AusIMM celebrates 130 years of service

The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) has marked 130 years as the mineral industry’s peak representative body. The official celebrations were held Monday night at the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre appropriately at the end of the first day of AusIMM’s Underground Operator’s Conference. More than 1400 delegates supported by 122 exhibitors have gathered for the three-day event. Hi-Tech There’s a big tech offering among the exhibitors. Plotlogic is on hand with a scanning process which can detect the properties of ore that can affect production. Martin Keetels - vice president - commercial Plotlogic The process, using spectral cameras and Lidar, has been refined over the last four years, vice president-commercial Martin Keetels said. “The real value proposition that we're putting forward to miners is to remove differences between scheduling and mine plan and actual results, Mr Keetels said. “So we actually can give them this new additive data source so that they can essentially ensure that their mine plan is tracking with actuals. “And if they're not, if those results are different, then they've got a different data source and an objective data source to be able to go back and make tweaks or make changes.” Townsville-based start-up Blastcon is promoting new blast systems. It is the Australian supplier of the South African manufactured ‘Autostem’ explosives which promises to be self-stemming, non-detonating and among the world’s safest rock breaking technology. There process included less elements that could go wrong, director Barry Crowdley said. Some equipment won't fit in the Brisbane convention centre. Barry Martin from Sandvik showing off the new generation haul-out truck. “You can transport it in certain vehicles, you don't need to have a designated explosive vehicle, Mr Crowdley said. “This has a 50m exclusion zone. So a normal explosion may have a 200, 500, 600-metre exclusion zone. This has a 50m exclusion zone. So it allows you a quicker re-entry. “From an underground side of things, we're not having to separate multiple levels whereas with conventional explosives, you have to remove people from different working areas.” Florien Michelin (Howden) and Murray Jamieson (BBE) among more than 120 exhibitors. Autostem also made secondary blasting safer, Mr Crowdley said. Blastcon was supplying coal miner BMA and Glencore Mount Isa Mines among others through companies including Sandvik. The AusIMM serves the Australian and New Zealand minerals industry, providing education, training, and networking opportunities. It plays a critical role in the development and growth of the industry, working closely with government bodies, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable and responsible mining practices. The AusIMM has expanded its membership base to include professionals from around the world, and it now has over 13,000 members in more than 100 countries. To mark its 130th anniversary, the AusIMM is planning a series of events and activities throughout the year, including conferences, seminars, and networking events. The institute is also launching a new initiative aimed at promoting sustainable mining practices and addressing emerging environmental and social challenges. Main pic: Cat XE 2900 underground loader immediately outside the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre with Caterpillar representatives Jason Wigg and Paul Bitter

AusIMM celebrates 130 years of service

Industry Queensland

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