TY - THES

T1 - Roof scaling in minerals mining – a matter of safety in a growing market and therewith a business potential

AU - Jakobs, Andre

N1 - embargoed until null

PY - 2013

Y1 - 2013

N2 - Roof stability in minerals mining is dependent on geological, rock mechanics and geometrical conditions, mining influences and rock bolting. In order to trigger roof scaling at the right time in an efficient way, suitable roof condition monitoring is essential. Diverse mechanical roof scaling tools and methods are applied. Additionally blasting cords and scaling bars are used as well. Some mines in the world still use manual scaling only. Several suppliers offer different carrier concepts on the global market. The least R&D effort required in order for Sandvik to develop a roof scaling machine for minerals mining would involve following a LHD based concept with a paring tool. Ground penetrating radar systems could be incorporated or used on external vehicles to transfer useful geological roof data to the scaling vehicle in order to adjust the scaling plan. Driven mainly by demographical factors like growth of population, potash production is supposed to increase by 3 – 5 % p.a. in the next years. Rock salt production will also rise about 3 % due to the growing demand of industrial salt predominately in China. Awareness in regard to safety is increasing globally. Thus the demand for scaling vehicles has to increase as well. Compared to the main suppliers of scalers Sandvik has outstanding market coverage globally and a broader offering than the main peers for the minerals mining market. In a fist study a scaling machine based on an existing LHD has been drafted. If Sandvik could adapt this first scaler concept to the market demand, received from a customer questionnaire campaign, a market share of 20 – 30 % five years after launching seems to be possible.

AB - Roof stability in minerals mining is dependent on geological, rock mechanics and geometrical conditions, mining influences and rock bolting. In order to trigger roof scaling at the right time in an efficient way, suitable roof condition monitoring is essential. Diverse mechanical roof scaling tools and methods are applied. Additionally blasting cords and scaling bars are used as well. Some mines in the world still use manual scaling only. Several suppliers offer different carrier concepts on the global market. The least R&D effort required in order for Sandvik to develop a roof scaling machine for minerals mining would involve following a LHD based concept with a paring tool. Ground penetrating radar systems could be incorporated or used on external vehicles to transfer useful geological roof data to the scaling vehicle in order to adjust the scaling plan. Driven mainly by demographical factors like growth of population, potash production is supposed to increase by 3 – 5 % p.a. in the next years. Rock salt production will also rise about 3 % due to the growing demand of industrial salt predominately in China. Awareness in regard to safety is increasing globally. Thus the demand for scaling vehicles has to increase as well. Compared to the main suppliers of scalers Sandvik has outstanding market coverage globally and a broader offering than the main peers for the minerals mining market. In a fist study a scaling machine based on an existing LHD has been drafted. If Sandvik could adapt this first scaler concept to the market demand, received from a customer questionnaire campaign, a market share of 20 – 30 % five years after launching seems to be possible.

M3 - Master's Thesis (University Course)

ER -