Mining Mirror January 2019 | Page 39

Technology and innovation ergonomics and reduce consumable usage. It also means easier and lower maintenance for mines. The company’s imported hot water machines, like the electric burners, are electrically heated, non-diesel-powered machines, which make them more environmentally friendly. A clean environment reduces the likelihood of an incident occurring and clean equipment means less wear and tear, which results in less downtime and lower maintenance costs. If equipment functions optimally, there is less risk of malfunction Mine cleanliness is a crucial aspect of health and safety in the mining industry. and accidents. Driving down to Limpopo Digital world demands integration The engineering team at Johannesburg-based specialists in fluid power, Hyflo Southern Africa, recently completed an 11kW hydraulic power unit (HPU), which is designed to drive a conveyor system at a mine in Limpopo. According to Tinus Vermeulen, project engineer at Hyflo Southern Africa, the HPU can supply a high-torque, low-speed function for start-up, as well as a low-torque, high-speed function for normal operation. In addition, an advanced digital pump control system enables the HPU pump to provide various functions, which are adjustable, to meet exact requirements. The system is equipped with a Parker PV electro- hydraulic axial piston pump, which is controlled via an electronic module, located in the local control panel. Other features of the device include a strengthened frame, 400ℓ tank and hydraulic control manifold, as well as pressure and return line filtration. Safety features include maintenance indicators, low-level and high-temperature cut-outs. www.miningmirror.co.za Hyflo 11kW hydraulic power unit equipped with an advanced digital pump control system. Clean mines are crucial in the overall health and safety programmes of mining operations, according to Grant Kriel, Kimberley branch manager at Nilfisk South Africa. Kriel says the mining industry has specific cleansing challenges, especially below ground. He adds that a mine needs to do a risk assessment, as very strict criteria determine how to address specific requirements in the mining sector. Nilfisk provides customisable cleansing programmes and equipment, which improve Clean mines crucial for health and safety RCT regards interoperability as the key to the future of mining. RCT, a company that designs, manufactures, and delivers technology and service solutions to support clients around the world, recently released an interoperability statement. According to Mick Tanner, mining and resources product manager, the statement is necessary in today’s digital world as the demand for continuous data grows and as companies look towards analytics and systems to process, analyse, interpret, and convert to the desired information. The statement outlines how RCT’s systems will communicate within this digital sphere to adhere to data privacy and ensure safety within this space. Available on RCT’s website, it covers data accessibility, fleet data compatibility, data privacy, and protection. RCT’s EarthTrack data and information product range is its highly interoperable solution that delivers a client’s relevant information by retaining systems’ original character and integrity without compromising the safety of other systems. Interoperability means the ability of a system to work with or use the parts of equipment of another system. RCT has long held the philosophy of ensuring that its systems always integrate seamlessly with a client’s existing infrastructure. Tanner says that RCT’s systems can integrate with any machine, regardless of make and model, and within any mine’s communications network and infrastructure and with any other systems, sharing critical information without compromising safety and system functionality. JANUARY 2019 MINING MIRROR [37]