Blogs
RungePincockMinarco: three software solutions for different mining environments
Table of Contents1. Underground Coal – XPAC SolutionThe only mine scheduling software solution in the world that is built exclusively for underground coal mines.2. Open Cut Coal – XPAC SolutionA mine scheduling software solution built exclusively for open cut coal mines.3. Open Pit Metals – XPAC SolutionA comprehensive, end-to-end mine scheduling solution that delivers an evolution in scheduling for open
Tia Maria Copper Mine
The Tia Maria copper mine, a project that is being developed near Arequipa, in Peru, might currently be one of the industry’s most expensive and ambitious projects, but that didn’t stop the protesters from showing their dissatisfaction in the last years. The project has been halted since 2011, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for the Arizona-based
Dassault Systèmes provides real-world technology: discover eight great types of software
Table of Contents1. MinexThe only integrated, end-to-end geology and mine planning solution for coal and other stratified deposits.2. SurpacIntegrated geology, resource modelling, mine planning and production.3. GEMSIntegrated geology, resource modelling, mine planning and production.4. WhittleStrategic mine planning – Optimise mine profits5. MineSchedGreat results with proven technology.6. PCBCBring power and flexibility to your block cave operation.7. InSiteTake control of a mine and
Signatories of the Minamata Convention [infographic]
A document that means “the beginning of the end of mercury as a threat to human health and the environment”. These were the words chosen by the executive director of the UN Environment Programme, Achim Steiner, to describe the Minamata Convention, recently signed by more than 90 countries. These nations vowed to ban several mercury products until 2020 and are planning the best way to forbid the
Tuff Metallurgist for Tuff Metallurgy (Tough)
A very interesting write up about management “toughness” Here are the positives and negatives of a tough leadership style, which are well worth considering in your own metallurgist career path. Positives: Toughness provides sharp focus. You quickly know who is an ally and who is an enemy/rival. You can use intimidation as a competitive tactic. If people fear you, they
Simio offers simulation software solutions for open pit and underground mines
Table of Contents1. Simio Express2. Simio Design Edition3. Simio Enterprise Edition4. OptQuest With over 30 years of experience in simulation and scheduling, the Pennsylvania-based company Simio LLC (SImulation Modeling framework based on Intelligent Objects) currently offers several great simulation software solutions for mining companies across the world, solutions that can be applied both to open pit and underground mines. According to the company, Simio’s mining solutions can be used
Australian company uses big data to prevent mining accidents
A Western Australia-based company is showing that the integration of big data in a mining or construction project might help reduce accidents. At least, that’s the goal of a new tech initiative, boosted by Justin Strharsky and his firm Synaptor. The company is using incident logs and other reports generated on large mining and construction sites and analysing the stats. Then,
Tia Maria’s massive copper project in Peru could begin production in March
After a gap of two years, the Arizona-based mining company Southern Copper may be able to restart work at the controversial TÃa MarÃa copper project near Arequipa, Peru, in January of 2014. This would allow the firm to kick-off the operation and start the production by March, the site Mining reports. The $1 billion project was halted in 2011 after massive protests and
Five minerals with super strange names
Table of Contents1. Goosecreekite2. Moolooite3. Fukalite4. Cummingtonite 5. Dickite Because mining can also be fun, here are five minerals and rocks with rather strange names. We wonder where the inspiration for these names came from… 1. Goosecreekite No, this mineral wasn’t discovered by a goose, but at the New Goose Creek Quarry, in Virginia, United States. Goosecrekite is part of the zeolite group, typically used in water
GE Mining shows new underground equipment in China
The event Coal & Mining Expo 2013, in China, was the place chosen by GE Mining to launch its new range of underground mining equipment. According to the company’s CEO, Geoff Knox, quoted by Ferret, these new technologies provide innovative solutions to boost a mine’s operational performance, but always with a special concern about the environment and without forgetting economic growth. Knox
92 Countries sign anti-mercury treaty
Japan hosted, earlier this month, the subscription ceremony of a groundbreaking global treaty to reduce mercury pollution. The Minamata Convention, signed by 92 countries, spells “the beginning of the end of mercury as a threat to human health and the environment”, said Achim Steiner, executive director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the site All Africa reports. Now that the treaty is signed, there’s still
Zambia wants to fight illegal mining with Ghana’s help
Zambia’s ambassador in Ghana, Timothy Mwaba Walamba, has revealed that his country is hoping to learn more about the campaign undertaken by the Ghanaian government to fight the influx of illegal and foreign miners into the nation’s small scale mining sector. The high commissioner is currently studying the campaign developed by Ghana’s Inter-Ministerial Taskforce in order to adapt the strategy to the
Direct Nickel’s new nickel extraction technology is cheaper and better for the environment
Nickel ore might be abundant these days, but that wasn’t the case in the past and, like most things, this excess will be over in a near future. According to a British Geological Survey, referred by the site Metal Miner, 73 percent of the continental world nickel resources are lateritic. Still, the current dominant extraction process, called High Pressure Acid Leach
Peru keeps struggling with illegal mining and it looks like nobody can fix the problem
The Peruvian mining industry has a major problem globally known: most of it is illegal. And although the United States tries to take action against this scourge that affects the country and its people, fighting this problem won’t be easy. A new report made by the US-based non-profit organization Verité, which Mining Examiner have already referred here, has led to the further promotion of
Sandvik Mining presents its two new Pantera drills
The company Sandvik Mining has announced the launching of a new Pantera percussive drill platform. The device – able to deliver increased drilling capacity, lower fuel consumption and higher safety levels – was specifically designed for mining and is available for both DTH (down-the-hole) and TH (top hammer) applications. Pantera’s new range has been developed with autonomous technologies in mind, so it’s prepared
Evaluate Oxide Copper Recovery by Flotation
If the idea is try to recover, by flotation, copper oxides that are located in the upper part of the deposit. According to geology department the main copper oxide minerals are chrysocolla and atacamite. There are small quantities of azurite and malachite. As far as I know, it is difficult to float chrysocolla. Malachite and azurite respond to sulphidization very
How to Change/Modify OSA Sampling/Analysing Sequence Program On-Stream-Analyser
For example, two OSA On-Stream-Analyzers use the following sample sequences for your slurry. In this case a PERI by FLSmith. Analyzer A Heads Zn Feed Cu Rougher Scav Zn Rougher Scav Zn Cleaner Scav Final Tails Analyzer B Cu Con Pb Con Zn Con Sampling Time Configuration (seconds) Sample flush = 15 Sample measure = 20 Sample drain = 10
Five super popular mining maps
Table of Contents1. United States2. Canada3. Southern Africa4. South America5. Central America Whether you love mining or you’re just a map aficionado, we have five great maps to show you, originally published by the website Mining. They are all from InfoMine, which has been analyzing and tracking mines and exploration projects around the globe since 1992. Take a moment to check InfoMine’s
Child labour keeps growing in Nigerian mines
Nigeria’s ban on child labour is not working out as the authorities expected, since thousands of poor children keep being exploited by mine owners and gold dealers in the country. The African nation approved the regulation more than a decade ago, but the International Labour Organisation assures there are still 15 million children working in Nigeria. Most of them have
Why buy a New XRF Analyzer
Why would you buy a New XRF Analyzer VS a “good used unit”? It might be confusing to find units on eBay selling the used a Portable XRF for $20,000 while a new XRF quotes in at nearly $40,000. I personally found 2 very similar units and this is what a dealer had to say to explain the 2X
Portable XRF Analyzer | Canada VS USA Models & Safety Modes
For Portable XRF Analyzers, the Canada software will not allow the “automatic” trigger (stop start trigger) So the only option is the dead man trigger which means that you have to hold the trigger for the duration of the test. There is one person in charge of Rad safety in Canada. They are not rational. They have absolutely no problem with Isotope
Solomon Kings mine gets new fleet of automated Caterpillar trucks
The Solomon Hub Kings iron mine, located in the Australian region Pilbara and managed by the company Fortescue Metals Group, has a new fleet of autonomous trucks installed by Caterpillar. The two companies signed a deal back in July, which included the complete MineStar technology suite, in order to modernize the operation. At the time, Caterpillar’s vice president, Chris Curfman, said that: This collaboration will
Green group Save the Tarkine wants to block Venture Minerals’ mine
Environmental groups keep fighting the mining activity in the Tarkine region of Tasmania, in Australia, where the fauna and flora are being affected. The organizations claim the government has failed to properly consider the impact of mining on species like the Tasmanian devil. The group Save the Tarkine is challenging the authorities’ approval given to Venture Minerals’ project, which consists in creating a mine
Report about clean mining: how to be a green miner
Table of Contents1. Being a mining technology and being green at the same time2. The most exciting clean innovations3. Prices or difficulty of adopting greener methods4. Companies that successfuly shifted to green mining technologies A recent report released by Kachan & Co. – and reported by Mining Examiner here – highlighted 47 innovative projects that can change the future of mining and also