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COVER STORY
July 2016
MODERN MINING
21
The DS411 rock bolter is
completely mechanised and
controlled by a single opera-
tor from under a ROPS/FOPS
safety cabin or FOPS safety
canopy.
commissioned, each unit was able to be
manned by operators with experience and a
good technical understanding of the new tech-
nology. Having experienced operators deployed
on the machines from the outset was critical
for project manager Brent Alting, who was clear
about the scope and the targets for the new sup-
port drill rig.
Working together
The challenge Alting had set required the
same artisans to be migrated to the new
machines while at the same time ensuring only
a minimum increase in stockholding or parts
required. “In this case we were easily able to
comply thanks to prior training of artisans, as
well as the machines being compatible with
other Sandvik units on site with regard to com-
ponentry,” Pule says.
“Also, as a key partner to Finsch Diamond
Mine it has been particularly heartening to
know that the solution we have supplied is
easily able to keep up with production require-
ments, while simultaneously ensuring a safer
underground environment for all employees
concerned. In future, we also look forward
to working with the mine to further increase
bolting efficiency with the introduction of tech-
nologies such as our automatic resin injection
system that eliminates human error when load-
ing resins or shooting resin in the hole.”
He concludes that the success of the Finsch
Diamond Mine project is based on working
together with the customer to understand
their challenges and achieve results based on
their output requirements, while maintain-
ing responsibility for the environment, health
and safety.
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