MINING IRON ORE FOR STEEL

World first - Driverless trucks move iron ore in Pilbara mines

BY: Tracey Mesken10/12/2015

​Rio Tinto's mines in the Pilbara, Western Australia, are the first two in the world to move all iron ore using remote controlled trucks.​Workers are controlling the driverless trucks from an operations centre in Perth, 1,200 kilometres from Rio Tinto's pits at Yandicoogina and Nammuldi.Josh Bennett, Rio Tinto Mining Manger for operations at Yandicoogina, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the technology mitigates dangerous jobs while also slashing operating costs."We have taken away a very high risk role, where employees are exposed to fatigue," he said.Mr Bennett said newly created jobs for highly skilled positions would eventuate from this beneficial technology.Read the full story by Kathryn Diss via ABC News, here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-18/rio-tinto-opens-worlds-first-automated-mine/6863814Source: Kathryn Diss, ABC News, 19th October 2015.

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Steelmaking ensures iron ore retains strong industrial base

BY: Tracey Mesken24/11/2015

​Iron ore is essential to steelmaking and steel is one of the most commonly used materials in transportation, construction, renewable energy and household appliances. Check out the infographic we found on Mining Iron Ore for Steelmaking.​Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc illustrates our everyday encounters with steel and what happens after it leaves the mining operation and enters industry. Infographic: Mining Iron Ore for Steelmaking​​Steel is made from iron, which occurs in nature in combination with other elements. According tothe United Geological Survey, “Iron ore is the source of primary iron for the world’s iron and steel industries. It is therefore essential for the production of steel, which in turn is essential to maintain a strong industrial base.  Almost all (98%) iron ore is used in steelmaking.”There are more than 3,500 different grades of steel with many different physical, chemical, and environmental properties.See more at: http://acceleratingscience.com/mining/infographic-mining-ion-ore-for-steel/ via Accelerating Science.Mining jobs are available despite tough global business conditions and steel is still the most useful metal, being used 20 times more than all other metals combined, according to the Federal Government's fact sheet on Australia's mineral resources and mines.  

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