Global TBM Company, newly established by industry veteran Lok Home, has proudly announced the recent purchase of substantially all the assets of The Robbins Company. The company will now operate as Robbins and with Home as the President and CEO. The acquisition the statement said will result in a seamless transition for a number of ongoing projects throughout the world, as Robbins renews its commitment to service, quality underground equipment, and top-notch support that its customers have come to expect.
It comes after a difficult few years for the company following its acquisition by China’s Shenyang-based NHI in 2016, which itself then developed financial difficulties and had to sell French TBM manufacturer NFM. Robbins continued to be majority held by NHI but was placed in receivership in October 2019. The action was initiated by Home, then also President, a significant creditor, and also a minority shareholder of Robbins, as part of a concerted effort to improve Robbins’ liquidity, address corporate governance issues, and start restructuring its financial affairs.
Home said the company has a bright future as a result of the transaction. “We are starting off the new year with a respectable backlog of orders,” he noted. “In 2021 and beyond, our clients can depend on Robbins to deliver high quality machines, and technically superior machines for very difficult projects,” said Home. “That’s where Robbins really stands out.”
Home went on to say that Robbins is starting 2021 with no significant bank or institutional debt. “We have many projects to look forward to,” he continued. “Robbins is currently delivering Crossover machines and TBMs equipped for challenging geological conditions in many countries including the US, Norway, India, China and Canada.” The company’s conveyor and small boring machine divisions will also continue to deliver equipment worldwide.
Home emphasised that Robbins has always been focused on building the best and strongest machines. He pledged that they will continue to do that. “We still have our strong engineering team and we plan to continue our many industry involvements including the International Tunneling Association (ITA) and its associate member organisations. We’re glad to be a part of this community and this industry,” Home added.
Robbins has been one of the main suppliers of TBM technology to mining projects over the years including the Anglo American Grosvenor Decline Tunnel in Australia, extensive work over the years at Stillwater platinum and palladium mine in the US and excavating dewatering tunnels at the Ok Tedi copper-gold mine in Papua New Guinea.
The company states: “Robbins’ close partnership with the mining industry spans decades, from non-circular prototype machines such as the Mobile Miner to early TBM usage in coal, copper, and gold mines worldwide. While those early machines were successful, modern machines are vastly more powerful and efficient than those tested and used in the 1970s and 1980s. Compare the White Pine Copper Mine TBM, built in 1971, and a recent TBM from Montana, USA’s Stillwater Platinum and Palladium mine and the improvements become clear. In 40 years, elements such as cutterhead power have nearly doubled, while cutters up to 20 inches in diameter can be provided to excavate harder rock.”
Most recently, Mexican mining major Fresnillo has stated it is testing a new Robbins mining solution, the MDM 5000, which is being used to help develop the new San Alberto orebody at the Fresnillo underground silver mine in Zacatecas. From an image of the Robbins MDM 5000 released by Fresnillo, the machine appears to be a variation on traditional TBM technology designed for hard-rock mining using a unique cutting head design to create a uniform rectangular tunnel profile.
