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Issue link: https://coal.epubxp.com/i/105148
suppliers news Atlas Copco Improves Blasthole Drill During MINExpo 2012, Atlas Copco introduced its Pit Viper 311 wide-range rotary blasting drill. Keeping its newest member of the Pit Viper family top secret, Atlas Copco introduced the Pit Viper 311 wide-range rotary blasthole drill at MINExpo 2012 in Las Vegas during September. The PV-311 is similar to the Pit Viper 351 with its single-pass drilling but this new unit has the capacity to drill holes deeper to a maximum depth of 125 ft (38.1 m). Drilling up to 65-ft (19.8m) clean holes with a live tower can reduce non-drilling time and, combined with taller benches, can greatly increase production capability. This is the first release of the all new Pit Viper 310 series. Atlas Copco Engineering Project Manager Iain Peebles said the PV311 offers a narrow range of hole sizes from 9 to 12.25 inches, which fills in the gap between the hole ranges of the Pit Viper 351 and the Pit Viper 270. "We've incorporated a lot of existing technology that's proven successful on our other Pit Viper models," Peebles said, adding that there have been some upgrades. "One of the things we're most excited about on the PV-310 series project is our new cab. Now you have a fully adjustable chair with joystick and cab con- 46 www.coalage.com trols. We've elevated the cab above the deck to give the operator a better view. We've tried to improve operator visibility around the machine, with larger windows and mirrors placed so the operator can see what's going on at ground level and the front of the machine." The PV-311 offers drive train options with both Tier 4 and Tier 2 diesel engine alternatives. The tower has an interchangeable unit, structurally similar to the PV-351, but is deeper to accommodate larger sheaves for either single-pass or multi-pass applications. Weldments have also been improved, including a ladder that provides access to decking in the tower above the rod changer when the tower is horizontal. Bits can be changed above the PV-311 rig's deck so operators will have their eyes on making and breaking the connection each and every time. The two-speed hydraulic rotary head delivers 12,880 ft-lb (17.62 kNm) of rotation torque at 140 rpm and 7,000 ft-lb at 240 rpm. Hydraulic cylinders drive the cable feed system, and the patented automatic cable tensioning system reduces cable and rotary head guide wear by continually keeping the rotary head aligned and taut, cutting down on unscheduled maintenance time. Standard across the Pit Viper range, including the PV-311, are a hydraulically powered breakout slide wrench and a hands-free auxiliary hydraulic wrench with a 6-inch clamp cylinder. The fork chuck features an improved deck bushing. Atlas Copco also offers an automatic hydraulic clutch designed on the PV-311to decrease fuel consumption during nondrilling operations. In addition to standard safety and interlock features, the unit's Rig Control System supports auto-level, autodrilling, GPS hole navigation, wireless remote tramming, and more. A multi-pass version of the PV-316, known as the Pit Viper 316, is now under development. The PV-316 will drill to a depth of 295 ft (90 m) using a five-rod carousel with 50-ft drill pipe. The Pit Viper 316 is scheduled to be launched during 2013 as a replacement to the DM-M3 model and will specifically match the flexibility required for cast-blasting operations in coal mining. FLSmidth Wins Large Coal Project in Mozambique FLSmidth has won a contract worth approximately $112 million from Vale to supply material handling and mineral processing equipment for the company's Moatize coal mine in the Tete Province of Mozambique. The material handling equipment to be supplied includes a crushing plant as well as in-plant and stockyard conveyors. The crushing plant consists of a tip bin, feeders, primary, secondary and tertiary sizers as well as supporting steel structures and auxiliaries. The process equipment includes FLSmidth Ludowici reflux classifiers and horizontal belt filters. Included in the supply is a complete conveyor system with all mechanical and structural components, transfer towers, silos, chutes, magnets, belt scales, lubrication system, skirts and support. The system has been designed using the latest design methods including DEM (Discrete Element Modeling), which will ensure optimum flow of the coal. Safety of operaJanuary 2013