CONTINUOUS CUTTING AND RAPID DEVELOPMENT s shown at MINExpo 2016 ? AC : In 2016 and 2018 , Komatsu implemented a proof of concept and , after that proof of concept , there was interest from miners to build a full commercial unit – which has happened now .
The prototype was ultimately to test the enabling cutting technology , whereby this element was retrofitted to a medium-sized roadheader for manoeuvrability . What Komatsu has done now is fully embed it into a system more like a continuous miner , which has the cutting arm , ground handling shovel & collector and the rest of the body to put it into a full production , continuous operation . It is now going to be part of the production process , as opposed to just testing the cutting aspect .
IM : Considering the end goal of this project is to evaluate the type and number of applications for which hard-rock cutting is suitable across industry ( not just at Garson and the McConnell orebody ), why did you select the Komatsu HRCM ? LM : It ’ s really about the Komatsu DynaCut Technology , which , for us , is an extremely low energy process for cutting the hard rock compared with , say , a TBM .
At the same time , what attracts us is the ability to integrate with existing infrastructure within our current process at the mine – bolters , trucks , LHDs , etc . It is not about fully redesigning the mine to implement this technology .
This trial is that first step to really prove and understand the Komatsu DynaCut Technology in terms of dealing with cutting our relative hard rock in Sudbury . In that regard , the Komatsu technology provided the best technical opportunities for the conditions at hand .
IM : When the machine gets going in Australia , what hardness of rock will it be cutting in the hardrock stage ? How does this compare with Garson ? LM : Cadia is a rock ranging around 200 MPa , whereas in Sudbury we would be looking around 250 MPa . That ’ s when you talk about Uniaxial Compressive Strength ( UCS ) of the rock .
When you start looking at this undercutting technology , there are a few other aspects you need to consider . This includes rock toughness – the ability to resist a crack when a tensile force is applied , sort of like a jackhammer – and brittleness – how much energy that rock can absorb before it breaks .
Ultimately we are working with Komatsu to understand how we should adapt an undercutting technology for our mines , and what the key parameters to consider are . At this stage , UCS seems to be the benchmark in the industry , but I think there will be a lot more considerations to come out of this project .
IM : What are the reasons for applying the technology at Garson ? Were other areas in Sudbury considered ? AC : The priority for us was to have a shallow , low stress ground environment to start off with . At the same time , these are significant machines that would have to be disassembled if you were going down a shaft , which would be complicated . We have ramp access at Garson which makes things easier . The other point is that Garson is an operating mine so we have got the facilities that can support the project ; everything from removing the rock to ground support , service installation and surface infrastructure .
IM : How widespread do you think hard-rock cutting could be across the underground industry ? Could it eventually become a mainstream method to compete with drill and blast ? LM : This is the ultimate question . I would like to say yes , it will become mainstream . It is our intention to really develop and prove that it cannot only compete with drill and blast , but ultimately improve on it . This will see , in the future , an application for both mechanised hard-rock cutting and drill and blast .
You are going to need to look at fundamental KPIs such as safety , productivity and the cost
Komatsu has fully embedded the Komatsu DynaCut Technology into a system more like a continuous miner , which has the cutting arm , ground handling shovel & collector and the rest of the body to put it into a full production , continuous operation , Vale ’ s Luke Mahony says ( photo shows a rendering of the hardrock cutting machine with an accompanying WX07 LHD , credit Komatsu Mining )
associated with that productivity .
The focus now is to mature the cutting technology and start to develop the production or the process that goes with underground development beyond just cutting rock .
When developing around sensitive areas where you require low disturbance , hard-rock cutting will be important , as it will be in highly seismic ground . Then , if the unit cost of operating these machines gets low enough , you can start to assess orebodies that were previously not viable . At the same time , it is an electrified process so enables the industry to accelerate some of the decarbonisation plans for underground mining .
IM : Anything else to add on the subject ? LM : I think it ’ s fair to say , there will be no ‘ one-sizefits-all ’ solution when it comes to hard-rock cutting . Different OEMs are going to develop and mature solutions and there will be applications for each of them , but we have got a long way to go to really understand that as an industry .
The ultimate goal is to get that industry collaboration between OEMs and industry going to ensure solutions are developed that show a way forward for the sector . relationship with the customer and ensure customer satisfaction ,” Grössing said .
This could help with machine availability and performance , he added .
An example included regular weekly oil analysis where laboratory results were transferred automatically into the Sandvik My Fleet online portal for customers to monitor . “ Sandvik service teams , supported by smart gadgets , also perform a physical asset inspection at least once a month ,” Grössing said . “ We also use asset management software to properly plan and manage maintenance activities .”
He explained : “ Using this information and insights , we can support customers in transitioning from high cost , reactive maintenance methods to a prescriptive and , ultimately , predictive maintenance approach . Providing customers with insights into the true cost of ownership puts us into a firm position to be our customers preferred productivity partner .” IM
International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020