NORDIC FOCUS
A newly begun contract with Kaunis Iron is Tapojärvi Sverige ’ s first major opencast mine contract in Sweden . The company has previously worked in underground mining
facilities as well as maintenance services are needed . A mining contractor must also consider safety at every step of production .
“ Orientation , training , revision of the old and learning of the new . At the start of production , everything is new , and the processes have yet to be fully established . It has been roughly two weeks since the launch and we are now developing our routines ,” said Miettinen earlier this year .
The operations required by the Pajala contract got going in only six weeks . “ By any standards , this is a noticeably short period of time for preparation . Approximately 60 new employees were recruited , and additional personnel were borrowed from other Tapojärvi sites .”
Miettinen highlights the professional mindset of his employer , skilled and committed personnel and new equipment as Tapojärvi ’ s strengths . These factors enable Tapojärvi to respond quickly to the client ’ s needs .
“ We were forced to let the production stand idle when the temperature dropped low in early January . There were also some struggles involving the machinery . Despite everything , our operations have been launched successfully and the client has been happy with our performance ,” Miettinen continues .
To support its operations , Tapojärvi says it has developed processes and systems that are constantly collecting online production data . Data and analytics help enhance Tapojärvi ’ s performance in every respect , improve safety , and anticipate , for example , the equipment ’ s need for maintenance .
“ We are able to provide the client with comprehensive and complex production data , which allows us to influence the mine ’ s operations and performance together with the client . I am glad that our cooperation with Kaunis Iron has gone smoothly from the very beginning and that we are already involved in developing the operations .”
The service contract with Kaunis Iron is Tapojärvi Sverige ’ s first major opencast mine contract in Sweden . The company has previously worked in underground mines on the sites of LKAB and Zinkgruvan , for example . In Finland , Tapojärvi has decades ’ worth of experience in working at opencast and underground mines .
“ Today , Tapojärvi is also a familiar name at Swedish mines and operators trust our way of working . We are still looking to expand our operations especially in northern Sweden ,” says Mari Pilventö , CEO of Tapojärvi Sverige Ab . Currently , Tapojärvi Sverige has nearly 100 employees . In total , Tapojärvi Group employs approximately 800 people .
“ For the Pajala contract , we hired many new experts from Norrbotten and northern Finland . They are multi-skilled employees who can work different types of jobs . This allows us to react quickly to absences and reduce their impact on production , for example . Furthermore , we are constantly training and educating our employees ,” says Pilventö .
A North-South rock drill collaboration
Doofor Inc , the well known hydraulic drill manufacturer from Finland and CMS , a mining machine manufacturer from South Africa have been working together to offer a unique product for the mining industry in Africa . The introduction of the CMR7 Mantis roof bolter in 2015 marked a significant milestone for CMS ( Conax Machine Solutions ), with what was already an extremely versatile bolter , soon led to customer inquiries about its potential for face drilling . This demand spurred the partners to innovate further , giving rise to both the hybrid series of roof bolter / face drills and the purpose-built Mantis face drills , allowing Doofor and CMS to cater to those specific needs of customers . This expansion presented a challenge : the urgent need for a robust , high-quality rock drill to equip these machines adequately . CMS states : " It was by
CMS CRM4-ULP face drilling rig with Doofor rock dril
chance that during MINExpo in the USA , CMS stumbled upon a Doofor drifter showcased on another OEM machine . Upon inquiry , the feedback regarding the Doofor rock drill was overwhelmingly positive , indicating its superior quality and performance . Motivated by this encounter , we sought out the Doofor team at the exhibition , leading to a pivotal meeting that would shape our future endeavours and kick starting our relationship with Doofor ." Since then , CMS has collaborated with Doofor on solutions specific to its niche requirements , and has also recommended enhancements and product improvements , particularly on the DF530S , which Doofor has assessed and incorporated into its products .
The majority of the CMS face drills fitted with the DF530S have been used in coal mines for drilling dykes , where precision , durability and efficiently are paramount . “ However , there is also a sizeable fleet of DF500X rock drills used in local dimension stone drilling operations . We have received tremendously positive feedback from our customers for both quality and aftermarket service .”
CMS adds : “ The launch of our ultra-low face drilling rig , the CMR4-ULP series , now places us in an ideal position to market the ULP rig , with the Doofor rock drill into the low seam , South African platinum mines , where a very large portion of production drilling is still carried out with hand held rock drills . This will greatly optimise production rates , efficiencies , safety , and accuracy of drilling .”
CMS provides backup services and training , including training the clients technical staff to setup up for and maintain their own rock drills . CMS also offers a retrofit service for equivalent Doofor rock drills onto other manufacturers machines , the primary drivers being low capital cost and lower total cost of ownership . Recently CMS retrofitted a DF560L 20kW rock drill onto a Sandvik Mercury face drill and says the service is rapidly gaining momentum . As for what the future holds CMS says : “ The possibilities are endless for CMS and with the continued current partnership with our Northern European partner Doofor and future collaborations , CMS is just getting started .”
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62 International Mining | MAY 2024