Category: Technology & Innovation

Exploration drilling has taken off since the COVID-19 pandemic. A raft of measures by the Federal and state governments to increase mineral exploration, along with the advent of smart technology, have come together to create a conducive environment for increased exploration drilling. One such company experiencing this wave is mining technology company IMDEX, which develops cloud-connected sensors and drilling products that provide critical information in real-time. The number of cloud-connected instruments it rents out reached a record high in 2020, specifically its IMDEX HUB IQTM cloud-based technology and software. IMDEX chief executive Paul House says strong mining fundamentals supported a return to pre-COVID-19 business levels. “We are still experiencing record high numbers on rent and record plans by our customers...

  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...

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...

ORICA and Epiroc Rock Drills are jointly developing a semi-automated explosives delivery system, enabling safer and more productive blasting operations in underground mines. As mines go deeper and ore bodies become more remote, the case for blasting automation becomes clearer. The partnership brings together the deep expertise and experience of two global industry leaders to address the growing demand from customers mining in increasingly more hazardous and challenging underground operations. Orica chief commercial and technology officer Angus Melbourne said the partnership with Epiroc allowed Orica to leverage its exclusive wireless initiating system, WebGen, to deliver the critical first steps towards the automation of drill and blast operations. “Automation is a key pillar of our technology strategy and supports our vision...

RESEARCHERS have developed new methods for recognising potential mineralisation hidden beneath barren cover rocks in under-explored areas of WA. A major collaboration between the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), the Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET) and sponsor Gold Road Resources, the project seeks to apply new computational technology to solving the challenges of mineral exploration below barren cover rocks. The work targeted WA’s Eastern Yilgarn Craton and Albany-Fraser Orogen, where highly-endowed regional geology known to host world-class mineral deposits is buried and hidden from view by later sediments. Led by geophysicist Mark Lindsay at the University of WA, the CET research team developed innovative processing techniques to improve the quality of conventional geophysical constraint, and applied cutting-edge machine...

AFTER 18 months of successful field trials conducted across three WA mine sites, MineWare has announced the launch of its Argus Wheel Loader (WL) system—an OEM independent wheel loader monitoring system that lifts productivity and reduces cost per tonne in real time. Argus WL delivers real-time feedback to the wheel loader operator via an intuitive touchscreen to make material handling and loading jobs safer, faster and more accurate. MineWare marketing and sales vice president Roy Pater said Argus WL extended the company’s portfolio of monitoring systems as customers continue to digitise their operations and leverage real-time information across more of their ground engaging equipment. “Building on the success of our world-leading Argus and Pegasys monitoring systems for electric rope shovels,...

AOG bigger than ever THE Australasian Oil and Gas Exhibition is shaping up to be a whopper, with 118 new exhibitors signed up for the event at the Perth Convention Centre, from March 11-13. Businesses catering for the oil, gas and energy industry are gearing up to showcase a range of innovations and services. Renewable energy is making its presence felt with a Renewables and Energy Storage zone included for the first time. The dedicated exhibition floor will be promoting Australia as a leading investment destination for renewable energy products. As part of the renewables energy discussion, conference sessions around the path to energy transition, and energy diversification will be chaired by industry leaders. A raft of energizing and valuable...

Automation training in Pilbara schools THE Resources Challenge, an initiative aimed at teaching school kids coding and automation skills for jobs in the mining sector, was signed this week and will be implemented in schools in the Pilbara this term. Year 5 and 6 students in 26 primary schools in the region as well as students at Karratha Senior High School and the Port Hedland School of the Air will take part in the program, which has been funded and developed through the Pilbara Collaboration Charter. Signatories to the charter consist of WA Premier Mark McGowan, CME and its members BHP, Chevron Australia, CITIC Pacific Mining, Fortescue Metals Group, Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Roy Hill, Woodside and Yara Pilbara. Chamber...

IMDEX impresses LEADING global mining-tech company IMDEX has delivered its best half-yearly revenue result of $127.9m, reflecting the strong interest in tech and exploration industries. The company develops cloud-connected sensors and drilling optimisation products to improve the process of identifying and extracting mineral resources for drilling contractors and resource companies globally. The figure was up 2pc on the first half of 2019 and comes after seven consecutive halves of growth. With a solid balance sheet and strong net cash position of $25.5m, the company issued a fully-franked interim dividend of one cent per share declared, up 25pc on the first half. IMDEX managing director Bernie Ridgeway said the positive performance was largely driven by increased activity within Asia Pacific, a...