Tumbling metal prices and falling equity valuations highlights the serious uncertainty about the world economy. The recent quarter ended with the Governor of the Bank of Japan announcing a huge monetary stimulus, Europe bailing out the banking system in Cyprus, disappointing employment figures in the US and worrying signs of a slowdown in the Chinese economy.

The Pneuflot pneumatic flotation technology, manufactured by MBE Minerals, has been widely used in coal flotation for treating fine coal slurries since 1987, but has also been used for treatment of industrial minerals; ferrous minerals; non-ferrous metals such as copper, lead, nickel and zinc; and for precious metals like gold, silver and platinum.

RungePincokMinarco (RPM) has released the latest version of the TALPAC 10.2.1 software, used for helping mine planners work out the ideal size of their fleet and decipher which pieces of equipment are most compatible for open pit mining. Alun Philips, Product Manager – Miner Planning for RPM said “TALPAC is one of our most popular software products and has become and industry icon.”

Tenova Pyromet, part of Tenova Mining & Minerals, has successfully completed the replacement of Assmang Chrome Machadodorp Works Furnace No 2’s electrode pressure rings, four weeks ahead of schedule. Awarded as a turnkey contract in April 2012, the project included verification and adjustment of designs, supply and installation of lower electrode equipment, including pressure rings and heat shields, manufactured from stainless steel, as opposed to mild steel in the original equipment. This conversion to stainless steel was required to enable the equipment to withstand higher temperature required for smelting manganese.

International Mining is organising a very significant event that is certain to become a key meeting in the mining world’s annual calendar. The International Mining Technology Hall of Fame will recognise the technical innovators of our industry – past and present. The first gala dinner is to be held in the Grand America Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah, February 22, 2014. Please email your nominations (with a full explanation, maximum 500 words, of why this person should be inducted into the International Mining Technology Hall of Fame) to john@im-mining.com

AIMEX is returning to Sydney in late August, showcasing the lates mining equipment, products and services. It will be held at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, from August 20-23 and will have over 600 exhibitors. Paul Baker, Exhibiton Director with organiser Reed Mining Events, said “AIMEX is recognised as the pre-eminent mining exhibition in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, with the previous edition in 2011 attracting more than 17,300 visits. The mining industry is going through a very rapid rate of change and innovation, with a correspondingly fast pace of product development.”