IM 2017 August 17 | Page 23

HOISTING TECHNOLOGY MCA Engineering recently completed a build of two 1200 class winders as well a 24 m construction headframe and working stage and cage for a Glencore site in Australia he Sudbury Basin and its extensive nickel operations in Ontario, Canada have long been an important market for hoist suppliers due to the size and complexity of the works and the depth of the shafts. Earlier this year, Phase 1 of an expansion project at the Copper Cliff mine was started to provide ore to replace feed from older Vale mines in Sudbury. The project represents a significant expenditure spread over four years, with completion scheduled for 2020. Phase 1 is focused on re-activating and expanding Copper Cliff Mine South (formerly South Mine), and involves work on the South shaft, hoists and headframe. It also involves underground development to access new mining fronts between Copper Cliff and the South shaft down to approximately 5,200 ft below surface. UK-based DavyMarkham is one of the world's largest vertically integrated mine hoist suppliers and has supplied mine hoists and on-site installation support for Vale on previous projects and has been engaged in developing the right solution for this project for some time. “We are delighted to have been chosen as supplier once again for this prestigious customer, the production and service hoists are key for the operation of the expansion project and we are happy to be a part of what will be a significant strategic move for our customer in the expansion of Copper Cliff Mine,” said Gordon Scott, Mining Business Manager. DavyMarkham will supply two hoists for Copper Cliff, a production hoist and a service hoist, together with headsheave assemblies. Both hoists will be designed in-house by DavyMarkham engineers before being manufactured in its facility in Sheffield. DavyMarkham site engineers and technicians will then install and commission the hoists in the second quarter of 2018. “The importance of manufacturing in the UK, and particularly in Sheffield, is bolstered by DavyMarkham’s ability to provide mine hoist solutions that meet the needs of customers such as Vale. We are pleased to have been awarded this contract and this reinforces the need for DavyMarkham to continue the development of our technology T The long drop Paul Moore spoke to some key suppliers of hoisting and winder technology in the mining hubs about new projects and designs as well as upgrades to existing shaft equipment DavyMarkham will supply two hoists for Copper Cliff, a production hoist and a service hoist, together with headsheave assemblies AUGUST 2017 | International Mining 21