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.

Navigating 2025: Outlook for the Australian construction industry

Ashley Grogan

Image: Sundry Photography/stock.adobe.com

Coates has developed a guide to understanding the trends, challenges and opportunities that will shape the construction industry in 2025.

The Australian Construction Industry Forum predicts just 0.9 per cent growth in the construction industry for the year ahead, reflecting slowing economic conditions, cost and inflationary pressure, and continued challenges around the availability of skilled labour.

“Ultimately, 2025 will see a shift in several key trends that shape construction. Critically, we are seeing a compositional shift in investment focus, creating new challenges and opportunities across the industry,” says James Lawrence, group manager – customer and markets at Coates.

This industry outlook explores some of the trends that will define the year ahead and highlights how the rental industry can ease pressure on construction businesses as they navigate the changing landscape.

Growth in engineering construction

Despite slight deceleration in building construction, demand remains strong in engineering construction as the industry moves into a utilities-driven cycle. Investment in large-scale renewable energy infrastructure will drive demand for accommodation, amenities and regional development to support these major projects.

“As the engineering construction boom for long road and rail infrastructure nears its peak, the next phase of growth in renewables, utilities and resources is ramping up,” says Lawrence.

“The push towards net zero is driving a surge in energy transition investment, with large-scale renewable energy generation, transmission and storage projects being constructed across the country.

“With equipment, solutions and expertise that align with the growing activity in these sectors, Coates is well-placed to support construction businesses in exploiting these opportunities. This shift will be a core strength for Coates and its customers in 2025.”

Key takeaways:

With a forecasted six-fold increase in renewable energy construction over the next five years, utilities will become the biggest sector of the Australian engineering construction market, according to Oxford Economics Australia’s Engineering construction in Australia – Q4 2024 update.
This growth is shaping state-based demand, with particularly strong growth forecast for Queensland and Western Australia over the next five years.
Bolstered by a mining rebound, economists also predict that WA will surpass New South Wales to become the largest state for engineering construction activity by the end of the decade, according to Oxford Economics Australia’s Engineering construction in Australia – Q4 2024 update.

Shifting building activity

The commercial and industrial building sectors will experience a decline in growth in 2025. The residential construction sector will also see a slowdown, with Australia’s population-driven housing boom yet to arrive.

“Lingering sentiment in the Australian economy is causing some stagnation to remain, particularly around private investment in building construction. Once this sentiment lifts, the market will start to grow again,” says Lawrence. “Declining activity in these construction markets is expected to be offset by growth in the health, utilities and institutional sectors, including defence projects.”

Changing project geography

A shift in major project location from metro to regional areas is another trend currently shaping the construction industry.

“During the decade-long transport infrastructure boom, Coates supported many of the country’s largest metro-based capital works projects, including Metronet in WA; West Gate Tunnel in Victoria; and the M7-M12 integration in NSW,” says Lawrence. “As focus shifts towards building large-scale renewable energy infrastructure, we are supporting a growing number of projects in regional and remote locations across the country.”

Workforce challenges

Labour shortages will continue to challenge construction businesses in 2025, exacerbated by historically slow productivity gains.

“Coates is focused on helping customers to improve productivity and efficiency,” says Lawrence. “Our turnkey solutions can ease workforce pressures and help customers to transfer some of the risk.”

How can equipment rental support the construction industry amid challenges?

“While the sharp spike in construction material prices has moderated, costs remain high due to tight infrastructure market capacity, increased public debt, and challenges related to the cost of living and wages,” says Lawrence. “Hiring equipment presents a strategic solution for businesses looking to reduce capex, manage costs, and scale up or down quickly as needed.”

Reducing capex, improving cash flow

With rising construction costs, it’s often more cost-effective for businesses to allocate capital to renting instead of purchasing construction equipment.

“By hiring equipment, customers avoid having to make loan repayments or front the full cost of purchased equipment,” says Lawrence. “This approach also creates a more predictable and manageable cost structure to support accelerated decision-making.”

Additional benefits of hiring construction equipment include:

Mitigating the risk and liability of owned assets
Shifting the cost and responsibility for maintenance, servicing and insurance to the hire company
Avoiding the depreciation of owned assets
Preventing the cost and inconvenience of reselling and/or replacing end-of-life equipment

Circularity and emissions reduction

To deliver major projects, businesses must be able to meet the growing sustainability provisions in construction contracts. Among a wide range of considerations, in 2025 there will be greater focus on circular construction practices and reducing Scope 3 emissions – the indirect greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) that occur in a company’s value chain.

“Choosing to hire construction equipment is inherently circular, as the equipment is deployed to multiple projects throughout its lifecycle, improving efficiency and utilisation,” says Lawrence. “Hire equipment also gives customers access to the latest technology and innovation to improve utilisation, inform hire choices and work more sustainably and efficiently.”

Coates is uniquely placed to support customers in reducing their GHG emissions with its Greener Choices range of battery electric, hybrid, solar, low-pollutant engines and biofuel-compatible equipment across categories including access, materials handling and lighting.

“Lighting is a key category on the way to decarbonisation, together with increasing hybridisation of power generation with multiple benefits, including reduced noise and particulate pollution,” says Lawrence. “We are also tackling temporary site accommodation, typically one of the highest energy users on project sites, with a range of more energy-efficient solutions, augmented by renewables and hybrid power sources.”

With one of Australia’s largest fleets, a national branch network and a deep understanding of what it takes to support the delivery of major projects nationwide, Coates looks forward to supporting customers as they navigate 2025.

For support and advice, reach out to Coates today.

A gold-standard crushing and screening performance at Agnew

Staff Writer

A New crushing and screening plant at Agnew Gold is delivering financial rewards to Gold Fields. Image: Sandvik

A new Sandvik crushing and screening plant at Gold Fields’ Agnew gold mine in WA is delivering greater efficiency, throughput and operational safety.

Gold Fields Limited is one of the world’s largest gold mining companies with nine operating mines, located in Australia, South Africa, Ghana, Peru and Chile.

The Agnew gold mine is one of four Australian gold mines operated by Gold Fields. The site is situated approximately 375km north of Kalgoorlie and has a long history of gold production dating back to the late 1970s.

The mine is best known for its underground operations, primarily targeting the Agnew and Lawler gold deposits. Ore is extracted using a combination of underground and surface mining and is then processed on-site.

Around 2018, with the mine expanding into a third underground source, there was a need to increase plant throughput. The 21-year-old tertiary crushing circuit, which was suffering from poor reliability, was unable to meet the demand.

Gold Fields metallurgy manager Reg Radford is the company’s technical expert in the field of processing metallurgy. He works with process managers across all Gold Fields sites in Australia to assist in optimising operations.

Gold Fields metallurgy manager Reg Radford.
Image: Sandvik

Radford could see that the crushing and screening circuit was not in keeping with the company’s broader standards.

“It was working to its limits, and if you compared it to other Gold Fields sites, it was not to the standard that would be accepted elsewhere,” he said. “It didn’t meet our criterion for a well-organised, safe, professional gold processing operation.

“The equipment was old, and there was little or no spare parts availability. From a metallurgical perspective, it was being pushed to its limits to deliver the tonnage required. At best it was giving us an 8–10mm output, which was putting pressure on the downstream grinding circuit.”

The age and complexity of the existing plant also meant that access for operation and maintenance was difficult, presenting potential safety concerns.

Seeking a complete solution

The existing crushers were reaching end-of-life, and rather than just replacing them, it was decided to build an entirely new crushing and screening circuit.

To do this, and address various other concerns regarding the existing plant, a comprehensive upgrade project, known as the Agnew Stage 1 upgrade, was conceived.

The initiative examined bespoke and modular designs that could replace the existing plant. The project aimed to improve site water drainage and dust management (by installing a fine ore bin) while minimising disruptions during construction and commissioning.

Gold Fields manager – processing Tristan Freemantle was appointed as project director for the upgrade at Agnew. A veteran of the gold and copper industry, Freemantle originally worked for Barrick Gold and then transferred to Gold Fields around 12 years ago.

Gold Fields manager – processing Tristan Freemantle.
Image: Sandvik

Since then, he has worked across several of Gold Fields’ Australian sites and is currently based at Gruyere, a joint venture project with Gold Road Resources in the Yilgarn area of WA.

“Agnew’s mine life had been extended for a further eight years, so upgrading the crushing and screening circuit was important to increase our processing capabilities: we needed to be in a position to process more ore from the new third mine coming online,” Freemantle said.

Gold Fields has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Sandvik, with the company having Sandvik crushers installed at both their St Ives and Granny Smith operations. After considering a bespoke solution, the Gold Fields team chose to go with a Sandvik modular plant.

“We needed a circuit that was simple, low maintenance and reliable, but also wanted the best crushers and screens that we could get,” Freemantle said.

“Sandvik showed a willingness to work with us within our parameters. Initially, it was just the crushers and screens, but in the end, they presented a complete plant design, which was modular and comparable with the bespoke designs we were considering.

“Sandvik was also able to accommodate our desire to manage our own electrical and process control design.”

A key to the successful implementation was Sandvik’s expertise in crushing and modular plant design combined with the screening know-how of Schenck Process.

The scope of supply included a Sandvik reciprocating plate feeder, grizzly screen, jaw crusher, and two cone crushers, as well as a Schenck Process double-deck banana screen fitted with Screenex screening media. Sandvik also provided bins, chute work, associated wear protection, and conveyors.

Sandvik 800i series cone crushers perform secondary and tertiary crushing functions at Agnew.
Image: Sandvik

The innovative plant design eliminated the need for two screening stations and associated conveyors when compared with other proposed designs.

“Having a single vendor was an advantage,” Radford said. “Sandvik’s initial designs and 3D models were quite detailed and comprehensive, which was encouraging. It gave us confidence in the circuit because we knew exactly how the proposed layout would interact with the existing plant.”

Changeover challenges

A significant challenge for the project team was that Gold Fields needed the new plant to be installed in parallel with the old one so that, ideally, there would be zero downtime.

“Agnew can’t afford to be down for two or three weeks,” Radford said. “The mill is pushed to its limits, so it has little ability to catch up.

“Solving this problem – where we could build the new circuit and how to tie it in – was a good part of the success story. Commissioning on-time and within budget, with limited downtime, was a very important part of the brief.”

To accommodate this requirement, the team decided to move the run-of-mine (ROM) pad and build the new circuit on the site of the old ROM pad. While this achieved the brief of zero downtime, it introduced a new challenge.

The geology of the ROM pad was untested, and some contractors argued that a substantial concrete foundation would be required to support the crushing and screening plant, greatly increasing both the build time and cost.

In the end, working with Gold Fields geotech consultants, Sandvik’s design team resolved this problem by delivering a support structure for the new circuit that was strong and rigid enough to reduce the concrete foundations required.

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

How Metso has revolutionised the crushing industry

Staff Writer

Metso has been working to reshape crushing and screening in the industry for over 100 years. Image: Metso

With decades of industry knowledge and a desire to make its customer’s lives easier, Metso is helping to revolutionise the crushing and screening industry.

A lot can happen in a century.

Industries rise and fall, cities transform, and companies like Metso help to reshape the mining industry as we know it.

During the past century, Metso has been at the forefront of crushing applications. From the primary crusher stage down to fine crushing and pebble applications, the company is renowned for its benchmark crushing solutions – and it has no plans of slowing down.

“Metso takes pride in the deep knowledge of our people and our strong customer service commitment,” Metso crusher technology manager –capital equipment Troy Barry told Australian Mining.

“In Australia for example, we have an impressive footprint of service locations and experts, including our recently opened Karratha Service Centre, Metso’s largest service centre globally.

“We also have a particularly strong team of crushing experts here in Australia, some with over 30 years of crushing expertise – working closely with our expert global design and engineering teams.”

Having been involved in the industry for as long as it has, Metso is no stranger to adapting with the times, especially when it comes to one of the industry’s favourite buzzwords: digitalisation.

The XM series
Nordberg MP crusher.
Image: Metso

“Metso includes a full digital offering for its XM crusher series, comprised of SmartCone, SmartStation and Mineral Crusher Pilot (MCP) automation,” Barry said.

“We deliver intelligence from the simple connection of our IC (integrated control) system at a local level through to the full connection of the operator’s control suite, and all the way to expert global teams remotely monitoring and evaluating the crusher performance.”

The ability to remotely monitor and evaluate a crusher’s performance allows Metso’s teams to be in constant contact with the machine, able to recommend changes to optimise performance in real time.

“This advanced technology extends the time between maintenance intervals and allows for a more continuous operation,” Barry said.

Recognising that each customer has differing crusher requirements, Metso always adapts its approach to suit.

“Our end targets are always based on the customer’s requirements,” Metso senior manager, crusher technical support Neale Baigent told Australian Mining.

“With our chamber optimisation program for instance, each crushing process is unique and feed material properties change over time.

“Based on Metso’s extensive database of over 40,000 crushing installations, plus tools such as our unique simulation software and CrusherMapper scanning, we select optimal alloys, choose or design chamber geometry to maximise wear life and performance.”

The chamber optimisation program is an evolution borne from customer demand, as it’s now also available to non-Metso crushers.

“Based on our results from this program, customers wanted our chamber optimisation also across non-Metso crushers, which is what we now do,” Baigent said.

In terms of evolution, the new poly-cer product, part of Metso’s protective wears portfolio, gives up to four times better wearlife, reducing shutdown frequencies.

“Poly-Cer is a specially designed blend of rubber and high-quality ceramics, reinforced with steel. This ensures both strength and performance,” Baigent said.

“Installation of Poly-Cer is easy and safe, with plug-in, bolt-in installation for most crushers.”

As the company evolves, Metso’s crushing capabilities are always increasing, with the XM series a particular highlight for Barry.

“The entire premise of the XM series is giving the customer the highest performance equipment to achieve optimisation,” he said. “Our up to 25 years warranty protects the customer’s investment and is unheard of in the industry.”

Barry said Metso’s drive to change means it has been able to stay at the forefront of innovation.

“The recently launched XM crusher series combines resilient engineering, unmatched warranties and a new digital package,” he said. “It combines the toughest and most advanced mechanical parts with the latest in digital technologies and automation. And by using the most robust crushers available on the market, the XM series enhanced the Nordberg MP cone crusher and the Superior MKIII primary gyratory with the most extreme duty parts, increasing wear life.”

As Metso looks to the next century, it’s clear this crushing behemoth isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

“As we look to the future, we continue to develop our alloys, product offerings and services,” Baigent said.

“We are always looking to improve and innovate in anticipation of our customers’ needs– after all, the best new developments come from feedback and challenges faced by our customers.”

Metso invests in China to strengthen screen offering for mining & aggregate industries

by Guy Woodford

Metso is investing in the expansion of its screening solutions in China. Image/Metso

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Metso is expanding its screening solutions in China. The initial investment includes an agreement to acquire Selm (Beijing) Technology Company, a privately owned company’s screening business, operations, and key assets.

By combining the new offering with Metso’s expertise in screening equipment, media, repairs, and services, Metso can strengthen its services to better support mining and aggregates customers in China.

“The acquisition is a significant step in advancing our regional strategy in screening of being closer to our customers, fostering a market-focused approach. We are excited to enhance our role in China as a leading provider of screening solutions for large projects like super quarries. We warmly welcome new colleagues to contribute to our growth targets and improved customer service,” says Jouni Mähönen, Vice President, Screening, Metso.

“Selm is a respected company with its products and services well recognized by the customers in both mining and aggregates industries. The acquisition will further enrich Metso’s product portfolio and strengthen our competitiveness and market position. This move will enable us to provide comprehensive screening solutions in China, where Metso has a strong customer base and service capability in both the mining and aggregates industries,” says Xiaofeng Liang, President of Great China market area, Metso.

The acquisition is subject to conditions precedent and expected to close during the second quarter of 2025. The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction value, which has no material impact on Metso’s financials.

Selm (Beijing) Technology Company is a Chinese manufacturer of mining and aggregate screens and technologies, including micro-sizing screening solutions. The company has around 180 employees and its operations are in Shenyang, Northeast China.

Huifeng Tang, founder of Selm says: “We have been developing our screening business over the past years, building expertise and strong reputation among customers. Moving forward, the screen offering will bring benefits for customers as part of Metso and our employees will get a valued new employer.”

Metso’s screening solutions for aggregates and mining customers consists of banana screens, horizontal screens, inclined screens, mobile screens, portable screens, ultrafine screens as well as screening media, and capital screen related parts, repairs and services.

Striker Crushing and Screening: Big enough to deliver but small enough

to care

by Adam Daunt

Striker Crushing and Screening is a family-owned-and-operated business. Image: Striker Crushing and Screening

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Craig Pedley, founder and CEO of Striker Crushing and Screening, shares how keeping things simple, rugged and operator-focused has set the Australian business apart from the competition.

When Craig Pedley started Striker Crushing and Screening in 1998, he did not have a corporate roadmap or a boardroom of advisors. What he did have was a passion for designing machines that made life easier for the operator.

“From day one, our philosophy has been simple. Build machines that are easy to operate, easy to maintain, and tough enough to handle remote Australia,” Craig said. “We’ve always designed equipment with the operator in mind and built it to last in remote Australia.”

Keeping it Real: Designed for
the Operator

Striker’s no-nonsense approach has earned it a loyal customer base both in Australia and worldwide.

Craig said being focused on designing machines that are tough, practical, and focused on the operator helped set Striker apart. These core values have shaped the business for over 25 years.

Striker’s equipment is built for ease of operation, ensuring operators can hit the ground running, and ease of maintenance, with simplicity that means less downtime. The commonality of parts keeps spare parts inventory and costs low for the customer.

A focus from day one was to design equipment with interchangeable components. This was important to the Striker team to help operators reduce spare parts inventory, lower costs, and streamline maintenance. Whether it’s jaw crushers, impact crushers, cone crushers, or screens, having parts that work seamlessly across the range means fewer headaches on-site and faster turnaround when maintenance is needed. This thoughtful approach simplifies operations and ensures greater up-time, keeping projects running efficiently and cost-effectively. It’s a practical solution built for real-world operators needing reliability without unnecessary complexity.

“On site, simplicity and reliability are hands down the most important things to our clients,” Craig said.

The Next Generation

Today, Craig’s daughter, Jordan Pedley, is leading the charge as the next generation of Striker. Energetic, driven, and proudly carrying on the family legacy, Jordan combines a fresh vision with the same hands-on, customer-first mindset that built the business.

“I grew up watching Dad build Striker from the ground up,” Jordan said. “One thing that’s always stuck with me is that listening to our customers drives a lot of what we do. While our innovation and design teams are amazing, the customer is the real expert.”

Jordan credits Striker’s agility and personal approach as key to its success.

“We’re big enough to deliver but small enough to care. Whether it’s our service team helping operators or the production team walking through the machine build in the factory with the customers, we’re responsive and hands-on. That’s something our customers value,” she said.

Striker builds its equipment with a focus on quality and durability. Image: Striker Crushing and Screening

Alongside Jordan, Nicole Talbot, Striker’s chief operating officer, plays an integral role in driving the business forward. Over her 16 years with Striker, Nicole has grown into her role with the support of her colleagues and mentors.

“When I first started with Striker, I knew nothing about this type of equipment,” Nicole said.

“I spent a lot of time learning from some really influential people within this business. People like Ken Baudinette, Adam Quad, and Mark Mackey who are not only a wealth of knowledge on our equipment but on machinery across the board.”

A Greener Future

Striker is paving the way for a greener future with its E-Trac range, a line of electric mobile crushing and screening equipment designed to help customers meet sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.

“At Striker, innovation is at the heart of what we do,” Jordan said. “E-Trac was designed to reduce diesel consumption, lower emissions, and improve safety. All while maintaining the power and reliability Striker machines are known for. On top of that, our remote monitoring systems provide customers with real-time data on machine performance, empowering them to make more informed strategic decisions efficiently.”

Growing Capabilities, Stronger Support

Striker has invested heavily in its manufacturing capabilities, leading to a 150 per cent increase in capacity in Australia. This expansion ensures faster delivery, reduced lead times, and stronger customer support.

“Our goal for 2025 is to roll out more Australian-made tracked machines than we have in years,” Jordan said. “We’re also expanding spare parts manufacturing right here at home. That means less downtime and quicker solutions for our Aussie customers when they need it most.”

Built on Trust

At its heart, Striker is a business built on trust. Trust in the machines, trust in relationships, and trust in the team that makes it all happen.

“You can’t build a company on your own,” Craig said.

“It’s about the people, our team, our customers, and our suppliers. We’ve worked with some incredible people over the years, and every one of them has helped shape Striker into what it is today.”

For Jordan, stepping into the role comes with big shoes to fill, those of her father, Craig Pedley, whose passion and vision built Striker from the ground up. Her focus now is on balancing innovation and growth while staying true to the values that have defined Striker from the start.

“We’re here to make life easier for operators and businesses,” she said. “That’s what we’ve always done, and that’s what we’ll keep doing. There’s nothing better than hearing from a customer that one of our machines made their job easier, faster, or more cost-effective. That’s what keeps us going.”

As the founder of the business, Craig is looking forward to watching the business continue to grow.

“We’ve got a lot of knowledge that we can draw on in terms of how to do it right. It is something that I am pretty excited about, that there are people within our organisation who want to take this to the next step and put their own stamp on it.

“I look forward to watching it progress as they take the business to the next step.”

For more information, visit strikercrushing.com.

Newmont to divest Akyem for up to $1.5 billion

Dylan Brown

Image: Timon/stock.adobe.com

Newmont has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Akyem gold mine in Ghana to Zijin Mining Group for up to $US1 billion ($1.5 billion).

This deal marks a significant step in Newmont’s strategy to focus on its Tier 1 assets, which are expected to drive long-term growth and shareholder value.

The transaction includes a cash consideration of $US900 million upon closing, with an additional $US100 million contingent on certain conditions being met.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to bolster Newmont’s balance sheet and return capital to shareholders.

“The sale of Akyem represents continued progress on the non-core asset divestiture program announced in February, supporting our focus on the Tier 1 assets in Newmont’s portfolio that will drive sustainable growth and the return of capital to shareholders,” Newmont’s president and chief executive officer Tom Palmer said.

“We believe the proposed transaction results in the greatest overall value for Newmont shareholders and is the best strategic fit for Akyem.

“We are confident that Akyem will continue to thrive under new ownership with long-term benefits for local stakeholders and surrounding communities.”

Palmer said the successful completion of this transaction will strengthen Ghana as a favourable mining jurisdiction, with Newmont committed to supporting the growth and development of the region which includes the development of Ahafo North.

“In line with President Afuko-Addo’s address in February, we ensured that our robust divestment process provided equal opportunity for all potential buyers, Ghanaian and international, to participate,” Newmont managing director for Africa Rahman Amoadu said.

“Additionally, we have included the minerals income investment fund (MIIF) in the process in preparation of their potential investment in Akyem to further Ghanaian interest in the mine.”

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, pending regulatory approvals.

With the Akyem divestment, Newmont does not anticipate a material impact on its 2024 outlook and remains committed to its investments in Ghana, including between $950 million–1.05 billion in development capital for Ahafo North.

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BHP locks in green steel deal

Kelsie Tibben

Image: JHVEPhoto/shutterstock.com

BHP has locked in a deal to support India’s steelmaking decarbonisation journey.

India’s largest government-owned steel producer, the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), will work with BHP to lower carbon steelmaking technology pathways for the country’s blast furnace route.

Under a memorandum of understanding, the parties are already exploring a number of workstreams supporting the potential decarbonisation of SAIL’s blast furnace steel plants, commencing with an initial study to assess various strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These workstreams will consider the role of alternate reductants for the blast furnace such as hydrogen and biochar use, with a view to also building local research and development capability to support the decarbonisation transition.

BHP chief commercial officer Rag Udd said the deployment of technology and abatements on the blast furnace is critical to progressing India’s decarbonised steel industry.

“We recognise that decarbonising this industry is a challenge that we cannot meet alone, and we must come together to leverage shared expertise and resources, to support the development of technologies and capability that could have the potential to create a real change in carbon emissions both now and in the longer term,” Udd said.

SAIL chair Shri Amarendu Prakash said mid- to long-term partnerships like SAIL’s collaboration with BHP are vital to decarbonising not only India’s steel industry, but will have implications on a global scale.

“SAIL is looking forward to this collaboration with BHP in taking a step forward towards engaging in developing sustainable ways to produce steel,” Prakash said.

“SAIL is committed to contributing towards tackling the issue of climate change through fostering an innovative future for the steel industry in India.”

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Astec expands Mineral Processing Solutions’ fixed plant and equipment distribution rights to all states and territories

Olivia Thomson

Image: Astec

Astec Australia has announced an expansion of its dealer agreement with Mineral Processing Solutions (MPS) to include construction materials product lines in Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.

MPS will supply Astec material solutions, fixed and modular plant, equipment, parts and service throughout Australia.

Under the terms of the new agreement, MPS will distribute all Astec fixed and modular crushing, fixed screening and washing equipment and systems, as well as material handling (Telestack) and breaker technology (BTI) products to all states and territories.

The move represents a significant development in the relationship between the two companies.

According to Astec regional managing director David Smale, Astec and OPS Group (MPS’ parent company) have forged a strong partnership over the years.

“In June, we announced that MPS would take over distribution of Astec fixed and modular equipment in NSW, with other eastern states to follow later,” Smale said.

“It is testament to the strength and success of the relationship between Astec and MPS that those plans have now been brought forward.”

Smale said the partnership has also delivered significant benefits to customers.

“This new network will enable us to deliver parts more efficiently, reducing downtime and enhancing the operational efficiency of businesses,” he said.

“The MPS team’s extensive local market knowledge and experience in mineral processing – supported by Astec’s innovative technologies and manufacturing capability – has made MPS the perfect partner to deliver outstanding products and service.”

MPS already has a strong presence on the east coast with well-stocked depots in Goodna (QLD), Rutherford (NSW) and Laverton (VIC), and experienced local sales and service teams able to provide a quick response to customers. Without forgetting Darwin, Perth and Adelaide branches bringing multiple options to the mix.

Smale said by combining Astec’s expertise in supplying high-quality equipment with MPS’ extensive distribution network, it is creating a robust channel that guarantees better service or exceeding relationships and expectations across the nation.

“I’m delighted to be making this announcement today and look forward to the positive impact this collaboration will have on our customers working alongside MPS,” he said.

“Such synergy will continue to strengthen our market presence but also set highest standard for service in building the infrastructure of Australia.”

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A pioneer in tailings management

Staff Writer

ANDRITZ filter presses achieve cost-effective and environmentally friendly filtration. Image: ANDRITZ

ANDRITZ is finding innovative ways to help mining companies be more sustainable in their operations.

As the mining industry explores ways to enable greater operational sustainability, effective tailings management has become a major focal point.

As one of the leading companies in industrial separation technologies, ANDRITZ offers a suite of advanced tailings solutions designed to optimise water recovery, reduce environmental impact, enable dry-stacking solutions, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

ANDRITZ’s tailings offerings encompass a wide range of products designed to cover every aspect of the tailings management process. The company’s solutions extend from sedimentation and dewatering to filtration and water recovery.

“Our broad portfolio for tailings treatment covers the full solid–liquid separation process, including decanter centrifuges, heavy-duty belt presses, hyperbaric and vacuum disc filters, vacuum belt filters, and filter presses,” ANDRITZ regional manager – Australia and New Zealand Paul Stevens said.

ANDRITZ heavy-duty belt press CPF-Q enables efficient tailings dewatering.
Image: ANDRITZ

These solutions aim to maximise water recovery, reduce storage volumes, and provide safer disposal options for processed tailings.

Among ANDRITZ’s many products, the company highlights its heavy-duty belt press CPF-Q and robust filter presses as key solutions for tailings dewatering.

“Our heavy-duty belt press CPF-Q is a reliable and robust machine that is simple and cost-efficient to operate,” Stevens said. “The CPF-Q is a solution for high throughput tailings dewatering, achieving a low residual moisture with low operating costs.”

Additionally, the excellent water recovery rates of ANDRITZ’s filter presses, a technology known for delivering high filtration rates even in harsh conditions, contribute to reducing water consumption and improving sustainability.

The company’s decanter centrifuges also play a crucial role, especially for operations dealing with slurries that have fine particle size distributions. These machines, with high-speed design capabilities and large diameter-to-length ratios, are particularly effective in handling high volumes while enhancing recovery rates.

Innovation is at the core of ANDRITZ’s strategy in tailings management. The company’s research and development (R&D) efforts in the field of tailings management are focused on three primary objectives: enhanced water recovery, sustainability, and automation and digitalisation.

ANDRITZ is actively developing technologies that maximise water extraction from tailings, which is vital for regions where water scarcity is a significant issue. The company is also exploring ways to reuse processed tailings in applications like construction materials, further promoting sustainable mining practices.

Automation and digitalisation are becoming an increasingly important part of ANDRITZ’s solutions.

“We’re working on advanced monitoring systems and AI-supported process controls that can optimise tailings management in real-time,” ANDRITZ industry director – minerals and mining Mario Gerards said. “This digital shift not only enhances operational efficiency but also improves safety and reduces downtime.”

Mining environments are notoriously tough, and equipment longevity is a major concern. ANDRITZ addresses this by utilising high-quality, wear-resistant materials in its designs and offering comprehensive maintenance programs.

“Our solutions are engineered with robust construction to withstand continuous operation in the harshest conditions,” Gerards said.

ANDRITZ’s commitment to providing comprehensive global service support ensures that equipment remains in peak condition, minimising operational disruptions.

And the company’s focus on reducing energy consumption through optimised designs adds another layer of sustainability to its offerings. By delivering a complete range of solutions from dewatering to water treatment, ANDRITZ enables streamlined operations that maximise efficiency across the entire tailings management process.

One of ANDRITZ’s most notable success stories and one of the best references for dry stacking of tailings comes from the Itaminas iron ore mine in Brazil. By implementing ANDRITZ filter presses with LENSER filter plates as well as an advanced Metris addIQ control system, the mine achieved significant improvements in water recovery and reduced tailings volumes.

The Metris addIQ RheoScan for belt filter presses optimises polymer consumption.
Image: ANDRITZ

This not only minimised Itaminas’ environmental footprint but also lowered operational costs associated with tailings storage, proving the value of ANDRITZ’s technologies in real-world applications.

Looking ahead, ANDRITZ is working on several cutting-edge technologies aimed at revolutionising tailings management.

“One of our current development programs is focused on significant operational enhancements within our filter press technology,” Gerards said.

“Inspired by our vast experience in the Brazilian iron ore industry, we have implemented R&D in improving filter plate handling and filter cloth changing technology.”

Another interesting innovation is the Metris addIQ RheoScan, a system designed to optimise polymer dosage in real-time during the dewatering process.

“This technology automatically adjusts polymer dosing based on the rheological properties of the tailings, ensuring maximum efficiency in flocculation and sedimentation processes,” Gerards said.

The result is reduced polymer consumption, enhanced water recovery, and lower operational costs.

ANDRITZ is currently developing digital twin models that simulate and optimise tailings processes in real-time. These virtual models allow operators to predict and fine-tune performance, leading to improved efficiency and safety in tailings management.

The company is also exploring energy recovery systems that capture and reuse energy generated during the dewatering process, turning waste into a valuable resource stream.

ANDRITZ also plans to roll out a new filter press design over the next 12 to 18 months, alongside other advancements like enhanced digital twin applications and energy-efficient filtration systems.

These innovations are expected to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of tailings management while improving operational efficiency and safety.

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