Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power company, through its joint venture company Industrial Energy Ltd (IEL), has synchronised the second 67.5 MW Unit of its 3 x 67.5 MW IEL Kalinganagar project. This development comes a week after the synchronisation of the project’s 67.5 MW Unit 1. With this, Tata Power’s total generation capacity has increased to 9100 MW from the previous 9036 MW.
The IEL Kalinganagar project is the 3rd unit of IEL after two operating units of 120 MW (Unit 5 & PH #6, Jamshedpur) based on the mixture of BFG, COG, and LDG, which is environment friendly and efficient.
Anil Sardana, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power, said, “It is indeed an honour to announce the successful synchronisation of the 2nd unit of the 202.5 MW IEL Kalinganagar-Orissa project. As per our commitment to sustainability, the technology used for the project is environment friendly and helps cut down the greenhouse gas emissions as compared to regular coal-fired power stations. As always, Tata Power remains commitment to its end-goal of supplying clean, abundant and affordable power to its communities. Also, it reaffirms our position as largest integrated power company in the country as Tata Power has crossed 9100 MW in generation, has 2.2 Million customers in Retail distribution and three coal mines for security of fuel.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Hitachi Construction Machinery – Americas has announced the introduction of five mining electric drive shovels to the US and Latin American markets: the EX1900E-6, EX2600E-6, EX3600E-6, EX5600E-6 andEX8000E-6.
The five EX-6 electric drive mining shovels feature an advanced zero-emission electric drive motor designed to provide a cost-effective solution to mining operations where low-cost electric power is available.
“The combination of features on the new EX- 6 electric drive shovels will deliver value to our customers by providing higher productivity and lower total cost of ownership through efficiency, reliability and durability,” said Craig Lamarque, Division Manager, Hitachi.
The Hitachi TFOA-KK electric motors are powerful, tough and require less overhauling, periodic inspection and service. The motor’s voltage ranges from AC 6600V-6900V/60HZ and results in a rated continuous output ranging from 610 kW on the EX1900E-6 to 1200kW x 2 on the EX8000E-6.
The design of the new EX-6 series electric drive shovels results in simplified and improved daily maintenance. The machines do not need costly consumables, such as engine oil, filters, coolant or fan belts. Components related to an engine are also eliminated, such as radiators, air filters and mufflers. In addition, an auto-lubrication system eliminates cumbersome daily lubrication and a fast-filling system enables ground-level refills reducing time during regular stops.
The five shovels are equipped with Hitachi’s exclusive level crowding and arc digging system that provides high productivity while ensuring efficiency.
Operators of the new shovels can rely on Hitachi’s best-in-class operator station that features increased visibility and comfort. Fluid-filled elastic mounts reduce cab shocks and vibration by 20 – 30% compared to rubber mounts, and the advanced multi-display monitor provides operators with key machine status information. This provides more accurate machine driving status information, which will, in turn, improve machine performance and uptime.
The shovels come standard equipped with remote machine monitoring system that provides access to machines from a personal computer in a user’s office through Hitachi’s Global e-Service. Operating data are transmitted to a Hitachi server for processing, and then to customers and dealers. This system is available 24 hours a day, all year round.
All five electric shovels come with the optional SkyAngle™ system designed to increase peripheral vision around the excavator by providing synthesised multiple images captured by cameras specifically positioned at four locations around the excavator. The feature displays camera views on a single monitor to allow operators an auxiliary means of checking for ground level obstacles.
Just like the rest of Hitachi’s mining line, the EX-6 electric drive mining excavator front attachments are made from welded steel plates, not cast structures. The boom and arm are welded from low-stress and high-tensile strength steel for a full box section design. This rigid box design resists twisting and bending forces.
The undercarriage design for the five new models is the same as Hitachi’s popular Giant EX Series. The track shoes incorporate a triple grouser design and single roller; and roller guides are used to extend service life for track shoes.
All models feature a filtered and monitored hydraulic system that will monitor and warn operators about machine hydraulic health.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Tlou Energy Ltd has reported the commencement of gas production testing from the Selemo 1 pilot well. The well is located at its 100% owned Lesedi CBM Project.
The gas testing programme is to provide evidence of a sustainable gas production rate achievable from the field and develop the first wells flowing commercial rates of gas in Botswana.
Initial results at Selemo 1 are very encouraging, having achieved extended periods of consistent gas flow in line with management expectations and sustained flows anticipated imminently. Incremental pressure drops are being carried out with changes in lateral wellhead pressure, suggesting gas production rates will continue to increase. This data will be incorporated into field development plans, as part of on-going off-take agreement negotiations and towards the first independent gas reserve certification in Botswana.
Tlou Acting Managing Director, Gabaake Gabaake, said: “We are pleased to report that initial gas flows are very encouraging and mark an important step towards our goal to demonstrate sustained gas production from Lesedi. We expect to announce a series of updates in the coming weeks which will provide the key data required to book independently certified reserves, thereby de-risking the project further. Moreover, this data will provide further confidence to strategic off-takers whom we are currently in advanced discussions with regard to gas supplies. To date, exploration and development has been focused on a specific area of Lesedi, being the Selemo pilot. However, the data we gain from sustained gas flows at Selemo will be valuable as we model the broader area in line with our vision to become a significant provider of energy in the region.”
“Demand for domestic power remains high and as the most advanced gas project of its kind in the country, we are well placed to capitalise on this demand. I look forward to providing regular updates on the gas production testing operations at Selemo in the near future,” Gabaake added.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
Caterpillar Inc. has announced that Steve Niehaus, currently Vice President with responsibility for the Electric Power Division (EPD), is retiring.
Following Niehaus’ retirement, the company will consolidate the Electric Power and Marine & Petroleum Power Divisions (MPPD) into the new Electric Power, Marine and O&G Division (EPMOG), led by current MPPD Vice President Tom Frake.
Niehaus has elected to retire after 27 years of service with the company, including the last three as Vice President with responsibility for EPD.
“Much of Steve’s career has been spent in marketing and commercial engines, and in his most recent position, he has provided critical leadership in strengthening and aggressively growing Caterpillar’s electric power business,” said Jim Umpleby, Caterpillar Group President with responsibility for Energy and Transportation. “He has lived all over the world helping our customers and employees develop and grow – from Saudia Arabia to Brazil to Singapore and throughout the US. I’m grateful to Steve for his many contributions to Caterpillar and wish him well in retirement.”
Since joining Caterpillar in 1989 as a marketing trainee, Niehaus has held numerous positions in the commercial engine businesses, large engine center marketing and Solar Turbines. In 2013, he was named Vice President of EPD.
Frake, a 30-year veteran of Caterpillar, has a broad marketing and product background. He has led MPPD since 2012, which provides a solid foundation for the newly formed EPMOG.
“We continue to focus on our customers’ success with leading and innovative products, services and solutions, while also reducing costs in this challenging environment,” said Caterpillar Chairman & CEO Doug Oberhelman. “Consolidating these energy operations along with the recently announced integration of two divisions within Customer & Dealer Support will bring efficiencies and a streamlined leadership team. With these changes, we will have reduced executive leadership by 13% since 2013.”
The changes will be effective 1 June 2016.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Southern Company has taken leadership of the Carbon Capture International Test Center Network (ITCN). The National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC), a US Department of Energy (DOE) research facility managed and operated by Southern Company, will serve as the host site for the ITCN.
The ITCN facilitates knowledge-sharing among carbon capture test facilities around the world.
“Southern Company is at the forefront of worldwide efforts to create the next generation of carbon capture technologies,” said Southern Company Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kimberly S. Greene. “Through our partnership with DOE and ITCN members, we are building on our commitment to finding real solutions by developing advanced, coal-based technologies.”
The NCCC will chair and operate the ITCN with DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy for the next two years, a role held by Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) of Norway since 2013. The transfer of the chairmanship was officially observed during a ceremony today in Houston, attended by representatives of DOE, Southern Company and TCM.
Working with scientists and technology developers from government, industry and universities, the NCCC, located in Alabama, conducts R&D to evaluate and advance emerging carbon capture technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal- and natural gas-based power generation.
Southern Company has managed more than US$2 billion in R&D investments since the 1960s.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), a unit of American Electric Power, has completed a major project at its Northeastern station (NES), in Oologah, Oklahoma, as the electric generating plant’s coal-fired unit 3 has begun operating with newly-added environmental controls.
The project has added new emissions-reducing equipment, which the company has reported as a significant milestone in a years-long effort to develop and carry out a plan to meet US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules addressing regional haze and other pollutants.
PSO President and Chief Operating Officer, Stuart Solomon, said the new environmental upgrades permit the company to meet federal environmental requirements and are a key part of PSO’s plan to provide cleaner power supplies for its customers.
“It is with great pride that we announce the completion of these environmental upgrades, which allow Unit 3 at Northeastern power station to meet federal environmental rules and continue to provide power to our customers for years to come,” said Solomon. “Along with the continuing addition of renewables to our energy mix, PSO is providing cleaner power supplies and improving air quality in Oklahoma, while maintaining excellent reliability and low prices for our customers.”
In April 2012, PSO announced it had entered in an agreement in principle with the State of Oklahoma, EPA, and the Sierra Club for its Environmental Compliance Plan (ECP), which was primarily focused on PSO’s compliance with EPA regulations affecting the company’s two coal-fired units at NES. The ECP’s main feature was the addition of significant new environmental controls to NES Unit 3, allowing it to operate for another 10 years, before its eventual retirement in 2026. The plan also provides for the shutdown in April 2016 of coal-fired Unit 4 at NES.
PSO’s ECP also involved upgrades to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions at several company-owned gas-fired generating units.
New environmental controls for NES Unit 3 include the addition of Activated Carbon Injection (ACI) to capture mercury in the flue gas, Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI) to reduce acidic gases and Sulfur Dioxide and a Fabric Filter (also called a bag house) to trap and filter out particulate matter.
Site work to prepare for construction began in 2014. The bulk of the project’s major construction took place throughout 2015.
Gary Knight, PSO vice president – Generation, said the project was one of the most successfully-managed he’s ever seen.
“Collaboration between plant personnel, engineering and project management, as well as the many contractors involved, is what led to this successful outcome,” said Knight.
PSO will be replacing the power from the soon-to-close NES Unit 4 with purchased power from the gas-fired Calpine generating facility east of Tulsa, and with additional supplies of wind energy from new contracts that went into effect at the beginning of 2016.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
The Colorado Mining Association (CMA) has said that the US Supreme Court decision to stay the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) carbon regulations means that the regulations, the most sweeping and expensive rules in the history of the Clean Air Act, will have a short life span.
Stuart Sanderson, CMA President, called upon Colorado to immediately suspend all efforts to implement what is obviously a “flawed and illegal regulatory program.”
“Colorado has attempted to justify mandates for higher cost energy sources and higher electricity rates on the false premise that it was making progress toward the goals that EPA was likely to set,” Sanderson said. “That premise was utterly destroyed by [the] ruling, indicating that the Obama plan to jack electricity rates through a federal takeover of the electric grid is doomed.”
According to the CMA, the ruling also confirmed what it had been saying all along; that costs matter as does the rule of law.
The CMA praised the leadership of Attorney General Cynthia Coffman for stepping up, along with 27 states, to challenge the EPA rules.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
New World Resources Plc has released its audited financial results for the twelve months of 2015.
Revenues totalled €630 million, down 7% compared to the previous year.
Metallurgical coal average realised price was 6% higher than 2014 at €90/t and thermal coal average realised price was €50/t, down 7% compared to the twelve months of 2014.
Cash mining unit costs were €66/t, down 1% on 7% lower production.
EBITDA was €4 million, whereas in FY2104 it was €11 million.
Non-cash gain came in at €67 million on fair value revaluation of mandatory convertible notes, net debt was €298 million and total cash finished at €86 million as of 31 December 2015.
The company’s safety metrics LTIFR2 was 5.63, whereas it totalled 8.18 in FY2014.
Coal production reached 8 million t, down 7% and coal sales of 8 million t were down 4%.
Coal sales mix of 53% metallurgical coal and 47% thermal coal.
CAPEX was €34 million, down 42% compared to the previous year
Coal inventory finished at 742 kt – up 11% y/y.
Gareth Penny, Executive Chairman commented: “Throughout 2015, NWR has had to manage its way through a very difficult market environment, characterised by a worldwide decline in the price of coking and thermal coal, and, in our region, by an over-supply of aggressively priced thermal coal. International coking and thermal coal prices have fallen continuously over the past four years in the wake of slower global industrial output.”
“Against this backdrop, we were obliged to maintain our focus on reducing operational and overhead costs throughout 2015. Our cost of sales were managed down by 9% while our selling and administrative expenses fell by 12% and 11% respectively. Our total headcount fell by 6% over the course of the year, and our CAPEX was down 42%, and within our target range, at €34 million. Our cash mining unit costs in 2015 were €66/t, against €67/t in 2014.”
Taking into consideration entering a low price environment and the possibility that it will continue further, Penny indicated the company’s key prioirties for 2016 will be “ensuring that the Group has sufficient liquidity to finance operations on an ongoing basis. The availability of funds will influence strategic decision-making in respect of the current portfolio of assets, as well as outlays for CAPEX or development projects, such as Debiensko.”
Penny continued: “As flagged in our announcement on 18 December 2015, the Group has commenced a detailed strategic review of its operations. Management’s preliminary conclusion is that, absent a significant and near-term increase in coal prices, the Group will need to reduce costs yet further across its entire portfolio and to secure substantial additional liquidity. Also, while a number of the Group’s mines clearly have potential, some do not. Therefore, as part of the strategic review process, the Group is evaluating its options for those low-potential mines.”
The group has begun ongoing discussions with certain key stakeholders and the Czech Government on moving forward, focusing on focused on securing a viable business for the group, with a sustainable portfolio of cash-generative mines; a capital structure appropriate to allow that portfolio to operate as a going concern through the anticipated extended period of low coal prices; and clarity for employees.
Penny concluded: “NWR is facing exceptional challenges. With no sign of an upturn in global coal prices, the company has been obliged to review all options as it seeks a way to ensure a commercially viable hard coal mining business. This will entail optimisation of our mining assets and might, absent of any stakeholder support, lead to the closure of some mines and a reduction in our workforce, something that will be difficult, to say the least, for everyone involved. But I am confident that the company and all of its stakeholders will work together to find a solution that will result in a sustainable business for OKD for the future.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
The Timken Co., a global leader in tapered roller bearings, has appointed Andreas Roellgen and Brian J. Ruel to the positions of Vice President of Sales. Ruel leads the company’s selling team across the Americas, and Roellgen will oversee the Timken sales organisation for the rest of the world.
In addition, Michael J. Connors will lead the company’s marketing organisation as newly appointed Vice President of Global Marketing.
“These appointments are part of the new organisation we’ve put in place to increase speed to market and streamline decision making,” said Christopher Coughlin, Group President and Executive Vice President for Timken. “We expect to leverage the collective experience now captured with these bearing leadership appointments to improve both our focus and accountability with regards to driving profitable growth.”
Connors joined the company in 1983 as a Manufacturing Engineer and later assumed a series of management positions in manufacturing, product management, marketing and business development. In 2004, Connors was named Vice President of industrial equipment and then President of Process Industries, focused on serving customers in heavy industry, power transmission and wind energy markets. Most recently, Connors was vice president of distribution.
Roellgen joined the company in 1997 as a Business Development Manager in the company’s European headquarters in Colmar, France. In 2000, he transferred to the new business development team in Canton, Ohio. He returned to Europe in 2003 and held various positions including general manager of warehousing, logistics, replenishment and customer service, and was named director of supply chain Europe in 2007. In 2010, Roellgen was named Managing Director of Europe and, most recently, served as vice president of Process Industries and managing director of Europe.
Ruel joined the company in 1984 as a Sales Engineer, later assuming a series of automotive business leadership roles, including director of sales, director of new business development for the Asia Pacific region and director of quality and customer satisfaction. In 2010, Ruel was promoted to Vice President of light vehicle systems and also served as vice president of rail. Most recently, he served as Vice President of the company’s Mobile Industries business.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Noble Group Ltd has warned it is expecting a net loss for 4Q15 (ending 31 December 2015) and full year ending 31 December 2015 (FY2015) of approximately US$1.2 billion for 4Q15.
The company has blamed falling coal prices as the cause of this predicted loss.
According to the company, since September 2015 a number of factors have contributed to the lowering of long-term consensus prices for coal and other commodities. First, long end crude prices have fallen by almost 40% over a very short period of time. Crude, besides being the benchmark for the energy sector, is also a key driver of the cost curves for coal miners via their consumption of fuel. In addition, the Paris COP21 agreement raises the probability of future substitution away from coal. The combination of these factors, combined with a growing concern about weaker economic growth globally and especially in China has had a knock on effect on consensus estimates of future coal prices.
Noble has therefore indicated that while it is not the company’s base case scenario, there is a potential scenario, where coal prices will remain at these lower levels for an extended period and the company believe it is therefore prudent to reflect this view in the assumptions upon which its valuations are based.
A majority of these adjustments relate to a change in the basis of determining its “anchor” coal price, which Noble use for projecting the value of contracts that extend beyond years for which observable market data exists. The company’s management has determined that it is appropriate to adopt a conservative price of US$55/t for thermal coal, to ensure that the coal portfolio will be covered against a possible scenario of “lower prices for longer”. This pricing is US$14/t below the average market consensus price. A similar process has been undertaken for metallurgical coal.
These Adjustments are non-cash items and have no impact on the company’s cash position or cash flows.
The above adjustments and various additional reserves results in a significant increase in the effective discount rate to 20% across the company’s portfolio of net fair value gains on commodity and other derivative financial instruments.
Noble expects to report positive cash flow from operations again in 4Q15, generating a cumulative total of approximately US$650 million for the last six months of 2015 (excluding a US$55 million increase in cash balances with futures brokers not immediately available for use). Debt, net of cash and readily marketable inventories, at year-end has further declined, by US$248 million from the end of September 2015, to US$2.26 billion before the receipt of US$750 million from the sale of Noble Agri. The cash balance as at 31 December 2015 stood at a record US$1.95 billion.
The Group continues to focus on ensuring ample access to liquidity, supported by the structurally lower commodity prices that are being seen, and expects to deliver US$1 billion in further liquidity by March 2016 (including Noble Agri proceeds).
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Caterpillar Inc. has reported the following changes:
“Our strong, capable leadership team will absorb these responsibilities and continue our commitment to customers. In this business environment, we are streamlining at all levels, including senior management,” said Caterpillar Chairman & CEO, Doug Oberhelman.
“I look forward to Doug Hoerr’s leadership of MH&U. His strong financial background, customer focus and operations experience are a solid foundation for heading one of Caterpillar’s largest divisions. The added responsibility for Greg, including the design and manufacturing of components and aftermarket distribution, is a good fit with his skill, broad experience and current businesses including Cat Work Tools, Cat OEM Solutions, Safety Services and Defense and Federal Products. Tana’s deep expertise and decades of leadership make her an ideal fit for the Reman business, and it is also a natural extension of her engine responsibilities since much of the remanufacturing business is related to power systems,” he continued.
The changes are effective 1 March 2016.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
Evan Jenkins has launched the #WVCoalVoices project, where he plans to share the stories of West Virginia families affected by the declining coal industry, which is being hit by increased environmental regulation.
“The uncertainty can be paralysing,” Jenkins commented. “This is reality for so many of my constituents, like April Brooks of Princeton, in Mercer County. April writes me, ‘My husband has worked in the mining industry for the last 11 years, and my Dad was a coal miner for over 30 years. Like every family that depends on coal for a living, we live day to day, worrying about what will happen tomorrow.’”
Jenkins plans to show the struggles faced by West Virginia families who are dependent on coal mines through his #WVCoalVoices project, showing how mine closures can impact the communities surrounding them.
“We need to pass policies that create jobs and ensure a future for all West Virginians, all West Virginia families, so they can stay and work and live in our great state,” he added.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
Tsubaki’s free ‘Tree App’, available on Apple and Android devices, allows customers to download product literature, find local distributors and even request quotes. The Tree App has been developed to work in support of the existing Tsubaki customer services; allowing Tsubaki employees, distributors and customers to communicate quickly with each other – anywhere in the world.
Peter de Blok, Sales Manager, Tsubakimoto Europe, explained the origins of the Tree App: “The Tsubaki Tree symbolises the way that the company is structured. The roots being our technical capabilities and application know-how; the trunk being our company structure; and the fruits being the products we bring forward to our customers. The Tsubaki Tree is the starting point in the app. From here, users can find anything from company information, to application examples, to the distributor locator.”
The app is available for free download from the App Store and Google Play. Once downloaded, it can be operated in any one of eight languages: English, German, Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish or Russian.
There will be the available Tsubaki literature for download to users, including company brochures, application profiles, product literature and training instructions. Users can easily navigate through to the files they need and then download onto their device to view, print and share at their leisure.
The App has been developed to open up a new line of communication with Tsubaki staff for both pre and post-sale support. So long as the device that the app is used on has GPS activated, the app will find the distributors closest to the user’s location and supply all necessary contact details.
It can even be used to request quotations by filling in the enquiry form and attaching a photo taken from the device, Tsubaki sales support is able to review the customer’s needs, contact them with a primary quote and arrange a site visit if necessary.
Peter de Blok continued: “Tsubaki doesn’t just sell a premium product, it sells a premium service. We employ engineers with expert knowledge and work hard to communicate with our customers as closely as possible to make sure that we help them to make long term savings with every purchase. The Tree App allows us to take advantage of mobile technology to further open up these lines of communications and to continue to offer our customers the best service, worldwide.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Teck Resources Ltd has restructured its senior management following a number of retirements of senior executives. This is intended to streamline reporting relationships and further align the organisational structure with the current business environment.
Ian Kilgour, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will retire after five years with Teck and more than 35 years in the mining industry, effective 30 April 2016.
Rob Scott, Senior Vice President, Zinc, will retire, effective 30 April 2016, after more than 35 years with Teck.
After eight years with Teck and 37 years in the resource industry, Ray Reipas, Senior Vice President, Energy, will retire, effective 30 June 2016.Tim Watson, Senior Vice President, Project Development, will commence a phased retirement, effective 1 July 2016, after a career in the mining and projects industry that spans more than 30 years, nine of which have been with Teck.
“On behalf of Teck, I want to thank these individuals for their outstanding commitment to the company and the industry over the course of their careers,” said Don Lindsay, President and CEO. “As a result of these retirements, we have reorganised our management structure to ensure continued strong leadership across our business units, create a closer reporting relationship between our general managers and the senior executive, and further align the organisation to the current business environment.”
Dale Andres, currently Senior Vice President, Copper, will become Senior Vice President, Base Metals, effective May 1, 2016, responsible for Teck’s copper and zinc business units.
Robin Sheremeta, currently Vice President, Operations, Coal, will become Senior Vice President, Coal, effective 1 May 2016.
Alex Christopher, currently Vice President, Exploration, will become Senior Vice President, Exploration, Projects and Technical Services, effective 1 July 2016, with responsibility for engineering and related activities in addition to exploration.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
The Competition Tribunal has approved the takeover of Optimum Coal Holding Ltd’s (OCH) Optimum coal mine (OCM) and six other target firms by Tegeta Exploration and Resources on the condition that there would be no merger-specific retrenchments.
Tegeta is owned by Mabengela Investments (Pty) Ltd and Oakbay Investments (Pty) Ltd, the holding company for the Gupta family’s businesses.
Both OCM and OCH are in business rescue.
The Competition Commission found that the proposed transaction is unlikely to substantially prevent or lessen competition in the thermal coal market.
The Commission has recommended that the proposed transaction be approved on condition that the merging parties will not retrench any employees of the target firms as a result of the merger.
Nazeem Howa, Chief Executive of Oakbay Investments, said: “We are delighted that the Competition Tribunal has ruled on the merger. Through this transaction we have prevented the loss of more than 3000 jobs, by heading off an almost certain liquidation. We are committed to the future sustainability of Optimum and look forward to announcing our strategy for the business going forward.”
Once the transaction is completed, Tegeta will supply a maximum of 5% of Eskom’s total coal supply.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Linc Energy Ltd has entered into formal agreements with PT Sugico Graha (Sugico) to license Linc Energy’s proprietary underground coal gasification (UCG) technology in Indonesia.
Sugico is in the early stages of developing two commercial UCG projects in Indonesia. The initial project, located in South Sumatra, will use UCG produced synthesis gas to generate electrical power. This project is in the concept phase of development. Currently, the first phase of the project is expected to be sanctioned and reach financial closure during 2016 and achieve designed specified performance during 2017.
The formal agreements consist of an Intellectual Property License Agreement supported by a services agreement.
The main feature of the agreements include:
Surgico’s second project is located in South Kalimantan and will use UCG produced synthesis gas to produce chemicals. This project is currently in the concept phase of development, but is expected to be sanctioned in 2017, reach financial close during 2017 and achieve designed specified performance by 2020.
Linc Energy’s CEO & Managing Director, Craig Ricato said: “Our agreement with Sugico to develop commercial UCG projects in Indonesia is an exciting development for the Company and its shareholders. This agreement has been achieved after a lengthy technical evaluation process by both parties and delivers a key strategic milestone in the commercialisation of our proprietary UCG technology in Asia. We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work closely with Sugico to deliver projects in Indonesian whilst we continue to develop further opportunities in the Asian market.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Orica Ltd has completed the restructuring of its Minova group as a stand-alone business unit dedicated to ground control solutions for the mining, civil/tunnelling, geotechnical and construction industries. With a new team, work under the highly regarded Minova brand. The company will also have a newly updated trademark and logo.
“When Minova was originally acquired by Orica in 2006, the business was successful with a brand trusted around the world. However, the business was challenged by changing global market conditions,” commented Scott Alexander, Former General Manager, Orica North America and newly appointed President of Minova. “Orica provided robust global scale and an aggressive acquisition programme that greatly expanded the scope and reach of the ground control business under Orica. However, the Minova brand had a long history and was revered by both customers and employees. Today’s announcement re-establishes the Minova brand, which has always represented leadership in its field.”
Minova provides ground support products including resins and mechanical stabilising products, chemical and cementitious grouts and adhesives, ventilation control, as well as associated equipment sales and installation services. The company has a long history of technological contributions to mining roof support and ventilation control as well as novel chemical and mechanical products used in civil construction and repair.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
SunCoke Energy Inc. has recently made changes to its Board of Directors.
Karen B. Peetz has resigned from the SunCoke Board of Directors, effective immediately, to focus on other professional commitments, Peetz has been a director of SunCoke Energy since June 2012, during which time she served as a member of the Audit and Governance committees.
“SunCoke’s shareholders, board of directors and management have greatly benefited from Karen’s depth of knowledge and experience,” said Fritz Henderson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunCoke Energy, Inc. “We deeply appreciate her numerous contributions to the organization and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”
“It’s been a pleasure working with Fritz and other members of the board and management team, and I believe the company is well-positioned to continue delivering against its operational and financial targets as I focus on my responsibilities at BNY Mellon,” commented Peetz.
Following Peetz’s step down, Andrew D. Africk and Robert A. Peiser have been appointed to the company’s board of directors, effective 7 March 2016.
Africk will serve on the Governance Committee of the board and Peiser will serve on the Compensation Committee.
Africk and Peiser will serve in the class of directors who will be standing for election at the company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders on 5 May 2016 (the 2016 Class). The 2016 Class also includes John W. Rowe, the company’s Lead Director.
“Bob and Andy bring a wealth of operational and financial expertise to SunCoke, which will augment an already deeply talented board,” said Henderson. “We look forward to their many contributions to the direction and growth of our company in the years to come.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
BHP Billiton has announced a new operating model that the company anticipates will create a more agile company ready to respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by a rapidly changing global marketplace.
BHP Billiton intends to become a much simpler organisation focused on geographic operating regions and supported by globalised functional services drawing upon world-class expertise and scale.
Andrew Mackenzie, BHP Billiton CEO, commented: “These changes are a continuation of our simplification journey. They are made possible by the recent demerger of South32 and well-timed asset divestments, and reflect our continued commitment to improve productivity.”
Mackenzie indicated that the new model will be centred on assets that are “dedicated to safety, volume and cost enabled by functions integrated globally and largely co-located with the assets.” He anticipates that it will create value and growth going forward.
“Both assets and functions will have fewer layers and hence fewer people required to lead and run the organisation. This closer connection between management and operations will promote greater efficiency, rapid sharing of best practice and adoption of new technology to improve safety, productivity and learning – as well as management of risk,” Mackenzie continued.
BHP Billiton’s minerals production operations will be organised into two regional units: Minerals Australia and Minerals Americas. The Company’s oil and gas exploration and production operations will continue to be housed within a global Petroleum unit, reflecting the operating environment in that sector.
The changes will be in effect as of 1 March 2016.
The changes to the the organisational structure mean that one less President role will be required in Australia, and as a result Jimmy Wilson, currently President Iron Ore, will leave the company. As the role of President Petroleum will change to become more closely focused on operations and will no longer include direct oversight of functional and business administration, Tim Cutt, currently President Petroleum, will also leave the company.
Mackenzie thanked Cutt and Wlson on behalf of the company for their service and leadership at BHP and wished them success in the future.
Mackenzie also outlined changes to BHP Billiton’s functional model that are intended to improve the efficiency and capability of service delivery to the company. These changes include the transition of key functional services to global reporting lines. This will eliminate duplication of effort and create deep pools of expertise in the provision of services to the Company’s operated Assets. The key changes are:
Reflecting the company’s commitment to Sustainability and risk management, the Corporate Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and Risk, Audit and Assurance functions will report to Geoff Healy, currently Chief Legal Counsel, who has been appointed to the expanded role of Chief Risk and Legal Officer.
Chief Financial Officer, Peter Beaven, will assume global responsibility for strategy and business development, allowing the company to more effectively identify opportunities for value and growth across all commodities.
BHP Billiton’s Marketing and Supply functions will consolidate under the leadership of Arnoud Balhuizen who has been appointed to the role of President, Marketing and Supply.
A new technology function is being established to provide operational and information technology services to the company, as well as lead technology innovation across the organisation. Diane Jurgens has been appointed to the role of Chief Technology Officer.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, India’s largest port developer and part of Adani Group, announced the financial results for the quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2015.
Consolidated total income including other income increased by 15% to Rs.5779 crores in 9MFY16 and the consolidated EBIDTA excluding other income increased by 22% to Rs.3421 crores in the current nine months.
Consolidated total income increased by 11% to Rs.1896 crores in 3Q16 and the consolidated EBIDTA excluding other income increased by 15% to Rs. 1071 crores in the current quarter.
The consolidated PAT for 9MFY16 increased by 18% to Rs 1953 crores and in Q3FY16 increased by 26% to Rs 645 crores.
Mr. Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group, said: “We have made our footprints at 10 locations on the Indian coastline. While we look to continue our impressive growth in ports, we would now also look to the development of industrial clusters and end-to-end logistics in a big way thereby becoming a fully integrated logistics player”.
Mr. Karan Adani, CEO of APSEZ, commented: “A new chapter has begun in our ports business, with a great responsibility on my shoulders. We are focusing on improving top line and bottom line of the company by improving operational efficiency through use of technology, better cargo mix and by bringing down net finance cost”.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
Digi International has reported that it has created a Thread-ready RF module to help advance the Thread networking protocol for use in wireless industrial applications.
The Thread-ready module is a new addition to the Digi XBee® embedded RF module platform.
“The Thread-ready XBee module provides Digi OEM module customers a simple migration path to quickly and easily drop a future-proof solution into their existing board designs,” said Joel Young, Chief Technology Officer, Digi International. “Customers can easily design-in with our Digi XBee solution today, knowing they will have the full benefits of the Digi XBee ecosystem such as ease of use, reliability and scalability.”
The module itself will be based on the same industry-leading specifications of Digi’s current 802.15.4 based Series 2 XBee hardware, but will include the higher memory EM3587 chipset from Silicon Labs. This new offering provides 512kB flash.
“As a founding member of the Thread Group, we’re working with leaders like Digi to incorporate Thread into its well-known XBee brand,” said Tyson Tuttle, Chief Executive Officer, Silicon Labs. “Thread’s approach to wireless networking offers many technical advantages, and we’re very pleased to work with Digi to provide customers with an advanced solution that’s ready for implementation.”
The Thread protocol has a low-power, IPv6 addressable, self-healing mesh network with advanced security implemented at the networking layer.
“The official general market availability, set for May 2016, will be the first of a series of Thread-based products Digi will be releasing throughout the year,” said Jay Kilby, Director of RF Product Management, Digi International. “As a contributing member of the Thread Group, Digi has access to early specifications, tools and information for development of this advanced network technology. Our goal is to advance Thread’s capabilities and application within industrial networking solutions, which will include a fully certified Thread module, border router and more available later this year.”
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
Due to the pressures still facing the mining industry to reduce operating costs and enhance productivity, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions and Siemens have decided to prolong their successful collaboration in the mining sector for another five years. This means the two companies can continue to provide the mining sector with innovative and reliable transport systems into the future.
The technological requirements in mines are becoming increasingly challenging. Declining ore grades and new mines in inaccessible regions mean that more and more material needs to be transported over ever-longer distances.
“Conveying technology must keep up with the complex requirements of the modern mining industry. We want to continue offering our customers reliable and highly-efficient conveyor systems,” explained Jens Michael Wegmann, Chairman of the Management Board of the Industrial Solutions Business Area of thyssenkrupp.
“It is only possible to optimise modern mechatronic belt drive systems like this by working in close cooperation with a partner because the mechanics and the motor form a self-contained unit. That’s why we are carrying on the tried and tested cooperation with Siemens,” Wegmann continued.
Rugged, reliable and easy-to-maintain integrated drive technology is important for conveyor systems used in the mining industry.
“We are happy to be able to keep on supporting thyssenkrupp with our time-proven direct drive systems featuring Sinamics cycloconverters and rugged synchronous motors, which have undergone continuous further development in recent years,” confirmed Jürgen Brandes, CEO of the Siemens Process Industries and Drives Division.
In order to satisfy the constantly increasing performance demanded by the mining industry, Siemens offers a 3 – 10 MW motor series along with the associated converter systems.
Both thyssenkrupp and Siemens have long years of experience in mining. The two companies have successfully implemented a number of joint projects in recent years. For example, thyssenkrupp provided the conveyor system for Xstrata Copper in the Antapaccay and Las Bambas copper mines in Peru. And Siemens provided thyssenkrupp with the direct drive for the world’s largest conveyor belt. The belt conveyor system is being erected in the Peruvian Cuajone mine belonging to the Mexican Southern Copper Corp. mining company.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Banpu Public Company Ltd has released its 5-year business plan entitled ‘Balanced Growth, World-Class Sustainability’. The plan details guidelines for 2016-2020 around five themes:
The company’s plan for sustainable growth that balances the development of its renewable energy, conventional power and coal businesses. The company plans to increase its equity-based power generating capacity to 4300 MW by the end of 2025, of which renewable energy will account for 20%.
“Banpu operates on the principle of balanced and sustainable growth in three dimensions: environmental responsibility, social development and economic return. In recent years we have identified and commenced evaluation of a number of renewable energy investments. We have already concluded investment agreements for solar operations and projects in Japan and going forward are aiming to secure further opportunities in Japan, China, Thailand and other countries. Banpu’s plans are very much in accordance with the guidelines agreed at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, ‘COP21’ and the objectives of energy and fuel diversification,” said Ms. Somruedee Chaimongkol, CEO of Banpu.
For the coal business, Banpu is to continue the cost reduction programme throughout the value chain with an emphasis on its product development strategy, targeting premium markets such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Banpu’s 2016 coal sales target is set at approximately 44 million t from its operations in Indonesia, Australia and China. The company will aim to take advantage of low coal asset prices by making synergistic acquisitions which should further drive growth as the coal market recovers.
Banpu’s coal sales in 2015 were 41.15 million t, a net decrease of 7% y/y, comprising a lower sale volume of 2.48 million t from Australia mines, and a lower sales volume of 0.82 million t from Indonesia. The average coal selling price in 2015 was US$55.53/t compared to US$65.36/t in 2014, a 15% decrease.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
ANDRITZ SEPARATION, part of international technology Group ANDRITZ, has developed and successfully launched RheoScan, a new, innovative optical measurement system for belt presses and gravity belt tables.
The RheoScan measures the actual sludge viscosity during the thickening stage in real time. The new system adjusts the polymer dose needed to match changing flow rates and sludge conditions automatically and accurately. This means cost savings of up to 40% for polymer consumption and an increase in plant reliability.
The patented ANDRITZ technology operates without requiring supervision.
ANDRITZ RheoScan can be applied to belt filter presses and gravity belt tables in all types of municipal and industrial sludge processing facilities. Installations at customer plants have shown that the payback period is mostly less than one year.
Installations in wastewater treatment plants with digestion processes show an additional gas yield due to the optimised polymer dosage.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) believe copper may play an important role in combatting climate change. When used as a part of a promising coal combustion technology known as chemical looping, copper can help economically remove carbon dioxide from fossil fuel emissions.
In traditional power plants, coal is pulverised and then burned in air to create the steam that powers electricity-producing turbines. In chemical looping, the fuel is combusted through reaction with oxygen carriers. After combustion, the oxygen-depleted carrier is circulated to an air reactor, where it is again oxidised, in preparation for transport back to the fuel reactor to begin a new coal-burning cycle.
One of the advantages of chemical looping is that the process produces a nearly pure exhaust stream of CO2, which is easily captured. The CO2 can then be used to produce other products. The chemical looping process can also help reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides. However, for chemical looping on a commercial scale, more efficient oxygen carriers are required. When copper is used as a key ingredient in oxygen carriers, it appears to improve the efficiency of chemical looping.
NETL’s Ranjani Siriwardane explained:.“In our tests, a copper-based oxygen carrier was prepared and used in the chemical looping process,” she said. “It showed good solid circulation, good methane conversion and good heat management.”
The possibility of using copper as an oxygen carrier has always been limited by copper’s low melting point, which results in these carriers accumulating at high temperatures.
Siriwardane said the NETL breakthrough came when researchers were able to design a mixed metal oxygen carrier containing iron oxide and a high concentration of copper oxide to create a highly reactive oxygen carrier that can withstand high temperatures, eliminating agglomeration problems.
Tests on the oxygen carrier were conducted in a pilot scale chemical looping combustor unit at NETL.
“We conducted the tests at around 800 and 900°C. What we found was the design we developed can function in a chemical looping reactor more efficiently than traditional oxygen carriers,” Siriwardane said. “It takes us closer to the possibility of deploying chemical looping on a large scale as a less expensive way to reduce CO2 emissions.”
NETL researchers have applied for a patent on the new approach. The next step in its development will be testing at commercial scale.
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
Vale S.A. has reported it has had a strong operational performance in 4Q15 and 2015 with annual and quarterly production records in iron ore, pellets, nickel, copper, cobalt and gold. However, coal production was 15% lower than in 2014, reaching 7.3 million t.
The company has indicated that reduced production was a result of the stoppage of Inegra Coal and Isaac Plains mine, which were placed in care and maintenance in 2Q14 and 3Q14 respective.
Coal production in 4Q15 totalled 1.6 million t, 23% and 31% lower than in 3Q15 and 4Q14, respectively, as a result of a longwall move at Carborough Downs and a short stoppage at the coal handling and processing plant in Moatize.
At Vale’s Australian operations, production amounted to 2.4 million t in 2015, 36% lower than in 2014, due to the stoppage of both the Inegra Coal and the Isaac Plains mines in 2014.
Production at the Carborough Downs mine was 2.4 million t in 2015, 28% higher than in 2o14. Vale indicated this was due to the geological impact on the productivity if the longwall operation in 2014. Production totaled to 370 000 t in 4Q15, 49% and 35% lower than in 3Q15 and 4Q14 respectively due to the longwall move in 4Q15.
At Vale’s Moatize operations, production was 4.9 million t in 2015, in line with 2014. Production of metallurgical coal increased by 8.9%, while production of thermal coal decreased by 12.6%. The share of metallurgical coal reached 72% in 2015.
Moatize production was 1.214 million t in 4Q15, 108 000 t lower than in 3Q15. According to Vale, this is due to the lower physical availability of the plant. Operational performance was affected by preventive and corrective interventions in the coal-handling and processing plant, as well as tie-ins with Moatize II. Moatize II is currently under commissioning with completion of cargo testing expected for March 2016.
Raw coal availability has also been reduced as a result of the revised mine plan, due to fire on two excavators in June and July 2015, which have already been replaced.
The upgrade of the whole brownfield section of the railway, connecting the Moatize site to the Nacala-à-Velha maritime terminal, was completed by the end of 2015 with four shipments delivered as of January 2016.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.’s subsidiary the Babcock & Wilcox Co. (B&W) has been awarded a contract for more than US$18 million to engineer, manufacture and install a replacement reheater at Xcel Energy’s Pawnee Generating Station near Brush, Colorado, US.
The components, which include horizontal and vertical reheater banks, will be manufactured in B&W’s Monterrey, Mexico facility and are scheduled for delivery in February.
“Xcel Energy is a long-time B&W customer, and we value our strong professional relationship,” commented B&W Global Services Division Sr. Vice President Mark Low. “We believe our technically advanced design will offer a significant improvement in the operation of the unit.”
Low continued: “We appreciate the confidence Xcel Energy has shown in B&W and our service capabilities.”
The B&W reheater also features redesigned wall attachments that will facilitate simpler and faster installation.
The 500 MW Pawnee Unit 1 start up is scheduled for May 2016.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
India is to invest in its coal processing capacity with new coal washeries to be operational by next autumn, according to local press reports. The Coal Ministry told a Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting in Tirupati, Uttar Pradesh, that India’s current coal washing capacity totalled 38 million tpa at 15 washeries.
An additional 15 plants were now planned to boost capacity and were expected to be operational by next September in order to help meet the demand for washed coal to comply with environmental regulations, the ministry said.
India has already been investing in its coal processing capacity with 63.8 million t of coal crushing capacity installed during last year and into this. This capacity comes in the form of mobile crushers and feeder breakers. Since January 2-16 it has been mandatory to supply correctly-sized coal to power sector consumers.
India has been successfully ramping up its production of coal to meet domestic power needs, aiming to produce over 700 million t by the end of the current fiscal year on 31 March. Over the previous fiscal year, the country produced a record 612 million t.
According to figures provided by the Coal Ministry to the Indian Cabinet, state-owned miners, Coal India (CIL) and SCCL has produced a total of 486.4 million t between April 2015 and the end of January 2016 compared to 441.6 million t over the same period in the previous year.
Edited from sources: Economic Times, Ministry of Coal by Jonathan Rowland
A coalition of state officials and more than 150 other organisations have presented opening arguments against the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) in the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Led by the state attorney generals of West Virginia and Texas, the coalition briefs challenge the legality of the CPP.
“The bipartisan coalition’s filing demonstrates in details EPA’s efforts to transform itself into a central energy planning authority,” West Virginia Attorney General, Patrick Morrisey, said. “This rule, which exceeds EPA’s authority and sidesteps Congress, must be stopped.”
Two weeks ago the US Supreme Court stayed implementation of the plan until the Court of Appeals makes its ruling, expected over the summer.
“EPA’s far-reaching actions are literally unprecedented, which is undoubtedly one of the major reasons why the US Supreme Court issues its own unprecedented stay last week,” Morrisey continued.
US Chamber of Commerce, which is one of many organisations joining the lawsuit and lead petitioner in a coalition of 16 national trade associations that have lined up against the regulations, welcomed the start of the legal challenge, saying it was “confident in our case”.
“The sheer number and diversity of challengers in this case is itself a powerful statement against EPA’s overreach,” continued Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy, in a press statement. “Not only is the rule unlawful, it’s also bad policy,” arguing that it threatens a key part of the US’s competitive advantage: a diverse energy mix.
“Our energy diversity has contributed to a renaissance of US manufacturing, helping to generate much-needed jobs and significant investments and revenue,” Harbert concluded.
Oral arguments are scheduled to take place 2 – 3 June with a judgement delivered thereafter. Whatever the outcome, there is likely to be an appeal to the Supreme Court – adding extra importance to the naming of a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died last week.
Scalia’s death leaves the court’s liberal and conservative wings evenly divided, giving any successor a decisive role in deciding cases, such as the challenge to the CPP, where the court would be expected to decide down ideological lines.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland
Renold Gears’ SMX range of heavy-duty shaft mounted gearboxes are good solutions for arduous applications in mines and quarries and are available off the shelf for fast delivery as part of the company’s Rapid Response service.
The SMX gearboxes are manufactured with hardened and profile ground helical gears for maximum power transmission, efficiency, long life and smooth operation. High-capacity, heavy-duty roller bearings ensure problem free operation and maximum load carrying capacity for heavy duty, arduous applications.
The gearbox casings are manufactured from close grain cast iron for robust strength and quiet, vibration free operation. Both sides of the SMX units are fully machined for face mounting options and they are interchangeable with Fenner (Eriks), Rexnord, Benzler, Sala and Dodge to enable fast and easy replacement.
The SMX range is also available with a wide range of non-standard options, including enhanced seals on the output and input shafts for use in hostile environments and a sprag clutch backstop option to prevent drive reversal, such as on inclined conveyors. The units come from the same family as Renold’s PM, TM and Carter gearbox ranges, sharing their reputation for quality, reliability and service.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Sembcorp Industries has announced that Thermal Powertech Corporation India (TPCIL), which owns and operates a 1320 MW coal-fired power plant in Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh’s SPSR Nellore district, has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Telangana Power Distribution Companies.
Under the power purchase agreement, 570 MW of power will be sold to the Southern and Northern Power Distribution Companies of Telangana for a period of eight years.
Together with the 500 MW of power supplied to the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Power Distribution Companies under a 25-year power purchase agreement, TPCIL has secured more than 85% of its net total generating capacity under long-term power purchase agreements.
Atul Nargund, CEO of TPCIL, commented: “We are pleased to sign this long-term PPA with a progressive state, such as Telangana. With this PPA, we have achieved our goal of securing at least 85% of our generating capacity on a long-term basis. With this, TPCIL is now eligible for mega power status. In addition, operationally the plant is performing well and achieving good plant load factors.”
The approximately US$1.5 billion coal-fired power plant, which has a total capacity of 1320 MW, completed its first 660 MW unit in March 2015 and second 660 MW unit in September 2015. The plant is more efficient and environmentally-friendly compared to conventional coal-fired power plants as it uses supercritical technology.
The signing of the agreement is not expected to have a material impact on the earning per share and net asset value per share of Sembcorp Industries for the current financial year.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Lignite can only be extracted from opencast mines if the ground water level is lowered to below the coal seam. This has a strong influence on the region’s water balance. Depending on the chemism from the overburden, the rising ground water after mining in the pit lake may become acidic due to pyrite weathering. Thus ground water remediation projects seek to balance out the ground water deficit and to neutralise the lakes in the former mines so that flora and fauna may be established. Lime is usually used in this process, for example using ships to introduce lime into the lake water with sprinkler systems. Large quantities of lime are needed to treat an entire water body, however, because there is only a low level of blending that takes place in the process.
GMB GmbH developed the UNP-Underwater Nozzle Pipelines (German: GSD- Getauchte Schwimmleitung mit Düsen) method as an alternative: lime mixed with lake water is pumped through the nozzles of floating pipes into the lake, where it uses the natural lake circulation to blend thoroughly, distributing the suspension evenly throughout the lake. The method has now been successfully demonstrated in a pilot project in Lake Scheibe, Lusatia.
The Federal Mining Act (BBergG) stipulates that operators carry out rehabilitation measures for the surfaces areas of former mines. This also applies to the lakes they produce.
The lignite mining region of Lusatia alone has 36 pit lakes with an aggregate expanse of 146.8 million m2 and a water volume of 2.287 billion m3. Their pH values vary from 7.5 to an acidic 3.0, which in itself precludes the emergence of a functioning ecosystem. This prompted GMB GmbH, a Senftenberg-based mining services specialists, to develop the UNP method, using submerged floating pipes equipped with nozzles in a project group in 2010. Other partners in the group were Fels-Werke GmbH, Institut für Wasserwirtschaft, Ökologie und Siedlungsbau IWSÖ GmbH, the Kemmer/Harbauer GmbH Group and Linde Gas. They used the laboratories of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU).
“GMB GmbH applied to carry out both a pilot and a demonstration project – initial neutralisation and CO2 buffering,” said Eckhard Scholz, Head of the Engineering Division at Lausitzer und Mitteldeutsche Bergbau-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH (LMBV). The LMBV is responsible for recultivation of the region’s lignite mining area. Among other measures, it uses pilot and demonstration projects to develop innovative technical solutions for water treatment, from their technical inception to a scale suitable for actual remediation measures. The projects were carried out in Lake Scheibe, Lusatia, which holds approximately 110 million m3 of water. It had an acid concentration before primary neutralisation of 381 million moles.
A fixed plant was built on the lake shore for the first stage of the project: initial neutralisation, between October 2011 and January 2012. Its purpose was to blend lake water with lime, onsite. Six pairs of nozzles were fitted at equal intervals of 20 metres to a floating pipe located around 50 cm beneath the surface of the water during this time. Afterwards, a 4% suspension consisting of 15 200 t of slaked lime and 440 000 m3 of lake water was pumped into the lake at a speed of around 7.6 m/sec. and a flow rate of 260 m3/hr for six days per week over a period of 16 weeks.
Separate sources installed on the shores enrich the waters of the lake with lime and CO2.
“The GSD method exploits the phases of lake circulation to ensure ideal blending with the lake water”, explained Dr Michael Strzodka, Head of the Engineering Office at GMB GmbH.
“The lime is introduced to the epilimnion layer. But the waters in the lake possess different densities, which ensure that the lime is distributed throughout the lake during the phases of full circulation in spring or autumn. Distribution of the lime suspension is therefore entirely natural and does not require any external energy source. In this manner, the pH value was increased from 2.9 to 7. The neutral range is between approximately six and eight”, Strzodka continued. “Water circulation was used once more in a secondary treatment from May to August 2014, which had become necessary due to reacidification of the lake caused by inflowing water with an acidic pH value. 3000 t of lime products in a 400 000 m3 suspension was introduced during this period, creating an alkali buffer of 0.18 mol/m3.”
In a second stage, the plant was developed further, in June 2015, which involved the introduction of CO2 to the lake to induce hydrocarbonation. Here, the suspended CO2 was fed into the hypolimnion via the lake bed, while the forced inflow of lime remained directly beneath the surface of the water. The process initially utilised the lake layering phase that occurs in summer and winter to add the two suspensions to the water in separate layers. In the subsequent full-circulation phase, an entirely natural blending took place, allowing the lime to react with the CO2.
“We would have needed a massive facility to produce hydrocarbonation outside the lake. Maintenance and operation alone would have been extremely costly. In contrast, our new method of using full circulation of the lake is practically free and very efficient. The lake itself is used as a fully-equipped reaction chamber”, explained Strzodka. With the simultaneous treatment of the lake with lime and CO2, a buffer is created and the water body requires far less additional treatment, leading to significantly lower costs. The treatment is complete as soon as the biological processes themselves restore the natural balance to the lake.
GMB GmbH developed a new method based on submerged floating pipes equipped with nozzles (GSD method) for the neutralisation of pit lakes of former lignite mines. This concept was demonstrated successfully for the first time on behalf of LMBV in Lake Scheibe, Lusatia.
Eckhard Scholz, Head of Engineering at LMBV, is extremely satisfied with the planning and implementation: “The GSD system proved extremely effective during initial neutralisation of Lake Scheibe and is therefore outstanding value for money. Also, the project management team at GMB GmbH, the scientific advisers and the system engineers always managed to promptly find remedies to technical issues that arose during the operational phase.” The method is particularly suitable for expansive lakes with significant acid inflow, as large volumes can be treated in a short period.
Besides building another GSD on Lake Bernstein, GMB is already looking for additional areas of use. “As things stand, the system configuration and operation are specifically designed for Lake Scheibe. So we are currently reviewing what standardisation of the system components might look like”, explained Strzodka. Defining standard sizes for the floating pipes, pumps, the mixer and the nozzles would enable the method’s use to treat smaller ponds as well.
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
Cluff Natural Resources has entered into a further memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Halliburton, to collaborate on the development of CLNR’s Southern North Sea gas assets.
The MOU extension includes the Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) assets, for a further two years. The company anticipates that working with Halliburton will continue to facilitate the development of its five Southern North Sea gas licences, which are located in close proximity to the Breagh Gas Field.
The MOU reflects CLNR’s and Halliburton’s desire to establish areas of possible joint collaboration in the development of the Company’s Southern North Sea gas and UCG assets.
In due course the parties intend to enter into a separate written agreement(s) in relation to the services to be provided by Halliburton. The MOU will last until 5 February 2018, unless terminated in advance by either party.
Algy Cluff, Chief Executive & Chairman, commented: ‘We are delighted to be announcing the extension of our MOU with Halliburton for our UK gas and UCG assets and are excited about the prospect of continuing to develop our strategic relationship. Halliburton is one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry and its expertise and capabilities offer our company the opportunity to accelerate the development of our assets. The extension for a further two years reflects the strength of the relationship that has been built in the last year and the commitment to develop this strategic relationship further.’
Edited from press release by Angharad Lock
ROOBUCK™ has announced final certifications that allow its BUCKLITE™ to be used in Ex (Group I, Group IIC, Group IIIC) environments.
The ROOBUCK BUCKLITE™ offers cool operating underground mine and tunnel machine headlights. It can also be used for machine side lights, when passing branch tunnels, etc., and as a stand-alone portable unit.
ROOBUCK™ Company Spokesman, Brent Percy, retired coal mine Electrical Engineer & Mines Electrical Trades Lecturer [also retired], stated that the imperative to deliver a new underground vehicle headlight was finally brought home when a NSW Mines Department Bulletin was issued. Clear warnings were given to Colliery Management to strictly monitor unacceptable heat generation observed in widely used Quartz Halogen units that were recorded as high as 140° and to immediately remove them from service. This was seen as a given opportunity to bring on ROOBUCK’s expertise in LED lighting development.
Hanson Chen, Director of ROOBUCK, confirmed in an unveiling of the ROOBUCK™ TRUCKLITE, that the primary purpose was to produce, as quickly as possible, an IECEx Certified Trucklight, or Boga Headlamp, that would function at much cooler temperatures, while delivering substantially superior lighting at reduced energy demands.
ROOBUCK’s expertise sprang from its allied Certified Caplamp production company KINYUN AUSTRALIA.
Chen said: “We didn’t fully realise the enormity of this task, it looked simple enough, but there were many intricacies that challenged us afresh along the way, together with compounding time delays, nearly exhausting us.” He continued: “but we never gave up on our vision, we were just a little Aussie-battler company attempting to fill a big need.”
Chen concluded: “We wanted to give, to the underground mining industry in particular, what we believed we could. Australia is a great country and has been good to us, so we want to give back to Australia, and now we take this product to the wider world, where it is much needed, having been designed to satisfy both MSHA and IECEx requirements; our only regret, is that it has taken too long to get here”.
ROOBUCK™ Global Business Development Manager, Richard Barton, added: “Ever since we attended the USA 2014 Vegas International Mining Conference and Expo, we have been in discussion with key personnel both in MSHA, as well as attending those at UL Headquarters near LA, to present our unique Australian company products and planned export of the BUCKLITE™, and other following items in demand, shortly into America.”
Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs
