Cavity Autoscanning Laser System

Measurement Devices Ltd. (MDL) of Aberdeen, Scotland, in conjunction with its Canadian distributor, Thomas Engineering Ltd., introduces the Cavity Autoscanning Laser System (C-ALS). This instrument is designed to gather comprehensive, 3-D survey data from difficult, dangerous and inaccessible areas of a mine. It deploys down a drillhole as small as 4 1/2 inches in diameter and to depths of 150 metres, using the MDL lightweight Boretrak rod system to maintain orientation. It can also be mounted on a scoop for access.

The Boretrak nonmagnetic drillhole deviation system has recently been upgraded. Changes include the introduction of a completely new, cabled Boretrak system, improvements to the existing cableless Boretrak unit, introduction of new Windows-based software for data analysis, and major price reductions.

MDL has also introduced the LaserAce 300 line of products–an inexpensive and powerful hand-held or pole-mounted laser range finder that provides for personal surveying capability. The LaserAce 300 unit incorporates a laser rangefinder capable of measuring up to 300 metres with an accuracy of 10 cm, typically. It is ideal for GIS data capture, GPS offsets, rock face profiling, hydrographic surveys, land reclamation, ground modelling and measuring the heights of cables and other obstructions in the mining environment.

Software for Underground Geotechnical Observations

ESG Canada has announced a new computer program that provides one-stop shopping for geotechnical engineers who need their underground observations recorded and stored in one convenient spot. The RockPro Rock Mechanics Database provides the rock mechanic with the kind of organization that increases production efficiency and allows for the optimum in mine safety. The standard RockPro computer database records, stores and summarizes all the information that ground control teams need, providing a permanent record of the entire mine history crucial for future design. Coming developments will include the ability to enter data directly into the system while underground.

ESG Canada, the Engineering Seismology Group in Kingston, Ont., produces seismic monitoring systems that locate and analyze micro-earthquakes for industrial applications.

Fleet Management and Dispatch System for Letlhakane Mine

Gemcom Software International Inc., a leading supplier of e-business solutions to the earth resources industry, has won an order from De Beers’ Letlhakane diamond mine in Botswana worth approximately Cdn$1 million. The sale is for a wireless- and GPS-based mining equipment fleet management and dispatch system, developed by Wenco International Mining Systems of Richmond, B.C. Gemcom is a reseller of this technology, which forms part of Gemcom’s Integrated Resource Asset Management concept. The Wenco system is already being used by De Beers’ flagship Venetia mine, and is being integrated into the Gemcom Enterprise Mining System (GEMS) at that mine.

The Wenco system uses wireless telemetry linked with state-of-the-art GPS satellite positioning systems, combined with database management software. The system forms a key component in the overall management of mine production, as it helps optimize the use of expensive capital mining equipment.

Chilean Orders for Svedala Crushers

Three mines in the Chilean Codelco group, the world’s largest copper producer, have recently and independently acquired a total of nine additional H-8000’s, Svedala’s latest and biggest model of crusher.

El Teniente is the biggest underground mine in the world with more than 2,200 km of tunnels from a century of mining operations. The mine currently processes more than 100,000 tons of mineral per day. El Teniente commissioned its first H-8000 crusher in March 1998. This crusher has been in continuous, around-the-clock operation ever since. The mine later installed another H-8000 on a trial basis to carry out fine crushing in a tertiary application. The trial has now been successfully completed, and El Teniente mine has ordered two more Svedala H-8000 crushers.

The Chuquicamata mine has installed its first H-8000 crusher. Chuquicamata is a huge open pit mine in the Atacama desert, in the north of Chile. It produces 650,000 tons of copper per year.

The Radomiro Tomic mine has decided to install six H-8000 crushers. These will be part of a major expansion program taking the mine’s production from 180,000 to 250,000 tons of copper per year using the heap leach process. This expansion is being carried out by the Norwegian engineering group Kvaerner at a total cost of US$217 million.

New Explosion-proof Heater

Ruffneck Heaters introduces a new product line–the CX1 ProVector series of explosion-proof convection air heaters.

The CX1 ProVector heaters are UL approved for Canada and the United States for Groups B, C, D, IIA, & (IIB + H2) hazardous locations, and are available in 45 models ranging from 1.2 to 7.6 kW. The sloped-top cabinet configuration is constructed of 14-gauge steel, uses long-life Incoloy 840 heating elements, generates a high velocity air flow, and is one of the shortest cabinet convectors available on the market. An optional built-in thermostat is also available on select models, to minimize field installation costs. The unique design offers more competitive pricing made possible by the compact configuration.