HMC has adopted the Municipalities of Dapa and San Benito in Siargao as an answer to the call of the Adopt-a-Municipality Program of the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte to provide construction materials, food and potable water for the period of six (6) months. The aim of the program is to provide aid and relief to the nine (9) Municipalities in Siargao affected by Super Typhoon Odette. HMC has been chosen as one of the mining companies tapped by the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte. The aid provided by HMC in the Adopt-a-Municipality Program is the provision of construction materials to the Municipalities of Dapa and San Benito. HMC turned over ₱ 2,007,050.00 worth of various construction materials to the Municipality of Dapa, and ₱ 2,100,408 to the Municipality of San Benito. Apart from spending for construction materials, HMC also covered the transportation expenses for the delivery of the items to the recipient municipalities. HMC received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Municipality of San Benito for the generosity and benevolence of donating construction materials. “The Municipal Government of San Benito through its Municipal Officials, are very much grateful and deeply honored to receive the 2 Million worth of construction materials who benefitted the affected 50 families of San Benito, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte whose dwelling units were greatly devastated by the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette last December 16, 2021. The people of San Benito, with hearts full of thanksgiving and jubilation are likewise extending their profound appreciation and gratitude for your gesture of generosity provided to the Municipality of San Benito”,  signed by Hon. Ma. Gina Sumando-Menil, LCB, Municipal Mayor.

X-ray diffraction (XRD) is the only laboratory technique that reveals structural information, such as chemical composition, crystal structure, crystallite size, strain, preferred orientation and layer thickness. Materials researchers, therefore, use XRD to analyze a wide range of materials, from powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD) to solids, thin films and nanomaterials. Mining by using XRD has been critical for ores exploration, path-finding minerals, process optimization and final product. One of the application is geometallurgy became more and more important during the separation of ore and waste material to cope with changes in raw material composition and to run the process under optimal conditions. Therefore, mineralogical analysis and the direct monitoring of process parameters (such as the acid consumption) became an essential method to monitor process conditions. Ultimately, the goal is to obtain a good XRD pattern result with clear, sharp peaks with low background noise. Good data collection is so critical towards the next phase, which is data analysis and interpretation. These impact how you draw implications and determine your next steps in terms of your materials research and also process monitoring whether in pharmaceuticals, mining geology, catalysts or specialty chemicals. Earlier, our senior application specialist, Dr. Uwe Konig, Mining and Metals Business Development Manager, discussed the basics to powder X-ray diffraction and its application in mining topics. During the webinar, he covered the basics: Interview to Uwe Konig, Business Development in Mining and Metals. Introduction to Powder XRD Could you please summarize the meaning of the peak intensity and peak position in the XRD pattern? Uwe: Peak position refers to the maxima of intensity around the theoretical Bragg angle and value of this maxima is referred to as peak intensity. XRD patterns: how do they vary from crystal structures Uwe: Difference in crystal structure affect position of diffraction peaks. Hence two substances having different crystal structures will produce different sets of XRD scans. XRD Software How can I quantify the different phases or different composition? Please shed some more light on this. Uwe: A position of the peak comes from the dimension of unit cell, an intensity coming from how many electrons are present and where they are. So, everything can be easily calculated in software. So, once we found out what phases are present in the sample (mixture), because we already know the positions of the peaks, we just need to minimize a difference between observed intensities and calculated intensities by cycling fitting procedures until we get a reliable results. What if we cannot find the crystal structure in ICDD? Uwe: It means that nobody has published that material yet. So, you need to solve the structure by yourselves. And publish it! Is there any software to adjust the peak ­? Uwe: HighScore and HighScore Plus is the software by Malvern Panalytical. It can be used to analyze XRD patterns from other brands of X-ray diffractometers. XRD Technique In the diffractogram of amorphous materials, such as SiO2, it is common to see an amorphous halo between 20º and 30º. Will this also be observed for example in a nanostructured SiO2 matrix coating? Uwe: Yes, it does. But, as you said the thickness of SiO2 is in nanoscale, this would not be seen when you use normal Bragg Brentano geometry. I recommend you use parallel geometry which keeps the incident angle at 1~2 degrees and scan only 2 theta(detector). So, you can effectively observe the diffractogram from the surface(skin) of the film. ­Does destructive interference caused by element position reduce only the intensity or cause peak shift­? Uwe: Only reduces the intensity. A peak shift can be caused by the size of unit cell. How to remove the substrate peaks while measuring? Uwe: If you used a single crystalline material as substrate, you could tilt your sample a little bit (around 1 ~ 2 deg) during the sample prep. Then you will not see any peaks from the single crystal substrate. If we use composite materials like brake pad applications, do we need to use spinning method for better accuracy results? your view please? ­ Uwe: It depends on how small your particle is. But I would say that spinning is always beneficial on polycrystalline material! How does soller slit affect Inorganic crystalline nanomaterials? Uwe: When smaller soller slit are used, we achieve better resolution at the cost of intensity. Sample Preparation ­Regarding on sample preparation for powder samples. You mentioned about smearing a sample, how do you do that? ­ Uwe: You can prepare some plate having a rough surface like sandpaper. Then you can put the plate onto the sample and slide a little bit to smear the pressed powder. Talking about materials such as soil cuttings, what could be the impact of chemicals that would have encapsulated/absorbed onto the structure? ­ Uwe: I am not sure what is the detailed situation, but in any cases, materials can be encapsulated or absorbed onto the surface of the matter under high temperature or pressure. Probably, some triggers were there to make secondary phases on the surface. What’s the optimum particle size of the sample for getting accurate results? ­ Uwe: Theoretically 1-micron meter is the best. But I could say below 20 um is good enough if you spin the sample! See below review for Aeris XRD; How XRD improved mineral analysis for lithium ores? Uwe: This Lithium ores are easy to quantify by XRD. All types of Sample such as petalite, lepidolite etc mostly XRD can do. Interested to improve in your XRD data analysis and applications? Join our free series of webinars: Introduction to powder X-ray diffraction. View on-demand Studying battery cathode materials using X-ray diffraction View on demand Expand your powder XRD applications for materials characterization research View on-demand Knowing the difference between good and bad data: XRD data analysis – View on-demand Improving your phase search mapping by defining your elemental range: introduction to elemental analysis using X-ray fluorescence. View on-demand Range of XRD instruments to aid materials characterization research. View on-demand   Know More: https://bit.ly/3KdEBzh

Industrial Series Conveyors provide a wide range of solutions for any application for heavy load carrying large capacities. These conveyors have been designed for a rugged and demanding environment. Chief Industrial Conveyors increase your productivity with long-lasting designed to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our team evaluates your specific application and provides custom solutions. With many different options and attachments to choose from, we will be able to work with you to build a machine that meets your exact requirements. Chief has a staff of dedicated and experienced engineers and architects available to produce complete three-dimensional perspectives, conveyor or structural layouts, and technical drawings. With many different options and attachments to choose from, we will be able to work with you to build a machine that meets your exact requirements. Why chooses our conveyors? Our conveyors designed to withstand the demands placed on them in modern industrial applications. By utilizing a combination of standard CEMA idlers and self-aligning idlers, this conveyor can easily transport any commodity for extended distances.  Available in a wide range of belt widths include standards from 18-96” and can load up to 10,000 metric tons per hour, we offer our conveyors that are completely custom designed for a specific location and duty. If your business needs a new, faster, and more reliable way of transporting items (raw materials, goods, or products) within the same facility or area, an industrial conveyor system is right solution.  We are committed to providing you with high-quality, long-lasting products at competitive prices. Partner with Chief and get the conveyor system your business demands.

Business needs are ever changing in the country. Aware of these uncertainties, Chevron Philippines Inc.’s (CPI’s) enhanced business to business (B2B) service, Caltex Business Solutions, addresses customers’ critical operational and business issues by building business solutions to help them achieve their goals. Committed to long term technology development, Caltex Business Solutions is intuitive and keeps consumers’ needs in mind. CPI’s extensive experience in the downstream oil industry coupled with its diverse portfolio of base oils, specialty chemicals, and lubricants positions Caltex Business Solutions as a reliable partner in its customers’ success. Beyond CPI’s renowned high-quality fuel and lubricant products, Caltex Business Solutions is here to help clients overcome operational efficiency challenges by providing trainings, expert advisories, on-site maintenance services, best-in-class assessments, equipment health monitoring programs, oil cleanliness and contamination control, to name a few. By working together to deliver efficient business performance for our customers, CPI and Caltex Business Solutions focus on three critical areas to transform your business into one that is world-class through Caltex Advisory: IMPROVE AND ENHANCE WITH A CUSTOMIZED PLAN Fully trained on Caltex Reliability-Based Lubrication principles, our team of highly qualified specialists will work closely with you to develop a customized business plan for improving operational efficiency and cost control, with the ultimate goal of enhancing business performance. OPERATE EFFICIENTLY WITH EXPERT TECHNICAL REVIEWS Redefine efficiency with the help of our skilled team. From expert oil analysis for both lubricants and fuels in advanced oil testing laboratories, to guidance on solutions for better tracking and control, our team is fully equipped to keep your business running smoothly and reliably, providing your business with a true competitive advantage. STAY ON TRACK WITH ON-GOING REVIEWS As our trustworthy Advisors organize ongoing and regular consultations to track and document results, enjoy continuous progress as a business with customized training MasterClasses that are designed to equip your team for world-class efficiency and business performance. Caltex Business Solutions and CPI recognize that each company’s needs are different and getting to that destination is a journey that we will be undertaking with you as our partners. Caltex Business offers businesses potential savings by identifying integrated processes, presenting premium product solutions and further adding value toward a better business for its customers. You can expect more as CPI continues to invest in this area and partner with key selected customers and distributors to help enable these solutions and improve your company’s journey and get returns that you value.

Photo Integrated energy company Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (SMPC) won four awards in the 12th Institutional Investor Corporate Awards 2022 of Hong Kong-based Alpha Southeast Asia magazine. Based on a poll of over 500 investors and analysts across Southeast Asia, as well as United States and Europe, SMPC emerged as one of the eight best-managed companies in the Philippines for having the Most Organized Investor Relations (3rd place), Best Senior Management Investor Relations Support (2nd place), Most Consistent Dividend Policy (3rd place) and Most Improved Investor Relations (sole winner). “We thank all those who voted for our company. These awards reflect and reaffirm our strong commitment to the investment community and investing public,” said SMPC President and COO Maria Cristina C. Gotianun. The poll included fund managers with investment interests in Southeast Asia, large institutional investors, insurance companies, pension funds, funds of hedge funds, private banks, equity and fixed income brokers as well as buy and sell-side analysts. According to Alpha Southeast Asia, 43 publicly-listed companies from across the region were ranked this year, representing the crème-de-la crème of best practices whether it be on corporate governance, investor relations, disclosure, transparency, financial management, integrated reporting, CSR and/or dividend policy. Alpha Southeast Asia is a monthly magazine primarily written for institutional investors, asset and fund management companies in Hong Kong, Singapore, other parts of Asia, US, Europe and the Middle East. As the first and only poll focused on Southeast Asia, the corporate-institutional investor poll is the leading perceptions-based poll in performance in financial management, adherence to corporate governance, integrated reporting/ corporate social responsibility and investor relations.   Article courtesy of the Philippine Stock Exchange 

The pandemic has accelerated the need for being nimble, flexible and agile to be resilient to disruption. Digital has emerged as the clear enabler across sectors including Mining. Contrary to popular perception, high impact digitalisation in Mining does not have to be complex; there are many low complexity, high benefit, high impact use cases with rapid ROI’s that can fuel the digital transformation programme of a mining organisation. Earlier this month, I delivered a keynote address at a Philippine Mining and Exploration Association Event in Manila, Philippines. The topic of my address was "Contemporary digital innovation and automation case studies in Mining". Among other things, I discussed simple digital automation and innovation case studies that, in isolation, have made quite an impact within their respective contexts. When combined as part of a portfolio of digital improvement initiatives, these case studies can fuel the digital transformation program of a mining organization. An associated objective of the discussion was to establish how transformative digital programs in Mining can be simple, drive rapid returns on investment whilst enhancing safety and resilience in operations.

How important are instrumentation and process control solutions in industries like in mining, water, oil and gas, energy, industrial and process industries? Process control instrumentation are hardware equipment and software that are exceptionally developed over the years for precise measurement, control, and monitoring of process variables, pressure, flow, level, temperature and analytical applications. Its role in any manufacturing or processing plants’ operation management is critical and essential to achieve production efficiency, reliability, safety and sustainability.

 upply Co., Inc. Cobalt is an important element used to manufacture rechargeable batteries. Cobalt has unique properties that help improve thermal stability, which is critical for the batteries to function properly. It also helps improve some batteries’ energy density, so they can last longer. The demand for cobalt is high, so geologists need fast, accurate tools to help them meet these requirements. Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analyzers are one of these tools, as they provide on-the-spot material chemistry results. Why Choose Portable XRF for Cobalt Exploration? Portable XRF provides rapid, in situ, multielement geochemistry for immediate results in the field. This is useful for greenfield and brownfield exploration, ore grade and process control, environmental monitoring and remediation, and researching/teaching within the geological/environmental sciences. For battery metal exploration, portable XRF provides decision-quality data faster than traditional, lab-based XRF, and also enables more discriminatory laboratory sampling, helping reduce costs and improve ROI. With sample preparation, pXRF produces high-quality quantitative data that is comparable to laboratory analysis. Challenges with Analyzing Cobalt XRF is prone to inter-element interferences. Iron (Fe) on cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) on cobalt (Co) are two common examples. This means that when a lot of iron is present, it becomes difficult for XRF to identify cobalt at low levels. Likewise, the presence of nickel also makes it difficult for XRF to ID cobalt. Unfortunately, cobalt is routinely explored for in the presence of significant amounts of iron and nickel. To solve this challenge, we developed a GeoChem method for Vanta™ pXRF analyzers that offers improved analysis for battery metals exploration by being able to detect cobalt in the presence of iron and nickel. This innovative method overcomes the interference that has historically made it very difficult for portable XRF analyzers to detect cobalt in the presence of these other elements. The method we developed for the Vanta analyzer is built on the current GeoChem method, but with a more sophisticated way of deconvoluting the iron/cobalt/nickel peaks. Before deploying this solution, we tested it on client samples to make sure that it produced good results. Test Results We analyzed 16 samples with high iron content—9% < Fe < 50%, 50 ≤ Co ≤ 6000 ppm, Ni < 500 ppm. We also analyzed 50 samples with a moderate amount of iron—0.5% < Fe < 15%, 16 < Ni < 8000 ppm, 50 ppm < Co < 2.3%. The samples were pulps in XRF cups, and they were analyzed using 60 seconds per beam with no corrections. The graphs below show excellent agreement between the results obtained from a lab and results obtained using a Vanta portable XRF analyzer, indicating that the modified GeoChem method can accurately detect the presence of cobalt when it’s in the presence of both large and moderate amounts of the interfering elements iron and nickel. Geologists now have another important tool that they can rely on when exploring for new sources of this vital element.  

Photo credit: Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation The Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation (THPAL), a mineral processing plant, was incorporated in the Philippines on August 22, 2008 to engage mainly in the manufacture and export of Nickel and Cobalt Mixed Sulfide. THPAL’s Plant is designed to have an annual output of 30,000 MT of Nickel and 2,640 Metric of Cobalt in the form of Ni-Co Mixed Sulfide with a project life span of 30 years. This Ni-Co Mixed Sulfide will be exported to the Nihama Nickel Refinery in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. However, with the continuous research and development, THPAL pioneered the production of Scandium in the country in 2019 and further, successfully conducted its Chromite commercial production in April 2021. The Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Metal Mining Co.,Ltd Japan and sister company of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC), the first company in the world to successfully employ the highly efficient High Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) technology that turns low-grade Nickel ore into a manufactured intermediate product of high commercial value. Over the last 8 years since its commercial operation in the country, particularly in the Province of Surigao del Norte, THPAL have been contributing in 5 major ways: Adding Value to the Low-Grade Ores Using the HPAL technology, THPAL optimizes the utilization of minerals by producing several rare mineral products from the low-grade ores, which is not of value before. Through its advance technology, THPAL produces Nickel and Cobalt in the form of MS Sulfide, Scandium and Chromite. Adding Value to the Environment The company advocates responsible environmental management to protect the environment beyond compliance and adheres to stringent safety measures, while operating its state-of-the-art plant facility equipped with Hydrogen Sulfide plant, Power Plant, Wastewater Treatment Facility, Sewage Treatment Plant, air pollution control facility and other pollution control mechanisms put in place to safeguard the people and the environment. The plant achieved its ISO 14001:2015 certification in 2017. Adding Value to the Communities THPAL started the implementation of the Social Development and Management Program prior to its commercial operation to address the clamor of the communities for an improved quality of life. To date, the company is supporting 536 college scholars, 699 senior citizens and 233 Persons with Disability, 12 people’s organizations with 306 members, 165 Barangay Health Works and other medical workers in the communities, and other 255 recipients. We have been responsible for the construction multi- million infrastructure projects like schools, roads, health centers, churches, to name a few. Adding Value to the Filipino Skills The company cultivates a diverse workforce where upon joining THPAL, were exposed to a wide array of skills that puts premium to their individual professions. They are not only trained to become experts in their own field, but to become responsible citizens of the communities. Adding Value to the Economy The entry of THPAL to the industry brought forth employment opportunities to thousands of locals. This is also considered as the region’s major economic driver with the infusion of 1.6B US dollar for the establishment of the project in Barangay Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte. The company does not only aspire to become the leading HPAL plant in the world but it believes that success in business is, when society grows with it by providing lasting benefits to the Filipino people and the world. The Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation is Surigao del Norte’s pride in the Caraga Region.

Photo credit: Taganito Mining “Vaccines are one of our most important tools for preventing outbreaks and keep the world safe” - Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus – WHO Director-General Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, different industries were forced to shut down operations and people are still struggling to make ends meet. Hence, laboratories and manufacturers all-over the world continuously searched for ways to solve this global pandemic. And in 2021, vaccines were developed and started rolling out all-over the world to resolve and eliminate the deadly malady. When the vaccine roll-out started in the Philippines, the Claver LGU proactively looked for means to secure vaccines for its people. The LGU took the following measures to prepare its health care system for the vaccination drive, to wit: (1) dutifully conducted IEC campaign on the importance of the vaccination; (2) procured ultra-low temperature freezer for Pfizer-BioNtech vaccines; and, (3) partnered with mining companies and processing plant for the procurement of additional vaccines. Taganito Mining Corporation, a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corporation, shared PhP 15.6 million from its 2021 Social Development and Management Program for the procurement of 20,724 doses of Moderna vaccines. The vaccines are on top of the regular vaccines distributed by the national government. Because of the collective efforts of the LGU and the mining industry, on January 7, 2022, Claver successfully achieved the herd immunity with 25,550 individuals inoculated. This is equivalent to 100.5% of the target population and more than 70% of the total population, making Claver the first municipality in the province of Surigao del Norte to achieve herd immunity. Further, with the signal from DOH, Claver started inoculating the young population – aged 5-17 years old. With a heart ready to extend assistance, the vaccination drive of the LGU did not stop in the municipality, but was extended to other municipalities in the province. Last March 15-17, 2022, a total of 709 individuals were inoculated from the municipalities of General Luna, Pilar and San Isidro in Siargao Islands during the Mobile Vaccination Outreach Program. This was spearheaded by Claver’s Rural Health Unit and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, and, in partnership with NAC-TMC and other companies. Food packs courtesy from Claver LGU, and TMC calendars were distributed to those who were vaccinated.

Photo credit: Taganito Mining As support to the peacekeeping and law enforcement efforts of the province, Taganito Mining Corporation turned over two (2) vehicle units,  one Kia Bongo and one Hyundai Porter, to Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDNP-PPO) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). The turn-over was led by TMC Resident Mine Manager Engr. Artemio Valeroso at the Provincial Police Office which was represented by Provincial Director PCol. Renato Mercado and PMaj Felix Dennis Alicando of the CIDG Surigao del Norte PFU. “Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office is known for its initiative in reaching out to the downtrodden members of the community, especially during the pandemic brought about by COVID-19 and when Typhoon Odette unleashed havoc, causing many Surigaonons to go homeless and even hungry,” said Mercado. Mercado added that the vehicle “will be very useful during different community engagements especially in far-flung barangays, as activities to reach out to the people is a continuous and sustainable effort geared to uplift the lives of those in need. Thank you very much po.” Engr. Valeroso remarked that like the PNP, TMC has the same end goal of contributing to a brighter future for its people, communities, and other stakeholders; one way of which is by partnering and supporting different offices and agencies.

Photo credit: Schaeffler Some may think that counterfeiting is a problem that only affects luxury brands, electronics, and cosmetics. However, the truth today is, product piracy affects all industries including the engineering sector. The main reason for the demand of counterfeit bearings, is because it is needed in large amounts throughout the engineering sector, and the real thing does not come cheap. Today, other counterfeit products like apparel, engineering auto parts and accessories like fake bearings are freely available in Manila. THE REAL CONSEQUENCES OF COUNTERFEIT BEARINGS As many of us know, rolling bearings used in mining operations operate in some of the harshest conditions on and under earth, therefore, robust and reliable bearings are essential. Not only does the equipment face an operational issue, distributors and end-customers face their own set of consequences and risks too. Distributor consequences: Liability for all damage resulting from the sale of counterfeit products Lawsuits by the injured party No damages can be claimed from the original manufacturer Loss of image and sales and financial damage Risks for the end customer: Risks to personnel safety and lifespan of machinery High subsequent maintenance costs Production and operational halt Loss of brand image, as counterfeits reduces the quality of the company’s products STEPS ON DETECTING COUNTERFEIT BEARINGS Most of time, end-customers may face a hard time identifying real from fake. But with the real deal, end-customers should be prepared to pay a higher price for premium quality bearings that comes together with technical support and after sales service. Here’s how your business can identify fake bearings: 1. Search for authorised sources By sourcing for authorised distributors, you can guarantee the acquisition of authentic bearings due to the necessary stringent control processes put in place. Authorised Schaeffler distributors also provide expert advice and a full range of accompanying services. View the full list here: https://www.schaeffler.de/en/schaeffler-germany/sales/authorized_distributors/sales-partners-worldwide/index.jsp 2. Quality standards Counterfeit rolling bearings have rough finishes, abnormal roller appearance and sometime even wreck your equipment after installation. Schaeffler’s INA and FAG robust bearings have been able to increase operational reliability and service life through continuous research and development. To ensure longer equipment lifespan, reduce unplanned downtimes and put safety of mining personnel first, Schaeffler’s engineers consider the entire life cycle of a machine in their calculations. 3. After sales service and technical support Unauthorised distributors and counterfeit manufacturers usually do not provide any type of after sales service or technical support for obvious reasons. Buying from trusted sources such as an authorised Schaeffler distributor or Schaeffler themselves, opens the door to professional and knowledgeable experienced bearing experts. With over 100 years of experience in the rolling bearing business, Schaeffler provides a wide range of maintenance solutions for reducing maintenance costs, preventing unplanned downtimes, and increasing machine availability. COMBATTING THE GLOBAL ISSUE In a mission to protect brand reputation, reduce legal consequences and eliminate fake products, manufacturers like Schaeffler are proactively doing their part to end the escalating issue affecting the mining sector in the Philippines. For several years, Schaeffler has been providing genuine rolling bearings to mining businesses in the Philippines. However, counterfeiting manufacturers have skilfully imitated the packaging of Schaeffler’s INA and FAG bearings. The organisation’s Brand Protection Team has been working to remove counterfeits in the market, raise awareness and support customers, certified retailers and assist authorities in curbing this issue. To further ensure that customers purchase original parts from safe sources, labels with a data matrix code is placed on all Schaeffler’s bearing product packaging. Thanks to this label, customers can check on its originality using the Schaeffler OriginCheck app.

Connecting buyers and sellers of used construction and industrial assets, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a the leading global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets in numerous industries including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, mining, and forestry. For Filipino’s “Japan Used” is a brand name. Thousands of units of quality used equipment are imported every year into the Philippines and are used by Philippine contractors, miners, transport companies, etc. to efficiently run their operations. With more than 25 years’ experience conducting auctions in Japan, Ritchie Bros is the professional source for quality used equipment in Japan. Ritchie Bros utilizes its online only auction platform, www.ironplanet.com, to allow the sale of equipment from all over Japan to be sold at one time. Ritchie Bros conducts four Iron Planet Japan National Online Auctions a year.  By using Ritchie Bros’ Iron Planet online auction platform, Pinoy buyers can buy directly from the source, thus, saving costs. Additionally, Pinoy buyers can utilize Ritchie Bros’ Iron Planet inspection reports of each machine, prior to bidding. These are industry leading reports that provide potential buyers with extensive detailed information, along with dozens of photos. We also can recommend logistics companies who can assist you with load out and delivery of the machines to the Philippines. Ritchie Bros makes everything easy, giving you the confidence to bid and purchase. For more information about how to participate in either a Ritchie Bros Live Unreserved Auction (www.rbauction.com) or a Ritchie Bros Online Only Auction (www.ironplanet.com), feel free to reach out to Ritchie Bros’ Philippine representative, Chris Edwards who is based in Manila, Philippines at cedwards@ritchiebros.com or +63 917 149 8545

By: Grace Y. Tanchee The importance of a mineral resource estimate for the long-term viability of a mine cannot be understated. Being a core basis of a mine’s feasibility study and evolving mine plans, a well-made and continuously updated resource model is essential to any mine looking to ensure profitability and sustainability. Strategizing based on an erroneous estimate can have disastrous results for a mine. As such, resource estimations must always be properly executed and well understood by the geologists, mine planners, and all other stakeholders. THE CHALLENGE Being crucial, resource geologists are expected to ensure that the resource estimates are accurate and compliant with standards. Geologists are also expected to update the model as new information becomes known. Time to complete and share is crucial here as updated models are used to refine the mine plan and avoid losses caused by outdated models. There are challenges to contend with that can be the source of errors through-out each step of the estimation process, which in turn can reduce the accuracy of a resource estimate. For example, the source data could be insufficient or contain errors. Garbage in is garbage out. Improper tools and lack of information can also hamper the validation of data and thorough investigation, leading to a poor understanding of the deposit. This can affect the domaining model build, selection of the estimation method and parameters. Decentralized data and a lack of recording also heightens the risk of using incorrect data, and makes it difficult to trace and audit during the review process. Difficulties in coordinating can also increase the time crunch. THE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED There are ways by we can minimize the risk of committing errors and help ensure that the resource estimate is as accurate as possible. One is by having proper and centralized data management. Just being able to store the data in one place is insufficient; data management should also include a means to record changes made to the data and why, and any important notes about the data. This will help provide context and auditability through-out the process, and help with future changes. Next, the resource geologist must be able to visualize the data and have the tools for analysis and estimation. 3D Software with geology modelling tools can greatly help the geologist make sense of the data and render the model in a faster more efficient way. Clear and traceable workflows can also be used to monitor and manage the process from start to finish, check that work is done based on best practices, and make sure that all stakeholders are fully informed and updated. Being structured, the flow of data and information between various stakeholders at each stage of the process can be made efficient. All these can be enhanced via collaboration, facilitating knowledge sharing, feedback from fellow team members and consultants, and a collective understanding of the estimate. THE SOLUTION An effective way to conduct these improvements is through taking advantage of technological solutions to facilitate the changes needed. In line with this, Dassault Systemes (DS) has developed the Strategic Resource Modelling (SRM) solution. Through a combination of DS GEOVIA Surpac software and the 3DExperience platform, SRM is a comprehensive solution that links and manages processes, information, people, and tools under a single collaborative platform. Built to cover the many aspects affecting the resource estimation process, SRM is used to: Organize and manage geoscience data, ensure a single source of truth Build a unified view and understanding of the model Easily collaborate within and between teams View in 3D and share solid models via a browser, allowing for analysis anywhere anytime as long as connected Validate input data and generate consistent and robust resource models Enact based on project management principles and best practices Improve process efficiency, consistency, and time savings through workflows Utilize dashboarding and reporting capabilities to support strategic decision making Strategic Resource Modelling Sample Interface Resource estimation is the basis of multi-million investment decisions and subsequent mine plans that can make or break a mining company. If you want to know more how the DS Strategic Resource Modelling Solution can help ensure that reliable resource estimates are made, contact DS Philippine partner Paramina Earth Technologies Inc via paramina_solutions@paramina.com or reach us through www.paramina.com.

From loading to hauling, LiuGong has the machines and the know-how you want on your mining site. Our solutions take into account payload, distance, and other data to maximize efficiency and reduce operating costs for your site. Tested in the extreme of environments and weather our complete line of machines is guaranteed to maintain high productivity wherever you are. We know time is money. Our dedicated team for maintenance and support are ready to work with you to minimize maintenance and stoppage time, maximizing return for your investments. With TNT limitation used in Mining Job site, also the expensive cost. LiuGong bring the new monster Ballasted boom with ripper Excavator: CLG952EHD   Operating Weight 60.1T CLG970E        Operating Weight 85.3T CLG990F        Operating Weight 105T Installed with a Cummins engine, and Kawasaki Hyd. System, not only stable but offer large break force. Together with help of heavy operation weight, easily break the mining material whose hardness was under 45Mpa. Average productivity was almost 4- 6 times higher compared with standard breaker.  Simple and stable structure bring the lower usage cost around 5—15 Peso/m3 depending on the physical material hardness, construction plan, operator skills.