Category: Tech Talk

Warwick Lorenz, Managing Director of Australian Pump Industries, takes an insightful look into the past, present and future of Australia’s mining equipment manufacturing industry. It’s tremendously encouraging to see companies re-evaluating the idea of manufacturing mining and construction equipment right here in the country! The honeymoon with cheap third world products at irresistibly low prices seems to be coming to an end! Some of us are old enough to remember leading manufacturers of mining and construction gear coming to Australia in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s with a plan to build that equipment in Australia. Some even remember that we had a home-grown mobile machinery manufacturing industry, that felt it could do anything. The country used to build Allis Chalmers…

Australian Pump Industries is only 30 years old, yet already has a huge footprint in the Australian and international mining markets. There is no industry more brutal on equipment than mining. Aussie listens to the miners’ feedback and delivers the hardest working gear available. Australian Pump has proudly distributed the rugged and reliable Megator and Carver brands in Australia for over 20 years. Two classic workhorses in Australian mines are the Megator range of Sliding Shoe pumps, and the Carver 855 filtrate pump. Megator Sliding Shoe Pumps One of the key range of products for the mining industry is Aussie’s selection of Megator Sliding Shoe pumps. These positive displacement pumps provide exceptional suction performance, versatility and an ability to pump…

There’s no questioning the impact the right attachment can make when up against challenging applications in mines or quarries. Earthmovers are all too familiar with how to navigate different structures and surfaces, both above and below ground, and the critical role that equipment like rock grinders and cutting heads play in getting the job done. Whether it’s trenching in hard and compact ground, rock wall and concrete profiling, tunnelling, dredging, demolition, or quarrying, the Simex TF range of Drum Cutters is renowned for its work in finishing operations where high precision, minimum disturbance and aesthetic results are required. Globally, there is an increasing demand for earthmoving attachments that help operators cut through tougher surfaces more effectively, with the least amount…

Handling highly corrosive acid liquids on mine sites is not confined to gold, zinc, copper or nickel processing. Even coal mines, both underground and open cut, often have the same problems. Whether the application is dewatering, or a more complex leachate treatment involving filtrate systems, cast iron and even low grade stainless steel pumps will be subject to severe corrosion. Australian Pumps has confronted this issue by developing a range of 316 cast stainless steel self priming pumps, in diesel engine or electric motor drive configurations. Corrosion too common Since introducing the range, Aussie Pumps has seen a ready acceptance of the Aussie GMP “X” stainless steel pumps for mining applications. In highly corrosive locations, 316 stainless components with Viton…

One of the major causes of premature failure in rockbreakers is long cycles where an operator continues to hit the button and keep the piston striking for extended periods of time. Correct operation, regular maintenance and visual inspections are vital in minimising the chance of rockbreaker failure, which leads to costly unscheduled downtime. Following simple guidelines and operational techniques when using a rockbreaker can minimise component wear and deterioration, keeping operators breaking rock for longer. Fortunately, Rammer has readily accessible resources available, including short YouTube videos, product training and manuals, that guide operators through the process of keeping their rockbreaker in prime working condition. These are supported by a dedicated global dealer network for all Rammer parts and products. Maintaining…

We all know that mining is the backbone of the economy. This story is contributed by Australian Pump Industries as a salute to the indispensable drilling industry. Their activity is the beginning and continuation of Australia’s most important and most productive business. It’s obviously a great credit to Australia’s drilling industry that we have manufacturers who can design and build not just the drill rigs but equipment to handle the indispensable mud lubricants. Diamond drilling operations can obtain core samples from two thousand metre depths. The mud cools down and lubricates the diamond drill bit, helps cutting speeds and the flushing of material from the cutting teeth. It also helps to provide downward pressure which prevents the hole from collapsing.…

Clear long term mega-trends have emerged that present significant challenges to mining and mineral processing. The inexorable decline in mined ore grade for many metals is well known. Without mining productivity improvement, this trend will naturally lead to higher energy and water use for each kilogram of metal produced. In parallel, there is a growing market focus on decarbonising mining and metal production itself, that links to ESG imperatives and social licence to operate. Finally, the decarbonisation of world-wide industry and energy will require a predicted huge increase in the production of key metals used for batteries and electrification, all in comparatively short time frames that seem incompatible with traditional mine development cycles. In this environment, there is a pressing…

Asset owners are increasingly looking to technological developments to improve processing efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Sensor based ore sorting is now an established viable pre-concentration process to achieve such goals through efficient removal of waste and sub-economic grade ore from run-of-mine feed before proceeding to milling and further downstream processing. This smart technology not only significantly reduces downstream milling and processing costs, power and water requirements, as well as plant capex, however it offers ESG benefits including lower carbon emissions and tailings generation per unit of final product. Australian company Nexus Bonum holds the key to unlocking this potential across the value chain for mines both in Australia and abroad. It adopts a technology-focused, yet practically driven approach to…

In recent years, the mining industry in Australia has witnessed a remarkable technological transformation with the advent of ore sorting. This technique has revolutionised the way minerals are extracted and processed, unlocking many benefits for both mining companies and the environment. By harnessing the power of advanced sensors and auditing systems, ore sorting has become an industry disruptor, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing waste, and paving the way for sustainable mining practices. This article will look at various aspects of ore sorting, its advantages, challenges, use cases for top commodities in Australia, as well as practical questions to ask yourself before considering ore sorting. Understanding ore sorting Ore sorting involves identifying and removing waste and below-cut-off-grade ore from valuable minerals using…

No matter the terrain or offroad environment, your vehicle fleet must be fitted with quality parts in order to sustain unknown day-to-day encounters. Mine sites and haul roads are certainly no exception. Drivers and fleet managers alike require heavy-duty suspension solutions designed for these types of tough conditions. Since 1985, and with 100 years of combined experience, the team at Tough Dog have been fuelled by a passion for all things 4WD and a shared commitment to investing in the strength of the Australian offroad industry. The company is now an industry leader in innovative and quality suspension systems for just about every 4WD application. Today, Tough Dog products have become world renowned backed by an extensive distribution network that…