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The annual Mining Magazine Awards recogonise technologies and mining equipment that are deemed to be notable or significant to the industry in a particular year. Mining Magazine was pleased to celebrate the 2009 awards at a gala dinner held on the evening of the 8th October at White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.
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Awards by category 1. Exploration – Capital Equipment2009 WINNERSBoart Longyear 4200
The 4200 rig features the world’s first true hands-free rod-handling system and an open-face mast design which encloses all moving parts and dramatically improves safety. Nominees were: - Atlas Copco Diamec U6
One of the top sellers in recent years for underground exploration, the Diamec U6 can drill up to 1,000m with both A-size and B-size ITH tools. It also features the Automatic Performance System, a computer-assisted control system where the operator sets the drilling parameters but the rest is done automatically - Sandvik DE710
The DE710 is marked by its versatility, enabling it to suit global operational and environmental demands. The Sandvik DE710 can be truck-mounted for greater manoeuvrability and ease of relocating the drill between sites; or fitted to crawler tracks, powered from the rig hydraulic system, for areas with difficult site access
2. Exploration – Ancillary and Analysis2009 WINNERSInmarsat BGAN
BGAN is the only mobile satellite service to offer broadband data with simultaneous voice, through a single, truly portable device on a global basis. For mining groups it is proving an invaluable tool at the exploration phase but also throughout the life and closure of operation. Nominees were: - Fugro HeliGEOTEM
The Fugro Airborne Surveys HeliGEOTEM System has built on the successful characteristics of the GEOTEM system, combining the greater horizontal resolution and flexibility of helicopter mounted time-domain EM systems with the proven GEOTEM/MEGATEM technology - Geosoft Geochemistry for ArcGIS
A new focused tool for ArcGIS use in exploration work, Geochemistry for ArcGIS gives users the ability to analyse geochemical survey data within the ArcGIS environment in context with the geology and geophysics
3. Mine Planning/Resource Modelling2009 WINNERSMicromine PITRAM 3
The new features of PITRAM 3 include a simplified user interface, functionality that allows multiple control room operators to use the software and enhanced 3D visualisation and advanced reporting capabilities Nominees were: - Gemcom GEMS 6.2
The latest version of Gemcom’s collaborative geology, mine planning, production scheduling and data management software has a a range of new features focused on driving productivity including a new geostatistics module - Minemax Scheduler Version 4.0
The latest version of Minemax Scheduler, a powerful modelling and optimisation tool for strategic mine scheduling, which jointly optimises mining operations together with the downstream mineral processing value chain
4. Underground Mining (Hard Rock) – Capital Equipment2009 WINNERSCubex Aries production rig
The Aries ITH rig is a highly-mobile and powerful articulated machine with modular components that has grown in popularity from initial customers in North America to Australia and other major mining regions Nominees were: - Atlas Copco MT6020 truck
With an impressive performance record at the Stawell mine and subsequent orders from major mines and contractors in Australia, Africa and elsewhere, the industry’s new 60t offering has been very well received - Sandvik LH514 LHD
Building on the success of the Toro 1400 machine, the new LH514 LHD has proven its performance at key operations including Kidd Creek and Palabora. The electric version, the LH514E, has successfully been tested at Northparkes
5. Underground Mining (Hard Rock) – Ancillary and Analysis2009 WINNERSJAMA SBU 8000 scaler
One of the industry’s most advanced scaling options, the SBU 8000 mechanised scaler has had success in recent years at a series of key mines in Scandinavia, including Zinkgruvan, Garpenberg and Kiruna Nominees were: - Jacon Maxijet E3 shotcreting rig
The latest offering from Jacon, the Maxijet E3 electric shotcreting rig is suitable for mines with large cross sections. It features a Jacon S64 concrete pump with a rated output of 35m3/h - pewag Square Tycoon mining chains
In challenging underground hard rock mining operations, the Tycoon series Square tyre chains have achieved impressive service life results over the past year on heavily loaded LHD units from the leading manufacturers
6. Underground Mining (Coal/soft rock) – Capital Equipment2009 WINNERSSandvik MB750 Bolter Miner
Sandvik’s MB750 Bolter Miners were ranked number one and two in the 2008 South African board and pillar coal production statistics. At Tavistock Colliery’s section 4, one of the machines produced 1.25Mt of ROM coal Nominees were: - Eickhoff SL shearer loaders
Eickhoff SL shearers remain the preferred longwall systems in some of the world’s most challenging underground coal mines in Russia, China, South Africa and eastern Europe. The company recently introduced the EiControlSB automation software for its shearers, which allows operators to adapt configurations to prevailing conditions - Bucyrus EL3000 shearer
Able to mine seams of up to 5.5m, the EL3000 has been responsible for setting a series of impressive production records in the Australian coal industry
7. Underground Mining (Coal/soft rock) – Ancillary and Analysis2009 WINNERSIndustrea Mining Equipment longwall roof support carriers
The Australian company has had a series of significant orders from Shenhua Energy and other majors in the growing modern Chinese underground coal industry Nominees were: - CSIRO LASC automation technology
Based on customised inertial navigation technology, the LASC longwall automation technology allows a minimum number of personnel required to be within the hazardous zone of the longwall. At the core is the shearer-mounted hardware component, the Shearer Position Measurement System - ActiveMine wireless Wi-Fi mesh network system
ActiveMine is the only mine communications and tracking system that operates on a third generation 100% wireless Wi-Fi network backbone. The system has been selected by a number of key coal miners in the US and elsewhere
8. Surface Mining – Capital Equipment2009 WINNERSCaterpillar 797F haul truck
The latest incarnation of the mechanical drive giant features the single unit C175 engine, offering provides more horsepower, greater durability, less weight and improved fuel efficiency Nominees were: - P&H 9000C series draglines
The most significant new dragline product range for years, the 9000C series machines leverage important technology advances applied to the P&H 9020 model including the powerful P&H Centurion supervisory control and data acquisition system - Terex O&K RH400
It has been a big year for the RH400, which remains the largest hydraulic excavator on the market. With deliveries in South Africa and Australia for platinum and iron ore mining, the machine has broadened its focus beyond its core oil sands market
9. Surface Mining – Ancilliary and Analysis2009 WINNERSLeica Geosystems Jigsaw360
Jigsaw360 is a state-of-the-art integrated monitoring and guidance solution that utilises highly-advanced technologies to automatically provide optimised truck and shovel assignments; increase productivity; monitor and report key performance indicators and minimise operating costs Nominees were: - Modular Mining DISPTACH Proximity Detection Module
The DISPATCH Proximity Detection Module is a GPS-based, proximity-detection system originally implemented for shovels, dozers and drills but which is now available for haul trucks. A new version will also utilise the GPS-based proximity alarm to automatically trigger on-board cameras - Immersive Technologies Advanced Equipment Simulators
Immersive has been leading the way in this part of the industry, with a series of key alliances and agreements signed with manufacturers in the last two years, including P&H, Liebherr and Hitachi, building on a previous major licensing agreement with Caterpillar
10. Mineral Processing – Capital Equipment2009 WINNERSFLSmidth Minerals SuperCell
The latest flotation technology offering from FLSmidth, the SuperCell is a new category of large cells starting at a 300 m³ capacity offering better recoveries and more energy efficiency on a huge scale. Installations are already in place at Rio Tinto and Antofagasta Minerals operations Nominees were: - Telsmith 3858 jaw crusher
Over the last year, three 3858 jaw crushers have been successfully operating underground at Norilsk Nickel in Russia. The new model features several innovative design elements, including a chamber clearing system - Gekko Python
Gekko has successfully installed the Python at Central Rand Gold in South Africa, leading to an order for two more systems. The Python is the world’s first modular underground processing plant of its kind and offers significant energy and operational cost savings
11. Mineral Processing – Ancillary and Analysis2009 WINNERSABB System 800xA
Since its introduction five years ago, ABB’s groundbreaking Industrial Extended Automation System 800xA has been sold to more than 5,000 new and existing ABB customers in a diverse range of industries, including mining Nominees were: - Russell Mineral Equipment Twin 8 relining machine
The most efficient relining machine ever built, the Twin 8 is able to save 25% relining time on any previous solution, liberating up to 10 days’ extra full-plant production per year - Outotec FrothMaster 2
FrothMaster 2 is Outotec’s third generation tool for real-time froth analysis in flotation machines. It measures several essential properties of froth appearance including froth speed, bubble size, froth stability and froth colour and provides data related to these variables
12. Bulk Materials Handling - Capital Equipment2009 WINNERSTakraf in-pit mobile crushing system
Under construction at Rio Tinto’s Clermont coal mine in Australia, the Takraf 12,000t/h fully mobile in-pit crushing system is expected to halve the mine’s required overburden truck fleet Nominees were: - Doppelmayr Transport RopeCon
The RopeCon ropeway-based conveyor technology gives a new option to mining companies operating in remote areas with challenging topography. Systems are in use in the Jamaican bauxite and Papua New Guinea gold mining industries - Joy Flexible Conveyor Train (FCT)
Seeing increased use in the coal and soft rock market, the FCT simultaneously conveys material and trams to follow the continuous miner, while providing a continuous flow of material to the panel belt
13. Bulk Materials Handling - Ancillary and Analysis2009 WINNERSDugless 900 remote-controlled conveyor cleaner
The Dugless 900 is a unique remote-controlled compact crawler unit, which was designed with the mining industry in mind and prevents unplanned and costly shutdowns caused by broken drives by clearing up material from inaccessible and remote points on conveyor systems Nominees were: - DavyMarkham mine hoist multi-channel hydraulic brake control
A key feature of modern DavyMarkham mine hoist designs is the provision of a multi-channel hydraulic brake control system, which ensures maximum safety under fault conditions. This system has been specified the company’s recent US$20 million order from IAMGOLD for two large double drum hoists - Goodyear Sensor Guard with RFID Technology
The current incarnation of the Sensor Guard conveyor belt rip detection system available since the 1970s uses RFID technology, improved loop design, and Ethernet connectivity to enable mine operators to exactly locate belt damage at the earliest possible stage via remote monitoring
14. Mine of the Year2009 WINNERS:De Beers Canada Victor
Ontario’s first diamond mine, Victor was officially opened in July 2008 and has an annual production rate of 600,000 carats. The operation builds on Canada’s already well established diamond industry in the Northwest Territories Nominees were: - Equinox Lumwana
Successfully commissioning in early 2009 despite challenging global economic conditions, the world’s largest new copper mine in Zambia features a number of productivity innovations, including the first new trolley assist system for nearly ten years - Goldcorp Penasquito
Goldcorp’s Penasquito, ramping up to full operational status in 2009/2010, will ultimately be the country’s largest open pit operation. Annual production over the estimated 22 year life of mine is expected to be 500,000oz of gold, 30Moz of silver and over 400Mlb of zinc
15. Editor's Award2009 WINNERSKomatsu FrontRunner Autonomous Haulage System
With systems running on 930E trucks at Codelco Gaby and Rio Tinto West Angelas, Komatsu’s FrontRunner has made surface haul truck automation a reality Nominees were: - XEMC SF33900 haul truck
The 220t SF33900 is China’s first home grown high spec offering in the large mine haul truck market and deserves recognition. It is currently being tested in an Inner Mongolian coal operation - RUC Cementation Australia
The Australian-based Murray & Roberts division and vertical development specialist has achieved some remarkable raise-boring records in the past couple of years, including a 798m raise of 5.5m diameter at Gwalia Deeps. It has also manufactured the Strata 850 – the world’s most powerful raise drill
| | Conference Director and Awards Host Paul Moore, (left) gratefully received his own "award" from Hanno Bertignoll of Sandvik Mining and Construction. | | | |
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