Vale and Nippon Steel intend to jointly study and explore (i) metallic usage solutions such as direct reduced iron (DRI) and pig iron produced by Tecnored technology; and (ii) usage of Vale’s green briquettes in the ironmaking process and other lower carbon footprint products such as pellets.

This initiative contributes to Vale commitment to reduce net Scope 3 emissions by 15% by 2035. Additionally, Vale seeks to reduce its absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 33% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement, leading the evolution process towards sustainable mining.

In April, Vale and the Government of the State of Pará held an event to mark the beginning of the construction works of the first commercial plant of Tecnored in Brazil. Tecnored technology allows the production of so-called ‘green pig iron’, by replacing metallurgical coal with biomass, thus reducing carbon emissions and contributing to the decarbonisation of the steel industry.

The unit will have an initial capacity to produce 250,000 t/y of green pig iron, with the possibility of reaching 500,000 t/y in the future. The start-up is scheduled for 2025 with an estimated investment of approximately BRL1.6 billion ($342 million).

Nitrate in mines effluent has the potential to cause long term environmental damage due to prolonged periods of nitrates being washed out from historical waste dumps. “In particular, mines which operate in environmentally sensitive aquatic conditions are invariably concerned about the impact of nitrates and ammonia in their effluent. As a responsible steward of our environment, Orica has developed a holistic management framework and solution to reduce the risk of nitrate leaching resulting from the use of ammonium nitrate-based explosives.”

Angus Melbourne, Orica Chief Technology Officer, said: “Orica is adopting a stronger Environmental Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) position, and one of the ways we are doing that is by focusing on the areas where we have the expertise the make the biggest impact. Given the use of ammonium nitrate bulk explosives carries with it the risk of nitrate leaching into groundwater, our teams have embarked on a project to better understand the causes and risks and we are proud to have developed a viable solution to enable mines to conduct blast operations without having to compromise on explosive energy which has subsequent downstream cost and productivity impacts on drilling, excavation on mineral processing.”

Orica approach to nitrate management includes an established framework to understand nitrate pathways in mining operations and identify the appropriate solution that will minimise nitrate risk. The Nitrate Risk Reduction framework comprises a three-pronged holistic approach that investigates the fundamental mechanisms for nitrate loss at a customer site, benchmarks existing approaches to best practices and recommends solutions to improve nitrate risk management.

James Crough, Orica President North America said: “Our approach is both a collaborative and holistic management system that will enable our customers to meet environmental licence limits while eradicating the need for additional materials and processes that typically impact cost, operational productivity, and have their own impacts on the ESG footprint. Our aim is to save time and resources for mining operators.”

Central to Orica Nitrate Risk Reduction framework is a specially formulated range of Fortis Protect bulk explosives products, developed with Orica emulsification technology to deliver the optimal stability and emulsion refinement characteristics into blast holes to minimise nitrate contribution to groundwater and post-blast NOx fumes. “The advanced formulation, designed for use in the most arduous wet blast hole applications is a result of combining advanced surface chemistry with increased viscosity to significantly improve resistance to dynamic water and reduce the risk of nitrate leaching from blast holes.”

In addition, technological enhancements to Orica explosives delivery fleet of MMU (Mobile Manufacturing Units) have been made to further increase the rheology of Fortis Protect products as well as improve the hole loading configuration to reduce the risk of water entrapment in the product during loading.

The order is valued at approximately DKK270 million ($38.1 million) and was booked in the June quarter of 2022. The equipment is due to be delivered in the middle of 2023, ahead of the mine start-up date in the March quarter of 2025.

FLSmidth will supply the jaw crusher, Raptor Cone Crushers, ball mill, VXP-Stirred Mill (secondary grinding) and KREBS cyclones, pumps as well as screens, feeders and Knelson gravity concentrators. The order also includes equipment for pre-oxidation and leaching; carbon in pulp (CIP) extraction; absorption, desorption and refining (ADR); and detoxification.

In addition, Sabina is progressing contract negotiations with FLSmidth for commissioning support, operational readiness, site training, an optimised spare management strategy, as well as a performance guarantee for the process equipment.

“We are very happy to receive this complete flowsheet order from Sabina Goose Mine, the first mine on the Back River Gold District,” Mikko Keto, Group CEO and Mining President at FLSmidth, said. “Our proven ability in providing an industry-leading and productivity maximising gold flowsheet, combined with our capability to supply services and parts to this remote region throughout the lifecycle of the project were key factors in Sabina decision. This is also one of many recent orders we have received to supply the key equipment, technologies and services for gold processing plants, showing the recognition among miners of our leading position in this arena.”

Bruce McLeod, President and CEO of Sabina, said: “We are pleased to have these critical technologies procured with a vendor that has a proven track record for providing equipment and support to remote projects around the world. We look forward to receiving this equipment for installation over the next two years and to working with FLSmidth as we advance to become a mid-tier gold producer.”

tk argues that RRC represents a new, ultra-efficient, very adaptable system for bulk materials belt conveying with the efficiency of railway haulage but at much lower cost. Crucially, RRC almost eliminates frictional losses, which can contribute about 80% of power and tension on long overland routes. RRC was developed as a collaboration between tk and the University of Newcastle, Australia (TUNRA).

RRC effectively merges two proven and familiar technologies – heavy rail and overland belt conveying. It brings lower CAPEX – as rail running conveyors offers continuous transporation and therefore distributed load – it is also more efficient due to the lower rolling resistance of steel wheels on tracks – so has a lower OPEX. RRC can also be offered in both trough and pipe conveyor configurations. It offers compact vertical or horizontal turnarounds where space is limited. Case studies based on scale models, test rigs and a full scale demonstration system that was built in China have shown that compared to conventional conveyors and depending on the situation, RRC CAPEX can be 20% to 50% lower for the EP portion; with OPEX 25% to 60% lower.

Having a belt hanging statically between carriages gives many advantages – as it is supported on circulating carts, not idlers, nearly all idler-related maintenance issues are eliminated; plus very high speeds are possible, with lower tensions, especially for slope belts. As the belt is positively located on carriages, it can’t drift. RRC can have very high curvability – both horizontal and vertical, with most transfer points eliminated. Finally, automated inspection of all moving parts can be carried out from one fixed location.

In particular, this project seeks to replace or convert 33 large mining trucks to operate autonomously, with the first of them expected to be operational in January 2023. The truck autonomy project follows the Autonomous Drills Project, which started in December 2021. To date, four of five Epiroc autonomous drills are operating at full capacity. To date autonomous drilling has improved equipment utilisation by over 13%, more than expected before automating. In this same context, 100,000 m have already been drilled with these machines, of which over 65% was done autonomously.

The start of the Autonomous Truck project Execution Phase was marked by the purchase of autonomy kits and eight trucks, which will be supplied by Komatsu Mining. As Spence did with the beginning of the Autonomous Drills project, this Execution Phase for the Autonomous Trucks project will mainly be focused on strengthening instances of early dialogue with workers about autonomy, its opportunities and challenges.

Autonomous equipment is not new for BHP or other mining companies in Chile. The company’s operations in Australia have implemented it successfully and several mining companies in Chile are already working on it. Specifically in Australia, in its results for the six months ending December 31, 2021, BHP stated: “We continue to progress with the implementation of autonomous trucks across our Australian iron ore and coal mine sites. In December 2021, we approved the South Flank Autonomous Haulage Project to automate the current fleet of 41 Komatsu haul trucks. The project is scheduled to commence in the June 2022 quarter and is expected to be completed within 18 months. At the Daunia coal mine in Central Queensland, the second coal operation to implement autonomous haul trucks, all trucks are now commissioned and operational, on schedule and budget. At the Goonyella Riverside mine in Queensland, the first coal site to implement autonomous haul trucks, the deployment of 86 autonomous trucks continues in line with the plan and is expected to be completed in the middle of the 2022 calendar year, on schedule and budget.”

BluVein is a joint venture between Australia-based mining innovator Olitek and Sweden-based electric highways developer Evias. The company has devised a patented slotted (electric) rail system, which uses an enclosed electrified e-rail system mounted above or beside the mining vehicle together with the BluVein hammer that connects the electric vehicle to the rail. The system provides power for driving the vehicle, typically a mine truck, and charging the truck batteries while the truck is hauling load up the ramp and out of an underground mine.

South32 joins Vale, Northern Star Resources Limited, Glencore, Newcrest Mining, AngloGold Ashanti, BHP, OZ Minerals and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited as BluVein funding partners.

Earlier this month, BluVein and Epiroc formed an MoU with BluVein aimed at fast-tracking development of the BluVein dynamic charging solution towards an industrialised and robust solution which is ready for deployment across the global mining industry. The MoU is focused on the BluVein Underground solution (BluVein1), but BluVein is also developing a solution for open-pit mining.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the March quarter of 2023, with the fleet being the first underground battery-electric fleet to be deployed in India.

The equipment to be delivered includes an 18-t-payload LH518B loader and three 50-t-payload TH550B trucks (pictured) as well as a DD422iE drill rig with Sandvik unique and patented ”charging-while-drilling” technology, the company said.

Sandvik will also provide batteries, charging systems and a full-range on-site battery and equipment service team. The loader and the trucks will be equipped with AutoSwap, Sandvik’s patented battery self-swapping system, capable of battery changeout in a few minutes.

“Aligned with our expansion strategy for battery-electric vehicles, I’m delighted to sign this agreement with Hindustan Zinc to deliver the first battery equipment fleet in India,” Henrik Ager, President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, said. “This is a testament to both the pioneering ambitions of Hindustan Zinc and the technological maturity of Sandvik BEV products.”

The TH550B truck and LH518B loader are based on the Artisan™ technology, which Sandvik acquired in 2019, and enriched with the latest Sandvik mining technology, contributing to overall productivity improvements of up to 20%, the OEM said. The machines will be equipped with state-of-the-art battery telemetry solutions enabling automated, on-premise as well as remote health and performance monitoring.

The Artisan driveline and battery solutions have been field tested with more than 500,000 operating hours.

The award amount of approximately C$312 million ($243 million) is consistent with the prescribed budget for the process plant and selected infrastructure scope of works in the 2021 feasibility study.

Sedgman Canada Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Sedgman Pty Limited, a CIMIC Group company. CIMIC Group (ASX:CIM) is an engineering-led construction, mining, services and public private partnerships leader working across the lifecycle of assets, infrastructure and resources projects.

The EPC contract is expected to be executed by June 30, 2022, with the contract supported by performance security including bank letters of credit, which will underwrite the financial performance and obligations of the contractor under the contract.

While the parties finalise the definitive EPC contract, in order to maintain the project schedule, an interim services agreement has been agreed which could cover procurement and pricing of long lead equipment and optimisation through refined scope changes, among other aspects.

The project schedule supporting the award to Sedgman includes the following assumptions:

Construction mobilisation and major works preparations commence in Fall 2022 with process plant bulk earthworks scheduled to be completed prior to the start of major works;
Commissioning activities of the process facility to commence in Q1 (March quarter) 2024; and
First gold pour expected in the first half of 2024.

The final EPC contract terms will provide for potential cost adjustments of certain components of construction representing approximately less than 15% of the total contract amount, including the potential for cost adjustments from further quantity definition, Artemis said. Standard adjustments, including currency exchange rates for certain equipment purchases also apply, and further optimisation of the processing plant with final engineering will occur.

Artemis is also considering awarding additional construction packages under an EPC agreement type structure to further enhance the risk management of the total capital expenditure for Blackwater, it said.

When combined with the EPC for the
Power Transmission Line announced on August 18, 2021, the percentage of the estimated total capital expenditure for Blackwater under EPC is on track to target circa-60% of the initial Stage 1 development capital of C$645 million in a lump sum EPC type arrangement by the September quarter of 2022.

Stage 1 development should lead to the building of a 6-9 Mt/y operation (6 Mt/y in years 1-4 and 9 Mt/y in year 5) able to produce around 312,000 oz/y of gold.

Steven Dean, Chairman and CEO, said: “The award of the EPC job for the process plant at Blackwater is another significant milestone for Artemis, reflecting a competitive process involving multiple bidders. We are very pleased to be working with a world-class engineering firm in Sedgman. In partnership, we will work to finalise the design and engineering of the Blackwater project in advance of a start of major development activities. Blackwater remains on track for a start of major construction activities following receipt of Mines Act and other permits in Fall 2022 with a first gold pour in H1 2024.”

As the primary consultant, GRES will focus on the delivery of major workstreams including process infrastructure, metallurgical test work and co-disposal tailings storage. GRES will also coordinate, collaborate with and collate information from other key workstreams including mining studies, Blackstone said.

Blackstone says GRES has a proven track record and relevant experience to deliver the TKNP DFS, having completed a DFS for OZ Minerals on its West Musgrave nickel project and completed engineering, procurement and construction work on the Cosmos Expansion project (Western Areas Ltd), the Nova Nickel project (now IGO Ltd), the Cosmic Boy nickel project (Western Areas) and the Sinclair nickel project (now Northern Star Resources Ltd).

Further, GRES provides full life-cycle engineering services from feasibility studies through to delivery of projects under both EPC and engineering, procurement and construction management models, Blackstone said.

Scott Williamson, Blackstone Managing Director, said: “GRES adds to an already impressive team of engineers that are contributing to the design and development of the Ta Khoa Project.

“Blackstone continues to de-risk its development strategy both from a technical and funding perspective, and looks forward to updating the market as we take key steps towards a final investment decision.”

The TKNP is 160 km west of Hanoi in the Son La Province of Vietnam and includes an existing modern nickel mine built to Australian standards, which is currently being used to process nickel ore delivered by the underground bulk sample program, the company said. The Ban Phuc nickel mine successfully operated as a mechanised underground nickel mine from 2013 to 2016.

In February 2022, Blackstone completed a prefeasibility study for the TKNP, and presented this on an integrated basis with the proposed Ta Khoa Refinery (TKR) development. The TKR is being designed to have a refining capacity of 400,000 t/y, with feedstock provided from a combination of concentrate from the TKNP and third-party feed sources.

The order value amounting to approximately €11 million ($11.5 million) is booked in the company Minerals Q2/2022 orders received.

Metso Outotec scope of delivery includes the supply of basic engineering and equipment for the copper electrowinning plant expansion, it said.

The OEM offering for copper electrowinning tankhouses comprises pre-engineered solutions, key equipment and services to ensure superior process performance, increased safety and minimised environmental impact.