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Challenges and Solutions in Pumping Iron Ore Slurry The pumping of iron ore slurry presents a unique set of challenges due to the abrasive nature of the material and the demanding conditions under which the pumps operate. Iron ore slurry is a dense and abrasive mixture of finely ground iron ore and water, which requires specialised equipment to ensure efficient and reliable transportation. Common Issues Faced with Slurry Pumping Abrasion and Erosion: The high abrasiveness of iron ore slurry can cause severe wear and tear on pump components, leading to frequent maintenance and reduced lifespan of the equipment. Corrosion: In the Pilbara and Goldfields regions of Western Australia, where water contains both bacteria and high salinity, the combination of iron...

WA southern ports' $17.4m tech upgrades, Accenture gets $13.6m The WA Government is contributing $17.4m towards major upgrades of operational technology at Southern Ports. Contractor Accenture will receive $13.6m to boost the performance of more than 22 major assets across ports at Albany, Bunbury, and Esperance through hardware and software advancements. These advancements will increase efficiencies operating ship loaders, rotary car dumpers and conveyors that move trade products through multiple sheds. Southern Ports has an asset base worth a replacement cost of about $1.6b, with more than 37mt of trade imported and exported through WA’s southern ports. WA Mines, Petroleum and Ports Minister David Michael...

Aluminium, alumina & bauxite must be “critical minerals” to avoid nickel fate: AAC The Australian Aluminium Council (AAC) has renewed its calls for the inclusion of bauxite, alumina and aluminium to Australia’s Critical Minerals List to avoid the same fate as the nickel industry. This comes as a new report, Vulnerabilities & Opportunities in Australia’s Upstream Aluminium Sectors, highlights growing risks to the sector’s supply chain due to heightened geopolitical risk, rising costs and prolonged regulatory approvals. AAC chief executive Marghanita Johnson says the current inclusion of aluminium on Australia’s Strategic Mineral List acknowledges the metal’s importance in the transition to net zero but it also lacks policy support....

Augmented reality (AR) core logging takes mineral exploration to new depths MinEx CRC and CSIRO have partnered to bring Augmented Reality (AR) core logging technology to mineral exploration. Core logging is traditionally considered time-consuming, solitary and subject to human error but this new technology promises to bring about enhanced productivity and decision-making to the resources industry. Geologists often struggle to incorporate multiple data streams into the logging process and they lack tools to efficiently analyse this complex information for fast, informed decision-making. The AR core logging technology is developed by MinEx CRC in collaboration with the...

Rio Tinto confirms $9.95b Arcadium Lithium purchase Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has confirmed the purchase of leading global lithium chemicals producer Arcadium Lithium (ASX: LTM) for $9.95b (US$6.7b). The all-cash deal will see Arcadium shareholders receive $8.69 (US$5.85) for every share held. The transaction will bring Arcadium Lithium’s world-class lithium business into Rio’s portfolio, adding onto Rio’s existing aluminium, copper and iron ore operations. Rio chief executive Jakob Stausholm commented on the acquisition. “Acquiring Arcadium Lithium is a significant step forward in Rio Tinto’s long-term strategy, creating a world-class lithium...

Liontown & Zenith officially open Australia’s largest operating off-grid power system ...

Anglo American frontline coal miners rewrite safety program The most important thing to come out of a mine is the miner. And this is the north star that has guided Anglo American through the redesign of its frontline safety program. Through a bottom-up approach, frontline coal mine workers have been empowered to shape a new Fatal Risk Management (FRM) program, one that is easy to use and doesn’t add another layer of red tape. Anglo American Australia chief executive Dan van der Westhuizen says embedding frontline workers in the project team is crucial in designing the simplified and standardised tools as they understand the risks better than...

Newmont to sell Akyem for up to $1.49b Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) has revealed it will be selling its Akyem operation in the Republic of Ghana to Zijin Mining Group for up to $1.49b (US$1b). This sale is part of Newmont’s continuing program to divest its non-core assets as it makes a strategic shift to focus on its Tier 1 assets. Under the agreement, Newmont is expected to receive cash consideration of $1.33b (US$900m) upon closing, with a further $148m (US$100m) expected to be received upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals. Newmont president and chief executive Tom Palmer commented on the...

MinRes partners with the Y WA for mental health support Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has continued its partnership with the Y WA to support the Inside Our Minds campaign. This is the fourth year Mineral Resources has partnered with the Y WA, one of Australia’s largest youth organisations, for the Inside Our Minds campaign. Every day through WA Mental Health Week – which runs from October 5 - 12 – a different video featuring young people talking about their mental health will be shared on...

WesTrac expands autonomous training centre to shape future workforce Leading Caterpillar® dealer WesTrac will complete the construction of new facilities at the WesTrac Technology Training Centre in Collie, WA, by November, offering further world-leading training opportunities. Speaking during a visit to the facility by WA Premier Roger Cook, WesTrac chief executive Jarvas Croome said the State Government supported the project by providing $1m from the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund. “It is fantastic to have Roger Cook at the WesTrac...

Trigg moves swiftly on antimony Trigg Minerals (ASX: TMG) is rapidly working to restate the existing mineral resource estimate (MRE) and grow the potentially significant Wild Cattle Creek (WCC) resource at its recently acquired Achilles antimony project in NSW. WCC contains 15,600t of antimony and is also enriched in tungsten and gold, making it NSW’s second-largest antimony deposit and the highest-grade undeveloped antimony project in Australia, according to Trigg. Tungsten and gold were excluded in the original MRE as well as potentially significant antimony veins. In addition to these potential enhancements, Trigg says antimony...