Suppliers Roundup (August 30, 2004)

Sandvik Smith in India

Sweden-based mining and construction drilling tool manufacturer Sandvik Smith has signed a deal to acquire the mining and construction tool unit of Kennametal Widia, in Patancheru, India.

The proposed acquisition requires the approval of shareholders and government authorities.

The acquisition gives Sandvik Smith access to the Indian market. The tool unit would be renamed and operate as a separate business unit within Sandvik Smith.

Sandvik Smith is owned equally by Sweden’s Sandvik AB and U.S.-based Smith International. Sandvik Smith is based Kping, Sweden, and specializes in rotary drilling tools.

Stedman launches lab crusher

Aurora, Ill.-based Stedman has unveiled a lab-size crusher for small operations or specialized applications, such as de-lumping or uniformed cubical processing in laboratories.

The GS1209 crusher costs less than Stedman’s larger versions but still features its patented Grand Slam horizontal shaft impactor, which can process both wet and dry materials.

The GS1209 is housed in steel with heat-treated plates in places that come in contact with processed material. The rotor and breaker bars are made of 4140-grade heat-treated steel.

A front side-hinge allows better access for cleaning, and the crusher is controlled by adjustable primary and secondary aprons and rotor speed controls. The GS1209 is available in carbon steel and stainless steel.

Stedman was founded in 1834 but is now owned by Eagle Crusher Co. of Galion, Ohio.

Aker Kvaerner wins Kazakh contract

In an effort to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions, JSC Kazakhmys has hired Aker Kvaerner Canada to build a US$34-million sulphuric acid plant as part of its copper smelter in Balkhash, Kazakhstan.

JSC Kazakhmys, the world’s ninth-largest copper producer, says the smelter should reduce emissions by 2.5 million kg per day.

The 3,850-tonne-per-day plant will use Aker Kvaerner’s proprietary equipment and materials, and the project will be managed by Aker Kvaerner’s chemetics division office in Vancouver.

JSC Kazakhmys operates several copper mines and concentrators throughout Kazakhstan, in addition to two large smelters in Balkhash and Zhezkazgan. Combined, these produce in excess of 400,000 tonnes of copper cathode annually.

Aker Kvaerner generated US$4.5 billion in revenue last year and currently employs 21,000 people in more than 30 countries.

MinePro opens shop in Alberta

Milwaukee, Wisc.-based P&H MinePro Services has opened a support facility near Fort McMurray, Alta., to service the growing number of P&H vehicles in use in the province’s Athabasca oil sands.

The facility features a 10,400-sq.-ft. warehouse, machine shop, repair area, and offices. Nineteen people are employed there.

There are twelve P&H 4100 machines operating in the oil sands, and four more will be added next year.

P&H MinePro Services provides a wide range of parts, field support and field repair services for all types of large mining equipment sold by its parent company, P&H MinePro.