Australian Mining February 2015

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VOLUME 107/1 | FEBRUARY 2015

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ONE ON ONE WITH GREG LILLEYMAN AUTOMATION MINESITE VEHICLES

VOLUME 107/1 | FEBRUARY 2015

COAL’S QUANDARY: SHUTDOWN TO SURVIVE SERVING THE MINING INDUSTRY SINCE 1908

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COMMENT

RIVERS OF GOLD RUN DRY AS THE MINING INDUSTRY BATTLES THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE CYCLE, WHAT IS BEING DONE TO ENSURE ITS SURVIVAL?

COLE LATIMER

ozmining@cirrusmedia.com.au

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER MARTIN SINCLAIR Email: martin.sinclair@cirrusmedia.com.au EDITOR COLE LATIMER Tel: (02) 8484 0652 Email: ozmining@cirrusmedia.com.au JOURNALISTS VICKY VALIDAKIS Tel: (02) 8484 0964 Email: vicky.validakis@cirrusmedia.com.au BRENT BALINSKI Tel: (02) 8484 0680 Email: brent.balinski@cirrusmedia.com.au BEN HAGEMANN Tel: (02) 8484 0884 Email: ben.hagemann@cirrusmedia.com.au

I

t seems as though the government has finally realised that the mining boom is over.

Instead of producing rivers of gold, the industry actually needs support if it is to ride out the current trough of the cycle.

Previously it seemed as though the major levels of government, from local through to federal, were looking to get a slice of the mining pie, taking tax in the form of royalties and additional taxes (i.e. the carbon and mining taxes).

But now as the industry slows down, commodity prices slump and operations contract, some governments have realised they may actually need to look to supporting the industry if they want it to continue in their region.

They are now looking to support junior miners and explorers through a raft of subsidies or funding for operations.

Unsurprisingly Western Australia is leading the way, with a plan to defer royalty payments for junior iron ore miners.

WA premier Colin Barnett announced late last year that the state government would provide a 50 per cent rebate on iron ore royalties for up to 12 months to smaller mining businesses suffering from the impact of low commodity prices.

West Australia’s new Iron Ore Financial Assistance rebate will remain subject to the iron ore price remaining lower than $US90 per tonne,

GROUP SALES MANAGER TIM RICHARDS Tel: (02) 8484 0829 Mob: 0420 550 799 Email: tim.richards@cirrusmedia.com.au KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER SHARON AMOS Tel: (07) 3261 8857 Fax: (07) 3261 8347 Mob: 0417 072 625 Email: sharon.amos@cirrusmedia.com.au SOUTH AFRICA BOB STEPHEN Stephen Marketing PO Box 75, Tarlton, Gauteng 1749, South Africa Tel: 27(011) 952 1721 Fax: 27(011) 952 1607 USA JONATHAN SISMEY Cirrus Media 24th Floor, 125 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Tel: (1) 212 370 7445 Fax: (1) 212 370 7441 Email: jsismey@ix.netcom.com

a situation that is likely to remain constant for the foreseeable future.

However, only mining projects with a commissioned iron ore production capacity of less than 20 million tonnes per annum will be eligible for the scheme.

The royalty rebate will need to be paid back after two years, meaning the government will not be out of pocket provided companies remain solvent.

Mines minister Bill Marmion said: “This is not a handout, this is a deferral and is a good outcome for WA.” Federal industry minister Ian MacFarlane said he agreed with the move to reduce royalties, and urged other state governments to consider changing royalty schemes.

So is this move a precedent for the rest of the nation to follow?

South Australia has certainly embraced the sentiment of industry stimulus, with a view to creating 5000 new jobs in the state, and increasing petroleum exploration to around $1 billion worth of business.

We can only hope that NSW, the Northern Territory, and Queensland take note, and begin to actively support their junior operators before it no longer remains an option.

LARRY ARTHUR Cirrus Media Suite 203, 3700 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tel: (1) 949 756 1057 Fax: (1) 949 756 2514 Email: lharthur@ix.netcom.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER DAVE ASHLEY PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR TRACY ENGLE Tel: (02) 8484 0707 Fax: (02) 8484 0966 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Australia (surface mail) $140.00 (incl GST) New Zealand A$148.00 Overseas A$156.00 READER SERVICES 1300 360 126

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FRONT COVER On the front cover of this, our first edition for 2015, we’ve focused on coal and its current trials.

Coal has been hit harder than many other of our commodities, experiencing such a fall, which when combined with the market’s current oversupply, puts it in a precarious position.

According to a number of large coal miners the only way suppliers can turn this slump around is to actively work towards cutting supply.

This will involve closing some mines, either periodically or permanently, lowering production rates, and potentially cutting jobs.

All in all it is a painful time ahead for the mining industry, and one that is almost unavoidable.

In more positive news, we spoke to Rio Tinto’s head of innovation and technology, Greg Lilleyman, to get a view of how automation is affecting mines, how miners are using, and how technology – combined with effective management – is helping mines become more productive.

Average Net Distribution Period ending Sept 2014 8,047 PRINTED BY BLUESTAR PRINT 83 Derby Street, Silverwater, NSW 2128 Tel: (02) 9748 3411 Published 12 issues a year

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CONTENTS

MINESITE VEHICLES

PROSPECT AWARDS THE 2015 PROSPECT AWARDS KICKS OFF

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FIGHTING FOR EFFICIENCY The role of telemetrics on site HITTING ALL BASES New underground vehicles REMOTE RIGS New remote operator stations

ONE ON ONE RIO TINTO’S GLOBAL HEAD OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY TALKS AUTOMATION WITH AUSTRALIAN MINING

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PRODUCTIVITY

COAL

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16-20

BIG DATA, BETTER MINING New ERP software is giving miners an edge

CREATING A CLEANSKIN WORKFORCE Building your teams from scratch COAL KING CANUTE MOMENT Shutting down to survive

QUARRYING CRUSHING, SCREENING

32-34 FEEDING NEW PRODUCTIVITY The latest feeders and screens CRUSHING POWER PEAKS New cone crushers

REGULARS

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INDUSTRIAL COMMENT

1 2 0 1 4 44-45

A MPRODUCT 0 9 1 4 _ 0SHOWCASE 0 0 _ QUI -

NEWS

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PRODUCT FOCUS: MOTORS & DRIVES

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FEBRUARY 2015

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EVENTS

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INDUSTRIAL COMMENT

NO CHANCE TO PHASE OUT FOSSIL FUEL MINERALS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA CEO BRENDAN PEARSON EXPLAINS THE DIFFICULTIES OF REPLACING FOSSIL FUELS WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY.

D

uring his formative years, the legendary 20thcentury American journalist Walter Lippman spent a lot of time with revolutionaries, radical intellectuals and others with a weak grip on reality.

But Lippman soon grew tired of “dilettante rebels, he who would rather dream 10 dreams than realise one; he who so often mistakes a discussion in a cafe for an artistic movement, or a committee meeting for a social revolution”. It was, he complained, “a form of lazy thoughtlessness to suppose that something can be made of nothing; that the act of creation consists of breathing upon the void”.

It is a description that is apt for activists, the Greens and related vested interests who argue blithely that fossil fuels can and should be phased out in the next few decades.

No thought of the practicality of the goal or consideration of the consequences. No evidence is presented on whether such a transition is possible, or at what cost, including to the world’s poorest people. Nothing is allowed to interrupt the addiction to the pleasures of intellectual condescension.

Certainly no reference is made to the lessons of recent history. Between 1990 and 2010, 1.7 billion people secured access to electricity for the first time. More than 1.27 billion people secured access to electricity powered by fossil fuels. By comparison, 65 million people secured access to electricity for the first time from renewable energy sources. Put another way, 19 gained access to energy from fossil fuels for every one person who secured access via renewable energy sources.

Now let’s consider the plausibility of the challenge. Within

a generation, can non-fossil fuel sources provide reliable, affordable electricity to 1.3 billion people who have no access to energy and another two billion people who have only limited access, while also replacing the 82 per cent of global primary energy that is currently supplied by fossil fuels?

According to the International Energy Agency, non-fossilfuel energy sources (nuclear, hydro and other renewables) accounted for 18 per cent of energy in 2013. Let’s test this proposition using the IEA’s most aggressive emissions reduction scenario, consistent with the goal of limiting the global increase in temperature to 2C. Even under this scenario, fossil fuels will still provide 59 per cent of primary energy in 2040.

In short, if campaigners get their wish and fossil fuels are phased out by 2040, the world will face an energy gap

THE WORLD WILL FACE AN ENERGY GAP IF FOSSIL FUELS ARE PHASED OUT

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of at least 9.2 billion tonnes of oil equivalent. That is the equivalent of 147 countries with no energy.

To illustrate, an energy gap like that would mean that the 56 nations of Africa, the 44 nations of Latin America, the 12 nations of the Middle East and 35 nations in Asia, including China, would have to exist without energy.

It would be a neo-medieval existence for most of the world’s population — much lower life expectancy and much higher levels of infant mortality, poverty and abject misery.

If nuclear and hydropower are off limits — the Greens are hostile to both — the situation is even worse. You can add the US and Japan to the list of 147 countries with no access to energy.

It is a point that demonstrates the farcical nature of the antifossil-fuel movement’s central proposition.

But why can’t renewables fill the gap? Independent analysis has shown that replacing existing fossil fuel-powered electricity with solar power by 2030 would take 470 years at the current rate of deployment. To do so with wind energy would take 270 years and require 3,460,000 wind turbines.

(Incidentally that would be good news for the coal sector — every offshore wind turbine uses 250 tonnes of coking

MINERALS COUNCIL CEO BRENDAN PEARSON

coal in its manufacture.)

What’s more, back-up power storage would be necessary for when the sun didn’t shine and the wind didn’t blow. That would mean 4600 new hydro projects — 13 times the number of large dams operating globally today.

The simple reality is that fossil fuels will continue to be indispensable if the world is to meet rapidly growing energy demand.

The good news is that continued fossil fuel use and lower emissions are not mutually exclusive. In addition to good progress on carbon capture and storage, conventional technologies are slashing carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired generation by as much as 50 per cent.

The bottom line is that all energy sources will be needed.

To pretend otherwise is to substitute an ideological prejudice for empirical evidence. In Lippman’s words, it is simply “breathing upon the void”.

Brendan Pearson is chief executive of the Minerals Council of Australia.

[This article first appeared in The Australian newspaper on 16 January 2015 as ‘Greens clueless on energy’]

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NEWS

THE LATEST MINING NEWS AND SAFETY AUSTRALIAN MINING PRESENTS THE LATEST NEWS AND SAFETY AFFECTING YOU FROM THE BOARDROOM TO THE MINE AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. VISIT WWW.MININGAUSTRALIA.COM.AU TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING. IRON ORE EXTENDS ITS FALL Iron ore miners were punished as the price of iron ore edged closer to a fresh five-year low.

Benchmark iron ore for immediate delivery to the port of Tianjin in China finished trading at $US66.30 a tonne.

This is just 70c higher than the fiveyear low it hit in December last year.

The falling price is wreaking havoc on the value of undiversified miners.

FMG dropped 6.47 per cent to a sixyear low of $2.17, while Atlas Iron dropped 5.71 per cent to 16.50¢ and BC Iron fell 5.94 per cent to 47.50¢.

Interestingly, the majors closed in the green with BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto closing up 2.85 per cent and 2.56 per cent respectively.

Both miners revealed record iron ore production and shipping records this week, and reaffirmed goals to push their operations even further.

This could spell more trouble for the already ailing price, and for the smaller players in the market, as excess supply and waning demand puts further pressure on the commodity.

MASTERMYNE WINS $20 MILLION ANGLO AMERICAN CONTRACT Mastermyne has been awarded a $20 million contract with Anglo American.

A 1 1 1 4 company _ 0 0 0 _revealed S M A it TheMcontracting had won the three-year contract in a

statement released to the ASX today.

Mastermyne will look after the management and completion of development and mining related services in the underground process areas of the operation including the longwall, development and panel support infrastructure.

It will work at Anglo’s Grasstree, Moranbah and Grosvenor mines in Queensland.

Mastermyne CEO Tony Caruso said he was pleased the company was awarded the contract.

“The awarding of this major tender reinforces Mastermyne’s strong standing in the coal sector and we are looking forward to building on this success with further contract wins.” Caruso said.

Last September Mastermyne announced it will acquire Diversified Mining Services for $20 million.

MACMAHON CEO RESIGNS

Commenting on the shake-up at the top, Walker stated that “the board is committed to implementing cost saving measures across the business as the company navigates the current suppressed market for mining services”.

FITTER KILLED DURING BULLDOZER MAINTENANCE The Australian mining industry has suffered its first fatality of the year, after only 20 days.

Consolidated Minerals issued a release advising that a contractor had died on January 20 during exploration activities to the south of the Woodie Woodie manganese mine in the Pilbara.

Philip George Kitching, 62, was employed by contractor Rod Mitchell Transport and Exploration, and had been working to remove the belly plate of the bulldozer when it fell on him.

Emergency services from the minesite immediately attended the scene, 40 kilometres from site.

The Department of Minerals and Petroleum immediately sent two investigators to the site, and two more will travel today to investigate the incident.

DMP director Andrew Chaplyn said the man was a fitter involved in working on a bulldozer that was used to clear land for exploration drilling.

Consolidated Minerals managing director Paul Muller offered his condolences to all those who knew the deceased.

Macmahon CEO Ross Carroll has resigned from the company effective immediately.

BHP BILLITON POSTS No reason was given for Carroll’s RECORD PRODUCTION abrupt resignation.

RESULTS Macmahon chairman Jim Walker will act as executive chairman until a replacement CEO is found.

BHP Billiton produced 16 per cent There have been additional changes at more iron ore in the December 2014 the board level, with deputy chairman half year to post a new record.

Barry Cusack also resigning from the BHP revealed it produced 113 million contractor. tonnes in the half year, and said guidMacmahon added: “To reduce costs ance for the 2015 financial year the company does not intend to seek remains unchanged at 225 million 1 a replacement 2 0 1 4 - 0for 9 Mr. - 3 Cusack’s 0 T 1 5 posi: 1 8 : 2 tonnes.

6 + 1 0 : 0 0 tion at this time.”

Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO)

production increased by 15 per cent in the half year to a record 124 Mt as the ramp up at BHP’s Jimblebar mine continued.

The miner revealed WAIO also achieved record sales volumes of 126 Mt due to the company’s strategy of increasing the percentage of direct to ship ore which has unlocked further port capacity.

BHP said a ramp up to 270 Mtpa is expected to be achieved without the need for additional fixed plant investment.

“Beyond that, the Inner Harbour Debottlenecking and Jimblebar Phase 2 projects have the potential to increase total capacity to 290 Mtpa by the end of the 2017 financial year at very low capital costs,” the miner said.

In other production results, BHP said metallurgical coal production increased by 21 per cent to a record 26 Mt. The company retained guidance of 47 Mt for the 2015 financial year.

RIO TINTO RAMP UP SETS NEW IRON ORE PRODUCTION RECORD Rio Tinto produced 11 per cent more iron ore in 2014 as the company drives the expansion of its Pilbara operations.

Rio set a new annual record in 2014, producing 295.4 million tonnes of iron ore.

The company shipped 302.6 million tonnes of ore, a 17 per cent increase on sales from the previous year.

Rio said that production in 2014 set a new annual production record due to the early completion of the 290 million tonne expansion project at its Pilbara operations.

Meanwhile infrastructure for the 360 million tonne expansion is around 80 per cent complete, with all major rail, marine and wharf works in place. This project is expected to be completed in the first half of 2015.

Rio’s CEO Sam Walsh said he is pleased with the company’s results.

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PROSPECT AWARDS

THE 12TH AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE AUSTRALIAN MINING HAS BEEN RECOGNISING AND REWARDING EXCELLENCE IN THE MINING INDUSTRY.

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ustralian Mining has recognised and rewarded excellence in the mining industry for more than ten years, and we’ll continue to do so through the 2015 Prospect Awards.

The awards will highlight all aspects of the mineral resources industry: From new technology, the closer focus on productivity, the workers at the front lines, through to those doing the all-important work of innovating and inspiring new ide-

as for the future, the Prospect Awards focuses on the good work done in our mining industry on a daily basis.

The Prospect Awards incorporates a gala evening when the industry can stop, and reflect on the positive impact being made, not only on production, but on Australia as a whole.

The 2014 Prospect Awards saw good attendance despite a year of plummeting prices, with Peabody taking out the Mine of the Year award for their Millennium Coal Mine, and the Tropicana Gold Mine winning

the hard rock mine category for being ahead of schedule on a joint venture that will see all-in costs of around $600 per ounce.

In the field of innovation we saw a number of excellent entries, including the EnviroLAV underground toilet, which only needs emptying every 18 months thanks to its biotech solution for breaking down waste.

However, this year we’ve decided that there has been so much innovation across a broad range of fields that we will introduce new categories which will enable a better level of com-

part of it is due to the people that support our winners, the people who know their colleague, their company has achieved greatness, and deserves the attention of the entire industry.

This is not the time to wait for someone else to put their hand up, so if you do know of someone who ought to be recognised and rewarded, get online and get a hold of one of the Prospect Awards nomination forms, and make sure your nomination is in with a chance to be among the elite names of Australian Mining. AM

INNOVATION WAS RECOGNISED ON THE NIGHT

WINNERS CELEBRATED TAKING HOME THE AWARDS

AUSTRALIANMINING

petition and recognition for the creativity and hard-work needed to make meaningful changes in this industry.

That is not to say that we don’t expect to see forms of innovation come through in every category, giving the organisations and individuals that make our industry great the opportunity to shine through the crowd and have their undivided moment of recognition.

The key to the success of the Prospect Awards lies not only with the spirit of innovation within the award winners, but a large

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DON’T MISS OUT Australian Mining Prospect Awards will be held in October 2015.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this prestigious night!

A total of 15 awards will be presented on the night, highlighting companies and individuals’ innovation and excellence in the mining industry.

For more information visit www.prospectawards.com.au or contact Cole Latimer on cole.latimer@cirrusmedia.com.au or 02 8484 0652 Platinum Sponsor

Sponsors

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ONE ON ONE

ASKING THE EXPERTS: AUTOMATION AND MINING AUSTRALIAN MINING SITS DOWN WITH RIO TINTO’S HEAD OF INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY GREG LILLEYMAN TO DISCUSS AUTOMATION, AND ITS ROLE IN MINING. COLE LATIMER WRITES.

A

s mining rides the latest cycle of boom and bust its story appears to be done and dusted for many outside of the industry, but is this really the case?

The industry has reached the bottom of the current pricing trough with the state of commodities unlike to start trending upwards in the near future, forcing the majority of miners to look to change from its previous focus of sim-

ply moving as many tonnes through door as possible to moving as many tonnes as efficiently as possible.

Productivity is now underlying every action in the industry.

Automation is being touted as the main driving force of this step change for the mining industry: the saviour of the resources sector.

But is automation alone enough to resuscitate mining and help it move into the next era?

Not according to Rio Tinto group executive and head of technology and innovation Greg Lilleyman.

“A well run mine that implements automation becomes a well run mine that is automated, while a poorly run mine that implements automation simply becomes a poorly run mine that has automation,” Lilleyman told Australian Mining.

“Automation of the various processes of a mine helps to add incremental improvements, but if you don’t have that strong management team behind it, and the talented and skilled workers to implement it correctly and makes the best of the technology then it won’t add much to an operation.”

So why are so many mines looking to automate their processes?

THE PRODUCTIVITY PUSH

THE PILBARA HAS BEEN A HUB FOR AUTOMATION IMPLEMENTATION

AUSTRALIANMINING

Automation has been viewed by some as the answer to the current productivity problem plaguing much of the mining industry.

Unfortunately, Australia is in a worse starting place than other nations mining industry, with a recent PriceWaterhouseCoopers report rating the country as one of the least productive regions in the world.

The report claims there is an inherent conflict between the productivity plans of the mining boom which were

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based on increased volumes, and plans based on cost reduction which are now coming to the fore of business strategy.

Across the globe, mining productivity has declined by 20 per cent over the past seven years, despite the push for increased output, and declining market conditions.

The report found productivity across Australian mines peaked at 104 points in 2007, and slumped to a rating of around 88 points in 2013.

Equipment and the way it is used is a key focus of the report, which shows that productivity differences between the best and worst performing mines are stark, with some of the best practice outputs coming in at more than 100 per cent greater than the median performers.

“The popular tagline of the mining sector is that the miners are serious about productivity,” PwC states.

“We suggest that most are reducing costs and increasing volumes but there are precious few with legitimate claims to improving core productivity in their open cut operations.”

Lilleyman cited Rio Tinto’s Mine of the Future remote operations programs and its global centres of excellence as examples of how the miner is addressing core productivity issues facing miners.

“We’ve been looking at improving productivity, and the development program associated with that such as the Remote

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ONE ON ONE

Operations Centre and Centres of Excellence, since 2007 [at the height of Australia’s reported resources productivity levels]; over the last eight years we’ve really aimed at increasing productivity – however to us it’s all about reducing input and increasing output, whether that’s through automation or better processes.

“When I was in the iron ore group with Sam Walsh, even then we were looking at what to do to stay ahead of the game and focusing on making our operations better, and ignoring the cyclical factor of commodities.

“We consider ourselves world class, and to stay that way we have to keep looking ahead at increasing our efficiency whether it be a time of boom or bust.”

However Lilleyman does not discount the important role that technological advances are making in creating efficiency gains, whether it be full or partial automation, remote operations, the newly formed role Big Data is playing in development, total site visibility, or centralised skills centres.

Yet “with innovation and technology not all will turn the industry on its head, but they will improve efficiencies, even if it is just in an incremental way. Some improvements are just smaller than others”.

THE TECH ON DECK

So what kinds of technology is Rio Tinto using, and how, to gain efficiencies in this current slower mining cycle?

While its top tier Remote Operations Centre, run out of Perth, and its wider Mine of the Future program has drawn much of the attention, the miner is also working with its existing kills in developing Centres of Excellence – which provide additional help as remote collaboration centres, as well as integrating technological advances such as automation, drone technology, and the Big Data revolution to aid its operations.

Surprisingly, despite the hype around Remote Operations Centres, Lilleyman

states Rio Tinto only has one, which runs its iron ore business, adding that while the model is successful for its Pilbara operations it may not be applicable right across its suite of mines.

“What makes them work is the interconnectedness of the site, and being able to run operations from the pit to the port, having that complete visibility and control,” he said.

In regards to its technology centres Rio Tinto has both a Processing Centre of Excellence, dubbed by some as ‘the excellence centre for excellent excellence’, and a Centre for Emergent Technologies, based in Brisbane and the UK respectively.

In a Rio Tinto statement, it said “the aim is to develop and deploy leadingedge technology to create safer working operations, improve environmental performance and increase the productivity of mining operations.”

Professor Sam Kingman, Research Director of the Rio Tinto Centre for Emergent Technologies, said “this truly multi-disciplinary partnership with Rio Tinto will enable the delivery of significant tangible outputs that have the potential to provide a step change in the performance and productivity of Rio Tinto’s operations”.

And it is with these centralised skills centres that Lilleyman sees the future of mining and the development of new efficiencies.

“There are likely to only be a few more remote operations centres in the future, but there will be more focus on these centres of excellence,” he explained.

“These centres are about looking at combing people roles with Big Data, and world class expertise, and seeing how we can provide actionable outcomes, such as making tweaks in how we are processing down our ore or how control systems operate for better movement – this is why we are likely to see more of these excellence centres because, while like automation they are linked to sites, they are not physical-

CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE ARE INCREASING EFFICIENCIES

AUSTRALIANMINING

...and these innovations and productivity improvements continue to be rolled out across the Group Key innovation

Where deployed

Value delivered

Productivity programmes

• Group wide

• Improved asset reliability • Reduced operating risk

• Continue to roll out across the Group

Equipment automation

• Pilbara • Hunter Valley

• Improved safety • +14% truck utilisation • -13% load and haul operating cost • x3 drill labour productivity & real time ore body data

Autonomous drills: • Coal Australia 2015 • Other Iron Ore 2015 AutoHaulTM commissioning during 2015

Mine automation systems (‘Big Data’)

• Pilbara • Hunter Valley • Kennecott

• +2% high grade ore at West Angelas through RTVIs TM

• Full Pilbara roll out 2015 • Coal, Copper, Boron and other sites underway

Operations & Processing Excellence Centres

• Perth Operations Centre • Brisbane Processing Excellence Centre (PEC) • Pune Analytics Centre

• PEC: +US$80m cash flow

• Hunter Valley Coal Operations Centre 2015 • Canada PEC 2015

ly wed to a single operation.

“We see real value in these centres as you can put your experts with a network of other companies experts and really pool that talent.”

Big Data, the new buzzword in industry, is also on Rio Tinto’s radar for its ability to aid efficiency.

“We’ve just started dipping our toe in to Big Data,” Lilleyman told Australian Mining, “we’re really starting to understand how this concept can best apply to our business”.

“For us Big Data is about knowing how to ask the right questions before we start using it, as its different to standard analytics, it’s predictive.

“Previously, to get an understanding of our operations, we looked at the prior month and saw how sites performed and then change the operations from there whereas now Big Data allow you to identify patterns to predict operations in the future to where there might be a safety issue, or where equipment failures may occur, or how operations may perform in into the future.

“There’s a lot of opportunity, but it is still a bit of ‘watch this space’.”

Lilleyman went on to discuss additional technology such as drones and 3D printing.

“In regards to UAVs and drones, these are just tools and it’s more a matter of what you do with it; it’s not a game change but it is a useful tool for jobs such as checking areas that may be unsafe or far away such as using them to check issues along distributed power networks in the Pilbara instead of using manned helicopters.”

When it came to 3D printing however Lilleyman was less enthusiastic.

“We have seen 3D printing in action in Japan and China, where groups are showing us what they are capable of; at this point it is not that likely to be used but may at some point in the future, however it is not scalable for our purposes now,” he said.

15

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FEBRUARY 2015

THE TABLE DEMONSTRATES HOW RIO HAS BENEFITED FROM AUTOMATION

PEOPLE POWER

He outlined how Rio Tinto looks through four lenses to work towards efficiency consisting of people, energy, the asset itself, and how these factors work together.

“It’s these four aspects we look through to improve our operations, whether its people and the asset itself to understand how to better ready the ore through process centres, or how to gain fuel efficiencies on rail cars etc.”

For Lilleyman, it comes down to what technology, automation, and the increasing interconnectedness of operations can add to an already strong management and people focus.

This was echoed by Honeywell Automation’s principal consultant for mining and metals, Neil Freeman, who said: “Automation requires careful planning and scheduling with implementation over a considered timeframe to ensure the smooth and efficient running of operations. It is critical that the right systems are in place to ensure the viability of the technology, and more importantly, the safety of all workers: the technology is the enabler; the people make it happen; and the right systems and processes keep operations safe and viable.”

“In regards to my job most people like to look at the big, sexy high tech stuff, and it sells newspapers, yet a lot of gains are actually in the grunt, and the good hard work. It’s about working with people to understand how to work better,” Lilleyman said.

“Even with our remote operations centre in Perth, 90 per cent of our focus is on management process in work; it’s about what sits behind the screens in place such as these, and it’s in working with our people that we get the biggest gains for our operations.” AM

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COAL

CREATING A CLEANSKIN WORKFORCE HOW DO YOU BUILD A NEW MINING TEAM FROM SCRATCH? VICKY VALIDAKIS REPORTS.

W

hen Glencore started the recruitment process for its $1 billion Ulan West mine there was a skills shortage in the sector so the company took the unprecedented step of employing a workforce made up of mostly cleanskins.

In November 2010, the NSW Government granted Glencore permission to develop a second underground mine next to the

existing Ulan No.3 longwall mine.

The new mine cost $1 billion to build and will produce 6.7 million tonnes of export thermal coal per annum for 20 years.

Construction of the project started in May 2011 and first longwall coal was produced on Friday, 16 May 2014.

Everything went to plan for the company, with the new mine coming online with no issues it was on-time and on-budget.

However the operation had one big difference: its workforce was made up of people who had

no prior experience in the sector with more than 90 per cent of the 362 workers cleanskins.

Ulan West’s operations manager David Ribaux said people outside of the company doubted a new mine could be developed and run by a green workforce.

“But the company had full faith,” Ribaux said.

ULAN HITS THE ROAD

Faced with the need to recruit more than 300 workers, but staring down a massive skills shortage in the sector, Ulan decided

300 WORKERS WERE NEEDED FOR THE NEW MINE

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to take their recruitment drive to the masses.

The company hosted a number of roadshows in New South Wales and Queensland explaining to people how to apply and what they were looking for in new recruits.

“The industry was booming and there weren’t the experienced people we needed available so we decided to take it to the masses and let people who didn’t have any industry experience apply,” Ulan’s HR coordindator Stephanie Gelland explained.

“This was particularly important around NSW locally, and in regional centres.”

Ribaux said the initiative was successful in bringing attention to the recruitment needs of the mine.

“I think I shook hands with 10,000 people,” Ribaux said.

All up, more than 6000 people applied for jobs at the mine and from diverse backgrounds including farming, IT, hospitality, and retail.

A positive attitude, a commitment to safety, drive, tenacity, honesty and integrity were all traits the company looked for when searching for workers.

“We wanted to draw on a particular type of person to build the company,” Gelland explained.

Of the 6000, 600 people were invited to take part in an assessment process.

This included face-to-face interviews, role playing scenarios, and testing of abstract reasoning and psychology.

Applicants were asked questions to find out if they had the attributes the company was looking for and to see how they related to others.

“How does mining affect communities and what can you do this minimise this?” is an example of the questions applicants were expected to answer.

Gelland explained that the questions for recruits would have been the same whether the applicants had experience in the mining sector or not.

“We were looking for a specific type of person,” she said.

TRAINING

Once the workforce was chosen the real test for Ulan began: how do you train hundreds of people with no mining experience?

To tackle this problem it developed a purpose-built training facility at its Baal Bone coal mine near Lithgow.

Every morning the company would drive busloads of the new recruits to the facility to train them on everything they needed to know to hit the ground running at Ulan West.

Dubbed the “coal mine recruit school” Ribaux said Baal Bone mine was set up to replicate an underground mine on the surface.

“They had visibility but could identify what the confines of the underground were,” Ribaux said.

“While one person was operContinued page 18

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COAL

From page 16 ating the machine, other people in their crew watched on so they could learn while they were watching.”

The site was also set up so it replicated what they would see at Ulan West with the same signage, equipment, processes, and even the same hard hats.

“They started out in a theory classroom, then went out to this surface area where they could not harm anything and see what was going on in the confines, and the next step was to go underground and do it,” Ribaux explained.

There was also an area on the surface where the workers could build conveyors and do out of the learning environment. of production having been the Even supervisors and those safest underground mine in our maintenance and manual handling to enable them to practice who had prior experience in min- group, and exceeded our tarthe work before completing it ing went through the training gets,” he said. with their crews. underground.

Ribaux said this meant when CREATING CULTURE The training modules lasted for three months per crew and the time came for the workers With the whole workforce gowere delivered by Glencore staff to start at Ulan West everyone ing through training together themselves with external pro- knew what was expected of them. and starting work at the mine He said the training program at the same time, Gelland said viders on site to provide certifications and qualifications where developed by the company has socially the miners are close in shown it can work to train a and outside of work. necessary.

Ribaux said with no produc- green workforce.

And because most started tionAtoMinterfere from 0 2 1 5with _ 0training, 0 0 _ Lre-O A “It - showed 1 2 it0 worked 1 5 - 0because 1 - 2 3 T 1 0day : 4one 6 :at0the 8 +operation, 1 1 : 0 0 cruits were free to make the most we went into our first full year Gelland said there is a sense of

THE GREENFIELDS MINE USED A CLEANSKIN WORKFORCE

pride associated with working at the operation.

“The people we employed have been grateful for the opportunity and have been really enthusiastic and keen to give it a go and make it work,” Gelland said.

“They also have some inbuilt pride in what they’ve done and

achieved here,” Ribaux added.

“Most people have been here since the beginning so there is a lot to be proud of.”

One worker who has been at Ulan West since day one said the process had its struggles but was extremely rewarding. ” It was a challenge when we first started but everyone’s picked it up,” the worker said.

“I enjoy the daily challenges that it offers – we have targets we have to meet so it’s always a good challenge to go and achieve those targets.”

“The cleanskins have created a good “go-get-em” attitude to get the coal out of the ground,” an experienced staffer said.

With the success of Ulan West had in recruiting and training a green workforce with great results, Gelland said she expects more operations to take Glencore’s lead in the way they implement recruitment drives and subsequent training.

“I think the program we’ve implemented has been watched very closely and certainly has delivered the results we were looking for,” Gelland said.

“I’m sure it will be adopted within Glencore and probably in other organisations as well.” AM

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AM0215_020

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2015-01-21T11:09:17+11:00

COAL

COAL’S KING CANUTE MOMENT CAN COAL TURN BACK THE TIDE ON FALLING PRICES? COLE LATIMER REPORTS.

A

s the coal price continues to falter and major producers are hit drastic action is being taken to reverse the tide.

The commodity has faced a massive decline. It has fallen in price by more than a third in a year from December 2013 to December 2014, as Chinese demand waned and a projects came online, flooding the market and causing excessive supply problems.

The Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE) said Australia exported 181 million tonnes of metallurgical coal in 2013-14, with this expected to increase to 185 million tonnes in 2014-15, while thermal coal exports are tipped to top 196 million tonnes in 2014-15.

Queensland alone managed to export 216 million tonnes of both thermal and coking coal for 2014, setting new export records.

Making matters worse for miners in Australia is the supply coming online from other competitors such as Indonesia,

Colombia and South Africa, further flooding the market, while Russia has plans to quadruple its coal output levels by 2030.

At the same time, rising natural gas production in the United States means thermal coal will be diverted from domestic American markets where it is used as an energy source, to export destinations – particularly Asia.

Added to this are closer energy ties between China and Russia and cross-border co-operation between the two nations.

At the top of the market this posed no problem for coal miners, as the margins more than supported fluctuations in demand in an undersupplied market; however China is no longer willing to pay excessively high amounts for coal.

Now as Australia’s coal exports reach these new peaks for exports and lows on price, how can the coal mining industry claw back profit and create a stronger market?

For some miners it is a case of mining more, at these lower margins, to stay profitable.

According to Queensland Resources Council CEO Michael Roche: “We are seeing are Queensland coal producers replacing the high prices of a few years ago with the volumes necessary to keep their operations viable in a currently depressed market”.

These operators are looking to efficiency measures, such as increased productivity and job cuts, to help “outperform competitors attracted to the export market by record prices that peaked around 2009-10”.

These actions by larger players mirror those being taken by

MINERS ARE LOOKING TO PUSH BACK BY CUTTING OUTPUT

AUSTRALIANMINING

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FEBRUARY 2015

the majors in the iron ore market, where the likelihood of survival depends more and more on the ability to push out more product and operate at thinner margins.

But not all miners are looking to excess tonnages to wade through the already flooded market.

Instead some are looking to wind back their own operations to remove coal from the market and address the supply glut.

China has been the most active in this internally, shutting 2000 small coal mines in the country.

Glencore and Anglo American are two of the majors taking this route in Australia.

According to Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifani coal mines will be closed or suspended at a steady rate until reduced supply drives a price recovery, adding that globally they will most likely shut at a rate of around one every two to three weeks until the lack of supply finally affects price.

Seamus French, Anglo American Coal’s CEO, at the time clarified: “Significant reductions in operating costs and reduced mining activity have failed to offset the impact of a weakening metallurgical coal price.”

“As a result, we have been forced to take further action in response to the weak market conditions, so that we can preserve the long-term future of the operations.”

Last year it placed the Peace River coal mine in Canada into

OVERWEHLMING SUPPLY HAS FLOODED COAL MARKETS

care and maintenance for this reason.

Cutifani went on to state that other operators are likely to carry out similar operations globally.

“I suspect others will have to do fairly similar moves to keep themselves whole,” he said.

Glencore has been another miner taking direct action in this vein, following its decision to halt operations at its Australian coal mines over the recent Christmas break period.

According to the miner it was “a considered management decision given the current oversupply situation”.

Glencore said this will reduce the need to push incremental sales in the weak commodity price environment.

“We remain confident in demand growth for our products and believe that the supply and demand balance will be restored in the medium term,” Glencore said at the time of the decision.

The Christmas shutdowns reduced Glencore’s Australian coal output by a planned five million tonnes.

The question must be asked, are we set to see more periodical shutdowns in Australia to reduce current market oversupply, and how will this affect the miner at the coalface?

It remains to be seen, however if no action is taken the outcome may be more painful than the preventative measures. AM

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AM0215_022

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MINING JOBS

TRACKING JOB TRENDS AFTER A POOR 2014, WHAT JOBS LOOK BRIGHT FOR MINING IN 2015?

A

fter the release of the Hays Quarterly report for Jan-March 2015, Australian Mining spoke with the recruiter’s national head of mining, Chris Kent, for an in-depth labour hire perspective on the state of the industry.

With 30 mining personnel consultants around the country, dealing in both blue and white collar roles, Hays regularly updates the state-of-thenation with a quarterly report into current job market trends.

The construction phase is well and truly over, as anyone paying attention could tell you, but due to completion of projects leading to massively increased production levels, this means there’s now a lot more processing plants in operation that require maintenance, and that means more shutdowns.

Hays head of mining Chris Kent said there are a lot of shutdowns happening at the moment, meaning increasing demand for tradespeople, and especially for hard-to-source shutdown planners capable of streamlining the maintenance process.

“During the skills shortages a couple of years ago there were

a lot of people without much shutdown experience on those jobs, but right now the trend is for employers to be a bit fussy and make sure workers already have shutdown experience and relevant inductions,” Kent said.

“Another trend we’re seeing is that some of those operators are looking to do their own shuts rather than source through a contractor.

“By cutting out sub-contractors, operators are able to cut one layer of margin from their maintenance costs.”

Kent noted that companies confident in the price of their commodities are hiring permanent staff while they can secure them with reasonable salaries.

“We’re finding that it’s also companies with long term projects that are looking to transfer people from a contract basis on to their permanent books, and we’ve certainly seen that in the last 12 months in Western Australian iron ore,” he said.

“So while there’s been redundancies, a lot of these have been casual employees that they didn’t see ongoing work for, but for those with ongoing roles companies have been looking at securing those workers permanently.”

Other roles of importance are

those related to logistics and materials control, and with miners always rehiring workers with those skills, companies are taking them on permanently to cut out labour hire costs.

For small to medium operators and explorers, Kent said the situation seemed to be the reverse.

“They’re looking at increasing contract work because they are unsure about their medium to long term future and a bit hesitant about hiring permanently,” he said.

“As a company we are paying more contractors than we did in the boom.

“We are essentially a sub-contractor within the industry, and we have margin pressure as would any other sort of contractor, and

PEOPLE ARE BEING TRANSFERRED FROM A CONTRACTOR TO A PERMANENT BASIS

AUSTRALIANMINING

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FEBRUARY 2015

companies are looking to get more from us for their dollar.

“That’s what all sub-contractors are trying to do, but where they can’t save the company money, that’s when the company looks at bringing those roles in-house, and the small to medium operators just can’t afford to do that, and are more likely to use subcontractors on a short term basis.”

Kent said Hays consultants are seeing sentiment improving in the goldfields, with good testing results coming out of companies like Northern Star, and companies who are still exploring.

“That’s important because it gives people faith in the future of the industry,” he said.

“Sentiment is certainly improving there and we’re seeing our fair share of job flow coming from the gold fields, especially for gold process technicians, and other processing roles: it’s a good sign.”

Kent also said there had started to be a slight increase in roles for geologists, but last December had negative sentiment around commodity prices.

“We’re yet to see what comes of that, especially with the exploration incentives and royalty rebates put out by the WA government: They’re doing what they can to support the industry,” he said.

“Exploration is stable at the moment; companies like FMG have announced that they wanted to halve their capex spending last month, but they didn’t cut the exploration budget, so there’s a bit to read into that.

LOGISTICS AND MATERIALS HANDLING IS IN DEMAND

“Northern Star still have $50 million in their exploration budget, so there’s positive stories out there, it just depends how the company has been run over the past few years.”

For people looking for new careers, whether out of school or out of another industry, the best white collar roles to look at in the medium term and beyond the current cycle of commodities are those relating to automation, cost engineering, and innovation in general, according to Kent.

“Mining is still quite a long way behind the rest of the world in innovation, I think, and with the trends such as automated trucks that’s only going to get further developed,” he said.

“On the IT side of mining, IT in relation to heavy industrials will be worth considering, and these will be transferrable skills between mining, oil and gas, and other industrial sectors such as manufacturing.”

In relation to blue collar roles, the current market cycle of operations and maintenance dominates the requirements for key positions in the industry.

“Even if they do go down heavily technology oriented path, such as with automated trucks, someone still has to maintain them and make sure they can get back on the roads, so that means we’ll need mechanical and diesel fitters, and electrical and instrumentation technicians,” Kent said. AM

AM0215_000_ESS_r

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2015-01-23T14:27:00+11:00

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AM0215_024

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2015-01-21T14:10:17+11:00

MINESITE VEHICLES

FIGHTING FOR EFFICIENCY THE PUSH FOR MORE PRODUCTIVITY IS BEING AIDED BY TELEMETRIC SYSTEMS.

A

s mining moves out of the construction and investment boom into a period of production, miners are turning away from major capex purchases to more efficiency measures.

In short, they are looking at ways to get more out of their existing machinery now that the days of being able to break it and buy a new one are long gone.

By utilising the wave of Big Data and greater visibility operators are gaining more understanding and control of their operations, processes, and machinery.

One particular focus for many operators has been their trucks and other vehicles.

Weighing up pushing the machine to the limits to gain more productivity balanced against ensuring the vehicle is able to operate effectively for as long as possible is a difficulty all miners face; whether they should put it in maintenance or continue running the machine, putting it at risk of catastrophic failure in an effort to gain more tonnages.

With automation and telemetric systems becoming more prevalent on mine sites and in vehicles, the ability to measure every aspect of an operation, from vehicle running speed, fuel consumption, and exhaust emissions through to parts wear and payload measurements allows operators to gain greater visibility over their sites.

And now as industry migrates into the era of Big Data, the Internet of Everything, and total information collation and analysis unique productivity opportunities are arising.

Komatsu has been one of the major OEMs looking at how to integrate telemtetrics systems, complete monitoring, and the drive for efficiencies, forward.

During a site visit to Komatsu’s centre of operations, Komatsu head of information technology and fleet management, Todd Connelly told Australian Min-

ing that the company has been “using data to maximise performance for operators, be it payload, machine health, or fuel usage”.

“It’s that capability for real time data monitoring, and the decisions that can help operators push into new areas of vehicle productivity and efficiency.”

Connelly explained that there are a number of screens that provide extensive information on an operator’s fleet and their vehicle performance, and that mining companies and contractors often come into the centre to gain a

better understanding of how their machinery is being used, and discuss with Komatsu ways to optimise their fleet management.

“Operators can now manage their machines more tightly, with the information to help them decide whether, in an instance where the machine has approximately 30 hours until a component failure to proactively put their machine into maintenance or run it for another shift and get more out of the vehicle but risk a greater failure,” he said.

“They can also look at their

TELEMETRICS ALLOW FOR ‘WHAT-IF’ SCENARIOS

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wider fleet, comparing one site against another.

“This, combined with the Komtrax PLUS, is giving operators greater ICT support for their machines, and makes a point of difference for operators.”

But is not just on the mine site where this technology is being used.

Similar technology is also being integrated into V8 Supercars.

Speaking to Red Bull Racing’s telemetrics specialist J.J ahead of the 2014 Sydney 500, he explained to Australian Mining how telemetrics is providing the drivers and their support teams total information overview.

“We’re able to get a complete understanding of how the machine is reacting, the performance of each vehicle – such as its speed and how it is cornering etc – all in real time,” he explained.

“We can compare the information that each car is giving us live, and adjust operations in real time, and even use this data to make maintenance decision… for us telemetrics is about not being in the dark in regards to how you’re performing, it enlightens your team.

He went on to state what works will in terms of both racing and the mining industry is that telemetric systems “lend themselves well to simulation, and are able to give ‘what-if’ scenarios, comparing what actually happened and what could, allowing for the potential to redesign how we operate.” AM

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MINESITE VEHICLES

Mine spec vehicles that drive your dollar further.

HITTING ALL BASES NEW VEHICLES FROM NORMET ARE TAKING THE NEXT STEP IN UNDERGROUND MACHINERY.

N

ormet has launched a new generation of its MF and LF series of underground equipment, with the machines designed for industrial internet integration.

Debuting the machines at Bauma China 2014, Normet says the machines “set a new standard in comfortable underground operation, with unique axle suspension systems and fully redesigned ergonomic cabins”.

The company has also unveiled its new Mutlimec MF 100 cassette carrier.

The 10 tonne payload machine consists of a series of cassettes designed for different material such as concrete, fuel, lube, or personnel transport, as well as service and scissor lifts.

A rugged load handling device means the carrier can switch cassettes in under a minute.

It has also upgraded its existing machines for increased efficiency.

The redesigned series of vehicles includes machines in its Mutlimec, Variomec, Charmec, Spraymec, and Himec products lines in its MF and LF series.

The major upgrade for these machines, in both the 10 and 16 tonne classes, is the introduction of a new hydraulic axle

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suspension system “which is specifically designed for underground hard driving conditions”.

“The suspension improves operators and passengers driving comfort and safety on bumpy roads and minimses fatigue, as they are less exposed to high peak forces and vibration,” Normet stated.

“The suspension also enhances vehicle handling at higher speed, reducing cycle time and increasing the productivity and efficiency of a vehicle. It also reduces vehicle wear and maintenance costs.”

The suspension system can be retrofitted to older vehicles.

In addition to the axle system, Normet has also focused on safety, developing a new cab with both ROPS and FOPS compliance, as well as improved ergonomics.

Normet is also integrating new electrical and control systems into the machines, with the second generation of NorSmart as standard.

Traditional gauges have been replaced with a new Multi Information Display (MID) which provides operator information such speed, fuel consumption, RPM, and temperature.

NorSmart can record all vehicle data such as speed, gear selected, use of brakes, engine and hydraulic oil temperatures. AM

DESIGNED WITH INDUSTRIAL INTERNET INTEGRATION

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FEBRUARY 2015

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MINESITE VEHICLES

REMOTE RIGS ATLAS COPCO HAS DEVELOPED NEW REMOTE DRILLING STATIONS

A

tlas Copco has released new remote operator stations for surface drill rigs.

The system, dubbed BenchREMOTE, has been designed to allow operators to drill more safely, and can handle up to three rigs in parallel at once.

The new station removes operators from the risk of working close to unstable and hazardous benches and can be used up to 100 metres away from the drilling area, and up to 30 metres above the rig, as long as the operator has a direct line of sight with the rig.

If communication between the drill and the work station is lost the drill is programmed to shut down automatically.

However safety has not been the only focus in the design of the remote work station.

Atlas Copco product manager Mattias Hjerpe added “the BenchREMOTE can handle up to three SmartROC D65 rigs in parallel; this multiplies the operator efficiency and was made possible by the full drill cycle automation”.

“Up to ten rigs can be pre-programmed in the operator station, which facilitates the planning process.”

The BenchREMOTE operator station can be installed in a vehicle, trailer, or container and all controls and screens are the same as in an actual cabin on drill rigs.

Communication between the station and the rigs is carriedA out M 0over 2 1 a5 closed _ 0 0 WiFi 0 _ Snetwork, E R - making 1 2BenchRE0 1 5 - 0 1 - 2 0 T1 0 : 3 3 : 5 4 + 1 1 : 0 0 MOTE independent from local network infrastructure. AM

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FEBRUARY 2015

IT CAN OPERATE THREE RIGS IN PARALLEL FROM 30 METRES AWAY

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MINESITE VEHICLES

OILS WELL THAT ENDS WELL NEW OIL AND LUBRICATION AGREEMENTS ARE KEEPING AUSTRALIAN MINERS MOVING.

A

n Australian manufacturer of lubricants for the mining industry has been awarded a contract with O&K- Carraro that will see its products used in machines right across the sector.

O&K- Carraro, a leading manufacturer of transmissions, hydraulic drives, axles and gears, said it awarded Anglomoil the contract because of the ‘excellence’ of their products.

O&K is a member of Carraro Drive Tech, an 83-year-old

German company that is represented across the Asia-Pacific region by Australian company Cram Fluid Power.

Cram Fluid Power founder Kevin Moore said Anglomoil lubricants are well-suited to the extreme operating conditions in final drives, slew drives, undercarriage components and drill rigs.

Moore said end users are frequently looking for Australianmade products that provide them with better quality because the high-value machines they’ll be helping to run include high capacity shovel loaders,

THE LUBRICANTS ARE DESIGNED FOR EXTREME WORKING CONDITIONS

slew drives, winch drives and a wide range of undercarriage driver systems.

Moore said his company also works closely with Anglomoil to providing solutions to customers with great results.

Anglomoil has supplied grease for use in heavy mining applications such as loaders and haul trucks and Cram has been supplying this grease to one of its heavy excavator fleets for nearly four years.

“During this time there have been no failures in their fleet,” Moore said.

“Prior to using the Anglomoil grease, they were experiencing a grease related failure rate of, on average, two per month. Cram supplied and manages this grease product in bulk 1.5 tonne bins.

This is typical of the stories we are hearing from our mining companies.”

Cram now has operations in Wollongong, Newcastle, Singleton, Mackay and Perth so it can readily service the mining sector.

In other efficiency-related news, a new technology contract will ensure future fuel cost savings for Anglo American’s coal operations in Australia.

Canadian company Blutip Power Technologies will supply Anglo American with their AUSTRALIANMINING

28

FEBRUARY 2015

Advanced Universal Controller (AUC) for coal haulage, after successful trials on Caterpillar 797, 793, 789 and 785 series haul trucks at the Dawson, Capcoal and Drayton mine last year.

Blutip president Chuck Knott said he was very proud to be working with Anglo American to help them achieve fuel efficiency objectives.

“We are committed to assisting Anglo American maximize their efficiency by allowing them to reduce the fuel consumed per tonne-hour across their fleets and by providing real time fuel management analytic tools,” he said.

The new AUC provides engine remapping that reduces fuel

THE GREASE IS USED IN HEAVY EXCAVATORS

consumption while maintaining engine power output and other functionality of the original equipment provider’s electronic control unit.

Blutip said the improvement in Anglo American’s fuel efficiency through use of the new AUC would reduce particulate matter emissions, in turn helping Anglo American to reduce its carbon footprint.

The controllers provide data analytic tools for engine loading time distributions, GPS data and the capability to evaluate other fuel saving initiatives. AM

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PRODUCTIVITY

BIG DATA, BETTER MINING NEW ERP SOFTWARE IS HELPING MINERS ENTER THE BIG DATA AGE. COLE LATIMER WRITES.

M

ining has well and truly entered the world of big data.

Nearly every aspect of the mining industry, from minute processes through to massive haul truck payloads and warehousing and maintenance activities are measured, tracked, and stored.

ERP software helps many miners deal with these issues and gain both a granular and wider view of their operations.

However, due to the mass of data this generates, coupled with the remote nature of many mines, the need for systems that can deal with high levels of data while providing multiple access points such as mobile and web is high.

Rio Tinto’s global business services head Scott Singer explained it has had a number of issues with its digital data management, and the need for cloud and web based applications.

“We generate a huge volume of unstructured data and growth rates are expanding significantly,” Singer said, and “like most companies we are not good at ‘hitting the delete key’.”

“Like most businesses we

don’t have the core expertise to manage this.”

But this problem doesn’t just affect the majors, from explorers through to mid-level miners as well as their suppliers, all face the issue of dealing with multiple complex business processes throughout a multi-tiered system, with much of it now occurring over many sites all interlinked over the internet.

Dealing with all these factors can cost a business dearly if it not ready or able to adapt to the changing nature of the market.

According to Sage Business Solutions managing director Mike Lorge a recent study carried out by Sage in Europe and North America showed “midmarket companies with improved data accessibility, quality, intelligence, and usability can expect approximately 35 per cent more incremental revenue year over year than lower-performing companies.

Sage Business Solutions has recently launched its latest iteration of its SAGE ERP X3 software – Version 7 – which “brings flexibility and an entirely redesigned web and mobile experience, giving all employees the information they need wherever they are,” Sage stated.

Importantly, the program has scalability allowing the response to grow or contract as work progresses, giving businesses more options as they develop projects or wind down certain operations.

Lorge explained: “As companies grow they can lose agility and profitable growth; Sage’s ERP X3 Version 7 provides the tools to simplify and speed up the use of information to revive this growth.”

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FEBRUARY 2015

“The primary focus of developing the new version – which is focused predominately on the mid-market space – was integrating next gen user interfaces; making it web based and device agnostic; and really using the BYOD trend, as we see more consumer trends entering the business software world,” Lorge told Australian Mining.

The new X3 system provides a next generation alternative to Excel spreadsheet systems that many workplaces still use, with the program featuring embedded workflow, integrated businesses intelligence, easy-to-use dashboards, and device independent reporting, which allows for remote access and a BYOD style of operation as well as on site and in-the-field applications, as it can be used with iOS, Windows phones and most Android devices.

It also allows for global management capabilities, giving operations with multiple sites or global offices, greater integration of workflows.

The software has already been picked up by project and engineering design firm Saitec Australia, which is integrating ERP X3 throughout its business, into its analysis and reporting, financial accounting and manage-

ERP ALLOWS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ALL ASPECTS OF OPERATIONS

ment control, and operational management in areas such as production, purchasing, sales, and inventory.

Importantly, it also gives added support in terms of traceability and tracking of compliance and controls, helping businesses to ensure their entire supply chain from start to finish complies to regulations.

Sage Business senior vice president for AAMEA, Keith Fenner, told Australian Mining the new ERP provides a lot of flexibility for businesses.

“For instance, the agility it allows for operators in monitoring and controlling their stocks. As it has an overview of the many different facets of an operation the system can scrape sales, purchasing, and stock information, showing an increased sale of certain parts, compare that against existing stock levels, and that present this upcoming inventory issue,” Fenner said.

“One major miner has adopted it and within 30 days of using X3 for inventory administration they freed up a number of efficiencies, and had a greater vis-

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PRODUCTIVITY

ibility as well as better stock/ procurement management. On top of this it brought in the concepts of seasonality to their supply chain and provided forecasts for likely demand, which was all based off of existing stock plans.

“These operators are able to now get a granular analysis using X3 Version 7, using Big Data,” he said.

“While most companies can’t change their cost base for operations, with greater visibility they can address efficiency issues and help with stock and IT management.”

This also allows for more predictive, rather than reactive, business decisions and actions.

Lorge added that the latest version of X3 is building the foundation for greater visibility and the ongoing convergence in IT and operational technology currently being seen in Australian industry.

“If you don’t have the right architecture in ERP then your business will find it more difficult to keep up with the changes in compliance and regulation and efficiency developments, you need VERSION 7 HELPS MINERS ADDRESS to get it right at this level otherEFFICIENCY ISSUES wise A itMwill 0 2add 1 5unnecessary _ 0 0 0 _ cost MI N 1 2 0 1 5 - 0 1 - 2 2 T0 9 : 5 4 : 3 1 + 1 1 : 0 0 and delays to operations.” AM

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QUARRYING, CRUSHING & SCREENING

FEEDING NEW PRODUCTIVITY A NEW RANGE OF FEEDERS AND SCREENS HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED FOR THE NEW YEAR.

T

erex Minerals Processing has developed new feeder and screen plants, expanding its CR Series of portable plant range.

The new machines, the Terex Cedarapids CRS620S Portable Screen plant and Terex Cedarapids CRS6203FV Portable Feeder/Screen plant, are the next generation of Terex processing plants, according to the company.

Terex stated that the new CRS620S screen increases production and handles applications not possible with traditional horizontal screens because it combines high g-force oval stroke motion with adjustable variable slope operation.

This plant can also handle larger deck loads and larger screen openings.

Hydraulics raising modules can quickly change the screen slope in 2.5 degree increments up to a maximum of 7.5 degrees to best fit the screening application.

Screen openings up to 152 mm are possible while ‘slant spring’ screen suspension provides stability at all slopes, and includes low-maintenance dampers and also eliminates transport braces.

The plant uses large capacity conveyors to handle the high production capabilities of the new LJ-TSV6203 screen, while an optional fines reject system is able to remove excess fines to help achieve in-spec product without additional conveyors.

The 1219 mm wide fines conveyor, which has an elevated discharge, and the two 762 mm wide reversible cross conveyors, which extend up to 1067 mm beyond the main frame, easily feed off-plant conveyors.

The screen plant has magnetic screen deck liners for cross beams and diagonal braces.

Roll-away blending chutes and extended walkways allow easy access to screen cloth.

A low-maintenance flex shaft screen drive eliminates drive belt influence on the screen motion, belt whip, belt slippage, and

spring loaded belt tensioners.

There are no drive adjustments necessary when the screen slope is altered. In addition, the new flex shaft drive folds for travel, without shaft disassembly, to minimise plant transport width.

Terex added that the plant interfaces with cone in-out style plants.

Its other machine, the CRS6203FV, has been designed to “handle applications not possible with traditional horizontal screens because it combines the efficient, high g-force oval stroke motion with variable slope operation”.

In a similar fashion to its other machine the CRS6203FV uses a

LJ-TSV6203 variable slope screen that is able to handle larger deck loads and has bigger screen openings that increase throughput and production.

A bottom deck deflector plates shift material towards the feed end of the screen, boosting screen efficiency.

Hydraulic raising modules are able to lift the screen up to 10 degrees in 2.5 degree in-

FEATURES GALVANISED ZERO WELD WALLS

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crements as needed, while its patent pending screens stabilisation system also includes motion dampers.

Under-frame mounted triple-axle spring suspension with spring-applied brakes provides increased stability.

It has a large surge hopper with a remote controlled tipping grid and a variable belt feeder that allows loader feed from either side of the machine for more flexibility in production.

The feed hopper measures 4877mm by 2438 mm and comes with rubber side curtains.

The portable feeder screener has been designed with maintenance in mind, and features conveniently located grease banks, cartridge style cross belt flashing, and Martin style conveyor belt wipers.

Its service platforms and guard rails run around three sides of the screen, and are accessed by a telescoping ladder.

“Plant interfaces with cone in-out style plants and can be configured with or without belt feeder and grid, providing high versatility,” Terex said.

However Terex are not the only company to introduce new screens.

CDE Global has released a number of new screens in its ProGrade range, which features new screen design systems.

According to CDE the new screen design system results in a stronger but lighter screen which requires less power.

This is due to a re-design of the side walls on the screens.

The new bolted screens also include zero welds and are galvanised as standard, all of which

FEBRUARY 2015

HAS A HIGH G-FORCE OVAL STROKE MOTION

serves to maximise plant life, maximise plant availability and minimise time required for maintenance.

An additional feature of the new ProGrade screens is the patent pending CDE U-Span cross members.

The new cross member design is modular across the ProGrade range and also include zero welds.

As well as offering enhanced geometric consistency the new design facilitates increased space between screen decks, allowing for quick and easy access to replace screen media.

CDE Global product development manager Kevin Vallelly added that “the first stage of the new ProGrade product launch sees the introduction of our new patented technology on a number of screens and dewatering screens”.

“The developments will also be incorporated on the new EvoWash 100 range of sand washing plants and across the M2500, M3500 and M4500 portable washing plants and the R2500 primary screening unit.”

The new screen design system is now available on the ProGrade P2-75 (two deck 5 meter by 1.5 metre screen), P3-75 (three deck 5 meter by 1.5 metre screen) and P2-108 (two deck 6 metre by 1.8 metre screen).

Over the course of the next few months the new design will also be offered on the ProGrade P3-108 (three deck 6 metre by 1.8 metre screen). AM

AM0215_000_MMD

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Innovation

through experience Established in 1978, MMD designed and patented the Twin Shaft Mineral Sizer. To complement the robust Twin Shaft Sizer, MMD has also designed and developed a range of heavy duty Apron Plate Feeders, to be used in conjunction with sizers on both static and mobile Installations.

An independent company that focuses on Sizing and developing IPCC sizing solutions, MMD works with customers to develop systems adapted to their needs and has an unmatched record for the development and supply of effective trend setting static, semi and fully mobile sizing systems for mining a wide range of minerals around the world.

An exemplary track record of ‘Innovation through experience’ has led MMD to being an integral part of the global mining industry and a byword for productivity and reliability.

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QUARRYING, CRUSHING, AND SCREENING

CRUSHING POWER PEAKS NEW CONE CRUSHERS ARE PROVIDING INCREASED SAFETY ON SITE.

S

andvik has expanded its mining cone crushers series, releasing two new mid-range models.

The new CH860 crusher is designed for high capacity secondary crushing, while its other new model – the CH865 – has been built for high-reduction tertiary and pebble applications.

According to Sandvik both crushers feature a range of advanced automation features as well as higher crushing forces relative to mantle diameter, and a 500kW motor.

The crushers were field tested for around one year in a Chinese iron ore mine.

Andreas Christoffersson, the product line manager for cone crushers at Sandvik Mining, explained how “we scaled down our larger Sandvik CH890 and

Sandvik CH895 cone crushers to create two mid-range models that are even more productive, robust and reliable, and feature enhanced environmental, health and safety characteristics”.

He went on to state “depending on the application the Sandvik CH860 and Sandvik CH865 outperform competing equipment in the mid-range segment by as much as 30 per cent and deliver a two-fold increase in performance range”.

The new crushers have been designed with intelligent systems that allow for real-time performance optimisation, and with a more compact build to reduce dynamic load, in turn reducing engineering and installation work.

“The crushers feature fewer moving parts than competing models,” Sandvik added.

“Non-welded, bolted liners

on the top and bottom shell also enable safer, easier maintenance.”

Both new crushers also feature the company’s ASRi (Automatic Setting Regulation control system) and Hydroset to ensure automatic operation at peak performance around the clock.

ASRi constantly monitors pressure, power draw and mainshaft position and automatically ad-

justs the setting during full load.

The Hydroset main shaft support system provides protection from overloads by permitting tramp iron and other uncrushables to pass through the crusher before automatically returning to the original setting.

The system automatically compensates for crushing chamber wear for consistent product size.

IS PROTECTED FROM OVERLOADS

“Hydroset enables us to incorporate our unique PLC-controlled electric dump valve for tramp iron protection, which significantly reduces pressure peaks and mechanical stress on the crusher, greatly improving reliability,” Christoffersson said. AM

* Hitwise Jan 2015

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MINERALS PROCESSING

PUTTING THE FREEZE ON PROCESSING A NEW MINERALS PROCESSING TECHNIQUE IS CUTTING BACK WATER USAGE.

A

“In practice, this method could be new minerals processing technique using freezing used by leaving wastewater from mines to treat and recycle waste- to freeze in special pools under the open water has been developed. sky, after which the cleaner part could The method, developed be removed by breaking the ice,” LUT in Finland by Lappeen- stated.

“After that the ice would be taken away ranta University of Technology (LUT), has been designed specifically for the using a machine designed for that purmining industry in an effort to cut back pose to another pool where the treated the usage of potable water in operations waste water would be recycled, or unand allowing for the recycling of more dergo further treatment using membrane filtration, for example, for the needs of water, according to Science Daily.

Researchers have created a system of various processes. Recycling water from freezing waste water to purify it follow- the industrial process would reduce the took samples on the ice of Lake Saiing the formation of a cleaner ice layer. amount of fresh water that is used.”

While this method is not likely to have maa,” researchers said.

This clean layer of ice can then be re“We took samples of both the lake moved from the rest of the wastewater, many practical applications in the Ausleaving the remaining wastewater more tralian mining industry, LUT chemical water and the ice and we examined the technology researchers have developed amount of impurities that they contained. concentrated.

This method also cuts down on en- additional equipment for the method in- The result was that the lake water contained about ten times more impurities ergy usage as the freezing of water – or cluding ‘winter simulators’.

“The simulator has been used to study than the ice. Another finding in the crystallisation – requires several times the growth rate of the layer of ice that research was that the slower the layless energy than evaporation.

The more energy efficient method then emerges, and the degree of purity when er of ice grows, the cleaner the ice is. only needs the AM 1 0 1the 4 removal _ 0 0 0 of _ S S cleaner A B 4 - salt1solutions 2 0 1of4 different - 0 9 - concentrations 2 3 T 1 3 : 5 1 Therefore, : 1 0 + 1 the 0 : purity 0 0 of the ice is diare used. Last winter researchers also rectly dependent on its rate of growth,” layer to retain potable water.

HARDOX WEARPARTS -

Chemtech and LUT professor Marjatta Louhi-Kultanen, who specialised in the study of crystallisation, explained.

Louhi-Kultanen went on to say “future research will be aimed at an extensive examination of different types of waste water pools and the purity of their layers of ice and the implementation of freezing experiments with waste water samples in mining areas”.

Further research into the process will be carried out over the next three years. AM

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Hardox Wearparts Centres are your local experts for efficient wear parts solutions Hardox Wearparts is a global network of over 140 wear parts manufacturers certified by SSAB - the exclusive manufacturer of Hardox – in wear process and material selection knowledge, and production techniques to optimise material properties. Hardox Wearparts Centres offer the best locally manufactured, Hardox based customised wear products for buckets, tippers, crushers, dozers, shovels, chutes, hoppers, feeders, screws, pavers, pulverisers, dredgers, mixers, moulds, mills, cyclones, shears, balers, shredders, drums, liners, harvesters and more.

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MAINTENANCE & MONITORING

TESTING THE WATERS NON-DESTRUCTIVE PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE IS EXTENDING MACHINERY LIFE.

M

ining operations rely on the continued safe operation of vehicles and machinery to maintain profitability.

Any equipment failure can be expensive in terms of lost production and cost of repairs.

An estimate for the cost of lost production for a single dragline is $8000 per hour, making any breakdown costly when it might take weeks for a replacement part to be available.

One way to minimise losses is to continually monitor plant and machinery using non-destructive testing (NDT) methods to ascertain component health, and monitor mechanisms for damage.

Phased array ultrasound can enhance day to day inspection of surface mining equipment, improving safety and keeping critical equipment operational.

However, it is important that inspections are performed with minimal down time, so need to be planned and co-ordinated to ensure that critical parts are available when the maintenance is carried out.

As part of the technical programme at the recent Australian Institute for Non-Destructive

Testing (AINDT) Conference in Brisbane, Nicholas Bublitz, a global product support specialist with Olympus Scientific Solutions America (OSSA), explained how phased array ultrasonics could improve mine profitability.

NDT is a group of techniques used to detect discontinuities in materials or components without causing damage or permanently altering the article being inspected.

The AINDT Conference provided opportunities for NDT and maintenance professionals to meet and discuss the latest advances in NDT from around the world. Leading corporate members of the Institute displayed and demonstrated some of their innovative, precision analysis instrumentation and applications supporting NDT. “NDT methods like ultrasonics, eddy current and radiography – along with condition monitoring techniques such as oil and vibration analysis – play an important part in predictive maintenance programs and help reduce unexpected expenses,” Bublitz said.

“Outage and emergency repair costs can be a significant percentage of the total oper-

ating cost of a mine. Finding a crack and repairing it before failure, or monitoring it until it needs replacement and ensuring that parts are ordered to arrive in time for the maintenance work, saves both time and money.”

Conventional ultrasonic testing methods use a single element transducer that produces a beam either at a fixed angle or perpendicular to the surface.

This method is sufficient for many general weld and component tests with unobstructed access and relatively simple geometry to allow probe movement.

Phased array ultrasonics began with the development of transducers with multiple elements that can be individual-

INSPECTION WAS SIMPLIFIED

AUSTRALIANMINING

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ly excited but work as a group.

The sound waves from each element join to form a dominant wave, the direction of which is controlled by the firing sequence and timing.

In this way it is possible to electronically sweep through a range of angles and display the results as a composite picture— this is known as phased array and is a similar technique to ultrasound used in medicine.

Since being introduced in the 1990s, the cost of phased array inspection tools has steadily decreased making the technique accessible to more companies and industrial sectors.

As technology has advanced, the capabilities of the equipment have increased, while set-up and operation has been dramatically simplified.

Machinery used to access, remove and haul away coal and other mineral resources at mine sites is often used during every shift and is under constant operational stress due to the sheer weight or the rotation and vibration of components and engines.

Draglines and shovels are two key pieces of operating equipment where there are many beneficial applications for phased array inspection and analysis.

There are many shafts, pins, bores and lugs on these machines, all of which present excellent opportunities to benefit from phased array inspection.

In addition, the benefits of phased array in weld inspection are well documented and are equally applicable in mining applications.

One example Bublitz present-

FEBRUARY 2015

NDT ALLOWED FOR QUICKER DRAGLINE MAINTENANCE

ed at the AINDT conference was the checking of dragline swing shafts, which are often long with variable outside diameters.

Cracks commonly occur at the transition or taper down areas.

Often two or more ultrasonic angles are chosen and multiple manual conventional ultrasonic inspections are performed where the probe can be applied to the shaft. He showed that the application of phased array simplifies the inspection, and provides better identification and sizing.

Phased array imaging helps identify geometric landmarks to help define the location and importance of any discontinuities.

The overall probability of detection is greatly increased using the comprehensive visual representation.

Data capture even allows for further off-line analysis.

The result is more dependable, accurate and faster assessment of potential failure sites.

The benefits of phased array have been proven by more than twenty years of use in other industries and can now be shown to benefit typical mining applications.

“The use of multiple angles and imaging increases coverage, reduces scanning times, and provides better detection and characterisation capabilities especially when monitoring crack growth,” Bublitz stated.

“Phased array can add a huge benefit to mine predictive maintenance programs.” AM

FD_FP

-

1

2014-03-19T15:45:14+11:00

The easiest way to find the right products and suppliers

MANUFACTURING | MINING | INDUSTRIAL

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ferret.com.au

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AM0215_040

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PERSONNEL

FIGHTING FIFO FRAGMENTATION NEW APPS ARE CUTTING FIFO TRAVEL HASSLES FOR MINERS.

A

“This fully integrated solunew integrated mobile solution tion simplifies the fragmented is helping FIFO processes that are required to workers get from move thousands of employees travelling to stay and work at A to B easier.

Carlson Wagon- remote locations,” Brady said.

“It provides consolidated, aclit Travel (CWT) has teamed with Osmotion to develop a one- curate, and real time informastop, fully integrated booking tion on each traveller and their solution for FIFO miners and respective journeys.

“Given that more than 40 per oil and gas workers that allows companies to manage the vary- cent of bookings made in this ing complexities of remote site sector will be rescheduled at least once, this tool gives you travel management.

The software is designed to the ability to manage changes eliminate multiple booking touch quickly, cutting the stress for points and manual processes, both the traveller and the trav- and site managed travel and accommodation,” Barr said. providing FIFO workers with el arranger.”

“By providing more accuAndrew Barr, Osmotion’s a single traveller itinerary for all of their commercial, char- GM, said the tool was devel- rate information, energy and oped due to industry demand. resources companies can imter, and site logistics.

“We kept hearing from cli- prove forecasting, rosters, and According to CWT vice president, energy resources and ma- ents that they wanted a solu- utilisation of assets such as acrine Asia Pacific, Peter Brady, tion to help them keep track of commodation.” added that it will theAsoftware in-U M journeys M 1 1 1 is4 a_resources 0 0 0 _ S 1 and 2 0people 1 4 - more 1 0 - ef2 2 T 1Brady 2 : 0 9 : 1 1 + 1 1 sim: 0 0 fectively across all commercial plify the itinerary for workers, dustry first.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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FEBRUARY 2015

even on complex trips.

He went on to say “this is the first time they will be able to see it all on one single page itinerary, or on their smartphone via CWT’s mobile app CWT To Go; and if one component of the trip changes then the integration means their travel manager can start rescheduling

THE APPLICATION IS A CONSOLIDATED TRAVEL TOOL

straight away. Not only does this cut down on the stress of travelling for FIFO workers, they have more control and more confidence over their travel experience.” AM

AM0215_000_POS

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2014-11-27T10:25:48+11:00

PowerFlood 400W LED

AM0215_042

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MOTORS & DRIVES

KEEPING COAL RUNNING A CAPACITY FOR QUICK TURNAROUNDS AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT MANAGED TO KEEP ONE COAL MINE GOING IN THE FACE OF COLLAPSE.

S

EW-EURO DRIVE’s ability to produce two 500 kW gearboxes in under a week meant a major coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP) in Queensland could continue to operate without any downtime, after experiencing a catastrophic failure with one of the gearboxes operating the train loading conveyor belt.

And to make matters worse, the failure happened at one of the worst times of the year, at the lead up to Easter 2014.

The gearbox failure meant that no coal could be loaded for rail transport to the waiting ships offshore. However, with the vital assistance of SEW-EU-

RODRIVE the mines were able to avoid any downtime and continue production.

With limited storage space for the coal, it was vital the train loading conveyor belt was operational as soon as possible to avoid shutting down production at the mine; a very costly proposition.

Ben Vandenberg, Sedgman’s CHPP Superintendent, explained that when the gearbox eventually failed completely, he had exhausted all the spares he could get from anywhere in the world.

“In the end it came down to finding a company who could supply replacement gearboxes as quickly as possible.”

With SEW-EURODRIVE holding one of the largest range of spare parts in Australia, val-

ued at over $25m, Vandenberg knew that the leading power transmission company would be able to supply replacement gearboxes quicker than any other power transmission company.

“It was vital a replacement was found, we had no way of getting coal off the site, and the costs were adding up very quickly with demurrage and other penalties

involved with the rail and shipping contracts,” he said.

“In the end we had the conveyor up and running a day ahead of schedule, and actually commissioned it with a train load of coal.

“We didn’t even get a chance to run the conveyor without coal on it, but it operated very well first up, and still is.”

Vandenberg said the whole project was like a military operation with so many different people involved.

“As well as SEW-EURODRIVE, our engineering team in Brisbane was heavily involved.”

He said he was very impressed with how SEW-EURODRIVE was able to assemble the two gearboxes in such a short time, especially considering the circumstances and with it being Easter. “And from a company they hadn’t dealt with before.”

“In fact I have been very impressed with the whole SEWEURODRIVE operation, with both gearboxes performing very well. This time SEW has put temperature sensors on them to monitor their operation,” Vandenberg explained.

MILITARY PRECISION

THE JOB, WHICH NORMALLY TAKES FOUR MONTHS, WAS COMPLETED IN SEVEN DAYS

AUSTRALIANMINING

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FEBRUARY 2015

Chris Smith, SEW-EURODRIVE’s Industrial Gear Product Manager for Queensland, said the project didn’t really get underway until mid-morning on the Wednesday before Easter, April 16, when he received an urgent call from the company saying they needed the conveyor up and running in just 10 days.

“We knew there were problems with the gearbox, but at the time we were advised that

THE MINER’S CHPP CONVEYOR GEARBOX BROKE

short-term repairs were able to be made. However, that soon changed when the major shaft inside one of the gearboxes failed.”

Smith explained that there are two 500 kW gearboxes on the one conveyor, and while only one had failed, that effectively meant two were needed, because it’s not possible to just replace one.

Apart from being such a very tight deadline, the other problem was the four-day Easter break plus Anzac Day was within those 10 days and Smith knew SEW’s production people in Tullamarine were planning to close for that period.

“We had no plans to build any gearboxes in that 10-day period, let alone two 500 kW conveyor drives.”

He said it was not just the two Mining Drive X3KR220HT gearboxes they had to build but had to get drive base plates fabricated from scratch, high and low speed couplings, coupling guards, torque arms, and all mounted and aligned with the clients free issue motors.

“When we looked at what was needed to be done to meet that deadline, it was incredible. All in a week, effectively.”

Smith said a project like this would normally take four to five months to put together.

“However we recognised the importance of getting this conveyor operating again and were able to meet this incredibly tight deadline.”

To start, Smith needed to see

AM0215_043

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MOTORS & DRIVES

“Luckily we have a good subhow they could build the gearboxes, and to make sure they supplier we use regularly and they came to the party and did had the parts.

Secondly he had to have the a fantastic job to make it over workshop staff come in over that that Easter break.”

Smith admits there were a lot Easter break, “which thankfully they did, both here in Brisbane, of things that could have gone where we co-ordinated the pro- wrong, but said he was thankject from, and in our Tullamarine ful they didn’t.

“We had to pull a lot of things Head Office where the geartogether to coordinate the proboxes would be built”.

Smith explained that each con- ject to make it happen.”

Another problem the SEWveyor drive assembly includes a motor, a high speed coupling, a EURODRIVE team faced was gearbox, a low speed coupling, they didn’t have enough of the and guards, all mounted on a special steel needed for the base steel base plate, with a torque plates.

“Again luck was with us, and arm underneath it.

“Once we knew we had all the we were able to source some in parts, we had to find a drawing Newcastle, NSW, and get it up to manufacture the base from. overnight to the fabricator here Luckily we had produced a sim- in Brisbane.”

Smith explained that the Friday) the team had one of the ilar sized base previously so we were able to modify the draw- production team in Tullama- units fully completed, and the rine started building the drives second unit test running. ings from the previous job.

Next morning (Easter Satur“If we had needed to go through straight away after they had the whole design drawing pro- received the order at 1pm on day) at 10am the team had both gear units on a truck ready for cess, it would have taken at least Wednesday, April 16.

At lunchtime the next day, freight to SEW-EURODRIVE’s a week or two to get the drawings to fabricate the bases, but April 17, assembly of the first facility in Brisbane.

Meanwhile the Brisbane fawe were able to modify the draw- unit was well advanced, and by ings we had in six hours or so.” mid-afternoon, the first unit was cility had been manufacturing the drive bases and low speed Once Smith had the draw- in final assembly.

Incredibly that evening, the coupling guards. ings it was a matter of finding being a fabricator A M 0 6 1prepared 4 _ 0 0 to 0 _work N O R first - unit 1 was 2 0 1 4 tested - 0 5 and - 2 3 T 1By0 April : 3 421:(Easter 4 0 + Monday) 1 0 : 0 0 by the close of April 18 (Good the gear units and drive bases over Easter.

arrived in Brisbane, along with the free issue motors, so assembly and alignment to bases could commence.

By 6pm the next day the drive assemblies were completed and on a truck to the CHPP facility.

“Incredibly the drives were completed in just six and a half days, and that included Easter,” Smith said.

“No one could have done that; build two 500 kW gear-

THE TWO GEARBOXES WERE REBUILT DURING THE EASTER BREAK

boxes in such a short time frame. I don’t even know how we did it. But it all came together perfectly.

“Actually, we managed to do it because we have a fantastic stock holding here in Australia; over $25m worth of spare parts.” AM

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AUSTRALIANMINING

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

RIGID COUPLINGS Victaulic has expanded its range of installation ready QuickVic rigid couplings.

The new line, style 107, comes in 10 to 12 inche/250 to 300 millimetre sizes.

The additional sizes give contractors, engineers and owners more opportunities to maximise efficiency by reducing installation time and increasing safety.

The Style 107 family of couplings expedites project construction by reducing installation steps and requiring only standard hand tools for assembly. Installation-Ready technology from Victaulic features no loose parts and no need to disassemble before installation; the coupling is simply pushed onto the pipeend as a fully assembled unit, joined by a second pipe-end and tightened.

Installation is completed twice as fast as standard grooved couplings, and up to ten times faster than welding and

flanging, while offering the same highperformance capabilities. No flame or heat is required for installation, improving jobsite safety.

The rigid design of the coupling, which does not accommodate expansion, contraction or angular deflection, meets industry standards for support.

Support and hanging requirements correspond to ASME B31.1 Power Piping Code and ASME B31.9 Building Services Piping Code.

Ideal for HVAC, utility, process and mine piping applications, Style 107 rigid couplings are available in sizes ranging from 2 to 12 inches (50 to 300 millimetres), and join standard roll-grooved and cut-grooved steel pipe.

The Style 107 family accommodates pressures ranging from full vacuum up to 750 psi (5170 kPa), depending on pipe diameter and wall thickness.

• Victaulic www.victaulic.com

CAN MEASURE THE FINAL CRIMP DIMENSIONS

HYDRAULIC HOSE ASSEMBLIES BetaSwage has launched the first of its 2015/16 swage press product range with improving crimping capabilities for hydraulic hose fittings.

According to BetaSwage managing director Fred Van Essen the new range of products was designed to improve efficiency and quality and reduce machinery maintenance costs.

“BetaSwage has advanced technology that is revolutionising the hose fitting and assembly industry for the mining industry,” Van Essen said.

“The new 2015/16 range of machines is more powerful than typical hydraulic hose crimpers; we have developed the first machine capable of actually measuring the final crimp dimensions before releasing the product and detecting if a hose has been inserted incorrectly into the coupling.

NEW BLUE WORKWEAR The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and RWW Group have teamed up to launch the Blue Gear safety workwear range.

The partnership aims to raise vital funds and awareness about prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed male cancer in Australia.

RWW Group manufactures and supplies workwear and safety products for Australia’s male dominated industries mining, transport, civil and construction.

“Combined with Auto-Indexing features and indexing shoe cluster for autolubrication, the improvements in productivitiy from a BetaSwage press are second to none.”

This new range of products includes the nominal 2” BS350/400C and the nominal 14”BS1400/400C/ “Our new machines are able to crimp 2 1/2” inch and 3 inch MultiSpiral hydraulic hoses, and have a small enough footprint to be located on a mine site.

The BS350/400C also delivers Android Wi-Fi conectivity, making it operator friendly.”

The new range also features patented pinch decompressor and super charging technology for swage presses, offering greater speeds and longer maintenance-free periods due to unique indexing shoe cluster design, which keeps surfaces lubricated with a rotating shoe system.

• BetaSwage www.betaswage.com

Their Blue Gear range includes blue high-vis shirts, safety vests, hardhats, polo shirts and other workwear items.

A dollar portion of each Blue Gear item sold will be donated to PCFA. PCFA calls on these industries to get their workforce into the Blue Gear and also to make good use of PCFA’s Ambassador program which is available across metro, regional and rural Australia. The program provides trained speakers who deliver educational talks about prostate cancer at workplaces and in the community.

Associate Professor Anthony Lowe, AUSTRALIANMINING

THE COUPLINGS ARE INSTALLATION READY

PCFA Chief Executive Officer is delighted to be partnering with RWW Group.

“Each day 54 men across Australia are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Sadly, it kills nine men every single day.

These are devastating statistics which PCFA is determined to help change.

It is important to raise awareness of this major men’s health issue in the Australian community in male-dominated industries such as mining, transport and construction. We hope these industries get behind the Blue Gear and also use our Ambassador speak-

44

FEBRUARY 2015

ers to educate their employees and workmates.”

RWW Group General Manager Anthony Firth is proud to be working with PCFA. “Aussie men in male-dominated industries need our support. Many will have been affected by prostate cancer personally or know someone who has.

Getting behind PCFA and the Blue Gear safety range is a great, practical way to generate vital funds and help raise awareness of this male cancer killer.”

• RWW Group www.rwwgroup.com.au

AM0215_045

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

NEW DRAGLINE ROPES WireCo WorldGroup has released a new drag rope designed to increase time intervals between resockts and end-for-ends.

Dubbed the PowerMax PLUS, the new drag rope helps increase service life and minimise interruptions, lowering the overall cost of ownership.

AVAILABLE WITH POLARISED LENSES

PROTECTIVE GLASSES

The Ugly Fish Armour frame is a great all-rounder, a comfortable black frame suitable for different sized heads thanks to straight temple tips.

The Armour frame comes in a range of tints, but is also available with polarised or photochromic lenses.

Australian Mining tested a pair of Armour photochromics and found the advertised transition time to be roughly on par with the advertised times of 17 seconds to darken, and 25-30 seconds to brighten.

The tint is quite light, rating from category 1 to category 3, but it is sufficient to reduce glare for work in the sun.

These glasses are ideal for sites where workers are expected to wear clear glasses when in shaded areas, and do away with the need to carry two sets of glasses at all time, an annoying proposition at best.

According to WireCo, its “research and development engineers have designed PowerMax PLUS using new wire technology for increased wire toughness that improves abrasion resistance, and plastic enhancement that protects the rope core from material intrusion and fatigue”.

It has carried out field trials at coal mines in the US in Wyoming, and Texas, as well as in South Africa, which have “shown that PowerMax PLUS lasted more than twice as long as the operators previous drag ropes • WireCo WorldGroup www.wirecodworldgroup.com

In the field of optics photochromic lenses, that is lenses which alter their tint to suit available light, are not a new product for those who require prescription lenses: Most people are familiar with the Transitions brand lenses.

However, the availability of non-prescription transitioning safety glasses has only come in the last few years.

Ugly Fish have been producing a line of photochromic lenses suitable for workplace use as safety glasses, with emphasis on comfort and stylish looks.

Stylish looks? “Since when that that ever been important on a mine site”, we hear you ask? But rest assured that better quality, better looking glasses are more likely Fish A Mto0 stay 2 1 on 5 _workers’ 0 0 0 _heads U N I and-less1 • 2Ugly 0 1 5 - 0 1 - 2 0 T1 0 : 3 6 : 0 3 + 1 1 : 0 0 likely to wind up in the bin.

CAN INCREASE ROPE SERVICE LIFE BY 110 PER CENT www.uglyfisheyewear.com

AUSTRALIANMINING

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mining jobs

updated daily To see the latest jobs visit www.miningaustralia.com.au

Franna OperAtoR/ Yardsman Perth TECSIDE Personnel is a

• Be living with in 100km radius of Brisbane airport

Dragline Operator

• CHPP Operations experience

contact:

DAS and police clearance.

• Relevant processing RII

Nicole Gray

Reference Number: Chandler Macleod are looking for

752J201435038

an experienced Dragline Opera-

Workpac

tor for an immediate start. This

www.workpac.com

working a 7/7 D/N roster, flights and accommodation is

• Coal board medical (must be

provided. You will help provide

qualifications • Maintenance management systems experience

UNDERGROUND – Agi Driver

P: 53901322 E: nicole.gray@workpac. com

• Hydraulic system maintenance You will need to supply current:

is a FIFO role out of Brisbane

You will need to supply current: with in the first 24 months)

to full pre employment medical,

• Current coal board medical (must be with in the first 24 months)

Mobile Plant Operator – RD 797 CAT

• Standard 11

leave coverage for the production

national supplier of Recruitment

• An up to date resume

mining team with in the dragline,

Regional WA

Services to the Oil & Gas,

• Standard 11

drill and blast area.

Broome & Kimberley

Industrial, Engineering and

• Passport or Birth certificate

To be considered for this role you

Our Client is a leading

• 2 x contactable referees

MULTI-SKILLED OPERATORS

must have:

mining contractor seeking

• Licences and qualifications

• F IFO exit Brisbane

• Be residing with in 100km

experienced Underground Agi

• Residence with in 100km

• 7 on 7 off

Truck Operators for a position

radius of Brisbane airport

Construction sectors. We have

and drivers licence

been established for over 10

• 2 x referees

years.

If you feel you possess the

TECSIDE Blue is seeking the

required attributes, and

services of a Franna Operator/

you have a strong focus on

Yardsman for an ongoing

safety then please apply

contract with a global Subsea

below

company working at their new

Reference Number:

large workshop.

100833a

TO BE CONSIDERED YOU WILL

Contact Details: Dan Dobe,

REQUIRE:

Chandler Macleod –

• Franna Crane License

07 3003 7705

radius of the Brisbane airport

• Passport or (Birth certificate and drivers licence)

Regional QLD Mackay & Coalfields

• November/December start

at their remote mine site in

If you feel you possess the

WorkPac currently have a

the Kimberley. The duties will

required attributes, and you

number of opportunities for

You will need to supply:

involve operating an Hitachi

have a strong focus on safety

experienced Multi-Skilled

• Current Coal board medical

AH300 truck that has been

then please apply below now.

Operators with solid coal mining

(must be within the first 24

converted to an Agi truck for

Please support your application

experience. You will need to

months)

Underground concreting works.

with a Cover Letter and only

make yourself available for

• Standard 11

Applicants must have proven

short listed candidates will be

a start on the 26th / 27th

• Passport or (Birth certificate

Underground experience and

contacted at this stage.

November or the 3rd December.

experience operating Agi trucks

Reference Number: 102041d

These roles are ongoing for 6

• Previous experience on Marion Draglines 8050 and D11 Dozer

and drivers licence)

• A minimum of 1 year experi-

• 2 x contactable referees

for underground or surface.

Contact Details: Dan Dobe –

months at this stage, with a

ence in a similar position

If you feel you hold the

Suitable applicants must be

07 3003 7705

possibility of extension.

required attributes, and

able to present copies of tickets

you have a strong focus on

and underground RPL’s on appli-

Our Client is looking for a shot

safety then please apply

cation. Successful candidates

firer for an immediate start

below.

be able to demonstrate their

working on a 7/7 roster FIFO

Reference Number: 100820a

commitment and leadership

• EWP (Preferred)

out of Brisbane. You will be

Contact Details: Dan Dobe,

towards health and safety on

YOU WILL BE REWARDED WITH:

responsible for delivering, load-

Chandler Macleod –

site as this is paramount in the

Regional QLD

793 (minimum), D10 and D11

• E xcellent hourly rate with

ing and firing of bulk explosives

07 3003 7705

Underground environment. This

Mackay & Coalfields

dozer as well as series 16 or

in an open cut coal mine.

position is FIFO from Perth on

DUMP TRUCK OPERATORS

• Weekly pay with Tecside

To be considered for this role

a 2:2 roster, working 12 hour

• CAT 793 operators

• Ongoing contract

you must have:

day and night shifts. These

• 6 on 6 off

the Brisbane Airport - this

If you have the relevant

• Min three years Shot Firing

are approximately 2 month

• December to March

needs to be your permanent

positions working through till

• Moranbah area

place of residence. Applicants

the end of December. Must be

WorkPac currently has a number

outside of 100klms will not be

Regional WA

available to start ASAP. Subject

of opportunities for experienced

Broome & Kimberley

to full pre employment medical,

Dump Truck Operators with solid

Our Client is a leading mining

DAS and police clearance.

coal mining experience. You will

Statement of Attainment

contractor seeking experienced

Reference Number:

need to make yourself available

•C urrent Coal Board Medical

• Excellent organisation skills

Shotfirers

• Ability to work with different trades • E xcellent communication skills

penalties rates

qualifications and experi-

experience in a coal mine

ence as mentioned above;

environment

please call Ryan Corp on 6436 2909 or email your resume to ryancorp@ tecsideblue.com.au

• Hold a current Qld Shot Firers License • Good knowledge of the explosives industry

Underground – Nipper/Jumbo Offsider

To be successful in these roles

Mobile Plant Operator – Level 3

• A focus on safety

Underground Operators for posi-

752J201435040

for a start early December

3049RC1

• Be living with in 100km radius

tions at their remote mine site

Workpac

with this role going through to

of the Brisbane airport

in the Kimberley. They currently

www.workpac.com

the beginning of March, with a

You must be able to supply:

have vacancies for Underground

possibility of extension.

• Coal board medical (must be

Nipper/Jumbo Offsider on a

To be successful in these roles

with in the first 24 months)

2:2 FIFO roster from Perth or

Global mining company are currently seeking experienced

• Current S11

Darwin. The duties will involve

• Passport or driver licence and

operating a Sandvik Toro Truck,

CHPP Operator/ Maintainer (Mechanical)

Integrated Toll Carrier, IT Loader

• 2 years + experience working within a production coal mining environment as a Multi-Skilled Operator - CAT

Reference Number:

Drill Operator (Coal Mining)

you will have the following:

you will have the following: • 2 years + experience working

24 grader •R eside within 100 klms of

considered •C urrent BMA or Standard 11

(essential it is dated within the last 2 years) •R IIs/competencies to support your experience on dump trucks, dozers and graders Current drivers licence PLEASE NOTE: These roles

as a Dump Truck Operator

are FIFO only and will only be

within a production coal

offered to experienced MS

Drilling operators for their

• 2 x contactable referees

and carrying out Service Crew

Chandler Macleod are currently

mining environment – CAT 793

Operators with proven coal

drill and blast department.

If you feel you possess

works. Applicants will need

seeking Four experienced CHPP

(minimum)

mining experience who reside

This is a great opportunity to

the required attributes,

to be able to demonstrate

Operators/Mechanical

work with an industry leader

and you have a strong

and prove their previous

Maintainers for an immediate

at an established mine and

desire to be a part of a

underground expereince, as

start. You will be working for one

•C urrent Coal Board Medical

these positions are ongoing at

company that wants you to

well as their commitment

of the biggest mining companies

(essential it is dated within

Reference Number:

present.

succeed, supply you with a

and leadership towards

in Australia and it’s a mine site

the last 2 years)

7226J20147923

To be considered for this role

competitive remuneration

health and safety on site.

that is well sort after plus the

you must have:

on a potential ongoing

Applicants with the following

opportunity to work on a 7/7 day

your experience on dump

tion as these roles will

• Skilled in operating Atlas

contract with an immediate

qualifications will be very highly

shift roster.

trucks, dozers and graders

be filled very quickly. For

start please apply now!

regarded – Working at Heights,

Skills required:

•C urrent drivers licence

Reference Number:

Integrated Toll Carrier, IT Loader

• F ixed plant fitter qualification

Reference Number:

contact:

100850a

and Underground Dump Truck

• F ixed plant processing

7226J20147922

Nicole Gray

Don’t delay your applica-

P: 53901322

Copco Pit Viper is preferred • Prepared to work a 7/7 D/N roster • Dozer skill will be advantageous but not essential • L arge diameter drill ticket and experience

birth certificate

experience

• Current BMA or Standard 11 Statement of Attainment

•R IIs/competencies to support

within 100 klms of the Brisbane Airport. There are no entry level roles available.

Don’t delay your applica-

further information please

Contact Details: Dan Dobe,

Recognition of Prior Learning.

Chandler Macleod –

These are approximately 6

• F ixed plant maintenance

tion as these roles will

E: nicole.gray@workpac.

07 3003 7705

month positions. Must be

• Minerals processing

be filled very quickly. For

com

operations experience

available to start ASAP. Subject

AustralianMining

46

FEBRUARY 2015

further information please

AM0215_000_OPTI

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2015-01-20T11:24:37+11:00

ree maintenance-f

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WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AWARDS

THE WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AWARDS THE WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AWARDS HAVE LAUNCHED FOR ANOTHER YEAR, FOCUSING ON WOMEN EXCELLING ACROSS A NUMBER OF FIELDS

W

omen are consistently achieving greatness and excelling in their chosen fields within the mining, engineering, manufacturing and process control industries and we think their talent should be acknowledged.

The 2015 Women in Industry Awards recognises and rewards the achievements of women working in the industrial sectors, and aims to raise the profile of women within industry, as well as promote and encourage excellence.

Australian Mining has teamed up with Manufacturers’ Monthly and PACE to acknowledge women who have achieved success through their invaluable leadership, innovation and commitment to their sector.

The program aims to recognise women who are leading change in their chosen field and breaking down the barriers in what can often be maledominated industries.

The awards seek to single out and reward women who have created innovations, driven productivity, spearheaded change, and provided social and economic benefits through their fields.

The only awards program of its kind to encompass mining, manufacturing and engineering, it also encourages the industrial world to raise the profile of women working in the differing sectors by embracing diversity and flagging clear paths for the next generation to follow.

And with so many thought-leaders together in one room on the night of the awards, it provides a forum for women to meet and exchange information,

ideas and solutions to problems and offers individuals an opportunity to expand personal and business networks, maintain awareness of industry developments and make a contribution to other women in the industrial sectors.

Editor-in-chief of Cirrus Media’s industrial publications, Cole Latimer, said the program was important in recognising the contributions being made to the changing face of industry.

“Though female participation has risen across all industrial sectors in Australia, companies are still focusing on more innovative attraction and retention strategies to foster this growing talent and support young women working in the sector.

“Women already working in the sector make up a big part of these support programs. They are paving the way for others and achieving great success, and we thinks this needs to be recognised in its own right.”

Any women working in the industrial sector can enter the awards, with the event culminating with a cocktail event to be held next year.

So enter today!

LAST YEAR’S INAUGURAL AWARDS SAW MORE THAN 150 ATTENDEES

Platinum Sponsor After the success of the 2014 inaugural Women in Industry Awards, Pacific Merchandising has upped its commitment to the event. The company is the Platinum Sponsor for 2015.

Recognising excellence amongst women in male dominated industries is a great way to provide inspiration and leadership for change. Pacific Merchandising looks forward to wonderful entres from some of the innovative women out there in the field.

Pacific Merchandising is an experienced industry specialist supplier of promotional merchandising to Mining, Oil & Gas, Construction and Transport and Australian Trade Unions.

A one-stop shop with expert help from sourcing to art design, decoration to manufacture, and gift packaging to freighting, the company specialises in leading global brands and wholly Australian craftsman designed and manufactured goods, such as custom belt buckles (and keyrings).

Pacific Merchandising 1300 88 77 95 www.PacificMerchandising.com.au

Excellence in Engineering ABB is one of the world’s leading power and automation engineering companies. It provides solutions for secure, energy-efficient generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, and for increasing productivity in industrial, commercial and utility operations. Ultimately, the company helps customers meet their challenges with minimum environmental impact and with safety and quality as the highest priority.

ABB’s portfolio ranges from light switches to robots for painting cars or packing food, and from huge electrical transformers to control systems that manage entire power networks, mining operations and factories. Its products and solutions serve a number of industries including mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, paper, transport, marine, consumer, automotive and building industries. Employing 145,000 people across 100 countries, including nearly 2000 people in Australia, ABB understands what it means to provide a workplace that is career enriching and culturally safe. The company encourages individualism, values diversity and understands that culture forms part of everything it does.

ABB in Australia is proud to support the Women in Industry awards and to recognise and acknowledge the value of a diverse workforce. The company looks forward to playing its part at the event and wishes the best of luck to all participants.

ABB Australia 1800 222 435 new.abb.com/au

CATEGORIES FOR NOMINATION • BDM of the Year • Employer of the Year • Excellence in Engineering • Excellence in Manufacturing • Excellence in Mining • Industry Advocate • Marketing/Communications • Mentor Award • Rising Star Award • Social Leader

Excellence in Mining Mining Machinery Developments Australia ( MMD Australia) is a designer and manufacturer of material processing equipment used in varied types of surface and underground mining operations worldwide. In particular, MMD extended the technology of mineral degradation with the original development of low profile high capacity compact sizing machines in 1978.

MMD Australia is an equal opportunity employer which encourages women to join, not only the mining industry, but the varied industry sectors in Australia and abroad.

Today the company celebrates the excellence women bring to our environment and encourage all similar organisations to join it.

MMD Australia 07 3193 2800 www.mmdsizers.com

THE AWARDS RUN ACROSS 10 CATEGORIES

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DON’T MISS OUT Australian Mining Prospect Awards will be held in October 2015.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this prestigious night!

A total of 15 awards will be presented on the night, highlighting companies and individuals’ innovation and excellence in the mining industry.

For more information visit www.prospectawards.com.au or contact Cole Latimer on cole.latimer@cirrusmedia.com.au or 02 8484 0652 Platinum Sponsor

Sponsors

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EVENTS

RYDGES, MELBOURNE, VIC

CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS EvEnt suBmIssIons CAn BE EmAIlEd to EdItoR@mInIngAustRAlIA.Com.Au

GOLD FIELDS & UNEARTHED – DRIVING INNOVATION IN THE RESOURCE SECTOR THROUGH OPEN INNOVATION 12 FEBRUARY WACA, PERTH, WA Austmine has a huge focus on promoting innovation and encouraging Australian METS to voice their ideas, and strives to provide platforms where opportunities for improvement and innovative thinking can meet to solve many of the challenges facing the mining industry today.

Productivity in mining is key to reducing costs and remaining competitive in this current phase of the mining cycle, and a key factor in increasing productivity is innovation.

Unearthed, Gold Fields, and others have teamed up in an effort to encourage start up companies to tackle some of mining’s key issues when it comes to productivity. The presentation will cover the questions of – What is open innovation like Unearthed and how can it benefit industry, and what industry challenges are a good fit to be addressed with open innovation and which ones are not, as well as how are other industries benefiting A this M 1approach.

2 1 4 _ 0 0 0 _ from • Austmine

Rosie Atherfold 02 9357 4660 rosie.atherfold@austmine. com.au www.austmine.com.au

ADELAIDE SMART MINING NETWORKING SERIES 19 FEBRUARY ADELAIDE, SA Austmine has a huge focus on promoting innovation and encouraging Australian METS to voice their ideas, and strives to provide platforms where opportunities for improvement and innovative thinking can meet to solve many of the challenges facing the mining industry today. This event is designed to help suppliers and manufacturers of mining equipment and services in South Australia to connect with others in the METS sector and those in the state’s mining industry.

• Austmine Rosie Atherfold 02 9357 4660 rosie.atherfold@austmine. com.au www.austmine.com.au

3RD ANNUAL CONTROL ROOM DESIGN & OPERATIONS LCONFERENCE EU 1 2 0 4-5 MARCH

1 4

‘virtual’ control rooms; future of operations and how technology may transform the capability of operation rooms; and the transfer to digital control rooms.

• Informa Bruce Ewan 02 9080 4023 bruce.ewan@informa.com.au www.informa.com.au

Following on from the past 2 successful events, the 3rd Annual Control Room Design & Operation Conference will take place at the Rydges Melbourne on the 3-4 March 2015. The event is the best and only cross sector event bringing together a host of case studies and up-to-date GLOBAL IRON ORE insight into streamlining & STEEL FORECAST operations, optimising CONFERENCE efficiency & managing costs 10-11 MARCH in your control room facilities.

PAN PACIFIC PERTH Speakers confirmed to date include Michael Whelan, This event is renowned General Manager Operationas the world’s largest al Excellence, Transurban; gathering of senior iron Geoff Ross, Airservices ore and steel executives Australia; Ron Whalen, with thousands of industry Independent Commentator; personnel attending it over Professor Mark Wiggins, the years. It is recognised Macquarie University; as the conference that Russell Ockenden, Control delivers vital information on Centre Built Environment the status of the global iron Design Consultant; Fiona ore and steel sectors.

McDonald, Ergonomist, Organisations confirmed to Absolute Injury Solutions; present include BHP Billiton Andrew Eckersley, Team Iron Ore; Rio Tinto; the Leader, Traffic ManageWA Government; Roy Hill ment Centre, VicRoads; Holdings; BC Iron Limited; Mark Holmes, Chairman, Atlas Iron; Citigroup; CRU Circadian Australia; and Analysis; MySteel; and John Devine, General Mount Gibson Iron Limited.

Manager Supply Chain & • Informa Customer Service, Patrick Richard Beattie Terminals & Logistics.

02 9080 4312 Topics to be covered include richard.beattie@informa. future proofing the control com.au room – Designing for now www.informa.com.au and the future; upgrading and transforming older MINE SITE control rooms; the intelligent AUTOMATION & control room – combining COMMUNICATION function and ergonomics to WA 2015 cure operator fatigue; remote 11-12 MARCH 2015 control rooms & disaster FRASER SUITES recovery procedures; PERTH, PERTH, WA incident management; alarm - 1 1 - 2 4 Tand 1 rationalisa4 : 5 8 : 5 Over 1 + the 1 1last : 18 0 0months management tion; human staffing issues; there has been a sig-

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nificant shift in how mining companies are operating.

There is an urgent need to make operations more efficient and productive, combined with the rise of innovative technology.

Satellite communication or autonomous equipment are the latest examples of how the sector continues to adapt and evolve.

Mining companies are striving to gain a holistic view of automation and communication on mine sites to maximise productivity and minimise operating cost. Those already in the process of automation have been able to make significant improvements in the areas of productivity, efficiency and safety – all of which positively impact the company’s bottom line.

Are you maximising on opportunities to increase efficiency, improve production output and reduce operational costs?

Key themes include: Innovation in Mine Automation – next generation mining; Securing Communication Networks: reliability and availability; and the Human Factor: driving productivity through culture and training.

• IQPC www.mineautomation. com.au

AUSTMINE 2015 19-20 MAY ROYAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, BRISBANE, QLD Austmine is proud to announce the launch of its 2015 International Confer-

ence and Exhibition – the premier event in Australia’s mining calendar.

2013 saw all previous records smashed, attracting over 500 mining industry executives from over 20 countries around the world, with world class technologies and cutting edge case studies being presented and shared amongst the group. The exhibition sold out, with over 60 companies joining to showcase their latest products and services.

On the 19th-20th May, 2015, Austmine and Mining IQ will be holding the next edition of this landmark forum, bringing together the most innovative products in the market with the most pressing challenges in the mining sector around the globe today.

The mining industry is currently going through some of the biggest challenges it’s ever seen, but with challenge comes opportunity for those smart enough to take advantage. This event will focus on the roles innovation and technology are playing in the sector to create these opportunities.

With over 40 senior level speakers from the leading mining, engineering and service provider firms around the world, plus compelling breakout sessions, panel discussions, interactive workshops and a brand new innovation spotlight forum, Austmine 2015 should be in the diary for anyone working in mining who is committed to the future of the industry.

• Austmine www.austmine2015.com

AM0215_000_PYB

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DOING MORE WITH LESS. Delivering underground mining services efficiently and safely.

• • • • •

Underground mine development Production mining Cablebolting and production drilling Raiseboring Shotcreting.

to find out more visit pybar.com.au

pybar@pybar.com.au 02 6361 4499

pybar.com.au

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THIS IS YOUR JOB. Automotive First Responders Food Processing Heavy Maintenance Industrial Laboratory Life Sciences Manufacturing

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