The AJM News

Rio Tinto takes majority stake in Ivanhoe Mines

Rio Tinto has become the majority shareholder in Ivanhoe Mines, developer of the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia, purchasing shares that take its stake to 51%.

High-vis padding for impact hazards

West Australian maker of impact-injury reduction products, Safepad, says its range will protect workers and save worksites time and money.

New barge to service resources sector in WA

Western Australian ship builder Strategic Marine has built a 27m work barge that will be delivered to the Port of Dampier, to service the burgeoning resources sector.

Froude Hofmann’s new drilling test rig

Froude Hofmann, manufacturer of engine testing systems, has developed a rig to test mobile drilling platforms for drilling specialist Boart Longyear.

Aurecon and JKTech form strategic alliance

Engineering group Aurecon and mining services company JKTech have entered into a strategic alliance, which will be known as JK Aurecon.

Sullair appoints managing director

Compressed-air specialist, Sullair Australia, has appointed Fred Funnell as its new managing director. He has experience in sales, operations and governance across a range of industries.

New stainless pressure cleaner

Australian Pump Industries has released a heavy duty, stainless steel steam pressure cleaner. The Aussie Super Indy Mk III is designed for applications where hot water is required to dissolve grease and oil.

Mining drives heavy equipment sales growth in 2011

Australia’s construction and mining equipment market continued its rise from the doldrums of the GFC, driven by mining sector demand for heavy equipment.

Soil stabiliser for haul roads

Eko Soil, maker of a soil stabilising enzyme, says its product has now been proven in civil applications and is ready to make its mark in the mining industry.

BHPB and Rio announce Pilbara expansion contracts

KBR will upgrade Rio Tinto’s fuel assets and storage in five locations across the Pilbara. RCR Tomlinson will build power generation works for BHP Billiton’s Yarnima combined cycle power station in Newman.

Tow hitch for underground mines

Engineering consultancy Soto Mining Technologies has launched its 40t capacity tow hitch for underground mining, the Safety Tow Hitch.

Keech mechanical bucket for underground

Keech’s latest mechanical bucket, set for a February release, is designed to minimise replacement time for edge wear systems on underground loaders.

Caterpillar continues longwall supply to China

Caterpillar has announced a deal to supply an automated longwall plough system to Gasification Company, part of the Lvliang Dongyi Group.

Karara’s tailings management system

Gindalbie has awarded a 15 year contract to logistics group Bis Industries for provision of a tailings management system at its Karara project. The deal is worth $23m per annum.

Cyclone Heidi shuts Port Hedland

Tropical cyclone Heidi has halted operations at Australia's busiest port. Pilbara iron ore giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are amongst companies that stopped exports and battened down the hatches in anticipation of heavy rain and winds, which have been gusting over 100kph since Wednesday night.

Minister rejects Margaret River coal mine

Western Australian Environment Minister Bill Marmion has upheld the Environmental Protection Authority’s decision to reject Vasse Coal’s proposed underground mine, located 15kms north-east of Margaret River. He cited environmental risks as the deciding factor.

Adrok’s investments heating up Stove says

Edinburgh-based technology company Adrok has secured an investment of over £3 million from major client Teck Resources to advance its novel virtual drilling technology.

Urine and breath better than saliva, AMMA says

Australian Mines and Metals Association says Safe Work Australia and the National Mine Safety Framework (NMSF) should abandon proposed limitations on drug and alcohol testing procedures under the soon-to-be harmonised OHS regulations for onshore mining operators.

High capacity Italian grease guns

Italian made Speedy Grease guns have hit the Australian market. Local distributors Rationale Imports say the patented design wins in all areas over existing products.

Xstrata Technology’s 100th IsaMill

Xstrata Technology (XT) has celebrated the sale of the 100th IsaMill into the mineral processing industry worldwide. The latest installation of the fine grinding technology was in South Africa’s platinum industry.