All posts by Daniel Gleeson

Fleet Space’s ExoSphere mineral exploration platform to receive Centauri-6 satellite boost

Communications in mining, Mineral exploration, Mining services, , , , ,

Fleet Space Technologies, a leading Australian space exploration company, has announced the successful deployment of its next-generation Centauri-6 satellite on SpaceX’s Bandwagon-1 mission, bolstering its end-to-end mineral exploration solution, ExoSphere.

The satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. The addition of Centauri-6 to Fleet Space’s satellite constellation will play a vital role in servicing the global demand for ExoSphere, while also building capacity to deliver advanced SATCOM capabilities with microsatellite architectures.

The successful launch of Centauri-6 is the latest development from Fleet Space after a period of exponential growth and innovative breakthroughs unlocking new capabilities in the global space sector, it says.

Rapid global adoption of Fleet Space’s satellite-enabled mineral exploration solution, ExoSphere, has been the catalyst behind the company’s sustained innovation in space technologies and growth over the past year. Over 40 exploration companies – including Rio Tinto, Core Lithium and Barrick Gold – have used the technology to complete 300-plus surveys for a variety of critical minerals across five continents, according to the company.

“Humanity’s expanding satellite infrastructure is rapidly unlocking new capabilities that can help to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our planet,” Flavia Tata Nardini, Co-Founder and CEO of Fleet Space, said. “At current rates of mineral discoveries and production, our net-zero goals and clean energy future are unattainable in the coming decades. Leveraging the latest advances in space technology, AI, and geophysics – Fleet Space is demonstrating a path to accelerate mineral exploration in a more data-driven, scalable and sustainable way. Centauri-6 is a portal into a future of efficient, mass-scale satellite manufacturing that can unlock previously unimaginable satellite-enabled solutions to hard problems on Earth.”

Centauri-6 has been designed with multiple upgrades to optimise the resilience and durability of the satellite while also enhancing the overall capacity of Fleet Space’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to support the growing demand for ExoSphere, the company says. Centauri-6 has greater uplink capacity and redundancy, enabling more resilient data transfer from Fleet Space’s satellite-enabled seismic sensors on the ground. The satellite has also been designed with an ion electric propulsion system powered by solar panels to provide thrust in the vacuum of space. Centauri-6’s design also leverages 3D-printed components – including the 3D-printed metal patch antenna Fleet Space pioneered on earlier Centauri satellites.

Matt Pearson, co-Founder and Chief Exploration Officer at Fleet Space, said: “Innovation in microsatellite architectures is advancing at an unprecedented rate, unlocking new capabilities across sectors at scale. The reprogrammability of our Centauri satellites enables in-orbit software updates that can deliver all-new capabilities, as we recently demonstrated with Centauri-4 – making it the world’s smallest known voice-enabled satellite. This marks a significant leap forward in the history of spacecraft – making a future with more energy-efficient, high-performing, flexible, and resilient microsatellite infrastructure within reach for the global space sector.”

ExoSphere, Fleet Space’s flagship mineral exploration technology, combines the latest advances in satellite connectivity, edge computing, AI and geophysics to deliver 3D subsurface models of a survey area in days with near-zero environmental impact. To generate the 3D models, Fleet Space’s patented satellite-enabled seismic sensors – called Geodes – are distributed into an array across a survey area, then the data is transmitted and processed by Fleet Space’s satellite constellation in LEO, providing near real-time access to survey results for exploration customers around the world, the company claims. Traditionally, seismic data acquisition and processing has taken months or years before it can be used as part of an exploration campaign. By delivering 3D subsurface models up to a depth of 2.5km in days, Fleet Space is radically reducing the time and resources needed to accelerate mineral discovery in support of the clean energy transition.

Metso expands modular VSF X solvent extraction offering

Base metals, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

Metso has expanded its solvent extraction offering with a wider capacity range and improved features, and is now also introducing the VSF® X solvent extraction plant with extended scope.

The modular VSF X plant, part of Metso’s Planet Positive offering, allows copper, cobalt, nickel and manganese producers, among others, to purify desired metals from the leach solution in a safe and sustainable manner. The VSF X technology can also be used in battery black mass recycling processes.

Olli Siltala, Product Manager for the VSF X solvent extraction plants at Metso, said: “Solvent extraction is a crucial step in the production of essential battery metals and is gaining wider ground in hydrometallurgy applications. This is driven by the growing demand for higher purity metals and the increasing use of minerals to empower the energy transition. Our customers are seeking reliable and environmentally sound production processes with lower plant life cycle costs. Metso’s VSF X solvent extraction technology meets these needs and enables an efficient and economical solvent extraction process step for various orebodies and recycled battery black mass.”

Siltala added: “Metso is an expert one-stop shop for solvent extraction technology. We can provide customers with a tailormade production process based on professional testing and piloting. The modularised plant offers excellent scalability and high quality with fluent logistics and fast-track delivery. The integrated plant consists of Metso’s highly productised proprietary equipment, like the VSF X mixer-settler, VSF X organic and crud treatment unit; Dual Media, Activated Carbon and GM filters, as well as new digital products such as DispersionSense™ and OA Sense™ topped up with process guarantees. We can also provide a broad range of services along with digital solutions to ensure optimised lifecycle performance of the plants.”

Metso has been developing solvent extraction technologies and delivering both equipment and processes for several decades. VSF solvent extraction technology is used in the largest copper solvent extraction facilities across the globe, according to the company. It has over 50 operational references for the VSF solvent extraction plants and 10 for the modular VSF X plants.

Dingo’s intelligence asset management platform receives update

Equipment maintenance, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Mining software, , , ,

Dingo has launched a completely redesigned intelligence™, powered by Trakka®, to, it says, empower customers to gain deeper insights into their asset health programs through data visualisation and reporting.

The release includes improved datasets where the underlying data model of intelligence has been expanded. In this release is the first observation related data. This data is used in the new Oil Cleanliness report, with additional fields are included on most reports, to allow for more filtering. The Oil Cleanliness report allows users to compare fluid particle cleanliness according to ISO 4406: 1999 guidelines, while providing the ability to evaluate and identify contamination entry points, by comparing bulk fluids with in-use fluids. It also allows users to manage and maintain high quality and contaminant free fluids.

All eleven existing reports have been updated to suit the layout and style produced for the two new reports. User interfaces are now intuitive and have been constructed to empower teams to review reports dynamically during meetings, with no data preparation required, Dingo says.

Alongside the Oil Cleanliness report is the newly introduced Benchmarking report, which provides users with the ability to compare component age achieved across sites and operations within the organisation. The report also assesses the statistical plots to increase predictability in when changeouts are occurring. Lastly, users can evaluate potential components for component life extension, or budget life increases.

The full list of reports include:

  • Summary;
  • Asset Health;
  • Component Health;
  • Reviews;
  • Open Actions;
  • Completed Actions;
  • Actions Count;
  • Breakdown Avoidance;
  • Financials;
  • Component Life Achieved;
  • Component Life Savings;
  • Benchmarking; and
  • Oil Cleanliness.

Intramotev deploys ‘world first’ self-propelled battery-electric railcar at Cumberland mine

Automation, Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

Intramotev, the technology company building autonomous zero-emissions rail solutions, says it has successfully deployed the world’s first self-propelled battery-electric railcar in a traditional freight train.

In a major step forward, Intramotev has deployed its railcar retrofit, known as the ReVolt, at Iron Senergy’s Cumberland mine in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, USA. The car has run for over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) between the Cumberland Mine and its Alicia Harbor facility.

“We’re excited to deliver the fuel savings and environmental benefits of the ReVolt to our customer Iron Senergy,” Tim Luchini, Intramotev’s CEO, said. “Today’s news marks an important milestone in our work to decarbonise mining and freight transportation, and we’re just getting started.”

Iron Senergy CEO and owner, Justin Thompson, said: “We’re thrilled to have partnered with Intramotev to deploy their forward-thinking technology. We’re always searching for ways to double down on our commitment to innovation and sustainability, and this partnership helps accomplish that in a big way.”

Intramotev says it continues to build momentum with customer deployments in the mining sector. Later this year, the company will deploy its locomotive replacement, known as the TugVolt, at a calcium mine in northern Michigan, USA.

TugVolt is a proprietary kit that can retrofit/upfit existing rail cars to become battery-electric, while ReVolt captures waste energy in traditional trains via regenerative braking, and automated safety systems including gates and hatches. TugVolt can decouple to independently service first- and last-mile legs, providing the type of flexibility that, Luchini says, will allow the system to more readily compete with trucking. ReVolt, meanwhile, stays in the consist to capture energy via regenerative braking and reduce the overall diesel consumption of locomotives.

Thiess Rehabilitation surpasses expectations at Harum Energy’s MSJ coal mine site

Coal technology, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

Thiess says it has surpassed its goal of rehabilitating land at the Harum Energy’s MSJ Coal Mine in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, showcasing the expertise of the Thiess Rehabilitation business.

In 2023, Thiess delivered rehabilitation services for the MSJ Coal Mine in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, with a target of 35.87 ha, but the team surpassed that goal, rehabilitating 35.97 ha by November 2023.

The project team had to overcome several challenges, including topsoil sourcing and handling requirements, Thiess explained. Further, due to pit sequencing, most of the rehabilitation areas didn’t become available until October 2023, leaving a very short timeframe to complete the work. This was exacerbated by resourcing challenges.

To address these challenges, the team employed several strategies, including:

  • Advancing the final area in pit dumps to expedite soil spreading readiness;
  • Conducting daily inspections and monitoring to ensure the rehabilitation success;
  • Coordinating closely with the client to accelerate plans for rehabilitation in additional areas beyond the initial scope; and
  • Actively involving the client in monitoring and quality control at every stage of the rehabilitation process

Yohanes Agustian, Superintendent Environment, Thiess Indonesia, commended the team on their efforts, saying: “Despite these challenges, our team worked relentlessly to meet our client’s target, on time.”

CSI Mining Services gets crushing gig at Atlas Iron’s McPhee Creek project

Mine operation news, Mineral project development, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , ,

CSI Mining Services, part of Mineral Resources Ltd, says it has been awarded a five-year crushing contract for Atlas Iron’s McPhee Creek project, in Western Australia.

The contract will see CSI supply and operate a 10 Mt/y primary crushing plant at the McPhee Creek iron ore mine site, fed by Atlas Iron via dump trucks or wheel loaders, with product to be stockpiled for reclaim and haulage by Atlas Iron.

Chief Executive Mining Services, Mike Grey, said the contract adds to the strong pipeline of upcoming work for CSI.

“It’s fantastic to strengthen our partnership with Atlas Iron, with CSI also currently providing crushing services for their Sanjiv Ridge mining operations and crushing and haulage operations for Roy Hill,” he said. “It’s an exciting period of growth for our business, with CSI recently awarded three new crushing contracts.

“The variety of projects we support ensures our people have opportunities to work on different mine sites with diverse clients, gaining experience across a range of crushing plants.”

CSI is scheduled to mobilise to site in late 2024 to commence construction activities, ahead of crushing commencing in the June quarter of 2025.

The McPhee mine site is located in the northeast Pilbara region of Western Australia, some 100 km north of Roy Hill Mine and 30 km north of Nullagine, with an expected production rate of approximately 9.5-9.7 Mt/y (wet). Primary crushed ore will be hauled via road train from McPhee to Roy Hill for processing, transport to the port and shipping.

Rio Tinto takes over Ranger uranium mine rehabilitation plan

Environmental, Mining services, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , , , , ,

Rio Tinto says it will manage the Ranger Rehabilitation Project in Australia’s Northern Territory on behalf of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA), under a new Management Services Agreement (MSA) signed today.

The MSA will build on ERA’s existing rehabilitation work with Rio Tinto’s technical expertise in designing, scoping and executing closure projects. Transition to Rio Tinto management of the project will start immediately and is expected to take about three months.

The agreement follows an approach to Rio Tinto from ERA’s Independent Board Committee (IBC) to submit a proposal to provide services and advice to progress the project. Rio Tinto owns 86.3% of ERA’s shares.

Under the MSA, Rio Tinto and ERA aim to complete the Ranger Rehabilitation Project in the safest and most efficient way, and to a standard that will establish an environment similar to the adjacent Kakadu National Park and that is consistent with the wishes of the Traditional Owners of the land, the Mirarr people, it said.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Australia, Kellie Parker, said: “With the signing of this agreement, we are pleased to be able to directly provide more closure and project delivery experience and know-how to this critical task. So far, ERA has made progress in key areas, including water, tailings treatment and management and pit rehabilitation.

“We are aligned with ERA in wanting to build on this work using Rio Tinto’s expertise in closure projects and our commitment to strong stakeholder relationships. We look forward to working in partnership with the Mirarr Traditional Owners and other stakeholders to complete the project.”

ERA CEO, Brad Welsh, said: “The ERA team has worked incredibly hard and made good progress rehabilitating Ranger. However, as the project moves into a new phase it will benefit from Rio Tinto’s global expertise in mine closure.

“We look forward to working with and supporting Rio Tinto on the safe and efficient delivery of this important project.”

Rio Tinto plans to build on the expertise and relationships existing within the ERA team to finalise required studies and execute the necessary rehabilitation activities, it said. Management of ERA matters outside the Ranger Rehabilitation Project, including corporate matters, financial affairs, assets and governance will remain the responsibility of ERA.

British Gypsum set to expand Komatsu Joy lithium-ion battery fleet at Barrow mine

Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , ,

British Gypsum’s Barrow-upon-Soar gypsum mine in the UK, part of Saint-Gobain, is looking to expand its use of Joy battery haulers following the initial deployment of two lithium-ion haulers from Komatsu, IM heard during a technical session at the SME MineXchange Conference and Expo, in Phoenix, Arizona, recently.

“The operation has been running two of these 18 short ton (16.4 t) payload battery haulers, BH18ACs, for just over nine months, with the units replacing 16 short ton diesel DBT ‘Ram Car’ vehicles,” Jerry Davis, Principal Engineer at Komatsu, said during his presentation ‘Case Study on the benefits of implementing the lithium-ion battery powered haulage in underground mining’.

“Komatsu has manufactured 820 battery haulers to date (the majority being with lead-acid batteries), with 15 of these lithium-ion battery versions,” Davis said. “This is set to expand to 29 lithium-ion battery units in the near term.”

Two of these lithium-ion haulers are now at the Barrow-upon-Soar mine. These are capable of mining seams of 1.45 m and represent some of the first lithium-ion battery models of their kind to have been delivered in the UK. British Gypsum said previously that it would replace a third diesel hauler with a battery-powered unit this year.

The BH18AC is the first lithium-ion battery hauler in soft-rock mining in Europe and, Komatsu Mining says, is designed to boost productivity with 75% faster charge time, and much lower maintenance versus traditional lead acid technology. “Brushless AC-traction motors drive each front wheel independently and are designed to deliver maximum torque,” the company says. “Your operators enjoy excellent steering, smooth operation and strong performance on steep inclines. Regenerative braking enhances control on descents. When conditions require extra traction, operators can hold down a button on the joystick to engage the trailer wheels for all-wheel-drive.”

The Joy lithium-ion battery charging option is capable of approximately two hours from discharged to full charge with no cool down period needed. At the Barrow-upon-Soar mine, it is currently using the haulers with a battery swapping mechanism.

At the Barrow-upon-Soar mine, British Gypsum is currently using the haulers with a battery swapping mechanism

The two new haulers have been tested on surface and underground in the room and pillar gypsum operation. They have been in commercial operation since mid-2023.

Davis said the operation was still awaiting feedback on operating cost and productivity comparisons, but the two vehicles had already achieved vehicle availability of approximately 100% (compared with the diesel-equivalent circa-70%). The Joy battery haulers had also averaged a 6-m advancement in 12 loads, compared with the diesel-equivalent’s 16 loads.

“In addition to the third unit, the mine operator is also considering replacing its existing cable-tethered loaders with battery haulers”, Davis added.

For Komatsu, meanwhile, the company is looking to continue product specific development within its Komatsu Mine Analysis Platform to aid asset management, productivity improvement solutions, operational support, application engineering, product development and warning systems.

Almalyk MMC

Metso and Almalyk MMC sign technology agreement for new copper smelter

Base metals, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

Metso and JSC Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical company (Almalyk MMC) have signed a frame agreement on significant process technology deliveries for Almalyk MMC’s new copper smelter investment in Uzbekistan.

The companies have collaborated on the development of minerals processing and metallurgical operations since 2011, Metso says.

Equipment package contracts under the framework agreement will be booked once they have been signed and become effective. Metso says it estimates that the majority of those contracts will be signed this year. The frame agreement is a continuation of Metso’s and Almalyk MMC’s contract signed at the end of 2022 for the design and basic engineering work for the copper smelter.

The planned production capacity of the new copper smelter, which will be integrated with the company’s existing operations in Almalyk, is 300,000 t/y of copper cathodes and 1.8 Mt/y of sulphuric acid.

“We are very pleased to be selected as the strategic partner for Almalyk MMC’s smelter project,” Piia Karhu, President of Metso’s Metals business area, said. “Metso will provide Almalyk MMC with the most advanced sustainable Planet Positive technology for their copper refining processes.”

Almalyk MMC is the main copper producer in Uzbekistan. The company produces refined copper, gold, silver, zinc, molybdenum, lead concentrate and other products.