Redaelli reports that its Flexmine ropes have been and are still in use at the Mosaic K3 site, where they are being used to support the Galloway, which is being used to complete the final phase of the sinking project.

Mosaic’s Esterhazy mine is the largest potash mine in the world with an annual capacity of 5.3 Mt. Mosaic is building the new greenfield K3 mining complex at Esterhazy to expand current mining operations. This expansion project will add an additional 1 Mt to the annual output.

The K3 complex will comprise two 6.1 m diameter shafts sunk to a depth of approximately 1,130 m below collar together with the necessary service shaft head frame and hoists, ventilation circuits and the associated surface infrastructure.

The Redaelli ropes that are currently in use at the project are eight Flexmine 500s with a diameter of 54 mm and a length of 1,372 m. They are non-rotating, fully compacted ropes

Redaelli says its Flexmine ropes are the best choice for hoisting applications in deep shaft mining because they offer “high breaking strength, flexibility and resistance to rotation, crushing and wear. Flexmine ropes can be customised to meet clients’ requirements and are available with round strands, compacted outer strands or fully compacted rope. The core can be plastic coated to further improve rope’s properties.

“These ropes have been used in some of the most challenging environments from shaft sinking to offshore applications.”