Tag Archives: Western Australia

Rio Tinto puts call out for locally-made Pilbara rail cars

Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , ,

Rio Tinto has called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Western Australia-based manufacturers to build 100 rail cars for its Pilbara iron ore mining operations.

The EOI callout follows its announcement in September it would look for opportunities for Western Australian suppliers to help grow the local rail car manufacturing industry and support local jobs.

Rio will initially purchase 50 rail cars from the successful supplier, followed by an ongoing commitment of 10 rail cars a year for the next five years, it said.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive, Simon Trott, said: “I strongly encourage Western Australian manufacturers to submit an EOI to build these iron ore rail cars to service our Pilbara operations. We’re pleased to offer this opportunity to local businesses to support local jobs and the Western Australian economy.

“As the local manufacturing industry grows, we will continue to look at ways to engage local businesses to be part of our supply chain.”

The EOI supports the vision of the Western Australian Government’s iron ore rail car action group, which was formed to develop Western Australia’s manufacturing capability and which Rio Tinto is a member.

Mineral Resources partners with Hexagon for ‘autonomous road train first’

Automation, Bulk handling, Mineral project development, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , ,

Mineral Resources Ltd (MRL) says it has partnered with Hexagon to develop an autonomous road train solution as part of a plan to unlock “stranded tonnes” in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

Part of its mining services infrastructure supply chain solution, the autonomous road trains will form an essential part of the cost-efficient supply chain for the Ashburton Hub iron ore project, MRL said.

To support the development of the 30 Mt/y Ashburton Hub, the company plans to run a fleet of 425 t Gross Combination Mass (GCM), triple-trailer road trains operating across multiple convoys, with each road train convoy consisting of up to five prime mover trucks, with three trailers each, hauling the ore from the mine site to the Port of Ashburton.

The autonomous road train solution integrates Hexagon’s drive-by-wire technology with an autonomous management system to orchestrate vehicle movement, MRL explained. A successful pilot project is already underway at MRL’s Yilgarn operations (pictured) using 385 t GCM triple-trailer road trains, which have been tailored for the specific economic constraints of iron ore and other bulk commodities. During the next two years, the testing will continue, ramping up to 425 t GCM in time for the development of the Ashburton Hub project in the December quarter of 2023.

In this final configuration, a remote operations centre would monitor the trucks, with one operator in control of the platoon.

“An autonomous road train configuration of this scale is a world first and reflects MRL’s approach to continuous improvement and innovation,” it said. “We will initially adopt the technology for our own operations, with a view to offering the solution to our large Tier One customer base, further growing MRL’s mining services business.”

Mike Grey, MRL’s Chief Executive – Mining Services, said: “MRL has always been at the forefront of providing innovative and low-cost mining services solutions. In recent years, we have implemented a number of new technologies which have enhanced the safety and operational efficiency of our long-distance road train haulage fleet, reducing the risks of driver fatigue and increasing fleet availability. The autonomous road trains will take us to the next level again. They provide a safe, cost-efficient solution for hauling ore, which is key to unlocking stranded tonnes in the Pilbara.”

He added: “Being part of the MRL Group, our Mining Services division is in a really good position to trial all of our new technologies on our own mine sites prior to offering additional services to our customers. Our autonomous road trains, combined with our other innovations, are all part of our growth strategy to expand our capability to provide full pit-to-ship, low-cost infrastructure solutions.”

Hancock, Mineral Resources and Roy Hill consider Australia-first infrastructure sharing pact

Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd and Mineral Resources Ltd have entered into a legally binding agreement under which they will jointly investigate the potential to develop a new iron ore export facility at Port Hedland’s Stanley Point berth 3 in South West Creek.

The agreement would see Roy Hill Holdings, a Hancock subsidiary, provide services to both MRL and Hancock for development and operation of the project, including rail haulage and port services.

MRL said: “The project aligns with MRL’s strategy to unlock stranded deposits in the Pilbara by developing pit-to-port solutions and expanding its capability to be a long-term, low-cost sustainable supplier of iron ore to international markets.”

Hancock and MRL will conduct an expedited study to assess the economic and technical feasibility of the proposed project in the coming months, to usual market standards, they said.

In addition, Hancock and MRL will seek to undertake discussions with the Government of Western Australia and the Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) in relation to the potential project. It is acknowledged that in order for the proposed project to proceed, the parties would need to first receive a development approval and a capacity allocation for the project from the PPA to jointly develop and operate Stanley Point berth 3 and other associated supporting port infrastructure.

MRL Managing Director, Chris Ellison (pictured in shot with Hancock Prospecting Executive Chair, Gina Rinehart on screen), said this partnership and infrastructure sharing proposal is the first-of-its-kind in the Australian resources industry and would enable significant value to be unlocked for the company in a sustainable manner.

“Our long-stated strategy is to transition from short-life, high-cost mines to lower-cost, long-life operations underpinned by innovative infrastructure solutions,” he said. “Developing our stranded assets will provide additional growth for MRL’s unique mining services build-own-operate model.”

The project  will be subject to a final investment decision by both parties, and other necessary approvals and agreements (including a lease, licence and an infrastructure development agreement or similar) from the PPA on agreed terms.

Austin’s milestone ULTIMA truck body delivered to Rio Tinto Iron Ore

Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , , ,

Austin Engineering has announced the delivery of its 1,000th truck body to Rio Tinto Iron Ore in Western Australia.

The milestone was marked with a ceremony at Austin’s Kewdale-based manufacturing facility, attended by Western Australia Premier, Mark McGowan (right), Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Officer, Simon Trott (centre), along with Austin’s Chairman, Jim Walker, and Chief Executive Officer, David Singleton (left).

The ULITMA truck body in question was unveiled on site today.

Over the past 30 years, Austin has supplied approximately A$300 million ($214 million) of its designed and engineered equipment to Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations. Austin also supplies equipment to Rio Tinto’s global operations from its manufacturing sites spread across four continents.

Austin and Rio Tinto’s partnership commenced in 1988 with Western Australia-based John’s Engineering and Cranes (JEC), which is now part of the Austin business, providing truck body components to Robe River, a Rio Tinto Group Company.

Austin’s Kewdale facility is one of two of the company’s major manufacturing sites in the Asia Pacific region. Austin is investing A$6.5 million to implement advanced manufacturing processes and capabilities at its Perth and Batam (Indonesia) sites, including increased automation and the use of custom jigs, fixtures, workstations and a standardised manufacturing approach to building products.

The Kewdale facility is currently receiving the first manufacturing upgrade, which will benefit major customers, such as Rio Tinto, and enhance the company’s supply of Western Australian-made dump truck bodies and other hauling and loading products, Austin said.

Singleton said: “In the dynamic and constantly evolving mining industry, it is becoming an increasing rarity to see a long-standing partnership, particularly one deeply rooted in the local community, going from strength-to-strength. This makes today’s milestone all the more extraordinary, and like the other 999 truck bodies we’ve made for Rio Tinto Iron Ore in Western Australia, it will be manufactured locally.

“Austin is proud of its role in helping Rio Tinto successfully deliver the iron ore that is the economic lynchpin of our great state.”

McGowan said: “Austin Engineering is one of WA’s key local manufacturers. It is providing mining companies like Rio Tinto with locally designed and manufactured equipment, but it is also creating an increasing number of local job opportunities here at its Kewdale facility.

“Rio Tinto’s commitment to purchasing Western Australian made truck bodies, that will be used right here in the state, reflects the WA State Government’s commitment to boost local manufacturing, local content, and local jobs, enabling our State to become more self-sufficient and prosperous into the future.”

Rio’s Trott said: “The manufacture of the 1,000th truck body for our iron ore operations here in Western Australia is a testament to the Austin-Rio Tinto relationship that spans three decades and covers the globe.

“The partnership is an example of our commitment to working with local business to create ongoing employment and to develop world-class products. We are committed to sourcing local content wherever possible to support our suppliers, our business and the communities in which we operate. I look forward to our longstanding partnership continuing to support the Western Australian economy.”

Conveyor Products and Solutions plans ‘highly automated’ facility in Perth

Bulk handling, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , ,

Conveyor Products and Solutions has announced its latest investment in a new state-of-the-art facility in Western Australia as part of its ongoing commitment to the local economy.

This new facility will house a number of innovative technologies and complement CPS’ existing operations, thereby strengthening its Australian manufacturing capability, the company said.

Present for the foundation pour was Director, Mike Einhorn, and CFO, Matt Einhorn, along with a contingency of local contractors keen to oversee this milestone.

CPS said its first manufacturing plant in Perth is highly automated, with a significant investment in custom-built equipment to process roller components safely, more quickly, and to a higher, more repeatable quality standard for quicker turnarounds and shorter lead times.

Qube to help fill Coburn mineral sands transport gaps for Strandline

Energy minerals, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

Strandline Resources Ltd says it has made another important step in its preparations for production at the Coburn mineral sands project in Western Australia, executing a long‐term haulage and logistics services agreement with Qube Bulk Pty Ltd.

Qube is Australia’s largest integrated provider of export logistics services and is highly experienced in haulage, storage and ship loading of bulk mineral sands products, including at the Port of Geraldton, according to Strandline.

Qube’s scope comprises a turnkey logistics solution from mine‐to‐ship, including operating the haulage fleet, product storage facilities at Geraldton and coordinating ship loading activities. The agreement covers 100% of the mineral sands products to be produced at Coburn over an initial 10‐year term (around 225,000 t/y).

Qube’s services include load product at Coburn mine site into Qube‐owned triple road trains on a continuous 24‐7 basis; transport of ilmenite and zircon concentrate products to Qube’s existing Berth 4 storage facility at the Port of Geraldton ready for direct loading to ship; transport of zircon and rutile products to purpose‐built storage facility at Narngulu, ready for campaign loading at Berth 4, Port of Geraldton; and coordinate product deliveries for ship loading at the port to meet Strandline’s customer requirements.

The terms of the contract are in accordance with the production plan, logistics requirements and overall operating cost assumptions contained in the Coburn definitive feasibility study, released in June 2020, which outlined a mine life of 22.5 years at a mining rate of 23.4 Mt/y.

Appointment of Qube follows the previously announced 10‐year port access and services agreement with the Mid West Ports Authority, which operates the Port of Geraldton in Western Australia.

Qube is now preparing its Narngulu storage facility and existing Berth 4 port storage facility and trucking fleet ready for first cargo later next year, Strandline said.

With the strong construction progress achieved to date at Coburn, Strandline remains on track to achieve first production of heavy mineral concentrate in the December quarter of 2022.

Strandline Managing Director, Luke Graham, said: “We are delighted to establish this long‐term relationship with Qube, a leading logistics provider across Australia and a well‐established operator in the mid‐west region of Western Australia. Securing the strategic storage at port berth‐side for most of Coburn’s product volume is a significant advantage, resulting in extra flexibility and cost efficiencies.

“This agreement, when combined with the previously announced operational contracts, including for the contract mining services, supply of electricity, LNG, fuel and facilities management on site, means Strandline has already locked‐in circa-65% of its forecast operating costs in line with the assumptions contained in the Coburn DFS.”

SRG captures Rio and Roy Hill contracts in latest tenders

Base metals, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , ,

SRG Global Ltd says it has secured seven term contracts valued at around A$110 million ($81 million), including agreements with Rio Tinto and Roy Hill.

Included within this is a three-year contract, with the option for a one-year extension with Roy Hill to provide shutdown maintenance services at its iron ore operations in the Pilbara of Western Australia, commencing immediately.

It has also been granted two separate 18-month contracts with Rio; one to carry out shutdown scaffolding services at its QAL alumina refinery, and one to provide access and refractory services at its Yarwun alumina refinery. Both projects have commenced are located in Queensland.

On top of this, the company received a three-year contract at a major nickel and cobalt operation in the Goldfields of Western Australia, where it will provide ad-hoc maintenance support, commencing immediately.

MACA to collaborate with Aquirian’s TBS on Collar Keeper developments

Explosives and blasting, Mining services, , , , , ,

Aquirian Ltd’s wholly owned subsidiary, TBS Mining Solutions Pty Ltd, has entered into a binding technology Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MACA Mining Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of MACA Ltd, related to collaborating on the development and commercialisation of the Collar Keeper® System.

MACA is an ASX-listed contracting group providing services to the mining and construction industries. It specialises in contract mining and crushing, civil construction and infrastructure maintenance, and mineral processing solutions.

The MoU marks a significant milestone in TBS’ strategy to develop and commercialise its exciting technology, Aquirian said. The support and access to equipment in an operating environment, provided by MACA, is a crucial part of the development, prototyping and testing of the Collar Keeper System.

This patent-pending system is a combination of Aquirian-developed, retrofittable drilling apparatus combined with its existing Collar Keeper. The technology represents a step change in managing blasthole quality and is targeted to provide a unique solution to a range of different blasting environments with global applications, the company said.

Greg Patching, Aquirian Executive Director Business Development & Innovation, said: “We are thrilled to partner with MACA, and it’s exciting to see our technology pathway take another key step forward in terms of development and commercialisation for our customers, their clients and our shareholders.”

The initial focus for the Collar Keeper System will be on mines in Western Australia operating with smaller diameter holes in challenging ground conditions, where high-cost and time-consuming collar piping is traditionally used.

The traditional method of collar piping has not changed in over 40 years and introduces hazards as well as, cost, time and quality issues, and poor blast outcomes for clients, according to Aquirian.

In addition, the poor blasting outcomes lead to further downstream costs in load and haul, and the processing of mined material.

Last month, Aquirian reported it had successfully completed the Stage II prototype trial of Collar Keeper on an existing drill rig operating in a hard-rock gold mining environment in the mid-west of Western Australia. The trial successfully tested fitment to existing drill rigs and delivered marked improvements to drilling rates and drill hole quality, according to the company.

TBS, under the MoU, will be responsible for all design, engineering, testing and management of the Collar Keeper System from development through to commercialisation. It will maintain ownership of all IP associated with the development of the Collar Keeper System and ongoing commercialisation control and management.

MACA, meanwhile, will provide operational and site support to TBS for testing and refinement of the Collar Keeper System from development through to commercialisation. It will also receive Foundation Customer status from TBS for the system, including preferred commercial terms for the system and associated products for a period of three years from the date of commercialisation.

IGO to trial VSUN Energy’s VRFP energy storage tech at Nova nickel operation

Base metals, Energy minerals, Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , ,

IGO Limited looks set to test VSUN Energy’s vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) energy storage technology in a standalone power system (SPS) application at its Nova nickel operation in Western Australia.

An SPS supplies power independently to the electricity grid and typically comprises a combination of solar, wind, battery and backup generation from diesel or gas. The SPS at Nova, supplied by Australian Vanadium Ltd subsidiary VSUN, will power a bore pump with a target of 100% renewable energy use.

The SPS heading to IGO’s nickel operation will be based around a 300 kWh VRFB from Spanish manufacturer E22. The system has been designed to provide a 100% renewable energy supply for much of the year, with periods of long cloud cover being supported by a diesel genset, Australian Vanadium said.

Total renewable penetration of 85-90% is being targeted for the trial of the VRFB-based SPS system.

The SPS is redeployable for use on multiple mines sites and locations over its 20-plus year service life, Australian Vanadium said. The target of long periods with “diesel-off” will not only significantly reduce the carbon emissions of diesel generator powered bore fields, but also offer substantial reductions in operating hours for service personnel, according to the company.

“These two significant benefits indicate a potentially rapid growth market segment for this robust technology,” the company said.

Australian Vanadium Managing Director, Vincent Algar, said: “Working with IGO on this project will accelerate the objectives of the companies and broader mining industry towards carbon neutrality. The robustness of VRFB energy storage makes it perfectly suited to the tough environments found on many Australian mine sites.”

He added: “The installation of an SPS based on vanadium technology for pumping applications enables diesel to be almost entirely eliminated, helping reduce overall carbon emissions and providing reliable green power. We look forward to trialling and then duplicating this system based on an Australian invention and with Australian-made vanadium electrolyte from AVL in Western Australia.”

IGO’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Dusci, said: “IGO’s strategic focus is on those products that are critical to enabling clean energy solutions, to create a better planet. As part of our strategy to deliver those products, we aspire to be carbon neutral across our business and to do this, in part, by leveraging renewable energy solutions and innovation to reduce emissions at our remote exploration and mining operations. We are excited to be collaborating with AVL on this pilot at our Nova operation.”

In July 2021, AVL was awarded a A$3.69 million ($2.69 million) Federal Government manufacturing grant under the Modern Manufacturing Initiative Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing National Manufacturing Priority roadmap. Part of the matched funding is allocated to development of the SPS that will be installed at IGO’s Nova nickel operation.

The remainder of the grant will be used to finalise the high purity processing circuit for the Australian Vanadium Project; build and operate a commercial vanadium electrolyte manufacturing plant producing 33 MWh/y and manufacture a prototype of a residential VRFB.

The agreement with IGO will end 12 months from the date of system commissioning and first power production, unless extended or terminated in accordance with the agreement. The SPS is being provided to IGO at no charge, with the option to purchase or rent the system at the end of the trial period. The project will enable IGO to analyse the performance of the SPS for potential use in its dewatering and bore pumps systems.

Alltype Engineering to help bring Lynas’ Kalgoorlie rare earths processing plant to life

Energy minerals, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, , , , , ,

WestStar Industrial’s engineering construction contracting business, Alltype Engineering, has been awarded a rotary kiln erection contract valued at circa-A$12 million ($8.8 million) by Lynas Kalgoorlie Pty Ltd in Western Australia.

This contract, in addition to bolstering the WestStar 2022 financial year order, aligns with Alltype Engineering’s strategic plan to focus and deliver on major turnkey construction projects and provide a differentiated vertical service offering incorporating fabrication, SMP and E&I construction works.

Lynas’ new rare earths processing facility in Kalgoorlie will treat rare earth concentrate from its Mt Weld mine to produce rare earth carbonate, which will be packaged and transported to Fremantle Port for export to the Lynas Malaysia advanced materials plant in Gebeng, Malaysia, for further processing.

The scope awarded to Alltype Engineering encompasses the following:

  • Erection of a six-meter diameter by 110 m long, four pier kiln and all structural and mechanical drive ancillaries;
  • Erection of discharge hood;
  • Fabrication and installation of discharge end building;
  • Fabrication and installation of dust chute from discharge end seal;
  • Erection of burner management system and all ancillaries;
  • Fabrication and installation of primary leach overflow rubber lined hopper;
  • Installation of pumps, agitators, heat exchanger and all service piping; and
  • Installation of all electrical and instrumentation works including cabling, infrastructure and instruments.

Alltype Engineering, WestStar says, has a commitment to becoming a market leader in rotating equipment installation projects, supported by key personnel with over 40 years’ experience in this field of expertise.

“For Alltype Engineering, this contract is a result of the experience of its key execution team members in delivering rotary kiln projects successfully in the past with different organisations throughout the Australian resources and mineral processing industry,” it added.

The company will commence preliminary work immediately with works planned to be completed by the June quarter of 2022.

Alltype Engineering Managing Director, Kelvin Andrijich, said: “During our financial year 2021 strategic planning in 2020, we identified a niche market opportunity in the rotary kiln and rotating equipment installation space. It is very pleasing to see that the subsequent business case and execution of this strategy 12 months later has resulted in securing our first rotary kiln erection contract as part of the landmark Lynas Rare Earths Processing Facility development in Kalgoorlie.

“We are pleased that Lynas has recognised the experience and capability of our delivery team and the proven self-execution multidiscipline construction capability of Alltype Engineering in the gas, energy, petrochemical and minerals processing industries.

“Alltype Engineering has previously undertaken balance of plant scopes around rotary kilns on operational mineral sands and lithium processing sites in the past and we are excited to now be completing the entire turnkey package in addition to those works.”