Tag Archives: Illawarra

Bis to deliver electric fleet of forklifts to BlueScope’s Port Kembla operation

Environmental, Mining equipment, Power supply for mines, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , ,

Bis has announced plans for the roll out of a new electric fleet of specialised assets at BlueScope’s Port Kembla operation in New South Wales, Australia.

The battery-powered high-capacity forklifts and associated maintenance services were a critical part of a recently secured five-year contract renewal between BlueScope and Bis for the Illawarra-located steelmaking operation; the latest in a 30-year continuous relationship between the two companies, Bis says.

The idea to incorporate electric forklifts into the new contract was inspired by BlueScope’s climate strategy and decarbonisation pathway, which sets out its approach to reducing emissions across its operations.

Bis Chief Executive Officer, Simon Atkinson, said: “Building on our strong existing partnership, we are committed to helping BlueScope achieve its low-carbon goals. The new electric forklifts are practical evidence of this. They will represent up to 63% of the new forklifts that are being rolled out, and our aim is to keep the fleet evolving. Their configurations have been optimised specifically for BlueScope. Options include small footprint, flameproof specifications, custom mast heights, extra wide carriages and thin tynes with chisel tips, dual drive tyres and a variety of specialised attachments.

“Each unit also features a range of new technology capabilities for operators as well as pedestrian safety. We want to drive sustainability improvements as much as we can for our customers, and the shared expertise we have with BlueScope is yet again delivering significant and measurable outcomes for its business.”

A reliability coordinator will provide performance metrics, insight into continuous improvement initiatives for additional sustainable savings and support for site trials and training, Bis said.

David King, Australian Steel Products Contract Manager, said BlueScope deeply values Bis’ proactive and solutions-focused approach as it works hard in targeting a 12% reduction in its greenhouse gas emission intensity for its steelmaking activities by 2030.

“We aim to create carbon efficient and climate-resilient solutions for our customers and to make this a reality we have set a goal of net zero GHG emissions across our operations by 2050,” he said. “This will only come about as a result of working collaboratively with innovative partners and suppliers, like Bis, to challenge the status quo and enable ideas to materialise across all facets of the steelmaking process.”

Mobilisation of the new contract commences in July 2024, Bis says.

Mastermyne outbye services contract extended at South32’s Illawarra coal mine

Coal technology, Mine operation news, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , ,

Mastermyne Group says it has won a short-term extension to its existing contract with South32 at the Illawarra metallurgical coal operation in New South Wales, Australia.

The execution of the new contract will see the ASX-listed contractor continue to provide outbye services at the operation, part of the Appin colliery, until June 30, 2020. This extension closely aligns Mastermyne’s outbye services with the roadway development contract also operating in parallel at the mine, it said.

The scope of the agreement provides for a range of services managing outbye processes and supplementary labour in the Appin colliery longwall area.

The contract extension, expected to generate revenue of around A$17 million ($11.6 million) over the seven-month period, also allows the company to use this time to finalise an Enterprise Agreement with its workforce, it said.

South32 completed two longwall moves in the June 2019 quarter and plans to produce 7 Mt of metallurgical coal in the year ending June 30, 2020. This is up from 6.6 Mt in the previous 12-month period. More longwall moves have been scheduled for the current quarter and the March 2020 quarter as South32 looks to support the operation’s return to a three longwall configuration from the June 2020 quarter.

Mastermyne CEO, Tony Caruso, said: “We have worked closely with South32 for some time now, and putting this extension in place means both organisations are able to plan and get set for the longer term requirements at the mine.

“The company has provided contracting services to the Illawarra metallurgical coal operations for over 15 years now and we look forward to assisting South32 with their next stage of underground growth at the Appin colliery.”

SCE wins transport contract for Peabody Metropolitan coal mine

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Australia-based SCE says it has been awarded a multi-year contract to transport coal wash reject from Peabody’s Metropolitan mine in Helensburgh, New South Wales, to various tipping locations in the Illawarra district.

Under the contract SCE will be moving 400,000 t/y with special consideration to be given to the Helensburgh community to ensure minimal heavy vehicle impact operating between set hours (7 am-5 pm), including operating outside school zone hours.

The contract is estimated to be worth A$14 million ($9.83 million) during the initial three-year period with options for a further two-year extension.

Metropolitan uses underground longwall mining techniques to extract the coal which is then transferred by conveyor to the major surface facilities area. The coal is transported by train to the Port Kembla Coal Terminal for shipping to domestic and overseas customers. The mine sold 1.9 million tons (1.7 Mt) of coal from the mine in 2018.

“We are extremely pleased to have been awarded this contract by Peabody,” SCE Transport and Logistics Manager, Paul Minogue, said. “Metropolitan is one of the oldest continually operating coal mining operations in Australia and has been an integral part of the Helensburgh community for 130 years.”

He added: “Similarly, we have a wealth of experience in all facets of the mining services industry including stockpile management, emplacement services, civil projects, water management and transport solutions.”

Minogue said the company will have a fleet of up to 25 semi-trailers to transport coal wash reject from the mine site with the capability to flex down and up, depending on demand.

“As always, our top priority is to ensure we move all materials safely while also taking into consideration the communities in which we operate,” he added.

Mastermyne back on the road at South32’s Illawarra coal complex

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Australia and coal focused Mastermyne Group has been given the nod by South32 to restart roadway development services at the Illawarra coal complex in New South Wales.

The contract, initially awarded back in August 2017, is expected to deliver annual revenues of some $18 million, according to Mastermyne.

South32 requested roadway development be stopped in line with the temporary closure of the Appin mine, part of the Illawarra complex, last year.

Mastermyne said the additional revenue generated through this contract secures the upper end of the 2019 financial year (to end-June 2019) guidance range of A$230-250 million ($165-179 million).

Mastermyne CEO Tony Caruso said: “We are very pleased to have recommenced work on this project and further extend out working relationship with South32’s Illawarra metallurgical coal operations.”

The company already has a contract in place with South32 for the provision of services at the Appin mine. This is primarily process works and supplementary labour in the Appin longwall area.