Displaying items by tag: Mining

US: Germany-based drives supplier Flender has received the Supplier Excellence Recognition Award 2023 from engineering firm Caterpillar. The award recognises suppliers that demonstrate a commitment to excellence and drive a zero-defect culture. Caterpillar said that Flender exceeded 95% delivery reliability, with zero defects, during 2023. Contracts included gearboxes, remanufactured gearboxes, spare parts and couplings for Caterpillar’s 7495 Rope Shovel. The 7495 Rope Shovel is used in quarrying, including in the cement industry.

Caterpillar’s senior vice president strategic procurement and planning Pam Heminger said “Caterpillar’s reputation for world-class products and services stands on the shoulders of our global and diverse team – and that team includes our international and diverse supply network. By working together, we can deliver on our purpose to help our customers build a better, more sustainable world.”

Mexico: The government says that if US-based Vulcan Materials continues to reject offers for land in Quintana Roo on which its Calica-Sac-Tun quarry is situated, then it will designate the land Protected Natural Area status. Reuters has reported that the government has previously offered US$328 – 383m for the property. Vulcan Materials has mounted on-going legal challenges worth US$1.9bn against the Mexican government over the previous closure of its operations.

Thailand: China-based intelligent dumptruck supplier Waytous has partnered with Siam Cement Group (SCG), as well as Thailand Advanced Info Service, Huawei, and Zhengzhou Yutong Mining Equipment, to develop full-scope automated operating systems for limestone mines. SCG will host a study at its Saraburi limestone mine in Central Thailand. The study will use Waytous’ driverless vehicles, supported by 5G, AI, cloud computing and new battery technologies.

Waytous CEO Chen Long "We've carried out two phases of unmanned mining research for this project and found the most comprehensive, efficient, and effective unmanned solution for cement mines in Saraburi.”

Malaysia: A court has granted Associated Pan Malaysia Cement (APMC) the right to evict Buddhist monks from the Gunung Kanthan caves monastery in Hulu Kinta, Perak. The land is part of a site where APMC has leased 146 hectares of land for limestone extraction. New Straits Times News has reported that the producer operates quarries in Zones A and B of the site, but has yet to commence extraction from Zones C and D. Local authorities had previously given assurance that mining operations ‘would not disturb’ the monastery.

Monks from the Thudong tradition established the Gunung Kanthan caves monastery across two caves in Gunung Kanthan hill in the early 20th century. Today, it contains numerous artefacts and works of art.

Uganda: A joint venture of Sunbird Quarry Moroto and China-based West International Holding Cement has begun building its upcoming Moroto cement plant. New Vision News has reported that the plant will cost US$1.2bn and produce cement from locally sourced limestone. The Uganda government said that the plant will generate jobs and help to lower the local price of cement.

Australia: Adbri has awarded ABx Group a contract to supply 90,000 – 120,000t of bauxite to its Birkenhead, South Australia, cement plant over a five-year period from early 2024. Business News has reported a ‘conservative’ estimated value for the contract of US$5.4m. ABx Group will supply bauxite from its DL130 mining project. The project commands 13.7Mt-worth of bauxite reserves across three deposits. Mining is due to begin in October 2023. The parties have agreed an undisclosed price for the first shipment of bauxite under the contract.

ABx Group managing director and CEO Mark Cooksey said "This represents a significant milestone for ABx and endorses the suitability of our bauxite for the broader cement industry. It enables both parties to plan for ongoing supply with confidence. Importantly, regular mining operations to supply Adbri will increase ABx's ability to secure additional customers, for which there are active discussions."

India: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to take necessary actions against what it says is illegal mining carried our without valid environmental clearance in the buffer zone of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.

The call followed an application by Devidas Khatri regarding alleged illegal mining by ACC Cement (now an Adani group company) without environmental clearance and without permission to do so within 10km of the national park and wildlife sanctuary, according to the Times of India newspaper. It was also submitted by Rohit Kumar Tuteja, counsel for the petitioner, that the company continued illegal mining for more than five years, but no action was taken by the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board.

Spain: Residents of Cartagena, Murcia, have protested Cemex’s plans to begin mining pozzolan at new sites locally. The Murcia Plaza newspaper has reported that the protestors are calling for a mining ban, in line with their interpretation of the area’s Rural Area of Special Environmental and Social Sensitivity designation.

India: Ramco Cements has concluded an agreement to acquire limestone reserves in Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal District from Prism Johnson. The Hindu newspaper has reported that Prism Johnson will transfer a mining lease for 663 hectares of land to Ramco Cements. The parties expect to conclude the transaction by the end of July 2023.

Prism Johnson had previously planned to build an integrated cement plant on the reserves, but said that this no longer suited its priorities.

Indonesia: Norway-based Norges Bank has placed Semen Tonasa under observation for risk of damage to art in Leang Leang Maros Prehistoric Park in South Sulawesi. Reuters has reported that the cement producer has no monitoring system in place for its limestone mining operations near to the designated UNESCO Global Geopark. Vibrations and dust reportedly present a danger to the 44,000yr-old works of art at the site. Norges Bank holds a 1.6% stake in Semen Tonasa's parent company Semen Indonesia.

Norges Bank said "The background for the decision is the unacceptable risk of damage to prehistoric and irreplaceable culture heritage."