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Schmersal HDS Switches – Modular Switches for Heavy Duty Industry

Schmersal HDS Switches – Modular Switches for Heavy Duty Industry

Available from Control Logic, Schmersal has released a heavy-duty switch called the ‘HDS’ with a Performance Level to PL e and IECEx certification. The fourth generation sets to unite a range of functions into a single platform for the first time to make it easier to select, install and retrofit a vast range of applications. The modular design boasts high-level communications with Dupline, and a kit of various actuating elements available for conveyor belt, positioning, level and pull wire emergency stop control. The basis of the new platform is the standardised enclosure concept, which is available in two versions: thermosetting resin (Duroplast) or grey cast-iron body. The Duroplast version is resistant to aggressive media such as in the agricultural industry...

Australian Rare Earths Specialists Signed Up For Key US Energy Project

Australian Rare Earths Specialists Signed Up For Key US Energy Project

Australian miner, American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR) has joined a US Department of Energy project partner in developing rare earths supply chain security for the US. The company’s wholly owned subsidiary Western Rare Earths Corp. has been named a Team Member of Critical Materials Institute (CMI); a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Innovation Hub. The company’s assets have been identified as having the potential to be some of the largest rare earth deposits in the United States. The agreement means Western Rare Earths now sits alongside the world's second-largest metals producer Rio Tinto on the highly esteemed Critical Materials Institute (CMI) Team Members list, with both companies the only rare earths miners in the select group. Other members include leading universities, national laboratories and other...

Rio Tinto Going Electric With Pilbara Trains

Rio Tinto Going Electric With Pilbara Trains

Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) has received an order from Rio Tinto for four FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives to support sustainable operations of the mining company’s rail network in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The 100-percent, battery-powered locomotive will help Rio Tinto’s effort to achieve a 50-percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030. “Our partnership with Wabtec is an investment in innovation and an acknowledgment of the need to increase the pace of our decarbonization efforts,” said Rio Tinto Iron Ore Managing Director of Port, Rail and Core Services, Richard Cohen. “By locking this in now, we are making progress in our efforts to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030.”...

Kopore Metals to acquire project in uranium-rich Niger

Kopore Metals to acquire project in uranium-rich Niger

Kopore Metals Limited (ASX:KMT) has entered into a binding share sale agreement with Endeavour Financial AG to acquire 100% of Endeavour's uranium project in the Agadez region of Niger. Under the deal Kopore will acquire Endeavour's wholly owned subsidiary EF Niger Exploration SARL. The Project comprises three granted exploration permits (Permits) and one exploration licence application in the highly prospective Tim Mersoi Basin, considered one of the world’s major uranium producing areas. The Permits host the same geology that is represented at Orano’s Cominak (now shut down) and Somair mines and the Imouraren (Orano), Madaouela (Goviex) and Dasa (Global Atomic) projects. According to the World Nuclear Association, Niger was the 6th largest producer of uranium in 2021 and has been...

Newcrest and Epiroc partner to deliver industry leading semi-autonomous integrated production level

Newcrest and Epiroc partner to deliver industry leading semi-autonomous integrated production level

Newcrest’s Cadia Valley Operations has taken its Cadia East Underground Mine to new heights, with the successful implementation of the first semi-autonomous integrated production level. The flagship project for the Mining Innovation and Automation Team (MIA) at Cadia has undergone a series of project stages and due to its success, has now moved into full operation as the site prepares for automation to be a standard part of its future operations. Cadia’s General Manager, Aaron Brannigan, said the MIA team is changing the way the site operates. Not only is Cadia operating a semi-autonomous integrated production level, but the team has also developed industry leading technology which integrates automation into all third-party mobile equipment on the level. “Innovation and technology...

New Lithium Player Lists On ASX As EV Interest Continues To Accelerate

New Lithium Player Lists On ASX As EV Interest Continues To Accelerate

Perth-based lithium exploration and development company Winsome Resources (ASX:WR1) has commenced trading on the ASX following an Initial Public Offering (IPO) which raised A$18 million. Managing Director, Chris Evans, said Winsome will utilise the funds for an intensive exploration and drilling campaign at its projects in the James Bay region of Quebec, Canada. The company will concentrate its efforts on establishing a maiden resource of high quality spodumene concentrate that is suitable for conversion across multiple battery applications. Winsome currently has three wholly owned projects - Cancet, Adina and Sirmac-Clappier. The most advanced project, Cancet, provides a shallow, high-grade lithium deposit and is located close to established infrastructure and supply chains. “Current trends show up to 10 times more lithium...

Perth 2021 Robotics and Automation in Mining Conference

Perth 2021 Robotics and Automation in Mining Conference

The ‘Robotics & Automation in Mining’ conference ran over the 12th and 13th of October at Joondalup Resort in Perth. Speakers gave presentations on how automation in the resources sector will innovate practices and keep Australia a world leader in mining, while reducing harm and waste. The conference opened with a welcome to country from Shaun Nannup and addresses from WA’s Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Bill Johnston and conference chairperson, Dave Stevenson. The City of Joondalup was the proud official host of the event, with James Pearson the chief executive of the city delivering an address. The city recently announced that it is a significant step closer to its Urban Robotics and Automation Precinct, which will further its position...

First Coal at Millennium Mine

First Coal at Millennium Mine

M Mining produced its first high-quality metallurgical coal over the weekend from the Mavis Downs Pit at the Millennium Mine in Central Queensland. “Since commencing operations in August with an innovative mine restart plan, this has been an important early production milestone for us,” said Mr Matt Latimore, director and founder of M Mining. “Achieving first coal so quickly is the result of a fantastic effort from our partners, suppliers, managers and workforce. “In the nine weeks since completion of the sale of Millennium Mine, M Mining has established a strong operating team and issued $464m in contracts for Auger, Auger support, Open cut and Underground. “Our work is underwriting the future growth of this operation, economic activity and local...

South Metro TAFE and BHP partner on diversity program

South Metro TAFE and BHP partner on diversity program

BHP is partnering with South Metro TAFE to train people in general maintenance skills that can be used in its villages and housing portfolios. This new pathway is called the Diversity Pathway Program and it provides Indigenous and/ or female participants with the required skills for employment in WA’s resources industry. Participants can expect to be right at home in the Pilbara region’s BHP villages upon course completion, as the course has been developed to mirror the BHP work environment, with workplace language and policies followed. The Diversity Pathway Program run by South Metro TAFE results in a Certificate II in Construction Pathways – Building Maintenance for participants, and an additional skill set in electrical test and tag statutory compliance....

Drought-Detecting AI May Have Mining Use

Drought-Detecting AI May Have Mining Use

A team of researchers at James Cook University, led by Dr Bithin Datta, have successfully used an AI-based tool to analyse existing meteorological and hydrological data related to the Ross River basin area, near Townsville in Queensland. The results of the Artificial Neural Network’s (ANN) analysis found patterns that may correspond to an impending drought in the region. According to Dr Datta, ANNs are known for their exceptional pattern recognition capabilities which mimic the complex recognition and decision-making traits of the human brain. “Once trained and validated, it is capable of establishing the relationship between apparently related variables and identifies less relevant variables. These are then used to make a prediction.” This AI shows great promise for farmers, who may...

R U OK?: How workplaces can support mental wellbeing

R U OK?: How workplaces can support mental wellbeing

This article includes a list of resources for mental healthcare and suicide prevention. Australian government statistics show that one-in-two Australians will experience a diagnosable mental health issue in their lifetime. From anxiety to bipolar to ADHD, we all either have something or know someone who does, which is why mental health awareness and suicide prevention is so important to the community — perhaps even more so in mining. R U OK? Is an Australian suicide prevention charity, and R U OK? Day 2021 falls on September 9th. The aim is to start conversations about mental health. On this day, millions in the country are still in lockdown, experiencing unprecedented isolation and profound economic hardship. In the mining industry, mental health...