Mining Developments News

Delivering energy savings of up to 60% and an increase in Free Air Delivery (FAD) of up to 21%, (compared to fixed-speed models), Atlas Copco’s the new GA 22 – 37 VSDs (Variable Speed Drive) air compressor range is in an efficiency class of its own. Along with its ultra-efficiency, this exceptional air compressor range also raises the bar on performance, reliability and connectivity thanks to cutting-edge designs and innovative technologies. Atlas Copco revolutionised the air compressor industry with the introduction of VSD technology. This global first meant that compressors could do something they had never been able to do before - match their motor speed to fluctuating air demands, realising exceptional energy savings and reliability. Later, Atlas Copco brought improvements to this technology with the VSD+. Now Atlas Copco once again sets new standards in VSD performance with the launch of the new VSDs air compressor series. Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s Business Line Manag...

SKF is pleased to announce the upgrade of the highly successful and renowned Cooper roller split bearings. With the new Cooper E-Series, SKF has managed to make an already excellent product even better to deliver a host of additional cost-, time- and safety-related benefits that will optimise machine availability and uptime, reduce operational costs, ultimately increasing plant production. SKF Cooper leads the market in innovative split bearing technology. Featuring several ground-breaking designs, these roller split bearings offer a cost- and time-efficient solution in the ‘trapped’ bearing position of machines. The argument for split bearings as the optimum solution for certain applications is simple. When using a split bearing, the drive coupling or the cantilevered drive and gearbox do not need to be dismounted during bearing replacement. As very few changes are required to the shaft alignment or driveline, realignment can be avoided altogether. The bearings can thus be easily ...

SKF recently secured an order for 600 MUDBLOCK cassette seals after these reliable products delivered excellent results during a punishing underground mining field test over a three-month period. SKF was asked by a long-standing customer, who is a leading supplier of braking systems for off-highway, industrial and underground mining equipment to end-users, to identify particular seals. “Having identified the products as cassette seals, we referenced them to our newly developed SKF MUDBLOCK (MUD11) cassette seals and received a quote from our customer for 300 pieces in Q3 2021,” says Andre Weyers, SKF Product Manager: Seals. Weyers explains that the name MUDBLOCK is derived from the fact that SKF originally designed these cassette seals for tractor applications in rice planting fields where the seals are submerged in water and mud. Presenting the perfect multi-lip cassette sealing solution, these seals have been specially engineered for heavy-duty jobs and to ensure reliable market-...

Epiroc launches SafeStart Programme to employees in a fun and memorable way “When it comes to ‘safety always’ behaviour, Epiroc’s values are clear – we want to protect what we value most, our people,” says Johnny de Mesquita, Epiroc Regional SHEQ Manager for Southern Africa. “The health and safety of all our employees, our customers and our business partners remain paramount. Our strict compliance to SHEQ legislation, ISO Standards, Industry Code of Practices, and customer requirements bears testament to our relentless commitment to ensuring that we provide a healthy, safe and protected working environment for each and every employee, contractor or visitor to our premises and buildings.” Epiroc Southern Africa, which includes South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe, has joined the list of Epiroc entities around the world in collaborating with SafeStart International, a global organisation that leads the way in human error reduction techniques training, injury red...

The new ultra efficient solar powered HiLight S2+ LED light tower from Atlas Copco The new cutting-edge, ultra-efficient HiLight S2+ LED light tower from Atlas Copco uses solar radiation as an energy source to deliver optimum performance and 2 000 m2 light coverage. “The fact that the HiLight S2+ is powered by a renewable energy source, i.e. the sun, not only means zero noise, zero fuel consumption and zero emissions, but also zero use of the planet’s finite resources while operating,” notes David Stanford, Atlas Copco Power Technique’s Business Line Manager, Portable Products. He adds that this HiLight light tower enables users to sustainably comply with noise and carbon emission regulations. Owing to the light tower’s ergonomic and user-friendly design, the unit can be quickly and easily set up for operation. The extendible solar panels are simply pulled out from the pop-up canopy and adjusted to best align with the sun’s position. The S2+ unit’s batteries can also be recharg...