Posted by Daniel Gleeson on fifth September 2024
Epiroc has determined to part out its Cellular Miner idea line inside 2024, 14 years after the corporate (below Atlas Copco) initiated it.
The Cellular Miner idea line was developed and demonstrated in shut partnership between Epiroc and chosen companions, together with Anglo American. Upon launch, Epiroc invested within the growth of three models: the 22H, 40V and 55V. Within the years which have handed, this has been refined right into a two-product household, the 22H and 40V – each of which have been designed for particular mining strategies and constraints.
These Cellular Miners, which leverage undercutting expertise, include two main elements: the rear “energy unit” and the entrance “miner”. The miner incorporates the cutterhead and every little thing wanted to excavate ore; the facility unit comprises all of the motors, pumps, floor help and management techniques. Every unit is roughly 10 m in size, with the 2 elements linked by an articulation joint to enhance manoeuvrability for negotiation of tight corners in addition to minimise vibration within the operator’s cab.
The most important Cellular Miner is the 40V, which is usually utilized in small-to-medium-sized tunnels and cut-and-fill mining requiring 4 m x 4 m advances. The V signifies the cutter head is positioned vertically – versus the H of the 22H, positioned horizontally – with the acknowledged advance fee of the machine being 10-15 m/d relying on the rock kind.
Harking back to a conventional TBM, the primary 40V was scheduled to be deployed at Hecla Mining’s Fortunate Friday mine in Idaho, USA, after intensive work by each Hecla and Epiroc to tailor the machine to the veins that will be mined on the seismically lively operation. The profitable utility of a brand new mining technique – Underhand Closed Bench – on the mine just lately led to Hecla deciding towards the machine’s use at Fortunate Friday.
The 22H – with sure diversifications – was beforehand examined on the Twickenham PGM mine in Limpopo Province, South Africa, the place it superior at over 10 m/d in 140-150 MPa UCS rock in a trial that was curtailed because of the mine being positioned on care and upkeep. It’s designed for low-seam or low-profile mining the place tunnels as little as 2.2 m are required.
Rickard Johansson, Vice President Advertising for Epiroc’s Underground division, mentioned of the corporate’s choice to part out the Cellular Miners: “We repeatedly consider our portfolio to make sure we preserve a wholesome, worthwhile and aggressive providing for our clients. We’re dedicated to proceed work carefully with our companions in the course of the phase-out interval.”
The OEM says it would part out the Cellular Miner idea line inside 2024 and can work carefully with its companions in exiting ongoing initiatives.
