Associated British Ports (ABP) has placed an order with Terex Port Solutions (TPS) for two electric Terex® Gottwald Model 8 portal harbour cranes in the G HSK 8424 B four-rope grab variant. ABP has ordered the two machines for its terminal in Immingham, located on the North Sea estuary of the Humber in the UK.
The cranes have been adapted to the individual conditions of the terminal and are particularly efficient as they are driven with power from the terminal’s own electricity supply. From the middle of next year, they will significantly increase handling capacities for professional loading and unloading of bulk products.
The machines based on Terex Gottwald mobile harbour crane technology will be part of a particularly high-performance terminal, where many Terex Gottwald mobile harbour cranes and portal harbour cranes have been operated since 2002. There they will replace two older Terex Gottwald HSK 360 EG portal harbour cranes from Generation 4 of TPS. The new machines have a 50 t grab curve and a maximum lifting capacity of 100 t. They offer an outreach of up to 50 m and maximum lifting speeds of 140 m/min. TPS has adapted the crane portal to the existing infrastructure of the terminal by providing 14 m track gauge and 6 m headroom. This also includes the rail-bound travel units that comprise a total of 24 wheels – six in each corner – in order to comply with maximum permissible rail loading.
In Immingham, the G HSK 8424 B portal harbour cranes, like their predecessors, will act as part of a complex, specific bulk material solution, including hoppers controlled from the crane and a conveyor belt.
Sean Blissett, Engineering Manager Humber, ABP: “The terminal at Immingham handles a significant amount of bulk products. The solution from TPS has proven its reliability in this demanding environment over the years.”
Neil Griffiths, the new Sales & Service Director UK and Ireland for TPS, is delighted that ABP is now taking the next step in its long-term business relationship with TPS and stated: “The terminal in Immingham shows how customers can continuously expand their business with our technology. ABP has opted for Terex Gottwald mobile harbour crane technology for 14 years. The cranes now ordered again stand for another visible leap in growth and performance. Griffiths: “The two G HSK 8424 B machines will be the largest cranes based on mobile harbour crane technology in the whole of Great Britain.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Five new Scania trucks have arrived at SUEK’s Apsatskiy opencast coal mine, the Russian coal company said in a recent press release. These machines have been purchased under the company’s RUB 20 billion investment programme. The overall cost of new machines is about RUB 60 million.
New trucks will be used at the Aspatskiy mine for coal transportation. Their load capacity is up to 35 t. The machines have an extra strong body, are characterised by fuel efficiency and have all the necessary equipment to ensure the safety and comfort of the driver, including tools and devices for maintenance and repair.
The trucks arrived just in time for the resumption of work on coal mining at Apsat. At the moment, the company exported to the warehouse the first 1000 t of solid fuel this year.
“Scania G-440 trucks are modern machines. They, for example, have powerful engines and enhanced driving performance,” said Dmitriy Dulin, Chief Engineer at the Apsatskiy mine. “It is particularly important for us that the equipment complies with the environmental standards and can operate in conditions of the Far North – at temperatures up to minus 50°”.
SUEK continues to provide the mine with the most modern and efficient equipment. In autumn, nine Volvo dump trucks are expected, while a a crushing and screening plant will be put into operation in the near future. In December, two more BelAZ-75131 dump trucks are expected to assist overburden stripping.
The Apsatskiy operation mines the second largest Russian metallurgical coal deposit – one of three sites in the Zabaikalie region, which is associated with the further development of the coal industry in the region. Apsat coal is used in the metallurgical and chemical industry, supplying not only Russian demand but also abroad: in China, South Korea and Japan.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Flexco recently introduced two transfer solutions designed to provide smooth transitions of products over conveyor hitches and transfers. The new Hitch Guard and Segmented Transfer Plates prevent product and foreign object debris from jamming in the transfer, minimising product and belt damage, increasing efficiency and eliminating downtime.
Available for belt widths up to 72 in., the Hitch Guard prevents foreign objects from becoming lodged between the belts at the hitch, which can cause longitudinal conveyor belt tears and damage to the products being conveyed. When under the pressure of trapped objects, the individual segments will release from the support bar to prevent belt damage, while remaining segments stay in place and continue to protect the hitch and the conveyed product.
“Minimising the time it takes to move product is essential to the success and bottom line of any operation,” Katie Hay, Product Manager for Flexco, said. “The Hitch Guard is designed to help operations avoid costly periods of unscheduled downtime due to product jams and the resulting belt damage.”
The UHMW segments of the Flexco Hitch Guard provide a low-friction surface for high wear applications, including package handling, and can be customised to suit any transfer width. Two mounting designs offer compatibility with most systems, including those with existing Scanner Eyes.
Flexco Segmented Transfer Plates are designed to cover the gap between conveyors that are positioned end-to-end, end-to-chute or end-to-other conveyor structure.
Available for belt widths up to 60 in., the transfer plates protect packages and other products from damage, while preventing belt tears and other damage from lodged foreign objects.
Ideal for package handling and airport applications, Flexco Segmented Transfer Plates are designed to be easily removed for maintenance. Paired segments are available to accommodate gap widths from 4 in. – 10 in.
“By combining any of our four segment sizes, the transfer plates can be configured for transfer gap sizes up to 10 inches,” Hay said. “This also gives the user the flexibility to offset the support bar mounting to avoid interference with the existing structure.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
US Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL) has shared a video detailing the stories of Alabama coal miners who have been affected by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overregulation policy.
“If fully implemented the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations will have negligible, if any, positive impact on the environment, but they will have a substantial and detrimental impact to the economy and jobs,” said Palmer.
“Moreover these regulations are resulting in higher household energy costs that are especially hard on low-income families and senior citizen households. The EPA should do what I have done – take an opportunity to meet these coal miners and hear their stories about how regulations have impacted their lives and livelihood. The EPA would learn that these are real people with families, not statistics that don’t matter. But what do statistics show? They show that because of rising energy costs, 37% of vulnerable, low-income households went without medical or dental care, 34% did not fill a prescription or took less than their full dose of prescribed medication, 24% went without food at least once a day and 19% became sick because their home was too cold. The EPA may view these coal miners and their families as collateral damage in the pursuit of their agenda, but we cannot sit back and accept this. We must stand up for the victims of the EPA’s overreaching and scientifically questionable policies.”
To view the video, click here.
Caterpillar has added the model 300.9D VPS (Versatile Power System) to the Cat® range of mini-hydraulic excavators.
The design of the 300.9D VPS allows the machine, in conjunction with its separate hydraulic power unit, to work either with its diesel engine or from a remote electrical power source, with no loss of performance. Having an electrical drive system remote from the machine enhances utilisation and rental options. The 300.9D VPS can be rented alone for regular applications, or with the hydraulic power unit when the job requires low noise and zero emission.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
Russian coal company, SUEK, and Russian Railways have signed a cooperation agreement to improve transportation efficiency.
The President of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov and SUEK’s CEO Vladimir Rashevsky signed the agreement on 17 June at the 20th St Petersburg International Economic Forum. The agreement aims to promote the improvement of coal transportation and freight efficiency on Russian Railways.
According to a SUEK press release, this includes the development of a long-term plan to increase freight flows and capacity at coal export facilities, port railway infrastructure, loading stations and SUEK rail infrastructure.
“SUEK is the country’s largest railway user, accounting for 7.7% of Russian Railways freight in 2015,” said Rashevsky. “The development and implementation of joint projects between Russian Railways and SUEK are crucial to further drive freight efficiency.”
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
A joint venture agreement (JVA) has been signed between NTPC Ltd and Coal India Ltd for the formation of a joint venture company that will restore Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd’s (FCIL) fertilizer plants in Sindri, Bihar, Gorakhpur and Uttar Pradesh.
It will do this by setting up an ammonia urea plant at each of these locations.
The JV company would initially be incorporated with equal equity (50:50) participation from NTPC and CIL. JVA contains provision of inducting strategic partners at a later date depending upon business requirement of the JV company.
The JVA was signed by Shri Arun Kumar Gupta, General Manager (BD) from NTPC and Shri T. Bandopadhyay, General Manager (Coal Videsh) from Coal India Ltd in the august presence of Shri A. Panda, Director (Finance), South Eastern Coal Field Ltd (SECL). Shri M. Viswanathan, Company Secretary, Coal India Ltd and Shri Murari Prasad, AGM (BD) were also present on the occasion.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has criticised Infrastructure Victoria for failing to include advanced coal technologies in its assessment of infrastructure options that may assist with the transition to lower-carbon future.
“The paper fails to consider the potential for high-efficiency low-emissions (HELE) technology to produce affordable low-carbon energy from Victoria’s vast brown coal reserves,” said the MCA’s Executive Director – Victoria, Megan Davison.
The state of Victoria is Australia’s second largest energy consumer behind New South Wales, accounting for 24.3% of Australian energy consumption according to figures from the Department of Industry and Science.
Lignite currently provides about 85% of Victoria’s electricity, according to the Victoria State Government website, with four large lignite-fired power plants in the Latrobe Valley – Hazelwood, Loy Yang A and B and Yallourn – producing most of the electricity.
“New technology coal-fired power plants, including ultra-supercritical coal plants, are achieving carbon remissions reductions of up to 30% compared with existing operations,” Davison concluded.
“Applying this proven technology to the state’s brown coal assets would ensure Victorians have continued access to low-cost electricity. It is also likely to present a lower-cost option to taxpayers.”
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
The Ministry of Shipping has formulated a new berthing policy for dry bulk cargo for all 12 major ports in order to provide a standardised framework for calculation of norms, specific to the commodity handled and the infrastructure available on the berth.
The new berthing policy will come into effect from 20 August 2016.
It aims to drive higher productivity and achieve near-design capacity of the available equipments/infrastructure in order to:
All the major ports will be holding trade meetings between 1 July to 18 July 2016 to sensitise the norms, incentives, penalties and charges to be implemented. The policy will be implemented by all major ports by 20 August 2016.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Shipping, dry bulk cargo currently accounts for over 26% of the cargo handled at the 12 major ports. Furthermore, growth in coastal shipping is expected to add ~100 – 150 million tpy of additional dry bulk cargo at ports by 2020 – 2025.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Coal and dry bulk freight rail services company Freightliner Poland, a subsidiary of UK-based Freightliner Group, has taken delivery of the first of five news DRAGON locomotives.
Supplied by Newag S.A. and financed by ING Lease (Poland), the six-axle electric locomotives also include n additional diesel engine for operations on non-electrified end lines and sidings.
“Investing in modern rolling stock is one way to uplift the image of railway services,” said President of the Board of Freightliner Poland, Konstantin Skorik. “As a result, we have decided to extend our fleet with DRAGONS – new, six-axle electric locomotives, which have an additional diesel engine. The DRAGON locomotives are the product of Polish engineering, which is characterised by the highest parameters of power, efficiency, ergonomics and reliability.”
During the official handover ceremony, the first DRAGON locomotive was named Ernest Malinowski. Malinowski was a Polish railway engineer and constructor of the Central Trans-Andean Railway in Peru.
“I am very proud and honoured to officially hand over the first of three DRAGON E6ACTd six-axle locomotives to the management of Freightliner Poland,” said Józef Michalik, Deputy President of the Board, Newag S.A.
“We are convinced that their reliability and technical readiness (at 99.3% and 99.5% respectively) will significantly reduce spending on rolling stock reserve. The six-axle locomotive is the first of its kind manufactured in Poland equipped with the dual power module, enabling its operation on non-electrified sidings.”
Freightliner Group is a leading rail freight provider with businesses in the UK, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. It is a subsidiary of US-based Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
AIM Exploration Inc. is positioning itself for initial anthracite production and adds an anthracite industry marketing division. The company has appointed Bill Mullins to its advisory board. Mullins has been involved with the Peruvian mining project for over 10 years. He and AIM President, Bob Todhunter, have both been involved with Percana Mining Corp., the former owners of the mining concessions in Peru.
He has been involved with the Peru project for over ten years and it is intended that he will oversee the mining operations in Peru. Mullins’ team will be responsible for carrying out all the logistics in Peru, working closely with Todhunter. AIM understands the importance of handling all the logistics in Peru and that marketing the anthracite coal is key to the success of the company.
Since AIM received the LOI from Prina Energy in India, Todhunter has maintained very close contact with the principals of Prina. According to the company, a strong marketing arm would be very beneficial to the company as India is well positioned to be the second largest steel producing country in the world. AIM will continue to work very closely with the principals of Prina and will be jointly working in India and worldwide in their joint efforts to ensure AIM is well-positioned to meet the ever increasing demands of high quality anthracite.
Anthracite being the highest-ranking coal is a highly desired resource with a variety of applications. It is used primarily in the manufacturing of steel, cement production and electricity generation.
While prices are yet to be specified in the LOI, the anticipated purchase price is expected to be in the neighbourhood of US$100 MT FOB Port of Salaverry with the projected cost of approximately USD $65 MT. If this pricing and cost holds true, AIM is well positioned to generate a good profit margin based on an LOI of 500 000 MT per year for a 5 year period.
Bob Todhunter is very excited to market this valuable and highly sought after mineral on a worldwide scale. He stated: “Aim Exploration strongly believes that adding a marketing component for anthracite coal will add tremendous upside potential to the company because Anthracite is a valuable and highly sought after mineral on a worldwide scale, and coupled with a strong logistics and operational arm in Peru AIM is well-positioned to move forward.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Arch Coal subsidiary, Thunder Basin Coal Co., recently earned top honours for reclamation excellence from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and for surface mine safety from the State Mine Inspector at the Annual Wyoming Mining Association Convention.
The 2015 State of Wyoming Reclamation Award was presented to Thunder Basin’s Black Thunder mine for its strong reclamation management and for its innovative use of GIS to track, monitor and advance reclamation and bond release.
In addition to earning the top state environmental award, Black Thunder mine was recognised for achieving the best safety performance among large surface mines in Wyoming, as measured by Lost-Time Incident Rate (LTIR).
Thunder Basin Coal Co. joins Arch subsidiaries in West Virginia and Colorado in receiving state honours for mine safety and environmental performance.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) plans to buy and phase out a 330 MW coal-fired power plant in Indiantown, Florida, the US – currently owned by Calypso Energy Holdings LLC.
The company has filed a petition with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to request approval to purchase the coal plant, with which FPL has an existing long-term contract. If approved, the company expects to prevent over than 657 000 short tpy of carbon dioxide emissions.
In 1991, the PSC approved a long-term purchased power agreement (PPA) between FPL and the Indiantown Cogeneration LP facility, which does not expire until 2025. The contract was based on the cost of power at the time; however, today, FPL is able to generate electricity at a much lower cost. Additionally, despite the plant being well run, it emits high levels of carbon dioxide compared with FPL’s current fleet.
Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL stated: “While many years ago it made sense to buy this plant’s power to serve our customers, we’re now able to purchase the facility and phase it out of service, preventing potentially harmful carbon emissions while saving our customers millions of dollars.”
In the filing with the PSC, FPL proposes to purchase the ownership interest in the Indiantown Cogeneration facility for US$451 million (including existing debt), making FPL the owner of the facility. FPL is requesting PSC approval of the purchase by December 2016.
Upon gaining ownership of the 330 MW facility, FPL plans to immediately reduce the plant’s operations so that it operates no more than about 5% of the time and intends to eventually phase the plant out of service.
Based on the company’s current analysis of operational needs, FPL expects to operate the facility minimally through the end of 2018 as needed. After the expected addition of a new natural gas pipeline system into Florida in 2017 and with the high-efficiency natural gas-fired FPL Okeechobee Clean Energy Center entering service in 2019, FPL believes that the Indiantown Cogeneration plant will no longer be economic and plans to retire the facility years sooner than it otherwise would have been.
At this time, no decision on future use of the site has been made.
The buyout proposal is consistent with FPL’s ongoing strategy of making investments to deliver affordable clean energy for its customers. Last year, FPL bought out its long-term contract with the Cedar Bay coal-fired power plant in Jacksonville.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Two leaders from Advanced Emissions Solutions Inc.’s executive team, Sharon Sjostrom, Chief Product Officer, and Christine Amrhein, General Counsel and Secretary, were recognised by the Denver Business Journal in its ‘2016 Top Women in Energy’ awards.
Sjostrom and Amrhein were among 40 regional energy leaders recognised as key influencers in the metro Denver energy sector.
“We are very proud of Sharon and Chris’ contributions to ADES and ADA [its wholly owned subsidiary, ADA-ES, Inc.] and to the industry, and now for this recognition as two of the ‘Top Women in Energy.’ Sharon’s passion for making low-cost, environmentally-conscious energy available to consumers has been a guiding force throughout her 25-plus year career with ADES. Most impressive is her technical expertise in mercury emissions control systems, which have been and are currently being implemented in the majority of coal-fired power plants across the country,” said Heath Sampson, President and CEO, ADES.
Sjostrom is an internationally-recognised expert in advanced mercury control solutions, leveraging extensive engineering training and experience to help US power plants responsibly deliver the electricity that powers the country. Sjostrom has published more than 50 technical papers, is an inventor on 16 patents, has served on the Coal Utilization Research Council and National Coal Council, and is a Board member for the Institute of Clear Air Companies.
“We’ve also been privileged to have Chris providing legal and strategic guidance to our team these past five years. Her diverse experience and commitment has been particularly important as the coal industry confronts mounting economic challenges and evolving environmental regulations. Her work has been instrumental in allowing us to continue to deliver cleaner energy solutions,” added Sampson.
Amrhein has extensive multi-industry, domestic and international, business, strategic and legal experience and a commitment to cost-effective, sustainable sources of energy that brought her to ADES in 2011. Since then she has been a strategic partner to the board of directors and executive management team in providing legal support for business operations, complex transactions and corporate governance that help enable ADES to deliver its emissions control solutions to customers nationwide.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
The Botswana government has proposed the delivery of 100 MW of power based on coalbed methane (CBM) be included in its future generational supply plans.
The announcement, made by the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources at the Botswana Resource Sector Conference in Gaborone was welcome by Tlou Energy, which is developing a 10 MW CBM-to-power project in the country.
“As the most advanced CBM project in the country, we are extremely well placed to become a major supplier of this power,” said Tlou’s Acting Managing Director, Gebaake Gebaake.
“Therefore a firm decision in respect to the government’s plans to include 100 MW of CBM-generated power in its power production programme could be transformational for Tlou and its shareholders.”
Tlou’s planned Lesedi project has gas resources of around 3.3 trillion cubic feet already in place and has promised to work closely with the government to ensure that the company “plays a vital part in bringing this power to the market.”
“The government of Botswana has always been extremely helpful and supportive of our project and this news continues to show their support for CBM in Botswana,” said Gabaake.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Essar’s Raniganj (East) Block in West Bengal has become India’s first coalbed methane (CBM) asset to cross the 1 million m3/day (standard cubic metres per day) production milestone.
This makes Essar the country’s largest unconventional gas player. The targeted plateau production from the Block is 3 million m3/day. As per 2016 NSAI (Netherland Sewell & Associates, Inc.) report, the proven, probable and possible gross CBM reserves in the Raniganj (East) Block is estimated at 1.09 trillion ft3. The Block is assessed to have additional resources in the ‘contingent’ category of around 270 billion ft3.
“We married talent with technology to transform reserves to production. In the last 12 months, the average well productivity has more than doubled, the gas break-out time in new wells has reduced to days instead of months, and the work-over cycle has reduced to a fifth. Our collaborative relationship with international service providers has resulted in win-win solutions,” said Mr Manish Maheshwari, CEO-E&P, Essar.
Essar has commenced supply to Matix Fertilisers for its pre-commissioning activities at the rate of 150 000 m3/day. Besides Matix, the CBM gas is being supplied to industrial consumers in the catchment area of Durgapur. The gas pricing is in compliance with the government notified formula of October 2014.
“There are tremendous opportunities in the domestic unconventional hydrocarbon sector. The Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP), which was announced by the Government in March 2016, recognises this potential in contributing towards national energy security,” Maheshwari added.
A study, which was undertaken with the support of US Trade & Development Agency (USTDA), by an independent US firm that has expertise in shale has made a preliminary assessment of original in-place shale gas resources of around 8 trillion3 underneath the CBM play in the Raniganj (East) Block.
US coal production continued to strengthen in the week ending 11 June, according to the latest production estimates from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), although it remains down on 2015.
The EIA put coal production at 12.9 million short t, 7.7% higher than the week before and just 15.8% lower than the year previously – a much smaller year-on-year fall than previous weeks.
US year-to-date production remained almost a third under last year’s at 289.6 million short, 29.2% lower than 2015.
Interior Region production, which includes the Illinois Basin, continues to fair better that Appalachia and the Western Region. Interior Region year-to-date production is only 23.4% down on 2015 at 58.5 million short t.
In contrast, Western Regional production, which includes the Powder River Basin, is down 30% to 158.8 million short t and Appalachian production is down 32.9% at 72.2 million short t.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
UK-based energy engineering firm Doosan Babcock has been contracted to deliver the combustion and emissions systems for the biomass conversion of Lynemouth power plant near Newcastle in the UK.
This contract award is intended to help progress the conversion of Lynemouth power station’s three 140 MW coal boilers from coal to biomass generation, and in turn lowering emissions of NOX, SO2, dust and CO2.
Under the terms of the contract, Doosan Babcock will deliver the complete scope of boiler works, including the modification of mills and electrostatic precipitators, and the replacement of fans, a low NOX, combustion system and ash handling systems. Once completed, the plant will consume approximately 1.4 million tpy of sustainable wood pellets for the next ten years.
Doosan Babcock has played a significant part in the development of the Lynemouth biomass conversion project. In mid-2013, the company was awarded the initial FEED (front end engineering design) study, before being selected as preferred bidder in October 2014. Over the last two years, the company has conducted full-scale development and testing of the biomass burner at its Clean Combustion Test Facility in Renfrew, UK, and this will be deployed at Lynemouth.
Andrew Hunt, CEO of Doosan Babcock, commented: “The signing of the Lynemouth coal-to-biomass conversion project provides a major reference for Doosan Babcock’s low-carbon energy technologies, as well as a major step forward in the supply of secure, clean energy for UK consumers. We are delighted to be working with our customer EPH on this high profile venture.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
BHP Billiton is to increase its coal volumes to the 2018 financial year (FY) by 5 million t – or 8% – according to a recent presentation by its President Operations Minerals Australia, Mike Henry, as the company exploits its low-cost assets.
“Even in today’s difficult environment, all of our operations remain cash positive,” said Henry. The company has delivered over US$3 billion of productivity gains since 2012 and is targeting another US$600 million by the end of FY2017.
The company also remained positive on the continued need for both its metallurgical and thermal coal. “The developing world needs steel; steel needs coking coal,” said Henry. “We have the strongest resource position in the seaborne market.”
Meanwhile, despite greater uncertainty in the outlook for thermal coal, the company was “confident that base demand in emerging economies will remain resilient for decades to come,” Henry added. “Our higher-quality coals position us well in an increasingly carbon-constrained world.”
On the back of this positive outlook, the company will increase its coal production in both Queensland and New South Wales.
In Queensland, where the company’s metallurgical coal assets are located, the company is aiming to increase production from 42.5 million t in FY2016 to 46 million t in FY2018. Meanwhile, thermal coal production in New South Wales will jump from 17 million t in FY2016 to 21 million t in FY2018.
The company’s focus on a portfolio of low-cost, high-quality assets has seen it sell or spin off coal assets in the US, South Africa, Australia and, most recently, Indonesia, leaving it with it with only its metallurgical coal assets in Queensland and thermal coal assets in New South Wales and Colombia.
Yet the company may now be interested in adding to its coal business with it reportedly interested in Anglo American’s Queensland metallurgical coal assets – which are close to its assets in the Bowen Basin – and Anglo’s stake in the Cerrejon mine in Colombia.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
The definitive mining feasibility study for Kibo Mining’s Mbeya coal-to-power project (MCPP) is on track for completion by the end of June, according to a recent company news release.
The logistics study and pit optimisation are complete, finalizing the equipment fleet necessary to operate a 1.6 million tpy coal mine. Mine design is in the final stages to be followed by the final mine plan and schedule, while the mining EPC and contracting processes are in progress.
According to the new release, the company has received budget quotes from eight bidders, which are currently in the process of being evaluated.
The mining feasibility study forms a part of the integrated bankable feasibility study (IBFS) for the project, which also includes the definitive power feasibility study that was delivered in May, as well as the environment and social impact assessment.
“At this time multiple work streams are simultaneously underway in the process of completing the IBFS on the MCPP,” said Kibo’s CEO, Louis Coetzee. “The technical work that forms the backbone of the IBFS is now fast drawing to a close and the financial model is in the process of being updated.”
Coetzee also praised the “strong support from the Tanzanian government”, adding that the company remained “confident” that the regulatory and statutory processes would continue to keep pace with MCPP development.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Operations at Anglo American’s Drayton coal mine in New South Wales, Australia, will cease by the end of September this year with the loss of 200 jobs, the company said in a press release.
The closure of mining operations follows a decision by the New South Wales Planning Commission (PAC) to reject the proposed Drayton South project, which would have allowed coal production to continue at the site.
Anglo American lay the blame for the mine’s closure firmly at the door of the PAC, saying it was “extremely disappointed the ceasing operations is required and will determine further action depending on the final outcome of the project approval.”
A small team will be retained onsite to manage Anglo’s rehabilitation commitments, the company added.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. will be expanding its global commercial presence with the establishment of a new office in Hamburg, Germany. Eagle Bulk Europe GmbH, which is scheduled to commence operations in August of 2016, reflects Eagle’s commitment to strengthen its commercial network while accelerating the build-out of the Company’s commercial platform.
The Hamburg office will be led by Jan-Philipp (Japhi) Rauno, who served most recently as a partner with Mosvold Bulk Shipping. Rauno brings over 25 years of chartering experience and strong relationships across Europe in the dry bulk shipping sector that will prove beneficial to Eagle Bulk moving forward.
Gary Vogel, Eagle Bulk’s CEO, commented: “We continue to invest in Eagle Bulk’s commercial operating platform to help deliver above market results and become the world’s premier supramax owner/operator. The establishment of our Hamburg office is an important milestone in this process as it ensures proximity to significant European chartering relationships while complementing our existing footprint in Connecticut and Singapore. Eagle Bulk’s presence in the US, Asia and Europe will serve as a key strategic and competitive advantage moving forward. We are confident, as well, that Japhi is the right person to lead our European commercial operations, and we look forward to his immediate contributions.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Under Rio Tinto’s new CEO, Jean-Sébastien Jacques, the mining giant has made changes to its organisational structure in order to be best situated to drive performance.
Jacques commented: “In the face of testing times for the industry, Rio Tinto is performing remarkably well. Our ambition is to deliver superior performance day-in and day-out so that we create value for our shareholders and communities now and over the long term. Our strategy, commitment to balance sheet strength and focus on shareholder returns will not change; but we are strengthening our structure and delivery by placing our assets at the heart of the business to drive improved performance.”
From 2 July 2016, Rio Tinto’s product group structure will be adjusted to better align its assets with the business strategy to help drive further efficiencies and optimise performance. Rio will put its assets firmly at the centre of the business and will be supported by efficient and agile global functions.
Jacques added: “I am pleased to unveil our new executive team, which represents seven nationalities and is as diverse as it is experienced. Each new team member has more than 20 years’ experience in the resources sector, which complements the deep expertise of the existing executive team. We will work together with all of our employees around the world to build an even stronger company, well positioned for delivering returns and building growth.”
Rio Tinto’s organisational structure will include four product groups: Aluminium, Copper & Diamonds, Energy & Minerals and Iron Ore. These groups will be complemented by a newly shaped Growth & Innovation group, which will focus on future assets and technical support.
According to Rio, under the new structure:
Aluminium will retain its focus on safety, cash and value creation from its high-quality bauxite, alumina and aluminium businesses. Alfredo Barrios will remain as chief executive, based in Montreal.
Iron Ore will be exclusively focused on the group’s well established iron ore operations in Western Australia. Chris Salisbury, currently acting Copper & Coal Chief Executive, will become Iron Ore Chief Executive based in Perth.
Copper & Diamonds will combine two businesses into a single product group, which helps Rio maximise its technical underground mining expertise. Arnaud Soirat will join the Executive Committee as Copper & Diamonds Chief Executive. Arnaud, currently Aluminium Primary Metal President and CEO, with more than 24 years of industry experience across three continents, will be based in London.
Energy & Minerals re-shapes Alan Davies’ current portfolio, bringing together Rio Tinto’s coal, uranium, salt, borates and titanium dioxide businesses, as well as the Iron Ore Company of Canada. Alan, currently Diamonds & Minerals Chief Executive, remains based in London.
Growth & Innovation will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise for the end-to-end delivery and management of growth from exploration to projects. Stephen McIntosh, currently acting Technology & Innovation Group Executive, will take up the role of Growth & Innovation Group executive, based in Brisbane.
In addition, reflecting the Group’s increased focus on health and safety, accountability for safety as a discrete unit will sit with an Executive Committee member for the first time.
Joanne Farrell, currently the global head of Health, Safety, Environment and Communities will take on the role of Group executive, Health, Safety & Environment based in Perth. Joanne, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the mining sector, will also become managing director of Australia.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Coal will drive growth in Colombia’s mining sector, according to a new report from BMI Research, with coal production growing from 87.2 million t in 2016 to 105 million t by 2020.
The country will also remain a key thermal coal exporter on the back of its large reserves and low operations costs, despite the weak coal environment.
BMI Research expects coal exports to climb as key producers ramp up production with the Netherlands, Turkey and the US the key imports of Colombian coal. In 2015, Colombia’s coal exports to Turkey and the Netherlands increased by 24% and 11% respectively.
The country’s coal production will remain dominated by three major coal companies: Cerrejón, Prodeco and Drummond. Together these accounted for 92% of the country’s output in 2015.
Growth in production will be driven by Murray Energy, however, which bought Colombia National Resources in 2Q15. The acquisition included the El Hatillo and La Francia mines, as well as three undeveloped mines and over 185 million t of coal reserves.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Chinese coal production was 263.75 million t in May, a 15.5% year on year fall, according China Coal Resource, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Year to date, coal output stood at 1.34 billion t, dropping 8.4% on the year previous. The fall in Chinese coal production has accelerated over May from a year-to-date production fall of 6.8% at the end of April.
State and local governments also unveiled more measures through May to reduce capacity in the coal sector in line with reforms demanded by the central government.
So far, 11 main coal production provinces have published their revised coal production capacity with capacity falling from 2.29 billion t to 1.93 billion t.
The Ministry of Finance has set up a Yuan 100 billion special fund to help resettle workers hit by cuts to the coal and steel industries.
Edited from by Jonathan Rowland. Source: China Coal Resource.
In 2016 Powerscreen, a leading provider of mobile crushing and screening equipment, marks half a century of serving the crushing and screening industry around the world. Established in 1966, Powerscreen has achieved its five-decade legacy through industry leadership, customer input and innovation.
Powerscreen was founded in 1966 under the name of Ulster Plant in Country Tyrone, Northern Ireland and today that is where the research, development and manufacturing of products continue. By the 1970s, the Powerscreen name was born. When the founders set up Powerscreen in 1966 they pioneered the concept of mobile screening, taking the machines to the quarry face rather than the expensive process of moving the material to the machine. In 1969, Powerscreen exported their first machine to Sweden, which cost £25 000. Today, Powerscreen has a true global presence, operating globally in over 80 countries. In 1966, Powerscreen employed eight people, now that figure has risen to six hundred people that produce a range of over thirty machines.
Powerscreen started out from mobile machines in a sand pit to industry leading machine designs now serving quarry, mining, C&D and recycling industries globally. Powerscreen helped set new standards for many products and technologies that have become widely adopted in the industry, including the Chieftain and Warrior ranges of mobile screens. In 2015, Powerscreen launched the Warrior 600 making the Warriors the most comprehensive range of mobile scalping units in the industry.
“From Ulster Plant to serving customers around the world today, Powerscreen is the story of teamwork. Our customers have trusted us and helped us to build and define the industry, as well as creating ways for people to work safely. It is through teamwork that we will continue to find new solutions and opportunities” said Colin Clements, Powerscreen Product Line Director.
In the last 50 years, Powerscreen has focused on what customers need to be successful in their industries and applications. Key to the success of the company brand is the global distribution network, there are over 120 distributors operating globally providing local service and support service to end users.
Pat McGeary, Blue Group Chairman, said: “Powerscreen is in my blood, I joined in 1968 when it was just a little local factory and today its part of my family’s life. I am proud to have been part of the success story and to see the passion and dedication that was there when I joined is still there today.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Coal of Africa (CoAL) has extended the offer period for its takeover in order to ensure the combined company is “financially in a position to advance its combined prospects”, the company said in a statement.
The new closing date for the offer will now be 15 July.
The company already has in place subscription agreements amounting to US$23 million to finance the cash payable under the offer. However, it is continuing to work with a number of third parties to progress potential working capital funding opportunities.
Shareholders holding about 94.25% of Universal’s stock have now accepted CoAL’s offer.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
With the demand for mining software companies to continue producing software that maximises efficiency, companies, such as MICROMINE, a leading mining solution producer based in Perth, aim to meet and exceed these market demands across the products they make.
MICROMINE’s Pitram is a leading fleet management and mine control solution for underground mines that is used by mine sites worldwide. Pitram manages and processes mine site data in real time, giving mine operators greater control of the operational processes occurring on site. Using high-precision GPS software provided by Carlson Software Inc., Pitram ensures the precise operation of an operator’s plan, eliminating inefficiencies and unnecessary costs.
One of the features of the Pitram solution is the drill-and-blast management module that helps achieve these targets. The module focuses on the planning stage of the drilling and blasting process as well as providing real-time information on the quality and quantity of resource you are taking out of the ground.
A key feature of the drill-and-blast module is the planning and scheduling functionality, which allows for more control over mining operations. In terms of the drilling and blasting process, this feature allows users to see planned drill holes, if they are ready to be charged, the amount of stocks that have been removed and the remaining stock available at any given time. With such a huge focus on optimisation around mine sites.
Optimisation is also achieved through Pitram’s extraction and ore removal monitoring, which assists with the control over the resources being mined. This control allows mine operators to know exactly what they are taking out of the ground, the quantities they have left and what quality it is. The drill-and-blast module also has grade dilution awareness capabilities that are assisted through the GNSS guidance. Working in conjunction with MICROMINE’s 3D mine design solution, Pitram’s accurate plotting of drill holes assists in reducing the chance that dilution will occur.
Knowing when grade dilution begins to occur helps the mine operator know that it is time to move onto the next drilling hole and not pursue cost inefficient grades.
Pitram focuses on the presentation of the production cycle data in visual format as MICROMINE believes the visual representation allows geologists to have an easier understanding of what is occurring and therefore allowing for greater control of an operator’s mine.
The safety aspects of a visual format are also beneficial in a mining operation. As drilling and blasting presents many dangers to workers, knowing what hole is about to be blasted or drilled helps the mine operator know their workers are clear from any potential dangers.
Pitram also has enhanced planning and scheduling functionality, a feature that allows for more control over mining operations. The high-precision GPS ensures the accurate measure of drill holes, ensuring that errors are reduced to a minimum. This, in turn, assists in the planning and scheduling of the drill-and-blast process as the reduction of errors allows mine operators to plan this phase of the operation with confidence and as the Carlson software is used in other stages of the mining process, the efficiency of the planning process is increased as the software continues to help reduce errors. With such a huge focus on optimisation around mine sites, a feature that allows for the increased levels of planning and scheduling efficiency is highly valued.
MICROMINE’s Pitram solution allows mine operators greater control of their mine site through the visual format, extensive planning capabilities and increased scheduling functionality. The design of the fleet management and mine control solution allows for users to be aware of the various stages in their production cycle, through extensive management reporting capabilities keeps them alert to when dilution begins to occur, allowing for greater efficiency, which due to the current state of the mining industry, is extremely crucial.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Martin Engineering has introduced a secondary cleaning system that removes nearly all of the carryback left on a belt, including adhesive materials and fines lodged in surface divots and valleys. The Martin® WashboxTM Cleaning System combines water spray and secondary cleaning blades in an enclosed and self-contained unit, draining residue safely away from the work area. Operators who have installed the system have drastically reduced dust and spillage from carryback, leading to a safer workplace and longer belt life with considerably less downtime.
“We design systems to eliminate nearly all carryback issues faced by every industry we serve,” said Dan Marshall, Product Engineer at Martin Engineering. “After extensive before and after testing, we developed the washbox to complement our standard products in some applications to further improve the life of the belts, idlers, pulleys and cleaning blades.”
In operations conveying solid material, normal belt wear can yield valleys and depressions on the belt. Dust and fines that get into these blemishes remain after passing under primary and secondary belt cleaning blades, and become dislodged by shaking from return idlers, causing excessive dust and spillage. Water makes bulk material easier to remove by softening it, keeping the cleaner blades free from buildup and extending blade life by minimising thermal breakdown due to frictional forces.
Available in two configurations, a dual cleaner system and a single cleaner system, the units are mounted on the conveyor frame directly after the return idler to ensure belt alignment throughout the cleaning process and to allow proper time for moisture evaporation on the return trip. Passing through a powder coated steel box with top rollers, the belt is gently washed by spray bars equipped with 10 to 30 nozzles delivering 5 to 60 psi (.34 to 4.14 bar) of pressure, using 5 to 54 gpm (20 to 204 L/min.) of potable or non-potable water. The belt is then scraped clean by a polyurethane blade and/or a urethane squeegee blade, set on a tensioner for a tight and consistent blade-to-belt seal. Residue drains safely through an outlet funnel below the box, which can lead to a disposal unit or a settling pond/vessel for introduction of material back into the process.
Built for heavy to medium duty applications, the dual cleaner system is equipped with 3 rollers, four spray bars, two Martin® inspection doors and two polyurethane secondary cleaners. Recommended for use behind a primary pre-cleaner on the face of the head pulley, the colour-coded, high-performance urethane secondary cleaners can be specified for acidic or high-temperature materials. Optional tungsten carbide or stainless steel tips increase the effectiveness and durability of the blade against difficult or rocky carryback. The cleaner system can be specified from 30 – 60 in. (762 – 1524 mm) in length and 44.4 to 53 in. (1129 to 1350 mm) in height, and fits on most conveyor frames by adding approximately 17 inches (432 mm) to belt widths of 18 to 84 in. (457 to 2133.6 mm).
The single cleaner system houses a roller, a secondary blade and a spray bar, which are accessed by an inspection door housed on either side of the enclosure. Intended for tight-fitting spaces on light to medium duty applications, the compact unit is 15 in. (381 mm) long and can be specified from 34 to 42.2 in. (864 to 1072 mm) in height. The total width of the unit can be determined by adding 17 in. (432 mm) to the belt width of 18 to 48 in. (457 to 1219 mm). Recommended for use in tandem with a pre-cleaner, operators have found these units work well for both indoor and outdoor applications where walkways need to be kept free of clutter and pooling.
Operators concerned with the amount of moisture remaining on the belt have the option of adding a squeegee roller, which has proven to effectively address wet carryback. Set between top rollers, it lifts the belt slightly and ‘flattens’ the layer of water on the surface from an average of 50 microns in thickness to 20 microns. This allows the water to better evaporate during its return, particularly on shorter conveyors.
Although the Martin Washbox Cleaning System has been proven in a variety of different industries, one of the more challenging field tests was conducted on a coal-fired power plant located in Michigan. According to the senior plant engineer, the company had switched to PRB coal, a more brittle and dustier product than the previous coal for which the existing cleaning components had originally been intended.
Operators were seeing excessive dust buildup from carryback on the largest conveyor. The utility used belt scrapers, brush cleaners and dust seals at various points on the conveyors, but the equipment was not adequately addressing the carryback from the new material. This resulted in hours of removal by workers sweeping, shovelling, vacuuming and/or washing down the affected areas on a daily basis, drastically increasing the cost of operation.
Martin Engineering was invited to come up with a solution. Representatives first took benchmark dust readings and found that the 42 in. wide belt, moving 817 short tph (732 tph) of coal at a belt speed of 475 fpm (145 m/min.) resulted in an estimated dry weight carryback of more than 20 short tpy of coal dust. By adding a primary pre-cleaner on the head pulley and a Dual Washbox Cleaner System, the utility experienced a 99% reduction in estimated carryback over the test period. As a result, carryback now accounts for less than a hardhat’s worth of coal dust per day. Operators noticed that visible airborne dust had been virtually eliminated and cleanup frequency was reduced to once per week, pointing out that the unit paid for itself even before the conclusion of the test period.
“Our goal is to help facilities exceed environmental and safety workplace standards,” Marshall said. “By engineering a self contained and sealed unit with simple working components that are easy to access and maintain, we have created a solution that could benefit nearly all of our bulk handling customers.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (AEO2016) Reference case has outlined expectations that natural gas-fired electricity generation will exceed coal-fired electricity generation by 2022. Generation from renewables is expected to overtake coal-fired generation by 2029.
Documented in the AEO2016 Reference case, the natural gas-fired share of generation declines temporarily after 2016, then resumes rising in about 2020 and once again exceeds the coal-fired share in 2022 and throughout the rest of the AEO2016 projection to 2040.
EIA’s analysis of the US electricity market is divided into 22 regions, which in this discussion are further reduced to 9 regions above. The current generation mix across these regions varies.
Source: US Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2016.
Certain regions that are home to US coal production, the Midwest/Mid-Atlantic, Southwest/Rockies, and Northern Plains, tend to have greater reliance on coal-fired electricity generation. These regions have among the highest CO2 reduction requirements and consequently are expected to have the largest shifts in their generation mix.
Source: US Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2016.
In the Midwest/Mid-Atlantic region, a large decline in coal generation is offset by an increase in natural gas generation, which is expected to result in a 26% decline in the region’s emission rate.
The Southwest/Rockies region is projected to see an expansion of renewables generation that is nearly twice as large as the decline in coal generation. Other regions, such as Texas, the Southern Plains, and the Southeast, rely more on natural gas-fired generation.
Source: US Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2016.
California, with almost no coal generation, is expected to see strong growth in renewable generation by 2030. Likewise, the Northwest region is expected to increase renewables generation as well. The Northeast shows an increase in both natural gas and renewables generation by 2030, and a small decline in nuclear generation due to planned retirements.
For more information, visit: http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=26712&src=email
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
In order to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Mine Safety and Health Administration Joseph A. Main issued the following statement:
“In 2006, after the Sago, Aracoma and Darby mine tragedies that collectively claimed 19 lives, a bipartisan group in Congress came together to craft the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006. At that time, the MINER Act was the most significant mine safety legislation enacted in nearly 30 years – representing the first revisions to federal mine safety laws since 1977.
“The MINER Act improved mine safety and emergency response preparedness at our nation’s coal mines by increasing training, upgrading mining standards, improving mine emergency response and requiring enhanced technology underground for post-disaster communications.
“The act required the industry to have a cadre of better trained mine rescue teams ready to rescue coal miners when needed. Miners trapped in a disaster now have chambers in which to take refuge, directional lifelines to guide them out and increased caches of emergency air to keep them alive while emergency response teams put mandated mine emergency plans into action to locate and rescue them. In cases of mine accidents with multiple fatalities, the MINER Act established the role of a family liaison as a communications link to miners’ families while they await word about their loved ones.
“The changes did not stop there. In the past six years, MSHA has further enhanced mine emergency response and mine safety and health, by:
“Since the MINER Act’s passage 10 years ago, the mining industry has seen profound changes. In fact, 2015 marked the safest year in mining history with the fewest number of mining deaths and the lowest fatality and injury rates ever recorded. Our work, however, continues. We remain focused on doing whatever we must to return miners to their loved ones – safe and healthy – after every shift.”
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
European Bulk Services (EBS) is expanding its covered storage capacity at the Port of Rotterdam.
Supported by a long-term contract, the capacity will be enlarged with 60 000 cbm. The expansion involves the construction of a shed for various dry bulk materials that need to be stored in covered storage. The infrastructure will be constructed on the existing terminal at the Laurenshaven.
Construction of the shed at the Laurenshaven will start in the summer of 2016 and is expected to be operational as of 1Q17. A new shed for agribulks is also planned at the Europoort terminal.
“We are excited to develop this expansion project, which confirms EBS’s philosophy of providing extremely efficient infrastructure to our customers. The new sheds will be built in line with the terminal’s high standards for safety and flexibility,” said Taco de Vries, Director Business Development Dry Bulk HES International.
Jan Vogel, CEO of HES International, added: “This new investment underlines the strategy of HES International and the commitment of its shareholders to grow further in the dry bulk segment, and strengthen our position in the covered storage of all dry bulk cargo”.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Carbon Energy Ltd has announced a key milestone in the development of its China Joint Venture with Beijing JinHong Investment Co. Ltd. The companies have achieved formal registration of the joint venture company in China by the Chinese corporate registry.
The JV comes as part of Carbon Energy’s strategy to commercialise its underground coal gasification technology globally.
The achievement of registration triggers the formal signing of the Technology Licensing and Technical Services Agreements. JinHong will contribute US$30 million towards developing a commercial demonstration project upon the JV meeting certain milestones.
The JV will have a non-exclusive license to use Carbon Energy’s keyseam technology up until the successful commissioning of the Demonstration Project, and will become exclusive (within the People’s Republic of China) after the successful commissioning of the Demonstration Project.
Carbon Energy will supply technical support, supervision and training for all JV projects under the Technical Services Agreement.
The Chairman of Carbon Energy, Dr Chris Rawlings, said: “The registration is a significant step forward for Carbon Energy, and represents a key milestone in our ambitions to commercialise the Company’s keyseam technology in China and ultimately create a vertically integrated gas business within China, resulting in the development of a portfolio of projects”.
“China offers a compelling opportunity for our keyseam technology; the registration of the Joint Venture represents an important step in Carbon Energy’s diversification, and tangible progress in our China ambitions,” Dr Rawlings added.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
Hæhre Entreprenør AS has purchased 10 new Doosan DA40 Stage IV/Tier 4 Final compliant articulated dump trucks (ADTs) from Doosan Bobcat AS.
The new DA40 trucks will replace five Doosan MT41 ADTs, each of which has provided between 12-15 000 hours of continuous hauling work on Hæhre projects throughout Norway.
Lars Hæhre, Managing Director of Hæhre Entreprenør AS, based in Vikersund in Norway, commented: “The high productivity of the DA40 ADTs we previously purchased has been very pleasing and was obviously a key factor in the decision to buy more DA40 machines from Doosan Bobcat AS. The existing DA40s have provided excellent reliability and fuel efficiency in operation, with a design that ensures that all six wheels are always in contact with the ground for unbeatable stability, traction and ground clearance on the uneven terrain we work on in Norway.”
Roy Haaker, Product Line Director for the Doosan ADT and wheel loader ranges in Europe, added: “We are delighted with the new order for 10 DA40s, which reflects the confidence shown by Hæhre in the Doosan ADT range. Hæhre has purchased over 80 ADTs from Moxy and Doosan since the company was formed in 1974 and with so much experience in the market, Hæhre has developed its own specifications for ADTs which the new machines will meet, with tailor-made features such as LED lights, reinforced body, protected driveline, full winter package and modified tailgates.”
The DA40 model features an articulation hinge positioned behind the turning ring to provide equal weight distribution to the front axle even during maximum steer articulation. This together with a free-swinging rear tandem bogie ensures equal distribution of weight to each wheel and guarantees permanent 6-wheel contact and drive for equal power distribution and excellent performance on difficult terrain.
The ‘best-in-class’ fuel consumption of the Doosan DA40 ADT is down to a combination of features including the Scania DC13 368 kW (493 HP) Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (ECR) diesel engine and the ZF EP transmission, improving the transfer of power from the engine to the wheels for outstanding traction, with an electronic engine brake system, one of four brake systems on the trucks.
Specifically designed by ZF for use on ADTs, the ZF EP countershaft transmission with automatic retarder provides eight forward speeds and four reverse speeds. In the DA40 model, the front differential is mounted directly onto the transmission, so there is no driveline that requires greasing. With smaller equal gear steps between gears, and a higher overall gear spread, the transmission works optimally with the engine for better fuel efficiency.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
“There are no clear signs in the 2016/17 Budget that the Queensland Government is looking to the future through a promotion of increased exploration to discover the mines of tomorrow,” said Simon Bennison, Chief Executive, Association of Mining and Exploration Companies.
“In handing down his second budget Treasurer Curtis Pitt has focussed on providing new jobs in the State. However, the Government seems to have forgotten the significant importance of the exploration sector in being the life blood of the economy and revenue streams.
“The critical decline in exploration expenditure on greenfield sites has not been provided any priority attention – with exploration expenditure dropping from AUS$224 million in 2012/13 to AUS$49 million this year to March 2016. The industry as a whole is also faced with lower discovery rates, deeper deposits and increased operating costs.
“We need to have the right public policy settings in place to attract much needed investment in what is a globally competitive environment. AMEC welcomes the decision to not increase mineral related royalties, but notes that the gold royalty rate is higher than other Australian jurisdictions. Access to pre-competitive geoscience data is critical, and therefore adequate funding to the Geological Survey of Queensland (GSQ) is necessary. However, it appears that funding has been cut dramatically. This needs to be rectified immediately,” he continued.
“To further stimulate exploration activity AMEC has consistently been calling on the Government to build a more flexible financial assurance scheme which reduces risk and encourages rehabilitation. We have strongly recommended the Government should establish a Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) model similar to that successfully implemented in Western Australia. AMEC looks forward to closely working with the Government to get the MRF model adopted. It is also critical that the Queensland Government supports a co-funded drilling programme to encourage greenfield exploration, and exempt stamp duty on mineral exploration tenement transfers. Unfortunately, the Budget missed these opportunities.”
“AMEC looks forward to constructively working with the Government in the years ahead to make Queensland a more attractive place in which to invest and encourage exploration and mining activities for the benefit of the whole economy,” said Simon Bennison.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
