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Sandvik Puts New Products on Display [Engineering and Mining Journal](Engineering and Mining Journal Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) As in previous years, Sandvik Construction took the opportunity afforded by the biennial Hillhead quarry show in the U.K. to unveil several new products. And while some were targeted exclusively at the aggregates market, others have potential for mining and mineral processing as well. According to the organizers, U.K.-based QMJ Publishing, this year's show attracted more than 17,500 visitors over three days, with some 450 companies exhibiting. Sandvik Construction complemented its stand with live demonstrations of some of its mobile crushing and screening machines, allowing visitors to see them in action as well as to examine them at close quarters. New products on show included a hanging screen that has been purpose-designed to fit on Sandvik's QH range of cone crushers. Measuring 4 × 1.5 m (13 × 5 ft), this allows the machine to produce a screened product and to recirculate oversize back to the feed conveyor, the company explained. In addition, Sandvik had its recently launched QS331 cone crusher on display. This uses an S-type gyratory cone crusher, which, the company said, has proven itself in stationary applications for more than 30 years, but has now been incorporated into a self-contained, diesel-driven, track-mounted machine. The S-type crusher can accept large feed sizes and offers customers high throughput and product quality, Sandvik added. Having relaunched its Rammer brand at Hillhead in 2012 (E&MJ, August 2012, p. 118), Sandvik used this year's show to demonstrate the Rammer 5011-a new model in its "large" range of hydraulic hammers that are designed for use in mining, quarrying and demolition. The company said the new hammer uses the same operating principle first seen on the smaller 3288 and 4099 models, giving a better power-to-weight ratio. Weighing 4,750 kg (10,470 lb), the 5011 is suitable for carriers in the 43- to 80-metric-ton (mt) operating-weight class. Controls allow the operator to purpose-match the hammer to individual applications and materials, with a long-stroke setting using a lower blow frequency for working in hard materials such as granite, and a short-stroke setting for use where the machine is breaking softer materials such as limestone. Other recent introductions from Sandvik have included the CH540 and CH550 cone crushers, which can be configured for either secondary or tertiary applications. "In order to optimize their business, our customers require as few, and as short maintenance interruptions as possible," said Martin Johansson, cone-crusher product line manager. "This is now achieved by the CH500 series, which gives them a versatile cone crusher that combines a small carbon footprint with high performance." Specific features include a control system that enables the crusher to run at maximum performance levels, automatically adjusting to variations in feed conditions, pressure peaks and wear. There is also a dump valve that ensures quick, safe relief if something uncrushable gets into the crusher, which uses Sandvik's hydrocone technology. Sandvik also noted that the motors used have the highest energy-efficiency classification (IE3), reducing emissions and power consumption. In addition, new drive arrangements give precise V-belt line-up and more than five times longer belt life, while overall noise emissions have been reduced. Finally, the company launched its Optiagg crushing-chamber upgrade package, which it described as being a new way to secure more profitable cone-crusher output with minimal investment. The Optiagg package includes computer modeling and analysis, in addition to a redesigned mantle, a concave ring and all other required spare parts. As well as a complete redesign of the mantle to deliver greater efficiency, the real benefits are found in the computer modeling and analysis, as they provide a scientific approach that secures more of the most valuable fractions without costly trial and error, Sandvik explained. Optiagg takes the guesswork out of optimizing crusher performance as there is a step-by-step process that includes analysis of the current conditions, and modeling to identify the optimal configuration and setup, as well as the validation of the outcome. This allows the operator to fine-tune the chamber setup to meet the required output and the specific demands of the application. Jesper Persson, Sandvik Construction's vice president for crusher spare and wear parts, said, "Optiagg is not just a new product-it's a completely new approach. Customers who tested Optiagg were amazed when they calculated their potential annual gains. If you have a Sandvik cone crusher, it's truly a no-brainer." G4S Security Moves Into Mine Camp Logistics Sector G4S, a global integrated security company, recently announced that it will be able to build, run, manage, and maintain accommodation villages for employees working in remote sites, supporting its energy, mining and construction customers throughout Africa. The U.K.-based company said its new Remote Site Facilities Services (RSFS) will be supported by a team of experts who will design and build camps, and provide a wide range of facilities management services including catering, cleaning, maintenance, medical services, recreational activities and waste management. The intention, according to the company, is to create a "home-away-from-home" for people working in isolated, high-risk locations, who often spend long periods of time away from their own homes. As part of the new service line, G4S said it will be able to develop camps ranging in size from small 10-person seismic or drilling exploration camps, to large construction projects of 15,000 staff or more. Andy Baker, regional president, G4S Africa, said, "There is no doubt that with the increased global demand for metal, minerals, energy, and Africa's infrastructural growth that the need for remote sites and their associated services will increase. In the face of considerable pressure from shareholders to increase productivity, reliability and cash flow, mining and oil and gas companies, in particular, are looking to focus on their core operations and the outsourcing of all non-core functions." Andrew Hames, director-energy mining and construction, G4S Africa, added, "G4S in Africa has a well-established infrastructure operating in 26 countries with more than 120,000 employees. With the introduction of RSFS coupled with our efficient structures and logistical support, we are able to add to our array of services in Africa by offering our customers a fully integrated remote site solution." In mid-2013, G4S launched what it described as the world's first global mining-specific security training program that provides training covering a diverse range of specific operational mining industry issues, including conflict management, CCTV control room operations, and management and response team operations. G4S said it employs 18.000 specialist mining security personnel across the globe and the intention was to have all staff undertake specialist training in the next few years. To adequately serve its broad global customer base, G4S said it developed a flexible program that can be tailored to the specific needs of G4S clients, with training group sizes of 12 or less. Personnel with sector-specific training will help ensure best practice and service standards across G4S' offering of more than 100 integrated secure solutions. G4S said the program would help G4S to strengthen relationships with its mining customers by combining highly trained personnel with innovative technology to drive down costs and operational complexity and optimize security standards. Outotec, Wenco Open U.S. Facilities Process equipment and services supplier Outotec has opened an office serving the western U.S. from Denver, Colorado. Outotec Canada-based North America Market Area President Marcus Florn said, "Denver was a sensible choice for us and for our customers. We already had several remote team members located in the area, but wanted to bring a larger pool of experienced staff to the region to be closer to our customers and enhance our service levels." The Denver office is intended to serve as a hub for customer service and technical support. Outotec personnel have been relocated from throughout North America, Australia and Finland to be in closer proximity to the majority of Outotec's U.S.based mining customers. In addition to hosting sales, service and project implementation teams, technical support experts in automation, flotation, and industrial water treatment will also be based in the new office. The company said the number of personnel based in the Denver office will increase in line with growth in business in the region. The facility will also serve as the Outotec Americas region comminution technology center. The company's core team of grinding mill experts has moved from the Jacksonville, Florida, location, which is now closed. In addition to the new Denver office, Outotec maintains its Energy Products technology center in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, its Coated Titanium Anodes technology center in Strongsville, Ohio, and its Iron Ore Beneficiation technology center in Jessup, Maryland. The Denver facilities include a warehouse to support spare and repair parts sales, allowing items to be delivered to customer sites quickly for reduced downtime. Wenco Opens Sites in Arizona, Texas Fleet management system supplier Wenco International Mining Systems said it has expanded its U.S. locations to provide improved in-country sales, service and support. Wenco's first U.S. office opened in Denver in 2013. Since then, operations have expanded to two other locationsTucson, Arizona, and Tyler, Texas. Engineers, sales representatives, and service technicians based at these locations provide services for new clients as well as for existing mine customers such as Minntac, Keetac, United Taconite, Minorca, and ASARCO's Mission mine, said the company, as well as supporting Wenco's stockpile management system installed at coal-fired power plants operated by the Arizona Public Service and Luminant. This application, according to Wenco, improves safety and navigation at these facilities while generating information on stockpile topography, which engineers use to calculate the volumes of coal remaining. The recent acquisition of APS technology also has enabled Wenco to adapt its fleet management and navigation systems for use at small mines and quarries-an important emerging sector in the eastern United States. Volvo CE Will Use 'Light Touch' Plus Market Muscle to Advance Terex Acquisition The newly named Terex Trucks is committed to its customers, products and dealers, according to the company's managing director, Paul Douglas, two months after its acquisition by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE). In his first public announcement since the acquisition was completed on June 1, Douglas said Terex Trucks would continue to operate as an independent business while at the same time drawing on the resources and expertise of its parent company. "Our new 'owned but independent' status gives us the best of both worlds," said Douglas. "We retain our organizational structure-with the added benefits that being part of a global leader in the construction equipment industry brings with it." Douglas also used the occasion to clarify the intended future of the company. "The Terex Trucks name will remain for the long term and we remain fully committed to our entire customer base and product range. That means both rigid and articulated haulers will play important roles in the company's future, and we will continue to support the entire field population with parts and service. We are also committed to retaining our dealer partners, our existing production footprint, and our skilled and committed workforce. With a clear leadership strategy within the construction and mining equipment segments, Volvo CE is proving to be the perfect partner for us." Terex Trucks' new owner also seems happy with its purchase. Andrew Knight, vice president of strategy and business development, said, "Volvo CE has made no secret of its long-standing wish to offer customers a rigid hauler option. Terex Trucks products are well respected in the market and there is a large field population to support its parts business. Both rigids and articulated haulers provide a strong complement to Volvo CE's product range, and since the deal closed we have had greater insight into the strengths of the business-reinforcing our view that Terex Trucks is a good strategic fit. "Volvo CE will apply only a 'light touch' approach to [Terex Trucks]," Knight explained. "That said, we acquired this business with a very clear vision for the future with a strong desire to grow the business. As such, we will be providing strong support in terms of resources and investment wherever it is required." "Becoming part of Volvo CE is also well timed in terms of market outlook," added Douglas. "Although the mining sector is currently depressed, the benefits of our new investment and cooperation relationship with Volvo CE looks set to coincide with the cyclical upswing of the segment, further strengthening the acquisition rationale. Terex Trucks as part of Volvo CE provides a mutually beneficial best of both worlds for both companies." Orica Team Wins Research Recognition An Orica research team and its leader have been recognized for groundbreaking studies using a novel method of ultra-high intensity blasting to improve mine productivity. Ultra-high Intensity Blasting-A New Paradigm in Mining, authored by a team led by Dr. Geoff Brent, has been awarded the 2014 CEEC Medal by the Coalition for Eco-Efficient Comminution (CEEC). Orica Managing Director Ian Smith said the quest to use the chemical energy in explosives to improve ore fragmentation and deliver a step change in mine processing efficiency was a priority for the global resources sector. "This research is a demonstration of Orica's commitment to the development of resourceful solutions through innovation to improve mine productivity. The use of electricity to mill ore is usually the largest consumer of energy on a mine site and ore comminution constitutes a significant percentage of electricity consumed worldwide," Smith said. "Independent modeling has indicated that increasing the explosive energy by several fold can lead to increases in mill circuit throughput of up to 40% and savings of tens of millions of dollars annually." Dr. Brent explained that "by utilizing explosive energy in the pit to produce much finer ore, we can dramatically increase the efficiency and throughput of the downstream comminution processes of crushing and milling. The overall energy consumption across the mining and milling cycle can be reduced with a consequent reduction in emissions. This is a stepchange in ore processing. "To date it has not been possible to blast at these ultra-high explosive energies, or powder factors, due to safety and environmental constraints," Brent said. "However, the new technique demonstrated for the first time that not only can these ultra-high energies be safely utilized but they can also deliver improved mine productivity and reduce environmental impacts in open-pit mines. The key to the breakthrough has been to use the rock itself to contain the explosive energy by the selective deployment of state-of-the-art digital electronic initiation systems in novel blast designs. The new method was thoroughly tested in blast models and then verified in large scale production blasts. "This breakthrough approach is particularly important given the worldwide trend of decreasing ore grades. More ore needs to be ground and processed in order to achieve production targets and this method has the potential to generate a step change in mine productivity, particularly in complex or lower grade ore bodies. It can render ore bodies that might ordinarily be uneconomic both affordable and practical to extract," Brent said. "The potential environmental benefits are also enormous. The technique has the potential to cut CO2 emissions associated with grinding by up to 30%." Board Moves to Split Blasting and Chemicals Business In another company-related development, Orica recently reported that it had completed a strategic review of its chemicals business, and as a result of the review, its board intends to pursue the separation of the chemicals business, either by demerger or sale. In a press release, Orica said its two businesses, mining services and chemicals, are exposed to different end markets, industry drivers and competitive dynamics. A separation of the businesses would allow Orica to focus on its core mining services' activities and capitalize on its global markets for commercial explosives, ground support and sodium cyanide. Orica Chemicals is a supplier of chemical products to the mining, water treatment, and other industrial, food and cosmetics markets in Australia and New Zealand, with a growing presence in Asia and Latin America. Its annual revenue is approximately $1.2 billion. A demerger would create a separate ASX listing for the chemicals business. It is expected that Orica Chemicals would benefit from the freedom to develop its own corporate strategy, capital structure and financial policies appropriate for the business as a separately listed entity. Orica said it had received unsolicited inquiries from third parties expressing nonbinding preliminary interest to acquire the chemicals business. While a demerger is currently the preferred approach, Orica said it will consider any alternatives that are in the interests of shareholders. Orica is expected to provide an update on the proposed separation at its full year results announcement in mid-November. RPM Acquires Mine2-4D Mine-design Software Code RungePincockMinarco (RPM) announced that it has finalized the acquisition of rights to the Mine2-4D design software from MineRP. RPM said acquisition of a nonexclusive right to the code will allow it to develop its own mine design products and offer integrated design capability with its existing scheduling and simulation products. RPM said the Mine2-4D design software had recently undergone a complete rewrite, using next-generation development tools to allow improved enterprise integration and processing capability. Under the terms of the acquisition, RPM has acquired unrestricted rights to rebrand, commercialize and exploit the software code and any successor products developed by RPM. "The Mine2-4D product is well known In the industry, and by utilizing this existing foundation we have a low risk, fast track approach to getting mine design on our software roadmap and delivering a more holistic offering to our customers," said Richard Mathews, CEO of RPM. RPM has historically provided export/ import functionality for design tools of multiple third-party vendors-allowing feedback between the design and scheduling processes-and it said it will continue to do so. The full integration of an RPM-specific design tool with RPM's scheduling and simulation applications will, however, greatly enhance the mine planning process, according to the company. "Having our own design tool will mean we can provide our customers with a complete planning solution. With design functionality, geological reserving, and operational scheduling, a fully integrated offering will enable customers to immediately evaluate the impact of changes in the physical environment on scheduled activities," Mathews said. "The product also comes with a new graphics engine at its core, which is based on leading visualization technologies. Our client base is increasingly looking to use the visual representation of geospatial data to validate plans, simulate and analyze alternatives. We will be embedding these new technologies across our existing products to greatly enhance the user experience and take this visualization capability to the enterprise level." RPM said it will expand its development team to support the acquisition and accelerate the release of an RPM-branded mine design product, with first release expected in the second quarter of FY2015. (c) 2014 Mining Media, Inc. |