UNDERGROUND MINING RAIL
IM caught up with NMT VP
Business Development Richard
DeRuiter on the company’s
SCHALKE acquisition and talked
with him in more detail on the deal
and its potential
Q Why did NMT acquire Schalke and what does
it now give you in terms of overall offering to
the mining industry specifically in terms of rail
and loco solutions?
A NMT can offer one complete rail haulage
system for mining operations from one source
now, so trains (locomotives and cars) plus
loading and unloading stations. A long-time
worldwide cooperation was already existing
and NMT was SCHALKE’s agent for North
America already for many years. Also, acquiring
SCHALKE has allowed NMT to diversify into not
only underground operations but surface
mining and industrial applications
Liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC)
technology is being trialled by Anglo Platinum
not only on locomotives but has also been
applied on DOK-ING XLP dozers, as
pictured. Photo: Hydrogetics
actual LOHC is currently purchased from
Germany and Anglo has developed its own
hydrogenation units to recharge the oil with
hydrogen. The hydrogen is purchased from Air
Products as they supply hospitals with high-
quality gas (99.9999% purity) and use
electrolysis to produce the gas.
Anglo adds: “During the trial so far, we’ve
saved 100% on greenhouse gas as the fuel cell
technology has zero emissions. The work that we
are doing now will allow us to make those
Q What experience and background in mining
rail had NMT before the Schalke buy? And can
you give any details of projects you had
partnered or collaborated with them on up to
that point?
comparisons. At this stage we have not quantified
the amounts as we need production data to see
Reinforcing
Progress
You want to advance your operations efficiently. To improve safety. To minimise downtime
and maximise productivity and performance. We have the people and the products for every
challenge, and a supply chain you can rely on to deliver. Working alongside you, we help you
progress towards your objectives – quickly, reliably, cost-effectively.
26 International Mining | JUNE 2019
dsiunderground.com