One way of solving the problem of continual replacement of both chains and chain sprockets in face conveyors is to increase the contact surface, thus reducing surface pressure and wear. Bucyrus, a leader in high productivity mining equipment, has done exactly this with its new Power Chain. Using modern chain production methods, the design almost [...]

Despite challenging economic conditions, TVI’s Philippine operating affiliate, TVI Resource Development (Phils.) (TVIRD), successfully secured bridge financing (guaranteed by TVI) in order to complete, in just five months, the major infrastructure of the Canatuan sulphide plant by mid-November 2008. A term loan facility for $29.9 million (also guaranteed by TVI) was subsequently entered into to replace the [...]

International Mining April 2009, page 48, refers to Metplant having carried out the detailed engineering design for Red Back Mining’s Chirano plant in Ghana. Peter De Leo, Managing Director of Lycopodium Minerals points out that “it was Lycopodium who provided the full EPCM services (including commissioning) for the original Chirano project. We are also providing full [...]

Britain’s Norbar Torque Tools has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade for its contribution to UK manufacturing exports. The family-owned business has become the world’s top specialist manufacturer of torque tools and this year celebrates 67 successful years. The award highlights a success story in a sector that has generally experienced decline.

Thanks to a Labox testing unit, the mining and metallurgy research and engineering institute JSC Uralmekhanobr will be able to better educate local filtration specialists and offer new alternatives to current testing methods. Larox donated the Labox to the institute, which is part of JSC UMMC-Holding, the second biggest copper producer in Russia after Norilsk Nickel.

CiDRA Minerals Processing, a company offering real time process monitoring equipment, has been awarded, through Bechtel Chile Ltda, its third expansion contract to supply SONARtrac® process monitoring systems to Minera Los Pelambres in Chile, one of the world’s largest copper mines. The SONARtrac systems will provide volumetric flow measurements on critical slurry lines within the [...]

Where bulldozers work on ore stockpiles, operators can be exposed to major safety challenges. Poor visibility, unstable ground and material falling from conveyors have led to numerous injuries and fatalities among dozer operators. At BHP Billiton’s Escondida mine in Chile this safety challenge has been addressed by implementing technology to allow dozers to be operated remotely. This [...]

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released its Annual Energy Outlook 2009, which predicts that total coal-based electricity generation will increase nearly 1% annually through 2030 to about 2.3 billion kWh. According to the report, coal will maintain its position as the largest fuel provider for US electricity, with EIA anticipating the addition of 184 [...]

The US Geological Survey (USGS) this week announced the recipients of the agency’s 2009 mineral research grants. The grants will assist researchers’ study of a range of minerals essential to US economic and national security. Grant recipients will study uranium, rare earth elements, copper, tungsten and lithium. Funding for the grants was provided through the [...]

Following from technology developed for the NASA Mars Science Laboratory, inXitu has introduced a new benchtop combination X-Ray Diffraction, X-Ray Fluorescence instrument. Ideally suited for routine laboratory based analysis, BTX performs mineral/phase identification and quantification for routine quality control applications.

Polymetal has agreed to acquire two gold deposits in Magadan suitable for providing feed for the Kubaka mill. It will acquire a 100% interest in Rudnik Kvartsevaya (RK), the owner of the Sopka and Dalniy mining licences for 10 million Polymetal shares. RBC Capital Markets views the proposed transaction as positive as the projects will provide [...]

ABB has won a contract valued over $28 million from Terrane Metals Corp that includes the delivery of drive systems for the new Mount Milligan copper-gold mine in northwest Canada. ABB’s solutions will help to optimise energy use and equipment reliability at the mine. Located 155 km northwest of Prince George in central British Columbia, the [...]