Tag Archives: Western Australia

WesTrac receives funding boost for autonomous technology training centre

Automation, Careers in mining, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , ,

Leading Caterpillar® dealer WesTrac has welcomed a A$1 million ($678,616) State Government investment to expand the range of training services offered at its automation-focused WesTrac Technology Training Centre in Collie, in Western Australia’s South West.

The funding, announced on September 5 under the McGowan Government’s Collie Futures Industry Development Fund, will help WesTrac to build new training facilities and offer a broader range of courses at the training centre, which is one of only two in the world and the only such training centre outside the US.

The centre opened back in August 2020, with the State Government contributed A$2.7 million through the Collie Futures Fund towards the project.

WesTrac CEO, Jarvas Croome (pictured speaking in the centre), said one of the key focuses of the expanded offering would be providing apprenticeship pathways, and other resources and construction industry skills development opportunities, to local students.

“Since launching in 2020, the WesTrac Technology Training Centre has delivered autonomous operations training courses to more than 450 people,” Croome said.

“To date, that has predominantly involved people working in the resources industry and needing to upskill, however we have also run a pilot program in partnership with the not-for-profit Motivation Foundation, which supports young people to earn qualifications and secure full-time employment.”

The Motivation Foundation aims to educate and develop life and employability skills for school students enrolled in Year 11, 12 or equivalents from diverse backgrounds.

Croome said the expansion of the WesTrac Technology Training Centre would provide enhanced facilities and training opportunities to allow the partnership to expand and continue into the future.

Announcing the funding in Collie, WA Premier, Mark McGowan, said it continued to assist Collie to build on its rich history as an industrial hub, while setting up the town for the long-term by diversifying the economy and creating jobs.

“The WesTrac Technology Training Centre is part of Collie’s future, putting the south west town on the map as a national centre of excellence for autonomous equipment training – with ongoing benefits to Western Australia industry and the community,” he said.

Among the new facilities, WesTrac plans to establish virtual reality training, along with theory rooms, reception, administration and a multipurpose room. New plant and machinery will be purchased and communications infrastructure will be enhanced.

Croome said while training was not a massive revenue generator for WesTrac, it was an important part of building a long-term, sustainable future for mining and construction industries in Western Australia.

“As a key global centre for mining, it makes sense to continue growing our training capability in WA,” he said. “We are not only providing opportunities for people in the South West and around the state, but, now with COVID-related travel restrictions lifting, we’re starting to welcome trainees from interstate and overseas.

“The benefits for Collie and the wider region are immense. As well as directly employing eight people on site responsible for delivering training to up to 30 students per day, the centre utilises local service providers as much as possible including for accommodation, cleaning, catering, fuel and office supplies.

“More importantly, with hundreds of trainees coming to Collie for multi-day courses each year, there’s a considerable cash injection into the local economy.”

Westgold signs up MLG for transport, maintenance and management services

Mine operation news, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , , ,

MLG Oz Limited says it has been awarded a material five-year contract by Westgold Resources Limited that will see the METS company service the gold miner’s operational hubs across the Murchison and Bryah Basin regions.

The contract, which leverages MLG’s integrated support model, is focused on enhancing Westgold’s operating efficiencies. It also consolidates MLG’s resources in the Mid-West region and represents a material win for the company, it said.

Westgold owns and operates the Tuckabianna, Bluebird and Fortnum processing hubs across the Murchison and Bryah Basin regions of Western Australia, with its objective to leverage MLG’s existing fleet capacity to enhance operational efficiencies and use MLG’s latest road haulage technical advancements, MLG said.

Westgold is to provide dedicated maintenance facilities at each of its sites to support MLG operations.

The scope of services includes the delivery of in-pit, off- and on-road haulage, road maintenance and run of mine management services activities across all of Westgold’s operations.

The initial ramp up and mobilisation activities are expected to commence in October 2022, with anticipated annual revenues of circa-A$40 million ($27 million) with revenue to build from December 2022.

MLG founder, Managing Director and majority shareholder, Murray Leahy, said: “We are delighted Westgold has selected us to enhance their operations in the Murchison and Bryah Basin regions. Westgold is focused on driving cost and operational efficiencies to enhance the profitability of its business and we are proud to have been chosen as a key and trusted business partner.

“This is a large opportunity for MLG to establish a long-term relationship with a growth-oriented gold miner and Westgold’s faith in MLG represents a significant endorsement of our capabilities.”

MLG Oz is a founder-led business that provides a range of services to mine sites, integrated around the needs of client’s ore processing facilities.

Vysarn expands mine dewatering and environmental capabilities with Project Engineering acquisition

Environmental, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, Water management, , ,

Vysarn Limited has entered into a binding Share Sale Agreement (SSA) for the acquisition of Project Engineering (WA) Pty Ltd, a hydraulic engineering business that primarily services the resource sector in Western Australia.

Under the SSA, the company will acquire 100% of the issued shares in ProEng for a consideration of A$2.6 million ($1.8 million) in cash.

ProEng will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Vysarn upon completion of the acquisition.

Vysarn says it has identified organic growth opportunities for ProEng as well as material integration opportunities with Pentium Test Pumping and Pentium Water.

“Management intends to rapidly integrate ProEng into the Vysarn Group of companies and then pursue these growth opportunities, initially via the planned expansions of Pentium Test Pumping’s service offering into injection testing and Pentium Water’s expansion into managed aquifer recharge (MAR) consulting,” the company said.

ProEng’s current core competency is the provision of MAR systems to Tier One iron ore clients in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

Over time ProEng has completed significant research and development of aquifer reinjection systems, which has culminated in unique registered and patented MAR equipment and valve technology, Vysarn says. As such, the ProEng MAR systems provide production-critical infrastructure for mining operations to solve ongoing, high volume mine dewatering and environmental issues faced by Tier One iron clients.

In addition, there is growing interest in MAR systems and their ability to assist in processes aimed at water harvesting and water banking to future proof water supplies from both regulated and non-regulated water abstraction sources, the company added.

Hitachi Rail helps expand Rio Tinto AutoHaul network with Gudai-Darri connection

Automation, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , , , ,

Hitachi Rail says it and Rio Tinto have marked another significant AutoHaul™ milestone with the commissioning of the autonomous rail transport system for the new Gudai-Darri iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

The greenfield mine development has involved the construction of a 166-km rail spur to connect the new mine to Rio Tinto’s existing AutoHaul rail network in the region.

The world’s first fully automated heavy-haul, long-distance rail system, AutoHaul enables 220 trains, which are monitored remotely from an operations centre in Perth, to travel safely and efficiently across more than 1,866 km of track from mines to ports – without the need for onboard drivers, Rio says.

Hitachi Rail, as the technical lead behind AutoHaul’s development, has provided the systems and software to connect the new section of rail for Gudai-Darri. This has included onboard and control centre technology, trackside equipment, radio base stations and automatic train operation interface software for locomotive control, level crossing safety and location tracking, Hitachi Rail said.

All systems and software are now operational following the first production test run and subsequent successful system commissioning .

Hitachi Rail Australia Senior Director, Roslyn Stuart, said: “The Gudai-Darri AutoHaul network expansion project is a natural extension of Hitachi Rail’s long-term collaboration to deliver innovative rail transport solutions for Rio Tinto. The project has seen Hitachi Rail and the Rio Tinto AutoHaul team deliver another ‘first’, with back-to-back loading (high performing automated train loading) to be introduced on the Gudai-Darri mine rail loop.”

The Gudai-Darri mine will also deploy autonomous haul trucks, fully autonomous water trucks and autonomous training solutions, and will be partially powered by a 34 MW photovoltaic solar farm solar plant.

Monadelphous receives work with Rio Tinto and Talison Lithium

Base metals, Energy minerals, Mining services, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , , ,

Monadelphous Group says it has secured new contracts in the resources sector totalling approximately A$100 million ($70 million), which includes work on the Oyu Tolgoi underground project, the Greenbushes lithium mine and the Marandoo iron ore mine.

At Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia, Monadelphous is to construct surface infrastructure for the underground project. The work includes construction of two conveyors and an electrical substation, and associated integration to existing facilities.

Monadelphous has been operating in Mongolia since 2017 and will continue its focus on upskilling its Mongolian national employees as a key element of the contract execution strategy, Monadelphous said.

In addition, the company has been awarded a contract with Talison Lithium Australia for the construction of a range of facilities associated with the mine services area at its Greenbushes mine site in the southwest of Western Australia. The work, which includes structural, mechanical, piping and electrical and instrumentation services, is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023.

Monadelphous’ fabrication business, SinoStruct, has secured a contract to fabricate over 2,000 t of structural steel for a construction project in Ashburton in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Work is expected to be completed in early 2023.

Also in the Pilbara region, Monadelphous has been awarded a contract with Rio Tinto for the upgrade of conveyor facilities at the Marandoo iron ore mine. Site works are scheduled to commence in early 2023 and are expected to be completed in the March quarter of 2024.

WesTrac holds Cat D10T2 dozer handover ceremony with a difference

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An equipment handover ceremony of a Cat® D10T2 dozer at WesTrac’s South Guildford facility, in Western Australia, this week held special meaning for the stakeholders involved, the Cat dealer says.

Indigenous contracting business Civil Road & Rail SX5, part of the broader SX5 Group of companies, will use the new dozer for mine rehabilitation services at Rio Tinto’s mine sites in the Pilbara.

According to SX5 Directors, Ralph Keller and Cherie Keller, and Co-Director and Eastern Guruma Senior Elder, Kenzie Smith, the act of rehabilitating the land has grown in significance over recent years.

“We’re making things green again, making Country feel better,” Ralph Keller said. “In repairing Country, we’re helping repair the trust and relationships with the region’s Traditional Owners.”

As well as being among the Traditional Owners of the land, Smith’s family have a long history of helping modern enterprises use and rehabilitate the land. The family once helped break horses and muster cattle on the stations in the region and was permitted to gather any stock left behind to sell themselves. SX5 was the brand applied to those stray cattle before they were taken to market. That set the family on an entrepreneurial path that resulted in Smith helping to establish and run SX5’s contracting business, according to WesTrac.

WesTrac General Manager, Cameron Callaway, said miners, as well as their suppliers and service providers, understand the vital importance of engaging with the Traditional Owners on whose country they operate to ensure continual improvement in environmental, social and governance outcomes.

“The world needs miners to supply the mineral resources required for a more sustainable future, and that means we need to support sustainable mining initiatives,” Callaway said. “Drawing on the knowledge of Traditional Owners and the expertise of knowledgeable, experienced Indigenous organisations such as SX5 is a key aspect of that, and it’s especially rewarding for WesTrac to be involved in projects such as this.”

The Cat D10T2, itself, comes with onboard technologies to drive greater efficiency, productivity and fuel economy, as well as improved operator safety and comfort. It is also equipped with the building blocks to enable remote and semi-autonomous operations.

Ralph Keller says technology has been key to SX5’s success, and support from Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) has made it possible for the group to continue to purchase equipment with the latest machine control technologies.

“What makes us different is that SX5 continues to reinvent itself every day,” he said. “It’s all about technology. That’s how you achieve excellence and how you mitigate risk.”

IBA, a commercially-focused Federal Government organisation, supports First Nations businesses with cashflow and performance bond guarantees to enable business growth.

Kirsty Moore, IBA’s Chief Executive Officer, says: “Putting the regeneration of Country back in the hands of First Nations companies like SX5 is smart business and we’re so glad to support their efforts.

“IBA provides leasing opportunities to First Nations businesses so they can acquire critical capital equipment without tying up large amounts of cash that is needed to cover the operating costs of the business. The new equipment has stepped up the production and quality of work that the business has been able to achieve by using equipment that is purpose-built for the task.

“SX5 is a great example of a First Nations business transforming its opportunities to work with big business – all while restoring Country and being trained in new technology.”

Martin Roedhammer, Rio Tinto Manager Rehabilitation and Closure, said: “We work hard to leave a lasting, positive legacy everywhere we work. As part of this, we strive to generate opportunities for businesses to be part of our supply chain and deliver local economic benefits.

“Rio Tinto has worked with SX5 for more than seven years to support and develop the group’s capacity and understanding of our requirements and facilitate introductions across our Pilbara operations.

“A credit to SX5 is the business’ ability to think of ways to increase efficiency and get the best quality outcomes, trialling the use of chains to improve final surface finishes and modifying equipment to achieve improved vegetation establishment.

“We look forward to a continued successful relationship with SX5 and witnessing them grow even more in the future.”

Geomagnetic Design looks to revolutionise RC and diamond drilling with GM1 rig

Mineral exploration, Mining equipment, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

Emerging drill rig manufacturer, Geomagnetic Design has announced results from field trials on its specialty, patented RC and diamond GM1 drill rig.

Now in advanced stages of research and development (R&D), field testing in Western Australia’s Pilbara Region has confirmed the drill rig’s ability to halve the carbon footprint of traditional exploration drilling programs, with exceptional operational and environmental outcomes, according to the company.

Of note, the GM1’s performance across exploration drilling programs at six separate sites across the state showed a significant reduction in fuel consumption of up to 400 litres per 11-hour shift at RC configurations, and 60 litres per 11-hour shift at diamond configurations, as well as reducing ambient noise emissions.

The GM1 can also commence drilling in RC mode, and change to diamond coring within three hours, a significant reduction compared with current market changeover configurations, which typically take between 1-3 days, Geomagnetic Design says.

Commenting on the driving factors for innovation, Geomagnetic Design Founder and General Manager, Darren Papst, said: “Drillers are facing growing scrutiny and pressure from governments, investors and communities to exceed environmental considerations in their program design. We made it our business to address a multitude of performance factors that have never been achieved in one drill rig.

“Once our R&D is complete later this year, our solution will be the first of its kind, an ‘all-in-one’ RC and diamond rig that delivers reduced fuel consumption, carbon output and noise emissions all while covering more ground, with less holes and less metres.”

Designed and manufactured at the company’s headquarters in Perth, the patented blueprint for the GM1 uses a hydraulic system, enabling the rig to operate with a drastically reduced carbon output (from 59 kg/h down to 29 kg/h) while still retaining the same operational capacity as competitor rigs, the company says.

As well as halving carbon emissions, the physical machine footprint is substantially less than other drill rigs – measuring just 2.5 m x 3 m. The GM1 rig requires support from only one air truck, where competitor rigs are normally accompanied by two to three large trucks, it says.

Unique to the GM1 drill rig is its ability to conduct shallow angle RC drilling on 2 axes. This capability has been addressed during R&D and, if successful in future trials, will provide a cheaper form of drilling that allows clients to cover more ground with less holes and less metres, the company said.

The concept of a magnetically-driven drill rig has been a long-time plan of Papst’s.

“I began ideating the GM1 drill rig years ago when I noticed a gap in the market between having a superior-functioning rig versus having a sustainable, environmentally-designed rig.

“This current drill rig that we aim to go to market with has phenomenal fuel efficiencies, but we don’t plan on stopping there. Phase two of our engineering process will involve removing the need for diesel altogether with the use of a magnetic drive in its place.”

If the project continues to move at the expected timeline, Geomagnetic Design’s GM1 rig could be commercially available as soon as December 2022, the company says.

Thiess targets WA hard-rock mining sector expansion with MACA offer

Automation, Base metals, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , ,

Thiess looks like gaining further market share in the key hard-rock mining market of Western Australia after having a bid accepted for fellow mining contractor MACA.

The all-cash offer to acquire 100% of the shares of the company at A$1.0251/share represents a 42.2% premium to the MACA one month volume weighted average price as of July 25, 2022.

MACA’s Board has unanimously recommended that its shareholders accept the offer in the absence of a superior proposal and subject to an independent expert concluding, and continuing to conclude, that the offer is favourable to MACA shareholders.

Thiess says it intends to operate MACA in materially the same manner supported by MACA’s workforce, brand and assets, and to continue its highly regarded community partnerships.

The proposed acquisition of MACA by the Thiess is consistent with its diversification strategy, with a particular emphasis on increasing its presence within metals and minerals hard-rock mining operations in Western Australia, it says.

To this point, the company’s Western Australian hard-rock mining exposure has consisted mostly of work with BHP’s Western Australian nickel assets, in addition to a recent contract award at the Covalent Lithium Joint Venture project.

MACA has exposure to the state’s iron ore sector thanks to contracts with Fortescue and BHP; the burgeoning gold segment through contracts with Regis Resources, Ramelius Resources, Capricorn Metals and Red 5; and nickel and lithium exposure from the Ravensthorpe mine and Pilgangoora project, respectively.

Thiess also said in its Bidder Statement that it sees “a significant opportunity to combine the operational capability of both companies to continue enhancing service quality, particularly in relation to technical solutions such as deploying autonomous machinery or reducing the carbon emissions of mining services on project sites”.

Back in March, MACA announced a partnership with SafeAI to form an MoU to retrofit a mixed fleet of 100 mining trucks across multiple locations with autonomous mining technologies.

Michael Wright, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Thiess, said: “We believe our offer is an attractive opportunity for MACA shareholders as it provides certainty of cash, a strong premium and an ability to achieve liquidity for their entire MACA shareholding. We are pleased to have the support of the MACA Board for our Offer.

“The proposed acquisition of MACA is an important part of Thiess’ strategy to diversify its operations across commodities, services and geographies. Thiess has a high regard for MACA’s service quality, and we believe our industry experience positions us well to enhance MACA’s value proposition to clients and employees. We recognise and intend to maintain and grow MACA’s strong brand and presence in the Western Australian market. Thiess also looks forward to supporting MACA to meet the evolving needs of its client base through promoting further investment in low emission and technology-led solutions.”

SRG Global continues engagement with Kalgoorlie Super Pit after signing pact with Northern Star

Mine operation news, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , ,

SRG Global Ltd’s 25-year history with the Kalgoorlie Super Pit in Western Australia is set to continue after it signed a new five-year term contract with the mine’s current owner, Northern Star Resources.

The agreement is one of two new contracts – the other with Meridian Energy – the ASX-listed company has secured, which are valued at circa-A$90 million ($63 million).

The scope of works of the Northern Star contract includes the provision of geotechnical ground support, rock fall protection systems, depressurisation drilling and rope access services at the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines gold operations. The contract will commence immediately and is expected to complete in 2027.

David Macgeorge, Managing Director, said: “The Northern Star contract continues SRG Global’s over 25-year history at the Kalgoorlie Super Pit and provides a platform to further strengthen our relationship with Northern Star through the provision of geotechnical services.”

GR Engineering locks in 1 Mt/y processing plant build for Bellevue Gold

Comminution of minerals, Environmental, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Precious metals, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

GR Engineering Services Limited, following a preliminary works agreement signed in May, has entered into a contract with Golden Spur Resources Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bellevue Gold Limited for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works in relation to the 1 Mt/y gold processing plant and associated infrastructure for the Bellevue gold project in Western Australia.

Bellevue is forecasting production of 200,000 oz/y during years one to five at an all-in sustaining cost of A$922/oz ($653/oz) at its operation.

The contract sum for the EPC contract is A$87.8 million ($60.7 million).

Bellevue Gold said the award of the contract was particularly important because it further insulates Bellevue against rising costs.

“The EPC contract is the last of the large capital expenditure items on the pathway to production, meaning 90% of the project’s pre-production expenditure is locked in either via contracts or tenders (79% under contract and 11% under advanced tender),” it said.

As part of the preliminary works agreement, GR Engineering had already commenced work on the project. This involved design engineering services and ordering of long lead and design critical path equipment including the ball mill, crushing equipment, screens, agitators, leach and tailings thickeners, prior to entering into the now-signed EPC contract.

Geoff Jones, GR Engineering Managing Director, said: “GR Engineering is pleased to continue its involvement on this exciting gold project. Our clients are increasingly seeking certainty and a track record of performance and GR Engineering has been able to demonstrate this to Bellevue, including by reference to its strong track record of successful project outcomes in the Western Australian gold sector.”

Bellevue said the design criteria incorporates sufficient headroom to support an increase in throughput to 1.2 Mt/y with no additional capital required across the entire plant.

“Further expansions beyond 1.2 Mt per annum can be achieved for a low level of additional capital,” it added.

Bellevue Gold is looking to become one of lowest emitting gold mines in Australia, with a forecasted greenhouse gas intensity of 0.202 t CO2e/oz, with planned integration of renewable energy.

The design for the processing plant also follows this philosophy, with the design of the crushing circuit optimised to maximise renewable energy usage by incorporating higher throughput rates, enabling its use to rise and fall in line the availability of renewable energy while not restricting overall throughput, the company said.

“By optimising the power demand curve to better align with key daytime and night-time energy peaks and troughs in the generation of power from renewable energy sources, it will create the optionality for the crushing circuit to maximise crushing in peak renewable energy generation periods,” Bellevue said. “This will have the potential to offset more than 1 MW in demand on thermal power generation.”