{"id":8733,"date":"2024-10-09T20:06:32","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T20:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northamericanmining.com\/?p=8733"},"modified":"2024-10-09T20:06:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T20:06:35","slug":"the-future-of-mining","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northamericanmining.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/09\/the-future-of-mining\/","title":{"rendered":"The future of mining"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

North American Mining<\/strong> asked technology and equipment suppliers for their views on the future of mining and how they are supporting mining companies in achieving that vision.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Jonathan Rowland<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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Eco-efficient rock processing will characterize the future of mining operations. Photo: Sandvik<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

There is \u201cmuch speculation about the future of mining, especially with the increased demand for greener energies,\u201d said Scott Holub, manager of OTR Technical Services at BKT Tires. However, what does seem clear is that demand for minerals and metals will likely grow. Even unfashionable coal is enjoying a moment in the sun: production reached an all-time high of almost 9 billion tonnes in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency, a 2% increase compared to 2022, as gains in India and China offset declines in the U.S. and Europe. Despite much noise about phasing our coal for power generation, most of that production, some 87%, was steam coal and lignite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite many countries looking for fossil fuel replacements, coal demand should remain strong,\u201d predicted Holub. But there has also been \u201can increase in greenfield exploration as countries and companies look to transition to low-carbon economies, electric and hydrogen fleets. This should also increase demand for metals, such as copper and bauxite, used in electrification. The mining of lithium and cobalt, major components in manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles, has greatly increased and should continue to increase in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMineral demand is expected to double by 2050, fueled by economic growth, urbanization, and a rising population. At the same time, the green transition will further drive demand for minerals like copper and lithium,\u201d agreed Lucy England, innovation manager at FLSmidth (FLS). \u201cWhile recycling will play some role here, mining will still meet most of this demand. Meanwhile, mining is on a sustainability journey of its own. There\u2019s no doubt it\u2019s a challenge. In traditional flowsheets, processing declining ore grades would increase water and energy consumption to deliver even the same output \u2013 let alone the increase we expect to be required. This is why we need a new paradigm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The future of mining and rock processing is \u201cnet zero\u201d, according to Virginia Varela-Eyre, marketing and communications manager, North America, at Sandvik, picking up the potential for a paradigmatic shift in how we think about mining. \u201cThe mine of the future will also be created in collaboration with our customers, developing forward-thinking solutions focusing on electrification, automation, and digitalization. Sites will have autonomous and connected solutions, often operated remotely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeremiah Colling, director of marketing at IWT, also took up the digitalization theme. \u201cThe future of mining is set to undergo significant changes in the coming years, primarily driven by the convergence and leverage of data. This transformation will enable more objective and informed decision-making processes. While consumer markets have experienced digital transformation over the past few decades, the mining industry has more slowly adopted these technologies. However, as the industry starts to recognize the value and benefits of these advancements, a flywheel effect will occur and drive adoption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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One \u201cmajor change\u201d will be the integration of automation and technology in mining operations, continued Colling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis shift will not necessarily eliminate jobs but will change their nature. Many miners fear automation will replace their jobs, but the reality is that their roles will transform to involve different tasks. For example, teleremote operations allow workers to control machines from a safe environment using joysticks. This is a stepping stone towards fully autonomous mining, where machines will operate with minimal human intervention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The global mining and aggregates industry is \u201ccurrently experiencing a challenging reality,\u201d concluded Daniel Biazussi, product manager at Superior Industries, a manufacturer of processing and conveying equipment. \u201cAs global demand increases and mines become increasingly complex, companies need to advance control over their processes and implement continuous improvement in operations. Furthermore, mining is one of the most demanding sectors for environmental regulations, safety, good labor practices, and sustainability. Therefore, companies in the area are turning to intelligent solutions in IoT and artificial intelligence (AI) to help them meet regulatory requirements and continue increasing productivity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then there is that ever-present elephant in the mine: cost. \u201cMining companies have always had to watch their expenses closely to be profitable but, in the last 10-15 years, net profit margins have decreased significantly, causing companies to look for new ways to keep costs down,\u201d noted BKT\u2019s Holub, who tied this back to the move toward digital technologies. \u201cAs a result, moving forward, we will see more autonomous vehicles, AI, and mergers and acquisitions to help reduce costs and be more efficient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Against this backdrop, how do mining technology and equipment suppliers support miners to adapt to this changing world? North American Mining asked several companies from different areas of the mining and mineral processing flowsheet what they were doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BKT Tires<\/strong>
BKT\u2019s Holub began by pointing to the company\u2019s own supply chain. \u201cWe started producing carbon black in 2019, and today, 100% of our requirements are met in-house. This guarantees the quality of our supply and reduces the costs and environmental footprint of imports and transport.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the product site, with mergers and acquisitions of mines, \u201cmany have become larger, making it necessary to run larger equipment,\u201d continued Holub. \u201cBKT has continued to advance larger mining tires to offer mines affordable options. This year, we released our 60\/80R57 EARTHMAX SR 53 loader tire and our 50\/80R57 EARTHMAX SR 468 haul truck tire. We are developing our 53\/80R63 and 59\/80R63 haul truck tires for release in 2025.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FLSmidth<\/strong>
The MissionZero Mine is FLS\u2019s vision for the future of mining and aims to deliver zero-waste and zero-emission mining. \u201cAchieving this will require the evolution of transformative mineral processing flowsheets,\u201d explained the company\u2019s Lucy England. \u201cThese will be commodity-specific and encompass technologies to improve energy efficiency, optimize recovery, enhance water stewardship and tailings management, and promote circularity. Some of these solutions already exist, while others will result from incremental, evolutionary \u2013 and sometimes revolutionary \u2013 innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

England pointed to alternative grinding technologies, such as high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR), vertical roller mills (VRM), the FLSmidth Tower Mill (FTM), or the company\u2019s Eccentric Roll Crusher (ERC), which \u201chave the potential to reduce energy consumption in certain mineral processing flowsheets compared to traditional grinding methods.\u201d These technologies \u201cmay have a particular role as ores get harder and more disseminated, requiring more control over particle size to ensure effective liberation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking beyond the grinding circuit, \u201ctechnologies such as bulk and particle ore sorting, the Rail-Running Conveyor (RRC), coarseAIR coarse particle flotation, and the REFLUX Flotation Cell (RFC) could also significantly reduce energy use,\u201d England continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding water stewardship, \u201cour solutions focus on improving the effectiveness of water recycling to ensure zero water waste from the process. For example, dry grinding processes, such as HPGR and VRM, mean the water added during post-grinding repulping can be tailored to optimize recovery in the flotation circuit. This compares to traditional flowsheets, where the grinding circuit determines the water content of slurries,\u201d explained the FLS innovation manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to reducing energy consumption in the grinding circuit, coarse particle flotation can facilitate faster and more effective dewatering, enabling the adoption of filtered or dry tailings to reduce raw water requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other dewatering solutions under development by FLS include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Advances in the design of high-rate and paste thickeners with the introduction of new rake designs for thickened tailings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The AFP2525 tailings filter press, which uses high pressures and low cycle times to achieve significantly larger single- machine capacities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • EcoTails co-mingled filtered tailings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • EcoPaste co-mingled paste tailings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Smart sensors and advanced process control solutions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cWe are also investing in research to address the issue of chemical build-up in recycled process water, which can impact flotation efficiency,\u201d added England.
    \u201cIn this area, we already offer MaxR systems and reactor clarifiers to treat acid water and heavy
    metals build-up in tailings water streams.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mining will also have to look to alternative sources of value. \u201cTailings are likely to become an essential source of mineral production as mining companies reevaluate what is economically viable to extract,\u201d said England. \u201cWe expect to see greater reprocessing of tailings and a sharper focus on co-products in mineral processing flowsheets of the future using our REFLUX CLASSIFIER (RC) and GradePro Classifier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    England also addressed pyrometallurgical processes for producing critical minerals, particularly lithium. \u201cOur innovative lithium pyro island for spodumene concentrate conversion is the culmination of our most advanced technologies working together and features our state-of-the-art preheaters and coolers. It enables us to extract the maximum amount of lithium from the spodumene concentrate while minimizing energy use. This innovative approach reduces carbon intensity and underpins our commitment to sustainable mining practices and the MissionZero Mine. Meanwhile, our multiple hearth furnace supports circularity in lithium processing (as well as cutting Scope 3 carbon emissions) by enabling lithium producers to recycle the lime used in lithium hydroxide production. Our pyrometallurgical equipment can also run using alternative (non-fossil) biofuels, hydrogen, and electric heating technologies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cWe firmly believe that the future of mining is cleaner, more nature-positive, and more efficient, with zero emissions and zero waste,\u201d England concluded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cHow individual mines achieve this will vary greatly. There will be many flowsheets of the future, each contributing to a sustainable mining industry that not only provides the world with the minerals it needs to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    General Kinematics<\/strong>
    Looking at today\u2019s market, \u201cwe see indicators that demand will continue to grow higher than the rate at which producers can supply,\u201d said Derek Kerkera, director of mining at General Kinematics, picking up themes noted in the earlier discussion. \u201cOf course, and as is typical in a tight supply environment, we see that most material values are also at record highs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This is where Kerkera believes General Kinematics can provide mineral processors \u201ca key\u201d to increasing production without causing the need for the capital investment of a new processing facility. \u201cOur Two-Mass vibratory screening equipment can remove bottlenecks, increasing material throughput while maintaining the same or even improving efficiency, all within the same footprint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, that is not the extent of Two-Mass technology capabilities, according to Kerkera. \u201cThe technology positively responds to material loading and increases the vibration level, which, in turn, is controlled via a variable frequency drive. This enables the machine to constantly maintain the vibration levels, so throughput and efficiency are maintained regardless of material load changes. The equipment design also spreads out the load from the drive connection to drastically lower the stress transferred into the machine’s body.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Because of this, equipment life is \u201cincreased substantially compared to that of a brute force unit,\u201d concluded Kerkera. \u201cA center spline also cuts the length of the cross members in half, reducing stress and increasing the part life, reducing maintenance needs. Lastly, because of the Two-Mass sub-resonate natural frequency design, the horsepower required to operate the machine is reduced by 4-8 times.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Putting some numbers on these performance improvements, according to Kerkera, Two-Mass vibratory screens increase screening capacity by up to 40%, improve throughput by up to 30%, and have a service life two to five times longer than that of brute force models, all while reducing energy consumption. \u201cThis is why we believe that Two-Mass technology is the future of mining.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Systems that prevent collisions, such as the Guardian\u2122 Proximity System from IWT (pictured), will play a crucial role in future mines, ensuring the safety of workers and equipment around autonomous vehicles.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

    IWT<\/strong>
    IWT focuses on developing technologies that enable the transition to fully autonomous mining. For example, the company\u2019s Guardian Proximity System \u201caims to reduce underground vehicles from collisions with people,\u201d said Director of Marketing Jeremiah Colling. \u201cThis is crucial because, despite increased automation, human presence is still necessary for equipment maintenance and other tasks. Ensuring the safety of people around tele-remote or autonomous vehicles is thus a top priority.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The company is also active in supporting mines with connectivity, visibility, and integration of technologies, Colling continued:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • IWT connectivity solutions facilitate large data transfer from underground to above ground. This high-speed data transfer is essential for enabling autonomous vehicle operations. The company\u2019s radio systems and platforms form the backbone of these systems, ensuring seamless data flow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Visibility is another crucial aspect of future mining operations. Traditionally, operators rely heavily on people \u2013 shift supervisors and other underground personnel \u2013 for
      status and information, which can lead to delayed decision- making. IWT analytics platform addresses this by providing real-time visibility into operations. Operators can see the status of vehicles and personnel, make timely decisions, and understand the overall state of the mine. This real-time visibility enhances productivity and safety.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • By integrating multiple systems together, IWT enables
      mines to simplify maintenance and operation. This is especially important as skilled labor in the mining industry declines. Integrated solutions mean miners do not need to learn and manage several disparate systems, making their work more efficient and effective.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      The future of mining will be \u201ccharacterized by increased use of data, automation, and connectivity,\u201d concluded Colling. \u201cIWT technologies are geared towards facilitating this transition by providing safety, real-time visibility, and integrated solutions. This approach will make mining operations more productive, efficient, and safer in the coming decades.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      McLanahan<\/strong>
      \u201cAll mining businesses are looking at how they can be more sustainable, implement digital transformation and machine learning, and keep a strong focus on health and safety for our customers and employees,\u201d Lee Hillyer, director of global mining sales at McLanahan, told North American Mining. \u201cThese three points are important and interlinked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u201cThere is a growing emphasis on reducing environmental impact within the mining industry: how do we do more with less while not impacting the performance, availability, and productivity of the equipment we are supplying,\u201d Hillyer continued. \u201cWe are implementing sustainability within our business by refining our whole range of standardized equipment built and optimized over almost 200 years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      According to Hillyer, standardizing the company\u2019s range of high-quality equipment gives the following advantages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Interchangeability and compatibility: Standardizing parts across equipment condenses the supply chain, improving customer lead times and lowering costs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Ease of maintenance and repairs: Standardized products improve familiarity, allowing the company to train new employees and customers efficiently.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Cost efficiency: Bulk purchasing of standardized parts lowers costs and streamlines manufacturing processes, reducing the customer’s costs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Improved safety: Standardized equipment has established safety protocols and provides familiarity with equipment operation and maintenance to service teams and customers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Enhanced reliability and durability: The company\u2019s equipment undergoes rigorous field testing and quality control, improving reliability and durability. This reliability is crucial in mining operations, where downtime due to equipment failure can be costly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Global accessibility: Standardization facilitates global availability of equipment, spares, and support services, reducing customer lead times.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        \u201cOur adoption of digital transformation and machine learning is also imperative to the future of mining,\u201d said Hillyer. \u201cIncreasing operational efficiency and improving safety are key to sustainability within our equipment and the mining industry. We do this using remote condition monitoring of all equipment sensors, which allows our service teams and customers to monitor the condition of the machines remotely. This helps to increase productivity and cost efficiency. For example, predictive maintenance using condition monitoring can help reduce downtime and avoid unplanned downtime by spotting issues early and avoiding equipment failures before they occur.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Hillyer\u2019s last point focused on health and safety. \u201cKeeping our employees, customers, and contractors safe is critical and the only way to maintain and grow a sustainable business,\u201d the Mclanahan executive explained. \u201cSafe working conditions attract skilled labor and contribute to workforce retention. Additionally, minimizing accidents and health risks reduces operational disruptions and associated costs, leading to long-term economic sustainability for mining companies. As mentioned previously, our drive towards equipment standardization and digital transformation will ultimately help us achieve our goals of continuously improving the health and well-being of our employees and customers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

        \"\"
        Innovations in material science can help extend the life of key equipment and meet mining company demands for predictable production and maintenance. Photo: Polydeck.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
        \"\"
        The recyclability and circularity of parts and equipment, such as screening media, will be a crucial part of the future mining ecosystem. Photo: Polydeck.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

        Polydeck<\/strong>
        The future of mining \u201chas never been more uncertain when it comes to the technology that is being employed and how it will impact us moving forward,\u201d said Frank Harris, director of mining at Polydeck. \u201cAutonomous vehicles, remote-controlled equipment and systems, and AI are changing how we mine. Polydeck has embraced these technologies and will introduce products that connect to those new systems, providing more information and assistance to decision makers than ever before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u201cThe future of mining in America is responding to increasing demand,\u201d added Tom Wayment, regional sales manager. \u201cPolydeck has developed the best method for maintaining screen availability in the industry. With low inventory goals and a focus on reliability, Polydeck is developing new electronic and staffing processes to meet on-time delivery demands.\u201d The company\u2019s materials science in polymers and rubber compounds also \u201ccontinues to meet mining companies\u2019 needs for predictable production and maintenance processes,\u201d noted John Griffith, Polydeck project manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u201cAs Polydeck takes a strategic look at the future, we asked ourselves how we could position ourselves as innovators in an industry that is taking a more serious look at sustainability,\u201d concluded Matthew Freissle, regional business development manager. \u201cWe have focused our time and resources on developing sustainable products that are recyclable in a circular economy and will continue to exceed industry expectations. This effort to deliver on sustainability marks us as an environmentally conscious partner in an industry looking for its next big leap forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Sandvik<\/strong>
        Expanding on her earlier comments, Sandvik\u2019s Virginia Varela-Eyre continued to describe the company\u2019s mine of the future vision: \u201cWe see the future of mining and rock processing as net zero, with equipment forming part of a circular and highly productive value chain, enabling customers to extract maximum value from resources from their mines while minimizing waste and energy intensity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        According to Varela-Eyre, \u201call future mining products and operations will be fossil fuel-free, including electric mining equipment powered by onsite renewables. Rock processing technologies will help conserve energy and reduce emissions, providing a sustainable source of critical materials. Mines will be planned and designed to be fully automated and managed using real-time data to optimize operations. Data-driven technologies will automate processes and deliver resource efficiency across the mining value chain. They will enable optimized equipment performance with reduced energy input, smarter decision-making, and enhanced productivity and transparency.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Extraction processes are also \u201coptimized through highly productive and automated equipment and services while waste is eliminated,\u201d
        Varela-Eyre concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u201cEquipment is built to last using recycled materials wherever possible and is designed for refurbishment, remanufacture, or recycling to enable circularity and material resource efficiency. There will be minimal impact on natural ecosystems, with a reduction of dust and noise. Water use is managed through a closed loop, improving access to clean water for local communities. Closing the circularity gap helps reduce reliance on finite natural resources, and mines are managed at their end of life so that natural ecosystems can regenerate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

        \"\"
        Lowering water consumption is a crucial issue for mining companies. Pictured: South32\u2019s Hermosa critical minerals project in southern Arizona recently ordered five AFP2500 filter presses from FLS. These will help the project consume up to 75% less water than other mines in the region.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

        Superior Industries<\/strong>
        Today, mining companies \u201ccannot be efficient in predicting belt conveyor roller failures,\u201d said Superior Industries\u2019 Daniel Biazussi, product manager for the company\u2019s Vantage monitoring systems. \u201cWhen these components lock, the belts continue to work, a situation that can cause wear, holes in the roller housing, and tears in the belts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        According to Biazussi, inspection is \u201cnormally carried out sensitively: operators use hearing, vision, and smell to look for faults in components, especially in the rollers. These detection methods depend on the inspectors’ experience, vision, and hearing acuity. Thermographic measurement is also used, but on a smaller scale than the others mentioned. These investigation procedures are ineffective and put the operation at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        In response, Superior Industries has developed its Vantage monitoring system, which remotely monitors conveyors using intelligent rollers, detecting problems before they occur. \u201cAlready being used successfully in South America by iron ore major Vale, the system identifies and collects data, such as bearing temperature, rotation, and vibration, measured by different sensors embedded inside the rollers,\u201d explained Biazussi. \u201cThe data can be accessed in real-time to read and monitor operation and working conditions. If there is a critical situation, an alert is issued, which allows action to be taken in advance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Vale chose to install the Vantage Rolls at the Brucutu mine in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais to monitor the load, impact, and return rollers of a drum reclaimer. To date, no fire incidents have been recorded in reclaimer machines. If the temperature becomes too high, an alert is issued to the team, who can quickly identify the defect. If it is found that the roll is at a temperature limit, the person responsible requests the interruption of equipment operation to investigate what happened. If any bearing is damaged, intervention is carried out before the roller reaches a temperature that causes damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        In addition to its Vantage monitoring system, Superior Industries is \u201cdeveloping deep neural networks (DNN) that can predict machine failures and even optimize process parameters for equipment reliability or production yield,\u201d concluded Bizussi. \u201cTransporters will be the first to receive the technology, using the enormous amount of data generated by smart rollers. Other equipment will come soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        TerraSource Global<\/strong>
        Picking up on themes mentioned throughout the discussion, Raymond Pietramale, director of marketing and brand management at TerraSource Global, told North American Mining that the company \u201caims to make processing ore and extracting valuable minerals part of the solution, rather than exacerbating environmental problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This involves \u201cfocusing on innovating products with intelligent designs and incorporating smart sensors for real-time monitoring and predictive capabilities. We also emphasize critical spares and wear parts for abrasive and corrosive applications while lowering total installed costs through material science and adopting technologies that enhance operator experience and provide proactive data.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Van der Graaf<\/strong>
        \u201cConveyor belt drives are the primary source of conveyor costs,\u201d said Alexander Kanaris, president of Van der Graaf (VDG).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u201cElectricity and maintenance costs increase when dealing with inefficient external motor and gearbox conveyor drives. However, performing routine maintenance requirements, including lubricating or greasing external roller bearings and checking for vibration on these exposed components, impacts worker safety and downtime and increases maintenance and operational costs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Addressing these issues, the VDG drum motor is a \u201ctotally enclosed, one-component conveyor drive,\u201d Kanaris explained. \u201cAll drum motor drive components, including the electric motor and gear reducer, are enclosed and protected inside the drive roller (drum), and the external roller shafts do not rotate. There are no moving parts outside the conveyor frame, and the components inside the drum are bathed in oil for lubrication. The premium-efficiency electric motor is connected in-line to the planetary gear reducer, which is manufactured to AGMA 12\/DIN 6 rating and operates at 96% mechanical efficiency, reducing energy consumption and costs. All internal components are designed and manufactured for 80,000 hours of service life before maintenance, reducing operational costs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        VDG\u2019s GrizzlyDrive Series drum motors are \u201cspecifically engineered for mining and aggregate belt conveyor applications,\u201d continued the company president. \u201cGrizzlyDrive drum motors of 75 hp and higher are supplied with the VDG patented oil cooling\/conditioning unit as standard. The oil cooling unit circulates and conditions the oil inside the drum for optimal lubrication and heat dissipation, ensuring a cooler-running motor and extending the drive’s life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        To address lagging delamination, belt tracking, and belt traction issues, VDG developed and patented the IronGrip lagging system. It consists of steel bars welded lengthwise on the drum with hot-bond vulcanized rubber lagging sections between the bars, eliminating lagging delamination and uneven lagging wear. According to Kanaris, \u201cIronGrip lagging improves belt tracking, increases belt traction by 40%, and has a five-times longer service life than standard lagging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

        \"\"
        Systems that prevent collisions, such as the Guardian\u2122 Proximity System from IWT (pictured), will play a crucial role in future mines, ensuring the safety of workers and equipment around autonomous vehicles.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

        Conclusion<\/strong>
        Whether delivering all-encompassing visions for the future of mining or laser-focused solutions that deal with specific challenges, mining technology and equipment suppliers are working hard to help mining companies become cleaner, safer, and more productive. These efforts are much needed if the industry is to successfully supply the robust demand for minerals and metals expected in coming years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Mining companies face several challenges ahead, which technology and equipment suppliers are helping to overcome with ingenuity and innovation. Photo: IWT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Innovations in material science can help extend the life of key equipment and meet mining company demands for predictable production and maintenance. Photo: Polydeck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The recyclability and circularity of parts and equipment, such as screening media, will be a crucial part of the future mining ecosystem. Photo: Polydeck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Lowering water consumption is a crucial issue for mining companies. Pictured: South32\u2019s Hermosa critical minerals project in southern Arizona recently ordered five AFP2500 filter presses from FLS. These will help the project consume up to 75% less water than other mines in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The recyclability and circularity of parts and equipment, such as screening media, will be a crucial part of the future mining ecosystem. Photo: Polydeck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Parts will be engineered to run for longer, reducing maintenance and replacement requirements. Pictured: VDG\u2019s GrizzlyDrive\u2122 Series drum motors with patented oil cooling\/conditioning unit deliver optimal lubrication and heat dissipation, ensuring a cooler-running motor and extending the drive’s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        North American Mining asked technology and equipment suppliers for their views on the future of mining and how they are supporting mining companies in achieving that vision. By Jonathan Rowland There is \u201cmuch speculation about the future of mining, especially with the increased demand for greener energies,\u201d said Scott Holub, manager of OTR Technical Services at BKT Tires. However, what…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":8737,"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":[2114,51,3348,334,2408,3349,3255,90,96,3347,2961],"coauthors":[1635],"class_list":["post-8733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","tag-autonomous-mining","tag-flsmidth","tag-general-kinematics","tag-iwt","tag-mclanahan","tag-missionzero-mine","tag-polydeck","tag-sandvik","tag-superior-industries","tag-terrasource-global","tag-van-der-graaf"],"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