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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Metso has acquired Jindex, an Australian company that specialises in valves and process flow control, as part of its efforts to boost its slurry-handling abilities.
The agreement is designed to enhance Metso’s offerings by integrating its existing slurry-handling, hydrocyclones and mineral processing equipment with Jindex’s specialised valve solutions.
Metso believes the integration will strengthen its ability to provide comprehensive slurry solutions to the mining industry, enhancing productivity and efficiency in mineral processing plants.
Head of Metso’s pumps business line Tiago Oliveira outlined the significance of the acquisition.
“This acquisition is yet another important step in the development of Metso’s pumps business line offering to bring us closer to being our customers’ lifecycle partner of choice,” he said.
“Flow and isolation control play a vital role in ensuring smooth slurry handling to maximise the productivity and efficiency of minerals processing plants.
“In the past, we have collaborated with Jindex on many customer projects and are now glad to welcome the Jindex experts to the Metso team.”
Jindex managing director Stephen Fowler is excited about the acquisition
“This is a great development and an exciting next step,” he said.
“The Jindex product offering and our technical expertise in valves are an excellent addition to Metso’s pumps business and will enable Metso to provide more extensive flow control solutions to the mining industry.
“We look forward to contributing our unique knowledge and experience as part of the Metso team and providing enhanced outcomes to all our collective customers.”
Slurry handling equipment is referred to in the industry as the “heart of a plant”, as it ensures smooth flow of the process. It is vital in maximising the minerals processing plant’s efficiency and productivity.
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Hardman Bros is expanding its business by collaborating with like-minded Australian manufacturing companies.
According to the Reserve Bank of Australia, the manufacturing industry contributed 5.7 per cent to Australia’s gross domestic product during the 2023–24 financial year, cementing its place as a significant contributor to the country’s economy. By manufacturing products and goods in locally, more jobs will be created to further fuel the economy and keep industries performing optimally.
A company that understands this is Hardman Bros, a renowned supplier of gears and gear boxes suited to several Australian industries, with mining key among them.
“The Hardman group of companies is a distinguished Australian-owned enterprise that stands as a premier provider of precision machining and gear-cutting services for leading original equipment manufacturers,” Hardman Bros Group of Companies chief executive officer Simon Bell told Australian Mining.
“Boasting a rich legacy spanning over 70 years since its inception in 1953 by the visionary brothers David and Ronald Hardman, the company now thrives in its third generation of operation.”
Alongside its wide range of gears and gear boxes, Hardman Bros specialises in numerous manufacturing capabilities, including gear manufacturing, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, and general engineering.
“In a strategic collaboration, Hardman Bros and R&I Instrument & Gear have united to amplify the scope and excellence of customer services, extending our expertise from precision gear cutting to CNC machining and general engineering,” Bell said.
Hardman Bros can gear cut up to 1.5m and gear grind up to 850mm in diameter. The company can also carry out CNC simultaneous five-axis milling and CNC machining, with CNC lathes up to 1.15m in height and 950mm in diameter.
“We possess the capability to fulfil any additional needs for machining, fabricating, and industrial mechanical assembly,” Bell said. “We are also specialists in general engineering techniques such as turning, milling, grinding, honing, slotting and keyseating. We do it all.”
Hardman Bros has significantly grown since its early days and now operates with an extensive capacity, boasting over 140 machines.
The company has a robust capital expenditure plan that will see new machines introduced over the next five years, increasing capacity and capability to ensure Hardman Bros remains at the forefront of the industry.
“Hardman Bros has built a strong reputation through the dedication and expertise of its skilled personnel,” Bell said. “The company consistently reinvests in quality plant and equipment, ensuring that our manufacturing capabilities remain at the forefront of industry standards.”
Hardman Bros also credits its growth to building strong relationships with other like-minded companies, such as Eilbeck Heavy Machining.
With an Australia-wide presence, Eilbeck Heavy Machining is a fourth-generation family-owned manufacturing and engineering company that specialises in CNC machining, gear cutting, fabrication, painting, refurbishment and reverse engineering, assembly and turn-key solutions.
Eilbeck has a gearing capacity of 500mm to 5000mm. Hardman Bros recognised the strength of Eilbeck Heavy Machining’s offerings and reached out to work with the company in February.
“Hardman Bros and Eilbeck Heavy Machining share parallel visions as to what they want to do and achieve within the Australian manufacturing space,” Eilbeck Heavy Machining head Charlie Eilbeck told Australian Mining.
“Both companies sell Australian-made products for a wide range of industries and possess similar capabilities and turn-key solutions.”
While the companies share many similarities, they also complete each other’s knowledge and skill gaps.
“Hardman Bros has some capabilities that we don’t have, and vice versa, so by collaborating we can fulfil the needs of larger projects together,” Eilbeck said.
Both companies also believe in adopting a modernised, high-end approach to manufacturing.
“Hardman Bros’ main objective is to expand our high-value offering to like-minded partners and developing growth for the industry as a whole,” Bell said.
“The company is investing heavily in new equipment geared towards expanding capability, quality and speed to market. This is opening new doors across the mining, rail and energy sectors, where we can use our scale to penetrate and build our presence.”
Kinder Australia offers the option for customised solutions as well as its DustScrape range to settle the dust for cleaner operations.
In enclosed transfer points, the accumulation of pressure can result in the build-up of dust.
This dust is problematic for conveyor componentry function, operational site cleanliness, as well as environmental and personnel health and safety.
Kinder Australia’s DustScrape has been developed by engineers to effectively resolve and mitigate dust formation, transforming the way industries handle dust-related challenges.
DustScrape does this by incorporating a specialised filter cloth. This cloth captures fine dust particles produced during bulk material transfers.
Its intelligent design allows for air permeability, accommodating the resulting overpressure. By reducing the pressure while containing the dust, DustScrape facilitates the settling of bulk material, ensuring a cleaner and more efficient conveyor system.
Key features and benefits:
1. Quality stainless steel: DustScrape is available in a stainless steel option, ensuring durability and resilience in various environmental conditions and material applications.
2. Installation simplicity: Operators can integrate DustScrape into their existing conveyor systems.
3. Versatility in application: DustScrape is adaptable to conveyor belt widths of varying belt widths.
4. Maintenance free: DustScrape operates without direct contact and requires minimal maintenance.
5. Self-cleaning efficiency: The unique self-cleaning feature of DustScrape enhances its overall effectiveness and longevity.
6. Reduces Dust Up-Drift: DustScrape actively suppresses dust up-drift, for an efficient and reliable containment.
7. Compatibility with Extraction Systems: DustScrape may work together with dust extraction systems if required.
8. Synergy with AirScrape: When paired with AirScrape, the patented sidewall seal (not included) forms an exceptionally effective system that combats dust generation.
Get in touch with Kinder’s field application specialists and engineers to discuss how DustScrape can benefit an operation at conveyorsolutions@kinder.com.au or 03 8587 9111.
TAKRAF Australia: growing from strength-to-strength
TAKRAF Group project highlights in Australia. Image: TAKRAF Group
TAKRAF Group is one of Australia’s leading OEM (original equipment manufacturer) suppliers of new machines and equipment to the mining and resources industry. The Group also boasts an in-house capability to provide comprehensive aftermarket and maintenance support for its own and other OEM equipment.
With Australia’s mining and resources industry seeking to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability and social responsibility, TAKRAF Group is ideally positioned to support the local industry in the next stage of development of this ever evolving and dynamic sector.
Through its long and distinguished history in Australia, TAKRAF Group has developed an innate understanding of local mining conditions, standards and requirements, enabling its Australian offices to provide its clients with the most suitable solutions to their unique project requirements.
As a result, the Group boasts an extensive and increasing reference list of projects in Australia, covering both TAKRAF and DELKOR technologies.
Its reputation as the world’s leading technology provider in run-of-mine and bulk material handling has meant that its TAKRAF brand portfolio is in considerable demand from Australian operations, from its technologies for overburden removal and raw material extraction through processing to ship loading.
Recent project examples include the supply of a rail-mounted, slewing and luffing stacker for an important bulk export terminal. This machine, with its 62-metre curved boom is one of the largest and technically advanced globally.
A TAKRAF double jib level luffing ship unloader replaced two existing machines at an important deep-water port on the Australian east coast, enhancing the capability of the port in handling a range of commodities.
Other TAKRAF equipment currently in operation at Australian mines and ports ranges from semi-mobile crushing plants to bridge-type bucket-wheel reclaimers, stackers and trippers, radial stackers and portal scraper reclaimers.
The DELKOR liquid/solid separation range of technologies is also seeing increasing application in Australia, and globally, for their ability to enable the optimum recovery and recycling of water, reducing freshwater intake into the plant and enhancing environmental sustainability.
DELKOR dewatering equipment, such as its high-rate and high-density thickeners, are specifically designed for the needs of the mining industry and the ongoing transition from wet to dry tailings deposits.
In a recent order, TAKRAF successfully commissioned a 30m diameter DELKOR tailings thickener for a plant in Australia.
DELKOR has also provided four of the largest DELKOR belt linear screens (40 square metres) available globally to a gold mine in Australia, while its new generation BQR flotation cells, equipped with the MAXGen mechanism, have found wide acceptance in the country, with orders coming from several gold mines to a nickel restart project.
TAKRAF Australia’s countrywide presence includes office representation in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, close to its clients’ registered offices; as well as smaller satellite offices close to its clients’ operations to support them in their day-to-day operational requirements.
Such long experience, combined with the wide extent of its network, has enabled TAKRAF Australia to establish strong working relationships with some of the largest diversified mining companies, as well with the smaller mid-tier and junior players.
In addition, its services, both technology supply and aftermarket support, are enhanced by solid partnerships with local Australian suppliers.
TAKRAF is one of the largest and most experienced full-service suppliers of mining industry equipment, supporting not only its own machines over their full product lifecycle, but also that supplied by other OEMs.
Given the importance of quickly identifying and solving issues before problems occur, TAKRAF Australia’s satellite offices are conveniently located to timeously and efficiently provide customised maintenance solutions.
These solutions range from continuous condition monitoring through regular inspections, spare parts supply, on-site repair support and stock management, to site assistance for troubleshooting and major repairs including complete refurbishments as an alternative to purchasing new equipment, as well as equipment relocation.
“Worldwide, the resource industry is facing complicated challenges in transforming towards a sustainable future,” TAKRAF Australia managing director Ivan Agostini said.
“As a result, TAKRAF Group focuses on areas that are critical for reliable and sustainable operations, providing innovative solutions that save energy, lower environmental impact and meet or exceed operational requirements.
“This, together with our commitment to innovation and technology development, means that we are well placed to support our clients in Australia towards the next significant step in our industry’s move towards greater environmental sustainability – an area in which the combined strengths of our TAKRAF and DELKOR portfolio will provide for fully integrated solutions that make the difference.
“Furthermore, we believe that our commitment to fostering collaboration between owners, operators and original equipment providers is the best approach in building systems that exert real savings on energy and water consumption.”
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Fortescue executive chair Andrew Forrest has welcomed Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the company’s green technology and test facility in Perth.
Qiang’s visit to the Hazelmere prototype facility gave Fortescue the opportunity to demonstrate the progress of its green iron technology.
Fortescue is aiming to work with China to establish an Australia Sino green iron supply chain, which will see equipment and technology sourced from China and Australia, and green metal and hydrogen made in Australia and supplied to the world.
Speaking at the Australia–China CEO Roundtable with Qiang and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Forrest emphasised his plan for the future.
“A fully integrated green iron metal supply chain between Australia and China is the key to China maintaining its position as the dominant global producer of steel to the world,” Forrest said.
“Our proposed Australia Sino green iron metal supply chain will bring together mining powered by large-scale renewable power and green hydrogen to produce green iron metal.
“Our ambition is to provide 100 million tonnes of green iron metal to China each year, eliminating more than 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.”
Fortescue Metals CEO Dino Otranto said a strengthened partnership between Australia and China is a natural progression.
“Today, China remains our key market for our iron ore business and we now look forward to building new relationships in a green focused world,” Otranto said.
“We believe that partnering with China to help send its steel industry green will be a major benefit to both economies and to bilateral relationships, shoring up Australia as China’s reliable and preferred commodity supplier.”
Weir’s new world class, state-of-the-art facility in Port Hedland. Image: Weir
Global mining technology leader Weir has officially opened its new Port Hedland service centre in Western Australia.
The new facility bolsters Weir’s national network of 16 service centres and will aim to support customers and their operations across the Pilbara region.
The centre is equipped to service Weir’s broader range of products and technologies, provide engineering and maintenance support as well as critical parts storage for faster service times for customers.
Opening ceremony on World Environment Day. Image: Weir Minerals
“The new centre at Port Hedland will support our key customers in the region, providing Weir’s best-in-class service and expertise,” Weir Minerals regional managing director Kristen Walsh said at the facility’s opening.
“The Australian $28 million facility demonstrates our commitment to sustainable mining and with further investment planned, we will continue to support our ambitious growth plans in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.”
This will include Fortescue and Thiess’ Iron Bridge project, which incorporates Weir transformational flow sheets – the world’s first dry comminution circuit without tumbling mills.
Port Hedland serves as a critical hub for the mining and resources industry in Australia, driving economic growth and success for the important iron ore region.
The new service centre will work to deliver innovative engineering solutions and expertise, enhancing operational efficiencies and advancing sustainable progress across the Pilbara’s dynamic mining landscape.
With best-in-class technology and support, the centre features facilities forEnduron high-pressure grinding rolls servicing, including tyre roller assembly and Linatex rubber lining services, helping customers to extend the life of their assets.
Weir employees celebrate the opening. Image: Weir
The next stage of development, set for 2025, will see an expansion of the team and specialisation in the repair and overhaul of various Weir processing equipment including Warman pumps, Cavex hydrocyclones and Isogate valves as well as Enduron crushers and screens.
Building on trust, collaboration and integrity, Weir said it is committed to delivering innovative solutions and working together with its customers to make mining more sustainable.
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Group 6 Metals has uncovered more ore tonnes and metric tonne units of tungsten trioxide from the Dolphin tungsten mine than originally anticipated, alongside a record month of shipments.
The company’s in-pit reconciliation methodology uses in-pit sampling, UV (ultraviolet light) lamping, and production drill hole assaying to compare mining results to the geological model.
When compared to the geological model, recoveries from the Dolphin open pit exceeded expectations up until the end of April.
Dolphin produced about 94 dry tonnes of concentrate in April at an average grade of 57.1 per cent for 5380 metric tonne units of tungsten trioxide. A total of 115.05 dry tonnes of concentrate at 57.38 per cent tungsten trioxide was shipped in April, a record month for Group 6.
“Over the past six months, our geology and mining teams have excelled at maximising ore recovery,” Group 6 managing director and chief executive officer Keith McKnight said.
“This means we’ve collected more valuable tungsten ore than forecast while working the outer areas of the Dolphin open pit. While this has caused a temporary delay in the mining sequence, the extra effort has resulted in a detailed understanding of the mine’s geology, giving us a lot of confidence in our mine forecast.
“Excitingly, the high-grade C-lens (deposit) is now accessible at -30 RL (reduced level) in the main Dolphin pit, and production drill assay results confirm the presence of high-grade ore in the mining blocks (is) scheduled for June.”
Group 6 has also made progress in sustainability. It, along with Climate Capital, has been looking into integrating a 7.5 megawatt solar panel array and a 5.5 megawatt hour battery storage system at the Dolphin mine’s power plant.
Climate Capital has finished power modelling and an extensive site assessment. If implemented, the solar power system would sit adjacent to Group 6’s process plant.
Group 6 and Climate Capital are expected to negotiate a power purchase agreement under a build own operate model to deliver the solar project.
After being closed for three decades, the Dolphin tungsten mine officially re-opened in August 2023. It is located near Grassy, a town on the south-east coast of King Island.
The Liebherr hydrogen-powered T 264 haul truck. Image: Liebherr
A hydrogen-powered T 264 haul truck prototype developed in partnership by Fortescue and Liebherr has fired up its engines for the first time in Perth.
The successful operation of the truck, dubbed ‘Europa’, with hydrogen marks the next step in Liebherr and Fortescue’s journey to develop and supply zero-emission haul trucks for the mining industry.
“With Europa soon moving to site, Liebherr and Fortescue have taken an important step closer to their common target of developing and building zero-emission solutions for the mining industry that are both field proven and energy agnostic,” Liebherr Mining vice president of sales and marketing Joerg Lukowski said.
“This success demonstrates the incredible capabilities of two Tier 1 companies working together to develop viable technologies today that can help the mining industry move towards a decarbonised future.”
Europa contains a 1.6-megawatt battery developed in-house by Fortescue WAE, and 500 kilowatts of fuel cells. The prototype can store over 380kg of liquid hydrogen.
“Following the success of our battery electric haul truck prototype at site, we’re thrilled to now have Europa up and running on hydrogen,” Fortescue Metals chief executive officer Dino Otranto said.
“This is a huge achievement for the team and brings Fortescue another step closer to having a fleet of zero emission trucks at our sites by the end of this decade.”
Fortescue and Liebherr established a partnership for the development and supply of zero-emissions mining haul trucks in June 2022.
Liebherr began delivering the first of Fortescue’s T 264 diesel electric trucks in 2023, which will be converted to zero emission technology before the end of the decade.
“We’re aiming to transport Europa to our mining operations within the coming weeks where it will then undergo further site-based testing and commissioning,” Otranto said.
“The subsequent test results will inform our future fleet of zero emissions trucks that we’re delivering with Liebherr.”
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The Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions rock tools team are helping to set the industry standard for circularity of rock tools and their operations.
Currently, Sandvik is one of the only original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who recycles tungsten carbide across the world through its Carbide Recycling Program to preserve and protect remaining reserves of tungsten, a rapidly declining resource.
So far, the program has supported Sandvik to reduce its own transport CO2 footprint within this area by roughly 93 per cent, and by using recycled materials for new tools, Sandvik uses approximately 70 per cent less energy and reduces this portion of CO2 by approximately 64 per cent.
Watch the video below find out how the program supports Sandvik’s and its customers journeys towards more sustainable mining operations for future generations.
