Epiroc has decided to phase out its Mobile Miner concept line within 2024, 14 years after the company (under Atlas Copco) initiated it.
The Mobile Miner concept line was developed and demonstrated in close partnership between Epiroc and selected partners, including Anglo American. Upon launch, Epiroc invested in the development of three units: the 22H, 40V and 55V. In the years that have passed, this has been refined into a two-product family, the 22H and 40V – both of which have been designed for specific mining methods and constraints.
These Mobile Miners, which leverage undercutting technology, consist of two major parts: the rear “power unit” and the front “miner”. The miner incorporates the cutterhead and everything needed to excavate ore; the power unit contains all the motors, pumps, ground support and control systems. Each unit is roughly 10 m in length, with the two parts connected by an articulation joint to improve manoeuvrability for negotiation of tight corners as well as minimise vibration in the operator’s cab.
The largest Mobile Miner is the 40V, which is typically used in small-to-medium-sized tunnels and cut-and-fill mining requiring 4 m x 4 m advances. The V indicates the cutter head is placed vertically – as opposed to the H of the 22H, placed horizontally – with the stated advance rate of the machine being 10-15 m/d depending on the rock type.
Reminiscent of a traditional TBM, the first 40V was scheduled to be deployed at Hecla Mining’s Lucky Friday mine in Idaho, USA, after extensive work by both Hecla and Epiroc to tailor the machine to the veins that would be mined at the seismically active operation. The successful application of a new mining method – Underhand Closed Bench – at the mine recently led to Hecla deciding against the machine’s use at Lucky Friday.
The 22H – with certain adaptations – was previously tested at the Twickenham PGM mine in Limpopo Province, South Africa, where it advanced at over 10 m/d in 140-150 MPa UCS rock in a trial that was curtailed due to the mine being placed on care and maintenance. It is designed for low-seam or low-profile mining where tunnels as low as 2.2 m are required.
Rickard Johansson, Vice President Marketing for Epiroc’s Underground division, said of the company’s decision to phase out the Mobile Miners: “We continuously evaluate our portfolio to ensure we maintain a healthy, profitable and competitive offering for our customers. We are committed to continue work closely with our partners during the phase-out period.”
The OEM says it will phase out the Mobile Miner concept line within 2024 and will work closely with its partners in exiting ongoing projects.