IM August 2026 | Seite 25

MINE HOISTS

to experience the kinds of injuries that come from sudden stops. In the event of suspension failure, the weight of the cage itself causes the safety brake to actuate, holding the cage securely in place to await retrieval. There are no hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical components in the brakes themselves, and no external energy source is required.

Koekemoer states:“ We have been doing extensive testing and it’ s gaining a lot of traction with all the mining sites because most of them are converting to steel guides, and that’ s ultimately where this is required. The product offering covers a wide range of both the two guide and the four guide systems, and it’ s operating on multiple steel guide configurations. We successfully tested the large full guide cage with a test rig at up to 28,500 kg and now have it running in Europe, North America and Asia. It is applicable to any single rope or drum hoist.”

FLS is also a leading player in cages, skips, arrestor systems, catch gear and compensating sheaves:“ Our portfolio is extensive, but we continue to develop and expand our offering based on customers’ evolving needs. Combined with our broad capabilities – for example, our complete hoist systems – we can be more than just a supplier; we are a partner that delivers results through solutions across the entire life of your mine.”

At the frontier of hoisting and vertical conveyance

Frontier-Kemper Constructors, Inc.,( FKCI) a Tutor Perini company, delivers OEMbacked hoisting and vertical conveyance systems through its FKC- Lake Shore division in Evansville, Indiana. For mining operators evaluating dependable, highcapacity material handling solutions, FKC- Lake Shore brings proven engineering, fabrication, controls, installation support, and lifecycle service under one experienced team.

The company has completed numerous major mining hoist installations across the Americas, including recent largescale systems designed to move more material safely, efficiently, and reliably from underground to surface. Most recently, FKC- Lake Shore supported FKCI in Virginia to deepen an existing ventilation shaft and repurpose it as an 1,800 ft production hoisting system. FKC- Lake Shore provided design, build, and installation services for a complete turnkey solution with a capacity of 1,200 short tons per hour. The friction hoist is powered by dual 2,000 HP electric motors and lifts skips through the shaft at more than 2,000 ft per minute. It is an updated replica of the sister system FKC- Lake Shore supplied in the early 1980s, which the mining operation continues to rely on every shift to hoist product.

For that production hoist, FKC- Lake Shore’ s scope included double 26 short ton payload Jeto skips lifted by a 4-rope Koeppe friction hoist; two 11-ft diameter sheave clusters; hoist house; material handling systems; headframe; skip loading station; and electrical controls. The company also supplied a 1-short ton auxiliary hoisting system designed for multilevel access, maintenance support, and shaft inspection using an 8-person cage. This complete scope FKC- Lakeshore says reflects the value of working with an OEM capable of integrating the mechanical, structural, electrical, and controls requirements that determine long-term system performance.

Beyond conventional hoisting, FKC- Lake Shore is among the few companies globally with proven vertical conveying experience in underground mining. For operators seeking alternatives to traditional hoist infrastructure, it says vertical conveyance offers a practical, lower-maintenance option that can reduce capital intensity, simplify shaft requirements, and improve overall material handling economics when the application is well suited.

Josh Phillips, FKC- Lake Shore General Manager, told IM:“ Vertical conveyance has been reliably used for muck removal in tunnelling for nearly 50 years, yet it remains underutilised in mining. When mining companies evaluate hoisting from a frontend investment perspective, a traditional

FROM ROPE TO ATTACHMENT

TOTAL HOISTING ASSURANCE

With 80 years of experience, Becker Mining Systems delivers fully engineered, proof-loaded and destructively tested rope attachment solutions for winder and shaft applications. Every component is fully traceable and designed for maximum reliability in critical mining operations.

Built for the world’ s biggest shafts. Proven where it matters most.

Find out more at: www. becker-mining. com / ropes

International Mining | AUGUST 2026 23