Sandvik buys Mazda subsidiary

The mining and construction arm of Swedish-based Sandvik has acquired the Earth Technologies division of Japan-based Mazda.

Mazda Earth Technologies makes hammers, breakers, tools and spare parts for the Japanese mining and construction industry.

The Mazda operations had sales of about US$59 million in 2001.

Sandvik products have been sold on the Japanese market since 1880. Sandvik’s Japanese operations are based in Kobe.

Varis Mine Technology, a Sudbury-based manufacturer of underground communication systems, has bought the assets of cross-town rival El-Equip from a bank-appointed receiver.

El-Equip makes the Multicom leaky feeder system, an underground communication system used in mines and tunnels. The system is compatible with Varis’s Ranger leaky feeder system.

Varis has also hired two technicians from El-Equip who are familiar with Multicom hardware.

Cansel launches new division

Burnaby, B.C.-based Cansel Survey Equipment has launched a supply division, Cansel Resources, to cater to the natural resources sector.

The new division will carry everything from marking paint and compasses to snowshoes and survival kits.

Cansel Survey Equipment has been in business for 35 years and has nine offices in Canada.

Aussie software suppliers merge

Two Australian suppliers of mining software, Surpac Software International (SSI) and ECS International (ECSI), have agreed to merge but maintain their respective business names.

The merger is designed to combine offices and share technical expertise.

SSI develops mine modeling and design software, which is used by various companies, including Goldfields Ghana and Sons of Gwalia.

ECSI makes Minex software, which is used by such companies as BHP Billiton.

The merged companies are expected to generate annual revenue of US$6 million.

Biological plant treats runoff

Salt Lake City, Utah-based Applied Biosciences has developed a system which removes selenium from waste water.

The system is being tested at a gold mine in Black Hills, S.D., where selenium occurs in runoff water from mining operations.

So far, the plant has removed selenium in a waste-water stream being discharged into a fresh-water creek.

Treatment costs average US12 per 1,000 gallons.

Applied Biosciences specializes in water treatment for dissolved metals and other inorganic pollutants.

Univar buys Stochem

Amsterdam-based Univar, which distributes chemicals to mining companies throughout the world, has acquired Toronto-based Stochem for US$11 million.

Stochem distributes chemicals used in coatings, inks, adhesives, plastics and rubber. It reported sales US$41 million in 2001.

Stochem will be incorporated into Univar Canada but will continue to operate as a separate business unit.

Says Univar Canada President Lawrence Bullock: “The acquisition of Stochem represents a significant growth opportunity for our Canadian business, as we will be adding their product lines throughout our entire Canadian distribution network.”

Univar, which recently changed its name from Vopak, employs 6,500 people and operates a network of 195 distributors in North America and Europe.