May-June Print Edition

Aston not in eye of environmental storm — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 09, 2011 02:42 PM

While BHP Billiton’s Caroona and Shenhua’s Watermark projects have attracted most environmental angst from concernedfarmers, Todd Hannigan believes Maules Creek is out of the line of fire.

Infrastructure keeping pace with Gunnedah mine development — by Mike Foley — created Jun 09, 2011 03:28 PM

With Gunnedah coal production set to rise from 6mtpa to 50mtpa by 2050, rail and port expansions are needed. ARTC’s $200m investment in track duplication and PWCS’ T4 show that infrastructure capacity should stay ahead ofdemand. Mike Foley reports.

Coalworks advances Vickery South — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 09, 2011 03:49 PM

The Vickery South coal project, located about 25kms north of Gunnedah, is ajoint venture between Coalworks, as project developer, and Itochu as financial backer. Production from the 51mt inferred JORC resource is expected to start in mid-2014, ramping up to between 2 –3mtpa. Mike Foley reports.

Idemitsu expands Boggabri Coal — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 09, 2011 03:59 PM

Idemitsu plans to ramp up output of its wholly owned Boggabri Coal project. The expansion will extend the life of the mine by over 20 years. The company has lodged a development application with the NSW Department of Planning and hopes to begin production by 2013. Mike Foley reports.

Ageing workers’ health a concern for coal industry — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 09, 2011 04:11 PM

Australia is ageing, its workforce especially. And mining is no exception. Coalservices’ NSW general manager Mark O’Neill, speaking at the recent Gunnedah Coal conference, suggested four key measures employers can use to manage the health of an ageing workforce. Mike Foley reports.

New skills initiatives for resources sector — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 09, 2011 05:18 PM

With the skills crisis likely to worsen, the Federal Government has announced two new remedies – a $200m skills investment fund and speedy migration agreements for major projects. Mike Foley gauges industry and training sector responses to the problem.

Miners urged to lift their game on mine closure — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 09:19 AM

In the middle of the mining boom, the rate of successful closures is not keeping pace with industry expansion. AJM canvassed the issue with a range of experts. Mike Foley reports.

New mine closure regulations for WA — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 09:24 AM

The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has released an options paper proposing a fidelity fund to reform the system of public liability for mine closure and rehabilitation in the state. Currently mines pay a bond against unsuccessful closure and rehabilitation costs.

BULKEX bulks up and targets miners — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 11:31 AM

From October 25 to 27 in Sydney the BULKEX trade show will showcase a wide variety of bulk handling technologies and equipment, much of which is targeted at the mining sector. BULKEX is co-located with two other major exhibitions.

Voyager pushes Oyu Tolgoi comparison at Mongolian project — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 11:56 AM

Junior explorer Voyager Resources believes that forthcoming deep drilling will unlock the potential of its Khongor copper-gold project in Mongolia. The company’s managing director Kell Nielsen draws parallels to Ivanhoe Mines’ early deep drilling at the giant Oyu Tolgoi project in 2001. Charles Macdonald reports.

Metal binding polymer shows remediation promise — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 12:10 PM

A metal binding polymer product, developed at the University of Queensland, is showing promise in early trials. When added to contaminated soils the product binds to toxic metals, potentially making vegetation cover safe for cattle to graze. Mike Foley reports.

Trends with selection and sizing of large grinding mills — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 01:06 PM

By Damian Connelly, director/ principal consulting engineer, Mineral EngineeringTechnical Services (METS)

Large scale semi-mobile gyratory crushing plants – evolution and outlook — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 02:47 PM

By Detlef Papajewski, vice president crushing technology, ThyssenKrupp Fördertechnik GmbH, Germany, and Christoph Hoetzel, senior engineer processing, ThyssenKrupp Materials Handling, Australia

Maximise your recoveries in a flash — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 03:22 PM

In this article, Rob Coleman* of Outotec describes flash flotation and its benefits,the various circuit options and how to determine if flash flotation will be suitablefor a mining operation’s ore.

Irish washing specialist appoints 888 as WA distributor — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 03:37 PM

DE has confirmed a new dealer for Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia. The washing equipment specialist from Northern Ireland has added 888 Crushing & Screening to its global distributor network.

Finnish sensors promise better flotation control — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 03:49 PM

Numcore Oy says that its new imaging technology uses impedance tomography to create real-time 3D images from inside the pipelines and tanks used by the processingindustries. The measurement devices have application in concentration plants in the mining industry.

Chinese company acquires Valley Longwall — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 03:58 PM

After a protracted sales process, Valley Longwall International, a supplier of specialised equipment to the coal mining industry, has been sold to Taiyuan Mining Machinery Group Coal Machine Co. (TMG), for an undisclosed sum.

NORD and Jacmor solution for complex alumina application — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 04:19 PM

NORD Drivesystems AU and Jacmor Engineering combined forces to provide an intelligent drive solution to solve an expansive performance specification for large screw conveyors moving alumina hydrate.

Narrabri Mayor mulls the good and the bad of mining boom — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 09, 2011 03:00 PM

The Gunnedah Basin’s mining industry is set to take off and local council is brac-ing itself for the changes. Mike Foley spoke to Narrabri Shire Mayor Robyn Faberto find out what it means when the mining boom rolls into town.

Risk aversion slows uptake of novel conveyor technology — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 04:30 PM

Innovative Conveying Systems (ICS) has supplied four of its ingenious conveying systems to a fertiliser plant, and has two on trial with major mining companies. Industry conservatism seems to be the only bar to a faster uptake of the technology, ICS’ managing director Mike Hamer tells Mike Foley of AJM.

Flexco’s PT Smart belt training solution — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 04:40 PM

Flexco Australia says the PT Smart works with both mechanical and vulcanised belts and is easy to install. The company adds that it is made of durable materials and is versatile and economical to use.

Friction and grit in conveyors avoided with air springs — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 04:53 PM

Friction and grit can kill conveyors –and their favourite accomplice is aggressive environments such as those found in mines and mineral processing plants. Air Springs Supply says its air spring actuators are perfect for applications around belt scrapers.

Short course for transfer chute design — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 10, 2011 05:01 PM

Transfer chutes are ubiquitous at mines and processing plants, and yet some engineers struggle to produce good and easily maintained designs. In response, chief engineer at Bechtel, Steve Davis recently ran a course in Perth on the technical methodologies behind transfer chute design, with a repeat in Brisbane on July 15th. The transfer chutes short course is intended to arm attendees with a check list of design considerations.

Wollongong Uni to open world class infrastructure centre — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 08:41 AM

A new $62m infrastructure research facility at Wollongong University, due to open in mid-2011, will provide state-of-the-art analysis and modelling for local and international infrastructure planning. Mike Foley reports.

Port Kembla rail model to identify future bottlenecks — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 08:51 AM

The Port Kembla Port Corporation and SMART Infrastructure Facility are conducting a research project to model Port Kembla’s rail capacity.

Groundhog Day for Excel trio at Whitehaven — by Charles MacDonald — created May 30, 2011 01:43 PM

Three executives who made it big when Peabody bought Excel Coal are set for another big pay day as their next vehicle, Whitehaven Coal, is readied for sale. Charles Macdonald examines the Whitehaven growth story with two new mines costing $1bn set to boost output from 5.5mtpa to 15.5mtpa by 2015.

New book on investing in the mining boom — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 08:57 AM

A Sharebuyer’s Guide To Investing In The Australian Mining Boomis a 500-page bookby experienced mining executive and academic Dr Allan Trench.

Wollongong bulk solids addressing mining infrastructure — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 09:47 AM

Bulk solids researchers and consultants at Wollongong University are increasingly tackling the mining industry’s infrastructure problems. These include the impact of wet and sticky ores on bulk handling equipment and how best to handle dust.

First AC drive P&H 4100XPC shovel for Australia — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 09:58 AM

Rio Tinto’s Hail Creek coking coal mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin has ordered a second P&H 4100XPC electric rope shovel, this time an AC drive model. It will load two P&H draglines.

Bobcat S650 skid steer loader — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 10:02 AM

Bobcat Australia has released a new S650 skid-steer loader with a vertical lift path, .55.41 kW and rated operating capacity of 1220 kg.

Volvo supplies 133 machines to PNG LNG project — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 10:22 AM

In 2010 Volvo Construction Equipment signed a deal to provide 125 machines to the Papua New Guinea Liquid Natural Gas Project (PNG LNG). Now, almost a year on, Volvo has delivered 133 units and the machines have started work.

Integrated machine tracking, remote service and site management — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 10:26 AM

Position Partners has launched an integrated suite of telematics services designed specifically for civil construction, quarrying, mining and related applications, incorporating machine tracking, remote servicing and site management.

Five star rating for Abigroup’s Mt Kuring-gai workshop — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 11:45 AM

Leading contractor Abigroup says a five-year program addressing workshop efficiency has resulted in it becoming Australia’s first company to achieve Caterpillar’s 5-Star Contamination Control (CC) accreditation.

Komatsu claims emission cuts for Hybrid excavator — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 10:56 AM

Komatsu has developed a 104 kw hybrid excavator engine that it claims can reduce fuel consumption by up to 40%. If replicated in the field, that would mean a 10kg per hour reduction in CO2 emissions compared with an equivalent diesel engine.

ABB wins $30m substation order from Rio Tinto — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 11:02 AM

Power and automation company ABB has won an order worth around $30m for a substation that will increase Rio Tinto’s power supply so that the global miner can expand iron ore mining at Hope Downs mines in the Pilbara region.

Cat claims extra productivity, durability for giant excavator — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 11:09 AM

Caterpillar says its new 90 tonne 390D L hydraulic excavator, which replaces the 385C L, incorporates a refined design that provides greater hydraulic power, stronger structural components, added safety and convenience features, plus improved serviceability.

Custom-engineered drives for aerators and liquid mixers — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 14, 2011 11:15 AM

Bonfiglioli says it is engineering advanced technology heavy drives for clean and robust service in applications where they are mounted vertically to aerate or mix liquids.

Tinkler held nerve to snare Maules Creek from beleaguered Rio — by The Australian Journal of Mining — created Jun 09, 2011 02:35 PM

Aston Resources’ purchase of the Maules Creek deposit from Rio Tinto during the depths of the GFC may enter mining folklore as one of the great opportunistic deals. AJMeditor Charles Macdonald spoke to Todd Hannigan, chief executive of Aston Resources about the deal and the Maules Creek project.