Mining Mirror May 2018 | Page 41

CONSISTENCY . IT ’ S WHAT
WE ’ RE MADE OF .
Technology and innovation
Drills add to Komatsu ’ s full solution
Original equipment manufacturer ( OEM ) Komatsu is expanding its P & H product line to include articulating boom track drills , furthering its commitment to be a full solutions provider to the mining industry .
Komatsu ’ s first machine in the series , the 44XT , is being tested at the company ’ s Arizona Proving Grounds in the US prior to release this year . The 44XT is capable of drilling 102 – 203mm diameter holes using down-the-hole ( DTH ) percussive hammers .
According to Brian Fox , Komatsu Mining ’ s vice-president of product management and technology , the development of the XT series of DTH track drills complements its plans for the new XR series of rotary blasthole drills , led by the 77XR that is also operating in Arizona .
Komatsu introduced the 77-drill model at MINExpo 2016 and has since renamed it the 77XR to reflect its versatility for the rotary blasthole market . The 77XR was designed to accommodate the largest spectrum of blasthole drilling from coal to hard rock applications .
The 44XT machines in development will be used in surface mines and quarries and are ideally suited for pre-split drilling applications . They can also be used for production drilling in smaller mines and large quarries , opening a new market segment for Komatsu .
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CONSISTENCY . IT ’ S WHAT

WE ’ RE MADE OF .

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Aggregates
Mining rockets ahead
Rocketmine , a South Africa-based subsidiary of the Delta Drone Group , has cemented its global expansion for 2018 with a number of new contracts signed across Africa , as well as new growth into Latin America . One of the newly signed contracts sees Rocketmine break into the Latin American market with several projects for Mexican mining giant Minera Autlán , covering at least six different sites across its operations .
The geography of these sites is challenging , as the high-altitude operations make it a demanding environment . Rocketmine is breaking records with regard to flight altitude , and the project will allow the company to demonstrate their advanced capabilities and operational adaptability .
In Africa , Rocketmine has also secured its fourth contract in Ghana after receiving the first-ever commercial remotely piloted aircraft system ( RPAS ) remote operating certificate ( ROC ) in the country in 2017 , making it the largest commercial operator in the country . The company has been contracted to provide on-site drone surveys to assist Ghana Manganese Company ( GMC ) with their mining operations . Operations from this mine have a history stretching back to 1916 when the first manganese material was lifted from the site .
The project will include the provision of full-time on-site Rocketmine pilots and drones , to survey the stockpiles , pits , and waste dumps around the mine . In addition , Rocketmine will be developing and supporting local talent by hiring and training Ghanaian pilots and staff .
This expansion into new channels for Rocketmine once again demonstrates the varied and exciting deliverables that drone data solutions can provide . These new projects will realise a total revenue of USD230 000 over the next year .
Concrete Based Products
Industrial Minerals
Contracting International
Commodities
Inspiring growth through the consistent delivery of solutions that empower our people and our customers .
Afrimat Limited has established a strong foothold in contracting services through its Contracting International division operating from the Western Cape and Gauteng . Services include mobile crushing , screening , drilling and blasting , commercial quarries and readymix which offers mobility beyond fixed areas of operation .
Afrimat offers services for bulk blasting in quarry and opencast mining and specialised restricted blasting in built-up areas and also blast designs for specialised blasting needs .
The division operates in South Africa and internationally providing the full service package for all drilling and blasting , mobile hard rock crushing and screening services , load and haul and readymix solutions .
Contracting International applies our expertise and years of experience in these fields to prepare bids for major clients in the construction , quarry and mining industry .
Contracting International is part of Afrimat Limited , a leading black empowered open pit mining company .
www . afrimat . co . za
MAY 2018 MINING MIRROR [ 39 ]
Tel + 27 21 917 8840 Fax + 27 21 914 1174 info @ afrimat . co . za