MAIN PRIMARY & BOOSTER FANS

Minetek’s underground ventilation has many benefits over standard solutions. Reduce power consumption costs by up to 56% with Minetek's ventilation technology. The flexible airflow using the Performance On Demand (POD) system can ramp up or down, accommodating changes in activity throughout the life of the mine.

Coupled with the Mine Air Control (MAC) system, Minetek’s fans automatically track vehicles moving into the heading and adjust the airflow from the fan. The system is controllable from the surface and allows synchronisation of the entire ventilation system. Minetek’s fans guarantee a Return on Investment (ROI). Experience power saving, durability and flexibility not achieved with traditional fans.

The primary ventilation system ensures adequate airflow in mines by providing suitable paths for air to flow down the mine and out. This system composes of Primary Fans (also known as Main Fans), which pump fresh air into the mine and remove contaminated air from the mine. Main ventilation fans are also known as surface fans because they can also be installed at the surface of the mine (or entrance) or deep below ground level in a bulkhead application.

Main underground ventilation systems suck the air through the underground mine at 150 cubic metres per second, with the aim of replacing the air underground every 20-40 minutes. Deep underground mines may require more than one return airway or an additional Booster Fan. Large underground mines in Australia can move anywhere between 450 – 900 cubic metres of air per second through their main decline.

Primary or major fan selection is critical to the success of an underground mines, as ventilation is key for production and operational efficiency. energy efficiency. It’s suggested that underground ventilation contributes to 42 - 49% of a typical mine’s energy cost. Minetek’s innovative engineering and premier quality fans have resulted in world-first features that can deliver economic savings, durability and flexibility not achieved with traditional fans.

Engineered with the mining industry at the forefront, Minetek’s Primary Ventilation Fans are a robust and reliable with a broad operating range. Our robust steel fabricated impeller allows for operation at pressures previously thought impossible with prolonged life, in even the harshest of environments.

Minetek’s powerful single speed main fans, have been proven to reduce power consumption costs by up to 50% and improve underground mining ventilation systems. Compared to traditional larger fans, Minetek’s compact units have the capability to outperform larger alternatives and then be re-deployed quickly and easily to other locations as the mine workings evolve.

Primary / Booster Fan Range

Power range 200 – 2,700 HP 150 – 2,000 kW

Volume 106,000 – 2,119,000 CFM 50 - 1000 m3 /s

Pressure 200 – 27 in.wg 200 – 8000 Pa

Efficiency > 85%

Underground mines can be ventilated via a primary fan ventilation system or in combination with booster fans. A Booster Fan is a large underground fan installed in conjunction with the main surface fan to help boost air pressure of the ventilation passing through the air ducts. Booster Fans help to reduce pressure from the main fan and provide the air pressures needed for deep underground mining operations.

Primary Fans are often installed as Booster Fans – the same fan, with a different application – for both return and intake airways. With Minetek’s ventilation solutions, you can strategically optimise underground airflow by connecting them with the main ventilation system, making it an optimum choice for booster ventilation.