Category: Tech Talk

The guys at Tough Dog Suspension (Tough Dog) are passionate about all things 4WD and are committed to investing in the strength and safety of off-road vehicles in the global mining industry. With mining companies operating in some of the harshest environments on the planet, and vehicle operation featuring as one of the highest risks to operators, mining fleets and vehicles must be specifically designed and engineered to deliver safe performance. Tough Dog has been “making tracks across the world” since 1984 and has grown rapidly as a result of their commitment to both safety and high quality of their specifically designed and engineered 4WD products. The Australian Mining Review spoke with Tough Dog’s Fleet and Corporate Manager, Blake Jones,…

Virtual Reality has become the industry standard for education and training within mining and resources. It’s likely you already knew that. What might come as news to you, is that the global leaders of industrial VR training production are right here in Australia. Perth, to be exact. As Occupation Health and Safety regulations continue to tighten, and become increasingly complex, VR is the key to maintaining simplicity for mining workforces and operational stability. Never was this made more apparent than through the swift change brought about by coronavirus. The need for remote training shot up rapidly. Thankfully VR rose to the challenge and propped up production in the industry, by bridging an isolated workforce with continued training and operations. Core…

Somewhat of an institution in the CNC machining industry, Amiga Engineering™ Pty Ltd was founded in 1988 by two brothers – Michael and Dale Bourchier in East Keilor, Victoria. Back then the company was primarily an outlet for machining pipe flanges, fittings and special components. But today, Amiga has grown to become a successful, reliable and reputable engineering company servicing the oil and gas, mining, petrochemical, marine, medicine, defence, aerospace and space industries. Australian Mining Review spoke to Head of Industrial Gearboxes with Amiga, Dee Bourchier, to find out more about the company and its services.  History Dee said Amiga Engineering™ moved to its current location, in Tullamarine, in 1995-96. “More staff were brought to the table, including another Bourchier…

Automation, artificial intelligence, safety solutions and improved handling are concepts being brought together to create innovative operational realities in the mining sector. Leading the charge in this space is a team of dedicated engineers at Lewis Australia. For the past 50+ years, the company has developed an impressive worldwide client base and their success has been driven by their commitment to deliver specific solutions. Working closely with their clients, Lewis designs and builds its equipment to suit the operational and environmental requirements and always with operator safety as a priority. Importantly, these are homegrown solutions! Designed and built in Australia and delivering the highest quality. Of late, there are three main products which have delivered innovative solutions to mining companies…

When it comes to dust management, Erizon understands there is never a one-size-fits-all approach. Innovation is at the heart of the company’s ability to develop custom-made solutions that are sustainable in the long term. Erizon’s unique approach pulls together a wealth of talent and experience in the areas of science, engineering, project management and technology. Its experienced team of agronomists, horticulturalists and soil scientists take the time to fully understand the variables in each project to develop effective solutions based on scientific analysis of the environmental issues at play. The Australian Mining Review spoke to Erizon Operations Manager Tom Corkhill about the dust control solutions the company provided at one of Australia’s biggest gold mines, and how this has led to the development of innovative equipment that will revolutionise the industry. Case Study Erizon won a major contract…

COERCO is widely known for manufacturing industry-leading poly tanks and for its strong foundations in the agricultural industry. However, the company has significantly expanded its scope over the last three decades to provide holistic project delivery services to the mining industry, from expert consulting, system design and engineering, right through to the manufacture and delivery of specialised equipment. The West Australian company, formerly called Rapid Plastics, has come a long way since 1994 when it largely supplied to the animal and stock markets. It was not long before COERCO was fielding enquiries from mining clients who had heard about its commitment to a high level of quality and the niche it had carved itself as a result of its comprehensive customer…

Dangerous silica dust can be formed on site from concrete cutting, grinding or polishing and using power tools on stone. Breathing the silica dust can result in irreversible, untreatable diseases, including silicosis and lung cancer. Some dust particles can be so small that they are not visible: these are referred to as respirable particles. Respirable silica dust particles are those that are small enough to breathe in and penetrate deep into the lungs causing permanent damage that can lead to serious illness or death. Dust-related diseases caused by respirable crystalline silica, such as silicosis, is on the rise. There is no known treatment to stop the progression. Silicosis is permanent and untreatable. In Australia, there are more than 350 cases…

In a complex and fast-changing space like the world mining sector, there is a single common understanding: no two mine sites or operations are the same. The challenges, though not dissimilar, each require a tailored and bespoke solution – and no truer exemplar of this is there than the shifts underway in the development of lightweight OEM attachments. The once heavyweight champion of this space – both literally and otherwise – was a kind of OEM standard, one-size-fits-all approach. Now though, it’s a lightweight approach to truck bodies and OEM attachments that has muscled in on a big world market. Leading the charge is Austin Engineering. Mechanical engineers like Deon Wessels have been a part of this shift. He and…

When it comes to safety, efficiency and productivity in underground environments, it pays to use an engineering company that thinks outside the box. “Tunnel vision” is the last thing that Quattro Project Engineering has when it comes to solving underground infrastructure issues. The team prides itself on developing better ways of doing things and in doing so has revisited how underground services are hung and braced. Having designed and installed tens of thousands of metres of underground pipe work across Australia, Quattro Project Engineering has come up with a solution that significantly reduces the time and cost associated with underground pipework installation. Quattro Project Engineering’s QClaw and QBrace constitute a structurally certified pipe hanging, bracing and installation system for underground…

As Australian mining companies dig deeper and venture into more remote locations, it is more important than ever that underground operations are adequately cooled and ventilated. Aggreko can engineer a bespoke solution to ensure this is achieved to the highest standards, even in the most searing temperatures. This not only ensures a safer and more productive environment for workers, but also allows optimization of underground equipment. The Australian Mining Review spoke to Aggreko’s sector manager of underground cooling, Mitch Bevan, about the services the company offers to the mining industry, and the benefits of its flexible solutions. Modular And Scalable Whether its chillers, cooling towers, industrial air conditions or complete turnkey solutions, all of Aggreko’s equipment is modular and containerised. This means it can be transported easily without risk of damage to the equipment.…

Emerging Technologies for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Clean water is an essential resource for people and their environments throughout the world. Providing effective and environmentally friendly solutions for wastewater treatment is paramount to the efficient return of clean, safe water back to its source. The reliable and sustainable operation of a biological wastewater treatment plant is fundamental to the efficiency, cost of sludge management, energy consumption and monitoring cost of a wastewater treatment solution. When a crucial wastewater treatment asset breaks down on-site or does not conform to environmental or safety legislative requirements, the risk and potential impact on a business, community or the environment can be both harmful and costly. Ecofarmer Australia continues to be the trusted solution for the highest quality…