24.02.2023

International Battery Metals to begin Commercialization

International Battery Metals Ltd., (the "Company" or "IBAT"), the fastest lithium producing company, announced it will have access to substantial, highly desirable lithium brine reserves in Argentina through a partnership. The partnership gives International Battery Metals, Ltd. access to a portfolio of prospective lithium brine concessions, including 140,000 acres in the Argentinian province of Catamarca, often referred to as "the heart of the lithium triangle."  

24.02.2023

IDS GeoRadar launches new Software Update for RockSpot

IDS GeoRadar launches new software update for RockSpot performing automatic event classification and including multiple statistical tools for back analysis.  

24.02.2023

Hexagon & BUMA successfully deploy MineOperate OP Pro in Indonesia

Hexagon’s Mining division has been awarded an eight-year fleet management project by PT Bukit Makmur Mandiri Utama (BUMA). As part of this project, Hexagon successfully deployed 150 units of HxGN MineOperate OP Pro to BUMA’s IPR site operation in Indonesia with the system optimally running within three months.  

Market-Place-4.0 Fugro N.V.

24.02.2023

Fugro Blue Essence receives Approval from UK MCA to undertake fully Remote Surveys

Fugro Blue Essence receives Approval from UK MCA to undertake fully Remote Surveys (Credits: Fugro)

Fugro’s Blue Essence®, a 12 m uncrewed surface vessel (USV), has received approval from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to operate the first USV with an electrical remotely operated vehicle (eROV) in UK waters. The MCA is the government body that regulates vessels in the UK ensuring they meet technical, safety and environmental requirements of the region. Fugro sees this as a breakthrough development as USVs play a vital role in the future of the maritime sector by improving safety, reducing carbon emissions, and delivering data more efficiently.

With previous maritime regulations based on crewed vessels, the MCA has been working in consultation with companies like Fugro to help drive innovation without compromising safety. Fugro was able to demonstrate the operational safety of its USVs to the satisfaction of the MCA as maritime regulator.

The MCA granted Blue Essence category 2 approval, meaning the vessel can be operated within 60 nautical miles of a ‘safe haven’; the next stage in the UK regulatory process will be to obtain Category 0 MCA approval which will allow the vessel unrestricted service subject to agreement of relevant port authorities.

The uncrewed vessel, developed in partnership with SEA-KIT International, is equipped with Fugro’s Blue Volta® eROV and an array of geophysical equipment to undertake subsea inspection and site characterisation surveys. Blue Essence allows experts to deliver projects from Fugro’s onshore remote operations centres (ROCs) safely out of harm’s way while experiencing a healthier work-life balance. The USV consumes significantly less fuel than large ROV support vessels resulting in a 95% reduction in carbon emissions and enables real-time data delivery, leading to faster and more informed decision making.

Katy Ware, Director of UK Maritime Services for the MCA said: “Technology has allowed incredible innovation in the maritime sector. Our role in all of this is to make sure that we have the regulation and training regimes which allow it to develop without jeopardising safety or welfare.”

Nick Simmons, Director USV and Remote Working Europe and Africa at Fugro commented, “The opportunities this development opens for UK operations are really exciting. Fugro’s Blue Essence fleet has already been successfully operating in Europe and Australia and recently completed a fully remote inspection off the coast of the Netherlands, in Europe’s busiest part of the North Sea, demonstrating the benefits of this innovative way of working. We are delighted that the USV can fly the UK flag and are looking forward to undertaking our first operations in the UK soon.”

Source: Fugro

#remote sensing #remote monitoring #climate protection #decarbonisation #marine monitoring #United Kingdom (GB) #approval process #surveying #Fugro N.V. #Geotechnics #geophysical investigations #transport equipment

                     

24.02.2023

Flatiron delivering infrastructure improvement projects in North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) selected Flatiron for two major infrastructure projects that will improve transportation in the state – a $247 million I-95 widening and rehabilitation project near Lumberton and a $126 million segment of the new Winston-Salem beltway project.