GROUND SUPPORT
Testing of MacLean 975 Omnia bolter with pumpable resin system
Philippe Niesing, MacLean Bolter Product Manager added:“ What also stands out is MacLean’ s versatility. The fact that an operator is able to set up their bolter for the entire round, whether it be different lengths of rebars, split sets, cable bolts or dynamic bolts. We’ re able to really customise and fine-tune our machines to be purpose-built for what our customers are looking for. And I think that’ s a real differentiator.”
In addition to the primary bolter market, the 975 Omnia is also popular for secondary ground support and for rehab bolting. Plus, MacLean is now looking at outfitting the bolter to be able to carry out cable bolting more effectively with cementitious grout or pumpable resin.
Niesing added:“ I would say what also diversifies MacLean is the fact that our customers are supported by a great team of engineers and people who are dedicated to keeping our machines running well – we are a global company but at a scale where we are still able to provide that close customer service and support.”
Looking to its future roadmap, MacLean has been asked to incorporate pumpable resin into the Omnia functionality – and it has already carried out advanced testing and validation of some designs at its own test mine in Sudbury, Ontario. The pumpable resin includes new autonomous functionality plus ensuring adequate resin mixtures and feed rates.
Van Koppen added:“ Uniquely we have also found a way to pump the resin from the toe to the collar of the hole so that operators can still put in regular rebar or other solid ground support tendons instead of very costly hollow bolts. We don’ t make bolts, unlike some of the other bolter tech providers, so we can be completely
unbiased in our strategy and designs when it comes to the bolts themselves – with the customer advantage front and centre for us.”
The pumpable resin system is likely to be available in 2027, and will also be offered as a kit that’ s suitable for almost every MacLean bolter that it has sold in the last few years. There is also a big sustainability driver in this- cartridge waste is going to be greatly improved with the pumpable resin as you won’ t end up with unused resin lying around in the drift. The pumpable resin will be used in bulk based on the specific requirements for that heading. Plus, people are not having to handle cartridge boxes anymore or deal with the cardboard waste.
Finally, MacLean is also launching a new robotic bolter later in 2026 and says it has been making some great strides now in actually operationalising it with testing having been ongoing for several years at the test mine. The 985 Abi Bolter allows the operator to stay in the cab while the robot arm picks the bolt, spears the washers, places the bolt in the bolt feed and changes tools & bits. MacLean plans to announce more about this new product later this year.
Mine Master’ s broad portfolio
Roof bolting is one of the most safetycritical operations in underground mining. As mines move deeper and encounter