Krishnapatnam Port has set an all India record for discharging 95,528 tons of steam coal in just 24 hrs using the conventional unloading system in form of advanced Mobile Harbor cranes.

Vessel MV. Grand Clipper carrying 132,953 tons berthed at Krishnapatnam Port at 10:48 hrs on June 17, 2011 and the commencement of discharging the coal started from 14:00 hrs the same day. The discharging was completed at 22:15 hrs on June 19, 2011.

This feat surpassed Krishnapatnam Port’s previous record of discharging 72,527 tons of steam coal in just 24 hrs which was also an all India record then and was established barely a couple of months earlier on April 12, 2011 for vessel MV. Welhero.

This achievement is the first ever in the history of any port in India and possibly in the world. Even with mechanized cargo handling facilities, not many ports in India & abroad have been able to achieve such a discharge rate.

Krishnapatnam Port has a draft of 16.5 meters, capable of handling capesize vessels. Dredging is in progress to further increase the draft to 18.5 mtrs by October 2011. The port is evolving as India’s largest gateway on the East Coast.

The post Krishnapatnam Port sets India record for coal discharging appeared first on MINING.com.

“We are very pleased at the prospect of working with JCHX, an award-winning organization with a shared commitment to excellence in service and safety, and confident that our combined strengths will benefit our clients significantly,” said Mr. Daniel Dumas, Chief Executive Officer of Dumas.

“JCHX is honoured to be partnering with Dumas, an organization with an outstanding track record of achievement in all facets of underground hard-rock mining contracting. In particular, we were attracted to Dumas because of its industry-leading technical capabilities and safety record,” added Mr. Wang Xiancheng, Chairman of the Board of JCHX.

Dumas and JCHX look forward to a mutually beneficial working relationship and will continue to explore opportunities to work together, such as pursuing new project opportunities in Canada as well as Dumas’ other core markets, including Latin America and West Africa.

About Dumas

Dumas is a leading full-service underground mining contractor providing services for clients throughout Canada, Latin America and West Africa. We specialize in mine construction, mine development, production mining, mine services and engineering. For more information visit www.dumasmining.com

.

About JCHX

JCHX is a leading underground mine contracting and engineering company based in Beijing, China, with operations in China, Zambia, Laos and Tajikistan. JCHX has developed numerous excellent talents and is well-equipped; we have the advantage of using trackless equipment to provide high quality services, especially in constructing large section declines and drifts for mine development. For more information visit www.jchxmc.com.

The post Dumas and JCHX form strategic alliance appeared first on MINING.com.

“Vista is committed to providing clients with the highest standard of services, and Aconex is helping us to do that, while creating a distinct advantage over our competitors,” said Patrick Reilly, Vista’s Technology Manager. “Aconex will allow us to better engage our clients and project teams in real time collaboration and ensure optimal management of all project information. Better still, we’ll be able to automate a number of information management processes to ensure we’re all on the same page and accelerating project lifecycles.”

Prior to Aconex, Vista utilized two separate solutions for information management but neither managed correspondence, an area where much project complexity and risk can exist. Vista audited its project management methods and identified two areas where automated processes could shave significant time off schedules:  time spent searching for information and ownership of steps in workflows. Aconex offered a single, complete solution for document control, document viewing, workflow automation and correspondence management. In addition, Aconex is a SaaS solution, eliminating upfront costs and deployment hassles. This was an important differentiator for Vista.

“Leading companies around the world are establishing a significant competitive edge by drastically shortening their project lifecycles,” said Leigh Jasper, CEO of Aconex. “Our clients have shortened their approval and decision times by an average of nearly 30 percent, saving them a tremendous amount of time and money while reducing errors and avoiding disputes.”

About Vista Projects Limited

Vista Projects Limited (http://www.vistaprojects.com) is a multi-discipline, technical engineering firm providing solutions to energy producers in Western Canada. While Vista has been active in all aspects of the oil and gas market, it has grown to become a leading engineering firm for thermal energy projects, working on some of the most successful in-situ heavy oil projects in the Alberta oil sands.

About Aconex

Aconex is a web-based platform for managing the large volume of information created and exchanged during a project’s lifecycle. Using the secure, central platform, each organization involved in a project is able to access, distribute, track and archive its documents and correspondence in real time. This reduces administrative costs such as printing and distribution, improves productivity by streamlining the flow of information and reduces companies’ exposure to risks such as disputes and delays.

From its 41 offices around the world, Aconex services US$260 billion worth of construction, infrastructure, energy and resources projects. Projects using the system include the $3.2 billion Panama Canal Expansion, the $6 billion Denver Transit Expansion Program and the $40 billion Yas Island development in Abu Dhabi. For more information and examples of Aconex in action, see www.aconex.com. Follow Aconex on Twitter using @aconex and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Aconex.

The post Vista Projects selects Aconex document management service appeared first on MINING.com.

Modular Mining Systems, Inc. (Modular), the world leader in information management solutions for mining operations, announces that SouthGobi Resources, Ltd. has chosen to implement the Modular^® IntelliMine^® Integrated Asset Management Suite at its Ovoot Tolgoi operation in southern Mongolia.

The installation will include the DISPATCH^® fleet management system, PowerView^™ reporting software, MineCare^® maintenance management system, and ProVision^® machine guidance solution for shovels, dozers, and drills. “We chose Modular because the IntelliMine suite covers all aspects of our business,” said Justin Kapla, General Manager, Ovoot Tolgoi Operations. “From safety, to asset management, to increased productivity, they have solutions that meet all of our needs.  We look forward to the value their products will add to our business.”

With the new technology in place, the site will receive real-time exchange of data and feedback regarding fleet and operations, a central source of information and reporting across multiple departments, and real-time monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities for maintenance, among other benefits. For Modular, this will be the first installation in Mongolia; furthermore, it will be the first installation of any major mine management system in the country. “Modular is extremely excited to gain a world-class partner in SouthGobi Resources, in a region that is fast becoming a significant global mining region” said Modular VP of Business Development, Anthony Cook. “We are committed to developing our capabilities within Mongolia, and we anticipate other operations in the region to take advantage of Modular’s product and service offerings.”

About SouthGobi Resources, Ltd. and Ovoot Tolgoi

SouthGobi Resources Ltd. is focused on exploration and development of its Permian-age metallurgical and thermal coal deposits in Mongolia’s South Gobi region.  The company’s flagship operation, Ovoot Tolgoi, is already producing and selling coal to customers in China and has proven and probable surface reserves totaling 106.8 million metric tons. The mining method employed at Ovoot Tolgoi is open-cut terrace, utilizing large-scale hydraulic excavators, shovels, and trucks. This allows for productive open-pit mining in the steep coal seam environments native to the mineral-rich Ovoot Khural basin. The company plans to supply a wide range of coal products to markets throughout Asia. For more information, visit http://www.southgobi.com.

About Modular Mining Systems, Inc.

Modular is the market leader in providing powerful information management solutions to meet the needs of both open pit and underground mining operations worldwide. Modular sales and support offices are located in all key world-mining markets. For more information, visit the Modular website at http://www.modularmining.com.

The post SouthGobi selects Modular for mine management solution appeared first on MINING.com.

The end product, T-Steel, is significantly stronger than regular steel and provides vast production, operational and environmental benefits.

T-Steel was used commercially to strengthen steel for non-civilian use. Astra has taken the opportunity with the devolution of the Eastern bloc countries to acquire the technology and roll it out globally.

Astra Mining CEO, Dr. Jaydeep Biswas, says the independent verification of the steel’s unique properties comes from one of the University of Miskolc’s leading metallurgical engineers, Professor Emeritus Dr. Farkas Otto.

“This expert opinion on a study into the preparation of the production of T-Steel confirms it has better qualities compared to traditional steels,” Dr. Biswas says.

“It also confirms the CO2 emission in its manufacture can be up to two times less than with traditional steel making technologies, reducing a manufacturing plant's carbon footprint which is highly beneficial to the environment.

“Astra has a substantial 30 percent ownership of T-Steel’s IP and has full operational and management control of its business, so we are very excited to receive this independent verification.”

T-Steel is a direct, high category replacement for the currently produced equivalent steel types and has immediate benefits in high use countries such as China and India. It can also play a large role in countries trying to reduce C02 emissions such as Australia.

The basic product, which includes the use of unique alloy based formulas invented over a 30 year period in Hungary, is based on a process which can modify the metallurgical properties of steel at a molecular level.

“T-Steel can be produced by existing steel mills with little or no retrofitting needed, however this can only be done if the mills have access to the T-Steel technology and the correct steel plant operation conditions,” Dr. Biswas says.

“This makes T-Steel nearly impossible to replicate, as attempts to meet all necessary conditions would cost many hundreds of millions, something that would not be cost effective for individual steel manufacturing companies.

“Astra is in negotiations for a long term co-operation agreement with one the world’s largest steel traders for the DAM Steel Works in Hungary which will produce 500,000 tonnes per annum of T-Steel annually.

“The acquisition of DAM Steel plant is not a pre-requisite for rollout for the T-Seel technology, it is one part of a comprehensive business plan, however the relationship would position Astra ideally to capitalise on its strategic growth plan and market T-Steel products worldwide.”

The viability of the T-Steel technology has been verified by extensive independent reporting and the technology is commercially viable due to its strong record of commercial applications, including areas in construction, automotive and machinery.

Companies that have already utilised T-Steel technology in the past include those in vehicle manufacturing and industrial applications.

“A Top 4 accounting firm completed the financial model for the valuation of T-Steel, which is based on a single manufacturing mill producing 500,000 tonnes of steel per annum and a separate business unit distributing the alloy-based formula globally,” Dr. Biswas says.

“It is estimated that the project of global commercialisation of T-Steel technology has a NPV over A$6.12 billion, assuming the level of risk is in line with industry average.

“Based on the 30 percent IP ownership, Astra’s share is extremely valuable to our company.”

Astra Mining’s global portfolio includes gold and tin interests in south east Asia and southern India, coal mines in Australia, iron ore in India, and the production of a new high-strength steel technology. Astra has also confirmed its plans to list on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange before the end of August.

For more information visit www.astramining.com or email investor-relations@wedgewoodcommunications.com

The post Expert opinion verifies revolutionary new steel making process for Astra Mining appeared first on MINING.com.

The post West Africa opens its doors to Fordia appeared first on MINING.com.

The post Aquatech Dewatering expands services into Newfoundland and Labrador appeared first on MINING.com.

Like the PowerCore CP Series collectors for the baghouse market, the new PowerCore VH Series collectors are designed to be smaller and smarter. "Smaller" means that the VH Series will take up less valuable floor space – up to 70 percent less than some baghouses and cartridge collectors – that can be used for other important needs within the operation. "Smarter" means the VH collector is designed to reduce labor costs and downtime with easy, time-saving filter change-outs with no confined spaces to deal with.

The Torit PowerCore VH Series collectors will handle airflows of 5000 to 50,000 cfm. Like the CP and TG Series, the VH Series utilizes PowerCore filter packs. One PowerCore VH filter pack replaces up to 20 8-foot baghouse bags and up to three standard, round cartridges.  When comparing the VH series to a 13,600 cfm, 162-bag baghouse, the VH Series – with 8 filter packs – has a 70 percent smaller footprint, is 50 percent shorter and has 95 percent fewer filters. That's 154 fewer filters to change. When compared to a cartridge collector, the VH Series is approximately 40 percent smaller and uses 16 fewer filters. Fewer filters mean reduced maintenance and downtime for the operation.

To better handle the harsh environment created by abrasive dusts, the PowerCore VH Series features heavy gauge steel and all-welded construction. Its single hopper option and single air inlets/outlets reduce ducting, installation and material handling costs. And, unlike other collectors, the VH Series includes a zero-turn pulse cleaning system, which forces dust directly down into the hopper, which decreases the chance of re-entrainment on adjacent filters.

Learn more about the new Donaldson Torit PowerCore VH Series of dust collectors at http://www.donaldson.com/toritpowercore.

Donaldson Torit PowerCore collectors are used in a broad range of markets, including: paper and packaging, grain milling, fabricated metals, cement and gypsum, mineral processing, food products, chemical and petroleum, mining and quarrying, thermal spray, wood, concrete, etc. To learn more about these applications and Donaldson Torit PowerCore collectors visit www.donaldson.com/toritpowercore.

The post Donaldson Torit launches new PowerCore VH Series Dust Collector appeared first on MINING.com.

The expansion investment includes construction of additional 7,500 square meter (80 K Sq Ft) and will be completed in the spring of 2012. It is estimated that the costs of the expansion are about EUR 4 million (USD 6 million)

"These are positive messages to our customers: We are constantly improving our service level to our partners in oil, gas, process and pulp and paper industries," John Quinlivan, President of Flow Control North America business unit comments.

"Many of our customer's processes are becoming more demanding as they strive to increase productivity and  they are looking for us to provide the solutions to their evolving processes. The expansion will facilitate the establishment of a dual operational model for high volume standard production and customer engineered valve production. This gives us the prerequisites to serve our customer with greater product and application scope. It further positions us for growth in what we expect to be a strengthening local market." John Quinlivan continues.

"In the automated valve industry, we are already the leading valve solutions and services provider in the US. We have strong established market positions in pulp and paper, industrial gas, chemical and oil and gas industries. This investment will allow us to further expand our position as well as enter into new areas", he continues.

Metso's North American industrial valve business currently employs about 500 persons in USA. After the expansion, the major part of the personnel will be located in Shrewsbury.

Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have about 28,500 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com

The post Metso continues investing in valve production and services now in the US appeared first on MINING.com.

Lawson for Equipment Service Management & Rental helps dealers manage, track and coordinate service for their equipment throughout the equipment lifecycle. The software supports a dealer's global supply chains, links back to manufacturers, and helps dealers manage internal sales, finance, service, warranty and rental departments to promote better customer service and equipment maintenance.

The new Lawson Equipment Quotation Management can support sales executives and managers improve accuracy of price quotes by including parts sales, commissioning services, promotions and maintenance agreements during the quotation process. It comes with enhanced search and selection functionality to help sales people better determine if a unit is in stock and when it can be delivered to end customers. Lawson Equipment Quotation Management includes a new graphical equipment configurator that takes users through a step-by-step process to configure a specific piece of equipment to a customer’s individual requirements. And, with a new flexible price management function, dealers have tools that can help manage profit margins.

The new Lawson Equipment Customer Portal provides a web-based interface to help simplify and improve the user experience. The solution comes with e-sales functionality and helps provide access to up-to-date product information, specifications, cost, alternate product availability and order tracking – all within one system. It essentially serves as a “one stop shop” for the end customers and can help companies reduce the cost of order administration, save time, and establish an effective channel of communication between equipment companies and their customers.

“In the equipment industry, going the extra mile in customer service can quickly pay off and help companies achieve a competitive advantage. With these innovative enhancements for our industry-specific solution for heavy equipment dealers, companies will have tools to help improve their efficiency while better managing customer loyalty,” said Julian Archer, marketing director for Equipment Service Management & Rental at Lawson. “This new offering is further validation of Lawson’s commitment to increase the value of Lawson solutions to our customers and help to make them stronger.”

About Lawson Software

Lawson Software is a global provider of enterprise software.  We provide business application software, maintenance and consulting to customers primarily in specific services, trade and manufacturing/distribution industries.  We specialize in and target specific industries including healthcare, services, public sector, equipment service management & rental, manufacturing & distribution and consumer products industries.  Our software solutions include Enterprise Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Business Intelligence, Asset Management, Enterprise Performance Management, Supply Chain Management, Service Management, Manufacturing Operations, Business Project Management and industry-tailored applications. Our applications help automate and integrate critical business processes, which enable our customers to collaborate with their partners, suppliers and employees, reduce costs and enhance business or operational performance. Lawson is headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., and has offices around the world. Visit Lawson online at www.lawson.com. For Lawson’s listing on the First North exchange in Sweden, Remium AB is acting as the Certified Adviser.

The post Lawson introduces Lawson for Equipment Service Management & Rental appeared first on MINING.com.

The joint project between Metso and Fortum involves research into switching over from air combustion to oxygen combustion. In oxyfuel combustion, the flue gas consists of almost clean water vapor and CO2, which can be captured. Adding a carbon dioxide recovery system to a biomass-fired power plant creates a carbon sink that abates climate change.

During the project, an international research cooperation network was established. Without such a network, it would be impossible to realize a project of this kind, which require extensive know-how. In addition to Metso and Fortum, the project is partly funded by Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation.

"We have carried out a comprehensive series of tests ranging from laboratory measurements to continuous pilot-scale tests. In the pilot-scale testing, we focused on developing both the actual boiler process and safe operation of the boiler plant during oxyfuel combustion. Modifying Metso's 4-MW test plant for oxyfuel combustion has been challenging and we are pleased with what we have achieved. With circulating fluidized bed technology, coal and biomass can be co-fired, thereby turning the power plant into a carbon sink," explains Jussi Mäntyniemi, General Manager, Technology at Metso's Power business line.

"Fortum has been very pleased with how the project has proceeded. By altering Metso's test equipment for oxyfuel combustion, we have received a lot of new information in terms of the future opportunities that the technology offers. The tests provide both empirical data and new information concerning the operation of the plant," says Marja Englund, manager of the project at Fortum.

In oxyfuel combustion, process fuel is combusted with a mixture of pure oxygen and recirculated flue gas instead of air. After cleaning, the flue gas consists of water vapor and CO2.  Oxyfuel combustion can be used in circulating fluidized bed boilers that can be operated with a wide range of fuel types, such as coal, biomass and a mixture of fuels.

Metso is a forerunner in developing innovations and apart from contributing to research in oxyfuel combustion, Metso is also involved in developing new technologies for torrefaction, biogasification, pyrolysis and LignoBoost that are important energy solutions for the future.

The post Metso and Fortum's joint development work on oxyfuel combustion technology makes headway appeared first on MINING.com.

LeTourneau operates two business segments — mining products and drilling products. The mining products business is the world's leading manufacturer of large wheel loaders for surface mining, providing the industry's largest model sizes and payload capacities. LeTourneau's mining products business had calendar 2010 revenue and EBITDA* of $259 million and $67 million, respectively.

LeTourneau's drilling products business is a leading designer of offshore jack-up drilling rigs as well as a manufacturer of the primary components for these rigs. It is also a major manufacturer of drilling equipment for large land and offshore rigs and of specialty steel products. LeTourneau's drilling products business had calendar 2010 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA* of $556 million and $38 million, respectively.

"This acquisition represents a compelling opportunity for Joy Global Inc. and our shareholders, with strong growth prospects for both the mining products and drilling products business segments," said President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Sutherlin. "The LeTourneau mining products business is a natural fit with our P&H business. It adds another solution for surface loading that complements our electric mining shovels, and gives us access to smaller and non-electrified mines. The drilling products business moves us into another area of resource extraction that has similar fundamentals and value drivers as surface and underground mining, and therefore is a good fit for our business model which focuses on equipment reliability and Life Cycle Management. Oil and gas has been defined as a strategic growth opportunity for a number of years, and LeTourneau gives us a great entry point into this sector. We welcome the LeTourneau team to Joy Global Inc. and look forward to working together to pursue the growth opportunities that come with the combined business."

LeTourneau is well positioned to grow its mining business as mine expansion continues. It is the only manufacturer of electric drive loaders and has the broadest range and largest sizes of wheel loaders in the mining industry. These are the only wheel loaders with installed power greater than 2000 gross horse power rating, and the only wheel loaders capable of loading 400 ton haul trucks. LeTourneau's mining products business will be integrated with Joy Global Inc.'s P&H Mining Equipment business.

Randy Baker, President and COO of P&H Mining Equipment said, "The addition of LeTourneau's front-end loaders will enhance our product offering and leverage our existing manufacturing and product distribution networks. We expect a smooth integration since P&H already serves as a dealer for LeTourneau in key geographies around the world. In addition, LeTourneau's electric drive technology is more efficient than mechanical drive systems, which has resulted in strong order growth. We believe that the LeTourneau business gives us the opportunity to further build on our Life Cycle Management strategy by adding a complementary product range that brings volume and scope to our aftermarket business. We intend to use this acquisition to more efficiently provide our customers with better service levels. As a result, we will look for ways to integrate the LeTourneau and P&H field facilities and distribution activities."

LeTourneau's drilling products business is expected to benefit from the renewal of a new rig build cycle for both offshore and land rigs. This demand is driven by the increased requirement for new, high-specification rigs and the emerging need to replace the majority of the jack-up fleet that is approaching its design life. This industry trend is well supported by 22 new jack-up rig orders thus far in 2011, with options for 28 more. With a full suite of drilling equipment and well recognized brands, LeTourneau is ideally positioned to benefit from this improvement in the land and offshore drilling markets. LeTourneau's revenues have been restricted because its addressable customer base largely competes with Rowan for drilling contracts, and therefore the change of ownership will significantly expand LeTourneau's market acceptance.

LeTourneau's calendar 2010 financial results had revenues of $815 million and Adjusted EBITDA* of $105 million. Although this acquisition is primarily focused on growth and operating leverage opportunities, Joy Global Inc. estimates $40 million in synergies, achievable by 2013, as a result of manufacturing and supply chain efficiencies across both segments and the integration of aftermarket infrastructure in mining. The company also expects that the LeTourneau drilling products business will realize higher incremental margins as volumes improve from 2010.

Joy Global Inc. expects that the acquisition will be earnings accretive in fiscal 2011, excluding deal costs and excess first year purchase accounting charges. The company will finance the transaction with a combination of cash and additional borrowings.

The post Joy Global announces acquisition of LeTourneau Technologies appeared first on MINING.com.

Metso has started a process to recruit a successor. In the meantime, Marja Mäkinen, Metso's Investor Relations Manager, will head the investor relations team.

The post Change in Metso's Vice President, Investor Relations appeared first on MINING.com.

Outokumpu will invest over EUR 440 million to double its present annual ferrochrome production capacity to about 530,000 tons once the extension is finalized in 2013. Metso's delivery targets the new melting plant, the new sintering plant and the water plant as well as for the raw material dosage and the coke station. The value of the order is not disclosed. The order is included in Energy and Environmental Technology's Q1/2011 orders received.

"Metso's automation system provides our plant with a uniform, integrated operation system, making changing tasks and taking over from a colleague easy thanks to a common operator interface. Additionally, we will get uniform process reporting and management. From the maintenance point of view, having one automation system is a benefit, too," says Antti Hemminki, who is in charge of electrification in Outokumpu's F3 project.

Outokumpu's ferrochrome plant is part of the Tornio steel plant, which is the world's most integrated stainless steel production unit with all parts of the production chain located close to each other. In the ferrochrome facility some production plants already use Metso's automation systems. Also, the Tornion Voima power plant located in the vicinity has Metso's automation.

Outokumpu Group is one of the world's leading producers of stainless steel. It has about 7,500 employees in over 30 countries. The head office is located in Espoo, Finland. www.outokumpu.com

The post Metso supplies automation and process electrification to Outokumpu's new ferrochrome plant in Tornio, Finland appeared first on MINING.com.

"Since beginning operations in 2002, this latest Riegl purchase is the 6th scanning laser acquired by LSI" said LSI President, Tony Tubman.  MATRIX is LSI's latest generation of LiDAR system development and utilizes software modularity architecture to allow fast and flexible system configuration to meet clients' requirements.  Each MATRIX system integrates Riegl lasers with various IMU's and various downward and forward looking digital still and video cameras.  All MATRIX systems can be flown in either helicopter or various aircraft platforms.

About LiDAR Services International Inc:

Based in Calgary Alberta, LSI is a highly experienced LiDAR service company offering LiDAR mapping and digital imagery data collection services for a wide variety of industries.  LSI has completed mining related LiDAR projects in the USA, Canada, South and Central America, Malaysia, Indonesia and Africa.  LSI is a privately owned company with a staff of 22 highly qualified team members.

The post LSI takes delivery of Riegl VQ-480 scanning laser appeared first on MINING.com.