Latest News

THE WesTrac Technology Training Centre in Collie, WA, is close to completion and due to accept its first trainees within weeks. The facility, which is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, will deliver training courses to technicians and operators of autonomous equipment such as haul trucks used in the mining industry. Announced in January this year and partially funded through the State Government’s Collie Futures Fund, the site near Bluewaters Power Station includes dedicated training facilities and an extensive “calibration pad” used for trialling and fine-tuning autonomous equipment. WA Premier Mark McGowan said the training centre was one of a range of new initiatives designed to secure the future of the town. “The WesTrac Technology Training Centre…

MINERAL processing experts from the Sustainable Minerals Institute’s (SMI) Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) have embraced 21st century technology to maintain site engagement and delivery of research outcomes to mineral processing plants amid COVID-19 restrictions. Surveying, diagnosing and identifying improvement opportunities for processing plants generally requires teams to travel to a mine site, often in remote locations, and undertake hands-on testing alongside mine personnel ? a difficult feat considering ongoing travel and distancing restrictions. Faced with these challenges, JKMRC experts have developed a remote survey coordination method which allows them to engage with site personnel and facilitate the same procedures through the use of video streaming. JKMRC senior research fellow and process performance specialist Lizette Verster said the novel…

THE introduction of 34 autonomous trucks at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Daunia mine in central Queensland will create more than 150 project-related jobs and 56 permanent positions in the surrounding area. BMA made the announcement today as it moves to invest $100m to back auto-truck introduction at the mine, which opened in 2013 and created 450 jobs back then. BMA asset president James Palmer said the Daunia workforce was consulted over the last 18 months over the rollout of autonomous haulage. “Our people have told us that they are eager for new job opportunities and skills,” he said. “There will be no job losses as a result of this decision, and anyone who currently works with us, be it an…

Currently unlisted New Energy Metals Ltd (NRG) has signed a binding heads of agreement with Zenith Minerals Ltd to purchase its Fraser Range tenement for $100,000.  Zenith have backed the future production of metals on the site by retaining a 1.5% net smelter royalty fee, while still moving its focus to its current gold and copper wholly owned projects. The sale is conditional on regulatory approvals and more importantly, upon the successful listing via an initial public offering (IPO) of NRG on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) within 6 months. Zenith Minerals report that NRG primary focus is Nickel Sulphide exploration in WA with exposure to the Albany Fraser Orogen and the South West Yilgarn while retaining a proprietary Nickel…

SOUTH Australian mining company Argonaut Resources (ASX: ARE) commenced drilling yesterday at the Island and Birties gold prospects in Higginsvale, WA. After approval by the WA Government to drill both areas, Argonaut secured a suitable track-mounted, slim-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling rig to target untested gold anomalies. The drilling program will involve 15-20 holes at the Island gold prospect and 10-15 holes at the Birties gold prospect at a total cost of $350,000. The Island gold prospect, which benefits from the absence of historic drilling, sits over a major structural intersection that may have been a conduit for gold mineralising fluids. The Island gold targets were confirmed by SensOre Ltd’s proprietary mineral exploration artificial intelligence (AI) system. SensOre applied its…

A pilot programme which offers complete training for truck drivers was announced by Sue Ellery, Minister of Education and Training yesterday, accompanied by the WA Premier, Mark McGowan. The new course is titled the Heavy Haulage Driving Operations Skill Set, and is endorsed by the Western Roads Federation. It was developed following considerable industry consultation and will fill key skills gaps for this essential service. The course runs for five weeks and will teach of a range of skills that encompass the entire truck driving experience including time and personal safety and management such as eating well, sleeping management and more. The five-week course will help jobseekers increase their employability by giving participants eight units of competency from the Certificate…

Continuing its commitment to a low emission future, BHP has put Mt Arthur coal mine, in the Hunter Valley up for sale, with JP Morgan and Macquarie Bank taking the lead in the sale. Previous statements from BHP said that thermal coal was a small part of their business, with only a 3% turnover contributing to its overall portfolio. Mt Arthur is an open-cut thermal coal mine and is currently wholly owned by BHP. BHP’s annual report show that Mt Arthur has government approved extraction permits of up to 36 million mt/year and produced 6,150 kcal/kg NAR coal with 19.4% ash and 0.61% sulphur. The company has pledged support for the 2015 Paris climate accord and follows other mining companies…

Horizon Minerals’ reports positive outcomes at its Boorara gold mine, WA, with mining and ore haulage is progressing ahead of schedule and total material movement 22% above plan. Mr Jon Price, Managing Director, Horizon Boorara, said that a total movement of 232,000 BCM had been mined with approximately 42,000 tonnes of oxide and transitional ore at a fully diluted grade of 1.4g/t Au.  This is in line with the reserve model estimates. Costs of drill and blasts have been reduced by the mining of a higher than budgeted volume of free dig material which has resulted in better productivity levels. “First gold production and revenue is expected in July 2020 with production continuing on a campaign basis through to January…

LEADING Caterpillar dealer WesTrac is reducing the need for personnel to work within the footprint of live equipment in up to 90% of common maintenance tasks. The Elimination of Live Work (ELW) project has involved WesTrac staff from across the business identifying technology, tools and work processes that can eliminate safety risks involved with people working in close proximity to live equipment. Initially introduced to WesTrac by a major mining client as part of ongoing safety improvement initiatives, the ELW project has gained industry-wide focus. WesTrac’s Newman Branch Manager James Davey said the aim of the project, which involves a range of mining-focused Original Equipment Manufacturers and service teams, was to eliminate significant risk factors associated with working on heavy…