Metso’s Australian crushing and screening training praised

Metso’s Glenn Oldfield led the training course. Image: Metso

Metso has successfully conducted crushing and screening training courses with plans to expand the offering in 2026.

Starting at the fundamental level for all competencies, Metso expert Glenn Oldfield is conducting a one-day course on crushing and screening nationwide.

Metso’s focus was to provide non-partisan training for any quarry industry professionals, aiming to allow better understanding and hopefully optimisation of their plants, whatever the equipment brand. With more than 30 years with Metso and 17 years before that in the industry on the customer side of the fence, Oldfield’s contribution to the industry is invaluable.

“Our goal is to grow industry knowledge of the aggregate processing field for the benefit of all. Quarrying is a field we all want to grow and retain staff, by sharing our experience Metso hope to assist in this endeavour,” Metso senior application and project manager for Asia Glenn Oldfield said.

“So far, we have had a fantastic take up of this opportunity with Boral, Heidelberg, Holcim, Adbri, and many other industry players.”

In February, a group of industry leaders from Queensland, including 20 personnel from Boral, participated in Metso’s Crushing and Screening Fundamentals Course. The Boral team comprised quarry managers, supervisors, leading hands, and fixed plant operators. The primary goal of the training sessions was to refresh skills and reinforce fundamental knowledge on this crucial topic.

Several Boral employees attended the training. Image: Metso

Boral asset manager for SEQ Quarries Michael Long shared his feedback with John O’Reilly and Glenn Oldfield after the training.

“The feedback after the session was overwhelmingly positive. The course was well-paced, and the content was delivered excellently by a respected industry expert. Glenn’s style of delivery was unbiased, balanced, and well-informed, providing valuable insights on a range of equipment and processes,” Long said.

“The objective of the sessions was to refresh the skills of our key personnel, whose roles include management, supervision, operations, asset care, and quality assurance.

“I highly recommend this program to anyone in our industry who is looking for foundational training and an understanding of the basic theory behind crushing and screening technology. It’s a valuable investment for both businesses and individuals.”

Metso’s focus was to provide non-partisan training for any quarry industry professionals. Image: Metso

Institute of Quarrying Australia president Michael Close welcomed the initiative which helps all industry professionals.

“I found the course very informative and flowed well for the day. Glenn did say it would be fairly basic content, but with 20-plus years of crushing and screening experience, I still got a lot out of it and takeaways to discuss back with our operations,” he said.

“I think it is a great training initiative that Metso is providing for the industry “free of charge”, and I fully encourage operations managers, process improvement, quarry managers, site supervisors and plant operators to attend.

“The content will help provide a skills gap with the aging quarrying workforce. With the mix of people attending the course, further learning and insights are gained as we share our own experiences and issues, making big ones into little ones.”

Courses will continue around Australia throughout 2025 and expand in 2026 and beyond.

Major steel player to scope out Whyalla steelworks

Olivia Thomson

The Whyalla steelworks in South Australia. Image: Alexander/stock.adobe.com

Bluescope has been appointed as a steelmaking advisor to KordaMentha, the administrators of the Whyalla steelworks business in South Australia.

Known as Australia’s largest steel manufacturer, BlueScope will provide technical and operational support in an advisory capacity to the administrators as they try to secure ongoing operations at the Whyalla steelworks.

“BlueScope has a long-standing history with the Whyalla steelworks, and we know its people and assets well,” BlueScope managing director and chief executive officer Mark Vassella said.

“We recognise the ongoing importance of Whyalla to the Australian economy and sovereign capability. This is a difficult time for the steel industry in the Asia Pacific region, but we are in a position to help.

“Accordingly, we will provide a team of experts from Port Kembla Steelworks to assist the administrators work through their process.”

BlueScope has not provided investment or corporate support to the administration process, nor has it decided to participate in any potential sale at this stage.

However, Vassella said BlueScope becoming an advisor to Whyalla steelworks’ administrators may help inform potential participation.

BlueScope’s appointment comes as the $2.4 billion support package from the SA and Federal Governments is progressing to plan, with funds flowing to the local Whyalla community.

The support package was announced in late February to support local jobs and stimulate growth in SA’s steel sector following the Whyalla steelworks’ owner, OneSteel Manufacturing, being placed under administration amid various operational challenges at the site.

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FLS to significantly expand global service network

Dylan Brown

Image: FLSmidth

Leading mining technology and service supplier FLS will open or expand seven service centres in strategic locations across the globe in 2025.

These facilities are in direct support of FLS’ CORE’26 mining strategy that includes targeting service growth, and adds to the company’s already comprehensive global network of service centres that can enhance mining customers’ productivity.

New facilities will open in Accra, Ghana; Surabaja, Indonesia; and Dammam, Saudi Arabia, while FLS’ operations in Mackay, Australia will relocate to a larger facility.

Expansions are planned in Parauapebas, Brazil; Karaganda, Kazakhstan; and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Operations in each of these new locations will begin within the coming months with official opening details to be announced at a later date.

In addition, an expansion of the service centre in Chloorkop, South Africa is ongoing and will be completed in 2026.

“Our service centres serve primarily as workshops for improving or repairing customer equipment and can also have warehousing capabilities for distribution,” FLS head of professional services Christian Fabry said.

“With these new openings and expansions, we further strengthen our service capabilities and best-in-class service offerings to customers.”

“We can do that by shortening the operational down time for customers thanks to the service centres’ strategic proximity to mine sites and greater availability of spare and wear parts to local customers.”

FLS offers a comprehensive range of service offerings that allow mining companies to maximise productivity.

The company has developed the strategic global presence and advanced service-based solutions required to provide responsive support wherever customers are located.

This includes:

Strong inventory of OEM spare parts and consumables in service centres around the world
Regional and global field engineers, plus remote asset health and performance optimisation services
Mineral laboratory services for fast, accurate mineralogical and metallurgical testing
Upgrades, rebuilds and exchange services to help you get more from your equipment.

FLSmidth work on the ground, and know that in a 24/7 process every hour of downtime adds up to very high costs in lost productivity.

That’s why its mining service centres are strategically located to offer local support to its customers operations – wherever they are in the world.

The company has service centres in East (Pinkenba, Beresfield, Mackay, Rockhampton) and the West (Henderson & Welshpool).

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PumpPowerAUS/PEMO

Horizontal slurry pumps are indispensable in moving abrasive and corrosive liquids efficiently. These pumps are designed to handle liquids containing solid particles, making them the right choice in various industries such as mining, construction, and wastewater treatment. Here below you’ll find all the Pemo horizontal slurry pumps, while in the news section we go deeper into the definition, types, uses, and advantages of horizontal slurry pumps.

Pemo horizontal slurry pumps

Pemo’s horizontal slurry pumps are specifically designed for specific industry and purpose, we can build it in the V-Belt and Direct Transmission versions. All the Pemo horizontal pumps have the sealing system that consists of mechanical seals, with faces that are made of Tungsten Carbide (widia) or of Silicium Carbide. Lubrication of the mechanical seals, when there is a pair per pump, can be made with flushing water at a determined pressure, depending on the version, or with water/glicole by means of different closed circuits with natural or forced circulation. Instead, lubrication of the bearings is made with grease or oil.

Pemo Pumps models

Pemo Pumps has three different series of horizontal sludge pumps:

AO-AO/AD Series are standard horizontal pumps with frontal inlet. Based on our standards, the maximum available pressure should never exceed 2 bar (29 psi). Since there is only one
mechanical seals these models are used to pump only water like fluids with almost no abrasive particles.

AO/TD – AO/TD/AD Series are horizontal pumps with frontal inlet and double mechanical seals, flushing must be done at a pressure that must be about 1 bar (15 psi) higher than the slurry outlet pressure. They can be used to pump abrasive and/or acid liquids. Maximum outlet pressure should not exceed 3-4 bar (45 – 60 PSI). Designed for heavy duty slurry and/or acid applications, these pumps have capacities from 1 to 1500 m3/h (5 to 6613 gpm).

AO/AB – AO/AB/AD Series are one of the most popular and distinctive products of the Pemo Pumps range. Thanks to the side inlet, the maximum pressure that the mechanical seals see is the fluid inlet pressure, greatly increasing life expectancy. For this reason, flushing must be done at a pressure that must be about 1 bar (15 psi) higher than the slurry inlet pressure instead. When pumping acid liquids, the shaft and the mechanical seals chamber can be made of special alloys.

Designed for slurries and/or acid applications, these Pemo pumps are truly unique! Maximum particle size is 2 mm though this is dependent on the specific application, capacities are from 1 to 900 m3/h (5 to 3,968 gpm), and maximum discharge head is 90 m (295 ft) in the Hardalloy PEMO design.

Primary markets

These are the primary markets where Pemo horizontal slurry pumps are used, we also can provide to our clients references and case studies.

Mining, Quarries, and Mineral Extraction
Aggregate Industry
Chemical Industry
Food Industry
Industrial Wastewater Treatment.

AO/TI and AO/TD Series, main characteristics

Designed for heavy duty slurry and/or acid applications.
These are end suction slurry pumps with single or double mechanical seals.
Capacities from 1 to 1500 m3/h (5 to 6613 gpm).
Usually maximum discharge pressure should not exceed 3 bar or 43 psi.

AO/AB Series, main characteristics

Designed for slurries and/or acid applications.
The heart of the PEMO product line, the AO/AB Series pumps are truly unique. Due to the side inlet, the maximum pressure the mechanical seal will see is the fluid inlet pressure, greatly increasing life of the seal.
When pumping acid liquids, the shaft and the mechanical seal housing can be made of special alloys.
Maximum particle size is 2 mm though this is dependent on the specific application.
Capacities from 1 to 900 m3/h (5 to 3,968 gpm).
Maximum discharge head is 90 m (295 ft) in the Hardalloy PEMO design.

Pemo Pumps is an Italian excellence in the custom pumps market. With a production 100% made in Italy, 50% of Pemo Pumps revenues comes from direct sales worldwide. Just one third of our sales are to Italian companies for direct use and for selling worldwide. Pemo Pumps has subsidiaries, representatives, and agents in 20 Countries and has more than 4,000 customers in the World.

Contact today our consultants to learn more about the complete range of Pemo Pumps.

Minprovise further expands wear parts and liners supply

Staff Writer

Image: Minprovise

Minprovise, a leading supplier in the mining and quarrying industries, has recently expanded its product range to include a variety of wear parts and liners.

This new offering includes high-quality manganese crusher liners, apron feeder pans and jaw crusher wear parts. The new range of high-performance crusher liners can also be supplied with tungsten inserts (TIC) offering unmatched toughness and extended service life, increasing plant availability and reducing costly downtime.

By offering a comprehensive range of wear parts and liners, Minprovise aims to provide reliable and high-quality alternatives to expensive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, helping clients reduce costs and improve operational performance.

Further to that, Minprovise has recently introduced bi-metal wear plates and composite white iron wear bars (chocky blocks) into their suite of wear products.

To assist clients with reliable supply and the shortest possible lead time, Minprovise hold considerable stock of various sized chocky blocks to suit the majority of more common wear applications.

From a quality standpoint, Minprovise’s commitment is evident in its rigorous selection, auditing and qualification process for all suppliers. Independent metallurgical test reports from both Australian and international laboratories are available on request for the Minprovise range of wear products.

This dedication to excellence has made Minprovise a forward thinking and trusted partner for many mining and quarrying operations, with well established relationships with organisations such as Rio Tinto, BHP, FMG, AngloGold and Roy Hill to mention just a few.

Product range support

Minprovise boasts a dedicated technical team with decades of experience in both Australian and international mining and quarrying industries.

Where required, Minprovise technical experts work alongside client teams to analyse areas of high wear with the goal of developing and implementing custom wear solutions. These can generally be implemented quickly, drawing from the extensive stock on hand and utilising rapid turnaround fabrication via the Welshpool-based workshop facility.

With this expansion, the company’s focus on innovation and safety first ensures that clients receive the best possible solutions for their needs. For more information about Minprovise’s new product range, including wear parts, liners, and chocky blocks, visit the Minprovise website.

Olympic Dam: The world’s largest uranium deposit

Tom Parker

Image: RHJ/adobe.stock.com

While the likes of Kazakhstan, Canada and Namibia are known for being dominant uranium producers, Australia lays claim to the world’s largest uranium deposit.

Olympic Dam, which is seemingly one of the most geologically and mineralogically diverse mines globally, holds more than two million tonnes of uranium oxide.

The mine also produces copper, gold and nickel from its polymetallic treasure chest, demonstrating the range of revenue pathways on offer for its owner BHP.

Olympic Dam produced 3189 tonnes of uranium in 2024. By comparison, the nameplate capacity of Boss Energy’s recently reopened Honeymoon operation is 2.4 million pounds (1088 tonnes) per year.

Boss is targeting 850,000 pounds (386 tonnes) of uranium production in the 2024–25 financial year.

BHP is looking to more than double the copper production capacity of Olympic Dam by the middle of next decade. Uranium production isn’t expected to increase at the same scale, however, which has been news to the ears of many investors.

The Australian Financial Review reported that BHP disclosed such plans in paperwork concerning its Olympic Dam expansion, with only a one per cent uplift in uranium production expected.

A boost in Olympic Dam uranium supply would flood the market and potentially suppress prices and uranium stocks.

This comes despite expectations that global uranium demand is expected to increase by 28 per cent between 2023–30, according to the World Nuclear Association (WNA).

The WNA also predicts that between 2031–40, demand would double by 51 per cent.

Honeymoon is not the only uranium upstart of recent times, with Lotus Resources looking to bring its Kayelekera project in Namibia online in the near future. Deep Yellow is also looking to commence production at its Tumas uranium project in Namibia.

Uranium prices have dropped below $US70 per pound to begin 2025, having traded above this mark since October 2023. This is still much higher than historical levels, with uranium not reaching $US40 per pound for the better part of six years between 2015 and 2021.

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Steelworks forced into administration to ‘save’ future

The Whyalla Steelworks has been placed into administration after the South Australian government rushed legislation through parliament and pledged “one of the most comprehensive industry support packages that this nation has ever seen”.

The move gives the government authority to act on debts owed by GFG Alliance and secure the future of the mid-north operations.

SGH ‘excited’ about future outlook for Boral

SGH Ltd (formerly Seven Group Holdings) has revealed it is “excited” about the future of Boral after it released its first-half earning results.

SGH’s first-half results were supported by its full acquisition of Boral, which was completed last year. Its overall revenue of $5.5 billion was up two per cent, driven primarily by WesTrac, which offset “marginally lower revenue” at Boral and Coates.

SGH’s EBIT of $843 million was up 10 per cent, with Boral’s EBIT of $259m up 29 per cent, helping drive the growth in this area.

SGH managing director and chief executive officer Ryan Stokes spoke about Boral’s performance in the first-half results.

“SGH completed the acquisition of Boral early in the half, and I am particularly pleased with their continued progress on the performance journey to achieve mid-teen EBIT margins,” he said.

“We remain excited about the opportunities we have long identified for further improvement at Boral. We also welcomed a significant number of former Boral shareholders to continue participating in long-term value creation as SGH shareholders.

Boral’s revenue of $1.8 billion was marginally down for the first half partially because of lower sales volumes in residential construction and roading.

SGH identified Boral’s cost control, and “internal optimisation” were “instrumental” in delivering the EBIT increase and managing the variable market conditions.

Boral has started an investment programme to refresh its heavy mobile equipment fleet, it expects this to support production and reduce cost efficiencies.

SGH stated the robust infrastructure investment outlook, and a positive residential outlook supported by the National Housing Accord targets supported its outlook for Boral.

“We continue to see solid customer demand across our core sector exposures of Industrials and Energy. The outlook for these sectors, along with our strong HY25 result, gives us confidence in our full-year earnings guidance of high single-digit EBIT growth for FY25,” Stokes said.

“Together with the leaders of our exceptional businesses, our owner’s mindset underpins the productivity and performance improvement that enabled this strong result.

“I am also grateful for the efforts of the wider SGH team and their commitment to serving our customers and delivering outcomes.”

Introducing the XCMG （徐工） XPE1215 mobile jaw crusher

Staff Writer

The XPE1215 mobile jaw crusher is built to withstand tough mining conditions. Image: XCMG

XCMG’s new XPE1215 mobile jaw crusher is poised to change the game in crushing and screening.

When it comes to mining and construction machinery, XCMG is a name synonymous with innovation, durability, and excellence.

Leading the charge in the Australian market, XCMG has proudly introduced the XPE1215 mobile jaw crusher, a game-changer in the world of crushing and screening.

Designed for efficiency, reliability, and unmatched performance, the XPE1215 is here to redefine industry standards.

Built for power and precision

At its core, the XPE1215 is engineered to handle the toughest of tasks.

The XPE1215 mobile jaw crusher reduces energy consumption without compromising productivity.
Image: XCMG

With its impressive jaw capacity, this mobile crusher is equipped to handle large-scale operations, processing substantial volumes of material with ease.

Whether it’s mining, construction debris, or quarrying, the XPE1215 tackles the job head-on, ensuring maximum productivity on every project.

Key specifications:

Jaw size: Optimised for high-capacity throughput, reducing downtime and increasing efficiency

Motor power: Enhanced motor systems ensure smooth operation, even under heavy load conditions

Mobility: Designed for rapid deployment and ease of transport, this crusher adapts seamlessly to diverse terrains and work sites.

Why the XPE1215 leads the pack

The XPE1215 isn’t just another mobile jaw crusher; it’s a class apart. Here’s why the XPE1215 is a premium option:

Innovative design: Incorporating advanced engineering, the XPE1215 boasts a user-friendly interface, making operations straightforward and efficient. Maintenance has never been easier, thanks to its accessible design and quick-service capabilities.

Energy efficiency: Sustainability is at the heart of XCMG’s innovations. The XPE1215 reduces energy consumption without compromising performance, helping operators achieve cost savings and meet environmental goals.

Durability under pressure: Built with high-quality materials, this crusher is made to withstand Australia’s harshest conditions. From searing heat to rugged terrains, the XPE1215 remains reliable, ensuring years of dependable service.

Precision and consistency: The crusher’s advanced jaw technology delivers uniform particle sizes, enhancing the quality of the output.

XCMG in 2025

While the XPE1215 takes centre stage, there’s much more to come from XCMG.

XCMG is gearing up to redefine the crushing and screening industry, with an expanded lineup of advanced machinery set to debut in 2025.

These forthcoming innovations are not only tailored to meet the specific demands of the Australian mining and construction landscape but are also engineered with global best practices in mind, ensuring they deliver superior performance, durability, and efficiency.

XCMG’s commitment to innovation means these new models will incorporate advanced automation, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced material handling capabilities to support operations of all sizes.

Whether tackling challenging terrain or increased throughput in high-demand environments, XCMG’s 2025 lineup promises to push boundaries and set new benchmarks in crushing and screening technology.

Crushing it with XCMG

The XCMG XPE1215 mobile jaw crusher is not just a piece of equipment – it’s a statement. It’s a declaration that XCMG is here to push the boundaries of what’s possible in mining and construction machinery.

As the industry look towards 2025, XCMG’s commitment to excellence ensures the future of crushing and screening is brighter than ever.

This feature appeared in the February 2025 issue of Australian Mining.

Crushing and screening solutions for any setting

Utilising its fleet of mobile and fixed plants, Rapid has tailored its services to align with different kinds of mine outputs. Image: Rapid Crushing & Screening Contractors

Rapid Crushing & Screening Contractors has a strong track record of providing tailored solutions that boost productivity.

R apid Crushing & Screening Contractors, one of Australia’s premier mining services companies, has inspired innovation in the crushing and screening sector for the better part of 50 years.

Rapid’s modular and mobile plants have proven themselves in refining a wide array of commodities, from iron ore and gold to lithium and other critical minerals, with the company’s client base boasting several Tier 1 miners.

This includes the Greenbushes lithium mine in southern Western Australia, the world’s largest hard-rock lithium mine.

The company’s extensive expertise and adaptable crushing and screening solutions have been instrumental in meeting Greenbushes’ demanding production requirements.

Utilising its fleet of mobile and fixed plants, Rapid has tailored its services to align with Greenbushes’ high output. This includes handling the crushing of spodumene ore to precise specifications, ensuring a seamless feed into downstream processing circuits.

Rapid’s advanced crushing and screening technologies have enabled the company to effectively address fluctuations in production needs.

Additionally, Rapid’s focus on reliability and its ability to provide on-site support have been critical in maintaining Greenbushes’ productivity.

This partnership underscores Rapid’s ability to support large-scale mining projects through specialised, scalable solutions, whether a client requires one part of a circuit or an end-to-end crushing and screening solution.

Rapid also has a strong track record in the Pilbara, recently working with Pilbara Minerals at its flagship Pilgangoora lithium mine.

Rapid is one of Australia’s premier mining services companies.
Image: Rapid Crushing & Screening Contractors

In May 2024, Rapid delivered a crushing and screening infrastructure package to Pilgangoora, which will support Pilbara Minerals with a large pipeline of expansion projects.

Rapid’s competitive edge lies in its ability to design and implement solutions tailored to individual project needs, with the company constantly evolving its crushing and screening capabilities, delivering fast, mobile setups that can be easily relocated, reducing project lead times.

Rapid predominantly runs Metso-based crushers across its operations, including the Jonnson L160, one of the world’s largest mobile jaw crushers.

Weighing over 190 tonnes, the Jonnson L160 is used as the primary jaw crusher at many mine sites across Australia.

Rapid also has an extensive fleet of cone crushers with most tracked units based on Metso’s HP300 or HP400 machines.

Machinery is at times designed, manufactured and maintained by Rapid’s in-house manufacturing company, Irvine Engineering. This enables Rapid to safeguard the quality of its materials and workmanship, as well as the reliability of supply.

This strategic partnership not only ensures the highest standards of performance and durability but also reinforces Rapid’s commitment to delivering exceptional value and customer satisfaction.

Rapid’s solutions have proven especially critical in remote mining regions where key infrastructure is limited and operational challenges abound.

Safety and environmental responsibility are cornerstones of Rapid’s operations, with crushing and screening processes often posing mechanical hazards, dust issues and environmental risks.

Rapid addresses these challenges with some of the best practices and technologies in the business.

Additionally, Rapid has an unyielding focus on safety, regularly auditing its systems and providing comprehensive training to its team.

Rapid’s approach aligns with the broader goals of the Australian mining sector, which increasingly prioritises sustainability and environmental stewardship. The company’s emphasis on compliance and innovation reinforces its standing as a responsible contractor.

As the mining industry continues to evolve amid the clean-energy transition, the demand for premium crushing and screening solutions is expected to grow.

Rapid is well-positioned to meet these needs, leveraging its decades of experience to deliver tailored, innovative, and sustainable crushing and screening solutions for years to come.