While not new technology, the Optidrive AC propulsion system has proved popular with coal miners around the world

Other coal winners include UK-based Trolex’s Sentro 8 Sensorstation, which won the ancillary and analysis section of the underground mining soft rock category.

The Sentro 8 system uses interchangeable “plug and play” sensing modules to cover a range of detection functions such as for toxic and flammable gases, pressure, proximity, vibration and temperature.

In the surface mining capital equipment sphere the award went to Liebherr’s R9800 excavator. Three of these earthmoving behemoths have been built. The first has served Thiess well at the Burton Downs coal project in Queensland.

Other categories

Seeing Machines won the Surface Mining – Ancillary and Analysis category for its DSS Fatigue Monitoring System. The system provides a unique way to monitor fatigue events at minesites. Some customers have documented more than 80% reductions in measured fatigue-related events.

MMD’s Low Profile Mobile Sizer Station took the bulk materials handling capital equipment prize. The sizer represents a major shift in the in-pit crushing and conveying approach.

The ancillary and analysis bulk materials category went to SKM’s Truckless Mining. SKM’s Queensland Mining and Metals team has been at the forefront of developing leading-edge technology in IPCC.

Chilean company Ingetrol Explorer Plus MD4 won the capital equipment award for exploration. The MD4 is intended for mining clients drilling in hard to reach areas.

Geotech AirMT won the ancillary and analysis category for exploration. The system measures magnetic fields in both the audio and sub-audio frequency ranges. This gives it numerous advantages, including an unprecedented depth of ground penetration.

Mincom Minescape was the winner in the mine planning resource modelling category. Its software allows miners to achieve optimal efficiency in mine planning operations.

Atlas Copco’s Modular Mining Machine was victorious in the underground mining hard rock capital equipment stakes. The tunnelling machine uses the experience the company gained with its Robbins Mobile Miner. It is one of three technologies Rio Tinto has chosen for its Future Mine underground approach.

The underground mining hard rock ancillary and analysis section went to Peterstow Aquapower’s hydraulic drill. This system uses a patented closed-loop hydraulic technology and modular power packs. The closed-loop design dramatically cuts water use and ensures more efficient power transfer to the drill, with greater reliability than other technologies.

Siemens flotation cell was adjudged winner of the mineral processing capital equipment section. Its cell operates without an agitator, with the ore slurry being sprayed into the cell through a high-pressure nozzle along with nitrogen.

Perth-developed technology, Scanalyse’s Millmapper, won the mineral processing ancillary and analysis award. Millmapper uses a 3D laser scanner to obtain fast and accurate wear rate data on the internal liners of grinding mills.

Australia’s Boddington gold mine was declared mine of the year.

It beat off the other finalists: Boliden’s Aitik copper mine and Vale’s massive New Caledonia nickel laterite operation.

Mining Magazine is published by Aspermont UK.