WORLD PROSPECTS
Paus PTM 100 roadheader hits its stride in Turkey
Underground mining equipment specialist , Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik GmbH , recently entered the roadheading market in Turkey thanks to another example of its ongoing engineering nous and customer collaboration .
The company has adapted the PSF 200 dinting machine it released over a decade ago to help a Turkey-based copper mine progress through fractured hard rock in an underground environment that would not support the standard roadheading equipment the market offers .
The PSF 200 was specially manufactured for the tough conditions in mining and tunnelling . It features a swivelling boom and plain-milling cutter for cutting and levelling floor elevations in one work step .
It is this boom and cutter that have been adapted for a roadheading production environment , according to Oliver Wilke , Area Sales Manager for Latin America , USA , Canada ,
Agnico Eagle Mines has welcomed Québec ’ s first all-electric Sandvik LH518B underground loader to the LaRonde gold mining complex ’ s LZ5 mine . A one-year trial , part of Agnico Eagle Mines ’ commitment to carbon neutrality for 2050 , will make it possible to assess the technology ’ s potential for its operations around the world .
Battery-electric vehicles ( BEVs ) are gaining popularity across the industry and Agnico Eagle is testing Sandvik LH518B loaders at the LZ5 mine in Québec and the Fosterville mine in Australia . According to Agnico Eagle , the Sandvik BEV stands out for its high load capacity of 18 t . “ Innovation is an important value at Agnico Eagle , so we are proud to contribute to this evolution ,” said Luc Girard , Superintendent of Mining Operations at the LZ5 mine . “ However , we are in the very beginning of the process , so everything remains to be developed . We are acting like pioneers .”
The Sandvik LH518B has dimensions equivalent to the 14 t size class , enabling it to fit in a 4.5-by- 4.5-metre tunnel . Its ground-up design , powerful electric motors and innovative electric driveline
Spain , Portugal and Turkey .
“ Since the launch of the PSF 200 , we frequently had enquiries from customers about using this as a production machine ,” he told IM . “ Whenever these came in , we looked at the application and the potential rock hardness . We happened to have one discussion with a copper mine in Turkey that was ready to try it , so we made the machine and put it into operation .”
The machine , like the PSF 200 , has compact dimensions of circa-2,400 mm width and height , and can cut rock with a hardness of up to 80 Mpa . The articulated chassis and wide swivel range provides side coverage of around 4,500 mm , according to the company .
The adapted machine , called the PTM 100 , instead of the plain-milling cutter , comes with a 1,000-mm-wide roadheader-type cutter head , a
Agnico Eagle to trial Sandvik LH518B BEV at LaRonde
result in a compact size with higher payload capacity and increased visibility . AutoSwap technology minimises infrastructure needs . Sandvik emphasises that its BEVs do not require overhead cranes or forklifts to hoist or move batteries .
Agnico Eagle and Sandvik say they maintain a strong partnership to successfully introduce the new technology . “ During the one-year trial , the LZ5 team will assess loader performance to evaluate possible implementation at Agnico Eagle ’ s other mines around the world . The teams from LZ5 ,
Epiroc ’ s automation offering to receive boost with RCT buy
Epiroc has agreed to acquire Remote Control Technologies , an Australia-based company that provides automation and remote control solutions for mining customers around the world .
With this acquisition , Epiroc says it will be the world-leading automation solutions provider not only for surface and underground rock drilling but also for underground loading and haulage . dust suppression system and a 500-mm boom extension to improve productivity . The cabin has also been modified to ensure it can be levelled and adjusted to improve the visibility of the roadheading operations .
Since commissioning last year in October , the machine has been performing well , according to Wilke .
“ The main problem for the customer was they had a lot of geological problems , meaning it was not possible to put a very heavy roadheader into the mine ,” he said . “ They worked before with a hydraulic excavator , but this was not providing adequate productivity , so they asked if we could provide an alternative .”
The PTM 100 can navigate the machine weight requirements that are dictated at the operation – its operating weight is around 30 t – and can cut the “ faulting ” hard rock with ease , Wilke added .
“ The customer is satisfied with it , and they are now thinking about investing in one or two more machines as they have a lot of mining faces with these same kind of geological problems where the PTM 100 could work well .” www . paus . de
Fosterville and Sandvik will share their experiences and knowledge when it comes to training plans and mechanical and electrical maintenance for the loaders .”
“ By developing and delivering battery technology that meets the demanding needs of operating underground , we hope we can support Agnico Eagle ’ s journey towards net-zero emissions during the coming years ,” said Mats Eriksson , President of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions . www . rocktechnology . sandvik ; www . agnicoeagle . com
Remote Control Technologies , known as RCT , is
headquartered in Perth , Australia , with customers in more than 70 countries . The company provides automation and remote s
4 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022