MINING RAIL
The new Becker Warkop KPZS-149 suspended diesel monorail meets the new China III emissions standard with a power rating of 149 kW .
situation occurred during locomotive operation . Their newest product belonging to the group of battery transport systems is the batterypowered manoeuvring monorail MCA-1 . It is intended to be applied for transport of machine components and materials in underground mining operations but not limited to this function . The monorail can operate in explosion hazardous areas and its cited advantages based on Industry 4.0 are its compact dimensions – adapted to work in workshops , chambers , tunnels etc ; remote control and data transfer ; ability to work in tandem ; RFID reader authorising the operator to start the monorail ; smooth drive speed regulation ; and built-in charger . Becker Warkop says it also continues to expand its product range . Currently , in addition to battery systems , the focus is on the further development of combustion systems based on the China III emissions standard . To meet the needs of customers , it has designed and introduced modern diesel monorails with a power rating of 149 kW . The most appreciated advantages of these systems are fuel economy – by using diesel engine with common rail injection system ; and limited air pollution with low PM , NO x , CO and CO 2 reached by an injection system but also through a special exhaust gas cooling system . Lower heat generated increases durability and resistance for hard mining conditions . Development work is also currently underway on a medium horsepower monorails project , also meeting China III emissions standards . “ The main focus of our direction was to adapt our product range to the new requirements , which has a positive effect on the operational parameters of diesel monorails , such as a significant reduction in diesel consumption .”
Torex Muckahi enters its big year
Torex Gold ’ s proprietary mining innovation is the Muckahi (‘ Muck-ah-Hi ’) mining system – which is going through the final stages of testing at its El Limón Deep underground mine in 2021 . “ Muckahi truly has the potential to disrupt the underground hard rock mining industry . Where a traditional underground mine uses wide rubbertyred loaders to carry ore to the surface , the Muckahi system uses narrow , low , and long trains operating on a network of overhead monorails . These monorail based trains operate in smaller / shorter tunnels to deliver significant economic and environmental benefits .”
A Muckahi mine is expected to be all-electric , with equipment ( mobile and fixed ) powered by grid or battery power . With no diesel trucks or other heavy diesel-powered equipment , CO2 emissions are expected to be reduced by as much as 95 % relative to a conventional mine , making for a healthier workplace , while reducing ventilation requirements and benefiting the environment .
The majority of the components of the Muckahi system have been tested by Torex and their functionality demonstrated . Although , the components have not yet been tested together as a system to demonstrate the rates per day in which tunnels can be excavated and material removed from long hole open stopes . Testing of the integrated system will continue and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2021 .
SMT Scharf awaits China III monorail boom
As an integrated system supplier , SMT Scharf offers transport solutions for underground mining personnel , equipment and materials . The technical performance data for its core product , the monorail , it says are unmatched worldwide . “ This rail system – which hangs from a single track and is deployed in both coal mines and mineral mines – is easy to install and can transport loads of up to 48 tonnes on gradients of up to 35 degrees . Trained personnel can set up such a track network quickly and inexpensively .”
China is the world ’ s largest coal producer and one of the largest underground monorail markets . Following consolidation in the market , new high-tech mines are constantly being built there . With its large number of hard coal mines , China is a market offering great potential for SMT Scharf . Additional growth opportunities are now provided by the China III emissions directive , which has been mandatory for mining companies since January 1 , 2021 . With the DZK3500 monorail model , SMT Scharf has created a completely revised generation of machines for the Chinese market that meets the more stringent emission standards for machines utilised in underground mining . An optimised engine with an intelligent management system as well as 15 % higher drive power forms core of the DZK3500 . SMT Scharf has transferred the DZK3500 to series production after successfully passing the engine test in 2020 . To this end , the company has planned corresponding production capacities at individual locations in order to meet the high demand that is expected . SMT Scharf expects final approval for the China III machines to be granted in the first half of 2021 . The pandemic had led to a delay in the approval process beyond the end of 2020 . Given full order books , China III is now expected to give a strong boost to revenues . SMT Scharf ’ s Wolfgang Embert recently said :
SMT Scharf has transferred the DZK3500 monorail to series production with high demand expected in China
14 International Mining | JUNE 2021