PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) Geo Services Division recently enhanced the slope monitoring system at Grasberg mine with the purchase of two IBIS-M radars. “Grasberg mine is one of the few mines in the world that utilises very high-technology monitoring equipment to help detect slope movements. The IBIS-M radars are top-of-the-line radars, using technology that is accurate to within approximately 0.1 mm, with coverage at some 2 km an area around 5 km square, and operating range of 10 m to 4,000 m,” explained PTFI Superintendent - Geotechnical Pit Engineering and Stability Rahadian Widiadi.

Ivanhoe Mines’ Chief Executive Officer and founder, Robert Friedland, and Senior Vice President of Exploration, Douglas Kirwin, observed July 17th’s 10th anniversary of the company’s first major mineral discovery at Oyu Tolgoi with a tribute to the 14,000 workers who now are building the Oyu Tolgoi mining complex in southern Mongolia. “Oyu Tolgoi already is one of the mining world’s great stories, thanks to the legions of people who have figured in its discoveries and development,” Friedland said.

Xstrata Zinc Canada has agreed to purchase the remaining 23.6% interest in the Pallas Green property in Ireland belonging to its current joint venture partner in the project, Minco, for $19.4 million. Under the agreement, which is subject to Minco shareholder approval, Xstrata Zinc will become the sole owner of the project at Cahernconlish, Limerick.

Redpath South Africa has been awarded a first-of-its-kind incline tunnelling contract in Africa, thanks to the company’s innovative and cost-effective approach to the project.

A shortage of large haul truck tyres is coming soon. Prices on the spot market have already topped $90,000 in some parts of the world, according to one recent article.

Bradken has made two acquisitions for a total consideration of A$222 million. These acquisitions are expected to deliver A$28 million of additional EBITDA in 2011/12, including synergies, and will be funded from current cash and debt facilities.

Atlas Copco has received an order from the Mexican mining group Peñoles. Valued at about $67 million, it is one of the largest underground mining equipment contracts ever for Atlas Copco, and the company's second large order in Mexico this year.

Umicore will invest some € 25 million in upgrading and expanding the sampling facility at its main precious metals recycling plant in Hoboken, Belgium. The investment will result in an even more flexible sampling process by increasing capacity and reducing throughput time, thereby supporting the growth of the business.

Casablanca Mining has announced that the China Patent Office has granted a patent for the electro-mining technology owned by Fast Cooper. Casablanca Mining's subsidiary Santa Teresa Minerals owns 60% of Fast Cooper.

Gold mines in Mali are an underexploited treasure trove for commodity investors, the supervisory board chairman of German-listed Pearl Gold told Reuters in an interview, Mineweb reports.

A new Indian draft mining bill is causing concern among mining groups and their investors in one of the world's leading coal and iron ore producing countries. Accoring to India's Economic Times, shares in Coal India have fallen after news of the possibility of a new Mining and Mineral Development Regulation Bill emerged. 

skfs133-ism-danger-screen.jpg Engineering company SKF has announced the availability of a new SKF Idler Sound Monitor Kit. According to SKF, this is an easy to use, rugged and handheld monitoring device for early detection of faults in conveyor belt idlers in mines. Conveyor idlers support the length of conveyor belts and are a common cause of belt damage and [...]