often utilises rubber cement in order to bond the ends of the belt during vulcanisation, a potentially hazardous job. Three ingredients found in the cement two of which pose a particular risk to workers: toluene and zinc oxide.

Toluene is toxic and highly flammable, while zinc oxide is

environmentally hazardous, particularly when subsumed in water, presenting a potential risk of harm to aquatic life.

Also, humid environments — particularly tropical regions — can prove a potential quality control risk when dealing with rubber cement splices, something that has a negligible QC effect when using Zero VOC. On top of that, rubber cement also requires numerous legislative controls with regards to safety, including transportation (in particular the Australian Dangerous Goods Code), storage and handling, and environmental control, all of which slows the working process.

Elimination of rubber cement from the splicing procedure via use of Bridgestone’s Zero VOC process has not only eliminated the requirement for toluene and replaced liquid zinc oxide with solid zinc oxide (which is much more environmentally friendly), but has also made things easier for workers.

As an additional benefit, belt installers are no longer required to wear safety gloves, safety eyewear and respirators when handling the Zero VOC. “It eliminates all of that,” explained

OPERATORS CARRY OUT A QA CHECK ON A NEWLY SPLICED CONVEYOR BELT.

Bridgestone national sales manager belt, Australia, Will Smith. “It removes the need for flammable protection, dehumidified zones, storage containers, and you don’t need

OPERATORS LAY DOWN ZERO VOC COATING PRIOR TO THE SPLICE.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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spillage control onsite, either.”

Zero VOC technology for fabric belts has been a large enough development for Bridgestone that it secured its design team a People (Safety) Environmental award at the 2018 Bridgestone Group Awards.

It is also a technology with growing market admiration, something Bridgestone recognised during the previous year’s Awards when it awarded its subsidiary company Firestone Building Products (FSBP) an environmental award for its selfadhesive roofing product ‘Secure Bond’, which also utilises Zero VOC technology.

Having gone through a vigorous research and development period, Zero VOC recently launched in the marketplace to positive feedback.

Although the testing period has been focused on Bridgestone’s own fabric belts so far, there is eventual potential for compatibility with other companies’ belts in future as well.

Given the relative ease of application when compared with the forebear, it’s easy to recognise how they might see the potential.

“Rather than coating on the cement with glue, it is functionally a bit more like double-sided sticky tape, it’s a lot easier,” said Smith. “I even had one customer tell me he couldn’t even see the splice.” AM

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MATERIALS HANDLING

FLEXCO MOVES CONVEYOR INSPECTIONS INTO THE DIGITAL AGE THE MATERIALS HANDLING SPECIALIST HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE EFFICIENCY OF ITS SYSTEM AUDITS THROUGH A DIGITAL APP. AUSTRALIAN MINING EXPLAINS.

F

lexco’s conveyor auditing process has been enhanced by the introduction of an app specifically designed for conducting onsite belt inspections.

The Flexco audit app, which was introduced in the second half of 2017, is allowing the company’s experts to provide real-time assessments of conveyor systems at mine sites, helping operators resolve issues that are identified much quicker than in the past.

Turning the archaic pen-and-paper inspection method into a distant memory, the Flexco app is delivering a new level of efficiency for the teams maintaining the materials handling equipment.

Historically it would take several weeks for mining companies to properly analyse findings from a conveyor system audit. With the Flexco audit app, these miners are now discussing the assessments before the Flexco field expert has even left the mine site, according to WA sales manager Adam Wright.

A FLEXCO FIELD SPECIALIST DURING INSPECTION.

AUSTRALIANMINING

“With the audit app we can essentially press send at the end of the day and the report will be emailed through to the maintenance supervisor or management on site. We can then talk the mine’s maintenance team through the entire audit while we are still on site,” Wright told Australian Mining.

Developed by Flexco’s global heavy duty team, the audit app is applicable to mining and any other industry that uses conveyor systems for materials handling activities.

Flexco field specialists focus on finding the root cause of any conveyor system challenges before they become serious problems. The app then allows the specialist to input the information into an easy-to-read report, including information about how to solve the issues, for mining management to be able to easily and quickly implement changes to limit the chance of downtime.

To reach these outcomes, a Flexco auditor, accompanied by the app on a tablet, will walk along the conveyor belt at the mine site with a representative from the mining company’s maintenance team.

The app is stacked with industryleading features for inspections, including conveyor system ratings, diagnostic issues, attachment of photographs and product information, which generate data on the conveyor system’s condition.

This information is compiled into in-depth reports once the belt conveyor system walk has been completed for both the mine’s and Flexco’s reference.

Wright said it was important that Flexco’s field specialists worked closely onsite with the mine’s crew to complete the conveyor system inspections.

“It works really well if the maintenance personnel and Flexco field specialist develop a strong partnership on conveyor system audits, which we advise to be consistently scheduled,” Wright said.

“What Flexco will do is highlight the conveyor system’s flaws, and then recommend how to improve on the issues, including how to develop better strategies for scheduling

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maintenance activities.

“The audits will essentially provide the miner with a digital, real-time inspection that explains what they need to fix or upgrade to deliver the productivity gains they are targeting.”

An effective audit of a mine’s conveyor system often leads to a reduction in operational costs and maintenance activities for the miner, leading to this increase in productivity.

Wright reinforced the importance of a Flexco field specialist being onsite when the conveyor system is operational to achieve an accurate assessment of the equipment.

He said the Flexco specialist would need to spend up to two days walking every operational conveyor on some bigger mines, such as the iron ore sites in the Pilbara.

“The ideal time for us to go would be for a day or two when the plant is running and then for up to a day when the plant is shut down,” Wright said. “By the time the plant is shut down we will have collected the information we need to analyse what it is doing to provide suggestions.”

The app can also help mining companies with the identification of components on their conveyor systems, whether it is manufactured

by Flexco or another materials handling company.

Wright said it was common for mines to lose track of the parts they have on their conveyor systems and where the components were sourced from.

“We are not only capturing what’s on the system and making recommendations, but also the part numbers on the system and then cataloguing that information,” Wright said.

“This provides more in-depth information that has the ability to help from a procurement and purchasing side of things as well.”

As the Flexco audit app is demonstrating, having a third-party conveyor specialist equipped with industry-leading technology regularly assess a belt line can prove to be a crucial element of an operation’s productivity strategy. AM

Solve issues before

they become serious problems with a

Belt Conveyor System Audit.

Flexco experts record their findings using the Flexco audit app and can instantly supply a complete report.

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Maximise your belt conveyor productivity with a belt conveyor assessment from Flexco.

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IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS

SCHEDULE A BELT CONVEYOR SYSTEM AUDIT TODAY

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IDENTIFY

ISSUES & OPPORTUNITIES

MATERIALS HANDLING

THE DRIVE TO SUCCEED AUSTRALIAN MINING DISCOVERS WHAT PUTS BOSCH REXROTH’S HYDRAULIC PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

B

osch Rexroth is no stranger to materials handling in the mining and resources sector; whether it is stackers, reclaimers, conveyors, feeders or ship loaders, the company takes rightful pride in all its products being applicable for assorted equipment.

With around 33,000 employees in over 80 countries and customising sites in 20 countries, Bosch Rexroth (‘The Drive & Control Company’) has sustained a solid and longstanding reputation by delivering high-performance hydraulic products and systems for machinery applications over the past 200 years.

From a comprehensive product portfolio, Large Hydraulic Drives strikes as a speciality field, particularly in the materials handling sector. In addition to this, the most eminent Hagglunds hydraulic drive has been identified as a robust solution when dealing with the risk of shock and frequent load spikes in a harsh environment.

As stated by Rod Elvin, who is the sales and service manager for Bosch Rexroth Australia and has been working for the company for 23 years, “The name of the game is quality”.

“Quality, no doubt!” he said.

“Fit for purpose, the drives have a high power density, which provides high starting torque, variable speed, precise control and predictable life cycles.

“The low inertia rate of 0.1 per cent is determined to increase the uptime of your conveyors by limiting the stress on machinery, chains and drivelines.

“The advanced engineering designs are tailored to suit the challenges of customers based on their requirements and specifications that provides a feasible path to increased productivity.

“Therefore, we guarantee high-performance solutions to ensure quick payback and minimal maintenance cost for your mining applications.”

Furthermore, in most low-speed applications, the Hagglunds Drive solution also has an operational advantage of being a low inertia drive, stopping within a degree of rotation with no windup and additional loading of the internal components, offering precise speed

A CG IMAGE OF BOSCH REXROTH DRIVES IN USE ON A STACKER RECLAIMER.

control. This is in contrast with electro/mechanical drives where the input speed to the drive is typically above 1000 rpm in combination with a gearbox of, say, a 30 or 40:1 reduction.

Bosch Rexroth also offers a bevy of service options through its Service Department.

With nine locations strategically located throughout Australia, operators will always find a reliable service partner in the vicinity.

Whether it is field service, component repair, equipment overhaul, spare parts and predictive analysis, Bosch Rexroth is always one call away to help equipment owners and operators identify potential issues and reduce unscheduled downtime.

“Bosch Rexroth understands the life cycle approach to hydraulics products and systems we apply.

It starts with the initial concept; we design the systems, install and maintain the systems and recommend necessary upgrades when technology or the customer’s application requirements dictate a redesign is necessary,” Elvin said.

AUSTRALIANMINING

BOSCH REXROTH UNDERSTANDS THE LIFE CYCLE APPROACH TO HYDRAULICS PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS.” Moreover, retrofitting and modernisation of hydraulic components and systems instead of machine replacement is in some cases a much more financially viable option for machinery owners and operators.

Bosch Rexroth engineers work with owners and operators to evaluate machinery and give options for modernisation, avoiding large upfront capital costs.

“Port facilities, mine sites and industrial sites all benefit with the proven reliability of our products and systems, coupled with our extensive applications experience.

This is tested and proven by our extended list of customers all across Australia and New Zealand,” Elvin explained.

Lastly, the company is also playing an active role in actuating the future of hydraulics integration.

The spreading contingent of Industry 4.0, aka i4.0, is leading to

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an increased autonomy of machine systems. As a result of which, Bosch Rexroth is involved with various smart manufacturing pilot projects, collaborating with various original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and organisations to help usher in a new stage of automation development.

“For Bosch Rexroth, Industry 4.0 is not only about machine integration but making the hydraulic systems autonomous with analytical analysis of component life and maintenance intervals, minimising planned and unplanned machine downtime,” Elvin explained.

“The connectivity of these individual systems in a plant and the predictability of their maintenance and/or failure, which can give a holistic outcome for the owner, operator plant or machine, is what defines i4.0 for hydraulics at Bosch Rexroth.” AM

YOUR BENEFITS • UNMATCHED POWER DENSITY

• UNEQUALED FLEXIBILITY

• UNPARALLELED PERFORMANCE

• UNRIVALED EFFICIENCY

For more info visit us @ www.boschrexroth.com.au or Call on 1800 REXROTH Sydney | Newcastle | Brisbane | Mackay | Melbourne | Bunbury | Port Hedland | Adelaide | Perth

PRODUCTS

PHOENIX CONTACT TERMITRAB COMPLETE RANGE

Phoenix Contact is promising to revolutionise surge protection devices for measurement and control technology (MCR) and extra low voltage applications with the release of its new Termitrab Complete range, which features the world’s narrowest surge protection solution - just 3.5mm.

The use of leading edge components in the 3.5mm arrester means technicians can now build smaller systems to protect analogue and digital signals transmitted

using MCR as well as gain valuable installation space for system planning.

The 3.5mm arrester is available as a push-in model, while the 6.2mm Termitrab arresters provide technicians with considerable choice.

They can choose from versions with screw or push-in connections, knife disconnections, pluggable arrestors, and Ex approval, to meet their individual requirements.

The 6.2mm arrester models also feature an integrated status indicator that lets technicians see when the unit has reached its end of life and requires replacing.

Better still, the indicator on the surge protection device does not require any auxiliary power.

During the disconnection process, the measuring signal is unaffected, to help ensure the ongoing reliability of the system.

Technicians can also choose to install the optional, low cost, remote signalling module to remotely detect overloaded surge protective devices and maintain the integrity of their system.

The module is easy to retrofit and does not require any programming or additional wiring.

It uses a photoelectric barrier to monitor the status of up to 40 adjacent protective devices and a floating contact transmits the status to the control room.

• phoenixcontact.com.au • 1300 786 411

ROCKWELL FACTORYTALK VIEW

SGF SGFLEX-3F AND TENBEX-ECO

Rockwell Automation has updated its HMI software to equip industrial workers with better information to run and maintain their systems. New features in the FactoryTalk View software version 10.0 include greater access to information, new mobile device support and better cross-software integration to improve productivity.

Operators can now use the TrendPro tool in FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) software to overlay alarm information on trend data. This feature can help them connect alarm occurrences with data-point values to speed up troubleshooting. They can also use the tool to save and share ad hoc trends with other workers.

“This version also adds support in the HMI for flexible alarming with the Allen-Bradley Logix line of controllers,” said Dean Tresidder, commercial specialist, software at Rockwell Automation. “Previously, users had to manually create alarm conditions in both the controller and the HMI. With tag-based alarming, operators can now create the alarm configuration in Logix and the HMI will process it automatically, which saves time by reducing the need for programming.”

SGF (Suddeutsche Gelenkscheibenfabrik Gmbh), the German company specialising in torque transmission and anti-vibration solutions have unveiled their new SGFlex-3F and TENBEX-ECO Series coupling assemblies, designed to effectively transmit torques from 100 Nm up to 40 kNm. SGF utilises its trademark Tenpu fibre technology, a combination of cord inlays vulcanised within select rubber compounds that operate in tension rather than pressure or shear load in these new products. This tension load principle ensures that the Tenpu fibre reinforcement transmit the majority of the torque while more efficiently reducing noise and vibration, providing improved tolerance to shock loads and compensation of radial, axial and angular misalignments. The couplings have a high power density ratio resulting in considerable reduction in installation space and weight.

SGFlex-3F Series Complete with pilot bore flanges or flywheel adaptor, these flexible couplings are designed to connect a single shaft, two shafts or a flywheel to a shaft; suitable for nominal torques from 100 Nm to 3240 Nm, several sizes are available.

TENBEX-ECO Series The TENBEX-ECO series is a SGF link coupling system available for two types of application connections; Type F for direct connection to an engine, and Type D for shaft to shaft connections. The coupling can be combined with optional hubs, spacer and adapter flanges to provide complete fitment versatility without extensive modifications or further engineering to the equipment. The TENBEX-ECO series is suitable for nominal torques from 4.8 kNm to 40 kNm.

• rockwellautomation.com

• sgf.de/en

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PRODUCTS

MAPTEK I-SITE SR3 LASER SCANNER

KOMATSU KOMTRAX UPDATE

Maptek’s I-Site SR3 600m range laser scanner follows on from the extra long range XR3 and long range LR3, which came onto the market in 2017. The R3 series is 30 per cent smaller and 25 per cent lighter, with 2.5 times faster data acquisition than the earlier I-Site 8000 scanners.

Survey teams can work faster and smarter, with confidence that accurate, current topographic and volumetric data is guiding mine planning and geotechnical investigations; weighing only 9.6kg and accurate to 4mm, Maptek believes surveyors will be able to measure stopes, drives and tunnels with ease.

High-resolution laser scans collect detailed data for geological and geotechnical face mapping. High fidelity imagery captured underground at the same time as scanning provides context and support for analysis and communication.

A scan window of -40° to 90° vertically, and 360° horizontally captures all surfaces in any direction without the need for complicated configurations. Whatever the orientation of the scanner, integrated levelling automatically corrects scans before processing.

New functionality on the tablet controller allows users to import mine CAD strings and surfaces to view together with scans.

This facilitates real time comparison between the scans and allows users to compare this directly to the mine plan or geological models while underground.

“Operations who choose Maptek laser scanners for one particular survey application, quickly find many more uses across their different engineering and planning disciplines,’ said mine measurement product manager for Maptek, James Howarth. “Customers have called the technology a game changer for improving site efficiency and enhancing integration of survey with mine planning.”

Komatsu has recently updated its satellite-based KOMTRAX information communication technology (ICT) system, introducing a new website interface compatible with computers, tablets and smartphones that integrates Google Maps for locating and getting to machines.

KOMTRAX provides constant monitoring the operational conditions and status of machines in order to help increase safety, productivity, uptime, availability, and reduce costs per tonne and per hour.

The new KOMTRAX maintains its ability to monitor operator efficiency, measuring parameters such as how long a machine spends idling, what working mode it’s in – and whether that mode is the most appropriate for a particular task.

“Although this has been a longstanding key feature of KOMTRAX, the information is now easier to access and interpret allowing follow-up action to be taken faster,” said Jacques LeRoux, Komatsu national manager – ICT & Fleet Management.

“In addition, we are now getting more data coming out of Komatsu machines than ever before – and this latest upgrade has been designed to make the best use of all this extra data and accompanying capabilities.”

• Maptek.com

• komatsu.com.au

PANASONIC FZ-G1 TOUGHPAD

ABBOTT STARLIMS

The latest in Panasonic’s line of long-running Toughbook series, the FZ-G1 Toughpad, an ultra-thin, lightweight, fully rugged tablet that has become a key component of Brisbane company Global Tech Group’s Portable Vehicle Training System (PVTS), providing live remote training feedback and communication between single-seat vehicle trainees and their instructors.

Coming with a rugged, detachable clip-on keyboard, four individual cameras for HD video capture during training, optional integrated whole body vibration (WBV) analysis and a rugged headset (which fits under safety helmets), the FZ-G1 is well-suited to the tough conditions faced by the mining industry.

As Richard Vorias, managing director of Global Tech Group explained, “the Toughbook is up to the task”.

“It’s ruggedised and well-suited for use in the mining industry — with IP ratings, an all-weather vibration, drop, dust and water-resistant design, a rugged keyboard and anti-glare screen, and fits into a compact case for carrying.”

Abbott Informatics STARLIMS integrated solution helps to streamline the process of achieving high safety and quality standards while reducing costs through automation. This helps to eliminate errors caused by human factors through the use of innovative methods. STARLIMS is unlike other LIMS services in that it allows for quick and seamless integration with existing enterprise applications, streamlining audits with the aid of advanced analytics systems.

A scalable, web-based product, STARLIMS allows operators to manage data not just nominally, but by exception as well. STARLIMS is also available on iOS and Android tablets and smartphones via the cross platform STARLIMS Mobile app as well, ensuring maximum portability when ensuring workflow automations. The mobile app is tailored to screen size, supports an offline mode (with sync upon reconnection), and features a touch interface for haptic feedback.

• informatics.abbott

• toughbook.com.au

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EVENTS

CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS EVENT SUBMISSIONS CAN BE EMAILED TO EDITOR@AUSTRALIANMINING.COM.AU

ALTA 2018, PERTH, MAY 19–26 Organised by ALTA Metallurgical Services, which was founded in 1985 to serve the needs of the worldwide mining, minerals and metallurgical industries, this year’s ALTA event is now in its 23rd year, and is the longest-running metallurgical event in the country.

This metallurgy-focused event gathers international speakers and exhibitors from all corners of the metal resources spectrum, including technology metals, rare earths, precious metals and uranium.

• altamet.com.au/conferences/alta 2018/ AMEC CONVENTION 2018, PERTH, JUNE 13–14 Taking place at Crown Perth Convention Centre, the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC), this convention will showcase the Australian resources sector around a theme of building confidence.

The show will involve several established keynote speakers, a large exhibitors’ trade show featuring 50 companies (including ALS Minerals, Mincor, Barra Resources, Westgold Resources, Peel Mining and many more) and lots of networking

opportunities.

Information on packages and pricing are available from AMEC’s website.

• amec.org.au/public/events/AMEC_ Convention • 1300 738 184 QUEENSLAND MINING AWARDS 2018, MACKAY, JULY 25 The Bowen Basin Mining Club (BBMC), in partnership with the Queensland Resources Council, are proud to host the Queensland mining industry’s premier awards event, the 2018 Queensland Mining Awards.

The Awards have been designed to celebrate the spirit of innovation, excellence and collaboration that is fostered within the highly competitive mining industry.

Award categories include the Safety Innovation Award (sponsored by McLanahan), Collaboration Award (sponsored by METS Ignited) and Cost Saving Initiative Award (sponsored by Greyhound Australia), among many others.

Award winners will be recognised the quality of their products and contributions, as well as their commitment to mining innovation.

The Awards will be held at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre in the Bowen Basin on July 25,

in collaboration with the biannual Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME).

• bbminingclub.com/awards QUEENSLAND MINING HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE, GOLD COAST, AUGUST 19–22 The Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference is an event dedicated to fostering proactive health and safety management techniques within the Queensland mining industry, and will see up to 700 delegates gathered from across Australia. This year’s event has the theme of ‘Recognising opportunities together.’

Those wishing to take an active role in the conference are encouraged to consider presenting a paper during one of the concurrent sessions or to enter the renowned Innovation and Health Program Awards.

This year’s conference, which is celebrating its 30th year, will be held at The Star Gold Coast from August 19 to August 22, on the evening of which proceeding will culminate in a conference dinner and award presentation.

Entrants will be acknowledged in the conference’s award programs around ingenuity and advances in systems

technology and processes, as well as the practical solutions that help with personal and occupational health problems.

Paper Abstracts submissions are due Friday, 30 March and submission for the Innovation and Health Program Awards are due by Friday, 18 May. • qldminingsafety.org.au PROSPECT AWARDS, SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND, SYDNEY, OCTOBER 18 Celebrating its 15th year this October, the Australian Mining Prospect Awards has firmly established itself as one of Australia’s premier mining industry events.

Nominations are now open for the 2018 Prospect Awards, which will again celebrate the best of the industry over the past year.

Previous winners have included a large range of companies, from SMEs and start-up ventures to the industry’s biggest hitters, such as Atlas Copco, BGC Contracting and Roy Hill.

Last year also saw Pilbara iron ore mogul Gina Rinehart receive the award for Contribution to Mining.

This year’s event will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in New South Wales on Thursday October 18.

• prospectawards.com.au

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NOMINATIONS NOW

OPEN For more information, please go to

www.prospectawards.com.au Sponsors

MRS1000: OUTDOOR IS OUR FOURTH DIMENSION.

With the MRS1000 multi-layer scanner, SICK has developed a 3D LiDAR sensor which accurately and reliably detects and measures objects quickly in multiple dimensions. By collecting large volumes of data over multiple scan layers and from different angles, MRS1000 can detect and respond to objects at floor level and above that are obstructing the path. The MRS1000 is characterised by a high degree of ruggedness and detection reliability even in adverse environments where there is rain, dust, and fog. The new HDDM+ process, with multi-echo evaluation, ensures the reliable detection of objects and accurate measurement results. Versatile fields of application, both indoor and outdoor, make this an efficient all-rounder among 3D LiDAR sensors.. We think that‘s intelligent. For more information, please vist www.sick.com/MRS1000 or call 1800 334 802.

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