CROSS COMMODITY INNOVATION
May 7, 2024Sandvik
PYBAR is providing specialised development mining services to the coal industry with the application of a bespoke drill and blast development methodology and conversion of two DD420 Sandvik twin boom jumbo development drills from diesel to coal industry compliant full electric drive.
The Project
Some time ago, PYBAR was approached by a coal mine operator in the NSW Hunter Valley to consider possible methods to apply our underground hard rock expertise to mine twin development declines through stone material, allowing the mine operator to then access the coal deposit, the majority of which is used to make steel. The hard material to be encountered in the access drifts makes it impossible to use the high-cost roadheader/continuous miner machinery, or even traditional hand-held airleg mining technology commonly used in coal mining, and that’s where PYBAR’s expertise came to the fore.
Thinking outside the box
After considering a range of options, PYBAR partnered with leading coal mining equipment specialists, Cougar Mining Group, to develop an innovative solution by modifying two DD420 Sandvik twin boom development jumbos from our existing fleet to comply with strict coal industry requirements. With design guidance from PYBAR’s Maintenance Manager, Adam Croker, the PYBAR jumbos have undergone a full conversion from diesel operation to full electric drive and are now what is known as intrinsically safe, with flame proofing and methane explosion protection required for compliance with coal industry standards.
“This is the first time that late model jumbos have undergone a full hard rock to coal compliance conversion; it’s a real game changer for the industry. Previous conversion attempts with older-style jumbos were very limited in capabilities,” said Adam Croker.
The benefits
The benefits of mining hard rock access drifts with PYBAR’s jumbo drills are many, including an electric drive tramming system. Further, the modified jumbos can be used to both advance the face as well as install the ground support during the mining process; a capability not usually seen in the coal mining environment, which has the potential to deliver significant time and cost savings.
PYBAR is excited to be at the forefront of this unique cross commodity innovation which brings together hard rock and coal mining practices and is a major step forward in the mining of access drifts in the coal mining industry.