Tag Archives: Denver

Matrix and GRT-VALLEY RUBBER collaborating on truck lining sensor solution

Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Mining software, Steel and iron ore, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , ,

Indiana-based Matrix Design Group is entering the truck bed analytics and monitoring market through a partnership with rubber body manufacturer GRT-VALLEY RUBBER, IM discovered at the SME MINEXCHANGE 2023 Annual Conference & Expo in Denver, USA, last month.

Matrix, renowned in mining for its proximity detection and vision-based safety solutions, recently entered into a partnership with Arkansas-based GRT-VALLEY RUBBER. The two companies have deployed a prototype ‘smart’ truck body solution to showcase the benefits of GRT-VALLEY RUBBER’s rubber truck bed liners (RTBL).

GRT-VALLEY RUBBER is a well-known name in the wear resistant moulded rubber products sector, providing both OEMs and mine sites rubber lining solutions that, the company says, reduce maintenance associated with consistent shovel and payload interactions, while improving the operator experience.

Michael Redford, Head of Operations: Analytics at Matrix, and Greg Elliott, Product Manager – Haul Trucks at GRT-VALLEY RUBBER, revealed this new development at the Denver event.

At a mine in the Iron Range of Minnesota, Matrix has installed an integrated solution consisting of a series of sensors on a steel truck bed, and one truck with GRT-VALLEY RUBBER’s rubber truck bed liner solution. The system is benchmarking the results of shovel loading on truck beds both with and without the bed liner.

Having this setup established for over six months now, the two companies have been able to quantify a significant reduction in “energy events” when using GRT-VALLEY RUBBER rubber-based solution, Redford told IM.

Matrix and GRT-VALLEY RUBBER have been able to quantify a significant reduction in “energy events” when using GRT-VALLEY RUBBER rubber-based solution compared with a steel truck bed

Initially, the project was scoped to outline the maintenance benefits of using rubber-liners on trucks, yet it has also highlighted the significant improvements in reducing operator impact forces and noise reduction that come with using GRT-VALLEY RUBBER’s solution.

“In terms of attracting and retaining haul truck drivers, these results could prove to be very important,” Elliott said. “Not only is there less physical harm done to operators by using our rubber linings due to reduced shock impacts, the reduction in decibel levels from a noise perspective is massive.”

The two companies are planning to roll out this solution on several other rubber-lined haul trucks in the next few months.

“We service several industries – not just mining – with a wide range of rubber products,” Elliott said. “We have many companies interested in seeing the benefits at their sites, so it is just a matter of getting the hardware installed and getting it speaking to the software.”

Redford said truck impacts may be the initial focus of this sensing system, but there is scope to expand into productivity improvement functions – educating shovel operators of optimal loading patterns, for instance.

He concluded: “We’re very much at the beginning of where this technology will go.”

Caterpillar gears up for SME and CONEXPO-CON/AGG shows

Automation, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Caterpillar has a busy few months lined up on the conference circuit, with major product releases, service options and technologies to be highlighted at the SME MINEXCHANGE 2023 event in Denver, Colorado, and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Focusing beyond the iron, the Caterpillar MINEXCHANGE 2023 exhibit will highlight the company’s innovation, technological advancements, and how Caterpillar is solving mining challenges today and innovating for the future. With its “Big Difference” theme, the company will showcase how it positively impacts miners and offers a range of careers within the mining industry at the event, which runs from February 26-March 1.

This includes:

  • Big Innovation – details how Caterpillar commits significant R&D investment to technology and automation that help mining customers succeed and contribute to a better, more sustainable world; and
  • Big Opportunities – covers career opportunities at Caterpillar for creating high-tech solutions.

Inside the Cat exhibit, a Cat D8 simulator will allow conference attendees to experience operating the dozer in a virtual environment. A video wall features the themed “Big” messages that include more details on Caterpillar and its mining solutions, autonomy leadership, a real-world sustainability journey and testimonials from Cat employees. Subject matter experts will be on hand to discuss Caterpillar’s latest technology, autonomy and equipment solutions for the mining industry. In addition, seven Caterpillar subject matter experts have been selected to present eight technical abstracts at MINEXCHANGE covering diversity in the workplace to technology and automation to implementing change management.

In Las Vegas at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 from March 14-18, meanwhile, Caterpillar will highlight its latest products, services and technologies while paying tribute to those who build the world’s infrastructure in what is its largest exhibit to date at the event.

The company’s 6,500 sq.m outdoor demonstration arena will anchor the massive display known as Operator Stadium (visualisation pictured below)

New Caterpillar Technology, Services and Sustainability hubs provide visitors the opportunity to look for ways to increase operating efficiencies and improve machine uptime, while new and current models and battery-electric machine prototypes will be highlighted.

The extensive Cat® equipment display in the Festival Lot is set to include more than 30 machines, including model unveilings and battery-electric model prototypes with charging stations. Visitors will see two main equipment demonstrations each day; one focused on the latest Cat technology, and one that will spotlight the company’s full equipment line up. Additionally, Caterpillar will be providing daily spotlight demonstrations that will take a deep dive into key industry topics including improving fuel efficiency and job site efficiency, the evolution of technology, and convenient, scalable solutions for all customers.

The new Cat 950 medium wheel loader on display offers, Cat says, premium performance and simple-to-use technologies to help boost operator efficiency and increase productivity, while extended service intervals help lower maintenance costs. Visitors will be treated to a preview of the Next Generation Cat 926, 930 and 938 small wheel loaders – slated for production in late 2023 – which feature new technologies designed to make work easier, a reimagined operator environment and extended service intervals.

Caterpillar Industrial Power Systems Division, meanwhile, will exhibit a wide and rapidly growing portfolio of high-efficiency Cat industrial power solutions. The exhibit includes the unveiling of a new high power internal combustion engine, as well as lithium-ion battery technologies under development. Engines on display, such as the C3.6 IPU, C7.1 and C9.3B, meet EU Stage V, U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emission standards and are compatible with biodiesel up to B20 and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to EN15940. The booth will also showcase Caterpillar’s technical services and market expertise leveraged by the global Cat dealer network to maximise the efficiency and extend the lifecycles of off-highway equipment, including Cat remanufactured and service replacement engines.

Caterpillar says it offers a range of service options that are easy, convenient, flexible and sustainable, and will be featured in the Services Hub at the event. The new Cat Central app is the latest tool for convenient access to genuine Cat parts and support. Another new service-related solution is the new Cat SIS2GO app which, Caterpillar says, takes the guesswork out of maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing Cat equipment. Both apps are available on Windows, iOS and Android platforms.

Team members from Cat Financial will also be available to discuss the latest leasing and financing programs.

The Caterpillar Technology Hub will offer attendees the ability to experience a range of new and existing Cat technologies – VisionLink, Cat Command, VisionLink Productivity, Cat Detect, Cat Grade and Cat Payload. Caterpillar SMEs will be on hand to assist each customer in finding a scalable solution designed to fit the business’s needs and budget.

Its centerpiece exhibit, the “Looking Glass” cube, displays and interactively showcases the five key capabilities of the new Cat VisionLink® application – Geofence & Location, Fuel Theft Alerts, Diagnostics, Idle Time/Fuel Burn, and Maintenance. An interactive wall will invite visitors to explore the full suite of VisionLink capabilities for both Cat and non-Cat equipment and non-machine assets.

The hub’s multiple Cat Command stations allow attendees to remotely operate Cat machines located more than 640 km away at the Tinaja Hills Demonstration and Learning Center. They are positioned to allow attendees to better experience and learn more about the Command for Dozing, Excavating and Loading technologies.

The Caterpillar Sustainability Hub will spotlight fuel efficiency and alternative power sources; technologies to fit every operation and budget; and parts and service designed to make uptime fast and easy, the company says. Plus, customers will learn about sustainability benefits they can choose today and plan for tomorrow.

Outside the Sustainability Hub, exhibit attendees can view components of Caterpillar’s total site solution for the energy transition, including four battery-electric machine prototypes – the Cat 301.9 mini excavator, 320 medium excavator, 950 GC medium wheel loader and 906 compact wheel loader – in addition to AC and DC charging solutions. The Caterpillar-designed batteries powering these battery-electric machines are built on lithium-ion Cat technology with a modular design that offers flexible configurations across multiple applications.

Perenti plants roots in USA on North America contract mining potential

Mining equipment, Mining finance, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , ,

Perenti Group has targeted the North America market for further contract mining growth, establishing a US office in the first half of its 2021 financial year.

The office, thought to be in Denver, Colorado, will help the company make the most of the substantial pipeline it has identified in North America.

The news came during the company’s first half results to the end of December 2020, which showed off revenue of A$1.01 billion ($799 million) and EBITDA of A$201 million.

Noting strong growth in its underground business and a contraction in its Africa surface business (most of which is tied to its AMS subsidiary), the company said it had won A$1.1 billion of new work and extensions since July 1, 2020, while its orderbook was around A$5.5 billion and its pipeline was circa-A$9.2 billion.

Within this global pipeline, A$2.1 billion was in the North America region, Perenti said. This was made up of 14 projects, three of which were at the tendering stage. Overall, 14% of the pipeline was from the US and 9% was in Canada.

The company, through its Barminco subsidiary, won its first “significant” North America contract last year when it signed on to an underground contract mining agreement at Barrick Gold’s Hemlo mine in Ontario, Canada (pictured).

In other news, the company said increased demand for its MinAnalytical mineral sample processing had been registered in the six months to the end of December, with record PhotonAssay processing recorded in December 2020.

The company also said it was “progressing alternative service offerings” during 2021.

RPMGlobal moves Consulting & Advisory division HQ to Toronto

Environmental, Mining finance, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , ,

RPMGlobal’s Consulting & Advisory division has opened its new regional headquarters in Toronto, Canada, to, it says, cater for the increasing growth in the country’s mining investment activity.

As a reflection of the growing size and activity in the Canadian market in terms of global mining investment and mining company headquarters, RPMGlobal’s Consulting & Advisory head office has transferred from Denver to Toronto.

The new Toronto head office is a key component of the company’s refreshed Americas Business Strategy, which also sees the relocation of Avakash (Akoo) Patel, President of the Americas region for RPMGlobal’s Consulting & Advisory business, to Toronto.

Alongside the business re-focus into Canada, RPMGlobal is continuing to grow its team with the recent appointments of resource geologists Jeffrey Smith and Francine Long, based at the new Toronto office.

In line with further anticipated growth in the market, RPMGlobal says it will continue to seek out qualified talent in the engineering and infrastructure space to join the team in Toronto. RPMGlobal’s Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance team is also looking to add to its environmental and community social relations group.

Philippe Baudry, RPMGlobal’s Executive General Manager – Advisory Services, said the company was experiencing rapid growth across its Canada customer base in line with its strategy to grow market share across the Americas.

“Our intention is always to have a very strong support network for our customers and the increased investment in our Toronto footprint is a strong reflection of that commitment,” he said. “Over the years, Toronto’s mining sector has been on a strong growth trajectory, which is indicative of the confidence and stability in the Toronto market.

“With a substantial amount of mining investment and financial decisions around mining now being driven by companies that are mostly headquartered in Toronto or Vancouver, it was a natural decision to move the lion’s share of our focus to Toronto.”

As part of the overarching Americas strategy, RPMGlobal will continue supporting its client base in Denver, Reno and Vancouver, and will continue to grow its presence in South America following the recent establishment of RPMGlobal’s new office in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

The company’s commitment to the region is supported by the appointment of Marcelo del Giudice as its new General Manager of South America and Principal Metallurgist. del Giudice is a metals and mining professional with proven experience in different base metals and precious metals across Latin America.

Patel said the repositioning of RPMGlobal’s Consulting & Advisory division in the Americas coincided with the growing significance of Canada as a global major mining hub.

“Canada, and Toronto in particular, is a major target for growth in coming years due to the size of the mining market with 47% of all publicly traded mining companies trading on the TSX and TSX-V, and 53% of all mining financing in the last five years being completed on Toronto exchanges,” he said.

“The strategic decision to open up a new office in Toronto positions us well to capitalise on the strong demand for RPMGlobal’s high quality mining advisory services in Canada.”

Seequent moves downstream with OreControl software partnership

Environmental, Explosives and blasting, IoT, Mining safety, Mining software, , , , , , ,

Seequent has partnered with OreControl Blasting Consultants, the US-based developer of OrePro 3D software, as it looks to expand its reach into the drill and blast arena.

OrePro 3D software allows geologists to model the movement of ore during blasting in order to delineate ore and waste more accurately for efficient downstream handling, according to Seequent.

“The software’s use of 3D modelling and visualisation techniques revolutionises how geologists determine ore boundaries and select dig directions, yielding significant improvements over traditional 2D methods,” the company added.

OrePro 3D embeds in a mine’s ore control process with seamless data integration with up-stream and down-stream systems, and intuitive workflows, according to the company. The software also contains a tool showing the financial impact of different mining scenarios.

Seequent’s GM Mining & Minerals, Nick Fogarty (pictured), says: “Mining companies continue to look for ways to improve their operating efficiency. By reducing ore loss and dilution, more valuable rock can be sent to the processing plant. OrePro 3D has already been adopted by many large mining companies who are using the solution to improve yields and operating efficiency, which in turn reduces the operation’s environmental impact.

He added: “This is another area where best of breed geoscience modelling techniques and 3D visualisation create value for our customers.”

William Hunt, Co-founder and President of OreControl Blasting Consultants, says: “By accurately highlighting where the pay material is located, post-blast, and then optimising dig blocks accordingly, operating efficiency and commercial returns can be dramatically improved. The value of additional recoveries after a single blast can represent an immediate return on investment and resources can also be extracted using less energy and water.”

According to Hunt, OrePro 3D can be used without direct measurement, which removes the need for transmitters and the need to put staff onto risky muck piles.

Epiroc USA moves headquarters to ‘Denver technology hub’

Automation, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining services, , ,

Epiroc has relocated its US headquarters from Commerce City to Broomfield within the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area, in the process joining a dynamic business community in a tech corridor known as the ‘Rocky Mountain Silicon Valley’, it said.

“The move to a technology hub is a natural one for Epiroc, a global company that provides innovative drill rigs, rock excavation and construction equipment and tools, along with service products and solutions,” the company said. “Epiroc focuses on delivering world-class technology solutions for automation and interoperability.”

Broomfield is situated halfway between downtown Denver and Boulder in the US Highway 36 technology corridor of the northwest Denver metro area. Epiroc’s headquarters is located at 8001 Arista Place, alongside notable neighbors from the technology, manufacturing and packaging sectors, it said.

“The new space was built to embody who Epiroc is — innovative, focused and future-forward — and to enable the company to better facilitate customer events,” it said. Epiroc also expects the relocation to help with employee recruitment, provide better access to amenities, and offer transportation efficiency for more than 70 people who work at the location.

Jon Torpy, President and General Manager of Epiroc USA, said: “The city of Broomfield is a perfect fit for Epiroc. While our company dedicates efforts to innovation and new developments in autonomous mining, teleremote drilling and interoperability, it is ideal for us to join a community that embodies growth and collaboration. The move will only help us become a better partner for our customers.”

HydraGEN technology receives top prize at Mining Cleantech Challenge

Environmental, Mining events, Mining industry recognition, Mining services, Power supply for mines, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

dynaCERT Inc and H2 Tek have taken home the $5,000 top prize at the Mining Cleantech Challenge in Denver, the Colorado Cleantech Industries Association (CCIA) has reported.

The two companies’ technology was chosen by mining executives and investors in the industry as the best among a competitive field of 12 total companies representing the US, Canada and Israel, the CCIA said. An international team of judges reviewed and voted on the winners, the CCIA said.

dynaCERT’s HydraGEN™ turns distilled water into H2 and O2 gases on-demand and introduces these gases directly to diesel engines’ air intakes. H2 Tek Vice President of Sales and Marketing, David Van Klaveren, said: “Our technology, HydraGEN can actually improve significantly those carbon emissions, reduce them and, along the way, pay for the capital cost of all this through fuel efficiency savings.

“We can’t ignore the fact that clean technology is an important part of our responsibility as participants and members of this industry, the mining industry,” he said. “I think it’s remarkable that an association considers this a priority: bringing together companies that have innovation for an extremely important cause.”

Hydrocarbons and CO2 are reduced due to the absence of carbon in hydrogen fuel and also due to better combustion of diesel fuel with the aid of hydrogen which has a higher flame speed, dynaCERT said.

“Although CO values for neat diesel operation is relatively lower, by inducting H2 & O2 into diesel the CO amount is further reduced,” dynaCERT said. dynaCERT has created partnerships to perfect a technology that would deliver on the promising findings with H2 & O2 injection. Not only have we developed patent-pending technology, we have completed testing and have validated that our technology works.”

Some of the features delivered through the technology, dynaCERT said:

  • “Our patent-pending electrolysis system and Smart ECM provides a reliable and adjustable delivery of H2 & O2 concentrations. Not all engines are the same and having the optimal ratio of gases provides increased benefits;
  • “Our technology is scalable allowing use with Class 6-8 on-road vehicles and transition to applications with rail, marine, off-road and power generation;
  • “Our technology is leading edge and provides solutions without drawing excessive power to perform the task;
  • “It is designed to work with OEM manufacturer’s and compliment technological improvements.”

Second place in the cleantech competition went to Earth Alive Clean Technologies, a microbial dust control technology that is non-hazmat, 100% organic and has biodegradable properties, while Rail-Veyor and its light rail solution rounded off the top three.

Herrenknecht brings boxhole backreaming to shaft sinking market

Explosives and blasting, Mine shafts and equipment, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining techniques, , , , , , ,

Herrenknecht expects to install one of its new boxhole backreaming machines in a mine in Asia later this year, one of the company’s Mining Project Managers, Alexander Frey, told attendees at an SME technical presentation, in Denver, Colorado, last week.

Looking to produce a system able to develop ore passes with simultaneous drilling and lining, the company has adapted boxhole boring machines it has been working on for the past nine years – which use an adapted form of the pipe jacking method – and come up with the boxhole backreaming machine.

This new machine can stabilise the shaft with thrust pipes and a steel liner, which avoids collapses of the shaft or a rework, while reducing the amount of activities in the upper level during mine development.

Herrenknecht has already built one machine and tested it at a mine in the Black Forest of Germany, Frey said. This testing saw the company sink an ore pass with a 2.8 m diameter and 22 m length at an angle of 19°. During this test work in 150 MPa Gneiss rock, Herrenknecht achieved reaming rates of up to 1.3 m/h, Frey said. According to Frey, the machine, which is equipped with a cutterhead like those employed on raiseborers, can cut really hard rock.

He added that the machines would likely be used for safely and efficiently sinking ore passes with a maximum 70 m shaft length and 3 m diameter, but it could also find other industry applications.

Dingo’s new Denver Asset Health Centre to improve predictive maintenance coverage

Base metals, Coal technology, Energy minerals, Equipment maintenance, Gem stone mining, Industrial minerals, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Mining software, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, , , , , ,

Dingo Software, a leader in providing predictive maintenance solutions to asset-intensive industries, has opened up its new Asset Health Centre in Denver, Colorado.

The modern, purpose-designed facility will provide operations with asset health coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Dingo says.

“From a sophisticated control room, Dingo analysts will monitor equipment condition, using a proprietary predictive analytics platform enriched with decades of maintenance expertise, to identify impending issues and then prescribe the corrective maintenance actions for immediate resolution,” the company said.

“This actionable intelligence will dramatically improve decision-making and could be the difference between an inexpensive repair and a catastrophic breakdown costing millions in parts and productivity losses.”

Currently managing over $12 billion worth of heavy equipment across six continents, the new centre, combined with its facility in Brisbane, Australia (pictured), will provide operations with a convenient, cost-effective way to monitor and maintain equipment, according to the company.

Dingo CEO Paul Higgins said the Denver team will be able to serve customers remotely using its award-winning, cloud-based predictive maintenance software, Trakka®, and team of Condition Intelligence™ experts. “Right now, around 250 different operations globally are capitalising on Dingo’s remote Asset Health services,” he said.

Safety is another major benefit Dingo will deliver to these operations, according to Higgins.

“When people work on a site they’re exposed to inherent dangers, so being offsite and working from a remote centre is advantageous,” he said. “And well-maintained equipment is always safer. It’s an issue that Dingo and its customers take very seriously.”

Other benefits include access to subject-matter expertise: “Dingo’s team of analysts has deep domain expertise in a range of fields.” Higgins said. “We have people with fixed plant, mobile, and underground experience; experts who understand trucks, shovels, drills—as well as a range of condition monitoring technologies.”

It would be an extremely expensive endeavour for one customer to find, and hire, an equivalent team of experts, according to Dingo.

“We can deliver the right expertise at the right time to help with the right issue,” Higgins said.

Dingo also provides clients with access to its proprietary equipment health database.

“We have one of the largest databases of asset health information in the world,” Higgins said. “Even when a customer has its own in-house team, they may only have access to the data they have generated. With over 25 years’ worth of asset performance data, we know what good looks like and, when equipment is underperforming, we know how to fix it.”

He added: “We’ve developed the unified platform specifically to enable access across multiple mining operations. An example is the senior management asset performance dashboard, which provides a comprehensive view of fleet health to ensure mines are operating at peak performance.”

Ultimately the Asset Health Centre doesn’t function as a complete outsourcing option, according to Dingo.

“Some customers take more of the workload on themselves, others don’t have the resources and want to move quickly so they bring us in,” Higgins said. “We don’t replace the customer’s team, we help them. We filter the noise and streamline decision-making, so they can focus on other, more pressing issues.”

Dingo is expanding the use of practical machine learning models in its Trakka predictive maintenance software with two new releases next year.