Tag Archives: Rio Tinto Kennecott

Bingham Canyon to become first Rio Tinto site equipped with Cat MineStar Fleet

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The Bingham Canyon copper mine in Utah, USA, has selected the Cat® MineStar™ Fleet management system as part of its plans to optimise open pit operations at the mine, owned by Rio Tinto, Caterpillar says.

Caterpillar Inc and Wheeler Machinery recently completed installation of a Cat MineStar Fleet management system at the mine, which, rather than upgrading the mine’s previous fleet management system, chose to deploy MineStar Fleet. This switch has, Caterpillar says, optimised the mine site’s equipment tracking, production recording, material management and truck assignment, and it has further expanded the technology relationship between Caterpillar and Rio Tinto.

Ryan Howell, Mining Technology Commercial Product Manager at Caterpillar, said: “For 15 years, Rio Tinto has used MineStar Terrain and has expanded its MineStar capabilities in recent years at locations like Gudai Darri and Marandoo, autonomous mine sites in Western Australia. Bingham Canyon Mine is the first MineStar Fleet site in Rio Tinto history, and this extends the company’s application of MineStar capabilities. Our team is proud of this MineStar Fleet system installation. We are honoured to be there to support the mine site’s fleet management needs.”

Joshua Wood, Principal Advisor, Surface Mining Centre of Excellence at Rio Tinto, added: “The close collaboration between the Rio Tinto Group team, Caterpillar, dealer and Kennecott ensured a successful deployment at Kennecott and their desire to be the flagship for future MineStar sites.”

Even though it wasn’t the easiest route for the mine, the cost-benefit analysis showed significant benefits long term using MineStar Fleet, including seamless integration with MineStar Terrain currently used by the mine, Caterpillar said.

Mike Gray, General Manager for Wheeler Machinery, said: “A true partnership with the supplier, dealer and customer allows for large-scale technology projects like this to be completed successfully with minimal impact to production.”

An incremental approach was devised to minimise the system installation loss-time impact on mining operations for bringing nearly 100 trucks, plus more than 40 supporting dozers, shovels and drills, online with MineStar Fleet. Caterpillar and Wheeler worked together to provide a quick turn-around time with best-in-class implementation, Caterpillar said.

Bryce Olson, Mine Monitoring and Control Superintendent at the Kennecott Bingham Canyon Mine, said: “We have been impressed with the partnership, and we share the same vision and have the correct team to get us there. We flipped the switch, and we haven’t gone backwards. We immediately started using MineStar Fleet’s open assignment, load-haul-dump and auto fuel advanced features.”

Cat MineStar Fleet automatically records and tracks data up and down a mine’s value chain, providing insights that help miners identify what is working and fix what is not to meet production targets, Caterpillar says. Fleet allows miners to view the entire operation at a glance on a computer and gain insights into key cost drivers – such as fuel, tyres, service parts and idle time – and improve haul fleet production and shovel utilisation.

Weir ESCO takes advantage of expansion opportunities in Utah, Quebec

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Weir ESCO’s growth trajectory has continued in 2021, with the ground engaging tool (GET) major capitalising on two fast-moving expansion opportunities in western USA and eastern Canada in the March quarter.

The acquisitions represent exciting new platforms for sales and brand recognition growth in the two regions, according to the Weir subsidiary.

With one of ESCO’s largest dealers, based in the Western US, set to retire last year, Weir ESCO decided to fill the void.

The company explained: “Without the dealer to represent us, our future with a significant mining operation in the region – a mine that generates approximately 11% of annual copper production in the US – was at stake.”

The mine’s cable shovels are outfitted exclusively with ESCO GET and multiple other pieces of equipment, including hydraulic machines and front-end loaders, are also fitted with ESCO products.

The company’s teams jumped into action to secure the business, with the new Salt Lake City branch becoming operational in early January. It got right to work establishing a direct service relationship with the key customer, Rio Tinto Kennecott, and expanding market share with other mining and infrastructure companies customers in the territory, the company said.

Up north in Canada, the launch of Weir ESCO’s Quebec branch resulted from seizing a timely, high-stakes opportunity, as well, the company said.

Quebec is home to Canada’s largest operating open-pit gold mine, Canadian Malartic. The mine employs more than 2,000 workers around the clock and many pieces of equipment are outfitted with ESCO GET, according to the company.

“When changes in the local distribution channel occurred, Weir ESCO began considering how to parlay the situation into market expansion opportunities,” it said.

Weir Minerals, a division of the Weir parent company, already had an established presence in the area, presenting additional synergy opportunities.

By the end of January, Weir ESCO’s new Quebec team was on board and sharing office space with the Minerals branch (office pictured).

As in Salt Lake City, the Quebec branch will focus on growth through a direct service approach with customers, it said.

Pete Huget, Managing Director for North America, said: “This is an energising time for us as we move with more speed and agility to take advantage of market opportunities to grow the business. We are looking forward to capitalising on these opportunities to service our own customers directly. No one can service a customer like an ESCO employee.”