Category: Features

Bridge the gap and Unlock vendor limitations Today’s technology has set new benchmarks and possibilities to safely manage environmental responsibilities across thousands of square kilometres for mining operators. According to Control Logic’s product marketing manager, Martin Daines. New opportunities existing in transparent information flows right down to the real-world sensors. Daines says an Australian Tier 1 mining company looked for an optimum way to safely manage its environmental responsibilities through the capture of environmental dust and water quality metrics. With hundreds of environmental field sensors strategically positioned around the mine site connected to a Red Lion’s FlexEdge Intelligent Edge Automation Platform. Daines says this environmental data is continuously fed to a centrally hosted cloud historian and dashboard, allowing the business…

The Queensland mining sector’s thought leaders are gearing up to share their insights at the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME) from 19-21 July, with the event’s Seminar Series program released today. The QME Seminar Series, sponsored by Komatsu, will feature panel sessions, keynotes and thought-provoking topics including innovation, industry outlook, exponential technology, workforce, sustainability and occupational health and safety. With thousands of attendees expected and over 280 confirmed exhibitors, the Seminar Series promises to be another major drawcard in an action-packed week. QME Seminar Series sponsor Komatsu’s Regional Manager Mining, Scott Harrington, says it’s important to hear from different voices in the sector, right through from site-based executives to consultants and academics. “The topics covered by the Seminar Series…

Queensland’s mining industry has weathered the last two years particularly well, and the scale of this year’s Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) is a strong reflection of the industry’s buoyancy. As QME returns to Mackay from 19-21 July and registrations launch today, the industry’s innovation, excellence, and world-class capabilities are again on display. With a packed roster of over 250 exhibitors, including Hastings Deering, Komatsu, Mastermyne, RYCO Hydraulics, Volvo Penta, ABB Australia and Fulton Hogan, QME is certainly the largest to be held in Mackay for several years. Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson says the biennial event is a highlight on the local calendar and an excellent opportunity to showcase the region’s extensive mining capabilities. “QME is a…

Customised Australian-made dewatering pumps out-performing and out-lasting overseas pumps The typical outback Australian has largely been characterised as someone who is as unique as the outback landscape itself. Similarly, the uniqueness of Australian mines are also characterised by some of the toughest environments found on the globe, these harsh environments place high demands both on the people who work the mines and the equipment used in the mining process. Dewatering Pumping Systems Built for Australian Conditions The Australian environment by necessity calls for a particular type of equipment, namely equipment that is built to withstand the harshest slurry material, the most severe and wild undulating weather conditions and temperatures, plus some very challenging water qualities. All of these elements place…

Next-gen drilling power Epiroc releases the new DM30 XC blasthole drill rig Epiroc just released the new DM30 XC blasthole drill suitable for various multi-pass rotary and down-the-hole (DTH) drilling applications. Built off the same proven, reliable platform as the Epiroc DM30 II, the new DM30 XC offers customers 33% more power and many benefits. The DM30 XC is designed for maximum productivity and efficiency due to increased rotary torque, increased pulldown, and a larger hole range capability. The DM30 XC is built to handle a 101 – 159 mm (4- to 6¼-in) drill pipe with a weight on bit up to 20,000 kg (44,000 lb). The heavy-duty, crawler-mounted, hydraulic top head drive drilling rig features a 9.1 m (30…

The global and local drive towards a low carbon future and mining’s evolving world of work are among the top trends ahead for Australian miners in 2022, Deloitte’s Tracking the Trends report reveals. The 14th annual edition of the report explores the key trends facing mining companies as innovation accelerates driven by the need to meet decarbonisation, environmental, societal, and governance (ESG) goals. Deloitte Australia Mining & Metals Leader Steven Walsh said the sector was facing one of the most transformative times in its history. “The level of change and innovation we are seeing across the mining industry is accelerating. This change is being pushed by the demands and expectations of stakeholders across environment, society and governance, and is being…

The Fosterville gold mine in Victoria has played a big part in helping owners Kirkland Lake Gold exceed its production guidance for the first quarter of 2021, following a record year in 2020. Combined with strong results from the Detour Lake mine in Ontario, Canada, production results went beyond guidance target levels. Higher gold grades were achieved at Fosterville following changes to mine sequencing, pushing it to another record quarter. The Canadian company delivered record production for the June quarter of 2021 with 379,195oz, a 15% increase on the corresponding period last year and 25% higher than the previous quarter. This was primarily driven by the Fosterville mine achieving higher than planned production. Production at Fosterville for YTD 2021 totalled…

Regis Resources has taken over IGO’s 30% interest in the Tropicana gold mine in WA. The $903m deal was approved by WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston, with the Governmental green light being the last stage needed for the acquisition. AngloGold Ashanti owns the remaining 70% of the Tropicana mine under a joint venture (JV), with Regis to replace IGO as the JV partner. AGA interim chief executive officer Christine Ramon said Tropicana was a key asset in the company’s portfolio. “Having decided, in this context, and after considerable deliberation to waive our pre-emptive rights, with the sale process behind us we are looking forward to working with Regis to deliver Tropicana’s considerable potential over the coming years,” she…

A new copper mine and key enabler projects are edging closer to construction as high commodity prices drive investment in Queensland’s North West Minerals Province. Grand Central Industries’ government-supported Inland Port Project is rapidly approaching financial close and is forecast to commence construction in Q4 2021. The critical 333ha project will significantly debottleneck about $13b of pre-existing Queensland government-owned rail and port infrastructure—the Mt Isa Railway and Port of Townsville. Located 7km east of Cloncurry, the project is expected to have a material economic, commercial and environmental impact to the collective benefit of all stakeholders across the supply chain. Grand Central Industries CEO Josip Obajdin said the project provided for an essential, catalytic platform to enable the region’s further economic…

As the worldwide movement towards a zero-emission global economy gathers momentum, hydrogen is increasingly being thrust into the limelight as the new pathway to decarbonisation. On May 5, the Australian Government allocated more than $100m to three ‘green’ hydrogen pilot projects as it aims to position the nation as a clean hydrogen-producing powerhouse by 2030. This followed the release of its Technology Investment Roadmap, which singled out hydrogen as one of five priority technologies to accelerate development and commercialisation of low emission technologies. The private sector is also ploughing money into research and development to improve the economic viability and scalability of the ‘fuel of the future’ with several world-first projects happening around Australia. The Australian Mining Review spoke to…