MechChem Africa January 2019

⎪ Hydraulic and pneumatic systems ⎪

Long-term equipment hire a cost-saver for mining

Most mines hire equipment from time to time, explainsRand-Air’s business develop- ment manager for long-term rental, Henry Fourie. “On an open-pit mine, generators and lighting plant are most frequently hired but somemining contractors also use our high-pressure diesel compressors for exploration as well as blast-hole drilling,” he explains. During shaft sinking, mines will use electric or diesel 1500 cfmmachines. Once the mine is established, Rand-Air is also capable of supplying air from the surface for the underground mining operations to power rock drills of various types. “For this, a popular choice is the 1 765 to 2 119 cfm electric machines, which we have supplied in various quantities, from as few as two units up to 10 units in a compressor bank,” he continues. Rand-Air also has specially modified electric units for use underground. Amajor deep-level goldmine, for example, will have a two kilometre deep shaft and it can be as far as a kilometre or more to the rock face where drilling is actually happening. Some of South Africa’s older mines also have surface compressors feeding air undergroundwhich have been operational for some time. With these compressors, there is a much greater chance of periodic failures, which can take some time to repair. During these periods, hire compressors can play a cardinal role in keeping themine operational. Asked what hire period constitutes a long-term rental, Fourie says that one

mining company has had long-term rental equipment from Rand Air for 12 years. “With long-term rentals, we offer very favourable service level agreements with rapid response times forming a key part of the agreements,” he continues. A further factor in favour of long-term rentals is that the mine does not have to employ skilledpeople specifically to service and maintain compressors or generators. With short-term and long-term rentals, customers arealways assuredof aRand-Air machine that will look and perform as well as a brand-new unit. Rand-Air service technicians are as- siduous in supporting rentals. Should a customer ever experience difficulty with a rental unit, the Rand-Air staff member concerned is prepared to field calls from the mine – even in the middle of the night. If need be, after such a call, the sales repre- sentative will phone a technician who will immediately drive to the mine and rectify any issues. “Rand-Air takes full responsibil- ity for maintenance as we pride ourselves on our service levels, response times and knowledge of our equipment,” he explains, adding that, depending on the number of machines on site, Rand-Air will allocate a dedicated staffmember to ensure continu- ous performance of hire equipment. “Anyone who works in the mining environment knows what a challenging environment it is,” asserts Fourie. “So having someone to provide trouble-free compressed air, power or lighting benefits the mine in every way,” he says. q

Hytec is a member of the Hytec Group of Companies, Africa’s largest fluid power and automation company. It comprises eight specialist companies: Hytec Holdings, Hytec, Tectra Automation, Hytec Fluid Technology, Hydraulic and Automation Warehouse, Hytec Engineering, Hytec ServicesAfrica and HYSA, which collectively source, market and distribute over 30 international hydraulic, pneumatic and automation brands. The Hytec Group became a wholly owned subsidiary of its longstanding technology partner Bosch Rexroth AG. q

Rand-Air also has specially modified electric units for use underground, which are well suited to deep- level gold mines, for example.

January 2019 • MechChem Africa ¦ 15