Benefits of Remote-Controlled Demolition Equipment for Mining

Gold, platinum, chrome and other precious metals are vital components of cell phones, space shuttles and more. To secure these components, we are now mining deeper than ever before. The demand currently outweighs the cost of retrieving them, but, as we look into the future, this will change.

To get ahead of the curve, some mines have adopted Brokk remote-controlled demolition machines to drill, blast, bolt and break remotely. Here’s how Brokk helps producers all over the world increase safety and efficiency.

Ultra-Deep, Narrow-Vein Applications

As you go deeper, it becomes increasingly difficult to provide air, electricity and other essentials to both staff and equipment. One way to reduce extraction costs is to minimize the amount of rock removed and overburden created. However, this leads to tight spaces and difficult working conditions for miners at the face.

Before Brokk, ultra-deep mining methods meant hours of physical labor in extreme conditions. Miners used manual tools like jacklegs, stopers and ad-hoc bar and arms weighing upwards of 72 pounds (32.4 kilograms). While mining, they needed to maintain close contact with the drill, increasing the risk of injury from falling rock, vibrations and noise.

To combat the danger, some mines added Brokk machines to their equipment lineup. Our machines’ power-to-weight ratios are on par with machines three times their size and outclass even the most advanced jackleg drills. They can stand up to the heat and pressure of ultra-deep mining and feature heavy-duty caterpillar tracks and outriggers for rough terrain.

Brokk’s advanced three-part arm features an unrivaled range of motion for drilling, scaling, breaking and bolting in any direction. Hydraulics eliminate the need for compressed air and minimize the utility requirement at the face, while our electric power guarantees zero emissions.

With the right attachment, operators can move from drilling to breaking to scaling. Brokk robots can also handle much larger attachments than other equipment their size, allowing mines to bring powerful tools to new applications without increasing shaft size. It even makes 100% remote drilling and bolting possible since our demolition robots have the power to operate carousel attachments. While the operator stands a safe distance away, the robot can drill, load a rock bolt, then torque it without any wasted movement for fast, efficient, safe bolting of the back.

One South African gold mine employing demolition robots in ultra-deep applications has seen labor costs per linear meter go down by 60% from conventional manual methods.

Stope Retrieval Operations

The durability and dexterity of Brokk demolition robots doesn’t just benefit deep-vein mining operations. Retrieving equipment and materials from stopes has been delegated to Brokk machines.

Take a loader retrieval after a rock fall, for example. Miners have found that Brokk robots traverse the uneven ground more quickly than other equipment, and they can break up oversize rock and other obstacles to make extraction easier. The highly maneuverable arm also makes attaching cables through the scoop’s lug easier.

Shaft Maintenance Operations

Brokk demolition machines make opening shafts or performing shaft maintenance more efficient. Returning to old veins with modern equipment supplements production for many mines. However, these shafts are usually deteriorated — with large rubble, collapsed supports and downed utilities — making the process slow and dangerous. In addition, safety requirements have advanced, so old shafts can require substantial work to meet modern regulations.

In these situations, the versatility of Brokk machines can minimize equipment and personnel requirements. Armed with a suite of attachments, a Brokk robot can perform almost any required task. These attachments make routine shaft maintenance more efficient, allowing mines to maximize productivity.

One operation in Saskatchewan, Canada, was able to eliminate all manual labor in a shotcrete removal application and advance their maintenance schedule by months. They positioned the Brokk demolition robot on a platform that rotated around a shaft boring machine. They used the robot to pin and bolt new screening after removing the shotcrete.

The Future of Mining

From ultra-deep to applications just below the surface, Brokk demolition robots increase safety and productivity throughout the mine. Position a Brokk demolition robot above a stationary grizzly or in a blast chamber to tackle oversize rock without explosives or any unnecessary material handling. The possibilities are only limited by the imagination.

Modern mining is full of exciting challenges for new technologists. They must find creative solutions to meet the worlds increasing need for minerals. Working with Brokk promises to improve productivity and ensure a safer, more sustainable future for mining operations.