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Contents 04 20 28 81 84 102 115 47 66 63 75 44 86 105 124 90 95 106 96 108 06 25 36 82 88 48 69 64 79 46 News Features Industry Focus Technical Talk COMMODITIES SNAPSHOT NEWS DECARBONISATION IN MINING TROPICANA GOLD COMPANIES GEARING UP DRILLING PROGRAM TECHNOLOGY GM AND SUSPENSION SERVICES MATERIALS HANDLING SERVICES TANKS AND STORAGE SOLUTIONS FIRE PREVENTION SERVICES SAFETY PRODUCTS TYRE SOLUTIONS CABLE SOLUTIONS DUST CONTROL MINE MAINTENANCE DRONES IN MINING FLOW CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED CONVERSION PLANT AND EQUIPMENT RENTAL COMMUNICATIONS AND IT INTERNET SERVICES CATERING SERVICES PROCESS PLANT MAINTENANCE PUMPING SERVICES HYDRAULIC SOLUTIONS TOP RIGGING SOLUTIONS DRILLING SERVICES PIPES AND PIPELINES MATERIALS HANDLING HEAVY HAULAGE ENGINEERED TANK SOLUTIONS P120 IN THE SPOTLIGHT P 18 DECARBONISING MINING P20 JOURNALISTS Kathleen Southway, Kate Christian RESEARCH Jason Strydom, Wayne Dyson ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER Biliana Harman SALES EXECUTIVES Cal Christelow, Chrissy Nurthen, Donna Orton, Quentin Roberts, Natasha Lill DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Matthew Pickett matt@australianminingreview.com.au PRODUCTION MANAGER Jeremy Pickett jeremy@australianminingreview.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER Rebecca Johnson PRINTER Australian Community Media The Australian Mining Review is a free publication to all mine sites and mining companies in Australia. Its value is $11 an issue. (Includes GST, postage and handling). The copyright is vested in the Proprietors of The Australian Mining Review; neither whole nor any part of this issue may be reproduced without permission. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Publications & Exhibitions Australia Pty Ltd and its staff, but are those of the respective author who accepts sole responsibility and liability for them. NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS: The Trade Practices Act, 1974 came into force on the 1st October 1974. All advertisers and advertising agents are directed to carefully study the provisions of the Act, which contain strict regulations on advertising. It can be an offence for anyone to engage, in trade or commerce, in conduct deemed “misleading or deceptive”. Specifically s53 of the Act contains prohibitions from doing any of the following in connection with the promotion, by any means, of the supply or use of goods or services: (a) falsely represent that goods are of a particular standard, quality, value, grade, composition, style or model or have had a particular history or particular previous use; (b) falsely represent that goods are new; (c) represent that goods or services have sponsorship, approval, performance characteristics, accessories, uses or benefits they do not have; (d) represent that the corporation has a sponsorship, approval or affiliation it does not have; (e) make a false or misleading representation with respect to the price of goods or services; (f) make a false or misleading representation concerning the need for any goods or services; or (g) make a false or misleading representation concerning the existence, exclusion or effect of any condition, warranty, guarantee, right or remedy. PENALTIES: For an individual — $10,000 or six months imprisonment For a corporation — $50,000. It is not possible for this company to ensure that advertisements published in this newspaper comply with the Act and the responsibility must, therefore, be on the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertising for publication. In case of doubt, consult your lawyer. ABN 28 112 572 433 CONTACT US P (08) 6314 0301 F (08) 9481 7322 160 Beaufort Street, Perth, WA 6000. PO Box 8023, Perth BC, WA 6849 E-mail the editor at editorial@australianminingreview.com.auG lobal demand for critical minerals will rise over the next 10 years, with growing opportunities for Australian production and investment in downstream processes, driven by the growth of electrical vehicles and battery storage applications. This is according to a new Federal Government report entitled Outlook for Selected Critical Minerals Australia 2021, which predicts Australia will lead critical minerals supply to 2030. Australia is currently the world’s top producer of lithium and the second largest producer of rare earth minerals. As an important global supplier of critical minerals, Australia has the potential to scale up processing and production to meet rising global demand. Federal Resources, Water and Northern Australia Minister Keith Pitt says Australia is well-placed to provide raw materials and potentially refined products to the world. “Australia is blessed with abundant resources and a highly-skilled workforce which is ready to transform these minerals and elements into the kinds of products the world needs,” he said. I n this second piece of our two-part series on the Federal Budget, Kathleen Southway looks at additional categories that are relevant to the mining and resources sector. Digital Economy The Federal Government is investing $1.2b in its Digital Economy Strategy to make Australia a leading digital economy by 2030. Investment in emerging technologies include: • $124.1m to build Australia’s capability in Artificial Intelligence (AI), including a National Artificial Intelligence Centre led by CSIRO Data 61, supported by a network of AI and Digital Capability Centres to drive adoption of AI across the economy • Over $100m in initiatives to build the digital skills of Australians to meet the needs of the modern Australian workplace • Over $50m to enhance cyber security in government, data centres and future telecommunications networks Skills and Training • More than 460 advanced scholarships to skill-up Australians in the fields of AI, quantum computing and robotics • $66.4m over six years to increase Australia’s workforce skills in cyber security and emerging technologies through programs, cadetships and scholarships • $43.8m for the Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund to create a pipeline of cyber security professionals Announcements by the Federal Government at the end of June this year include the release of an online portal to drive investment in the critical minerals sector and the granting of Major Project Status to a high-purity alumina project. Online Portal The Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative online portal contains the world’s largest dataset of critical minerals and has been launched in partnership between Australia, the United States and Canada. With more than 7000 mineral samples from over 60 countries, it shows the occurrence of critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium and rare earth minerals, predominantly across the three countries. Mr Pitt said the portal, a collaboration between Geoscience Australia, the Geological Survey of Canada and the United States Geological Survey, could open new global supply chain opportunities for Australia. “While Australia is known across the world for its rich gold and iron ore deposits, our country also has an abundance of critical minerals – which are key to everything from iPhones to fighter jets,” he said. “This portal will help secure Australia’s future that can meet growing demand for cyber jobs across the Australian economy. Manufacturing and Supply Chains A total of $1.5b over 10 years will be invested to roll out the Modern Manufacturing Strategy, with the aim of building Australia’s manufacturing capabilities. The implementations include: • Six National Manufacturing Priority Road Maps: Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing; Recycling and Clean Energy; Medical Products; Defence; Space; Food and Beverage • Opening of the $1.3b Modern Manufacturing Initiative initial application round • Second round of grants worth $50m under the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund to support the adoption of new technologies and secure jobs • $107.2m Supply Chain Resilience Initiative to remove supply chain vulnerabilities for essential goods and critical product inputs for Australian manufacturers Science • $387.2m to build the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in WA’s Murchison region to enable advancement in fields as diverse as medical imaging and advanced manufacturing, including $64.2m to establish a specialist super- computing centre in Perth to process the unprecedented amounts of data that will be granted as a global supplier of critical minerals and contribute to the resource security of two of our most important international partners (the United States and Canada).” The world’s supply of critical minerals comes from geographically concentrated locations, which are at risk of bottlenecks and global supply chain disruptions. This online portal is part of the broader strategy to position Australia as a world leader in the exploration, extraction, production and processing of critical minerals. The Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative online portal is available at: https://portal.ga.gov.au/persona/cmmi Major Project FYI Resources’ $269m high-purity alumina project in Kwinana, WA, which includes the development and operation of its mine and processing plant, was recently awarded Major Project Status by the Federal Government. “The project will process up to 198,000t of high-purity alumina within the initial 25-year project timeframe, with an annual production capacity of 8000tpa, and will supply directly to China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Europe, and North • $40.2m over the forward estimates and $6.3m ongoing to create a secure, dynamic and three-dimensional Digital Atlas of Australia, thereby enhancing the country’s location-based data infrastructure • $35.7m to support emerging aviation technologies like drones, including grants to support the use of these technologies to address priority needs in regional Australia • Consulting with industry on the design of the patent box to explore this incentive for clean energy Regional Australia A total of $348m has been committed to regional Australia through the following programs: • $250m additional for the sixth round of the $1b flagship Building Better Regions Fund, which has already supported 995 projects, with $1m grants available for infrastructure and community investments • $6.1m Rebuilding Regional Community Program to restart and support community-led activities • $84.8m additional for the Regional Connectivity Program to keep regional Australians connected and increase the uptake of technology by delivering improved broadband and telecommunications to over 80 locations cross regional Australia • $15.2b additional over the next 10 years towards road, rail and community America,” Mr Pitt said. “In addition, it supports Australia’s policy to have more down-stream processing capabilities developed locally.” Federal Industry, Science and Technology Minister Christian Porter says the project is expected to support 200 jobs during construction and 140 ongoing roles over the project life. “The project will use an innovative process for producing the high-purity alumina which is expected to have a lower environmental footprint than the traditional production,” he said. “Not only will it improve global supplies of alumina, with forecast export revenue of $6.8b, but the project will also provide a raft of economic and job benefits for regional communities in WA.” Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing is one of the priority roadmaps in the Federal Government’s $1.5b Modern Manufacturing Strategy. High-purity alumina has been identified in this roadmap as an area of opportunity for more advanced processing within Australia. AMR infrastructure projects across Australia to ensure the regions are better connected, including: о$500m for Princes Highway Corridor – Jervis Bay, NSW о$400m for Bruce Highway, QLD о$150m for National Network Highway in NT о$148m for August Highway in SA о$113.4m for Midland Highway, TAS Environment and Water • $29.3m additional to ensure environmental laws maintain strong protections for the environment while supporting economic growth as part of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, building on the existing $36.6m to deliver ‘single touch approvals’ and maintain timely environmental assessments • $9.1m to ensure natural assets are valued and considered in commercial decisions, reducing environmental degradation and supporting greater private investment • $258m to fund new dams and irrigation projects as part of the $3.5b National Water Grid Fund • Continued leadership of the International Partnership of Blue Carbon and the Asia Pacific Rainforest Partnership, including investment in blue carbon to reduce emissions and improve climate resilience through on-the-ground projects such as restoring mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses. AMR Australia In Critical Minerals Lead More Money for Mining BY KATHLEEN SOUTHWAY AMR JUL2021 6NewsCALL US TODAY 1300 226 366 Backed by over 100 years of combined industry experience, we have capabilities to respond to a range of enquiries Australia wide, with branches in both NSW & WA. WWW.ALLIEDEQUIPMENTSALES.COM.AU Just In WE BUY, SELL & SOURCE, NEW & LOW-HOUR QUALITY MINING & CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT. 2019 CAT 988K WHEEL LOADER 2,968Hrs, A/C ROPS Cabin, Auto Lube, New Tyres & Bucket, Roading Fenders, Standard Lift...............$POA 1,442Hrs, 2 x E Stops, Drop Valves, GP Bucket, Tilting Mud Bucket, Undercarriage-Good................$ POA 2016 CAT 323FL EXCAVATOR 2015 CAT D6K XL DOZER 563Hrs, 2 x TM-1 Electric Mast and System Five Dual Control 9164, PAT Blade, Rear Rippers................ $POA 2019 CAT D10T2 DOZER 2,312Hrs, A/C ROPS Cabin, MS Ripper, SU Blade.................................. ......................................................$ POA 1,065Hrs, Multi-Purpose (4in1) Bucket, Serviced, Undercarriage- Good, E Stops...........$295,000+GST 2014 CAT 953D TRACK LOADER 11,300Hrs, Full Mine Spec Compli- ant, New Tyres Fitted.......................... ...................................... $675,000+GST 2014 KOMATSU WD900-3 DOZER 2,621Hrs, A/C ROPS Cabin, Aggregate Counterweight, New Bucket, New Tyres, STD Lift........$ POA 2019 CAT 980M WHEEL LOADER 2,054Hrs, A/C ROPS Cabin, New GP Bucket - 4.7cum Straight Edge, New Radial Tyres, Standard Lift............$POA 2019 CAT 972M AGGR HANDLER 7,020Hrs, 3rd Valve, A/C Cab, Bucket, Forks, Ride Control, Scales, Normal Steer& Joystick Steer.$POA 2017 VOLVO L120H LOADER 2013 CAT 740B EJ ARTIC TRUCK UNUSED, Auto Lube, Body Liner, Bridgestone VMPT Radial Tyres, Payload Ready, Tier 4 Interim.$POA 2019 CAT 775G DUMP TRUCK 11,936Hrs, 14Ft Moldboard, Ripper Tynes, Tyres 20.5-25, Service History Available........ $245,000+GST 2007 CAT 14M MOTOR GRADER 7,586, A/C Cabin, Auto Lube, Ejec- tor Tray, Rear Vision Camera............. ......................................................$POA Multiple Units AvailableT he latest innovations in mining took centre stage at the Austmine Conference and Exhibition last month, in one of the first major face-to-face events for the resources industry since the pandemic began. Held at the Perth Convention ad Exhibition Centre on May 25-27, Austmine 2021: Harnessing Intelligence allowed mining leaders to connect over strategic priorities and emerging technologies to drive a sustainable future for the industry. About 1000 local, national and international guests were wowed by cutting edge innovation developed by Australia’s leading Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) companies as they wondered the corridors of the massive exhibition hall. The brightest minds in the industry explored the intersection between people, processes and technology and how these important elements contribute to leaner, smarter and more sustainable operations. A world-class line up of more than 70 speakers included leaders from industry heavyweights such as Anglo American, Gold Fields, BHP, Newmont, Alcoa, Komatsu and Rio Tinto. But it also featured speakers from other industries that could work hand-in-hand with mining innovators to benefit multiple sectors, such as those working in data science, the space industry, robotics and AI- related technologies. ‘Co-opetition’ Key to Commercial Success METS Ignited CEO Adrian Beer said there was no shortage of innovation in the Australian mining industry, but the key to the “productising of technology” was collaboration across the sector and with intersecting industries. METS Ignited works with Australian suppliers to the mining industry, global miners, research organisations and capital providers to improve the global competitiveness and productivity of the Australian METS sector. “One of the thoughts I had this morning is just how big the R&D sector is for the mining industry because it is in the exhibition hall next door,” Mr Beer said on the first day of the conference. “The collaboration that is happening between those vendors to solve the industry challenges is proving to be a powerful way to accelerate the adoption of technology.” He said METS Ignited was a government- funded program aimed at increasing Australia’s exports by commercialising technology and innovation that gets developed in primary industries. “We want to scale technology and bring more of it to market, not just for the benefit of our sector locally but internationally as well and by using the technology across other sectors,” he said. Mr Beer said many problems in the mining industry had already been “technically solved” but the challenge was it is not yet commercially available. Sometimes innovations were stuck in supply chains or with research sectors “dying to get out”, he said. “The exciting thing about today is we have got investors here all looking for more technology and innovation—they are looking for the next thing that needs investment and support. “We are now starting to see vendors work together to aggregate their capabilities…and therefore increase their market share, size and scale. “Even if if every vendor works together to address all the challenges in the mining industry, there is still far more problems than anyone can solve so you are not cannibalising your market share by working with a competitor to improve the quality of the product. “You are increasing the available market to your business and your partner—you can have co-opetition—you can work with competitors to increase the total market size for both of you.” Mr Beer said partnerships between operators and technology companies were becoming more urgent with the increased speed with which technology is evolving. “Because if you start working through a roadmap for technology, by the time you get to the end, all the new innovation has superseded that road map,” he said. “So it’s got to be a collaborative and continuous program of improvement.” Australian Space Industry deputy head Anthony Murfett spoke about how some of the technologies developed by the resources sector could contribute to space exploration. This could include products developed by the Australian METS sector for underground and highwall mining, automated geotechnical structural analysis and bulk ore handling. Mr Murfett said the space industry could learn many lessons from the mining industry when it comes to sustainability and environmental remediation. “We hope as well that there are also space technologies that could be used for your sector,” he said. “Space is an exciting area and it is a sector that is forecast to grow and Australia has a seat at the table.” The Australian Space Agency aims to triple the size of the Australian space economy from $3.9b to $12b and create an additional 20,000 space jobs by 2030. Rising Stars Newcrest Mining geotechnical engineer Courtney Christensen represented the next generation of professionals who will ensure Australia remains at the forefront of innovation. Ms Christensen received the 2020 Newcrest Living Our Values award for Innovation and Problem Solving for her transformation of the wall compliance process at Telfer Gold Mine. Previously colleagues had been carrying out surveying at the base of 24m highwalls, which were putting them in danger from rockfalls. Collaboration Key to Innovation BY KATE CHRISTIAN A Boston Dynamics Chironix autonomous robot greeted guests as it roamed around the exhibition hall of the Austmine Conference. BHP’s Dash Maintainer Tools is a diagnostic tool to eliminate live work. Dr Max Ong, Innovation and Technology manager at Murray Engineering, with Olivia Laskowski, Electric Vehicle Charging Promoter at Siemens. 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