UTILITY VEHICLES
temperatures on the work fronts by up to 4 ° C while supporting smooth and reliable day-to-day operations,” it added.
The model in question has a practical concrete carrying capacity of 5.6 cu. m and is designed for concrete transportation in underground mines and tunnels with a tramming height of 2.6 m or more. Equipped with a concrete drum with electrically controlled mixing and unloading and a manual drum locking system, the vehicle has a FOPS / ROPS approved cabin and comes with several safety features and a front axle suspension system as standard.
The concrete drum rotation is electrically controlled, and the speed ranges between 0-13 rpm. The standard drum lifter feature enables flexible adjustment of the concrete discharging height up to 1.9 m.
The Utimec MF 500 Transmixer SD can be equipped with a variety of specially designed accessories to enhance machine productivity and safety, according to Normet, with the company saying the vehicle layout is optimised for easy access to all service points, allowing all daily checks to be performed from ground level.
The SmartDrive battery-electric vehicle architecture features advanced Li-ion battery technology, fast charging capability and two direct drive electric motors, delivering instant torque and efficient, emission-free operation, the company says.
The fast-charging interface adheres to the industry-standard CCS, and the vehicle can be recharged from a mine’ s electric grid by using the on-board charger. Energy recuperation technology comes as a standard feature, with the batteries charged during downhill driving and deceleration, further increasing the total efficiency of the operation.
The maximum speed is 20 km / h, while the fully reversible four-wheel-drive with high traction capability and instant torque ensures safe and reliable movement in difficult ground conditions. The majority of the braking is done via the electric motors recuperating energy, yet the vehicle also includes hydraulic dual-circuit oil-immersed multi-disc brakes to provide additional braking power when needed.
Endorsing Canadian innovation, manufacturing
Speaking of backing battery-electric developments, MacLean Engineering recently announced that Natural Resources Canada( NRCan) had committed C $ 2.5 million($ 1.8 million) in funding to support the company’ s battery-electric vehicle( BEV) research and development program.
The federal investment is being delivered through NRCan’ s Mining Decarbonization Demonstration Call under the Energy Innovation Program and will accelerate commercialisation of MacLean’ s GR8 EV Grader, the inaugural model for the newly created Surface Mining Vehicle division.
In September 2024 at MINExpo, MacLean and Fortescue co-announced the development of a fleet of GR8 EV Graders for Fortescue’ s Western Australia operations.
The funding will support the design and development of the GR8s to support mining operations in Canada and the broader mining industry, commencing with the circa-30 units that the company is expected to deliver to Fortescue.
“ This investment from Natural Resources Canada is a powerful endorsement of Canadian innovation and manufacturing,” Stella Holloway, President of MacLean Engineering, said.
“ NRCan’ s support accelerates the commercialisation of our battery-electric technologies and enables us to move faster in building our new Surface Mining Vehicle Division. Together, we are advancing practical electrification pathways that strengthen Canada’ s critical minerals supply chain and position Canadian clean technology on the global stage.”
Compact shotcreting operations
Putzmeister Underground, Putzmeister’ s division specialised in underground equipment, recently presented its latest innovation in mechanised concrete spraying equipment – Wetkret 2 Narrow Vein – at a private event at the facilities of its Peruvian dealer Metal Técnica SA.
Specifically designed to operate in reduced sections of up to 2.5 x 2.5 m, this robotic equipment features Putzmeister’ s most advanced pumping technology and experience, it says, offering a compact, safe and highly efficient solution for one of the most demanding environments in the sector.
Wetkret 2 Narrow Vein allows the mechanisation of shotcrete application in narrow veins through the use of the remote-controlled telescopic spraying arm, which has a vertical reach of up to 7.5 m, significantly improving operational safety and reducing personnel exposure to adverse conditions, it added.
The heart of the Wetkret 2 Narrow Vein incorporates its latest pumping technology with OPS control, which, it says, translates into lower pulsation, easy maintenance and spare parts commonality with the wider Wetkret line.
The theoretical maximum concrete flow rate reaches 13 cu. m / h at 40 bar, making it suitable for applications in galleries with reduced dimensions. The equipment can be connected directly to the mine’ s electrical network or spray with its powerful diesel engine( Dual Drive). Additionally, like other equipment in Putzmeister’ s Wetkret series, it comes equipped with an additive
synchronisation system with concrete flow controlled by software.
Finally, the articulated design with reduced dimensions( 7,360 x 1,409 x 2,295 mm) allows for high manoeuvrability, combined with the 106 kW diesel engine( or 55.4 kW with Stage V engine) and traction system with individual motors on each wheel. As an option, it can incorporate an anti-slip system to improve performance on uneven or low-adhesion terrain.
The component distribution allows easy and safe access to elements that require more attention, such as the dual brake system power panel that separates high and low voltages, the FOPS / ROPS certified cabin with plug-in design, batteries and hydraulic oil filters, the company says. Additionally, the equipment has an integrated cleaning system that ensures durability.
Solving challenges through engineering
While many OEMs focus on standardised equipment, Timberland says it specialises in engineered solutions – partnering directly with customers to design and build purposedriven machines for the most complex underground applications.
“ Some of the elements that make Timberland unique is that we are willing to take on projects other equipment providers refuse to or can’ t,” Troy Smith, Business Development Manager at Timberland Equipment, says.“ We have the experience to make new equipment happen, while relying on our proven technology.”
This ability to execute“ never been done before” projects is backed by more than seven decades of engineering expertise. Since 1947, Timberland has been solving critical material handling, lifting, pulling and utility challenges across the global mining industry – earning a reputation for delivering where others cannot.
At the centre of this capability is the MINEJACK ® platform – a rugged, articulated underground utility vehicle engineered for extreme conditions and long service life. Timberland supplies a full range of underground utility vehicles built on this proven platform, it says, each tailored to specific mine requirements.
42 International Mining | MAY 2026