Terex makes a move in Malaysia

The Terex equipment was successfully relocated over 150km through Malaysia. Image: Terex MPS.

Terex MPS has managed to relocate a range of crushers in a remote forest reserve in Sabah, Malaysia, highlighting the durability of the machinery.

The equipment was originally installed 150km away from Sabah and hadn’t been used for more than two years over the course of the pandemic. However, a restart was flagged and Terex was called in to relocate the machines.

The plant was a wheeled jaw WJ1175, including a Terex JW42 primary jaw crusher, as well as a Terex wheeled cone model WC1000 containing a Terex TC1000 model cone crusher.

The combined weight of the equipment was more than 70 tonnes.

Terex MPS regional sales manager Benjamin Tong said these specific models were well suited to the customer’s needs.

“The versatility of our wheeled plant was the main reason that the customer chose Terex originally,” Tong said.

“The IV Deck screen also makes it easy for the customer to cope with the market demand for four different aggregate sizes.”

The equipment now sits 2500m above sea level overlooking Mount Trusmadi.

“The service support provided by Terex MPS team was also highly appreciated by the customer, which resulted in a quick turnaround of the plant and in turn production,” Terex stated.

“Now sitting at the top of a new site some 150km from the old site… the Terex MPS systems are working together as one, once again, after years of sitting idly by.

“The one-of-a-kind optimisation of the machines, along with their premium quality components has saved the customer time, labour costs and overall relocation costs during a time when the market is at its most challenging.”

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Cat undercarriage maximised with track service inspections

When operating track type tractors, around 50 per cent of the total cost associated with owning and operating for the life the tractor, is in its undercarriage.

With a fleet made up of over 350 machines, the Mackellar Group prides itself on maximising the uptime of its equipment by investing in genuine Cat parts and regular Custom Track Service (CTS) Inspections.

As part of the dealer support provided by Hastings Deering, CTS Inspections are scheduled with the Mackellar Group to gather quick and accurate analysis of undercarriage wear rates.

Jarrod Sharpe, third year apprentice for Mackellar Group, said that the CTS Inspections helped the maintenance team to understand how the undercarriage is wearing and allowed them to rectify issues before they come up.

“They use ultrasonic technology, they’ve got more analogue, idle and depth gauges and ultrasound equipment where they can give you a precise depth on your track links, on your rail height segment wear,” Sharpe said.

The CTS inspections utilises Cat Wear Management System (CWMS) which incorporates Ultrasonic Wear Indicator technology to assess and advise on the condition of a machine’s undercarriage directly measuring the most critical dimensions on Cat undercarriage.

Using this technology, the Hastings Deering Product Support representatives can analyse the bushing wall thickness, link rail wear, track shoe wear limits, idler centre flange wear and track roller wear.

These advanced diagnostics are then compiled into a detailed report on wear projections for the Mackellar Group which can access and use the data from CWMS, to plan its undercarriage change outs to maximise machine uptime.

Peter Pelling, group maintenance manager for Mackellar Group said that this analysis has helped the Mackellar Group to evaluate service options, plan maintenance and schedule planned downtime to ensure its fleet is at maximum productivity.

“Custom Track inspections are very important, so then we know if we can go in and change a set of tracks out and achieve maximum life out of bush wear. It’s the downtime that kills us,” Pelling said.

“We’ve always favoured the Caterpillar genuine parts in our undercarriage because reliability is just there.”

“We pride ourselves on keeping our machines moving, we don’t want to be down, and that’s why we use Hastings Deering support and genuine Caterpillar Parts.”

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Vanadium processing plant on the cards for Queensland

The Queensland Government has recognised the importance of vanadium as a new economy mineral with plans for a processing plant in Townsville.

The mineral is used in large-scale grid batteries called redox flow batteries. These batteries store the charge in liquid form, enabling larger capacities.

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said vanadium would play a significant part in the state’s transition to clean energy.

“We want regional Queensland to be a global leader when it comes to everything that’s part of the renewable energy revolution,” he said.

“Australia has the world’s third largest deposits of vanadium resources, but right now we don’t produce a single kilogram of processed vanadium.

“The mining companies looking to process vanadium at an industrial scale don’t have the capital necessary to make that jump. That’s where our government can step in.”

The government will put at least $10 million towards the common-user facility, sourced from the $520 million Invested in Queensland program.

The Treasurer said it was still in the process of tendering for construction contracts and selecting the location.

“Once producers can see for themselves how processing occurs, they will have the confidence to invest in more manufacturing infrastructure and more jobs,” he said.

“Mining companies will be able to transport ore from their mine site to Townsville, enabling them to begin producing mineral samples at scale.”

Earlier in 2021, the mineral made headlines for Queensland’s mining industry when Multicom Resources announced the go-ahead for the $250 million Saint Elmo vanadium mine, 250 kilometres east of Mount Isa.

This mine and the new Townsville processing facility will ramp up concurrently, as both begin construction in 2022 with first production expected in 2023.

Queensland Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said these developments were only the start of Queensland’s vanadium industry.

“Saint Elmo is just the beginning, with other companies progressing other potential vanadium mines in what could become a world-class vanadium hub in the northwest, so having this processing facility in Townsville will ensure locals reap the benefits,” Stewart said.

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SOUTH32 TO ACQUIRE A 45% INTEREST IN THE SIERRA GORDA COPPER MINE

金属矿商South32以15.5亿美元收购Sierra Gorda铜矿45%股权，早盘冲高11%

2021-10-14 13:45:54 (AET) by Edward Zhang 4345

金属矿商 South32（ASX：S32）以15.5亿美元从Sumitomo手中收购智利Sierra Gorda铜矿45%的股权。Sierra Gorda是位于智利矿产丰富的Antofagasta铜矿区的一家正在运营的铜矿。预计2021年将生产18万吨铜、5千吨钼、5.4万盎司金和160万盎司银。

【澳股资讯平台 – 61 Financial 10月14日讯】金属矿商 South32（ASX：S32）发布公告称，该公司与在东京证券交易所上市的Sumitomo Metal Mining（TYO: 5713）和Sumitomo Corporation（TYO: 8053）签订了两项具有约束力的有条件协议，收购智利Sierra Gorda铜矿45%的股权。

根据公告，双方已同意以15.5亿美元的预付现金对价收购这部分股权。此外，South32还同意向卖方提供高达5亿美元与铜价相关的或有价格挂钩的对价，按2022-25年的最低铜产量和价格支付。

关于Sierra Gorda
Sierra Gorda是位于智利矿产丰富的Antofagasta铜矿区的一家正在运营的铜矿。预计2021年将生产18万吨铜、5千吨钼、5.4万盎司金和160万盎司银。

公司指出，此次收购使South32与在波兰上市的全球矿商KGHM Polska Miedz共同拥有控股权。

截至9月底，South32未经审计的净现金余额为6.6亿美元。而本次交易的资金将通过该公司手头的现金和10亿美元的债务融资来筹集，这将保持其资产负债表的实力和灵活性。

South32首席执行官Graham Kerr表示：“公司正在积极地重塑我们的投资组合，以实现低碳世界的目标。收购Sierra Gorda的权益将增加公司对大宗商品的敞口，这对这一转型至关重要。”

“在全球能源网络的脱碳过程中，铜是一种关键金属，具有强劲的长期市场基本面。加入Sierra Gorda进一步改善了我们的投资组合，预计将立即提高公司的利润率和盈利水平，在保持我们资产负债表实力和灵活性的同时，支持未来向股东回报。”

公司股价今日早盘冲高至4.07澳元（涨幅11.5%）回落后，高位震荡。截止发稿，股价上涨5.75%至3.86澳元。

【更多S32公告和股价走势请点击S32个股页面】

消息来源：

公司公告SOUTH32 TO ACQUIRE A 45% INTEREST IN THE SIERRA GORDA COPPER MINE

Newcrest Advancing our global organic growth portfolio

黄金生产商Newcrest完成四项预可行性研究，铜产量目标或提升37%

2021-10-12 10:37:28 (AET) by Edward Zhang 4411

黄金生产商 Newcrest（ASX：NCM）对4个新金铜项目（包括Red Chris矿、Lihir矿、Havieron矿和Cadia PC1-2矿）进行的预可行性研究显示，内部收益率（IRR）均有望达到16%或更高，净现值（NPV）达32亿。

【澳股资讯平台 – 61 Financial 10月12日讯】黄金生产商 Newcrest（ASX：NCM）发布公告称，其对4个新金铜项目（包括Red Chris矿、Lihir矿、Havieron矿和Cadia PC1-2矿）进行的预可行性研究显示，内部收益率（IRR）均有望达到16%或更高，净现值（NPV）达32亿。

公司指出，大部分新投资将集中在世界上的一级司法管辖区。其中，位于澳大利亚的Havieron项目第一阶段预可行性研究表明，该项目预估的内部收益率为16%，投资回报期为4年。

基于这些项目优秀的回报率，Newcrest的营运利润率和现金流都将有实质性改善。该公司透露，这些项目的目标是在未来10年将铜产量提高37%，并将其目前已经处于低位的每盎司全部维持成本进一步降低50%以上。

Newcrest首席执行官Sandeep Biswas表示：“公司铜产量的预期增长状况尤其令人兴奋，这将使我们不仅能够推进自己的可持续发展目标，还能参与全球转向脱碳带来的潜在机遇。”

“虽然Newcrest主要是一家黄金公司，但我们认为铜也仍是一种具有大规模增长前景的大宗商品，因此我们将继续大量增加对铜的投资。”

截止发稿，公司股价微跌0.13%至23.87澳元。

【更多NCM公告和股价走势请点击NCM个股页面】

消息来源：

公司公告Presentation – Advancing our global organic growth portfolio

报告 Download

How BHP developed its most technically advanced mine

BHP has officially opened its $4.6 billion South Flank iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, celebrating the completion of the project’s five-year journey on time and budget.

In 2016, the company began planning for a new operation to potentially replace its ageing Yandi iron ore mine, with environmental documents opened to the public in June of that year.

South Flank began gathering pace in 2017 when Decmil secured a $13 million contract with BHP for initial works at the proposed development.

The project scope included civil and enabling works at the Mulla Mulla village, which required expansion to support operations at Mining Area C and the South Flank project.

Contract mining and earthworks provider MACA (https://www.maca.net.au/our-business/crushing/crushing-and-screening/) secured a three-year contract to become a crushing and screening provider for BHP in May the following year.

BHP turned the first sod at the site a year later in July after the project received approval from the Western Australia Government.

In December, 2019, Mammoet started transporting the first heavy components for BHP’s South Flank iron ore project in the Pilbara region, Western Australia.

BHP used Mammoet trailers to move approximately 1900 items, including prefabricated and modular mine processing plant units across 340 kilometres from Port Hedland to the new site.

BHP contractor Fluor Corporation commenced the construction of the ore handling plant in the South Flank project at the start of January 2020.

Six months later the company held off a portion of mine development in June due to its impact on cultural heritage sites belonging to the Banjima people.

By August last year the company had developed more than three quarters of the South Flank project.

The company advanced its development projects and delivered strong results during the 2020 financial year despite the impact of COVID-19.

First ore was delivered at the site in May this year ahead of this week’s official opening with the development creating 9000 direct and indirect jobs during construction, and will sustain more than 600 permanent ongoing jobs.

The opening celebrations were attended by Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan, Banjima Traditional Owners and joint venture partners, ITOCHU and Mitsui.

The 80 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) site is the largest iron ore mine Australia has seen in over 50 years and combines with BHP’s Mining Area C to be the largest iron ore hub in the world – producing a combined 145Mtpa.

BHP Western Australia iron ore (WAIO) asset president Brandon Craig said South Flank is BHP’s most technically advanced mine.

“It will sustain more than 600 ongoing jobs, plus opportunities for hundreds of local businesses and billions of dollars in royalties to Western Australia,” Craig said

“South Flank’s product has high lump content and increases the quality of BHP’s blended products for steelmaking customers, improving blast furnace efficiency and supporting decarbonisation efforts.

“South Flank’s premium iron ore will be shipped to global steel producers to build electricity, transport and urban infrastructure around the world over the next 25 years.”

Agreement to divest Mt Carlton gold mine for up to A$90M

金矿公司Evolution Mining以9000万出售Mt Carlton项目，股价走强

2021-10-05 13:44:38 (AET) by Edward Zhang 3367

金矿公司 Evolution Mining（ASX：EVN）已经与Navarre Minerals Limited（ASX: NML）达成具有约束力的协议，以高达9000万澳元的总价出售昆士兰州的Mt Carlton金矿。此外，Evolution还更新了指导方针，其22财年的产量将略微减少到67万至72.5万盎司的区间，以反映本次出售。

澳股资讯平台 – 61 Financial 10月5日讯，金矿公司 Evolution Mining（ASX：EVN）发布公告称，公司已经与Navarre Minerals Limited（ASX: NML）达成具有约束力的协议，以高达9000万澳元的总价出售昆士兰州的Mt Carlton金矿（包括Crush Creek项目）。

公司指出，对价总额将包括交易完成时支付的4000万澳元，达到累计的黄金生产里程碑时支付的2500万澳元，还有以5%与黄金价格挂钩（当该季度黄金现货平均价格高于每盎司2250澳元的情况时适用）的特许权使用费形式支付的2500万澳元。特许权使用费将自2023年7月1日开始收取，期限不超过15年。

此外，Evolution还更新了指导方针，以反映本次出售。根据最新的指引，该公司22财年的产量将略微减少到67万至72.5万盎司的区间。

Evolution还透露，公司同意参与NML的股权融资，将其在NML的持股比例最高或提升至19.9%（约2000万澳元），最终持股的份额将在其股权融资结束后确定。

公司执行董事长Jake Klein表示：“Mt Carlton是Evolution的第一个开发项目，自2013年投产以来为股东带来了出色的回报。鉴于公司专注于投资组合中增长型项目的主要资产，我们认为现在是将Mt Carlton交给一家新兴黄金生产商的时候。”

“NML可以专注于延长该业务的矿山寿命，公司保留的风险敞口也将使Evolution的股东受益于未来的成功运营。”

Evolution股价今日盘中涨至3.735澳元。截止发稿，股价上涨1.80%至3.685澳元。

text 【更多EVN公告和股价走势请点击EVN个股页面】

公司公告 Agreement to divest Mt Carlton gold mine for up to A$90M Download

BHP closes in on EV market with first nickel sulphate

BHP has produced the first nickel sulphate crystals from its Kwinana nickel sulphate plant south of Perth in Western Australia.

Nickel sulphate is a key material in the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles (EVs), with more than 85 per cent of BHP’s current production sold to the future-battery supply chain.

The production follows an announcement in July that BHP will supply Tesla with nickel from its Nickel West assets in a collaboration which will aim to make the battery supply chain more sustainable.

According to BHP, the nickel sulphate plant is an Australian-first and will produce 100,000 tonnes of nickel sulphate per year when fully operational.

Nickel from BHP’s mines is processed at the Kalgoorlie nickel smelter, before it is transported to the Kwinana nickel refinery and refined into nickel metal in the form of powder or briquette.

The powder is then processed through the new sulphate plant to make nickel sulphate and will be exported to global battery markets from Fremantle port.

BHP Nickel West asset president Jessica Farrell said the plant is expected to produce enough premium nickel sulphate to make 700,000 EV batteries each year.

“The plant will create 80 new direct jobs and support 400 new indirect jobs, in addition to the 200 construction jobs that were created during the construction phase,” Farrell said,

“High quality and sustainable nickel is essential for our customers, and we expect demand for nickel in batteries will increase by 500 per cent in the next decade.

“Our investment to upgrade the refinery to produce high purity nickel sulphate, along with nickel powder and briquettes, will enhance Nickel West’s position as a supplier of choice for the growing global electric battery market.”

Over half of the plant was fabricated in Western Australia using local skills and suppliers including the steel work, fibreglass leach vessels and stainless steel tanks.

The plant consists of leaching tanks, purification technology, a crystalliser and dryer, and an automated packaging system.

BHP’s Nickel West employs over 2500 people and its operations include a fully integrated mine-to-metal business.

This includes open cut and underground mining operations in Western Australia; concentrators at Mt Keith, Leinster and Kambalda; a smelter at Kalgoorlie that produces nickel-in-matte; and the Kwinana refinery.

BHP aligns with KoBold for billionaire-backed exploration tech

BHP has partnered with exploration technology company KoBold Metals in the hunt for Western Australian metals and critical minerals to be used in clean energy technology.

The Silicon Valley-based start-up has been backed by major venture capitalists and entrepreneurs including Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Michael Bloomberg.

KoBold chief executive officer Kurt House said the alliance would combine KoBold’s technological expertise with BHP’s extensive knowledge of the Australian landscape.

“BHP has the highest standards for operational excellence and unparalleled troves of data from more than 130 years as a mining industry leader,” House said.

“Combined with our Machine Prospector technology, BHP and KoBold will work to identify new sources of the critical raw materials needed for the electric vehicle and renewable energy revolutions.”

KoBold’s Machine Prospector analyses large datasets which are initially compiled using its TerraShed technology. BHP hopes these innovations can uncover ore resources deeper than previously explored.

BHP Metals Exploration vice president Keenan Jennings said the company was open to all kinds of new technologies if they led to Australia’s next big metals discovery.

“Globally, shallow ore deposits have largely been discovered, and remaining resources are likely deeper underground and harder to see from the surface,” Jennings said.

“We need new approaches to find the next generation of essential minerals, and this alliance will combine historical data, artificial intelligence and geoscience expertise to uncover what has previously been hidden.”

The partnership was inspired out of BHP Ventures, which seeks out up-and-coming businesses like KoBold and taps their true potential in the resources sector.

BHP Ventures head Mark Frayman said KoBold ticked all the boxes as a promising partner for BHP.

“We are excited to partner with KoBold. Their powerful platform combined with our in-house capabilities and datasets could unlock an enduring competitive edge as we grow our options in future-facing commodities like copper and nickel to meet increasing global demand,” Frayman said.

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New Century zinc exploits receive Senex gas boost

*The Century zinc mine. Image: New Century Resources*

New Century Resources will receive seven petajoules (PJ) of natural gas over the next three years from Australian energy company Senex to support the mining company’s zinc production.

The natural gas will be supplied to APA Group’s Diamantina Power Station in Mount Isa, generating the power required to operate the Century mine located approximately 250 kilometres north-west of Mount Isa.

Commencing in January, the three-year agreement will see Senex provide its seven PJs of natural gas at a fixed price, in line with current market levels.

As New Century looks to increase its production levels associated with the potential development of existing deposits at the Century Mine, Senex will further supply around one PJ of additional natural gas at New Century’s request by mid-2022.

Senex managing director and chief executive officer Ian Davies said the company was proud to establish ties with such a strong Queensland customer.

“Century mine generates significant state royalties and export earnings, and is a critical project in the Queensland Government’s strategic blueprint for the North West Minerals Province,” he said.

“Senex looks forward to building another strong, long-term and mutually-beneficial relationship that supports jobs, the economy and helps meet Australia’s energy demand as it transitions to a lower-carbon future.

“Senex also acknowledges APA as an important part of the value chain delivering energy to Mount Isa.”

Employing more than 250 people in the production of zinc concentrates, New Century exports to 12 smelters on three continents.

The agreement continues Senex’s evolution as a natural gas provider. Since 2019, the company has signed 10 major natural gas supply agreements, linking up with the likes of Adbri, CleanCo Queensland, CSR Building Products, Opal, Orora and Visy Glass.