Sandvik says automation no threat to jobs
March 28 - April 3, 2012
APRIL 2 – SANDVIK has only three of its underground mining equipment automation systems deployed in Australia, but the company’s president Olof Faxander sees no limits to future use of the technology.
Technology briefs: ABB, Immersive Technologies, iGATE Patni, Mine Site Technologies, CAE
March 28 - April 3, 2012
SWISS-BASED engineering and technology giant ABB will start supplying gearless mill drives (GMDs) for six ball mills and twin-drive systems for eight high pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs) at the Cerro Verde copper mine in Peru late next year.
MST closes proximity safety gap
March 7 - 13, 2012
AN Australian mining technology company has had a breakthrough with its underground mine vehicle proximity detection system with a “major mining customer in South Australia”, believed to be BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam operation.
Technology firm wins Rio contract
February 22 - 28, 2012
AUSTRALIAN plant analytical technology company Scanalyse has touched down in two new locations it sees as significant potential growth markets.
Rio doubles up on simulators
February 22 - 28, 2012
RIO Tinto has doubled the size of its Immersive Technologies training simulator fleet, buying Immersive PRO3 units for the Marandoo, Hope Downs 4 and Greater Brockman iron ore mines in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Automation will cut jobs, but then again …
February 8 - 14, 2012
FEBRUARY 7 - RIO TINTO expects mine-level employment to drop – perhaps significantly – as a result of increased use of automation technology in the mining industry, but believes the use of such “step-change” technology is vital to the long-term prosperity of the industry in countries such as Australia.
Crocodiles speed drive to diverless
January 25 - 31, 2012
THE Pilbara has Rio Tinto’s driverless drills and mining trucks, and it now has WorleyParsons’ diverless marine environment monitoring fleet.
Australian mines embrace auto-guidance
January 25 - 31, 2012
AN AUSTRALIAN manufacturer has won strong endorsement of new underground machine guidance technology over the past 12 months and is now broadening its sales effort.
People make truck decision a no-brainer
November 3 - 9, 2011
ANALYSTS who recently visited the Pilbara iron ore giants to check on expansion activity and plans made some telling references to labour among potential growth hurdles without, obviously, giving it the same gravitas as physical infrastructure and other constraints. Rio’s $A750 million (material!) investment in driverless haul trucks may start to alter the prevailing emphasis.
Simulation training underway
October 13 - 19, 2011
BARMINCO expects its move to simulator operator training to “deliver a significant return on investment” with the first unit already said to be delivering benefits.
Golden elixir
September 22 - 28, 2011
THE mining world will be keeping a very close eye on attempts over the next 12 months to produce gold without earthmoving, crushing and grinding of rock, and cyanide-based mineral separation at a remote South Australian site.
Remote inspection and intervention
September 15 - 21, 2011
THE global demand for oil and gas remains high and will do for the foreseeable future. However, the industry is facing a number of challenges, including the struggle to retain production levels and access reserves that are often in extremely demanding environments. These challenges have led to calls to boost the level of automation in the oil and gas industry while maintaining the focus on health, safety and the environment.
Recruitment firm buys simulator
September 8 - 14, 2011
AN Australian recruitment and labour hire firm has made a major investment in mine equipment simulator training technology to gain an edge in the lucrative mining human resources field.
Advanced process agents offer environmental benefits
September 1 - 7, 2011
A US-DESIGNED processing technology which has an interesting environmental card up its sleeve should, according to its developer, be seriously looked at by Australian uranium and cobalt producers.
Chloride in gold recovery moves closer
August 25 - 31, 2011
WHILE some might see the use of chloride in minerals processing as being too problematic, one Canadian outfit is convinced the sometimes controversial chemical could eventually replace cyanide when it comes to dealing with refractory ores in the gold circuit.
Product display cements long-term partnership
August 18 - 24, 2011
WHILE many people who invest their time and money in mining are drawn to the industry because of its size, scope and grandeur, it was a moment of simplicity that got former test cricketer Glenn McGrath hooked.
New force in iron automation
August 4 - 10, 2011
AUGUST 1: RIO Tinto has staked its claim to the name, ‘Mine of the Future’, and leadership of the mining technology race, but it faces a real challenger in the form of Fortescue Metals Group. Not willing to eat Rio’s red dust now or at any other stage of his career is the general manager of FMG’s new $US2.5 billion Solomon project, Anthony Kirke.
Direct action has some appeal
July 28 - August 3, 2011
AN UNLISTED Australian junior with aspirations of helping develop currently uneconomic nickel laterite orebodies has received Commonwealth monies to establish a pilot test plant in Western Australia as it refines its metallurgical flowsheet.
BioHeap focus returns to WA
July 21 - 27, 2011
FROM all indications it looks as if nickel producer Western Areas will try to emulate the success of Titan Resources’ Mount Sholl bioleaching operation at its Forrestania project in Western Australia.
Rio points to ROC strength
June 16 - 22, 2011
RIO Tinto’s Remote Operations Centre in Perth is apparently performing so well the major has decided to roll out another ROC somewhere in the world, but the company isn’t saying where.
