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Liebherr T 264 Autonomous Haulage Solution.

Liebherr deploys autonomous vehicles to WA mine site

Liebherr has deployed a fleet of four T 265 trucks to support onsite validation at a mine site in WA. The trucks have completed comprehensive internal validation of their autonomous haulage solution (AHS) at Liebherr’s Mining Technology Development Centre in the USA. Liebherr divisional general manager, product manager, Scott Bellamy commented on the solution. “After significant research, development and program planning, Liebherr is excited to announce the commencement of onsite autonomous haulage solution validation as we move to deploy the next generation of autonomy technology for mining equipment,” he said. “This deployment not only represents Liebherr Mining’s market introduction of the AHS, but also highlights Liebherr’s continued expansion as a technology solution provider for the mining industry.” To provide onsite…

Hillgrove Resources - Australia's Next Copper Producer

Hillgrove Resources: Australia’s Next Copper Producer

Located only 55km from Adelaide, Kanmantoo Underground was operated by Hillgrove Resources (ASX:HGO) as a series of open pits from 2010 to 2020, producing around 140kt of copper and over 55koz of gold. Over the past three years, Hillgrove has been drilling to prove up an underground extension which ended in the release of a feasibility study highlighting that Kanmantoo could generate over $200m in free cash flow for a capital requirement of $25m. This makes Kanmantoo one of the lowest capital-intensive copper development projects anywhere in the world. Mining Begins Mining began in May 2023 with first copper production on track for early 2024. As anticipated, the underground conditions proved to be very capable, assisting in turning the development faces over quickly and getting to the planned production straight away. Ore on the run-of-mine is being stockpiled for…

Gold nugget.

Dundas Minerals acquires two highly prospective gold projects

Dudas Minerals (ASX:DUN) has secured two highly prospective gold projects from Horizon Minerals (ASX:HRZ). The two projects — Windanya and Baden-Powell / Scotia — are located within the fertile Bardoc tectonic zone area in WA. They became available due to Horizon’s focus on advancing its Cannon, Penny’s Find and Rose Hill gold projects towards production. Dundas is finalising plans for its first phase of exploration at both projects with work to comprise of soil and auger sampling programs across multiple targets. Samples will be analysed by Intertek-Genalysis and a multi-element analysis suite reported. The purpose of this sampling will be to test historic workings and for possible undercover extensions to areas known to be gold mineralised. Exploration is expected to…

Group 6 Metals - The Dolphin Tungsten mine restart

Group 6 Metals – The Dolphin Tungsten mine restart

After closing the Dolphin tungsten mine in 1992 due to prolonged low tungsten prices, Group 6 Metals (ASX:G6M) has restarted operations and began commercial production of tungsten concentrate earlier this year. Located on King Island between Victoria and Tasmania, the Dolphin tungsten mine is known for hosting the highest-grade tungsten deposit of significant size in the western world. It has a JORC 2012 compliant mineral reserve of 4.43mt at a grade of 0.92% tungsten trioxide. From 1917 to 1990, Dolphin operated on and off before being rehabilitated then ultimately closed, leaving only the old open pit which filled with water. Group 6 Metals managing director and chief executive Keith McKnight spoke with the Australian Mining Review on the decision to restart…

Workers at Sandvik Rock Processing Australia.

Schenck Process to become Sandvik Rock Processing

On October 1, 2023, Schenck Process Australia will become Sandvik Rock Processing Australia. The next step in the integration of SP Mining — the mining related business of Schenck acquired by engineering group Sandvik — will see SP Mining entities change their names to reflect their new ownership. Since the acquisition, which occurred in November last year, Sandvik has been focused on bringing together its expertise in crushing with Schenck’s know-how in screening, feeding, weighing and loading. Schenck president Asia Pacific Terese Withington said the move is part of an integration process, allowing SP Mining to become a seamless part of Sandvik. “In Australia, we are bringing together our sales and back-office teams with those of Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions…

Mt Marion beneficiation plant at night.

Mineral Resources records $4.8b in revenue for FY23

Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) has recorded revenue of $4.8b for FY23, up 40% on the prior corresponding period (pcp). Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was up 71% to $1.8b following strong pricing and increased volumes. These increases were driven by record earnings from both the Mt Marion and Wodgina lithium projects, solid mining services results and an improved contribution from iron ore with higher achieved prices. Statutory net profit after tax was down $107m from the pcp to $244m with the impairment due to a re-estimation of the available ore to be mined at current forecast consensus prices and increased operating costs. Wodgina continued to ramp up with two trains operational and all three trains commissioned, while…

Liebherr's weighing system for wheel loaders.

Earth-shattering: Liebherr showcases powerful machines, alternative drives and digital solutions at steinexpo 2023

Liebherr has unveiled more than 10 machines from its earthmoving and mining product segments at the steinexpo 2023, held in Homberg in central Germany, from 23-26 August. The machines formed part of the static exhibition, the live demonstration site and the 1,200 m2 Liebherr pavilion. Liebherr’s machine highlights included the: Robust TA 230 Litronic articulated dump truck for tough use in the mining industry and overburden transport; Improved crawler excavators R 992 and R 978 SME of the new 70-100t machines and the mining excavator R 9150 for demanding projects in the mining industry; L 546 and L 586 XPower® wheel loaders as well as dozers PR 756 and PR 726with assistance systems for more power and safety The company…

Train transporting iron ore.

Fortescue Metals appoints Dino Otranto as chief executive, releases FY23 results

Dino Otranto has been appointed as chief executive of Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG), replacing Fiona Hick who lasted just under six months in the role. With over 20 years of experience in the global energy and resources industry, Mr Otranto joined Fortescue in 2021 as chief operating officer iron ore. Prior to joining Fortescue, he was chief operating officer at Vale Base Metals, leading the company’s North American, European and Asian nickel and copper businesses. Mr Otranto commented on his appointment. “I am really looking forward to continuing to work with our amazing Fortescue team to strengthen our powerhouse iron ore business further while racing to reach real zero by 2030 across our operations,” he said. “Climate change is accelerating and…

Aussie Pumps - Cast iron impellers are susceptible to damage

Aussie reduces corrosion damage

Handling highly corrosive acid liquids on mine sites is not confined to gold, zinc, copper or nickel processing. Even coal mines, both underground and open cut, often have the same problems. Whether the application is dewatering, or a more complex leachate treatment involving filtrate systems, cast iron and even low grade stainless steel pumps will be subject to severe corrosion. Australian Pumps has confronted this issue by developing a range of 316 cast stainless steel self priming pumps, in diesel engine or electric motor drive configurations. Corrosion too common Since introducing the range, Aussie Pumps has seen a ready acceptance of the Aussie GMP “X” stainless steel pumps for mining applications. In highly corrosive locations, 316 stainless components with Viton…

La Granja project in Peru.

Rio Tinto and First Quantum form joint venture for La Granja

Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) and First Quantum have formed a joint venture to unlock the development of the La Granja project in Peru. La Granja is one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world and it has the potential to be a large, long-life operation with an indicated and inferred mineral resource of 4.32bt at 0.51% copper. First Quantum has acquired a 55% stake in the project for $105m and will invest up to a further $546m to fund capital and operational costs to take La Granja through a feasibility study and toward development. As majority owner, First Quantum will operate La Granja with initial work focused on completing the feasibility study. First Quantum chief executive Tristan Pascall commented…

CSIRO's tubular solid oxide electrolysis ceramic membranes.

CSIRO technology the #1 element in reducing hydrogen production costs

In a game changer for heavy industry, CSIRO and corporate advisor RFC Ambrian have co-founded Hadean Energy to commercialise technology that can significantly reduce hydrogen production costs and industry emissions. While the International Energy Agency estimates hydrogen demand to increase 138% by 2030, high production costs and energy inputs remain at this stage key challenges for producing green hydrogen. CSIRO’s tubular solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) technology produces hydrogen efficiently by electrolysing water using a combination of heat and electricity. CSIRO lead scientist on hydrogen research Dr Sarb Giddey says this SOE technology “has the potential to produce hydrogen at a higher efficiency and lower cost for integration with industrial processes”. “It allows industrial waste heat to be integrated back into…