| MECHANISATION AND NEW MINING
TECHNOLOGIES |
| The focus on mechanisation and new mining technologies
includes accelerated modernisation of ancillary mining
functions as well as appropriate mechanisation of
conventional methods in stopes and elsewhere. |
|
| Modernisation |
Hydro-powered drill rigs are increasingly being used for high-speed flat-end development, raising and man-free box holing. A further nine flat-end mechanised development drill rig suites were commissioned in 2007 and two mechanised raise development drill rigs have been commissioned and are on trial. The focus is on the effective integration of these technology roll-outs in the mining plans. A non-throw loader has been developed and trials began in 2007.
Hand-held electric drilling machines, together with a
range of non-pneumatic ancillary equipment, have been
extensively trialled in several applications and are now
considered ready for roll-out at greenfield projects.
A remote-controlled hydraulic scraper winch prototype
was conceptualised, designed and manufactured during
2007. This concept machine is safer, more ergonomically
friendly to operate and more productive than the
conventional scraper winch. Trials and design changes
will continue in 2008.
Selection and pilot implementation of an electronic
centralised blasting system took place at Union and
Rustenburg Sections. First blasts using this new system
will be during 2008, followed by a Group-wide roll-out. |
| |
| Mechanisation |
There has been a steady increase in full and partial
trackless mechanised mining in Anglo Platinum. An
extra low-profile equipment suite has been developed
for the semi-steep dipping Amandelbult Section and
trials will start in 2008. Extra low-profile mechanised
mining presents the most significant opportunity for full mechanisation of our narrow tabular deposits with
conceptual designs completed for below 1.2 metre
stope widths. Increased resources will be allocated to
research and develop mechanised mining equipment
enabling mining below 0.9 metre stope widths.
There was continued focus in 2007 on developing
continuous mining methods involving rock cutting. The
activated drum system (ADS) was modified and
second-phase trials started during the year. The reef
mole (RM 800) is to undergo design modifications and
third-phase trials will start in 2008. The oscillating disc
cutter (ODC) test rig started surface cutting in 2007,
and this is to be followed by underground prototype
tests in 2008. This is part of the PlatTech Collaborative
research programme. |
| |
| Skills development for mechanisation |
| Anglo Platinum is developing two mechanised training
centres, one at Waterval to cater for the Western Limb
and the other at Twickenham to cater for the Eastern
Limb operations. These training centres will be equipped with state-of-the-art trackless mobile equipment
simulators and provide theoretical as well as practical
training for all employees, including management,
supervisors and operators. Skills development is
recognised as one of the key success factors in the
effective roll-out of trackless mechanised mining. |
| |
| Safety-related technologies |
There has been a surge in the trials and application of
safety-related technologies, including anti-collision devices,
at all track-bound underground operations, personnel
and vehicle detection systems, and scraper winch
signalling systems. A separate camera and radar system,
as well as a driver fatigue monitoring system, were fully
implemented on all trucks at the PPRust open-pit
operation. There is more detail on these investments in
Volume 2: Sustainable Development Report.
The table below presents defined degrees of
mechanisation and the associated attributable production
volumes in Anglo Platinum. |
| |
| Anglo Platinum mechanisation |
| |
2007 |
2006 |
| 2007 attributable underground production |
33 Mtpa |
35 Mtpa |
| Level 0 – Conventional mining |
57% |
59% |
| Level 1 – Level 0 plus stope drill rigs |
— |
— |
| Level 2 – Hybrid mining |
26% |
27% |
| Level 3 – Full trackless mechanised mining |
17% |
14% |
| Level 4 – Continuous rock-cutting |
— |
— |
|
|
|
