Ian Peggs, President, I-CORP INTERNATIONAL, writes in the November issue of International Mining that for cost reasons there has been a move away from stainless steel mixer/settlers to lower cost concrete basins lined with high density polyethylene sheet/geomembranes. The concrete provides the required strength and the HDPE functions, or should, solely as a barrier to [...]

Mining junior Prodigy Gold has announced the results of SAG Design test work and SAG Design comminution analysis preformed by Starkey and Associates on representative samples of gold mineralised rock from its Magino mine gold project in northern Ontario. The results of the testing were used to predict grinding equipment and energy requirements for the proposed mill at Magino.

Snowden says it "has taken geostatistical modelling to a new level with the release of Supervisor version 8 (V8).

A trial of leading-edge tyre monitoring systems on Thiess-operated mine sites is saving time, money and tyre life according to the contractor. The Rimex TyreSense system and Michelin's Earthmover Management System (MEMS) are being trialled respectively on the Thiess fleet of Caterpillar 797s at the Burton Coal Mine and Liebherr T282 trucks at Curragh North in central Queensland.

The Gladiator Acoustic Switch uses acoustic wave technology in a new Sender/Receiver form for blocked chute detection and anti collision for heavy machinery. The Gladiator Amplifier powers two AW Transducers which use special Hawk developed software where both units pulse and receive each others acoustic echoes. When the path between the transducers is blocked the units immediately detect the presence/absence change of the return signal and trigger a communications relay for indication or control purposes.

Russia has taken an important step towards integrating its mining capital structure with the major international markets by joining the Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO), the international committee which co-ordinates public reporting standards for exploration results, mineral resources, and mineral reserves. The Russian national code, the NAEN code, has been developed by the Society of Experts on Mineral Resources (OERN, a component body of NAEN), in close co-operation with the State Commission on Reserves (GKZ) and with members of CRIRSCO.

The Gladiator Acoustic Switch uses acoustic wave technology in a new Sender/Receiver form for blocked chute detection and anti collision for heavy machinery. The Gladiator Amplifier powers two AW Transducers which use special Hawk developed software where both units pulse and receive each others acoustic echoes. When the path between the transducers is blocked the units immediately detect the presence/absence change of the return signal and trigger a communications relay for indication or control purposes. The transducers work both together and independently to detect pulse interference giving twice the application security.Hawk's Acoustic Wave Switches are self cleaning. The switch is designed for continuous operation in dusty, wet environments where other technologies fail. The power of each pulse (pressure wave) blows the water, moisture and build-up off the face of the diaphragm. Typical Uses •Blocked chute detection in wet or dry environments •Wet screen blocked chute detection •Nucleonic/tilt switch replacement •Hi level alarm / Low level alarm •Truck/machine detection (ROM bins, Primary Crusher Dump Pockets) •Sewage sludge handling.

The latest issue International Mining's fortnightly project watch is available with this issue covering 25 prefeasibility studies,18 feasibilities, news of 34 projects in development, four that have gone into production in the past two weeks and 10 mines that are expanding, as well as news of eight mergers or acquisitions and dozens of personnel moves.

BHP Billiton has approved development of the Caval Ridge mine project as well as an expansion of the Peak Downs mine in the northern Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, Australia.

The A$800 million X50 expansion of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal was named Bulk Materials Handling Facility of the Year by the Australian Bulk Handling Review at the recent awards ceremony held in Sydney on October 26.

According to a November 4 report from Bloomberg, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co (HCME) is to build its third mining equipment factory in Japan as demand for thermal coal rises in Asia.

Multotec has received an order for its high capacity classification cyclones for the Olenyi Ruche project in Russia, a mining exploration company currently involved in launching a phosphate ore beneficiation project. The order was placed with Multotec by North Western Phosphorous, a major Russian project house contracted by Olenyi Ruche to construct the new beneficiation plant. Delivery was scheduled for September 2011 and Multotec engineers were deployed to the site to assist with plant commissioning.