Issue 85
october 2019
In association with
Trade wars to Brexit: mining investments in a fractured world
How tensions on the global geopolitical stage could impact mining investments
The mining sector and climate change, following the re-election of Scott Morrison
In this issue
Minerals are the second largest export in Rwanda, and the government is seeking to capitalise on its resources wealth by encouraging foreign investment. Will such a move leave behind the artisanal miners who currently make up the majority of the workforce though?
In Peru, the contentious Tia Maria project continues to forge ahead, we take a look at the mega mine and the locals concerns. Elsewhere we see how political divisions can impact mining investments by talking to Casey Research. And two of our writers argue about the deepsea mining debate: is it a necessary industry for greening the world, or too risky to even be considered?
Gold is currently having its best run in years, going up 8% in June alone, we take a look at the factors behind this glittering run. Rare Earth Minerals are still in high demand thanks to their role in global electrification, we talk to the Rare Earth Industry Association about how the sector can create a sustainable future for the sector.
Finally, we take a look at using behavioural science to make mining safer, and the legacy of Chris Cline and the Foresight group in Illinois’s mining industry.
Join the conversation on Twitter: @MINE_Magazine.
Molly Lempriere, editor
COMPANY INSIGHT
Normet, the fast-growing and highly innovative Finnish technology company is internationally well known for its exceptional underground operation concepts. Normet is holding its position as a pioneer in mining equipment and underground expertise. They launched SmartDrive battery electric vehicle family earlier this year together with the SmartScan 3D laser scanning technology and SmartSpray, the next step towards automated concrete spraying technology.
More than half of the country’s coal mines are managed by pro-Russian separatist militia.Credit: DmyTo/Shutterstock.
More than half of the country’s coal mines are managed by pro-Russian separatist militia.
Credit: DmyTo/Shutterstock.
Normet SmartDrive is a fully new and modern technology using the latest long-life industrial grade Lithium-Ion battery technology with fast charging capability and electric motors specifically designed for harsh environments, which is available for all key machines of the mining and tunnelling portfolio. The batteries have a very long lifetime and a fast charging capability. The machine can also be charged during operation at the face from any typical underground AC-socket or quickly during operation by fast chargers.
There is no time consuming and expensive battery swapping necessary. The battery is split into modules: in the case of malfunction of a module, it will be isolated, and the rest will continue operating, without forcing the machine down somewhere in the mine or tunnel. Also, a very special feature of the electric vehicle are the two electric motors, which are redundant as well.
Normet SmartDrive is a fully new and modern technology using the latest long-life industrial grade Lithium-Ion battery technology with fast charging capability and electric motors specifically designed for harsh environments, which is available for all key machines of the mining and tunnelling portfolio. The batteries have a very long lifetime and a fast charging capability. The machine can also be charged during operation at the face from any typical underground AC-socket or quickly during operation by fast chargers. There is no time consuming and expensive battery swapping necessary.
The battery is split into modules: in the case of malfunction of a module, it will be isolated, and the rest will continue operating, without forcing the machine down somewhere in the mine or tunnel. Also, a very special feature of the electric vehicle are the two electric motors, which are redundant as well.
Normet SmartScan laser scanner mounted in the front of a Spraymec
Spraying concrete now becomes more efficient and safer with the innovative 3D laser scanning technology SmartScan by combining the latest sensor technology with the successful shotcrete equipment and applications from Normet. SmartScan is designed for the dusty and harsh underground construction environment. Placed inside a robust stainless box mounted in front of the concrete spraying machine, the enclosure needs only to be opened for starting the scan via the touchscreen. The laser scans the face in 50 m maximum range, 0 to 180 degree horizontal and -60 to +140 degree vertical angle before spraying.
With a second scan after spraying concrete, the software automatically compares both measurements and presents in real time the thickness of the applied shotcrete. This information is shown in easy to understand colours which directly gives an overview of the targeted thickness and the under- or overspray areas. Fast deployment and scan time help to operate without breaks and the results can be automatically generated for a concrete thickness report.
Normet Concrete Spraying
Talented operators at the concrete spraying machine are becoming more and more rare with the result of huge differences in the quality of the sprayed concrete. Due to this fact, Normet developed the process automation SmartSpray to minimize the operator effect and increase the productivity of spraying. SmartSpray is available in the three versions Lite, Pro and ProPlus.
SmartSpray Lite allows the operator to control only one spraying nozzle by using only one joystick to perform basic spraying movements instead of handling two or four joysticks. The nozzle position is maintained to align the concrete spray towards the surface. With this automation support of SmartSpray Lite, the operator achieves consistent and high-quality spraying results.
With SmartSpray Pro automatic movements are possible for regular spraying. The spraying nozzle moves from point-to-point and the spraying is automatic. The operator only needs to adjust the distance to the surface and to move to the next spraying segment. Large and smooth surfaces in tunnels are the result of the SmartSpray Pro.
SmartSpray ProPlus is designed to spray automatically a before defined area. The system automatically keeps the distance between the spraying nozzle and the wall profile, maintains the speed and achieves the demanded layer thickness. SmartSpray ProPlus automatically calculates the path for the nozzle movement and sprays the concrete, turning the sprayer operator from beginner to seasoned master.
Normet concrete spraying with SmartSpray
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