Modern Mining June 2015

PRODUCT News

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MODERN MINING



June 2015

Caterpillar and Barloworld Power have

launched a combined initiative to assem-

ble Cat electric power generators in South

Africa to meet rising demand, reduce unit

cost and promote localisation.

As the first Cat equipment assembly

unit to be established in South Africa, the

new facility marks a significant milestone

in the partnership between Caterpillar and

Barloworld Power, its Southern African

dealer for Energy and Transportation.

The generators are supplied in kit form

and assembled locally from scratch,

contributing to the drive for localisa-

tion and enabling the transfer of new

and valuable skills to South African

employees. This also enables the Cat

units to compete on a more even

footing with locally manufactured

equivalents.

“The assembly facility is a major

step forward in Barloworld Power and

Caterpillar’s growth aspirations across

Southern Africa,” says Mark Mencel,

Executive Director of Barloworld Power

Southern Africa.

“We are now assembling Cat branded

generators at our Boksburg, Gauteng,

premises that have the same highest

quality standards for which Caterpillar

is renowned worldwide. Barloworld

Power can now offer truly competitive

Cat products while aligning with govern-

ment objectives in local employment and

development.”

“This initiative between Barloworld and

Caterpillar promotes localisation and lever-

Barloworld Power to assemble Cat generators locally

A 550 kVA Cat C15 diesel generator set is assembled at

Barloworld Power’s Boksburg facility.

ages our excellent capabilities to provide a

local solution for South Africa,” adds Chris

Monge, Caterpillar Area Manager. “This

represents a significant investment in the

local economy to support our growth strat-

egy in the power business.”

The assembly unit was set up with the

assistance of experts from Caterpillar’s

power systems assembly factory in India

and is being managed and staffed by

Barloworld Power. Initially the facility will

assemble the Cat i6 and 400 series genera-

tor sets, ranging from 400 kVA to 1 000 kVA

and suited to the provision of standby

power for medium to large industries.

Barloworld plans to produce about 500

units a year, expanding according to mar-

ket demand.

The first two pilot 550 kVA genera-

tor kits, supplied by Caterpillar in China,

were sold before they arrived in South

Africa. They were assembled and delivered

by Barloworld Power in the last week in

February 2015.

Barloworld Power, tel (+27 11) 898-0000

Range of safety chambers from Strata Safety

Strata Safety refuge chambers are complete

safety systems designed to provide imme-

diate refuge and breathable air in the event

that air quality in the working environment

becomes compromised. They are intended

to be an alternative option when escape is

not possible.

The

Emergency Refuge Chamber (ERC)

is a steel walk-in chamber that connects to

the main power and air sources of the mine.

If mains power is lost, the system switches

to a battery back-up. If mains air is lost,

chambers are equipped with oxygen cylin-

ders and an active carbon dioxide scrubber.

The ERC has 24 V lighting and can be fitted

with an optional air-conditioning unit.

The

Strata Safety Chamber (SSC)

is a

walk-in chamber designed for the unique

requirements of the coal mining environ-

ment. Strata Safety designed a completely

powerless walk-in chamber. This unit is

standalone with air and other supplies

to last up to 96 hours. The chamber is

equipped with compressed air cylinders,

oxygen cylinders and an air-powered CO

scrubber. Lighting is provided by approved

flashlights and cooling as needed.

All chambers include an airlock com-

partment and optional purge air, padded

seating, storage, food, water, a gas monitor,

first aid and a toilet. All are manufactured

with a skid base, fork-lift guides and lift-

ing facilities. Wheel and hitch packages are

optional.

The

Strata Safe Room (SSR)

is a pre-con-

structed refuge room, designed to provide

protection and breathable air to miners

trapped underground in emergency situ-

ations. SSRs come equipped with modular

kits, including air conditioning, breathable

air, storage, and other essential supplies.

The

Strata Safety Fresh Air Bay (FAB)

is a portable powerless inflatable ref-

uge chamber constructed from durable,

flame-retardant material. It is stored in an

explosion-resistant steel skid until deploy-

ment. In an emergency, the bay is inflated

directly from the skid using compressed air

cylinders and is filled with breathable air as

it inflates. Oxygen cylinders and an air pow-

ered, active CO

scrubbing systemmaintain

breathable air.

The

Strata AIRDOC®

is a change-over

station designed specifically to provide

a clean, well-lit environment in which to

exchange self-contained self-rescue (SCSR)

units and communicate during self-escape.

Strata SP Mine Safety, tel (+27 12) 450-0960,

e-mail:

info@strata-safety.co.za