Suppliers Roundup (September 29, 2003)

Program predicts motion in mills

The Melbourne-based Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) has developed an Internet-based program that predicts the motion of particles inside grinding mills, providing insight into the way mills work.

Dubbed webGF-Mill, the program uses simulation techniques that allow researchers to study the flow of granular materials such as minerals, powders and cereals. Understanding the way that granules move helps companies develop efficient methods for production, processing and transport of these materials.

Says CSIRO mathematician David Morton: “Typically, grinding mills are very inefficient. An average mill around 10 metres in diameter consumes roughly the energy required to supply 10,000 average Australian households annually. Unfortunately, only 5% of this energy is consumed by the processes that actually break the rocks inside the mill.”

The webGF-Mill is used to study semi-autogenous grinding, autogenous grinding, and ball mills.

Hgglunds opens Canadian plant

Hgglunds Drives of Sweden, which supplies hydraulic drive systems, motors and pumps, has opened a Canadian base of operations in Burlington, Ont.

The 700-sq.-metre plant will house sales offices, technical support and repair personnel, and serve as a warehouse for hydraulic motors and drives.

The company formerly operated from a smaller plant in Stoney Creek, Ont.

“Our company is relocating and expanding our Canadian operations to provide sales and support to ever-increasing customers, primarily in the pulp and paper, mining, building and construction,” says John Duncan, president of Hgglunds Drives’ North American operations.

The company is based in Mellansel, Sweden, and has operations and employees throughout the world.

Iunctus, McElhanney sign pact

McElhanney Consulting Services in Vancouver is now licensed to re-sell satellite imaging technology provided by Lethbridge, Alta.-based Iunctus Geomatics.

Iunctus is a Canadian distributor of imagery from the SPOT constellation of satellites, a system that provides satellite pictures of Earth.

McElhanney Consulting offers surveying, mapping, and civil engineering services.

The agreement is the 12th Iunctus has signed with partners in Canada.

Codelco tries remote control

Sandvik Mining & Construction has received an order for two remote controlled Toro loaders to be used in El Teniente, the world’s largest underground mine, which belongs to Chilean copper giant Codelco.

The completely automated loaders are controlled from a room above the ground.

Sandvik manufactures drilling and excavation machinery and tools. Annual sales are about US$1.8 billion.

Kaiser to sell Jamaican operations

Kaiser Aluminum is seeking a buyer for its Jamaican operations as part of bankruptcy restructuring. So far six companies have expressed interest, and Kaiser hopes a deal will be completed by early 2004.

When Houston-based Kaiser filed for protection from creditors in February 2002, it said its Jamaica operations would not be affected by the Chapter 11 filing. This year, however, Kaiser placed Jamaica and eight other plants worldwide under the bankruptcy protection plan.

Kaiser Bauxite Co. is based in Discovery Bay, 130 km west of Kingston.