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Graphite samples sent to China for metallurgical evaluation Graphite samples from Oar Resources’ (ASX:OAR) namesake graphite project have been sent to a research facility in China for metallurgical evaluation. Eight samples from two historic holes have been sent to the Beijing General Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (BGRIMM) with the goal of producing a saleable graphite product. Furthermore, relevant South Australian...

Sandvik develops new test mine To support the shift towards electrification and the advancement of autonomous and optimisation technologies in surface drilling, Sandvik has acquired a new testing facility in Finland to develop and prove future surface drilling technologies. The test mine lies 40km northwest of Tampere and Sandvik’s underground test mine. The site is Sandvik’s first dedicated exclusively to surface drilling on a large scale. Sandvik surface drilling president Petri Virrankoski commented on the facility. “The development of comprehensive solutions that not only harness the latest technologies but also deliver productivity and reliability in our customers’ real-life application and conditions requires a real-life test environment,” he said. “The surface test mine...

EPA recommends Mt Weld expansion The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recommended environmental approval for the extension of the Mt Weld project. The proposed expansion would increase the existing development to 2802ha, extending the life of the 16-year-old operation by up to 30 years. EPA chair Professor Matthew Tonts says an assessment of the proposal would produce a much better outcome for the environment. “Adopting this approach meant the EPA was able to undertake the assessment with full knowledge of the existing and proposed Mt Weld operations,” he said. “This is one of the first projects to provide the EPA with life-of-mine insight that allows confident assessment of the combined...

Queensland and WA resources sectors deliver remarkable results Queensland’s resources sector delivered a record $116.8b in economic benefits to the state economy in 2022-2023. This is $22.2b more than the previous financial year and represents one in every four dollars spent in Queensland. Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane says the figures show what’s at risk from the Queensland Government’s sudden and unprecedented introduction of the world’s highest coal royalty taxes. “Queensland’s current prosperity is the result of decades of past investment by mining and energy companies from all around the world as well as by companies based right here,” he said. “Unless that level of large-scale, long-term investment...

Liebherr launches battery-electric wheel loader Liebherr has launched its L 507 E battery-electric wheel loader, which has the same performance as a conventionally powered Liebherr wheel loader but emits no carbon dioxide. Additionally, noise emissions are kept to a minimum, making the loader suitable for any application where noise or exhaust fumes have to be considered, such as in inner-city areas or halls. Liebherr relies on a high-voltage battery system — specifically developed for L 507 E wheel loader applications — which ensures powerful performance and efficient charging. Depending on the operating...

Lake Lindsay mine cleared for expansion Anglo American’s Lake Lindsay mine has been cleared for expansion by the Queensland Government.   This expansion will extend the life of the mine and secure the long-term future of 500 jobs. When fully operational, the expanded mine will produce 5.6mt of steel-making coal. Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart commented on the expansion. “The granting of this mining lease shows Queensland’s resources industry continues to go from strength to strength. It shows there is confidence from major mining companies that are investing in the future of Queensland’s resources industry into the future,” he said. “Steel-making coal is one of our state’s biggest export earners, worth...

PT Hydraulics – proudly servicing the mining industry for 40 years. PT Hydraulics has provided high-quality products and services to the mining sector for over four decades.  Celebrating 20 years in 2023, since the company known today as PT Hydraulics was formed, the business has been servicing the mining industry for over 40 years in various iterations and continues to prove to be an important supplier to mining customers.   With headquarters in Mt Waverley Victoria, and regional branch offices throughout Australia and New Zealand, the company’s Industrial, Rescue and Rail divisions service prestigious clientele across the resources, civil, government and defence sectors. Internationally recognised brand portfolio A recent discussion with the company’s Marketing Manager, Melinda Norman, highlighted some of the...

Sandvik introduces Toro LH514iE loader Sandvik is introducing the AutoMine Toro LH514iE loader, a revamped version of the Sandvik LH514E with new updates to enhance safety and productivity. Toro LH514iE is the latest automated cable-electric loader designed with AutoMine integrated capabilities, offering customers flexibility to upgrade from manual to autonomous operations at any time in the equipment’s lifespan. Unlike battery electric vehicles that require battery swapping or quick-charging, or diesel equipment that needs refuelling, as long as the Toro LH614iE loader is plugged into the mine electric grid, it’s able to undertake productive work. The cable has an operating range of up to 330m. Toro LH514iE can help improve working conditions underground...

Next generation i-ALERT3 takes machine monitoring to new levels Production and maintenance personnel are rostered around the clock to ensure plant equipment availability is maximised and running as smooth as possible while faced with the constant threat of costly downtime. Critical components must therefore be constantly monitored to prevent any potential issues where unplanned repairs will result in a complete or partial plant shutdown. Not only are machine components subject to wear and tear, abrasion, impact, dust, corrosion, humidity, and high temperatures, but there’s also the inherent health and safety risks that personnel face as they perform their day-to-day tasks. This is why intuitive condition monitoring is such an integral part of any reliable industrial operation. The ability to diagnose...

RareX signs MoU with Nitron Group for Cummins Range product RareX (ASX:REE) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global fertiliser trading and distribution company Nitron Group for product from the Cummins Range rare earths and phosphate project. Under the MoU, Nitron will receive offtake from stage one and stage two production from Cummins Range. The stage one offtake consists of 250ktpa of direct application shipping ore (DSO) phosphate from 2025, while the stage two offtake consists of 250ktpa of high-grade phosphate concentrate from 2028. Stage two provides an opportunity for further product from lower-grade rare earth resources, potentially expanding the volume of mineable ore from Cummins Range....

Townsville to welcome Australia’s first critical minerals facility Mineral processing and infrastructure solutions company Sedgman has been appointed managing contractor for the delivery of a critical minerals processing facility in Queensland.  Queensland has access to some of the world’s richest critical mineral-producing areas, with the North West Minerals Province assessed to hold deposits worth $500b. Sedgeman will work closely with the Queensland Government to develop the design and construction program for the Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF). The QRCUF will accelerate the development of commercial mining projects in the State, promote investment in advanced mineral manufacturing opportunities and support supply chain and industry development. Mining companies will be able to...