Meeting expectations Conspicuously , what stands out are common features in the vehicles , which indicate OEMs efforts to address industry ’ s requirements in the four critical areas , thanks to meticulous design and engineering .
• Productivity ‘ Increasing productivity ’ is the catchphrase in contemporary environment , and mines are only eager to acquire machinery that can enable them to realise this objective . And on their part , OEMs have been responding to this need through different productivity-enhancing innovations , as different features in vehicles illustrate .
One area where productivity-enhancing feature is manifest is in graders . For instance , deploying a grader with a shortened wheel base and a lower profile for haul road maintenance can increase productivity and reduce operational costs in a mine ’ s production fleet . This can be seen in one top OEM ’ s grader can manoeuvre in a tighter turning circle and reach areas that a standard grader cannot . It is hard to fail to notice that remote operation has become a standard as can in another OEM ’ s dual-application water cannon . The water cannon has a wireless remote-operated telescopic boom with a high-pressure water cannon for washing down valuable ore fines and blast material blockages . This ensures that the machine can be operated at higher cycle times and speeds .
The other common features in ground support vehicles are uprated solid axels , simple drivetrain and ove designed chasis . This improves vehicle performance movement . Also , to handle the extreme temperature in underground mines , vehicles have spacious and climate-controlled cabins to create ideal conditions for operator comfort . In such an environment , operators can be able to work effectively .
• Reduced running costs ( reduction of maintenance and operation costs )
Various features in underground vehicles can enable mines to reduce vehicle maintenance and operating costs , especially through fuel-efficiency and high machine availability . Using vehicles with fuel-efficient engines can contribute towards reducing vehicle operating costs . This is quite significant considering that , estimates say , energy constitutes about a third of a mine ’ s operating costs . Not only do uprated axels , simple drive train seen in some vehicles improve productivity , they also reduce maintenance and operation costs . Ultimately , less requirement for maintenance increases equipment availability , which results in increased productivity .
• Safety Legislation on Mining health and Safety – in South Africa the Mining Health and Safety Act ( MHSA ) comes to mind – stipulates that operator safety is paramount in the vehicles . To help mines comply with this , mines have a number of safety-enhancing features .
A hardbody with Roll Over Protection Standard ( ROPS ) and Fall Over Protection Standard ( FOPS ) certification is standard . WR810 is a case in point , with a cabin Rollover Protective Structure ( ROPS ) are certified to ISO 3471:2008 and a Falling Object Protective Structure ( FOPS ) certified to ISO 3449:2005 . These features give assurances that the operator is protected in the event of a fall over or roll-over accident .
Another safety feature is tag in / out all engine and machine isolation functions which are safely accessible at ground level . Besides , Collision avoidance Systems ( CAS ) have been incorporated in vehicles to mitigate the risk of head-on collision as a measure to ensure enhance operator separator .
Last but not least , to mitigate the high risk of fire , the vehicles have integrated fire suppression systems . Similarly , the use of fire-resistant wiring is becoming popular .
• Reducing emissions Emission reduction has been prioritised in the vehicles to comply with legislation obligating mines to reduce diesel particulate emissions from vehicle engine combustion to protect the health of mineworkers underground . It is noteworthy that the World Health Organisations ( WHO ) categorises Diesel Particulate Matter as a carcinogen with cancer-causing properties . That ’ s why , effective filter products are in engines are a must . Furthermore , through reduced fuel consumption , the engines produce less emissions .
It is hard to ignore growing interest in the adoption of Battery-operated Electric Vehicles ( BEV ) in underground mines . BEVs are punted as the ‘ greener ’ option to diesel engine powered vehicles . Already , as First Mining DRC-Zambia hears , some mines have placed orders from manufacturers .
Constant innovation While OEMS are pulling all the stops to address current and urgent needs of mine operators in the area of reducing emissions , improved safety , low operating costs and productivity , clearly , ‘ constant innovation ’ is the operative word for their products to remain relevant and meet demand . Preferences in mines are changing rapidly as the operating environment is prompting adoption of new means of managing operations .