NEWS



Also in Brazil, Charlie witnessed nickel being poured at the new Barro Alto plant, which produced its first metal in March 2011. Equipped with a massive rotary kiln electric furnace, the facility is expected to reach its full production capacity during the second half of 2012.
Left and above: the Minas-Rio pipeline in Brazil. By the end of 2011, more than 200km of the 525km pipeline that will carry iron ore to the port of Açu had been installed. When complete, it will be the longest and largest (in terms of tonnage) of its kind in the world.


Back to South America, and exploration geologist Esme Tristram examines copper-bearing ore near Los Sulfatos, high in the Chilean Andes. The Los Sulfatos prospect promises to deliver large amounts of high quality copper, but also poses environmental challenges that will need to be handled with sensitivity.
From intense heat to sub-zero temperatures at the Sakatti drill site in northern Finland, where senior project geologist Stephanie Klatt checks core samples with colleague Peter Blaberg. The Sakatti project has revealed rich mineral deposits and work continues to ascertain their full extent.



John Crane’s goal of becoming the principal supplier of artificial lift products, services and solutions to oil and gas companies is well illustrated in Milazzo, Sicily, where Charlie documented a range of crucial reliability support activities being undertaken at an oil refinery owned by Eni and Kuwait Petroleum Italy.
A division of Smiths Group, John Crane is a world-leading provider of products and services for the major process industries, including oil and gas, power generation and mining. In Romania, it is helping to upgrade and maintain the country’s 9,500 wells. Charlie’s visit to the country involved photographing safety and product development work taking place near Ploiesti.

