Engineering and Mining Journal - Whether the market is copper, gold, nickel, iron ore, lead/zinc, PGM, diamonds or other commodities, E&MJ takes the lead in projecting trends, following development and reporting on the most efficient operating pr
Issue link: https://emj.epubxp.com/i/82657
AUSTRALIAN TECHNOLOGY mond mine in northern Canada during the second half of 2012. As reported in Austmine's Export News, one Haulmax 3900-D with special lightweight body developed by Duratray is the first of the Tasmanian-built trucks to be supplied to Ekati, with more to come. "[The 3900-D] is the first of a fleet of units to be used on their Misery satellite mine project," said Bob Calvert, Haulmax global marketing manager and Austmine board member. The 80-ton-payload truck will haul material more than 35 km to a stockpile in testing conditions. He said winter temperatures could drop to -60°C. Three more units are expected to be deliv- ered later this year in time to use the 2013 ice road to the mine. "The Duratray is a common sight at that operation," Calvert said. "Haulmax worked with Duratray Australia to develop a body specifically for the Haulmax unit design. The body was built in Melbourne, fitted to the 3900 and shipped direct to Canada as a complete unit. It was selected in this instance to ensure the flexible body liner will maintain material fluidity over the longer haulage distance and time, reducing the risk of it freezing." A Duratray Australia spokesperson said there were more than 30 different trucks at Ekati with Duratray Suspended Dump Bodies (SBDs). "The body has all the trademarks of the Suspended Dump Body, with rubber floor, rubber front wall and all the key benefits needed for icy conditions such as no carry back, impact and vibra- tion reduction due to the suspended effect, and reduced maintenance." "The client specifically requested a [Duratray] body. The request was purely Komatsu Australia recently developed a ride-enhancement package for its line of mining-class dozers, and also offers a 'mine-ready' package that includes dozer safety features required by Australian mine operators. based on Ekati's experience with the SDB bodies, it just happened to be that the new design was a long haul which was a new challenge for us," the spokesperson said. Komatsu Enhances Dozer Ride-comfort Levels Construction and mining equipment man- ufacturer Komatsu Australia has increased the ride comfort levels of its mining dozers. Komatsu's Mining Product Manager David Laidlaw said several major modifications have been made to the cab mountings to reduce shock loads and the undercarriage's bogie and equalizer oscillation angles. "Following trials in Hunter Valley and central Queensland coal mines, we can confirm that the ride, vibration levels and operator comfort on Komatsu mining doz- ers are as good as or better than any other machine. We carried out a rigorous inde- pendent testing program, comparing a D475A-5EO with the ride enhancement package fitted, a machine without the package and a competitive machine. The results show that we have achieved our ride and operator comfort objectives." Further testing is continuing into addi- tional ways to improve the ride and comfort levels for the dozers. Komatsu has also developed a factory-fitted Australian min- ing specification package which allows dozers to be delivered 'mine ready' direct from the factory to the mine site. The pack- age includes features such as right and left-hand access platforms with handrails and access lights, starter isolator box, man- ual engine stop switch and engine bay maintenance light. This option will save companies considerable time and expense when preparing and delivering dozers to mine operations. "It ensures that mine specification requirements for our dozers are manufac- tured and installed to Komatsu's exacting production standards prior to being shipped to Australia, and that they comply to ISO engineering standards," Laidlaw said. ReCoila Tackles Underground Blasting Challenge Duratray truck bodies are being fitted to Haulmax 3900-D trucks for service at the Ekati diamond mine in northern Canada. 104 E&MJ; • SEPTEMBER 2012 An Australian-made lightweight hose reel has been instrumental in solving a chal- lenge to plug a breakthrough hole in an underground blasting operation. Mining consumables company MTI Group approached ReCoila to supply a hose reel that would be durable and easily trans- portable in order to position a plugging device in holes up to 90 m deep. MTI wanted to load the holes with explosives for further blasting but needed the breakthrough hole—a downhole drilled between levels which breaks through to an open tunnel with limited access—plugged first. Making the entire process even more challenging was the extremely harsh work- ing environment to which the solution was being exposed. ReCoila supplied a medium www.e-mj.com