Industry Link Media Blog

The acquisition of Pit N Portal this week by Emeco points to a healthy mining industry as we start the new year.  The deal worth $72 million sees $62 million cash change hands and $10 million worth of Emeco shares.

It is a highly strategic move by Emeco, that will see it move into the underground sector for the first time.  In particular, the Western Australian gold and nickel sector will see the major benefits from this acquisition.

Pit N Portal has grown into a large company over a short period of time and boasts more than 300 employees, mainly based in Western Australia, and a large asset base that boasts over 100 pieces of underground machinery.

Emeco’s move into the underground mining sector will be closely watched by other underground contractors who will be eyeing long-term contracts in the bullish gold sector and the promising rise in nickel’s fortunes.

Northern Star Resources have again gone to great lengths to help the local TAFE give their diesel mechanic apprentices the best chance of learning on some of the latest technology.  The latest initiative from Northern Star Resources comes after last year donating a R2900G loader to kick-start the Mining Legends Charity Project, and separately to the TAFE a $250,000 Maintenance Technique custom designed drill training module. They also supplied training packages to the TAFE lecturers before the module’s installation.

This time they have donated a Sandvik TH551 truck with the latest in technology to help students learn best practice.  The truck, in its condition, is valued at approximately $200,000 so the size of the donation is considerable.

“Donating the machine was an easy decision,” Group Maintenance Manager for Northern Star Resources, Aaron Armstrong, said.  “In the long term we will see the benefits as better qualified apprentices come out of our local TAFE system.”

Realising that the full-size truck would take up too much space on the TAFE campus, Regal Engineering were commissioned to cut the truck down while all the time maintaining the integrity of the operating systems.  Regal were also required to manufacture skids to secure the machine to so that it could be moved, when required, in a simple way.

Daren Royle from Regal Engineering was equally enthusiastic.  “When Aaron first approached the company about this, I could immediately see the benefits for the students and what it would mean to be learning on a machine that had contemporary technology,” he said.  “The decision to be involved didn’t need much thought.”

At the time of publication, the machine is being readied for painting.

On hearing of the project, Sandvik, the manufacturer of the truck, donated the paint to return the truck to its original glory.  Of course, a business is required to do the painting and Force Equipment was quick to volunteer their Paint & Blast services.

Force Equipment Branch Manager, Jonothan Dark looks forward to their involvement.  “When talking to Aaron about this, his passion was contagious as was his logic.  It was an easy decision to make and Force Equipment are happy to be able to help apprentices increase their knowledge in this industry.”

However, before it can be painted it needs a thorough cleaning and Michael Worthington from Worthy Parts has allowed his new wash-pad to be used

“It didn’t take much persuasion for me to get involved in this project.  I wish I had something like this to work on when I was going through TAFE,” Michael Worthington said.  “Northern Star are setting a leading example to the mining industry, and the rest of the community.  Thanks also to Brendon Penn Crane Hire that will be getting it to and from our yard for the wash down.”

Central Regional TAFE Director of Training – Kalgoorlie, Chelsie Grace said the donation will provide additional training opportunities for students and really enhance the current training programs offered at TAFE across a number of areas.

“Practical training on equipment they can expect to work on when in the industry provides both pre-apprenticeship students and current apprentices with a huge advantage and invaluable experience” she said.

“The generosity of our local industry is one-of-a kind and this donation will really go a long way into better preparing our students for the workforce” she said.

“We really appreciate of all of the hard work that has gone into making this significant donation possible and for the further efforts in having it ready for us to start training students on” Mrs Grace said.

Once again goldfields’ mining companies and businesses have shown their generosity when it comes to practical and meaningful help.

Quality Service Second to None – the motto that WA owned and operated company CCR prides itself on in the hose and fittings sector of the mining industry. CCR have an outstanding reputation when it comes to their international clients servicing the Asia Pacific region to a high standard

The company was founded in 2003 with a focus on preventive maintenance strategies and providing quality products. CCR have now introduced state of the art RFID technology with live hose tracking and monitoring software. This has proven to reduce machine downtime by 50%. The company in the past 12 months has branched into the Goldfields, with a 5-year plan to grow alongside the market.
With their head office based in Canning Vale Perth, the CCR team have over 95 staff. They can provide the expertise, capabilities, and innovations to assist mine sites keep equipment up and running. CCR helps minimize any unplanned downtime and expensive costs from unanticipated hose failures throughout Perth, the Pilbara and the Goldfields.
CCR has a strong focus on employing local staff and supporting the community. The company are proud to say the latest branch in Kalgoorlie-Boulder has employed local people as well as bring skilled workforce to the community.
Separating CCR from their competitors is a strong focus for the company.
They strive to provide mine sites with full support, OEM replacements, preventive maintenance programs, hose manufacturing workshops, quality products and full-time onsite preventive maintenance hose technicians.
CCR aim is to reduce the sites overall costs and asset downtime.
You can find out more about CCR on the National Services Directory or by emailing sales@ccrhf.com.au

A machine built for the ‘one-man job’ scenario in underground mining.

It’s also known for its versatility and will slash your operation costs and improve your team’s results in productivity.

The L-Muva’s durable design is known to last in harsh underground conditions 10+ years,offering a long-term saving and a high ROI – built tough and engineered over 20 years ago to cater specifically to underground mining, with the opportunity to utilise across industries!

The standard L-Muva model is equipped with a 4m x 2m, with the opportunity to attach an extender tray, scissor lift, a removable half cab, and a light crane, minimising one use machinery onsite.

The machine was recently trialled in a localGoldfields underground minesite, returning positive feedback on its appearance, versatility and it’s potential in underground mining.

Now, the Managing Director of L-Muva has a machine available to purchase with low hours, ex-demonstration out of Kalgoorlie.
Its skid steer design provides better manoeuvrability with a capability of turning 360* within 4.5m area making the machine suitable for applications where transit space is limited, such as mining, civil construction sites and bulk storage facilities.

Made from rust resistant materials, the machine is less susceptible to damage and can withstand harsh environments, particularly those faced in the underground mining game.

Its small foot print design allows it to work in areas where IT’S can’t access and its component replacement is easily performed with fast and clear access to engine, pumps and wheel motors.

At the point of sale, the L-Muva team arranges a support and training schedule catering to the purchaser’s requirements.
If you’re interested in purchasing the ex-demo machine, please contact parts@worthyparts.com.

If you would like more information on the L-Muva and its capabilities, you can view their directory listing here.

The current topic in focus across mining is staff retention, and despite it being an age-old industry topic, the answer seems to lie within the employees’ happiness and opportunity for personal development.

Having launched in 2017, founder of Voltaic, Joshua Doutch holds qualifications as an Auto Electrician, as well as trade qualifications in Mobile Plant Mechanics and Telecommunications, with national and international experiences.

His belief is, by providing staff with internal and external training and development, Voltaic can retain quality employees with legitimate industry satisfaction, providing their clients with a high level of production when servicing their auto electrical requirements.

The method: Personal development = heightened level of job satisfaction = heightened level of production = beneficial to the employee Voltaic, and the major WA mining organisations they work with.

With a mission to create a business that employs likeminded auto electricians, who enjoy their work and strive to be the best in their field, the company’s values are evident to the end client.

Voltaic services multiple areas throughout Western Australia, with their main workshop based in Perth, and Mobile Auto electrical services Including labour hire capabilities throughout the Pilbara, Goldfields and Esperance region.

Their company values not only align with major mining companies, but also with the clients they work with in the general public as well.

Voltaic are creating a focus on excellence in each of their team members and helping the company maintain their professional and respected profile.

Organisations seeking auto electrical services across WA can view the company’s values on their website here http://www.voltaic.net.au/

You can get in touch with Josh and the team via their directory profile.