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The Modern Mine: Reducing Emissions, Increasing Safety and Improving Output
The modernisation of mining operations is transforming how the industry is securing the minerals the world needs more safely, efficiently and sustainably, the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney has been told.
Speaking on Day 1 of the conference, industry leaders said they were excited by the potential for electrification, automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve mining operations. While acknowledging the challenges of distance, capital cost, geography and scale and they all agreed innovation was the key.
Electrifying mining
The most obvious example cited is the electrification of predominantly diesel-powered mine vehicles, haulage trucks and fixed assets. Together with automation and digitisation, electrification was described as one of the most substantive technology shifts in mining for more than 70 years.
And in exciting news, it was announced at IMARC that thousands of electric four-wheel drive vehicles equipped with smart software could soon be entering the Australian mining sector as part of a deal between two climate firms.
Irish company CoolPlanet revealed plans to extend its partnership with Australia’s Climatech Zero, in a move that will see the firms offer electrified Toyota LandCruisers to the local mining industry.
The pair predicts more than 6000 of the low-emission vehicles could be in use by 2026.
CoolPlanet chairman Norman Crowley said the vehicles would play an important role in cutting carbon emissions from mining and protecting workers as vehicles played a role in 28 per cent of deaths suffered on mine sites.
“Mines will be able to eliminate diesel particulate matter and maximise vehicle safety,” Mr Crowley said.
Chief Executive Officer of Fortescue Dino Otranto told the opening plenary session that rising fuel prices has been revolutionary in the competitiveness of electric vehicles, and the industry is applying the lessons learnt in other sectors.
“The offsets from diesel have been far greater than anyone could have predicted,” Mr Otranto said.
“The DC-DC charging station was the innovation breakthrough required to charge haulage trucks in under 20 minutes, which is something the motor racing industry has been doing for years.”
Electrification can also improve safety and cost in underground environments by removing the need for elaborate ventilation systems. It also has health and safety benefits when the working environment is devoid of diesel exhaust fumes and heavy, hot and noisy machinery.
The next generation of haulage trucks
Another area of focus in the transformation of mining operations is the design of haulage trucks.
According to Paul Lucey, Principal Mine Electrification & Technology at Worley there are more than 16,500 haulage trucks in Australia, but their productivity is hampered by outdated design, their suitability to the task they are performing, and human intervention.
“We have effectively pulled apart dozens of haulage trucks and assessed every component for their efficiency. We have found there is up to 20% parasitic load – that is, components that don’t really do anything but add weight and create a drag on performance,” he said.
“When you add the human tendency to put the foot flat on the floor, or to rev the engine to increase the speed of removing a tarpaulin, you can see where the inefficiencies start to add up.
“The haulage trucks of the future will use technology such as AI to reduce energy use, minimise engine and tyre wear and determine how to operate the machinery in the most efficient way.”
Vice President of Hexagon Mining Simon Stone added to this, saying innovation is helping increase the payload of haulage trucks, while at the same time reducing maintenance cost through smart technology.
“Autonomous vehicles will lead to less tyre wear, more predictability of cycle time and fuel burn and more consistent presentation of vehicles to loading and unloading facilities,” Mr Stone said.
“Increasing haulage trucks’ capacity will ultimately result in less trucks on the road and less drivers. This, however, requires legislative intervention, because currently the maximum amount haulage trucks can carry is 140 tonnes and for optimum operation, this would need to be 300 tonnes.”
James Agar, Group Procurement Officer at BHP told delegates that Australia’s largest miner is partnering with global tyre brands, Michelin and Goodyear to help develop the next generation of haulage truck tyres. Mr Agar noted that increasing battery life of haulage trucks will become of increasing competitive advantage to mining companies. As a result, there are hopes the next generation tyres will increase efficiency by 1%-2% which has the potential to save millions of dollars in expenditure.
Addressing community perceptions
Mineral Exploration Account Executive at Fleet Space Technologies Bronwyn Murphy said a challenge the mining sector faces in the modernisation space is the public’s perception that it is behind the curve.
“Earlier in my career, I made a decision to leave the mining industry because I believed the technological opportunities were all in oil and gas,” Ms Murphy said.
“Now, what we’re seeing in the mining industry is a swing in interest in technology and we’re hoping this is obvious for the future generations considering a career in mining – we’re no longer just stuck in our ways and there’s actually a lot of advancements taking place.”
IMARC 2023
The modernisation of mining has been a key focus on Day 1 of IMARC, with more than 8500 delegates gathering to hear from industry experts about the sustainability opportunities and challenges facing the industry in the face of heightened community, shareholder and investor expectations.
This year’s event features the biggest ever exhibition of technology being deployed around the world, including electric haulage vehicles, drilling equipment, robotics, and processing machinery as well as AI, machine learning, IT and communications.
IMARC Event Director Paul Phelan said the key to the event’s success has been ensuring the program reflects the ever-changing industry and the challenges such as improving safety, increasing productivity and reducing emissions to help the world meet ambitious goals.
"IMARC is a solutions-focused event that is all about how technology is being applied, how investments are actioned, and how practical steps are being taken to achieve shared goals,” he said.
“IMARC is where global mining leaders collaborate on trends in mining, investment and innovation towards a sustainable future.”
Spearmint More Than Doubles the Acreage of the George Lake South Antimony Project in New Brunswick, Canada
Spearmint Resources Inc. (CSE: SPMT) (OTC Pink: SPMTF) (FSE: A2AHL5) (the "Company" or "Spearmint") wishes to announce that it has more than doubled the acreage on the recently acquired George Lake South Antimony Project in New Brunswick, Canada. This project now consists of 4,722 contiguous acres prospective for antimony.
James Nelson, President of Spearmint, stated, "In light of the recent ban of antimony by China to the USA, we made this strategic acquisition increasing the size of the George Lake South Antimony Project. Management feels that antimony will be one of the most sought after resources in 2025 and we plan to pursue this space with vigor and are currently evaluating additional projects. Management is formulating a plan on the George Lake South Antimony Project, and management also intends to update the market on Spearmint's crypto diversification plan in the near future as well. These are truly exciting times for Spearmint and Spearmint shareholders."
Recently, China banned exports of critical minerals, including antimony, to the United States. As trade tensions escalate between the United States and China, this move clearly emphasizes the urgent need for Western nations to secure reliable long-term sources of these critical minerals, which are now at the forefront of the global supply chain crisis.
Antimony is an essential component in semi-conductors, battery storage technology, and has several military applications. Prices of antimony trioxide in Rotterdam had soared by 228 per cent since the beginning of the year to $39,000 a metric tonne on Nov. 28, as shown by data from information provider Argus. The move is a considerable escalation of tensions in supply chains where access to raw material units is already tight in the West.
This new project is in the direct vicinity of the Lake George Antimony Mine in New Brunswick which was operated intermittently from 1876 to 1996 and was once the largest primary antimony producer in North America. Antimony's primary uses are:
- Semiconductors and Electronics: The growing electronics and semiconductor industries require antimony, making it a critical material for technological development, including infrared sensors and components for military and aerospace uses.
- Battery Technology: Antimony is also used in lead-acid batteries and in emerging technologies, such as energy storage and lithium-ion battery enhancements, which is a significant driver of demand in the future.
- Flame Retardants: The demand for antimony remains strong due to its use in flame-retardant materials, which are essential in a wide range of products like textiles, electronics, and plastics. As safety regulations around fire-resistant materials become stricter, the need for antimony-based compounds continues to grow.
About Spearmint Resources Inc.
Spearmint holds the include four projects in Clayton Valley, Nevada: the 1,136-acre McGee lithium clay deposit, which has a resource estimate of 1,369,000 indicated tonnes and 723,000 inferred tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) for a total of 2,092,000 tonnes of LCE, directly bordering Pure Energy Minerals & Century Lithium Corp.; the 280-acre Elon lithium brine project, which has access to some of the deepest parts of the only lithium brine basin in production in North America; the 124-acre Green Clay lithium project; and the 248-acre Clayton Ridge gold project and now the 4,722 acre George Lake South Antimony Project in New Brunswick.
For a cautionary note and disclaimer on the crypto diversification, please refer to the news release dated November 12, 2024.
Qualified person for mining disclosure:
The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Frank Bain, PGeo, a director of the company and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
This property was acquired via staking.
Contact Information
Tel: 1-604-646-6903
www.spearmintresources.ca
"James Nelson"
President
Spearmint Resources Inc.
High grade Assay Results Continue at Youanmi
West Australian gold exploration and development company, Rox Resources Limited (“Rox” or “the Company”) (ASX: RXL), has received the final batch of assays from its 11,000m DD and RC program at the Youanmi Gold Project in WA.
- The latest batch of assays have been received from the 11,000m drilling program (both diamond core and reverse circulation) at the high gold-grade Youanmi Gold Project, located centrally in Western Australia’s prolific gold fields
- The recently-completed infill/exploration program aimed to improve resource confidence and open up corridors for resource growth; to underpin the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), and, additionally, provide sample material for ongoing metallurgical optimisation test-work for the DFS program
- Latest highlights from the program include:
- RXDD131: 4.38m @ 19.07 g/t Au from 387.98m,
- incl. 1.73m @ 41.43 g/t Au from 389.96m
- RXDD119: 4.56m @ 14.60 g/t Au from 220.64m
- RXDD115: 2.99m @ 21.11 g/t Au from 249.88m
- RXDD119: 4.0m @ 7.37 g/t Au from 162.0m
- RXDD132: 7.19m @ 3.90 g/t Au from 263.61m
- RXDD133: 2.83m @ 6.53 g/t Au from 431.00m
- RXDD128: 3.82m @ 4.51 g/t Au from 364.59m,
- incl. 1.73m @ 8.22 g/t Au from 364.59m
- incl. 1.73m @ 8.22 g/t Au from 364.59m
- RXDD122: 0.95m @ 13.50 g/t Au from 204.44m
- §These results further demonstrate the continuity of high- grade gold mineralisation along the Youanmi greenstone belt belt, and the potential for resource growth both at depth and along-strike, with discovery potential to the south
- 35,000m Step-up drill campaign well underway with the plan to bring forward ounces and increase the mine plan
The program focused on converting Inferred stopes at Pollard, United North and Youanmi Main to higher confidence Indicated classification and providing material for metallurgical testing for the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) – on track for H2 CY25.
This final consignment of diamond assay results are the fourth batch of assays results returned from the drill program and have been entirely drilled from the Pollard, Youanmi and United North areas (Figure 1).
Rox Resources’ Chief Executive Officer, Phillip Wilding, commented:
“It’s pleasing to round out the 11,000m RD and DD drilling program with another batch of excellent intercepts.
“More importantly, the program has significantly improved our knowledge of the high grade and underexplored Youanmi ore system, and shown that mineralisation remains open at depth.
“Next steps are to convert Inferred areas of the Resource to the higher confidence Indicated classification, and finalise key intercepts of sample material for metallurgical test work to feed into the Youanmi DFS.
“We are excited to have commenced the 35,000m Step-up program to potentially bring forward ounces in the mine plan and significantly increase the size of the Pollard ore zone.”
Youanmi Major Growth Drill program
Resource drilling has focused on converting selected Inferred stopes in the current Mineral Resource of 16.2Mt at 4.4g/t Au for 2.3Moz (Indicated: 10.7Mt at 4.5g/t Au for 1.6 Moz : Inferred 5.5Mt at 4.2g/t Au for 0.7 Moz) 1 to higher confidence Indicated classification at Pollard, United North and Youanmi Main as shown in plan on Figure 1. The drilling has also provided both sample material for metallurgical testing and valuable geological data for the pending Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”) planned for second half of 2025.
Figure 1: Plan view of the Youanmi Gold Project featuring drill hole collar locations and 2024 Resource outline overprinted on aerial photography
Outside of the immediate resource area, drilling was also conducted on near-mine exploration and focused on the Youanmi South prospect area, or Paddy’s Lode, first reporting high-grade intercepts in 20232. The drilling at Paddy’s has complimented the Company’s exploration strategy moving south along the Main Lode Shear Zone (MLSZ) and adding additional gold ounces to the Resource. Youanmi South has the potential to grow the Resource above the 103kozpa Production Target outlined in the recently completed Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”)3.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Rox 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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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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