AJM News April

Minmetals sets its sights on Equinox

Minmetals Resources (MMR) said it intends to make an all cash offer to buy Equinox Minerals. MMR said its offer was subject to Equinox terminating a proposed acquisition of Lundin Mining at its shareholders meeting on April 11.

PM opens Curtin Uni’s new engineering centre

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard officially opened the Engineering Pavilion, which is stage one of two for the $32.5 million facility, due for completion in 2012.

Otek and Arcadis team up for Australian market

Otek, a privately held Australian environmental and engineering consultancy, has formed a strategic partnership with Arcadis, which ranks among the 10 largest international environmental management and consultancy firms.

GHD signs up with Autodesk

Software company Autodesk has signed a $5m enterprise licensing agreement with engineering firm GHD.

Mining and LNG projects to drive civil construction

BIS Shrapnel’s latest report said the outlook for civil construction is broadly positive, with large mining and energy projects responsible for the growth.

Chinese company acquires Valley Longwall

After a protracted sales process, Valley Longwall International, a supplier of specialised equipment to the coal mining industry, has been sold to Taiyuan Mining Machinery Group Coal Machine Co. (TMG), for an undisclosed sum.

First AC drive P&H 4100XPC shovel for Australia

Rio Tinto’s Hail Creek coking coal mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin has ordered a second P&H 4100XPC electric rope shovel, this time an AC drive model. It will load two P&H draglines.

Custom-engineered drives for aerator and liquid mixer applications

Advanced technology heavy drives are being custom-engineered by Bonfiglioli for clean and robust service in applications where they are mounted vertically to aerate or mix liquids.

Irish washing specialist appoints 888 as WA distributor

CDE has confirmed a new dealer for Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia. The washing equipment specialist from Northern Ireland has added 888 Crushing & Screening to its global distributor network.

BHP Billiton wins employer of choice gong

BHP Billiton has been named the most attractive employer in the mining and natural resources industry at the inaugural 2011 Randstad Awards.

Junior explorer advances cobalt prospects

Broken Hill Prospecting (BPL) said it has appointed an experienced managing director in Dr Ian Pringle. BPL is moving to commercialise its Pyrite Hill and Big Hill cobalt deposits and to explore base metal prospects on its Thackaringa tenements, near Broken Hill in NSW.

Water, energy and labour key issues for WA resources projects

The availability of labour, energy and water will have a major impact on the ability of companies to deliver the next wave of resource projects on time and on budget, according to a report launched by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME).

Pregnancy style test identifies contaminated diesel

Keith Guyett of Fuel Test Australia said the performance and quality of fuel in tanks and bulk storage can be compromised with contamination caused by water and microbes that degrade fuels.

BP’s $20 million expansion at Largs North fuel terminal

BP said expansion of its Adelaide fuel storage facility will allow the company to grow its South Australian business and ensure security of supply.

Port Hedland outer harbour a beanfeast for suppliers

BHP Billiton’s $10bn to $12bn expansion of Port Hedland’s outer harbor will offer a smorgasbord of opportunities to bulk handling suppliers, with, for example, 5 conveyors up to 8kms in length to be built.

Short course for transfer chute design

Transfer chutes are ubiquitous at mines and processing plants, and yet some engineers struggle to produce good and easily maintained designs. In response, chief engineer at Bechtel Steve Davis is running a one day course on the technical methodologies behind transfer chute design.

PWCS increases Kooragang capacity

PWCS has approved the final stage of its $227m expansion to its existing coal loading facilities at the Kooragang Island terminal, raising capacity to 145mt by the end of 2012. This ultimate stage of expansion is known as Project 145.

Industry movers and shakers

Aurecon appoints sustainable seaports spearhead

Komatsu’s new hybrid excavator

Komatsu claims it has developed a 104 kw hybrid excavator engine that can reduce fuel consumption by 40%. If it proves to be true, that would mean a 10kg per hour reduction in CO² emissions when compared with an equivalent diesel engine.

Drug testing pros and cons

Drug testing is mandatory on Australian mine sites, but according to a leading service provider, choosing the correct program can be confusing for employers.