Australia’s Minetek has launched its all-new Raptor Series, its latest innovation in underground mine ventilation. Designed with cutting-edge technology, it says the Raptor Series is built to deliver unmatched performance, efficiency, and flexibility, tailored to tackle the toughest challenges of hard rock and metalliferous mining operations worldwide.
Designed with insights from 50+ underground ventilation projects and over 40 years of fan engineering expertise, the Raptor Series it believes sets a new industry benchmark. Firstly, it has a single-stage design for faster, lower-cost installation. The compact, lightweight design speeds up installation and lowers initial labour costs, minimising downtime and reducing setup expenses.
Raptor also has reduced power and infrastructure costs. Efficient power usage decreases electrical demand, saving on both energy costs and infrastructure requirements. Simplified maintenance comes from fewer electrical terminations which streamline setup and maintenance, making it easier and less costly to keep systems running.
Its engineered high performance supports extended duct runs, potentially reducing the total number of fans required, which cuts installation and operational costs.
Functionality wise it is adaptable as both a primary and secondary fan, so Raptor Series maximises airflow and reduces infrastructure expenses by meeting varied site requirements. With a greater airflow capacity than traditional fans, fewer units are needed to achieve optimal performance, reducing operational costs.
The durable, next generation quiet impeller design reduces blade wear, enhancing workplace comfort and safety by limiting noise. Lower maintenance requirements keep the fan operational for longer periods, minimising disruptions and extending the service life.
Rising energy costs and environmental regulations are significant pressures in the mining industry. Minetek’s Raptor Series is engineered to address these challenges, cutting power consumption by up to 50% and enabling compliance with increasingly stringent emission standards. Minetek adds: “This efficiency translates directly to cost savings and a reduced carbon footprint—key advantages as the industry pushes toward more sustainable operations. With the Raptor Series, your mine gains a future-ready solution that supports financial and environmental goals.”
The company adds: “With a lighter fan weight, shorter length, and streamlined electrical connections, Minetek fans reduce downtime, labour costs, and the need for extra infrastructure – helping mines start or resume production sooner. Setting a new benchmark in ventilation efficiency, Minetek delivers and fully commissions systems to site within just 24 weeks – months faster than the industry standard. This unmatched speed is driven by our innovative modular design, which simplifies assembly and eliminates extensive on- site construction. Built and rigorously tested at our state-of-the-art Australian facility, our fans arrive ready to perform flawlessly, ensuring faster project timelines and minimal operational disruptions. Minetek is committed to delivering superior, efficient solutions that redefine industry standards.”
In application examples, a mining operation urgently required a primary ventilation system to prevent delays that could disrupt the entire mine design and hold up critical infrastructure, including a vent raise. Without a swift solution, the project faced costly setbacks and operational delays.
Minetek deployed a compact booster fan arrangement, consisting of high-performance Raptor Series fans, which delivered the necessary ventilation quickly and efficiently. This solution enabled the mine to delay capital- intensive vent raises for 18 months, significantly reducing upfront costs and allowing the project to progress on schedule. By addressing the immediate ventilation needs with a flexible, cost- effective system, Minetek helped the mine avoid delays and optimise resources.