Redefining mining industry standards through innovative motor starters

Data de publicação: 5 de julho de 2024

For almost 40 years, Minetek has been at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge engineering and technological solutions to the mining industry. Our commitment to excellence has driven us to continuously innovate industrial power systems, guaranteeing reliable performance across various sectors.

We provide a range of advanced solutions, including motor starter ancillaries, distribution, switch room, and substation capabilities. We’re proud to offer bespoke engineered power solutions that not only meet but exceed our clients’ unique needs.

At Minetek, we prioritise safety and reliability. Our solutions are built to endure the toughest operational environments, guaranteeing continuous performance and security for our partners. From ensuring smooth power distribution to protecting essential equipment, our solutions are crafted to maximise efficiency and reduce downtime.

At the core of what we offer lies our diverse array of Motor Starters, each carefully designed to provide outstanding performance and flexibility. From Fan Starters to Pump Starters and Jumbo Starters, we have solutions for every need. In today’s article, we’ll dive into these various Motor Starters, exploring how they can boost efficiency, enhance safety, and simplify operations in the mining industry.

Minetek’s Motor Starters

Fan Starters

Minetek’s Fan Starters are engineered specifically for the challenging conditions of underground mining, delivering robust protection and precise control over ventilation operations, including secondary, booster, and auxiliary fans.

Our Fan Starters come in a tough, impact-resistant design that can be easily mounted or installed in a hanging frame. This gives underground operators the assurance of their durability and reliability. They support voltage ranges from 415V to 1000V to fit the diverse electrical and ventilation systems found in mining operations. With capacities from 55kW to 1100kW, these starters feature built-in automation that simplifies ventilation control. We also offer optional soft starters, direct online (DOL) starters, and variable speed drive (VSD) configurations for precise control and enhanced energy efficiency, ensuring they meet your specific operational needs.

Minetek Power proudly holds ISO 9001 certification, underscoring our commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards in our Fan Starters. Designed and manufactured in Australia using premium materials, our Fan Starters can integrate with the Minetek ventilation system, providing a dependable turn-key solution for mining operations.

Beyond delivering new Fan Starters, we offer a full range of services, including programming for Motor Control Centres (MCC), Soft Starters, and PLC integration through our Performance On Demand (POD) control system. Our team collaborates closely with clients to ensure seamless integration and optimise the performance of our ventilation systems within their mining operations.

Pump Starters

Minetek’s Pump Starters are designed to ensure pumps operate reliably and efficiently across various industrial settings. With a key focus on optimising pump performance and minimising downtime, our pump starters offer practical benefits aimed at improving operational efficiency.

Our Minetek Power Pump Starters are built to last, housed in durable, impact-resistant cabinets that stand up to tough industrial and mining environments. Designed for easy mounting or hanging installation, they integrate seamlessly into your existing infrastructure. With support for voltage ranges from 415V to 1000V, our Pump Starters fit a variety of electrical systems typically used in industrial and mining applications. Available in power ratings from 55kW to 1100kW, they offer precise control and optimal performance for your pump operations.

Minetek Power Pump Starters come equipped with built-in automation features, making pump system control and operation a breeze. Just like our Fan Starters, we offer optional Soft Starters, DOL Starters, and VSD options, so you can choose the control mechanism that best suits your needs. These features help ensure efficient power use, lower energy consumption, and drive enhanced pump performance.

Understanding that each industrial application is unique, Minetek Power offers Pump Starters that can be customised to Form 4 standards, with an optional 24DC control voltage for seamless integration with your existing communication system.

Jumbo Starters

Minetek Jumbo Starters are designed to operate in the most demanding underground environments, particularly in hard rock mining and tunnelling applications. These starters stand as a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier motor control and electrical protection for heavy drilling equipment, assuring both operational efficiency and personnel safety.

In the tough and strenuous conditions of underground mining and tunneling, reliability is essential. Minetek Power Jumbo Starters are designed to deliver top-tier performance, offering strong motor control and complete electrical protection. This ensures heavy drilling equipment starts safely and efficiently, boosting productivity and ensuring smooth operations.

Built to withstand the harsh conditions prevalent in underground settings, our Jumbo Starters are encased in impact-resistant cabinets. This design not only protects the equipment from potential damage due to environmental factors but also ensures its longevity, minimising the need for frequent maintenance or replacement.

One of the standout features of Minetek Power’s Jumbo Starters is their versatility. They come with push button start mechanisms, giving operators an easy and intuitive way to start the equipment. Additionally, these starters can seamlessly integrate into the automation systems, allowing for centralised control and coordination within the mining or tunnelling infrastructure.

Minetek Power understands that every operation is unique, which is why we offer both manual and automated control options. Whether operators like a more hands-on approach or want to enhance efficiency through automation, our Jumbo Starters provide the flexibility to suit any operational scenario.

Minetek Power’s commitment to innovation in mining operations

These Motor Starters are more than just components. They reflect Minetek Power’s commitment to innovation and excellence. With each solution, we redefine what’s possible in the mining industry, empowering our partners with the tools they need to succeed.

As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation, Minetek Power remains dedicated to our mission to empower mining operations with transformative solutions that drive efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

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Notícias e percepções

Water Tailings Storage Facilities

Data de publicação: 5 de julho de 2024

There are thousands of active tailings storage facilities (TSFs) or water tailings located around the world. Tailings dams store mine-affected, acid, caustic and/or brine water generated through industrial processes. Industries such as mining, oil & gas, power generation, landfills & food processing facilities often utilise TSF as part of their water management strategy, however, there are risks involved.

What are water tailings?

Tailings dams are typically earth-filled embankments designed to store water that has been affected by industrial processes, such as mining. Water tailings hold the water that is left over after the process of separating minerals from ore.

Water held in tailings dams or ponds is often contaminated with heavy metals and other toxins. Therefore, managing toxic wastewater comes with high risks, as there are devastating environmental consequences if the dam fails or if water was to leak into groundwater.

Water tailings can store an array of liquids, solids, or a slurry of toxins and potentially radioactive fine particles. The removed solids, known as sludge, are extracted and used for various applications. Tailings sludge can be used to make sustainable by-products used in agriculture, landscaping, and construction industries.

While water tailings can have negative environmental impacts, they are necessary for many industries to manage wastewater. When done correctly, water tailings can be an important tool in protecting the environment from toxic waste.

What is the purpose of water tailings dams?

The purpose of water-tailing dams is to store the waste material from the mineral separation process and to prevent it from causing environmental damage. Water tailings are a type of wastewater that is produced when minerals are separated from the ore. often water is contaminated with heavy metals and other toxins.

TSF can be used to separate water from the tailings, enabling the release of recycled water back into water sources. Typically there are water quality standards and environmental requirements around the release/discharge of treated tailings water back into the environment. In Australia, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) regulates pollution associated with water tailings by monitoring requirements and pollution limits, including permitted discharges.

Tailings disposal methods include slurry disposal, thickened and paste disposal, dry stacking and disposal of coarse wastes, including coal mine coarse reject, metalliferous smelter scats or slag, and waste rock or soil. There are processes to repurpose waste, grinding up rock into fine sand can help extract valuable minerals or metals from the rock ore. All the unrecoverable and uneconomic remnants from this process are waste.

Risks Associated with Tailing Storage Facilities (TSF)

Water tailings can be a source of water pollution if they are not managed properly. There are high risks associated with TSFs with dire environmental consequences if they fail. TSF failures cause significant environmental damage and potential loss of human life. For example, the Samarco tailings dam failure in Brazil in 2015 led to 19 deaths, devastating environmental impacts and economic losses. Based on historical data, water tailings dams are 10 x more likely to fail in comparison to water dams.

O Mount Polley disaster in BC Canada saw approximately 25 million cubic metres of contaminated water and 4.5 million cubic metres of solid mine waste released into the environment when the tailings dam collapsed in 2014. The long-term environmental damage is still being assessed, however, it is clear that there was a significant impact on fish and wildlife in the area.

Recently, the Jagersfontein Diamond Mine in South Africa catastrophically failed in September 2022, triggering mudslides that killed and injured multiple people. In November 2022 another Diamond mine’s tailings dam breached resulting in flooding. The Williamson Mine in Tanzania reported no injuries with emergency services on-site to ensure the safety of the community.

The consequences of a failed TSF can be significant, which is why it’s essential for industries to have comprehensive water tailings management strategies in place.

Water tailings can also pose a risk to human health if they’re not managed properly. Water tailings can contain harmful chemicals and pollutants that can leach into groundwater and contaminate drinking water supplies. In some cases, people living near water tailings dams have been known to experience health problems such as skin rashes, respiratory problems and gastrointestinal issues.

It’s therefore essential that industries take the necessary steps to ensure that their water tailings are properly managed and pose no risk to human health or the environment.

Tailings Management Tips

There are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of water pollution from water tailings:

Store water tailings in lined pits, ponds or tanks to prevent them from leaching into the ground.
Cover water tailings with an impermeable cover such as plastic to prevent rainwater from coming into contact with them.
Ensure that water tailings won’t fail even during extreme weather events.
Guarantee that safety takes precedence over cost
Apply best practice techniques and adopt innovative technologies such as mechanical water evaporation to assist with reducing TSF water levels.
Never build facilities within the TSF line of failure.
Integrate water tailings planning into mine planning
Evaporating tailings to reduce the overall water content
Utilising adequate liners between the tailings and the surrounding environment
Continued TSF monitoring and management
Ensure TSF can within the probable maximum flood & maximum credible earthquake without failure.

Tailings Water Management Technology

Minetek’s innovative water evaporation technology helps industrial operators around the world effectively manage and mitigate risks associated with storing waste or mine-affected water. Our solutions are designed to reduce risk and potentially save lives, manage excess water in critical mining infrastructure and improve water quality management in outflow processes.

We understand the need to manage processes and produced water throughout the lifecycle of a mine site to achieve true economic and environmental sustainability. We have developed a range of water evaporation and automated and integrated water quality management solutions to help mining operators meet the expectations of their stakeholders.

From excess water removal, ensuring the safe operation of potentially dangerous tailings dams, through to acid mine dewatering and the removal of toxic metals to improve the quality of water released back into the environment. Minetek has a solution to meet the strictest of regulations and satisfy operational and broader community expectations. Entre em contato conosco to discover how Minetek can help you.

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Notícias e percepções

A sustainable underground ventilation solution for Agnew Gold Mine

Data de publicação: 5 de julho de 2024

Located just 30km from Leinster, Western Australia is the Northern Norseman-Wiluna Greenstone Belt. This mining region is home to the Agnew Gold Mine, owned by the international mining corporation Gold Fields. Agnew mine houses the Waroonga and New Holland underground deposits, the last two remaining gold mines in the Goldfields-Esperance region. Both Agnew mines have been operational since the 1880s, with a resurgence in production over the past decade. Between 2021 and 2022 Agnew Mine produced between 232,000oz -240,000oz of gold [1].

Net-zero Underground Ventilation.

The Agnew Gold Mine required a complete ventilation upgrade to meet Life Of Mine (LOM) requirements. This solution involved future-proofing for continuing production, mine extensions and brownfield exploration throughout under-explored sections of the tenements. This Gold Mine was experiencing challenges with the existing primary ventilation circuit. The air volume flow rate was not achieving the required free air volume or pressure. Therefore, debottlenecking was required to achieve their goal of increased production and expanded exploration.

Agnew Gold Mine commissioned Minetek to help achieve their long-term vision and demands by developing a customised underground ventilation solution. Minetek’s solution was a Primary Booster Fan which included the removal of redundant equipment and installing the new fans. This unique solution was an Australian first for a fan of this combined size and technology, powered by Agnew’s renewable grid network. Discover the full case study by requesting a free PDF copy.

Sustainable Ventilation Solution.

Agnew Gold Mine favoured a low energy, high volume ventilation solution with low energy consumption. Minetek’s Primary Fans required energy output of 1,100kW / 1,000 V and a flow rate of 280 m³/sec – 350 m³/sec at a pressure of 3,700 Pa – 4,200 Pa meeting both current and future production and development needs.

Minetek’s Performance On Demand (POD) technology enabled a seamless operation with the ability to adapt pressure and power consumption without using Variable Speed Drive (VSD) controls. Our impulse bladed impeller controls the POD system with anti-stall technology installed to capture turbulent air flow and unstable pre-swirls, to ensure optimal fan performance.

Due to their sheer size, Minetek’s Primary Fans had to be tested prior to shipping. We gained approvals from the Power Supply Authorities, and all other facilities within the Minetek complex had to be shut down to provide enough power for testing. The performance of the Primary Booster fans was pilot tested in Minetek’s testing chamber which happens to be the largest fan test chamber in the southern hemisphere. This unique environment was built to conform with AMCA standards and can simulate the most challenging conditions in any underground mining scenario.

Minetek engineers and key personnel kept all project goals on track, achieving the installation within a short timeframe. The previous fans were removed and replaced with new fans in just four days of commissioning. Originally, we anticipated this project to be completed within 10 shifts however our seamless project management enabled a turn-key installation in only 7 shifts.

1100Kw Primary Booster Fan

Engineered with the mining industry at the forefront, Minetek’s High Output Axial Primary Booster Fans are a robust and reliable ventilation solution with a broad operating range. Our unique steel impeller allows for operation at high pressures with prolonged life, in even the harshest of underground mining environments.

Primary Booster Fan Specifications

Power range – 1100 kW (kilowatts) / 1,000 V (volts)
Volume flowrate – 350 m³/sec (cubic metres per second) / 742,000 CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute) (cubic feet per minute)
Pressure – 4,200 Pa (pascals) / 16.9 in.wg (inch of water)

O primary fans, have been proven to reduce power consumption costs by up to 50%, by regulating flow rates from the integrated POD system. Our fans have the capability to outperform larger alternatives and then be re-deployed quickly and easily to other locations as the mine workings evolve. Underground mines can reduce on ventilation capital costs with less fans required to meet underground flow rates and pressure requirements. Achieve safe, reliable operations while delivering guaranteed reductions in power consumption and increased profitability, assisting green mines achieve net-zero emission targets.

Minetek has expanded with a new operations hub located in Perth, servicing the Western Australian Mining regions. Our world-class service has expanded to meet the demand and responsiveness needed to support our clients’ requirements. Our technical team is now close by and readily available to help with your site. The team at Minetek are confident and ready to provide solutions that match your requirements. Contact us to find out more about our primary and secondary ventilation solutions.

Resources

https://www.goldfields.com/pdf/investors/presentation/2022/australia-site-visit-nov-2022-agnew.pdf

https://edlenergy.com/project/agnew/

https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/arena-agnew-gold-mine/

https://www.goldfields.com/pdf/investors/social-media/2022/newsflash-agnew-hybrid-project.pdf

https://edlenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/EDL-Fact-Sheet-Agnew-Hybrid-Renewable-Microgrid.pdf

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Notícias e percepções

Como obter reduções de ruído da máquina

Data de publicação: 5 de julho de 2024

As minas podem operar 24 horas por dia, 7 dias por semana, se as normas de ruído adequadas forem cumpridas. Isso geralmente é obtido por meio de estratégias de redução de ruído da máquina e atenuação sonora. As minas a céu aberto são suscetíveis ao aumento dos níveis de ruído devido à natureza de suas operações, sendo que o maquinário pesado costuma ser a principal fonte de aumento de ruído nas minas. Som Minetek desenvolveu soluções de atenuação de som para garantir que o maquinário esteja em conformidade com os órgãos reguladores do governo e estabeleceu limites de ruído que a mina deve cumprir.

Quais são as implicações da poluição sonora nas minas?

As minas funcionam 24 horas por dia, 7 dias por semana, e qualquer pessoa que trabalhe ou viva perto de uma mina, sem perceber, pode sofrer danos auditivos e/ou fisiológicos. De acordo com a Safe Work Australia, a mineração foi incluída entre os três principais setores industriais com pedidos de indenização por surdez. Dentro do setor de mineração, a mineração de carvão teve o maior número e a maior taxa de incidência, portanto, a ameaça à audição é muito profunda e precisa de atenção. As estratégias de redução de ruído das máquinas podem ajudar a minimizar os impactos na saúde dos trabalhadores das minas.

As normas de ruído de máquinas são definidas por órgãos governamentais para garantir que suas operações não incomodem os vizinhos com ruído excessivo, principalmente à noite. A mina de carvão Hunter Valley foi multada em AUD $15.000 por excesso de ruído noturno pela Autoridade de Proteção Ambiental de NSW (EPA). Eles excederam os níveis de ruído estabelecidos em 3 dB, fazendo com que a produção fosse interrompida à noite para evitar multas e mais restrições de desenvolvimento. As estratégias de redução de ruído das máquinas podem ajudar a gerenciar a segurança dos trabalhadores e as expectativas ambientais e da comunidade.

O que é um atenuador montado em caminhão?

Um atenuador montado em caminhão é um dispositivo que é instalado no escapamento de uma máquina para reduzir os níveis de ruído da máquina. Os atenuadores montados em caminhões são usados com frequência em minas a céu aberto, onde o aumento dos níveis de ruído pode interromper a produção ou reduzir as horas de operação da mina.

Os pacotes de atenuação de som da Minetek oferecem benefícios claros além da redução de som, incluindo a prevenção de superaquecimento por meio de projetos de engenharia, facilidade de manutenção, menos tempo de inatividade, conformidade com regulamentações governamentais rigorosas, redução de multas e melhores relações com a comunidade. Nossas soluções projetadas de redução de ruído de máquinas ajudam a reduzir o ruído, tratando de forma inteligente as fontes de ruído da maneira mais eficaz, tratando o ruído da fonte. Espera-se que o fornecimento de soluções de redução de ruído em frotas de mineração economize quantias consideráveis de dinheiro para os operadores no processo.

Na maioria das vezes, ao mesmo tempo em que trata a fonte de ruído do maquinário, a Minetek também reduz o risco de superaquecimento do veículo por meio do aumento do fluxo de ar. Nosso plano de manutenção permite que os operadores façam a manutenção regular das máquinas sem precisar remover o atenuador montado no caminhão. Nossas soluções de atenuação de som prontas para uso garantem que o desempenho da máquina não seja afetado por nossos esforços de redução de som. A Minetek Sound fornece diretrizes claras de manutenção, reduzindo o tempo de inatividade do maquinário e garantindo o desempenho ideal da máquina.

Estratégias de redução de ruído da máquina

Nossas soluções podem ajudar a reduzir o ruído da máquina em praticamente qualquer maquinário a diesel de grande porte. Com o respaldo de nossa longa história e histórico comprovado de trabalho com OEMs como a Hitachi, LiebherrKomatsu, JCB e Caterpillar. Os pacotes de redução de ruído de maquinário da Minetek incluem pesquisas e avaliação de ruído, orientação de segurança para o operador, inspeções e recomendações no local da mina, testes e recomendações na cabine e recomendações de ruído de Saúde e Segurança no Trabalho.

O processo de avaliação de ruído é extremamente completo, com a capacidade de prever com precisão as reduções do nível de ruído e garantir níveis precisos de redução de ruído de acordo com os critérios regulatórios de ruído. Temos vários estudos de caso com um histórico comprovado de cumprimento de nossas metas de redução de ruído em todos os projetos anteriores.

Nossos testes rigorosos envolvem a verificação da emissão de ruído quando parado e durante as condições de operação in situ. Isso inclui deslocamentos em subidas e descidas, enquanto carregado e descarregado, juntamente com quaisquer parâmetros aplicáveis, conforme especificado. Para garantir a precisão de nossos resultados, fornecemos aos nossos clientes um relatório de ruído independente e de boa reputação, elaborado por terceiros.

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Notícias e percepções

U.S. mining trends and innovations: Minetek Air’s solutions for sustainable mining

Data de publicação: 21 junho 2024

The U.S. mining industry is at a pivotal moment, facing a blend of challenges and opportunities amidst significant reforms across the country.

A key development is the creation of an interagency working group by the Department of the Interior. This group is focused on overhauling hardrock mining laws, regulations, and permitting policies to support President Biden’s goals for better environmental protection, sustainable resource management, and responsible mining practices.

Made up of experts in mine permitting and environmental law, this group will review current laws and processes to suggest improvements that prioritise environmental, community, and Tribal engagement standards at every stage of mine development.

The newly released Fundamental Principles for Domestic Mining Reform by the Biden-Harris Administration is central to this effort. These principles prioritise environmental protection, community involvement, and fiscal responsibility, aiming to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental conservation.

These initiatives represent a watershed moment for the U.S. mining industry, which is confronting the need for modernisation and adaptation.

In today’s article, we will discuss the emerging trends in the mining industry and examine their implications for companies operating in America.

The impact of regulatory changes on the U.S. mining industry

We are seeing a significant shift towards sustainability worldwide, with more than 140 countries setting net-zero targets and covering about 88% of global emissions. Among them, the United States, historically one of the largest contributors to global emissions, is taking bold strides towards sustainability.

In line with the “Investing in America” agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated up to $475 million to fund five projects across Arizona, Kentucky, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. These projects, situated on both current and former mine lands, represent a radical effort to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies in regions historically reliant on fossil fuel extraction. This substantial funding injection underscores the federal government’s commitment to promoting clean energy innovation and revitalising communities grappling with the decline of traditional mining industries.

The United States is taking a leading role in the clean energy revolution, striving for a future that’s more sustainable and resilient for generations to come. Yet, amidst these proactive steps, American mining operations are facing a changing regulatory environment, both locally and globally. As governments worldwide step up efforts to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability, mining companies are grappling with a complex array of regulations aimed at minimising their environmental footprint.

Within the U.S., initiatives like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Acte National Environmental Policy Act enforce strict environmental standards on mining activities. These standards require companies to implement pollution control measures, conduct thorough environmental assessments, and engage in transparent consultation processes with stakeholders. There is growing support for updating the 1872 Mining Law to promote clean energy initiatives.

In light of these trends, American mining firms are urged to embrace sustainable practices and embrace clean technologies. Moving ahead, it’s crucial to uphold regulatory compliance while fostering responsible resource management. By addressing environmental issues and embracing sustainability, mining companies can manage regulatory risks and foster long-term value in an increasingly environmentally conscious world.

Innovations in ventilation systems

Ventilation systems are critical to maintaining safe working conditions for miners, providing fresh cool air to underground miners, and diluting flammable and machine exhaust gas. Yet their energy consumption accounts for a significant portion—often 40% or more—of a mine’s total energy usage. This places a substantial financial burden on mining operations and underscores the imperative to minimise energy consumption while maximising efficiency.

To tackle this challenge, mines are increasingly focusing on adopting energy-efficient ventilation techniques. This means embracing advanced technologies like automated airflow controls, and optimised ventilation designs. The aim is to reduce energy consumption while ensuring safety and maintaining air quality standards.

The role of automation and digitisation in mining operations

Automation and digitisation have become integral components of modernising industries, and the mining sector stands to benefit significantly from their implementation. The adoption of automation and digitisation technologies in mining operations offers a wide range of advantages, including:

1. Increased Productivity: Automation streamlines processes, reduces downtime, and enables continuous operations, ultimately leading to higher productivity levels.

2. Enhanced Safety: Automated systems can perform tasks in hazardous environments, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries to human workers.

3. Reduced Operational Costs: Automation minimises the need for manual labour, leading to lower labour costs, and optimises resource utilisation, resulting in overall cost savings.

4. Improved Environmental Sustainability: By optimising processes and reducing resource wastage, automation helps minimise the environmental footprint of mining activities, contributing to sustainability efforts.

The integration of automation and digitisation technologies presents a pivotal opportunity for the mining industry. These advancements allow mining operations to attain greater productivity, enhanced safety, reduced costs, and improved environmental sustainability, ultimately positioning them for long-term success.

Minetek’s solutions for sustainable mining

Minetek is an innovative and solution-driven company specialising in engineering, designing, manufacturing, and implementing advanced equipment for the industrial and mining sectors. With decades of experience helping mining and industry leaders achieve environmentally sustainable air management outcomes, Minetek has built a solid reputation for developing safe, reliable, and profitable operations.

Minetek’s High Output Axial Fan exemplifies the benefits of technological innovation in the mining industry. This advanced fan system offers unprecedented power savings and control capabilities, setting a new standard for underground mining operations. With its high-pressured fabricated steel impeller, Minetek’s fan technology represents cutting-edge mining innovation, allowing operation at pressures previously thought unachievable with traditional axial fans.

The inclusion of Minetek’s patented Mine Air Control (MAC) system further enhances the efficiency and performance of the High Output Axial Fan. Furthermore, by utilising Minetek’s Performance on Demand (POD) technology, operators can optimise air pressure and power consumption without the need for Variable Speed Drive (VSD) control. This innovative technology ensures a seamless, responsive solution that maximises performance while significantly reducing power consumption—up to 50% in some cases—resulting in increased operational efficiency and cost savings.

What’s more, operators can remotely control the ventilation system from the surface to ensure optimal performance. Providing real-time access to crucial data, enabling adjustments without requiring on-site presence. This remote control feature not only boosts operational flexibility but also enhances efficiency, enabling mining companies to optimise ventilation resources with ease.

Conclusion

The U.S. mining industry is currently facing a period of change, with new regulations and technological advancements on the horizon. Emerging trends in the mining industry such as stricter regulations, technological advancements, and the integration of automation and digitisation are poised to significantly impact the American mining landscape. These developments underscore the need for mining companies to adapt and innovate in order to thrive in an evolving environment.

Innovative solutions like Minetek’s High Output Axial Fan and Mine Air Control (MAC) system demonstrate how technology can boost efficiency, safety, and sustainability in mining. It’s essential for mining companies to stay updated on these advancements, embracing sustainable practices and technologies. This ensures not only regulatory adherence but also contributes to a more sustainable future for the industry and the communities it serves.

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Notícias e percepções

Mine site noise control strategies

Data de publicação: 21 junho 2024

Noise control is often one of the less significant considerations when planning and implementing mining developments. While environmental regulations need to be met, noise does not pose an immediate risk to the life of miners or the community at large.

Mine sites often choose to reactively control noise pollution only once an incident has occurred, as either a breach of regulation or pressure from the local community emerge. However, noise is a generic hazard common to the entire industry and all mining operations. One in four mineworkers has hearing issues, with four out of five miners having a hearing impairment by the time they reach their mid-60s. Industrial Deafness compensation claims can be costly to the industry. Hearing loss, compensation payments, and public awareness are all on the rise.

Proactive sound attenuation is the best noise control solution, helping to mitigate issues and reap the immediate rewards of strategic noise dampening without economic loss of downtime or fines. Minetek can help sites assess all elements of sound suppression and embed sound as a key consideration in all safety and environmental initiatives.

What are the options for noise control?

There are three main types of engineering noise control in industrial workplaces. Each of these methods comes with factors that need to be addressed. These are:

Employer control
Controlling noise at the source
Controlling noise propagation

1. Employer Noise Control

This is achieved by workers wearing hearing protection.

Considerations

Employer PPE is the easiest sound control method but should be seen as an additional supplement on top of proper noise control. Hearing protection relies on individual workers to fit and wear protection and does not control site noise or vibrations that may cause environmental or community breaches.

2. Controlling Noise at the Source

This is achieved by the substitution of processes, work methods, materials, or equipment. Specification of quieter machines or minimising the number of machines running at a given time.

Maintaining equipment or well-designed machines with sound in mind can also mitigate noise. The reduction of mechanical shock between parts, friction or vibration can reduce the sound.

Considerations

While controlling noise at the source is a reasonable method for sound control, not all options are realistic. Running fewer machines or limiting production to certain times can seriously impede the site’s ROI, as seen at New Acland in NSW.

Additionally, choosing to change work methods, processes or equipment can be both timely, and costly, and often come with additional safety assessments and red tape.

Substituting machinery or machinery parts to reduce noise is the best option to control noise at the source. There are several complexities that need to be considered when doing this, and many offerings on the market, such as fan substitution, sacrifice machine performance, power and longevity in the name of noise suppression.

Minetek can assist in a full assessment of viable options to control noise at the source, that won’t reduce power, performance or profitability of the equipment or site.

3. Controlling Noise Propagation

This is achieved by blocking the sound waves from travelling, either using barriers, enclosures, reactive or dissipative mufflers, reverberation control or active noise control.

Considerations

Controlling noise propagation is another feasible option if performed correctly. Sound suppression idlers, engine attenuation, and acoustic engine enclosures are all options for great reduction however, just like controlling noise at the source, due care must be taken to not overheat, crowd, or block the engine. Many companies in the market fail to consider the longevity of equipment, choosing to sacrifice quality for immediate cost savings.

Incorrect or low-quality sound suppression can severely hamper a machine’s performance and life span. Replacing burnt-out mine equipment will ultimately wind up being far more costly than investing in a correct sound attenuation solution.

There’s also an environmental element to consider here as well. Maintaining mechanical and combustion efficiency will prevent equipment from chewing through petrol and driving down air quality on site.

Environmental and community awareness is increasing scrutiny of industry noise. Sound attenuation is not only important for employer safety, but poor noise control can raise expenditures due to machine replacement, fines, compensation payouts and strict limitations to production schedules.

We offer onsite sound assessing, consultation, custom engineering, installation, servicing, and guaranteed results. Make Minetek part of your sound attenuation strategy and set your site up for success.

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Notícias e percepções

Tratamento de água versus evaporação de água: vantagens e desvantagens

Data de publicação: 21 junho 2024

A água que usamos em nossas casas é proveniente de diversas fontes, incluindo águas superficiais (lagos, rios e córregos), águas subterrâneas (aquíferos) e suprimentos municipais de água. Dependendo da fonte, a água pode estar contaminada com uma variedade de impurezas, incluindo bactérias, vírus, metais pesados, produtos químicos e minerais dissolvidos.

Setores como mineração, energia e eletricidade, têxtil, petróleo, gás e petroquímico precisam de tratamento de águas residuais para suas operações. Eles usam água em grandes volumes para várias finalidades, como resfriamento, alimentação de caldeiras, requisitos de processo etc. As águas residuais geradas em suas operações contêm uma variedade de impurezas, incluindo minerais dissolvidos, sólidos em suspensão, óleo e graxa, metais pesados e produtos químicos.

A evaporação da água é um processo em que a água é convertida de seu estado líquido para vapor de água. Isso pode ocorrer por meio de processos naturais ou artificiais, por meio de tecnologias como evaporadores de água. O tratamento da água, por outro lado, é o processo de tornar a água adequada para uso. Isso pode envolver filtragem, purificação e/ou desinfecção.

Tratamento de água

O tratamento da água envolve a remoção de constituintes nocivos e sua segurança para o consumo humano. O tratamento da água é importante tanto para a água potável quanto para as águas residuais. O objetivo do tratamento de águas residuais é produzir água limpa que possa ser liberada de volta ao meio ambiente com segurança. Para liberar a água de volta ao meio ambiente, ela deve atender a determinados padrões de qualidade da água. Cada estado ou nação tem diretrizes para ajudar a reduzir os riscos à saúde pública e ao meio ambiente.

O tratamento de águas residuais é uma ótima solução ambiental para salinaágua salgada, ácida, cáustica ou afetada por minas. O tratamento de água pode assumir muitas formas diferentes, dependendo do tipo de água que está sendo tratada e do resultado desejado.

Tanto a evaporação quanto o tratamento da água são importantes por diferentes motivos. A evaporação da água é importante para remover a água de superfícies ou áreas onde ela não é desejada. Por outro lado, o tratamento da água quase sempre é feito para torná-la segura para consumo humano ou dispersão no meio ambiente. O tratamento da água pode ser feito por meio de vários métodos, incluindo filtração, osmose reversa, purificação por ultravioleta e destilação.

Filtragem de água

A filtragem é um processo que remove partículas da água, passando-a por um filtro. Há muitos tipos de filtros, como filtros de carvão ativado, filtros de cartucho e filtros de areia.

Tratamento por osmose reversa

A osmose reversa é um processo que remove substâncias dissolvidas da água, passando-a por uma membrana semipermeável.

Purificação de água por ultravioleta

A purificação ultravioleta é um processo que usa luz ultravioleta para matar bactérias e outros micro-organismos na água.

Destilação de água

A destilação é um processo que remove substâncias dissolvidas da água por meio da evaporação.

Tratamento de águas residuais - Vantagens e desvantagens

Há muitas vantagens no tratamento de águas residuais, tais como:

Remoção de contaminantes nocivos da água que poderiam causar sérios problemas de saúde com taxas de reação rápidas
As reações químicas não produzem excesso de lodo ou carbono gasto
Certifique-se de que a água seja segura para beber e também remova qualquer sabor ou cheiro desagradável.
Tornando a água adequada para diferentes fins, como irrigação, indústria e uso doméstico.
Remove pelo menos 98% de contaminantes orgânicos

No entanto, há também algumas desvantagens do tratamento de água, tais como:

Requer uma quantidade significativa de energia elétrica
Longo tempo de implementação dessa solução, normalmente em torno de 3 a 4 meses
Manutenção constante, com necessidade de limpeza e substituição de peças
Custos - O tratamento de águas residuais pode ser caro, com custos de OPEX de $2 por m3 de água tratada
São necessários produtos químicos para tratar as águas residuais, sendo que produtos químicos como o cloro estão associados ao câncer
Incapaz de gerenciar as mudanças na entrada da qualidade da água
O processo químico de tratamento de água deve ter como alvo contaminantes específicos
Grandes quantidades de peróxido e produtos químicos são usadas no tratamento de águas residuais
O processo remove apenas o material orgânico

Evaporação da água

A evaporação da água é um processo natural em que a água é convertida de líquido em vapor. Isso pode ocorrer por meio de processos naturais ou feitos pelo homem. Um exemplo de um processo feito pelo homem é a dessalinização da água, em que o sal e outros minerais são removidos da água do mar para torná-la potável.

A evaporação natural da água ocorre quando a água é aquecida pelo sol ou pelo vento, fazendo com que ela mude de estado líquido para vapor. Esse processo é responsável pela formação de nuvens, bem como pela precipitação, como chuva e neve.

A evaporação mecânica da água é outro processo que pode ser usado para remover a água de superfícies, represas e instalações de armazenamento de rejeitos. Isso geralmente é feito para evitar a corrosão ou a dispersão de metais e produtos químicos nocivos no meio ambiente.

Evaporadores de água mecânicos

Os evaporadores Minetek empregam um processo conhecido como MEE (Mechanically Enhanced Evaporation, evaporação mecanicamente aprimorada). A evaporação é aprimorada pelo Evaporador Minetek principalmente por dois meios. A água de alimentação é fornecida em alta pressão a uma série de bicos de fraturamento. Isso produz milhões de gotículas por segundo, resultando em um aumento maciço na área de superfície, muito maior do que poderia ser alcançado na prática por um tanque de evaporação.

Os evaporadores da Minetek também empregam um ventilador para aumentar a velocidade do vento para mais de 150 km/h, aumentando assim a taxa de evaporação muito além da taxa de evaporação de panela (PER) ambiente (à qual os tanques de evaporação estão limitados). Em termos gerais, a Minetek pegou um processo natural (evaporação solar do sol) e o aprimorou mecanicamente com o uso do evaporador Mechanical Minetek.

A evaporação mecânica da água oferece uma gama significativa de benefícios quando comparada ao tratamento de água, incluindo:

É um processo natural que não requer pré-tratamento químico
É muito eficiente na remoção de água das superfícies
Economia significativa de CAPEX
Economia de OPEX a $0,20 por m3 evaporado
Nenhum fluxo de resíduos
Não é necessário operador
Implementação rápida de sistemas
Manutenção muito baixa
Sem partes móveis
Não suscetível a mudanças na qualidade da água de alimentação
Necessidade mínima de espaço e energia
Os evaporadores são muito móveis e robustos
No entanto, há também algumas desvantagens da evaporação mecânica da água, tais como:
Tempo - pode ser um processo lento, evaporando grandes quantidades, o que o torna uma ótima solução de gerenciamento de água a longo prazo.
Não é adequado para aplicações em que a água precisa ser removida rapidamente, como durante uma inundação repentina.

Evaporação de água vs. tratamento de água - Mini estudo de caso

Um cliente de mineração da Minetek, localizado no clima frio e sazonal do Canadá, está procurando utilizar até 50 evaporadores 600/300. Esse sistema estaria evaporando 9800 GPM nesse clima específico. O custo dos evaporadores seria em torno de US$ $23.000.000,00. A alternativa para eles seria aumentar sua capacidade de tratamento de água. O custo para fazer isso em sua mina seria de aproximadamente US $100.000.000,00. Portanto, os custos associados à evaporação da água são 5 vezes menores, o que representa um valor imenso e proporciona uma economia significativa de CAPEX e OPEX em toda a linha. Especialmente quando comparado ao tratamento tradicional da água ou à construção de novas represas.

Comparação de clientes

Tratamento de água - Tratamento de 15 ML/dia CAPEX USD $40,000,000.00
Sistema de evaporação da Minetek - Evaporar 15 ML/dia CAPEX USD $4.030.856,00
Economia aproximada de CAPEX = USD $35.969.144,00

Um dos principais benefícios dos evaporadores Minetek é o fato de a tecnologia permitir que alguns de nossos clientes adiem ou reduzam o tamanho das barragens de rejeitos ou de armazenamento, adiem as elevações de TSF ou eliminem a necessidade de construir uma nova barragem.

Como sabemos, o custo para construir ou elevar uma TSF ou barragem de armazenamento é extremamente intensivo em termos de capital. Um exemplo disso é um cliente recente de uma mina de ouro que tem um custo de capital de US$ $25 milhões por ano para elevar a TSF.

A alternativa para elevar a barragem era implementar um sistema de evaporação da Minetek para reduzir o nível da água e, por sua vez, adiar a elevação da TSF por vários anos.

Custo por ano para elevar a barragem de rejeitos = USD $25 milhões
Custo do sistema Minetek Evaporator USD $3,5 milhões
Economia no primeiro ano = USD $21.509.048,00
Economia no segundo ano = USD $46.509.048,00
Economia no terceiro ano = USD $71.509.048,00

Com base na estimativa de custo de capital acima e em comparação com o custo de capital associado à elevação da parede da barragem, a economia de custos é significativa.

Evaporadores de água Minetek

O sistema de evaporação da Minetek funciona com a descarga de água por meio de um bocal de fraturamento de água exclusivo e patenteado. Esse bocal foi projetado para atingir o tamanho correto da molécula de água por fraturamento, para maximizar o desempenho por meio da redução de gotículas e da fragmentação direta da água. A água é então injetada em um fluxo de ar de alto volume/alta velocidade para impulsioná-la para a atmosfera. Aumentando o tempo de permanência e a exposição a elementos externos e ambientais.

Esse é um processo contínuo com o ar ambiente sendo reabastecido por meio de uma unidade de soprador de palhetas de alto desempenho dentro do evaporador. Extraindo ar de ambientes frescos para manter e atingir a maior evaporação possível.

Nossa tecnologia de evaporação pode ajudá-lo a evitar a construção de outra estação de tratamento de água ou, no mínimo, construir uma muito menor. O tratamento de água é sempre caro e, no clima atual, os custos estão subindo às alturas com matérias-primas para o CAPEX e também custos OPEX para os consumíveis. Veja nossa linha completa de equipamentos flutuantes e terrestres evaporadores modelos.

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Notícias e percepções

3 key trends driving underground ventilation

Data de publicação: 21 junho 2024

From the moment mankind began the pursuit of mining the earth for valuable commodities, there has been one unchanged constant. The need for a safe, reliable and efficient supply of air to those underground. This can be achieved through adequate underground ventilation & air solutions.

Since the beginning of civilisation, man has toiled to extract stone, ceramics and later precious minerals to subsist, to improve his way of life and in time, to prosper. Following the onset of the industrial age, this pursuit has expanded on a vast scale and the need to supply air sustainably and in volume to underground operations has grown.

Today, however, while the pace at which mining is undertaken throughout the world has increased, the imperatives are changing. While the core responsibility of global miners is to provide sustainable operations, the need to constantly adapt and generate new efficiencies is ever-present. On top of the need for quality air supply, the industrial narrative is expanding with miners now charged with the mandate of achieving increased safety, profitability and environmental outcomes.

As the pace and scale at which mining continues into the future, there are three key enablers that are guiding this new era of mining & underground ventilation;

Flexibility
Technology
Agility

1. Ventilation flexibility

The ability to adapt to change is vital in any industry and being able to tailor processes to meet operating conditions is key. In underground mining, the ability to target air supply in line with production requirements is one of the main challenges for operators. To meet this challenge, the concept of underground Ventilation On Demand (VOD) has been prevalent in recent years with systems designed to deliver airflow to workings based on scheduling and people movements.

However, the contemporary approach to delivering on-demand air supply in recent times has been to regulate airflow through complex and expensive infrastructure. The solution has been the application of Variable Speed Drives (VSD), Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) or Variable Voltage Variable Frequency Drives (VVCFD) – which control power to the underground ventilation system enabling airflow to be ramped up or down based on demand.

It is a given that high air velocities require high-pressure gradients and maintaining this pressure across a mining network comes at a high cost. In the post-2007 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) era and the subsequent mining downturn of 2013, the use of VSDs was seen as the logical way to tailor the supply of airflow based on demand, with the primary benefit being a reduction in power consumption costs. For an underground mine, has been estimated that ventilation systems can contribute to as much as 50% of power consumption needs. While there has been a heightened focus on driving down costs to enable economically sustainable operations, VSDs still present somewhat of a conundrum.

By nature, VSDs are a costly solution in themselves, with infrastructure and supporting control software ranging in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. As expensive as they are, they are equally fragile, requiring dedicated, air-conditioned rooms and custom cabling for operation. While the benefits of Ventilation On Demand via the use of VSDs seem apparent, their use now almost seems illogical in the harshest of underground environments.

If only there was another way…

Enter Australian business Minetek, with a new approach to optimising airflow underground called Performance On Demand (POD). Minetek has developed an innovative approach to optimising air circuits enabling a shift away from requiring costly VSDs. This is certainly a watershed moment in underground ventilation. Able to be manually or autonomously controlled, the mechanically driven solution delivers the required flexibility for operators by tuning the dynamics of the airflow over the system’s innovative impellers.

By mechanically controlling the flow of air over the impellers – not the supply of power to the fan – power consumption is optimised and can be maintained at a significantly lower level. Minetek has been able to deliver up to a 50% reduction in power consumption costs, all while enabling operators to maintain flexibility in line with production and scheduling requirements. From a broader perspective, POD considers the new imperatives faced by miners – by actually driving down operational costs and in turn yielding improvements in environmental outcomes.

This new underground ventilation approach delivers true flexibility whilst improving profitability and the long-term viability of underground operations.

2. Underground ventilation technology

They say necessity is the mother of all invention and underground mining has a rich history of reflecting this expression. Driven by necessity, the mining sector has been constantly innovating to deliver safe, reliable and efficient operations underground.

Technology in mining has evolved with mankind. From the ancient use of tools to extract precious metals, to the use of black powder explosives to break apart large rocks in the late middle ages, mining has been a proving ground for new technologies for millennia.

Given the severity of underground conditions, the appetite for the development of enabling technology has maintained pace if not exceeded that of life above ground. Driven by the need to ensure safety, improve operational efficiencies and focus on reducing environmental impacts, mining has been an eager, albeit cautious adopter of new technologies.

Over the past two decades, in particular, the shape of technology in mining has moved towards new underground ventilation themes. Automation, optimisation, digitisation and even electrification are the new focus for underground miners, as organisations explore new and integrated ways to meet their safety, profitability and environmental objectives.

Underground ventilation is a tremendous lever in achieving progress against all three objectives and the application of new technologies can have a significant impact. Now, the key drivers in underground ventilation are very much about the interoperability of disparate systems within the operating layer and automating processes to maximise performance.

For years the requirement for ventilation has fundamentally been to meet a minimum volume and pressure requirement; however, the evolved mine now recognises the need to optimise assets and processes – like every other aspect of production – to extract maximum efficiency, drive down operating costs and increase profitability.

Minetek has at its core a focus on innovation and is relishing the opportunity to challenge the status quo in the design, implementation and operation of an underground ventilation system. Outside of MINETEK’s radical approach to the design of fan systems, the focus is squarely on integrating with mine systems to enable autonomous operation. Performance On-Demand is an excellent example of applied technology and Minetek are moving beyond the focus on reducing power consumption to explore truly responsive operation. While Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has been around since the mid-1940s, its application in the industrial world is now connecting opportunities to improve processes in mining.

Minetek has developed an innovative new approach to optimising air circuits by integrating RFID technology to trigger its Performance On-Demand ventilation system and target air delivery based on vehicle movements. The approach is a game-changer in enabling operators to effectively reduce airflow to parts of the mine with no scheduled activity, maintaining airbag inflation levels at a minimum and reducing power consumption costs exponentially.

By automating triggered airflow and removing the need for human intervention, both safety and operating performance can be optimised. Connecting modern ventilation technologies to leverage data and driving predictive processes is the path forward to achieving true operational efficiency.

3. Ventilation agility

Agility is defined as being able to move quickly and easily. Being nimble, lithe and spry. In recent years the term agile has been adopted in the project management field, characterising the approach to dividing tasks into short phases with a frequent reassessment of plans and priorities.

Although coined within software development circles, where the pace of change is rapid, this definition of agility is certainly apt for the continuously changing environment in which underground mining occurs. By definition, a mine is constantly changing. It is required to undergo a systematic change in its shape and size as ore body is extracted from the earth.

While the initial design of an underground mine provides operators with a road map of how their infrastructure will evolve, it is an agile project management and the understanding of how to apply resources over time that is required to continually adapt and optimise.

Agility requires a combination of technology and flexibility.

At Minetek, we have recognised the need to be agile and have partnered with leading mines the world over to apply the latest thinking in mine ventilation, which is enabling miners to meet and exceed their objectives. For example, Minetek’s innovative fan technology is giving operators flexibility through Performance On Demand. POD enables operators to quickly ramp up or down air delivery by directing the flow of air through innovative control vane design.

This approach removes the need for VSD intervention which offers a distinct performance improvement. By removing the need for VSD, mines can use all available power without the risk of fan stalling or creating harmonic imbalance. This flexibility in control and application offers true agility, by lowering power consumption and costs and also allows faster re-entries following blasting activity.

To be agile requires a lean approach.

Minetek’s robust designed single-speed fans, with blades virtually impervious to wear, have been proven to reduce power consumption costs by up to 50%. Also, by stripping away bulk, the compact fan design is enabling miners to achieve agility by enabling them to be safely and efficiently deployed across the network with ease.

Compared to traditional larger fans, Minetek’s compact units have the capability to outperform larger alternatives and then be redeployed quickly and easily to other locations as the mine workings evolve. By virtue of their smaller size, Minetek fans can be easily installed in a range of orientations and tight underground locations. This agility and responsiveness enable operators to adapt to changing conditions while reducing the potential for manual handling safety impacts.

To be truly agile requires confidence.

Minetek has built deep domain experience in the design, manufacturing, testing and installation of the most advanced fan systems in the world and is backed by a large team of aeronautical, mechanical and electrical engineers. From initial decline modelling and consultancy through to post-implementation support, our team has the combined capability to help deliver an agile approach to your next ventilation project.

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Notícias e percepções

Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum

Ar

Data de publicação: 21 junho 2024

O Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum is an annual event held in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. This forum is a platform for mining industry deals, with a strong focus on networking and business opportunities. It is one of the largest mining events in Australia and attracts a large number of international delegates.

The Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum will be held from 1-3 August 2022 & 7-9 August 2023. Minetek will be in attendance and readily available to discuss strategies to reduce underground ventilation costs, enabling operational efficiency in challenging environments.

Minetek has recently opened a new operations hub located in Perth, Western Australia, providing convenient access to WA’s mining regions. Our world-class service has expanded to meet the demand & responsiveness needed to support our clients.

Since 1984 Minetek has been delivering innovative, modular air management solutions to industry leaders around the world. We understand the need to reduce downtime and maintain operation efficiency by having the flexibility to control the delivery of air when and where it’s needed.

Services include scheduled fan servicing and ongoing support to help with the following;

Proactively identifying issues on time
Prevenção de reparos dispendiosos
Minimização do tempo de inatividade
Aumentar a longevidade do equipamento
Produção otimizada
Assegura uma programação eficaz

This includes executing, reporting, communicating and interpreting maintenance activity results. Reports include a summary report including photos, follow-up actions and priorities.

Ar

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Notícias e percepções

Mine site noise level monitoring

Data de publicação: 21 junho 2024

Mining companies have an obligation to protect the environment and the communities in which they operate. One way of doing this is by monitoring noise levels from mining operations. Noise level monitoring helps identify and mitigate any potential noise impacts from mining activities. It is important for mining companies to understand how mine noise affects the surrounding community so that any adverse effects can be mitigated. Noise monitoring is not only important for employer safety, it can also raise expenditures due to machine replacement, fines, compensation payouts and strict limitations to production schedules. This article discusses what mine noise level monitoring is, and how it can benefit mining companies and communities.

What is mine noise level monitoring?

The management of noise from mining operations is a fundamental responsibility of mine operators. Noise level monitoring is one method used to assess the potential for hearing loss among workers and to determine whether noise mitigation measures are effective. Solutions such as sound attenuation can allow for extended operating hours, increased productivity and improved work environments.

There are a number of different approaches that can be taken to noise level monitoring, depending on the specific needs of the operation. In general, however, noise level monitors are placed at strategic locations around the mine in order to get a comprehensive understanding of the noise environment. Data from these monitors is then analysed to identify areas of high noise exposure and assess the effectiveness of noise mitigation measures.

Noise level monitoring is an important tool in ensuring the safety and health of workers at mine sites. By identifying areas of high noise exposure, operators can take steps to reduce noise levels and protect workers from potential hearing damage. Sound levels below 85 dBA are considered safe noise level exposure levels. If you are exposed to sound levels at 85 dBA or more for prolonged periods of time, it can cause permanent damage to your hearing. Operator noise exposure testing can help prevent potential hearing damage to machine operators by ensuring safe noise levels are met.

What are the benefits of noise level monitoring?

There are a number of potential benefits that noise level monitoring can bring to both mining companies and the communities in which they operate. For mining companies, noise level monitoring can help to identify areas where noise levels are becoming a problem. This information can then be used to implement mitigating measures, such as installing sound-proofing barriers or attenuating your mining machinery. Noise level monitoring can help mining companies assess the effectiveness of these measures over time.

For communities, noise level monitoring can provide valuable data on the level of noise pollution they are being exposed to. This information can be used to pressure mining companies to take action to reduce noise levels and meet noise level compliance. In addition, it can also be used to inform local residents about the need to take precautions against excessive noise exposure. Ultimately, noise level monitoring has the potential to bring significant benefits to both mining companies and the communities in which they operate.

Noise mitigation solutions

Minetek offers a wide range of services to optimise the noise output from your machine. We analyse and measure both sound power, or how much acoustic energy is produced by one source (elevator bell), as well as intensity measurements. This enables us to capture the sound intensity measurement of the source without noisy operating conditions impacting our sound testing data.

By pinpointing key noise sources, we are able to strategically focus on specific machine parts to help reduce overall noise levels through sound attenuation. Sound attenuation helps to mitigate noise issues and reap the immediate rewards of the reduced machine sound output without economic loss of downtime or fines. Minetek can help sites assess all elements of sound suppression and embed sound as a key consideration in all safety and environmental initiatives.

Minetek is committed to helping our clients reduce noise levels and create a more safe and comfortable work environment. We offer a variety of services to meet your needs, including onsite sound assessing, consultation, custom engineering, installation, and servicing. Our team has extensive experience working in the mining industry and is dedicated to providing guaranteed results.

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Notícias e percepções

Redefining mining industry standards through innovative motor starters

Minetek’s Motor Starters

Pump Starters

Jumbo Starters

Minetek Power’s commitment to innovation in mining operations

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Mine site noise control strategies

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1. Employer Noise Control

2. Controlling Noise at the Source

3. Controlling Noise Propagation

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Tratamento de água

Tratamento de águas residuais - Vantagens e desvantagens

Evaporação da água

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Evaporação de água vs. tratamento de água - Mini estudo de caso

Comparação de clientes

Evaporadores de água Minetek

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3 key trends driving underground ventilation

1. Ventilation flexibility

2. Underground ventilation technology

3. Ventilation agility

Artigos relacionados

Ar - Redução de custos e impacto com ventilação subterrânea eficiente

Engenharia de Ar - o futuro da ventilação de minas

Respirando em perigo: como a má qualidade do ar subterrâneo está sufocando as operações do seu site

Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum

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Engenharia de Ar - o futuro da ventilação de minas

Respirando em perigo: como a má qualidade do ar subterrâneo está sufocando as operações do seu site