https://www.miningweekly.com
Atlas Copco|Botswana|Business|Compressor|Compressors|Generator|Generators|Gold|Industrial|Mining|Pipe|Power|Rental|Service|Surface|Systems|Underground|Shaft Sinking|Solutions|Drilling|Operations|Pipe
Atlas Copco|Botswana|Business|Compressor|Compressors|Generator|Generators|Gold|Industrial|Mining|Pipe|Power|Rental|Service|Surface|Systems|Underground|Shaft Sinking|Solutions|Drilling|Operations|Pipe
atlas-copco|botswana|business|compressor|compressors|generator|generators|gold|industrial|mining|pipe-company|power|rental|service|surface|systems|underground|shaft-sinking|solutions|drilling|operations|pipe

Company offers long-term hire contracts on ventilation solutions

HENRY FOURIE There are many benefits to mines hiring equipment on a long-term basis from Rand-Air

UNDERGROUND EQUIPMENT The 1 070 cfm electric machine ticks all boxes for a ventilation solution

23rd November 2018

By: Thabi Shomolekae

Creamer Media Senior Writer

     

Font size: - +

Hire compressors can play a cardinal role in keeping some local mines operational, especially amid ageing surface compressors that feed air underground, says portable air compressors and generator rental Rand-Air long-term rental business development manager Henry Fourie.

Rand-Air provides long-term hire contracts with its 1765 and 2119 cubic feet per minute (cfm) electric machines to supply air at various underground mines in Welkom, Steelpoort, Westonaria and Rustenburg.

“On surface during shaft sinking, the mines use 1 500 cfm electric or diesel machines. Once the mine is established, Rand-Air can also supply air from surface for the underground mining operations to power rock drills of various types. For this, a popular choice is the 1765-2119 cfm electric machines, which we have supplied in various quantities, from as few as two units up to ten units on a compressor bank," he notes.

Rand-Air also has specially modified electric units for use underground. A major deep-level gold mine, for example, will have a 2-km-deep shaft down to a certain mine level. From the shaft, it can be as far as 1 km or more to the rock face where drilling is taking place.

“Many older South African mines have been in existence for decades and, over time, the compressed-air pipe systems have deteriorated, allowing air to escape and pressure to dissipate from numerous leaks before air actually reaches the driller.”

Further, Fourie explains that rental contracts range from 12 to 60 months. “With longer-term rental periods, Rand-Air gives mines the option to renew the rental contract if it so wishes.”

He adds that long-term rentals are beneficial because the rates are cheaper, Rand-Air offers favourable service-level agreements and the company’s "response times form a key part of these agreements”. Also, mines do not have to employ skilled people specifically to service and maintain compressors or generators.

Meanwhile, Fourie says that, with regard to long-term rentals, the challenge is that production pressures on mines are “immense”, and men and machinery sometimes have to work in harsh environments. However, with short- and long-term rentals, clients are always assured of a Rand-Air machine that will perform as if it is a new unit, he adds.

“Rand-Air service technicians are assiduous in supporting short- and long-term rentals,” notes Fourie, adding that should a client experience difficulty with a rental unit, a Rand-Air staff member is prepared to field calls from the mine – even in the middle of the night.

“If need be, after such a call, the sales representative will phone a technician who is on call, who will immediately drive to the mine and rectify any issues.”

Rand-Air offers long-term hire contracts internationally, servicing a South African mine, in Botswana, for example. However, further afield, Rand-Air will look to its parent company, air compressors and industrial gases specialists Atlas Copco, to service long-term contracts. “We have our own dedicated service staff but make use of Atlas Copco when we work in remote areas where we don’t have service staff.” Fourie concludes.

Edited by Zandile Mavuso
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features

Comments

Showroom

Yale Lifting Solutions
Yale Lifting Solutions

Yale Lifting Solutions is a leading supplier of lifting and material handling equipment in Southern Africa. Yale offers a wide range of quality...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Booyco Electronics
Booyco Electronics

Booyco Electronics, South African pioneer of Proximity Detection Systems, offers safety solutions for underground and surface mining, quarrying,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
27th March 2024
Resources Watch
Resources Watch
27th March 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.071 0.106s - 99pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now