Tag Archives: Saudi Arabia

Metso Outotec, thyssenkrupp Uhde to develop phosphogypsum processing options for Ma’aden

18th January 2023Energy minerals, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable miningfertilisers, Hannes Storch, Ma'aden, Metso Outotec, phosphate, phosphogypsum, Saudi Arabia, thyssenkrupp UhdeDaniel Gleeson

Metso Outotec says it and thyssenkrupp Uhde have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ma’aden in Saudi Arabia for developing a novel circular concept to improve the sustainability of Ma’aden’s phosphate operations.

The aim is to design a groundbreaking integrated complex for processing of phosphogypsum, a waste by-product from phosphoric acid production, to reduce the amount of solid waste and allow the capture of CO2 emissions.

The new circular process will be incorporated into Ma’aden’s phosphate operations to support the company in achieving its ambitious sustainability goals aligned with the Kingdom’s objectives, Metso Outotec said.

For the development of this process, Metso Outotec’s extensive know-how and experience in the field of fluid bed and sulfuric acid solutions will be used.

Hannes Storch, Vice President for Metals and Chemicals Processing at Metso Outotec, said: “We are honoured to be part of this unique initiative. Decarbonisation and circularity are relevant for all industries, and the new concept to be developed for phosphogypsum processing will be a major step forward in the fertiliser industry, contributing to efforts limiting global warming.”

Immersive Technologies equips EPSA with simulator program to train up truck operators in Saudi Arabia

28th November 2022Careers in mining, Energy minerals, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining softwareEPSA, equipment simulators, Immersive Technologies, Johan Stemmet, Mahfoud Snacel, phosphate, Saudi Arabia, simulatorsDaniel Gleeson

Immersive Technologies and earthmoving contractor EPSA have partnered on a new simulator training program in Saudi Arabia for community workforce development at a phosphate project.

The two companies, who have been involved in a number of joint community workforce development projects in the past, are pursuing a Komatsu HD785-7 truck simulator training program with a focus to enhance operational readiness and support EPSA’s strategy to train a growing Saudi Arabian workforce.

For the majority of operators, the simulator training program represented the first opportunity to get behind the controls and gain hands-on equipment operating experience, according to Immersive.

“Simulation provides a safe and risk-free environment to not only build basic machine operation skills, but also specific techniques related to safety, machine care and production optimisation,” it said. “One of the main project objectives was to streamline the training process at EPSA mining operations to ensure long-term operator productivity and reduced risks associated with newly developed workforces.”

Deploying simulation technology has, according to Immersive, aided in EPSA maintaining a level of zero percentage of lost time injuries from the project’s start and has also helped EPSA reach Saudization milestones with more than 80% of the current haulage operators being Saudi Arabian.

Mahfoud Snacel Training Manager of EPSA (pictured on the left with Lucas Natoli, Regional Manager for Immersive Technologies in Europe & Middle East, on the right), said: “EPSA aim to deliver a high degree of equipment availability and production levels for our mines. We also have an ongoing focus on improving safety. Our partnership with Immersive Technologies has helps us prepare workforces to meet these goals and to support a culture of safety and benefit to all workers.”

Johan Stemmet, Regional Vice President – EMEA & CIS for Immersive Technologies, added: “Immersive Technologies is fully committed to supporting EPSA’s strategic workforce development strategy. This includes ensuring the mining communities have the right people, process and technology to develop safe and productive workforces.”

EPSA also uses workforce development solutions at Isaac Downs in Queensland, Australia, and have acquired two PRO5 Simulators at its open-cut coal mine in Australia.

Hexagon’s Mining division to distribute HARD-LINE’s TeleOp tech in the Americas

15th September 2021Automation, IoT, Mining events, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining softwareBackBone Networks, Brake Release, Brow Alert, Central America, Farsight, Hard-Line, Hexagon Mining, MINExpo 2021, Nick Hare, North America, radio remote control, RRC, Saudi Arabia, South America, Teleop, Walter SiggelkowDaniel Gleeson

HARD-LINE and Hexagon’s Mining Division have announced a new partnership at MINExpo 2021, in Las Vegas, that, they say, will enhance their international mining capabilities.

Combining their expertise in surface and underground mining, Hexagon will serve as a major distributor of HARD-LINE’s teleremote technology, known as TeleOp, in North, Central, and South America as well as Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan.

“Partnering with Hexagon is a significant step in our evolution and really shows our ability and desire to grow and adapt,” Walter Siggelkow, HARD-LINE’s President, says. “This will allow both companies to be even more competitive globally, especially in massive mining markets like Latin America.”

Some other products receiving distribution include HARD-LINE’s RRC (Radio Remote Control) as well as BackBone Networks, Brow Alert, Brake Release and Farsight.

President of Hexagon’s Mining Division, Nick Hare, said: “We’re looking forward to collaborating with HARD-LINE, which shares our vision of a future that’s safer, sustainable and increasingly autonomous.”

SENET wins EPCM gig at AMAK’s Moyeath copper-zinc project in Saudi Arabia

6th August 2021Base metals, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, Power supply for minesAl Houra, Al Masane, Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Co, AMAK, copper, DRA Global, dry stacking, flotation, gold, Guyan, mine engineering, Moyeath, Saadah, Saudi Arabia, SENET, Silver, zincDaniel Gleeson

Al Masane Al Kobra Mining Co (AMAK) has awarded SENET, a wholly owned subsidiary of DRA Global, the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract for the design and execution of the Moyeath copper-zinc project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, SENET says.

AMAK has been producing copper, zinc in concentrate and gold and silver in doré from its operations in the country since 2012.

Moyeath is a third major orebody (together with Saadah and Al Houra) discovered in the immediate vicinity to the AMAK underground mines. The Moyeath orebody is a high-grade copper-zinc volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, SENET says.

The planned 400,000 t/y run of mine flotation process plant will produce copper and zinc concentrates, while filtered tailings will be trucked to an existing dry stacking area operated by AMAK, which handles tailings from its Al Masane (pictured) and Guyan process plants.

Preliminary test works shows it is possible to produce saleable copper and zinc concentrates, with most of the gold and silver reporting to flotation concentrates, SENET noted. The mineralogy of the Moyeath orebody is complex and requires a similarly complex approach to produce copper and zinc concentrates at favourable recoveries and saleable concentrate grades.

Ma’aden chooses Outotec process equipment for Saudi Arabia gold project

30th April 2019Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining project news, Precious metalsgold, Larsen & Toubro, Ma'aden, Mansourah & Massarah, Markku Teräsvasara, Outotec, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabian Mining CompanyDaniel Gleeson

The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) has awarded the consortium of Outotec and Larsen & Toubro with an engineering, procurement and construction contract to build a greenfield mineral concentrator and gold processing plant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Finland-based company says.

The order, worth some €140 million ($157 million) to Outotec, is almost evenly shared between the reporting segments and will be booked into Outotec’s June quarter 2019 order intake, the company said. The total value of the project is around €540 million.

Outotec’s delivery includes basic and detail engineering, procurement and delivery of process equipment, commissioning, start-up assistance and training services. The new gold processing plant is due to be completed in 2022, it said.

Ma’aden is a leader of the Saudi Arabia mining industry, and an internationally recognised mining company with a global presence, thanks to partnerships with the likes of Barrick Gold, Alcoa and the Mosaic Company.

The Mansourah & Massarah operation will be built in the Central Arabian gold region, with the processing plant capable of up to 4 Mt/y throughput. The concentrator and the gold processing plant has been designed to produce an average of 250,000 oz/y of gold per year over the life of mine, Outotec said.

Markku Teräsvasara, CEO of Outotec, said: “We are extremely pleased with this significant order and continued cooperation with Ma’aden that is growing to be a global mining company.

“Our previous deliveries have included grinding, flotation and filtering technologies as well as alumina calcination technology, and three sulphuric acid plants. Our proven technologies and services enable them to get the best value from their resources and build sustainable operations.”