E&MJ looks at some recent innovations in its annual review of equipment for narrow-vein and low-height mining
By Simon Walker, European Editor
All support functions on Fletcher’s N3114-AD/E roof bolter can be controlled from its work basket.
While most of the major manufacturers focus predominantly on machines for markets likely to generate the greatest sales volumes, they also realize the importance of small-scale mining. In what perhaps could better be referred to as “traditional” underground mining, in the sense that it predominated before the advent of bulk-stoping systems, there has been a drive toward levels of mechanization that would have been unimaginable even 50 years ago, when hand drilling, the Eimco mucker and 1-ton side-tipping mine cars were the equipment standards.
Even today, of course, there are plenty of small-scale operations around the world where little has changed, for good reason in many cases. Following narrow-vein deposits can demand a level of accuracy that test’s a miner’s skills, while the need to minimize dilution is purely economic. In operations that are under-capitalized, with little spare cash for investment in both the machines and the support infrastructure needed to make the job easier physically, the status quo is as good as it gets.
That take on working life does, of course, assume that there is an adequate supply of labor that either already has, or can be taught, those skills that are needed to drive headings, stope ore and install whatever support is needed safely, efficiently and cost-effectively. And this is where the benefits of introducing an appropriate level of mechanization can be found—in relation to safety in particular.
One very clear trend to emerge over the past few years has been the introduction of drills, loaders and haulers powered not by diesel, but by electricity. With its cable- and battery-powered shuttle cars, the coal industry was ahead of the game in this respect, but hard-rock mining is now not only catching up, but is setting new standards for electric-powered machines.
And, with the recognition that power cables have disadvantages in terms of their operating radius and their vulnerability to damage, the focus is now on a new generation of battery-powered equipment. Driven by rapid increases in demand for capacity, rechargability and weight reduction, much of which has come from the automotive industry, battery technology has advanced at an amazing rate in the past 10 years or so. New concepts have been developed in the materials used, with today’s heavy-use battery light-years ahead of the lead-acid units that powered the mining locomotives of the mid-20th century.
Understandably, the manufacturers’ main thrust has been toward the introduction of this type of technology to those market segments likely to generate the most sales. Yet the signs are already apparent that battery power is reaching machines for narrow-vein mining as well. In addition to the improvements to the working environment for the machine operator, and the enhanced safety from avoiding the use of diesel fuel underground, the need for lower ventilation volumes can offer significant energy savings. All-in-all, electric power in general, and battery power in particular, looks like a winner for narrow-vein operations.
Aramine’s Battery miniLoader
With the launch of its battery-powered L120B miniLoader scheduled to take place at MINExpo 2016, the French company Aramine told E&MJ that it has created a real revolution in narrow-vein mining equipment. This will be the first in a new range of ecofriendly machines for this market, the company explained, bringing safety and working environment benefits while helping narrow-vein operations achieve good productivity.
According to Aramine, the new machines will retain the advantages of its electric drill and loader range in terms of low emissions and less noise, while improving operating flexibility and working conditions.
Simple to operate yet robust enough for the tough mining environment, the new L120B is powered by a lithium iron phosphate rechargeable battery pack—and is delivered with two of these packs to ensure productivity. In addition, it brings a major improvement in terms of safety compared to standard electric machines since there is no longer any need for a cable. This in turn gives the loader a greater working area as well as enhanced freedom of movement.
Aramine pointed out that not having a cable also means that there is no need for a reel mounted on the machine, cutting maintenance requirements and improving its overall reliability—as well as saving the cost of the expensive cable.
Since battery charging has a constant power draw, operation does not produce the current peaks and voltage drops associated with the use of cable-fed machines. In consequence, the company said, narrow-vein mines will be able to use a lower-capacity electric network infrastructure, also giving better network reliability as well as lower capex costs for its installation.
Aramine will introduce its L120B battery-powered LHD at MINExpo 2016.
Bolters Bring Better Safety
J.H. Fletcher & Co. currently offers three machines specifically for narrow-vein mines: The J101-AD/E single-boom drill jumbo, and the N3114-AD/E and N3016-AD/E roof bolters.
Initially developed for use in a gold mine in the western United States, the N3016-AD/E was designed to cut the time needed to install mesh and bolts each round, thereby improving safety and development efficiency, and saving costs. Equipped with a mechanized carousel and able to drill and install mesh simultaneously, it can install 6-ft bolts in a 3 × 3-m (10 × 10-ft) heading with a single operator.
Loading, drilling, resin insertion and bolting are all performed from the control deck, allowing the operator to remain under the protective canopy. An enclosed filtered cab with air conditioning and heating is also available as an option, further protecting the operator from noise, diesel particulates and dust.
The N3114-AD/E is designed for use in headings down to 2.4 m (8 ft) wide. The drill unit can reach a maximum height of 4.4 m (14 ft 6 in.), which eliminates the need for stope backfilling before roof support can be installed. With an articulating chassis, the machine can negotiate turns with as little as 2.5 m
(8 ft 3 in.) inside radius.
Drilling, resin insertion and bolting can all be performed from the operator’s boom-mounted basket, with canopies providing additional protection to the
operator in both the driving and work-
basket positions.
Meanwhile, the J101-AD/E drill jumbo is designed for narrow-vein applications with an overall width as small as 1.4 m (4 ft 8 in.). As with the other machines, it has diesel-powered tramming and electric drilling.
Equipped with proportional control of tram and boom functions, it can also accommodate a variety of rock drills.
The operator of a Fletcher N3016-AD/E roof bolter can install bolts and mesh simultaneously.
GHH to Launch New LHDs
Together with Hazemag, Mine Master and mts Perforator, GHH Fahrzeuge is part of the Schmidt, Kranz group’s “Mining Alliance.” For narrow-vein mining, the company offers LHDs with 3-, 4.5- and 6-mt payloads as well as 15- and 20-mt-capacity dump trucks, while its low-profile portfolio includes LHDs, mine trucks and scaling units.
GHH plans to introduce its new 3.5-mt-payload LF-3 LHD later this year. Only 1.5 m wide, it is powered by a 70-kW Tier 3-compliant Deutz air-cooled engine, with other engine options—including water-cooled versions for high-altitude applications—to follow. GHH said its “bar-of-soap” design minimizes impacts while the ultra-high-cycle-fatigue steel frame design provides the longest possible service life.
The company recently updated its 4.5-mt-payload LF-5 and 6-mt LF-6 LHDs with Tier 3-compliant engines, with a Tier 4 engine available for highly regulated markets. GHH claims that the LF-5 has the largest payload and power-per-weight ratio of its class, with a simple yet robust design that gives good availability.
GHH’s low-profile LHD range covers payloads from 3 mt to 14 mt for both soft- and hard-rock applications. The SLP-3H and SLP-14H units are designed for soft-rock mining and have hydrostatic drivetrains, while the company’s four hard-rock (platinum and chrome reef mining) machines cover payloads from 5 mt to 10 mt. In addition, the new 21-mt LF-21H LHD is available in a low-profile version.
Mine Master’s Dual-role Drill
Mine Master designed the Face Master 2.5NVDR development drill rig specifically for narrow-vein operations, aiming to minimize waste dilution. Capable of being adapted quickly and easily between face drilling and vertical long-hole drilling, even in tight headings, the rig uses a heavy-duty, two-axial rotary actuator to change its drill position from horizontal to vertical. An additional dump cylinder holds the drilling carriage in balance, so that it can always be orientated with the direction of working, independent of the boom direction.
Potential tramming instability issues with a narrow machine have been addressed by using a central oscillating vertical main pivot design, which evens out the tire load distribution, whatever the floor conditions. However, when drilling, the chassis needs to be rigid, so Mine Master has developed a state-of-the-art solution to convert the flexible, oscillating carrier to a rigid module.
Being a dual-purpose machine, the FM 2.5NVDR allows narrow-vein mines to standardize on drill equipment. Fewer spares are needed, while operator and maintenance training is focused on just one machine type.
Mine Master’s Face Master 1.4 low-profile drill rig has recently been given a water-cooled Tier 3-compliant engine as well as upgrades to meet the latest South African requirements. The hydraulic system has been modified to change quickly between blasthole and reamer drilling, which require different drifter setup parameters in terms of rotation and torque.
A 5-mt-payload SLP5 LHD, one of four low-profile machines for hard-rock mining from GHH Fahrzeuge.
Mine Master’s Dual-role Drill
Mine Master designed the Face Master 2.5NVDR development drill rig specifically for narrow-vein operations, aiming to minimize waste dilution. Capable of being adapted quickly and easily between face drilling and vertical long-hole drilling, even in tight headings, the rig uses a heavy-duty, two-axial rotary actuator to change its drill position from horizontal to vertical. An additional dump cylinder holds the drilling carriage in balance, so that it can always be orientated with the direction of working, independent of the boom direction.
Potential tramming instability issues with a narrow machine have been addressed by using a central oscillating vertical main pivot design, which evens out the tire load distribution, whatever the floor conditions. However, when drilling, the chassis needs to be rigid, so Mine Master has developed a state-of-the-art solution to convert the flexible, oscillating carrier to a rigid module.
Being a dual-purpose machine, the FM 2.5NVDR allows narrow-vein mines to standardize on drill equipment. Fewer spares are needed, while operator and maintenance training is focused on just one machine type.
Mine Master’s Face Master 1.4 low-profile drill rig has recently been given a water-cooled Tier 3-compliant engine as well as upgrades to meet the latest South African requirements. The hydraulic system has been modified to change quickly between blasthole and reamer drilling, which require different drifter setup parameters in terms of rotation and torque.
Mine Master’s FM 2.5NVDR handles both development and production drilling in one machine.
Joy Builds its Narrow-vein Range
Following its purchase of Canadian company MTI two years ago, Joy Global (itself now in the process of becoming part of Komatsu) used MTI’s product portfolio as the basis for its new hard-rock underground-mining division. According to Doug Eamer, the company’s manager of commercial and product management, Joy’s narrow-vein product line currently consists of 10 models of LHDs, trucks and development jumbos. In addition, he told E&MJ, there are five new narrow-vein machines in the pipeline, the first of which, the 4-mt-capacity 4LD LHD, will debut at MINExpo.
Eamer said the 4LD has a robust steel frame designed to help reduce downtime and extend equipment life. Joy claims that the machine offers best-in-class radial turns, ground speed and bucket action, while the Z-bar link bucket is the first to be implemented on an LHD of this size class. This improves the bucket dump time and allows the installation of a large enclosed cab—also an industry first, Joy said.
Joy’s most recent truck offering, the 16TD, has a focus on safety, featuring ground-level maintenance, three-point access and egress to the operator’s cab, operational interlocks, and the separation of heat and fuel sources.
Joy Global currently offers two narrow-vein development jumbos: the NV-1 and VR-11. Both are designed on four-wheel drive articulated carriers, with diesel-powered tramming and drilling off the mine electrics. Drill coverage ranges from 3 × 3 m to 4.5 × 4.5 m. The rigs are complemented by Montabert brand drifters—Joy having bought Montabert last year—which deliver improved safety, reliability and productivity, while reducing operating costs by up to 57%, Eamer told E&MJ.
The Joy 4LD, which will debut at MINExpo 2016, is the first machine in the company’s new narrow-vein range.
Atlas Copco’s Drill-rig Milestone
In May, Atlas Copco announced the availability of its first battery-driven product for mining—the Scooptram ST7 Battery. And while a 6.8-mt carrying
capacity may be on the high side for really narrow haulages, the company has set out its intentions clearly enough. “To make the greatest impact on the work environment and ventilation costs, a battery-driven loader was an obvious choice,” said Lars Senf, marketing
vice president.
At the end of 2014, Atlas Copco upgraded its Scooptram ST7LP low profile loader with a fully enclosed operator’s cab. Benefits over the previous canopy-only protection include full ROPS/FOPS protection, air conditioning and lower noise levels.
Late last year, Atlas Copco reported that it had then supplied more than 500 Boomer S1 D narrow-vein drill rigs since the model was launched in 2011. Delivered to the Sasa lead-zinc mine in Macedonia, the milestone unit joined a fleet of four S1 D rigs, five Scooptram ST3.5s and one ST7 and two Diamec 232 core-drilling rigs.
Just 1.4 m high and 8.5 m long, Atlas Copco’s Scooptram ST7LP now has a full ROPS/FOPS cab.
Paus Adds Narrow-vein Carriers
The narrow-vein PFL series of LHDs and Minca personnel carriers from Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik have hydrostatic drives and an articulated chassis for safe driving in confined spaces. The company recently updated its PFL loader series, all of which now feature a Z linkage for higher breakout force, and are available with both the latest European exhaust standards as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 engines.
The most recent addition to the range, the PFL 20, is a small machine with a
4-mt capacity. Paus is soon to launch its 1-mt-capacity PFL 5, while next year will see the introduction of the PFL 8 with a battery and a battery hybrid driveline.
Paus has also added to its utility vehicle range with units designed for small drifts. On show at MINExpo, the new Minca 5.1 man carrier is only 1.7 m wide and 1.7 m high, and is available with several diesel options and a newly developed battery hybrid driveline.
Another addition for confined spaces, the Universa 40 is an articulated utility vehicle similar to the Universa 50, but again smaller and lighter.
Paus now uses LED lighting systems on all of its machines to provide better visibility, while other standard features include ROPS/FOPS cabs and fire-suppression systems.
Designed for high-altitude operations, the Paus PFL 8 Z has a 0.8-m3 bucket and 1.8-mt payload.
Boart Longyear: Capacity With Compactness
As has been described in detail in our previous narrow-vein equipment reviews (September 2015, pp. 52–57 and March 2014, pp. 28–35), Boart Longyear’s StopeMate and StopeMaster long-hole rigs are compact, yet can offer hole depths of up to 25 m and 35 m, respectively. The StopeMate in particular is designed to operate in extremely confined spaces, and can be moved from level to level in a man cage without being broken down into its main component parts.
It is important to remember, of course, that hand drilling remains the mainstay of narrow-vein development and production in many small mines. Boart Longyear claims that its S250-M3 pneumatic drill offers a number of advantages over its standard S250 design, not least of which is a significant reduction in noise. Available in jackleg, stoper and sinker configurations, the S250-M3 also delivers more torque and faster rock penetration, the company said, while reduced vibration benefits the driller in terms of less fatigue and the drill itself through lower maintenance costs and longer service intervals.
Boart Longyear claims its S250-M3 drill produces less noise and vibration.
More on Sandvik’s DD211
Sandvik’s product portfolio for narrow-vein applications includes both drill rigs and loaders. Examples include the DD211 single-boom electrohydraulic development rig, launched in 2013, and the LH204E 4.5-mt-capacity electric LHD. Both have been in E&MJ previously.
Benefits claimed for the DD211 include its compact size and its ability to carry out all three of the main tasks needed in narrow-vein mining: development drilling, cross-cut drilling, and drilling production and bolt holes in the back and sidewalls.
Speaking at the time, Sandvik’s product manager, Johannes Välivaara, explained the company’s view. “Many of the easily extractable narrow-vein deposits have been depleted, and the remaining, less-accessible reserves call for more advanced technology,” he said. “The DD211 has advanced safety and ergonomic features that help prevent accidents and also make it easier to attract and retain a skilled workforce. Better, safer working conditions also improve productivity.”
