Category: Features

EFFECTIVE dust control using water at mines requires uniform wetting, and monitoring of weather conditions such as wind direction and speed. Dust can cause major problems for mining operations, such as low-visibility issues and equipment failure, and can be linked to health problems such as asthma, lung cancer and heart disease. A fixed sprinkler system with weather monitoring, centralised control and proper water distribution components can be an effective and operationally efficient solution for dust issues at material handling points and on stockpiles and roads. The Rain Bird central control system utilises a single computer linked to field controllers to monitor watering schedules and system performance, allowing a small number of people to easily operate and monitor site-wide system activities...

MINING software company Chasm Consulting recently announced the release of its mine ventilation software Ventsim Visual 3.0, a major upgrade to the existing Ventsim Visual 2. Version 3 of the software was in development for more than 12 months, and incorporates hundreds of improvements on the previous version, largely based on feedback by users and developing trends in mine ventilation design. Ventsim Visual 3.0 includes new features such as multiple 3D windows and full dynamic time-based simulation for heat, gas and diesel fumes. The software also includes a new staging feature that enables a mine to incorporate a series of incremental ventilation changes in a model to represent different stages of mine development. Multiple versions or options of the same...

LEADING noise control and sound proofing technology manufacturer Flexshield has been servicing the Australian mining industry since 2003. With solid experience and a full range of products the company is able to provide a complete noise control solution – from noise assessments to the supply and installation  of engineered acoustic treatments. Flexshield’s products include acoustic enclosures, attenuators, baffle silencers, modular acoustic panel and flexible noise control barriers. All of the company’s products are NATA accredited, providing assurance for customers that products will perform to their requirements. Offering a complete turnkey range of flexible curtains, welding screens, flexible screens used for factory zoning and flexible swing doors, the company provides cost-effective solutions for controlling both workshop and environmental hazards. All of...

AUSTRLIA’s remote mining regions will benefit from the country’s newest ‘green’ innovation: the world’s first mobile on-site recycling facility. Closed Loop Turnstile developed the mobile facility: constructed from 40 foot Royal Wolf shipping containers, the units are the perfect solution for on-site recycling, as their portable design provides a complete solution that can be mobilised virtually anywhere. Each unit consists of two levels, and waste or recyclables are loaded via a conveyor belt that transports materials to its upper level. At the upper level, recyclables such as paper, plastic and aluminium are sorted by hand and then gravity fed into allocated compactors to form 1 cubic meter bales. Each bale is then removed from site and reprocessed into new materials...

EMERGING diversified exploration company Natural Resources Exploration (NRE) was incorporated in late 2009 and has projects in the Northern Territory and Queensland, including a number of advanced greenfield projects. The company recently underwent a restructure and, under its new title NRE Group, now incorporates subsidiaries such as NRE Base Metals and NRE Phosphate. NRE prides itself on its refreshing approach to exploration. One extremely experienced geophysicist said that he saw similarities between NRE’s exploration approach and those of Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, which served both mining majors well in the long term. NRE has embraced opportunities to explore in the Northern Territory, and is focused on the development of its large tenement portfolio....

DESPITE a somewhat rocky Australian share price in recent weeks, the future looks bright for gold producer Alacer Gold. Strong financial results for the company’s first quarter this year included a jump in net profit to $54.2 million, compared to a $92 million loss in the same quarter last year, and an adjusted net profit of $27 million compared to $13.6 million last year. In the company’s recent quarterly report, Alacer president and chief executive officer Edward Dowling said the miner’s attributable mining gross profit was $56.4 million, representing a margin of $576 per ounce. The company recently increased its 2012 production guidance to between 396,000 and 410,000oz, but also revised its cash cost guidance up to between $745/ oz...

PROUDLY celebrating 50 years of service, Acromet continues to supply Australian-made metering pumps and dry material feeders to clients around the world. The company was originally based on its founder’s concepts of innovative equipment design, fuelled by a passion for providing robust and reliable products with the highest possible accuracy. Acromet’s initial product range specialised in gaseous chlorination. The company was responsible for introducing the unique all-vacuum chlorination system into the Australian market – a system now adopted by all major manufacturers. In 1969, Acromet expanded its reach into the industrial market with its introduction of an all-Australian designed and manufactured range of diaphragm and plunger metering pumps and accessories, known as the 900 Series. During this period, the company...

TRADING as Bass Electrical Engineering, ARA Electrical designs and constructs mobile switch rooms and switchboards for the Australian mining and resources sector. With more than 34 years of experience in creating turnkey electrical engineering and communications solutions, Bass has a reputation for manufacturing innovative, quality products built to Australian and international standards. Bass’s custom-built products offer a cost-effective means of controlling power on remote sites. Bass mobile switch rooms comprise main and auxiliary switchboard power distribution, motor control centres and a separate dedicated automation room. Off-site manufacturing enables comprehensive factory testing prior to delivery, with minimal on-site commissioning time. The design and layout of Bass’s switch rooms is such that they can be split lengthwise, enabling uncomplicated transportation by road...

AGGRESSIVE drilling at Adelaide Resources’ key projects has confirmed that the South Australian company is on track to become one of the country’s leading gold, copper and uranium explorers. The ASX-listed company currently holds 20 copper, gold and uranium exploration licences throughout South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland that cover about 7300 square kilometres, and drilling has already confi rmed the potential for many of these tenements to host deposits. With $5.107 million in cash as at December 31, Adelaide Resources is set for an exciting year: one that will determine prospective production sites and place the company at the forefront of mineral exploration. One of Adelaide Resources’ most advanced exploration ventures is its wholly-owned Rover copper-gold project, which...