ASD Inc, the supplier of high-performance analytical instrumentation and materials analysis solutions, has released the TerraSpec 4 line of portable mineral analysers for optimisation of mining production and faster mineral exploration. The new rugged, portable TerraSpec 4 line includes a twofold improvement in spectrum quality in the most important wavelengths for mineral analysis, plus more rapid data collection.

The Porto Sudeste tunnel project in Brazil features a 20.5 m wide tunnel and will accommodate four conveyor lines to become one of the widest tunnels of its type globally.

Atlas Copco Italia has acquired Perfora, an Italian company that manufactures and sells drilling and cutting equipment for the dimension stone industry, i.e. quarries that produce raw stone blocks. Perfora is a privately owned company based in Bagnolo, northern Italy. It has annual revenues of about €10 million. The products, which include diamond wire saws and drill rigs specifically designed for dimension stone applications, are distributed through direct sales and local dealers in selected countries around the world. “Perfora is a leading supplier in this segment, with a strong customer focus and high quality products,” said Bob Fassl, Business Area President of Atlas Copco Mining and Rock Excavation Technique. “We see good growth opportunities through this deal. As part of the Atlas Copco Group, Perfora becomes a unique global supplier of tailor made equipment for dimension stone producers.”

Global mining products and services provider Industrea has signed a renewal contract through Industrea Mining Services (IMS) for the hire, service and support of equipment to Xstrata for its Black Star open pit mine worth approximately A$132 million in minimum hours revenue up to December 2013.

Columbus McKinnon Corp, a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, has acquired 100% of the shares of privately-held Yale Lifting Solutions located in Magaliesburg, South Africa.

Alexander Mining has received notification from the Commissioner of Patents in Australia that its MetaLeach subsidiary has been granted a Standard Patent for a Method for Leaching of a Copper-containing Ore, patent number 2011200703 (this is derived from the Australian national phase entry from the corresponding PCT/AU2008/001027 application).

The Kellogg Innovation Network (KIN) at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management is to partner with Brazil’s Fundacao Dom Cabral (FDC) to host a select group of high-level officers and direct reports from around the world for a collaborative exploration of challenges facing the mining industry.

GE has been selected by Korea Western Power Co (KOWEPO) for the first integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) power plant to be built in South Korea and one of the first in Asia.

Joy Global subsidiary P&H Mining Equipment is to invest $25 million in setting up a manufacturing and servicing facility for high-end mining equipment near Durgapur in West Bengal according to a report in India's Economic Times.

LiuGong Machinery, the Chinese quarrying and mining equipment manufacturer based in Liuzhou, has finalised an agreement to acquire Poland's Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) and its distribution subsidiary Dressta, which is a well known brand for large dozers and wheel loaders used in mining.

Ramirent Sweden has been selected as a total solution supplier of rental equipment in the expansion of Boliden's operations at the Garpenberg mine near Hedemora, Sweden.

Caterpillar is building on its Bucyrus acquisition with the recent signing of another contract to deliver an automated longwall plow system to Chinese company Gasification Co, part of Lvliang Dongyi Group.