Volvo Construction Equipment Region Europe has signed a partnership agreement with Sweden’s CeDe Group that will see a wide range of specialist machines made available through the Volvo CE European distribution network, commencing with the Nordic markets of Finland, Denmark and Norway. The Zone 3 agreement (a partnership agreement that enables Volvo CE to provide [...]

The company says the “extremely bright, and sunlight-readable display [is] now even better and easier to use. One of the lightest and most compact rugged notebooks on the market.” Handheld Group, a supplier of a complete line of rugged mobile computers, has launched its Algiz XRW rugged notebook with a touchscreen that makes the ‘best in class’ computer even easier to use.

Eleven specially modified 50 t trucks have arrived in Dakar in Senegal en route to the new Gounkoto gold mine at Randgold Resources’ Loulo mining complex in Western Mali. The ship carrying the Volvo FMX 10×4 trucks, which were purpose-built for the mine by BAS Volvo Trucks in the Netherlands, docked in Dakar last week. Modifications to the trucks include the addition of a fifth axle and a customised tray with a Hardox 500 bottom wear plate system. Three further trucks have been ordered and are scheduled to arrive in Dakar in February next year, bringing Randgold’s total investment in the fleet to $4.2 million.

The Minerals Down Under Flagship is developing a new generation of cost-effective and often remotely controlled mining technologies to help convert currently sub-economic resources into reserves. The technologies will improve the profitability, productivity and safety of mining operations and expand the mining technology services sector in Australia. Automation will be covered in detail in International Mining’s [...]

An article in the October issue examines the research and outcomes of work being done by Canada’s Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation. One section of this work for which there was not space in the article is CEMI’s ConstructMINE program. This supports projects for underground construction using both conventional drill and blast as well as mechanical excavation and focuses on five key aspects:

Norrhydro, a Finnish company, has developed and designed a new way to control power in large machinery, including machines used in mining, such as excavators andm wheel loaders. The company states that the new technology, called NorrDigi, can improve hydraulic efficiency by up to 80%. The system is based on multi-chamber cylinders and an intelligent [...]

Following extensive research that began more than 35 years ago, Tecnored Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, a Vale company, in partnership with Brazil’s development bank, BNDES, and Logos Tecnocom, has started up the first pig iron demonstration plant that does not use traditional blast furnace methods, in Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo state. The innovation enables higher productivity, lower emissions of CO2 and particulate matter, the flexible use of raw materials, and a reduction of up to 30% in the cost of steel production.

Modular Mining Systems is launching an affordable solution to track and manage assets: the DISPATCH® AssetAlertTM module. The new module for surface mines was unveiled today at EXPOSIBRAM 2011, the largest mining show in Brazil. IM’s Editor, Paul Moore is atteding the event. AssetAlert uses low-cost, low-maintenance hardware, within a self-healing wireless mesh network, to communicate asset data to the DISPATCH fleet management system’s central server.

International Energy Outlook 2011 (IEO2011)released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) presents updated projections for world energy markets through 2035. Worldwide energy consumption grows by 53% between 2008 and 2035 in the Reference case, with much of the increase driven by strong economic growth in the developing nations especially China and India. Acting EIA Administrator Howard Gruenspecht: “China and India account for half of the projected increase in world energy use over the next 25 years. China alone, which only recently became the world’s top energy consumer, is projected to use 68% more energy than the US by 2035.”

finsch.jpg International Mining’s fortnightly global project watch is a great way of keeping up to date with your peers - other mining companies, other consultants or other engineering companies. If you are a supplier - it is full of potential sales leads. Highlights of today’s issue - the usual important and comprehensive fortnightly report on global [...]

sandvik-lh-517-being-delivered-to-cadia.jpeg Sandvik Mining and Construction has been awarded a contract for the supply of 14 LH517 LHDs for the initial production phase of Newcrest Mining’s Cadia East mine near Orange in central west New South Wales. The Cadia East project involves the development of the massive Cadia East deposit - one of the world’s largest gold deposits - [...]

134.jpg Australia-based mining contracting major Thiess has won a major A$100 million contract with Fortescue Metals Group for Phase One development works on the Solomon Hub iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The 18 month contract is for initial pioneering and mine establishment works such as haul roads, stockpile pads and the mining of [...]