Extensive trials of US-headquartered wire rope manufacturer WireCo WorldGroup’s PowerMax-branded dragline hoist and drag ropes, concluded last month, have “conclusively demonstrated” that the company’s system offers openpit mining entities a safer operational environment, WireCo Africa regional manager Ron Byrnes tells Mining Weekly.

The trials, that were conducted at a global coal producer’s mine, in South Africa, also showed that the system’s rope service lasts about 70% longer than ropes from other manufacturers, he adds.

Further, Byrnes notes that the company’s Ara-Boom-branded, aramid-fibre (high-performance fibres, with molecules characterised by relatively rigid polymer chains) synthetic dragline mid-boom suspension assemblies, have been installed on three draglines at another prominent global coal producer’s mine in South Africa.

He states that WireCo’s application of Ara-Boom for dragline mid-boom suspension assemblies is a first on the African continent.

“Ara-Boom offers proprietary product attributes, resulting in safer installation, significantly extended service life and no maintenance, all of which are in contrast to conventional steel spiral-stranded suspension assemblies,” Byrnes avers.

Moreover, he says WireCo installed its first Casar-branded six-stranded triangular mine winder ropes at a leading gold company’s mine, in South Africa, in June 2013.

“Early indications are that Casar is positioned to outperform locally and internationally manufactured six-stranded triangular mine winder ropes, in addition to creating a safer working environment, owing to the product’s unique attributes.”

These mine winder ropes are made with triangular outer strands, which are fully lubricated, laid up over a fibre core. The rope’s design and manufacturing process, increases surface contact with winder drum grooves and sheaves, resulting in a significant reduction in outer strand wear.

Additionally, induced torque, owing to the effect of in-service load characteristics on the rope, is reduced by up to 50%, resulting in safer work environments.

Byrnes points out that the company performed a comprehensive six-month-long series of destructive tests on this product in Zambia, between January and June last year, which culminated in the system receiving official approval by the Zambian Mine Safety Department in April 2014.

2015 Outlook

Byrnes says, owing to the company’s successes of 2014 in underground and openpit mining operations in South Africa and Zambia, “it is envisaged that WireCo is well positioned to enhance and sustainably entrench its footprint in Southern Africa”.

He highlights that, in a competitive market, and as a result of the global decline in resource pricing, WireCo’s product offering enables mining entities to contain operational expenditure, while maintaining the highest safety standards.
“WireCo’s singular project for 2015 is the enhancement of its brand footprint across the mining sector and the sustainable entrenchment of its ‘best in class’ underground and openpit wire and synthetic rope products.”

He says the company also aims to introduce its range of enhanced metallurgy dragline drag ropes during the first quarter of this year.

“An agreement with a global coal producer in South Africa was concluded in November to introduce the system to its mines during this period,” says Byrnes.

Meanwhile, he states that WireCo expects a continuation of depressed global resource pricing throughout 2015.

“This suggests that there will be increased pressures on the mining sector to contain operational expenditure. “Therefore, we believe it is fundamental that WireCo continues to reinforce its long-term partnerships within the mining sector,” Byrnes emphasises.

Mining Indaba Focus
WireCo has regularly attended the Mining Indaba as an exhibitor since 2012.

“Our participation at Mining Indaba is singularly aimed at increasing awareness of and enhancing WireCo’s brand footprint. “The event offers the opportunity to showcase the company’s product offering to key decision- makers in the mining sector from across the African continent,” states Byrnes.

He says the company will exhibit its under-ground and surface mining ropes, and will also introduce its new product line.

The Investing in African Mining Indaba takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from February 9 to 12.