Pneumatics solutions provider Pneumax Southern Africa is repairing imperial mine cylinders at South Africa-based platinum mining major Anglo Platinum’s various operations, Pneumax procurement and contracts manager Eugene van der Lith tells Mining Weekly.

These pneumatic cylinders are used to open and close underground chute boxes, which collect ore from mines that is then processed to collect precious metals and minerals. The cylinders are, in turn, operated by pneumatic spring-return lever valves, also known as dead man valves, enabling operators to manually open and close chute boxes.

Pneumax notes that demand has increased since engineers and quality and safety representatives from several mines started promoting the use of pneumatic spring- return lever valves.

“This valve is safer, more robust and less expensive than our competitors’ valves. It has one-inch continuous-flow ports and was designed for heavy-duty application and long-term operation,” says Van der Lith.

Pneumax, which also supplies a range of mining products, such as imperial mine cylinders, explains that the valve is ergonomically designed for comfort and safety – the two doors of the chute will automatically close, should an operator abandon the valve.

“We ensure that our products adhere to all safety procedures stipulated by the Department of Labour in the Machinery and Occupational Safety Act, which states that a valve must return to the closed position after operation,” Van der Lith explains.

The valve can be installed in any posi- tion, is designed to endure all weather and generally does not need servicing. The unique part of the valve is the locking device, which is designed to lock it in the closed position, preventing operators from tampering with the valve. Personnel with access to the key will unlock the valve when it is safe to do so, explains Pneumax.

The company supplies spring-return lever valves to mines in Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa.