Long-range vision makes RME a shooting star
June 16 - 22, 2011
FEW people who know him doubt John Russell could design any part of a mineral processing plant and probably do a better job than the armies of engineers at big global manufacturers. Many would be glad he hasn’t done so – and not just the managers of international mineral concentrator equipment firms.
Unheralded sector uncovered
May 12 - 18, 2011
WHILE Orica, the mine explosives giant built on the foundations of the old British Imperial Chemical Industries company, is the flagbearer for Australia’s $A25 billion-plus domestically owned and based mining services, technology and manufacturing industry, it is the ground moving beneath the leader – and driving expansion of a $A6.4 billion export column – that is a feature of HighGrade’s 2011 listing of more than 100 significant companies in the sector.
Back on the road again
June 16 - 22, 2011
POTHOLES in the road – Jim Cooper’s seen a few.
Family-owned firm adapts to changing market
June 16 - 22, 2011
HOME-grown Australian underground coal mining equipment manufacturers were supposed to be extinct. The likes of Nepean Engineering and Industrea are leading a resurgence, but one small Illawarra firm that has been through the highs and lows of the industry’s fortunes over the past three decades has also been sighted more frequently of late.
Weighing up options
June 16 - 22, 2011
VETERAN of the very niche belt weighing technology business, Ian Burrell, is keeping eyes on the prize in the form of emerging export markets but he believes his is not the only company that needs to be increasingly vigilant about the threat posed by Chinese competitors.
Signs point to offroad gold mine
June 16 - 22, 2011
MARK Lacey has a handy roadmap to his ultimate destination with five-year-old Minecorp. As the long-time owner of a large Queensland distribution outlet for ASX-listed ARB, he’s had a front-seat view of the value purpose-built 4WD vehicle accessories can deliver to end-users. And the strengths of that company’s business model.
Nepean sets up for long haul
June 2 - 8, 2011
A HUNTER Valley engineering firm that became the country’s sole integrated longwall equipment manufacturer earlier this year has its sights on becoming the sector’s standout mining equipment supply and service company this decade. And a significant exporter.
Ludowici’s South American safety challenge
May 26 - June 1, 2011
VENERABLE processing equipment specialist Ludowici is one of Australia’s oldest mining supply companies with a track record of successfully expanding offshore. However, the company’s latest international move in South America has come with challenges as it has attempted to export not only its business model but also its safety ethos.
Fuel management specialist lands major deal
May 19 - 25, 2011
MAY 17: THE mining world’s most advanced fuel management system will be deployed over 12 sites in Western Australia’s Pilbara region over the next 18 months in what is believed to be the biggest enterprise-wide deployment of such technology in the industry.
A-to-X of Australian-owned mining STMs
May 12 - 18, 2011
THE 2011 exclusive HighGrade survey of more than 100 significant Australian owned and based mining service, technology and manufacturing businesses offers a unique examination of the private and publicly owned companies that make up a major part of the whole sector.
Top 50 Australian mining service, technology, manufacturing companies
May 12 - 18, 2011
AUSTRALIA’S top 50 locally owned and based mining service, technology and manufacturing companies account for 93% of the $A25.4 billion of revenues generated in fiscal 2009-10 by more than 100 significant enterprises supplying to the mining and processing, exploration and mining-sector infrastructure development markets.
Top 30 Oz STM exporters
May 12 - 18, 2011
THERE IS a precipitous drop from Orica to the next biggest exporter among Australia’s domestically owned and based mining supply companies – not including the ASX-listed Boart Longyear and Incitec Pivot-controlled Dyno Nobel. But there is also a bunch of smaller firms punching well above their weight in international markets.
A sting in the tale
May 12 - 18, 2011
THE rising Australian dollar is a signal of the success of Australia’s mining market but it also comes at a price, especially for exporters looking to sell Australian equipment and know-how offshore. The solution for many companies is to think global but go local.
R&D tax changes spark new debate
May 12 - 18, 2011
PROPOSED changes to research and development tax concessions could make it harder for Australia’s mining engineering, technology and services sector to justify investing in vital R&D.
RCR's mobile plant punt
May 12 - 18, 2011
RCR Tomlinson is pioneering fully mobile mining processing plants as an extension of its market-leading materials handling business. All the concept needs to take off, according to RCR’s chief executive Paul Dalgleish, is for a major to take a punt.
Heading to the Americas
May 12 - 18, 2011
OFFSHORE expansion is a critical part of the expansion plans for successful, privately-owned engineering company Hofmann Engineering, which hopes to build on its well-refined business model in the Americas, North and South.
Austin's next frontier
May 12 - 18, 2011
MINING equipment parts manufacturer Austin Engineering is following up its South American incursion of the past few years with a new “greenfields” venture into Indonesia targeting not only the country’s coal mines but also its attractiveness as a doorway to other markets.