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Chairlift installation at Kroondal almost complete

1st February 2013

By: Samantha Herbst

Creamer Media Deputy Editor

  

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The installation of a second chairlift system for platinum-group metals major Aquarius Platinum’s (AQP’s) K6 Decline project, in the North West province, will soon be completed by mining communications, automation and safety solutions specialist Becker Mining South Africa.

The project is part of AQP’s Kroondal platinum mine, a 50:50 pooling-and-sharing agreement between AQP and Anglo American Platinum subsidiary Rustenburg Platinum Mines.

Becker Mining South Africa was awarded a contract in March last year for the second phase of the K6 Decline project, which realised the design, manufacturing and installation of a 530 m chairlift system, with a rope speed of 1.5 m/s at a 11° incline and the capacity to transport 600 people an hour.

By the time the second-phase contract was awarded, Becker Mining had already completed the installation of a 380 m chairlift system for AQP.

The initial system has a rope speed of 1.5 m/s and is designed to transport up to 600 people an hour at an 11° incline.

Becker Mining product manager Anthony Labuschagne says the capacity of the company’s chairlift systems can be increased to 900 people an hour, if necessary.

He adds that the installation of the first chairlift system, a collaboration between Becker Mining, AQP and mining solutions provider DRA Mining, was completed in a record time of four months, compared with the aver- age six-month project life span.

“This is also one of the first projects in South Africa where a chairlift has been completed before the mine is fully operational,” says Labuschagne.

This year, a third chairlift installation at Kroondal’s K6 Decline project will be put out to tender.

Product Specifications

Becker Mining’s chairlift systems are designed and manufactured for AQP at the Becker Group’s Alrode facility, in Gauteng, according to stringent local and international mine haulage safety regulations.

“Becker’s modular, low-maintenance and structurally robust chairlift systems are designed to transport personnel quickly, efficiently and safely underground,” says Labuschagne.

A fail-safe braking system, which is spring activated and hydraulically released, has been incorporated into the system. In emergencies, the chairlift system can also be used to transport injured workers safely back to the surface.

Another critical safety feature of the chairlift system is the electronic management information system pull-key switch, which was specially modified for the K6 Decline project. A 30 kW energy efficient drive motor has also been incorporated into the chairlift.

Further, the project entailed the manufacture and installation of the drive house and arch tunnels, from the surface to Dip 1. Becker Mining was respon- sible for erecting the chairlift drive house, mechanical and electrical installations and all civils work.

The chairlift underground transport systems can also be supplied with reliable diesel- driven generator sets to ensure the safety of miners during a power outage.

“Becker Mining is committed to providing new product designs that adhere to manufacturing standards and that consider the cost efficiency, as well as the safety and reliability of an underground transportation system,” says Labuschagne.

About 70% of Becker Mining’s work is dedicated to the platinum industry and, as a result of the sector’s safety stoppages and prolonged wage strikes last year, most of the company’s capital orders had to be put on hold.

Nevertheless, Labuschagne is confident in the outlook for this year.

Becker Mining has enjoyed an ongoing business relationship with AQP since it tendered for the installation of Kroondal’s first chairlift system in 2011. The company has been awarded other contract work by the mining major, including pump and leaky feeder-system installations, as well as equipment transport services.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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