Australian Mining - August 2017

VOLUME 109/7 | AUGUST 2017

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AIMEX INNOVATION VOLUME 109/7 | AUGUST 2017

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COMMENT

BEN CREAGH

Ben.Creagh@primecreative.com.au

THE FIRST SIGNS THAT SKILLS SHORTAGES ARE BACK IF SKILLS SHORTAGES ARE RETURNING, HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY BE PREPARED?

I

t’s hard to believe skills shortages are again emerging in the Australian mining industry.

At least that is the recent finding from recruitment agency, Hays, which reported that roles like geologists, drill and blast specialists, and metallurgists are in high demand.

Really? So soon after workforces were decimated by the downturn following unprecedented growth?

That situation seems like yesterday – well, last year anyway.

On closer inspection, the evidence that skill shortages may be emerging makes sense.

For starters, the extremities of the most recent mining cycle have turned many former mine workers away from the industry and they don’t want to return.

As Hays puts it, these people are now happy to work in another industry, for a lower salary, but with what they believe is a better lifestyle.

In turn, ‘cautious optimism’ (already the mining catchphrase of 2017) continues to prevail for mining companies and services groups despite improving conditions.

So, if cautious optimism eventually becomes genuine optimism – at this rate it would seem the emerging skills shortages would then also become genuine.

If this becomes the case, how can the industry be prepared?

Looking overseas for workers won’t be the answer this time, especially after the abolishment of the Australian Government’s 457 visa program earlier this year.

Although the boundaries of the government’s replacement program aren’t clear yet, the floodgates won’t be open to international workers this time, if they are required.

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

It means a new generation of mine worker will be needed. With that comes the requirement for increased training and mentoring, as well as positive marketing that tells Australia mining is a good industry to work in.

Meanwhile, August offers two of the finest mining events Australia has to offer.

Firstly, the Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum in Kalgoorlie. Then, at the end of the month, the Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) in Sydney.

While the two events are much different, they both serve as a barometer of the industry’s health. And could provide an official guide on this matter.

Kalgoorlie’s famous event has another bumper line-up, with most of the country’s leading miners either presenting or exhibiting. No doubt these companies will provide an insight into their workforces and current needs.

AIMEX, on the other hand, will cover a variety of industry disciplines, which are bound to touch on the skills required in these areas.

Stay tuned.

In this edition of Australian Mining, we look at the key mining contracts that were awarded during the first half of 2017.

With conditions improving in the industry, mining services groups have been buoyed by a lift in the number of contracts on offer in various commodities.

This issue also looks at the latest mining recruitment and human resources trends in Australia.

Are there increasing employment opportunities on the horizon for mine workers?

Australian Mining explores how mining equipment arrives from overseas, as well as the process of putting it into action at mine sites around the country.

This month also sees the Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) take place. Australian Mining takes readers closer to the event by profiling some of the companies that will be involved.

And as always, we review the latest in mining technology and equipment in our regular Product Showcase spread.

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

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CONTENTS

COMMUNICATIONS A SWIFT ANSWER TO A MORE COMFORTABLE FIFO LIFESTYLE How Swift Networks is improving communications facilities at FIFO villages

INNOVATION

16-17

32

LIFTING PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY PERFORMANCE THROUGH COLLABORATION A new solution delivering cost benefits during train loading chute change outs

AUTOMATION JUMBOGUARD MAKES UNDERGROUND MINING A SAFER ENVIRONMENT YUMARR Automation’s new system for increasing safety on site

MATERIALS HANDLING

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34-35

GUARDING OPERATIONS AT RIO TINTO’S WEIPA MINE How ESS’s EZI-GUARD solution improves conveyor efficiency

PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES TRANSITION AS MARKET CONDITIONS TURN How the improved market is potentially leading to skills shortages

CRUSHING

20-21

36-37

NEXT GENERATION CRUSHING TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY Investing in new crushing technology has been beneficial for Boral

URANIUM WA BAN ON URANIUM MINING RETURNS The ban is not all bad news for WA’s uranium industry

PRODUCTIVITY

22-23

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TRANSFER CHUTE UPGRADES AT WA IRON ORE FACILITY SIGNIFICANTLY LIFT PRODUCTIVITY How Flexco has improved performance at a WA iron ore mine

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY SUPPORTING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN IN INDUSTRY A recap of this year’s Women in Industry conference and awards

AIMEX

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40-45

26-29

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THE LEADING AUSTRALIAN MINING EVENT Profiles of companies taking part in this year’s exhibition in Sydney

CONTRACT MINING NEW CONTRACTS LIFT OPTIMISM FOR MINING SERVICES COMPANIES How did the first half of 2017 fare for services companies in mining?

TRACKING THE TRENDS

MINING EQUIPMENT A DOZEN KOMATSU 830E TRUCKS How haul trucks make their way to Australia

STRENGTHENING COLLABORATION IN THE MINING INDUSTRY Deloitte highlights the importance of collaboration in the mining sector

MAINTENANCE & MONITORING 0

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48-49

10 20 30 40 50 60 70

VIBRATION IN MINERAL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT CAN BE COSTLY The advantages of vibration measurement for condition monitoring of machinery

80 90

REGULARS

INDUSTRY COMMENT 10

NEWS 12-14 PRODUCT SHOWCASE 52-53 AUSTRALIANMINING

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AUGUST 2017

EVENTS 54

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INDUSTRY COMMENT

THE QUADRANT OF MINING AND RENEWABLES ARNOLDUS MATEO VAN DEN HURK MIR FROM R4MINING LOOKS AT THE GROWING PRESENCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE GLOBAL MINING INDUSTRY.

T

he world of mining hides some of the greatest engineering wonders for all types of renewables.

Shall we look at some examples by technology, beginning with geothermal, like the amazing Iceland plants for the smelting of Rio Tinto’s aluminium and gold production at Newcrest’s Lihir Mine in Papua New Guinea.

Looking at wind energy, mining records the highest facility in the world (4000 metres) in a Barrick Gold mine in Argentina and the world’s highest latitude wind plant, at the Diavik diamond mine in Canada.

As for solar PV energy, mining registered the top facility in 2006, a German lignite mine closure (6 MWp), and in 2016 with the Indian mining group Adani (648 MWp), and the largest industrial thermal solar plant, with storage in Gabi’s Codelco copper mine.

Elsewhere, mining consumes 60 per cent of Latin America's solar PV energy.

In developing corporate social responsibility (CSR), Freeport McMoran financed the largest off-grid facility composed by solar PV, small wind, solar thermal cogeneration and batteries at the border of Chile and Bolivia (Ollagüe community). There are more than 500 MW of solar and wind plants for mine closures in the United States.

For hydropower, let's take the example of miner Vale, which consumes 4 per cent of Brazil’s total electricity consumption.

Another curious examples is in Arequipa (Peru), where a miner built a hydroelectric plant in a volcano crater.

Moving on to bioenergy, we find mining trains in Brazil running on biodiesel or in the case of Minera Tres Valles in Chile, a 24/7 copper producer using only biomass electricity, or the South African case of marine biodiesel production for commodity shipments.

Finally, energy storage, for more than 120 years there have been hydro energy storage works in the United Kingdom in abandoned

BPFQ: Simplified Nomenclature MINING Business Model

power flows ON the Mine

power flows OFF the Mine

UTILITY Business Model quarries and currently there are new developments in abandoned open pit and underground mines in four continents.

And what about lithium-ion batteries? We can quote Sandfire Resources’ DeGrussa mine in Australia, the world's largest off-grid hybrid facility.

How to define and organise this kaleidoscope of installations?

r4mining led a study to determine this sophisticated market and we concluded this puzzle was composed by four pieces, based on two criteria: the business model approach and the target direction of the electricity. We named it the Business & Power Flow Quadrant (BPFQ).

1. The Business Flow Duality: facilities based on “mining business model” or “power (utilities) business model 2. Electricity Flow Duality: flows into the mine or out of the mine.

The four segments of the BPFQ based on the previous criteria are: A. Renewables FOR Mining (R4M): Renewables for mining selfconsumption • Mining FOR Renewables (M4R): Renewables for mining CSR • Renewable TO Mining (R2M):

AUSTRALIANMINING

Mining consumption from renewable utilities • Mining TO Renewables (M2R): Mining utilities for renewables.

A. Renewables for mining selfconsumption (R4M) R4M considers the cases involving the core mining business model with the power flow to the mine, in other words, renewable production for selfconsumption.

We can find facilities on-grid and off-grid. This segment defines the priority market. Most of the examples quoted in the beginning of the article belong to R4M segment.

B. Renewables for mining corporate social responsibility (M4R) M4R describes cases where renewable power flows out of the mines but within the “mining business model” where CSR is included.

M4R also covers facilities in mine closure and reclamation and investment, as well as third part project investments to mitigate mining carbon footprint.

C. Renewable utilities for mining consumption (R2M) R2M represents cases where renewables power the mines using a

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“utility business model”. We found the best example in the ChileanPeruvian mining region where 11 of the 13 Latin American large solar PVs evacuate power into the SING grid, which serves the 85 per cent of their production to mining customers.

Similar effects can be observed in other mining regions around the globe, such as Nevada (US) or South Africa. Most of the renewables for mines’ “hidden” facilities belong to the R2M segment.

D. Mining power companies for renewables (M2R) The M2R segment uses the “utility business model” where electricity flows out of the mine.

This is the “hidden” market where coal and bituminous sands mines are linked to utility companies, with good examples in India, China and Indonesia that produce coal but invest in solar energy to sell public electricity.

We can also find other companies divided into two business units, one mining and the other an energy company. This is the case of Canada’s Alterra Power and PanAmerican Silver Corp.

Finally, other mines integrated in the iron and steel industry develop subsidiaries of solar and wind energy.

Valid examples are Vale (Brazil), Tata (India) or CAP Minera (Chile).

BPFQ in the Peruvian market

When applying to a specific market, like Peru, we can see the big picture approach. The total renewables and mining market is 392.2 MWp, divided in three 130MW segments.

The BPFQ offers support to professionals to: 1. Improve market size and segments measurements 2. Increase knowledge for market forecast trends 3. Support renewable business development professionals 4. Accelerate the transition of mining to low carbon society. AM Arnoldus Mateo van den Hurk Mir, Ph D, is a mining renewables expert for r4mining, based in Spain.

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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. BHP INVESTMENT IN SOUTH FLANK IRON ORE PROJECT TO GENERATE HUNDREDS OF JOBS BHP is moving ahead with development of the South Flank iron ore project as a potential replacement for production from the ageing Yandi operation in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The company approved a $US184 million ($244 million) investment in South Flank, reinforcing this view of the project’s future.

BHP’s initial funding for the $US3.2 billion South Flank project is expected to generate hundreds of construction jobs and provide opportunities for WA suppliers, BHP Australian operations president Mike Henry explained.

South Flank, which will leverage and expand the existing Mining Area C hub, remains BHP’s preferred option to replace production from the 80Mtpa Yandi mine when it reaches the end of its economic life next decade.

The South Flank project is expected to be submitted for board approval in mid2018, with first ore targeted in 2021 and ramp-up timed to coincide with the ramp-down of Yandi.

Full development of South Flank would generate several thousand jobs during

construction.

Henry said the capital-efficient South Flank project was a compelling option to replace Yandi production and offered attractive returns.

Its high-grade lump and fines ore and a strip ratio in line with the BHP WA Iron Ore (WAIO) average would establish it as a highly-competitive operation.

The initial funding will be used primarily for the expansion of accommodation facilities to support current and future workforce requirements.

“As well as supporting our current operational requirements, this work will advance potential first ore from South Flank, while we further optimise the full development and progress external and internal approvals,” Henry said.

“As we have said previously, a continuing stable investment environment in Western Australia is required to underpin ongoing investment in the business, including this project.”

The capital cost for South Flank is expected to be in the range of $US30$US40/tonne, with expenditure fitting within WAIO’s previously indicated

average sustaining capital expenditure of $US4/tonne over the next five years.

“The capital efficiency of South Flank is underpinned by the planned use of existing infrastructure at the Mining Area C operation, which would, if approved, become one of the largest standalone iron ore processing centres in the world, within reach of several billion tonnes of high-grade ore,” Henry said.

AUSTRALIAN MINING GETS THE LATEST NEWS EVERY DAY, PROVIDING MINING PROFESSIONALS WITH UP TO THE MINUTE INFORMATION ON SAFETY, NEWS AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN MINING AND RESOURCES INDUSTRY.

BHP IRON ORE MINING

PRODUCTION TO START AT FIRST NORTHERN TERRITORY GOLD MINE IN A DECADE Emmerson Resources, with project partner Evolution Mining, has secured final approvals from the Northern Territory Government to launch production at the Edna Beryl gold operation in the Tennant Creek area.

Edna Beryl, the NT’s first new gold mine in more than a decade, will be mined under a ‘tribute agreement’ by Edna Beryl Mining Company, which Emmerson described as an operator specialising in small mines.

A high-grade prospect, the first 600 tonnes of development ore at Edna Beryl averaged 40 grams a tonne of gold.

According to Emmerson, the mining activities will be undertaken in shallow mineralisation that was identified during exploration.

Drilling in 2016 extended this mineralisation, opening the possibility of either expanding the current mining area or contemplating a larger scale development – if the next round of drilling is successful.

Emmerson managing director Rob Bills said launching production at Edna Beryl was a pivotal step for the company, which has been exploring the Tennant Creek mineral field since 2008.

“It not only provides a revenue stream but establishes a template for unlocking value in many of our other projects contained within our extensive 3000 square kilometre tenement package,” Bills said.

“We believe this tribute style of agreement maximises value and mitigates risk whilst providing great insights for our near mine and regional exploration programs.”

Emmerson believes the tribute agreement provides several advantages, including a risk-free income stream from its non-core assets via a royalty agreement that is proportional to the gold extracted.

AUSTRALIANMINING

The Edna Beryl mine provides a launching pad for the NT Government as it progresses a feasibility study for the development of a common user mine and processing facility at Tennant Creek.

NT minister for primary industry and resources Ken Vowles welcomed the mine to Tennant Creek, adding the government was focused on developing the region as the mining services hub of the Territory.

“This investment will help further development of the mining and mineral exploration industry in the Tennant Creek region,” Vowles said.

“The cyclical nature of the industry means that investing in mineral exploration now is vital to ensuring the discoveries that will become the mines of tomorrow are made.”

MORE GOLD WILL BE MINED IN THE NT

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NEWS

ADANI’S $16B CARMICHAEL COAL MINE GETS GO-AHEAD

BGC WINS $700M CONTRACT AT BOGGABRI COAL MINE IN NSW

Adani has given the green light to start work on the $16 billion Carmichael coal mine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin.

Chairman Gautam Adani announced he had signed off on the project in a statement.

“I am proud to announce the project has Final Investment Decision (FID) approval which marks the official start of one of the largest single infrastructure – and jobcreating – developments in Australia’s recent history,” Adani said.

Pre-construction work on the project is expected to begin in the September quarter.

The company says the project will create 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, though opponents have challenged that claim.

Adani hit out at environmental activists who have challenged the project for years.

“We have been challenged by activists in the courts, in inner city streets, and even outside banks that have not even been approached to finance the project,” he said.

“We are still facing activists. But we are committed to this project.”

Meanwhile, the Australian Greens party described Adani’s announcement as a publicity stunt to secure extra taxpayer funding for the project. “(It) does not mean the mine will go ahead, it’s a grab for a $1 billion handout of public funds from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility,” Greens environment spokesperson Larissa Waters said.

BGC Contracting has been awarded a $700 million mining and equipment maintenance services contract by Idemitsu Australia Resources at the Boggabri coal mine in New South Wales.

The five-year contract at the open pit mine will start in December this year.

BGC Contracting chief executive officer Greg Heylen said the Boggabri contract was the company’s biggest win in NSW in recent years and endorsed its confidence in the potential for growth in the state.

“In addition to the size of the contract, it is a significant strategic success as we seek to expand nationally into new locations and commodities, particularly in coal,” Heylen said.

“I am confident that our collaborative approach of working closely with our clients will ensure that Boggabri mine can maximise its performance.”

Heylen added that BGC Contracting was committed to supporting the people currently employed at Boggabri mine and the local community.

“Recruiting locally is good corporate citizenship and an important factor to ensure the safety of people on the project, the retention of valuable skills and the smooth transition of services. These are our highest priorities,” he said.

Idemitsu chief operating officer Steve Kovac said the company’s strategy for the mine’s operation had been reviewed over the past year.

BGC’s track record in building long-term partnerships with its bulk-commodity clients is the best fit with the approach Idemitsu is seeking, he explained.

“BGC Contracting has demonstrated a very clear understanding of our strategy for an integrated, lean management team with shared business goals. Our businesses have a good cultural fit which will allow us to develop a strong, mutually beneficial relationship well into the future,” Kovac said.

“Having the support of a partner with the capacity and willingness to work collaboratively will deliver improved operational performance, which is paramount to the continued success of the mine.”

Kovac confirmed Idemitsu’s commitment to sourcing the required personnel from the current workforce and the local Boggabri and surrounding communities.

“The current workforce will have the opportunity to continue working with us at Boggabri mine into the future, if they choose to be part of the process,” he said.

Boggabri coal operations and BGC plan to provide details of specific employment opportunities as soon as possible, including how those who would like to work with the company can register their interest.

The Boggabri mine produces up to 7Mtpa of coal with a mine life to 2033.

ILUKA TO REOPEN SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MINE, HALT VICTORIAN OPERATION Iluka Resources will restart mining at the Jacinth-Ambrosia zircon mine in the Eucla Basin of South Australia in December, reflecting a lift in market conditions and boosting employment in the region.

However, the mineral sands miner also plans to place its Hamilton mineral separation plant in Victoria on care and maintenance.

Activities at Jacinth-Ambrosia, about 270km from the Port of Thevenard, were suspended in April 2016 to allow heavy material concentrate inventory to be drawn down during a time of subdued market demand.

It was initially expected that operations at Jacinth-Ambrosia, Iluka’s primary source of zircon, would be suspended for 18-24 months.

With market conditions improving and concentrate inventories sufficiently drawn down, Iluka now plans to restart activities at Jacinth-Ambrosia in December 2017, following a two-month lead time. The restart will cost about $7 million.

Iluka’s managing director Tom O’Leary said the company continued to be encouraged by the improvement in mineral sands markets.

“The restart of Jacinth-Ambrosia reflects the continued tightening of the zircon market and follows the substantial draw down of heavy mineral concentrate inventory over 2017,” O’Leary said.

“The restart will ensure Iluka is able to continue to support its customer base.”

According to Iluka, about 40 employees and 60 contractors will be recruited to support the restart. Following the restart, Iluka will directly employ approximately 85 personnel at the site. A further 105 contractors will be employed for mining, transport and company operations.

Iluka South Australian operations manager Hamish Little added: “This is a welcome development for Iluka’s employees, contractors and community and government stakeholders, particularly in South Australia.”

Discovered in 2004, Iluka launched production at Jacinth-Ambrosia in 2009 after spending $400 million to develop the operation.

The South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy (SACOME) welcomed Iluka’s plans to restart Jacinth-Ambrosia, especially from an employment perspective for the state.

“SACOME is thrilled that Iluka will be looking to recruit 40 employees and 60 contractors to support the restart process,” it said.

Jacinth-Ambrosia’s key product is zircon, but it is also a source of rutile and chloride ilmenite.

In Victoria, Iluka reported that it plans to put the Hamilton plant on care and maintenance in October. In addition to a $150 million pre-tax impairment associated with this decision, Iluka will also record redundancy and restructure costs of $14 million in its half-year results.

AUSTRALIANMINING

ATLAS IRON DITCHES CORUNNA DOWNS DEVELOPMENT FOUR MONTHS AFTER APPROVAL Atlas Iron is halting development of its $53 million Corunna Downs project in the Pilbara region due to the recent fall in iron ore prices.

The Perth-based company approved development of Corunna Downs in February when iron ore prices were significantly higher.

However, the company explained that Corunna Downs has been deferred primarily due to market conditions and also because remaining approvals were taking longer than expected.

Atlas believes the deferral will allow it to further de-risk the project in anticipation of improved market conditions.

The company also announced that output at its Mt Webber project will increase from 7 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 9Mtpa, with the boost resulting from processing at its recommissioned Mt Dove site.

Atlas managing director Cliff Lawrenson said by adding 2Mtpa of production at Mt Dove it enabled the company to maintain the production levels it expected in 2017/18 prior to deferring Corunna Downs.

“Corunna Downs remains an important project for the company to sustain its production base and we will proceed with its development when market conditions improve,” Lawrenson said.

Construction of Corunna Downs was expected to cost around $47-53 million, Atlas announced in February.

Iron ore shipments from the project had been forecast to begin in March 2018, with an initial production rate of 4mtpa over its five to six-year mine life.

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Beyond the job.

When you partner with BGC Contracting, you don’t just partner with Australia’s Contract Miner of the Year. You partner up with every person on the job. You get their collective experience, their knowledge and their work ethic. You get 110%.

www.bgc.cc

COMMUNICATIONS

A SWIFT ANSWER TO A MORE COMFORTABLE FIFO LIFESTYLE SWIFT NETWORKS IS WORKING WITH MINING COMPANIES AROUND AUSTRALIA TO IMPROVE THE ENTERTAINMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES AT FIFO VILLAGES. BEN CREAGH REPORTS

T

here is nothing more satisfying for Swift Networks than making the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) arrangement more comfortable for workers at mine site villages.

The telecommunications and content solutions provider has become a leader in this space for the mining industry, with the likes of Rio Tinto, BHP and Roy Hill engaging the company to fitout its FIFO villages with the latest technologies.

One of the Perth-based company’s most recent contract wins was with Rio at the Hope Downs site in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

For Rio, Swift is upgrading and providing entertainment and communications facilities to the Hope Downs 1 village, which includes 1064 residences in the remote region.

The contract sees Swift refit and augment Rio’s existing TV system with new fibre optic cabling, while also providing the village with a new

gigabit passive optical network and internet user management solution.

Rio’s latest contract with Swift, signed during June, is another example of a mining company prioritising its staff’s entertainment, and its ability to stay informed and in contact with family and friends while working away.

Mining companies increasingly understand that this is a key part of building a happy, healthy and productive workforce, according to Swift.

“Having workers in such remote locations away from family and friends, it is important that they feel comfortable and have that home away from home,” Swift general manager - sales and marketing Gavin Burt told Australian Mining.

“We play a little part in that by providing the entertainment and information, as well as the ability for them to connect with family and friends through our networking capabilities.”

“Focus on their workers’ physical and mental wellbeing is very much

BUILDINGS AT THE TROPICANA MINE VILLAGE

on the agenda.”

Working with Rio, Swift has engineered a fit-for-purpose solution considerate of the client’s requirements in the harsh Pilbara environment.

Swift will design and construct a network platform that will deliver free-to-air TV, pay TV, an in-room

BHP’S WARRAWANDU VILLAGE

AUSTRALIANMINING

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telephone service and in-room WiFi internet to all 1064 rooms at the Hope Downs 1 village.

The contract adds to previous infrastructure works Swift has delivered for Rio at the Jerriwah and Amrun villages in WA and Queensland, respectively.

As technology evolves, so do the demands from mining companies for the facilities at their FIFO villages.

For Swift, it is not only a priority to keep up with the latest technologies, but to also be ahead of the curve in their ability to offer them to resources companies.

“Technology continues to evolve and we have a research and development team that continues to evolve our product to ensure that we are not just meeting the market, but also ahead of the market,” Burt said.

“So we continue to work with our clients on what solutions need to look like for residents and workers, and particularly in the resources sector.

“That’s an ongoing conversation we have with the client, particularly being in a remote environment – the bandwidth that is possible. Each camp is at different stages, in regards to their infrastructure, but we can meet any need, depending on the infrastructure out there.”

The remoteness of the mining camps presents the biggest challenge

COMMUNICATIONS

for Swift in delivering its projects.

In mineral-rich regions, such as the Pilbara and North Queensland, weather conditions also provide a key challenge for the company to overcome.

“You are talking about equipment that needs to hold up to some pretty high temperatures,” Burt explained.

“Our technology has held up for a number of years now, long term and relatively fault free. I think that holds us in good stead reputational wise with these clients.”

The next aim for Swift and its mining clients is to add bring-yourown-device (BYOD) capabilities to FIFO villages around the country to further enhance worker connectivity.

“We are working with clients on that potential solution in a remote environment – that has its own challenges,” Burt said.

“If you think of a metro environment that is something that people have expectations for so being able to do that in a remote environment is something we have been working on.”

As Swift aims to build capabilities such as BYOD, it is hopeful these

CHEVRON’S WHEATSTONE VILLAGE

developments will result in a larger market share of FIFO villages around Australia. The company estimates that there are around 110,000 rooms at mining villages in the country, with it providing content to about 30,000 of them.

Collaboration with other communications companies and industry bodies that support mining

will help Swift achieve this.

The company already has strong relationships with Foxtel and Beyondblue, for example, which make it possible for Swift to provide the broad service of its business.

While mining continues to be Swift’s primary industry of work, the company is also expanding into other sectors, including oil and gas,

government, hospitality, aged care and retirement villages.

Earlier this year in the oil and gas industry, Swift won a contract to supply a broad suite of its communications services to the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG project offshore WA. The company also recognises Chevron as one of its major clients. AM

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AUGUST 2017

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AUTOMATION

JUMBOGUARD MAKES UNDERGROUND MINING A SAFER ENVIRONMENT YUMARR AUTOMATION HAS DEVELOPED AN AUTOMATIC BOOM ISOLATION SYSTEM THAT IS DELIVERING SIGNIFICANT SAFETY BENEFITS FOR MINING COMPANIES AROUND THE COUNTRY. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

M

ine automation start-up YUMARR Automation has a vision to develop systems that significantly reduce the risks faced by underground miners.

The company has achieved this through its JumboGuard solution, a laser scanner-based assistance system that protects the people working with underground drill rigs.

Building the tunnel of an underground mine is a critical part of the mining operation. The risk of unintended contact with moving booms and entanglement in rotating drill steels remains an industry-wide problem, which far too often results in serious injury or even death.

Safety procedures have been implemented for this reason, but due to human factors, incidents are still occurring.

The industry has been searching

THE SYSTEM’S OPERATOR SCREEN

AUSTRALIANMINING

for engineering solutions in the past, but earlier efforts to remove the risks were causing false triggers and inadvertent machine shutdowns, as the technology used was too susceptible to noise like spray and dust.

The development of JumboGuard was instigated when mining services group Downer EDI carried out a risk assessment of its mobile underground drills. As a result, Downer contacted YUMARR to engineer a solution that meets the safety requirements for the underground drilling activities.

“We decided to develop a turnkey system which increases the safety of miners and operates under harshest conditions. Our challenge was to design a solution being able to perceive and interpret the complex interactions of humans, the machine and the environment,” YUMARR’s Nicky Guenther told Australian Mining.

“For the solution to be successful it had to work with consistent accuracy in all conditions, build trust with operating staff and blend in seamlessly with existing operations.”

As an additional layer of protection, JumboGuard integrates into existing drill infrastructure and hydraulic control.

Installing anchor bolts and steel mesh to support the tunnel walls requires mine personnel to enter a danger zone and work in direct proximity of the moving parts of the machine. JumboGuard observes the machine surrounding and monitors the movement of persons.

“If anyone enters the danger zone, JumboGuard detects the hazard and automatically stops the boom’s hydraulics, blocking the rotation of drill and movement of the boom,” Guenther said.

“As long as there is someone remaining in the danger zone, JumboGuard actively prevents the reactivation of the machine.”

This is possible due to an intelligent person counting algorithm guarding the danger zone entry and

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AUGUST 2017

exit. “It is a lifesaving safety feature of JumboGuard,” Guenther added.

Downer offered the testing ground at Kirkland Gold’s Cosmo mine site in the Northern Territory, the drills, the operating crews, as well as mining expertise to facilitate system proving under shift operation conditions.

Guenther said putting the prototype system in the actual working environment was where much of the engineering happened.

“Mud, dust, water spray, multiple operators and high temperatures were a few of the challenges YUMARR needed to teach the software to recognise and overcome,” Guenther said.

Impressed with the performance of JumboGuard, Downer decided to roll out the YUMARR system across its fleet of development drills following the trial.

JumboGuard has since been further developed into an out-of-thebox product that can be installed to any kind of underground drill. This has been an important step enabling the mining industry to retrofit JumboGuard, making underground mines a safer place.

As part of a corporate safety initiative, mining services company Pybar were the first to install the offthe-shelf system on their drill rigs at Oz Minerals’ Carrapateena mine in South Australia and Auctus Minerals’ King Vol Mine in Queensland.

“Underground drill operators and machine offsiders have one of the toughest and most demanding jobs in the industry. The team of YUMARR is very proud, as JumboGuard plays an important role in allowing operating crews to return safely and healthy from the drill face,” Guenther said.

Founded in 2016, YUMARR Automation is a technology and innovation company based in Australia and Germany, focussing on the development of safety and automation systems for the mining industry. AM

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PERSONNEL

RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES TRANSITION AS MARKET CONDITIONS TURN MINING COMPANIES ARE REALIGNING THEIR HUMAN RESOURCES STRATEGIES TO REFLECT IMPROVING MARKET CONDITIONS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY LEADING TO SKILLS SHORTAGES. BEN CREAGH REPORTS.

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ecruitment and human resources strategies continue to evolve in the Australian mining industry.

In a turnaround from the past, mining companies are now willing to recruit personnel with no previous experience in the industry, according to recruitment agency Hays.

This situation has been caused by the emergence of certain skills shortages, with renewed optimism in the mining market and improved sales prices increasing vacancy activity.

According to research from Hays, mass redundancies and the uncertainty of previous years has driven much of mining’s blue collar workforce into alternative industries closer to home.

Many of these workers have been satisfied to trade reduced wages for improved lifestyles.

This is evident in locations like North Queensland, Hays reported, and it may be “challenging” to entice these former mine workers back to the industry.

As a result, some mining employers are now considering candidates with no mining experience.

Hays WA state regional director Chris Kent said the strategy of recruiting workers with no previous mining experience was helping to address a couple of things.

“One, they want new ideas so they are particularly interested in candidates without mining experience that bring other skills, so it is not necessarily (candidates) without professional experience,” Kent said.

“They might have experience in another sector, whether it be oil and gas or manufacturing, or another sector that has some similar challenges.”

He said it might also help mining AUSTRALIANMINING

companies increase their diversity.

“It might enable them to open up their diversity a little bit, so there might be a fantastic engineer from the oil and gas sector that is female.

And maybe they are a little more open to reskilling and retraining,” Kent said.

Roy Hill recruitment

Iron ore miner Roy Hill has already moved in the direction of recruiting workers with little or no previous mining experience, and openly pursues these candidates on its company website.

Roy Hill, which is led by Gina Rinehart, states that its recruitment focus is more on candidates with complementary values and attributes rather than having the previous experience in this industry.

“We’re changing the way we recruit at Roy Hill. Our focus isn’t just on mining, or people with mining experience – we’re on the lookout for

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people whose values and attributes align with ours,” the company explains on its website.

“We’ll nurture you through support, training and learning. We’ll give you jobs we know you’ll be good at to set you up for success. And we’ll reward you fairly.”

Kent said the trade-off to recruiting people with no mining experience was that it also created more opportunities for temporary or contract workers, who helped with the reskilling of rookie miners.

“Those people that come into the industry without experience need to be trained and mentored so it is meaning that you couldn’t have a strategy solely looking at people without experience without balancing it out by bringing in experience on a contract or casual basis to skill it up,” Kent said.

“Roy Hill has had some publicity around bringing people in without mining experience – they have

PERSONNEL

EMPLOYMENT VACANCIES ARE RISING

been doing it on a permanent basis.

They are looking to bring in mining experience through casual workers and contractors.”

Emerging skills shortages

Data from recruitment portal SEEK supports that mining has become a more vibrant environment

for employment.

The mining, resources and energy sector is driving growth in job advertising with SEEK, registering a 90 per cent improvement year-onyear across the country up to the end of May. Opportunities for engineers were 31 per cent higher year-on-year.

“The big surprise has been the

AUSTRALIANMINING

strength of the Western Australian labour market,” said SEEK managing director Michael Ilczynski.

“Advertising on SEEK across the state increased 16.1 per cent year-on-year in May, which is eight consecutive months of positive advertising growth on SEEK. This continued growth indicates that WA appears to be finding its feet after a prolonged period of weakness.”

The mining, resources and energy sector has been crucial in the resurgence of the labour market in WA with a 96 per cent improvement compared with a year earlier.

This turnaround is leading to the potential for skills shortages, something that has not been the case for mining since the construction boom.

For example, Hays has found that geologists are now in high demand in WA, with its gold sector the major driver as explorations budgets have increased.

In turn, this has led to more vacancies for drill and blast specialists and metallurgists, with employers seeking cross-discipline candidates.

“Geologists were hit really hard (in the downturn). You might have found a lot of Uber drivers in Perth and Brisbane that had geology degrees at one point,” Kent said.

“It’s nice that area is picking up – there are plenty of good geologists out there and often now they are working.

“They might not be working on their perfect project or in their optimal region where they live, but they are working again and that is an exciting sign because it means that the industry is exploring again and spending a bit of CAPEX.”

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Diversity in demand

Despite mining human resources strategies being in transition, a constant in the industry is companies developing more diverse workforces – a key demand that emerged following the construction boom.

Most major miners remain focused on diversifying their workforce to include a greater proportion of female and Indigenous employees, which in turn improves their social license and widens their candidate pool.

“The last couple of years in particular the attraction has been around diverse candidates, getting the female and indigenous workforce up in the mining space,” Kent said.

“They have been able to be quite selective and prescriptive on hiring.”

However, Kent said the diversity strategy also needed to evolve.

“Speaking from a WA perspective, we are now at the point that we need to fully address diversity requirements within a business – we have not got diverse candidates sitting around looking for work, most of them are already engaged,” Kent explained.

“I think that problem needs to be addressed more so through training and apprenticeships. It requires marketing from communities more so than us scouring the market to find available candidates.”

There are signs that the industry is aware that more training and apprenticeships programs are required to increase diversity in mining. For example, iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group celebrated the graduation of the first all-female class at its Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) in June. AM

URANIUM

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BAN ON URANIUM MINING RETURNS WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S LABOR GOVERNMENT, WHICH STORMED TO POWER EARLIER THIS YEAR, HAS BEEN TRUE TO ITS WORD BY RETURNING A BAN ON URANIUM MINING IN THE STATE. HOWEVER, IT’S NOT ALL BAD NEWS FOR THE STATE’S URANIUM INDUSTRY. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

A

ban on uranium mining has returned to Western Australia after almost 10 years.

The state’s Labor Government reinstated the ban on uranium mining on all future granted mining leases just months after it ousted the Liberal National Coalition that ruled the state for a decade.

It came as no surprise to the mining industry as McGowan went into this year’s WA election promising to once again put mining of uranium on the back burner in the mineral-rich state.

However, Labor decided not to halt development of WA’s alreadyapproved uranium projects – Toro

Energy’s Wiluna project, Cameco’s Kintyre and Yeelirrie projects, and Vimy Resources’ Mulga Rock project.

WA mines and petroleum minister Bill Johnston said the action taken was consistent with the ban that existed between 2002-2008, prior to former premier Colin Barnett’s Liberal National Coalition gaining control of the state.

“This announcement supports the Labor Party’s commitment to halt the expansion of uranium mining in Western Australia,” Johnston said.

“In making this decision, the McGowan Government has carefully considered the potential liability risk for WA taxpayers.

We made a commitment that all

uranium mining projects with state ministerial approvals will be able to continue, providing they meet all planning approvals.

“The various Western Australian agencies will continue to stringently regulate the industry and ensure the four mines meet their regulatory and environmental responsibilities if they proceed.”

Labor’s decision to uphold the approvals for the cleared projects was widely welcomed across the mining industry, with the companies involved openly supportive of the decision to honour their projects.

For Canadian company, Cameco, it was particularly important for its ambitions to eventually become a uranium miner in Australia.

The Saskatchewan-based company secured state environmental approval for the Yeelirrie uranium project in January, after its Kintyre project was cleared by the WA Government in 2015.

Cameco Australia general manager Simon Williamson told Australian Mining that the company welcomed the confirmation provided by the McGowan Government.

“This provides certainty for Cameco in making any future investment decisions on the projects,” Williamson said.

Cameco still requires environmental approval from the federal government for Yeelirrie before it can advance that venture any further.

THE KINTYRE CAMP SITE IN WA

AUSTRALIANMINING

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URANIUM

“We are currently progressing the (Yeelirrie) project through the federal environmental assessment process and expect a decision by the federal government later this year,” Williamson said.

“A decision to advance Cameco’s projects will depend upon market conditions.”

Meanwhile, Vimy Resources managing director Mike Young said the WA Government had confirmed that its Mulga Rock project had retained its state approval and that the company was legally entitled to obtain all secondary approvals.

He added the confirmation would help underpin the investment required to bring Mulga Rock into production and to create new jobs in the state.

“Cabinet endorsement of Premier McGowan’s long standing policy position on uranium refutes claims by those who sought to misrepresent the Premier’s position and argue that Vimy had not achieved the necessary approvals. This announcement puts the issue beyond doubt,” Young said.

“We look forward to working with Minister Johnston in becoming WA’s first uranium mine and in the process, not only create new jobs in Western Australia but contribute to an industry that represents a real solution to the problem of global carbon emissions.”

The Mulga Rock project was also approved by the federal government in March this year.

From an industry perspective, Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) chief executive officer Simon Bennison said the WA Government announcement provided certainty for the four uranium projects.

“The minister’s confirmation

Keep it Safe, Keep it Clean

today that the approvals for Cameco’s Kintyre and Yeelirrie projects, Vimy Resources Mulga Rock project and Toro Energy’s Wiluna project will be honoured is good news,” Bennison said.

“Each new mine will bring jobs, revenue, royalties and social benefits to Western Australia.”

WA’s Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) also welcomed the Labor Government’s announcement, to a certain degree.

CME chief executive Reg Howard-Smith said the four projects had undergone an extensive environmental approvals process and deserved the right to proceed.

“While we would prefer the WA Labor Government fully reversed its policy of not allowing any new uranium mines, this statement importantly clarifies the future of these four previously approved projects,” Howard-Smith said.

“The development of the uranium industry in Western Australia will broaden the state’s resource export base, contribute to the growth of Western Australia’s economy and build stronger regional communities while providing jobs and opportunities.

WA is highly prospective for uranium and once these projects begin construction and operations, further developments beyond those already approved, should proceed on a bi-partisan basis, HowardSmith concluded.

While the new WA Government had good news for the four alreadyapproved projects, the next obstacle in their development will be prices for the commodity, which were hovering well below their historical highs at around $US20 ($26) a pound at the start of July. AM

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AUGUST 2017

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

SUPPORTING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN IN INDUSTRY THE INAUGURAL WOMEN IN INDUSTRY CONFERENCE HAS PROVIDED A FORUM FOR THOSE IN MINING, MANUFACTURING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND ENGINEERING TO CREATE ACTION PLANS TO TACKLE GENDER ISSUES.

N

ow in its fourth edition, the annual Women in Industry Awards was held in Melbourne in June, celebrating the achievements of a number of women across mining, manufacturing, engineering and road transport.

This year, the awards were complemented by the inaugural Women in Industry Conference, which took place at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre earlier the same day. Hosted by Trailer Magazine editor, Bianca Dohnt, the conference gathered around 80 successful women to share insights, advice and statistics on their respective industries through a series of case studies, panels and roundtable discussions.

“Though our sectors are all very different, we came together because we share a common interest in advocating for our industries, the opportunities they provide for ambitious women, and how those women can make the industries better in return,” Dohnt explained as she welcomed the delegates and introduced keynote speakers, Jennifer Conley, executive director, Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council, and Robyn Elliot, senior director, strategic expansion projects at CSL. The keynote address took the form of a conversation between the two directors, who delved into the importance of balancing masculine and feminine character traits, speaking up against discrimination and seeking a mentor.

“You have to think about what you want to achieve from your career, whether it is taking on a leadership role, or not – both options are perfectly okay, if it is what you want,” Elliot said – adding that staying true to your personal values can help provide guidance.

The keynote address set the tone for the entire conference, providing a conversational character where feedback and questions were welcomed from speakers and the audience alike.

Leading in to the first panel

RESOURCEFUL WOMEN AND THE RESOURCES HUB’S DANI TAMATI

discussion, Dani Tamati recounted how she founded her mining recruitment and support businesses, Resourceful Women and The Resources Hub. Long based in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and with a FIFO husband, Tamati explained she launched the businesses to help more women find challenging – yet rewarding – careers in the resources industry, particularly for women returning to the workforce post-maternity leave or as part of a career change.

Tamati highlighted her opportunity to speak to young women in schools, universities and TAFEs about the career opportunities industry, particularly in mining.

She encouraged young women to think outside the square when considering their career options.

“I’ve got lots of friends in technical roles such as geotechnical engineers and mining engineers and heavy duty diesel fitters and they’re women working in these industries,” Tamati said.

“So when I’m speaking with these young girls I’m suggesting to them that you don’t necessarily need to be a nurse or a secretary to be successful.”

Tamati emphasised that motivating young women to think outside the box begins with having a conversation

AUSTRALIANMINING

with them, then encouraging and supporting them through their career choices.

Later in the day, the conference heard from Amanda Rawstron, founder of Logar Consulting.

Rawstron began a consulting firm off the back of a successful career in the transport and logistics industry, having held senior positions at the Toll Group, NBN Co. and Kings Transport, which made her a finalist for the Women in Industry Excellence in Road Transport Award in 2016.

Rawstron shared her considerable experience in third party logistics and discussed the factors of success and key drivers that bring a business to the forefront.

“When we think about the factors of success, we often strive for our businesses to be innovative, transformation and revolutionary.

But are we equally focussed on bringing our supply chain to the forefront?” she asked delegates – reinforcing that it is the combination of a structured business model and optimised supply chain that result in business success.

Rawstron highlighted the potential of predictive demand analytics, which she explained offers businesses the opportunity to expand the ‘Just In Time’ model one step further to not

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just deliveries, but to the creation of products. “This can reduce the stock on hand, lowering warehousing costs and even create a continuous flowthrough where no storage is required,” she said.

After lunch, event attendees broke off into three ‘Industry Insight’ sessions to discuss topics on an industry-specific level, with Australian Mining editor, Ben Creagh moderating the mining group, Syed Shah, editor of Manufacturer’s Monthly in the manufacturing session and Trailer Magazine’s Bianca Dohnt moving in to the road transport group.

Though separated, the groups shared a focus on the shortage of women taking up STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects at school, and how each industry’s public perception as maledominated contributes to it staying that way.

“Road transport, mining, manufacturing and engineering are major contributors to the Australian economy and if we don’t do something to create a more diverse working environment, it will affect us all. It is through the collaboration of men and women together that we can secure the country’s future,” Dohnt said. AM

CONTRACT MINING

THE PROCESS OF AWARDING MINE SERVICES CONTRACTS THE GRUYERE GOLD JOINT VENTURE HAS PROVIDED AN INSIGHT INTO THE CONTRACTS IT HAS AWARDED FOR THE EXCITING PROSPECT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

L

ocking in contractors for a major mining development doesn’t happen overnight.

But as the Gruyere gold project joint venture, between Gold Road Resources and Gold Fields, in the Goldfields of Western Australia has proven, it can happen reasonably quickly.

Just six months after Gold Road formed its 50:50 joint venture with Gold Fields, and even less time since the project was approved by the WA mines department, the partners have secured most of the contracts it needs to develop Gruyere.

In the process, the project partners also reviewed its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) feasibility study to deliver improvements to the project, as well as an increased budget of $532 million.

Australian Mining takes a closer look at the contracts awarded by the Gruyere JV as it works towards pouring first gold in early 2019.

Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC)

The lucrative engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the Gruyere project was officially awarded to the Amec Foster Wheeler Civmec Joint Venture (ACJV) in June. The $298 million contract involves the design, procurement and installation of the Gruyere process plant and associated infrastructure.

According to Gold Road, ACJV plans to maximise procurement through Australian sources for the supply of steel and equipment. The steel and platework fabrication for the Gruyere process plant is taking place at Civmec’s facility at Henderson near Perth in WA. ACJV expects to have a 300-person workforce at the peak of the contract.

Fabrication of the process plant and other infrastructure is providing work opportunities for up to 50 people at the Henderson facility.

Contracts for the supply of longterm equipment items have also been awarded, including the ball mill and primary crusher to FLSmidth and the SAG mill to Outotec

GRUYERE IS AN EMERGING GOLD PROSPECT IN WA

Power supply

Infrastructure company APA Group will construct a new gas transmission pipeline and gas-fired station to supply power to the Gruyere project as part of a 15-year, $585 million contract signed with the JV. The design, build, own and operate contract with APA for the 198km pipeline and the 45MW gas-fired power station was signed in mid-June.

APA will invest about $180 million in the project, which it will recover over 15 years through a gas transportation and electricity supply agreement.

Gas will be transported almost 1500km to the Gruyere site using four APA interconnected gas pipelines: Goldfields Gas Pipeline 1, Murrin Murrin Lateral, Eastern Goldfields Pipeline and the Yamarna Gas Pipeline.

Accommodation village

An early development milestone for the joint venture was installation of the Gruyere Village by McNally Group. The Gruyere Village includes 648 rooms, offices and recreational facilities.

Stage 1, installation of 288 rooms, was completed in March. Following handover to village management company, Compass Group, McNally started installing the 360 rooms for AUSTRALIANMINING

Stage 2, which was completed in May. The remaining facilities were completed by the end of June.

Bulk earthworks

The Gruyere JV awarded the bulk earthworks contract to MACA, which is developing the main access road, borefield access tracks, sealed airstrip, process plant and tailings storage facility.

Executed in May, the ‘schedule of rates’ contract was forecast to be worth $49 million, with the schedule protected through standard liquidated damages provisions. MACA mobilised its workforce in early May for 15 months of construction at the site. As of late June, bulk earthworks were progressing on the Gruyere airstrip, process plant area and access roads.

Borefields

GR Engineering Services completed the construction and commissioning of six of the eight bores at the Anne Beadell borefield, which will provide much of the water required for construction works, as well as securing supply for the Gruyere Village.

The remaining two bores at Anne Beadell will be completed in the coming months. The Yeo borefield, which will be the main source of water for the process plant, will be

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developed jointly by MACA and ACJV, with planned commencement of the installation of the water pipelines in 2018.

Mining contract

By early July the Gruyere JV was yet to award its mining contract. However, Gold Road announced that preparation of the tender documents for the mining services contract, which will be moving 27 million tonnes per annum, on average, over a five-year period to produce an average 260,000 ounces of gold per year is under way.

Award of the mining contract is expected toward the end of the year, before mobilisation of the mining contractor takes place early next year, followed by construction of the mine infrastructure and haul roads.

Gold Road managing director Ian Murray said the high-quality work delivered by the Gruyere project team enabled the JV to achieve a fixed price, lump sum EPC contract, schedule of rates bulk earthworks contract and power contract.

“We all understand the importance of job creation and beneficiation in Western Australia, and in the project area for the local communities, and we commend our contractors for opportunities they have created,” Murray said. AM

CONTRACT MINING

NEW CONTRACTS LIFT OPTIMISM FOR MINING SERVICES COMPANIES HOW DID THE FIRST HALF OF 2017 FARE FOR SERVICES COMPANIES OPERATING IN THE AUSTRALIAN MINING INDUSTRY? AUSTRALIAN MINING INVESTIGATES.

W

ith improved commodity prices comes renewed optimism for not just miners but mining services companies as well.

And that is how the first of 2017 panned out for contracting groups in Australian mining, with a series of new contracts or work extensions handed out to key players in the industry during the six-month period.

Australian Mining takes a closer look at some of the companies that were awarded key mining contracts during the first half of the year.

Ausdrill

Much of Ausdrill’s order book is now split between Australia and its mine services division in Africa.

While the WA-based company may be moving towards Africa’s mining industry more than ever, it is still active at operations in Australia where it has maintained historical relationships. Ausdrill secured more than $200 million worth of contract extensions with two of its existing clients in the Goldfields region of Western Australia – Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) and Gold Fields. Ausdrill received a $143 million contract renewal to provide drill and blast, and grade control services for an additional five years at KCGM’s Super Pit gold mine.

It was also awarded a $60 million contract extension for three years to provide exploration drilling services at Gold Fields’s St Ives and Granny Smith gold operations.

In eastern Australia, Ausdrill subsidiary, BTP Equipment, secured a $70 million contract extension at Peabody Energy’s Hunter Valley and Bowen Basin coal operations.

Internationally, African Underground Mining Services (AUMS), a joint venture between Ausdrill and Barminco, won a $US280 million ($371.5 million) contract at the Ahafo

BGC IN MOTION FOR ARRIUM

AUSTRALIANMINING

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gold complex in Ghana, West Africa with Newmont Mining.

BGC Contracting

Privately-owned BGC Contracting is committed to establishing a collaborative model with its clients in the mining industry. It is through this model, which provides detailed incentives for both parties, that the company has strengthened its portfolio in mining. In March, the Perth-based company secured a fiveyear contract worth more than $720 million for Arrium’s Iron Knob and South Middleback iron ore operations near Whyalla in South Australia. The contract replaced BGC’s existing mine services contract with Arrium.

Most recently, BGC was awarded a five-year, $700 million contract by Idemitsu Australia Resources at the Boggabri coal mine in New South Wales. The collaborative model it is applying to these agreements is similar to what was used on its contract at Cliffs Natural Resources’ Koolyanobbing iron ore operation in WA.

CIMIC

While CIMIC was eager to bolster its mining services capabilities through an acquisition of Macmahon, its existing mining units, Thiess and Sedgman, have been busy adding to its order book. Thiess won a mining services contract at MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant coal mine in the Hunter Valley in April. Under the contract, which is set to generate around $500 million in revenue up until 2021, Thiess will conduct total mining operations, including mine planning and engineering.

Thiess also secured $134 million worth of contracts to provide mining solutions to coal mines in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Sedgman was awarded a $107 million EPC contract by Heron Resources at the Woodlawn zinccopper project in New south Wales.

Civmec

Civmec is demonstrating its multidisciplinary capabilities through the

CONTRACT MINING

BGC PERSONNEL AT THE IRON KNOB OPERATION

contracts it has won so far in 2017.

The Perth-based, Singapore-listed company has been active in the mining, oil and gas and infrastructure sectors. In mining, Civmec has been awarded contracts or work extensions at a diverse range of projects in Western Australia. Civmec, as part of the Amec Foster Wheeler Civmec Joint Venture (ACJV), was awarded a $298 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract at the Gruyere gold project

in WA (see p26). In June, Civmec announced it had received $90 million worth of contracts for resources clients, with the most notable a construction job at Alcoa’s Pinjarra alumina refinery in WA. The company will undertake the engineering, procurement, delivery, construction, integration, commissioning and performance testing of a filter facility, materials handling system and supporting infrastructure at the Pinjarra refinery. Civmec also

secured a contract to construct the civil component of the process plant at Altura Mining’s Pilgangoora lithium project in the Pilbara.

GR Engineering

GR Engineering continues to feature as a contract winner in WA’s gold sector, which has been resurgent over the past 18 months as prices for the precious metal have remained healthy.

After winning the EPC contract for Eastern Goldfields’ 1.2 million tonne

BGC CONTRACTING EQUIPMENT

per annum (Mtpa) processing plant at the Davyhurst gold project last September, GR has added two further gold prospects to its contract pipeline.

In April, Dacian Gold executed a $107.1 million EPC contract with GR at the Mt Morgans project in WA. The EPC contract involves development of the Mt Morgans treatment facility and supporting infrastructure. GR also signed a letter of intent with Gascoyne Resources for an EPC contract for a minerals processing facility at the Dalgaranga gold project in WA. To finish off the financial year, GR secured another EPC contract, this time a $31.3 million deal with AngloGold Ashanti at the Sunrise Dam gold mine.

Macmahon Holdings

Much of the news flow surrounding Macmahon this year has focused on its battle to fend off CIMIC, which launched a takeover bid for the Perth-based contractor in January.

Macmahon survived the attempt from CIMIC, mainly due to an agreement it secured to become the mining services contract for Indonesia’s PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT) at the Batu Hijau copper-gold mine.

While that complex agreement was yet to be executed by the end of June, it involved the services contract and Macmahon acquiring assets from AMNT, which would become a major AUSTRALIANMINING

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CONTRACT MINING

shareholder of the contractor in return.

Outside of that drama, Macmahon also announced it had executed a preparatory work agreement with Byerwen Coal at its mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin. The scope of work for the contract was expected to include open cut mining and bulk earthworks for an initial period of three years.

Monadelphous

The engineering firm is more active in the oil and gas sector these days, winning key work at the Ichthys LNG operation in northern Australia and a proposal for Oil Search’s assets in Papua New Guinea. However, Monadelphous has also been busy in the mining industry, particularly in the Pilbara region. In February, the company announced it had secured $120 million worth of new contracts for resources companies, including Fortescue Metals Group and BHP. The work with Fortescue includes two contracts, one for cranes services at the FMG Solomon and Solomon Hub sites, and the other to provide abrasive

blasting, cleaning and relining of steel ore wagons for subsidiary, The Pilbara Infrastructure. Monadelphous’ contract with BHP is to upgrade a water treatment plant at the Mining Area C iron ore operation in the Pilbara.

NRW Holdings

In WA’s emerging lithium sector, Altura Mining is racing against Pilbara Minerals to be the state’s next producer of the battery metal at its Pilgangoora project. Altura awarded NRW a $110 million contract for mine development and drill and blast services at the project in February.

The five-year contract includes the construction of mining infrastructure, development of mine haul roads, drill and blast services and load and haul production mining of ore and overburden.

RCR Tomlinson

Pilbara Minerals has been actively awarding contracts ahead of developing its Pilgangoora lithium operation this year, with the EPC contract for the project going to RCR Tomlinson.

Worth up to $148 million, the contract involves the EPC of Pilgangoora’s 2Mtpa lithium-tantalum processing plant, including wet-and-dry circuit with concentrator, associated plant and commissioning of the mine.

RCR selected sub-contractors, Primero and Minnovo, to provide it with technical and engineering support at Pilgangoora. Away from mining, RCR is busy in the renewable energy sector, winning multiple EPC contracts for wind farm developments.

Aboriginal businesses

Aboriginal businesses continue to figure prominently in the award of new mining services contracts. Major mining companies, such Rio Tinto and Fortescue, are leading the way in this area.

Fortescue awarded $100 million of new work to Aboriginal businesses and joint ventures at its iron ore operations in the Pilbara of Western Australia just before the end of the financial year.

The work included $65 million in partnership with Yindjibarndi-owned

Projekt1 02.06.17 13:37 Seite 1

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businesses. Fortescue also awarded Aboriginal-owned business Redspear Safety a three-year contract to supply lifting and rigging equipment across its operations.

Meanwhile, Pilbara Aboriginal business Pindari was awarded a longterm facilities management contract by Rio Tinto in May. The multi-milliondollar contract secures Pindari routine cleaning, grounds maintenance and associated services within nine Pilbara mine sites for five years, with options to extend.

Also in the Pilbara, Guma Indigenous Construction Resources Group (ICRG) has been awarded a contract to carry out the Roy Hill port sump installation project at the miner’s operations near Port Hedland in Western Australia.

Elsewhere in WA, Yagahong Alliance, a JV between Central Earthmoving and the Yugunga-Nya People, was awarded an $8.2 million contract for the development of the Monty copper-gold mine, a JV between Sandfire Resources and Talisman Mining. AM

MINING EQUIPMENT

A DOZEN KOMATSU 830E TRUCKS ARRIVE IN AUSTRALIA NATIONAL PLANT & EQUIPMENT OUTLINES HOW HAUL TRUCKS TRAVEL TO AUSTRALIA AND ARE THEN ASSEMBLED FOR CLIENTS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

N

ational Plant & Equipment has welcomed 12 new Komatsu 830E electric drive haul trucks to Australia.

At just under seven metres high and eight metres wide, the Komatsu 830E is a leader in the 240-tonne class mining truck, delivering one of the lowest cost per tonne solutions for mining companies.

According to National Plant & Equipment, the arrival of 12 new Komatsu 830Es is “fairly uncommon” in the Australian marketplace in such a condensed time, while requiring assembly from the ground up.

“Despite being in high demand, these trucks are extremely difficult to come by in Australia due to their size and cost of acquisition,” National Plant & Equipment chief executive officer Mark Ackroyd said.

National Heavy Haulage, a company with strong ties to National Plant & Equipment, specialises in the transport of large earthmoving machinery for the

mining industry.

The two companies worked together to bring the fleet of dump trucks to the Port of Brisbane where an arrangement of heavy haulage vehicles and low loaders, including 10 line steerable drake trailers, was waiting to transport the vehicles to National Plant & Equipment’s yard in Yatala.

It is at the yard in Yatala, where the dump trucks are assembled, within a month, by an experienced team of 20 personnel on what is a 24/7 project, all of which is being captured in a time lapse production.

“With the interest that the purchase of this equipment has amassed, we wanted to give the industry a rare insight into what it takes to assemble these sizeable dump trucks,” Ackroyd said.

“This is one of the largest simultaneous equipment builds that our team will have accomplished, especially on a tight timeframe.”

Assembling the trucks involves a sixstage process, which includes: Stage 1 – A lot of planning is done

HOW HAUL TRUCKS ARE TRANSFERRED

before the trucks arrive – individual production plans and Gant charts are created for each truck.

Stage 2 – Set budgets and resource allocations (people and parts). This build likely requires split day and night shifts to complete on schedule.

Stage 3 – The build commences with the chassis, electronics and mechanical aspects assembled and fitted. Furthermore, if any local site

KOMATSU’S 830E HAUL TRUCK

AUSTRALIANMINING

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requirements are required they are fabricated and fitted on-site.

Stage 4 – The wheels are the last item to be fitted and are done so to allow operational testing of the trucks.

Stage 5 – The trucks are somewhat unassembled to be prepped for transport, they will be on the lowloader transport trucks without the wheels and tray.

Stage 6 – With transportation to the final job site destination done in parts, on arrival the trucks are completely reassembled for operation with the tray fitted.

The haul trucks will immediately be available once they are assembled and approved for operation, with most of the interest for the equipment coming from large mining houses or contractors.

According to National Plant & Equipment, the key to assembling the tucks within a tight timeframe is careful planning and strong control of execution.

National Plant & Equipment ensures that it has dedicated personnel and supervisors assigned to the job from start to finish to allow for this.

The company personnel that is involved in the assembly includes specialist trades, such as mechanics, HV electricians, painters, fire service, crane operations, heavy haulage operators, OEM support, as well as behind-the scenes staff, including administration, sales and marketing. AM

CONNECT

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Monday 28 August 2017 - Brisbane Wednesday 30 August 2017 - Melbourne Friday 1 September 2017 - Perth To see the full program and to register please visit

www.australianmining.com.au/events/emerson-connect For enquiries, please contact Simon Coburn 03 9690 8766 or simon.coburn@primecreative.com.au

INNOVATION

LIFTING PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY PERFORMANCE THROUGH COLLABORATION SCHENCK PROCESS HAS COLLABORATED WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO DEVELOP A SOLUTION THAT IS DELIVERING SAFETY AND COST BENEFITS DURING TRAIN LOADING CHUTE CHANGE OUTS. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

S

chenck Process is realising the value of collaboration in its development of innovative solutions for the Australian mining industry.

As experts in train loading for mining companies, Schenck Process is always investigating ways it can help its clients be safer, more economical and productive during this process.

By working with leading companies and services groups in the industry, Schenck Process developed a solution, known as ProLift, that removed many of the difficulties involved with the maintenance procedures of a train loading chute change out.

Traditionally, the procedure has posed several risks to site personnel, as well as significant downtime for mining operations.

It has generally involved extensive manual handling, the need for elevated platforms, and the use of four chain blocks to lower the 20-tonne chute from where it was installed to rail level.

According to Schenck Process research and development project group manager Karl Carter, the whole process would usually take around 75 hours to complete, slowing the productivity of some of Australia’s

leading miners.

“There was an opportunity there to develop the next phase and improve the duration of the process,” Carter said.

“Schenck Process had an idea to create a tool that enabled the unit to be self-powered, to provide lifting and lowering functionalities to remove the chain blocks and that would move itself in and out of the rail corridor, which aimed to reduce the change-out time from 75 hours to 24 hours.”

As Schenck Process set the groundwork for ProLift, its R&D team realised it couldn’t develop the tool on its own and sought partners to collaborate with on the project.

To support the development, Schenck Process engaged Brisbanebased company CMP Engineers, which provided experience in mobile plant equipment, rail-mounted equipment and lifting equipment.

Schenck Process then involved a client in the iron ore industry to define the company’s requirements for the tool at its Western Australian operations, which led to the trial of an interim solution.

The collaborative team established three familiar areas of mining where it would target operational improvements by using the tool – safety, efficiency and cost improvements.

SCHENCK PROCESS’S PROLIFT

Following a joint design phase, the parties involved agreed to a solution that comprised a temporary rail transport dolly and a chute transport that would be compatible with the change-out tool. Schenck Process had six months to deliver the finished product.

PREPARING TO TRIAL PROLIFT

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After a period of due diligence, including testing at the workshop of fabricator Steelstruct, Schenck Process trialled the chute transfer frame and the rail transport dolly at a WA iron ore operation.

The trial received positive feedback from each of the parties involved, with the client now realising significant benefits in terms of safety, cost efficiency and productivity by applying the tool.

Carter described the collaborative process as a “paradigm shift” for the company, adding that Schenck Process was not finished with its development of ProLift just yet.

“There is always room for improvement,” Carter said.

Schenck Process is now exploring concepts to further enhance the safety and efficiency of the chute change-out process, including a quick change-out flange connection, quick disconnect for hydraulic and electrical connections, and enhancement to allow for gate removal. AM

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MATERIALS HANDLING

GUARDING OPERATIONS AT RIO TINTO’S WEIPA MINE TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE CONVEYOR SYSTEM AT ITS WEIPA BAUXITE OPERATIONS, RIO TINTO TURNED TO ESS’S PROVEN EZI-GUARD SOLUTION. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

R

io Tinto owns and operates the Weipa bauxite mine in Western Cape York Peninsula in North Queensland, one of the state’s most significant mining operations.

The Weipa operations, which export more than 27 million tonnes of bauxite each year, consist of two continuous mines at East Weipa and Andoom, two beneficiation plants, 19km of railway to transport bauxite to the port area, two stockpiles and two ship loaders.

Rio Tinto also owns two diesel engine power stations, which supply the mine, the Weipa town and the neighbouring community of Napranum.

A key element of the Weipa operations that helps maintain a high level of productivity is an extensive conveyor system that connects crucial areas of the mine.

With safety joining productivity as two of Rio’s major focus areas, the miner needed an efficient guarding solution for the conveyor system that would deliver advantages in both areas.

As is the case at all mining operations, moving parts and pinch points pose a danger to people who work around machinery, such as conveyor systems.

Many guarding solutions eliminate incidents around moving parts, but are often heavy or cumbersome and cause manual handling issues.

Rio Tinto set out to remove these issues from the Weipa site by engaging ESS, which has now worked with the miner to install more than 150m of EZI-GUARD to support and safeguard the operation’s conveyor system.

The patented EZI-GUARD system comprises a range of versatile and easy-to-install brackets, lightweight panels and standard structural tubing to form an off-the-shelf solution that can be adapted to almost any application.

ESS engineering manager Ross Edgar said Rio had observed EZI-

EZI-GUARD HAS BEEN A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO INSTALL FOR RIO AT WEIPA

GUARD being used at another site and determined the solution would be suitable for its North Queensland operation.

“It’s a modular system that is very slim line and there are a range of attachment brackets so it can suit lots of different applications,” Edgar explained.

“In this case, Rio saw EZI-GUARD at another mine and decided to trial it at Weipa. Rio liked EZI-GUARD so much that we have returned to the site to install it at different sections of the conveyor several times.”

Rio first trialled EZI-GUARD at Weipa in April 2016, installing 10m of the solution on a transfer conveyor.

As part of its service on the project, AUSTRALIANMINING

ESS conducted a site safety audit to identify the most at-risk areas of the conveyor system.

With positive results, the mining company plans to continue installing additional metres of the product at various sections of the Weipa conveyor system.

There are several reasons why Rio was attracted to the EZI-GUARD solution, starting with the robust materials it is engineered with.

Firstly, EZI-GUARD brackets are made from corrosion-resistant 304 grade cast stainless steel.

The guard panels are available in powder-coated aluminium, galvanised mild steel and powder-coated stainless steel, making them light,

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strong and easily handled.

ESS will also be adding high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic panels to the range later this year. The structural tubing used is 40x40x3 Galtube, with the option of 316 stainless steel for the harshest of applications.

EZI-GUARD’s aluminium and stainless steel panels were traditionally powder-coated safety yellow as standard. However, virtually any colour is available on request.

Matte black has been used at the Weipa site, in accordance with the guarding design recommendations within Australian Standard 4024.3610.

The bolted attachment requires no welding so even an inexperienced

MATERIALS HANDLING

ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY OF THE GUARD PANELS FROM THE FRAME IS EFFICIENT

crew, using standard hand tools can install EZI-GUARD. However, ESS will always oversee the initial installation, and later projects if required, of EZI-GUARD at mines or other industrial sites, as was the case with Rio at Weipa.

“ESS makes sure that things always go well with customers when they first install EZI-GUARD,” Edgar said. “That way we can see if there are any issues and resolve them from the outset for the client.”

Installation of the EZI-GUARD panels is a straightforward process as they are light and easily handled.

Assembly and disassembly of the guard panels from the frame takes

only a few seconds.

Removing the whole guard section for maintenance access also only takes a few minutes with a spanner.

This enables Rio Tinto, and other mining or industrial companies, to realise significant savings in site downtime due to the ease of installation of the EZIGUARD system.

All guarding installed on or around a conveyor belt must comply with AS 4024.3610 conveyors – general requirements and all machinery guarding must comply with AS 4024.1601 safety of machinery.

EZI-GUARD has undergone testing, both in the workshop and

on-site after installation to ensure it meets and exceeds the design requirements of the standards, by not only removing the danger but also removing manual handling risks.

The panels are nominally one metre wide and are available in a growing range of heights, which can also be tailored to suit operational requirements. The brackets fit to existing structures and to the tubing to form a framework that will be installed in lengths that are a multiple of one metre.

“ESS recommends guard runs of three or four metres to allow easy handling for assembly and disassembly,” Edgar said.

“For uneven lengths or odd shaped closures, simply install the guard runs and then measure and sketch the closing panel shape required. ESS will manufacture a special panel for the closure.”

EZI-GUARD is priced

competitively against other methods of machine guarding, but the features of this system make it economical when compared to individual design and fabrication.

Development of EZI-GUARD is an ongoing process for ESS as it works to enhance the product to meet the needs of clients.

In the future, users of EZIGUARD can expect to see a product that increases the already-proven benefits that make it such a costeffective solution.

ESS provides back-up service and support for EZI-GUARD, and all its products, which are manufactured between two locations in Australia – Queensland and Western Australia.

The company maintains local stores and service crew properties in most Australian centres.

Service crews are available for installation, service, inspection and troubleshooting. AM

RIO TINTO FIRST TRIALLED THE EZI-GUARD SOLUTION AT THE WEIPA SITE IN APRIL 2016

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AUSTRALIANMINING

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CRUSHING

NEXT GENERATION CRUSHING TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY AN INVESTMENT IN NEXT GENERATION CRUSHING TECHNOLOGY HAS BOOSTED PLANT SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY FOR BORAL IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

L

ocated in the Adelaide suburb of Seacliff Park, Boral’s Linwood quarry is positioned within one of South Australia’s most important sources of

hard rock.

Quarrying started here over 130 years ago, when in 1882 the quarry was first operated to supply limestone to the nearby Brighton Cement Works.

Boral, Australia’s largest building and construction materials supplier, acquired the quarry in 1994.

Today Linwood’s operations are focused on providing high quality aggregate, critical in the production of composite materials such as concrete and asphalt.

Linwood is currently the largest capacity quarry servicing the Adelaide metropolitan area. In recent years, the region has seen a flurry of large construction projects such as Adelaide’s Desalination Plant, the city’s Northern and Southern Expressways and the

Royal Adelaide Hospital.

As a consequence of these important projects, the demand for aggregate products has progressively increased, challenging the quarry’s production capabilities. In 2013, site management identified the need to upgrade their crushing and screening plant with the latest technology in order to meet this growing demand.

Improving primary crusher throughput

The requirement for new equipment first became evident in the quarry’s primary crushing section.

The plant’s 30-year-old primary jaw crusher was struggling to keep up with production demands.

The machine’s reliability and downtime were affecting overall plant performance. Maintenance costs had risen sharply and the availability of spares had become an ongoing problem.

After considering the cost of

refurbishing the existing crusher, Linwood’s management decided that investing in a new machine was their best option. Following a detailed analysis of the quarry’s requirements, the team selected Metso’s C140 jaw crusher.

Quarry manager Andy Baker explains the decision, “Minimising the need to modify our existing civils was a key prerequisite for the new machine.

Essentially we needed a modern likefor-like crusher that would fit into the existing footprint, increase throughput and be easy to maintain – Metso’s C140 met all these criteria,” he said.

While improving throughput and reliability was a priority, Linwood’s management also recognised the upgrade as an opportunity to improve site safety.

As part of the crusher installation, new walkways and access platforms were designed to improve access to the quarry’s primary crushing station.

Once the C140 was installed, the

BORAL HAS INVESTED IN NEW CRUSHING EQUIPMENT TO BETTER SERVICE MARKET DEMANDS

crusher’s performance and reliability significantly improved product quality and throughput. The new machine’s ability to deliver more consistent output also immediately reduced the load and wear rates in other key areas of the plant.

Where personnel previously needed to constantly monitor the crusher to ensure a consistent product output size, this was now an automated process.

Baker comments, “Now we can simply program the gap setting and be confident about what product we are going to get. The C140’s hydraulic adjustment provides a massive advantage for us in terms of overall efficiency and safety. It eliminates manual adjustments and associated hazards. This saves us time and keeps our production rates up.”

The plant’s primary crusher upgrade represented a big change for quarry staff, as it brought the latest technology to the primary crushing process in the form of advanced automation and safety.

Metso area manager Andy Gough said post-commissioning support was very important to ensure a smooth transition period.

“The new machine offered many benefits, however it was a significant change for the site. We worked hard to maintain a presence at the quarry post commissioning, offering a comprehensive range of support services during this critical period,” he said.

A win in tertiary crushing quality and efficiency Shortly after the new crusher was installed in 2014, its increased production capacity shifted the site’s bottleneck to the tertiary crushing circuit. Tertiary crushing involves further reducing aggregate in size while shaping it into final end products.

While it’s important to keep up with upstream feed rates, high precision is required to ensure the right product shape. Linwood had two cone crushers AUSTRALIANMINING

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CRUSHING

BORAL PROJECT MANAGER SANTANU GHOSAL OVERSEAS CABLE INSTALLATION FOR THE CRUSHERS

responsible for this task that were nearing the end of their effective service life.

By weight and volume, cubically shaped aggregate is characteristically much stronger than flatter, elongated material.

A problem with the existing crushers was their inability to reliably produce aggregate that met the required index of elongation and flakiness.

To get the right shape, operators had to recirculate the output product through the crushers, and/or channel it for additional screening and polishing.

Recirculation required additional processing time, which could have been utilised producing new feed material.

Another method employed by the quarry’s team to improve shape was to set the crushers with tighter closed-side settings. This increased downstream plant load causing the screens and conveyors to use more energy or become overloaded.

Running the crushers longer also increased machine wear, energy consumption and reduced overall production rates. With output quality so heavily dependent on operator intervention, another problem was the constant risk of end-product stock piles being contaminated with inferior product. The combination of these inefficiencies meant there was also less yield per unit of feed.

Site management considered replacing their tertiary cone crushers with units from Boral’s extensive install base. Eventually, the team decided that the installation of two new machines would provide the best solution.

After an exhaustive selection process, which considered all of the quarry’s requirements, in 2015, Metso was awarded with a contract to supply two HP3 cone crushers.

Selecting the latest crusher technology

When Linwood first compared Metso HP3’s specifications with the existing

crushers, it was a challenge to reconcile their performance and operating requirements. One of the first things that the team noticed was how different the crusher’s size, power and capacity were.

The HP3’s design was physically smaller than the old crushers, yet Metso claimed that the machines had a 20 per cent higher throughput capacity and could produce a higher precision product with one-pass production.

According to Peter Small, Metso’s capital sales manager, there are a number of factors that allow the HP3 to outperform similar sized machines.

He said that while automation with integrated control is an important factor, it was the efficiency of the crushing process that made the biggest difference.

Small provides some insight, “The HP3’s efficiency is derived from a design that increases the concentration of aggregate inside the crusher. It applies more crushing force and relies on a greater degree of inter-particle crushing. Getting these elements to work relies on complex calculations and detailed analysis of process variables, feed material characteristics and final product specification.”

Small said an essential part of Metso’s crushing solution is BRUNO, the company’s crushing and screening simulation software tool. BRUNO calculates and tests process models based on empirical crushing and screening expertise.

“Being able to demonstrate the capabilities of alternate configurations and designs gives our customers great confidence in the equipment and the designs we propose,” he said.

Sailing into unchartered waters

When Linwood needed to select its new crushers, the HP3 had just been released. There weren’t any of these machines operating in Australia, which meant Linwood’s decision makers couldn’t call upon the experiences of their usual references within Boral or the broader quarrying community.

AUSTRALIANMINING

The availability of spares for the first and only units in Australia was also a concern.

Linwood recognised the next generation HP3 offered many benefits.

The technology would future proof the site’s tertiary circuit and enable the wider integration of automation across the entire plant.

Santanu Ghosal, Linwood’s project manager, elaborates, “The benefits were clear to us, but choosing the HP3s was still a leap of faith. Ultimately I think it was the confidence and expertise of Metso’s people that gave us the assurance we needed. We had access to a very responsive team of local and international experts; and had enjoyed great post-sales support with our C140 primary crusher.”

Andy Baker said Metso’s local and global support network was a significant factor in Linwood’s decision making process.

“The support we received helped us to fully explore and understand the options and benefits the HP3s could offer, specific to our situation. For me, a key differentiating factor was the integrated control and automated operation of the HP3s - we knew this was the single biggest technology step towards improving our product quality and efficiency,” he said.

Overcoming installation challenges

Replacing the old crushers with the new HP3s was always going to be a challenge while maintaining aggregate production rates at the quarry. From an electrical point of view, the HP3’s larger motor required new mounting and cabling arrangements from the crusher through to the switch room.

The mechanical work included installing new cooling units and a bigger standalone lubrication system.

A redesign of the feeder to a new location was also required.

Alongside this work were the site’s safety improvements, which included extended platforms and improved working areas.

The team estimated that the electrical and mechanical upgrades would take the tertiary crushing station offline for at least 17 days.

This made the timing of the installation a critical consideration.

Linwood’s management originally considered performing the installation over Christmas, but were concerned about the availability of personnel, parts, and materials during this period.

While management planned to stockpile product in preparation for the installation, at the same time they had major projects to supply and knew their reserves wouldn’t last 17 days.

In order to help mitigate the loss of production, a trailer mounted cone

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crusher and screen was refurbished to supplement supply while the main plant was offline.

Performance and efficiency were not optimal, but the mobile station closed the gap in production whilst installation and commissioning was in progress.

A leap forward in site productivity and safety

During the selection process, a high degree of automation was a requirement for the site. Since the new HP3s were installed, feedback from the quarry’s operators has been particularly centred on this aspect.

The HP3’s touch-screen interface allows operators to have quick and easy access to troubleshooting, throughput and motor current information.

Mechanical settings, which previously had to be manually adjusted, are now performed in a matter of seconds via the machine’s touch screen.

The productivity benefits and the elimination of safety risks involved in manual adjustments have made these features very popular with site operational staff.

Stray metallic objects, called tramp iron, that enter the crusher can stall and even damage the machine. The HP3’s innovative tramp release system with dual-acting hydraulic cylinders and fixed return point lets the crusher easily eject tramp iron.

If the crusher stops under load, the dual-acting hydraulic cylinders provide a powerful stroke that clears the crushing cavity. In both instances the crusher’s settings are instantaneously restored without the need for operator intervention.

The HP3’s liner fastening system doesn’t require the backing material that is common with other crushers. When liners are changed or reconfigured, hydraulic motors rotate the bowl completely out of the adjustment ring threads. These two innovations save a lot of time and labour.

Technology upgrade – making the big difference

The upgrades to Linwood’s crushing circuit have improved the site’s production capabilities and modernised its crushing process. Commenting on these outcomes, Andy Baker believes the site is now capable of producing more, while maintaining high product quality and improving safety.

“The throughput we are getting has surpassed our expectations. Our ongoing maintenance costs have come down, while the automation and access platform upgrades have improved plant safety. Overall, we can now more reliably meet market demands for our key-specification products,” he said. AM

PRODUCTIVITY

TRANSFER CHUTE UPGRADES AT WA IRON ORE FACILITY SIGNIFICANTLY LIFT PRODUCTIVITY FLEXCO, USING THEIR PROPRIETARY TASMAN WARAJAY TECHNOLOGY, HAS HELPED A MAJOR IRON ORE MINER IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA IMPROVE ITS PERFORMANCE THROUGH A TRANSFER CHUTE UPGRADE PROJECT. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

W

estern Australia’s iron ore industry is a highly competitive environment.

Any loss in productivity can have a significant impact on the financial performance of the major mining companies that lead the way in this sector.

Flexco has established strong relationships in the iron ore industry by helping these companies apply its innovative solutions at their operations.

A key example of this was a transfer chute upgrade project at an iron ore export terminal TRANSFER 1

that delivered a crucial boost in productivity to the applicable route.

As part of the iron ore client’s performance optimisation project, Flexco was given the opportunity to assist with improvements to several conveyor transfer points.

Flexco WA state manager Adam Wright said the company was engaged due to the long-standing business partner relationship between the two parties over the past 15 years.

“Our client’s performance optimisation project targeted transfer chute improvements that could be undertaken to achieve its key outcomes,” Wright told Australian Mining.

“The most notable results the company wanted to achieve were an increase in tonnages and throughput, and an increase in availability.”

Flexco helped the iron ore company deliver improvements on two chutes that required upgrades.

Originally designed to deliver 10,000 tonnes per hour (tph), the cutes were only able to achieve between 8500-9000tph of iron ore fines. By engaging Flexco, the miner is now achieving its targeted output.

The two chutes were found to have their own unique problems preventing them from operating at peak performance. For example, transfer chute one was experiencing build up and blockages at flow rates above 8500tph despite having a 10,000tph capacity.

Transfer chute two, on the other hand, was too narrow and material flow was restricted when handling lower density product, resulting in it choking back to a reduced feed rate of 8500tph.

Inspection of the chutes identified a series of opportunities, including that several small ledges and faceted flow surfaces inside the transfer had resulted in residual product build AUSTRALIANMINING

up, which was restricting the flow of fines.

Committed to lifting productivity at the facility, the iron ore company turned to Flexco knowing that its chutes have been proven to achieve 10,000tph regardless of the product.

The chute project upgrade included two phases, with the first stage involving the design of the new solution.

Following discussions between Flexco and its client, it was determined that the new chutes must be designed to accommodate a rate of 10,000tph for fines.

“A flow chart modelling report was completed following the discussions,” Wright explained. “The chart included discrete element modelling, and an in-house trial at Flexco’s facilities with a one-to-five scale transfer to support the calibration process for the computer modelling.

“During the trial, rate increases to 10,500tph for all products, including fines, were successfully tested.”

After further consultation, it was decided that Flexco would incorporate existing standard deflector plates into the transfer chute design.

At the end of phase one, it was agreed that transfer one would comprise a one-on-one oblique transfer with an integrated crosscut sampler, while transfer two would comprise a one-on-one oblique transfer with a head shuttling between.

Both transfer chutes were designed to handle the full range of products through the facility, ranging from lump through to more difficult products, such as fines.

The transfer chutes were lined with 63mm and 37mm ceramic wear liners and configured in replaceable, bolted panels 300mm x 300mm in size.

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TRANSFER 2

Phase two involved supply of the transfer chutes. For this stage, the transfer chutes were manufactured at the Flexco manufacturing facility in Bundaberg, Queensland and transported to Perth, WA for installation of the ceramic wear liners by an existing tile supplier. The transfer chutes were commissioned by late 2016.

“Both transfers with all products, including fines, are operating blockage free and are loading central on to the receiving belts at the iron ore facility,” Wright said.

Importantly for the iron ore company, continuous rates of 10,000tph for all products, including fines, are now being achieved. AM

SAFETY

IMPROVING SAFETY AT SAVAGE RIVER WITH RCT SMART TECHNOLOGY RCT HAS EXTENDED ITS RELATIONSHIP AT GRANGE RESOURCES’ SAVAGE RIVER MINE THROUGH A PROJECT THAT HAS IMPROVED SAFETY AT THE SITE. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

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range Resources’ Savage River iron ore mine in Tasmania saw the opportunity to further safeguard its operators on site by equipping its mobile equipment with remote controls.

Implementing remote control technology has allowed Savage River’s operators to control machines from a safe location, away from potential hazards brought on by the frequent, heavy rainfall experienced on site.

RCT’s relationship with Savage River began with the installation of the ControlMaster Line-of-Sight remotes on two of the site’s Caterpillar D10T dozers.

Pleased with the performance of the technology, the site then called upon RCT’s help to customise a Lineof-Sight package for their Hitachi EX1200 excavator, which would allow them to interchange the excavator with a rock breaker attachment.

The excavator was being used to dig holes and trenches and perform batter scaling and the modification would see the machine being used for normal excavation works and for rock breaking if there was a blockage in the main crusher.

While RCT’s Custom department had completed this modification previously, it was the first time it had applied the technology and functionality onto a mobile piece of equipment.

“RCT was very professional and came up with a package that suited our requirements,” said Savage River’s mobile maintenance manager Greg Ling.

“Combining the two attachments on the one machine allows the site to increase productivity as there’s no need to change machines.”

RCT’s expertise was also called upon to develop and install a remote package to Savage River’s Hitachi EX1900 excavator, used for the larger jobs on site in areas that were not safely accessible for operators.

By installing remotes on mobile machinery such as excavators, it removes operators from the cab of a machine operating in a potentially dangerous environment and allows the site to continue to work efficiently.

Ling said there were numerous benefits to progressing with smart technology company RCT, including the local support provided to ensure any downtime was kept to a minimum.

“We were fortunate to regularly

RCT HAS A LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH GRANGE RESOURCES

deal with the same Brisbane-based technician over the years and as a result he is highly regarded amongst the team,” Ling said.

“In addition to this, the training received from RCT was excellent.

In turn, it enabled us to complete the minor services needed on the systems ourselves.

RCT HAS IMPROVED SAFETY AT SAVAGE RIVER

AUSTRALIANMINING

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“All in all, the RCT systems are generally trouble-free and easy-to-use.

All the systems have provided Savage River with the tools necessary to carry out high-risk work, while keeping our people safe, allowing them to operate mobile machinery away in either dedicated remote station or a Landcruiser troop carrier.” AM

SPECIAL FEATURE: AIMEX

BECKER SOLUTION HELPS DELIVER A SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE MINING OPERATION BECKER MINING SYSTEMS’ SMARTSENSE HAS EMERGED AS AN EFFECTIVE CHOICE FOR ANY ATMOSPHERIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING APPLICATIONS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

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ommunication is crucial in the underground mining industry to provide a safe, productive and profitable operation..

Becker Varis, part of the Becker Mining Systems group of companies, remains committed to providing high quality communication, automation and service solution for the industry.

Its latest offering is the smartsense gas monitor, which delivers a robust design and wide range of configurable features that are integral to both coal and hardrock mining operations.

The smartsense fixed monitor SSFM-100 is a configurable multigas, four-channel high accuracy gas monitor with full range temperature compensation.

The product line has been designed to strict international standards and manufactured to

THE BECKER VARIS SOLUTION

local and international regulations to ensure a high-quality and reliable product for the harshest of environments.

Its all-in-one package eliminates the need for complex cable connections and troublesome programming.

Out of the box, the SSFM-100 is the most versatile and hassle-free atmospheric and environmental system on the market with multiple international certification approvals.

With its unique 360° alarm function, the SSFM-100 can monitor any combination of gases.

It allows for customer expansion with a broad range of external inputs. With its integrated controller, smartsense functions as a black box, storing critical information, including calibration records, alarm history and data logging for post-accident investigation.

Three fully programmable set

AUSTRALIANMINING

points for alarm and output controls, along with short-term exposure limit (STEL) and time weighted average (TWA) limits displayed on the extralarge LCD display, makes it possible to view the reading from up to five metres away.

An auto-adjustable backlight and a wide range of mounting and connectivity accessories make the SSFM-100 suitable for both underground and surface applications.

The maintenance of the SSFM100 system is minimal, outside the normal practice of calibration and preventative maintenance, which can range from monthly or quarterly inspections.

The SSFM-100 has long sensor life and can be extended by doing preventative maintenance, while ensuring the sensor intake areas are cleaned and not obstructed.

Calibration for the system is straightforward, with no need for complicated cables and connections.

Only a basic understanding of calibration practices, calibration gases and Becker’s custom accessories are needed.

Becker’s watchdog feature will alert the user of any system errors, including when the system has detected inaccurate measurements or calibration errors, both locally through the maintenance LED and remotely on the supervisory platform.

The SSFM-100 design, with its versatility in available gas configurations, allows for greater flexibility and significant reduction in costs, ranging from cost of procurement through to cost of ownership.

Its atmospheric and environmental system is a gas monitor and controller, allowing for localised use or implementation into a system-

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wide installation.

Installation is completed using industry-standard communication protocols, such as Modbus RTU and OPC Connectivity, or for integration into legacy systems using 4-20mA. Since each client’s needs are different, Becker has developed a hybrid system that is customisable to each client’s installation requirements, including copper (RS485 / Ethernet) / radio frequency (UHF - VHF Data Radio / Wi-Fi) and fibre optics data connectivity.

The smartsense system is a combination of custom-developed and off-the-shelf products, thereby allowing for a hybrid system to suit every customer’s needs or requirements.

Becker has several graphical representation methods to display the atmospheric and environmental monitoring system data ranging from the Becker Mining Systems application for smart phones through to integration into existing SCADA systems.

Smartsense’s level of customisation, flexibility and adaptability are unparalleled in the industry. This is again demonstrated in the post blast re-entry application of the system for hardrock mines.

Post blast re-entry times not only have proven to reduce efficiency and productivity in underground mines, but pose unnecessary risks for the miners re-entering the blasting area.

Blasting at end of shift may seem like a solution, but there are still significant safety and productivity downsides to these current post-blast standard operational procedures.

Smartsense is a clear choice for any atmospheric and environmental monitoring applications. The system’s simple, flexible and comprehensive design makes sure that smartsense meets every customer’s needs. AM

Your business switched on The world never stops and with an FG Wilson generator set from AllightSykes, neither do you.

Contact us today 1300 255 444

Where Quality and Reliability Matter.

SPECIAL FEATURE: AIMEX

ENHANCING PRODUCT QUALITY FOR A STRONGER MARKET AS MINING INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS CONTINUE TO FIND WAYS TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE, PUMPS AND GENERATION COMPANY ALLIGHTSYKES REINFORCES ITS FOCUS ON IMPROVING PRODUCT QUALITY. AUSTRALIAN MINING REPORTS.

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llightSykes, an amalgamation of leading industry brands Sykes Group and Allight, has a combined 25 years of experience supporting the world’s broadest ranges of pumps, lighting towers and power generation equipment. The company has more than 200 employees worldwide and supplies over 6000 products to the mining and construction industry..

There have been positive changes in the marketplace for the supplier during the past decade, including substantial growth and major improvements in product quality.

Part of ASX-listed Seven Group Holdings, AllightSykes has expanded in the Australasian region to include seven operation centres across Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

The centres are supported by three manufacturing facilities – two of which remain homegrown in Australia and an additional one in Dubai – that complement the company’s global reach in the Middle East, North America and South Africa.

AllightSykes CEO Paul Thompson told Australian Mining that the past 10 years were highlighted by a price sensitive market, with one of the biggest changes being the rise in the number of local companies offering low cost/quality products.

“This has forced corporations to seek new and innovative ways to identify and reduce supply chain costs, and to pursue competitive market advantages while keeping quality standards,” he said.

Paul Thompson believes the improvement in product quality has been beneficial for customers, both in the short and long term.

“Moving forward, we believe customer expectations will rise in terms of product quality and performance, but especially in terms of aftermarket,” he said.

“Additional service and support

capability will be just as important as the product itself.

“We will continue to see clients driven by price but overall we see expectations rising in terms of product design and support.”

Paul Thompson added that improving product quality, and extending both its offering and service network, were areas the company was heavily focusing on.

“We continue to focus on streamlining our supply chain whilst extending our product and service network, expertise and efficiencies,” he said.

“Both our operations and product offering are constantly being reviewed so that we are able to provide the most effective solutions and innovative equipment to our customers’ needs.”

This is in addition to AllightSykes’ ongoing focus on safety and engineering capabilities.

“We are proud of the fact that we have dedicated in-house engineering services enabling us to design and build bespoke units with direct customer input,” Paul Thompson explained.

“Recently, we have also invested heavily in our Aftermarket business unit, which promotes not only our in-house capability to service our own units, but also enables us to offer our support, parts and services across all brands.

“This, combined with our own efficiencies and expertise, means we will be able to provide product parts and maintenance service to customers that have their own mixed fleet, while we support our own supplied equipment.”

Paul Thompson added that AllightSykes would continue to focus on better understanding its customers’ future needs, which he said “is something that we believe to be the key in providing true service value over time.”

While the company considers renewable power as part of its future, AUSTRALIANMINING

ALLIGHTSYKES CEO PAUL THOMPSON

Paul Thompson said diesel was currently the best source of power in terms of cost, flexibility and responsiveness.

Nonetheless, AllightSykes is still involved with companies that have renewable energy solutions.

“We represent brands such as FG Wilson and have a strong relationship with the greater Caterpillar organisation - which has entered the microgrid market and are marketing integrated solutions, where you might have solar panels, batteries, wind turbines and

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generator sets all linked and capable of powering remote settlements,” Paul Thompson said.

Over the next decade, Paul Thompson said the company would continue to grow its traditional markets, both nationally and internationally, and be responsive to evolving market demands.

“Products will change with technology advances, and we will continue to be a well-known brand, building reliable, quality products that our customers want,” he concluded. AM

‘because service counts’ Safety is not just a word, it’s our culture. Through consultation with our Valued clients, TEHMAR Group provides specific, tailored Safety-focused packages to suit the site and industry of operation, relative to the type of equipment being used or required.

TEHMAR Group has integrated custom engineered solutions to improve mobile and stationery equipment’s reliability and Safety. We also provide on-site mobile maintenance and service. TEHMAR Group represents Konecranes | Gottwald, Capacity Terminal Tractors, FUCHS Materials Handlers and Phoenix Lighting.

FUCHS Materials Handlers have been manufactured for the last 127 years. They specialise in building materials handlers that can be operated conventionally or via remote control and they are also able to provide solutions for specialised applications. FUCHS is the original materials handler, always putting Safety 1st.

Phoenix Lighting has been around for over 125 years, supplying all types of lighting including LED lights for mobile equipment. Their product is long lasting, durable and well supported. With this product history, one thing is guaranteed - your operators will be able to operate at night Safely.

Contact us at info@tehmargroup.com or call 1300 834 627

www.tehmargroup.com

‘Safety - it’s all about life’

SPECIAL FEATURE: AIMEX

USING CLOUD TECHNOLOGY TO TEAR UP ‘OLD-FASHIONED’ MINING WHILE MINING PROJECTS ARE PILED UNDER BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PAPERWORK EVERY YEAR, STEVE ASHER, CTO AT MINERAL BLUE, DISCUSSES HOW CLOUD TECHNOLOGY CAN SAVE THE RESOURCE INDUSTRY TIME AND MONEY.

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forward-thinking software solutions team by the name of Mineral Blue, based in Perth, believes it has found a multi-billion-dollar gap in the mining market.

The company’s chief technology officer, Steve Asher, is an Australian, who spent several years working in Cambridge, England, where he experienced the impact of the banking crisis.

It was during his time working as a management consultant when the idea for the company’s first platform, by the name of FactSafe, came to life – an external server where on-site photographs that can limit the risk of litigation are safely archived.

Five years since its inception, Mineral Blue is now made up of five partnerships, which aim to directly reduce cost in the mining industry via cloud technology.

“It has been an interesting process,” Asher said. “If we take Australia as a particular case, one of the great problems it has is the high cost of delivering projects, which inhibits investments and makes us less competitive on the international stage.

“So, even if we are ideally placed

in respects of being able to take oil out of the ground and gas out of the sea, the cost of our projects limits our scope.”

In addition to FactSafe, Mineral Blue includes other software, which are all collaborated by a partner company called QEM Solutions, based in Scotland.

Other technologies on board include the risk assessment platform, Cobra, and also the certification system, MySkills, which allow individual workers to upload data directly to the cloud.

Invented and patented by Craig Power, the latest installment is called iSOL8 and is unique because it can mediate the lockdown process of a mine site.

“In the future, we envisage smart-lock technology to lockdown a site, which is where we are going,” Asher said.

“Our vision for iSOL8 is to be able to make a remote plant on a mine as automatic as a plant in a nuclear reactor.

“That is our long-term game plan but we still need better technology and networks to get there.”

Another area where Mineral Blue sees potential is in its ePermit software – an electronic permit-to-

AUSTRALIANMINING

work system, which deploys digital permits via mobile devices.

“You only have to go to the LNG conference in Perth to see the same kind of technology we see on the Space Shuttle employed under the sea,” Asher said.

“While that side of the industry is already being looked after by advanced companies like Rio Tinto, there is a whole other area that isn’t being solved and that is in oldfashioned paper processes.

“If you were to consider a large LNG or mining project in Australia with a $50 billion production cost, for example, the project alone will be paying anywhere up to a billion dollars lost in paperwork.

“But, if you can remove that step from the process, you can start to exploit your other technology better and that is the purpose of these kinds of software systems we offer.”

Statistically, mining companies could shed up to 10 per cent of their project costs by considering other forms of technology.

And Asher believes this approach can be implemented anywhere up and down the industry supply chain, which is currently weathering an Australian energy crisis.

“I speak as an Australian with my

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eyes open having worked overseas for a number of years,” he said.

“Different markets have different advantages and Australia has the advantage of being a very successful mining nation.

“We dig a lot of resource out of the ground and we sell it very successfully, which means that – even during busts – by global terms, there is a booming market here.

“However, Australia is still a little bit old fashioned and the government needs a sharper focus in innovation to change that.”

Mineral Blue is now doing business in the United States under the umbrella name, Mineral Blue LLC, where Asher insists the global drive for innovation is far more promising.

“We have opened an office in the Silicon Valley due to the high focus on innovation going on there – where innovation is encouraged from every direction,” Asher continued.

“That simply doesn’t happen in Australia. I am not at all political but I think governments of both stripes lack the imagination needed.

“Neither party is genuinely business-focused and the only way we can compete as a nation is to enable our businesses to become more efficient.” AM

SPECIAL FEATURE: AIMEX

CHANGING ATTITUDES AND SAVING LIVES STATISTICS SHOW THAT ACCIDENTS IN THE WORKPLACE ACCOUNT FOR ONE DEATH EVERY WEEK WITHIN AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY. ANDREW FOX, MANAGING DIRECTOR AT TEHMAR GROUP, TELLS AUSTRALIAN MINING HOW ALTERING PERCEPTIONS OF SAFETY CAN SAVE LIVES AND LEAD TO BUSINESS SUCCESS.

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ssues surrounding serious and fatal injuries are still prevalent within Australian industry – however, a positive attitude towards safety and the use of proven forms of technology, which could be the difference between life and death, remain an afterthought in some circles.

According to Safe Work Australia statistics, hazards such as moving vehicles, falls from a height, and being trapped by machinery are among some of the most common causes for fatality in the workplace.

In decades past, it even used to be the case for some companies to account for workplace death in their annual budget.

Working collectively to build a different attitude, changing the way workers think about safety – at home and on site – has become an important trait within industry policy.

Andrew Fox, managing director at Tehmar Group, explains why lessons should not be learnt through trial and error but rather by education – both through maintaining a safe workplace

TEHMAR GROUP FOCUSES ON THE SAFE USE OF EQUIPMENT

and how using the correct tools can prevent a workplace catastrophe.

“We can definitely do a lot more,” he said. “Australia has a very small population but we have an even smaller number who are working.

“When you learn of a statistic that, on average, one Australian loses their life in an accident per week, that is absolutely unacceptable.

“It could be a driver involved in an accident where a vehicle has pulled out in front of them.

“It could be a postie doing their day-to-day delivery of mail and fatally injured by passing a construction site equipment or someone working in a stone masonry business who has a fatal accident with large slabs of stone.

“These are the realities of what people are going through and we have to do whatever we can to make them more vigilant and to empower them with training and awareness allow them to take time to take charge.”

Based in Western Australia, Tehmar provides industry compliance solutions to equipment in the materials handling industry.

Most mine sites have the safety specification of their equipment covered as well, however there is a big gap between mine site operated equipment and materials handling equipment in ports, container terminals and private yards.

“Various mine sites and operational sites have different requirements for safety specification of equipment,” Fox said.

“For example, safety on a machine that weighs anywhere from 80 to 100 tonnes – or even 130 tonnes when it’s fully loaded – sometimes needs no more than a beacon on top.

“It’s about how we can improve its visibility in the operational environment that it works in by enabling this machine to communicate to others who work in the same space.

AUSTRALIANMINING

“We want companies to consider how they can make sure the operator can identify a hazard before it’s too late, so they can dismount a machine safely, so maintenance can work on the equipment safely.”

In addition to benefits of individual welfare, investment in on-site safety is also considered an economical option for business too.

Certain equipment could cost a little more than the normal price, Fox admits – but, in turn, it could save thousands more dollars lost in operational downtime and break down maintenance.

“We also include safety measures on machines so that workers are encouraged to think safely,” he continued, “it’s not just about your work environment – we are trying to create habit where our people are practising safety every day – at work and at home with their children and families,” Fox said.

“We are encouraging change, to make sure workers are given the right equipment to do their job and to always think about safety.

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“There’s only one dumb question in life and that is the one question you didn’t ask when you thought something was wrong.

“Whether that is because you think your peers will laugh at you or you are told that you should learn to survive ‘through your skin’, it shouldn’t be the case.

“We want people to learn through their ears and that has always been our approach to safety.”

Maintaining a healthy atmosphere within the workplace is also a product of safe labour.

“When you have people who take pride in their workplace, they stay with you,” Fox said, “which means you are no longer spending money retraining new employees because they are moving elsewhere that may have a safer work environment.”

“The turnover of your employees becomes a lot less, and therefore your efficiencies go up because, over time, people are able to learn the intricacies of your business that allow them to do their job effectively and safely.” AM

TRACKING THE TRENDS

STRENGTHENING COLLABORATION IN THE MINING INDUSTRY GREATER COLLABORATION AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN MINING COMPANIES, THE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITIES IS A SIGNIFICANT WAY TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF THE MINING INDUSTRY, ACCORDING TO DELOITTE’S TRACKING THE TRENDS REPORT. SHARON MASIGE WRITES. COLLABORATION IS AN EMERGING SKILL IN MINING

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n Deloitte’s 2017 Tracking the Trends report, collaboration between the government, mining companies and all relevant stakeholders is considered essential for developing a shared vision for the mining sector.

Deloitte Australia national mining leader Nicki Ivory noted that historically, mining companies have not been good at collaborating, but this was beginning to change.

One of the biggest areas of contention between governments and mining companies is the copious amounts of ‘red tape’, with Australia having some of the most stringent approvals processes for mining projects.

This, according to Ivory, is also hampered by the rise in ‘green tape’ – the lobbying from various community groups that do not want mines to be built or want mines to be closed down.

“That’s becoming an even bigger issue for mining companies because they also have to deal with the red tape and it adds to the time it takes to build [a mine],” Ivory told

Australian Mining.

“Green tape can hold up mines far more than some of the compliances with government regulations.”

Ivory referred particularly to Adani’s proposed Carmichael coal mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, which has been wrought with green and red tape that has delayed its development.

She added that green tape was less predictable, making it harder for mining companies to deal with.

“There’s no rule book that says these are the things you need to do,” Ivory said. “It plays out a lot in social media and that’s the stuff that the mining industry struggle to deal with.”

Despite the contentious red tape, Ivory noted that the Australian Government was trying hard to foster collaboration with mining companies.

She highlighted government initiatives such as METS Ignited – which was developed to accelerate the mining equipment, technology and services sector in Australia – and the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia which was created to find new ways to do things in the AUSTRALIANMINING

mining industry.

Coupled with the need for government to bolster collaboration with mining companies is the importance of attracting investment to further support the industry.

Ivory suggested the government should look at cutting down on red tape, particularly due to the perception of Australia as a place that takes a lot of time and patience to do business.

She highlighted that while some of these regulations are really important, others may not be, and the government should investigate ways to make the approvals process more efficient. Another method Ivory suggested to attract mining investment is for companies to restore the trust of their investors through greater transparency, respect and a focus on returns. This in turn will generate more investment, she said.

Ivory believes a key way mining companies can also foster collaboration is through focusing on the societal outcomes of their projects or community efforts.

“They’ll put in place social

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responsibility objective and maybe build some things in the community but do they actually fully understand the societal issues that governments are dealing with on various levels?”

Ivory said.

She placed green tape under societal issues and said mining companies should work together with the government to engage with communities and turn around the perception that mining is bad. “[Mines] are not bad, they deliver really good things for the country which flows back into the community but how do we get the community to understand that?”

Ivory said, a question she called on mining companies to ponder.

She emphasised that the community is the third leg of the triangle – including the government and mining companies – that needed to be addressed.

The Tracking the Trends report highlights four key methods mining companies can employ to foster greater collaboration between all stakeholders and ultimately support a shared vision for the sector.

Build long term solutions: Develop long term views to solve societal issues that will benefit the business.

Link societal outcomes to business success: Consider including social issues in project planning, develop cross-functional teams that are well versed in business and societal issues.

Measure social outcomes: Acknowledge the benefits of properly addressing community and government concerns. This could be through community impact studies to measure the factors, including job creation, professional satisfaction and financial and physical security.

Align with government: Work with the government to find ways to support broader local, regional and national development. AM

, D E E N U .

O T Y E R R E ER N. V E F O T N A O H IS H W D IT RC A N I E F ES TH

RELY ON AUSTRALIA’S MANUFACTURING, MINING AND INDUSTRIAL HUB 70,000 monthly users can’t be wrong. Find what you’re looking for with over 12,000 business listings and 8,000 specific product listings. Access relevant information and resources, empowering you to make a qualified purchase decision. You can always rely on your industry hub.

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MAINTENANCE & MONITORING

VIBRATION IN MINERAL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT CAN BE COSTLY CONDITION MONITORING OF MACHINERY BY WAY OF VIBRATION MEASUREMENT CAN FORESTALL EXPENSIVE, OTHERWISE UNFORESEEN BREAKDOWNS WITH CONSEQUENT LOSS OF PRODUCTION. KEVIN SMITH EXPLAINS.

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here’s the hoary saying “if it ain’t broke – don’t touch it.” Plant engineers charged amongst other things, with maintenance, won’t voice this in exactly those words as though it were a dictum.

Rather, they’ll confirm the need for some form of regular maintenance as more or less a ‘motherhood’ statement.

However, motherhood statements don’t get a ball mill motor going, nor fix motorised pulleys on belt drives, aerators on flotation tanks, etc. when these plant give up the ghost.

Excessive vibration often is the root cause for breakdowns and the trick is to devise some form of early warning that can indicate a ‘go and inspect and check’ flag so that an ‘unscheduled breakdown’ and associated loss of repair/replacement and production costs can be avoided.

The fact is that although such flags are a good idea, the practical aspects of measurement and analysis require the use of vibration data collection and software.

This article discusses methods of gathering data, data massaging and diagnosis to indicate likely problems and where they probably occur.

Vibration can be due to mechanical as well as electrical faults Vibration in rotating equipment is invariably caused by out of balance conditions.

It can occur after an electric motor has been repaired, through misalignment of shafts, uneven wear of gears, electrical faults in motors, wear in bearings, etc.

In the real world of harsh environments, excessive vibration is the cause of early failure. It is also an ignored condition because noise (the audible part of vibration) is accepted as normal.

Without going into too much science, vibration energy is proportional to out of balance mass and square of the rotational speed, revs/minute, and can therefore exert

high impact forces.

Regular maintenance, for example the ‘shut’ that some plants have on a yearly basis so that machinery can be inspected, repaired, or refurbished may catch some problems due to excessive vibration.

It is however, no safeguard. The challenge to initiating maintenance when required is in observing what constitutes excessive vibration.

In short, it can only be established in practical terms by comparison

to ‘normal’ vibration patterns.

Fortunately establishing the so-called ‘normal’ base is not nearly as difficult as it might sound.

Ideally, the normal levels would be established when plant is new. In practice that’s not of much help since in many cases, machinery has already been in use for some years.

Irrespectively, the initiation of collection of vibration data is an excellent start to catching incipient breakdown conditions.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Fig 1 AUSTRALIANMINING

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Analysis of vibration frequencies is the key to corrective action

Some investment in analytical equipment is necessary, but there is no need for highly specialised training. Although, it needs to be pointed out in fairness to specialist consulting companies, that the general field of vibration analysis as it relates to structures and very high speed engines, etc. is highly complex.

The basic equipment for industrial

MAINTENANCE & MONITORING

purposes comprises of accelerometers and high-speed digital recorders, capable of showing time and frequency variation of vibration.

Accelerometers are the primary vibration sensors that can be easily mounted on housings, pillow blocks, bearing casings, etc. They can be magnetically fixed, or by means of adhesives, or mechanically (screws, bolts).

In general, accelerometers are designed to be easily transferred, making them suitable for industrial environments.

Although there are other forms of vibration sensors, the accelerometer is best suited to the task because of its wide frequency range (note: a motor might be running say at 1500 rpm (25 cycles/sec), or close to that, but incipient failures might well be indicated by much higher frequency components).

The output signals from the accelerometer are analysed by the high-speed digital recorder, which will have FFT (fast Fourier transform) software for frequency analysis.

FFT is a frequently-used analysis package and provides a frequency spectrum in decibels (dB), as shown

in the accompanying graph (fig 1).

The waveform function is useful for looking at time variations (as in fig 2), indicating a condition of excessive force caused by shaft slapping.

Interpretation of vibration spectra is aided by comparison with ‘normal’ data

In practical terms, vibration analysis is useless as an indicator of incipient failure unless we can establish what a normal level is. A practical example might be a large rated induction motor (refer to fig 1).

Unsurprisingly the main peak in the frequency spectrum is at the motor speed, but to be noted are two, so called ‘side bands’ with one below the motor speed and one above it.

At 50 dB below the main peak for the side bands there’s nothing noteworthy, but if on a subsequent monitoring occasion, they show at 40 dB, there is a clear case for motor inspection.

The notion of comparison of vibration signatures is important because signatures in themselves are only capable of suggesting a problem area. The spectrum in fig 1 indicates a ‘rotating’ vibration, in

other words due to the rotor of the induction motor.

At low levels, as already indicated, there is no concern. At the 40 dB level, likely problem areas are high resistance joints in rotor end rings, or broken rotor bars.

Alternately eccentricity of the rotor may be indicated, or loose laminations in the rotor.

On the other hand, a frequency peak at twice line frequency, i.e.

100 cycles/sec, is an example of a stationary vibration pointing therefore to the stator of the motor.

Likely problems are inter-turn shorts in windings, and/or loose stator laminations. Peaking of frequency in the range of 0.42-0.48 of machinery or motor rpm can indicate whirling in sleeve bearings (whirling is a vibration effect due to bearing oil forming a wedge between the shaft and bearing lining).

Roller and ball bearings (the latter are mainly found in lower rated motors, and smaller load bearing axles) have characteristic vibration patterns.

Nicks in cages, and inner and outer races cause the patterns to display additional frequency peaks.

Fig 2 AUSTRALIANMINING

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Spectrum analysis is superior to other forms of vibration monitoring

It is easy to oversimplify the use of vibration analysis because without a good comparison base, the figuring out as to whether to take a machine out of action or not is made difficult, if not impossible.

The alternative to analysis, in other words the use of simple vibration monitors which indicate a gross vibration energy level over a wide frequency range, only provides some information when things are coming to a head – hardly useful for incipient problem detection.

Investing in vibration analysis equipment, as outlined, provides the basis for facts-based maintenance programs.

These, as opposed to scheduled maintenance, allow for more up-time of equipment – and importantly, in as much as taking equipment out of service always poses a risk of introducing faults, will likely extend equipment life. AM Kevin Smith is the engineering solutions manager for Power Parameters.

PROSPECT AWARDS

EDGING CLOSER TO THE 2017 PROSPECT AWARDS THE 2017 AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS ARE AROUND THE CORNER, A NIGHT TO CELEBRATE THE BEST OF THE BEST IN AUSTRALIA’S MINING INDUSTRY. FESTIVITIES AT LAST YEAR’S EVENT

T

he Australian Mining Prospect Awards are returning once again, this time to be held at the Ivy in Sydney on October 26.

The awards provide an opportunity for attendees to reflect on the previous year and celebrate the success and achievements of companies in Australia’s mining industry. While the mining sector is no stranger to the challenges brought on by market uncertainty, it is also a breeding ground for innovation, resilience and a push toward the shared goal of sustaining the sector for years to come.

The awards feature 11 categories including Contract Miner of the Year, Community Interaction, Contribution to Mining, Hard Rock Mine of the Year, Coal Mine of the Year, Excellence in Environmental Management, Excellence in Mine Safety and OH&S, Mine Manager of the Year, Minerals Processing of the Year, Innovative Mining Solution and

the coveted Australian Mine of the Year award.

Over its 13-year history, the awards have been held in high regard by both winners and nominees, namely as it recognises the efforts their company has put in behind the scenes.

RCT, winner of the 2016 Prospect Award for Innovative Mining Solution, highlighted that the awards were an acknowledgement of the hard work put in by its employees.

The smart technology company won for its Independent Guidance Solution for underground loaders and trucks, which allows operators to set a predetermined path into the system and with the push of a button, the machine travels by itself to its intended destination.

“These awards are very good recognition for our people who put in a lot of time and effort to put together these solutions to ensure they work effectively and efficiently,” RCT’s head of product management, Dave Holman told Australian Mining.

AUSTRALIANMINING

This sentiment was also shared by refuge chamber and safety equipment manufacturer Minearc, 2014 winner of the Excellence in Mine Safety & OHS award for the EnviroLAV – an environmentallyfriendly toilet for the heavy industry.

“We’ve been designing toilets for mining for probably the last seven or eight years and when we came to the point of developing the EnviroLAV we knew it was a good product,” Minearc marketing manager Andrew Kindon said.

“We know that it would be basically groundbreaking for the industry and the award was acknowledgement of that, so it works well for us.”

The Prospect Awards are also a way to recognise specific individuals that have shown outstanding leadership within their company.

Last year’s Mine Manager of the Year winner Neil Hassett said the award made him proud not only to be nominated but to also win it.

Hassett, who is the coal handling

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and preparation plant manager at Glencore’s Mt Owen Coal mine, said he was humbled by the award.

“I’m sure there’d be a lot better people out there than me,” he said.

The awards are also a fitting way to honour the long-term involvement companies have played in the mining sector, with Micromine founder and director Graeme Tuder winning the 2016 Contribution to Mining award at the same time the company celebrated its 30th anniversary.

“Since its beginning in 1986, Graeme’s vision for the company has been to provide high quality products and services that create value for exploration and mining companies,” Tuder’s daughter Claire told Australian Mining.

“This is a fantastic recognition of Graeme’s contribution to the industry.”

Nominations for the 2017 Prospect Awards are now open and it will be a night not to be missed. AM To nominate, visit www.prospectawards.com.au.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

BHP APPOINTS MACKENZIE AS NEW CHAIRMAN AUSTRALIAN MINING COVERS THE LATEST CORPORATE MOVES IN THE LOCAL MINING INDUSTRY.

KEN MACKENZIE

K

en MacKenzie has been named as Jac Nasser’s successor as chairman of BHP. MacKenzie, who has been a non-executive director at BHP since September 2016, will take over on September 1, following Nasser’s retirement as both chairman and non-executive director.

Nasser announced he was planning to retire from the role in October 2016. He has held the position since 2010.

MacKenzie previously spent 23 years with global packaging company, Amcor, 10 of which were as managing director and chief executive officer.

MacKenzie is also part of BHP’s sustainability committee.

During his career, he has lived and worked in the Americas, Europe and Australasia and currently resides in Melbourne. MacKenzie grew up in Canada and holds a Bachelor of Engineering from McGill University. He started his career as a manufacturing strategy consultant at global consulting firm Accenture’s North American operations. *Rio Tinto’s John Varley has resigned as a non-executive

director of the company because of legal reasons. Varley joined the Rio Tinto board in September 2011 and was also the chair of the remuneration committee. He is also the former chief executive officer of bank, Barclays.

Meanwhile, Ann Godbehere has been appointed as senior independent director of Rio Tinto’s board. In the role, Godbehere will lead the process to appoint a new Rio chairman to replace Jan du Plessis.

Godbehere, who was originally appointed to Rio’s board in February 2010, joins the remuneration committee and remains chair of the audit committee.

Simon Thompson has also been appointed chair of Rio’s remuneration committee. Thompson joined the board in 2014 and became a member of the remuneration committee last year.

growth and performance strategy.

This involves the overarching responsibility for people and strategy in relation to sales, service, delivery, projects and customer care.

Wooldridge holds a strong engineering and sales background in the automation and energy industries both within Australia and the United States. He commenced his career in project engineering and management prior to working for Citect as vice president of professional services in Chicago, then vice president of sales in Georgia.

He returned to Australia as managing director for Citect.

Following Schneider Electric’s acquisition of Citect, Wooldridge moved to the role of vice president, industry business for Schneider Electric. Most recently, he was chief executive officer of the ASX-listed company, Energy Action.

*Scott Wooldridge has been appointed as Rockwell Automation’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand.

In the role, Wooldridge will oversee sales and business operations in Australia and New Zealand and be responsible for the company’s

*Peter Kukielski has resigned as a non-executive director of South32 following his appointment as president and chief executive officer of Canada’s Nevsun Resources.

With many years of experience in the mining industry, Peter provided invaluable counsel to the South32 board on its operations, development projects and growth opportunities.

At Nevsun, Kukielski brings more than 30 years of diverse international experience in the mining industry to the role. Kukielski was also CEO of Anemka Resources from 2014 to 2017.

SCOTT WOOLDRIDGE

AUSTRALIANMINING

*Resolute Mining has appointed Martin Botha as its new chairman.

Botha, an existing non-executive director of Resolute, takes over as chairman from Peter Huston who was appointed a director of the company in 2000 and served as chairman for more than 15 years.

Botha is an Engineering Surveyor by training who has 30 years’ experience in banking, with 24 years spent in leadership roles building Standard Bank’s international operations.

Resolute also appointed Yasmin

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Broughton and Mark Potts as non-executive directors at the company. Broughton is a corporate lawyer with significant experience working in legal, financial, and executive management in the energy, infrastructure, resources and community sectors in the United Kingdom and Australia. Potts is a leading global technology executive who for more than 25 years has consistently combined innovation, strategy, vision, technology, teambuilding and execution to drive business results and improvement for a range of international organisations. *Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) has appointed Paul Arnold as chief executive and managing director. Arnold replaced Andrea Sutton, who resigned from ERA in order to take up the role of global head of safety and security for Rio Tinto.

Arnold brings extensive experience to ERA gained over more than 25 years in the resources sector working in operations, commercial, business analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and major project development roles. AM

ANN GODBEHERE

PRODUCTS

BOART LONGYEAR DRILLING SERVICES DELIVERS FULLY HANDS-FREE DRILLING

LINCOM UNVEILS COMPACT POWERSCREEN WARRIOR 1200

Boart Longyear has engineered a fully hands-free drilling solution with its surface coring rig – the LF90D – in mining markets around the world.

The LF90D uses a hollow spindle drill head, making it challenging for rod handling. By retrofitting the rig with a tilting head mechanism and a customised FL262 Freedom Loader, Boart Longyear now offers a completely hands-free rod handling solution for the fleet of LF90D rigs.

The Freedom Loader also works with the LF160 and the LF350 surface coring rigs – additional surface coring rigs that offer completely hands-free rod handling.

The hands-free solution also prevents back injuries, strains, pulls and hand injuries, reinforcing the company’s commitment to providing healthier and safer work sites for its clients and employees.

Lincom has released the Powerscreen Warrior 1200, which, according to the company, is the most compact scalping screen (12 feet or 3.65m) in the market.

The Powerscreen Warrior range includes high capacity, heavy duty, versatile machines capable of screening and separating a wide variety of material in a range of applications, such as recycling, aggregates, compost, topsoil, coal, construction and demolition waste and iron ore.

Building on the success of the Warrior 600, the Warrior 1200 has strong service access, high capacity and a low cost of ownership.

A heavy multipurpose duty incline two deck screen, the Warrior 1200 is capable of stockpiling, scalping before and after crushing units, or as a standalone unit.

Its screen can accept bofor bars, finger screens, woven mesh and punch plates along with other application-specific media types.

User benefits include a rapid setup time and ease of operation, aided by hydraulically folding conveyors, twospeed tracks and a swift two-way split conversion.

• Boart Longyear +1 (801) 952-8478 www.boartlongyear.com

• Lincom Group 1800 182 888 www.lincom.com.au

ENERPAC LAUNCHES NEW RANGE OF SYNC GRIP PULLERS Enerpac is introducing its new range of Sync Grip Pullers, which feature synchronised movement of their locking jaws for simultaneous engagement and optimised safety, to Australasia.

The new SG-Series Sync Grip Pullers – in mechanical and hydraulic configurations up to 45 tonnes capacity – enhance the safety, simplicity and speed of removal of bearings, bushings, gears, sleeves, wheels, fly-wheels, sprockets and other shaft-mounted items.

Being introduced to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, the new tools enable one operator to do jobs that previously took two men. Applications include maintenance of fixed and mobile machinery and plant, as well as heavy vehicles and rolling stock in industries such as the construction, manufacturing and metal working, mining and energy, oil and gas, materials handling, primary production, water and wastewater industries.

For loads up to 20 tonnes, the SGM-Series mechanical pullers provide an economical and efficient option, with all the same rugged high-strength features as the hydraulic option. For more complex tasks, up to 45 tonnes, the MPS-Series hydraulic pullers offer hydraulically applied pulling force through a detachable hydraulic cylinder, to increase pulling capacity and reduce operator fatigue.

When one jaw is closed around the bearing surface, the others automatically close at the same time, making the puller easier and safer to operate. The synchronous feature of the SGM and SGH Series Pullers makes positioning the puller simple.

Features of the new ranges include: • Maximum reach, mechanical pullers, 105-600mm spread range 110-680mm.

• Maximum reach, hydraulic pullers, 320-700mm, spread range 350-980mm.

• Threaded spindle and jaw indexes provide adjustable reach.

• Three jaw configuration for even load distribution, with two-jaw configuration available in mechanical pullers for confined access situations.

• High-strength forged jaws for superior reliability.

• Optional accessories that expand application range and increase utility.

• Hydraulic models are available in standard kits, which include detachable hydraulics cylinders and a choice of pump options, along with a gauge assembly and hose for safe monitoring of applied pulling forces.

• Cross-bearing puller sets available to complement Sync Grip technology, featuring quick set up to tackle a variety of jobs and precise hydraulic control for fast, efficient and safe pulling. Available in 6-22 tonne capacities with maximum reach 357-831mm and 260-580mm in spread range.

• Backed nationally and on-site by the sales, service and technical expertise of the Enerpac distributor network, which has been a market leader in Australasia for more than 50 years.

• Enerpac +61 (02) 8717 7200 www.enerpac.com AUSTRALIANMINING

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PRODUCTS

RPM ANNOUNCES NEW SOFTWARE RELEASE – HAULSIM 2.5 RPMGlobal (RPM) has released HAULSIM 2.5 – mining’s digital twin for mine haulage network optimisation.

The new release of HAULSIM brings functionality that is not available in any other mine haulage software for mining – Fleet Planner and Cornering Speed optimisation.

Fleet Planner allows users to configure their fleet and productivity levels for the next shift. It does this through the analysis of the haul cycle, which balances productivity requirements. The number of haulers for each configuration can be automatically calculated. For each configuration there are over 300 results available for analysis, including detailed analysis of the haul cycle, cost and productivity information.

The number of haulers in the fleet planner can be changed as required, allowing the users to immediately see the impact on any of the results.

Cornering Speed makes model calibration quicker and easier. It analyses every path through the 3D network to estimate the radius of the corners in the network. Users can then apply speed limits to the speeds of the trucks around any tight bends. Safety is imperative on any mine site so being able to recognise challenges on a haul route provides an additional level of safety.

In addition to Fleet Planner and Cornering Speed optimisation, HAULSIM 2.5 brings additional enhancements to user experience.

Users can now add conveyors to the 3D scene and garner greater insights with improved reporting functionality.

Model validation has also been enhanced with the addition of three new ‘first person’ views. Users can now view the model from a truck as it travels around the road network increasing productivity of mine haulage simulation activities. Building networks with one-lane sections (or tunnels) has never been easier, with additional validation available in the 3D scene.

RAZERLINK MOBILE CONVEYOR FOR MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS U.S. based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing and handling systems, Superior Industries, has completed manufacturing its first Razerlink Mobile Conveyor—a multi-functional machine designed to load, unload, transfer, and/or stockpile material.

According to the company’s engineers, by combining mobility with telescoping conveyor technology, the conveyor limits downtime and accelerates material handling.

Additionally, one time handling of material aids in maintaining high quality material spec.

Each unit is tailor-made to the exact conditions of the customer’s operation, whether it be a barge, rail, quarry, mining or construction site application. Mobility options include conveyor tracks, drive tires, or towable tires. For applications not requiring telescoping capabilities, the conveyor can be fitted with a fixed length, radial, or luffing conveyor.

The unit’s feed design can come in the form of a drive over ramp, back up ramp, or feed hopper, which accommodates most loading styles.

The units are built in 48-inch (1219mm) or 72-inch (1828mm) wide models and can transfer material at rates up to 1500 TPH. • Superior Industries +1 (320) 589 2406 www.superior-ind.com

• RPM Global +61 (07) 3100 7200 www.rmpglobal.com

LIEBHERR RELEASES NEW PILING AND DRILLING RIG LRB 16 Liebherr has released the LRB 16, an all-round piling and drilling rig for diverse applications in the deep foundation sector. The machine gets its name from the sledge’s travel distance, which is approximately 16m. With a longer leader, the piling and drilling rig is also now available as a LRB 18.

The LRB 16 has a compact design with an operating weight around 48 tonnes, which results in low ground pressure. The robust undercarriage offers high stability, which can be further increased with the optional rear supports.

As a standard, the new piling and drilling rig is fitted with sophisticated control and assistance systems. Attachment recognition offers not only time recording for the respective attachment.

The performance figures are also transmitted with the aid of LiDAT, Liebherr’s own data transmission system. An improvement for slurry wall application is the obstacle recognition, which enables the timely recognition of obstacles in the soil. This protects both the attachment and the basic machine.

• Liebherr www.liebherr.com

DYNO NOBEL UNVEILS NEW EXPLOSIVE ENGINEERS APP Mine explosives manufacturer Dyno Nobel has released a new and improved version of its Explosives Engineers’ mobile app.

Key features of the update include: • Complete product specifications and application uses for Dyno Nobel products.

• Custom blasting calculators include powder factor, airblast prediction, rock and explosive charge per blast hole, wet hole, ground vibration prediction, scaled distance, and distance to the nearest structure.

• Real time Dyno Nobel updates are available through the News section including, press releases, videos, and news stories.

• Unit conversions, blast design terminology, definitions and formulas are all readily accessible.

• Worldwide accessibility to all features, even in remote locations.

Expanded features in this version Include: • A simpler, more essential look and feel, with the ability to adapt to refinements and changes to the underlying operating systems, whether iOS or Android.

• The ability to select a region (America, Asia Pacific or South America) and preferred units (Imperial or Metric).

• An updated GPS which not only includes maps with latitude, longitude and altitude, but also has the ability to save hundreds of locations and compare any two locations.

• An expanded calculator function which can now save results to a list and upload past results from that list.

• The ability to select individual product specifications to be compared in a dynamic format, allowing the user to see just the data they need in a simplified table.

• Dyno Nobel www.dynonobel.com

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EVENTS

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

IAMG 2017 SEPTEMBER 2-9 FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

METPLANT 2017 SEPTEMBER 11-12 PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The 18th annual International Association for Mathematical Geosciences (IAMG) Conference will be held at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle for geoscience related industries to exhibit the latest software and developments.

Students and young scientists are also encouraged to attend the conference, with short courses available for early career researchers and prizes awarded to successful student presentations. As Western Australia relies heavily on the mineral and resources industry, attendees from these sectors are called on to support the conference and research efforts.

• IAMG 2017 9265 0700 www.iamg2017.com

The MetPlant 2017 conference and exhibition, hosted by the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), will gather together attendees from a range of disciplines in the minerals industry to discuss the latest developments in metallurgical plant design and ways to optimise operations. The conference will focus on a range of themes including minerals processing, water and tailings management, maintenance and optimisation, plant control and efficiency and emissions management. It will also provide networking opportunities for delegates and opportunities to discuss research findings and case studies.

• MetPlant 2017 03 9658 6128 www.metplant.ausimm.com.au

OZMINE 2017 SEPTEMBER 11-12 JAKARTA, INDONESIA Ozmine paves the way for Australian mining companies and METS sector to gain insights into Indonesia’s resources market. It also presents a chance to exhibit services and products to both Indonesean and ASEAN companies.

The event is ideal for Australian mining software and technology companies; mineral exploration, production and process equipment specialists; mine planning and development companies; and mine safety businesses. It will highlight key trends as well as the challenges and opportunities in Indonesia’s mining sector. It will also identify developments in mining policies and regulation, processing and refining opportunities and further key insights into doing business with Indonesian mining companies.

• Ozmine 2017 08 8202 7853 www.austrade.gov.au/ozmine2017

AUSTRALIAN MINING BRINGS YOU THE LATEST EVENTS IN THE MINING CALENDAR

RIU GOOD OIL CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 13-14 PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA The Good Oil Conference will feature the latest developments in the oil and gas industry, with presentations from oil and gas leaders. The conference has grown to become one of the most popular in the country for junior and midtier explorers and producers in the oil and gas market. It will highlight the latest exploration opportunities in Australia, major investment opportunities and will provide an interactive trade exhibition for attendees.

•RIU Good Oil Conference 9388 2222 www.riuconferences.com.au/ conferences/goodoil2017

TENTH INTERNATIONAL MINING GEOLOGY CONFERENCE 2017 SEPTEMBER 20-22 HOBART, TASMANIA The tenth International Mining Geology Conference is brought together by the Australian Institute of Geologists (AIG) and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). This year’s theme is ‘Setting New Standards’ with a focus on improving the standard and quality of current mining geology practices. The conference will include workshops and excursions.

Speakers include chief geologist of Saracen Mineral Holdings, Daniel Howe, vice president of geoscience, Geoscience Centre of Excellence at BHP Billiton, Jill Terry, and Bruce Sommerville, manager, resource geology and metallurgical at Rio Tinto.

• Tenth International Mining Geology Conference 2017 03 9658 6126 www.mininggeology.ausimm.com.au

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