CANADIAN TECHNOLOGY
Cementation Canada Inc . ( CCI ) and Terra Nova Technologies ( TNT ) have successfully completed their first joint project as a consolidated team for the Newmont ConRamp conveyor project located at the Musselwhite gold mine
installation . To help improve the system , a
monitoring system was installed to monitor the temperature of the conveyor idlers and bearings . This system consisted of four fibre optic cables along the length of the conveyor and strategically placed close to the bearings for quick sensing .
The construction utilised all in-house
workforces with sub-contractors for specialised tasks throughout the project . “ The project experienced the onset of the COVID-19 virus , which suspended site activities for 2 + months and reduced supply from many vendors and fabricators . The engineering and procurement work continued remotely and the plan for ‘ return to site ’ was developed in conjunction with Newmont . Upon return to site , the work force availability was limited due to strict protocols instituted . This presented challenges with obtaining the large experienced work force required to complete the work .”
The project started with a ‘ zero day ’ float schedule as time was of the essence since the conveyor system is part of the main material handling system for the mine . Overall , the project was delivered safely with 120,000 + personnel hours with no Lost Time Injuries ( LTI ). Construction and commissioning were completed as per the schedule and integrated into Newmont ’ s full ramp up for returning back to full production .
In December 2020 , Newmont reported the commissioning of the new conveyor and materials handling system . “ I am extremely proud of the work that has been completed by the team at Musselwhite to safely deliver these two critical projects , whilst managing through the unprecedented challenges caused by COVID- 19 ,” said Newmont ’ s President and CEO Tom Palmer . “ Musselwhite is an important part of our North America region , and with the commissioning of these two projects is positioned to contribute to Newmont ’ s portfolio for many years to come .”
FKC-Lakeshore – the power of the vertical conveyor
Vertical conveyors are a more environmentallyfriendly and efficient means of bringing mined ore from underground to the surface . These systems typically require a smaller footprint than conventional skip hoisting systems or a system of declines / ramps . The surface infrastructure needed is significantly smaller than a typical skip headframe , with the required mine shaft diameter reduced by 30 to 40 %.
Developer FKC-Lake Shore , based in told IM that electrical power consumption can be up to 50 % less than an equivalent skip hoisting system . Production rates provided by vertical conveyors compare favourably with rates provided by skip hoisting systems and those typically achieved with the use of trucks in ramps or decline shafts .
Vertical conveyors are being successfully