Australian Mining May 2015

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SA SPOTLIGHT TRUCKS & TRANSPORT VOLUME 107/4 | MAY 2015

COMMUNICATIONS

BHP BILLITON’S PUSH FOR PRODUCTIVITY PRINT POST APPROVED PP100008185

SERVING THE MINING INDUSTRY SINCE 1908

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COMMENT

WHY DON’T MORE PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THE MINING INDUSTRY? THE MINING INDUSTRY IS GOING THROUGH A TOUGH TIME, BUT IT SEEMS ONLY THOSE OPERATING WITHIN THE SECTOR ARE CONCERNED.

VICKY VALIDAKIS

ozmining@cirrusmedia.com.au

I

was talking to a friend the other day about the horror that was the mining industry last month.

She had asked me about work, so I gave her a run-down of the iron price, how there were close to 100 job cuts, a multi-billion hole in the upcoming budget and a downturn in general as sentiment tanked.

She looked at me quizzically before asking, “And you find this interesting?”

“Well, yes, it’s my job, and I love it.”

But that got me thinking about the wider population and how seemingly little understanding there is about the importance of mining in this country.

Last month, Atlas Iron shut its Pilbara mines, costing 600 jobs. What most people don’t think about is the flow-on effects this has.

That’s tax and royalty payments disappearing from the state and federal governments. Money which helps build schools and roads and hospitals.

It also means 600 people without work and without wages. No wages means no money and this means not getting that haircut, or buying a new pair of shoes, or being able to try the new Thai restaurant that’s opened up in town.

This affects businesses in mining communities, which in turn affects the social fabric in those communities when small shops are forced to shut up shop, or shed staff because demand wasn’t what it used to be.

People living in mining communities know the story too-well, and know how hard it can be when times are tough.

Families leave, businesses go under, and housing prices plummet.

However most people living in capital cities away from the pits, like my friend, have no idea that these flow-on effects have the potential to reach them, and so don’t concern themselves with caring about mining, an industry which has, and continues to contribute so much to Australian society.

But the industry is slowly working to change the indifferent attitude towards it, and finding ways to better tell its stories.

Companies know they must go beyond releasing official reports detailing the contributions they make to society, and engage with the public in more meaningful ways so people know that mining is not just something that happens thousands of kilometres away.

It’s an industry that affects us all, and we have to find better ways to support it.

FRONT COVER On the front cover of this edition we’ve focused on BHP Billiton’s drive for productivity.

The company has sought to address some of its productivity bugbears with a submission to the Productivity Commission.

BHP has proposed six reforms, including that strike action be a last resort.

It also wants to see a legislative change that will alter right

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

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

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of entry provisions and agreement provisions for ‘greenfield’ sites.

Unsurprisingly the unions are less than happy with these proposed shifts.

We also take a look at South Australia’s Royal Commission into nuclear power and what it means for mining in the state.

CIRRUS MEDIA Tower 2, Level 3, 475 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, NSW 2067 Australia Locked Bag 4700, Chatswood Delivery Centre, NSW 2067, Australia Tel: (02) 8484 0888 Fax: (02) 8484 0633 ABN 80 132 719 861 ISSN 0004-976X www.cirrusmedia.com.au © Copyright Cirrus Media, 2015 All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

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

SAFETY

ENVIRONMENT FROM COAL MINE TO FARMLAND Rehabilitation in the Hunter Valley

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28-31

TYRE SAFETY STANDARDS Tyre safety in the spotlight after a spate of accidents ANSELL DEVELOP NEW UNDERGROUND HAND PROTECTION A safer set of gloves for mine workers

MOBILE PLANT FORGING A PLANT TO THE FUTURE The new generation of Dressta bulldozers

HIGH-TECH CANARIES Portable wireless gas safety

12-14

SA SPOTLIGHT THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ROYAL COMMISSION South Australia examines a nuclear future

16-18

A SMALL BUT UNIQUE INDUSTRY FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA New graphite hub

PRODUCTIVITY

32-34

BHP’S PUSH FOR PRODUCTIVITY The company submits its wish-list to the Productivity Commission

DUST & FIRE SUPRESSION

TRUCKS & TRANSPORT

36-37

20-24

NEW BULLDOZERS ON SHOW CAT’s latest releases

SAFE CYLINDER LIFTING SOLUTIONS A case study from the Port Kembla Coal Terminal

DEATH OF CONTRACTOR SPARKS SAFETY DEBATE Light and heavy vehcile separation ROY HILL MINE New locomotives arrive at Pilbara’s newest mine

COMMUNICATIONS

38 COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN MINING The fundamentals required for a good comms strategy

REGULARS

INDUSTRIAL COMMENT PROSPECT AWARDS

6

44

8

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

42

48

EVENTS

50

NEWS JOBS

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UNM13793

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INDUSTRIAL COMMENT

WHAT’S A “SMALL MARGIN” BETWEEN FRIENDS IN SINGAPORE? ANY APPEARANCE BY THE MAJOR MINERS IN ONE ROOM IS AN HISTORIC OCCASION, BUT BEN HAGEMANN ASKS WILL THE SENATE INQUIRY INTO TAX AVOIDANCE LEAD TO LEGISLATIVE CHANGE?

T

he amount of taxes paid by mining companies never fails to crop up in public discussion.

With the industry having some of the biggest taxpayers in the country, it will never be any different.

It rarely stays a discussion though, tumbling over into argument and accusation that the big miners, the multinationals, aren’t paying enough.

Last year we saw the press level serious allegations at Glencore, that they hadn’t paid any tax over a three year period.

It wasn’t long before Fairfax was forced to retract the claims, but a few months later the Senate, led by Greens senator Christine Milne, voted to establish an inquiry into the issue of corporate tax avoidance.

In April the inquiry questioned the amount of tax paid by multinational companies operating in Australia, and their business dealings through offshore tax havens such as Singapore (where proportions of tax paid can be negotiated with the government).

The Economics References Committee Senate inquiry into corporate tax avoidance saw the big five of Australian mining, BHP, Rio Tinto, FMG, Glencore and Adani, all in the same room to answer questions on the issue of tax avoidance.

The key point of interest in the inquiry with relation to the producing miners was the use of operations in Singapore to market products to Asian customers.

The problem for the Australian government is that this perfectly legal tactic results in a profit overhead in Singapore that is only taxed at about 4-5 per cent by the Singapore government.

Should other governments

profit from our ore, if it is being sold at less than market value to a company in their jurisdiction?

More’s the point, should foreign mining companies be allowed by Australian law to pay tax only on the price they choose to sell the product to themselves (albeit a different subsidiary of the parent company)?

From a business perspective for the miners it is simply good management of the overheads, and a necessary accounting practice, and that is all good and well while the practice is legal.

Of course companies, like individuals, must take every step they legally can to reduce their tax debt. There is no disputing that.

However, it is not so farfetched to consider legislation which would ensure that Australian resources be sold from this country at the appropriate market price, and that all tax on profits remain in this country.

With the national budget staring down the barrel of a $24 billion loss of previously forecast iron ore royalties from the budget, Treasurer Joe Hockey must also take every step he legally can to ensure that every last tax dollar from Australian resources remains in Australia.

However, as per Hockey’s suggestion at the G20, the problem of legislating to prevent profit shifting is extremely complicated, and will require an international solution if there is to be any progress on that score.

Some will argue that companies already pay a great deal of royalties, but it must be remembered that these royalties belong to state governments (hence the chronic shortfall in the Western Australian budget).

Not only that, but royalties are, in essence, payment for the ore itself, not a tax.

Mining companies often conflate these payments, and will quote their total contribution to the government in taxes and royalties, however the two couldn’t be more different, and should always be treated so.

Although questionable, the tax “minimisation” strategies employed by multinational miners (let’s leave the loaded word “avoidance” alone for a bit) are perfectly legal, and miners should have nothing to fear in a senate inquiry, and that was demonstrated on April 10 in Melbourne.

Glencore Australia copped a grilling over loans from their parent company Glencore PLC, and were questioned about their use of a Singapore base for marketing of coal, as well as a $29 million tax return in 2013.

Adani, still in the investment phase of their Carmichael development, will not have to pay tax for some time thanks to $3 billion worth of investment waiting to be written off, and insist that all their Australian operations are governed by Australian companies.

It was interesting that Senator Xenophon noted on the record that Adani Group director Rajesh Adani was arrested and charged with tax evasion in India, an incident of which Adani Mining CFO Praveen Khandelwal was apparently oblivious.

Rio Tinto appeared happy to provide figures on taxes paid by their Singapore operation (which they insisted was not a “marketing hub”), and FMG escaped the Ludlam/Milne blowtorch altogether thanks to the reluctance of BHP president of corporate affairs Tony Cudmore to cooperate with a particular line of questioning.

Cudmore touted BHP as “the AUSTRALIANMINING

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AUSTRALIA’S TOP THREE PRODUCERS SELL PRODUCTS THROUGH SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES IN SINGAPORE.

most transparent mining company in the world”, however that image quickly crumbled under questioning about the profits derived from the Singapore Marketing Hub. It was a “small margin at the end” and a matter of commercial sensitivity, Cudmore said, but the major question on the Senators’ lips was that if Rio Tinto were happy enough to quote profit figures, how could the same figures for BHP be commercially sensitive?

BHP’s “small margin” quoted by the Fin Review was a matter of US$4.9 billion in 2014, and a possible US$25 billion since 2009.

Cudmore also refused to reveal BHPs tax shortfall pursued by the ATO in their latest position paper, another matter of commercial confidence, and BHP is now on notice to answer these questions, or risk coming under examination in the Senate.

So it begs the question, if you are the most transparent mining company in the world, why hide these figures? Doesn’t this just compound the need for further enquiry? Transparency is admirable, but only if it can be maintained, because trust is not a currency in the tax game.

Postscript: On April 27 BHP revealed the effective negotiated rate of tax paid in Singapore was 0.002 per cent, about US$15,000 per year since 2006. In the same time frame BHP paid $945 million to the Australian Government from profits made in Singapore, out of the US$5.6 billion made up to 2014. The ATO is pursuing BHP for $301 million plus interest and penalties of $221 million. BHP now claims that 58 per cent of profits from Australian ore sold through Singapore were taxed by the ATO at the company tax rate of 30 per cent.

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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. RIO TINTO UPS IRON ORE AND COAL PRODUCTION Rio Tinto has announced a 12 per cent increase in iron ore production, with shipments of the commodity up by 9 per cent.

Global iron ore shipments of 72.5 million tonnes were nine per cent higher than in the first quarter of 2014.

Production of 74.7 million tonnes was a 12 per cent increase year on year.

Quarterly sales of 69.3 million tonnes from the company’s Pilbara operations were eight per cent higher than in the first quarter of 2014 but 12 per cent lower than in the fourth quarter of last year. Rio said this was a result of weather impacts from Tropical Cyclone Olwyn and a train derailment which temporarily blocked the inload train circuit at Dampier.

Rio’s Hard coking coal production was ten per cent higher than the first quarter of 2014 as a result of improved production rates at Kestrel South as the longwall ramps up and was 22 per cent higher than the fourth quarter of 2014 which included a longwall panel changeover.

Thermal coal production was five per cent higher than the first quarter of 2014 primarily due to increased tonnage at Hail Creek where production from a processing plant by-product stream was prioritised in order to deliver increased margins in current market conditions.

FMG CUTS COSTS, LIFTS IRON ORE EXPORT TARGET Fortescue Metals Group says it will bring its break even costs down to $US39 a tonne as it plans to ship 5 million tonnes more of iron ore.

In its third quarter report, FMG announced shipments during the quarter were 40.4mt, 28 per cent higher than the prior comparable period and slightly ahead of guidance.

The increase came as the company mined 35.5mt of ore, 19 per cent less than the previous quarter but 20 per cent higher than the prior comparable period.

FMG increased its shipping target to

between 160 and 165 million tonnes of iron ore, up from its previous target of 155 to 160 million tonnes.

Continuing its attack on costs in light of the depressed iron ore price, FMG said its C1 costs in the March quarter averaged US$25.90 per wet metric tonne, a nine per cent improvement over the prior quarter and 26 per cent lower than the prior comparable period.

Fortescue’s total delivered cost to customers has also continued to decrease and was US$34/wmt inclusive of C1 and shipping, royalty and administration costs, 17 per cent lower than the prior quarter.

The miner lowered its C1 cost guidance for 2016 to US$18/wmt which it said would result in a total delivered cost to China of US$25/wmt.

NEW AUTOMATION SYSTEMS AT BHP MOOKA RAIL BHP have announced their decision to use a new cloud-based platform to manage costs on their productivity drive at the Mooka iron ore rail car facility.

Software application Loc8 will be used to assist with asset maintenance by keeping track of automation, data dissemination and control over the processes controlling 67 robots which for the Rolling Stock reliability System (RSRS) used at Nelson Point and Mooka Ore Car Repair Shops.

The Mooka siding was part of BHPs expansion of operations to 240 million tonnes of iron ore per annum, as well as the additional rolling stock maintenance requirements of the Rapid Growth Rail Project.

As part of a $1 billion capital productivity project, BHP are implementing full automation of rail car maintenance tasks such as bearing replacement and lubrication.

Automation development will see maintenance operations upgraded to 56 cars per day.

MACMAHON CUTS 40 JOBS Mining service contractor Macmahon Holdings is set to cut jobs and alter work rosters.

The company said it had identified 40

roles that would no longer be required.

“Over the next couple of months those roles will be turned off,” a spokesman said.

The spokesman said most of the jobs to go were corporate rather than project roles.

Meanwhile, Macmahon will also make changes to work rosters at its Perth headquarters, with employees set to work a nine day fortnight instead of a ten day fortnight from June.

“We’re doing that so we don’t have to make any more roles redundant,” the spokesman said.

“It’s an interim measure that’s going to be reviewed on a regular basis and we’ll revert back to a full time roster when the business is ready to do so.”

The company has had a turbulent six months, as the mining industry contracts and levels of work decline January saw the sudden departure of long term managing director Ross Carroll and deputy chairman Barry Cusack.

Then in February it lost a major $260 million contract at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek operation after FMG consolidated two separate contracts into one, awarding the single contract to rival Downer EDI. This put around 700 jobs at risk, and followed on from the company cutting 40 jobs at the same site the previous week.

However in a turn in fortune for the workers Downer did announce it was would be retaining around 400 staff from the existing Macmahon workforce on site.

In December Macmahon also cut around 40 jobs from its workshop at Perth airport.

JOBS LOST AT MOUNT OWEN AS GLENCORE CUTS PRODUCTION Hunter Valley miners face another round of job cuts, this time 70 to go from the Mount Owen Coal Mine.

Glencore announced earlier this year they would cut approximately 15 per cent from their Australian coal production (mostly thermal), revised to around 15 million tonnes this year, which was to result in the loss of around 120 jobs.

A spokesperson for Glencore confirmed the main contractor on site Thiess would implement operational changes to suit production requirements, and cut an entire crew out of the four currently working at the mine.

CFMEU northern district president Peter Jordan said 36 workers were already made redundant at the mine last year, and did not anticipate much uptake on the offer of voluntary redundancy.

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

CLOSE TO 600 JOBS SLASHED AS ATLAS IRON SHUTS MINES Close to 600 people are set to lose their jobs after Atlas Iron announced it will close its mining operations.

The company suspended mining over the month of April, with exports halted a short time later.

The move comes in light of the iron ore price dive which has seen the commodity lose 25 per cent of its value since the start of the year to trade at 10-year lows.

Atlas Iron’s break-even price is $US60 a tonne, well above the current spot price of $US47 a tonne.

All Atlas’ projects will be put on care and maintenance, pending future iron ore market conditions.

Atlas Managing Director Ken Brinsden said the decision to suspend production was taken after extensive consideration of the company’s financial position, discussions with contractors and secured creditors.

“To suspend our operations, with the impact that will have on so many committed and talented people, is an extremely difficult decision,” Brinsden said.

“I sincerely thank all those who have worked so hard to build Atlas’ production base and those who have worked furiously to maintain Atlas’ competitive position over the past 15 months, in the face of increasingly oppressive market conditions.”

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ENVIRONMENT

FROM COALMINE TO FARMLAND THE ONGOING SUCCESS OF MINE REHAB IN THE HUNTER VALLEY.

W

hen the mineral reserve has been completely mined out , a nd there’s nothing but a big hole in the ground, there is still the responsibility to rehabilitate the land to bring it back to a useable form.

But the Bloomfield Group are well ahead of the rehab game with their Rix’s Creek coal mine, near Singleton in New South Wales.

The family-owned Bloomfield Group has been operating in the Hunter Valley for more than 77 years, laying claim to a long history of operating in an environmentally sensitive manner through all phases of operation, from exploration through to rehab.

Only 100 metres from the New England Highway, the Rix’s Creek Coal Mine is one of the most visible in the Hunter Valley, with a production level of 1.5 million tonnes transported to the port of Newcastle each year.

The mine is due for drafting of a new Environmental Impact Statement for extension of the mine life from 2016 for 21 years, but the environmental standards in place at the mine should ensure that approval is no problem.

Rix’s Creek senior environmental manager John Hindmarsh is

in the process of restoring land on the mine site for agricultural use as a cattle grazing property.

Hindmarsh has said the original rehab goal was to bring the land capability back to an equivalent or higher capacity than the pre-mining landscape.

Top soils from the original mine development were retained in the original rehab plans to use for top dressing, however due to the degraded state of the land prior to mining, some soil from the site was deemed unsuitable for that purpose.

“Because nature put them there I’ve stripped those top soils and tried to use them with some ameliorants applied to them to try and improve the soil structures and fertility,” he said.

“We use biosolids in our rehabilitation mix as well as some chemical fertiliser when we plant the seed.”

Rix’s Creek environment officer Jason Desmond said the rehab process is a staged approach which begins with prestripping topsoils from land to be mined, and taking them back to rehabbed areas.

“Not all mines are the same, but for ourselves we are restricted by a dump height,” he said.

“We play around with the dump height to make it as natural as possible with the surrounding landscape, so that’s based on bringing waste rock out of the mine, trucking it out to some-

where near our final design height, and then try to marry it in with the existing mine land so it looks as natural as possible.

“As we continue to strip out the mine, we pre-strip the topsoil and take it back to the rehab area with dozers and trucks, and then play around with it with a rehab tractor.”

After the topsoil is brought across, and spread out, the rehab crew adds biosolids to the topsoil, essentially leftovers from waste treatment works.

“It’s a very wet product, about 70 per cent moisture, 30 per cent solids, and it has really high levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, which really gives our pasture species a kick on,” Desmond said.

“We spread out the biosolids after landscaping the topsoil with dozers, and then we rip it in to incorporate it and enrich the topsoil, then in the final process we put seed on top

THE RIX’S CREEK GOAL IS TO PRODUCE GRAZING LAND BETTER THAN BEFORE IT WAS MINED

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and wait until the rain comes.”

Desmond said the rehabbed lands were intended to be a higher quality of grazing land than unmined lands adjacent to the mine, also incorporating diversity to encourage movement of non-agricultural species.

“We’re going to start doing trials so we can get cattle on and prove that it’s able to hold up, which we think it will,” Desmond said.

“We also have native tree species which are endemic in the area, as well as habitat corridors and windbreaks, so when we do put cattle down they can find protection and shelter, and so that other species can move in and out of those corridors.

“We also have 60 hectares of forestry plantation which was planted ten years ago as an experiment to see if mines can engage in forestry.”

Organiser for the Tom Farrell Institute’s Mined Lands Rehabilitation Conference, Nigel Stace, viewed the rehabilitated lands recently at a tour during the Hunter Valley Coal Festival in April.

“We were taken to a very large field and shown how luxurious the grass was growing, and there was opportunity for discussion about technical aspects of the rehab,” he said.

“We were also shown the various phases of the rehab, how the land is built up, bringing in the soil and plants, it’s a multistage process.”

Stace expressed that rehab can have a very positive impact on the public and community view of mining operations, as

REHABILITATED GRAZING LAND ENCROACHES ON THE RIX’S CREEK MINE

well as the business of mining.

“I think mine rehabilitation should be seen as part of the mining core business. If it’s seen as core business and is done visibly well to society, then so much more social capital can flow to mining operations,” he said.

In his hands-on role with the day-to-day operations of the mine rehab crew, Desmond said he finds the rehab work extremely rewarding.

“It’s like with a gardener at home, if you you’re passionate about it you can’t leave it alone.

“I like saying to people they can come and enjoy and view the land, that it is of a high enough standard,” he said.

“I’m probably am heavily critical of my own rehab, what gets done, and I like to get people to spent longer to do a better job…I’d rather people go back through and have it set up properly so in the future, if and when, it can be used.

Desmond said the MD, John Richards, has a standing challenge for the rehabilitation crew which ensures the quality of their work.

“John Richards, he’s put the standard out to us that we have to have the rehab good enough that at end of life of the mine, he should be able to ride a quad bike through the land and chase cattle,” he said.

“And that is a fairly high standard if you’ve seen some of the rock material that goes in there.” AM

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MOBILE PLANT

FORGING A PATH TO THE FUTURE BEN HAGEMANN LOOKS AT THE NEWEST GENERATION OF DRESSTA BULLDOZERS, AND CHATS WITH VP GLOBAL SALES HOWARD DALE AND SERVICE DIRECTOR JASON IZZARD ABOUT THEIR PLANS TO BREAK INTO THE AUSSIE MINING MARKET.

P

DRESSTA’S SMALLER BULLDOZERS ARE WELL-SUITED TO CIVILS EARTHMOVING.

olish machinery manufacturer Dressta has been an established player in the small to mid-range bulldozer market for some years in Australia, but now their sights are being set on the Australian mining industry.

With Australian bulldozer market dominance firmly in the grip of Cat, breaking in with a European brand will be no easy task, but Dressta are looking to expand their services thanks to investment from a joint venture partnership with Chinese giant LiuGong Machinery, which now wholly owns the Polish company.

Despite the under-representation of the brand in Australian mining, Dressta claim unmatched performance in mining applications in many countries around the world, including coal mines in Poland, copper/gold projects in Uzbekistan, and nickel mines in the Philippines.

Global vice president of sales Howard Dale was pleased to showcase the LiuGong Dressta

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range at an open day at the company’s testing facility in Stawola Wola, Poland, near the Dressta manufacturing plant.

There the media were invited to get up close and personal with the machinery, and even to drive the new equipment for themselves to get a feel for the cabin comfort and ease of operation of their flagship dozers.

“Our products feature high productivity, proven reliability, they’re easy to maintain on site, and we offer our customers a flexible manufacturing arrangement which allows us to tailor products to their specific needs,” Dale said.

“Our manufacturing, administration and engineering processes are all accredited to ISO9001, and here in Poland we’ve won many local awards for our design, engineering and for the quality of products we produce here.”

Dale also said Dressta has recently won the Polish Overseas Foreign Investment Award for the contribution made to the Polish economy by LiuGong’s ownership of Dressta.

In the past 12 months Dressta have also set up partnerships with Australian dealers and service providers Onetrak (Perth, Melbourne) and Terrequipe (Rockhampton), which will allow greater sales and service to customers around Australia.

“We’re very excited to have Onetrak as a new dealer, who came on board in quarter three last year, and their first products have just arrived, and we’re working with the dealer to enable them in terms of their market readiness to serve new customers,” Dale said.

On the subject of marketing in Australia, Dale said the Dressta range had several features which would be attractive in the mining market.

“Our number one USP is our two-speed track system in the TD-40, for ease of maneuverability, but the second is that we have the best return on investment as it relates to owning and operating costs, and we move product for the lowest unit cost,” he said.

“Also our drivetrains are mod-

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MOBILE PLANT

ular, which makes maintenance very easy on site.

“One of the key features we want to retain as we continue our development of these machines is their ease of maintenance.”

Turnaround for track overhaul of the large TD-40 in the field was quoted at less than one day.

The Dressta range includes 42 models across five product lines: Bulldozers, loaders, backhoes, pipe layers and conveyor belt shifters.

Dressta’s bulldozers have a unique two-speed steering drive which allows for continuous transfer of engine power to both tracks, giving better performance for pushing full loads through the turns.

They also lay claim to “best in class” drawbar pull, as well as unmatched ripping performance with superb penetration in hard materials.

For specialist coal handling work Dressta offer blades for high productivity and optimal load handling capacities, with custom blades of 21m3 up to 47.5m3 in the TD-25E and TD40E, the two largest models in the Dressta fleet.

These machines also boast comfortable cabins with excellent noise and dust resistance to ensure greater ease for operators working long shifts.

For industrial steelmaking applications Dressta bulldozers also

come with a high-temperature pack used for working with hot slag, which can also be applied to emergency work with coal mine fires to ensure maximum reliability under the most severe heat conditions.

These machines are fitted with heat resistant fuel and oil lines which are also protected by fire suppression systems which can put out any smouldering, as well as extensive guarding and high grade steel used for the blade and rippers, with capacity to work in contact temperatures up to 600 degrees Celsius.

Dressta machines also come fitted with Trimble navigation systems designed to increase productivity.

Director of after sales service and training Jason Izzard said it was Dressta’s goal to have all machines leaving the factory fitted with Trimble systems within two years, making the machines much easier to use, as well as enable real time monitoring.

“The machines have to be fitted with systems so that you or I could jump onto the machine and begin to use it like an experienced operator,” Izzard said.

“Trimble gives the operator a screen which allows him to see what he’s moving, what he should be moving, what he’s actually moved, and it records production.

“It can send these details back

to an office in Sydney or Perth, and then you know how much material a D11 working in the Northern Territory has pushed in the last hour, last day, week or month.”

Izzard said it was key to modern operations in mining and construction to utilize real time information with regard to machine performance.

“Basically it helps to forecast when the job is going to be finished, assist with scheduling, and you can work out where to put more machinery; it’s an excellent system, and we’ve recog-

nised that need,” he said.

“We’ve chosen to partner with Trimble because they’re very active, they came to us, and you’ve just got to have it, especially if you’re putting machines into a hire fleet.”

Dale said there were two levels of Trimble readiness, the first being machines built with adjustments for harnesses in the system so that Trimble can be fitted as an after-market, plugand-play scenario, but the preferred level will be machines with factory-fitted Trimble systems, ready for online operation at sale.

MANUFACTURING PLANT IN STAWOLA WOLA, POLAND.

JOURNALIST BEN HAGEMANN TAKES THE TD-40 FOR A SPIN.

“In terms of the mining markets the application of telematics comes into its own for measuring machine availability, understanding service schedules, and as it relates to operations it’s going to be about calculating cubic metres of material loaded into trucks, the amount of product being hauled, so this will improve the efficiency of minesites through the sharing of data.”

However Izzard also pointed out that Dressta is well experienced with custom tailoring machines to customer needs, and that if not needed the Trimble systems can be left out of the equation.

But the immediate focus for the future of Dressta lies in the small to medium class bulldozers, currently aimed at the North American and Canadian markets.

Awaiting launch in third quarter 2015, the newest Dressta machines are small-range models (including the TD-9R) featuring the Hydrostatic Drive, which offers a vastly increased level of maneuverability.

The technology has also been developed for mid-range bulldozers such as the TD-14 and TD-20, which are suited to smaller mines, construction projects, and specific jobs on large mining operations.

Izzard said the hydrostatic system started for Dressta durContinued page 14

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From page 13 ing their joint venture with Komatsu between 1992 and 2005, and was extremely popular in the TD-8, TD-9 and TD-10 machines in North America, however further investment was required to take development to the next level, which was facilitated through the purchase of Dressta by LiuGong.

The key to the hydrostatic system is that it improves on standard bulldozer steering (where one track is braked to turn in that direction) by incorporating hydraulic pumps which feed directly to the power train for each track, as Izzard explains.

“Hydrostatic system involves having a hydraulic pump attached to the back of the engine, there’s no gearbox, it’s a variable displacement hydraulic pump, and on the tracks you have two motors,” he said.

“So there’s a lot of variation.

The motor on the back of the engine, you can choose how much oil it delivers to each side, and depending where you have the motor set on each track, the amount of oil you feed into it

will give it speed, and you can vary the speed by the motor.

“So you can have an infinite variable on each track, rather than simply on and off. On the smaller machines used for

landscaping and civils, operators want to be able to get the machine to push effectively at any variable.

“The hydrostatic system allows infinite control via the tracks just

by moving the lever fractionally.

“To go faster they alter the speed from the pump, and for more power the pump will feed the maximum amount of oil to the slowest motor speed which

THE TD-40 IS DRESSTA’S LARGEST MINING SPECIALISED BULLDOZER.

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THE HYDROSTATIC SYSTEM IMPROVES ON STANDARD BULLDOZER STEERING.

gives you the maximum amount of push.

“If you’ve got a light load, you use the fastest motor speed with the lightest pump action because it saves fuel.”

Therein lies the benefits of the system, giving the operator so much more control in terms of maneuverability, with all settings computer controlled to respond from hand controls, transliating to massive fuel savings, ease of operation, excellent performance, which in turn leads to increased productivity.

Dressta have also implemented a medium scale hydrostatic system for the TD-14, TD-15 and TD-20 called Diff-Steer, based on earlier developments

by Cat in the 1980s.

“It’s going to allow the operator a similar sort of manoeverability as the TD-9R in larger machines,” Izzard said.

“That’s the future, that’s where we’re going to be. It’s what we’ll be talking about this time next year,” he said.

“These machines will be aimed at smaller scale mines, but they will be the sort of machine you put with your dragline, for moving the cable, or to be used for cleaning up around washplants; there’s always marketable applications for the mid-range machines.” AM

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SA SPOTLIGHT

SOUTH AUSTRALIA TIPTOES TOWARDS NUCLEAR FUTURE WITH SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S NUCLEAR FUTURE TO BE INVESTIGATED IN A ROYAL COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN MINING PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF THE STATE’S URANIUM SECTOR.

I

n early February, South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said the establishment of a Royal Commission would create the foundations for a considered and informed discussion with the community around the state’s nuclear potential.

“The Royal Commission will be the first of its kind in the nation and will explore the opportunities and risks of South Australia’s involvement in the mining, enrichment, energy and storage phases for the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Weatherill said.

The draft terms of the reference for the Royal Commission are focused on nuclear power generation, uranium enrichment and waste storage.

Weatherill said much of the debate around the industry was poorly informed and the commission aimed to “establish the facts” and allow for an informed debate.

“What we want to do is take mass opinion, and through a process of raising awareness through the provision of information and facts ... people can come up with a settled public judgment,” he said.

“It needs to be a mature debate, it will be a robust debate.”

Weatherill openly admits that like many Australians, he was once opposed to nuclear power.

However the Premier says potential employment, investment opportunities and the chance to tackle climate change have worked to sway his opinion.

“I have in the past been opposed to nuclear power, all elements of it,” he said.

“I now have an open mind. When the facts change, people should change their minds.”

Former governor Kevin Scarce will head the Royal Commission, and last week released the first discussion paper, and announced an advisory panel.

Commissioner Scarce said the Expert Advisory Committee had been engaged to provide high-level expert advice to him and the Commission’s staff for the duration of the Royal Commission.

“The members of this Committee have been chosen to ensure that the Commission receives a broad range of advice and reflects the diversity of views that the community holds,” he said.

“The membership of the Committee comprises both proponents and opponents of the nuclear fuel cycle, and I believe this type of diverse contribution will ultimately allow the Royal Commission to develop a comprehensive final report.”

The panel is made up of: Visiting professor at University College London, Dr Timothy Stone; Professor of Environmental Sustainability, Barry Brook from Tasmania; past president of the Australian Conservation Foundation and Emeritus Professor of Science at Griffith University, Ian Lowe; South Australia’s chief scientist, Dr Leanna Read; and Mr John Carlson, a former director general of the AUSTRALIANMINING

Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO).

“I want this Royal Commission to be a far reaching inquiry into the nuclear fuel cycle, investigating the associated risks and opportunities,” Scarce said.

“I am seeking to engage in a conversation with the South Australian community, speak to people, hear their lived experience and obtain the views of those who wish to have a say on this important matter.”

To this end, the first public forum was held in Mount Gambier on Monday 20 April, marking the formal start of a 12 month state-wide community engagement program.

In May Scarce will visit Aboriginal lands in the far north of South Australia as part of his consultation process.

Scarce said the commission would also visit countries including Finland, Japan, and the United Kingdom to investigate how the nuclear industry operates.

The deadline for the Commission’s report is May 6, 2016.

URANIUM IN SA

With SA home to one of the largest uranium deposits in the world, it makes sense for the state see how far it can take the industry.

The current estimate of uranium mineral resources in South Australia is 1,371 kilotonnes uranium (kt U) representing 80 per cent of those in Australia.

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Unlike most states in Australia, SA has allowed the mining and production of uranium for more than 25 years.

There are currently four uranium mines operating in the state, including BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam which produces around 4,045t of uranium oxide a year.

Currently, 249 exploration licences are issued in South Australia which relate to uranium either exclusively, or in addition to, other commodities (about 30 per cent of the total number of licences issued in the State).

Forty-seven companies – some Australian and others international – participate in the exploration for uranium.

The total expenditure associated with exploration for uranium in South Australia was $4.8 million in 2013-14.

DEMAND FOR URANIUM

International demand for uranium is driven by its use in electricity generation.

The major demand is from the United States of America, the European Union, Japan, China, Russia, South Korea, Canada, Ukraine, India and Taiwan.

There are currently 395 nuclear power stations operating worldwide, with a total generating capacity of 339 gigawatts (GW). According to the World Nuclear Association, a further 66 reactors (generating capacity of 65 GW) are under construction while some 165 reactors, totalling 185 GW of generating capacity, are planned.

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The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects electricity generation from nuclear power worldwide to more than double from 2,620 billion kilowatt hours in 2010 to 5,492 billion kilowatt hours in 2040.

With all these plants needing fuel, demand for uranium is set to outstrip supply from 2016, with an expected shortfall of 60,000 tonnes expected.

The OECD, Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency have together concluded: World reactor-related uranium requirements by the year 2035 (assuming a tails assay of 0.25 per cent) are projected to increase to a total of between 72,200 tonnes uranium per annum in the low case and 121,100 tonnes uranium per annum in the high case, representing increases of about 20 per cent and 105 per cent, respectively, compared with 2013 requirements.

OPINION DIVIDED

With the controversy surrounding the nuclear industry and its potential risks, the reaction to SA’s Royal Commission has been largely mixed.

The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) welcomed the move, and said it was keen to ensure public debate remains mature and scientific using up to date information.

Jason Kuchel, Chief Executive of SACOME said there is currently a boom in nuclear power underway in neighbouring Asian countries and it is important that South Australians understand the true opportunities on its doorstep.

“Countries with high populations have massive energy demands and often a lack of available land to house the large footprint required by solar and other renewable technologies,” Kuchel said.

“When construction, operation and decommissioning costs are taken into account, the cost of electricity from nuclear

is comparable to other low carbon sources and in some cases the cheapest option.”

Meanwhile, the Minerals Council of Australia says uranium has the potential to be the next billion dollar export industry for Australia.

“Currently, Australia’s uranium industry generates around $620 million per year in export income and approximately 4,000 jobs – just based on capturing 11% of the global uranium market,” the council’s executive director for uranium Daniel Zavattiero said.

“Australia has 90 known uranium deposits and the industry contributed more than $6.5 billion to the Australian economy over the past decade.”

However, others argue against a move to nuclear power, citing safety and storage issues as the main impediments.

Nuclear free campaigner for the Australian Conservation Foundation Dave Sweeney says with the price and production of uranium in a free fall since the Fukushima nuclear meltdowns, the Royal Commission comes at an “unlikely time”.

“South Australia is in tough and uncertain economic times caused by a trifecta of industry withdrawals, including the shelving of a long planned $25bn expansion at Olympic Dam, the loss of jobs in the car industry and the prospect of seeing massive defence contracts move offshore. Amid this volatility the sustained lobbying efforts of a group of nuclear true believers is finding a platform,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney says he does not want to see the commission become a promotional platform for the nuclear industry.

“Any Royal Commission needs to be evidence based, rigorous and independent.

It needs clear and comprehensive terms of reference and must address the legacies of the past and the performance of the present before examining the often exaggerated promises of the future.” AM

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WILL WE SEE AUSTRALIA’S NUCLEAR INDUSTRY TAKE-OFF IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA FOLLOWING THE ROYAL COMMISSION?

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SA SPOTLIGHT

NEW AUSTRALIAN GRAPHITE HUB DESPITE THE END OF THE BOOM AND THE GLOBAL DOWNTURN OF ESTABLISHED COMMODITIES, SOUTH AUSTRALIA IS HARBOURING A SMALL BUT UNIQUE INDUSTRY THAT PROMISES TO SUPPLY GOODS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF HIGH-TECH PRODUCTS.

G

raphite has seen a massive turnaround in the past two years, going from a market flooded by Chinese dominance, to becoming a highly marketable processed commodity that will be a key ingredient for new breakthroughs in materials technology.

The high-tech material graphene is the thinnest substance known to man at a single carbon atom thickness, and is up to 20 times stronger than steel while being lightweight, highly conductive, and flexible.

However, Lincoln Minerals managing director Dr John Parker says the development of graphene technology will take some time before it becomes a profitable product.

“Bulk usage of graphene is a long way off, a few kilos goes a long way today,” he said.

“That’s not going to be a company maker just yet, but spherical graphite is the key here.”

Spherical graphite is a high

purity milled product of around 20 microns, used for the production of lithium ion batteries (used for everything from mobile phones to electric cars) which sells for around $3500 per tonne, and will be the core business of the Australian graphite industry, Parker said.

A new report from the South Australian government has shown demand for large to jumbo flake graphite required for such products will continue to grow, and with 60 per cent of the nation’s known graphite resources in South Australia (1.47 million tonnes), local graphite explorers will be well positioned to take advantage of that market.

Global graphite demand was estimated at around 1250kt in 2014 (US Geological Survey), and this has been forecast to grow to 3500kt by 2035, most for the electric car battery market, which requires 10-15 times more graphite than lithium.

Valence Industries has already leapt to the call, having re-developed the mothballed Uley

Graphite Mine on the Eyre Peninsula, currently the only producing graphite mine in Australia.

Valence CEO Chris Darby recently revealed the company has plans to expand not only to a new open pit, but also to invest in the processing, purifying and packaging capability to increase the value of the product.

At time of writing Valence was extremely close to finalising a $50 million finance deal which would allow them to ‘value add’ to their graphite products, to go from an average sale price of US$1400 per tonne to around US$3800 per tonne.

One of the most interesting features of the graphite pricing

LINCOLN MINERALS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MINING KOOKABURRA GULLY IN EARLY 2017.

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system is that because of the large number of types of products, prices are negotiated on an individual contract basis rather than a global market price.

“There isn’t a commodity price, you need one-on-one sales contracts with the customers,” Darby said.

“US$1400 is our weighted average across about 200 different potential products.”

Valence process the graphite using specialist blending of sizes and particle distribution, as well as specialist packaging for end users, effecting advanced materials handling systems.

“Then we add to that what we call our advanced manufacturing program, which is a further refining and purification of the graphite product which increases our purity levels from 90-98 per cent purity up to 99.599.95 per cent purity levels.”

Although there is a common idea in the industry that only large to jumbo flake graphite is suitable for producing power storage batteries for electric cars, Darby said this is not necessarily true.

“A range of different types of graphite can be used in different types of batteries,” Darby said.

“When looking at the next generation of batteries, while a proportion of the concern about having large flake graphite is correct, the other real concern is that you mustn’t have things that can destroy the batteries, you need low associated impurity levels.”

“It’s a combination of flake

SOUTH AUSTRALIA CONTAINS 60 PER CENT OF THE NATION’S KNOWN GRAPHITE RESERVES.

size and purity level: We have naturally very low level of impurities, and also an absence of the particular types of impurities that are bad for batteries, which places us very strongly within the battery market, not just in the lithium ion space but also in the energy storage market segment.”

Darby said the beauty of the South Australian resources is that they offer unique and even unprecedented levels of purity in the ground, up to 62 per cent Total Graphitic Content (TGC).

The Uley JORC resource is 3.21Mt at 11.54% per cent TGC, for a total graphite resource of 370,866 tonnes.

Lincoln Minerals are next in line to open fresh graphite production, with a mining lease application in process for the Kookaburra Gully resource, JORC 2.2Mt at 15.1 per cent TGC, for a total resource of 332,000 tonnes.

Kookaburra is expected to receive approval by September/ October, with environmental clearances expected to take another three months before production.

Archer Exploration are following about six months behind for development of the Eyre Penninsula resources, a substantially larger JORC resource with 8.55Mt at 9.0 per cent TGC for 770,800 tonnes of graphite. AM

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TRUCKS & TRANSPORT

LATEST RELEASES FROM CAT THE NEW MT5300 AND D10T2 ARE CRUISING PAST THE INDUSTRY STANDARDS.

L

ast month Caterpillar together with mining service support company Hastings Deering unveiled a new, state-of-the-art bulldozer that automatically adjusts to changing terrain, as well as a new ultra-class mining truck with a huge 290 tonne payload.

According to Caterpillar the new machines feature engines with advanced technology that contribute to better fuel economy and decreased emissions for miners seeking productivity gains.

Hastings Deering managing director Dean Mehmet said the new machines include significant new features that lowered operating costs through enhanced fuel efficiency, reduced maintenance and improved performance, as well as enhanced operator safety and comfort.

“Our MT5300 ultra-class mining truck has demonstrated a measured 7000 hour/year production reliability,” he said.

“This is significantly above standard industry averages.

“The new truck has been de-

veloped in response to customer demand for 290 tonne payload haulage but comes packed with additional features.”

Mehmet said safety features include four corner wet disc brakes, industry leading dynamic retarding, and Cat detect and camera systems which can improve operator confidence and safety.

“With a powerful 3500hp Cat engine and a reliable AC electric drive system, uphill speed and performance has been improved without compromising fuel efficiency,” he said.

“Not surprising, operator response has been fantastic.

“We believe we have the class leading, heavy haulage machine that will lead to measurable gains in productivity and costs.

“Similarly, the D10T2 dozer has been designed to be the most automated and productive dozer in its class, delivering improved fuel efficiency, durability and safety.”

The D10T2 dozer has 20 per cent more power in reverse and a range of automated blade assist features than the previous models.

The new blade control feature can guide the machine blade to desired design contours, and with Autocarry it can automatically control the load of the blade, engine speed and ripper depth.

This keeps track slip at the optimum level for best machine performance for bulldozing in high production mining environments.

These features help to optimize machine efficiency, minimize fuel consumption, and reduce wear and tear on components, all of which add up to lower operating costs.

Both of the new machines support a range of integrated safety, production and maintenance management technologies via the Cat MineStar System.

The Cat MineStar System helps to manage everything from material tracking to sophisticated real-time fleet management, machine health systems, autonomous equipment systems and more.

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to be sent to the machine in real-time, showing the operator where to cut and fill.

Terrain for Grading is now integrated with Blade Control allowing the machine to automatically guide the blade to the desired design contours.

Combined with Autocarry to automatically control the load of the blade, operators can quickly and accurately grade to within ±100mm to the desired design alleviating the need for surveyors to continuously update grade plans.

Similarly, on-board features such as the MT5300’s MineStar Detect system provides equipment operators with enhanced awareness of the environment around their equipment, resulting in increased safety and greater operator confidence.

Both machines provide owners greater connectivity to electronic data through advanced diagnostic and equipment management tools that provide health, productivity and performance data.

These highly advanced systems interact with engine, transmission and implement control

systems to continuously monitor a wide range of vital machine functions.

With support and advice from Hastings Deering, using these high-tech electronic monitoring systems allows equipment owners to improve machine availability, component life and productivity while reducing operating costs.

“While some other manufacturers talk about new technology, at Cat and Hastings Deering we are getting on with the job of delivering it to customers.”

Mehmet said.

Mehmet said the new equipment rollout would be well supported by a comprehensive parts and service network encompassing 23 support centres in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

“Wherever there is mining, we are there. We are committed to supporting Cat products with cost-effective, quality and responsive service,” he said.

“Our world class facilities, tooling and diagnostic equipment ensure we deliver the highest quality services to our customers.” AM

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TRUCKS & TRANSPORT

NEW LOCOMOTIVES START WORK AT ROY HILL MINE THE ROY HILL MINE IS USING GE’S LATEST LOCOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO GET ITS IRON ORE TO PORT.

THE LOCOMOTIVES WILL TRANSPORT 55 MILLION TONNES OF IRON ORE A YEAR.

T

he first 14 Heavy Haul locomotives at the heart of Roy Hill’s iron ore mine arrived at Port Hedland in March, where Locomotive 1001 was christened “Ginny”.

At Roy Hill, the GE Evolution locomotives will be tasked with pulling 55 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) from the Roy Hill mine in the Pilbara to the purpose-built port stockyard in Boodarie Industrial Estate, south of Port Hedland.

At the March 23 celebration to christen Roy Hill’s first loco, chairman Gina Rinehart described the GE ES44ACI as “one of the best looking machines I have ever seen in the Pilbara”.

Roy Hill’s CEO Barry Fitzgerald explained that the project was ticking off a range of very specific requirements for its locos and said that the company had researched the market and, “after careful analysis, decided on the GE ES44ACI, the most technologically advanced

heavy-haul machines available”.

Roy Hill’s ore trains will be configured with two locomotives up the front, followed by 116 ore cars, then another loco, then another 116 ore cars.

Because it’s a hilly route out of the mine, each of the five daily ore trains will get an assist for the first 30 kilometres of the journey to port from manned banker locomotives at the rear of the 2km train. Loaded up with ore, travelling at around 80 km/h, each ore train will have a payload of approximately 31,133 tonnes.

Roy Hill’s massive machines began their life in Erie, Pennsylvania, where they were subject to test runs in sub-zero temperatures, through snow and on icy tracks late last year.

GE Transportation’s Fraser Borden, account leader on the Roy Hill project said despite the loco’s chilly start to life, they can definitely take the heat.

“We don’t manufacture a locomotive with a higher ambient temperature specification

than the Pilbara locomotive – 55 degrees Celsius.” Borden said.

“We don’t run a locomotive anywhere in the world that’s hotter than here. The advanced cooling system is the most important feature, to be able to cope with the heat that they have to run in for six months of the year.”

But the brain power of the locos comes from GE’s LOCOTROL system.

Borden said the platform sets global standards in locomotion technology, and will host more great applications in the nearerthan-you-think future.

This latest iteration is helping Roy Hill to meet its ethos of delivering and developing innovation and next-generation technology.

Borden says there are three main functions the system will fulfill for Roy Hill.

First, directed via tower control from Roy Hill’s Remote Operations Centre (ROC) in Perth, the trains talk “machine-to-maAUSTRALIANMINING

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chine” to the mine-control system, so that the operator at the ROC can monitor the day-today loading process without direct intervention.

LOCOTRO will automatically drive the locomotive at very fine speed control, taking direction from the mine-control system to ensure the loading process is optimised.

For example, “when the train system is being brought into the mine area”, explains Borden, “tower control, via Locotrol, takes over the loading remotely, and each wagon is loaded on a time limit – you need accurate control of the train to make sure it’s not over- or underloaded.”

Next, there’s the LOCOTROL Remote Controlled Locomotive system.

Borden explains that if at some point during that 344km journey the driver needs to check or sub out a wagon,instead of getting out and having to walk up to two kilometres to that wagon the driver can now get out, stand by the train and, using

Locotrol’s portable hand-held unit, control it remotely to go past him, until it gets to the point he needs to attend to.

This same system will be used to speed up the shunting of locomotives at the main yard, at the mine or at the port or maintenance yards.

Finally, the Distributed Power System will be used to navigate the many hills while making the journey to port by co-ordinating the braking and traction power distribution between the locomotives.

“If you have a two-kilometre train and you’re going over a hill, if the front two locomotives are going down the hill, you don’t want them accelerating,” Borden explained.

“So this system automatically distributes the power appropriately, depending on where the locomotive is on the hill.

“The system allows safer haulage of bigger loads, with reduced fuel and operating costs.” AM This stor y was sourced from gereports.com.au

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TRUCKS & TRANSPORT

THE LONG HAUL TO REMOTE CAMPS TOLL TRANSPORT HAVE PARTNERED WITH ESS TO IMPROVE CAMP SERVICES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

F

reight transporter Toll in WA in 2002, which in turn has has launched a new re- expanded Toll’s remote haulage frigerated fleet which operations through Queensland, has been co-brand- Northern Territory and South ed with support ser- Australia.

Compass Group executive divices company ESS. The investment of $11 mil- rector (supply chain) Chai Alexlion in prime movers, refriger- iou said it was fantastic to see ated trailers and pantechnicon ESS and Toll co-branded trailby Toll means that the company ers delivering goods exclusivewill have greater flexibility for ly to ESS sites.

“This will extend our abiliproviding cold transport to the biggest mining camp services ty to provide the freshest food venues and hospitals.

Toll Express General Manpossible to our clients, their emprovider in Australia.

The new fleet will be used to ployees and customers while ager Larry O’Regan said the inmake 70,000 deliveries of fresh maintaining the highest safe- vestment made in servicing ESS food, laundry and heavy equip- ty standards and maximising sites was part of a long term ment each year to more than the economies of scale made commitment to improve busi125 remote ESS sites around possible by a fully integrated ness efficiency.

“Toll works with more than logistics model,” he said.

Australia.

ESS locations include remote 190 different suppliers daily on ESS is a subsidiary of Compass a JIT headGroup, A M 0which 2 1 5selected _ 0 0 0Toll _ SasE R mine - camps, 1 2 0corporate 1 5 - 0 1 - 2 0 T 1 0 (just : 3 in 3 :time) 5 4 basis + 1 1to:en0 0 their primary logistics provider quarters, universities, cultural sure food and equipment are de-

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AUSTRALIANMINING

livered to ESS sites in a timely manner,” he said.

“By working directly with ESS at our upgraded depots, we have been able to average a 99 per cent DIFOT for our deliveries.”

Toll and ESS have also implemented a recycling product program which results in more than 138 pallets per month of cardboard, plastics, oil and glass

www.staus.com.au

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TOLL HAVE LAUNCHED A NEW FLEET OF ESS BRANDED TRUCKS FOR CAMP SERVICES.

being returned and properly recycled from West Australian sites, with a similar program also being rolled out in Queensland. AM

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TRUCKS & TRANSPORT

LIGHT AND HEAVY VEHICLE SEPARATION COULD SAVE LIVES THE DEATH OF A FEMALE CONTRACTOR AT RAVENSWORTH COAL MINE HAS PROMPTED CALLS FOR THE SEPARATION OF LIGHT AND HEAVY MINE SITE VEHICLES.

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t 11.50 pm on Saturday, 30 November 2013, 38-year-old Ingrid Forshaw, a trainee plant operator employed

by TESA Mining was fatally injured when the Toyota Landcruiser she was driving collided with and was run over by the front right-hand side wheel of a haul dump truck (Caterpillar 793D), weighing approximately 351 tonnes (including 186 tonnes of coal).

According to the report by the NSW Mine Safety inspectorate, Forshaw had earlier parked the haul truck she was operating at a stockpile and collected a Landcruiser that was parked at the stockpile by another operator at the start of the shift. Forshaw was driving to collect other workers and go to a crib break.

The truck operator was hauling coal along the 9th haul road (a main haul road in the Narama area). As he approached the T-intersection with the stockpile ramp (8th ramp) he saw the Landcruiser travelling down the 8th ramp.

As the truck operator approached the T-intersection he saw the Landcruiser enter the 9th haul road to his right and then he lost sight of it. At the time, ve-

hicles approaching the T-intersection on the 8th ramp were required to give way to vehicles on the 9th haul road.

The Landcruiser driver turned right onto the 9th haul road into the path of the truck. The truck and Landcruiser collided and Forshaw was crushed inside the Landcruiser and died immediately from multiple injuries.

The report has found that there were a number of contributing factors which may have led to the accident.

It says height of the windrows may have restricted Forshaw’s line of sight from the Landcruiser while travelling in a westerly direction down the 8th ramp, making it difficult to see the truck on the 9th haul road approaching the intersection It also suggests background lighting near the intersection had the potential to disorientate or confuse drivers approaching the intersection on the 8th ramp. The background lighting may have adversely affected Forshaw’s ability to detect a moving vehicle on the 9th haul road with accuracy and certainty.

Water ponding may also have been a contributing factor if it had distracted Forshaw and/or led to reflection of the secondary lighting and vehicle head-

lights off the water’s surface causing glare and confusion.

Poor visibility of the truck due to the obscured front bumper lights and the recessed right side low beam light may have contributed to the incident by limiting the visibility of the truck that night.

Due to the height of the truck and its close proximity to the intersection, the lack of light coming from the bumper lights would have made it difficult for Forshaw to see the truck.

The report also found that the truck did not have adequate illumination devices, making it hard to detect.

Further, it found there was an overreliance on administrative controls to manage heavy and light vehicle

THE SAFETY INSPECTOR HAS CALLED FOR THE SEPARATION OF LIGHT AND HEAVY MINE SITE VEHICLES.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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MAY 2015

INGRID FORSHAW DIED IMMEDIATELY.

interactions at Ravensworth mine.

“The incident highlights the importance of having an effective risk management program in relation to the interaction of light vehicles and heavy vehicles at open cut mines,” the report found.

Eleven recommendations were made aimed at improving safety and reducing the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future.

These include the separation of light vehicles and heavy vehicles on haul roads and alternatives to the use of light vehicles for personnel transport while heavy vehicles are being operated on haul roads.

The department also wants miners to consider the use of traffic management systems which manage vehicle interactions at intersections, i.e. traffic signals, warning lights and hard barriers.

It says miners should use proximity detection and collision avoidance systems on light vehicles and heavy vehicles and ensure daily inspections of haul roads and intersections are carried out by a competent person.

It also wants miners to undertake regular documented surface transport management audits and risks assessments on all mine roads and intersections, which consider both day and night operation.

Since the incident, Ravensworth mine introduced an external contractor to ensure pre-operational safety inspections were being completed on a 24-hour basis.

Trainees now receive a 12-hour shift of instruction on driving a light vehicle in the hours of darkness. The mine also implemented a trial of green clearance lights, luminescent paint, and reflective tape on certain haul trucks to attempt to improve truck visibility. AM

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SPONSORED CONTENT

How mining equipment manufacturers can ach Mining equipment manufacturers who successfully leverage Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) will be in prime position to reap the opportunities presented by the current transition in the Australian mining industry.

to work togeth challenge.

The collab WITH Australia entering the tail end of the mining boom, the needs of Australian miners have shifted away from construction towards efficient productivity -- a fact confirmed by multiple industry research bodies.

BIS Shrapnel’s Mining in Australia 2014 to 2029 report, for example, projected a 40 percent collapse in mining investment over the next four years, as the mining industry faces pressures from falling ore prices, lower grades, weaker growth in export demand and high costs.

At the same time, however, the researchers claim “mining production is forecast to surge by one third over the same period, driving a corresponding increase in mining operations activities, maintenance and exports.”

This shift towards production is a view shared by Deloitte Access Economics in its quarterly Business Outlook, which described a “baton change” from the construction phase of the mining boom to a production and export phase.

Despite this newfound focus on production, the mining industry still has a long way to go in terms of actual productivity.

In August 2014, PriceWaterhouseCoopers released its Mining for efficiency report which found “mining equipment in Australia runs at lower annual outputs than most of its global peers”. In fact, open cut equipment productivity has actually declined globally by 20 percent over the past seven years.

Even worse, the report found that, driven by the volume maximisation strategies during the boom years, some equipment manufacturers have failed deliver on proportional improvements in productivity and efficiency, despite introducing new, larger models of machinery.

While the situation is dire for the mining industry, the PWC report found that there was great potential for improvement, as any efficiency boost, even to a limited number of sites or equipment, will quickly add up to real changes in the bottom line.

This need for performance optimisation is a golden opportunity for equipment manufacturers. With productivity and

PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT

cost reductions in mind, miners want equipment that is more productive, efficient and flexible, while boasting nearperfect reliability.

The successful manufacturers will be the ones who can supply the improvements that mine operators crave, and do so quickly.

In this market, there can be no trade-off between quality and lead times. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions will help manufacturers deliver on this.

The complexity challenge for manufacturers Mining equipment today are complex

conglomerates of interconnected mechanical, electrical and software systems. But the complexities are not limited to the nature of the machinery itself.

With increased focus on efficiency, total cost of ownership and uptime, the design of mining equipment must take into account not just functionality and features, but also reliability, easy commissioning and maintenance.

Equipment must comply with local regulations surrounding emissions, driver fatigue, and noise reduction. Individual mine-sites might also have specific

requirements that need to be met. This means global, regional and local design, engineering and manufacturing teams need to be able to work on the same requirements, models and manufacturing process plans, while having the flexibility to meet local requirements.

Then there is the product development process itself, from ideation to design and manufacture and through to service and disposal. And for manufacturers with design and development teams and manufacturing facilities distributed across the globe, getting everyone and all the parts of the product development process

PLM software these complexi force to ensure extended prod At its heart and centralisin connects the en and manufactu together teams process data. B people access t need, when the more collabora to the product process.

Leveraging PLM enables c integrate softw and electrical d fosters seamles team members disciplines, tim regions. This e manufacturing so it happens c and engineerin By conside and commissio stages of produ makers can cos quality, high pe mining custom Furthermor allowing the re institutional kn

In five years, t

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can achieve both quality and speed with PLM

be in stry.

to work together coherently can be a real challenge.

The collaborative solution PLM software promises to help untangle these complexities, by acting as a unifying force to ensure consistency throughout the extended product development process.

At its heart, PLM is a way of managing and centralising information. It spans and connects the entire design, engineering and manufacturing cycle, helping pull together teams, resources and product and process data. By giving the appropriate people access to the information that they need, when they need it, PLM enables a more collaborative and smarter approach to the product design and development process.

Leveraging the unifying influence of PLM enables companies to more closely integrate software design with mechanical and electrical design and engineering, and fosters seamless collaboration amongst team members, even across multiple disciplines, time zones and geographic regions. This effectively pushes the manufacturing process planning forward, so it happens concurrently with the design and engineering stages.

By considering manufacturability and commissioning issues during earlier stages of product development, equipment makers can cost-effectively deliver high quality, high performing solutions to mining customers.

Furthermore, by capturing and allowing the re-use of hard-earned institutional knowledge, best practices and

configuration, PLM builds continuous improvement into the product lifecycle, effectively reducing the amount of reworking required.

Speeding up time-to-market Of course, PLM enhances the actual design and development process, by optimising iterative system design and verification. To reduce development time, PLM software systems offers the possibility of early concept and mechatronic validation and detailed modelling in the early design stages, cutting down the number of physical prototypes needed.

Advanced systems like Siemens PLM Software provide a unified platform to manage and model machine and computer numerical control (CNC) controls concurrently across design, engineering, and manufacturing. This allows for an “Advanced Machine Engineering” approach, where the entire machine – every part, control, operation as well as all associated software and the machine commissioning process – is simulated even before physical prototypes are built.

Engineers can virtually design, engineer and commission machines, test their response to a variety of operational conditions, and evaluate the performance of varying designs, giving them a headstart in optimising the performance of equipment, QC and even managing commissioning-stage risks.

With this holistic approach, manufacturers utilising PLM can be assured that their equipment will be

The production phase of the mining boom offers plenty for manufacturers.

met. This ocal design, ing teams he same anufacturing he flexibility

t development to design h to service acturers t teams and ibuted across nd all the ment process

In five years, the real value of mining production should rise by 33 per cent.

produced as designed, and manufactured in the most optimal way possible.

The transition of the mining industry towards production is a unique opportunity for equipment manufacturers.

But to successfully compete in the marketplace, they need to ensure a robust and effective product development and manufacturing lifecycle which will deliver on the quality and features required by mines, while reducing lead times and improving ROI. With PLM, manufacturers can deliver on all of these, and more. By

fostering collaboration and helping manage the product development process, PLM eliminates unnecessary rework, improves speed to market, and allows manufacturers to cut their costs while improving their flexibility and offerings.

[Rajiv Ghatikar is Vice President and General Manager, ASEAN/Australasia, Siemens PLM Software] Siemens PLM Software 1800 709 230 www.plm.automation.siemens.com

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SAFETY

TYRE SAFETY, WHAT DOES IT MEAN? IN THE WAKE OF ONE MINER KILLED AND ONE INJURED FOLLOWING A TYRE EXPLOSION, TYRE SAFETY STANDARDS ARE BEING CALLED INTO QUESTION. ADAM GOSLING WRITES.

T

yre safety standards in Australia are being further called into question following the number of fatalities and serious injuries in the mining industry.

Not only the coroners but also the unions are pointing to a deficiency.

Australia has developed one of the few standards (AS 4457) for dealing with mining tyres anywhere in the world but injuries and deaths are still occurring.

Tyres are composite flexible pressure vessels. Unlike household gas cylinders which are rigid steel pressure vessels (like most compressed air receivers) a tyre has a load placed on it, is rolled over unkind surfaces and is generally ignored until it goes flat.

Tyres are specifically excluded from the pressure vessel standard (AS1210) with OTR tyres (>24” rim diameter) being covered under AS 4457 and any on road tyres falling under SSection 25 of the Australian Design Rules (ADR).

When you stop to consider things in detail a tyre is the only connection between your vehicle and the road.

The average passenger car requires tyres to perform steering, braking and some minor suspension functions as well as supporting the load (passengers and baggage).

A giant mining truck tyre is required to support up to 100 tonnes, relying on the air it contains within to support that load.

If there is insufficient air to support the load the tyre doesn’t complain or refuse to work like an engine or gearbox.

It just gets on with the job and literally tears itself apart performing the function we ask it to do, right up to the point where it can no longer function and fails, sometimes catastrophically.

Tyres for passenger vehicles have large safety margins engineered into them during the design phase.

This is to provide a margin of safety for abuse or lack of attention but it is of course wiser to keep tyre pressure constantly monitored and the best way of doing this is to use an automatic pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

In the US, the TREAD Act mandated tyre pressure monitoring for all light passenger vehicles manufactured in that country from 2008 on.

The EU followed suit in 2012, Korea in 2013. The importance of tyre inflation pressures was mentioned by President Barack Obama last year.

He indicated that safety on road networks is directly affected by poor tyre pressure maintenance, more fuel consumed than is necessary thanks to tyres not being maintained correctly as well as resources being wasted.

To most people tyres are a grudge purchase. They shouldn’t be.

Tyres are what keeps us safe, keeps our vehicle on the road performing steerAUSTRALIANMINING

ing and braking functions as well as ensuring comfort. It is not unusual to find that until a tyre goes flat there is little if any attention paid to it, yet the car has been washed and polished, the air freshener changed and windows cleaned.

For tyres that work hard (mining and transport) correct pressure maintenance is even more important. It is no longer adequate to check tyres when the vehicle has its periodic maintenance.

Both the mining and the transport industries have for many years been monitoring engine oil pressures using gauges and electronic aids from inside the truck cab, even transmitting this data to the maintenance office so problems can be identified prior to failure.

Tyres on the other hand are still stuck in the 1950’s using a hand held gauge to check pressures, well, every so often.

So how do we tell what the tyre pressure is when we’re driving down the road? We don’t until it goes flat.

In 2015 electronic tyre pressure monitoring is not only feasible but is mandated on passenger cars. Passenger car tyres have an easy life, rarely carrying their full loads, over-engineered and able to sustain a lot of neglect and abuse.

Compare air in a tyre to oil in an engine. If the quantity of oil in an engine is not correct then the engine will wear out faster, overheat and even destroy itself. If a tyre does not have sufficient air it too will overheat and wear out quickly.

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MAY 2015

It will also consume a lot more fuel as it overheats and then fails, sometimes unfortunately with disastrous consequences.

A tyre is not just a single piece of rubber but a composite of many different rubbers all performing a specific function.

There are steel wires within a tyre that perform other functions and all need to be operated within the manufacturers range of recommended inflation pressures. Like all mobile equipment if it is operated outside of the manufacturer’s recommended range then failure is probable if not imminent.

Whilst tyres appear simple they are a highly complex engineering feat. Adhering rubber to steel is a science all on its own, having certain types of rubber (such as tread rubbers) remaining hard enough to wear yet flexible enough to roll is another required attribute.

There are no hard and fast rules to identify issues or problems with tyres, the easiest suggestion is “if it doesn’t look right it’s probably not”.

Above all a tyre requires the correct inflation pressure; every tyre has this same requirement. AM *Adam Gosling heads up TyreSafe Australia who provide guidance to all tyre users.

Adam Gosling is a qualified mine manager with knowledge built after more than three decades in tyres.

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DOING MORE WITH LESS Awarded Australian 2014 Contract Miner of the Year, PYBAR’s success is based on safe, rapid underground infrastructure development and consistent reliable production.

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SAFETY

DESIGNING A BETTER, SAFER GLOVE ANSELL’S NEW HYFLEX GLOVE HAS ADAPTED TO BETTER SUIT UNDERGROUND CONDITIONS

THE HYFLEX GLOVES HAVE BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY CREW MEMBERS AT THE GWALIA GOLD MINE.

A

n increasing rate of hand injuries, including some serious injuries which resulted in absences from work for up to three months, was the catalyst for a review of

Byrnecut Mining’s hand protection program and glove policy at the Gwalia Gold Mine in Western Australia.

After spending some time researching the market for a possible solution, Byrnecut Mining decided to adopt Ansell’s HyFlex

11-840 new generation general purpose safety glove, and hand injuries have dramatically decreased since the change-over.

Ansell say the manual tasks carried out by mechanical fitters and service crews at the Gwalia Gold Mine present a constant

THE 11-840 GLOVE DURABILITY MAKES FOR LONGER LASTING WEAR UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS.

AUSTRALIANMINING

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MAY 2015

source of hand hazards.

Service crewman undertake a variety of tasks including installing services, moving pump lines and lifting and hanging ventilation ducting, and a good glove is critical for these types of tasks, because without them hand injuries can be very common.

In this tough environment, tasks in the maintenance department are tough on gloves.

When grease and oil coat the gloves they can cease be effective and operators’ hands can slip off tools.

A site Maintenance Supervisor also cited durability as a major issue: “Gloves have to be replaced fairly regularly to maintain grip.

Durability is a major issue for gloves under these conditions as a 12 hour shift deposits a lot of dirt, grit and grease onto the surface of a glove,” he said.

“By contrast, the 11-840 glove’s durability means that they last longer as they can be wiped clean and reused, rather than replaced, which also represents cost-savings.

“Comfort is a major factor in encouraging people to keep gloves on their hands. If a glove is not comfortable our people tend not to wear it.”

Feedback on the gloves has also been positive. Workers have cited that the rough finish of the nitrile palm coating delivers good grip, while the thin liner is comfortable during long shifts and provides excellent dexterity for “fiddly” jobs.

“They make my job a lot easier and are so comfortable you don’t feel as if you’re wearing gloves at all. They are such a good fit, they feel like a second skin,” said an underground service crewman.

An underground pump fitter cited the importance of hand protection and praised the gloves for protecting his hands, or “tools of trade”.

“A hand injury would certainly affect myself, my family, and would impact on my career in the mining industry. A serious hand injury would mean a whole change of life for me.

It’s imperative that I wear good gloves to limit the chance of injury.” he said.

“The new Ansell 11-840 glove certainly has better grip than those we have been wearing before. We can hold on to our tools a lot more easily, as well as our fasteners, nuts and bolts. You feel safer and more confident using these gloves.” AM

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onfined spaces pose a significant potential threat from toxic gas build-up and man-down incidents.

The potential for poisoning, contamination and explosions in confined spaces means there is an immediate need for efficient and effective gas detection systems to ensure the safety of those working in these potentially hazardous environments.

According to WorkSafe Victoria’s Compliance Code for Confined Spaces, the risks of working in confined spaces include: • loss of consciousness, injury or death due to the immediate effects of airborne contaminants • fire or explosion from the ignition of flammable contaminants • asphyxiation resulting from oxygen deficiency • asphyxiation resulting from engulfment by gases or solid material In order for employers to ensure that all hazards associated with work in confined spaces are identified before anyone enters the space, businesses can employ a wireless confined space gas detection system.

Tracking capabilities, real-time wireless connectivity to a central office, and data logging and recording that delivers simplified management and streamlined compliance gives safety managers the ability to make fast decisions and re-

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It also provides man-down alarms that mean faster response times, increased worker and asset safety and improved productivity in industrial environments.

The ConneXt Pack – Confined Space system presents benefits to users, contractors, safety managers and organisations.

Implementing an automated and reliable gas safety solution that monitors safety hazards reduces workers’ stress, allows safety managers to take timely action regarding rescues, and thus reduces the risk of injury and potential OHSA fines for organisations.

RAE Systems by Honeywell’s real-time intelligent gas detection elevates compliance, productivity and most of all, plantwide gas safety. AM

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PRODUCTIVITY

BHP BILLITON LOOKS TO FAIR WORK ACT TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AS PART OF ITS SUBMISSION TO THE PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION, BHP BILLITON HAS PROPOSED SIX REFORMS, INCLUDING THAT STRIKE ACTION BE A LAST RESORT.

T

he Australian Government has asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a public inquiry to examine the performance of the workplace relations framework and identify improvements to it.

In undertaking this inquiry, the Commission has been asked to review the impact of the workplace relations framework on matters including productivity, competitiveness and business investment, the ability of business and the labour market to respond appropriately to changing economic conditions patterns of engagement in the labour market and the ability for employers to flexibly manage and engage with their employees.

In an effort to address some of its own productivity bugbears, BHP Billiton made a submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry.

BHP said its small suite of changes would allow employers and employees to work together to support improvements to productivity and competitiveness in the Australian economy.

“We believe that the amendments that we are advocating for would help establish a framework that better fosters an environment in which employees and employers can collaboratively tackle the big productivity and competitiveness challenges facing industry and the nation,” the company wrote.

Two of the reforms are already before parliament and relate to the right of entry provisions and agreement provisions for ‘greenfield’ sites; this relates to the way in which union delegates are able to access mine sites.

BHP Billiton says the Fair Work Act has removed the previously required connection between a union’s statutory rights of entry, and its status as a union covered by an award/agreement in that workplace.

This means statutory right of entry is now provided for if one or more employees are eligible for union membership.

The company says it has experienced a significant increase in right of entry visits in some of its workplaces due to this clause.

In its submission, the company used an example from Caval Ridge mine when in September 2014, the CFMEU sought statutory right of entry to hold uninvited discussions with employees working on draglines at the mine.

“The CFMEU was offered by the company an alternative venue close by, but instead chose to take the matter to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to press its claim to meet in the dragline cabin itself,” BHP said.

“These machines are as tall as a 15storey building, cost in excess of $200 million to purchase and over $7 million a year to run, move 210 tonnes of waste in each bucket, and uncover over 500 tonnes of mineable coal every hour.

“Stopping them is highly disruptive and unnecessarily impacts both the productivity and profitability of operations.”

The company also pointed out that driving union representatives from the mine entry to draglines distracted supervisors from their core duties and exposed both them and the union officials to additional risks in terms of interaction with other pieces of plant and equipment.

AUSTRALIANMINING

Also before Parliament are changes to the Fair Work Act which will remove union veto power over ‘greenfields’ agreements.

BHP says that under the current legislative framework a greenfields agreement is required prior to project commencement and before any employees are engaged.

If no agreement is in place at the commencement of construction, the project faces the risk of protected industrial action being taken in pursuit of an agreement.

“There is no effective alternative to making a greenfields agreement with a union or unions – this guaranteed involvement (and effective monopoly) of unions is a relatively recent introduction to the workplace relations framework,” the company says.

“Further, there is no time limit after which an agreement can be submitted to the relevant authorities for a determination to enable work to commence.

“The lack of time-limits and recourse places the project proponent in a vulnerable bargaining position. In relation to greenfields agreements, the four year limit on an agreement is out of step with typical construction durations, exposing employers to a second bargaining position during construction.”

BHP says greenfields arrangements should be able to be negotiated with one or more eligible unions within a three month bargaining window.

It also wants to see greenfield agreements permitted for a longer timeframe of five years.

The next matter the miner wants dealt with are enterprise agreements.

BHP says the Fair Work Act expanded

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the coverage of enterprise agreements to potentially include the relationship between an employer and employees; the relationship between an employer/s and a union/s; and matters about how the agreement will operate.

“This extends the matters which are in-scope for bargaining, and therefore the potential for protected industrial action,” BHP said.

“For example, enterprise agreements, which are between employees and the employer, should not contain provisions designed to regulate the relationship between employees and unions, which then need to be observed by employers at risk of penalty,” the company said.

BHP used examples from its NSW and QLD coal businesses where operational issues outside the scope of employment were brought into EAs including the most recent EA at Mt Arthur Coal, signed in 2011, which restricts retrenchment to a ‘last-in-first-out’ policy.

“This is inconsistent with an employer’s right to decide who they employ, and impacts an employer’s ability to ensure the best possible people are applied to the task at hand,” the miner said.

At the Port Kembla Coal Terminal the Limited Enterprise Agreement signed in 2012 requires employee representatives to be informed of the name and commencement date of new employees.

BHP said while the requirement may seem minor, it creates administrative burden for employers, and potential privacy concerns for new employees covered by the agreement.

Continued page 34

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MT324a Australian Mining Comminution Full Page Advertisement June 2014.indd 1

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PRODUCTIVITY

From page 32 Meanwhile Appin Mine’s s latest EA, signed in 2011, specifies that BHP Billiton will not replace employees who resign or retire with contractors and sets a minimum threshold for wage conditions for any contractors that are used.

The company argues this limits employers from making operational decisions on the appropriate mix of employment, and inhibits competitiveness by creating a floor on labour rates which may be in excess of the market rate for employment.

The company also wants to see the Fair Work Act “truly supporting” an employee’s choice of representation and equally enabling both non-union and union streams of enterprise bargaining.

“Under the Fair Work Act, a collective enterprise agreement is made with employees but gives a highly preferenced position for a union within the workplace as the default bargaining representative regardless of the actual level of workforce representation,” BHP said.

“That status is lost by the union only if each employee in the workplace appoints another bargaining representative.

“A union with merely one member at the workplace (regardless of their financial status) can require that the agreement cover it as though the union was, in effect, A M 0 a5 party.

1 5 _ These 0 0 0 changes _ U N I have strengthened the ability of unions to be-

GREAT MINDS CREATING BRIGHT FUTURES

come a participant in EA negotiations, even at sites where they have minimal coverage of the workforce.”

The miner wants to see the workplace relations framework genuinely permit a non-union stream of enterprise bargaining without uninvited interference by others, together with a union stream where one or more unions is genuinely relevant as a result of active employee choice.

The company’s fifth and sixth reforms centre around strike action. BHP wants 1greater 2 0 relief 1 5 -for 0 employers 4 - 1 4 T from 1 1 :indus1 4 : trial action to ensure that it is a last re-

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR / PROFESSOR: MINING ENGINEERING SCHOOL OF CIVIL, MINING & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING POSITION TYPE Continuing Appointment CLOSING

26 April 2015

REF NO.

25361

Our Faculty of Engineering & Information Sciences has a world class reputation for excellence in research, strong collaborations with industry and government partners, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. It is a key contributor to the University’s outstanding record of achievements and ranking as a top 2% university.

You will play a crucial role in the development and management of the University’s mining related interests internationally including assisting in the establishment of an International Centre of Mining Excellence with Industry and Government partners in India. You will also contribute leadership to the Mining Engineering discipline in the multidisciplinary School of Civil, Mining & Environmental Engineering, consolidate and extend the teaching, research and engagement profile of the discipline, and support interdisciplinary initiatives and attainment of strategic School and Faculty goals as a member of the Faculty’s Professoriate.

For a confidential discussion please contact Professor Chris Cook, Executive Dean +61 (0) 4221 3062 or chris_cook@uow.edu.au You will need to address the selection criteria as part of your application which is located within the position description, which can be found at employment.uow.edu.au.

Find out more and apply at employment.uow.edu.au

sort, and an amendment to Fair Work Act provisions about adverse action to restore the limit on such claims to matters of victimisation due to union membership status or activity.

BHP said it has observed that protected action ballot orders are sought and obtained as a preliminary step in enterprise bargaining, regardless of intention to take protected action or whether a negotiation impasse has genuinely arisen.

It said the CFMEU, AMWU and CEPU each obtained protected action ballot ortaking protected 2ders 0 +and 1 0commenced : 0 0 industrial action as soon as the nominal expiry date of the prior agreement was reached in recent BMA enterprise agreement negotiations.

Protected industrial action may currently take the form of a strike or a selective work ban however BHP says the situation loses balance if the industrial action is a selective work ban.

“It enables considerable damage to the employer’s operation (for example, shutting down a critical production process only) but does not result in any significant economic impact on employees imposing the ban,” the company said.

“Additionally, there is a lack of balance if protected industrial action is threatened (via notice of intention), but not completed. This can result in employer actions (e.g. idling equipment, executing contingency plans) to mitigate the impact, for no reason – causing unnecessary economic harm without impacting employees’ wages.”

On top of this, BHP say an expansion of freedom of association provisions in the Fair Work Act as they are now operating interfere with ordinary operational decision making and performance management processes.

The company says adverse action provisions should be limited primarily to protection against victimisation of a person who chooses to belong/not belong to a union and to undertake/not undertake a union role.

In an example given to the Commis-

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BHP BILLITON HAS CALLED FOR A SHAKE-UP TO THE FAIR WORK ACT.

sion, BHP said it sought to improve the performance of an employee against the standard performance requirements for the relevant position level because of a view that the employee had been performing poorly.

However, the employee claimed that actions to address his performance were occurring because he was a member of the CFMEU and a bargaining representative. The matter is currently before the Federal Court.

“An everyday management action to address performance concerns results in a complex, costly, time consuming Federal Court Action,” the company said.

“The adverse action provisions in the legislation need to be narrowed so that they do not interfere with ordinary management actions and redirected towards their primary purpose in avoiding victimisation of union members.”

The CFMEU has slammed BHP for its submission and said the company should “stop attacking workers” if it wanted to limit industrial action at its mine sites.

“BHP coal mines are producing record amounts of coal because of a good union agreement that facilitates improved productivity,” CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland President Steve Smyth said.

“Yet BHP continues to attack hardfought work rights and conditions in its coal mines. If BHP wants a better relationship with its workforce it won’t get there through changing the law to limit industrial action.”

The CFMEU has accused the miner of trying to drive down wages, discriminating against local workers with wholly FIFO operations, and not bargaining in good faith.

“Coal mineworkers have aggressive, powerful employers in companies like BHP. They need avenues to take a stand for their rights, conditions and safety,” Smyth said.

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DUST & FIRE SUPPRESSION

IMPROVED DUST SUPPRESSION TECHNOLOGY A CHEMICAL SOLUTION FOR CURBING COPPER ORE CONVEYOR DUST.

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he most recent pro- throughout the entire conveyduct to emerge from or belt journey.

RST operations and technical RST’s ongoing research and devel- director David Handel said the opment programs, key benefits of the Hydrostay the Hydrostay solu- solution are longer moisture retion has been designed to im- tention conveyor belt systems, prove the moisture retention in a simple dosing process, water ore such as copper to maximise solubility, dust reduction at dust control over a longer pe- transfer points, and suitabiliriod of time compared to wa- ty for copper ore.

“During the process of travter alone.

RST specialises in providing elling along the conveyor systechnologically advanced chem- tem, and when the material is ical products, and has been rec- subjected to rejuvenation along ognised as a leading specialist in the way, the Hydrostay prodthe development of solutions in uct continues to remain active and maximise its dust suppresthe field of dust control.

The Hydrostay product pro- sion capabilities,” Handel said.

“The Hydrostay dust suppresvides effective dust control and represents a huge advancement sant solution is applied at a varin dust technologies A Msuppression 0 5 1 5 _ 0 0 0 _ S U M iable - rate 1 to2suit 0 1the 5 conditions - 0 4 - 2 2 through its ability to stay active of the specific operation and

RST can provide tailored information and advice,” he said.

Handel said it was RST’s vast experience in problem solving that enabled the company to offer clients tailor-made solutions for their unique problems and projects.

T 1 5 : 5 4 : 3 1 + 1 0 : 0 0 “We go into the field, in-

ternationally, and work side by side with our clients to optimise the efficiency of their operations,” he said.

“The people at RST have decades of experience in the mining industry and a wide range of expertise including chemistry, accounting, engineering, pro-

ject management and project analysis.

“We do a lot of our work in the mining industry but we also provide solutions to clients in industries including civil earthworks, construction, quarries, railways, transport and plantation.” AM

SUMMIT MATSU CHILLERS PROVIDE A RELIABLE AND HIGH PERFORMANCE PROCESS COOLING SOLUTION FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA AND ABROAD

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DUST & FIRE SUPPRESSION

SAFE CYCLINDER LIFTING SOLUTIONS WITH THE EXTREME COMBUSTIBILITY OF COAL DUST, WORKPLACES LIKE COAL TERMINALS REQUIRE EXTREMELY STRINGENT FIRE SUPPRESSION REGIMES TO BE KEPT IN PLACE.

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t the Port Kembla Coal Terminal in Wollongong, NSW, fire suppression experts Tyco Integrated Fire and Security have been using a new lifting system to make fire suppression gas cylinder replacement an easier task.

When conducting change outs of Inergen cylinders, Wormald fire alarm supervisor Trent Green saw a need for a soft sling rigging solution that could be used to lift heavy cylinders by crane.

With 121 Inergen cylinders to be changed once every ten years at the Port Kembla site, the entire job can take up to six months to perform due to sometimes difficult installation locations where a solid lifting device re-N I A M 0can’t 5 1 be 5 _used, 0 0 0and _ U quirements of shutting down

machinery while maintenance turer before a prototype could be produced. is performed.

“It then took extensive testWormald also builds new systems into the Port Kembla site, ing and trials, with a number of increasing the workload for cyl- improvements and modificainder movements during shut- tions, before the harness could be manufactured and put into downs.

“None of the existing rigging use.

The cylinder is cradled unsolutions would suit, because over the years our cylinders have been der the base by 100mm wide produced with slight variations, webbing, which is actually ratand there was nothing manu- ed for three tonnes, ample liftfactured out there which would ing ability for the 107-149kg gas suit our purpose,” Green said. cylinders.

There are four types of slings Development of a soft cylinder lifting harness took around designed to lift the four differthree months with collaboration ent Tyco/Wormald fire suppresfrom Wormald’s parent compa- sion gas cylinders, and another harness has been developed for ny Tyco.

“Developing the new safety low-headroom applications on system was not a straight for- tugboats and ships.

All harnesses are tagged for use ward process,” Green said.

“It took three months of brain- with the specific types of cylinstorming, consulting L 1sketching, 2 0 1 5 - 0 4 - 1 7ders T 1to5prevent : 3 7 incorrect : 0 6 + equip1 0 : 0 and locating a suitable manufac- ment being matched with a load.

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The harness has been designed so that it cannot be improperly used, however testing under controlled conditions demonstrated that even without the 0cylinder base cradle the midsection ratchet strap will still

THE PORT KEMBLA SITE CHANGES CYLINDERS ONCE EVERY TEN YEARS.

hold the full weight of a 149 kilogram cylinder. AM

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COMMUNICATIONS

THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN MINING AN INSIGHT INTO THE INCREASING PREVALENCE OF COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY IN THE RESOURCES INDUSTRY. KEVIN GRIFFEN* WRITES.

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he mining industry has entered a phase of cost containment and rigorous capital management in Australia.

As a result, mining companies must develop long-term strategies to increase productivity in the face of continuously shrinking budgets.

Deloitte industry analysts have pointed to sustainable cost practices and productivity, innovation across existing operations and exploration sites, and capital management as areas Australian miners must focus on.

Communication technologies have a fundamental role to play in delivering on these three strategic initiatives.

make business decisions that impact the bottom line.

In order to get the most benefit from digitisation, mining infrastructure must: • Have hybrid networking capability to provide cost effective access to the cloud.

• Support advanced collaboration services such as video conferencing, unified communications and remote monitoring.

• Deploy M2M communications for devices within mines to communicate.

A robust, high availability communications network makes operations more cost-effective because mining companies can stay up-to-speed with changes in supply and demand.

If there’s a sudden drop in commodity prices they can quickly feed this information, update inventory analysis and

IMPROVING SAFETY

Mining is an inherently dangerous business and communications play a key role in improving the safety of individuals and increasing operational efficiency. Technology has enabled active surveillance and remote monitoring. It has even helped to provide better medical response following major incidents.

Reliable communication systems reduce risks by providing constant twoway communication between miners and their support teams to monitor conditions and ensure timely emergency response. Remote connectivity could be

INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY

Connectivity, real-time data delivery, collaboration and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications are critical technological pillars for the global mining industry.

These solutions bridge the gap between remote sites, improving management efficiency and reducing the time it takes to make important business decisions.

Australian mining typically takes place in extremely isolated and remote locations where providing communication solutions is a constant challenge. Companies must establish high availability connectivity as the backbone and build a sound infrastructure onsite across different locations.

With this in place they can adopt advanced communication platforms for maximum value. Mining site communications is a varied mesh of different technologies including GSM, MPLS, VSAT, undersea and surface fibre optic cables. It’s critical to create a reliable and real-time environment for collaboration in today’s increasingly digital mining operations.

COMMUNICATIONS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF INDIVIDUALS.

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the difference between life and death in some situations. This includes video collaboration, where specialist consultants can provide remote diagnosis and advice to an onsite medical teams that may not have the expertise to deal with certain injuries.

OVERCOMING COMPLEXITY

Implementing these technologies is challenging. Not all mines are the same and each location has its own set of issues to contend with. There’s no silver bullet so each solution has to be highly localised yet compatible with centralised technology systems.

Orange helps Australian mining companies connect remote sites with branch offices using the latest unified communications tools like instant messaging, email, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) calling and videoconferencing.

Until recently, a cable that sends radio signals through small gaps in copper sheath was the preferred method.

Now technology allows communication systems to work from anywhere within the underground environment, supporting VoIP phones and IP cameras through a wide area network.

Big data and predictive analytics are also driving competitive advantage in resources exploration. Analytics minimises unplanned downtime by ensuring timely maintenance of oil rigs and other assets. The future of mining is increasingly digital. Communications technology will continue to improve business processes while eliminating waste, minimising environmental impact and improving worker safety. AM *Kevin Griffen is the country manager – Australasia, for Orange Business Services.

AM0515_000_TAI

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Drive up productivity with Tait Voice and Data Be heard, stay safe, remain connected, improve productivity.

Reliable radio communications are critical for the safety and productivity required for continuous mining operations. Tait DMR Tier 3 offers incredible value, capable of transmitting both voice and data in a cost-effective and highly reliable way, including personal location services and workforce management.

Together with our Tait Solution Partners and Resellers across the globe, we are experienced and focussed on best practice, local support, open standards multivendor compatibility, and minimum impact migration plans. We have a range of radio communications systems to fit any situation, including P25 and analogue systems.

Learn more at www.taitradio.com/mining

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PA0 2 1 4 _ 0 0 0 _ An t a i r a

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Dependable and Durable, real-time network Your best Industrial Ethernet Solution Provider

TOOL BELT Buckaroo Leatherworks has designed a product for tradies who need to be adaptable and are constantly on the move.

The Tradesman Back Support Tool Belt offers the perfect combination of safety, comfort and versatility on the jobsite.

Fully adjustable and customisable, the Tradesman allows users to interchange what they’re packing to suit the job at hand.

Swinging a hammer all day? Lighten your load and lose the drill pouch. The broad range of attachments for the Tradesman includes, but is not limited to; smart phone pouches, tape frogs, a drill pouch, a multi-tool pouch, a chisel holder and a tin snips pouch. All attachments are crafted using high quality metals and leather to ensure that your tools will never tumble from their holders again.

The Tradesman itself is an incredibly comfortable and durable bit of kit. All Buckaroo belts feature copolymer webbing upper belt strapping, which has superseded leather in many industries due to its nontoxic nature, as well as the fact that

THE BELT WEIGHS JUST 800 GRAMS.

it is resistant to stretches, cracks, tears and hardening when exposed to moisture.

• Buckaroo Leatherworks www.buckarooleather.com.au

CUTTING TOOLS Antaira develops and markets highly reliable industrial network products and to solve the most critical Industrial Ethernet communications requirements. If you need Ethernet products to operate in harsh environments with hardened design and with recovery redundancy technology to make the biggest benefit of your existing networks, Antaira must be your best choice!

Sandvik has launched new hybrid tools for longwall and continuous mining applications.

The new and innovative hybrid tools from Sandvik Mining have a new hybrid design and offer a blend of the efficient cutting characteristics of its patented cap designs, combined with the durability and long life of an insert style tip. Sandvik says the hybrid tools are robust and feature an optimised profile for speed and productivity. The company says their unique design offers a tool with an efficient “slim” profile but outlasts larger tools with wide, blunt designs, enabling higher production rates and increased revenue. The tapered lower portion provides added strength and stability precisely where it’s needed, minimizing the risk of breakage. This amounts to significantly fewer interruptions for main-

THE ANTAIRA RANGE INCLUDES: • Industrial Ethernet Switches (PoE or PoE+), Media Converters, Serial Device Servers , WiFi APs, Routers • Rugged Designed 10/100M and Gigabit Ethernet • Plug & Play simplicity and with Hardened Management Flexibility, Easy Configuration Design

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THE TAPERED LOW PORTION ADDS STRENGTH AND STABILITY.

BRUSHLESS DRILL/ DRIVER RANGE The Brushless WX292 Impact Driver features a powerful torque output of 170Nm to meet most common fastening applications, and the textured anti-slip grip means you won’t ever lose control of this tool. Combining 2-speed selection for enhanced control and a heavyduty 13mm Jacobs keyless chuck with safety lock, the Brushless WX373 Hammer Drill allows you to get the tough jobs done safely. And with 50 per cent longer run time per charge, this is the drill that keeps on drilling.

The Brushless WX175 Drill Driver contains all-metal gears for increased durability and the 18+1 position clutch allows excellent torque management. This piece of machinery allows you to cover a wide range of drilling, fastening and ham-

mer drilling applications at the touch of a button. The ‘Brushless’ WORX range is designed with 20V Lithium Powershare battery technology, which brings a longer run time and higher working efficiency. It also allows battery sharing across the entire WORX 20v range. The LED lights allow for better sight in those dark areas and the 20-second LED light delay after trigger release means that you can double check that last screw you’ve just drilled in.

The ‘Brushless’ range comes with a fuel gauge battery pack indicator to remind you of battery status at any time and will only take an hour charge time until you’re ready to produce your best again.

The range is super lightweight, ranging from 1.4kg to 1.7kg, and the handy belt hook/clip, means you won’t ever loose your new best friend.

• WORX www.worx.com

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tenance and, as a result, more time spent producing.

“Our hybrid tips have also been designed with safety in mind, they contribute significantly to improving our customers working conditions. This is achieved via our low energy pofile tip that penetrates better and generates less dust. Thanks to the robust design less time is spent changing tools and reducing human exposure to the working face. This coupled with increased up-time, higher productivity and the ability to work in a variety of conditions means lower cost per ton at the end of the day”, explains Mark Salter, product line support manager mineral ground tools.

The new Sandvik hybrid tools come in a variety of sizes that range from 30 mm shank to 43 mm for Long Wall applications. Hybrid cemented carbide tips include widths from 18 mm to 25 mm.

• Sandvik www.sandvik.com/en/products

THE RANGE COMES WITH A FUEL GAUGE BATTERY INDICATOR.

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

FOG NOZZLE Now available from Tecpro Australia, Idrotech has released an easy maintenance fog nozzle, suitable for use with unclean water.

THE LIGHTWEIGHT BLOWGUN IS PERFECT FOR MOBILE Fog nozzles are useful in a APPLICATIONS. variety of applications such as dust suppression, cooling, odour control and humidification. To HIGH FORCE BLOWGUNS avoid blockages however, most types of fogging nozzles need Knight Pneumatics introduces the Guardair range of high force water that is very clean and well filtered – which is quite chalblowguns.

The Force 5 is designed for heavy-duty industrial and con- lenging in many types of instruction cleaning applications and features a dead-man trigger, dustrial environments.

To combat this problem, Idroa safer alternative to dangerous, “home-made”, types.

They are also designed with a rugged, pistol-grip style alu- tech has developed a new fog nozzle with a washable and reminium handle and adjustable auxiliary handle.

All models are available from 15cm to 182cm in length and usable filter, making it suitaavailable in heavy-duty aluminium or steel extensions with Ven- ble for use in applications using poorly filtered water. turi and have Quiet Force Nozzle options available.

“The new fog nozzles patThe Inforcer Series Safety Air Gun has a thermally insulated, in-line style, steel handle and has the option of a steel chis- ented by Idrotech are ideal in settings where the water source el point nozzle for extra strength.

The HydroForce Series Power Wash Gun combines compressed is less than perfect, such as dam water for example,” said air and water to generate superior cleaning power.

Single trigger operation provides convenient air/water opera- Patrick Cooper, a technical tion and you can turn off water with water shutoff valve (includ- consultant with Tecpro Australia. ed) for air-only drying.

“These nozzles are designed Hot or cold water capable, this unit is perfect for mobile apto tolerate unclean water, and plications where portability is at a premium. they • Knight A M 0 Pneumatics 5 1 5 _ 0 0 0 _ MI N 1 2 0 1 5 - 0 4 - 2 7 T 0 9can : 3be5 quickly : 3 4 +disassem1 0 : 0 0 bled to wash the re-usable filwww.knightpneumatics.com.au

DESIGNED TO TOLERATE UNCLEAN WATER.

ter and clear away any particle build up.”

“These new nozzles can also be used in greenhouses for humidification,” said Cooper.

“They are available with flow rate factors of between 15 and 50, and are constructed from quality materials so they offer a long life.”

Fog nozzles assist in dust suppression by propelling a fine mist of water droplets that combine with dust particles, and aided by gravity, fall to the ground. Because the droplets are so fine, they evaporate quickly, avoiding the problem of water pooling. This makes them useful in situations such as cement facto-

ries, waste transfer stations, and mines that use rock crushing equipment and conveyor belts to transfer materials.

Another application is in industrial environments where machinery needs to be kept at cool ambient temperatures.

“The nozzles assist with evaporative cooling by creating what is effectively a dry fog,” Cooper said.

“They’ve also been used in cooling towers to lower the temperature of air drawn into air conditioning units which puts less strain on the machinery.”

• Tecpro Australia www.dustsupressionsystems. com.au.

MineARC’s

Award Winning g

EnviroLAV

Winner of the 2014 Australian Prospect Awards ‘Excellence in Mine Safety’, the MineARC EnviroLAV is the latest innovation in selfcontained, portable toilet systems.

Low impact and minimal maintenance, the EnviroLAV offers a safer, more sustainable waste management system, suitable for use in both above & below ground mining conditions.

Low Maintenance

Easy Transport

Requires emptying just once every 12 months

Forklift slots for simple manoeuvrability

Innovative Waste Management

Minimal Environmental Impact

Utilises both aerobic and anaerobic technologies to break down waste

No hazardous chemicals or waste dumping

Multiple Configurations

Industry Recognised

Available in male/female, unisex and single-sex models, and a variety of sizes for any requirement

Winner of the 2014 Australian Mining Prospect Awards for Excellence in Mine Safety, OH&S

For more information:

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+61 (8) 9333 4966

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www.minearc.com/envirolav

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

TOOL BAGS GearWrench have produced a range of super-tough and highly versatile tool bags to suit any trade profession.

Coming in seven different styles, GrearWrench’s tool bags are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes including; tote bags, medium and large general

tool bags and bucket style sling bags just to name a few.

This new bag range has been developed to accommodate for all circumstances and individual requirements when it comes to transporting tools on the jobsite.

Featuring the finest zippers, buckles, handles, straps and a minimum of 600 denier rip-stop nylon, GearWrench’s toolbags have been manufactured to with-

stand the test of time and tough love that is associated with the workplace.

Each bag and style has been carefully thought out and packed with clever features such as business card holders, external Velcro pockets, rubber carry grips, internal dividers and much, much more.

• GearWrench www.gearwrench.com

CAN BE USED IN TEMPERATURES FROM -20°C TO +50°C.

PANEL PC ICP Electronics Australia has released IEI Integration’s new Flat-Bezel Industrial Panel PC with expansion slot, the PPC5152-D525-E. Based on the Intel Atom D525 1.8GHz dual-core processor, this fanless Panel PC can support up to 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM. It features a robust ultra-slim A M0 5 1 5 _ 0 0 0 _ S C H 1 2 0 1 5 - 0 4 - 1 7 T 1 5 : 0 0 : 5 9 + 1 0 : 0 0 aluminum front bezel, 5-wire GEARWRENCH’S TOOL BAGS ARE AVAILABLE IN A WIDE-RANGE OF SHAPES AND SIZES. resistive touchscreen and pro-

Aging electrical assets?

Don’t put them into retirement.

Schneider Electric Field Services - electrical asset life extension experts.

Schneider Electric Field Services can extend the life of your electrical assets in line with your business goals, while also improving reliability, reducing downtime and optimising your OpEx. So, if you think your aging electrical assets are in need of some serious attention, contact Schneider Electric Field Services — the electrical asset life extension experts.

Switchgear Survival Guide: Ten Tips to Optimize Switchgear and Enhance Reliability

by Hal Theobold

Extend the life of your electrical assets today.

Download the Switchgear Survival Guide White Paper.

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vides a flexible expansion interface with two PCI slots or one PCI slot + one PCIe slot The PPC-5152-D525-E meets the IP64 environmental rating providing resistance to dust and liquid ingress and also supports one 2.5” SATA HDD/SSD and a CF Type II socket for data storage.

This robust Panel PC can be used in wide operating temperature from -20°C to +50°C. • ICP Electronics Australia www.icp-australia.com.au

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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

44

MAY 2015

AM0515_000_REE

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2015-04-20T09:59:33+10:00

ASIA-PACIFIC’S INTERNATIONAL MINING EXHIBITION

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1-4 september 2015 Sydney Showground, Australia

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AM0515_046

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2015-04-21T15:18:55+10:00

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 in June.

So enter today!

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

THE AWARDS RUN ACROSS 10 CATEGORIES

AUSTRALIANMINING

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 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

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

46

MAY 2015

Siemens AG. All other logos, trademarks or service marks used herein are the property of their respective owners.

© 2014 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. All rights reserved. Siemens and the Siemens logo are registered trademarks of

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2015-04-23T11:56:04+10:00

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Advanced Machine Engineering from Siemens PLM Software helps manufacturers develop more profitable industrial machinery, with faster product delivery and reduced lifecycle costs.

Siemens Industry Software Pte Ltd Hotline: 1800-709230 (Australia) 0800-441886 (New Zealand) Email: enterprise.anz.plm@siemens.com Website: www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_sg

Answers for industry.

AM0515_048

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2015-04-21T15:28:01+10:00

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

available to start ASAP. Subject

AustralianMining

operations experience

48

MAY 2015

further information please

AM0515_000_ESS

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2015-04-22T15:53:07+10:00

EZI ON, EZI OF F EZI GUARD Movi ngpar t sandpi nc hpoi nt sposeaser i ousdangert opeopl ewhowor kar oundmac hi ner y .

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AM0515_050

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EVENTS

The exhibition sold out, workshops and a brand new with over 60 companies innovation spotlight forum, joining to showcase Austmine 2015 should their latest products and be in the diary for anyone services. working in mining who is EVENT SUBMISSIONS CAN BE EMAILED TO On the 19th-20th May, committed to the future of EDITOR@MININGAUSTRALIA.COM.AU 2015, Austmine and Mining the industry.

IQ will be holding the next · Austmine edition of this landmark www.austmine2015.com · Terrapin ASIA MINING forum, bringing together the www.terrapin.com/ CONGRESS 2015 most innovative products asiamining HAZARDS 2-5 MAY 2015 in the market with the most AUSTRALASIA 2015 SINGAPORE pressing challenges in the AUSTMINE 2015 26 MAY mining sector around the For the past 10 years, the 19-20 MAY globe today.

Asia Mining Congress has ROYAL Process Safety is at the The mining industry is established itself as the heart of what we do and INTERNATIONAL currently going through leading industry platform IChemE is pleased to CONVENTION some of the biggest in Asia for global and announce that in May CENTRE, challenges it’s ever seen, regional miners, resource 2015, the premier process BRISBANE, QLD but with challenge comes oriented investors, safety conference, Hazards opportunity for those commodity buyers and Australasia will be held for Austmine is proud to smart enough to take sellers, policy makers the second time. announce the launch of advantage. and industry stakeholders The globally recognised its 2015 International This event will focus on to meet, network and event will see a mix of Conference and Exhibition the roles innovation and discuss the growth and local and international – the premier event in technology are playing in investment opportunities in speakers, oral and poster Australia’s mining calendar. the sector to create these the global mining presentations, as well as a 2013 saw all previous opportunities. sector. In its 11th year, trade exhibition of process records smashed, With over 40 senior we will continue to be the safety related products and attracting over 500 mining level speakers from only mining investment services and gala dinner. industry executives from the leading mining, event in Southeast Asia IhemE recognises over 20 countries around engineering and service to offer an extensive that leadership the world, with world class provider firms around the conference programme across knowledge and technologies and cutting world, plus compelling alongside a strategic competence, engineering edge case studies being 1-1A meetings M 0 5 1facilitation 5 _ 0 0 0 _ Spresented U L Z and - shared 1 2 0 1 5 -breakout 0 4 - sessions, 2 8 T 1 panel 2 : 4 5 : and 2 8design, + 1 0systems : 0 0 and discussions, interactive service. procedures, assurance, amongst the group.

CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

human factors and culture are fundamental to managing process safety.

You will see these topics reflected across all the themes of the conference. · IChemE www.icheme.org

2015 WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AWARDS 25 JUNE IVY BALLROOM, SYDNEY The 2nd annual Women in Industry Awards recognises and rewards the achievements of women working within the mining, engineering, and manufacturing industries, and aims to raise the profile of women within industry, as well as promote and encourage excellence.

Australian Mining, PACE and Manufacturers’ Monthly are partnering to acknowledge the exceptional women who have achieved success through their invaluable leadership, innovation and commitment to their sector.

This is your opportunity to

have Australia’s leading publications recognise the women who are driving change in your industry and – in doing so -breaking down barriers and creating new possibilities for the next generation.

These may be women you work with, women whose achievements are inspiring you from afar, or women who are providing you with invaluable guidance and support. Their achievements may not be creating headlines, but we believe their dedication and exceptionalism should be celebrated.

The accomplishments of these women will be recognised at an exclusive evening event to be held in Sydney on Thursday 25th of June.

More than just recognition, the awards also provide an opportunity for new business opportunities and network expansion. · Australian Mining Vicky Validakis 02 8484 0964 www.womeninindustry.com. au

Real-world Real-world Innovation Innovation in in Dewatering Dewatering The real world can be a challenging place, especially when it comes to dewatering. Whether the water has its source Sulzer Pumps (ANZ) Pty Ltd. above ground or below, you want it gone so that you can get on with your work. That’s where Sulzer comes in. Sulzer 3/624 Ferntree Gully Rd The real world canof be a challenging place,water especially when it comes to dewatering.

Whether hasHill, its3150 source Wheelers Melbourne has more than 50 years experience removing difficult from mining operations.

We offer not only a complete range the water Phone +61 3in.

8581 3752 ofabove submersible pumps, but also smart fail-safe maintenance-friendly Supporting them is the expertise ground or below, you want it and gone so that you cantechnologies. get on with your work.

That’s where Sulzer comes Sulzer www.sulzer.com and service network to bring you the most effective solution – no matter how much water you face.

has more than 50 years of experience removing difficult water from mining operations. We offer not only a complete range of submersible pumps, but also smart fail-safe and maintenance-friendly technologies. Supporting them is the expertise and service network to bring you the most effective solution – no matter how much water you face.

pecially when it comes to dewatering. Whether the water has its source hat you can get on with your work. That’s where Sulzer comes in. Sulzer g difficult water from mining operations. We offer not only a complete range and maintenance-friendly technologies. Supporting them is the expertise ective solution – no matter how much water you face.

Sulzer Pumps (ANZ) Pty Ltd. 3/624 Ferntree Gully Rd Wheelers Hill, 3150 Melbourne Phone +61 3 8581 3752 www.sulzer.com AUSTRALIANMINING 50 MAY 2015

Sulzer Pumps (ANZ) Pty Ltd. 3/624 Ferntree Gully Rd Wheelers Hill, 3150 Melbourne Phone +61 3 8581 3752 www.sulzer.com

AM0515_000_AUS1

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2015-04-21T15:37:26+10:00

don’t miss thIS event • An exciting exhibition & trade fair in the heart of the most dynamic region in Australia.

• Hundreds of displays, thousands of delegates.

• Fly direct into Australia’s newest jet capable airport at Toowoomba Wellcamp West • This region is undergoing the largest infrastructure building program in Australia’s history

what’s on show ► New

Technology & Engineering ► Green Energy ► Safety & Training ► Manufacturing ► Trucks & Transportation ► Storage & Warehousing ► Aviation ► Services for Industry & Businesses ► Mining

LEARN

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Product Demonstrations ► View New Release Products ► Meet Industry Leaders

SHOWCASE

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Products Services ► Your Company ► Your

015 2 e n u J h t 8 1 17th & GROUNDS OW WOOMBA SH

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expo.com in s a tb ra u .s www TOO

NETWORK

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Forums Functions ► Social Functions

► Networking

► Expand

“Exhibiting at major events is the most cost effective, time efficient and measurable spend of your marketing budget.” Bob Carroll

Build

Your Customer Base ► Develop New Leads ► Increase Brand Recognition

EXHIBITION SITES NOW AVAILABLE

FREECALL 1800 671 588 REGISTER ONLINE NOW TO ATTEND

www.facebook.com/SuratBasinExpo

www.suratbasinexpo.com.au

Fly direct into Toowoomba from Sydney - BOOK NOW MARANOA REGIONAL COUNCIL INDUSTRY FORUM

Tuesday, 16th June 2015, 5:30pm to 8:00pm, Picnic Point Function Centre Australian Events is pleased to present the third annual Surat Basin Industry Forum on the eve of the 2015 Surat Basin Energy & Mining Expo, Tuesday 16th June 2015. Mr Adrian Hart, lead author of the 2015 Major Projects Report, will be the Special Guest Presenter. Visit www.suratbasinexpo.com.au to book tickets and for more information.

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2015-04-23T11:01:30+10:00

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