The specially designed, strength-optimized topshell and dedicated crushing chambers of the CH895 model make it ideal for tertiary and pebbles crushing while the CH890 topshell and crushing chambers are dedicated to secondary crushing. Both units have more power and increased crushing force in order to increase productivity. Manfred Schaffer, President Surface Mining at Sandvik Mining and Construction, says: “The heavy-duty structure and 1000 horsepower are what first meet the eye. But it is the specialized geometries and smart crushing features that uniquely drive efficiency and throughput. We call this ‘Dedicated by Design’.”

The new mainshaft, made from a new high-strength material, is designed to withstand harsh mining requirements while the strength-optimized bottomshell design allows for greater loads. Simply stated, the heavy-duty structural design ensures durability and longevity in the most demanding conditions.

Further customer improvements, for increased safety and minimized downtime, include a relocated external dump valve and a new over pressure system to keep the lubrication oil clean, thereby increasing time between service. Customers will also recognize the trusted cone crusher design from Sandvik with its hydraulically adjusted mainshaft and proven ASRi™ control system to facilitate online adjustment during full load and ensure peak performance at all times.

“The CH890 and CH895 crushers have been dedicated to specific applications while sharing the same platform for easy service and support which should facilitate efficient inventory management and parts forecasting”, adds Manfred Schaffer.

The US$676 million (Rio Tinto share US$350 million) will be used to bring forward engineering work for the longest lead-time components of port and rail infrastructure, without increasing the overall cost of the expansion programme. Rio Tinto chief executive, Iron Ore and Australia, Sam Walsh said “Thanks to this faster pace of expansion we will be bringing extra tonnes to market earlier.  The demand outlook continues to be strong with supply lagging elsewhere in the industry and we are seeing new supplies proving slower to materialise than predicted.  We are taking the opportunity to bring forward the next phase of our major capacity expansion to reap the benefits early and at no additional cost”.

The early port works principally comprise the assembly of additional construction accommodation, the continuation of dredging, marine works and stockyard earth works contractors and the procurement of key equipment. The rail-related funding will enable early engineering and accelerated procurement of long-lead items such as rail plant. 

Studies will continue through this year to determine the best mine development path to meet this schedule, as will studies for supporting infrastructure such as utilities, fuel and accommodation.

Rio Tinto’s integrated operations expansion to 333 Mt/a is being achieved through this sequence:

• 225 Mt/a by end of Q1 2011 – Dampier port systems efficiencies (completed) 

• 230 Mt/a by end of Q1 2012 – Dampier port incremental (in implementation)

• 283 Mt/a by end of H2 2013 – Cape Lambert B 1st 53 Mt/a increment (in implementation)

• 333 Mt/a in H1 2015 – Cape Lambert B 2nd 50 Mt/a increment  (early works approved)

A newly released implementation report demonstrates how the agencies are meeting short- and long-term clean air goals for ships, cargo-handling equipment, rail, trucks and harbor craft. The goals were adopted in early 2008 as part of the ground-breaking Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. The implementation report calls out the improvements achieved by all three ports through their cooperative relationships with customers, tenants, and air and environmental regulatory agencies.

The 2010 results mark the end of the strategy’s first milestone, showing progress in producing cleaner air for the communities that surround our harbors.

2010 results

·         Ships: 44 percent of ships calling frequently used low-sulfur fuels or electrical shore power to meet the performance measure

·         Cargo-handling equipment: 62 percent of diesel-powered equipment met the performance measure through retrofits, replacements or use of low-sulfur fuels

·         Trucks: 98 percent of drayage trucks met the measure through outreach, engine retrofits or incentive programs

·         Rail: Partner agencies replaced engines, added idle- and friction-reduction technologies and used low-sulfur fuels

·         Harbor craft: Despite technical challenges, made progress through replaced engines, shore power connections, resurfaced hulls and low-sulfur fuels

·         Administration: Made progress through conservation programs, hybrid vehicle fleets and commute-trip reductions

See result highlights for the Port of Tacoma and the Port of Seattle.

The report outlines detailed results for each port. It also outlines efforts under way to meet the more stringent 2015 standards.

Next steps include:

·         2011 update of baseline data from a 2005 inventory of air emissions from maritime-related diesel equipment in the greater Puget Sound region, and

·         2012 review of the strategy to incorporate lessons learned and set new goals.