Modern Mining March 2019

PRODUCT News

AfroxPac 35i self-rescuers more dependable than ever division’s move to new facilities on the Afrox Germiston Campus in 2017was expected to deliver results, especially from the all-new ‘dry-room’ chamber where the breathing apparatus – the heart of the AfroxPac 35i – is assembled under strict, climatically con- trolled, moisture-free conditions. and better production and consistency in the quality of the self-rescuer. According to Rowlands, the Afrox­ Pac 35i is ideal for tough African mining conditions in that it complies with the demanding SANS1737:2008 standard for self-rescuers, having the added dimension of accelerated durability testing which does not feature in other international standards.

Safeguarding miners against toxic smoke and oxygen- deficient atmosphere is vital for protecting underground workers. Manufactured by Afrox, the AfroxPac 35i is a closed-circuit, chemi- cal oxygen generating, body-worn emergency breathing device pri- marily used for escaping toxic atmosphere in mines. The self-contained self-res- cuers (SCSRs) are collectively carried by underground min- ers in Africa for more than 1,5 million hours each day, deliv- ering life-saving oxygen in an emergency. Peter Rowlands, Business Manager Afrox Self-Rescue

Two years on, batch testing results on new AfroxPacs, performed independently by the Accredited Testing Authority (CSIR), have realised the benefits of the Afrox investment, providing simulated breathing durations that are consistently above 35 minutes. This provides a significant margin of safety compared to the rated duration of 30 minutes. “Considering the exposure to harsh conditions of use over many years in our customers’ mining environments, this provides the assurance that their escape strategies can be planned according to the rated breathing duration of the AfroxPac 35i,” says Rowlands. The climate-controlled dry room, essential for handling moisture-sensitive chemicals, has advanced instrument con- trol and improved ergonomics, allowing for improved material flow and regulation

“Our division is perfectly positioned to offer state-of-the-art technology and system design products for efficient bulk handling solutions,” states Jacques Steyn, General Manager of Materials Handling at thyssen­ krupp Industrial Solutions South Africa. “Our all-inclusive range of bulk materials handling equipment includes bucket wheel excavators, crushers, feeders, overland and plant conveyors, stackers, reclaimers, trans- fer cars, as well as trains and ship loading and unloading systems.” Shifting focus to its world-class conveyor belt technology, the division’s most recent innovation, the Mega Pipe, was developed in collaboration with a key supplier and business partner. The Mega Pipe effectively enables the transportation of material out of a mine pit at 35 to 45 degree incline angles. “The ability to escape a pit at such high angles greatly minimises belt length and enables customers to use routes that are not used by other equipment,” notes Steyn. “It also supports the push of mining companies to reduce CO 2 emissions by replacing the pre- viously required mining trucks,”adds Steyn. thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions (South Africa), tel (+27 11) 236-1000 The AfroxPac 35i was first launched in 2012 and replaced the original AfroxPac 35, with significant advances including improved long-term breath- ing performance and heat resistance, increased protection of high-wearing points on the external protective casing, and the inclusion of an internal seal add- ing an extra barrier to moisture ingress while providing for improved chemical containment. Peter Rowlands, Afrox Self-Rescue Division, e-mail: peter.rowlands@afrox.linde.com Afrox has successfully designed, manu- factured and marketed AfroxPac SCSRs since 1996 and many underground mining workers escape hazardous mining condi- tions safely each year using the units.

The AfroxPac 35i has been designed for tough African mining conditions.

Division, says that the division is ISO9001 and ISO14001 compliant, and maintains an ethos of “A life depends on it” which dominates every aspect of manufacture from production right through to post- production support. Accordingly, the

Ground-breaking solutions unveiled at Mining Indaba Leading engineering company thyssen- krupp Industrial Solutions South Africa unveiled its latest technology and digital solutions at a press conference during the recent Mining Indaba in Cape Town. a large throughput and application in hardrock mining as well as a small footprint that is suited for underground crush- ing applications. “We are excited to have sold our first units and we look forward to receiving feedback from our customers,” comments Wilfred Barkhuizen, General Manager of Minerals Processing and Energy & Sugar at thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions South Africa.

“thyssenkrupp has been a trusted sup- plier of premium quality products and services to the Sub-Sahara African min- ing industry for decades,” states Philipp Nellessen, CEO of thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions Sub Sahara Africa. “In order to keep up with the evolving market, we have placed Industry 4.0 at the crux of operations which will in turn be to the ultimate benefit of our customers.” The company’s Minerals Processing divi- sion which concentrates on comminution also boasts one of the largest crushing and grinding technology portfolios, which is customised to customers’ plant process requirements. The division recently launched two new innovations: the Eccentric Roll Crusher (ERC) and online monitoring of the High-Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR). Equipped with state-of-the-art features, the new Eccentric Roll Crusher delivers

Based on over three decades of proven grinding technology, thyssenkrupp has enhanced the HPGR through the devel- opment of several innovative process enhancements and application. The HPGR application ensures improved process effi- ciency and optimised power usage. The machine’s dry grinding technology assists customers in optimising water consumption and in reducing total overall cost of owner- ship. With these new developments, it is now possible to monitor HPGR performance remotely including continuous wear mea- surement and notifications of stud breakage. thyssenkrupp’s Materials Handling divi- sion caters to customers from pit-to-port.

54  MODERN MINING  March 2019