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The winning Digi-MIN team consisting of three Gekko representatives (graduate process engineer Eliza Craig, graduate metallurgist Barry Tuncks and mechanical designer Matt Kurtze) and Monash University student Daniel Bechaz. By Elizabeth Fabri GEKKO Systems has partnered with Rockwell Automation to develop a metallurgical software program that will account for metal content at various stages of ore processing and provide miners with analytic capabilities to audit and improve performance. In late February the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and had now progressed to the development and pilot stage of the project. Gekko global mining and processing services manager Renaldo Maras said the company was pleased to be collaborating with Rockwell Automation; a company it had worked with at…

Image: Greenbushes. By Cameron Drummond US lithium producer Albemarle has approved the expansion of lithium concentrate production at its Greenbushes spodumene mine in WA. Greenbushes is currently the world’s largest active lithium mine, owned in a 50:50 joint venture between Albemarle and Chinese producer Tianqi Lithium. The proposed expansion is intended to more than double the lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) capacity at Greenbushes from its current 80,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) output to more than 160,000tpa. “This project is integral to our announced lithium expansion plans so that we can meet the growing needs of our customers,” Albemarle Lithium and Advanced Material president John Mitchell said. “The expansion of the mine and ore upgrading facilities is a key deliverable in…

Geoscientist unemployment and under-employment in Australia June 2009 – December 2016. Image: AIG. By Elizabeth Fabri MORE than half of Australian self employed geoscientists struggled to find work in the December quarter, latest research from Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) has found. In a survey conducted in February, AIG reported Australian geoscientist unemployment rate was 14.4 per cent and under-employment was 19.5 per cent as of 31 December 2016, marking a setback for the recovering industry following September green shoots. While the results were higher compared to the 13.9 per cent and 18.8 per cent respectively at the end of September, unemployment was still lower than results collected in the first half of 2016. “The improvement in employment prospects for…

Image: Lucara Diamonds. By Cameron Drummond A 706-carat diamond unearthed by a Pastor in Sierra Leone could be the 10th largest stone ever found. The rock was found by Emmanuel Momoh, one of thousands of self-employed diamond miners who seek their fortune in the diamond-rich Kono region famous for its manipulation by militias who swapped the rare stones for weapons during the country’s decade-long civil war in the 1990s. The discovery is the biggest diamond found in Sierra Leone for more than 45 years. In an act of selflessness, Mr Momoh handed the diamond over to the Government, saying he hoped it would help fund more development in the nation. A recent spate of large diamond finds have frenzied miners…

IF spray performance isn’t precise, product and process quality can be compromised dramatically. In critical spray operations such as dust control, Spraying Systems’ Spray Analysis and Research Services group provides specialised advanced testing in its spray labs, process modelling and/or fluid dynamics modelling, as well as dust mitigation services. Using advanced tools to simulate a customer’s operating environment enables the group to accurately predict spray performance before finalising a design solution or product recommendations. The team conducts comprehensive tests that probe into spray characterisation, drop size distribution, drop velocity, spray impact, spray coverage, evaporation, while Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling investigate gas flow, flow patterns, velocity, temperature, droplet trajectories and gas/liquid distribution to ensure optimal nozzle/lance performance. “Using state-of-the-art instrumentation and software…

Jerry Jiao has been appointed MMG’s new chief executive. Image: MMG. By Elizabeth Fabri FORMER MMG chairman Jerry Jiao has been named the company’s new chief executive, following the resignation of long-time boss Andrew Michelmore. On 15 February Mr Jiao stepped down from his role as chairman, and was replaced by former MCC Group chairman Guo Wenqing. Mr Jiao has served as director on MMG’s board since the company’s inception in 2006 and was appointed chairman in 2014. “I am excited by the opportunity to lead this dynamic company – underpinned by quality assets and talented people,” Mr Jiao said. “We remain as committed as ever to growing our business and to delivering value for our shareholders, our employees and…

The 227 carat diamond is the second largest diamond recovered from Lulo mine. Image: Lucapa Diamond Company. By Elizabeth Fabri ASX-listed Lucapa Diamond Company has discovered a 227 carat diamond at its Lulo mine in Angola, taking the company’s tally of 100ct plus diamonds found at the mine up to seven. The Type IIa D-colour gem was recovered from the new mining area 28 at Lulo, and is the second largest diamond recovered in Angola to date behind the 404c 4th February Stone discovered last year. The stone was also the largest recovered from the company’s new XRT large-diamond recovery circuit commissioned in the December quarter. Lucapa managing director Stephen Wetherall said the company was delighted to uncover the stone…

A doubling of iron ore prices helped BHP swing back into profit for the second half of 2016. By Cameron Drummond BHP has reported a half year profit of $US3.2 billion, facilitated by a broad-trend commodity price resurgence and operational cost reductions. Results from the world’s biggest miner were slightly better than analysts’ expectations of $US3.1bn. Its underlying profit for H2 2016 surged to $US3.2bn from $US412m year-on-year due to higher than expected commodity prices and cost reductions across its operations. This marked a huge turnaround from BHP’s first reported half year loss in 16 years of $US5.67bn, recorded in H1 2016. “This is a strong result that follows several years of a considered and deliberate approach to improve productivity…

AusQuest carrying out works at its Fraser Range prospects. Image: AusQuest. By Elizabeth Fabri SOUTH32 has signed an agreement with AusQuest to develop high-potential exploration opportunities in Australia and overseas targeting copper, zinc and nickel. Under the deal, South32 would fund exploration activities over at least five AusQuest projects in Australia and Peru, which would be offered exclusively to South32 over a three year time frame, subject to financial conditions. Projects of interest included Jimberlana and Balladonia/Gibson Soak nickel-copper projects and the Blue Billy Project in WA, and Chololo and Los Otros porphyry copper prospects in Peru.AusQuest said a work program and budget to advance each project to a drill-ready stage would be agreed by the parties and South32 would…