Author: admin

Rocks and rollers

Rocks and rollers

AN increase in haul truck rolling resistance has been found to have a significant triple effect on costs, according to a recent study. Research by Western Australian School of Mines professor Dr Rodger Thompson showed that fuel burn, plant damage and cycling times all suffer at the hands of a poor haul road surface. He found three factors of a failing or uneven haul road sent operational costs up. Firstly, the energy required to ‘climb’ the weight out of each depression in the road was adding up to 5pc in fuel costs; secondly, the increased cycling of suspension and friction on tyres was accelerating truck maintenance; and lastly, the cycle times were suffering badly. The study found that the addition...

Hope Downs: High hopes

Hope Downs: High hopes

THEY say hope springs eternal, and by all accounts, Hope Downs is looking at optimistic times in the wake of record iron ore prices and challenging COVID-19 conditions. The 2019 Rio Tinto fourth quarter report revealed the entity produced 48.26mt of iron ore last year, representing one of Australia’s largest and most successful iron ore projects in the lower cost quartile. Development of the new Baby Hope deposit will help sustain existing capacity at the Hope Downs 1 operation, supporting ongoing jobs at Hope Downs. Geology The Hope Downs mines are located in the Hamersley Group in WA’s Pilbara, which forms the middle layer of Mount Bruce Group in the Marra Mamba iron formation. The section contains rocks dated to...

Batteries could charge up plants

Batteries could charge up plants

LITHIUM Australia is assessing the use of recycled battery components as fertiliser micro-nutrients. Glasshouse testing of mixed metal dust recovered from recycled alkaline batteries were completed under the direction of the company’s consulting agronomist. Nine tests were conducted on a quadruplicate basis to statistically assess mixed metal dust (MMD) performance as a fertiliser against control samples. The alkaline MMD is produced by the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Envirostream Australia at its spent-battery recycling facility in Victoria. Envirostream collects the spent alkaline batteries from pick-up points at numerous locations, including Bunnings, Officeworks and Cleanaway, which are then mechanically shredded, with the cathode and anode active compounds (collectively referred to as MMD) separated. That material contains the high levels of zinc and manganese...

Resources remain strong contributor

Resources remain strong contributor

LATEST export figures have confirmed the resilience of some of Australia’s key resources exports as the COVID-19 pandemic grips the world. Total resources and energy exports increased by nearly 34pc in March compared to the previous month. Resources Minister Keith Pitt said exports were also up by 2c in the first quarter over the same period last year, and were valued at $68.9b. “Iron ore remains the star performer of the sector following a 36pc monthly increase during March worth $8.9b for the month, a 47pc increase on last year,” he said. “While coal exports increased in March by 15.3pc, it is down by a similar amount on last year, which is an indication of some of the challenges the...

Mining money helps cope with virus

Mining money helps cope with virus

THESE are challenging times, as the world comes to grips with the effects of COVID-19. Every resource sector has been affected, but most companies are making efforts to consolidate and prepare themselves for the recovery phase that will occur once the catastrophe has passed. Australian Mining Review interviewed Aussie Pumps managing director, Warwick Lorenz, about how he views the situation. Q: What’s the connection between mining and this horrific pandemic? A :I haven’t heard of anybody blaming the mining industry for the coronavirus. No doubt sooner or later, somebody from a new age political party will find a way to make a connection, especially if it has something to do with coal. However, mining does have a very strong connection,...

Platinum shines bright for Impact

Platinum shines bright for Impact

PLATINUM is shining bright for WA-based Impact Minerals, with promising new discoveries made amid prevailing record prices for the commodity. High grades of the rare platinum group elements (PGE) rhodium, iridium, osmium and ruthenium have been returned from new assays from seven previously drilled diamond drill holes at the Red Hill prospect within Impact’s 100pc-owned Broken Hill Project in NSW. The drill holes had previously only been assayed for palladium and platinum, with a total of 12 out of the 13 drill holes completed returning robust widths and grades of these two PGEs, together with significant gold, copper, nickel, cobalt and silver credits. In the current exploration, the seven holes with high grades of palladium and platinum were selected for...

$500,000 to fund COVID research

$500,000 to fund COVID research

THE WA resources sector will provide half a million dollars to fund a COVID-19 population study which will undertake wide-scale asymptomatic testing of FIFO workers. The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) and its members have been working with the WA Government on the DETECT (Defining and Monitoring the Prevalence of SARS CoV2 (COVID-19) in the Community) program, which is focusing on testing targeted cohorts such as students, teachers, health care workers and police. Chief Executive Paul Everingham said CME had established a COVID-19 Resources Research Fund to financially support the FIFO DETECT project, which members had contributed more than $500,000 towards. “The resources sector is one of the state’s largest employers, employing about 120,000 people, and...

Made to measure

Made to measure

TYPICALLY, it begins with a phone call or email early in the morning, even before Tony Ferencakovic has time to open up shop. Such is the popularity and reputation of his custom fabrication company, Tony’s Engineering, that he has become first port of call for firms looking for that urgent or necessary modification. Australian Mining Review spoke to Tony about his WA-based business, which provides product development, fabrication and repair services to the mining and construction industries in Perth and across Australia & overseas. Water tanks While Tony’s Engineering specialises in producing, rebuilding and repairing items such as loader blades, excavator buckets, face shovel buckets, dozer blades, and excavator booms, the demand is particularly strong for customised water tanks and...

Whitehaven Coal: Prime position

Whitehaven Coal: Prime position

AUSTRALIAN coal is in demand for both energy and steel-making. Its high-energy, low ash characteristics ideally match the requirements for high efficiency, low emission (HELE) coal-fired power plants being built throughout Asia, while the high grade metallurgical coals are among the best in the world for modern steel making. Australian coal can also reduce emissions when compared to lower-quality coal from other exporters. Supplier reliability, proximity to key markets and good infrastructure availability puts Australia in a strong position to take advantage of growing demand from existing customers such as Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea, as well as newer buyers such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. Coal mining in Australia is a sophisticated and hi-tech activity. Continuous improvements in...

When mining came to town

When mining came to town

WHEN it comes to the impact of mining companies on the local community, Jack Campbell is one of the biggest supporters. Jack and his family have been part of the Narrabri Shire for generations, and together with his father, run the family business Namoi WasteCorp, started in the town 19 years ago. “Due to Whitehaven Coal and the mining industry in the area – the Narrabri underground longwall mine – we have seen growth and found opportunities that would be unthinkable for small businesses in most small communities,” Jack said. “Namoi WasteCorp has provided waste collection and recycling services to all industries in the Narrabri shire since its inception, but now thanks to recent contracts awarded to us from mining...

NT agreement for Eight Mile Creek

NT agreement for Eight Mile Creek

PACIFICO Minerals Limited has announced the execution of a Native Title, Heritage Protection and Mineral Exploration Agreement for the 100pc Pacifico-owned tenement E80/5317 (‘Eight Mile Creek’) in WA, which covers an area of 21,730ha to the northeast of Kununurra and south of the Sorby Hills Joint Venture Project. There are existing sealed roads to transport concentrate from site to the facilities at Wyndham Port (150km from the Project), with established infrastructure allowing for fast-tracked production. Following on from a significant resource upgrade in Q4 2019, Pacifico is now completing an Optimised PFS targeting an increased mining rate and greater processing capacity. The study is progressing well is expected to be completed in June 2020. The area has the potential to...