MechChem Africa August 2017

The mining industry has very specific cleaning challenges and any equipment used within a mine must comply with occupational health and safety requirements. The good news for the industry is that there is now a new generation of Nilfisk technology that is fit for this purpose. Cleaning the mining industry

ping on accumulated dust. This is particularly relevant on the concrete platforms between levels where big machines load dump trucks. Highly robust andmobile hotwatermachines such as the Novastar are available for this cleaning task. In some open cast mine workshops there are specialised sections to remove and clean engines, in which case the MH 5M or the Electra stationary unitwill do the jobdepend- ing on the size of machinery to be cleaned. Sweepers andautoscrubbers canbedeployed as well. Mines usually have their own labs for testing ore samples. In these environments, hazardous dust, spillages or very fine debris can cause issues. An industrial type vacuum cleaner such as the S2, S3, T40 or 3907 is required. These can run continuously and are ideally suited to fine debris. Oil spillages and sizable debris can be cleaned using automatic scrubber dryers and these are available in a range of sizes fromthe SC530 to a SC1500, while sweepers, such as the BK900 can also be used or, for bigger areas such as warehouses, the SR1601 or the SW8000. “Nilfisk cleaning equipment works faster, more safely and economically and, as a result, it lifts productivity and improves the work- place environment,” concludes Herold. q

G avin Herold, general manager for Africa and the Middle East for Nilfisk, one of the world’s leading suppliers of cleaning equipment, says that: “when used properly, Nilfisk tech- nology can improve cleanliness and safety

while lifting productivity and reducing costs.” Key improvements in recent times have been increased power for vacuums and water sprays, greater mobility, more customisable options, improved ergonomics, reduced consumable use and far easier maintenance. Inundergroundworkshops, washbays and onmachinery,thereareverystrictregulations on the type of equipment that can be used because of fumes, so there is now a bespoke range of electrically powered cleaning equip- ment that can deal with big or small spaces. An example is the Electra stationary pressure washer unit that has a number of safety features, including a thermostatically controlled overheating safety device and a lowwater cut out feature. These units can be tailor-made and fittedwith up to three hoses. Powerful autoscrubbers and sweepers with high brush pressures are also available for underground use in workshops and in areaswhere there is serious potential for slip-

Key improvements have been increased power for vacuums and water sprays, greater mobility, more customisable options, improved ergonomics, reduced consumable use and easier maintenance.

18 ¦ MechChem Africa • August 2017