Tag Archives: MINExpo 2024

Weir unveils NEXT Intelligent Solutions digital offering at MINExpo

Automation, IoT, Mining events, Mining software, , ,

Weir’s new digital offering, NEXT™ Intelligent Solutions, extends and expands the OEM’s current capabilities and transforms its process optimisation services into real-time digital solutions, it says.

In recent years, Weir has been focused on harnessing digital technologies to improve equipment performance, availability and product quality – overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Having recently added artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to its suite of digital solutions through the addition of SentianAI, Weir is now harnessing these technologies to optimise entire circuits and processes, and it is showcasing it at this week’s MINExpo 2024 event in Las Vegas.

Weir has developed digital packages for all of its market- leading solutions – pumps, cyclones, HPGRs, screens and hoses and spools – based around key customer needs: Insight, Uptime and Production.

The Insight package provides provides actionable visibility of system health and performance. It includes:

  • Condition monitoring;
  • Process monitoring;
  • Digital documentation; and
  • Maintenance monitoring.

The Uptime package is focused on extending availability using predictive condition monitoring. It includes:

  • Stage 1 – Optimisation;
    • Wear detection technology
    • Predictive maintenance
  • Stage 2 – Automation
    • Equipment adjustment automation

The Production package empowers users to maximise process efficiency with AI-powered optimisation. It’s a two-stage process:

      • Stage 1 – Process optimisation
      • Stage 2 – Process optimisation automation

Weir says: “Weir knows its market-leading products better than anyone, and when this expertise is combined with the latest in AI capability and the modelling of its proprietary data, it is able to make a real difference to customers. ”

Cat developing 1.6-km ‘Tinaja 10’ test track for DET solution

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , ,

The unveiling of the Cat® Dynamic Energy Transfer (DET) solution to transfer energy to both diesel-electric and battery-electric large mining trucks while they are working around a mine site was deemed as significant for an industry in need of solutions to transition to net-zero operations.

Designed to both transfer energy to large mining trucks, as well as charge a machine’s batteries while operating with increased speed on grade, the system “provides the industry with options to support both near-term and long-term sustainability strategies”, Caterpillar said.

During a visit to Caterpillar’s Tucson Proving Grounds (TPG) in Arizona over the weekend, IM witnessed just how advanced this solution is.

The company orchestrated a ‘drag race’ between two 798 ACs – one fitted with the DET system and another with the normal diesel-electric drive – on the “Tinaja 10” test track at the facility. This haul road has been developed to showcase the system’s speed on grade, as well as ability to seamlessly transition on and off the DET rails. It boasts an average 10% incline – hence the name – and will eventually stretch out to 1.6 km (it is currently 400-m long).

Cat DET is comprised of a series of integrated elements, including a power module that converts energy from a mine site’s power source, an electrified rail system to transmit the energy and a machine system to transfer the energy to the truck’s powertrain. At TPG, the DET system on the Tinaja 10 was powered mainly by diesel generator sets.

Like other trolley showcases before, the drag race at TPG saw the DET-enabled 798 AC beat its diesel-electric companion to the top of the ramp, with Caterpillar estimating that 1 MW more power was going into the motors of the 798 AC on the DET line than the diesel-electric-only equivalent.

Caterpillar has plans to conduct field-follow trials of the DET solution in 2025, followed by commercialisation in 2026, Denise Johnson, President of Resource Industries, told IM during an interview on the same day as the demonstration.

This solution will, no doubt, be discussed in depth in Las Vegas, this week, with Caterpillar set to showcase a Cat high altitude arrangement (HAA) 798 AC electric drive truck, equipped with the on-board DET hardware at MINExpo 2024.

With its 372-t nominal rated payload, the Cat 798 AC electric drive trucks deliver the highest standard payload available in its class size, higher speed on grade, easier maintenance and excellent resistance braking performance, the company says.

The HAA 798 AC to be displayed in the Caterpillar exhibit at MINExpo 2024 features a 363-t payload, refreshed cab plus the latest performance, maintenance and safety upgrades.

The 798 AC truck at MINExpo will be positioned with the prototype onboard attachment arm connected to a 73-m section of the Cat DET rail system.

The diesel-electric design of the 798 AC, as well as all Cat AC-drive trucks, delivers high payload, fast speeds and excellent acceleration, so miners get the most from the fuel burned, Caterpillar says. Equipping the truck with DET to make use of electric power on certain sections of the haul road provides opportunities to reduce fuel burn even more.

To optimise fuel consumption at the mine site, the 798 AC offers a range of engine power options from 2,050 to 3,095 kW. Engines are compatible with diesel blended with lower-carbon intensity fuels like biofuels and renewable fuels, as well as blends with synthetic fuels.

Caterpillar readies new wide body truck for international market

Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, , , , ,

Caterpillar has responded to customer demand and is offering a wide body off-highway truck within the smaller-class size, IM learned during a pre-MINExpo 2024 trip to Tucson, Arizona, last week.

There are several Chinese and international manufacturers offering wide body trucks with, typically, payloads below 100 t. Historically, these have been used at smaller mine sites in China and Mongolia, however an overseas population has been building of late – some of which are battery-electric.

Caterpillar has an SEM Machinery branded 3090F wide body truck available in China and Mongolia currently (pictured above). This 60-t rated payload truck could soon be joined by the 70-t rated 3110, David Rea, VP for Rigid Frame Trucks, said.

Rea also confirmed that the company was developing a Cat 707 wide body truck, which would also have a 70-t payload, for the international markets. Machines are currently being tested in field-follow trials in Africa, Asia and China, he said, ahead of a planned launch in 2025.

Trimble and Worldsensing unveil new solution for long-term 3D ground and structural monitoring movement

Environmental, IoT, Mining safety, Mining services, , , ,

TrimbleⓇ and Worldsensing have announced the introduction of a solution for long term 3D ground and structural movement monitoring that will combine Trimble 4D Control™ (T4D) monitoring software with the new Trimble GNSS Meter, powered by Worldsensing.

Designed for industries such as mining, this solution helps minimise the risks associated with land and structure instability by enabling faster and more cost-effective deployment for a greater range of project types. The announcement was made on the eve of INTERGEO in Stuttgart, Germany and MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas.

The new monitoring solution will connect a GNSS Meter, powered by Worldsensing, with Trimble T4D monitoring software to automatically transform data into actionable insights, the companies say. The GNSS Meter is a sensor featuring real-time kinematic (RTK) technology and the ability to process data directly on the device, providing precise and automated measurement of 3D surface movements once placed on site. The sensors then transmit movement data to T4D for real-time analysis and if exceeding established thresholds, to automatically alarm stakeholders.

Direct advantages of this new solution that the two companies pointed out include:

  • Ease of use: A user-friendly set-up and intuitive interface make rapid deployment of tens, hundreds or even thousands of sensors possible with minimal training needed. This reduces the time and cost associated with traditional GNSS-based movement monitoring systems while ensuring long-term sensor reliability;
  • Cost effective: This solution leverages wireless IoT technology to minimise infrastructure costs, eliminating the need for extensive cabling and reducing maintenance expenses. It also reduces the number of components and accessories needed when compared to traditional systems; and
  • Survey-grade precision: The GNSS Meter’s RTK technology and edge processing achieves reliable, millimetric precision enabling deployment across a range of project types and environments.

Andrea Bartoli, Chief Technology Officer at Worldsensing, said: “Our collaboration with Trimble enables us to provide the geospatial market with an innovative solution that leverages IoT connectivity for precise, autonomous ground movement monitoring in land surveying, offering significant cost savings over traditional methods.”

Riley Smith, Strategic Marketing Director, Monitoring, Mining and Tunnelling at Trimble, added: “This is a fit-for-purpose solution that simplifies deployment and reduces costs. It will be easier than ever for our customers in the mining, construction and infrastructure industries to meet a greater range of project requirements needing widespread sensor deployment across challenging environments.”

Immersive Technologies launches ‘world first’ underground mining simulator at MINExpo

Careers in mining, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, , , ,

The Immersive Technologies IM360+ is, this week, being unveiled for the first time publicly at MINExpo 2024, in Las Vegas, along with never before seen visual system innovations to drive value for underground miners, the company says.

This solution is designed for underground miners, who often face unique challenges in equipment operator training.

Equipped with a best-in-class visual system, the IM360+ is the first underground mining simulator to combine stereoscopic 3D, photo-realistic graphics and RealView™ head tracking technology, Immersive claims. “The IM360+ delivers realism and training value at a level not previously seen by the underground mining industry,” it added.

The platform builds on the success of previous Immersive Technologies platforms that have trained over 250,000 mining equipment operators across 51 countries.

Immersive says the IM360+ offers:

  • High Fidelity – class-defining 3D stereoscopic display system with true to life graphics delivers depth perception and sensory immersion at the highest levels possible;
  • Reliability & asset life – designed to operate continuously in harsh mining environments, the IM360+ uses professional-grade components with extremely high uptime. The platform is based on the most durable design in mining simulation that has a proven asset life of 10-plus years.
  • Training Value – providing best-in-class training value and continuous improvement capability, the IM360+ incorporates new technologies designed to increase training retention and trainer efficiency. Mine owners and contractors can expect the highest level of skills transfer to the job in the shortest time possible, creating real operational value, Immersive says; and
  • Safety & Comfort – the IM360+ incorporates best-in-class safety and comfort with air conditioning and heating capacity for the most extreme environments, zero trip ultra-low profile motion platform, and positive pressure airflow system to prevent dust entering from the mining environment.

David Anderson, CEO, Immersive Technologies, said: “Our close collaboration with mining companies paired with our extensive mining technology experience is a catalyst for innovation to solve real mining challenges. At MINExpo 2021 we launched the PRO5 for surface mining and the uptake has been massive due to the training value of stereoscopic 3D and true to life graphics. We knew that underground miners needed a similar capability, so we launched the IM360+ at MINExpo 2024. This is another big step towards our mission to make resource companies measurably safer and more profitable.”

Immersive says its Advanced Equipment Simulators are the mining industry’s benchmark solution for operator training and workforce optimisation. These platforms have verified real results from the likes of BHP, Rio Tinto, Vale, Glencore, Barrick, Newmont, Freeport-McMoRan and Anglo American.

Hitachi Construction Machinery to showcase higher payload EH4000AC rigid dump truck at MINExpo

Mining equipment, Mining events, Sustainable mining, , , ,

Hitachi Construction Machinery has implemented a full-model change of the EH4000AC-3 rigid dump truck to develop the EH4000AC-5 (nominal payload of 242 t, gross machine operating weight of 427 t), and is ready to present this at MINExpo 2024, in Las Vegas, next week.

By applying metal fabrication technologies accumulated through the manufacturing of hydraulic excavators, the company increased the durability and achieved the industry’s highest payload of 242 t. After completing field tests at mining sites, the company aims to start sales of the new rigid dump truck in 2025.

The new model increases the payload by 21t compared to EH4000AC-3 and helps to increase the productivity of customer mining operations, according to the company.

The EH4000AC-5 evolved the Hitachi AC drive system cultivated through the current EH AC-3 series models and strengthened the brakes, suspension and other aspects of the undercarriage to achieve smooth, stable driving and superior deceleration performance even under the industry’s highest payload of 242 t, HCM says. In addition, it provides a comfortable operator space and operating environment which enables the operator to achieve the desired level of manoeuvring performance. Furthermore, the change to a fully-electric specification equipped with batteries and trolley dynamic charging systems that receive power from overhead lines installed at mines is also compatible with the EH4000AC-5, similar to the current EH-AC3 series models.

The maximum speed is, according to HCM, an industry-leading 65 km/h. At the same time, it provides high productivity to customers with improved traction performance. In addition, it is equipped with a new feature that allows operators to select from three different driving modes (High Power Mode, Power Mode and Eco Mode) according to the site environment. Operators can select Eco Mode when they wish to reduce fuel consumption or High Power Mode to maximise driving performance for efficient operation. In terms of the deceleration performance, the brake performance was enhanced by changing the hydraulic brakes from front dry brakes to wet brakes and enhancing the performance of the retarder auxiliary brakes. As a result, they demonstrate stable braking force even in harsh mining environments.

The switches and monitors in a cab were completely redesigned to improve operability and comfort. Information regarding the safety conditions around the machinery, loading conditions, etc is displayed on the monitors to support safe and efficient operation by customers.

The EH4000AC-5 is compatible with the Consite Mine service solution which remotely monitors the status of mining machinery. Consite Mine issues two types of reports consisting of “Scheduled Reports” that inform customers of the machines’ operational status via email and a smartphone app and “Alarm Reports” that are issued whenever various sensors detect abnormalities in the machinery. Detecting abnormalities in the dump truck and performing maintenance, inspection and parts replacement according to the machinery’s condition reduces downtime.

The company concluded: “Hitachi Construction Machinery’s strength lies in the fact that we possess a diverse range of touch points at mining sites, and we are utilising the resources of our group companies to expand our business areas to include not only the mining process where mining machinery is used but to mineral processing as well. Going forward, we will continue to provide innovative solutions to mining sites across a diverse range of touch points.”

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions to highlight full range of Bredel, Qdos peristaltic pumps at MINExpo

Mining events, Water management, , ,

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) is to highlight its full range of Bredel and Qdos peristaltic pumps, ideal for mining’s most demanding transfer & metering applications, at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2024, in Las Vegas, next week, it says.

Bredel hose pumps have a proven ability to handle abrasive pastes and chemicals, including viscous slurries, grit-filled sludge, corrosive acids, and other challenging materials. These industrial pumps achieve flow rates of up to 475 gallons per minute (1,798 litres per minute), transferring up to 80% solids in suspension. Qdos chemical metering pumps, with the ReNu cartridge pumphead at the core of its operation, meters reagents in thousands of mining installations worldwide, WMFTS says.

Mines around the world are replacing centrifugal pumps with hose pumps, which are far less affected by such fluid dynamics as paste density, viscosity, suction conditions and discharge pressure. Hose pumps are also unaffected by the abrasive and aggressive nature of paste and chemicals. Unlike centrifugal and progressing cavity pumps, the peristaltic design of Bredel hose and Qdos metering pumps contain no moving parts that come into contact with the product with no seals, ball-checks, diaphragms, glands, immersed rotors, stators or pistons to leak, clog, corrode or replace.

Bredel & Qdos pumps also eliminate the need for ancillary equipment, including dry-run protection and seal water flush systems. A simple replacement hose or cartridge change takes only minutes or even seconds and can be performed in-situ without special tools or skilled personnel.

The low maintenance peristaltic design offers a low total cost of ownership. As the fluid is safely contained within the pump, operation and maintenance personnel and the environment are protected from unwanted spillages or exposure to chemicals.

Bredel & Qdos pumps are dry-running, self-priming and allow no slippage for true positive displacement to provide accurate and repeatable metering, the company says. Flow is entirely independent of suction and discharge conditions.

The new Qdos H-FLO enhances the range of Qdos pumps by offering flow rates up to 158 gallons per hour (600 litres per hour) and pressure capability up to 102 psi (7 bar). Like the rest of the Qdos range of peristaltic pumps, Qdos H-FLO cuts costs through higher precision chemical metering, with an accuracy of ±1% and repeatability of ±0.5% in dosing.

IMDEX focused on ‘find, define and mine’ solutions at MINExpo 2024

Automation, Explosives and blasting, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining software, , , , , , ,

IMDEX plans to reveal the latest advances in its production mining tools and software at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2024, in Las Vegas, USA, later this this month.

IMDEX Chief Technology Officer, John Hickey, said the tools and software assisted mining and exploration companies to safely find, define and mine orebodies with precision and at speed.

“Location, geochemistry, mineralogy and structure define the rock,” Hickey said. “Our tools capture and analyse the data on each element.

“Structure becomes even more important with deeper exploration and lower-grade orebodies. We have been focused on developing market-leading tools to enable the collection of structural data for more than 20 years.”

IMDEX tools and software break down information siloes and gather critical data to the deliver the best results from drill, survey or geological evaluations, the company added.

Specific to the MINExpo event, IMDEX will promote:

  • BLASTDOG™ – a semi-autonomous system for multi-parameter measurement of blastholes, which allows automated spatial domaining of material characteristics and fracturing in ore and waste;
  • OMNIx™ and BOLT™ (underground) – a production-hole survey tools for underground applications measuring blasthole deviation using a north-seeking gyro;
  • IMDEXHUB-IQ™ – a solution that provides secure access to validated field data, which is transmitted from a range of sub-surface instrumentation, analytical instruments and mobile form data inputs; and
  • Bore Hole Stabiliser™ (BHS™) – a multifunctional product formulated specifically for air-drilling applications, particularly drill and blast applications. It helps prevent a wide range of downhole problems including poor collaring, hole decay or sidewall instability; provides a degree of lubrication to the hole; and will improve the lifting capacity of the air stream for cuttings transportation.

“BLASTDOG is a game changer,” Hickey said. “Its unique, eight-arm calliper is able to ‘feel’ the side of the blasthole, giving the drill and blast engineers information about the diameter of the hole along the entire hole length. It can detect voids and other structures to assist in modelling.

“Downhole survey tools such as the OMNIx deliver an accurate trace of the hole path and because the data is captured in IMDEXHUB-IQ, it is connected to the structural data and readings are uploaded almost immediately.

“This remains a breakthrough, by eliminating spreadsheets and data imports from files. IMDEXHUB-IQ manages the acquisition and collation of these different datasets with full chain of custody protocols.”

MINExpo 2024 will run from September 24-26, 2024, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Epiroc whets the electrification appetite for MINExpo 2024

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , ,

Less than a month out from MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2024 in Las Vegas, Jérôme Cloué, Vice President of Electrification for Epiroc, talked up numerous electrification launches/debuts at the show that would go a long way to helping its customers achieve their sustainability targets.

During a visit to Boliden’s Rävliden mine, part of the Kristineberg complex, in in northern Sweden in late August to highlight the Epiroc Minetruck MT42 SG Battery vehicle running on an 800-m trolley test track underground, Cloué said the company was expecting to make many announcements at the show, including some that fit into the “zero carbon” category.

Epiroc, as part of its sustainability goals, has outlined 2025 and 2030 dates for having fossil-free options in place for its underground and surface mining product lines, respectively. Cloué was confident the company would meet these targets, however it is unlikely these will be exclusively battery-electric options – especially at the top end of the surface drilling product line where the company is leveraging cable-electric power for each drill in the Pit Viper series, for instance.

In the meantime, Epiroc is also working with clients on certifying the use of biodiesel in its existing diesel-powered fleet for “immediate” decarbonisation benefits. Cloué said the surface drilling fleet is already compatible with biofuel (HVO100), with the underground load and haul, and drilling fleets set to follow shortly.

The company is also continuing to advance its work on repurposing batteries used in its mining equipment for secondary life applications. Outside of mining, the company has signed a partnership with Renewmic, whereby a battery previously used to power one of Epiroc’s battery-electric vehicles is helping to support and stabilise the Swedish power grid through frequency containment reserve services. Cloué expects to see more of these examples crop up in mining in the future, strengthening the business case for battery-electric machines through an extension of the battery’s working life.

He is also expecting further collaborations such as the one Epiroc highlighted with Boliden and ABB at the Kristineberg operation last week.

“Mining houses and suppliers are realising that the way to accelerate the [electrification] transformation is through collaboration,” he told IM. “We are looking to work with other partners like ABB on future projects.”

Movex Innovation to showcase line of ultra-compact mini loaders at MINExpo

Automation, Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining services, , , ,

Movex Innovation is set to showcase its line of ultra-compact electric, remote-controlled mini loaders, designed to tackle spillage and blockages in a range of applications, at MINExpo 2024, in Las Vegas, next month.

Material spillage continually challenges mine worldwide and poses significant operational and safety concerns. Traditional clean-up methods, such as manual shovelling and water hoses, are labour-intensive, hazardous and inefficient. They often lead to extended downtimes, increased operational costs and elevated risks to worker safety.

This is where the MINIDOZER 27” and MINIDOZER 48” ultra-compact mini loaders for mines and quarries come in.

Movex Innovation’s MINIDOZERs offer a transformative solution, the company says. Engineered for maximum efficiency and safety, these mini loaders can be used while conveyor systems are running, with the compact size allowing operations to access the hardest-to-reach areas.

The mini loaders require no certifications to operate and work perfectly in extreme heat and cold, according to the company, which says it offers comprehensive support and training. They also offer impressive battery life in any temperature conditions, according to the company.

MINExpo 2024 is due to run from September 24 to September 26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center