Innovative solutions at Kroondal
October 2004
News
Information Security
Products & Solutions
In-house expertise at B&W Instrumentation and Electrical has resulted in the design and manufacture of innovative, purpose-built equipment to streamline operations on the company's 18-month electrical contract at AQP (SA)'s Kroondal Platinum Mine near Rustenburg.
To surmount the challenges at Kroondal, veteran director, Tom Lombaard, designed an industry-first electric cable winch and also conceived specifications for the complete rebuilding of secondhand 4x4 vehicles for use underground.
The contract at Kroondal Platinum mine includes the underground installation of conveyors, ventilation fans, lighting, substations, gully rigs and a ring main feeder, and involves many hundreds of metres of electrical cabling. The new winch enables the lowering of cables down boreholes up to 250 m deep instead of the conventional time-consuming and often dangerous practice of raising cables from underneath using turfors.
The winch has been tested and certified by Acoustosonics as compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and capable of lowering up to 36 tons of cabling. It is fitted with two mechanical brakes on the drum and an hydraulic brake on the motor and gearbox.
Low-slung vehicles
B&W's new mine vehicles, formerly a Toyota Hilux 4x4 Diesel bakkie and a Toyota Land Cruiser, were rebuilt at the company's workshop in Alberton to a height of 1,2 m and 1,4 m respectively. The available height in the mine's decline shafts is about 1,7 m. The rebuilding of the vehicles included the removal and repositioning of the suspension, engine and driveshaft and fitting a new body, lower roll bar and mine-spec dead man's brakes. The vehicles are designed with a flat load bin for the transport of equipment and have been resprayed with mine-spec stonechip paint and rubberised inside. The pictures show the bakkie before and after the rebuild.
The Kroondal contract was awarded to B&W by Dowding, Reynard and Associates (DRA) and forms part of the Pooling & Sharing (PSA) Project at the mine.
For more information contact Ken Nel, B&W Instrumentation and Electrical, 011 907 1663, [email protected]
Further reading:
BMG’s machine tools on show at Machine Tools Africa
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
News
BMG will be participating at the Machine Tools Africa exhibition. Its stand will showcase the company’s comprehensive range of quality branded tools and equipment, which has been carefully selected by specialists, to meet the exact requirements of customers in diverse sectors.
Read more...
Enlit Africa reimagines energy security in Africa
News
The prestigious Enlit Africa 2024 exhibition has the goal of addressing the very real energy security concerns felt by companies across Africa.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: The digital deluge
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
One of the issues arising out of our newfound ability to generate our own electricity is the ability to store it. BESS systems are the order of the day, and we regularly run stories on this new development.
...
Read more...
Turck Banner welcomes Ivan De Waal as new managing director
Turck Banner Southern Africa
News
Turck Banner Southern Africa is pleased to announce the appointment of Ivan De Waal as its new managing director.
Read more...
University of Pretoria unveils immersive technology laboratory
News
The University of Pretoria’s faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology is proud to announce the launch of its new Immersive Technology Lab at the Department of Information Science. This cutting-edge facility marks a significant milestone in the university’s journey towards integrating advanced immersive technologies into its curriculum and research initiatives.
Read more...
IS3 X-Change 2024 conference
News
X-Change is an annual gathering of tech enthusiasts, industry leaders and visionaries pushing the boundaries of innovation. Join IS
3 for an immersive experience that celebrates the latest in technology and fosters networking opportunities, and discover how your organisation can benefit from AVEVA software and the IS
3 industry solution partner ecosystem.
Read more...
Exploring the role of AI in recruitment
News
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, the integration of AI is proving to be transformative across various industries. Thankfully, and in contradiction to what many people believe, AI enhances many functions, rather than replacing real people.
Read more...
Cybersecurity and AI
AI & Data Analytics Information Security
Cybersecurity is one of the primary reasons that detecting the commonalities and threats of what is otherwise completely unknown is possible with tools such as SIEM and endpoint protection platforms.
Read more...
Celebrating three decades of innovation in Africa's premier industrial software conference
News
With a rich 29-year history, the X-Change User Conference stands as Africa's largest and most prestigious annual gathering dedicated to industrial software and related technology. Hosted by Industry Software Solutions & Support (IS
3), this year, X-Change 2024 promises to be even more impactful as it celebrates three decades of innovation and collaboration.
Read more...
Powering business resilience and field operations
Infrastructure Products & Solutions
[Sponsored] The Anker 757 Portable Power Station emerges as a strategic asset for businesses looking to overcome power instability and the demand for operational efficiency in remote and field-based environments.
Read more...
printer friendly version