Author: Laura Griffiths

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Becker Mining Systems: Why Carroll is North America’s leading supplier

Becker Mining Systems

We provide automation, communication, transportation and infrastructure technology solutions from Becker Mining Systems for mining and tunnelling industries. Becker is a Germany-based company with products including energy distribution by Endis, automation by Mincos, communication by Smartcom, haulage by Minetrans and infrastructure by Minesupport.

Becker’s energy distribution products include a range of contractors, e-houses, power centres, switch gears and transformers. Its automation solutions cover belt management, environmental control and fieldbus designs, and its communication solutions include network infrastructure, proximity detection systems, RFID technology, remote blasting and a voice over internet protocol system. Its haulage solutions comprise chair lifts, pumps, rope attachment and trains, and its infrastructure solutions cover arch support, armoured face conveyers, breakers and crushers, longwall systems and powered roof support.

As well as supplying Becker systems, Carroll provides an all-around service, from design to installation, to servicing and repair. We will ensure that installation is fully integrated with existing systems from other suppliers, as well as provide servicing and repair service with 24/7 technical support.

All products and services provided by Carroll Technologies are supported by our MineCare 24/7 support team, with services including on-call technical support, certified repair centres, a spare parts inventory worth more than $7 million, same-day delivery from 11 distribution networks across North America, and expert repair services guaranteed to meet MSHA specifications.

Becker Mining Systems is part of our distribution network of more than 70 manufacturers, spanning across 13 distribution networks in North America. Our services cover rapid response safety compliance, a service exchange program, factory authorised repair and around the clock product support.

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Federal Pacific: why Carroll Technologies is North America’s Leading Supplier

Mining Transformer

For more than 30 years, Carroll Technologies has been serving the mining industry across North America, supplying more than 800 mines with safety, communication, power and electrical equipment.

Federal Pacific is a division of Electro-Mechanical Corporation, which specialises in the manufacturing of power generation, transmission and distribution solutions. Its product portfolio includes low voltage/dry-type transformers, pad-mounted switchgears, metal-enclosed switchgears and custom-engineered switchgears.

The company’s broad portfolio of transformers meet the power requirements of a number of sectors, including oil and gas, electric utility and industrial (including mining). It manufactures industrial control transformers, encapsulated or ventilated 600-volt class transformers, high-voltage general purpose transformers, pad-mounted transformers and unit substations/high voltage power, as well as vacuum pressure impregnated (VPI) and vacuum pressure encapsulated (VPE) transformers.

The pad-mounted switchgear range includes the PSI/II Live-Front, PSE Dead-Front, PVE Dead-Front Vacuum Interrupter, PLD Live-Front/Dead-Front, FTDF Fused Sectionalizer with Elbow Switching and the PMDF Primary Metering. Federal Pacific also provides a metal-enclosed load interrupter switchgear and unit substation primary switchgear.

With a distribution network of more than 70 trusted manufacturers, Carroll Technologies can meet your power distribution needs. In addition to Federal Pacific, Carroll Technologies is partnered with Benshaw, J & R Manufacturing, Mining Controls, ABB and SMC Electrical Products in order to provide a comprehensive range of equipment, including variable frequency drives, motor and drive controls, power centres and AC connectors.

Carroll Technologies provides more than just power distribution solutions. All products supplied through Carroll are covered by MinerCare 24/7, which offers on-call technical support, factory authorised repair centres for its most prominent partners (including Pyott-Boone, MSA, Eaton, ComTrol and SMC), a spare parts inventory worth more than $7 million, same-day delivery from a network of 11 US distribution centres, and MSHA-approved repair processes.

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Mining Controls: Why Carroll Technologies is North America’s Leading Supplier

Mining controls on excavator

Mining Controls (MCI) designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of mining power products, from electrical apparatus such as power substations, AC switchgears, reactors and ground monitors, to MSHA-approved mine lighting such as head lights, explosion-proof light enclosures and area lights.

MCI’s manufacturing facility houses areas for enclosure fabrication, powder coating, transformers and reactors, final assembly and testing. Its product line includes electrical power distribution equipment for any underground mining operation.

Carroll Technologies supplies more than just Mining Control products. We provide around the clock technical support and post-purchase services.

Built on more than thirty years of experience and a distribution network comprising more than 70 manufacturers, we provide factory-authorised repairs and stock a spare parts inventory worth more than $7 million. We serve more than 800 mines across North America, shipping products from our 13 distribution centres.

MinerCare 24/7, the most comprehensive support service available to the US mining industry, offers on-call expert technical support and MSHA certified repair. Our rapid response service is equipped to deal with emergency situations from mine fires to critical machine downtime.

Done improperly, mining can be incredibly dangerous for both workers and the environment. It is essential to monitor and control conditions in and around mines to keep hazards from becoming danger. All products supplied by Carroll are supported by our MineCare 24/7 service.

We provide network design and consulting services, working as infrastructure advisors and ensuring effective communication between IT departments and underground teams. Additionally, we provide training courses for major products, ensuring best safety practises and proper installation and maintenance.

Our services and product line includes miner equipment and tracking, communication solutions, monitoring and safety equipment, power distribution equipment, motor controls and electronics.

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The Importance of Effective Breathing Air Systems for Confined Spaces

Mining excavator kicking up a lot of dust

Dust emissions pose a threat to workers, as well as the efficient functioning of equipment and processes, so effective breathing air systems for confined spaces are a must for any mining operation.

Air filtration systems capture dust particles, significantly increasing the quality of air. Additionally, collecting dust reduces the amount of mining throughput that may be lost during operations. Up to 1% is lost during cement installations, meaning seven tonnes would be lost every hour at a 700TPH quarry.

How do operators choose the breathing air systems for confined spaces that are right for them?

There are a number of areas throughout a mining system where dust is generated, including crushers, conveyor belt transfer points, truck dumps, bin filling stations and transport loading. Air filtration is needed in these areas to capture lost throughput, but it is also essential when these areas are in confined spaces to protect mining workers’ wellbeing.

When choosing where to locate filtration systems/dust collectors, operators can choose between close to the primary source (any of the above locations where materials are dropped to generate dust) or a central location, to which dust will be diverted for filtration.

Operators must take into account that dust particles generated during mining operations can be extremely abrasive and cause damage to filters if using a central filtration system. When choosing their dust collecting system, air patterns and velocity, as well as dust distribution, must be taken into consideration. Collected dust must be removed at regular intervals to prevent blockages, secondary dust emissions and damage to equipment. Additionally, central systems will rely on hoppers and ducting to divert air to the system from the dust generating source.

Source locations pose other potential issues. Water and oil may be present in dust if the filter is close to operating equipment. Consequentially, to avoid filter abrasion, breathing air filters should be placed as far from the equipment as possible to avoid unnecessarily high dust loading.

Donaldson dust collectors, available through Carroll

Donaldson manufactures a number of breathing air systems for confined spaces.

Donaldson Torit advanced-technology cartridge dust collectors and filters are optimised for industrial dusts. They are primarily used in the pharmaceutical, chemical, bulk powder, food and metal sectors. The Downflo Evolution (DFE) dust collector is an industry-leading piece of equipment, which will significantly reduce the size and quantity of filtration machinery that is required by up to 40%.

The company’s Torit PowerCore dust collection technology uses proprietary Ultra-Web nanofiber technology. This requires a much smaller and more efficient filter, taking up less space on location. Despite its small size, this filter can handle high air flow and abrasive dust particles.

Donaldson offers a comprehensive range of efficient and robust baghouse collectors, including the Dalamatic, Unimaster and Syvac. The automatic Dalamatic is a reverse-jet fabric filter dust collector. It can be used for continuous process applications that involve heavy-duty product recovery, which produce large concentrations of dust. The compact Modular Baghouse dust collector is a dependable system supplying continuous-duty, pulse-jet operation.

Donaldson works with a global network to provide industry-leading filtration solutions to its customers. Carroll distributes these safety-assured breathing air filters to the mining industry as part of its manufacturer network of more than 70 companies across the globe.

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LED Lasers Are Being Deployed to Keep Mine Workers Aware and Safe

LED laser for mining

mproved spacial awareness assures worker safety and security as they carry out day-to-day tasks, and is an essential investment for staying on the right side of Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulation.

These guarantees can be best achieved through technology such as proximity detection devices, as well as by using LED mining lasers.

LED mining lasers, which are able to penetrate thick smoke and dust, allow miners to see through potentially dangerous blackouts.

Carroll Technologies Group supplies a range of such lasers from Laser Tools Co. Inc. (LTC), a leading supplier of LED solutions for the mining industry. These instruments are also specially designed and manufactured in line with MSHA guidelines.

With products shippable from over 13 different distribution centers across North America, over 800 mines rely on Carroll Technologies every day for their mining safety needs. Plus, the MinerCare 24/7 support line is only a phone call away for Carroll’s customers, giving them peace of mind in the knowledge that help is only seconds away.

Carroll Technologies Group supplies a variety of different Strobe laser models from LTC, such as the LED Strobe. The device will flash a bright LED strobe laser every few seconds and is visible from over 100 feet down a mine shaft.

These mining lasers have a red, blue, green and yellow warning light system

The red LED can be used to warn the mining staff of an unsupported roof, while blue LEDs are intended for water distribution. This green light gives users the ability to mark permissible entry points to a mining site with a number of different colors, which can act as beacons in hazardous machinery conditions. Finally, yellow LEDs can be used to mark out man trip and transport vehicles.

The lighting system can also be used as an in-by or out-by directional indicator, or to mark out a refuge center storing a collection of self-contained self-rescuers. Hugely multi-use, it can even be magnetically attached to a backpack or sled to identify a rescue team.

Carroll Technologies is also able to supply the LTC Methane Strobe. This device is used to remind staff to check the methane levels at the rock face every 20 minutes. The bright white LED laser light of the methane strobe remains disabled for 19 minutes, before flickering off and on again every two seconds for one minute, acting as a signal to test methane levels.

Powered by three AA batteries, this device keeps workers constantly aware of their environment and saves on the costs of setting up a fixed multi-gas detector.

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Ceramic and Urethane Linings for Steel Pipes in Mines Increase Longevity at Least Ten-Fold

Ceramic and urethane linings for steel pipes

Shoots and piping assemblies which transfer abrasive materials are susceptible to substantial wear and tear. Providing steel pipes with an appropriate lining can drastically extend the life of a product.

Carroll Technologies Group has now partnered with S&S Urethane, a leading manufacturer of urethane mining solutions, to distribute its products across the North American mining industry.

S&S Urethane’s Shannon Smith said: “Our choice to partner with Carroll Technologies was based on their experience in the mining industry, a well-trained, diverse sales force that covers a large area in the south eastern USA, along with several recommendations from our customer base.”

Based in Farina, Illinois, S&S Urethane has served the coal production, power generation, steel, grain, and aggregate industries across North America since 1974. It has multiple on site field crews across the continent, each equipped to set up complete abrasion-resistant liner installations and replacements wherever and whenever they’re needed.