Press Release

Sandvik, Atlas Copco announce SR exec changes

Jan-23-02 Two leading mining manufacturing companies announced high level executive changes would take place mid-year to coincide with scheduled annual meetings. Sandvik AB's chairman, Percy Barnevik, will step down as of May 7, 2002 after 19 years in the position, and will be replaced by the company's current president and CEO, Clas Ake Hedstrom. Under Mr Barnevik, Sandvik's invoicing has grown by 500%, its earnings by 1,000%, and its share price by 2,000%. Lars Pettersson will be the new president and CEO of Sandvik AB. Mr Pettersson is currently EVP of the Sandvik Group, president of Sandvik Specialty Steels Business Area and president of Sandvik Steel. He is expected to continue Mr Hedstrom's focus on Sandvik's three legs: tools, mining equipment and specialty steels.

Gunnar Brock will be appointed president and CEO of the Atlas Copco Group effective July 1, 2002, succeeding Giulio Mazzalupi, who will retire as its president and CEO. Mr Brock will join the Group on May 1. Mr Brock's background includes a career at Tetra Pak and senior positions at Alfa Laval Group. According to Anders Scharp, chairman of Atlas Copco's Board of Directors, Mr Brock is expected to further develop the company's product development, market expansion and the "use-of-products" strategy, with rental being an important part.

RME relines South Deep mill

Jan-18-02 Australian firm Russell Mineral Equipment is supplying a package of mill relining equipment to the South Deep gold operation near Johannesburg in South Africa. This deal follows an order for a relining system from Anglo Platinums Rustenburg UG2 expansion project and the new Maandagshoek project. South Deep Mine is using Russell Mineral Equipments (RME) seven axis mill relining machine for a 7.92 m diameter SAG mill. The operator of South Deep, Placer Dome Western Areas Joint Venture, is investing in new technology at the gold mine and intends for it to be 75% mechanised by the time it reaches full production in 2003. RME says its equipment makes mill relining safer, quicker and more cost-effective, as it replaces manual methods with a mechanised operation.

PROVEN LINER: RMEs mill lining equipment is well-proven, having been used at mines in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Ghana, Tanzania, Canada, USA, Chile and Argentina

SPEEDY STONE®
http://www.speedystone.com/

• Speedy Stone® is intended for interior or exterior nonstructural lightweight veneer facing on masonry, metal or frame construction for aesthetic purposes
• Can be used on new construction, exterior or interior wall, remodeling and redecorating existing walls, fireplace openings, hearth, exterior chimney finish or chase finish
• Speedy Stone® should not be assumed to add strength to load-bearing capacity
• Should not be used in below-water applications as in swimming pool liners, in areas vulnerable to slush formed by salt or other chemicals used to melt snow or ice
• Should be installed a minimum of 4” above finished grade.  Refer to Installation Instructions
• Natural stones in various sizes, shapes and textures are used to form molds.  A mix of Portland cement, lightweight aggregates and iron oxide pigments comprise of these stones
• Available in Ledge, Stacked, Rubble, Corners and Keystones
• Sizes vary from 3/4“ to 1 3/4“ thick, to 3” to 18” in length
• Available in Brown, Brookelyn Brown, Champagne, Gray, Havanah Gray, Kennesaw Mountain, Navajo, Pewter, Rustic Rudy, Tennessee Gray and Walnut
• Each pallet Ledge/Stacked including pallet weighs 580#.  There is 90-sq.ft.per pallet, 8 boxes per pallet.  Stone is boxed, banded, stretched-wrapped and covered, for shipping.

Product Data Sheet:  Lightweight Manufactured Stone "Speedy Stone®" manufactured by Stone Warehouse, Inc.  999 Marietta Industrial Drive, Marietta, GA 30062 - Tel +1(770)218-3553; Toll Free:  (877) 97STONE - Fax:   +1(770) 218-1977

K-GRIP: Anti-slip product
http://www.k-grip.de/

Product Data Sheet:  K-GRIP is an innovative silane modified resin formulation containing quartz and emery portions, as well as coupling agents for the simple and reliable creation of slip-resistant profiles.  The special formulation of K-GRIP offers the following advantages:

• Ideally suited for new construction & renovation of slippery areas, as well as existing slip resistant strips such as sandblasting, PVC inserts, Ferodo strips, etc., which may have deteriorated and fail to supply the required slip resistance.
• Very low health risk, compared to expoxy based materials
• Most colors available
• Extremly high mechanical and chemical solidity values; extremely high abrasion resistance.  This means long-lasting adhesion
• Absolutely light stability with no color change, as K-GRIP is not affected by ultra violet light (ask manufacturer about luminous K-GRIP)
• Temperature shock resistant in case of hot-water or steam-jet treatment
• Free of solvents, consequently almost shrink-free, forming an extremely high chemical adhesion even on concrete and natural stone
• Very simple to apply using a twin cartridge system, a static mixing nozzle, an applicator , and K-CLEARNER
• No surface tackiness; quartz elements are not dissolved from the mass, consequently with no risk (unlike glued profiles) of scratching of the stone surface

STONE COLOR ENHANCER: magnifies and protects the natural colors and textures of various stone surfaces
http://www.stonecare.com/

Product Data Sheet:  STONE COLOR ENHANCER will highlight the vibrant colors of natural stone while producing a clear low matte finish that will protect the stone.  This special formula bonds to both interior and exterior stone for maximum protection while allowing the stone to release moisture vapors.  STONE COLOR ENHANCER will also help prevent staining and is UL Classified for Slip Resistance.

• Colorless
• Non-yellowing
• Solvent Based
• Permeable
• UV Transparent
• Permeable
• UL Classified for slip resistance

Among the new products from Atlas Copco 2001, the 44RH features high thrust capabilities to enhance the performance of small-diameter raisedrills.

At a nominal diameter of 1.5 metres, the machine is capable of pulling raises in the hardest rock, at lengths of over 300 metres. For smaller diameters, the capability extends to over 600 metres.

A state-of-the-art hydraulic drive increases the performance capabilities of the machine. Powered by 132 kW, the 44RH can turn at a maximum torque of up to 12 rpm. As revolutions are directly proportional to rate of advance, this yields an increase in productivity of some 20% compared to existing equipment in the same diameter range.

Covering the full range

With its Robbins raisedrill line-up, Atlas Copco covers the full range of applications in mechanical raise excavation. The equipment range can handle any diameter up to 6 metres and applications ranging from conventional raiseboring to blind boring to horizontal boring.