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IMARC: Shaping mining’s most important discussions and driving innovation

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The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), now in its 11th year, is seen by industry leaders as one of the world’s most important forums for shaping critical discussions and driving innovation across the global resources sector, event organisers say.

Michelle Ash, Vice President Growth at BHP, says IMARC has successfully positioned itself over the last decade as the premier platform where industry leaders, governments, innovators and stakeholders come together to address challenges and unlock new opportunities in the mining and resource sector.

Ash said: “I have attended IMARC every year since it started, because it is the best forum to understand what is happening in the mining industry and who is leading the pack. Whether you are part of a mining company, supplier, startup, government or just someone interested in the industry, you will find something for you.”

This sentiment is echoed by the Jake Klein, Executive Chairman of Evolution Mining, who says: “Over the past decade IMARC has facilitated an annual forum for important and thoughtful conversations about our industry and its future. This creates opportunities for shared learning and mutual success.”

IMARC’s role in shaping industry discussion

Since its inception, IMARC has framed critical conversations that influence the trajectory of the mining industry. By hosting thought leadership panels, keynote addresses and workshops with the most senior industry figures, IMARC has fostered in-depth dialogues on critical topics, including sustainability, digital transformation and future growth strategies. These discussions have not only set the tone for industry-wide initiatives but have also spurred meaningful partnerships and innovation across – and beyond – the sector.

IMARC Chief Operating Officer, Anita Richards, said: “Over the past 11 years, IMARC has been instrumental in bringing the global community together to discuss both immediate challenges and long-term goals. This event has provided a unique space for experts and leaders to share knowledge and collectively shape the future of the industry.”

Simon Troeth, Manager Government and Industry Affairs at Newmont, says: “IMARC helps Newmont connect with industry peers, stay abreast of the latest developments and hear from other global mining leaders on best practice and fresh perspectives. As the world’s largest gold miner and a substantial producer of copper and other metals, forums like IMARC create a larger arena for the contest of ideas so we can learn from each other and build a bigger and better picture of our operating environment.”

Kimberley Lim, Field Marketing, Mining Division at Hexagon and a long-time IMARC participant, says: “I have been involved in IMARC nearly from its inception and have seen its growth to become Australia’s leading industry event. The focus was clear from the outset: to become the platform for important industry discussion. The IMARC team is incredibly passionate about connecting key mining leaders, technology partners, and the broader mining ecosystem to work towards a sustainable mining future, both in terms of ESG and the continued longevity of the industry as a whole.”

Instrumental in achieving core business objectives

For many organisations, IMARC serves as a catalyst in driving core business objectives. From unveiling cutting-edge technology to forming international partnerships, companies have leveraged the conference to align their strategies with industry trends. As a result, many organisations have achieved significant progress in areas such as operational efficiency, sustainability, and workforce development.

Lim emphasises the unique dual role of IMARC in shaping the future of mining: “IMARC is a platform to share and learn from each other. When a conference like this brings in the heavy-hitters and industry thought-leaders into one place, we all benefit from the collective. Secondly, IMARC is well positioned as the leading technology conference for the mining industry, allowing us to collaborate with like-minded customers and partners who are instrumental in our technology development.”

Global leaders driving industry solutions

One of IMARC’s greatest strengths is its ability to bring together leading figures from not just mining, METS and finance, but other across the globe, including space exploration, AI and robotics. This access to world-leading experts has accelerated the identification and implementation of solutions to the mining sector’s most pressing challenges.

Troeth notes: “As the global mining industry moves to reduce its environmental impact, embrace new technologies and support local communities, IMARC continues to play a crucial role in showcasing best practice, challenging industry thinking and encouraging new perspectives. IMARC drives insightful conversations and valuable reflections on responsible mining and how mining can continue to meet the growing and changing needs of modern society.”

IMARC is also an important marketplace, with resource-rich countries using it to showcase their capabilities and opportunities to collaborate and invest. This is exemplified by Canada’s approach to IMARC, with John Williams, Trade Commissioner Mining Sector at Global Affairs Canada, saying the event is a valuable opportunity to showcase Canada’s attraction as an investment destination.

“IMARC allows us to present our solutions to make mining more efficient, sustainable, and smart on an international stage,” he said. “It attracts key investors by offering a competitive value proposition and showcases the role of leading mining nations in driving the future of the industry. IMARC’s global reach amplifies these opportunities, making it an essential event for those seeking to understand and invest in the next generation of mining advancements.”

As the industry pushes toward decarbonisation, IMARC has been an important forum for nations such as Canada to showcase how the mining sector benefits from competitive tax policies, free-trade agreements, and strong government support and accelerated the development and deployment of sustainable technologies.

Accelerating conversations on First Nations engagement and diversity

While the rights and roles of First Nations communities have become critical issues for the mining industry globally in recent years, IMARC has been championing these global challenges since its first meeting in Melbourne 11 years ago.

As the 2024 program shows, IMARC puts these important conversations around First Nations engagement and diversity in the workplace front and centre on the conference program. These discussions have not only highlighted the importance of inclusivity but have also accelerated the implementation of initiatives aimed at fostering stronger relationships with Indigenous communities around the world and, more broadly, promoting greater inclusion and diversity in the workforce.

CEO of the Australia-Latin America Business Council, Kim Prior, notes: “We are delighted with the way IMARC has consistently pushed for dialogue around First Nations engagement and diversity. The world can learn a lot from the policies and strategies put in place throughout Central America to help break the cycle of disadvantage with First Nations communities. By spotlighting these topics, the event has encouraged companies and government to adopt world-best practices that are more inclusive, respectful, and beneficial for all stakeholders.”

Lim says: “I am very aware there has been deliberate and considerable effort to improve the engagement and diversity of our First Nations stakeholder groups. This is reflected in the conference agenda and promotions on social media.”

As IMARC enters its second decade, it remains committed to driving positive change and shaping the future of the mining and resources industries. The conference continues to evolve, ensuring that the discussions, innovations and collaborations that take place today will lead to a more sustainable and prosperous future for the sector.

International Mining is a media sponsor of IMARC 2024, taking place on October 29-31, in Sydney, Australia

Procon laying the change management groundwork for mining tech adoption

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Canada-based Procon has been implementing tried and tested technology for its employees and end customers for decades, resulting in improved operational safety and productivity outcomes.

It is now looking to make the leap and adopt new solutions from the mining technology sector, according to CEO John McVey, with the contract miner already into “phase three” of an “Industrial Supervisor training program”, focused on Procon’s front-line supervision and incorporating change management associated with this adoption.

Speaking to IM on the side lines of the HxGN LIVE Global 2023 event, in Las Vegas, and ahead of his panel appearance on Wednesday (in a panel titled ‘Down Under: Standing Up to the Challenges of Underground Mining’), McVey said the established contract mining model needed to change to accelerate the uptake of new technology in the market.

“Inherently when we bid for work it has to be competitively tendered in order to try and win a new contract,” he said. “You aren’t typically able to add many bells and whistles on if you want to win the work.

“This likely has to change at some point, with mining companies understanding the benefits that come with rolling out and applying these new technology ‘bells and whistles’.”

Procon has seen glimpses of an evolution – McVey references the introduction of battery-electric trucks at the Brucejack mine in British Columbia, Canada, where Procon is working, plus the use of autonomous load and haul equipment at the Kittilä operation in Finland (where Procon previously carried out shaft work) – but he said that today these were the exception, not the rule.

“Where we may also see more mining technology being adopted in the future is with these junior developers striving for higher ESG (environmental, social and governance) goals,” McVey said. “These clean, green metal developers – due to these ESG aims – are often backed by different types of investors that are less risk averse, or less tainted by the project capital and schedule blowouts experienced in previous commodity cycles.”

McVey’s appearance at HxGN LIVE Global 2023 this week is centred around finding out how the mining technology provider can help Procon’s workers and its clients underground, with safety- and productivity-led solutions coming high up the contract miner’s agenda.

“There is very rarely opposition to bringing in any initiatives that will enhance safety underground,” McVey said. “As a result, it is obvious to start here.”

When it comes to productivity, the company is interested in finding out how it could potentially deploy the Production Optimiser™ solution at certain sites. This advanced mining technology, developed by Minnovare, which Hexagon’s Mining division acquired last year, improves drill and blast efficiency and productivity in underground hard-rock mines by reducing collar deviation and, as a result, delivering superior setup accuracy at the collar. This increases the number of holes drilled to within tolerance at the toe, achieving optimum blasts and reducing dilution, according to Minnovare.

Production Optimiser has been deployed across the mining world, including at sites operated by contract miners Pit N Portal (owned by Emeco Group) and Barminco (part of Perenti).

In addition to productivity and safety, McVey is conscious the graduates coming through the pipeline that may enter the mining sector want to interact with the ‘new technology’ they have become accustomed to.

“They are used to playing computer games, interacting with apps and using technology on a daily basis,” he said. “If we are to encourage them to join the mining sector, we need to adopt some of this to increase our appeal.”

Here McVey mentioned the in-house development of an app, PSAFE, to log all incidents underground. This allows Procon employees to upload photos and reports in close to real time, to enhance reporting and analysis of these incidents.

“While a worker may be somewhat reluctant to write up a report after a long shift underground,” McVey said. “The app – which we are in the process of rolling out across all our sites – is enabling them to capture important information almost immediately, particularly ‘near-miss’ reporting which is critical in avoiding potential hazards and incidents.”

Again, this comes back to the change management piece that is so important to any new technology being adopted and used successfully.

McVey is hoping to learn from other mining companies and contractors at HxGN LIVE Global 2023 about how they are achieving ‘buy in’ from their employees for this new technology, to enhance Procon’s own change management processes and reduce the risk associated with applying new solutions at their sites.

Metso Outotec takes mining and metals innovation to the next level with new facility

Automation, IoT, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , ,

Metso Outotec has launched its first innovation centre in Espoo, Finland, as it looks to bring “together the comprehensive value chain from ore to metals” and enable “rapid co-creation with customers and partners”.

The Metso Outotec Innovation Center offers unique expertise and tools for solving different types of challenges, from process optimisation to the selection and virtual prototyping of solutions, in a cutting-edge environment, the company says.

“It takes ideation, collaboration, and innovation to the next level,” Metso Outotec added.

Veli-Matti Järvinen, Vice President for Automation and Digital Solutions, Minerals, at Metso Outotec, explained: “The Innovation Center introduces a completely new way to collaborate and co-create with our customers and partners. Adding value to our customers’ processes and ensuring their reliable, efficient and sustainable operation, as well as safety are all at the core of what we do at the Innovation Center.”

The centre looks to serve demand for a suitable virtual environment in which to quickly develop and test flowsheet solutions and prototypes, with the facility able to offer digital demonstrations; host training, problem-solving and co-creation workshop sessions; demonstrate technologies and services; cement value calculations; and display three-dimensional engineering digital twins in accurate form while securely protecting data and sensitive content.

These are just some of the features currently in play, with more set to be introduced including process control demonstrations, 5G connectivity, a metallurgical digital twin, extended process optimiser demonstrations, and modelling and simulation.

Järvinen concluded: “In our new digital space, we can support our customers at every stage of their continuous improvement path. We’re thrilled about the opportunities offered by the Innovation Center: it speeds up the innovation cycle and makes efficient collaboration possible in a space that is both physical and digital.”

IMDEX signs agreement with Tier 1 miner to fast-track development of MAGHAMMER

Automation, Communications in mining, Equipment maintenance, Explosives and blasting, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , ,

IMDEX has signed a joint development agreement with a Tier One mining company to fast-track development of the IMDEX MAGHAMMER™ for commercial use, according to Chief Executive Paul House (pictured).

The MAGHAMMER uses a hybrid drilling technique combining rotary diamond drilling with fluid driven percussive drilling to achieve higher penetration rates compared with conventional coring. The technology enables an entire drill hole to be completed with a coring rig where RC and diamond drilling is required, according to the company.

IMDEX only exercised its option to acquire Flexidrill and its patent-protected drilling productivity technologies, COREVIBE and MAGHAMMER, in December, but it had carried out test work on the MAGHAMMER technology far in advance of the transaction.

Speaking at the company’s AGM this week, House reported a new rental fleet record and month-on-month increases in revenue since May as IMDEX recovered from a COVID-19-related downturn earlier in the year.

With the strength of the gold price and other key commodities, and exploration activity surging, IMDEX’s tool rental fleet is 19% up on the same time last year and exceeds the previous record set in 2012, the company said.

House told the AGM that the recommencement of activity globally since May had continued in most regions, albeit at different speeds.

“We achieved revenue of A$61.4 million ($43.5 million) in Q1 2021 (September quarter of 2020), which was up 26% on Q4 2020 (June quarter of 2020),” House said. “This result is only slightly behind the previous corresponding year at A$67.6 million, or 4.9% on a constant currency basis.”

House said the company is seeing multi-commodity demand, with clients “well-funded” and focused on resuming sustained activity as soon as possible.

The pressures of COVID-19, which forced various governments to impose border and travel restrictions, created strong demand for IMDEX technologies linked to its cloud-based IMDEX HUBIQ™, the company said.

“We have made great progress both because of and in spite of COVID-19,” House said. “The global pandemic has increased demand for our connected technologies that support remote operations. Conversely, it has hindered client trials due to limited access to site for non-essential personnel.

“On balance, the momentum for disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, and the industrial internet of things is gaining cadence.

“The outlook for mining tech is brighter than it has ever been.”

On top of the MAGHAMMER reveal, House said client trials of the award-winning IMDEX BLAST DOG™ had resumed.

IMDEX BLAST DOG is a semi-autonomously deployed system for logging material properties and blasthole characteristics at high spatial density across the bench and mine and is commodity agnostic.

Just last month, the technology, being developed in collaboration with Universal Field Robots and tested at Anglo American’s Dawson coal mine in Queensland, won the Greyhound Innovation (METS) Award at the 2020 Queensland Mining Awards.

UQ’s JKMRC and JKTech strengthen consulting and research functions

Environmental, Mineral processing, Mining industry recognition, Mining policy, Mining services, Sustainable mining, Water management, , , , , , , ,

The University of Queensland’s Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) and UQ Holding’s technology transfer company, JKTech, have decided to integrate their activities under one management structure.

JKMRC is one of six research centres within the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), and its Director Professor, Neville Plint, has been appointed Managing Director of JKTech in addition to his SMI role.

Chair of the JKTech Board, Dr Kelly, said the unified management structure would strengthen the ability to develop solutions across the mining value chain.

“The link between research and consulting is very important and this integration will ensure our clients are receiving the benefits of new research, expertise in technology-based consulting, laboratory services, software, specialist equipment, and professional development,” he said.

Professor Plint said the move would consolidate and strengthen the consulting and research functions of both organisations and enhance the testing and product delivery to clients.

“SMI’s goal is to provide solutions to the challenges facing our research and industry partners in the resources sector,” he said.

“Bringing together the teams in JKTech and JKMRC helps us drive innovation and continue to provide mining and metallurgy research and consulting services worldwide.”

JKMRC was established at The University of Queensland in 1970 and is an internationally recognised minerals and mining research centre with strong industry partners and a successful PhD student program. In 2000, it became part of UQ’s newly established Sustainable Minerals Institute.

JKTech opened in 1986 as the commercial division of JKMRC. It became an incorporated company in 2001, wholly owned by UQ Holdings Pty Ltd.

The teams in both organisations have maintained a close working relationship over the years, but this announcement sees a return to a single management structure while preserving JKTech’s corporate and technical identity, the organisations said.

“This year is the 50th anniversary of JKMRC, and we see this strategic integration as a way of further strengthening the position of both JKMRC and JKTech as we look forward to the next 50 years,” Dr Kelly said.

Under the new structure, Professor Neville Plint is Managing Director of JKTech and Director of SMI, supported by a management team comprising Professor Rick Valenta (Acting Director, JKMRC), Paul Napier (Chief Financial Officer, JKTech), Bevin Wong (Operations Manager, JKTech) and Associate Professor Marcin Ziemski, who is taking on the role of Commercial Lead working across JKTech and JKMRC.

CQMS Razer targets global growth in mining engineering, tech space as it becomes CR

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CQMS Razer is looking to grow its mining engineering and technology footprint across the globe with a new name – CR – and direction that, it says, better aligns the company’s growing portfolio with the needs of its customers.

Already recognised across Australia’s mining industry for its surface mining solutions – including dragline products, cast lips and ground engaging tools – the CR brand change “reflects the company’s aspiration of growing its market reach and next-generation mining technology”, the company said.

The move follows several high-profile acquisitions of Seattle-based Thunderbird Mining Systems, a developer of market-leading blasthole drill optimisation technologies that complemented CR’s digital product range and its Titan 3330™ Load Haul Optimization technology, and California-based Berkeley Forge & Tool’s mining products business.

These have added meaningful scale, market connections and, importantly, deep mining knowledge from decades of product development and sales, the company says.

CR CEO, John Barbagallo, said the company’s growing product portfolio and prospective market opportunities meant it was essential to consider its reshaped business direction and how it plans to serve customers in the future.

“Today is an important day for CR as we launch our refined strategic direction and brand, a demonstration of our commitment to mining engineering and technology innovation and our capability to support our customers globally,” he said.

“The move to CR is very much about retaining the proud heritage of CQMS Razer, while providing us with a sharper and more focused brand, allowing us to add complementary businesses and products into the future.

“An important element of introducing the CR brand is to galvanise our brand and image for our employees. Together we are CR is a reflection of our strength and the reputation we have built over the last 40 years delivering reliable, innovative and customer-focused solutions for mining operations across the world.”

CR will include new product divisions that will better align the company’s growing portfolio to the needs of its customers, it said. This will see CR Mining, CR Digital and CR Contracts emerge, all of which are managed at a strategic level under the CR brand.

“Our experience and passion for what we do has seen us develop our business and become to a leader in our field, delivering outstanding results for our customers,” Barbagallo said. “This is a reputation we are keen to foster and build upon with our customers and markets worldwide under the new CR name.”

RPMGlobal helps unlock standardised communication language for METS sector

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RPMGlobal has continued to play a role in the development of the International Society of Automation (ISA-95) committee’s latest Information Exchange Profile which, the company says, will pave the way for industry-specific integration scenarios for the mining sector.

The most recent ISA-95 committee meeting culminated in the “Part 8 – Information Exchange Profiles” being officially accepted as part of the global ISA95 standard, according to RPMGlobal.

According to Paul Beesley, RPMGlobal’s Chief Technology Officer and ISA-95 Committee member, this part of the standard will enable joint development of industry-specific integration scenarios. This is “especially useful when building off-the-shelf integration between mining technology vendors,” he explained.

RPMGlobal said the successful achievement follows 18 months of regular committee liaison meetings to finalise the documentation and more than three years of effort to move from the conceptualisation phase to an approved extension to the standard.

The Brisbane, Australia-based company played a prominent role in building this extension to the standard, it said, adding that the changes were accepted in the first round of voting with no negative votes, which is “highly unusual”.

Beesley said the result “cemented the company’s position as a respected contributor and leader in mining enterprise integration”.

He added: “Having the extension to the standard accepted creates significant value to mining companies as it provides a blueprint for mining software vendors to work together to enable information to seamlessly move between systems.

“This extension to the standard solves a common problem across many standards so it’s pleasing to see early interest from other committees in using Part 8 as reference material to develop similar amendments to their own standards.”

ISA-95 Chairman, Chris Monchinski, said: “As a committee we are excited to have industries outside the traditional manufacturing space participate in evolving and improving the ISA-95 standard to make it more accessible. The work done here allows other industries, such as mining, to build on the experience from the manufacturing sector.”

The ISA is a highly respected professional body responsible for developing widely used global standards for the instrumentation and automation of systems across a variety of industries.

After recognising there was a lack of a framework for mining technology providers, the committee turned its attention to the creation of a best-practice model for the sector after it was approached by BHP, RPMGlobal said.

The ISA-95 standard has since been readily adopted by key technology providers, enabling the breakdown of barriers within the mining industry and across the entire value chain, the company added.

“Connecting disparate systems to share data and critical information has never been more important for the mining industry than it is today,” Beesley said.

“The ISA-95 standard has helped unlock a standardised communication language for mining technology providers and RPMGlobal is proud to contribute to the progression of the standard for the benefit of everyone in the industry.”

Mining Peru Congress organisers preparing the red carpet

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

The Mining Peru Congress is now less than three months away and the organisers are ready to welcome more than 300 attendees from key mining enterprises, regulatory authorities, government, technology and equipment suppliers, and investors.

Taking place on April 1-2, in Lima, Peru, Vostock Capital, the organisers, describe the event as a “strategic congress and exhibition for the leaders of the mining industry”.

Vostock says the conference highlights include:

  • New concessions and projects: learn about the conditions for individuals or corporations to acquire mining concessions during the next public tender process;
  • Technology, safety and productivity: learn how innovative technologies in exploration and mine development are helping mining companies increase their productivity;
  • Funding and investments: cooperating with local and international banks and financial institutions, private investors, project financing. How to gain the most favourable lending conditions and how to ensure a quick return of investments;
  • Beyond licensing: the benefits of mining in a socially and environmentally responsible manner;
  • Where’s Peru heading? Obtain the most up to date insights into key projects and opportunities;
  • Dedicated exhibition of cutting-edge equipment and technologies for the mining industry delivered by local and global leaders from around the world;
  • One-to-one business meetings and networking opportunities: talk to key decision makers, develop new business contacts, take part in networking round tables, cocktail reception and interactive discussions.

To find out more about the event, go to: https://mininglatamcongress.com/

International Mining is a media partner of the Mining Peru Congress

NORCAT and Glencore launch technology innovation programme

Automation, Base metals, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mine operation news, Mine shafts and equipment, Mine surveying, Mine ventilation, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , ,

NORCAT and Glencore’s Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations have launched a technology and innovation programme to facilitate and enhance the mining company’s capabilities to bring new, state-of-the-art technologies into its operations and accelerate the rate of technology adoption across the industry, NORCAT has reported.

NORCAT, which calls itself a global leader in the development and provision of skilled labour training and innovation services, is the only innovation centre in the world that owns and operates an underground mine designed to “enable start-ups, small/medium enterprises, and international companies to develop, test, and demonstrate innovative technologies in an operating mine environment”, it says.

This facility has seen NORCAT become a global destination for mining companies to “see and touch” emerging technologies poised to transform the industry, it said.

Kevin McAuley, Director Sustainability, Technical Services and Innovation at Glencore’s Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations, said: “We are excited to partner with NORCAT to implement this technology and innovation programme. This partnership not only provides us a unique opportunity to access a wide range of emerging technologies that will help us deliver on our broader business strategy, but also it continues to support the vibrant mining technology ecosystem at the NORCAT Underground Centre.”

Don Duval, NORCAT’s CEO, said the company was working hard to continue its leading role in “all that is the future of mining”.

“NORCAT’s portfolio of mining technology companies using our state-of-the-art operating mine as an ‘active laboratory’ has created an ecosystem like no other in the world,” he added. “We are excited to partner with Glencore and continue to build and support Canada’s global reputation as a market leader in the mining industry.”

NORCAT says it will continue to identify and engage with mining technology companies from around the world to support the implementation and demonstration of their products at the Underground Centre. “By doing so, NORCAT helps to connect and broker relationships between mining technology companies (the ‘builders of innovation’) and global mining companies (the ‘buyers’ of innovation), creating a vibrant tech ecosystem unique on the global stage.”

NORCAT’s Don Duval will be presenting a paper titled, The NORCAT Underground Centre – the world’s one-stop shop for the future of mining technology, at The Electric Mine conference in Toronto, on April 4-5, 2019. For more information on the event, please click here.