Month: December 2021

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What Equipment Do You Need for Gold Mining?

panoramic view of a gold mine

Hard rock mining produces most of the world’s gold, and the US (the fourth-largest gold-producing nation after China, Australia and Russia), produced 200 tonnes of gold in 2019. Mines that produce gold are situated all over the US, with most of the nation’s gold being produced in the state of Nevada. This means that there is a lot of equipment in circulation used for gold mining, from safety equipment to communication solutions to heavy vehicles.

Gold mining equipment

So, what equipment do you need for gold mining? Mines require hoists and conveyor belts (as well as other transport/removal equipment), solutions for ground support (such as bolts), ventilation systems to clear and control hazardous gases and dust, cap lights and visibility solutions, communication networks (such as fixed phones or portable radios), PPE equipment (such as personal gas detectors), and collision avoidance systems for both vehicles/equipment and personnel.

Where to buy gold mining equipment

With such diversity in equipment, having onsite expertise in all areas at all times can be tricky. Finding a trusted distributor who has searched the market for the best solutions for each application is the best way to ensure optimal safety, productivity and profitability.

Carroll Technologies offers safety, communication, motor controls, monitoring, collision avoidance and other gold mining equipment (along with installation and repair services) to mines across the US. With more than 40 years of experience, Carroll only supplies gold mining equipment from the best and most trusted manufacturers on the market.

Gold mining equipment manufacturers

Northern Light Technologies (NLT) has paved the way with cap lamp innovation, incorporating proximity and tracking tags into its world-leading and fully customizable cap light solutions, including NLT Polaris, Rebel and Genesis cap lights.

PBE’s PAS-ZR is a ruggedized version of its standard collision avoidance system, specifically designed for the mining industry. This tag-based detection system can be used for both mobile and fixed assets, including workers, and uses multiple detection technologies simultaneously to provide reliable results. PBE’s MineBoss 2.0 is a centralized control system for atmospheric monitoring, fire and dust suppression systems, power supplies/battery back-up, fans and airflow systems.

Harrington Hoists offers a broad range of hoists used for gold mining, including overhead cranes, crane accessories, chain hoists and trolleys, electric wire rope hoists and trolleys, lever hoists, manual hand chain hoists, push and geared trolleys, and a full line of replacement parts.

MSA safety solutions are used at gold mining sites across the globe. Its safety equipment includes the Altair 4X Detector, a portable multi-gas detector that can alert the user to the presence of combustibles, toxins, and anaerobic environments in 15 seconds, as well as the W65 Self-Rescuer Respirator, a one-time-use device that provides emergency respiratory protection against carbon monoxide.

Page Boss phones provide clear and undistorted communication for an entire gold mining network, the company’s portfolio of phones can be mixed and matched to build a complete communication system above or below ground.

The best way for Carroll Technologies to provide gold mining equipment for your mine is through a consultation to meet your site’s specific needs. Book a free safety consultation here or call 606-573-1000 to find out more.

 

Further Reading:

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Underground Mine Dewatering Techniques

a miner inspecting flood water levels in an underground mine

The presence of water in underground mines can halt operations, damage vehicles and equipment, and even risk contamination and becoming an environmental issue. Each mining site is different, so the nature and the extent of the flooding risk differs, but the demand for effective underground mine dewatering techniques is growing as mining operations are increasingly digging deeper.

Mine dewatering pumps

Submersible pumps or sump pumps for dewatering are essential tools for controlling water at mining sites and preventing flooding. Underground mine dewatering pumps are often submersible as they are better designed to handle debris without clogging, but there is a great deal of selection available for redirecting water underground.

The underground mine dewatering pump system that is chosen can depend on the specific layout of a mine, including the choice between using a single large pump to remove water or several smaller pumps in a multi-stage approach.

Mine dewatering pump selection

There are a lot of rugged, reliable underground mining dewatering pumps on the market, so mines will have no problem finding efficient equipment. The problem often lies with choosing the most suitable solution and weighing up the options between higher investment in larger pumps and the cost of excavation for space when using multiple smaller pumps.

This problem is solved by putting trust in mining safety experts who can find the best underground mine dewatering solution for a mine’s specific requirements. Along with an extensive stock of dewatering equipment, Carroll Technologies partners with Equipment Pro to custom-design pumping dewatering solutions for any situation. Equipment Pro’s pump vertical turbines and dewatering pumps can handle any type of pumping situation and have been by a range of industries across the US.

According to Carroll Technologies president, Allen Haywood: “Carroll provides Equipment Pro pump-turbine systems and different model pumps for different situations around mining facilities. We can arrange for there to be an automatic pumping solution so that there’s not a lot of maintenance required, and those pumps can turn on and turn off according to the volume of water that they need or that they want to keep a level down to.

“For any type of pumping requirements that a customer may have, large or small, a custom pumping solution can be designed. Large requirements may be a very complex situation with pumps, so we can build floating systems, pontoon systems, where these pumps are stationed.”

Additionally, Stancor Pumps has an extensive portfolio of MSHA-approved mine dewatering pumps designed to redirect water in confined spaces. The company’s portfolio includes the explosion-proof  P/S Series of heavy-duty, dewatering pumps that offer excellent wear resistance, as well as the SL Solids Seriesvortex trash pumps, SEW solids handling wastewater pumps, and SB Series of clean water dewatering pumps.

Other mining equipment experts include Mefcor, which offers simple clog-resistant pumping solutions for difficult dewatering applications. Mefcor underground dewatering pumps do not require a power source or maintenance.

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MSHA Powered Haulage Equipment Safety Guidance

mobile equipment at a mining site

Steps to keep workers safe also included the proposal over a new rule for powered haulage mobile equipment, that would require mine operators that employ six or more miners to design a written safety program. Mine operators would have flexibility when it comes to devising their safety programs to meet the needs of their specific mining conditions, but what do MSHA accident prevention rules suggest when it comes to powered haulage equipment safety guidance?

 

MSHA Accident Prevention

For MSHA mobile equipment, there are a number of rules in place that mine operators should consider when designing their powered haulage equipment safety plan. Firstly, speed restrictions must be enforced that are consistent with the conditions at a mining site, and secondly, mobile equipment that is not in motion must be stored in a safe location that prevents it from moving and becoming a hazard.

 

MSHA Powered Haulage Safety Initiative

In a guidance document provided by the MSHA, best practices are outlined regarding improving visibility, communication, traffic management, seat belt use, dumping practices, equipment guards, working around belt conveyors and crossover safety. There is also guidance for conveyor design, installation, and maintenance, as well as pre-operational examination of equipment.

The document contains links to video and training resources that will help mines to recognize, control, and abate hazards that cause powered haulage accidents.

In addition to Hi-Vis and effective communication, the primary focus of MSHA powered haulage safety rules focuses on proximity detection strategies and MSHA-approved collision avoidance systems.

According to Carroll Technologies president, Allen Haywood: “Designing a safety program could include things such as designated areas, as well as warnings of equipment and personnel being active, possibly with the use signage. There are different ways that each operation can come up with a plan to help the safety aspect of collisions with personnel or equipment.”

Read more: Latest developments related to the MSHA Powered Haulage Safety Initiative

MSHA proximity rule

In 2015, MSHA published a rule that required underground coal mine operators to equip continuous mining machines with collision avoidance systems.

Collision avoidance systems involve tracking vehicles, moving equipment and personnel to establish safe zones, trigger collision alerts, and provide operators with proximity awareness without distracting them from their task. These systems are particularly important when it comes to heavy powered haulage equipment, especially when adverse environments may impair visibility.

As experts in mining safety, Carroll Technologies supplies collision avoidance solutions that can be customized for your mining operation, offering a range of products such as PBE’s dash-mounted collision avoidance system. Find out more here about how products supplied through Carroll Technologies can keep your mining operation safe, along with the company’s repair and installation services.