Modern Mining June 2024

MINING EQUIPMENT

“autonomous-ready” and any customer who pur chases these products could at any stage in the future decide to integrate an autonomous driver-less system into the product. “From a safety, operational consistency and cost per tonne perspective, the autonomous-con trolled ADTs are potentially a game changer for the industry.” With the Northern Hemisphere, where the focus is on lowering costs, Bell expects to see a rapid uptake of autonomous products. Further to this, the implementation of new mining safety regulations in South Africa has driven demand for Proximity Detection System (PDS) solutions on new and existing equipment in the local mining sector. “This validates the forward-thinking design of our ‘PDS-ready’ ADTs, allowing seamless and cost-effec tive integration with any preferred detection system. As the market adjusts to the new regulatory land scape, we believe our PDS solutions establish Bell as a partner of choice for mines across the country,” Bell says. Bell Equipment is also expanding its focus to the underground mining space and over the past three years has been busy enhancing its underground Dump Truck, which has undergone a significant design review and update. Sales of these units have already begun to under ground mining operations in Africa. Building on its underground product offering, the company has developed a 6t LHD, two of which will be commissioned for testing in the coming months. Despite the forestry industry accounting for a small portion of sales, Bell Equipment recently developed a Bell Timber Processing Head for timber harvesting operations, which is expected to go into production during early 2025. 

Bell Equipment’s underground dump truck underwent a significant design review and update in line with the company’s focus on the underground mining space.

“Our engineering team continues to explore sev eral technologies to find suitable alternative fuel and propulsion solutions for a zero-carbon future,” he explains. According to Bell, every Bell ADT sold today is

The Bell Tracked Carrier features extremely low ground pressure and the ability to operate in wet, muddy conditions.

feature

30  MODERN MINING  June 2024