Global news and projects
Lithium Australia is undertaking feasibility
studies on the direct production of cathode
powder from its wholly owned Sadisdorf
deposit in Germany. That would entail the
use of its SiLeach process to recover lithium
as a phosphate, then its conversion by VSPC
technology into cathode powders. Could this
be a pathway to ensuring security for the
renewable energy industry in Europe?
Rio Tinto targets copper-gold
Rio Tinto has discovered copper-gold
mineralisation at the Winu project in the
Yeneena Basin of the Paterson Province in
Western Australia. The Winu project is about
130km north of the Telfer mine and 350km
south-east of Port Hedland.
Assay results to date
intersections of copper
mineralisation associated
with gold and silver.
The discovery was made by Rio Tinto
Exploration (RTX) who is conducting
a programme targeted at finding copper
mineralisation in the Paterson Province. The
exploration programme consisted of eight
reverse circulation (RC) and 20 diamond
holes drilled on exploration licence E45/4833
between December 2017 and the end of 2018,
totalling 13 286m (1 473m RC and 11 813m
diamond).
Assays for all RC holes and 14 diamond
holes were received and validated. Assays
are pending for the remaining six diamond
holes (partially or totally). Diamond drilling
recommenced in mid-January 2019. Four holes
have been completed for 1 409m during 2019
and are pending assay results.
According to a statement by the company,
assay results to date indicate relatively
wide intersections of copper mineralisation
associated with gold and silver. Vein style
copper, gold, and silver mineralisation beneath
relatively shallow cover ranges from 50m to
100m. The mineralisation remains open at
depth and to the east, north, and south.
While results are encouraging, the exploration
project is still at an early stage and drilling to
date does not allow sufficient understanding of
the mineralised body to assess the potential size
or quality of the mineralisation nor to enable
estimation of a mineral resource.
The Winu exploration camp is approximately
200km by gravel and sand track from the Great
Northern Highway. The camp is a seven-
hour drive from Port Hedland, which poses a
significant safety risk. A gravel airstrip is being
constructed at Winu for emergency response
purposes. In addition, the sand section of the
track will be upgraded for logistics supply
purposes.
[12] MINING MIRROR MAY 2019
indicate relatively wide
Monitoring ground conditions in cold conditions.
Global:
Maptek releases cold-climate
model
Maptek has released a cold-climate model
of its award-winning mobile Sentry system
for stability monitoring. The new system
answers the imperative for continuous, reliable
measurements of ground movement, no matter
the environment.
“Risk management remains a priority,” says
James Howarth, product manager at Maptek.
“If anything, the reliable operation of technical
equipment is even more critical in extreme
conditions,” says Howarth.
“Climate factors play an important role
in the execution of any mining project.
Extremely low temperature conditions require
considerable planning and logistics, especially
from an operator safety perspective.”
Maptek Sentry is a mobile remote
monitoring system that uses laser scanning
to continuously measure ground movement
with extremely fine spatial resolution and
accuracy. Housed in a self-contained unit
with autonomous power and communications
capabilities, Sentry relies on sophisticated
software to monitor, analyse, and report in
real-time.
The Sentry system can operate continuously
from -20°C to +50°C, with operation for a
limited time in temperatures below -20°C. It
requires an XR3 cold climate laser scanner,
which has been redesigned and tested
to operate at these low temperatures. A
removable neoprene jacket for the scanner
provides extra protection against wind chill.
Maptek redesigned all the major
components in the standard temperature
Sentry mobile system, with significant
changes to achieve the required cold-climate
specifications.
“Equipment reliability is ultra-important in
extreme conditions. Sentry is a cost-effective
monitoring and survey solution, which helps
operations manage safety and productivity,”
says Howarth.
In cold weather, the charge acceptance of
batteries is very low. Keeping batteries warm
maximises power output and the ability to
accept a charge. The battery pack and housing
in the Sentry system has been redesigned
and insulated to keep the unit at a stable
operating temperature. Other built-ins, such as
a generator, hydraulics, and electrical systems,
were adapted to maintain energy efficient,
cost-effective operation.
“What hasn’t changed is the proven
capability to monitor multiple areas,” says
Howarth. “Customers enthuse on how easy
Sentry is to set up and use. Data is displayed
intuitively, ready for immediate application in
risk management programs.”
The 3D point cloud data that has been
collected while monitoring can be used for
geotechnical analysis and other applications.
The Maptek laser scanner can also be
redeployed from monitoring for routine
survey tasks.
If anything, the
reliable operation of
technical equipment
is even more critical in
extreme conditions.
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