The CXT Explorer is a mobile field workshop that can be used when prospecting in the mining industry, says crane manufacturer Konecranes South Africa service, sales and marketing director John MacDonald.

The Finland-developed CXT Explorer – a combination of a 6.3 t mobile overhead crane, travelling on a gantry, supported by two sturdy containers – makes for a fully equipped workshop that can literally be set up anywhere.

The explorer is imported as a predesigned package in a standard 6.09 m International Organisation for Standardisation-accredited shipping container, with a carefully selected range of standard functions and optional extras. MacDonald says these comprise a full CXT electric overhead crane of about 1 250 kg, supported by two containers and an electric or manual hoist.

Meanwhile, the containers are placed onto the ground and the supporting steel structure is built on top, secured with twist locks. The shipping containers can be used as storage for the crane components, service tools, equipment and spare parts.

He says the workshop can also be used in the construction, agriculture and defence sectors; oil exploration – onshore and offshore drilling; for vehicle maintenance; and natural gas compressor stations.

Although, internationally, the CXT Explorer is used only for military purposes, it received mining exploration enquiries during the Africa Aerospace and Defence Air Show and Defence exhibition, held at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Centurion, in September.

First introduced to the European market in 2015, the explorer is easily transported.

Further, the explorer is an ideal solution as a portable workshop with lifting and handling capabilities that can be assembled within three hours of arrival on site. The entire system can either plug into an available electricity grid or run on generator power.

MacDonald states that, to relocate the crane, it is uninstalled and placed back into the container and is ready to go.

“This explorer can be used anywhere, including at difficult-to-reach outlying areas on mines, where lifting is required,” he concludes.