JETCRETE
MINING innovations include the teleremote application of shaft lining it incorporated in early 2000 as well as the introduction of hydro-scaling to the Australian Mining industry
Other forms of new technology Jetcrete plans to introduce include a new mapping system with a scanner that will take thousands of points , download the data to an on-board computer and map the thickness for clients . The company has already done a few preliminary trials with this mapping system , and looks to launch it within the next couple weeks .
In addition , Jetcrete introduced two 3D simulators last year that it sends from site to site for training purposes . Employees must do a number of training modules to maintain their status and make sure they ’ re up to date on the latest improvements to this advanced technology .
This training also helps with new employees , allowing them to gain confidence using the machinery the company uses underground without having to put them in a real time situation .
“ We try to be a leader and not a follower ,” said Johnston . “ Some things work and some don ’ t , but if you don ’ t try it and you ’ re not looking to improve on the past , you won ’ t grow as a company and you ’ ll fall behind . If you ’ re just happy with what you ’ ve got , someone else will come in and go past you .
“ These are things we brought to the industry so we could do the work on a safer and more efficient basis . Wherever we can remove direct human interaction and error from a task and have it performed by someone on a machine or on controls working remotely , we ’ re all for it .”
Working Smarter Jetcrete uses several different types of equipment in its projects , working with Normet as its top supplier for underground mining equipment , as well as a number of units from MacLean Engineering .
While the company has worked on several different projects throughout Australia , Johnston believes each has a high degree of importance in an industry that has been slowed from both a contractor and principal mining point of view .
It also makes Jetcete ’ s new
www . jetcrete . com . au 115