Tag Archives: Matrix Composites & Engineering

Matrix aims to replace steel componentry at Newcrest’s Cadia block cave

Mine operation news, Mining consumables, Mining services, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, , , , ,

Matrix Composites & Engineering has secured a contract with Newcrest Mining to develop a “high-tech solution” for its Cadia gold mine in New South Wales, Australia.

Under the scope of the works, Matrix will use its expertise in advanced materials technology to develop a composite replacement for steel componentry within the miner’s block caving operations at Cadia.

The scope of works for product development, with a contract value of up to approximately A$500,000 ($380,701), will commence immediately and is planned for completion in October 2021. If the development work is successful, it is intended Matrix would manufacture the full-scale solution at its facility in Henderson, Western Australia, for supply directly to Newcrest.

The contract aligns with Matrix’s strategy to increase penetration of its advanced materials technologies into operations and brownfields projects, the company said. It follows a recent agreement with Woodside Petroleum to provide technology development services, using the company’s expertise in advanced materials technology, composite materials and advanced manufacturing.

Matrix Chief Executive Officer, Aaron Begley, said the advanced composite solution has applications for other companies in the mining sector and potentially in the oil and gas space.

“We are pleased to be working with Newcrest and look forward to delivering on this project to replace steel with an innovative composite product that will introduce new technology to make the block caving process safer and more efficient,” Begley said.

“While the scope of this contract for product development is modest, it demonstrates further progress in our strategic pivot from targeting greenfields capital expenditure work to locally-based brownfields operating expenditure in the oil and gas and resources sectors.

“We are optimistic that successful delivery of this project has the potential to unlock larger scale contracts with Newcrest and other blue-chip resources companies.”

Pacific National signs up Matrix to help increase freight load capacity

Bulk handling, Energy minerals, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , ,

ASX-listed Matrix Composites & Engineering Ltd has agreed to build four prototype transport systems that could significantly increase the freight load capacity of bulk transportation, according to the company’s CEO Aaron Begley.

The A$2.4 million ($1.8 million) contract, for the largest combined rail freight company in Australia, Pacific National, will see Matrix use composite materials that have lightweight, rigid and fabrication advantages over traditional steel materials.

It follows on from a January letter of intent between the two companies that originally envisaged a $2 million contract for up to 10 prototype systems.

Pacific National has expertise in coal, in particular, with nearly 6,000 specialised coal wagons, 600 locomotives and 10,000 people in teams throughout Australia.

Matrix will start manufacturing the prototypes at its Henderson facility in Western Australia, with the initial stage expected to be completed in the second half of 2019. A second stage to manufacture 110 units is also planned, subject to a successful functional commercialisation assessment of the prototypes.

Begley said the contract is suited to Matrix’s expertise: “This contract is perfectly in line with our strategy to combine Matrix’s proven capabilities in advanced materials, with our state of the art composite manufacturing facility to develop lightweight composite structures for the large and growing transportation market here in Australia and overseas.”

Under the contract, Matrix has been awarded a 20-year licence to market the product to other potential customers in Australia and to extend this internationally.

The company said other opportunities for lightweight transportation structures are also being pursued with discussions having commenced with major bulk transport and freight transport companies for fleet upgrades.