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(Image source: Sandvik) Signing of the agreement at The Electric Mine 2024 conference.

Sandvik and Byrnecut partner for diesel-electric equipment

Byrnecut and Sandvik have partnered to develop new diesel-electric mining equipment with the aim of boosting sustainability, efficiency and productivity underground. As part of an agreement signed at The Electric Mine 2024 conference in Perth, the companies will work together to develop underground loaders and trucks featuring electric drivetrains. Byrnecut Australia managing director Pat Boniwell welcomed the collaboration. “Diesel-electric equipment has a proven ability to combine the low-maintenance benefits of electric machines with the flexibility of diesel,” he said. “We have a long association that will help shape the new Sandvik diesel-electric range. “We’re also looking forward to passing the benefits of this collaboration on to our customers.” Diesel-electric machines have a diesel engine that drives a generator which provides…

The wheel loader will be used across quarry and waste sites.

Komatsu WA475-10 wheel loader arrives in Australia

Komatsu’s WA475-10 wheel loader has arrived in Australia and is ready to be put to use across quarry and waste sites. The 26-wheel loader saves 30% more on fuel efficiency that the previous model and is suitable for any hauling or loading jobs. Komatsu Australia national business manager Nick Vrontas says the upgrades on the WA475-10 make it an appealing addition to fleets. “The WA475-10 features the newly developed Komatsu’s hydraulic mechanical transmission (KHMT), an innovative solution that makes the loader more powerful and more fuel-efficient,” he said. “Variable speed control allows operators to adjust the machine’s top speed to meet specific site requirements and the adjustable variable traction control also limits wheel spin on unstable and slippery ground conditions…

BHP has walked away from the takeover of Anglo American.

BHP walks away from Anglo American takeover

BHP (ASX: BHP) has confirmed it does not intend to make a firm offer for Anglo American after its first three were rejected. Chief executive Mike Henry commented on the update. “BHP will not be making a firm offer for Anglo American. BHP is committed to its capital allocation framework and maintains a disciplined approach to mergers and acquisitions,” he said. “While we believed that our proposal for Anglo American was a compelling opportunity to effectively grow the pie of value for both sets of shareholders, we were unable to reach an agreement with Anglo American on our specific views in respect of South African regulatory risk and cost. “We remain of the view that our proposal was the most…

By 2040, it’s expected that all four of NSW’s coal-fired power stations and 32 of the 39 coal mines will close.

NSW launches support framework for coal-producing communities

The NSW Government has launched the proposed model for the Future Jobs and Investment Authorities to support workers and communities for a future after coal mining. Led by the Future Jobs and Investment Advocate, the framework will play a central role in supporting the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West and North West regions as coal mines and coal-fired power stations close in the coming decades. By 2040, it’s expected that all four of the State’s coal-fired power stations and 32 of the 39 coal mines will close. The Future Jobs and Investment Authorities will include: The Future Jobs and Investment Advocate – a statutory role established to provide advice to the Natural Resources Minister to lead strategic work The Future Jobs…

Australia and the EU will work together to strengthen the supply of critical minerals.

Australia and the EU strengthen critical minerals partnership

Australia and the European Union (EU) will work closer together to strengthen the supply of critical minerals. A memorandum of understanding was signed by Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell, Federal Resources Minister and Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King, EU executive vice president and commissioner for trade Valdis Dombrovskis and EU commissioner for the internal market Thierry Breton. The partnership provides a platform for deeper links between Australia and the EU’s critical and strategic materials supply chains, greater science, technology and innovation collaboration, plus the development of environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. Ms King says the Australia’s clean energy transition will ride on the back of the country’s critical minerals. “Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy and the Future Made…

(Image source: Mineral Resources) Mineral Resources managing director Chris Ellison and RRKAC chairperson and RRS director Kelly Slattery.

Robe River Services receives first major contract

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has awarded Robe River Services (RRS) its first major contract as part of the Onslow Iron project in WA. The five-year contract is for the lease of four 57-seat coaches to transport Mineral Resources’ workforce at the Ken’s Bore mine site. Robe River Services is 100% owned by Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation (RRKAC) and was established to drive economic opportunities for local people and community. RRKAC chairperson and RRS director Kelly Slattery says she hopes the partnership will be replicated with other resource companies. “We are excited to have negotiated our first commercial arrangement under the RRS banner and we look forward to identifying more opportunities to build our economic independence through business development opportunities,”…

(Image source: Whitehaven Coal) Aerial view of Maules Creek.

Whitehaven Coal: Australia’s leading coal producer

Australia’s leading coal producer Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) operates seven mines — six open cut and one underground — in the Gunnedah Coal Basin in NSW and Bowen Basin in Queensland. Due to its unique properties, including the fact it delivers among the lowest carbon emissions per tonne of coal consumed in the seaborne trade, Whitehaven’s coal is highly sought after across international markets, particularly Asia. Along with metallurgical coal, Whitehaven produces a premium thermal coal product, which is also high-energy, low-ash and low-sulphur, for use in high-efficiency, low emissions coal fired power stations. In the first of a two-part series on Whitehaven Coal, the Australian Mining Review looks at some of the company’s operations and development plans in NSW…

(Image source: Mineral Resources) Mineral Resources executive general manager corporate development James Bruce accepting the awards.

Mineral Resources receives recognition at Australasian Reporting Awards

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has received recognition at the 2024 Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA) presentations in Sydney. Open to organisations in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, the ARA provides companies with an opportunity to benchmark their reports against specific ARA criteria based on best practice. The awards aim to improve the quality of annual reporting and raise public awareness of the purposes of the organisations and their achievements. For the third year in a row, Mineral Resources received gold award recognition in the sustainability award category for its 2023 Sustainability Report and a silver award in the general award category for its 2023 Annual Report. Mineral Resources’ sustainability report highlights recent progress against material sustainability topics, while the annual report…

South32 has the option to acquire up to 80% interest in the Isa Valley project.

Hammer Metals and South32 execute earn-in agreement for Isa Valley

Hammer Metals (ASX: HMX) and South32 (ASX: S32) have executed a letter agreement, providing South32 an option to earn an 80% interest in the Isa Valley project in Queensland. During the earn-in period, South32 can achieve up to an 80% interest in the project by free-carrying Hammer Metals to the completion of a pre-feasibility study. The earn-in period is in a stage process with stage one comprising of South32 funding an initial screening ionic leach soil sampling and field assessment of Isa Valley. Costing ranges between $20,000 and $25,000 and must be completed within six months. For stage two, South32 will fund a drilling program comprising of 900m of drilling, subject to an expenditure cap of $150,000. The third and…

BHP and Rio Tinto partner for battery-electric haul truck technology

BHP and Rio Tinto partner for battery-electric haul truck technology

BHP (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) have partnered to test large battery-electric haul truck technology in WA’s Pilbara region. The companies will work with manufacturers Caterpillar and Komatsu to conduct independent trials of the battery-electric haul truck, including testing of battery, static and dynamic charging systems to assess performance and productivity in the Pilbara. The collaboration reflects BHP’s, Rio’s, Caterpillar’s and Komatsu’s commitments made to support Rio Tinto’s and BHP’s shared ambition of net zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Two Cat 793 haul trucks will be trialled from the second half of 2024, while two Komatsu 930 haul trucks will be tested from 2026 at mine sites across the Pilbara. Caterpillar and Komatsu will each provide…

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Mine dewatering: An essential process for ensuring safety & continuity in mining operations

Effective dewatering is crucial for ensuring the safety and productivity of mining operations, particularly when extracting minerals below the water table or in open mines prone to rainfall. A strong dewatering plan is not only beneficial – it is absolutely essential. Understanding Mine Dewatering Challenges The process of dewatering in mining plays a pivotal role in maintaining safe and efficient working conditions by extracting water from underground and surface areas. Its primary purpose is to prevent flooding, groundwater seepage, and destabilisation of excavation sites. Additionally, it facilitates access to mineral deposits and extraction processes. Dewatering is essential for both open-pit and underground mining operations to prevent equipment damage and maintain productivity. By implementing efficient dewatering strategies, operational efficiency can be…