Prairie Machine recently achieved final commissioning of Borer Miner 503 at Mosaic’s K3 potash mine near Esterhazy in Saskatchewan, Canada. This Xcel 4-Rotor Continuous Boring Miner is the fourth of six machines that are soon to be delivered and put into operation at Mosaic K3. They have a maximum cutting width of 26 ft and maximum cutting height of 2.6 m and cutting profile of 19.13 m².

The machine will be used in production development at K3. Mosaic’s K1, K2, and K3 mines, which feed the Esterhazy K1 and K2 mills, currently comprise the world’s largest potash mining complex. The new underground mine at K3 will replace the older K1 and K2 mines once at full capacity of 7.1 Mt/y, anticipated in 2024. On the surface, a conveyor system to transport ore from the new mine to the existing mills at K1 and K2 is under construction.

The broad, low-profile Xcel 4-Rotor Continuous Boring Miner is equipped for high-quantity production in sites with spatial restrictions. Its four cutting rotors and horizontal cutting chain system work together to form a flat, smooth cutting channel, no matter the environment. The design of the Xcel 4-Rotor Continuous Boring Miner allows it to cut and convey ore to a site’s conveyor belt system or to the Prairie Machine Flexiveyor while continuously tramming forward.