{"id":8615,"date":"2024-09-30T13:06:18","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T13:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northamericanmining.com\/?p=8615"},"modified":"2024-09-30T13:14:06","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T13:14:06","slug":"coming-clean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northamericanmining.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/30\/coming-clean\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming clean"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Canadian-based Movex talks material cleanup with its new technology, removing the complexities and safety issues of under-conveyor and crushing maintenance and optimizing cleaning conditions.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By William Nicholls<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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In the mining sector, efficiency in material cleanup during the crushing and conveyor processes is critical. It inevitably impacts a mine\u2019s output, number of downtimes, resource allocation, worker safety and operational costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use of conventional means for removing waste under conveyors have challenged foremen and production supervisors for decades. However, there are new innovations in material handling heavy-duty equipment. For example, Movex Innovation<\/a>‘s Minidozer 27-inch and Minidozer 48-inch ultra-compact mini loaders are proving a way to overcome the many complications associated with legacy techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges in material removal in mines<\/strong>
Managing materials in mines and quarries has a reputation for being difficult due to constant spillage and blockages, and conveyor systems frequently experience material overflow, particularly at transfer points. Traditionally (and still to this day), to remove the debris, multiple employees were required to manually remove dust, rocks and debris using shovels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This grueling task could take hours or days because the conveyors had to be stopped so that the workers could safely carry out the material cleanup. That also meant tens of thousands of dollars lost in output every hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of constrained timelines, some maintenance teams would delay the removal of spilled material beneath conveyor systems until it accumulated to the point of causing equipment breakdowns, exacerbating downtimes to extend over several days or weeks \u2013 not to mention the unplanned costs and production delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further, manual handling poses safety risks as workers operate in hazardous conditions, often in extreme heat. Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive motions or bumping into the conveyors, slips and falls due to uneven surfaces, and exposure to potentially harmful substances inevitably lead to higher absenteeism and insurance premiums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other mining operations sometimes used water hoses; apart from being unsustainable, this technique could not be used for certain materials, like iron ore, which is typically recovered dry. Is there a better way than the shovel or water hose?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some mines think skid-steer loaders (also known as skid loaders, skid steers or SSL) are the solution. Indeed, they can be a viable alternative, but there are a couple of aspects to remember when dealing with skid loaders. For one, many of them are still fuel-powered. With today\u2019s gas prices, that can cause a real dent in a company\u2019s bottom line. They also do little to reduce noise pollution \u2013 damaging workers\u2019 health yet again \u2013 and GHG emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other companies have introduced electric and remote-controlled skid steers, but their bulky designs make it difficult to maneuver under the hard-to-reach spaces typically found under a conveyor system. Many operate either on standard wheels or caterpillar wheels; however, in both cases, the equipment can be hard to turn in tight places, and the traction is not ideal on rugged terrains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Movex Innovation\u2019s Minidozers have the lowest profiles; mounted on caterpillars that can be independently operated, they can easily turn in narrow passages, and their grip on all types of surfaces makes them exceptionally stable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, another proven solution on the market tackles these problems as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unique advantages<\/strong>
Movex Innovation\u2019s electric, remote-controlled Minidozers are proving to be vital to finally resolving the difficulties associated with mine spillage removal. Requiring only one operator, they can be maneuvered with a simple wireless controller with two ultra-precise and responsive joysticks \u2013 up to 300 feet away from the conveyor system. Another key advantage: the operator does not need to have any special certifications, making the equipment accessible and easy to use for a broader range of employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An ultra-compact design allows them to operate in extremely confined spaces where other taller equipment cannot reach. In fact, Minidozers can remove spillage without ever stopping the conveyor systems. Their low profiles have been specifically developed so that the machines can clean under conveyors. Featuring the biggest bucket capacity for their sizes, the operator can, therefore, safely load a high volume of material under the lowest structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worker health and safety come first. Apart from allowing teams to ditch the shovel work, the equipment is electric, emitting zero emissions, with the added benefit of slashing fuel costs.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Battery performance in extreme temperatures<\/strong>
Regarding battery life, Minidozers can run for up to 12 hours on a single charge. For operations requiring continuous use, additional battery packs can extend the runtime by another 12 hours, allowing the equipment to run 24\/7. Battery changes are straightforward and can be completed in just five minutes with a forklift, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common concern for battery-operated equipment is its performance in extreme temperatures. However, Minidozers can get the job done anywhere and in any harsh conditions, from the freezing temperatures of Alaskan and Canadian mines to the intense heat of Australian operations. Unlike chemical-based batteries, which can lose efficiency in temperatures as low as -22\u00b0F to -40\u00b0F, these batteries remain reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintenance and operational longevity<\/strong>
Service and maintenance questions often arise when mines and quarries procure new equipment. However, Minidozers are built to be maintenance-free, guaranteeing minimal downtime and hassles when properly used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All parts are easily accessible, simplifying any untoward repairs. The company even offers remote assistance to support maintenance teams whenever needed. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, Movex Innovation provides comprehensive training to ensure crews are fully equipped to maintain the units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Movex Innovation\u2019s team of engineers are also ready and available to custom engineer Minidozers to resolve specific material cleanup challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vale, Rio Tinto, BHP, Kinross and Centura Gold are just a few locations where Minidozers are in use today. The feedback received is that they have robust performance, reliability, and ability to address the mining and quarry sectors\u2019 specific spillage removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By combining unmatched efficiency, safety, low maintenance, and robust performance in extreme conditions, Minidozers support operations in achieving their throughput goals while minimizing downtime and operational costs. As the industry evolves, adopting advanced technological solutions like these will be essential for maintaining competitiveness and viable business growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the author: William Nicholls is the marketing strategist for Movex Innovations. He has been with the company for four years, bringing new solutions to the mining and quarry industries.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employees who are installing screen media should be refreshed on the basics of screen maintenance and care.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Canadian-based Movex talks material cleanup with its new technology, removing the complexities and safety issues of under-conveyor and crushing maintenance and optimizing cleaning conditions. By William Nicholls In the mining sector, efficiency in material cleanup during the crushing and conveyor processes is critical. It inevitably impacts a mine\u2019s output, number of downtimes, resource allocation, worker safety and operational costs. Use…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":8617,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[340,3332,1590,3331,974,3215,182,341],"coauthors":[3333],"class_list":["post-8615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","tag-bhp","tag-centura-gold","tag-kinross","tag-minidozers","tag-mining-sector","tag-movex-innovation","tag-rio-tinto","tag-vale"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t