Tag Archives: GFG Alliance

SIMEC Mining, Solenis optimise flocculant use, reduce environmental impact at Iron Duke TSF

Environmental, Mine operation news, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , , ,

SIMEC Mining has successfully implemented a tailings management sustainability project that, it says, has resulted in positive environmental and operational benefits for its Iron Duke iron ore mine in South Australia.

A project initiated by SIMEC and completed with supplier/partner Solenis, it has resulted in a significant reduction in polymer usage and water consumption which translates to CO2 emissions being reduced by 65 t/y, while 18,250 cu.m of water will be saved annually, the company claims.

The success of this project has now been recognised with a Solenis Sustainability Award.

SIMEC Mining Iron Ore Executive General Manager, Jacqui Higgins, said the project was a worthy recipient when considering the positive environmental benefits and better use of resources.

“Sustainability and a reduced impact on our environment are key words when it comes to our mining operations and our aspirations for the future,” Higgins said. “SIMEC Mining, as part of GFG Alliance, is on a journey towards sustainability and a future that involves green iron and Carbon Neutral by 2030 (CN30) ambitions.

“That includes some big transitional plans but, just as importantly, these projects also contribute to our future aspirations and form important building blocks in our plans for a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly operation.”

Founded in 2020, the Solenis Sustainability Award program is designed to recognise customer projects that have positively impacted the planet. It acknowledges ongoing collaboration between the respective companies on projects that deliver reduced water use, reduced energy consumption, decreased greenhouse gas emissions, optimised raw material utilisation or reduced waste.

The project focuses on optimising flocculant dosage at Iron Duke’s tailings storage facility (TSF). The TSF stores processing plant waste material as a liquid slurry that inherently contains valuable water that is not recovered from the tailings dam. The tailings treatment program enables the mine to recover this water immediately for re-use in the processing plant. The chemical flocculant program facilitates this tailings treatment and water recovery process while the effective management of the TSF is crucial for structural integrity and environmental protection, SIMEC explained.

The solution involved optimising flocculant dosage based on variable factors like water flow, density and total solids. SIMEC and Solenis identified key measurable variables and developed algorithms linked to the Solenis PraestoSpeed 120™ polymer makeup and dosage system. On-site control was facilitated through the plants operating system with remote monitoring via an online platform.

Results indicated dry flocculant usage decreased from 700 kg/d to 200 kg/d, translating to a verified annual cost saving of approximately A$850,000 ($556,571) for SIMEC, as well as the aforementioned environmental benefits.

Bis and GFG Alliance agree on Whyalla mining and steelworks contract extension

Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , ,

Bis is set to continue its long-standing commercial relationship with GFG Alliance’s integrated mining and steelworks at Whyalla, in South Australia, after the two companies signed a new multi-year materials handling and export facilities services contract.

The materials handling service involves the movement and processing within the steelworks of bulk materials, iron and steel slag, scrap and semi-finished products; while the export facilities service includes train unloading and ship loading at the harbour and management and maintenance of the export facilities.

The contract will help drive continuous improvement, resulting in significant efficiencies while providing greater opportunities to optimise each company’s assets and workforce across multiple work-fronts, Bis said.

Bis has been operating various service contracts at Whyalla for the last 60 years, with the contract extending its long history of providing essential core services at the integrated mining and steelwork operations.

GFG Alliance, South32 and Anglo American complete TEMCO transaction

Mining mergers and acquisitions, Power supply for mines, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , , , , ,

GFG Alliance says it has finalised the purchase of the hydro energy-powered Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company (TEMCO) smelter in Bell Bay in northern Tasmania, Australia.

After entering a binding sale and purchase agreement with South32 and Anglo American in August, today’s finalisation sees TEMCO join LIBERTY Steel Group as part of the GFG Alliance family, it said.

The smelter, in Tasmania, Australia, was run by the Samancor Manganese joint venture, owned 60% by South32 and 40% by Anglo American.

GFG Alliance Executive Chairman, Sanjeev Gupta, said the acquisition not only secured the jobs of the smelter’s 250 workers but would also play a key role in enhancing LIBERTY’s drive to be self-sufficient in the supply chain.

“When we entered into the agreement in August, I flagged that our investment in key inputs such as ferromanganese and silicomanganese would generate supply chain value to ensure a sustainable and globally competitive steel manufacturing sector,” Gupta said. “This acquisition is an upstream integration for Whyalla and all our steel plants globally.

“The Bell Bay precinct and nearby George Town is a long-standing industrial community with a proud heritage, and we are committed to seeing this facility continue to play an important role in the future of the Australian steel industry.”

The TEMCO facility, which is powered by Hydro Tasmania, has four submerged arc furnaces, including a sinter plant, and has the capacity to produce around 150,000 t/y of high carbon ferromanganese and 120,000 t/y of silicomanganese used in the production of steel, the company said.

“GFG Alliance already produces the lowest carbon aluminium in the world in both the UK and France and I’m proud to add one of the world’s greenest ferro alloy producers to our portfolio,” Gupta said. “Our goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030 and I am proud to invest in a state like Tasmania, which has a plentiful supply of renewable energy resources.”

GFG Alliance to take over TEMCO manganese alloy smelter following South32 pact

Metallurgy, Mineral processing, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , , , , ,

South32’s association with the Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company (TEMCO) is set to come to an end after it agreed to sell its stake in the manganese alloy smelter to an entity within the GFG Alliance.

The announcement from South32’s Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) said completion of the transaction was subject to approval from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board. Upon satisfaction of this condition, GFG will make a nominal payment to GEMCO to acquire 100% of the shares in TEMCO, it said, without naming an acquisition price.

As a condition to the completion of the transaction, the parties have entered into an ore supply agreement from GEMCO to TEMCO.

The smelter, in Tasmania, Australia, is run by the Samancor Manganese joint venture, owned 60% by South32 and 40% by Anglo American.

South32 says TEMCO uses ore shipped from its GEMCO operations in the Northern Territory of Australia and produces ferromanganese for steelmaking. Most of the alloy produced is exported to customers in Asia and North America, with the remaining sold to steel producers in Australia and New Zealand.

South32 CEO Graham Kerr said the agreement represented another milestone for South32 as it continues to reshape its portfolio.

“Today’s agreement follows an extensive review of options regarding the future of our manganese alloy business,” he said.

“The transaction and our ongoing supply of ore to TEMCO will see the smelter, first established in 1962, continue to operate into the future.

“Looking forward, we are confident that GFG, a current TEMCO customer, is well placed to operate the smelter, with the acquisition representing an opportunity to further vertically integrate its steel business.”

The transaction does not include the Samancor Manganese JV’s South African manganese alloy smelter, Metalloys, which has separately been placed under care and maintenance, South32 added.

Bis gets firm handle on GFG Alliance Whyalla contract

Bulk handling, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , , , ,

Bis says it will become the single materials handling contractor for GFG Alliance in Whyalla, South Australia, as of October 1.

As part of GFG Alliance’s strategy to maximise efficiency at its Whyalla-based operations ¬– incorporating its Liberty Primary Steel and SIMEC Mining businesses (which includes a 10 Mt iron ore mine in the Middleback Ranges of South Australia) – several materials-handling work packages were consolidated into a single contract to be operated by a single contractor partner.

The contract will see Bis deliver a range of site services to Whyalla including steel services, scrap processing and handling, slag processing and handling, and bulk materials handling.

The award comes as Bis celebrates 60 years in Whyalla this year, where it currently employs 170 people. Bis will bring on another 80 employees as part of the expanded scope of works.

Liberty Primary Steel Acting Executive Managing Director, Jason Schell, said: “GFG Alliance is looking forward to partnering with Bis to help drive our continuous-improvement culture and turn our business around for a sustainable, long-term future.

“This consolidated contract will result in significant cost savings for our business, while providing greater opportunities to optimise Bis’ assets and workforce across multiple work-fronts.”

Bis Chief Executive Officer, Brad Rogers, said the announcement showed the strength of the company’s relationship with GFG Alliance, as well as Bis’ track record of safely and reliably delivering flexible, efficient solutions for its customers.

Hadyn Shepherd, Bis General Manager Mining Services South East, meanwhile, said the win was great recognition for Bis and the team in Whyalla.

GFG Alliance strikes finance and accounting pact with WNS

Coal technology, Mining services, Mining software, Power supply for mines, Steel and iron ore, , , ,

WNS, a provider of global business process management (BPM) services, has announced a new partnership with GFG Alliance to manage the finance and accounting processes for the mining, energy generation, metals, and engineering firm.

The agreement provides further opportunities to expand scope into other support functions for GFG Alliance entities WNS said.

Keshav R Murugesh, Group CEO, WNS, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with GFG Alliance in Australia. We are constantly exploring new ways to co-create future-ready functions with Chief Financial Officers and Chief Human Resources Officers, enabling them to drive the transformation agenda for their businesses.

“We are confident that our strategic capabilities, in-depth business understanding, and robust portfolio of solutions will help us create value that delivers outperformance for GFG Alliance.”

Sanjeev Gupta, Executive Chairman and CEO, GFG Alliance, said the agreement came at the same time as the company underwent a period of rapid expansion.

“This partnership with WNS is in line with our vision, and allows us to share best practice and experience from across the world, facilitating consolidation and optimisation of our operations,” Gupta said

WNS’ F&A function has over 10,500 professionals delivering end-to-end support to the CFO’s office for over 95 global clients, it says.

GFG and Shanghai Electric to power up Cultana Solar Farm project

Environmental, Mine operation news, Power supply for mines, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , ,

GFG Alliance’s SIMEC Energy Australia (SEA) has signed a strategic partnership with Shanghai Electric for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for the Cultana Solar Farm project, in South Australia.

The agreement was signed by GFG Alliance Executive Chairman and CEO, Sanjeev Gupta (pictured, right), and President of Shanghai Electric, Huang Ou (pictured, left), in the presence of representatives from key supporting financial institutions.

Cultana is the first project of SIMEC Energy Australia’s $1 billion, 1 GW dispatchable renewable energy program in South Australia.

“With capacity of 280 MW, Cultana is expected to produce around 600 GWh/y of energy, powering GFG’s Whyalla Steelworks and a range of key government and commercial customers,” the company said.

“Set to be one of Australia’s largest solar farms, Cultana will deliver a range of benefits to the local community, increasing reliability and security of the state’s electricity supply and environmental benefits. The project is set to boost local employment, with circa-350 positions during construction,” GFG Alliance said.

Sanjeev Gupta, GFG Alliance Executive Chairman and CEO, said: “Cultana Solar Farm is an ambitious project that will deliver globally-competitive renewable energy on a large scale to power heavy industry. It is a great step forward in our vision to revitalise industry and we look forward to working with our partners to bring our renewables projects to life.”

GFG previously announced its ambition to invest in up to 10 GW of large-scale solar and other renewables projects across Australia.

Shanghai Electric, which has global expertise in such projects, including completion of the world’s largest concentrated solar power project in Dubai, will provide EPC for the Cultana project.

The Cultana project will play a key role in the development of the visionary 10 Mt/y Whyalla Next-Gen steel plant project and industry revitalisation strategy championed by GFG, GFG said.

Gupta said: “Our planned Next-Gen project will ignite a new industrial revolution in Australia. These projects are shining examples of GFG’s commitment to create a sustainable future for industry and build stronger local communities.”