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Investing Guides
Belara Metallurgical Test Work Produces High Grade Concentrates
October 16, 2022
Belararox Limited (ASX:BRX) (“Belararox” or “the Company”) an advanced mineral explorer focused on high value clean energy metals, is excited to announce the initial metallurgical testwork results from the Phase 1 resource drilling at the Belara Project. The testwork aims to build upon drilling results to determine the potential of the Belara Project to host significant zinc and copper mineralisation.
Highlights
- Sequential open circuit flotation tests on low-grade composite from early Belara drilling confirms the potential for producing saleable Copper, Lead, and Zinc concentrate grades.
- Recoveries and concentrate grade are comparable to similar mines in the region.
- Metal recoveries compare favourably to the significant Woodlawn Cu/Pb/Zn volcanogenic massive sulphide project located in the southern extensions of the Lachlan Fold Belt in NSW with very similar concentrate grades and saleable metal recoveries as highlighted in the below charts.
- Favourable silver recovery of 35% in the Belara lead concentrate, vs 24% in Woodlawn lead concentrate.
- Recoveries are expected to improve on higher grade composites, which are more reflective of the average metal grades obtained from the recently completed Phase 1 drilling.
Next Steps
- Initial Mineral Resource Estimate to be completed during October.
- Planning for Phase 2 exploration and drilling at Belara Project is underway and details will be announced in the coming month.
- Heritage agreement with the Warrabinga Wiradjuri Native Title Claim Group has been executed, with grant of the remaining two Exploration Licence Applications at Belara Project progressing (ELA6176 and ELA6287).
- Bullabulling Project (WA) drilling is to commence in early 2023 targeting the highest priority gold targets identified from recently completed 3D mineral potential mapping. The targeted Bullabulling tenements contain a large 3D model target of a scale similar to the 300,000 oz Geko gold deposit located nearby.
Managing Director, Arvind Misra, commented:
“First phase of metallurgy test work is very encouraging and confirms that saleable Copper, Lead, and Zinc concentrate grades can be produced at Belara. Metal recoveries compare favourably to the Woodlawn Cu/Pb/Zn volcanogenic massive sulphide project (owned by Develop Global Ltd) with very similar concentrate grades, and saleable metal recoveries. Recoveries are expected to improve on higher grade composites, which are more reflective of the average metal grades obtained from the recently completed Phase 1 drilling.
We remain on track to deliver our maiden Mineral Resource Estimate later this month.”
Summary of Metallurgical Test Work
Diamond drill core intervals representative of a lower grade mill feed, from early drill testing on the Belara project, were composited to form a single 23kg Master Composite, then were subjected to metallurgical characterisation and flotation testwork1.
This composite was obtained from early drill holes BLDD001 and BLDD002a drilled as part of the Phase 1 drilling program for Belara. These drill holes are considered to represent typical polymetallic stratiform sulphide mineralisation for Belara, albeit at lower grades compared to later drilling on the project. Subsequent drilling has identified higher grades e.g. BLDD028 - 3.0m at 11.17% Zn, 1.69% Cu, 2.25% Pb, 88.13g/t Ag, and 1.68 g/t Au (reference: ASX: BRX, 21st September 2022 Announcement).
Testwork was conducted at Auralia Metallurgical Laboratories under the management of JT Metallurgical Services with the key outcomes being the derivation of a flowsheet and reagent conditions capable of producing saleable copper (>20%), lead (>30%), and zinc (>50%) concentrates.
A total of eight Cu-Pb-Zn sequential flotation tests have been conducted to date with the flowsheet reflecting the historic Woodlawn polymetallic operation, noting geological and mineralogical similarities of the two projects. Flotation feed grind size and reagent regimes were assessed in open circuit tests in lieu of future locked cycle testwork. Test 7 (AM141-7) flowsheet is presented in Figure 1 with the Belara Low Grade Master Composite feed grade, concentrate grades and recoveries in Table 1 with comparison to Woodlawn historical performance (reference: ASX: DVP, 6th September 2022 Announcement). A flotation feed size of P80 53 micron was required followed by regrinding each of the rougher concentrates to sub P80 20 micron to achieve sufficient mineral liberation prior to two stage cleaning. Test 8 results are still outstanding.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Belararox Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
BRX:AU
9h
Drilling Commenced at Viani in Fiji
Alice Queen Limited (ASX:AQX) (“Alice Queen” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced at its 100% owned Viani Project in Vanua Levu, Fiji (see Image 1). The initial planned three-hole diamond drilling program will test for high-grade epithermal gold-style mineralisation intersected at the Viani Project by historic drilling.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Phase 1, three-hole diamond drilling program has commenced at the Viani Project, Fiji and will test for extensions to the quartz vein gold mineralisation at depth.
- Phase 1 is expected to be completed in early 2025, with plans for additional drilling under the same program dependent on the initial results
- The Viani Project (SPL1513) covers an area of approximately 200km2 and is largely underexplored.
- At the Dakuniba prospect within Viani, low sulphidation epithermal high-grade gold mineralisation has been mapped over >3km strike length.
- Diamond drilling completed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 1995 to 1997 intersected high-grade gold in low sulphidation epithermal quartz veins, including 0.6m @ 27.6 g/t Au.
Alice Queen’s Managing Director, Andrew Buxton said,
With drilling underway, Alice Queen is positioned to test the epithermal gold-style mineralisation identified in historic drilling at the Viani Project. Weather permitting, we anticipate completing the Phase 1, three-hole diamond drilling program in early 2025. Following this, our exploration team will mobilise the drill rig to the Sabeto Project in Fiji to maintain the momentum of this campaign. To deliver timely results to shareholders, we intend to accelerate the analysis of the drill core at ALS Brisbane.”
Image 1 – Diamond drilling at Viani
Details
Geology
The geology of the Viani Project (SPL 1513) comprises olivine basalts and volcaniclastics of the Natewa Volcanic Group which are intruded by andesite sills and dykes. In the 1940s, gold mineralisation was found by local prospectors near the village of Dakuniba. At Dakuniba, low sulphidation style epithermal gold occurs in quartz veins, and silicified rocks along a 3km long NE trending zone.
In 1995-1997, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) drilled six diamond holes at Dakuniba and intersected high-grade gold in chalcedonic, crustiform, colloform banded quartz veins at depths of 50m to 100m below surface (i.e. MJVFV-5 intersected 2.2m @ 11.3 g/t Au, incl 0.6m @ 27.6 g/t Au at 121m downhole). This high-grade gold mineralisation is open in all directions.
Proposed Drill program
The initial Phase 1 drill program at Viani (see Table 1) will comprise three diamond drillholes designed to test continuity to the epithermal gold mineralisation previously intersected in JICA drillhole MJVFV- 5 (2.2m @ 11.3 g/t Au) (see Figure 2). The drilling will test for extensions to the gold mineralisation at depth and along strike.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Alice Queen Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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10h
FireFly Drills its Best Hole Yet with Assay of 86.3m at 3.7% CuEq
Latest drilling returns very thick intersections with exceptional grades, outlining a rich area of mineralistion which will form part of the next Resource update
FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM) (“Company” or “Firefly”) is pleased to announce its best assays yet at the Green Bay copper-gold project.
KEY POINTS
- Latest drilling at the Ming Mine within the Green Bay Project returns spectacular results which support the Company’s strategy to continue growing the Resource (currently 59Mt at 2% CuEq; see ASX release dated 29 October 2024)
- There are two distinct styles of mineralisation at Ming; upper copper-gold rich Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (‘VMS’) lenses above a broad copper footwall stringer zone (‘FWZ’)
- The latest drilling reveals strong FWZ mineralisation directly below the high-grade VMS; This has resulted in continuous copper-gold intersections which are both wide (~true thickness) and high-grade, including drill holes:
- 86.3m @ 3.7% CuEq 1 (3.1% Cu & 0.6g/t Au) in hole MUG24-079
Intersection includes two distinct VMS lodes grading 15.5m @ 4.6% CuEq and 9.9m @ 5.8% CuEq above a broad copper FWZ intersection with a high-grade core of 27.6m @ 5.3% CuEq
- 76.3m @ 2.9% CuEq (2.4% Cu & 0.5g/t Au) in hole MUG24-073
Intersection includes an upper VMS lode grading 20.1m @ 6.1% CuEq above multiple FWZ intersections including 24.0m @ 2.6% CuEq and 11.0m @ 2.4% CuEq
- Other notable assays received subsequent to the completion of the October 2024 Resource update include (~true thickness):
- 7.9m @ 3.8% CuEq (1.1% Cu & 2.9g/t Au) VMS zone MUG24-070
- 21.0m @ 1.8% CuEq and 21.9m @ 1.9% CuEq and 19.7m @ 2.0% CuEq FWZ zone MUG24-070
- 50.9m @ 1.7% CuEq (1.6% Cu & 0.1g/t Au) FWZ zone MUG24-069
- Both the high-grade massive sulphide zones and broad footwall stringer zones remain open, with downhole geophysical surveys indicating likely extensions to the mineralisation
FireFly Managing Director Steve Parsons said: “These exceptional new results highlight both the quality and ongoing growth potential at Green Bay.
”The results, which come from some of the deepest holes drilled to date, are world-class, demonstrating exceptionally high grades over huge true widths. They will be included in the next Resource update.
“The Resource remains open, and we will continue to add value through the drill bit by continuing to grow and infill what is already a high-grade and large-scale copper deposit”.
The results highlight the huge scope for ongoing growth in the Resource, which already stands at 59Mt @ 2% for 1.2Mt of contained copper metal equivalent.
These reported intersections were received after the October 2024 Resource update.
There are two distinct styles of mineralisation at the Ming underground mine at Green Bay. One comprises the upper copper-gold rich Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (‘VMS’) lenses. This sits above a broad copper stringer zone known as the Footwall Zone (‘FWZ’).
Drilling at the margins of the current Resource show the development of a strong copper-rich footwall zone directly beneath the upper VMS lenses. In other parts of the deposit the separation of the VMS and FWZ can exceed 50 metres. Their convergence has resulted in thick and consistent high-grade copper and gold intersections which are amongst the best mineralised results returned from the deposit to date. Highlights include 86.3m @ 3.7% CuEq (~true thickness) made up of two separate VMS intersections of 15.5m @ 4.6% CuEq and 9.9m @ 5.8% CuEq above a thick FWZ mineralised zone with a core of 27.6m @ 5.3% CuEq.
Both the high-grade massive sulphide zones and broad footwall stringer zones remain open, with downhole geophysical surveys indicating probable extensions to the mineralisation pointing to future resource growth.
The Company will continue with its strategy of Resource growth at Ming with exploration development continuing to position drill rigs to deliver Resource growth during 2025. Four rigs continue to drill underground as part of the fully-funded 130,000m campaign designed to deliver both additional Resource extensions and infill drilling to increase confidence in the Inferred areas of the current estimate.
FireFly is well funded with ~A$88M in cash at the end of October 2024.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Firefly Metals, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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10h
Strategic Expansion of MacBride Base & Precious Metal Project in Canada
Acquired ground more than doubles Corazon’s prospective landholding / Aerial geophyical survey extended to test new tenure / Work underway defining priority targets for early 2025 drill program
Corazon Mining Limited (ASX: CZN) (Corazon or Company) is pleased to announce the strategic expansion of its MacBride Base and Precious Metals Project (MacBride or Project) in the Lynn Lake district, of Manitoba, Canada.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Corazon has secured additional ground at the MacBride Base and Precious Metals Project in Canada’s Lynn Lake district
- MacBride Project now covers a 14-kilometre strike of stratigraphy prospective for Cu-Zn-Au-Ag massive sulphide deposits, including the drill-defined outcropping MacBride and Wellmet deposits
- High-grade gold assays from historical sampling (up to 25.9g/t Au in grab samples) within the new ground further highlights the region’s prospectivity for orogenic gold deposits
- An aerial VTEM geophysical survey is currently underway
- Previous VTEM survey effectively defined a conductor coincident with the MacBride Deposit, as well as multiple untested, high-priority conductors undercover on trend
- The new VTEM survey provides greater coverage of the MacBride Project, including the first-time survey of the Wellmet Cu-Au and Zn-Cu-Au trends
- Results from the new VTEM survey are expected to be available in the coming weeks and will be used in targeting drilling for early 2025
- The MacBride Project is an exciting exploration opportunity and will be a major focus of Corazon’s ongoing Lynn Lake region exploration activities
The Company has physically staked and made applications for new Mining Claims that increases the MacBride project area from ~26km2 to ~56km2, covering a contiguous
~14km strike length of the prospective MacBride/Wellmet trend (Figure 1). The new Claims are pending grant by the Manitoba Provincial Government.
The new area hosts several prospects identified by historical exploration, including results as high as 25.9 g/t Au in grab sampling at Prospect Area F (Figure 1).
Exploration at MacBride between the 1940’s and early 1990’s defined the MacBride and Wellmet copper-zinc-gold- silver deposits and established the fertility of the region. The only recent exploration was a 2008 aerial VTEM (versatile time domain electromagnetic) survey, which identified the MacBride deposit as a conductor, along with multiple high-order conductive bodies, undercover along trend (ASX announcement 7 October 2024). These conductive bodies are yet to be followed up with drilling.
The MacBride Project is a major focus of Corazon’s Lynn Lake region exploration activities. The effectiveness of past geophysical VTEM surveys in defining drill-defined massive sulphide mineralisation has resulted in extending coverage over a larger part of the project area. The geophysical conductors defined from this work will be the priority focus for first pass drilling currently proposed for early 2025.
The MacBride Project expansion further enhances Corazon’s position as a significant landholder and active explorer- developer in the Lynn Lake district, which also hosts the Company’s 100% owned, flagship Lynn Lake Nickel-Copper- Cobalt Sulphide Project.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Corazon Mining, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here
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04 December
Strategic Acquisition Consolidates Large Scale Gold and Base Metal Target Area
Acquisition of Octava Minerals’ Talga Project and Exploration Update
Established multi-asset Western Australian lithium company, Global Lithium Resources Limited (ASX: GL1, Global Lithium or the Company) is pleased to announce the acquisition of seven strategic tenements adjacent to the Company’s Marble Bar Gold Project to complete coverage of a large gold in soil geochemistry anomaly that is spatially associated with a highly altered granite (Figure 1).
Key Highlights
- Strategic, low-cost acquisition of the Talga Project from Octava Minerals (ASX: OCT) for $200,000 cash and $200,000 in Global Lithium Resources (ASX: GL1) ordinary shares based on the 5-day VWAP prior to completion.
- Aligns with GL1’s prudent cost management and value-accretive strategy to assess non-lithium mineral prospectivity across its largely unexplored portfolio of tenements.
- Consolidation of a 12km trend of gold in soil geochemical anomalies on the northwestern margin of the Mt Edgar Batholith.
- Identification of a potential porphyry/Intrusion related Cu-Au mineralised system associated with a finger of the Coppin Gap Granodiorite, which is the interpreted source of the Archean Spinifex Ridge Mo-Cu-Ag Porphyry Deposit, located 20km away.
- Increased recent corporate activity relating to Pilbara gold project development with Creasy Group acquiring nearby Calidus Resources (ASX: CAI) and Northern Star’s (ASX: NST) announced intention to acquire De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG).
- Process commenced seeking partners to accelerate and fund further exploration, along with previously announced Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) grant funding.
Global Lithium Executive Chairman, Ron Mitchell, said the Talga Project acquisition provided a low-risk, cost efficient opportunity for the Company to expand its exposure to gold and base metals within a highly prospective region.
“There is no better time for Global Lithium to consolidate and investigate the prospectivity of Talga alongside our existing Marble Bar tenements. Interest in the region is high and market conditions for gold and base metals are very favourable.
The Manna Lithium Project remains our number one priority; however, we look forward to leveraging our in-house capabilities and external partners to unlock value from these additional tenements while the lithium market is facing near term challenges. Any future upside from the exploration work at Marble Bar will, inevitably, benefit our Manna Project and all Global Lithium shareholders.”
Since listing on the ASX in 2021, GL1 has held the Twin Veins gold prospect area at the northern end of its Marble Bar tenement package which currently comprises land area of 537km2. Several small-scale exploration campaigns have previously tested vein-hosted gold trends near the margin of granite and have returned positive gold results, warranting further exploration.
These previously reported results include;
- MBRC0619, 4m @ 4.85g/t Au from 86m1
- MBRC0621, 5m @ 3.94g/t Au from 118m1
- MBRC0623, 3m @ 8.9g/t Au from 49m1
- MBRC0159, 7m @ 4.78g/t Au from 11m2
- MBRC0157, 12m @ 2.95g/t Au from 37m3
- MBRC0006, 3m @ 5g/t Au from 25m3
Review of the prospect area by the Company’s geologists led to the identification of a sericite altered core to the granite with iron oxide pitting and minor quartz veins. A Dipole-Dipole Induced Polarisation (DDIP) survey was executed over the granite identifying a large chargeable anomaly within resistive granite, and several RC holes were drilled targeting this. Disseminated pyrite (~1%) within intensely sericite altered granite was intersected with the only significant gold result being reported in a 4m composite sample from MBRC0608 (4m @ 0.53g/t Au, 16.9g/t Ag from 220-224m)1.
GL1 has re-assayed the 1m samples from and around this intersection with a result of 5m @ 1.1g/t Au, 15g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.23% Zn from 219-224m. MBRC0608 also intersected elevated copper with an intercept of 40m @ 137ppm Cu from 156-196m against a background value of 10ppm Cu in other less altered areas of the granite. This zone also returned 36m @ 4.8g/t Ag from 164-200m.
To better understand the system two diamond drill holes, MWDD001 and MWDD002, were completed with the aim of better visualising the alteration, any mineralisation, and provide samples for petrological study. Hole MWDD001 was drilled underneath the altered core of the granite while MWDD002 was successful in intersecting the altered core as well as minor mineralisation.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Global Lithium Resources Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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04 December
Maiden Drill Program Set to Commence at the High-Priority Cangallo Porphry Copper Project
AusQuest Limited (ASX: AQD) is pleased to advise that it is about to commence a reverse circulation (RC) drilling program to test a large-scale undrilled, porphyry copper target within its Cangallo Porphyry Copper Project (Cangallo) in southern Peru.
- Maiden RC drill program to commence at Cangallo in mid-December
- Program will test a large-scale, undrilled porphyry copper target
- Assay results expected around the end of January 2025
- Permitting underway for drill programs across other high-priority, large-scale porphyry copper targets at Lantana and Playa Kali
Access and drill pad preparations have commenced with drilling scheduled to start around mid-December. The planned program, which comprises a minimum of eight drill-holes for a total of ~2,500m, will take 3 to 4 weeks to complete with assay results expected around the end of January 2025.
Figure 1: Cangallo Porphyry Copper Prospect showing copper and molybdenum values and permitted drill sites.
Geological mapping and rock-chip sampling has outlined a partially exposed potential copper (+/- gold) porphyry system, within a large-scale (3km x 2km) caldera-like structure containing extensive colluvial and younger sediment cover.
The initial drilling program will test areas containing relatively intense veining (quartz) and porphyritic dykes, where higher copper (up to 0.65% Cu) and gold (up to 0.3g/t Au) values have been found. The possibility of a buried porphyry copper system beneath the extensive cover within the interpreted caldera-like structure will also be tested.
Cangallo is located close to significant infrastructure and is approximately 25km from the town of Chala, and within 10km of the coast.
Commenting on the imminent commencement of drilling at Cangallo, AusQuest’s Managing Director, Graeme Drew, said:
“This is a very exciting time for the Company as we are about to commence the maiden drill program at this high-priority porphyry copper target in Peru which we have been working towards for over 12 months.
Cangallo has never been drilled before and demonstrates classic geochemical and alteration signatures which suggest there is significant potential to discover large-scale copper porphyry mineralisation.
Success at Cangallo has potential to create significant value for our shareholders and we look forward to keeping our shareholders updated as the results become available.”
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from AusQuest limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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03 December
Mine Sites Leveraging AI, Predictive Technology to Boost Efficiency and Protect Workers
Modern mining operations aren't always quick to embrace new technologies, but companies that do so often find they can improve yields, as well as produce better corporate margins and profitability.
At the recent MiningTech North America event, held in Burnaby, BC, speakers focused on how mining companies are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology to improve resilience and minimize downtime.
While adding these elements can introduce complexity, the consensus was that the right approach can make a real difference, not only for site operation, but also for employee health and happiness.
Asset management systems key for mine site operation
Maintaining operations at a mine site can involve tens of thousands of components, ranging from haul trucks to electrical infrastructure and even site employees. While new technologies have allowed mines to provide data on these many different components, they also add to the complexity of any mine site.
In his MiningTech North America presentation, Andrew Pruett, CEO of CoGo, broke down some of the challenges mines face and how robust asset management can be used to minimize downtime.
Pruett, whose background in technology allowed him to work on asset management systems in the oil and gas sector, recalled a story from his first year working in the mining industry.
He was onsite at a mine in temperatures as cold as -40 degrees Celsius when the power went out. The situation not only posed challenges for equipment, but was also dangerous for employees.
Management needed to account for all workers while investigating the cause of the power outage. Pruett explained that the team was prepared for this situation, ascertaining the status of critical systems, such as the mine's wastewater system, which could freeze quickly, and establishing generators to power critical components.
The problem turned out to be the result of an excavator severing a power line.
When Pruett asked why there wasn't an asset management system, the general manager said, "It's my job to do this.”
For Pruett, this response showed how critical people are to the operation of a mine; however he also saw a flaw in how the site was run. The general manager was able to draw from an understanding of the complete mining operation and decades of work within the sector, but he was the only one who knew what to do.
The speedy recovery hinged on the knowledge of one person.
That raised further questions. What would happen the general manager wasn’t there? What would happen when he retired? Shortly after, the company installed an asset management system.
Pruett and his company specialize in industrial asset resilience, which is not just about mitigating risks, but also about how an operation recovers from problems when they inevitably arise.
“You’re going to have people that are hurt, (but) nobody wants to talk about that,” he said. “You’re going to have vehicles that are damaged, you’re going to have transformers that blow up, you're going to have belts that burn out motors. It’s just going to happen, but it's how we’re able to recover from that that’s important.”
CoGo is focused on developing asset management systems that use technology that can be accessed remotely through the Microsoft Dynamics 365 ecosystem. The systems integrate with internet of things devices and AI to create predictive maintenance schedules, manage overall risk for events that can be foreseen and help recover from things that can’t, like natural disasters. Essentially, they optimize operations and improve company margins.
One component is using sensors to monitor every asset at a mine site. Operators can see in real time how a piece of equipment or infrastructure is operating and if it requires maintenance. This allows companies to schedule maintenance instead of letting critical equipment fail, which helps to minimize downtime.
Using AI and predictive technology to help mine workers
Beyond equipment, mine resiliency revolves around the health and wellbeing of employees.
When FoxMed founder Joao Gaspar moved with his wife from South Africa to Williams Lake, BC, to start a physiotherapy clinic, he discovered that most of the clients were involved in forestry or mining.
At MiningTech North America, he told the story of how the clinic was quickly overwhelmed by the number of local workers who needed therapy for work-related injuries.
Gaspar began using predictive technology to understand how workers were being injured and how to mitigate these problems. One example he used was haul truck operators suffering from lower-back injuries.
He found that often different operators had different truck setups based on height and weight. A simple suggestion he made was to change scheduling so that operators on specific trucks would have similar proportions.
While carrying out tests, Gaspar discovered a case study with a similar methodology was being carried out in Australia. The results from his testing and the study in Australia were nearly identical.
“Currently, this technology in Australia is looking at about 130,000 workers, and they have had some good results. They had a 69 percent reduction in industry costs in year one and 95 percent in year two,” Gaspar said.
He also spoke about working with companies to train workers on how to move better with AI.
Gaspar uses this technology to capture videos of workers in the field, and these videos are then analyzed with AI. Once the analysis is complete, Gaspar is provided with a report that grades how an employee moves and how they can improve their movements to reduce injury.
Technology's important role in the future of mining
The speakers at MiningTech North America represent a small portion of the thousands of technology companies working in the resource sector, but they outlined important challenges for the industry.
Understanding all assets at a mine site is critical for operators, whether they are looking at site machinery, electrical grid components or people essential to operations. New technologies can provide at-a-glance overviews of site status, helping to predict when problems may arise and how to better plan for proper maintenance.
Applying the right kind of technology in the right way can help companies maintain uptime and optimize mine sites.
Downtime and lost productivity can be far more costly than preventative maintenance in the long run. Ultimately, new technologies can help ensure profitability for companies and improve value for shareholders.
Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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