MINING HOISTS
already includes the ABB Ability™ Safety Plus Hoist Monitor and ABB Ability™ Safety Plus Hoist Protector .
ABB states : “ The ABB Ability™ NGX Hoist Monitor is compatible with all mine hoists and applications – combining safety , reliability and innovation in one cost-effective cutting-edge solution . ABB Ability™ NGX Hoist Monitor is a subsystem consisting of one AC500 PLC mounted in a wall-mounted cabinet and associated instrumentation and relays . It handles the main speed , position , movement & direction related safety functions for hoists .”
Upon detection of a hazard , it de-energises one or more safety relays which are connected to the mine hoist safety circuit ( s ). The mine hoist safety circuit is used to initiate application of the hoist ’ s safety brakes and removal of the motor torque .
It can be installed as a stand-alone product in existing installations where there is a requirement to replace an existing speed and position monitoring system . There is minimal required interfacing with any hoist control system .
ABB is also launching the new version of ABB Ability™ Smart Hoisting - version 3.3 . ABB Ability™ Smart Hoisting uses powerful analytics to extract valuable information from asset and process data at a customer site . You can easily plug the data collected from ABB Ability NGX Hoist Control with ABB advanced digital service to monitor KPIs and get recommendations to optimise the hoisting system .
The company adds : “ The value of data analytics is fully realised when an expert determines the subsequent course of action . The experts located in ABB Ability™ Collaborative Operations Centres play a critical role in identifying improvement opportunities and potential failures . Routine monitoring and analysis are performed by utilising dashboards configured to show production shortfalls , maintenance issues and safety hazards . Aggregating data from multiple sites and collaborating with experts in real-time , helps to improve productivity and efficiency for mine hoists even further . ABB is helping mining companies across the world improve their productivity .”
Alimak ' s vertical elevation
Vertical access for workers comes with its own set of hoisting options . Alimak recently announced the completion of the installation of its second SE 900FC ‘ double decker ’ elevator at the Woodsmith Mine Ladycross Shaft in North Yorkshire , England , reaching a depth of about 364 m below the surface . This advanced elevator system it says exemplifies Alimak ’ s expertise in delivering vertical access solutions for the mining industry . The first elevator is already operational and is installed in the main Woodsmith Mine Service Shaft and reaches a similar depth . The Ladycross Shaft connects to the project ’ s Mineral Transport System ( MTS ) that will transport mined polyhalite for shipping all the way to the portal in Wilton 37 km away . Both elevator systems are custom Alimak ‘ double deck ’ rack and pinion type elevators , which comprise two elevator cars each , interconnected one above the other . Each elevator measures 1.56 m wide x 1.04 m long x 2.17 m high , with each car able to hold a
vertical hoisting systems , by substantially reducing the size of the required mine shafts . This reduction in mine shaft size leads to a reduction in capital cost and construction time compared to skip hoist systems . The EcoHoist operates on electricity and provides the opportunity for mines using conventional diesel powered load and haul fleets to simultaneously cut production costs and decarbonise . As mines go deeper underground , and as external pressures to decarbonise mining operations increase , the EcoHoist is a compelling solution .
The collaboration will see experts from both companies contributing to solutions for the future of underground ore haulage systems and
maximum of nine passengers . This means they each have the ability to transport up to 18 mine workers from ground level to below ground as efficiently as possible .
provides opportunities for further commercial arrangements . This collaboration aims to expedite EcoHoist ’ s delivery of a subscale demonstration of the technology , by leveraging ABB ’ s expertise in engineering and hoist safety systems . ABB has a strong reputation for delivering robust , world-class solutions for the mining industry , and EcoHoist hopes this collaboration will accelerate the adoption and deployment of the EcoHoist pilot .
Björn Jonsson - Global Business Line Manager for Hoisting at ABB , shared that : “ The mining industry globally is poised for a sustainability step-change and ABB is excited to work with EcoHoist in support of new technologies in this
EcoHoist partners with ABB and Mining One
ABB and EcoHoist earlier this year executed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) to collaborate on the development of a vertical material transport solution for underground mines . The solution combines EcoHoist ’ s technology with ABB ’ s technical capability and experience in vertical ore haulage in mining .
The EcoHoist aims to improve on traditional
The EcoHoist loading drive , featuring a loader loading an MMD Sizer on the left , and a belt conveyor transporting the smaller material to the EcoHoist loading chute
88 International Mining | AUGUST 2024