CANADIAN TECHNOLOGY
WebGen™ wireless initiating systems and explosives at Newcrest ’ s Cadia East underground panel cave gold mine in New South Wales , Australia .
Full automation of this process may be the end goal for MacLean in this charging pursuit , but van Koppen was keen to point out it will still be manufacturing and supporting its EC3 emulsion chargers across the sector .
“ Our rugged emulsion loaders have been particularly successful in Africa , for example , and have provided a lead in to new sites ,” van Koppen said of the EC3s . “ We need entry-level solutions for certain regions depending on the maturity of the market and the maintenance and support options they have . Some sites prefer the tried-and-tested ladder logic which can be diagnosed with limited tools , and with MacLean parts , service and engineering support we aim to set our customers up for success .”
With the first MC5 set to go into the production bay imminently , there are expectations two battery-electric MC5s will be shipped to Australia before the end of the year .
Before these machines reach those shores , MacLean has plans to dispatch the first BT5 Boom Truck with an updated cab and updated technology-ready control system to a customer close by to its Ontario headquarters .
This machine , which leverages the learnings made on the BT2 and BT3 Boom Trucks , provides a reliable , high-capacity system to meet the challenges associated with supply of materials and equipment to widespread underground workplaces .
Those familiar with the predecessor models will notice significant changes to – and within – the cabin of the BT5 .
“ The boom trucks in our offering used the 977 carrier , which is a common carrier for many of our machines ,” van Koppen explained . “ The cab on this common carrier needed to be updated in line with incoming regulations and the fact we wanted to cater to a more international market focused on ISO and other standards .”
In addition to the increased space for the operator to work in , there will be updated controls and a more seamless integration with telemetry and solutions from CAS providers . It also sets these machines up for remote operation and , eventually , autonomous tramming .
Then , last up in the planned debuts for 2023 is the Abi-Bolter , which , the company says , represents a “ ground support paradigm change ”.
This machine will integrate autonomous robotics into the bolting and screening functions of the MacLean scissor bolter , building on 30 years of proven results regarding bolting versatility , installation quality , productivity and safety , according to the company .
A name that references the Abitibi region where so many of MacLean ’ s bolters have been deployed or , for the more technically focused , the ‘ automatic bolt installer ’, the Abi-Bolter represents one of MacLean ’ s most complicated development projects yet .
“ Having initially introduced a robotic arm to the platform that could operate ‘ blindly ’ on preprogrammed paths , we now have a vision system in place that can see if something is knocked out of alignment , course correct and adjust the movements of the robot to improve performance ,” van Koppen said of the latest Abi- Bolter prototype .
The new automated bolter will also be open to any standard pumpable resin on the market , plus be able to carry out automated bit and tool changes throughout a cycle .
“ This could see the operators shift from rebar to split sets to Swellex throughout a shift without having to leave the cab ,” van Koppen explained . The Abi-Bolter represents a new MacLean design philosophy too . Not only is it being built primarily for battery-electric operation ( with diesel being a possible future option ), it is also a rigid frame machine that contrasts with the articulated platforms customers are used to seeing from the company .
It has two steerable axles for improved manoeuvrability , two different control modes and an additional pivot on the boom feed to improve bolting operations around pillars .
Many of these functions have been refined on a prototype machine the company has been testing for more than a year , but the fully refined version is planned to be out of the assembly bay and at the MacLean Research & Training Facility in Sudbury before the year is out .
“ We will then spend a few months at our test site ahead of looking for some strategic customers to put it into a production environment ,” van Koppen said . “ It is admittedly a pretty complicated piece of machinery , so will take a good amount of time and testing to get all the bugs out of the system , but , by having this prototype running for the last year , we have figured many of these out already .”
The initial setup will see operators tram to the bolting location , hook the machine up to the utilities , inspect and mark the area for bolting before getting back into the cabin and completing the entire bolting round .
MacLean already has plans to progress to a tele-remote setup , where the operator can carry out the preliminary stages below ground before heading to surface to oversee bolting operations , potentially facilitating some remote multimachine operation at larger sites .
Further layers of automation may be added later on , although van Koppen and MacLean are wary of ‘ running before they can walk ’.
“ Considering quality ground support installation is such a critical safety process , you need to be careful about how much of this process you automate ,” van Koppen said . “ At the end of the day , the structural integrity of the mine is paramount , so decision making during the bolting process is key .”
BME steps up Canada exposure
In what it says will be a significant step in its international growth journey , BME Mining Canada has made plans to officially launch its greenfield production and service facilities in Nairn Centre , Ontario , later this year .
Developed in conjunction with its joint venture partner , Consbec , the facility underpins BME Mining Canada ’ s evolution as a serious player in the North American market , according to Aaron Austin , BME ’ s General Manager Americas .
“ The production plants on our site – which we will launch towards the second half of 2023 – will produce BME ’ s leading brand AXXIS electronic detonators , emulsion explosives and ANFO ,” he said . “ The facilities will also provide maintenance , servicing and cleaning of the company ’ s trucks and underground equipment – as well as give support for AXXIS blast initiation equipment .”
The facility will include laboratories for quality control and product development .
The Nairn Centre development has been pursued alongside BME Mining Canada Inc ’ s success in breaking into the local market , he explained . Among the recent breakthroughs has been a five-year full-service contract with a surface gold mine in Ontario .
“ Our growing in-country infrastructure builds the market ’ s confidence in us and allows us to deliver our solutions and expertise to the same high quality world-wide ,” he said .
BME Mining Canada is part of South Africabased blasting specialist BME , a member of the JSE-listed Omnia Group .
As part of its ongoing expansion strategy , BME recently had a presence at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention in Toronto . BME ’ s show focus was on launching its joint venture in the form of BME Mining Canada to the local market , as well as showcasing the latest generation electronic initiation systems – AXXIS Titanium™ and AXXIS Silver™ – which are key innovations to be used in the region .
Michelle Fedder , BME ’ s Brand and Marketing Manager , said : “ The market has been excited by the ways that AXXIS Titanium , along with BME ’ s range of digital innovations , is helping mines to further improve safety and reduce their energy costs and achieve ESG targets in terms of more sustainable practices . Blast performance has also been enhanced through the increased blast
48 International Mining | APRIL 2023