‘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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BHP train drivers pull brakes on industrial action

A planned industrial action by train drivers for BHP’s Pilbara iron ore operations in Western Australia was withdrawn as their union waits for an updated employment offer, reported Reuters. “In good faith we have decided that we would withdraw the action at this stage,” Mining and Energy Union WA Secretary Greg Busson told the news agency. Around 400 train drivers…

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Monadelphous lands multiple mining contracts 

Photo: Monadelphous Engineering company Monadelphous has secured new construction and maintenance contracts and contract extensions with several miners and an energy company totalling A$170 million. Lynas Rare Earths awarded Monadelphous a construction contract for stage 1 of its Mt Weld expansion project near Laverton in the Goldfields region of Western Australia. The scope of the contract includes structural, mechanical and…

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RCT to deliver milestone agnostic remote installation

Underground mining services company Barminco has enlisted RCT to carry out what is believed to be the world’s first agnostic remote installation on Caterpillar’s Hybrid underground loader. Barminco will be using the Cat R2900XE loader, which has a diesel engine and electric driveline, at the IGO-owned Spotted Quoll underground nickel mine in Western Australia. “Technology and innovation are two of…

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Epiroc sending Minetruck haulers to new lithium mine

Underground mining contractor Byrnecut has ordered a fleet of Epiroc Minetruck MT65 S haulers for the Liontown’s new Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia. The mine is currently under development, with production targeted to begin in 2024. Full story.

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