MRIWA releases new rock bolt development report

The Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) has released new technology for the advancement of bolt safety in underground mines. In the new report overview of In-situ Rock Bolt Behaviour Underground, the group outlined its extensive lab testing to understand rock bolt behaviour under complex load conditions. “Physical models were prepared to simulate the shearing in underground opening with…

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BHP board greenlights WRC project

BHP said its board of directors recently approved the Western Ridge Crusher (WRC) project, located on the traditional lands of the Nyiyaparli people, approximately 21 kilometres southwest of Newman, Western Australia. The project is a sustaining tonnes proposal for the miner’s Newman Operations, which consists of two mining sites. BHP WA Iron Ore Asset President Tim Day said this was…

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Stanmore snatches up South32’s share of Eagle Downs

Western Australia-based South32 said its subsidiary South32 Eagle Downs has agreed to divest its 50% interest in the Eagle Downs metallurgical coal project in Queensland to a Stanmore Resources subsidiary. The miner, which owns the project along with China Baowu subsidiary Aquila Resources, is divesting its interest for US$15 million. The transaction is expected to be completed by year’s end.…

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International Graphite commissions micronizing plant

International Graphite, in a first for Australia’s minerals industry, has commissioned a new micronizing plant in Collie, near Perth. The qualification-scale microniser, with a capacity of 200 tonnes per annum, is the largest in Australia and a milestone in the development of a domestic graphite industry. It will be the first to produce graphite products in Australia for customer acceptance…

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Red 5, Silver Lake form mid-tier gold company

Western Australia-based miners Red 5 and Silver Lake Resources have entered into a merger of equals, creating a diversified gold producer with a significant ore reserve and mineral resource inventory of 4 million ounces and 12.4 million oz., respectively. Under the terms of the transaction, Red 5 will acquire 100% of the shares in Silver Lake and each Silver Lake…

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ABD adds its autonomy presence to Australia

UK-based AB Dynamics subsidiary ABD Solutions has announced the newest step in its strategic expansion: expansion of its international footprint with the formation of an operation in Perth, Western Australia. ABD Solutions, which specialises in aftermarket autonomy tailored for fleets in mining, construction, materials handling, defence and agriculture, said it launched the new operation in response to growing demand for…

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Care and maintenance for portion of BHP’s Kambalda

BHP has reportedly opted to place part of its Kambalda nickel concentrator in Western Australia on care and maintenance. Asset president Jessica Farrell told Reuters that it made the decision after its ore supplier Wyloo Metals announced it would pause mining operations on low nickel pricing. About 20 jobs will be impacted by the transition. BHP has not indicated how…

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‘Heat buckle’ derails Fortescue iron ore cars

On 30 December, Fortescue Metals Group had multiple rail cars derail about 150 kilometres south of Port Hedland in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The miner said a “heat buckle” in its railway line was behind the derailment, which cut the supply of iron ore to its Western Australia operations. “No one was injured in the incident and there is no…

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Western Australia program backs METS innovation

Western Australia Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael has launched an innovative funding program to help local Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) companies develop and commercialise new technologies. “The METS sector plays an important part in the mining innovation lifecycle. These companies can translate new knowledge created through research into the required solutions which can be readily adopted by…

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Fully autonomous road trains closer to reality

Mineral Resources (MinRes) said it recently handed over the keys to the first custom off-road triple road train to partner Hexagon AB – a milestone in the development of a fleet of fully autonomous road trains. Hexagon will use technology developed by its engineering team to convert the customised Kenworth C509 prime mover to autonomous operation. Starting in January, 10…

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