NARROW VEIN & LOW-PROFILE MINING
Paus’ LHD PFL 8 comes with a 0.8 cu.m bucket
capacity
customers in Latin America, among others. The
most recent sale saw a unit equipped with a
remote-control system and quick-attach forks
dispatched, according to the company.
In this same feature last year, Paus talked up
its narrow-vein mining offering, highlighting the
“Paus-Fahr-Lader” (PFL) LHDs that have been
developed for not only compact work areas, but
also mines at high altitude.
These loaders are available in two versions for
narrow-vein mining – the LHD PFL 8 with 0.8 cu.m
bucket capacity and the LHD PFL 10 with 1 cu.m
bucket capacity.
The two units have ergonomically designed
control elements to increase efficiency and come
with “Z-kinematics” for extremely high tear-out
forces, according to the company.
A Paus spokesperson told IM that these units
are in use all over the world and existing – and
new – customers continue to add the LHDs to their
fleets.
“The PFL (LHD loaders) have been known for
years, so the processes/workflows in mines for
this vehicle type already exist,” the spokesperson
said.
“With our LHD loaders product range, we offer
our customers the right solutions for their
individual tasks. We are known as a specialist for
individual adaptations and continue building
where series manufacturers stop. We are…‘the
people who care’.”
Turkey’s Talpa Maden has been designing load
and haul equipment for the Turkish narrow-vein
mining industry since the early 2000s.
Its first machine – a LH217 LHD – was sold to a
chrome mine in Turkey, and the series became
smaller still with the introduction of the LH112
loader suitable for very narrow galleries.
Talpa told IM: “Turkish mine sites offer a wide
Hard-Line may have had surface operations in mind when it came up with
its teleremote LP301 and LP401 low-profile (skid steer) loaders, but the
ability to access restricted areas where a person-operated machine cannot
manoeuvre would also prove beneficial in narrow vein and low-profile
mines.
IM caught up with Chad Rhude, Vice President US Operations at Hard-
Line, to quiz him on these low-profile – as low as 760 mm and 1,016 mm
tall, respectively – machines.
The fact that Hard-Line’s LP401 machine is
remotely controlled allows it to access areas that
would be too dangerous or too small for larger
manned vehicles, Chad Rhude says
IM: When it comes to the mining industry, where does Hard-Line believe
the use of teleremote-operated LP401/LP301 loaders will provide the most
value?
CR: They can provide value in applications where it is either too dangerous,
not cost-effective, or impossible to use larger manned machines. For
example, they could be an effective solution for cleaning spillage from
under conveyor belts, or other equipment that currently requires manual
labour or an operator in a machine like a skid steer.
The LP series of machines will allow the same job to be performed from
a safe distance by removing the operator from the cab of the machine and,
because there is no need for an operator’s cabin, allowing the machine to
access areas traditional manned machines are unable to fit into. This can
offer value in that the work can be done without shutting down the
conveyor and should be faster in situations where work might currently be
done manually.
The machines could also provide value as support platforms or could be
used to inspect or enter areas that are too dangerous to have personnel
enter.
IM: Where, regionally, have you seen demand for these units from a mining
perspective?
CR: Most of our focus has been in the municipal and construction markets
in the USA to this point, but we have seen interest in North America,
Australia, and some enquiries in South America in the mining space.
IM: Do you see these units having applications in underground narrow vein
and low-profile mines?
CR: We see these machines having applications anywhere there are height
and safety concerns that would restrict the use of larger machines or
having personnel work in the area. Narrow vein and low-profile mines
would seem to be ideal areas for a machine with a small footprint and
remote-control capabilities.
The fact that the machine is remotely controlled allows it to access areas
that would be too dangerous or too small for larger manned vehicles, and
the ability to have multiple attachments, from various bucket
configurations to rock breakers and other devices attached to the front of
it, make it a very versatile piece of equipment.
In addition, the fact that these machines have been built on a skid-steer
platform allows them to work at higher speeds than many track-only
machines of the same size and lifting capacity allowing for faster cycle
times when used to move material. An over-the-tyre track kit is also
available for the LP401, which allows it to operate in low traction
conditions.
60 International Mining | JULY/AUGUST 2020