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The mining industry in Australia is a major contributor to the country’s GDP. The country is now one of the world’s major exporters of alumina, iron ore, coal, and a variety of other resources. In fact, the mining industry in Australia accounts for over 75% of the country’s total exports.

Learning about the practicality of your mining equipment, its long-term performance, and how to minimise machine downtime may not only assist you in running your business more efficiently but may also assist in avoiding unexpected and unnecessary expenditures. If you’re in charge of selecting a mining machinery supplier, the number of options available may appear overwhelming at first. 

To help you out, we have compiled a list of some of the most important questions to ask while finding the right mining equipment supplier.

1. Is the company known for having a good reputation?

Firms with a strong favourable reputation tend to attract more clients. You want to choose a company that has been in the industry for a long time and has earned a reputation for being trustworthy. This way, you can expect to work with the company for years to come. 

2. Is the company certified? 

Rather than discovering later that your equipment may not be up to standard, it is advisable to double-check that your manufacturer has the necessary certifications and adheres to standards. To be used in underground coal and gassy subterranean metal mines, some mining materials must first be approved or certified by the government. The evaluation and testing of everything from little electrical gadgets to massive mining systems have taken place. 

3. Is the equipment reliable?

It is worth noting that mining equipment is a little different from other types of machinery because it depends on the type of mining in which it is employed. For example, when it comes to heavy-duty machinery such as a mining dump truck, the construction and mining site will not function properly if the vehicle needs repairs consistently.

Statistics show that maintenance costs in the mining industry can account for anywhere between 30 and 50 per cent of total operating expenditures, depending on the kind and age of the mine in question. The more reliable your equipment, the less likely it is that you will have to fix or replace it on a regular basis, saving you both time and money.

4. Does the company employ quality control? 

Maintaining all durable equipment in storage regularly and ensuring that the supplier performs regular maintenance inspections will prevent equipment failure during voting operations. It is also highly recommended that they have proper maintenance and testing plans for all durable equipment and that reports on results are brought to the attention of top officials from the electoral management body. Testing every piece of equipment before it is supplied to voting locations will also help to prevent the provision of ineffective equipment.  

5. Will the equipment increase efficiency? 

Efficiency refers to the performance of activities with the least amount of resource waste. It also refers to the optimum utilisation of resources for the organisation to optimise its profit margins. Generally speaking, the more efficient a piece of equipment is, the greater its impact on decreasing operational time. In the mining industry, you should acquire equipment that will help ensure that everything is consistently functioning at peak performance levels.

6. Can the equipment work in your specific mining location?

Rather than attempting to adapt something, you should look for materials tailored to your specific topography and climate. In particular, you should consider the topography of your extraction, processing, or final product removal processes. Whenever there is an incline or a decline, you will require conveyor belts and vibratory feeders capable of withstanding greater friction while maintaining a steady speed.

7. Does the equipment help address your wants and needs? 

It is critical to determine what equipment you require before beginning your search for service providers. Mining activities make use of sophisticated machinery. Although there are highly qualified professionals on-site, organisations do not always choose the most appropriate equipment for their particular operations.

It is necessary to note that each type of mining equipment is associated with a particular set of mining activities. When it comes to mining equipment, the most frequent types vary depending on whether the operation is done above or below ground and whether the material being mined is gold, metal, coal, or crude oil, among other things. From drilling machines to excavators and crushing and grinding equipment, there is something for everyone.

8. Is the equipment durable? 

In the mining business, there are a number of processes that can be problematic, especially if the activities are exposed to severe surroundings or weather conditions. As a result of these circumstances, numerous mining businesses are forced to spend a significant amount of time researching ways to reduce the costs of repairs and maintenance of mining equipment without compromising performance and reliability. One method of accomplishing this is to purchase long-lasting equipment. Not only that, but you should also think about whether the system will be able to adapt in the future. 

9. Will the equipment be hired or bought? 

It’s a good rule of thumb to consider renting equipment if you don’t use it more than 60 to 70% of the time. Generally speaking, this will keep your expenditure low because you will not require more capital to manage and maintain it adequately. Meanwhile, you will be better off purchasing the item if you want to use it for a long time.

Premier Mark McGowan’s Skills Summit was initially set for June 30. However, it has been postponed due to COVID-19.

The summit provides a chance for representatives from a variety of businesses to meet with the State Government to address the state’s skills and labour market requirements. Moreover, the National Skills Summit aims to bring together leaders from the corporate community and the training sector to build a shared understanding of what it takes to thrive in the skills sector.

In addition to that, representatives at the summit will have the chance to propose collaborative and creative ideas to address the skills demands of the WA workforce and keep the state competitive worldwide.

The Aim of the Skill Summit

Every company needs a well-skilled crew. Nowadays, many sectors are becoming increasingly competitive, and significant changes are taking place on a regular basis. Having access to well-trained, adaptable, and knowledgeable employees guarantees that you can sustain high levels of performance no matter what your industry’s present difficulties are.

The ultimate aim of the most recent summit is to address and provide solutions to the skill needs across all sectors. Furthermore, the summit’s goal is to hear from some of Western Australia’s industry leaders on what more can be done jointly and quickly to address existing skills requirements. This is to ensure that the WA workforce can continue to progress the state and maintain global competitiveness.

How the Western Australian Government Invests In Skills Development?

The WA State Government has previously made significant investments in training, including lowering TAFE fees to make reskilling more accessible. Also, the government is now constructing the largest TAFE infrastructure project in the state’s history.

TAFE is an abbreviation that is short for Technical and Further Education. Moreover, this organisation, situated in New South Wales, is Australia’s biggest vocational education and training institution. TAFE offers a wide selection of courses and credentials to accommodate everyone from high school graduates to career changers and companies. To add to that, they also provide certificates, diplomas, and advanced diplomas in addition to the courses and short courses.

Furthermore, it was also established that businesses that recruit a mature-age apprentice might get up to $26,800 in funding from a $5.2 million Adult Apprentice Employer Incentive (AAEI). This would help to expand WA’s skilled workforce and provide possibilities for older apprentices, who are sometimes ignored by businesses due to the greater cost of adult salaries.

Adult apprentices, also known as mature age apprentices, are those who start their apprenticeship when they are 21 years old or older. They are recognised for their excellent work ethic, maturity, dependability, and transferable skills, and valuable experience. In addition to that, they are also applauded for their understanding of the value of working as part of a team.

Since the initiative began in July 2020, more than 1,600 apprentices and trainees have been re-engaged and permitted to complete their course.

The Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive has also been extended for another year, bringing the total amount invested in upskilling and reskilling the workforce in the state to $4 million.

The State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) in Western Australia has also been broadened to provide a pathway for temporary visa holders currently in the country to fill openings left unfilled by local employees. Furthermore, it has been stated that international students studying in Western Australia will soon have easier access to the State Nomination Migration Program (SNMP) Graduate stream.

As a result, when competent local employees are not available to fill positions, this will give businesses rapid access to skilled labour. A total of 134 jobs from high-demand industries have been added to the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List.

McGowan weighed in on the measures, stating that the state’s economy deserved it. According to him, “The WA economy is booming. This resilience amid a once-in-a-century pandemic is indicative of the underlying strength of our economy and the importance of our continued positive collaboration with the business sector.”

New partnerships to develop the tourist and hospitality workforce are among the other urgent steps to support Western Australian firms. Interactive demos will be held at the Skills West Careers Expo, as well as a ‘chef ambassador’ program aimed at students and instructors wanting to improve their skills.

To add to that, it was also announced that rents for public sector housing in regional WA have also been fixed, ensuring staff retention. This will make it easier for regional communities to recruit and retain public-sector personnel like cops and teachers. Not only that, but this also serves based on industry training councils, peak organisations, industry groups, WA unions, and government agencies.

The Outcome of the Boost in Apprenticeship Commencements

Until September 30, 2021, the federal government has extended the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements initiative, which provides a 50 per cent wage subsidy to businesses that employ or rehire apprentices.

The news came as the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) revealed a 141.5 per cent increase in apprenticeship and trainee start-ups in Australia in the December quarter of 2020 compared to the December quarter of 2019.

Such a level has not been witnessed in five years, and the Australian Government’s Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements has played a massive role in this positive result.

Tania Constable, CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia, praised the program extension and its support for the resources industry.

Nearly 40,000 firms from various industries are expected to participate in the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements initiative, which aims to develop the next generation of competent workers.

Placer mining is the process of recovering heavily eroded minerals (gold and other precious metals) from gravel or sand. Examples of deposits recovered through placer mining are the gold-bearing sands and gravel that settle out from rapidly moving rivers and streams.

 Placer mining makes use of gold’s high density which causes the metal sink to sink quickly from moving water compared to lighter siliceous materials.

While the basic principles of placer mining haven’t changed since earlier times, the methods have improved considerably thanks to the use of modern mining equipment. Today, miners use a variety of equipment in their placer mining operations such as excavators, water pumps, and generators. Specific equipment used to recover gold and other precious metals includes gold wash plants, trommels, derockers, and sluice boxes.

Let’s discuss the basics of placer mining equipment so you can have a better understanding of how these machines work to acquire gold.

The four most commonly used equipment in placer mining

Placer mining equipment is designed to be durable and efficient when working in harsh environments. This gives miners the best chance to obtain gold and other precious metals from their operations. Let’s break down the four most commonly used placer mining equipment today.

1. Gold Wash Plants

Gold wash plants come in many different options depending on the user’s mining needs such as gold placer plants, mining wash plants, and full production gold trommels, all of which are used for gold mining. These also include testing plants (aka portable trommel wash plants) coming from top global brands like MSI Wash Plants. Miners also have a choice between diesel-powered or gas-powered gold trommel wash plants to fit their specific needs and requirements.

2. Derockers

Derockers are perfect for alluvial mining of gold and other precious metals in places where large boulders exist. Derockers, such as the RMS-Ross Derocker, offer a -5cm product to downstream recovery, and releases clean washed +5cm” rock and boulder separately. To further optimise placer mining operation, miners choose automatic dockers that are capable of self-cleaning, thus making the equipment more efficient.

3. Sluice Boxes

Sluice boxes play an important role in any placer mining operations. Its basic design has stood for hundreds of years yet remains an effective way to recover gold from rivers and streams. Sluice boxes are also used to recover other precious metals and stones. Such equipment is mostly used in gold mining paydirt and sluicing creek beds where gold is aplenty. Gold dredge sluice boxes are also designed in various sizes depending on the user’s request and the amount of material they need to process.

4. Trommels

Trommels (also known as rotary screens) allow miners to recover gold by filtering out large materials like rocks and boulders. Trommels come in many different sizes, with the most common ones being 45cm, 76cm, 121cm, and 2.1m. Most miners buy new gold trommels but it’s becoming increasingly common to purchase used placer mining equipment with refurbished parts to cut down on costs.

Companies like Savona Equipment are known for making excellent gold trommels and produce many different varieties of gold recovery equipment worldwide including gold trommel wash plants, mini wash plants, and portable gold trommels. Being such a big company has plenty of advantages as miners can order a custom made gold recovery wash plant to fit their specific needs and requirements.

How gold is extracted

The question now is, how does placer mining equipment work to separate gold from the sediment? Let’s discuss how each piece of equipment plays a role in placer mining operations.

Think of a trommel like a large, rotating sand screen. It’s set at an incline with lifter bars placed inside the tube. The process begins with feeding the materials into the upper end of the equipment. The pressurised water is then fed into the apparatus which combines flowing water and mechanical agitation to free gold from the bits of ore. The ore that passes through the trommel is further refined using a sluice box.

A sluice box uses the power of flowing water to collect gold. A typical sluice box measures around 3m long, 0.5 m wide and 25 cm deep, with a series of ripple in the bottom to help agitate the flowing water, thus helping to extract gold and nuggets the process. When a stream of water passes through the sluice box, the lighter waste materials are spilled out to one end to separate the gold.

To extract as much gold as possible, placer miners add mercury to their sluice boxes. Gold and mercury bond chemically to form an amalgam, which makes extraction that much easier. After the amalgam has been collected, it is heated in a crucible, breaking the amalgam and turning mercury into vapour. The gold can now be liquefied to remove any impurities.

The mining industry is a global sector in which every product used plays an important role. Efficiency is one of the main drivers of the industry since most productions rely on converting materials into different forms. With advancements in technology, mining equipment has come a long way in terms of speed, performance, and durability to help minimise downtime and encourage profitable operations.

The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) can now be found in the majority of the products and services used in mining. From enhanced cloud computing to improved machine-to-machine communications, the mining industry is moving towards a more intelligent approach in harvesting valuable resources.

In this article, we’ll be discussing how intelligent equipment is reshaping the mining industry and what are the benefits of AI in mining operations.

Conventional mining equipment is getting smarter

The equipment used for grinding, crushing, and mineral processing are becoming smarter by the day which helps yield incredible efficiency in terms of a production standpoint. With the increasing requirements for market demand and environmental protection, conventional mining equipment needs to learn how to adapt.

Take for example the mobile crushing station. After constant testing and operation, manufacturers are able to pair hydraulic driving with intelligent automatic driving. Without relying on human supervision, the mobile crushing station can drive safely over the predetermined route using sensors and GPS. The crushing station uses information gathered from these devices to communicate with the operations centre 

Sand-making equipment is also constantly being improved to meet stricter requirements on material size and environmental conservation. Modern sand making machines have a plastic function with less dust and lower noise during operation. This greatly improves the working efficiency and utilisation of available resources.

Driverless trucks are being developed at record speed

Australia is responsible for developing 60% of mining software across the globe, with its mining equipment & technology industries estimated to be worth 90 billion AUD ($67.6 billion dollars). With Rio Tinto actively introducing new advancements in automation, the Anglo-Australian mining company has deployed the world’s largest fleet of driverless trucks in the Pilbara iron ore belt. Rio Tinto has also used 1,700 km of tracks to connect four docks and ports together.

Rio Tinto also monitors, manages, and adjusts its system through their Perth operations centre whilst preparing for another 45 driverless trucks in a few years. The goal is to improve efficiency, employee safety, and productivity by deploying automated vehicles that are smarter and more reliable than ever before.

Speaking of the autonomous trucks, the vehicles are developed by Volvo in collaboration with Saab, a Swedish aerospace company that helps develop autonomous technology. The Volvo trucks look just like a regular truck, with a cabin that can fit a driver for manual operation. By utilising the sensors and GPS fitted to the truck, the automated vehicle can drive safely to the scheduled destination.

Industrial UAVs are gaining popularity

Ran Krauss, founder and CEO of Airobotics, says that they’ve been developing a drone behind the scenes that are packed with technological features and advancements. “We’ve been going invisible for the last few years because we don’t think it’s appropriate to talk about it if the work isn’t done,” Krauss said.

Now that the Airobotics drone has been developed, the UAV operates on an independent base and can perform a variety of programmed tasks automatically such as checking on equipment, detecting security vulnerabilities, and guiding explorers towards new investigations. The drone is capable of analysing and collecting data before landing on the base station automatically.

Krauss says that Airobotics is the first company to introduce integrated driverless systems to industrial companies. By next quarter, Airobotics will open an office in Australia and target mining, gas, and oil companies. Such companies can utilise drones to check up on pipelines and fly high to inspect equipment failures without risking worker safety.

While some of the largest mining companies have introduced drones in the past, they are nowhere near as advanced and developed as the ones Airobotics has come up with. This is because the priority for these companies is to improve efficiency while cutting down on costs, two objectives that can hinder the development of hi-tech UAVs.

Operating costs are reduced

Mining companies are always looking for new ways to reduce costs without compromising on the quality of work. The Escondida mine is one of the world’s largest copper mines wherein BHP tested new sensors that can determine whether a rock that’s scooped up is valuable or not. BHP is also preparing to install automatic drill bits throughout Australia’s iron ore mines after finding out that it’s more productive than robotic mining and is more cost-effective in terms of maintenance.

Other mining companies have fitted their drones with zoom lenses and infrared sensors that send alert notifications when a group of people or equipment are gathered at the blast site in the Goonyella Riverside mine. Considering the mine is 22.5 kilometres long and 9.6 kilometres wide, using drones outfitted with sensors are more cost-efficient than sending a car or plane to gather information.