WORLD PROSPECTS
Sandvik reinforces underground mine safety focus
Sandvik has signed an agreement to
acquire DSI Underground , a global leader in ground support and reinforcement products , systems and solutions for the underground mining and tunnelling industries , from owner Triton .
The OEM has agreed a purchase price of approximately ¤ 943 million ($ 1.15 million ) on a cash and debt free basis , it said , adding that the company will be reported in the Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions division .
Stefan Widing , President and CEO of Sandvik , said : “ This acquisition is an important step in our growth ambition . DSI Underground ’ s track record of driving progress and safety in underground operations and its global reach will further strengthen our world-leading market position within mining and rock solutions .”
DSI Underground is present in 70 countries , with 22 production units situated close to end
Komatsu-Cummins in Chile has announced a
record daily productivity achievement for large mining rope shovels . At the KGHM- 55 % owned Sierra Gorda SCM copper mine ( Sumitomo Metal Mining 31.5 %; Sumitomo Corp 13.5 %), an electric shovel of model P & H 4100XPC AC , first delivered in 2015 , managed to load 230,400 t of material ( waste and ore ) in 24 hours , reaching unique productivity levels among deposits of similar characteristics , the company said .
The Komatsu-Cummins joint venture was formed in 1999 and is the distributor for both Komatsu and Cummins in Chile .
The P & H 4100XPC AC-90 has a nominal payload of 73-82 t , dipper capacity of 42-49 m3 and is
customers , according to Sandvik . The product offering includes bolting systems , injection chemicals and resin capsules .
Henrik Ager , President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions , added : “ With the world ’ s most extensive choice of ground support products and systems , DSI Underground ’ s offering is highly complementary and enables us to deliver greater value and safety to our customers . The deal gives DSI Underground access to Sandvik ’ s substantial R & D , global service and sales network , complements our growing aftermarket business and strengthens our leadership in underground mining and tunnelling .”
Michael Reich , CEO DSI Underground , added : “ With our knowledge of ground support technologies , we can add a valuable and complementary offering to Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions . On the other hand , we will benefit from the knowledge of the new group
Record shovel load for Komatsu P & H 4100XPC AC
described as ideal for loading 218-327 t haul trucks . Sierra Gorda is in the Atacama desert of Chile , around 60 km southwest of the city of Calama . The mine ’ s end products are copper and molybdenum and Sandvik ’ s global customer network .”
DSI Underground has around 2,000 employees , with revenue for 2020 expected to be about ¤ 518 million ($ 631 million , excluding the four joint ventures that are part of the acquisition ). The purchase price is approximately ¤ 943 million on a cash and debt free basis .
The transaction is expected to close by mid- 2021 and is subject to relevant regulatory approvals . www . rocktechnology . sandvik ; www . dsiunderground . com
concentrate . The Sierra Gorda mine produced over 135,000 t of payable copper from January to November 2020 , up from under 100,000 t for the same period in 2019 , due to higher metal content in the extracted ore and a higher volume of ore processed . For the full year 2020 , the figure was expected to be well over 150,000 t of payable copper though the full-year production results had not been released prior to press time .
KGHM recently stated that , for the first time in its history , the Sierra Gorda plant had significantly increased its production capacity . It is close to a strategic goal set only three years ago : achieving a minimum annual average daily ore processing figure of 130,000 t . Two years ago , it was processing only 110,000 t / d . https :// mining . komatsu ; www . cummins . com ; https :// kghm . com
Nokia , Symboticware join forces on industrial IoT solutions for underground comms
Symboticware Inc has announced a
collaboration with Nokia on private wireless and Industrial IoT ( IIoT ) to , the companies say , transform connectivity and improve communications and location services .
The partnership , they say , brings forward a complete digital solution in real-time connectivity for the underground mining industry .
“ The solution combines Nokia ’ s industrial-grade wireless connectivity with machine health and productivity data for real-time analysis , using Symboticware ’ s comprehensive telemetry technology ,” the companies said . “ This collaboration enables artificial intelligence ( AI ) and machine learning – both critical enablers for the future of underground mining .”
Historically , the companies said connectivity in underground mining has relied on Wi-Fi solutions lacking the low latency and reliability required for supporting next generation IIoT applications .
“ With industrial-grade private wireless from Nokia , underground operations will now have access to improved communications , accurate location tracking of equipment and personnel , ultimately streamlining operations to improve productivity and safety ,” they said .
“ This is a solid development in the area of underground operations ,” Kirk Petroski , Symboticware Founder and Chairman of the Board , said . “ As pioneers in both our fields , the Nokia and
Symboticware collaboration will help to move AI and machine learning forward , which are capabilities that will play a major role in the future of this industry .”
Shawn Sparling , Vice President of Enterprise and Public Sector , Nokia Canada , said : “ Having pioneered the patented storeand-forward technology , Symboticware is no stranger to solving challenges underground . This expertise , combined with our leadership in private wireless deployments , will bring best-of-breed data into the space of real-time mining operations . And it will let our customers benefit from immediate access to comprehensive information , even in the most challenging underground environments .”
A full implementation of Symboticware and Nokia LTE is currently underway at the NORCAT Underground Center ( pictured ) and will be available on the market in 2021 . https :// symboticware . com ; www . nokia . com
6 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2021