Category: Tech Talk

DESIGNED and manufactured in Tasmania, the Elphinstone Haulmax 3900 extended distance haul truck range is the culmination of 20 years of experience and research into mine haulage applications. Elphinstone developed the purpose-built range of trucks to fill the industry-acknowledged void between traditional mining dump trucks and conventional on-highway trucks. Designed to operate on cycles of about 50km, the narrow width design of the 3900 allows it to work effectively on roads of 15 metres width. Simply put, narrower roads cost considerably less to build construct and maintain, so the longer the distance, the larger the cost-saving. Emphasis on reducing the cost per tonne (CPT) has been at the forefront of the design and constant improvements. The Haulmax design has been…

UAV Magnetics is at the forefront of drone surveying in Australia, and has refined its technology and method to create a system that is fast, efficient and produces high-quality, high-resolution magnetic data for exploration tenements and mine sites. The system is the culmination of decades of expertise, and in conjunction with the custom magnetometer, is ideally suited for high-resolution magnetic surveys that are less than 2000 line km in size. The custom-built hexacopter can fly autonomously at a range of 2km from the ground operator, and solves the significant safety risks associated with operating manned helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft at low altitudes. The system can help to locate changes in rock types, and fault structures in the ground which provide…

CRUSHING and screening material is a key component of any mining activity – and custom crushers to process your feed is what makes the difference in tonnage and productivity. Finlay Screening and Crushing Systems offers a range of jaw crushers, impact crushers and cone crushers to suit a range of mining applications, from coal to gold, and everything in between. The Terex Finlay J-1480 jaw crusher Jaw crushers effectively break down materials such as granite, limestone, concrete and asphalt, and Finlay’s machines include a powerful combination of performance, simplicity and versatility combined to suit almost any application. The J-1480 single toggle Jaw Crusher is fitted with a Terex Jaques 1370mm x 762mm (54” x 30”) single toggle jaw crusher chamber…

Lunar Lighting is a unique Research and Development-focused lighting company with worldwide patents and trademarks. With a history spanning over 24 years, Lunar Lighting has made significant achievements in the growth and development of its unique range of glare-free lighting solutions and to date remains unchallenged in the world lighting market. The extraordinary engineering design and manufacture of our glare-free lighting solutions is delivering exceptional safety and performance for our customers around the world. “Our latest development is the 5440W LED Lunar Lighting Tower with an LED efficacy of approximately 1,185,920 lumens, with only a 22Amp power draw,” Lunar Lighting Director George Ossolinski said. The mining, resources and energy sector is where Lunar Lights really shine. For 25 years, the…

SMS employs more than 500 people, and is led by an experienced and hands-on leadership team that has accountability and approachability built into its culture. The company prides itself on its unparalleled reputation in the industry for equipment reliability and service. SMS is a big company with a small company feel. The company works with its clients and will generate ideas on cost reduction, as it sees value delivery as one of its key responsibilities. Founded in 2000 as Sweeney’s Mechanical Services, SMS began its life providing maintenance, refurbishment, sales and service support for heavy duty earthmoving. In 2007, rental hire services were added to the portfolio and the company’s name changed to SMS Rental, before evolving to SMS Innovative…

WHEN designing a multirotor drone platform, ease of operation, price point and maintenance cost must all be factored in, as should the scalability and ease of customisation. It is rare that a single platform can do everything. Skyline UAV has developed Skyhawke, a Y6 coaxial tricopter, as a solution to some of the problems it had found with its existing fleet of single rotor machines. The software, much of which was produced in Europe, lacked certain features and controls such as the ability to create survey patterns and automated payload controls, and the aftersales support could take weeks or even months for a machine to be returned, which was costly not just for the price of repairs, but in lost…

OREFLOW is the culmination of more than 50 years’ experience in the Australian mining industry, and is still a proudly Australian-owned and family-operated business. While the company offers a wide range of services, from bulk material handling to air cannons and magnets, it specialises in the design and construction of ore screens, and has been selling them throughout Australia and to all corners of the globe since Mel King expanded Minspec to form OreFlow in 2013. With a team of 16 on board, OreFlow has the capacity to do the big jobs, and the agility of a small team of experts to create a tailored, personal experience. The team is small enough to be nimble, but big enough to do…

HISTORICALLY, diesel, natural gas and grid electricity have powered mining operations in WA, but the demand for LNG is growing fast and for good reason. EVOL LNG has been supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel remote mines in WA since 2008. Its trucked LNG offering has become the preferred choice for remote mines that are located within 1000km of its Kwinana LNG plant, yet don’t have the power demand or mine life to underpin construction of a gas pipeline or powerlines. LNG offers significant cost savings and emission benefits compared to diesel, and is less capital intensive and less contractually onerous than lengthy gas pipelines or powerlines. Diesel-fuelled mining operations have been fully exposed to the volatile international oil…

ESTABLISHED in 1999, Rubbertex has consistently delivered superior surface protection solutions for steel structures to clients across mining and heavy industry sectors, throughout Australia and for remote overseas operations. Rubbertex director Stephen Cotton said the company’s key personnel had more than 70 years of combined knowledge and experience in providing protective coating solutions for chemical, corrosion, abrasion and impact issues and concerns. “Rubbertex has the ability to provide customised service with extensive problem-solving capabilities, rapid response and vast experience with protective coating solutions including rubber lining, ceramic tiling, sand blasting and painting services,” Mr Cotton said. “We are the acknowledged foremost authority in South Australia with the use of rubber for abrasion, impact and corrosion resistance.” Rubbertex has ongoing shutdown…

ENDURACLAD International is an Australian-based company with an ISO 9001 Certified workshop facility located in WA, along with a large fabrication workshop in Queensland. The company manufactures liner plates used to protect mining equipment, with a distinct advantage of being able to produce overlay liners up to 50mm in overlay thickness. Enduraclad founder and managing director Jason Kell said this advantage was a world first for bulk manufactured overlay, giving customers a product that lasts longer than expected and reducing costly shutdowns. “Unlike other companies who supply similar products, Enduraclad is manufacturing all its overlay liners in Australia and has facilities to supply the finished product to the client. “We are a ‘one stop shop’ where the customer’s solution can…

AUSTRALIAN mining equipment manufacturer Roobuck specialises in electronics, mechanical, hardware and software design and systems integration for the resources industry. Head of business engagement and OVERwatch projects manager David Forshaw said the company is proud of its innovation and high quality standards for customers. “We supply to many mining companies including Australia’s largest underground mine, BHP Olympic Dam in South Australia, and to Australia’s most automated mine, Northparkes Mines, and the world’s second largest copper and gold mine, Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi (OT) Mine, Mongolia,” he said. “Our wide range of products include intrinsically safe miners’ caplamps for coal mines, flameproof truck lights, as well as WiFi tracking systems for underground mines. The company’s innovative research and development team have…