IM 2016 September 2016 | Page 156

INNOVATION INTELLIGENCE_proof 23/08/2016 16:31 Page 1 INNOVATION INTELLIGENCE Winder upgrades Paul Moore spoke to Winder Controls (Pty) Ltd, the South African subsidiary of SIEMAG TECBERG GmbH, about a complex mechanical and brake system upgrade of the underground rock winder it recently successfully completed at Sibanya Gold Ltd’s Ikamva Shaft he project was initiated by Gold Fields Ltd in 2011, on the then Kloof 4# sub-vertical rock winder in order to increase the winder’s production capacity and working life. Tim Keegan, Joint Managing Director of Winder Controls explains that the company is focussed both on the complete design, supply, installation and commissioning of all types of new hoisting equipment as well as the refurbishment and upgrade of existing winders and associated equipment. Keegan adds: “The project specification for the upgraded winder included a maximum rope pull of approximately 510 kN and a Peak Power of approximately 9 MW. The upgrade necessitated replacement of the majority of the winder’s mechanical components including two new 5.5 m diameter drums, including coiling sleeves, weighing in at 76 t each, two external 3-part clutches, a new drum shaft, new bearing inners as well as a new four channel ESCORT controlled braking system. Also included was the design manufacture and supply of a new high pressure jacking and bearing lubrication system as well as brake structure support steelwork, all necessary auxiliary drives and other miscellaneous components.” Winder Controls says it is one of few companies in the hoisting industry capable of offering the full range of design, supply, project management and site services associated with all aspects of mine winders and told IM it is proud to have completed the full engineering and design as well as the supply, installation T Drum shaft installation underground 154 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2016 and commissioning of all mechanical, hydraulic and electrical equipment for the project from its South African office. Winder Controls is an ISO listed company and adheres to the strictest Safety, Quality and Environmental standards. Project background The Ikamva Shaft winder was originally supplied to Gold Fields in 1986 by GHH, a German winder supplier, which was subsequently acquired by the SIEMAG TECBERG Group in 1999. Owing to space constraints in the hoisting layout this large winder was designed without a centre drum shaft bearing and incorporated internal clutch mechanisms within the drum structures. Two key challenges for Winder Controls during Completed winder after 14 day shutdown the upgrade project were firstly to engineer the new drums, (now fitted with external clutches) and drum shaft to fit the existing foundation layout with only the base frames and bearing housings remaining from the original supply. Secondly, in order to minimise production losses to the mine, the total shut down time allowed to strip and remove the original winder and install and commission the new machine was restricted to 14 days over the Christmas period, an unprecedented short duration for underground site work of this magnitude. While each drum of the original winder was equipped with a traditional pivoted shoe and