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SUPPLIERS REPORT Sandvik to Supply Largest Underground Mine Automation System Sandvik Mining recently announced receipt of an order from Rio Tinto to pro- vide advanced mine automation capability for the Argyle Diamonds underground oper- ation in Western Australia. The automation systems are scheduled for delivery in 2012–2013. The order comprises Sandvik's Auto- Mine system with 11 LH514E electric-pow- ered LHDs and two LH410 diesel LHDs. Delivery also will include Sandvik's recently launched Draw Control product that en- ables tracking, reporting and overall man- agement of manual production loading dur- ing the mine's development phase. Automated loaders will be operated from surface-located control room systems that include three operator stations. Sandvik noted that the Argyle Auto- Mine system will meet Australian mining sector standards for functional safety, and claims to be the only supplier of this type of system to be capable of compliance with the strict Australian requirements. This, said Sandvik, was recently demonstrated and confirmed in connection with a suc- cessful AutoMine delivery to Rio Tinto's Northparkes mine, where the system is now operating 24 hours a day in a produc- tion capacity. It has proven to be a safe and efficient technology, according to the com- pany, and the work undertaken at Northparkes will significantly streamline the delivery, implementation and support process at Argyle. The advanced AutoMine automation systems will be the largest underground mining automation installation in the world to date, according to Sandvik. The Argyle production structure is designed for automation when fully operational. At its peak the mine's block cave annual produc- tion will reach around 9 million mt/y, with 16 extraction drives. "This order is a very important mile- stone in the growth of our fleet of AutoMine not only in Australia but globally as well," said Riku Pulli, vice president–Mine Automation at Sandvik Mining. "The Auto- Mine Draw Control and AutoMine Loading systems are ideally suited for Argyle's block caving operation. We are honored that Rio Tinto has put their confidence in our AutoMine system to improve their operation safety and efficiency." Argyle is one of the world's largest sup- pliers of diamonds. The underground mine is being developed to produce on average approximately 20 million carats per year over life of the block cave. Argyle has been operating since 1985 and has produced close to 800 million carats of rough diamonds. Sandvik Mining has installed 10 auto- mation systems of this type, deployed in seven countries worldwide. GE Announces New Mining Business Unit At MINExpo 2012, the world's largest min- ing-related trade show, held in late September, GE Transportation unveiled GE Mining, its newest business unit, to be headquartered in Brisbane, Australia. GE recently acquired underground min- ing equipment manufacturer Fairchild International, and is finalizing the acquisi- tion of Australian-based Industrea, a provider of safety and productivity-enhanc- ing mining equipment and services. With its latest acquisitions, GE said it will reach a global customer base with products based on its clean propulsion systems, energy storage technology and system inte- gration capabilities. "The continuing urbanization and growth in energy demand in the emerging economies bodes well for the long-term future of the global mining industry," said Geoff Knox, CEO of GE Mining. "With mine operators rebalancing their investments to get more out of their existing assets, GE's global mining business is well positioned to add value. We can help them maximize output through more efficient movement of their products, generate and distribute power more efficiently, and address their water management challenges." According to GE, its mining unit will draw technology and expertise from the parent company's other business groups to provide solutions for its mineral in- dustry customers. For example, GE's Power Conversion business recently reported that it will supply its Quadra- matic drive technology to Grupo Mexico as part of an expansion program at the Buenavista copper mining operation in the Mexican state of Sonora. The site, according to GE, is Latin America's largest ball mill operation. Grupo Mexico will use GE's advanced synchronous motor technology to add 84 megawatts (MW) of power at six Buena- vista ball mills. Quadramatic motors, according to GE, run at fixed speeds with minimum system losses to promote high efficiency, thus lowering the mine's energy requirements. Operators located in surface facilities will control a fleet of automated Sandvik LHDs soon to go into service at Rio Tinto's Argyle underground diamond mine in Western Australia. 124 E&MJ; • NOVEMBER 2012 Previously known as the Cananea mine, the Buenavista site is one of the largest www.e-mj.com