Category: News

Komatsu acquires Queensland based mine solutions provider MineWare

Komatsu’s Australian subsidiary has acquired MineWare, a mining equipment solutions provider based in Queensland.

MineWare provides systems for loading equipment such as draglines as well as rope and hydraulic shovels in mines, enhancing their payloads and visualising excavating positions.

It also has an advanced technology portfolio to improve the loading process, which boosts productivity on mining operations.

Komatsu automates mining equipment using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and enhances worker safety and productivity through connecting jobsite data on open platforms.

With the acquisition, Komatsu can implement MineWare’s solutions into its equipment to help operators optimise their mining operations.

MineWare CEO Andrew Jessett said, “With several potential partnership opportunities in the last year, what appealed about Komatsu was the ability for MineWare to remain a highly independent entity.”

“Komatsu is the right partner to support MineWare’s next level of growth, giving us the ability to expand our global footprint quickly into new markets.”

Balla Balla project a step closer with Chinese construction partnership

BBI Group (BBIG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to partner with China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) for the construction of the Balla Balla Infrastructure (BBI) iron ore project in Western Australia.

The nearly $6 billion BBI project and a foundation customer mine is set to be developed in WA’s Pilbara region and will need 3300 workers during construction. It is also expected to provide 900 permanent jobs once operations begin.

CSCEC is one of China’s largest companies and one of the largest construction companies in the world.

The MoU was signed by both companies in Canberra, at a ceremony that was attended by prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and Chinese premier Li Kequiang.

Under the agreement, both companies will work together to ensure the project is contructed and operated by suitably qualified, Pilbara experienced contractors, confirming BBIG’s commitment to increasing work opportunities for local and regional businesses and employees.

It comes after the WA Government signed a state agreement for the project and a 162km railway linking it to iron ore deposits in the region, in January this year.

BBIG chair Jon Young said the partnership was another major milestone for the project and a step closer to company receiving a final investment decision and beginning construction in 2018.”

“To have signed such an important MoU for our project in the presence of the Australian prime minister and the Chinese premier confirms the strength and international significance of the BBI Project,” Young said.

“We are pleased to have secured the confidence and support of China State Construction Engineering Corporation, an internationally significant construction partner who possesses world class experience in the delivery of large scale infrastructure projects, including port and rail infrastructure.

“The MOU between BBIG and CSCEC recognises the critical importance of a Pilbara experienced workforce to the successful delivery of the project.”

Global logistics market worth $16 bn by 2022

The global logistics market is forecasted to reach US$12,256 billion ($16,063 billion) by 2022, according to a new report published by Allied Market Research.

‘Logistics – Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014 – 2022’ projects a CAGR of 3.48% from 2016 to 2022, with Asia-Pacific dominating the global market in terms of revenue – accounting for more than a 34 per cent share of the global market. China accounts for about a 59 per cent share in the Asia-Pacific logistics market.

In 2014, the roadway segment dominated the global logistics market in terms of revenue, and it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.33 per cent during the forecast period. The manufacturing segment dominated the global logistics market, accounting for about 26 per cent share in 2014.

The major players profiled in the report include Deutsche Post DHL, Kuehne+Nagel, The Maersk Group, DB Schenker Logistics, C.H.Robinson, Dsv Global Transports and Logistics, Panalpina, United Parcel Service (UPS), Supply Chain Solutions and Geodis.

“Global logistics market holds a vital scope for growth globally,” said Sheetanshu Upadhyay, Research Analyst – Freight and Logistics at Allied Market Research. “Increasing applications of logistics market in the various modes and end-user industry is expected to fuel growth in the coming years.

“Roadways are one of the key components of modes of transportation and multimodal transport. It accounts for nearly 47.29 per cent of the overall mode of transportation used in the world logistics market. The segment contributed highest share in total logistics market owing to its speed transportations and flexibility.”

One-Belt One-Road initiative: episode one

China’s One-Belt One-Road initiative (OBOR1) is the core element in the nation’s Eurasian foreign policy. This edition of Prospects will discuss OBOR from a high level perspective. A subsequent episode will build on this foundation to define what this ambitious initiative might mean for our portfolio of commodities in the longer run.

China’s four-decade long boom, coupled to its immense geographic and demographic scale, has returned it to its traditional position at the centre of the East Asian economy. Along the way it has built unprecedented reserves of foreign assets; become the largest trading partner of more than half the globe and risen to a leading position in multiple segments of the global manufacturing supply chain. China is the largest single market for everything from cars to mobile phones and e-commerce to international tourism. It is also the largest consumer of a wide range of commodities across the energy, minerals and agricultural fields. Despite this impressive catalogue, there is more to be done, as all of this effort has, at this stage, only raised the living standards of the average Chinese citizen to the middle income level.

To become a prosperous twenty-first century society, the Chinese economy must continue to ascend the value-added chain by building up its innovation capabilities. It must also improve the long run allocation of capital whilst accommodating the rise of consumerism – all while managing the legacies of the old growth model. OBOR helps on all counts.

The origins of the trillion dollar, continent-straddling version of OBOR we see today can be traced back to earlier, less ambitious policies. Some were aimed at developing China’s regional sphere of influence. Others sought to spread the benefits of what was then predominantly coastal economic development into China’s less developed interior provinces.

In the late 1990s, a “Go Outward” policy was instituted, encouraging Chinese firms to invest abroad. In the early 2000s, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was founded, which systematised high level Chinese engagement with a group of central Asian countries positioned along what is now the “Silk Road Economic Belt”. There was also a “Go West” strategy, aimed at developing China’s poor interior provinces, many of which shared land borders with central Asian nations. In 2009, President Hu tightened relations with central Asia with a range of state visits, high profile investments and economic partnerships. And then, in 2013, President Xi Jinping introduced the names “Silk Road Economic Belt” and “Maritime Silk Road” on official visits to central and south-east Asian nations respectively.

Under President Xi’s sponsorship, serious money began to be ear-marked for projects under the OBOR banner, highlighted by the US$40 billion “Silk Road Fund”. A “Leading Group”2  reporting directly to the State Council was established. China is also the cornerstone investor in a new multilateral lending institution, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which has already funded a number of major projects in OBOR countries.3

From a purely economic standpoint, OBOR provides a signal and a framework for Chinese firms to export their growing expertise in infrastructure, manufacturing and construction. The financing of OBOR projects offers an avenue for diversifying China’s foreign assets away from low yielding sovereign bonds to higher yielding real assets. In the second wave, the increasing prosperity of recipient countries, where shortages of basic infrastructure4 are a major impediment to improving the livelihoods of their citizens, will provide expanding markets for Chinese goods. China’s heavy industries, many of which are experiencing excess capacity after a decade of very strong investment sentiment, will enjoy having an additional outlet for their wares in both waves of this journey. This could help soften the blow of the inevitable restructuring that domestic economic rebalancing will entail.

One-Belt One-Road

From an energy and trade security standpoint, OBOR protects and develops critical pipeline infrastructure and transport corridors on land; and it overlooks vital Eurasian shipping lanes on the maritime belt. Vast sums have been invested by Chinese firms to gain a foothold in multiple ports along the Indo-Pacific coast of Eurasia, with clusters of investment centred on major locations including the Straits of Malacca, Sunda, Hormuz, Gibraltar and Bab al-Mandab, as well as Suez. The links between the Belt and the Road (such as the “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor”, which hits the Indian Ocean at the Port of Gwadar) also provide China with alternative routes to reach the European, African, South Asian and Middle Eastern markets. There is also a possibility that northern Australia, a strategically located region with a complementary resource endowment to China’s, could become an important link in OBOR at some point.

OceanaGold plans to battle Philippines move to suspend mine

Australia’s OceanaGold intends to take legal action if a proposed move in the Philippines to suspend or close a series of mines in the country, including its Didipio operation, for environmental reasons goes ahead.

Philippines’ environment and natural resources secretary Regina Lopez yesterday ordered the suspension of five mines, such as the Didipio gold mine, and the closure of 23 mines, including several nickel operations.

Lopez, who has been a vocal opponent of the impact mining has on the Philippines environment, explained the move was about putting the public’s welfare ahead of mining revenues.

“My issue here is not about mining, my issue here is social justice,” Lopez said.

In an ASX announcement, OceanaGold said it had not yet received any formal suspension order from the Philippines department of environment and natural resources (DENR), and that mining and processing activities were continuing at the Didipio mine.

The company added that there was no legal basis for the proposed suspension, as the mine did not violate any laws, rules or regulations, and was not posing any threat to public, security, health, safety or otherwise.

OceanaGold chief executive officer Mick Wilkes said the decision was unjustified nor had any basis in law.

“We have not received any show cause notice from the DENR nor have we received a suspension order. Should we ultimately receive a suspension order as suggested today (February 2) we have very strong legal grounds to have it overturned,” Wilkes said.

“Our Didipio mine is a partnership with the Government of the Philippines through the Office of the President and has a strong social license to operate. We are a large employer of Filipino nationals, and our operation delivers significant benefits to the local communities.

“As proof of this, Didipio was announced as the joint winner of the presidential mineral industry environmental award in recognition of our exemplary performance in safe and environmentally responsible mining.”

OceanaGold produced 147,150 ounces of gold at Didipio in 2016, it announced on Monday.

While the plan to close or suspend the mines is bad news for companies operating in the Philippines, like OceanaGold, it could be the opposite for nickel miners producing in Australia.

In 2015, the Philippines was the world’s leading nickel producer with 530,000 tonnes. By shutting down its nickel mines it could reduce the country’s output by as much as half.

The share price of Australian nickel miner Western Areas increased by 10.9 per cent on the ASX yesterday following announcement of the proposed move. The three-month nickel price on the London Metal Exchange (LME) also jumped to a three-week high of $US10,500 a tonne.

ALIBABA OPENS AUSTRALIAN HEADQUARTERS

y Staff Writer 06 February 2017
Editorial

image: http://pcm.verticals.s3-website-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/articles/images/Alibaba-opens-Australian-headquarters-669208-l.jpg

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Alibaba Group has opened its Australian and New Zealand headquarters in Melbourne, Australia.

Speaking at a ceremony with over 350 business, industry and government figures, Alibaba Group Founder and Executive Chairman, Jack Ma, said: “With a local office and expert team, Alibaba Group will help Australian and New Zealand businesses share their world-famous products with billions of customers around the world. Whether a large company with existing links to China or a mum-and-dad run exporter operating out of a garage, Alibaba Group is here to make it easy to do business anywhere.

“Australia will always have a special place in my heart and that’s why I am so pleased to come back to contribute to supporting Australian businesses to create opportunities and jobs in a country that has meant so much for me,” Ma said.

Ma yesterday met with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney. During those discussions, Ma and Turnbull shared a common vision of promoting much greater cross-border trade, particularly to benefit SME’s and young business people.

There are over 1300 Australian and 400 New Zealand brands on Tmall and Tmall Global, many of which entered China for the first time through these platforms. The success of Australian products was illustrated through the 2016 Double 11 Global Shopping Festival, with Australia ranked the fourth highest selling country.

The ANZ headquarters will be led by Maggie Zhou, Australian and New Zealand Managing Director, and supported by a strong local team.

Zhou and her team have been operational in Australia for nine months, introducing new brands to Alibaba’s platforms and supporting existing clients with the challenges of operating abroad.

“A physical Alibaba headquarters is a key step in ensuring Australian businesses have the support and information they need to succeed in China and the rest of the world,” Ms Zhou said.

“Longer term, Alibaba Group’s vision for the ANZ region is to build the entire operating infrastructure needed to enable local businesses to expand globally. Alibaba Cloud launched its services and opened its data centre in late 2016 and there are now more than 1,000 bricks-and-mortar stores accepting Alipay across Australia and New Zealand. This is just the start, with further growth planned in the areas of cloud, payments, digital entertainment and logistics,” Zhou said.

Alibaba Group signed a memorandum of understanding with Australia Post today to strengthen trade opportunities for Australian businesses selling to the millions of consumers across Alibaba’s platform.

The agreement will involve Alibaba Group collaborating with Australia Post to develop the first Australian marketplace within the Lazada eCommerce Network in South-East Asia.

Australia Post storefronts will be established on all Lazada platforms with pilots in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to begin in 2017.

The partnership builds on Alibaba Group and Australia Post’s relationship established in 2014, and will enable Australian businesses, particularly SMEs, to perform more effectively across key platforms, like Tmall Global, Taobao Global and 1688.com, through the sharing of data, increased marketing activities and improved logistics.

Australia Post will also collaborate with Cainiao to improve data integration and develop a co-branded cross-border service (and packaging) for Australian outbound parcels to China.

SUPPLIER TO DIVERSIFY WITH ARTIC TRUCKS

OPS Equipment, which has built its reputation as a supplier of fixed and mobile crushing, screening and conveying plant and equipment within WA and the NT, is now the western states agent for Terex Trucks.

OPS has become the official distributor of Terex Trucks products in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

The company has traditionally been the official dealer for Osborn, Terex Finlay, Terex Washing Systems, Terex Environmental Equipment, Telestack conveyors and Kiverco recycling plant, mostly within WA and NT. It also stocks a comprehensive range of plant spares and associated products at its Jandakot warehouse which are available to its customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Terex Trucks, now a division of Volvo Construction Equipment and headquartered in Motherwell, Scotland, is a manufacturer of off-highway rigid and articulated haul trucks that are used in mining, quarrying and construction applications worldwide. OPS will distribute the manufacturer’s three models of articulated haulers – the TA250, TA300 and TA400, with payloads ranging from 25 to 38 tonnes – and provide an extensive aftermarket care service to customers that purchase the trucks.

Terex Trucks’ Clement Cheong and OPS managing director Shane Czerkasow at the official signing.

Terex Trucks’ Clement Cheong and OPS managing director Shane Czerkasow at the official signing.

“OPS prides itself on providing quality support to its customers in the segments served, which include mining, earthmoving, civil construction and quarries, and these are areas that fit extremely well with Terex Trucks’ client base,” said Clement Cheong, the Asia-Pacific director of sales and marketing for Terex Trucks.

“The company has gained a good reputation in the market for the products and services it delivers, and we are confident that OPS will bring the same enthusiasm to Terex Trucks’ customers.”

Shane Czerkasow, the managing director of OPS, said the company was delighted to be partnering with Terex Trucks in WA, SA and NT. “We believe the two organisations’ values and objectives are aligned, such as the simplicity of product for maximum operational effectiveness, quality customer service and a leading, first class aftermarket back-up offering,” Czerkasow said.

“OPS is committed to providing all our existing and new Terex Trucks customers with a new level of service and support and we look forward to fostering a long partnership with Terex Trucks.”

The articulated trucks are set to become available in the first quarter of 2017.

In the eastern states, Terex Trucks are already available through Terrequipe, based in Rockhampton, Queensland.

 

Terex closes manufacturing facility in China

Terex Cranes will close its crane manufacturing facility in Jinan, China, according to the president of Terex Cranes, Steve Filipov.
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Steve Filipov

In an exclusive interview with American Cranes & Transport, Filipov told the magazine that the plant closure falls in line with Terex Cranes’ recent restructuring, which has involved reducing its worldwide footprint as part of a strategy to allow new product development and accommodate lower demand.

Filipov also said that his team was evaluating the launch of the LC line of crawler cranes, which had been planned to be produced at the Jinan plant. Three prototypes of the first LC crawler, the 330 US ton (300 metric ton) capacity LC 330US / LC 300, have been produced so far.

“I’ve decided not to show the 330 on ConExpo,” said Filipov adding that he doesn’t feel the crane is 100% ready to be on show.

“Right now, the analysis is obviously focused around Oklahoma City where we have a lot of our product. But we have to go through that analysis, and we’ve got some work to do with that product. It was a tough decision to make, but in my mind it’s the right message to the market, that Terex Cranes is going to show a product that’s ready for prime time.”

– See more at: http://www.insideconstruction.com.au/site/news/1050897/terex-closes-manufacturing-facility-china#sthash.mYQJ5q9r.dpuf

BHP Billiton locks in technology partnership with Hatch

BHP Billiton and technology company Hatch have entered into a collaborative development partnership, which will aim to accelerate the development and deployment of technological advances in mining and mineral processing.

According to Hatch, a collaborative approach like this is the future of technology development in the mining industry.

Damien Harding, Hatch’s performance innovation director, said the partnership’s intent was the future of technology development in the mining industry.

“Our two companies are working together to accelerate the realisation of benefits from potential innovations. BHP Billiton will have access to Hatch’s proven technology-commercialisation experience and deep mining-domain expertise in business process design, operational performance, engineering, and digital systems,” Harding said.

He added that Hatch developed a healthy ecosystem of expert practitioners and collaborating global partners to support the partnership.

“Our essential differentiator goes beyond having the depth and breadth of skills to innovate. It’s also the knowledge and expertise to integrate all the elements we need to rapidly develop and implement holistic solutions that will have a significant impact on the mining industry,” Harding said.

Rio Tinto awards iron ore contract to Decmil

Perth-based mining contractor Decmil has secured a new contract at Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The $40 million contract will see Decmil design, construct and commission new facilities at the Nammuldi and Silvergrass mines. The project scope also includes modifications and extensions to existing facilities at the Nammuldi mine.

In an ASX announcement, Decmil said the project would start immediately and was expected to be completed in late 2017.

Rio Tinto announced in August that it would invest $338 million to complete development of the Silvergrass mine, which is adjacent to the Nammuldi mine.

After making this decision Rio Tinto awarded RCR Tomlinson a $120 million contract to provide materials handling systems at the Silvergrass mine.

The contract included the engineering, procurement and construction of a new primary crusher, nine kilometres of overland conveyors and associated power lines.