Dugless 900 Clean up at a major coal operations in Bowen Basin

A safer, faster, more efficient conveyor clean-up with the Dugless 900

Our latest venture in providing the Mining Industry with a leading edge in cutting technology has taken the Dugless 900 to Central Queensland, providing our services to a major coal operation in Bowen Basin Our services included removing the build-up of excess material under various conveyor systems, as well as the removal of product build up under multiple GTU’s, all completed under a risk assessment while the plant still operates.

This is the only way to clean in high risk areas, effectively eliminating manual handling tasks involved and all while maintaining a seamless line of productivity. Whilst in operation the area under a GTU is barricaded with a spotter engaged, ensuring no unauthorised access into the high risk work area; the Dugless 900 does the rest.

Below are some examples of how your company can benefit from using the Dugless 900.

• Eliminates or substitutes the risk element from hazardous clean-up situations.
• No risk to personnel for work that would otherwise have to be performed manually, eliminating repetitive strain injuries.
• The Dugless 900 is safe to use, reduces the risk significantly and is highly efficient.

Contact Minprovise for hire or purchase options today.

Major coal operation in Bowen Basin - Before the clean up, Jan 2012

That is, until remote-controlled ‘Little Duggie’ arrived on the scene.

Designed and built by West Australian-based engineering firm, Minprovise, the DUGLESS 900 has found ready acceptance around the world since its launch in 2009 – mostly for conveyor spillage cleanup and other hazardous materials handling applications.

The mining industry in particular was quick to recognise the immediate benefit of not having to shut down conveyors during maintenance.

Conveyor frames are often awkward to work around with low ground clearance preventing access underneath by traditional utility skid steer loaders and other machinery. And cleaning away fugitive material with water trucks and hoses is no longer acceptable. Personnel using shovels could cause other problems such as high cost and increased accident risk – plus the conveyor itself would usually have to be shut down – which meant all site operations would be affected.

With remote-controlled ‘little Duggie’ on the job the benefit is improved productivity which results in greater cost efficiency.

One interesting case study demonstrating the efficiency of the machine occurred recently at an iron ore site in the rugged Pilbara region of Western Australia. Just one man operating his remote-controlled DUGLESS was able to reclaim 300 tonnes of iron ore spillage from under the conveying system at the stockpile in only 12 hours.  That equates to a tiny 5 day payback period in industry productivity terms.

 This is partly where Simon Kitto first saw the opportunity for his Compact Cleaning Solutions contracting business in Muswellbrook, NSW, to lift productivity and improve safety for several of his clients involved in the maintenance of concrete box culverts under roads and highways.  “Municipalities and Government Departments were often finding it difficult to keep on schedule with their culvert cleanouts and maintenance programs” said Kitto.  “Doing it manually with men and hand tools or with water hoses was costing way too much and taking too long. We can now help them get back on schedule and do a quicker, better job” he commented.

 A simple 2 joystick hand remote control harness allows the operator to stand or sit whilst operating the unit from a safe distance. Little Duggie weighs 900kg and is powered by a 2 cylinder Lombardini diesel engine that delivers 12kW continuous power to the steel-belted rubber tracks. The 4 in 1 bucket capacity is .13m and is self-levelling.

 The machine has been remarkably successful in picking up two industry awards within the first year of its launch – winning the Bulk Materials Handling Award from London’s Mining Magazine – the world’s longest running global mining journal, and also winning Best Practice in OH&S Category in the recent Australian Bulk Handling Awards. The DUGLESS 900 was also a finalist in the Innovative Mining Solutions Category of the 6^th Annual Mining Prospect Awards.

  Further info from:

David Chandler (author) 0418 911 559

Dave Rutter (Minprovise) 0419 966 535

This is the part of their product introduction for the global market and as there agents in Oceania, we see it is as being very helpful for our existing and new clients.

 AggFlow is the world’s most sophisticated plant simulation and flow analysis software and has been developed specifically for the mining and aggregate industry to maximize production and improve profitability.

It is used to build a crushing plant on your computer screen, choose different OEM equipment types and settings, monitor flow rates and gradations at desired points, and then simulate running the plant.

The simulation software calculates both the Mass Balance and the Mass Water Balance. The program is extremely popular because it is accurate, easy to use and allows OEM crusher comparisons. You can also improve profitability by reducing plant down-time and production errors. And reduce emissions and fuel consumption by refining overall plant efficiency.

 Today, AggFlow is recognized as the industry standard program for optimizing plant production.

New details

Address: 88 Welshpool Road, Welshpool WA 6106, Australia
Phone: +61 8 9359 6800
Fax: +61 8 9470 9198

Held only once every four years, AIMEX is the event for mining industry buyers and specifiers from throughout the Asia-Pacific region to source new products, technologies and services from new and existing Australian and international suppliers.  AIMEX also provides trade visitors with a valuable opportunity to obtain vital technical information and network with industry colleagues in an interactive business environment. Attendance to AIMEX is free for trade only.

Visit the Minprovise stand at H1070 to:

• Check out and discuss the more powerful and productive Dugless 900 Mark II Conveyor Spillage Cleaning Machine. At 560mm in height, the Dugless 900 is specially designed to safely manoeuvre under low operational conveyor systems to remove spillage without risk to workers or the surrounding environment.
• Discuss with our East Coast Site Services team, the Minprovise on-site services and consultancy, off-site repair capabilities, and project management.
• Discuss your mining, quarry or aggregate crushing and systems requirements.
• Learn about Northern Heavy Industries (NHI) and our capability to supply their products and systems.
• View and discuss our NEW range of Technofast high-pressure, hydraulically operated bolt-tensioning devices that can be quickly and easily fitted and used with standard hydraulic pumps and equipment.
• View and learn more about our Araldite range of resins and epoxies including Crusher Backing K75-2 and Wearguard, a wear resistant epoxy.

Click here to register:  http://www.aimex.com.au/en/for-visitors/register/

 Prior to engaging Minprovise, the conveyor could only run at approximately 2500tph before product would spill from the conveyor resulting in excessive downtime for cleanup. The original conveyor design was for 4500tph.

 After negotiation, Gary Everson (Manager – Eastern Australia) was awarded the project to re-align and re-profile the conveyor by modifying the concave and convex curves that a previous contractor had recommended.

 A Minprovise team was mobilised and the work was successfully completed in 8 days with 2 shifts working around the clock. All conveyor sections were straightened and levelled and rollers aligned. One convex curve was removed and the remaining 3 curve radii modified to improve belt carrying capacity, steerage and correct entry to the loading section of the conveyor.  Head and tail pulleys were also realigned and weigh stations set up correctly for calibration. Conveyor loading zones and chute skirts were also realigned to ensure optimum belt entry and material loading.

Commissioning was completed on the 26^th May and a peak throughput of 5600tph was achieved without spillage. This represents a significant operational improvement and results in the conveyor being able to run at its designed throughput of 4500tph continuously with one or a combination of stockpile feeders in operation.  The end result is faster ship loading times and no need for cleanup crews.

View of conveyor after work completed

View of conveyor with product

Northern Heavy Industries is a state-owned sole corporation which was established after the merger and reorganization of Shenyang Heavy Machinery Group Co Ltd and Shenyang Mining Machinery Group co Ltd. After the successful accomplishment of merger and acquisition of NFM Company (France) in 2007, NHI became a transnational enterprise. In 2009, NHI became one of China’s top 500 companies.

What we will represent is as follows:

Products

Mineral Sizers
Apron Feeders
Magnetic Separators
High Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR)
Conveyor Components (Frames, Rollers and Belts)

Systems

Conveyor System
Stacker Reclaimer
Crusher Station (Semi-Mobile and Mobile)
Thickener
EPC Supply

Business Development and Support

• Minprovise is to be responsible for market development and will work with NHI to prepare for any necessary tenders and bidding requirements that
• For all such projects, Minprovise will provide local client support including installation, commissioning, warranty and after sales service / support.
• For other projects of NHI in Australia, NHI will consider Minprovise to provide such support and after sales service depending on their merits

Mining & Engineering WA 2011
5-7 July 2011
Perth Contention & Exhibition Centre

You can register at http://www.miningandengineeringwa.com.au/en/for-visitors/register