BEUMER Group’s ability to combine high-resolution drone surveys with detailed 3D modelling is reducing the amount of time required to develop and install complex conveyor systems in the mining space, Andrea Prevedello, Global Sales Director CL Systems, told IM on the sidelines of the Bauma fair in Munich, Germany, on Tuesday.

BEUMER has been offering modelling solutions for many years, while it has been working with drones for about the past three years but combining the two for conveyor design is something new.

The first project to involve this combination is a 6.5 km conveyor installation at Knight Hawk Coal’s Prairie Eagle underground coal mine in Illinois, US.

The curved troughed belt conveyor carries coal from Knight Hawk’s new underground mine portal to its main coal preparation plant at Prairie Eagle. It allows Knight Hawk to seal a portion of its underground mine and bring coal to the surface near its current mining activities. Commissioning of the new conveying system was previously scheduled for this month.

BEUMER’s solution at the mine features a single-flight curved conveying system that eliminates the cost of tower steel, and greatly reduces the quantity of components and necessary spare parts, according to the company. It reduces the dust, noise, maintenance and operating costs associated with the transfer points, and offers 98% reliability compared with roughly 92% reliability of four conveyors operating in series, Beumer said.

In addition to this recent drone and modelling development, Prevedello said BEUMER is also now able to provide fully-erect shiploaders to customers. Instead of having to transport individual parts and erect on site, the company can now deliver a complete system that customers can slot in, he said.

For companies looking to replace an old shiploader with a new one, this is very important, Prevedello said, allowing companies to make a quick switch that minimises operational downtime.