Epiroc expands portfolio with Weco acquisition

Epiroc has agreed to acquire the business of Weco Proprietary Ltd., a South African manufacturer of precision-engineered rock drilling parts and provider of related repairs and services. “This acquisition will strengthen our manufacturing capabilities and expand our product portfolio of spare parts in the growing and important African region,” said Helena Hedblom, Epiroc president and CEO. “We look forward to…

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Imdex bridging the gap with BOLT

Imdex, which believes the process is not drill and blast, but rather drill, measure, analyze and blast, has introduced its newest development: the Imdex BOLT system, a production hole survey tool for underground applications measuring blast hole deviation using a north seeking gyro. IMDEX Commercial Manager Underground Survey Applications Mike Ayris, who has been promoting the importance of surveying blast…

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Sandvik introduces AutoMine for underground drills

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has released AutoMine for underground drills, its teleremote solution to enable operators to remotely and simultaneously control and supervise multiple automated Sandvik underground drills, increasing efficiency, safety and overall productivity in mining operations. With AutoMine for Underground Drills, Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions said it has become the first OEM to introduce a unified traffic…

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Normet charges ahead with Charmec Revo

Normet has introduced what it has called the latest innovation in improving operator safety underground: Charmec Revo, which it said is a revolution to underground explosives charging. “Explosives charging is one of the most hazardous work processes in modern underground mining. Easily available ore deposits are depleting – forcing mining companies to go deeper underground where risks of rockfalls and…

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Orica’s first Exel Neo leaving Sweden

Orica has prepared for delivery and now shipped its first orders for the world’s first lead-free detonator Exel Neo from its Sweden production facility. Orica first announced the launch of the new release in September to address a market need for environmentally friendly initiation systems. The Neo range of Exel non-electric detonators uses a safer and more sustainable lead-free formulation…

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Cat debuts first diesel electric underground LHD

Built on the platform of its most popular underground loaders, the new R2900 XE is the first Cat diesel electric underground LHD. It’s a productive, powerful, reliable machine built to meet the underground mining industry’s need for bigger payloads, faster loading and reduced emissions, according to the company. Its powerful diesel electric drive engine is EU Stage V compliant, and…

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Epiroc, Byrnecut deepen partnership for underground loader

Epiroc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Byrnecut, one of the world’s largest underground mining contractors, to partner on the development of the next generation of electric drive underground loaders. The companies will work together in partnership to develop and test a proof of concept for the large underground loader segment with the aim of having a diesel-electric…

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Buenaventura will focus on San Gabriel in 2024

Polymetallic producer Buenaventura, owner of the San Gabriel underground gold mine in Peru, said in its earnings report this week the mine will be a heavy focus for it in the coming year in terms of capital spending. In the company’s third-quarter and nine-month 2023 report, Buenaventura said its 9M23 consolidated copper production increased 35% year-on-year; zinc production decreased by…

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RCT to deliver milestone agnostic remote installation

Underground mining services company Barminco has enlisted RCT to carry out what is believed to be the world’s first agnostic remote installation on Caterpillar’s Hybrid underground loader. Barminco will be using the Cat R2900XE loader, which has a diesel engine and electric driveline, at the IGO-owned Spotted Quoll underground nickel mine in Western Australia. “Technology and innovation are two of…

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