EXCEEDING TARGETS The Eickhoff CM2H-30 continuous miner on trial at Forzando mine has exceeded the 5.8 t/min target, achieving an average of 7.23 t/min
The Eickhoff CM2H30 continuous miner supplied to coal miner Total Coal South Africa’s (TCSA’s) Forzando mine, in Mpumalanga, has reportedly exceeded the 5.8 t/min tender production rate requirement in 26 measured shifts of eight hours each.
The 73 t continuous miner, supplied by the South African subsidiary of underground mining equipment and industrial gearboxes manufacturer Eickhoff, began trials at the mine last month and reached the 49 m advance target at an average 2 m seam height in just four shifts.
“We are tracking the continuous miner at Forzando very closely and are monitoring the sumping, shearing and loading rates to achieve the set production target,” says Eickhoff South Africa MD Francois van Tonder, who adds that a stone band, which runs across the coalface, has made implementing the correct sumping sequence to achieve the production targets challenging.
He highlights that the successful tender during the six-month trial of a continuous miner is a significant milestone for the company, as this is a great opportunity where Eickhoff’s latest continuous miner technology will be showcased at a local large-scale mining operation.
“Through our partnership with TCSA, we are not only demonstrating our quality product and service offering but also expressing that Eickhoff is committed to supplying continuous mining solutions to the South African mining market.”
Eickhoff marketing and sales manager Gerhard Lategan further notes that TCSA has the option to buy the equipment from Eickhoff following the conclusion of the trial in February next year.
The tender process for the trial started in December last year, with Eickhoff being announced the successful bidder in July this year, he adds.
The continuous miner on trial at Forzando is the first Eickhoff continuous miner equipped with a proximity detection system, which was a requirement of the tender.
TCSA further required that a methane monitoring system, a scrubber system, a water spray system, area and directional lighting, and 3" laced drums be fitted. The tender requirement for the continuous miner further stipulated a cutting height of 3 m.
The wireless remote-controlled CM2H-30 has a cutting range of 1.4 m to 3 m and employs a hydraulic traction motor system, which “provides significant advantages in wet and muddy-floor conditions,” Lategan explains.
These systems limit the damage to floors and perform better when advancing at inclines.
Further, the continuous miner has no on-board transformer, but rather has all the electronics mounted in a flameproof electrical distribution box, which makes access for maintenance and troubleshooting easier. The CM2H-30 also employs a variable-flow hydraulic pump, which limits energy expended by the hydraulics and heat loss.
In addition, the unit employs two separate cutter gearboxes, which are powered by two 150 kW cutter motors.
Lategan notes that Eickhoff is also providing technical support for TCSA by making available two field-service technicians, working in alternating shifts, should there be machine breakdowns, to limit time lost because of equipment downtime.
He adds that the technicians will remain on site for 12 consecutive maintenance schedules, which takes place every two weeks for eight hours, providing TCSA’s maintenance team with support and on-the-job training.
Eickhoff also provided a maintenance trainer to ensure that TCSA’s maintenance team correctly handles and maintains the CM2H-30. The trainer also helped integrate the company’s original-equipment manufacturer maintenance requirements into the maintenance systems of TCSA.
Van Tonder points out that while Eickhoff’s technicians provide assistance, TCSA’s maintenance team predominantly conducts the maintenance.
The CM2H-30 arrived at Eickhoff’s workshop in Germiston, Johannesburg, in July and was delivered on site after only three weeks – a particular highlight for Van Tonder, who explains that the company had to complete the final assembly, as well as all the necessary quality inspections and testing before the continuous miner could be delivered.