Overview

Australia is a world leader in the global minerals industry with abundant and diverse mineral resources, skilled mining industry professionals and cutting edge extraction and processing technologies.

Australia is the:

• Global leader in production of bauxite, alumina, diamonds, ilmenite, rutile, lead, mineral sands and zircon
• Second largest producer of zinc ore
• Third largest producer of iron ore, nickel and gold
• Fifth largest producer of aluminium and coal
• Largest exporter of gold, iron ore and black coal in the world

Australia also possesses the world’s largest resources of low-cost uranium.

World’s Best Practice

Australian mining companies are leaders in economic exploration, mining, mineral processing and transforming raw minerals. The world’s most extensive mineral research and development programs and facilities are in Australia. Innovative methods of mining and mineral beneficiation often originate in Australia.

As mining is conducted in increasingly remote regions, demand for Australian expertise in mining technology and services continues to grow. Australian mining companies produce world class equipment and have unique expertise that is applied to remote and harsh mining conditions around the world.

Australia is a world leader in the export of mining technology and services [MTS], exporting more than USD $1.8 billion in 2006-2007. This figure is expected to grow to over USD $4.5 billion by 2010.

Outwardly focused, around fifty per cent of Australian companies in this sector are engaged in international business. The sector comprises small and medium enterprises to large corporations, from basics to hi-tech, and manufacturing to service companies. Many mining operations in Asia, North and South America, Africa and Europe use Australian skills and hardware.

Exploration

Australian exploration companies are at the forefront of advanced mineral exploration technologies. The remote nature of many of Australia’s mineral deposits requires finely tuned exploration techniques. Consequently, Australian geologists have developed sophisticated and technologically advanced systems that enable them to explore and develop mineral deposits in a more cost effective manner.

Australian remote sensing technology advanced exploration equipment and resource estimation software have been used in difficult terrains in Chile, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, India and Pakistan. Australia has significant expertise in remote sensing technology that combines satellite search with airborne and ground geophysics to allow for the rapid acquisition of digital exploration data.

Vastly improved reverse circulation drilling techniques enable cost-efficient, high volume recovery of pure samples. Automated core logging processes developed in Australia now enable rapid spectroscopic measurement of up to 1,000 metres of core samples daily.

Australian geochemists also apply the principles of nuclear physics to assist in providing prompt mineral assays through recent developments in x-ray fluorescence and gamma absorption techniques.

Australia’s expertise in mineral exploration includes:

• Satellite, airborne geophysical and geochemical analysis
• Exploration and mining software
• Data acquisition and validation
• Analytical data quality assessment
• Statistical analysis
• 3D modelling and interpretation
• Exploration database systems and services
• Geo-statistical analysis and resource estimation
• Grade control analysis

Mining exploration software - Australian designed and developed exploration software has set the benchmark for the mining industry worldwide. Australian mining software is innovative, flexible, and user-friendly, and extensively used by exploration companies the world over. Experienced geologists and metallurgists use such technology to attain accurate mineral target definitions, assessments, and evaluations.

Specific expertise includes:

• Software for blasting and fragmentation analysis
• Software for mining engineering
• Software related to GPS / GIS and mapping
• Software related to surveying
• Maintenance software
• Management training software

Mine Development

Australian mine planners are world leaders in the use of sophisticated mine planning software to develop alternative mine plans in 3D format. These are used to ensure consistent grade and production rates, maximise development, develop cost planning estimates for alternatives and also to ensure that mine decommissioning and closure plans are incorporated into the initial mine plan.

Australia’s expertise in mine development includes:

• Feasibility studies
• Mine planning
• Risk assessment
• Financial management
• Process design
• Engineering design
• Procurement and logistics
• Project and construction management
• Fabrication
• Plant installation and construction
• Commissioning
• Mine decommissioning and closure.

Technology & Consulting

Australia is at the forefront in developing innovative technologies to improve the productivity of the mining industry.

In working collaboratively, the Australian mining industry and research institutions have developed world class extraction and processing technologies. These have ensured that many marginal projects worldwide have now become viable and profitable. A dynamic consulting sector helps to underpin Australia’s advantages in mining technology.

Australia’s expertise in Technology and Consulting includes:

• Geo-scientific, database management, mining and processing software
• Remote and tele-remote control systems
• Information and recording systems
• Exploration technologies
• Extraction and process technologies
• Resources analysis and modelling
• Feasibility studies
• Environmental studies, design and infrastructure
• Project management
• Mine operation and management.

Mining Software & IT

Australian companies are leading the world in e-business solutions for the mining industry. At least 60 per cent of the world’s mines are now operating with Australian-made and designed software.

Equipment & Supplies

The Australian MTS companies are expert in adapting technologies to suit specific conditions and requirements. Australian designed mining equipment is high quality, efficient and cost-effective.

Australian innovation and engineering experience has produced some of the world’s best equipment. Underground, drill rigs, rock bolting machinery and long wall miners add productivity to coal mines. Conveyor and other materials handling systems work day and night, while pumps, screens, jigs and other processing equipment designed and built in Australia extract maximum value from mined material.

Australian mine supply companies have expertise across mining operations, from exploration to decommissioning—from a simple toolbox to practically an entire mine site.

Australia is the major world supplier of gravity and electrostatic separation devices. It is also a world leader in the cost-effective gold recovery processes of carbon-in-pulp and carbon-in-leach. High returns from low yielding ores are also being obtained through environmentally sound technologies.

Australian companies are also most effective in the treatment of refractory gold ores, base metal sulphide concentrates and laterite ores. These systems and equipment realise high efficiencies and greater returns for coal beneficiation.

Australia has revolutionised smelting so that previously difficult or sub-economic ores and minerals can now be profitably smelted through an environmentally sound technique that answers the global demand for cost-effective processing.

Australia’s expertise in manufacturing and supply includes:

• Exploration equipment and consumables
• Underground and above ground mining equipment and vehicles
• Rock bolting and strata reinforcing equipment
• Drills and drilling supplies
• Beneficiation equipment and supplies
• Pumps, pipes, valves and fittings
• Blasting products
• Conveyor systems and components
• Transportable buildings

Engineering & Construction

Australian companies have developed engineering skills and technologies that address all aspects of mining infrastructure. From installations at the ore body, through processing and beneficiation plants; to transport facilities, rail, roads and ship loading, Australian companies have across-the board experience in most mineral commodities, in remote areas and in harsh conditions.

This experience has led to the emergence of many Australian companies specialising in turnkey solutions for brown field and green field projects. Many of these companies have a renowned reputation for high levels of diligence and integrity at the planning stages, ensuring that contractual and organisational criteria are fully addressed.

With a wealth of qualified personnel both in-house and as joint venture partners, supported by a stable workforce of highly skilled tradespeople, Australian initiated projects have a known reputation for successful commissioning on time and within the budget

Australia’s expertise in engineering construction includes:

• Advanced 3D engineering modelling
• Mine infrastructure
• Overburden stripping
• Roads, railways, bridges and airstrips
• Mineral processing and beneficiation plants
• Tailings and disposal facilities
• Liquid and gas pipelines
• Materials bulk handling
• Ship loading and port facilities
• Mine decommissioning and closure.

Contract Mining

Australian contract mining services range from supplying personnel and equipment, to total mine management. Underpinned by a skilled and flexible workforce and world class consultative capabilities, the Australian contract mining industry employs the knowledge and experience gained within Australia to bring benefits to miners in international markets. Many contracts now commence at the design stage and progress through to decommissioning, with specialist contract and sub-contract services being engaged for specific tasks, resulting in highly efficient usage of personnel and equipment, as well as coordinated project management to maximise the potential of the mine.

Excellence in logistics management ensures that personnel, plant, equipment and vehicles are sourced and supplied to maximise mine productivity. Equipment fleets are kept up to date and well maintained to ensure operational reliability and safety. Consumables, right down to catering supplies, are scheduled to avoid downtime.  Australian contract mining companies have frequently been contracted to take over existing operations in order to improve output and profitability.

Processing & Control

With an emphasis on process improvements aimed at reducing costs to maintain international competitiveness, Australian companies have applied some of the most innovative advances in processing technology in recent years. This includes significant improvement to existing technologies such as ultra fine screens, highly efficient cyclones and spirals; advances in hydrometallurgy; and the design and production of entirely new types of jigs and other separation devices.

Mining companies are looking at extracting the maximum percentage of metals and minerals from each tonne of ore. Higher the refinement of the mined product, lower the transport cost.

Examples include:

• The incessant refinement of mine shapes and designs using advanced computer modelling software
• Use of intelligent robotic ore-loaders in mining processes
• New technologies used to refine metals such as nickel and copper
• Application of biotechnology to recover metals including gold; use of biological methods to extract and recover metal from ores, known as ''''''''''''''''bio mining''''''''''''''''
• Increasing energy efficiency in the processing of light metals (such as aluminium, magnesium and titanium).

Australian MTS companies have developed process control systems to benefit mining companies in other aspects of the mining process. At the ore face, static systems report payloads, weight distribution and cycle times directly from the shovels and trucks, enabling the most efficient use of the vehicle fleet. Remote control systems are now being used by more and more mines, with underground vehicles operating without the need to endanger personnel.

Protection systems developed by Australian technologists are now used worldwide, protecting plant, machinery and vehicles against mechanical failure, operator error and other unforeseen hazards. In a world where mining is being driven increasingly by efficiency and safety criteria, Australia’s has a definite competitive advantage.

Australia’s expertise in Processing and Control includes:

• Processing systems design
• Upgrading existing systems
• Separation and beneficiation technology
• Remote control systems for plant and vehicles
• Mine and fleet protection systems
• Information monitoring and evaluation
• Digital recording systems
• Information systems for ore extraction vehicles
• Hazardous mining technology
• Telecommunication systems

Environmental Management

Australia is world leader in environmental management in the mining industry. Australia’s mining technology companies have specialised in ecologically sound and proven mining practices and processing methods for recycling and conserving precious resources and the environment.

As mining continues to globalise, there is an inevitable push for universal standards of environmental protection. Australian standards for environment management is becoming the de-facto standard in the global mining industry.

Australian MTS companies are equally sensitive to the environment in their global client’s operation, and comply with the standards required for their own operations. They are world leaders in water supply and conservation, tailings design and management, and rehabilitation and post-mining remediation.

Australia’s expertise in Environmental Management includes:

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA’)
• Environmental Management Plans and Systems (EMP’ and EMS’)
• Social and Community Impact Assessment
• Sustainability evaluation and ranking
• Risk management and mitigation option analyses
• Water management, optimisation and integration
• Rehabilitation (including phyto remediation)
• Post-closure usage and development value adding

Clean Coal Technology

The Australian Government works in partnership with the Australian coal industry to support initiatives that encourage research and development (R&D), innovation and investment in clean coal technologies (CCTs). Key CCT research areas for Australia include carbon capture and storage (CCS); Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle; Oxy-Fired Combustion; and Ultra Clean Coal.

Domestically, the Australian Government supports initiatives such as the $500 million Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund; the $300 million COAL21 flagship program; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) research and demonstration projects and Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) on coal and low emissions technology. Australia is also actively engaged internationally through bilateral, regional and multilateral partnerships for the development of practical solutions to address greenhouse gas emissions from coal, including through the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (AP6) of which Australia and India are founding members.

Australia has a National Research Priority Goal for reducing and capturing emissions in transport and energy generation.

Mining Education & Training

Australia’s mining industry supports education, research and development at a high level, both in house and through universities, centres for cooperative research, government agencies and specialist firms that undertake research on areas such as dragline efficiency, mine waste, downstream mineral processing, materials handling and wear-resistant materials technology. This commitment to education, research and development has resulted in the production of an impressive line-up of some of the world’s most technologically advanced mining and mineral processing equipment.

There are many education institutions (Universities, TAFE’s, private education providers and consultants) and research organisations in Australia which have the expertise and capability to offer degree programs, diplomas, short duration specialised industrial training courses both onshore and overseas.

Business Offers from Australian Companies

Business offers from Australian firms in the mining, technology & services sector that are seeking partners, distributors, customers, etc in India are listed below.

1. Australian mining company offers capital & expertise and seeks partnership in mining & resources
    projects in India

2. Australian company offers airborne geophysical surveys

3. Australian company offers seismic data services for oil & gas, mining & construction

4. Australian company offers mineral processing equipment for India

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Accessing Australian Mining Technology Services Expertise

For more information on accessing Australia’s mining, technology & services expertise or in exploring partnership opportunities with Australian companies in the mining sector, please contact Partha Sen, Business Development Manager, Australian Trade Commission at partha.sen@austrade.gov.au