Suppliers Roundup (January 26, 2004)

JV to review Inco’s Goro

Inco has awarded a US$39.5-million contract to Foster Wheeler and SNC-Lavalin, which will jointly review the Goro nickel-laterite project in New Caledonia.

The 50-50 joint venture, known as the C.E.G. JV, will carry out engineering, planning and related services, and report to Goro Nickel, a wholly owned subsidiary of Inco.

In December 2002, costs at Goro began to spiral out of control, prompting Inco to launch a project review. By August 2003, the company had found ways to reduce capital costs and announced it was moving to the second phase of the review. This second phase will involve a cost control estimate and updated schedule.

Foster Wheeler is based in Clinton, N.J., and offers a range of design, engineering, construction, manufacturing, project development and management services. Montreal-based SNC-Lavalin specializes in mining projects and has offices in more than 30 countries.

Spectrometer provides ‘pictures’

U.K.-based Spectra-Map has reached a new level of drill core and rock-chip analysis with the aid of its SpecCam portable imaging spectrometer, which provides “pictures” of samples.

The SpecCam imaging spectrometer can make millions of spectral readings per day using imaging technology. Each scan records a line of 100 data points, or pixels. By moving the camera relative to a core tray, for example, or by positioning it above a moving conveyor belt, a spectral image is rapidly built up, and this can be viewed and analyzed in real time.

The information can be used by explorers to identify a specific mineral type or group of minerals.

When used on a conveyor belt, the company says the technology will be adapted to set off an alarm if any mineral concentration threshold is exceeded or a critical mineral detected.

“By processing and displaying the image data in real time, a target mineral, or group of minerals, can now be monitored in real time,” says Gavin Hunt, technical director of Spectra-Map. “Geologists and engineers would then be able to make rapid decisions about various mineralogical issues, such as the type and amount of mineralogical contaminant in an ore feed.”

The SpecCam imaging spectrometer was developed by Spectra-Map with the aid of a British government technology grant.

Aker Kvaerner at Alunorte

Privately owned Alumina do Norte do Brasil S.A. (Alunorte) has awarded a US$1.7-million contract to engineering firm Aker Kvaerner for management and support services.

The contract is part of a second expansion at the alumina facility near the City of Belem in Para State. Construction of the facility will be handled by a consortium that includes Brazilian firm Logos Engenharia.

The second expansion involves installation of production lines 4 and 5 for an additional capacity of 1.8 million tonnes alumina per year. When the project is finished in mid-2006, the plant will have the capacity to produce 4.2 million tonnes of aluminum per year; it currently produces 2.4 million tonnes per year.

The expansion will consume bauxite from a new source, in the Paragominas region of Para state.

Aker Kvaerner had revenue of roughly US$6 billion in 2002 and employs about 29,000 employees in more than 30 countries.

Blasting software updated

Ohio-based Precision Blasting Services has updated its “package C” blast design software to run on the Windows XP platform.

The software package combines nine programs, including Blast Designer, Blasting Cost Analyst, Breaker, Controlled Blasting, Delay Selector, Drilling Cost Analyst, Pattern Designer Universal, and Vibration Consultant. The programs can be purchased individually.

The software suite sells for US$3,000.

Novanet puts Diavik online

Novanet Communications, based in Ajax, Ont., has provided Diavik Diamond Mines with a satellite-based Internet, telephone and data network.

The system includes two remote transmission/reception stations near Diavik’s mine complex in the Northwest Territories. The stations are connected to Novanet’s base of operations in Toronto, and were built to withstand the harsh conditions of the Arctic.

Novanet upgraded and expanded the existing network to make it more reliable and economical. The company will continue to provide support for the system throughout the life of the multi-million-dollar contract.

Privately held Novanet designs, builds and manages satellite- and microwave-based networks for multimedia information.