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EMESENT has updated the capabilities of its Hovermap drones, allowing them to fly beyond line of sight and communications range into unmapped areas. Hovermap’s Autonomy Level 1 technology, in operation for nearly two years, has now been updated to the new Autonomy Level 2 technology (AL2), the world’s first plug-and-play payload for industrial drones. This update provides autonomous beyond-line-of-sight and GPS-denied flight, enabling the drones to be used in the development of stopes, drifts and tunnels in mines, as well as the analysis of conditions and security prior to sending in personnel. Building on Emesent’s Hovermap simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) autonomous flight system, the AL2 enables companies to map, navigate and collect data in challenging inaccessible environments such as…

FORMER cricketer Brad Hogg has swapped the cricket bat for a microphone to interview mining workers about their mental health, in a new video project for Lifeline WA and its partner the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME). Called A Resourceful Life – Hoggy talks to everyday heroes, the project will feature Hogg having an open and honest chat to resource sector workers about their personal experiences of mental health and how they’ve overcome the challenges of working away from home. Hogg is a former T-20 and Australian test cricketer, and as a Lifeline WA ambassador, has been open about his struggles with alcoholism and depression. He said it was especially important for men to talk to other men openly…

THOR Mining’s (ASX: THR) Molyhil tungsten-molybdenum project in the Northern Territory has been granted “Major Project” status by the NT Government. The project has an estimated seven-year mine life, with a 12-month development timeframe. Located 220km northeast of Alice Springs, Molyhil has an estimated probable ore reserve of 3500t of tungsten, with additional deposits nearby at Bonya potentially extending the project’s operational life. The announcement, made on July 4, sees the 100% Thor-owned project gain momentum with the company pursuing funding, estimated at US$43m, for the development-ready project. NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner says the NT Government is focused on creating local jobs. “The project will support 59 ongoing jobs in Alice Springs with a further 40 jobs supported during…

In order to facilitate the Hillalong Coal Project, Shandong Energy Australia (SEA) plans to commence the Feasibility Study (FS) of Hillalong Coal Project in 2020. Contractors that may be interested in undertaking the FS Projects please contact with the company at info@sdenery.com.au for Expressions of Interest by 5:00pm (Brisbane Time), 30 July, 2020. Hillalong Coal Project Background The Hillalong Coal project (MDL324) is owned by Queensland Coal Exploration (QCE)?a wholly owned subsidiary of Shandong Energy Australia (SEA). Located in 60km northwest of Nebo Town and 18km east of Glenden Town, northern Bowen Basin of Queensland, Hillalong (MDL324) project has 162.60 million tons of JORC coal resources (open-cut and underground) within tenement area of 31.89km², while the proposed mine will target…

The gold rush is set to continue after prices reached eight-year highs at the start of the month, breaking through US$1800 ($2603) an ounce for the first time since 2011. The metal reached US$1810 before settling at US$1780 on July 1. ASX-listed gold miners Newcrest Mining, Kirkland Lake Gold, Northern Star Resources and Saracen Mineral Holdings all responded to the price rise with an immediate uptick in share prices. Edison Investment Research director Charles Gibson said there was no end in sight for the spikes. “Gold, with its safe haven and monetary status, has been an obvious beneficiary of the current uncertain environment and that seems unlikely to change for as long as the coronavirus remains a largely unknown quantity,”…

WA mining stalwart, author and philanthropist Ron Manners has been made an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. Mr Manners was included in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List on June 8 for his “distinguished service to the minerals and mining sectors, and to youth through philanthropic support for educational initiatives”. The Officer of the Order of Australia is awarded for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or humanity at large. Mr Manners was born and raised in Kalgoorlie, to a family that has a long association with mining, and he too joined the family business. Having forged a highly decorated career in the mining industry, he felt a burning desire to contribute a…

FORTESCUE Metals Group (ASX: FMG) awarded two notable contracts in the last week, with one going to Civmec (ASX: CVL) and the other to John Holland. Civmec was awarded a contract to build the structural concrete components for the FMG Iron Bridge magnetite project’s Dry Plant Detailed Earthworks and Concrete package. The construction scope includes the primary, secondary and tertiary crushing areas, screening areas, air classification and primary grinding areas, course ore stockpile, dry rejects and conveyors. It will involve more than 350,000m3 of earthworks, the fixing of around 5000t steel reinforcement and the placement of around 38,000m3 of concrete. Civmec chief executive Patrick Tallon says the company is extremely pleased to be given a further opportunity to work with…

Downer EDI has been awarded a number of contracts in the mining, power generation, oil and gas, and industrial sectors, with a combined value of about $324m. In the industrials market, Downer has been awarded: • a two-year contract with BHP for the delivery of sustaining capital projects across their WA iron ore sites. The services cover sustaining capital projects in mechanical, electrical and rail; and • a site services contract with Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy and Fertilisers group for the provision of electrical maintenance and shutdowns over the WA and Northern Territory operations. In the oil and gas market, Downer has been awarded: • a three-year framework agreement with Santos for the provision of multi-discipline works across existing upstream operational…

Gold explorers and capital markets advisers predict that the Aussie-dollar price of the precious metal will hit $3000 by Christmas. That was the clear prediction among panellists of a high-profile chatroom at a recent Mines and Money APAC virtual conference. Featuring White Rock Minerals managing director Matt Gill, Artemis Resources executive director Alistair Clayton, Hartleys executive chairman Ian Parker and PCF Capital managing director Liam Twigger, the panel discussed the remarkable sharemarket recovery, the importance of foreign investment, exploration hotspots and – of course – the likely trajectory of the gold price. Mr Parker said the Perth brokerage had seen a surge in new accounts while the COVID-19 triggered downturn appeared to have prompted investors to show a willingness for risk exposure that had typically been missing from the resources sector. “I’ve never…

DOWNER Group has just received Australia’s first fleet of new generation Komatsu 830E-5 dump trucks. The company purchased five of the 830E-5 model, a 230 metric tonne capacity dump truck said to be the most technologically advanced 240-US ton class truck Komatsu has created to-date. The latest trucks feature new engine and drive systems delivering improved performance, intelligent parasitic load control on the engine, up to 80% lower particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions and better fuel efficiency. Downer general manager plant Ryan Kirkwood said the company has successfully operated large fleets of Komatsu 830Es and 930s both internally and for clients. “It was an obvious decision to transition to the new 830E-5 for a key project in WA,” he said. “We…