Tag Archives: Western Australia

Atlas Iron names load and haul, drill and blast contractors for McPhee project

Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, , , , ,

Atlas Iron says it has awarded the major haulage, mine load and haul as well as drill and blast contracts for its McPhee project in Western Australia, bringing the iron ore project one step closer to construction and commissioning.

With these contracts, the total number of major contracts awarded for the project is over 50%, with five of nine now awarded. All contracts are subject to the relevant government approvals being approved.

The McPhee project is 100 km north of the Roy Hill mine, and is situated between the townships of Marble Bar and Nullagine. The project scope includes haulage of up to 10 Mt/y of crushed ore to Roy Hill for processing, transport to the port and shipping. For this scope, the haulage contract was split between MGM (60%) and REGROUP (40%).

MACA has been awarded the mine load and haul contract, and a separate contract for drill and blast mining services has been awarded to the Nyamal joint venture, EWP-Ozland.

Indigenous contractor, East West Pilbara (EWP), is a Nyamal-owned firm, with EWP-Ozland previously awarded civil and construction works at Atlas Iron’s Miralga Mine, which has been recognised as an industry first, it said.

This announcement marks the first instance of REGROUP, a full-service civil construction, mining services, labour resourcing and equipment hire company, being engaged as a contracting partner.

CEO Group Projects at Hancock Prospecting Group, Sanjiv Manchanda, noted: “The McPhee project is another step in the successful integrated Hancock Group development approach focusing
on the product strategy for the broader group. Atlas will continue to engage local and Indigenous contractors and maintain a practical approach to operations.”

McPhee is expected to commence operations in the 2024 financial year with first ore reaching Roy Hill in thr 2025 financial year. This is subject to the regulatory approvals being granted in early 2023, which will enable the contractors to mobilise to site and commence the works under their respective contracts.

Northern Star engages Zenith for renewable power expansion at Jundee

Environmental, Mine operation news, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Precious metals, , , ,

Northern Star Resources and Zenith Energy have signed a preliminary works agreement and term sheet related to the supply of electricity from a solar farm, battery energy storage facility and wind turbines to the Jundee gold mine in Western Australia.

The aim of the initiative is to cut Jundee’s Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 35-50% by 2030.

Supply contracts and planning, engineering and design works are currently being progressed by Zenith while negotiation of the definitive renewable energy power purchase agreement is ongoing, Northern Star said.

Back in 2019, Zenith completed and commissioned its 6 MW build own and operate power station expansion at Jundee, with the addition of Jenbacher 620 Spark Ignition gas generator technology.

NRW subsidiary wins drill and blast contract at Talison’s Greenbushes lithium mine

Explosives and blasting, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , , ,

NRW Holdings’ wholly-owned subsidiary, Action Drill & Blast Pty Ltd, has been issued a notice of award by Talison Lithium Australia for drill and blast services at the Greenbushes lithium mine in Western Australia.

This award follows the longstanding relationship Action has with Talison Lithium since Action commenced drill and blast activities on site in 2011.

The seven-year (plus two-year option) contract is valued at circa-A$300 million ($213 million) over the initial period and is scheduled to commence in July 2023.

The scope of works under the contract include ore, waste, pre-split and RC grade control drilling together with loading, stemming and initiation of bulk explosives. Plant requirements for the project will be sourced from within the Action business together with new equipment capital expenditure of circa-A$30 million over the life of the contract, it said.

The contract will require a peak workforce of some 160 personnel, including the 56 currently employed on site.

Action said the majority of the workforce will be sourced from the local community, building on current relationships and training programs.

Together with its predecessor company, Talison Lithium has been producing lithium concentrates at Greenbushes since 1983, which are ultimately used in lithium-ion batteries. The Greenbushes project, directly south and adjacent to the town of Greenbushes in Western Australia, is a major supplier of lithium mineral concentrates.

RCT turns Gold Fields’ Granny Smith mine into ‘digitally connected powerhouse’

Automation, Communications in mining, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , ,

RCT’s latest partnership with Gold Fields in Australia has seen, it says, the transformation of the Granny Smith mine and machine fleet into a state-of-the-art, digitally connected powerhouse.

The project, which RCT says embodies the mining company’s key value of innovation, is designed to increase productivity.

Gold Fields’ Granny Smith mine is no stranger to RCT, having been one of its technology partners for more than 20 years.

This latest project has seen the Eastern Goldfields underground gold operation become one of the most innovative, digitally-connected mines in the world, according to RCT. The project saw its Kalgoorlie-based team of innovative technicians upgrade the site’s six existing Caterpillar loaders from analogue to digital.

This required the Kalgoorlie branch team to design and build specialised mounts and overhaul the site’s existing cabins. In addition, a total of 11 Area Access Controls (AAC) were also converted from analogue to digital to facilitate the upgrade.

“We recognise that they made a significant investment into the original technology, and we wanted to find the most cost-effective and sustainable solution available,” RCT’s Kalgoorlie Branch Manager, Rick Radcliffe, said.

The team converted three of the site’s existing analogue TeleCabins and transformed them into digital ControlMaster® Automation Centres for underground use and two surface Automation Centres to digital, bringing them into the future.

The site chose to use RCT’s own full-scale digital communications solution – RCT Connect – to meet the demands of autonomous machines across the mine site. The technology will cater to Granny Smith’s current and future machines, according to RCT.

The Kalgoorlie branch finished the upgrades in December last year, and although the technology has only been in place for a few months, the site has experienced amazing results from day one, according to the company.

Granny Smith Mine Manager, Michael Place, said: “The ability for the operators to mine from the surface with a pristine picture/video thanks to the digital network has meant they have been able to increase the number of buckets per shift, while adding to the comfort of the operators.

“Implementing the new digital infrastructure RCT Connect has significantly improved both the availability and reliability of Granny Smith’s semi-autonomous remote production loaders and stoping fronts to date.”

The upgrade saw the popular analogue technology that uses the Yagi antenna replaced with RCT Connect.

Radcliffe added: “While the Yagi’s have been a tried and tested technology for many years, our digital RCT Connect Access Points has taken the Control Master underground communications system to another level. The system is now more reliable and provides a clearer picture and improved operator visibility.

“The feedback we have received from site is that the operators love the new technology and they wished they implemented it ages ago.”

As well as experiencing the significant benefits of digital technology today, Granny Smith is futureproofing its operations, allowing it to make small, incremental changes as and when they are ready, RCT said.

RCT Connect, RCT says, is a plug-and-play system, making it easy to install and maintain. The technology has produced a clearer picture, which has greatly assisted Granny Smith personnel to continue operating their machines safely in high-risk locations.

Radcliffe concluded: “Another added benefit to moving to digital is that RCT can now remotely support our clients to a higher level and are able to monitor and complete repairs in a short timeframe, as it eliminates the need for a technician to travel to site to troubleshoot in many cases.”

Macmahon confirms mining gig at Greenbushes lithium project

Energy minerals, Mine operation news, Mining services, , , , ,

Macmahon Holdings says it has now finalised a load and haul services contract with Talison Lithium Australia Pty Ltd for the Greenbushes lithium project in Western Australia.

This follows Macmahon’s selection as the preferred load and haul contractor for the project, announced last year.

This contract involves open-pit mining activities of load and haul, and crusher feed, which will commence on July 1, 2023, for a seven-year period with an option to extend for up to two years. The contract is estimated to generate revenue in excess of A$1.1 billion ($768 million) over its initial seven-year term.

Macmahon CEO and Managing Director, Michael Finnegan, said: “We are delighted to finalise this contract with Talison Lithium for its Greenbushes lithium project. This contract will add approximately A$1.1 billion to our order book, which delivers on our commodity diversification strategy into future-relevant commodities. We have built a strong relationship with the Talison Lithium team and look forward to developing this project with them.”

Talison Lithium is a Western Australia-based mining company which is 51%-owned by a joint venture comprising Tianqi Lithium Corporation and IGO Limited, and 49%-owned by Albemarle Corporation.

Together with its predecessor company, Talison Lithium has been producing lithium concentrates at Greenbushes since 1983, which are ultimately used in lithium batteries. The Greenbushes project, directly south and adjacent to the town of Greenbushes in Western Australia, is a major supplier of lithium mineral concentrates.

Metso Outotec to maintain 10 HIGmills for Asia Pacific miner as part of LCS agreement

Comminution of minerals, Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , ,

Metso Outotec says it has signed a three-year Life Cycle Services (LCS) contract for the service of 10 Metso Outotec-supplied HIGmill™ fine grinding units to a mining customer in Asia Pacific.

The purpose of this agreement is to maximise production and increase uptime by improving the performance of the wear parts using Metso Outotec’s proprietary technology, services and technical expertise. Metso Outotec will provide spares and wears for the HIGmills. Other elements of the agreement are process optimisation, repair services, as well as a service exchange program for spare and wear parts management.

The contract is a performance-based service agreement, and it is one of the largest Life Cycle Services orders received by Metso Outotec.

The Metso Outotec HIGmill is an advanced and energy-efficient fine and ultra-fine grinding solution that relies on proven technology, according to the OEM.

Sami Takaluoma, President, Services business area, Metso Outotec, said: “We are extremely glad that our customer shows this confidence and appreciation in our expertise and end-to-end knowledge in sustainable fine grinding solutions and services. Metso Outotec is continuously developing its service capabilities for the customer’s benefit. The latest investment in the Asia Pacific area is our Karratha, Western Australia, facility which will be our biggest service centre globally. The centre will be operational during the fourth (December) quarter of 2023, and it further strengthens Metso Outotec’s presence in the region.”

Metso Outotec says it offers a wide portfolio of stirred mill technologies and supporting services for fine and ultrafine grinding in secondary, tertiary and regrind applications. The stirred mill portfolio includes the Vertimill®, the Metso Outotec HIGmill grinding mill, and the SMD Stirred Media Detritor.

Metso Outotec pyro processing and comminution lines set for Albemarle’s Kemerton lithium plant

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

Albemarle Lithium Pty Ltd has awarded Metso Outotec an order for two pyro processing and comminution lines for its Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant in Western Australia, the OEM says.

Previously, Metso Outotec delivered two similar pyro process lines to the plant as part of another order.

Metso Outotec’s delivery consists of rotary calciner kilns and coolers, Premier™ ball mills, acid roast indirect rotary kilns and coolers for the pyro processing lines, as well as advisory services for installation and commissioning. Over 90% of the approximately €55 million ($58.6 million) order value is booked in Metso Outotec’s Metals fourth-quarter (December-quarter) orders received and the rest in its Minerals’ orders received.

Chris Urban, Vice President, Heat Transfer at Metso Outotec, said: “Albemarle is one of the largest lithium producers in the world. Commissioning and ramp up of the first two pyro lines delivered by us is currently taking place at the Kemerton plant in Western Australia, and we are delighted to now have received orders for two additional Metso Outotec pyro processing lines.”

The Kemerton plant initially consisted of three production trains, each producing 20,000 t/y of lithium hydroxide, with a potential expansion to five trains that will see production increase to 100,000 t/y by around 2025. The plant will be supplied with lithium concentrate produced at the nearby Greenbushes mine.

Metso Outotec to deliver crushing, flotation and thickening tech to OZ Minerals West Musgrave

Base metals, Comminution of minerals, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , , , , , ,

Metso Outotec says it has been awarded an order for the supply of key minerals processing technologies to OZ Minerals’ West Musgrave copper-nickel project in Western Australia.

The OEM’s scope of delivery includes an MP1250™ cone crusher, as well as Planet Positive classified flotation units and high-rate thickeners.

The TankCell® e630 flotation units (pictured) are the most proven large-scale cells in the 600 cu.m-plus category and come with the largest installed base of operating cells in the world, according to Metso Outotec.

Metso Outotec’s high-rate thickeners, meanwhile, were selected for their state-of-the-art technology and based on references from similar process plants, it said. Laboratory test work was conducted by Metso Outotec to aid thickener selection.

Kai Rönnberg, Vice President, Minerals Sales – Asia Pacific at Metso Outotec, said: “We are very excited to work on the West Musgrave project with OZ Minerals. We were able to align with the project’s key value drivers at an early stage and provide expert technical support.

“OZ Minerals has selected leading-class Planet Positive process equipment for their nickel and copper production process, and they will also be able to benefit from our extensive aftermarket capabilities and footprint in Western Australia.”

In September, the OZ Minerals Board greenlit the build of the West Musgrave copper-nickel project. The feasibility study the board signed off on detailed a 13.5 Mt/y operation with average production of circa-28,000 t/y of nickel and circa-35,000 t/y of copper over a 24-year operating life.

Zenith Energy gears up to supply 95 MW of hybrid power to Liontown’s Kathleen Valley project

Energy minerals, Environmental, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , ,

Zenith Energy has converted the Letter of Award it signed with Liontown Resources to supply electricity to the Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia into a Power Purchase Agreement.

The PPA will see Zenith supply the project with electricity for a period of 15 years as part of a 95 MW hybrid power station setup at the mine.

Zenith has, since the signing of the Letter of Award, announced in September, progressed the planning, engineering and design works for the hybrid power station, including the order of long-lead items such as the wind turbines.

With 46 MW of emission-free power generation capacity, the 95 MW hybrid power station is currently expected to be one of the largest off-grid wind-solar-battery storage renewable energy facilities in the mining industry in Australia.

The thermal components are designed to operate in “engine off” mode at various times, enabling Liontown to operate from 100% renewable energy during periods of high wind and solar resource, the companies say.

The hybrid power station is expected to start up around the same time as the Kathleen Valley process plant is commissioned, currently slated for the first half of 2024.

The plant will include wind generation from five wind turbines each capable of generating 6 MW. A 16 MWp fixed axis solar photovoltaic array coupled to a 17 MW/19 MWh battery energy storage system will provide additional clean energy, supported by synchronous condensers that provide critical system stability and resilience, Zenith said. The thermal power component will comprise 27 MW of gas generation and 5 MW of diesel standby generation.

Kathleen Valley is one of the world’s largest and highest-grade hard-rock lithium deposits and, with an initial 2.5 Mt/y production capacity, is expected to supply circa-500,000 t/y of 6% lithium oxide concentrate, according to the company. With first production expected in June quarter of 2024, the deposit will also produce tantalum pentoxide.

Duratec to carry out remediation works at BHP WAIO port facilities

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

Duratec says it has secured a major contract with BHP WA Iron Ore (BHP WAIO) that will see it carry out wharf remediation works at the BHP Berth C&D at Finucane Island, in Port Hedland, Western Australia.

The A$48 million ($32 million) project award follows a successful competitive tender (following early engineering input by Duratec’s technical engineering team), with work set to commence immediately, with a start on site scheduled for March 2023. The project is anticipated to be completed by February 2025.

The project’s key objectives on the wharf include:

  • Repair to steel piles and steel members;
  • Replacement of steel ladders;
  • Concrete remediation;
  • Pile wrapping repairs;
  • Pile jacket installation;
  • Fabrication and installation of a new raw water line and hose connection points;
  • Approach jetty and maintenance jetty repair (Berth D); and
  • Demolition of two access landings (Berth C and between Berth C&D).

Duratec’s Managing Director, Phil Harcourt, said: “Duratec continues to demonstrate its ability to secure work through its early contractor involvement engagement model by working with its clients early in partnership to deliver project solutions that are beneficial to all parties.”