All posts by Daniel Gleeson

Mota-Engil to mine Allied Gold’s Kurmuk project in Ethiopia

Mineral project development, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , ,

Allied Gold Corp is enlisting the help of Mota-Engil to advance its Kurmuk project, in Ethiopia, with the Portugal-based engineering and construction company set to carry out the mining contract.

The award will advance earthworks at an early stage, allow sufficient time for the importation and mobilisation of equipment well ahead of the timeframe when mining will begin, and also allow for the early establishment of infrastructure, support and training of personnel, the company says.

Year-to-September 30, Allied Gold $53.9 million has been invested in the project, with Allied Gold saying it expects first production in mid-2026.

The Kurmuk project’s development plan involves a total capital investment of approximately $500 million. Anticipated production is expected to average 290,000 oz/y over the first five years, sustaining over 240,000 oz/y over a 10-year mine life at an all-in sustaining cost of $950/oz.

The awarded mining contract to Mota-Engil, which provided competitive rates consistent with the feasibility study, along with the previously announced Power Purchase Agreement with Ethiopian Electric Power, further supports the project’s economics by securing an experienced and reputable mining contractor and reliable, affordable hydroelectric power, Allied Gold says.

Grid connection is expected ahead of the first production in mid-2026.

“With Kurmuk fully permitted, licenced and progressing on plan and on budget, the company remains well-positioned to achieve first production in mid-2026, delivering long-term value to stakeholders,” it said.

Sandvik launches MD/MDX Peg Bolt ground support solution for underground mining

Mining equipment, Mining safety, Mining services, , ,

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is launching the MD/MDX Peg Bolt, a new ground support solution for underground mining.

Based on the well-known MD/MDX Bolt, this new addition to Sandvik’s ground support portfolio improves underground safety even further, the company says.

Innovative technologies and outstanding product quality enable the safest ground support solutions, but even the best products also require correct and complete installation to deliver full functionality, according to Sandvik.

Sandvik’s new MD/MDX Peg Bolt features a peg component in the form of a plastic disc installed beneath the ID tab, providing an easily visible and long-lasting indication of correct and complete bolt installation. When the bolt is rotated (left hand) to the required 350-450 Nm torque, the peg protrudes through the ID tab and remains clearly visible even after subsequent blasting cycles.

“Safety is always a key focus for underground work,” Bradley Darlington, Research & Development Engineer – Bolting at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, says. “The new MD/MDX Peg Bolt now offers improved safety and peace of mind with the easily visible and long lasting peg showing correct and complete bolt installation.”

This new feature, in combination with the industry-leading technical properties of the MD/MDX Bolt, demonstrates Sandvik’s dedication to continuously developing solutions to make working underground safer, the OEM says.

Metso brings modularity to Concorde Cell flotation setup

Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, , ,

Metso is expanding its flotation portfolio with modular Concorde Cell™ Plant Units, a solution consisting of prefabricated and pre-installed containerised units, which, the company says, streamlines the setup process and minimises on-site installation work.

Deployment is safe and rapid, resulting in faster return on investment, Metso adds.

Tatu Miettinen, Product Manager, Flotation and Thickening at Metso, said: “Concorde Cell Plant Units feature a complete sampling and automation portfolio, along with a modular basic design that conveniently accommodates add-ins. This flexibility allows for tailored solutions that meet the diverse needs of our end customers and EPCMs alike.”

Metso launched the Concorde Cell flotation technology for efficient fine and ultra-fine particle recovery for complex orebodies in 2021. This innovative and sustainable technology has set a new benchmark in high-intensity pneumatic flotation, Metso says, reducing plant operating costs and contributing to operational sustainability through minimised energy and water consumption per tonne of metal produced.

The now introduced Concorde Cell Plant Units offer a comprehensive solution encompassing test work and the complete plant unit as well as maintenance and service. The compact unit design integrates pre-designed components, such as connecting launders, pipes and pump sumps, to ensure a seamless operation and enables reduced footprint and lower plant height, which facilitates easier integration into existing facilities.

With this new approach, a shorter order-to-operation timeline can be achieved, allowing for more workshop hours and less site work and ultimately leading to a quicker return on investment, the company says.

Canadian Malartic exploration team among PDAC 2025 award winners

Mineral exploration, Mining events, Sustainable mining, , , ,

The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) has announced the recipients of its 2025 PDAC Awards.

Since the awards were established in 1977, they have been a symbol of excellence, recognising individuals, teams and organisations that have made significant contributions to the global mining industry.

“The 2025 award recipients embody the expertise, passion and drive that define excellence in mineral exploration and development,” Raymond Goldie, PDAC President, said. “Their remarkable accomplishments demonstrate the crucial role of innovation, resourcefulness and leadership in uncovering the minerals that power our modern world.”

Recipients will be celebrated during the PDAC 2025 Convention at the Awards Gala & Nite Cap on March 4, 2025, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

2025 PDAC Award recipients
Bill Dennis Award: A Canadian discovery or prospecting success
Canadian Malartic Exploration Team – for the discovery of the East Gouldie deposit in Malartic, Quebec.

Skookum Jim Award: Indigenous achievement in the mineral industry
David Kritterdlik – For groundbreaking work promoting Inuit values, cultural preservation and sustainable development.

Sustainability Award: For outstanding leadership in environmental protection and/or good community relations.
Teck Resources and UN Women: Originarias Program – For its transformative impact on Indigenous women in Chile.

Thayer Lindsley Award: For an international mineral discovery
The Onto Discovery Team – For the discovery of the Onto deposit in Indonesia.

Viola R. MacMillan Award: For company or mine development
John Robins – For lifetime leadership and significant contributions to the mining and exploration industry.

PDAC’s Board of Directors select Award Recipients based on recommendations of the association’s Awards Committee.

The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is the leading voice of the mineral exploration and development community, an industry that employs more than 664,000 individuals. Currently representing over 7,800 members around the world, PDAC’s work centres on supporting a competitive, responsible, and sustainable mineral sector.

PDAC 2025, its 93rd annual convention, will take place in person in Toronto, Canada, from March 2-5. International Mining is a media sponsor of the event

Eaton launches new xEnergy Elite low voltage motor control and power distribution centre

Mining equipment, Mining services,

Eaton has launched its new xEnergy Elite low voltage motor control and power distribution centre for loads up to 7,500 A and 690 VAC in an effort to provide greater uptime and flexibility, with maintenance cost savings, for business-critical applications in industries such as mining.

The xEnergy Elite motor control centre (MCC) complies with the relevant International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards and is designed for maximum power availability and protection of operating as well as maintenance staff. It incorporates advanced motor control and protection technologies that optimise performance while protecting personnel and equipment; for instance by minimising the dangers associated with an arc flash event beyond the requirements of IEC TR 61641, Eaton says.

The MCC’s fully segregated dropper busbars, optional fully isolated main busbars and Elite patented contact system for withdrawable motor starters and energy feeders are specially designed to prevent an arc flash from occurring.

The Elite contact system allows for operation while the compartment door is closed, increasing personnel safety. With the use of a key, the units can be placed in the disconnect, test or connected position. The incoming air circuit breaker (ACB) is equipped with Eaton’s Arc Flash Reduction Maintenance System™, which significantly reduces incident energy during maintenance. It is only active when required, thereby preserving the protection against overcurrent under normal operating conditions.

The design of the xEnergy Elite MCC improves uptime and reduces the need for maintenance, according to Eaton. Thanks to the unique rotating contact technology of the Elite drawer units, contact wear on the vertical busbar is reduced to an absolute minimum. This ensures that the electrical connections are ideally positioned even in the event of a short-circuit or a heavy starting load to avoid sparking.

Since July 1, 2023, the use of Super Premium Efficiency motors (IE4) has become mandatory for motors with a rated output between 75 kW and 200 kW. The xEnergy Elite withdrawable motor starter units support the new utilisation categories for Premium Efficiency (IE3) and Super Premium Efficiency (IE4) motor switching and can be exchanged from the front without shutting down the system, enabling it to be serviced and expanded without interrupting production. This plug-and-play solution is tested for more than 1,000 mechanical operations, significantly higher than the IEC standard of 200.

The MCC’s small footprint offers increased flexibility based on high-density micro-drawer configurations. The busbars are virtually maintenance-free, Eaton claims, and all functions can be accessed from the front of the switchgear, so that the need for rear access is greatly reduced (both with the main busbar located at the back and on top). As a result, xEnergy Elite can be placed against the wall (requiring only 5 0 mm of clearance for ventilation purposes), which can save up to 2 sq.m per section, freeing up valuable floor space. Additionally, the system offers a shared main busbars solution, which further minimises the footprint and reduces the amount of copper used.

Furthermore, the specific requirements of customers needing rear cable compartments can be met with the latest development introduced to the system, featuring busbars located on top.

“Given that motor failure may cause production downtime, costly repairs and serious safety issues for personnel, the powerful control and protection provided by xEnergy Elite is a core element of a dependable and safe system,” Lukasz Przybecki, Product Manager for Low Voltage IEC Assemblies at Eaton, says.

HEParts-BSI

Hitachi Construction Machinery’s H-E Parts to acquire Brake Supply Inc

Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , ,

H-E Parts International (HEPI), a provider of aftermarket solutions for the mining and heavy equipment industries, has agreed to acquire substantially all the assets of Brake Supply Inc, a North American leader in aftermarket components for heavy equipment.

“This acquisition allows us to strengthen our offerings and expand our footprint,” Simon Pelletier, CEO of H-E Parts, says. “By welcoming Brake Supply into the H-E Parts family, we are combining our capabilities to offer an even wider range of products and services to our customers. We are excited to bring Brake Supply’s associates, customers, and suppliers into our organisation.”

Brake Supply, headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, specialises in key components such as cylinders, final drives, differentials, transmissions and complete rollouts of heavy-duty offroad equipment. Joining H-E Parts provides Brake Supply the opportunity to grow in new regions such as South America, Africa and Australia, where H-E Parts has an established presence, H-E Parts says.

“Brake Supply has been committed to providing customers with reliable, cost-effective alternatives to OEM components for decades,” David Koch, CEO of Brake Supply, says. “Joining forces with H-E Parts allows us to build on that commitment and extend our reach, creating new growth opportunities for our team members and even more value for our customers.”

The acquisition is expected to conclude in early December 2024.

H-E Parts provides aftermarket parts, components and solutions for the mining industry. With operations in North America, Latin America, Africa and Australia, H-E Parts offers expertise in engineering, manufacturing and aftermarket support. H-E Parts is a subsidiary of Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM).

Alfred H Knight acquires mineral processing consultancy Grinding Solutions Limited

Comminution of minerals, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , , , , ,

Alfred H Knight (AHK), a leader in inspection and analysis, has acquired mineral processing consultancy, Grinding Solutions Limited (GSL), with immediate effect.

With over 20 years of experience, GSL is an innovative, consultative company specialising in mineral liberation and separation, AHK says. Based in Cornwall, England, this family-owned business is similar to fifth-generation AHK and supports clients worldwide across the metalliferous, coal, industrial minerals, environmental and recycling sectors, it added. GSL’s services span metallurgical and mineral processing testing, consultancy, on-site support, troubleshooting, product development and market evaluation.

Mark Willis, Sales & Marketing Director, Alfred H Knight, said: “Obtaining the GSL business supports AHK’s ambitious growth strategy of strengthening its geo-metallurgical service portfolio, expanding not only the scope but also the geographic coverage of these services. We welcome the additional technical expertise and experience GSL brings that will enhance the group.”

This purchase builds on the acquisition of Chile-based company Asmin Industrial Limitada in 2022, equipping AHK with the resources to address further opportunities across its core metals and minerals business, AHK says.

Dan Abraham, Managing Director, GSL, said: “I am delighted that we have joined the Alfred H Knight Group and feel that our shared visions and family-driven approaches from both companies are very well aligned. This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone and we are looking forward to being part of AHK’s growth strategy. The acquisition will allow us to grow our global presence and enhance our service offering.”

Integrated Pump Technology supplies Godwin HL150 pump to Senegal mine

Mining equipment, Mining services, Water management, , , , , ,

Integrated Pump Technology has secured an order for its first Godwin HL150 pump to a mining operation in Senegal, marking, it says, a significant step in the company’s ongoing support for mining operations across West Africa.

The trailer-mounted diesel-driven self-priming pump has been selected to provide vital dewatering services for an open-pit mine, where fluctuating groundwater levels, particularly during the rainy season, pose a challenge to efficient operations.

For the Senegalese mine, the Godwin HL150M pump will provide a robust solution that can be quickly mobilised to where it’s needed most, keeping operations running smoothly even during periods of intense rainfall when groundwater levels rise rapidly.

JD Nel, Godwin Product Manager at Integrated Pump Technology, says the Godwin HL150M Pump was considered the ideal choice due to its exceptional capabilities. He explained: “Compact yet powerful, this pump is capable of delivering flow rates of up to 374 cu.m/h and can discharge water at heights of up to 148 m. This level of performance makes it perfectly suited for high-demand dewatering applications like those found at this open-pit mine.”

One of the key features of the Godwin HL150M is its ability to run dry for extended periods thanks to its high pressure oil bath mechanical seal. Nel says this innovative design ensures continuous operation in tough conditions such as those found in the Africa mining regions and it allows the pump to automatically prime and reprime as needed, without manual intervention.

“Dewatering applications in open-pit operations call for a robust pump and this model can handle solids up to 35 mm in diameter, allowing it to deal with both slurry and clean water, adding versatility to its application,” he says.

Another critical benefit is the pump’s ability to achieve a suction lift of up to 8.5 m. Combined with its fully automatic priming system, the Godwin HL150M offers reliable performance, making it a valuable asset for mining operations in challenging environments, IPT says.

Nel added: “This recent delivery to Senegal underscores Integrated Pump Technology’s growing presence and support for mining projects across Africa. We have built a strong reputation for supplying high quality dewatering solutions tailored to the needs of the mining sector in Africa, where the ability to maintain uninterrupted operations during the rainy season is crucial.”

Alongside its range of Godwin diesel driven pumps and Grindex electric submersible pumps, Integrated Pump Technology offers end-users in the region not only reliable equipment but also comprehensive support. This includes consultation to ensure the correct specification for each dewatering challenge, as well as maintenance and service options to keep the pumps operating at peak efficiency throughout their lifespan.

“With advanced solutions like the Godwin HL150M pump, Integrated Pump Technology enables African mining operations to tackle environmental challenges head-on, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing downtime to ensure optimal productivity,” Nel concluded.

Contract miner MMS acquires East Sampson gold project

Mine operation news, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, , , ,

Mineral Mining Services (MMS) has announced a significant expansion of its gold mining operations with the acquisition of the East Sampson gold project, in Western Australia, from Moho Resources.

This strategic move strengthens MMS’ position in the gold sector and reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional results for its stakeholders, the company says.

“This is a major step forward for MMS,” new MMS CEO, Rob Ryan, says. “East Sampson aligns perfectly with our focus on high-potential open-cut gold projects with near term production potential. We’re bringing our proven expertise and track record of success to unlock the full value of this asset.”

The East Sampson gold project boasts a high-grade JORC mineral resource of 264,000 t at 2.5g/t for 21,000 oz with substantial exploration upside. “MMS is confident in our ability to optimise production and maximise returns, leveraging our operational excellence and technical capabilities,” the company says.

This acquisition comes on the heels of MMS’ recent successes at the Kal East gold project, where the company consistently exceeded expectations in terms of production and efficiency. In September, just two months after breaking ground, MMS, in partnership with Black Cat Syndicate, celebrated the first gold pour from the Myhree pit at the Kal East project.

Sinosteel Equipment to help build Tala Hamza zinc-lead project in Algeria

Base metals, Mineral project development, Mining services, , ,

Terramin Australia Limited says Western Mediterranean Zinc Spa (WMZ), the operator of Tala Hamza zinc project, in Algeria, has signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract with Sinosteel Equipment & Engineering Co. Ltd for the construction of the project.

The scope of the EPC Contract covers the construction of the following:

  • 2 Mt/y process plant;
  • 2 Mt/y underground mine;
  • Backfill plant;
  • General civil works;
  • Dry stack tailing storage facility;
  • Water ponds and wastewater treatment plant;
  • Road works (including access road) within the mining permit;
  • Electrical supply infrastructure within mining permit;
  • Various workshops, offices and laboratory; and
  • Security fencing

The EPC contract has been signed off at a value of $336 million and the funding arrangements for the contract have also been agreed and formalised for the next 18 months. It is anticipated that construction will commence in the coming weeks.

Sinosteel MECC is an internationally renowned engineering technology and service company with technological innovation as the guide, with engineering general contracting and professional services as its main business. Its business integrates domestic and overseas EPC projects, including mining, metallurgy, power energy and mineral processing.

Sinosteel MECC has executed overseas projects of more than $17.02 billion since 1999, covering 50-plus countries and regions. The total contract value performed in Algeria has been over $4 billion since 2015, including mining and beneficiation projects and green raw materials projects.

Terramin’s Executive Chair, Bruce Sheng, said: “The signing of this EPC contract is an enormous achievement, the culmination of many years of hard work for not only Terramin but also for our Algerian partners. For the nation of Algeria, this will become an historical event by positioning themselves with a world class mining project, which will boost their economy and showcase the use of high global mining standards for this long-term mining operation. It is with great anticipation that everyone involved is about to see the construction of this special project begin.”

Tala Hamza is owned by WMZ, a joint venture vehicle in which Terramin holds a 49% shareholding with the remaining 51% held by two Algerian government-owned companies: Enterprise Nationale des Produits Miniers Non-Ferreux et des Substances Utiles Spa (48.5%) and Office National de Recherche Géologique et Minière (2.5%).

The Tala Hamza deposit holds a resource of 53 Mt at 5.3% Zn and 1.3% Pb at a cutoff grade of 2.5% zinc-equivalent. The deposit is situated within the Oued Amizour permit area that covers 125 sq.km and includes a number of potential additional prospects for lead-zinc and copper. A definitive feasibility study was completed in mid-2018, which indicated the mine could produce an average of 129,300 t/y of zinc concentrate and 26,000 t/y of lead concentrate over a 21-year mine life, peaking at 153,000 t/y zinc and 36,000 t/y lead concentrate from the mining and processing of an average of 1.32 Mt/y of ore.