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EFFICIENCY BOOST The Xcentric ripper is a hydraulic attachment on an excavator that employs percussion to break or rip through hard material at a rate that is 80% more effective than a standard vibration-activated attachment or hydraulic hammer

Percussion excavation as blasting alternative

Published: 28 Jun 24

Opencast mining, bulk materials handling, and drilling and blasting service provider Zizwe Opencast Mining’s fleet of hydraulic ripper excavator attachments from systems developer Xcentric enables clients to mine in socially sensitive areas, such as near communities, where drilling and blasting are not feasible. The Xcentric ripper is a hydraulic attachment on an excavator that employs percussion to break or rip through hard material at a rate that is 80% more effective than a standard vibration-activated attachment or hydraulic hammer.

NEW ERA
The scheduled start of underground production in the first half of 2028 is anticipated to bring a new era of high-value diamond recovery for Lucara

Underground expansion progressing towards 2028 start

Published: 28 Jun 24

With careful planning, innovative solutions and a dedicated team, diamond miner Lucara Diamond Corporation’s Karowe Underground Expansion Project (UGP) at the wholly owned Karowe diamond mine, in Botswana, is well-positioned to achieve its goals, says CEO and president William Lamb. The scheduled start of underground production in the first half of 2028 is anticipated to bring “a new era of high-value diamond recovery, further solidifying Lucara’s position in the global market”, he adds, noting that as the project progresses, the continued collaboration with the government of Botswana and the local communities will be pivotal.

SHINING INVITATION
De Beers Group is calling on young aspiring jewellery designers from their producer countries to enter the 2024 Shining Light Awards

Awards focus on development of designers

Published: 28 Jun 24

By focusing on sustainability, innovation and comprehensive industry exposure, diamond miner De Beers’ Shining Light Awards is evolving to meet the changing needs of the jewellery industry to recognise and support talented youth and as a means of boosting their careers. The competition, established in 1996, has become a key platform for discovering and nurturing young jewellery design and innovation talent, says De Beers beneficiation manager Kagiso Fredericks.

MAJOR SERVICE The 50 000-hour component replacement project is intended to bring heavy-wear components back into a serviceable state that is in line with original equipment manufacturer specification

Electric shovels receive 50 000-hour service

Published: 28 Jun 24

A 50 000-hour component replacement project on one of the large electric rope shovels owned and operated by original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) Barloworld Equipment (BWE) Botswana is going to plan, with recommissioning of the equipment expected in September 2024. The project is being undertaken by diamond producer Debswana which employs Bucyrus electric rope shovels of the 212 model at its Jwaneng operation, for which BWE Botswana provides parts and maintenance services.

Image of Chile flag and periodic table symbols for copper and molybdenum

Quebrada Blanca Operations, Chile

Published: 28 Jun 24

A copper/molybdenum mine in Tarapacá, in northern Chile.

Quebrada Blanca Operations, Chile

Published: 28 Jun 24

A copper/molybdenum in Tarapacá, in northern Chile.

Lundin weighs sale of zinc mines in Sweden and Portugal

Published: 27 Jun 24

Lundin Mining Corp is considering a potential sale of two European zinc mines as the Canadian metals producer turns its focus to copper in Latin America, according to people familiar with the matter. Vancouver-based Lundin is gauging interest in its Zinkgruvan mine in Sweden and Neves-Corvo mine in Portugal, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private information. Any divestment would help raise funds for further investments in a suite of copper assets in Chile and Argentina.

Claimants for deadly Mariana dam collapse file injunction against BHP, Vale

Published: 27 Jun 24

Lawyers representing claimants taking legal action over Brazil's worst environmental disaster filed an injunction this week against miners BHP and Vale for "trying to derail" a potential £36-billion ($46-billion) London lawsuit. More than 720 000 Brazilians, including 46 local governments, are suing BHP and Vale over the 2015 collapse of the Mariana dam, which was owned and operated by their Samarco joint venture.

US to start buying up to $2.7bn in domestic nuclear reactor fuel

Published: 27 Jun 24

The US is bidding to eventually buy up to $2.7-billion of domestically-supplied enriched uranium, in an effort to boost the supply chain for the nuclear reactor fuel and steer the country away from buying it from Russia, the Energy Department said on Thursday. The $2.7-billion in funding was unleashed by legislation, signed by President Joe Biden in May, that also imposed a ban on imports of enriched uranium from Russia, as part of sanctions on the country for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia, the world's top seller of enriched uranium, had been supplying about 24% of the fuel used by U.S. reactors.

Anglo paid $23.5bn in taxes, economic contributions in 2023

Published: 27 Jun 24

Diversified mining major Anglo American paid about $23.5-billion in total tax and economic contributions throughout its global operations during 2023, a decrease from about $24.5-billion in 2022. Payments in countries such as Brazil, Australia and the UK increased, while payments in South African fell the most among the countries in which Anglo operates. Payments to South Africa fell from about $9-billion in 2022 to about $7.5-billion in 2023.