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SUPPLIERS REPORT Kennametal Acquires Tungsten Operations in Bolivia Kennametal Inc., headquartered in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, USA, announced in mid-May that it signed an agreement to acquire the operating assets of Comercializadora Emura S.R.L. and certain related entities, based in La Paz, Bolivia, while securing related material sourcing agreements. Emura, said Kennametal, is the region's principal operation engaged in collection, testing, processing and exporting tungsten ore material, and is a long-standing supplier to Kennametal. The company expects to complete the transaction in July 2013, subject to customary regulatory approvals and negotiated conditions. Kennametal said the acquisition would further the company's efforts to diversify and balance its tungsten sourcing capabilities, following its November 2012 announcement outlining plans to develop an advanced carbide recycling facility in the United States serving global markets, while also adding tungstencobalt powder capabilities at its Tianjin facility to serve growth in Asia. Emura currently supplies material Kennametal uses to produce composite alloys and high-performance cutting tools for earthworks applications. Kennametal said the addition of Emura would enhance its strategic sourcing of material to serve growth globally without incurring risks associated with owning mining operations. Kennametal, which has approximately 13,000 employees, recorded nearly $3 billion in sales last year. According to the company, it realizes half of its revenue from outside North America. New Sandvik Facility Serves Mozambique Mining Sandvik Mining, recognizing the opportunities offered by Mozambique's burgeoning mining industry, has established a full-service office to support its customers' operations in the country. The office is located in the northwestern town of Tete, central to current mining efforts. Tete is regarded as the mining capital of the country, and also is situated on what has been described as the biggest coalfield discovery worldwide in the past 50 years, Sandvik said. Sandvik Mining Territory Manager Hosea Molife said the establishment of a strong presence in Mozambique is a timewww.e-mj.com The recent opening of a full-service facility serving Mozambique's growing mining industry will allow Sandvik to provide on-the-spot support for its drill rigs such as this DPI1500. ly move. "We are seeing massive investment in Mozambique's mining industry from all the big players worldwide, many of whom have global contracts with Sandvik for the supply and support of equipment, as well as the provision of mining services to our customers. "Mozambique is a new territory with many different challenges and opportunities. We have been supporting most of the mining operations from across the border in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Having a permanent local presence means we now get to deal with all the players in the industry on a daily basis. We are not only able to assist our existing clients, but also establish relationships with new customers in industry. "The office is located near the headquarters of all the major mining companies and as a result we are already able to give close support to major operations such as Rio Tinto's Benga mine, all Vale's operations, as well as to contracting giants like Eqstra wherever they are mining," said Molife. Most current mining activities there are centered on the extraction of coal, he explained. Consequently, the products and services currently in demand are primarily tailored to these activities, with the main focus on supporting explorationrelated equipment. However, Sandvik said drill rigs such as its D75Ks also are popular in the area, and there is growing demand for its DPI 1500 production drills as mines come into full production. "Since fulfilling all statutory requirements in November 2012 we have settled down to begin trading in earnest this year; and thus far, our presence in Mozambique has been well received. Although our efforts are currently focused on the growing coal mining industries, we are in a position to supply all products and services available from our global offering," said Molife. Cyanco Boosts North American Capacity Cyanco Holding Corp. announced on May 9 the successful startup of its new 55,000-metric ton per year (mt/y) sodium cyanide plant in Alvin, Texas, USA, and the completion of an expansion from 75,000 to 93,000 mt/y at its Winnemucca, Nevada, USA, facility. The new Texas facility produces solid sodium cyanide briquettes and has the capability of shipping product in hopper cars, ISO containers (Solid to Liquid Systems or SLS) and 1-mt bag/boxes. Plant construction was completed in the fourth quarter of 2012 and shipments to customers also began late last year. Cyanco said it now has established logistics to supply its customers throughout Latin America and in Africa. The Winnemucca expansion, according to the company, is another step in its JUNE 2013 • E&MJ; 153