gfm.jpg ABB recently won a $24 million order to supply a complete ore hoisting solution for Xstrata Zinc’s George Fisher mine (GFM) located near Mount Isa in northwest Queensland, Australia. The ground-mounted friction hoist will carry ore from a d...

has completed a strategic investment in TSI Surface Technologies (TSI), which provides wear mitigation solutions to the Canadian oil sands mining industry. ESCO maintains a minority share in the company with the formal closing of the deal. Located in

Scalping screens protect primary crushers-thus affecting everything thereafter, including minimising recirculation and maximising material value. Mining companies are continually looking for a more efficient way to eliminate fines from entering the primary crusher and reduce wear.

Raw Materials Group (RMG), mineral economists based in Stockholm, Sweden has concluded a co-operation agreement with Information Center of Ministry of Land and Resources (ICMLR) Beijing, China. RMG and ICMLR strengthen their long co-operation and will pursue a number of joint research projects. The agreement was signed during the China Mining 2011 in Tianjin. By combining RMG's databases covering all mines in the world with ICMLR's extensive knowledge of Chinese mineral deposits and exploration, a research unit without equal is created, says RMG. The partners will start with two topics: • Supply and Demand of key minerals in major areas of the world • Exploration expenditure in the world- developments and drivers RMG and ICMLR are convinced that these joint research projects strengthen the links between the two partners and set the scene for a successful future together with considerable mutual benefits. "This agreement confirms RMG's global presence and strong position among mineral economists all over the world" says RMG's founder Magnus Ericsson. "This agreement deepens the ICMLR's international cooperation, and further widen ICMLR's ways to research more mining information of all over the world" says ICMLR's director Han Haiqing.

MDM Engineering has been awarded the EPCM contract for the engineering and construction of a 1.2 Mt/y Dense Media Separation (DMS) plant for Comide, a subsidiary of Camrose Resources, which itself is a joint venture between ENRC and...

Germany's Schmidt, Kranz Group has acquired 75% of mineral processing major, allmineral. The group is already the owner of Hazemag & EPR. "The Schmidt, Kranz Group's involvement is a further expression of our consistent, internationally-oriented market strategy", stated allmineral's Managing Director, Heribert Breuer, adding that the international market for ore and coal processing, which is allmineral's core business, has grown considerably in recent years.

MDM Engineering has been awarded the EPCM contract for the engineering and construction of a 1.2 Mt/y Dense Media Separation (DMS) plant for Comide, a subsidiary of Camrose Resources, which itself is a joint venture between ENRC and Cerida. This plant is the first of two DMS units to be built on site which, when completed, will have an annual output of 3 Mt/y.

Outotec has been awarded a contract by Guangxi Jinchuan Non-Ferrous Metals for the design and delivery of a greenfield copper production plant to be built in the Fangchenggang port area near Bei Hai in Southern China. The contract value exceeds €30 million.

Fabrication demand is forecast to grow by 4% in 2011. Industrial offtake is set to rise, in spite of the Japanese earthquake, weak economic growth in western economies and the end of stock replenishment. Jewellery demand is likely to edge higher despite stronger silver prices, while silverware and photography will weaken further. Demand for coins and medals, however, is set to establish a new record high, achieving the largest gain, in volume terms, of any category of fabrication demand in 2011.

The latest issue of International Mining Project News, out today, has reports on 23 Prefeasibility Studies, 17 Feasibility studies, 38 projects in development, four new mines that have gone into production, five existing mines that are expanding, eight merger and acquisition announcements and many new appointments to new positions.

Vermeer Corporation and subsidiary Vermeer Western Australia and Northern Territory have announced that Fortescue Metals Group has agreed to purchase 14 Vermeer Terrain Leveler surface excavation machines (SEMs) to be used at its iron ore mining operations in Western Australia. "This order comes after significant investment in product development by Vermeer, as well as commitment by the local dealer to support the operations," said Mark Cooper, Senior Director for Specialty Excavation with Vermeer. "Having a respected industry leader like Fortescue embrace the technology further validates its place in the market."

BHP Billiton has approved development of its Yarnima Power Station to secure future power supply for its Western Australia Iron Ore mining operations in the Pilbara. BHP Billiton will build, own, and operate the combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station, to be located in Newman, which will deliver 190 MW to replace supply from the existing Newman Power Station. The capital cost of the project is expected to be $597 million (BHP Billiton share $507 million).