International - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Maptek releases Vulcan 2020 which includes Vulcan Drillhole Optimiser

August 8, 2020August 8, 2020 arnbethnic

Enhanced geology integration and optimized mine design are at the heart of Maptek’s newly released Vulcan 2020, which also includes new and enhanced functions to aid mines to get the best results from data interaction. The new software suite includes Vulcan Drillhole Optimiser, designed to help exploration projects and open-pit and underground operations to develop infill drilling plans to maximize resource recovery. “With Drillhole Optimiser, geologists can accurately assess multiple scenarios and budgets taking into account existing drilling, locations, and resource classifications,” Maptek said, which results in better orebody confidence… Read More Here

Explosives Innovation International Mining technology

MAXAM releases blasting service, X-Energy

August 7, 2020August 7, 2020 arnbethnic

With an eye on customers’ total cost of ownership in a mine cycle that is becoming fully digitised, MAXAM has introduced its blasting service X-Energy. Maxam’s X-Energy was released in late July 2020 The company, which released X-Energy last week, said the explosives technology can integrate selective energy applications in mining, infrastructure operations and quarrying. “The novel explosives technology Smart Rioflex and the complementary digital capabilities integrated in MAXAM Blast Center are the cornerstones of this new offering,” the company noted. “It combines … advanced explosives technology (Smart Rioflex) and a set… Read More Here

Mining in DRC International Mining in Zambia

Glencore posts a $2.6 billion loss and scraps dividend

August 7, 2020August 7, 2020 arnbethnic

Miner and commodities trader giant Glencore (LON: GLEN) posted a $2.6 billion loss for the first half of the year and scrapped its dividend, as the coronavirus pandemic dented global demand and lowered prices and production at its mining division. Despite the virus impact, the Swiss firm managed to remain profitable on an operating basis. Glencore posted $1.5 billion in adjusted earnings before interest and taxes, but booked $3.2 million in impairment charges. The company said it was putting balance sheet strength ahead of shareholder returns, as net debt climbed 12% to… Read More Here

Mining technology Innovation International

Metso Outotec buys Davies Wear Plate

August 7, 2020August 7, 2020 arnbethnic

Metso Outotec has added a fastener and wear plate monitoring technology capability through its acquisition of Australian company Davies Wear Plate for an undisclosed sum. The acquired technology includes fasteners with a locking mechanism that does not require traditional studs and nuts, making for faster, safer maintenance work. The fasteners are also set flush with the wear plate, making them less susceptible to wear. There is also a wear monitoring technology in the Davies suite that provides a real-time forecast of wear and expected liner change-out timing. Davies also supplies… Read More Here

Gold International

Gold price breaks new record

August 6, 2020August 6, 2020 arnbethnic

Gold extended its record-breaking run on Thursday, driven by expectations of more monetary response as surging coronavirus cases continue to pummel the global economy. Spot gold rose 1.0% to $2,060.01 per ounce as of 1:00 p.m. EDT after reaching an all-time high of $2,069.21 earlier in the day. US gold futures also rose 1.1% to $2,073.40 per ounce. GOLD HAS RALLIED MORE THAN 35% SO FAR THIS YEAR “There are mixed signals that the economy is recovering and some of the signs of recovery are relatively superficial as they show aggregate figures… Read More Here

Mining Personality International

Marna Cloete: Ivanhoe Mines’ new president takes the lead

July 27, 2020July 27, 2020 arnbethnic

As the mining industry and indeed the world comes to terms with operating in ‘the new normal’ brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, new Ivanhoe Mines president, MARNA CLOETE, certainly has her work cut out. However, this mining industry veteran is more than ready for the challenge, having already shown her strong business acumen in a male dominated industry. GERARD PETER reports. A registered Chartered Accountant, Cloete was appointed president of Ivanhoe Mines in March this year. She joined the TSX-listed company in July 2006 and was promoted to chief financial officer… Read More Here

Mining technology International

The new solution for misaligned conveyor belts

July 27, 2020July 27, 2020 arnbethnic

The mining industry is ever-evolving, with innovators continually finding new ways to increase safety and productivity across the entire network. Sometimes these new developments are major technological advances or the introduction of newer machinery, but often, seemingly simple solutions can have a large impact, making the industry safer and more productive. Australian belt correction system manufacturer Track Straight has taken the guesswork out of conveyor alignment and spoke to Mining Technology about how they’re saving operators money. How it works The company’s manual conveyor belt correction systems allow operators to adjust the… Read More Here

Mining technology International

Sandvik to deploy Nokia 5G at Tampere test mine

July 27, 2020July 27, 2020 arnbethnic

Swedish mining engineering firm Sandvik has revealed that it will deploy a 5G private wireless network developed by Nokia at a test mine in Tampere, Finland. 5G can help firms reach digital transformation goals. The 5G network developed by Nokia will enable secure voice and video communications, and remote machine operations over 4K video links between deep underground and the surface control centre, said the firms. The Nokia standalone (SA) network will use the firm’s Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) system, an edge centric and cloud-enabled platform for real-time, business-critical applications.… Read More Here

International Mining in DRC Mining in Zambia

Zambian army has seven days to withdraw troops from Congolese territory

July 27, 2020July 27, 2020 arnbethnic

The Congolese government reports that it has won its case with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the dispute between the DRC and Zambia. The latter has a moratorium of seven (7) days in order to withdraw its troops present in the south-east of the DRC. According to the Congolese authorities, the two disputed towns (Kibanga and Kalubamba) in Tanganyika province are indeed an integral part of the DRC, SADC ruled. “The Minister of Defence briefed the Council on the latest developments in the DRC-Zambia border dispute. After reviewing… Read More Here

International Covid-19

The dilemma of Covid-19’s second wave

July 27, 2020July 27, 2020 arnbethnic

Shuttering businesses, grounding airlines and ordering people to stay home was hard enough the first time. The thought of having to do it all over again is something world leaders don’t want to even contemplate. From Italy to New Zealand, irrespective of how well the virus was contained, governments acknowledge that fresh waves of the deadly coronavirus are likely and that the policy tools to mitigate the damage are limited. The hope is that localizing quarantines to towns, cities and regions will be enough to snuff out bouts of infections… Read More Here