MINEXPO PREVIEW
knowledge of the mining cycle , the company said . It is the driving ethos behind the electrification , automation , and digitalisation efforts that continue to evolve the MacLean mining vehicle product lines that span the ground support , secondary reduction and utility vehicle categories .
“ By leveraging decades of underground mining experience , multi-disciplinary engineering and programming capabilities , a continental manufacturing platform and a worldwide branch footprint of customer service and support on four continents , MacLean mines solutions to build long-standing relationships with mining companies and contractors ,” the company said .
“ A new era of mining has dawned , where a foundation of well-trained workers and techenabled mining vehicles will deliver tangible advances in safety , productivity , and environmental performance . This is the field where the seeds of innovation grow , and where ‘ Application Intelligence ’ is put to work .”
PAUS North America , Inc ’ s MINExpo 2021 booth will be littered with examples of its extensive offering for low-profile and narrowvein underground mines .
With low height and narrow width dimensions , plus the manoeuvrability of the compact ANFO Loaders , LHDs and haul trucks , these machines provide the perfect combination for working at the face in such tight areas , the company said .
This is exemplified by the company ’ s new PMKM 8030 underground haul truck , which will be launched at the Las Vegas event .
This 16-t payload dump truck combines a compact design with high tonnage capacity and enough power to increase mine site productivity , according to PAUS .
Along with this new truck , PAUS has continued to develop scaling production with the introduction of the new PSCALE 8-T . This scaler features a tiltable cab design for increased operator visibility , while the addition of a Caterpillar diesel engine provides more power to combat high altitudes . “ With this increased power , we have improved the air flow and cooling systems to reduce high temperatures and hydraulic overheating ,” the company explained . “ Our team of engineers have redesigned the frame and boom for strength , durability and serviceability . Along with this , they have addressed operator comfort through an improved air conditioning system and refined controls .”
The scaler also has radio remote-control abilities to handle dangerous backs or pinpoint scaling in hard to see areas .
The company will also be showcasing its electric vehicle solutions to combat increasing regulatory restrictions on emissions . Alongside this , the new “ PausConnect ” feature will be highlighted . This allows customers to be in constant contact with PAUS ’ service and engineering team , who can monitor the operation of machines in real time . Within PausConnect , the company provides geofencing , theft protection , statistical data collection , vibration monitoring , two-way communication and user administration to keep life-cycle costs under control . This technology can be retrofitted to most machines .
Elphinstone Pty Ltd ’ s MINExpo 2021 booth will be easy to spot with its WR810 Underground Tier 4 Final Water Cannon standing front and centre .
The WR810 is a dual-application machine providing both production and support capabilities . A wireless controller allows the operator to position the 8 m telescopic boom for washing down valuable ore fines or highpressure blasting of material blockages from a safe remote location . The operator controls the side and rear water sprays for dust suppression of haul roads from the cabin .
The C7.1 ACERT Tier 4 Final engine arrangement is available as an option , adhering to EU Stage V exhaust emission standards . This arrangement is offered in a dual-horsepower configuration and can be set at 151 kW for the higher performance rating or the lower reduced ventilation rating at 129 kW through a simple software change performed by a Caterpillar dealer . The C7.1 ACERT Tier 3 engine arrangement rated at 168 kW is the standard option for deregulated markets .
Other features include a proven Caterpillar power train , all-wheel drive , oscillating hitch , heavy-duty axles , automatic lubrication , fire suppression , mine water supply connection , automatic boom pack and more .
“ All Elphinstone machines are designed with safety first , and the WR810 is no exception ,” the company said . “ The cabin structure features a ROPS certified to ISO 3471:2008 and a FOPS certified to ISO 3449:2005 . Downhill haulage has never been safer , with the electro-magnetic retarder adjusted using the fingertip control mounted to the operator seat . All engine and machine isolation functions are accessible at ground level , incorporating site tag in / out machine isolation processes .”
Digitalisation , automation and more
The onset of COVID-19 has shifted emphasis onto the digital and autonomous ecosystem available to miners today , with solutions from these companies being highly sought after .
Global technology leader , ABB , celebrates 130 years of innovation in mining technology from the advent of electricity to the data-driven industry of today this year , with its MINExpo 2021 booth paying homage to its roots .
“ Since the commissioning of ABB ’ s first electrical motor for a mine hoist in Sweden in 1891 , ABB has led the way as a pioneer in the integration of electrification , automation and digitalisation in mining ,” the company said . “ At MINExpo this year , ABB will be showcasing new ground-breaking electrification technologies to support customers in their journey to the allelectric and digital mine of the future , and which will impact production targets and sustainability goals for mine operators worldwide .”
The ABB mining team will be sharing learnings from the installation of haul truck trolley assist infrastructure and solutions at the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia , Canada , where the aim is to achieve a reduction in carbon intensity of more than 50 % in the medium term with a final target of zero carbon emissions by 2035 . A trolley assist system significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions for ultra-class mining haul trucks , which are typically the biggest source of emissions in a mining operation , ABB said .
The company will also be showcasing recent launch highlights including ABB Ability™ Condition Monitoring for belts , which collects and tracks data from conveyor belts to enable mine operators to track speed , misalignment , damage , thickness and wear , slippage and temperature of these belts in real time . ABB
The WR810 is a dual-application machine providing both production and support capabilities
International Mining | AUGUST 2021