Tag Archives: Volvo FMX

ABT to develop ‘failsafe brake’ for Glencore Australia’s Volvo FMX haul trucks

Advanced Braking Technology says it has entered into an agreement with Glencore Australia to develop a heavy vehicle Sealed Integrated Braking System (SIBS) for the Volvo FMX haul truck.

The design solution will include intellectual property developed by ABT and related to the proven and trusted “failsafe brake” for light commercial vehicles, which has been used extensively within both the Australian and international mining sectors over many years, ABT says.

ABT has agreed to undertake product development works exclusively with Glencore to adapt the SIBS for use on the Volvo FMX mining specification haul truck by developing, manufacturing, producing and installing prototype units for validation and testing in Glencore mining operations.

At the completion of the development, validation and testing, and, subject to mutually agreeable commercial terms, it is intended to progress to low-rate production stage for use in Glencore mining operations.

As Glencore is contributing to the development of the product, it is granted an exclusivity period and certain rights to priority of supply, with the intention of progressing to a commercial roll out phase, which, in turn, has the capacity to generate meaningful revenue for ABT.

Further, ABT may commence negotiations with other customers for supply of the product following the end of the exclusivity period with Glencore.

ABT CEO, Andrew Booth, said: “The signing of this agreement achieves a strategic objective of diversifying our SIBS vehicle type applications in which we provide innovative braking solutions to Glencore and other international heavy vehicle fleet operators.”

The potential value for the development stage of the ABT Glencore joint product development contract is up to A$2.8 million ($1.9 million) over a term of 12 months and contingent upon the successful completion by ABT of project and development milestones, the company said.

Booth added: “We are very proud at ABT to be working with Glencore to deliver a world-class heavy vehicle brake solution designed for heavy ruggedised industrial applications. The signing of this contract marks a key milestone in the company’s development and future strategy.”

Anglo American, QMRS commission industry-first Shaft Rescue System at Aquila

Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS), in partnership with Anglo American, has commissioned a critical new piece of mine rescue equipment for use across underground mines in the Queensland mining industry.

A funding commitment, in excess of A$2.3 million ($1.6 million) from Anglo American, enabled QMRS to purchase the Queensland mining industry-first Shaft Rescue System (SRS), a mobile truck-mounted emergency system to assist in underground rescues.

The commissioning at the Aquila mine followed a 2019 commitment from Anglo American Australia then-CEO, Tyler Mitchelson, to wholly fund the equipment for the QMRS.

Chief Executive Officer of QMRS, David Carey, acknowledged Anglo American for funding the equipment and supporting QMRS in its design and engineering.

“While we hope we never need to use it, the SRS will form part of the emergency response plan for every underground mine site in Queensland and we’re grateful for Anglo American’s support in delivering it,” Carey said. “The SRS lowers interchangeable cages into mine shafts to rescue trapped miners and is equipped with a world-first intrinsically safe directional Wi-Fi communications system that can be used safely underground.”

The Wi-Fi enables radio communications from the rescue cage to the surface, captures and shares real-time video and sends data from a gas monitoring system, according to Carey.

QMRS says the SRS has interchangeable cage options and over 1,200 m of rope on the drum for use in deep shafts. It is engineered with multiple fail-safe braking systems, hydraulically powered from the Volvo FMX 10*4 truck engine, which also has a back-up power system.

Carey added: “This equipment will make a meaningful difference to our emergency response capabilities in Queensland and will be housed at our Dysart headquarters in the heart of the Bowen Basin, so it’s close by if ever required.”

Head of Safety and Health at Anglo American’s Steelmaking Coal Business, Marc Kirsten, said the company was pleased to support QMRS in delivering the SRS for all those who work underground in the mining industry in Queensland.

“QMRS supports our industry with leading edge emergency response capability and support, and we are pleased to have been able to support them in turn, by providing this vital and potentially life-saving equipment,” Kirsten said.

“The SRS will improve emergency response capabilities across all underground mines in the Queensland mining industry, and it was important to us to make this investment in industry safety.”

Anglo American operates five steelmaking coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, three of which are underground.