The Zenith of ground engaging tools

Zenith plate lips currently come in standard, long and heavy-duty options to suit all application requirements. Image: Bradken

Bradken has expanded its GET range to include Zenith plate lip GET to further support Australia’s mining sector.

Given the often-harsh conditions of the Australian resources industry, it is critical that mining companies select the right ground engaging tools (GET) for their operation.

Premium GET solutions extend machinery wear life and lessen the risk of equipment failure, minimising costly downtime. The right GET tooling also delivers reduced dig energy and improved penetration.

That is why Bradken has continually advanced its own GET solutions, ensuring customers always have the right option at hand. This includes the Zenith series, the latest addition to Bradken’s GET range suited to 100–250-tonne hydraulic excavators.

Bradken GET principal product manager Glenn Baxter explained the evolution of the company’s products.

“Bradken’s GET range has evolved from being regionally based with a suite of first-generation products, to now being more globally focused with a second and third generation of innovative products, all backed by a global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in Hitachi Construction Machinery,” Baxter told Australian Mining.

“The Zenith technology is Bradken’s next generation of plate lip GET products, so it’s one of the latest solutions in the Bradken GET range.”

As Bradken developed an improved GET solution for higher tonnage hydraulic excavators, the company had several research and development (R&D) objectives.

“In the development of the Zenith range, we had a focus on creating an efficient tooth system from a machine performance and maintenance perspective,” Baxter said.

“We wanted to minimise the size of the tooth (without compromising strength) so the machine uses less power during each cycle, and simplify the locking system so it’s intuitive to use and easy to maintain when required.”

The Zenith series of GET is suited to 100–250-tonne hydraulic excavators.
Image: Bradken

The Zenith locking system requires only 180° of rotation to be actuated, with the locking pin pre-installed in the point, which is another simplifying aspect of the range.

Other key benefits of the unique design is the reduction in change-out time and improved safety with the truly hammer-free pin and dedicated point removal tool enabling a safer removal process. Together these improve the ease of use and enable greater diversity in the workforce.

The Zenith points currently come in standard, long and heavy-duty options to suit all application requirements. And they can be used to extract any commodity, including copper, gold, coal or iron ore.

Baxter said operators have resonated with the intuitiveness of the range with simple installation and removal, along with the flat contact surfaces between the point and the nose enabling easy rebuilds if required.

“Maintenance teams will often have a list of tasks to complete on a shift, and when they come to changing their Zenith GET, because of its simplicity, personnel can easily make their tooth changes without having to constantly refer to the instruction manual,” he said.

“GET can be replaced in a consistent short timeframe, meaning maintenance personnel can plan and spend more time on other tasks that might be of a higher priority.”

A product comparison demonstrated the efficiency of the Zenith range, with teeth able to be replaced in one minute each, whereas a generation-one tooth took on average 11 minutes to replace.

“When changes are made to six teeth, operators can save a lot of time on maintenance and spend more time in production,” Baxter said.

“Our R&D teams conducted numerous simulations during the design phases and when compared to our generation-one system, the Zenith teeth penetrated material using up to five per cent less power, which is a significant advantage over the long run.”

The Zenith range also has on average an 11 per cent longer wear life than Bradken’s first generation system, based on recent infield performances.

Bradken understands that not only can it supply customers cost-effective and reliable solutions such as its Zenith GET range, but it can also bring together solutions from other product lines to provide a holistic offering.

“We’ll continue to expand the Zenith range as part of this new generation of plate lip products,” Baxter said.

“More broadly, Bradken is combining the recent structural development work undertaken on our mining excavator buckets – including the addition of a cast upper structure – with our GET solutions on the front of the bucket.

“Our design team specifies the right sizes for the operating conditions, and by using machine parameters we can take a more holistic approach, rather than just provide the GET solution alone.”

Baxter said Bradken’s digital portfolio is also advancing.

“The advancement of our tailored condition-monitoring solutions, where we can track the performance and wear of the GET in real-time, demonstrates that there is some pretty exciting R&D occurring at Bradken,” he said.

“And through all our innovations, Bradken is fortunate enough to be backed by a Tier 1 OEM in Hitachi Construction Machinery, who support our product development and the speed with which we can innovate.”

This feature appeared in the August 2024 issue of Australian Mining.

Newmont to roll out global autonomous fleet

Kelsie Tibben

Image: WesTrac/Newmont

Newmont will begin rolling out more autonomous haul trucks, drill rigs, and graders following a trial to boost the technology capabilities of its Cadia mine in New South Wales.

The gold miner will begin expanding next generation 5G wireless networks to improve safety in underground mining in partnership with Ericsson and Telstra Purple.

Before the trial, Cadia – one of the largest gold mines in the world – was limited to upload speeds of 20–30 megabits per second (Mbps) using Wi-Fi to operate autonomous equipment such as ore loaders and remote-controlled mining machines.

These wi-fi connections were unreliable and unpredictable when under load.

The new 5G network has allowed for speeds up to 90Mbps along access drives and declines throughout the underground complex, and 150Mbps upload and 500Mbps download on all-important extraction drives.

Newmont has since been able to deploy additional safety systems like radars and collision avoidance to improve overall mine safety systems.

“The trial results show the extraordinary potential of 5G to improve safety, increase the number of machines that can be operated on a single network and boost production efficiencies in underground mining,” Newmont chief safety and sustainability officer Suzy Retallack said.

“These trials are part of the new frontier of technology in mining – using innovation to make our people safer and our mines more productive.”

On the basis of the trial, 5G now has a firm place in Newmont’s communications strategies for Cadia and its other Tier 1 underground and surface mines across the world.

Newmont also garnered support from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for the trial, and has now applied to the ACMA for licences to extend and embed Newmont’s use of 5G technology across its Australian operations.

Newmont plans to expand the use of 5G networks across its global network of Tier 1 underground gold-copper mines.

“5G is enabling rapid global transformation of industry, supporting digitalisation and movement towards automated, more efficient, and safer operations across a number of sectors,” Ericsson head of private cellular networks Manish Tiwari said.

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Excavators enhanced

Alexandra Eastwood

Hitachi aims for the EX5600-7 excavator to be fitted with the boom and arm system as standard at the start of 2026. Image: Hitachi Construction Machinery

To further strengthen its EX-7 excavator series, Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia is about to release two new technology solutions.

For over 50 years, Hitachi Construction Machinery has been a pioneer in manufacturing equipment, machinery and parts for a range of industries.

To expand its global footprint, the company founded Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia in 1999.

“We’re a supplier of surface mining and construction equipment to Australian operations within the mining, civil and forestry sectors,” Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia general manager – mining sales Sean Ryan told Australian Mining.

One of Hitachi Australia’s flagship offerings is the Hitachi EX-7 series of excavators, which first hit the global market in April 2019.

The operator assist system has undergone a successful trial on a Hitachi EX3600-7 backhoe excavator operating in the Pilbara region of WA.
Images: Hitachi Construction Machinery

While the series has seen over 120 units sold, Hitachi is all about improving and innovating its range to meet customer feedback.

It was customer consultation that planted the seed for the long-life boom and arm and operator assist systems, both of which Hitachi has developed over the last five years.

“The boom and arm system extended the component’s maintenance life by 1.5 times, improving the durability and serviceability of our ultra-large hydraulic excavators,” Ryan said.

“To bolster durability, we have implemented cast steel technologies in high stress connection points, specifically the connection points of the boom to the arm and the cylinders to the boom. This has improved the strength and quality of those structures.”

Hitachi also placed manhole covers inside the boom to improve serviceability.

“The manhole covers have allowed easy access to the internals of the boom so non-destructive testing inspections can be carried out throughout the life of the component,” Ryan said.

“We haven’t increased the weight of the boom and arm, so we don’t reduce the capabilities or bucket sizing of the equipment.

“We also looked to improve the welding processes by using new design techniques and technologies. This included alleviating high stress areas.”

Further supporting digging and loader operations is Hitachi’s new operator assist system, which aims to reduce burdens such as operator fatigue.

With the help of sensors, a digging assist function helps to automatically improve control of the hydraulic excavator, while the loading assist function helps to avoid collisions by automatically controlling the front attachment when material is loaded onto a dump truck.

“The operator assist system makes it safer at the dig face, increasing productivity by maximising the use of the machine’s capabilities,” Ryan said.

“Rather than having a fully autonomous piece of digging equipment, which is very difficult because of the variabilities of mining conditions at the dig face, we can make part of that process automated, so operators realise the greatest efficiencies of the excavator’s capabilities.”

Ryan said decarbonisation was a key driver behind the creation of its boom and arm and operator assist solutions.

“The operator assist system is about looking at how you can get the most efficiency out of the fuel burn for your operation,” he said. “While the boom and arm seeks to extend the service life of components, therefore extending the overall life cycle.

“With every ultra-class mining piece of equipment that gets scrapped at the end of its life, an estimated 400 tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide) is generated. If we can extend serviceability and overall life, it reduces the need for new replacement components and it improves our decarbonisation position.”

Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia was founded in 1999.
Images: Hitachi Construction Machinery

The operator assist system has undergone successful trials that commenced in early 2024. The system was fit to a Hitachi EX3600-7 backhoe excavator operating in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

As a result of the effective trial, Hitachi is aiming to achieve practical application of the operator assist system in stages from 2025.

“The operator assist system is retrofittable, meaning it can be set up with any EX-7 mining series excavator,” Ryan said.

The boom and arm solution has also seen a successful trial in the Pilbara, trialling on a Hitachi EX5600-7 backhoe excavator for more than 12 months.

Hitachi aims to begin taking orders of the boom and arm system at the end of 2025, with the EX5600-7 excavator being fitted with the product as standard at the start of 2026.

To aid the rollout of the boom and arm and operator assist system over the next few years, Hitachi Australia has 19 mining branches located in regions such as the Pilbara, Townsville, Emerald, Mackay and Brisbane in Queensland, and Muswellbrook in New South Wales.

“With over 1300 employees, more than 900 are electric and mechanical tradesmen who are there to service our customers and their Hitachi products in the field,” Ryan said.

“We also have a division that manages any parts required for equipment across Australia and two remanufacturing centres in Brisbane and Perth where components get repurposed at the end of their lives and are sent back to customers, reducing the amount of raw material and carbon emissions that come with new products.”

Alongside its extensive excavator range, Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia manufactures rigid dump trucks and wheel loaders for a variety of mining applications, among other solutions.

“We provide the whole service for overburden or mineral product removal from a mine site,” Ryan said.

This feature appeared in the August 2024 issue of Australian Mining.

This emerging lithium project trumps Bald Hill for size

Staff Writer

Image: Henri Koskinen/adobe.stock.come

When Global Lithium Resources announced a a 43 per cent resource increase for its Manna lithium deposit in June, it solidified the project as a truly world-class asset.

This took Manna’s mineral resource estimate (MRE) to 51.6 million tonnes (Mt) at one per cent lithium oxide, within arm’s reach of Mineral Resources’ (MinRes) 60.5Mt Mt Marion lithium operation located just down the road.

Manna now well and truly trumps MinRes’ 26.5Mt Bald Hill mine for size, which is an operating lithium asset.

Global Lithium managing director Ron Mitchell used his presentation at Diggers and Dealers this week to speak about how the MRE increase makes Manna the second largest lithium resource in the Kalgoorlie lithium province.

“We did only list in May 2021, it’s been quite a ride,” Mitchell said of the company’s robust financial position with $27 million in the bank as of June’s end. This ensures the project is fully funded through the final investment decision and beyond.

“We are really prudent on our spend given the current market conditions,” he said.

The Manna project, located approximately 100km east of Kalgoorlie, has shown remarkable progress over two-and-a-half years of drilling, with significantly more geological confidence in the asset.

The metallurgical testwork predicts lithium recovery rates between 75 per cent and 78 per cent, confirming the project’s viability.

“In my 14 years in the lithium sector, I’ve come across a lot of lithium projects, and not a lot are spodumene-dominant,” Mitchell said.

“It (Manna) is infrastructure rich, (and) there’s an operating railway line about eight kilometres south of the project site.”

Global Lithium is working with authorities at the Port of Esperance to utilise the railway line, which offers the Manna project significant logistical advantages, reducing transportation costs and emissions.

The company is also focused on community and environmental initiatives, working closely with Traditional Owner group, the Kakarra people, to finalise a native title mining agreement.

The Manna definitive feasibility study (DFS) is nearing completion and expected by the end of the year.

“The next six months are going to be crucial for us,” Mitchell said, highlighting the ongoing metallurgical testwork and upcoming announcements regarding the DFS, mineral reserves and project approvals.

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Evolution Gold Miner

Gold prices will ‘be higher in 2025’: Evolution

Olivia Thomson

Image: Phawat/stock.adobe.com

Amid the Australian gold price reaching $3680 per ounce on August 5, Evolution Mining executive chair Jake Klein predicted that the price will continue to soar.

“Since we emerged from the fog of COVID-19 in 2022 and the associated travel restrictions, I’ve stood at this podium for the last two years telling you that the price of gold would be higher the next time we meet,” Klein said while speaking at the 2024 Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum on August 6.

“And fortunately for me, I’ve been correct this year. I come with the same good news. I’m going for a hat trick: the gold price will again be higher in 2025.

“In an excellent recent research piece, Citigroup forecast a base case gold (price) for 2025 to be between $US2700 and $US3000 an ounce. That’s up between $US200 and $US500 an ounce from current prices.”

The predicted increase comes at a perfect time for Evolution, which has five Australian gold operations: two in New South Wales, two in Queensland and one in Western Australia. Klein shed light on how Evolution has advanced over the years.

“We’ve established an outstanding portfolio of gold and copper assets,” Klein said.

“10 years ago, Evolution had a market capitalisation of around $650 million, which is less than 10 per cent of our market cap today. Average mine life – based on reserves – was about seven years, and (we) were producing 440,000 ounces of relatively high-cost gold.

“Today, we have 33 million ounces of gold and 4.1 million tons of copper in resources. We produce over 700,000 ounces of very low-cost gold, and our average mine life – based only on reserves – is at least 15 years.”

Klein credited Evolution’s growth to its significant exposure to copper.

“We have added 75,000 tons of annual (copper) production. (We also credit) our very long mine lives with high quality ore bodies,” Klein said.

“The lowest cost investment and highest rate of return is always going to be organic growth. We don’t have to go out and buy new resources to grow production or to extend our mine lives. We already own them.”

In December 2023, Evolution acquired China Molybdenum Co’s (CMOC) 80 per cent stake in the Northparkes copper-gold mine in NSW. The purchase was the main driver of Evolution’s mineral resource growth.

“The attractions for us in 2020 were evident and remain the same,” Klein said. “(These include) a 30-year reserve life, an excellent team with deep technical knowledge of caving, great geological upside and immediate cash generation.

“The first seven months of ownership have exceeded our expectations in almost every way. We’ve generated $74 million of net mine cash flow, and there is a lot more to come.”

Evolution is currently implementing a lower capital-intensive sub level cave option at the E48 ore body within Northparkes. It is also currently sourcing ore from Northparkes’ E26 Lift 1 North block cave.

Klein said that Northparkes has “abundant resources” equalling a 70-years mine life, if all the resources are mined.

“Therefore, our focus is on near surface, high-grade mineralisation that can leapfrog its way into the production profile,” Klein said.

“And here, even having only owned the asset for seven months, we’re having great early success. This is undoubtedly an asset that would fit well in any gold or copper company in the world. And we are very, very happy owners.”

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Onetrak delivers ‘excellent’ Anaconda equipment

Adam Daunt

Oz Pebbles owns two Anaconda machines including a DF410 and SR514. Image: Onetrack

Quarry recently spoke with Oz Pebbles about its experience with Anaconda equipment from Onetrak.

For more than 30 years, Oz Pebbles has been a premium landscaping supplier, wholesaler, and distributor of bulk decorative pebbles, sand, soil, and mulch.

Located in Southeast Queensland, its Gatton yard boasts approximately 25 acres of diverse landscaping pebbles available for collection or delivery.

The company serves customers across the Gympie – Wide Bay – Burnett region of Queensland, from its Kilkivan yard for bulk building stone and rock for retaining walls, cobblestone paving, landscaping, and pool sides.

In early 2023, Oz Pebbles became a part of Brisbane-based Sunstate Sands Group, a 100 per cent Australian-owned and operated company. Quarry spoke to Matt Holloway, operations manager for Oz Pebbles, about the company’s Kilkivan site, which holds a large stockpile of material from an old gold mine. Oz Pebbles’ materials range from 20mm gravel to 400mm rock. With a small team working on-site, the company needed reliable machines. Oz Pebbles currently have two Anaconda machines, a DF410 and SR514 from Onetrak.

The DF410 is designed for optimal screening and stockpiling of materials with one of the longest screen boxes in the compact screening market. Meanwhile, the SR514 is both robust and economical, able to screen and stockpile up to three products, up to 350TPH. It features a 14 x 5 screen box with an optional triple or double deck, a 14ft feed hopper, main conveyor, and either three or four hydraulically folding stockpiling conveyors. Setting up the screen is easy and can be done in just 20 minutes, thanks to hydraulic controls that aid in the configuration of all conveyors, screen-box, and landing legs.

Onetrak is the official dealer for Anaconda equipment in Australia. Image: Onetrack

Holloway shared his thoughts on their decision to purchase Anaconda machinery. Previously, Oz Pebbles had no Anaconda machines in its fleet, but the company’s general manager had a relationship with Onetrak’s Jason MacDonald and had previously worked with Anaconda. This was a significant factor in Oz Pebbles’ decision-making process. Additionally, Anaconda’s excellent reputation and the support of Onetrak’s national dealership, which offers service and technical expertise, just two hours from the site, were key factors.

Holloway said there were several standout features of Anaconda machines. Some of these include excellent fuel economy, easy mobility on tracks using a remote control, and the ability to screen three separate stockpile products from a single feed. Additionally, these machines boast a durable and solid construction along with good engine power.

Oz Pebbles regularly hears from operators who find the machines very user-friendly. Holloway said the units can easily fold up to be transported and are compatible with both front-end loaders and excavators for feeding the hopper.

“These machines have good ground clearance, which makes clean-up easy. Further, the screen can handle different feed sizes with ease, even after warning operators about putting oversized rocks in the hopper. “Adjusting the tail belt height to increase or decrease stockpile height depending on site conditions is also helpful,” he told Quarry.

“I must say, our experience with Onetrak’s service manager Chris Gardham at Caboolture has been nothing short of excellent.

“Whenever we have any issues or need services, Chris is always there to provide timely and fantastic support. When we had to transport the SR514 to Emerald for some work, Chris had no issues organising a crew to get the job done.

“Moreover, their parts supply is also great, and they are equipped to source parts and provide specialist service in case of any issues with the machine. At the beginning of the engagement, Jason did an excellent job commissioning and training on pre-starts and the do’s and don’ts of the machines. Their after-sales service has been top-notch.” •

For more information, visit onetrak.com.au

Alcoa officially acquires Alumina

Kelsie Tibben

Alcoa aluminium smelter. Image: Alcoa

Just five months after announcing its intention to acquire Alumina Limited, Alcoa has now officially taken the reins.

Alcoa president and chief executive officer William F. Oplinger welcomed the closure of the $2.8 billion deal, which will increase Alcoa’s ownership of core, Tier 1 assets.

“Alcoa is proud to announce the completion of our first major acquisition,” Oplinger said.

“The acquisition of Alumina Limited strengthens Alcoa’s position as one of the world’s largest bauxite and alumina producers and is expected to result in long-term value creation from greater financial and operational flexibility.

“I want to thank both the Alcoa and Alumina Limited teams, and our advisors, for full cooperation and diligence in closing this transformational transaction on a very tight schedule.”

With Alcoa’s acquisition of Alumina, the Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC) joint venture is now fully owned and controlled by Alcoa.

Alcoa previously held a 60 percent ownership interest in AWAC, which consists of a number of affiliated entities that own, operate or have an interest in bauxite mines and alumina refineries in Australia, Brazil, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Guinea.

AWAC also has a 55 per cent interest in the Portland aluminium smelter in Victoria, Australia.

Looking to the Alcoa’s Western Australian assets, the company reaffirmed its commitment to growing the sector.

“Alcoa operations in Western Australia are a key component of the company’s portfolio, and this acquisition deepens that commitment,” the company said.

AI to unlock exploration frontiers

Contributor

Mineral exploration methods are evolving with the advent of new technologies. Image: SRK Consulting

Machine learning has proven a successful tool in expanding the exploration search space into new frontiers and refining areas for follow-up exploration.

Artificial intelligence (AI) could transform mining exploration this decade, enabling companies to analyse larger datasets and develop new geological insights.

That’s the view of Ben Jupp and Stephen Johnson, respectively principal and senior geologists at SRK Consulting, an international resources consultancy.

They believe machine learning in mineral exploration, while still an emerging technology, will become more widespread as miners and explorers use algorithms to test and refine geological concepts currently applied to exploration.

One key area in particular is the application of AI in prospectivity analysis, an area which SRK has recently seen success.

“I’m an absolute convert to using AI in mineral exploration,” Johnson said. “I’ve seen the benefits of using machine learning first-hand through a number of recent projects. The results have been incredibly powerful.”

For Jupp, the key is integrating AI with existing knowledge-driven exploration approaches.

“Essentially, AI allows us to integrate deep technical knowledge about a particular terrain and mineral system into a set of critical inputs to provide a machine learning algorithm,” Jupp said.

An advantage of using AI in prospectivity analysis is the rapid integration and analysis of large datasets by machine learning.

“Using training data such as known mines, machine learning can identify patterns and relationships in the data that geologists might overlook with traditional approaches,” Jupp said.

“Often, exploration companies will pay a highly knowledgeable expert to assist with their exploration targeting and narrow down their exploration efforts. With AI, we can use that knowledge, insight and human expertise to map out critical targeting elements and feed this into the machine learning to analyse and make predictions.”

AI is especially powerful for small and mid-sized mining companies that need to analyse large volumes of data cost effectively.

“For junior explorers with a package of tenements and limited capital, the ability to narrow exploration targeting is crucial,” Johnson said. “AI can help do that and potentially find new value in tenements that have been overlooked or are a lower priority.”

AI also removes human biases and assumptions in exploration targeting.

“A consistent theme in exploration projects is people being drawn to certain areas based on existing data and preconceived ideas,” Johnson said. “With AI targeting, you’re feeding the available data and geological layers into a model to develop a holistic view of the prospectivity of a tenement package.

“There’s no bias or subjectivity about where you should be exploring beyond what the data is suggesting.”

A group of 10 SRK Consulting geologists are using AI to develop prospectivity models for a mining project in the Middle East. Image: SRK Consulting

AI projects underway

SRK’s interest in AI emerged around 2019. Jupp and Johnson were part of a team of Australian and Canadian SRK Consulting experts who competed in OZ Minerals’ Explorer Challenge, a prominent competition that attracted more than 1000 participants from 62 countries.

The SRK Consulting team won the Fusion Prize after reinterpreting and adding value to existing datasets by applying data-driven machine learning to guide a set of knowledge-driven, mineral-system-informed fuzzy inference solutions. The result was three highly ranked iron-oxide copper gold (IOCG) targets and seven secondary targets.

In 2021, SRK began applying these and other machine-learning techniques to help companies reduce their exploration targeting at brownfield and greenfield sites.

SRK has a global partnership with DeepIQ, a leading US developer of generative AI in the oil and gas, utilities and mining sectors. SRK experts have integrated DeepIQ algorithms into their mineral prospectivity analysis at some projects.

SRK has also recently applied machine learning to exploration projects in several regional project areas, including Australia, South America and Europe, with good results.

“There’s a lot of work underway at SRK globally to test and apply AI methodology for mineral exploration,” Jupp said.

Data inputs from left to right, used to inform a machine learning generated prospectivity map. Image: SRK Consulting

Knowledge-driven targeting

SRK’s work with machine learning builds on its work in prospectivity analysis using more traditional knowledge-driven approaches for developing prospectivity maps. Methods such as fuzzy logic in mineral prospectivity analysis aim to quantify intricate relationships between geological attributes to define mineralisation potential.

“The main aim of the prospectivity analysis process is to assist our clients to narrow the focus area for exploration prior to field-based exploration, ideally as specific as the prospect area and even drill target areas,” Jupp said. “One of the key benefits of this method is you’re not reliant on the availability of training data when compared to machine learning methods.”

SRK recently applied fuzzy logic targeting on a project for Astute Metals, an ASX-listed resource company. Astute holds an 80 per cent interest in the Georgina Basin IOCG project in the highly prospective east Tennant province of the Northern Territory.

“We were successful in identifying several promising target areas in the undercover extents of east Tennant Creek,” Jupp said. “Recent drilling by the client at one of these targets intercepted strong indications for IOCG-style mineralisation that will be followed up with additional drilling to be completed later this year.”

In the Middle East, Johnson has used fuzzy logic processes for exploration targeting.

“Through our fuzzy logic approach, we developed a prospectivity model that we followed up with systematic fieldwork to validate,” Johnson said. “The outcome was fantastic because the fuzzy logic results were able to be tested and refined during follow-up phases of field work, with some really encouraging results.”

A machine learning predicted prospectivity map (left) and a structural feature input layer (right). Image: SRK Consulting

Bright future for AI

Jupp and Johnson believe industry hesitance towards using AI in exploration will fade as more results are proven.

“Some explorers have resisted the technology due to concerns that AI could overlook critical steps in the discovery process, but that will change as the industry sees meaningful exploration results from AI,” Johnson said.

“We’ve been getting a lot more enquiries on AI in exploration as interest in this area builds.”

Longer term, Johnson likes AI’s potential to challenge exploration “dogmas”.

“The mining industry has traditionally been influenced by certain dogmas about how and where exploration should be undertaken,” he said.

“Then occasionally someone makes a significant discovery that challenges this dogma and there is a rush to embrace new thinking. That will be true of AI this decade as it contributes to significant new mineral discoveries, and some early adopters are big winners from the AI revolution.”

Key considerations for AI and exploration targeting

Stay abreast of latest trends: AI technology in mineral exploration targeting is moving rapidly. New algorithms are being developed and tested, and more projects overseas are implementing the technology.

Be open minded: Because it challenges traditional approaches to exploration targeting, AI has been met with some resistance, despite the technology’s successful use in the oil and gas sector. View AI as another tool to complement and add to existing geological processes, not replace them.

Access to AI resources: There is only a small group of experts globally who are skilled in mining geology and implementing and interpreting AI-driven data models. Ensure your organisation has access to internal or external resources with knowledge of the latest AI technologies for exploration.

Understand how AI can be used: A mineral explorer could use AI to understand the critical elements that control the location of a nearby mining operation and map out areas in their tenement holding that display similar characteristics.

Focus on data: Like all data-driven models, AI is only as good as the data it analyses. Ensure data being fed into AI models is high quality and based on a clear understanding of the mineral system under investigation.

Use an iterative approach: For some companies, the value of AI is to test data collected from drilling or other exploration, and used to refine and test prospectivity models in an interactive fashion. In this way, AI is a tool to validate existing geological work by providing another layer of analysis.

Communication: Consider how the organisation will communicate the use of AI to internal and external stakeholders. Reporting of AI-generated exploration results could become a bigger issue for listed mining companies over time.

SRK Consulting is a leading, independent international consultancy that advises clients mainly in the earth and water resource industries. Its mining services range from exploration to mine closure. SRK experts are leaders in fields such as due diligence, technical studies, mine waste and water management, permitting, and mine rehabilitation. To learn more about SRK Consulting, visit www.srk.com

Weir launches new range

ALEXANDRA EASTWOOD

Image: Weir

Weir has launched the new ENDURON Orbital range of vibrating screens, engineered for sand and aggregate, construction, and small tonnage mining operations.

The screens feature an all-bolted construction, significantly improving reliability by eliminating welding in high-stress areas and removing the leading mode of failure in vibrating screens.

Locking bolts ensure structural integrity and durability, facilitating easy maintenance with quick replacement of individual components without the need for extensive downtime.

The ENDURON Orbital range is available in two screen types: the E series (elliptical motion horizontal screens) and the C series (circular motion inclined screens). Both screen types are designed with a commitment to innovation and quality.

“We at Weir are excited to bring this revolutionary new screening technology to the market,” Weir global product manager for vibrating screens Corné Kleyn said.

“The team has worked hard for the past two years to bring our customers a product that is reliable with the lowest total cost of ownership.

“Our first screen has been successfully installed and commissioned at a large global customer and we are gaining momentum with more units planned for both the European and North-America markets.”

The modular screen construction of the new range ensures that individual components can be easily replaced. Common interchangeable screen parts reduce inventory overflow and simplify maintenance.

A wide operating window provides flexibility to adjust screen settings in line with changing applications or feed conditions, without compromising the equipment’s structural integrity and minimising the risk of structural failure related to harmonic resonance.

All ENDURON products are fully supported by the Weir service network, offering service, support, and local expertise across the globe.

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Terex confirm ‘incredibly exciting’ ESG acquisition

Adam Daunt

Terex has announced a new acquisition. Image: Alexey Rezvykh/stock.adobe.com

Terex has confirmed the latest details around its acquisition of Environmental Solutions Group (ESG) from Dover Corporation in a $2-billion-dollar deal.

The agreement establishes Terex within the waste/recycling market in North America. ESG made its name refuse collection vehicles, waste compaction machinery, balers and aftermarket equipment and digital solutions.

“This acquisition announcement of ESG marks an incredibly exciting milestone in our multi-year transformation and aligns with our goal of strengthening our portfolio and leveraging our operating system to drive sustainable, accelerated long-term growth,” Terex president and chief executive officer Simon Meester said.

“ESG will add a non-cyclical, financially accretive, and market-leading business to Terex’s portfolio with tangible synergies in the fast-growing waste and recycling end market.

“In addition, ESG is led by a world-class management team and has a strong track record of operational excellence.”

The deal is subject to close in the second half of 2024 subject to approvals and closing conditions. After the deal closes, Terex will create the new Environmental Solutions segment that includes ESG as well as Terex’s existing utilities business.

It marks a new chapter for Terex which also recently launched a new brand, MAGNA, for the quarrying and aggregates sector earlier this year.