Category: Features

The UNSW School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering (MERE) is a leading provider of innovative world class engineering education and research, and a proud sponsor of the 2023 Oral Presentation Prize at this Year’s World Mining Congress in Brisbane. Operating for over seventy years, the School continues to thrive with highly sought-after undergraduate and postgraduate programs, alongside an increase to its internationally acclaimed research output. In the latest global rankings, MERE was ranked both 4th in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2023), and 10th in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2022). The School prides itself on creating and nurturing industry change makers and immersing them in a world that few people get to experience. Whether it’s…

Boston-based instrumentation company SciAps recently opened a location in Australia. The company specialises in handheld portable analytical instruments that measure any mineral, any element, in any place on the planet. It’s industry-leading X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and laser-based (LIBS) analysers are hard at work across every major industry, including the new specialty field of geochemistry. As the only handheld instrumentation company to offer both XRF and LIBS for the geochemistry and mining industry, SciAps gives asset owners complete visibility when it comes to research, exploration, grade control, block modeling, process optimisation, and much more, all via a handheld device. SciAps has 35 years of combined experience with elemental handheld technology across the United States and Australia. This is backed by a…

For the first time in over sixty years one of the world’s most prestigious international mining events will be held in Australia for the first time

The KCGM Super Pit, located in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, is one of the largest open-pit gold mines in the world. This iconic gold mine has been in operation for over three decades and is currently owned and operated by Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX: NST). The Super Pit has produced more than 21moz of gold since it began operation in 1989. The mine is located in the heart of the WA Goldfields and is a significant contributor to the regional economy. Northern Star Resources is now preparing for a growth project at KCGM operations called ‘Fimiston South’, which will extend the life of the mine to 2034. Overview of KCGM Since start of operation, KCGM has been a key player…

RINGSPANN is a leading technology manufacturer of power transmission products such as freewheels, backstops, brakes, clamping fixtures, shaft-hub connections and overload clutches. It also leads in precision clamping fixtures and remote controls. The company has nine manufacturing facilities in Germany and across the globe. With almost 500 employees in more than 25 countries through dedicated offices and distributing companies, RINGSPANN prides themselves on providing the latest and reliable high tech products to an abundance of customers worldwide in the field of industrial gears and geared motors, mining, machine tools, food and packaging machines, energy generation, material handling, marine, rail, aerospace, vehicle construction, pulp and paper as well as in general machine building and plant construction. While headquartered in Germany since…

New and advanced technologies are making low emissions mining and energy generation commercially viable and mining companies and electricity providers across the nation are moving forward and being encouraged to move forward to decarbonise their operations. Australian miners are now profiting from the clean energy transition while accelerating national decarbonisation efforts, according to a report produced by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) in September last year. According to the report, titled ‘The compelling case for decarbonisation: Mining in a low emissions economy’, Australia is among the top producers of the world’s key mineral commodities, many of which are crucial to the clean energy transition. Its resource and energy export earnings…

Since 1980, the Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has been a driving force behind strengthening the crane industry across the country. Providing opportunities and support in a bid to progress the industry nationally, CICA has always aimed to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of crane industry personnel, push compliance in legislation and regulation, and improve crane usage, experience and efficiency. The council is not only Australia’s peak body for the crane industry though. Its board is also involved on a global scale, sitting on the International Crane Stakeholders Assembly where continents are represented and facilitate information sharing and dialogue between stakeholders and industry experts. CICA Board President Ben Pieyre has been in the role since 2022 and comes…

Iconic HVO Seeks to Continue A VENERABLE coal mine in NSW’s famous Hunter Valley region is in the process of seeking to continue its operations after first commencing operations back in 1949. Located in the Upper Hunter Valley region of the state, Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) – which is located at Lemington, around 24km north-west of Singleton – is a large open cut mine with two sites: HVO South and HVO North. HVO produces up to 42 million tonnes of high-quality coal to help meet the world’s energy needs. The mines support around one thousand five hundred jobs and with more than seven hundred suppliers creates thousands of flow-on jobs across the state, while injecting around $500 million dollars each…

PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY is becoming an increasingly important function for mining companies as the combined pressures of social responsibility, legal compliance and business resilience begin to mount and the sector comprehends that ensuring the conservation of biodiversity can enhance its reputation, compliance and sustainability. Biodiversity itself provides critical ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, nutrient recycling, pollination, soil formation, and pest control and these play an important function to both human health and that of the natural environment. Where in the past mining companies have frequently taken a relaxed attitude towards biodiversity preservation, with an estimated 50,000 plus sites across the country abandoned and unrehabilitated, increasing amounts of legislation across the life cycle of a mine and more stringent scrutiny related to…

BCI Minerals Ltd (ASX:BCI) is seeing rapid growth and success with its 100% owned Mardie Salt and Potash Project on the West Pilbara coast in WA. Designed to produce 5.35Mtpa of high-purity salt and 140ktpa of Sulphate of Potash (SOP), the project is a future Tier 1 solar evaporation project that will be a sustainable supplier of salt and potash for decades to come. As a developer of renewable minerals for a modern world, BCI Minerals is currently still in its construction phase and will be the first major salt project developed in Australia in two decades, being the only Australian operation to product commercially saleable salt and SOP. BCI Minerals Managing Director David Boshoff, who has more than 20…

Asset owners and site managers are aware of the risks associated with working at heights, and the need to implement procedures that keep workers safe when performing their duties. While keeping projects on track, reducing operational downtime, and increasing productivity all have an impact on business performance, maintaining a safe environment for workers remains a priority. When performing tasks at potentially dangerous heights, employees need the assurance that all the necessary steps have been taken to mitigate unforeseen risk. From mining maintenance, construction sites and manufacturing workshops, to retail, warehousing and everything in between, OEM Group is a company that is keeping a step ahead in safeguarding workers. In the early 2000’s, the company identified a need to safely access…