Tag Archives: John Kippenberger

Scott Technology wins sample prep and analysis lab contract from Rio at Robe Valley

Automation, Environmental, IoT, Metallurgy, Mineral processing, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , ,

Scott Technology has been awarded a further multi-million dollar contract by Rio Tinto to provide and commission the equipment for a new sample preparation and analysis laboratory at the Robe Valley iron ore mine site in Western Australia.

This is the second significant iron ore sample laboratory project awarded to Scott Technology by Rio Tinto in 2020, building on the inaugural order for an automated lab at the Koodaideri project.

The automation and robotics solutions provider said this latest contract builds on the decades-long relationship between the two businesses and Scott’s expertise and experience in this area.

The Robe Valley project scope comprises equipment from Scott Technology’s Rocklabs business as well as third-party supply. Work has begun on the development and planning for the new laboratory, which is expected to commence operation in June 2021.

Rio’s majority-owned Robe Valley operation produces ore from mines at the Mesa A hub and Mesa J hub, with coarse ore from both processed to lump and fines in the process plant at Cape Lambert.

John Kippenberger, CEO of Scott Technology (pictured), said: “Scott has demonstrated success at many iron ore mine site laboratories in recent years, with our Rocklabs crushers and mills providing safe, reliable, productive operation for our clients. We are excited to be working with the Rio Tinto team on another important mining laboratory project.

“This comes on the back of the positive Rio Tinto Koodaideri project work, which is currently underway and also in Western Australia. As recently announced, building work and site mobilisation has commenced at Koodaideri, in line with the original timetable.

“This latest contract award further cements Scott’s evolution in the mining sector from a world leading supplier of sample preparation equipment, to a complete end-to-end automation and analysis solution provider.”

Kippenberger said the iron ore sector was continuing to experience positive interest and investment in automation given the underlying strength in demand for the steel raw material, which boded well for the company picking up more contracts.

“We see an increasing opportunity for our business, for more projects of the same scale with both existing and new customers as they seek increased safety and greater productivity,” he added.

The Robe Valley is around 140 km southwest of Karratha in the Pilbara region, with the Robe Valley deposits owned by the Robe JV, which is 53% owned by Rio Tinto, 33% by Mitsui Iron Ore Development and 14% by Nippon Steel Sumitomo Metals Corp.

The primary requirement of the Robe Valley Sustaining Project is to sustain production from the Robe Valley from the year 2020.

Scott Technology to automate Koodaideri sampling and analysis process

Automation, Metallurgy, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , ,

Scott Technology says it has been awarded a significant contract by Rio Tinto to design and build the automated mine site laboratory for the Koodaideri iron ore project, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The automation and robotics solutions provider’s contract involves the building construction and equipment supply for the robotic sample preparation and analysis laboratory (graphic above), it said.

The project will be undertaken across multiple Scott manufacturing sites and is scheduled to be installed by mid-2021.

Scott Technology said: “The project leverages recent advancements in automation and digitisation, helping to deliver a safer and more productive mining operation. Once completed and in production in 2021, the Koodaideri laboratory will be the safest, most productive, highest quality iron ore facility in the world.”

Koodaideri, billed by Rio as an “intelligent mine”, will deliver a new production hub for Rio’s iron ore business in the Pilbara, incorporating a processing plant and infrastructure including a 166 km rail line connecting the mine to the existing network.

Construction on Koodaideri Phase 1 started in 2019 with first production expected in late 2021. Once complete, the mine will have an annual capacity of 43 Mt, underpinning production of the company’s flagship iron ore product, Pilbara Blend.

The contract award highlights Scott’s evolution in the mining sector from a leading supplier of sample preparation equipment, to a complete end-to-end automation and analysis solution provider, it said.

“The company’s commitment to R&D is helping to drive efficiency and output of some of the world’s largest mines, and Scott is currently working with multiple global mining companies and commercial laboratories on large scale automation projects, particularly in the Asia Pacific region,” it said. “In recent years, the company has implemented solutions in the mining sector such as robotic refuel, robotic idler change, sampling systems, and automated sample preparation facilities.”

Scott CEO, John Kippenberger, said: “Demand for industrial automation continues to intensify, driven by a continuing focus on health and safety, and to improve productivity, quality and profitability.

“As a global leader in automation and robotic solutions, Scott is well positioned to take advantage of this growing demand and we are progressing a number of opportunities across a range of sectors. With these latest developments in our technology platform, we see the mining sector continuing to play an increasingly important role as a contributor to Scott’s future growth.

“We are looking forward to partnering with Rio Tinto on this innovative project that once complete will set the new benchmark for safety and operational excellence in Iron Ore sample preparation and analysis.”