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
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JULY 2017 • E&MJ; 83 www.e-mj.com EQUIPMENT GALLERY large boulders and solid rock in mining and shaft sinking applications as well as cross passage work in tunneling. Users drill a 3-in.-diameter hole into the rock with a separate attachment before insert- ing the splitter. The attachment expands with as much as 1,800 tons of force, splitting the rock. The C20 Rock Splitter comes in four models: two vertical options ranging from 64 in. to 72 in. long; as well as two hori- zontal options, from 70 in. to 83 in. long. www.brokk.com Vehicle Intervention System Takes Control When Necessary Hexagon AB launched HxGN Mine VIS, a vehicle intervention system that detects and prevents collisions by automatically slowing down or stopping a haul truck if an imminent collision is detected. Ac- cording to the company, Mine VIS is an additional layer of safety on top of the Collision Avoidance System (CAS), help- ing to avoid incidents, injuries and fatal- ities. Mine VIS manages traffi c in the pit and, by reacting when and if operators do not, is intended to ensure that safety rules are followed. Hexagon said CAS provides drivers of large vehicles with 360° proximity detection at any speed and in all conditions via cabin display units. Mine VIS can take control of the machine in certain defi ned situations if the operator does not react appropriately to the initial CAS warning. The system can act depending on the situation, either by inhib- iting propulsion, activating the retarder or applying the service brake. Mine VIS can also be used in conjunction with Fatigue- Monitor, the company's fatigue-detection, alerting, and reporting solution, using the same sensors and user interface. Hexagon said it worked closely with an OEM to de- velop a last-resort system that mitigates the consequences of a collision. Hexagon noted that Mine VIS is being installed in Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore's Sishen mine in South Africa after the company contacted Hexagon Mining following an assessment of its operation to identify major risks. Hexagon Mining and the customer subsequently defi ned a step-by-step approach to develop a solu- tion. According to Hexagon, Mine VIS is timely in South Africa where government regulations will compel surface mines to implement such systems on heavy ma- chine equipment by June 2019. www.hexagon.com Impact Cradle Absorbs Shock Superior Industries released the Impact Cradle, which is designed to eliminate the space between the conveyor belt and bed, the company reported. Designed to fi t into an existing idler mounting footprint, the Impact Cradle is built to receive the blunt force of material fl ow at transition points in conveying systems, lessening the wear on the conveyor belt. The Impact Cradle's thick urethane segments absorb shock and dissipate contact energy, reducing conveyor belt wear and tear. Fitted for CEMA C, D, and E idlers, the Impact Cradle is available in 20° and 35° trough angles for 5-, 6- or 7-in.-diameter roll heights. The company also announced the con- veyor Safety Handrail. Mounting to idler frames, it prevents entanglement in belt- ing, the company reported. Depending on Mine Safety and Heath Administration standards, operators can use the Safety Handrail in place of an e-stop cable. The handrail has a diameter of 1-¼ in. and is available in 8-ft or 10-ft lengths. Assembly hardware is included with the part. Extra pipe endcaps and extra brack- ets are available. www.superior-ind.com New FMS Offers Additional Functionality MICROMINE released Pitram 4.8, the latest version of its fl eet management and mine control solution. According to the developer, Pitram 4.8 delivers ma- jor new functionalities, including Pitram Connect, while also addressing several key client issues. Pitram Connect is MI- CROMINE's new mobile application that offers third-party integration on mobile devices via Pitram's REST Integration Services (PRIS). Pitram Connect provides insight into site operations without requir- ing users to directly contact mine control personnel or be at a workstation. With Pitram Connect, users have ac- cess to various mine site related data: Performance metrics showing how the mine is performing with confi gurable op- tions; equipment data for real-time infor- mation regarding the mining fl eet; loca- tion type, detail and status; and operator screens that provide real-time informa- tion on primary operators, quickly identify