Experts in metallurgy will be familiar with what is known as ‘froth flotation,’ in which a cylindrical flotation cell will typically hold the materials, while a low-pressure blower will parse the particles
Read More
Implications of climate change on mine water quality
A recent review sheds light on best-practice water quality assessments for mine design, operations and closure.
Read More
Read More
Culture transformation ushers in a new era for Bonfiglioli ANZ
An extensive company history can be an asset for brand awareness, competitiveness and reputation. However, these same marketplace advantages can become a challenge when trying to change or create a new company culture.
Read More
Read More
Good vibrations with high performance steel grid coupling
In the mining sector, an effective grid coupling needs to stand up to earth-shattering vibrations, while at the same time, lending some flexibility to an application.
“A heavy shock load can devastate a coupling arrangement even on the most robust equipment, which is why Rexnord developed the Falk Steelflex T-design range,” says Steve Hittmann, BSC’s National Product Manager for Mechanical Drive Systems & Belt Drives. “The aim with this product was to surpass competitors in performance and durability under high-impact conditions.”
“In mining and quarrying, grid couplings will generally be used in the crushing, grinding, and agitating of material,” explains Steve. “They are also used in pump, conveyor, dragline, and high-speed gearbox applications, where they are really about the protection of the driven unit through their ability to absorb massive amounts of vibrations,” he adds.
“Third party testing found that Falk Steelflex grid couplings are 4.7x more durable than a leading competitor’s grid coupling and 16x more durable than other brands,” furthers Steve. “Even though many grid couplings appear similar, a huge gap in performance remains between brands,” he emphasises.
The technology was originally used in the production of aircraft components that carry heavy loads and deflect high vibrations in air. According to Steve, the key is torsional ability.
“The Steelflex Grid Couplings employ torsion to deflect normal shock or vibratory loads, making them durable and flexible to changing load conditions,” says Steve.
“In addition to this, Steelflex tunes the drive system. It absorbs the energy of impact by spreading it over increments of time, dampening the vibrations and reducing peak loads by as much as 30%,” he adds.
The Falk Steelflex T10 Grid couplings are fabricated from steel for maximum strength; machined to within 0.001 inches, permitting utilisation of any hub surface for measurement of shaft alignment.
“The tapered grids are made of high strength alloy steel, quenched, and tempered to spring hardness,” explains Steve. “The grid surface is then precision shot peened to compress the surface molecules for increased strength.”
“The effect is a dramatic increase in rating, providing reserve strength for longer life or allowing a smaller size coupling to be selected,” he enthuses.
Read More
Gold investment keeps its shine
The Australia gold market is facing a flurry of exciting developments. Fat Tail Investment Research gold investments editor Brian Chu explains what’s to come for the sector.
Read More
Read More
How a 3D digital twin can enhance safety
Adapt IT’s product group has been working for several years together with partners such as Sentient to unlock the potential of 3D digital twins.
Read More
Read More
Engineering excellence from cradle to grave
With quality support from its service team, thyssenkrupp delivers fully-automated and digitised stockyard and port solutions for safe and efficient bulk handling.
Read More
Read More
Serving the South Australian outback
The heavy industrial landscape of underground mines and processing plants peppered across the outback can conjure up images that resemble something out of a Mad Max film. But the team at CBC Regency Park is used to contending with the common challenges faced across industries such as oil, gas, mining, and quarrying.
Conveniently located in the urban centre of Adelaide, CBC Regency Park is the largest branch in the state, and a key supplier to the surrounding industrial regions and townships.
Peter Dixon, Internal Sales, has a deep understanding of the needs and requirements of his customer base, having served at CBC Regency Park for more than 14 years. Parlaying with customers who are on remote sites and liaising with suppliers to find solutions is all in a day’s work for the team at Regency Park. “Quite a few of our customers are mining contractors who either ring us up or actually drive down from the desert-hot outback towns, about 560km North-West of Adelaide,” says Peter.
“Mining contractors often look to us as the premium supplier for their respective operations,” explains Peter. “They are seeking out products that can withstand the high-heat, dry, dusty conditions of the industrial landscape in the outback, which can be particularly gruelling on heavy machinery and equipment in processing plants.”
“When it comes to assisting these types of customers, we rely on our premium partnerships with suppliers like LOCTITE®, who provide us with an extensive range of product, as well as access to training programs and knowledge bases,” adds Peter. “We are a solutions-based organisation and that ensures a synergistic relationship with solutions-based suppliers like LOCTITE.”
Peter was approached by a mining contractor last month that required large quantities of adhesive sealant that could be used on high-heat applications on site. In collaboration with his account and area managers, the solution Peter arrived at was the LOCTITE SI 596; a silicone paste sealant that forms a moisture-proof rubber bond; ideal for operating under high-heat conditions, up to 250 degrees Celsius.
The customer agreed and ordered a high volume of SI 596 to be shipped out to their receiving location near major mining destinations in South Australia. Peter speaks to why this product was the right solution for high-heat conditions.
Read More
Fluid mobility
Mobile machines on mine sites are essential workers, and similar to human resources, they need fluids to run efficiently. However, the quality of those fluids are integral to performance – which is why customers seek assurance from BSC in regards to their lubrication needs.
According to Steve Keown, BSC Australia’s National Product Manager for Lubricants, customers stand to benefit from BSC’s partnership with Shell by Viva Energy Australia, in terms of both the supply of quality products, and in having access to local expertise.
“Shell is the number one brand globally and we are providing a top-of-the-line solution to our customers that is unsurpassed in the market,” enthuses Steve. “Shell has a long history of research and development when it comes to lubricants for mining and quarry applications – they work very closely with equipment manufacturers to ensure the lubricants will provide operational efficiency for equipment.”
Of course, preventing downtime is high on the agenda.
“Shell has been providing lubrication products to this sector for nearly 100 years,” explains Steve. “They have a very long history of tailoring lubricants to a specific application and providing a cost effective solution to prevent the unforeseen downtime of equipment.”
Importantly, Steve says BSC work together with Shell to match the right products to suit each customer’s application and can ensure the lubricants are complying with OEM warranty requirements.
“Customers can be confident in the quality of the lubricants and assured that their manufacturer’s warranty is in place – which is very important,” expands Steve. “As a national distributor of Shell products, we can also offer customers access to services such as the Shell technical help and Lube Analysis, which tracks how a lubricant is working on a particular piece of equipment.”
Having this support and analysis offers customers peace of mind.
“It takes the arduous work out of the customer’s hands knowing that they have local technical backup,” explains Steve. “In addition to that, dealing with a brand such as Shell hand-in-hand with BSC, they can be secure in the fact that they have premium support in place.”
This is where BSC’s partnership with the global Shell Brand proves particularly beneficial for customers.
“We are currently working closely with a customer where we are facilitating with Viva Energy’s Shell Lubricants technical engineers to perform trials on some of our customer’s equipment,” Steve expounds. “It’s a very open line of communication between BSC, our customer and Shell, who is a global leader. Essentially, we are providing high-level global assurance on a local level.”
Moreover, customers can rely on BSC to help them manage their inventory and lubricant usage.
“In our experience, customers want to use a brand and product that is suitable to their application and minimise inventory as much as possible,” explains Steve. “The Shell Lubricants range often ticks all the boxes, as it covers all major mining equipment needs, however, we will work with our customers to select and match the right lubricant to their application.”
Read More
Read More
Thinking outside the box
Flexco Australia’s custom-engineered washbox solution has been the go-to for a Western Australian iron ore miner looking to reduce spillage and downtime.
Read More
Read More
A smart solution for industry fans
Mining operations face some of the toughest and most remote working conditions on earth with heat, contaminants, vibration, heavy loads and extreme production demands leading to costly maintenance.
Read More
Read More
CJD Equipment grinds away for custom excavation creation
A gold mine portal expansion in Western Australia was proving difficult for operators, with some soft limestone ruling out drill and blast processes. Luckily, CJD Equipment was able to deliver a bespoke solution, fulfilling the task and the people who worked on it.
Read More
Read More
BISALLOY Wear steel goes from strength to strength
With the demands of the Australian mining industry expected to grow as activity increases, BISALLOY Wear steel continues to provide a reliable base on which to ramp up production.
Read More
Read More
A guide to choosing an industrial work platform
Workers in several different industries need safe access to hard-to-reach places. And whether it be to stock inventory or inspect and maintain equipment, safety and functionality are always necessities.
Read More
Read More
Predictive maintenance with a digital twin
While the industry was already in the midst of digitalisation, the oil price crash has instilled a fresh impetus on its adoption to cut costs through innovation and new technologies.
Read More
Read More
Elixore, an improved HSE solution to miners worldwide: Low total cost of ownership and low carbon emissions
Elixore by TotalEnergies Fluids, a range of aliphatic diluents, propels solvent extraction as an improved HSE alternative and for a possible sustainable future of affordable green solutions.
Read More
Read More
Martin Engineering unveils conveyor training content
New online content has been introduced by the experienced conveyor training provider, specifically designed to integrate with learning management systems so users can assign, monitor and certify progress of all participants.
Read More
Read More
Forking out future wealth
True Wealth Investment’s digital approach to superannuation and insurance allows workers in remote regions to restructure their investment portfolios without leaving site.
Read More
Read More
Cat Certified Rebuild maximises results with minimal downtime
When Rio Tinto needed to bring one of its most important assets back to as-new condition at its Gove bauxite operation in the Northern Territory, the company turned to Hastings Deering for the best possible solution.
Read More
Read More
Pioneering products to create durable environments
A one-stop engineering solutions provider for mining, mineral processing, conveying and corrosion protection, Thejo is committed to making a difference in the materials-handling sector, aiming to increase the efficiency and profitability of material-handling operations by making the environment cleaner and safer.
Read More
Read More