Rio Tinto has contracted New Zealand business Scott Technology to build an automated mine site laboratory for its Koodaideri iron ore project in the Pilbara.
Rio Tinto has contracted New Zealand business Scott Technology to build an automated mine site laboratory for its Koodaideri iron ore project in the Pilbara.
Scott will also supply equipment to the new robotic sample preparation and analysis laboratory.
The company said works under the multi-million contract would be undertaken across multiple Scott manufacturing sites, with the laboratory scheduled for installation by mid-next year.
Koodaideri Phase 1, also scheduled for production next year, will have an annual capacity of 43 million tonnes per annum, with a requirement to process 600 pit samples and 24 production samples every 24 hours.
Scott said the new laboratory at Koodaideri would help deliver a safer and more productive mining operation.
The company said there would be no requirement for manual handling, which would eliminate health and safety challenges from lifting, fatigue and dust exposure.
Scott added the laboratory would provide real time data feedback and continuous tracking, enabling condition and performance monitoring.
“Once completed, the Koodaideri laboratory will be the safest, most productive, highest quality iron ore facility in the world,” Scott Technology said in a NZE announcement.
Company chief executive John Kippenberger said once completed, the laboratory would set a new benchmark for safety and operational excellence in iron ore sample preparation and analysis.
“The Koodaideri iron ore laboratory underpins growth in our Western Australian workforce and will also provide significant opportunities for sub-contractor local participation,” Mr Kippenberger said.
Scott Technology said it had previously collaborated with Rio Tinto in developing, delivering and maintaining applications across iron ore, diamonds and copper operations.
The company, based in Dunedin, also provides automation and robotic applications across the appliances, materials handling and logistics, industrial automation and meat processing industries.
It operates in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, Russia, Africa, and in North and South America.
Last year, Scott Technology reported $225 million in revenue for the 2019 financial year ended August 31 – $10 million of which was generated from its mining services in Australia.
Its revenue across all sectors in Australia contributed $47 million in revenue for FY19.
Most of its revenue came from Scott’s services across all sectors in North America, which contributed $69 million in revenue for FY19.
