The bulk handling industry got together last week for its annual celebration of excellence at ‘The Bulkies’. There follows the full list of winners, highly commended and finalists for the industry’s annual awards night.
Innovative Technology
This category generated an enormous response with a huge field of entrants eventually whittled down to 14 finalists. In the event TUNRA Bulk Solids was recognised for Craig Wheeler’s ingenious invention of the Rail Conveyor, which combines belt conveyor and railway components.
Flexco was highly commended for its H-Type ESAC primary cleaner with portable air tensioner system.
The finalists were: Active Weighing Solutions, Bulk Handling Technologies, Cut To Size Plastics, Enerpac, Flexco, Flexicon, Haver & Boecker, Kinder Australia, OMC International, Qube Bulk, Schenck Process Australia, TUNRA Bulk Solids, Vega, and Vibration Systems & Solutions.
Dust Control Technology, Application or Practice
This category was won by the pairing of Enviromist and Anglo American Metallurgical Coal for a micro-mist system at the Grosvenor mine which reduced dust generation at the beam stage loader by 75%.
The finalists were: Enviromist & Anglo American Metallurgical Coal, Luehr Filter, Metso & Monier, Proof Engineers, Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST), and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff & Glencore Coal
Excellence in the Application of Gears, Motors or Drives
In a tightly contested contest Bonfiglioli Transmission Australia won for its new TQF series of low backlash drives.
Finalists were Bonfiglioli Transmission Australia, and Schaeffler Australia.
Excellence in Transport and/or Conveying
Joy Global prevailed in a tough field. It successfully designed and supplied what it believes to be the most powerful fabric belt conveyor system globally to the Grosvenor mine in Queensland.
Schaeffler was highly commended. It supplied bearing solutions to Rio Tinto and KCGM which saved both companies huge amounts in maintenance spending.
Finalists were: Bonfiglioli, Chute Technology, Isaac Constructions & Mimico/Metso, Joy Global, Qube Bulk, and Schaeffler Australia
Environmental Project of the Year
A three-way nomination from Isaac Constructions and Mimico/Metso won. The latter two suppliers won the contract for a massive expansion to Isaac’s quarry serving Christchurch in Zealand. A variety of environmental benefits ensued.
CST Wastewater Solutions was highly commended for its Fixed Activated Sludge Treatment (FAST) systems supplied to a major Australian mine.
Finalists were: Bonfiglioli, CST Wastewater Solutions, Konecranes, Luehr Filter, Isaac Constructions & Mimico/Metso
Excellence in Engineering Photography
Gillianne Tedder won the photography category for her splendid portfolio of shots from bulk handling sites across the country.
Ian Bailie, superintendent NPI maintenance, Roy Hill – a latecomer to the world of photograph — was highly commended for his work, much of it documenting progress on construction of the giant WA iron ore mine.
Finalists were: Christian Sprogoe of Csfoto, Gillianne Tedder Photography, Ian Bailie Superintendent NPI Maintenance Roy Hill, and Nathan Archer of Archer Imagery.
Photo: Greg Dickins
AW Roberts Award & Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling Award
Australian Bulk Handling Review’s close partner in delivering the Awards – the Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling – delivered its two personal awards.
The AW Roberts Award, named after Emeritus Professor Alan Roberts and awarded to a top young bulk handling engineer, aged 35 or under, went to Tom Hicks, principal engineer, bulk materials handling centre of excellence, Bechtel.
The Society Award, for an outstanding contribution to the field of bulk solids handling, went to Peter Bulloch, technical projects manager, asset development projects, BHP Billiton.
Best Practice in WH&S
In the work, health and safety category the winner was a joint entry from Air Springs Supply and Pronal for their light but very strong inflatable lifting cushions.
Qube Bulk was highly commended for its new in-vehicle management system which increases safety for its drivers and the public.
The field of finalists comprised: Air Springs Supply & Pronal, Enviromist & Anglo American Metallurgical Coal, Konecranes, Qube Bulk, Schaeffler Australia, Schenck Process Australia, and TUNRA Bulk Solids.
Supplier of the Year
The prestigious Supplier of the Year category was won by SMC Pneumatics, a global leader in pneumatics and automation with over a third of the world market. Finalists were: Ahrens Group, Joy Global, Luehr Filter, and SMC Pneumatics.
Bulk Handling Facility of the Year (Resources and Infrastructure)
The winner of this marquee category was a joint nomination from CU River Mining Australia and Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal. The companies revived iron ore exports from Port Adelaide via upgraded logistics and a $24m investment in cranes and a tippler.
Finalists were: Ahrens Group, CU River Mining Australia & Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal, Metso & Monier, and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff & Glencore Coal.
Bulk Handling Facility of the Year (Manufacturing and Processing)
Kockums Bulk Systems was triumphant in the final category of the Awards night. It was selected by the four judges for the fully automatic sack emptier solution it supplied to Cotton Seed Distributors of Wee Waa in New South Wales
Finalists were: Active Weighing Solutions, Isaac Constructions & Mimico/Metso, Kockums Bulk Systems, and Metso & Monier.