NEW BRUNSWICK — Sandvik Mining and Construction has been chosen to supply a fleet of Sandvik MF420 borer miners for the Picadilly mine under development by Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan adjacent to is existing New Brunswick property near Sussex. This is Sandvik's largest, single order for the softrock mining business to date.
The Sandvik borer miners will be delivered beginning in 2010 to be used as heavy-duty production machines in the Picadilly underground potash mine. PotashCorp is developing this US$1.6 billion, 2.0 million t/y mine to increase its potash production capacity in response to growing market demand.
The MF420 borer miner is a variable height and width, boring-type machine which cuts and transports material to auxiliary haulage equipment in one continuous operation. The machine drives entries, excavates mine rooms and extracts pillars as rapidly as haulage equipment can remove material to the main passageway. Depending on the haulage system being used, the Sandvik MF420 can cut and convey approximately 15 tonnes of ore per minute. The overall length of the MF420 is 12.8 metres and its weight is approximately 213 tonnes. The borer miner cuts 3.7 metres high and 6.2 metres wide.
PotashCorp chose the Sandvik MF420s due to Sandvik´s flexibility in adapting the borer miners to specific requirements. Sandvik equipped the machines with top and bottom cutter drums for better and more reliable profiling. This allows the MF420s to cut a nearly rectangular roadway profile, an innovative concept which increases efficiency and productivity.
PotashCorp already operates a large number of Sandvik roadheaders in its New Brunswick potash mine and a large fleet of Sandvik (formerly Marietta) borer miners in Saskatchewan, noted Sandvik.
Learn more about the complete line of Sandvik mining and construction equipment at www.MiningAndConstruction.Sandvik.com.
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