MECHANISED RAISE CLIMBER Redpath’s battery-powered raise climber uses lithium-ion batteries to propel the electric drive
Global contractor and engineering firm Redpath says its battery-powered mechanised raise-climber system and Wi-Fi communications for shaft sinking system, introduced to the Canadian mining industry in January, have been well received, as they improve mine safety and simplify mining operations.
The raise climber uses lithium-ion batteries to drive a single or double electric drive for an existing raise climber.
“The batteries offer a faster, safer, quieter and cleaner way of moving workers and their equipment to and from the work face in a raise climber. “This eliminates the need to add lengths of hose, as the raise climber ascends and reduces the emissions of harmful inhalants,” says Redpath engineering manager Rick Jylha.
The battery-powered system also enables high-efficiency area lighting for the work face and, as the raise climber descends, the electric drives reverse the operation to recharge the batteries.
The system was developed in Timmins, Ontario, and is being used at Canadian gold producer Goldcorp’s Cochenour gold project at the Red Lake complex, 230 km north-west of Dryden, in Ontario.
Meanwhile, Redpath states that its Wi-Fi communication system for shaft sinking significantly improves safety and efficiency standards during the sinking process.
“The Wi-Fi system is currently in use at several Canadian sites, including the Cochenour project; concentrated phosphate and potash producer Mosaic’s Esterhazy K3 mine site, in Saskatchewan; and Goldcorp’s Éléonore gold mine shaft, in Quebec,” Redpath concludes.