FLEETS

Komatsu develops CM features to facilitate bord and pillar mining

The features were designed to help operators make progress with automation.

 A 12HM46 continuous miner operates underground.

A 12HM46 continuous miner operates underground.

These offerings debuting at Minexpo include the 12HM46 continuous miner with the Titan Cutter Head, the BH-18A battery hauler with lithium-ion battery technology, and the NXT Single Sprocket Conveyor Chain.

Komatsu product director Jim Haughey said the features were designed to help operators make progress with automation and solve common issues experienced by miners.

"Productive room and pillar mining comes down to having the machines and parts that can help soft rock mining operations extract and haul more coal and industrial minerals in less time," he said.

"With these new features and a next-generation conveyor chain design, operators have tools that can help them hit their productivity targets while making inroads into automation."

The 12HM46 continuous miner with Titan Cutter Head is Komatsu's largest and most powerful drum-style continuous miner with 50% more cutting power and 70% more productivity potential than the company's other continuous miners.

The BH-18A lithium-ion battery hauler is designed to deliver improvements in productivity, sustainability and cost compared to traditional lead-acid battery technology.

Lithium-ion batteries can power a hauler up to 41,400m per charge vs 35,500m for lead-acid batteries, and charge in less than 2.5 hours.

The NXT Single Sprocket Conveyor Chain features a patented chain link with dirt relief technology claimed to be 46% stronger than previous models for improved reliability.

Dual scraping flights are designed to solve issues that could lead to premature chain failure, and other innovations improve the time necessary to change flights and connecting links. The part is designed for both continuous miners and shuttle cars.

Komatsu mining and crushing systems vice-president Brian Thompson said the three offerings represented the company's ongoing commitment to collaborating with customers to help solve their room and pillar mining challenges, hit coal and industrial mineral extraction and haulage targets, and further their automation efforts.

"They also reflect our dedication to detail by bringing engineering innovations to something as simple, yet critical, as a conveyor chain," he said.

 

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