Author: Samantha Bawden

CSIRO launches advanced exploration software This week CSIRO has released a new online tool, LandScape+, to accelerate mineral discovery across Australia. The tool is designed to help geologists interpret their geochemical data and plan follow-up exploration programs to target new resources across a range of commodities including gold, lithium and copper. Mineral exploration in Australia faces many unique challenges due to site remoteness and access difficulty. Much of the land is also covered by a thick layer of loose soil, sand and broken-down rock — making it difficult to...

Metso bring mega mill liners to WA Metso is installing a mega-class press at its Canning Vale production facility, expanding it rubber and Poly-Met wear parts production capability in Australia. The press is specifically designed to produce large Megaliner mill liners, anticipated to be operational in Q4 this year, and will position Metso as the only mill liner manufacturer in the country. The installation of the mega-class press will significantly enhance the company’s manufacturing flexibility with the ability to produce very large liners — up to 4.5m by 3.2m coverage — with weight limits defined...

Komatsu opens $9.9m fulfilment centre Komatsu Australia have officially opened a new 12,500m2 fulfillment centre in Tarneit, Victoria that is powered by the fastest order fulfilment system in the market. Leveraging AutoStore — a high-speed order fulfilment system — operated by autonomous robots that move atop an aluminium cubic grid, the centre ensures a more efficient and streamlined experience for customers ordering Komatsu parts and machinery. With swift and reliable support for customers across Victoria, South Australia and southern NSW, the new facility enables next-day delivery to all regional branches. The facility has...

Coal’s opportunity to power energy transition Abandoned coal mines could host more than 52GW of solar in Queensland and more than 14GW in NSW according to a Global Energy Monitor (GEM) study. The study assessed decommissioned and soon to be closed surface coal mines across the globe and their potential to be given a second life as a solar farm, identifying the global capacity to host more than 300GW of solar. Four major coal producers were identified as having the greatest opportunity for coal to solar transitions, including Indonesia, the US and India with Australia at the...

Yancoal funds hospital equipment upgrade Yancoal Australia (ASX: YAL) has donated $37,000 to Singleton District Hospital in NSW to provide patients with new fall prevention hospital beds. The joint donation, from Yancoal’s Mount Thorley Warkworth and Ashton Coal mines located in the Hunter Valley region, enabled the purchase of three new beds for general ward use at the hospital. The new beds offer flexibility for a wide range of patient circumstances, are ergonomic for the healthcare providers, offer increased safety and enable patients to rest in comfort while rehabilitating. Yancoal Mount Thorley Warkworth general manager Cris Shadbolt says the team is proud to...

New Acland’s multi-million-dollar machine New Hope Group (ASX: NHG) has commissioned a new $6.6m Caterpillar 993 loader at its New Acland Coal mine in southeast Queensland. The 135t loader’s durable design makes it perfectly equipped to handle the rugged terrain and harsh conditions faced on site. New Acland Coal general manager Dave O’Dwyer says Hastings Deering Toowoomba sourced and built the earthmoving machine. “The Caterpillar 993 loader weighs more than 135t is 16.5m long and has a bucket capacity of 17.5m2, which is equivalent to the size of a car,” he said. The arrival of the...

Roadmap launched for WA maritime decarbonisation Pilbara Ports has released its Clean Fuel Bunkering Hub strategic roadmap in a move to decarbonise international shipping. The hub would enable the use of alternative marine fuels, such as ammonia and support the resource and maritime sectors energy transition in line with the WA Government’s 2050 emissions targets. The region is uniquely positioned to become a global clean fuel hub due to its high shipping volumes, proximity to emerging ammonia producers and short transit distances to major Asian...

NeoSmelt bolstered by $19.8m Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed funding to support NeoSmelt joint venture’s planned pilot plant in Kwinana, WA. The funding will progress a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the project which aims to prove Pilbara iron ore can be used to produce lower-carbon iron using a direct reduced iron-electric smelting furnace (DRI-ESF) pathway. If successful, this technology has the potential to unlock longer term alternatives to the traditional blast furnace steelmaking route and help ensure the longevity of Australia’s iron ore industry. All five joint venture...

Sandvik wins major order in Mexico La Cantera Desarrollos Mineros, one of the country’s leading underground contractors, is commissioning 64 pieces of underground mining equipment from Sandvik Mining. The order includes 23 Toro® LH410 loaders, 19 Sandvik DD311 single-boom development jumbos, 16 Sandvik DS311 rock bolters, three Toro® LH307 loaders, two Toro® LH514 loaders and one Sandvik DD321 twin-boom development jumbo. As well as equipment supply, the order also includes technical support and training provided by Sandvik technicians. Sandvik Mining president Mats Eriksson says the longstanding partnership shares both company’s dedication to technological...

Caterpillar takes home gold Caterpillar has received a Gold Award at the Eventex Awards for its 5,200m2 MINExpo 2024 booth design that transported delegates to a real-world mine site. Inspired by Caterpillar’s Tinaja Hills demonstration and learning centre in Arizona, US, the exhibit gave attendees of the world’s largest mining trade show an immersive on-site experience. Among 1,239 entries from 59 countries, Caterpillar’s booth — designed, developed and executed in collaboration with creative agencies Spiro and Converse Marketing — stood apart with its compelling visual storytelling and immersive experience. All components of the...

BHP’s $1.5b deal with Aurizon BHP (ASX: BHP) owned Copper SA has partnered with Aurizon to deliver integrated rail, road and port logistics solutions to support its South Australian copper operations. Under the agreement, the transport of copper concentrate and cathode from the Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill mines will shift to rail between Pimba and Port Adelaide. South Australian based Symons Clark Logistics, already a trusted BHP partner, has been sub-contracted by Aurizon to deliver the road transport component between Pimba and the mine sites. The major shift to an integrated rail, road and port logistics solution...