product news
68
08.13
BME has taken another step in delivering
emulsion-based blasting solutions to narrow-
stope underground mines by successfully
conducting a number of working trials with its
portable emulsion system.
“We believe that emulsions are the future
of underground mining,” says BME’s Man-
ager, Research and Development, Selwyn
Pearton. “We have developed a narrow reef
emulsions pump that can dependably deliver
the advantages of emulsions to confined, la-
bour-intensive working environments.”
BME has adapted the principles of tradi-
tional mechanised charging equipment from
large scale operations – creating a portable
charging unit that is light-weight, robust and
easy to operate. The portable pump weighs
just 13 kg, so that it is easily carried by miners
to and from confined mining stopes. When in
use, two 20 kg emulsion bags are fitted to the
pump, sufficient emulsion to fill as many as
60 blast holes, before being simply replaced
to allow charging to continue.
“The particular conditions of South Africa’s
underground mines have guided the design of
this unit,” says Pearton. “While existing emul-
sion charging equipment usually requires two
skilled operators to function, the large num-
ber of units required with the narrow stope
environment and the limitations on the level
of skills within the workforce dictate the need
for a new approach to emulsion technology.”
For this reason the user interface has been
simplified so that a single operator need only
connect the necessary emulsion and sensi-
MSA introduces new self-retracting lanyard
Emulsion system proves itself in working trials
tiser bags before activating the trigger on the
charging lance to activate the pump. “The de-
sign of the system ensures the required mass
and quality output is achieved for the speci-
fied blasting application.”
The key to the reliability of the system is
the closed emulsion system used to supply
emulsion to the portable charging unit. Us-
ing sealed bags ensures no contamination of
the emulsion by dirt or rock, eliminating the
possibility of pump failure as a result of for-
eign materials entering the pump. Emulsion
is supplied to the mine in bulk, before being
transported underground through the use
of emulsion cassettes or pipelines where it
is pumped into emulsion bags before being
transported to the blastface.
Among the technological advancements
required in the migration of emulsion systems
from mechanised operations to the narrow
stope environment has been considerable
improvement in the efficiency of the new
emulsion pump technology. “Due to energy
constraints often experienced in the under-
ground environment, we have developed the
units to operate on the low levels of com-
pressed air available,” states Pearton. “We
have also adapted the product for mines that
run on hydro-power systems.”
A key element in the success of BME’s por-
table pump is the company’s highly stable
range of Megapump emulsions, which are
able to be re-pumped multiple times without
any signs of deterioration. Due to the stabil-
ity of the formulations, Megapump emulsion
also has a long ‘shelf life’ – even once it is
pumped and stored in emulsion bags ready
for use at the stope face.
Unlike Class 1 explosives like Anfo and
cartridges, emulsion blasting agents are clas-
sified as a class 5.1 oxidiser and, as a result,
they are not subject to the same legal require-
ments as class 1 explosives.
Advantages of pumpable emulsions in-
clude increased coupling and efficiency
within the blast, and good water resistance
that eliminates the possibility of failed blasts
when water remains within the blasthole fol-
lowing drilling activities.
BME, tel (+27 11) 709-8765
An operator charges the face using BME’s porta-
ble emulsion pump system.
Becker Mining South Africa has a locally
designed and manufactured Wi-Fi system
which is claimed to ensure reliable, safe
and efficient communication underground.
This system does not limit usage to a single
technology, but encompasses migration and
Versatile Wi-Fi system from Becker Mining
integration of many technologies.
The Becker WRAP (Wireless Router Access
Point) provides a high speed backbone for
wireless VoIP, seamless roaming of devices,
advanced vehicular dispatch systems, pro-
cess automation, as well as any device which
can utilise a wireless, serial or fibre backbone.
WRAP has a versatile design, which means
a combination of communications back-
bones can be used to optimise the system.
For example, fibre can be used for high data
throughput. In working sections of a coal
mine, where there is frenetic activity, a wire-
less mesh topology is recommended.
“Becker Electronics has made a substantial
investment in researching and testing under-
ground Wi-Fi systems to overcome the prob-
lems with conventional Wi-Fi systems in un-
derground conditions,” says Johann Smit of
Becker Mining South Africa. “A critical feature
of this advanced system is its intrinsically safe
design, which enables safe use in hazardous
and harsh mining conditions underground.
What’s important about Becker’s systems –
each of which can be customised to exact
requirements – is that each product can be
installed as a single stand-alone system, or
can be deployed using a phased approach to
minimise a huge initial capital outlay.”
WRAP is the primary component in creat-
ing the Becker Wi-Fi IS backbone. The inter-
nal layer 3 router contains the logic to route
all network traffic to the correct interface card
or to the correct fibre point.
Becker Mining South Africa,
tel (+27 11) 617-6300,
e-mail:
The African division of MSA has introduced
its new Workman range of self-retracting lan-
yards (SRLs) to the local market.
MSA Africa Fall Protection Product Manager
Emmanuel Manaka says the Workman SRL is
ideally suited to improving worker comfort and
safety in numerous applications. “With light-
weight design, durable thermoplastic housing
and impact absorbing bumpers, the high qual-
ity MSA Workman SRL ensures years of de-
pendable service, even in the most demand-
ing operating environments,” he explains.
According to Manaka, the Workman SRL
boasts a 181 kg working capacity for increased
versatility. “An integral, ergonomic carrying
handle allows for easier transport and installa-
tion, while radio frequency identification (RFID)
technology ensures simplified product track-
ing and inspection at all times,” he continues.
The Workman SRL’s housing is manufac-
tured from impact-resistant thermoplastic,
while the bumpers comprise impact-absorb-
ing thermoplastic rubber. The lifeline is manu-
factured from either a 5 mm galvanised steel
or stainless steel cable, with tension starting
at 6,7 N. The unit weighs less than 5 kg and
has a standard line length of 10 m, with a min-
imum breaking strength of 13,3 kN.
The SRL has a maximum arresting dis-
tance of 1,4 m for workers weighing between
142 kg and 181 kg. “Comprehensive tests
have also proven that the average arrest-
ing force of the product is 4 kN for workers
weighing between 34 kg and 141 kg, and
under 8 kN for workers who weigh between
142 kg and 181 kg”, says Manaka.
Emmanuel Manaka, MSA Africa,
tel (+27 11) 610-2626
