The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) is planning to resume work at its Jaduguda mines early next year. 

In a meeting held on December 27, the UCIL board passed a resolution for "taking the matter of resumption at the highest levels early next year". 

"UCIL expects to resolve all pending issues, related to resumption of mining at Jaduguda, by the end of this year," UCIL spokesperson Stanley Hembrem said, adding that all hopes are pinned on 2017. 

Mining work at Jaduguda has been under suspension since September 2014, following directives from the Union mines ministry that called for halting mining work that was being carried under deemed extension. 

The central PSU has since been pursuing the state forest and environment department to get the green signal to resume work.

Hembrem further confirmed that documents pertaining to mining resumption are presently in the possession of the central agencies, after the state forest department completed the work on its part.

Jaduguda mine situated about 50km from the district headquarters, which has huge deposits of uranium, is nearly 3,000 feet deep and produced 800 tonnes of ore before its closure.

"It is true that Jaduguda has a rich deposit of ore but we need to make sure we make up for the production loss," Hembrem said.

The mines located in the vicinity of UCIL are Turamdih, Bhatin, Narwa, Musabani, Ichra, Bandurang, Bagjata and Mohuldih (the only mine located in adjoining Seraikela).

Source: Times of India

Caterpillar Inc. is retreating from the slumping coal industry, saying it plans to put its equipment lines for underground mines up for sale and lay off workers.

The Peoria, Ill., company said Thursday it will cut the workforce at its Houston, Pa., plant by about 155 jobs and will consider closing the plant if a buyer can’t be found. The plant produces a variety of coal-harvesting equipment and hauling vehicles and gear used in underground mines.

About 40 jobs also will be cut from a mining-equipment plant in Denison, Texas, where drills are made for underground mines. Caterpillar said it will stop taking orders for the for coal-mining equipment made at the Houston and Denison plants but will continue to support equipment already in use.

Demand for coal in the U.S. has fallen sharply in recent years as stricter environmental standards and low prices for natural gas make coal less attractive to burn in domestic power-generating plants. Caterpillar acquired the underground equipment lines as part of its $8 billion-plus purchase in 2011 of mining equipment company Bucyrus International.

“Caterpillar remains committed to an extensive mining-product portfolio,” said Denise Johnson, president of the mining-equipment business. “We firmly believe mining is an attractive long-term industry. At the same time, we continue to manage through the longest down-cycle in our history.”

Caterpillar is expected to log its fourth-straight year of lower sales in 2016. The mining-equipment business has been among the company’s weakest units recently amid slumping prices for mined commodities and reduced investments in mine expansions and new equipment. Caterpillar’s mining unit lost $163 million in the second quarter as sales dropped 29% during the quarter from a year earlier.

Caterpillar also announced it will revamp its plant in Winston-Salem, N.C. The plant has been producing powertrain components for giant trucks used in surface mines. But slumping demand for the trucks has left the Winston-Salem plant, as well as a plant in Decatur, Ill., where the trucks are assembled, severely underused in recent years.

The company said it will move the component assembly work to Decatur and repurpose the Winston-Salem plant for warehousing, machining or fabrication operations for its railroad-equipment business, Progress Rail. The Winston-Salem plant was opened in 2011 as part of a push by Caterpillar to expand production capacity, particularly for big mining trucks. But demand for the trucks began dropping shortly after the plant opened.

Credits: The Wall Street Journal

An aerial view of Bitu Hijau Open pit Copper and Gold mine.

U.S. gold producer Newmont Mining Corp. said Thursday that it would sell its 48.5% economic interest in the operator of the Batu Hijau copper and gold mine in Indonesia to local company PT Amman Mineral Internasional for $1.3 billion.

The announcement came as Indonesian-listed oil and gas company PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk said it had acquired a controlling stake in PT Amman for $2.6 billion.

A group of Indonesian investors led by Medco had earlier expressed interest in purchasing as much as 76% of the mine operator, PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara. Medco said Thursday that it would join forces with an investment firm led by banker Agus Projosasmito and receive funding for the purchase from Indonesia’s three largest state-owned banks.

Japan’s Sumitomo Corp., Newmont’s partner in Newmont Nusa Tenggara, has also agreed to sell its ownership stake to PT Amman.

Newmont said the sale of its stake at “fair value aligned with its strategic priorities to lower debt, fund highest margin projects and create value for shareholders.”

“Our goal is to build a portfolio of long-life, low-cost assets with the technical, social and political risks we are well-equipped to manage,” Newmont Chief Executive Gary Goldberg said in a conference call to discuss the transaction, noting that earlier divestments have lowered risk.

The sale will involve a closing payment of $920 million and contingent payments of up to $403 million, Newmont said. Globally, Newmont has gained $1.9 billion from sales of noncore assets since 2013.

The latest deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter, comes as miners world-wide are re-evaluating their assets, having been hit by a slump in commodities prices. In early June, mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd. agreed to sell its 75% interest in Indonesia’s IndoMet Coal to local producer PT Alam Tri Abadi, in a move to pursue other growth options that BHP said were more attractive for future investment.

Colorado-based Newmont and Sumitomo operate the Batu Hijau copper and gold mine on the island of Sumbawa in Western Indonesia.

The mine—one of Indonesia’s largest copper deposits—has been a largely profitable venture for Newmont since it started commercial operations there in 2000.

Keeping production up, however, will require a hefty investment in the next phase of development at a time when Newmont has been hit by increasingly burdensome regulation and uncertainty about the future of its operating contract.

Jorge Beristain, a metals and mining analyst at Deutsche Bank, estimated that around $1.6 billion is needed for the next stage of expansion.

The company said its debt burden would “improve significantly” without Batu Hijau.

Some analysts had earlier said Newmont’s efforts to sell off its stake also suggests concerns about the long-term outlook for the Indonesian mining industry.

Vast deposits of copper, nickel and coal have lured foreign miners to Indonesia for decades and mining has contributed greatly to economic growth in the country. But growing nationalism and the desire among some officials to grab back control of the country’s natural resources has raised risks.

Rules issued in recent years have pushed foreign miners to divest majority stakes, pay higher taxes and royalties and invest in processing unrefined ores. By law, miners are also required to eventually shift from long-term contracts of work to a licensing system. Analysts and miners say the rules make little sense at a time when miners globally are re-evaluating their investments and Indonesia is trying to draw in more foreign capital.

After the rule banning the export of unrefined ores took effect, Newmont ceased exports and later declared force majeure on existing contracts. To receive an export permit—a biannual process—the U.S. Company has had to show it is making progress on refining or stop its shipments. Delays in shipments in 2015 caused Newmont’s fourth-quarter revenue to fall 10% from a year earlier.

Credits: The Wall Street Journal

BHP Billiton and Saskatchewan-based electricity provider SaskPower have signed an agreement to establish the BHP Billiton SaskPower Carbon Capture Knowledge Centre to help advance Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as a means of managing greenhouse gas emissions.

BHP Billiton will contribute C$4 million per year for five years to fund the Knowledge Centre, which will operate as a Not-For-Profit Canadian Corporation in Regina, Saskatchewan.

BHP Billiton Chief Commercial Officer, Dean Dalla Valle, said accelerating the development and deployment of low-emissions technologies was vital in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

“By enhancing global access to the data, information and lessons learned from SaskPower’s unique Boundary Dam facility – the first power project to successfully integrate CCS – we aim to stimulate broader deployment of the technology,” Mr Dalla Valle said.

Boundary DAM is the world’s first commercial scale carbon capture and storage process on a coal fired power plant.

SaskPower President and CEO Mike Marsh said he was pleased to be able to partner with BHP Billiton through the Knowledge Centre.

“Talks between our two companies began at a United Nations climate change conference in Peru in late 2014. Just over one year later, we are celebrating a ground-breaking Knowledge Centre that will offer the world a vehicle to advance the technology and commercial viability of CCS,” Mr Marsh said.

In welcoming the agreement Premier of Saskatchewan Brad Wall said Saskatchewan continued to be a pioneer in carbon capture and storage technology.

“SaskPower’s partnership with BHP Billiton will allow us to share the benefits of CCS with the world while continuing to reduce carbon emissions here at home,” Premier Wall said.

Under the agreement, BHP Billiton and SaskPower will each appoint two directors to the Board of the Knowledge Centre and another three independent directors will be appointed collectively.

It is intended that the Knowledge Centre will help inform a range of interested parties, including governments, universities, industry and research organizations, on practical considerations in the development and use of CCS.  It will be staffed by people with appropriate knowledge of CCS and Boundary Dam, either seconded from SaskPower or employed directly by the Knowledge Centre.

Credits: BHP Billiton

President Alcoa Mining Garret Dixon (left) and Huntly mine’s Jim Blacklock celebrating the one billionth milestone with mining employees. Jim is Alcoa’s longest serving mining employee, having worked for the company for 44 years.

Alcoa’s workforce is celebrating an historic milestone after achieving one billion tonnes of bauxite mined, following 53 years of operation in Western Australia.

President Alcoa Mining Garret Dixon saluted the hard work and tireless efforts of past and present employees who have worked across its mining operations at Jarrahdale, Huntly and Willowdale.

“We’re very proud of this achievement and also our decades-long, internationally recognised land rehabilitation program – one of the most critical parts of the mining process which sees jarrah forest ecosystems restored,” said Mr Dixon.

Mr Dixon said Alcoa had built a world-class integrated mining, refining and smelting system in Australia with a strong sustainability record.

“In Australia, our bauxite is used to produce alumina to supply approximately eight per cent of world alumina demand and we make alumina as low as one third of the greenhouse footprint per tonne of product of some of our Asian competitors,” he said.

Alcoa’s value-add refining and smelting businesses in Australia meant the company has made a significant economic and social contribution. Adding to this, the mining business will realise the opportunity to export bauxite into new markets in 2016.

“Alcoa injects billions of dollars each year into Peel and South-West communities, the State and the nation. In Western Australia alone, we employ approximately 4,000 people and inject more than $2.2 billion per annum in local procurement and payroll. We also invest millions of dollars and thousands of volunteering hours each year into local community groups and projects.”

“We thank all our local communities, suppliers, contractors and government stakeholders for their support.”

The company celebrated its success with past and present employees, key stakeholders and the Hon Nigel Hallett MLC, representing Premier Barnett, at a special event in Mandurah on Thursday. Huntly mine’s Jim Blacklock, Alcoa’s longest serving mining employee, also joined the celebrations.

“Since joining the company in December 1971 (44 years ago), I’ve seen huge change,” said Mr Blacklock.

“The automation of processes and the volume of production are what impress me the most. But by far it is the people who have given me the greatest enjoyment; they’re brilliant,” he said.

Alcoa named a mining road after Jim Blacklock in recognition of his commitment to the company. Other long-serving employees have had roads named in their honour too, with Alcoa’s first WA Manager of Mines, Jim Langford, having the popular Langford Park, located at Alcoa’s rehabilitated Jarrahdale mine site, named after him. Langford Park opened in 1975 and is a popular family picnic spot with mountain bike and bridle trails.

Credits: Alcoa

Artist’s impression of an asteroid near Earth.

Luxembourg has declared its intention to blaze a trail in asteroid mining in the hope that it will reap lucrative returns.

The small country’s government said on Wednesday it would invest in space mining companies and establish a legal framework to assure those engaging in the activity that they can keep the fruit of their toils.

The 1967 outer space treaty appeared to designate space as public property, meaning no one could claim sovereignty over asteroids. But companies have recently challenged that interpretation, and in November Barack Obama signed a law enabling US citizens to obtain their own asteroids, mine them and keep what they find.

Now Luxembourg has staked its claim, hoping it can become a European hub for the futurist activity. Its declared aims are to stimulate economic growth on Earth and offer new horizons in space exploration.

The country’s deputy prime minister, Étienne Schneider, said: “Our aim is to open access to a wealth of previously unexplored mineral resources, on lifeless rocks hurtling through space, without damaging natural habitats.

“We will support the long-term economic development of new, innovative activities in the space and satellite industries as a key high-tech sector for Luxembourg. At first, our aim is to carry out research in this area, which at a later stage can lead to more concrete activities in space.”

Asteroids vary in their composition, but some are rich in platinum-group materials and other highly valued metals.

Luxembourg, with a population of just over 540,000, punches above its weight in the space sector as home to the satellite operator SES.

Two US companies, Deep Space Industries and Planetary Resources, are in a race to be the first to commercially mine an asteroid. They both welcomed Luxembourg’s announcement.

Jean-Jacques Dordain, former director general of the European Space Agency (ESA) and adviser to Luxembourg’s government on the project, said: “This initiative is a clear demonstration that Europeans are innovative and able to take risks when the stakes are high.

“While futuristic, the project is based on solid grounds, ie technical prowess that already exists in Europe and around the world.”

Credits: The Guardian

On Monday more than 7,000 delegates from 100 countries and territories across six continents will descend on Cape Town for the biggest mining gathering on the planet in one of arguably the toughest years in the history of African mining.

The continent is facing economic uncertainty, doubts over mining legislation and regulation, power cuts and looming strikes. Even the optimists, that is the government of South Africa, admit there could be as many as 32,000 jobs under threat in the country’s mines.

This would be a severe blow to an industry, that despite several setbacks in the last five years, is still top dog in Africa employing 400,000 people. Pay talks are expected in the platinum industry later this year, with the dominant union AMCU, that could lead to a strike costing billions and thousands of jobs. The union led a five-month strike in platinum two years ago.

AMCU will make its debut at this year’s indaba and is likely to arrive with characteristic uncompromising views on mining that could unsettle one or two foreign investors. 

“We feel it is not ok for corporations to come into our country make decisions about what is happening in our country and then leave,” says Manzini Zungu, the spokesman for AMCU.  

One of the highlights of this year’s gathering is that South Africa’s new mining minister Mosebenzi Zwane will open proceedings and give the mining world a hint of how his government plans to stem the flow of capital out.

For years a pall of gloom has formed over the Mining Indaba in Cape Town with analysts and industry insiders tutting about how pessimistic foreign investors are and how there are more supply companies and fewer mining companies every year.

“The problem is South Africa is sending out messages that it is closed for business,” one delegate and former mine boss said to me in Cape Town last year.

Infrastructure is also a worry. From  Zambia to Mpumalanga mines are suffering power cuts and a lack of roads, water and rails.

On the other side of the coin, infrastructure, along with the support for new mining projects, is the focus of the Mining Indaba with the aim of prising billions out of foreign investors.

The organizers are upbeat even if the mining industry is not. They claim billions of dollars in investment have been channelled in to African mining, through the indaba, creating 5,000 jobs since 2007.It claims 2,300 international companies will have delegates at this year’s gathering.

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange, clearly caught up in the sustained enthusiasm of the organizers, will be there in force in the hope of recruiting new listings. Of the 391 companies listed on the JSE, 68 are from metals mining and resources. The fact that the JSE wants more, at the very least, is a vote of confidence for a very battered industry that has seen billions in value of resources companies wiped off the board in the last few years.

When the talking starts in Cape Town there are likely to be more than a few sparks. One of the first speakers on Monday will be the former Nigerian Reserve Bank governor Lamido Sanusi, the man whose unflinching stance against corruption and his own government in 2011 earned him Forbes Africa Person of the Year award. The Emir of Kano, who rarely minces his words, will speak as chairman of Black Rhino Group , an energy infrastructure company with investments across Africa.

Other vociferous mining bigwigs expected as speakers will be Ben Magara, the CEO of Lonmin, Mark Cutifani, the CEO of Anglo American, Tom Albanese, the head of Vendanta Group, Robert Friedland, the founder of Ivanhoe Resources and Mark Bristow, the CEO of Randgold Resources.

There will be plenty of talk at the Mining Indaba, in Cape Town’s vast International Trade Centre, but talk can be cheap. If mining is to remain a major industry on this continent serious investment and hard work is needed this year.

More than 20 years ago the Mining Indaba was launched in one room at a Cape Town hotel. The industry must be careful not to allow the industry to shrink back into one hotel room in 20 years’ time.

Credits: Chris Bishop, CNBCAfrica

Magmatic rock which formed large porphyry deposit in Chile.

A geologist at the University of Exeter has developed a new and relatively inexpensive way to establish whether certain types of magmatic rocks are more likely to contain valuable metal deposits.

In a study published in Nature Geoscience, Dr Ben Williamson, of the University’s Camborne School of Mines, together with Dr Richard Herrington from the Natural History Museum, London, have proposed a new method to explore for porphyry-type copper deposits. These deposits provide around 75 per cent of the world’s copper and a significant amount of molybdenum and gold which makes them extremely important to the world economy. The deposits, which originally form at several kilometres depth below the Earth’s surface, above large magma chambers, are relatively rare, particularly the largest deposits which are most economic to mine. In addition, most near-surface deposits have already been discovered. Any new method to locate deeper deposits is therefore of great interest to the mining industry.

The project, funded by Anglo American, a major global mining company, compared the chemical compositions of minerals from magmatic rocks that host porphyry deposits against those which are barren. A case study was then undertaken of a major new porphyry discovery in Chile, to test their theory. Minerals from magmatic rocks which host porphyry deposits have distinctive chemical characteristics which can be used as one of a suite of indicators to home-in on porphyry deposits. Unravelling the causes of the distinctive chemical signatures has also brought new insights into the formation of porphyry copper deposits, and more generally the generation of the magmatic rocks from which they form, which are an important component of the Earth’s crust. The main finding in this regard is that the magma chamber below the porphyry undergoes discrete injections of water-rich melts or watery fluids which enhance the magma’s ability to transfer copper and other metals upwards to form a porphyry copper deposit.

Dr Ben Williamson, of the University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines, said: “This new method will add to the range of tools available to exploration companies to discover new porphyry copper deposits. Our findings also provide important insights into why some magmas are more likely to produce porphyry copper deposits than others, and add to our understanding of how their parent magmatic rocks evolve.”

Source: University of Exeter

AMC 2016

Asia, the world's biggest continent, is also the world's largest raw material producer, to the tune of 10 billion tonnes per year, accounting for 56% of world total mineral production. With its huge area and geological diversity, it is likely and virtually every kind of deposit is present somewhere. The outlook for development of the mineral industry is promising and it will play a major role in the global economy to achieve its full potential.

The Asian Mining Congress and International Mining Exhibition, a biennial event organized by the Mining, Geological & Metallurgical Institute of India (MGMI) provides a forum for the miners, machinery manufacturers, planners and policy makers to discuss the various issues affecting the mining industry in the Asian region in particular, and also in the rest of the world. The event provides an unrivalled opportunity for the manufacturers of mining machinery in the world to showcase their products and do business. 

The Congress will provide forum for promotion and support of techno-scientific cooperation towards national and international progress in the areas of mineral production, in addition to the development of new opportunities of sustainable business that will benefit both Asian and world societies.

Lead Topics

• Status of Mineral Industry in Asian Countries: Resources and Exploitation.
• New Mineral Development Projects in Asian Countries.
• Oil and Gas: Petroleum, Natural Gas, Coal Bed Methane (CBM), Coal Mine Methane (CMM), Shale Gas, Underground Gasification of Coal (UGC), Coal Liquefaction, etc.
• Advances in Technology: Exploration & Mining in Opencast & Underground Modern Mining Techniques: Opencast and underground Mining.
• Mineral Processing and Coal Beneficiation.
• Environment, Safety and Health issues.
• Investment opportunities in Mining Industry.
• Green Mining for sustainable future.
• Import, Export Trading scenario.
• Logistics & Infrastructure Development.

Highlights of International Mining Exhibition

• Participation of leading Mining Equipment & Machinery Manufacturers from Asia, Africa, America and Europe.
• Group Participation from Mineral Rich Countries and States of India.
• Participation of Industry Giants and SMEs'.
• Structured Visitor Promotion and Publicity to Invite High Purchase Buyers.
• Buyer Seller Meet.
• Participation expected from 30+ Countries, 300+ Stalls, 800+ Delegates, 20,000+                Trade Visitors.

Conference Date: 23^rd – 27^th February, 2016.

Conference Venue: Hotel Hyatt Regency, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Exhibition Venue: Eco Park (Gate No.1), New Town, Rajarhat, Kolkata, WB, India.

Contact: The Mining, Geological & Metallurgical Institute of India, GN - 38/4, Salt lake, Sector – V, Kolkata – 700 091, India.

Website: AsianMining Congress  ; MGMI             

Email: mgmikolkata@gmail.com; info@asianminingcongress.com Tel: 91 33 2357 3482/3987/6518

.

Sishen Iron ore Mine

Kumba Iron Ore, South Africa’s largest producer of the crucial steel ingredient, is slashing the workforce at its flagship Sishen mine by nearly half to cope with weak iron ore prices.

The Sishen mine, the largest source of iron ore in South Africa for decades, has undergone a major change because of the enormous amount of waste that had to be moved to expose ore.

The change has not been quick enough and majority shareholder Anglo American told investors last month a decision had been taken to shift focus away from volumes and instead focus on cutting costs, reducing capital expenditure and boosting cash generation.

The production forecast was lowered to 26-million tonnes a year at a unit cash cost delivered on board ships in Saldanha port of less than $30 a tonne this year, giving a break-even price of landing ore in China at below $40 a tonne.

As part of this new plan, the workforce would have to be cut, Kumba said yesterday. Of the 5,840 employees at Sishen, Kumba aims to reduce the number by cutting 2,633 direct employees and 1,300 contractor jobs.

Kumba issued the unions a section 189 notice on Thursday, starting a 60-day process to reduce the workforce.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision but, after exhausting all other avenues and doing all we could have done to reduce costs, we have no choice but to take more significant steps to preserve the viability of the mine,” CEO Norman Mbazima said.

Sishen is the largest single source of jobs in Kumba, which employs 7,434 people after it stopped mining the Thabazimbi mine last year, removing 1,160 jobs. In July last year, Kumba told the unions it wanted to cut 175 jobs at its Northern Cape mines — Sishen and Kolomela.

“It cannot be correct that as and when the mining industry is under distress the first casualties are ordinary employees,” said Lucas Phiri, National Union of Mineworkers chief negotiator at Kumba.

The dramatic fall in the iron-ore price, which Bloomberg pegged at less than a quarter of its peak in 2011 — hovering at the $41 a tonne mark — has put pressure on the iron ore producer’s balance sheet.

Kumba on Thursday reported a 12% drop in its fourth-quarter output to 10.04-million tonnes, dragged down by poor performance at Sishen. For the year, its output was down 7% at 44.88-million tonnes.

The Sishen mine was moving to a lower-cost pit layout and there was not enough exposed ore as the transition was being made.

Sishen’s output in the fourth quarter fell 17% to 7.7-million tonnes.

Kumba’s exports sales fell 10% to 10.5-million tonnes in the quarter and the company had a 4.7-million tonne stockpile, down from 6.5-million tonnes at the end of 2014.

Source: bdlive

Canadian Mining Journal is the leading exploration and mining journal in Canada. Covers mineral exploration trends, Corporate Trends,  metal prices and new geological models, underground mine developments and operating performances, unique challenges of open pit operations and more. It is Canada's First Mining Publication.

Job Title: Underground Mining Engineer
Minimum Experience Required: 1 Year
Company: Barrick Gold Corporation
Location: Cortez, Nevada, United States

Description:
 Barrick Gold Corporation is the largest gold mining company in the world, with its headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Barrick is currently undertaking mining projects in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Zambia.
Barrick currently looking for underground Mining engineer for its Cortez underground Mine.

Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will develop, update, and implement practical mine plans which allow for orderly development and exploitation of economically minable ore reserves; coordinate assigned production and engineering activities including backfill, ventilation, utilities (air, water, power), QA/QC, ground support engineering; must be willing to complete operational rotation; perform other duties as assigned.

Initial assignment will be with the ventilation group. Duties will include fan selection, ventilation surveys, work area ventilation designs, and ventilation systems modeling.

Selection criteria:
Basic Requirements: To be considered for this job, applicants must meet these basic requirements

• Bachelors of Science in Mining Engineering or related degree or equivalent experience required 
• One (1) year of underground mining environment experience preferred 
• Strong verbal and written communication required 
• Excellent computer skills required 
• Demonstrated software proficiency with Vulcan, Ventism, and Microsoft Office Suite preferred 
• Excellent safety record with the ability to demonstrate safety leadership required 
• Demonstrated ability to perform all essential function of this job required 

For more details, Visit: Barrick

Job Title: Underground Mine Planning Engineer 

Minimum Experience Required: 5 Years

Company: Barrick Gold Corporation

Location: Turquoise Ridge, Nevada, United States

Description:

Barrick Gold Corporation is the largest gold mining company in the world, with its headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Barrick is currently undertaking mining projects in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Zambia.

Barrick currently looking for underground Mine Planning engineer for its Turquoise Ridge underground Mine.

Job Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will assist the planning team in delivering quality mine designs and sustainable production schedules to facilitate orderly development and exploitation of economically minable ore reserves; provide design reviews; manage the mine schedule; promote the development of junior members of the planning team; and perform other duties as assigned. The role will focus primarily on long range planning and reserve level mine design under the supervision of site qualified person. 

Selection Criteria: 

Basic Requirements: To be considered for this job, applicants must meet these basic requirements: 

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mining or Geotechnical Engineering or equivalent experience required 
• Minimum of three (3) year experience at an underground mine required 
• Five (5) years of experience in the mining industry preferred 
• Knowledge of underground mining methods and design required 
• Strong computer skills in regards to mine design programs required 
• Understanding of geotechnical and ventilation issues in an underground mine required 
• Demonstrated ability to perform the essential functions of this position required 

For more details, Visit: Barrick

A Coal miner who claims he was permanently disabled in a workplace injury at a Moranbah site is suing BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance for more than $3.3 million.

The man was injured in January 2013, when his arm was pinned while he unloaded cable reel at Moranbah's Broadmeadow Coal Mine.

Documents lodged in the Supreme Court at Rockhampton state the man was injured as he loosened the retaining bolts while unloading cable reel and "inadvertently placed his left arm into a pinch point position where it was pinned by an unexpected movement of the cable reel".

The man was pinned in that position for an hour.

The documents claim the man suffered "an extensive crush injury to the left upper arm with soft tissue and nerve damage from above the biceps to above the elbow joint" requiring multiple surgeries, including nerve grafting and tendon transfers. As a result of the grafting, he also suffered damage to nerves in both feet.

The man is suing the mining company for more than $3.3 million, including $180,000 of general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenities of life.

The damages also include $1,787,000 for lost earning capacity into the future and $382,500 for future personal and domestic assistance.

A spokesperson for BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance said the company took "the health and safety of all our employees very seriously and is focused on preventing injuries to its people".

"This is a concerning case which unfortunately involved a serious injury being sustained by one of BMA's employees almost three years ago. Since this incident occurred, BMA has sought to provide ongoing support to the injured employee ... for that entire period," they said. "Given this matter is currently subject to legal proceedings we cannot offer any further comment."

Source: Daily Mercury

Job Title: Senior Mine Engineer
Company: Goldcorp Inc

Minimum Experience Required: 7 Years

Location: Musselwhite Mine, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Schedule: Full-time-4 x 3 (4 Days On 3 Days Off)

Description:

Goldcorp is a leading gold producer focused on responsible mining practices with safe, low-cost production throughout the Americas.  A portfolio of long-lived, high-quality assets positions the Company to deliver long-term value.

Goldcorp looking for an energetic senior engineer to help guide and mentor an exceptional team of professionals.  Reporting directly to the Chief Engineer, the successful candidate will focus on mine and long term budget planning.

Duties & Responsibilities:

•  Develop long term plans and budgets.
• Participate in life of mine evaluation, identifying and communicating all mine development issues and risks within the short to long-term planning horizon, as well as critical analysis of existing plans.
• Assist in the conversion of mineral resources to mineral reserves.
• Liaise with production and technical personnel to establish medium and long term goals.
• In conjunction with O4E, adopt new and innovative products, techniques and procedures to reduce costs and maximize ounces.
• Promote and maintain safe production and a high-performance culture that develops team for current and future needs of the mine.
• Develop a greater awareness of safety issues towards our triple zero safety goal.
• Supervise and mentor engineering staff responsible for project, ventilation and long term planning.
• Comply with all safety and environmental regulations and best practices.

Qualifications

 Education & Experience:

• Degree in Mining Engineering (BSc) or equivalent required
• Registered Professional Engineer status in the province of Ontario, or eligible for registration.
• Experience with mine ventilation, ground control and mine development & production planning.
• 7-10 years of experience in an underground mine.
• Strong computer skills, experience with Vulcan and EPS (Enhanced Production Scheduler) considered an asset.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills. 
• Performs well under pressure and accustomed to meeting tight deadlines.
• Experience working within a diverse culture.

The schedule for this position is 4 days on 3 days off working 10 hour days.

Goldcorp. Inc. welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities.  Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

For more details, Visit: Goldcorp

The dump trucks used in the mining sites are continue to grow larger, as most of the mining companies increasingly prefer big capacity dump trucks with greater functional efficiency. That’s why, the manufacturing companies try their utmost to bring out contemporary models of big-sized mining trucks to increase the productivity.

In this article Mining Engineers World presents you the details of the world’s top ten Mining dump trucks.

1.      Belaz 75710:

Belaz 75710, with payload of 450 mt, is the biggest dump truck in the world. It holds two Guinness World Records, for The Largest Truck Body and The Largest Two-axle dump Truck.

The Ultra-heavy dump truck was launched by BelAZ company in October 2013 under an order from Russian company Kuzbass. Sales of BelAZ 75710 trucks were started in 2014.

This massive Vehicle is 20.6m long, 8.17m high, and 9.75m wide. The truck has four-wheel drive and four-wheel hydraulic steering. It features two 16-cylinder turbocharged diesel engines with a power output of 4,600 HP. The 75710 uses electro-mechanical transmission powered by alternating current and has a top speed of 64 mph.

2. Caterpillar 797 F:

Caterpillar 797 F, the latest model of 797 class dump trucks manufactured and developed by caterpillar is the second largest truck in the world, with payload of 363 mt.

The truck is 14.8m long,6.52 m height and 9.75 m width. It features a Cat C175-20 four-stroke turbocharged diesel engine. The single block 20-cylinder engine utilizes a hydraulic torque converter transmission and offers gross power output of up to 4,000 HP and a maximum speed of 68 mph.

3. Unit Rig MT 6300: 

Initially, the truck was named as Terex MT 6300AC, introduced in 2008 by American manufacturer Terex. The MT 6300AC was rebranded as Bucyrus MT6300AC and became a part of Caterpillar's Unit Rig line after Caterpillar's acquisition of Bucyrus in 2011.

The body of the truck is 14.63 m in length, 7.92 m in height. The vehicle is equipped with a four-stroke diesel engine, with 20 cylinders and has a rated power output of the engine is 3,750 HP. The vehicle can move at a maximum speed of 64km/h

4. Liebherr T284

Liebherr T284 is an ultra-class haul truck designed and manufactured by Liebherr, with payload of 363 Tonnes. The trucks share the distinction of being the second biggest mining trucks with Caterpillar 797F and Unitrig MT 6300.

The overall length of the truck is 15.69 m, 8.29 m in height and 9.68 m in width. The vehicles are equipped with a 20-cylinder diesel engine with a gross power output of up to 3,750HP. The T 284 utilizes Liebherr’s insulated-gate biopolar transitor (IGBT) AC electric drive system and has a maximum speed of 64 Kmph.

5. Belaz 75604:

Belaz 75704 is the latest model of 7560 class of trucks designed by BelAZ, with payload of 360 mt. The truck was designed for carrying loosened rocks at deep open-pit mines under different climatic conditions.

The Belaz 75604 is 15.4 m in length, 7.47 m in height and 9.42 m in width. The dump truck uses electromechanical transmission with a four-cycle diesel engine, having 20 V-type cylinders. The engine's power output is 3,750HP. The top speed of Belaz 75604 is 64km/h.
BelAZ 75603 and 75602 are also similar Trucks with same payload capacity of 360mt.

6. Komatsu 960E – 2K / Komatsu 960E - 2

Komatsu 960E-2 and Komatsu 960E-2k are the two rigid dump trucks by Komatsu. Each truck has payload capacity of 327 mt. These are the latest trucks in 960E series of haul trucks from komatsu.

The truck is 7.67 m in height, 9.19 m in width and the overall length of 960E-2 and 960E-2K is 15.6 m and 15.34 m respectively. Both vehicles are powered by a four cycle diesel engine with 18 V-type cylinders. The power output of the engine is 3,500HP. Komatsu 960E-2 uses GE dual IGBT AC electric drive system, whereas the 960E-2K uses Komatsu IGBT AC electric drive system. The top speed of both the trucks is 64km/h.

7. Unit Rig MT 5500

Earlier Unit Rig MT 5500 known as Terex MT 5500 AC. It was designed and manufactured by Terex. Later Terex was acquired by Bucyrus and eventually in 2011 Bucyrus acquired by Caterpillar’s Unit Rig. It’s payload capacity is 326 mt.

The overall length is 14.87m, width is9.05m and height is 7.67m. The vehicle is powered by a four-stroke Diesel engine rated at 2,700HP with 16 cylinders. The vehicle uses AC electric drive system and travels at a maximum speed of 64km/h.

8. Terex 33-19 "Titan"

The terex 33-19 was an ultra-class, rigid frame, three axle, diesel/AC electric haul truck designed by the terex division of General Motars in 1973, with a payload capacity of 320 mt. 

Only one 33-19 was ever produced and it was the largest, highest capacity haul truck in the world for 25 years. After 13 years in service, the 33-19 was restored and is now preserved on static display as a tourist attraction in Sparwood, BC, Canada.

The overall length is 20.09 m, height is 6.88 m, and width is 7.57 m. The vehicle is powered by EMD 16-645E4 V-16 diesel engine with a gross generating capacity of 3,3000 HP. The truck runs at a top speed of 48 Km/h.

9. Caterpillar 795F AC:

Caterpillar 795F AC is the cat’s first AC electric drive truck, with payload capacity of 313 mt. The truck features modular design and offers two body options including the popular MSD (mine specific design) and the gateless coal body.

The truck is 15.14 m long, 7.04 m height and 8.97 m width. The vehicle is powered by Cat C175-16 diesel engine with a gross generating capacity of 3,400HP. The truck uses AC electric drive system solely designed and developed by Caterpillar, and runs at a top speed of 64km/h.


10. Hitachi EH5000AC-3:

Hitachi EH5000AC-3 is the Hitachi’s latest and largest rigid frame dump truck, with payload capacity of 296 mt. It was introduced at MINExpo International in Las vegas, Nevada in 2012.

The overall length of the truck is 15.49 m, height is 7.52 m and width is 9.6 m. The truck uses the low emission Cummins QSKTTA60-CE diesel engine with 16 cylinders. The rated power output of the four-cycle engine is 2,850HP. The vehicle uses Hitachi's IGBT AC electric drive system and runs at maximum speed of up to 56km/h.

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At a time when Coal India is targeting a production of one billion tonnes, its subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) has launched a mobile app for live monitoring of field operations. 

MCL Chairman and Managing Director A K Jha launched the mobile application at a special function, a company release said. 

Jha also congratulated the workers for the company becoming the largest coal producer in the country. 

Introduced as a vigilance initiative in MCL, the mobile app enables distant monitoring of coal mining and dispatch operations, it said. 

The arm targets 150 million tonnes coal production and dispatch during the current financial year and has already dispatched over 100 MT of the dry fuel, which includes power generation plants in various states. 

The subsidiary has been given the responsibility of producing 25 per cent of Coal India's 2020 target of producing one billion tonnes to meet the growing needs. 

MCL, a diversifying energy giant of Coal India, under its sustainable development program is going to setup a 2x800 MW super critical thermal plant in Sundergarh district in Odisha and has entered into the field of power transmission with a Joint Venture with Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL). 

To reduce its carbon imprints, the company has also set up a 2 MW solar power plant as a pilot project at its headquarters, officials said.

Source: The Economic Times