UTILITY VEHICLES
at heights solution .”
Jari Tuorila , VP Australasia , added : “ We are now able to offer a range of mine services installation and repair solutions to mines around the world , depending on their haulage ramp and drift sizes , the size and weight of the infrastructure being installed or repaired , and the working height .
“ This is what we mean when we say we have ‘ safety in our veins and innovation in our DNA ’ – we engineer solutions for the actual job underground .”
Normet Utimec passes the Olympic Dam test
It is close collaboration with clients on innovation that led to the development of the Normet Utimec XL 1100 Agitator ED .
Redpath piloted the first of these dieselelectric 10.5 cu . m capacity concrete trucks at BHP ’ s Olympic Dam mine in South Australia for almost a year . During this time , Normet ’ s experts spent several months at the mine site learning about the machine ’ s performance , efficiency and comfort , and developed and improved the equipment further based on Redpath ’ s feedback .
Practical feedback was provided by Redpath ’ s experienced agitator drivers to improve the brand-new machines further .
Since the trial , Normet has delivered seven additional XL 1100s , on top of the five 6.5 cu . m capacity Utimec LF 700 Agitators , delivering concrete for seven Normet concrete sprayers . In October 2023 , Redpath set a record by delivering a remarkable 9,038 cu . m of concrete in a single month . This achievement was made possible using both LF 700 and XL 1100 Agitators , alongside Normet ’ s Spraymecs for the spraying operations , the company explained .
The key reason for Redpath to choose the new XL 1100s was the larger concrete capacity of 10.5 cu . m , which fits its operational needs , according to Kava Rashidi , Project Manager of Redpath . “ It is a lot easier to hit our targets without putting too much pressure on the operators , so it has definitely been a huge benefit to us on site ,” he concluded .
The bigger capacity means less trips , which reduces not only the fuel and overall costs , but also the traffic underground , which benefits safety and air quality underground .
Chris Anchor , Development Contract Superintendent of BHP , said : “ Due to the larger capacities of these XL 1100 ED Agitators , they have reduced our cycle times in development headings and project concrete pad pours . Higher capacity agitators mean we do not need as many , which allows us to remove some of the vehicle interactions we have underground .”
For the operators , the key benefits of the XL 1100 over the older agitators are the one pedal driving , increased performance , and improved ergonomics and visibility , which make driving more pleasant and effortless , according to Normet .
“ XL 1100s tend to travel a lot easier and faster up to the declines , compared to the older diesel ones ,” Leah Zimmerman , Underground Agitator Operator for Redpath Australia , said .
The Utimec XL 1100 Agitator ED with 10.5 cu . m concrete capacity and Normet ElectroDynamic ® technology was launched in March 2023 . A key element of the ElectroDynamic technology is that the need for a driveshaft and gearboxes are eliminated through driving the externally-cooled mining axles directly with permanent magnet motors in a highly efficient direct-drive configuration . This not only renders a low and compact load end design , instant torque and economical electric retardation possible , but also significantly increases component lifetime , the company concludes .
UNIVERSA 55 : Compact and flexible
The UNIVERSA 55 is the latest addition to the
Normet has delivered eight Utimec XL 1100s to Redpath at the BHP-owned Olympic Dam mine in South Australia
Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik range of mining and tunnelling machines for production and support functions .
As the successor to the proven UNI 50-3 , the UNIVERSA 55 sets a new standard for compact carrier vehicles , offering a range of features tailored to the diverse needs of underground operations , the company says .
“ The UNIVERSA 55 stands out with its sophisticated modular design that allows for preassembled modules with intelligent interfaces that simplify customisation to customer specifications ,” Paus explains . “ This modularity , combined with quick interchangeable cassettes , ensures that the vehicle can be quickly adapted for various tasks , whether it ’ s transporting people or material in underground environments .”
In addition , the spacious , rubber-cushioned cab , with three suspended seats , provides
The UNIVERSA 55 has a spacious , rubber-cushioned cab , with three suspended seats to provide comfort and noise insulation
68 International Mining | MARCH 2025