WORLD PROSPECTS
20 % higher compared to conventional hard rock button bits.”
In the medium to large sizes significant performance strides were taken by diving deep into flushing properties. Here in particular, the computational fluid dynamics( CFD) simulations proved their strong added value as they drove the pre-test phase for fast finding of optimal solutions and truly significant impacts. The 76- mm Retrac button bit body has the signature Robit curving grooves and the sleek geometry flows through to the new face design.“ The
Weir continues to expand network
With changing market conditions and improvement expected over the next two years, Weir Minerals says it is positioning itself even closer to its customers. The company has announced its ambitious growth plans, building upon its leading 130 service centres strategically positioned across the globe.“ Strengthening our unrivalled global footprint in the mining industry will add capacity
The new Weir Minerals service centre in Sudbury, Ontario
PJSC Polyus, the largest gold producer in Russia, has announced that the first stage of hot commissioning of Natalka has been officially launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin via video-link during a ceremony at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. Following completion of the hot commissioning, the company anticipates that full production will be launched at Natalka before the end of 2018 as earlier guided.
The Natalka deposit is Polyus’ main greenfield project, located in Magadan, in the Russian Far East. The processing plant is the largest in Russia, with capacity of 10 Mt / y. Following a ramp-up it is expected to reach annual production of some 420- 470,000 oz for the duration of the mine life. According to simulations clearly show that the new model isn’ t just easy on the eye. The flow pattern is more even, which reduces bit erosion. The pressure distribution is more uniform, and the smoother side channels along larger main grooves increase airflow ensuring efficient flushing. Dead-space across the face is significantly cut by introducing an extra flushing hole in the middle, clearing the centre area better of cuttings.”
All in all, Robit says field tests confirmed what the technical simulation background work had already proven.“ Our partner drillers were happy
and proficiency to our service offering, ensuring our customers obtain cost effective and value adding service options, wherever and whenever required,” states Fred Bradner, Director of Strategy, Marketing and Sales for Weir Minerals. Plans are currently underway to open three more Weir Minerals service centres in Chile, Canada and Indonesia in 2017.
Recently Weir Minerals opened a 6,000 ft 2 facility in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada boasting a service centre, warehouse capabilities, in-house engineering expertise and a fully equipped field service team available around the clock.“ Our Sudbury location provides closer proximity to a number of our key customers, which drastically improves our response time,” states Kobus Fourie, Global Product Manager for Weir Minerals’ Service. Weir Minerals also opened a service centre in Cananea, positioned in a large mining hub in Mexico and recently invited key customers to the official opening.
Polyus Natalka starts production
the company’ s current life of mine plan, the expected mine life of Natalka is 31 years of open pit mining based on anticipated production volumes.
Natalka has ore reserves of 16 Moz and Mineral Resources totalling 34 Moz according to the JORC Code methodology, and is the 15th largest gold asset globally by reserves. Natalka’ s major processing equipment,
with the excellent performance and noted better flushing and longer grinding intervals. Across sizes, the Evolution designs have systematically excelled. The 102 mm bits were tested in extremely hard and abrasive rock formations in Pennsylvania, USA, where we had been facing a common challenge with a customer to find the perfect bit for those conditions. The new formula allowed us to out-perform competition and more than double our achieved metres compared to our previous model.” www. robit. fi
This service centre holds essential wear parts stock for maintenance and shut-downs, and the on-site team is available 24 hours a day to provide mine optimisation solutions for customers in the area.
“ We are pleased to announce that in a few months’ time, we will open a state-of-the-art facility in Calama, Chile. Located in close proximity to a few of our key customers, this service centre will offer repairs of screens, pumps, and cyclones for operators in the region,” says Fourie.
As the company continues to expand its positioning in East Asia, it plans to open two new service centres to be closer to its customers in the region. One service centre will be opening in Tibet to support customers in West China, and another in Haerbin for customers operating in East China.
In South East Asia, another service centre has been scheduled for opening in Jakarta, Indonesia.“ The opening of our service centre in Jakarta will enhance our level of support to customers throughout Indonesia. From this facility we can help our customers with rebuilds and rubber lining of equipment as well as field service and service exchange,” states Fourie. www. global. weir
including the primary crusher, the crushed ore conveyer, the primary SAG mill and the main ball mill, is currently in operation having undergone a successful trial run. The construction of auxiliary facilities and supporting infrastructure is ongoing.
Pavel Grachev, Chief Executive Officer of Polyus, commented:“ We are delighted to announce the long-anticipated launch of Natalka, Polyus’ main greenfield project and the largest gold mine in the Russian Far East. Natalka will provide up to 470,000 oz of additional production annually and support our targeted increase in overall gold production to approximately 2.8 Moz by 2019. The project will also foster economic growth in the region through the creation of 2,000 jobs at the mine and the processing plant.”
Natalka is located in the Tenkinskiy District of the Magadan Region, approximately 400 km away from the city of Magadan and 130 km from the district centre Ust-Omchug. www. polyus. com
6 International Mining | OCTOBER 2017