From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 8 - In Pit Screening
To minimize the cost and energy of further processing and transport, we remove as much waste material from the ore as close as possible to where it is mined. This is the most logical step, given that the concentration of magnesite in our ore can be as low as 20-40%.
First, we screen the ore material with a portable screen. Haul trucks dump the ore close to the screen and the excavator loads the ore into the screen’s hopper. The screen then splits the material into three sizes:
1. ROs (Rocks, Oversized): nodules >65mm in size
2. RUs (Rocks, Undersized): nodules <65mm and >16mm in size
3. Waste: material that is <16mm in size (often sand, silt, and small
low-grade nodules)
A loader collects screened ROs and RUs and stockpiles by quality. Later, we load these materials onto road trains and transport them to the Kunwarara plant. At KG2 and OMS, we haul screened material with side-tipping road trains on internal roads. From Yaamba, we use B-Doubles to move material between sites via the Bruce Highway.
Generally, only 30-35% of the ore fed into a screen is retained as ROs or RUs. The remaining 65-70% is waste, that we return to a void to begin the backfill and rehabilitation process.
From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 5 - Environment, Rehabilitation and Cultural Considerations
Our industry has two important roles to play: providing resources and protecting our incredible natural environment.
From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 4 - Water Management
Mining at Kunwarara brings its own unique challenges. The magnesite mainly lies inside a shallow aquifer which makes mining impossible without first controlling the water.
State of Origin - QLD vs NSW
Ah, the State of Origin—where New South Wales and Queensland go head-to-head in a rivalry fiercer than a kangaroo on caffeine! It's the time of year when families are divided, friendships are put on hold, and everyone suddenly becomes an expert on rugby.
From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 3 - Mine Planning
With the geological models from drilling and sampling, we create the Kunwarara mine plan. This plan identifies the most suitable, quality magnesite available in sufficient quantities to feed the beneficiation plant.
From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 2 - Drilling and Sampling
Drilling campaigns are designed to meet the requirements of the mining schedule.
From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 1 - Exploration and Geology
Our Kunwarara – Yaamba deposit extends for around 30km, as one of the world’s largest deposits of cryptocrystalline magnesite.
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