Mining Global - January 2015

Top 10 Mining LinkedIn

Profiles You Need to Follow

HoW To: Buy & Sell Mining

Equipment with Ritchie Bros.

Mining indusTry:

2015 Outlook

Joy Global & AndinA

January 2015 | www.miningglobal.com

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C O N T A C T U S

in th is issue

Robert SpenceEditor

[email protected]

e d i t o r s c o m m e n t

s i n c e l a u n c h i n g i n 2 0 0 3 , Linked has become the premier social networking service for professionals and companies alike. For the mining industry, Linkedin has been a godsend. We take a look at the top 10 mining Linkedin profiles to follow and how their presence is guiding a struggling sector.

Also this month: we spoke with the worlds largest auctioneer of mining equipment, ritchie Bros., and discuss how mining machinery is bought and sold as well as the benefits of acquiring via auction.

Lastly, we take a look at the 2015 outlook for base metals and what the new year holds for the mining industry

enjoy the issue!

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but

the one most responsive to change. Charles Darwin

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Finance Mining industry: 2015 outlook

global Mines: Mining Linkedin Profiles You need to follow

top 10

5

contents

Features

MachineRY: how to Buy and Sell Mining Equipment Via Auction

16

228

contents

7

32

Liebherr-Australia 94

Joy global Peru116

Asarel-Medet

coMpanY pRoFileseuRope

32 asarel-Medet

aFRica

44 african carbon energy

canada

56 true north gems

66 cementation canada

usa

76 ep Minerals

84 harrison gypsum

austRalia

94 liebherr australia

106 the ugM group

112 Association: austmine

latin aMeRica

116 Joy global peru

76EP Minerals

66Cementation Canada

African Carbon Energy

56 true north Jems44

8 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

HoW To Buy and sell Mining equipMenT Via aucTionIndustrial equipment auctioneer Ritchie Bros. discusses how mining machinery is bought and sold and the benefits of acquiring via auctionWr i t te n by : R o b e r t S p e n c e

MachineRY

1 0 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

public auctions with on-site and online

bidding for complete convenience.

With $3.8 billion of equipment

sold last year, ritchie Bros.

is the preeminent auctioneer

of the mining industry.

How it worksthe process of buying and selling

mining equipment via auction is

quite simple. in fact, if youve ever

purchased or sold something on

eBay youre already half way there.

At the auction, the company will

drive out the mobile equipment in

front of a crowd of seated bidders at

the companys auction theater. An

auctioneer will introduce each item

and then call for bids. When a bid is

placed, the auctioneer raises the ask

price. Bidding continues until no more

bids are placed. each item sells to the

highest bidder, regardless of price.

every ritchie Bros. auction is

unreserved and open to the public,

says mike Johnston, Group sVP

(Us West and LAtAm) of ritchie

Bros. Unreserved means there

are no minimum bids or reserve

prices. owners and their agents

are by contract not allowed to bid

on their equipment. every item is

equipMent and MachineRY is the lifeblood of the mining industry;

its what allows companies to expand

projects, increase production,

enhance safety and boost profits.

manufacturers like Liebherr and

caterpillar have revolutionized the

mining sector by building stronger,

faster, smarter and safer machines.

With the help of companies like richie

Bros, acquiring these massive (and

expensive) pieces of equipment

has gotten a whole lot easier.

Formed in 1958, ritchie Bros. is the

worlds largest seller of new and used

equipment. the company, which has

operations in more than 25 countries

including 44 auction sites worldwide,

has simplified the buying and selling

process, incorporating live unreserved

Regional Sales Manager Blair Gogowich catching bids

MachineRY

1 1

Ritchie Bros. equipment auctions

H o W t o B U y A n d s e L L m i n i n G e q U i P m e n t V i A A U c t i o n

sold to a new owner on auction

day, regardless of price.

Bids can be made in person,

live and in real-time online and by

proxy. in order to bid, registration is

required to be completed in person

or online (www.rbauction.com).

the larger and stationary equipment

is sold by photo in the companys

Virtual ramp auction theater, where

pictures of the item are shown on

a screen in front of the audience.

Potential buyers can also have

items inspected by their personal

mechanics to ensure machinery is

up-to-par with their standards.

We take photos of every item in

the yard so potential buyers can view

detailed equipment information and

high-resolution photos on our website

and then visit the auction site, or send

a mechanic on their behalf, to conduct

The biggest advantage of buying at an unreserved auction is that we have no sticker prices Mike Johnston, group SVP (US west and LAtAM) of ritchie Bros.

MachineRY


1 3

a physical inspection, says Johnston.

in addition, the company offers

refurbishing services at an additional

cost, including exterior and interior

cleaning, sandblasting, welding,

metalwork and light mechanical repair,

painting, decal replacement as well

as glasswork and upholstery repair.

Array of Benefitsthe conventional approach

to purchasing equipment and

machinery has always been to go

through dealers of manufacturers.

Although this approach does

offer benefits like manufacturer

warranties and maintenance

services, the perks of acquiring

equipment through auctioneers

like ritchie Bros. are enormous.

the biggest advantage of buying at

an unreserved auction is that we have

no sticker prices. With no minimum

bids or reserve prices, its buyers

who set the prices, not sellers, and

everything sells for true market value

on auction day, says Johnston.

Because we forbid sellers

from bidding on their own

items, theres no artificial price

manipulation, making the buying

process fair and transparent.

in addition to saving money on

brand name equipment, users can

buy or sell at their convenience.

the process is user-friendly and

Caterpillar wheel loader being sold in Orlando, Florida

1 4 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

adapted to make it simple for

even the most novice buyer.

Tips for buying used equipmentritchie Bros. has made it extremely

easy to buy and sell mining equipment

via auction. Along with providing a

convenient platform, the company

is keen on informing users on the

process as well as providing how-to

tips with options for buyers and

sellers to maximize their earnings.

First impressions count: conduct

a visual inspection of the machinery,

including asking questions like:

is it in good condition? How is

it presented? Are any panels

damaged? Has the machine been

repainted? Bidders should check

the condition of any ground breaking

tools and engaging components

for wear and tear. make sure to

inspect the drive train to identify if

there are any oil leaks as well as the

Komatsu excavators selling out in the yard in Orlando, Florida

MachineRY


1 5

condition of the pin and bush wear.

Test the equipment: Potential buyers should always operate

the equipment before making a

bid. drive the machine, move it

backwards, forwards, lift all the

machines moving parts. check the

steering arms and inspect under the

carriage for wear and tear. check

the position of the track adjuster

to see if the tracks are worn out.

if they are, it will be tightened.

Get under the hood: Buyers should

always inspect the equipments engine

and components before bidding.

make sure to look for excessive smoke

and/or coloring. it could be a tell tale

sign of engine problems. in addition,

be sure to request the computer logs

of the machine to check hour meters.

Do research before buying: similar to purchasing a car or home,

buyers should do their homework

before signing their name.

Giant Terex rock trucks being sold in Houston,

Komatsu excavators selling out in the yard in Orlando, Florida

Mining indusTry: 2015 OutlOOk

F inance

2014 was a rocky road for the mining sector. Find out if 2015 will be better

Wr i t t e n b y: R O B E RT S PE N C E

1 7

1 8 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

the Mining industRY was battle tested in 2014. the prices

of iron ore and gold deteriorated,

reaching record lows and forcing

many companies to cut costs

and postpone projects in order to

survive. the volatile market forced

companies to expand projects in an

effort to reclaim profits while others

upgraded outdated technology and

machinery to improve productivity.

it was a rough year to say the least.

We believe the situation is unlikely

to improve in the near to medium

term, AnZs head of Australian

economics, says Justin Fabo, AnZs

head of Australian economics -

corporate and commercial.

While the good times for commodity

prices may be a thing of the past,

there are marginal signs that show

otherwise. Prices are slowly moving in

the right direction, global operations

are starting to regain steam and

theres even speculation of a few

block-buster mergers on the horizon.

Will 2015 be any different?

The future of goldGold dropped to a new four-year

low of $1,160 per ounce earlier this

month and the downward spiral has

many analysts expecting a grim

2015 outlook. the base metal has

seen a consistent slide in price,

dropping five percent in november

and industry experts believe it will fall

in the short term to the $1,100 mark.

there is positive news, however.

According to iBisWorld research, the

price of gold is expected to increase in

2015 to an average of $1,411 per ounce

as the global economy improves and

inflationary pressures ease with higher

interest rates. BisWorld believes 2015

will be the first for revenue growth

in the gold sector since 2011.

despite the increase, gold is

expected to decline over the

next five years with higher costs

contributing to profit declining to

a forecast 7.6 percent of revenue

in 2020. it appears gold will settle

at around the $1170 mark in 2015.

Unfortunately, those prices are

well below production costs.

iron took a massive beating in 2014.

the steel-ingredient, which began

declining in 2011, plummeted to

double digit territory in may of this

year and the outlook in 2015 is

not good. iron ore was one of the

F inance

1 9

weakest commodities in 2014 and

the trend is likely to continue.

Key consumers - chinese steel

mills - still dont seem convinced

higher prices are warranted,

while high iron ore port stocks

and rising seaborne supply

remains on offer, Fabo said.

Analysts believe the precious

metal will continue to fall in

coming years, reaching its lowest

point in 2017 at $70 a ton.

According to iBisWorld research:

the industry is expected to grow at

a slower rate over the next five years

through to 2019-20, adding that iron

ore prices (in Us dollars) are expected

to decline slightly over the five years

through 2019-20 [with] this decline

expected to stem partly from higher

production and output from Australian

mines over the next five years.

many believe the drop in iron

ore prices is caused by the rapid

increase in supply combined with

moderating growth in chinas steel

production. Prices have declined

nearly 40 percent from $130 a ton in

Iron Ore production

2 0 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

January to $82 a ton in september.

making the situation worse is the

fact china has opened its ports

to Valemax size carriers. Built by

Vale, the vessels are the largest in

the world and designed to carry

iron ore from Brazil to around the

world. earlier this year, china cosco

signed a 25 year deal with Vale that

involves 14 of the massivevessels.

the current regulation actually

already legitimizes these vessels

to berth at chinese ports. if you

look at how the ban was initiated in

the first place, it will be unlikely for

the government to make an official

announcement with much fanfare

that says the ban is loosened, an

unnamed executive from state-

owned port company explained.

eventually, the ban will be lifted

in a quiet manner. you may see a

Valemax ship granted approval

by a local maritime authority to

dock, and that will be it. officials

realized the ban has hurt chinas

economic interests, pushing up

the costs for iron ore imports.

citigroup analysts said the price

of iron ore is likely to average around

$72 per ton in the first three months

of next year before it crumbles into

Copper production

F inance

2 1

2 0 1 5 o U t L o o K

copper have actually fallen by three

quarters to less than one per cent,

yet at the same time annual supply

increased from under one million

tons to more than 16 million tons,

BHP ceo Andrew mackenzie said.

According to iBisWorld research,

the industry revenue for copper is

forecast to grow at an annualized

rate of 1.5 percent over the next five

years to Us$7.1 billion in 2019/20.

AnZ head of economics corporate

and commercial, Justin Fabo, added

that copper looks vulnerable enough

to slip back through the $7000 per ton

mark as we approach the normally

quiet northern hemisphere summer.

operating rates at copper tube

and pipe fabricators fell below 80

percent mid-year, an indication

that end-user demand is weak;

we would be positioned for some

further downside in the short-term.

While the slow increase in copper

prices may seem like a positive

turnaround, in the long-term the

metal has no real future. copper

prices are expected to increase

moderately before drastically

declining in 2017/18. if the industry

is lucky, the metal will return to

minimal growth in the next period.

the $60 per ton range in the third

quarter of 2015. Goldman sachs is a

little more positive as the company

believes the precious metal will

hover around the $80 per ton mark.

The Future of CopperAlthough demand for copper is

steadily increasing, the overall outlook

for the metal is bleak. the metal,

which is expected moderate growth

in the next five years, is past the point

of maturity and is now in decline.

due to these declining grades the

average run of mine (rom) grades for

Mining LinkedIn Profiles You Need to Follow

New LinkedIn Mobile App for the Everyday Professional

top 10

written by: Robert Spence

Since launching in 2003, LinkedIn has

become the premier social networking

service for professionals and companies alike.The platform, which has

amassed over 300 members in more than 200 countries and territories, has become the most used social media site in the world. For the mining industry, LinkedIn has been a godsend.

In addition to giving mining companies the opportunity to build relationships and user engagement through page followers, photos, videos and job openings, its been pivotal in showcasing the latest projects, ongoing operations, outreach programs and community initiatives for mining companies.

As one of the most important and populated social networking services in the world, utilizing LinkedIn is now imperative for the mining industry. Here arethe 10 mining LinkedIn profiles in no particular order.

2 3

Since launching in 2003, Linkedin has become the premier social networking service for professionals and companies alike.

The platform, which has amassed over 300 members in more than 200 countries and territories, has become the most used social media site in the world. For the mining industry, Linkedin has been a godsend.

in addition to giving mining companies the opportunity to build relationships and user engagement through page followers, photos, videos and job openings, its been pivotal in showcasing the latest projects, ongoing operations, outreach programs and community initiatives for mining companies.

As one of the most important and populated social networking services in the world, utilizing Linkedin is now imperative for the mining industry. Here arethe 10 mining Linkedin profiles in no particular order.

2 4 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

top 10

10 Barrick Gold Corporation Web: linkedin profile

barrick Gold is one of the top producers of gold in the world. The company also has one of the best LinkedIn profiles on the web. With continual updates on everything from mining projects, workplace safety and new initiatives aimed at community engagement, barrick Gold has this LinkedIn thing covered.

m i n i n G L i n K e d i n P r o F i L e s y o U n e e d t o F o L L o W

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10 Barrick Gold Corporation Web: linkedin profile

barrick Gold is one of the top producers of gold in the world. The company also has one of the best LinkedIn profiles on the web. With continual updates on everything from mining projects, workplace safety and new initiatives aimed at community engagement, barrick Gold has this LinkedIn thing covered.

09 Newmont Mining Corporation Web: linkedin profile

One of the biggest perks of Newmont Minings LinkedIn page is its information. The company has mastered the art of keeping users informed on everything from press releases, projects and programs two informative blog postings.

Their latest blog post Why the Conflict-Free Gold Standard Matters is a must-read.

07 Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. Web: linkedin profile

Freeport is one of the largest gold and copper mining companies in the world. Theyre also one of the best at recruiting and hiring employees through LinkedIn.

With continual and educational updates, users can locate available jobs as well as the latest updates on operations around the world.

2 6 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

top 10

08 BHP Billiton Web: linkedin profile

LinkedIn and bHP billiton go together like peanut butter and jelly. The companys profile, which has over 147,000 followers, is one of the best pages for finding job opportunities, locating updates on recent and ongoing projects as well as listening to interviews. With pictures, videos and updates, bHP billitons LinkedIn page is one of the best.

2 7

06 WGC (World Gold Council) Web: linkedin profile

If you want to know anything about the world of gold, the World Gold Council (WGC) has you covered. As the leading organization for the gold market, the companys LinkedIn profile provides everything from gold investment, jewelry and technology to government affairs and sustainability.

If it includes gold, the WGC is all about it. In addition to LinkedIn, the WGC provides fascinating information about gold on Facebook,Twitter and YouTube. Dont miss out!


08 BHP Billiton Web: linkedin profile

LinkedIn and bHP billiton go together like peanut butter and jelly. The companys profile, which has over 147,000 followers, is one of the best pages for finding job opportunities, locating updates on recent and ongoing projects as well as listening to interviews. With pictures, videos and updates, bHP billitons LinkedIn page is one of the best.

04 GE Transportation Web: linkedin profile

One of the hottest LinkedIn profiles right now is Ge Transportation. The company, which is a division of the General electric Company, is the global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, mining, marine, stationary power and drilling industries. The companys profile is filled with new and innovative ideas on how the company is working to lead the mining industry into a safer, cleaner and quieter future.

2 8 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

top 10

05 Goldcorp Inc. Web: linkedin profile

by far one of the best companies at utilizing social media is Goldcorp. The company, which boasts one of the best company profiles on LinkedIn, is constantly curating new and exciting content. Goldcorp features a wide array of information from community outreach programs to their most recent article about an industry-led donation for cancer research in Canada. be sure to check out other social feeds from the company including its Twitter page, Twitter jobs page, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

03 Thiess Web: linkedin profile

Thiess is the leading construction, mining and services contractor in Australia. The company is also quite good at social media. Along with having one of the better Instagram accounts in the mining sector, the company has infused that magic into its LinkedIn page. Their profile has everything from engaging photos to job openings to the latest news on their community initiatives. If you enjoy watching videos, their YouTube channel is quite entertaining.

04 GE Transportation Web: linkedin profile

One of the hottest LinkedIn profiles right now is Ge Transportation. The company, which is a division of the General electric Company, is the global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, mining, marine, stationary power and drilling industries. The companys profile is filled with new and innovative ideas on how the company is working to lead the mining industry into a safer, cleaner and quieter future.


2 9

02 Anglo American Web: linkedin profile

No mining company provides more interesting photos, videos and facts than Anglo American. The companys social media platforms are bursting at the seams with compelling stories and their LinkedIn page is no different. Anglo was also ranked as the top mining company in LinkedIns 100 Most InDemand employers for 2014.If youve ever wondered what it would be like to work for a mining company, do yourself a favor and go to their LinkedIn page. Your future career depends on it.

top 10

3 0 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

01 ICMM (International Council on Mining & Metals) Web: linkedin profile

The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) is comprised of 21 of the biggest mining companies in the industry along with 35 national and regional mining associations and global commodity associations. The organizations LinkedIn page essentially combines the best of the best from the entire mining industry into one profile. ICMM even has their own LinkedIn group, which boasts over 3k members, and includes everything from discussions to jobs. If youre interested in learning how the mining industry gives back to the communities in which it operates, this is the LinkedIn profile for you.

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Assarel-Medet flourishing in multiple areas

Written by: sam Jermy produced by: James pepper

3 4 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

AssArel-Medet

Assarel-medet mining and Processing complex is the first, biggest and leading company for open pit mining and processing of copper ores in Bulgaria, providing around 50 percent of the national production of the vital metal, copper.

the company is a main factor for the social and economic development and overall image of the municipality of Panagyurishte and the district of Pazardzhik, in Bulgaria. it has a definite significance for the Bulgarian economy, as one of the leading industrial organisations with an important contribution to the raw materials independence. now over 1,300 people are working in the company and another 400 are employed in subsidiaries and joint ventures.

The privately owned Bulgarian mining and processing company has not only been achieving success in business, but giving back to the local people through a strong focus on corporate social responsibility

Assarel Concentrator Plant

e U r o P e

www.asare l .com 35

AssArel-Medet

Key Personnel

professor lachezar tsotsorkov phd

Prof. Dr. Lachezar Dimitrov tsotsorkov is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Assarel-Medet - the largest and structural-enterprise in the municipality of Panagyurishte and Pazardzhik. winner of the highest state distinction - Stara Planina - first degree and the prize Manager of the Year 2009.

the medet mining and Processing complex was commissioned on 29 december, 1964, and since 1991 has become a joint-stock company through consolidation. its main activity is open pit mining and processing of copper and copper-pyrite ores, biochemical leaching of copper and the associated trade and engineering activities.

Professor Lachezar tsotsorkov Phd, chairperson of the Assarel-medet supervisory Board, said: We were the first company in Bulgaria to begin the mining of ores and minerals, and today Assarel-medet processes about 13 million tonnes of ore per year, ensuring sustainable development, production and thorough utilisation of minerals at the Assarel deposit.

We are iso certified and work in compliance with the three major international standards for quality management, environment protection and occupational health and safety. We have traditionally been a pioneer in the mining industry with regards to the implementation of new state-of-the-art equipment and new technologies.

the medet mine (1964-1994) construction started in 1961 and it was the largest open pit mine in europe and the third largest in the world for the time. efficient mining and processing of copper ore with copper grade lower than 0.4 percent was organised here more than 40 years ago for the first time in the world. this is a practice which was later commonly applied in the mining industry, but we were the pioneers.

3 6 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

AsArel Medet Plc

Oxide dump

Assarel mine

m i n i n G

www.asare l .com 37

AsArel Medet Plc

proud history, progressive futuretoday Assarel-medet has many examples of how it has built on its initial front-running qualities in the mining industry. the company has been successfully implementing a program for removal of previous environmental damages, caused prior to the companys privatisation, which was funded by the government based on an agreement with the World Bank.

it annually invests significant funds in new technologies, environmental projects, human capital development and ensuring the highest standard of occupational safety and health. since 1999, more than 350 million has been invested in these areas, and the implemented ecological projects account for 40 million. the firm has three treatment plants, one of them was built after its privatisation.

We were the first company in Bulgaria to begin the mining of ores and minerals, and today Assarel-Medet processes about 13 million tonnes of ore per year Professor Lachezar Tsotsorkov PhD, Chairperson of the Assarel-Medet Supervisory Board

Assarel mine

QR code for smartphones

VERTIMILLan efficient and

economical grinding

technology

AssArel-Medet e U r o P e

www.asare l .com 39

Waste rock conveyor

QR code for smartphones

VERTIMILLan efficient and

economical grinding

technology

Assarel-medet was successfully certified on the voluntary standard for sustainable development of the mineral raw-material industry and received the first certificate for this. it was awarded to the executive director at Assarel-medet, eng. delcho nikolov by dr corina Hebestreit, executive director of eUromines, on the 29 september 2014, during the european mining business forum in Plovdiv.

the purpose of the standard is to evaluate companies in ten aspects - growth and efficiency, quality and innovations, health and safety at work, caring for employees, partnership and development of local communities, transparency and accountability, environmental management, emissions and wastes, conservation of biodiversity, energy and climate protection.

Metso is a leading process performance provider, with customers in the mining, oil and gas, and aggregates industries. Metsos cutting-edge services and solutions improve availability and reliability in minerals processing and flow control, providing sustainable process and profit improvements. Metso is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland. In 2013, Metsos net sales totaled EUR 3.8 billion. Metso employs approximately 16,000 industry experts in 50 countries. Expect results.

Website: www.metso.com

supplier profileMetso Minerals

LEXCEL House: #2 Owhor Street, Off Liveration Stadium Road, PO Box 7415, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NigeriaPlant Yard: Plot 478 Peter Odili Road, Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, PHC

Contact Us:Tel: +234-84-747122, +234-8033093560 Email: [email protected]

BUILD YOUR FUTUREforward thinking. inventive techniques.Lexcel Nig. Ltd is a forward-thinking, multi-disciplinary construction company committed to delivering the best solutions in building and construction within the oil and gas industry. Lexcel is a major player in the Execution of the Multi million Dollar Golf Estate (above right) Construction project in Port Harcourt Nigeria.

We offer the following services:Design Building Civil Works Highway Engineering Dams Pre-Post Construction Oil & Gas Services

With our business model, you get the talent without the overhead, assuring you of responsiveness, flexibility and results.

Web: www.lexcelgroup-ng.com

AssArel-Medet e U r o P e

www.asare l .com 41

the achievement in all aspects was verified by an external auditor, as the audit was carried out by tV rheinland-Bulgaria. the standard is structured in five levels for achieved results as even the first of them requires full coverage of legal norms. each next level provides additional company policies, measures and commitments that upgrade the legal requirements and take into account what is the compliance with the best practices in the world.

sustainability and csRsince the privatisation of the company, Assarel-medet has won more than 50 awards. the numerous national and international awards obtained are a token of the high

Outdoor Museum Exposition

Assarel-Medet has won more than 50 awards. The numerous national and international awards obtained are a token of the high prestige and social trust it has gained

4 2 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

AsArel Medet Plc

prestige and social trust it has gained.Professor tsotsorkov said: since 1989

the company has built in the municipality of Panagyurishte over 1,000 apartments, two schools, two kindergartens, a stadium, cultural centre, dozens of shops, ski run and ski lift, sports grounds, correction of Luda yana river, covered market, reconstruction of tsar osvoboditel square and the city park, sewage and street lighting, repair of churches and much more.

Assarel-Medet endeavors to ensure a dynamic, successful and sustainable corporate development

Professor Lachezar Tsotsorkov PhD

Water Treatment Plant for mine water

e U r o P e

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AsArel Medet Plc AssArel-Medet

the company and its shareholders donate funds annually for construction of infrastructure projects and development of health, culture, education, social activities, sports and tourism in the municipality of Panagyurishte. All of this has radically improved the citys landscape and significantly increased the standard of living in the municipality.

manifested in a long-term plan, and in accordance with the highest standards and good practices, Assarel-medet endeavors to ensure a dynamic, successful and sustainable corporate development, focusing upon good solid traditions, initiative, innovations and environmental thinking.

Assarel-medet Jsc is actively involved in international business organisations and associations such as the World mining congress, and the european Business congress. it joined the Uns Global compact for sustainable development in 2003 and it presented itself as a company which takes care for human rights protection, labour conditions and environment which also gives support in studies dedicated to humankinds progress.

the company illustrates the modern understanding for corporate social responsibility by showing commitment to the dynamic development and life standard improvement into reality in Panagyurishte. With this refreshing outlook, Assarel-medet is sure to win many hearts and minds on the way to renewed business excellence.

Company Information

I n d u s t ry

Mining

h e A d q u A rt e r s

Bulgaria

f o u n d e d

1964

e M P l o y e e s

1,700

r e v e n u e

not disclosed

P r o d u c t s /

s e r v I c e s

Mining

African carbon energyPropels south Africa to the Forefront of underground Coal gasificationWritten by: tom Wadlow produced by: anthony Munatswa

4 6 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

AfrIcAn cArbon energy

A frican carbon energy (Africary) is putting south Africa at the forefront of Underground coal Gasification (UcG) by developing a one billion-tonne coal deposit at theunissen in the Free state to fill a vital gap in the countrys electricity supply.

the junior miner, based in Pretoria and founded in 2007 by current ceo Johan Brand and late business partner eliphus monkoe, had pooled together their expertise in mining, exploration and gasification to establish a diversified commodities technology supplier in southern Africa.

Working to register as an independent Power Producer (iPP) with the department of energy, Africary is championing a technique that had been commonplace several decades ago, and one which holds several advantages over conventional coal mining which has now become the mainstream.

The Theunissen project in the Free State province will become a vital contributor to the countrys electricity supply with the first 50 megawatt plant set to become operational in 2017

Schematic layout showing

the scale of mining a very

deep (370m) coal seam

A F r i c A

www.af r icary.com 4 7


Brand, a former government certified mining engineer at sasol and an important part of its UcG development, outlined his ambitions.

He said: my vision is to optimise the whole coal to electricity value chain. my aim is to safely and efficiently transform our valuable coal resource into a transferrable energy commodity which can be sold to meet local demand. in south Africa we are experiencing a huge electricity demand for what is a large and growing economy, and with aging eskom power stations we are running out of supply.

theunissen central to Brands objective is arguably the largest coal deposit in the Free state province near theunissen, bought from BHP Billiton in 2012, and one ideally suited to UcG due to its coal being at an average depth of 350 to 500m.

Number of years the projects

50MW power station can be

kept running with coal converted

syngas

16


Solving Technical Problems Through Innovation

Contek is a professional services consulting firm with a focus in engineering, environment, safety, related management systems, and regulatory compliance.

For more information visit us online.

T: (469) 467-8296 F: (469) [email protected] www.contekllc.com

Having acquired surface rights, Africary has access to 600 hectares, but has completed exploration drilling on a 100 hectare area to obtain a measured resource of roughly four million tonnes of coal. Production at this first site will make use of very efficient syngas-rated gas engines, and the plant is set for operation in 2017.

this is enough to run our 50 megawatt (mW) power station for 16 years, and if you consider that we still have 996 million tonnes of inferred coal left, we are here for the long run, Brand said. it is a whopping large resource.

the south African department of energy (doe)recently unveiled a 2,500 mW coal base load iPP

This is arguably the

largest coal resource in

the Free State province

A F r i c A



(independent Power Producer) programme, with Africary set to contribute 50 mW within three years and a further 1,000 mW by around 2022, comprising two systems of roughly 500 mW based on combined cycle gas turbine technology.

the bidding process for the doe iPP contracts for the first 50 mW operations will start next year, and Africary will be using its strategic alliance partners, cde Process engineering and Aqua Alpha directional drilling, to implement the UcG syngas handling technologies and horizontal drilling.

Africary has a proven track record stretching before the 2012 acquisition. in 2009 it supported

Above: Graphic

explaining the

horizontal drilling

layout of a UCG site

5 0 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5


Australian AsX listed Wildhorse energy with investment, technology and management skills for a proposed UcG Project in europe. the whole Africary team has also a long track record with sasol which is the worlds largest coal mining gasification company, producing 150,000 barrels of oil every day from coal gasification.

Why ucg? Underground coal Gasification is a mining method that extracts previously stranded coal reserves in-situ, through a gasification process by constructing at least two horizontal boreholes, where one borehole is used to inject air/oxygen to convert the coal into syngas and another to bring the syngas to surface.

it is an economically and environmentally viable option for mining deep reserves (200 metres or deeper), and with two thirds of the planets coal unable to be mined through conventional techniques it is the most promising technology for the future.

UCG Area showing farm land above the UCG site

What is considered a good UCG potential resource?

> Coal seam depth of over 200 metres

> Coal thickness of more than 3 metres

> Ash content less than 60%

> Minimal discontinuities

> isolation from valued aquifers

A F r i c A



Brand added: it was the mainstream method from around 1940 to 1960 in the former soviet Union, which had 15 power stations and plants mining over 15 million tonnes of coal, of which one is still operational in Uzbekistan. in south Africa eskom is operating their first UcG pilot since 2007 at majub Power station by co-feeding the syngas into a boiler, and is currently involved in the eiA and permit application processes to increase the size to 100 mW.

About 80 percent of the energy in the coal comes out in the gas to surface, making UcG a very efficient mining process. At the

Key Personnel Johan BrandCEO

Johan Brand is a business and project management specialist that has the ability to find commercial cost effective results and his innovation on technical and business aspects often leads to ground breaking solutions. he was previously an employee of Sasol for 13 years and held the position of UCg Business Manager between 2006 and 2009, responsible for the establishment and management of UCg as a Sasol business unit. Brand has worked throughout South Africa, other parts of Africa and Europe for large multinationals and start-ups.CEO Johan Brand inspecting a

Theunissen coal roof exploration core

5 2 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5


same time no person has to be underground whilst you can implement high extraction mining, bringing great safety benefits.

the syngas is contained deep underground inside the coal mine by operating the process at a lower pressure than the hydrostatic pressure surrounding the coal strata, meaning that surface leakages are prevented, while ash is also kept from producing smoke and other environmental hazards like leaching.

This is a complete breakaway from South Africas traditional mining industries of opencast or shaft mining Johan Brand

The power station will

consist of gas engines each

in its own self-contained

containerized units

m i n i n G



Click to see an aerial

view of the plant

the process also uses a tenth of the water used by an equivalent sized boiler systems.

it doesnt require much manpower to run either, Brand said. the boreholes are pre-drilled and last for eight to 10 years, so there will only be a few people looking after the gas clean-up equipment and power generators. the rest operates autonomously via computer control.

this is a complete breakaway from south Africas traditional mining industries

5 4 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5


of opencast or shaft mining, which are both very labour intensive and require huge amounts of upfront capital.

together with the likes of exxaro, eskom and sasol, Africary founded the south African UcG Association, designed to champion the technology and create industry standards and training schemes, propelling the country to the forefront of the global industry.

Above: Exploration

drilling at the

Theunissen UCG site

A F r i c A



poly generation Brands vision for the company is to move into poly generation, combining electricity production with the creation of chemical products such as ammonia, fertilisers and liquid fuels.

the greatest challenge that the ceo overcame on this project was to find the sweet spot of connecting three divergent areas of constraint a suitable coal resource, a productive, save and environmental mining technology and a lucrative market.

He concluded: With any resource and technology, it can only be effectively utilised when there is a suitable market for it. the one thing about syngas is that by itself it is not a commodity people would buy directly. either you have to turn it into natural gas or electricity or some other fuel or chemical. i was fortunate enough to come from an environment doing exactly this, making many products from syngas.

As a junior mining company we are very excited to compete for projects of such a scale. We get support from local banks as they know the current government (doe and eskom) iPP initiative is the sovereign 30 year off taker for the electricity.

What UcG needs is countries and companies that are willing to build a value chain around it. to lead the way we have worked hard to become UcG specialist that can design, integrate, operate and own the whole value chain.

Company Information

I n d u s t ry

Mining


Pretoria

f o u n d e d

2007

e M P l o y e e s

Less than 10

r e v e n u e

none, as we are in

project development

phase

P r o d u c t s /

s e r v I c e s

Mining, Underground

Coal gasification

true north gemsPartnerships Provide Pivot role in True north gems Bid for greenland MiningTrue North Gems is creating a legacy of social responsibility through key partnerships and a steady commitment to sharing the benefits of its business with the local communityWritten by: Robert spence produced by: Bobby Meehan

5 8 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

true north geMs

Greenland is home to some of the most pure sapphire and ruby gems in the world. the country, which has notoriously been hesitant to allow mining activities in the past, recently awarded an exploration permit to true north Gems a junior exploration company based in canada. the company plans to not only succeed in finding profitable gems but make a positive impact in the local community as well.

through key partnerships and a steady commitment to sharing the benefits of its business, true north Gems is striving to become the

worlds premier producer of rubies and Pink sapphires by creating a legacy of social responsibility. partnership with lns greenland in march, true north Gems was awarded a 30-year mining permit for the Aappaluttoq ruby deposit in southwest Greenland. the mining project, which has an initial mine life of nine years, will range from an open-pit mine to a gemstone grading and processing facility. to finance the infrastructure costs, the company needed to secure a financial partner.

We wanted to engage with

c A n A d A

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true north geMs

someone who had an interest in focusing on the quality of the ruby- and sapphire ore, not just the quantity, says Bent Jensen, General manager of the Aappaluttoq project.

normally, you want to focus on the volume and get the most out of the ground. With us, thats not the case. We want to protect the mineral ore as much as possible.

the company set off in search of an investor with the same mindset, experience, and financial backing to fit its needs, and the Leonhard nilsen and sonner As Group (Lns) had all the attributes.

We wanted to engage with an operator that would focus on the motive. We quickly came to the conclusion we needed to get an operator who would also be an investor, says Jensen. thats why theyre interesting. they have the experience building and operating mines, the financial backing we need, and they were initially involved in the gold mining here in Greenland. so they have a relationship with the community.

true north Gems and Lns Group through Lns Greenland signed a deal for the latter to invest a total of $34 million into the project through

a i r g r e e n l a n d . c om

Air Greenland Charter, Tel. +299 34 34 34, e-mail: [email protected], www.airgreenland.com/charter

We know the drill

With decades of experience acquired from Arctic operations, Air Greenland is your reliable and dynamic partner for exploration. You will benefit from the fact that we are part of the Greenlandic society. We have the advantage of a broad network. We know the local requirements and we have an infrastructure in the form of hangars and aircraft all over the country. We aim to provide a high level of service and this means that every single job is specifically tailored to suit the customers requirements.

Our 12 robust AS-350 helicopters can handle almost any task. It is the ideal helicopter for sling operations with our experienced and competent long-line sling pilots.Our 8 Bell 212s with their versatile and spacious cabins, are effective in mobilizing your exploration camp.

Our Dash 7s are very flexible combi/cargo aircraft that can meet all passenger and cargo requirements. With its unparalleled STOL capability, it matches the short runways all over Greenland and it is capable of landing on frozen lakes and other simple runways.

We are simply your sustainable choice in Greenland.

You just have to ask.

true north geMs c A n A d A


mine infrastructure and capital loan. the deal included: Building a port. Building a complete and modern camp for approx. 48 workers. Building Fuel depot, Explosive depot, Heli-pad and workshop. Building a Process Plant. Building approx. 8.5 km of roads to tie all facilities together. The completion of all infrastructure, which will enable planned production to commence in 2015. Once construction is completed, LnsG will be in charge of the daily operation of the mine-site.

a i r g r e e n l a n d . c om

Air Greenland Charter, Tel. +299 34 34 34, e-mail: [email protected], www.airgreenland.com/charter

We know the drill

With decades of experience acquired from Arctic operations, Air Greenland is your reliable and dynamic partner for exploration. You will benefit from the fact that we are part of the Greenlandic society. We have the advantage of a broad network. We know the local requirements and we have an infrastructure in the form of hangars and aircraft all over the country. We aim to provide a high level of service and this means that every single job is specifically tailored to suit the customers requirements.

Our 12 robust AS-350 helicopters can handle almost any task. It is the ideal helicopter for sling operations with our experienced and competent long-line sling pilots.Our 8 Bell 212s with their versatile and spacious cabins, are effective in mobilizing your exploration camp.

Our Dash 7s are very flexible combi/cargo aircraft that can meet all passenger and cargo requirements. With its unparalleled STOL capability, it matches the short runways all over Greenland and it is capable of landing on frozen lakes and other simple runways.

We are simply your sustainable choice in Greenland.

You just have to ask.

Greenlands national airline Grnlandsfly was founded in 1960. The company changed its name to Air Greenland in 2002 and has undergone rapid development during the last 50 years: From seaplanes to jet planes; and from helicopter services to scheduled services with fixed-wing aircraft. Then, as now, Air Greenland operates in Arctic airspace, which presents a unique range of challenges.

Website: www.airgreenland.com

supplier profileAir GreeNlAND

OIL SUPPLY COMPANY FOR ALL

OF GREENLANDWe supply oil to mining

and oil industries

Contacts

Energy Manager Tage Lindegaard

[email protected]

Logistic Manager Niels Chemnitz

[email protected]

All types of liquid petroleum products P.O. BOX 3030 3911 SISIMIUT GREENLANDPHONE: +299 86 24 44 FAX: +299 86 23 96

TNG_polaroil_promo_196x137mm.indd 1 11/11/14 15.10

At ISS, we believe that great service comes from motivated employees, who understand your purpose and empathise with your needs.SECURITY SERVICES

SECURITY PROVIDER TO TRUE NORTH GEMS GREENLAND

Contact:[email protected]: +299 556 450

true north geMs c A n A d A


in return, Lns will receive 7 percent initial ownership in the Greenlandic company true north Gems Greenland (tnGG) and upon completion of the infrastructure and reaching operational status Lns will have earned the right to a further 20 percent ownership. Bringing their total ownership to 27 percent.

We had other interesting investors but we chose Lns because we saw the Group as the ideal partner for the project. At the end of the day, we wanted what was best for the not only the project, but also the community says Jensen.

We see it as a very strong joint venture.

community involvement true north Gems has completed the impact Benefit Agreement (iBA) negotiations and all parties have executed a ground breaking accord. the company has also finalized the subsequent operating and closure plan for the Aappaluttoq ruby deposit. As part of its agreement, the company plans to engage with the local community and provide training and economic benefits from the project.

if you look at our social impact assessment report, we raise the possibility of hiring local people right from the start, says Jensen. this is a decision we made a long time ago as we wanted to engage with the local community to make sure they benefit from this project. When we have a mandate we strive to adhere to it.

For the project, the company has planned to hire roughly 80 workers of which the company has committed to ensure that at least 75% of these will be local employees in which they would train and implement in various functions of the operation.

According to Jensen, after initiating the Hearing Process, receiving exploitation permitting and approvals of exploitation- and Abandonment Plans from the Greenland government, the company had received 300 unsolicited applications from the local community.

We couldnt believe it. over 300 people applied for positions within our company all on their own. i think the community is starting to trust us and our commitment.

in regards to training, the company

true north geMs

meeting arcticdevelopmentchallenges(deliveringsustainablesolutions)

With a 30 year proven track record in the Artic, Ramboll is the regions leading consultancy. As a strategic partner to customers in the building, transport, oil & gas, energy, mining and society building sectors, we deliver optimised solutions that are environmentally and socially responsible.

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STARK GrnlandLangerak 17 9220 Aalborg Telefax 9818 6210Telefon 8252 2300

quickly realized most of the community had already been trained in the mining industry.

in 2009, the Government opened a mining school. the school is responsible for running a training program called common core. over 300 people have passed the course. We quickly realized there are a lot of people who already have the skill sets needed, says Jensen.

living up to their promises to further enhance the community, true north Gems is developing

a local recruitment strategy which focuses on pre-employment, recruiting and employee retention and employee development initiatives.

the company is also planning to launch an array of cultural awareness, community well-being and health and safety programs in an effort to address local issues. in addition, the company is working with the local community to minimize any negative environmental impacts of the project.

With pivotal partnerships in

c A n A d A


true north geMs

place, true north Gems is building the platform for a successful mining operation through trust and integrity.

According to Jensen, by building relationships through trust and open communication, true north Gems is working to provide social, cultural and community support, which will benefit both the community and the company.

Weve already hired our first set of local-based employees. the people of Greenland can now see we live up to our promises.

Company Information

I n d u s t ry

Mining


Vancouver,

British Columbia

cementationA new Way of Building MinesCanadas premier mining contractor Cementation is changing the way mine contracting is carried outWritten by: Robert spence produced by: Bobby Meehan

6 8 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

ceMentAtIon

cementation is an underground mine contracting and engineering company that provides an extensive array of services for clients throughout north and south America. Based in ontario, canada, the company has a unique structure, one that is well suited for technically challenging projects.

We set out to do something different, says President of cementation, roy slack. We wanted to change the way mine contracting is carried out.

the company started by focusing on three key aspects: safety, relationships

and the way it implements contracting. We wanted this to be an industry

with zero harm so we aligned our vision to focus on safety, says slack. secondly, we wanted to restructure the relationship between us and the clients and avoid adversarial relationships. We really try and understand what the client wants from a project standpoint and we align ourselves with these goals. Lastly, we wanted to change the way contracting is done by providing a true design-build service for clients. traditionally, different groups would work on different stages of a project; we wanted to

Cementation raise boring team with underground set-up.

c A n A d A

www.cementat ion .com 6 9

ceMentAtIon

establish both continuity and one point accountability through a strong engineering service within our contracting group.

these are the changes we wanted to make.

safety Above all else, cementation is committed to safety. the company recognizes that a safe contractor is more attractive to both employees and clients and this aligns with the companys goal of being both an employer and contractor of choice.

We wanted to be the employer of choice and weve worked extremely hard at that, says slack. We wanted to align employee goals with corporate goals in order to help our people succeed. We have a strong training program in and out of office. We believe safety is the right way to work and we believe in treating employees with respect. if benefits come from that, good, but we look at it as simply the right way to work.

to maintain the highest level of safety, the company has implemented training programs developed from its internal

corporate values as well as legislated requirements specific to the jurisdictions they work in. cementation has also developed a risk management protocol.

Weve developed a system for hazard recognition. the people in our group have a lot of long-term experience and theyve the ability to recognize hazards, says slack. We wanted to implement that insight into this program.

the program is structured to have project managers coach their teams on safety precautions and provide insight for recognizing potential hazards. the goal is to establish and support a culture of safety.

in safety, we talk about structure and culture. safety culture is the mindset of the people: the attitude, the respect and the ability to work together, says slack.

structure is also very important; if it is missing youre in trouble. structure includes a strong orientation program, ongoing training and evaluation, along with hazard recognition and detailed work procedures.

ceMentAtIon c A n A d A


Relationships relationships are the lifeblood for contractors. they play a vital piece in keeping clients up-to-date with progress and changes in projects as well as occurring repeat business. With that being said, cementation is focused on maintaining and growing its relationship with clients as well as employees.

Along with building quality client and vendor relationships, the company strives to maintain solid employee relationships. cementation has implemented a wide array of programs for helping

employees succeed. in canada, the company has developed and utilized a leadership development program for employees. For this program the company utilizes the Harvard manager mentor program for leadership development, a unique e-learning platform that gives employees an opportunity to receive customized programs geared at their specific training requirements.

its a computer based training program, but then we establish various forums where the trainees can get together to review and discuss the content, says slack.

Another aspect of the program

Businessfriend creates a digital eco-system that drives individuals and organizations to personal and professional success. Make connections, nurture relationships, and harness the strength of your social network with business utilities that take you beyond your connections. We operate under our BUSI platform, a Business Utility Social Identity, which gives you the opportunity to meld the strength and familiarity of your online social identity with the software-like tools you need to collaborate and conduct business.

Website: www.businessfriend.com

supplier profileBusiNessfrieND

ceMentAtIon c A n A d A


is Lunch & Learns, where we bring in different departments to present on what they do its sort of like an internal cross-training program. We want everyone to understand what each department is involved in.

slack adds, the training program was developed with our employees and supervisors in mind. We enlisted a number of people in the program with a set number of courses to help

them develop the skills required to succeed.

Along with nurturing quality relationships, cementation is focused on cultivating meaningful partnerships. the company has developed numerous Aboriginal partnerships across the canadian landscape to support and develop the northern communities that those partners live in.

recognized as a partner of

Cementation raise boring team set-up on surface at AuRico Golds

Young-Davidson Project near Matachewan, Ontario.

7 4 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

ceMentAtIon

Inspecting bored shaft at AuRico Golds Young-Davidson Mine near

Matachewan, Ontario.

c A n A d A


ceMentAtIon

choice for First nations and inuit groups, the company has created opportunities for Aboriginal groups by creating jobs, training and resources to succeed.

According to slack, the new miner program was implemented nine years ago in an effort to introduce new people into the industry, including the First nations partners.

the program is an excellent tool for extensive training. it includes roughly three months of classroom indoctrination and nine months working on site. Participants are paid the entire time and theyre expected to treat the training as a job, which it is. Weve had nothing but success with the program.

By staying true to its vision and goals, cementation has become the mining contractor of choice for both clients and employees. By achieving excellence in safety, performance beyond expectations and quality long-term relationships, the company has provided the mining industry with a different approach to the way mine contracting can be carried out.

Company Information

I n d u s t ry

Mining


ontario, Canada

f o u n d e d

1998

e M P l o y e e s

1000

eP MineralsA Long History, A Modern

ApproachHow the industrial minerals company impacts the world over.

Written by: ian hanner produced by: Bobby Meehan

7 7

eP MineralsA Long History, A Modern

ApproachHow the industrial minerals company impacts the world over.

Written by: ian hanner produced by: Bobby Meehan

7 8 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

eP MInerAls

over the course of its storied 171-year life, eP minerals has grown to become one of the more exciting and progressive industrial minerals companies in the United statesand its just getting better.

Founded in 1843 by edgar and

stephen conkling, the company originally went by the name eagle. in 1916, Judge oliver Picher merged the company with his own lead mining business to create eagle-Picher Lead, the forerunner of modern day eP minerals.

in the years since, the ambitious

EP Minerals Lovelock, Nevada plant

U s A

www.epminera ls .com 7 9

eP MInerAls

Loader and equipment at the Lovelock, Nevad mine

minerals company has acquired a series of highly valuable assets, such as a large diatomaceous earth (de) deposit and factory in clark, nevada. in 1959, the company commissioned a de producing plant in Lovelock, nevada, which remains the largest de producing plant in the world to this day.

that plant was upgraded in 1993 with a perlite expander, officially bringing the company into the perlite business. A new de plant was built and commissioned in Vale, oregon in 1985. in 2013, eP minerals acquired the moltan company and with it additional mines and

processing facilities in nevada and tennessee. Finally, in 2014, a new perlite facility was opened in Blair, nebraska.

We have six plants, close to 600 employees, plus or minus, and with that we sell all over the world and to about a hundred countries, said Al Kaczanowski, vice president of marketing.

What they do eP minerals doesnt just sell its products in bulk. the company maintains a full-scale r&d department devoted to the development of cutting-edge,

PACKAGING EQUIPMENT/MACHINERYPALLET STRETCH WRAPMILL PRODUCTSPOLYFOAMPOLYETHYLENE PRODUCTSHEAT SHRINK FILMCONTAINERSBOXESCORRUGATEDLABELSADHESIVESCUSTOM PACKAGINGSTRAPPINGTAPESBUBBLE WRAPENVELOPESBAGSPELASPAN LOOSE FILL PACKINGMOVING & STORAGE SUPPLIES

PACKAGING EQUIPMENT/

GTG Packaging is a distributor for many major manufacturing rms, that produce only the highest quality packaging and shipping materials available on the market today. Our fully stocked, 32,000 sq warehouse, proudly services the Business, Industrial, Agricultural, and Mining markets.

Customer service 775-355-0233650 Innovation Dr. Ste. A | Reno, NV 89511 | www.gtgpackaging.com

Nevada Owned Company Securing Your Product From The Inside Out since 1988

Where Quality & Service is our mission!

eP MInerAls U s A


products, such as AXis de and AXis ceramic soil amendments, Agready fertilizer carrier, desect insecticide and nXt-2 arsenic remediation product.

While perlite and absorbent clays are a large part of the companys business, the cornerstone of their product offerings is de. though this material is regularly present in almost everyones life, its applications are often overlooked by those not involved in the sector.

We sell de into well over a hundred markets, said Gregg Jones, president. our largest market is beer filtration, [which]

would be a radically different process if de wasnt available. same thing goes for wine and juices.

He added that de is an essential component in high-quality paints, giving them a matte finish.

We also sell it as an animal feed, Jones said. its used for filtration in biodiesel and in the oil and gas industry. it goes into catalysts, polishes, and even facial scrubs. it is used to filter corn syrup, citric acid, sugar, vegetable oil and soy sauce. its really a key ingredient in almost every food and beverage that gets filtered, and the reason they use it is that its extremely versatile.

PACKAGING EQUIPMENT/MACHINERYPALLET STRETCH WRAPMILL PRODUCTSPOLYFOAMPOLYETHYLENE PRODUCTSHEAT SHRINK FILMCONTAINERSBOXESCORRUGATEDLABELSADHESIVESCUSTOM PACKAGINGSTRAPPINGTAPESBUBBLE WRAPENVELOPESBAGSPELASPAN LOOSE FILL PACKINGMOVING & STORAGE SUPPLIES

PACKAGING EQUIPMENT/

GTG Packaging is a distributor for many major manufacturing rms, that produce only the highest quality packaging and shipping materials available on the market today. Our fully stocked, 32,000 sq warehouse, proudly services the Business, Industrial, Agricultural, and Mining markets.

Customer service 775-355-0233650 Innovation Dr. Ste. A | Reno, NV 89511 | www.gtgpackaging.com

Nevada Owned Company Securing Your Product From The Inside Out since 1988

Where Quality & Service is our mission!

GTG Packaging is a local distributor for many major manufacturing firms that produce only the highest quality packaging and shipping materials on the market today! This website contains a general listing of the materials carried by GTG Packaging and The Box Store. If an item you need is not listed, please call to check on its availability.

Website: address goes here as the last entry

supplier profileGTG pAckAGiNG

8 2 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5

eP MInerAls

the list goes on: maple syrup, fertilizers, pet litter, pharmaceuticals, swimming pool filters and more.

in addition to the many applications for eP minerals de, their absorbent clay is regularly used on baseball fields as well.

the product thats used a lot on baseball fields is calcium bentonite. thats the red clay that goes around the field, Jones said. thats a product thats important in the United states, caribbean countries and Japan.

Who they are many companies refer to themselves as family companies or having family values, but ultimately most fail to display those values. eP minerals appears to be an exception.

Weve spent a lot of time defining what behaviors represent our culture today and what we want it to be in the future and we call that the eP Way, Jones said. these fundamentals [cover] how we interact with each other, how we treat our customers and how we make decisions on a daily basis, and

weve just rolled that out across the whole organization.

He added, All of us, including me, have things to work on that we dont do so well today; leave your ego at the door, practice blameless problem solving and listen generously.

how theyre evolving While eP minerals facilities obviously dont date back to the companys origin 171 years ago, some of their infrastructure has become dated none-the-less. in an effort to maintain the quality of their products, the company announced a wide range of facilities upgrades, some of which have already been completed.

We put a new dryer on one end of our kilns at Lovelocka very big investment that improves the quality of the product coming out of the process, Jones said. A big investment in our clark plant to make what we call our natural powders and some of the technology we put in there was new to us. it gives a better particle size distribution and better control of the product overall for the marketplace.

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the company recently finished construction on a perlite plant in nebraska. Were shipping ore from nevadaour own mine, our own perlite ore facility and were shipping it in railcars to nebraska, Jones said. it gives us a nice centrally located perlite facility to supply what is a pretty big market in the midwest.

He added that among other improvements, the company is also investing heavily in their exploration group to facilitate the discovery of new ore deposits. Among those investments are technologies that improve their overall drilling ability.

it would be wrong in every sense of the expression to refer to the veteran company as an up-and-comer or say they were on the path to successtheyve been there for some time. rather, its important to point out all the ways theyre already present in the market around us, and that they have no intentions of slowing down.

i think its worth noting that a lot of businesses are selling commodities and they dont have a lot of interaction with the end-use markets, Jones said. one thing that weve always been focused on, and its part of our growth story, is not only understanding our markets that we sell into and understanding the value that our products contribute to those applications, but working on new applications. thats whats always gotten me interested in the business: the constant opportunity to find something new and figure out how we can sell into a new space.

Company Information

I n d u s t ry

Mining


nevada

f o u n d e d

1843

e M P l o y e e s

600

harrison gypsumThe World of gypsumHarrison Gypsum discusses how the company has developed into the largest producer and supplier of gypsum in the United States Written by: Robert spence produced by: Bobby Meehan

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Wirtgen 2200SM Continuous Miner (Milling Machine)

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Overview of Bouse Junction Mine in Northern Oklahoma

Since 1956, Harrison Gypsum has been a prominent figure in the gypsum mining sector. the company has made a name for itself by maintaining a consistent and high level of product quality. they operate four gypsum mines in oklahoma, one mine in north texas and three limestone mines two in oklahoma and one in south Kansas. the company also operates a number of hard rock quarries and pits in south texas.

Used as a fertilizer and constituent in many forms of plaster, gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium

sulfate dihydrate. the use of gypsum is prevalent in the oil and gas industry as a road aggregate, and widely used as a calcium additive for yeast food products like bread.

Harrison Gypsum has developed into one of the largest producers and suppliers of gypsum in the United states by integrating a family-oriented approach, careful acquisitions and continual investments in mining equipment and infrastructure.

From the beginning Born and bred in oklahoma, the

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High Purity Gypsum Rock being pushed up

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WATCOCompanies

Watco Companies is proud to serve our great Customer

Harrison Gypsum.

Watco Companies is a transportation services provider offering rail, mechanical, and

terminal and port services.

W W W . W A T C O C O M P A N I E S . C O M

Harrison Gypsum company started from humble beginnings. the mining company, which originally formed under the name cement Gypsum company, started as a small family operation supplying gypsum to local neighbors in the community. commencing its first mine (mine no.1) in 1955, the company changed its name in 1956 to reflect its overall commitment to the mineral.

Along with a family-oriented approach to business, Harrison

Gypsum believes pursuit of consistent quality leads to cost effective mining and operational efficiencies. this dedication to quality and efficiency has aided Harrison Gypsum in becoming one of the top gypsum producers around the U.s. in fact, in 1994 the U.s. department of the interior Publication named the companys Gypsum no. 2 mine the largest single gypsum mine in the United states.

in continuation of their dedication to quality products, Harrison

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Gypsum established Allied custom Gypsum inc. in 1987, a customized service aimed at providing customer-based solutions for quality gypsum products. As its own entity, Allied custom Gypsum inc. provides custom products and a series of ground gypsum products including flame retardant fillers, animal feed additives, agricultural and turf products, and a high purity food and pharmaceutical grade gypsum to select markets in the industry.

We take pride in offering flexible responsive services to our customers, while also maintaining consistent quality standards that produce a premium product, says Kris Kinder, Vice President of operations at Harrison Gypsum. growing through acquisitions Harrison Gypsum is content on growing its business through acquisitions. the company, which is keen on furthering its success by incorporating new projects to its repertoire, has acquired a wide array of companies in recent years.

in early 2013, the company purchased the assets of Pinnacle materials LLcs eagle Ford division

in south texas for an undisclosed sum. the acquisition became AcG materials, which now operates six mines producing aggregate material used to build and maintain roads. the company includes a grinding operation that produces gypsum products for a multitude of end-use applications including food grade calcium sulfate. Additionally, a state of art plaster plant that produces both alpha and beta hemihydrate plasters which are used in construction products, ceramic products and dental formulations in also included within the division. the company also supplies soil-stabilization products and steel products manufactured for the energy market.

We are very excited about this next stage of growth for Harrison Gypsum. our new eagle Ford operation will ... help us capitalize on the significant growth occurring in south texas, said russ Harrison, ceo of Harrison Gypsum. our expertise in mining aggregates and existing customer relationships should bring significant benefit to AcG materials.

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Heavy loaders managing windrows of gypsum that milled from a

prepared production pad

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along with acquiring new businesses, harrison gypsum is committed to capital investments. the company has made multiple investments to upgrade to modern mining equipment and improve infrastructure, helping the company expand projects, gypsum reserves and production capacity. the company also utilizes a preventative maintenance program that ensures dependable operation and minimal downtime.

striving for perfection Along with acquisitions and company culture, the success of Harrison Gypsum boils down to quality products. the company has created a system that assures every possible measure is taken into account to maintain a consistent and high level of product quality.

the company thoroughly tests deposit sites to ensure the resultant ore is up to par and suitable for use. in addition, selective mining techniques are utilized to ensure recovery of gypsum is maximized and contaminants and substandard rocks are prevented and discarded.

Additional, Harrison Gypsum controls all aspect of mining, processing and packaging operations. this guarantees a high level of quality and product confidence along with customer satisfaction.

Company Information

I n d u s t ry

Mining


oklahoma

f o u n d e d

1955

liebherr-Australia:Technology and Innovation Driving Efficiency in Manufacturing for MiningThe companys high quality, 100 percent Liebherr-made products exemplify Liebherrs company culture.

Written by: laura close produced by: James hayes

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liebherr-Australia:Technology and Innovation Driving Efficiency in Manufacturing for MiningThe companys high quality, 100 percent Liebherr-made products exemplify Liebherrs company culture.

Written by: laura close produced by: James hayes

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l Iebherr-AustrAlIA

mining is a major part of Liebherr-Australias business plan, although the company has several other divisions successfully operating in the country. since the onset of the mining boom, Liebherr has been extremely successful with earth moving, mining and crane sales, leading to an expansion of their facilities, including a recently completed, dedicated remanufacturing location in Adelaide.

Liebherr-Australia, part of the global, family-owned company Liebherr Group, began its tenure in Australia in the 1970s with the

dealership network. in 1981, the Australian affiliate of the company was officially incorporated, and the commencement of their own operations under the Liebherr name. Liebherr-Australia Head office moved to the current location in Adelaide in the 90s.

remanufacturing c allows Liebherr to repair of all of their own components, which offers the customer a quality end product at a reduced cost. Liebherr promotes a vertical integration model which allows l control of our cost and component life, in turn

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reducing costs for the end-user.our key customers that

Liebherr-Australia predominately work with are tier-one mining houses which largely deal in iron ore and coal said david Pichanick, the general manager of sales and marketing at Liebherr-Australia. the company has been very successful with the likes of BHP, Glencore, Fortescue metals Group, Leighton Group, and downer to name a few. Weve put such a big installed population of machinery out in those two commodities of late, and that machinery is working

even harder now, despite the price of both coal and iron ore dropping. Both our parts and support business will continue to grow

New Facilities Liebherr-Australia recently invested over $170 million to complete new support facilities in sydney and newman Western Australia. existing properties in mackay, mt. thorley, and Perth were expanded to accommodate the companys goal of continuing to meet our customer needs.

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companys expansion efforts is the remanufacturing facility in Adelaide. construction started in January of 2013 and was completed in August of this year to a cost of around $80 million. the facility will be hiring around 138 new employees over the next year and a half out of the south Australian job market.

the rebuild centre focusses on all of our major components for our mining operations in Australia and new Zealand, said Pichanick. All of the spare parts and components from the machinery will be sent back to Adelaide for remanufacture and then go back into the distribution outlets around Australia. our business had a very decentralised model previously; however we are now consolidating every

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Mining Global - January 2015