Australian Mining September 2023

INTERNATIONAL MINING DECISION-MAKERS VOLUME 115/08 | SEPTEMBER 2023

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

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INTERNATIONAL MINING DECISION-MAKERS VOLUME 115/08 | SEPTEMBER 2023

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

INTO THE DEPTHS WHAT’S NEW UNDER THE GROUND

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COMMENT

GLOBAL ENTERPRISE WE MAY BE CALLED AUSTRALIAN MINING, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN WE CAN’T LOOK PAST OUR OWN SHORES.

PAUL HAYES paul.hayes@primecreative.com.au

A

ustralia might seem like the centre of the mining universe (and, in a lot of ways, it kind of is) but it’s important to remember that the industry is a truly global one and Australian companies have spread their connections all around the world.

Just this week (at the end of July and start of August), Australian mining companies like Rio Tinto and Glencore set their sights on critical mineral operations in Chile and Argentina, respectively.

And these are only two relatively small examples.

Rio’s months-long efforts in 2022 to get its hands on the Turquoise Hill and its Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia, considered one of the largest known copper and gold deposits in the world, is a prime illustration of Australian mining companies going international in a big way.

But not all international mining is so far from home. In fact, a key spot on the mining globe is right on Australia’s proverbial doorstep, with our nearest neighbour.

Papua New Guinea is home to a large number of Australian mining and mining services companies.

The Pacific nation is bestowed with vast gold, copper, nickel and cobalt mineral deposits and mining has long been a major driver of its economy, and the likes of Ok Tedi, Lihir and Simberi are some of the active mines in PNG still producing today.

The country’s mining past has not been without its troubles, but a series of local and international companies are driving today’s sector forward, generating new opportunities for PNG communities and emerging professionals.

In this month’s issue of Australian Mining we direct our gaze a little further and look past the horizon to some international locales, and PNG is chief among them.

We take a look at some of the latest developments in the region, highlighting the work of big-ticket industry players like Newcrest, St Barbara, Hastings Deering, K92 Mining, and more.

We also check in with Fenix Gold and take a closer look at Treasure Creek, the gold-antimony project the company is developing in Alaska.

Closer to home, this month’s issue heads below the surface for a deep dive into the latest in underground mining.

We all know there’s a lot going on down there, so it pays to check in with the latest products, technologies, software and more that make life underground that much easier and more efficient.

Paul Hayes Managing Editor

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Minova is considered an industry leader of ground support and geotechnical solutions for mining, tunnelling and surface engineering projects.

The company is known for its quality products, technical expertise and customer problemsolving.

“Our 140-year track record of developing and delivering innovative ground support solutions is a heritage we are proud of,” the company said on its website.

“With manufacturing plants across five continents and operations in more than 25 countries, we offer our customers full portfolio solutions, consisting of a comprehensive range of bolting systems, injection chemicals, grouts, resin capsules and sprayable membranes, coatings, and services.”

Cover image: Minova

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JOHN MURPHY

EDITOR PAUL HAYES Email: paul.hayes@primecreative.com.au

FRONT COVER

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AUSTRALIANMINING 5 SEPTEMBER 2023

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IN THIS ISSUE 28

38

24

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

40

UNDERGROUND MINING

34

INTERNATIONAL MINING

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UNDERGROUND MINING

Takeover targets This year has seen a pattern of takeover offers and acquisitions as ASX-listed mining companies work to expand their portfolios.

Cleaner and greener PPK Mining Equipment’s products not only provide a high level of safety, but also a high level of efficiency in controlling exhaust emissions.

New horizons Papua New Guinea has always had a strong mining presence.

Australian Mining examines some of the latest developments.

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Raising the roof Komatsu has updated its powered roof support business to meet the needs of contemporary coal mines.

52

RESOURCES AND INVESTMENT

UNDERGROUND MINING

An Alaskan treasure chest Australian Mining takes a closer look at Treasure Creek, the gold-antimony project Felix Gold is developing in Alaska.

Filling the underground gaps Minova’s long history in ground support comes together with its toolbox of products to solve just about any problem in underground operations.

38

64

DRILL AND BLAST

Million-metre milestone Adapting Epiroc’s autonomous Pit Viper drill rigs to a multi-pass coal operation seemed like a tall ask at first, but the Swedish OEM silenced the critics.

MINING SERVICES

On time and on budget Able to deliver a range of services, National Group is recognised for its end-to-end offering. This is driving rapid company growth across NSW, Queensland and WA.

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DEWATERING

A proven winner A recent trial of Crusader Hose’s Hamersley system for rapid in-pit dewatering proved to be a “game-changer”.

REGULARS 5 COMMENT 10 NEWS 104 PRODUCTS 106 EVENTS

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64 AUSTRALIANMINING 6 SEPTEMBER 2023

The next generation is now

Mining progress over the centuries has been primarily driven by tool and machine designs. The next generation will be driven by advances in data and technology — especially automation.

Automation removes workers from the face for safety, and can improve productivity and sustainability through its precision and repeatability.

With these new technologies — and others — from Joy, the next generation of longwall mining is now.

To learn more about new Joy longwall mining tech visit komatsu.com/longwall Video 

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RS20n powered roof support

Designed for use on powered roof supports and armored face conveyors (AFCs), the RS20n is the industry’s first 1Gb/s two-wire Ethernet system.

With an open network to connect 3rd party Ethernet devices, the RS20n is engineered for standout productivity and reliability.

OptiDrive motors and control software

This intelligent variable speed and torque drive solution for AFC and BSL can significantly increase equipment life by reducing chain travel. It’s the only variable speed drive approved for underground mining in Australia.

Read more 

Compak Next Gen hydraulic control system

High-performance valve technology can improve PRS cycle times by up to 12% compared to the previous model and can be retrofitted to PRS of any manufacturer. It’s also been designed for longer life and easier for operators to position.

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J7500 ranging arm

This successor to the J-525-H arm has up to 23% more power — in the same width envelope — and enables full cut-past on larger AFC tail frames. It’s packed with reliability improvements as well. For upcoming availability of this product, contact your Joy representative.

© 2023 Komatsu Ltd. or one of its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

8/1/2023 8:43:50 AM

NEWS

THE LATEST MINING AND SAFETY NEWS AUSTRALIAN MINING PRESENTS THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE BOARDROOM TO THE MINE AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. VISIT WWW.AUSTRALIANMINING.COM.AU TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING. HERMES’ GOLDEN CORRIDOR PLATINA RESOURCES DISCOVERED A 1KM GOLD MINERALISED CORRIDOR IN THE HERMES PROJECT IN JULY.

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.

Platina Resources discovered a 1km gold mineralised corridor in its Xanadu project’s Hermes prospect in Western Australia in July.

Following the discovery, Platina is set to commence drilling at Hermes later in the year.

“Our team is very excited to start drilling Hermes later this year post the completion of a second-stage heritage

survey,” Platina managing director Corey Nolan said.

“Identification of mineralisation in close proximity to the mantle tapping Nanjilgardy fault, Howies Hole fault, strong multi-element values and the presence of conglomerates similar to the Mt Olympus-style indicate Hermes’ high prospectivity.”

The Hermes prospect is located approximately 45km south-east of Paraburdoo in the Neeramnath area of WA. Current gold mineralisation at the site is 1–3cm thick, with the bulk occurring in a central corridor.

“Field geological mapping, rock chip and channel sampling were conducted at Hermes in June,” the company said in an announcement.

“A total of 34 rock chips and 13 channel rock samples from three lines were taken over a strike length of 1km and a width of 650m.”

March 2023 saw Platina enter into a joint venture with Chalice Mining for the Mt Narryer gold project in WA. Platina’s Mt Narryer gold project is located 300km north-west of the company’s Challa gold project on the fringe of the Yilgarn Craton, a prodigious gold and base metal producing province of WA. Nolan said the joint venture would allow Platina to channel its time and financial resources towards its other key projects in WA, Brimstone, Xanadu and Beete.

people, including employees and contractors, and has a current production level of 5.3 million tonnes per annum.

While some have questioned the decision, Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the approval was made in accordance with the current environmental laws.

“The Federal Government has to make decisions in accordance with the facts and the ­national environment law – that’s what

happens on every project and that’s what’s happened here,” a spokeswoman for Plibersek said.

Idemitsu maintained that the mine maintains a strong commitment to the environment.

“Ensham maintains a strong commitment to the environment and the local community where we operate and we actively engage with local businesses, landowners and government in order to meet stakeholder expectations,” the company said.

QUEENSLAND COAL MINE GETS APPROVAL The Federal Government gave its approval for thermal coal to be mined at Ensham in Queensland for a further nine years.

Located 40km north-east of Emerald in central Queensland, the mine was first owned by Japanese oil giant Idemitsu before it transferred its 85 per cent interest to South African energy company subsidiary Sungela.

Swiss investment group Audley Energy and Australian Mayfair Corporations Group each

earned a 12.5 per cent stake from the acquisition.

The mine is the first thermal coal project approved by the Federal Government since it was elected in 2022. It is set produce 4.5 million tonnes of coal annually.

According to the project overview, the mine will produce an estimated 39 million tonnes of thermal coal throughout its life in an export value of $3.66 billion.

The mine currently has a workforce of approximately 600

AUSTRALIANMINING 10 SEPTEMBER 2023

NEWS

CLOSED QUEENSLAND MINES TO REOPEN WOLFRAM, OR TUNGSTEN, IS A CRITICAL MINERAL NEEDED FOR THE GLOBAL NET-ZERO TRANSITION.

The closed Wolfram Camp and Bamford Hill mines in Queensland are set to be redeveloped into working mines again through a contract awarded to EQ Resources.

EQ Resources will undertake exploration activities across a 480km² area in an effort to find more critical minerals deposits that will be essential in Australia’s transition to net-zero.

In particular, the company will be on the lookout for tungsten deposits, which has been mined at the Wolfram Camp site since the 19th century.

The exploration will form part of Queensland’s Critical Minerals Strategy

and enhances the state’s critical minerals mines.

Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the revitalisation of the Wolfram Camp and Bamford Hill mines would transform them from a liability to an asset.

“EQ Resources has a proven track record in revitalising former mines, having established significant mine waste reprocessing operations and recently announcing starting open cut mining at its nearby Mt Carbine tungsten project, creating up to 135 good jobs,” Stewart said.

“Queensland has many of the critical minerals needed to make

the renewable energy technologies the world needs for a net zero emissions future.

“This tender will not only create more good jobs for the region but helps us meet the challenge of leading the world towards a decarbonised future.”

EQ Resources chief executive officer Kevin MacNeill said EQ is committed to engaging with the local communities as it works toward reopening.

“This includes generating new employment avenues, contributing to the local economy, and promoting responsible environmental stewardship in alignment with EQR’s core values,” he said.

“The company’s success at Mt Carbine is a testament to its ability to transform historical mining sites into thriving operations with a positive impact on the environment and surrounding communities and we envision a similar transformation for Wolfram Camp.

“Our team of experienced professionals will apply modern exploration techniques and state-of-the-art technologies to maximise the site’s potential while minimising its environmental footprint in order to unlock Wolfram Camp’s potential as a critical mineral producer.”

Australia Josh Rowan said. “Their ability to deliver the works safely and at schedule is critical to the project’s success.

“Monadelphous was also recently awarded long-term maintenance and sustaining capital projects contracts for Albemarle’s Kemerton operations.”

Albemarle agreed to amend the terms of the MARBL lithium joint venture (with includes the

Kemerton processing plant) it shares with Mineral Resources (MinRes) in early July.

Under the new agreements, Albemarle will take 100 per cent ownership of Kemerton and retain full ownership of its Qinzhou and Meishan lithium processing facilities in China.

Kemerton recently took delivery of first steel, and construction work is expected to begin soon.

MAJOR CONTRACT FOR MONADELPHOUS Albemarle recently awarded Monadelphous a $200 million contract for construction work at its Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant in WA. Under the contract, Monadelphous will construction processing trains three and four, creating over 1000 construction jobs.

The new trains will enable Kemerton to produce up to

100,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide per annum, supporting the annual manufacture of around 2.4 million electric vehicles.

Monadelphous has previously worked on Kemerton processing trains one and two.

“We are very pleased to have Monadelphous back on-board for the construction of processing trains three and four,” Albemarle vice president, capital projects

AUSTRALIANMINING 12 SEPTEMBER 2023

NEWS

PAULSENS GOLD MINE KEEPS ON GIVING Black Cat Syndicate has announced a surprising main zone extension at its Paulsens gold operation in WA. Most recent drilling results indicate that the main zone of mineralisation at Paulsens extends at least 175m longer than originally estimated.

Of the nine holes drilled, eight intersected broad intervals of quartz veining associated with gold.

With further drilling, this extension has the potential to materially add mine life or increased production rates to the recently completed Restart Study.

Paulsens has a history of surprises. The mine changed hands

in 2009 when it was believed the main zone had a pinched out down plunge, only for an additional 1500m of quartz veining to be discovered in 2017.

Prior to Black Cat’s most recent drilling campaign, the main zone was again believed to have a pinched out down plunge.

Paulsens is one of Australia’s highest-grade gold deposits, with a current resource of 328,000 ounces (koz) of gold at 9.9 grams per tonne. Around 154koz of this is located in the main zone.

Black Cat is planning a restart of the mine, with a production target of 42koz per year over an initial three-year life of mine.

Previous underground mining, particularly from the main zone, produced one million ounces of gold at an average of 75koz per year.

Black Cat managing director Gareth Solly said the drill program was the company’s most significant since listing in 2018.

“The results are extremely encouraging and show the strong growth potential at Paulsens,” he said.

“Extending the main zone down plunge by up to 175m opens up potential to extend mine life and/or production rates from the zone that has produced about one million ounces to date.

BHP COMPLETES $300 MILLION VILLAGE SAFETY WORKS After starting the project in 2020, major miner BHP has completed its safety improvement project at its Pilbara villages.

The $300 million investment saw over 10,000 rooms upgraded across the company’s 13 Western Australian Iron Ore (WAIO) villages. The project included over 10,000 new doors, 8000 lights, 1500 CCTV cameras and over 4km of fencing installed.

“The work was delivered using 100 per cent Australian manufacturers and local contractors, including many Traditional Owner businesses,” WA Iron Ore NPI (non-process infrastructure) general manager Kate Holling said.

“Safety continues to be our numberone priority and I’m happy to see this work complete to make our villages feel safer and more accessible for everyone who visits them.”

Stage one of the Village Security project was worth $100 million to BHP over a 24-month period to mid2023. The overall project is worth $300 million.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering (SCEE) Group was one of the companies chosen to complete the works. Managing director Graeme Dunn said the contract asked a significant amount of the group and the scope of works showed what the company was capable of.

“This project is a great example of the breadth of offering the group now presents to clients following our diversification strategy of recent years,” Dunn said in 2021.

It is hoped that the work will improve both safety and accessibility for residents and guests at the Pilbara villages.

BHP HOPES THE WORK WILL IMPROVE SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR RESIDENTS AND GUESTS AT THE VILLAGES.

AUSTRALIANMINING 14 SEPTEMBER 2023

“None of this has been included in our recent restart study and is all upside.

“Importantly, the main zone remains open down plunge and has unfinished business up plunge.

“In a mine that has delivered 1000 ounces per vertical metre, finding another 175m of plunge extension is significant to both Paulsens and more broadly for Black Cat. “This is just the beginning for the main zone’s next phase.”

Black Cat acquired Coyote and Paulsens from Northern Star Resources in June 2022 in order to accelerate its ambition of becoming a mid-tier gold producer.

NEWS

LARVOTTO RESOURCES COMMENCED REVERSE CIRCULATION DRILLING AT ITS MT ISA PROJECT.

MT ISA PROJECT DRILLING BEGINS Larvotto Resources recently announced that reverse circulation drilling at its Mt Isa project has commenced. The Mt Isa project is located in north-west Queensland and within the eastern portion of the Mt Isa Inlier, which is recognised as one of the richest metallogenic regions in the world.

Initial drilling at the Mt Isa project will target the Yamamilla and Whitehorse prospects, which are two highly prospective areas of copper, gold and cobalt.

A total of 3100m of reverse circulation drilling has been planned for this phase of the project’s program: 2500m of reverse circulation drilling at its Yamamilla prospect and 600m at its Whitehorse prospect.

The 2500m at Yamamilla will test the geochemical and geophysical anomalies and will be undertaken by a track-mounted, high-capacity air reverse circulation drill rig.

Larvotto Resources said geophysical VTEM anomalies and geochemical anomalies along the Yamamilla fault

were poorly drill-tested by reverse circulation drilling in 2012, when most of holes failed to intersect the targeted zones, predominantly due to a lack of air while drilling.

The company is now utilising a drill rig with the ability to withstand these issues.

“The Yamamilla Prospect is one of our lead areas, with over 10km of mineralised strike that contains a welldefined geochemical and geophysical anomaly,” Larvotto Resources managing director Ron Heeks said.

“The majority of holes from the very limited historic drilling back in 2012 were mineralised but, significantly, most did not reach the planned target due to drilling issues at the time.

“Whitehorse has been identified from Larvotto’s recent field work and has produced extremely high-grade rock chips over 2300m of strike,” Heeks said.

“We look forward to commencing the initial drilling of very promising targets and reporting our results to the market in due course.”

“Growth and diversification of our trade is important as our state transitions to new commodities, including those that support renewable energy production,” Wilks said.

“A record 2.4 million tonnes of spodumene was also exported through our ports over the past year, contributing to our state’s critical battery and minerals trade

which will shape our country’s clean energy future.”

“These records are testament to the terrific work of our local teams and all of our customers and port service providers who are working together to deliver Western Australian products to world markets. Ports play a critical role in WA’s economy, and we’re proud to be delivering outcomes to support this.”

SPODUMENE SHIPPING BREAKS RECORDS Western Australia has broken a total of 16 shipping records across its Albany, Bunbury and Esperance ports, thanks to record shipments of spodumene.

Spodumene is a mineral consisting of lithium and is used primarily in vehicle and mobile phone batteries.

Combined, the three ports exported a total of 2.4 million

tonnes of spodumene for the 2023 financial year (FY23), smashing the previous record of 1.9 million tonnes set last year.

The Port of Bunbury alone exported 1.5 million tonnes of spodumene, while the Port of Albany exported 256,000 tonnes of silica sands.

Southern Ports chief executive officer Keith Wilks said that FY23 has been a bumper period for trade.

AUSTRALIANMINING 16 SEPTEMBER 2023

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NEWS

NEWMONT TAKEOVER OF NEWCREST RECEIVES PNG APPROVAL Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) has granted clearance for Newmont to proceed with its acquisition of Newcrest.

After a three-month process beginning in February 2023, Newmont secured a $26.2 billion takeover deal with Newcrest.

The Canadian Competition Bureau issued a ‘no action’ letter clearing Newmont’s announced transaction with Newcrest under Canadian competition law in July.

Newmont has since been continuing to advance other regulatory approvals, such as

PNG’s, and it expects to close the transaction in the December 2023 quarter.

Newmont still needs regulatory approvals from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the Australia Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC), the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), and the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) to complete its acquisition of Newcrest.

In additionally, Newmont has been in consultation with Newcrest, and through this has determined that a pre-merger

notification under the Hart–Scott– Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 will not be required in the US for the transaction to proceed.

“We appreciate the ICCC in Papua New Guinea carefully reviewing and clearing our proposed acquisition of Newcrest,” Newmont chief executive officer Tom Palmer said.

“Lihir in PNG is one of the world’s great gold mines and a Tier 1 operation by any measure.

“In addition to Lihir, we see profitable gold and copper growth through the world-class WafiGolpu project.

“We remain committed to building strong, mutually beneficial and long-lasting relationships with PNG’s government and local communities.

“As part of this commitment, Newmont plans to establish PNG as a standalone fifth region in our portfolio with an in-country senior leadership presence and pursue a secondary listing of Newmont depositary interests on the PNG’s National Stock Exchange (PNGX).”

Newmont and Newcrest will continue engaging with the PNG Government and regulators about other approvals and clearances for the takeover.

LITHIUM SUCCESS FOR MT MARION MINRES SAID IT WILL DOUBLE EXPLORATION DRILLING CAPACITY AT MT MARION BY THE END OF 2023.

Mineral Resources’ (MinRes) Mt Marion lithium operation has seen promising early results from a major exploration program.

The Mt Marion lithium operation is located in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, and is a joint venture between MinRes and Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium – where both companies own 50 per cent. MinRes is the mine’s operator.

MinRes said the early results confirmed significant exploration potential at depth along strike and

in the surrounding region, and it demonstrates potential for open-pit extensions and underground mining.

The company has reported approximately 34km of drilling being completed in 2023 so far by utilising six diamond and reverse circulation drill rigs.

The first major exploration program since MinRes took control of the mine found lithium-bearing pegmatite formations approximately 1km below the surface. MinRes said it will double exploration drilling

capacity at Mt Marion by the end of the 2023 calendar year, ramping up to a 12-rig drilling campaign over the following 18 months.

MinRes managing director Chris Ellison said the Mt Marion exploration results highlight how the company is just scratching the surface of the potential lithium resource, including the possibility of underground mining.

“MinRes identified opportunities in lithium, the most important mineral in the world’s decarbonisation, more

AUSTRALIANMINING 18 SEPTEMBER 2023

than a decade ago and set about building a portfolio of world-class assets that could deliver long-term value,” Ellison said.

The operation produces mixed grade spodumene concentrate which is transported through the Port of Esperance for offshore conversion.

A $120 million upgrade and expansion of the Mt Marion operation doubled capacity to up to 900,000 tonnes per year, with the commissioning process now underway.

Vocus Satellite Starlink Enabling new possibilities for the resources industry across regional and remote Australia.

NEWS

WORKERS PRAISED FOR CONTAINING SUPER PIT FIRE The processing plant at Northern Star Resources’ Super Pit gold mine went up in flames in July, but site and emergency crews were quick to contain the worst of the blaze.

The mill ignited at 3.36am on July 17, believed to be caused by welding works being conducted inside one of the tanks. Workers snapped into action, conducting a full evacuation of the site with zero injuries, in an effort that was later praised by Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) management.

Kalgoorlie firefighters arrived on scene shortly after 4.00am and, over the course of an hour and a half, battled to extinguish the blaze.

Firefighters said was the biggest industrial fire they had seen since the Kalgoorlie nickel smelter burned in 2018.

A response team made up of professional and volunteer firefighters, as well as KCGM emergency personnel, was able to put out the fire at around 5.30am.

Early estimates put the damages between $500,000 and $700,000, but that could easily have reached the tens of millions had the fire not been mostly contained to a single tank. No injuries were reported.

Kalgoorlie Fire Station officer Troy Della-Costa praised response crews for their efforts.

“We contained it fairly rapidly,” he said. “Extinguishing it took a little bit of time because the rubber just kept wanting to burn away.

“It definitely had the potential to spread, so I applaud the rapid response of my crew and the emergency response team — it all worked really well.”

The Super Pit mine is one of the largest gold deposits in Australia. The board of Northern Star Resources recently approved a $1.5 billion expansion of the site’s mill to increase production from 13 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 37Mtpa.

Works are due to be completed in 2026.

which hit producers with a 40 per cent tax on all coal prices of more than $300 a tonne.

The coal royalty system contributed to an enormous $12.3 billion in revenue and a record surplus to Queensland, giving the state’s recent budget the vitality it needs to tackle a range of cost of living issues.

But BHP and other miners argue it hurts the long-term competitiveness of the state.

“Stability and competitiveness in fiscal and policy settings will be incredibly important to Australia’s ability to secure new multi-billiondollar, multi-decade investments,” Slattery said.

In the same address, Slattery touched on some of the labour issues faced by the industry in Australia.

“The number of mining engineering graduates in Australia dropped by 74 per cent between 2015 and 2022,”

she said.“Coupled with a shrinking talent pool, the cost of labour continues to rise in Australia.

“Australia has one of the highest labour costs in the world – around 12 per cent higher than in the US.” Slattery also pointed out that despite the increase in costs, labour productivity has declined by eight per cent.

“Today, in the foothills of a critical minerals boom, Australia has high-quality but immaturely developed resources, with a dwindling talent pool, and a less certain investment environment.

“We are at risk of losing our competitive edge, and with it our future prosperity.

“We need to find new ways of doing things, and work more closely together – across governments, industry and business.”

SITE AND EMERGENCY CREWS WERE QUICK TO CONTAIN THE WORST OF THE BLAZE AT THE SUPER PIT IN JULY.

AUSTRALIA “AT RISK” OF LOSING ITS EDGE: BHP BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery recently expressed concerns over the competitiveness of the Australian resources sector in her address to the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia.

Slattery touched on labour laws, taxes, and a dwindling talent pipeline.

The company is concerned about the Federal Government’s ‘same job, same pay’ reforms, which will require employers to pay labour hire workers the same rate as direct employees doing the same job.

Employers are worried the reform will further constrain an already tight – and expensive – labour market.

This is particularly the case in the mining industry, where labour hire makes up a significant portion of the workforce.

BHP predicts that the reforms may harm its operations, including its Olympic Dam copper mine.

“We believe ‘same job, same pay’ could increase the operating costs of our existing operations (in SA) by nearly $200 million per year and maybe up to $500 million in a worstcase scenario,” Slattery said.

“The hit to the value of any potential growth plans in SA could be anywhere up to $US2 billion (A$2.98 billion) and this would make it much harder for any South Australian investment case that has to compete with alternative options in other parts of the world.”

Slattery also stated that Australia’s tax competitiveness has declined since 2015, with the country’s tax now the third highest compared to other nations in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

BHP has been candid in its stance against Queensland’s controversial three-tiered coal royalties system,

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MINE WASTE

INDUSTRY STANDARD RIO TINTO, ANGLO AMERICAN AND GLENCORE HAVE REPORTED PROGRESS THEY HAVE MADE TOWARDS MEETING THE GLOBAL INDUSTRY STANDARD ON TAILINGS MANAGEMENT.

F

or the first time, major miners Rio Tinto, Anglo American and Glencore released information to the public on their tailings facilities and how they plan to meet the global industry standard on tailings management (GISTM).

Rio Tinto

The major released information on 14 of its global tailings facilities, all of which have been rated as ‘very high’ or ‘extreme’ based on the potential consequences in the event of a failure.

“Since the tragic failure of the tailings facility at Brumadinho in Brazil in 2019, the entire industry has been working to improve the way we manage tailings facilities,” Rio Tinto chief technology officer Mark Davies said.

“Responsible tailings management is critical to ensure the safety of our people and communities and to protect the environment. It is fundamental for our business and social license. We have made considerable progress since August 2020 towards conformance with the GISTM. We have completed most of the work and have detailed plans to complete outstanding items.

“GISTM has meant a steep change in how the industry manages its tailings facilities. Good tailings management is also about transparent partnership, and we have been working with the local communities near our facilities to increase awareness of our management practices and how we can best work together to continue to keep people and the environment safe from harm.”

In May of this year, Rio and fellow major BHP invited expressions of interest for a range of new tailings technology partners.

Both companies said the ideas and technologies considered can be market ready for mining, can involve technologies previously applied in other resource-related industries, or can be original ideas at an early research and development stage.

Anglo American

Anglo American has set out its progress towards bringing its 12 tailings storage facilities that are currently within the two highest potential consequence categories in line with GISTM. “We have made very significant progress towards conformance with the GISTM over the last three years, building upon our already high technical standards,” Anglo American chief executive Duncan Wanblad said.

“We continue our prudent approach to align with a number of specific GISTM requirements, as well as the social and community aspects that are already encompassed in our comprehensive social way management system. We are addressing the few outstanding areas and have set out the work needed to get us there.

“As an industry, we have a clear ethical imperative to do everything possible to ensure that tailings storage facilities are managed to the highest standards as we work together to build greater levels of trust with all our stakeholders.

GISTM’s role in driving continuous improvement across the industry with full transparency is beyond doubt.”

Glencore

Glencore also reported its conformance to GISTM for its tailings storage facilities with ‘very high’ or ‘extreme’ consequence classifications.

“We have taken a rigorous and technically robust approach to applying the GISTM, which goes beyond self-assessments and includes independent third-party assurance,” Glencore said.

“We welcome the greater transparency it has brought around the management of these important facilities. We are pleased with the progress we have made over the last three years.

“Based on our ongoing tailings storage facilities management systems and independent third-party assessments we have in place for our tailings storage facilities with ‘very high’ and ‘extreme’ consequence classifications, we believe that any gaps in conformance are identified and managed appropriately.”

Tailings are an important part of a mine’s lifecycle. But it is equally important that such a key aspect of mine waste management be properly maintained to avoid major consequences to the environment. AM

AUSTRALIANMINING 22 SEPTEMBER 2023

GISTM HAS MEANT A STEEP CHANGE IN HOW THE INDUSTRY MANAGES ITS TAILINGS FACILITIES. GOOD TAILINGS MANAGEMENT IS ALSO ABOUT TRANSPARENT PARTNERSHIP, AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES NEAR OUR FACILITIES TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF OUR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND HOW WE CAN BEST WORK TOGETHER TO CONTINUE TO KEEP PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT SAFE FROM HARM.”

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

TAKEOVER TARGETS THIS YEAR HAS SEEN A PATTERN OF TAKEOVER OFFERS AND ACQUISITIONS AS ASX-LISTED MINING COMPANIES WORK TO EXPAND THEIR PORTFOLIOS.

T

akeovers. Mergers.

Acquisitions.

These words are making headlines in the resources sector seemingly every week in 2023 – so much so it’s hard to keep track of them all.

Australian Mining takes a closer look at three of the latest acquisitions completed in 2023.

St Barbara–Genesis Minerals

Genesis Minerals put forward its offer for St Barbara’s Leonora gold assets in WA in mid-April.

The offer involved total consideration of $600 million, comprising of $370 million upfront cash, $170 million Genesis scrip, and $60 million Genesis scrip contingent upon first production of the Tower Hill project.

“The acquisition of St Barbara’s Leonora assets will position Genesis as a gold industry leader with a dominant position in WA’s world-class Leonora district,” Genesis managing director Raleigh Finlayson said.

“We look forward to integrating the assets and unlocking the significant synergies available in Leonora.

“Shareholders will ultimately reap the long-term benefits of more production at lower cost and lower risk from this prolific mining district.”

The purchase was initially unanimously recommended by the Genesis board, subject to no superior proposal emerging. However, another proposal by Silver Lake Resources emerged the following month.

Genesis responded by increasing its bid by five million shares, resulting in Silver Lake being unsuccessful in

engaging with St Barbara, despite its offer having considerably higher dollar value than the one from Genesis.

Silver Lake’s offer did not feature contingent consideration and was valued to $732 million (according to Silver Lake’s valuation), of $326 million in cash and 327.1 million of its ordinary shares.

St Barbara’s agreement with Genesis included reciprocal exclusivity arrangements, which included ‘no shop’, ‘no talk’ and ‘no due diligence’ obligations, and was subject to customary ‘fiduciary out’ exceptions in respect to the ‘no talk’ and ‘no due diligence’ obligations.

St Barbara ultimately rejected Silver Lake’s offer because it felt it wasn’t superior to Genesis’ proposal, and it didn’t satisfy the ‘fiduciary out’ exceptions to the ‘no talk’ and ‘no due diligence’ obligations.

But Silver Lake didn’t give up without a fight, increasing its bid to $722 million less than a week after Genesis increased its scrip component to $604 million compared to Silver Lake’s $614 million.

St Barbara indicated it would accept Genesis’ increased offer due to it being legally binding and fully funded.

It did not respond to Silver Lake’s increased offer.

“Since the announcement of the Genesis proposal on April 17, Silver has provided two advanced and fully funded proposals to the St Barbara board,” Silver Lake said in a statement at the time.

“The improved Silver Lake proposal provides equivalent cash consideration to the Genesis proposal, in addition to continuing to provide St Barbara shareholders with immediate exposure to a larger gold business.

“Silver Lake confirms it remains ready and willing to engage with the St Barbara board to explore a transaction that has the potential to be beneficial to both sets of shareholders and create a genuine mid-tier gold producer with immediate gold production.”

Silver Lake’s offer may have been higher, but St Barbara remained committed to the Genesis deal that was on track for June 30.

“The binding Genesis transaction is fully and definitively documented, fully funded by a committed $400 million capital raising, not subject to due diligence, supported by a $25 million deposit and has received indications of support from 49 per cent of Genesis’ register,” St Barbara chair Kerry Gleeson said.

“Silver Lake’s latest proposal would still require termination of the binding Genesis transaction before the satisfaction of conditions attached to the Silver Lake proposal, including a Silver Lake shareholder vote.

“Silver Lake has waited until the 11th hour to demand that St Barbara entertain a disruptive and unrealistic two-week due diligence exercise without any indication that Silver Lake shareholders would ever approve the proposal themselves.”

Silver Lake then further revised its offer by improving conditionality.

“The implied value of the Silver Lake proposal is $718 million, comprising $370 million in cash and 327.1 million Silver Lake shares valued at,” Silver Lake said.

The St Barbara board continued to recommend that its shareholders vote in

AUSTRALIANMINING 24 SEPTEMBER 2023

favour of Genesis’ offer, saying there was “no material improvement in Silver Lake proposal for Leonora, which remains highly conditional”.

“Silver Lake has provided no evidence that there would be sufficient support from its shareholders to approve a transaction. Providing Silver Lake with access to due diligence would potentially expose St Barbara to a termination of the binding transaction agreement with Genesis,” St Barbara said.

Later in June, Genesis’ shareholders overwhelmingly voted in favour of the transaction and by early July St Barbara’s Leonora assets had been acquired by Genesis – with Finlayson describing the transaction as creating a leading Australian gold house that is fully focused on Leonora.

“Most importantly, we can now get on with the job of unlocking the unique synergies and delivering the long life, ‘margin over ounces’ Leonora business plan we have clearly articulated to shareholders,” Finlayson said.

Ramelius Resources– Musgrave Minerals

Following its successful takeover of Breaker Resources, Ramelius Resources didn’t show signs of slowing its efforts in expanding its gold portfolio.

Early July saw Ramelius and Musgrave Minerals enter into a bid implementation agreement (BIA), in accordance with what Ramelius would offer to acquire all the issued ordinary shares of Musgrave through a cash and scrip off-market takeover offer.

Under the terms, Musgrave shareholders would receive one Ramelius

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

TAKEOVERS AND ACQUISITIONS HAVE BEEN A PREVALENT ASPECT OF THE MINING INDUSTRY IN 2023.

THE ACQUISITION OF MUSGRAVE MINERALS IS AN EXAMPLE OF RAMELIUS RESOURCES GROWING ITS GOLD PORTFOLIO.

share for every 4.21 Musgrave shares held, plus $0.04 in cash for every Musgrave share held.

The offer values each Musgrave share at $0.34, based on the one-day volume weighted average price of Ramelius shares of $1.263 on June 30, and implies a total undiluted equity value for Musgrave of approximately $201 million.

The Musgrave board unanimously recommended that its shareholders accept the offer in the absence of a superior proposal.

Ramelius said it has the financial capacity, operational experience and exploration expertise to continue the work done by Musgrave, with a view to expanding the existing mineral resource and developing the WA-based Cue

project to maximise its value for both sets of shareholders.

Ramelius managing director Mark Zeptner said the company looked forward to welcoming Musgrave shareholders into Ramelius and encouraged them to accept the offer.

“Subject to the offer being successful, Ramelius is looking forward to continuing drilling across the tenement package to expand the existing resource, and ultimately developing the Cue project into a high-grade satellite mine for the Mt Magnet production centre to maximise value for all shareholders,” Zeptner said.

Musgrave Minerals managing director Robert Waugh said the company’s board was pleased to endorse Ramelius’ cash and scrip offer.

“Ramelius is a reputable and wellrespected WA gold miner with a track record of operational excellence and delivering strong capital returns for shareholders,” he said.

“We are confident that the Cue project will be in good hands, should the offer be successful.

“We would look forward to seeing the project contribute to the ongoing success of Ramelius’ Mt Magnet operations.”

The BIA took effect as Musgrave knocked back a competing offer from Westgold Resources.

In early June, Musgrave’s board unanimously urged shareholders to reject Westgold’s takeover offer for an implied value of $177.3 million, equal to one Westgold share for every 5.37 of Musgrave’s shares.

Westgold said this offer represented a 30.5 per cent premium to Musgrave’s five-day volume weighted average price at the time.

“The combination of Musgrave’s assets with our regional infrastructure and operating teams will fast-track and de-risk the development of Musgrave’s Cue gold project and provides shareholders immediate exposure to a much larger, established WA gold producer,” Westgold managing director Wayne Bramwell said.

In rejecting the offer, Musgrave’s board cited factors such as the offer being opportunistic, highly conditional and uncertain given Musgrave’s potential. The board told shareholders that Westgold’s interest affirmed the Cue project’s quality.

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

THE LEONORA OPERATIONS INCLUDE THE GWALIA UNDERGROUND MINE.

“The recently released stage one pre-feasibility study for the Cue gold project illustrates a technically and financially robust project,” Musgrave non-executive chairman Graham Ascough said.

In early July, Westgold advised the market that it did not intend to increase its takeover offer for Musgrave in the wake of Ramelius’ superior offer.

Wyloo Metals–Mincor Resources

Wyloo Metals, owned by WA mining magnate Andrew Forrest, first made an $760 million on-market takeover offer for Mincor Resources in late March.

Wyloo was already Mincor’s largest shareholder with a 19.9 per cent stake, but a full takeover would involve Wyloo gaining control of Mincor’s Kambalda concentrator that supplies BHP’s nickel smelter in Kalgoorlie, WA. “The offer price of $1.40 cash per share implies an equity value for Mincor of approximately $760 million on a fully diluted basis and represents a 35 per cent premium to the closing price of Mincor shares on March 20, the last trading day prior to this announcement, of $1.04 per share,” Wyloo said at the time.

The Mincor board recommended that its shareholders take no action towards the offer until they received the directors’ formal recommendation, which was granted in late April.

However, a week after Wyloo made its offer, quality issues were found after nickel supplied by Mincor to BHP’s Kambalda concentrator did not meet necessary standards.

Mincor was seeking discussions about amendments to the off-take terms to provide it with ongoing flexibility regarding product specification requirements, and certainty to its ability

to continue to deliver 100 per cent of mined ore to BHP. Nonetheless, BHP hadn’t agreed to amend off-take agreement specifications.

“Given the lack of certainty regarding future acceptance of any off-specification product and the incomplete status of potential solutions, Mincor has decided to withdraw its guidance,” Mincor said.

Mincor said it would continue to deliver on-specification ore to BHP as the companies worked together to improve orebody knowledge. It would also stockpile any off-specification and will blend it with other Mincor ore sources at a later date.

Despite the quality issues, Wyloo proceeded with its takeover plans, though made it clear the $760 million offer was its “best and final” and it would not be increased in the absence of a competing proposal..

“Wyloo notes Mincor’s operations and guidance update announced to the ASX and confirms that it was unaware of the material information contained within that announcement,” Wyloo said.

“As a result of these developments, Wyloo has determined that the current offer price of $1.40 per share is best and final and will not be increased, in the absence of a competing proposal.”

A month later, Wyloo extended the offer period for its on-market takeover bid to May 22, unless the offer was further extended or withdrawn altogether. Wyloo the following week announced a final extension notice to July 5.

“Wyloo confirms its intention that if it acquires an interest and voting power in 90 per cent or more of Mincor and is entitled to proceed to compulsory acquisition of Mincor, it will proceed with compulsory acquisition and seek to have Mincor removed from the official list of the ASX,” Wyloo said in a statement, urging remaining shareholders to sell their shares before Mincor was delisted.

Mincor echoed similar sentiments.

“The Mincor board reiterates that no potentially superior proposals were under consideration at the time of the target’s statement and none have emerged since,” the company said in late June.

Wyloo proceeded with a compulsory acquisition in late July, saying the deal would turn it into an integrated nickel producer.

“Combined with its Canadian assets, Wyloo’s nickel portfolio now boasts an impressive combination of production, processing, development and exploration projects – all in the Tier 1 jurisdictions of Australia and Canada,” Wyloo said.

In early August, Wyloo Metals chief executive Luca Giacovazzi said the quality issues were under control.

“Our blending is a lot better now,” he said. “We haven’t had a delivery rejected

by BHP since we acquired the business.”

New takeovers and acquisitions will no doubt continue to make waves, and the resources sector will have to see how plays out in the final months of 2023. AM

WYLOO METALS WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUES MINCOR HAD WITH ITS PRODUCED NICKEL AT THE TIME THE TAKEOVER OFFER WAS MADE.

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DECISION-MAKER

LEADING THE NICKEL CHARGE WYLOO METALS HAS UNDERLINED ITS STANDING AS A KEY PLAYER IN THE NICKEL SPACE.

W

yloo Metals made a statement of intent after acquiring Mincor Resources on its path to becoming an integrated nickel producer.

The acquisition means Wyloo Metals has a nickel portfolio that spans production, processing, development, and exploration projects in the Tier 1 jurisdictions of Australia and Canada.

Australian Mining sat down with Wyloo Metals chief executive officer Luca Giacovazzi to discuss the acquisition and what it means for the future of the company.

Could you tell us about the company’s background?

We were created about four years ago to look at metals that would play a role in the decarbonisation story and that theme. Over the years, our portfolio has evolved to be quite focused on the nickel sector and, in particular, the nickel sulphides sector.

The biggest assets in our portfolio are Mincor and as well as our projects in Canada, which are in the Ring of Fire.

We have a couple of exploration projects in Western Australia and Quebec (Canada). And outside of that we run an investment portfolio, with Hastings Technology Metals and Greatland Gold being the two main ones.

Can you take us inside the Mincor acquisition?

With Mincor, it’s funny that it officially came after Eagle’s Nest (in Canada) but, really, it actually came before because we’ve always been a large shareholder in Mincor.

We made our first Mincor investment in 2018 and during the recent acquisition, which reached 90 per cent, it was really coming kind of full circle back to one of the first investments we had made.

It was all around the theme of nickel sulphides.

The reason we’re so interested in that area is the role it plays in a battery and its ability to create battery material with a small environmental footprint.

That’s been very important for us, and with this focus and the scarcity of projects out there, that led us to

Eagle’s Nest but also brought us back to Kambalda (WA) and Mincor.

Now we’ve got this unique portfolio where we’ve got a producing nickel area and a great development project in Canada with Eagle’s Nest.

What will change at Mincor after the acquisition?

The team in the mines are really starting to find their rhythm, which is great.

When you see a mine running well it is a beautiful thing; it’s like watching ballet dancers where everything is in sequence.

The main thing that changes for Mincor is a mindset shift because they’ve come from being a junior mining company to one that’s now quite focused on growth.

That’s going to be quite a big shift for them but I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the enthusiasm they’ve had for it.

We love that Kambalda is such a prolific nickel base and it’s got so much potential. We love the idea of taking a long-term, systematic view and whether can we keep growing it.

In the next 12 months, things don’t really change. They had a very comprehensive DFS

UNDERGROUND AT THE KAMBALDA NICKEL OPERATION IN WA.

AUSTRALIANMINING 28 SEPTEMBER 2023

WYLOO METALS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LUCA GIACOVAZZI.

DECISION-MAKER

NICKEL ORE FROM THE KAMBALDA OPERATION IN WA.

(definitive feasibility study) that they’ve been mining towards which will continue.

The only thing is we would love to go through the portfolio and review some of the old mines that were closed, but it’s not too much of a deviation from what Mincor is already doing.

Why was it important to make these acquisitions now?

When it comes to nickel sulphides, you’ve kind of got to hit the nail on the head because they’re scarce and they’re quite difficult to explore for.

When you think about the nickel sulphides development projects around the world, you can almost count them on one hand. So when we were looking into the space, the first step was that we saw a growing market for it and then we had to look at potential sources of nickel could come from.

We like the sulphides because it is a shorter, less energy-intensive path to a battery material, which makes it better suited over laterites that are really more suited to the stainless-steel sector and that has historically been the market for those.

We wanted whatever we were doing as a mining company to make a difference and support the world’s

WHEN IT COMES TO NICKEL SULPHIDES YOU’VE GOT TO HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD BECAUSE THEY’RE SCARCE, THERE AREN’T A LOT OF THEM, AND THEY’RE QUITE DIFFICULT TO EXPLORE FOR. journey to decarbonisation, and that led us down this path. We’ve really started to delve deep into that in the last couple of months.

What might people not understand about the market?

I am not sure a lot of people appreciate how the nickel market is structured, and I think it’s the bit that has always made me really interested in the space.

When I think about the lithium market and the opportunity that’s happening in electric vehicles and how big that market is, we’ve got to remind people we make 80 million cars a year, it’s a multi-trillion dollar market that is being disrupted.

It’s not a small market and that is what we’re trying to feed into. It’s probably one of the biggest markets in the world that is being disrupted.

It doesn’t happen often in lifetimes; it’s a huge economic shift.

Lithium is really starting at a zero base and is having to build itself up to become a bulk commodity, but with nickel there is already a big market.

Nickel is not coming from a zero base, but it is certainly heading into a world where it is materially undersupplied and that’s what makes us really interested in it.

What will be the major shifts in the market?

You’ve seen the mad scramble to lock up these commodities and lock up supply.

With electric vehicles, we’re talking about single-digit percentages now, but when the world phases out internal combustion engines there will be a mandate for car companies to shift, and how much nickel is required to meet that shift is incredible.

And that’s just talking about electric vehicles, not the world’s journey to decarbonise more broadly. The shift to greener economies is huge.

I think that is what the world and politicians are really starting to

AUSTRALIANMINING 29 SEPTEMBER 2023

understand, that the shift won’t happen without minerals.

So I think that is a major opportunity for the mining sector to rewrite the narrative where we’ve probably allowed ourselves to be branded as part of the problem, but really we’re a big part of the solution.

How can Australia take advantage of the decarbonisation shift?

This change in the world, the decarbonisation shift is the biggest shift in the economy since the industrial revolution.

That only happens once in a lifetime, so I think as Australians and policy-makers we need to make sure we are taking advantage of this opportunity.

We’ve got an advantage over everyone else in the world because we’ve got such a strong mineral endowment, so we need to position ourselves to take advantage.

I always think about it as step one to doing something more potentially, and if we take that first step maybe we can be pioneers.

We should never underestimate what Australia can achieve if we’re brave enough to have a crack at these things. AM

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

KEY MILESTONE IN SANDVIK–SCHENCK INTEGRATION A NEW MOVE TO A NEW COMPLEX WILL BRING SERVICES CLOSER TO CUSTOMERS IN THE HUNTER REGION OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

O

n November 1 2022, the global mineralprocessing-related business of the Schenck Process Group, SP Mining, was acquired by global high-tech engineering group Sandvik AB. Sandvik AB provides enhanced productivity, profitability and sustainability solutions to the manufacturing, mining and infrastructure industries through its three business areas: manufacturing and machining solutions, mining and rock solutions, and rock processing solutions.

Each area has several divisions that are responsible for the research and development, production and sales of its respective products and services.

Since the acquisition, Sandvik has been focused on bringing together its expertise in crushing with the screening, feeding, weighing and loading knowhow of Schenck Process Mining.

According to Sandvik, the union between its rock processing solutions business area and SP Mining will allow

it to provide even more value to the mining industry.

SP Mining president Asia Pacific Terese Withington said the scale of Sandvik’s operations and commercial reach will help to accelerate the combined innovation portfolio of Sandvik rock processing solutions and SP Mining.

Withington said the company aims to deliver even better digitalisation, sustainability and productivity solutions.

“Since we became part of Sandvik’s rock processing solutions business

THE SCALE OF THE HEATHERBRAE COMPLEX IS IMPRESSIVE. IT CATERS WELL TO THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE AS WELL AS TO OUR FUTURE GROWTH AMBITIONS.”

SP MINING PRESIDENT ASIA PACIFIC TERESE WITHINGTON.

late last year, we have been working through the integration process which will eventually see SP Mining

L–R: BRIAN MORANTE, AARON MEREDITH, MARTIN BURGMAN AND RAMONA MYSLIWITZ.

AUSTRALIANMINING 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

become a seamless part of the Sandvik organisation,” she said. “Our Australian operations are the largest part of SP Mining’s global business, employing around 450 industry professionals. As such, Australia is playing a key role in the overall integration.”

The company reached a significant integration milestone in August with around 50 of its Australian employees moving from their combined sales, engineering, services, and research and development facility in Beresfield, New South Wales, to the Sandvik Hunter Valley site in Heatherbrae.

The Heatherbrae complex houses several Sandvik divisions and, according to Withington, the move provides excellent opportunities for the business.

“The scale of the Heatherbrae complex is impressive,” she said. “It caters well to the needs of our people as well as to our future growth ambitions.

“This is a very positive move, which will bring our people even closer to our customers in the Hunter region.

“As we move through our integration, we continue to look forward to servicing the needs of our customers and remain fully focused on the delivery of highquality equipment, consumables, OEM spare parts and services to help them achieve their business objectives.” AM

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DECISION-MAKER

MAKING A MARK ON THE GLOBAL STAGE RICHMOND VANADIUM IS AIMING TO POSITION AUSTRALIA AS A MAJOR VANADIUM PLAYER. AUSTRALIAN MINING SAT DOWN WITH MANAGING DIRECTOR JON PRICE TO DISCUSS A NEW PROJECT. It attracted a lot more risk-tolerant investors because they saw there was a financial model and they saw financial metrics so it essentially de-risked the IPO a bit and offset that a lot of people are still coming up the learning curve on Vanadium.

RICHMOND VANADIUM MANAGING DIRECTOR JON PRICE.

R

ichmond Vanadium Technology (RVT) announced itself with the goal of unlocking Australia’s untapped vanadium deposits for the global energy market.

The company has ambitious plans after listing on the ASX in late 2022.

Australian Mining sat down with managing director Jon Price to chat about the journey of RVT and what lies ahead.

How do you reflect on RVT’s journey since its ASX listing?

When we look back at the IPO (initial public offering), it was in quite a tough market. We got a lot of high-net-worth support, not as much institutional support as we would’ve liked but strong support from Horizon, who spun the project into its new life.

I think one of the biggest things is the thematic value of vanadium as a commodity and the opportunity for Australia to gain some significant market share in vanadium in the global market given it is a critical mineral.

I think there are several factors and there always are. It’s not like we’ve skyrocketed but the buying we are seeing is people getting on board the vanadium train and an understanding that there is money to be made and a new industry to create.

How did an early pre-feasibility study benefit the company?

It’s very unusual for a company to IPO with a PFS (pre-feasibility study) already done, because normally they have to raise money to get a PFS done but we did a farm out to create an earn-in joint venture with a private company.

How is the year shaping up for RVT?

We’re in a rapid expansion phase where we want to have the project up and running and take the first mover advantage and kickstart not only the vanadium mining industry but also the electrolyte-making industry and batterymaking industry in this country.

We’ve got a big window of opportunity because the Queensland Government is incredibly supportive and the increasingly supportive Federal Government deploying funds in the critical mineral space and particularly into the thematic space, and while the window of opportunity is there we want to make the most of it.

We want to create a value chain that stays in the country for a change from raw material to end product. That’s what our driver is.

It’s pretty refreshing for this country, which is known for shipping bulk material offshore and buying it back at a lot higher price as you go downstream.

Australia’s vanadium resources are the third highest in the world and Australia’s reserves are the second highest in the world, but we don’t produce a kilogram of it. So it’s high time that changed and we’re working hard to be part of that solution.

a concentrate and we’re able to get our concentrate grade up very high because of the nature of the material.

The issue we must face is calcium.

There are a lot of shells and ancient calcium that we must deal with.

We’ve had to build our process around maximising the vanadium grade into one of the smallest tonnes possible and at one of the lowest calcium levels possible.

It makes our process one of the lowest on the operating cost curve globally.

Take us inside the project, one of the biggest of its kind.

It sits in north-west Queensland between Townsville and Mount Isa, which is essentially an ancient shoreline.

So it’s unique in its location and how it was formed. It’s called supergene enriched vanadium oxide deposit. Most of the world’s and Australia’s resources are titanium magnetite hard rock, which has a completely different processing pathway and a completely different concentration pathway.

We are a shallow, easy mining exercise with simple processing, which is essentially physical separation to get

RVT WANTS TO UNLOCK AUSTRALIA’S UNTAPPED VANADIUM DEPOSITS.

AUSTRALIANMINING 32 SEPTEMBER 2023

Are there misconceptions about Australia’s abilities in this space?

I think what’s not recognised is Australia’s competitive advantage all the way along the supply chain.

We’re working with our energy partner in Australia, who made the first commercial vanadium redox flow batteries, and they have an electrolyte licence. In this chain, you must go from mine to concentrate to electrolyte

DECISION-MAKER

product to electrolyte to battery, and we’re already doing it.

It’s more of a scaling-up exercise. It’s not like we don’t have the technology.

At the moment, they’re importing vanadium at a much higher price than we’re going to be selling, so that’s the dynamic.

It’s not like iron ore, that’s a different kettle of fish, it’s not like aluminium where you need billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure.

Vanadium is working right now.

There are a lot of brilliant electrical companies building gensets, building battery backs, they’re already doing the work.

Our partners have a codified design of the steel sack, which we want to on-sell to anyone that wants to make batteries and get into the space, because that’s going to lead them onto the grid, fix the grid and get Mum and Dad’s power bill down.

How does the global vanadium market look?

China produces 40,000 to 50,000 tonnes of the 140,000 tonnes globally.

They dominate production in terms of scale, but they also dominate in terms of electrolyte-making and battery-making.

What I mean by China controlling the market is they’re net importing now whereas they used to control the market because they had a lot of export.

South Africa is producing it, Brazil through Largo Resources is producing it, Russia is producing it, but we don’t really know there. It’s very opaque within China and Russia about what they’re doing. The market is ultimately quite opaque but is becoming more transparent as it becomes more global in its market share.

What is the outlook for the vanadium market?

The beauty of the vanadium battery is it is all vanadium and it’s all liquid, there are no metal electrodes, and it is all liquid-to-liquid. That’s why they don’t catch fire because they don’t have any thermal runaway.

That’s why they last 30 years and the electrolyte is fully recyclable, it has an infinite life and doesn’t degrade. So the benefits for the grid to scale against other technologies are that it is safer and more economical as you scale up.

It has a 100 per cent discharge capacity and it is a fantastic safe and very economically competitive alternative for grid-scale energy.

Demand is going to double globally in the next three or four years to at least 300,000 tonnes, and we want to be able to meet that supply or be part of the solution for meeting that supply.

Australia could potentially have a 40 per cent market share, and that’s where we should be aiming. AM

THE COMPANY LISTED ON THE ASX IN LATE 2022.

RVT’S PROJECT SITS BETWEEN TOWNSVILLE AND MOUNT ISA IN NORTH-WEST QUEENSLAND.

AUSTRALIANMINING 33 SEPTEMBER 2023

INTERNATIONAL MINING

NEW HORIZONS PAPUA NEW GUINEA HAS ALWAYS HAD A STRONG MINING PRESENCE. AUSTRALIAN MINING EXAMINES SOME OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

T

he mining industry is one of the main pillars of economic growth in Papua New Guinea (PNG), which is home to many new and exciting project developments.

Miners with PNG operations are on the path to potentially see great success.

Newcrest

The Australian miner wholly owns its Lihir gold operations located in Niolam Island, 900km from the PNG capital of Port Moresby.

Lihir is one of the world’s largest producing gold mines, with ore reserves of 22 million ounces (Moz) of gold and measured and indicated mineral resources of 42Moz.

The project’s pre-feasibility study for Phase 14A was approved by the Newcrest board in late 2021, which the company described as a “key milestone towards realising the full potential of (the) operational asset”.

Lihir’s Phase 14A aimed to bring forward higher grades to improve gold production and operational flexibility by establishing an additional independent ore source at the site.

Newcrest continued to progress the Phase 14A feasibility study during the 2022 financial year (FY22) with ground support, drainage works and shotcrete works completed, and the procurement of mobile fleet equipment, specialised civil engineering equipment and materials.

PNG IS ALSO HOME TO CONSIDERABLE COPPER RESERVES.

“Phase 14A is another step forward in realising the full potential of Lihir with the cutback expected to deliver (approximately) 400koz (thousand ounces) of incremental high-grade gold production over the next four years from an additional ore source that is now well

MINING HAS LONG BEEN A MAJOR DRIVER OF THE PNG ECONOMY. AUSTRALIANMINING 34 SEPTEMBER 2023

supported by geotechnical drilling,” Newcrest said in its December 2022 quarterly report. “Ground support works continued in Bench 1 during the quarter and mining is well underway in Bench 2.

First high-grade ore from Phase 14A is expected to be delivered from FY24.”

INTERNATIONAL MINING

Lihir has continued to see great success in 2023, as was evident in Newcrest’s June quarterly report that included highlights such as a record safety performance with no recordable injuries for a second consecutive quarter.

“Newcrest’s all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1196 per ounce for the quarter was 20 per cent higher than the prior period, driven by higher capital expenditure mainly at Lihir,” Newcrest said in its report.

Gold production at the site equalled to 182koz, which was eight per cent higher than the previous period due to higher gold head grade and higher mill throughput.

Lihir’s overall performance was below expectations, however, with mining and milling operations affected by extreme rainfall following a prolonged period of drought.

“Medium-term weather forecasts indicate that rainfall levels in the September 2023 quarter will be more aligned with the long-term average,” Newcrest said in its June quarterly report.

“As a result, mining volumes are expected to increase in FY24, supported by the ongoing benefits from the mine improvement program and further productivity improvements with two new large shovels expected on site in the September 2023 quarter.

“Lihir’s AISC of $1555 per ounce was 16 per cent higher than the prior period mainly due to higher sustaining capital expenditure, including mobile fleet procurement. This was partly offset by lower site operating costs for the quarter, with higher spend in the prior period relating to the bi-annual plant shutdown in March 2023.”

The PNG Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) also recently granted clearance for US gold giant Newmont to proceed with its acquisition of Newcrest.

“We appreciate the ICCC in Papua New Guinea carefully reviewing and clearing our proposed acquisition of Newcrest,” Newmont chief executive officer Tom Palmer said.

“We remain committed to building strong, mutually beneficial and longlasting relationships with PNG’s government and local communities.”

St Barbara

Following the recent sale of its Australian-based Leonora assets to Genesis Minerals, St Barbara appears to be focusing elsewhere for gold.

Its Simberi operation, located in the PNG province of New Ireland, has delivered strong results for the gold miner and is projected to improve over time.

“Simberi produced 25,189 ounces of gold in the quarter, 55 per cent higher than the March quarter and the best production quarter since Q4 June FY20,” St Barbara said in its June quarterly report, while adding that the Simberi operations delivered 78,320 ounces of gold for FY23.

The June quarter’s ounces were produced at an elevated average milled grade of 1.81 grams per tonne (g/t).

“Grades were higher compared to the previous quarter due to better grade ore zones that outperformed against model expectations,” St Barbara said.

This result was achieved within the FY23 guidance of 70,000–80,000 ounces and an AISC of $2208 per ounce.

St Barbara’s June 2023 quarter report also noted that results from the Simberi operations were the highest it had recorded in FY23, with it being its highest production quarter since the June 2020 quarter.

It also generated $3 million in operating cash flow, its third consecutive quarter of positive cash flow.

“St Barbara is now well capitalised to focus on advancement of the strategy to realise value from the development potential at each of Simberi and Atlantic, and I look forward to this next important phase,” St Barbara managing director Andrew Strelein said.

Hastings Deering

The Caterpillar (Cat) supplier’s journey in PNG began in 1949, and Hastings Deering delivers Cat products and services to the region’s mining industry.

The company operates across six PNG sites: Kimbe, capital of the West New Britain province; Kokopo, capital of the East New Britain Province; Lae, capital of Morobe Province; Lihir Island, largest island in the Lihir group of islands; Tabubil, in the Star Mountains area of the North Fly District of the Western Province; and the national capital of Port Moresby.

Hastings Deering employs 300 people across these six PNG operations.

“Since our journey began in Papua New Guinea in 1949, Hastings Deering has been delivering quality Cat products and services to our customers,” Hastings Deering said.

“Today we supply premium equipment and services to a range of industries, including mining, construction, forestry, materials handling and government.

“Technology is also allowing us to make significant improvements to our customers’ business needs to reduce

AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES HAVE LONG HAD A STRONG PRESENCE IN THE PNG MINING INDUSTRY.

AUSTRALIANMINING 35 SEPTEMBER 2023

downtime and get the best out of their machines.”

Ok Tedi Mining

Located in the country’s Western Province, Ok Tedi is the longest running open-pit copper, gold and silver mine in PNG. According to Ok Tedi Mining, which operates the site, up to 240,000 tonnes of overburden (waste rock) is mined each day from a pit covering about 2.6km2, and about 60,000 tonnes of ore is mined each day and delivered to the mill for processing.

Oki Tedi’s copper production was 13 per cent higher in 2022 than the previous year due to an increase of 11 per cent in ore milled, with 2021 affected by residual fire damage in late 2020.

The site’s gold production was 17 per cent higher in 2022 than the previous year, which was attributable to higher head grade and increased processing throughput, and its mine production (total material movement) increased by 10 per cent to 104.7 megatons (Mt), with COVID-related labour shortages experienced in 2021 largely addressed.

“Production levels are now back in line with pre-pandemic 2019 levels,” Oki Tedi said in its 2022 annual report.

K92 Mining

Since acquiring the Kainantu gold mine in 2014 and restarting it in 2016, K92 Mining has been focused on its operation and expansion.

The Canadian-based gold miner has delivered six consecutive years of production growth, achieving 123koz of gold equivalent in 2022.

More recently, K92 Mining recorded strong June 2023 quarterly production of 30,794 ounces gold equivalent, 1.52 million pounds (lbs) of copper and 34,001 ounces of silver.

This represents an 18 per cent increase from K92 Mining’s June 2022 quarter and a 43 per cent increase from its March 2023 quarter.

June 2023 quarterly sales equalled to 28,141 ounces of gold, 1.65 million pounds of copper and 36,253 ounces of silver.

“The second quarter of 2023 has demonstrated that we have moved beyond the localised geotechnical challenges encountered in the second half of (the March quarter) and the initial part of (the June quarter), with the operation delivering near-budget production and showing that Kainantu production is well positioned for the balance of 2023,” K92 chief executive officer John Lewins said.

“As we have been guiding since the beginning of the year, the second half of 2023 is expected to be our strongest, driven by stope sequence and operational flexibility significantly increasing through the remainder of the year.” AM

RESOURCES AND INVESTMENT

A MAP OF ALASKA AND THE FAIRBANKS GOLD DISTRICT THAT INCLUDES THE TREASURE CREEK PROJECT.

FELIX GOLD: AN ALASKAN TREASURE CHEST AUSTRALIAN MINING TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT TREASURE CREEK, THE GOLD-ANTIMONY PROJECT FELIX GOLD IS DEVELOPING IN ALASKA.

M

uch like Australia, Alaska has established itself as a global gold mining hub, with several companies mining multi-million-tonne deposits across ‘the great white north’. What is it about Alaska that lends itself to gold prosperity, and why would an emerging Alaskan-focused exploration company be a worthwhile investment proposition?

FELIX GOLD’S TREASURE CREEK PROJECT AREA.

Felix Gold managing director and chief executive officer Anthony Reilly said it best.

“The Tintina gold province, where our Treasure Creek project is located, has delivered 100 years of gold production throughout the area, so it’s quite prolific,” Reilly told Australian Mining.

“The Mine Discovery Fund (Felix Gold’s founding entity and largest shareholder) were really keen to be involved in this region, so the private

investment firm put a package together, which is now one of the largest claims holdings in the belt.”

Located next door to Kinross Gold’s multi-million-ounce Fort Knox gold mine, Felix Gold has established a simple strategy to discover, delineate, mine, and explore the potential to process with Kinross or toll treat its gold tonnes.

“Ideally, we won’t need to spend significant capital on processing

THE TINTINA GOLD PROVINCE, WHERE OUR TREASURE CREEK PROJECT IS LOCATED, HAS DELIVERED 100 YEARS OF GOLD PRODUCTION THROUGHOUT THE AREA, SO IT’S QUITE PROLIFIC.” infrastructure and building a new mill if we could partner with our next-door neighbours,” Reilly said. “And I don’t know what scenario would exist where AUSTRALIANMINING 36 SEPTEMBER 2023

we wouldn’t be able to do that if we were of a commercial scale.”

The Fort Knox mine has a 16 milliontonne-per-annum mill that is operating at only 55 per cent capacity and receives a head grade of less than 0.65 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, considerably less than assays returned by Felix.

After commencing a maiden drill program at Treasure Creek in April 2022, Felix Gold announced it had made a discovery at the Northwest (NW) Array prospect in early August last year.

This included an 89.9m intersection at 1.2g/t gold from a depth of 32m, and 33.5m at 1.63g/t from a depth of 1.5m.

This seemingly opened the floodgates for more high-grade intersections at Treasure Creek, with a 3.1m at 9.92g/t gold intersection announced in mid-September 2022 and a 6.1m at 3.74g/t, including 1.5m at 8.73g/t gold intersection, announced later that month, as well as many more high-grade announcements to close out 2022.

By the end of last year, Felix Gold had enough evidence to feel confident that a large-scale hydrothermal gold system was presenting in various clusters.

Treasure Creek had also shown the potential to host antimony, a globally

RESOURCES AND INVESTMENT

recognised critical mineral used in the manufacturing of smartphones and computers. Antimony’s anticorrosion and fire-retardant properties also make it a key material for the defence industry.

Last year’s 14,000m drill program has enabled Felix Gold to calculate 3.6 million ounces of JORC-compliant exploration targets to underpin its 2023 drilling efforts, where an infill drill program commenced in May. Felix Gold announced its second batch of assays from infill drilling in late-July, demonstrating the continuation of shallow gold mineralisation at NW Array, including a 30.5m intersection at 3.02g/t gold from a depth of 7.6m. Drilling had also intersected high-grade stibnite (the mineral that hosts antimony), including a 6.1m hit of more than five per cent stibnite (the upper limit of laboratory testing) from a depth of 30.5m.

Having completed the required exploration, Reilly said the goal for Felix Gold was to release a maiden mineral resource estimate this year.

“The infill drilling program has just completed and we’ll be receiving further assays back through August,” he said.

“We’ll then interpret and model that data and we hope to release a maiden resource for Treasure Creek in the fourth quarter of this year.

“So by October, we’ll hopefully be able to put our stake in the ground and say, ‘This is what we’re starting with’.”

Given the extent of mineralisation so far, with the release of its maiden resource Felix Gold is optimistic Treasure Creek has the endowment to support a bona fide gold-antimony

DRILLING AT TREASURE CREEK.

mine. It’s just a matter of discovering and delineating it.

Felix Gold also has a mining-friendly Alaskan Government by its side, as well as relevant infrastructure to tap into when Treasure Creek is mine-ready.

Reilly said given what is eventuating at Treasure Creek and the

profile of operating gold mines nearby, the project would likely become a bulk mining operation.

“We won’t be mining high-grade veins; Treasure Creek is a large system,” he said. “When you break it all down, it’s a bulk mining operation and it’s going to be mined right alongside a

high-capacity, high-throughput mill.

Treasure Creek mineralisation is shallow near surface, so it’s open-pitable and quite cheap from an operating expense perspective.

“True to its name, our team is optimistic that Treasure Creek is going to deliver.” AM

THE TINTINA GOLD PROVINCE HAS DELIVERED 100 YEARS OF GOLD PRODUCTION.

AUSTRALIANMINING 37 SEPTEMBER 2023

DRILL AND BLAST

DRILL OPERATORS ARE OFTEN REASSIGNED AS REMOTE OPERATORS.

MILLION-METRE MILESTONE ADAPTING EPIROC’S AUTONOMOUS PIT VIPER DRILL RIGS TO A MULTI-PASS COAL OPERATION SEEMED LIKE A TALL ASK AT FIRST, BUT THE SWEDISH OEM SILENCED THE CRITICS.

O

ne million isn’t always a big number in the mining industry.

But in the case of a recent milestone for Epiroc and Thiess, it

was a huge one.

The two companies recently celebrated a landmark moment at the Lake Vermont mine in Queensland, where Epiroc’s autonomous Pit Viper rigs drilled more than one million linear metres with no on-board operator.

This is an achievement that included many firsts.

While Epiroc was the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to bring a fully autonomous drill rig to the mining market, Thiess was the first mining services provider to deploy an Epiroc Pit Viper fitted

with an autonomous drilling system (ADS).And no autonomous multi-pass drilling operation involving a mining services provider had ever achieved such metreage.

What started with one Pit Viper fitted with ADS in 2019 has since expanded to three drill rigs completing at least 22 hours of drilling per day, with the rigs remotely operated from the site’s office.

Just as significant was Epiroc’s and Thiess’ achievement in adapting the Pit Vipers from a singlepass iron ore environment to a multipass coal operation.

“When we drill in WA iron ore applications, we’re typically doing single pass with one drill in the ground,” Epiroc business line manager – drilling solutions Alex Grant told Australian Mining.

“For coal, we’ve got a carousel on the drill and we’re doing multirod drilling. So perhaps the biggest unknown was automating this process, where the autonomous drill picks multiple rods out of the carousel and adds them to the drill string before putting them down the hole.”

Epiroc’s autonomous Pit Vipers are drilling up to 50m depth to the top of the coal seams, navigating all sorts of overburden materials that come their way.

“The complexity of the drilling is really significant,” Epiroc regional manager – Brisbane and Mackay Daniel Kirwan told Australian Mining.

“You’re drilling down to the top of a coal seam and then blasting away all that waste overburden on top. That creates added complexity, as the ground at the

AUSTRALIANMINING 38 SEPTEMBER 2023

top of your hole might be different from the ground at the bottom of your hole.”

As Epiroc and Thiess understood and overcame the challenges associated with adapting the autonomous Pit Vipers for a complex coal mining environment, the companies worked together closely to progressively advance the machine.

Grant said this involved not only perfecting the drill rig’s rod changing capability but also increasing the maintenance standards and sharpening operational planning and preparation.

“When you get into the technology, it was commonly recognised that machine maintenance needs to meet a much higher standard in autonomous drilling,” he said. “You also need to ensure the machine has better health.

“So there’s a bit of an education process for the customer to

DRILL AND BLAST

understand that they need higher maintenance levels, because if you don’t there will likely be more frequent problems with the drill.”

The terrain of a coal mine is also different to an iron ore operation, which meant Epiroc and Thiess had to smarten the autonomous Pit Vipers to ensure they could intelligently navigate the landscape.

“The terrain an autonomous drill can navigate is less of a grade than a manual setting for the simple reason that, when manually operated, someone can feel the slope and anticipate any coming speed bumps,” Grant said.

“If you’re on a slope and you go over a bump, it pushes the rig forward even further, so you have to be more conservative with the tramming angles.

Then there’s a process change in ensuring the patterns are changed and prepared differently for the autonomous drill.”

When autonomy is added to a mining operation, Kirwan said, the base settings and maintenance parameters of a machine become “that much more important to maintain”.

The autonomous Pit Vipers not only had to be tailored to the specific operational requirements of Lake Vermont, but Thiess had to adapt its people processes to cater for the automated drills. This became more pronounced as the second and third Pit Vipers were introduced.

“Initially, the Lake Vermont autonomous drill project was about the technology and getting that working in the application,” Thiess group manager – autonomous services Trent Smith told Australian Mining. “Then we focused on the people and process so that autonomy could be integrated into the drilling operation.”

With a deeper understanding of the operational impacts, the team

THE AUTONOMOUS PIT VIPERS CAN BE TAILORED TO MEET SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.

was able to identify opportunities to upskill its workforce and evolve the existing processes.

“We previously had a person onboard the machine completing manual activities, but that person is no longer there,” Smith said. “So how do we move the activity they did to a different area in the mining team?

“A good example is laying out blasthole pegs, which used to be done by the onboard driller. That was a fundamental change that we had to address.”

Smith said Thiess also had to find a new way of completing bit changes, as this was another task usually handled by an on-board operator. These alterations

culminated in a new autonomous strategy, where drill inspections would be less frequent and more targeted.

“We introduced some new processes,” Smith said. “Each day our strategy is to stop the drill for one long stop and do a thorough mechanical pre-start inspection on certain zones to make sure we’re getting machine reliability.

“Then we’re targeting 22 to 23 hours a day of continuous operation.”

Smith said Thiess would never be able to achieve such extensive drilling hours at Lake Vermont if the rigs were manually operated, with human fatigue and other incidental factors affecting productivity.

AUTONOMOUS OPERATIONS ARE DRIVING NEW PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY GAINS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY.

AUSTRALIANMINING 39 SEPTEMBER 2023

Automation is leading to more metres drilled and a more efficient operation overall.

“The longer-term goal is to reduce the size of the drill fleet on a project and reduce the pressure on drilled metres,” Smith said. “If we can achieve more drilling in less time, there is less pressure on the downstream processes such as blasting and mining.

“What we see as the benefit right now is Epiroc’s autonomous Pit Vipers are more productive. That reduces our unit costs, but it also starts to reduce the pressure on the drill process in the overall mining schedule.”

Thiess partnered with Epiroc in 2019 to introduce autonomous drilling at Lake Vermont, choosing Epiroc because the Swedish OEM offered the most mature and advanced autonomous drilling solution at the time. And given the successes of Lake Vermont, it appears the collaboration is only just beginning.

“Where we want to go to with Epiroc is to start expanding our autonomous capabilities offshore,” Smith said. “We’re very much focused on the Americas and Indonesia, and how we take our experience to those markets.”

Smith has also not ruled out future collaborations between Thiess and Epiroc in WA, which is considered by many as “Epiroc heartland” given the OEM’s renown in providing machinery and services to the iron ore industry.

But the autonomous Pit Vipers have proven their capability beyond a singlepass iron ore environment, which means there are many more possibilities for Epiroc partnerships in new mines and new jurisdictions. AM

UNDERGROUND MINING

PPKME IS COMMITTED TO HELPING COAL MINERS COMBAT POLLUTANTS AND EMISSIONS.

CLEANER AND GREENER PPK MINING EQUIPMENT’S EXTENSIVE RANGE OF PRODUCTS NOT ONLY PROVIDES A HIGH LEVEL OF SAFETY BUT ALSO A HIGH LEVEL OF EFFICIENCY IN CONTROLLING EXHAUST EMISSIONS.

W

ith branches in Tomago, Mt Thorley and Port Kembla in New South Wales, and Mackay and Emerald in Queensland, PPK Mining Equipment (PPKME) is well and truly, and proudly, on the frontlines of Australia’s coal mining industry.

A year ago, PPKME completed an asset sale agreement to become one of the largest Australian-owned underground original equipment manufacturers (OEM) by acquiring the assets, intellectual property and the workforce of more than 40 people of VLI Diesel Division.

To compliment the existing Coaltram LHD and Rambor products, PPKME added the VLI Driftrunner, JUG-A-0 and Brumby into its OEM vehicle suite.

These products are both manufactured and sold in Australia with limited export.

The Driftrunner is a six-tonne (t) personnel carrier/utility vehicle and has been an extremely popular choice for operators and maintenance teams not only in Australia but also internationally.

The JUG-A-0 is a supercharged six-cylinder LHD (load, haul, dump) vehicle that is available in both the 10t and 12t versions.

Finally, the Brumby, the smaller of the three loaders, is a multiple-purpose vehicle which can be manufactured in a one- or three-person model. The

Brumby can lift up to four tonnes and has an array of attachments and the ability to tow a PPKME designed braked trailer.

PPKME is the owner of registered explosion proof diesel engine systems (ExDES).

“Our ExDES includes the MDR 088335 fitted to Coaltram, the MDR 090376 engine package fitted to Driftrunners and Brumbys, and the MDR 074246 DES and MDR 114991 fitted to JUG-A-0s,” PPKME said.

“We are also the owners of registered transport braking systems (TBS), including MDR 085906 TBS – Coaltram, MDR 083991 TBS1 – Driftrunner, MDR 108880-1 TBS – JUG-A-0 and MDR 096013 TBS – Brumby.”

PPKME also has field service and warehousing personnel available for customer support, plus a dedicated spare parts team in NSW and Queensland offering 24–7 spare parts support.

PPKME’s board of directors is heavily invested in ensuring PPKME maintains its presence as a market leader in mining technology, while being committed to continuing to fund product improvement projects, new products and working with mining research programs such as ACARP to improve the health and safety of all personnel employed by the underground coal mining industry and the environment.

Not only does PPKME offer ExDES vehicles and secondary support

products, but the company also has a certified electrics division.

Within this division, PPKME has an abundance of flame-proof enclosures, displays, LED lights, switches, foot

PPK’S CWFF PACKAGE HELPS MINERS TO LOWER THEIR DIESEL PARTICLE MATTER.

AUSTRALIANMINING 40 SEPTEMBER 2023

pedals, cable rollers, and the OEM manufacture of the MR111 alternator.

Working closely with coal mines means PPKME understands challenges operators can face with emissions.

UNDERGROUND MINING

“Diesel engines emit harmful pollutants, which can pose a risk to the health and safety of mine workers,” PPKME told Australian Mining. “One common pollutant is diesel particle matter (DPM).

“These microscopic particles can pose severe health risks and contribute significantly to air pollution.”

As diesel-powered vehicles continue to play a significant role in everyday mining activities, they will continue to be a part of the underground mining industry as a reliable required asset. The drive for lower diesel exhaust emissions thus creates the need for efficient emission after-treatment technologies.

“Underground coal mining vehicles commonly use disposable particulate filters, which require frequent replacement as the filters become blocked,” PPKME said.

“The frequent need for filter replacement leads to high ongoing costs and logistics requirements, and the dependence on human factors also leads to the potential for filters to be left out or incorrectly installed, leading to ineffective filtration.”

In its ongoing pursuit of cleaner and more sustainable DPM and emissions filtration, PPKME has developed its explosionprotected ceramic wall-flow filter (CWFF) package.

“Designed to tackle one of the most pressing health concerns of our time, this diesel exhaust filter is enclosed in an explosion-protected housing, giving

not only enhanced efficiency but also improved safety for mining personnel,” PPKME said.

Like disposable filters, the CWFF captures the diesel particulates emitted from an engine. The key advantage of the CWFF, however, is that the captured particulates are converted into less harmful substances, including carbon dioxide and nitric oxide. This process, known as regeneration, requires relatively high exhaust gas temperatures.

At the heart of PPKME’s new engine package is the continuously regenerating CWFF. “Unlike common on-roadstyle CWFFs, PPK Mining Equipment diesel engine systems utilise a continuously regenerating CWFF, allowing regeneration of particulates at much lower exhaust gas temperatures,” PPKME said.

“This allows ‘passive’ regeneration during normal operation, without the need for an active regeneration.”

PPKME diesel engine systems are designed for use in underground mines with potentially explosive atmospheres, and the incorporation of an explosionprotected enclosure is what sets PPKME’s CWFF apart. This design not only keeps surface temperatures at a controlled level but also serves as a safeguard against any internal explosions that may occur during engine operation.

CONCEPT SHOWN FOR THE 1006-6 PERKINS EXDES PACKAGE FITMENT OF THE CWFF.

“By preventing explosions from propagating beyond the enclosure, the risk of damage to the environment and harm to personnel is significantly reduced,” PPKME said.

THE FIRST DRIFTRUNNER PURCHASE AND BUILD BY PPKME, COMPLETED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2023.

AUSTRALIANMINING 41 SEPTEMBER 2023

“This feature adheres to the highest safety standards, making our filter an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, including heavy machinery, commercial vehicles and industrial equipment.”

By streamlining maintenance and eliminating installation errors, PPKME’s CWFF enables the user to experience a high-performance filter with lower costs and enhanced environmental benefits, making it an ideal choice for sustainable and hasslefree diesel emission management.

“PPKME’s engineering team are currently working to adapt the CWFF technology to the Driftrunner Perkins 1006-6 ExDES, as well as the broader range of PPKME diesel engine systems,” the company said.

“PPK Mining Equipment’s unwavering commitment to technological innovation, safety, customisation, reliability, customer support, industry experience and global presence collectively positions us as a market leader in underground coal mining equipment.

“PPKME looks forward to engaging in future projects with ACARP and is grateful for the funding assistance, and guidance working together on the ceramic wall-flow filter.

“Choosing PPK Mining Equipment guarantees not only innovative equipment but also a trusted partner in ensuring the success and safety of any underground coal mining operation.” AM

UNDERGROUND MINING

RAISING THE ROOF

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KOMATSU HAS UPDATED ITS POWERED ROOF SUPPORT BUSINESS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CONTEMPORARY COAL MINES.

n March 2021, Komatsu revamped its powered roof support (PRS) business to meet its customers’ needs more efficiently.

More than two years on, the company is enjoying the success of the hard work and dedication that went into the change.

“In 2021, we announced we would be adapting our longwall business in response to an evolving coal market, where customers were looking to cut costs while still maximising their performance,” Komatsu global manager, longwall sales and projects Nigel Goff said.

“Therefore, we redefined our longwall business by providing Joy-engineered PRS solutions through partnerships with PRS manufacturers.”

Komatsu acquired Joy Global in April 2017, along with access to the underground mining market through the Joy-branded product line.

Komatsu has been supplying its PRS customers with operational support and expertise for over 75 years.

According to Komatsu product manager and principal engineer, quotes and tenders, powered roof supports Richard Hopper, the new sustainable PRS strategy ensures the company will continue to support its customers.

“We continue to produce custom and innovative PRS designs, and supply electro-hydraulic control systems and key performance components,” he said.

As part of the updated PRS business, Komatsu can provide flexible and valuedriven fulfilment models, including: a Komatsu-licensed, Joy-designed roof support manufactured to Komatsu quality standards by a collaborative partner, a Komatsu-licensed, Joydesigned roof support manufactured by a third party chosen by the customer, or Komatsu components such as Joy electro-hydraulic control systems (EHCS) for use on any PRS system, regardless of manufacturer.

“Komatsu can provide project management, quality and integration services for longwall systems as an option for all supply scenarios,” Goff said.

“All of these supply models have been successful following the announcement of Komatsu’s updated PRS business.

“This includes a full-face new design support order in China, four PRS installation orders in the US and the awarding of engineering design services contracts in Australia, as well as standalone orders for EHCS systems.

“We are also pursuing multiple ongoing opportunities which highlight growing awareness and acceptance of our new strategy.”

Komatsu works with manufacturing partners to provide the best products and solutions for its customers. These include listed company Yankuang Energy’s Donghua Heavy Industries (DHI) in China, and Becker-Warkop in Poland.

“Our collaboration with DHI began in early 2019 with technology transfers for licensed advancing ram cylinders,” Hopper told Australian Mining.

“The collaboration has grown over the last four years, as DHI can now manufacture all PRS fabrications as well as legs and ram cylinders to Komatsu design and quality standards.”

A COMPLETE JOY LONGWALL SYSTEM DURING A RECENT MINI-BUILD TRIAL IN AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIANMINING 42 SEPTEMBER 2023

Komatsu’s collaboration with BeckerWarkop commenced in early 2022, and under a cooperative agreement among Komatsu, Becker and Hydrotech, the first of four Joy-designed longwall PRS sets has been successfully completed and delivered to a US customer.

And it’s not just international customers who are benefitting from Komatsu’s updated PRS business.

“We still provide the facilities and capabilities our customers have always enjoyed,” Goff said. “We have recently invested in upgrading our Australian service centre in Rutherford, New South Wales, to increase service capability.

“We invest in up-to-date training for the service personnel who represent us at mines, and regions can readily call on a global team of product experts to create value for our customers and meet their expectations.”

Komatsu is dedicated to the continuous development of new products and solutions for its PRS product line. In 2022, the company launched its Joy Compak Next Gen hydraulic control system, the first redesign of its

UNDERGROUND MINING

successful Compak system since the mid-1980s.

“With the inherent reliability of spool valve technology, the component commonality reducing parts and service costs, and the ability to easily expand the system, we see the valve gear as a benchmark for the industry over the coming years,” Hopper said.

“We are also actively working on other developments to ensure we are ready for the next decade of longwall mining.

“We will continue to invest in our people, facilities and PRS solutions product line to reinforce our commitment to the longwall industry and support our customers through their entire journey.”

Komatsu is confident the ongoing success of its PRS business model will continue to attract new customers to its longwall equipment offerings while meeting the differing needs of its existing customer base.

“We believe that the launch of new componentry and continuing design solutions for the market has convinced our customer base that our PRS business is here to stay and thrive,” Goff said.

“There is increasing awareness and acceptance of our new PRS solutions product line, and the ongoing success reinforces that customers are seeing the benefits of the new model alongside the capabilities of our partners.” AM

KOMATSU’S AUSTRALIAN SERVICE FACILITY HAS INCREASED CAPABILITY IN REPAIR AND OVERHAUL.

AUSTRALIANMINING 43 SEPTEMBER 2023

UNDERGROUND MINING

DRIVER AWARENESS, AREA DENIAL AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE THE ‘AWARENESS’ COLLISION DETECTION, AREA DENIAL AND DRIVER AWARENESS SYSTEM WAS CREATED BY AUTO CONTROL SYSTEMS USING IFM 3D CAMERA AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGY, WITH THE AIM OF SAVING LIVES FIRMLY IN MIND.

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ccording to a 2019 report from the WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, reversing is the vehicle activity that accounts for most collisions in the state’s mining industry. ifm efector and Auto Control Systems (ACS) are two companies that recognise this risk and wish to eliminate it, and that’s why they came together to create the ‘Awareness’ collision detection and driver awareness system.

The idea behind the new system was to provide vehicle operators with an extra set of eyes to improve safety and save lives in underground mining environments.

“The system protects zones or areas around critical and dangerous work areas of the individual machinery,” ACS business development manager Jeff Jasson told Australian Mining.

“In the case of drilling, it creates an exclusion zone at the front end of the machine where the drilling is taking place and alerts the operator if there’s anyone in that area by identifying reflective material on the on the mandatory hi-vis attire.

“It creates awareness by an audible and visual alarm that alerts the operator when there’s someone in the area that shouldn’t be there.”

The Awareness system sees the environment the same way humans do, in 3D, and the fact the system is fully automated means reduced risk of human error and adaptability to suit clients’ control requirements.

The fact ifm 3D sensor has no moving components, in contrast to other area surveillance sensors such as laser scanners, is a unique point of difference, according to ACS general manager John Watts.

Other technologies use a beam that is broken when a person or object passes through it. This can be defeated by either stepping over or under the beam.

The Awareness system incorporates ifm’s photonic mixer device (PMD) time-of-flight technology and synthesises 1024 distance measures to create a thorough 3D view of the system’s surroundings.

“Because the camera’s sensing zone is three-dimensional, the system can detect if anyone is still in the dangerous zone,” Watts said.

“Once a person is detected, we activate alarms or trip certain movement functions on the drill rig.

“We have designed other versions of this system that can be put onto other machines from the underground mining market and the above-ground mining market – machines such as loaders, dump trucks, integrated tool carriers and concrete spraying units.”

That type of flexibility is especially valuable.

“Laser systems rely on being set up in the different environments, whereas ours is fixed to the machine and goes with it,” Jasson said.

“You’re not relying so much on a third influencing factor of humans having to set it up properly.

“It can be adapted to different applications and machines. It can be programmed as such to its field of vision sensitivity. Its function can be changed and varied to suit individual environments, machines and applications.”

The Awareness system can uphold safety on a mine site in various ways. For example, if it discovers a human presence near or in front of a functioning drill, it can shut it down immediately.

It can also keep up with the demands of an environment involving multiple machines operating concurrently. If the system senses a parked vehicle as another vehicle is reversing, it can trigger an alarm that will prevent impact.

“The system doesn’t affect the production and operation of the machine,” Jasson said.

“If something is wrong with the system or if something gets damaged,

IF THE ‘AWARENESS’ COLLISION SYSTEM SENSES A PARKED VEHICLE AS ANOTHER VEHICLE IS REVERSING, IT CAN TRIGGER AN ALARM TO PREVENT IMPACT.

AUSTRALIANMINING 44 SEPTEMBER 2023

the system can be isolated or switched off by a supervisor. The machine can still operate so it doesn’t stop production.”

The system is designed to detect distance, relative speed and the trajectory of up to 20 objects in its field of view.

Once this information is logged, it is relayed back to the interface and triggers a pre-set response. The vision from the camera can be recorded when an incident happens and can be replayed back at a later time by management.

The system can then disable hydraulics, automate alarms and identify connectivity issues. It can also offer the operator a suite of outcomes customdesigned for the risks at hand.

“We have received feedback such as the system enhancing the confidence of drivers and operators,” Jasson said. AM A demonstration of the system is available at https://autocontrols.com.au/3d-safetyawareness-detection-system THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF THE DANGER ZONES ARE SET UP DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE TYPE.

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UNDERGROUND MINING

RELIABILITY IS KEY ATLAS COPCO’S AIR COMPRESSORS TACKLE THE TOUGHEST CHALLENGES THE MINING INDUSTRY THROWS AT THEM WITH EASE.

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ir compressors may just be the backbone of any underground mining operation.

Compressed air is used in drilling, blasting, smelting and refining, along with hundreds of other necessary processes along the mining value chain.

Atlas Copco has a rich 150-year history developing air compressors; so much so, in fact, that the name has become synonymous with quality.

“Atlas Copco compressors are very well known for their longevity and reliability,” Atlas Copco business development manager – mining sector Tony Dias told Australian Mining.

“We have numerous compressors that are still running after more than 20 years of operating in harsh mining environments.”

The company has committed itself to constant innovation to help ensure its air compressors are as reliable, efficient and serviceable as possible.

To achieve this goal, Atlas Copco has fairly recently launched new designs of the GA90+-160kW oil-injected air compressors to create a unit that addresses all customer requirements.

“Our 160kW- 1015 CFM at eight bar machines are the most popular by far.

These units are available in 400V and 1000V,” Dias said.

When Atlas Copco began designing the GA90+-160kW compressors, it sought out to address six key areas that could influence the maintenance of the compressor.

Taking the time to address these issues resulted in a 50 per cent reduction in time spent on servicing the compressor, which meant less downtime for the customer.

Additionally, sealed oil-cooled motors have no need for service intervention, further enhancing reliability in tough conditions.

According to Dias, the skid frames on which the compressors are mounted also help deliver in terms of reliability.

ATLAS COPCO COMPRESSORS COMBINE EFFICIENCY, SERVICEABILITY AND RELIABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ITS CUSTOMERS.

“Many of our customers are looking for compressors that are placed on heavyduty skid frames, as they will be utilised in harsh underground conditions or at the entrance of mining portals,” he said.

The skid frame, which incorporates a 2.7m3 receiver, is connected directly to the air compressor.

“The skid frame ensures overhead protection,” Dias said. “It is provided as one piece in order to ease any installation underground or on the surface.

A GA160 COMPRESSOR ON A SKID FRAME.

AUSTRALIANMINING 46 SEPTEMBER 2023

“We see our air compressors used in applications such as pneumatic rockdrills, impact wrenches, pneumatic pumps and refuge chambers in underground mining,” Dias said.

“For use in mining plants, they are often used in applications such leaching, floatation, crushing, grinding, valves, filter pressures and ore sorting “There’s really no end to how our air compressors can benefit a mine.”

Efficiency is a fundamental factor for all mines to consider, and Atlas Copco has ensured this is a priority in the development of its products.

The new oil-injected screw compressors do not require an oil change before racking up 8000 running hours, or a whole year of use, while the oil smart injection system in the GA90+160kW compressors ensures the right amount of oil inside the compression chamber, avoiding excess use to boost the efficiency.

The compressor’s oil-cooled motors also meet or exceed the requirements of efficiency class IE4.

These new and improved compressors raise the bar in performance, reliability and connectivity to support sustainability and productivity goals.

The combined efficiency, reliability and serviceability of Atlas Copco’s compressors means its customers are not left to wonder how well they will run – they just need to turn them on to see for themselves.

“Our blowers are increasingly being purchased by mines for their lowpressure applications such as leaching, flotation and wastewater treatment,” Dias said.

“Atlas Copco offers all low-pressure technologies, including lobe, rotary screw, multi-stage and turbo designs.

“With our proud 150-year history, Atlas Copco air compressors have grown to become a globally renowned brand.” AM

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HOISTING

NEW TECH UNLOCKS DEEPER MINES WITH ITS ADVANCED HOISTING SOLUTIONS, ABB HOLDS THE KEY TO UNLOCKING DEEPER DEPOSITS.

A

s the Australian mining industry responds to a decarbonising world’s increasing demand for more minerals, the sector is simultaneously facing new operational challenges.

Mines are getting deeper, which is necessitating novel thinking and new technologies to excavate minerals from deep beneath the surface.

Enter ABB. The automation, electrification and digitalisation innovator is also a globally renowned hoisting manufacturer.

Hoisting – considered by ABB as the most sustainable solution for vertical ore haulage – is the process of raising and lowering conveyances within a mine shaft, transporting ore from the deepest underground depths to the surface.

As electrification drives the mining sector’s new frontier, where there are heightened stakeholder and shareholder obligations to drive down emissions, ABB is at the forefront of emission-free hoisting systems.

In fact, ABB deployed its first electric-powered hoist for a Swedish mine in 1891.

ABB IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF EMISSION-FREE HOISTING SYSTEMS.

ABB’s global business line manager for hoisting Björn Jonsson said emission-free solutions such as ABB’s hoisting systems are going to be critical if the mining sector is to decarbonise.

“For us to be able to transition from fossil fuels to a future electrified society, we need a lot more metals and minerals,” he told Australian Mining.

“But mining is emitting four to seven per cent of the greenhouse gases on a global scale, so it needs to be electrified and this is top of mind for all our mining clients, just like safety and productivity and making sure you get return on investment.

“Hoisting is the most energy-efficient way to extract ore from great depths.

A master study showed we can save

ABB’S COLLABORATIVE OPERATIONS CENTRE IN SWEDEN CONNECTS PEOPLE AND SHARES INFORMATION TO KEEP OPERATIONS RUNNING. AUSTRALIANMINING 48 SEPTEMBER 2023

266,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions over the life of a mine by installing a hoisting solution instead of other alternatives.”

With more than 1000 hoisting solutions currently operating across the world, ABB’s technology has advanced to a point where automation, electrification and digitalisation infuse the design, installation and operation of every hoist.

The ABB Ability Smart Hoisting software uses powerful analytics to extract valuable data from operating hoists, then harnessing that data to provide actionable information against key performance indicators (KPIs).

This enables clients to make operational changes in real-time, boosting productivity and safety performance, while enabling miners to enhance maintenance scheduling.

As ABB continues to evolve its solutions, the company launched ABB Ability NGX Hoist Control in May 2022, providing mine hoist operators with a modernised control system.

Harnessing the latest human machine interface (HMI) insights, NGX Hoist Control provides an enhanced user experience, enabling operators to tap into ABB’s global technical support network whenever they need.

The beauty of NGX is that it is compatible and easy to integrate with any mine hoist, with large mining companies able to benefit from having access to a standardised platform across their global hoisting operations.

HOISTING

ABB GLOBAL BUSINESS LINE MANAGER FOR HOISTING BJÖRN JONSSON.

Any Australian client that partners with ABB also has access to the company’s expansive local service footprint, with supported from ABB throughout the entire product lifecycle.

“We installed our first Australian hoist in 1961, and since then we have built a very strong local team,” Jonsson said. “We have a very scalable service support set-up where we are physically

supporting our customers on-site with inspections, upgrades, modernisations, retrofits and preventive maintenance.”

ABB’s Australian team can also remotely connect with its clients if preferred, or the company can go one step further and lean on its international team. With 105,000 employees worldwide, ABB can find a solution to any hoist-related quandary.

Jonsson is based in Sweden but was visiting ABB’s Australian team and clients he spoke with Australian Mining.

He said clients were grateful for ABB’s ongoing support.

“I have heard throughout this week that our Australian customers really appreciate the support they are getting from our local service teams,” Jonsson said. “No matter where you are in the world, customers want local contacts, local connections and local flavour.

“In the hoisting business, the safety regulations are different from country to country, even from territory to territory within a country, so you need to know the local regulations, which is something we are focused on not only in Australia but in all jurisdictions we work in.”

The focus on safety standards and performance is embodied by ABB Ability Safety Plus – the world’s first fully SIL (safety integrity level) 3 certified product suite for hoists.

Safety Plus comprises three solutions: Safety Plus Hoist Monitor, Brake System and Hoist Protector. This sees each hoist fitted with monitors and drive systems to enable maximum availability, reliability and safety.

SIL 3 certification means ABB’s hoists have been rigorously examined and tested by an independent global body and strictly developed in accordance with international standard IEC 62061 for machinery safety.

One recent ABB partnership demonstrating Safety Plus in action has involved a miner installing a friction hoist at its operations in South Australia.

ABB CONSIDERS HOISTING THE MOST SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR VERTICAL ORE HAULAGE.

AUSTRALIANMINING 49 SEPTEMBER 2023

When the company wanted to simultaneously extend the mine life, reduce operational safety risks and costs, and lower the carbon intensity of its operation, it turned to ABB. “We have been supporting this customer since the early phase, where they were looking at trade-offs and different solutions to extract ore before going down the hoisting route,” Jonsson said.

“Our technology selection made this project economically viable and saw us design one of the largest friction hoists in Australia.

“The hoist is installed with our most recent safety solutions – our Safety Plus suite – which means it is SIL 3 certified.”

The Koepe hoist has a 40-tonne payload and provides the miner access to mineral reserves outside the current mine plan, boosting the production profile from around 4.5 million tonnes to six million.

What’s more, if the client hadn’t installed an ABB hoist, the mine wouldn’t be able to meet its 2030 sustainability targets through its existing trucking operation.

Given the future of mining is deeper, with underground sites to play an increasingly important role in supplying minerals for a decarbonised society, hoisting solutions are going to be critical to the productivity, safety and sustainability of the sector’s next frontier.

And ABB, as the only fully integrated hoisting OEM in the mining industry, will be there to provide support every step of the way. AM

UNDERGROUND MINING

STRONGER FOR LONGER

AN EPIROC MT65 TRUCK.

UNDERGROUND MINING CONTRACTOR BYRNECUT IS ACHIEVING THE “MAGIC NUMBER” FOR ENGINE LIFE WITH THE CUMMINS QSK19.

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piroc and Cummins have worked together closely to extend life-to-overhaul of the 760-horsepower (hp) QSK19 in underground haul trucks, which have one of the toughest jobs in mining.

High engine load factors are the norm when operating underground, with trucks operating at full power for long periods on punishingly steep grades at fully loaded weights in excess of 100 tonnes.

Byrnecut, one of Australia’s largest underground mining contractors, operates 27 Epiroc MT65 underground trucks among its massive fleet of equipment, which also includes hundreds of trucks, loaders and development and production drills.

Acclaimed as the industry’s first 65-tonne payload capacity truck, the MT65 was introduced in 2016 with Cummins’ QSK19 MCRS engine, and Byrnecut’s 27 units are now hauling

gold-bearing ore at the Golden Grove, Carosue Dam, Deep South and Hamlet underground mines in Western Australia.

Jamie Armstrong, Byrnecut’s maintenance reliability coordinator, is concise in describing his role.

“I just look at the data – the facts and figures – before making recommendations,” he said.

Magic number

Armstrong believes Byrnecut has proven it can deliver what’s needed with these underground trucks.

“When we look at engine life, 16,000 hours is the magic number and the evidence is that we can now achieve that with the QSK19,” he says. “Reliability has improved considerably over the last four years, and today we are very comfortable with the product.”

Armstrong pointed out that longer engine life, as well as improvements to the MT65 itself, have been critical to reducing lifecycle costs, with Byrnecut now able to extend truck life from 24,000 to 30,000 hours.

Byrnecut’s knowledge of the product has continued to grow, resulting in improved skillsets at a servicing level.

Engineering support provided by Cummins is rated highly by Armstrong.

One example of this strong support

came when fluctuating oil pressure was causing premature bearing wear, a problem detected by PrevenTech, Cummins’ real-time digital monitoring and reporting system. The cause was found to be oil sump overfill, and Cummins developed a calibration to warn the operator if this has occurred.

“The QSK19 is the benchmark for reliability and durability in underground mining,” Cummins mining business manager for Western Australia Dave Abbott said. “In fact, in some operations in Australia, we’re seeing the engine reach the 18,000-hour mark.”

WHEN WE LOOK AT ENGINE LIFE, 16,000 HOURS IS THE MAGIC NUMBER, AND THE EVIDENCE IS THAT WE CAN NOW ACHIEVE THAT WITH THE QSK19.”

Drivetrain updates

An upgraded MT65 – designated the MT65 S – will be seen in Australia late this year. Epiroc said the optimised drivetrain of the MT65 S combines high ramp speed with improved energy efficiency.

Among the key updates are a diff ratio change to ensure the engine is constantly operating in the ‘sweet spot’ for improved performance and fuel efficiency. In addition, upgraded software for the transmission helps to ensure gear shifting takes place at the right time while also providing improved retardation.

The is MT65 S is part of Epiroc’s ‘Smart’ series, which makes it prepared for sixth sense functionality such as automation and remote control. AM

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UNDERGROUND MINING

FILLING THE UNDERGROUND GAPS MINOVA’S LONG HISTORY IN GROUND SUPPORT COMES TOGETHER WITH ITS TOOLBOX OF PRODUCTS TO SOLVE JUST ABOUT ANY PROBLEM IN UNDERGROUND OPERATIONS.

W APPLICATION OF FB200 FOR ROCKFILL STABILISATION.

hen it comes to underground mining operations, hazards can come from just about anywhere. Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet when it comes to safety, and mines require multiple different solutions.

That’s where Minova and its vast arsenal of ground support solutions come in.

“One of the things Minova is great at is bringing our huge range of products together to solve specific customer problems,” Minova marketing and business development lead Douglas Pateman told Australian Mining.

“Minova has been around since 1882, so we have an enormous wealth of experience. We know our products and we know how they complement each other.

MINOVA HAS A BROAD RANGE OF INJECTION CHEMICALS TO SOLVE ANY PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIANMINING 52 SEPTEMBER 2023

“That’s something no one else can really offer.”

One product in the arsenal is Minova’s FB200 grout for underground ore recovery.

“FB200 is a very low-viscosity grout that is pumped into loose rockfill to stabilise it, allowing adjacent ore to be mined,” Pateman said.

“The grout can penetrate less than a 1mm gap, meaning it can really find its way into every tiny crevice.

“This allows miners to access ore that would have otherwise been left behind or heavily diluted, giving operators access to cash and increased life of mine that they otherwise wouldn’t have.”

And thanks to onshore manufacturing, Minova is able to modify FB200 to work in different underground environments.

“We have in-house technical capability to modify FB200 to suit varying mine conditions, whether it be water temperatures or water salinity,” Pateman said. “We can adapt the product very quickly to suit our customers’ requirements.”

Moving from the rockface to tunnel support, Minova’s Tekflex Rapid is a new mine development technology.

“Tekflex Rapid is a thin spray liner to support tunnel faces,” Pateman said. “It’s a better alternative to typical bolt and meshing of faces or concrete spraying for a number of reasons.

“Usual concrete lining is sprayed 50mm thick or greater over the development face, but Tekflex Rapid is much thinner at less than 5mm. Not only does that make it much faster, but more importantly it lets miners see what’s happening on the rock wall behind it.

“You won’t have any issues with misfired drill hole butts, so there’s a big safety aspect to it.

“It’s also much faster than bolt and mesh facing, with a typical turnaround of less than an hour.

You also eliminate any potential downstream issues with bits of steel in the ore processing system because Tekflex Rapid is a membrane. This is a huge advantage.”

UNDERGROUND MINING

Unlike typical bolt and mesh tunnel support, where rocks can fall out next to the edge of the mesh, Tekflex Rapid completely covers the tunnel face.

Minova also offers a line of injection chemical services for strata consolidation and void-filling.

“Our injection chemicals are used to stabilise strata in underground mines and prevents falls of ground during production,” Pateman said. “Our consolidating resins essentially glue the rock together for stability. We also have water-stopping resins, which are designed to follow the water within

“We’ve found a whole range of uses for these products in the hard rock industry, from recovering tunnel falls to filling around escape way ladder tubes.”

Pateman believes versatility and speed combine to make Minova’s line of injection chemicals such a hit in underground operations.

“Our resins have a lot of different applications,” he said. “And because we

manufacture locally, we can tweak them for very specific situations.”

Minova has positioned itself as a leader in underground mine safety, a fact most recently demonstrated by the company’s major sponsorship of the Ground Support 2023 event series, which brings together industry experts for a three-day conference focused on everything related to

ground support, including efficiency, safety and technology.

“It’s going to be a big event for our industry and the program looks absolutely fantastic,” Pateman said.

“It’s quite a technical conference, sharing learnings around products and different ways of solving problems, all with the aim of keeping people safe.

That’s really the core of our industry.” AM

FB200 IS A VERY LOWVISCOSITY GROUT THAT IS PUMPED INTO LOOSE ROCKFILL TO STABILISE IT, ALLOWING ADJACENT ORE TO BE MINED.” the ground and form a seal around the tunnel perimeter and infrastructure. We have a range grades to handle different amounts of inflow, and hot or cold water.

“Another variation we offer is cavityfilling resins. When mixed together, these resins foam over 20 times, which allows them to fill large voids very quickly.

MINOVA SUPPLIES THE FULL RANGE OF GROUND CONTROL PRODUCTS.

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UNDERGROUND MINING

WORKING SMART SMART-VOD IS READY TO EXPAND ITS VENTILATION ON-DEMAND SERVICES BY TARGETING UNDERGROUND MINES.

T THE VENTILATION ON-DEMAND SYSTEM USES RFID.

he industry is evolving, but most underground mining vehicles in use today are still powered by diesel motors.

This means forced air ventilation is required to remove the diesel exhaust and blast gases, and to reduce the ambient temperature for underground operators.

It is common for mines to have primary fans located above ground that draw fresh air underground working in combination with several secondary fans that force fresh air into the working face of blind headings.

While this helps to ensure the operators feel some cool air as they work, the energy cost of each secondary fan is substantial – often higher than the fan’s purchase price.

To help address this all-too-common issue, Smart-VOD has created a ventilation on-demand system for underground mining operations.

While the company itself has been formally in operation since 2020, SmartVOD started working on fixing this ventilation issue a few years before that.

“In January 2017, I was consulting for a few companies. Martin Law from SMEC Power and Technology in Perth reached out looking for expertise in radio-frequency identification (RFID),” Smart-VOD director David Twiss told Australian Mining.

“We ended up meeting and decided quickly that things clicked. I quickly formed a view that Martin, who’s now my business partner, was somebody I could trust and work with.

“Things moved along to the point when I said, ‘How about we actually form a company?’ So we did.”

Cut to present day and that company has been operating somewhat under the radar during development and initial deployment of several ventilation ondemand units. But it’s now ready to grow.

“(Ventilation on-demand) halves the energy for underground ventilation,” Twiss said.

“If you halve the energy, given that many mine sites are diesel-powered, you in turn halve diesel consumption, which means you can halve the carbon footprint.”

The ventilation on-demand system uses RFID to track vehicles as they enter and leave a ventilation zone. It controls the associated secondary fan at a speed based on a number of rules, the most significant of which is the size of the vehicle’s diesel engine.

“As they pass in the vicinity of a series of antennas nearby, we infer from the signals whether they’re in the drive when they’ve entered or left,” Twiss said.

“We keep track of what’s in there. By knowing which vehicles are in there and how big the engines are, we can work out what speed the fan should be.”

SMART-VOD’S VENTILATION ON-DEMAND SYSTEM HAS OPERATED ON WESTGOLD RESOURCES’ BIG BELL SITE.

AUSTRALIANMINING 54 SEPTEMBER 2023

UNDERGROUND MINING

Each fan within the ventilation ondemand system is controlled by a variable speed drive, which can be used to control the speed of underground fans.

Making a variable speed drive small and tough enough for underground mining has taken a while, but SmartVOD has created a system that will offer customers a range of benefits. Chief among these is the ability to save more than 50 per cent on energy costs over a 12-month period.

“When using the WA mining regulations as a case in point, the air volume required is a function of the diesel engine size,” Twiss said. “The haulage trucks are huge and have ginormous diesel engines, but they also take up a lot of space.

“In a mine, the haulage truck will commonly only be used in the decline rather than in the drive itself. The trucks will then drive down to somewhere where there’s extraction already taking place and do a turn to get around. Then a loader will start to load ore.

“Therefore, the loader is often the largest vehicle that’s in use within the blind drive itself with the ore being extracted.

“So when you’re doing the fan and ventilation design, it’s common to choose a fan that is going to be large enough, but only just large enough to provide the air necessary for a loader.

“In a drive, you’re not using the loader all the time, and there’s other things that take place that use much smaller vehicles with smaller diesel engines, so you don’t need the fan at full speed.

“And that’s where the opportunity comes to save energy, due to the mix of activities taking place in each working zone.”

Westgold Resources is a company that has been reaping the benefits of the ventilation on-demand system.

The miner revealed in its 2022 annual general meeting that from January 1 to June 30 2022, using six ventilation ondemand units with variable speed drives, it saved approximately 52.9 per cent on realised energy savings when compared with tradition ventilation controls.

These savings are equal to just over 1500 megawatt hours.

(VENTILATION ONDEMAND) HALVES THE ENERGY FOR UNDERGROUND VENTILATION. IF YOU HALVE THE ENERGY ...

YOU IN TURN HALVE DIESEL CONSUMPTION, WHICH MEANS YOU CAN HALVE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT.”

Each ventilation on-demand unit has been designed to operate autonomously and does not require continuous network connectivity.

When network connectivity is available to the operator, however, further features are available, including the centralised mine dashboard showing the status of the ventilation zone and the savings performance.

As the world transitions to more energy-conscious mine sites, SmartVOD’s ventilation on-demand system has been built to withstand harsh underground conditions in an efficient way, helping mining operations save on energy costs while reducing their carbon footprint. AM

SMART-VOD HAS CREATED A VENTILATION ON-DEMAND SYSTEM TO HELP ADDRESS ENERGY COSTS.

AUSTRALIANMINING 55 SEPTEMBER 2023

TIPPING THE BALANCE It’s time to recover Australia’s mining tyres, conveyors, and tracks Australia’s options for recovery of mining tyres, conveyors and tracks is not going to get any clearer or easier. With the release of the ‘Tipping the Balance’ report, it’s clear that the mining sector needs to act now, to shift away from burial towards recovery.

Australian mining has always been at the forefront of innovation. We are now looking at a huge opportunity for the mining sector to step up and become world leaders in recovering and recycling mining tyres, conveyors and tracks.

Times have changed, and what we did in the past just won’t cut it anymore.

Globally and at home in Australia, there has been a shift in the appreciation of

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the impact of our actions on future generations.

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3 4:31 pm

UNDERGROUND MINING

A BELT SPLICING GAME-CHANGER FLEXCO’S XP STAPLE FASTENER PROVIDES A DURABLE AND INTELLIGENT CONVEYOR SPLICING SOLUTION FOR UNDERGROUND OPERATIONS.

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here are few places tougher to work than an underground coal mine. Such a rugged environment taxes equipment as much as it does workers, which is why having the right tools for the job is essential.

In response to this demand, Flexco has developed its new XP staple fastening system for conveyor belts, specialised for heavy-duty underground operations.

“Flexco has been making fasteners for over 115 years,” Flexco NSW territory manager Khy McLennan told Australian Mining.

Founded in 1907 in a small workshop in Chicago, Illinois, Flexco invented the first mechanical belt fastener for leather belting. Today, the company holds 70 patents for its mechanical belt fasteners and installation tools.

“The XP system really shines in these underground operations,” McLennan said. “It’s versatile, easy to use and quick to set up. We’re seeing a whole new level of capability in terms of how these underground mining operations manage their belt maintenance schedules.”

The XP fastener is especially sturdy, with a belt strength rating of 1400 kilonewton per metre (kN/m) to 3500kN/m.

But durability is where the XP staple fastener really shines.

“One of the biggest issues for underground conveyors is the longevity of components,” McLennan said.

“The XP has a unique ribbed design that protects the staples from premature failure.”

The staples are set in the grooves of the steel fastener plates, creating a low profile that helps shield them from abrasion against the material conveyed, as well as other conveyor components such as rollers and belt cleaners.

“Fastener longevity was at the forefront of the XP design. The finished splice has a smooth, low profile, dramatically increasing the wear life,” McLennan said.

“Our customers are amazed at the longevity of our fasteners compared to others on the market.

“Shutting down a conveyor to repair a damaged clip is extremely disruptive. You’ve got to stop the belt and the longwall operations, so fastener durability is critical.

Flexco said its main goal with the XP was to create something that lasts longer in a harsh environment than anything else on the market.

“We have a trial going on at the moment where a competitor’s staple

FLEXCO’S XP STAPLE FASTENER IS ERGONOMICALLY DESIGNED.

fastener lasted around three weeks at an underground mine in New South Wales,” McLennan said. “The XP has been running on the same conveyor for 12 weeks – and it’s still going.

“If customers have the potential to keep running a conveyor for another seven or eight weeks-plus without stopping, it helps production rates, reduces maintenance windows and saves them money.

“This also allows them to focus on other, more critical maintenance projects.”

The XP applicator tool sets one fastener at a time, translating to far fewer misdrives and tool jams. Should

THE XP SETS ONE FASTENER AT A TIME, TRANSLATING TO FEWER MISDRIVES AND TOOL JAMS. AUSTRALIANMINING 57 SEPTEMBER 2023

the occasional misdrive occur, the tool allows the operator to skip over it, continue the splice, and return to drive the staple.

“When it comes to underground mining, you’re not always working in the nicest conditions,” McLennan said. “Dust build-up can often affect machinery. The XP system is designed to handle these harsh conditions.”

All of the applicator tools have a sealed housing that discourages material build-up on internal components, making it easy to maintain.

The XP is ergonomically designed for worker safety. The single-lever pneumatic and hydraulic applicator tools compress the plate before driving and folding the staples in one smooth motion, producing a consistent, quality staple set and finished splice each time.

“A lot of the feedback we’re getting on this fastener is not just about how well it’s performing, but also that the tooling is really easy to use and less taxing on the body,” McLennan said.

“When Flexco designed the XP, we took a lot into consideration to not just provide a better clip, but a better experience on the whole.”

The XP staple fastening system is new ground for the century-old company, whose first ever product was a belt fastener.

Combining a rich history of manufacturing with the latest in technology and market awareness, the XP is Flexco’s solution to underground mining conveyors. AM

UNDERGROUND MINING

LOCOPROJECT’S INNOVATION IN THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET SLOVAKIA-BASED LOCOPROJECT HAS BEEN LEADING THE CHARGE FOR LOW-EMISSION SOLUTIONS FOR OVER A DECADE, AND IT NOW HAS ITS SIGHTS SET ON EXPANDING INTO AUSTRALIA.

LOCOPROJECT’S BATTERY LOCOMOTIVES CAN OPERATE ON NON-ELECTRIFIED OR REMOTE RAILWAY LINES.

T

he worldwide resources industry is witnessing a paradigm shift towards adopting lowemission technologies for sustainable operations.

Since long before this trend gained momentum, however, Locoproject had been at the forefront, revolutionising the mining landscape with its environmentally friendly locomotives.

Established in 2011, Locoproject’s dedication to developing batterypowered locomotives has been a strategic response to the needs of underground mining operations.

With a keen focus on staying ahead of the curve, the company made the decision to upgrade its battery technology to lithium-based units, ensuring a cutting-edge and eco-friendly approach.

Locoproject utilises lithium-ion (Li-Ion) technology for single-battery locomotives and employs the latest lithium-titanate (LTO) technology for hybrid locomotives equipped with dual power sources.

Locoproject boasts an extensive mining portfolio featuring locomotives, wagons and crushers. Its battery locomotives are equipped with threephase, asynchronous motors, ranging from 12–45 kilowatts (kW) to hybrid and OHC locomotives up to 110kW, with precise speed and torque control achieved through frequency converters.

According to Locoproject, these battery-powered locomotives offer unmatched flexibility in operations and route-planning, breaking free from the constraints of electrified tracks or overhead power lines. Empowering

LOCOPROJECT BUILDS ITS BATTERY LOCOMOTIVES SO THEY WON’T NEED CONSISTENT REPLACEMENT OR MAINTENANCE.

LOCOPROJECT’S MINING PORTFOLIO FEATURES LOCOMOTIVES, WAGONS AND CRUSHERS.

mining companies to optimise their operations and embrace sustainable practices, this adaptability is a cornerstone of the company’s innovation.

Discussing the uniqueness of its locomotives, Locoproject business development manager Stanislava Kovacova highlighted the company’s innovative driving system.

“Locoproject places great emphasis on engineering products built to last, resulting in longer equipment lifespans and reduced maintenance requirements,” Kovacova said.

“The commitment to durability, reliability and sustainability ultimately translates into a more cost-effective and environmentally conscious choice for mining companies.”

Having successfully worked with clients from various corners of the world, including Poland, Germany, Czech Republic and Egypt, Locoproject is now

AUSTRALIANMINING 58 SEPTEMBER 2023

poised to make its mark in the dynamic Australian mining market.

The company has already joined forces with a Tier 1 mining company in Australia, collaborating on a customised locomotive and train operation project.

Kovacova expressed her confidence in the company’s ability to cater to the specific needs of Australian mining.

“Having delved into the nuances of the market, Locoproject aims to deliver tailor-made solutions that perfectly align with its clients’ requirements,” she said.

As Locoproject makes its debut in the Australian mining arena, it stands as a testament to the company’s resilience, innovation and commitment to sustainable mining practices.

With its advanced locomotives and unwavering customer focus, Locoproject is set to power the future of underground mining in Australia and beyond. AM

Across the globe, we leverage cutting-edge technologies to offer innovative solutions, enhancing our clients’ mining operations’ performance, sustainability, availability, and safety.

Drawing on seven decades of field service and motor repair experience for major mines worldwide, FLANDERS has developed significant innovation solutions for surface and underground mining machines, ranging from purpose-built motors and drives to full machine automation.

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UNDERGROUND MINING GAINWELL HAS NEARED THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST MACHINE ASSEMBLY THAT WILL GO TO THE KESTREL COAL MINE IN THE BOWEN BASIN.

HEADING DOWN UNDER AFTER DECADES OF SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURAL PROGRESS WITH EFFICIENT MINING EQUIPMENT IN INDIA, GAINWELL ENGINEERING HAS TURNED ITS FOCUS TO AUSTRALIA.

W

ith an emphasis on achieving a better tomorrow through sustainability, innovation and excellence, Gainwell Engineering is ready to establish itself as a leading mining equipment supplier in Australia and the Pacific region.

The company offers an array of products for its global customers, including underground room and pillar equipment and its highwall miner, the latter of which offers an innovative method for extracting coal.

“We provide safe, reliable and productive equipment, and we are now another choice for customers in the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) business here in Australia,” Gainwell Engineering Pacific managing director Paul Mulley told Australian Mining. “We’re very familiar with the Australian regulations and standards and Australian customers.

The team here at Gainwell Engineering Pacific has a long association with

industry operators, so we understand what our customers are looking for.

“We know where we need to pitch in order to provide a product that’s competitive and safely maximises production.”

Gainwell’s engineers are on hand to deliver technical service, and to answer any questions customers may have.

“We’ve got some of the smartest engineers around in underground coal mining,” Mulley said. “We’ve got great people and great products.”

Gainwell recently achieved multiple milestones in Australia, such as nearing the completion of the first machine assembly that will go to the Kestrel coal mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin to be used on its longwall moves.

A 2022 technology licensing agreement for underground mining equipment with Caterpillar allowed Gainwell to manufacture medium and high-seam underground room and pillar equipment to support coal production in India and around the world.

Early 2022 also saw the company partner with Vitrinite to support the

Vulcan Mine Complex in the Bowen Basin, marking Gainwell Engineering’s first entry into Australia with the Gainwell Highwall Miner.

“The significance of this is twofold,” Mulley said.

“It gives Vitrinite a product that will mine as low as they want need to maximise productivity very high-quality coal, and it gives Gainwell entry into a new market we believe has many opportunities for this product.

“We can set it out to be superior for lots of reasons, but we’ve never sold one into Australia. This is the first.

“We have sold them in India, many in the US, to Russia and Indonesia, and hope to add more countries to this list in the near future.”

Gainwell also won its first machine rebuilds with Anglo American’s Moranbah North underground longwall mine in Queensland in April 2023.

In a global market full of OEMs that specialise in underground mining, Gainwell stands out as one that doesn’t

AUSTRALIANMINING 60 SEPTEMBER 2023

just manufacturer products, but also sells and operates them in India.

“For that particular part of the mine, we manage the panel where we are mining coal and we’re responsible for giving the customer an agreed number of tonnes of coal at a cost per tonne, Mulley said. “We’ve got a huge amount of background and experience in this sort of business. That doesn’t just go for underground mining, but for highwall mining as well.”

The future looks bright for Gainwell.

“We’ve got good orders, a strong order book, and we’ll be looking to introduce more products into the market in the next one-to-two years,” Mulley said. “These products will be varied; not just diesels or highwalls, but others that are critical to underground mining, such as the Gainwell Continuous Miner and the Gainwell Feeder Breaker.

“We will be out there in the market to find customers that need equipment and a partner that’s got proven experience and demonstrates quality service and product.” AM

Resourcing the world

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DIGITAL MINING

THE FUTURE OF AUTOMATION THE KOMATSU REMOTE OPERATIONS CENTRE AND LONGWALL SIMULATION ROOM HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR SURFACE MANAGEMENT INTERACTION, SOFTWARE TESTING, DEVELOPING CUSTOMER AUTOMATION AND TRAINING WITHOUT THE DANGERS OF IN-FIELD PRACTICE.

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he safety of employees is a mine’s top priority, but the necessary training on new machines and technology can bring up various concerns.

To combat the risks associated with in-field practice, Komatsu developed its Komatsu Remote Operations Centre (KROC) and Longwall Simulation Room to give operators the opportunity to learn in a safer and more controlled environment.

“Our training room incorporates all the features that you would find in an underground longwall mine,” Komatsu national training manager Wikus Louw told Australian Mining. “The idea behind it was to have the full simulation of the mine in one place.”

According to Komatsu product manager, control and automation Shane Cooling, the Longwall Simulation Room provides users with the opportunity to engage with remote management of equipment, with a particular emphasis on autonomous automation.

“In the training room, customers have access to not only the trainers, but Komatsu’s control and automation engineering team if required,” Cooling said. “In this environment, they have the opportunity to exchange ideas with the team and ask questions.”

Louw said that having the opportunity to learn in a safe environment is an invaluable feature of the KROC and the Longwall Simulation Room.

“You get an opportunity to build that muscle memory before you go into a production site,” he said.

“People learn how to manage these machines by doing it, not by sitting in a classroom and listening to someone tell them how to do it.

“The advantages of integrating a hands-on approach into learning are unparalleled.”

Komatsu has received great feedback on the Longwall Simulation Room from those who have experienced it.

“We’ve had people with a mixture of experience and skill level come through the training,” Louw said.

Centennial automation engineer Luke Coleman had the opportunity to visit the KROC and Longwall Simulation Room for training, and said the experience was invaluable.

“The simulator setup in the training room at Komatsu has proved beneficial for multiple applications already,” Coleman said.

EXPERT TRAINERS ARE AVAILABLE TO ENSURE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED IN DETAIL.

“During our transition to remote operations, we had the ability to introduce some of our operators to the control screens in an environment where they were able to collaborate and quickly get a feel for a whole new way of operating.

“Being able to get a feel for the different screens and buttons in the room transferred well to site, as they already had a good understanding of how the remote operations interfaces worked.

“I am able to trial new parameters and sequence tables before any changes are made. Having the shearer and roof supports simulated together means that I can identify any potential issues between the two systems before I make any adjustments at site.

“This experience removed some of the initial worries that come from trying something for the first time.”

And it’s not only those operating and maintaining the machines who are coming through the simulation room’s doors. Customers requiring development changes to their automated equipment can also use the space to test how the equipment will perform underground.

“We invite customers to come and see how their machines function from an automated perspective,” Cooling said. “They can pre-test their sequence tables and see how their equipment will perform. What a company needs today may not be something they necessarily need for tomorrow, allowing for the customer to try a feature out before its implemented underground.”

THE KROC AND LONGWALL SIMULATION ROOM PROVIDES TRAINING TO PEOPLE WITH A VARIETY OF EXPERIENCE LEVELS, ALL IN THE ONE SPACE.

For Cooling and Louw, the KROC and the Longwall Simulation Room offer a significant benefit by providing customers with a centralised area where they can access and utilise surface and exception management, the essential resources for integration and learning.

“The typical mine face in a coal mine can be upwards of 440m,” Cooling said. “When working underground, the training area is vast and it could potentially take a worker several months before encountering a situation that requires specific training.

“In the KROC and Longwall Simulation Room, we can develop potential faults with learning opportunities quickly identified and resolved in the training environment.

“Having everything readily accessible allows them to quickly observe

AUSTRALIANMINING 62 SEPTEMBER 2023

diagnostics and faults of a machine, which would take longer if they were underground.”

It is no secret that automation and technology are evolving rapidly, especially in the mining space. Komatsu has made sure the KROC and Longwall Simulation Room are ready, with futurefocused planning.

“When we started the simulation room, the future was a big part of our planning,” Louw said. “We had to ask ourselves how we could provide a bestin-class product while still leaving space for expansion.”

Cooling and Louw take pride in the collaborative effort dedicated to creating the KROC and Longwall Simulation Room, which serves their customers’ automation requirements and ensures operator training in a secure operational setting. AM

MINING SERVICES

ON TIME AND ON BUDGET ABLE TO DELIVER A RANGE OF SERVICES, NATIONAL GROUP IS RECOGNISED FOR ITS END-TO-END OFFERING. THIS IS DRIVING RAPID COMPANY GROWTH ACROSS NSW, QUEENSLAND AND WA.

NATIONAL GROUP WORKS CLOSELY WITH ITS CUSTOMERS TO DELIVER EQUIPMENT ON TIME AND ON BUDGET.

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iming is everything. If it has to happen now, we’ll do it.”

National Group hasn’t built its reputation as one of the world’s premier mining services companies for nothing.

The consistent ability to deliver for its customers on time and on budget has enabled the company to establish sturdy relationships in an industry where connections are critical.

Len Pipiciello, National Group’s NSW business development manager, said the contractor’s ability to shapeshift and do whatever is needed to meet customer deadlines is a product of the National Group capability and culture.

“Working with the Tier 1 mining companies that we do, there is an ever-changing scope of work on-site,” Pipiciello told Australian Mining. “All of a sudden, you’ll have to jump in a certain direction and come up with equipment but also come up with the people.

“Mark (Ackroyd, National Group managing director) has created a company and got people around him that are really loyal and committed to their jobs. What comes with that is a genuine desire to do the right thing by the company and the customer.”

This creates positive symbiosis within National Group, where employees feel valued. This leads to improved performance and stronger industry relationships.

“This is the difference between us and other companies, I believe,” Pipiciello said. “It’s the culture and loyalty of our

people, but I’ve also got a straight line to Mark when I’m doing business and I keep him abreast of everything.

“He’s kept up to date with what’s going on and he’s always value-adding: ‘I know that guy, he’s a great guy, tell him I said hello’. It’s things like that; it’s reputation in the industry.”

As National Group has evolved its business and kept pace with its customers, the company has been an early adopter of semi-autonomous technologies, a position accelerated with the acquisition of Wolff Mining in 2019.

Wolff Mining supplies remote dozing solutions to the Australian mining sector, something that has been key to the success of a National Group contract in New South Wales.

When a customer wanted to repair its tailings dams and keep its operators out of harm’s way, National Group had the perfect solution.

“Tailings dams can be unstable environments, so we’ve supplied remote dozers to come in and work in these high-risk areas,” Pipiciello said. “We haven’t only supplied the remote dozers, but also the control centre, operators, and operator facilitators.”

This is alongside more than 70 other machines National Group has operating at this gold mine, spanning everything from a roller to a 994K wheel loader – the largest loader Caterpillar manufactures.

National Group also has a strong footprint in the Hunter Valley region of NSW. This includes a contract with Yancoal subsidiary Moolarben Coal, where the company’s contract-mining arm – National Mining Services – is

providing works such as the safe prestripping of up to 15 million bank cubic metres of overburden each year at the Moolarben coal mine.

National Mining Services has used National Group’s ultra-class mining equipment on the contract, including Liebherr R9800 excavators, Liebherr T282 dump trucks and other ancillary equipment.

Looking ahead, Pipiciello’s key objectives in NSW are to maintain and grow his relationships with existing customers, while also canvassing new opportunities where possible.

This includes earmarking emerging greenfield projects that could require National Group’s services. Constant communication is critical to gaining the necessary plaudits to elevate National Group from tender to a new contract.

National Group also continues to grow its fleet in Queensland, where the contractor is working closely with several Tier 1 mining companies. This includes being a key equipment supplier to the Bowen Basin region.

National Group recently had its contracts renewed with long-standing partners such as BHP and Rio Tinto, the latter of which was a five-year extension to continue supplying equipment to the Weipa bauxite operation in far north Queensland.

Anglo American Australia also recently extended its National Group partnership in the Bowen Basin.

Having supplied the Capcoal operation for three years, the latest contract doubled the amount of equipment National Group delivers to the Lake Lindsay and Oak Park mines.

National Group Queensland business development manager Warren Jensen said the company’s successes in the state demonstrates its strong relationship with its customers.

“Customers trust us that we’re doing the right thing, we’re working safely, and we’re delivering on what we say we’re going to deliver,” Jensen told Australian Mining.

“Our reputation for supplying equipment and then maintaining it is

WOLFF MINING’S SEMI-AUTONOMOUS TRACTOR SYSTEM (SATS) TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION.

AUSTRALIANMINING 64 SEPTEMBER 2023

MINING SERVICES

NATIONAL GROUP HAS BEEN AN EARLY ADOPTER OF SEMI-AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGIES.

really what drives our business. A lot of what we do is because of our reputation.

“Without a good reputation, business is nothing.”

And National Group’s ability to sustain its contracts not only comes down to supplying equipment on time and on budget, but also the maintaining of that equipment.

“We’ve got a very experienced maintenance division that know how National works and the way National runs,” Jensen said.

“The maintenance team makes headaches go away for our clients. But

if you are the headache, they’ll get rid of you, so we try to be as easy to deal with as possible and are committed to getting the job done.”

National Group’s maintenance team are spread across Australia, strategically located in the mining regions that National Group services.

Maintenance staff have a close relationship with the contracted miners, implementing preventive maintenance plans to avoid costly equipment breakdowns.

Alongside National Group’s work on the east coast, the mining services

company is also growing rapidly in Western Australia.

National Group has worked closely with a major miner as part of its autonomous haulage project in the Pilbara region of WA. The project – first announced in October 2022 – has seen a longterm research and development collaboration agreement established for the continued advancement of autonomous technologies.

National Group has been supplying the loading and auxiliary equipment to support the autonomous fleets, including excavators, graders, water trucks and the like.

Like the company’s remote dozing work in NSW, servicing autonomous mining projects is not new territory for National Group, as WA business development manager Craig Binstead explained in more detail.

“We’ve provided equipment to autonomous mine sites for 10-plus years,” Binstead told Australian Mining.

“Whether that’s an excavator, a dozer or a grader, we supply the manned equipment to support driverless machines.”

While National Group’s equipment in this instance is not inherently autonomous, the mining services company works closely with the major miner to understand what is required

NATIONAL GROUP CONTINUES TO GROW ITS FOOTPRINT ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

AUSTRALIANMINING 65 SEPTEMBER 2023

to ensure its offerings complement the precise autonomous technologies at play.

Binstead said this demonstrates National Group’s versatility and ability to evolve with the new technologies and methodologies driving the Australian mining sector into safer and more efficient territory.

“National Group is constantly growing and evolving,” he said.

“Through our various companies, we can offer an end-to-end solution.

“Alongside National Plant and Equipment, we have our haulage division – National Heavy Haulage – and affiliated companies that can deliver a range of diversified services.”

National Mining Services is the company’s wet hire, whole-of-mine offering, while Wolff Mining provides the autonomous expertise.

For machinery sales and sourcing, National Group can leverage National Machinery Xchange (NMX), and International Global Logistics specialises in worldwide shipping and transport logistics of heavy plant and equipment from origin to destination.

It’s a holistic end-to-end offering that’s the envy of other mining services companies and it enables National Group to have clarity across the business when delivering services and supplying equipment to tight deadlines. AM

REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT

A TALE OF TWO MINES QUEENSLAND ISSUED APPROVALS TO TWO DIFFERENT MINES ACROSS JUST THREE DAYS IN JULY. AUSTRALIAN MINING TAKES A CLOSER LOOK.

H

ome to more than 50 major coal mines and over 100 metalliferous mines, the sunshine state has long been associated with the mining history of Australia.

And Queensland is not a state to shy away from the spotlight when it comes to mining, boasting the title of the world’s largest supplier of silver, along with hosting some of the highest-grade graphite in the world.

With so much ore funnelling out of the state, it can be hard to keep up with the list of mines that call Queensland home.

Many will be familiar with major examples like Evolution Mining’s Ernest Henry copper-gold mine near Cloncurry or BHP’s Peak Downs coal mine on the central coast, but July of this year saw approvals given to two separate mines in a span of three days – and they may be the next big things.

Ensham coal mine

Originally owned by Japanese oil giant Idemitsu, the Ensham coal mine near Emerald has been producing high energy thermal coal since 1993.

The mine changed hands in February 2023 when Idemitsu transferred its 85 per cent interest to South Africabased energy company Thungela, Swiss investment group Audley Energy and Australian company Mayfair Group.

With current production levels standing tall at 5.3 million tonnes per annum, the Ensham mine was previously allowed to mine through to 2028, until the Australian Government stepped in.

In early July, the Government gave its approval for coal to be mined at Ensham for a further nine years. It was the first thermal coal project approved by the Government since it was elected in 2022.

Thanks to the mine-life boost, Ensham is set to produce an estimated 39 million tonnes of thermal coal throughout its life, with an export value of $3.66 billion.

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was quick to assure that the approval was made in accordance with the current environmental laws.

“The Federal Government has to make decisions in accordance with the facts and the national environment law.

That’s what happens on every project, and that’s what’s happened here,” a spokeswoman for Plibersek said.

QUEENSLAND HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MINING CAPITALS OF AUSTRALIA.

Majority owner Thungela has not wavered in backing its decision to purchase the coal mine, which supports a workforce of more than 600 people.

“The sale delivers on Thungela’s strategy to pursue geographic diversification and is in a commodity we understand well and in which we can leverage our core skills,” the company said in a statement.

“It also satisfies our investment evaluation criteria of responsible stewardship, upgrading our

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVED COAL MINING AT ENSHAM FOR A FURTHER NINE YEARS. AUSTRALIANMINING 66 SEPTEMBER 2023

asset portfolio and maximising shareholder value.

“It is a step towards de-risking our underlying business and bolstering our resilience, recognising the ongoing infrastructure challenges in South Africa.”

The Ensham coal mine has been a staple of the Emerald community in central Queensland since 1993 and, with its updated mine life, it is set to remain that way for the foreseeable future.

REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT

THE SCONI PROJECT WILL MINE CRITICAL MINERALS NEEDED FOR THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE INDUSTRY.

THANKS TO THE MINE-LIFE BOOST, ENSHAM IS SET TO PRODUCE AN ESTIMATED 39 MILLION TONNES OF THERMAL COAL THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE, WITH AN EXPORT VALUE OF $3.66 BILLION.”

Sconi project

In a sharp pivot away from the traditional coal mine, the Sconi critical minerals project was given the green light by the Queensland Government on July 6. The site will be constructed in the Greenvale mining area in north Queensland.

Australian Mines was granted the lease for the project, which features high-level deposits of cobalt, nickel and scandium, all of which are crucial in the manufacture of batteries for the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

With a planned mine life of 30 years, the Sconi project is set to see the EV industry through for the next three decades.

“Around the world, communities are demanding and making the shift towards a cleaner, greener low-emission economy,” Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said.

“Queensland has an abundance of the critical minerals the world needs to decarbonise. The Sconi project is a vote of confidence in Queensland’s resources sector and means more good jobs for the state’s north.”

The project is expected to produce almost 47,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of nickel and 7000tpa cobalt, both of which it aims to produce in a carbon-neutral way.

To achieve this goal, Australian Mines will be using a method of tailings storage called dry stacking.

Considered the most sustainable method

AUSTRALIANMINING 67 SEPTEMBER 2023

for tailings storage available, dry stacking involves compacting the tailings in a mound that is then covered by native soil and vegetation.

When Sconi starts commissioning in 2028, it will supply its stock to LG Energy Solution under a sixyear exclusive supply deal, while supporting 800 jobs.

“The Queensland Government is backing the development of the state’s critical minerals sector through the recently released Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy,” Stewart said.

“And planning is well underway on the $75 million Queensland Resources Common User facility, a multi-user, multi-purpose warehouse designed to prove up the commercial viability of critical minerals in Queensland.”

In addition to the Sconi project, July saw the Queensland Government award EQ Resources a contract to redevelop the Wolfram Camp and Bamford Hill mines.

EQ Resources will undertake exploration activities across 480km2 in an effort to find more critical minerals deposits.

Alongside the Ensham coal mine and the Sconi project, the new contract will bring much-needed local jobs to the region while supporting the booming resources sector of the region.

The only question left to ask: what commodity will be given the green light next? AM

DIGITAL MINING

DIGITALLY TRANSFORMING WATER AUSTRALIAN MINING SAT DOWN WITH XYLEM TO DISCUSS ITS RIPPLE EFFECT WHITE PAPER AND THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING A HOLISTIC APPROACH WHEN ADOPTING DIGITAL CHANGE.

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lobal technology providers such as Xylem are playing a critical role in facilitating the digital evolution of the Australian resources industry.

Parallel with its reputation as a key original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and solutions provider for water applications in the sector, Xylem is ushering in new digital innovations and ideas that are challenging the status quo.

The company’s commitment to digitalisation is embodied in its recently released Ripple Effect white paper, something Xylem Vue digital solutions manager Kevin Tasker said forms part of the company’s broader mission: “Let’s Solve Water”.

“Everything we do within the home, in industry, on a mine site, involves water and treating water – it’s a whole ecosystem,” Tasker told Australian Mining.

“So the idea of Ripple Effect is to look at different organisations and consider, ‘How can we source, treat and use water in the most sustainable and environmentally conscious way possible?’”

In preparing Ripple Effect, Tasker he worked with customers on reducing their carbon footprint, which included looking at amenable technologies from source to treatment.

“In one instance, we looked at smart metering which can help to identify leaks,” he said.

“So it’s about combining technologies in the market to be more sustainable and achieve better efficiencies.

“This is the ethos of Ripple Effect and being able to communicate with utilities both large and small to say, ‘These are the steps that you can take. This is the foundation work that you can do’.

“Then we can get that ‘ripple effect’ through their operations.”

The Ripple Effect insights are particularly pertinent to the resources industry, given the range and scale of water applications on a mine site.

Tasker said there are opportunities for mining companies to harness the ‘ripple effect’ thinking when carrying out closure and rehabilitation activities.

“I have a personal interest in mine rehabilitation, something which the mining industry must be vigilant about,” he said. “From a regulatory point of view, mining companies are facing increased

scrutiny regarding that final transition from operating mine to mine closure.

“And many mining companies only know what they know in terms of what’s possible within a particular part of the water lifecycle process. They don’t always have this overarching understanding of, ‘How can I optimise different parts of operations and maintenance, and how do I then transpose that into the lifecycle?’”

This is where Xylem’s end-to-end insight and offerings can encourage mining companies to consider their operations holistically and understand the importance of proactive water management as part of this.

“Miners less vigilant about their environmental management will take off the topsoil, push it to one side and use it later,” Tasker said.

“In doing that, they are completely degrading the soil. So you have this opportunity where there may be an abundance of groundwater, even in the driest places, and they can potentially use that to help irrigate and maintain soil health, biomass and biodiversity.”

Xylem can play an important role in this process by not only connecting the necessary water pumps, but by

AUSTRALIANMINING 68 SEPTEMBER 2023

integrating an end-to-end process that harnesses the company’s digital software and expertise.

“Operators don’t have to be worried about, ‘I’ve got to come up with this whole digital solution’,” Tasker said.

“They can connect some initial steps to achieve a goal rather than being concerned by an immediate upfront large-scale digitisation commitment.”

If a miner has already taken the steps to deploy siloed digital processes, Xylem can also help connect the dots.

“If you can identify a few digital processes that are already in place, connect them and create an optimisation, that can create momentum – especially for smaller mine sites – for further digital optimisation and improved water management processes,” Tasker said.

“Through our agnostic approach, Xylem can provide solutions to complement any existing digital technology, hardware, infrastructure or strategy. We understand the importance of working with people, processes and technology in achieving new operational optimisations.”

Tasker used an example of an existing mining customer benefiting

DIGITAL MINING

WATER IS CRITICAL TO MANY DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS ON A MINE SITE.

from Xylem’s holistic digital offerings.

In this case, the Australian mining company accesses water through a desalination plant.

“The customer runs its desalination plant at full capacity to make sure they get the right water quality, but what they’re not doing is maybe optimising some processes before that in terms of dewatering or filtering before the water is treated,” Tasker said.

“So we’ve been gathering information about their process. This includes analysing existing SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems, pumps, flow and retention time and from that they will be able to reduce costs for the maintenance of the desalination plant.”

Tasker said the customer can also realise secondary benefits from Xylem’s support. A more efficient and less exhaustive water treatment process can also reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs.

And this case study is not only relevant to the water treatment processes of a desalination plant, with all other water applications in the mining industry able to benefit from Xylem’s expertise and offerings.

Today’s inflationary pressures are affecting bottom lines, and that means mining companies are scrutinising expenditure more than ever.

A WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT A MINE SITE.

AUSTRALIANMINING 69 SEPTEMBER 2023

In the wake of such economic difficulties, Tasker said mining companies must build more resilience into their business.

“We look at the past to plan the future and when we look at growth, COVID was obviously a big challenge to that, and immigration fell off, meaning less people were coming to Australia,” he said.

“So the factors driving decisionmaking are changing, and companies need to build in more resilience into their business.

“Traditionally, resilience has meant putting in extra infrastructure, ‘We’ll put in extra tanks, a reservoir or another treatment plant’, but we can’t do that anymore. The money is simply not there to do that.

“First of all, you have to know how your system or process is operating and what that may look like as a digital system. Optimal placing of sensors into a system or process drives data capture and data model creation while offering a far better understanding into its performance and capacity.

“This digital foundation then allows the use of machine learning and AI to identify optimisations opportunities in the form of recommendations or ultimately a pathway to dynamic control of operations.”

Tasker said many mining companies understand their digital strategy and framework in some, way, shape or form, but not all are necessarily implementing it well as they could be.

“A lack of a holistic digital overview, gaps in process data combined with demarcated silos of operational responsibility makes the implementing of ‘digital intelligence systems’ challenging but not impossible,” Tasker said.

“Ironically, the impacts of global geopolitical instability, skyrocketing costs in the global supply chains, coupled with societal demands for greenhouse gas reductions and decarbonisation of the mining industry may have accelerated water as the element to meet these resilience challenges.

“Xylem’s approach to efficient use water throughout the whole mining process and lifecycle is to help our customers find digital opportunities to continually improve their performance not matter how big or small. “ Digitalisation is offering mining companies insight and data access on a new scale, but this represents something of a catch-22: more inputs don’t always lead to greater operational productivity, safety and sustainability.

It’s the miners that holistically embrace digitalisation that are best off, and global technology providers such as Xylem are playing a critical role in facilitating this thinking. AM

AIR COMPRESSION

ZERO-EMISSION AIR COMPRESSION AS A GLOBALLY RENOWNED OEM, ATLAS COPCO IS DRIVING THE NEXT EVOLUTION IN SUSTAINABLE AIR COMPRESSOR SOLUTIONS.

ATLAS COPCO’S E-AIR AIR COMPRESSORS REQUIRE MUCH LESS MAINTENANCE THAN DIESEL ALTERNATIVES.

D

iesel is one of the world’s great conveniences, providing accessible and typically affordable fuel for heavy industries.

But as prices rise and the need to decarbonise increases, there is a rising push to consider cost-effective, sustainable alternatives.

Compressed air is a key source of power in the Australian resources sector, supporting a range of applications from exploration drilling to maintenance, blasting and underground ventilation systems.

As technologies advance, zeroemission air compressors are the next evolution in this space, and Atlas Copco has developed a solution that will limit a mining company’s carbon footprint while maintaining its output.

Enter Atlas Copco’s E-Air range of air compressors, which deliver several key advantages for the Australian mining sector.

“One of the advantages of the E-Air range compared to diesel options is a reduction in maintenance costs, as the compressors require very little service” Atlas CEA brand leader David Buttigieg told Australian Mining.

“The E-Air compressors have a longer operational life, they’re more portable, and because mine sites have existing power generation, mining companies can just plug in and go.”

Remove the need for fuel costs and the E-Air range reduces the total cost of ownership.

“The cost of ownership is a lot less because you’re not running the diesel, you’re not maintaining the diesel –

THE E-AIR AIR COMPRESSORS DELIVER SEVERAL KEY ADVANTAGES FOR THE AUSTRALIAN MINING SECTOR.

you’re only servicing the air-end inside, which is a lot more efficient compared to previous filtration systems in the Atlas range.”

E-Air maintenance is not only less frequent (once every two years or after 2000 hours) but also quick and easy when the times comes, with complete servicing taking as little as 30 minutes on most models.

“Atlas Copco has redeveloped the way filtration systems run,” Buttigieg said. “The E-Air compressors up to 450 cfm (cubic feet per minute) use spin off filters, which reduces down time and cost of ownership.

“The E-Air range can be serviced a lot faster and easier.”

Buttigieg said the E-Air portfolio offers compressors from 185cfm up to 1100cfm. The efficiency of the E-Air range equates to 40 per cent more air flow from the same power consumption.

There is also increased control in the flow and pressure of the E-Air range. This is because they operate on a variable speed drive (VSD) and Atlas Copco’s pace technology, which allows operators to easily control the flow and pressure.

“If mining companies have applications where they need a smaller amount of air and pressure, they can easily wind that down,” Buttigieg said.

“If they need something in between, they can do that, and if they need increased air and pressure through pace technology, then they have the maximum flow and pressure that the machine was sold at.

AUSTRALIANMINING 70 SEPTEMBER 2023

“That gives them more control and a higher level of operator safety than what is possible with a diesel engine.”

The VSD motor also enables a low-power start, meaning operators don’t require a high-power load to start the machine.

Having established a strong footprint in industries such as mining, construction, oil and gas, underground jack leg drilling, abrasive blasting and marine applications, the E-Air compressors are still building a following in the Australian mining sector.

But as environmental, social and governance (ESG) obligations increase, mining companies need to be openminded if they are going to hit their sustainability targets.

While battery-powered air compressors are on the horizon, the technology is still in its early stages.

This is where the E-Air range can be the stepping stone out of diesel and towards a more environmentally friendly mining operation.

And an electric air compressor range from a globally renowned original equipment manufacturer such as Atlas Copco is as good as any, something further complemented by the capabilities of Atlas’ Australian distributor, Atlas CEA. Atlas CEA has a comprehensive service team across its branches in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and South Australia, as well as through its regional service partners, with technicians at the ready for servicing or if a customer runs into any troubles. AM

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MINING TECHNOLOGY

MOTION HAS LAUNCHED A NEW ONLINE STORE AND KNOWLEDGE HUB.

MOTION OPENS ITS DIGITAL FRONT DOOR MOTION HAS LAUNCHED A NEW ONLINE STORE AND KNOWLEDGE HUB TO BETTER SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE RESOURCES SECTOR.

A

leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts, and a provider of industrial solutions, Motion has announced its new online store and industry knowledge hub: motion.com.au The innovative platform has been specifically designed to cater to the diverse needs of customers across major industries, transforming their digital experience.

Nick Kerwin, executive general manager of sales, and Zac Gray, head of eCommerce, have hailed the platform’s launch as a significant milestone in Motion’s ongoing commitment to delivering convenience, easy-to-access product information and search features, as well as comprehensive industry knowledge and support.

“The site enhances our branch network by allowing customers to seamlessly shop around the clock and connects them closer than ever to their local branch through live pricing and availability,” Gray said.

Kerwin said the new platform is a major step for the company.

“It enables us to engage with our customers through our online

channels and open a digital front door to them,” he said.

“It has been designed from the ground up with the customer in mind, ensuring it’s user-friendly and easy to navigate Motion’s vast range of products.”

THE SITE ENHANCES OUR BRANCH NETWORK

BY ALLOWING CUSTOMERS TO SEAMLESSLY SHOP AROUND THE CLOCK AND CONNECTS THEM CLOSER THAN EVER TO THEIR LOCAL BRANCH THROUGH LIVE PRICING AND AVAILABILITY.”

The new platform represents a significant upgrade from the previous digital offering, featuring a sleek and highly intuitive user interface that is designed to provide customers with an easy online experience.

The development of Motion’s innovative online platform is a testament

to the hard work and dedication of the entire Motion team, with Kerwin and Gray playing active roles in bringing the project to life over two years of meticulous planning and execution.

The Motion team underwent extensive training to ensure smooth site navigation, demonstrating the company’s commitment to providing a seamless and user-friendly experience to its customers.

Kerwin and Gray acknowledge their colleagues’ tireless work to ensure that the new online store and knowledge hub ticks all the boxes.

Motion’s latest platform has been designed with businesses of all sizes and industries in mind, providing a convenient online experience for customers from the comfort of their devices.

Customers can navigate the extensive catalogue of MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) replacement parts, which includes a range of products such as bearings, power transmission components, hydraulic and industrial hoses, safety products, and material handling equipment from any device.

With just a few clicks, customers can also conveniently access their account information, view their order history and invoices, and check the pricing and availability of products based on their

AUSTRALIANMINING 72 SEPTEMBER 2023

location, making for a swift and stressfree ordering process.

In addition to the online store, Motion’s new platform also includes an industry knowledge hub, converging various useful features into one convenient place.

“The fact that the knowledge hub is available for customers, displaying features like the keyword search, lets them really focus on what’s important, which is a great benefit,” Kerwin said.

“They don’t have to try and look at a whole suite of products, services and engineering solutions and wonder, how do I navigate my way through there?

“Regardless of what industry a customer is in, they’ll be able to access case studies where Motion has visited manufacturers or processing plants around Australia and provided support, so the ability to have instant access to all of that knowledge is a real benefit for businesses.”

Motion unveiled its new online store and industry knowledge hub in August.

By providing a streamlined and efficient way for customers to access the necessary information they need, these new offerings are poised to become indispensable resources for customers of all types. AM

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MINING EQUIPMENT

CHANGING THE FACE OF O2 SUPPLY AIR LIQUIDE IS CONTINUING TO DEVELOP ITS OXYGEN TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE MINING EASIER AND SMOOTHER FOR ITS CUSTOMERS.

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aving been in the business since 1902, Air Liquide knows a thing or two about how the mining sector can benefit from oxygen.

The company is constantly redefining and developing its technologies to help ensure the Australian mining industry can continue to produce the quantity and quality of ore for which it is so widely known.

One of these technologies is Pressure Swing Absorption, or PSA, which can produce oxygen on-site.

“We have ridden the waves of PSA development for over 30 years,” national and key account manager – mining and extraction Rick Edwards told Australian Mining.

“The last decade saw a strong shift towards bulk liquid supply, but the tide is beginning to turn and PSAs are again being favoured by the industry.

“This is flagshipped by Air Liquide recently commissioning our first PSA in Western Australia in more than 10 years.”

PSA technology is a leading form of on-site oxygen production for medium to high oxygen consumers operating in the 10–30tpd (tonnes of O2 per day) range.

It has always been a popular supply mode for gold mine applications due to their remote proximity and the typical oxygen consumption profiles.

Edwards called the installation a significant milestone for Air Liquide.

“We have revolutionised the PSA solution with a number of key design

aspects to significantly increase the reliability and safety of the plant,” he said.

“The plant was designed by local experts and assembled in our WA facility in Henderson.

“The unique design has drawn many eyes from within Air Liquide’s global network and the success of the commissioning signals a revival of the supply mode. We now have a proven solution we can offer with confidence to existing and new customers.”

PSAs have long been the traditional go-to oxygen supply application for most mine sites.

However, the first generation of PSAs had been steadily wearing down due to the usually hot climate of the Australian mine.

“These issues were compounded by an increase in bulk liquid availability and bulk delivery efficiencies,” Edwards said.

“With the low capital cost for the customer and ample supply pressure, the bulk solution became more reliable and cost-effective.

“These changes prompted Air Liquide to revisit PSA technology, but we did so with a revitalised approach.

“The primary objective was to develop a standardised plant that is capable of delivering the typical supply pressure required by our customers while avoiding an oxygen booster, something we are proud to say we have successfully achieved.”

Air Liquide can also offer overthe-fence (OTF) or build-ownoperate (BOO) packages to suit a customer’s needs.

AIR LIQUIDE HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 1902 AND IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING A SEAMLESS CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.

“With these packages, Air Liquide takes everything in hand, including installation, operation and maintenance, telemonitored performance tracking and full back-up,” Edwards said.

“An OTF or BOO model is the only way to encase a full oxygen supply solution with guaranteed

AIR LIQUIDE ON-SITE OXYGEN PORTFOLIO. AUSTRALIANMINING 75 SEPTEMBER 2023

performance. A supply agreement between both parties ensures the plant meets the agreed flow rate, pressure, purity and ongoing availability.

“Any shortfall in purity or flow rate or any unplanned downtime is addressed by the supplier’s liquid back-up system with no impact to the customer, so the incentive is on us to ensure a reliable system.”

While the revolutionised PSA solution provides an answer to the medium oxygen consumer, Air Liquide is also revolutionising solutions for large consumers, and this is evident with the introduction of its newgeneration APSA technology “The APSA O2 is the latest in lowcarbon technology, capable of delivering large volumes of oxygen with high energy efficiency,” Edwards said.

“The APSA uses cryogenic distillation to deliver a higher purity at a reduced energy consumption. It brings the benefits of cryogenic distillation to a market segment that has previously had no alternative to multiple VSAs (vacuum swing adsorption). This is very exciting, as we can now offer the most efficient solution available on the market to high gaseous oxygen consumers.” AM

REHABILITATION

DENDRA’S DRONES IN ACTION.

FASTER REHABILITATION AT SCALE DENDRA SYSTEMS HARNESSES DRONE TECHNOLOGY AND AI TO MAP ENTIRE MINE SITES TO PROVIDE EXPANSIVE AND ACTIONABLE ECOLOGICAL INSIGHTS.

“I

’ve been in the industry about six years now and I’ve definitely seen a massive change in that time.”

Dendra Systems ecological consultant Sophian Manik was clear when describing the WA mining industry’s increased vigilance regarding ecosystem restoration.

When Manik spoke to Australian Mining, he detailed two reasons this was the case.

“Mining companies are now more focused on their rehabilitation work and are working to improve outcomes,” he said. “We’re hearing this across an increasing number of conversations.

“Miners are also utilising technology better as they improve their mine rehab practices.”

The industry at large is also under increased pressure from stakeholders, investors and local communities to boost its ecological performance, a product of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) era being in full swing.

To embrace the revolution, the WA mining sector has been turning to environmental technology companies such as Dendra to address these changing requirements.

Dendra is a champion of the mine rehabilitation ideology and technology, helping miners to improve rehab practices and promoting the important role new technology can play.

The company has an intimate understanding of the unique Australian landscape, something which stems from the company’s deep passion for the environment.

“Dendra has a good mix of people who are not only environmental experts, but equally passionate about ensuring the environment is treated respectfully and intelligently,” Dendra data ecology team lead Zach Borthwick told Australian Mining.

“We know a lot about industry standards in WA, and we know a lot about the industry requirements when it comes to the environment. We also have a bunch of ecologists like me who are passionate about doing something for the environment.

“I think that combination of expertise and passion has created a very strong culture at Dendra, which enhances our work in the field.”

Borthwick said his fieldwork typically involves conducting ground truthing flora surveys to identify weed species and the presence of protected species on a mine site. This enables miners to take the relevant actions and to abide by environmental regulations to ensure their mine footprint doesn’t impact native flora.

Dendra has a suite of technology solutions that are complemented by its ecology expertise, including an AIenabled platform and a custom drone fleet providing high-resolution full-site data capture and seeding solutions.

Dendra regional sales manager Rhys Sherborne said the strategy for WA is to provide ecological insights at scale.

“A small percentage of the insight we can provide would be the industry norm, but we can complete whole-ofmine landform assessments to show how clients are progressing and if there are controllable factors they can influence to reverse or enhance their ecosystem situation,” he told Australian Mining.

MINING COMPANIES ARE NOW MORE FOCUSED ON THEIR REHABILITATION WORK AND ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES.”

“For example, for a miner experiencing erosion issues at their operations, we’ve got tools that can support the understanding of that over time, and the remediation and fixing of these issues as well.

“Ultimately, we can provide granularlevel detail over periods of time that companies can use as tangible insight to improve the outcomes of their operation.”

Dendra’s ability to capture a miner’s environmental performance and distil it into easy-to-understand, actionable insights has enabled the company to expand.

Since Sherborne joined Dendra in 2021, the company has grown its WA client-base fourfold.

“The understanding and awareness of Dendra as an organisation has grown significantly as we’ve increased our

DENDRA HAS AN INTIMATE UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNIQUE AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPE.

AUSTRALIANMINING 76 SEPTEMBER 2023

REHABILITATION

DENDRA IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE MINING SECTOR.

engagement and communication with the WA mining sector,” Sherborne said.

“This has coincided with increased uptake of our services, whether clients are interested in our seeding offerings and our ability to provide large-scale actionable insights.”

The ability to deliver on a promise and resonate with a client’s unique requirements has created a ripple effect for Dendra, enabling the company to generate return business as it expands its new client base.

From a technology standpoint, Dendra’s drone fleet has evolved ecological practices usually conducted on foot, accelerating and automating mapping and surveying to expand data capture possibilities and improve safety.

“The field elements of the ecology study still play an important role, but we are now able to set up in one spot and fly drones from there,” Dendra senior drone pilot Tirna Cahill told Australian Mining.

“No one’s walking through the native bush, so we’ve removed that risk to the person and, depending on the size of the project, we can map up to 800 hectares a day.”

Ecological insights are generated faster and on a larger scale, while Dendra can also expedite mine rehab processes, with the company’s seeding drones able to cover vast distances, including hardto-access areas.

Cahill said while drones have typically been operated within line

of sight, technology is evolving to enable complete automation beyond traditional possibilities.

“In the long term, I see drone technology becoming even more automated,” she said.

“I think it will reach a stage of being able to fly drones out of the box and we would operate them from an office in Perth.”

Cahill said evolving into beyond-lineof-sight drone operation would enable Dendra to expand its offerings even further, ensuring it can efficiently restore and rehab as many spaces as possible.

The company also has an increased focus on research and development (R&D).

“We’re constantly evolving,” Cahill said. “WA covers a huge area and the climate in the north of the state is completely different to the south, so we need to evolve our seeding mechanisms to cater for these unique environments.

“R&D plays an important role, and we’re always learning and improving as a result of all of our projects.

“How can we ensure that every seed has the best opportunity to germinate and reach maturity?

“At the end of the day, we want to ensure that if you were a hiker exploring an environment where an old mine was located, you would never know it was previously a mine – the environment has been fully rehabilitated back to its natural form.” AM

DENDRA FIELD ECOLOGY MANAGER GUY SMITH.

AUSTRALIANMINING 77 SEPTEMBER 2023

DEWATERING

A PROVEN WINNER A RECENT TRIAL OF THE HAMERSLEY SYSTEM FOR RAPID IN-PIT DEWATERING AT A SIZEABLE MINE IN THE PILBARA PROVED TO BE A “GAME-CHANGER”.

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rusader Hose’s Hamersley system has proven itself to be an innovative, efficient and user-friendly method for rapid in-pit dewatering.

This was borne out during a recent trail at an iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, where, according to the company, the installation of the 500m flexible layflat pipeline was completed within a fraction of the time in comparison to a rigid pipeline of poly pipe.

The trial came about when Crusader Hose, a leading Australian manufacturer of flexible layflat hose and reel systems for the resources sector, was keen to introduce its Hamersley system to another mine.

Crusader approached a large operator in the Pilbara to consider its solution to an age-old problem – mine dewatering.

After months of negotiations, the mine dewatering manager agreed to the proposed trial.

The 500m of Waterlord layflat hose wound on three reels, suitable couplings and the Hamersley reel drive unit was dispatched from Melbourne and delivered within five days of the agreement being reached.

Two technical experts from Crusader Hose flew out to the site to conduct the training and oversee the system’s installation. The team assembled in the pit to learn about flexible layflat pipelines and the handling features of the Hamersley reel drive unit (RDU).

The robust Waterlord hose is capable of withstanding pumping at 2800 kilopascal (kPa). Its flange couplings quickly connect lengths with bolts, allowing pipelines to be constructed swiftly. The RDU, with its couplers, gets its power from a supplied plant.

With the push of a button, the Hamersley takes the effort out of handling the pipeline.

A minimum of two operators is required: one to drive the plant and the other to give clear instructions to the driver, to guide the hose, and to fit and connect the couplings.

The brief for the project was a typical in-pit dewatering scenario: lay a temporary pipeline between the pump and the poly pipe outlet.

After the mobile pump was driven to the deepest part of the pit on a 4WD ute and put into position, the plan was to connect the RDU, fit the reel and deploy the hose.

The Hamersley RDU was connected to the front-end loader via the forklift tynes and hydraulic hoses. The first reel of 200m of eight-inch high-pressure Waterlord hose was deployed in just under 20 minutes.

THE HAMERSLEY REEL DRIVE UNIT IS RUN BY HYDRAULIC POWER THROUGH A SUPPLIED PLANT.

AUSTRALIANMINING 78 SEPTEMBER 2023

DEWATERING

CRUSADER HOSE’S FLEXIBLE PIPELINE EASILY TAKES THE CONTOURS OF THE TERRAIN AND AROUND EQUIPMENT.

The second reel soon followed with equal efficiency, as did 100m of the third reel. A utility knife was all that was needed to cut the hose to the required length.

The flanges were quickly fitted and the Emu clamps bolted together, all of which took place within an hour.

One end of the hose was connected to the pump via a six-inch Flexiline hose, the other to the poly line. Once the pump was started, the layflat pipeline was brought to life and proceeded to drain the pit – to much applause.

Fitting a reel onto the Hamersley and deploying the hose was done with a minimum workforce, and the speed and ease with which the hose was laid surprised many present.

The flexible pipeline easily took to the contours of the terrain and comfortably went around the buckets that were left alongside the track.

From the bottom of the pit to the poly line, the team installed the 500m pipeline in roughly two hours.

No heavy lifting, welding or digging was required, nor was the need to build supports.

Never having experienced flexible layflat hose solutions, one of the operators at the site was excited by the possibilities.

“We have many more such situations, and we’ll be looking to source more layflat hose,” the operator said.

Crusader Hose managing director Francois Steverlynck said introducing mines to the Hamersley system has been something of a challenge, as many

CRUSADER HOSE’S PRODUCTS, INCLUDING ITS WATERLORD HOSE, ARE STRONG, ROBUST AND AUSTRALIAN-MADE.

THE ROBUST WATERLORD HOSE IS CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING PUMPING AT 2800 KILOPASCAL (KPA). ITS FLANGE COUPLINGS QUICKLY CONNECT LENGTHS WITH BOLTS, ALLOWING PIPELINES TO BE CONSTRUCTED SWIFTLY. dewatering engineers are reluctant to make a paradigm shift from poly pipe to flexible layflat.

“We’ve been knocking on the door of the mining industry for many years, knowing we have the technology and systems to make their job easier and more efficient,” Steverlynck said.

“We’ve worked successfully with those who listen and are willing to take a chance. Once they experience the benefits of a layflat hose solution, they can’t believe they’ve waited so long.

“Our most recent successful installation is yet another attestation of our engineering and manufacturing success.”

AUSTRALIANMINING 79 SEPTEMBER 2023

One of the mining managers who agreed to the most recent trial was impressed.

“There is an expectation to seek more efficient and safe mining practices, and this engineered system from Crusader Hose is a case in point,” the mine manager said.

Steverlynck understands some initial reluctance, but feels people who take the chance and try Crusader Hose’s flexible pipelines will be happy with the results.

“Any new system takes time to master; however, all we ask is that if you ever run into a glitch, talk to us,” he said.

“We can either troubleshoot through a phone consultation or come out to your mine and offer expert advice.” AM

AUTONOMOUS MINING

AUTOMATING THE FUTURE

H

HEXAGON HAS EXPANDED ITS MINING DIVISION BY ACQUIRING KEY COMPANIES AND CREATING AN AUTONOMOUS PORTFOLIO. exagon’s Mining division has seen considerable success through flagship solutions designed to help miners increase productivity and safety.

To continue this success, Hexagon announced its autonomous mining portfolio at HxGN LIVE Global in Las Vegas in June. By helping to autonomously manage vehicle traffic, improve fleet situational awareness and introduce drill automation, Hexagon’s

new autonomous mining portfolio empowers mines to future-proof their operations and address challenges such as operational productivity and decarbonisation.

Australian Mining spoke to Hexagon vice president of autonomy Andrew

HEXAGON’S MISSION MANAGER ACTS AS THE CENTRAL COMMAND-AND-CONTROL SYSTEM BY TELLING THE OPERATOR WHERE THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO GO.

HEXAGON’S NEW AUTONOMOUS MINING SUBDIVISION AIMS TO HELP MANAGE VEHICLE TRAFFIC.

AUSTRALIANMINING 80 SEPTEMBER 2023

Crose about the importance of autonomous mining, where safety is first and foremost.

“When you look at mining as an industry and compare it to other industries, it still rates as a less safe industry,” Crose said.

“Where the industry still struggles is fatalities, accidents and incidents. When you ask any person to operate machinery for a 12-hour shift in the middle of the night, it’s just not something that humans are designed to do.

“As we look to the future, with more mining jobs in automation and technology, it’s becoming a much more attractive industry for people.”

Hexagon’s autonomous mining portfolio arrives at a time where the mining sector is still realising its autonomous potential.

“The reality is most autonomous projects are still proof-of-concepts or they fail to achieve their goals,” Crose said.

“Unless you have a very typical mine and are buying a legacy original equipment manufacturer (OEM) system to implement into a stock-standard mine, the autonomous projects are not meeting the expectations of customers.”

To rectify this issue, Hexagon is creating a specialised team of autonomous experts to help deliver large fleets of autonomous vehicles to create value for customers. Through its autonomous mining business, customers will see many applications and advantages. “(Hexagon) breaks down the technology into key drivers to enable a fully autonomous site,” Crose said.

“First is the central command system – the Mission Manager – that tells you where the vehicle is supposed to go, what assignment it needs to do next, and how it interacts with other vehicles in that drive.

“Then we have the World Perception solution, which is effectively the eyes and ears of the system. Through different sensors, it’s keeping track of all the vehicles, objects and people around that autonomous vehicle.

“Then we have on-board autonomy, which is the hands and feet of an autonomous system as it handles steering, braking, the gear-changing, even down to honking the horn and flashing the windshield wipers.”

Hexagon has made acquisitions to bolster its autonomous mining portfolio, such as acquiring Canadian automation company HARD-LINE in July.

“HARD-LINE brings an additional piece to the autonomous mining technology stack,” Crose said. “(The acquisition) allows us to leverage

AUTONOMOUS MINING

their library of close to 200 vehicles.

If the vehicles have gone tele-remote and remote, we can leverage them into full autonomy.”

HARD-LINE’s addition complements a decades-long organic and inorganic growth strategy that has transformed Hexagon into a leader in technology and automation.

“What we’ve brought together through acquisition and internal development is the most comprehensive technology stack for automation,” Crose said. “We can effectively do everything but make the vehicle now.”

This is enabling Hexagon to take a more holistic view of automation, where automating the entire mine site is not off limits.

“If you look at most legacy systems from OEMs, they’re focused on automating new trucks for new mines,” Crose said. “They’re not focused on automating the full fleet across the mine.

“When you look at our non-OEM competitors, they don’t have the full technology stack Hexagon has assembled.

Others might have to partner with multiple companies to develop a different technology to deliver a final solution.

“With Hexagon’s technology stack, there isn’t a reliance on thirdparty technologies.”

As Hexagon looks to the future, the company has implemented a roadmap to provide continuous improvement for its autonomous mining division.

HEXAGON HAS ACQUIRED HARD-LINE’S TELEOP SYSTEM, WHICH ALLOWS THE TELE-REMOTE OPERATION OF HEAVY MACHINERY FROM A CONTROL STATION IN A SAFE AREA.

“You shouldn’t make every decision on a server, which is one issue legacy systems have in scaling,” Crose said.

“If you have to send all your decisions to a server before it goes out to the haul truck, there’s only so much

you can do until you hit the limits of its infrastructure.

“As edge computing becomes more prominent, we’ve got very robust requirements to build upon that, to the point where in 10 years’

time we expect vehicles to be almost completely independent.

“Our goal is to not just deploy a more autonomous fleet and equipment, but to automate the entire fleet across the mines.” AM

WITH YOU FOR THE LONG HAUL. KEEP YOUR HAUL TRUCK FLEET RUNNING LONGER WITH EXTENDED LIFECYCLE . geographe.com.au AUSTRALIANMINING 81 SEPTEMBER 2023

CONDITION MONITORING

MONITORING THE MINING CONDITION MCLANAHAN HAS DEVELOPED A CONDITION-MONITORING PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE MINING CUSTOMERS’ PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY.

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he mining industry is constantly seeking ways to improve productivity and efficiency of operations through reduced downtime, increased equipment reliability and technological advancements.

One such innovation that has captured the attention of a mine site in New South Wales is automated condition monitoring. In a bid to achieve optimum processing efficiency and profitability, the site’s operators have successfully integrated condition-monitoring technology into its crushing operations.

McLanahan Corporation, a global manufacturer of aggregate and mineral processing equipment, provided the condition-monitoring packages.

This technology was installed on three pieces of the customer’s crushing equipment, which includes a McLanahan feeder breaker, secondary sizer and tertiary sizer.

The packages are tailored to the site and allow the company to better understand the conditions of its crushing equipment while in operation.

McLanahan’s condition-monitoring package was developed to allow its technicians, along with the customer, to better understand the health of a machine in the field. Technicians can dial into the machine remotely and pass any data back to the company’s engineering team, providing information such as the need for spare parts, overhauls or repairs.

The NSW customer’s site was first upgraded with condition monitoring in August 2020, whereupon sensors were strategically fitted to its tertiary sizer, feeding information back to McLanahan via a remote data communication device.

“The condition-monitoring package can be installed on the full suite of McLanahan equipment, from the smallest machine to the largest machine,” McLanahan electrical design manager Daniel Fairwebster said.

“We can offer a machine with a basic level of package with a basic level of instrumentation, and we can scale it up as required.”

By having a constant monitor on a one or more pieces of equipment, the customer and the manufacturer can ensure they are aware of the lifespan of the machine, as well as any faults that should arise. They can also spot any potential adjustments that can be made in future designs to better suit both parties.

Several equipment conditions and events can be monitored.

Vibration analysis

The condition-monitoring package can use vibration analysis to facilitate failure recognition by separating the signal’s output by the vibration analysers into frequency and amplitude measurements and allowing the user to determine anomalies within the machinery.

Some of the most common issues in the industry include gearbox failures, misalignments, bearing failures and electrical faults in specific parts of the machinery.

The condition-monitoring package can alert the customer when these issues begin to arise, allowing them to pre-empt potential failures and plan accordingly, reducing downtime and enhancing productivity and efficiency.

Temperature monitoring

The condition-monitoring package can use temperature monitoring to show whether any anomalies are taking place in most major components within the equipment.

Data is logged based on any major fluctuations across the equipment.

This highlights any drops or rises in temperature to ensure specific

CONDITION MONITORING ALLOWS TECHNICIANS TO DIAL INTO A MACHINE REMOTELY AND PASS DATA BACK TO A COMPANY’S ENGINEERING TEAM.

components of the machinery are not overheating, locked or generally malfunctioning in a state that would change the temperature.

Speed measurement

Speed measurement allows for the equipment’s runtime to be calculated based on the load weight, temperature and vibration.

Monitoring the speed means the customer can check on the functionality of the equipment based on a variety of factors, generally co-measured before reviewing results.

Motor current

By monitoring the motor current, a customer can determine when their machinery is at its capacity, its lowest working rate, and its peak load weight.

MCLANAHAN TECHNOLOGY WAS INSTALLED ON A CUSTOMER’S FEEDER BREAKER, SECONDARY SIZER AND TERTIARY SIZER.

AUSTRALIANMINING 82 SEPTEMBER 2023

Analysing the load allows a customer to see when their equipment is operating at its best and what factors, in terms of capacity, affect its ability to operate efficiently.

Condition monitoring helps customers reduce downtime and improve equipment reliability. It utilises sensors to monitor different events and can be customised to suit specific site and individual requirements.

It allows customers to pre-empt any potential issues based on previous equipment knowledge.

As with the NSW mine customer, employing a condition-monitoring package ensures machinery is monitored closely and any potential issues are acknowledged with foresight, ultimately enhancing productivity and efficiency. AM

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MINING EQUIPMENT

POWERGRIP GT4 BELTS BOAST A COMPACT, HIGH-PRECISION DRIVE.

GATES’ X-SERIES HYDRAULIC HOSES WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT AIMEX 2023.

X-TRA SPECIAL GATES WILL BE EXHIBITING TWO OF ITS MOST INNOVATIVE PRODUCT LINES AT AIMEX 2023.

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riginal equipment manufacturer (OEM) Gates knows a thing or two about the equipment mines need to function.

Having accumulated a treasure trove of knowledge since opening its doors in 1911, the company is keen to share its latest innovations in hydraulic hoses and heavy-duty v-belts when it arrives at Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) 2023 in Sydney on September 5.

Gates product manager – fluid power Arshad Ashroff told Australian Mining that the company would be at stand number E121 and would be offering attendees the chance to win a Gates arcade drum machine at the event by scanning a QR code to enter into the draw. Ashroff said Gates Australia was “thrilled” to showcase its products and solutions specifically tailored for the mining sector.

“We’re all really looking forward to AIMEX 2023,” Ashroff said.

“People will be able to come to our stand and actually see the differences of our products for themselves.”

As the product manager of fluid power, Ashroff is excited to showcase Gates’ X-Series hydraulic hose range.

“We launched the very first X-Series hose back in 2018 and they have just taken off from there,” he said. “They are applicable for all mining operations, from surface to underground.

“They are more flexible and lightweight than a traditional hydraulic hose, which reduces the assembly time and, in response, reduces the downtime mines can experience.

“With the X-Series, mines don’t have to carry a large variety of hoses on-site because the X-Series is really a one-stop shop.”

Gates’ X-Series hydraulic hoses come in three configurations: the MXG 5K, MXG 4K and MXT, with XtraTuff Plus cover. The XtraTuff Plus abrasionresistant cover on the X-Series hoses offers improved ozone resistance, withstands operating temperatures up to 121°C and delivers durability to power a mine’s most demanding fluid power applications.

“Globally, we have received a lot of feedback from mining customers when it comes to the X-Series,” Ashroff said.

“It’s been really positive to hear about how the X-Series has benefitted our customers, and we’re excited to showcase that in-person at AIMEX and actually let the customers feel the difference for themselves.”

Gates will also be exhibiting its highperformance belt drive solutions at the exhibition.

Product manager – power transmission Rosynes Hernandez is excited to provide attendees with a hands-on experience.

“Our Predator v-belts are designed for the harshest applications … where you wouldn’t expect a v-belt to be able to do its job: dirty environments, harsh heat, and so on,” she said.

“Then you have our PowerGrip GT4 belt, which is kind of a step up from your traditional v-belt. It’s a compact, high-precision drive.”

The beauty of Gates’ highperformance belt drives, Hernandez said, is the fact they have removed unnecessary maintenance steps for a lot of mine sites.

“The Predator v-belts are maintenance-free,” she said. “Then you have our Draftguard anti-rotation device, which not only has maintenance-

AUSTRALIANMINING 84 SEPTEMBER 2023

free bearings but also protects technicians from serious injury during maintenance operations.

“Of course, the Quad Power v-belt is also a great option if a mine is looking to reduce their maintenance downtime.”

Hernandez said that given v-belts have been in the market for a long time, people may not be aware of Gates’ high-performance range. She hopes that the AIMEX exhibition will change that.

“At the exhibition, attendees will be able to see that the technology behind Gates’ equipment is different to the technology behind traditional equipment,” she said.

“We see things differently.

We’re always looking for ways to do things differently.” AM

FINANCE

FINANCE THAT’S NOT JUST FOR EXPORTERS

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AUSTRALIAN MINING TAKES A LOOK AT FINANCING OPTIONS IN THE RESOURCES SECTOR. ustralia has continued to see significant investment into major infrastructure projects, particularly in the resources, green energy and critical minerals sectors.

These investments generate great opportunities for Australian mining and construction contractor participation and create thousands of new jobs. But there is also a need for finance to assist with working capital and contract security provisions.

Export Finance Australia supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Australia to win and deliver on these types of contracts.

Export Finance Australia mining and construction sector lead Aleks Henderson has shared her insights into how Australian SMEs are making the most of these opportunities and addressed what she feels are some of the misconceptions about the organisation.

Due to growing investment into critical minerals and ongoing gold and iron ore projects, there has been

increasing demand for working capital and contract security by SMEs. “In WA particularly, we’re seeing a lot of businesses that are growing rapidly being challenged with access to additional capital and bank guarantee requirements for new contacts,” Henderson said.

For many SMEs in the construction sector, cash cover for bank guarantee requirements ranges from 50–100 per cent. Export Finance Australia can provide contract security at a minimum 20 per cent cash cover, which can free up cash and potentially reduce the need for further finance.

“We’re also seeing contractors being able to negotiate advanced payments to support with mobilisation and upfront cost for materials to help get them onsite sooner,” Henderson said.

“To secure this deposit, however, they are being asked for an advance payment guarantee.”

Export Finance Australia’s advance payment bonds, like performance and warranty bonds, act exactly like a bank guarantee. These finance solutions

can enable businesses to meet the advance payment conditions without having to tie up a large portion of their working capital.

An SME that provides goods and/or services to another business that exports its final product – for example, gold, iron ore or lithium – is considered to be part of an export supply chain.

Export Finance Australia can also support these businesses that are integral to the delivery of export activities.

In the mining and construction services sectors, many Australian SMEs are providing integral goods and/or services to mines and other large projects.

There are a number of recent success stories of businesses that Export Finance Australia has supported.

McNally Contracting Group

Providing full turn-key solutions for remote accommodation villages and non-process infrastructure to the mining, resources, and oil and gas sectors, McNally Contracting Group is a prime example of a business in an export supply chain.

MCNALLY CONTRACTING GROUP NEEDED AN ALTERNATIVE FINANCE SOLUTION AS THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS IT WAS DELIVERING INCREASED.

AUSTRALIANMINING 86 SEPTEMBER 2023

As the number of projects the business was securing increased, it needed an alternative finance solution to cover larger bonding requirements.

Export Finance Australia provided a bond to support McNally Contracting Group’s contract security obligations, freeing up cash flow that would otherwise have been tied up in bank guarantee cash cover requirements.

FINANCE

DCI ELECTRICAL SERVICES FOUND EXPORT FINANCE AUSTRALIA “REALLY UNDERSTOOD THE BUSINESS”.

GROUNDED CONSTRUCTION GROUP APPROACHED EXPORT FINANCE AUSTRALIA TO SUPPORT NEW PROJECTS.

“You’ve got performance guarantees, and then you’ve got your defects liability period,” McNally Group Contracting managing director Mark McNally said. “So while we have the capacity to take on more work, we needed the capacity to provide greater levels of security, and that’s when Export Finance Australia came to our assistance.”

DCI Electrical Services

DCI Electrical Services delivers electrical, civil and plant hire services to multinational corporations in the resources sector.

After winning two large mining projects, the business needed additional working capital and contract security to cover operating expenses and deliver on the contract conditions. With a

loan and a bond from Export Finance Australia, DCI Electrical Services was able to cover its mobilisation and working capital for materials, and meet contractual requirements.

DCI Electrical Services’ managing director and owner John James Greene found that Export Finance Australia “really understood the business”.

“They understood that all our expenses would be at the front end, and they looked at our business rather than just the figures,” he said.

Grounded Construction Group

Grounded Construction Group is a business that designs and installs accommodation camps and site facilities on remote mining sites across Western Australia.

Grounded Construction Group founder and managing director Paul Natoli highlighted that one of the business’s biggest challenges was cash flow, particularly as so much of it ended up tied up in bank guarantees cash security.

To support new projects the business had in the pipeline, Natoli and the team were introduced to Export Finance Australia.

“Having bank guarantees with Export Finance Australia has allowed us to do a lot more within the business,” Natoli said. “It’s freed up a lot more cash flow.”

Furnace solutions

FURNACE SOLUTIONS TURNED TO EXPORT FINANCE AUSTRALIA AFTER WINNING A CONTRACT WITH BHP.

A family-owned and operated Australian business, Furnace Solutions provides demolition services to the minerals and metals processing industry.

After winning a contract at BHP’s Olympic Dam facility in South Australia, Furnace Solutions turned to

AUSTRALIANMINING 87 SEPTEMBER 2023

Export Finance Australia to assist with contract bond funding requirements.

Export Finance Australia provided Furnace Solutions with three bonds to support the delivery of the Australianbased BHP contract.

“Having Export Finance Australia’s support as a local Australianowned company is wonderful,” Furnace Solutions general manager Chad Loan said.

“The ability for us to utilise its financial support as a contractor for another organisation that is exporting its goods is a very valuable funding mechanism.”

Export Finance Australia assesses a business based on its capability and capacity to deliver. It considers cash flow, whether a business has enough employees, its policies and procedures, and whether it has delivered on a similar contract as part of its assessment. This due diligence can also be reassuring to miners issuing contracts.

The types of businesses that Export Finance Australia can support are broad, and it has worked with many SMEs across the mining and construction sectors.

Alongside banks, it can provide a range of flexible finance solutions, including loans, bonds and guarantees to assist businesses to grow.

“We’re always more than happy to have a conversation with businesses, bankers and advisors to explore what finance options are available,” Henderson said.

Whether a business is tendering for a large contract or awaiting a project award, the team at Export Finance Australia is available to help find the right finance solution. AM

INDUSTRY EVENTS

THE EVENT PROVIDES INVALUABLE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.

DRIVING THE INDUSTRY FORWARD

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THE WA MINING CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION IS SET TO RETURN TO PERTH THIS OCTOBER. fter a successful event last year that attracted thousands of attendees, the WA Mining Conference and Exhibition is returning to Perth from October 11–12 2023.

Taking place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event will bring its comprehensive conference program and line-up of expert speakers

who will share their perspectives on opportunities facing the industry.

It’s no secret that Western Australia is a mining leader in terms of technology and innovation, and the conference aims to showcase the technical and digital evolution transforming industry in the state. This year’s event builds on the success of 2022, with quality companies already lining up to attend.

The event features a ticketed conference for thought-leaders, industry and academia that will be running alongside the free-to-attend exhibition.

The conference’s themes cover critical minerals, technical innovation, decarbonisation and environmental, social and governance (ESG), industry outlook, and managing digital risk.

As the conference program takes shape, sponsor Epiroc believes it’s THE 2023 EVENT WILL FEATURE AN EXPANDED EXPO FLOOR.

AUSTRALIANMINING 88 SEPTEMBER 2023

an important event for industry, tech experts and site personnel.

“The world needs metals and minerals for the energy transition, and we need cities that can cope with a growing population in a sustainable way,” an Epiroc spokesperson said.

“To succeed, we need to speed up the shift towards a more sustainable mining and construction industry. We at Epiroc accelerate this transformation.”

Spread over two days, the agenda includes a number of exciting sessions: • The future of Australian mining sector • Mine site operation on 100 per cent renewable energy • Navigating complex transformation with people, technology and processes • Reducing hydrocarbon usage in mining maintenance through predictive analytics and cleanliness programs • Optimising pit-to-port operations with AI-powered orebody learning technology • It’s not mine closure: Is it time for us to rethink the model?

• Enhancing cybersecurity in mining operations • Advancing mine site electrification The event will also include several panel discussions: • Accelerating decarbonisation in the mining industry • Critical minerals: Powering the energy transition • Technologies and innovation shaping the future of mining

INDUSTRY EVENTS

THOUGHT LEADERS WILL BE ON HAND TO DISCUSS THE INDUSTRY.

THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY WILL BE ON DISPLAY.

• Boosting collaborative innovation • Managing third-party cyber risk • Harnessing green energy: Lithium versus hydrogen Presenters and panellists at this year’s conference include WA Energy Minister Bill Johnstone; Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western chief executive officer (CEO) Rebecca Tomkinson; Zenith Energy executive ESG and stakeholder engagement Dominic Da Cruz; Zenith Energy marketing coordinator Ruth Kennedy; idoba president and CEO Sarah Coleman; Rio Tinto principal hydrocarbon management, fixed plant and heavy mobile equipment Aira Carrero; Vulcan Energy Resources executive chairman Francis Wedin; Minerals Council of Australia executive director – WA David Parker; Chameleon Mettle Group CEO Peta Chirgwin; State of Play director Lisa Harwood; MinEx CRC CEO Andrew Bailey; Amira Global CEO Jacqui Coombes; PETRA Data Science head of sales Jordan Herrmann; Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies CEO Guy Boggs; and St Barbara head of IT Sameera Bandara.

The expanded expo floor will allow exhibitors to put their solutions into the spotlight, sharing technical and digital progress that is transforming the way industry operates.

More than 120 suppliers will be on display, including Acubis Technologies, business nbn, ifm efector, Knorr-Bremse Australia and Simoco Wireless Solutions.

The Decarbonisation Zone, a new feature at the WA Mining Conference and Exhibition, will be home to smart and sustainable

PANEL DISCUSSIONS WILL BE A HIGHLIGHT OF THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE.

solutions that meet the sector’s ESG obligations. The Decarbonisation Zone is supported by International Copper Association Australia.

This year’s exhibition is complemented by a free-to-attend seminar series, further encouraging knowledge-sharing within the industry.

Seminar sessions, presented by Adobe, will run throughout the exhibition, with several leading tech companies encouraging robust discussions.

The WA Mining Conference and Exhibition is shaping up to be a mustattend event and sourcing platform for Australian industry, where technical and digital innovation meets operational and executional excellence.

Exhibition director Samantha Martin is looking forward to a successful 2023 event after last year’s WA Mining

Conference and Exhibition reinforced the importance of technology and innovation for the industry.

“The feedback we had after WA Mining 2022 was that the knowledgesharing and discussion made for an extremely valuable event,” she said.

“Exhibitors had incredible exposure to engineers, management and industry decision-makers, and the thought leadership within the conference helped to solidify industry’s contribution to a sustainable future.”

The WA Mining Conference and Exhibition provides an invaluable opportunity for the industry to come together, and this year’s event will also feature a networking function at the end of the first day where attendees can catch up with colleagues and peers over light refreshments.

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There are three ways to attend WA Mining: a two-day paid conference ticket, gives full access to the conference, exhibition floor, networking events and seminar series; a one-day conference ticket also provides full access; and the free exhibition-only ticket allows access to everything but the conference.

The WA Mining Conference and Exhibition is where technical and digital innovation meets operational and executional excellence. From the quality of speakers at the conference through to free-to-attend exhibition, there is much to discover.

When the event returns to Perth from October 11–12, engineers, management, consultants, technology and business optimisation specialists should have it circled in their calendar. AM

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

THE ‘SAME JOB, SAME PAY’ QUESTION THE MINING INDUSTRY HAS SEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE INCOMING REFORMS.

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ustralia’s ‘same job, same pay’ reforms seem quite straightforward on their face. Essentially, employers will be required to pay labour hire workers the same rate as direct employees doing the same job.

But this situation is of particular interest in the mining industry, where labour hire makes up a significant portion of the workforce.

The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) believes the legislation will result in inexperienced workers earning the same as veteran workers and, more generally, disincentivise hard work.

BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery recently expressed concerns over the resulting competitiveness of the Australian resources sector in her address to the American Chamber of Commerce.

She said the company predicts that the reforms may harm its operations, including its Olympic Dam copper mine in South Australia.

“We believe ‘same job, same pay’ could increase the operating costs of our existing operations (in SA) by nearly $200 million per year and maybe up to $500 million in a worst-case scenario,” Slattery said.

“The hit to the value of any potential growth plans in SA could be anywhere up to $US2 billion ($2.98 billion) and this would make it much harder for any South Australian investment case that has to compete with alternative options in other parts of the world.”

Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Bourke has said the law is only meant to lift labour hire workers to the same pay as those on enterprise agreements.

Bourke believes the reforms do not override individual enterprise agreements between employee and employer. It is therefore possible for the ‘same job, same pay’ laws to mandate a baseline entitlement for labour hire

workers that is separate from a higher rate of pay enjoyed by senior staff in accordance with their individual enterprise agreements.

Much of what is known of the reform comes from the original 2021 ‘same job, same pay’ bill, which was rejected at the time.

In an effort to address some of the uncertainty, the MCA has called for a clear and straightforward definition of

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SET TO ENACT THE ‘SAME JOB, SAME PAY’ LEGISLATION THIS YEAR.

THE LEGISLATION WILL REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO PAY LABOUR HIRE WORKERS THE SAME RATE AS DIRECT EMPLOYEES DOING THE SAME JOB.

AUSTRALIANMINING 90 SEPTEMBER 2023

a service contractor to be entrenched in the legislation, and to exclude those businesses from the law.

Bourke has said he does not expect the ‘same job, same pay’ laws would cover contractors performing genuinely specialist or short-term work.

“I’ve been crystal clear with all stakeholders that there are legitimate uses for labour hire that we don’t want to get in the way of,” he said.

“They include for specialist workforce, for surge workforce and for temporary replacement.

“The problem that we’re trying to solve is where an enterprise agreement has been put been in place, where there are agreed rates of pay and then an employer uses a labour hire firm to undercut those rates of pay.”

Rather than an industry-wide exemption of service contractors, Bourke said the Government was considering a multi-factor test to distinguish specialist services from supplemental labour firms.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 81 per cent of labour hire workers are full-time, with 84 per cent not entitled to leave or other entitlements enjoyed by contracted fulltime employees.

In 2019 and 2020, the median annual earnings of people in labour supply services was $33,100, reflecting the shortterm nature of the work.

While this type of data is clear, until the legislation is more clearly defined and its effects made more evident, questions will remain. AM

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INDUSTRY EVENTS

A CRITICAL CONFERENCE STEPHEN GROCOTT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF QUEENSLAND PACIFIC METALS, SPOKE WITH AUSTRALIAN MINING ABOUT THE UPCOMING AUSIMM CRITICAL MINERALS CONFERENCE.

C

ritical minerals have been all the rage lately – and with good reason.

To enable the world to transition to net-zero, massive stockpiles of copper, manganese, nickel, zinc and more are needed.

This year’s AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference, to be held in Perth from November 21–23, will examine the rapid growth of the critical minerals industry and delve into the importance of growing clean energy technologies.

Queensland Pacific Metals (QPM) managing director and chief executive officer Stephen Grocott is chair of the 2023 Critical Minerals Conference.

He told Australian Mining the sector is moving at an increasingly rapid pace, and the country needs to keep up.

“I don’t think people realise just how fast things are changing,” he said.

“If you think about how the automotive industry changed in 13 years from 100 per cent use of horse-andcart to 100 per cent use of the internal combustion engine, the critical minerals industry is a bit like that.

“The people who made the money in the automotive transition were not the car manufacturers but the oil companies.

The oil companies today are the critical minerals producers.”

Grocott has always been drawn to the world of metals and mining, completing a PhD in physical and inorganic chemistry before joining the workforce at Alcoa and eventually heading up QPM. “There’s quite a lot of overlap between chemistry and mining,” Grocott said. “There are a lot of technical complexities, and the overlap between the technical and the commercial is pretty important to understand.”

And a technical mind is a good thing to have going into the Critical Minerals Conference, which will showcase a range of abstracts from accepted authors. The conference also features two parallel streams that will allow attendees to dive into whichever area of the conference takes their fancy.

“There are two criteria for attending the Critical Minerals Conference,” Grocott said. “One, you’re involved in the critical minerals industry; two, you’re breathing. It’s for everyone.

“You might be in the finance world and you want to gain insight into the new developments or get a better understanding of the market. Or you might be a process engineer and you want to hear more about metallurgy.

“You get to understand not just the technical things that you need to do your job, but also where the market is going and how your work affects everyone else’s.”

STEPHEN GROCOTT, QUEENSLAND PACIFIC METALS MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

Grocott said attendees would find value in simply walking around the conference space and talking to people.

This, he said, would give attendees the chance to pick the brains of others and see how varied the uses of critical minerals are.

Grocott hopes the conference will give investors a chance to see how

CRITICAL MINERALS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE GLOBAL TRANSITION TO NET-ZERO.

AUSTRALIANMINING 93 SEPTEMBER 2023

Australia can utilise downstream processing to further Australia’s critical minerals industry.

“The biggest value-adding step I see for Australia is processing our minerals and mineral concentrates into a manufactured product like rare earth oxides, nickel sulphate or lithium hydroxide,” he said.

“Australia is a great place to do that because our manufacturing costs are very attractive. Once an investor has a plant and some government support, there’s no telling how far they can go.”

Grocott is proud of the fact the Critical Minerals Conference is taking a broad view of the industry.

“We’re looking at both the Australian and the global markets, of course,” he said. “But we’re also looking at project development, at the role of government and, most importantly, how we can develop new critical minerals mines.

“How can we get more Australian critical minerals mines? How can we fund them? What are the risks? How can we manage ESG (environmental, social and governance)? How should one do their modelling?

“It’s important that people wearing the technical hat are able to speak the language of the equity providers and the end users and everyone in between.

Because, at the end of the day, no matter what your job title, the necessity of critical minerals affects us all.” AM

MINING TECHNOLOGY

LIEBHERR IS KEEPING IT GREEN LIEBHERR HAS MADE A NAME FOR ITSELF AS AN OEM, BUT THE COMPANY IS ALSO PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING THE MINING SECTOR ALONG ITS DECARBONISATION JOURNEY.

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s managing director at Liebherr-Australia, Trent Wehr is proud of the work the company is doing to transition to net-zero.

“With a mining fleet, achieving net-zero can be difficult, but it’s not impossible,” Wehr said.

“Most major mining companies have an aggressive schedule in place to get to net-zero and that schedule allowed us to start exploring and expanding our offerings at Liebherr.

“We want to ensure that our customers are met with optimised and efficient solutions to tackle their own net-zero initiatives. Our customers are always front of mind when we are developing new technologies and solutions.”

Liebherr-Australia Mining Technology Development Centre Liebherr-Australia introduced its Mining Technology Development Centre in 2022.

“Our Mining Technology Development Centre is the centrepiece of our broader decarbonisation strategy,” Wehr told Australian Mining. “It

underpins what we need to do to offer fossil-fuel-free mining equipment to our Australian customers.”

As a central hub for the development and implementation of the company’s zero-emission, low-emission, autonomous, and additional technology projects in Australia, the Mining Technology Development Centre and its new team are helping the company develop zero-emission equipment closer to home.

“It was important for us to have close proximity to our market,” Wehr said.

“Having close proximity to our existing team in Perth and the mines who are actually using our products is pivotal.

As Liebherr works to offer net-zero alternatives to diesel equipment, being closely situated to major mines and customers means development and validation can be accelerated.

“As you evolve technology at such a rapid rate, there’s a lot of validation that needs to occur, particularly on mine sites.

“We need to go through a lot of regulation changes and standard changes. If you haven’t got the proximity to the mine sites, it can take far longer to achieve the desired outcome.”

Liebherr Mining electric excavators

The Mining Technology Development Centre has allowed Liebherr-Australia to grow its capability to support electric excavators and trucks, including truck trolley options, as it makes market entry into Australia.

Although neither piece of equipment is new to the company, Liebherr is constantly refining its offerings to ensure it meets the needs of the industry.

“Electric excavators have been in our business for over 40 years, but what is new to this space is our electric backhoe with a new cable reeler concept,” Wehr said. “We wanted to utilise our advanced electric technology and configure it for use with a backhoe excavator, which is a new concept for the Australian market.

“We took some of our learnings and knowledge that we’ve gleaned in different markets to make sure we bring that knowledge to Australia and apply it locally.”

Wehr said that one of the biggest concerns with switching to electric equipment was the adaptation, given mine sites have utilised diesel power for such a long time.

LIEBHERR’S ELECTRIC R 9350 EXCAVATOR WITH CABLE REELER.

AUSTRALIANMINING 94 SEPTEMBER 2023

“We are wanting to show the possibilities of these electric machines,” he said. “We know that processes have to undergo some significant changes to implement them; however, it is a method that most miners can get their heads around quite quickly.”

Liebherr currently has over 60 electric excavators spread across the globe, including in North America, China and South Africa.

Liebherr Mining batteryelectric trucks

Once it has been successfully validated over the course of the next few years, Liebherr’s battery-electric truck will bring emissions-free hauling to the market.

“Trucks fleets are obviously a significant consumer of diesel,” Wehr said. “A mine could have a fleet of trucks well into the hundreds, and each requires diesel to run. But battery-electric trucks on their own, or paired with trolley, put a stop to this and reduce a mine’s carbon footprint significantly.

“Even the trolley solution on our diesel-electric trucks can drastically reduce emissions on site.”

Today, Liebherr’s global fleet of trucks that operate on trolley with the Liebherr Trolley Assist System exceeds 60 machines spread across Panama, Zambia and Austria, with additional units in the pipeline.

Within this global fleet, Liebherr supports the world’s largest 360t trolley truck fleet, and runs on the world’s longest trolley line.

Developing proven zero-emission and low-emission mining solutions has become a major focus for Liebherr Mining. But the company also understands that to reach lofty emission goals on a global scale, the work can’t stop here.

“The equipment and solutions we already have in place are just the beginning,” Wehr said. “We are dedicated to providing solutions for the Australian mining industry to meet their net-zero commitments.

“We are excited to soon be able to share our available mining emission solutions with everyone, and the Liebherr-Australia team is looking forward to working with customers on application-specific and custom solutions to suit their desired needs and zero-emission targets.

“There’s a lot more to come.” AM

DRILL AND BLAST

DRIVING SAFETY, PRODUCTIVITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY FLANDERS’ ARDVARC AUTONOMOUS CONTROL SYSTEM FOR DRILLING PACKS A LOT OF HIGH-CALIBRE FEATURES INTO A SINGLE AGNOSTIC, INTEROPERABLE PACKAGE

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utomation is the next great leap in mining.

From removing workers from the line of fire to revolutionising operational efficiency, the benefits of automation are hard to overstate. But with so much competition, picking the right automation solution is essential.

ARDVARC, by automation specialist Flanders, is a proven drill control solution for blasthole drilling.

The company has been automating drill rigs with the ARDVARC system for 15 years, racking up over 200 conversions in major cities around the world and more than 70 installations in Australia across iron ore, coal and gold.

The ARDVARC system can be fitted to drills from any manufacturer in the market, transforming old and factory-fresh rigs into completely autonomous powerhouses with collisionavoidance technology.

“The special thing about ARDVARC is that it’s a systemagnostic solution,” Flanders director of autonomy Joshua Goodwin told Australian Mining.

“We can take a mixed fleet of drills and retrofit the ARDVARC autonomous control solution on all of

them, meaning our customers aren’t locked into one supplier or type of drill.”

“ARDVARC specialises in standardising a client’s fleet of drills, providing a significantly safer working environment for workers who operate in complex or hazardous conditions.

“With its autonomous technology, Flanders enables its clients to accelerate the electrification and decarbonation initiatives by proactively optimising drilling processes, improving sustainability and increasing plant availability.”

With ARDVARC, a single operator can control up to eight drill rigs at a time remotely, without needing to be on site.

ARDVARC can be fitted to new drill rigs, including electric drills, or retrofitted to older drills. The highprecision ARDVARC control system can boost drilling productivity by up to 30 per cent, as demonstrated real-world data from Flanders’ clients.

The solution also has a vast toolkit of intelligent features, such as

customisable drill recipes, drill energy index, consumables protection, autoengine shutdown and all stop safety functionality, hazard-detection, and collision-avoidance systems.

“The hazard-detection system uses a light detection and radar (LiDAR) system to monitor hazards above and below ground,” Goodwin said. “We can configure that LiDAR system depending on the risks identified by the customer, and what sort of interactions the machine is going to have at the site.

“ARDVARC also has obstacle and boundary detection, so we can put boundaries around the machine to make sure that they’re operating in safe locations.”

Another feature is the new and improved command centre, which Flanders designed based on customer feedback.

“The new overview screen streamlines information for operators,” Goodwin said. “There is now a tile for every job, and the information displayed changes depending on what the drill is doing.”

ARDVARC is also able to solve drill set-up and operating problems, including positioning and rod-handling, without the assistance of an operator.

This increases uptime and eliminates human-factor downtime.

“We’ve put a lot of effort into our user interface, making it so the system will take care of itself a lot of the time,” Goodwin said.

“As a drill is tramming down the line, if it needs to correct its core slightly to line up with the holes, our algorithms allow that to happen automatically.

“And if the machine starts interacting with some hard ground while it’s drilling, it will adjust itself to the most optimal parameters.

“Similarly, if the bit starts to get bogged because of water or fall back, the system can adjust itself. It might start lifting the bit to clear the hole or give less feed pressure, and so on.”

By taking the burden of troubleshooting out of a drill operator’s hands, ARDVARC helps resolve one of the biggest issues facing the industry: skill shortage.

“With ARDVARC’s fully autonomous solution, you don’t need a skilled operator to run the drill,” Goodwin said.

“Operators are now more responsible for interacting with the system, rather than conducting the drilling, so it’s a lot more approachable to train people. On top of that, allowing one operator to run eight drills at a time plays a massive role in alleviating labour constraints.

ARDVARC COLLECTS A RANGE OF DATA IN REAL-TIME AS IT OPERATES.

AUSTRALIANMINING 96 SEPTEMBER 2023

DRILL AND BLAST

“Unlike manual drilling, where operators’ skill impacts efficiency, ARDVARC delivers consistent drilling, allowing mine sites to plan and increase efficiency and asset utilisation.”

ARDVARC gathers various operational data in real-time as it operates, including down-the-hole information, drill cycle specifics, production data, and machine health status. By doing so, the system aids customers in optimising their assets and processes, offering valuable insights for better efficiency and performance.

“We’re finding is that the data has downstream effects on the operation of other plant and diggers,” Goodwin said. “Many clients are using ARDVARC data to optimise other areas of their operations.?

Customers who want to transform diesel and electric drills into autonomous systems highly value Flanders’ strong local presence in Australia. The company has engineering, assembly, sales, and field service teams based across the country.

In addition, during the rollout of autonomous operations, Flanders will draw on the global knowledge and skills

of its personnel from the US and South Africa, and in Western Australia, where the Global Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Drill Systems is located.

Customers can also benefit from the company’s vast experience, successful track record, and best practices gained from working with various mines around the world. These mines include those involved in the extraction of iron ore, coal, gold, copper, platinum, and other metals.

A key trend emerges when looking at the ARDVARC control system: a customer-first approach.

With its strong global presence and a significant base of autonomous drilling system installations in Australia, Flanders plays a crucial role in supporting industries amid a tight labour market.

By prioritising its clients, Flanders enables them to optimise their operations through increased productivity, costsavings, enhanced safety, and the attainment of environmental, social, and governance goals.

The ARDVARC control system offers a multifunctional automation solution, contributing to the success of Flanders’ customers and keeping the wheels of industry turning. AM

AUTOMATION HELPS TO ADDRESS A TIGHT LABOUR MARKET.

ARDVARC ALLOWS A SINGLE OPERATOR TO CONTROL UP TO EIGHT AUTOMATED DRILL RIGS. AUSTRALIANMINING 97 SEPTEMBER 2023

CONNECTIVITY

SATELLITE TECH GIVES MINERS COMPETITIVE EDGE AUSTRALIAN MINING SAT DOWN WITH VOCUS TO CHAT ABOUT THE RISE OF LEO SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY.

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ining is rapidly transforming to being one of Australia’s most technology-centric industries, using that tech to drive greater production while keeping workers safe.

Vocus is a key player in this evolution, with the company establishing a competitive advantage in the mining sector through an early deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. November 2022 saw Vocus sign the deal to provide Starlink Business low earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity to Australian customers – the first major Australian telco to do so.

These LEO satellites orbit very close to Earth and can therefore provide speed and responsiveness that is close to metro fibre, but can be delivered anywhere across Australia’s entire landmass.

Vocus’ space and satellite lead Ashley Neale explained to Australian Mining in more detail.

“I’ll give you a couple of facts,” he said. “Total satellite capacity delivered

into Australia has traditionally been measured in gigabits per second. Within the next two years, the satellite industry will be delivering terabits per second – at least a tenfold increase in bandwidth.

“And how much is it going to cost for companies to connect into that satellite bandwidth? Not much – just the cost of a terminal.

“What that tells you is that there’s going be ample capacity with coverage everywhere, and cost is no longer going to be a barrier to having metro-grade connectivity anywhere in Australia.

That is an absolute game-changer.”

Deploying satellite communications in mines

From a service perspective, Neale said, there’s a lot more involved in delivering satellite connectivity than simply shipping a LEO satellite dish to a customer for self-installation.

A LEO connection needs to be integrated with a customer’s unique situation, including their network and security, as well as be ruggedised for the physical environment, otherwise there

will likely be issues with their service reliability and usability.

“You have to have real-world experience deploying satellite services, and that comes from working with customers over time and building up a body of knowledge,” Neale said.

“A couple of years ago, we identified the huge impact LEO was going to have on the telecommunications landscape, and how well it would complement our existing national fibre network serving remote and regional Australia, including the mining sector.

“We knew that if we matched our long history in satellite communications (satcom) with our first-mover position in low earth orbit satellite technology in Australia, we could deliver a great service experience.”

Vocus has established a business and technology platform that can quickly integrate new LEO technologies as they emerge from different providers, and then deploy them with the same level of on-the-ground expertise.

This will benefit a mining industry crying out for more bandwidth.

STARLINK ENSURES 24–7 HIGH BANDWIDTH AND LOW LATENCY FOR CRITICAL OPERATIONS.

AUSTRALIANMINING 98 SEPTEMBER 2023

“So why would the mining industry deploy satcom?” Vocus satellite development manager Ashley Grove told Australian Mining. “I always imagine a timescale of a mining operation from start to finish, and right at the start in exploration there’s little connectivity.

“At that embryonic phase of a mine, satcom is pivotal. Exploration and survey teams are very rarely in the one spot and as they’re drilling and exploring, they’re trying to extract actionable data, move on and repeat the process. The mobility of Vocus Satellite Starlink really works well in this instance.

“The quicker field teams can get that data analysed, the quicker they can complete the function while also maintaining the welfare of the workers.”

“Once a mining company has advanced from exploration to construction of the mine, satcom plays a key role in providing communications for the many different contractors and companies that may be involved in the process.

“You might have 10 to 15 different companies and contractors coming to site, and there’s no central communication source for them. So they all have to bring their own comms infrastructure with them.

“LEO is great at helping with that centralisation, and it can be shared at the beginning via Wi-Fi and then later via a secure, long-reach private 4G or 5G network as the mine develops.”

Once a mine has been constructed and is producing, satellite communications then become especially critical in driving not only primary or back-up connectivity across the mining operations but also the non-mining operations such as entertainment and supporting employee welfare at camp.

This is especially relevant in the case of fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers who want to remain connected to family and friends.

Automation, digitalisation and electrification are not just buzz words, but the reality of best practice in today’s Australian mining industry.

Put together, they unlock improved safety, sustainability and productivity in the sector.

This operational evolution is reliant on high-speed, low-latency network connections, something that Vocus believes is driving intense demand for its Starlink satellite service. AM

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

A DEEPER COLLABORATION AUSTRALIAN MINING SAT DOWN WITH AUSTMINE CEO CHRISTINE GIBBS STEWART TO DISCUSS WHAT THE MINING INDUSTRY NEEDS TO THRIVE INTO THE FUTURE.

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rom decarbonisation to eliminating fatalities to public perception of the industry, the headwinds faced by the mining sector are no secret, and many would argue they cannot be addressed by any one company alone.

“At this year’s Austmine conference and World Mining Congress, almost everyone I spoke to said that the industry needs more collaboration,” Austmine chief executive officer Christine Gibbs Stewart told Australian Mining.

“We are maturing as an industry and we are collaborating more, but it’s probably a deeper type of collaboration that we need, one that involves more trust and respect for all the players involved.”

It is this type of deeper collaboration that best demonstrates the values of Austmine.

Representing over 700 mining equipment, technology and services (METS) companies across the country, Austmine has been driving innovation in mining and technology while championing the METS sector for more than 30 years.

Austmine encourages its members to collaborate by providing an avenue for them to work together.

“Bringing people together is the core of what we do,” Gibbs Stewart said.

“The member companies that we connect with one another have great synergies. They come up with ideas to work together, optimising their processes and securing new deals.

“We’re getting out there and promoting what the METS sector does.

We’re raising the reputation and creating opportunities for the METS sector as a whole, on the global stage.

“And then for individual companies, I love it when we can help our members realise a new opportunity, make a new deal, get a sale, or come together to create something new or better.”

On an industry level, Austmine takes an ‘open mic’ approach to driving innovation, bringing suppliers and mining companies together to work on some of the industry’s biggest issues.

“We have a lot of challenges upon us,” Gibbs Stewart said. “We need to be more sustainable, we need to have a very good public perception. People don’t necessarily want to work for the mining

industry, but with the programs that we run and with the exciting high-tech METS sector that we represent, we’re helping to change the conversation.

AUSTMINE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHRISTINE GIBBS STEWART.

ONE OF THE WAYS AUSTMINE BRINGS THE INDUSTRY TOGETHER IS THROUGH THE EVENTS IT FACILITATES, SUCH AS THE BIENNIAL AUSTMINE CONFERENCE.

AUSTRALIANMINING 100 SEPTEMBER 2023

“Another core tenet of Austmine is that we run innovation opportunities for mining companies. Miners often need more than one solution to a problem or

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

they’ll need a solution that isn’t available yet from a single source. So we can bring members together in that way to help them collaborate to provide solutions for these industry problems.”

One of the ways Austmine brings the industry together is through the events it facilitates, such as the biennial Austmine conference.

Held in Adelaide in May, Austmine 2023 focused on transforming the future of mining. The event brought together industry stakeholders who, through presentations and exhibitions, explored redesigning how the mining industry operates, ensuring the sector meets the expectations of a new generation, as well as a more sustainable future.

Another key event is the Mining Innovation Roadshow.

“A key theme of the Mining Innovation Roadshow was collaboration and bringing people together to talk about some of those key issues that the industry is facing,” Gibbs Stewart said.

“The event focused on everything from decarbonisation to leveraging digital to automation.”

Similar industry-wide problems will be tackled at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), which is set for late October in Sydney.

Open collaboration allows companies to pool their knowledge and resources, and to share opportunities to tackle the challenges that are bigger than a single company.

“Currently, decarbonisation is a big issue for our members, and learning from each other in that space is a really important thing to do,” Gibbs Stewart said. “One of the biggest efforts that we facilitated was the Charge On Innovation Challenge. We partnered with Rio Tinto, BHP and Vale and challenged innovators to find a solution for charging large electric haul trucks on open-pit mine sites.

“We had over 350 suppliers across 19 industries and 31 countries participate in an expression of interest to this challenge. Eighty vendor companies submitted their conceptual solutions and 21 companies were then invited to present a detailed pitch, which were whittled down to eight finalists in the end.

“Charge On Innovation is a great example of how Austmine brings opportunities to our members and the wider METS community.”

Austmine’s next endeavour is mineinnovate, a digital platform designed to help drive collaboration between mining companies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), engineering firms, contract miners, and many more. “mineinnovate is a digital space where companies can put out the challenges they’re facing – or innovation opportunities, as we call them – for our members and the wider community to respond to,” Gibbs Stewart said.

MINEINNOVATE IS DESIGNED TO REVOLUTIONISE INDUSTRY COLLABORATION.

“The platform will be able to link people together from a collaborative point of view to engage with one another and see what’s going on in the industry, and ultimately improve the way things are done.

“The platform is also linked to some other programs and ecosystems like Austmine from all over the world. Of the first challenges that we put out, three are from India and two from Saudi Arabia. It’s a space for the world.

“It just goes to show that the mining industry is a global industry. With a digital space like mineinnovate, business can flow in a borderless way.”

Gibbs Stewart believes mineinnovate symbolises the fact the industry is mature enough to work together.

“Going back five years, people weren’t that open to discussing their biggest issues in a public format,” she said. “But now we’ve moved on such that the industry recognises that, because of the challenges it faces, everyone needs to be contributing.

“Things are much more open these days, not just in what is being put out, but also in how others are responding.

“It’s that kind of collaboration which is going to really drive the industry forward.” AM

AUSTMINE ENCOURAGES ITS MEMBERS TO COLLABORATE

BY PROVIDING AN AVENUE FOR THEM TO WORK TOGETHER.

AUSTRALIANMINING 101 SEPTEMBER 2023

GENDER EQUALITY

THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTED THE POSITIVE CORRELATION BETWEEN STRONG ESG PERFORMANCE AND WOMEN ON THE BOARD.

STEPPING INTO A DIVERSE FUTURE A NEW REPORT HAS DETAILED HOW INCREASED GENDER EQUALITY ON MINING BOARDS COULD CHANGE THE FACE OF THE SECTOR FOR THE BETTER.

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s the mining industry looks to the future, the image of it being a so-called “boys’ club” is quickly slipping away.

Trailblazers like Gina Rinehart have helped to shift the image of mining, while majors like BHP and Rio Tinto have dedicated themselves to pushing for change with a variety of diversity and inclusion targets.

But while necessary change is undoubtedly happening across the sector, is there more that can be done to create a

truly inclusive industry? Law firm White & Case say yes. In its report ‘Changing the face of mining’, White & Case found that while the average number of women directors in the top 100 ASX-listed mining boards has more than tripled since 2012, mining still has one of the lowest female board participation rates among global industries.

“Research shows that companies achieve the best financial results when they reach a ‘critical mass’ of 30 per cent or more women at board level positions,” the report stated.

EDITORIAL CREDIT: JHVEPHOTO / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

‘CHANGING THE FACE OF MINING’ HIGHLIGHTED BHP AS A LEADER IN EQUALITY.

“At the current rate of change, it will take the top 100 listed mining companies until 2026 to reach this and until 2030 for the top 50 to do the same.”

There is little doubt the industry has heard the calls for change. While 53 per cent of the top 100 listed miners had no women on their boards in 2012, that number had dropped to 16 per cent by 2022.

“In the short term, mining companies must strongly consider recruiting capable female directors and executives from other industries to bolster their management positions,” the report stated. “Meanwhile, they must work hard on the retention of female talent within the industry.”

According to the report data, there is a consistent positive correlation between the female representation on boards and return on capital.

Put simply, having more women on the board translates to increased profits.

“Our analysis revealed that companies within the top 100 that have a board-level representation of 40 per cent or more women tend to achieve a six per cent higher ROCE (return on capital investment) compared with companies with less than 40 per cent female representation,” the report said.

“With respect to the top 100 listed mining companies, those with 45, 50 and 55 per cent women on their boards outperformed peers with 10, 15 and 20 per cent women on their boards.”

AUSTRALIANMINING 102 SEPTEMBER 2023

The report highlighted Rio Tinto, Vale and BHP as three companies leading the way in equality.

In 2021, Rio saw its female representation increase to 21.6 per cent while its gender pay gap reduced to less than 1.5 per cent. That same year, women accounted for 32 per cent of the major’s new hires.

But it was Rio’s Transferable Pathways and Women in Leadership schemes that saw the biggest uptick in female interest in the sector. In June 2022, Rio received over 3000 applications for roles within the company.

The Transferable Pathways program aims to fast-track women who haven’t previously worked in mining into operational leadership roles. The Women in Leadership program aims to improve gender diversity in frontline leadership roles.

Rio Tinto chief executive Australia Kellie Parker said the response to these campaigns was overwhelming and encouraging.

“By opening up our operational roles to women without industry experience but with transferable skills and talent, we not only increase representation of women in our business but also diversity across the industry as a whole,” Parker said.

“One way we are trying to do this is to better recognise leadership and work skills gained in other industries and help transfer those to our workforce.”

GENDER EQUALITY

RIO TINTO, VALE AND BHP ALL LAUNCHED SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS TO ENCOURAGE MORE WOMEN TO WORK IN THE SECTOR.

Vale has launched a similar program aimed at offering operational and technical qualifications in regional markets exclusively for its female employees.

“This program has allowed Vale to hire more than 1000 women between 2020 and 2021,” the White & Case report stated. “It also set up a sounding panel composed of five executives and independent consultants to advice long-term sustainability strategies on diversity.”

As for the Big Australian, since 2016 BHP has seen a 14 per cent improvement on its target of achieving 40 per cent female representation by 2025.

Women on BHP’s workforce accounted for over 30 per cent of employees in 2022, the same year in which the company ran its #ProudToChallenge campaign that saw general managers address strategies to tackle the gender bias.

Two years earlier, BHP had implemented an 18-month development program to equip women and Indigenous people with limited mining experience with the skills needed to secure leadership positions at its coal operations in Queensland.

As miners big and small continue to implement strategies and programs to encourage a more gender-diverse workforce, the role women play in affecting a company’s ESG (environmental, social and governance) factors cannot be ignored.

COMPANIES WITH WOMEN ON THEIR BOARDS HAVE HIGHER PROFITS, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT.

And just like the correlation between female representation and profits, the White & Case report found there was a positive link between strong female board representation and ESG performance.

“Within the top 100 listed companies, there are 16 entities that do not have any female board members and, on average, they have an ESG disclosure score 10 points lower than the average score for mixed-gender boards,” the report said.

“Companies with at least one woman on their board consistently outperformed those with none. This finding is backed up by 10 years of research, which has shown that higher female board

representation is associated with higher profitability, higher return on capital invested and better ESG disclosures and performance scores.

“It is clear that diversity brings value to businesses and companies that embrace it reap the benefits, and those companies that invested in women have consistently been rewarded.”

There is no doubt of the crucial role the mining industry plays in the world’s transition to net-zero and in future technologies like electric vehicles, but the most effective path to that goal is paved with diverse leadership teams and company cultures.

AUSTRALIANMINING 103 SEPTEMBER 2023

“A diverse board brings different experiences, perspectives and skills to the table, resulting in more effective decision-making, better risk management and improved overall performance,” the report stated.

“It is therefore crucial for mining companies to not only increase gender diversity on their boards but also to create an inclusive culture that values and leverages diversity in all its forms.

“By doing so, mining companies can position themselves as leaders in global industry and drive meaningful change toward a more equitable and sustainable future.” AM

PRODUCTS

RAMMER BOOM SYSTEMS

NEOUSYS UNLEASHES A NEW GENERATION OF EDGE AI INFERENCE COMPUTER

The Rammer boom system range has been an integral part of Australian crushing circuits for more than 40 years. Rammer, part of Sandvik Group, manufactures the range on a global scale for an international market offering of 28 models, from one-tonne up to 18-tonne heavyduty models. The boom range has been designed to enhance safety, productivity, and profitability of crushing operations.

With reaches from 1–17m, the range is built to suit many mining applications. An Australian authorised Rammer dealer network will help you take advantage of its extensive Rammer product range by selecting the right boom, rockbreaker and power pack for the job. Rammer’s power packs are designed to work alongside hydraulic rockbreakers and booms and sized to match the chosen rockbreaker and are delivered completely set-up. Find your state’s authorised Rammer dealer through the website.

Neousys Technology has announced its latest edge artificial intelligence (AI) inference computer, the Nuvo-9166GC. By supporting Intel 13th/12th-Gen processor and an NVIDIA L4, the platform delivers excellent central processing unit (CPU) computation prowess and AI inference capabilities. Thanks to its flexible camera connectivity, the platform is ideal for multi-camera applications requiring real-time responses, such as industrial AI inspection, robotic guidance, and advanced autonomous machines. The system supports NVIDIA L4, a data centre grade graphics processing unit (GPU) powered by NVIDIA Ada Lovelace architecture for energy-efficient AI acceleration applications. It offers up to 30.3 TFLOPS in FP32 or 485 TOPS in INT8 to set new benchmarks for industrial edge AI computing. As thermal management is vital with any edge systems, Nuvo9166GC has a proven design to guarantee reliable operation from -25°C to 60°C. The system features a passive-cooling design for the CPU and DDR5 memory module. It also has a segregated and patented cassette module with an air tunnel to continuously guide cool airflow through the passive heat sink of NVIDIA L4, guaranteeing optimum performance.

• neousys-tech.com

• rammer.com/en/Nearest-Dealer/

MULITRACK CONVEYOR BELT TRACKING SYSTEMS

Thejo Engineering Limited, a leading engineering solutions-provider, has introduced the MULTITRAK range of conveyor belt tracking systems with an unconventional approach to the training of conveyor belts.

MULTITRAK features a multi-plane pivot mechanism that combines vertical and horizontal movement to quickly correct even the slightest belt mis-tracking.

The vertical tilt action resists the mis-tracking of the belt and provides a banking which reduces the effort required to track the belt back. The horizontal pivot action steers the belt back to its true line. The tracking rollers are rubberised and have a tapered profile. The tapering effect of the carrying idler reduces the wandering tendency by providing a more stable and controlled path, whereas the rubberised surface provides superior traction force to train the belt effectively.

Tapered ends of the return idler help to negate belt cupping and ensure even surface contact with the belt. Heavy-duty bearings are incorporated in the pivot mechanism to help ensure long service life. The frames and arms are adjustable to adapt to the site conditions without any modification.

MULTITRAK belt trackers are available for carrying belt, flat return, and v-return belts. Available in standard sizes from 650–2400mm belt width, MULTITRAK is available in custom sizes also on demand.

THE NEXT EVOLUTION IN SPRAG-TYPE BACKSTOP TECHNOLOGY The Marland ABC Sprag backstop results from a collaboration between Regal Rexnord’s brands.

The sprag design features indexed sprags to distribute force evenly and have less internal friction between the inner and outer races.

It also features lower operating temperatures when compared with similar units.

The ABC series backstops are designed for installation on low-speed shafts with typical dimensional tolerances and clearances.

The components and bearings are continuously self-lubricated in a shielded oil chamber. A double lip seal is positioned adjacent to the bearings to keep oil and environmental contaminants out of the backstop chamber.

In addition, a periodic check of the oil level and purity can be performed utilising the oil level indicator during operation or at rest. If the inspection reveals impurities in the oil, draining, flushing and refilling can be easily accomplished using piping, T-connections and traps.

• regalrexnord.com

• thejo-engg.com

AUSTRALIANMINING 104 SEPTEMBER 2023

BRISBANE, 9 NOVEMBER 2023

2023

AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2023

We are searching for Australia’s most outstanding mining and METs companies prospectawards.com.au

SPONSORED BY

Australia’s premier Awards for the mining and minerals processing industry

PRESENTED BY

EVENTS

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

WA Mining Conference & Exhibition Perth | October 11–12 WA Mining Conference & Exhibition will integrate the innovation and research ecosystem while addressing the social and environmental standards driving a more sustainably conscious industry.

The expanded exhibition will showcase technical and digital innovation across the entire mining value chain, while the highly targeted conference will illustrate the economic importance of Western Australia and its contribution the resource technology sector, its innovation capability, its job creation, and the attraction of capital to the state.

WA Mining is the ultimate event for mining and engineering professionals, showcasing the technical and digital evolution transforming the mining industry in the state. Developed purely for the Western Australian market, WA Mining gives a blueprint to solve operational pain points while hearing from industry leading experts in the highly targeted conference.

• waminingexpo.com.au IMARC Sydney | October 31–November 2 The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) creates a global conversation, mobilises the industry for collaboration, and attracts some of the greatest leaders in the mining, investment and technology industries for three days of learning, deal-making and unparalleled networking.

Learn from more than 500 mining leaders and resource experts with seven

concurrent conferences covering the entire mining value chain. Gain strategic insights from C-suite executives on progressing ESG and environmental resilience, accelerating mining’s energy transition and the digitisation of mines.

Technical talks will delve into exploration, discovery and project developments, mineral processing, digital technology, and mining innovation.

Discover inspiration and new ideas, find practical solutions, and see demonstrations of the latest products and innovations from start-ups through to some of the biggest names in the mining industry with more than 470 exhibitors throughout the 18,500m² expo floor all under the one roof.

• imarcglobal.com Australian Mining Prospect Awards Brisbane | November 9 Taking place in Brisbane in 2023, the Australian Mining Prospect Awards are a great opportunity to recognise and acknowledge the people and companies in the mining sector for their outstanding work.

Nominations are now open for 2023, with awards honouring categories such as Indigenous and Community Engagement, Mine Project Success of the Year, Outstanding Mine Performance, Sustainability Project of the Year, Discovery of the Year and more.

Some of the 2022 award winners included Kestrel Coal for Australian Mine of the Year, Roy Hill for Mine Project Success of the Year, and Flexco Australia for Excellence in IIoT Application.

This year, the awards will return to

Brisbane in appreciation of the vibrancy and importance of the state’s thriving mining industry.

• prospectawards.com.au Critical Minerals Conference 2023 Perth | November 21–23 Critical minerals are essential components in many of today’s rapidly growing clean energy technologies – from wind turbines and electricity networks to electric vehicles.

The increasing appetite and rapid pace of the transition to cleaner energy sources continues to drive the growth in demand for these minerals, and in response the supporting industries are also growing at unprecedented rates.

To address this rapid growth, AusIMM will launch its inaugural Critical Minerals Conference in 2023. The event will include a multi-stream format and seek to engage with a larger audience from multiple disciplines as well as a wide range of industry.

• ausimm.com/conferences-and-events/ critical-minerals Women in Industry Awards 2024 Sydney | June 20 The Women in Industry awards are an opportunity to celebrate the success of women who work in the mining industry.

The awards night, to be held in Sydney on June 20, features multiple categories that showcase exceptional examples of industry advocacy, mentorship and broad sector excellence.

The Women in Industry Awards recognise outstanding women from

AUSTRALIANMINING 106 SEPTEMBER 2023

across a range of industrials sectors; for example, those who work in mining, transport, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, bulk handling, waste management, rail and construction and infrastructure – all sectors that are traditionally male-dominated.

This is an opportunity to recognise the women who are driving change in industry and, in doing so, breaking down barriers and creating new possibilities for the next generation.

• womeninindustry.com.au PNG Industrial & Mining Resources Exhibition and Conference Port Moresby, PNG | 2024 The 2024 PNG Industrial & Mining Resources Exhibition will showcase over 100 local, national and international manufacturers and suppliers with the latest innovations in the supply of services and equipment for the industrial, mining, and oil and gas sectors.

The two-day exhibition is the premier meeting place to connect and network with thousands of industry decision-makers across a broad industry reach, including senior management, procurement, government personnel, engineers, contractors and trade technicians.

With extensive support from key stakeholders in government, associations and industry, PNG2024 is a premier meeting place for industry trade and a forum for establishing high-quality customer contacts and conducting business.

• pngexpo.com

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We are a global team unified by a common purpose: creating advanced, sustainable technology solutions to the world’s water challenges across more than 150 countries. Developing new technologies that will improve the way water is used, conserved, and re-used in the future is central to our work. Our products and services move, treat, analyse, monitor and return water to the environment and in public utility, industrial, residential and commercial building services settings.

Sustainability is at the core of everything we do, and we aim to ensure our footprints leave a positive impact on the environment and the wider community as we strive to build a healthier and more water-secure world.

Our commitment to water quality is Xylem’s foremost priority at both an organisational and global scale, with our corporate social responsibility program Watermark aiming to provide education and equitable access to safe water and sanitation to support healthy lives and help build resilient communities around the world.