Duaplate DX is a revolutionary weld overlay material engineered by Bradken to perform under the most extreme abrasive operating conditions.
Trialed in the lower section of a surge bin, the Duaplate DX was installed in an iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The bin was compared to an identical chute lined with Duaplate D80.
Duaplate DX is manufactured to Bradken’s proprietary composition to create an incredible fine microstructure that provides a substantial improvement in the operational life over traditional chromium carbide based overlay.
APA solar farm at Mount Isa, Queensland. Image: Glencore.
Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines operation is set to source 20 per cent of its long-term electricity needs from APA Group’s new solar farm in Mica Creek, Queensland.
Under a 15-year agreement, Mount Isa Mines can use up to 50 per cent of the solar electricity produced each year at the Mica Creek solar farm (also known as the Dugald River solar farm).
The agreement was first announced in December 2023, where Glencore zinc assets Australia chief operating officer Sam Strohmayr said the partnership will help Glencore reduce its emissions footprint.
“The partnership helps reduce our high-power costs which is one of the elements that make it difficult to compete with our international rivals,” Strohmayr said.
The 88-megawatt farm at the basis of the agreement was officially opened yesterday and is poised to boast 180,000 solar panels across 200 hectares of land. The official opening was attended by Strohmayr.
“APA has been working with us for many years providing reliable electricity for our Mount Isa Mines operations,” Strohmayr said. “We welcomed the opportunity to partner with APA on a renewables project and in the process contribute to a collective effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“There are several benefits from this agreement – not only for us but also for the community. Mount Isa Mines is reducing its carbon footprint, and in the process using renewable energy to help produce energy transition metals, such as zinc and copper, that are needed globally for a low carbon future.”
In October 2023, Glencore announced plans to close the Mount Isa Mines underground copper operations – Enterprise, X41 and Black Rock – and its copper concentrator by the end of 2025. The company cited low ore grades as the cause.
Glencore’s Lady Loretta zinc mine, which was a finite orebody with a seven-year mine life, will also close in 2025.
In response to the Mount Isa closures, the Queensland Government created the $50 million Mount Isa Transition Fund, which aims to boost projects that can commence quickly, create jobs, and build on the region’s reputation as a great place to live and work.
With $20 million going towards shovel-ready mining projects, $30 million will be used to accelerate resources projects in the Northwest Minerals Province. The initiative will be led by the Queensland Treasury and Department of Resources.
Other Mount Isa operations such as the copper smelter, the George Fisher mine, the zinc-lead concentrator, the lead smelter, and the copper refinery in Townsville remain operating.
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Metso’s largest service centre has now officially opened in Karratha, Western Australia, supporting the growing demand of customer needs in the region.
The centre serves mining and aggregates customers with maintenance and repair solutions and spans a 35,000m² area, including a workshop covering 5000m².
“The opening of the new center is an important milestone and further proof of our commitment to accelerate strategic investments in serving customers from pit to port,” Metso president, services business area Sami Takaluoma said.
“Strengthening our presence to offer increased productivity, shorter lead times, and environmental advantages will allow us to take service capabilities and customer experience to the next level.”
The centre has been equipped with advanced amenities including high-capacity cranes, CNC machines, a heat treatment furnace, welding facilities and assembly stations.
“This is a long-term and significant commitment to the Pilbara region and the communities here,” Metso president Asia Pacific Stuart Sneyd said. “We are extremely pleased that our local customers are already expressing considerable interest and confidence in our services.
“Metso has a significant installed base of equipment and a strong reputation in Asia Pacific; every day over 900 processing plants rely on Metso’s technology.
“By utilising Metso’s service know-how and expertise, genuine parts, exact materials, and OEM specifications, customers will achieve significant business and sustainability benefits.”
The centre will also provide a dedicated training facility to enhance the technical expertise of mining professionals.
An apprenticeship training program is planned for the centre at a later date.
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An exploration program undertaken by BHP at its Oak Dam copper deposit has identified high-grades of copper deep beneath the Olympic Dam ore body, with some grades equalling more than two per cent.
The Oak Dam deposit is located 65km south-east of the Olympic Dam mine in South Australia, one of the world’s most significant deposits of copper, gold, and uranium.
Once its acquisition of OZ Minerals was finalised last May, BHP established an integrated copper province in SA’s far north by combining the Prominent Hill and Carrapateena mines with the Olympic Dam mine, smelter and refinery, and Oak Dam deposit.
“BHP has created an integrated copper province that we hope will bring the scale required to economically and sustainably produce and process more copper here in SA and deliver it to global customers,” BHP asset president copper South Australia Anna Wiley said.
“Our South Australian operations are performing well and we’ve had further exploration success.
“The Oak Dam exploration project is progressing with 12 rigs currently on site, 150 kilometres of drilling completed, a core processing facility on-site and 150-person accommodation camp nearly complete.
“We’re also exploring in an area below the known Olympic Dam deposit, known as Olympic Dam Deeps.”
Alongside further exploration, BHP is also assessing options for a new two-stage smelter at Olympic Dam that would potentially double its capacity from 0.5 million tonnes (Mt) to 1–1.7Mt and lift its copper production to about 500,000 tonnes per annum.
The South Australian Government, which approved the Oak Dam exploration program last year, welcomed the Oak Dam discovery.
“Copper is a key component in our State Prosperity Plan,” SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
“BHP hope to more than double the size of their smelter – which means more jobs, opportunity and greater prosperity for our state.
“There are enormous amounts of copper in our state’s north, but to extract and refine it, we need something in short supply – water.
“That’s exactly (the SA) Government is partnering with industry to progress plans for the Northern Water project, which has the potential to deliver an additional five billion dollars in economic activity to our state each year.”
BHP chief executive officer Mike Henry took to the stage at the BMO Global Metals, Mining and Critical Minerals Conference yesterday, where he revealed that the potential two-stage smelter at Oak Dam is expected to reach a final investment decision sometime between the 2025–26 and 2026–27 financial years.
Sandvik has introduced its new Golden Shank, a corrosion protection coating for increased service life and lower drilling cost per metre.
Sandvik’s Golden Shank is equipped with a low-friction, nickel-plated coating with a polymer top sealant for improved corrosion resistance.
Applied throughout the entire shank and flushing slot, this coating minimises wear on flushing seals and rock drill parts while reducing breakages on other rig and tool machine parts.
“Prioritising operator safety and minimising environmental impact through reduced tool replacements are critical considerations in our product development process,” Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions product manager top hammer Thomas Blomfeldt said.
The Golden Shank will enable some customers to potentially double efficiency.”
Sandvik’s field tests have confirmed a 30–100 per cent longer product life.
Even at mine sites where corrosion is not prevalent, Golden Shank field tests have consistently demonstrated two to three times longer performance life.
The extended service life of the shank adapter enhances safety and sustainability for customers by reducing operator handling and heavy lifting, inventory needs and emissions from transportation.
A coating with less environmental impact also improves the sustainability footprint in manufacturing.
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Coal has emerged as the standout commodity from Glencore’s 2023 full year production report.
While copper, cobalt, zinc and nickel production all experienced a downturn, Glencore’s coal production was three per cent higher than 2022 at 3.6 million tonnes (t).
The number was a reflection of higher productivity in South Africa and a year over year easing in external factors that constrain capacity, such as wet weather and blockades.
Nickel production fell by nine per cent to 97,600t, primarily due to the planned shutdown of Glencore’s Murrin Murrin site in WA for routine maintenance.
Cobalt production was six per cent lower than 2022 at 41,300t and copper production was 48,000t lower than 2022.
Despite the slight donwturn, Glencore chief executive officer Gary Nagle remains positive.
“Overall 2023 production was in line with our earlier revised guidance, with stronger second half volumes delivered across our key commodities, including copper, zinc, nickel and coal,” he said.
“Compared to 2022, the moderately lower year-on-year copper and zinc department managed production volumes, primarily reflect disposals of the Cobar copper mine and various South American zinc operations.”
Looking ahead, Nagle said production is looking steady.
“Coal production is forecast to be steady at the guidance range mid-point of 110 million tonnes, excluding any incremental volumes from the recently announced acquisition of a 77 per cent interest in Teck’s steelmaking coal business, currently going through its various approval processes,” he said.
AusCrush commenced a 12-month contract to operate Kleemann machinery at Peculiar Knob in November 2023. Image: AusCrush
AusCrush has deployed Kleemann machines at the Peculiar Knob iron ore mine in South Australia, leading to exceptional results.
AusCrush first commenced crushing and screening iron ore at Peak Iron Mines’ Peculiar Knob operation in South Australia in November 2021.
And the mobile crushing and screening services provider isn’t slowing down.
In November 2023, AusCrush commenced a 12-month contract to operate Kleemann machinery at Peculiar Knob, a high-grade hematite iron ore deposit that has some residual magnetite.
AusCrush’s set-up comprises a Kleemann MC120PRO jaw crusher, MSS802EVO mobile reclaimer, MC0110PRO cone crusher (secondary), MSC953EVO classifying screen, MC090EVO2 cone crusher (tertiary) and a MSC953EVO classifying screen (secondary), as well as a stockpile conveyor that feeds back to the MC0110PRO for all oversize. This creates a closed-circuit loop to maximise throughput.
“We are currently producing two direct shipping iron ore products: a -32mm+13.2mm lump and a -13.2mm+0mm fines product,” AusCrush general manager Morgan Taylor told Australian Mining.
Once the ore is crushed by AusCrush, it is transported to the Whyalla Port, where it is exported for steel manufacturing.
AusCrush understood that because the feed material, the hematite ore, is a high-grade, abrasive product, it would need to be proactive about its maintenance measures.
“The feed is relatively easy for crushing but it’s very abrasive, so maintenance is of the upmost importance,” Taylor said.
“If you don’t get that right, the rock can wear a hole in the side of the hopper within hours.
“We made up four modular wear packages for all our hoppers … and we have two full-time boilermakers and two full-time heavy-duty diesel mechanics working each shift.
“We also have Wirtgen Australia on speed dial for any machinery queries or concerns.”
AusCrush has been proactive about its maintenance measures to avoid equipment breakdowns. Image: AusCrush
Maintenance personnel are set daily tasks to monitor machine components such as skirts, screens, wear plates, belt repairs, jaw and cone liners. After 12 hours of crushing throughout the day, maintenance is completed on night shift to ensure machines are ready to go for another 12-hour shift the following day. With AusCrush producing about 1.68 million tonnes of DSO product per annum, there is no time for downtime.
“We do our maintenance at night and processing during the day to ensure that if something goes wrong, we’ve got open communication with Wirtgen Australia and our suppliers to fix any issues,” Taylor said. “If we crush during the night and have a breakdown, it adds additional challenges, hence the reason for scheduling maintenance. This provides us reliable maintenance free up time during daylight hours.”
AusCrush also schedules monthly shutdowns at Peculiar Knob so machines can be overhauled and start fresh to meet the following month’s targets.
As per Wirtgen Australia advice, the company is also running 24 per cent manganese and higher chrome percentage liner sets in its jaw crushers, which has further limited equipment breakdowns by extending liner life and reducing change-out requirements.
This is improving crushing outputs to approximately 7000 tonnes per day.
The primary machine in the train, the Kleemann MC120PRO jaw crusher, supports a maximum feed size of up to 680mm, boosting production and decreasing day-works.
The MC120PRO feeds the MSS802EVO mobile screener, which has been perfect for the job given its ability to scalp two separate products: the -32mm+13.2mm lump product to one side of the conveyor and the -13.2mm+0mm fines product to the other.
This provides the MCO110PRO cone crusher with oversize feed only, providing optimised crushing conditions for the cone.
Through an inspired maintenance strategy and with the right Kleemann gear to boot, AusCrush is able to consistently produce 500 tonnes per hour, exceeding the expectations of all stakeholders involved.
First Quantum Minerals (FQM) will scale back its operations at its Ravensthorpe nickel mine in Western Australia.
The company said the decision is a result of the significant downturn in nickel prices experienced during 2023, combined with the currently high operating costs in WA.
Approximately 30 per cent of the 420-person workforce will be let go, with contractors to be redeployed by their employers.
FQM said it will lean on ore stockpiles to continue producing nickel, which are expected to be processed over the next 18 months.
Mining is set to resume at the Hale Bopp and Halley’s ore bodies when prices recover as part of the company’s three-year plan.
“Transitioning to a new operating model will allow us to continue to produce and export our nickel product, which is a critical mineral and has a lower carbon footprint than other suppliers,” Ravensthorpe nickel operation general manager Scott Whitehead said.
“The operational changes will ensure Ravensthorpe remains viable longer term and we will retain most of our residential and FIFO workforce, thereby supporting the communities of Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe and providing income for the region and Western Australia.
“It’s important we position ourselves to respond in a timely manner to future improvements in the nickel price by being able to reactivate our mining activities at the preferred time.”
FQM expects Ravensthorpe will produce approximately 16,000 contained tonnes of nickel per annum over the next three years.
Glencore has announced plans to close its Mount Isa copper operations in Queensland by the end of 2025, but said it will keep its other metal assets open.
Operating for over 60 years, the company’s copper mine life has already been extended six years past its original life expectancy.
All three copper mines at the Mount Isa operation – Enterprise, X41 and Black Rock – are set to close, as well as the company’s copper concentrator.
Other Mount Isa mines and operations will remain open, including the copper smelter, the George Fisher mine, the zinc-lead concentrator, the lead smelter in Mount Isa, as well as the copper refinery in Townsville.
Glencore said it has conducted a range of studies and reviews seeking to further extend the life of the underground copper mines, but the end of mine life has been confirmed.
Glencore’s Lady Loretta zinc mine, located 140km north-west of Mount Isa, which was a finite orebody with a seven-year mine life, will also close in 2025.
“We know this decision will be disappointing for our people, our suppliers, and the Mount Isa community,” Glencore Australia zinc asset chief operating officer Sam Strohmayr said.
“The reality of mining is that mines have a beginning, middle and end. And unfortunately, after 60 years of operation, Mount Isa’s underground copper operations have now reached that end.
“We want to give our people as much time as possible to consider the best options for them and their families, which is why we are notifying our workers and the community almost two years before these mines close.
“Our focus over the coming months will be to work closely with our people and contractors, our suppliers, and the Mount Isa community to provide support as we move towards closure of these assets.”
Glencore’s Mount Isa underground copper mines, copper concentrator and supporting services currently employ around 1200 people.
Canadian-based First Quantum Minerals has commenced a maiden diamond drilling program along the Yarramba Palaeovalley on the tenements of Boss Energy’s Honeymoon uranium project in South Australia.
Boss Energy first entered into an exploration earn-in agreement with First Quantum Minerals in February 2022. The agreement covers the base metals rights of five tenements at the Honeymoon project, which commenced mining operations last week.
“With a proven track record in discovering and developing deposits, Boss considers First Quantum Minerals an ideal partner in the exploration and potential development of any base or precious metal discoveries at Honeymoon,” Boss Energy said of the agreement.
The new drilling program will target basement-hosted base metal mineralisation below the Yarramba Palaeovalley and will cover three high-priority targets identified from extensive analysis and modelling of geophysical and geochemical datasets.
It will consist of at least five diamond core holes for a minimum of 1800m drilling. Global drilling company DDH1 – which was acquired by Perenti last week – will complete the 4–6 week-long drilling program.
The geochemical assay results are expected to return within 1–2 months after the program’s completion.
“This agreement is an outstanding opportunity for Boss and our shareholders,” Boss Energy managing director Duncan Craib said.
“We have a global leader in First Quantum Minerals funding base metals exploration at Honeymoon, giving Boss significant exposure to their success at no cost to us while we focus on our goal of becoming Australia’s next uranium producer.”
After the drilling program’s completion, First Quantum Minerals may choose to earn a 51 per cent interest in its agreement with Boss by spending $6 million on exploration within five years, as well as maintaining minimum annual expenditure on the project of $500,000.
If First Quantum Minerals follows this path, it will enter into a joint venture agreement with Boss Energy.
