CBO MINExpo Coverage

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 27, 2012) — Building better dealer relationships and various safety issues were the major topics from the showroom floor as Construction Business Owner attended MINExpo. MINExpo only happens every three years and is widely recognized as the premier exposition of mining equipment and services in the world, featuring a wide range of new-product introductions and exhibits of some of the largest mining equipment. It also is attended by many of the leading executives and professionals in the world mining industry.

Despite plunging commodity prices and decreasing mining budgets, there was positive energy about the mining and construction industries on the showroom floor among its more than 50,000 attendees, with many new technologies introduced. Here are some of the highlights.

Handheld Group, a Swedish manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, announced the launch of its Nautiz X1 ultra-rugged smartphone. The Nautiz X1 is the toughest smartphone in the world — it is waterproof, dust-proof and shock-resistant — yet it is also lightweight, slim and smartly designed for both work and play.

“The Nautiz X1 is the toughest smartphone ever built, suitable for both field professionals and outdoor enthusiasts,” says Jerker Hellström, CEO, Handheld Group. “Having manufactured truly rugged mobile computers for many years, ruggedness is in Handheld’s DNA. This is no ordinary smartphone. With the Nautiz X1, we are providing a smartphone that delivers the reliability and sturdiness of an ultra-rugged computer.”

Blue Sky Network introduced its New SkyRouter mobile application for land, mobile, aviation and marine applications.  Available through most Android or iOS mobile phones or tablets, the new app allows fleet managers to stay connected to assets from anywhere at any time.

The New SkyRouter app works on combination with Blue Sky Network’s Iridium certified hardware and offers an easy-to-use interface. Features include GPS location, fleet asset lists, breadcrumb mapping, active asset indication, automated event reports, and drill-down on asset events.

Hard Dollar develops project cost management software for capital projects and displayed the newest version of Hard Dollar’s PCM software that has an important integration with CAE Studio 5D Planner. This integration features the following benefits:

• Streamlines the process of keeping project/life-of-mine budgets current due to constant changes in the mine plan and schedule

• Establishes a direct relationship between the budget dollars and the associated scope and schedule variables

• Responds to “what if?” scenarios across the mine plan, schedule and cost model

Volvo Construction Equipment showcased the new A40FFS full hydraulic suspension articulated hauler. Volvo also spotlighted the industry’s first two-pass loader – the L250G wheel loader, the new EC480D excavator and new MC135C skid steer loader. Telematics were also displayed with Volvo CareTrack.

The Manitou group presented its full range of dedicated mining solutions (from skid-loaders through telescopic rotating handlers to high capacity telehandlers). The machine/attachments/services combination provided by the Manitou, Mustang and Gehl brands confirms the Manitou Group’s commitment in the provision of solutions that combine maximum safety and versatility in the highly demanding mining sector. A full range of fully certified dedicated attachments (such as cages, winches, jibs, forks, clamps, buckets, etc.) were on display. The new MHT 10225 (the high capacity telescopic handler) has a capacity of 22.5 t and is ideally suitable for the requirements of mining companies. It was shown equipped with a new tyre clamp capable of changing a 12-t tyre and a cylinder handler capable of handling cylinders from 152 to 572 mm.

Hyster demonstrated its lift trucks and tire handler for mining haul trucks. See the exclusive video at www.constructionbusinessowner.com/videos.

Helac Corporation demonstrated how its PowerTilt attachment can increase productivity by 50 to 75 percent, increase your machine’s versatility, eliminate extra equipment on the jobsite, increase cut precision and eliminate service and maintenance issues.  See the exclusive video at www.constructionbusinessowner.com/videos.

Eaton Corporation exhibited new solutions in overland vehicles, hydraulics and electrical technologies designed to improve mining operations. Eaton demonstrated its unique approach to managing power systems as a strategic, integrated asset to provide enhanced safety for workers and a power system that is more reliable, efficient and safe, to maximize the productivity of minerals processing, material handling and extraction projects.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC announced an additional investment of $27.3 million for a second expansion project at its Bloomington, Ill., off-the-road (OTR) plant. Most of the investment will go toward new machinery for the production of giant loader tires (GLT). The Bloomington plant currently specializes in GLT bias production. The expansion will create approximately 47 new jobs.

Caterpillar boasted the largest exhibit at this year’s MINExpo. In fact, the Caterpillar exhibit was the largest ever in MINExpo history, according to event coordinators, with more than 52,000 square feet of exhibit space. Caterpillar showcased a broad line of surface and underground mining and materials handling equipment. Caterpillar has lowered its expectations for 2015, the company said in a presentation at MINExpo. Caterpillar lowered its expected profit range from $15 to $20 per share to between $12 and $18 per share because of reduced capital expenditures by commodity producers, according to Businessweek. Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman said in a presentation that Caterpillar is forecasting between moderate and “anemic” growth, adding that economic growth has slowed down more than expected. Caterpillar also forecasted sales rising from about $60.1 billion in 2011 to a range of $80 billion to $100 billion in 2015.

Hannay Reels are constructed of high-quality materials, such as heavy-gauge steel, with exclusive features like ribbed discs and one-piece hub assembly. For quick and trouble-free maintenance, the reels feature bolted-on components and conveniently located swivel joints. Every reel is custom built to specs.

Cummins displayed a 49- to 4200-hp (37-3132 kW) engine lineup, representing an extensive “smallest to largest” range—from the 2.8-liter 4-cylinder QSF2.8 (ideally suited for compact underground loaders) to the 95-liter, 16-cylinder QSK95, designed for ultra-high-class haul trucks and excavators. This was the North American debut for both of the new engines. Cummins also featured the QSK60 and QSK78, known throughout the industry for their reliability and dependability in mine sites around the world. Cummins engines for underground mining equipment from the mid-range QSL9 up to the 23-liter QSK23 were also at the show.

High-performance surface miners from Wirtgen, and minerals processing equipment from Kleemann were featured at Wirtgen America’s 2,400-sq. ft. booth. On display were the 53-ton Wirtgen 2200 SM, the smallest Wirtgen surface miner for most types of rock. Wirtgen also displayed a two-stage conveyor system with 1,800mm-wide primary and discharge conveyors and optional discharge conveyor lengths of 12,000mm or 16,000mm supports the surface miner’s cutting performance of up to 3,000t/h. The conveyor’s large slewing angle of 180°, flexible height adjustment and variable conveyor belt speed ensure smooth loading of large transport trucks even in restricted space conditions.

Iowa Mold Tooling (IMT) showcased the new TireHandler tyre manipulator line-up; Dominator II mechanic’s truck; 10000 telescopic crane; 14/98 articulating crane; and the SiteStar lube truck.

Haulmax featured the 3900 series dump truck, while providing visitors with the opportunity to view footage of the Haulmax product range in action across multiple applications. Haulmax is a manufacturer of extended-distance, off-highway haul trucks. The Haulmax product is available as an off-highway dump truck with varying body capacities and arrangements to suit multiple applications. The Haulmax bare chassis configuration serves as a base for a low-bed/road float, a service cart or water truck.

Pettibone/Traverse Lift, LLC, a manufacturer of rough terrain material handling equipment, featured its Cary-Lift 304-IMT tire handler.

3M displayed several fall protection products and demonstrated the 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material, composed of retroreflective lenses bonded to a heat activated adhesive. 3M ™ offers different protective clothing designed to help protect miners from potential hazards. The materials are washable, and durable. Specific reflective materials are also flame retardant depending on your safety needs at your mine site.

Liebherr introduced the new R 9150 mining excavator with an operating weight of 286,600 lbs./130,000 kg equipped with shovel attachment. The advanced R 9150 is the worthy successor of the esteemed Liebherr R 984 C.

Representatives of The Timken Company, together with KGHM International Ltd.’s Robinson Nevada Mining Co. (RNMC), presented on their predictive maintenance success. The seminar focused on the predictive maintenance and tools used to improve the reliability of dragline equipment at the RNMC mine, which mine managers say helped avoid millions of dollars in unscheduled downtime over the past five years. RNMC turned to Timken to provide condition monitoring and bearing maintenance training as well as bearing repair services for its open pit copper and gold mine near Ely, NV. Thanks to the training offered by Timken, Robinson Mine technicians have been collecting data on some of the mine’s most critical bearing applications and identifying problems before equipment becomes problematic.

Hitachi introduced its new rigid frame hauler — the EH5000AC-3. The hauler is the first hauler to feature the company’s brand new Advanced Hitachi AC Drive System, the only system available on the market that is designed and built by the same company as the truck.